The best essential oils of all times

As with every natural product, essential oils have variety of medical and health benefits for humans. From skin care to sleep induction, essential oils have been widely and abundantly used since ages. Obtained through distillation or cold pressing, essential oils capture the essence of the plant from which it is extracted,  the extract being full of all the goodness the plant offers.

Given below is a list of 7 best essential oils and their important uses;

Lemon oil

Extracted through cold pressing from the peels of fresh lemon, lemon oil is a natural and home health remedy for a variety of conditions such a skin problems, fungal and bacterial infections, and inflammation. It also reduces sleep deprivation, exhaustion and depression. 

Given below are important uses of lemon oil;

It is used as a relaxant and antidepressants. Usually lemon oil is an important ingredient of room fresheners, cleaning products and deodorants. The refreshing odor of lemon relieves stress and produces a calming sensation. It is beneficial in improving mood and reducing anxiety.

The nausea and vomiting symptoms experienced in first trimester of pregnancy can be decreased by using lemon oil. Aromatherapy with lemon oil significantly decreases emesis.

Lemon oil is an important antibacterial agent. It kills the bacteria growing on the skin and cleans small wounds and infection. The antioxidant property of lemon oil brightens and preserves the natural tone of skin. It also helps in treatment and prevention of acne.

The anti fungal properties of lemon oil are effective in athlete’s foot and yeast infections.

Aromatherapy with lemon oil changes the way brain responds to pain stimulus and decreases the sensation of pain.

Vitamin C present in lemon oil boosts immunity and helps fight minor to major ailments.

(Not safe to ingest)

Cinnamon oil

Obtained from Cinnamon verum, cinnamon oil contains ingredients having a number of health benefits.

The primary constituent that is, cinnamaldehyde, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is a home remedy for health conditions such as cough, cold and constipation.

It improves blood circulation, thus reducing stress and depression.

Cinnamon oil significantly improves immunity and helps fight infections.

It also improves the digestion.

Studies have shown that cinnamon oil widens the narrow arteries and helps in treatment of high blood pressure.

It also helps in maintaining blood sugar level and thus controls diabetes.

Lavender oil

Extracted from Lavandula angustifolia, lavender essential oil is on of the most abundantly used essential oil due to its unique and versatile properties. Its use is mainly popular in aromatherapy.

It is used to induce sleep and treats insomnia. It is a powerful relaxant and anxiolytic.

It is used in the treatment of fungal infections.

It has multiple important functions which include anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, relaxant, and analgesic, hypotensive, sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic and antimicrobial.

It can used as in a diffuser or vaporizer in aromatherapy or can be applied topically on the skin.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a safe and inexpensive solution to a number of health conditions. It is obtained from the leaves of a small tree, Melaleuca alternifolia.  This plant should not be confused with the one that is used in the production of green or black tea.

It has a number of health benefits.

The tea tree oil is used to make natural hand sanitizer which can kill bacteria and viruses which cause common illnesses. It is also a good skin moisturizer.

It can be used as an insect repellent. It is sometimes more effective than traditionally used insecticide or repellents.

It is a natural deodorant and helps reduce bad odor caused by sweating.

The antibacterial activity of tea tree oil prevents bacteria from entering into the broken skin and thus helps faster healing of wounds.

When topically applied on skin, it decreases the outbreak and severity of acne. It makes the skin brighter and preserves its natural tone.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil is widely used in Medicine to treat nasal congestion, asthma and as a tick repellent.

It is applied topically on skin as a remedy for conditions such as skin ulcers and arthritis.

It is used as a treatment of a number of respiratory conditions.

It is also an important ingredient of mouthwashes and toothpastes.

It is added in diffusers and vaporizers to be used in aromatherapy.

Chamomile oil

Chamomile oil is extracted from the flowers of chamomile plant. Chamomile oil has been used since the times of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It has been used in medicine for a variety of purposes.

These include restoration of normal digestive tone by preventing indigestion, nausea, vomiting and flatulence.

It increases wound healing and prevents ulcers.

It is a well established anxiolytic.

It prevents and treats skin conditions like inflammation, eczema and rashes.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile oil is effective for relieving pain specially from neuralgia or arthritis.

It promotes sedation and is used for sleep induction in patients with severe insomnia.

(Chamomile oil can be used in diffusers, sprays, vaporizers and it can also be applied topically on skin)

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of jojoba plant. it is widely used in skin care products and it is convenient enough to be used as a carrier for other essential oils. It is extremely beneficial for skin. Some of its most important properties are as follows.

It acts as a moisturizer by forming a protective layer on the skin. This barrier prevents loss of moisture. It also prevents entry or bacteria and acne and dandruff breakout.

Jojoba oil has antimicrobial properties. It  selectively kills certain types of bacteria and prevents infection.

The vitamin E present in Jojoba oil has antioxidant property. It helps in reducing oxidative stress and prevents aging.

The similarity of jojoba oil with sebum makes it non comedogenic, preventing clogging and  build up on the skin cells.

It is hypoallergenic and non irritating on skin. It produces soothing effect once applied. It heals eczema, psoriasis and sunburns.

Jojoba oil helps in healing of wounds and scars.

(Jojoba oil is safe to use directly on skin without dilution)

*if you are suffering from any critical medical condition, do  not use (topically or internally) without the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.

Complete picture of Anemia

 

Introduction

Anemia is a condition in which the body is severely deficient of healthy red blood cells which have the ability to carry oxygen to different parts of body.

Anemia affects almost 1.62 billion people on earth, which means that 24.8% of the Earth's total population is anemic. It is most prevalent in children of pre schooling age and the least prevalent in men. The population group with the highest number of effected individuals is the non-pregnant women (468.4 million).

Types of Anemia and their causes

Anemia is of different types and they may have a number of different causes. The major causes of different types of anemia are explained as follows:

Iron deficiency anemia:

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and as the name suggests, it is cause by the lack of sufficient amount of iron in the body. Iron is important in the synthesis of hemoglobin in the bone marrow. When the amount of iron is insufficient, enough hemoglobin is not synthesized and hence the shortage of red blood cells occurs. This type of anemia is common in pregnant women. It may also occur due to blood loss such as bleeding caused by an ulcer, cancer, heavy menstruation and over use of some medications such as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) which cause inflammation of the lining of stomach causing ulcer.

Vitamin deficiency anemia:

Along with iron, vitamin B-12 and folate are essential for the production of enough amounts of healthy red blood cells. Consumption of a diet in which these nutrients are deficient cases decreased production of RBCs. Some people who take enough vitamin B-12 but aren't able to consume it, also develop Vitamin deficiency anemia. Such type of anemia is known as pernicious anemia.

Anemia caused due to inflammation:

Diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, renal diseases, Crohn's diseases and many other acute and chronic diseases, can affect the normal production of red blood cells.

Aplastic Anemia:

This rarely occurring, life threatening anemia occurs when the body is not able to produce enough amounts of red blood cells. Causes of aplastic Anemia could be microbial infections, certain medications, autoimmune diseases and exposure to toxic substances.

 Anemia caused by defects in bone marrow:

Red blood cell production could be effected by a variety of diseases occurring in bone marrow such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, leading to the development of anemia. These cancer and cancer-like conditions could be mild and sometimes, life-threatening.

Sickle cell anemia:

Sickle cell Anemia is a hereditary disease which causes hemolysis of Red blood cells. It is caused by a defect in hemoglobin which causes the red blood cells to acquire an abnormal shape that resembles a sickle or crescent. Due to their abnormal shape, the cells die before getting mature, therefore causing a shortage of RBCs.

Life cycle of RBCs

In the bone marrow, burst forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) and colony forming units-erythroid (CFU-E) are differentiated into reticulocytes. This differentiation is enhanced by erythropoietin.

Reticulocytes stay in the bone marrow for three months to get mature after which they move into peripheral blood.

Mature RBCs then circulate in the peripheral blood for 100 to 120 days (approximately 4 months).

In the state of equilibrium or under steady state concentration, the rate of production of RBCs equals the rate of loss of RBCs.

Lab definition

Hemoglobin (Hgb);

Women: 

<12.0

Men: 

>13.5

Hematocrit (Hct);

Women: 

<36

Men :

< 41

Lab findings

Iron deficiency anemia;

Serum iron

Low (<60 micro grams/dL)

Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)

High (>360 micrograms/dL)

Serum Ferritin

Low (<20 Nano grams/mL)

It could be 'falsely' normal in inflammatory conditions

Symptoms

Different symptoms of Anemia that appear due to decreased oxygenation of body tissues and decreased supply of blood are as follows:

Symptoms that appear due to decreased oxygenation:

Exertional dyspnea

Dyspnea at rest

Fatigue

Bounding pulses

Lethargy

Confusion

Symptoms that appear due to decreased volume of blood:

Fatigue

Muscular cramps

Postural dizziness

Syncope

Special considerations while diagnosing anemia

Acute bleeding:

Drop in hemoglobin (Hgb) or hematocrit (Hct) is not observed until 36 to 48 hours of after acute bleeding has occurred (even though the patient may be hypotensive)

Pregnancy:

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the RBCs and plasma levels are expanded by 25 and 50%, respectively.Lab findings will show a reduction in hgb, hct, and the RBC count often to anemic levels, but according to the RBC mass, they are actually polycythemic

Volume Depletion:

Patients with severe volume Depletion may not show anemia until after they are re-hydrated.

Complications

If left untreated, anemia can develop into severe and complicated health conditions such as:

Severe fatigue:

Anemia at chronic stages causes extreme tiredness and fatigue, making it impossible to perform daily life activities.

Complications in pregnancy:

Folate deficiency anemia in pregnant women can cause complications such as premature birth.

Cardiovascular problems:

When an individual is anemic, his/her heart must pump enough blood to fulfill the oxygen requirement of the body. This can lead to the enlargement of heart or cardiac failure. Anemia can also cause arrhythmia.

Death:

Anemia such as sickle cell anemia could be fatal. Loss of a lot of blood abruptly causes acute or severe anemia or even death

Prevention

Many types of Aneamias such as those inherited from parents, are not preventable. Iron and vitamin deficiency could be prevented by taking a diet that includes a number of vitamins and essential minerals, including:

Iron:

Food rich in iron includes beef and meat, red beans, lentils, cereals fortified with iron, green leafy vegetables and dry fruit.

Folate:

Folate is found in fruits and their juices, leafy vegetables, peas, kidney beans, peanuts, enriched grains, bread, pasta, fortified cereals and rice.

Vitamin B-12:

Foods containing sufficient amount of vitamin B12 include meat, milk, yogurt, butter and other dairy products, fortified and enriched cereals and grains, soy products.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is present in citrus fruits and juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons and strawberries. They help in the absorption of iron.

(Consult your doctor or nutritionist to guide you about the diet suitable for preventing anemia).

Top seven best dietary supplements

 

Supplements are the best option to fulfill the nutrient requirements in malnourished individuals or those having any illnesses. As with every other synthetic product, the excess usage can cause more damage to health than benefits. It is now justified through research that overuse of dietary supplements could be detrimental to health and general well-being.

Given below is a list of top 7 best supplements that are widely used;

1.       Vitamin A and beta carotene

2.       Vitamin E

3.       Vitamin B6

4.       Multi vitamins

5.       Vitamin D

6.       Calcium

7.       Fish oil supplements

 The details of these supplements, their sources, usage and side effects are as follows:

Vitamin A and beta carotene

Source:

Vitamin A or retinol is present in diet in two forms. Performed vitamin A is found mainly in animal products such as meat, fish, chicken and dairy products. The second form known as the pro vitamin A is found mainly in plant derived foods such as fruits and vegetables. The most well-known pro vitamin is Beta carotene.

Use:

The major functions of vitamin A are as follows:

Maintenance of tooth, bone and skin health.

Maintenance of skeletal tissues, soft tissues and mucous membranes.

Maintenance of good eyesight.

Plays important role in promoting health in pregnant and nursing women.

Side effects:

Excess intake of beta carotene can cause carotenodermia, an orange yellow, displeasing coloration of skin.

At a level of more than 4500 micro-grams per day, vitamin A intake can cause liver toxicity.

Substantial damages could be caused in people with kidney failure.

Excess dietary intake of vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite (anorexia), blurred vision, headache, hair loss, fatigue, drowsiness and altered psychological state.

Chronic intake of preformed vitamin A can cause osteoporosis.

 Vitamin E

Source:

vitamin E or Alpha tocopherol is found mainly in plant based products, oils originated from plant and vegetable sources, seeds, and nuts. Following are the sources having the highest amount of Vitamin E;

Sunflower oil

Safflower oil

Soybean oil

Sunflower seeds

Peanut oil

Peanut butter

Beet greens

Collard greens

Wheat germ oil

Spinach

Red and green bell pepper

Asparagus

Mango

Avocado

Use:

It has antioxidant activity. It protects the body tissues from the harmful effects of free radicals. This allows it to prevent aging of body cells.

It helps in boosting the immune system and protects the body from pathogenic infiltration.

It is important for the formation of blood cells particularly RBCs.

It helps in the absorption of vitamin K.

It prevents the clotting of blood and keeps the blood vessels wide.

It helps in the intracellular interaction during body processes.

It allows prevention of cancer, cardio vascular diseases, hepatic diseases and memory loss.

Side effects:

The various side effects of vitamin E are as follows:

It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal and intestinal cramps, rashes, blurred vision, increased amount of creatine in urine.

Excessive use of dietary vitamin E can increase the risk of prostate cancer.

It can worsen the condition of patients with the following problems;

Vitamin K deficiency

Retinitis pignemtosa

Bleeding disorders

Diabetic patients

Patients with history of heart attack and stroke

Patients with head and neck cancer

Patients with hepatic diseases.

Vitamin B6 

Source;

Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is found in a wide variety of foods which include

Pork

Chicken

Turkey

Fish

Meat

Bread

 Oatmeal

Wheat germ

Brown rice

Eggs

Fruits

Vegetables

Soy beans

Peanuts

Milk

Potatoes

Breakfast cereals

Use:

Vitamin B6 is important for the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates.

It helps in the synthesis of RBCs and neurotransmitters.

It plays important role in mood regulation and reduction of symptoms of depression.

It helps in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

It is used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or PMS.

Decreases nausea in pregnant women.

Prevents blocking of arteries and ultimately reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Side effects:

Commonly observed side effects of pyridoxine include decreased folic acid in the body, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, tingling, numbness, loss of sensations and damage to sensory nerves.

Vitamin D

Source:

Vitamin D is found very rarely in nature. The best sources are tuna, salmon and mackerel fish. Minute quantity is present in beef, liver, cheese and other dairy products. Traces are found in carrots, almonds, rice, bread, sunflower seeds and lentils.

Use:

It is important in the absorption of calcium and thus helps in the maintenance of bone density and levels of calcium in the body.

Side effects:

Vitamin D overdose can cause increase in calcium levels in the body. It also causes weakness, drowsiness, headache, anorexia, xerostomia, metallic taste etc.

Calcium

Source:

Calcium is abundantly found in dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), green vegetables, soy beans, tofu, nuts, fortified flour bread and cereals and fish.

Use:

It helps in the formation of bones and teeth.

It helps in preventing osteoporosis.

It allows normal nerve transmission.

It allows release of hormones.

Maintains normal heartbeat.

Side effects:

Excessive use of calcium supplements can cause digestive symptoms such as flatulence, constipation and bloated stomach. 

  Multi vitamins

Source:

Multivitamins are obtained from food combinations of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry and dairy products.

Use:

Multivitamins are used to supply the body with the vitamins that are not taken in the diet.  Multivitamin supplements also fulfill the deficiency of vitamins caused by illnesses, digestive disorders, pregnancy, malnutrition, kidney disorders etc.

Side effects:

Multivitamins have a variety of adverse effects ranging from rashes to stomach upset. Overdose may also cause allergic reactions. Due to the presence of a number of active ingredients, adverse effects profile could be wide, advice from the doctor or pharmacist is necessary before using the product.

 Fish oil supplements

 Source:

Fish oil supplements are originated from fish like salmon, sardines, herring and cod liver.

Use:

Fish oil supplements are widely used for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, preventing the development of plaque in the blood vessels, reducing the risk of developing arrhythmias, heart attack and stroke and decrease the chances of death in people with cardiac disorders.

Side effects:

High intake of fish oil supplements can cause bad breath, heart burn, acidity, loose motion, rashes, nausea, vomiting and bleeding from nose.

Health and exercise

Any bodily activity performed to enhance health and well-being, maintaining physical fitness, promoting growth, preventing aging and improving the strength of muscles is known as exercise.

It is also a good way to socialize as individuals congregate in outdoor exercises.

Classification of exercise:

Exercises are broadly classified into three main types on the basis of their overall effect on the system of human body.

These classifications are as follows:

Aerobic exercise: It is any physical activity involving large muscles of the body consuming more oxygen than the resting state. It allows increased cardiac tolerance and vascular endurance. Running, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, rowing and hiking are some examples of aerobic exercises.

Anaerobic exercise: it is any physical activity that increases strength and tone of muscles as well as enhances bone strength, balance and muscular coordination. It includes strength and resistance training activities such as pull ups, push-ups, lunges and bicep curls using dumb-bells.

Weight training, functional training, eccentric training, sprinting, interval training are also included in anaerobic exercises.

Flexibility exercises: These exercises allow the muscles to stretch and increase their length.  Stretching improves flexibility of joints and muscles, this increasing the range of movements and reduced chance of injury.

 Physical training that focuses on accuracy of movements, agility, speed and power are also included in exercise.

The terms dynamic and static exercises are also widely used. These refer to activities that cause lowering of diastolic pressure (dynamic), and increase in systolic pressure (static).

Benefits of exercise:

Physical exercises help maintenance of health and well-being through a number of ways:

It allows maintaining a healthy body weight.

Allows regulation of digestive health.

Allows build up and maintenance of bone density.

Increases muscle strength and mobility of joints.

Promotes normal physiological functions.

Reduces risks of surgeries.

Boosts immune system.

Reduces potential of inflammation, thus preventing aging.

Improves metabolism.

Improves neurological functions.

Enhances cardiovascular activity.

Exerts antidepressant effect.

Improves quality of sleep.

Increases life expectancy and improves quality of life.

 Importance of diet with exercise:

A well balanced diet is as important as exercise. While exercising, it becomes more important to consume a healthy diet so that the body is provided with ample amount of nutrients in the correct ratio, in order to support the body to recover after strenuous exercise.

CoVID-19 and Personal Hygiene

 What is hygiene? Series of daily life practices, conducive to maintain a healthy lifestyle, promoting well-being by preventing occurrence and spread of disease is known as hygiene.

According to World Health Organization (WHO),

'Hygiene refers to conditions & practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases' [i]

Importance of maintaining hygiene;

Good personal hygiene bears great importance in maintaining healthy social interactions. Keeping your body clean not only keeps your own self healthy but it is also important in preventing spread of infections hence protecting those around us too. The incidence of CoVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of personal hygiene and people around the world have adopted personal hygiene routine to stay safe from the spreading virus.

Personal hygiene is also important religiously. Cleanliness is paramount to worship in different religions of the world. These include Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism which practice personal hygiene routine for performing their daily religious chores. Washing hands, performing ablution and bathing in holy waters has been taught and practiced in religious activities since many years.

 

How to start personal hygiene routine? [ii]

I've listed few easy and simple steps which you can follow to stay clean and get rid of all the harmful germs that lead to infections, illness and bad odor.

Hand washing;

Hands are one of the primary carriers of germs. This is because hands are constantly being used for greeting each other, touching surfaces, eating, playing or doing any type of work. Washing hands regularly will easily prevent illnesses such as flu, cough, common cold and GIT infections. It is important to wash hands at the following occasions:

·         Before cooking and eating food

·         Before holding a baby

·         After using the toilet

·         After coughing or sneezing

·         After visiting an ill person

·         After touching/handling animals

·         After leaving hospital

 

Dental hygiene;

Keeping your teeth clean and maintaining good dental hygiene helps in protecting the gums and teeth. It also helps in getting rid of bad odor and oral infections.

Always make sure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss then regularly. Don't forget to replace your toothbrush once every three months, especially after having a dental infection.

Bathing;

Bathing daily with a good antibacterial soap will kill the bacteria responsible for producing bad body odor. Skin infections such as athlete’s foot could be prevented by thoroughly washing and drying the affected area.

Itchy scalp, dandruff and head lice can be avoided by washing hair regularly with a good shampoo.

 Clothing hygiene;

The buildup of dirt and germs on clothes could be prevented by using a good antiseptic detergent. Washing clothes of an ill person is important to prevent spread of infection by contact with the clothes.

 

The massive spread of CoVID has made hand washing and other personal hygiene activities compulsory for everyone. It is important to continue the habits we have adopted during the pandemic to contribute in the development of a healthy, infection-free global atmosphere.

References:

[i]  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene#:~:text=Hygiene%20is%20a%20series%20of,to%20maintaining%20the%20body's%20cleanliness.

[ii] https://www.dettol.com.ng/personal-hygiene/healthy-body/the-importance-of-personal-hygiene/#:~:text=Good%20personal%20hygiene%20is%20very,protect%20those%20around%20you%20too.

Is Hepatitis more lethal than CoVID?

With around 325 million cases yearly and 1.35 million deaths worldwide per year, Hepatitis is one of the most deadly viral infections after HIV, tuberculosis and even CoVID. The sudden and rapid rise of the pandemic took all the attention although many other health conditions are still prevalent in the world and are increasing with the same pace.

What is hepatitis? Hepatitis or inflammation of liver is a common viral infection which causes yellow coloration of skin and eyes, loss of appetite, fatigue, pain in abdomen and diarrhea.

Hepatitis may be acute or chronic; the earlier heals within 6 months of infection whereas the later may cause severe conditions such as cirrhosis, failure of liver or hepatic cancer.

How is Hepatitis caused?

 Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are most commonly caused by viral infection. Other causes include alcohol abuse and over consumption, medication and autoimmune disease in which the healthy liver cells are destroyed by the body's own immune cells.

How is Hepatitis transmitted? 

Mode of transmission of hepatitis varies according to the type of virus and is summarized as follows:

Hepatitis A: contaminated food and water

Hepatitis B: sexually transmitted

Hepatitis C: transfusion of infected blood or use of infected tools (syringes, blades, razors etc.)

Hepatitis D: infects people who have already been infected with Hepatitis B

Hepatitis E: contaminated food and water

 Sign and symptoms:

The clinical presentation of hepatitis may vary from complete absence of symptoms to severe cirrhosis or even liver failure. Commonly observed symptoms of Hepatitis include;

Loss of appetite

Nausea and vomiting

Tiredness and fatigue

Pain in the upper side of the body beneath the last ribs

Dark urine

Pain in joints

Yellow coloration of skin and eyes

 Diagnostic procedures:

Diagnosis of Hepatitis is done on the following basis;

 Sign and symptoms of patient

Blood screening

Biopsy

Histopathological and serological analysis

 Prevention of hepatitis:

Occurrence of hepatitis could be reduced by taking the following measures;

Vaccination of Hepatitis A and B.

Avoid sharing infected needles and personal hygiene tools like blades and razors.

Get tattoos and piercings from professionals having hygienic setup/work environment.

Practice safe sexual activities.

Drink bottled water while traveling.

 

According to WHO, approximately 325 million people worldwide get infected with Hepatitis every year, A total of 4.5 million deaths could be prevented by the year 2030 if Low and Middle income countries (LMICs) follow vaccination and awareness programmes to let the general public know about the risks of hepatitis and it's effective precautionary measures.

CoVID-19 and health issues of developing countries

CoVID pandemic has emerged as a global health crisis and proved to be a threat for the survival and well-being of every individual on the planet. It has become a serious challenge for the health care providers worldwide to cope with the ever increasing demand of personnel and equipment in the health care facilities as the CoVID pandemic continues to disseminate to even the remotest areas of the globe.

Although every country of the world has adopted the pandemic management policies given by World Health Organization (WHO) and the developed countries; the lock-down, self-quarantine, quarantine at centralized locations and increasing the production and supply of equipment did no good to the underdeveloped nations and rapid rise in infections is seen even after the adoption of all WHO-enlisted SOPs.

Most of the underdeveloped and developing nations have poor ambulance and emergency transport facilities. A large number of patients are left unaddressed due to the lack of inadequate hospital infrastructure.

Lack of ventilators and Personnel protective equipment (PPE) is the major issue being faced by low to middle income countries (LMICs). Although, the international bodies like WHO and World Bank have made policies to aid the sufferings of crippled economies, the condition keeps on worsening as the number of patients continues to increase.

Due to the limited staff available in hospitals, the working hours have extended leading to stressful work routine. The hospital staff has to work overtime without being paid for it.

Lack of awareness about SOPs of self-quarantine is one of the main causes of spread of infection. This is observed mostly in crowded areas and regions where trend of large families living in a single home, prevails.

The proliferation of disease couldn't be prevented in areas where terms like personal hygiene are not known. Places where the availability of the most basic necessities of life is scarce, goals of sanitization and sterilization are hard to achieve.

 

With awareness to the public and financial support to the struggling economies, the pandemic could be brought under control until our best hope for the development of a vaccine, fulfills.