health

Food and Nutrition

2013-03-13T13:15:00.003-07:00

Food and Nutrition

Make sure you get a balanced diet, as often as possible.

Along with fresh veggies and fruits, eat slim meats (if you’re not vegetarian), nuts, seeds (sprouts) and salads.

Opt for fresh, seasonal and local produce over exotic foodstuff imported over ridiculous distances.

Drink water – you need to stay hydrated. Not only is it good for your internal organs, it also keeps your skin healthy and lessens acne.

To determine your water requirement, divide your weight (in pounds) by two. This gives the daily ounce-recommendation.

Cut down on caffeine and caffeinated and aerated beverages.

Limit alcohol intake. Tobacco and drugs should be an absoluteNo.

Steer clear of sugar, stimulants and processed food.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise

Exercise at least four days a week for 20 to 30 minutes each day. If it’s all not possible at a go, break your workouts into smaller sessions.

Try to get as much physical activity as you can. Skip the elevator and take the stairs, walk to the supermarket instead of hunting for parking space etc.

Wake up early to practice simple meditation. It harmonizes body, mind and soul.

Doing household chores also counts as activity.

Pets can be a great source for your exercise. Especially a dog. Walking dogs, caring for them involves good amounts of physical activity.

If exercising alone bores you out, hook up with a partner or friend who is committed to exercise. The fun factor will also let you stay committed.

Exercise also works as an outlet for pent up stress. So keep exercising, especially when you’ve got work bearing down on you.

General Health

Get adequate rest daily. Don’t deprive yourself of sleep for extended periods of time.

If you’re on medication for an illness, ensure that you follow the course all the way through.

Skin, teeth, hair, nails are all indicators of general health. Loss of hair or lack of lustre may mean poor nutrition.

Make friends with your family physician. Get regular check-ups done.

Watch out for the signs of major illnesses, especially cancer, heart disease etc. Early detection is the key.

When it comes to healthy living, even little things count. Like eye health. Make sure you rest them well. They’ll serve you a long time.

Take care of your teeth. Dental health has been linked, among other things, to premature heart disease.

Try to get all your nutrition from the food you eat. If you aren’t getting it though, multivitamins and nutritional supplements are a good option.

Get your vitamin D from the sun. But also stay UV-protected.

Health and Happiness

Slow and deep breathing is a good counter to stressful situations. Practice it.

Surround yourself with positive energy and a strong social circle. Good vibes translates into good moods.

Engage in social work. Do things for the less-privileged.

Work on your looks, but don’t get obsessed. Pamper yourself occasionally.

Believe in your abilities. Work on your shortcomings. Life is a continuous self-help program.

Top Ten tips for Better Health

2013-03-13T13:11:00.002-07:00

Top Ten tips for Better Health

The following tips will not only make you look better and feel better, but they will also keep you from developing long-term serious health problems.

Cover up in the sun
UV rays are penetrating the earth's atmosphere all year long. It's important to wear protection at all times to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.

Cut out fat
Dairy products such as cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions.Butter and sauces in sandwiches should be kept to a minimum, if possible. And try to avoid fried or fast food, as they have a high amount of fatty acids in them.

Don't smoke
Give up smoking as soon as you can. Smoking not only causes lung cancer, but its also recently been linked to many other illnesses. Research has shown that smoking reduces life expectancy by seven to eight years. So try giving up the next one.

Drink alcohol in moderation
Recent studies have shown that a glass of red wine a day can help protect against heart disease. But if you drink excessively, you will have health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer in later life.

Eat Healthy
Make sure you eats lots of fruit and vegtables each and every day. Even try adding a multivitamin to your daily routine. You'll soon see the difference.

Get active
One of the best ways to stay healthy is to exercise. It's recommended to do 30 minutes of cardio exercise 3 times a week. This even includes going for a walk with the dog, or even running around with the children.

Keep stress in check
Getting stressed out is bad for your health. If you are stressed in the work place you are more likely to cause an accident and injure yourself or even fall ill.

Positive outlook
It has been scientifically proven that a person with a positive outlook on life will be healthier than someone who doesn't.When you smile your brain releases small amounts of serotonin that give your body a good feeling. So next time your sad, smile.

Relax
Relaxation has actually become a medical treatment. It's very important to relax in the evenings after working. Try find somewhere that you feel comfortable, and just kick back. It can be anywhere from a chair, to a bubble bath.

Ways to increase your daily excercise
Walk to the shops rather than taking the car. Try taking the stairs whenever possible. If you get two or more buses, can you walk one of the journeys? Or even get off the bus or train a stop earlier.

Smile, it's good for you!

2013-03-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

“You’ve probably heard that smiling can positively affect your mood, right? Well there’s some new research to confirm that something as simple as a smile can impact how you feel:

A study published in the journal Psychological Science in November found that people who smiled after engaging in stress-inducing tasks showed a greater reduction in heart rate than people who maintained a neutral facial expression.”

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”

2012-04-14T03:55:00.001-07:00

How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster

2011-10-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

There's no scientifically proven way to make your hair grow faster. But, there is a lot of research on what causes hair loss. And the less hair you lose, the more hair you have growing to your length of choice, right? While some of the causes of hair loss can't be helped, there are several things you can do to encourage your hair to grow to its full potential.

EditSteps

1

Keep your hair in excellent condition.
Keep your hair in excellent condition. Seeing a hairdresser regularly to have your hair cut and styled will keep it in top condition. Hair in good condition gives the impression it's longer even if it's not because it looks good and has no split ends, etc.
- Use a quality brush to keep your hair brushed, such as a boar bristle brush. Tilt your head forward and brush with your head upside down to bring the oils to the ends of your hair and stimulate the scalp.
- Keep your hair well moisturized. You don't need to use commercial product but you do need to know what you can use to condition your hair properly if you resort to natural items.
- Don't wash your hair every day; allow the hair oils to condition your hair rather than constantly washing the oils out.
- Massage your scalp while washing your hair. Massaging your scalp can help your hair grow faster and longer as it increases the blood flow in your scalp.
2

Be kind to your hair.
Be kind to your hair. Your hair falls out on its own (approximately 70 to 150 hairs daily),^[1] but you may be pulling it out faster as a result of the things you do to it. The gentler you are with your hair, the less chances it has to fall out excessively. Some things to keep in mind include:
- Don't put your hair into tight ponytails or cornrows. Use butterfly clips and loosebraids instead.^[2]
- Brush your hair carefully. If you have wavy or curly hair, there are probably times when you encounter resistance as you're brushing. Right before brushing, use your fingers to gently comb through your hair. And when you brush, start at the ends, and hold the strand you're brushing with your other hand so that if you pull on the hair with a brush, you're not pulling on the root (pull from the grip of your hand instead).
- Brush your hair before you shower in the morning. Throughout the night your hair can knot up a lot. Brushing your hair before you shower reduces tangling when washing it in the shower. When using conditioner, try sifting your fingers through your hair. This reduces extensive combing after your shower and helps to distribute the conditioner evenly.1 day a week put on a good conditioner,hair mascara or a home made conditioner for your hair that could be made of avocado,eggs,oils for 20 mints or 15 and try to not use hair sprays.
- Minimize tangles in other situations, such as on windy days, by containing your hair with buns, braids, hats, etc.
- Minimize how much you style your hair. Any kind of styling that involves pulling your hair at the root (blow drying, using a straight iron or acurling iron, or using rollers) can contribute to hair loss.^[2] Heat styling also can encourage hair to break. If you really need to dry your hair fast, use a blow dryer for 5 minutes only.
- Avoid overly long or elaborate extensions or tight hairstyles that tug your natural hair. Pull on it or pull it out too many times and it won't come back.^[3]
- Avoid or minimize harsh treatments like dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves. These weaken your hair and increase the likelihood of breakage and loss.^[2]^[4]
- Minimize or stop using heating items on your hair.
3

Maintain good nutrition.
Maintain good nutrition. Your body needs several building blocks in order to produce a healthy head of hair. In particular, you'll need enough protein^[5] and vitamins, and you can easily meet your body's requirement by eating a balanced, nutritious diet, or by taking a multivitamin and protein or other appropriate macronutrient supplements consistently if you can't eat well due to illness or otherwise. Keep in mind, however, that it can take several months to notice the results, so don't get discouraged.
- Research suggests that iron deficiency makes hair loss worse. Women with heavy periods are at a higher risk of iron deficiency. However, unless you have an iron deficiency diagnosed by a doctor, you shouldn't take iron supplements. They can upset your stomach and cause severe constipation, and iron overload can be dangerous. Taking a multivitamin and eating iron-rich foods (tofu, lentils, beans, oysters, spinach, prunes, raisins, lean beef) is more than enough. ^[6]
- If you're a vegetarian, eat foods rich in Vitamin C whenever you eat iron-rich veggies. Vitamin C will help your body absorb the kind of iron that is found in vegetables.^[7]
- Avoid purchasing unnecessary supplements such as biotin. Despite the many claims that biotin promotes hair growth, no studies have shown this to be the case.^[8]However, hair loss is a sign of severe biotin deficiency; in these cases, the hair loss will be accompanied by a scaly rash around the nose, mouth and genitals.^[9].
4

Avoid dramatic weight loss.
Avoid dramatic weight loss. As you shed pounds, you may also shed hair. The dramatic changes that your body undergoes when it loses weight quickly (the change in nutrients, the stress involved) can cause your hair to thin. Diets low in protein and iron (for example, very low-fat diets) and also those high in protein but low in fruits and vegetables (for example, Atkins) that result in dramatic weight loss can also trigger significant hair loss. Instead, keep a balanced diet, and focus on gradual calorie reduction (one or two pounds a week).^[4]
- Each hair on your head grows for 2-5 years, slows down for about six weeks, and rests for 3-5 months before falling out so a new hair can grow in its place. Normally, 15 percent of your hair is at the resting phase, but a sudden change in nutrition can cause some hair follicles in the growing phase to switch into the resting phase prematurely, possibly raising the percentage to more than 30 percent.^[4]
5

Relax.
Relax. Stress is a common cause of reversible hair loss.^[7] When you experience physical or emotional turmoil, it can take anywhere from three weeks to four months for the results to show up in your hair.^[10] It is important to relieve your stress.
6

Address any pressing health issues.
Address any pressing health issues. Hair is a strong indicator of overall health. Many nutritional deficiencies can cause hair growth to slow, and can cause hair to thin. Hormonal problems such as hypothyroidism and PCOS can also cause thinning.^[11] If your hair has gotten seriously thinner, or stops growing for more than a few months, discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible.

Cuba Announces Release of the World's First Lung Cancer Vaccine

2011-09-21T02:59:00.000-07:00

Cuba Announces Release of the World's First Lung Cancer Vaccine

Cohibas Cuba is known for exporting cigars, but it might soon be known for exporting a lung cancer vaccine researchers say can turn advanced lung cancer into a manageable chronic illness. M Turner viaWikimedia

From the island nation known for the quality of its cigars comes some pretty big news today:Xinhua reports that Cuban medical authorities have released the first therapeutic vaccine for lung cancer. CimaVax-EGF is the result of a 25-year research project at Havana’s Center for Molecular Immunology, and it could make a life or death difference for those facing late-stage lung cancers, researchers there say.

CimaVax-EGF isn’t a vaccine in the preventative sense--that is, it doesn’t prevent lung cancer from taking hold in new patients. It’s based on a protein related to uncontrolled cell proliferation--that is, it doesn’t prevent cancer from existing in the first place but attacks the mechanism by which it does harm.

As such it can turn aggressive later-stage lung cancer into a manageable chronic disease by creating antibodies that do battle with the proteins that cause uncontrolled cell proliferation, researchers say. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are still recommended as a primary means of destroying cancerous tissue, but for those showing no improvement the new vaccine could be a literal lifesaver.

The vaccine has already been tested in 1,000 patients in Cuba and is being distributed at hospitals there free of charge. That’s a big deal for a country where smoking is part of the national culture and a leading cause of death. If it proves as successful as researchers say it is, it should give those suffering from lung cancer reason to celebrate--just not with a Cohiba.

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2011-09-14T00:56:00.001-07:00

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2011-09-14T00:56:00.000-07:00

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Causes of Acne to Occur

2011-03-01T05:16:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't wants to have clear and beautiful skin? but almost all of us experience acne at some or the other time in our lives. Acne outburst on any part of the body, be it your face, neck or back, is always irritating. So, it is always advisable to get acne treatment at the initial stages of the outburst and keep the acne at bay.

Causes of Acne to Occur
Always remember that when something is wrong with the internal organs of the body, the complaint regarding their malfunctioning is exhibited through the skin. The digestive organs only react to what we have given to them. It has been revealed that the combination of rich carbohydrates and protein in large amounts, forces the toxins to the surface of the skin and form acne and pimples, which later on leaves acne scars. So, if you think that applying a lotion will do, it will not, some of them will disappear but host of other pimples are readying themselves for the attack on the surface of the skin, they may however change the strategy and appear on other parts of the body.

If you have been struggling with breakouts and still finding new ways to cure pimples then you need to follow a complete skin care regimen that actually works at preventing acne from taking over your face. A reliable daily acne skin care regimen with natural acne remedies followed on a regular basis is the best way to treat acne prone skin.

To treat acne prone skin your acne skin care regimen should have:

Moisturizers are the best ways to prevent your skin from drying out. But to cure pimples use the one which is not oily, made for sensitive skin. It will be more beneficial if you get one that has salicylic acid along with glycolic acid for more protection against acne all through the day.
Salicylic acid - helps reduce the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands. Also opens the pores and cleanses the skin having dirt and bacteria.
Astringents and Toners, use them for cleaning with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids because they are great for toning the face and helps to fade away acne scars. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They also helps in exfoliating your skin
SD Alcohol 40 if used on regular basis, will remove excess oil and sebum which will keep your face from looking shiny.
Avoid wearing skin tight clothes, they are known to cause body acne by trapping sweat.
Use make up brand which does not clog the pores.
Use a sun-blocker by wearing a hat.
Dry your face carefully after washing, do not apply pressure.

So, try these tips and include them in your daily regimen, but it will be better if you consult your condition with a dermatologist.

Depression?

2011-03-01T05:13:00.000-08:00

What is Depression?
Depression is a medical Illness & not just a feeling of hopelessness. It's more then just feeling sad.

How common is Depression?
It's as common as the Common Cold. According to the World Health Organization, it's the Third Most Common Illness in the World after Infectious diseases & Heart disease. It's the 4th to the 10th most frequent diagnosis made by the family doctor.

Who is at risk to get Depression?
All of us are! An alive human being (with fair intelligence) is the greatest risk!! As confirmed by scientific data ¼ to 1/3 of us are going to have it once in lifetime. Every 3rd female and every 5th male will have it at least once.

What are the causes of Depression?

» Biological
» Psychological
» Social

Biological causes:

I. Chemicals / Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers, which are critical in the transmission of nerve impulses in our brain and nerves. The level of certain neurotransmitters, NORADRENALINE & SEROTONIN are decreased in the brain. Most of the medications used for treating depression (Anti depressants) help in elevating the levels of these chemicals in the brain.

II. Genetic: For every possible physical and mental feature there is a gene in our cells. So is a gene for Depression. The parents of a depressed person are at a higher risk for depression. If a sibling has depressive illness then there is a 15% chance, that it will be there in another sibling .If the onset of depression is after the age of 40 yr. then chance of it being genetically transmitted is less.

III. Hormonal imbalance: Though the exact mechanisms are not understood but imbalance of female sex hormones can lead to depression. Depressions in the postmenopausal and post partum (after delivery) period are the examples.

Psychological causes:

I. Personality/ Attitudes: Following types of personality traits predispose to depressive illness.

» Very ambitious
» Anxious
» Obsessive/perfectionist
» Setting very high standards for self

Persons having above traits/attitudes are more likely to experience depressive episodes in their lives as compared to people who don't have such type of personality.

II. Coping strategies with life events: How we deal with stressful events like separation/divorce/death, etc. determines how predisposed we are to depression. People who are

» Impulsive
» Aggressive
» Self centered

Are more likely to have depression.

Social causes and social supports:

» A lot of stressful life events like death/divorce/disease predispose to depression.
» Interpersonal relationships matter a lot - good relations with the friends / spouse / siblings have a positive effect in preventing depression.
» Single people are more prone to depression than couples.
» Similarly, studies have found divorced persons to be more prone to depression.

What are the features of depression?
Most of the people who feel low and depressed are given a lot of advice by friends and relatives. It is automatically assumed that these feelings of low energy / low mood are just a matter of time and would get better if the individual made a little effort to feel good and happy.

Persistence of such feelings of lethargy / low energy / low mood despite all this indicates that the person may be suffering from clinical depression. Following are the features that a depressed individual experiences.

Biological features (duration - 15 day or more)

» Decreased sleep--- the person gets up very early in the morning say, at 3 am & can't sleep again. Frequent awakenings. Poor quality of sleep.
» Decreased appetite/ weight
» Dryness of mouth
» Constipation
» Reversed diurnal variation - everybody feels better in the morning but a depressed patient feels worst in morning & slightly better in noon to evening.
» Generalized body ache - lot of poorly localized pains and aches like headaches, abdominal pains.
» Easily fatigued & lethargic.
» Panic features like palpitations and sweating.

Psychological features

I. Sadness of mood

II. Decreased pleasure & interest in activities which they enjoyed previously

III. Decreased attention, forgetfulness, like forgets where he/ she has kept things.

IV. Easily irritated

V. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO WISH TO LIVE.
BAD NEWS IS THAT THIS CONDITION CAN BE FATAL. 40% OF ALL SUICIDES REPORTED ARE IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION.

GOOD NEWS IS, IT IS EASILY DIAGNOSABLE & EASILY TREATABLE.

What are the treatments available for depression?
A number of medicines are available suitable to different Patients. Broadly these are termed as Anti Depressants. These drugs remain the mainstay of therapy for depression.

There are certain important things to be kept in mind regarding anti depressant use:

» ADEQUATE DOSE, FOR ADEQUATE DURATION IS THE CARDINAL RULE.
» SOMETIMES SMALL DOSES FOR LESS DURATION IS GIVEN BY NON SPECIALISTS It leads to incomplete recovery with frequent relapses.
» Antidepressants are NOT sleeping pills.
» THEY ARE NOT HABIT FORMING.

Anxiety

2011-03-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

All of us have experienced some form of anxiety in our lives; those sweating palms before the start of an examination; the pounding heart on going to the stage are all features of anxiety.
A little anxiety is good in the way that it helps us focus on the task at hand and the body also channels it resources to meet the demands of the job. All of us experience milder forms of anxiety - stress, worry or tension - but when these symptoms collect (or are denied), they can quickly build upto a crescendo. This kind of an anxiety can be severly incapacitating.

Features of Anxiety
People who suffer from anxiety tend to experience physical symptoms such as palpitations, tremors, sweating, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhoea, muscle tension, shortness of breath, blushing and confusion. The first step in diagnosing an anxiety disorder is to rule out a physical cause: asthma, diabetes, seizure disorder, inner ear problems and hypothyroidism can all produce symptoms associated with anxiety.

Physical conditions can create or exacerbate anxiety as well. Also, those who suffer from cumulative stress may create a physiological condition (such as insomnia or impotence) that in turn makes the stress worse - initiating a destructive cycle. Over time, stress can raise blood pressure,contribute to ulcers, or impair neuroendocrine regulatory systems in the brain - the very one which control mood and anxiety disorders.

Without early intervention, some anxiety cases can become chronic. But many people - especially men - feel that seeking help is a sign of weakness. This is true for nearly all anxiety or mental health problems.

Experts believe that some of the fault lies in our culture, in which men aren't supposed to be fearful. Men buy into this myth themselves, say psychologists. They'll insist that it's a medical condition, like a cardiac arrest, even after that's been ruled out. The fact is, with true panic, the experience in the body feels almost the same as a heart attack.

10 ways to cope

Admit your need, and then seek professional help.
Have a physician check for a physical cause of anxiety symptoms.
Practise muscle relaxation and abdominal breathing regularly.
Engage in regular physical exercise.
Eat nutritiously. Eliminate caffeine. Stop smoking.
Practise meditation and creative visualization.
Learn positive self-talk and disregard negative messages.
Identify and express your fears.
Determine what meditation and / or alternative therapies are right for you.
Explore the deeper side of your anxiety; give meaning to your suffering.

What will help?

advise

2011-03-01T05:11:00.000-08:00

follow the tips regularly ,and be healthy

healthy Food Recipes

2011-03-01T05:10:00.000-08:00

Healthy Food Recipes

Food is one of the basic necessity for life. However, it can even prove detrimental to life if not taken wisely. Food recipes, without any nutritional value can exactly do that. If one wants to stay healthy, s/he must have food that is according to body type as suggested by Ayurveda. This ensures that people live healthy and happily. Healthy food recipes need not be boring. The right mix of ingredients and the right technique of cooking can, in fact, lead to some mouth watering yet healthy food. Here we list for you some Ayurveda food recipes that are not only health recipes but also tasty food that you will love to have. Some of these homemade recipes are quick and easy to make food recipes while others will take a little longer to get prepared but one thing is common in all these healthy recipes- their high nutritional value!

nutrition

2011-03-01T05:07:00.000-08:00

The importance of nutrition in attaining good health can never be ignored. What you eat will determine how long you will live, how obese you become, how often you fall sick, how physically fit you are, and a host of other vital factors. Nutritious food also helps you in maintaining your body weight.

Four major nutrients required by your body are:

Carbohydrates
Fats
Protein and
Water

Carbohydrates: The main form of energy you intake for your body is carbohydrates. Your body has the easiest time digesting carbohydrates like starch and sugar. Carbohydrates are broken down into individual fructose, glucose, units and so they are easy to digest.

Fats: Fats are essential for body to perform many corporal functions. Even saturated fats are indispensable because they help in strengthening your immune system. And they are also good for liver and lungs and help calcium absorption.

Proteins: Proteins are the building block your body uses to create new muscles tissues and repair any injured tissues. If you want to bulk up with muscles, then this is your food.

Water: Water helps in washing out the dangerous toxins that your body takes in, from the air you breathe, the food you eat and the chemicals used in the various products you use on your skin and hair. Water also cushion the joints of your body. Water also carries oxygen and nutrients into all your cells and also helps in regulating the temperature of your body.

Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Nutrition
Different colored fruits and vegetables signify different nutrients. So, it is always advised to go for different colored fruits and vegetables to have all the required nutrients. Yellow and orange items typically are high in beta-carotene and dark leafy vegetables are high in Vitamin C. Cooking vegetables in oil also drains the nutrients present in vegetables. So, its always better to go for a quick steam with just a slight bit of water rather than boiling. Remember that it hardly matters how healthy your items are, if you drown them in oil.

Vitamins
Aerobics

cancer

2011-03-01T05:06:00.000-08:00

What is cancer ?
The word Cancer is Latin word meaning Crab. It denotes a continuous, purposeless, unwanted and uncontrolled growth of cells. In our body, under normal circumstances, the number and growth of all the cells is a highly controlled mechanism. Cancer represents a failure of this system of limiting the growth of a particular type of cells in a tissue.

There is an excessive production of abnormal cells. These cells go into the surrounding tissues and cause damage. Through blood lymph vessels these cells may go to distant parts of the body and make new colonies of proliferating cells.

Is Cancer different from an infection?
When germs or bacteria invade body tissues they cause an infection. The body launches defense mechanisms against these foreign particles and destroys them.

Cancer is due to proliferation of abnormal cells, which develop from body’s own cells. So they are not recognized as foreign and continue to grow and invade without being attacked by body defenses.

Cancers become dangerous if they are detected late, that is at a stage when they have spread to other organs or have caused destruction to surrounding tissues. The secondary growths interferes with the functioning of the particular organ or site involved.

On the other hand, If the cancer is detected at an early stage, it can often be cured either by means of surgery or be other therapeutic means available.

Are there any specific factors, which cause cancer?
No single cause has been responsible for all cancers. It has been suggested that cancer factors, interfere with the body’s ability to check abnormal proliferation of cells. Agents, which cause cancer, can cause changes in the genetic constitution of cells. These oncogenes, as they are called, can change the nature of the life giving protein component of the cell (DNA or deoxy ribonucleic acid) which may then lead to impairment of the switching off mechanism.

Certain established carcinogenic factors are-

Tobacco smoking – associated with cancers of lung, mouth, throat and larynx and also esophagus, stomach kidney & bladder.
Ultra violet light from strong sunlight is responsible for increased incidence of skin cancers.
Viruses like Epstein Bar virus is associated with increased incidence of cancer of nasopharynx.
Betel nut, paan, gutkas chewing is associated with cancer of mouth.
Chronically irritated & damaged tissues are more likely to develop a malignant change.

Is cancer contagious?
NO, cancer cannot be passed from one individual to another. But there are certain cancers like liver cancer, which occurs more commonly in people infected with hepatitis B or hepatic C, which can spread easily from person to person. Also persons affected by HIV/AIDS, have a lowered immune defense mechanism and have a high incidence of cancer.

Asthma

2011-03-01T05:05:00.000-08:00

Asthma is a disease of the airways of the lungs which is characterized by increased sensitivity of the airways to a variety of triggers. It is generally an episodic disease, i.e., acute attacks followed by symptom free periods. Though most attacks are generally short lived, sometimes serious conditions occur in which severe Asthma is unrelieved for many hours or even days, like in status asthmaticus.

Who is affected? It occurs in all age groups, but is found to be more common in children. It tends to affect both sexes equally.

Types of Asthma: There are two types of Asthma--- Allergic and Idiosyncratic. Allergic Asthma: This type is often associated with personal or family history of other types of allergic diseases like hay fever, rhinitis, eczema etc.

The offending agents causing Asthma:

Environment and air pollution.
Certain drugs like Aspirin.
Occupational factors like working with animal skins, chemicals, stone dust etc.
Infections of the chest or Upper respiratory Tract can bring about an acute attack of Asthma.
Exercise and emotional stress.

Clinical Features: The most characteristic features of Asthma are--- breathlessness, cough and wheezing. The attack often occurs at night but may also occur abruptly due to one of the precipitating factors mentioned above.

The patient often experiences a tight sensation in the chest along with dry cough. Sometimes a long standing dry cough maybe the only indication of Asthma.

When is Asthma really bad?
1. If the wheezing was audible periodically suddenly stops and the patient is still feeling severely out of breath.

2. If the muscles of the neck and those above the collar bone stand out in effort with every act of respiration.

3. If the attack is continuing unabated for several hours or even days with no symptom free periods in between.

What to do:
1. Most of the known cases of Asthma keep 'inhalers' with them, these are devices which ensure direct delivery of the drugs to the lungs and thereby bringing about a rapid relief.

2. Avoiding known triggers which bring about an attack helps, like avoiding strenuous exercises, going out in the cold, etc.

family planning

2011-03-01T05:01:00.000-08:00

Considering the population explosion, increasing inflation and scarcity of resources, the family trends have shifted to nuclear families with number of children limited to one or two. Family planning refers to the natural and artificial birth control methods that allow you to control the size of your family and the gap between your children.

Advantages of Family Planning
Family planning helps you prevent conception and reduce the risk of pregnancy. The biggest advantage of family planning tools is that they save you from the hassles of pregnancy termination and abortion. Adopting a family plan directly effects a woman's health in a good way by preventing unwanted and unplanned pregnancies and subsequent abortions. Restricting the family size allows more resources for bringing up your children and sustaining a family in a balanced way. Adopting family planning methods helps couples to let their children have a more focused upbringing, better education and other amenities.
Family planning perspectives are being given serious thought worldwide, and so, important birth control FAQ are being referred more often than ever for effective family planning.

Birth Control Options: Family Planning Tools
Family planning tools are broadly categorized into two : Natural Family Planning Methods & the Artificial Family Planning Methods.

Natural family planning is based on avoiding sexual intercourse during the fertile period of women. This method is based on physical signs of ovulation like basal body temperature and certain changes in mucus consistency.

Artificial family planning signifies various contraception methods that include hormonal methods like birth control pills and Norplant implant, barrier methods like condoms which act as foremost male contraception, cervical caps and diaphragms, and sterilization or permanent contraception. Another popular hormonal birth control method is the IUD (Intrauterine device). This is a small metal device which is inserted inside the uterus of women of reproductive age. IUD prevents unwanted pregnancy and is an effective birth control device.

Birth control effectiveness is an issue that is fast gaining importance nowadays. For those who are looking for more family planning information and knowledge on birth control methods, welcome to this complete family planning guide for all your queries, doubts and apprehensions about family planning.

Alternative Medicine

2011-03-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

In general terms Alternative therapy is all those modalities and techniques of healthcare that are not provided by your conventional allopathic practitioner. Alternative medicines are actually used for healing treatments that are not part of conventional medical training. It is an encompassing term for systems of medicine like ayurveda, acupuncture, homeopathy, Reiki etc.

Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes the prevention of illness and maintaining good health by balancing one's life in terms of positive frame of mind, a healthy diet and lifestyle. Moreover, ayurveda also advocates the use of herbs and it is used for weight loss, impotency, liver or heart disease, and other common ailments. Also, ayurveda recognizes three main types of energy within the body known as kapha, pitta and vata.

Homeopathy is another excellent first-aid system and it is also one of the superb methods in the treatment of minor ailments such as the common cold, earaches and flu. Homeopathy is again based on the treatment of the individual and when practiced by a knowledgeable practitioner can also be very effective in the cure of conditions such as digestive problems, respiratory infections, hay fever and rheumatoid arthritis.

Acupuncture is one of the famous chinese art of healing. It involves inserting sterile, fine and disposable needles into specific body parts. Acupuncture stimulates the body's immune and healing systems. Other acupuncture techniques include moxabustion, chinese massage, exercise, diet, herbs, and cupping.
Reiki is a well known Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is carried out by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. And if one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The Good and Bad of Yo Yo Dieting

2011-03-01T04:56:00.000-08:00

What is yo yo dieting?

The yo-yo dieting , also known as weight cycling, refers to a cyclical pattern of repetitious loss and gain of body weight. The only good thing about this form of dieting is that it helps in loosing weight in a short period of time. This is achieved by skipping meals, keeping fasts, consuming low calories diet and also starving. Using this method you can lose weight from 2 to 5 kilos per cycle. In extreme cases you can reduce up to 25 kgs.

The yo-yo diet cycle

- As a first step, people go on a crash diet. It leads to instant weight loss and increases the metabolic rate.
- In the second cycle, since people lose weight drastically, they give up dieting and return to the normal eating habits. Many of them also eat high calories foods that have initially helped them to lose the weight. This lowers the metabolic rate.
- In the final cycle, they instantly put on weight. Again, the crash diet is started which leads to weight loss immediately, but this cycle is set and it continues. Hence the entire diet process is referred as the yo yo dieting. You lose weight and then you gain weight, something like the yo yo which moves up and down.

Yo Yo Dieting Cycle

Disadvantages of Yo Yo Dieting

- Leads to weight gain - Loss of muscle mass
- Accumulation of stubborn fat
- Affects the body's fat storing system
- Causes hormonal changes in the body
- Causes mood swings and depression
- Constipation
- Developing heart problems due to increased intake of high protein diet as a part of the crash diet
- Change of energy suppliers. The main energy source for the body is carbohydrates. But with yo yo dieting, consumption of high protein diet makes the body to switch over to fat as the main source of energy as a result of which ketone bodies are produced in the body which loads the kidney and leads to bad breath.

Conclusion
According to experts, yo-yo dieting is not a healthy way to lose weight in the long run. It is possible to lose weight without altering the body's fat to muscle ratio. Some tips are as follows:
- Aim for realistic weight loss goals.
- Decrease calorie consumption at a slower pace.
- Do not skip breakfast.
- Change activity levels to sustain muscle mass while losing weight.

weight loss

2011-03-01T04:50:00.001-08:00

The most common problem of today seems to be that of obesity. You search the net, buy books, read magazines, watch health based TV shows, just to know how to lose weight. You know you should drink a lots of water, eat smaller meals five times a day, include more of fruits and vegetables in your diet, cut back on carbohydrates and sweets, take herbal products to increase your metabolism, do exercises- walking, running, swimming, cycling- anything that will melt your fats down. However, when it comes to actually losing your weight, nothing seems to do wonders.

If anyhow, you stick to your schedule and complete all your targets, you lose weight but as soon as you come out of your strict “starving” schedule to a mild “starving” schedule, you again put on weight. Puzzled about what is going wrong? Lets try to figure out some “not so common” facts about weight loss that might help you remain slim on a consistent basis. Be aware that these are not substitutes of your weight loss program, but enhancer of the same!

Now Use Internet Differently to Lose Weight!
Enough searching for tips to lose weight, use Internet and its many creative and unique resources to help you lose weight.

Bet you'll lose weight: Find out websites that help you take challenges. Bet on them, whether you can lose weight and get in shape. When your money's at stake, you will definitely do it! Won't you? Some sites also let bettors challenge each other. Bet that you'll beat someone else at achieving your goal weight. These sites assist you track each participant's progress and reward you for hitting your goals.

Tweet what you eat: The website with the same name offers a simple food diary that lets you track your food and weight on the Web or your mobile using Twitter. If you don't include calories as part of the tweet, the site fills them in for you using its food calorie database. It also gives daily reminders if you forget to update your diary. Such many other websites help you watch what you're eating.

Make online weight-loss friends: A University of Vermont study says that online weight-loss buddies help you keep weight off. The volunteers in the research program who were assigned to an Internet-based weight maintenance program sustained their weight loss better than those who used face-to-face support groups.

Keep Your Taste Buds Satisfied!
Baked, boiled food; raw fruits and vegetables- all said and done for losing weight- you also need to keep your taste buds alive and satisfied! Now you know the reason for those hunger pangs when you forget all your weight loss plans and binge on that junk food!

Take a weekly “high calorie – low calorie” treat: Now what is this “high calorie – low calorie” treat? These foods don't give the feeling of deprivation and they are categorized as high calorie food but down in the chart ( lesser calories than the more higher calorie foods). For example- just 83 calories in 85 grams of Lobster, just 60 calories in 12 large Shrimp, just 66 calories in 57 grams of smoked salmon and just 8 calories in one tablespoon of whipped cream that can be dropped over a bowl of fresh fruit for dessert. You can even take a spoonful of ice cream on this bowl of fruits or a little cheese with a lots of salad but remember- only once in a week!

Use smaller and dark colored plates: Colors have impact on appetite too. Dark blue kills your appetite. So go for such plates to eat in. Remember not to buy red, orange and yellow ones, they will just throw your appetite out of control- just think of those big fast food chains and the colors of their logos all in red- were they so foolish, not to research before finalizing their logo colors? Anyway, when you go for your weekly treat to these restaurants, remember to order half of your food to be packed even before it is served. This way you'll get two treats- one for the morning breakfast! Anyway, only half of these high calorie food is enough to feed you for once.

Watch Your Drinks!
Its good that you drink a lots of water but what about other drinks you consume? Do you keep watch on them along with what you eat? Probably no! You never thought that drinks too can contribute calories that you are so confidently losing by eating low calorie foods.

Carbonated drinks, add to your calories: For every 20 ounces of your favorite cola, you are taking in 250 calories. Several glasses a day and about 1000 liquid calories enter your body. Simple soda too can do what a cola can do to your weight loss program- ruin it!

Diet drinks, not safe either: Now you might be thinking of going for diet colas or soda instead of colas. A study published in a medical journal said (way back in 1980s when the safety issue of artificial sweeteners was being debated) that artificial sweeteners cause increase in appetite. More recently, some health studies too have suggested that they actually increase cravings for sweet foods.

Relax Yourself and Reduce Weight!
And as the saying goes “old is gold,” with adopting all the new ways to lose weight, also listen to ayurveda which suggests massage as an excellent way to reduce weight. It increases metabolism and helps fat absorption but only when done by expert hands. So find some good Ayurveda Treatement Centres and relax yourself while they help you reduce your weight!

Benefits of Honey

2011-03-01T04:50:00.000-08:00

Benefits of Honey

• Eyesight
Regular use of honey mixed with the carrot juice helps to improve the eyesight. It should be taken one hour before meals in the morning.
• Cough
Mixture of equal quantities of honey and ginger juice is a good expectorant. It gives immediate relief in symptoms like cold, cough, sore throat, congestion of chest and runny nose.
• Asthma
Mix half a gram of black pepper powder with honey and ginger juice mixture (equal quantity). Take this mixture at least three times a day. It helps to cure asthma.
• Blood Pressure
Take one teaspoonful of garlic juice mixed with two teaspoonful of honey. It can be taken twice a day in the morning and evening. Regular use of this mixture is beneficial for high blood pressure.
• Blood Purification and Fat Reduction
Take one glass of warm water and mix 1-2 teaspoonful of honey and one teaspoonful of lemon juice. Take this preparation daily before evacuation. It helps to purify the blood. It also helps to reduce fat and to clean the bowels.
• Heart Tonic
One teaspoonful of anise powder mixed with one or two teaspoonful of honey acts a very nice tonic for the heart. It strengthens the heart muscles and improves its functions.

healthy tips

2011-03-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

Over stress and over work have become a part of our life and also devoids us of thinking about our health. But still, a healthy diet can help us overcome the chronic stress and heal the rigors of everyday life. The following five tips will guide you in the right direction towards enhancing your life in a better way:

Plan your meals in such a way that you are able to consume all the nutrient-rich foods because many different nutrients are needed for good health, and no individual food will supply them all. Fruits such as apples, grapes and bananas are great for the busy individual. They are perfect to eat on the run while still providing valuable nutrients.
It's always better to keep your weight at a healthy level. Your proper weight will depend upon different elements, such as body type, size, your height, gender, and heredity. Eating foods in moderation will help to maintain a required weight.
Always stock healthy and quick snack items such as veggie sticks, nuts, cheese sticks, protein bars, and greek yogurt.
Drinking at least a gallon of water per day should be your aim, at any coast. Also avoid starched items such as pasta, potatoes and cereals. Moreover, keep in mind carbohydrates are not the enemy, they should be taken from the right source.
Get into a habit of having a large bowl of healthy soup over the weekend. And it's better to distribute the large batch into smaller containers that hold an appropriate serving size for one day and freeze these containers. Before heading off to school or work, transfer one container from your freezer to your refrigerator so that it can be warmed up within a few minutes for dinner.

Try these tips to develop a healthy lifestyle even when life is hectic, that too with adequate emotional and physical rest, and the outcome will surely do wonders for you and your life.

5 essential tips for weight loss programme

2011-03-01T04:33:00.000-08:00

To take photos that accurately track your progress, ones you can actually show to friends (or send to us), here are the five essential tips you must follow.

1. PLAN YOUR LOOK

Take your shirt off, even in the Before photo. Yes, you should feel embarrassed. You’ll have that much more motivation to make a change. But leave your pants on, please. Or wear shorts. Do not, under any circumstances, pose in your jnderwear — you’re not in a Calvin Klein ad… yet.

2. BE YOURSELF

Its OK to look pathetic in your before shot and triumphant in the after but don’t accentuate it by blowing out your stomach or grinning like a madman. You’ll get a better sense of how much your body has changed by standing in the same positions for both rounds of photos. Once you begin your transformation, take a new set of photos every four to eight weeks, so you can see your body’s gradual changes.

3. ACT NATURALLY

Don’t flex or act crazy. But you can try some of the “mandatory poses.” Stand relaxed with your shoulders back, and take pictures of you from the front, sides, and back.

4. GO HIGH-TECH

Use a digital camera — not a 35mm, not an old cell phone, and definitely not a Polaroid. Stand against a white or light-colored background without anything else behind you and pick a
well-lit room so you can avoid using a flash. Or at least take one with and one without, so you have a couple of options to decide between.

5. GO SOLO

The picture should be of you alone — that means no friends, pets, or tropical paradises in the background. These don’t convey a realistic idea of the transformation.

Unhealthiest of fast foods revealed

2011-03-01T04:28:00.000-08:00

Unhealthiest of fast foods revealed

ANI,Oct 30, 2010, 12.00am IST

A recent survey by Men's Health magazine has revealed that the Top 10 fast-food restaurants in the US boast entrees loaded with stomach-stuffing, artery-clogging saturated fat, sodium, and calories.

"Fast food requires fast decisions, and we wanted to create a guide to help people lose weight while still eating fast food," the New York Post quoted David Zinczenko, author of the book series 'Eat This! Not That!'' as saying.

Topping the list as the worst of the worst was the Tuna Melt sandwich combo from Quiznos.

The value meal tops out at an astonishing 1,900 calories -- the equivalent of eating an entire bag of Chips Ahoy! cookies and near the average person's daily caloric intake, the study noted.

2011-03-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

Good Skin food
Great skin is not just about using the right products. It's basically about eating the right food. Once you start giving your body the right sustenance, your skin will start glowing, and the right nutrients will clear your skin up.

Here are few key foods that make you look good
1.water
: Without doubt the best skincare food that nature made. Drink up 8 to 10 glasses daily to flush out toxins and clear up skin. It hydrates skin from inside
Tomatoes: The lycopene in the tomatoes are great to remove greasy skin and give our skin a pinkish glow.
Green Tea: Green tea boosts metabolism and helps in weight loss. It is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals.
Orange & Grapefruit: Vitamin C is important to keep our skin free from patches and even out pigmentation. Daily dose of vitamin C through citrus fruits can clarify your skin.
Yoghurt: Lacto bacillus is needed to improve our digestion process. Probiotic yoghurt can improve digestion and remove toxins from inside. It is also a good source of calcium - needed for good teeth and bones.