OTC drugs risky for children

As the seasons change and parents reach for over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicine for their icky-feeling children, they may be baffled by the new instructions: Do not give them to children under 4. Drug companies in the US recently announced that they are voluntarily changing the labels for OTC cold and cough medicines, in a nod to paediatricians arguing they do little good and aren’t worth the risks.

So now what?

“I just want my children to be comforted, to sleep well at night and get over it,” says Ray Alyssa Rothman, a mother of three—the oldest is 4.

Brad Weselman of Kids Health First Pediatric Alliance says: “We know parents want to give their kids something when they are miserable. But the benefits don’t balance the side effects.” Some medications can make children excessively groggy, making it difficult for them to concentrate in school, he says. Others, he adds, can leave a child “wired” and increase the heart rate. Instead, Dr Weselman suggests treating children with saline drops, warm apple juice and gargling with salt water.

Warning labels

The new labels are being brought in after a study found that at least 7,000 children are rushed to emergency rooms every year because of adverse reactions to OTC cough and cold medicines. Most cases are of children overdosing when parents aren’t around, according to the study published in the April issue of Pediatrics—the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Meanwhile, the US food and drug administration (FDA) has already recommended OTC remedies not be used for children under 2, and is studying effectiveness in children under 12 to decide whether to restrict further. The FDA has also expressed support for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s move to voluntarily change the labels to discourage use for children under 4.

A pill too many

Doctors say parents often run into trouble when they give their child multiple medications. For example, a parent may give a child a multi-symptom cold medicine as well as Tylenol, not realizing they are essentially administering a double dose of acetaminophen, also called paracetamol (brand names, Crocin and Calpol in India). Still, doctors say the latest change doesn’t mean you have to take paracetamol and ibuprofen off the table (in India, Combiflam includes both paracetamol and ibuprofen). Doctors say they are still an approved, fever-reducing measure and considered safe—as long as they are administered appropriately.

Natural remedies

Rothman says she turns to several natural remedies to combat colds, including liquid vitamin C, vitamin-rich kiwi fruit, extra rest and saline drops.

But she also keeps OTC medicines at hand. “I don’t think it’s an abuse to have them,” she says. “I think it’s good to have (OTC medicines) when you have a child with a really bad cough, and you don’t want it to get worse.” She keeps laminated information about proper dosage of medicine for children in her pantry. Her family keeps a log any time her child is given any medication. Still, she says, the change in labels and questions about OTC medications have given her pause. She will now “think twice and use less”.

Alternatives to OTC cold medicines

• Saline nose spray can help alleviate stuffy noses

• A humidifier can help moisturize nasal passages

• Offer plenty of fluids. Any warm liquid—apple juice, even water—can help relieve congestion and soothe throats (avoid any citrus juice because it can irritate the throat)

• Plenty of rest (naps or lounging) is key to recovery

• Popsicles can soothe throats and provide a source of liquid

• Hot or cold packs for congested sinuses (avoid hot packs if the child is running a fever)

• Gargling with warm salt water can bring temporary relief to a sore throat, but practise with plain water to make sure your child can gargle

• The heavy syrup from canned fruit or sweets can help soothe sore throats (honey is often recommended but doctors say it puts children under 2 at risk of infant botulism, a rare type of food poisoning only affecting little ones)

• Chicken soup (limit salt as that can cause dehydration)

 

Why running can boost a company's bottomline

You’re kidding me! Are you saying that if I start running, my organization is likely to have a healthier bottom line? That’s the most outrageous sales line I’ve heard!”

Now that you have said that out loud, and got it off your chest, I would urge you to read on.

You know what you pay your employees, but do you know how much your employees cost you?

Here are a few simple questions that I ask the CEOs and HR heads of MNCs and start-ups whom I meet in the course of work:

The tangibles: around 5+% of your wage bill

• How many days on an average do your employees take leave due to coughs, colds, flu? The answer—after a few “hmmms”—has varied from four-six days (with two bad spells in a year)

• Before the employees go on leave, is it safe to say that their productivity has been down for around half a day? Well, that adds up to one more workday lost

• What about migraines, backaches, spondylosis and various other aches and pains? Another day? Perhaps

• Also, about 1% would have been down for 10-15 days with a severe illness

Eight days and counting

India is the cardiac, diabetic and hypertension capital of the world. Studies show that by 2010, 60% of the world’s coronary patients will be in India.

•How many people in your organization are stressed, have high BP, or basic coronary issues such as cholesterol? Perhaps all, but each to a varying degree. Okay—so what percentage of your employees of any age have been hospitalized in the last year? Perhaps 1%

 

•Diabetes? Probably similar

• So, 2% down (for an average of around a month in all) on the above two counts—and that’s a very conservative figure

That’s half a workday lost per employee

What is the impact on the team as a whole? With an average team size of four, it is a conservative estimate to arrive at a 10% impact on each team member’s productivity for each day’s absence.

Team impact: 8½ days x 4 people x 10% = 3.5 days

The intangibles: around 10+% of your wage bill

How’s the morale at your organization these days? How much time in the last week were you a bit switched off work, during a time when you shouldn’t have been? 5%? 10%? Or are these numbers a bit conservative?

Any disgruntled employees taking poor decisions and not caring about the fallout? Do you think you have even one of them in your entire team? That could be a major cost! And what do you think is the knock-on effect on the rest of the team?

How is all this affecting delivery schedules and quality control? Have you had issues with customers in the last six months on these counts? How much of it was due to absenteeism or attitudinal issues such as those mentioned above? Add that to your costs. Are people taking risks like you want them to? Are they optimistic and self-confident? Are they persevering? What are the losses or the opportunity costs on these counts?

These are all more difficult to measure, but they have an impact far greater than the tangible costs.

If you add the allocated costs of real estate and administration, you have a huge figure to look at. Mindboggling, isn’t it? And no, this is not a juggling of numbers.

Are you measuring these costs in some way? If not, estimate these realistically and set in place a periodic pulse check within your organization.

Many of my previous columns have focused on how running impacts each employee, the team and the organization in terms of their health, perseverance, self-confidence and optimism. If you make a start with sports, this could spread through your organization. Leading organizations around the world are looking at running to work tangentially across their teams. And this is why and how it helps your company’s bottom line, by boosting health and attitude across the board.

 

Top Five Cancer Causing Foods

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs

Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. Processed meats and bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts

Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French fries

Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies

All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

 

Weed out aerobics accessories, pull on gardening gloves

When the late Sarla Bhargava, founder member of the Kitchen Gardens Association of India started this unique organization, she just wanted to grow a healthy plateful. “But early on in her 40 years of association (with it), she came to the conclusion that gardening—the thrill of growing beauty and the taste of fresh produce—translates into tangible happiness. And this she equated to health,” says her daughter Pratima Jhingan, who is based in Delhi and is also an active gardener. Bhargava’s view is now endorsed by health experts, who advocate gardening because there is nothing healthier than working up a good sweat in the dirt.

Gardening provides the regular physical exercise required for prevention of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. It is an effective workout for arthritis sufferers as it works the back, shoulders, arms, fingers and legs.

Get a better workout

Green Gym, a UK-based movement, encourages people to keep fit by working outdoors even as they improve their local environment. When researchers from Green Gym tested a 40-year-old woman, they found that she burnt 30% more calories (392kcal in all) working outdoors than she did in a step aerobics class.

Both activities lasted 1 hour, but the time she spent in her training heart rate zone (this elevated heart rate from exercise improves cardio fitness) was nearly double while gardening—44 minutes versus 24.

Make bones strong

One new study says gardening can give you the biggest bang for your exercise buck in preventing osteoporosis.

Pushing a lawnmower, raking leaves, and lifting a wheelbarrow full of weeds are great weight-bearing exercises. Researchers at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, US, found that women 50 years and older who were active in their gardens had higher bone density readings than those who swam, did aerobics, danced or jogged. And it works across gender, it seems.

Satish Mathur, 68, former director of the horticulture department at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi, says he owes his good health to time in the garden. “I have been hands-on in the garden for the last 49 years and I believe that my joints are healthy today only because of all that bending, cleaning, picking up,” he says. “Tilling, planting, weeding—all get your heart pumping. Today all that hard work is paying up as I stay fit as a fiddle.”

 

Natural Weight-Loss Foods: Onions

Whether cooked or raw, onions add enormous flavor to a variety of healthy dishes, so they are a crucial ingredient to have around the house to make figure-friendly meals in your own kitchen every night.

The onion is a member of the allium family, which, as your nose will tell you, also includes garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives. Egyptians worshiped the onion's many layers as a symbol of eternity. Today, the onion can be one of the most useful and flavorful ingredients in creating low-calorie, healthful dishes.

Health Benefits

Dry onions are a surprising source of fiber and a rich source of healthy sulfur compounds, similar to those found in garlic. Research on onions has lagged behind garlic research, but onions appear to have similar cardiovascular benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, at least in the short term.

Nutritional Values Onion, Dry Serving Size: 1/2 cup chopped Calories: 46 Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Saturated Fat: 0 g Carbohydrate: 11 g Protein: 1 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Sodium: 3 mg Vitamin C: 6 mg Vitamin B6: <1 mg Green Onion, Fresh Serving Serving Size: 1/2 cup chopped (stalks and bulbs) Calories: 16 Fat: 0 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Carbohydrate: 4 g Protein: 1 g Dietary Fiber: 1 g Sodium: 8 mg Vitamin A: 498 IU Vitamin C: 10 mg Iron: 1 mg Carotenoids: 867 mcg

Onions also contain phytochemicals called flavonoids, which help vitamin C in its function, improving the integrity of blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. All this spells help for your cardiovascular system. One particular flavonoid, quercetin, may inhibit tumor growth and help keep colon cancer at bay.

In addition, a newly identified compound appears to rival the prescription drug Fosamax in inhibiting bone loss in menopausal women.

Onions also contain vitamin C and chromium. Chromium is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin, ultimately assisting with blood glucose control. Green onions, because of their bright green tops, provide a wealth of vitamin A.

Selection and Storage

Dry onions are any common onion (yellow, white, or red) that does not require refrigeration. This distinguishes them from green onions, which will perish quickly when stored at room temperature.

Dry onions come in various shapes and colors, none of which is a reliable indicator of taste or strength. The white, or yellow globe, onion keeps its pungent flavor when cooked. All-purpose white or yellow onions are milder. Sweet onions, such as Bermuda , Spanish, and Italian, are the mildest.

Choose firm dry onions with shiny, tissue-thin skins. "Necks" should be tight and dry. If they look too dry or discolored or have soft, wet spots, don't buy them; they aren't fresh.

Dry onions keep three to four weeks if stored in a dry, dark, cool location. Don't store them next to potatoes, which give off a gas that'll cause onions to decay. Light turns onions bitter. A cut onion should be wrapped in plastic, refrigerated, and used within a day or two.

Green onions, also called "spring" onions because that's the time of the year when they are harvested, have small white bulbs and are topped by thin green stalks. Though they are often sold as scallions, true scallions are just straight green stalks with no bulb. Look for green onions with crisp, not wilted, tops. For pungent taste, choose fatter bulbs; for a sweeter taste, smaller bulbs are your best bet. Green onions must be refrigerated. They keep best in an open plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.

Top 10 Brain Damaging Habits

1. No Breakfast

People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating

It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking

It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption

Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution

The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping

Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness

Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts

Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely

Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

 

What is a Premature Birth?

What is a Premature Birth?

Health care providers consider labor to be preterm if it starts before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Because a fetus is not fully grown at 37 weeks, and it may not be able to survive outside the womb, health care providers will often take steps to stop labor if it starts before this time. Common methods for trying to stop labor include bed rest and medications that relax the muscles in the uterus involved with labor and delivery.

A premature birth is also called a preterm labor.

 

Symptoms of a Premature Birth?

Some of the common symptoms of a premature birth are:

• Contractions every 10 minutes or more often (they don't have to be painful)
• Clear, pink or brownish fluid (water) leaking from your vagina
• Pelvic pressure—the feeling that your baby is pushing down
• Low, dull backache
• Cramps that feel like your period
• Abdominal cramps, with or without diarrhea

 

If you believe you are about to give birth to a premature child, call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately.

 

Complications of a Premature Birth?

Premature infants face a number of health challenges. Some of the common health challenges include low birth weight, breathing problems, and underdeveloped organs and organ systems. Many infants that are born prematurely need to stay in the hospital until their health is stable, sometimes several weeks or more.

 

Breathing Difficulty of a Premature Baby

Premature babies usually will cry only softly, if at all, and may have trouble breathing. They have trouble breathing because her respiratory system is not fully developed. If the baby is more than two months early, its breathing difficulties can cause serious health problems, because the other organs in her body may not get enough oxygen. If the baby needs help breathing, it may be given extra oxygen, or special equipment may be used temporarily to do some of her breathing for her.

 

Characteristics of Premature Babies

A baby that is born prematurely may neither look nor behave like a full-term infant. While the average full-term baby weighs about 7 pounds at birth, a premature newborn might weigh 5 pounds or even less. The earlier the baby arrives, the smaller the baby will be, the larger her head will seem in relation to the rest of her body, and the less fat she will have.

After a quick examination in the delivery room, the baby will probably be moved to a special-care nursery.

 

Top 8 causes of Liver Damage

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

 

Natural Weight-Loss Food: Mangoes

Anyone wanting to lose weight will be sweet on mangoes. This versatile fruit is packed with nutrients, so you can eat less per meal and still meet the daily requirements for nutrition. Mangoes are also famous for their fleshy, stringy fruit, which is full of fiber and is a snack guaranteed to keep your raging appetite satiated until dinnertime.

This "fruit of India ," as it is sometimes called, is unique in its wealth of nutrients and richness of flavor. Its pungent flavor is loved by most but may be an acquired taste for some. It delivers a great one-two nutrition punch.

Health Benefits

Nutritional Values Mango Serving Size: 1/2 cup Calories: 54 Fat: 0 g Saturated Fat: <1 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Carbohydrate: 14 g Protein: <1 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Sodium: 2 mg Vitamin A: 631 IU Niacin: <1 mg Riboflavin: <1 mg Thiamin: <1 mg Vitamin B6: <1 mg Vitamin C: 23 mg Calcium: 8 mg Magnesium: 7 mg Potassium: 129 mg Carotenoids: 381 mcg

If you're limiting your calorie intake, eating concentrated sources of nutrients makes sense. And mangoes deliver. Mangoes are a superior source of beta-carotene. In fact, they are one of the top beta-carotene providers you can eat. Consuming large amounts of this antioxidant has been linked to a reduced risk of some forms of cancers.

Mangoes are rich in another carotenoid called lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant. Lycopene works to protect cells and suppress tumor growth.

Just one mango provides almost an entire day's worth of vitamin C. Unlike many other fruits, mangoes contribute several B vitamins and the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Selection and Storage

There are hundreds of varieties of mangoes in every shape, size, and color. The color of mangoes ranges from yellow to red and will deepen as the fruit ripens, though some green may remain even in perfectly ripened fruits. When ripe, a mango has a sweet, perfumey smell. If it has a fermented aroma, then it's past its prime. Choose mangoes that feel firm, but yield to slight pressure. The skin should be unbroken, and the color should have begun to change from green to yellow, orange, or red. Though it's normal for mangoes to have some black spots, avoid those mottled with too many. It's a sign the fruit is overripe. Ditto for loose or shriveled skin. If you bring home a mango that isn't ripe, you can speed the process by placing it in a paper bag with a ripe mango. Check daily to avoid over-ripening.

 

Dengue Fever Remedy !

Dengue Fever Remedy

I would like to share this interesting discovery from a classmate's son who has just recovered from dengue fever. Apparently, his son was in the critical stage at the ICU when his blood platelet count drops to 15 after 15 liters of blood transfusion.

His father was so worried that he seeks another friend's recommendation and his son was saved. He confessed to me that he gave his son raw juice of the papaya leaves. From a platelet count of 45 after 20 liters of blood transfusion, and after drinking the raw papaya leaf juice, his platelet count jumps instantly to 135. Even the doctors and nurses were surprised. After the second day he was discharged. So he asked me to pass this good news around.

Accordingly it is raw papaya leaves, 2pcs just cleaned and pound and squeeze with filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. So two tablespoon per serving once a day. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, it will loose its strength. Only the leafy part and no stem or sap. It is very bitter and you have to swallow it like "Won Low Kat". But it works.

Skin Care Treatment with FOODS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

Your skin care treatment for your skin problems lies in your kitchen. Use natural skin care treatment and remedies. Why waste money on skin care products. They actually harm your skin.

Almond Oil

Almond oil is good for dryness of the skin and for removing scars of old pimples. Ground the outer cover of 3-5 almonds in with water and apply over the face daily.

Apples

Apply or drink juice of pineapple for body and facial pains.

Apply juice of green apples for fine wrinkles, cracked skin, itching and inflammations.

Apricots

Apply fresh juice of apricots on face good for sunburn, itching, and eczema.

Bengal Gram Flour

Apply a paste of Bengal Gram flour with yogurt for the treatment of pimples and other skin allergies.

Apply green gram flour mixed in water or glycerine for improving complexion.

Cucumber

Apply cucumber juice or grated cucumber or cucumber juice mixed with juices of carrot, lettuce or alfalfa over the face for skin eruptions.

Drumsticks

Apply a paste of ground drumstick pods and leaves with fresh lime juice for the treatment of pimples, black spots and blackheads.

Fenugreek

Apply a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves in water over the face every night and washed with warm water in the morning for preventing pimples, blackheads, dryness, and wrinkles.

Apply a decoction on the face, made by boiling 1 tsp fenugreek seeds in 1 liter water for a few of minutes for preventing pimples, blackheads, dryness, and wrinkles.

Garlic

Rub raw garlic on the face for persistent pimples. The pimples will disappear without scars with repeated applications.

Mix 3-4 raw, skinned garlic, finely cut garlic with puffed rice, and swallow with water to clear skin infections quickly.

Peanut Oil

Mix 1 tsp peanut oil with 1 tsp fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .

Honey

Apply honey (1 tsp) mixed with water for all skin blemishes. This will turn your skin glowing.

Apply honey mixed with milk, yogurt, and ground sesame seeds in equal proportions for fair complexion and lovely skin.

Lime Juice

Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for pimples blackheads, and cracked skin.

Mangoes

Boil mangoes leaves and skin in water and apply for skin infection.

Mint

Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

Neem Leaves

Swallow 10 fresh ground neem leaves with water to clear the skin.

Chew fresh neem leaves and then swallow with water to remove bad odor from the mouth.

Orange

Apply a paste of ground orange peel (dried) with water for acne/pimples.

Papaya or Paw Paw

Apply and drink the juice of raw papaya including the skin and seed for treatment of swelling pimples, acne, or any abnormal growth of the skin. It also removes whiteheads, boils, and spots.

Rub raw or ripe papaya on your face to get a smooth and glowing skin.

Pineapples

Apply or drink juice of pineapple for body and facial pains.

For removing fine wrinkles, rub the core of pineapple for a few minutes and leave for 15 minutes

Apply juice of pineapples for fine wrinkles, cracked skin, itching and inflammations.

Pomegranate

Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.

Potatoes

Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.

Radish

Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.

Apply grated white radish or its juice for fairer complexion.

Rice

Apply a paste of rice powder with water as a poultice for soothing bleeding pimples and skin inflammations.

Sesame Seeds

Apply a paste of ground sesame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples.

Tomatoes

Apply red tomatoes pulp on your face for treatment of pimples for 1 hour, then wash thoroughly.

Turmeric

Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes.

Apply a paste of turmeric powder with gram flour or whole wheat flour for minor skin blemishes.

Apply a paste of turmeric powder with sugarcane juice to remove wrinkles and to prevent skin ageing.

Wheat Flour

Apply a paste of whole wheat flour with vinegar to remove dark spots.

Yogurt

Apply a paste of yogurt with wheat flour as a cleanser.

 

25 Tips for a Healthy Heart

How to Keep Teeth White Naturally

There are many effective methods of teeth whitening available, but some come with heavy price tags. Here are some steps you can take at home to whiten teeth naturally without breaking the bank.

Things You'll Need:

• Straw
• Toothbrush
• Lemon Juice
• Salt
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Strawberries

Step 1:
Limit your consumption of drinks that stain tooth enamel. A few of these include coffee, tea and red wine. If you simply can't cut back on these beverages, consider drinking them though a straw to limit the amount of liquid that actually comes in contact with teeth.

Step 2:
Brush your teeth immediately after eating, especially if eating foods that stain easily, such as berries.

Step 3:
Rub raw strawberries on your teeth, preferably pureed. There is an enzyme in strawberries that acts as a whitening agent. You'll want to brush and rinse after applying the strawberries to remove the natural sugars and acids they may leave behind.

Step 4:
Eat crunchy foods that require a lot of chewing such as carrots, celery, broccoli and apples. These foods are abrasive and will remove built up plaque, which dulls the appearance of teeth.

Step 5:
Dip your toothbrush directly into baking soda and brush. The results are worth the lousy taste.

Step 6:
Combine lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt to make a paste-like substance. Brush your teeth and rinse. Again, not so pleasant on the palate, but your teeth will thank you.

Step 7:
Use hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth. Dip your toothbrush into a small capful of the peroxide and brush as you would with regular toothpaste, being careful not to swallow. Rinse with water.

- Tips -

• Consider using one of the several whitening toothpastes on the market that have all-natural ingredients.
• Brushing after every meal and flossing regularly are the first steps in maintaining a healthy smile.

 

Chronic and Acute Illness

What is a chronic illness?

There are 2 main types of illness: acute and chronic. An acute illness doesn't last very long. It goes away either on its own or in response to treatment, such as taking medicine or having surgery. Strep throat is an example of an acute illness.

A chronic illness is ongoing. It affects your health over a long period of time--possibly your entire life. In many cases, there is no way to cure a chronic illness. Diabetes and high blood pressure are examples of chronic illnesses.

What can I do if I have a chronic illness?

It's important to understand that your chronic illness is a serious problem. If you don't believe this, you'll never be motivated to manage your illness effectively. Managing your illness involves making lifestyle choices and using prescribed medical treatments to be as healthy as possible. Unless you take care of your body, your chronic illness can cause more problems in the future.

When you have a chronic health problem, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, as if the illness has taken over your life. For example, you may need to take daily insulin injections, use an inhaler or monitor your blood pressure. However, you can take steps to control the negative effects of a chronic illness on your health. One method of taking control is called "self-management."

What is self-management of chronic illness?

Self-management of chronic illness means that you take responsibility for doing what it takes to manage your illness effectively. It's important for you to be responsible for your health because the treatment recommendations your doctor makes won't do any good unless you follow them. He or she can't make decisions for you or make you change your behavior. Only you can do these things.

In self-management, you and your doctor are partners in care. Your doctor can provide valuable advice and information to help you deal with your illness. However, the treatment plan that works best for one person with your condition won't necessarily work best for you. Talk to your doctor about the different treatment options available and help him or her create a plan that's right for you. After all, nobody knows more than you do about your feelings, your actions and how your health problems affect you.

As part of self-management, it's also your responsibility to ask for the help you need to deal with your illness. This support can come from friends and family members, as well as from your doctor or a support group for people with your health problem.

How can self-management help a person who has a chronic illness?

Once you've decided to take an active role in managing your illness, you and your doctor can work together to set goals that will lead to better health. These goals will be part of an overall treatment plan.

Pick a problem. Take an honest look at the unhealthy aspects of your lifestyle. Start with a particular behavior that you'd like to change in order to have better control of your illness. For example, you might decide that you don't eat enough vegetables, get enough exercise or take your medicines as your doctor tells you to.

Get specific. Once you've identified a problem, state a specific goal for dealing with it. The more specific your goal is, the more likely you are to succeed. For example, instead of saying, "I'm going to exercise more," decide what kind of exercise you'll do. Be specific about what days of the week you'll exercise and what times you'll exercise on those days. Your new goal might be: "During my lunch hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I'm going to walk 1 mile in the park."

Plan ahead. After you've stated your goal, think of things that could go wrong and plan how you'll deal with them. For example, if it rains and you can't go to the park, where will you go to walk? If you plan how to handle problems in advance, they won't prevent you from meeting your goals.

Check your confidence level. Ask yourself, "How confident am I that I'll be able to meet this goal?" If the answer is "Not very confident," you may need to start with a more realistic goal.

Follow up. As you're working toward your goal, check in regularly with your doctor to let him or her know how you're doing. If you're having trouble following the plan, talk to your doctor to figure out why. Your setbacks can be learning experiences that help you make a new plan for success.

One of the most important things to remember is that you can change your behavior. Even though your illness makes you feel helpless at times, if you work with your doctor to set goals and you take responsibility for following through with them, you can make changes that will lead to better health.

 

Natural Home remedies for the treatment of Dengue fever

Traditional natural home remedy for dengue fever - Normal dengue fever is not that dangerous. The symptom-based treatment should be resorted to i.e., wet pads could be used if the temperature is high. Antidotes could be administered as per the necessity. Pain-killers should not be given to the patient of hemorrhagic dengue. Pain-killers tend to increase hemorrhage. Maintaining the water balance of the body and controlling the blood pressure of the patient is also necessary.

How to get rid of dengue fever - Getting rid of dengue fever

Simple home remedy for dengue fever - Dhatura is the Ayurvedic version of the homeopathic the  belladonna. Its leaves have potency in reducing the seriousness of the dengue fevers. However, the dosage must not exceed 2 decigrams, or it will lead to severe negative symptoms like dryness of the mouth and dilation of the pupils.

Homemade recipes for dengue fever

Good home remedy for dengue fever - The orange juice helps with digestion, increased urinary output, promotes antibodies for faster healing  and recovery. It gives energy and vitamins, over all a great source for fighting fevers.

Effective home remedy for dengue fever - The raw papaya leaves, 2pcs just cleaned and pound and squeeze with filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. So two tablespoon per serving once a day. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, it will loose its strength. This will prevent dengue fever.

The affected person is treated with Paracetamol to bring down the fever.

Diet tips for Dengue fever

Porridge and baked toasts (not fried) can be had for allaying hungers in the course of the day. Biscuits with tea can be had. The tea must be herbal, with tulsi, ginger, cardamom and other such fever-reducing herbs in it.

 

Good Reasons to Eat An Apple a Day

·         While counting an apple as part of the recommended 2 to 4 fruit servings a day, you may also want to keep the following in mind:

·         Apples are rich in iron and phosphorus, two minerals that are good for the brain, liver, and bowels.

·         One of the most beneficial parts of an apple is its acid content, both the malic and tartaric acids. These acids not only make the fruit itself digestible, but also assist in the digestion of other foods. Apples help regulate the digestive system and can aid in the cure and prevention of constipation. They also help neutralize the effects of rich, fatty foods.

·         For constipation, try eating a ripe, juicy, preferably sour apple before bedtime every night.

·         When peeled and grated, the apple relieves flatulence and diarrhea.

·         The apple is also good for the teeth. The juice is cleansing, and the flesh is hard enough to help rid the teeth of plaque.

·         It is believed that unsweetened apple cider can be used as a preventative against gout and rheumatism.

·         Apples are thought to help with memory loss. Eating an apple a day, with one teaspoon of honey and one cup of milk, is recommended in the treatment for loss of memory and mental irritability.

·         Other Useful Tips For Apple Usage: An apple in a sack of potatoes will prevent the potatoes from sprouting. • An apple placed in a container with brown sugar will help keep the sugar moist. • An apple in the cookie jar will keep cookies moist. • Add lemon juice to an apple recipe if the apples lack tartness.

 

Bread Helps Your Blood Pressure

Here's some news to make your heart sing: When you pick the right bread, your blood pressure wins!

Three grains recently tested had blood pressure benefits: whole wheat, barley, and brown rice. Look for them in whole-grain breads, cereals, and other grain-based goodies.

The Whole Story

In a study, all three grains were good for lowering blood pressure in middle-aged people with mildly high cholesterol and prehypertension. How? Chalk up another one for fiber. Both the soluble and insoluble fiber in grains reduce blood pressure -- and soluble fiber takes a bite out of cholesterol, too. High cholesterol and high blood pressure often occur together, and the combo is doubly dangerous for your heart and blood vessels.

 

Eat A Banana for What Ails You

1.       Forget the three cups of coffee or chocolate bar. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

2.       Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. And research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

3.       Yet, energy isn't the only way a banana can help you keep fit. Eating bananas can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, when added to your daily diet.

4.       Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

5.       Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem naturally without the use of laxatives.

6.       Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

7.       Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body. When suffering from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

8.       High Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

9.       Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

10.   Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins, which help calm the nervous system.

11.   PMS: The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

12.   Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

13.   Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

 

Summertime Remedies

Bug Bite?

Regular flavored toothpaste, when applied to an insect bite (especially fire ant bites) will immediately relieve itching.

Or

Make an "X" with your fingernail on the bite. It helps alleviate the need to itch.

Poison Ivy

Witch hazel applied to the affected area soothes the itching.

Instant tea helps dry the poison ivy. Add one 8-oz. Jar of the tea to warm bath water and soak for 15 minutes. The tannic acid soothes and dries the poison ivy.

Bee Sting

Place a penny on the sting and hold it on for at least 5 minutes. It will relieve the pain.

Splinters

Place a fresh onion or tomato on a deeply embedded splinter. Leave it on for 10 minutes. You may have to repeat, however, it should help draw the splinter to the skin surface so you can use tweezers to pull it out.

Another remedy involves glue. Pour a drop of glue over the splinter, let dry, and then peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

 

Coffee Versus Tea:

Many people just can't function without either their morning cup of coffee or tea. We are all busy, and a lot of us are overloaded with work. Managing a family and at the same time juggling a packed schedule can prove to be a daunting task. Under such circumstances, a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea is the best thing to keep you going.

Yet the caffeine in both tea and coffee makes many believe that these drinks are unhealthy. But what many people don't realize is that caffeine, that magical element in coffee that shakes you up and wakes you up, is present in its sister beverage, tea. In addition to that jolt of caffeine, both coffee and tea can provide a boost to the immune system and helping to fight disease. Here's a quick look at a few of the health benefits coffee and tea have to offer.

Coffee

Both caffeinated and decaf coffee contain antioxidants and other substances that may help regulate blood sugar, possibly leading to a reduced risk of diabetes, according to some studies. There's also evidence that coffee can help manage headaches, boost mood, and even prevent cavities.

Tea

Some studies suggest that habitual tea drinkers' enjoy a reduced risk of developing some forms of cancer risk, stemming from tea's high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect the cells from free radical damage and work to prevent and fight diseases. Tea is also believed to protect the heart by relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting clots, and reducing cholesterol levels.

Too Much of a Good Drink?

Of course moderation in anyone's diet is the key to better health. So how many cups are too much? This seems to still be out for consensus, however, some studies and research have revealed that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day could increase heart problems.

Consuming too much caffeine can also speed bone loss, and it might reduce birth weight and raise the risk of miscarriage.

So enjoy your cup of favorite tea or coffee but do so in moderation!