Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Yoga can reduce chronic pain, study finds
A small Canadian study announced July 27 found that practicing yoga twice weekly for eight weeks reduced the symptoms of chronic pain and mental stress in women with fibromyalgia.
The study is the first to look at the effects of yoga on levels of the hormone cortisol in women suffering with fibromyalgia. The condition, which predominantly affects women, is associated with chronic pain and fatigue, and symptoms such as muscle stiffness, sleep disturbances, and depression.
Previous research has found that women with fibromyalgia have lower-than-average cortisol levels, which can contribute to pain, fatigue, and stress sensitivity, according to the researchers. In the new study, participants' saliva revealed enhanced cortisol levels following a program of 75 minutes of hatha yoga twice weekly over the course of eight weeks. Also patients reported significant reductions in their pain levels, as well as a mental boost from the yoga practice.
"Ideally, our cortisol levels peak about 30-40 minutes after we get up in the morning and decline throughout the day until we're ready to go to sleep," said the study's lead author, Kathryn Curtis, a PhD student at York University in Canada. "The secretion of the hormone, cortisol, is dysregulated in women with fibromyalgia."
The study, published in the Journal of Pain Research, and follows another published earlier this year that found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who practiced yoga showed significant improvements in their symptoms.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Does A Happy Married Life Benefit a Woman
Marital bliss makes a woman happy and relieves her from everyday drudgery. A housewife enjoys her day-to-day work and she is encouraged to take interest in hobbies and have better social interaction. A working woman has lower levels of a stress hormone, cortisol, and performs better at her work place as compared to a woman who has had a bad marriage deal. A healthy married life adds to life’s glamor. The woman in a blissful marriage tends to excel in what she does, as she takes more interest on the work on hand. Her physiological recovery from work is good. Her energy levels are high.
A working woman or a housewife has a more positive outlook towards life if her marriage is working out well. Happy married life places fewer pressures on her and she is full of exuberance and good cheer and contributes to the society in a well-meaning way.
Researchers have proved that a happy marriage does contribute to the success of a woman in the personal as well work arena. Studies have been conducted towards this end have emphasized on the advantages of a successful marriage as compared to a broken one. A cursory glance on whether a happy married life does benefit a woman will help us to understand better what marital bliss is all about.
How Does a Happy Married Life Benefit a Woman
Social relationships were better among women who had a cooperative partner who understood her needs. She can adjust to society better and be able to contribute productively to society
Happily married women can cope up with stressful situations better as compared to those having a bad marriage. They can also help others in stressful conditions
Well- adjusted married women have a more positive outlook towards life. Harmony at home leads to harmony outside. Less bickering and arguments with others. They are more cooperative
A happily married woman can cope up with demands of married life better. If she is working she can handle both fronts well, that of office as well as home. She will be a good wife, mother and an employee
A woman with the help of an understanding husband can take on more responsibilities. She will be able to cope with life better. An unhappy married woman will lead a miserable life and since she cannot sort out her own problems she will not be able to extend a helping hand to others
Marital bliss brings out the best in woman, both physically and emotionally
Stress and Happily Married Woman – Some Studies
James Coan, a neuroscientist after experimenting came to the conclusion, a woman was able to cope better with life threatening situations, if she held the comforting hand of her partner
Darby E. Saxbe of UCLA of clinical psychology background ( Marital Satisfaction, Recovery from Work and Diurnal among Men andWomen. Saxbe, D.E.,Repetti,R.L.Nishina, A. Health Psychology ISN:0278-6133(Vol 27 Issue 1 (January 2007) ) has stated that elevated cortisol stress hormone levels were found among women who had a bad marriage. Such women suffered from depression, chronic fatigue, had bad relationships and their social adjustments were not good. On the other hand he felt that physiological recovery from work among these women was higher. Their energy levels were higher. A highly stressed life led to mental and physical health problems and this could be due to a bad marriage
Studies highlighted in Houston Chronicle and in American Psychology Association also indicate that women in happy marriage have less stress levels and keep better health. They were more satisfied with life and more understanding
Happily and Unhappily Married Women- Both A Contrast
A happily married woman is an asset to society. Her children will grow up healthy and her husband will enjoy the best of her, both as a wife and mother. She will perform well in office if she is working. She can balance work and home better than an unhappy married woman.
A working woman or a housewife has a more positive outlook towards life if her marriage is working out well. Happy married life places fewer pressures on her and she is full of exuberance and good cheer and contributes to the society in a well-meaning way.
Researchers have proved that a happy marriage does contribute to the success of a woman in the personal as well work arena. Studies have been conducted towards this end have emphasized on the advantages of a successful marriage as compared to a broken one. A cursory glance on whether a happy married life does benefit a woman will help us to understand better what marital bliss is all about.
How Does a Happy Married Life Benefit a Woman
Social relationships were better among women who had a cooperative partner who understood her needs. She can adjust to society better and be able to contribute productively to society
Happily married women can cope up with stressful situations better as compared to those having a bad marriage. They can also help others in stressful conditions
Well- adjusted married women have a more positive outlook towards life. Harmony at home leads to harmony outside. Less bickering and arguments with others. They are more cooperative
A happily married woman can cope up with demands of married life better. If she is working she can handle both fronts well, that of office as well as home. She will be a good wife, mother and an employee
A woman with the help of an understanding husband can take on more responsibilities. She will be able to cope with life better. An unhappy married woman will lead a miserable life and since she cannot sort out her own problems she will not be able to extend a helping hand to others
Marital bliss brings out the best in woman, both physically and emotionally
Stress and Happily Married Woman – Some Studies
James Coan, a neuroscientist after experimenting came to the conclusion, a woman was able to cope better with life threatening situations, if she held the comforting hand of her partner
Darby E. Saxbe of UCLA of clinical psychology background ( Marital Satisfaction, Recovery from Work and Diurnal among Men andWomen. Saxbe, D.E.,Repetti,R.L.Nishina, A. Health Psychology ISN:0278-6133(Vol 27 Issue 1 (January 2007) ) has stated that elevated cortisol stress hormone levels were found among women who had a bad marriage. Such women suffered from depression, chronic fatigue, had bad relationships and their social adjustments were not good. On the other hand he felt that physiological recovery from work among these women was higher. Their energy levels were higher. A highly stressed life led to mental and physical health problems and this could be due to a bad marriage
Studies highlighted in Houston Chronicle and in American Psychology Association also indicate that women in happy marriage have less stress levels and keep better health. They were more satisfied with life and more understanding
Happily and Unhappily Married Women- Both A Contrast
A happily married woman is an asset to society. Her children will grow up healthy and her husband will enjoy the best of her, both as a wife and mother. She will perform well in office if she is working. She can balance work and home better than an unhappy married woman.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Diseases Facts !!
People that use mobile phones are 2.5 time more likely to develop cancer in areas of the brain that are adjacent to the ear they use to talk on the mobile phone.
Over 90% of diseases are caused or complicated by stress.
Over 436,000 U.S. Troops were exposed to depleted uranium during the first Gulf war.
On average, 90% of the people that have the disease Lupus are female.
Many cancer patients that are treated with chemotherapy lose their hair. For some when the hair grows back, it can grow back a different colour, or be curly or straight.
Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for about 180,000 deaths per year.
Chances of a women getting breast cancer are increased by excessive use of alcohol.
A popular superstition is that if you put a piece of bread in a baby's crib, it will keep away diseases.
A person that is struck by lightning has a greater chance of developing motor neurons disease.
Every year in the U.S., there are 178,000 new cases of lung cancer.
Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Asthma affects one in fifteen children under the age of eighteen.
Every eleven minutes in the U.S., a woman dies of breast cancer.
Due to eating habits in the USA, one in three children born in the year 2000 have a chance of getting type II diabetes.
The oldest known disease in the world is leprosy.
Red more: amazing facts
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Heart Health Fun Facts And Tips
Heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the U.S. February is Heart Month and the heart and circulation experts at the American Society of Echocardiography want to help Washingtonians learn how to take better care of their hearts.
Here are some simple tips and fun facts to get started on building and maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. Heart ultrasound is a proven, safe and fast way your doctor can evaluate your heart's health.
Be heart SMART
-- Stop smoking! It's one of the best things you can do for your heart - not to mention the rest of your body.
-- Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
-- Activity is important. Get regular exercise to strengthen your heart.
-- Reduce stress. Life's too short to worry about everything.
-- Talk to your doctor. He/she is your partner in building and maintaining a healthy heart.
What Does Heart Ultrasound Do?
-- Sees the structure of your heart and checks for problems
-- Examines how blood flows through your heart
-- Evaluates your heart before major surgery
-- Measures the size and thickness of your heart and its chambers
-- Yields information on the valves of your heart
-- Helps show if you have a heart murmur
-- Explores problems with the heart muscle
-- Assesses damage to your heart after a heart attack
-- Rules out abnormalities in your heart
-- Tests your heart's response to exercise
Read more:Heart Health Fun Facts And Tips
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Herbs that heal
Gardeners everywhere are rediscovering the benefits of herbs, not just for the fresh flavour that they add to food, but also for their medicinal properties. So, just as we keep a First Aid Box of medicines in our homes, how about growing our own Herb Aid Garden? Try it, it's easy to do. For herbs, no matter how exotic, are pretty easy to grow-as long as you meet their sun and shade requirements. You don't even require a big garden, they can easily thrive in potted plants in terraces or balconies or even window sills. Here's how to get your Herb Aid Box started:
Aloe vera: This magic herb is used for skin problems, indigestion and even diabetes. One-inch thick piece of a mature leaf, cut into small pieces and chewed daily helps bring down sugar levels. For indigestion, for which its use is miraculous, add black salt and ajwain to the gel or pieces. To grow, plant its cutting in a potting mix of loose and sandy soil. Select a big pot as aloe needs lots of room to grow. During winter, water once every two to three weeks and during summer, water when slightly dry. A good amount of sunlight through the day is a must.
Lemon grass: Herbal tea using fresh lemon grass relieves stress and nervousness. Plant saplings in rich, moist garden soil in an area which gets good sun. When growing in a container, use one-third compost, one-third topsoil and one-sixth vermiculite. Start the seeds in a six-inch pot and move into successively larger pots as the clump grows.
Brahmi: It is known for its effectiveness in enhancing memory and promoting alertness. It's also used for treating various mental conditions, besides being a great antioxidant. You can chew four to five brahmi leaves in the morning or add them to a sandwich-filling. If growing in the garden, water well during dry weather as the roots are fairly shallow. If growing in a pot, move it to a warm, sheltered spot in winter as it is frost-prone.
Stevia: Gaining popularity as a herbal substitute for sugar, all you need to do is pluck off a few leaves, crush them and put them in your tea or dessert. You can also dry the leaves and store them as powder. A semi-humid subtropical plant, stevia can be grown easily like any other vegetable crop even in the kitchen garden. It thrives in well-drained red soil as well as sandy loam soil but not in saline soils. Since seed germination rate is very poor, it is propagated vegetatively.
Basil (tulsi): Every part of basil is useful, that's why it is considered very auspicious in Indian homes. It is an effective preventive aid for many diseases and its fresh leaves can be chewed to cure mouth ulcers as well as cough and cold. It also has anti-stress, antihypertensive and anti-bacterial properties. For planting, scatter seeds in a nursery pot or flat tray filled with any standard potting soil and cover them with a small amount of soil. Water gently but thoroughly and place it in a sunny location. Expect germination in about one week. When young plants are three to four inches tall, transplant them to a sunny spot in the garden. After they're established, they require little water. Tulsi plants will self-sow and often reward you with new plants the following spring.
Ashwagandha: Also called the Indian ginseng, its roots, leaves and fruits (berry) possess tremendous medicinal value and are used as sedatives, cardioprotective and anti-arthritic agents as well as antioxidants. Two leaves eaten with lukewarm water with half a spoon of honey and a pinch of black salt help reduce obesity. It grows well in sandy loam or light red soil and requires dry season during its growing period.
For planting, sprinkle tiny seeds onto the surface and rake in lightly. Mist regularly so that the surface does not dry out at till the seedlings have developed a deep root system. High humidity is good for initial germination but will encourage fungal problems later. Seedlings can be transplanted when 10 cm tall and germination should be expected within two weeks. So, water generously while young and sparingly when older.
Citronella: This plant has been used for years to keep annoying bugs away. So it makes sense to grow it in your garden, doesn't it? It looks especially good when grown as an ornamental grass in mixed borders. It requires abundant moisture and sunshine for good growth. Sandy loam soil with abundant organic matter is the most suitable for its growth, while heavy clay soils and sandy soils are to be avoided.
Read more Herbs that heal
Aloe vera: This magic herb is used for skin problems, indigestion and even diabetes. One-inch thick piece of a mature leaf, cut into small pieces and chewed daily helps bring down sugar levels. For indigestion, for which its use is miraculous, add black salt and ajwain to the gel or pieces. To grow, plant its cutting in a potting mix of loose and sandy soil. Select a big pot as aloe needs lots of room to grow. During winter, water once every two to three weeks and during summer, water when slightly dry. A good amount of sunlight through the day is a must.
Lemon grass: Herbal tea using fresh lemon grass relieves stress and nervousness. Plant saplings in rich, moist garden soil in an area which gets good sun. When growing in a container, use one-third compost, one-third topsoil and one-sixth vermiculite. Start the seeds in a six-inch pot and move into successively larger pots as the clump grows.
Brahmi: It is known for its effectiveness in enhancing memory and promoting alertness. It's also used for treating various mental conditions, besides being a great antioxidant. You can chew four to five brahmi leaves in the morning or add them to a sandwich-filling. If growing in the garden, water well during dry weather as the roots are fairly shallow. If growing in a pot, move it to a warm, sheltered spot in winter as it is frost-prone.
Stevia: Gaining popularity as a herbal substitute for sugar, all you need to do is pluck off a few leaves, crush them and put them in your tea or dessert. You can also dry the leaves and store them as powder. A semi-humid subtropical plant, stevia can be grown easily like any other vegetable crop even in the kitchen garden. It thrives in well-drained red soil as well as sandy loam soil but not in saline soils. Since seed germination rate is very poor, it is propagated vegetatively.
Basil (tulsi): Every part of basil is useful, that's why it is considered very auspicious in Indian homes. It is an effective preventive aid for many diseases and its fresh leaves can be chewed to cure mouth ulcers as well as cough and cold. It also has anti-stress, antihypertensive and anti-bacterial properties. For planting, scatter seeds in a nursery pot or flat tray filled with any standard potting soil and cover them with a small amount of soil. Water gently but thoroughly and place it in a sunny location. Expect germination in about one week. When young plants are three to four inches tall, transplant them to a sunny spot in the garden. After they're established, they require little water. Tulsi plants will self-sow and often reward you with new plants the following spring.
Ashwagandha: Also called the Indian ginseng, its roots, leaves and fruits (berry) possess tremendous medicinal value and are used as sedatives, cardioprotective and anti-arthritic agents as well as antioxidants. Two leaves eaten with lukewarm water with half a spoon of honey and a pinch of black salt help reduce obesity. It grows well in sandy loam or light red soil and requires dry season during its growing period.
For planting, sprinkle tiny seeds onto the surface and rake in lightly. Mist regularly so that the surface does not dry out at till the seedlings have developed a deep root system. High humidity is good for initial germination but will encourage fungal problems later. Seedlings can be transplanted when 10 cm tall and germination should be expected within two weeks. So, water generously while young and sparingly when older.
Citronella: This plant has been used for years to keep annoying bugs away. So it makes sense to grow it in your garden, doesn't it? It looks especially good when grown as an ornamental grass in mixed borders. It requires abundant moisture and sunshine for good growth. Sandy loam soil with abundant organic matter is the most suitable for its growth, while heavy clay soils and sandy soils are to be avoided.
Read more Herbs that heal
Saturday, December 4, 2010
US Study confirms what a healthy weight really is
What is the healthiest weight to be? People hoping for a little jiggle room may be disappointed -- it is the weight already identified by public health experts using body mass index or BMI.
There had been some suggestion that it may be healthier to be pleasantly plump, but the team at the U.S. National Cancer Institute crushed any such idea with a study of 1.5 million adults published on Wednesday.
The healthiest BMI is 22.5 to 24.9, they found -- at the upper end of where the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other groups have said people should be.
Body-mass index is the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters. A BMI of between 25 and 30 is overweight and a BMI of 30 or over is obese.
A person 5 feet 5 inches tall (165 cm) is classified as overweight at 150 pounds (68 kg) and obese at 180 pounds (82 kg). A 5-foot-10 inch (1.8 meteR) tall person who weighs 209 pounds (95 kg) has a BMI of 30 and is obese.
Being overweight or obese raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and arthritis. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, confirms that having a BMI of 25 or more also makes a person more likely to die than someone the same age who is slimmer.
"There is a small increased risk of all-cause mortality associated with being overweight -- about 10 percent compared to having a normal BMI," Amy Berrington de Gonzalez of the National Cancer Institute, who led the study, said in a telephone interview.
But the severely obese -- those with a BMI of 40 or more -- have 2.5 times the risk of dying than people of a healthy weight who are the same age.
The original BMI guidelines were set using some data on health, but Berrington said several recent studies had suggested that people considered overweight may be less likely to die of cancer and other conditions. So she and an international team of experts took another look at the data.
NOT TOO FAT, NOT TOO THIN
"We used 19 studies that had been conducted all over the world," Berrington said. One caveat -- they were all in mostly white, westernized populations in Europe, Australia and the United States.
Their studies included 1.46 million white adults and 160,087 deaths.
WHO guidelines say the lowest "normal" BMI is 18.5 but Berrington's team found it is not healthy to be too thin.
"What we found was that a low BMI -- below 20 -- was also associated with an increased risk of death," Berrington said. This could be because people that thin already have disease, she said, and added that her team will check.
The researchers took into account smoking and other factors that are known to raise the risk of death, and found the association between weight and death was consistent across age, sex and where people lived.
"Previous studies led some to imply that being a little bit overweight might actually be beneficial, with some headlines suggesting that 'putting a little meat on your bones' was good for you," Dr. Michael Thun, of the American Cancer Society, said in a statement.
Read more: U.S. Study confirms what a healthy weight really is !!
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