“As much as food, our environment, relationships and experiences of life provide equal nutrition to the body and soul. Food, mind and environment are all inter-connected to the overall well-being of an individual,” says Sangeeta Muddapu, a health and wellness coach and founder of Muddras Health and Wellness Centre (now called GK Arenas). Sangeeta is a certified holistic health practitioner by American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
- Runny nose or blocked nose
- Itchy watery eyes
- Shortness of the breath, difficulty in breathing
- Throat congestion
- Itchy, dry skin rashes
- Hives
- Swollen tongue, lips or face
- Mood swings
- Confusion
- Bbloating, tummy pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
Currently based in Visakhapatnam, Sangeeta’s journey into the wellness and health industry was an accident. A parent’s worst nightmare, she had to confront the fact that her second son was born with a life threatening allergy. “Everything on earth was unsafe for him – the air, even mother’s milk,” she recalls. The only option left was steroidal treatment, at which point Sangeeta decided to research on health, nutrition and emotional health.
In 2013, Sangeeta moved to India from the US and soon found her son’s condition improved in Visakhapatnam. “The weather suited him and he started responding well,” she adds.
- Milk, Wheat, Soy, Corn, Eggs, Shellfish, Nuts, Pollen, Dust
Sangeeta also signed up for a series of courses including a diploma in nutrition and health education. “People with allergies to food typically have complex feelings about the risks they face. Food allergies have an emotional and somewhat traumatic impact. For instance, one can experience unexplained fatigue after eating certain type of food; or behavioural issues like aggression or symptoms of depression. It is important to identify these clues and the allergenic element and avoid it for certain period of time to experience the healing,” she says.
It is obvious, says Sangeeta, that in most cases, the stress levels of individuals are high and the brain functions in the ‘fight or flight’ mode. As a result, the gut doesn’t function naturally. And the mind is continuously on the look out for some kind of threat.
Teenagers in particular often develop hives. It is anallergic reaction that causes hives, she says. She has conducted several workshops in schools and colleges and also addressed sessions on health and nutrition in summer camps in the city.
- Peanut allergies are one of the most common ones and can cause severe and potentially fatal allergic reactions. It affects around 4–8% of children and 1–2% of adults.
Currently pursuing her masters in psychology from Andhra University, Sangeeta says her main goal is to work with the medical system and change the way illness is addressed. “It is important that physicians build trust with their patients and educate them about healthy, safe diets,” she adds.
Health issues can emanate from anything. “Financial issues, personal problems, or major life changing events. Along with taking conventional treatments, there has to be conscious action to change lifestyle patterns. In that way, one can address the root cause instead of working on the symptoms alone. This results a permanent health shift,” she says.
(Sangeeta can be contacted in smuddapu@muddrasspace.com)
