Health 'n' Fitness Village

Sinusitis - A Little Deep

2011-01-07T22:24:00.000+05:30

WHAT ARE SINUSES?

Sinuses are the moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the nose. These cavities are also known as Paranasal sinuses and they include:

· Frontal Sinuses: These are located in the area near the eyebrows.

· Maxillary Sinuses: These are located inside the cheek bones.

· Ethmoid Sinuses: These are located between the eyes.

Sphenoid Sinuses: These are located behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.

TYPES OF SINUSITIS:

There are two types of sinusitis:

ACUTE SINUSITIS: It is a type of sinusitis which happens to be the reason for the cavities around your sinuses to become inflamed. This, in turn, blocks the drainage and gives way to formation of mucus. Difficulty in breathing through your nose is the major problem one comes across. Along with this, the area around the eyes and face feel swollen accompanied by facial pain and headache. The major reason for this condition is common cold. Bacteria, allergies and fungal infections are also counted amongst some other factors that trigger acute sinusitis. It lasts for less than four weeks, sometimes up to eight weeks. Cure of it depends a lot on the cause.

CHRONIC SINUSITIS: It is a type which is uncommon and mostly evolves after an acute sinus infection. Several treatments may be taken into account. Though, Surgery is kept as the last option if all other treatments fail, which usually turns out to be a success. This types lasts for much longer, for more than eight weeks.

Sinusitis - At a Glance

2011-01-07T22:17:00.001+05:30

Chilly cold.. yes, it is winter’s now and surely the season to catch colds. But what if you are suffering from sinusitis? Be honest and answer the following questions-

· When you wake up in the mornings, do you often feel lousy because your head feels heavy and this feeling persists throughout the day?

· Do you also suffer from cough and throat infections accompanied by cold?

· And does your symptoms of cold do not come to an end in spite of medications?

If your answer to any of two questions is yes then you need to check in with your doctor, maybe you are suffering from sinusitis.

WHAT IS SINUSITIS?

“Sinusitis is a swelling of the inner lining of the sinuses. The sinuses are the spaces between the bones in the face where air passes and where a fluid called mucus drains into nose”

Sinusitis is quite common. It feels like much like a head cold, with a stuffy or running nose and a headache.

SYMPTOMS:

Blocked Nose
Headaches
Poor Sense of Smell
Rhinitis or runny nose
Sore Throat
Facial Pain and Swelling
Nasal Discharge
Postnasal Drip
Cough
Congestion
Tiredness
Fever
Halitosis or Bad Breath
Symptoms of Cold do not respond to medication
Sleep is affected

Healthy Hair Diet

2010-07-18T20:14:00.001+05:30

A healthy diet plan is very necessary to maintain a healthy body and when it comes to hair, you should strictly switch to moderate food habits. With millions of people being affected by hair loss, or damaged hair, I have written this post comprising suggestions to attain healthy body and hair.

What to eat?

Fruits and vegetables prove to be the best source of energy as they are highly rich in proteins and vitamins. Also, these healthy things do not consume much of energy in digestion.

My first advice to everyone would be to eat plenty of green vegetables such as spinach and leafy vegetables according to the seasons.

Seasonal fruits should be a “must-to-eat” in your diet plan.

Another good source for blood circulation is vegetable juice and soups. As a matter of fact, a good circulation of blood leads to a healthy body as well as lustrous hair.

Sprouts aid in easy digestion.

Amla (Indian gooseberry) Juice, a rich source of Vitamin C and Iron, helps a lot.

Fresh coconut water and Ashgourd juice enhances hair growth.

What to avoid?

Deep fried dishes – say a BIG NO to these.

Sweets made of white sugar.

Be not an addict of Tea, Coffee and Soft drinks.

Also avoid excessive spicy food.

In addition to the above, if a healthy regime of exercise, yoga and pranayam (under the supervision of a trainer) is followed, it will definitely accelerate the growth and revival of hair.

Health Benefits of Mangoes

2010-07-15T10:53:00.001+05:30

Anti-Cancer: The phenols in mangoes such as Isoquercitrin, Quercetin, Fisetin, Astragalin, Gallic acid and Methylgallat, as well as the abundant enzymes have the capacities of preventing cancer.

Eye Health: One cup of sliced mangoes provides around 25% of Vitamin A, required to promote good eye sight.

Helps in Digestion: Mangoes have the necessary digestive enzymes that help treat down proteins and support in good digestion.

Health Skin: Mangoes have the power to relieve clogged pores of the skin.

Helps in Diabetes: Mangoes also play a healthy role in normalizing the insulin levels in the blood.

For Better Sex: The Vitamin E present abundantly in mangoes regulates the sex hormones and increases the sex drive.

Beneficial for anemia: Mangoes are very beneficial for the pregnant women and individuals suffering from anemia due to iron deficiency.

Boost Memory: Mangoes contain Glutamine which helps to boost memory and make cells active which in turn improves the concentration level.

Weight Gain: Mangoes also are beneficial for people wanting to gain weight. Unripe mangoes contain starch which gets converted into sugar as the fruit ripens. Hence, ripe mangoes (rich in sugar) when consumed with milk help in weight gain.

Scent of a Man

2010-07-08T20:06:00.001+05:30

Your cologne – your Signature Smell

Yes, it makes you smell sexy and fresh as well as make the fairer sex go crazy for you or maybe your smell.

Here are some sexy rules to make you irresistible:

Make your scent special: Always keep in mind what seems to be perfect on your colleague may not suit you the best because when the chemicals of the scent mingle with your body odor, they give out something distinct.

Keep Experimenting: Try new colognes, do not hold on to one kind of smell. Include notes such as vanilla musk or marine scents in your cologne range.

Co-ordination with your skin: As a matter of fact, your skin might be having allergy to some chemical in the colognes. Hence, a self test is highly recommended to determine the suitability of cologne.

Be a Playboy: Haha! Do not get me wrong, I am purely referring to colognes over here. Cologne comes with three notes. Just pick your desired smell and spray it on. This is the first note, basically your first impression. Smell again after 10-15 minutes. This is your second note. Let 45 minutes pass by and smell again. Now this is the dry-down note- the long lasting scent. It is the right fragrance for you, if all the three notes smell good.

Change is Necessary: You should prefer strong fragrances during warm summer days while stick to the light ones in winter. Never drench yourself with cologne.

Woo your lady with your irresistible smell...

Doctor is a friend!

2010-07-06T12:34:00.002+05:30

A doctor is a good friend of yours during unhealthy times. Doctor is the only person we try to reach whenever we experience any kind of health problem.

But, improper communication proves to be fatal. The wisest way is to find a friend in your doctor. This way you will feel relaxed and develop a relationship of trust with your doctor. Now, this will, in turn, initiate a healthy conversation between the two of you.

Whenever you visit a doctor’s clinic or reach for any medical aid, keep in mind three important things.

DO NOT BE SHY:

You need not feel awkward or shy while getting examined by the doctor. A proper medical check up will help the patient in getting a proper medical treatment.

BE HONEST:

Always step in the doctor’s clinic or chamber with “Being Honest” as the most important thing on your mind. Telling the truth will help you a lot as he is the one who will treat your illness. This act of yours will also assist the doctor in compiling a complete summary of your problem or illness.

BE CLEAR:

You can ask your doctor about the problem with to have a better understanding. This will make you aware and alert as to what is going wrong with your body. Apply the same rule while understanding the whereabouts of a prescription drug. Always read the prescription thoroughly before leaving the drug store so that you can address the things you don’t understand.

Are they DEAD?

2010-07-03T23:37:00.000+05:30

Oh yes! Your favorite shade of lipstick might be dead. Or maybe your sexy eye shadow could make you blind.

Wondering How?

Girls, you need to learn more about makeup. I know it is so painful to throw one of your lovable shades of lipstick or break your eye pencil. But the fact is that our little babies- foundation, compact, lipstick, gloss, liner, mascara, eye shadow, eye pencils and nail polish- do expire.

A continuous usage of expired products will leave a more painful impact on your face, eyes, lips and nails, probably because they result in a whole lot of medical problems such as breakouts, skin irritation and eye infection.

Hence, let us learn more about these beauty products and get rid of them at the right point of time.

FOUNDATION:

If you own a foundation of a famous brand, then it will most probably last for a year while an oily based for 18 months. Using a pump style or regular style bottle is another important factor. Also, greater amount of contact of your hands with the product decreases its life span. Keep monitoring your face for the signs of breakouts and irritation.

COMPACT, POWDER BLUSH OR BRONZER:

If a compact suits your skin then the ideal time period for using it is upto one year. Otherwise, if you detect any signs of skin irritation, you need to get rid of it immediately. Also, a strange feel or smell of it is also a sign of dumping it. The same rule goes for blush and bronzer too.

LIPSTICK, GLOSS AND LINER:

The perfect time period to use these products is a year before their expiry dates. Though, if you come across any weird smell, it is time to move on to a fresh version of it.

MASCARA:

You will be surprised to learn the fact that it is one beauty product that expires after four months. Hence, you are not supposed to use mascara for more than four months. If it getting clumpy or giving out a foul smell, you need to get rid of it.

EYE SHADOWS AND EYE PENCILS:

The time span of a good quality product is usually about two years. But you are advised to use it only after washing your face clean, sharpen it regularly and not share with anyone else.

NAIL POLISH:

The only product which if stored in proper conditions can stay with you for a year and a half. The quality of product is naturally a big factor behind it. If it has dried up and spreads unevenly on the nails, it is surely a sign to get rid of it.

Drug Addiction : Role of Parents

2010-07-01T09:37:00.000+05:30

If a parent suspects about his/her child consuming drugs then they should start making quiet and slow moves, generally which involve

• Locking the liquor cabinet
• Being strict in regard to the child’s lifestyle
• Keeping Double Check Alarm Systems
• Check their Bedrooms
• Closely observe the physical attributes of child – eyes, lips, etc
• Never assume that your child is too young to be exposed to drugs
• Know who your child’s friends are
• Consider the places where they can get drugs
• Check your child’s attendance at school
• Keep a check or ask for expenditure record from your child
• Check your child’s vehicle for suspects of drugs
• Look through their pockets, backpacks, wallets, purses
• Take your child for random Drug Test
• Develop an open, strong & trusting relationship
• Most important, teach your child to say NO to drugs and make him/her aware about the harmful impacts of drug intake.

If the child is struggling hard to free himself from drugs and experiencing extreme behavioral problems, then it is an alarming point for the parents. In fact, everybody should take up several ways so as to protect and safeguard the future generation of our nation.

Drug Addiction : Signs

2010-07-01T09:29:00.000+05:30

Though children, especially adolescents show many of the symptoms mentioned below when they are depressed. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to sort out with the child about his/her problem.
A child, when into drugs usually shows signs like

• Tardiness to classes, lectures, workshops, appointments, etc
• Sudden fall or drop in grades
• Losing interest in the activities the child probably enjoyed
• Disconnecting with old friends and joining new groups
• Personality changes – an extrovert child suddenly becomes introvert
• Sudden mood changes – get furious or sad with out any prior indications
• Seem hung over
• Decrease in memory retention
• Increase in keeping secrets
• Withdrawal from family
• Eager or disposed to fight
• Red Eyes
• Weight loss
• Insomnia
• Fatigue or being too hyper

Drug Addiction : Reasons

2010-07-01T09:25:00.000+05:30

Gone are those days when the youngsters endeavored to excel in studies and games, despite failures. But today, the scenario has changed a lot. Though, the population has become more educated and aware about the burning problems, among which, Drug Addiction is mushrooming a lot amongst youngsters, but not very good ways are being adopted so as to curb this havoc called Drug Addiction.

The reasons that act as boosters are numerous but everybody is too busy to take heed of the situation. Throwing some light on the reasons that make a child drug addict are very shocking. The pressure created by parents upon their children to bring home bright report cards, shining trophies, medals and top charts in extra- curricular activities but not lending a helping hand when the child needs it the most, which in turn, backfires both the parents and children. The parents feel devastated when they become aware of the fact that their child is a drug addict. The prime reasons to be focused here are lack of affection, time, support, communication.

Bereft, of love, affection, time, support, communication, negligence from the part of parents, the youth usually end up taking drugs for putting themselves at ease from the stress. Though, the parents strive hard to bring up their child in the best conditions, sacrificing a lot to make their child happy. But the reasons that force a child to indulge in drugs are usually

• Inability to express oneself
• Imposed by responsibilities that are meant for an adult
• If both or one of the parent is alcoholic
• If the child starts facing domestic problems at home from an early age
• When a child gets into bad company and starts spending time at bars, etc
• If the child is less educated or unaware about drugs and their impacts
• If a child is going through a tough time, especially during teenage
• If a child becomes a part of humiliation, maltreatment, inferiority or consistently he faces failure
• Also, the youngsters strongly feel drinking alcohol, smoking, intake of any form of drug as vogue. As a result, the neglected youth usually inculcates a habit of drug intake.

Many parents are mistaken or unaware of their child taking drugs and alcohol. But surely a close observation in regard to the symptoms of drug intake can really help a lot.

Do's & Dont's during Acne

2010-07-01T00:08:00.000+05:30

The teenagers, when do not get instant results, panic and inculcate a feeling of inferiority, anger. They wonder looking at others acne free skin. But they do not pay attention on minor things. Here are some little tokens of advice but very useful.

1. Do not forget shower – Generally, a human being does workouts to stay fit, but forgets to take a shower which helps bacteria and dirt to gather. It is a strict advice to take shower after workouts which will wash away the emitted salt on your body.

2. Aloe Vera Gel or Juice - After taking shower or washing your face, apply Aloe Vera gel or juice on the acne prone areas, which will soothe the burning or swelling of acne.

3. Avoid Stress – Stress is the biggest reason for acne. During stress, the habit to touch our skin regulates the formation of acne. So when in stress, do yoga or adopt a hobby which lessens your stress level.

4. Wash your face twice a day – Make a habit of washing your face with an anti-bacterial soap twice a day. This will cleanse your face and not let bacteria to accumulate.

5. Keep your hair off your face – If you have long hair then keep it off your face, or tie them back. As hair roots emit oil, which causes acne too.

6. Loosen up clothing when not needed – When you are relaxing, then it is advisable to wear loose clothes. Tight clothing usually creates friction, which results in scars, acne or inflammation of skin.

7. Wash your pillow case everyday – The case on which you spend 8 hours sleeping. So why not keep it clean? So, wash your pillow case everyday, this will create hygiene and your face less prone to acne.

8. Do not squeeze or prick – A natural tendency of pricking or squeezing when you spot an acne. But stop! Pricking or squeezing acne will make it worse.

9. Take a look at your make up box – If your skin is too sensitive to skin products then you need to watch out before the condition gets out of hand. Always use products which are labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic.

10. Keep your hands off your face – Excessive touching skin out of emotions is really harmful. Germs stick to your hands when touch a door knob, handshake someone and touching your face with those hands is surely a bad start.

So being little cautious and clean, will surely help in curing acne. The points mentioned above consume time, but are surely worth practicing. When the acne will start to disappear you will feel good and look good.

Acne – How to deal with it?

2010-07-01T00:06:00.001+05:30

Acne – it is a nightmare for everyone. Anyone can have acne – a toddler, a teenager, an adult – anyone. It is really a highly stressful situation. Many people feel horrible looking at the mirror. People fear acne more than death. But, very few get into the details and know – how’s of Acne. This is article is aimed at explained at explaining about acne and make everyone aware about the ways to cure acne.

Let’s throw some light on what is Acne? Firstly, there are around more than 50 different kinds of acne and dealt differently based on the severity. Though, a few dirty reasons can give rise to acne but cure of acne is very difficult, which also consumes time and lot of efforts.

We all are taught from our childhood that skin is the most sensitive organ of our body and if mistreated, results into breakouts, bumps, pimples, scars and many other serious skin diseases.

But how does acne form? Mind- boggling question. Some say dirt, pollution. Some claim stress. Different people have different reasons. But yes! All these reasons when take a serious face they end up in Acne. Usually people with oily or too oily skin undergo the problem of acne. Beneath the skin, we have oil secreting glands called Sebaceous Glands which produce excessive secretions of oil (Sebum). When the Sebum comes in contact with oxygen, the process of oxidation helps in formation of a blackened pug that blocks the skin pore. Trapped sebum, dead cells and bacteria start to accumulate in the blocked skin pore, which inflames the area and end up forming a small blister on the skin containing pus called Pustule.

But not to panic, there are several ways to cure acne, though at a gradual pace.

1. Ice Pack – It is the most simple way to start with. Applying Ice on the pimples really has a soothing effect on redness, irritation and swelling. But do not keep the ice pack for long. Apply for 5-10 minutes at a time and take a break for a few hours before re-application. Applying 4-5 times a day gives a good result.

2. Toothpaste – Sounds weird, right? But it really gives amazing results. Wash your face with plain water. Pat your face lightly with a towel. Then apply on the acne prone areas and leave it whole night. Next morning, wash it off with an anti-bacterial soap.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar – Generally people avoid using this material as it smells really bad. But the smell fades away within half an hour. Wash your face and pat a towel lightly to leave the face damp. Dip cotton balls in Apple Cider Vinegar and rub all over the face. Do not wash immediately. Let the vinegar soak well into skin, and then wash it off.

4. Baking Soda – It is the least expensive way. Make a thick paste by mixing one table spoon of baking soda and plain water. Apply on your face and let it dry for 5 minutes. Then wash it off with cold water. Be cautious while washing off, not rub over the acne. Correct application will give good results within a week.

5. Honey – Apply honey twice a day and wash it off with Luke warm water. It will really give a lot of relief from pimples and scars.

6. Fresh Lemon Juice – The acidic nature of lemon makes it very useful, especially in regard to cleanse your face. It is quite beneficial for killing the bacteria and germs on your face. Cut a lemon in two halves; apply by squeezing it on your face, after 5 minutes wash it off with water.

7. Tea Tree Oil – Another useful home remedy. Apply tea tree oil on the acne prone areas. Gradually you will see the results. Leave it for half an hour, and then wash it of with warm water.

These are some handy ingredients found in your kitchen who can be a good companion of yours while getting rid of acne. So, say hello to the aforementioned materials and goodbye to acne!

Natural Ways to get rid of Stretch Marks

2010-06-30T17:44:00.000+05:30

Stretch Marks are a big disgrace to the appearance of a person. They occur due to damage to the dermis, which is responsible for maintaining skin’s tone and structure. Stretch Marks are thin red or purple streaks, which feel very soft to touch. The major reasons which cause stretch are gaining or losing weight, body building, natural growth and pregnancy. Athletes who carry out vigorous work outs, pregnant women, a person doing too much of Stretching exercises, people who gain or lose weight or teenagers going through puberty develop signs of stretch marks.

Not all stretch marks can be treated, though a little bit care and treatment can diminish their appearance to a great extent. Generally, people get swayed away by costly creams and lotions which deem to remove the stretch marks. And, if they do not get the desired results from the cosmetic products, they resort to expensive surgical and laser options. But, if you are desperately wandering in search of the best method to get rid of your stretch marks, then just give a quick glance at your kitchen.

Enumerated below are some beneficial tips on how you can get rid of stretch marks naturally:

Keep your skin hydrated – Water plays a crucial role in regard to various functions such as digestion, lubrication of joints, flushing toxins from the system and also providing moisture to the body and skin. Therefore, intake of water (for women: 2.5 L / day; for men: 3 L / day) proves to be beneficial.

Keep your skin exfoliated – While taking shower, using a body brush with soft-bristles can be of great help in removing dead cells. This regulates circulation and improves skin tone. When you do so, start with the areas far away from your heart.

Consume healthy diet – Foods containing high saturated fats can be toxic, leading to unhealthy skin. To attain healthy skin, it is advisable to eat foods rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin B. Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, baby spinach, whole grains, carrots and pumpkin seeds are some good examples of foods rich in the above mentioned vitamins and proteins.

Exercise: A good toner – Doing exercises is a must. Exercises regulate circulation and keep the skin taut. Exercises that target thighs, butt, chest and arms help a lot in diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. Lunges, squats, chest presses, push-ups, triceps dips and biceps curls are a good start.

A little effort and correct way of treatment give away good results. Some treatments consume great amount of time, for instance, several weeks or months. But no treatment guarantees complete removal of stretch marks.