A Health Care Blog by Dr Vikash Singh

ANTIBIOTICS - GOOD OR BAD?

2014-08-18T16:04:00.000+05:30

What do you do when you are suffering from an infection or when you fall sick? With the feeling of awfulness and lack of energy, and, usually as a last resort you find yourself in a waiting room filled with other patients, coughing and spluttering, waiting to see your doctor. Fortunately or unfortunately, the doctor’s usual response will be to put you on a course of antibiotics!

So, what actually is an antibiotic? Antibiotics, also known as antibacterial, are chemical substances, which are produced by some microbes and can kill or retard the growth of other disease causing microbes. The Greek word anti means ‘against’, and the word bio means ‘life’, which together mean ‘against life’, in the context of disease causing organisms, whereas, with reference to human beings, they are pro-life, not against. They act as powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections and can save lives when used properly. Antibiotics either stop bacteria from reproducing, or kill them.

They were first discovered back in the late 1880’s. When they first came out, they were thought to be the miracle cure that was going to save the world from diseases. They have the potential to be life-savers when used properly. Antibiotics are usually used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as tuberculosis, salmonella, and some forms of meningitis. To a great extent, they did a very good job and saved many lives. Well, until, the disease and bacteria got smarter! Over the past few decades, the bad-effect of antibiotics has been getting exponentially worse. The sad part of the story is that we are at fault for this negativity. Yes! You read that right. Antibiotics worked so well for years that everyone wanted to take them whenever they got sick. Even when there was a case of little sniffle or running nose or even a flu, people had been continuously asking their doctors for antibiotics regardless of these being viral diseases where antibiotics don’t work. Eventually, the bacteria started to change and mutate into strains that are resistant to antibiotics. Facts has it that if antibiotics are overused or used incorrectly there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant and then the antibiotic becomes less effective against that type of bacterium.

As a result, more and more people are being killed by drug resistant bacteria. The number of deaths is even more than those caused by prostate cancer and breast cancer combined. Alarming? Isn’t it?

Well, that’s not all. Even if you have never taken antibiotics, the odds are that you must have seen consumed large quantity of them. Did you know that the water we drink contains antibiotics? It’s hard to avoid them but it can be done. Thus, it is always advisable to drink reverse osmosis water.

To end it all, antibiotics are both good and bad. It depends on how you utilize it. Overuse can harm you while adequate use can save lives. Choice is yours!

Keep your body healthy and it will take care of itself.

After all, if you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?

Happy living!

LAUGHTER THAT HEALS

2014-08-16T13:51:00.000+05:30

Have you laughed today? No, I don’t mean a sarcastic snigger or texting LOL to a friend. I mean a real, lung–squeezing, belly-shaking, eye-watering kind of laugh! Laughter is far more infectious than the regular cough or the sneezes you get. When shared, laughter binds people together and increases happiness among folks. The more ha-ha-has you have in a day, the healthier you become. Laughter, which is the body’s humor receptor, effectively treats many ailments.

As the saying goes, ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ Though it may not be regarded by the medical professionals as the optimal solution to health problems, but the fact remains that it can improve a person’s quality of life.

The power to laugh, play and have fun with others not only makes life pleasurable but also helps one to solve problems, connect with others and increase one’s creativity to a great extent. It is a step towards renewal of daily life activities and relationships.

Laughter makes you feel good. And this good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations and in times of dashing hopes.

More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hopes. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh or even a simple smile can go a long way toward making you feel better. And, laughter is really contagious as just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.

Laughter not only triggers fun but also activates quite a many physical changes in one’s body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts your energy, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.

Did you know that laughter protects your heart? Baffled? Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. So have a heartiest laugh always!

Laughter decreases the stress hormones, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, and thus helps in improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins which is the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. It also helps in the relaxation of muscles.

Besides physical health benefits, it also serves us with mental health and social benefits. Socially, a laugh shared, is a good way to strengthen group bonds, improve teamwork and defuse conflicts. Mentally, laughter aids in relieving stress, improving mood and also in enhancing resilience.

The famous English actor, comedian Charlie Chaplin once quoted, “Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.”

Now that you know the wondrous job of laughter, get your hearty dose of laughter and spread this healthy infection around you.

Laugh out loud folks!

GET HIGH ON LIFE, NOT ON DRUGS

2014-08-12T19:48:00.002+05:30

Something has been bothering me since few days. I have come across news of someone’s death many times. But this one has been has been haunting me for quite a longer period. A boy of a very reputed school in Kolkata died last week. To say it was just an accident will be an understatement. The boy had literally killed himself. Was it a suicide? Well, not really. He died due to drug overdose. Yes you read that right! Drug overdose. A boy, who merely has been a school pass out this year died of drugs. He was the only son of his parents; parents who had gone out of their way to educate him in a big city like Kolkata, staying in village themselves. The drugs he was addicted to not only killed him, it did destroy his family, their dreams, their lives. Do you think he had the right to do this? Isn’t this an injustice done on his upbringing? How easy it is to end one’s life without even giving it a thought about the people who are affected by this act.

Studies show that there are many causes of drug addiction. The most common is trying to fit in school. While drugs and alcohol are prohibited at school, teenagers always find their way around it. If the cool kids at school are doing it, odds are other kids might be using and abusing too, in order to fit in. Lack of communication between child and its parents also results in addiction of drugs. Children who think their parents don’t care are more likely to pick up bad habits. Nowadays, more kids are being left at home while mom, dad or other adults are at work. Teenagers who are left along for long period of time or who are allowed to come and go as they please will undoubtedly have greater opportunity for exposure to drugs.

Most children use drugs and alcohol when going to friends’ homes, spending the night out or when attending parties. It’s not only about teenagers; adults also take to drugs at some point of time. Either due to depression or due to peer pressure at work place. Drug addicts need drugs in order to function normally. What an irony indeed! The substance which takes you to the path of death, prevents your brain from functioning rationally is seen as a compulsive need for addicts.

Many try alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Some try these substances only a few times and stop. Others can't control their urges or cravings for them. This is also called substance abuse.

Folks may try a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, household chemicals (inhalants), prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and illegal drugs. Teenagers use alcohol more than any other substance. Marijuana is the illegal drug that people use most often.

Even casual use of certain drugs can cause severe health problems, such as an overdose or brain damage. Many illegal drugs today are made in home labs, so they can vary greatly in strength. These drugs also may contain bacteria, dangerous chemicals, and other unsafe substances.

There is only a need for little support and care for these addicts. Please lend a helping hand. Speak to these people; urge them to speak out their grievances. Try not to use harsh, judging words. Be as supportive as much as you can during this time. Advice the person addicted to go to the rehabilitation center.

Life is the greatest gift you get, live it to the fullest.

Stop doping, start living!

THE BIGGEST ART OF GIVING

2014-08-10T22:49:00.000+05:30

Valentine’s Day? Oh, it’s on 14^th February! Nobody really forgets. Friendship day? Obviously it’s celebrated on the first Sunday of every August. Who does not know that? Well, everyone does! And when is the World Organ Donation Day observed? No answer? Many of us are not even aware that something of this kind is celebrated. It’s observed on the sixth day of every August. Merely remembering the day won’t do any good. The purpose of this noteworthy day being celebrated should also be served.

As the name suggests, this is day is observed to spread awareness and encourage people to donate their organs, after death, to people who are in need of the same. Nearly half a decade ago, patients used to buy blood because of shortage of voluntary donors. Today the scenario has changed; all the blood used is received as replacement blood from relatives and as altruistic donations. So if the attitude can change to this extent for blood donation, that day is not very far when deceased organ donation for transplant also can save millions of lives. In fact more than half a million Indians are estimated to be in need of a organ transplant of kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, etc. but even after being the second most populous country, India has a very low deceased donation rate.

Poor awareness is one of the biggest hurdles. Most of the people had the notion that only kidneys and eyes can be transplanted. Few knew that organs could be received from donors after death. Even among doctors, awareness is very poor. Many of them are not formally trained in counselling and not fully equipped to talk to patients about organ donation. Therefore, it becomes difficult for transplantation to take place. The donation is considered only after the person has been declared brain dead; when the brain is damaged irreversibly, mainly resulting from serious road accidents. Often doctors are not interested in declaring the brain dead and instead they keep them on ventilators. Many families believe that a person is alive if the heart is beating and reluctant to agree for the organ donation. Even if they agree to donate it is mainly for the family members and not for any stranger. How, by just being a stranger, one becomes inelligible for getting a donation! It’s time that the mindset of the people should encounter a change.

The problem does not end here. There are taboos in the Indian society that mark the resistance. Religious beliefs are considered one of the biggest hurdles preventing people from donating organs. But the truth is, most religions are open and straight forward on the issue. Organ donation is the act of value worthy of reward. Some religions even say an artificial transplant is no substitute for a natural organ transplant.

A lot of people have willingness to donate their organs after death. But they are unable to convert their desire into action as there is virtually no mechanism to simply ask a potential donor to pledge his organs. So, let’s take a pledge to join hands to give hope to thousands waiting for a fresh lease of life.

We all are born with the ability to change someone’s life. Let’s put that into use. There is a saying, “the measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” Let’s pledge to give others the precious gift of life.

Let’s conclude this with a quote, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

Be a hero. Be an organ donor.

CHOCOLATY TREAT

2014-08-09T18:32:00.000+05:30

‘Kuch meetha ho jaaye’, goes the tagline of a famous chocolate brand. I religiously follow it, no matter what. Today, like any other day, I open my fridge after lunch, and take out a big bar of chocolate. It’s our family custom to have chocolates after lunch! As you know, you should always abide by customs, especially when it’s about having chocolates. So after some time, unable to resist my craving for more chocolates, I open my fridge again. While I am busy searching for it, my mom oversees this. She scolds, “Eating so many chocolates in a day will harm your teeth.” Thus, end of a love story between me and those wonderful chocolates.

So, here I am, writing this article in memory of those extra chocolates which every child is deprived of at some point of time. It’s an effort to spread awareness, that consuming lots of chocolate may be bad for teeth but there are many benefits stored for us too.

Did you know dark chocolate, loaded with nutrients, can affect our health in a positive way? Made from the seeds of cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Antioxidants free one’s body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer. So eating dark chocolates, which are rich in antioxidants, can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging. Believe it or not, eating dark chocolates can make you look younger for years. Mommies, are you listening?

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support one’s health. The copper and potassium present in it, help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia, and the magnesium in chocolate helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Flavonoids present in chocolates help control insulin sensitivity. That’s quite a bit of information. Isn’t it?
Here’s more to the list. You must be wondering about the weight you are putting on, in order to bring dark chocolates to your diet plan. But the good news is that theses chocolate lessens cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods. So indulging in a bit of healthy dark chocolate makes it easier for maintaining optimal diet.

It was also found that women who ate chocolates daily during their pregnancy could handle stress much better than those who abstained themselves from chocolates. Their kids were found to be much happier.

Need relief from diarrhea? Chocolate comes to rescue even here. Researchers found that cocoa flavonoids bind to a protein that regulates fluid secretion in the small intestine, potentially stopping the trots in their tracks.
Chocolate even contains theobromine which quieted coughs and this chemical is responsible for the feel good effect in chocolates.

Chocolates are great brain power booster. So next time when you are under work pressure, don’t hesitate to grab a bar of chocolate.

Be happy! Have a chocolaty day!

WHAT AGONISED MASTER BLASTER?

2014-08-07T18:25:00.000+05:30

“ Tendulkar! Tendulkar!” cheered the spectators in enthusiasm. It was for the first time, that the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was back on the field post his tennis elbow surgery. The thought of giving up the sport for the good had crossed Tendulkar’s mind as he tried to get back on the field after the surgery. It took him four and a half month to recover and even the doctors were skeptical that he could play at competitive cricket at all. Thinking of the bad phase the Master Blaster said, “I could not even lift my son Arjun’s plastic bat. Kids aged 10-12 years had come to the ground for fielding the day I went to bat for the first time against a leather ball.” “I hit the balls hard but the kids were able to stop them within 10-15 yards. I thought I cannot play anymore,” he further added. But fate had something else stored for him. He was back. The cricketer who was referred to as the God of Cricket was back on field.

What was reason behind the agony of the God of cricket? It was tennis elbow. Yes you heard that right! You might be wondering what tennis elbow is doing in cricket. But let me tell you that tennis elbow is not caused by playing tennis alone. It may also result from squash, fencing, weight lifting, carpentry, knitting or painting. It is actually caused by non-inflammatory, chronic degenerative changes in the tendon that attaches the forearm muscle to the elbow. Also known as lateral epicondylitis, it is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is primarily caused by overexertion.

Tennis elbow develops over time. Repetitive motions can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons, which can further cause microscopic tears in the tissue. Studies in the past suggest that trauma such as a sudden forceful pull, or forceful extension cause more than half of the injuries. Tennis elbow is a nagging ailment that causes quite a bit of distracting pain and causes a loss in gripping power. It can also be resulted from the repeated use of the wrist in a snappy arc like movement.

However, the best cures are anti-inflammatory drugs, icing, physiotherapy and most important of all, rest. Wearing a tight forearm brace also relieves pressure on the tendons; it’s like shifting the pressure point a few inches away from the elbow to the forearm.
It is always said that prevention is better than cure. And preventing tennis elbow is also not impossible. A person can ease into any repetitive motion activity around the house or at work and take rest at the first signs of pain and soreness. One can also continue exercises for strength and flexibility even after the pain has gone away before engaging in tennis or other activities. These are the few measures that should be taken to avoid tennis elbow.

Stay fit, believe in yourself!

AUTISM AWARENESS

2014-08-05T15:33:00.001+05:30

Barfi! It’s the ninth time I am watching this movie. Its plot, its characters, the way the movie is showcased never fails to amuse me even once. The story revolves around a deaf and mute boy and an autistic girl. The more I watch this movie, the more I find myself curious about autism.

Movies are one of the best ways to bring home a sensitive message. We often see that autism is not touched upon in movies, and even when it is, it’s not explicitly mentioned. Some movies depict autism as a difference, that we all should learn to live with, while the others evince a feeling of pity towards autistics; something that should be avoided as far as possible.
Many people are generally unaware of this disorder and often mistake autism with mental retardation. As the saying goes, ‘half knowledge is dangerous’. We must always gain adequate knowledge before creating our own mindset. The same goes with autism.
So, what is autism? Is it mental illness? The answer is a big no. It actually is a complex developmental disability. If experts are to be believed, autism presents itself during the first three years of a person’s life. The condition is the result of the neurological disorder that has an effect on normal brain function, affecting development of the person’s communication and social interaction skills. People with autism have issues with non-verbal communication, a wide range of social interactions and activities.

Autism is a wide-spectrum disorder which means no two persons will have the same symptoms. Some people can have mild symptoms while other can suffer from severe ones.
Sometimes, it is observed that autistic children do not like cuddling or being touched like the other children normally do. But there are also many cases where children do respond to hugs from relatives. Let us take the case of loud noises, smell or light. A person with autism usually finds sudden loud noises very unpleasant and shocking. The same can happen with the smell or variation in lighting. But if the autistic person knows that something is going to happen, he can cope with it much better than getting panicked.
Even the speaking skills get affected if a person is autistic. The higher the severity of autism, more affected are a person’s speaking skills. These people also tend to repeat words or phrases they hear, this event is called echolalia. The speech of the person with autism may sound much more formal and woody in comparison to other people’s speech.
Learning may be unpredictable in autistic children. Sometimes they may learn things even faster than other children, only to forget it in later on. It might sound surprising to know that, in some cases, they learn the hard way to do something even before they do it in an easier way.

It is a crucial myth that autistic people have no feelings. A person with autism feels love, happiness, sadness and pain just like everyone else. Just because they are unable to reciprocate their expression in the same way, people cannot assume that they have no feelings. This myth is purely a result of ignorance. You may be startled to know that some of these autistic people have higher IQs and are good in computer science.

It’s time that we create much needed awareness about the ordeal of an autistic person. I would like to conclude this article with a line from a beautiful movie, “Are we going to be remembered as the generation who saved whales but forgot the very human being who needed our help. We must remember every child has a right to express himself as he wants.”

LET'S GO BANANAS FOR BANANA!

2014-08-04T01:00:00.001+05:30

Are you depressed? Eat a banana! Want to quit smoking? Grab a banana! Going through a massive hangover? It’s banana again!
Oh, and not to forget, bananas also make delicious snacks and mouth-watering smoothies!
Amazed? Well, it’s much more than what you have ever thought of. This article will take you into a fantastic world of bananas, and you will no more look at it the same way like you earlier did.

Bananas are usually avoided during fever. But did you know something about banana which can clear this myth? It can lower the body temperature and cool you on a hot day. Now that you know, you can even get rid of those unpleasant medicines. Eating bananas can even help in preventing kidney cancer and protecting the eye against macular degeneration. It also offers a bonus for the kids by making them smarter, making their bones stronger and keeping them more alert which makes them sharper. So kids out there! Grab a banana before you sit to study or go for an exam.
Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing free radicals and protection from chronic diseases.
If you are planning to quit smoking, don’t worry about the after effects of withdrawal as banana comes to your rescue in this situation. This is because it contains high levels of B-Vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium which will help you in speedy recovery. So smokers reading this, try and quit smoking, it can make the world a better place to live in! All thanks to the wondrous fruit!

Suffering from frequent stomach ulcers? Why not consume bananas? It is the only raw fruit that can provide great relief by coating the lining of stomach against corrosive acids. Not only this, banana also works wonder during constipation as it contains high fiber which helps to normalize bowel motility. You can strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added irons in the bananas.

Bored with so much of information? Cheer up! Believe it or not, banana is the only fruit that contain the amino acid, tryptophan plus Vitamin B6 which together help the body produce serotonin which is a natural chemical that helps you to cheer up. Thus, we see bananas are solutions to almost every problem.
Bananas also deal with the matters of heart. Sounds weird? Well, it’s true. It actually works. So if you are going through a painful heartbreak, why not have a banana which could lighten up your mood and overcome depression as it contains the happy mood brain neurotransmitter. And even if this doesn’t work for you, I still have a better plan. Throw the leftover banana peel, and see your ex trip and fall down. This will surely tickle your funny bones!

So if you think bananas are just for monkeys, think again!

COSMETIC SURGERY

2014-08-02T21:39:00.000+05:30

Change is the law of nature. As the time passes, we see a lot of transformations around us. Be it alteration in technology, from computers to newly launched tablets and smart phones; from steam engines to bullet trains; or be it the weather which shows variations on daily basis. This does not end here. There remains another fascinating modification which follows the suit, cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery, as the name suggests, is a process which relates to physical appearance of a person. It is an optional procedure that is performed on normal parts of the body with the only purpose of modifying a person’s appearance as well as removing signs of ageing. The society in which we live, image has always been given immense importance. Feeling and looking good has become necessary for many people. But how far should they go to fulfill their desire of looking perfect? Is looking perfect everything? The answer must be positive for many of us. Moreover there’s nothing fallacious in wanting to look beautiful or feel better about one's self.

Cosmetic surgery changes a person’s unwanted, normal appearance. For example, if someone is born with a big nose which is normal for the world, but for them it might be a matter of hindrance. Here the cosmetic surgery comes to the rescue and helps in changing the appearance of the nose, in this case. Cosmetic surgery has gained immense popularity with the most important procedures being breast augmentation, facelifts and liposuction i.e. removal of unwanted fat with the help of surgical vacuum. Other procedures include rhinoplasty which is the nose job, abdominoplasty which deals with the removal of skin and fat from the abdomen. Lip enhancement, the surgical improvement of lips’ fullness through enlargement, is common among many celebrities. These procedures seek to create a better look for the patient as well as conforming to the society’s standard, physically they are eye appealing and easily noticeable to the world. What about the emotional quotient? Emotionally, the surgery is more rewarding. If a person has ever felt bad about the way he looks due to any flaw he finds in himself, surgery can always make him feel better. It works in the direction of boosting his morale.

As the saying goes, every rose has its thorns. Cosmetic surgery is no exception.
Before you consider cosmetic surgery, make sure you are aware of the risks involved. Like any other surgery, cosmetic surgery is not risk-free and may lead to infections and blood clots. Sometimes, it results in bruising and swelling which may last for weeks or months to go down depending upon the kind of procedure. These surgeries can be painful too. And if you choose the wrong or an uncertified doctor, you will be risking your health and life. At the very least, a bad doctor could make you worse than you were before you went in for the surgery. Cosmetic surgery can also be a pinch to your pocket! A simple breast augmentation can make you shed off a lump sum amount.
Now when you are aware of the surgical procedure, it’s angelic and darker side; the decision of undergoing this surgery should be taken after a lot of consideration. After all, you should be happy with who you are from inside because the outside can change at a moment’s notice!

Be yourself because you are unique!

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

2014-07-31T12:43:00.001+05:30

As the saying goes ‘eyes are the windows to the world’. One looking in the eyes can reveal if you are hiding sadness behind a smile, or lying to the person. But when you are happy, the eyes shine to its full glory and make the stars look like they have fainted. So is the power of the eyes. It is often said that the face is the picture of the mind with the eyes as its interpreter.

In a more literal form eyes can be defined as the organ of visions. It is a complex optical system which collects light from the surrounding environment, regulates its intensity through a diaphragm, and focuses it through an adjustable assembly of lenses to form an image, converts this image into a set of electrical signals, and transmits these signals to the brain through complex neutral pathways that connect the eye via the optic nerve to the visual cortex and other areas of the brain. The process is as complex as it sounds. But those of you who are reading this, have you ever imagined a day without your eyes? Have you ever praised your luck to be among the fortunate ones to possess eyes? Because there are many who are living without even having experienced how it feels to see the world through the two oceans of blue. To state the fact there are 285 million people who are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide. What is more surprising to know is that ninety percent of those people live in the developing countries! The figures are astonishingly huge.

Therefore it is necessary to take care of your eyes. Even in the busy schedule, we should manage out some time to keep our eyes healthy.
Eyes get strained due to reading, watching television or working in front of the computers for long. Poor lifestyle also contributes towards the poor eye health. Smoking, obesity, exposure to the sunlight, unhealthy diet and even certain medications give rise to the poor health of the eyes.

Prevention from getting your eyes damaged begins from home. Eating fruits and vegetables help a lot in maintaining the eye healthy. Carrots, loaded with beta carotene, acts as an antioxidant that reduces the risk of macular degeneration. Broccoli, bell peppers and Brussels sprouts contains a lot of vitamin C which are great for your eyes. Your diet should contain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and Vitamin E which helps to ward off age related vision problems such as cataracts.
Protecting your eyes from overexposure to the sun is vital to good eye health. UV rays can damage your eyesight and also trigger long term effects at a later stage of your life.

Smoking makes your eyes likely to get prone to cataract, optic nerve damage. Quitting smoking can lead to reduced risk of developing many sight threatening eye conditions. Lack of sleep may also cause pain, light sensitivity, itching, redness or even blurred vision. Make sure you are getting enough sleep to recharge and refresh your eyes. Regular eye checkups are needed to identify the problems which may benefit from the early treatment.

Take care of your eyes during your lifetime and when you die be generous enough to donate it to the needy to improve their lifetime!

HOMELY TOUCH

2014-07-30T12:36:00.000+05:30

Mention of mouth watering burgers, pizzas, pasta might sound tempting. Planning to eat at food joints, restaurants also fills us with excitement. But these all are short lived as you cannot do it on a regular basis. We have these foods only when we need a change from home cooked food. But nothing in the world can replace the healthy homemade food. Similar is the case of home remedies. Traditional cures for common ailments are often better than expensive medication. Home remedies also offer various solutions for beauty problems and weight loss.

A home remedy is purely a treatment to cure a disease or ailment by making the use of certain spices, vegetables or other common items. The best thing about home remedy is that there are no side effects as compared to medicines, unless you are allergic to any vegetable or items used. That’s pretty obvious; you will never use items which are allergic to you.

I have this small incident to share. Once there was a girl in our locality who was getting married. Before tying knots, she spent huge amounts on her parlor sessions. But to her disappointment, it made no difference. So, one day she came to my grandma and stated her grief. My grandma suggested her to mix a bowl of gram flour, turmeric, curd and honey together and use it as a pack daily. And much to her astonishment it worked. Her skin was glowing. The story might seem like some television advertisement but home remedies can work wonders.

Medical science is yet to find a cure for the common cold. But as all wise grandmothers know, an infusion made by steeping a few tulsi leaves in hot water is the best precautionary measure to take when you feel the sniffles coming.
One of the more popular examples of a home remedy is the use of chicken soup to treat respiratory infections such as cold or mild flu. Other examples of medically successful home remedies include willow bark tea to cure headache and fever, duct tape to help with setting broken bones, etc.
Many European liqueurs were originally medicinal remedies. In Chinese folk medicine, medicinal congees i.e. long cooked rice soups with herbs, foods and soups are part of the healing repertoire.

The most common problem of sore throat is usually treated with the help of addictive cough syrup containing a high level of alcohol which often makes us drowsy and dopey. But next time when you are struck with a sore throat, try gargling with hot salt water and feel the magic!
If you are suffering from insomnia, instead of taking sleeping pills, grab a glass of warm milk before sleep. Sound sleep is guaranteed. God forbid if it does not work, you can always read my articles, they will surely drive you to sleep.

Though medical science has progressed to a level in which it can even cure a dangerous disease like cancer, but home remedies still wave a magical wand like wizards to cure ailments using natural ingredients.
But this does not mean that it can replace the doctor’s advice and other healthcare facilities.
Live a healthy life!

COULD YOU BE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION?

2014-07-29T20:12:00.000+05:30

Are you sad? Do you feel irritated all the time? Are you losing interest in the daily chores? Is it getting hard to concentrate on things? Are you getting deprived of your sleep? Are you having suicidal thoughts? Have you lost your appetite? If these are the problems you are facing in your daily life, you are suffering from depression. In today’s fast moving life, depression is common among people. Most of the people are suffering from this illness.
Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain. Depression is more than just ‘feeling low’. It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Although the scientists tell us that depression is a brain disorder, the debate continues about the exact causes. There are many factors which can contribute to the onset of depression. These include changes in hormone levels, genetic characteristics, certain medical illness, stress, grief or some kind of severe abuse. It can be caused due to failures on personal front. People get easily frustrated at some things. Nowadays, people tend to lack patience. They want everything at their fingertips and in case, they are unable to achieve that, they end up being depressed.
Not all the cases are same; some are serious mental disorders. Sometimes physical problems can cause depression. But other times, symptoms of depression are a part of a more complex psychiatric problem. Depression can be divided into different types. For example, an individual with major depressive disorder feels a profound and constant sense of hopelessness and despair. It interferes with the ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy pleasurable activities. Dysthymia is a less severe but usually longer lasting type of depression compared to major depression. It involves long term symptoms that do not disable but yet prevent the affected person from functioning at full steam or from feeling good. Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, which encompasses a group of mood disorders that were formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. These conditions show a pattern of inheritance.
Hold on! Hold on! The objective of this article is not at all to push you towards more depressed side of life. The purpose of this article solely lies in generating awareness about this disorder, its symptoms, causes, types and mostly importantly its treatment. Many people are unaware of the ways for treating depression. But there are several strategies for treating depression, depending upon each individual’s characteristics and symptoms, healthcare professionals my employ one or more types of psychotherapy that usually rely upon a sequence of interpersonal sessions with trained professionals or doctors. Moreover improvement in sleeping and eating habits, physical activities and stress reduction proves very helpful in managing symptoms. Meditation and yoga also contributes towards reducing depressions.
Tensions are part of life, but don’t let it turn into a depression! Lead a cheerful life! Be happy!

TEXTING TOLLS ON HEALTH

2014-07-28T08:00:00.000+05:30

It’s 5 o’ clock in the evening. My mobile beeps. It has received a text from an old acquaintance of mine. I reply back and the conversation goes on for a few hours. Now that’s quite some time! So you must be wondering what important issue we were talking about. Nothing. Frankly speaking, there was no important matter that was being discussed. It was just a casual chat. It’s always good to stay connected with your loved and dear ones. And what’s better than texting!

In fact, texting is an extremely common form of communication. Texting certainly has transformed the way people communicate, especially young people. Youth of today view it as a key part of social life. But even if texting makes our communication process easier, it does have some side effects which we should be aware of. To start with the most dangerous and common effect, that is, texting while driving. People, mainly teenagers, have admitted to using cell phones while driving. This had lead to many severe accidents. It shows that they have become so addicted to texting that they find it necessary to stay in constant communication through texting, even when they are behind the wheel of an automobile. This has serious consequences which may lead to death and it often does result in that.

Another very common problem is that of sleep deprivation. Texting before bed can reduce the amount of sleep a person gets, especially when the text is regarding serious matter. They feel anxious if they do not know what is going in their social circle. When a person texts too late into the night, it leads to poor quality sleep.

Even when too much stress is laid on one part of the body, it could lead to a stress injury. This injury further results in swelling or tissue damage, depending on its severity. To prevent these injuries, experts suggest that people should take short breaks. This further prevents overuse of the finger and thumb muscles.

It is also seen developmental problems arise because of excessive texting in teenagers. They get less time to spend with their parents and they often stay on their own. Texting also reduces their ability to think. They damage the creativity of the young mind.

The new research also suggests a link between forward leaning postures that people use while texting, sending mails, or playing video games and pulmonary disease and cardiovascular problems. The research suggests that when someone drops their heads and rounds their shoulders while looking at a phone or a tablet, it is harder for them to take a full breath because of the restrictions to their muscles. In addition, the ribs cannot move properly so the heart and lungs cannot function to their full effectiveness. Due to texting people and over overuse of phones and tablets people are knocking off years of their life expectancy.

It is high time people need to understand the ill-effects of texting. Though, it is agreeable that texting is an easy way of communication and very handy but people should limit their use.

DEALING WITH THE GREY MATTER

2014-07-27T08:00:00.000+05:30

World Brain Day has just passed recently. It is celebrated on the 22^nd of July every year. You must be thinking, why does this day hold so much of significance? What is the purpose of celebrating it worldwide? The answer is simple. It is celebrated with a view to make people conscious of the brain and its well being. The brain is considered the most important, amazing yet complex organ in the human body. But the awareness about the brain is very limited among people.

The brain has the size and appearance of a small cauliflower. But thanks to its 100 billion nerve cells, we can think, plan, talk, imagine, and so much more. The brain has two cerebral hemispheres. Each takes care of one side of the body, but the controls are crossed; the right hemisphere takes care of the left side, and vice versa. If each hemisphere were unfolded, it would be the size of an extra-large pizza! For this reason, the brain must fold over on itself many times to fit into the skull. The brain monitors and regulates the body's actions and reactions. It continuously receives sensory information, and rapidly analyzes this data and then responds, controlling bodily actions and functions. The brainstem controls breathing, heart rate, and other autonomic processes that are independent of conscious brain functions. The neo cortex is the center of higher-order thinking, learning, and memory. The cerebellum is responsible for the body's balance, posture, and the coordination of movement. The human brain controls the central nervous system by way of the cranial nerves and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system and regulates virtually all human activity. The human brain is made up of over 100 billion nerve cells with each brain cell connected to around 10,000 other cells, which equals around 1000 trillion connections in our brain.

So, we now see how important it is to spread awareness and take care of our brain, which is undoubtedly the most important part our body. In fact every part of the body is important, but when it comes to brain, its holds the foremost importance.

So the question arises, what are diseases that affect our brain? Stroke, epilepsy, depression, dementia, traumatic injury, tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, infections, headaches and sleep orders are to name a few diseases. There are a lot of misconceptions about these diseases. For example, in case of brain strokes, there is a notion among people that it cannot be. However, there is scope for both prevention and cure if this is treated on time.

Similar myth is related in case of traumatic injury. But people should be made aware that it is very much preventable and the best way it should be dealt with is to avoid rash driving.

It’s time that people should use the brain to promote better brain health. This can be made possible by religiously taking care of the brain, both mentally and physically. Good sleep, reduced mental tension, yoga, meditation plays a vital role in keeping the brain mentally fit, whereas control of blood pressure, weight and cholesterol also contributes towards healthy brain.

Healthy brain leads to a healthy body!

MEDICAL CONSULTATION GOES ONLINE

2014-07-26T22:11:00.000+05:30

It’s a good news for people grumbling over the use of internet and its harmful impact. Though it is definitely agreeable that internet does have some bad impact on people, especially teenagers, but we just cannot ignore the easiness and comfort it has brought to our lives. For people believing internet has just gone better, saving their time by letting them shop online, it’s time you think again. The most recent item in its kitty is online medical assistance or consultancy, whatever we may call it.

Urbanized India has seen a lot of changes in the 21^st century and this is probably one of the most useful improvements, India has ever encountered. People in big cities and towns are increasingly consulting their doctors through apps and internet. They literally are sending images of pimpled faces or uploading photos of rashes and emailing it to their doctors, who in return write prescriptions charging little money. So we see it is both economical and time saving. Telephonic consultation was in practice long ago. But online consultation is quite new into practice, and it already seems to work. The demand for e-health services has seen a hike in the recent years. With the popularity of these online services in the medical field, many companies have come with a number of various websites to offer to the public. These websites conduct video consultations, photos, emails and medical chats between the doctor and the patient. Some websites offer 24/7 doctor-on-phone services for people who seek medical assistance even in the odd hours of the day and night. Then there is a company which has started a mobile app which enables people to interact on video chats with doctors. Video chat can be seen as the next best option to a clinic visit. It helps doctors to gauge on how serious or sick the person really is, which is difficult to judge in an image.

The cost factor is another attraction for the patients. Video consultations cost anything between Rs 299 and Rs 999 as compared to in-person charge which costs almost double.

But as we know, something which has got so many advantages to its credit, cannot devoid itself from disadvantages. Using the internet for medical assistance can never act as a substitute for seeing a doctor. Although internet services may save a lot of time but they undermine doctor-patient relationship and low healthcare standards. There are concerns about the qualification of doctors working for e-health companies too. Some websites offer totally no information about the doctor, which at times can be dangerous or prove fatal. Moreover, the use of e-health services can be used for minor health problems only. Despite of its forthcomings, it strives to make an impact on healthcare and mostly in a positive sense.

DEVILISH OBESITY

2014-07-26T08:03:00.000+05:30

"Fatty! Fatty! Fatty!" mocked a group of boys referring to their classmate Divakar. Divakar was a 14 year old ordinary school boy weighing extraordinarily 95 kilograms. That made him the victim of this sort of mockery. It was a concerning issue. Not just the mockery he faced but also him being overweight. He was suffering from obesity.

Many people do not consider this as a serious problem. Ironically, obesity is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. One out of every three person suffers from obesity.

So what actually is obesity? Is it a disease? Why do people pay no heed to its occurrence? The answer to the above questions maybe simple but merely knowing the answer will not help us a great deal.

Let us first start by defining obesity and only then can move towards its consequences. Therefore, obesity can be defined as the medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and or increased health problems. In medical terms, obesity means a person exceeding his body mass index (BMI), which is a measured obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the person's height. It mainly results from excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activities and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused mainly by genes, endocrine disorders, medications, or psychiatric illness. It cannot exactly be termed as a disease but it is certainly the cause of many further diseases. It is viewed as the most serious health problem of this century.Moreover, it is growing with an increasing rate in both children and adults.

Obesity increases the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea, certain type of cancer, asthma, high blood pressure, bone problems and osteoarthritis. As a result, obesity has been found to reduce the life expectancy rate worldwide. As stated earlier it a leading cause of death over the world, and has taken much more lives than the other health evils like smoking and cancer. This also means you are likely to suffer more for being fat than for being a smoker! It is strange yet true.

But the good news is that the problem of obesity is both curable as well as preventable. Obesity can be cured by avoiding food rich in fat, sugar and energy. Dieting and regular exercise can also help to a great extent for the treatment of obesity. Anti-obesity drugs may also help to reduce appetite or decrease fat absorption.

But as we know "Prevention is better than cure", so it is advisable to prevent obesity in the first place rather than curing it later after facing the consequence. Therefore it can be prevented by consuming dietary fiber and nutrient rich food. Even if one is accustomed to having food rich in fat, sugar, etc, he can perform physical activities to as to protect himself from gaining unnecessary weight.

Nowadays, obesity is very much prevalent among children. So parents should focus on changing their family's physical activities and eating habits because it's the parents who shape a child's healthy habit.

CRAVE FOR GOOD HEALTH, NOT FAST FOOD

2014-07-25T09:12:00.000+05:30

It's the era of globalization and undoubtedly, fast food has gone global. Even the mention of pizzas, burgers, pasta, French fry leaves our mouth watering. Fast food is available in all corners of the world. Its availability in not just limited to restaurants, but we can find them in groceries, convenience stores, cinema halls. Even the televisions are not devoid of its influence. There are appealing advertisements on television which attracts us even more. The manufacturers combine various flavor and texture to produce truly addictive products. This strategy is not limited to just chips, cookies and sodas but for all processed foods, from condiments to pasta sauce. Seasoning in fast foods also creates a high salivation response. The chips melt quickly in a person's mouth which contributes to a pleasurable sensation, increasing the addiction a little more.

Having said so much about the popularity of fast food, let's move our attention towards the reality of fast food. Yes you read that right! By reality I mean the ill-effects of fast food.

Fast food or junk food generally refers to foods which contain lots of calories and a minimal amount of nutrition. They are high in fat, sodium and sugar. This high level of sugar in junk food puts the metabolism of a person's body under stress and when he consumes refined sugar; his pancreas secretes insulin in high amounts to prevent a risky spike in blood sugar levels. As the junk food does not contain adequate amount of protein and good carbohydrates, sugar level of a body tends to drop suddenly after eating, leaving the person tired and irritated. Intake of too much of junk food may leave a person fatigue and he will feel lack of energy which is needed to complete daily work.

Moving towards some serious consequences, we get that the high level of fat and sodium leads to hypertension. The more we gorge on junk foods, the more weight we gain which results in obesity. The gain in the body weight can put us in the risk for chronic illness, such as diabetes heart disease and arthritis. There can be high chances of a cardiac attack. Excessive dietary sodium can also have a negative impact on renal function, even leading to kidney disease.

In the short term, high level of dietary fat leads to poor cognitive performance. Eating too much of junk food can cause mood swings and constipation. Good health is the price we are paying for satisfying the craving of our taste buds. Isn't it becoming too expensive for us?

Need for the hour is to avoid fast food as far as possible as it is definitely difficult to totally stop eating them at all. Soda and soft drinks should be replaced by dairy drinks, fruit beverages. More and more vegetables and fruits should be taken in place of chips, burgers, French fries.

I would like to end this with a quote by Krista Scott, "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and the junk food as far as possible."

GLORIOUS GREEN TEA

2014-07-24T16:34:00.000+05:30

"Would you like to grab a cup of tea?" offered my friend. I replied "Yes please. A cup of green tea will work wonders for me."

You must be wondering, what is all this hype about green tea? Its time you should stop pressurizing your grey cells and instead start drinking green tea. This is because green tea is a flavorful beverage which offers many health benefits to the people consuming it.

Before we move on to its benefits, we must get a brief idea about its origin. Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally. Green tea as used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health and regulate body temperature. Tea is considered as the most consumed beverage in the world after water; however only 20% of the total tea consumed is green tea.

Green tea is a product made from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is made from un-oxidized leaves and is one of the less processed types of tea and therefore contains one of the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols. The useful parts of green tea are the leaf bud, leaf, and stem. Green tea is not fermented and is produced by steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures. During this process, it is able to maintain important molecules polyphenols, which seems to be responsible for many of the benefits of green tea.

Green tea is a superb fat fighter as its active ingredient epigallocatechin gallate increases the rate at which fat is burned in our body. It also keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. Green tea is used to treat stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, bone loss and solid tumor cancers.

Some people use green tea to prevent various cancers, including breast cancers, prostate cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer. Green tea can help prevent food poisoning as it can kill bacteria. Drinking green tea with meals may reduce the risk of bacterial food poisoning. Green tea can also prevent bad breath as drinking it helps to kill the oral bacteria that causes cavities and bad breath. Green tea is also said to have the quality of improving our immunity. Green tea helps to release stress and fights from depression.

If these qualities are not it, here are some more amazing facts about green tea. It is used in candy for gum disease. Instead of drinking green tea, some people apply green tea bags to their skin to soothe sunburn and prevent skin cancer due to skin exposure. Green tea bags are also used to decrease the puffiness under eyes as a compress for tired eyes and headache, and to stop gums from bleeding after a tooth is pulled. Therefore, we see that green tea has a host of health benefits to its credit.

So, if you are still not hooked to drinking this magical drink, I am sure after reading about its benefits you will be deemed to grab a cup.

Happy drinking!

BEWARE BREAKFAST SKIPPERS

2014-07-23T22:01:00.000+05:30

Are you tired of hearing how breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well this advice will not stop until you develop a habit of eating this most important meal of the day and religiously follow this habit throughout your lifetime.

Now we come to the question, why is breakfast so important? Breakfast, as the name suggests, means breaking fast. After hours of sleep when we get up in the morning, we find that it is quite few hours passed from the time we last ate. The metabolic rate, the rate at which we burn calories, drops during the sleep, and eating breakfast kick starts it again.

According to a study, about 18 percent of males and 13 percent of females between the ages of 35 and 54 are breakfast skippers. This sum up to quite a few people risking their health by avoiding breakfast.

But some people struggle to eat in the early hours after waking up from sleep which can be due to our biological clock that is determined in parts of our genes.

Around 10 percent of the world population inherits genes that mean their clock is set a little slower, so they are reluctant to wake up in the morning and this can affect their appetite.

When we wake up in the morning, a number of processes begin to get the body ready for daytime, including the release of hormones that makes us feel hungry. I wonder how people still find it easy to skip their breakfast!

Skipping breakfast can also influence the food choices we make throughout the day. So a healthy start in the morning leads to a healthy day throughout.

There a number of health issues likely to take place if we skip our first meal of the day. Skipping breakfast may increase a woman's diabetes risk. They have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Eating breakfast can lead to a lower incidence of heart disease in men between the ages 45 and 82 while skipping breakfast was associated with hypertension, insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels. Eating breakfast can also contribute towards improving cognitive functions related to memory and test grades. Skipping of this important morning meal can result in obesity and even catching flu. So we conclude that breakfast plays a vital role in building a body's immunity.

Some people have this belief that skipping breakfast will help them shed a few kilograms body fat. But contrary to their belief, avoiding breakfast can itself lead to obesity. Therefore by missing the meal we put an extra strain on our body. It is also proved that having breakfast in the morning helps in weight loss than by having any other meal of the day.

It's time people realize the importance and compulsion of this morning meal and change their eating habits where they can include breakfast.

So if you want to live healthy, you have to start you day healthy! And what would be better than starting it with a healthy breakfast.

Monsoon-Always a Blessing?

2014-07-20T19:48:00.005+05:30

The summer is over. It's time for the monsoon to come and relieve us from spell of hot and sultry summer.

The cooling showers bring with them a sense of relief from the ongoing heat of the previous season. Monsoons act as a boon for the farmers of India who highly depend upon agriculture to earn their bread. Monsoon solves the problem of irrigation in agriculture.

But every coin has two sides, so are we just being contented and seeing only the happy side? Is it not wrong for us to neglect the ill-effects of monsoon?

The sad part of the story is that monsoons not only bring the cooling showers but they also bring with them an increased susceptibility to a lot of diseases. It spreads typhoid, diarrhea, and jaundice, to name a few. Mainly it spreads water borne and gastrointestinal infections. Nevertheless accumulation of rain water provides room for the growth of mosquitoes causing dengue and malaria. Eye flu and foot infections are also commonly observed. But just the knowledge of disease will not solve the case. We need to safeguard ourselves from the clutches of these devils like diseases.

So in order to keep these diseases and infection at the bay we need to be extra careful and take some preventive measures as 'Prevention is better than cure'.

The most common problem of rain in the urban areas is water-logging. It contains mixtures of rubbish spilling from dustbins, drains and manholes as well as particles which may cause serious damage to a person.

Moreover it is often seen that digestive system of a person becomes weak during this season which may further lead to different kinds of infections. So it is always advisable to eat light food and avoid oily and spicy food as far as possible. Street foods should be highly avoided as it is usually exposed to the surrounding for a long period of time and chances are there that it may contain contaminated particles and germs.

Consumption of water plays an important role in a person's diet. Drinking water is good for health. Additional care should be taken to the water we drink as maximum infections during this season are water borne. We should boil the water before drinking. It should be made sure that the water is filtered and stored in a proper place. Required care towards the intake of water will act a weapon against many of the dangerous disease. It will be a solution to half of the health issues.

Accumulation of water in our ambience may lead to the breeding of mosquitoes. They are the carrier of deadly germs and act as an agent in spreading severe diseases. Mosquito repellents and nets should be used whenever necessary.

Few of these efforts and cautions from our side will work wonders in prevention of the deadly diseases. It will enable us to enjoy the real glory of monsoon. So we should tighten our belts and gear ourselves for the monsoon without any negative consequence on our minds.

Happy monsoons!

HOW HEALTHY ARE WE?

2014-07-20T18:59:00.003+05:30

It is quoted – “Health is wealth.”

But how many of us realize this in reality? In the action packed life of today, where people are tend to work like machines, health is easily neglected.

So, the question arises what are we working for if we pay no heed to our own well-being? Merely earning will not help us to lead a successful life, because money can buy everything but not happiness. Our happiness is the reflection of our own health. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. “

It is good to be a workaholic. But being a healthy workaholic will always be better.

But what do we mean by being healthy? The word ‘health’ can have different meanings to different people, depending upon the situations. But basically, health is state of complete physical, mental and social being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Being healthy means proper functioning of a human body. It means staying fit and active.

Health can also be subdivided into two types – Physical and Mental health.

For humans, physical health means a good body health which is the outcome of regular physical activity, rich nutrition and adequate rest.

Physical health is one of the most important aspects of a person’s well being. A person can only continue with his daily routine, when he is physically fit and active. If he is physically unwell it leads to hindrance in his work. Physical health totally depends upon on the food we eat and the physical activities which we perform.

It is said every time you eat or drink you are either feeding disease or fighting it. Therefore it becomes necessary for us to eat food which is rich in vitamins, minerals, calcium, proteins and fat and it is equally necessary that the food should be hygienic and clean, only then it will be beneficial. Getting the right amount of sleep also has a vital role to play in the maintenance of physical health.

Moreover, intake of healthy food should be accompanied by proper physical activities. A person can only be totally healthy if he is active and fit. To be active, he should take help of regular exercise and work out. Fitness reflects a person’s cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition. Exercises and daily workouts enhance the body fitness and provide strength to a person.

Now we come to mental health. It can be referred to people’s cognitive and emotional well being. It can be termed as a state of well being in which a person realizes his abilities to cope up with the normal day to day stresses of life and can work productively in order to contribute towards his society. People have always neglected the assessment of mental health as its assessment is subjective. Mental health can be taken care by performing yoga or by practicing meditation. Mental and physical health both are interrelated terms. They are complementary to each other.

So the motto in life should be “Eat healthy , think good.”

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) defination, origin, transmitted

2013-12-25T22:03:00.002+05:30

HIV

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. That means that once you have HIV, you have it for life.

No safe and effective cure currently exists, but scientists are working hard to find one, and remain hopeful. Meanwhile, with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. Treatment for HIV is often called antiretroviral therapy or ART. It can dramatically prolong the lives of many people infected with HIV and lower their chance of infecting others. Before the introduction of ART in the mid-1990s, people with HIV could progress to AIDS in just a few years. Today, someone diagnosed with HIV and treated before the disease is far advanced can have a nearly normal life expectancy.

HIV affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS.

Where HIV did came from?

Scientists identified a type of chimpanzee in West Africa as the source of HIV infection in humans. They believe that the chimpanzee version of the immunodeficiency virus (called simian immunodeficiency virus, or SIV) most likely was transmitted to humans and mutated into HIV when humans hunted these chimpanzees for meat and came into contact with their infected blood.

Studies show that HIV may have jumped from apes to humans as far back as the late 1800s. Over decades, the virus slowly spread across Africa and later into other parts of the world. We know that the virus has existed in the United States since at least the mid- to late 1970s.

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF HIV?

HIV disease has a well-documented progression. Untreated, HIV is almost universally fatal because it eventually overwhelms the immune system—resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV treatment helps people at all stages of the disease, and treatment can slow or prevent progression from one stage to the next.

A person can transmit HIV to others during any of these stages:

Acute infection: Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection with HIV, you may feel sick with flu-like symptoms. This is called acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) or primary HIV infection, and it’s the body’s natural response to the HIV infection. (Not everyone develops ARS, however—and some people may have no symptoms.)

During this period of infection, large amounts of HIV are being produced in your body. The virus uses important immune system cells called CD4 cells to make copies of itself and destroys these cells in the process. Because of this, the CD4 count can fall quickly.

Your ability to spread HIV is highest during this stage because the amount of virus in the blood is very high.

Eventually, your immune response will begin to bring the amount of virus in your body back down to a stable level. At this point, your CD4 count will then begin to increase, but it may not return to pre-infection levels.

Clinical latency (inactivity or dormancy): This period is sometimes called asymptomatic HIV infection or chronic HIV infection. During this phase, HIV is still active, but reproduces at very low levels. You may not have any symptoms or get sick during this time. People who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) may live with clinical latency for several decades. For people who are not on ART, this period can last up to a decade, but some may progress through this phase faster.

It is important to remember that you are still able to transmit HIV to others during this phase even if you are treated with ART, although ART greatly reduces the risk. Toward the middle and end of this period, your viral load begins to rise and your CD4 cell count begins to drop. As this happens, you may begin to have symptoms of HIV infection as your immune system becomes too weak to protect you.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome): This is the stage of infection that occurs when your immune system is badly damaged and you become vulnerable to infections and infection-related cancers called opportunistic illnesses. When the number of your CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3), you are considered to have progressed to AIDS. (Normal CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.)

You can also be diagnosed with AIDS if you develop one or more opportunistic illnesses, regardless of your CD4 count. Without treatment, people who are diagnosed with AIDS typically survive about 3 years. Once someone has a dangerous opportunistic illness, life expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year. People with AIDS need medical treatment to prevent death.

HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED:

Only certain fluids—blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk—from an HIV-infected person can transmit HIV. These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to possibly occur. Mucous membranes can be found inside the rectum, the vagina, the opening of the penis, and the mouth.

In the United States, HIV is spread mainly by

Having unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with someone who has HIV.

Anal sex is the highest-risk sexual behavior. Receptive anal sex (bottoming) is riskier than insertive anal sex (topping).

Vaginal sex is the second highest-risk sexual behavior.

Having multiple sex partners or having other sexually transmitted infections can increase the risk of infection through sex.

Sharing needles, syringes, rinse water, or other equipment (works) used to prepare injection drugs with someone who has HIV.

Less commonly, HIV may be spread by

Being born to an infected mother. HIV can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

Being stuck with an HIV-contaminated needle or other sharp object. This is a risk mainly for health care workers.

Receiving blood transfusions, blood products, or organ/tissue transplants that are contaminated with HIV. This risk is extremely small because of rigorous testing of the US blood supply and donated organs and tissues.

Eating food that has been pre-chewed by an HIV-infected person. The contamination occurs when infected blood from a caregiver’s mouth mixes with food while chewing, and is very rare.

Being bitten by a person with HIV. Each of the very small number of documented cases has involved severe trauma with extensive tissue damage and the presence of blood. There is no risk of transmission if the skin is not broken.

Oral sex—using the mouth to stimulate the penis, vagina, or anus (fellatio, cunnilingus, and rimming). Giving fellatio (mouth to penis oral sex) and having the person ejaculate (cum) in your mouth is riskier than other types of oral sex.

Contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or blood-contaminated body fluids. These reports have also been extremely rare.

Deep, open-mouth kissing if the person with HIV has sores or bleeding gums and blood is exchanged. HIV is not spread through saliva. Transmission through kissing alone is extremely rare.

Can HIV survive outside Human body?

HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce. It is not spread by

Air or water.

Insects, including mosquitoes or ticks.

Saliva, tears, or sweat. There is no documented case of HIV being transmitted by spitting.

Casual contact like shaking hands or sharing dishes.

Closed-mouth or “social” kissing

Toilet seats

CAN I GET THROUGH ANAL SEX?

Yes. In fact, having anal sex without using a condom is the riskiest type of sex for getting or spreading HIV. During anal sex, it’s possible for either partner—the insertive (top) or the receptive (bottom)—to get HIV.

HIV can be found in the blood, semen (cum), preseminal fluid (pre-cum), or rectal fluid of a person infected with the virus. The bottom is at greater risk of getting HIV because the lining of the rectum is thin and may allow HIV to enter the body during anal sex, but the top is also at risk because HIV can enter through the opening of the penis or through small cuts, abrasions, or open sores on the penis

CAN I GET THROUGH VAGINAL SEX?

Yes, vaginal sex without a condom is a high-risk behavior for HIV infection. It is possible for either partner to become infected this way. HIV can be found in the blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), or vaginal fluid of a person infected with the virus.

During vaginal sex, HIV is passed from men to women much more easily than from women to men. In women, HIV can be directly absorbed through the mucous membranes that line the vagina and cervix. The lining of the vagina can also sometimes tear and possibly allow HIV to enter the body.

In men, HIV can enter the body through the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis) or through small cuts or open sores on the penis. Men who are not circumcised are at greater risk of HIV infection through vaginal sex than are circumcised men.

Risk for HIV infection increases if you or a partner also has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). See also Is there a connection between HIV and other sexually transmitted infections?

Many barrier methods that women use to prevent pregnancy (e.g., diaphragm, cervical cap) do not protect them against HIV or other STIs because they still allow infected semen (cum) to come in contact with the lining of the vagina.

Oral or hormonal contraceptives (e.g., birth control pills) do not protect women against HIV or other STIs.

CAN I GET THROUGH ORAL SEX?

· Oral sex involves using the mouth to stimulate the penis, vagina or anus (i.e.,fellatio, cunnilingus, and rimming). It

is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex, though the risk is much less than for anal and vaginal sex.

The highest-risk oral sex activity is giving oral sex to a man, if he ejaculates (cums) in your mouth. There is little to no risk of getting HIV from other types of oral sex. Several factors may increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sexual contact, including mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other sexually transmitted infections.

Although rimming carries little to no risk of transmitting HIV, it does come with a high risk of transmitting hepatitis A and B, parasites, and other bacteria to the partner who is doing the rimming

· The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is much less than that from anal or vaginal sex—but it is not zero.

· Performing oral sex on an HIV-infected man, with ejaculation, is the riskiest oral sex activity.

· Factors that may increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex are oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other sexually transmitted infections.

Oral sex involves giving or receiving oral stimulation (i.e., sucking or licking) to the penis (fellatio), the vagina (cunnilingus), or the anus (anilingus). HIV can be transmitted during any of these activities, but the risk is much less than that from anal or vaginal sex. Receiving fellatio, giving or receiving cunnilingus, and giving or receiving anilingus carry little to no risk. The highest oral sex risk is to individuals performing fellatio on an HIV-infected man, with ejaculation.^1,2

Risk of HIV

Even though oral sex carries a lower risk of HIV transmission than other sexual activities, the risk is not zero. It’s hard to measure the exact risk because most people who practice oral sex also practice other forms of sex during the same encounter. When transmission occurs, it may be the result of oral sex or other, riskier sexual activities, such as anal or vaginal sex.

If the person receiving oral sex has HIV, their blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, or vaginal fluid may contain the virus. If the person performing oral sex has HIV, blood from their mouth may enter the body of the person receiving oral sex through the lining of the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis), vagina, cervix, or anus, or through cuts and sores.

Several factors may increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex, including oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Risk of Other Infections

In addition to HIV, other organisms can be transmitted through oral sex with an infected partner, leading to herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts (human papillomavirus, or HPV), intestinal parasites (amebiasis), or hepatitis A or B infection.

Reducing the Risk

Barrier methods can help lower the risk of getting HIV and other STIs from oral sex. A latex or plastic condom may be used on the penis, and a cut-open condom or a dental dam can be used between the mouth and the vagina or anus.

IS THERE ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN HIV AND STD DISEASE?

Yes. Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can increase the risk of getting or spreading HIV. If you are HIV-negative but have an STI, you are at least 2 to 5 times as likely to get HIV if you have unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. There are two ways that having an STI can increase the likelihood of getting HIV. If the STI causes irritation of the skin (e.g., from syphilis, herpes, or human papillomavirus), breaks or sores may make it easier for HIV to enter the body during sexual contact. Even STIs that cause no breaks or open sores (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) can increase your risk by causing inflammation that increases the number of cells that can serve as targets for HIV.

If you are HIV-positive and also infected with another STI, you are 3 to 5 times as likely as other HIV-infected people to spread HIV through sexual contact. This appears to happen because there is an increased concentration of HIV in the semen and genital fluids of HIV-positive people who also are infected with another STI.

BY INJECTING DRUG?

Yes. At the start of every injection, blood gets into the needle and syringe, and some remains there after use. HIV can be found in the blood of a person infected with the virus. The reuse of an HIV-contaminated needle or syringe by another drug injector (sometimes called direct syringe sharing) carries a high risk of HIV transmission because infected blood can be injected directly into the bloodstream.

Sharing drug equipment (or works) can also be a risk for spreading HIV. Infected blood can get into drug solutions by

Using blood-contaminated syringes to prepare drugs.

Reusing water.

Reusing bottle caps, spoons, or other containers (cookers) to dissolve drugs in water and to heat drug solutions.

Reusing small pieces of cotton or cigarette filters (cottons) to filter out particles that could block the needle.

“Street sellers” of syringes may repackage used syringes and sell them as sterile syringes. For this reason, people who continue to inject drugs should get syringes from reliable sources of sterile syringes, such as pharmacies or needle-exchange programs.

Hair loss cause, prevention

2013-12-17T08:52:00.000+05:30

Hair loss cause, prevention

Hair loss is commonly seen these days. Hair is loss is seen both in male and females.

What is the cause of hair?

The reason would be various like hereditary, hormonal change, fungal infection, due use of system drug (chemotherapy drug), and neoplasm.

How to manage it?

Saw palmetto is known for its ability to prevent and treat benign prostate enlargement. Male baldness is due to conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. The average adult head has about 100,000 hairs and loses about 100 a day.

Usually they grow back. But in male baldness, the hair follicles shut down production over time. Male baldness is unpredictable. Some men begin to lose their hair in their twenties while others keep a full head of hair for a life time.

160 milligram Saw palmetto twice a day has shown to reduce baldness.

Evening Primrose: The oil from the seeds of evening primrose inhibits the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. A daily consumption of 1300 milligam have shown to reduce baldness.

Horse Chestnut: It contains compounds like Aesculin, Ximenynic acid , and lauric acid ) that help treat hair loss. They appear to increase the blood circulation through out the scalp.

Horse Tail: Horse tail is a herb which contain silicic acid that promotes circulation.

Ginkgo: It is known to increase to increase the circulatio

Kidney stone, how it is formed, its Prevention

2013-12-11T23:02:00.002+05:30

Kidney stone, how it is formed, its Prevention

Kidney stone are formed when the concentration of urea rises. Urea is formed as a by product of protein metabolism. Normally urea gets excreted through urine.

When the concentration of urea rises in the urine it combines with calcium to form calcium oxalate crystals which form the core of kidney stone. As these crystals grow in size they cause excruciating pain until they are passed out.

Sign and symptoms:

The pain usually begins at the level of waist (back side), from one side to the other exactly where the kidney is situated. As the stone moves from kidney to ureter, the pain move from back to front than eventually to the groin. The pain ends when the stone reaches to the urinary bladder from ureter.

The entire process takes from few minutes to 48 hours. As the stone passes out of the body there might be burning sensation upon urination.

Kidney stones tend to run in families. More common in males.

How can we prevent it?

Measures to prevent kidney stone:

1. Drink more than enough fluid: water, juice dilute the urine and reduce the formation of kidney stone. So the more you take fluid the less is your chance to get kidney stone.

2. Reduce the intake of Apple and grapes juice: Apple and grape juices tend to increase the risk of kidney stone.

3. Garnish your drink with lemon slice: lemon contains citric acid which helps in prevention of calcium oxalate formation. Other good source of citric acid are potatoes, soy , Roselle ,strawberry etc

4. Avoid foods that contain oxalates: many foods contain oxalates levels enough to form stones the trouble some are spinach, nuts, chocolates, wheat brain, beet greens, lamb meat, grapefruit and strawberries. These foods increase the risk of kidney stone and should be avoided.

5. Eat more magnesium rich foods. Magnesium slows down the formation of calcium oxalates crystal in the urine. Good source of magnesium are lettuce. Beans, poppy seeds, stinging little.

6. Take a vitamin B6 Supplement: Vitamin B6 helps keep kidney stone from recurring.

7. Try taking anti stone herbs: stone root, corn silk, and quackgrass.

Menopause, Pre menopuase, Symptoms and Sign ,Relief and Managment

2013-12-11T22:59:00.001+05:30

Menopause Management

Ask a woman who is in her 40’s the pain and agony of premenopausal and menopausal problem its quite painful.

There is a dramatic change in the hormonal level. The level of estrogen falls resulting mood swings inability to concentrate, memory lapse, anxiety, body ache, sleep problems, hot flashes characterized by intense heat followed by profuse sweating these hot flash can by once in months or 10 -12 per day itself.

What is the modern day’s management?

HRT: Hormonal Replacement Therapy is what doing a lot of buss these days. It‘s benefit are real but so are its problems. HRT increases the risk of Breast Cancer, Gall Bladder problems, venous thromoembolism. Even the newest estrogens (SERMS) Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulatiors). These synthetic drug produce fewer side effect compared to the plain old estrogen however they have their own problem.

How to manage the menopausal and premenopausal problem?

Use of anti oxidant supplement like (Vitamin C, E, Carotenoid α and β) that supports immune system,

Calcium supplements to strengthen the bone.

GLA and γ- linolenic acid for prevention of heart disease and for general well being.

What women need to follow?

Control stress level through meditation and deep breathing

Quit smoking

Eliminate or cut back on alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food.

Soy , Soy product

For all menopausal and pre menopausal women soy and soy products are beneficial as it contains Isoflavones , Diazein and Genisten which have a gentle estrogen like effect without the side effect of synthetic estrogen ( increase risk of breast cancer).

Diazein and Genisten are weaker than estrogen however pharmaceutically they are competent. Studies have suggested that it reduces the risk of breast Cancer.

This is the reason why breast cancer is seen less in Asian women compared to Americans.

How to control hot flashes?

To prevent as well as manage hot flashes the herbs that can be used are 1)Black Cohosh 2)Dong Quai, licorice, chaste berry.

BLACK COHOSH: it has shown to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. 40 milligram of crude BLACK COHOSH is able to prevent hot flashes minor side effect like headache and stomach has been however reported.

LICORICE: it is an estrogenic herb