REGULAR CHECK-UPS DURING PREGNANCY

When you get pregnant you should make an appointment to see your doctor immediately. You'll be offered regular check-ups throughout your pregnancy. How often they are varies according to a number of issues such as whether this is your first baby and whether you have any particular health needs. However, you can always contact your midwife or doctor if you are concerned or would like to discuss something.

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Regular check-ups

These check-ups will probably include:

  • taking your blood pressure
  • weighing you
  • feeling your stomach (to check your baby's size and position)
  • listening to your baby's heartbeat
  • checking your urine for infections and blood sugar problems
  • checking your general well-being

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/images/300/blood_tests.jpg

Blood tests

During pregnancy, you will be offered a number of blood tests which provide information that helps you deliver a healthy baby. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the tests you are offered, what they will and will not tell you and what further decisions you may have to take depending on the results. Discuss any concerns you have with your midwife or doctor and feel free to take time to consider your options.

Tests may include:

  • identifying your blood group and type
  • HBV testing (HBV causes hepatitis B)
  • testing for conditions such as syphilis, anaemia or the sickle cell trait
  • testing for immunity to rubella (German measles)
  • HIV testing (for more information visit the link below)
  • Down's syndrome

 

Blood clot - for everyone's safety.

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R ...
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the party . Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.
Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE...
T * = TALK . Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A prominent cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved and it could be your own.  
       
 



cid:2.1224591534@web52901.mail.re2.yahoo.com

 

 

Avoiding Back Pain

Most of us sit in a single position for the whole day in the office, and in the morning / evening drive all the way to our places. As a result at night, while going to bed, many of us experience a slight pain in the back.

DON'T IGNORE IT AT ALL.....this may lead to many further diseases and disabilities as well....

Don't panic, just do the following exercise for min 10 mins every morning and shoot off the back pain.

Enjoy a healthy living....

Simple Exercises... to keep you fit and avoid back pain.
Need not visit a gym, your home may be the ideal place.

cid:1.1224702486@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:2.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.com
cid:3.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:4.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:5.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:6.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:7.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.com
cid:8.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:9.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.comcid:10.1224702487@web52904.mail.re2.yahoo.com

ULCER ::: 15 Soothing Treatments

ULCER  :::  15 Soothing Treatments

 

Just a few years ago, doctors might as well have told patients with ulcers to surrender their taste buds because they were already asking them to completely give up just about every food they could taste.

 

Chili, pizza, and tacos were out. Toast, crackers, and the rest of the bland band were in. It was anything but sweet music to the ears of people who were trying to live with recurring, raging infernos in the depths of their stomachs.

 

Now specific anti-ulcer diets, including those widely prescribed bland regimens, are out, says Steve Goldschmid, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Digestive Diseases at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. "There is no proof of a therapeutic benefit from altering your diet," he says.

 

MEDICAL ALERT


Be Wise to These Symptoms

 

Much of the time an ulcer is just a literal pain in the gut. But a bleeding ulcer can become serious, even life threatening.

 

A bleeding ulcer can drain you of enough blood to drastically lower blood pressure and stop vital organs from functioning, says Steve Goldschmid, M.D.

 

"If you have an ulcer and get really nauseated and suddenly throw up blood or what looks like old coffee grounds, see your doctor immediately," he says. Other symptoms of serious trouble include passing a stool that is black or one containing bright red blood. A person with a bleeding ulcer also may become dizzy and pass out.

 

What doctors currently recommend recalls that old doctor/patient conversation that, today, might go like this: "Hey Doc, whenever I eat rocky road ice cream covered with kiwi sauce, it feels like there's a blowtorch in my belly."

 

"Well," says the doctor, "don't eat rocky road ice cream covered with kiwi sauce."

In other words, listen to your ulcer and use common sense—whether you have a gastric ulcer (on the lining of your stomach) or a duodenal ulcer (on the duodenum, the part of the small intestine nearest the stomach).

 

Scientists have yet to say what, specifically, causes ulcers. But stomach acid is the prime suspect and certain bacteria and stress are viewed as possible accomplices.

Certainly ulcers are not rare—an estimated 5 million Americans have them, says John Kurata, Ph.D., an epidemiologist and associate adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and research director of the San Bernardino County Medical Center in California.

 

Unfortunately, ulcers are also stubborn. "Ulcer disease is really a chronic disease," Dr. Goldschmid says. "Ulcers come and go." So here are some tips for living with ulcers that will hopefully make them go sooner.

 

The Alternate Route


Pepto-Bismol to the Rescue

The next best thing to a cure for ulcers already may be in your medicine cabinet—Pepto-Bismol.

 

So claims Australian researcher Barry Marshall, M.D., who tested hundreds of patients with duodenal ulcers and found that they had one thing in common: most carried the same type of bacteria. His conclusion: Bacteria, not stomach acid, may cause ulcers.

 

When Dr. Marshall treated his patients with bismuth (an ingredient in Pepto-Bismol that kills the bacterial invader in the stomach), the bacteria tended to disappear, and so did the ulcers.

 

No one, however, is going so far as to claim that Pepto-Bismol is a cure for ulcers. And some, such as Michael Kimmey, M.D., are even skeptical about the bacteria theory. "The bacteria research is interesting," Dr. Kimmey says, "but it's not been proven that bacteria cause ulcers."

 

But Pepto-Bismol could be worth a try, says David Earnest, M.D. "It might be useful," he says, "in certain cases where a person continues to relapse and the bacteria are shown to be present." But ask your doctor about the side effects of taking large doses of Pepto-Bismol over a long period. Pepto-Bismol does not have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration as an ulcer medication.

 

Avoid the arsonists. Whether it's an ice cream sundae or a pepperoni pizza, if it starts a fire in your stomach, don't eat it. "The foods that bother people seem to vary with each individual," says David Earnest, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Health Sciences Center and chairman of the Committee on Patient Care for the American Gastroenterological Association. "But obviously spicy foods may bother some people."

 

The Stress Connection

Can stress cause ulcers?

 

Many doctors are skeptical. "Most of us think there is a lack of good evidence to show stress causes ulcers," says John Kurata, Ph.D. "But if you already have an ulcer, stress may worsen the disease."

 

Consider this, however: The incidence of duodenal ulcers in New York City is greater proportionally than it is in surrounding areas, according to Steve Goldschmid, M.D. And is there anyone who'll argue that New York City is less stressful than, say, New Rochelle?

 

Also worth considering: the case of Richard Maschal, art and architecture critic for the Charlotte Observer. He discovered he had a gastric ulcer during a period of "extreme stress on the job," he says. "I didn't see eye-to-eye—actually, detested—the person who was supervising my area." And he let it drive him crazy. He became tense!

 

It's not so much the stressful event that happens to us, but how we interpret it and react or overreact to it, explains Georgianna S. Hoffmann, coordinator of the Family Stress Clinic in the Department of Family Practice at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for handling stress—and the ulcer it may be aggravating.

 

Think pleasant thoughts and talk to yourself. Maschal has a new boss, and that's helped a lot, as has the medication his doctor prescribed. But he also still catches himself heading toward tension. And only he can stop it. "Now," he says, "I take time to talk myself down."

 

Breathe slowly and deeply. Three or four deep breaths provide the most immediate feeling of calmness anywhere, anytime.

 

Exercise. "Moderate physical exercise is a very good coping mechanism," Hoffmann says.

 

Practice relaxation techniques. "When you relax the body, you relax the mind," Hoffmann says. "And when you relax the mind, you relax the body." Meditation, yoga, imagery, or listening to relaxation tapes, done regularly, are among the relaxation techniques you might want to explore.

 

Take it easy with milk. Long thought to be a great soother for a burning ulcer, milk's rebound effect is now well established. "Although it buffers acid for a while [and thus provides brief relief]," Dr. Goldschmid says, "it actually stimulates more stomach acid secretion" and causes more pain later.

 

Use over-the-counter antacids. They may not cure an ulcer, "but they are a good treatment for symptoms," says Dr. Earnest.

 

Don't take too many pain relievers. Aspirin has the bad reputation, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—which have become very popular—are at least as hard on the stomach lining as aspirin is, says Thomas Brasitus, M.D., a professor of medicine and director of gastroenterology at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

 

Don't light up. Yes, smoking even gets indicted for contributing to ulcers. Although there is no evidence that smoking causes ulcers, they are less likely to heal in smokers than nonsmokers, says Dr. Brasitus.

 

Let it out. "Some evidence suggests that people who are frustrated and don't express their feelings very well are more likely to get ulcers," says Michael Kimmey, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

 

Double your meals. Although many doctors are saying three normal-size meals are fine, some people may have less ulcer upset if they eat six smaller meals, says Dr. Brasitus. Food neutralizes stomach acid.

 

Don't pump iron. "Iron is a gastric irritant," Dr. Goldschmid says. "People who take iron supplements might have a lot of upset if they have a gastric ulcer."

 

Live by the moderation motto. Too much of one food or beverage could upset an ulcer. Alcohol, by the way, is not necessarily an irritant. "Moderate drinking probably does not increase the risk of developing new ulcers," says Dr. Kurata.

 

Give it time. Sometimes that's all you can do. "Ulcers have cycles," Dr. Brasitus says. "A lot of them will burn out within a few years."

........................................

 

ULCER ::: 15 Soothing Treatments

ULCER  :::  15 Soothing Treatments

 

Just a few years ago, doctors might as well have told patients with ulcers to surrender their taste buds because they were already asking them to completely give up just about every food they could taste.

 

Chili, pizza, and tacos were out. Toast, crackers, and the rest of the bland band were in. It was anything but sweet music to the ears of people who were trying to live with recurring, raging infernos in the depths of their stomachs.

 

Now specific anti-ulcer diets, including those widely prescribed bland regimens, are out, says Steve Goldschmid, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Digestive Diseases at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. "There is no proof of a therapeutic benefit from altering your diet," he says.

 

MEDICAL ALERT


Be Wise to These Symptoms

 

Much of the time an ulcer is just a literal pain in the gut. But a bleeding ulcer can become serious, even life threatening.

 

A bleeding ulcer can drain you of enough blood to drastically lower blood pressure and stop vital organs from functioning, says Steve Goldschmid, M.D.

 

"If you have an ulcer and get really nauseated and suddenly throw up blood or what looks like old coffee grounds, see your doctor immediately," he says. Other symptoms of serious trouble include passing a stool that is black or one containing bright red blood. A person with a bleeding ulcer also may become dizzy and pass out.

 

What doctors currently recommend recalls that old doctor/patient conversation that, today, might go like this: "Hey Doc, whenever I eat rocky road ice cream covered with kiwi sauce, it feels like there's a blowtorch in my belly."

 

"Well," says the doctor, "don't eat rocky road ice cream covered with kiwi sauce."

In other words, listen to your ulcer and use common sense—whether you have a gastric ulcer (on the lining of your stomach) or a duodenal ulcer (on the duodenum, the part of the small intestine nearest the stomach).

 

Scientists have yet to say what, specifically, causes ulcers. But stomach acid is the prime suspect and certain bacteria and stress are viewed as possible accomplices.

Certainly ulcers are not rare—an estimated 5 million Americans have them, says John Kurata, Ph.D., an epidemiologist and associate adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and research director of the San Bernardino County Medical Center in California.

 

Unfortunately, ulcers are also stubborn. "Ulcer disease is really a chronic disease," Dr. Goldschmid says. "Ulcers come and go." So here are some tips for living with ulcers that will hopefully make them go sooner.

 

The Alternate Route


Pepto-Bismol to the Rescue

The next best thing to a cure for ulcers already may be in your medicine cabinet—Pepto-Bismol.

 

So claims Australian researcher Barry Marshall, M.D., who tested hundreds of patients with duodenal ulcers and found that they had one thing in common: most carried the same type of bacteria. His conclusion: Bacteria, not stomach acid, may cause ulcers.

 

When Dr. Marshall treated his patients with bismuth (an ingredient in Pepto-Bismol that kills the bacterial invader in the stomach), the bacteria tended to disappear, and so did the ulcers.

 

No one, however, is going so far as to claim that Pepto-Bismol is a cure for ulcers. And some, such as Michael Kimmey, M.D., are even skeptical about the bacteria theory. "The bacteria research is interesting," Dr. Kimmey says, "but it's not been proven that bacteria cause ulcers."

 

But Pepto-Bismol could be worth a try, says David Earnest, M.D. "It might be useful," he says, "in certain cases where a person continues to relapse and the bacteria are shown to be present." But ask your doctor about the side effects of taking large doses of Pepto-Bismol over a long period. Pepto-Bismol does not have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration as an ulcer medication.

 

Avoid the arsonists. Whether it's an ice cream sundae or a pepperoni pizza, if it starts a fire in your stomach, don't eat it. "The foods that bother people seem to vary with each individual," says David Earnest, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Health Sciences Center and chairman of the Committee on Patient Care for the American Gastroenterological Association. "But obviously spicy foods may bother some people."

 

The Stress Connection

Can stress cause ulcers?

 

Many doctors are skeptical. "Most of us think there is a lack of good evidence to show stress causes ulcers," says John Kurata, Ph.D. "But if you already have an ulcer, stress may worsen the disease."

 

Consider this, however: The incidence of duodenal ulcers in New York City is greater proportionally than it is in surrounding areas, according to Steve Goldschmid, M.D. And is there anyone who'll argue that New York City is less stressful than, say, New Rochelle?

 

Also worth considering: the case of Richard Maschal, art and architecture critic for the Charlotte Observer. He discovered he had a gastric ulcer during a period of "extreme stress on the job," he says. "I didn't see eye-to-eye—actually, detested—the person who was supervising my area." And he let it drive him crazy. He became tense!

 

It's not so much the stressful event that happens to us, but how we interpret it and react or overreact to it, explains Georgianna S. Hoffmann, coordinator of the Family Stress Clinic in the Department of Family Practice at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for handling stress—and the ulcer it may be aggravating.

 

Think pleasant thoughts and talk to yourself. Maschal has a new boss, and that's helped a lot, as has the medication his doctor prescribed. But he also still catches himself heading toward tension. And only he can stop it. "Now," he says, "I take time to talk myself down."

 

Breathe slowly and deeply. Three or four deep breaths provide the most immediate feeling of calmness anywhere, anytime.

 

Exercise. "Moderate physical exercise is a very good coping mechanism," Hoffmann says.

 

Practice relaxation techniques. "When you relax the body, you relax the mind," Hoffmann says. "And when you relax the mind, you relax the body." Meditation, yoga, imagery, or listening to relaxation tapes, done regularly, are among the relaxation techniques you might want to explore.

 

Take it easy with milk. Long thought to be a great soother for a burning ulcer, milk's rebound effect is now well established. "Although it buffers acid for a while [and thus provides brief relief]," Dr. Goldschmid says, "it actually stimulates more stomach acid secretion" and causes more pain later.

 

Use over-the-counter antacids. They may not cure an ulcer, "but they are a good treatment for symptoms," says Dr. Earnest.

 

Don't take too many pain relievers. Aspirin has the bad reputation, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—which have become very popular—are at least as hard on the stomach lining as aspirin is, says Thomas Brasitus, M.D., a professor of medicine and director of gastroenterology at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

 

Don't light up. Yes, smoking even gets indicted for contributing to ulcers. Although there is no evidence that smoking causes ulcers, they are less likely to heal in smokers than nonsmokers, says Dr. Brasitus.

 

Let it out. "Some evidence suggests that people who are frustrated and don't express their feelings very well are more likely to get ulcers," says Michael Kimmey, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

 

Double your meals. Although many doctors are saying three normal-size meals are fine, some people may have less ulcer upset if they eat six smaller meals, says Dr. Brasitus. Food neutralizes stomach acid.

 

Don't pump iron. "Iron is a gastric irritant," Dr. Goldschmid says. "People who take iron supplements might have a lot of upset if they have a gastric ulcer."

 

Live by the moderation motto. Too much of one food or beverage could upset an ulcer. Alcohol, by the way, is not necessarily an irritant. "Moderate drinking probably does not increase the risk of developing new ulcers," says Dr. Kurata.

 

Give it time. Sometimes that's all you can do. "Ulcers have cycles," Dr. Brasitus says. "A lot of them will burn out within a few years."

 

Managing Compulsions and Obsessions

This page briefly describes a behavioral self-treatment program that can be used for dealing with compulsive and obsessive thoughts, urges and behavior. This approach has been shown effective in numerous studies conducted during the past twenty years for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), compulsive overeating, substance abuse, and pathological gambling. It is also thought to be helpful for compulsive sexual urges and behavior. Recent research by Schwartz and others at UCLA has demonstrated that this self-treatment program can also alter the neurochemical brain processes that seem to be associated with compulsions and obsessions. See also the page on this WEB site that deals more generally with Anxiety and the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders.

STEP 1: RELABEL

The first step is to learn to recognize your obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges as symptoms of a disorder. To do so, it is important to increase your mindful awareness of this pathological process at work. Some have referred to this awareness as the "Impartial Spectator" or the "Observing Ego", which is the capacity that resides in each of us to observe our behavior and recognize what is "real" as distinct from what is not real, or just a symptom. The capacity to distinguish between real needs and pathological symptoms allows us to fend off pathological urges until they begin to recede and fade. The goal of Step 1 is to learn to RELABEL intrusive thoughts and urges as obsessions and compulsions, and to relabel these assertively. It will serve you to refer to these urges in these terms - use the labels "obsession" and "compulsion". Train yourself to say, "I don't need or want to do this behavior; I'm merely having a thought that I need to do this." You must learn to recognize these intrusive, obsessive thoughts and urges as the symptoms of a disorder, and as such distinguish these from desires that are healthy for you to satisfy, and behaviors that will enable you to feel better over the long term. You must come to recognize these intrusive, obsessive thoughts and urges as symptoms that help keep the disorder in place. You might consider the urges you experience as similar to the irrational thoughts of the compulsive handwasher who believes that he must constantly wash his hands to be free of harmful germs and bacteria.

STEP 2: REATTRIBUTE

The essence of this step is to REATTRIBUTE your obsessive thoughts and urges to a disorder that involves the sending of false messages from your brain. It is important to not take your thoughts and urges at face value, and to remind yourself that "this is not me; this is my disorder at work." Research has demonstrated that individuals who develop obsessive-compulsive urges and behavior also tend to have certain brain areas (the caudate nucleus and associated frontal lobe structures) that are chronically overstimulated, which contributes to the intensity and urgency of obsessive-compulsive thoughts and urges. It is important to be aware of this underlying physiological process and to realize that it is impossible to make the thoughts and urges go away immediately. The important thing to realize is that you don't need to act on the urges. You don't need to listen to them. Don't take them at face value. They are false messages from the brain that are part of a disorder. The most effective thing you can do is to put the thoughts and urges aside and go on to another behavior. Do something else; trying to make the thoughts and urges go away will only create more stress, which serves to make the thoughts and urges more intense. The point is to not engage with the thoughts by either acting on them or trying to make them go away, but simply RELABEL and REATTRIBUTE them as symptoms of a disorder. Then move on to other things, as described in Step 3.

STEP 3: REFOCUS

This step involves taking action to refocus your attention to another subject. This ordinarily is the automatic work of the brain - specifically the caudate nucleus - but because the caudate nucleus is not functioning properly, this shifting of focus is something that you must do "manually". In REFOCUSING, the idea is to work around the intrusive thoughts and urges by shifting attention to something else, if only for a few minutes. This may involve making and following through with plans for the remainder of the day. It should lead to an activity that will absorb your attention, and that you will find satisfying and enjoyable. Hobbies can be particularly good. For example, you may choose to take a walk, exercise, listen to music, read, play a computer game, or practice a sport that you enjoy. The goal of treatment is to stop responding to the obsessive thoughts and urges, while acknowledging that, for the present, these uncomfortable feelings and urges will continue to bother you. You begin to "work around" them by doing another behavior. You learn that, even though the thoughts and urges are present, they do not have to control your behavior. You make the decision about what you're going to do, rather than responding to thoughts as a robot responds to commands. By REFOCUSING, you reclaim your decision-making power, and as a result the dysfunctional biochemical reverberations of the brain no longer dictate what you do.

 It is important to acknowledge that REFOCUSING is frequently not easy. It can take significant effort and even require tolerance of some very painful feelings. Therefore, it is important to observe the "Fifteen Minute Rule", which basically states that you will not act on an obsessive-compulsive thought or impulse without allowing at least 15 minutes to pass. During this 15 minutes you should work on RELABELING, REATTRIBUTING and REFOCUSING. In time, as you practice this, the process will become easier and will lead to greater reductions in the intensity of the compulsive thoughts and urges. Sometimes, however, the thoughts and urges will be too strong and you may find yourself performing the compulsion. This is not a time to berate yourself for succumbing to the obsessive-compulsive behavior. Simply acknowledge that your compulsion and disorder "won this round", and that your practice will make it more manageable the next time. It is also helpful to keep a JOURNAL of your successful REFOCUSING efforts. This will help to remind you of your successes and to identify which behaviors are most helpful to the process of refocusing. Also, as your list of successes gets longer, it will become inspirational and will be a place you can turn when the thoughts and urges "heat up." Record only your successes. There is no need to record your failures. You will be assisted by learning to give yourself a pat on the back, which is often difficult for people who experience compulsions and obsessions.

STEP 4: REVALUE

The Revaluing step comes into play after much practice of the first 3 steps. After you have had experience with relabeling, reattributing and refocusing - identifying your compulsive thoughts and urges as part of a pathological process - you will begin to REVALUE - actually put much less value on - the feelings that go along with this process. This is further assisted by two substeps to STEP 2: REATTRIBUTION: these are ANTICIPATE and ACCEPT. Anticipate means that you are prepared for the thoughts and urges to recur; you are not surprised by them, and you do not spend energy beating yourself up because you have them. You know what causes them and you work around them. You refuse to let these symptoms shock you, and you refuse to let them become a source of negativity about yourself. Obsessive thoughts and urges may occur hundreds of times each day. There is no need to dwell on them. This is where the second substep, ACCEPT, comes into play. Simply anticipate and accept that you have these thoughts and urges, and do your best to get on with other things. REFOCUSING is like a martial art, and a little like meditation. An obsessive thought or a compulsive urge is very strong, but also quite stupid. If you stand right in front of it and take the full brunt of its power, trying to drive it from your mind, it will defeat you repeatedly. Once you learn to step aside, acknowledging the thoughts as you work around them, you will find it progressively easier to move on to the next thing. You are learning to keep your wits about you in the face of a powerful opponent, an opponent that will also wither and die from your unwillingness to imbue it with attention and energy. Eventually, by taking charge of your actions, you will take charge of your mind and ultimately take charge of your life.

 

Electrical Burns -Electrical shock

Electrical Burns 

Electrical Shock, Electrocution  

Electrical burns occur when a person is directly exposed to an electrical current. Electrical burns can result from contact with either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Although some electrical burns look minor, they can cause extensive internal damage, especially to the heart, muscles, or brain.

 

Classification of Skin Burns 

Causes 

Electrical burns result from accidental contact with exposed parts of electrical appliances or wiring, such as:

 

  • Children biting on electrical cords
  • Poking utensils or other metal objects into electrical outlets or appliances, such as a plugged-in toaster
  • Failing to shut the power supply before making home repairs or installation
  • Dropping a plugged-in appliance into water
  • Occupational accidents due to, for example, electric arcs from high-voltage power lines. (Electric arcs occur when a burst of electricity jumps from one electrical conductor to another, such as flashes of electricity from the wheels of an electrically powered train or where a trolley car connects to an overhead power line.)

 

Symptoms 

 

Symptoms include:

  • Skin burns
  • Muscle contraction or pain
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness
  • Bone fractures
  • Headache
  • Sudden hearing impairment
  • Seizures
  • Heart arrhythmias
  • If you experience any of these symptoms don't assume it is due to an electrical burn. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, consult your doctor.
  • Electrical burns can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and/or unconsciousness.

Diagnosis 

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.

 

Like other burns, electrical burns have three degrees of severity, each with distinctive symptoms:

 

  • First-degree burns—injure only the outer layer of skin. They are red and painful, and may cause some swelling. The skin turns white when touched.
  • Second-degree burns—are deeper and more severe. They cause blisters and the skin is very red or splotchy. There may be more significant swelling.
  • Third-degree burns—cause damage to all layers of the skin down to the tissue underneath. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns may cause little or no pain because the nerves in the skin are destroyed.

 

It may be more difficult to diagnosis damage under the skin caused by electrocution. Test may include:

  • Electrocardiogram —to detect rhythm disturbances of the heart
  • Urine or blood tests–to check for severe damage to muscles

Treatment 

Electrical burns require an immediate call to paramedics. If possible, shut off the electrical current from its source (such as unplugging a cord or turning off the circuit breaker). Often, simply turning off the appliance itself will not stop the flow of electricity.

 

If the current can't be turned off, use a non-conducting object, such as a wooden broom, chair, rug, or rubber doormat to push the victim away from the source of the current. Don't use a wet or metal object. If possible, stand on something dry and non-conducting, such as a mat or folded newspapers.

 

Do not attempt to rescue a victim near active high-voltage lines.

 

Once the victim is free from the source of electricity, his or her airway, breathing and pulses are checked and, if necessary, cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts are started. The victim is covered with a blanket to maintain body heat and feet are raised above the head.

 

Ice, butter, or ointments, should not be applied.

 

Any patient with an electrical burn should be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Treatment will depend on the severity of the burn and any other associated complications.

Prevention 

To help reduce your chances of an electric burn, take the following steps:

  • Use child safety plugs in all outlets.
  • Keep electrical cords out of children's reach.
  • Avoid electrical hazards by following manufacturer's safety instructions when using electrical appliances. Always turn off circuit breakers before making repairs to wiring.
  • Avoid using electrical appliances while showering or wet.
  • Never touch electrical appliances while touching faucets or cold water pipes.

 

DNA Finger Printing

Unlike a conventional fingerprint that occurs only on the fingertips and can be altered by surgery, a DNA fingerprint is the same for every tissue, and organ of a person .It cannot be altered by any known treatment.


Fingerprinting with ink and paper , based on fingertip ridge patterns is the standard method for personal identification.Finger prints are constant throughout life, finger prints can be used to distinguish one person from any other. Similarly the DNA of every individual is also unique in its own way. Actually the method should be called simply DNA printing or DNA typing since it has nothing to do with the fingers.

 

The degree of variation in bands from one person to another is so large that the theoretical probability that the bands seen in one individual are present in another unrelated individual may be in millions. The advantages over finger prints are numerous. DNA can be isolated from any part of the body,skin cells, blood or blood stains or semen.

 

 

The human DNA is different from other living organisms Hence blood of an animal will have different DNA sequence and characteristics. Hence DNA fingerprinting is a very

quick way to compare the DNA sequences of any two living organisms.

However some of the disadvantages of DNA finger printing are:

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgIt requires further standardization and quality control, to be universally accepted as a tool. 

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgThere are only a few reliable labs around the world that can give accurate results

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgThere is also 1 in 50 billion chance of two DNA sequence being similar 

 

APPLICATION OF DNA FINGER PRINTING 

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgIt is

currently employed in paternity disputes

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgIdentification of bodies of soldiers killed in war. It was also used for identification of the body of Nazi physician Joseph Mengele, the so-called "Angel of Death." In fact it has been used a to reunite a kid lost in the Tsunami with his parents.

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgTo diagnose inherited disorders in both prenatal and newborn babies, like 

     a. Cystic fibrosis

     b. Sickle cell anemia

     c.Thalassemia

     d. Hemophilia

     e. Huntington's disease

     f. Alzheimer's Disease( Familial 
        Type)

     g. Huntington's Chorea

     h. Marfan's syndrome 

Many other similar disorders can be diagnosed

 

 Biological Evidence to identify criminals: Where fingerprints are not available but biological specimens are available like

blood or semen stains, hair, or items of clothing at the scene of the crime then these items may prove to be valuable sources of DNA of the criminal .Since the year 1987, innumerable cases have been solved with the help of DNA fingerprint evidence.

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Images/bullet.jpgPersonal Identification - DNA maybe the best way to identify a person as all body tissues and organs contain the same DNA type. The specimen required also is very small. In fact the US army has been doing DNA fingerprinting of  all its soldiers and has a huge databank. The DNA method for personal identification is far superior to the dental records and blood typing methods that were popularly being used.

 

natural birth control after delivery

What is the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)?

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is a natural, temporary birth control method. It is based on the natural fertility reduction that occurs in most women after giving birth. The fertility reduction usually lasts up to 6 months after a delivery.

How does LAM work?

LAM prevents ovulation. Since the ovary doesn't release an egg you cannot get pregnant.

A bit more detail. Most women after giving birth do not ovulate, and do not have menstrual periods in the months immediately after delivery [medspeak for the lack of periods: physiological amenorrhea]. This happens because the hormonal processes involved in breast milk production also affect the ovarian and the uterine (menstrual) cycles.

This is a natural process called lactational amenorrhea--breast milk production (lactation) causes the absence of menses (amenorrhea).

How do you use LAM?

If you have just given birth and would like to use LAM as your temporary method of birth control you need to observe these guidelines:

• You must breastfeed exclusively and continuously (day and night).

• You must be less than 6 months postpartum.

• You should not be menstruating (you should be amenorrheic) after the first 56 days. Bleeding or spotting during the first 56 days is not considered menstruation. However, after that, if you have two or more consecutive days of bleeding your menstrual periods have probably returned.

It is important that you follow all these guidelines to insure that you are protected against an unintended pregnancy. Because ovulation may return before the menstrual period does, simply waiting for the first menses is not reliable enough, and is risky.

How well does LAM work?

LAM is a temporary method and can only be used for up to 6 months after giving birth. The failure rate is 2% during the first 6 months after delivery, with perfect use. By 6 months after giving birth, the failure rate increases to over 5%.

The efficacy of breastfeeding decreases when:

• you start giving your baby formula or foods other than breast milk

• your menstrual periods return

• 6 months have passed since delivery

Who should use LAM?

If you are less than 6 months postpartum, and you are willing to abide by the LAM guidelines, you can use this method.

Who shouldn't use LAM?

Don't use this method if:

• You cannot or do not want to observe the associated guidelines (more than 6 months have passed since the delivery, you do not plan to breastfeed continuously and exclusively, your periods have returned).

• Your ovulation returns immediately after giving birth. In about 6% of women, ovulation returns with the first cycle after delivery, so if you are one of these women, you cannot use LAM.

What are the advantages of using LAM?

• It's naturally-occurring.

• It's immunologically and nutritionally advantageous for the newborn. Breast milk is especially beneficial for the newborn because it allows passage of antibodies (infection-fighting agents) from the mother to the baby. This gives the baby greater protection against certain types of infections.

• There's minimal user involvement (other then continuously breastfeeding, of course).

And the disadvantages of using LAM?

• It's a restricted and temporary method. LAM can only be used by women who have just given birth.

• Breastfeeding continuously and exclusively may be difficult and/or impractical.

• You must be willing to adhere to a healthy diet regimen and you might not be able to take certain medications. Because most of the substances you ingest are passed to the baby in the breast milk, you have to carefully monitor what you eat and drink, and what medications you take. [If you need to take a medication on a regular basis, don't just discontinue the medication on your own; please consult with your doctor first.]

• It's difficult to tell when breastfeeding no longer provides effective birth control. Because each woman is different, it is hard to determine exactly when your fertility returns after giving birth.

• The natural reduction in fertility is not seen in all women who have given birth. Although the fertility reduction in breastfeeding women is a natural process, some women will begin to ovulate almost immediately after a delivery. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict who will have a reduction in fertility, and who will not..

Like most of the other methods of birth control, LAM does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

When does fertility return?

The return to fertility is hard to predict. In general, once you start having menstrual periods (approximately 6 months postpartum), you're fertile.

The problem is the menstrual period is not a very accurate indicator of fertility: it's possible to ovulate before menstruation returns. Once the mature egg is released from the ovary, you can become pregnant, period or no period. Moreover, even the 6 months interval isn't absolute--ovulation can return with the first cycle after delivery..

Bottom line: If you're breastfeeding and sexually active, it's best to use a birth control method. Set some time aside to discuss with your Ob/Gyn which method would best suit you. Last, but not least, LAM works best if you observe the guidelines.

Bananas: Natural Weight-Loss Food

Natural Weight-Loss Food: Bananas

Bananas come in their own perfect package, so there's no mess, no fuss -- they're the perfect take-along snack. No wonder they're one of the most popular fruits in the United States . Admittedly higher in calories than most other fruits, their calories are nearly fat-free calories.

Bananas are ideal for people looking to lose or maintain weight through sound nutrition, while also giving the body sustenance for daily strength and fitness. Bananas offer the body carbohydrates -- its main source of energy -- and provide a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and fiber. Bananas offer an amazing fat-free package of natural energy, minerals, vitamins, and fiber.

Health Benefits

Bananas are loaded with potassium, and researchers state that adding potassium may play a stronger role in the control of high blood pressure than restricting salt. Bananas also have a lot of magnesium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure levels in check.

Generally, fruit is a poor source of vitamin B6, but bananas are the exception; a single serving has more than 30 percent of the recommended daily amount. Vitamin B6 helps to keep your immune system performing at its peak, and recent studies have found that, like a deficiency of folic acid, a long-term deficiency of vitamin B6 may increase your risk of heart disease.

Selection and Storage

There are different types of bananas, but Cavendish, the yellow bananas, are the most familiar. To appeal to a variety of cultures, supermarkets sometimes stock red bananas and plantains -- those seemingly underripe bananas that never lose their mossy green color.

Most bananas ripen after picking, and as they do, the starch in them turns to sugar. So the riper they are, the sweeter they are.

 Look for plump, firm bananas with no bruises or split skins. Brown spots are a sign of ripening. If your banana skins are tinged with green, allow them to ripen at room temperature (don't refrigerate unripe bananas; they'll never ripen); refrigerate them once they are ripe to stop the process. They'll turn an unsightly, but harmless, black color.

Nutritional Values

Banana, Yellow
Serving Size: 1 (7-8") banana
Calories: 105
Fat: 1 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 27 g
Protein : 1 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Sodium: 1 mg
Vitamin C: 10 mg
Vitamin B6: 1 mg
Magnesium: 33 mg
Manganese: 1 mg
Potassium: 422 mg

 

Natural therapy for heart vain opening

For Heart Vein opening  

 

1)                  Lemon juice         01 cup

2)                  Ginger juice         01 cup

3)                  Garlic  juice          01 cup

4)                  Apple vinegar      01 cup

 

Mix all above and boil in light flame approximately half

hour, when it becomes 3 cups, take it out and keep it

for cooling. After cooling, mix 3 cups of natural honey

and keep it in bottle.

 

Every morning before breakfast use one Table spoon

regularly. Yourblockage of Vein's will open

(No need any Angiography or By pass)

 



 



This is e-mail received from a person working in a Software Company

Dear colleagues, I am working in Blore Software City ..... I wanted to share an incident of my life with you, hoping that it may be an eye opener to you so that you can live more years.

 

On 27th October afternoon, I had severe heart attack symptom and I was rushed to the hospital.

 

After reaching to the hospital, the doctors prescribed a test called angiogram. This test is basically to identify blood flow of heart arteries. When they finished the test they found a 94% block in the main artery, please see the image below with red circle.

 

 

At this point, I wanted to share my living style, which has caused this block in my heart arteries. Please see the below points of my life style, if any of these points are part of your life style then you are at risk, please change yourselves.

 

1. I was not doing any physical exercise for more than 10 years , not even walking 30 minutes a day for years.

2.     My food timings are 11:00 AM Breakfast or no Breakfast, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Lunch and dinner at 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

3.     Sleeping in very odd timings, going to bed between 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM. Waking up at between 9:00 AM and 10:30AM ........ Some times spending sleepless nights.

4.     I used to eat heavily because of long gaps between lunch and dinner and I used to make sure that Non-Veg is available most of the time, there were times when I did survey on city hotels to find delicious Non-Veg dishes. I was never interested in vegetable and healthier food.

5.     Above all I was chain smoker from years.

6.     My father passed away due to heart problems, and the doctors say the heart problems are usually genetic.


Once they identified the major block they have done immediately a procedure called angioplasty along with 2 Stints, mean they will insert a foreign body into the heart arteries and open the blocked area of arteries. Please see the below image after the procedure.

 



 



 

I learnt from the doctors that 60% people will die before reaching the hospital,20% people will die in the process of recovering from heart attack and only 20% will survive .. In my case, I was very lucky to be part of the last 20%.

Doctors instructions:

1. Need to have physical exercise for minimum of 45 minutes daily.
2. Eat your food at perfect timings,like how you eat during your school days. Eat in small quantities more times and have lot of vegetables and boiled food, try to avoid fry items and oily food. Fish is good than other non-vegetarian food.
3. Sleep for 8 hours a day, this count should complete before sun rising.
4. Stop smoking.
5. Genetic problems, we cannot avoid but we can get away from it by having regular checkups.

6.Find a way to get relived from the stress (Yoga, Meditation etc).

 

So I urge you all to please avoid getting into this situation, it is in your hands to turn the situation up side down, by just planning / changing your life style, by following simple  points above.