FOODS CAUSING DEPRESSION

we believed psychological disturbances to be the main reason behind depression. At the same time, food items, at least some of them, were considered to be one of the tools that help fight depression. However, it is now being noticed that certain types of food, if consumed in excess, can create the feeling of depression in an individual. The reason for this is the fact that certain type of foods are low in cholesterol, sugars and fat, at the same time being high in protein. This combination leads to low production of serotonin, ‘the happy-maker' neurotransmitter, and in turn, makes you feel depressed. In the following lines, we have provided a list of foods responsible for causing depression.

 

Foods That Cause Depression

 

Alcohol

Alcohol is not only injurious to the liver, but also to the overall health. It triggers depression too. Therefore, consumption of alcoholic drinks is strictly not recommended for those who are the victim of depression and related disorders.

 

Stimulants

Stimulants might give you instant energy, but beware; they may any time become a root cause for the condition of depression. High-caffeine intake triggers anxiety, depression and insomnia too. Therefore, tea and coffee should be had in moderation, if you want to stay away from depression.

 

Processed Foods

Processed foods are a strict no-no, if you are suffering from anxiety related disorders and sleeplessness, because such foods might trigger depression. Heavily processed foods are laden with sodium, which adds to depression. Therefore, fast food, canned food and pre-packaged dehydrated food should not be consumed. Stay away from white bread, pasta (made with eggs), white rice, and other similar foods.

 

Foods Blocking Serotonin & Selenium

Low levels of serotonin can lead to a chemical imbalance in the brain, thereby causing depression. And if you are already suffering from bouts of depression, then it is recommended that you prevent consuming foods that are likely to block serotonin levels. Unhappy feelings are also caused due to the low level of selenium, lack of folic acid being a major factor for depression.  

 

Junk Food

Researches indicate that consumption of junk food is more likely to cause depression compared to people who eat healthy foods. Sweetened desserts, chocolates, fried food, processed meat, refined grains, high-fat dairy products, and condiments are some foods that trigger depression, when consumed for prolonged periods.

 

Modern Foods

Diet of a person is known to show a strong association with depression. What people preferred to eat some fifty years back, have now been replaced with an altogether different list of food items. While the diet of people in old days included natural sources of omega-3, the present generation has replaced them with foods containing high levels of omega-6. That, however, doesn’t by any way means to cut short on omega-6 food in the diet. It, instead, means that a reduction in the consumption of omega-3 foods is another cause for increased levels of depression.

 

So please EAT HEALTHY & STAY HEALTHY :))

What to Do at a Road Traffic Accident?

What to Do at a Road Traffic Accident?

1. Make sure your car is parked safely and that other cars are at a safe distance. Hazard flashers must be switched on. Switch off ignition on crashed vehicles, and ensure that they cannot move. Keep clear if a vehicle is on fire, or if there are fallen electricity wires. Safety must be the first concern.
2. Check to see if anyone is injured. Do not attempt to move a casualty unless the person is in immediate danger or if it is necessary to clear the airway or give expired air or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Splint any fractures before the casualty is moved, if possible. Drag the casualty clear by the clothing on the shoulders if this can be done, or else by the wrists or the feet, moving backwards, sliding the casualty gently. Keep the casualty as horizontal to the ground as is practical, taking care to avoid injuring the neck or back, or allowing the head to bump. If possible, remove the object crushing a crush casualty. Send for emergency services immediately.
3. Place any unconscious victim in the stable side position. Check airway, breathing and pulse and if necessary give expired air or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
4. Check unconscious casualties for bleeding and try to control by direct pressure.
5. Speak reassuringly to conscious casualties, making them comfortable, monitoring breathing and controlling bleeding.
6. Check all accident victims for indications of shock, including any who may be wandering around.
7. Cover casualties with light blanket or clothing, but do not give anything to eat or drink.
8. If a bystander or assistant is available, send such a person to call ambulance and other emergency services, giving precise location and nature of accident, with the number and severity of injuries; whether anyone is trapped and what special services are needed. The first aider should stay with the casualties until help Arrives
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Best Way to Get Rid of a Pimple Fast! !

  Best Way to Get Rid of a Pimple Fast!

Got a Pimple?

This article will show you step-by-step the easiest and quickest way to get rid of a big zit, using only free ingredients you have at lying around at home. The best way to get rid of a pimple fast is to prevent your acne from happening in the first place, but this is not a perfect world, and you have probably done everything you can to keep your pimples from surfacing, but no matter what they're still there. Don't worry! There are two quick ways to get rid of it, usually within just one day!

1st Method: Hot Compress

***Use the hot washcloth method only if your pimple has broken the surface of your skin (if your zit is a white head, black head, oozing, or you just really, really, want to pop it)

--First, scrub your skin with a quality face wash

--Soak a washcloth (or cotton ball, paper towel) in hot water

--Use the washcloth on your zit for at least 20-30 minutes, resoaking it in hot water again when needed.

--Dry your skin by patting gently with a dry washcloth

--Now the tricky part - popping the pimple :p. It should look waterlogged by now, and will be easy to pop, just make sure NOT to press down, as this will force bacteria deeper inside the pimple causing a bigger zit.

-Apply some benzoyl peroxide to the zit (or any treatment cream you have) right after you pop it. This will remove any excess bacteria.

All in all this takes about 30 minutes - 1 hour. But your zit should be gone within 2 days.

2nd Method: Freezing

*** This is the fastest method to use if your zit is still beneath the skin - if its not a white head or black head, and there is no puss coming out of it (gross I know).

-- First, wash your face like you normally would with an acne cleanser

--Now that you've removed any surface oils, use a frozen ice pack to freeze the pimple. Don't worry if you can't find a freeze pack, you can easily create one by wrapping some ice in foil.

--Leave the ice on the pimple for 10 minutes

--As soon as the time has passed or you can't take the cold anymore, you can remove the ice pack and immediately rub some benzoyl peroxide on the zit.

--Follow these steps again every 5 hours

The way this process works is that by freezing the pimple, you are preventing any more oils and bacteria from spreading and causing a bigger zit. The benzoyl peroxide is essential because after the ice pack is used, it helps to dry up any oils that may have spread. If you do this correctly at least 3 times in one day, your pimple should be gone by the next day.

Want to Prevent Pimples From Ever Happening Again?

Curing acne doesn't need to be as difficult as it seems. I suffered with severe acne for years before I figured out what works best for me.
Here are some tips to follow that you probably never knew help cure acne:

#1. The single most important thing you need to be able to cure your acne is to know what is causing it in the first place. Learn the cause of your acne - and you know the cure.

#2. Try to stay as hydrated as possible. Most people do not know that dehydration is one of the top 3 causes of acne.

#3. Avoid caffeine. Its kept very hush-hush that caffeine is one of the leading causes of acne. It messes with your hormones, which leads to break-outs!

Nobody deserves to have acne, so I hope these steps will help you to treat your acne too! It CAN go away you just need to take the right steps and be consistent! To create an individualized treatment plan that is guaranteed to cure your acne, fast & easily. 20 minutes there will change your entire life. You'll learn how to have glowing skin, feel confident, AND its easy!

How to overcome exam anxiety and panic attacks- college and test anxiety

Identifying, understanding and treating your anxiety disorder.

 

Identifying your problem - Symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack

How to tell when you are having a panic attack

A panic attack is described as being sudden, discrete periods of intense anxiety, mounting physiological arousal, fear, stomach problems and discomfort that are associated with a variety of somatic and cognitive symptoms. If you suffer from panic attacks or an anxiety disorder, you don't need a text book to tell you what one is, you know what it feels like. You've experienced the terror that flows through you. Like a deep pressure you cant get away from.

For those who don't know, or who are not yet convinced that they too suffer from panic attacks there are a list of symptoms that you may experience during a panic attack.

They include:

Racing heartbeat

Chest pains

Upset stomach

Dizziness

Nausea

Difficulty breathing

Loss of sensation

Hot or cold flashes

Sensory distortions or hallucinations

A unexplained feeling of terror

Fear of dying

As you can tell the symptoms are many and terrifying.

 

 

 

 

Understanding your problem - Long term effects of panic or anxiety attack stress on the body and mind

Why anxiety disorders are not harmless episodes.

When it comes to panic attacks or anxiety disorders the biggest risk is not to the body but to the mind. That is to say, it's not so harmful physically as it is mentally and emotionally.

A panic attack is essentially an overreaction to outside stress. During this overreaction the body prepares itself to either fight the situation or flee from it. This is why your body systems change. Your heart rate increases, digestion stops, blood flow to your brain, arms and legs increase, etc. These are not bad things in and of themselves, in fact the physical symptoms of a panic attack are very similar to a aggressive workout are are not harmful to the body.

I want to emphasize, during a panic attack you are in no physical danger.

The harm then is to you mentally and emotionally. The fear of having another panic attack can cripple your confidence and cause you to shy away from having a social life. You begin to avoid going outside because you are afraid of the terror you experience during an episode and because of the embarrassment from having an attack in public. You develop a "safe place" and you hate to leave that place, you may even begin to feel paranoid when you leave your safe place.

Mentally, you may begin to see a loss in performance. You don't go to work or class because of your fear of an attack. You may loose out on valuable work time or information and when its time for an exam or performance review you really begin to stress. I once knew a person that would study for hours on end until she knew everything in the class. Then when it came time for the exam she began to panic and second guess herself. Soon a mental block formed in her mind and she couldn't remember all the information she studied until after the exam. Because of her panic attacks her classes really began to suffer.

If this sounds like something you have experienced know that there are some treatments that have met with success. No treatment will work though if you are not willing to try them and stick with them. To learn about a treatment that can help you if you are willing to work with the program . It is not a magic cure, but if you are really suffering with panic attacks then you will do anything to overcome them.

Treating your problem - Avoiding anxiety or panic attacks before your college exam or in everyday life

How to stay calm and perform at your best.

No one treatment will work for everyone 100% of the time. And no treatment will work if you are not willing to first work for the treatment. If you are not willing to see through with a treatment then there will be no magic cure for you, no pill, no surgery. If you will not take the first step then you will have to learn to live with your panic attacks for the rest of your life. That is the decision I was faced with, and I decided to take a step. It was not easy, no treatment will be. Nor was it magical, any treatment that offers that is a guaranteed fail. No it was work and it took time, but I stuck with it and you can too.

"The key difference between someone who is cured of panic attacks and those who are not is really very simple. The people who are cured no longer fear panic attacks. I'll try to show you how to be one of these people as well.

What if I told you the trick to ending panic and anxiety attacks is to want to have one. That sounds strange, even contradictory, but let me explain.

The trick to panic attacks is wanting to have one-the wanting pushes it away. Can you have a panic attack in this very second? No!

You know the saying that "what you resist, persists." Well that saying applies perfectly to fear. If you resist a situation out of fear, the fear around that issue will persist. How do you stop resisting-you move directly into it, into the path of the anxiety, and by doing so it cannot persist.

To be rid of the fear you must metaphorically jump. You must jump off the cliff edge and into the anxiety and fear and all the things that you fear most.

How do you jump? You jump by wanting to have a panic attack. You go about your day asking for anxiety and panic attacks to appear."

Sounds radical doesn't it? Sounds different, sounds like nothing any of the doctors or self help gurus have every told you. And you know what? If none of those people helped you then maybe it is time to try something different.

I can't promise it will work for you like it did me, but I CAN promise that if you don't try it and if you don't work at it, then nothing will work for you.

Get ready to work at having a more relaxing and successful life.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF BUTTERFLY RASH

Following Are the Possible D/D of Facial Malor Flush/Rash------

 This is systemic lupus erythematus

1.Electromagnetic, Physics, trauma, Radiation Causes
    Sunburn
    Photodermatitis
 

2.Infectious Disorders (Specific Agent)
    Streptococcal pharyngitis, beta type A
    Erysipelas
    Erythema infectiosum
    Primary HIV infection syndrome
    Rhinophyma
    Scarlet fever
    Toxic shock syndrome
    Measles (rubeola)
    Parvovirus B19 Polyarthritis syndrome
    Lupus vulgaris/Tuberculous
    Smallpox (variola)
 

3.Infected organ, Abscesses
    Facial Cellulitis
 

4.Neoplastic Disorders
    Carcinoid syndrome/Carcinoid metastatic
    Carcinoid tumor
    Polycythemia rubra vera/infant
    Polycythemia vera
    Carcinoid, metast. to liver
    Polycythemia, tumorogenic secondary

5.Allergic, Collagen, Auto-Immune Disorders
    Anaphylaxis, generalized
    Food allergy
    Dermatitis, contact
    Eczema/Dermatitis, atopic
    Dermatomyositis
    Dermatomyositis/childhood type
    Drug induced Lupus (SLE)-
    Lupus erythematosis, systemic
    Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)/Undifferentiated
    Scleroderma, progressive systemic
    Dermatitis, neutrophilic (Sweet's syn)
    Lupus, discoid, chronic

6.Metabolic, Storage Disorders
    Homocystinuria/homocystinemia

7.Deficiency Disorders
    Pellagra/niacin deficiency

8.Congenital, Developmental Disorders
    Plethora of newborn
    Bloom syndrome

9.Hereditary, Familial, Genetic Disorders
    Polycythemia, hereditary benign

10.Anatomic, Foreign Body, Structural Disorders
    Mitral valve stenosis

11.Vegetative, Autonomic, Endocrine Disorders
    Cushing's disease/Syndrome
    Polycythemia, stress (Gaisboeck)

12.Reference to Organ System
    Acne vulgaris (acne)
    Acne rosacea
    Seborrhea dermatitis/dandruff disorder
    Seborrhea/facial
    Polycythemia/Secondary polycythemia
    Plethora

13.Idiopathic, Unclassified Disorders
    Pityriasis rubra pilaris

14.Drugs
    Niacin/Nicotinic acid Administration/Toxicity

15.Poisoning (Specific Agent)
    Fish poisoning
    Alcoholism, chronic
    Fish Poisoning, Scomboid
    Acrodynia/Pink disease

Treatment regimen of cholera

Antibiotic treatment of choice for treating cholera in an adult is a single dose of:
1 Tetracycline.
2 Co-trimoxazole.
3 Doxycycline.
4 Furazolidone.
Answer is 3        K. Park P.S.M. 17th ed./173.Table 9.124
Antibiotics used in the treatment of cholera
Antibiotics                                     Children                            Adults
Doxycycline once                             -                                    300 mg
Tetracycline                                 12.5 mg/kg                         500 mg
4 times a day for 3 days
Trimethroprim (TMP) TMP         5 mg/kg and                     TMP 160 mg
sulfamethoxazole (SMX) SMX     25 mg/kg                         SMX 800 mg
twice a day for 3 days

1) Erythromycin and chloramphenicol may also be used when none of the other recommended
antibiotics are available, or when Vibrio Cholerae 01 is resistant to the latter.
2) Doxycycline is the antibiotic of choice for adults (excepting pregnant women), since a single dose suffices.
3) TMP-SMX is the antibiotic of choice for children. Tetracycline is equally effective, but is not available everywhere in paediatric form.
4) Furazolidone is the antibiotic of choice for pregnant women.

MCQS WITH DETAILED EXPLAINATION OF ANSWERS

1.Which one of the following is a good index of the severity of an acute disease?
1 Cause specific death rate.
2 Case fatality rate.
3 Standardized mortality ratio.
4 Five year survival


Answer is 2                 K PARK - PSM 17th ed/49 (repeat)

Case fatality rate represents the killing power of a disease. It is simply the ratio of deaths to cases. So It is a ratio not the true rate. Case fatality rate is closely related to virulence.
Total No. Of death d/t a particular disease                                                                     X 100 =C.F.R                           Total No. Of cases d/t the same disease



2. Distribution of blood flow is mainly regulated by the:
1 Arteries
2 Arterioles
3 Capillaries
4 Venules


Answer is 2
GANONG ,S REVIEW OF PHYSIOLOGY ED 19 Pg-579

        Blood flow in the vessels primarily due to pumping action of the heart
Other factors are diastolic recoil of walls of arteries, pumping action skeletal muscle on
veins and negative intrathoracic pressure
        Regulation of Blood flow to each tissue is depends on the diameter of the vessels
principally of arterioles. Resistance to flow mostly depends on diameter of arterioles and to a minor degree on the viscosity of the blood. Arterioles are the major site of the resistance to blood flow and small change in their caliber causes large change in the total peripheral resistance.



3. A 2-year-old female child was brought to a PHC with a history of cough and fever for 4 days with inability to drink for last 12 hours. On examination, the child was having weight of 5 kg and respiratory rate of 45/minute with fever. The child will be classified as suffering from:
1 Very severe disease.
2 Severe Pneumonia.
3 Pneumonia.
4 No Pneumonia.


Answer is 3
K PARK PSM 17th ed/137
Management of pneumonia in a child aged 2 months upto 5 years

SIGNS	Chest indrawing (if also recurrent wheezing, go directly to treat wheezing	No chest indrawing but fast breathing (50 per minute or more if child 2 months -upto 12 months,   40 per minute or more if child 12 months upto 5 years	No chest indrawing Nofastbreathing (Less than 50 per minute if child 2 months upto 5 years).
CLASSIFY AS	SEVERE PNEUMONIA	PNEUMONIA	NO PNEUMONIA COUGH OR COLD

LIFE STYLE CHANGES TO PREVENT INFERTILITY

LIFE STYLE CHANGES TO PREVENT INFERTILITY:

Couples unable to conceive after 12 months of contraceptive-free intercourse if the female is under the age of 34, or if the couple hasn't conceived after six months of contraceptive-free intercourse if the female is over the age of 35, should get themselves checked. There are many biological causes of infertility, some of which may be bypassed with medical intervention. A majority of cases are caused by genetics and are not preventable.However, it is possible to prevent some potential kinds of infertility by bringing about certain changes to your day-to-day lifestyle. The environment we live in has a huge impact on your potential fertility.

Following measures and precautions can help prevent infertility:

Weight control: Overweight or underweight women experience a higher risk of ovulation disorders.Weight loss should be gradual and accompanied by a balanced diet and moderate exercise. Women following fad diets and doing strenuous activity, have decreased ovulation and increased menstrual disturbances. In men, strenuous exercise leads to a decrease in the sperm count due to an increase in the testicular temperature, impairing sperm production. 

Avoidance of drugs:Drugs like cocaine and marijuana have been linked to irreparable damage and infertility in both sexes. Staw away from them.

Repeated abortions or undergoing unsafe abortion leads to a higher risk of infertility, as it can cause scarring of the uterine cavity or tubal blockage.

Toxins:Pesticides, lead, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and ionising radiations reduce fertility in both sexes.

Smoking has been linked to low sperm counts and sluggish sperm movement in men, and an increase in miscarriage in women. Alcohol (especially binge drinking or chronic abuse), affects the fertility of both men and women trying to conceive either naturally or through infertility treatments. Alcohol reduces sperm counts, can interfere with sexual performance, disrupt hormone balances and increase the risk of miscarriage.

. Early diagnosis of conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and cervical cancer may prevent infertility. Detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases helps safeguard one's fertility.

Boost your daily intake of natural antioxidants through simple dietary modifications.

- Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, which improves egg quality by preventing egg damage during the process of maturation. Dietary sources include nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, cereal brans such as wheat, oat or rice bran and vegetable oils.

- Vitamin C has been shown to better fertility in women with poor 'luteal phase', and improve chances of implantation of the egg in the uterus. Citrus fruits, strawberries, guavas, kiwi and veggies such as tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, vegetable greens and bell peppers are rich sources.

- Folic acid is an important prenatal vitamin — it prevents the incidence of birth defects in the foetus and is essential to produce genetic material in every cell of our body. An ideal fertility diet should contain green leafy vegetables, coloured veggies, fruits, sprouts, nuts and seeds, beans, vegetable oils, dairy products, whole grains, fish and lean meat. Foods consumed in their natural raw state give maximum benefit — over-cooking destroys vital nutrients.

SEE THE ANSWER BELOW...
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.The Correct Answer is :

Winged scapula = Scapula alata

WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS??

See below for Answer------
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Correct Answer is----SUBCONJUCTIVAL HAEMORRHAGE

TETANUS---Signs,symptoms & Treatement

Tetanus is infection of the nervous system with the potentially deadly bacteria Clostridium tetani (C. tetani).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Spores of the bacteria C. tetani live in the soil and are found around the world. In the spore form, C. tetani may remain inactive in the soil, but it can remain infectious for more than 40 years.
Infection begins when the spores enter the body through an injury or wound. The spores release bacteria that spread and make a poison called tetanospasmin. This poison blocks nerve signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, causing severe muscle spasms. The spasms can be so powerful that they tear the muscles or cause fracture of the spine.
The time between infection and the first sign of symptoms is typically 7 to 21 days. Most cases of tetanus in the United States occur in those who have not been properly vaccinated against the disease.

Symptoms

Tetanus often begins with mild spasms in the jaw muscles (lockjaw). The spasms can also affect the chest, neck, back, and abdominal muscles. Back muscle spasms often cause arching, called ophisthotonus.
Sometimes the spasms affect muscles that help with breathing, which can lead to breathing problems.
Prolonged muscular action causes sudden, powerful, and painful contractions of muscle groups. This is called tetany. These episodes can cause fractures and muscle tears.
Other symptoms include:

• Drooling
  
• Excessive sweating
• Fever
  
• Hand & foot spasms
  
• Irritability
• Swallowing difficulty
• Uncontrolled urination or defecation

Signs and tests

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. No specific lab test is available to determine the diagnosis of tetanus.
Other tests may be used to rule out meningitis,rabies strychnine poisoning, and other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment may include:

• Antibiotics, including penicillin, clindamycin erythromycin, or metronidazole (metronidazole has been most successful)
• Bedrest with a nonstimulating environment (dim light, reduced noise, and stable temperature)
• Medicine to reverse the poison (tetanus immune globulin)
• Muscle relaxers such as Diazepam
• Sedatives
• Surgery to clean the wound and remove the source of the poison (debridement)

Breathing support with oxygen, a breathing tube, and a breathing machine may be necessary.

FOODS TO ENHANCE SEX DRIVE

FOODS TO ENHANCE SEX DRIVE:

There are certain foods that can be easily incorporated into everyday diet to enhance sex drive. These foods affect our senses, and elicit sensuality. Some may argue with the notion of food being associated with libido. But, foods can kick up the sex drive.

Take a look at the list of foods that you should be eating to revive your sex drive.

1. Eggs: Egg, enriched with vitamin B5 and vitamin B6, helps to reduce stress and sets the tone for the pursuit. A symbol of fertility, eggs help to raise energy levels.

2. Fruits: Fruits are full of vitamins, which is a libido booster. Bananas contain bromelain enzyme, which increases libido and reverses impotence in men. Fruits, such as mangoes, peaches and bananas, make you more interested in sex. It also contains potassium and riboflavin that raises body's overall energy levels. Watermelon contains phytonutrient citrulline that increases body's levels of nitric oxide to relaxe blood vessels and increase blood circulation. This decreases the time taken to become aroused.

3. Soy: Tofu and edamame helps to bind estrogen, and keeps the vagina lubricated. Soy foods promote prostate health in men.

4. Chocolate: .It has long been known for its sexually invigorating properties.Scientists say that chocolate contains  phenethylamine, among other chemical compounds that arouses the same feelings as those experienced by people when they fall in love. It can also be used in foreplay. Dark chocolates also contain anti-oxidants that protect you against infections.

5. Oysters: Oysters are rich source of zinc and dopamine, which evoke sensuality and increase the sex drive. Have oysters in your meal plan if night of a romance. Health experts advise avoiding raw oysters during pregnancy.The Romans placed the oyster high on their list of prized aphrodisiacs. Casanova, the legend goes, would eat 50 raw oysters for breakfast.

6. Nuts: Nuts, especially the one rich in L-Arginine, improve sexual functions in men. These improve blood circulation to energise you and help you with sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction. Cashews, walnuts and peanuts are among common nuts to help you up revive sex drive.

7. Almonds: An excellent source of essential fatty acids, almonds ensure healthy production of hormones. Eat almonds raw or sprinkle crushed almonds on milk shake or salads when you need immediate dose of energy.

8. Garlic: Garlic increases blood flow to the sexual organs. Add garlic paste in delicacies to derive benefits. If you have trouble having raw garlic, try garlic capsules.

9. Avocados: Enriched with folic acid, avocados metabolise proteins and energise you. It has vitamin B6 (increases male hormone production) and potassium (regulates woman's thyroid gland), increasing libido in both men as well as women.

10.Bananas: Soft, creamy and around eight inches long. Now who wouldn’t consider that aphrodisiacal? But it also comes with high levels of potassium and vitamin B, which increase sex hormone production in our bodies.

11.Lychees: Juicy and succulent, lychees have been considered a libido booster. Research also says that polysaccharides in the fruit protect female sex organs from tissue damage.

STROKE---ARE YOU AT THREAT!!

STROKE--EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack."
Causes, incidence, and risk factors

If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage.

There are two major types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This may happen in two ways:

A clot may form in an artery that is already very narrow. This is called a thrombotic stroke.

A clot may break off from another place in the blood vessels of the brain, or from some other part of the body, and travel up to the brain. This is called cerebral embolism, or an embolic stroke.

Ischemic strokes may be caused by clogged arteries. Fat, cholesterol, and other substances collect on the artery walls, forming a sticky substance called plaque.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain. Some people have defects in the blood vessels of the brain that make this more likely.

STROKE RISK FACTORS

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes. The other major risk factors are:

Atrial fibrillation

Diabetes

Family history of stroke

High cholesterol

Increasing age, especially after age 55

Race (black people are more likely to die of a stroke)

People who have heart disease or poor blood flow in their legs caused by narrowed arteries are also more likely to have a stroke.

The chance of stroke is higher in people who live an unhealthy lifestyle by:

Being overweight or obese

Drinking heavily

Eating too much fat or salt

Smoking

Taking cocaine and other illegal drugs

Birth control pills can increase the chances of having blood clots. The risk is highest in woman who smoke and are older than 35.

For more information, see: Stroke risk factors
Symptoms

The symptoms of stroke depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases, a person may not know that he or she has had a stroke.

Symptoms usually develop suddenly and without warning. Or, symptoms may occur on and off for the first day or two. Symptoms are usually most severe when the stroke first happens, but they may slowly get worse.

A headache may occur, especially if the stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. The headache:

Starts suddenly and may be severe

Occurs when you are lying flat

Wakes you up from sleep

Gets worse when you change positions or when you bend, strain, or cough

Other symptoms depend on how severe the stroke is and what part of the brain is affected. Symptoms may include:

Change in alertness (including sleepiness, unconsciousness, and coma)

Changes in hearing

Changes in taste

Changes that affect touch and the ability to feel pain, pressure, or different temperatures

Clumsiness

Confusion or loss of memory

Difficulty swallowing

Difficulty writing or reading

Dizziness or abnormal feeling of movement (vertigo)

Lack of control over the bladder or bowels

Loss of balance

Loss of coordination

Muscle weakness in the face, arm, or leg (usually just on one side)

Numbness or tingling on one side of the body

Personality, mood, or emotional changes

Problems with eyesight, including decreased vision, double vision, or total loss of vision

Trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking

Trouble walking

Signs and tests

A complete exam should be done. Your doctor will:

Check for problems with vision, movement, feeling, reflexes, understanding, and speaking. Your doctor and nurses will repeat this exam over time to see if your stroke is getting worse or improving.

Listen for an abnormal sound, called a "bruit," when using a stethoscope to listen to the carotid arteries in the neck. A bruit is caused by abnormal blood flow.

Check your blood pressure, which may be high.

Tests can help your doctor find the type, location, and cause of the stroke and rule out other disorders.

Angiogram of the head can show which blood vessel is blocked or bleeding

Carotid duplex (ultrasound) can show if the carotid arteries in your neck have narrowed

CT scan of the brain is often done soon after symptoms of a stroke begin. An MRI scan of the brain may be done instead or afterwards

Echocardiogram may be done if the stroke could have been caused by a blood clot from the heart

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography may be done to check for abnormal blood vessels in the brain

Other tests include:

Lab tests will include:

Bleeding time

Blood cholesterol and sugar

Blood clotting tests (prothrombin time or partial thromboplastin time)

Complete blood count (CBC)

Electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rhythm monitoring -- to show whether an irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation) caused the stroke

Treatment

A stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can save lives and reduce disability. Call 911 or your local emergency number or seek urgent medical care at the first signs of a stroke.

It is very important for people who are having stroke symptoms to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. If the stroke is caused by a blood clot, a clot-busting drug may be given to dissolve the clot.

Most of the time, patients must reach a hospital within 3 hours after symptoms begin. Some people may be able to receive these drugs for up to 4 - 5 hours after symptoms begin.

Treatment depends on how severe the stroke was and what caused it. Most people who have a stroke need to stay in a hospital.

TREATMENT IN THE HOSPITAL

Clot-busting drugs (thrombolytic therapy) may be used if the stroke is caused by a blood clot. This medicine breaks up blood clots and helps bring back blood flow to the damaged area. However, not everyone can get this type of medicine.

For these drugs to work, a person must be seen and treatment must begin within 3 hours of when the symptoms first started. A CT scan must be done to see whether the stroke is from a clot or from bleeding.

If the stroke is caused by bleeding instead of clotting, clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) can cause more bleeding.

Other treatments depend on the cause of the stroke:

Blood thinners such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin) may be used to treat strokes due to blood clots. Aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix) may also be used.

Other medicine may be needed to control symptoms such as high blood pressure.

In some situations, a special stroke team and skilled radiologists may be able to use angiography to highlight the clogged blood vessel and open it up.

If bleeding occurred, surgery is often needed to remove blood from around the brain and to fix damaged blood vessels.

Surgery on the carotid artery may be needed.

Nutrients and fluids may be needed, especially if the person has trouble swallowing. These may be given through a vein (intravenously) or a feeding tube in the stomach (gastrostomy tube). Swallowing trouble may be temporary or permanent.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and swallowing therapy will all begin in the hospital.

LONG-TERM TREATMENT

The goal of treatment after a stroke is to help the patient recover as much function as possible and prevent future strokes.

The recovery time and need for long-term treatment is different for each person. Problems moving, thinking, and talking often improve in the weeks to months after a stroke. A number of people who have had a stroke will keep improving in the months or years after the stroke.

REDUCE EFFECTS OF STRESS

Reduce Effects of stress

1. Take a Break to Break your Routine

Taking time out of your daily schedule for recreation, or a vacation is an effective stress buster.

• Breaking the schedule takes off anxiety from mind and provides much-needed peace to the mind.
• Break gives you enough time to rest without getting worried for work.
• Moreover, you can break your sleep pattern of limited sleep and enjoy sound sleep of 8-10 hours.
• With all the time on your side, you can switch to healthy eating options for betterment of health.

2. Don’t Avoid the situation

Most of the individuals living with stress complain of time constraint. This is also their reason of avoiding the situation. Stress gets better along with its complications if ignored. Therefore, one needs to manage time in order to keep away from stress and its effects. Time-management involves setting priorities, keeping pace and taking time out for self.

3. Physical Activity

Getting involved in physical activities, either by simple exercising methods or by participating in sports/games provides relief from stress. Physical activities should be made a part of life in order to keep stress at bay.

4. Sharing

Expressing yourself with someone you trust takes gives relief to your mind. Keep things to self will surely affect. Alternatively, you can also a note of things bothering you along with daily activities.

5. Talk to Yourself

Another way of claiming peace is talking to self. This can be best done by facing mirror and telling self to calm, peace and confronting you.



6. Develop Reading Habit
 Look for a literary subject that interests you. Pick up a book, connect with its characters and discover several aspects.

MISTAKES IN DIETING WE USUALLY MAKE:-Your Health Your life

MISTAKES IN DIETING WE USUALLY MAKE:

Dieting  is regulating one’s food intake for the purpose of improving one’s physical condition, especially for the purpose of reducing obesity, or what is conceived to be excess body fat. 
 People try multiple diets in name of dieting but many a times nothing seems to work. Some manage to stick to a rigid diet for a few days, but crack before the week is out. Though some people avoid the common dieting mistakes such as skipping breakfast and not drinking enough water, but something still seems to be wrong.

Here are dieting mistakes that one might not realise they are making but one of these could be the key to why attempts to lose weight aren’t succeeding.

1. Monotonous Diet: Many dieters fall into the trap of working out a few “good” (nutritious, easy-to-prepare, low calorie) meals, and rotating between them on a daily or weekly basis. Diet plans often encourage this monotonous behaviour. But the problem is most of us; get pretty bored with eating the same thing day-in-day-out. If your brown-bagged lunch is exactly the same as it was for the last four days, you’re going to be much more tempted to visit the nearest fast food joint. So the only solution is to go for variety. Include different coloured vegetables and fruits in your diet. This will not only help in removing monotony but will also control calorie intake.
2. Impulse Eating: This is also one of biggest dieting mistakes and it’s a tricky one to guard against; eating on impulse. Maybe one of your colleagues has brought in a gorgeous birthday cake, perhaps you’re making tea and your hand reaches for the cookie jar without you really noticing. When you find yourself reaching for food that you’ve not planned to eat, stop. Don’t ban yourself from having foods, but do stop and think about it.
3. Worrying About Waste: Have you ever had eaten something because you “didn’t want it to be wasted?” Whether it’s finishing up the kids’ leftovers, or eating out those small portions of food that was left when everybody finished eating; that unneeded food is just as wasted as extra pounds on your body as it would be if it ended up in the garbage. Eating unnecessarily is a common and the biggest dieting mistake we make. Respect your body and don’t treat it like a waste disposal bin.
4. Energy Bars or Replacement Drinks: There is no substitute for whole foods. Your body needs the wide variety of phytonutrients and fiber found in real fruits, vegetables and whole grains. No "meal replacement" bars or drinks provide the variety that nature does. Use these convenience foods only when necessary. Increase the intake of dried fruits and nuts rather than having them processed and pressed into a bar.
5. Belief that Exercise will take care of the extra calories: Many people exercise to lose weight but they need to keep track of what they eat if they want to lose weight. It is very easy to make up for calories burned with a single extra 'treat' after your workout. To lose weight, controlling your diet portions and choice of food are equally important. Eating too less or too much after exercise is equally dangerous.

Fruity Beauty Tips---Your Health Your Life

FRUITY BEAUTY TIPS:
Fruits are good for health. We all knew that. But they are great for your skin, your face, and in general for several beauty treatments; and not all of them involve eating the fruit. They’re natural, do not have harmful chemicals, and one doesn’t have to look very hard to find them. That is why fruit treatments are a very healthy and effective way to home groom ourselves.Read on:


Apples:

The apple is an excellent skin toner. Add one cup of apple juice to your bath water to help soften your skin. If you use it in the final rinse while you shampoo your hair, it acts as an anti-dandruff agent. An apple a day, indeed!


Bananas:

Aside from making a breakfast healthy, bananas make our skin and hair supple too. Mash up a banana, apply it all over your face, and leave it for about 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water, and moisturise for smooth, beautiful skin. For using as a conditioner for the hair, mix some mashed banana with a little honey and apply evenly to hair after you shampoo. Rinse well, and what you’re left with is glowing shiny hair.


Papaya:

Rich in Vitamin A, use mashed papaya, mixed with aloe vera gel once a month as an excellent exfoliating agent. Leave the mixture on your skin for about 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly. If your skin is sensitive, be careful to not leave it on too long for the first time to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin.

Peaches:

Sufferers of dry skin, celebrate! Mash a ripe peach, mix it with curd, add a few drops of rose water, and make a smooth paste. Apply on your face and leave it for about 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. That should bid goodbye to dry skin for a while, leaving it moisturised, supple, and smooth.

Avocados:

These are excellent for reducing puffiness around the eye. Apply a peeled slice of avocado under each eye for 20 minutes to reduce redness, irritation and puffiness. For people with oily skin, a face mask made by mixing half an avocado (mashed), the white of one egg, and one teaspoon of lemon juice will do wonders. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse.

Plums:

Plums are rich in Vitamin A and C and have anti-wrinkle properties. A face pack of mashed plum and lemon juice is very good for oily skin, helps reduce acne, and restores a healthy glow to the skin. For dry skin, try peaches instead. Mash a ripe peach, mix it with curd, add a few drops of rose water, and make a smooth paste. Apply on your face and leave it for about 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. That should bid goodbye to dry skin for a while, leaving it moisturised, supple, and smooth

Strawberries:

Strawberries contain salicylic acid that is excellent for skin that is prone to acne and tends to get oily. It also has mild bleaching qualities that are perfect for brightening up your face and arms before that big party. Mash five strawberries with a teaspoon moong dal, the whites of two eggs and a little curd, and apply it on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and you’re all set.

But before you sell out full scale on any of these remedies, remember to try a patch test on a small part of your skin to make sure you’re not allergic and the treatment suits your skin.

WATER THERAPY---Your Health Your Life

WATER THERAPY:
Early morning, after you get up from bed, (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50 liters of water i.e. 5 to 6 glasses. You may wash your face thereafter. This is called water therapy.
Relief from stress, weight loss, glowing skin, feeling fresh and energetic throughout the day and good digestion are some of the major benefits of water therapy.
For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses, the water therapy had been found helpful by a Japanese medical society for cure for the diseases like Headache,Body Ache,Heart problems,Arthritis,Epilepsy,Excess Weight,Bronchitis,Asthma,TB,Meningitis,Kidney and Urinary diseases,Vomiting,gastritis,Diarrhea,Piles,Diabetes,Constipation,Eye Diseases and Menstrual Disorders.

Water Therapy - Method of Treatment

1.As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4-6 glasses of water each of 160 ml.
2.Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes.
3.After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4.Upto 15 minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything.
5.Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink four glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to four glasses per day.
6.The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.