Heart Transplant

A heart transplant is surgery in which a patient with a life-threatening heart problem receives a new, healthy heart from a person who has died.

In a heart transplant, the patient who receives the new heart (the recipient) is someone who has a 30 percent to 70 percent risk of dying within 1 year without a new heart

A heart transplant treats irreversible heart failure when other treatment options fail.heart transplants are performed for several types of cardiac illness, including:

• Severe coronary artery disease (about 42 percent of cases)

• Cardiomyopathy, an illness that damages the heart muscle (47 percent)

• Congenital heart disease (8 percent)

• Irreparably damaged heart valves (2 percent)

Preparation

the typical heart transplant candidate usually fits the following profile:

• Is younger than 60, but likely to die within 1 year without a heart transplant

• Have no other potentially life-threatening medical problems except for heart disease. Problems that can disqualify a candidate include significant kidney disease, HIV, pneumonia or another active infection, cancer, a history of stroke or significant circulatory problems affecting the brain, and severe type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

• Is emotionally stable

• Is willing to follow the rigorous program of lifestyle changes and medication that is necessary after a heart transplant

How It Is Done

The surgeons removes your failing heart, then positions the donor heart in your chest and sutures (sews) it in place. Your new heart was cooled to preserve it before transplantation. As it warms up to room temperature, it might begin to beat on its own. If not, the surgeon may trigger your heart to start beating with an electric shock. Once your new heart pumps steadily without leaks, the surgical team disconnects you from the heart-lung machine and stitches your chest closed. You are then taken to the intensive care unit for monitoring.

After 2 or 3 days in the intensive care unit, you can move to a private room. You will continue to be monitored, and will get daily blood tests and echocardiograms until you are stable enough to go home. The total hospital stay is usually 10 to 14 days.


Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will prescribe several medications to help prevent infections and reduce the risk that your body will reject your new heart. You also receive a schedule for follow-up visits. You can expect to have an echocardiogram, blood tests and a heart biopsy (the removal of a piece of heart tissue) every 7 to 10 days during the first month after your transplantation, then every 14 days during the second month. If all goes well, you will need these tests monthly during months 3 through 6, then once every 3 months for the rest of your life.

Unwanted Hair Removal Tips

What Causes Increased Hair

• With only the rarest of exceptions, facial and body hair are due to the action of androgens, the family of hormones that includes testosterone. Though androgens are loosely called “male hormones,” this is misleading. All adult males and females have biologically active levels of testosterone in their blood. The levels in men are about 10 times higher than the levels in women. In childhood, androgen levels are unmeasurably low in both boys and girls.
• At puberty testosterone levels begin to rise in both sexes, but of course much more sharply in boys. Some of the normal events produced by androgens at puberty are: the appearance of pubic and underarm hair, increased oiliness of the face and darkening of the genital skin. In males, androgens stimulate sexual feelings, but their role in this regard is far less clear in women.
• As androgen levels increase, more areas of the skin start to respond by showing hair growth. The genital area is most sensitive, followed by the underarms, chin, middle of the upper lip, around the edge of the nipples and the midline of the abdomen. Many women have some hair in these latter four locations and in small amounts it is certainly not abnormal. For a few the amounts are greater, and embarrassment and self-consciousness result.

How Much Hair is Normal

• Testosterone is thought of as the male hormone but this is not strictly accurate because it is present in active levels in women as well as men. Women’s levels however are only 5 to 10% of men’s levels.
• In both sexes, testosterone levels rise at puberty, causing increased oiliness of the skin and the appearance of pubic and underarm hair. While we think of these as the only places a woman has body hair, most have some on other areas as well: lower legs, upper thighs, between the navel and pubic region, around the nipples and on the chin and upper lip. Some women experience increases in hair on other regions as well: chest and abdomen, lower back, neck and cheeks.
• There is no sharp dividing line between normal and abnormal amounts of hair. Facial and body hair is a very personal matter and so a personal definition is appropriate: hair that is enough to make a woman afraid that it will show is too much. However this does not mean that a medical problem is present. A few hairs in the following locations are normal for a woman: outer corners of the upper lip, the chin, around the nipples, between the navel and pubic region and the tops of the thighs. If a woman has more than light growth of hair in these places or if there is wider coverage of face and body, then the condition of hirsutism can be said to be present. This degree of extra hair is reason for medical evaluation, especially if accompanied by irregular periods or weight problems

Treatments For Increased Hair

Laser has been heavily promoted. It is said to offer “permanent hair reduction” though how much the hair is actually reduced in the long term is difficult to tell. Current laser technology is not suitable for those with very light or very dark skin. Some get pigmentary changes from it. Long term studies are lacking so that it is hard to tell how happy people will be with the results later on.

Home removal All sorts of methods are in use, but the most common one, tweezing, is the worst, because it pulls the hair out by the root, which injures the skin. Done for a long time it can give a bumpy look to the skin over the jaw. Snipping with a scissors is better than plucking though it does not last as long. Bleaches and depilatories are OK too; but with depilatories, be sure not to leave them on longer than the instructions say otherwise there can be considerable irritation. A razor is an effective way to remove hair but many women understandably do not like to use one. Despite widespread belief to the contrary, removing hair by a razor or other means does not make it grow in faster or darker.

Electrolysis is a well-established method which is permanent. Continuing treatment is often needed for women with substantial hair growth because new follicles become active. To get a good result, electrolysis needs to be done by a skilled professional using proper equipment. A good place to start is the Worldwide Registry of Professional Electrologists WROPE or the directories of two national professional associations: The International Guild of Professional Electrologists, Inc. and American Electrolysis Association. Many electrologists are highly committed to their profession and have an excellent understanding of the problems of women with increased hair growth.

Renal Colic

Renal colic is a type of pain commonly experienced in kidney stones. The pain typically begins in the kidney area or below it and radiates through the flank until it reaches the bladder. It may come in two varieties: dull and acute; the acute variation is particularly unpleasant and has been described as one of the strongest pain sensations felt by humans.

Acute renal colic is probably the most excruciatingly painful event a person can endure. Striking without warning, the pain is often described as being worse than childbirth, broken bones, gunshot wounds, burns, or surgery. Renal colic affects approximately 1.2 million people each year and accounts for approximately 1% of all hospital admissions.
The overall lifetime rate of kidney stones in the general population is approximately 12% for men and 4% for women.

Types of Stones

• Calcium Nephrolithiasis (75%)
• Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis (10-15%)
• Struvite (15-20%)
• Cystine (1%)
• Drug-Induced (1%)

 

Symptoms: Renal Colic

• Severe abdominal pain of sudden onset
• Unilateral flank pain
• Lower abdominal pain
• Associated symptoms - Nausea and Vomiting

Phases of the acute renal colic attack

The actual pain attack tends to occur in somewhat predictable phases, with the pain reaching its peak in most patients within 2 hours of onset. The pain roughly follows the dermatomes of T-10 to S-4. The entire process typically lasts 3-18 hours.
The typical attack starts early in the morning or at night, waking the patient from sleep. When it begins during the day, patients most commonly describe the attack as starting slowly and insidiously. The pain is usually steady, increasingly severe, and continuous; some patients experience intermittent paroxysms of even more excruciating pain. The pain level may increase to maximum intensity in as little as 30 minutes after initial onset or more slowly, taking up to 6 hours or longer to peak. The typical patient reaches maximum pain 1-2 hours after the start of the renal colic attack.

Abatement or relief phase

During this final phase, the pain diminishes fairly quickly, and patients finally feel relief. Relief can occur spontaneously at any time after the initial onset of the colic. Patients may fall asleep, especially if they have been administered strong analgesic medication. Upon awakening, the patient notices that the pain has disappeared. This final phase of the attack most commonly lasts 1.5-3 hours.

Constant phase

Once the pain reaches maximum intensity, it tends to remain constant until it is either treated or allowed to diminish spontaneously. The period of sustained maximal pain is called the constant phase of the renal colic attack. This phase usually lasts 1-4 hours but can persist longer than 12 hours in some cases. Most patients arrive in the ED during this phase of the attack


Medical treatment

Initial treatment of a renal colic patient in the ED starts with obtaining intravenous access to allow fluid, analgesic, and antiemetic medications to be administered. Many of these patients are dehydrated from nausea and vomiting.
Using hydration and diuretics as a therapy to assist stone passage remains controversial. Some experts believe hydration may increase the speed of passage of a stone through the urinary tract, while others worry that the extra liquid only increases the hydrostatic fluid pressure inside the blocked renal unit, exacerbating the pain. The ED at the author's affiliated hospital prefers to administer extra hydrating fluid, especially when the stone is 4 mm or smaller, but no firm data support either theory. Clearly, extra fluid should be administered to patients with laboratory or clinical evidence of dehydration, diabetes, or renal failure.

Straining the urine

Collecting any passed kidney stones is extremely important in the evaluation of a patient with nephrolithiasis for stone-preventive therapy. Yet, in a busy ED, the simple instruction to strain all the urine for stones can be easily overlooked. Knowing when a stone is going to pass is impossible regardless of its size or location. Even after a stone has passed, residual swelling and spasms can cause continuing discomfort for some time. Be certain that all urine is actually strained for any possible stones. An aquarium net makes an excellent urinary stone strainer for home use because of its tight nylon weave, convenient handle, and collapsible nature, making it very portable; it easily fits into a pocket or purse.

Prevention

• Maintain fluid intake >2.5 Liters per day
• Ingest 8 to 12 ounces fluid at bedtime
• Recommended fluids
  • Water
  • Citrus juice
• Dietary restrictions
  • Limit animal protein to 8 ounces per day
  • Limit sodium intake to 2 grams per day
  • Limit Oxalate Containing Foods
  • Avoid excessive Vitamin C
  • Increase dietary cereal fiber
  • Maintain Urine volume > 2 Liters per day
  • Periodically measure urine output in a 2 liter bottle
   

Balance Disorders

A balance disorder is a disturbance that causes an individual to feel unsteady, giddy, woozy, or have a sensation of movement, spinning, or floating

An organ in our inner ear, the labyrinth, is an important part of our vestibular (balance) system. The labyrinth interacts with other systems in the body, such as the visual (eyes) and skeletal (bones and joints) systems, to maintain the body's position. These systems, along with the brain and the nervous system, can be the source of balance problems

Types

Perilymph fistula


A leakage of inner ear fluid to the middle ear. It can occur after head injury, physical exertion or, rarely, without a known cause.

Labyrinthitis


An infection or inflammation of the inner ear causing dizziness and loss of balance.
Ménière's disease--an inner ear fluid balance disorder that causes episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or roaring in the ears), and the sensation of fullness in the ear. The cause of Ménière's disease is unknown.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)


A brief, intense sensation of vertigo that occurs because of a specific positional change of the head. An individual may experience BPPV when rolling over to the left or right upon getting out of bed in the morning, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. The cause of BPPV is not known, although it may be caused by an inner ear infection, head injury, or aging

Treatment

There are various options for treating balance disorders. One option includes treatment for a disease or disorder that may be contributing to the balance problem, such as ear infection, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Individual treatment will vary and will be based upon symptoms, medical history, general health, examination by a physician, and the results of medical tests.

Another treatment option includes balance retraining exercises (vestibular rehabilitation). The exercises include movements of the head and body specifically developed for the patient. This form of therapy is thought to promote compensation for the disorder. Vestibular retraining programs are administered by professionals with knowledge and understanding of the vestibular system and its relationship with other systems in the body.

Abortion

Abortion is the removal of pregnancy tissue, products of conception or the fetus and placenta (afterbirth) from the uterus.

Preparation

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and examine you. Even if you used a home pregnancy test, another pregnancy test often is needed to confirm that you are pregnant. In some cases, you will need an ultrasound to determine how many weeks into the pregnancy you are and the size of the fetus, and to make sure the pregnancy is not ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy is one that is growing outside of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy usually occurs in the tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus (Fallopian tube) and is commonly called a tubal pregnancy.

A blood test will determine your blood type and whether you are Rh positive or negative. The Rh protein is made by the red blood cells of most women. These blood cells are considered Rh positive. Some women have red blood cells that do not produce Rh protein. These blood cells are considered Rh negative. Pregnant women who have Rh-negative blood are at risk of reacting against fetal blood that is Rh positive. Because a reaction can harm future pregnancies, Rh-negative women usually receive an injection of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) to prevent Rh-related problems after miscarriage or abortion.

How It Is Done

Doctors can use medications, surgery or a combination of both to end a pregnancy. The method depends on how far along in the pregnancy you are, your medical history and your preference. Abortions during early pregnancy, before 9 weeks, can be done safely with medications. Abortions between 9 and 14 weeks usually are done surgically, although medications may be used to help soften and open the cervix. After 14 weeks, abortions can be done using labor inducing medications that cause uterine contractions or by using these medicines in combination with surgery.

Medical abortion

Abortions completed with medication, called medical abortions, are done within 49 days from the start of the pregnancy. Pregnancy usually starts two weeks after the first day of a menstrual period, so this corresponds to nine weeks from the last menstrual period

A woman should not have a medical abortion if she:

• Is more than 49 days pregnant
• Has bleeding problems or is taking blood thinning medication
• Has chronic adrenal failure or is taking certain steroid medications
• Cannot attend the medical visits necessary to ensure the abortion is completed
• Does not have access to emergency care
• Has uncontrolled seizure disorder (for misoprostol)
• Has acute inflammatory bowel disease (for misoprostol)
• Surgical abortion

Roughly one-half of all abortions are done during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy and about 88% during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy


Risks

The risks of a surgical abortion are quite low. The main risks of D and C and D and E are continued bleeding, infection of the uterus (endometritis), incomplete removal of pregnancy tissue and poking a hole in the womb (perforation of the uterus) during the surgical procedure. A second surgical procedure may be required to remove tissue that was not removed during the first procedure or to repair a perforated uterus.

The risks of a medical abortion include infection, bleeding and incomplete abortion, meaning some of the pregnancy tissue remains. These problems are rare and can be treated. An incomplete abortion is handled by repeating the dose of medication to end the pregnancy or doing a suction D and C. An infection can be treated with antibiotics. Excessive bleeding is treated with medications and possibly dilation and curettage. Rarely, a blood transfusion may be necessary if bleeding is unusually heavy

body Facts

Amazing body Facts

1. You make about half a quart (500 ml) of spit each day.
2. The smallest bone in your body is in your ears.
3. Your blood has the same amount of salt in it as the ocean does.
4. A sneeze blows air out of your nose at 100 miles per hour.
5. You are taller in the morning than you are at night.
6. Humans are the only animals that cry when upset
7. Your eyeballs are actually part of your brain.
8. Bones are 4 times stronger than concrete.
9. The largest muscle in your body is the one you are sitting on!
10. In one day, a human sheds 10 billion skin flakes. This amounts to approximately two kilograms in a year.
11. People whose mouth has a narrow roof are more likely to snore. This is because they have less oxygen going through their nose.
12. While sleeping, one man in eight snores, and one in ten grinds his teeth.
13. Your fingernails grow four times as fast as your toenails.
14. Babies are born with 300 bones adults have 206.
15. Eyelashes last about 150 days.
16. The heart circulates your blood through your body about 1,000 times each day
17. Many more boys are color blind than girls are.
18. Children have more taste buds than adults.
19. Your lungs are the only organs in your body that float.
20. Food spends up to 6 hours in the stomach being digested.
21. Every hour one billion cells in the body must be replaced.
22. The world record for the number of body piercing on one individual is 702, which is held by Canadian Brent Moffat.
23. The small intestine in the human body is about 2 inches around, and 22 feet long.
24. The human body makes anywhere from 1 to 3 pints of saliva every 24 hours.
25. The human body has approximately 37,000 miles of capillaries.
26. The aorta, which is largest artery located in the body, is about the diameter of a garden hose
27. An average woman has 17 square feet of skin. When a woman is in her ninth month of pregnancy she has 18.5 square feet of skin.
28. The width of your arm span stretched out is the length of your whole body.
29. 41% of women apply body or hand moisturizer a minimum three times a day.
30. A human's small intestine is 6 meters long.
31. There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee. You don't see all of them because most are too fine and light to be noticed.
32. Every hour one billion cells in the body must be replaced.
33. You create a new skin every month and a new skeleton every 3 months!
34. Ears and nose don't stop keep growing during the whole life!
35. The liver is the body's chemical factory. It has over 500 functions!
36. You lose 600.000 particles of skin every hour that make up 1.5 pounds a year!
37. You spend one third of your lifetime sleeping. 20 Years in an average lifetime!
38. In a lifetime, an average man will shave 20,000 times.
39. Hair will fall out faster on a person that is on a crash diet

Voice Care

VOICE CARE TIPS

Drink adequate water

do not smoke

warm up before speeches, singing

avoid shouting

avoid whispering

do not overuse voice when suffering from a cold or cough

use a mike/ microphone in speaking to a large gathering or singing

monitor your voice

detect changs in your voice and seek professional help early

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual disorder effecting men. This distressing condition can destroy a man's ego and threaten happy relationships. Erectile dysfunction is nothing but a condition, wherein a person has difficulty getting and /or keeping an erection. It affects about half of all men aged 40 to 70 years.

Who is likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction?

Studies have shown that approximately 50% of all men above the age of 40 years experience some problem with erection.Apart from increasing age, following lifestyle factor also increase the risk of ED.

Smoking: Smoking adversely affects circulation of blood. Smokers are more likely to develop ED than non-smokers. Even 2 cigarettes per day may have adverse effect on erection.

Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol provokes the desire but takes away the performance. Alcohol has depressing effect on the nerves & can interfere with your ability to get an erection

Excessive stress: Idividuals under constant stress & tension are more likely to develop ED.

Drug addiction: Use of illict drugs such as marijuana, cocaine etc. has been reported to cause problem with erection.Apart from above mentioned lifestyle factors certain medical diseases can also lead to difficulty with erection

Why erectile dysfunction should be treated

Erectile dysfunction can have a significant impact on a man's life. It may affect his self-confidence & self image. If not treated in time, erectile dysfunction may have devastating effect on man�s personal, professional and social life. Fortunately, erctile dysfunction is a treatable condition in majority of men who have it

Treatment

If you think you have any difficulty with your sex life talk to a qualified DOCTOR. Remember there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Today, many different options are available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Certain tablets, injections, vaccum pumps etc. can be used to treat erectile dysfunction

Grow Taller Fast

The height of a person plays an essential role in several areas. Whether it is dating or getting employed in the fields where physical height matters. In many other fields, your height is a considerable physical attribute. It not only adds charm to your external appearance but also help you maintain an emotional balance. These all make it essential for several to look for methods of height increase. Good height enhances your self-confidence and creates an air of sophistication around you. So it is essential for you to grow taller to make improvement in the quality of life. Tall physical structure assists us in defining our personality and creates lasting impression on all around. The boost to your confidence level helps you sport a positive image and makes life interesting to you. This is another significant benefit of having impressive height.

A few specific job opportunities are there for those with good height. If you do not have good height, it will definitely make you ineligible for those jobs. Several of you may have been flirted with the dream of making a niche in army, modeling, and pilot or air hostess but later you have to simply give up the dreams because of your short height. People feel that they can never overcome this barrier and grow taller. Such a negative thought is the bane of your confidence and they stop looking for height increase means. Stop blaming your genetic inheritance for your height as this is not the fact. You too are responsible to some extent for your low height.

Increasing height is indeed a big concern, nowadays. Having that extra inches compared to others will truly make you feel lucky and blessed. Simply height increase can show a significant change in anyone's life. You may also grow taller and enjoy your life the way you desire. Both of natural and artificial ways are there to assist you in achieving this goal and gain the desired few inches. Plenty of expensive medical processes and supplements for height increase are obtainable in the market and you can get the same available online as well.

A greater segment of the mass prefers to grow taller in a natural way. Height increase in the natural way is healthy too. Availing this way for height increase will not require any help from others. You may easily surprise your close ones and friends by increasing height in a natural way.

If you are keen on growing taller in a natural process and want to avoid consuming pills, you need to plan a good diet chart and develop healthy living habits. Following the diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will certainly make the changes in your height noticeable. So, it is evident that adding up a few inches to your present height in natural or artificial or medicinal or your own planned ways is no difficulty. Exercising on a regular basis will boost up the procedure as well. Height increase is no more a dream. All you require to do is to select the right way to grow taller

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is impairment in the brain's ability to translate written images received from eyes into meaningful language. Dyslexia is also known as specific reading disability. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children, affecting 5 percent or more of all elementary-age children. Dyslexia may occur in children with normal vision and normal intelligence. Children with dyslexia usually have normal speech, but often have difficulty interpreting spoken language and writing. Treatment for dyslexia may involve a multisensory education program. Emotional support to the child plays an important role. Dyslexia can be difficult to recognize before the child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. If the child begins talking late, learns to use new words slowly and has difficulty in rhyming the words, the child may be at a risk of dyslexia. Once the child is in school, dyslexia symptoms may become more apparent, which may include child's inability to recognize words and letters on a printed page and / or reading ability level well below the expected level for the age of the child. Children with dyslexia commonly have problems processing and understanding what they hear. They may have difficulty understanding rapid instructions, following more than one command at a time or remembering the sequence of things. Some mistakes in writing like reversals of letters (b for d) and a reversal of words (saw for was) are typical among children who have dyslexia. Reversals are also common for children under age 6 who don't have dyslexia. But with dyslexia, the reversals persist. Children with dyslexia may fail to see (and occasionally to hear) similarities and differences in letters and words. They may not recognize the spacing that organizes letters into separate words, and may be unable to sound out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word. A learning disability is a condition that produces a gap between someone's ability and his or her performance. Most people with dyslexia are of average or above-average intelligence, but they read at levels significantly lower than expected. Other types of learning disabilities include attention difficulties, an inability to perform well at writing skills and an inability to perform well at math skills. The cause of dyslexia seems to be a malfunction in certain areas of the brain concerned with language. The condition frequently runs in families.

If the child has dyslexia:

Talk to the child: Explain the child what dyslexia is and that it's not a failure on his or her part. The better the child understands this, the more likely he or she will cope with and compensate for this learning disability

Parent teacher relations: Stay in close touch with the child's teachers so that they're fully aware of the child's situation and so that you as parents and they as teachers can reinforce one another's actions. If available, tutoring sessions with a reading-disorders specialist can be very helpful for many children with dyslexia.

Be supportive: Having difficulty learning to read may affect your child's self-esteem. Be sure to provide love and to support his or her talents and strengths.

Support group: Consideration of joining a support group to stay in contact with parents who face similar learning disabilities in their children is an important aspect. Belonging to a support group can provide you with both good information and emotional support

Take steps at home to make it easier for the child to study: Provide a clean, quiet, organized place for the child to study, and designate a study time. Also, make sure that the child gets enough rest, good nutrition and family support through outings and activities to provide a better environment in which he or she can learn.

Benefits Of Sex

Would you rather run 75 miles or have sex three times per week for a year? Research shows that both activities burn the same number of calories. (7,500, to be exact).We often think that some thing what feels good cannot possibly be good for us. Now it is time to think again. Sex in a loving, intimate relationship and has numerous health benefits. In women, for example, the sexual act triggers the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes the feelings of affection and triggers that nurturing instinct. In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA hormone that may be important in the function of the body? immune system. Regular sex is regular exercise and has similar benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and increased circulation. Sex, like exercise, release endorphins. Endorphins contribute to the runners high and diminishes pain levels. Sex therapists remind us that frequent sex is a form of exercise

Other benefits of having regular sex

Sex as pain reliever

Through the touch magic of sex the hormone oxytocin is secreted in our body which in turn causes the release of endorphins. Because of these natural opiates, sex acts as powerful analgesics, elevating the pain threshold and helping to relieve the aches like arthritis, whiplash and headaches.In fact, studies indicate that intimacy plays a key role in the health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may actually produce an opposite effect by introducing a sense of anxiety and fear. Sex therapists say sex acts on the principal of  ?use it or lose it?. So, for your heart, mind, and soul, the best advice may be to ?just do it.?

Maintaining ideal body weight

There are 3500 calories in a pond of fat. For every 3500 calories we burn, we will lose one pound of fat. Sexual intercourse burns approximately 150 per half hour.

Increased blood flow

Sex helps increase the blood flow to our brain and to all other organs of the body. Increased heart rate and deep breathing accounts for improvement in circulation. As fresh blood supply arrives, our cells, organs and muscles are saturated with fresh oxygen and hormones, and as the used blood is removed, the body also remove waste products that cause fatigue and even illness.

Lower cholesterol

Lowering of cholesterol is another of sex as exercise benefits. Sex helps as exercise benefits. Sex helps lower the overall cholesterol level. Perhaps more importantly it tips the HDL/LDL (good/bad) cholesterol balance towards the healthier HDL side.

Stress reduction, relaxation and improved sleep

People have frequent sex often report that they handle stress better, so the normal stresses of living do not become distress. The profound relaxation that typically follows lovemaking with orgasm for women and ejaculation or orgasm for men, may be one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely let go, surrender and relax.

Hair Care

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle which includes proper diet and nutrition is a major key to beautiful hair. But, unfortunately, we do not always have proper eating habits.
By using hair nutrients and following some general guidelines, you can keep your hair in great condition

Hair Type Tips

• Dull hair without hair damage in most cases can be the result of a build-up of shampoos, conditions, and hard-water particles. These build-ups can deprive your hair of the bounce and sheen for which you bought the shampoo and conditioner in the first place.
• Clean your hair thoroughly to rid it of hair - care products and residue.
• Try a shampoo specially designed to remove build-up, or you can use a solution of plain apple-cider vinegar and water. This procedure will restore the acid mantle, which is essential to a healthy scalp and clean, shiny hair.
• Rinsing your hair after shampooing with the apple-cider solution of apple-cider vinegar and water (half and half mixture), massage in well, then raise out.
• Now apply your conditioner. This should be done every two weeks. This is very important if you wash your hair consistently with hard water, which has more metal ions.
• When combined with soaps, these metal ions leave a residue that when left on your hair will make it dull and dry

General Hair Care Tips

• As much as possible, use natural and organic hair-care products. Many commercial shampoos, conditioners, and rinses contain chemicals that in the long run can damage the hair. Daily or regular shampooing, rinsing, and conditioning with natural products can help keep hair healthy and beautiful. Look for hair care products with wheat germ, jojoba, and/or coconut oil, keratin, vitamins such as biotin, panthenol, vitamin A, E and essential oils.
• When applying shampoo, be sure to massage the scalp, as this activates circulation and energy flow, and stimulates hair at the roots. As much as possible, avoid using electric hair dryers, hot curling irons and let the hair dry naturally.

Falling Out and Thinning Hair

• Avoid using stiff nylon brushes, rollers, pony-tails, and other hairstyles that put great pressure on the hair.
• Avoid rough scalp massages and towel dying, perming and hot blow drying (these weaken the hair shaft even more). Let hair dry as naturally as possible or if you must blow dry, use low to medium heat only. Hold the blower at least 6 inches from your scalp.
• Use a de-tangle and a wide-tooth comb to untangle the hair. Minimize use of a brush on wet hair. Do not wear hats or wigs on a regular continues basis. Hats and wigs can cut off circulation and oxygen, causing possible further hair loss.
• Lightly massage your scalp with the tips of your fingers, always using a circular movement for five minutes when shampooing. This is good for blood nourishment to the scalp.
• After shampooing, rub a few drops of a blend of essential oils such as tea tree, jojoba oil, and rosemary into your hair and scalp and message in; do not rinse out unless your hair is oily.

Natural Highlights

• Chamomile oil and/or lemon extract are the strongest natural highlighter. Just comb the chamomile oil or lemon extract through your hair and let the sun do the rest. When using essential oils and/or extracts, always mix them with jojoba oil. Never apply essential herbal oils or extracts directly on hair or skin.
• For a milder, overall lightening, use chamomile tea (brewed in hot water and cooled) and/or lemon juice, and rinse your freshly shampooed and conditioned hair with it, then go out into the sun and let dry.
• For reddish highlights, use a rinse mixed with a bit of lemon juice and brewed red zinger tea. With the sun's help you will have natural red highlights. Both teas can be found in health food stores.

Healthy Hair

• Good hygiene is important for healthy hair. This includes brushing the hair properly and washing it with a mild shampoo. Good nutrition (a well - balanced diet of fresh foods and lots of water) not only helps one to have beautiful - looking hair but also improves it's texture.
• Wash your hair daily or every other day. The extra circulation provided by the shampoo /message stimulates the oil glands to work more efficiently and brings natural oils into the hair. This applies to all types of hair.
• Use shampoo that is pH balanced and that is designed specially for you hair type (dry, oily, etc.). Ask your hair specialist to assist you in selecting the right shampoo for your hair type. Always rinse with cool (not hot) clean water for extra shine.
• Allow your hair to air dry naturally whenever possible.

Laryngitis Tips

Laryngitis is an infection or irritation of the voice box (larynx).  The most common cause is a viral infection.
It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds (vocal cords)

Symptoms

• Hoarseness
• Loss of voice
• Urge to constantly clear your throat
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Throat pain
• Cough

Causes

• Viral infections such as a cold
• Allergies
• Excessive talking
• Excessive singing
• Excessive yelling
• Cigarette smoke
• Backflow (reflux) of stomach acid into the throat
• Heavy drinking or smoking can lead to chronic laryngitis
• Laryngitis is often caused by a virus or by bacteria.

Prevention and Home Treatment

• Rest your voice. Talk as little as possible.
• Stop shouting.
• Do not whisper as whispering is harder on your vocal chords than talking.
• Avoid clearing your throat.
• If hoarseness is caused by a cold, treat the cold.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid others who are smoking.
• Humidify your bedrooms or whole house, if possible.
• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of liquids; water, orange juice, etc. Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water per day.
• To soothe your throat, gargle with warm salt water ( 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water), or drink weak team or hot water with honey.
• Ibuprofen and aspirin may help alleviate fever and some of the discomfort associated with laryngitis.
• Avoid speaking when possible. Speak softly, but do not whisper.
• Drink warm liquids such as tea or a honey-lemon drink.

Best Nutritious Food in the World

There are thousands of different kinds of food in the world. Each food provides people with different nutrients, so as to meet different needs of human body. Here we will introduce five kinds of the best nutritious food in the world.

orange
Among the many types of fruits, acidic fruits contain more vitamin C. Experts have unanimously considered vitamin C as one of antioxidants. It has three major functions: to prevent the free radicals from damaging the cells and reduce the aging symptoms; to avoid the sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite in preservatives changing into the carcinogen--nitrosamine; to inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol and protect the good cholesterol, so as to maintain the health of blood vessel and heart.

red rice
Red rice is rich in starch and plant protein, which can supplement the strength and maintain the normal body temperature. It contains various kinds of nutrients, in which iron is the most abundant, so it has the effect of enriching the blood and preventing anemia. What's more, it contains plenty of phosphorus, vitamin A, and so on, which not only can improve malnutrition, night blindness, beriberi and other diseases, but also can effectively relieve fatigue, lassitude, insomnia and other symptoms


soybeanSoybean is a kind of good food for women. It contains a large number of isoflavone, which can produce a similar effect as estrogen hormone, so it has the effect of lowering blood cholesterol, protecting the heart, as well as preventing osteoporosis and breast cancer.

fungi Edible fungi has a high nutritional value. It is rich in protein, dietary fiber, amino acids, vitamins and minerals; low in fat and sugar; and without containing any cholesterol and starch. Edible concentrates all the good characteristics of the foods. As a result, it is known as the longevity food

carrot
Modern science shows that carrot is rich in fiber, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and other substances which can promote gastrointestinal motility. These substances can promote the discharge of the waste out of the body, so they have a very good therapeutic effect on constipation and acne. What's more, carrot can also help people lose weight, because it contains diastatic enzyme, which can break down the starch, fat and other components in the food, so that the body can fully absorb and utilize these components after decomposition. As a result, carrot is a very good food for weight loss.

Fish Oil Benefits

you will see the many health benefits of supplementing your diet with these kinds of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish oil contains high levels of the essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are Omega-3 fats, and key components for the health of both body and mind. Fish oil not only supports the functions of the brain, joints, and immune system, it is the fatty acid most associated with a healthy immune system. EPA assists in thinning the blood and dilating the blood vessels. DHA and EPA together support heart health by enhancing nitric oxide production.
Many years of research have proven the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. With each passing year, more research is published, increasing our knowledge of the many health benefits of fish oil containing EPA and DHA.

EPA -
• Maintains a healthy heart and circulatory system
• Enhances joint flexibility and movement
• Promotes healthy immune function
• Supports healthy metabolism and body composition
• Promotes balanced blood sugar levels
• Supports the body's natural anti-inflammatory response

DHA -
• Supports learning and memory
• Promotes positive mood and well-being
• Supports and protects the brain, eyes, and nervous and immune systems
• Essential for the proper development of infants and children
• Recommended by physicians for pregnant and lactating women

Most people benefit from Omega 3's in their various forms including fish oil, however there are some people with congestive heart failure, chronic recurrent angina, or signs the heart is not receiving enough blood (pain during exercise) that should avoid omega-3 fatty acids.
As you can see, there are many health benefits when supplementing with these kinds of oils. Now you know what they contain, its many health benefits and the general safety of the product.
Hopefully, the information provided here on their benefits will encourage you to begin supplementing and also begin to receive many health improvements.

Preventing Panic Attack

The pressures of everyday life bring about unwanted circumstances these tips for preventing panic attack.

Exercise: Working out is known to promote overall wellness. Through an hour of exercise per day, a person is able to prevent panic attacks. This is because while working out, "happy" hormones called serotonin is released that makes one feel good and refreshed. Exercising also builds a strong immune system and makes a person energized. What's more is that working out can be made fun by doing enjoyable activities such as biking or swimming.

Turn to your hobbies: The feeling of anxiety is sometimes caused by the lack of reason to enjoy life. People, because of the many stressors that surround them such as work or problematic relationships, are dragged down until the feeling of hopelessness seeps in. But through hobbies, they can simply step back from the situation for a while to recharge and have a little fun time. Hobbies are what would help them refocus without feeling stressed and panicky.

Crave for personal growth: Panic attacks are usually stimulated by irrational fear. Once fear seeps in, a person ceases to grow because he is afraid to try new things that will help him discover his hidden strengths. So to prevent panic attacks, focus on how you can further improve yourself. Treat yourself to a book sale that you may possibly find a self-help book that suits your interest and needs. Attend to interesting events that you may meet new friends who will touch your life in one way or another. Crave for personal growth that panic attacks may not hinder you from living your life.

Learn something new: Monotony can sometimes bring about the feeling of sadness and boredom. Because the situation has ceased to help the person grow, enthusiasm fades away. So in preventing panic attack brought about by anxiety disorder, try to learn something new. Enroll in interesting short courses that can stir up enthusiasm again. Not only do these short courses widen your knowledge, they can bring about new discoveries about yourself as well.

Bonding time with loved ones: Your loved ones are your support in every endeavor that you take. Like the pillars of a house, they are what keep you from crashing to the ground. They are your shock absorbers in times of distress. So to keep yourself away from panic attacks and anxiety disorder, always spend quality time with them. After a long day at work, bring home some treats that you and your family can enjoy together over an exciting movie. Go out with your friends on Friday nights so you could share a good laugh with the group while nursing some nibbles. There are really a lot of fun things to do while you are with these people who care for you the most.

Pregnancy Tips

How Beautiful nature is: The conception of a baby and giving birth to a new life is such a miracle! An exhilarating experience, unique only to the mother-to-be! An opening of a whole new exciting world! From the time a baby is conceived till she is born, hundreds of questions pass through your mind. They cause fear and anxiety, and sometimes overshadow the joys you are entitled during the precious period of pregnancy

Here we provide adequate guidance to deepen your understanding and help you have a healthy pregnancyand a healthy baby

Monthly Tips

First Month -

• Get enough sleep and relaxation
• Take plenty of fluids
• Eat frequent small meals
• Take folic acid supplement

Second Month -

• Wear clothes that fit loose around the abdomen.
• Avoid bending over at the waist, bend with knees instead
• Eat slowly, with small mouthfuls.

Third Month -

• Take plenty of liquids and fiber foods.
• Wear a firm supporting bra.
• Have frequent small meals

Fourth Month -

• Take iron and calcium supplements
• Keep the genital area clean and dry.
• Start applying oil or cream to prevent stretch marks

Fifth Month -

• Don't stand or sit for too long, move around frequently.
• Take iron and calcium doses.
• Wear low healed shoes

Sixth Month -

• Do your pre natal exercise regularly
• Put your feet up as much as possible.
• Take iron and calcium supplements.
• Try sleeping on your sides.

Seventh Month -

• Avoid wearing anything tight near the waist.
• Take your daily dose of iron and calcium.

Eighth Month -

• Sleep on your side with one leg crossed over the other.
• Take iron and calcium supplements
• Take as much rest as you can.
• Buy your nursing box.

Ninth Month -

• Get everything ready for the baby
• Pack your hospital bag
• Take iron and calcium doses
• Be prepared to deliver anytime

Tenth Month -

• Practice your breathing exercises.
• Take iron and calcium supplements
• Rest and relax as much as you can.
• Do not travel too far from home or your hospital

Eating Right

Calcium - For the healthy development of your baby's bones and teeth. Also to prevent diseases in you like osteoporosis in later life.

Iron - Iron needs increase dramatically during pregnancy. Iron is important in building maternal blood volume as well as foetal blood and muscle tissue. The recommended allowance for iron in pregnancy is 30-60 mg, a level that usually cannot be obtained through diet alone. Hence you have to take an iron supplement.

Carbohydrates - They are known as the fuel to your body's system. The starch carbohydrates satisfy your hunger for a longer period of time. The sugar carbos provide high fiber, which keeps the blood sugar even, as well keeps your bowels working efficiently.

Fats - Important source of energy. The stored fats in the body act as a reserve for your body system

Food Type

Milk and Milk Products- Major source of calcium, protein, vitamin D, VitaminB12 and riboflavin. e.g.. Milk, Soya milk, coconut milk, curds/buttermilk, cottage cheese, cheese (sparingly) etc.

Beans, Nuts and Seeds - Major source of protein, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, zinc and few trace minerals. e.g.. Kidney beans, sprouted lentils or other beans, sesame seeds, dry fruits like almonds (preferably soaked overnight), walnuts, apricots, etc.

Vegetables and Fruits - Major source of carbohydrates, vitamin A, vitamin C and folic acid. Both vegetables and fruits should be fresh and not frozen or canned. Have more of leafy vegetables like fenugreek, etc. and salads. Try having whole fruits rather than juices, so as to retain the fiber

Six Pack Abs Exercise

watch Six Pack Abs Exercise video and many more videos

http://www.diet.com/videos/play/sarahs-favorite-abs-exercise


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQr9EOQF6yU

Health Skills

Developing health skills is probably as important as any other skills for personal success

The Personal Power of Taking Responsibility

A successful executive takes full responsibility for his way of responding to situations.
While it is easy to shift the blame to others for anything gone wrong, it actually weakened your own personal power.

Be it in work or leisure, every task that we undertake is an opportunity to build personal power. By blaming, we deny our own inner power, and our ability to take charge of our life and circumstances. It creates distorted state of mind, such as guilt, fear, resentment and depression. As we become depressed and feel inferior, we are weakened and more prone to mistakes. We become more defensive and develop a siege mentality, erecting barriers to outside interference. Unfortunately, these barriers also block our inner resources.

By denying personal responsibilities, we put ourselves in the position of a victim, and loss the possibility of becoming strong and free through the process. Gradually, we perceive ourselves as someone weak and helpless. Instead of building personal power, we weakened our personal power with increased dependence on others for happiness, livelihood and even existence. As our self-respect begins to erode, we enter a negative spiral of blame, dependency and disrespect.

By a simple examination of own experience, it is not difficult to notice how negatively our work is impaired when we embark on the habit of blaming.

Life is not short of problems. The great news is: We have enormous resources to guide us to direct our response to these problems. Resorting to blaming is not the way, as exemplified by the truly successful leaders.

Taking Responsibility for Your Health/Wellness

Our health and well-being is highly correlated to our propensity for taking responsibility.
You will notice that in our midst, there are people who tended to think that it is the doctor’s responsibility to cure our illness.

The truth is, there is no better place to exercise self-responsibility than in our health. Not too many years ago, medical science advises that we have little control over what happened in our body, and even less over disease. When we are inflicted with illness, our chance of recovery seemed to rest entirely in the hands of the doctors or surgeons. Besides taking the pills and going through the surgery, it seemed that there is nothing else we can do to help our own recovery.

These perceptions begins to change in early 1960s, when biofeedback was found to be able to control and change physical events in our body that were once deemed uncontrollable by the experts. Since then, we started to adopt regular diet and exercise regime to regulate our blood flow, control the firing of our muscle neurons and change our brain-wave patterns. We started playing a more important role in keeping our own health by developing health skills.

Psychoneuro-immunology, which focus on the study of the influence of mind and emotion on the immune system, brings forth the new realization that our mind has a great deal to do with our health. We learned how depression can inhibit our immune system and height the chance of cancer, and how anger and cynicism can cause the development of heart disease.

The above breakthrough in medical research gives birth to a new philosophy and practice of "wholistic health", which includes mind, body and spirit in the all-round development of health. It is possible to use mind power to influence the body for better health -this is the very essence of health skills.
We can take greater responsibility for our health, by learning health skills such as deep relaxation exercises, techniques of stress management, and proper diet.

Birth Control

Birth control is very important in the family and to the country's economic growth. Most governments are striving to implement a better birth control policies for their citizens, to ensure the future of the whole country. For you, what can you contribute on family planning?

Contraception is a term used worldwide to prevent pregnancy, similar definition for birth control. There are various types of contraception, some of which are designed for women and other for men. Some types are for permanent control and others are mostly reversible.

There are six major birth control methods. These are:
1. Sterilization (surgery)
2. Withdrawal
3. Natural family planning and
4. Abstinence
5. Barrier methods (devices)
6. Hormonal methods


Sterilization
Sterilization for male is called vasectomy. It involves surgery to close the tubes that carries the sperm preventing any entry to the vagina. In female, sterilization procedure is called tubal ligation. It is a surgical procedure which is designed to close the fallopian tubes which carries the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, does preventing pregnancy.

Withdrawal
Withdrawal birth control is the most used method worldwide after condom. This involves the removal of the erect penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs. This will prevent any unwanted pregnancy but this method also has 43% chance of failure.

Natural Family Planning
Fertility awareness is the other term for Natural Family Planning birth control method. NFP does not involves any medication or devices to prevent pregnancies. It mainly uses the natural functions of the body such as the menstrual cycle to calculate ovulation and body temperature. To successfully apply this method, NFP prohibits any sexual activities in a specific period of time.

Abstinence
Abstinence is simply defined as refusal or refraining from any sexual activities. This method is 100% guaranteed effective in both preventing pregnancy and the transmission of different sexual diseases.

Barrier Methods
Barrier types of birth controls involves devices to prevent the sperm from entering the woman's uterus. Below are its types.
1. Male Condom. A condom is a latex rubber that is used to rolled over a penis before any sexual intercourse. This device will contain the sperm from entering the female's uterus. Failure rate is 16%.
2. Female Condom. Female condom is a 7 inch long pouch of polyurethane with two rings and is place into the vagina before sexual intercourse. It totally covers the matrix, vaginal canal and the area around the vagina.
3. Spermicides. These devices are designed to kill the sperm and usually in the form of foam, jelly and foaming tablets and vaginal suppositories.
4. Diaphragm. This device is a soft rubber dome which is stretched over a flexible ring. The dome contains a spermicidal cream or jelly which are inserted inside the vagina 's cervix for a specific time before sexual intercourse.
5. Cervical Cap. This device is a small cup of later rubber or plastic which is also filled with spermicidal cream or jelly. This plastic rubber is then inserted inside the vagina's cervix.
.

Hormonal Methods
Hormonal birth control methods involves medication drugs such as pills, patch, shot, ring or implants. It prevents the woman's ovaries from releasing an egg in its monthly cycle. This process will thicken the cervical mucus making it difficult for the sperm to reach and penetrate the egg. This method does not give any protection against any transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Types of Hormonal methods:
- Pills
- Depo-Provera
- Vaginal Ring
- Lunelle
- Intra-Uterine Device
- Birth Control Patch


These methods are proven effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies but definitely not 100% accurate

Six Pack Abs Diet

To obtain perfect six pack abs you should change your bad eating habits and keep to a healthy balanced diet because there are more perfect abdomens done in the kitchen than in the gym.

And your new diet should be affordable and easy to keep. All the necessary recommendation may be found in magazines and on the Internet and your part of work is to create your own six pack abs diet meal plan in accordance with the recommendations. Good meal plan will help you to see your six pack abs very soon.

The first important moment of your nutrition is how often you eat during a day. Eating three or even two times a day we overload our bodies but the professional recommendations will be eating frequently and in small portions. If you eat 5-6 times a day, your body has no reasons to store calories and it burns them quickly during a day.
Thus you will elevate your metabolism instead of storing fat around your belly.

Healthy eating habits keep in mind avoiding all harmful foods (fatty, spicy and salty, sweets, junk food and soda or fizzy drinks), eating less white bread, hydrogenated oils, pasta and desserts.

Your everyday meal plan should include a plenty of fruit and vegetables, natural oils like olive and flax oil, spinach and celery sticks, wholemeal bread, eggs, nuts, seeds, light meat, greenery, fish and green tea. And you should drink a lot of pure water as this liquid is very special to our organism and helps to regulate all kinds of metabolic activities. Do not avoid eating fats but eat only healthy fats.

The system of what you can eat and what you must avoid should not be complicated and confusing because the best plans are always simple. Change several points in your daily menu and you will see the results very soon.

Baby Colic

Baby Colic is not a disease; it is a condition that causes otherwise healthy babies to cry inconsolably, usually in the evening and at night. Doctors are not sure what causes colic, but it is believed to be caused by abdominal pain due to intestinal gas.


Home Treatment

Make sure your baby is getting enough to eat, but not too much, as the problem may be hunger or overeating.

Make sure your baby isn't swallowing too much air while eating. Your should feed your baby slowly, holding him or her almost upright and burping him or her periodically. It is a good idea to prop your baby up for 15 minutes after feeding.

If bottle-fed, use nipples with holes large enough to drip cold formula at least 1 drop per second. Babies will swallow more air from around the nipple if the hole is too small.

Do not overheat baby formula. It is best heated to body temperature.

Babies need to suck on something for up to 2 hours per day to be satisfied. If feedings do not allow enough time for sucking, use a pacifier.

Keep a regular routine for meals, naps and playtime.

Mealtime should be quiet and undisturbed by bright lights and loud noises.

Make sure your baby's diaper is clean and not wet.

Make sure your baby isn't too hot or too cold.

Make sure your baby isn't bored.

Putting your baby stomach-down over your knee or forearm may be helpful.

Calm your baby with a car ride or a walk outside.

Place your baby near the hum of a dishwasher, aquarium, clothes dryer, etc. may have a soothing effect.

Don't worry about spoiling a baby during the first 3 months; comforting a baby makes both of you feel better.

Most important, stay calm and try to relax. If you start to lose control, take a minute to calm down. Never shake a baby as it can cause permanent brain damage or death. 

Animal Bite

When bitten by an animal, most people want to know if they need a rabies shot. The main wild animal carriers of rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Pet dogs, cats and ferrets that have been vaccinated rarely have rabies; however, many stray animals have not been vaccinated. Rabies is quite rare, but it is fatal if not treated.
Bites that break the skin can cause bacterial infections. Cat and human bites are particularly prone to infection. You can get tetanus from a bite if your tetanus shots are not up to date.

Signs of Infection

• Increased pain, swelling, redness or tenderness
• Heat or red streaks extending from the bite.
• Discharge of pus
• Fever of 100 degrees or higher with no other cause.

Prevention

• Vaccinate all pets against rabies
• Do not keep wild animals as pets
• Do not disturb animals while they are eating
• Do not approach or play with stray animals
• Do not touch wild animals
• Do not provoke animals
• Do not handle sick or injured animals

Treatment

• Scrub the bite immediately with soap and water
• If you are bitten by a pet, find out whether or not the animal has been vaccinated for rabies
• If the pet's owner cannot be located, contact the health department
• A health pet that has bitten someone should be confined and observed for ten days by a veterinarian to see if it develops any symptoms of rabies

Yoga asanas for insomnia

Prasarita Padottan Asana: It tends to sooth your mind, lift your spirits and rinses off negative energy and drabbiness you complain of. It calms down the brain which is the sleep centre of our body.
 Supta Baddha Kona Asana: It gives relief from any tension that hovers in one’s mind. You sure would want to try this asana to replace chaos with peace.

 Adho Mukha Jathara Parovritt Asana: Like others relaxes your nervous system and vacates your mind of any thought that disturbs you.

 Salamba Bala Asana: It helps you rid yourself of worries and pile of stress. Observe caution while doing this child pose. Avoid this asana, if you’re suffering from knee injury, diarrhea or if you’re pregnant.

 Chandra Bedha Pranayama: Being a pranayama it facilitates sleep by a quieting effect on our nervous system.

 Savasana: It tends to induce sleepiness and combats restlessness. “The best time to do savasana” says Gogia “like any other asana is morning but it can be done in the evenings too provided you’re doing it empty stomach. If you can’t take out time in the evening make sure you’ve had an early dinner (around seven) and then do savasana after a gap of 3 hours. Strictly advised that it must not be done after dinner.”

Ayurvedica remedies for insomniacs

•    As a part of ayurvedic tradition you must wash your hands before going to bed because it helps remove the day’s residue and facilitate sleep.
•    Eat light and have an early dinner say around seven in the evening.
•    Wind down early; spend some time with your family.
•    Avoid heavy/trash music instead listen to some soft numbers

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common type of neck injury. It occurs to a person's neck most commonly following a motor vehicle accident. The term "whiplash" was introduced  in 1928. The term "whiplash injury" indicates damage the bone structures and soft tissues of the neck, where as the term "whiplash associated disorders" is used to indicate severe and chronic neck condition. Although whiplash is not a life threatening injury, it can cause a prolonged period of partial disability

Causes

Causes of whiplash are

• Contact sport injuries
• Blow to the head by a falling object or in an assault.
• Repeated stress injury or chronic strain on the neck like using neck to hold the phone
• Child abuse, like shaking a child, can cause this type of injury as well as in more serious injuries to the child's brain or spinal cord.

The common symptoms of whiplash include

• Neck pain
• Swelling of neck
• Tenderness along the back of neck
• Muscle spasms on the side or back of neck
• Difficulty moving neck 
• Headache
• Pain shooting from neck to the shoulder or arm

Treatment

Muscle relaxing medications like carisoprodol, chlorzoxazone, methocarbamol, diazepam ease muscle spasm and can relieve pain, but these medications can make a patient drowsy.

Physical therapy: This helps to wean a patient from a cervical collar, strengthens muscles and reduces pain on movement of neck.

Ice therapy or Heat therapy: In case of minor injury ice therapy or heat application can help to ease pain

Cervical collar: Soft cervical collar is often given in the initial treatment for whiplash. The collar helps to rest the neck, reduces the range of motion of the neck and prevents any additional injuries. However prolonged rest is avoided as this actually slows the healing process.

Home remedies

Home care aims to reduce your pain and minimize the amount of inflammation in the soft tissues of the neck. Home remedies which help to reduce pain are:

• Apply ice pack to the neck for 20 minutes at a time, if possible every hour for the first 24 hours when you are awake. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel and apply on the neck.
• Mild analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken for pain relief.

Mental Illness

Many people struggle with the question that whether they or someone close to them are displaying abnormal patterns of behavior
The word ‘abnormal’ simply means anything that is away from the ‘norm.’ The movement away from the norm can be both in either a negative or a positive direction. Definitions of what constitutes normality and abnormality of human behavior have changed across times, cultures and perspectives.

Few criteria that can help us in determining whether a behavior is abnormal are:

• The behavior impedes the person to realize his or her potential?
• The behavior displayed by the person rare (in a negative sense) in terms of age, cultural norms and social expectations?
• It has a negative effect on the life of the individual concerned?
• It has a negative effect on the life of others?
• The behavior makes the individual suffer and disabled?

Abnormal Behaviour

In contemporary times, there are two broad and related disciplines that treat abnormal behavior, clinical psychology and psychiatry. The field of Clinical Psychology attempts to understand the reasons for the existence of abnormal behavior and treat it through different kinds of psychotherapies and counseling. Also, besides treating abnormal behavior the focus is on promoting personal growth and well-being.

The clinical psychologist also uses a wide variety of psychological tests and questionnaires to understand the personality of any individual in a better manner.

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior through medication and other modalities. Depending upon the disorder being treated the treatment maybe inpatient or outpatient. Both approaches play a complementary role in alleviation of abnormal behavior

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up the skin. Normally, skin cells grow and divide to form new cells. Every day skin cells grow old and die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the skin does not need them, and old or damaged cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.
Growths or tumors can be benign or malignant:
Benign growths are not cancer

Malignant growths are cancer:

• Malignant growths are generally more serious than benign growths. They may be life-threatening. However, the two most common types of skin cancer cause only about one out of every thousand deaths from cancer.
• Malignant growths often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back.
• Cells from malignant growths can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
• Cells from some malignant growths can spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis

Prevention

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. Also, protect children from an early age. Doctors suggest that people of all ages limit their time in the sun and avoid other sources of UV radiation:

• It is best to stay out of the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever you can. You also should protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice. UV radiation can go through light clothing, windshields, windows, and clouds
• Use sunscreen lotions. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer,
• Wear long sleeves and long pants of tightly woven fabrics, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that absorb UV
• But you still need to avoid the sun and wear clothing to protect your skin.
• Stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths

Treatment

Surgery is the usual treatment for people with skin cancer. In some cases, the doctor may suggest topical chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or radiation therapy.

Because skin cancer treatment may damage healthy cells and tissues, unwanted side effects sometimes occur. Side effects depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each person

Surgery
types of surgery

Excisional skin surgery is a common treatment to remove skin cancer. After numbing the area, the surgeon removes the growth with a scalpel. The surgeon also removes a border of skin around the growth. This skin is the margin. The margin is examined under a microscope to be certain that all the cancer cells have been removed. The size of the margin depends on the size of the growth

Laser surgery uses a narrow beam of light to remove or destroy cancer cells. It is most often used for growths that are on the outer layer of skin only.

Mohs surgery (also called Mohs micrographic surgery) is often used for skin cancer. The area of the growth is numbed. A specially trained surgeon shaves away thin layers of the growth. Each layer is immediately examined under a microscope. The surgeon continues to shave away tissue until no cancer cells can be seen under the microscope. In this way, the surgeon can remove all the cancer and only a small bit of healthy tissue.



Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. The rays come from a large machine outside the body. They affect cells only in the treated area. This treatment is given at a hospital or clinic in one dose or many doses over several weeks.

Radiation is not a common treatment for skin cancer. But it may be used for skin cancer in areas where surgery could be difficult or leave a bad scar. You may have this treatment if you have a growth on your eyelid, ear, or nose. It also may be used if the cancer comes back after surgery to remove it.

Side effects depend mainly on the dose of radiation and the part of your body that is treated. During treatment your skin in the treated area may become red, dry, and tender. Your doctor can suggest ways to relieve the side effects of radiation therapy.


Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a chemical along with a special light source, such as a laser light, to kill cancer cells. The chemical is a photosensitizing agent. A cream is applied to the skin or the chemical is injected. It stays in cancer cells longer than in normal cells. Several hours or days later, the special light is focused on the growth. The chemical becomes active and destroys nearby cancer cells.