In humans, lungs are the important organs and they help us in respiration. Point to be noted is that lungs take in oxygen from air and transfer it to blood and remove carbon dioxide from blood to be exhaled. Therefore, it is necessary that we must have good lung health. These days, lung diseases have become very common and many get affected. It is noteworthy that early detection of lung disease would make the treatment more effective. Usually, cough is considered to be an important sign of lung disease. Not many would be aware of other signs of lung disease. Various subtle signs of lung disease in us are Shortness of breath while doing daily activities: Those with lung disease would find it difficult to breathe while walking or while performing household chores etc. It must be noted that issues like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis etc could hinder lungs from effectively exchanging oxygen. Abnormal fatigue: It is known that lungs provide oxygen to our body cells. Our body would have to work harder when the oxygen intake is compromised. By this, we could feel abnormally tired even after resting well. When we feel abnormally tired without any changes in the lifestyle, diet or sleep etc then it is due to lung issues only. Chest tightness: Persons with lung disease would have chest tightness in them. This is because of inflammation and narrowing of the airways etc. It must be taken into note that chest pain might not be heavy but even mild also. Frequent respiratory infections: Getting cold, bronchitis and sinus infections etc frequently could be due to lung disease. Please take care. Truth is that weakened lungs would have trouble in removing irritants and pathogens etc. Noisy breathing or wheezing etc: Airway obstruction or inflammation would be revealed by noisy breathing or wheezing. Unless we are quiet, resting etc the breathing noises would not be heard. Unexplained weight loss: This is also one sign of lung diseases in us. Losing weight in a healthy manner is different from unexplained weight loss. It must be noted that lung disease would make the body expend additional energy just to breathe. Blue lips or fingertips: Lips n nails and fingers etc would appear pale or bluish in colour and this can be due to low blood oxygen levels due to the lung disease. Reduced lung efficiency is also indicated by shorter periods of discolouration.

Are you aware of what palmar erythema, dupuytrens contracture and terry`s nails etc is? Playing an important role in processes like detoxification, metabolism and digestion etc, liver is a crucial organ in our body. It is necessary that for our lives to be normal we must have good liver health. Damaged liver or liver malfunctions would be revealed by certain signs on our hands. Long before other signs would appear our hands would provide us early clues about liver damage in us. It is necessary that we must consider these signs seriously and take necessary action. Various subtle signs of liver damage shown in our hands are Palmar erythema or red palms: Beneath the thumb and little finger, we could have red colored and this is palmar erythema. Here, elevated oestrogen levels could result in vasodilation in our hands. If red colour occurs in health persons then it is normal but in certain adults it reveals underlying liver issues. Dupuytren`s contracture: Beneath the skin of the palm, tissue would get thickened and tightened leading to bent fingers and this is referred to as dupuytren`s contracture. Those with liver disease would have this mostly. Terry`s nails: Presence of white appearance at the tip of the nails with narrow pink band at the base is terry`s nails. It must be noted that the nail change could indicate liver cirrhosis in us. This sign would also be seen in persons with heart failure, diabetes etc. Nail clubbing: In some persons, their fingertips and nails would be round and wide and this is called nail clubbing. These persons might have chronic liver diseases. Asterixis: A coarse, non-rhythmic tremor with sudden brief lapses in muscle contraction is asterixis. Those patients with severe liver disease would show this sign. It is a neurological disorder that is characterised by flapping tremor. Itchy palms and soles etc: It is worthy to note that Cholestasis is a condition where flow of bile from the liver gets slowed down. As a result, bile components would build up in the body. The person would have itchy palms and soles. Issues like liver cirrhosis could lead to cholestasis in us. When to seek a doctor? It is worth noting that if a person finds persistent changes in their hands like redness, nail abnormalities, unexplained itching etc, then he or she must consult a medical professional or doctor immediately. Effective liver management would be possible by early detection of liver problems.

For many people, eating idli for breakfast would be boring!! How about you? If there is one breakfast that is wholesome, light on our stomach but highly filling etc, then it is none other than the soft and fluffy idli. It is also one of the cleanest traditional breakfast choices because it is steamed and fermented. It is said that eating idly everyday for breakfast could be very beneficial to us. There are superb health benefits of eating idli every day for breakfast and they are Good for digestion: The growth of good gut bacteria would be encouraged by fermented foods like idli. This would lead to smoother digestion. As idly is steamed and easy to break down, the stomach doesn`t have to work hard to process it. Those with acidity, heaviness and frequent bloating would find eating idly very easy and comfortable. Bowel health would be supported by consuming idly with sambar containing fibres. Long lasting energy: The presence of complex carbohydrates in idli would release energy slowly and this would keep us active for longer duration. Issues like sudden hunger spikes would be avoided in us. When we consume idly with proteins and vegetables etc, idly would offer a balanced start. Cravings for food would be controlled. It is worthy to note that the slow energy release would help us to avoid mid morning junk snacking. Supports heart health: Idly is low in fat and free from excess oil etc as it is steamed. It was brought to light by a research study in 2018 that replacing high fat breakfast with low fat options would support cardiovascular health. Our heart would function well by combining idly with sambar due to antioxidants and fibres etc. Helps in weight management: There are 35 calories to 50 calories present in one medium idly. We would feel full without any sluggishness due to the light texture of idly. This would control calorie control throughout the day. It is worthy to note that by combining idly with sambar or chutney having proteins etc our satiety would increase and hunger would reduce. Gentle on the gut and immunity: Our gut would be benefited if we eat fermented foods. It must be noted that gut health would have a direct impact on immunity. By eating idly, our overall well being would become better. It is noteworthy that a calm gut health would reflect in our mood, skikin health and immunity.