Author: Mukul

Categories
News on Health & Science

Battling the summer sun

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India is sweltering under relentless heat. Everyone seems to be exhausted, covered with prickly heat and rendered inefficient. The longing for the cooler monsoon days is palpable. There might be amenities such as fans, coolers and air conditioners to help us cope, but in the face of frequent power cuts and inadequate voltage, we are in the same situation as our forefathers. At least our ancestors lived in wide, open, tree-filled spaces and not in heat-radiating concrete jungles!

 

Three tools to beat the heat: water, regular bathing and proper clothing

Human beings are sensitive to heat. We have to maintain our body temperature at an even 98.4 ° F irrespective of the external temperature. In order to cope, the skin is adequately provided with sweat glands located a little below the surface. These glands are conditioned to promptly respond to rising environmental temperature by secreting sweat. The latter is released through torturous tubes that open out through the skin pores. As the sweat evaporates, the body cools down. The mechanism breaks down if humidity is high and sweat cannot evaporate, the undertaken activity is physically taxing and performed in an exceptionally hot environment, or fluid intake is inadequate. This can lead to heat cramps, exhaustion and eventually, heat stroke. Painful cramps usually occur in the leg muscles. The condition eases if salt and water levels are replenished.

Heat illness or exhaustion is heralded by weakness, dizziness, fainting, palpitations, rapid breathing and fainting. Infants, too, can suffer from heat exhaustion. This occurs if they are dressed inappropriately in thick garments and not given enough water to drink.

If the body temperature continues to rise to 104 ° F or higher, heat stroke can occur. The skin becomes hot and dry, and sweating may not take place. The brain cannot cope with such a condition and there may be confusion, coma or seizures. Heat strokes can be fatal.

If heat stroke is suspected,

• Place the person in a shady area

• Spray cool water or cover with damp sheets

• Give the person cool water to drink (not ice).

• Readymade ORS (oral rehydration solution) packets can be reconstituted or 25 gm of salt (five teaspoons) can be added to five litres of water.

The summer months also cause other less dangerous yet irritating problems like prickly heat. This occurs in covered areas where the sweat cannot evaporate easily. Such a condition arises when the openings of the sweat glands get blocked with dead skin, dirt, bacteria or talcum powder. If left alone, it resolves spontaneously in a day or two changing into a light brown, scaly, itchy rash.

Primetime television programmes are interspersed with advertisements of various medicated “miracle” prickly heat powders. These products contain combinations of finely powdered zinc stearate and silicates. When they combine with sweat, they form a chalky precipitate that actually blocks skin pores and aggravates the problem.

Talcum powder applied to the groin and genital areas can migrate through the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes to the ovary. It is carcinogenic to the lining of the ovary. Some scientific studies have found a relationship between the use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer.

Also, the size of the particles is so small that they can easily be airborne. Inhaled talc can reach the smallest areas of the lung, causing pneumonia or inflammation and swelling of the airways. This can be fatal in babies.

Prickly heat can be prevented without using talcum powder:

• Stay away from direct heat of the sun as far as possible

• Wear loose-fitting, airy cotton clothes that “breathe”

• Make sure school uniforms are made of natural fabric or a 60/40 mixture of polyester and cotton.

• If you are already suffering from prickly heat:

• Do not scratch. The more you scratch the more it will itch

• Use a mild dose of antihistamine to control itching. The newer antihistamines are less sedating

• Do not apply thick, oil-based creams or talcum powder. They will only block the pores further

• Bathe two or three times a day in tepid water

• Add a teaspoonful of sodium bicarbonate to a bucket of water before bathing. This will make the prickly heat disappear

• Use soap containing trichlorhexidine (for example, Dial or Neko) and 15 per cent TFA (total fatty acid)

• Do not apply the soap directly to the skin. Use a moist piece of cloth, herbal scrubber or a loofah

• Lightly moisturise the skin with baby oil or an aloe vera-based lotion.

If the rash becomes red and pustular, has a changed appearance or if the temperature rises, consult a doctor immediately.

Water, regular bathing and proper clothing are the answer to prickly heat, not liberal dusting with dangerous talcum powder.

Source:The Telegraph (Kolkata,India)

Categories
Yoga

Breathing (Yoga Exercise)

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Breathing Exercise perhaps the best form of exercise which keeps our body & mind free from several ailments.Some techniques are mentioned below which may be learned and practiced at home without the help of an expert.

QUIET BREATHING TECHNIQUE:
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All the inside activities of the body are due to the ever going process of combustion or oxidation in the body. And this process of combustion works with the help of the respiration and the blood circulation. Therefore, the moment there is internal or external movement of the body, it affects the process of blood circulation and respiration. As a result of this increasing the speed of the breathing provides the needed oxygen for the concerned movements. The speed of the breathing is increased in accompaniment to the speed of the movements of the body. Therefore it is noticed that the breathing is smooth or quiet, when there is no bodily movement or when it is in its normal or relaxed state. Such breathing is called Quiet Breathing. No control of any sort is kept on this breathing. Normally after taking up the final position of any Asana and then stabilizing, this position for some time, the quiet breathing of this type becomes natural. And in order to have this type of breathing one should relax the body as much as possible during the period of the stabilized Asana position.
DEEP BREATHING TECHNIQUE:

Since we want to control the breathing after studying the process or system of respiration, it is better to try deep breathing as the first state in that direction. We do not control the process of quiet breathing. But the control is to be exercised while practicing deep breathing. For this, two things are to be considered chiefly:First, the movements concerned with inhaling and exhaling are to be controlled in order to further slow down the breathing, at the same time the need of oxygen for the body is to be lessened, so that the speed of breathing can further, slowdown. The constitution of the body is such that if the need or use of oxygen is not reduced, it becomes difficult or rather impossible to control the process of breathing. The easy way to reduce the need of oxygen is to stop the movements of the body and try to relax all the muscles. Obviously, while practicing deep breathing, it is necessary to keep the body in the stable and relaxed position. And this is possible in any sitting position of meditation. However, Padmasana is the best Asana position. The other preferable Asanas in sitting position are Vajrasana and Swastikasana. But once the Asana is taken up, it should be blissfully stabilized until the study of breathing is over. Any strain anywhere will cause distraction in breathing. Therefore the Asana position should be stable and pleasant, while doing meditation. The hands should be in Dhyana Mudra. The straight upright position of the neck, the spine and closed eyes help in attaining concentration without making any movements. Relax the muscles and concentrate fully on breathing. This will slow down the breathing and bring it to a particular point of speed and will get stabilized at that point. This is the ideal state of smooth breathing. This is free from any control. No movement is seen on the chest. It is confined to the movement of the muscles of the abdomen and the lungs. After having such smooth breathing for some time, the movements of the abdomen and the lungs should be brought under the control of the mind, and the movement should further be slowed.

The practice of deep breathing begins after deliberately having inhaling and exhaling at ease. Initially one should practice prolonged inhaling and prolonged exhaling. The constant practice enables the person in having repetition of such prolonged inhaling and exhaling. After some time it becomes difficult to have more repetitions of prolonged inhaling and exhaling. At such point one should come to natural smooth breathing. After some rest, deep breathing should begin again. Practicing deep breathing in this way for some days, attempt should be made to bring time limit to the period of inhaling and exhaling. Initially one should practice prolonged inhaling and prolonged exhaling. The constant practice enables the person in having repetitions of such prolonged inhaling and exhaling. After some time it becomes difficult to have more repetitions of prolonged inhaling and exhaling. At such point one should come to natural smooth breathing; after some rest, deep breathing should begin again. Practicing deep breathing in this way for some days, attempt should be made to bring time limit to the period of inhaling and exhaling. Initially equal time should be allotted for inhaling and exhaling. That is, the time given to inhaling, the same amount of time is given to exhaling. This is called deep breathing, with equal time and speed: “Samakal, Samagati, Deergh Shwasan”. While practicing deep breathing, the numbers should be counted mentally. For instance, if inhaling takes four counts, the same period should be taken for exhaling. On such occasion normally it is noticed that exhaling completes at the second or the third point. So one should be alert regarding the speed of exhaling right from the beginning and try to maintain the balance. Of course after a few days’ practice one successfully adapts this system. To maintain the time record, one can use the second system in a watch. The study of deep breathing with equal time and speed should continue for 10 to 15 minutes without pause. Apparently this system seems easy, but that is not so. One finds oneself out of breathing. But as said earlier constant practice helps in acquiring this system successfully.

After practicing deep breathing with equal time and speed successfully, one should start studying it by increasing the time for exhaling. If inhaling (Puraka) is in four seconds, then exhaling (Rechaka) shall take 5 to 6 seconds instead of four. This needs special efforts. When a person succeeds in doing inhaling and exhaling at the ratio of 1: 1 for 10 to 15 minutes, he should double the time for exhalation. The ideal ratio for inhaling-exhaling is 1: 2. Many times or Pranayama also the same ratio is stated. If the period for inhaling goes up to four seconds, then exhaling should be lengthened up to eight seconds. But both the operations should have the equal speed. That is, the speed of inhaling from the first second to the fourth one and the speed of exhaling from the first second to the eighth one should be the same. Of course it is not possible until one acquires control over the breathing system. One should practice deep breathing in the aforementioned way for 10 to 5 minutes at a stretch. In deep breathing one can further progress by increasing the period of inhaling and proportionately that of exhaling. That is the period of inhaling can be increased gradually from five to fifteen seconds and naturally that of exhaling from ten to thirty seconds. Observing this system carefully one can have as many repetitions as one can. In this system holding of breath is not included and hence this operational system is written as 1:0:2. The practice of deep breathing not only strengthens the lungs but also greatly helps in increasing the concentration of the mind. Then, there is a tremendous increase in zeal in day-to-day work owing to the good breathing and nice blood circulations, the twin gifts of deep breathing. Besides one starts acquiring control over the process of breathing.

FAST BREATHING TECHNIQUE:
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When the speed of quiet breathing is deliberately reduced, the result is deep breathing; on the contrary, if that speed is willfully increased, then the result is fast breathing. However, here the short timed inhaling-exhaling is not implied. It is expected that one should increase the speed of breathing by inhaling and exhaling fully. One has to practice to continue the cycle of quick breathing with constant practice. This sort of breathing is easy to understand & easy to practice. Naturally, its benefits are also limited. The fast breathing clears the nasal passage and gives a good exercise to the parts involved in the breathing system. At times while practicing quick breathing, one feels whirling sensation in the head. But one should not bother about it. On such occasions, stop fast breathing and begin quiet breathing. There occurs no problem, once there is sufficient practice and habit of this type of breathing. This breathing is also practiced in Padmasana or Vajrasana. Before actually beginning the study of deep breathing, one should practice quick breathing for 2-3 minutes in order to get the nasal passage cleared, fast breathing need not be done for a longer period.

After examining and understanding these basic systems of breathing, let us turn to the supplementary types of breathing: The breathing passage in the nasal cavity is divided into two owing to the mid partition between two nasal cavities, viz. the left and the right.

In Yoga, the left nasal cavity is called “Chandra Nadi” (The moon passage) or “Ida Nadi” and the right nasal cavity is known is “Suryanadi” (The sun passage) or “Pingala Nadi”. Inhaling (Puraka) and Exhaling (Rechaka) can be done either through one of these nasal cavities or with both of them. The supplementary types of breathing are based upon these two nasal cavities. In this system of breathing one nasal cavity is kept closed, while the other one open. For this purpose the fingers of the right palm are arranged in a special manner. This special position of the fingers is called “Pranava Mudra”, i.e., the position of Pranayama.

Source:www.yogapoint.com

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Categories
News on Health & Science

‘Eating chocolates can keep the dentist away’

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HOUSTON: For a healthy smile, always brush between meals, floss regularly and eat plenty of chocolate?

According to Tulane University doctoral candidate Arman Sadeghpour an extract of cocoa powder that occurs naturally in chocolate, tea, and other products might be an effective natural alternative to fluoride in toothpaste.

In fact, his research revealed that the cocoa extract was even more effective than fluoride in fighting cavities. The extract, a white crystalline powder whose chemical makeup is similar to caffeine, helps harden teeth enamel, making users less susceptible to tooth decay.

The extract could offer the first major innovation to toothpaste since manufacturers began adding fluoride to toothpaste in 1914.

The extract has been proved effective in the animal model, but it will probably be another two to four years before the product is approved for human use and available for sale, Sadeghpour says.

But he has already created a prototype of peppermint flavoured toothpaste with the cavity-fighting cocoa extract added, and his doctoral thesis research compared the extract side by side to fluoride on the enamel surface of human teeth.

Sadeghpour’s research group included scientists from Tulane, the University of New Orleans, and Louisiana State University’s School of Dentistry.

Source:The Times Of India

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies Health Problems & Solutions

Fixing Upper Back and Neck Pain

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Being too tight to stand and sit upright instead of slouching forward is common, even among people who stretch regularly. The reason is that they usually practice stretching forward, rarely stretching the front muscles by stretching back. In turn, holding your body bent forward instead of upright perpetuates tightness. To get the stretch in the front chest (pectoral) muscles that you need to stop the slouching-tightness cycle, use the photo for reference and try this:

1.Stand facing a wall. Bend one elbow out to the side and put the inside surface of that arm against the wall, as in the left-hand photo.

2.Turn your whole body and feet away from the wall, letting the wall brace your bent arm behind you,

3.If you are doing this stretch right, you will feel a nice stretch in the front of your chest.

4.Keep your shoulders down and relaxed. Breathe. Smile.

5.Hold a few seconds, breathe in, change arms, and breathe out while stretching the other side for a few seconds.

6.Now drop both arms and turn to stand with your back against the wall again. If you did this pectoral stretch right, standing straight with the back of your head touching the wall should now feel more natural and comfortable and no longer a strain.

7.When you walk away from the wall don’t slouch forward again out of habit. Hold the easy new healthy positioning for everything you do.

CLICK. & SEE
Do the wall test and the pectoral stretch first thing every morning and several times every day to learn healthy positioning. Use this pectoral stretch instead of the stretch where you stand in a doorway or corner to stretch both arms at once, and instead of pulling your straight arm(s) behind you.

This pectoral stretch is one of two techniques to stop upper body tightness that prevents standing and moving in healthy ways. Remember that head and body position is voluntary. Hold your head up and shoulders back softly. By not letting your head hang forward all day, you will no longer need constant pills, adjustments, or treatments for pain. You will stop the cause.

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.
Source: www.healthline.com

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Categories
Positive thinking

As Good As Your Word

Promises :promises.jpg
Ever since human beings could speak to one another, they have been making promises and keeping them or not keeping them. Those who keep their promises are regarded as people of integrity, while those who don’t keep their promises are regarded as people who at best can’t be taken seriously and at worst can’t be trusted. Sometimes we forget how powerful our words are, and we use them haphazardly or unconsciously, creating expectations that are never fulfilled, leaving disappointment and distrust in our wake.

On an even deeper level, there are promises we may have made to ourselves that we don’t remember because they have slipped into our unconscious. An early heartache may have been followed by a promise never to trust love again. Without realizing it, we may be fulfilling that promise and wondering why our love life looks so grim. At an even deeper level, many people who recall past lives become aware that they made a promise lifetimes ago that they are still keeping. For example, a vow of poverty taken in a lifetime as a monk may be holding someone back from fulfilling his earning potential now. Upon realizing that we have made a promise we no longer wish to be beholden to, we can perform a ritual of requesting release from that bond. In doing so, we clear ourselves of outmoded connections and patterns, returning ourselves to a clean slate. Then we can resolve to remember that our word is sacred and to be very conscious of any promises we make to ourselves or to others.

We may ask to be released from any promises made to ourselves or others in our present, past, or future lives, consciously or unconsciously, that are holding us back from fulfilling our greatest good. We may ask that love, light, and healing be sent to any souls who have suffered from our inability to be true to our word, including ourselves. We can ask for the wisdom to do our best and from this point forward to be true to our word, promising only what we truly intend to deliver. The resulting clear conscience and liberated energy will illustrate this truth: We are only as good as our word.

Source:Daily Om

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