In today’s world, adolescents are increasingly turning to vaping. A recent study, published in the journal ‘Preventive Medicine,’ has shed light on the fact that vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, raises the risk of asthma among adolescents who have never smoked traditional tobacco products.

While e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than regular cigarettes, they still contain a mix of harmful chemicals that can elevate the risk of respiratory diseases.

The study has uncovered a clear connection between e-cigarette use and asthma in adolescents who have never used traditional tobacco products. This finding underscores that vaping independently increases the likelihood of asthma in adolescents, regardless of their use of conventional tobacco products.

To arrive at these conclusions, researchers analyzed data from 3,000 adolescents aged 13 to 17 in the state of Texas, comparing it with information from over 32,000 adolescents across the United States. Respondents were asked whether they had ever used an e-cigarette, the frequency of their use in the past 30 days, and whether they had received an asthma diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

The study took into account various factors, including respondent gender, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, and the presence of depression symptoms. Additionally, it considered data on the use of other substances, such as traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Dr. Taehyun Roh, the lead author of the study, emphasized, “Increasing awareness about the harmful consequences of e-cigarette use, enacting stricter regulations, and promoting alternative methods for managing mental health are potential measures to reduce e-cigarette use.”

The study underscores the urgency of implementing strategies to address the growing prevalence of e-cigarette use and its adverse health effects.

(With contributions from IANS)

Image Credits: istockphoto.com

Conjunctivitis has recently affected a significant number of people in Delhi. We’ll walk you through some simple and friendly steps to prevent conjunctivitis and offer practical tips on how to take care of yourself if you happen to catch it. So, let’s get started and keep those eyes happy and healthy!

Part 1: Preventing Conjunctivitis

1. Keep It Clean:

First and foremost, good hygiene plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of conjunctivitis. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before touching your eyes. Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes unnecessarily, as this can introduce harmful germs into the eye area.

2. Avoid Sharing Personal Items:

Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to personal items like towels, handkerchiefs, or eye makeup. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious, so be cautious and refrain from sharing these items with family or friends to reduce the risk of transmission.

3. Stay Away from Infected Individuals:

If you notice someone with symptoms of conjunctivitis, such as redness, itchiness, or discharge from their eyes, be kind and keep a safe distance. Avoid close contact until their symptoms have fully resolved to prevent catching the infection.

4. Protect Your Eyes:

In dusty or polluted environments, wear sunglasses or protective eyewear to shield your eyes from irritants. This can reduce the chances of conjunctivitis caused by airborne particles or pollutants.

Part 2: Taking Care of Infected

1. Consult an Eye Specialist:

If you suspect you have conjunctivitis or experience symptoms like redness, itching, or excessive tearing, consult an eye specialist immediately. They can diagnose the infection correctly and suggest the appropriate treatment.

2. Avoid Touching and Rubbing:

Resist the urge to touch or rub your eyes, as this can worsen the infection and spread it to your other eye or to other people.

3. Keep It Clean and Soothing:

Gently clean your eyes with a clean, damp cloth to remove any discharge. You can also use over-the-counter saline eye drops to help soothe irritation and keep your eyes moisturized.

4. Follow Doctor’s Instructions:

If prescribed eye drops or ointments, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Finish the full course of medication even if your symptoms improve, as this ensures complete recovery and prevents the infection from coming back.

5. Rest and Self-Care:

Give your eyes some rest during the infection period. Avoid wearing contact lenses until your eyes are fully healed. Get adequate sleep and maintain a balanced diet to support your body’s natural healing process.

With these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of conjunctivitis and protect your eyes from infections. Remember to prioritize hygiene, avoid sharing personal items, and protect your eyes in polluted environments. If you do get infected, don’t panic; just consult an eye specialist and follow their guidance.

Let’s work together to keep the eyes healthy and happy! Stay safe and take care! 🙂

Dry skin, also called xerosis, can crack, cause pain and even become infected if left untreated. This season, we bring to you some simple remedies and hacks to get by winters without letting your skin suffer. 

Winter is here, and so is dry skin. Caused by a number of factors like lack of hydration, choice of fabric, hygiene of the skin or irritation of the skin when it reacts to products, dry skin, also called xerosis, can crack, cause pain and even become infected if left untreated.

Many people suffer from dry, flaky, moisture-ridden skin during winters and hope for winters to pass by sooner than usual. But fret not, this season, we bring to you some simple remedies and hacks to get by winters without letting your skin suffer.

Avoid hot showers

Hot showers in winters make sense but it not might be a very good idea to go for hot showers in the cold season. The problem is that hot showers can strip your body of its natural oils, that help in keeping your skin smooth and moist.

Moisturize with coconut oil

Smear some coconut oil on your skin and gently massage it before hitting the sack or after a bath. Coconut oil contains saturated fatty acids that have emollient properties. An emollient is a fat or oil that acts as a moisturizer, making your skin smooth.

Go for an oatmeal bath

Oatmeal is a great natural ingredient when it comes to treating dry skin. Adding powdered oatmeal to a bath or using creams that contain oatmeal may help to relieve dry skin.

Use a humidifier

Cold, dry air can result in dry, irritated skin. Heating your house keeps you warm, but it also removes moisture from the air, which can make dry skin even more parched. To replenish the missing moisture, quickly and effectively, you can use a humidifier in your house.

Go for soft fabrics

Do not use scratchy rough woollens during winters. It might irritate the skin and cause dryness. Instead, opt for softer fabrics.

Apply sunscreen when you step out

Sun damage is one of the main causes behind dry skin, wrinkles, and roughness. You can help prevent damage by wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen year-round and dressing right. When it’s cold, it’s advisable to dress in layers.

Source: IndianExpress