HEY GYM LOVERS! BEWARE OF INFECTIONS THAT CAN BE BEGETED FROM YOUR GYM…first

We have to understand first what are the ways by which any infection spread?

Infections can be spread through direct or indirect contact-Direct contact includes person to person contact,droplet spread(through sneezing, coughing,saliva etc) and Indirect contact can include  through infectious agents suspended in air, handling contaminated objects from food and water,from animals,insects  and environmental reservoirs.

You go to the gym for health but gym itself is a breeding ground for germs

Common infections that one can beget from gym are-

1)Folliculitis-An inflammation of the hair follicles on your body that may be caused by sweat and heat (heat rash), bacteria, and fungus, among many other causes, folliculitis can be spread by sharing towels and loofa sponges, Symptoms: Look for red, sometimes tender bumps around each hair follicle. There may or may not be pus.

Ringworm-A common infection of the skin caused by a variety of fungi. You can catch it from skin-to-skin contact, dirty towels, wet gym shower floors, and other infected surfaces, Symptoms: Look for a raised red patch of skin with scale along the periphery. Common areas for ringworm to show up include the chest, back, buttocks, and thighs—but in reality, the rash can be anywhere on your body.

JOCKS ITCH

Jock itch, otherwise known as tinea cruris, is a fungal infection of the groin. Despite the name, it can also affect women (often under the bra line); however, men get it more often because of friction and humidity.Symptoms: The first sign is usually itch.Next look for a light pink or red rash with scaly flakes, usually on the outer edge of the rash.

4.Atheletes foot- A common fungal infection of the foot that you get from skin-to-skin contact, wet gym shower floors, and pools, Symptoms: Itching is the most common complaint. Look for a raised red rash with scaling (much like ringworm); typically, the sides of the feet and between the toes are prone areas.

5.Lice is an infestation of the head, groin, or body by wingless insects.Note that lice can infest any curly haired parts of the body, including your chest, armpits, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard. You need direct contact to get the bugs: Hair, brushes, hats, towels, clothing—if they’re from an infected person, tag, you’re it.

6.Plantar warts- an infection of the foot by a type of human papillomavirus (HPV)Symptoms: Inspect your feet for cauliflower-like bumps that can have little black dots in them. “These are actually little blood vessels the virus

7.Molluscum contagiosum is an infection of the skin caused by a pox virus. You contract it through direct skin-to-skin contact, pools, dirty towels, and sexual contact, hijacks from your circulation to keep it well fed. Symptoms: Look for small, raised, round, pink, or skin-colored bumps,. These may be confused for pimples, and when you squeeze them a firm white secretion is seen. But be warned—those secretions are actually the most contagious part of the viral skin rash and you can infect other parts of the body,

8. S. aureus is a bacterium naturally found on the skin and in the respiratory tracts (nose, mouth, throat, lungs).Symptoms: If it enters your body, it can have pretty nasty physical effects. it may form an abscess, impetigo, or folliculitis, but also may present as a warm, tender bump, or clogged hair follicle. It can also lead to fevers, fatigue, and chills.

9. Toenail fungus

The same fungus that causes athlete’s foot. And like athlete’s foot, it is commonly contracted from locker room floors and wet surfaces near pools.Symptoms: You’ll notice a change in the texture of your toenails. Your toenails may become thickened and yellow, and may also have a crumbly texture.

HOW TO PREVENT-

Wash your hands,have a shower after gym.Wash your clothes,the gym wear with dettol or any antiseptic lotions. MAKE IT SURE THAT THE GYM EQUIPMENTS ARE CLEANED EVERYDAY.CHOOSE AN AIRY AND SPACIOUS GYM.Use your own towels,brushes,soaps .have immune boosting foods.

That’s few of it…folks..

INDICATORS OF BONE HEALTH

Bone strength is derived from bone quantity,which consists of –
1) DENSITY AND SIZE
2) BONE QUALITY.
Adequate provision of nutrients should be provided from birth to achieve maximal bone mass,
Calcium and Phosphorus are involved in skeletal growth and Fagnesium,flouride,Zinc,Copper and Manganese are involved in bone matrix.
VITAMIN D,VITAMIN C and OMEGA -3 FATTY ACIDS, all of these helps in maintaining calcium levels in the body,deposit calcium in the bones and improve bone strength.
Studies show that people who are deficient in omega -3 fatty acids are more likely to suffer from bone loss.
Another very important indicator of bone is heart health.HEART diseases and low bone mineral density goes hand in hand.
WHAT TO DO?
1) Have adequate amounts in your diet,if diet is inadequate supplements should be used.
NOF (national osteoporosis foundation)recommends -Women aged 50 and younger get 1,000 mg of calcium from all sources daily and that women age 51 and older get 1,200 mg. 
For men, NOF recommends 1,000 mg of calcium daily for those age 70 and younger and 1,200 mg for men age 71 and older.

And don’t forget about vitamin D, which enables your body to absorb calcium. Most adults under age 50 need 400-800 international units (IU) daily and most adults age 50 and older need 800-1,000 IU daily. 
2)maintain a health weight and be physically active.
3)BMD-bone mineral density tests may be done.

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