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Immunization

According to WHO, Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine, which stimulates the body ’s own immune system, to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VACCINES?

Types of Vaccines are typically based on fundamental information about the microbe, such as how it infects cells and how the immune system responds to it, as well as practical considerations, such as regions of the world where the vaccine would be used.

The following are some of the types of vaccines:

• Live, attenuated vaccines
• Inactivated vaccines
• Subunit vaccines
• Toxoid vaccines
• Conjugate vaccines
• DNA vaccines
• Recombinant vector vaccines

HOW VACCINES PREVENT DISEASES?

Vaccines reduce the risk of infection by working with the body’s natural defenses to help it safely develop immunity to disease. When germs (bacteria or viruses), invade the body, they attack and multiply. This invasion is called an infection which causes disease. The antibodies from immune system fight and kills the germs to protect the body from disease.

Running for Health

The term running can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting. It is assumed that the ancestors of humankind developed the ability to run for long distances about 2.6 million years ago, probably in order to hunt animals.

Running is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity vaults over the stance leg or legs in an inverted pendulum fashion, while running is a type of gait characterized by an aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground, with some exceptions. A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity.

Scientific research has proved that regular running for about 150 minutes per week can help to prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some cancers, and improves the quality of emotional and mental well-being.

Be Ready: In the beginning start running slowly, if haven’t done regular exercise in a while, or you have diabetes or heart disease, talk with a doctor before starting to run.

Check Fitness Level: Test fitness level, including blood pressure and pulse rate.

Set a Goal: Decide the right goal which can motivate for running. Measure distance, weight, blood pressure.

Plan It Out: Whatever is the goal, a good plan will help to achieve the goal safely. The plan should include where to start, how quickly to add mileage, when to rest, and how to keep from getting hurt and it should do this on a day-by-day basis.

Start Easy: Start by walking and begin to run gradually, as you feel comfortable. A good goal is to get at least 150 minutes a week of “moderate aerobic activity,” like walking, or 75 minutes of “vigorous aerobic activity,” like running. Spread those minutes out over the course of a week.

Warm Up: Warm-up eases running and may help to prevent injury and keep muscles from being sore. If going for a fast walk, walk slowly for 5 to 10 minutes first and if going for a run, start with a brisk walk or slow jog.

Check Body Condition: If dizzy, feel sick, or can’t catch a breath, stop running probably because of overdoing it, then take a couple of days off to get strength back.

Cool Down: This lets your heart rate and blood pressure ease back into their normal ranges after your run. You do it the same way you warmed up: Slow down and go for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Stretch: Stretch major muscles after running and not before, breathe properly. A running guide or exercise professional can help with the right moves.

Res: Rest provide a chance to recover and get body stronger.

Make It a Habit: After few weeks of regular running habits, after a few weeks become a hard habit to break.
Make It Social: A little friendly competition with people at site can help to stick to regular routine.

National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in preventing serious, sometimes fatal, diseases across the lifespan of people of all ages.

Every year, over 200,000 people become seriously ill from viral infections that could have been prevented. Regardless of age, vaccines lower the chance of developing certain diseases, such as influenza which affects many families every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, receiving the flu vaccination can reduce the risk of illness by 40 to 60 percent. Staying up-to-date can also avert the spread of diseases to your family and loved ones.

National Immunization Awareness Month is a friendly reminder that vaccinations are a safe and easy way to promote a healthier lifestyle. With summer ending and school beginning, it is important to make an appointment with your physician can provide information about vaccine needs and issues related specifically to different age groups. The physician takes the child’s medical history and determines which immunizations may be the most effective.

Regardless of age, immunizations may help to prevent you and your loved ones from vaccine-preventable diseases, such as the flu or measles, etc.

We all know contracting illnesses as a child or an adult can cause discomfort as well as inconvenience. School absenteeism due to viruses is the most common occurrence affecting children across the nation. Illnesses can spread quickly through school settings due to poor hand washing and coughing, creating highly contagious environments.

Updating vaccinations are the most effective and safe way to reduce the risk of infection throughout schools and the community. An appointment with your physician can provide information about vaccine needs and issues related specifically to different age groups. Your physician will take into account your child’s medical history and determine which immunizations may be the most effective.

Diabetes and Diet

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affects the blood sugar (glucose) level of the body. Diabetes occurs when blood glucose is higher than the normal level.
The most common types of diabetes are type1, type 2, and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin Type 1diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, People with type 1diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not make sufficient insulin. Type 2diabetes occurs generally in middle-aged and older people.

Gestational diabetes develops, in some women, during pregnancy which usually goes away after the delivery

Blood glucose is the main source of energy for body available from the food. Insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas), helps glucose from food get into cells to be used for energy. Sometimes the body doesn’t make enough or any insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach cells.

Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, dental disease, nerve damage, foot problems. Controlling diabetes can lower the chances of developing these diabetes-related health problems. To live a long and healthy life, diabetes should be managed every day. Diabetes can affect almost every part of the body; therefore, blood glucose levels need to be managed. Managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol can help to prevent the health problems that can occur because of diabetes.

Healthcare team helps to create a diabetes meal plan that meets needs. The key to eating with diabetes is to eat a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, in the amounts outlined in the meal plan. The food groups are
Vegetables: includes broccoli, carrots, greens, peppers, and tomatoes, corn, and green peas
Fruits: includes oranges, melon, berries, apples, bananas, and grapes
Grains: at least half of required grains for the day should be whole grains which include wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, and quinoa examples: bread, pasta, cereal, and tortillas
Protein: dried beans and certain peas, such as chickpeas and split peas, nuts and peanuts
Dairy: nonfat or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese. Use oils (canola and olive oil) when cooking food instead of butter, cream, lard, or stick margarine.