CARE &CURE

Artificial Skin ( A Robotics Breakthrough)

2011-10-04T14:54:00.000+05:00

Biotech wizards have engineered electronic skin that can sense touch, in a major step towards next-generation robotics and prosthetic limbs. The lab-tested material responds to almost the same pressures as human skin and with the same speed, as reported in the British journal Nature Materials.
"Humans generally know how to hold a fragile egg without breaking it," said Ali Javey, an associate professor of computer sciences at the University of California at Berkeley, who led one of the research teams. "If we ever wanted a robot that could unload the dishes, for instance, we'd want to make sure it doesn't break the wine glasses in the process. But we'd also want the robot to grip the stock pot without dropping it."
The "e-skin" made by Javey's team comprises a matrix of nanowires made of germanium and silicon rolled onto a sticky polyimide film. The team then laid nano-scale transistors on top, followed by a flexible, pressure-sensitive rubber. The prototype, measuring 49 square centimeters (7.6 square inches), can detect pressure ranging from 0 to 15 kilopascals, comparable to the force used for such daily activities as typing on a keyboard or holding an object.
A different approach was taken by a team led by Zhenan Bao, an associate professor at Stanford University in California who has gained a reputation as one of the top women chemists in the United States. Their approach was to use a rubber film that changes thickness due to pressure, and employs capacitors, integrated into the material, to measure the difference. It cannot be stretched, though.
"Our response time is comparable with human skin, it's very, very fast, within milliseconds, or thousandths of a second," Bao said. "That means in real terms that we can feel the pressure instantaneously."
The achievements are "important milestones" in artificial intelligence, commented John Boland, a nanoscientist at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, who hailed in particular the use of low-cost processing components.
In the search to substitute the human senses with electronics, good substitutes now exist for sight and sound, but lag for smell and taste. Touch, though, is widely acknowledged to be the biggest obstacle.
Even routine daily actions, such as brushing one's teeth, turning the pages of a newspaper or dressing a small child would easily defeat today's robots.
Bao added important caveats about the challenges ahead. One is about improving the new sensors. They respond to constant pressure, whereas in human skin more complex sensations are possible. This is because the pressure-sensing cells in the skin can send different frequencies of signal -- for instance, when we feel something painful or sharp, the frequency increases, alerting us to the threat.
In addition, Bao warned, "connecting the artificial skin with the human nerve system will be a very challenging task".
"Ultimately, in the very distant future, we would like to make a skin which performs really like human skin and to be able to connect it to nerve cells on the arm and thus restore sensation. Initially, the prototype that we envision would be more like a handheld device, or maybe a device that connects to other parts of the body that have skin sensation. The device would generate a pulse that would stimulate other parts of the skin, giving the kind of signal 'my (artificial) hand is touching something', for instance."
In the future, artificial skin could be studded with sensors that respond to chemicals, biological agents, temperature, humidity, radioactivity or pollutants.
"This would be especially useful in applications where we want to send robots into environments, including space, where it could be dangerous for humans to go," said Bao. "They could collect information and send it back."
References:
Richard Ingham

Pakistan Hit by Dengue Fever

2011-09-18T00:48:00.000+05:00

Dengue fever outbreak that began in Pakistan in July has become an epidemic, with at least 28 people dead and over 5,000 people infected, Pakistan media said on Saturday.
Provincial authorities have closed schools in Punjab, the country's worst-hit province, for 10 days to prevent the further spread of fever.
The dengue virus causes an infectious tropical disease known as dengue fever, which is characterized by headaches, severe joint pain, and a rash. In some cases, far more life-threatening hemorrhagic fever or shock syndrome can develop.
Pakistan is trying to contain the outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness, but medical supplies in the region are running out. A team of experts from Sri Lanka is due to arrive in Pakistan in the coming days to help the government deal with the disease.
Punjab is Pakistan's most-populous province, with 56 percent of the country's population of some 173 million living there.
Pakistan is already coping with flooding that has killed more than 225 people in recent weeks. Experts say poor hygiene is responsible for the spread of the disease, but heavy monsoon rains are also providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes, carriers of dengue fever.
References:
RIA Novosti

Dengue, Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever & Key Facts

2011-09-18T00:38:00.001+05:00

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and sometimes a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades.
About two fifths of the world's population are now at risk.
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian countries.
There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever.
The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease-carrying mosquitoes.

References:
WHO

Hemorrhoids-No More !

2011-07-23T16:13:00.000+05:00

Hemorrhoids are indeed not fatal, but extremely tormenting. They torture you so much that you go helpless. One can face unbearable pain and continuous bleeding because of it.

That is why it is always suggested to deal with it (if you are suffering from it) and then make any further plans.

Before we go in depth, let’s first know what it is and how it happens!

Hemorrhoids are swollen anal veins. These veins get swollen when the tissues inside anal canal get filled with blood in order to control bowel movements. The pressure exerted then leads to swelling of veins.

Now, as we know what Hemorrhoids literally means and its cause, let’s know it symptoms. Pain, bleeding and itching are the most common symptoms of this disease.

Bleeding happens only in case of internal hemorrhoid, whereas in external hemorrhoid, intolerable pain and itching are the signs.

Few efficient tips to cure hemorrhoid:

* Aloe Vera- you can apply aloe Vera gel on the problematic area for relief from pain.

* Japanese Pagoda Tree- it bangs itching and pain.

If you or any of your known is suffering from this disease, then I’ll suggest you to try these, but if the pain is extremely intolerable or if bleeding isn’t taking any pause, consult a doctor immediately.

Early Medication Is The Best

The most killing and fatal kind of hemorrhoids is bleeding hemorrhoids and if someone gets this kind of hemorrhoids, one needs to cure it as early as possible. Usually when there is rectal bleeding occurs it is assumed that it is bleeding hemorrhoids but it is not so… sometime rectal bleeding can happen due to some other reason too. So better when you see this type of thing, and then check it with some physician immediately.

Usually in the case of external hemorrhoids, one doesn’t get bleeding; it can be seen in the cases of internal hemorrhoids only. It happens in such a way that as in occurs inside the anal canal and produces due to having much strain and then the veins lining the walls of the rectum gets bigger, so it bulges out. Sometime you must have seen some red streaks in stool. Seeing such signs you must visit a doctor and consult your state.

Negligence of starting stage means you are inviting serious stage and at that time it becomes hard to cure. Moreover, one needs to have only surgery or operation to get oneself out of its clutches. So better without late cure it. As there are many type of treatment available which commits to cure bleeding hemorrhoids such as injection sclerotherapy, laser coagulation, infrared photocoagulation, rubber band liagation etc. All these are quite helpful in curing bleeding hemorrhoids.

So to have more ideas about curing your problem be stick with our posts and do share your views too.

Ascertain Severity

Certainly, nobody likes having any sort of disease, minor or major. Everyone loves a life of being healthy and disease free, still if there so, it is all beyond one’s reach. So better to cure them entirely. About hemorrhoids, everyone knows its seriousness very well, but still there are some kinds of hemorrhoids which really not that bad as bleeding hemorrhoids are. Indeed, bleeding hemorrhoids is considered to be the worst form of hemorrhoids.

So in the case of rectal bleeding symptoms you experience, initially you need to consult a doctor. Generally in the cases of external hemorrhoids patient does not bear bleeding. And in some cases of hemorrhoids, bleeding may occur because of an anal fissure but mostly it occurs due to internal hemorrhoids cases. So it is advisory to have early diagnosis to get relief from bleeding hemorrhoids.

Mainly it can diagnose if it looks bright red blood, then it indicates as it is bleeding hemorrhoids. It is a serious stage of hemorrhoids as sometimes so much blood can loss that patient may become anemic – iron deficient. And even sometimes bleeding becomes so severe that toilet covers with blood fully.

So the cure for bleeding hemorrhoid involves creams and suppositories which mainly manufacture to lower the blood flow. Thus, by controlling blood flow one can control over severity of bleeding hemorrhoids.

DOES IT BLEED DURING BOWEL MOVEMENTS?

If your answer is a ‘yes’, you’re most probably stricken with hemorrhoids, which have reached the stage where it starts to bleed. The release of blood, either internally or externally, is the main symptom of the disease. This definitely signals that you’re afflicted with a disease, which may give deadly results if not treated quickly and properly.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are quite common but also not all patients of hemorrhoids do bleed. It depends upon person to person and one’s internal body specifications. There are basically two types of hemorrhoids and any of them may result in bleeding. Bleeding hemorrhoids are far more serious hence if you’re stricken with it, you should look for a treatment just now otherwise the condition may exacerbate and start affecting your life as well as work.

In addition to the treatments, it is also important to know the causes of the disease as they say prevention is far better than the cure. Among the main causes are- pregnancy; unsafe anal intercourse; excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine; more than usual pressure on the rectal veins; constipation and stress etc.

There are millions of people who suffer from it silently. If you or any of your relatives or known persons is suffering from hemorrhoids, you’ve reached at the right place. This is kinda disease which people feel embarrassed of. Don’t think you’re alone. This is very common disease and here we are with the solution for it. Read on next and say bye-bye to bleeding hemorrhoids forever!

Effective Cures – Let Not The Situation Worsen

Hemorrhoids bleeding are caused due to the swelling of the vascular structures of the anal canal whose function is to help in the passage of stool. There are two types of hemorrhoids; those found in the internal parts of the anal canal and could be diagnosed by the bleeding emerging during the passage of stool are called internal hemorrhoids. These normally are painless. The other kind of hemorrhoids occur outside the anal canal, at its extreme opening are called external hemorrhoids, these cause pain and itching. Both of the types could bleed while passing stool. The disease is caused due to constipation, pregnancy, weight lifting, sitting for long intervals and sitting on the toilet seat for long. Treatments should be taken immediately as this is a serious problem, which needs attention.

For the start anyone suffering from hemorrhoids should take food rich in fibers as this would help in easy passage of stool, which could be used both as preventing the disease and curing it too. Ample intake of water also helps a lot. There are many over the counter bleeding hemorrhoids treatment. These medications are mainly helpful in reducing itching. Also the treatment is found in form of ointments, creams, gels, suppositories, foams, and pads. Anesthetics (local) could be used to reduce itching and pain on the outer parts of anal canal, but excess of its usage may cause allergy. Other things, which could be used, are protectants, astringents, antiseptics, keratolytics, analgesics, corticosteroids. Non-operative treatments like Cryotherapy, Heat coagulation, rubber band ligation and Sclerotherapy are also effective. Keep on reading other articles on this site for more information.

Treatments Which Really Work

These are the bleeding hemorrhoids when you experience painless bleeding or protuberance during your bowel movement. Blood is their specification, thus named as bleeding hemorrhoids.

Before we talk about Treatment for Bleeding Hemorrhoids, let me tell you that with this type of hemorrhoids, blood can be seen in the toilet bowl, on the toilet paper or even within the stool. It is recommended to adopt the right bleeding hemorrhoid treatment before the situation worsens.

Bleeding hemorrhoids can either be internal or external. Some types of hemorrhoids can clear up themselves whereas some of them, such as the bleeding ones, need to be properly diagnosed. Before the situation worsens, get to know the causes of hemorrhoids and the appropriate home remedies for it.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are more serious than other types of hemorrhoids. If you’re suffering from bleeding hemorrhoids, you’re not alone, this is a very common problem among Americans. Here are one of the main causes of the disease:

· Serious Constipation

· More than average usage of caffeine and alcohol

· Weak rectal vein walls and valves

· Pregnancy

· Excessive pressure on rectal veins

· Poor diet or unhealthy life style

Here are innumerous herbal treatments for bleeding hemorrhoids, either scroll down or click here for complete information.

Treatment - What They Are And How To Cure?

Bleeding hemorrhoids are very common. What the bleeding hemorrhoids are? These can either be internal and external hemorrhoids. Some types of hemorrhoids can clean up by themselves but the bleeding hemorrhoids are more serious than the other types. What is the first sign of bleeding hemorrhoids? It is the release of fresh blood externally and internally. Although home treatments are available for hemorrhoids but it is suggested that you go with the proven methods only to treat bleeding hemorrhoids. Bleeding Hemorrhoids are really scary and unnerving therefore its patients always look for their treatments. Here, let’s talk about the causes of bleeding hemorrhoids. Serious constipation; too much pressure on rectal veins; more than average consumption of caffeine and alcohol; pregnancy and weak rectal vein walls and valves are considered as its main causes.

Millions of people suffer from this very irritating disease and look for treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids. Before your condition worsens, read out the detailed information on the topic and find out the way to healthy life.

If you turn to Internet, you may find so many options to treat bleeding hemorrhoids. Not all of them are true and most of the people do nothing more than wasting your time as well as money. Therefore, be intelligent and don’t waste your time in running after the false claims. Read here the detailed information on bleeding hemorrhoids treatment and get cured before the condition worsens.

References:

Bleeding Hemorrhids

8 Most Successful Tips To Get Rid Of Acne!

2011-07-23T15:34:00.000+05:00

Are you annoyed from acne and don’t find any real way out of it? If yes is your answer, then perhaps you found, what you were trying to find.

In this post, we will discuss 8 most successful steps that will let you get rid of acne.

1. Apply honey on your face- Honey is a wonderful anti bacterial. It works like nothing else does. So, apply honey (as a mask) on your face twice a week.

2. Immediately throw all your beauty soaps- Do this right away! Start using acne soap. Wash your face with it, at least two times a day.

3. Take care of your hairs- make sure you handle your hairs so well that they don’t keep coming on your face.

4. Multi –vitamin- Start taking a multi-vitamin pill for internal nutrition. This will help you a lot to get flawless skin.

5. Say bye-bye to make up- Avoid make up (for certain time) if you are really serious about acne.

6. Start eating carrots- Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which strengthens your face tissues and heals acne.

7. Never pop pimples- I don’t understand why people do that. Never squeeze your pimples!

8. Add eatables rich in zinc to your diet plan- Zinc is a highly effective antibacterial. It will help you fight acne.

References:

Acne Remidies

Managing Arthritis Pain

2011-07-07T11:02:00.001+05:00

More than 40 million Americans are affected by arthritis. If left untreated, arthritis can become a chronic condition with symptoms of severe pain and swelling that seriously disrupts everyday life. Learning how to live with arthritis can be extremely difficult, but by making healthy lifestyle changes and incorporating different treatments, you can manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Treatments for arthritis will depend on your individual health needs, severity of pain and other symptoms associated with the arthritis.

Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy lifestyle changes, such as adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a low-fat, high-fiber diet are often the first steps in managing arthritis symptoms. Low-impact exercise has been proven to do the following:

improve joint mobility
relieve stiffness
reduce pain and fatigue
strengthen muscles and bones

“Staying in motion actually helps to keep pain away,” says Moshe Lewis, MD, MPH. Exercise, such as brisk walking, is critical in treating pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and is vital in extending the life of your joints.

Eating a healthy diet can help you lose weight, which can help to reduce inflammation and stress placed on the joints by excess weight.

Cold/Heat Treatment

Applying cold and heat to inflamed joints can be effective. Ice helps to restrict blood vessels, which reduces fluid in the tissue and decreases swelling and pain in the affected area. Wrap ice in a towel and apply to the aching area for 20 minutes a few times a day.

You can use heat treatments much the same way. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad and apply it directly to the swelling. Heat opens the blood vessels and increases circulation, bringing nutrients and proteins essential to repairing the compromised tissue.

Learn more about treating pain with cold and heat.

Over-the-Counter Medicine

Over the counter medications are effective in relieving minor aches, pains, and swelling associated with arthritis. The most common types of over-the-counter pain-relievers are acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

Topical creams that work to relieve pain associated with arthritis and muscle aches are also widely available. These may contain active ingredients such as menthol (Ben Gay, Stopain) or capsaicin (Capzasin, Zostrix), which is made from hot peppers.

Prescription Medications If symptoms persist or worsen, your doctor may want to prescribe a stronger medication.

Cortisone Shots

These injections, which contain a corticosteroid, reduce swelling and relieve inflammation and pain in arthritic joints.

Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Prescription NSAIDs work to reduce swelling and pain. This class of drugs includes:

celecoxib (Celebrex)
piroxicam (Feldene),
nambumetone (Relafen)
prescription-strength ibuprofen and naproxen
Tramadol
Tramadol (Ultram) is a prescription analgesic. For some, tramadol may cause fewer side effects than NSAIDs.
Narcotics
Strong painkillers can provide relief from severe pain. These include:

codeine
meperidine (Demerol)
morphine
oxycodone (OxyContin)
propoxyphene (Darvon)

While these medications will reduce the pain symptoms of arthritis, they will not modify the course of the disease.

Disease Modifying Drugs

A class of medications known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is often prescribed when there is evidence on an x-ray that rheumatoid arthritis is present. Examples of these medications include:

azathioprine (Imuran)
biologics (Actemra, Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira, Kineret, Orencia, Remicade, Rituxan, Simponi) cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
cyclosporine (Neoral)
hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)

TNF-alpha inhibitors like etanercept can also modify the course of the disease. Each of these medications has its own sets of side effects that need to be discussed with your physician.

Trigger Point Injections

Injections of a local anesthetic that can also include a steroid can be used to relieve pain in areas of muscle that contain “trigger points.” Trigger points occur when muscles bind together and don’t relax. Injections can be used to treat muscle pain in the arms, legs, and back and often provide relief for several weeks or months at a time.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be effective in improving muscle strength, increasing the range of motion of joints, and reducing pain. Consult a physical therapist for an exercise regime tailored to your personal arthritis needs. Splints, shoe inserts, and/or braces may help provide support to weakened joints, take pressure off of your injured bones, and reduce overall pain.

Surgery

Severe cases of arthritis may require surgery to replace or repair damaged joints. Types of surgery used to treat arthritis include:

joint replacement
bone realignment
bone fusion
arthroscopic surgery
Alternative Treatments
Many types of complementary therapy can be added to the overall treatment plan for arthritis. The efficacy of these treatments vary among individual patients. Consult your primary care physician before starting any new treatment to see if it’s safe for you.
Relaxation Techniques
Many relaxation techniques, such as meditation, massage, and yoga help to reduce stress, inflammation, and decrease muscle tension.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture and acupressure are used to relieve pain by inserting small needles into the skin at key points, which prompts the body to release endorphins and blocks the message of pain from being delivered to the brain.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is another technique often used in pain management therapy. It works by measuring information about muscle tension, heart rate, brain activity, and skin temperature. The feedback is used to enhance an individual’s awareness to physical changes associated with physical and psychological stress or pain.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS uses a small electric current that is applied to specific nerves, which interrupts pain signals and releases endorphins.

Herbs and Supplements

There are many herbal supplements that have anti-inflammatory properties and are recommended for arthritis treatment. Dr. Moshe Lewis recommends fighting arthritic pain with capsaicin, the natural chemical that gives chili peppers their heat. Turmeric is another healthy spice that has been used to reduce inflammation for hundreds of years. Moshe suggests taking 500mg of turmeric capsules three times per day.

Other natural remedies include:

Vitamin C
Fish Oil
Glucosamine

avocade soybean unsaponifiable

There is little clinical evidence that nutritional supplements have a consistent impact on pain in arthritis, but some people find them helpful. In general, they are not harmful, and some—such as fish oil and vitamin C—provide other health benefits unrelated to arthritis. However, it is important to exercise caution when taking supplements because the contents are not verified by the FDA. You should always consult your doctor before taking any supplement to make sure it is a safe addition to your treatment plan.

References:

Healthline

Healthy Eating for Gluten Free Living

2011-07-07T10:18:00.000+05:00

You may have heard about what seems to be the latest diet craze—going gluten-free. Should you be shunning gluten from your diet? Not so fast. Even though gluten-free products are everywhere, a gluten-free diet is not for everyone and should only be followed with proper guidance.

What is Gluten ?

Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, which are used in a variety of foods: Bread, cereals, bagels, cakes, cookies, pasta, pizza crust, and beer all contain some amount of gluten. Gluten can also be found in anything that uses flour, such as breading on meats and even in hidden ingredients such as malt flavoring and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.

Who Needs a Gluten-Free Diet ?

Corn, potatoes, and rice are gluten-free, as are other whole grains such as quinoa, millet, amaranth, and teff. Breads and pastas can be made from these grains instead of wheat and barley-based flours. Oats are gluten-free but are usually contaminated by gluten because they are often grown in rotation with other gluten-containing crops. Look for a brand of oats that specifically states that they are gluten-free.

A gluten-free diet is appropriate for someone who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, which is a chronic, inherited autoimmune disorder. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, it causes damage to the villi in the intestine (small, fingerlike projections that help in food absorption), causing malabsorption of nutrients. Consequences both short- and long-term can include but are not limited to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, bruising depression, canker sores, and infertility. A person with celiac disease can experience one or none of these symptoms after eating a food product that contains gluten. The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. If you suspect that you have celiac disease, do not put yourself on a gluten-free diet without being tested first. If you remove gluten from your diet and then get tested you may receive a false negative result and a misdiagnoses.

Not a Weight-Loss Diet

Removing gluten from your diet if you do not have celiac disease is not beneficial. In fact, many gluten-free products are higher in fat and calories than the wheat-containing varieties. In addition, many gluten-free products are not enriched or fortified with the same vitamins and minerals that are found in other grain products.

A gluten-free multivitamin is recommended for many people with celiac disease because of the damage to the intestines and the decreased ability of the body to absorb certain nutrients. As always, check with your physician for advice on what supplements are safe for you to take.

A gluten-free diet can be difficult to adhere to when first learning about it. For that reason, it may be helpful to consult with a registered dietitian or doctor who specializes in food allergies and intolerances. He or she will be able to assess your nutritional status and advise you on a healthful meal plan to nourish you while also preventing side effects.

With the proper education about gluten-free diets, a person with celiac disease can find the relief they need to improve their health.

Read more: http://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-eating-gluten-free-living#ixzz1RORafY5m
Healthline.com - Connect to Better Health

References:

Tara Gidus, MS, RD, CSSD, LD/N

Are Male Eggs & Female Sperm on the Horizon?

2011-06-30T23:22:00.000+05:00

"FEMALE sperm", "male eggs" and "same-sex reproduction" - whether these terms fill you with hope or disgust, a reproductive revolution is already in progress. In a handful of labs across the world, biologists are trying to make genetically male cells develop into eggs, and female cells into sperm. If successful, their efforts might one day allow lesbian and gay couples to have children that are genetically their own.
Now Greg Aharonian, a patent analyst from San Francisco, is trying to patent the technologies that could make this possible. In part, Aharonian's goal is to stimulate debate. He argues that lesbians and gay men have a right to know about developments in biology that could allow same-sex reproduction. Aharonian also wants to undermine the argument that marriage should remain an exclusively heterosexual institution because its main purpose is procreation. "I'm a troublemaker," he admits.
In the US, where reproductive clinics are............
References:
Peter Aldhous

Evergreen Love : (Oxytocin & Monogamy)

2011-06-30T22:43:00.000+05:00

Monogamy is rare among mammals, but in the case of humans, it can be extremely beneficial. In fact, harmonious union is a powerful defense against illness and premature death. In a seven-year study of 800 young adults, depression and alcohol abuse declined more significantly for those who married. Co-habitors, too, enjoy significantly lower levels of psychological distress than those with no partner living in the household.
But it's not union, but harmony, that really benefits us. A recent study of hundreds of older couples showed that spouses who were able to make their spouse feel loved and cared for lived significantly longer than those who gave no emotional support. And in Love & Survival heart-disease specialist Dean Ornish, M.D. points out that connecting with others in a genuinely caring way has an even greater beneficial impact on our health than regular exercise, stopping smoking, or improved diet.
Unfortunately, however, we are not one of the few mammalian species who are naturally monogamous. In fact, anthropologist Helen Fisher estimates that we humans are physically designed to stay together with our mates for only about four years before neurochemical changes make us unbearably restless. How can this be? Well, our physical design has evolved in directions that ensure the maximum number of offspring and lots of genetic diversity (through changing partners). And these traits are at odds with monogamy - and therefore with our happiness and well-being.
How does biology achieve its goals at the expense of our precious unions? By ensuring that our brains release certain neurochemicals that cause highs and lows in our relationships. Dopamine, for example, can make us reckless with passion (to encourage fertilization). Yet the "hangover" from such intense stimulation can also make us feel like pulling away from (or driving away) our lovers when we need to recover. This subconscious attraction/repulsion dynamic-which we perceive as each other's character flaws-can destroy relationships over time. In fact, now that church and state are losing their power to keep us wedded for life, we can see the power of biology's agenda in the Census Bureau's 2000 prediction that half of all new marriages will end in divorce.
In short, if we want to remain harmoniously monogamous we must successfully buck a biological tide. This can be done, and the clues about how to do it have been around for thousands of years in ancient Taoist, Tantra and even pre-Roman Christian texts. All speak of another way of making love - one that outmaneuvers biology. They recommend a relaxed approach, in which fertilization efforts (that overheat our brain chemistry) play no part. Instead partners tap into an ecstasy that is heart-centered and based on the production of lots of the neurochemical oxytocin. This approach also heightens spiritual awareness, which makes me think that the relationship chaos we're seeing is really The Giant Hand encouraging us to use our relationships for a loftier end.
But back to the neurochemical oxytocin: oxytocin has been nicknamed "the cuddle hormone," and amazingly enough it increases the attraction between familiar partners, i.e., mates - but not between unfamiliar partners. When scientists compared monogamous with promiscuous species of voles (field mice), they learned that the difference in their behavior boiled down to the different quantities of oxytocin in their brains. So oxytocin really is the "hormone of monogamy." Moreover, every day it seems that research uncovers a new health benefit conferred by oxytocin. It lessens the effects of stress, eases cravings (offering a very effective strategy for anyone who wants to overcome an addiction), and even acts as a natural antidepressant. No wonder harmonious union is so beneficial!
Happily, we can encourage the production of oxytocin to strengthen our intimate bonds. Affectionate, generous touch-such as stroking or massage, kissing, and conscious nurturing of another, all increase the quantity of this bonding neurochemical. Yet oxytocin is not strong enough to counter indefinitely the attraction/repulsion programming discussed earlier without our conscious participation.
References:
Marnia Robinson

10 Careers With High Rates of Depression

2011-01-20T11:30:00.001+05:00

Jobs & Depression: Some jobs are more depression-prone than others. Here are 10 fields (out of 21 major job categories) in which full-time workers are most likely to report an episode of major depressionin a given year. But if you want to be a nurse (No. 4), it doesn’t mean you should pick another profession. “There are certain aspects of any job that can contribute to or exacerbate depression,” says Deborah Legge, PhD, a licensed mental health counselor in Buffalo. "Folks with the high-stress jobs have a greater chance of managing it if they take care of themselves and get the help they need.”

1. Nursing Home/ Child-Care Workers: Personal-care providers top the list, with nearly 11% of people in this field reporting a bout of major depression. (The rate is 13% in the unemployed; 7% in the general population.)

A typical day can include feeding, bathing, and caring for others who are “often incapable of expressing gratitude or appreciation…because they are too ill or too young or they just aren’t in the habit of it,” says Christopher Willard, clinical psychologist at Tufts University and author ofChild’s Mind.

“It is stressful, seeing people sick and not getting a lot of positive reinforcement.”

2. Food Service Staff: Ranking just below professional-care workers are the people who are serving the food at your favorite local digs. Wait staff often get low pay and can have exhausting jobs with numerous people telling them what to do each day.

While 10% of workers in general reported an episode of major depression in the past year, almost 15% of women in this field did so.

“This is often a very thankless job,” Legge says. “People can be really rude and there is a lot of physical exertion. When people are depressed, it is hard to have energy and motivation—when you have to be on, it is difficult.”

3. Social Workers: It’s probably not a huge surprise to find social workers near the top of this list. Dealing with abused children or families on the brink of every imaginable crisis—combined with bureaucratic red tape—can make for a demanding, stressful job that’s often 24-7.

“There can be a culture that says that to do a good job, you have to work really hard and often make sacrifices,” Willard says.

“Because social workers work with people who are so needy, it can be hard to not sacrifice too much to the job. I see that happen a lot with social workers and other caring professions, and they get really burned out pretty quickly".

4. Health-Care Workers: This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and other professions that attract people who might end up giving a lot without saving a little for themselves. Health-care workers can have long, irregular hours and days in which other people’s lives are literally in their hands.

In other words, the stress can be off the charts.

“Every day they are seeing sickness, trauma, and death and dealing with family members of patients,” Willard says. “It can shade one’s outlook on the whole that the world is a sadder place.”

5. Artists, Entertainers, Writers: These jobs can bring irregular paychecks, uncertain hours, and isolation.

Creative people may also have higher rates of mood disorders; about 9% reported an episode of major depression in the previous year.

In men, it’s the job category most likely to be associated with an episode of major depression (nearly 7% in full-time workers).

“One thing I see a lot in entertainers and artists is bipolar illness,” says Legge. “There could be undiagnosed or untreated mood disorders in people who are artistic…. Depression is not uncommon to those who are drawn to work in the arts, and then the lifestyle contributes to it.”

6. Teachers: The demands on teachers seem to be constantly growing. Many work after school and then take work home. In many areas, they learn to do a lot with a little.

“There are pressures from many different audiences—the kids, their parents, and the schools trying to meet standards, all (of which) have different demands,” Willard says. “This can make it difficult for teachers to do their thing and remember the reason they got started in the field.”

7. Administrative Support Staff: People in this field can suffer from a classic case of high demand, low control.

They are on the front line, taking orders from all directions. But they are also at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of control and “everything filters down,” according to Legge. They can have unpredictable days and may not be acknowledged for all of the work that they do to make life easier for everyone else.

8. Maintenance & Grounds Workers: How would you like to be called on only when something goes wrong? That’s essentially what maintenance people deal with each day.

They also have to work odd hours, seasonal or varied schedules, and frequent night shifts. They are often paid little for a tough job that can include cleaning up other people’s messes.

“There is also higher turnover. In terms of co-workers, they are often isolated, and it can be dangerous work,” Willard says.

9. Financial Advisors & Accountants: Stress. Stress. Stress. Most people don’t like dealing with their own retirement savings. So can you imagine handling thousands or millions of dollars for other people?

“There is so much responsibility for other people’s finances and no control of the market,” Legge says. “There is guilt involved, and when (clients) are losing money, they probably have people screaming at them with regularity.”

10. Sales People: People who work in sales are No. 10 on the list, though there are a whole host of reasons why the job could contribute to depression.

Many salespeople work on commission, meaning you never know exactly when your next paycheck is coming. They may travel, and have to spend time away from home, family, and friends. If they work independently, benefits may also be limited.

“This uncertainty of income, tremendous pressure for results, and long hours” can make for a high-stress occupation, Legge says.

References:

Tammy Worth

Foods That May Help Save Your Memory

2011-01-20T11:11:00.000+05:00

Healthy Food & Memory: Healthy eating lowers your risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, but it's not yet clear if that's true for Alzheimer’s disease as well.

“I can’t write a prescription for broccoli and say this will help—yet,” says Sam Gandy MD, PhD, the associate director of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, in New York City.
(The National Institutes of Health recently said there is insufficient evidence that food, diet, or lifestyle will prevent Alzheimer’s disease.)
It’s not a lost cause though. Here are 9 foods that researchers think will keep your whole body—including your brain—healthy.

Oil-baded Salad Dressings: “The data support eating foods that are high in vitamin E and this includes healthy vegetable oil-based salad dressings, seeds and nuts, peanut butter, and whole grains,” says Martha Clare Morris, ScD, director of the section on nutrition and nutritional epidemiology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush University, in Chicago.

The benefit has been seen with vitamin-E rich foods, but not supplements, she says.

A potent antioxidant, vitamin E may help protect neurons or nerve cells. In Alzheimer’s disease, neurons in certain parts of the brain start to die, which jump-starts the cascade of events leading to cognitive deterioration.

Fish: Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other fish are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

“In the brain, DHA seems to be very important for the normal functioning of neurons,” Morris says.

Another plus: Eating more fish often means eating less red meat and other forms of protein that are high in artery-clogging saturated fats.

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of vitamin E and folate, Morris says.

For example, one cup of raw spinach has 15% of your daily intake of vitamin E, and 1/2 a cup of cooked spinach has 25% of your daily intake.

Exactly how folate may protect the brain is unclear, but it may be by lowering levels of an amino acid known as homocysteine in the blood. High levels of homocysteine may trigger the death of nerve cells in the brain, but folic acid helps break down homocysteine levels.

High homocysteine levels have also been linked to an increased risk for heart disease.

Avocado: This creamy treat is also a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin E.

Research by Morris and her colleague suggests that foods rich in vitamin E—including avocado, which is also high in the antioxidant powerhouse vitamin C—are associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Sunflower Seeds: Seeds, including sunflower seeds, are also good sources of vitamin E.

One ounce of dry-roasted sunflower seeds contains 30% of your recommended daily intake. Sprinkle them on top of your salad to give your brain a boost.

Peanuts & Peanuts Butter: Although both are high in fat, peanuts and peanut butter tend to be a source of healthy fats. And they are also packed with vitamin E.

Both foods may help keep the heart and brain healthy and functioning properly. Other good choices are almonds and hazelnuts.

“There has been some very good research that diets that are high in healthy fats, low in saturated fat and trans fats, and rich in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and nuts are good for the brain and the heart,” says Maria C. Carrillo, PhD, senior director of medical and scientific relations at the Chicago-based Alzheimer’s Association.

Berries: The latest research presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston found that blueberries, strawberries, and acai berries may help put the brakes on age-related cognitive decline by preserving the brain’s natural “housekeeper” mechanism, which wanes with age.

This mechanism helps get rid of toxic proteins associated with age-related memory loss.

Whole Grains: Fiber-rich whole grains are an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, which is also loaded with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, olive oil, and wine.

Research out of Columbia University Medical Center in New York City shows that this diet may be linked to lower risk of the mild cognitive impairment that can progress to Alzheimer’s disease.

“We don’t eat foods or nutrients in isolation, we eat in combination with other foods so there is value in dietary patterns,” says Nikolaos Scarmeas, MD, an associate professor of neurology at Columbia University, who conducted the studies.

This type of diet may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and other vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure—all of which may have a role in increasing risk for brain and heart diseases.

Exercise: Okay you can’t eat it, but research suggests that regular exercise is as important, if not more so, as what you eat when it comes to memory-saving lifestyle changes.

Experts all stress that getting regular exercise is also an important part of the equation when it comes to staving off many diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

The bottom line? “We can‘t go out and say, ‘Eat these things and you are protected from Alzheimer’s,' but there is almost no downside to increasing your physical activity and consuming a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fish, healthy oils, nuts, and seeds,” Morris says.

References:

Health A-Z

Baby Health Guide

2010-09-03T15:07:00.002+05:00

The parents of the present time, face great difficulties in taking proper care of the health of their child, it is also difficult to take certain decisions on child health care decisions. At the time of having a child for the first time, they don't really have enough knowledge and information about the child health, therefore one better way to have all the information is to follow a baby health guide during the initial days. The child health guide happens to be an exclusive edition which provides an amalgamation of ample valuable information on child health.
The information contained in the Baby Health Guide is offered to the parents, for guidance so that they can find them easily and make choices of solutions to their respective problems. Thus, child health guide turns out to be effective devices in coping up with critical problems related to raising a child and treating the various ailments, they generally suffer from.
The general health related problems in children include, birth choices, issues of sleeping, infancy problems and many more. The baby health guide doesn't stop at this point but go on to school going days, the learning abilities, the temperament and behavior and various other health and psychological problems of later part of childhood until the child reaches teens.
Therefore, the baby health guide indeed act as a trusted resource to all parents providing tips on child health for taking the basic care, the symptoms of the illnesses and proper remedy and medication to prevent and cure them, the food for the child, the nutrition and every other minute details.
Here is an overview of the various common problems related to child health and some valuable child heath care tips to assist you to make the childhood of your baby, a blissful one.
Babies are a blessing in your life. And you definitely want them to have a healthy and happy childhood and for that you have to take some pains. Look up a Baby Health Guide for some assistance. Apart from that a healthy diet and exercise is necessary and do take your child for regular health check ups. Children tend to suffer from these common health issues like vomiting, cold, tonsillitis, fever, and worms.
Inculcate in your child healthy habits so that your child do not fall ill that often. Give your baby vitamins supplement, but do consult the doctor first. All age group cannot be given everything. There are different body types and hence everything does not suit your child.
Baby Health Problems:
The common problems a mother faces with her baby can be dealt at home. Only for extreme cases we need doctors. Vomiting in children is quite common. It is mainly due to some abdominal infection. Cough and cold are also quite frequent among children. It is a kind of viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. But with age the children have stronger immunity and have lesser number of cough and cold. The symptoms are headache, mild fever, and muscle ache. It takes around a week or two to recover from cough and cold. All these details are available in a Baby Health Guide which is very beneficial for new mothers.
Tonsillitis is frequently found in children and situations get worse when they are enlarged and inflamed ones. Due to tonsils a child will have bad breath, swollen oral cavity, and difficulty in swallowing. He/she may suffer from pain at the conjunction of the jaw and the ear. Ear and throat pain is another health issue which a child and their mother have to deal with. Reasons for ear pain may be wax, boil, infections, or some foreign boy in the ear. A relative general health problem is fever. Fever points to the basic illnesses. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. Above that a child is said to have fever. You can know more about its treatments in a Baby Health Guide.
Worm infestations constitute an important health issue in children. You will know when there is an infestation when your child suffers from anemia, nausea, diarrhea, or sweet cravings. Lastly constipation is another common problem a mother deals with in her baby. Solid and painful stools can be quite agonizing for the child. Hard stools may have several reasons related to liver. For detailed information you can contact the doctor who would be able to give a better insight on your child's health. A baby health guide can also prove to be beneficial in times of need.
Baby Health Care:Taking care of your baby's health is very important. By following a baby health guide you can know how to keep your child away from diseases and infections. Avoid heavy and solid food. Boil the water which your child is drinking. Avoid spicy food when the child is vomiting or having loose motions. You can only give him food when he wants. A little bit of rice and curd can be had when suffering from these types of problems.
During cough, cold and fever one should have warm water and chicken soup. One can opt for some over the counter drugs to reduce high temperature or the ones used for decongestion. Menthol capsules, or nose drops can be used for relieving the children from blocked nose.
For treating tonsils one has to undergo surgery. But if the situation is not that complicated then you can go for some antibiotics or analgesics which the doctor can prescribe you. Include more fiber and fluids in your child's diet if he is suffering from constipation. All these suggestions you can find in a baby health guide.
Baby Health Tips:You will get some essential tips when you look up a baby health guide. There are very important Baby Health Tips from which a child can benefit. Some important Tips are as follows:

Get your child immunization injections from the fatal diseases.
A healthy diet with the essential minerals, vitamins and nutrients are important.
Ask your doctor for more information on your child health and its various symptoms.
Your room should be well aerated.
During the winter months keep your child well protected from the cold.

References:
Sita Gita

Pregnancy Date Calculator

2010-08-25T13:16:00.001+05:00

The moment a woman finds that she is pregnant, the first thing she wants to know that when the baby is due. There arises the usefulness of a pregnancy date calculator. There are various ways to find out the perfect pregnancy due date. The only point is that in many cases, although a mother follows a particular pregnancy due date calculator, still it is not always the case that the day of the arrival of the baby will be absolutely right. Pregnancy and motherhood happens to be one of the most wonderful experiences of ones life and the pregnancy date calculator indeed act as an effective device to add up charm to the experience.
Pregnancy Date Calculator is based on a "normal" 28-day menstrual cycle. If the menstrual cycle varies; longer or shorter, then consult a gynecologist. Go for regular ante-natal checks in your pregnancy routine. Therefore, the formula to predict the date of birth of a child is based on the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) as well as the length of menstrual cycle. It is the standard method. It calculates the due date by adding 280 days to day one of your last menstruation period (LMP).

The method works by adding 266-day pregnancy period with 14 days (the time of the first day of menstruation till you would have ovulated). Naegele, a German doctor, came with the formula to take the date of last normal menstrual period and add nine months and seven days (or 280 days). It's a very quick method to know your due date. If you know the first day of your last period and the standard gestation time, then count three months back from your date and add 7 days to this. Many doctors follow this pregnancy calculator.
Basal Body Temperature and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) also calculates the due date. A time relationship between basal body temperature (BBT) shift and the serum luteinizing hormone (LH) surge is the predictor of the occurrence of ovulation, the time of intercourse, and the date of fertilization. If you know the fertilization date, then simply add 266 days to get your due date.
Many times doctors use ultrasounds in order to confirm the accuracy of a pregnancy due date calculator. This is often done because women don't always accurately know when their last period started, or the date of conception. By using an ultrasound, the due date can be confirmed or altered depending on the state of development of the fetus. This can be a more accurate way of determining that due date than a calculator.
Just keep in mind that however your delivery date is determined, it is not likely to be the actual date when the baby arrives. Babies come on their own time, and this actually just gives you a good idea of when to expect the baby. Typically most babies arrive either in the two weeks before or the two weeks after the due date. Those arriving a couple weeks before the delivery date are still considered full term since anything after 37 weeks is considered full term. Once your due date has passed you will have to have frequent doctor visits to monitor the baby and make sure that it is doing well. Usually once a baby is more than two weeks late a doctor will induce since it starts to get riskier after this time.
References:
Sita Gita

Herbs and Spices

2010-08-25T12:31:00.003+05:00

Herbs and spices have a variety of uses be it cooking or medicinal properties. Seed bearing plants devoid of the woody stems are known as herbs. The green leafy part is used for medicinal properties or culinary usages. Spices are actually grounded seeds or roots or fruits. Spices are generally used as food taste enhancer or condiments. There are different types of spices and each type is connected some cultural background. For example: Italian spices or Indian spices.
Herbs and Spices are used in cooking to enhance the taste of the food. Some also have medicinal properties hence they have been used in Ayurveda, natural healing process. Herbs and Spices are used to make medicines and treated for curing many illnesses like cough and cold, and stomach ache or headache. Sometimes the oils of Herbs and Spices are also used for beauty purposes. It is always beneficial to go the natural way.
Herbs have been used since time immemorial for different purposes. Be it seasoning or even sorcery herbs and spices are always used. The Sumerian civilization has left records on clay tablets that herbs and spices were used and these records dates back approximately 6000 years back. Most herbs can be grown if you just know how to do it. Most of the allopathic medicines are made from herbs. Nowadays there are stores which sell herbs and spices.
List of Some Herbs & Spices:
There are many herbs and spices which one can avail in the market or even grow in their garden. Some particular places are especially famous for their Herbs and Spices. They have different beneficial properties which can be used. Not everyone is aware about the different types of herbs and spices. Some of the very important herbs and spices are as follows:

Thyme
Mustard
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Rosemary
Saffron
Poppy seeds
Star Anise
Curry Leaf
Fenugreek
Rhubarb
Cumin
Cilantro
Basil
Bay leaf
Fennel
Cardamom
Clove

Cooking with Herbs & Spices:
Herbs and Spices are the entire essence of a dish. It can make or mar a dish from its strong and light flavors. It gives color and character to any dish. With a little here and there changes you can manage to give a new look and feel to your dish. It is always better to use fresh herbs than the dried ones. If you are using dried herbs it is better if you crush them so that it can bring out the flavors in it. When grinding herbs and spices it is better if you use a mortar or a pestle.

Keep your herbs and spices in airtight containers. You should cook any spice before you add water in them. Dont overdo or put excess flavors as that might spoil the entire dish. Some people use a lot of herbs and spices when they are cooking but one should also know that all flavors do not go with each other as each has some distinctive flavors and tastes and aroma which add to the taste of the dish.

Recipes with Herbs & Spices:
If you are cooking with herbs and spices then the food taste is enhanced and tastes absolutely fantastic. If you have tasted stuff which contains herbs and spices then you would know how awesome it tastes. There are many delicious dishes which can be made by herbs and spices. Given below are two recipes which are made with herbs are spices they are as follows. Here is one sauce which has been made by essential items and you can take the sauce with egg, fish or chicken dishes.

1 tablespoon canned chopped green chilies
1 (8 ounce package) frozen chopped spinach
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon butter
1 pint whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste

First you would need to cook the spinach and then after that you need to drain the excess water. Keep it in a separate bowl. Now melt butter and then add flour to the butter and stir for two minutes. Slowly put the milk in by whisking. Lower the heat and then cook again for about five minutes or so. Add the cilantro, chilies, and spinach, along with green chilies and cumin and coriander. Then put the whole thing into a food mixer and then make it into a puree. Put in the sour cream and add pepper and salt to taste.
Mustard Chicken Wings:
Ingredients

3 tablespoons Mustard seeds
5 tablespoons Mayonnaise
6 Chicken wings

Procedures:
First you would need to wash the chicken wings properly so that they are well cleaned. Then in a container mix mustard seeds and mayonnaise very well. After you are done with it coat each chicken wing with the mixture of mustard seeds and mayonnaise. Then put the chicken wings in the oven and bake it in a preheated one for ten minutes at 200 degree Celsius. After the baking process is complete garnish the chicken wings with cherry tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, watercress and you are ready to serve a delicious dish which all guest would love to taste.
Medicinal Herbs & Spices:

Herbs and spices have healing and medicinal powers. They are used for treating common problems like cough and cold. It helps to rejuvenate your body system. The herbs and spices have amazing powers which can cure a lot of things. You can use herbs through oral consumption or application to the effected part. Some very common powerful herbs and spices which have healing and medicinal powers and widely used are as follows:

Marigold
Nutmeg
Celery
Betel Leaves
Bamboo
Clove
Coriander
Poppy seeds
Rhubarb
Rosemary
Fennel
Saffron
Cumin Seeds
Holy Basil

References:
Sita Gita

Body Odour

2010-08-25T12:16:00.001+05:00

You're good-looking, smart and confident. But it won't amount to much if you make your presence felt in inappropriate ways. We're talking about body odour (BO). BO could be the bane of your life. It could even deny you and your rightful position in life. It could socially ostracize you.
It is more noticeable in crowded areas like theaters, bus stations, railway compartments etc. Body odour certainly isn't to be ignored.
Lets Get a Few Facts Right About Body Odour:

Mild BO is normal with most people. The problem arises only if the smell gets offensive.
Bacteria caused by stale sweat normally cause it. Everybody sweats. It is the body's mechanism to cool itself down. But if sweat is not washed off regularly, it provides a breeding ground for smelly bacteria.
This can be prevented by regularly cleaning the sweat producing areas in your body. Underarms, groin and feet contain the most sweat producing glands.
It's important to wash these areas two or three times a day.
People who produce more sweat and oil need to take extra care about preventing body odour.
BO can transfer onto the clothes you wear. Never wear used clothes without washing them - especially if you do have a problem with BO.
Clothes should be washed with hot water and soap and dried out in the strong sunlight.
Pungent diets and excessive alcohol can also cause body odour. You will need to make your diet less spicy and drink more water to get rid of the problem.

The use of good soaps, deodorants and fragrances also helps in doing away with BO.
References:
Sita Gita

Natural Beauty Secrets

2010-08-25T11:16:00.000+05:00

It is the normal passion and desire of majority of individuals to be beautiful and charm the world with the grace possessed. There are many individuals who are born beautiful in the true sense but that is not always the case with majority.
They had to follow certain beauty regimes in order to provide a caring attention to their skin, hair and the overall appearance in order to create beauty and an everlasting appeal.
There are various beauty tips, make up tips, and beauty products attributing the beauty itinerary with utility. Still the most easy and advantageous way to enhance ones beauty is by taking help of the various natural remedies. Several natural beauty secrets can be practiced easily and offers one with an attractive grace.
Here is a series of natural beauty secrets to help you out in fulfilling the desire to look good in true sense. These natural beauty secrets never include difficult ordeals but always involve simple ways to be beautiful

Drink atleast 8 glasses of water per da. This will effectively help you to clean your body of the inner toxins. You are also gifted with a beautiful and youthful complexion by making drinking filtered water as much as possible a day a rregular habit.
It is better the less make-up you can wear. As less as you use make up the least you help your skin to breathe and be kind to it. Most of the make-ups contain toxic materials that harm your skin to great extent by clogging up the pores of the skin.Weraing less make up also help you in retaining a natural look an d help you retain a innocent charm always.
A good Moisturizer act as the food to your skin. One can also efficiently add up a moisturizing effect on the skin by eating more of organic foods. More of green leafy vegetables, seeds and sprouts do real good to your skin and hair.
Always maintain a perfect sleeping schedule. The early to bed and early to rise theory should never be ignored. This will help you to have glowing refreshing skin and eyes full of spark.
Rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar and cleaning them in regular intervals add up a healthy tint to it. Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar in 2 cups of water and use it as the final rinse.
It is nice to take bath during the early hours of the morning. It is indeed a great habit to remain healthy.

References:
Sita Gita

How an 1,800-Year-Old Herbal Mix Heals the Gut

2010-08-25T08:28:00.000+05:00

An ancient Chinese Medicine Might Ease Side Effects of Cancer Treatments:
An age-old mixture of four herbs could spare patients with cancer some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

The cocktail comprises Chinese peonies, Chinese liquorice, the fruit of the Chinese date tree and flowers of the Chinese skullcap plant. In China, they call it 'Huang Qin Tang' and have used it to treat gastrointestinal problems for about 1,800 years.
A start-up pharmaceutical company called PhytoCeutica has dubbed its proprietary pill of the blend 'PHY906', and shown in early clinical trials that the mix can combat the severe diarrhoea caused by many chemotherapy drugs, which destroy fast-dividing gut cells in addition to tumour cells.
Now, researchers at PhytoCeutica and Yale University School of Medicine, both in New Haven, Connecticut, have some early leads on how PHY906 does this, despite the fact that most of its individual chemical components remain unknown.
PHY906 still needs to prove itself in larger clinical trials. In 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eased regulations on herbal mixtures, allowing the approval of medicines that have been proved to be safe and effective, even if their individual components aren't known.
A green-tea extract produced by the German firm MediGene in Martinsried, and used against genital warts, was the first such medicine to be approved by the FDA under these rules.
"This is a new paradigm of drug development," says Yung-Chi Cheng, a pharmacologist at Yale and head scientific adviser to PhytoCeutica. "It's a typical example of West meets East."
Divide & Conquer:
The latest results for PHY906, which provide molecular details indicative of how it might repair chemotherapy-damaged guts, could help PhytoCeutica to take its herbal drug down the same road. The results are published online today in Science Translational Medicine¹.
When mice receive a dose of the chemotherapy drug irinotecan, which blocks an enzyme, called topoisomerase, that is important to DNA replication, their gut cells begin to die off. However, a dose of PHY906 given with the chemotherapy restored these cells within four days, Cheng's team found. The guts of mice taking the herbal medicine contained fewer dying cells and more dividing cells than those of control animals.
The researchers measured the activity of genes in the gut cells of mice on PHY906 and irinotecan and found that genes in the Wnt pathway, which encourages progenitor cells in the gut to divide, were upregulated.
But ramping up the gut's stem cells isn't the only way that PHY906 combats diarrhoea, Cheng says. Irinotecan also causes inflammation, which the herbal medicine seems to prevent. The guts of mice on PHY906 contained fewer inflammatory immune cells called macrophages than did those of rodents on chemotherapy alone, and the activity of three genes linked to inflammation — Cox2, NF-κB and iNOS — was also down.
Cure Concerns:
Cheng thinks that PHY906's multitude of effects can be explained through its different chemical constituents, and hopes that his team can identify which chemical is responsible for which change. "This will eventually simplify the procedures used for quality control," he says.
For now, Cheng and his colleagues at PhytoCeutica are using liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and cell culture to try to establish a chemical and biological fingerprint for PHY906. This approach, he says, will ensure that each batch contains the same active ingredients.
"This group seems to have got quality control down to a fine art in terms of the components' activity," says chemical biologist Elaine Holmes of Imperial College London. But, she adds, "the worrying thing is that you're not controlling for toxicity."
Soil chemistry, humidity and even when during the day a plant is harvested affect its chemical make-up, Holmes notes. "I think we have to be cautious with the way we use traditional Chinese medicines and other herbal remedies."
Cheng's team will present phase I/II clinical trial results for PHY906 in patients with pancreatic cancer at a conference in Hong Kong next week. And Cheng hopes to get phase II and III trials going in the United States and Europe soon.
He adds that he would love to account for every last molecule in the medicine; it could even help his team to develop new drugs. However, at this stage, "the importance is for patients undergoing chemotherapy", he says.
References:

Ewen Callaway

Natural Acne Scar Treatments

2010-08-23T08:43:00.001+05:00

Natural treatments for acne scars are more preferable than surgical treatments and are also recommended by dermatologists and naturopaths because conventional treatments such as laser treatments can cause unwanted and sometimes permanent side effects and irreversible damage to the skin.

Natural acne scar treatment is an effective alternative to cosmetic and intrusive surgical procedures in the treatment of mild to moderate acne scarring. There are several natural remedies which are excellent for this. They are also very cheap and can easily be found in your own kitchen or in your local heath food shop.

Because most acne scars fade away in time they can certainly help but before applying any of the following natural acne scar treatments, bear in mind that some acne scars due to their depth and size cannot be completely eliminated and it may take surgical intervention to significantly fade acne scars caused by severe cystic acne or by inadequate treatment.

Lemon juice can be extremely effective at lightening dark spots caused by acne. Simply cleanse the scar with a good antibacterial soap or just water and dab one teaspoon of lemon juice into a cotton ball and apply on your red marks and spots. Rinse after ten minutes. Make sure you use a good sunscreen after you have applied the lemon juice mixture.

Another great natural scar treatment is baking soda. Baking soda functions as a homemade microdermabrasion treatment. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with about two teaspoons of mineral water and gently apply the mixture to your face and rub in circular motion. Rinse after one minute. This will also leave your skin smooth and silky.

Cucumber juice, papaya skin and olive oil are also very effective at treating scars. Another highly recommended remedy is using sandalwood and rose water. Simply mix the two into a paste and apply the mixture on the affected areas. Rinse with water after the mixture has dried on your face.

For blemished acne scarred skin you can use the manuka face cream which is a light moisturiser with antiseptic manuka honey, balancing cedarwoodand soothing lavender. There is also neem oil which kills bacteria and contains high fatty acids that are excellent at reducing acne scars. Rosa mosqueta oil is rich in essential fatty acids and is one of the best acne scar treatments. It can reduce scar tissue even after the spots have long gone. This oil also maintains the freshness and texture of the skin and makes it smooth.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and alpha lipoic acid will almost completely remove blotchy red marks (post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation). Alpha lipoic acid is made by the body and can be found in very small amounts in some foods. Alpha lipoic acid supplements are available in capsule form from health food stores, some drugstores, and online.MSM is present in small amounts in many foods and beverages and is available as a dietary supplement. Combine this with Rosa Mosqueta oil and antiseptic manuka honey and you got yourself an unbeatable army to win your battles against even the most stubborn acne scars.

Another effective approach to treat acne scarring is by changing your diet to help accelerate wound healing, to speed up the renewal of damaged skin tissue and thus allowing scars to heal faster. Avoid high fat diets as they can cause higher rates of inflammation and slow down cell repair Substituting them with reduced fat alternatives can have a significant impact on the process of scar healing. The quality of the food that you eat also has an effect on the skin repair process. In addition, a daily intake of Vitamin A, E and zinc can also speed up cell repair.

How to prevent acne scars

If you have multiple acne scars and still experience acne breakouts the best approach is first to stop acne formation while accelerating the healing of existing lesions and wounds and thus reduce additional acne scarring.

The best way to avoid all the costs and side effects of acne scar treatments is to get rid of your acne in the first place. The only way you can ever cure your acne permanently is by addressing the internal causes of your acne, not by using conventional drugs or topical treatments. The cause of acne is internal and so is the cause of acme scarring. You have the ability to eliminate acne scars before they form by stopping the process of acne formation. This way you will be able to enjoy lasting freedom from acne with no fear of acne scars and their heavy emotional and aesthetic consequences.

References:

Mary Ridge

Photophobia

2010-08-16T14:02:00.000+05:00

Photophobia is abnormal sensitivity to artificial or natural light. Common causes include inflammation or infection of the iris (iritis) or the cornea.
Wearing sunglasses when in bright sunlight may offer enough protection for people with mild sensitivity. However, people with severe sensitivity may need to avoid light as much as possible and cover their eyes in any lighted environment. The cause for the light sensitivity should be determined, since treatment may cure the problem.
References:
Jan Nissl, RN, BS

3 Headaches That Require Emergency Attention

2010-08-16T13:53:00.000+05:00

Although a bad migraine might make you wish for the end of everything, headaches are not usually life threatening. However, a severe headache can signal something much more serious, requiring emergency attention such as stroke, aneurysm, and meningitis. These are not terribly common, but it's worth watching for a headache that feels markedly different from normal—even if normal is agonizing. Signs to watch for:

A stiff neck and fever. This could be a sign of meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the central nervous system, which can quickly become critical.
Severe nausea or vomiting and any neuro-deficit (such as difficulty speaking or walking), which could be signs of a hemorrhagic stroke.
A headache that's far worse than anything you've ever had. "The thing we're taught to look for is someone claiming to have 'the worst headache of their life,'" says Adam Wilkes, MD, an ER specialist at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. "It may mean that they have an aneurysm in the brain that has begun to leak a little blood, but could turn into a catastrophic full bleed. And that can be life threatening."

If you go to the emergency room, expect the doctors to perform a CT scan, which can reveal a bigger problem. "We always like to be bothered," says Dr. Wilkes. "Let me decide if there's a problem or not. I'd so much rather have people come in unnecessarily and reassure them and send them home, than miss something that could have helped saved their life."
References:
Health

Some Surprising Facts About Cholesterol

2010-08-16T10:27:00.002+05:00

Heart Risk & More:
Like most people, you probably think of cholesterol—if you think of it at all—and picture fatty foods and heart trouble. Yes, elevated blood cholesterol is bad news, and 34 million Americans have levels that can increase their risk of all sorts of health problems, including a heart attack.
But if you think you’ve heard everything you need to know about this waxy fat, there may be a few surprises in store. For one, cholesterol can be so high that it shows up in fatty deposits in the skin. On the other end of the spectrum, cholesterol can even be too low.
Read on to find out a few more little-known facts about cholesterol.
High Cholesterol Inevitable for Some:
If you have sky-high cholesterol, it may be partly genetic. But for some families, it’s inevitable that LDL, or bad cholesterol, will be in the unhealthy zone. The disease, known as familial hypercholesterolemia, affects about 1 in 500 people and can cause total cholesterol levels from 300 mg/dL to 600 mg/dL, as well as heart attacks early in life.Some people with familial hypercholesterolemia inherit two defective genes (one from each parent), a much rarer condition that affects 1 in 1 million people; they can have total cholesterol over 1000 mg/dL. Such high cholesterol can cause early death, often before age 20.
Clogged Arteries Look like Butter:
Even if you can’t see xanthomas on the skin, high cholesterol can still build up in the body.
LDL slowly builds up in artery walls, causing a thick plaque that can narrow arteries, restrict blood flow, and lead to blood clots.
Arteries thicken, become more rigid, and start to take on the yellow color of cholesterol. If you were able to take a look at the inside of cholesterol-clogged arteries, they would look as if they were lined with a thick layer of frozen butter!
You Can See High Cholesterol:
Normally, you only know you have high cholesterol levels if a doctor tells you so. But it is possible for high cholesterol to be as plain as the nose on your face, showing up on the skin as reddish-yellowish bumps known as xanthomas.
The patches vary in size and can be found all over the body, including on the joints, hands, and eyelids (though not all eyelid xanthomas are caused by high cholesterol). They tend to occur in older people and in those with diabetes or other health problems.
Xanthomas are also more likely to be seen in people with familial hypercholesterolemia, who can even have them in infancy.
Cholesterol Can be Low:
Everyone knows that high cholesterol is bad, but very low cholesterol can be unhealthy too.
Experts recommend that you keep your total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL, which is about the average for adults. However, below a certain level—generally 160 mg/dL—low cholesterol is associated with health risks, including cancer. Do the health problems cause low cholesterol, or vice versa? Are they even unrelated? It’s not clear.
Research shows that some pregnant women with low total cholesterol are more likely to give birth prematurely. Low total cholesterol and LDL levels have even been linked to anxiety and depression.
Our Cholesterol is Dropping:
Finally some good news! While you may assume that cholesterol levels have blossomed along with the obesity epidemic, cholesterol has in fact dropped.
For example, 33% of people ages 20 to 74 had high cholesterol (defined as above 240 mg/dL) in the early 1960s, and the average was 222 mg/dL; in 2003 to 2006, about 16% of people in that age group had high cholesterol and the average was 200 mg/dL.
Elevated cholesterol, which was unrecognized as a serious health problem 50 years ago, is dropping mainly because of more awareness of its dangers, which has resulted in healthier diets, more cholesterol screening, and the widespread use of statin medications.
Exercise Boosts Good Cholesterol:
Doctors generally recommend exercise as a lifestyle change that can help lower cholesterol naturally.
But a recent study in the Journal of Lipid Research suggests that exercise may affect cholesterol differently, depending on the patient’s race and gender.
Among the study participants, who were followed over nine years, physical activity equivalent to an extra hour of mild exercise or half hour of moderate exercise per week was associated with an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, in each of the groups the researchers studied.
But LDL, the bad cholesterol, dropped only in women, and total cholesterol dropped only in African-American women.
Cholesterol-Free Food can still Raise Cholesterol:
Watch out for cholesterol-free food. Cholesterol is made by the liver of animals, and it will only be found in animal-based foods, such as meat, milk, and eggs. Certain products can honestly state that they have little or no cholesterol—however, that doesn’t mean they are good for your cholesterol levels.
Many fried foods and commercial baked goods contain cholesterol-raising trans fats, most commonly in the form of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Trans fats, along with saturated fats, are the main culprits of high cholesterol from food, but they won’t be listed as cholesterol on packaging.
Read ingredient lists and nutrition labels carefully, looking at fat content as well as the cholesterol content, before deeming a purchase a healthy choice.
High Cholesterol May Cause Erectile Dysfunction:
Sure, it’s bad for your heart. But high cholesterol can cause a host of other health problems.
A 2005 Swedish “study” found that men with total cholesterol of about 270 mg/dL and above were 4.5 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than men with cholesterol levels of 220 or below (though the authors cautioned that the link between the two conditions was probably complicated by other factors).
What’s more, high cholesterol has been linked to a greater risk of erectile dysfunction, kidney failure, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
And a 2009 study found that diets high in dietary cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of developing liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
You Do Need Some Cholesterol:
Cholesterol gets a bad rap, but the truth is that cholesterol is essential for cell structure, healthy brain development, and dozens of other important things in your body. However, you don’t need to eat it; your liver churns out enough every day.
The liver produces about 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol per day, which is technically all we need for healthy functioning. However, we add cholesterol to our bodies by eating certain foods like red meat and eggs.
One Egg A Day is OK:
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the average American man and woman eat 337 milligrams and 217 milligrams, respectively, of cholesterol each day. The AHA recommends limiting your daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams.
That’s just a little more than one large egg, which has about 213 milligrams of cholesterol.
When having eggs for breakfast, keep in mind that you’ll need to cut back on other sources of cholesterol throughout the rest of the day. Eggs are also in many foods, such as baked goods, that you may not consider sources of cholesterol.
References:
Sarah Klein

What Not to Do at Bedtime: 6 Bad Behaviors That Can Steal Your Sleep

2010-08-16T09:57:00.001+05:00

You know that drinking coffee before bedtime is asking for trouble. But you may not realize the other daily habits that could be ruining your good night's sleep.
Before you run to the doctor or start popping sleeping pills, check your routine for these possible sleep stealers, suggests Joyce Walsleben, PhD, associate professor at the New York University School of Medicine.
Computer or TV Use Before Bed:

You might think it's helping you to relax, but Letterman's Top 10 List may be too stimulating for your mind to unwind. Using the computer takes even more brainpower, since it requires interaction instead of just watching. In order to relax, you might have to unplug electronics every night, set a household computer curfew, or turn email devices off after dinner.
Books in the Bedroom:
Reading in bed isn't always a problem, but if it doesn't ease you into sleep, you should stop. For some people, "reading may be more fun than sleeping," says Walsleben. If it's keeping you up, take your reading somewhere else—and leave it there. Make your room an environment for sleep, not entertainment.
Work Late into the Night:
Avoid doing work or paying bills at night, particularly in the bedroom. They require too much concentration and have the potential to be upsetting or frustrating. Discovering you don't have enough to cover the rent is not relaxing at any time of day, let alone at bedtime.
Spicy Foods, Heavy Meals:
Your body craves coolness during sleep, but eating spicy foods actually raises your temperature. And if spicy food gives you heartburn on top of that, it's a double whammy. The burning and discomfort get worse when you lie down and can wake you up in the middle of the night. Big, heavy meals are sleep killers too, because they're harder to digest.
An After-Dinner Drink:
Initially, alcohol acts as a sedative and will put you to sleep—one of the reasons it's in nighttime cough and cold medications. But in the second half of the night, sleep is often disrupted. If you're a heavy drinker, the effects are worse: Your brain develops a tolerance to alcohol's sedative qualities, so a few drinks will increase your light sleep but rob you of restorative, deep sleep.
Staying Up Late (and then sleeping in):
Shifting your sleep schedule during the weekends, even if you're still getting the same amount of sleep or more, throws off your circadian rhythm, the internal clock that programs your body to sleep and wake at regular times.
Sleeping an extra three hours on Sunday effectively sets your body clock ahead three hours, so when you try to go to sleep on time, your body's not ready. "Many people jet lag themselves on the weekend. You may as well go to Paris and enjoy yourself," says Walsleben.
References;
Gail Belsky

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

2010-08-12T10:55:00.001+05:00

The term sleep disorder may suggest someone tossing and turning all night, but lying awake for hours with insomnia is just one example of many conditions that affect how you sleep and function during the day. In fact, you can have a sleep disorder and not even know it.
How many hours should you sleep?
There's no normal number of hours that quantifies a good sleep, just like there's no normal shoe size. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night; others manage just fine with six. It's even possible to get too much sleep, since spending excess time in bed can be a sign of another health problem, such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.
A 2007 British study found that people who slept the same amount of time (seven hours) each night lived longer, on average, than people who adjusted their schedules to either add or subtract hours from their nightly slumber. Finding your own ideal sleep/wake cycle—and staying consistent—is key to healthy sleep, agrees Carol Ash, DO, medical director of the Sleep for Life center in Hillsborough, N.J.
Don't sell yourself short
That doesn't mean you can shave off hours of much needed rest without consequence: In a different study, the same British scientists also found that people who are consistently sleep deprived (defined as sleeping five hours or less a night) are at greater risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems—especially women.

Insufficient sleep also raises your risk for obesity, diabetes, depression, alcoholism, and automobile accidents. Plus, a 2007 University of California–Berkeley study confirmed the obvious: Sleep deprivation directly affects areas of the brain that deal with mood and concentration, leaving tired people grumpy, overly emotional, and unable to focus.
Consider quality and quantity
For all these reasons, doctors need to look at both the quantity and the quality of sleep to detect a problem. And when it comes to sleep quality, problems aren't always obvious to patients themselves: An insomniac who lies awake at night can easily tell that something is wrong, for example, but someone with sleep apnea—who repeatedly stops breathing in his sleep—might have no idea there's a problem.
The most telling sign of a disorder is how you feel during the day. If you generally wake up alert and refreshed, you're a healthy sleeper. If you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable, and unfocused—and stay that way throughout the day—you may have a sleep disorder, no matter how much time you spend in bed.
References:
Gail Belsky

Asthma Symptoms

2010-08-12T10:40:00.000+05:00

While asthma symptoms seem straightforward—coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath—it’s not always easy for doctors to definitively diagnose the condition. It can be hard to determine if a chronic cough is asthma, a lingering respiratory ailment, or something else. Symptoms like wheezing can come and go, or coughing may only occur at specific times, such as at night or with exposure to pollen or other triggers.
Asthma symptoms in adults are very similar to those in children.

Symptoms of asthma can be mild or severe. Your child may have no symptoms; severe, daily symptoms; or something in between. How often your child has symptoms can also change.
Symptoms of asthma may include:

Wheezing, a whistling noise of varying loudness that occurs when the airways of the lungs (bronchial tubes ) narrow.
Coughing, which is the only symptom for some children.
Chest tightness.
Shortness of breath, which is rapid, shallow breathing or difficulty breathing.
Sleep disturbance.
Tiring quickly during exercise.

If your child has only one or two of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean he or she has asthma. The more of these symptoms your child has, the more likely it is that he or she has asthma.

Inhalers

An asthma attack occurs when your child's symptoms suddenly increase. Factors that can lead to an asthma attack or make one worse include:

Having a cold or another type of respiratory illness, especially one caused by a virus, such as influenza.
Exercising (exercise-induced asthma), especially if the air is cold and dry.
Exposure to triggers, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, dust mites, or animal dander.
Changes in hormones, such as during the start of a girl's menstrual blood flow at puberty.
Taking medicines, such as aspirin (aspirin-induced asthma) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Most asthma attacks result from a failure to successfully control asthma with medicines. By strictly following the doctor's recommendations and taking all medicines correctly, it is possible in most cases to prevent these attacks from occurring. While some asthma attacks occur very suddenly, many get worse gradually over a period of several days.

Dust Mite

Many children have symptoms that become worse at night (nocturnal asthma). In all people, lung function changes throughout the day and night. In children with asthma, this often is very noticeable, especially at night, and nighttime cough and shortness of breath occur frequently. In general, waking at night because of shortness of breath or cough indicates poorly controlled asthma.
It can be difficult to know how severe your child's asthma attack is. Symptoms are used to classify asthma by severity. Talk with your doctor about how to evaluate your child's symptoms.
Symptoms are also used along with peak expiratory flow to help define the green, yellow, and red zones of your child's asthma action plan. You use this to decide on treatment during an asthma attack.
Other conditions with symptoms similar to asthma include sinusitis and vocal cord dysfunction.
References:
Health

The 5 Kinds of Headaches

2010-08-12T09:40:00.000+05:00

It's critical to identify which type of headache you suffer from:

Tension

Cluster

Sinus

Rebound

Migraine

so that the correct treatment can be prescribed. In one 2004 study, 80% of patients with a recent history of self-described or doctor-diagnosed sinus headache—but none of the signs of sinus infection—actually met the criteria for migraine. And two-thirds of those patients expressed dissatisfaction with the medications they were using to treat their headaches. Here's a cheat sheet to help you put a name to your pain.
Tension headaches
Tension headaches, the most common type, feel like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. Not as severe as migraines, they are not usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and they rarely stop someone from continuing their regular activities. Over-the-counter treatments, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are usually sufficient to treat tension headaches, which experts believe may be caused by contraction of neck and scalp muscles (including in response to stress), and possibly changes in brain chemicals.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches, which affect men more often than women, are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. The headaches appear suddenly and are characterized by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head often accompanied by a watery eye and nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side of the face. During an attack, sufferers are often restless and unable to get comfortable and not likely to lay down the way someone with a migraine usually does. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but they may have some genetic component. There is no cure, but medications can reduce the frequency and duration of attacks.
Sinus headaches
When a sinus becomes inflamed, usually through an infection, it can cause pain. It usually comes with a fever, and can—if necessary—be diagnosed by MRI or CT scan (which can both detect changes in fluid levels), or by the presence of pus viewed through a fiber-optic scope. Headaches due to sinus infection can be treated with antibiotics, as well as antihistamines or decongestants.
Rebound headaches
Overuse of painkillers for headaches can, ironically, lead to rebound headaches. Culprits include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), as well as prescription drugs.
"Most of the patients we see in a headache center with daily headache have medication-overuse, or rebound, headaches," says Stewart Tepper, MD, director of research at the Center for Headache and Pain at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute.
"They are on a merry-go-round and they can't get off," says Dr. Tepper. "They keep taking more medicine, they keep having more headaches, and so the patient becomes more and more desperate. That's when they end up coming to headache specialists to kind of reset the whole system."
One theory is that too much medication can cause the brain to shift into an excited state, triggering more headaches. Another is that the headaches are a symptom of withdrawal as the level of medicine drops in the bloodstream.
Migraine headaches
Migraine headaches come from a neurological disorder that can run in families and are defined by certain criteria.

At least five previous episodes of headaches
Lasting between four hours and 72 hours
Having at least two out of four of these features: one-sided pain, throbbing pain, moderate-to-severe pain, and pain that interferes with, is worsened by, or prohibits routine activity
Having at least one associated feature: nausea and/or vomiting, or, if those are not present, then sensitivity to light and sound

An oncoming migraine attack may, for some, be foreshadowed by an aura, which can include visual distortions (such as wavy lines or blind spots) or numbness of a hand. It's estimated, though, that only 15% to 20% of migraineurs experience this.
References:
Health

9 Medications That Can Cause Heartburn

2010-08-11T16:00:00.001+05:00

Is Your Rx to Blame?
If you have heartburn, pills can be your best friend and worst enemy.
Some pills (such as antacids) soothe the painful burning you experience after downing an order of buffalo wings or drinking one too many glasses of wine.
Other pills—the ones you take for health conditions that are not related to heartburn—can make the pain worse or even trigger heartburn in the first place. Is your medication to blame for your pain? This guide will help you find out.
1. Ibuprofen:
Popular over-the-counter ibuprofen products such as Motrin and Advil can increase acid production in the stomach. Try acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead.
“It does not increase acid levels,” says Vivek Kaul, MD, a gastroenterologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, N.Y.
Even a narcotic such as Percocet may be better for your stomach than taking six Motrin tablets a day, he says. But some narcotics can cause heartburn—in addition to being habit-forming—so discuss your options with your physician.
2. Bone-Strengthening Drugs:
Osteoporosis drugs known as bisphosphenates—including blockbusters like alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel)—are notorious for causing heartburn.
Newer formulations that are taken less frequently may be easier on the stomach.
Reclast, for instance, is an infusion drug that needs to be taken only once a year.
If you’re still on a daily or weekly pill schedule, taking the medication first thing in the morning (before eating or drinking) may help minimize heartburn.
3. Blood Pressure Drugs:
The blood pressure medications known as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers can provoke heartburn by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, which can allow stomach acid to seep up into the esophagus.
If this happens to you, ask your doctor about alternatives. “There are a lot of blood pressure medications out there, and sometimes you can successfully switch,” says Timothy Pfanner, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, in College Station.
4. Aspirin:
The world’s wonder drug may be able to fix everything from headaches to heart attacks, but for heartburn sufferers it also comes with a cost: more acid production in the stomach.
Aspirin also inhibits the formation of prostaglandins, which have a protective effect on the digestive tract.
5. Sleeping Pills & Sedatives:
Medications such as Valium (diazepam) that are designed to relieve anxiety and help you relax, unfortunately, also relax your esophageal sphincter, which may lead to heartburn.
The fact that you’re supposed to lie down after taking these drugs doesn’t help, because lying down can aggravate acid reflux.
6. Iron Supplements:
Iron spurs the body to produce more red blood cells, but it can also lead to acid reflux.
Ask your doctor for alternative supplements, or reduce the odds of reflux by taking the pills standing up or sitting down, not lying down.
7. Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Some of the older tricyclic antidepressants (such as imipramine or amitriptyline) may contribute to heartburn by slowing the speed at which the stomach empties, Dr. Kaul explains.
“If the stomach isn’t emptying as it’s supposed to, then acid and food products will sit there for a long time and will be more likely to reflux back,” he says.
Generally speaking, newer psychiatric drugs work in a more targeted way and have fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
8. Antibiotics:
Antibiotics such as tetracylcine that are used to treat common bacterial infections can cause heartburn.
If you experience heartburn often and need an antibiotic, check with your doctor to see if she can prescribe one that’s gentle on the esophagus and stomach, or if an enteric-coated antibiotic is available.
9. Potassium Supplements:
These supplements are often taken to normalize high blood pressure, but they can irritate the lining of the esophagus, says Dr. Kaul.
Not every patient who takes potassium is going to suffer from heartburn. To reduce your chances, be sure to take the medicine while sitting up and wash it down with plenty of water.
If you still feel the burn, ask your doctor for another type of blood pressure medication or for a slow-release enteric-coated version of potassium. (The coating causes the medication to dissolve in your small intestine instead of in your stomach.)
References:
Amanda Gardner

10 No-Cost Strategies to Fight Depression

2010-08-11T15:46:00.000+05:00

Feeling Depressed?With the economy stuck in neutral, people have more reasons to be depressed—and less money to treat their depression—than in the past.
The cost of medication and talk therapy add up even if you have health insurance—and more than 46 million people in the U.S. (and counting) do not.
If you’re depressed, and especially if you have bipolar disorder, lifestyle changes and other do-it-yourself strategies are not a substitute for professional help. But even if you are already taking antidepressants or seeing a therapist, there are many things you can do to help yourself feel better—and they don’t cost a dime.
1. Don't Blame Yourself:
This is the simplest, cheapest, and most important thing you can do to beat depression. The stigma of depression, plus feelings of guilt and inadequacy, can get in the way of recovery. Managing the symptoms of depression requires a practical, proactive approach—and patience.
“You need to be able to own the reality that depression is a physical illness like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer,” says Richard Raskin, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City and Litchfield, Conn. “You can’t get over it by ‘trying harder’ or adjusting your attitude. It requires acceptance that you have a physical illness that requires attention, and that it makes no sense to blame yourself for it.”
2. Talk About It:
It’s not easy, but telling people about your depression is better than keeping it a secret.
“Not everybody is going to understand and be supportive,” says Raskin. “If you have a broken arm, or back pain, or a headache, everybody can relate to those, for everyone has experienced them. Not so with mental illness.”
But even if they don’t entirely understand what you’re going through, friends, family, and other confidants can provide emotional support, help you seek out treatment options, and serve as sounding boards. “Don’t let yourself become isolated,” says Raskin. “To the degree that you can reach out, reach out.”
3. Get Regular Exercise:
It may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re depressed, but going for a run or hitting the gym can actually make you feel better.
When done regularly, 30 minutes or more of vigorous exercise has been shown to improve the symptoms of depression. In one study, patients who worked out regularly on a treadmill or stationary bike for 12 weeks saw the severity of their symptoms reduced by nearly 50%.
Exercise has short-term benefits too: Other research has found that workouts can boost your mood for up to 12 hours.
4. Postpone Major Decisions:
Depression can affect your perceptions and judgment, so it’s wise to put off big decisions about your relationships or career until you’re feeling better.
“One of the symptoms of depression is having a negative outlook on many things going on in your life,” says Raskin. “This alters your judgment on almost everything, and you might not be aware of it. So to the extent possible, important decisions should be delayed.”
If you absolutely must make a decision, don’t be impulsive. Before making the decision, Raskin suggests, consult people close to you whom you trust, such as your therapist, family, friends, or a clergy member.
5. Take Care of Your Health:
If you’re feeling depressed, it's tempting to let your health slide. But failing to take care of your overall health can make depression symptoms worse.
The relationship between depression and health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease is a chicken-and-egg phenomenon. Research suggests that depression can exacerbate these conditions, but the opposite also appears to be true. People who experience diabetes-related complications are more likely to be depressed, for instance, and there is also some evidence that the stresses of heart disease contribute to depression, especially following a heart attack.
6. Maintain a Daily Routine:
Sticking to a regular routine as much as possible is important for people who are battling depression, according to Raskin.
“Whatever activities you decide to engage in, try to do them at the same time every day,” he says. “A routine—anything from jogging and shopping to doing the dishes—helps you avoid the stay-in-the-house-in-your-pajamas syndrome, which can make things worse; a routine demonstrates to you and to others that if you are capable of getting through the day, you are capable of recovery.”
7. Eat a Healthy Diet:
What you eat affects your brain, not just your body, so if you’re feeling depressed it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein.
No food is a silver bullet for fighting depression, but some foods may affect your mood more than others. For example, carbohydrates and foods that contain vitamin D boost levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood (and the same one targeted by drugs such as Prozac).
And some research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and fish-oil supplements, can help fight depression.
8. Avoid Drugs and Alchlol:
Although it can be tempting to drink or use drugs, don’t do it.
Substance use and abuse can wreak havoc in people with depression. People who suffer from depression and anxiety often turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve their symptoms, but that strategy tends to be harmful in the long run.
Drinking and drug use affect brain chemistry, and they can cause problems in relationships, work, and other aspects of life. (They can also be dangerous when combined with some antidepressants.) Although the occasional glass of wine probably won’t hurt you, people with depression should limit their alcohol consumption, and, of course, say no to drugs.
9. Try to Sleep Well:
Depression and a lack of sleep often go hand-in-hand. Sleep problems such as insomnia are common in depression, and for many people a lack of sleep depresses mood.
This isn’t true for everybody, however; though the effect tends to be short-lived, sleep deprivation actually boosts mood in some people with depression. It can also trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder.
Much remains unknown about the connection between depression and sleep, and everyone has different sleep needs, but experts recommend that depressed people get enough sleep and maintain a regular sleep-wake schedule.
10. Don't Over Schedule:
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed is a common trigger for depression symptoms. If you’re struggling with depression, it’s important not to overschedule your time and take on more than you can manage. If you have complicated tasks to perform at work or at home, break them up into manageable pieces.
And remember: It’s OK to slow down a bit. “Maybe you can’t work at 100% capacity,” Raskin says. “Maybe you can work at only 75% capacity. Still, that’s an accomplishment.” But, he adds, “if you really can’t function, you have to be compassionate with yourself. You deserve a break; take a sick day, whatever you need.”
References:
Health

Pernicious anemia

2010-08-11T12:59:00.000+05:00

Definition:

Pernicious anemia is a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper development of red blood cells.
Pernicious anemia is a type of megaloblastic anemia.
See also: Anemia

Alternative Names:

Macrocytic achylic anemia; Congenital pernicious anemia; Juvenile pernicious anemia; Vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by the stomach that binds to vitamin B12. The combination of vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor is absorbed in the lower part of the small intestine. When the stomach does not make enough intrinsic factor, the intestine cannot properly absorb vitamin B12.
Very rarely, infants and children are born without the ability to produce enough intrinsic factor. Pernicious anemia that occurs at birth (congenital) is inherited. You need the defective gene from each parent to get it.
More common causes of pernicious anemia include:

Weakened stomach lining (atrophic gastric mucosa)
The body's immune system attacking the cells that make intrinsic factor (autoimmunity against gastric parietal cells)
Autoimmunity against intrinsic factor itself

The disease begins slowly and may take decades to fully establish. Although the congenital form occurs in children, pernicious anemia usually does not appear before age 30 in adults. The average age at diagnosis is 60.
Risk factors include:

Family history of the disease
History of autoimmune endocrine disorders, including:
Scandinavian or Northern European descent

In addition to pernicious anemia, other causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

Certain drugs, including colchicine, neomycin, and para amino salicylic acid (used for tuberculosis treatment)
Gastrointestinal disease (stomach removal surgery, celiac disease, Crohn's disease)
Infection (intestinal parasites, too much growth of bacteria in the small intestine)
Metabolic disorders (methylmalonic aciduria, homocystinuria)
Nutritional problems (strict vegetarians who do not get vitamin B12 supplementation, poor diet in infancy, or poor nutrition during pregnancy)

Symptoms:

Too little vitamin B12 gradually causes nervous system (neurological) problems. The neurological effects may be seen before anemia is diagnosed.
Symptoms may include:

Bleeding gums
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Impaired sense of smell
Loss of deep tendon reflexes
Loss of appetite
Pallor
Personality or memory changes
Positive Babinski's sign
Rapid heart rate
Shortness of breath
Sore mouth
Tingling and numbness of hands and feet
Tongue problems
Unsteady gait, especially in the dark

Signs and tests:

Tests that may used to diagnose or monitor pernicious anemia include:

Bone marrow examination (only needed if diagnosis is unclear)
Complete blood count
Measurement of serum holotranscobalamin II
Reticulocyte count
Schilling test
Serum LDH
Serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) level
Serum vitamin B12 level

Pernicious anemia may also alter the results of the following tests:

Bilirubin
Cholesterol test
Gastrin
Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
Peripheral smear
TIBC

Vitamin B12 deficiency affects the appearance of cells that form on the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways (epithelial cells). An untreated woman may have a false positive Pap smear.

Treatment:

Monthly vitamin B12 injections are prescribed to correct the vitamin B12 deficiency. This therapy treats the anemia and may correct the neurological complications if taken early enough. In people with a severe deficiency, the injections are given more frequently at first.
Some doctors recommend that elderly patients with gastric atrophy take vitamin B12 supplements by mouth in addition to monthly injections.
There is also a preparation of vitamin B12 that may be given through the nose. For some people, taking vitamin B12 by mouth in a very high dose can also be an effective treatment.
A well-balanced diet is essential to provide other elements for healthy blood cell development, such as folic acid, iron, and vitamin C.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is usually excellent with treatment.

Complications:

People with pernicious anemia may have gastric polyps and they are at increased risk for gastric cancer and gastric carcinoid tumors.
Neurological defects may continue if treatment is delayed.
Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Prevention:

There is no known way to prevent this condition. However, with early detection and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency, complications can be minimized.
References:
Health

Food and Drug Interactions: An Inside Story

2010-08-11T12:35:00.000+05:00

Beware: That fruit juice you're drinking can gang up with your morning meds. It can cause a chemical reaction that you and your doctor were not counting on. One that can be unpredictable and dangerous.

The food you eat while taking certain medications can affect the way your body uses those medicines. Some foods can lower the amount of a drug that your body absorbs, making it less effective. Other foods may interfere with your body's process of breaking down and using medications. This can cause drug levels to be dangerously high.
Older adults often take more than one medication at a time, so the risk of drug reactions increases with age.
Some common examples of how certain foods can affect the way your body uses medicine are listed below:
Grapefruit juice
Many medicines are affected by grapefruit or grapefruit juice. A chemical in the fruit can cause medication to build up in the body. It is not know exactly how much grapefruit causes this affect, but many pharmacists recommend that you simply avoid this fruit if you take the following medications.

Some cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, including: atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor) and lovastatin (Mevacor)
Some drugs given for high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and other heart conditions, including: felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), amiordarone (Cordarone) and disopyramide (Norpace)
Some immunosuppressive medications. including: cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), tacrolimus (Prograf)
A medication for HIV, saquinavir (Fortovase)

Bottom line: If you take any prescription medications, ask your pharmacist if it is safe to enjoy grapefruit. If you don't want to give it up, ask your doctor if there are any alternatives for the any medications that interact.
Milk, yogurt and other dairy products
Some antibiotics, especially some used for skin infections or acne, should not be mixed with milk or milk products. These drugs include tetracycline and doxycycline. Eating milk or milk products with these antibiotics can lower their effectiveness.
Bottom line: Don't take tetracycline or doxycycline one hour before or two hours after consuming milk or milk products. Also, ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter medications that can decrease the effectiveness of these drugs.
Leafy greens and other foods high in vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a role in the complex process of blood clotting. Because of this, it's important to watch how much vitamin K you get in your diet when you are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). Some foods with lots of vitamin K include spinach and other leafy greens, kale, collards, and parsley. But don't stop eating these foods altogether. It's best to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K in your diet.
Bottom line: The goal is to try to take in about the same amount of vitamin K every day. If you change your eating patterns, you may need a medication adjustment, so always check with your doctor about the right foods for you.
Coffee, colas, tea, energy drinks and other foods with caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant. That means it causes your heart to beat faster and makes you more alert. Certain asthma medications also have stimulant affects. These medications include:

Albuterol (AccuNeb, Proventil, Ventolin, ProAir)
Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl, Slo-Phyllin, Bronkodyl)

Bottom line: Limit or cut out caffeine when you are taking these medications. This will help you avoid nausea, vomiting and abnormal heartbeat and other symptoms of too many stimulants.
Bananas and other potassium-rich foods
Foods high in potassium are almost always good for you. They include bananas, oranges and many green leafy vegetables. People who take certain types of water pills, also called diuretics, are encouraged to eat plenty of them. These diuretics include:

Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
Furosemide (Lasix)

But some other medicines, including some diuretics that are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure, can cause potassium overload. Depending on your potassium levels, your doctor may ask you to limit your intake of potassium-rich foods when you take them. These medications include:

Eplerenone (Inspra)
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Triamterene (Dyrenium), which is also found in Dyazide, and Maxzide

Bottom line: If you take a water pill, ask your pharmacist about potassium.
The final bottom line
Many foods interact with medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. To cut your risk for interactions:

Be sure to read the prescription label on every container.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about everything you're taking, including supplements.

References:
Health

Weight Loss Diet Program

2010-08-11T08:55:00.000+05:00

The following diet and health program was developed for employees and dependents of General Motors, Inc. and is intended for their exclusive use. This program was developed in conjunction with a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. It was field tested at the Johns Hopkins Research Center and was approved for distribution by the Board of Directors, General Motors Corp. at a general meeting on August 15, 1985. General Motors Corp. wholly endorses this program and is making it available to all employees and families. This program will be available at all General Motors Food Service Facilities. It is management's intention to facilitate a wellness and fitness program for everyone.
This program is designed for a target weight loss of 10-17 lbs per week. It will also improve your attitudes and emotions because of its cleansing systematic effects.
The effectiveness of this seven day plan is that the food eaten burn more calories than they give to the body in caloric value.
This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter because you will be lighter by at least 10 lbs. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.
During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol, You must drink 10 glasses of water each day
Day One All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.
Day Two All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.

Day Three A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.
Day Four Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.
Day Five Today is feast day. You will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.
Day Six Beef and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.
Day Seven Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

Tomorrow morning you will be 10-17 lbs. lighter than one week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. You may repeat this program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you are allowed two glasses of white wine in addition to the instructions on the program. You may substitute champagne for white wine. Under no circumstances are you to drink any other alcoholic beverages with the exception of beer which is allowed. Any liquor (bourbon, vodka, rum) is forbidden. Cream drinks are especially forbidden. You may have an occasional cordial such as creme de menthe or schnapps, but you must always limit yourself to two drinks. If you wine, drink only wine that day. If you have beer, drink only beer that day, etc. Alcohol adds empty calories to your diet. However, after the first week it will help your digestion and settle your stomach.
Wonder Soup
The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.
28 oz, Water, 6 Large Onions, 2 Green Peppers, Whole Tomatoes (fresh or canned), 1 Head Cabbage, 1 Bunch Celery, 4 Envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Herbs and Flavoring as desired.
Additional Comments
Vegetables as may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs. No more than one tea spoon of oil.

You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to eat. Not everyone likes cabbage, green peppers, calory etc. This recipe is not inflexible. You may substitute vegetables according to your taste. You may add any vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories even though they are very good for you.
Beverages you may consume while on the program :
1. Water (flavoured with lemon/lime if desired).
2. Club Soda is OK.
3. Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.
4. Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.
5. Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of day seven. No fruit juices before day seven.
How and Why It Works:
Day One you are preparing your system for the upcoming programme. Your only source of nutrition is fresh or canned fruits. Fruits are nature's perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety.
Day Two starts with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and provide essential nutrients and fiber.
Day Three eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.
Day Four, bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You're in for a surprise. You probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You will be surprised how easy this day will go.
Day Five, Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fiber. Lots and lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colorless urine today. Your allowance calls for the equivalent of five "quarter ponders". Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six tomatoes.
Day Six is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fiber from vegetables. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today, compared to day one.
Day Seven finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you just gave it.
References:
Live Health

Truth Behind Laser Hair Removal

2010-08-11T08:31:00.000+05:00

Removal of unwanted hair is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in recent years for women as well as for an increasing number of men. While most of us have a reasonable amount of body hair growth, there are few cases such as pregnancy, menopause and hormonal imbalance when many women face the problem of excessive hair growth. Today there is an eternal quest amongst young women to have smooth arms and legs always and they are looking for ways to reduce the hassle of hair removal on a regular basis. Thus more and more women are opting for high-tech procedures like intense pulsed light and laser hair removal solutions, that offer more permanent and longer lasting results as compared to traditional methods like waxing, depilation, epilation and shaving.
Using Light to Remove Hair:

Laser hair removal systems gently remove unwanted hair. While dermatologic surgeons continue to research the exact science of laser hair removal, it appears that the light energy causes thermal injury to the hair follicle. This occurs because the laser is converted into heat as it passes through the skin and is absorbed in the target pigment melanin found in the hair follicle. When the temperature reaches a high enough level in a hair follicle during its active phase, the targeted hair structures are disabled, thus inhibiting hair re-growth. In clinical trials to date using a number of different lasers and intense pulsed light hair removal systems, some test sites remained hair-free for up to 2 years.
Benefits of Laser Treatment:

Laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of photoepilation, which does not require needles or messy chemical creams. Since thousands of hairs can be zapped in a single treatment session, large areas like the back, shoulders, arms and legs can be effectively and efficiently treated. Says Dr Mukta Sachdev, a Bangalore-based dermatologist, "Today it is a popular method of banishing body hair especially from areas like upper lip, bikini line and face. While it may leave the skin a bit sensitive, but for women with heavy facial hair, laser hair removal treatment offers a long term and painless relief. Also there is no embarrassment of stubble and ingrown hair which traditional hair removal methods cause."
Going for Laser:
While laser hair removal is an excellent treatment option, research efforts continue to enhance the procedure. Although permanent hair removal is the goal of therapy, some women do experience hair regrowth that is usually finer and lighter in color. In addition, long-lasting laser hair removal typically requires multiple treatments, which can make it a more costly hair removal alternative. "There is a possibility of side effects like damage to the surrounding healthy tissue in the form of scars, burns, redness and swelling. But this is a rare case. Women with darker skin tone also need to be careful when going for this treatment. They must consult an expert in the field before opting for this. But overall laser hair removal offers an excellent option to women who have heavy body hair growth," concludes Dr Sachdev.
References:
Sita Gita

Sweep Away Stretch Marks

2010-08-10T14:00:00.000+05:00

Stretch marks? A bane that we women spend hours trying to banish or wipe away. Most of the time without major success. So what causes this? It simply happens when the skin gets constantly stretched and becomes less elastic and the connecting tissues break. Though visible on the epidermis, stretch marks are really scarring of the dermis or the middle layer of our skin. Though dermis is a very elastic and resilient layer of our skin that shapes the epidermis, even elastics can get stretched too taut that they break. This is what happens to our skin. During phases like excessive weight gain, pregnancy and even early teens when hormones run amok, the skin gets stretched beyond its limit and get scarred easily.
Depending on your natural skin tone, the stretch marks appear as raised pink, reddish brown or dark brown striations. Gradually these marks flatten and fade to a colour few shades lighter than your skin colour. In most Indian skin they appear as ivory white marks. They do become less noticeable over time, however they never vanish.
Popular Treatments:
Here's a checklist of various treatments that can help you in fighting stretch marks.
Tummy Tuck:
Most pregnant woman end up with lots of extra skin that tends to hand loose. Through surgical excision the loose skin can be tightened that also helps in removing some of the stretched skin as well. This can be done in one sitting, however this is a painful and expensive procedure.
Endermologie:

Though the endermologie machine is mostly used for treating cellulite and orange peel skin, but it has also been found effective in reducing scars caused due to stretching. Endermologie machine uses rollers and gentle suctioning that massages not just the epidermis but also the dermis. This in turn increase the blood circulation in the affected area which helps in expelling toxins buildup and connective fibers get firm. The doctors claim that endermologie can effectively increase circulation by 200 percent, which in turn help in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. However one sitting will not be enough, you will have to go for at least 12 to 15 sitting of half hour sessions each to see any results. This can be an expensive affair as most skin care clinics charge per sitting basis that can start from Rs 3,500 depending on the area to be cured.
Dermabrasion:

This is one the most popular skin improvement treatments that most women opt for and most commonly offered in the cosmetic clinics across the country. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are both surgical exfoliation procedures, which are used to improve the skin's texture. In this the skin is exfoliated with mineral crystals, vitamin C crystals to give the skin a smoother appearance. This is great to remove any type of scar marks including acne marks, stretch marks, pigmentation etc.
Laser treatments:

It do not really remove the marks but just fade them. However for the treatments to be effective, you have to get laser surgery in the early stages when the marks appear reddish brown or dark red as lasers responds to dark colours only. Once your marks start fading naturally treating them with laser may not be your best bet. There are different types of laser treatments available today, some of the popular procedures include Intense Pulse Light, Pulse Dye Laser, Carbon Dioxide Laser. Here again a series of treatments are required for any visible result. Moreover you will have to take care of side effects like tender skin, mild redness, which go away with time. However one word of caution while the treatments are expensive, there is yet to be any standardisation in the processes used and some treatments may not be suitable for the Indian skin tones.
Prescription Treatments:
This is the most cost effective way to handle stretch marks. However the results of prescription medicine and ointments may vary from person to person. Most dermatologists prefer to treat stretch marks with creams containing Tretinoin, or Retin-A. These are vitamin A derivatives that work by loosening the keratin or outer layer of the skin to remove dead skin cells. Tretinoin thins the outer layer of skin in order to penetrate it. It gets into the dermis, where stretch marks occur, increasing collagen production. It is most effective when used in the early stages.
Like any synthetic treatment this also has side effects like stinging, swelling and redness of the skin and an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Doctors also say that this is unsafe to use during pregnancy.
Anti-Stretch mark Creams:
The cosmetic counters in the stores today are stocked with various creams that claim to bust stretch marks. Moreover the efficacy of each product can vary drastically. These creams do help to certain extent if applied with the onset of stretch marks. Most of them work as emollients and by keeping the skin supple help in fighting excessive stretching. These creams are effective as moisturisers but they cannot always penetrate deep into the dermis, where the actual stretch occurs. Some of the remedies that work include Vitamin E Oil, and creams containing vitamin A and Vitamin E, AHA, shea butter and cocoa butter lotions or creams.
References:
Sita Gita

Baby Face (Cosmatic Surgery)

2010-08-10T13:24:00.000+05:00

There is a new kid in the town of laser surgery. With the introduction of the high energy pulsed CO2 laser (powerful enough to vapourise the outer layer of skin tissue), new opportunities in cosmetic surgery have opened up. The heat of this laser penetrates no deeper than half the thickness of human hair. So the risk of burning or scarring is extremely low. This high energy CO2 laser vaporises old, damaged skin and reveals fresh, new skin with fewer wrinkles, sometimes just on specific areas such as around the eyes, lips and forehead and also all over the face. It can smooth out scars caused by acne or chicken pox and can work wonders on skin that has got sun-damaged. But the down side is that it involves more than just a little discomfort and a healing period in which your face is less-than-lovely!
A typical session can take up to an hour and a half. After this, your face will appear to be covered with a pale grey dust, which is the burnt-away skin. When wiped off, you'll see skin that's noticeably wrinkle-free, but it will also be red, puffy and bloated. You should, in particular, protect your skin from the sun. This is important for two reasons: Firstly because the sun is responsible for most of the damage that contributes to skin ageing and secondly because your treated skin is likely to be more sensitive to the sun than before.
Expect scabbing for at least a week, redness for a fortnight and some degree of reddening for up to four months. Within a few days, the swelling will decrease although the skin will still be ultra-sensitive and will look like it's been burnt. But within a week you will be able to see the improvement and the redness will fade noticeably as each day passes. Of course, if you have only specific areas treated, then discomfort will be less and recovery will be quicker. When you are fully recovered, your face will be smoother, much more finely textured and will look younger.
References:
Sita Gita

Liposuction

2010-08-10T13:08:00.000+05:00

In a relatively short time, liposuction has come from nowhere to be one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery! But is it right for you? Yes, if deposits of fat (like thigh saddlebags) won't shift no matter how much you exercise or diet. But no, if you think it will be a quick-fix way to remove fat that you can't be bothered to try to control yourself.

You should also consider the condition of your skin when thinking about liposuction. It will be most successful on someone with young, elastic skin that can shrink back after the fat has been removed older skin could be left looking baggy and in this case, smaller amounts of fat are removed.
There is considerable debate over whether it is advisable to remove large numbers of fat cells from the body and many surgeons prefer small, localised removal to deal with specific problems.
However, there is always pressure from patients who are looking for the fastest, easiest way to remove as much fat as possible. A reputable surgeon will only remove as much as is safe and effective.

We are born with a set number of fat tissue cells, the number and distribution depending on our ancestors. Liposuction removes some of these cells and they won't grow back. The most successful liposuction removes the fat cells from localised areas rather than large areas. This is done so, for instance, to correct an unsightly bulge. However, that doesn't mean you won't get fatter after liposuction. If you put on weight afterwards, you will enlarge the fat cells you are left with. The result will be an increase in weight. But one benefit is that you won't have an unsightly bulge again â€“ the size increase will be more even.
It is best to have the surgery with your body in as good a condition as possible - which means losing as much weight as you can naturally, and cutting out unhealthy pursuits like smoking. The surgeon inserts a tube into the body and literally sucks out the fat from areas such as the outer thighs, inner knees, waist, breasts and under the chin. If large areas of fat are being treated, you will have a general anaesthetic and will feel uncomfortably sore afterwards. Soreness will last for up to a week and more general soreness will persist for around two weeks after this. You may have to wear pressure garments as this helps skin to contract but you could still see a certain amount of swelling due to the operation itself for some months.
Reference:
Sita Gita

Cosmetic Treatments for Men

2010-08-10T10:18:00.001+05:00

When it comes to appearance, men always follow women 10 to 20 years later. For example, in the 70s, when women used shampoo and conditioner, men did not. Indeed, surveys at the time show that people thought men who used shampoo or conditioner must be gay! Nowadays, men use more shampoo than women.
And it has been similar with things like health, moisturiser and now cosmetic surgery. Men are taking to cosmetic surgery in ever increasing numbers, and in some sectors of the market, they are almost on par with women.
Hair transplants have been the subject of many debates, with people divided sharply on whether a man should, or should not. People tend to be very critical of men who have obvious hair restoration because an air of artificiality can creep in..... a big no-no for most men.
A bad transplant is obvious, but a good one is not. And because men have traditionally been secretive about even looking for information on the subject, they have often not been advised well when they do finally take the plunge. The fact is that something can be done for hair loss at its different stages although it's best caught as early as possible and if your man pines after a bit more hair, it's worth letting him examine the options.
It won't be long until the number of men having cosmetic surgery is equal to the number of women.
So if Tom Cruise or Tom Jones can have cosmetic surgery, men now increasingly realize that they too can follow suit. There is very little difference with cosmetic surgery for men, but the new range of operations like pectoral implants to give a more manly chest, or penis enlargements â€“ have begun to widen the surgeon's repertoire. Within the next decade, there will be an increasing number of operations designed just for men and their bodies.
References:
Sita Gita

Cosmetic Treatments for Women

2010-08-10T10:09:00.002+05:00

Cosmetic treatments minimizes the signs of aging, reverse sun damage, removes scars and facial hair, reshapes nose and lips, lift breasts, beautifies skin complexion and remove common skin flaws. Cosmetic treatment is a procedure to beautify health and body and include cosmetic enhancements, cosmetic dentistry and cosmetic treatment to improve your appearance.
There are different kinds of Cosmetic treatments available that have become popular with young girls, men and women. Cosmetic Laser treatment is used for hair reduction, skin resurfacing, Wrinkle reduction and removal of acne, scars, pigmented blemishes and tattoos. Breast implants uses silicon implants to reshape the breasts.

Cosmetic skin treatment like chemical peels and microdermabrasions removes stretch marks, acne scars and makes skin glowing. Botox injections are used by many idle aged women to make their skin wrinkle free. Cosmetic treatments have caught the fancy of millions of beauty conscious people worldwide. More and more people are eager to shell out big bucks to look smart, young and beautiful despite the age factor.
Cosmetic Treatments have been not that popular earlier. But more and more celebrities and high profile men and women are spending a fortune to get that perfect look. Do you want to change your appearance and lift up your self confidence? Then you can go for Cosmetic Surgery Treatments.

Be it that perfect smile or luscious lips you can now get it through Cosmetic treatments. Looking beautiful is everybody's dream. And so is yours so if you want to get that perfect and ideal look for yourself you go and take the services from a cosmetic surgery clinic. But it is not everybody's cup of tea to shell out a fortune just to look beautiful. Some people think it is just waste of time, energy and most importantly money.
There are different types of Cosmetic Treatments and some of them have been discussed below for your convenience so that you can have a fair idea about the different types and what are the detailed procedures and what amount of money you may have to shell out for each cosmetic treatment. These cosmetic treatments can be very beneficial for some who suffer from some serious problems and for which they go through a lot of mental trauma and pain.
Cosmetic Dentistry:

Cosmetic Dentistry is one of the fastest growing areas of the cosmetic treatments. Everyone like's a smile which can win a million hearts. Although not a Hollywood star everybody cherishes a dream of having that perfect smile. Generally people want their setting to be corrected or they want to have sparkling white teeth. Tooth whitening is the most desired Cosmetic treatments as nobody wants to flash yellow teeth. Many people opt for different types of fillings or go for dental jewelry. Dental jewelry has become very popular these days. People emulate the rap stars who have started flashing jewelry.
Plaque removal is another aspect of Cosmetic Dentistry among all the Cosmetic treatments. Another aspect which is treated through dental surgery is gum lift, tooth reshaping, and enamel shaping. Gum Lift is a cosmetic treatment where the gum line is raised and sculpted. The process involves reshaping of the tissue and underlying bones which makes the teeth look symmetrical. In tooth reshaping, teeth are recon toured and stripped. In Enamel shaping cosmetic surgeons improve the shape and appearance of the teeth.
Liposuction:
Liposuction is the process where excess fat is removed from the body by the help of a tube introduced in the skin. The fat is absorbed through the pipe by a vacuum like contraption. You can do liposuction which is among the popular cosmetic treatments in hip, thigh, upper arms, and buttocks. There are three types of liposuction they are tumescent liposuction, power assisted liposuction and ultrasound assisted liposuction. You will recover after the surgery within one four weeks time span. But sometimes it takes as long as six months also. These Cosmetic treatments are expensive and this one costs around $ 2, 300.
Breast Augmentation:
Breast Augmentation or also known as augmentation mammaplasty is one of the popular cosmetic treatments where a woman's breasts are enlarged using silicone filled implants. You will recover from this surgery within a few days. There have been many women in the recent years who have undergone this surgery. You need to pay around $3,400 to the physician when doing these Cosmetic treatments.
Tummy Tuck:
Tummy Tuck is one of the more popular cosmetic treatments which women undergo. In comparison to men women opt for more tummy tuck treatments. There have been many abdominoplasty procedures in the recent past. In the surgery the abdomen is flattened and the skin and fat are removed which is extra. And after that your muscles will be tightened so that it is back in shape. You would need 2-6 weeks to recover after the surgery. It generally takes around $4,400 to do this surgery but it may vary from Cosmetic treatments to another.
Laser Hair Removal:

It can be done by women and men. Through one of the popular cosmetic treatments one can remove hair through laser permanently. It is a painless and quick process through which you can get rid of unwanted hair. The time taken for this procedure varies from 10 minutes to even two to three hours. Prior to the surgery a gel is applied and then after the hairs are destroyed permanently a medicated cream is applied. Sometime a mild tingling sensation is accompanied along with redness and swelling. There are some precautions to be taken after the Cosmetic treatments such as one should not change the brand of perfume or talcum powder or lotions.
Rhinoplasty:
Commonly known as a nose job is among the common cosmetic treatments which one undergoes. In this procedure the nose is reshaped and made into big or small. The angle or the nostrils are also changed through this procedure. There have been many cases of Rhinoplasty done and mostly on women. You would need around one to three weeks to recover after the surgery. Some precautions which one has to undertake are that they should not get their nose skin sunburnt or bumped for the next eight weeks. These Cosmetic treatments costs you a bomb and this one is around $3,500 approximately.
References:
Sita Gita

Faster Hair Growth Tips (Exclusive Hair Information)

2010-08-10T09:47:00.004+05:00

It is an innate desire of human beings to look attractive regardless of the hair type they have. Each ethnic race has its own standards of beautiful hair.
Mere presence of some beautiful hair strands on the scalp is of not much significance if not with coupled with some healthy and voluminous hair to match. You can have both the beauty and quantity if you follow some faster hair growth tips.
Growth of healthy hair largely depends on its normal healthy functioning and structure. The hair structure is divided into two parts - the non living part that is projected out of the skin of the scalp and the other living part, that remains buried inside the scalp skin. Both hair parts have various functions to perform, besides being an integral component of the hair growth cycles.
Alteration in the normal cyclical process of hair growth is one of the main causes of hair loss. The factors that affect the normal hair growth cycle are hormonal imbalance and genetics.
Though it is hard to take care of the above two factors of hair loss, it is essential for you to keep your hair clean and healthy with the use of well-formulated cleansers and conditioners. To ensure faster hair growth proper intake of nutritional supplements and natural hair care is essential.
Healthy and faster hair growth not only helps you to look beautiful, it helps you to tie them to good hair styling. Here is an interesting opportunity for trying the hair styling tips. You can also imitate the hair styles of some famous Hollywood celebrities.
Apart from imitating the hair styles of celebrities follow the natural hair care tips and discover the secrets of faster hair growth for beautifully shining hair. The hair information presented in the web pages is sure to help you in taking proper care of your hair, promote faster hair growth and also give you the opportunity to the follow the trendy hair style.
See what useful information the following sections have to offer you to help you in hair care and hair maintenance:
Variations in hair-growth and types:
There are several variations in the hair growth pattern of people all over the world. There can also be differences in the normal hair growth rate due to various climatic conditions.
In spite of all the differences and variations; beautiful hair has much significance for the human race both in the context of society and the self esteem.
Beautiful hair enhances your appearance which plays a major role in creating your image, personality and confidence. Good looks or image to a great extent help in paving the way for success in most spheres of life.
It is quite natural for us to be sensitive as far as the beauty and health of our hair growth is concerned, no matter to what ever is the pattern of our hair types.
The hair of every individual is different from that of the other. While the racial differences in the facial features are quite apparent, differences like texture of the hair require a detailed observation to identify.
Apart from racial hair growth differences, seasonal changes also play a major role in the rate of hair growth.
Climatic conditions in all the countries around the world are different. In the equatorial region there is maximum daylight year round which has a significant effect on hair growth patterns. Effects of seasonal variations in hair loss are temporary and the hair easily grows back after a period of time. But there are factors like genetics which have a severe effect on hair growth rate.
Hair loss of any type in any ethnic group is a sensitive issue and needs attention and care. Some hair losses are temporary in nature and part of the natural cyclical process. But disastrous hair loss is sure to be a cause of concern and needs to be prevented by knowing the proper cause of hair loss.
Though a slowed down hair growth needs attention there is no need to be anxious about it. For almost every hair loss there is a hair growth solution and for every hair types there are well-formulated hair care products. The actual solution lies in being informed about probable cause and finding the right solution. For some it could be stress that is affecting the hair growth, for some it could be nutrition.
Hair Physiology:
A normal and healthy hair growth system is largely dependant on the structure and functions of hair fiber. Hair fiber is a much more complicated and significant structure than it appears to be and it is a part of an equally complex hair growth system. It is also the only portion of the body that is completely renewable without scarring. Other than its flexibility, hair fiber and hair follicles transmit sensory information and their growth also help in gender differentiation.
These are some of the practical functionalities of the hair growth system which are generally over looked. People are generally concerned either with the rate of hair growth or with the condition of the overall hair fibers; as these factors help to enhance the appearance of the individual.
And it is for the same reason that there is a growing popularity of hair care products. Using these hair care products is not enough. If you want to make your hair healthy and bouncing, the best hair care strategy is to use natural hair care products along with the intake of natural nutritious supplements and natural herbal supplements.
Natural supplements are beneficial for hair, but in order to heal already damaged hair you need to identify the particular deficiency and then take steps to promote healthy hair re-growth. The hair deficiency can either be in the hair shaft, the hair follicle structure or in some other part of hair growth system of cycling. You may need to examine all parts to determine a hair growth problem for which it may be best to visit a dermatologist.
The hair shaft or fiber is the portion of the hair that projects out of the skin of the scalp. Healthy hair shafts enhance the volume, color and shine of the hair. So the first step to promote healthy hair shaft growth is to be knowledgeable about the structure and the functions of each shaft parts and verify the same with the conditions of the fiber or shaft.
Around and beneath the hair shaft in the skin the hair follicle sits and controls the growth of the hair fiber. Hair follicles are surrounded by an intricate network of blood vessels which supply the required nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicle. The extended mechanism that is going on beneath the hair follicles is responsible for the hair growth from deep inside the skin. So in order to identify any problem of hair growth, it is necessary to study the mechanism and structure of the hair follicles.
Another factor that affects the hair growth system of an individual is the cyclical process of hair re-growth. The malfunctioning of the hair growth cycles can lead to sudden appearance of bald patches or even hair thinning in women. These hair growth cycles also determine the length of hair of an individual.
Apart from the affected hair shaft or follicle there are other factors like genetics that can cause hair loss at an alarming rate. To promote healthy hair growth it is first necessary to diagnose the portion of hair that is being affected and then to find out the underlying cause associated with it.
Hair Loss Causes:
The common hair loss causes are several like stress, infectious diseases, lack of nutritional supplements, use of harmful synthetic hair care products and so on. Physicians around the world are taking a closer look at hair loss causes and thinning and prescribing the hair loss treatments and medications that are more successful in treating the respective hair problems. But not every type of hair loss is subject to treatment as the normal shedding of hair is necessary for the cyclical process of hair re-growth.
Normal hair shedding can be divided under two broad categories. One of the normal hair shedding procedures involves randomly loosing some hair after reaching the telogen phase of the hair growth cycles. According to researchers it is absolutely normal to shed about 100 hairs each day.
The other normal cause of more hair shedding is an increase in age. It is quite normal to loose more and more hair with increasing age, but when some men and women start loosing hair at an early age it is a sure sign of concern. The cause of such premature hair loss is attributed to pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia.
In general, men are more prone to pattern baldness when compared to women. But women are also at risk of developing hair loss. Though the pattern baldness or Androgenetic hair loss is more evident in men due to more hair loss in frontal hair line, women are prone to pattern hair loss that is manifested by thinning all over the scalp. Though the numbers of men and women suffering from pattern hair loss is different, the mechanism of premature hair loss or pattern baldness is similar.
The main reason of premature hair loss both in men as well as women is genetics, while for women, hormonal imbalance is the major cause for hair loss during pregnancy and menopause.
Apart from genetics and hormonal imbalance, the other common reasons of premature hair loss in both the genders are medications, sudden illness, therapies or major surgeries.
Whatever the reasons may be, if you notice a major negative change in the shedding of the hair then see a doctor. But beware of a number of quacks who try to make money playing with the emotions of hapless sufferers, try to consult a trusted dermatologist.
Hair Nutrition:
Applying the right hair care products (shampoos, cleansers, nourishers) and taking adequate herbal and dietary nutrition are some of the essential hair care remedies for healthy hair growth. The dietary and herbal nutrition not only takes care of the healthy functioning of the body but also heals minor and major hair problems.
Herbal nutrition is popular as a natural hair care remedy. Traditional age-old herbal supplements have created hope not only among ailment sufferers, but also among healthy people who frequently use it for their general well-being. The increasing success of the herbal remedies lies in the fact that they, rather than attempting to suppress the symptoms, enhance the natural healing mechanisms of the body to tackle the problem at the root.
But intake of herbal supplements alone is not enough for healthy hair growth. You also need to take all natural diet supplements , to provide adequate nutrition to cells of the dermal papilla at the root of the hair follicle to remain in an active growth phase. Roots are the living parts of the hair and so the supply of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements cannot be overlooked.
Besides nutritious diet intake, healthy hair needs regular cleansing and conditioning to remove dirt and sebum which affect the health of hair by getting struck and closing the pores. They need external help to be stripped off. While cleansing or conditioning, it is better to use the useful natural based professional hair care products available in the market. Studies have confirmed that herbal and natural cleansers and nourishers are the best form of hair care and hair growth products needed for healthy hair.
There is an increasing popularity of such hair cleansers and nourishers. The reason of the increasing popularity lies with the fact that many people prefer not to apply harmful chemicals on their hair. These hair care remedies are effective in treating various hair problems other than providing a soothing effect on the scalp.
All these useful products and supplements have not only demonstrated their effectiveness by preventing hair loss, but they also reversed the hair loss causes and promoted hair growth. The most advantageous factor of these natural hair care remedies is that they are devoid of any side effects used according to the recommended procedure.
So take up the suitable hair care remedies and have hair which is ever shining and beautiful.
Hair Care:
Most women desire beautiful, healthy, shiny hair, but few are aware of the right way to acquire it. It is this ignorance of people that the television commercials and ad magazines take undue advantage of to lure people with their glossy and catchy ads about synthetic hair care products. In reality these synthetic hair care products do not offer much advantage. Rather, some of them are bad for hair and may even cause irritation or burning sensations to the scalp.
The key to healthy and beautiful hair lies in the use of natural hair care products. They are quite efficient for improving most types of hair provided they are applied in accordance with the specific hair care requirement.
Many a product that is extracted from plants, or includes other beneficial natural elements, has been used for treating hair problems successfully for years. Other than promoting healthy hair growth these natural hair care products also impart a sweet, natural fragrance to the hair unlike that offered by their synthetic counterparts. Unlike synthetic products they are usually devoid of any side-effects.
Natural hair care products alone cannot promote healthy hair growth. Hair roots are alive and like any other organs of the body they need nutrition to maintain their normal functioning. The natural vitamins for hair growth which are most essential includes those in the vitamin B group. Apart from these, vitamins including vitamin E and C are also helpful for hair growth. Vitamins are among the purest ingredients that can help ensure healthy hair growth on the scalp.
Besides the natural vitamins for hair growth there are several other hair loss factors that need to be considered if you want to maintain a healthy hair growth.
Among other natural hair care products, the product which needs special mention is natural hair color. Natural dyes are generally safe to use and usually do not have any adverse reactions, although some people can be allergic to some natural dyes containing henna. The natural hair colors can help you to have healthy hair by their conditioning effect; moreover these natural dyes are devoid of poisonous chemical elements like bleach or ammonia.
In addition to these herbal based natural hair care products available in the market, there are plenty of herbal and nutritional diet supplements available on the market to take care of you hair.
Hair Styles:
Have you ever got tired of your regular looks? Have you tried to change it? Your hair is an important asset in this regard; styling your hair in a different way brings about a great change in way you look. We are here to help you find out some hair styles that suit your face and the type of your hair. We will also tell you about the ideal hair style and care.
Maybe a hair style in a magazine has impressed you, but you have not tried it so far. Or maybe you have wanted to visit a salon, but the money you need to pay in the salon has prevented you from doing so. Not to worry, the new and latest styles given here not only help you to do something new, it helps you to enhance your looks.

Make sure that the hair styles that you choose for yourself, suit your facial features, your skin tone and your personality.

References:
Live Health

Cell Phones and Health

2010-08-10T09:22:00.007+05:00

One of the most common sights we see these days, is that of people with their mobile phones next to their ears. A boon for better communication, cell phone usage nonetheless has many health hazards. Various studies indicate that the emissions from a cell phone can be extremely harmful, causing genetic damage, tumors, memory loss, and increased blood pressure and weakening of the immune system. This is alarming information, and one has to take into account all these factors..
CELL PHONES AND HEALTH
Though there is no evidence of cell phones causing cancer or any such illness, but the suspicion, or fear of the same is not baseless either. The electromagnetic radiation from cell phones does have a potential link to cancer. The fact that this radiation is invisible, intangible, and enters and leaves our bodies without our knowledge makes it even more intimidating.
Possible hazards:

Two minutes of exposure to emissions from mobile phones can disable a safety barrier in blood causing proteins and toxins to leak into the brain, could increase chances of developing Alzheimer's multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. (Scientists at Sweden's Lund University)
Scientists say exposure to the phones' low-level radiation causes red blood cells to leak hemoglobin and can lead to heart disease and kidney stones.
Recent studies suggesting a link between cell-phone use and brain tumors, and the possibility that the microwaves could ignite petroleum fumes at gas stations.
A cell phone unit, or communications tower, has so many of thee radiation emanating gadgets. This can be a problem for its immediate environment.

SPECIFIC HEALTH CONCERNS
Cancer / Tumors
Studies have been conducted suggesting that rats that have been exposed to microwaves similar to the sort generated by mobile phones but more powerful, showed breaks in their DNA which could indicate an adverse effect. Also, mice exposed to radiation for 18 months developed brain tumors. Though of course, these studies are not concrete proof.
Blood Pressure
It was observed that people using cell phones were prone to high blood pressure. Again, there isn't any concrete evidence of the same.
Pregnancy
A study at the University of Montpellier in France was carried out on 6000 chick embryos and suggested that the heavily exposed chick eggs were five times less likely to survive than the control group. This study raised questions about possible effects on pregnant women but it has not yet appeared in peer-reviewed scientific literature or been reproduced, so its findings are difficult to assess.
Headaches, Heating Effects, Fatigue

A study brought out that longer the people used mobile phones, the more likely they were to report symptoms such as hot ears, burning skin, headaches and fatigue.
The study did not include a control group (that is people who do not use mobile phones, to make a comparison); therefore the symptoms reported could have been caused by any number of other factors in the mobile phones users' environment, such as working with computers, stress, driving or reading.
Memory
There have been various studies into the connection between mobile phones and memory loss. A study looked into the effect of radiofrequency (RF) on the section of rats' brains that is linked with the memory. The results showed that RF could modify signals in the cells in a part of the brain that is responsible for learning and short term memory.
Posture (holding phone between raised shoulder and ear)
Some researchers claim that holding a mobile phone between the raised shoulder and the ear could have a damaging effect on muscles, bones, tendons and discs. These problems would apply equally to a cordless phone or a landlines phone as to a mobile phone and are the effect of bad posture.
Mobile Phones and Children
Because of their smaller heads, thinner skulls and higher tissue conductivity, children may absorb more energy from a given phone than adults.
PREVENTION TIPS

Cell phones should be used for emergencies, and not for long conversations.
A small chip-like cell phone microwave radiation protection device is available, which has the ability to absorb electromagnetic energy waves from your mobile phone. It helps in reducing the potential harmful effects of these emissions to the human body.
Using a mobile headset is a good idea, you don't have to hold phones next to your ears all the time
Use a hands free mobile car kit while driving, without taking your hands off the steering wheel

THE WHO (World Health Organization) RULES

Mobile phone users should limit their exposure to harmful radio frequencies by cutting the length of calls.
Hands-free devices cut exposure by keeping the instrument away from the head and body.
Driving cum mobile phone talking should be banned.
Mobile phones should not be used in Intensive Care Units of hospitals as they can pose a danger to patients by interfering with the working of pacemakers and defibrillators.
People with hearing aids should not use mobile phones.
Base stations, which have low powered antennae on their terrace to communicate with cell phones, should not be located near children schools and playgrounds.

CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING
Studies indicate that a lot of car accidents have happened, while the driver was on the phone. This is because while driving, one obviously needs to concentrate, and talking on a phone doesn't help. Some countries like Portugal have banned the use of cell phones, which may not be very practical, as their main use is to be reachable while you are on the move. Thus, it is important to take certain precautions while driving:

Position your phone within easy reach so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road.
Get to know the features of your cell phone - speed dial, redial, voice mail, they can be your lifesaver. But don't dial and drive at the same time. Use a hands free kit.
Avoid using a phone when road conditions are hazardous or traffic is heavy. You can let your voice mail take messages and then call back later.
Don't engage in stressful conversations that may distract your attention from the road.
Don't take notes or look up phone numbers whilst driving, wait till you can pull over.
User abbreviated speed dialing. In fact, voice activated dialing is even better. It leaves both hands free. Frequently called numbers can be programmed.
Have an answering machine installed that could take messages until you can return the calls. Let your co-passenger handle the calls if you are not travelling alone.

References:
Live Health

5 Main Causes Of Stress

2010-08-10T09:08:00.002+05:00

Here, we will study the main causes of stress which arise due to external circumstances. We have seen elsewhere that stress can be caused by your external circumstances or your perceptions and attitudes.
Stress is the reason for two thirds of the total visits to the Physician. It is also the leading cause of the coronary artery diseases, cancer, accidents and respiratory diseases besides some others.
Stress aggravates following illnesses: Hypertension, insomnia, diabetes, herpes, multiple sclerosis, etc. Besides, stress that continues for long periods of time can lead to: poor concentration, irritability, anger, and poor judgment.
Stress leads to marriage breakups, family fights, road rage, suicides and violence.
What are the biggest causes of present day stress, and how do these lead to such high levels of tension?
The main causes of stress that arise due to the external environment were studied by Thomas H. Holmes and Richard H. Rahe, from the University of Washington. In 1967 they conducted a study on the connection between certain important life events and the illnesses. As a part of that study they also compiled a list of main reasons of stress in the society.
At the time the study was conducted there were 55 triggers of stress. The list was reviewed in 2006 and that list now contains 63 main causes of stress.
From the studies conducted by Holmes and Rahe, and also other studies that have been conducted from time to time, it seems that following are the biggest causes of present day stress levels in modern societies:
1. Financial Problems – This is the number one source of stress these days. You and your family are not be able to do what you want to due to lack of money. Debts are piling up. Credit Card payments, pending mortgage installments, rising costs of education, mounting expenditure on health concerns. Financial matters top the list of stressors.
2. Workplace Stress – Stress at workplace is another of the main causes of stress. You may be worried about your next promotion. You might be facing the negative or bullying behavior of your boss. You might not be reaching your well-deserved career goals; you might be worried due to office politics. You might be stressed about some major change that is taking place in the organization, or, you might be under stress because of the prospect of losing your job.
3. Personal Relationships – Studies of children, attitude of relatives, arguments with spouse or children, change of place due to requirements of your job, illness of a family member, moving in of parents or moving out of elder children are all main causes of stress.
4. Health – Heart diseases, hypertension, problems with eye sight and sugar afflict many people becoming a major cause of life stress for them. Maintaining good health, reducing weight, increasing weight, being able to lead a healthy life-style: all of these and a few more are the main causes of stress due to health concerns.
5. Irritants – Besides the ones that I have mentioned above there are those annoyances and irritations that you encounter in your daily lives which go on to become biggest sources of stress for you. Problems in commuting to workplace, balance of work and family life, PTMs at children's schools, workload, visit to doctor, not enough sleep, no time to relax, no time to discuss some nagging problems – who is not aware of these stresses and strains of our lives? You fight with them every day.
These main causes of stress are taking their toll on today's urban man in the shape of stress related diseases that we mentioned at the top.
But, do you let all of these get on your nerve, getting you all stressed up and making you prone to all the stress-related diseases? – Or have you found ways to live a stress-free and full life despite many problems that beset you?
Develop resilience:
And never let stress get you down. It can be learnt. But, yes, you have to try. You may like to take Dr. Rahe's stress test to see how stressed you are. To break yourself out of the daily stresses, start by practicing stress releasing exercises, and you will be on your way to freedom from the main causes of stress afflicting our present day lifestyle.
References:
Live Health

Healthiest Foods on Earth

2010-08-10T08:58:00.005+05:00

1. Berries
All berries are low in sugar and high in fiber. Blueberries have been shown to increase memory in lab studies, and raspberries and strawberries are loaded with ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that seems to have some anti-cancer properties, according to the American Cancer Society.
2. Beans
Beans are extremely high in fiber, which helps to control weight, prevent or manage diabetes and blood sugar, and may help prevent colon cancer and protect against heart disease. The National Institute of Medicine recommends 25-38 grams of fiber a day. The average American gets only 4-11 grams. One cup of beans provides 11-17 grams.
3. Nuts
Some of the largest and most important long-term studies of diet and health have shown that eating nuts several times a week is consistent with a risk of heart attack and heart disease that is 30%-50% lower than the general population. Just one ounce of nuts-almonds, macadamia, Brazil , walnuts, pecans-eaten three to five times a week seems to be the magic number.
4. Wild Salmon
Fish is the ultimate anti-aging food. Cold-water fatty fish like wild salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring contain omega-3 fats that protect the brain and the heart, improve mood, and lower blood pressure and triglycerides.
5. Raw Milk

Raw, organic milk nearly always comes from grass-fed cows and contains high levels of cancer-fighting CLA (conjugated linolenic acid) as well as a rich assortment of vitamins, minerals and beneficial bacteria (like Lactobacillus acidophilus)
6. Grass-Fed
Meat Meat from grass-fed cows has a much different fat profile than ordinary supermarket meat: high in omega-3s, lower in potentially harmful omega-6s and loaded with CLA, a kind of fat known for its anti-cancer activity. A superb source of protein and vitamin B12, it's also missing the antibiotics, steroids and hormones found in the meat that comes from feedlot farms.
7. Eggs
Considered by many to be nature's most perfect food, the egg is high in protein and relatively low in calories. The yolk contains choline, one of the most important nutrients for the brain, as well as lutein and xeazanthin, two critical nutrients for eye health. Brassica Vegetables Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale all contain plant compounds called indoles that help reduce the risk of cancer. In addition to a stunning range of vitamins and minerals, they also contain sulforaphane, an important plant chemical that helps the body detoxify health-damaging chemicals.
8. Apples
Not only do they keep the doctor away, they also appear to do the same for lung cancer, diabetes and asthma. An apple contains five grams of fiber and a rich blend of nutrients including the bone-building vitamin K and the anti-inflammatory nutrient quercetin. And there's no better way to control your appetite than an apple eaten about half an hour before a big meal.
9. Onions and Garlic
In an impressive number of published studies, the consumption of onions and garlic has demonstrated protective effects against stomach, prostate and esophageal cancer. Along with broccoli, tea and apples, onions and garlic are among a select group of foods found to reduce mortality from heart disease by 20%.
10. Pomegranate Juice
Called "a natural Viagra" by researchers at Tel Aviv University , pomegranate juice is loaded with antioxidants. Studies show it can reduce blood pressure and plaque in the arteries. New research indicates it also slows the progression of tumors.. Four to eight ounces a day is highly recommended.
11. Green Tea
Though all teas are great for you, green tea has a unique profile of plant chemicals that have anti-cancer activity. It's now fairly established that green tea may help prevent the following types of cancers in humans: bladder, colon, esophagus, pancreas, rectum and stomach. If that's not enough, it also appears to help with weight control.
References:
Live Health

Drugs (Uses and Abuses)

2010-08-09T10:17:00.000+05:00

Drug Addiction:

Taking drugs on the odd occasion is one thing - but having an outright addiction to drugs is certainly another. Many people are unable to tell how it actually it that they become addicted to drugs - because it seemingly happens without their knowledge. However, there are specific scientific mechanisms which can cause drug addictions, and in this article, we will take a look at what these are.
We should begin by saying that everyone has the potential to become a drug addict. Because of the way that drug addiction works in the brain, there is every chance that someone who dabbles in drug taking could become addicted very quickly.
However, the chances of a drug addiction being caused from a sporadic and momentary drug high are slim. Let's take a look at some more facts.
The Brains Role in Drug Addiction:
All addictions, whether it is to drugs, alcohol, or sex, are caused by a response in the brain. More often than not, the pleasurable feelings that are associated and result from the "high" of taking drugs are caused by chemical levels in the brain.

Serotonin
Adrenaline
Nor epinephrine

These are the three main chemicals, which when released in bulk under some conditions (such as when taking drugs), cause the "high" that is so well touted.
After regular episodes where these chemicals are mass produced and allowed to circulate through the system, the body starts to depend on the pleasurable feelings. That is - the brain becomes accustomed to the regular feelings of pleasure, and demands more.
The "demands" of the brain often come in the form of an overwhelming feeling to experience the "high" again, and therefore, the individual affected is the victim of their own bodily functions.

Why is it that some people can do drugs whenever they want, and never get addicted - whilst someone else can do them once, and get immediately hooked? The answer seems to be in the complex workings of brain chemistry.
Until we have more facts and research on this topic, it is difficult to give a conclusive answer as to exactly what the reasons for the above phenomena are. However, one thing is for sure. Taking drugs, no matter how often, is a major risk factor for a drug addiction.Effects of Drug Abuse on the Body:
The human body is a delicate, well formed, and extremely complicated set-up of components and processes, working in harmony with each other to ensure the health and safety of the body itself. It is by far the most advanced "thing" on earth, and we are only part of the way through learning and discovering how the inner workings of the body function.
Obviously, when someone has a drug addiction, there are changes which happen within the body. As research has shown, there are two main types of changes which occur:

Psychological changes
Physiological changes

Psychological Changes:
The psychological changes - are the fastest changes to occur. They are the main reasons that people take the substances in the first place. You may have heard many drugs referred to as being "mind altering" - and this is exactly the same phrase used for psychological changes.
The second is physiological change - or in other words, physical changes which happen within the body. Unfortunately, these changes are not so obvious immediately after a substance is taken (other than common physical changes such as energy levels, etc). Also unfortunate is that these changes are the most dangerous - and they are the ones which cause long term damage to the body.
Physical Changes:

The most fundamental reason why drugs and illicit substances (including alcohol) are bad for you is their effect on the brain. Every single time one of these substances is used, there are a huge number of brain cells which are killed in the process.
The reason for this brain cell massacre is clear. Drugs often prevent information from flowing to and from one particular part of the brain. This cut off causes the pleasurable feelings that you get when using illicit substances, but the mechanism is the danger.
By cutting off the supply of oxygen to certain parts of the brain, and by killing brain cells in the process, there are less brain cells left overall. Simple neuroscience tells us that it is very difficult for the brain to grow new connections and cells whilst drugs are present - and hence, the long term effect of a drug addiction can be highly dangerous.
Over time, the number of brain cells killed mounts up - and if chronic drug abuse is present, these changes will be irreversible.
References:
Drug Addiction

How To Cure Your Acne Permanently

2010-08-05T12:37:00.000+05:00

You have probably been bombarded by so much conflicting advice about how to treat your acne that it is utterly confusing. I don't intend to contribute to that. In this article I will introduce you to a tried and tested approach to treating your acne that will cure your acne and give you lasting clear skin. I will also explain why drugs and other topical treatments are not a cure for your acne and how you can eradicate your acne for good without having to resort to pills and potions.

What really causes acne

Let us begin with what acne is or is not and why you have it in the first place and others don't. The answer to these questions will point us to the solution. The first thing to understand is that acne is not a skin disease but the symptom of a disorder that manifests as acne on your skin. It is a message from your body to you that something is wrong internally, in a state of imbalance that needs to be restored to its natural equilibrium. It is your body's way to communicate a distortion of balance.

The only difference between you and people without acne is a genetically predisposed sensitivity of your oil glands to hormonal imbalance. Hormones control the amount of oil your oil glands in the skin produce. An overproduction of oil together with blood waste products secreted through your skin leads to the formation of acne. In one sense this is a blessing in disguise because without this sensitivity your body could not communicate that something is out of balance and you would never know that there is an internal problem that needs addressing. And addressing it you should because ignoring it will make it much worse in the long run.

Having established that acne is not an external problem, it follows that in order to cure your acne you have to tackle it from the inside and eliminate the underlying causes. This is where most acne sufferers go wrong. They either use conventional acne medication or topical treatments or try a combination of one or more of these approaches that just tinker with the externally visible symptoms of acne.

Why drugs and topical treatments cannot cure your acne

With the frustration and embarrassment that come with suffering from acne it can be very tempting to go to a dermatologist and get prescription drugs for treating your acne and there are several available.

You can take antibiotics. They mainly work by fighting acne bacteria and decreasing inflammation. However this is a very partial and destructive solution and it only works short term and may even make your acne much worse as you may have discovered already. Why? Antibiotics kill the acne bacteria which play just a small part of the acne formation process. By killing the acne bacteria, you are not stopping the external acne formation process. First of all, acne bacteria do not cause acne. We all have them on our skin and it is only when blood toxins secreted through your skin and an overproduction of oil through your glands come together that they find the right environment to multiply excessively and produce the acne symptoms you are all too familiar with like swelling, inflammation and pus.

From this it becomes immediately clear why drugs cannot cure acne, only temporarily alleviate its symptoms. You cannot cure acne by killing the acne bacteria on your skin. They will continue to multiply in large numbers as long as you don't neutralise the conditions that make them do so. In other words, an effective acne treatment needs to address the causes of hormonal imbalance and formation of blood toxins, not tinker with the symptoms by trying to suppress them. Antibiotics destroy all the bacteria in your system including probiotics that have many essential qualities needed for clear skin. One of them is the ability to protect your digestive tract from parasites and fungus that constantly stress and damage your liver, one of the most important organs responsible for maintaining healthy acne free skin.

Then there are acne steroids. Steroids are designed to reduce the inflammation caused by acne. In the process they place significant stress on your liver and may severely damage your internal system. In severe cases of acne you can also get Accutane, a very strong drug which is infamous for its serious side effects ranging from severe stomach pain and diarrhoea to depression, hair loss and blindness.

Creams, cleansers and other products that are applied on the skin such as gels, liquids, lotions and powders are also not cure for your acne because they, like drugs, are designed to tackle the symptoms of acne, not the real cause. There are spot treatment acne products, oil-control moisturizers, facial cleansers, astringents, lotions for removing infections, oil-removing masks and toners. All of these can be effective for symptom control if chosen and applied correctly. Be aware though that lotions, creams, and ointments contain steroids which can cause liver disorders and weaken your immune system. Their use also often results in increased body resistance to the treatment and they can cause various side effects to pregnant women and girls under 12.

The most commonly used topical treatments include benzoyl peroxide which has the ability to reduce acne symptoms by killing the acne bacteria and helping to unblock the pores. Retinoids clear black and whiteheads. Cleansing, exfoliating and killing acne bacteria is not an effective treatment for acne though.

As you can see every acne treatment that is sold today either addresses only the symptoms of acne or tackles one but not all acne contributing factors and that is why no conventional acne treatment will ever cure your acne permanently. Acne drugs and other topical treatments are not the solution to acne. In fact, acne drugs and antibiotics can make your acne worse.
References:
Mary Ridge

Dental Treatment

2010-08-04T10:50:00.003+05:00

Dental Treatment is not a new one in the country. It dates back to the past 50 to 70 years. As time progresses the mode of treatment has also advanced with the pace with the pace of time. We find that in most of the households the problem of dental ache and other cavity related problems have become a major worries. Dental worries are considered the most problematic issues than the other major illness human beings suffer from. Dentonist or the Dental surgeons always advise the common people to keep the stomach all right and to clean the dust food particles immediately after any food is taken, other wise if the dust particle is not cleaned properly then there is the possibility of cropping up various types of dental ailments. The basic beautification part of human beings are the dental part, especially to the ladies the dental part is paid serious attention so that the problem does not arise. Dental Treatment is one of the common parts of Medicare system in the country. Dental treatment takes place due to various reasons. Among all the reasons the most common ailment is stomach disaster. There are also other reasons allied with the dental problems. These are blood sugar and blood pressure.
There are various types of dental ailments found. The most common types among all dental ailments are Jaw pain, Jaw pain/ swelling and Facial/ Dental/ Temporomandibular pain.
There are some common causes leading to the dental problems. These are stated as follows:

Bruxism and Teeth grinding
MS Treatment
Heartburn home remedy
Anxiety disorder

There are also other causes allied with dental problems. These are associated with temperature and pain upon biting, ache pain and muscle pain, giant cell arteries, unilateral pain in older patients, headache, jaw ache, regular stomach ailments, herpes on human body, pain on the upper molar teeth, severe throat pain and systemic type arthritis.
There are various procedures of treatment pertaining to dental problems administered to the patients. These are anesthesia in some of the major cases, apicoectomy, bleaching, bonding, braces, bridges, caps, cleaning, contouring, gum treatment, crown lengthening, filings treatment, gum implantation, sealants, root planning, root canal therapy, x rays of the entire gum, periodontal medications, internal bleaching, controlling the attack of gingivitis, control the gum swelling by administering strong antibiotics and advising the patients to check the blood pressure regularly.
Places of Dental Treatments:

As dental problems have become a massive, so also the treatment procedures are also advanced accordingly. There are various dental clinics located across the country. Apart from the dental hospital there are lot of dental clinics set up in all the major metros of the country. All these dental clinics perform major functions relating to the dental treatments in India. These are stated as follows:

Orthodontics- These types of treatments are meant for children and adults.
Crown and Bridge
Root Canal Treatment
Dental Bleaching
Dental Implants
Dentures
Cosmic Dentistry
Dental Jewelry
Smile designing
Dental Filings

References:
Sita Gita

Medicare Benefits

2010-08-04T10:33:00.000+05:00

Medicare

n the ancient times, people were not aware of the financial crisis cropping up from health hazards. But, now, especially the 20th century witnessed a tremendous growth of the health care organizations especially in the southern parts of India. The private hospitals are bit expensive but common people are nowadays relying more on the facilities offered by the private hospitals than the government ones. People are yearning for best treatment facilities and advanced equipments. Unfortunately, the government hospitals in India are not that well equipped. But, it is really difficult for the common people to bear the treatment costs at the private health care organizations as nothing is available over there at subsidized rate. And, here in comes the immense significance of the medicare benefits.
Indians are now looking forward to better treatment facilities and they can now insure health by purchasing medical insurances. There is no dearth of attractive medicare benefits in India. In fact, medicare benefits in India are incredible and common people are really depending upon them for better treatment facilities. It becomes easier for any body to bear the ever increasing cost of medicine, hospitals, operation and doctor visits if they have got medicare policies to support then financially. When we are discussing about medicare benefits, we must focus on the range of coverage the policies offer. You can expect a coverage of the ordinary illnesses, fatal cases, accident injuries and deadly diseases from the medical policies in India.
Medicare benefits can be best realized when we are focusing on the facilities the medical insurances provide. They would look after your operation cost, hospitals bills, doctor fees and the cost of medicines. Thus, you can expect a complete financial support from the medicare coverages in India. The Indians are looking forward to numerous attractive health insurance schemes especially when they have to spend huge amount of money on their family members for certain treatments and that too quite frequently. If a cancer patient needs to be treated, then, the cost of treatment is surely very high and it is not possible for any common person to bear this recurring cost of treatment. It is at this point of your life, you will be able to realize the immense significance of the medicare benefits.
Medicare or medical insurance is a legal bond or contract that is signed between the company which provides health insurance facilities and the insured. The insured are expected to pay a premium amount every year for getting the financial benefits for medical treatments. The amount of premium depends upon the age of the insured and the sum insure. The more is the age and the sum insure, the higher is the rate of premium. But, the premium amount is definitely negligible in compared to the medicare benefits. You can expect a reimbursement or cashless medical facility upto 5 lakhs just by paying a premium of few thousand rupees in a year.
References:
Sita Gita

Scalp Massages

2010-08-04T10:24:00.000+05:00

Scalp Massage

The importance of a scalp massage can never be understated in hair care. You don't need any fancy gadgets to have a good scalp massage. You can give yourself a finger massage, or better still, get someone else to do it for you.
A fifteen minute massage done once a week will not only help keep your hair in excellent condition, it will also help relieve you of stress.

Warming the oil before a massage will help the oil pervade the outer layers of the skin.
It is also important to massage the nape of your neck. This helps ease out the stressed out muscles that tend to tense up in this area.
Bring the massage down to include your shoulders and upper back muscles as well.
Massaging gently at the temples will not only stimulate the roots of your hair, but the also help the facial muscles tighten up and rejuvenate.
The massage should cover every bit of your scalp. Make sure it is done in an orderly manner. The top of the head comes first and then it goes gently down to the sides.
Massages should be done gently so as not to break the hair follicles. Never let a novice masseur lay his or her hands on you.
It should be done smoothly so as to prevent hair getting knotted and entangled.
If your scalp massage is, in any way, painful or uncomfortable stop it at once. There is obviously something wrong.

But once you hit on the right method, you will realise it is something to be enjoyed.
References:
Sita Gita

Hair Care

2010-08-04T09:53:00.003+05:00

Long silky beautiful hair is every girl's asset, but we all face great difficulty to retain the charm of our hair. Beautiful hair is a blessing but hair problem is a curse. Hair care tips create magic and turn our lifeless hair magically beautiful. Many of us are not aware of the Hair care regimen that can be undertaken which is beneficial for the growth, length and texture of hair.
Tips for hair care vary from person to person as the hair texture of each and every person is different. Some of the well-know tips include regularly oiling hair before bath, application of hair conditioner after washing hair, trimming hair to remove split ends, head massage for blood circulation in the head and tying the hair in a ponytail or braid to avoid unwanted hair breakage and hair fall.
Hair Problems:

Male Hair Loss

There are different types of hair problems which a girl has to grow through. Often you will find due to extreme problems you have had to cut your tresses with a heavy heart. But you can avoid that by taking daily care of your hair. Some common problems which woman face are hair loss, dandruff, rough and dry hair, and split ends. The reason behind these problems can be varied. Unhealthy diet, pollution, excess of natural oil and undernourished hair are the possible reasons your hair is turning lifeless. If you are out in the sun for too long then that can also be a harmful factor for your hair problems. Use a bandana to cover your hair so that it stays protected. Another very common problem one faces is itchy scalp. This may be due to bile reflux, stress, sweat and allergic reactions.
Hair Care at Home:
Nowadays there is a sudden rise in the number of parlor and salons. But earlier people used to do their beauty treatments at home only. One does not have enough money to visit the salon to get hair care treatments done. So instead of visiting your nearest salon use some natural hair care remedies which would help you to obtain natural beautiful hair. Boil neem leaves in water and then let the water cool down and then strain the neem leaves. Then rinse your hair with that water. You can mix honey and fresh ginger and store it and then have 1 teaspoon everyday for lustrous hair. You can grind some jasmine roots and pour some lemon juice in the mixture. Use the mixture to wash your hair and scalp. Ensure that your diet contains green vegetables, salads, fruits, milk, and soybean. Another effective hair care tip which you can apply at home is black beans and fenugreek paste two - three times a week.
Common Hair Care Mistakes:
Excessive shampooing. Don't wash your hair more than twice a week. If you need to re-do your style, just spray water on the roots and blow-dry.
Roughly Handling Wet Hair:
Do not rush wet hair, no matter what. Wrap a towel around wet hair. When it is fairly dry use your fingers to gently de-tangle the knots in your hair. Divide your hair into small sections, work your way from the ends to the scalp. Avoid blow drying wet hair and try to tumble dry it as often as possible.
Neglecting Scalp Care:

It's not just your hair that needs care. Your scalp needs a lot of attention too. Don't forget our scalp houses the roots of the hair. Scalp needs to massaged with warm oils regularly. And wash off with tepid water.
Over using heating appliances on your hair. Hair dryers, flat ironing devices and curlers can do immense damage to your hair if used wrongly and regularly.
Chemicals:
Too much of chemicals like perms, colours and tints can make your hair brittle and damaged.
Over brushing your hair. A gentle brush with smooth strokes helps to spread oil all through our hair and produce a shine. But too many brisk strokes could damage your hair.
Washing hair on a daily basis strips it of its essential oil. Hair does not need to be washed every day. While washing your hair, don't scrub the scalp too vigorously. Always be gentle with your hair.
Leaving shampoo and conditioner residue in your hair after a wash can ravage your hair. And using styling products over and above that just worsens the damage. Besides inadequately washed hair also looks dull and lank.
Spend an extra few minutes washing your hair well.
Hair Care Tips:
Agents such as, hair coloring, dandruff and harmful chemicals used in the hair care products damage the hair and causes excess hair fall and makes hair dull and rough. Hair care does not necessarily mean costly trips to the hair salon and undergoing hair treatment. Natural hair care tips, home hair care remedies and various natural and herbal products are of great help when you want to retain the bounce and shine of your hair. The natural hair care products and hair beauty remedies are not harmful to hair. Instead it retains the natural sheen of the hair and improves its hair texture. Here are some quick tips on hair care, which will surely be helpful to you.

Vinegar mixed in warm water also makes nice conditioner for hair. This will add bounce to your hair and will give it a look full of life.
Mixture of egg white, 2 teaspoons of Castor oil, 1 tsp of glycerin can be applied on hair and scalp. It should be kept for some time and then rinsed off.
Make a paste of besan and apply it on your hair, keep it for an hour and then wash it with the water drained from cooked rice. After some time, rinse well with a mild shampoo.
It is great to massage Castor oil in the hair as it helps in speedy hair growth.
Washing hair with tea liquor once a week conditions the hair and leaves it shining.
Camphor mixed in coconut is also a great remedy to combat dandruff.
Use of curd before shampoo can be beneficial as it acts as a moisturizer to your hair. Apply the yoghurt for an hour and then use a mild shampoo to wash it off. And see how your hair gets a new lease of life.
Use of diluted lemon juice can help in the reduction of dandruff.
Do not shampoo your hair everyday it will make your hair rough and dry. Thrice every week is ideal for shampooing your hair.
When blow drying your hair use your fingers to untangle the knots before using your comb.
For graying hair you can use a solution of gooseberry which should be boiled in four cups of water. Add a pinch of sugar and continue boiling it. Make the mixture so that the quantity is equal to one cup.
Then add two cups of Mehandi, lemon juice, and egg along with gooseberry solution. Apply this mixture on hair and then wash it after two hours.
For healthy and shining hair you can condition your hair with beer, curd, and egg.
A very important tip for controlling hair loss and thinning is to boil a few hibiscus flowers and coconut oil and then with the filtered water wash your hair.
Trim your hair every two months to get rid of split ends so that your hair grows long and strong.
Go for scalp massages as it induces blood circulation which helps in hair growth.

References:
Sita Gita

Nail Care

2010-08-03T17:23:00.001+05:00

Nail care is very important. It provides the finishing touch to a polished persona. Neglected nails paint a poor picture. They tell you a great deal about a person.

Nail Fungus

You may have strong and healthy nails, but if you use them the wrong way, it may weaken your nails and split them. We're constantly using our hands, so the chances of ruining our nails are pretty high.
So how do we need to take care of our nails?

Kitchen work can break nails like nothing else can. Always use rubber gloves when you scrub and scour at kitchen utensils - especially if you are using a scrubber that has metal wires.
You can't file your nails just about anyway. Filing them the wrong way can make your nails brittle and damage them for months to come.
Never file your nails to a sharp point. The nail has no protection then and will end up breaking sooner than later.
The top of your nail has to be filed to complement the base. If the base is square, file the top square too. If the base is round, the top should be round too.
Don't ever over file your nails. Do the minimum filing necessary to give your nails the right shape.
Creaming your nails is vital for their well being. The more they are oiled and creamed, the more beautiful the will be. Creaming helps improve your nail texture.
Before you give yourself a manicure, dip your nails in warm oil for about ten minutes.
Never apply new nail polish on old polish. You will weaken the nail by doing it.
Consume adequate calcium products. They will give you health bones and nails.

References;
Sita Gita

Best Kept Beauty Care Secrets

2010-08-03T17:19:00.000+05:00

Beauty does not just lie in the overall appearance of a person. It is also contained in his or her personality, the confident grace and the sparkle of happiness in the eyes. Almost all the individuals look for tricks, tips and beauty secrets to have a charming appearance. The best way to be beautiful is to retain your natural beauty.
There are certain points which seem to be very simple but can be considered as great beauty secrets. There are body parts, which should be taken special care of but we seldom remember to follow them. Massaging your body with a moisturizer is a good way to keep your skin soft and smooth. Massage the moisturizer especially on the dry areas such as the elbows, the feet and the knees. It will help in keeping the blood circulation of the body well. Olive oil is a great option to massage your skin and it really gives one a rich feel. There are innumerable other beauty secrets, which often do not appear to be linked with beauty in broader sense but are beauty secrets in greater dimension. One such secret is to put small bulbs or soft lights at home as this will enforce a soft glow to your appearance, when you are indoors.
It is a good practice to have lemonade or ice tea while you are spending some leisurely moments watching the sunrise or the sunset. The reason behind this is that, these drinks consists hydroxyl acids and it helps in creation of hyaluronic acid in the skin. This adds up a plump charm to the skin. Choosing a hairstyle that best suits your appearance is also a great trick to retain your beauty. Indulging in pedicure and manicure at regular intervals is also a beauty secret. Hair removal from the body surface where it is unwanted also constitutes a great part of the beauty secret.
Now, if we go to the make up part, then application of the foundation happens to be the most important part. Choose the shade that goes best with your complexion and put it in dots and blend well to the skin. It is also wise to use the sunscreen lotion for both the genders, is preventing the UV rays of the sun harm your skin is a must step to follow. Use a shampoo according to the type of the hair. The toothpaste should be rich in fluoride and you should always use an antiseptic mouthwash.
Here are few quick tips to beauty secrets. Let’s have a glance on them.

As mascara tends to make the eye appear bigger and brighter so always use it, but if the eye lashes can be curled before the application, then, it will be great.
Exfoliation of the skin is a must.
Potassium contained into the slices of potatoes help in removing dark circles.
Frozen peas kept underneath eyes can remove puffy eyes syndrome.
Mineral make up is a nice option for the skin as it brings a balance in the texture of the skin.
Concealer applied in the right fashion along the inner bone of the eye helps to rectify several flaws.

References:
Sita Gita

Air Pollution and Health Effects on the Population

2010-08-03T17:17:00.000+05:00

Different individuals are affected in different ways by air pollution. The sensitive ones suffer the most ill effects as do the elderly or the very young. People already afflicted with asthma which is a respiratory condition, or those with heart problems will also suffer more. The highthe level of exposure to damaging chemicals and the period of time of the exposure play an important part in the extent of damage caused to the individual.

Normal people may suffer short term effects that include burning sensation in the eyes, respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchitis, nausea and headache as well as allergic reactions.
Asthmatic conditions get enhanced because of high levels of pollution.

As for long term effects, air pollution has been traced as a contributory cause of chronic respiratory diseases, heart problems, lung cancer, and general damage to organs like the kidneys, brain, nerves and liver.
Smoking damages the environment and is the cause of lung diseases even in passive smokers.

All this can be avoided if only each of us does our bit to reduce the pollution levels in the atmosphere. Treatment of these diseases is a long drawn out and expensive affair and may not always have the desired effect. More people die of environmental ill effects than they do of car accidents. While upper level ozone protects us from the sun's ultraviolet rays, most urban cities are full of polluted air that is far from the accepted health standards. There is also always a potential health threat from the ground level ozone which is the primary ingredient of smog that is prevalent especially in the cold season. Ozone exposure can also severely inhibit the immune system.

Those who are most endangered by the ozone at the ground level are kids who play outdoors, people who have already been afflicted with lung diseases, construction and road workers who are exposed in a big way to the air pollution and also healthy athletes and sportspersons who may be exercising outdoors. Inhalation of particulate matter is also maximum in this group. Lung capacity declines and so does resistance to diseases when one is exposed to air pollution at the levels that are found today.

So be aware! Act now to reduce pollution and do your bit to preserve the environment!

References:

Sita Gita

Health is wealth

2010-08-03T17:14:00.000+05:00

I give you a few tips to follow in your wellness programme that will give you the right approach to this very important factor in your life.

Begin by being totally honest with yourself. Are you really and truly 'well' in every sense of the word? Take a look at all the spheres of your life, whether it is the physical, your career, all your relationships, financial position, spiritual aspect, the environment and of course, your emotional well-being. A thorough analysis will help you identify all the areas that need your attention and that need improvement. Next exercise is to set targets for yourself to achieve what you have planned and go about it one step at a time. Maintain a journal to track all this.
Find out if you are ready for change should your analysis show that you need to make lifestyle changes. Are you prepared mentally to embrace these? Why don't you write down all the benefits that you stand to gain if you make these changes? This activity might help you to accept it better.
Once your goals are clearly defined, it is up to you to implement your plan effectively. In a clinical way, eliminate all impediments and barriers to your success. Work on one barrier at a time. This will make your approach focused and thorough. Allot a time for everything and adopt a positive approach. Put aside all negative thoughts on your capability to achieve and convince yourself that you will do whatever needs to be done.
Adopt a different approach to make it a fun exercise. Want to have more physical activity as part of your changed lifestyle? Start walking to work after parking the car a good distance away. Instead of straightaway trying to join a fitness regimen that you may give up soon due to lack of time, this approach will become a part of your daily activity. Mall incremental steps do make a big difference to achieving your goal.
Recording your daily activities and analyzing the time spent on each will help you create more meaningful wellness priorities. Incorporating new wellness activities slowly and making them part of your daily routine will make things easier for you.
Never rest on your laurels. Instead strive to achieve more. Start from the simple one and go on to more complicated goals. Always remember to tackle one at a time and give it your full attention.
Keep working on your goals and devise fresh methods to achieve them. Keep redesigning and refining your goals till you are comfortable. If necessary, get some professional help.
See that the changes you make are lasting ones that you can maintain throughout your life. Remember, it is a question of your wellness we are talking about. Celebrating your successes might help as an incentive to make further changes. Keep reviewing your successes and try newer approaches to motivate you better.
Your wellness is in your hands. Chart an easily manageable approach and be rewarded with success in achieving your goals. We are generally used to expecting fast results and tend to quit if the results are not immediate. It will do you well to remember that in these matters, long term results with all the time and effort that you put in, will only mean that you can look forward to a trouble free future as far as your health is concerned. Make wellness a way of life and you will be richly rewarded.

References:
Good Health

Cure Acne Now with These Home Remedies

2010-08-03T17:03:00.000+05:00

Although acne is not a physically dangerous problem in most cases, it can be devastating emotionally. It can make you feel depressed, anxious, and can lead to social withdrawal as well. Finding a cure sometimes seems elusive, but there are actually things you can do at home to help. Here are some helpful home remedies that can help you cure acne now.
One great idea is to try using aloe vera on your skin. This can be used externally and internally to help you cure acne. Aloe vera gel is a great anti inflammatory as well as a good anti bacterial. Use it on the skin and it can help clear up acne. The juice can be consumed as well to help detoxify the body, leading to fewer problems with acne.
Vitamin E is well known for helping the skin. You can purchase vitamin E capsules and rub them on the skin or you can take them orally as well. Both options can help you cure acne and get the beautiful skin you want.
Honey has been found to be an excellent home remedy to cure acne as well. Apply honey like a mask a couple times each week. It is a great anti bacterial and will help to kill off the P. acnes that can cause acne to occur. Wash the mask off with warm water after about 15-20 minutes on your face.
Reference:
Acne Cures Now

Good Health Tips

2010-08-03T17:00:00.001+05:00

Your health is one of the most important things you will ever have in life and it is imperative that you take good care of your health. From keeping your weight down with a great diet to making sure to exercise on a regular basis, there is definitely quite a bit to keeping your body as healthy as possible. If you are looking for the best health information and tips, then you have arrived at the right place. Here you will find many helpful articles, and tips. It’s all right here – right at your fingertips.
Of course, taking care of your health is much more than diet and exercise. There are many other factors to be considered as well, such as your skin, your hair, dealing with various common infections, and many more.
Well, you’ll find great health tips and health articles that will prove to be informative and helpful. Just a few of the categories that you can read here include the following:
Fitness:
One of the most important parts of keeping your body healthy is staying fit, which is why we offer so many articles and health tips on fitness here at this site. While diet is important as well, without fitness training your great diet will not be as effective. Here you’ll learn more about fitness and you’ll find articles discussing things like personal trainers and other great fitness topics.
Food:
Of course, food is also extremely important when it comes to staying healthy. What you put into your body is definitely going to be reflected in your overall health. So, it is important that you learn what foods are healthy to eat and how they can affect your body. Are you interested in health food? If so, then you can find more information about health food right here. You’ll learn how important it is, how effective it can be, and even a bit on where you can find it. For those who are trying to improve their health by eating the right foods, this site has a great deal of advice and many tips to offer.
Hair:
Believe it or not, many people forget their hair when they are thinking about their health. If you want hair that looks great, then you are going to have to take care of that. A person that keeps themselves in the best possible health is definitely going to have great looking hair as well. Perhaps you are suffering from hair loss and you’d like to find out how you can stop the problem. If so, then you can find great information on hair loss, products to help, and other great tips for keeping your hair healthy and avoiding even more hair loss.
Health:
Looking for topics on general health? You’ll find what you’re looking for here. From topics regarding women’s health to special health issues for men, there are great health articles that you’ll find helpful and informative.
Heart Burn:
Heart burn is a very common problem that many people deal with; however, many of them actually are unaware of what they are experiencing. Here you can learn more information about heart burn and how it can affect your life. Not only will you learn more about heartburn, but you’ll also learn about great over the counter and prescription medications that can help. If you prefer natural medicine, then you can also check out our articles dealing with herbal remedies for heart burn as well.
Sinus Infections:
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you no doubt know how miserable they can be. Here at Good Health Tips you can find great articles that will help to educate you even more on these miserable infections. You’ll find information about the signs of a sinus infection, some helpful information on various sinus infection remedies, and some great tips to prevent and get rid of a sinus infection.
Yeast Infections:
Yeast infections are usually problems that women deal with, and they can be quite uncomfortable to deal with. If you think you may have a yeast infection or you are looking for great cures for yeast infections, then you need to check out this section here at GoodHealthTips.com. You’ll find great articles discussing the symptoms to watch out for, natural cures for yeast infections, causes of the infections, and other treatments that can help as well.
References:
Good Health

Hand-Washing Habits Still Need Improvement: Survey

2010-06-01T13:01:00.002+05:00

Soap industry gives America a B-minus for hygiene habits. You're doing better, America, but with only a "B-minus" grade in hand-hygiene habits, you've still got a ways to go, an industry-sponsored survey finds.

This year's results are up from a "C-minus" last year, but the fifth annual "Clean Hands Report Card," distributed by the Soap and Detergent Association, still finds room for improvement.
The good news: 50 percent of the 888 respondents to the August telephone survey said they wash their hands more than 10 times per day. That's up from 36 percent the previous year.
And 70 percent say they wash their hands at least seven times per day.
But there's bad news too. Only 37 percent of men are washing their hands more than 10 times a day, compared to 62 percent of women. And nearly half of those surveyed wash their hands for 15 seconds or less (the government recommends hand-washing for at least 15 to 20 seconds). And only 26 percent always wash their hands after they cough or sneeze.
"The H1N1 pandemic is real. Cold and flu season is on its way. With common sense hygiene practices, good health is literally in our hands," said Nancy Bock, vice president of education for the association, in a prepared statement. "Now is not the time to let our guard down when it comes to cleaning our hands."
References:
Bio Medicine

Cell Phones and Brain Cancer Inconclusive-World's Biggest Study

2010-06-01T12:43:00.000+05:00

This release is available in French.
Montreal, May 17, 2010 The world's biggest investigation on possible links between cell phone use and brain tumours is inconclusive, according to a Canadian scientist who collaborated on the Interphone International Study Group. Jack Siemiatycki, a professor at the University of Montreal and an epidemiologist at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center, says restricted access to participants compromised the validity of results of the study to be published in the May 18 International Journal of Epidemiology. "The findings of the Interphone Study are ambiguous, surprising and puzzling," he says.
The Interphone International Study Group, which examined whether cellular radio frequencies could be correlated to brain tumours, was coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The investigation was led by 21 epidemiologists from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Over 10,000 people took part in the study: cell phone users; non cell phone users; cell phone users who survived brain cancer as well as brain cancer survivors who had never used cell phones.
Paradoxical findings "If we combine all users and compare them with non-users, the Interphone Study found no increase in brain cancer among users. In fact, surprisingly, we found that when we combine users independently of the amount of use, they had lower brain cancer risks than non-users," says Dr. Siemiatycki, who teaches in the University of Montreal Faculty of Medicine. "However, the study also found heavy users of cell phones appeared to be at a higher risk of brain tumours than non-users."
Why the discrepancy? Simply put, scientists are unsure. Attention has focused on the methodology of the study and, in particular, on the representativeness of the study subjects who participated. With participation rates in the range of 50 percent to 60 percent of eligible subjects, it is possible that the participants did not provide an accurate portrait of cell phone usage among cancer cases and among healthy control subjects. Dr. Siemiatycki argues this problem arose because of constraints imposed on researchers by ethics committees intended to protect potential research subjects. "Ethics reviews are now so rigid that scientists from Canada, the United States and Europe are losing the kind of access to medical databases and to study subjects that is needed to conduct studies such as this one. Ethics committees increasingly require that researchers work through treating physicians, professionals who are already overworked, to recruit their patients. This may work for clinical research exploring treatment of cancer, in which physicians often have a professional or personal interest, but it does not work for investigations into the causes of cancer. This flawed system can produce biased study results."
Despite the inconclusive results of the Interphone Study, consumers should not panic about possible risks related to cell phones, stresses Dr. Siemiatycki. "If there are risks, they are probably pretty small. Should anyone be concerned about potential dangers of cell phones, they can remedy the issue by using hands-free devices and avoid exposure to radio frequencies around their head."

References:
Bio Medicine

Online Tools to Transform the Way People Manage Their Health

2010-06-01T11:12:00.000+05:00

"With the national debate on healthcare still churning, innovations in technology will have a bottom-line impact on people’s health. While a lot of attention has been paid to electronic health records, there is a new breed of technology aimed at preventative, integrative health solutions. HealtheHuman has released the latest version of their online integrated health tracking tools, providing members ways to track, understand, and improve their health by helping them be more informed decision makers".
(PRWEB) January 19, 2010 - With the national debate on healthcare still churning, innovations in technology will have a bottom-line impact on people’s health. While a lot of attention has been paid to electronic health records, there is a new breed of technology aimed at preventative, integrative health solutions. HealtheHuman has released the latest version of their online integrated health tracking tools, providing members ways to track, understand, and improve their health by helping them be more informed decision makers.

HealtheHuman provides members over 30 different ways to track their health, from detailed daily logs to a comprehensive history and profile. The main concept driving HealtheHuman is simple: Good Health Starts with Good Decisions. If people and their advisors have detailed health information and a comprehensive health history available to them, they will make better decisions that can lead to more effective lifestyle, prevention, and treatment choices. The company’s mission is to build technology to help people make better, more informed health decisions by providing them integrated tools to track, analyze, and understand all areas of their diet, fitness, medical, and other health related information in one place.
“Understanding your health is an increasingly complex problem, one that most people don’t have the right information and tools to do effectively. People are being asked to have more accountability for their health and well-being than ever before. We have more doctors and health advisors with shorter office visits, higher costs, and an increasing emphasis on preventive health, “says Robert Beckett, Co-Founder of HealtheHuman. “Over the past decade we have seen an extraordinary increase in access to health information, but few technologies aimed at helping people track and understand their own health in a meaningful, integrated way. What we are doing with HealtheHuman is giving people the tools they need to create an interconnected, big-picture view of their health.” For many people, the start of a new year means the start of a new set of goals to improve their health. With so many people focused on diet and weight loss, HealtheHuman has made significant improvements in the diet and nutrition tracking tools. The latest release includes more powerful food and recipe tracking including detailed daily summaries of key nutrition information. Members can now see these nutrition summaries by both meal and by the type of food, such as their total fat consumed at lunch or their total calories from beverages in a day. A new “Know Your Numbers” features provides a quick overview of key health indicators, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-to-Height Ratio, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), and other useful statistics.
With an emphasis on helping people understand their health, HealtheHuman includes analysis features that allow members to chart their health data over time. Analytics are built into the daily tracking tools, allowing people to build insightful charts and dashboards of their health data, from their total calories per day to their blood pressure to their waist measurement. People can analyze hundreds of different aspects of their health with integrated daily logs, reporting, and goals. The latest release also includes a new “Did You Know” feature that provides changes in key health data, such as total calories per day over the last 30 days or changes in BMI over the last 2 weeks. Research has shown that one of the most effective ways to stay motivated and continue working towards improving your health is to set and track your progress towards goals. In addition to more detailed diet and nutrition analysis, the latest release of HealtheHuman includes significant upgrades to the goal tracking features. Members can now create six different types of diet goals, starting from specific goals about each food they eat up to big-picture goals on a month-to-month basis. This cumulative approach to goal tracking allows people to create a series of micro-goals that collectively can help them stay on track with larger, long-term health goals. For example, a member can set a goal to not eat any food with more than 5 grams of fat, to limit their daily caloric intake from beverages to 200 calories, to eat between 6 and 8 grams of fiber at breakfast, and then set a daily goal of 1950 total calories. This layered approach to setting and tracking goals gives people more insight into specific types of food, times of day, and overall behavior that can help them achieve their dietary goals. These new goal tracking capabilities are available in the diet, exercise, medication, supplement, and health data tracking features in HealtheHuman, providing members with one tool to track hundreds of health goals.
References:
Bio Medicine

How to Protect Against Skin Cancer? Many People Still Don't Know

2010-06-01T11:07:00.000+05:00

Myths about UV light exposure persist, survey finds
THURSDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- A new national survey by the American Academy of Dermatology finds that many people don't know enough about sun damage to protect themselves from developing skin cancer.
"Our survey showed that despite our repeated warnings about the dangers of UV exposure and the importance of proper sun protection, many people could not correctly answer true/false statements on the subject," said dermatologist Dr. Zoe D. Draelos, consulting professor at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., in a news release.
The survey found that only about one-third of more than 7,000 people surveyed knew that neither ultraviolet A nor ultraviolet B rays are safe for your skin.
"Quite simply, all forms of UV exposure, whether from natural sunlight or artificial light sources found in tanning beds, are unsafe and are the No. 1 preventable risk factor for skin cancer," Draelos explained.
About half of those surveyed wrongly thought that getting a base tan is a healthy way to protect the skin from damage.
"A base does very little to protect your skin, and since tanning damages the skin, getting a base tan could do more harm than good," Draelos said in the news release. "The only way to prevent sunburn is to protect your skin through using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and seeking shade."
More than half the respondents (63 percent) knew that it was not safer to tan indoors using a tanning bed, which emits UV radiation that has been linked to cancer. But only one in five people correctly responded that a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 doesn't provide twice the protection as SPF 15.
"Regardless of the SPF you use, wearing sunscreen should not provide a false sense of security about protection from UVB exposure," said Draelos. "No sunscreen can provide 100 percent UVB protection,
but using a higher SPF provides greater UVB protection than a lower SPF. Its important to remember sunscreen must be reapplied regularly and be part of an overall sun-protection plan that includes hats, sunglasses, protective clothing and seeking shade." More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about skin cancer prevention.
References:
Bio Medicine