World Hepatitis Day: Those yummy roadside pakodas can lead to liver cancer!

Hepatitis is a condition of inflammation of the liver, and is mostly caused by viral infections.

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Think twice before you decide to gorge on hot pakodas at a roadside stall on a rainy day. This can lead to infections including the one as harmful as hepatitis. On World Hepatitis Day today, we give you all the vital information you must have.

According to Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti, Senior Consulant, Oncoplus Cancer Care Centre, eating from roadside stalls during rain can be a factor in the spread of hepatitis A and B. This is because both of these viral infections are waterborne and occur when a person ingests water or food that has been contaminated. Hence, he recommends avoiding eating out in monsoon, especially at the unhygienic places.

Hepatitis is a condition of inflammation of the liver. It is mostly caused by viral infections. However, it can also be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, metabolic and autoimmune disorders, among other factors.


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Doctors say there is a cancer risk in patients with hepatitis C virus.

There are five kinds of hepatitis, namely A, B,C, D and E. Different viruses are responsible for each type of hepatitis.

Hepatitis A is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water and food or contact with someone carrying the infection. Hepatitis B and C are common and can be transmitted through the use of old infected needles, unsafe sex, sharing razors with an infected person, etc. Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that occurs only in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. It is one of the serious kinds of liver diseases. Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease mainly found in areas with poor sanitation.

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With the monsoon going on in the country, it is important to be aware about hepatitis. The disease at times is referred to as a silent killer as many people are unaware of its symptoms and some recognise it by the time disease has advanced. According to doctors, yellow discolouration of the skin and whiteness of the eyes, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain and diarrhoea are some symptoms of the disease.

Dr. Talikoti says there is a cancer risk in patients with hepatitis C virus. "Across the globe, hepatitis C, besides many lifestyle choices, is a leading cause of liver cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma in patients. hepatitis C affects the liver, causing it to inflame and scar over a long period of time. Compared with hepatitis B, the symptoms of hepatitis C are negligible but its effects are catastrophic. Even though the chances of succumbing to liver cancer with a hepatitis C infection are slim, the patients are still 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with it, compared to those who don’t have hepatitis C."

Hepatitis is a growing menace in India. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2016 report, Viral hepatitis is a serious problem in India with over 52 million people infected with chronic hepatitis in the country. The assessment by WHO shows that 40 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and 6 to 12 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C in India.

In 2017, World Health Organization appointed film star Amitabh Bachchan as its goodwill ambassador for hepatitis in South-East Asia Region to boost awareness and intensify action to stop the spread of hepatitis.

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Smoothies, Sprouts, Soups: Get Your Diet Right For Monsoon
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People usually fall sick during monsoon as the moisture in the air triggers growth and proliferation of many harmful micro-organisms. You must be very cautious about your food during rainy season as the wrong food will give rise to a variety of infections and diseases.

Reema Narang, Dietician at Doctor Insta, and Mehar Rajput, Dietician at Fitpass, shares some advice for people to include these superfoods in their daily diet.

Also read: Superfoods to boost immunity during monsoon

People usually fall sick during monsoon as the moisture in the air triggers growth and proliferation of many harmful micro-organisms. You must be very cautious about your food during rainy season as ..
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Instead of eating chaat and pakodas try having soups during your snack time. Soups are full of nutrition and give satiety. As well as it is easy to digest and is light on your digestive system. It is recommended to drink soups with ginger, garlic, and black pepper. These spices not only increase its taste but also help in improving your immunity. It also acts as a hydrant for your body during the humid weather as humidity speeds up the dehydration in your body and leaves you with fatigue and nausea.

Instead of eating chaat and pakodas try having soups during your snack time. Soups are full of nutrition and give satiety. As well as it is easy to digest and is light on your digestive system. It is..
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Steaming softens vegetables while maintaining most of their nutrients, especially water-soluble compounds that are easily damaged by heat like Vitamin C. Steaming vegetables not only removes germs from them but also helps them retain more texture and flavor. Some of the staples of steamed vegetable are broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, and tomatoes.

Steaming softens vegetables while maintaining most of their nutrients, especially water-soluble compounds that are easily damaged by heat like Vitamin C. Steaming vegetables not only removes germs fr..
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Sprouts are good for your health and it should be included in diet especially during monsoon as they will boost your immunity. You can have sprouts of green moong dal, kala chana, and chole with chopped onion, tomato and lemon juice. Make your sprout chaat tangy and tasty and you can have it in breakfast, lunch and in snack time.

Sprouts are good for your health and it should be included in diet especially during monsoon as they will boost your immunity. You can have sprouts of green moong dal, kala chana, and chole with chop..
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Juices are a no go in the monsoons, so replacing them with smoothies is the way to go. Avoid leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, cabbage etc and use organic food like cucumbers, oranges, mangoes, tomatoes for the required nutrition. Smoothies are not only easy to make but also are time-saving. Adding chia seeds to the smoothie acts as an energy booster for your body.

Juices are a no go in the monsoons, so replacing them with smoothies is the way to go. Avoid leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, cabbage etc and use organic food like cucumbers, oranges, mangoes, to..
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Whether you are eating it from the cob or the bhel version, corn has many health benefits. It lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and acts as a diabetes manager. Corn is also rich in fiber and starch, which ensures smooth functioning of the digestive system. Corn bhel is very healthy as well as a treat for your taste buds.

Whether you are eating it from the cob or the bhel version, corn has many health benefits. It lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and acts as a diabetes manager. Corn is also rich in fiber and..
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Ginger is a miracle spice and has several health benefits. Herbal teas with ginger like tulsi ginger tea, ginger, and black pepper tea will warm you up and improve your immunity. It is a rich source of chromium, magnesium, and zinc that improves the overall blood flow. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help in fighting against cold and flu. Coughing and congestions are a common problem during monsoon. Ginger's expectorant properties loosen the mucus from the lungs. It also soothes lung tissues.

Ginger is a miracle spice and has several health benefits. Herbal teas with ginger like tulsi ginger tea, ginger, and black pepper tea will warm you up and improve your immunity. It is a rich source ..
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The golden yellow spiced powder is a well know immunity boosting agent. It is a miracle spice and should be included during monsoon. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to keep the sugar level under control. You should drink a cup of milk with1/4th tsp in the monsoon to keep safeguard yourself from monsoon illness.

(Text: IANS)

The golden yellow spiced powder is a well know immunity boosting agent. It is a miracle spice and should be included during monsoon. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is als..
Read More

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