Varieties And Traditions

In Guanacaste, Pujagua and Congo corn are the most common native varieties. The corn culture is reflected in multiple traditions, such as the elaboration of typical foods: corn punch, pinolillo, sweet tortilla, donuts, perrerreque, yoltamal, tanelas, roasted bun, corn rice, bizcochos and mazamorra. These preparations are not only delicious, but also form part of the cultural and social identity of the region.

Rescue And Promotion Of Maíz Criollo

In an effort to rescue ancestral traditions and promote healthy eating, the National Center for Food Science and Technology (CITA) and Canal UCR produced a documentary about pujagua corn, also known as purple corn. This native corn, grown in Guanacaste, has seen an alarming decrease in its cultivation and consumption in recent decades due to dependence on imported yellow corn. The documentary seeks to raise awareness of the nutritional richness of pujagua corn and its link to local festivities and traditions.

Nutrition And Industrial Uses

A study conducted by Marcela Álvarez, an academic and nutritionist at the National University (UNA), highlights the importance of corn in food security. This grain is an excellent source of energy due to its high content of resistant starch, which is digested slowly, providing prolonged energy. In addition, corn is rich in insoluble fiber, which promotes intestinal health, and carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for eye health.

Corn also plays a crucial role in the food and industrial industry. When industrialized, it is found in food and beverages, as well as in products such as paper, bioplastics, detergents and jewelry. This versatility makes corn a valuable resource for a variety of applications.

Health Benefits

Corn is a starchy vegetable that provides numerous health benefits. It is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids, such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and B vitamins. In addition, it contains antioxidants and amino acids vital for healthy cell growth. Regular consumption of corn can help protect against eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration, thanks to its high carotenoid content.

In summary, corn in Guanacaste is not only a traditional food, but also a cultural and nutritional treasure. Its historical, cultural and nutritional importance is still relevant, and its rescue and promotion are essential to keep this rich heritage alive.

Sensorial Sunsets

The screwworm, caused by the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, is a serious parasitic disease that affects both animals and humans. This problem has gained relevance in Costa Rica, where numerous cases have been reported since July 2023.

Affections In Animals And Humans

According to the authorities’ records, cattle are the most affected by this parasite, followed by dogs and to a lesser extent other species such as sheep, goats and horses. Since the first case in animals in July 2023, seven human cases have been reported, including the first death this Wednesday.

Wound Care & Prevention

Dr. Alexis Sandí Muñoz, head of the Epidemiology Department of Senasa, emphasizes the importance of caring for wounds in animals and humans. Neglecting a wound can be harmful, as the fly deposits its eggs in these sites, where the larvae feed on living tissue, causing serious injuries. Especially in newborn animals, umbilical wounds are critical points of infection.

An Aggressive Strain

The current outbreak in Costa Rica is due to a particularly aggressive strain of the fly, which was first detected in the Southern Zone and has spread to all provinces. This strain has shown increased resistance to insecticides, forcing authorities to implement stricter measures.

Treatment Of Infested Wounds

In case maggots are found in a wound, it is recommended to kill the maggots with larvicides and remove them completely with tweezers. It is crucial to prevent maggots from falling to the ground to prevent them from completing their life cycle and becoming adult flies. In addition, wounds should be treated and cared for until they are completely healed.

Fly Dispersal

Screwworm flies can be spread in two ways: by flying up to 20 kilometers or by being transported by humans when moving infected animals. Therefore, it is vital to check animals for wounds and maggots before moving them.

Sterile Fly Technique

One promising strategy is aerial dispersal of sterile flies, a technique that interrupts the life cycle of the screwworm fly. Females mate only once, and if they mate with sterile males, they will not produce offspring, gradually reducing the fly population.

Eradication and reintroduction

The screwworm was eradicated in Costa Rica in 1999, and no cases were recorded until July 2023, when the disease reappeared. Now, authorities are once again in the eradication phase, facing the challenge of a more resistant strain.

The control and eradication of screwworm requires a coordinated effort between authorities, veterinarians and the public. Only through strict measures and cooperation can this threat to public health be addressed.

Sensorial Sunsets

In Costa Rica, the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products seriously affects many women and girls. This situation is not only a public health problem, but also an issue of equity and social justice. The “Cambiemos la Regla” campaign, led by @nosotras.womenconnecting, seeks to address this issue and has received the support of various political figures, including Congresswoman Priscilla Vindas of the Frente Amplio.

“Cambiemos la regla” (Let’s change the rule) Campaign

Its main objective is the approval of bill 22.421, known as “Menstruation and Justice”. This bill proposes several measures to guarantee equitable access to menstrual hygiene products:

1. VAT reduction: Implement a reduced VAT rate for menstrual hygiene products.
2. Education Campaigns: Develop information and awareness campaigns on menstrual education.
3. Comprehensive Menstrual Education: Include menstrual education from the first school cycle through diversified education.
4. Provision in Penitentiary Centers and for Migrants: To provide menstrual hygiene products to people in penitentiary centers and in migratory conditions.

Impact And Need

Priscilla Vindas, joining the campaign, expressed firmly: “Of course! Menstrual hygiene should not be a luxury, it is a necessity.” This statement highlights the urgency of treating menstrual hygiene as a basic necessity and not as an unattainable luxury for many women. The campaign also emphasizes that, currently, women pay 13% VAT for menstrual products, something that should be reconsidered to include these products in the basic basket.

Realities In Education Centers

The Alajuelita high school is a positive example of how to address this problem. In this educational center, organized students were able to allocate part of the school budget for the purchase of menstrual hygiene products, creating menstrual health kits. Rachel Salazar, a student of the high school, stressed the importance of this initiative: “It is very important, sometimes we have emergencies and the teachers help us with the towels”. However, this is not the reality for all schools in the country.

Alarming Statistics

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), it is estimated that 80,000 women in Costa Rica do not have access to the necessary items to manage menstruation. This lack of access causes a student to miss up to 40 days of school per year. Despite the reduction of VAT from 13% to 1% for products such as pads, tampons and menstrual cups, prices remain unaffordable for many families.

It is essential that the State guarantees equitable access to menstrual hygiene products for all women and girls. Initiatives such as those of the Alajuelita high school should be replicated throughout the country to ensure that menstruation is not a barrier to women’s education and dignity.

Sensorial Sunsets

Fernanda Quirós, Philosophy professor at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), activist and late-diagnosed autistic, told us a little about the challenges faced by autistic women in Costa Rica.

She begins by clarifying the following point:

FQ: Generally when people think of autism, they think of it as a disorder or that people in some way or another are sick. So, they often use words like symptoms, ailments etc. Also even the word asperger. But, for several years now, already the autistic community and specialist in the area have been raising another way of visualizing the issue. All the old theories that thought these ideas of disease, illness, disorders are left behind and now autism is read under what is the “neurodiversity paradigm”. I wanted to clarify that. It is not about people with autism because the “with” implies having something: I have the flu, I have glasses… but it is something external to me […] we are going to talk more about autistic people, it is something internal with which we are born, it is part of our identity.

What is the prevalence of autism in women compared to men and why do you think there is this disparity in diagnoses?

The prevalence is the same. Autism does not make a distinction with respect to gender. I believe that the prevalence is the same, however, when it comes to diagnoses there is precisely that disparity in terms of gender. […] the tests and all the analyses to diagnose autism are focused more on men and also […] there is a social perception that women have to be a certain way. Women have to be quiet, introverted.

For example, in my case I was diagnosed until I was 30 years old, while at school I was simply a very quiet girl, very introverted because that is what is generally expected of women, of girls. So, the teachers never noticed anything different from me, nothing to worry about.

But that’s just it: the prevalence is the same, however there is that disparity because of the social perception of what is held about women who have to be introverted, quiet. And in that way autistic women/girls tend to go unnoticed and do not see the need to give them a diagnosis.

What are some of the common stereotypes about autism that may uniquely affect women and how can these stereotypes be effectively addressed?

It affects to the extent that if you do not have a diagnosis, you do not know how to explain what is going on in your life and you will not be able to access the support that is required. You spend your whole educational or social life being the odd one.

Now, how to identify a case in which the person is autistic and another in which the person is introverted? Well, just for that there are specialists who can give information on this. But, the first thing to do is to eradicate the fact that women cannot be autistic, or are autistic to a lesser degree, by simply granting them to be introverted. There are a lot of other factors that can be studied and break away from that.

Precisely there is something known as the phenomenon of the unique autistic person. That is to think of the idea that the autistic person is that little guy who is a man, who does not speak and who swings somehow; or, on the contrary, a man, but brilliant. Like Sheldon Cooper.

In fact, no autistic person is the same as any other, and it is necessary to break with the idea that there are only two extremes, which are men, but that women can also be autistic.

Therefore, we need specialists not only to be thinking about the phenomenon of the single autistic person, but to be open, minimally open to listen to the experiences of women who suspect they may be autistic. And to apply these tests, these analyses, etc., in an objective manner and not simply discarding that “you are a woman, so you are simply introverted because autism is focused on men who sway and do not speak”. To break, rather, all those dynamics that they have.

What specific challenges may autistic women face in terms of mental health, emotional well-being, and access to appropriate mental health services?

Regarding access to adequate mental health services, that is very interesting to me. Because I am doing some work on that and what we have found is that there is no access to mental health in a comprehensive way. The Caja only diagnoses children, it does not diagnose adults. That is difficult because if an adult person wants to be diagnosed, they have to go and pay privately and that is very expensive. Taking into account the high cost of living, it is sometimes an obstacle to have that diagnosis and then be able to access the required support needs.

In the case that the Caja has diagnosed and wants to carry out a process, what we have found is that the appointments to psychology or psychiatry are reduced to appointments every 6 months and that appointment lasts 5 minutes. The person who is attending is simply typing on the computer and that’s it. They just give medication, but they never talk to the person themselves.

My sister, for example, is also autistic and she has that case: psychiatry appointments every 6 months, they last 5 minutes and the person who takes care of her never talks to her. She just asks my mom a general question and that’s it. Just to see if she should be given more or less medication. Talking about health issues is much more complex, but that is not present.

autistic women in costa rica

In terms of adult autistic women, the fact of requiring some psychological therapy becomes even more necessary thinking about the burdens that women have on a social level. Many women have to be heads of household, take care of their sons and daughters who, in most cases, are also autistic, and so on. The whole conglomerate of what it implies to be autistic, plus what it implies to be a woman in this patriarchal society.

Another thing within the specific challenges [is that] when it comes to going to schools and work centers, if you say “Well, I am an autistic person, I am going to need these supports”, the diagnosis is questioned. This questioning tends to be more focused on women, precisely because they will make comments such as “You don’t look like that”, “No, you are just shy”, “But, there are many people like that, so don’t worry, you don’t have anything”. What that does is to delegitimize.

autistic women in costa rica

In my sister’s case, when she was in school, it also happened a lot that we would bring the diagnosis, we would tell the teacher “She needs this and these accommodations”. The teacher, in the first years of school, would look at the diagnosis saying “Well, Jimena doesn’t look like Carlitos“. Why? Because Carlitos precisely was a man who did not speak, who swayed. In the case of my sister, [she] didn’t do those things, so it was already a reason to delegitimize and not believe in the diagnosis. And, again, that delegitimization of the diagnosis is usually more present in women. The fact of telling them “No, you are not autistic, you are just shy and that’s it”. Well, they are denying you the rights and support needs that you have. It is not something whimsical.

Another challenge women face is that women are more likely to mask. That is, they stop being themselves and act according to what society establishes as “correct”. This has repercussions because it causes us crises, it takes spoons (energy) away from us.

How can family members, friends, educators and health professionals best support autistic women and help them in their daily lives?

First of all, listen to autistic people. Because many times it is assumed that all autistic people are the same, so [it is thought] that there is a manual that we try to apply to people. To that extent, they are overriding the autonomy of the autistic person, who in reality is indeed a person capable of making his or her own decisions. Rather, what is done in cases of adult women is to infantilize them.

So, the first thing to do would be to listen to what they have to say. What is the way in which people close to them can help them. Because we cannot assume. If we assume we are falling into the stereotype of the unique autistic phenomenon, when each autistic person will have his or her own sensory profile. This will translate into support needs that will be totally different. So: listen to what the person has to say, validate what the person says and support according to what he/she has commented.

We have seen you giving talks on this topic, what has the experience been like?

The experience has been good because people are usually interested in the subject. Especially relatives of autistic children who cannot find information in the Costa Rican Social Security Fund. They are given the diagnosis but they are adrift. So, this type of talks are quite encouraging. But what I have also found is a lot of ignorance and, on the part of a certain sector, a lot of resistance to the neurodiversity paradigm that I mentioned at the beginning.

For example, here in Costa Rica and in many parts of the world, there are organizations that focus on, in one way or another, giving speeches to supposedly “cure” autism. Maybe they do not say the word disease directly, but their discourse is loaded with the idea of seeing the autistic person as a sufferer, as someone to be infantilized, as someone whose family is the one who has to decide for him or her. So, this whole series of scenarios is what is most present in society. Well, facing this, the autistic community at the international level we have made several initiatives of individual or collective forms to position the paradigm of neurodiversity.

autistic women in costa rica

There is a phrase from the movement of people with disabilities: “Nothing about us without us”. The autism community rightly picks up on that phrase to say “Yes, we need to talk about autism, let’s talk about it. But let’s take autistic people into account as well”. Because now that you mention the talks, it is curious that [when] they give talks on autism, they invite specialists, everybody, except the autistic person.

Well, I have given two talks and what I have found is that I am the first person who comes to these organizations to [speak to them] being autistic. And what happens is that the other people who usually give talks often invalidate the experiences of [autistic] people, especially when it comes to women. Because of all this connotation that there is that women are simply introverted, shy, but the real autistic person is the man who does not speak and sways.

So yes, the talks have been very nice to be able to talk to people and show them other perspectives, but there are also a lot of obstacles that still exist. Both for believing in an erroneous vision of autism, as well as for gender inequality with respect to women.

Have these talks been organized by you alone or with other people? Do you think there will be more?

At the moment, I have given two talks and yes it has been individually, but globally there are many people who are responsible for activism in social networks. There are even books that have been written about the experiences and from those books they also do more activism. It is curious because most of those who do activism in social networks are women.

For example, we can mention Alita in Mexico. Sara Codina in Spain. There is also a blog called Autiblog that is run by an autistic woman. There are even three other pages that are also run by women who, precisely, are in charge of breaking this stereotype of “we can’t be autistic”. Well, yes, we are. Because it’s not something we decide to be, but something we are born with. There are two books, one written by Alita, another one written by Sara, where they reflect that experience of having lived 30-40 years without knowing that one was autistic, because of the fact of having been a woman and, therefore, that doctors came to minimize the issue.

Obviously I am willing to do more talks. In fact, it has happened to me that in my social networks I usually post information about autism and, as a result of that, there are already 2 women who have felt very identified and have started to ask more in depth questions. Now they are looking for a diagnosis. Precisely because before there was a lot of ignorance about autism, especially when it comes to women.

In Costa Rica, is there still a lack of support for this issue?

In Costa Rica there is a group called Adultos Autistas de Costa Rica. The group is willing to give talks, but for the moment this group is more focused on being a socialization support group for all those people who are isolated and autistic. It is a meeting point: we are all here, we are all autistic, these things happen to us, we have these traits. It is like a kind of identification.

The group of autistic adults has also done activism in social networks to promote the neurodiversity paradigm. But what has happened is that it has not been very well received. Many times we are labeled as young rebels who simply want to go against the grain [and] we have to continue with the old theory.

So yes, here in Costa Rica the issue of the neurodiversity paradigm is still in its infancy and there is a lot of resistance to this change, but it is a necessary change. Because the way in which autism is treated right now is harmful to all and all the people who are on the spectrum and who want to be treated with dignity, to respect our autonomy and that we are people who simply have different characteristics, but that does not mean that we should be infantilized.

What you say about infantilizing autistic people is very interesting. How do you think this happens or what does it affect at an educational level, also in terms of getting a diagnosis from a professional? Do you feel that this infantilization happens a lot in women? Like the fact that the treatment is different.

Yes, because many times people do not have correct information about autism. The Caja gives them a diagnosis to their daughter or son and, because there is so much misinformation, what happens is that the family thinks it is the worst. Like being given a diagnosis of terminal cancer, that everything is going to go wrong.

Under that perspective, they start to raise their sons and daughters in such a way that they cannot be independent. So, they put them, for example, in special education. And, what happens, is that [with] special education tomorrow if they want to opt for a technical [college] or a university career they cannot do it because the universities do not accept those degrees that come from special education; when autism is only a psychosocial and dynamic disability. It is not a cognitive disability. Therefore, autistic people could have access to universities or also in making decisions regarding their lives.

Many families simply say, “No. He or she can’t, so I’m going to be in charge”. It’s a form of parenting because of the lack of knowledge that results in autistic people not being able to have an independent life. But yes you can it is a myth that you can’t.

autistic women in costa rica

In the United States, there is an organization called Autism Speaks. That organization funds research that focuses on how to eugenicize or fix the brains of autistic people. Which is terrible. That same organization has taken it upon itself to reproduce these discourses of autism as a disease, even though the word disease does not appear literally.

Then, there are even terrifying advertisements where they say “Autism stole my child” and someone appears crying and the child […] isolated and unable to do anything for his life. And the ugly thing is that there is a method of behavioral analysis that is in charge of removing autism from people. They give them electroshocks, they work with reward and punishment therapies. If the autistic person is stiming they punish him/her, it can be with electroshock. If tomorrow he/she stops doing it then they give him/her a prize, they let him/her use his/her favorite toy.

Or, there is one called calm hands therapy. Some autistic people tend to have stimings with their hands. The quiet hands is to go about taking that away from the person because it’s bad and that in school just being immobile and not doing any behavior that’s inappropriate.

autistic women in costa rica

[Also], autistic people tend to have special interests and those special interests are very deep, very intense and we will always express them. For example, my special interest is Harry Potter, so I can wear things, clothes alluding to Harry Potter. And so, there are other people. Someone may like or have special interest Kuromi or some animated character and wear a dress of that animated character or paint their hair in colors. Precisely those actions, which for us are very good and make us feel happy and we are proud to express it, many times society sees it as if we were childish. They make the association that we are childish, therefore, we cannot make decisions or be a rational person.

That could be another way. Which makes no sense at all because there is nothing wrong with expressing one’s tastes, as long as it does not harm third parties. We are also in the full capacity to be able to reason, make decisions, have an independent life, etc.

Sensorial Sunsets in collaboration with Fernanda Quirós, Philosophy professor at the University of Costa Rica and the Universidad Estatal a Distancia.

Ultra-Violet Rays (UV)

Last January, high and extreme UV exposures were recorded in Costa Rica. If you were in Costa Rica during that month, you most likely felt a blistering sun when you went outside. Although we are already in February, you can still feel that intense sun.

UV rays can normally peak during the middle of the day and last until 4 pm. If we think about it this way, it is a considerable amount of hours. In addition, UV rays can reach the ground even on a cloudy day and, on top of that, bounce off surfaces such as water, sand, snow or pavement, which increases exposure to these rays.

Experts say that there is no such thing as UV rays that are not dangerous for our skin. It is therefore important to take care of ourselves when we go out of the house.

Skin Cancer

Dr. Loretta Piccolo, dermatologist, reminds the Costa Rican population that:

We must remember that we live in a tropical country and the sun passes through the windows, so even at home or at work we must protect ourselves from the sun. Do not forget that all skin sunburns equally, we tend to take care and protect the face, but we forget the neck, ears, legs and arms, areas where sun spots and the appearance of skin cancer are also frequent.

Skin cancer develops when DNA changes occur in skin cells, usually caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun (or tanning beds). The disease can manifest itself in several ways: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma (among the most common).

Even family history, fair skin, severe sunburn, excessive use of tanning beds and the presence of atypical moles can make a person vulnerable to developing this disease.

In fact, skin cancer is the most frequent cancer in Costa Rica and in the world; and it has been increasing over the years.

According to the country’s official statistics, there are approximately 45 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in women and 56 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in men.

Skin Care

To avoid these inconveniences, it is best to avoid exposure to the sun at hours when UV rays are at their highest peak; however, if it is inevitable, try to apply sunscreen in any area exposed to the sun. Since it is summer, it is best to use a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 50.

You can also help yourself with hats, sunglasses and clothing that helps hide your skin. Also, be a friend of the shade and take shelter in it to minimize exposure to the rays.

Let’s enjoy the sun and the summer in a responsible way!

Sensorial Sunsets

The Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Costa Rica opened the admission to assess people interested in receiving any dental treatment. This will be done from Monday, January 22 to Sunday, January 26.

The review will take place at the facilities of the School of Dentistry, in San Pedro Montes de Oca. From 7 a.m. onwards, tokens will be handed out in person, with 50 spaces available daily (10 additional spaces reserved for senior citizens).

Requirements

In order to participate in the review, you will need to submit the following paperwork:

• Valid identification document (original and copy)
• Vaccination card with full COVID-19 vaccination schedule (minimum 2 doses)

Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who must carry the aforementioned documents and the documents (identification and ID) of the minor.

Treatments

Among the treatments offered are: tooth extraction, nerve and gum treatments, fillings, crowns, cleanings, tartar reduction and dental bridges.

The check-up is free, but no UCR dental treatment is free, however, its price is very low and, if you are selected for treatment, the amount will be communicated to you according to your specific needs. In case of economic limitations, the School of Dentistry will make a socioeconomic study to provide special prices, with discounts and payment exemptions. Also, senior citizens and people with disabilities will get a 15% discount. In addition, pregnant women can benefit from a 30% discount.

Faculty students will perform the treatments under the supervision of their professors.

Dental treatment UCR

Sensorial Sunsets

According to a report of serotypes identified by the National Virology Reference Center, 2,305 cases of dengue were confirmed since November 28 of this year. It was identified that there is a predominance of circulation of serotypes DENV3 and DENV4 over the serotypes of typical circulation in our country: DENV1 and DENV2.

The two new dengue fever serotypes were reported for the first time since last year.

According to the Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate, it was reported that during the week of November 20-26, Costa Rica registered 24,941 cases of dengue fever.

In Costa Rica, the regions with the highest number of dengue fever cases reported are:

• Huetar Caribe region (6055 cases)
• North Central region (5592 cases)
• Chorotega region (3819 cases)

Also, the cantons with the highest number of dengue fever cases registered in 2023 are:

• Puntarenas (2300 cases)
• Alajuela (2134 cases)
• Sarapiqui (1617 cases)
• Siquirres (1591 cases)
• Pococí (1535 cases)
• San Carlos (1376 cases)

What is dengue fever?

The dengue fever can be considered a viral disease, typical of tropical areas and transmitted by female mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti species or, to a lesser extent, by the Ae. albopictus species.

An estimated 40,000 people die every year worldwide as a result of dengue fever.

Approximately 4 billion people (almost half of the world’s population) live in areas where dengue is present: America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the cause of dengue is a virus of the Flaviridae family with four serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4.

All four dengue serotypes exist in the American continent and sometimes circulate at the same time, which explains why a person is infected several times.

In addition, it is commonly referred to as two types of dengue: mild (or classic) and severe (or hemorrhagic).

Dengue causes fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. It can also cause rashes, swollen glands, body aches and pains, usually behind the eyes, in the muscles and joints.

In mild cases of dengue fever, symptoms usually last 2 to 7 days. Most people recover.

As for severe dengue fever, it should be detected in time to prevent it from becoming complicated. For this, the following symptoms should be watched for: pain or tenderness in the stomach, constant vomiting, bleeding from the nose and gums, presence of blood in vomit and stool, and a feeling of increased fatigue.

What can be done to prevent this?

Dengue is an endemic disease, which means that it is constantly present in the region. This complicates the possibilities of eradicating it.

For health authorities and scientists, the best thing to do is to avoid the reproduction of the mosquito that transmits it:

• storing water in closed containers
• avoiding wells, water puddles and unsanitary conditions
• promoting fumigation campaigns

In addition, it is recommended that people wear light-colored clothing that covers arms and legs, insect repellent and sleep with mosquito nets or fans, especially during the rainy season.

These measures not only reduce the chances of the spread of dengue, but also of other diseases such as Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.

Sensorial Sunsets

On Tuesday, November 22, a fentanyl production and trafficking organization was dismantled in Costa Rica. This organization is the first to be dismantled in the Central American region.

During the operation, which was carried out together with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), three houses were raided in San José, four people were arrested and 1,100 doses were seized.

The drug was produced in the form of paracetamol and fluorofentanyl pills. These were sold incognito in different bars in the city.

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl, or as it is popularly called the “zombie drug,” is a strong synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent.

Actually, it is a drug that can be prescribed by a doctor in cases where the patient is in severe pain, especially after a surgical operation. On these occasions, fentanyl is provided in injectable, patch or tablet form.

Illegally consumed fentanyl, on the other hand, is manufactured in laboratories. Then, it is often sold in powder form, poured in drops on blotting paper, in eye drop containers, in nasal sprays or in pills that simulate prescription opioids. On top of that, some traffickers mix this substance with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA.

What are its effects?

The drug travels through the body via the bloodstream, reaches the central nervous system and attacks the opiate receptors and slows them down. This causes disengagement, sedation, lethargy and a feeling of well-being.

According to experts, the sense of well-being and euphoria provided by fentanyl can lead to breathing problems, cardiac arrest and death if more than two milligrams are consumed. It can also cause hypoxia, which occurs when the brain does not get enough oxygen.

In the world

Currently, fentanyl has become popular in the United States and has begun to be trafficked in countries such as Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Spain.

The presence of fentanyl in Costa Rica has set off alarms among many people in the population.

Sensorial Sunsets

The rise of the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet has grown considerably in popularity. It is based on a significant reduction of carbohydrates and an increased consumption of healthy fats. In this way, it attempts to bring the body into a state of ketosis, in which fats are burned as a primary source of energy to result in weight loss.

Through including foods high in fat and protein, it promotes a feeling of fullness that can help people stick to their diet plan over the long term. As a result, there has been a growing demand for keto menu options in restaurants.

The power of social media.

Currently, there is a strong influence of the fashion industry and advertising, which promotes the image of a slim and fit body as the ideal of beauty. In the era of social media, information spreads quickly and reaches a large audience. As a matter of fact, keto influencers have helped to popularize the keto diet and have created greater awareness of its benefits.

On the other hand, the vegetarian diet focuses more on issues of sustainability, ethical values and animal welfare. Although this is valuable and necessary, it does not necessarily fit with the mindset of lifestyle.

However, veganism, despite gaining followers, has not achieved the same level of penetration in social networks. This may be due to myths about the “complexity and restrictions” involved in following a vegetarian or vegan diet, which may hinder its promotion and widespread acceptance.

Restaurants, stereotypes and limited options.

Restaurants are often faced with very typical food choices. Meaning, they are associated with meat dishes and animal products, which can lead to the perception that options for vegans are limited. Even, some may have negative stereotypes and prejudices towards vegans, which influences the lack of empathy and lack of vegetarian options on their menus.

Dietary patterns are rooted inthe culture and traditions of a society, which can make acceptance of a vegetarian diet difficult. Set culinary customs can create resistance to change and make it more difficult for people to adopt a plant-based diet.

Ruby M. B.

Still, the controversy surrounding the two diets is understandable, as there is a great deal of conflicting information and approaches.

For this reason, it is essential to recognize that the meaning of the word “diet” goes beyond simply losing weight, encompassing aspects such as nutrition, health, disease prevention and food ethics.

When the society evolves and becomes more aware of the importance of health and wellness, food preferences are changing.

While veganism and vegetarian diets remain valid and ethical options, the ketogenic diet has gained prominence due to its focus on rapid weight loss, satiety and its adaptation to the currently promoted aesthetics.

As a result, restaurants are responding to customer demand and, in this case, the keto diet has gained ground due to its popularity and its ability to adjust to consumer expectations.

Sensorial Sunsets

How can we take care of our health?

There are actually many ways to take care of our health, both mental and physical. However, to take care of our health completely, we must first take care of our physical body. This means that a good physical activity and a good diet will help us 80% to improve our well-being.

A good diet

To achieve a good diet it is essential to keep eating fruits, vegetables and water. These foods are the ones that will provide hydration and many vitamins. In addition, distributing meals between 4 or 5 meals a day is very important because it will help you not to feel so many impulses to overeat. Include whole grains, seeds and nuts. It is also crucial to reduce sugar, fats and fried foods. Finally, if you are vegetarian or vegan, try to compensate for protein with lentils or chickpeas, among other foods.

Physical activity

Good nutrition must be accompanied by physical activity sessions. But we should not think of the gym as the only synonym for exercise, in reality there are many fun and bearable practices that will make us work the body. For example, there is yoga, swimming, athletics, walking, cycling, pilates or any sport. It is a matter of finding an activity that we like and that at the same time makes us strive every day to achieve a goal.

Rest

Sometimes we forget that rest is very important to keep us fit and young in mind. Having an 8-hour sleep routine and rest breaks during the day will make you more alert, more active and happier. It is valuable to remember that rest is not something we deserve but a right we have.

This 2023 let’s listen more to our body and give it everything it needs.

Author: Monica Gallardo for Sensorial Sunsets