What We Are Made Of

Leave a reply

Choose Love
Love is often presented as the opposite of fear, but true love is not opposite anything. True love is far more powerful than any negative emotions, as it is the environment in which all things arise. Negative emotions are like sharks swimming in the ocean of love. All things beautiful and fearful, ugly and kind, powerful and small, come into existence, do their thing, and disappear within the context of this great ocean. At the same time, they are made of the very love in which they swim and can never be separated. We are made of this love and live our whole lives at one with it, whether we know it or not.

It is only the illusion that we are separate from this great love that causes us to believe that choosing anything other than love makes sense or is even possible. In the relative, dualistic world of positive and negative, darkness and light, male and female, we make choices and we learn from them. This is exactly what we are meant to be doing here on earth. Underlying these relative choices, though, is the choice to be conscious of what we are, which is love, or to be unconscious of it. When we choose to be conscious of it, we choose love. We will still exist in the relative world of opposites and choices and cause and effect, and we will need to make our way here, but doing so with an awareness that we are all made of this love will enable us to be more playful, more joyful, more loving and wise, as we make our way. Ultimately, the choices we make will shed light on the love that makes us all one, enabling those who have forgotten to return to the source.

This world makes it easy to forget this great love, which is part of why we are here. We are here to remember and, when we forget to remember again, to choose love.

Sources: Daily Om

Vaginal Mesh Adverse Reaction Drug Rehabilitation Michigan Canada Drugs lasik denver

LSD

Leave a reply

LSD, aka “acid,” is odorless, colorless, and has a slightly bitter taste and is usually taken by mouth. Often LSD is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small, decorated squares, with each square representing one dose.

………………………………………….lsd.jpg
…………………………………………….Source: DEA


Health Hazards

Physical Psychological short-term effects. The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken; the user’s personality, mood, and expectations; and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.

Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. The user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. If taken in a large enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations. The user’s sense of time and self changes. Sensations may seem to “cross over,” giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. These changes can be frightening and can cause panic.

LSD trips are long - typically they begin to clear after about 12 hours. Some users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and despair while using LSD. In some cases, fatal accidents have occurred during states of LSD intoxication.

Flashbacks. Many LSD users experience flashbacks, recurrence of certain aspects of a person’s experience, without the user having taken the drug again. A flashback occurs suddenly, often without warning, and may occur within a few days or more than a year after LSD use. Flashbacks usually occur in people who use hallucinogens chronically or have an underlying personality problem; however, otherwise healthy people who use LSD occasionally may also have flashbacks. Bad trips and flashbacks are only part of the risks of LSD use. LSD users may manifest relatively long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression. It is difficult to determine the extent and mechanism of the LSD involvement in these illnesses.

Information provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Acne

Leave a reply

Serious skin conditions affect around seven million of people in the UK alone.They can cause significant emotional distress as well as physical discomfort.

…………………………………………._39306899_acne203.jpg
………………………………………….Acne causes unsightly spots

What is it?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that causes spots.

Spots result from the build up of dead skin cells and grease that block the pores or hair follicles, typically on the face, upper arms, upper back and chest.

It is not contagious and is nothing to do with not being clean.

Hormonal changes, such as those related to puberty, menstruation and pregnancy, can contribute to acne.

Some medicines will also make it worse, including some contraceptive pills and steroids.

Who gets it?

Most people experience acne at some time in their lives, typically as young adults. Girls tend to develop it slightly earlier than boys – around the ages of 14-17 compared to 16-19 years, respectively.

Acne can occur later in life. Around five per cent of women and one per cent of men aged 25-40 continue to have acne after adolescence.

What are the symptoms?

As the pores of the skin become blocked, blackheads develop and small, tender, red spots appear. These can turn into pimples or whiteheads filled with pus.

What is the outlook?

Usually it is a mild condition, most commonly during young adulthood, and will resolve by itself. But for 15% of people it is severe.

The spots can become infected and cause significant scarring, particularly if they are scratched or squeezed.

How can it be treated?

Mild acne does not need treating as each inflamed spot will eventually heal. Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water will help keep the skin healthy.

Keeping spot-prone areas clean by washing the affected area twice daily with an unperfumed cleanser can help. However, excessive washing and scrubbing of the skin will not help and may make the inflammation worse.

More severe acne may need treatment. The aim is to clear the spots and prevent scarring.

Treatments work by either unblocking blocked pores, reducing the amount of grease or sebum made by the skin, reducing the inflammation or fighting the bacterium that infects the lesions.

Creams, gels and lotions that can be applied to the skin are available to buy at pharmacies without a prescription. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide, which also works by drying out the skin and encouraging it to shed the surface layer of dead skin.

There are several more potent oral tablets that can be prescribed by a doctor if the acne persists.

Make-up can be used to cover blemishes but heavy use of concealer may make acne worse.

Any scarring will improve with time. Laser therapy, chemical peels, dermabrasion and other treatments have been suggested for acne scarring.

Acne can be extremely distressing and it is important to seek help if you are anxious or depressed about it.

Natural Acne Treatment

Click for Ayurvedic Treatment of Acne………………………..….(1)…….(2).………(3)

Acne Home Remedy

Click for Homeopathic Remedies of Acne …………………………..(1)……...(2).….(3)

Click to learn more about Acne

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Sources: BBC NEWS (9th.March’06)

Related articles by Zemanta
Zemanta Pixie

Dark chocolate ‘not so healthy’

Leave a reply

For those of you tucking into dark chocolate this Christmas using the excuse it is good for you, think again.

………………………….._42458126_darkchocpa203body.gif
……….Studies have suggested dark chocolate is good for the heart

A top medical journal said any health claims about plain chocolate may be misleading.

Plain chocolate is naturally rich in flavanols, plant chemicals that are believed to protect the heart.

But an editorial in the Lancet points out that many manufacturers remove flavanols because of their bitter taste.

Instead, many products may just be abundant in fat and sugar – both of which are harmful to the heart and arteries, the journal reported.

Previous studies have suggested that plain chocolate can help protect the heart, lower blood pressure and aid tiredness.

But the Lancet said: “Dark chocolate can be deceptive.

When chocolate manufacturers make confectionery, the natural cocoa solids can be darkened and the flavanols, which are bitter, removed, so even a dark-looking chocolate can have no flavanol.

“Consumers are also kept in the dark about the flavanol content of chocolate because manufacturers rarely label their products with this information.”

And the journal also pointed out that even with flavanols present, chocolate-lovers should be mindful of the other contents.

“The devil in the dark chocolate is the fat, sugar and calories it also contains.

“To gain any health benefit, those who eat a moderate amount of flavanol-rich dark chocolate will have to balance the calories by reducing their intake of other foods – a tricky job for even the most ardent calorie counter.

“So, with the holiday season upon us, it might be worth getting familiar with the calories in a bar of dark chocolate versus a mince pie and having a calculator at hand.”

Click to see:-
Chocolate ‘lowers’ blood pressure
03 Jul ’07 |BBC NEWS , Health

Chocolate ‘cuts blood clot risk’
15 Nov ’06 |BBC NEWS , Health

Chocolate trial on heart patients
10 Apr ’06 |BBC NEWS , Health

Chocolate ‘has health benefits’
22 Mar ’05 |BBC NEWS , Health

Chocolate may cut heart disease
20 Dec 05 | BBC NEWS, Health

Dark chocolate may be healthier
27 Aug 03 |BBC NEWS, Health

Chocolate ‘is good for you’
06 Aug 99 |BBC NEWS, Health

Sources: BBC NEWS ,25th. Dec’07

Fanning The Creative Flames

Leave a reply

Boredom
The human mind thrives on novelty. What was once a source of pleasure can become tedious after a time. Though our lives are full, boredom lurks around every corner because we innately long for new experiences. Yet boredom by its very nature is passive. In this idle state of mind, we may feel frustrated at our inability to channel our mental energy into productive or engaging tasks. We may even attempt to lose ourselves in purposeless or self-destructive pursuits. While this can be a sign of depression, it can also be an invitation issued from your mind, asking you to challenge yourself. Boredom can become the motivation that drives you to learn, explore the exotic, experiment, and harness the boundless creative energy within.

In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, boredom is perceived as a pathway to self-awareness. Boredom itself is not detrimental to the soul—it is the manner in which we respond to it that determines whether it becomes a positive or a negative influence in our lives. When you respond by actively filling the emptiness you feel lurking in yourself, you cultivate creativity and innovation. If, when in the grip of boredom, you have difficulty acknowledging the merits of any activities you might otherwise enjoy, generate your own inspiration. Before you find yourself beset by boredom, create a list of tasks you can consult when it feels like there is simply nothing to do. Referring to a list of topics you want to learn more about, projects you’ve yet to begin, or even pending chores can spark your creative energy and reawaken your zest for life.

When we are troubled by boredom, it is not that there is nothing to do but rather that we are not stimulated by the options before us. A bored mind can be the canvas upon which innovation is painted and the womb in which novelty is nourished. When you identify boredom as a signal that you need to test your boundaries, it can be the force that presses you to strive for opportunities you thought were beyond your reach and to indulge your desire for adventure.

Sources: Daily Om

Why Does Hair Keep Growing?

Leave a reply

It is really intriguing that hair, although composed of dead cells, keep growing. The secret of its growth lies in the hidden part of hair that remains under the skin.

…………………………..14khp8b.jpg

Hair originates from a ring of dividing cells which later die out and contribute to its growth. At the base of the skin layer dermis?there are two distinct layers of skin, inner dermis and outer epidermis?the se-ed of growth is sown as a cluster of dividing cells in a follicle (small sac-shaped cavity).

These cells divide continuously depending on the nutrients and oxygen supplied by the skin tissue and blood vessels that surround the dividing cells. In the follicle, nascent cells move upward through the centre. The innermost cells die and harden into hair while the rest also die, giving rise to a double-layered hair sheath. Every dead cell adds to the length of the hair.

Just before it sprouts through the skin, hair is bathed in oil from the sebaceous gland which secretes oily matter. Hair growth may be affected by factors like nutrition, temperature, hormonal imbalance and diseases. The popular notion that frequent haircuts help hair growth is, of course, wrong.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

Laughter is The Best Medicine

1 Reply

- Funny scenes relax walls of blood vessels

…………………………………14know7a.jpg

Laughter is not just a spontaneous expression to a funny situation, it makes blood vessels work more efficiently, suggest US researchers. A study presented at the meeting of American College of Cardiology in Orlando, Florida, shows that a hearty laughter has an effect on the lining of blood vessels (endothelium) which is similar to the benefit found in aerobic exercises. And more importantly, it doesn?t cause the pain or muscular tension that are often associated with a session of exercise.

According to Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who presented the study, laughter does exactly the reverse of what emotional stress does?making them constricted?to the endothelium.

To test the effect of laughter on blood vessels Miller and his colleagues showed two movies?one funny and the other depressive?to 20 healthy people and tested the function of their blood vessels. The researchers specifically looked at the endothelium and found an impeded blood flow in 14 out of 20 volunteers, after the stressful movie. On the contrary, blood flowed smoothly in 19 out of 20 people after they enjoyed the funny movie.

Miller?s speculation is that laughing affects the blood vessels either through the movement of the diaphragm (muscular partition between thorax and abdomen in the chest) or releasing of chemicals like endorphin which are involved in coping with acute stress. According to Miller, 15 minutes of laughter every day can be helpful for heart.

Three More things that laughter can do :
1. Laughter during dinner can help combat type 2 diabetes, a study in Diabetes Care suggests. It found that subjects who got involved in laughter, like watching a comedy show, aro-und dinner time had had a lower level of post-meal blood sugar level than their counterparts, who didn’t laugh during that hour.
2. Studies suggest that laughter can effectively lower the level of stress, and those who laugh stay at a significantly lower risk of suffering stress than their counterparts who don’t laugh. Researchers report that laughter reduces the concentration of several hormones like cortisol that results in the development of stress in humans.

3. Studies done by US researcher Lee Berk, a professor of family medicine at the University of California, has shown that laughter can help combat respiratory infections. According to him, laughter causes increased production of an antibody which act as an immune-booster.

Click to learn more

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

Some Questions & Answers on Gynaecology

Leave a reply

Answers from Dr Amit De, consultant gynaecologist and obstretician, Bhagirathi Neotia Women & Child Care Centre:

Cysts in Ovaries:-

I am a 28-year-old woman married for three years. I have been trying to conceive but without success. My doctor has told me that I have polycystic ovaries. Are they cancerous? Will it be impossible for me to conceive?

These tiny cysts are not cancerous. One out of four women has this problem. However, not all women with such cysts have a problem in conceiving. Your doctor should have ascertained whether the problem lay with your husband or not by asking him to go for a check-up (including a semen analysis) before arriving at any conclusion as to why you haven?t been able to conceive. Cysts can create problems in egg production in the ovaries in rare cases. But even in such cases there are medical and other supportive treatments available. In case you have put on weight, try reducing the extra flab because it can lead to to a state of hormonal imbalance, making things more complicated.

SoS Contraceptive:-

We usually use condoms for contraception, but failed to use them a couple of times. Luckily I am not pregnant. Can you suggest some emergency contraceptives?

Although condoms prevent transmission of diseases, they aren?t the safest contraceptive. You can try out the female condoms. Some chemicals in the form of a cream can be added to kill the sperms and increase the efficacy of female condoms. In cases of unprotected sex, contact your gynaecologist as soon as possible. He will prescribe some medicines or else, insert a copper-T inside your womb within 72 hours. These will prevent the unnecessary termination of a pregnancy. The first anti-pregnancy tablet should be taken as soon as possible, and the second one 12 hours later.

Abnormal BP:-

I am around seven months pregnant. At a regular checkup with my doctor, I discovered my blood pressure (BP) was 140/95 mm of mercury. Need I be worried?

I need to know what your BP was when you conceived. Some wom-en can start a pregnancy with a high BP. In that case, there isn?t much cause for worry if the BP has shot up after five months of pregnancy and there is more than an acceptable amount of a protein (albumen) in the urine. However, if the BP has gone up after five months of pregnancy, and, on a routine checkup of your urine sample, the protein is found in moderate amounts, the condition needs to be monitored carefully. This condition is called pre-ecclampsia and is the result of a sick placenta (which is the source of a baby?s nutrition). Some blood tests need to be done to gauge the seriousness of the condition and both you and the baby need to be monitored more frequently. You should be happy with the baby?s movements. If you have a head-ache, problems of vision or pain in the upper part of your stomach, you should consult your obstetrician. In these circumstan-ces, blood pressure tablets mask the increasing BP. Since you are seven months pregnant, you can use tablets (which are safe in pregnancy) for the continuation of pregnancy for at least another month if the condition deteriorates.

Cervical cancer:-

My 38-year-old friend has been suspected of having cervical cancer. Is there any way to prevent the disease?

If treated in the precancerous state through regular screening, it is fully curable. Because it is related to some viral infections, the risk can be reduced by using condoms and not having sex with multiple partners. Women who smoke have a higher chance of developing cervical cancer. Sexually active women, or those who smoke, should ideally undergo a regular pap smear screening (every three years at least). It is a simple procedure which entails taking a few cells from the cervix (the neck of the uterus) and looking for precancerous cells. If unhealthy cells are found, further observation is required under a high-powered microscope (colposcope). Biopsy is done from the unhealthy sections. If it confirms the presence of such cells, the diseased portion is removed under anaesthesia.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

Shining Through the Clouds

Leave a reply

Grumps
When we’re in a good mood, we shine like the sun. But if we find ourselves in the presence of a person, or people, in a grumpy mood, it can feel like a dark cloud approaching to dim our radiance and block our positive way of seeing the world. We can remind ourselves that clouds pass, while the sun and stars continue to shine above. Then it’s easier to think of these “grumps” affectionately, knowing that they only have the power to affect our mood if we allow it. With the power of change firmly in our hands, we can choose how to respond to a grumpy person, or a grumbling group of people, with confidence and understanding.

Like a lighthouse, we can continue to shine through the darkness, offering our light to help others find their way back to their own. We can send them a silent prayer of peace or a sympathetic smile. We may sense that reaching out to offer a comforting touch or hug can ease their frustrations and cause the clouds to dissipate. If they need understanding, we can sympathize without reinforcing the negativity they may be experiencing by directing their attention someplace more positive. Helping them find the humor in their situation might be appropriate and is a great way to lift spirits, or a logical approach may help them see all the good in the situation, in their lives and in the world.

We might find that someone we encounter often seems to be in a perpetual state of gloom. Our tendency in such cases may be to try to avoid them, but instead we can make the choice to offer support that comes from the heart. We may be inspired to ask if they would like some help or to offer suggestions that have helped us in the past. We can include thoughts of their health and happiness in our times of prayer and meditation. When we lend our energy to uplift another in any way, we improve our own lives while making the world a better place for all of us.

Sources:Daily Om

Over-30s ‘ignore alcohol’- Advice

Leave a reply

People in their 30s and 40s are worse than those in their 20s at sticking to their drinking limits, a poll has suggested.

…………………………………………._44311021_beer203.jpg
…………………………The body becomes less able to deal with alcohol with age

A survey by YouGov found almost half of 30 to 50-year-olds confessed to drinking too much at times.

Once past the age of 30 the body loses muscle and water and gains fat – making the effects of alcohol more pronounced.

The poll was commissioned as part of a government campaign to encourage responsible drinking over Christmas.

NHS admissions for 35 to 49-year-olds with alcohol-related conditions have risen from around 50,000 in 2002/03 to 75,000 in 2005/06.

The government is warning people that drinking often at home could cause problems within 10 years of starting.

One in three of the 30 to 50-year-olds surveyed said that drinking too much had wrecked a night out for them at least once in the past year, and 44% said they hadn’t learned to stick to the recommended number of drinks.

Drinking strategy

Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP, said that it was important for the over-30s to limit their alcoholic intake over the Christmas period.

“You often hear people saying they feel worse after drinking the older they get – as you age, the body isn’t as good at dealing with alcohol.”

She offered advice to help older people to drink less during the Christmas party season.

“To help you stick to your limits, you might want to try agreeing a limit with a friend, following one alcoholic drink with a soft drink, or taking time out from drinking for another activity.”

A spokesman for Alcohol Concern echoed this advice: “As a person gets older, less body water and more fat in the system means alcohol stays in the blood stream for longer, which helps explain why people often experience the effects of heavy drinking more than they might have done if younger .

“However young or old, a hangover is your body’s way of telling you that you’ve had too much the night before.

“The surest way to enjoy Christmas drinks with none of the baggage is to stick to the recommended daily limits.”

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: “This research shows that binge drinking and hangovers are not just a problem for younger drinkers.

“Many people underestimate the amount of units they are drinking because drinks have been getting stronger, and glasses larger, over the past couple of decades – a small glass of wine can now be two units, and large glasses three to four units.

“People over 30 should be aware that their body is less likely to cope with the after-effects of alcohol, think carefully about the weekly amount they are drinking and stick to the safe limits so as to avoid alcohol-related disease.”

Sources: BBC NEWS (20th. Dec’07)