GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Waking up with a sore throat can be worse than waking up from a nightmare. Every time you gulp your food or cough feels like sheer torture. On most days, the sore throat may vanish if you drink enough warm liquids, but sometimes it can take days to heal.

The pain and itch in the throat can be troublesome enough to distract you from your day’s routine and cause constant discomfort. There can be several causes for a sore throat like viral and bacterial infections, acid reflux, etc. While taking medicine for these illnesses is an effective way of getting rid of soreness, it may still take time to give you some comfort.

Antibiotics can take days to help, and if you have an important meeting to attend, you may be in for some trouble. Worry not; here are a few helpful natural remedies that can give you instant relief from a prolonged sore throat!

1. Saltwater gargles:
Gargling with salt mixed in warm water is one of the best and quickest remedies to relieve a sore throat. If an infection or inflammation causes your sore throat, warm salt water can help kill the bacteria present in the throat and reduce any inflammation.
Mix half a spoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for at least 10 minutes. This will instantly kill any germs present, soothe irritation and calm swelling or inflammation.

2. Honey and Lemon:
Honey has antibacterial properties, which significantly reduces inflammation and soothes your throat. Lemon juice contains vitamin C to boost your immunity, break down the mucus and help you fight your infection. Add one spoon of lemon juice and two spoons of honey to warm water or tea and sip on it as a soothing concoction to get pain relief in a matter of minutes.

3. Chamomile or herbal tea:
Our ancestors have used herbal teas for ages knowing their medicinal properties. Chamomile or herbal tea has antioxidant properties that instantly calm inflammation and kill germs. Drink a cup of hot chamomile tea to soothe your throat from itching. You can add ingredients like turmeric to the tea to boost your immune system.

4. Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is the best way to relieve your blocked sinuses, kill germs present in your nasal and throat cavity and clear the throat. It also helps you expel all the phlegm that may be causing congestion or soreness in your throat. Boil a pot of water and inhale through your nose and mouth to instantly relieve your sinuses. Continue this for a good 15 minutes to calm your irritable throat.

5. Cough syrup and lozenges:
While doctors usually prescribe cough syrups to fight infections, you can also use them to soothe your throat. Cough syrups have soothing anti-inflammatory properties that act not only on the infection but also on the inflammation in the throat.

You can also chew on lozenges containing ingredients like gingers, honey, lemon and peppermint to produce enough saliva that prevents your throat from drying out. This ultimately soothes your sore throat.

While you can simply buy online health insurance and ensure a safe future for you and your family, dealing with constant health ailments can be vexing. These few quick home remedies can give you rapid relief from a common cold or sore throat to make your daily life simpler! Try practising mindful activities like yoga, meditation, and pranayam to keep your body in the best shape possible and promote a healthy lifestyle.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Cycling has seen an increased number of enthusiasts over the past couple of years. Fitness lovers found a new way to keep themselves fit by cycling to the public parks as an alternative to the gyms. Cycling is an activity that does not require a lot of skill and techniques. Still, if you want to learn more about cycling as a sport or wish to venture into various terrains on your bicycle, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to make the process easier and more enjoyable.

One of the most challenging parts of cycling is traversing uphill roads. It is both exhausting and time taking. But with the proper techniques, you can easily manoeuvre this route.

Today we will discuss a few ways to make your uphill journey on the bicycle easier.

1. Do not start fast:
Many riders make the mistake of starting fast, right at the bottom of the uphill journey. This can be the first mistake that you make while riding uphill. Depending on the ascend and the steepness of the slope, it is best to distribute your energy and utilise it on the last leg of the peak. The final portion of the rise requires the maximum energy as it is the steepest part of the ascend.

2. Alternate between sitting and standing position:
Alternating between these two positions can help you significantly in manoeuvring the climb. Cover the distance while being seated and as you reach the final climb, stand up to increase the energy and to acquire the desired push. Activate your muscles, lift your body, and apply pressure using your legs to pedal heavily.

3. Finding a rhythm:
For longer climbs, it is best to set a riding pattern. As mentioned above, switching between speeds, positions etc., can help you form a rhythm and help you focus your energy more on riding instead of ascending.
Find a rhythm that works for you. Gasping is a sign of wrong techniques and wasted energy. For more extended periods of time on the ascend, your breathing should be deep constant.

4. Set small milestones:
Conquering the peak in one go can be a daunting task. Instead of looking at it as a mammoth assignment, it is best to set smaller goals instead. While making the climb, take note of the small details on the road. Like a post box, garbage bin or a tree. Setting these small goals can be an incentive for you.
You can associate these goals with rewards, such as after you reach a goal, you can change your pace, try a new method or just stop for a bit. This way, the road becomes a journey and not a task.

5. Don’t fight the wind:
Fighting the wind is probably the worst thing a rider can do. Your overall speed and energy levels are massively affected by the wind and its direction. Fighting against the wind always means using up all your energy which you can use later for your ascend. Instead, go slow if the wind is against your riding direction.

Sparing sometime of your day for such physical activities can help you in the long run. However, excessive cycling can lead to injuries and a weaker immune system. Uphill riding is never an easy venture, and acing it requires fitness and determination.

In the process, you might even face injuries and mishaps. This is why it is essential to strike a balance. In case of an injury, doctors suggest various physiotherapy sessions and other medications. These treatments can burn a hole in your pocket; hence you should consider buying an individual personal accident insurance policy. Individual personal accident insurance policy safeguards you in case of accidents and injuries, and the cost incurred during your treatment.

So, keep your passion for cycling alive, and ride your way to fitness!

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

“Music is the soundtrack of your life” – Dick Clark.
It is unimaginable to have a life without music and the ability to enjoy it. For most of us, music has been a medium that helps us navigate through the daily hustle of our lives. Few of us are blessed with singing ability, while the others are not.

Irrespective of whether we know or don’t know singing, we enjoy it in our solitude limited to our bathrooms or bedrooms. In this article, we will discuss a few ways to improve this craft and support your singing voice while being in the comfort of your home.

1. Warm-up:
People commonly discuss the importance of warming up for a sports activity but conveniently forget the importance of the same during singing. There are various ways to warm up your vocal cords to prepare before singing. Various jaw and muscle exercises such as blowing through your lips and sticking out the tongue can go a long way.
Another way to warm up your vocal cord is by humming tunes. Indian classical musicians use “sa re ga ma”. Using different variations of these notes is an excellent way to practice pitch and voice modulation.

2. Hydrate yourself:
If you are confused about what to drink before the event, then your answer is water. Drinking lukewarm water during rehearsals helps lubricate your vocal cords. Hydrated vocal cords ensure that you put forward your best performance. Another great alternative is herbal tea which has plenty of health benefits for your throat.

3. Take breaks:
Like any other activity, your vocal cords need rest as well. Over exerting your voice can lead to cracks, soreness, and itchiness that can tear your voice while performing. This can also lead to allergies and also aggravate any pre-existing problem. Hence you must avoid practicing on the day of the event. However, if it is mandatory, try not to strain your voice. Instead, try humming.

4. Avoid harmful substances:
Cold and aerated drinks should be avoided entirely for the good health of your vocal cords, as the high content of sugar in aerated drinks are harmful to your vocal cords. Smoking is highly detrimental to your vocal health and can lead to long term damage. When you smoke, you are subjecting your vocal cords to toxic materials—everything you breathe in passes through your throat, which can lead to permanent damage.
You should also be mindful of carrying masks or scarves while travelling through a highly polluted environment. While drinking alcohol has no direct effect on your vocal cord, it is dehydrating and inflammatory, hence not advisable for singers.

5. Do not sing if it hurts:
If you feel a strain on your throat, it is best to avoid singing. Straining your vocal cord can be devastating and can cause cysts in the long run. It is best to give your throat the rest that it needs. However, if the problem persists, visit your doctor.

6. Regular check-ups:
It is wise to visit your ENT specialist regularly. If you are experiencing any trouble, your doctor will examine the underlying problem. The doctor might suggest a few scans and medications that you can take for the speedy recovery of your throat.

These are a few ways to take care of your throat and your singing voice. As mentioned above, consider going to the doctor when you feel any kind of uneasiness associated with your throat. Avoid straining your vocal cords. If you are considering regular checkups, investing in health insurance will be a good idea as it will act as a safety net in case of any expense you might face during your treatment.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Have you felt sick after eating a meal that comprises dairy products? This is a common condition that people suffer from, and the condition is called lactose intolerance. People with this condition cannot digest lactose, a type of sugar present in dairy products such as milk. It bars people from consuming a large variety of products since our country’s staple diet involves a large quantity of milk and other dairy products.

Over time, several alternative food products are introduced in the market for lactose-intolerant people. Those with the condition can use dairy-free products like soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk while cooking to replace lactose-based products. However, even with new alternatives to dairy products, lactose intolerance has no cure and can only be managed by itself. You can only invest in reliable health insurance in India to secure your overall health in the future.

Even though undigested lactose is not severe, it can cause extreme discomfort, stomach cramps and intestinal pain, gas, and diarrhoea. Here are a few daily dietary tips that you can follow to manage your lactose intolerance better!

1. Avoid dairy-rich food products:
It is better to avoid consuming anything that can push your body over the edge. Avoid foods with high amounts of dairy content. The best method to follow is the 80/20 method. It involves having your diet composed of 80 per cent dairy-free food and 20 per cent dairy food.

2. Opt for reliable dairy-free products:
Opting for good quality dairy-free products can prevent you from developing symptoms of lactose intolerance. Many low-lactose and lactose-free products are available today and can enrich your daily diet without causing significant changes. Use almond milk or a dairy-free creamer for your coffee or low-lactose cheese for a burger.
While purchasing these products, you must ensure that they are FDA approved and authentic enough. Several products that claim to be dairy-free may not be completely free of lactose. As a trusting consumer, you may consume large quantities of these products and end up suffering from the symptoms anyway. Being a wise and knowledgeable consumer is critical when suffering from certain health conditions.

3. Choose yoghurt over milk:
Several lactose-intolerant people find yoghurt easier to digest than milk. Active cultures in yoghurt make it easier to digest lactose, which allows you to consume a rich source of protein without experiencing severe symptoms. A few spoons of plain Greek yoghurt can significantly improve your gut health.

4. Incorporate calcium and vitamin-D rich foods:
Being lactose-intolerant can cause significant calcium and vitamin D deficiency in your body. Your body needs a good amount of vitamin D to absorb calcium. You must ensure your diet has a well-rounded supply of these nutrients.
Include fish, almonds, green leafy vegetables, oranges, and tofu in your regular diet to ensure a stable intake of the calcium it needs. Eating eggs and salmon can back you up with enough vitamin D as well.

5. Try lactase supplements:
Several lactose-intolerant people take lactase supplements before consuming any dairy products. Lactase supplements can ensure you eat and drink lactose-rich dairy without suffering from any discomfort later. These supplements essentially help break down the complex lactose present in dairy while controlling the uncomfortable symptoms.

These few diet tips can help you enjoy a variety of foods without experiencing the discomfort of your condition. Even as there is no specific cure for lactose intolerance, controlling and managing it can go a long way in ensuring a comfortable and healthy life. Besides this, also remember to invest in comprehensive health insurance to safeguard your health against other ailments and concerns.

Click HERE to purchase the best health insurance in India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.