Introduction The sudden outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala has sent a chilling wave of scare throughout the nation, creating an atmosphere of panic and fear. Each day, a number of new cases are registered in the hospitals. But with no proper treatment and vaccines available, Nipah virus is looked as a threat to human life. Being highly contagious, the virus is engulfing innocent lives at a fast pace. Due to this, there is an urgent need to spread awareness about the cause and prevention for the same. Origin The first outbreak was witnessed in a small village, called Nipah, situated in Malaysia, in 1998, where the pigs were the intermediate carrier of the virus. This caused the death of the contaminated pigs and infected their caretakers. Coming back to the virus, as per WHO Nipah virus (NIV) infection belongs to the category known as zoonosis (a disease which is transmitted from animals to humans). Nipah is a rare virus which is highly contagious with no available vaccine

You gotta look before you flush, ease up when you wipe, and, yes, there is a right way to hang toilet paper.   You sit too long... It's quiet in the bathroom. You can actually lock the door and sit uninterrupted with a magazine, book or, more likely, a smart phone. But you really need to find another spot for a little "me time." Sitting perched in that position too long puts extra stress on the veins in the lowest part of your rectum; if those veins swell or bulge, it's "hello, haemorrhoids." In many cases haemorrhoids usually clear up within a week, but in the meantime, can be itchy, uncomfortable, and are the most common cause of rectal bleeding. But if you see any bright red spots on your stool or toilet paper after you wipe, talk to your doctor to make sure the bleeding isn't a symptom of colon cancer or another serious condition ...and push too hard:   Straining and holding your breath to get stubborn stool out not only ups the pressur

What if you could positively improve your health and fitness in the same amount of time as making a cup of tea? Ok, so you may not actually see a different number on the scale in just a few minutes (sorry!), but you can do something that will mean major results if you keep at it. In fact, thinking small might be smarter than trying to drastically overhaul your routine all at once. 'Trying to make big sweeping changes to your lifestyle can feel overwhelming and unattainable before you even start'. 'Instead, focusing on smaller tweaks empowers you to reach your goals. Accomplishing each one reinforces your commitment. And small changes add up to big results.' Try some of these ideas for a couple of weeks (no need to go nuts and put them all into play), and get ready to see some major gains. Pack your workout clothes the night before  'Time is the biggest reason people fail to work out,' say trainers. So toss your clothes, shoes, snack, and water bottle

I thought eating a big-ass salad made for the healthiest lunch ever. So I'd meal-prep five salads for the week, pile the veggies into a bowl, add a few more nutritious toppings, and chow down. Salads are supposed to be low in calories - perfect for weight loss. The only problem was, I was actually gaining weight. How do you gain weight eating veggies, you ask? Well, I thought variety was the key to health, so my bowl mas made up of at least 12 different ingredients, none of which were measured. But when I got a food scale, measured out each ingredient, and plugged everything into MyFitnessPal, I almost dropped my salad bowl in disbelief.  This was the nutritional breakdown: IngredientCaloriesFatCarbsProtein50 grams massaged kale (about 1 cup)2550250 grams cucumber (about 1/4 cup)820.550 grams carrots (about 4 baby)2050050 grams red bell peppers (about 1/4 cup)1630050 grams yellow bell peppers (about 1/4 cup)1430150 grams celery (about 1 large stalk)82016 cherry tomatoes14

Healthy food habits are extremely critical for people looking forward to looking slim, trim and beautiful. Delicious fruits and vegetables are easily available in summer months. Here are some of the best summer foods to help with your weight loss journey. Now that summer is here, many people would want to shed a few kilos to look their best in their shorts or swimsuit. But one common problem is that most people try to lose weight fast by following a ‘crash diet’ or a very low-calorie diet, which may not be good for the health. Health experts say losing weight more than what is considered normal too fast could put your health at risk of various problems, including muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, gallstones, etc. This can also mess up with your metabolism, which plays a significant role in weight loss and weight gain. What dieters must know is that the secret to weight loss is to make healthy changes in one’s daily life, which include making good food choices and finding time

The heart, so integral to life, sits in its protective cage in the chest, going about its work without any external sign to the owner. In the West, where one in four people die of cardiovascular disease, the importance of keeping the heart in good working order is hard to overstate. Sadly, the first sign many people have that their heart isn’t in good working order is when they have a heart attack. Although you can’t see your heart beating in your chest – not without specialist imaging technology, at least – there are visible, external signs that can indicate if something is wrong with your heart, before you suffer from a life-changing – or ending – “cardiovascular event”. 1. Creased earlobes One such external indicator is diagonal creases on the earlobes – known as Frank’s sign, named after Sanders Frank, an American doctor who first described the sign. Studies have shown that there is an association with the visible external crease on the earlobe and increased risk of atheros

Everyone has trouble sleeping now and then. According to guidelines from a physician group, insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when a person has the chance to do so. People with insomnia can feel dissatisfied with their sleep and usually experience one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, and decreased performance in work or at school. If you suffer from insomnia or wake up frequently in the night, try these methods for a better night’s rest. STICK TO A ROUTINE    Set your alarm for the same time every morning. Don’t be tempted to sleep in, even if you’ve had a late night. Getting up at the same time each day (and going to bed at roughly the same time each night), helps program your body to sleep better. BAN SCREENS FROM THE BEDROOM  Artificial blue light from screens affects the body’s internal clock and acts as a stimulant. Switch off the TV and don’t use laptops, smartphon

Some changes in your diet can help to slow brain aging and enhance memory.   1. Salmon  The omega-3 found in salmon is a fatty acid important for brain function and cognitive functions.   2. Flaxseed  Another important source of omega-3, flaxseed, also makes the list when it comes to good foods for your memory. You'll get added benefits when the seeds start to germinate. 3. Egg yolk  Egg yolk contains choline, a very important amino acid for the nerve cells and memory. It's great for your overall health.   4. Saffron  Helps to inhibit the death of nerve cells. Saffron should be added to food once a day. Do not exceed one teaspoon. 5. Grapes  Grapes have fisetin and are rich in flavonoids. Together, they help to regenerate cells, preventing the death of neurons.   6. Wine  Wine has the same benefits as grapes. Plus it's an antioxidant.   7. Quinoa  Quinoa speeds up the exchange of brain