Best Head to Heel Health Guide

Migraines symptoms and preventions

2009-10-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

Normally migraine is related to physiological alterations blood flow that take place in our brain. It is so acute since it comes from several directions, converging at one point in our brain.
It can be recognized when they are getting it since they begin to see an aura of spots and lights. This symptom will vanish bringing terrible pain often on one side of the head. Almost 15 to 17 percent of women and 5 to 7 percent of men are affected by it. Though it is common and may occur in all age groups it is more prevalent among those in the age group of 18 to 45.
It is not hereditary since we don't have any theories to prove it but there are some cases where there is also some family history. Most of the patients who suffer from migraine are from urban areas.There are many factors for migraine but the aggravating factors are different from person to person. It affects the normal life of an individual and at times it also becomes a cause for epilepsy and stroke among some sufferers. Till date there is no diagnostic tool been found to detect migraine. This is ranked 19th debility causing diorder by the WHO.

Symptoms:
Often moderate to severe, throbbing headache.

Most commonly on one side of the head, and it is very uncommon for both sides of the head are affected.

It always occurs near the eye on the affected side of the head.

Gets worse with physical activity.

Much sensitive to light/sound.

Causing nausea or vomiting symptoms.

If not taken care of, can stay from 4 to 72 hours and may even persist for weeks.

Although many are suffering from migraine, there are very few who could understand this or its seriousness in life.

Treatment:

Though there are many theories that exists about Migraine, none of them are really that much sound enough to give a long term prophylactic cure, but on the other hand the prolonged use of the pain killers triggers Medicine Overuse Headache or any other side effects.

Prevention:

Whether or not you take preventive medications and benefit from it, by adhearing to some small lifestyle changes you can help yourself to reduce the severity of migraines.

Do muscle relaxation meditation and Yoga.

Spend at least half an hour listening to music, and engaging yourself in gardening, taking a hot bath, or reading your favourite subject.

A sound sleep for seven to nine hours at night.

Rest in dark and quiet room when getting the pain, place an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the back of your neck and apply gentle pressure to painful areas on your scalp.

One more cause for throat cancer

2009-10-13T23:55:00.000-07:00

A recent research report published by British Medical Journal, suggests that people who drink tea hot, run a higher risk of throat cancer than their counterparts who prefer a cooler cup.
Cancer of the oesophagus is linked especially to smoking and alcohol abuse but hot beverages have also been now considered a risk factor, due to taking hot beverages possibly damages the throat tissue. A team led by Reza Malekzadeh of the Digestive Disease Research Centre at Tehran, looked at 300 people who had been diagnosed with a throat tumour and a matched group of 571 healthy people who lived in the same area.
Among those who drank hot tea were twice as likely to develop throat cancer compared with those who drank warm or lukewarm tea, whose temperature was 65'C or less. Drinking very hot tea at least 70'c or above was associated with an eight fold increased risk compared with warm or lukewarm tea.
The study also reveled with evidence that taking scorching fluids may cause damage to the throat's epithelial lining and lead to throat cancer, although the exact reason how it causes remains unclear.
And the final decision tea lovers, wait at least four minutes before drinking from a freshly boiled cup of tea.

Important Tip to Keep Fit

2009-06-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

To make our body function smooth and keep fit we need our blood circulation accelerated for about 30 minutes a day, basically accelerating blood circulation increases the volume of blood flow through all the cells and tissues in all the organs of the body. This increases the supply of the oxygen, extra nutrients, and as well as clears the CO2 and waste products. By making this all the organs of our body gets cleaned, trimmed and made efficient, and this lasts for the next 12 hours only. Since it is better we do this acceleration of blood twice daily. We can divide the 30 minutes session into two 15 minutes session a day each, one in the morning and one at the evening.
How to increase the acceleration?
This is can be done by some physical exercise, walking, running, jogging, treadmill gym, some simple exercises in gym, etc. This will make our muscle to work harder and more by the way demanding for more blood and naturally increase the circulation.

Tips to maintain your weight

2009-03-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

Always add more carbohydrates in your food, fruits, vegetables, legumes and beans are low in fat and high in carbohydrates and essential for a good health since take a more of the same.

Add more grains in your food they are also rich in carbohydrates and low in fat.

Go for chapatti's and parattas rather than choosing processed food like bread.

Go for fruits, soups and salads over jellies, jams, preserves, cream cheese, or cottage cheese.

Butter and margarine may sound tasty, but are high in fat and bad carbohydrates.
Butter contains the highest saturated fat which is the forerunner for increase of cholesterol in our body, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease.
Margarine contains Trans-fatty acids, which flumes the risk of heart disease.

Do not build your meals around meat like beef, pork, lamb since they are high at fat, use very small amount of these meats to flavour dishes, or base the dishes on vegetables, beans or grains. If you feel you cannot avoid using meat of this kind at least rinse them with hot water this will help get rid of some fat.

While you eat concentrate on your food,
avoid eating along a conversation,
avoid eating when you feel depressed,
avoid eating after you had a confrontation or a heated argument,
avoid eating while reading,
avoid eating while you or watching your favourite program on TV,
and basically keep a rule not to combine eating with any other activity,
because always combining makes you to over drive.

Tips for Attractive hair

2009-02-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

Generally a beautiful shining hair enhances beauty and lends a charismatic touch to one's personality. Now a days most of us are facing the problems of premature greying of hair, which not just only diminishes the beauty; and look but also reduces the self esteem of the person. There can be a number of reasons for this premature greying of hair like chronic disease, deficiency of nutritious elements in body, mental tension, severe dieting, harsh soaps and shampoos or hair sprays, the indiscriminate use of the hair-dryer, excessive use of chemicals and improper cleaning and washing of hair, and above all in some cases this may be even hereditary in nature which doesn't find a solution.

Massage hair with oil regularly, at least once a week.

Use a right shampoo for your hair, if you are not going to concentrate on this aspect this may lead to greying and also hair fall. It is therefore necessary to find out whether your hair is oily, dry or normal, use a shampoo which is best suited for your hair type.

Normal hair:
For normal hair, you should choose a mild shampoo with less detergent in it. There are shampoos in the market which have a lot of detergent in them due to which they create a lather. such shampoos are called hard shampoos. The use of such kind of hard shampoos destroys hair moisture, it losses its natural sine and becomes dull and dry. Since use a mild shampoo for normal hair.

Oily hair:
Oily hair gets dirty very quickly and needs to be shampooed frequently. For such hair, a lemon shampoo is ideal. Lemon shampoo removes grease from the hair. If you use an ordinary shampoo for oily hair the dirt do not get washed away easily, as a result hair looks grimy and unhealthy and starts greying prematurely .
If you are of oily hair type you also should avoid fried and spicy food.

Dry hair:
One of the factors for hair becoming grey prematurely is the dryness. For dry hair, use egg shampoo, cream shampoo or tonic shampoo once a week.Never use the wrong kind of shampoo for dry hair.

Conditioner:
A conditioner must be used for all types of hair. The regular use of shampoo without conditioner makes hair dry as a result of which it loses its natural sheen as well as moisture. Conditioners play a vital role in maintaining the correct level of moisture in hair.
Though there is a large variety of conditioners in the market for different kinds of hair, you can use conditioner made at home, which will be both useful and affordable.

For ordinary hair, beat 3 eggs and mix in 2 small spoons of olive oil and 1 small spoon of vinegar, apply this paste on your hair properly, keep for half an hour and then shampoo. Use this conditioner once a month.

For oily hair, squeeze the juice of a lemon and put in 1 small spoon of vinegar in a cup of water. Apply it all over your hair after a shampoo when the hair is still wet. Massage your scalp with your fingertips for 5minutes. Then wash it off with clean water. Use this conditioner once a week.

There is one more choice for oily hair, a lemon or the white of an egg is a very good conditioner. It should also be used on wet hair for 5 minutes and then washed off with water.

For dry hair use one spoon olive oil and mix it well into the yellow yolk of egg. Shampoo and wash your hair, apply this conditioner on the wet hair and massage for 5 minutes then wash your hair off with clean water. Use this conditioner once a week only.

If you don't want to use egg for your hair, you may substitute with curds. Shampoo your hair after applying curd on it and keeping it on for 2 hours.

Comb your hair at least thrice a day, combing is a good exercise as it regulates the blood circulation. This results in making the hair healthy.

Always comb your hair from the top downwards, never use a comb on wet hair. Avoid using others comb, and also don't share your comb keep it as a basic rule. And also avoid using others towels and pillows, keep the comb clean.

To keep hair strong and healthy, one should also be mindful of the diet as well, take food which has a lot of iron in it. Eat meat, fish soy bean, rajma, gram and all kinds of lentils. Your menu should include salad, fresh fruits, green vegetables, milk and milk products in sufficient quantity. Deficiency of protein in your food makes your hair weak.

Precautions:

Beware of chemicals: Avoid using dye, (the resent research of hair dying also proves some connections between cancer and hair dye) hair spray or any type of setting lotion on your hair. Use Hanna if at all you want to use a dye to your hair.

Don't perm your hair the lotion used in perming hair is so strong that it destroys natural sheen and moisture.Those who have already been using dye or perming hair must change to conditioner.

Reduce the use of dryer.

Mental tension:This is one of the main cause of premature hair greying and hair fall. Be happy and try to shed undue worry and anxiety.

Warm water never use hot water for washing hair. Hot water makes the hair dull and dry, lack of moisture make it rough and grey. Always wash your hair with fresh water.

Those who go to swim should always use a swimming cap as water in the swimming pool has a lot of chemicals mixed in it. These chemicals affect hair adversely, it is therefore advisable to wash your hair with clean water after a swim.

Protect your hair from strong sunshine. Sun-rays make it dry and accelerate greying and also makes your hair dull. Use a hat or umbrella to avoid direct sun-rays on your hair.

Massage session tips

2009-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Here are some massage tips that you can follow to get the most of your massage session.

1.Drink plenty of water before and after your session. This will enhance the benefits of a massage.

2.Don't eat for at least an hour before and after a massage session.

3.Be on time to your session you need time to cool down and relax before your session.

4.Don't hesitate to talk to the therapist about other issues you might have, like what amount of pressure or sped of movement you're comfortable with, discuss your preferences regarding room temperature, type of music you would like to hear, and lighting to ensure you get the best massage experience.

5.Loosen up during the massage, and be relaxed tightened up muscles are more difficult to relieve and also tensed mind. Don't think about the files waiting for you at the office or your target deadline.

6.Imagine yourself to be in a tranquil place while enjoying the sensual pleasure of touch on your skin.

Childhood and Obesity Causes and Prevention

2009-02-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

Childhood and Obesity Causes and Prevention

Tips to Prevent Back pain

2009-02-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

Many things can cause low back injuries or muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (which attach bone to bone), joint problems or "slipped dis", this is also called a herniated disk happens when a disk between the bones of the spine bilges and preses on nerves. This is commonly caused by twisting while lifting.

1. The best position for relief when your back hurts is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, with your hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair or just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back. You may need this sort of rest for a hurt back.

2.Heating pads can help to relax painful muscle spasms.

3.Use Ice packs and massages may also give relief.

4.Don't lift by bending over. Lift an object by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object.

5.If you must sit at your desk or at the wheel of a car or truck for long hours, break up the time with stops to stretch.

6.Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.

7.Exercise regularly, because an inactive lifestyle also contributes to lower back pain.

Tips to prevent Arterial Blocks

2009-02-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

Diabetics and smoking are the most important causes for development of arterial blocks, the other causes being old age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and lack of exercise. Awareness about the vascular disease is very poor amongst the general public. This has caused great delay in diagnosis leading to high incidence of amputation and even loss of life.

What should be done to prevent development of arterial blocks? some important to follow:

1. Stop Smoking.

2. Keep Walking (Brisk walking better)

3. Proper foot care.

4. Use of Blood thinners like Aspirin.

5. Taking proper care to control Diabetics, blood pressure and cholesterol.

6. Diet control.

7. Lifestyle modification.

Continuous usage of hair dye leads to Cancer! Is it true?

2009-02-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

The recent research doctors do believe that prolonged usage of hair dye may lead to myeloma, Hodgkin's, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, bladder and breast cancer.

According to doctors they believe there are enough reasons that prolonged usage of hair dye may lead to leukemia. The permanent hair dyes which we use contains strong chemical composition that not only damages the hair but it also harms a lot besides just destroying hair follicles. Doctors believe that the strong chemicals on the hair dye, which when applied directly on the scalp can penetrate deep into the scalp and enter the blood vessel and when the same is been used for a long period may certainly cause the chance of turning out into a carcinogenic cell.

People who use hair dyes in a regular basis are much prone to skin cancer, it may even be due to heredity but you cannot totally to the first point, the reason behind this verdict is that hair dyes contain ammonia, which is carcinogenic.

It is also believed the dark coloured permanent dyes when used are easily absorbed into the body through the scalp and become concentrated in the bladder. Research shows that dark coloured dyes with a base of coal tar may be more carcinogenic than that of the lighter ones, because the dark hair dyes contain a much higher concentration of chemicals that of the chemicals in the lighter ones. Elaborating on the same doctors do believe that "Not only are these dyes carcinogenic, they may also lead to various other diseases like pigmentation and photo dermatitis that is allergy to sunlight. The hair dyes that contain aniline that may lead to bladder cancer. The current initial studies has much established the relationship between the use of permanent and semi permanent hair dye and certain governments have banned the use of some 22 specific chemicals in hair dyes.

As more and more research is being done on this subject it is expected that it may lead to a better understanding of the role of dye colour and genetics.

you can use these three Tips to reduce the exposure:

1. Use hair dyes less frequently

2. Use a lighter shade of hair dye to be always on the safer side.

3. Use gloves during application.

Beautiful Smile

2009-01-31T08:02:00.000-08:00

A full mouth restoration procedure where you will have custom made porcelain crowns fitted permanently to your teeth so that there is a new fresh look.
It is an advanced dental procedure designed for patients who are suffering from a number of dental and other problems, either all or some listed below:
- Ground down or collapsed teeth.
- Cosmetic issues such as cracking, chipping, and discoloration
- Neuromuscular problems such as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD
- Other problems with the bite or jaw alignment
- Crooked teeth
- A tired aged appearance as a result of dental degradation
- Unsightly and or degraded dental work
These are some of the basic problems a full mouth restoration can resolve, and many other problems, sometimes in as little as two office visits with full mouth restoration will be helpful in bringing back the smile you missed.
This procedure effectively restores the whole mouth at once, leaving you not only with healthy, beautiful teeth, but with a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance over all. The full mouth restoration procedure involves permanently affixing new porcelain composite dental crowns to every damaged or aged tooth, in the ideal configuration for maximum health and beauty.

The full mouth restoration procedure consists of at least two or more clinic visits. On your first visit, your teeth will be prepared and on the second visit your new custom designed porcelain crowns will be fitted and permanently boned to your brand new, beautiful smile.

First the prosthodontist will evaluate your dental condition and the condition of your jaw, or temporomandibular joints. The with the aid of advanced computer modelling to establish the ideal size, shape, and configuration of your smile for dental and neuromuscular health, as well as for appearance. Once in consultation with you the best plan to restore the perfect smile the Prothodontist will prepare your teeth and take a precise custom mold, and fit your with temporary crowns to wear until your next appointment. On the next visit you will have to inspect and approve your new custom porcelain crowns, you can them fitted and securely bonded to your natural teeth bringing back the beautiful fully restored youthful smile which you dreamed for.

The feel good foods

2009-01-26T04:39:00.002-08:00

Ever wished there was a magic potion or pill to spritz up your spitits pronto?
To see you through a day when Mr/Ms Happily Ever After just made an unannouned exit?
Or to warm your heart after a hard day at work when you're about to bite someone's head off?
Well, there are probably several things nestled in the comfort of your kitchen masquerading as everyday essentials while they actually possess the potential togive your spirists that necessary lift. These mood lifting foods have another big, big payoff besides brightening your outlook on life they can actually make you up to 16 yuears younger by checking the ageing process.

Dairy dose
Skimmed milk with your cereal for breakfast or a tall glass of refreshingly cold milkshake to perk you up midday you are definitely missing out on something if this proteinaceous beverage is not a part of your diet unless you are seriously lactose intolerant. Rich in antioxidants that help in stress busting, milk also naturally boosts serotonin levels.

Carb carving

Trash that no carbs fad diet because carbohydrates help boost serotonin levels, keep you sustained, and help you to stay mellow despite a bad day at the office while also preventing between meals rattiness. While a sugary doughnut or those yummy fires give you a momentary boost followed by a crash stick to whole grain bread rice and pastas as they will keep you feeling fuller and conceivably happier for longer and also be easy on your waist.

Cuppa of bliss

A study from Brazil reveals that people who drink coffee with milk each day are less likely to have depression. Caffeine is known to boost metabolism and energy levels, making you feel more alert by interfering with the action of drowse inducing adenosine in the brain. How ever moderation is the key word because a caffeine over load could result in nervousness, trembling hands, and accelerated heartbeat.

The Popeye way

No wonder Popeye was always in such a high energy mood. Spinach is full of folate and vitamin B. This is a must for making feel good serotonin and eases clinical depression, so if you are trying to stay on the sunny side of life, make chowing down Popeye style a habit.

Tea

The next time you are stressing over that power project try downing a few cups of green tea. An antioxidant and weight management ingredient according to research from Unilever, it is rich in L - theanine, which is said to have a relaxing effect on the brain by the stimulation of the alpha brain waves that are known to be associated with relaxation.

Toast to Health

A lot of people claim that baking bread is therapeutic. However, it is nibbling on a slice of this trytophan rich food that could actually steer you clear of clinical depression by raising your serotonin levels. So go ahead and grab that sandwich.

Stress May Lead to Weight gain

2009-01-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

While some amount of stress is essential and keeps you on your toes, too much stress can make you sick. It can also make you fat your state of health depends on how you respond to stress. Some people remain very calm and collected during most situatins. Stress has very little impact on the health of such individuals.

There are others who get anxious over issues like traffic jams, misbehaving kids, moody spouse, angry bosses, ageing parents, such people are most likely to suffer from stress related disorders like muscle fatiguye, loss of memory and intese food cravings. Uncontrolled stress in addition to causing disease also leads to self destroying eating habits.

Stress related eating behaviour.

Most people overeat when stressed and the weight usually accumulates around the waist for both men and women. Stress increases appetite in soem individuals and decreases appetite in others. Either ways they are undernourished and fall prey to immune disorders. Most people who over eat druing stress often find a release in destrucxtive habits like smoking and alcohol, which leads to nutritional deficiencies and weight gain. When such habits of overeating are followed over a peiod of time they wake up more tried, feel less energetic in the morning, feel the need to over sleep and feel exauseted, by mid afternoon. Such people find it hard to initiate themselves into exercise or even follow a healthy diet. They often consume fried food, high sugar food and lots of coffee. Eventually, the chornic stress in their lives along with their increased weight, makes them depressed. When they are treated with anti-depressants then tend to gain more weight.

Nutritiohn plays an important role in improving or worsenning daily stress. It was also observed that the rules of self care change as you age say around 45 as this is the second half of your life, for instance, you cannot eat the way you did when you were in your 20's because by this time your metabolism slows down. Your hormones behave diffferently. Your percentage of body, fat has gone up and so is the stress in your life.

The most important factor that everybody need to take into account is, eat food that is rich in fibre and complex carbs like whole wheat bread, brown rice and jowar. Fruits and vegetables provide loads of vitamin C, which is inimately involved detoxifyihg the chemicals. Citrus fruits like oranges, sweet lime, lemons, strwberries are packed with Vitamin C. Start using them instead of high fat food as snacks. You should not forget the only way to get rid of stress related weight gain is to develop physical fitness and make the above changes in your eating habits.

Understanding STROKE

2009-01-09T17:33:00.001-08:00

Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts due to high blood pressure or is blocked by a clot. Thus a part of the brain is starved of blood or oxygen, making your body paralysed down one side and loss of ability to speak.

Symptoms:

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg especially one side of the body.

Sudden loss of muscle tone in the face muscles.

Sudden confusion, which may seem like drumkeness or trouble in speaking or understanding speech of another person.

Sudden trouble in visibility of one or bothe the eyes.

Sudden trouble in walking or a sense of dizziness. There could also be a loss of balance or sudden servere headache or sudden loss of bladder or bowel control.

Do Not's

Nothing oral should be given without doctro's examination and advice. Do not place "Sorbitrate Tab" under tongue of the patient as it may cause more harm.

This type of patients should be moved to hospital as quickly as possible, always for patients involved in stroke the treatment should be started within 2 hours so that we can avoid any serious disabilities.

Do's

If the patient is unconscious, check that the airways is clear.Keep the patient in recovery position. See the patient can have comfortable breathing.

If the patinent is conscious, arrange the patient to lie down with head and shoulders raised.

Loosen any tight clothing and tilt the head slightly to one side.

Check the pulse, breathing and response level.

Give the patient more confidence, keep him informed that everything is taken care off.

Since the patients will be normally feeling difficult to speak, do not ask any question.

Remember the patient could still hear you and understand even though he cannot respond to it.

Prevention

Smoking doubles the risk of arterial damage that can lead to blockages and stroke.
Quit smoking immediately whatever your age or how long you have smoked, since this will certainly improve your health and reduce the risk of stroke.

Avoid sedentary life style, always try to be more active, do carry alll your needs on your own, do some exercises, swimming , walking, cycling etc. this will control your body weight and improve blood circulation and control blood preassure.

Check your body weight, do not accumulate extra fat in your body. Take more and more leafy vegetables, fruits and vegetables and reduce animal fat as much as possible.

High blood pressure is the biggest enemy of your health, always keep your blood preassure under control and if you are a patient of BP regular check up and medicines is a must.

Avoid Anger, Anger will always cause a sudden rise in blood preassure that may harm blood vessel.

Healthy diet can prevent a Stroke

2008-12-12T19:20:00.001-08:00

Heart related disease is one of the biggest health concerns of our times. Experts warn that in the coming decade more people around the world and especially in Asian continent will die from coronary artery disease as compared to any other disease. With the exception of genetics, two of the major factors that is lifestyle and diet that precipitate CAD (coronary artery disease) is well within our control. These include smoking, alcohol, stress, exercise and food.

Most of us are born with clean, open and suple arteries, which get blocked with plaque as an outcome of a faulty lifestyle and diet followed over the years, this is an invitation for CAD. If you could look into the arteries of a person suffering from CAD, you would see raised bumps called a plaque. These plaques are composed of choloseterol, fat and clumps of cells grwoing from the muscle layer of the arteries.

Consequently, this may lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Certain habits of the patients like smoking, drinking alcohol, sedentary lifestyle stress, coupled with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity helps the doctor to predict who is the at the risk of getting a heart attack.

Then the question that arises in our mind is what is the best diet?
A healthy diet not only helps in keeping the arteries clean, supple and clot free but also in prevention or control of cholesterol, start by making some healthy choices. You could replace white beread with whole wheat bread, white rice, with brown rice, fruit juices with whole fruits and high fat milk with low fat milk.

Opt for whole wheat, millet, soyabean and wheat bran snacks instead of maida based ones and eat only wholegrain cereals. Replace PUFA based oils like corn, safflower with MUFA based oils such as olive, til seed, mustard and groundnut oil. If you take alcohol stop taking whisky, vodka and gin and take red wine. This will help in flushing out toxins and are hightly beneficial for the liver and heart.More over they also hellp in the treaatment of anemia and eleminating bad breath and body odour, and also enrich and purify the blood.

Make a habit to eat two to three fruits a day, cover quarter portion of your diet with vegetables since they are rich in soluble fiber content that is necessary to fight against cholesterol. Take two table spoons oaf alsi seeds powder daily helps in creasing the HDL. Take two cloves of raw garlic chopped or eat it plain which will reduce your blood preassure and the recent discovery also showing that it helps more in preventing heart attacks and also in preventing cancer. The antioxidant properties present in raw garlick contain blood thinning properties and help protect against cancer.

If you are already suffering any problems with heart, you should take more raw onions, ginger, black mushrooms, garlic and green tea which will help you more in preventing blood clots.

Consumption of a bowl of boiled black or green channa tossed with some salad dressed with a teasppon of olive oil is also beneficial for those having CAD. Always a diet of whole grains, whole pulses, more vegetables, and good amount of fruits will certainly do good.

Last but not the least never forget to do exercise. Regular brisk walking a day for 30 to 40 minutes will keep your blood sugar level,triglycerides and cholesterol under control.

Dental care

2008-12-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

Dental care for senior citizens:

Geriatric dentistry, adult tooth loss is often a result of oral disease neglected in young age,and not necessarily due to the aging process.

Diseases of the gums are common and elders are unaware of these changes as there is no pain. Gums recede exposing the roots.

Root caries are about four times higher in elders, probably because of more root surface being exposed. Dental decay is not self limiting and destroys the tooth unless treated.

Symptoms like reduced salivation causing dryness to the mouth, called Xerostomia, and loss of taste are also experienced as a result of aging.

Dentures are never 100 percent satisfactory.

The Right dental regime:

Brush twice a day; floss and go for regular dental visits.

To avoid harmful acids that cause teeth decay use fluoride toothpastes. Limit your intake of sugary snacks.

Inform your dentist of any changes in your medical history to help prevent potentially harmful drug interactions.

Diseases of gums and root caries require services of respective specialities. As an alternative to complete or partial dentures, implants are highly recommended.

Fight Cancer with food

2008-11-30T00:45:00.000-08:00

Right diet and changing food habits can be good tool to fight cancer, say experts.

You are what you eat. Did you know that about one third of cancer deaths may be related to what we eat. However, by making the right choices, we can reduce the risk of cancer.

We often don't question the kind of food we eat, and moreover doesn't even want to know about it. Unlike our grand parents who used to eat nuts, panjiri for snacks, we don't think twice before popping a biscuit, noodles, bread for snacks. I am not saying taht you should not eat parathas, but what you do after eating one is important. If you are going to drive off to work and sit in front of a computer, then you shouldn't be eating it at all.

Of all 40 percent of cancer in males, and 60 percent of cancer in females is related to food so now it becomes a must that we have to understand prventive and curative diet.Food should be simple and unprocessed, more of organic items should be consumed. Nuts is good for the body. A handful of nuts like almond, raisins, apricots can be taken during the day.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy must maintain the amount of calories they undertake each day. They should have more of liquids in their diet like soup, barley water with lime, lassi, strained water of curd. They must also include fruits and vegetables of re, green, yellow and orange colours in their diet. The deeper the colour of fruit, vegetables more protective it is.

For example, beetroot has special cancer fighting properties. Have atleast three cups of vegetables and fruits daily. Instead of biscuit, start your day with fruits, here are some of the food items that shold be incorporated in the diet. Garlic and onion have protperties to fight against cancer and other diseases, however, garlic flakes shold be crushed before consumed. And they should never be taken empty stomach. Aloe vera is another plant that has several anti oxidants and is good for the body. Reduce the intake of sugar and avoid it in drinks as well. Incorporate curd in your diet as it has probiotic micro organisms which is helpful in immunity. Have bowl of curd everyday.

You should take care of the body weight as well as obesity also leads to further complications. Go for flax seeds, which can be taken with water, or curd people who consume non-vegetables must have more vegetables.

Post delivery Health

2008-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

Lot of women develop health problems after their delivery, and normally the basic reason for this is ignoring their diet. You need a nourishing balanced diet after delivery, and lack of good sleep is another factor that contributes to the bad health. These two are the basic cause of woman's poor health and the dull, listless texture of skin, after delivery.

After delivery, every woman must ensure that she eats a balanced diet consisting of cereals, eggs, milk, meat, chicken, curd, jaggery, gram, pulses, green leafy vegetables and fruits. Of course that will depend on individuals economic status as well as food habits.

Owing to breast feeding, normally there is an extra demand for energy and proteins and hence it is important to take a diet which gives about 550 calories and 25 gm of extra proteins every day (this is over and above the normal practice), and this will ensure good health, good skin for woman.

At the same time drink plenty of water, avoid eating too much of pure ghee, dry fruits and sweets(this is what we do in normal course) after delivery. This will increase milk production, and do take an iron tablet every day after meals.

Normally if a child gets adequate quantity of breast milk, the child sleeps peacefully after a feed and generally does not cry for a feed for the next 3 hours. Moreover, every woman should weigh their baby every fortnight, the child will be gaining weight at the rate of about 30 - 35 gms per day if every thing goes correct.

To take care of proper sleep, feed the child well before going to sleep. May be, you will have to wake up once at night. This will help the woman to have a good sleep which is also essential for good health of post delivery season. Very soon the baby will develop a rhythm of feeding which is convenient to both mother and child.

Check your weight - control your input and improve your output

2008-10-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

There are three systems in our energy input and energy output cycle. The very basic rule is the input and the output should be equal. If the input is more we become obese. This is very common and everybody know it. If the output is more we lose weight, even though is also common but it is very rare.

Our stomach and intestines supply the energy input, this system is very efficient and it can process any amount of food we put into it. We have to be constantly aware of excess input otherwise we become obese quickly. And most important is obesity does not contribute to fitness at all, rather than creating a lot of health hazards. Actually it is the greatest single factor to cause Diabetes, High BP and Cancer.
The first requisite for fitness is to maintain our standard weight in the permissible range.
(Height - 5 ft; weight - 50kg.
Add 2.5kg for every one inch addition of height that means for example
5ft 6inches - you should weigh 65kgs,
and if you are 6ft - weight 80kgs,
women should be less by 3 to 5 kgs for corresponding height)

As far as energy input is concerned we have to be alert to keep it under control by our dietary habits only, the best judge, doctor and controller is a weighing machine.

We must weigh ourselves once a week. If we put on weight even if it is one kg it must be lost in the next week. It is very easy to put on weight but very difficult to lose. So start losing weight if you are overweight.

The other two system (Respiratory and Circulatory ) are the ones that determine, control and regulate our energy output.

This is the way we remain fit. It is necessary for us to know how these two systems function so that we can accelerate and make them work faster for a short period of time everyday say for 20 - 30 minutes. This will make these two systems function efficiently for the rest of the day.

Take care of Your Heart

2008-10-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

Heart failure and its symptoms.
The term 'Heart Failure' refers to the diminished ability of the heart to keep up with its workload it can continue to pump efficiently enough to keep up with the demands of the body's organs for oxygen rich blood. In US about 4 lakh new case of heart failure are diagnosed yearly and 70 percent of people with the heart failure die of the disease. When the heart's efficiency decreases the strengh of the heart's contractions diminish, reducing the amount of blood pumped out into the body's tissues. In addition, he myocardium may have trouble emptying out all of the blood it receives, causing the ventricles the pumping chambers to retain too much fluid and, as a result, to become enlarged.
Signs and symptoms:
Although patients with heart failure may have no symptoms at first, several problems, can arise as the syndrome progresses. Th signs and symptoms of heart failure generally fall into two categories, forward failure and backward failure.
The symptoms of forward failure are a product of poor cardiac output, the heart's inability to pump the blood with sufficient force to the body's tissues, then include weakness fatigue, and a general sense of feeling unwell. The symptom of backward failure are a product of fluid congestion in the tissues; they include breathlessness, cough, and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or stomach. In congestive heart failure, the weakened heart cannot keep fluids moving through the body, so fluid pools, especially in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. Edema, or swelling. in the legs, ankles, and feet and as cites or swelling in the abdomen, can also result. When fluid accumulates, weight gain can occur as well. The most common causes of heart failure are: Coronary Artery disease (CAD), Previous myocardial infarction (heart attack), Hypertension, Valve disease, Congenital heart disease, Cardiomyopathy, a disease of the myocardium, Endocarditic, Myocarditis.

Healing with a magnet

2008-10-17T09:55:00.001-07:00

Magneto therapy is widely used in the treatment of pain.

It is amazing to know that our body is en casted by magnetic fields and that magnetic rays invested in our body can be used to alleviate pain. The magnetic beams originate from our brain and are stronger there. No wonder our custom dictates us not to sleep with our head facing north to manage the flow of magnetism through our body.

Magneto therapy is an easier form of alternative healing as it involves no medicine or injection or her shrubs. The only medical tool used is magnets which are made to interact with the already existing magnetic field in our body. Energy flows at a particular frequency in our body, once the frequency is disturbed, it leads to ailments. Around 3000-5000 magnetic rays cross our body. To coordinate the change in energy level, magnets are used according to the disruption level.

Different kinds of magnets are manufactured according to the needs. They can be classified as low power, medium and high power magnets. Low power magnets are usually used to treat problems in face and other sensitive areas. High power magnets are used for curing cervical spondylitis.
So how does magneto therapy work?
The whole universe is magnetic in nature. Similarly, our body has North and South pole and both the poles have different therapeutic properties. The North pole is effective in curing bacterial infections while the South pole is used to treat pain and swellings, once the pain spot is identified, the power magnets are placed according to the organ composition. The treatment can be local is the affected area only needs care. Since the medicine was just a plain magnet, the treatment is always painless. Normally the existing field of energy is altered to suit the need, the treatment is absolutely safe and has no side affects, it can even be used to cure digestive and neurotic disorders as well. The most best part of this therapy is it can be performed along with allopathy or homeopathy.

Eat right, Lose Weight

2008-10-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

The body needs to be working as efficiently as possible to lose weight fast. If your body organs are working at maximum efficiency, you will lose weight faster. Logical, but not many people think about this when dieting.

Tips to lose weight fast:
Iced water:
Have a minimum of two litres a day. Water has to be iced, as the body will burn hundred calories just by heating the water to normal body temperature. Also, hunger pangs are very often thirst pangs, so this will help you stop over eating. Add lemon to flavour if you wish and gain the added benefit of cleansing your liver at the same time. Water also helps your body metabolise stored fat by helping the kidneys flush the waste quicker. When you don't drink enough water, the lever needs to help the kidneys perform the function of providing stored fat for energy.

Green Tea:
Drink five cups a day. Research shows this can burn a massive eighty calories a day! It is believed the antioxidant catechins in green tea boost the metabolism and help burn fat.

Chilli sauce and mustard:
These foods increase your calorie burning capacity by five to ten per cent for up to two hours after eating. This is because they contain capsaicin which speeds the metabolism. So if you enjoy hot food you're in luck, have nicely and enjoy it.

Low fat diary foods:
These increase fat burning in the abdominal area. Because these foods are rich in calcium, which encourage the release of fat and also reduce the amount of the fat absorbed. But be careful you don't choose high fat diary foods.

Eat fibre:
Eating fibre foods help you to keep things moving through your bowel as stated above and makes you feel full. An average person can lose 9 to 10 pounds in one year just from doubling their fibre intake. Aim for 25 grams at least every day, ( the average for most adults is just 8 grams you should try to increase it) of fibre rich foods that include strawberries, apples, brown rice, chickpeas, potatoes(with skins) and green vegetables.

Gorge on salads:
Eating cooling salads in the summer months not only help your stay fresh, but also help in knocking off those additional inches.

Don't forget to incorporate these above tips into a sensible diet and they will surely enhance it and help you to lose weight really fast.

Fight cholesterol naturally

2008-10-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

When the international cholesterol guidelines were updated last year it was found that "bad cholesterol" or trigerlciydes thresholds were lowered in men who had active lifestyles. This goes on to prove that small lifestyle changes can help naturally decrease your level of bad cholesterol or LDL. In the numerous studies conducted in the past show the powerful effect of exercise on cholesterol. In one study, 377 men who ate healthy meals were divided into two groups: as those who exercised and those who didn't. After one year, the LDL levels for those who exercised dropped about 15 percent for men. From that study the scientists have laid down some points how you can fight LDL.
- Cardiovascular exercises: Try walking, running, riding a bicycle, in line skating, water exercise, step classes, cardio- kickboxing, volleyball or just about anything that will keep you active.
-Choose an activity you enjoy, because that's the only way you'll be able to stick with it. Doing something which doesn't interest you, doesn't help you much you may tend to cut short it or even doesn't continue. If the idea of doing only one thing bores you, try alternating activities.
- If you've been leading a sedetarylife, get clearance from your Doctor before beginning a physical activity. Start at a low pace or low intensity during your first week.
- Remember consistency. To lower bad cholesterol, you need to exercise regularly, meaning most days of the week, keep consistency your motto.

Sinusitis and its management

2008-09-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Normally sinusitis is triggered by viral respiratory tract infection. This term refers to inflammation of the mucosal lining of the para nasal sinusis.

Common causes of sinusitis are viral infection, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, septal deviation, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitis, swimming, diving, high altitude climbing, and dental infections. Some rare causes are immune deficiency, immofile cilia syndrome, growth of tumor, cystic fibrosis and sacoldosis. Symptoms are nasal obstruction or congestion, reduced sense of smell, facial pressure, pain tenderness, fever or toothache etc.

The organisms like haemophilus influenza, strettocrocus pneumonia, stretto crocus aures cause bleeding and eye and brain complications.

Surgery for sinusitis should be considered only after maximum drug treatment. The eye infection sometimes cause blindness due to compression around the optic nerve.

Frontal sinusitis lead to bone involvement called osteomyelitis which destroys the bone causing pus formation. The pus may enter into veins in the brain causing trombosis which is called cavernus sinus thrombosis. Mainstay of treatment is relief with analgesic, antihistamine and intranasal steroids and antibiotics.

Causes of Hearing Impairment

2008-09-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

There are a number of causes of hearing impairment, and listed here are some of the basic causes for this disorder.

Before Birth:

Family history of childhood deafness.
Consanguineous marriages.
Blood group complications.
Infectious diseases or illness during pregnancy.
Poor physical condition of the expectant mother.
Intake of antibiotics.
Excessive alcohol or nicotine intake.
Exposure of X rays.

During Birth:

Premature or instrumental delivery.
Inadequate supply of oxygen during delivery.
Delayed or feeble birth cry.
Birth weight less than 1,200 grams.

After Birth:

Deformities of ear, nose, throat and face.
Jaundice, high fever or convulsions immediately after birth.
Infectious diseases such as whopping cough, mumps, measles, syphilis, meningitis, viral fever etc.
Intake of antibiotics for a long term.
Injury to the ear.
Exposure to loud sounds.
High blood pressure, diabetes.
Aging.
Tumors on the nerve.
Neglected ear discharge.

Prevention:

Avoid marriages amongst close relatives.
Ensure good health of the expectant mother.
Pregnant women should avoid contact with persons suffering from infectious diseases.
Make sure that the delivery is performed under the supervision of a trained person.
Immunise the child.
Maintain good ear hygiene.
Avoid exposure to loud noise.
Use ear protectors while working in a noisy atmosphere.
Avoid taking medicines without doctor's advice.

Many of the factors causing hearing impairment cannot be controlled. But knowing about these factors helps us to identify the risks.

Ten reasons why you ought to buy a bottle of Honey

2008-09-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

1. Honey contains vitamins and minerals that are lacking in refined table sugar.

2.It can soothe heartburn and stomach ulcers.

3. Very recent research shows it might help prevent colon cancer.

4. It is a great first aid for wounds. Honey soaked gauze can be wrapped around burns and wounds.

5. It can soothe sore throat. Take one teaspoon of honey when you are suffering with sore throat.

6. It is a very good first aid home medicine for cough.

7. It can prevent constipation, on an empty stomach, drink a glass of lukewarm water with one table spoon of honey, you can say a very big bye to constipation.

8. It boosts your immunity and energy.

9. It is supposed to help with virility too.

10. Honey from Queen Bee has been found to be rich in collagen.

Bytes you must know

2008-09-12T06:32:00.001-07:00

Brain wave:
There's a lot to be said for being faithful to one thing, that is...... 'Exercise'. So don't just walk, Hop, skip, jump, and gallop, too! Doing more than four different activities a week protects your brain as well as your body.
Your brain on exercise: In a recent study, it was found that those who engaged in four or more physical activities a week were less likely to develop dementia than those who did one or none. Here's help to nudge you over the edge:

Do chores, make a list of calorie-burning round-the-house work. Many household chores require buckets of water. Whether you're mopping the floor, washing the car, or scrubbing the windows, you can get a lower body workout with a couple of buckets half-filled with water.
Try working out. There are different at home moves that can help you out.
Become a chi-gong expert, jump rope. You'll burn a lot of calories with this exercise in one hour.

Relaxing music for Insomniacs:
Have sleepless nights been bothering you?
Do you find yourself deprived of sleep?
An estimated 30 - 50 % o general population suffers from sleeplessness or insomnia. There are various stages of insomnia and various medicines to cure it too. But, a non-pharmacological way of curing insomnia, toted as a effective alternative medicine, is Music. A good melody can bring darkness, calmness and stability to life.

Catch up in sleep: Not getting sound sleep at night is reason enough to make anyone irritable. However, of the two sexes, it is women who are naturally ore grumpy after a bad night. But, as it turns out, women may have an excuse for being grumpier. For researchers found that poor sleep also affects their overall health more seriously than it does in Men. The effect say experts at Duke University in North Carolina, Durham who conducted the research, is so marked that it could up the risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke. The researchers found that women who didn't get a good night's sleep were more likely to be angry, depressed and suffering from other disorders than that of men, they also noted that not getting enough sleep increased levels of insulin and glucose in women.

If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water, because when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts down automatically.

Unable to stop crying while peeling onions, chew a bubble gum.

If your tongue is white it shows that it is coated with a thin film of bacteria, if your tongue is pink its germ free.

The roaring sound that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is nothing but the sound of blood that surge through the veins in the ear.

Bats always turn left when coming out from the cave.

Every time you sneeze some of the cells in your brain die.

Colour Blue is for calming, it normally causes the brain to release calming hormones.

Ice creams could cause bad headaches. The cold causes blood vessels in the head to swell, making your head pound. If the sensation is severe, you should consult a neurologist for a thorough check up.

Passive smoking is not an ordinary matter that you can brush it off, it is equally serious as active smoking. Children who grew up in the smoky environment are twice at risk of suffering from asthma and chest infections, and they are much prone to get' glue ear' where the ear gets filled with a glue like fluid instead of air, and making them partially deaf. They have also increased risk of colds, coughs and meningitis.

Dreams (not day dreams ) are also an essential for a healthy life. Lack of adequate dreams denote that your health lack in protein and problems in personality. So at least dream as though you are dreaming, to stay fit in your health.

Walk the extra mile. Not literally , perhaps, but walk whenever you can to get a little extra movement out of your schedule.

March in place. Even during stationary activities you can get rid of extra calories and tone leg muscles, stand rather than sit before the television during your favourite sitcom and walk or march in place. During commercials pick up the beat a bit until you feel warm or breath a little heavier.

Rock and roll. Even gentle rocking movements can eliminate a few calories from your legs, abdomen and hips, and rocking actually helps the digestive system work more effectively than if your were sitting.

Fidget at work, while sitting at your desk, jostle your feet up and down rhythmically to keep them moving. This can help improve blood circulation and tighten calf muscles and your legs will look young and romantic.

Honey has a natural laxative property. Mix one tsp of honey with one tsp of 'amla' powder and take it every day at bed time. It is a time tested medicine for chronic constipation.

If your children are suffering from worms, give them 20 drops of juice of raw turmeric mixed with a pinch of salt first thing in the morning.

Normally the basic fact that everyone know is excessive pressure on the abdominal wall, such as strain of heavy lifting, can cause hernia, but a very recent study suggests that extra pounds, due to obesity, may actually offer some protection against hernias.

Beware of silent strokes: It's possible to have a stroke and not realise it immediately. A new study found that nearly 11 percent of people who thought that they were healthy actually had some brain damage from a "silent" stroke. Silent strokes don't result in any noticeable symptoms, people who've had a silent stroke are at higher risk of subsequent strokes.

Grandma's tips

2008-08-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

1.Add two spoons of Honey in milk and drink twice everyday in the morning and evening this will help keeping your neurosurgeon away, it strengthens the nervous system of your body
2.Take one glass of milk add one spoon honey, and two pinch of black pepper powder and drink every day this is the refreshing button for your brain and memory.
3.Take one glass of hot water and add a spoon of honey and drink to get rid of stomach pain.
4.Kids suffering from stomach pain take one beetle leaf,folded with a pinch of asfotida powder,and pinch of Bishop's weed powder, let the kid chew and eat with a glass of hot water to drink an instant relief from stomach pain.
5.Soak Fenugreek seeds in water make it a paste and add it in a glass curd and drink for three times a day to get rid of Diarrhoea.
6.Take few pieces of Liquorice(licorice) dry and powder it.1 gram of this powder added with sugar and taken everyday morning will give major relief from cough, throat pain, constipation.

Green and yellow vegetables and fruits can prevent cancer.

Recent studies suggest that a liberal use of green and yellow vegetables and fruits can prevent cancer. The 20 year and ongoing study in Japan found that people who take green and yellow vegetables every day had a decreased risk of developing lung, stomach and other cancers. Also a study conducted by Harvard University on more than 1200 elderly Massachusetts residents found that those who reported the high consumption of carrots, squash, tomatoes, salads or leafy green vegetables, dried fruits, fresh strawberries or melon had a decreased risk of cancer. The other useful measures are plenty of rest, complete freedom from worries and mental stress and plenty of fresh, pure air.

Beet root/Beet/Chukandar preserves overall health of women.

60%of women, and especially 90% of Indian women suffer from anaemia. Beets are extremely important in curing anaemia. Beet juice contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins B1,B2, niacin B6, C and vitamin P. With its high iron content, bet juice regenerates and reactivates the red blood cell, supplies the body with fresh oxygen and helps the normal function of vesicular breathing. The beet juice has also proved valuable in arteriosclerosis. It is an excellent solvent for inorganic calcium deposits. Beet juice has been found very useful in menopausal disorders. It should be taken in Small quantities or 60 to 90ml at time thrice a day. It has proved much more permanently helpful than the degenerative effects of drugs or synthetic hormones.

Peanuts help lower LDL cholesterol reduce risk of heart disease.

Peanut is a pulse and belongs to the legume family along with lentils and beans. Peanuts have a number of health benefits. They are an economical source of protein and are rich in monounsaturated fats which help lower LDL cholesterol. They also contain potassium, thiamine, niacin, vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, selenium and zinc. A recent study found regular consumption of foods rich in monounsaturated fats such as peanuts, peanut butter and olive oil decreased total cholesterol by 10 percent LDL cholesterol by 14 percent, and over all risk for heart disease by 21 percent. 30grams of peanuts contains 160 calories, despite their health benefit regular use of moderate quantity is better. Office goers can have 50 grams of peanuts daily to replace their evening snacks.

Calcium levels may be linked to blood pressure:

Recent studies indicate that individuals with low levels of calcium are at greater risk of high blood pressure. To increase your calcium level you may go for milk and milk products, green vegetables, figs, mustard seeds, dried coconut, finger millet and almonds.

Fish Intake may reduce the risk of stroke by 43 percent:

A study of more than 43000 health professionals showed that men who ate 85 to 140 grams of fish one to three times of month were 43 percent less likely to have an ischemic or clot related stroke during 12 years of follow up. This study also conducted with 80000 women found that eating fish as linked to reductions in the risk of ischemic or clot related strokes which account for over 80 percent of all strokes. Doctors recommend eating salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines or other oily fish which have omega-3 fatty acids which help lower the risk of stroke. Other good source of omega-3 fatty acid includes walnuts and walnut oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, flaxseed oil, soybeans, and leafy green vegetables.

Tomatoes may block the effects of environmental toxins:

Tomatoes contain a compound called chlorogenic acid, which may help guard against cancer by blocking the effects of certain environmental toxins, for instance nitrosamines, cancer causing compounds in tobacco smoke and cured meat.

Improve your digestion by eating an over ripe banana and then drink half glass of hot water.

Use a lollipop, instead of a spoon to press down the tongue when examining a baby's throat. The sweet taste of the lollipop will put an end to any protest.

Lack of sleep makes kids obese

2008-08-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

Are your children going to bed late? If you answer Yes, then you can be sure of your children affected by obesity. More sleep may lower their risk of becoming obese. Recent researches have found that every extra hour per night a third grader spends sleeping reduces the child's chances of being obese in sixth grade by 40 percent. Children at the age group of 8 or 9 years old come under third grade, and children at the age group of 11 to 12 years fall under the sixth grade. Since, the less sleep, the children at the age group of 8 and 9 years old got, the more likely to be obese at the age of 11 to 12 years. The researchers had found out that there is a magic number for the third graders, it was 9 hours and 45 minutes of sleep. Sleeping more than that of the this magic number lower the risk of obesity significantly.
Lack of sleep plays havoc with two hormones that are the "Yin and Yang of appetite regulation", says the endocrinologist EveVan Cauter, of the University of Chicago. In the recent experiments, it was found sleep deprived adults produced more ghrelin, a hormone that promotes hunger, and less leptin, a hormone that signals fullness.
Another explanation, to this theory points out that tired kids are less likely to exercise and more likely to sit on the couch and eat cookies. It was also found that children's sleep may disturbed by breathing problems, caused by overweight, such as sleep apnea, and some caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
On the research conducted among the children lived in 10 US cities, On an average, the third graders got about 9 hours sleep, but some slept as little as seven hours and others as much as 12 hours. Of the children who slept 10 to 12 hours a day, about 12 percent were obese by sixth grade and 22 per cent were obese in sixth grade of those who slept less than nine hours a day.
The researchers also took into account other risk factors for obesity, such as the children's body mass index in third grade, and still found the link between less sleep in third grade and obesity in sixth grade. They acknowledged that factors they did not account for, such as parents weight or behaviour, may have contributed to the risk.
More over, there are plenty of other reasons for encouraging good sleep habits, such as success in school, Clean thinking and stress free.

Know your thyroid

2008-08-17T03:03:00.001-07:00

Today's super woman, balancing home and career may be more prone to thyroid disorders than she realises. The pressures of multitasking put her system at risk, which goes up particularly for new mothers.

So, What is thyroid?

The Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in front e neck , which produces the hormones T3 and T4. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland controls their production.

What causes Hypothyroidism?

Stress makes the thyroid gland falter. It has a strong genetic basis and a gender bias, being more common among women.

What are symptoms of hypothyroidism?

It's often linked to depression or abnormal cholesterol and sugar levels, particularly during pregnancy or lactation. There are a number of subtle symptoms which mimic hypothyroidism, the commonest being " feeling drained or tired", this is often accompanied by weight gain, swelling of the feet, body or face, water retention, irregular cycles, dry skin, constipation and hair loss.

How is it tested and treated?

Usually, blood tests of free T3 and free T4 and TSH are conducted.

The thyroid hormone replacement T4 pill has to be taken life long.

Tips to control hypothyroidism:

Eat right and less, walk more, sleep well, smile.

Take medicine regularly.

Drink boiled or mineral water; avoid water filters, which use iodine as disinfectants.

Avoid iodine-rich foods like broccoli, soya, prawns, shellfish and crabs.

Get vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3 levels checked, particularly if you are a vegetarian.

Test your thyroid regularly and keep it in control.

The winter season aggravates thyroid, take more caution.

Practice Yoga which have long term benefits.

4 Apples

2008-03-05T02:44:00.000-08:00

Every body knows this proverb,"An Apple a day keeps the Doctor away" is it not, may be that's good old and the new is "4 Apples a day keeps the Heart ailments and Cancer away". Yes it is been proved that if you take 4 apples and two cups of black tea (without milk) a day or any one for that matter continuously, you can very well say Goodbye to heart ailments and Cancer. These two contains EGCG(Epigallocatechin gallate) and catechin abundantly which is more powerful than vitamin E,, and the Polyphenol present in these two can fight against any type of cancer,but we should take Apple with skin and tea without milk.

Breakfast

2008-03-05T01:46:00.000-08:00

Never avoid or neglect morning breakfast, you be young or old missing breakfast is viewed as a major factor to lost your health. If you go directly to lunch skipping the breakfast after the previous night's supper there is a gap of more than 15 to 17 hours between your meals and your brain might have exausted its glucose level, and to fill up the lost level of glucose , your body will immediately search in your body for the energy stored for emergency purpose and send the accumulated fat, protein immediately to the brain.Since the fat,protein and other starch that had been stored in our body may not have glucose. And the effort taken by our body will not help the brain to restore itself and since the action from the brain will be not up to the mark that is reason why lot of people feel dull and tired even after a good sleep or a proper rest the night before.
Most of the people skip morning breakfast for not to get into obese condition or they may be suffering from obesity or excess weight but skipping morning breakfast will not help them instead they may land themselves in lot of other health problems.
Rather than skipping your breakfast take 8 slices of bread and milk, take one cup of juice or four iddlies which will in turn boost your brain and the freshness of your brain will reflect in the day to come.

Hearlthy Heart -Tips

2008-03-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

WALK.
Walk- Walk your way to a healthy heart, it had been proved that nothing helps keeping your heart healthy than walking.Why not we do this simple help to our heart,after all we call everything outside as our heart forgetting there is really one inside.
After reading the title and the line above if you say that oh! this I know want to jump from this column wait, yes you know walking is best to heart but do you know the basics of walking if you say YES you are permitted to jump if you say NO then walk through this.

The recommendations read as one must walk minimum 3 miles (4.8kms) a day for five days in a week.You should walk in such a way that you cross 1 mile in 20 minutes, this is the best pase that you got to walk and this thumb rule is common for men and women.
Brisk walk is good for health than jogging.Specialists suggest that those who are excess weight and obese may land in trouble if jog, they may develop joint pain and back pain,since brisk walking is very much recommended for them.The reason behind this difference between jogging and brisk walking is when you jog the pressure generated on your legs and on the joints of your body is 5 times more than your weight but it is only 11/2times more when you brisk walk.
The intake of oxygen is also the same in brisk walking as in jogging.when you brisk walk for 30 minutes it burns almost 200 calories from your body. It fights against cholesterol and stress.

When you walk try to keep your body straight and walk, swing arms freely not like an army parade,wear good shoes which are not so heavy.Use good track suit or good cotton clothes for walking.

Brisk walking is the only exercise that rejuvenates your body without hurting and exerting your heart.
Keep walking 30 minutes a day make it a practise.

Food for Osteoporosis

2008-03-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

Natural diet for people suffering from Osteoporosis ; A disease that affects the bone by thinning the bone and reducing the bone mineral density due to the loss of calcium and leading to a week bone and,very much prone to fracture and pain.
Persons who are affected by this disease should take a lot of calcium food.
Normally an adult needs 100mgs of calcium everyday.
Take milk in the morning and curd in the afternoon and ragi in any form preferably as rotis at night.
Reduce the amount of coffee don't more than two cups of coffee a day.
Also reduce the amount of salt in food.
Expose their body to sunlight in the evening to get more natural vitamin D.
Add as much as possible soya bean and soya milk in their food everyday.
Seafoods, Orange, and drum stick will be more help full to them.

weight loss

2008-02-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

weight lose

To lose weight keep one basic truth in mind in every weight lose program is that the calories that you take in should also be burned.
to lose weight safely you should include all food groups in your diet.
Try to stop taking junk foods like ice creams choclates, potato chips,and cakes and most of all fast foods.you can change the pattern of your desire to low calorie snacks.
divide your meals in to four or six parts and eat in regular intervals this will help you to get constantly nourished and help very much in your metabolism
Drink 12 to 15 glasses of water daily make it a habit, water cleanses the entire system of your body and also replenishes the vital fluids you lose during exercise and prevents dehydration
Eat variety of fruits that are available in each season take green vegetables and especially whole grains, choose to eat at least 5 to 6 serving each day
take lot of pulses and salads as a routine diet in the meal menu of yours
Try to stop taking non vegeterian food if not possible try to limit it to once or twice a week, switch over to taking chicken and more fish
reduce the amount of salt in your diet you should take only six grams that is a teaspoon of salt a day
Remember, diet does not mean curbing your desires instead in dulge yourself by thinking smart and choosing right, enjoy your eatouts but learn to burn them out too.

simple tips

2008-02-17T09:43:00.001-08:00

Pimples

To control your pimples wash your face 3 times a day with a mild baby soap or soap without detergent, and apply a face lotion on the pimples. This will serve two purpose, this controls pimples and its left over marks, as well as this will serve the purpose of foundation cream for make up.

Use loose face powder instead of any cake, compressed or compact makeup, you can apply an astringent lotion twice daily, particularly when you go out, this will be very helpful in keeping your skin free from oil for hours.

Deep cracks in feet

Normally lot of people use pumice stone and Vaseline cream for deep cracks of feet, but this will not help to get rid of your problem in fact too much use of pumice stones is not advisable. It's better you take a pedicure 3 times a week for one month, gradually reducing it to once a week, as the condition improves. And it is also advisable you take this pedicure done in a beauty parlour under a experienced hand, for the first two weeks for effective results.

When you feel some improvements you can do it home. Proper care of feet is very essential, as the whole body weight rests on those remarkable little creations of nature, whether you are walking or standing. for more about how to take care of your feet visit here

To relieve sunburn, use a face mask by applying plain curd. It will soothe and repair the skin.

Foods that promote heartburn
eating these foods encourages acidic fluids from the stomach to flow backward into the esophagus causing heartburn
Orange, tomato, or cranberry juice, mashed potatoes, french fries, Ground beef, steak with visible fat, ice cream, sour cream, milkshake liquor, wine, coffee or tea, decaf or regular creamy salad, dressings, vinaigrette, fried snacks, or chips, high fat or pastries cookies

Add a little oil to a salad, scientists have found that we absorb virtual fighting carotenes in salad leaves, if they are eaten completely raw or with fat free dressing. Carotenes such as beta carotene, which protects the heart and lungs, and pigments such as lutein and zeaxanthin which help to prevent age related blindness hitch a lift over the intestinal wall by attaching themselves to fat

Cure Sinus headache in few minutes

Method:
Sit with legs folded backwards heels, apart knees and toes together
Stretch your toes on the ground Adjust your hips between the heels
Slowly raise your arms over the head, While exhaling, slowly bend forward and stretch your palms on the floor with pulling in your abdomen and pressing it against the thighs
Then bring your face downwards and touch the floor with the forehead without raising the buttocks
When you are in the pose, remember to continue breathing normally
Make sure that you are comfortable otherwise you will be unable to relax properly
Be in position for at least 15 seconds Inhale slowly, return to an upright position reversing the process

Benefits
In shashankasana, the head is bent downwards, it allows better circulation towards the brain.This has numerous benefits such as improved concentration and memory
There are a numerous physical benefits of shashankasan, for example headaches and sinus congestion almost immediately vanish after one stays in the post for a few minutes
The increased circulation when you practice this pose helps the heart.But most of the physical benefits are related to the spinal cord.It tones the spinal nerves and helps in relieving arthritic pain
shashankasana alleviates back pain neck pain and massages the sciatic nerve.It alleviates abdominal ailments when its practiced with proper breathing.It is an excellent asana for digestion.If you inhale and exhale as indicated in the method you can get rid of stomach ulcers and indigestion problems.Because it also massages the pancreas, it useful in the prevention and cure of diabetics

Hand care
Your hands need extra care as they are constantly exposed to so many things as you work through the day. To prevent dry wrinkled, rough hands, just keep in mind these few things:
Make sure your hands are well moisturised, Use Vaseline or a rich lotion after bath and every time you wash your hands
For soft hands, rub in some coconut oil an hour before bath and avoid using harsh soaps which rob the skin of moisture
Don't keep your hands in water for a long time, it could cause a fungal infection
At night moisturise your hands again before sleeping