After a year dealing with the ups and downs of pandemic-era schooling, many parents are anticipating their children’s return to school with mixed emotions. covid 19

It’s normal for children to catch a cold or get sick. While not every illness is COVID-19, we must consider it a possibility. As well as protecting your own child, it’s important to try and help slow the spread of infection to others.

Make sure that vaccine status is up-to-date

Vaccines are the best way to prevent the spread of 16 different diseases. Data showed that during the pandemic, there was a steep drop in the number of children who received vaccines they need on time.

Vaccines are important in building children’s immunities and providing defense mechanisms against many diseases. Since COVID-19 vaccines are not yet approved for use in children under 12, it is critical to do everything possible to prevent other diseases in this age group. Ask your pediatrician about your child’s vaccination status and if there is any missing immunization need. covid 19

We recommend also having a seasonal flu vaccine for all family members during September/October, before the beginning of flu season.

Make handwashing a habit

Hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness. Ordinary soap is as good as other sanitizers (and safer). However, when hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is the next best way to kill germs.

Establish a good sleep routine

Making sure your children get enough sleep is important to keep them healthy. In fact, studies show that inadequate sleep (either in duration or quality) can lead to poor concentration, obesity, depression, and can affect mental and physical growth.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children aged 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9–12 hours per day and teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours per day.

1. Build a consistent sleep schedule during the school week and weekends. This means going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning.
2. Limit light exposure in the evenings. covid 19

3. Set up a calm sleeping environment. Make sure your child’s bedroom is comfortable, dark, cool, and quiet. Try to limit where your children may use electronic devices (for example, not in their child’s bedroom).
4. Set clear limits. Such as what time lights must be turned off and how many bedtime stories you will read to avoid children stalling at bedtime
5. Screen curfew. Turn off televisions, computers, radios, online-game playing, internet use, and other stimulating activities at least 1 hour before bedtime.
6. Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can be found in sodas, coffee-based products, iced tea, and many other substances.
7. Contact your child’s doctor. If your child has difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, snores, experiences unusual awakenings, or has sleep problems that are causing disruption during the day. covid 19

Remember to always encourage your children to ask questions and express their feelings with you and their teachers. Be aware that your child may have different reactions to stress; be patient and understanding. Also, do not forget to coordinate with the school to receive information and ask about school safety efforts and regulations.

Wishing you and your children a healthy, safe back to school!

Tabibi: COVID-19 Vaccines: Myth vs. Fact

This article was brought to you by Tabibi 24/7, Cairo’s leading Family Medicine & Pediatrics group practice. Tabibi operates 24/7 and offers its services at the comfort of your own home or in one of its clinics.

By Hesham El Abd

How does a woman from China’s Guizhou province end up helping and healing Egyptians with Chinese medicine?

My parents are both western doctors back in China, but I have always felt called to traditional Chinese medicine. I studied traditional Chinese medicine at Yun Nan University and earned a Master’s degree. I did my residency and also worked at the Chinese Quiyang National Orthopedic Hospital.

I am continually looking to expand my knowledge. Always being fascinated by the medical traditions of the ancient Egyptians, I came to Cairo to learn more. Cairo is my home now. I instantly fell in love with the city, the people, and the culture.

Tell us a little about Chinese medicine. What kind of ailments do you treat? 

Chinese medicine uses techniques such as acupuncture, the best known, which involves inserting very thin needles through the patient’s skin at strategic points. It has primarily been used to treat pain, but a broader understanding is growing of how acupuncture can stimulate the human body’s own self-healing mechanism, so it can be used to treat overall wellness.

People tend to think of traditional medicine as “alternative” medicine, something to turn to when all else fails and pain persists. I would like to see traditional medicine work more hand-in-hand with Western medicine which depends too heavily on drugs that often come with side effects.

How many sessions does a typical patient need?

Most patients need 3-6 sessions to either fully heal if it’s something simple, or to jump-start the body’s own healing mechanisms. Many of my patients in Egypt have chronic conditions that have either been long neglected or for which Western medicine has not been effective.

So they come to me very skeptical. Chinese medicine isn’t magic, it’s science, and some chronic conditions will require more sessions because it will take more time for their bodies to heal.

I use a combination of acupuncture, sometimes with electrical stimulation, and therapeutic/deep tissue massage, among other techniques. At the end of a normal session, most patients feel at least some partial relief.

What kind of ailments do people typically come to you for?  

I see a lot of older people, who have led a sedentary lifestyle and have developed back, leg and neck pain. When they are helped by acupuncture and trust more in the ability of Chinese medicine to heal, they will often ask for help with other issues, for example, stomach problems classified as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

I have begun to see people looking for help dealing with the long-term effects of Covid, ‘long-Covid’ as it’s called. The list is growing all the time, as everyone from expectant mothers who experience morning sickness and back pains, to dental patients are discovering how acupuncture can help them.

I have even had requests for cosmetic acupuncture, which celebrities are now referring to as the “new Botox” — and the rejuvenating results are amazing.

Where do you practice?   

I am working at the Oasis Clinic in Sheikh Zayed and will soon have hours at the New Cairo Clinic under the supervision of various doctors there. Oasis Clinics is in the process of establishing a Center for Chinese Medicine.

You’ve been in Egypt for about a decade now. How do you see our medical care progress? 

Egypt and China have enjoyed excellent relations for over 65 years, but Egypt’s culture is much older. I am impressed with Egypt’s current efforts to introduce a national health care system so that all people can access affordable health care.

It’s my hope that through efforts such as the Center for Chinese Medicine at Oasis Clinics, that traditional Chinese medicine can have a role in delivering cost-effective health care for the people of Egypt, the Western model of medicine has a very high cost that even in America they can’t afford.

Egypt actually has a history with traditional Chinese medicine. Between 1976 and 1985, a team of top doctors from Egypt went to study acupuncture in China and brought their skills back to both Cairo and Alexandria hospitals with great success. I hope I can help to rekindle that interest.

How do you balance your work with being a young mother?  

It is said that if you do what you love, it’s like never having to work a day in your life. I am truly dedicated to easing the pain of my patients. Seeing them pain-free is a great happiness for me. Of course, my two sons are the joys of my life — one wants to be a doctor, and the other wants to be a chef!

A Session with Dr. Lui Ruiyu

By Hana Abdel Aziz

Acupuncture is among the best-known alternative therapies, originating in China a few hundred years back. With a session booked to see specialist Dr. Lui Ruiyu at Oasis Clinic, this patient was growing impatient, curious to experience the hype.

“Dr. Lui began by assessing my back injuries; she made me feel extremely at ease and talked me through the whole process, which reduced all concerns I originally had. Dr. Lui then began to insert fine, solid needles in the appropriate locations – these are my acupuncture points.

She continued to explain in detail the purpose and benefits of this procedure. She explained how the movements between opposite forces, i.e. Qi, is an essential element in the healing system of traditional Chinese medicine.

During the first 30 minutes, I was even more intrigued than when we started. I felt I was in another world as the areas in which the needles were placed gave me an electric shock – especially on my lower back. I’m not going to lie, it was painful.

However, she explained that this is a normal part of the process as my muscles were naturally tense. Therefore, you are supposed to feel some resistance since the adrenal activation and release signals are releasing pain, disease, and illness from the body.

Once my session was over, I immediately felt lighter in the sense that the heavy weight I felt I was carrying earlier was now lifted. I was amazed at how, after just one session, there was immediate improvement.

Generally, it takes about three sessions to make an impact, and I will gladly consider acupuncture again. Not only did it help with my back pain, it is also a proven stress-reliever.

The results were better than I expected and therefore, I highly recommend the healing hands of Dr. Lui at Oasis Clinic, and I appreciate her continuously making me feel comfortable throughout the process.”

Homeopathy for Depression and Anxiety: Everything You Need to Know

We live in very interesting times when having an identity is more precious than ever! Throughout life, we try to find and build ourselves, seeking an idealized person to become, often forgetting to mind our own sanity. becoming a happy woman

We are constantly in search of reasons to be happy from the outer world that externally surrounds us. If only we could realize that – happiness – is the state that can be reached exclusively from within.

By Olesia Dovzhenko

Let’s agree, happiness of any woman is never based on her age, weight, body shape, eyes or hair color. Instead, we invite you to think that there are certain life principles and qualities, present in her personality that radiates a state of happiness.

So, what are those qualities and how can we develop them?

1. Fall In Love With Yourself!

A truly happy woman, beyond doubt, has healthy self-esteem with a strong sense of worthiness. She knows that she is unique and an interesting individual. She doesn’t need anyone to validate, compliment or praise her successful existence to affirm it. She catches her flaws, works on them, develops a picture of a better self and attains that, too.

Tip: Learn to understand your feelings, without suppressing them and never ignore your intuition. Find a therapist that you trust to work on your inner feelings. Develop the ability to read your emotions with no further judgment, only with a presence of a healthy evaluation and continual work to shape your best self.

Learn how to relax, re-charge and allow yourself to do it. becoming a happy woman

2. Be Selective On Your Surroundings

“You are an average of five people you spend the most time with” – Jim Rohn

A conscious woman will always choose to make a deliberate effort to examine her circle of people she’s around most.

Constantly ask yourself these simple questions:

• What can I learn from…?
• How do I truly feel in the presence of…?
• Does… help me stretch and reach a higher self that I can envision and try to be?
• Do I feel inspired by…? Do I want to follow…?
• Do I feel fear and obligation, rather than excitement and love toward…?

By answering these simple questions, you will truly see the effect the people around you have on you.

3. Listen To Your Wants & Needs

A happy woman elevates her state of freedom to determine her needs, wants & desires. She knows the importance of forming her own scale of values and sticking to them.

Tip: Shape your values and dedicate every day towards your priorities, never sacrificing your inner guidance system.

4. Pick Relationships That Bring Harmony Rather Than Discord

When you become happy within yourself, you express it in your own way. By doing so, you’ll attract in your experience the partner that’s most aligned with your state of being. Healthy relationships between a man and a woman should feel easy, joyous, full of inspiration to live and express love towards life. becoming a happy woman

Both partners expand the horizons of possibilities and knowledge, cultivate the best qualities within each other and freely express joy.

Tip: Never accept toxic, unhealthy, full of sacrifice relationships that have no room for inner growth. Be the person you want to attract.

What is a Toxic Relationship?

5. Set Healthy Boundaries

A happy woman has built immunity against manipulations and toxic behavior of people that bring nothing but discomfort.

Tip: Learn how to defend your principles, claim your right to have your own space and practice saying “no” more often. Allow yourself to let go of people and activities that no longer serve you.

6. Quit Seeking Validation

“Take 100% responsibility for your life” – Jack Canfield

The minute you commit to the above approach to life is the same minute you are pronounced to be free as you no longer will follow others’ expectations about you.

In fact, those individuals who always put a burden on you of their expectations of you, reflect their own unsatisfactory life, that’s surely full of limitations and judgments.

People that want the best for you will always support and respect your path to become greater, even if your opinions and ways are not aligned with theirs.

Tip: Quit the unhealthy obligation to always wanting to please people and society.

7. Have a Zest For Knowledge

The only constant is change. If we stay still, we remain in survival mode wearing lenses of the past. Stop wasting your life on entertainment that does not expand your knowledge and, in fact, limits your potential. becoming a happy woman

Remember: You are alive only when you have conditioned yourself to engage in continual learning. The state of stillness is only survival.

Tip: Commit to always working on yourself and never do it to gain someone’s acceptance or interest. Study, discover and create yourself! Quit distracting yourself with degrading entertaining outer stimuli.

8. Explore Your Femininity

There are simple exercises you can engage in to raise your feminine energy: brush your hair, dance, sing, take a bubble bath, get an aromatherapy massage and so on. Most importantly, a happy woman deliberately chooses the circle of women that continually inspire her. Away from drama, guilt-tripping, gaslighting, jealousy and envy.

Be among the right women whose energy is filled with kindness, inspiration, compassion, wisdom, creative ideas, beauty, light, and freedom. Real female energy is recharging and it teaches you to enjoy every moment.

Be it food, shopping, routine work, a heart-to-heart conversation with your friend, or even driving. Feminine energy is the joy in everything that you do and the freedom to express it your own way.

Tip: Choose your circle to be full of joy and inspiration with women who share the same conscious values. 

Now that you know the qualities to cultivate happiness, would you commit to working on them? Remember: it takes a conscious decision to live a satisfactory life. It is your choice! So why wait?