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A DHA official offers advice on how to minimise your risk of COVID-19 infection Published:  April 06, 2020, Noor Nazzal, DHA While the UAE Government has launched a nation-wide disinfection programme in line with the precautionary measures taken by the country to contain the spread of COVID-19, it is important for us as individuals to also make sure that our personal space and belongings are clean and virus-free. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), studies suggest that coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions, such as the type of surface, temperature and humidity. Dr Hind Al Awadhi, Head of Health...

Published:  April 13, 2020 by Noor Nazzal, DHA DHA recommends taking precautions in homes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. At this point, everyone is aware that physical distancing from others prevents the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but many do not know that they should also practise physical distancing and other precautionary measures when they are home. Dr Hind Al Awadhi, Head of Health Promotion and Education Section at Dubai Health Authority (DHA) called on the public to practise physical distancing at home, even if all family members are healthy. The World Health Organisation advises that people maintain 2m (6 feet) distance from one another to prevent the sp...

Keep Your Distance to Slow the Spread. Limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING? Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing: Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people Do not gather in groups Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings Limit close contact with others outside your household in indoor and outdoor spaces. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away f...

How what you consume can affect your immune system and your susceptibility to infection Published:  March 23, 2020, Keith J. Fernandez, Special to Better Health In recent weeks, much attention has focused on the role of the immune system and its role in defending against disease-causing microorganisms. While the body has an impressive array of weapons to battle any invaders, there are moments when pathogens bypass these warriors, virus and bacteria sometimes do get through. In such cases, your first port of call should be a medical professional who can advise on treatment routes. That said, there are a number of ways to reduce your vulnerability, including enhanced hygiene and other eve...

Ramadan is a special time of the year for those who are fasting. However, those with certain health conditions, should keep a few pointers in mind while fasting, particularly during summer. Good diet is key to healthy digestion during Ramadan. If a correct diet is not followed during the Ramadan period, a person is prone to getting ailments related to the digestive health. Some symptoms frequently encountered during Ramadan include indigestion, bloating and heartburn, particularly after eating too much at iftar or suhour meals. Eating in moderation and elimination of foods that can trigger gastro-oesophageal reflux are helpful. Avoid fried, fatty and acid-containing foods and fruits (citru...

Published:  April 13, 2020 / Kamakshi Gupta, DHA It is now mandatory for all residents to wear face masks in public Wearing a face mask when going out of the house to buy groceries or medicines, along with other important measures — such as physical distancing, hand washing frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol — are important steps to protect against COVID-19, said a top health official. Dr Hend Al Awadhi, head of health promotion and education section at DHA’s Public Health Protection Department, said, “In public places, wearing a mask reduces the spread of the virus and helps people who may have the virus and do not know it f...

Good hygiene and cautious travel will significantly reduce your risk of infection Published:  March 02, 2020, Kamaskhi Gupta, DHA With coronavirus spreading beyond its epicentre in China and numbers of the disease increasing globally, questions such as what distinguishes it from a common flu and what are some of the precautions that people should take become pertinent? Dr Hend Al Awadhi, Head of Health Promotion and Education Section in the DHA’s Public Health Protection Department. She highlighted that in general, maintaining hand hygiene, particularly hand washing, avoiding travel to places with a high-rate of the infection and taking certain precautions, which are the same to avoid the...

Dhanusha Gokulan │ Filed on March 4, 2020 Listening to loud music over your headphones or earphones could cause hearing impairments, according to leading experts. Dr. Lubaina Sharafally, a clinical audiologist at the American Hospital said, "People exposed to noise levels over 85 decibels for long durations are at an increased risk for acoustic trauma. This trauma can occur in a work setting, aviation industry, oil and gas or construction where individuals are exposed to loud noise for long durations repetitively." She added, "Recreational noise exposure is commonly seen in people who like to go to shooting ranges or noisy clubs without exercising any hearing protection that is earplu...

Lifestyle improvements can prevent the disease from developing into cirrhosis Published:  January 27, 2020 Peter Feely Last year, a study by researchers from Bristol University in the UK warned that the high levels of fatty liver disease among young people could be a potential public health crisis. The researchers tested 4,000 people who were born in 1991 and 1992. At the age of 18, just 2.5 per cent of participants suffered from fatty liver disease but five years later, this figure had skyrocketed to more than 20 per cent. Dr Sameer Al Awadhi, Head of Gastroenterology Unit, Rashid Hospital and President of the Emirates Gastroenterology and Hepatology Society, says fatty liver disease is...

Published:  February 10, 2020 │ Peter Feely, Editor Commercial Publishing According to Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the likelihood of a fertile couple achieving a natural pregnancy is around 20 per cent each month. The authority also says that approximately 10-15 per cent of couples experience an inability to conceive naturally. Dr. Mohamed Elkalyoubi, Consultant Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Dubai Fertility Centre, DHA, says that there are many different reasons for people failing to conceive, ranging from lifestyle-related issues to disease and infection. There are also individual problems that affect men and women differently. He adds there is a high prevalence of...