ADIVA

A Day for Health Vows: Women’s Day

2012-03-06T15:18:00.001+05:30

Last year I was invited to a college festival on the eve of International Women’s Day. The students performed brilliantly on the stage emphasizing about a woman’s strength and empowerment through every piece. The functional was concluded with a short speech by the principal, which left me thinking for a lot of days.

What she spoke about was that each year on this eve, we stress hugely upon women’s empowerment, power etc. but is our body in sync with our mind? Are we physically strong enough to embark on a mission for the enrichment of self and the sisterhood? No!

A majority of women, the world over, are still struggling with health issues such as malnutrition, unplanned pregnancies, premature deliveries, menstrual havocs, menopausal complications, breast and cervical cancers, psychological disturbances and so on.

So this year, let us all come together and take a vow to fall in love with ourselves, our body and mind completely, and conquer every physical and mental disorder like a winner!

Listed below are a few health resolves for women, this Women’s day!

Move that body a bit: Don’t wait to get motivated to start hitting the gym. You don’t have to start with a rigorous plan and then fail miserably at the end of the month. Start something which you can easily and happily incorporate in your lifestyle.
Talk to your self: In this drudgery of life, often we forget to have a one to one conversation with our self which is a must. Regularly take breaks, close your eyes and introspect. We get so involved in our highly paced lives that we end up doing things that we would have never done or would have done if we had thought about it a little more, in our own space.
Be updated and positively concerned: As a woman, you need to be careful and attentive to your body’s special needs. You must take regular health supplements, go for regular health check ups and quit procrastinating.
Take your own decisions: You are a woman, an equal to the opposite sex in every respect. Don’t allow yourself to be lead by the men in your life, especially where you have every right to make a personal choice. The power of decision making provides an immense self assurance and extreme mental peace. Possess it, by all means!
Stop being so hard on yourself: Yes, you might be a daughter, a wife, a mother who could be a home maker or maybe highly ambitious career women. Remember that whatever your goals are, like weight loss, getting a long awaited promotion, planning a baby, buying your own house etc., stop killing yourself day and night by thinking about these. Take these goals so positively that one day you reach where you had always wanted to, without making the journey painful and so taxing. Keep working, consistently and in complete faith.

Remember that you are a woman of strength, a woman radiating beauty, self-belief, fearlessness and unconditional love. And with a healthy body and a stimulating mind, you can be what you want to be, any day!

Celebrate Womanhood!

Happy Women’s day 

Technorati Blog claim

2012-03-06T13:12:00.000+05:30

Sorry this post is posted to verify Technorati Blog claim token short code 49EM5AAVFQQ

Interesting Tips for Parents Bringing up Newly Born Twins

2012-02-16T12:14:00.003+05:30

Parenthood is a blessing and if you are blessed with twins, then there might be some moments when you are finding it hard to accept it as a “blessing”! The rigors of raising two infants might exhaust you and leave you in quandary, if you are not well prepared in advance. Find below some useful tips to help you sail smoothly through the first few months of twin baby rearing.

Stock up the baby room: When the twins arrive, you will always be on a run tending to both of them. In such a situation, it would be sage to stock the baby room with all the “must haves” like

• diaper bags

• bottles

• wipes

• formula milk

• soothers

• baby clothing

Sleeping arrangement: It is advisable to accommodate your twin’s bed in your own room, near to your own bed. Your children might need you anytime during the unearthly hours so have them with you for the first few months. Buy a spacious bed for them and make them sleep together. By practicing this ritual they will develop similar sleeping pattern which will be very helpful for you as well.

Divide and care: If you are staying with your partner then you both need to divide the duties and care for each other. Seek your partner’s help during feeding and burping time. You can both take turns in taking the babies out in the cradle, feeding them formula, bathing, changing diapers and clothes etc. Remember to attend to one child at a time so as to keep all the stress and anxiety at bay.

Be adept: If you are having completely identical twins then use a dab of nail paint on the toes of one of the baby’s to make things distinguishable. Make a chart of feeding time, diaper changing time, bathing schedule etc and follow it religiously to avoid missing out on any important task.

Prioritize: Understand that this might be the most demanding phase of your life. Learn to live with this fact completely for it will pass soon. Don’t indulge in an exhaustive meal planning, house redecoration, some new skill learning etc. You have your whole life to accomplish what you want to but this is just not “me time”, rather it should be “my baby time”.

Relax: Don’t feel depressed and bogged down under the strains of baby rearing. Surely you can’t get into something grand for your own self during a couple of months but every now and then, you can steal some time for yourself without compromising with your babies. Even though your individuality has changed to take in your new role as parent of twins, you can’t meet the expense neglecting your old self. It’s imperative to take time off every once in a while to focus on your spouse as well. Go for a walk, listen to some soothing music or simply dine together. Don’t hesitate in asking for help from family, friends or a neighbor. You’ll be surprised at how re-energized you feel after putting in these small efforts.

Soothing Therapeutic Massages

2012-02-09T14:50:00.006+05:30

After weeks and weeks of festivity, travelling over to relatives, get together, ballet and salsa evenings, all of us feel terribly dead beat and worn out. Since the holiday season is over and challenging targets at work are waiting for us, it is therefore very important to renew our spirits. One of the quickest ways to invigorate the mind, body and soul is to go for a therapeutic massage.

Therapeutic Massage

Since time immemorial, massages have held an important part in many conventional and alternative therapies. Infants, pregnant and nursing mothers, athletes and recuperating patients from chronic illnesses have benefited tremendously from the massage therapy.

There is an assortment of therapeutic massages available depending upon the needs of a person. Some of the hugely popular and effective ones are:

Ayurvedic Massage

This is not just a massage. It is an exhaustive procedure which involves whole body, intense and continuous massage with hot oil, with gentle and intense strokes. It also involves steam application and herbal scrubs. It is a detoxification therapy which might also involve mild yoga as well.

Traditional Balinese Massage

If you have had some muscular injury or some sprained tissue in the past, then this is the best massage therapy you might consider going for. It is a very deep-tissue whole body procedure employing acupuncture, aromatherapy, stretching and relieves the injured tissues.

Swedish Massage

This massage uses the five basic principles; sliding, kneading, rhythmic tapping, friction and vibration. It is also a whole body massage which has been found immensely useful in patients with osteoarthritis and poor blood circulation.

Reflexology

In Reflexology, oils are not used. It is a simple method making use of pressure derived from thumb and fingers on feet, hands and ears to alleviate pain and stress. It is most suitable for people with hormonal imbalances, back aches, arthritis, digestive disorders etc.

Fusion Massage

This is a blended massage making use of one or two types of techniques together like Swedish Massage and Ayurvedic Massage, or any other combination. It is an exhilarating experience unblocking stiffness and calming the nerves.

Health Benefits of Massage

In our day to day normal healthy lifestyle, we usually tend to disregard the potential benefits that we can get from a massage. It is highly recommended for people who suffer from chronic stress and anxiety disorders. People who have a history of musculoskeletal injuries can also benefit from massages. Massages have reportedly helped people who have had cancer (it assuages the cancer related symptoms), difficult pregnancies etc.

A good body massage stimulates the blood circulation, helps in detoxification, restoration of muscle tone and elasticity and most importantly, it helps in restoring body’s normal emotional balance.

If performed by an untrained therapist, massage can offer serious injuries. Also, vigorous massages without a doctor’s recommendation should be avoided. Areas with severe swelling, clots and bruises should not be rubbed at all.

One of the aesthetics clinics specializing in different types of massages is Adiva, where a lot of specialized massages are given by skilled and certified therapists who work closely with a team of dieticians and doctors to ensure holistic convalescence.

How to Prepare an Older Child for a New Born?

2012-02-03T13:08:00.001+05:30

Romilla, my childhood buddy is truly an alpha woman. A hi-flying corporate career, a Greek god looking hubby and an angelic child complete her life. Lately, she has been thinking of adding a new addition to her family. While she was discussing this issue with her husband, her four year old son overheard their conversation and ever since has been throwing a lot of tantrums. Their son is having a difficulty accepting the fact that a “new entrant” is coming and that it might rob him off his parents undivided attention and love!

This is a common scenario the world over. The innocent older sibling feels neglected and abandoned upon the birth of a new baby in the family. Therefore, a careful planning and handling goes a long way to ward off all the insecurities and develop a happy and harmonious bond between the children, from the beginning.

Here are a few things which you can do to lessen the disappointment of your older child:

Celebrate: Organize a surprise party and call his cute little friends over. Then in the middle of the party announce that “Our son Ronit is soon going to have a baby sister/brother as a gift for he has been an excellent child”. This way, your child will feel rewarded and not embittered.

Involve: Involve your child in your plans. Take him for baby shopping. Take his suggestions while decorating the baby room. This way he will feel lot more responsible towards the preemie. If you will go about your business routinely without involving your older child, you are likely to make him feel uncared for.

Talk: Talk therapy conquers almost all the foreseeable troubles. Talk to your child that you planned this baby because you care for him (the older child). You do not want him to feel lonely when you are away at work (as he has been feeling till now). Tell him that you want him to have a company to school and at sports. And you are so proud of him that you sincerely hope that the newborn will also inculcate the same qualities.

Share: Yes, tell your older child that once the baby arrives, you will need the support from him as well. You can tell him that he will be required to help burp the child, take him for a cradle walk, help you in the nappy changing process, etc. Sharing the responsibility with your child will give him a sense of belonging to the little one.

Letting your child decide the name for the new sibling, taking him to your prenatal classes, making him understand that your nausea and depression are momentary and that you love him all your heart will surely help in establishing a bond between him and his awaited sibling, strongly.

Tips For Traveling With A Baby

2012-01-19T13:07:00.004+05:30

Family outings are fun ways to spend quality time together, away from routine drudgery and work pressure. If you are a new parent then you have to be extra cautious while planning a trip to ward off any unforeseen event. A baby needs constant watch and extra care all the time. A sage planning well before the commencement of the trip will assure that you have a great bonding time with your loved ones without compromising on the comfort and safety of your little angel.

Listed below are a few tips which will help you in preparing your baby’s travel bag.

Comfy clothes: Carry a few pairs of easy to change clothes exclusively for traveling purpose. Avoid carrying clumsy outfits and keep some inner woolens as well if you are traveling during winters. Don’t forget to stack the bag with bibs, socks, towels, diapers, nappy packs and baby wipes. Since the skin of a new born is very sensitive, carry his baby blanket as well.

Baby food: If your baby is still on breast feeding, then that’s the best thing. But if you are not really comfortable in giving him your own feed in public, then you might use your expressed milk. You might also use milk powders and fortifiers but try these a few days ahead of the travel to familiarize the baby with the taste. For preparing the feed, always use mineral water and make very sure that the bottle and stirrer are sterilized. Carry sterilizing equipment if possible and a small kettle as well to heat up the water.

Medications and the like: You might be using some medicines for your baby, carry them for traveling without fail. Consult a pediatrician before leaving and carry some cold and flu medicines exclusively for the child. The infant might feel tired after long hours so carry his massage oil. Keep the toiletry kit stacked with the baby soap, powder, disinfectant, cream, comb, brush and everything else that you might be using.

Miscellaneous stuff: There are a plenty of other things that you must carry. To keep your baby happy and busy, lug some of his toys. Keep a few sterilized suckers handy. Carry a mosquito net, an anti allergic baby cream and a diaper rash cream. If possible then stuff your luggage with a traveling toddler car for it will make your trip very comfortable. If you are going to a beach, carry a net to protect your baby from the harsh Sun and if you are going to walk a few miles then buy a baby backpack so that the little one is snuggled on your back comfortably.

Since you are leaving to a foreign locale with your newly born, get him sterilized in advance under the guidance of a doctor. Keep yourself well abreast about the child clinics in the places you are visiting. If you are too fretful still, hire a nanny.

Have a Happy Family Trip !! :)

How to Comfort a Crying Baby?

2012-01-11T10:42:00.012+05:30

Last evening I was madly excited about meeting my long time friend Sonia after ages. So much had changed since we met five years ago. She was now married and recently blessed with a cherubic girl. We planned for a movie followed by a cozy dinner in a hope to relive our college days.

Alas! All our plans were discarded like trash as soon as we entered the movie hall. Her six months old daughter started crying the moment it was dark inside. Sonia tried calming her by giving her water, milk and baby food but to no avail. Defeated, after trying every attempt to appease her, we left in the middle of the movie for our respective homes.

Taking care of a crying baby is a tough call. At times it becomes awfully complicated to soothe a wailing baby. Under such circumstances, one must be well read about all the resources and tricks which might be tried to calm an infant such as:

1. Identify the Reason: Explore all the reasons behind your sobbing baby. It could be thirst, hunger, an itchy dirty diaper, feeling too cold or hot, gastric disturbance, teething etc. Having identified the cause, now you can easily take charge of the situation. Make a chart of all the possibilities and paste it in your baby’s room. Whenever you are unable to find a cause,breeze through the chart. Perhaps, you missed something in your mind.

2. Hold your baby: Love is a universal language felt by even an infant who is unable to communicate with you like an adult. When your baby is crying, it needs you. Hold him snuggly to your bosom. Pat his back gently and walk for a few minutes. Try swinging and swaying your baby. Interestingly, it will work and instantly your baby will start enjoying the rhythms.

3.Music Therapy: Try singing softly to your baby. Humming pacifies the baby and might even drive him to sleep. In the first few months, by all means avoid taking your baby to place blazing with loud noise as he might get deeply scared.

4. Bath: A warm bath with aroma oil will also calm your baby’s tensed nerves. He will be distracted and will enjoy sputtering and splashing water. Hop into the tub with your little one and enjoy. After this, massage your infant gently with mild baby oils. Never use strong soaps and oils as the smell might be aggravating for the baby.

5. Miscellaneous Methods: If none of the above stated techniques work, you might use a pacifier such as a sucker. Dim the lights and remove all the clutter from the surroundings like toys, clothes etc. Don’t allow the older kids to play with the baby as it might worsen the situation. Lastly, if nothing seems to work, call for help from family, friends, babysitter or the doctor.

Remember that the baby can’t cry forever. Try addressing the situation by keeping in mind the treatment you expected at the time you cried but were unable to express your discomfort verbally. Don’t ever lose patience because with time, your baby will get used to his surroundings and people and you too will become an expert.

Finding Solace While Working

2012-01-03T12:47:00.003+05:30

Tips on having a happier professional life

Have you been suffering from Monday to Saturday blues every morning? Or are you the one dreading going to work everyday for fear of facing monotony again? If yes, then perhaps it’s about time you braced yourself up and worked diligently towards creating a happier atmosphere around so that you feel pepped up, every single moment. For this you need to make conscious efforts such as:

Understand Your Profile and Commit To It Completely: Most of the frustration stems from procrastinating and avoiding tasks that demand your attention. So first of all, get hold of your duty sheet and no matter how uninviting some tasks might be, understand that you HAVE to do them, so do them anyway but with all your heart. Satisfaction derived this way will keep your spirits soaring high for a very long time.

Clear Your Desk: The inability to locate important documents is highly incompetent and speaks volume about your inefficiency and laid back attitude. Failure to produce important files and papers as and when required will get you in the soup! So be a little more organized and keep your desk spic and span.

Get Into a Little Talk: Begin your day by offering a warm smiling good morning wish to every person you meet while entering office. Get into a small talk like, how was your weekend, which book were you reading at coffee yesterday, etc. Such small acts of concern will establish a good camaraderie between you and your coworkers. If some one around you is upset or irritated, try listening, giving your opinion is not always welcomed though.

Break Free: After every hour or so, take a little break. Have a tea/coffee to renew your spirits. Go over to a colleague for a small chit chat. Go for a short walk and stretch yourself. Listen to some music for a change. Long hours especially in front of a computer will make everything mind-numbing and your output will suffer.

Share and Care: Yes, don’t be a loner. Share your lunch with your friends at work. Meal times offer a great opportunity to bond with workmates. Also, if you have some personal issues, share them with your peers at office. Care for them and extend your helping hand if they are in need of one.

Don’t Be Too Obliging: Learn to say NO. There might be instances when people start expecting too much out of you. Make it clear to them that you are not always at their disposal and that your job and responsibility comes first. Don’t be rude though. Be polite yet firm.

Refurbish Your Cubicle: Revamp your surroundings to generate positive vibes. Post pictures of your family and friends in your workstation. Place some incense sticks or a nice table calendar with motivational quotes. Taking a short peek at these things can revitalize you right away.

Lastly, don’t get too carried away by the office gossip. Don’t drag your work to home and fix your working hours. Be punctual and while you are in office, keep your personal problems at an arm’s distance.

You can also refer to more Health Tips

RESOLUTIONS FOR 2012

2011-12-26T17:51:00.003+05:30

It is that time of the year again when men and women all across the globe start filling up their diaries and notepads with resolutions that they intend to follow for the next year with full fervor. Come mid January and all of them are forgotten like they never ever existed in the first place. These are the promises that we make to ourselves. They should be for keeps for as long as possible and that is possible if we try real hard in formulating REALISTIC goals, read REALISTIC!

Some of the very popular resolutions and the tricks to hold onto them are listed below.

Eat sensibly: But don’t binge and don’t starve either. Also, don’t just resolve to lose weight. Shedding those extra pounds involves transforming your eating habits, and the weight will come off gradually. So pledge to eat, eat as much as you want but with stuff that will do good to you. Increase your intake of nuts, fruits, vegetable, fluids like green tea, cereals, milk etc. If you condition your mind to eat every few hours with healthy stuff, then you are likely to continue with this resolve for long rather than hammering your mind with the thoughts of eating less as the hunger pangs will gradually make you miserable and you will end up eating all sorts of food regardless of their nutrition quotient.

Move a bit: Yes, initially a bit is what you need to do. Many people join health clubs with a totally nonsensical goal of shedding like 10 Kg in a month. How on earth is that going to be possible? So first of all, set realistic goals! Start off slowly. If after a few days going to a gym becomes a hassle, don’t fret. Walk in your own home, do skipping, and push ups, abs etc. in the comfort and confines of your cozy home. Even if you do it just 10 minutes, continue for some days till the time you are ready to increase your strength levels. Don’t be hard on your body. Respect it. Remember if you can take excellent care of your job, home, kids, spouse and friends, then you are morally bound to take care of your body as well.

DE-stress: Stress is a demon that plagues us consciously or unconsciously for most part of the day, sapping our emotional, mental and physical faculties of all the positive energy. Also keep in mind that a little bit of job pressure, kid’s exam, absence of a maid, delayed periods, in laws coming, etc. is all a part of life. Accept this fact and embrace every single moment of your life wholeheartedly. Replace that frown with a bewitching smile.

Health: Join a health gang who goes for regular health check ups, who does yoga or mild exercise. Join laughter clubs. Join wine groups, yes join them. Don’t shut down on drinks and smoke, rather cut down. Sudden abstinence will lead to rebound making you feel exceedingly guilty. Don’t just limit your definition of health to weight loss, no, remold it to becoming fitter, happier and content.

Fall in love: If not with somebody else then at least with yourself. Pamper yourself. Get more sleep. Join a school to learn some new skill, travel to your dream destination, make a budget and do some savings, shop wisely, spend time with kids, hug your people as often as you can and so on.

Remember that life is beautiful and precious. Don’t mar the fun by setting some ideal and unachievable goals and then getting de motivated at the end. No. Plan wisely and execute those plans sensibly. That’s all

Winter Blues: Fight Them Off

2011-12-19T17:39:00.008+05:30

Clouded with snow

The cold winds blow,

And shrill on leafless bough

The robin with its burning breast

Alone sings now.

The rayless sun,

Day's journey done,

Sheds its last ebbing light

On fields in leagues of beauty spread

Unearthly white.

Thick draws the dark,

And spark by spark,

The frost-fires kindle, and soon

Over that sea of frozen foam

Floats the white moon.

Whenever I read this poem by Walter de la Mare, I thank god for blessing us with this beautiful season, winter. Oh winter, the chilly winds, mystic mist, roses and chrysanthemum all over, the cozy blanket of sunshine!! I can go on and on and on describing my love for this splendid season. But last evening when I invited my friend for a cup of coffee at my place, I could not help noticing that she looked out rightly depressed. She said that she felt gloomy and utterly sad in winters!!

Like her, I have seen many people complaining and whining without any concrete reason during this time of the year. A physician friend told me that this is known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder” (SAD).

What is SAD?

SAD is recognized as a kind of psychological condition which is marked by an increase in appetite, lathery, unexplained mood swings, lack of initiative etc. These symptoms are usually observed in people during acute winters.

Prevention

A slight modification in the lifestyle can help a lot in fighting the winter blues. Some of the tried and tested ways are:

Exercise: Another reason to hit the gym! Yes, exercise will kick your sluggish metabolism and you will feel active throughout the day. Exercise also leads to the release of a few hormones which give us a “feel good” feeling.

Eat healthy: Avoid processed foods in your diet like white bread, rice and sugar, instead go for healthier alternatives like brown bread, brown sugar etc. Drinks lots of water. In winters our food cravings are on a rise, so avoid fried stuff and caffeine, opt for corns, assorted fruits, salads and black tea/coffee.

Soak in the Sun: Warm rays from Sun have a mood elevating effect on the body. So no matter how busy you are, try to get some sunshine by reaching your bus stop a little earlier, taking your lunch in the office’s open lawn etc.

Get social: Whenever you feel depressed and totally worn out due to the endless cold and chilly winters, seek social support! Catch up with some old friends, go for a walk with them, go shopping, and plan a movie.

Embrace the season: Try keeping out all the negative feelings out of your mind. Change your perspective. Look for the best that this season has to offer. Join some sport to keep yourself warm. Bask in the beauty, mist and festive spirit of this delightful season.

Happy winters :)

Preparing Your Body For The Festive Season

2011-12-08T13:17:00.006+05:30

I and my friends have already started charting out huge plans for partying during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Last evening, I visited my friend to invite her over for a theme party at my place. My spirits got dampened when she accepted the invitation without any fervor. I wasn’t expecting such a cold response from her.

Later, my friend told me that this friend of mine, who gave me cold vibes last evening wasn’t accepting any invitations this year as she was on a DIET!!

I couldn’t help laughing at this disclosure. I mean, why do people on this so called DIET for a couple of days, or probably for months cut themselves off from all the delicacies Are these short term plans really worth the effort and sweat And most importantly, what’s the point of celebrating a festival with all the pomp and festivities if you are deprived of your favorite food.

True, festivals come with a lot of get-together and negligence in diet can lead to weight gain. But one should never resort to the extreme step of starvation altogether. Never! You should plan your diet in such a way so as to keep your body healthy and at the same time, enjoying the festival in full swing.

Listed below are some of the tips which will ensure that you have the time of your life during this winter, without having to worry about any extra pounds on your frame.

Don’t Skip: I have come across many people who binge during parties, on the pretext of having starved themselves during lunch and breakfast. Criminal! Don’t ever skip your meals as fasting leads to massive hunger pangs, compelling you to eat way more than what your body actually needs. Keep your breakfast and lunch moderate, adding more portions of fruits, nuts and water.

Stuff yourself: Yes, before marching out for an evening with friends, stuff yourself with fruits, black coffee, nuts etc., so that you are not too tempted to gorge on the snacks afterwards.

Socialize: Remember the main agenda behind going out is to catch up with the old friends, colleagues and relatives. Spend time chatting with the people you know. Share something exciting about your life with your pals and listen to their experiences intently so that the major portion of the evening is spent with the friends and not at the snacks bar.

Eat healthy: Lastly, you can’t and you shouldn't keep yourself away from food for long. Eat healthy. Take small servings of your favorite munchies and desserts. Try out different salads, fruit combos, and low cheese stuff. Don’t consume much alcohol. Share your plate with somebody and eat slowly, savoring every single morsel.

So, get up and get ready for your Christmas evening out with friends. Don’t let anything come in the way of you and fun. Life is not just about being hard on you always. Just bear in mind to love your body and be kind on it.

Drinking Plenty of Water Helps in Reducing Your Body Weight

2011-11-24T14:53:00.006+05:30

When was the last time when you had water without feeling thirsty? Most of you would have to think hard to answer this question. Drinking water as a matter of habit is very hard to inculcate. But do you realize that if your water intake is sufficient, then probably you can hasten your weight loss program really fast. Let us see how important water is, in weight management process.

If you are on a diet and some work out plan too, then why does your body need more water? Because of the following factors:-

The initial weight loss is due to the loss of water from the body, therefore to prevent dehydration, body needs a water replacement.

If the body is dehydrated, the calorie burning process is slower, so to speed up this process, water is required.

When the calories are burnt, excessive amount of toxins are produced which can be easily flushed out from the body through water.

If you are exercising, then too you need good volume of water to maintain the muscle tone of your body and preserve the lubrication of joints.

A diet plan for weight loss suggests a lot of fiber intake but if along with fibers, water is not consumed then it might lead to constipation.

You must be wondering as to how much water you need to drink per day?

Well, on an average, there should be a minimum intake of 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. The consumption depends on a variety of factors such as your body weight, the extent of your physical activity, the temperature of your environment, humidity levels, diet etc. Also, if you are already taking a fluid rich diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, juices etc., then your water intake should be moderate.

How to Increase Your Water or Fluid Intake?

To enhance your water uptake, you can follow the following tips: When you wake up in the morning, start off your day by drinking at least two glasses of water. You can add honey and lemon to add taste. Also, honey and lemon with lukewarm water helps in burning calories.

If you find taking plain water difficult, then increase your uptake of fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, soups, coconut water, milk etc. Don’t rely much on caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee as these are diuretics which drain out water from the body producing dehydration, therefore drink plenty of water if you can’t control your tea/coffee cravings.

Take water in between the meals so that your food intake decreases.

Don’t wait for your body to tell you that now you are thirsty, rather drink water after every 45 minutes or an hour. Develop this as a habit.

Water also takes good care of skin and hair apart from managing weight. So take a pledge to increase your fluid intake NOW by consuming a full glass of water, right away.

Twenty Minutes A Day Will Add Twenty Years To Your Life

2011-11-17T10:23:00.005+05:30

Recently, I went for a trekking trip with my gang of girls. It was an exhilarating experience. We bonded after a long time and we had endless stories to share from our work to spouse to children and so on. All of us are working professionals. Ritu is a Gynecologist, Sheena, a Chartered accountant; Pratibha is an Assistant Professor, Gina, a Microbiologist whereas I am an Entrepreneur. To be honest, the trekking plan was a total fiasco as we had a really tough time climbing those steep mountains of Ladakh. While reassuring and comforting each other that we can do it, I can bet that all of us were literally cursing Ritu for getting us into this adventurous plan. She was the only one who was running, jumping, crossing every obstacle like a little enthusiastic kid whereas the rest of us were huffing and puffing, nearly panting.

Upon probing she shared that scientists all over the world established that it is not necessary to indulge in a strenuous work out. Even an exercise schedule of 20 minutes per day can keep you fit and your heart pumping actively. She too was following this twenty minutes work out ritual, religiously! If you stick to this routine, chances are that you will increase your longevity by twenty years!! Isn’t that amazing? Won’t you like to know these simple work out tips? Off course you do. Read on!

Breathe in, breathe out: This is fairly simple to do. All you need to do is stand erect. Now inhale deeply so as to take your tummy inside, after this exhale freely to relax your abdomen. Do this for a while. After some days, you will surely notice an inch reduction from your waist as well as some firmness.

Static running: You can do this while standing straight. Start running but don’t move. This is also known as static jog and it helps in quick weight loss.

Skipping: Skipping is an excellent form of workout which helps in shedding pounds from almost all parts of the body. Start slowly and then gradually increase your skip count.

Dancing: Switch on some grooving beats and dance as if no one’s watching. Move, stretch, bend, do whatever you feel like doing. This is a really enjoyable workout as it lifts your spirit and at the same time, weight loss accomplished with a dance regime is very fast.

Abs: When you wake up, before getting down from the bed, lie down straight on your back. Now raise your body slowly towards your knees without folding your legs. Do these while getting up and before hitting the sack. This will reduce extra flab from your stomach.

Weights: To get a curvaceous figure, all you need to do is fill a bottle of 500 ml with water and do side bends. For example, if you hold this in the right hand, keep it glued with you body and now raise your left hand and stretch and bend towards the right side. In a week’s time you will feel that your body is shaping up.

Stepper: For this you can simply use your bath stepper. Step up and step down. Do this with both feet. This is a very good cardio exercise.

Lunges: Stand straight, step forward with one foot while keeping the other foot back, the toes of both facing forward. Now lower your knee as much as you can and again get up. Repeat this exercise many times with both feet. This is a good exercise for your legs.

Jump: Simply jump as much as you can while standing on the same position. Sometime with your arms aligned sideways with your body and at times arms stretched up and down and sideways. You will sweat a lot and burn calories rapidly.

Climb up and down: If you have a stairway in your home, then climb up and down. Repeat this for sometime but be cautious. Over speeding might lead to negligence and accidents.

Walk, walk and walk: If you have a verandah, then walk forward, turn and walk again. Do this for a few minutes and continue this for a few days. You will see soon you are out of that lethargic mode.

At the end, also make sure that you eat sensibly. Cut down on fats and consume more of proteins.

All the exercise plans cited above do not necessitate the availability of a park, an open space, sophisticated gym equipments etc. All you need to have is a firm resolve to start from this very moment and a rock solid will power to never abandon this work out plan, come what may. After all, 20 minutes is not asking for much out of your 24 hours. So gear up ladies and start right away!

Skin Care During Winter Season

2011-11-09T16:15:00.005+05:30

For people inhabiting Indian subcontinent, winter is the most awaited, most welcomed of all seasons. It is the season of hot chocolate, peaches and roses, love and reunion. Someone aptly described this season by quoting that “winter is the time for comfort, for good faith and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire”. A sense of coziness pervades when winter is talked about. But this is the same season which brings with itself dry and itching skin, unsightly chapped lips, cracked and flaky skin with patches and pigmentation. So for people encountering such discomforts, winter might not be that alluring and pleasant. But a little bit of planning ahead of this season, few sensible dietary considerations and regular skin care routine can save us from a lot of winter skin woes. Mentioned below are a few easy to follow tips to make certain that you enjoy this season of warmth completely and beautifully.

1. Cover up: The harsh winter winds are awfully merciless towards the dry and sensitive skin wrecking havoc, giving a dull, drooping and an aged look. So whenever you step outdoor, cover yourself completely. Wear gloves to protect your hands and for face use a scarf. Also protect the quality of your hair from deteriorating by wearing a good head gear.

2. Moisturize: The humidity levels during this time of the year are way below the normal resulting in dehydration and hence, chapped skin. So regular moisturizing of the skin is must. Use petroleum jelly, glycerin or a good quality moisturizer at regular intervals to keep the dry skin at bay. Also, the skin also glows if the body is hydrated. So don’t forget to drink loads of water for that instant glow.

3. Skin cleaning: Use a scrub or an exfoliate regularly to get rid of the dead skin. Don’t be too harsh on your skin with loofah as it might produce redness and itching. Use home made face mask and face washes instead of harsh soaps to scrap off make up as soaps can be very damaging.

4. Sun protection: Sun feels good on skin during chilly days but over exposure can lead to tanning and hideous pigmentation. Therefore use a sunscreen with a good SPF while stepping out. Wear a hat or use umbrella to protect your hair and face.

5. Diet check: Don’t overload your system with caffeine. Instead try different varieties of soups. Keep away from fried stuff and try swapping it up with baked vegetables. Eat fresh fruits and nuts to boost up your energy levels. Eat lots of salad to keep your system clean.

6. Exercise: Getting out of the snug bed can be a tormenting task for most of us but think of that beautiful dress you want to get in for Christmas or may be New Year! To keep your weight in check and maintain that svelte body, a little bit of effort is required. Thus keep visiting your gym, go for brisk walks or indulge in any form of physical exercise which keeps you warm and fit.

So fight off all your winter woes and welcome this season, delightfully, enjoying every day and every moment with a healthy body, and shimmering skin.

Am I At A Risk Of Getting Breast Cancer?

2011-11-01T09:59:00.007+05:30

Yes, I am! All of us are. But then are we familiar enough with this cancer? Are all you women out there aware of the stages, the treatments available for breast cancer? I bet no. We will guide you through a series of articles starting from the very basic facts about breast, breast cancer, and the stages of the cancer, myths associated, available treatments, and the life afterwards. So let us start off with a basic introduction about breast, its functions, the breast cancer and its stages.

BREAST: The first step is to get your facts right. So what exactly are the breasts? It is an organ found in the mammals which has mammary glands which are responsible for the production and secretion of milk. The development of breast starts with the onset of puberty and continues for some years.

BREAST CANCER: Our body is formed of millions of cells which are formed, then they grow and eventually they die. Sometimes there is a reckless growth of these cells resulting in the tumor formation which can be either benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The benign tumors are harmless and once removed from the body, do not come back, whereas the malignant tumors if not detected at an early stage spread to different parts of the body. When such type of development when takes place in the breasts, it leads to breast cancer.

CAUSES AND RISKS ASSOCIATED

There are innumerable causes and risk factors associated with breast cancer. Some of them are:

• Being a woman, you are 100 times more susceptible to breast cancer.

• Women above 50 years are more prone to this type of cancer.

• Breast cancer is also associated with the transfer of genetic factors.

• White women are more at a risk of breast cancer than the Asian and Afro Americans.

• Regular use of birth control pills also increases the risk of breast cancer.

• Recent exposure to radiations enhances this risk.

• Excessive consumption of alcohol elevates the chances of getting this cancer.

• Women who do not breast feed also run a higher chance of getting this cancer.

STAGES OF THE BREAST CANCER

The treatment protocol of the breast cancer depends on the stage of cancer.

Stage 0: This stage is used for the description of non invasive cancers which are very hard to detect. This cancer is also known as Ductal Carcinoma in-situ.

Stage 1: Now the tumor size is approximately 2cm spreading beyond the wall of the duct but still inside the breast.

Stage 2: These tumors can be of 2cm or larger in size and spread outside the breast in the lymph nodes found under the arms.

Stage 3: The tumors in this stage can be of any size but they spread beyond breasts and arms, into the skin, chest wall etc.

Stage 4: This cancer has a wider spread into the regions like liver, bones etc. This cancer which spreads to various parts of the body is known as metastatic cancer.

So as we observe here, on getting unnoticed, this cancer can infest other parts of the body and that too fairly fast. Therefore, continue regularly with your self breast examination, adopt a healthy lifestyle and on detecting any lump or any unusual sign, visit your doctor without any delay.

Safety Measures To Be Followed During Diwali

2011-10-21T16:58:00.004+05:30

Diwali, an eagerly awaited festival of the year. A festival celebrated by all religions, a festival enjoyed by almost all the age groups. Unfortunately, this is the same festival associated with an umpteen number of accidents every year. People are fascinated by the grandeur and sparkle of fire crackers and lights but a little carelessness resulting into a mishap can mar all the fun and spirit.

To make sure that you and your loved ones have a safe and a blissful Diwali this year, read on and follow these basic precautionary measures to keep accidents at bay.

Careful lightening of the house: Many people decorate the outer walls of their homes with electric bulbs and lights. These look very colorful and magnificent but make sure that there are no misplaced, hanging wire ends. Also, the bulbs should be at a reasonable distance from a water tap to avoid any incidence of short circuit and a fire breakout.

An alternative to this set up is the use of flowers and leaves to save electricity and any unwarranted accident.

Watchful storage of the fire crackers: Make sure that you store all the fireworks in a cool and secluded place, away from the reach of children and pets. Don’t place them near kitchen or any other heat source like inverter/generator, computers etc.

Choose your clothes wisely: Don’t opt for a synthetic and lose clothing as it can easily catch fire. Wear something in cotton and cover yourself as much as you can to protect your skin from heat, smoke and fire. Wear closed shoes instead of open sandals.

Burning fireworks with sagacity: First of all, always buy your fireworks from a licensed shop. Secondly, before using them read the instructions very carefully. Use ear buds to protect yourself from deafening noise pollution.

Let them off one at a time and don’t be in a haste of any kind. Keep elderly and very small children at a safe distance from the site of fireworks ignition.

Be prepared: In advance, keep two buckets of cold water nearby and an anti burn cream, some ice and bandages in the vicinity so that god forbid, if there occurs a misfortune , it can be dealt with immediately.

Don’t booze: Drinking and then igniting crackers is a lethal combination. You have to be very alert and in your senses while using them so stay way from alcohol by all means.

Indoor safety: In Indian homes, it is an age old tradition to light earthen oil lamps (diyas) and incense sticks extensively during this time of the year. Make certain that these are away from curtains, bed sheets or any such article which might catch fire. Keep at least two ceasefire sprays to combat a fire break out.

It is advisable though to celebrate Diwali with flowers and rangoli as fireworks add to air and noise pollution, burn a hole in your pocket and expose you to uncall for accidents. But still if you derive immense pleasure by lighting up those crackers, indulge, but with care.

HAVE A HAPPY AND A SAFE DIWALI

How To Manage Your Work Place While You Are Pregnant?

2011-10-17T13:27:00.007+05:30

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die

Whenever I read this quote, I thank god that I am a woman and I worship him that he has given us, the women, a blessing known as “Motherhood”. And the seeds of motherly instincts are developed by a female from the moment she becomes pregnant.

Pregnancy, a nine moth long journey, which if tread carefully can become an experience of a lifetime. At the same time, many factors have to be taken care off while you are pregnant especially when you are a full time working woman. Let us consider them all:

• Diet considerations: When you are pregnant, you have to be very careful and watchful of whatever you eat. No matter how demanding your job is, cut down on the intake of caffeine, i.e. tea and coffee. Instead, carry milk bottles, fruit shakes and water bottle with you. Keep yourself hydrated. Don’t ever come under the influence of your colleagues when it comes to food. Get a diet chart made by your dietitian and follow it religiously. You don’t however have to disclose about your pregnancy. Just tell your friends that for some time now, you are on a healthy diet. Gradually, they will accept it.

• Fitness tips: Now that you are expecting, you can’t go on with your hectic schedule. Take regular breaks. Tell your close circuit about your condition as excessive physical strain can prove fatal. Long working hours, continuous standing, and heavy weight lifting is a strict no during pregnancy. Take help from your trusted group of colleagues during this phase.

• Announcement Time: If you are experiencing morning sickness, regular nausea, irritable mood, erratic hunger pangs, excessive tiredness, lethargy etc., and you are past your first trimester, then it’s about time you disclosed about your pregnancy to your boss as well as office mates. If your boss is a family person, then he/she should be very accommodating. While pregnant, you should have the leverage of working from home, leaving early, getting extra assistance from your colleagues and your pregnancy leave should be sanctioned promptly.

• Dressing for work: Smartly dressed women are always appreciated at work but during your pregnancy, your comfort should be the top priority. Opt for clothes in which you can breathe easily and move easily. Stack away all your body hugging skirts and trousers. Don’t even look at your high heel shoes and instead go for flat and comfortable foot wear.

• Relax: It is very important to keep your nerves calm. Don’t bother about the deadlines, the tasks undone. With a little help from your seniors and subordinates, you will complete every single job assigned to you. Don’t lose your temper over any thing. Try keeping your mood in check. While working, listen to soft music. When tired, take a nap. Make sure you have a comfortable seating arrangement. Bring your pillow to support your back while working.

• Be Aware: Lastly, browse around your office for nursing homes and gynaecologist should you need their services in case of an emergency.

So all you would be mommy’s out there enjoy your pregnancy completely. Don’t let your job and work pressures get into your head. Understand that this is the time when you don’t have to bother about those extra pounds on your body; you can eat as much as you please, rest as much as you want! No one has a right to malign these special pregnancy moments of yours for womanhood is special and motherhood, a rarest of rarest blessings!

Self Health Check Up Techniques

2011-10-11T14:10:00.003+05:30

Oh! Look at her, she has an ugly paunch. Forget her, look at her friend; she’s applied weird nail paint! God, what’s happened to these girls, why don’t they have a look at the mirror before stepping out?

Haven’t you heard yourself making these remarks in your office or any gathering? Yes, you have, very often. All of us are very critical when it comes to finding and judging other person’s anatomical faults. But, are you also familiar with your body? Are you also keeping in tune with the changes that your hair, nails, breasts, skin are undergoing? You never bothered!

It is about time you started monitoring your body and any untoward changes that might be there. Because of the grilling schedules at home and office, many women avoid going to the physician when they have slight pain in the lower abdomen, or a minor swelling in the breast and may be uncharacteristic hair fall. A lot of us dismiss such abnormalities as stress signals and we continue with our lives. But do you realize that these problems could be the first signals of a predisposing fatal disease like Endometrial cancer, Breast cancer, Anemia or any other major ailment?

Thankfully, there are many simple self health check up techniques which if tried can give you a clear picture of your health status.

Some of these are:

1. Breast Examination: Self breast examination must be done at least twice a week without fail. While getting dressed, before putting on your brassier, have a look at your breasts. Look for any abnormalities such as dimples, creasing, scarring, redness etc. After this, lie down, take your right hand above your head, with three middle fingers of your left hand, and examine your right breast all over. This method is very useful for finding lumps. Repeat the same procedure for your left breast as well.

2. Abdomen Examination: Do you have thick hair growth between your belly button and pubic bone (NOTE: almost every woman has a mild hair growth in this region and above which is normal). Well, it could be because of PCOD or Polycystic Ovarian Disease. In this, a lot of androgens or male hormones are produced in the female’s body which is responsible for this masculine hair growth. Same growth pattern on face and chin is also an indicator of PCOD and thyroid disorder in females.

3. Check your Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: This can be easily accomplished by placing your index and middle fingers on the opposite hand’s wrist. The pulse rate should be between 60 and 100 and if yours is considerably lower or higher than this range and that too consistent, then it must be reported to the doctor for it might be due to some cardiovascular abnormality. For blood pressure, you can use a digital monitoring device. The normal range is 120/80.

4. Hair Examination: If you have erratic hair fall, balding, scaling, graying, consult your trichologist right away as you might be having some major nutritional deficiencies.

5. Skin Examination: Watch your face, neck and all other visible parts regularly. If you observe any mole growing or an unexplained bruising etc., then you must see your dermatologist and get your skin evaluated for skin cancer and other problems. If detected early, cancer can be easily arrested.

6. Tongue Examination: Normally, the tongue should be of its original color but if you see a white, yellow or a patchy tongue, then probably you are suffering from some gastric disorders or acidity. You should take an OTC antacid and if the problem persists, see your doctor.

7. Eye Assessment: The sudden appearance of under eye dark circles indicates that you are having some allergy, deficiency or maybe an unacknowledged stress. Small bumps on the eye lids indicate that probably you have a high cholesterol level. So see your physician before it is too late as the high cholesterol level puts an individual at a risk of a heart disease.

It is advisable to go for your regular health check ups and in between those visits, you can try these techniques because early detection and timely treatment can save an individual from a lot of pain, discomfort and even death!

From Nicu To Home: Handle Your Baby Carefully

2011-10-03T10:59:00.006+05:30

Last week when I was told about my friend’s delivery, I was ecstatic. But soon my high spirits dampened when I realized that it was a preterm delivery and that the baby had Jaundice and Pneumonia. Immediately after birth, the child was rushed into NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Those four days were horrible for the family when their child was battling for his life.

And finally the day came when the child was handed over to the parents. As the family was preparing to leave the hospital, they were greeted by a doctor. The doctor sensed the tension and the anxiety on their faces. He realized that they were relieved that their child had survived but at the same time they were full of anxiety for now they had to nurse him very carefully and on their own. Then the doctor had a heart to heart conversation with the family assuring them that their baby was fine, that if a baby was kept in NICU, it doesn't mean that he/she will not have a healthy life. That session was indeed an enlightening one and we also got to know about all the ways by which a new born should be taken care off especially after its stay in the NICU.

A NICU BABY

Who is a NICU Baby?

NICU is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the babies who are taken care in this unit are known as NICU babies. These are the ones who are either premature (born before the 37th week of pregnancy) or are sick from birth.

NICU

A NICU is a unit in a hospital which is exclusively committed to the care of the premature or sick babies. These neonates have a lot of difficulty in breathing, swallowing etc. Their organs such as heart, liver and kidney are under developed. At the same time, they are very vulnerable and prone to many infections. A NICU is a specialized cell consisting of support equipments for the sick babies. The doctors and nurses engaged in this section are also exclusively trained.

FROM NICU TO HOME

For most of the parents, NICU is a dreadful place. They are under a lot of stress when they watch their tiny baby undergoing so many traumas. Transferring the baby from NICU to home is an even tough job for some families. In the hospital, the baby is under observation 24/7, but at home everything has to be managed very skillfully by the parents alone. So they might feel a little jittery.

But this phase can be managed easily if the parents keep the following points in mind

1. Protect your Baby: A neonate coming from a NICU is very fragile and prone to a lot of infections. When you bring your baby home, however rude it might sound, keep your friends, relatives and small children away from him. The possibility of getting an infection is very high during the first few days at home for a baby and since your child has just emerged out of a war zone called NICU, you have to make sure that it is not subjected to any unwarranted contact now.

2. Medical Devices: If your baby still needs to be monitored regularly for his physiological functions, then get trained from the hospital staff about all the equipments that need to be installed and used at home.

3. Bonding with Baby: When your baby was inside NICU, there were times when you longed to press him tightly against your chest and shower all your love and care. Make up for all those missed moments now. Give your baby the Kangaroo care by holding him tightly against your body. Your child can’t comprehend your language but it can surely feel your boundless motherly affection. This bonding goes a long way in reassuring the child that you are with him, always.

4. Breast Milk: Mothers milk is the best milk for a child. Breast feed your baby as often as you can and also since he is unwell, your doctor might recommend some additional fortifiers.

5. Follow ups: Once you are home and you have started taking care of the neonate, make sure that you maintain a journal of whatever changes you see in your child. Apprise your doctor about any abnormal happening. Don’t skip your visits to the clinic and keep a track of the vaccination schedule.

6. Take Charge of Yourself: Alright, you had to undergo the nightmare of seeing your baby in the NICU but now get over that episode as soon as you can. Many parents find it immensely difficult to come down to their normal selves after those days of apprehensions and nervousness. Remember that you can provide your child your full love and care only when you are in charge of your mental make up. So thank god that you have your bundle of joy in your arms rather than going to the flashback again and again.

One of the hospitals in Delhi which has a state of the art NICU unit at ADIVA. They have facilities like Care of Preterm and very Low Birth Weight Babies, Parental nutrition, Developmental Support Team etc. to make sure that when you return home, you are not alone and carrying your healthy baby with you with an assurance that the child will grow out to be an achiever in every conceivable area, making you proud and happy.

So allow yourself to heal. Share your fears, your concerns with your partner, friends and family. Your child’s stay in the NICU might have left you wounded but with time, you will be fine. Get involved with your child. Parenting is a divine blessing. Celebrate every single moment with your child now. True, that you have to be careful about the special needs of a NICU baby but gradually, with proper nutrition, care and most importantly with your unconditional love and support, he will come out of every single ailment and lead a normal life.

LAPAROSCOPY: For The Detection And Treatment Of Infertility

2011-09-21T13:18:00.038+05:30

What is Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a minimally non invasive procedure in which very small incisions are made (0.5-1.5 cm) into the abdomen to have a clear picture of the abdominal as well as pelvic organs. Through the incision an instrument known as Laparoscope is inserted. The eye piece of Laparoscope has a camera and the images through it can be examined on an attached video monitor.

Why is Laparoscopy performed?

Laparoscopy is a well established diagnostic procedure for the confirmation/diagnosis of:

• Blocked fallopian tubes

• Fibroid

• PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)

• Endometriosis

• Scarring

• Cysts

• Hernia

• Laparoscopy can be used to perform Hysterectomy (removal of uterus).

• It can be used as a Sterilization procedure where the Fallopian tubes can be destroyed.

• By opening or removing Fallopian tubes, this method can be used to get rid of the Ectopic pregnancies.

How is Laparoscopy performed?

Laparoscopy is performed by following this sequence of steps:

• Before the commencement of this procedure, the patient is advised not eat for at least 8-10 hours prior to the surgery.

• Now a local or a general anesthesia is administered to the patient.

• Now some fluids and medication will be given to relax the patient.

• After this, the abdomen is inflated using gases such as Carbon Dioxide or Nitrous Oxide. This separates the abdominal wall so that all the organs can now be viewed clearly.

• Now through a small incision, a Laparoscope is inserted.

• If there is some scarring or other such defects, then a few more surgical instruments maybe used to rectify the problem using excision or electrocautery.

• Finally, the incisions are closed using sutures.

Probable Risks Associated

• It might lead to serious scarring

• Profuse bleeding

• Persistent pain

• Infection

• Skin irritation at the site of the incisions

• Blood clotting

• Urinary tract complications

Laparoscopy Versus Open Gynecological Surgery

• The Laparotomy incisions are 6-14 inches long whereas the Laparoscopic incisions are very small.

• Hemorrhage is very less therefore blood transfusions are not much required.

• Pain felt after the procedure is very less.

• Hospital stay is less.

• Healing is faster.

• Scarring is less.

• Reduced possibility of infections since not much of the internal abdominal contents is exposed.

Disadvantages

The Laparoscopy is hugely popular and many patients prefer going for it, still there are a few factors which limit its use. These are:

• Expensive: The Laparoscopic set up is costly to install therefore even till day not all the institutes are equipped to provide this facility.

• Highly Technical: For performing a Laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon should be well experienced possessing special skills. So a lot of surgeons are still not very much expert. Maybe after a few years we will have a lot more trained doctors.

• Not Applicable for Big Surgeries: This technique cannot be used when a major scar has to be operated upon or when a larger view of the abdomen is desired.

Nevertheless, Laparoscopy is still the preferred procedure because its advantages outweigh every other thing. Many super specialty hospitals are coming up with this technique and one such hospital is ADIVA where there is a pool of experienced and skilled surgeons and state of the art Laparoscopic set up. So, don’t bother if you have to go for a diagnostic or an operative Laparoscopy for we will make sure that the procedure causes minimal discomfort to you with a very fast recovery.

Get Rid Of Those Flabs With Liposuction

2011-09-12T09:44:00.009+05:30

Today when I met my best friend, I had a trouble taking my eyes off her dazzling figure. She told me that she wasn’t this fit a year ago when one day she was horrified to death upon realizing that she could not get into a beautiful dress which she got stitched especially for her sister’s wedding. She just could not pull it down her fat double chinned face and finally when she did manage, her fat belly stood out of it shamelessly, and her buttocks, for which she was once labeled as a voluptuous beauty, were looking like a pair of huge, disfigured structures. Even after months of work out and dietary restrictions, her fat didn’t budge. Then she did a lot of introspection as to what had she turned into? An obese girl, no a lady (her girly features had submerged in layers of fat that she had accumulated) who had sagging flab at every possible place. Now was the time to take bull by its horns and that’s when her friend introduced her to “Adiva”, a super specialty hospital offering many aesthetic treatments, “Liposuction” being one of them.

Liposuction, a surgical procedure which involves the use of fine suction tubes for the removal of unwanted fat from sites such as the abdomen, chin, hips, breasts, calves, arms, thighs, neck, chest and buttocks. Sometimes, ultrasonic energy and mechanical help can also be used to get superior results.

Liposuction has revolutionized the body contouring arena. That hour glass, zero figure, breathtakingly dazzling frame is very much achievable now. More and more males are also availing this facility too.

But before opting for this procedure, note that Liposuction is primarily a figure correcting technique, so if you are aiming at shedding off only those extra pounds, then you should reconsider. This is best suited for those people who have loose hanging skin post an excessive weight loss regimen and wobbly abdomen after child delivery. Liposuction works best on the stubborn fat which is resistant to diet modifications and even regular exercises. Also since this surgery involves incising the tissue, so the patient is at the risk of intense bleeding, necrosis and fat coagulation.

LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURES Over the years because of its huge popularity, many Liposuction techniques have been developed depending upon the patient’s need. These are:

• Conventional Liposuction: Also know as “Dry Method”, it is not much in use now. It involved the suction of fat without injecting any fluid. This resulted in trauma and a lot of blood loss.

• Wet Liposuction: In this method, a fluid containing Lidocaine (anesthetic) and adrenaline are injected at the site from which fat removal is desired, to minimize the trauma and blood loss.

• Super Wet Liposuction: In this method, the amount of fluid injected is more than that used for the Wet procedure. It is used where high fat deposits have to be removed.

• Tumescent Liposuction: In this method, a very large volume of fluid containing dilute saline Lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (vasoconstrictor which prevents the blood loss by shrinking the capillaries) is injected inside the body from where the adipose tissue needs to be removed

• Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction: Here a tube is used which emits ultrasonic waves. These waves break the fat tissue which can then be sucked out.

• Superficial Syringe Liposuction: Here we use syringe instead of vaccum to pump out the fat. It is suitable for the fat that is just below the skin.

So if your gym instructors and dieticians have given up on that stiff paunch or heavy bottom, don’t lose heart for Liposuction may be the answer to all your woes.

Peel Off That Troubled Skin With Chemical Peels

2011-09-06T10:43:00.008+05:30

On my 30th birthday, while admiring a pearl necklace gifted by my hubby, I watched myself in the mirror a little longer than the usual. These 30 years had gone by, but they left their footprints on my face, my skin. My teenage years had left an indelible array of acne marks. My late twenties had introduced me to faint wrinkles, and some laugh lines.

If only, these imperfections would go away, making me flawless and radiantly beautiful!

This sad realization hits most of us at some point of time in our lives. But why do we allow ourselves to be bogged down by such depressing thoughts when we can actually get back that young, glowing skin and that too without involving any surgery and pain?

Yes, we can! A chemical peel is the answer to your bothersome skin.

How does it work?

A Chemical Peel is a simple non invasive procedure where a troubled skin is treated with a solution of a chemical, resulting in the peeling off, of the old skin. The regenerated skin is healthier, spotless and evened out.

Types of chemical peels

1) Alpha hydroxy acids: This is a classic peel, used extensively and since very long. Alphahydroxy acids are the naturally occurring chemicals. These are citric acid, glycolic acid, malic acid and lactic acid. It is a very mild peel, usually used for the treatment of acne scars and uneven pigmentation.

2) Beta hydroxy peels: Also know as salicylic acid, it is best suited for acne prone skin. It is a powerful and a deeper peel procedure.

3) TCA peels: Trichloro acetic acid peels are mild in nature. These are used for the age spots, light wrinkles and acne. A prior treatment with alpha hydroxyl acids is usually given to prepare the skin for further treatment.

4) Phenol: Since phenol is a very strong chemical, it used for the deep peeling procedure. It is indicated for deep irregular pits, ugly scars, coarse wrinkles, excessive pigmentation.

The protocol

Chemical peeling is a simple procedure, and doesn’t take much time either.

Firstly, the patient is evaluated. His medication history is asked. The texture of his skin should also be monitored
He should be told in detail about the procedure and the expected results
A consent form is then signed by the patient
The skin is then defatted using acetone
Now an appropriate peeling agent is applied and neutralized

One of the hospitals specializing in this facility is Adiva where imported peels are used, and post the treatment; it renders your skin rejuvenated and glowing. The skilled aesthetic surgeons at Adiva make sure that when you are through this treatment, you return home feeling confident and beautiful, inside as well as outside!

So shed off all your inhibitions, fight all your skin imperfections and march forward in life with that lovely smile.

Aesthetically Beautiful: Look Good to Feel Good

2011-09-03T16:41:00.006+05:30

How you appear, how you look actually defines how much you are in love with yourself and to look beautiful, to look pleasant is not easy, it is indeed an art.

Today, we all are smart workers, scaling new heights everyday in our careers and managing our homes efficiently. But in this grilling schedule, one aspect of our personality that is heartlessly overlooked is our skin/hair/body care. No matter how accomplished you are but if you are having those hideous facial hair, acne scars, and flab at all the inappropriate places, you are likely to be a victim of low self esteem.

Being beautiful is all about looking good, looking agreeable and self assured. It doesn’t necessarily means that you have to have a Cleopatra like splendor. It simply means that you should be in possession of a healthy, glowing skin, immaculate tresses and a strong and well-formed body, oozing a lot of self confidence.

We are living in an era where almost every imperfection of our body can be sculptured using surgical/non surgical procedures that are quick and produce excellent results.

It is therefore of utmost importance to get examined by trained doctors, get the right kind of treatment and recover completely and see the visible change in yourself post the procedure. One such place where you can be absolutely certain of getting what you want is “ADIVA” where every day, every moment is a celebration of womanhood and life.

Adiva is a house of skilled aestheticians using the latest technologies strictly following the international protocols. The ambience of our place is such that you will feel relaxed and totally at ease. Ours is a one stop shop for management of all your skin, hair and body woes. We will not just treat you on your exteriors, we’ll make sure that you regain your self esteem and face the world like never before, fearlessly and with poise.

We bring to you both invasive and non invasive procedures such as:

• Botox to steer clear your skin of wrinkles and laugh lines
• Injectable Fillers to add volume to your thin lips, to fill the facial imperfections.
• Laser treatments for the removal of acne scars and surplus facial hair
• Liposuction to restructure the parts such as abdomen, hips, chest and buttocks
• Breast reduction and augmentation procedures
• Facelift to tighten that sagging skin
• Nose and eye lid surgery to rectify the abnormal contours
• Chemical peels to scrap away the dead cells paving the way for new and healthier skin.

So come and see for yourself how our skilled team transforms you in to an individual who not only looks good, but also radiates an unbound zest for life.

Importance of Stem Cells Treatment

2011-08-30T10:32:00.004+05:30

Stem cells are unspecialized cells found in multicellular organisms that develop into many different or specialized cell types. The stem cells can specialize into liver cells, muscle cells, blood cells, and other cells with specific functions by the process of differentiation. Their main function is to renew and repair. For e.g. Bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract are areas where stem cells readily renew and repair tissue.

Properties of Stem Cells

- Self renewal

- Potency

- Identification

Importance of Stem Cells

- Stem cells are used in curing variety of fatal and non-fatal diseases through their extensive ability to renew and repair.

- Bone Marrow transplant is the most familiar form of stem cell therapy where blood forming stem cells are used to treat cancers of the blood cells and other disorders of the blood and bone marrow.

- Use of stem cells to regenerate damaged or diseased tissues is also practiced on many conditions, including Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, Spinal cord injury, Diabetes mellitus, sclerosis, arthritis, burns, etc.

Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cell treatment has the capacity to successfully treat common, innocuous and non-serious to serious, deadly and life-threatening diseases by introducing new cells into damaged tissue. The ability of stem cells to self-renew replaces the diseased and the damaged zones in the body, hence curing the disease.

We at Adiva utilize the best infrastructure and manpower in the field of Stem cell treatment for many diseases such as-

- Cancers

- Diabetes

- Heart Damage

- Arthritis

- Liver Cirrhosis

- Muscular Dystrophy

- Ageing

- Non-healing wounds

- Spinal cord injury

- Neuro muscular disorders

- Kidney disorders

- Lung diseases

- Eye disorders

Stem cells have by far considered a boom to medicine but remains under development for treatment and cure of many diseases.

Keep Wrinkles at Bay With Botox

2011-08-29T13:52:00.001+05:30

Every woman wants to look perky and youthful her entire life. A wonder toxin that can help you to banish your wrinkles from your forehead and around your eyes is BOTOX. It is one of the most popular anti–ageing treatments, which is fast gaining ground in India. With the help of these cosmetic injections one can smoothen those unwanted lines which appear on the face such as frown lines between the eyes, forehead lines, crow’s feet (wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye), deep smile and laugh lines on the brow and upper lip lines etc. Botox is derived from Clostridium Botulinum, a bacterium, which is created in the laboratory, is safe.

How does Botox works?

With age our skin loses its elasticity and it leads to the formation of facial lines and wrinkles. Some of the key areas where wrinkles most appear are forehead, around eyes and lips. What botox does is, it basically blocks signals from the nerves to muscles that prevents them contracting.

The procedure is very simple. A tiny injection is inserted directly into the skin where wrinkles are present; it provides temporary relief to the facial muscles and further prevents formation of wrinkles for a specified period. One doesn’t feel any major pain, only there is mild discomfort during the procedure as very thin needle is used for whole procedure which lasts only for few minutes.

Benefits of Botox

The procedure is safe, quick and painless. It’s a non-invasive surgery. There are no incisions, so you don’t need to worry about the treatment leaving scars on your face. It takes a few days for the effects to appear. The treatment usually lasts for four to six months, with the wrinkles returning gradually. Over time, treatment begins to last longer. Besides banishing wrinkles, Botox is also effectively used for the treatment of migraine headaches, lifting eyebrows, stopping excessive sweat etc. It is suitable for women 25 to 60 years.

Adiva is one such destination where you can tackle your ageing woes. You can eliminate those unwanted wrinkles, blemishes and skin sagging problems with varied treatments available at Adiva. Treatments like lasers, botox, tissue fillers and infra red skin tightening measures can make your skin look unblemished and radiant. At Adiva, you can project your beauty and look more attractive. So come and empower yourself with beauty.