Urinary problems and sex in women

There are several problems that are common to both urinary tract and sex. Here are what experts have to say on the urinary problems and sex in women, at a recent conference on lifespan and sexuality held in Hyderabad.

Women commonly suffer from all sorts of bladder problems. One condition that frequently affects women is a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can occur when bacteria enter the bladder and cause symptoms of frequent and often painful urination, difficulty urinating, and bladder discomfort.

A UTI may or may not be triggered by sexual activity, but certainly having sex when an infection is present can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, UTIs are fairly quickly and easily treated with antibiotics, natural remedies such as cranberry juice or tablets and by increasing fluid intake, such that an occasional UTI does not generally affect one's sex life or partner relationship.

However, some women suffer from chronic bladder symptoms even when no bacterial infection has been determined. In many cases, these symptoms, which can include painful and frequent urination and bladder pain, are constant and intractable. This condition is referred to as interstitial cystitis (IC).

IC is a chronic condition which frequently goes undiagnosed. Women are more prone than men to this syndrome, and one of its main features is a sensitive and sometimes painful bladder. Because the bladder may be displaced slightly by sexual intercourse, having penetrative sex can be very uncomfortable. IC is similar to vulvar pain syndromes in that the vaginal muscles are often in a state of hypertonus (tightness).

Women with IC may not necessarily have pain upon initial penetration but may suffer from pain with deep penetration or upon orgasm. As with chronic vulvar pain conditions, women with IC need not give up on having a sex life. However, when these conditions exist, it is very important to communicate openly with one's partner. Sometimes simple modifications such as modifying positions may be helpful, and often, openness to non-penetrative sexual activity and emphasis on sensual pleasures that don't hurt can facilitate a healthy sexual life.

Even more common than chronic painful conditions of the bladder are those bothersome urogenital problems such as urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence. In fact, it is estimated that one out of four women will suffer from incontinence at some point in her life.

Leaking urine with activities such as coughing, laughing or sneezing is known as stress incontinence. This occurs when the pressure on the bladder that occurs during activities such as these, exceeds the pressure provided by the urethral sphincter, which keeps the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, closed.

This occurs due to insufficient strength of the pelvic floor, which may be weakened by pregnancies, births, and hormonal changes, particularly menopause.

Urge incontinence describes a situation where one has a strong urgent desire to urinate, to the extent that urine is lost involuntarily before making it in time to the toilet. This occurs because of unwanted contractions of the bladder.

This can be stimulated by drinking coffee, cold weather, running water, or upon arriving close to the bathroom destination (also know as "key in the door" incontinence).

While these are distressing conditions in themselves, patients rarely volunteer (and all too often doctors don't ask) information about how their sex lives are negatively affected by it.

Women with incontinence are often afraid of leakage during sex, and as a result, they avoid intimate situations. Women with stress incontinence are more likely to leak with penetration due to pressure on the bladder and women with urge incontinence may leak during orgasm, which may or may not occur with intercourse.

Both urge and stress incontinence can be treated. Pelvic floor strengthening exercises have demonstrated success in curing incontinence in several controlled studies.

Urgency can be managed as well, with behavioural techniques such as bladder training, timed voiding, and dietary restrictions. In severe conditions, medications that control bladder contractions, known as anti-cholinergic medications, may be helpful as well. In more severe cases, when pelvic floor rehabilitation is not effective enough, surgical repair may be the appropriate intervention.

If urinary problems are affecting your sex life, you should consider the following suggestions:
1. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. Something as simple as an anti-cholinergic medication to prevent bladder contractions a half hour before sex may prevent orgasm related leakage.
2. Speak openly with your partner about your fears and discomforts. If intimacy has been greatly affected by urinary or vulvar discomforts, consider consultation with a couples counsellor or sex therapist.
3. Request a referral by your physician to a pelvic floor physical therapist in your area who can address your symptoms and help improve the quality of your life, particularly your sex life.

Simple tips to over come light glare

A five-year-old girl has a pathetic tale to tell. Like her two elder sisters, she can't tolerate light.

Bright light makes her virtually blind. The three girls were diagnosed by doctors at LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad as suffering from a strange eye problem called cone dystrophy.

Their father, a daily labourer, deserted the girls after he noticed that the eye defect could not be rectified. The girls' mother took care of them and admitted in a local government school. But soon the problems began for the girls as they could not see the black board or move freely in the open.

The mother then took the girls to LV Prasad Eye Institute where doctors prescribed some simple techniques to reduce the problem. The girls now have an improved vision and play with other children. The doctors helped the girls overcome the defect by advising sunglasses. The girls were given absorptive or tinted lenses that reduce glare.

They were also advised to wear hat for shade from sunlight.

"There is no permanent treatment or cure to photophobia but better eye management and eye care techniques will reduce the trouble. Lubricant eye drops will also help. Patients find it difficult to drive during night because of headlights glare. Even during the day time they feel uncomfortable in the sunlight," says senior ophthalmologist Dr Sreekumar Reddy.

The problem with these three girls was that they are extremely sensitive to light and lower their gaze while walking.

They squint and blink at the slightest glare. Cone dystrophy in their eyes has led to this rare condition called photophobia or hyper sensitivity to light.

Andhra Pradesh has thousands of children and adults with photophobia and the number is increasing with the each passing year. Neglect of ophthalmic care by parents in case of young children is said to be one of the causes for low vision coupled with sensitivity of light. As many as five crore people suffer from the low vision problem in the country and quite a considerable number of them complains of photophobia.

Though there are no official statistics on the number of photophobia patients in the country, the problem is quite common in albinos or "moon-children" and those with low vision. People who suffer from various eye diseases like ocular albinism, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy also complain of sensitivity to light like these girls. "For a clear image to appear on the retina a clear medium is needed. In case of opacity in the eye the intraocular light gets scattered bringing down the vision levels. Such eyes become extremely sensitive to light and glare. People with photophobia see glare in light that appears normal for healthy people," says ophthalmologist Dr Altaf Akbar.

Eyecare specialists suggest that coloured lenses with specific tints to restrict different wavelengths of light will do wonders. The patient may choose from a wide range of colours that suit his or her eyes.

Filters, that come in different tints at various levels of absorption and different cut-off points, provide contrast enhancement and help in light adaptation. Corning photochromic filters are also useful since short wavelength light has been shown to cause hazy vision, reduced contrast and discomfort. The photochromic filters filtering out blue light in the visible portion of the spectrum, at the wavelengths that create problems for the photophobic patients.

They are specially designed to filter short wavelength light.

Some ophthalmologists are of the view that ultra violet shields (of blue spectrum) provide protection for 100 per cent UV and visible light. The filter in the shields eliminates near infrared 100 per cent UV and provides visible light protection.

For those who find it a problem while reading because of reflection from white pages may go in for typoscope (a black, non-reflective plastic card with a rectangle cut out of it).

A hat with a wide brim or a sun visor can help cut down glare and facilitate mobility outdoors.

When photophobic patients move between places of different lighting levels (say from sunlight to a closed room or vice versa), doctors suggest that they pause a while, take off or put on the sunglasses depending whether they are moving in or out of sunlight. This allows their eyes to adjust without causing any visual discomfort.

Omega 3 acids could protect from blindness

Increasing the dietary intake of Omega 3 fatty acids, found in certain kinds of fish, nuts and vegetable oils, may protect one from blindness, suggests a study conducted on mice.

Scientists in Boston found that they have a protective effect against blindness resulting from abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, according to the study published in the online journal Nature Medicine.

Human clinical trials will soon begin at a children's hospital in Boston to test the effects of Omega 3 supplementation in premature babies who are at risk for vision loss, the researchers were quoted as saying by science portal EurekAlert.

Omega 3 fatty acids are already known to be beneficial for heart and brain functions. Short-term studies have indicated that taking dietary supplements of Omega 3 could also lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Abnormal vessel growth is the cause of retinopathy - an eye disease that leads to the eventual loss of vision. It begins with a loss of blood vessels in the retina, which becomes oxygen starved, sends out alarm signals and spurs new vessel growth. But the new vessels grow abnormally and are malformed, leaky and over-abundant.

The abnormal vessels finally pull the retina away from its supporting layer, and this retinal detachment ultimately causes blindness.

The researchers, led by Lois Smith and Kip Connor of Children's Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School, and John Paul SanGiovanni of the National Eye Institute (NEI) studied retinopathy in mice, feeding them a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Mice on the Omega 3 diet had less initial vessel loss in the retina than those fed with Omega 6 fatty acids. The area with vessel loss was 40-50 percent smaller.

'Our studies suggest that after initial loss, vessels re-grew quickly and efficiently in the Omega 3-fed mice,' Connor said.

'This increased the oxygen supply to retinal tissue, resulting in a dampening of the inflammatory 'alarm' signals that lead to pathologic vessel growth.'

Apple might keep cancer at bay

Apple peel may either inhibit or kill cancer cells, a Cornell University research has found.

Cornell researchers analyzed the peel from 230 pounds of red delicious apples and isolated their individual compounds.

After identifying the structures of the promising compounds in the peel, the researchers tested the pure compounds against cancer cell growth in the laboratory.

They identified a dozen compounds -- triterpenoids -- in apple peel that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures, according to the research published this month in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.

Lead researcher Rui Hai Liu, Cornell associate professor of food science, said three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.

'We found that several compounds have potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon and breast cancer cells and may be partially responsible for the anti-cancer activities of whole apples,' said Liu.

In previous Cornell studies, apples had been found not only to fight cancer cells in the laboratory but also to reduce the number and size of mammary tumors in rats. The Cornell researchers now think that the triterpenoids may be doing much of the anti-cancer work.

'We believe that a recommendation that consumers to eat five to 12 servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient requirements for optimum health,' said Liu.

Women cause of infertility in men!

Mothers too are responsible for certain types of infertility in men. Thus far, onlyfathers have been held responsible for infertility in the male offspring. This is so because it is the father who transmits the Y or male sex-determining chromosome tothe son and the mother does not transmit any male sex chromosome to the male child.But a study, by the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, on Indian men from different linguistic and geographical backgrounds shows that motherstoo play a key role in transferring the infertility genes to sons. Mothers, however,do not themselves get affected by these infertility genes.

The CCMB study revealed that mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited by sons frommothers, is contributing to increasing male infertility around the world,particularly in men from the Indian sub-continent. The mitochondrial or mDNA is found to be undergoing mutations affecting the motility of sperm as well as itscount."Sperm quality is also greatly influenced by mutations in the components of therespiratory chain of the mitochondrial DNA. Although mDNA has been studied extensively for the past two decades, very few studies have investigated theinvolvement of mDNA mutations in male infertility. There are 37 genes in mDNA,encoding 13 proteins, which are essential components of respiratory-chain complexes involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate," says Dr Kumarasamy Thangarajof Evolutionary and Medical Genetics Laboratory of the Centre for Cellular andMolecular Biology.As part of the study, the CCMB team analysed the mitochondrial DNA of 34 men suffering from oligoasthenozoospermia (low sperm count with poor motility) alongwith 150 normozoospermic (fertile) men. The team noticed a novel missense mutationin ND4 gene. A missense is a mutation that converts a codon coding for one amino acid to a codon coding for another amino acid. In the case of oligoasthenozoospermicmen, the mutation in the ND4 gene replaced threonine with isoleucine. But this wasnot observed in normozoospermic or fertile men who served as a control group for purpose of the study.Dr Thangaraj points out that abnormal semen is one of the major factors that isassociated with male infertility. The quality and quantity of sperm production maybe affected greatly by both environmental and genetic factors.

Karyotypic (chromosomal) abnormalities and Y-chromosomal microdeletions are the most frequentgenetic abnormalities associated with abnormal semen profile, particularlyoligozoospemia (less than 20 million sperm per ml but still a measurable level) nonobstructive azoospermia (a condition with complete lack of measurable sperm).Explaining how the mitochondrial DNA from mothers is responsible for infertility insons, he says spermatozoa are heavily dependent on mitochondria for respiratory energy for motility. The mature mammalian spermatozoon contains about 72 to 80mitochondria in the mitochondrial sheath of the midpiece (area below the sperm headwhich serves as a motor of the sperm).Analysis of blood samples from both oligoasthenozoospermic (infertile) and normozoospermic (fertile) control men revealed the presence of several sequence variants but one variant at nucleotide position was found to be present in all 10samples. Interestingly the T allele (C11994T) never before has been reported, either as a polymorphism or in association with a disease, anywhere in the world."We screened for the presence of this mutation in the remaining 24 samples.Amazingly, we also found this mutation in all the remaining 24 samples, although none of the 150 proven-fertile (normozoospermic) men carried it. The C11994Tmutation is located in the second base of a codon, resulting in an amino-acid changefrom threonine to isoleucine at amino-acid position 412 of the ND4 gene. The ND4 gene is an essential subunit of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain,and ND4 mutations have been implicated in mitochondrial diseases such as Leigh'ssyndrome and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy," he observed.

Because none of the fertile men analysed in this study or in other studies aroundthe world has been found to contain this C11994T mutation, the possibility of itbeing a neutral polymorphism was ruled out by the CCMB team.

"There is interesting evidence that mDNA variation is an important contributor tothe motility variation of sperm. Mutations of mDNA have been well documented inseveral disorders, either independently or in association with nuclear mutations," Dr Thangaraj says.

Source : greatandhra

More ejaculation less risk of cancer

Want to get rid of prostate cancer, which is fast becoming a common health hazard in men? Just increase your sexual activity and you will be saved from prostrate cancer to a great extent. Each increase of three ejaculations per month across the man's lifetime is associated with a 15 per cent decrease in the risk of prostate cancer.

According to Dr June Machover Reinisch of The Kinsey Institute and former professor in the departments of psychology and psychiatry at Indiana University, USA, it is a myth that excessive sexual activity will increase the risk of prostate cancer. The truth is that it will decrease the risk and keeps the prostate gland in good function.

Dr June Machover was in Hyderabad to present her research studies on sex and sexual practices. According to her, many physicians have believed that men who participate in high levels of sexual activity are at increased risk for prostate cancer. One suggested basis for this hypothesis is the possibility that increased sexual activity may be an indication of higher levels of androgen (male hormones) and therefore a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, which has been related to male hormone levels.

However, a study conducted by a group of researchers from the National Cancer Institute and John Hopkins and Harvard University revealed that increased sexual activity will in fact reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

The researchers selected as many as 29,342 men, between 46 and 81 years, and conducted a study on their sexual pattern for over eight long years. Only men who did not have a diagnosis of prostate cancer at the beginning of the eight years were included. So everybody was prostate cancer-free.

At the beginning of the study the men were questioned about the average number of ejaculations per month they had, between the ages of 20 and 29, then between 40 and 49, and then during the past year.

The study focused on the frequency of ejaculation, including sexual intercourse, nocturnal emissions, and masturbation. Every two years after the beginning of the study the men were asked, again, whether they had received a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

"Of the 29,342 men who began the study without a diagnosis of prostate cancer, by the end of eight years 1,449 cases had been diagnosed. That's approximately 5 per cent of the men. Remember, they are older in age, so we expect them to start to get prostate cancer. With every decade that same percentage get prostate cancer, so we believe that 80 per cent of 80 year olds have prostate cancer, and 90 per cent of 90 year olds have prostate cancer, and 70 per cent of 70 year olds have prostate cancer," Dr June pointed out.

She said between ages 20 and 29 the men reported an average of 15 ejaculations a month. Between 40 and 49, 11 ejaculations a month was average, and between 50 and 59 9.5 per month. Men 60 and older reported an average of 5 ejaculations per month.

"Most categories of ejaculatory frequency were not related to the risk of prostate cancer. However, a lower risk was found in the group of men with the highest frequency of ejaculation. Each increase of three ejaculations per month across the man's lifetime was associated with a 15 per cent decrease in the risk of prostate cancer. So the more ejaculations you had, the less likely you were to have prostate cancer, and every time you had three more as an average per month, you were 15 per cent less likely to have prostate cancer," she said.

Are you a Fruit Freak?

Fruits are indeed a boon to mankind. Mother Nature has filled them with so many positive qualities, that these fruits often save you from swallowing antibiotics and pills. They have natural powers of curing numerous diseases, aches and pains.


STRAWBERRIES

It is very rich in potassium, natural sugars, vitamins and mineral elements. It has high water content that ranges from 80-90 per cent, which helps in cleansing the entire system.

It has many medicinal properties and is especially beneficial for the intestinal tract, liver, kidneys and the heart. It is supposed to cure rheumatic disorders. It must be eaten in large quantities during the winter in order to prevent tuberculosis and anaemia.
It also works as a good beauty aid for the complexion, skin disorders, acne and even sunburns. It is also a valuable dentifrice as it prevents tartar and strengthens gums and teeth. Externally, you could use this fruit to heal old wounds, sore eyes and ulcers.

PEACHES

Peach is rich in potassium, calcium and sodium. It has 88 per cent water content and is a good thirst-quencher. It is also an excellent digestive because of its strong alkaline reaction on the body. In fact if you eat the fruit along with its skin, every night before bedtime, it can cure chronic constipation.

The peach has good laxative properties and is a good natural cleanser for the kidney and bladder. This fruit carries natural iron to the blood, which is then organized in vegetable cells and quickly assimilated. If you eat plenty of peaches, you are bound to feel energetic, light and fresh throughout the year.

POMEGRANATE

The pomegranate is a wonderful fruit with some amazing medicinal and curative properties. It is very light on the stomach and easy to digest. But most importantly it is an excellent heart tonic.

It has 77 per cent water content and is extremely rich in sodium, vitamin A, B and C. It contains glucose, fructose, tannins and oxalic acid. It provides sufficient amount of minerals to the liver and assimilates vitamin A from our food intake. It increases resistance towards tuberculosis and tones up the heart, liver and kidneys. It is also known to relieve hypertension, mental tension and hysteria.

APPLES

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It certainly does. Its high vitamin and mineral content boosts the immune system. It also enriches body skin and hair. The mineral called Pectin, is found in large amounts in an apple. It is the same element that is found in antidiarrheal drugs.
The peel of the apple is extremely rich in vitamin A, whereas the actual fruit contains vitamin C, B-1, B-2, B-6, folic and pantothenic acid. You will also find minerals such as potassium and small amounts of copper, magnesium and phosphorus. You can bid good-bye to your coughs, colds and flu, by having an apple a day. Unless, of course, you are in love with a doctor!

Clinical depression

It is quite normal for humans to become depressed when something bad or unpleasant happens, such as the death of a beloved one or an end to a relationship. In addition to feelings, depression can change a person's behavior, physical health and appearance, academic performance, social activity and the ability to handle everyday decisions. Clinical depression refers to any form of depression that requires some form of treatment in order to alleviate it.

This type of depression normally goes away after some time, but in some cases it persists for much longer. Depression can last for periods of six months or more, and then it falls under the classification of clinical depression.

One/fourth of all women and one/eighth of all men will suffer at least one episode or occurrence of depression during their lifetimes. Depression affects people of all ages but is less common for teenagers than for adults.

Sometimes depressed people cannot perform even the simplest daily activities like getting out of bed or getting dressed.

Depression is classified under three main categories: unipolar disorder (major depression), bipolar disorder (manic depression) and dysthymia (prolonged sadness).

Heatstroke

The symptoms of a Heat Stroke are hot and dry skin, very high fever, diarrhea, agitation or lethargy, confusion, convulsions and loss of consciousness. If you think that your child has heatstroke, call the doctor. Wrap your baby in a large towel that has been soaked in ice water. As soon as the towel becomes warm, change it for a fresh chilled one.

Garlic, The Wonder Food

A clove of garlic a day keeps cancer away. But it does more than that. It also keeps the possibility of a love life away! Take heart however. There's always Close Up to remedy the situation!

Garlic contains a chemical called Allicin, which has already proved to have numerous health benefits. A team of Israeli scientists recently used this chemical to successfully kill cancer cells as well as malignant tumors in mice. Allicin is not present in an unbroken clove of garlic. It only gets released when the clove is crushed, so when using garlic in cooking, make sure you crush it and use it. Don't add the entire unbroken clove in your food, as though this will give you the flavour of garlic, it will not provide you with the benefits of its anti-carcinogenic properties. The clove needs to be damaged, so it is more effective crushed than cut. When crushed garlic is added to a dish, any parasites, bacteria or other microbes get killed even before the temperature kills them, so if you are worried about eating outside food - the safest option would be to order food with a strong garlic flavour. Chances of food poisoning would be slim! Garlic, as we all know or should be knowing, is a natural antiseptic, and eating a clove of garlic a day also helps ward off most infections.

Italians and Chinese eat plenty of garlic in their food, and have very low incidences of cancer. Pizzas and pastas, Italian dishes rich in maida and cheese, have liberal dozes of garlic, with the result that Italians seem relatively immune to other problems associated with such a diet such as high cholesterol and heart ailments. Similarly, Chinese food is rich in garlic, and the Chinese too are statistically less prone to cancer and heart ailments.

How should you eat the clove?

Needless to say, crushing a clove of garlic and eating it raw would not be the most pleasant of experiences. Garlic has a very strong flavour, and it needs to be mixed with other foods in order to be enjoyed. The best way to eat garlic would be to add it in food while cooking it. Allicin gets distributed throughout the meal, providing you with the benefits of its anti-carcinogenic and antiseptic properties.

Make sure you peel the garlic before cooking it. Cooking garlic in its peel destroys its curative properties. Similarly, peeling the garlic days before and crushing and storing all the crushed garlic together to be used a little at a time may be very convenient as a time saver, but you lose many of garlic's potent health properties. The natural compound of Allicin as found in garlic loses its beneficial properties within hours because it begins to react with garlic's other components as soon as the clove is crushed.

Peel the garlic and let it sit for fifteen minutes before cooking. Just before cooking, crush it. Consume soon after.

While you can get garlic supplements if you are looking for the easier way out, it is highly recommended that you get your daily doze of garlic the natural way - through the clove itself. As already mentioned, garlic has numerous other health benefits, and eating the garlic fresh would give you all these benefits. If you can consume the garlic raw, there's nothing like it! Peel it, crush it fifteen minutes later and down it, followed by a little milk. Do this every night - so you will not smell of garlic the entire day. Before long, you will see your health and immunity improve, and you needn't fear cancer again.

Water

Research has shown that drinking water helps to maintain proper blood pressure, improves mental performance, increases athletic performance & helps to regulate digestion. Water is the key to elimination of toxins from the body.

DO'S AND DON'TS FOR MOTHERS TO BE

01. Antenatal checkup is very essential to avoid complications during pregnancy - Monthly once for the first 7 months and three after every 15 days; nearing term a check up once a week is essential.

02. Every month make sure to first check your BP and Weight and test urine sample for albumin & sugar estimation and report to the doctor with the results.

03. Proper care of nipples should be undertaken; retracted nipples should be brought to the notice of your doctor.

04. From the 5th month onwards slow walking in the evening can be adopted. Nearing time light exercises such as deep breathing exercises, sweeping the floor with a small broom. Mopping the floor in a squatting fashion is advised. This will aid in the fixing of the fetal head and its descent down the pelvis to favor easy natural delivery.

05. Mango fruit, jack fruit and papaya fruit should be avoided during the first trimester and sour lemon and orange to prevent cough, cold and sore throat.

06. Lifting heavy weights to be avoided throughout pregnancy. Heavy work like pumping water, drawing water from well and any strenuous exercise to be avoided.

07. Strenuous journey like travelling by auto rickshaws and in the last seat in buses is not advisable. One should avoid going to hill station and travelling by air as far as possible.

08. No "SEX" for first three months and last 2 months.

09. It is not advisable to watch horror movies.

10. High heeled shoes should not be worn during pregancy.

Remedies for Deep Sunken Eyes

Tips 1:

Apply 1 teaspoon of Honey with ½ teaspoon of Almond oil. Apply at bedtime.


Tips 2:

Soak 5 Almonds overnight. Peel them, eat them by chewing well followed by a glass of milk. Done first thing in the morning for 21 days should definitely help.

Remedies for puffy eyes

Remedies for Eye Puffiness

Tips 1:

Slice a raw Potato, circle the closed eyes gently with these halves. Or else grate a raw Potato and place on Muslin cloth squares. Place these on the eyes and relax for 15-20 minutes.

Tips 2:

Dip cotton pads in chilled milk and place on eyelids while relaxing.

Tips 3:

In a bowl of chilled water add a few drops of Vitamin E oil.Dip cotton pads in this and place on the eyes while relaxing for 20 minutes.

Remedies for Insomnia

Sleep is a periodic resting condition of the body, especially the nervous system and there is a natural rotation of sleeping and waking every twenty-four hours. But medical science has not been able to explain-must less to understand the mechanics of this phenomenon. But it is a natural thing for a person to sleep and nobody can do without if for long. Some people, however, are able to do with much less sleep than others because their sleep is deeper and more refreshing, making do without four to five hours as compared to the normal period of seven to eight hours.

Sleep gives relief form tension, rest to the brain and the body and a person wakes up fresh and rejuvenated after sleep. But in some people the feeling of freshness is missing: they feel tired when they wake up. Some cannot sleep and others start snoring the moment their head touches the pillow.

Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a condition that often causes annoyance, and by depriving the person of natural rest produces interference with the full activity during the daytime. When it becomes a habit, it may form a serious menace to health.

Causes:

Insomnia may be due to a variety of causes, and they may act so effectively as to keep the person awake altogether, or they may serve, when present in a less degree, to produce one of the forms of dreaming and unfreashing slumber. Insomnia generally strikes persons of nervous temperament, those who are given to intellectual overwork. Manual overwork may also produce the condition by throwing the nervous system out of gear. Bodily fatigue, however, generally acts as a sleep-inducing agent. In temporary cases of sleepless of the causes is usually to be sought in some external source of irritation. To much cold, or heat humidity; or the presence of mosquitoes, may interfere with sleep in some cases. A slight, nagging pain, or dyspepsia- in which pain may be present in any appreciable degree may also interfere with sleep. Such temporary insomnia is easy to deal with; the moment the external cause that interferes with sleep is removed it is cured but it is the chronic insomnia, which is not easy to cure.

In cases of habitual sleeplessness, a voluntary limitation of the hours of sleep, combined with over study worry or grief, is often instrumental in forming a habit, which is exceedingly difficult to break. The brain remains active despite the efforts of the person of matters is often the effect of poisonous materials circulating in the blood, as in fevers gout, intemperance and over-indulgence in tobacco. Another cause of insomnia is neurasthenia. Persons suffering from it usually fall asleep the moment they get into bed but after an hour or two they wake up and cannot sleep for the rest of night.

In short, worry, thoughts of sex, over-indulgence in smoking or drinking, late dinners, preoccupation with business or work even after working hours, airless bedrooms, playing of games like chess or cards before retiring to bed are some of the main causes of insomnia. Excessive noise in the surroundings is also bad for sleep.
A person not having a clear conscience may also turn into an insomniac.

Learn to Sleep Well

Sleep is an art and its cardinal rules are:

(i) A clean, airy bedroom and clean bed. The cloths in which you sleep must also be loose and should not constrict any part of the body.

(ii) Compose yourself for sleep. Get rid of all the worries about what you have done during the day or propose to do the next day.

(iii) Stop thinking about anything but sleep half an hour before you get into bed.

(iv) Dinnertime should be fixed and so should be the time when you get into bed.

(v) Do not use heavily spiced food, meat or liquor. Excessive smoking also leads to insomnia.

Drugs to induce sleep should be avoided since they are habit-forming. There are a number of cases, particularly in the west, who are addicted to sleeping pills and whose needs for greater and greater number of the pills goes on increasing. Drug-induced sleep is never as restful as the one that comes naturally. Drugs are likely to create more complications than they can remove.

Treatment:

Chronic cases of insomnia can be dealt with only by resort to natural diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, a daily regimen of exercise and freedom from worry of tensions that beset modern life. Light exercise of the neck and back muscles shortly before going to sleep can help. A four-inch broad water soaked bandage tied to the neck also help induces sleep.
Taking a bath before sleep and rubbing your body dry with your palms can also help induce sleep. A cup of hot water or hot milk can also immediately before retiring to bed.

Those who cannot sleep because of mental excitement should soak their feet in warm water. The temperature of the water should not be more than 3 to 4 degrees higher than body temperature. Damp towel soaked in cold water may be wrapped round the head. For more serious cases of sleeplessness, soaking the whole body in a tubful of warm water of body temperature is the remedy. If you can sleep lying in the bathtub for the half an hour, it would give you the freshness that two hours sleep in the bed cannot give.

In most cases, however, insomnia is due to lack of physical exercise. Physical exercise is the specific remedy for such cases. Some people might benefit if they took a small cardboard to bed with a pencil. Let them put dots on it when the light is out. This would help them to fall asleep.

TYPES OF YOGA

HATHA YOGA

Hatha is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga. If a class is described as Hatha-style, it is probably going to be slow-paced and gentle, and can provide a good introduction to the basic yoga poses

VINYASA YOGA

Like Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used to describe many different types of classes. Vinyasa, which means breath-synchronized movement, tends to be a more vigorous style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations in which movement is matched to the breath. A Vinyasa class will typically start with a number of Sun Salutations to warm up the body for more intense stretching which is done at the end of class.

ASHTANGA & POWER YOGA

Ashtanga, which means eight limbs in Sanskrit, is a fast-paced, intense style of yoga. A set series of poses is performed, always in the same order. Ashtanga practice is very physically demanding, because of the constant movement from one pose to the next. In yoga terminology, this movement is called flow. Ashtanga is also the inspiration for what is often called Power Yoga. If a class is described as Power Yoga, it will be based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, but not necessarily keep strictly to the set Ashtanga series of poses.

IYENGAR YOGA

Based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is most concerned with bodily alignment. In yoga, the word alignment is used to describe the precise way in which your body should be positioned in each pose in order to obtain the maximum benefits of the pose and avoid injury. Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from one pose to the next (flow). Also, Iyengar practice encourages the use of props, such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps in order to bring the body into alignment.

KUNDALINI

The emphasis in Kundalini is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards. All asana practices make use of controlling the breath, but in Kundalini, the exploration of the effects of the breath (also called prana, meaning energy) on the postures is essential. Kundalini uses rapid, repetitive movements rather than holding poses for a long time, and the teacher will often lead the class in call and response chanting.

BIKRAM/HOT YOGA

Pioneered by Bikram Choudhury, this style is more generally referred to as Hot Yoga. It is practiced in a 95-100 degree room, which allows for a loosening of tight muscles and profuse sweating, which is thought to be cleansing. The Bikram method is a set series of 26 poses, but not all hot classes are make use of this series.

ANUSARA

Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara combines a strong emphasis on physical alignment with a positive philosophy derived from Tantra. The philosophy’s premise is a belief in the intrinsic goodness of all beings. Anusara classes are usually light-hearted and accessible to students of differing abilities. Poses are taught in a way that opens the heart, both physically and mentally, and props are often used.

JIVAMUKTI

This style of yoga emerged from one of New York’s best-known yoga studios. Jivamukti founders David Life and Sharon Gannon take inspiration from Ashtanga yoga and emphasize chanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings. They have trained many teachers who have brought this style of yoga to studios and gyms, predominantly in the U.S. These classes are physically intense and often include some chanting.

FORREST

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and gaining popularity around the U.S., Forrest Yoga is the method taught by Ana Forrest. The performance of vigorous asana sequences is intended to strengthen and purify the body and release pent-up emotions and pain so that healing can begin. Expect an intense workout with an emphasis on abdominal strengthening and deep breathing.

INTEGRAL

Integral yoga follows the teachings of Sri Swami Sachidananda, who came to the U.S. in the 1960s, eventually founding many Integral Yoga Institutes and the famed Yogaville Ashram in Virginia. Integral is a gentle hatha practice, and classes often also include breathing exercises, chanting, Kriyas, and meditation.

SIVANANDA

The first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center was founded in 1957 by Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda. There are now close to 80 locations worldwide, including several ashram retreats. Sivananda yoga is based upon five principles:
1. Proper exercise (Asana, focusing on 12 poses in particular)
2. Proper breathing (Pranayama)
3. Proper relaxation (Savasana)
4. Proper diet (Vegetarian)
5. Positive thinking and meditation (Dhyana)

7 Ways To Prevent Bad Breath

Dental studies show that about 85% of people with persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis have a dental problem that is to blame. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, you should visit your dentist first, to rule out any dental problems.

Bad breath can be very embarrassing, but it is a common condition that affects millions of people. While there are several different causes of bad breath, there are also numerous ways to prevent it. Following these tips can help you prevent bad breath as well as keep your mouth healthy on a daily basis.

1) Visit Your Dentist
Visit your dentist for regular check ups and cleanings. This is the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.

2) Brush Twice A Day
Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day to remove plaque.

3) Floss Daily
Floss your teeth daily. Flossing will remove food debris from in between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach.

4) Use A Mouth Rinse
Use an anti microbial mouth rinse such as Listerine or Crest Pro-Health. Keep in mind that if a dental problem is the cause of chronic bad breath, a mouth rinse will only mask the odor and not cure it.

5) Don't Forget About Your Tongue
Brush or scrape your tongue daily to help remove bacteria.

6) Avoid Smoking
Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Tobacco tends to dry out your mouth and can leave an unpleasant smell.

7) Dry Mouth
If you suffer from dry mouth, talk to your dentist about recommending an over the counter saliva substitute and be sure to drink plenty of water.

3 Nice Health Tips

* A decoction made prepared from dried coriander is an excellent eye-wash in Conjunctivitis.

* If your stomach is upset or you have a headache, then a cup of ginger tea is an immediate relief to it.

* Wash hair everyday with cold water to promote growth and to get rid of dandruff

Food Habits

• Tips For a Healthy Diet:
  Eating well does not always mean eating healthy. At the same time, don't go on a starvation diet in your effort to get that hour-glass figure. Because, with your eating habits, you are setting an example for your child.
• Eat With Discretion For A Healthy You:
  Is fat in or out? This is the question that haunts adults. Then they started thinking along the same lines for babies too. Fat babies were considered healthy babies. Then suddenly, chubby babies were no longer cute and the fear of weight problems appeared. Now what is finally correct? Cool down, a fat baby is not predictive of a fat adult. However, there are many good food habits to start with children to ensure a healthier lifestyle.
• Children And Obesity:
  In the past two decades, obesity among 6 to 11-year-old children has increased 54%! However, overweight infants and children are not doomed to have weight problems as adults. Deprivation does not mean minimization of problems. It will only make the child crave for more food. In other words, they need the nourishment and no growing child should ever be put on a weight reduction diet without their doctor's supervision. Allowing children to choose from a wide selection of nutritious foods will help them establish good habits.
• Food For Thought:
  To avoid obesity, plan snacks and time to have meals. Children allowed to graze between meals consume poor, high calorie diets. Four prime reasons for weight gain are: Irregular meals, too much intake of fat, untimely meals and lack of regular exercise. Small tablespoon servings are adequate for little ones but they will take more with increasing age. Their appetites will fluctuate daily. Desserts and sweets should not be used too much. By forcing children to finish their meal before dessert, you may force them to overeat. Set a good example by eating a wide variety of foods and providing a pleasant eating environment.
• Eat Slowly, Enjoy Your Food:
  Slow eating is always healthy eating. It is advisable not to watch TV while eating. Set and example by stating to your child that healthy eating is respected and good for the child's health.

Being Vegetarian

Vegetarians have lower rates of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. A study of nearly 2,000 vegetarians and part-time vegetarians conducted by German cancer researchers found eating little or no meat cut death rates from heart and circulatory disease in half and deaths from cancer by 25 to 50 percent. Vegetarians are also less likely to have gallstones, kidney stones and constipation and they weigh less on average. Calorofic values

Their should be variety in your diet, Select an array of foods to make sure you get all the nutrients you need. Eat these foods frequently for:

• Protein:
  Good choices are soy products such as tofu or soy meat substitutes, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
• Calcium:
  Non- or low-fat milk and milk products are calcium rich. If you're a vegan, nondairy sources for calcium include leafy, dark green vegetables, legumes, fortified soy milk and tofu (processed with calcium sulfate). Women need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day.
• Iron:
  Enriched cereals and whole grain products, leafy, dark green vegetables, legumes and prune juice are a good place to start. Increase iron absorption by eating vitamin C-rich foods such as tomatoes or by cooking in iron pans.
• Zinc:
  Try whole grains, soy products, nuts and wheat germ.

Vitamin B-12 Eat dairy products and eggs. Vegans can get B-12 from some enriched cereals, soy products, nutritional yeast or by taking a supplement.

Home Tips during pregnancy

• Raspberry leaf tea is a good tonic for general health during pregnancy. Among other benefits, it may help to prevent morning sickness and miscarriages. Drink 1 to 2 cups of the tea per day. For each cup, add boiling water to 1 teaspoon of the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes.

• Nettle leaf tea is rich in minerals. Drink it particularly during the last month of pregnancy. Prepare it in the same way as Raspberry Leaf tea.

• Ginger Root – in a capsule form or as a tea. This may help reduce morning sickness. To make a tea, grate 1 teaspoon of the root and simmer in a cup of water. Drink as needed – up to 4 cups a day. Or take 2 capsules 3 times a day.

Nanoparticles may increase cancer risk

Nanoparticles - currently in use in electronics, cosmetics and chemical manufacturing, among other industries - could damage DNA and lead to cancer, says a new study.

A nanoparticle is a microscopic particle - the size of one-thousandth the thickness of a single strand of human hair. Nanoparticle research is currently an area of intense scientific research, due to a wide variety of potential applications in biomedical, optical and electronic fields.

Very little is known about how they behave in the environment or how they interact with and affect humans. But research at the University of Massachusetts found that nanoparticles are small enough to penetrate cell membranes and defences and interfere with normal cell processes, reported the health portal Medical News Today.

They can be difficult to isolate from the larger environment, as they are much too small for removal by conventional filtering techniques, said scientists in their research presented at an annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research this year.

Unfortunately, only a very small portion of research on nanoparticles is focused on health and safety risks, or on threats to the environment, according to Sara Pacheco, one of the researchers.

Pacheco said: 'I am concerned because so many new nanoparticles are being developed and there is little regulation on their manufacture, use and disposal.'

'Until we understand which types of nanoparticles are harmless and which have the potential to be harmful, I think it is prudent to limit their introduction into the environment.'

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms.

Drinking tea could protect your skin

Drinking at least two cups of tea daily can protect you from developing skin cancer, says a new study, but scientists call for more research to strengthen the findings.

Tea's disease-fighting properties appear to protect the body against Squamous cell carcinomas and Basal cell carcinomas - most common forms of skin cancers usually caused by too much exposure to the sun's rays - that grow slowly over a period of months or even years, the researchers say.

Squamous cell carcinomas normally appear on the face and turn into an ulcer-like growth that doesn't heal.

Basal cell carcinomas normally show up as a painless lump that gradually expands in size. Although they do not normally spread through the body, they still need be removed through surgery.

In the latest study, carried out at Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire in the US, the scientists analysed over 1,400 patients aged between 25 and 74 years with one of the two types of tumour, reported the online edition of Daily Mail.

They compared their diet, drinking habits and lifestyle with a similar group who did not have cancer.

They found that regular tea drinkers were 65 percent less likely to have squamous cell carcinoma and almost 80 percent less at risk of a basal cell carcinoma. The biggest benefits were seen among long-term drinkers, especially those who downed several cups a day for more than 40 years.

Judy Rees, who led the research, said: 'The constituents of tea have been investigated for their activity against a variety of diseases and cancers. But the most potent appear to be polyphenols.'

These are antioxidants that block the damaging effects in the body of molecules known as free radicals.

But she stressed more research was needed to confirm it is the tea and not some other lifestyle factor which is protecting against the illness.

Abortion doesn't boost breast cancer risk, large study finds

An abortion or a miscarriage does not increase a woman's risk of breast cancer, according to results released Monday from a decade-long study of more than 100,000 women.

The findings are the latest, and perhaps most convincing, in a series of studies that have discredited a concern cited by antiabortion activists to dissuade women from having the procedure.

"It's important for women to have the facts," said Karin B. Michels of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Michels is lead author of the study.

She said her group's study was "very much in line" with a 2003 expert panel convened by the National Cancer Institute that concluded no evidence supported a link between abortion and breast cancer. The institute funded Michels' study as well.

Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, took issue with the findings. Her group uses the purported link as an argument against abortion.

"Clearly [the cancer institute] must suspect a link, or else they know that a link really exists," Malec said. "Why else would they continue to pay for these studies?"

Texas, Minnesota and Mississippi require physicians to warn women seeking an abortion about the supposed cancer risk. Several other states considered similar laws but rejected them in light of the 2003 consensus report.

The new results, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, are from an arm of the Nurses' Health Study that involved 105,716 women.

Beginning in 1993, Michels and her colleagues biennially questioned the women — who were ages 29 to 46 in 1993 — about abortions, miscarriages and breast cancer.

They found that through 2003, a total of 16,118 had had at least one induced abortion and 21,753 had had at least one spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). The team found 1,458 new cases of breast cancer — an incidence that was the same among women who had had an abortion (induced or spontaneous) and those who had not.

The design of the study, Michels said, was much more reliable than previous studies, which started with women who'd had breast cancer and asked them if they had undergone an abortion. Such studies introduce "recall bias," she said, because women with breast cancer are more likely to acknowledge an abortion, thinking it might be related to their condition. Read more..

Source : Latimes

Stomach Problems

Worms

Thread worms: If you notice your child scratching her bottom, examine her stools for thread-like worms. Thread worms are the most common infecting worms. The female crawls through the anus and lays her eggs in the surrounding skin. When your child scratches her bottom, the eggs may get under her nails and are ingested again when she puts her hands into her mouth.

Your doctor will prescribe a single-dose treatment that will destroy both the worms and the eggs. Since worms are highly infectious, all members of the family should take the anti-worm treatment. Repeat the dose after a fortnight. Make sure that you keep your child's nails short and ensure that she washes her hands after she goes to the bathroom.

Toxocara: Dogs and cats are carriers of this roundworm. Your child is most likely to get infected when she plays in areas where animals may have defecated. These worms are usually ingested by the child when she puts her dirty hands into her mouth. The worms enter the bloodstream through the intestinal wall and travel to the lungs. They are coughed up, swallowed, and then they continue to develop in the intestines. There are usually no symptoms. However, if your child has more than one worm, it may result in abdominal pain and a loss of appetite.

DIABETES AND PREGNANCY

The key to a healthy pregnancy for a woman with diabetes is tight blood sugar control both before she is pregnant and during the pregnancy. To do this, you need a diabetes treatment plan that keeps meals, exercise and Insulin in balance. You will also need to check your blood sugar often and keep a record of your test results.

With your blood sugar near-normal and good medical care, the chances of a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy baby is as good as for a woman without diabetes.

To begin with :- Work to bring your diabetes under control before getting pregnant. It is a good idea to be in good blood sugar control three to six months before you plan to get pregnant.

Care during the months of pregnancy :-
1. Check your blood sugar levels at the times your doctor advises; this may be upto 8 tests each day and will probably include after-meal tests. Write down the results

2. Keep notes on your meal plan and exercise.

3. Make changes in your meal plan and Insulin only with the advice of your doctor.

4. You will need additionall Insulin during pregnancy and if you are on oral medications for Type 2 diabetes your doctor will switch you over to Insulin during pregnancy.

5. During pregnancy you and your doctor may need to change your meal plan to avoid problems with high or low blood sugar levels.

6. Discuss your exercise plans with your doctor. Ask the doctor whether you can keep your current exercise program or is it safe to start exercise after you are pregnant. In general it is not advisable to start a new strenuous exercise program after you become pregnant.

7. Good exercises are walking, low-impact aerobics, swimming, or water aerobics.

8. Generally home births are not advised for women with diabetes.

After Delivery :- To take good care of your baby you need to take good care of yourself. Stick to your habits that helped you have excellent blood sugar control during pregnancy.

1. Plan to have a snack before nursing.

2. Drink enough fluids.

3. Keep something to treat low blood sugar levels during nursing.

4. Ask your doctor for a good meal plan.

COMMON Q & A

Q: Will my baby have diabetes?

A: The risk is very small with the incidence matching that of non-diabetic women.

Q: Will my baby be deformed?

A: If diabetes is under good control the risk is equal to the non-diabetic mothers. In the some cases the baby's weight will be slightly more than normal.

Q: Will I have a normal delivery?

A: Yes. That's the ultimate goal. However you may be admitted a couple of weeks before delivery.

Q: Can I breastfeed?

A: Yes, just like any non-diabetic woman.


REMEMBER : Consult your doctor while planning as well as during pregnancy, Don't wait!

Taking Care of Feet for Diabetic Patient

Some important facts : one of the most common sites of nerve damage in the diabetic person is the foot. The condition could be painful or conversely, a person may not feel pain even when he steps on a piece of glass. If untreated, this condition could lead to ulcers, gangrene and sometimes loss of fee. It is therefore important to examine your feet every day for signs of injury.

What to look for :

1. Any abnormal sensation in the feet. For example, a burning sensation.

2. Severe pain in the leg similar to knife injury, worse by-night and often relieved by walking.

3. Dr, scaly or cracked skin.

4. Any new growth on the feet.

5. Soreness and redness of the foot.

6. Changes in the shape of the foot.

7. Ulcers and pus formation.

(If you notice any of these, ask your doctor about treating them).

How to take care :

1. Keep feet clean, warm and dry.

2. Wash feet daily with warm water.

3. Use a mild soap and rinse well.

4. Dry feet thoroughly, particulary between the toes.

5. Powder feet and shoes every day.

6. Wear comfortablem, well-fitting leather shoes.

7. Wear fresh socks every day.

8. Avoid using sandals with toegrips.

Herbal Recipes for Skin Disorders

Home Made Herbal Recipes for Skin Disorders with CORIANDER + CUMIN + POMEGRANATE + ROSE

Coriander seeds, pulverised 11 g
Cumin seeds, pulverised 11 g
Pomegranate root, pulverised 11 g
Rose root, pulverised 11 g
Water 1 cup

Soak the herbs overnight in the water. Strain and drink in the morning
after sweetening it with a little sugar.

Preparation time: 8-10 hours.

Dosage: 1 cup in the morning.

Herbal Recipes for Asthma ( EUCALYPTUS )

Home Made Herbal Recipes for Asthma with EUCALYPTUS

Leaves, ground 2 g
Boiling water 2 cups

Put the ground eucalyptus leaves in a suitable container and pour the boiling
water over them. Cover the container and let the mixture stand for 5-20
minutes, depending on the strength of the tea desired. Strain and drink at
room temperature.

Preparation time: 5-20 minutes.

Dosage: 1 cup, twice a day.

Cough Syrup

1 ounce fresh horehound herb
2 ounces water
1 tablespoon powdered slippery elm
1 to 2 ounces honey

Add horehound to the water. Boil down to one ounce of liquid. Strain and mix into the slippery elm and honey. Take no more than 2 tablespoons every two hours, and only use for a few days.

To relieve sore throat and clear congestion

Home Remedies for gums

Home Remedies for gums

(to keep gums in good shape)

2 tablespoons baking soda
Small amount of hydrogen peroxide

* Substitute Epsom salt if you have high blood pressure.

Mix baking soda (or Epsom salt) and hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. With your finger, massage into the spaces between the teeth and in front and back of gums. Rinse mouth repeatedly with warm water.

Ayurveda for Thyroid Disease

Metabolism : is a series of complex processes by which the human body converts food, water, and oxygen into tissue, energy, and waste products. It is a continuous process and goes on in every cell of the body. It comprises the breaking down of substances into simpler parts, and their shuffling and recombination into countless new substances that compose the body. For example, the carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes and acids and converted into pure sugar or glucose.

The constructive chemical and physical process by which food materials are adapted for the use of the body is known as anabolism; and the destructive process by which energy is produced with the breaking down of tissues into waste products is called catabolism. The two processes together are called metabolism. Read more.....

THYROID Disorders in Clinical Practice

Thyroid disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Thyroid gland produces two hormones, Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). in general, thyroid disorders are manifested as a state of less hormone porduction (hyothyroidism), more hormone production (hyperthyroidism) or swelling of the gland itseld. Hypothyroidism is easily diagnosed once suspected by hormone disease is the commonest, followed by toxic multinodular goitre and toxic adenoma. It is important to rule out thyroiditis by doing an isotope study of thyroid, isotope uptake of the gland will be low in thyroiditis and high in hyperthyroidism. The treatment mobalities in hyperthyroidism are antithyroid drugs, radio-active iodine or surgery. Choice of treatment depends upon the underlying cause, the preference of physician, the preference of patient, cost, availability of infrastructure, and availability of skilled surgeon.

There are clinical situatuions where thyroid hormones in the circulation are within normal range, but gland is enlarged ex: diffuse goitre, multinodular goitre, single thyroid nodule. single thyroid nodule. Single thyroid nodule deserves attention for its association with malignancy. FNAC by and experienced cytologist is of great help to rule out malignany. Once suspected, a differentiated carcinoma of thyroid calls for total thyroidectomy, followed by radio-iodine ablation, so that no thyroid tissue remains in the thyroid bed. This will facilitate to diagnose recurence of tumour by estimation thyroglobulin in circulation during the follow-up period. Fortunately most of the thyroid disorders including differentiated carcinoma of thyroid, are curable if managed properly.

Auto-immunity plays a major role in the aetiopathogenesis of thyroid disorders whether it is hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. However, iodine deficiency is still recognised as the commonest environmental factor keeping a large population at risk across the globe in spite of global effort to overcome the iodine deficiency. No continent is totally free of iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency disorders include still birth, congenital malformation, deaf-mutism, cretinism, goitre and hypothyroidism in scholl going children and in adults. Physicians of India have a great task to overcome the illiteracy and misconception of the people towards iodised salt intake, and facilitate the governments effort for compulsory use of iodised salt by all.

Herbs and Essential Oils for Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream is chronically higher than normal. Diabetics are two to four times more likely than non-diabetics to die from stroke or heart disease. Diabetes may also lead to blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, amputation, and impotence. It is responsible for over 180,000 deaths each

Diabetes causes rampant damage to the arteries and veins due to an accumulation of glucose in the blood. This accumulation sets an enzyme called PKC into overdrive. In addition to giving signals to the genes and causing cells to grow and divide fast, PKC also starts a chain reaction that reduces the elasticity of the veins and arteries. The consequently hardened arteries are very prone to breaking. Blockage of these arteries results in reduced blood flow to vital organs which could lead to conditions such as gangrene and blindness. Blockage of larger arteries leads to heart disease and stroke.

The complications of diabetes from heart disease and stroke to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and damage of the nerves, have all been linked in some way to the formation of free radicals. Studies show that omega three and omega six fatty acids neutralize free radicals, and provide the additional nutrition so desperately needed by diabetics. One way of obtaining these required nutrients is to harness the power of nature and nourish the body with medicinal plants.

The Purslane Herb

Purslane, or portulaca as it is also known, is an herbaceous garden weed with fleshy succulent leaves. Purslane is one of the richest sources of fatty acids known in nature. It is also full of nutrients that can help manage diabetes. The main components of Purslane are tocopherals which are known to be strong antioxidants. It also contains vitamins C, A and E and minerals such as phosphorus, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, silicon and phosphorus. A regular intake of Purslane in the form of salads should be an integral part in the management of diabetes.

Purslane is also an anti-inflammatory, demulcent, antibiotic, and anti-parasitic. It is regularly used in cosmetology due to its soothing properties. This property of Purslane can also be utilized in the treatment of the skin conditions, such as boils and sores, associated with diabetes.

Purslane is also used internally to deal with the symptoms of toxic dysentery, boils, sores, vaginal discharges, and urinary tract infections.

Essential oils and diabetes

Although essential oils cannot claim to cure diabetes, they can be used to reduce the side effects of diabetes related ailments such as ulcers, loss of skin integrity, and skin infections. The use of essential oils can reduce inflammation, encourage cell regeneration, and eliminate infection. Some of the common essential oils that may be used are Palma Rosa, Rosemary, Juniper, Lavender, Tea-tree, and Peppermint.

Essential oils can also alleviate the stress of coping with a chronic condition such as diabetes and ease the burden of living with such a debilitating disease. Aromatherapy is a known antidote for relieving stress. Some of the essential oils that can be used for reducing stress are lavender, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Lemon, Bergamot, Neroli and Germanium.

SINUSITIS

Sinusitis is an infection of one or more of the sinus cavities, often caused by bacteria or an allergy. The sinuses are air pockets in the forehead and in the area surrounding the eyes and nose that function to filter and warm the air we breathe. When infected, the lining of the sinus cavity becomes swollen, causing a build up of fluid or mucus. This build up is responsible for symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, headache, pain and sinus pressure, which your child may be experiencing. Read More.....

Ear Problems

If your child has fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite for no apparent reason and is tugging at her ear, she probably has an ear infection.

Otitis media or inflammation of the middle ear is a very common childhood ailment. A baby spends most of her time lying down. This gives ample opportunity for bacteria to travel from her nose and throat to the ear. Consequently, the mucous membranes of the Eustachian tubes (that link the middle ear to the back of the throat) become blocked and inflamed, trapping the bacteria in the middle ear where they multiply.

If you suspect that your baby has an ear infection, call the doctor. Never put anything in your baby's ear or apply hot compresses to the outside of the ear. Leave the treatment to the doctor. He will probably prescribe antibiotics to combat the infection and nose drops to treat the blockage in the Eustachian tubes.

If your child has fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite for no apparent reason and is tugging at her ear, she probably has an ear infection.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Some Important facts : Very low blood sugar levels can be more of an immediate health risk than high blood sugar levels. This is generally caused by skipped food, excessive physical activity or some drugs like painkillers, in diabetic persons taking insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs.

Some Symptoms of very low blood Sugar (HYPOGLYCAEMIA) :

1. Excessive Hunger
2. Increased Sweating
3. Trembling
4. Faintness
5. Weakness
6. Rapid Heart rate
7. Tingling Lips.
8. Blurred or double vision
9. Headache.
10.Abnormal behaviour
11.Indifferent work performance
12.Confusion
13.Lethargy

How to deal with it ?

The treatment is to raise the blood sugar level immediately. You can do this by consuming three to four spoons of powdered sugar. Always keep in your shirt pocket or handbag three to four spoons of powdered sugar in an airtight plastic pouch for such an emergency. (If prompt corrective measures are not taken, in severve cases, low blood sugar can result in unconsciousness).

EXERCISE FOR DIABETES PATINET

Some known facts:

1. short bursts of physical activity only burn up glucose. To get rid of fat you need to exercise for atleast 30 minutes every day, about four times a week.

2. Exercise causes imporvement in insulin action leading to better control of diabetes.

Wram up phase (5Minutes)

1. Reach Stretcher: stand erect with feet 12 inches apart. Raise and stretch your arms upwards. Count ten and bring your arms down. (Repeat three times).

2. Neck Roller: Tuck chin in towards chest. Slowly turn head to left, pointing chin up and roll your head until you make a circle. Do three circles on each side.

3. Toe Toucher: Stand straight with feet 12 inches apart. Slowly bend over, keeping knees slightly bent. Stretch down. Hold down for ten counts. Rise slowly and repeat three times. (Before attempting this exercise, consult your doctor if you have a back problem).

Cardiovascular Phase (20 Minutes):

Start by walking about 1 km in 20 minutes. Your pace should go up to about 2 kms in 20 minutes in about two months. Maintain this pace.

Some tips on walking: Wear a comfortable pair of shoes. Maintain your head and chest erect. Let your arms swing freely from shoulders. Let your legs swing freely from your hips. Find indoor locations for rainy seasons. Contact your doctor if you develope leg cramps.

Alternatives to walking in cardiovascular phase (for a minimum of 20 minutes):

1. Tennis or Badminton

2. Cycling: Aim for a speed of 15kmph at the end of two months.

3. Jogging: Aim for a speed of 10kmph at the end of two months.

Cool Down phase (5 minutes): Reduce the pace of your activity. You could repeat the exercise of the arm up phase.

What Are Thyroid Problems?

Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.

Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.

What Causes Them?

All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways: In Graves' disease, the release of excess hormones is triggered by an autoimmune disorder. For some unknown reason, the body attacks the thyroid, causing it to spill out too much hormone. At other times, nodules called toxic adenomas develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body's chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules. In subacute thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid causes the gland to "leak" excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months. Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from pituitary gland malfunctions or from cancerous growths in the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism, by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body's energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels. A common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.

Hypothyroidism can also result when the thyroid gland has been surgically removed or chemically destroyed as treatment for hyperthyroidism. If you are exposed to excessive amounts of iodide -- perhaps from a hidden source such as cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone or from certain contrast dyes given before some x-rays -- you may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism, especially if you have had thyroid problems in the past. The drug lithium has also been linked as a cause of hypothyroidism. Untreated for long periods of time, hypothyroidism can bring on a myxedema coma, a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate hormone injections.

Hypothyroidism poses a special danger to newborns and infants. A lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of cretinism (mental retardation) and dwarfism (stunted growth). Most infants now have their thyroid levels checked routinely soon after birth. If they are hypothyroid, treatment begins immediately. In infants, as in adults, hypothyroidism can be due to a pituitary disorder, a defective thyroid, or lack of the gland entirely. A hypothyroid infant is unusually inactive and quiet, has a poor appetite and sleeps for excessively long periods of time.

Cancer of the thyroid gland is quite rare and occurs in less than 10% of thyroid nodules. You might have one or more thyroid nodules for several years before they are determined to be cancerous. People who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck earlier in life, possibly as a remedy for acne, tend to have a higher-than-normal propensity for thyroid cancer.

FDA Approves First Bird Flu Vaccine

A bird flu vaccine won federal approval for the first time Tuesday as a stopgap measure against a potential pandemic until more effective vaccines can be developed.

The vaccine is the first to win Food and Drug Administration approval for use in protecting humans against the H5N1 influenza virus. It would be used if the strain mutated into a form that spread easily from person to person, sparking a pandemic.

The Sanofi Aventis SA vaccine already is being stockpiled for use in an outbreak of bird flu. It will not be commercially available. Approval came on the recommendation of FDA advisers, who in February said the vaccine would be better than nothing.

Meditation

What is meditation?

Meditation is really just a way of systematically tuning out mental chatter. We all meditate from time to time, but the term itself is usually used to describe an exercise in sustained concentration that you can use to calm your body and quiet your mind--in short, to reduce stress. Historically, meditation has roots in both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, but you don't have to be Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, or religious at all to practice it.

How does it work?

Researchers say that meditation works at least in part by lowering your body's responsiveness to the stress hormone norepinephrine. Normally, stress triggers the release of these hormones, which in turn causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise (the "fight or flight" response). But meditation interrupts that flood of stress chemicals, so you don't feel on guard or tense. In short, when you meditate regularly, you're able to control your body's reaction to stress instead of it controlling you.

What are the health benefits?

Research shows that meditation can help ease a host of stress-related problems, including chronic pain, headaches, anxiety, PMS, sleep disorders, even infertility (the stresses of infertility can interfere with the release of hormones that regulate ovulation). In a study on anxiety at the University of Massachusetts, for example, 20 out of 22 anxiety-prone volunteers showed marked improvement after taking an eight-week class in meditation. And in a study on headaches, 72 percent of headache sufferers reported "moderate to great" improvement after learning how to meditate.

Making a Diagnosis for Hyperthyrodism

MAKING A DIAGNOSIS

If your doctor suspects you may have hyperthyroidism due to Graves'disease, he or she will probably investigate the following:

Your Personal and Family :

Health History : Thyroid disorders can often be hereditary. If your have a family member, like your mother or father, an aunt or uncle, or your brother or sister, who has a thyroid disorder (especially if it is autoimmune), your chance of developing one may be higher.

Your Likelihood of Developing Graves'Disease

Some individuals are more likely than other to develop Graves'disease. You are at an increased risk if you:

01. Are woman, 30 years or older.

02. Are pregnant or have given birth in the last 6 months*

03. Have other autoimmune conditions, such as :

(a) Addison's disease

(b) Type 1 diabetes

(c) Pernicious anemia

(d) Rheumatoid arthritis

(e) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE OR lupus)

*Note : If you've had a baby in the past 6 months, your may be at a higher risk for developing hyperthyroidism due to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Your Physical Condition

(1) Your doctor will probably give you a physical exam to look for the sings and symptoms of hyperthyroidism due to Grave's disease

(2) In particular, there is one very reliable sign that your doctor will look for: enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is called a goiter. A goiter is a common physical sign of thyroid disorder. Your doctor will examine your neck, pressing on, or palpating, the area where your thyroid is located in order to determine if a goiter is present. Your doctor will also examine your thyroid gland to determine if there are thyroid nodules present. Thyroid nodules are lumps in the thyroid gland that can result in too much thyroid hormone in your bloodstream. Sometimes, but very rarely, nodules can be cancerous.

(3) In addition, your weight, blood presure, and pulse will be measured.

(4) Your doctor may examine your eyes, skin, heart, and nervous system, as well. All of these systems are affected by hyperthyroidism.

Your Laboratory Results

Your doctor will likely order blood tests to find out how your thyroid gland is functioning. The best single test is the TSH test. If your TSH level is lower than normal, it is very likely that you have hyperthyroidism. Your doctor will probably measure your thyroid hormone levels as well, in order to determine the severity of your Hyperthyroidism. If your TSH level is low and your thyroid hormone levels are normal, you may have a mild form of hyperthyroidism, called subclinical hyperthyroidism.

LOW TSH + HIGH TYROID HORMONE LEVELS = HYPERTHYROIDISM

Goitre ( Home remidies)

Goitre Treatment: Home Remedies

Goitre treatment using Iodine : Iodine is, undoubtedly, most helpful in many cases, but it should be given in its organic form. All foods containing iodine should be taken liberally. These are lettuce, turnips, carrots, garlic, onions, oats, pineapples, whole rice, tomatoes, watercress, strawberries, guavas, citrus fruits, egg yolks, and sea foods.

Goitre treatment using Watercress : Goitre can be treated with Watercress which is one of the best sources of the element iodine. It is valuable in correcting the functioning of the thyroid gland. Its regular use, therefore, is highly beneficial in the prevention and treatment of goitre. A paste made of this vegetable can also be applied beneficially over the affected parts. It helps to reduce swelling.

Goitre treatment using Swamp Cabbage : Expothalmic goitre can be treated using the leaves of swamp cabbage. A teaspoon of the juice with tea almonds should be given once or twice daily as a medicine. The leaves are also useful in myxodema, a condition that result\'s from lack of thyroid hormones

Goitre treatment using Kachnar : Kachnar, botanically known as Bauhinia variegata, has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of goitre in India. About 30 ml of the decoction of the bark should be given twice a day in the morning on an empty stomach.

Goitre treatment using Dandelion : Dandelion, has been found valuable in treating goitre. The leaves of this salad vegetable should be smeared with ghee, warmed and bandaged over the swollen parts for about two weeks. Any existing discomfort will be relieved by this remedy.
Goitre treatment using FlexThe seeds of flex are also useful in reducing swellings in goitre. The seeds should be ground in water, heated and applied over the affected parts. The leaves of the tree should then be bandaged over them.

Diet for Goitre

Fruit juices : To begin with, the patient should take juices of fruits such as oranges, apples, pineapples, and grapes every two or three hours for five days.

Fruits and Milk Diet : After the juice fast, the patient may spend the next three days on fruits and milk, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits with a glass of milk, at five hourly intervals.

Food to avoid during Goitre : Certain foods and fluids are extremely injurious for goitre patients and should be avoided by them. These include white flour products, white sugar, flesh foods, fried or greasy foods, preserves, condiments, tea, coffee, and alcohol.


Other Goitre Treatment

Rest and bowel cleansing with lukewarm water : For the first five days of the treatment the bowels should be cleansed daily with lukewarm water. The patient should take plenty of rest and spend a day in bed every week for the first two months of the treatment. More and more physical exercise should be taken after the symptoms subside

GOITRE

What is a goitre?

A goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland. A goitre can mean that all the thyroid gland is swollen or enlarged, or one or more swellings or lumps develop in part or parts of the thyroid.

The thyroid gland is in the lower part of the front of the neck. It lies just in front of the trachea (windpipe). It has a right and left lobe which are connected together by a narrower band of thyroid tissue. (It is roughly the shape of a butterfly.) You cannot usually see or feel a normal thyroid gland. If the thyroid enlarges it causes a swelling in the neck which you can see - a goitre.

The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones - called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These are carried round the body in the bloodstream. Thyroxine and T3 help to keep the body's functions (the metabolism) working at the correct pace. Many cells and tissues in the body need thyroxine and T3 to keep them working correctly.

There are different types of goitre, each with various causes

Diffuse smooth goitre : This means that the entire thyroid gland is larger than normal. The thyroid feels smooth but large. There are a number of causes. For example:

(1) Graves disease - an auto-immune disease which causes the thyroid to swell and make too much thyroxine. (See separate leaflet called hyperthyroidism.)

(2) Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid) - which can be due to various causes. For example a viral infection can cause 'viral thyroiditis'.

(3) Iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland needs iodine to make thyroxine and T3. If you lack iodine in your diet the thyroid swells as it tries to make enough thyroxine and T3.

(4) Certain medicines can cause the thyroid to swell as a side-effect. For example, lithium.

(5) Hereditary factors - some people inherit a tendency for a thyroid to swell. In particular it may swell at times of life when you may make more thyroxine and T3 such as when you are pregnant, or during puberty.

(6) Various other problems with making thyroxine or T3 may cause the thyroid to swell
Nodular goitres : A thyroid nodule is a small lump which develops in the thyroid. There are two types.

(1) A multinodular goitre. This means the thyroid gland has developed many lumps or 'nodules'. The thyroid gland feels generally lumpy.

(2) A single nodule. Causes include:

* a cyst (a fluid-filled benign tumour).
* an adenoma (a solid benign tumour).
* a cancerous tumour (rare).
* other rare causes.

Goitres and thyroid function (production of thyroid hormones)

(a) In many cases, a goitre does not affect the amount of thyroxine or T3 that you make. You are then 'euthyroid' which means you make the correct amount of these hormones.

(b) In some cases, the goitre is associated with an abnormality of thyroid function. You may make too much thyroxine or T3 (hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid) or too little thyroxine or T3 (hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid). See separate leaflets about these conditions.

Note: you can also develop an overactive or underactive thyroid without having a goitre.

What are the symptoms of a goitre

01. In many cases there are no symptoms apart from the appearance of a swelling in the neck. The size of a goitre can range from very small and barely noticeable, to very large.

02. Most goitres are painless. An inflamed thyroid (thyroiditis) can be painful.

03. If your thyroid makes too much or too little thyroxine or T3, this can cause a range of symptoms. See separate leaflets.

04. A large goitre may press on the trachea (windpipe) or even the oesophagus (gullet) behind the trachea. This may cause difficulty with breathing or swallowing.

Assessing the situation

When you have a goitre a doctor will usually do some blood tests to check if you are making too much or too little thyroxine or T3. Blood tests may also help to find out the cause of some goitres. Other tests may be done to find out the cause of the goitre. For example:

01. An ultrasound scan of the thyroid. This may be done if you have a single nodule. An ultrasound scan is a safe and painless test which uses sound waves to create images of organs and structures inside your body. It can tell if a nodule is a cyst or a solid lump.

02. A small piece of tissue (a biopsy) may be taken from a nodule to look at under the microscope. The biopsy is done by pushing a fine needle into the nodule (a bit like taking a blood sample but the needle is smaller). It is a simple and safe procedure

03. A radioactive iodine scan or similar test. This may be done to see if any nodules are making too much thyroxine or T3. (The radioiodine concentrates in tissue that makes thyroid hormones.) See separate leaflet called 'Radionuclide (Isotope) Scan'.

What is the treatment for a goitre?

Treatment depends on the cause, the size of the goitre, and whether it is causing symptoms. For example:

a. If you have a small goitre that is not due to a cancerous nodule, and your thyroid is making the correct amount of thyroxine and T3, then you may not need any treatment

b. You will need treatment if you make too much or too little thyroxine or T3

c. An operation to remove some or all of the thyroid may be an option in some cases.

d. Radioactive iodine treatment may be an option for a goitre causing an overactive thyroid. This involves taking a drink, or swallowing a capsule, which contains radioactive iodine. The radioactive iodine builds up in the thyroid gland. As the radioactivity is concentrated in the thyroid gland, it destroys some thyroid tissue

e. If you have cancer of the thyroid, you will probably need surgery.

f. Iodine replacement, if the goitre is due to lack of iodine in the diet.