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The most common cause of acid-peptic diseases (APDs) is Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) infection. Conventionally, proton–pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to manage hyperacidity and dyspepsia. PPIs’ persistent use can lead to bacterial resistance, side effects, poor quality of life (QoL), and increased economic burden. H. pylori, being microaerophilic, can be inhibited by gut aeration. Therefore, yogic gut aeration techniques (YGATs) may be a potential option to mitigate H. pylori-induced APDs and reduce medication doses and economic burden. The study aimed to determine the effect of YGATs on gastrointestinal symptoms, stress, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with H. pylori-induced APDs. Patients with epigastric pain, gastric reflux, and stomach burning were screened and allowed to undergo an endoscopy followed by a rapid urease test (RUT) to confirm H. pylori infection. Thirty-four patients with positive RUT were randomly assigned into two groups. The yoga group (n = 16) received YGAT for two months and seven days in addition to PPI. The control group (n = 18) was provided only PPIs. Signs and symptoms of APD and its co-morbidities (stress and QoL) were measured by using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaire, and stress indicator questionnaire (SIQ). Split-plot ANOVA computed with Bonferroni adjusted post hoc analyses for intra and inter-group comparisons using the 24th version of IBM-SPSS showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms (p<0.001) and stress (p<0.001) and improvement in QoL (p<0.001) in the yoga group as compared to the control group. YGATs may be a harmless and inexpensive alternative or add-on therapy to mitigate H. pylori-induced APDs and their psychological co-morbidities.

Anemia during pregnancy is a very common medical disorder and is usually related to poor dietary nutrients.  The objective of this study was to study the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) score during pregnancy and its correlation with the prevalence and severity of anemia in a tertiary referral hospital. A total of 430 women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy were included and details of sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors were asked from all participants. MDD-W score was calculated and was correlated with the prevalence and severity of anemia. The mean age, median parity, and mean body mass index were 26.2 years, 2, and 22.4 kg/m ,respectively. Of the patients, 30% were in lower socioeconomic classes. Anemia was seen in 250 (48.84%) women, being mild in 25.81%, moderate in 15-8%, and severe in 7.04%. A total of 49.3% of patients were vegetarian. The mean dietary calories and protein and iron intake were less in anemic patients. MDD-W score was 6.2±1.2 in the normal hemoglobin group, which was significantly higher than the anemia group (3.8±0.75). The mean MDD-W score was 4.4±0.9 in mild anemia, 3.5±0.7 in moderate anemia, and only 2.2±0.45 in severe anemia. The MDD-W score was significantly less in anemic pregnant patients, being least in patients with severe anemia.

Introduction and Hypothesis Pregnancy is associated with an increase in pelvic floor dysfunction. Yoga, an ancient Indian practice involving asanas (physical postures), pranayam (breathing patterns) and meditation, can help women to control their pelvic floor muscles. However, the literature to support yoga as a remedy for pelvic floor dysfunction is lacking. We hypothesized that yoga could be an important method in improving pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnancy. Methods In a randomised control study, 200 pregnant women matched for age, weight, parity and physical activity were randomised at the 13– to 20-week period of gestation into two groups: group I ( n  = 100, undergoing yoga therapy) and group II ( n  = 100, given usual antenatal care). A trained instructor provided two physical sessions, each lasting for 60 min and further online sessions for 5 days a week for 3 months. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) questionnaire was used to assess the primary outcome at recruitment, 32 weeks (antenatal), 1 week and 6 weeks post-partum in both groups. Results In the 200 women randomised and matched for age and parity, there were no complications seen throughout the pregnancy and none of the patients was lost to follow-up in either group. The proportion of women exhibiting a decline in PFDI-20 scores was greater in group 1 (24%) than in group 2 (8%). The mean difference of scores between recruitment and 6 weeks post-partum was statistically significant ( p value = 0.0026). Conclusions Yoga in pregnancy significantly improves pelvic floor dysfunction in an easy manner with no proven adverse effects.

To study the effects of oral folic acid, iron tablets, and tea consumption on the prevalence and severity of anemia in pregnancy. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 430 women who fulfilled the eligibility criteria in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy attending the antenatal clinic of a public sector hospital in Delhi. The mean age, parity, BMI, and gestation were 26.2 ± 4.5 years, 1.8 ± 1.2, 22.5 ± 4.5 kg/m , and 32.2 ± 3.4 weeks, respectively. Out of 430 patients, the prevalence of anemia was found in 210 (48.84%) patients, with mild anemia in 111 (25.81%), moderate in 68 (15.81%), severe in 30 (6.98%), and very severe in one (0.24%) patient. Significantly more women (97, 46.19%) in the anemia group did not take oral folic acid tablets as compared to the normal hemoglobin (Hb) group (83, 37.72%) (p = 0.04). Similarly, significantly more (103, 49.04%) women in the anemia group did not take oral iron tablets as compared to the normal Hb group (19, 8.63%) (p = 0.02) with even more patients being in the severe anemia group (29, 93.55%) (p = 0.001). Intake of two or more cups of tea per day was a significant risk factor for anemia, with 147 (70%) anemic vs. 134 (60.9%) with normal Hb (p = 0.05). The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was found to be high in 210 (48.84%) patients. Non-intake of oral folic acid and iron tablets and consumption of two or more cups of tea were significant risk factors for anemia in pregnancy.