CVS-Computer Vision Syndrome is the condition suffered by most people using computers and the worst part is people are not even aware that they are suffering from it.
85% computer users working on computers for long hours are prone to CVS. Most affected are young students and professionals
The symptoms of CVS include fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, inability to maintain near focus, progressive refractive(Spectacles) changes,neck and shoulder discomfort, changes in colour perception and pain in and around the eyes.
These symptoms get worse due to inappropriate overhead lighting or glare and if the eyes are exposed to direct air from fan or vent.
The normal blink rate of any person is around 16-20 per minute, the rate for computer users is 6-8 blinks. Staring at the computer screen for a long time can put undue strain on the eye muscles.
PREVENTION AND CURE
There are ways to combat or even avoid CVS. Ensure you get your eyes checked by a doctor regularly, remember to blink as often and take breaks while working on the computer.
Using a proper focused computer eye wear is a better option than contact lenses as the latter may aggravate the problem due to their ability to cause contact lens induced dry eyes.
Adjust the brightness and contrast of your screen including the text and colour.
If you have CVS and have been advised to take medication by a doctor, follow the prescription and get checked regularly so that the condition does not worsen.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
TYPE II DIABETES CAN BE CAUSED BY STRESS
Health experts and medical researchers warn that even simple stress could make one diabetic. The good news is Diabetes can be cured and controlled by reducing stress levels. But if it goes untreated, the consequences are serious.
Stress is defined as a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes physical or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation. It can worsen diabetes. Blood sugar levels are mainly controlled by two groups of hormones, the first group consists only of one hormone that is insulin which reduces blood sugar. The second group called counter-regulatory hormones, opposes the action of insulin and increases the sugars. These hormones include cortisol,adrenaline, noradrenaline, glycogen and growth hormone. Stress tends to increase the levels of these hormones, particularly cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. If their levels are elevated, this can precipitate diabetes in a predisposed person or worsen it in someone who is already a diabetic.
It is important to detect high stress levels in a patient, since the blood sugars come down only if stress is controlled. Reduction of stress often leads to a dramatic improvement or even cure of diabetes. It is important that a diabetic learns to manage stress by leading a healthy social life, relaxing with family and friends leading to reducing the risk of developing diabetes and helping people to cope up with their problem.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Try to come to terms with the situation. Practice better time management. Improve your organisational skills. Try and resolve all conflicts. Include exercise in your daily routine also practice yoga (pranayam) regularly. Eat moderately and at proper intervals. Try and practice relaxation techniques and get adequate sleep.
The World Health Organisation(WHO) has declared that diabetes is no longer a problem of adults.Children and young people are increasingly turning diabetic and WHO attributes it to unhealthy eating habits, lack of proper sleep and absence of exercise.
WHO says diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina.After 15 years of suffering from diabetes, about 2 percent of people become blind and about 10 percent develop severe visual impairment.
Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves as a result of diabetes, and affects up to 50 percent of people with diabetes. Common symptoms are tingling, pain,numbness,or weakness, in the feet and hands.
EFFECTIVE HERBAL REMEDIES FOR DIABETES.
Nutritionists and diabetologists are looking towards a wonder herb(Stevia) that is 300 times sweeter than sugar, to help diabetics, who are otherwise barred from eating sugar. Stevia, the sweet herb plant's leaves are sweet to taste. unlike natural sources of sugar that come in form of glucose or fructose, the leaves of Stevia contain a special chemical that is not absorbed by the body but is excreted, the advantage here is the 'sugar' obtained from Stevia is for the palate only and not for the stomach. This herb is neither toxic nor carcinogenic and is safe for human consumption.WHO has confirmed the effectiveness of Stevia in controlling diabetes. People treated by Stevia proudly declare their blood sugar level has been controlled by this wonder herb.
FENUGREEK
These seeds not only lower blood glucose but reduce insulin levels, total cholesterol and increase HDL(good cholesterol)
ALOE VERA:Jelly inside the leaves or Aloe Vera juice are effective.
PRICKLY PEAR:Contains fibers which enclose glucose molecules slowing down their entry into blood stream.
GREEN TEA:Some constituent components enhance basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.
GARLIC:Lowers glucose levels, increases free insulin.
CINNAMON:Triples insulin efficiency.
COCOA:Rich in flavonoids, improves body's processing of sugar.
BITTE MELON: Increases glucose uptake; decreases blood glucose production; uses juice of fruits and seeds.
STINGING NETTLE:Roots and leaves are effective against high blood sugar levels.
LEAD A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
DIET
Eat meals on time. Eat meals at regular intervals of three to four hours. Have enough fibre in the diet. To avoid post-meal sugar level shoot up, the meal must be balanced with the right quantities of vegetables, both raw in salads and cooked, cereals, and proteins including pulses and curd. Colas ad fruit drinks must be cut down to the large extent.
DO'S
Exercise more; a 30-min brisk walk five days a week can work wonders. Substitute white rice with brown rice. Eat more vegetables and add fibre in the form of legumes and pulses. One fruit a day helps.
DON'TS
Do not smoke. Avoid use of tobacco products in any form.Drink alcohol in moderation.
DIABETES-TYPE II
A person is said to be suffering from diabetes when his pancreas stops producing insulin or fails to effectively utilise the insulin it produces.Insulin breaks down the sugar to give energy to the body. In a diabetic sugar is not digested and thus accumulates in the blood.
As a person with diabetes, you are at risk for heart disease, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, nerve damage, infection, blindness and slow healing.
Each person reacts to diabetes in his own way and needs constant doctor's monitoring. A diabetic regimen has three cornerstones: that is nutrition,weight control and exercise and the good news is one can control it and eliminate all the symptoms by carefully following the regimen prescribed by the
doctor.
Each person's diet should be according to the individual needs and lifestyles. The ADA diet includes up to 50 to 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are either simple sugars or complex starches. Each gram of carbohydrate produces 4 calories. Protein should amount to about 12 to 20 percent of calories and each gram of protein equals to 4 calories. Fat should be completely cut out and should not be more than 30 percent of your calories.
Each gram of fat produces 9 calories. It is better to replace artery clogging saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat or with complex carbohydrates.
Around 40 grams of natural fiber should be consumed in a day. Whole wheat products,barely,oats,legumes,vegetables and fruits are the best sources of fiber, as well as essential nutrients.
This way cholesterol level can be lowered.
Fiber also helps the person from getting hungry and adds bulk to the diet.
Fiber foods are generally high in vitamins and minerals.
Meat, egg yolks and dairy foods must be drastically cut down.
Research has shown that when sucrose and table sugar used in equal amounts with starches do not hike blood sugar levels any more than other starches such as potatoes and wheat.
ADA recommends modest amounts of refined sugars if your diabetes is under control and you are not overweight. Alternative sweeteners
are also safe. Noncaloric sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin and sweeteners with calories, like fructose and sorbitol are approved by ADA.
The diabetic body can handle smaller meals more easily because the smaller the meal, the less insulin is needed to handle the glucose influx from each meal. Less glucose equals less insulin equals more constant blood sugar levels.
Fat and alcohol consumption should be drastically cut down. Weight should be lost because obesity may obliterate insulin receptors so sugar cannot enter the cells and remains in your blood. Weight control which includes improved eating habits and exercise and this helps to control blood sugar and blood
fat levels.
For a Type II diabetic who is not on insulin or oral anti diabetic drugs fasting does not make any difference.
Exercising is a must because it is like a dose of insulin.
STRESS SHOULD BE REDUCED.
Diabetes with its constant emotional and physical demands is a stressful disease. If a person is having some very stressful life events they are having trouble coping with they should take the help of a mental health professional.
Stress can be relieved by relaxing such as controlled breathing and visualization which can be learned from professionals or books.
NEGATIVE THINKING SHOULD BE STOPPED to improve your mood and positive attitude and outlook should be inculcated by doing things which you enjoy doing most.
Regular Blood sugar testing is more accurate than urine testing for Type II diabetes because you can get quite a high blood sugar level before sugar spills into the urine especially if you are older.
Some over the counter drugs can disturb blood sugar levels. Doctor's advise should be taken before consuming them.
Few ingredients to be wary off:
ASPIRIN: Large quantities of aspirin taken for chronic pain can lower blood sugar levels.
CAFFEINE: The main ingredient in OTC appetite suppressants is caffeine, which can raise blood sugar levels when taken in large amounts. Many headache and cold medications are also loaded with caffeine.
EPHEDRINE OR EPINEPHRINE-found in preparations used to treat respiratory illnesses, but they can increase blood sugar in people with Type II diabetes. So can phenylepinephrine a drug found in nasal sprays and cold preparations.
As a person with diabetes, you are at risk for heart disease, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, nerve damage, infection, blindness and slow healing.
Each person reacts to diabetes in his own way and needs constant doctor's monitoring. A diabetic regimen has three cornerstones: that is nutrition,weight control and exercise and the good news is one can control it and eliminate all the symptoms by carefully following the regimen prescribed by the
doctor.
Each person's diet should be according to the individual needs and lifestyles. The ADA diet includes up to 50 to 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are either simple sugars or complex starches. Each gram of carbohydrate produces 4 calories. Protein should amount to about 12 to 20 percent of calories and each gram of protein equals to 4 calories. Fat should be completely cut out and should not be more than 30 percent of your calories.
Each gram of fat produces 9 calories. It is better to replace artery clogging saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat or with complex carbohydrates.
Around 40 grams of natural fiber should be consumed in a day. Whole wheat products,barely,oats,legumes,vegetables and fruits are the best sources of fiber, as well as essential nutrients.
This way cholesterol level can be lowered.
Fiber also helps the person from getting hungry and adds bulk to the diet.
Fiber foods are generally high in vitamins and minerals.
Meat, egg yolks and dairy foods must be drastically cut down.
Research has shown that when sucrose and table sugar used in equal amounts with starches do not hike blood sugar levels any more than other starches such as potatoes and wheat.
ADA recommends modest amounts of refined sugars if your diabetes is under control and you are not overweight. Alternative sweeteners
are also safe. Noncaloric sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin and sweeteners with calories, like fructose and sorbitol are approved by ADA.
The diabetic body can handle smaller meals more easily because the smaller the meal, the less insulin is needed to handle the glucose influx from each meal. Less glucose equals less insulin equals more constant blood sugar levels.
Fat and alcohol consumption should be drastically cut down. Weight should be lost because obesity may obliterate insulin receptors so sugar cannot enter the cells and remains in your blood. Weight control which includes improved eating habits and exercise and this helps to control blood sugar and blood
fat levels.
For a Type II diabetic who is not on insulin or oral anti diabetic drugs fasting does not make any difference.
Exercising is a must because it is like a dose of insulin.
STRESS SHOULD BE REDUCED.
Diabetes with its constant emotional and physical demands is a stressful disease. If a person is having some very stressful life events they are having trouble coping with they should take the help of a mental health professional.
Stress can be relieved by relaxing such as controlled breathing and visualization which can be learned from professionals or books.
NEGATIVE THINKING SHOULD BE STOPPED to improve your mood and positive attitude and outlook should be inculcated by doing things which you enjoy doing most.
Regular Blood sugar testing is more accurate than urine testing for Type II diabetes because you can get quite a high blood sugar level before sugar spills into the urine especially if you are older.
Some over the counter drugs can disturb blood sugar levels. Doctor's advise should be taken before consuming them.
Few ingredients to be wary off:
ASPIRIN: Large quantities of aspirin taken for chronic pain can lower blood sugar levels.
CAFFEINE: The main ingredient in OTC appetite suppressants is caffeine, which can raise blood sugar levels when taken in large amounts. Many headache and cold medications are also loaded with caffeine.
EPHEDRINE OR EPINEPHRINE-found in preparations used to treat respiratory illnesses, but they can increase blood sugar in people with Type II diabetes. So can phenylepinephrine a drug found in nasal sprays and cold preparations.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST SWINE FLU
What are the symptoms?
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever of over 100.4°F, fatigue, lack of appetite, and cold. Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms.
So, how do you know if you have flu or just cold?
There is one clue: when you have the flu, you feel flu symptoms sooner than you would cold symptoms, and they come on with much greater intensity. With the flu, you may feel very weak and fatigued for up to 2 or 3 weeks. You'll have muscle aches and periods of chills and sweats as fever comes and goes. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat.
Can you compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms?
Yes. The following chart can help you compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms. Use it to lean the differences and similarities between flu and cold symptoms. Then, if you get flu symptoms, call your doctor and ask about an antiviral drug.
You cannot confirm if you have swine flu just based on your symptoms. Like seasonal flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very severe and often fatal.
Doctors may offer a rapid flu test, but what you need to understand is a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu.
Only lab tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu. State health departments can do these tests.
What should you do immediately?
Those of you who have travelled from the affected countries in the past ten days and show symptoms swine flu like fever, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing should immediately contact the telephone number given below or visit the nearby Government Hospital.
Important contact numbers:
Outbreak Monitoring Cell (Control Room, NICD): 011-23921401
Websites: www.mohfw.nic.in and www.nicd.nic.inYou can also contact a toll free number 2392 1401 at the National Institute of Communicable Disease.
Contact numbers for each city:
Bangalore BIAL Swine Flu Center - 91-80-22001490 91-80-22001490
SDS TUBERCULOSIS & RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE OF CHEST DISEASES(Govt. of Karnataka), Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029 Helpline No: 91-80-26631923 91-80-26631923
Chennai Communicable Disease Hospital,
87, T.H. Road, Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Hyderabad Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda , Hyderabad Hospital Helpline Number - 040-23814939
Kolkata Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital,
57, Beliaghata Main Road, Kolkata
Mumbai Kasturba Hospital,
Arthur Road, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai 400011 Ph: 022- 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889
New DelhiYellow Fever Quarantine Centre,
Near AAI Residential Colony, New Delhi Ph: 91-11-25652129 91-11-25652129
Influenza Ward, Ward no 5, Second Floor, New Building, RML Hospital, Delhi-1RML- 91-11-24525211 91-11-24525211 ,23404328,23365525- Ext 4328
Who is at risk?
Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are people with:
chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
chronic heart disease,
chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease,
chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease,
Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment), diabetes, pregnant women, people aged 65 or older, and young children under five.
How does it spread?
The new swine flu virus is highly contagious, that is it spreads from person to person. The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. If someone coughs or sneezes and they do not cover it, those droplets can spread about one metre (3ft). If you are very nearby you might breathe them in.
Or, if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, such as door handles, hand rails, telephones and keyboards.
If you touch these surfaces and touch your face, the virus can enter your system, and you can become infected.
Can it be prevented?
Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for prevention, the number of days that they should be used will vary depending on a person’s particular situation.
Follow this general procedure to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus, you should:
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue. Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product.
Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
Do not go to work or school while ill, stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.).
Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others.
Will it help to wear a mask?
Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited. So, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in decreasing the risk of Swine Flu virus transmission in these settings. However, a well-fitted, FDA-approved mask together with other preventive measures MAY reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Those who are sick or caring for someone who is ill should consider using a mask or respirator if leaving the house becomes necessary.
What precautions should one take at home?
Two things - soap and water can reduce the chance of infection by 30 per cent. All you need to do is keep washing your hand with soap and water frequently. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Eat healthy: Proteins are essential to help your body maintain and build strength. Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nuts and seeds are good sources of protein.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults eat 50 grams of protein per day. Pregnant and nursing women need more.
By eating foods high in protein, we also get the benefit of other healing nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, both of which contribute to a healthy immune system.
Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including protein foods such as turkey and beans as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains. Proteins such as meats, milk, and fish also contain vitamin B12, a powerful immune booster.
Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep the immune system strong. These minerals are found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.
Exercise: Regular exercise may help prevent the flu. According to recent findings, when moderate exercise is repeated on a near daily basis, there is a cumulative immune-enhancing effect. That is, your strong immune system can fight flu better.
When you exercise, your white blood cells -- the blood cells that fight infections in the body -- travel through your body more quickly, fighting bacteria and viruses (such as flu) more efficiently.
To maintain good health, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, biking, or running each day.
What precautions should one take at schools?
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Is it safe to travel?
Avoid traveling unnecessarily. However, if you must travel, check how the country you're going to handles swine flu. Although, the WHO doesn't recommend travel restrictions, many countries have set up their own H1N1 policies, and some travelers have been screened or quarantined in other countries because of swine flu concerns.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever of over 100.4°F, fatigue, lack of appetite, and cold. Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms.
So, how do you know if you have flu or just cold?
There is one clue: when you have the flu, you feel flu symptoms sooner than you would cold symptoms, and they come on with much greater intensity. With the flu, you may feel very weak and fatigued for up to 2 or 3 weeks. You'll have muscle aches and periods of chills and sweats as fever comes and goes. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat.
Can you compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms?
Yes. The following chart can help you compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms. Use it to lean the differences and similarities between flu and cold symptoms. Then, if you get flu symptoms, call your doctor and ask about an antiviral drug.
You cannot confirm if you have swine flu just based on your symptoms. Like seasonal flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very severe and often fatal.
Doctors may offer a rapid flu test, but what you need to understand is a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu.
Only lab tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu. State health departments can do these tests.
What should you do immediately?
Those of you who have travelled from the affected countries in the past ten days and show symptoms swine flu like fever, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing should immediately contact the telephone number given below or visit the nearby Government Hospital.
Important contact numbers:
Outbreak Monitoring Cell (Control Room, NICD): 011-23921401
Websites: www.mohfw.nic.in and www.nicd.nic.inYou can also contact a toll free number 2392 1401 at the National Institute of Communicable Disease.
Contact numbers for each city:
Bangalore BIAL Swine Flu Center - 91-80-22001490 91-80-22001490
SDS TUBERCULOSIS & RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE OF CHEST DISEASES(Govt. of Karnataka), Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029 Helpline No: 91-80-26631923 91-80-26631923
Chennai Communicable Disease Hospital,
87, T.H. Road, Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Hyderabad Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda , Hyderabad Hospital Helpline Number - 040-23814939
Kolkata Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital,
57, Beliaghata Main Road, Kolkata
Mumbai Kasturba Hospital,
Arthur Road, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai 400011 Ph: 022- 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889
New DelhiYellow Fever Quarantine Centre,
Near AAI Residential Colony, New Delhi Ph: 91-11-25652129 91-11-25652129
Influenza Ward, Ward no 5, Second Floor, New Building, RML Hospital, Delhi-1RML- 91-11-24525211 91-11-24525211 ,23404328,23365525- Ext 4328
Who is at risk?
Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are people with:
chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
chronic heart disease,
chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease,
chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease,
Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment), diabetes, pregnant women, people aged 65 or older, and young children under five.
How does it spread?
The new swine flu virus is highly contagious, that is it spreads from person to person. The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. If someone coughs or sneezes and they do not cover it, those droplets can spread about one metre (3ft). If you are very nearby you might breathe them in.
Or, if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, such as door handles, hand rails, telephones and keyboards.
If you touch these surfaces and touch your face, the virus can enter your system, and you can become infected.
Can it be prevented?
Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for prevention, the number of days that they should be used will vary depending on a person’s particular situation.
Follow this general procedure to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus, you should:
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue. Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product.
Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
Do not go to work or school while ill, stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.).
Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others.
Will it help to wear a mask?
Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited. So, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in decreasing the risk of Swine Flu virus transmission in these settings. However, a well-fitted, FDA-approved mask together with other preventive measures MAY reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Those who are sick or caring for someone who is ill should consider using a mask or respirator if leaving the house becomes necessary.
What precautions should one take at home?
Two things - soap and water can reduce the chance of infection by 30 per cent. All you need to do is keep washing your hand with soap and water frequently. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Eat healthy: Proteins are essential to help your body maintain and build strength. Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nuts and seeds are good sources of protein.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults eat 50 grams of protein per day. Pregnant and nursing women need more.
By eating foods high in protein, we also get the benefit of other healing nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, both of which contribute to a healthy immune system.
Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including protein foods such as turkey and beans as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains. Proteins such as meats, milk, and fish also contain vitamin B12, a powerful immune booster.
Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep the immune system strong. These minerals are found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.
Exercise: Regular exercise may help prevent the flu. According to recent findings, when moderate exercise is repeated on a near daily basis, there is a cumulative immune-enhancing effect. That is, your strong immune system can fight flu better.
When you exercise, your white blood cells -- the blood cells that fight infections in the body -- travel through your body more quickly, fighting bacteria and viruses (such as flu) more efficiently.
To maintain good health, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, biking, or running each day.
What precautions should one take at schools?
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Is it safe to travel?
Avoid traveling unnecessarily. However, if you must travel, check how the country you're going to handles swine flu. Although, the WHO doesn't recommend travel restrictions, many countries have set up their own H1N1 policies, and some travelers have been screened or quarantined in other countries because of swine flu concerns.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
KNOW ABOUT SWINE FLU (H1N1) VIRUS
Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) refers to influenza caused by those strains of influenza virus, called swine influenza virus (SIV), that usually infect pigs. Swine influenza is common in pigs in the midwestern United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.
Transmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans is not common and properly cooked pork poses no risk of infection. When transmitted, the virus does not always cause human influenza and often the only sign of infection is the presence of antibodies in the blood, detectable only by laboratory tests. When transmission results in influenza in a human, it is called zoonotic swine flu.
"Swine flu", is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that contained many genetic elements normally found in swine influenza. This strain can be transmitted from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. This H1N1 strain causes the normal symptoms of influenza.
Swine flu is a new flu strain, a mixture of various swine, bird and human viruses, and it poses the biggest risk of a large scale pandemic. This epidemic has snow balled into a monster headache for Mexico because it has quickly become one of the biggest global health scares in years. The flu is spreading in U.S.A and other countries. Asian countries which had to grapple with deadly viruses bird flu and SARS in recent years are taking necessary precautions to check the deadly H1N1 virus from spreading. Swine flu infection is found typically in people, who have been in contact with pigs,although there have been cases of person to person transmission.
The World Health Organisation has raised its alert level from "phase 5" to "phase 6" on a 1 to 6 scale this means that the disease is transmitting from person to person, and has become a pandemic. It has spread to about 78 countries. The first cases were reported in Mexico in the month of April.
The WHO said that the time was "short" for nations to put emergency plans into action. One of the mysteries of the current outbreak is why all cases outside Mexico have so far been relatively mild. Swine flu regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs but human infections have sporadically occured. Swine flu spreads through various species infected by the flu viruses. It can infect pigs, swapping genes forming new viruses that can infect humans who have direct exposure to pigs, which in turn can infect other humans. While it is impossible to stop the spread, efforts to slow the flu's progress could buy crucial time to procure drugs to treat it.
This flu which is moving through humans appears to have a combination of genes from two normally separate sets of pigs, those from Americas and form Eurasia as scientists believe. But it is not known how those pigs met, and there is not yet any genetic proof that this particular flu was ever in a pig. Some geneticists feel this strain may not be very deadly. As it circulates in humans, especially in the Southern Hemisphere winter, it could pick up dangerous human flu genes. The swine-type virus that has not yet been found in swine was first identified in humans. No one ever tested pigs or swabbed pigs for this yet. Most geneticists believe that the virus had pieces of North American swine, bird and human flu and of Eurasian swine flu. But scientists are still struggling to understand the origins of this new strain of virus, a hybrid of human, pig and avian influenza.
H1N1 virus is not known to survive in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius as summer weather is not conducive for the virus survival but fall or winter weather is conducive for it to survive and and spread. Experts feel that those who get infected directly from pigs may be more at risk than those who catch the flu from humans. As swine flu is said to be a combination of pig flu, bird flu and human flu, this airborne virus may mutate further and even become drug resistant. It can travel the world freely, posing enormous dangers to unsuspecting people in distant lands. The only way to check its spread effectively is by sharing information.
Regional and international borders become irrelevant on the face of global danger. Swine flu existed before and its recent comeback remind us once more that the rich countries cannot just contemplate their own limited populations and future. The international community has to wake up and help the poorer countries which are the worst affected because they are densely populated and with less access to health care or sanitation, less awareness of the dangers or ways to prevent infection. Once infected they become ideal breeding ground for killer diseases. Like Mexico has proved with the outbreak of swine flu. For rapidly spreading, airborne flu that infects effortlessly cannot be contained without tackling the larger issues such as public health, or the role of big pharmaceutical companies, or the urgent need for honest international cooperation in health and medicine. The need to address trade practices, the norms of poultry and live stock industries, lifestyle changes, health infrastructure, access to drugs and general education has to be done by thinking and acting globally in order to meet the worldwide challenges successfully.
Globally, around 75% of emerging infectious diseases among humans are linked to animals. Environmental changes, human and animal demography, changes in farming practice, food habits and religious beliefs are some of the factors leading to the emergence of zoophytic diseases. In other words, animal and human health is intertwined.
Presently TAMIFLU(Brand Name) is the only medicine available to fight this flu in humans as patients showed quick recovery by using this drug. It is understood that one million doses of tamiflu can treat around 72,000 patients. Fourteen capsules were required for a seven-day treatment. Tamiflu is also called as OSELTAMIVIR(Generic name) or FLUVIR(Brand name).
The United States has already declared a public health emergency. Shares and oil prices fell in Asia and Europe as investors feared a further shock on global economy, if trade flows are curbed and manufacturing is hit. Oil prices have slid on swine flu fears, airlines are trembling at the prospect of steep falls in business and leisure traffic and so is the pork industry. People should avoid crowded places, refrain from making contact with people or shake hands and maintain personal hygiene.
In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills fever sore throat muscle pains severe headache, coughing,weakness and general discomfort. People who are sick are urged to stay home from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.
Transmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans is not common and properly cooked pork poses no risk of infection. When transmitted, the virus does not always cause human influenza and often the only sign of infection is the presence of antibodies in the blood, detectable only by laboratory tests. When transmission results in influenza in a human, it is called zoonotic swine flu.
"Swine flu", is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that contained many genetic elements normally found in swine influenza. This strain can be transmitted from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. This H1N1 strain causes the normal symptoms of influenza.
Swine flu is a new flu strain, a mixture of various swine, bird and human viruses, and it poses the biggest risk of a large scale pandemic. This epidemic has snow balled into a monster headache for Mexico because it has quickly become one of the biggest global health scares in years. The flu is spreading in U.S.A and other countries. Asian countries which had to grapple with deadly viruses bird flu and SARS in recent years are taking necessary precautions to check the deadly H1N1 virus from spreading. Swine flu infection is found typically in people, who have been in contact with pigs,although there have been cases of person to person transmission.
The World Health Organisation has raised its alert level from "phase 5" to "phase 6" on a 1 to 6 scale this means that the disease is transmitting from person to person, and has become a pandemic. It has spread to about 78 countries. The first cases were reported in Mexico in the month of April.
The WHO said that the time was "short" for nations to put emergency plans into action. One of the mysteries of the current outbreak is why all cases outside Mexico have so far been relatively mild. Swine flu regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs but human infections have sporadically occured. Swine flu spreads through various species infected by the flu viruses. It can infect pigs, swapping genes forming new viruses that can infect humans who have direct exposure to pigs, which in turn can infect other humans. While it is impossible to stop the spread, efforts to slow the flu's progress could buy crucial time to procure drugs to treat it.
This flu which is moving through humans appears to have a combination of genes from two normally separate sets of pigs, those from Americas and form Eurasia as scientists believe. But it is not known how those pigs met, and there is not yet any genetic proof that this particular flu was ever in a pig. Some geneticists feel this strain may not be very deadly. As it circulates in humans, especially in the Southern Hemisphere winter, it could pick up dangerous human flu genes. The swine-type virus that has not yet been found in swine was first identified in humans. No one ever tested pigs or swabbed pigs for this yet. Most geneticists believe that the virus had pieces of North American swine, bird and human flu and of Eurasian swine flu. But scientists are still struggling to understand the origins of this new strain of virus, a hybrid of human, pig and avian influenza.
H1N1 virus is not known to survive in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius as summer weather is not conducive for the virus survival but fall or winter weather is conducive for it to survive and and spread. Experts feel that those who get infected directly from pigs may be more at risk than those who catch the flu from humans. As swine flu is said to be a combination of pig flu, bird flu and human flu, this airborne virus may mutate further and even become drug resistant. It can travel the world freely, posing enormous dangers to unsuspecting people in distant lands. The only way to check its spread effectively is by sharing information.
Regional and international borders become irrelevant on the face of global danger. Swine flu existed before and its recent comeback remind us once more that the rich countries cannot just contemplate their own limited populations and future. The international community has to wake up and help the poorer countries which are the worst affected because they are densely populated and with less access to health care or sanitation, less awareness of the dangers or ways to prevent infection. Once infected they become ideal breeding ground for killer diseases. Like Mexico has proved with the outbreak of swine flu. For rapidly spreading, airborne flu that infects effortlessly cannot be contained without tackling the larger issues such as public health, or the role of big pharmaceutical companies, or the urgent need for honest international cooperation in health and medicine. The need to address trade practices, the norms of poultry and live stock industries, lifestyle changes, health infrastructure, access to drugs and general education has to be done by thinking and acting globally in order to meet the worldwide challenges successfully.
Globally, around 75% of emerging infectious diseases among humans are linked to animals. Environmental changes, human and animal demography, changes in farming practice, food habits and religious beliefs are some of the factors leading to the emergence of zoophytic diseases. In other words, animal and human health is intertwined.
Presently TAMIFLU(Brand Name) is the only medicine available to fight this flu in humans as patients showed quick recovery by using this drug. It is understood that one million doses of tamiflu can treat around 72,000 patients. Fourteen capsules were required for a seven-day treatment. Tamiflu is also called as OSELTAMIVIR(Generic name) or FLUVIR(Brand name).
The United States has already declared a public health emergency. Shares and oil prices fell in Asia and Europe as investors feared a further shock on global economy, if trade flows are curbed and manufacturing is hit. Oil prices have slid on swine flu fears, airlines are trembling at the prospect of steep falls in business and leisure traffic and so is the pork industry. People should avoid crowded places, refrain from making contact with people or shake hands and maintain personal hygiene.
In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills fever sore throat muscle pains severe headache, coughing,weakness and general discomfort. People who are sick are urged to stay home from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.
SWINE FLU IS CURABALE
Influenza is a virus that keeps on changing. Also, the virus has to keep itself alive in nature. So when the genetic material of the virus comes into the host that is the bird,human or swine a new virus is formed which can attack anyone. No known antibodies are available to fight the virus and this is one of the reasons why it is affecting a lot of young people.National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune has been designated as National influenza Center. A team of scientists, technicians and medical experts at NIV are busy characterising the H1N1 virus so that a vaccine can be developed. A crucial test is the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that detects the virus,pathogen-free eggs are used and the virus is grown in MDCK cell lines. NIV has its own Cell line. It is believed the characterisation is near completion with which the full genome analysis of the virus will be complete. The next step would be to make a vaccine within six months by the scientists.They feel that the pandemic preparedness for the avian influenza (H5N1) has come in handy for detecting and containing the novel H1N1 virus. It is believed three strains of influenza are in circulation and they are A (H1N1) human influenza, A (H3N2) human influenza and influenza B.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
BLOOD PRESSURE
HYPERTENSION AND HYPOTENSION
Obese people tend to have three times as much hypertension as people of normal weight. Obesity starts when you are twenty percent above the ideal weight for your your height and bone structure.Even with relatively minor amounts of weight loss, one can see a measurable fall in blood pressure.
Hypertensives should cut down on salt to about 5 grams a day to have a good effect. Alcohol consumption too should be cut down. Increased levels of potassium may be helpful in controlling high blood pressure. Doctors believe it is beneficial to get three times as much as potassium as sodium in your diet that if you consume 2 grams of sodium per day, then you should get 6 grams of potassium. Salt sensitive hypertensives respond well to calcium as well.
Exercise is a good treatment to reduce hypertension, but isometric exercises such as weightlifting must be avoided because these exercises may cause blood pressure to skyrocket.Brisk walking exercise in good because this type of exercise forces the blood vessels to open up(vasodilate) which makes the blood pressure come down. Swimming, walking and bike riding are all good exercises for hypertension.
Vegetarians have lower blood pressure than the general population that is 10 to 15 mm Hg lower for both systolic and diastolic pressures.It is believed this is due to the fact that vegetarians do not smoke, drink or overeat. It is better to monitor oneself regularly at home to keep in check.
Blood pressure changes are directly related to emotional intensity, researchers found that happiness caused systolic blood pressure to drop, while anxiety caused diastolic pressure to rise. So the happier the person felt, the more the systolic pressure fell. Conversely, the more anxiety a person experienced the higher the diastolic pressure rose. It has been found that the anxiety experienced outside the home makes blood pressure increase significantly more than anxiety experienced inside the home.
Arguing with your spouse or boss or any form of communication can cause blood pressure to increase by 10 to 50 percent, with hypertensive individuals showing the greatest increase.Communication, particularly handling conflict and expressing emotions, may affect blood pressure levels between spouses.
Having a pet at home like a dog and interacting with it is good pet therapy to reduce blood pressure.
PRESSURE CAN BE DEADLY
If left untreated, blood pressure tends to rise slowly and steadily over a number of years. Sometimes, a very high blood pressure develops quite suddenly,with diastolic pressures shooting over 130 mm of Hg, for hours or days at time. Systolic pressures can reach 250 mm Hg or more. Such a sharp increase could signal the onset of malignant hypertension. This is a very serious condition and must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. Malignant hypertension can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, eyes, or brain. Left untreated, it can be fatal within six months. But it can be brought under control very quickly with intravenous injections of the proper drugs with rapid diagnosis and treatment.
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE OR HYPO TENSION
Some people experience low blood pressure.They may experience a dizzy spell or even faint if they stand up too fast. It is typically defined as a consistent fall of more than 20 mm Hg. Systolic pressure when measured after 1 Minuite of standing. Recent studies have shown that hypo tension does not increase with the age after 55.Sometimes hypo tension can be caused by relatively simple physical actions that momentarily elevate blood pressure such as squeezing isometric hand grip before getting up for example, can increase blood pressure enough to counter the momentary dip it takes upon standing.It has been found by doing complex mental arithmetic elevated blood pressure and offset hypo tension even better than physical activity.
If you experience hypo tension after meals, try eating smaller,more frequent meals throughout the day. Sometimes restricting salt too much can contribute to hypo tension. Doctor's advise should be taken on how much fluid and salt should be consumed.
Hypo tension can also be controlled by the way one sleeps. Sleeping on a slant withe the head end of the bed elevated 8 to 12 inches above the foot end helps tremendously.
In many cases hypo tension is caused by medications people take for hypertension, such as diuretics.Alcohol, heart medications,tranquillizers, and antidepressants can also cause it.
Obese people tend to have three times as much hypertension as people of normal weight. Obesity starts when you are twenty percent above the ideal weight for your your height and bone structure.Even with relatively minor amounts of weight loss, one can see a measurable fall in blood pressure.
Hypertensives should cut down on salt to about 5 grams a day to have a good effect. Alcohol consumption too should be cut down. Increased levels of potassium may be helpful in controlling high blood pressure. Doctors believe it is beneficial to get three times as much as potassium as sodium in your diet that if you consume 2 grams of sodium per day, then you should get 6 grams of potassium. Salt sensitive hypertensives respond well to calcium as well.
Exercise is a good treatment to reduce hypertension, but isometric exercises such as weightlifting must be avoided because these exercises may cause blood pressure to skyrocket.Brisk walking exercise in good because this type of exercise forces the blood vessels to open up(vasodilate) which makes the blood pressure come down. Swimming, walking and bike riding are all good exercises for hypertension.
Vegetarians have lower blood pressure than the general population that is 10 to 15 mm Hg lower for both systolic and diastolic pressures.It is believed this is due to the fact that vegetarians do not smoke, drink or overeat. It is better to monitor oneself regularly at home to keep in check.
Blood pressure changes are directly related to emotional intensity, researchers found that happiness caused systolic blood pressure to drop, while anxiety caused diastolic pressure to rise. So the happier the person felt, the more the systolic pressure fell. Conversely, the more anxiety a person experienced the higher the diastolic pressure rose. It has been found that the anxiety experienced outside the home makes blood pressure increase significantly more than anxiety experienced inside the home.
Arguing with your spouse or boss or any form of communication can cause blood pressure to increase by 10 to 50 percent, with hypertensive individuals showing the greatest increase.Communication, particularly handling conflict and expressing emotions, may affect blood pressure levels between spouses.
Having a pet at home like a dog and interacting with it is good pet therapy to reduce blood pressure.
PRESSURE CAN BE DEADLY
If left untreated, blood pressure tends to rise slowly and steadily over a number of years. Sometimes, a very high blood pressure develops quite suddenly,with diastolic pressures shooting over 130 mm of Hg, for hours or days at time. Systolic pressures can reach 250 mm Hg or more. Such a sharp increase could signal the onset of malignant hypertension. This is a very serious condition and must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. Malignant hypertension can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, eyes, or brain. Left untreated, it can be fatal within six months. But it can be brought under control very quickly with intravenous injections of the proper drugs with rapid diagnosis and treatment.
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE OR HYPO TENSION
Some people experience low blood pressure.They may experience a dizzy spell or even faint if they stand up too fast. It is typically defined as a consistent fall of more than 20 mm Hg. Systolic pressure when measured after 1 Minuite of standing. Recent studies have shown that hypo tension does not increase with the age after 55.Sometimes hypo tension can be caused by relatively simple physical actions that momentarily elevate blood pressure such as squeezing isometric hand grip before getting up for example, can increase blood pressure enough to counter the momentary dip it takes upon standing.It has been found by doing complex mental arithmetic elevated blood pressure and offset hypo tension even better than physical activity.
If you experience hypo tension after meals, try eating smaller,more frequent meals throughout the day. Sometimes restricting salt too much can contribute to hypo tension. Doctor's advise should be taken on how much fluid and salt should be consumed.
Hypo tension can also be controlled by the way one sleeps. Sleeping on a slant withe the head end of the bed elevated 8 to 12 inches above the foot end helps tremendously.
In many cases hypo tension is caused by medications people take for hypertension, such as diuretics.Alcohol, heart medications,tranquillizers, and antidepressants can also cause it.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
- ASTHMATIC ATTACK
People with Asthma should not smoke and should avoid smoke filled rooms or people who smoke. Especially children in the house suffer the most because smoking leads to worsening of asthma in them.
Asthma can be fueled by wood stoves and fireplaces which can be traumatic for asthmatic patients. If you need to light fire be sure that the wood stove
and chimney are airtight in order to reduce the amount of particulates released in a room. The room should be well ventilated and the fireplace
should draw well.
Going to sleep with a full stomach might also elevate asthma because asthma can be caused by "stomach reflux" a condition in which the acid backs up into your esophagus from your stomach and your stomach contents contents may leak out a little and drip down into your air passage while you recline. Prop your bed up and elevate the pillow to prevent the dripping, and take an antacid before bedtime to cut down on your stomach's acidity.
Stay indoors when it is cold outside as extreme cold weather should be avoided.
While going outdoors make sure to keep your mouth and nose covered because cold air can trigger asthma, but if your mouth and nose are covered with a scarf or mask you can breath warm, humid air.- Once outside air has pollen in it, the cool pollinated air is bad for asthma. Air conditioner should be set on recirculate or to maximum setting, which will not bring pollen.
Eating the wrong foods could trigger asthmatic attack. The common foods which trigger asthma are milk, eggs,nuts and seafood. Hence learn to recognise foods which can trigger asthmatic attack.Smelling sensitive foods can trigger an attack. It has been observed that a whiff of eggs frying in the pan was enough to cause an attack in some of the patients.
TABLE SALT can have life threatening effect on asthmatic patients hence it should be avoided. Food additives, especially metabisulphite and monosodium
glutamate can trigger asthma. Metabisulphite is found in beer, wine,shrimp and dried fruits, particularly apricots.
NONASPIRIN PAIN RELIEVERS SHOULD BE USED: - For some asthmatics taking aspirin could have life threatening consequences. If the patient has sinusitis and nasal polyps and asthma then a non steroidal anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen should not be taken as it could worsen the condition as the aspirin sensitivity could just suddenly develop hence it is better to avoid aspirin products altogether.
INHALERS SHOULD BE USED CORRECTLY: An inhaler if used correctly can bring quick relief. It should not be sprayed at the back your throat because it will not get into the lungs this way and neither should it be stuck in the mouth to take quick hits. An inhaler should be held an inch away from your open mouth, take a slow deep breath, and just after breathing in about a half second or so the inhaler should be depressed. Breathing should be continued after spraying and then hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds. Your first puff opens your air passage, but if you take two quick puffs immediately,the second puff does not add anything. If you wait 2 to 5 minutes, then the second puff will be of added benefit.
In an emergency when you have to face an asthmatic attack without an inhaler a couple of cups of strong coffee will have beneficial effect on asthma.
Caffeine and the popular asthma drug Theophylline are almost identical and hence your body would react in the same way to caffeine which would help to
fight asthmatic attack. However, caffeine should not be considered as a substitute for treatment of asthma it should be used only during an emergency.
Hot cocoa or a couple of chocolate bars would also be an effective substitute medication that would buy time until you could get a medicine or an inhaler.
Of course the best way to fight an asthma attack is not to have one in the first place. Be aware of the early signs of asthma and if one recognises these
signs one can act right away and ward it off. The earlier one acts the less severe the asthma will be.
ASTHMA CAN BE REDUCED WITH EXERCISE
Keep your mouth closed and breathe through your nose. When you open your mouth to gasp for air when exercising hard, you are drying the back of your throat and it becomes cool, which triggers your asthma. Keep your mouth closed and breathe through your nose.
Swimming is an ideal exercise for asthmatics because of the high humidity, your mouth will not dry out. Any sport that requires shorter bursts of
exercise, such as baseball, tennis,and golf, is also good. If you visit the gym regularly use the medicine 15 minutes before your activity and you
should be alright.
MEDICAL ADVISE
Patients should understand the severity of the symptoms and should take them seriously. They should be careful that they never run out of medicines and should seek medical attention whenever they have difficulty in breathing. Increase in usage of the frequency of medicines is also an indication to seek immediate medical help.
BACKACHE
The best way to cool down an acute back pain is with ice because it will help reduce swelling and the strain on your back muscles. Ice massage is very effective where an ice pack is put on the site of the pain and it is massaged for 7-8 minutes.This can be done for 1-2 days.
After two days of ice massage, doctors recommend heat treatment with a soft towel by dipping it in very warm water on the affected back. Put some plastic
wrap over that, then put a heating pad turned on medium on top of the plastic. If possible, place something on the top that will create pressure like a heavy book as this will create moist heat and will help reduce muscle spasms, Both heat and cold treatment can be used. An intermittent regimen of heat and ice will actually make you feel better. The cycle of 30 minutes of ice and 30 minutes of heat can be repeated on the affected back.
Stretching a sore back will actually help the healing process. A good stretch for the lower back pain is to gently bring your knees up from the bed and to your chest and then put pressure on your knees. Stretch, then relax and repeat the same procedure because stretching will help the muscle calm down sooner than just waiting for it to calm down on it own.
When you have to get out of bed roll out of bed carefully as slowly as you can minimize the pain of getting out of bed by sliding to the edge of the bed. Once there, keep your back rigid and then let your legs come off the bed first. This motion will act like a springboard, lifting your upper body straight up off the bed.
Chronic pain sufferers of backache should have a lumber under the mattress which will help the lumbar lying on the top. The point is to have a bed that
does not sag in the middle when you sleep on it. A piece of plywood between the mattress and the box spring will end the sagging problem of the bed and provide good support to the back.
A water bed that is adjustable and does not make a lot of waves is excellent for most type of backaches because in water beds one get equalized change in
the pressure on various segments of one's body and one can lie in one position for the entire night because of this.
A lazy S sleeper position is the best position for a bad back. Put a pillow under your head and upper neck, keep your back relatively flat on the bed,
and then put a pillow under your knees. When you straighten your legs, your hamstring muscles pull and put pressure on your lower back. Keeping your
knees bent puts slack into the hamstrings and takes the pressure off your back.
Fetal position while sleeping is very good for a good night's sleep. Its better to stick a pillow between your knees when you sleep on your side because the pillow stops your leg from sliding forward and rotating your hips, which puts added pressure on your back.
Back pain is often accompanied by inflammation around the site of the pain. Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can keep the pain away. Acetaminophen
is not effective because it is not an anti-inflammatory drug. White willow bark, can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory which can be found in capsule
form in health food stores. Natural salicylate, the active ingredient gives aspirin its anti-inflammatory power. Taken after meals,it should not hurt the stomach and it works well on mild and moderate back pain. People suffering from ulcers and heartburn should not use it.
When you experience intense pain in the middle of the night visualize yourself as pain free. The more involved the image is, the more you are engaged with it and the quicker you will become distracted from the pain.
Gravity inversion is good for relieving back pain where you can strap yourself to a special device that tilts back and allows you to hang upside down.
Lower back pain can be rid by doing inversion traction with a proper, safe inversion apparatus for about 5-10 minutes a day. But doctor's advise should
be taken before following this therapy especially when one is suffering from disk problems. Patients suffering from potential glaucoma should not use it all.
T'ai chi an ancient Chinese discipline of slow fluid movements is great for relaxing the muscles of your back, which helps to untie the muscle knots but it takes time and self discipline to learn this method and it thas proven its worth.
DOCTOR' S CONSULTATION IS NEEDED WHEN
Back pain that comes on suddenly without any reason.
Back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms,such as fever, stomach cramps, chest pain or difficulty in breathing.
An acute attack which lasts for more than 2-3 days without any pain relief.
Chronic pain which lasts for more than 2 weeks without any relief.
Back pain which radiates down your leg to your knee or foot.
Back does not necessarily mean something is wrong with your back, it could also mean to be a sign of some other disorder.
CONSTIPATION
Experts feel that the constipated individual should check his diet. His diet should include dietary fiber and liquids. Lots of both are essential to keep
the stool soft and help it pass through the colon. A minimum of 6 glasses of liquid and preferably 8 glasses should be a part of every adult's diet and
water is the best fluid for this purpose.
20-25 grams of dietary fiber should be consumed by all adults and at least 30 grams of fiber for those who suffer from constipation. This fiber comes from
complex carbohydrates such as those in whole grains, fruit and vegetables.- For example: One and half cup of green peas gives 5 grams, one small apples gives 3 grams and a bowl of bran cereal can give up to 13 grams of complex carbohydrates. However, the best fiber foods are cooked dried beans, prunes, figs, raisins, popcorn, oatmeal, pears, and nuts. But fiber intakes should be increased gradually to avoid gas attacks.
Exercise is also good for the bowels because regular exercise tends to fight constipation by moving the food through the bowel faster. Walking is very
helpful for pregnant women, many of them experience constipation as their inner workings are changed to accomodate the growing fetus. They should walk for about 20 to 30 minutes a day without getting too winded as they walk.
To have a regular bowel movement toilet training is a must. Ignoring the urge to defecate when nature calls should be avoided because this could lead
progressively to constipation. The most natural time to go to the toilet is after a meal. If you follow this routine then you will condition your colon to act as nature intended.
Relaxing and taking it easy helps to relieve constipation because when you are frightened or tense, your heart beats faster and your bowels stop as well.
A good belly laugh helps constipation as it has a massaging effect on the intestines, which help in fostering digestion and it is a great reliever of stress.
Taking laxative tablets may provide relief but they could be addictive. An excess of these chemical laxatives can worsen your constipation.
Natural or vegetable laxatives whose main ingredient is generally crushed psyllium seed(a super concentrated form of fiber) should be taken because it is non addictive and generally safe over long periods of time unlike the chemical laxatives. These must be taken with lots of water or they can be gummed inside.
For quick and fast relief Enema or suppository can be helpful occasionally but they should not be followed often as it could worsen the problem.
Herbal remedies for dealing constipation are aloe Vera juice and not gel, senna, rhubarb(medicinal), cascara sagrada, dandelion root and plantain seeds
But certain herbal laxatives like chemical laxatives should not be overused.
DOCTOR'S CONSULTATION IS NEEDED WHEN
When the symptoms are severe, last longer than three weeks, are disabling, or if you find blood in your stool. Although it is rare, constipation can signal
a serious underlying disorder. A doctor's consultation is also needed when your constipation is accompanied by distended abdomen, which may signal an
intestinal obstruction.
HYPERTENSION
As one grows older, hypertension increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks, hence an early diagnosis is imperative. Since obesity and hypertension
are related one should maintain their figure. Salt intake, dietary saturated fat cholesterol and alcohol intake should be reduced. Adequate intakes of
Potassium, calcium, magnesium should be maintained. Diet rich in fruits and vegetables, non fat dairy products and those low in saturated and total fats
should be taken. Fruits,vegetables,nuts,whole grains, fish,poultry and low-fat dairy products are also advised.
Salty foods such as salted crisps, nuts, pickles, papad, salted, smoked foods such as cheese, canned fish and other processed foods prepared sauces and salad dressings high on salt content should be cut down. These must be replaced with fresh foods such as fish, lean meat, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Labels on food items should be read carefully because salt may be disguised as sodium as in sodium chloride, mono sodium glutamate or bicarbonate or soda.
Anti hypertensive drugs are effective in the treatment along with regular follow ups. Modifications in your lifestyle should be made by quiting smoking and increase physical activity.
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