Remedies For Health Problems

HYPOTHYROIDISM

2010-02-01T07:45:00.002+05:00

Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and in animals caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.

CAUSES

Iodine Deficiency
Diseases such as Hashimoto thyroiditis
Lack of thyroid gland
Deficiency of hormones from the brain

SYMPTOMS
Early symptoms

Poor muscle tone
Fatigue
Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold
Depression
Muscle cramps and joint pain
Goiter
Thin, brittle fingernails
Thin, brittle hair
Paleness
Decreased sweating
Dry, itchy skin
Weight gain
Bradycardia (low heart rate – less than sixty beats per minute)
Constipation

LATE SYMPTOMS

Slow speech and a hoarse breaking voice – deepening of the voice can also be noticed
Dry puffy skin, especially on the face
Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows (sign of Hertoghe)
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Low basal body temperature

TREATMENT

Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormones (L-T4) and (L-T3) available in the form of tablets.
Thyroid hormone is taken daily, and doctors can monitor blood levels to help assure proper dosing.

Reasons to Stop Smoking

2010-01-31T09:10:00.000+05:00

Most of us know that smoking is indeed a habit that can have many serious implications on our health, but there's a tendency to view the problem lightly. It's important though, that every smoker be aware of the facts concerning smoking. So here are some eye openers for you. The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has come up with the following statistics:
A good deal of variation exists from one part of the world to another. Many more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region. Eastern Europe itself has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59 percent of adult males smoking.
As with other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine, the global frequency of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. This trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that economically advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less. The more years of education you've had, the less likely you are to be a smoker.
As a wannabe quitter, you're in excellent company. People all over the world are trying to quit and stay away from cigarettes. There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
Most smokers begin early in life, before they are 25 years old. According to World Health Organization studies, the majority of smokers in affluent countries begin in their teens. A decline in the age of starting smoking has been observed worldwide.
Current estimates are that over 1 billion people in the world smoke. (In other words, approximately one in three adults on the planet smokes.) The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80% live in low and middle income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep increasing. But are things in the USA any better? Not really, as you can see for yourself in the figures of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
In the United States, an estimated 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show:

Among whites, 25.1 percent of men and 21.7 percent of women smoke
Among black or African Americans, 27.6 percent of men and 18.0 percent of women smoke
Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women smoke
Among Asians (only), 21.3 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women smoke
Among American Indians/Alaska Natives (only), 32.0 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women smoke

Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those with 9-11 years of education (35.4 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (33.3 percent).

And These Figures Spell Death...

One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco
An average of 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco
Tobacco is blamed for many serious pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases
Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most potent carcinogens and are to blame for a majority of all cancers of the lung, trachea, bronchus, larynx, and esophagus
Tobacco use also produces cancers in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix
Impotency is sometimes to blame from addiction to nicotine because of its ability to reduce blood flow
Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia
Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
Smoking during pregnancy causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries, and it increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation
Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year

So, are you ready to try and quit smoking now

ASPIRIN Info

2010-01-30T12:05:00.003+05:00

Dr. Virend Somers, a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic who is lead author of the report in the July 29, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Most heart attacks occur in the day, generally between 6 A.M. and noon, Somers said. Having one during the night, when the heart should be most at rest, means that something unusual happened. Somers and his colleagues have been working for a decade to show that sleep apnea is to blame.

If you take an aspirin or a baby aspirin once a day, take it at night. The reason: aspirin has a 24-hour "half-life". Therefore, if most heart attacks happen in the wee hours of the morning, the aspirin would be strongest in your system.
FYI, aspirin lasts a really long time in your medicine chest years. (When it gets old, it smells like vinegar.)

Please read on.
Something that we can do to help ourselves. Nice to know.
Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve instantly on the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets.
Why keep aspirin by your bedside?
About Heart Attacks - There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.
One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.
The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.
If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.
After-wards:- call Emergency (911, 112, 1122), phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by
-say "heart attack!"
-say that you have taken 2 aspirins.
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and DO NOT lie down, tell this information to everyone you love.

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

2010-01-29T09:05:00.000+05:00

Glucose decreases
Sodium decreases
Total cholesterol decreases
Triglycerides decrease
HDL cholesterol increases
LDL cholesterol decreases
VLDL cholesterol decreases
Cholinesterase increases
Catecholamines decrease
ATPase increases
Hematocrit increases
Hemoglobin increases
Lymphocyte count increases
Total white blood cell count decreases
Thyroxin increases
Vitamin C increases
Total serum protein increases

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

2010-01-28T09:00:00.003+05:00

Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
Social adjustment increases
Anxiety and Depression decrease
Hostility decreases
Concentration improves
Memory improves
Attention improves
Learning efficiency improves
Mood improves
Self-actualization increase
Social skills increases
Well-being increases
Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
Self-acceptance increase
Attention improves
Concentration improves
Memory improves
Learning efficiency improves
Symbol coding improves
Depth perception improves
Flicker fusion frequency improves

Benefits of Yoga

2010-01-27T10:00:00.003+05:00

Yoga books tell us that Yoga, as we all know, is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right yoga kit and tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful.

Yoga is a science that has been practiced for thousands of years. It is consists of Ancient Theories, observations and principles about the mind and body connection which is now being proven by modern medicine. Substantial research has been conducted to look at the Health Benefits of Yoga - from the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing (Pranayama), and Meditation. The information on Yoga Poses & Benefits are grouped into three categories-physiological, psychological, biochemical effects. Furthermore, scientists have laid these results against the benefits of regular exercise.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
Pulse rate decreases
Respiratory rate decreases
Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hypo reactors)
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
EMG activity decreases
Cardiovascular efficiency increases
Respiratory efficiency increases
Gastrointestinal function normalizes
Endocrine function normalizes
Excretory functions improve
Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
Breath-holding time increases
Joint range of motion increase
Grip strength increases
Eye-hand coordination improves
Dexterity skills improve
Reaction time improves
Posture improves
Strength and resiliency increase
Endurance increases
Energy level increases
Weight normalizes
Sleep improves
Immunity increases
Pain decreases
Steadiness improves
Depth perception improves
Balance improves
Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Sitting too much could be deadly

2010-01-26T09:15:00.001+05:00

Here's a new warning from health experts: Sitting is deadly. Scientists are increasingly warning that sitting for prolonged periods — even if you also exercise regularly — could be bad for your health. And it doesn't matter where the sitting takes place — at the office, at school, in the car or before a computer or TV — just the overall number of hours it occurs. In an editorial published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Elin Ekblom-Bak of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences suggested that authorities rethink how they define physical activity to highlight the dangers of sitting. While health officials have issued guidelines recommending minimum amounts of physical activity, they haven't suggested people try to limit how much time they spend in a seated position.

Research is preliminary, but several studies suggest people who spend most of their days sitting are more likely to be fat, have a heart attack or even die. "After four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals," Ekblom-Bak said. She explained that genes regulating the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down.
Even for people who exercise, spending long stretches of time sitting at a desk is still harmful. Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization, said people who exercise every day — but still spend a lot of time sitting — might get more benefit if that exercise were spread across the day, rather than in a single bout.
That wasn't welcome news for Aytekin Can, 31, who works at a London financial company, and spends most of his days sitting in front of a computer. Several evenings a week, Can also teaches jiu jitsu, a Japanese martial art involving wrestling, and also does Thai boxing. "I'm sure there are some detrimental effects of staying still for too long, but I hope that being active when I can helps," he said. "I wouldn't want to think the sitting could be that dangerous."
Still, in a study published last year that tracked more than 17,000 Canadians for about a dozen years, researchers found people who sat more had a higher death risk, independently of whether or not they exercised. "We don't have enough evidence yet to say how much sitting is bad," said Peter Katzmarzyk of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, who led the Canadian study. "But it seems the more you can get up and interrupt this sedentary behavior, the better." Figures from a U.S. survey in 2003-2004 found Americans spend more than half their time sitting, from working at their desks to sitting in cars. Experts said more research is needed to figure out just how much sitting is dangerous, and what might be possible to offset those effects.
"People should keep exercising because that has a lot of benefits," Ekblom-Bak said. "But when they're in the office, they should try to interrupt sitting as often as possible," she said. "Don't just send your colleague an e-mail. Walk over and talk to him. Standing up."

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

2010-01-25T09:04:00.005+05:00

No Breakfast:
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
Overeating:
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.
Smoking:
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.
High Sugar Consumption:
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development..
Air Pollution:
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.
Sleep Deprivation:
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
Head Covered while Sleeping:
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.
Working Your Brain During Illness:
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.
Lacking in Stimulating Thoughts:
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.
Talking Rarely:
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain, and talking rarely also harm your brain.

Control Your Blood Pressure

2010-01-23T12:35:00.002+05:00

Garlic: Garlic is very effective in lowering blood pressure. Take 2-3 raw garlic cloves a day. It slows down the pulse rate and relieves the symptoms of dizziness, numbness and shortness of breath and formation of gas within the digestive system.
Gooseberry: Gooseberry is also very effective in controlling high blood pressure.
Lemon: Lemon is also very effective food in controlling high blood pressure. It helps in maintaining capillary fragility.
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure.
Watermelon: Watermelon also safeguards against high blood pressure. The seeds of watermelon also can be dried and roasted and taken in liberal amounts.
Rice: Rice is low-fat, low-cholesterol and low-salt content is very good for people suffering from high B.P. who have been advised salt-restricted diet. Particularly brown rice having calcium soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve High B.P symptoms.
Potato: Boiled potatoes are very valuable in lowering high B.P. Boiled potatoes absorb very little salt and thus are very useful. Potatoes are rich in Potassium and not sodium salts and magnesium present in potato is also beneficial.
Parsley: Parsley is very useful in high blood pressure. It helps maintain the blood vessels. Parsley can be taken as a beverage by simmering 20gms of fresh parsley leaves gently in 250 ml of water for a few minutes. Drink this several times a day.
Vegetable Juice: Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach juices, taken separately or in combination, are also beneficial in the treatment of high B.P If taken in combination, 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice should be mixed to make 500 ml and taken daily. If taken separately, one glass should be taken twice daily, morning and evening.
Cut down on these: Cut down on salt, cholesterol, fat, tea, coffee and alcohol intake to keep a tab on high blood pressure.
Don't repress your feelings: Don't repress your feelings, talk about them to friends and exercise regularly.

Cigarette Smoke Can Affect Children's Behavior

2010-01-19T11:45:00.002+05:00

The study conducted by German scientists said that the babies who are still in the womb and the children at 1 year of age who are exposed to cigarette smoke will be able to make a problem of their behavior during the school years later. The study also published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Greater risk will occur in children when they are in the womb who has been exposed to cigarettes smoke because it will affect the behavior problems during their childhood. The scientists revealed that the children in the womb for mothers who smoke will have a 90 percent risk of abnormal behavior problems. Whereas children after birth and exposed to cigarette smoke has a 30 percent risk of their behavior problems.
Based on a list of questions that have been given by scientists to conduct research has produced data that revealed a hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, and social interaction problems were due more because of the impact of cigarette smoke than other factors such as external social and environmental factors. Seeing the risk of cigarette smoke is greater in children who were conceived by pregnant mothers so the researchers suggest that mothers who are pregnant for consideration so as not smoking for the sake of their children's future. However, because of the environmental conditions as much as possible to avoid environmental tobacco smoke. We know that the cigarette smoke is very detrimental health for adults, can be imagined when it exposed to children or infants.

Home Remedies for CHILDREN ::: BLISTERS

2010-01-15T10:44:00.010+05:00

Pinwork and Prevention: It's a sure sign that something is rubbing your child the wrong way: She has a puffy, water-filled sac just under the top layer of skin. To her it's a curiosity--somethin g to poke and prod. To you, that blister is a signal that there's been too much friction between your child's foot and shoe--or hand and tennis racket. Your biggest dilemma with a blister is whether to leave it be or drain it. If it's small and not likely to burst on its own, most doctors advise only cushioning it with moleskin, a soft adhesive-backed product you can find at most drugstores.

But if the blister is large or painful and the child can't avoid putting pressure on it, it's better to drain it, as long as the child is not frightened by the idea. Some studies have shown that blisters heal faster when drained, and it's preferable to drain the blister under sterile conditions rather than let it burst on its own. That's because burst blisters can become infected, cautions Suzanne Levine, D.P.M., a podiatric surgeon, clinical assistant professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City and author of My Feet Are Killing Me. (Never, however, puncture a blister caused by a burn.)
Here's how to proceed, for blisters large or small.

MEDICAL ALERT:
When to See the Doctor:
A blister that becomes infected needs to be seen by a doctor immediately for treatment. Here are possible signs of infection.

Extensive or prolonged pain
Redness beyond the immediate area of the blister
Oozing pus
Yellow crusting around the blister
Red lines away from the blister
Fever

Treatment:
Protect them with moleskin. Cut the moleskin into a circle about ¾ inch bigger in all dimensions than the blister itself, says Morris Mellion, M.D., clinical associate professor of family practice and orthopedic surgery (sports medicine) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and medical director of the Sports Medicine Center, both in Omaha. ''Just leave it on for about two days, until the fluid has been reabsorbed into the skin,'' says Dr. Mellion. Be gentle when you remove it, so the adhesive backing doesn't disturb the tender skin underneath.
Explain the draining process:
If your child has a large blister you believe should be drained, first explain calmly why it's a good idea to puncture the blister--and that it won't hurt. ''A child old enough to get a blister will probably be able to understand that the process will be painless because the skin is dead--just as there is no feeling when you cut your hair or nails,'' says Douglas Richie, D.P.M., a practicing podiatrist in Seal Beach, California, and clinical professor at the California College of Podiatric Medicine, southern campus, at Los Angeles County--USC Medical Center. If your child is afraid, however, don't proceed--just pad the blister with moleskin instead.
Don't waste time:
If your child is agreeable to having the blister drained, do it now. ''A blister will heal faster if you drain it during the first 24 hours after it has formed,'' says Dr. Richie.
Clean the scene:
Before you puncture the blister, paint it with an iodine solution such as Betadine Solution, says Dr. Mellion. After you've disinfected the area with iodine, wait at least 90 seconds before you proceed, he advises. ( iodine stings on an open wound.)
Sterilize the needle:
While waiting, sterilize the needle or pin with isopropyl alcohol or Betadine Solution. Holding it over a flame also sterilizes it, but it's also likely to frighten the child and isn't necessary, says Dr. Richie.
Prick with care:
Press the fluid in the blister to one side and then gently insert the needle sideways (not straight up and down) into the fluid-filled part of the blister, advises Dr. Richie. Some of the fluid will come out at once.
Press it out:
Gently press out the rest of the fluid with a sterile gauze pad. ''Most important is to leave the roof of the blister intact,'' says Dr. Levine. That flap of dead skin acts as protection for the raw skin underneath. ''Think of it as nature's bandage,'' adds Dr. Richie. If the blister fills up again after 24 hours or so, carefully drain it again.
Battle infection:
After the blister has been drained, apply an antibiotic ointment or cream such as Neosporin Ointment or an ointment containing bacitracin, and put a Band-Aid over the area. Better yet, cover the blister with a product called 2nd Skin, which is 96 percent water and looks like jelly, says Dr. Richie. You can find it at most drugstores: It comes in large sheets and can be cut to fit. Whatever covering you use, change it twice a day.
Cover Torn Blisters:
If the blister has already burst and the protective layer of skin is torn, you need a ''replacement skin.'' First clean the exposed wound and apply an antibiotic, says Dr. Richie. Then use the over-the-counter 2nd Skin product to protect the exposed area. ''The 2nd Skin creates a moist environment for healing, covers open nerve endings, provides a cushion and protects the area from dirt,'' he says. He recommends changing the dressing twice every 24 hours. A dressing should be used until the wound starts to heal on its own and your child says it feels better.
Make Removal a Snap:
Before you change the 2nd Skin dressing, moisten it if it has dried out. ''That way, you'll save your child's newly healed skin from damage and prevent some unnecessary pain,'' says Dr. Levine.
Preventive Care:
Shop for shoes that fit:
One of the best ways to avoid heel, toe and arch blisters in the first place is to buy your child shoes that fit well, says Dr. Levine. Take your child shoe shopping when he's rested-not after he's been walking around the mall all day, when his feet are tired and he's irritable, says Robin Scanlon, owner and manager of Scanlon Stride Rite Bootery in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.
Scanlon recommends allowing no more than ½ inch of growing room at the toe of slip-on shoes, and no more than an inch for lace-up shoes. Check the heels to make sure they don't slip up and down easily. But if the shoes seem a bit snug, try another pair. ''Never depend on a tight shoe stretching,' ' Scanlon says. ''It should be comfortable when first worn.''
Get special footwear for the athlete:
Although it can be tough on your pocketbook, you may want to invest in specific shoes for certain sports, to help avoid blisters. You don't want your child to play tennis or racquetball in running shoes, for example, because the foot twists inside the shoe during the quick stop-and-go action--and that twisting motion can cause blisters, says Dr. Mellion.
Go acrylic:
If your child has blister-prone feet, choose acrylic socks rather than cotton, says Dr. Richie. His research shows that acrylic fiber socks are half as likely to cause blisters as cotton socks. ''Cotton stays wetter and it doesn't wick moisture off the foot and allow it to evaporate through the shoe,'' he explains. ''Instead, it traps moisture against the foot, and moisture increases friction and rubbing and hence blisters.'' Also, cotton can become rough and abrasive after many washings, while acrylic socks do not. '' Wool is better than cotton but not as good as man-made fibers for protection against blisters,'' says Dr. Richie.
Ban the tubes:
Tube socks, which don't have a fitted heel, can contribute to blisters, says Dr. Richie. ''These can creep down into the shoe, balling up at the toes, creating wrinkles and lumps that become a source of irritation,' ' he says. For the same reason, don't buy socks that are too large.
Double up on socks:
'' When extra friction is bound to occur, as in a sport activity, wearing two layers of socks can prevent blisters,'' says Dr. Mellion. ''The inner pair should be made of a wicking material, such as acrylic fibers, while the outer pair can be cotton.''
Soothe with a sprinkle:
''For kids whose feet sweat a lot, you can sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch between the toes and all around the foot to reduce the friction that causes blisters,'' says Dr. Levine.
Or grease those piggies:
''Rub a bit of petroleum jelly onto any red or irritated spots on your child's feet before putting socks on,'' says Dr. Levine. ''That will help reduce any mild friction that may be occurring.'' That soothing lubricant may be especially helpful for those times when your child is participating in a sport where overuse can create a blister, she says.
Battle sweat:
Sweaty feet can contribute to blisters. For this reason your child is always better off wearing socks, says Dr. Levine. ''If your child insists on going sockless, sprinkle talcum powder inside her shoes and on her feet,'' she suggests. And make sure your child has an extra pair of well-fitting shoes that she can wear on alternate days. That way, each pair can dry out completely between wearings.

Liver Damage

2010-01-12T14:40:00.002+05:00

The main causes of liver damage are:

Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
Not urinating in the morning.
Too much eating.
Skipping breakfast.
Consuming too much medication.
Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.
As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is20very fit.
Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

Do sugary drinks really fuel weight gain?

2010-01-08T09:20:00.001+05:00

NEW YORK – Studies reporting a link between sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain have garnered a lot of attention but actually research on the issue has yielded mixed results, researchers note in a new report. "The purported link between soft drinks and other beverages and obesity risk is unclear and complicated, especially in youth," Dr. Mark A. Pereira, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and an author on the report, told Reuters Health. In a study Pereira and colleagues conducted, they found no link between weight gain over 5 years and teens' drinking of sugar-sweetened beverages.

According to report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Pereira's team assessed diet, lifestyle, and weight in 2,294 ethnically-diverse boys and girls in the Minneapolis/St. Paul school
system. Initially, when the teens were about 15 years old, 1,289 reported drinking 7 or more servings of white milk weekly, while 1,456 said they drank sugar-sweetened punch and 1,325 said they drank sugary soft drinks up to 6 times a week. Additionally, about 1,300 of these teens said they drank up to 6 servings of apple juice or orange juice weekly.

The investigators saw no overall association between consumption of sweetened beverages and the teens' weight gain over 5 years after allowing for other behaviors tied to beverage drinking habits and weight status. However, Pereira and colleagues found drinking little or no white milk tied to greater gains in body mass index (BMI); while drinking white milk nearly every day or more often seemed tied to lesser BMI gains. BMI -- calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared -- is a standard way to determine how fat or thin a person is.

Genes Work in Tandem to Spur Deadliest Brain Cancer

2010-01-04T12:00:00.001+05:00

Two genes working in concert seem to spur the deadliest form of brain tumor, glioblastoma, the disease that took Sen. Ted Kennedy's life last August. Scientists reporting in the Dec. 23 online edition of Nature said that the dynamic duo of genes are turned on in about 60 percent of patients with glioblastoma, and that those patients have an especially bad prognosis.

"We discovered that tumors expressing these two genes displayed much worse clinical outcomes. This is remarkable given that it's based on [just] the activity of two genes," said study senior author Dr. Antonio Iavarone, an associate professor of neurology at Columbia University Medical Center's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City. "These researchers have identified two transcription factors that appear to be causative. They're not just markers. They appear to actually cause the tumor," added Dr. Todd Waldman, an associate professor of oncology at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C. "For brain tumors, it's very exciting because it helps to explain why they are so devastatingly infiltrative."
Zeroing in on such specific targets brings the possibility of new therapies closer to the realm of reality.
"We are now trying to identify new compounds to block the function of the proteins," added Iavarone. "Some may be already available in the chemical library. We're in good shape because we know what we want to find, we know what the drug should do."
Glioblastomas multiforme -- dubbed "The Terminator" by one group of researchers -- are devastating because they so easily and quickly invade healthy brain tissue surrounding the tumor.
Scientists have been trying without huge success to understand why these tumors are so wildly aggressive. Iavarone and colleagues determined that each of these newly identified genes -- C/EPB and Stat3 -- caused little damage on their own but, in tandem, wreaked havoc by switching on hundreds of other genes. After almost a year, all patients in the study who had both genes turned on had died versus only one-half of those who had different types of tumors.
Face looking old? Don't blame your genes
NEW YORK – Don't blame genes for aging facial skin. A new study of twins suggests you can blame those coarse wrinkles, brown or pink spots, and dilated blood vessels on too much time in the sun, smoking, and being overweight.
Because twins share genes, but may have different exposures to environmental factors, studying twins allows an, "opportunity to control for genetic susceptibility," Dr. Elma D. Baron, at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and colleagues explain in the latest issue of Archives of Dermatology.

Their analysis of environmental skin-damaging factors in 65 pairs of twins hints that skin aging is related more to environment and lifestyle than genetic factors. But when it comes to skin cancer, the researchers say their findings support previous reports that both environment and genes affect skin cancer risk. Baron's team examined facial skin of 130 twins, 18 to 77 years old, who lived mostly in the northern Midwest and Eastern regions of the U.S. who were attending the Twins Days Festival in Ohio in August 2002.
At this time, each of the twins also separately reported how their skin burned or tanned without sunscreen, their weight, and their history of skin cancer, smoking, and alcohol drinking.The study group consisted of 52 fraternal and 10 identical twin pairs, plus 3 pairs who were unsure of their twin status. Identical twins share all of their genes and fraternal twins share only about half.
From these data, the researchers noted strong ties, outside of twin status, between smoking, older age, and being overweight, and having facial skin with evidence of environmental damage. By contrast, sunscreen use and drinking alcohol appeared correlated with lesser skin damage.

How is Vitamin B6 useful to our body?

2010-01-02T11:30:00.001+05:00

Instead of asking what are the health benefits of vitamin B6, why not ask first how important is vitamin B6 to our body? Our body needs vitamin B6 or pyridoxine for production of red blood cells in keeping our nervous system healthy for it to work properly and in helping our body to use the proteins, carbohydrates and fats we consume. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is essential in converting amino acid trytophan to niacin (another form of vitamin B). It also helps our body fight against diseases by strengthening our immune system.

Deficiency from vitamin B6 or pyridoxine may result to weakness, irritability, insomnia, anemia, nervousness, difficulty in walking or even convulsions.

Alcoholics, those with genetic defect that prevent their body from using right amount of vitamin B6 and some elderly are the people who is at risk from vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency.

And, what are the other health benefits of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine? It has potential power in treating premenstrual syndrome or PMS and carpal tunnel syndrome. Taking vitamin B6 lessens the harmful effects of diabetes, and has promising effect of eliminating calcium oxalate crystals (one type of kidney stone) in the urine. Some suggests that it helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases. vitamin B6 or pyridoxine also inhibits the growth of skin cancer cells.

You can find vitamin B6 or pyridoxine in meats, poultry, fish, nuts, whole grains, potatoes, avocados and bananas.

Kidney Stones Treatment

2009-12-22T10:15:00.003+05:00

Kidney Stone:

A kidney stones is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi. One in every 20 people develops a kidney stone at some point in their life.
Kidney stones typically leave the body by passage in the urine stream, and many stones are formed and passed without causing symptoms. The kidney acts as a filter for blood, making urine and removing waste products from the body. It also helps regulate electrolyte levels that are important for body function.

Causes of Kidney Stones:
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cysteine.

Kidney Stones Symptoms:
The main kidney stones symptoms,

Pain in genitals;
Admixture of blood in the urine;
Frequent urge for urination;
Stones discharges.

Remedies for Kidney Stones:

Boil 4 tablespoons of linseed in 1 litre (1 3/4 pints) of water then strain and drink the liquid with lemon and honey. It will soothe all kidney disorders. This will dissolves kidney stone.
Take 4 figs and boil them in 2 cups of water. If one drinks this decoction for one month in morning with empty stomach then it shows the wonderful results.
Take 60ml of fresh lime juice and same quantity of olive oil and now mix them a large glass of water. It is helpful in passing the stones in just24 hours and provides you relief.
Take a pan and add a glass of water with 2 medium sized onions and cook them well. When it reaches to normal temperature, blend them in blender. Strain this and drink the decoction for 3 days. It is very helpful as you feel the passing of stone even on the second day.
Since the body transforms vitamin C into oxalate, taking high doses (more than 3,000 milligrams daily) of the vitamin poses an issue for people battling kidney stones. Eliminate vitamin C supplements from your routine and opt to receive your daily dose from food.
To lessen uric acid stone formation, lower the amount of animal protein contained in your daily diet. Meats and certain fish can hasten the formation of uric acid and calcium in urine, which can lead to stone formation.
Out of all the fruits suggested for kidney stones treatment, watermelon is considered the best and safest because it contains the highest concentration of water and provides an impressive amount of potassium salts.
To fight calcium stones, lowering your salt intake can help. Pass on sprinkling extra salt on your French fries, avoid pickled foods, and choose low sodium potato chips. You should aim for reducing your salt consumption to only two to three grams per day.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

2009-12-20T07:30:00.000+05:00

Premenstrual Syndrome is a condition which affects many women during the one or two weeks before menstruation begins. It is characterized by troublesome but usually harmless symptoms including breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating, depression and backache.

There appears to be a common hormonal imbalance in women suffering from PMS which is due to increased levels of estrogen and decreased levels of progesterone. These hormonal changes lead to a build up of fluid in the body, and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the uterus, brain and ovaries.

What Supplements May Help Relieve PMS?
Vitamin B6 & E, is an important nutrient for women during their menstrual period and several studies have shown that a good supply of vitamin B6 & E 200mg everyday may reduce discomfort associated with the menstrual cycle. B6 may help increase oxygen flow to the female organs as well as helping to restore estrogen levels to normal. Research has found a link between a B complex deficiency and PMS and so often the B complex vitamins are recommended by nutritionists for women suffering from PMS.

Magnesium deficiency has also been associated with the occurrence of PMS. One trial of magnesium levels and PMS showed a reduction in breast tenderness in 96% of subjects and of weight gain in 95% of subjects given magnesium supplements.

Vitamin E 200 mg has been widely researched, with most research focusing on breast tenderness. But it may also have positive effects on headaches, fatigue and depression.

Women suffering from PMS have been shown to have impaired conversion of linoleic acid (fatty acid) to gamma linoleic acid (GLA). Therefore a GLA deficiency may be a contributing factor in PMS, particularly breast tenderness. PMS sufferers often supplement with Evening Primrose Oil because it contains good levels of GLA. Evening Primrose Oil seems to work best when taken over several menstrual cycles.

What Herbs May Help Relieve PMS?
Agnus Castus may help to rebalance the normal levels of oestrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. It has traditionally been used by women for a wide variety of female problems.
Blessed Thistle, Dong Quai, False Unicorn root, Sarsparilla root and Squaw vine are all herbs which exert a balancing effect and are often found useful by women suffering from PMS. Dong Quai is also know as the ‘female ginseng’ and it is believed to have an antispasmodic effect.
The herb Black Cohosh is approved for use in women with PMS in Germany. Native American women historically used it before their menstrual cycle.

Water retention is a common symptom associated with PMS. Many herbs possess diuretic actions such as bladderwrack, chilvers, ground ivy and burdock root and are often combined in licensed preparations for better results.

The Role Of Diet And Lifestyle In PMS:

Generally PMS sufferers should limit their intake of refined carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour and bread. Women who eat more sugary foods seem to have an increased risk of PMS.
Intake of fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre should be increased as several studies have suggested that diets low in fat or high in fibre may help to reduce symptoms of PMS.
Caffeine should be avoided as it is linked to breast tenderness and acts as a diuretic. One study found that consumption of caffeine beverages were associated with increase occurrence and severity of PMS and that the more caffeine women consumed, the more likely they were to suffer form PMS.

Remedies For Vomiting

2009-12-19T10:30:00.000+05:00

Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the stomach contents due to the contraction of stomach muscles. Vomiting is also known as emesis. Sometimes you may attempt to vomit but may not expel anything from your mouth. This is known as retching. Vomiting may or may not be accompanied by nausea.

Vomiting Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of vomiting are as follows Increased saliva, Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Difficulty in swallowing food or liquid, Changes in skin temperature, Increase in heart beat rate.
Vomiting Causes Some of the causes of vomiting are as follows Overeating, Drinking excessive alcohol, Pregnancy, Migraine, Infections, Flu, Stomach upset, Stomach virus, Food poisoning, Poisoning, Accidental poisoning, Acute gastritis, Reflux, Intestinal obstructions, Chronic digestive conditions, Peptic ulcers, Stomach cancer, Intestinal obstruction, Kidney failure, Cholera.

Home Remedies for Vomiting:
Some of the effective home remedies for vomiting are as follows. Have a cup of ginger tea, Eat a mixture of honey and powder of 2 roasted cardamoms, Have a glass of chilled lime juice, Have a mixture of 1 tsp mint juice, 1 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice and 1 tsp honey. Slowly sip a glass of honey water, Have one tsp onion juice in regular interval, Slowly sip a glass of chilled cola, Relax for some time.

Diet For The First Twelve Hours:

For the first twelve hours after vomiting do not take any solid food. Limit yourself only to liquids like apple juice, carbonated juices, water and so on. Avoid citrus juices and dairy products for the first 24 hours.

Diet For The Next Twelve Hours

During the next twelve hours gradually start eating banana, peeled apple, boiled potatoes, boiled rice and soup without cream.

Diet After 24 Hours

After 24 hours you can have cottage cheese, non-fat milk, broiled chicken, lean meat and so on.

Other Suggestions for Vomiting
Once vomiting stops, do not rush to normal diet immediately. If vomiting continues then it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Retain Teeth and Lip Color

2009-12-18T12:35:00.008+05:00

The side effects such as discoloration of the teeth and lip color caused by smoking can be changed by bringing about a few simple lifestyle changes which will enable prevention of teeth discoloration. One can also prevent the side effects of smoking by improving dental hygiene.
If discoloration of teeth appears to be of an abnormal color without a logical explanation and, if other symptoms are also present, it is advisable to see the dentist at the earliest.
Discoloration of the lip is another area that needs care and attention to regain the natural color.
Symptoms of Smoking on teeth and lips:
Apart from discoloration of the teeth and lip, smoking cigarettes or cigars can cause a number of other oral symptoms and side effects which include:

Sticky tar deposits
Brown tooth stains
Red inflammation on the roof of the mouth
Delayed healing of the gums
Chronic bad breath
More tooth decay than non smokers
Smoking reduces the flow of saliva

The symptoms are gross manifestations of the biological changes occurring in the body due to continuous addiction to smoking. Here are some key reasons that could lead to teeth discoloration:

Saliva is important for cleaning the lining of the mouth and teeth and protects teeth from decay. Smoking reduces the flow of saliva and thus handicaps its key function.
Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and cuts the supply of vital nutrients.
Vitamin C helps gums to stay healthy. Smoking reduces the level of vitamin C drastically.
Together, a reduced blood flow and diminishing vitamin C level, make treatment of gum disease in smokers a difficult proposition.
Smoking also raises the mouth's temperature, damaging and killing important oral tissue cells.

Other causes other than smoking that lead discoloration of the teeth are:

Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration.
Treatments for certain conditions can also affect tooth color. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration.
Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth.
Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and antihypertensive medications also cause teeth discoloration.
Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration.
Reduce intake of coffee and cigarettes

Remedies to Prevent Tooth Discoloration:
To prevent discoloration a coffee drinker and/or smoker must consider reducing intake or giving up on these addictions. One can also prevent the side effects of smoking by improving dental hygiene .This can be done by brushing and flossing regularly and getting teeth cleaned by a dentist every 6 months.
Treatment options or home remedies that can be tried at home may vary depending on the cause of the discoloration and include:

Using proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques
Avoidance of foods and beverages that cause stains on teeth.
Using Over-The-Counter whitening agents

Remedies to Prevent Discoloration of the Lip:
Here are simple lip care tips and home remedies for intense smokers:

To reduce discoloration caused by smoking or caffeinated drinks the first step is to reduce the intake of such habits.
Drink at least 10 glasses of water to flush toxins away.
Apply Vaseline to your lips regularly.
Clarified butter is also a very good home remedy. Apply a little every night to soothe lips. This helps keep lips moisturized.
Another effective home remedy is applying the juice of a lemon which has bleaching properties to the lips daily. This helps lighten the colour of the lips over time.
It is advisable for women to wear lipstick with sunscreen, as Ultra Violet radiation may cause pigmentation.
Avoid tooth decaying foods like carbohydrates and sugar
Doctors recommend treatments that are advisable to cure discoloration of the teeth and the most one can do on the diet front is to avoid certain tooth decaying foods. Most avoidable foods include all carbohydrates and sugar as they can cause tooth decay. All simple sugars, including table sugar (sucrose) and the sugars in honey (levulose and dextrose), fruit (fructose), and milk (lactose), have the same effect on the teeth.
Avoid foods that will leave tooth decay. These include foods that are rich in carbohydrates and sugar. Sugar takes on many forms such as sucrose (table sugar), levulose and dextrose (honey), fructose (fruit), and lactose (milk).

Facts about Eyes

2009-12-17T12:27:00.001+05:00

Eyes are the most complex organs you possess except for your brain.
Eyes are composed of more than two million working parts.
Eyes can process 36,000 bits of information every hour.
Under the right conditions, can discern the light of a candle at a distance of 14 miles.
Eyes contribute towards 85% of your total knowledge.
Eyes utilize 65% of all the pathways to the brain.
Eyes can instantaneously set in motion hundreds of muscles and organs in your body.
In a normal life-span, will bring you almost 24 million images of the world around you.
The external muscles that move the eyes are the strongest muscles in the human body for the job that they have to do. They are 100 times more powerful than they need to be.
The adult eyeball measures about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Of its total surface area only one-sixth is exposed — the front portion.
The eye is the only part of the human body that can function at 100% ability at any moment, day or night, without rest. Your eyelids need rest, the external muscles of your eyes need rest, the lubrication of your eyes requires replenishment, but your eyes themselves "never" need rest. But please rest them

Home Remedies for CHILDREN ::: CRYING

2009-12-15T12:20:00.000+05:00

How to Still the Sobs

For most parents, a crying baby is no laughing matter. Many babies cry an hour or more each day, frustrating their parents who know that crying is a baby's only language yet are unable to translate it. When is it hunger? When is it pain? When do those plaintive wails that touch us to our very core mean, ''Come and pick me up''?

What most parents learn in the first three months of a newborn's life is that comforting a crying baby is a matter of trial and error. Eventually, the signals will become clear, as parents get better at guessing what baby wants. But in these early few months, a lot of crying seems to be a general plea for comfort.

Should you always comfort a crying baby? In general, the experts say, a baby under 12 weeks may need frequent holding and cuddling to help him settle down. After three months, babies should be given the opportunity to learn to comfort them, or crying may become a habit. Here are a few comforting techniques to try--but results are not guaranteed.

MEDICAL ALERT

When to See the Doctor

Even though crying is normal in infants, there are times when prolonged or insistent crying could be a signal to call your doctor, according to Edward Christophersen, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital, professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri--Kansas City School of Medicine and author of Baby Owner's Manual: What to Expect and How to Survive the First Year. Be sure to call your child's physician right away if:

* Your child's cry is high-pitched and painful rather than fussy.

* Your baby cries constantly for more than three hours.

* Diarrhea, vomiting, high fever or other signs of sickness accompany the crying.

Check for physical causes. ''Make certain nothing is hurting the child,'' says Dena Hofkosh, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and coordinator of the Infant Development Program at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Look for open diaper pins, scratchy clothing, a crib toy poking your baby in the tummy. Also, look for fever or other symptoms of illness, such as a rash. Did the baby burp after his last feeding? If not, he may be having gas pains.

Try A Quick Pick-Me-Up:

Some babies cry just because they want to be held, and as long as the baby is under 12 weeks old, you shouldn't hesitate. ''A lot of parents think they'll spoil babies if they pick them up when they cry, but that's just not the case,'' says Dr. Hofkosh. ''A study done at McGill University found that babies who were held more cried less.''

Give Daily Love Pats:

Touch your child briefly and gently 50 to 100 times a day even when he doesn't need it. Essentially what you are doing is providing unconditional love and rewarding noncrying behavior at the same time, says Edward Christophersen, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital, professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri--Kansas City School of Medicine, and author of Baby Owner's Manual: What to Expect and How to Survive the First Year.

Tune in to the Fussy Hour:

Many babies have a predictable fussy period each day. Although it can occur at any hour, it often comes around dinnertime, when the whole family is home and meal preparations are under way. ''Once you're convinced that's what it is, think of that crying period as an exercise time for your baby,'' says Robert Mendelson, M.D., a pediatrician and clinical professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. ''It's the baby's way of jogging, burning off the excess energy he has.'' So you might just want to let these crying spells run their course.

Bring On The Rhythm And Music:

''A lot of babies respond well to a recorded heartbeat,'' says Dr. Mendelson. There's something primal and soothing about the rhythmic thump-thump that was their piped-in sound track for nine months. Playing music can also help: Many crying babies are distracted by George Gershwin's ''Rhapsody in Blue,'' Raffi's ''Baby Beluga'' or anything that happens to be on the radio. Your humming can be very soothing to a fussy child. Even a running vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer can calm him down.

Put Them In Motion:

A walk around the house might soothe your infant. Your baby may also respond to gentle rocking, either in your arms or in a baby swing or cradle. ''For very irritable babies, vertical rocking seems to work,'' she says. Hold the baby on your lap or shoulder and rock up and down gently, applying some pressure to the chest and belly. ''Babies like frontal pressure, which is almost like being tucked into the womb again,'' says Dr. Hofkosh.

Take A Ride:

For some babies, a drive in the car is like a tranquilizer. When one of her daughters was a baby, Dr. Hofkosh recalls, ''we drove around for an hour-and-a-half in a pouring rainstorm because I couldn't deal with the crying anymore. I figured it was better than sitting home and waiting it out.''

Use A Baby Carrier:

''Some babies love the close comfort of being held on your chest in a front pack,'' says Dr. Hofkosh. ''Some parents like the backpack, but it may be better if the baby's front is in contact with Mommy or Daddy. It's also convenient. You can get things done with the baby sleeping there. I know I ate many meals with my daughters in a front pack.''

Change Positions . . . But not Too Much:

Like the rest of us, babies can get bored or uncomfortable staying in the same position, says Lottie Mendelson, R.N., a pediatric nurse practitioner in Portland, Oregon, and coauthor of The Complete Book of Parenting, with her husband, Robert. Some babies like to be vertical on your shoulder, while others like to peer at the world from your lap. But don't switch too frequently, says Dr. Hofkosh. ''Some babies take a longer time to adapt to a particular position so you need to avoid going quickly from one to the next.'' Give the baby time to figure out whether she feels okay in the new position, advises Mendelson.

Turn Down The Light And Noise:

Babies who are easily overstimulated- -or those who have had a big day full of strange faces and voices and a lot of handling--may need a little time to decompress, particularly before bed, says Dr. Hofkosh. By turning down the lights and keeping voices low, you can help the overstimulated baby relax.

Don't Plug Cries With Food:

''It's very satisfying for parents who hear a baby cry to be able to do something about it, and feeding is the most primal nurturing activity we can do,'' says Dr. Hofkosh. But she advises against feeding as the first response to a baby's cry. Babies do cry when they're hungry, but that's far from the only reason, notes Dr. Hofkosh. A baby who cries when she's bored will probably stop crying if you nurse or give her a bottle, but you will miss the opportunity to learn what her cries really mean and you'll be training her to think of eating as something you do when you're bored.

As a rule of thumb, says Dr. Hofkosh, most breastfed babies feed every 90 minutes to 2 hours and bottle-fed babies can often wait 2 to 2½ hours between feedings. ''If she cries sooner than that, it makes sense to try other things before offering food again,'' says Dr. Hofkosh.

Take A Break:

It's almost impossible for parents to remain calm when they have a crying baby on their hands. Every ''wah'' seems to be saying, '' You're a bad parent.'' But you're not a bad parent if you're child is crying, especially if you've done everything you can to console him,'' says Dr. Mendelson. ''A truly fussy baby is often inconsolable, which can drive parents crazy.''

Parents need to make sure they get regular breaks from a fussy baby, he suggests. Arrange to get an hour or two off daily--and possibly an entire afternoon off once a week--leaving the baby with a grandparent or trusted babysitter. And have an occasional evening out with your partner just to recharge.

Remember, This Too Shall Pass:

''Recognize that crying, especially in a challenging baby, is time-limited, '' says Dr. Hofkosh. ''Tell yourself that you can help your baby be okay even though he's the kind who cries all the time. Remind yourself it isn't a personality trait that's going to last forever.''

Give Them Some Time:

After a baby is 12 weeks old, you can begin to change your strategy. Rushing to comfort a crying baby or child at the first peep deprives her of a wonderful learning experience, says Dr. Christophersen. If you take care of her every need, she'll never learn how to calm herself, he warns. ''The only way I know to reduce crying is by teaching self-quieting skills,'' he says. So wait a few minutes--how long is dictated by your tolerance for crying--to see if the baby can find a way to quiet herself. If she's not in true discomfort, a baby over the age of about 12 weeks will often distract herself by playing with her feet, sucking her thumb or examining her surroundings rather than screaming for you.

Put Your Baby To Bed Awake:

Bedtime is often the best time to teach babies how to self-quiet, says Dr. Christophersen. Though there's a real temptation to nurse or rock babies to sleep, parents and babies eventually pay the price of sleepless nights (and cranky next days) because the baby comes to associate nursing or rocking with falling asleep. That may be fine at 8:00 P.M., but it's not such a pleasure at 3:00 A.M. when the baby begins crying for her ''sleeping pill,'' in the form of a long rocking session.

''If a baby nurses before bedtime and gets drowsy, carry her, maybe bounce her around a little, talk to her, change her diaper, wipe her gums and put her to bed,'' says Dr. Christophersen. ''She may go, ' Wah, wah wah,' and then she'll be gone. Best of all, she'll learn how to put herself to sleep. And if you know your baby can self-quiet, you won't feel like you're abandoning her.''

Take Your Baby Out Of The Crib Before He Cries:

''A lot of parents use their babies as a snooze alarm,'' says Dr. Christophersen. ''After 12 weeks, many babies who once woke up crying wake up babbling. But their parents don't pick them up until they cry. That teaches the child he has to cry before you'll pick him up. I'd much rather have parents taught children they get picked up for babbling and cooing, not for screaming.

Home Remedies for CHILDREN ::: DANDRUFF

2009-12-14T11:00:00.000+05:00

Putting the Hex on Telltale Specks

Having dandruff is not something to be ashamed of,'' asserts Guy S. Webster, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. And if your child is dandruff prone, you might have to remind him that the doctor says not to worry.

When telltale specks of dusty white appear on the shirt collar and shoulders of school-age children, they may come in for quite a ribbing from the other kids. So it's good if parents can offer an explanation and reassurance along with some helpful treatments.

Dandruff is simply an overenthusiastic turnover of skin cells on the scalp. Everybody's scalp sheds, but if a child has dandruff, the skin sheds too quickly and too much. The child may complain that his scalp feels itchy, and you're likely to find some white flakes.

MEDICAL ALERT

When to See the Doctor

Consult a doctor if your child's dandruff doesn't respond to two weeks of home treatment. And you shouldn't delay seeing the doctor if the child complains that his scalp is painful or extremely itchy, says Guy S. Webster, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He also recommends taking your child to the doctor if you detect hair loss, notice that the scalp seems inflamed or see some scaliness and inflammation on other parts of the body.

Other scalp conditions that resemble dandruff in some ways are cradle cap (usually in infants), ringworm, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. These conditions usually aren't serious, but it takes a doctor to diagnose and treat them, according to Dr. Webster.

Though dandruff is not as common in children as it is in adults, kids do get it. If you see a scalp problem that looks like dandruff, go ahead and try some home treatment to see if it clears up, recommends Karen Wiss, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics and director of pediatric dermatology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. But she cautions, ''If the dandruff doesn't respond within two weeks, your child's symptoms may be related to other conditions that need a doctor's diagnosis and treatment.''

Here are the dandruff-fighting home treatments experts suggest:

Buy a good dandruff shampoo. ''A good dandruff-fighting shampoo is important because it reduces the scaling on the scalp and allows medication to penetrate where it is needed,'' says Alvin L. Adler, M.D., a dermatologist and attending physician and clinical instructor in dermatology at the New York Hospital--Cornell Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center, both in New York City. To ensure that you are buying an effective product, spend a moment in the drugstore reading some labels. Look for a dandruff shampoo that lists tar or salicylic acid among the ingredients, says Dr. Adler.

SHAMPOO OFTEN:

Your child should start out using the shampoo at least twice a week, says Dr. Adler. Many doctors suggest that if the dandruff doesn't go away, the child should shampoo twice a week with dandruff shampoo and also shampoo frequently with the regular kind. And if the child still has dandruff, use the dandruff shampoo even more frequently than twice a week.

For the child who is reluctant, make a game of lathering up. And make the bath-and-shampoo part of your child's schedule, so it becomes routine.

If the dandruff doesn't resolve with shampoo alone, a topical steroid medication may be needed, Dr. Adler says. Check with your pediatrician or a dermatologist.

USE NONGREASY HAIR FIXATIVES:

If you have an older child who has just started to use styling products, make sure that you buy nonoily gels or mousses. ''Greasy or oily conditioners and styling products will just make dandruff worse,'' Dr. Adler says.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR RECURRING FLARE-UPS:

''Dandruff is easy to control but not to cure,'' says Dr. Adler. After your child's dandruff is under control, you can switch back to regular shampoo, but be alert for signs of itchiness or flaking. ''Count on it--there will be another flare-up,'' Dr. Adler reminds parents. Keep dandruff shampoo in the cabinet and get your child to use it at the first signs that dandruff is back.

LOOK OUT FOR STRESS:

''No one knows why some people get dandruff and others don't, but stress can provoke it,'' says Dr. Adler. If your child gets frequent dandruff flare-ups, check out the possibility that she may be under too much pressure. You can help her reduce stress by talking about school and everyday problems and allowing more free time without planned activities.

7 Don'ts Even 7 Dangerous

2009-12-12T13:55:00.005+05:00

Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.
Don't smoke- Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).
Don't eat fruits immediately • immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal
Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This 'substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.
Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the in- testine to be twisted & blocked.

Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.
Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99... In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

2009-12-10T10:46:00.003+05:00

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps can be practiced

Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tami flu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive, and powerful preventative method.
Blow the nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water. This is very effective in bringing down viral population.
Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamins C and D. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who might pay attention to it -- and STAY ALIVE because of it.

Signs You May Have Hearing Loss

2009-12-08T12:15:00.002+05:00

There are many different causes of hearing loss and even different types of hearing loss. The most common cause of hearing loss is presbycusis, hearing loss due to the aging process which most often occurs in the higher frequencies. Typically hearing loss due to age is also influenced by genetics, exposure to loud sounds through your lifetime and general overall health. So although hearing loss due to age occurs at different rates and affects each person differently throughout their life, one thing is common for all – it occurs gradually. In fact it occurs so gradual many persons don't even notice they have hearing loss.

Thanks to the millions of tiny sensory hair cells within our inner ears, we have the ability to hear all different frequencies (pitch) from very low to very high. Because of this, hearing loss can vary frequency by frequency. With age, we lose our hearing first in the higher frequencies. So because some people can still technically "hear" they may not be able to fully understand or pick up on every little sound.

Speech is a complex signal, meaning it contains low, mid and high pitch sounds. So although you may have high frequency hearing loss and miss parts of words, your hearing may still be relatively ok at other frequencies which allows you to get by and compensate. However, there comes a time your hearing loss becomes more significant and noticeable – you no longer are able to compensate and fill in the blanks as easily.

So like any medical condition, the sooner you address the hearing loss the better treatment outcome you will have. And for those of you reading this that suspect you or a loved may have some hearing loss, read on.

The following are ten common signs that you may have hearing loss and hey, life is too short to miss out on all the sounds that surround you. So, is it time to make that call to a hearing professional?

You have trouble hearing people talking on the telephone.

Most phones come with a volume control setting, so you might not have trouble hearing your friend, co-worker, client or friend because you've amped the telephone to the max. Check the volume setting on the telephone receiver. If it's at max volume, chances are you, or someone at home or in the office, has hearing loss and needs to see a hearing professional.

You have trouble following a conversation when people are talking at the same time.

Not always a sign of hearing loss. At a party, for example, you can have five conversations going simultaneously, and if you get a little mixed up, it's to be expected. Our ability to process multiple incoming and competing signals also deteriorates over time. However, let's say you're at a meeting at work or eating dinner with the family. When two or more people talk at the same time, does you have a hard time keeping up? Yes? Call for a top-down hearing evaluation. It won't hurt a bit, and it might make life a whole lot better. Better performance 9-5 and more interaction with family and friends. Don't isolate yourself due to hearing loss. There are lots of solutions – one sure to suit your hearing needs.

The family complains that the TV is too loud.

Oh, brother, if this isn't a sign of hearing loss nothing is. When your own kids complain that the TV is too loud, you have a hearing problem.

Volume maxed out? Get your hearing checked

What, you're too young? Too hip? Too cool to have hearing loss? If you listened to loud music through 10 years straight (a rite of passage through the 'tween and teen years) you could well have damaged your hearing parts and the damage has finally shown.

The fact is, hearing professionals are seeing younger and younger patients – teens and young adults in their 20s – who have experienced some degree of hearing loss due to long-term exposure to music.

Time to call in a professional for a hearing evaluation – even if you still think of yourself as a kid.

You strain to hear conversations.

Come on. How much confirmation do you need? Hearing loss affects the whole family who has to shout to be heard. Same with co-workers, this doesn't look good on your quarterly review at the office. If you find yourself straining to hear the speaker in the boardroom or at the podium, what does that tell you?

Time for a hearing evaluation. Worried about what others will think – especially on the job? He's old. She's broken. Well, today's digital hearing aids are smaller than a quarter, come in lots of styles and provide a better quality of hearing and a better quality of life. Hearing aids will help you stay in the game and maintain your reputation on the job.

You have trouble hearing in noisy environments.

You're with some friends at the new bistro in town. It's noisy, just like any busy eatery. And all that background noise makes it difficult to hear the folks at your table.
People with hearing loss often have problems masking out background noise. Good news. Today's hearing aids – even the entry-level variety – come with directional microphones and digital noise reduction.

Directional mice pick up sound in front of you, while reducing the cacophony of ambient noise surrounding you. That's filtered out and softened so, son of a gun; you can join in the conversation. And add that with digital noise reduction, which reduces the din of background noise to improve comfort, you will have yourself a refined listening experience.

While you're eating in a noisy restaurant! When was the last time you could do that? Healthy hearing is a quality of life issue. If you're missing out on conversations, if you don't hear the birds tweeting or your grandchild's laughter, you aren't living life to the fullest.

Fortunately, there are lots of hearing solutions. You just have to find the one that's right for your needs and preferences.

You say 'What?' a lot.

More than a couple of times a day? Look, just because you didn't hear a co-worker doesn't mean you have a hearing loss. It could be something as simple as you weren't facing the speaker, so you ask her to repeat what she just said.
Conversely, if "what?" is the most commonly-used word in your vocabulary, you aren't getting the sound signals you need to process information. Guess what?
Time to call a hearing professional to see what's going on in there. And remember, the hearing aid manufacturers know what you want so you have loads of options to get you back in the hearing game, eh what?

People don't speak clearly.

They mumble. Ummm, yeah, sure, that's what it is. Everyone in your life has turned into a mumbler, right? Of course not! If it sounds like you've got cotton in your ears, even when you don't, it isn't the mumblers. It's your hearing! You aren't picking up the full range of sound – from high notes to low – so it all sounds like mumbling to you.

Is that how you want to go through life? No really, is that how you want to live? See a hearing professional. And stop the mumbling – your mumbling that is.

You misunderstand what people say.

"You want me to eat a frog?" "No, Fred, I said, 'See the fog'." Kind of makes you feel a little silly. Not good for the old self-esteem. How about this? Have trouble hearing your spouse from the other room? And he's only 10 feet away, but there's a wall between you?

Wasn't like that a few years back, was it? You heard him just fine.
Don't miss another word. A pair of hearing aids will do wonders for your "silly" status. You'll be your old self again, and that's good for everyone's self-esteem – especially your own. (And good for your marriage!)

You have trouble hearing children and women.

Okay, you have hearing loss in the higher frequencies. Children and women speak at a higher "pitch," out of your hearing range. So, you have no trouble hearing the basso at the opera, but the soprano? Nothing but pops and clicks.
As previously discussed, hearing loss within a specific frequency is pretty common and with age you're more likely to experience hearing loss within the higher frequencies.

That's why it's harder to hear what your granddaughter is saying than your best friend with a big, booming, deep voice. Oh, that's also why you need a hearing evaluation – to determine precisely which frequencies have gone soft on you. With a tuned hearing aid boosting sound at specific frequencies, while your natural hearing handles the low notes, is going to bring life back to life.
Hear it all.

You become annoyed at others because you can't understand what they say.

Man, talk about deflecting blame. Why are you annoyed at your wife when you can't hear her 10 feet away? She's just doing what she's always done, speaking at the same level as she has for years. So, why are you annoyed?
Well, try to remember, you're not annoyed at the speaker. You're really annoyed that you can't HEAR the speaker as well as you once did.

Hearing loss isn't just about the ears. Loss of hearing is associated with depression, anxiety, isolation and other "emotional disorders." So stop the blame game. You're the one who needs to get tested and fitted with a pair of hearing aids.

Moving Forward with Hearing Loss

Now, as you go through the list, you might recognize one or two of the "symptoms" of hearing loss. Doesn't mean you're deaf. Or even going deaf. We all have trouble hearing at different times and under different conditions.
However, if you recognize more than a few of these symptoms, chances are you have some degree of hearing loss. Now, you can learn to live with it and experience less of what life has to offer, or you can pick up the phone and make an appointment for a hearing test.

You can call a hearing professional within easy driving distance from you, no matter where you live. These professionals do a complete work-up on the extent and nature of your hearing loss. Then, they make recommendations of various types of hearing loss solutions – from discrete to diamond encrusted hearing aids.
There are a lot of choices available to treat hearing loss. One of them is perfect for you.

But, nothing is going to get better until you do something about it. You're the boss of your ears. So, you can live with hearing loss and miss out on a lot of the good stuff, or you can have a hearing test, get fitted with a pair of tuned hearing aids and live your life to the fullest.