Healthcare Concerns

Sleeping pills are not remedy for sleeplessness. They are habit forming and become less effective when taken continuously. They lower the I.Q. and dull the brain. To overcome the problem, the older person should adhere to a regular sleeping schedule, going to bed at a fixed time each night and getting up at a fixed time each morning. Early to bed and early to rise is a good rule. Two hours of sleep before midnight are more beneficial than four hours after.

Research has shown that people with chronic insomnia almost invariably have marked deficiencies of such key nutrients as B complex vitamins, and Vitamin C and D as also calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. The sleep mechanism is unable to function efficiently unless each of these nutrients is present in adequate amounts in the diet.

A balanced diet with simple modification in the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment of insomnia. Such a diet should exclude white flour products, sugar and its products, tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, fried foods, foods containing additives, excessive use of salt and strong condiments.

In the modified eating pattern, breakfast should consist of fresh and dried fruits, seeds and milk or yogurt. Of the two main meals, one should consist of a large mixed salad of raw vegetables and the other should be protein based. A cup of milk sweetened with honey at bedtime is helpful as the amino-acid tryptophan contained in milk induces sleep.

Certain home remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. One of the most effective of these remedies is the use of lettuce. The juice of this plant has been likened in effect to the sedative action of opium without the accompanying excitement. The seeds of lettuce in decoction form are also useful in insomnia.

The mixture of bottle gourd juice and sesame oil acts as an effective medicine for insomnia. It should be massaged over scalp every night. The cooked leaves of bottle gourd taken as a vegetable are also beneficial in the treatment of this disease.
A tea made from aniseed is valuable in sleeplessness. This tea is prepared by boiling about 375 ml. of water in a vessel and adding a teaspoon of aniseed. The water should be covered with a lid and allowed to simmer for 15 minutes. It should then be strained and drunk hot or warm. The tea may be sweetened with honey and hot milk may also be added to it. This tea should be taken after meals or before going to bed.

Another effective remedy for insomnia is the use of honey. It has hypnotic action in bringing sound sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed, in doses of two teaspoons in a cup of water. People generally fall asleep after taking honey.
Controlled breathing is a great help in inducing sleep. The method is to lie on your side in bed and then take three deep breaths expanding the abdomen completely. Then hold your breath as long as you can. Next, take three more breaths and repeat the breath-holding. While you hold breath, carbon dioxide accumulates in the body and induces natural sleep.

Regular active exercise during the day and mild exercise at bedtime enhances the quantity and the quality of sleep. Exercise stimulates the elimination of lactic acid from the body which co-relates with stress and muscular tension. Regular exercise also produces hormonal changes which are beneficial to the body and to the sleep pattern. Walking, jogging, swimming are all ideal exercises.

Krishan Bakhru is a editor and consultant of natural home remedies

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is not the end of the world. Today one fifth of the world’s population has been diagnosed with diabetes, this being more so in developed countries. In the United States alone, more than twenty million cases of diabetes have been diagnosed. Your first thought after hearing of your diagnosis may have been that you cannot live with the condition. However, please understand that diabetes is quite manageable.

Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, try to identify a doctor who that you want to care for you for the rest of your life. You cannot do away with diabetes. You face it and begin learning to live with it. You doctor will very likely recommend a glucose meter and strips for carrying out your regular blood sugar testing. It is possible that Medicare or other insurance may cover your glucose meter and strips. You may be reimbursed by the policy for the cost.

The first thing that you need to plan on doing is getting regular exercise. Walking is the most preferred form. If have leg problems, a nice alternative is swimming. If you are offered the choice of taking the stairs or the elevator, then opt for the stairs and burn some calories.

The second most important thing that you need to do is eat less. Remember that you will be able have better control of your diabetes if you are within your weight limits. Most diabetic patients are over weight. Cut down on weight and half your problems are solved, not to mention that you will look healthier with less flab. The best foods are barley and brown bread. Learn to keep a tab of what you eat and what you could avoid eating. Do a home blood glucose test after a meal to check how your blood is affected. If your glucose levels are high then avoid the particular dish causing the increase.

The author writes for Diabetic Seniors, an informative resource about diabetes for senior patients and caregivers specializing in Liberty Medical Supplies. Visit Diabetic Seniors at this address: http://www.diabeticseniors.com

Back pain is the most common complaint among adults under 45. Back pain brings their activities to a complete halt and intervenes in the progress of their career. Researchers say that it is really a challenge to a physician to find out the true cause of back pain.

Here is a quick take on the anatomy of the human back. Our body depends on the spinal column for structural stability and mobility. We twist, bend and flex with the help of spinal column. The spinal column is made up of 24 vertebrae, 7 in the neck (the cervical vertebrae), 12 in the thorax (the thoracic vertebrae), and 5 in the lower back (the lumbar vertebrae). The sacrum, located just below the lumbar vertebrae, consists of 5 fused vertebrae. The tailbone, or coccyx, with its 3 to 5 fused vertebrae, lies just beneath the sacrum. These vertebrae are placed one on another from skull to pelvis. Spongy discs are present in between vertebrae .The spinal column is tightly wrapped by muscles and ligaments.

The spinal cord is enclosed within vertebral canal which is formed by alignment of vertebrae.

Acharya sushruta describes anatomy of spinal column as follows.
Prushte trimshat – The number of back bones are 30 (Cervical-7 , Thoracic – 12, Lumbar- 5, vertebrae fused in sacrum -5 , coccyx -

1 ). While describing the joints in spinal column it has been said as “ Chaturvimshatihi prishta vamshe “. This means there are 24 joints in spinal column.

Maamsaanyatra nibaddhani siraabhihi snaayubhistatha. |
Asthinyaalambanam kritwaa ||
The ligaments and tendons hold the bones and muscles together.
Causes for back ache

Bones and thighs are mainly occupied by Vata . Vata controls and directs the body movements.Back pain occurs when vata in this region gets aggravated due to unwise physical activities (mithya yoga of karma), exaggerated physical activities (Ati yoga of karma ) or less physical activities (hina yoga of karma).
1. Back ache usually arises from spasm of muscles that support our spine. The muscles supporting spine go into spasm when we lift things unwisely, bending over too sharply, sitting in a unsuitable chair, etc.

These type of movements are called as “Mithyaa yoga of karma or action ” in ayurveda.

2. Back pain can be triggered when we sneeze, climb into a car, or bend down to pick up the newspaper.

3. Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, viral infection, bladder or kidney infection, gynecological problems in women, tumors and trauma may also cause back pain.

4. Lack of motion or hina yoga of karma and bad posture may affect us when we sit or stand for long periods of time. On the other hand repetitive motion or Ati yoga of karma like too much of bending, lifting or twisting also affects our back.

5. Other potential causes for back ache are:

• Overweight

• Wearing high heeled shoes

• Carrying heavy weight

The vitiated vata causes stiffness of joints, pain and limits the movements of back.

Solutions for back pain

1. Stay calm.

2. A complete bed rest for 24 – 48 hrs relieves back pain in most of the instances. Walk a little every few hours to keep the blood flowing and the muscles toned.

3. Applying vata balancing oil like ksheerabala oil on affected region and Naadi sweda (mild steam bath on affected area ) of affected region relives the pain quickly.

See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

1. If you are above 50 and sudden onset of severe pain or pain localized to spine .

2. Pain due to recent fall or trauma.

3. Pain in hip and leg.

4. Back pain unrelated to posture.

5. Bowel or bladder control problems.

6. Numbness in the groin or rectal area.

7. Extreme weakness in legs.

8. Unsteadiness while walking

9. Fever or weight loss accompanying the pain.

10. Pain that does not lessen over time even after rest

Prevention of back pain

1. Keep the muscles well conditioned by improving sitting, standing, stretching postures. Well-conditioned muscles are less susceptible to injury.

2. Never bend at the waist or stoop to pick up an object. Instead, lower the body to the level of the object by bending the knees. Grasp the item, hold it close to the body, and raise yourself with your legs while keeping your back straight.

3. Do not lift very heavy objects.

4. Whenever possible, prop yourself up.

5. Lean against a wall or pillar while waiting for a bus or standing in line at the bank.

6. Keep footstools around the house. Alternatively prop up one leg on stool while doing standing chores.

7. Sleep on a firm mattress and find a comfortable position.
8. Wear low-heeled shoes.

9. Standing straight will do wonders for your back.

10. Sit on a comfortable chair that supports the curve of lower back.

11. While sitting for long hours rest feet on a low stool so that knees are above hips.

12. Do not sit or stand in one position for a very long time. Get up periodically and walk for a while.

13. Avoid activities which hurt back.

14. Do not sit in same position for long hours. It may prove hazardous to back. Take break in between and move around.

15. Avoid becoming overweight. Overweight increases the risk of back pain.

Tips for software professionals to avoid back pain:

1. Select a correct chair, with a relatively straight back and good lower back support. If the chair doesn’t offer lower back support, keep a rolled up towel or cushion to support the back.

2. Correctly position the chair, keyboard, and monitor. Feet should be on the floor, with knees at hip level; forearms should form a right angle with upper arms; and the computer terminal should be at eye level.

3. Adopt a relaxed, upright working posture and allow the chair to support.

4. Avoid slouching forward or leaning back too far.

5. When you are at work stand up, walk around, stretch forward, backward, and side to side once in 30 minutes.

6. Increased stress and strain enhances the chances of back pain. Hence remember to relax! Yoga and meditation are best techniques to relax

7. Eat healthy food which is rich in fiber. Avoid sweets, oil, soft drinks and overeating to reduce the chances of weight gain.

8. Sex should be avoided during acute stage of back pain as it exaggerates the condition.

Ayurvedic Home remedy for backache

Remedy
Ingredients

• Nirgundi leaves (hindi – samhaalu) (Bot- Vitex negundo) (Eng – Five leaved chaste)

• Karanja leaves ( hindi – Ditauri) (Bot – Pongamia pinnata) (Eng – Indian beech)

Collect fresh leaves of Nirgundi and Karanja. Tie them in a thin cotton cloth to form a big ball . Boil this leaves’ ball in water and when it is tolerably hot apply this on affected part. When the leaves become cold reheat them by putting the leaves’ ball in boiling water. After half an hour take out the leaves from ball , grind them to a paste and bind it on affected area.
This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com

Biography of Dr.SavithaSuri

Dr.SavithaSuri has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 1989. After getting a graduation degree in ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1988 from University of Mysore, India, she started practising ayurveda . Her articles about ayurveda have been published in news papers and websites. She is a regular health columnist to a regional news paper.

Dr.SavithaSuri lives in Mysore , Karnataka, India. She gives consultations in Mysore and also in Bangalore, the silicon valley of India.
http://www.ayurhelp.com
email doctor@ayurhelp.com

Ph:91-0821-2451405
Mob: 91-0821- 9342115292

I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest edition of my Dr Health Secrets newsletter.

Lately I have written about toxins in our water and food supply. This installment is about a diet that has gotten a lot of attention all over the world. This newsletter about the Atkins Diet and its effects on your body.

Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner

And breakfast, and lunch, and snacks. That, and all other things of the protein persuasion, such as chicken, eggs, cheese, fish, and lard. Yes, Atkins was the diet that enabled its followers to ingest as much fat and protein as their little hearts desired while still shedding those extra, unwanted pounds. Many even seemed to get results from the Atkins diet without even having to step foot in a gym. Even more remarkable were those revolutionary new “desserts” that were both Atkins friendly and approved. Sure they tasted like they were manufactured in a nuclear weapons facility, but they were still synthetically sweet, and would help in the elimination of those darned sweet cravings. What the perfect diet Atkins was.

Eat as much fat as you wanted, consume all of the steak and bacon you could, and wash it all down with an aspartame-infested soda and non-exercising exercise regiment. The life of a lazy king.

The Fat Makes The Calorie, Not The Man

It seemed perfect, but seemed would have to become the operative word. Many of you have lived on this earth long enough to know that perfection really doesn’t exist. There is no perfect child, no prefect insurance plan, no perfect way to say, “We should see other people,” and no perfect diet. Dr. Atkins himself would have argued that cholesterol levels didn’t increase with the added intake of high fat foods, but many researchers and scientists have proven otherwise. Heart disease, as well as other heart conditions, has been attributed to followers of high protein and high fat diets. Some studies are starting to show the correlation between these diets and heart problems, and to me, even the potential risk of losing my ticker is enough to make me eat a piece of bread.

One particular side effect that is hazardous when eating excess amounts of fat and protein are the increased levels of acidity within the body, which are mostly caused by the ketone acids that are produced during ketosis. High levels of acidity can lead to a loss of much needed calcium from within bones. Calcium, which is an alkaline material, is depleted when acid levels get to be too high. This is your body’s way of attempting to neutralize its ph balance and bring everything back to a normal level of functioning. Lack of calcium, over time, can lead to an increase in fractures, the erosion of teeth (teeth are made of calcium), and the depression of the central nervous system. High acidity also forces the kidneys and the liver to work a lot harder than they typically would, so people who have preexisting problems with these organs are at risk of developing even more severe problems when on Atkins.

Aside from leading to dehydration, acidity can also cause high toxic levels within the body, and over time, these toxic levels can lead to permanent and caustic side effects. One way to help with the removal of these chemicals would be to drink water, but it has to be the right type of water. Many waters have surface tensions that are so high, that the cells in the body can’t absorb the water that they need. One way to help eliminate this problem would be to add the right colloidal minerals to the water that you are already drinking to allow for more nutrients to enter the cell and toxins to come out.

There’s no “I” in Vegetable

Carbohydrates are considered food for the brain, and even more importantly, many simple carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, contain important antioxidants that are needed to provide a healthy immune system. If you are a follower of Atkins or any other low carb, high fat, and high protein diets, then I don’t stay on these particular eating plans for too long a period of time. If you absolutely can’t bring yourself to eat a noodle or an apple, you should at least attempt to take some kind of antioxidant supplement.

For more information about antixodants, visit http://www.PhiSciences.com/antioxidants.comThis article has been authored by Dr Patrick Flanagan, a cellular hydration expert who has developed a unique mineral form called Microcluster® silica and silica hydride to dramatically increase longevity. Silica hydride is the most powerful antioxidant known. To learn more about Dr. Patrick Flanagan and ways to more beauty, health and longer life, for less than $1 a day, please visit: http://www.DrHealthSecrets.com/

Contacts have come a long way, since 1887, the first year they were successfully fitted and worn. There are numerous styles, types, and manufacturers from which to choose. One thing all contacts have in common is that by law they must be prescribed to order.

Why would you need a prescription for contacts? Contacts have all the basic principles of all other medical devices which is they can do further damage if not operated/used correctly. Wearing contacts without a prescription could decrease your vision, cause damage to your cornea, or other problems that only a licensed professional can detect. Even sharing your contacts with someone with a similar prescription could cause serious harm to your vision. The material of your contacts contributes to your ability to see and wear contacts comfortably. An eye doctor can determine whether you need rigid or soft contacts, daily or extended wear, or one of numerous other choices, which effects your vision.

How do you get a prescription? Simply contact an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or in some countries a dispensing optician. These professionally trained eye doctors will determine the degree of eyesight loss as well as measure your eye to determine the base curve needed for your contacts. After the appointment, you will then have access to all your prescription information for future purchases. Here are some common terms you’ll find on your prescription:

OD – Right Eye
OS – Left Eye
BC – Inside Curve of your contacts (8.0, 8.1, etc)
Diameter – Size of your contacts (13.8, 14.0, etc)
Power (Pow) – Strength of your corrective lens (-1, -2.75, etc)
Cylinder (Cyl) – Strength of your astigmatism (-.75, -1.00, etc)
Axis – Orientation of your astigmatism in degrees (170, 190, etc)

To find out more about prescriptions, visit the FTC or FDA’s website for more information.

What contacts should you purchase? The easiest part of the whole process is what contact lenses to order. Your eye doctor will prescribe the exact kind of lens that you require. You do have a right to request a certain brand if it’s compatible with your prescription. Go to a contact lens manufacturer or retailer online to read more on the different brand names and styles to decide which contact lenses may be most compatible with your current prescription. Color contacts are another type of contact that’s gaining popularity. You should always get a prescription for color contacts. For your safety, never order color contact lenses from a retailer who does not require a prescription.

Where can you buy contact lenses? There are numerous places to order contact lenses. The majority of people purchase their contact lenses directly from their eye doctor during or after their checkup. The benefit of ordering direct is that you normally won’t have to wait to receive your lenses. The negatives of ordering from your eye doctor are that you may pay a much higher price than alternative options.

Mass retailers such as Wal-Mart, WalGreens, and others have recently started selling prescription contact lenses. The benefits of mass retailers is that you can usually get the contacts the day your order them as well as receive a significant discount off eye doctor prices.

Online retailers are another great source for contacts. Several major online retailers include 1800Contacts, Discount Contacts, among several others. Price is the key benefit to ordering online. As most sites state, you can save up to 70% off eye doctor prices by ordering online. The major drawback to ordering online is that you will have to wait which limits your options if you need contact lenses right away.

Although contact lenses must be prescribed, you can see that you still have numerous options in choosing the type, style, and where to purchase. Visit the Contact Lens Council for more information on contact lenses.

Frank Drummond is a freelance writer from Cleveland, OH with a specialization in the health, sports, and technology fields. He can be contacted at frankdrummond63@yahoo.com. This article was written on behalf of Discount Contacts.

Gingivitis is a disorder involving inflammation of the gums.

Gingivitis is caused by the long-term effects of plaque deposits.

Eventually these plaque deposits can cause harm and an unpleasant ordor.
if left untreated, gingivitis can lead to very serious consequences,

including the disconnection of gum tissue from teeth, and even tooth

breakage and tooth loss.

The cause is bacteria, which can turn into tartar and plaque buildup,

irritate your gums and lead to bleeding and receding gums. If you do not

cure gingivitis early, it can lead to a more serious gum condition

called periodontitis. This is a long-term infection that can eventually

cause loss of your teeth. Gingivitis generally doesn’t hurt. You may

have it for years before you feel discomfort.

To adequately treat gingivitis, nutrients are needed to promote healing

and get the inflammation under control. If you want to treat gingivitis,

be sure to eat a well-balanced diet that will give your gums and teeth

necessary stimulation. Eating a variety of fresh fruit, leafy

vegetables, fish, meat, and grain breads daily is an important step to

treat gingivitis.

You should watch your mouth carefully for signs of gingivitis,

especially changes in gum color or appearance and tenderness. Knowing

the signs of gingivitis will help you catch the disease early, and

diligent oral hygiene can greatly reduce the effects of the disease.

http://www.a1-more-4u.com/gingivitis/gingivitis.html