PharmEasy Blog

Vaping: Meaning, Risks and Truths You Must Know

What is Vape and an E-cigarette?

An electric vape or an e-cigarette is a device that runs on batteries and heats up a liquid and creates a vapour that you inhale. The liquid can contain several chemicals, including nicotine and some flavouring. 

Vaping is gaining a lot of popularity and there are many types of vaping devices, such as vape pens, e-cigarettes and vape hookahs. While several people believe that vaping is better than smoking, is vaping safe? Vaping still involves many health risks and we shall find out more about the harmful effects of vaping in this article. 

How does vaping work?

Vaping devices come in different shapes, sizes and colours. They produce an aerosol byproduct when they electrically heat the liquid. Depending upon the type of product used, The vape e-liquid may deliver ingredients such as:

The liquid is often called “e-juice”, “vape juice,” or “vape liquid”. When a person inhales the vapour, it goes into the lungs and bloodstream and it is expelled from the mouth or nose. Not only people who are vaping but also bystanders can breathe in this aerosol when the user exhales it into the air.

In the year 2022, almost 1 in 10 or more than 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes over the past 30 days. The rise of e-cigarette use among middle school and high school students increases overall tobacco use. 

CDC strongly advises against the use of all THC-containing e-cigarettes or vaping products. Data indicates that using vaping products more than five times daily is associated with a higher risk of developing EVALI(E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury).

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Vaping health risks 

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance present in vape e-liquid. If compared to regular cigarettes, it is present in a much lesser amount in a vape; vaping does not involve the smoke and tar of a regular cigarette. However, it still contains harmful substances which enter your body and may cause several health issues. Some of the vaping health risks you must be aware of are:

Read More About 10 Tips on How To Quit Smoking

5 Facts about vaping

1: Vaping may be less harmful than smoking, but it’s still not safe. Even nicotine-free vaping may prove to be harmful to you as it contains several other toxic products which cause lung injuries and damage.

2: Research suggests vaping is bad for your heart and lungs. Nicotine raises your blood pressure and increases your risk of having a heart attack.

3: Electronic cigarettes are just as addictive as traditional ones as both contain nicotine and if you get addicted to them, you will suffer withdrawal symptoms when you ignore the craving. E-cigarette users can buy extra-strength cartridges with a higher concentration of nicotine. 

4: Vaping and e-cigarettes are promoted as ways to help you quit cigarette smoking, but they may not work as intended. Most people who intend to use e-cigarettes to kick the smoking habit end up continuing to use traditional e-cigarettes.

5: A new generation is finding e-cigarettes better than any traditional tobacco product. They are using flavoured e-cigarettes and these have a lower per-use cost than traditional cigarettes. This is proving to be a dangerous habit.

Also Read: Does Vaping Cause Cancer? Exploring The Health Implications

Vaping vs cigarette smoking

Neither smoking nor vaping is good for human health. Even though vape liquids contain fewer contaminants than cigarettes, they are not entirely safe. Vaping exposes a person to several other harmful substances than just nicotine and slows down the brain in fetuses, children and teens. The long-term effects of vaping are lung damage, cancer, weak immune system etc.

Smoking can damage all your body organs and it increases the risk of cancer and death. Some other long-term effects of smoking are reduced sperm count, respiratory problems, increased risk of cataracts, impaired immune function, inflammation in different parts of the body, blockages in the veins and arteries and stroke. 

Conclusion

It’s time we must understand the significance of practising healthy habits and staying away from unhealthy ones. People have started taking their health seriously and vaping or smoking must never be practised. In the case of vaping, it is hard to tell how much of the harmful chemicals are being inhaled and people tend to think it is much less than regular smoking, but addiction is equally harmful and you must understand the long-term vaping health risks and avoid it as well as smoking, at all costs. 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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World No Tobacco Day – Battle Your Enemy, The Cigarette!

World No Tobacco Day – Battle Your Enemy, The Cigarette!

The World Health Organisation has pulled out all stops to drive home the fact that tobacco is lethal. And that is why they have designated May 31st as World No Tobacco Day. This is the day that campaigns are launched to remind people to steer clear of tobacco. This year’s theme is focused to protect the environment ”tobacco is killing us and our planet”. Tobacco consumption is not just about smoking but also about the smokeless forms available as gutkha and pan masala. It is important to understand that tobacco consumption in any form and any quantity is extremely harmful to our health and our planet.”.

Here are some problems caused by tobacco consumption:

  1. Cancer Risk

Whether you are puffing on a cigarette, a cigar, pipe, hookah or chewing tobacco, the most fearful outcome of regular consumption of tobacco is an increased risk of cancers in your body which can take away your life, health and wealth. 

2. Lung Damage

Your lungs have delicate little air sacks that cannot survive an onslaught of constant smoking. The smoke also damages the air passages leading in and out of the lungs. Once you begin to smoke regularly, infection sets in. With continued smoking, the infection worsens and gradually paves the way for lung cancer. Moreover, it aggravates asthma and pneumonia.

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This is a dangerous illness and unfortunately, there is no permanent cure. The more you smoke and the longer the duration of smoking, the greater the chances of your coming down with COPD. Some symptoms include:

4. Heart Disorders –

Smoking causes your blood pressure to soar which makes you susceptible to Peripheral Arterial Disease. Plaque starts to accumulate along your blood vessels. This thickens them and makes them inflexible which restricts the supply of blood to the heart. If this continues for long, the muscles of the heart will start to die. This escalates the risk of a heart attack.

5. Makes you prone to diabetes –

Smokers are actually much more likely to get Type 2 diabetes than non-smokers are. It makes your body resistant to insulin. And if you had already been diagnosed with this debilitating disease before you picked up the habit of smoking, then it will make the symptoms worse.

6. Other  health effects of smoking  –

What should you do?

You need to stop consuming tobacco the right way. But if you are a chain smoker, maybe you will have to gradually wean yourself off smoking. So, in the meantime try a nicotine patch or other substitutes for nicotine with a doctor’s advice and undergo the following tests to assess the state of your health:

Smoking cessation is nowadays aided by many medicines, nicotine replacement and psychotherapy but the big problem is that while many people can cease smoking for a few days, the urge to smoke is overwhelming and relapse rates are high.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

The Government’s preventive measures against consuming tobacco

It is the 21st century and the dependency of a large chunk of people still hangs on tobacco, one of the foremost preventable causes of death, killing almost half of the population in the world. According to WHO’s Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2015, tobacco is consumed and affects 14.6 per cent of the youth and 14 percent of the adult population. Governments all over the world issue notices and advertisements against the consumption of tobacco, yet 6 million people die due to diseases caused by tobacco, while 0.6 million due to second-hand (passive) smoking. 

Compared to no smoking, smoking even one cigarette per day carries a 40-50 times risk of heart disease and stroke, so be mindful when you think of smoking even one cigarette per day.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Also Read: Why Does Nicotine Make You Poop: Decoding Its Effects on Digestion

The Government of India has taken certain steps to curb smoking as well as other forms of tobacco consumption:

The Government of India has banned certain kinds of smokeless tobacco products like gutkha and pan masala under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Other tobacco products are regulated by the COTPA 2003 which contains provisions, like

Certain states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Jharkhand had the highest number of tobacco users in India, especially the states of the North. The state governments/union territories of these states and UTs have issued orders/notifications regarding a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes.

Smoking & consuming tobacco can have a terrible impact on your health. This World No Tobacco Day, vow to lay off tobacco not just to avert the ailments it triggers but also for the sake of your loved ones.

Read More: How To Quit Smoking?

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

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Why Are Heart Attacks Becoming Common Among The Youth?

South Asian populations, including Indians, account for a high risk of heart ailment even in the younger age groups. In fact, according to a Stanford University study, South Asian people have a 40% higher mortality rate due to heart attacks than people from the rest of the world.  

But of late, it has been observed that the age group that is the worst hit is the 25 – 40 bracket. The age group who is often indulged in unhealthy lifestyles and habits like smoking, alcohol and remain ignorant of the fact that they too are at risk of developing some serious illnesses. Appearing healthy from the outside does not assure perfect health.

It is important to prevent heart attacks as they could lead to severe complications like heart failure. What’s the difference between heart attack and heart failure? Generally, heart attacks occur when the blood flow to a part of the heart is partially or completely cut off, while on the other hand, heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to other body parts as efficiently as it should.

The time has come to become aware of the possibility of grave heart disorders and learn of ways to avert them. No matter how young you are, it is not too early to start taking care of your heart.

Physical activity significantly helps to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. When done regularly, moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises can lower an individual’s risk for coronary heart disease.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Why are young people having heart attacks?

Typically people think that the risk of heart ailments rises when a man reaches his 50s and a woman crosses the age of 65. But these days, heart illnesses or other disorders that lead to heart problems such as hypertension or high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are being noticed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

Why are the youth today more vulnerable to heart attacks than the previous generations?

The primary reason is the prevalent sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Modern lifestyle ups the risk of heart attacks among the youth.

Stress and anxiety

The lives of the youth today are riddled with stress. Stress levels are higher today than ever before. With workplace toxicity, unrealistic expectations, financial insecurity in a volatile job market, distressing news and social media abuse being rampant, the youth today do not have healthy ways of dealing with stress

Chronic stress is dangerous for the body. It causes unhealthy weight gain and high blood pressure. Undiagnosed hypertension damages the arteries and lowers blood supply to the heart. In the absence of enough blood, the heart muscles start degrading and eventually, this causes a heart attack.

Indians have higher risk of CAD at young age compared to other populations. Risk factor profile remains similar to those of old adults such as dyslipidemia, tobacco, diabetes, and hypertension but conditions like hyperhomocysteinemia, hypercoagulable states, and cocaine use, etc. are specific to younger population and should be evaluated in CAD cases. CAD in the young is increasing in prevalence in India due to changing lifestyle. Family history of premature CAD is one of the strongest risk factor in young individuals.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Unhealthy dietary habits

Another answer to the question of why do young people have heart attacks, lies in the foods that the youth today eat. To deal with stress and also because the youth barely has the time or energy to cook healthy meals, unhealthy eating is on a rise. Frequent cravings are satiated with sweets, desserts and oily fried foods. Reliance on take-out foods has increased. All these foods are harmful to the heart.

Trans fats found in deep-fried foods, white bread, cookies, cakes or pastries raise the level of LDL (bad cholesterol). LDL builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels of the heart. This creates an obstruction that narrows the passage and limits how much blood reaches the heart. This may eventually trigger a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Youth these days indulge in extreme diets, take a variety of health supplements on their own which can be harmful. Any diet plan or health supplements should not be taken without discussing with a doctor or registered dietician.

Obesity and diabetes

Unhealthy eating causes obesity and is one of the primary risk factors of diabetes. Studies have found that the obesity rate in India is increasing more rapidly than the global average and India already ranks 3rd in the obesity index. 

The incident rate of obesity is quite high in the youth and obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Both obesity and diabetes are considered risk factors for heart diseases. 

It is important for everyone to stay aware of the warning signs of heart attack and get yourself tested by a cardiologist when in doubt.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Exercise

Too little or too much exercise is another reason why young people are having heart attacks.

Cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, brisk walking, swimming, dancing, skipping rope (any exercise that makes your heart rate go up) ward off obesity and keep LDL and triglyceride levels in check and thus protect the heart. Exercises also increase blood supply to the heart. But unfortunately, many youngsters are reluctant to exercise because they think they don’t have enough time after work.

On the other end of the spectrum are youngsters who exercise too much in a bid to fit the media-established idea of the ‘perfect body’. If there is a pre-existing heart condition that has not been diagnosed yet, then excessive exercise can damage the heart further and bring on a heart attack. Unregulated weight training can thicken the heart muscles and unprescribed supplements can trigger arrhythmia. 

According to doctors, some people in their 20s start developing heart blockages because of genetics or bad cholesterol. In such a state, if the person puts his/her body through an extreme workout, the exertion can trigger the formation of blood clots near the blockages which can result in a heart attack. 

Sedentary lifestyle

Lack of physical activity, prolonged sitting hours in front of a laptop or TV, excessive screen time, poor sleep habits, improper eating schedule together affect a person’s health. Working in these areas can offer great health benefits and this applies to people of all age groups.

Will a healthy lifestyle reduce heart attack possibilities?

All healthcare experts will tell you that you can substantially lower the risks of cardiac problems by following a healthy lifestyle. A perfectly healthy-looking person may also have an underlying illness that can be diagnosed by routine health checkups. Follow these tips:

If needed, consider seeking the help of a therapist. It is nothing to be ashamed of.

Start taking better care of your heart health from today. No matter how young you are, your health deserves special attention and love. Live healthy to prevent not just heart attacks but many other illnesses as well. And if there is a prevalence of heart disorders or diabetes within the family, get yourself tested at least once a year. Prevention is always better than cure, stay aware and keep up good health.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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What is Third-hand Smoking and What Does it Mean for People Around You?

The term passive smoking has become common parlance now, for being in the vicinity of someone who is smoking. However, there is yet another form of passive smoking known as Third-hand smoke, which involves inhaling residual nicotine left on indoor surfaces. This can be particularly harmful since it can cause damage to the DNA.

Moreover, third-hand smoking is dangerous because it often mixes with pollutants and develops into cancer-causing compounds. Third-hand smoke initially develops from the nicotine that settles and spreads onto several indoor surfaces. Over time, certain harmful chemicals are released from these indoor surfaces and breathing them in can be as harmful as passive second-hand smoking. 

Who are the most at risk from third-hand smoke?

Since passive second-hand smoke is something that people have become conscious about to some extent, family members are often kept at bay when a person is smoking. However, the concept of third-hand smoke is fairly unknown to most smokers. Therefore, children and other non-smoking adults within the same closed or partially open indoor space may be at the highest risk of being exposed to such cancer-causing compounds.

If there are infants inside the house, third-hand smoke can be even more dangerous. This is because infants who haven’t learnt to walk yet, are usually in high contact with the floor and have their hands touching it most of the time. Nicotine from tobacco smoke settles and clings to such floor surfaces. Since infants have the habit of putting their hands inside the mouth quite often, this nicotine along with other harmful chemicals can easily enter their bodies.

For non-smoking adults, the effect of such cancer-causing compounds can be severe on their bodies. The detrimental impacts of passive smoking in non-smoking adults can include cancer of the nasal sinuses, throat and breast cancer, along with short and long-term respiratory symptoms and even the permanent loss of certain lung functions.

Read more about Vaping: Meaning, Risks and Truths You Must Know

What are the negative effects of third-hand smoke?

Since nicotine is one of the several deadly cancer-causing compounds, it has been identified as the leading cause of several forms of sinus, throat, breast and lung cancer. One study has particularly found that undetected damage to DNA could be one serious consequence of third-hand smoke in both children and non-smoking adults. This genetic damage along with the entry of cancerous compounds into the human body can often result in compound health ailments for people of all ages.

Moreover, in several cases, such third-hand smoke tends to remain and even accumulate on the smoker’s skin. It is also assumed that when a smoker comes in contact with a group of people, the entire group can fall prey to the damaging effects of third-hand smoke.

The Cleveland Clinic has identified several harmful effects of being exposed to third-hand smoke. Apart from the dangerous effects of cancerous substances like nicotine and damage to DNA, this type of passive smoking can also cause further damage to the respiratory system of non-smokers. When nicotine from tobacco clings to surfaces like clothes, walls, curtains, furniture, etc, it reacts with the Nitrous acids found in the atmosphere and forms different types of cancer-causing compounds.

Moreover, eliminating this nicotine residue is quite impossible since it is not directly visible. This residue can cling to indoor surfaces for several months and even years at a stretch. Ensuring proper ventilation in the room has little effect on this residue and it also evades the action of vacuum cleaners.

The only plausible solution to eliminate this residue from third-hand smoke may be to repaint the walls, replace all curtains and carpets and perform extensive cleaning of the ventilation systems inside the house. The entire process is quite expensive, to say the least and hence it is best to quit smoking in order to prevent the risk of third-hand smoke in the first place.

Also Read: Does Vaping Make Your Teeth Yellow: Exploring Dental Impact of Vaping

Prevention of third-hand smoke

Since such cancerous residue cannot be expelled simply by proper ventilation and can often be carried around the housing via clothing, it may be helpful to take some preventive measures. 

Read more about Does Vaping Cause Cancer? Exploring The Health Implications

Conclusion

Since third-hand smoke is a relatively new area of research, there is still a lot to be uncovered about its long-term effects on non-smokers and ways to prevent them. Moreover, lockdown during the pandemic has increased people’s chances of exposure to such cancer-causing compounds because of having to be in constant contact with someone at home who smokes. This can often cause irreparable damage to DNA and the only solution is either for the smoker to quit smoking or refrain from smoking at home to minimise chances of third-hand smoke.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

How Does Smoking Increase The Risk Of COVID-19?

Introduction 

COVID-19 has turned people’s attention more towards their health. However, there were some aspects like smoking that people were unaware of while taking care of themselves. Some conflicting articles speculated on the smoker’s risk of COVID-19.

In addition, some even highlighted the risk of smoking in this pandemic. Initially, WHO reported that smoking amplifies the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, instead of all these contradictions, the researchers are still busy finding the conclusion to this evidence.

Data from 6,717 suggests that, Adults who received hospital care for COVID-19, researchers found adults who used tobacco or electronic cigarettes were more likely to experience severe complications compared to non-smokers. Based on these data, they found adults who smoked had a 15% greater chance of requiring mechanical ventilation and a 41% greater chance of death compared to non-smokers.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Smoking and COVID-19

Smoking increases health hazards during the pandemic. There were many warnings by the medical teams about how smoking and COVID-19 are related. But, people considered smoking for coping with the mechanism of stress, pandemic anxiety and the lockdown. They found mental peace in smoking. 

But, many of them were unaware of the fact that smoking increases the risk of COVID-19. As a result, in fear of the COVID-19, many people have quit smoking, while some are still unable to process the fact that it might kill them. 

Health should be the topmost priority for everyone. So, the Indian medical experts were propagating the ill effects of smoking on people’s health. Even teenagers these days are addicted to smoking or vaping. So, it’s essential to understand the smoker’s risk of COVID-19.

It is a significant concern in the country as teenagers fail to understand the dangers associated with smoking. The TCH present in vapes and cigarettes is hazardous and can cause fatal lung disease. 

Read more about Vaping: Meaning, Risks and Truths You Must Know

Risks of smoking during the pandemic

Studies show that smokers are more vulnerable to the risk of contracting COVID-19. The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued some dangers of smoking and tobacco usage during the pandemic. Smokers can make 50% more susceptible to the virus than normal people with these risks:

One must understand the grave danger of the points mentioned above to understand the smoker’s risk of COVID-19. 

Tobacco compromises lung function, and COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs, evidence indicates that smokers are more likely to suffer more severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as admission into intensive care units and death, than never-smokers.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

How were people able to quit their habit during the lockdown?

Many of the people got restricted from going out of their houses. This stopped them from buying cigarettes, vapes or any tobacco products. Staying home makes it easier to quit smoking or tobacco.

Lockdowns also improved family support. They may prove to be of tremendous help to help people quit smoking. Family members help them to resist smoking and motivate them to get rid of this habit. Once you understand how smoking and lung functions are related and affect your health, it adds as a motivation to quit and opt for a better life. 

People get adapted to smoking when they find it as a way to escape from reality. But, during the pandemic, these people took mental health support. The support team takes care of their mental health. Thus, people got detached from smoking or consuming tobacco. 

Quit it easy 

Seeking professional help is always a good idea if you want to quit smoking. A psychiatrist can help you develop insight and set realistic goals to help you quit smoking easily. If you are a heavy smoker and unable to quit the habit by motivation alone, your doctor may prescribe you some medicines available in the form of chewable gums and patches for a given period of time and reduce the dose gradually to ease the process of quitting smoke. It is important to be honest with your doctor and continue the follow up and treatment as advised.

Also Read: Does Vaping Cause Cancer? Exploring The Health Implications

Health hazards caused by smoking

  1. People who smoke have a higher chance of losing their eyesight over the age of 65.
  2. People with type-2 diabetes are affected because of smoking. In this case, poor blood flows to the legs and feet that can cause you to lose them.
  3. Male sexual functions get affected due to smoking. For example, it causes erectile dysfunction in them.
  4. Women who smoke can undergo Ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is a risk to the life of mothers as it can cause them death.
  5. Smokers have a low bone density. As a result, it can cause fractures more often in the body of people.
  6. Smoking has been a cause of colorectal cancer in the intestines. This type of cancer can prove to be fatal. 

Read more about Does Vaping Cause Cancer? Exploring The Health Implications

Conclusion 

Smoking has never been a health concern for many people. However, whether it is during the pandemic or not, smoking is always harmful to our health. Smoking not only increases the risks of infection for the smoker but passive smokers as well. Seek social support and stay connected with your family. Talking to people will help you lower the stress and anxiety in your mind.

Quitting smoke has always been a tough job for any person. In this case, it is necessary to set goals as to when to smoke. Keep decreasing the number of cigarettes day by day. Stop looking towards it as the only factor to keep you happy. Instead, look around and get addicted to some of your favourite hobbies. Keeping yourself busy in other activities will divert your mind from smoking and give you the will to be happy by yourself. We must take as many precautionary steps and try our best to avoid an increased risk of infection. 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Celebrate a Healthy Offbeat Valentine’s Day!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we are pretty sure everyone around here is looking for ideas to spend the day with their loved ones in a uniquely healthy way. Our last blog tried to help you in some way to explore ideas to help you celebrate ”Valentine’s in a healthy way” and if you are still running around to explore a new idea, don’t worry we have got your back.

Here are some more ideas you can consider this Valentine’s:

Modify the idea of chocolates: Ditch traditional chocolates for ”dark chocolates” this time. Dark chocolates have multiple health benefits as it acts as an antioxidant, helps burn fat and increases blood supply to the brain. Dark Chocolate Pancakes won’t leave you craving chocolates and cakes. Give your loved ones a newer concept of chocolates along with wishing them great health.

Ditch virtual for reality: Take a detox from social media this Valentine’s and gift your time to your loved ones. Choosing not to use social media will put you on a path to rediscover the value of your time and will make simplifying your digital life easier and always remember you can do things in life without posting on social media.

Throw a family party: It’s impossible being an Indian and not having a big fat family. Indulge in a party with them. Get close to family; plan for some family fun activities like puzzles or a treasure hunt and give your brain mental exercise in search of answers. Prepare Mini Home-Pizzas, Watermelon and Strawberry Valentine’s Kababs or Healthy Spelt Oat Cookies that are healthy fusion satisfying your taste buds and party needs.

Be a Galentine: A concept bought about by Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation, ”Galentine’s Day” which gives women a chance to celebrate all the lovely ladies in their lives. Ideally, it is celebrated on the 13th of February however you still can go for an extension to celebrate the same. For men, there is no such official day, but you can pay tribute to your bromance on the same day.

Show your artistic skills: We are far more colorful, far more creative and far more charismatic than we know. Explore your inner artist and gift your loved ones some DIY gifts. Time spent on creating DIY gifts can be more relaxing for your mental health and creating something extremely valuable for your loved ones.

Outdoor activities: If you and your partner are someone who likes to go outdoor and enjoy then you have multiple options like playing tennis or golf at your nearest club or go swimming or plan a campfire night and enjoy the music amidst star gazing.

Plan a dinner date at home: Want to get romantic on Valentine’s day? Then go for traditional candlelight dinner time or cook together something healthy and spend candlelight dinner at home, which can be an option to be kind to your pockets and health.

Buy an insurance plan: What can be more useful to your loved ones than wishing them health and gifting them a health insurance policy. Buy health insurance plans and prepare for future medical bills smartly.

Quit Smoking: Gift your health to your loved ones this Valentine’s and quit smoking. There is no way smoking can be an excuse in the family as it not only puts you at risk but also people around you. This Valentine’s day say no to tobacco and choose a healthy life.

No plan is also a great plan: Still, if all these ideas don’t influence you and if you still feel you are running out of ideas, then just go with the flow. Don’t put up high expectations on Valentine’s day and consider it as an ordinary day and keep it just to relax and meditate.

It’s obvious to want nice, fancy things on V-day, but you shouldn’t expect your partner to spend money on insignificant things. It’s not the price of the gift that matters, it’s about what it represents. A gesture that means something special to the both of you is more valuable than any material item and what can be better if you consider your health too so procrastinate the traditional stereotypical valentine’s day gifts; yet go sappy with these alluring ideas!

Also Read: Vaginal Steaming: Research-Backed Insights on Benefits and Precautions

References:

  1. https://www.sterlingcare.com/resources/resources/blog/view/celebrating-valentines-day-offering-heart-healthy-tips/
  2. https://greatist.com/health/healthy-valentines-day-date-ideas
  3. https://caloriecontrol.org/tips-for-a-healthy-valentines-day/
  4. https://www.upmcmyhealthmatters.com/tips-for-a-healthy-valentines-day/
  5. https://choma.co.za/articles/391/6-ways-tso-celebrate-a-healthy-valentines-day

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.