Do Not Smoke!

Cigarette smoking is injurious to health

Each and every part of our body gets affected by smoking.
In simple words, we can say that smokers are pushing themselves to death.!



Tobacco is full of different carcinogenic chemicals. It contains Nicotine which is an addictive drug. These chemicals cause various life threatening conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and cardio-vascular diseases.

Well Known diseases caused by cigarette smoking:

• Lung cancer


• Stroke


• Throat and mouth cancer


• Ulcer


• Larynx cancer


• Pulmonary disease


• larynx cancer


• Bladder and cervical cancer

STOP SMOKING(if u smoke) and make yourself and the world Healthy!
DON'T ever try to smoke since it is addictive one!

Its not easy to quit smoking. But it can be DONE!
All you have to do is be determined to stop smoking. You can decide on what sort of help you need and what sort of treatment suits you the most.

If u are addictive smoker, You may not be successful the very first time that you decide to quit.
First make-up your mind and change the environment around you. Throw away all cigarettes and ashtrays from your work place, car and home. Never allow any one to smoke around you, whether friends or family. Try to keep busy and take proper rest. Find an activity or a hobby to take up in your spare time

If you think it is necessary you can take advice from your health care provider. There are a number of medication program which are available that can help you to quit smoking.

If you quit smoking , Your stamina and energy will go up. Of course, the first few days are difficult because you will suffer from withdrawal symptoms. After that you will eat, breathe, work and sleep better..

Do not smoke and dont let anyone to smoke. Have a healthy life and enjoy the world.

Drinking Too much of Water is DANGEROUS

We even need water to breathe: our lungs must be moist to take in oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide. Water is the element most necessary for survival. We can go without food for almost two months, but without water only a few days.

Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication also known as hyper-hydration or water poisoning.

Water intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water.

• Ingesting more water than you need can increase your total blood volume. And since your blood volume exists within a closed system - your blood circulatory system - needlessly increasing your blood volume on a regular basis puts unnecessary burden on your heart and blood vessels.
• Your kidneys must work overtime to filter excess water out of your blood circulatory system. Your kidneys are not the equivalent of a pair of plumbing pipes whereby the more water you flush through your kidneys, the cleaner they become; rather, the filtration system that exists in your kidneys is composed in part by a series of specialized capillary beds called glomeruli. Your glomeruli can get damaged by unnecessary wear and tear over time, and drowning your system with large amounts of water is one of many potential causes of said damage.

The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. That is, If you force large amounts of water into your system over a short period of time, your kidneys will struggle to eliminate enough water from your system to keep the overall amount at a safe level.

As your blood circulatory system becomes diluted with excess water, the concentration of electrolytes in your blood will drop relative to the concentration of electrolytes in your cells. In an effort to maintain an equal balance of electrolytes between your blood and your cells, water will seep into your cells from your blood, causing your cells to swell.

By not drinking enough water, many people incur excess body fat, poor muscle tone and size, decreased digestive efficiency and organ function, increased toxicity in the body, joint and muscle soreness and water retention.

As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. ie., The minimum for a healthy person is eight to ten eight-ounce glasses a day. Beverages such as tea, coffee and fruit juices also count towards fluid intake, and may bring with them other nutrients or benefits.
You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications.

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How to maintain fluid levels:

* Start as you mean to go on, with a glass of water when you wake.
* Find time to make yourself regular drinks during the day - don't forget that tea, coffee and juices can count. Just watch out for the amount of sugar consumed in some soft drinks.
* Keep a bottle of water in your bag, as it's a convenient way of providing fluid if you're travelling or exercising.
* Get into the habit of having a glass of water with every meal.
* The sensation of thirst is not triggered until you're already dehydrated, so it's important to drink before you get thirsty.
* Increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, as they have a high water content.

RELATED POST:

Correct timing to Drink Water

Correct timing to Drink Water

The Correct timing to drink water will maximize its effectiveness to the human body:

1. Two glass of water 30 minutes before meal will help digestion.
2. One glass of water after you wake up, helps active internal organs.
3. One glass of water before you sleep will help to avoid stroke or heart attack at midnight.
4. One glass of water after taking bath helps lower blood pressure.

RELATED POST:

Drinking Too much of Water is DANGEROUS

About Nutrients

Know About Substances present in Food useful for Human body

A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment.

Organic nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins (or their building blocks, amino acids), and vitamins. Inorganic chemical compounds such as dietary minerals, water, and oxygen may also be considered nutrients.A nutrient is essential to an organism if it cannot be synthesized by the organism in sufficient quantities and must be obtained from an external source.

Substances that provide energy - Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins.
Substances that support metabolism - Vitamins, Water, Dietary Minerals.

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Vitamins:

Vitamins are organic compounds essential for life, health and growth. They are not eaten as in the diet, but are widely dispersed in food.

Two Kinds of Vitamins:

• Fat soluble vitamins - Vitamin A, Vitamin D(Calciferol), Vitamin E(Tocopherol) and Vitamin K


• Water soluble vitamins - Vitamin B1(Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Nicotinamide, Vitamin B6(Pyridoxine), Panthothenic acid, Biotin, Folic acid (Pteroyglutamic acid), Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C.

Why Vitamins are Valuable?

Vitamins are chemical substances present naturally in most foods and in synthetic form, like in vitamin pills. Both forms are equally nutritious since the vitamins in each case are chemically identical. The body needs only tiny quantities of them- ranging from about 30mg(30 thousandths of a gram) a day of Vitamin C. For instance, down to 1 micro-gram (one millionth of a gram)of Vitamin B12. They play no direct part in producing body tissues or energy, but they are essential for the body to function efficiently, just as oil is essential for running of a car.

Vitamins deficiency can lead to illness and in extreme cases, death. The killer diseases Scurvy and beri-beri are caused by deficiencies of the vitamins C and B1 respectively. Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause Night Blindness, and Deficiency of Vitamin D leads to rickets ( a childhood disease of bones).

Anyone, who eats a variety of foods, however, is unlikely to run into problems.

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What are Carbohydrates?

They consist of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. They are found in sugar, jams cereals, bread, potatoes, fruit, vegetables and milk.

Functions of Carbohydrates:

• In the body they are utilized to provide energy and heat.
  
• They help to maintain the normal blood glucose level.

Three main groups of carbohydrates:

• Mono-saccharides,
• Di-saccharides and
• Polysaccharides.

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What are Proteins?

Proteins are complex compounds containing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorous. They are obtained mainly from meats, eggs, milk, cheese, fish, cereals and certain vegetables.

Essentials of Proteins:

• To repair body tissues
• Maintenance of the osmotic equilibrium between blood and tissue fluids
• Providing energy and heat when there is an insufficient supply if Carbohydrates.

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Fats(Lipids)

Fat is important in the diet not only for its high energy but also it contains the fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K and certain essential fatty acids.

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Necessity of Mineral Salts:

Mineral Salts are necessary in diet for all body processes. Only small amount of it is needed.

Use of Calcium:

Calcium is the chief constituent of teeth and bones. it is absorbed in the small intestine with the help of Vitamin D. It plays an important part in the coagulation of blood and in contraction of muscles.

Use of Phosphate:

Phosphate combines with calcium in the formation of bone and teeth and it helps to maintain the normal composition of body fluids.

Importance of Sodium:

Sodium present mainly in tissue fluids and therefore play an important role in cell activity and in the fluid balance of the body.

Use of Potassium:

Potassium is an essential constituent of all cells. It is also necessary for the normal activity of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles.

Importance of Iron in the body:

Iron is necessary for the formation of cytochromes that is involved in tissue oxidation. It is very essential for the formation of Haemoglobin.

Importance of Iodine:

Iodine is essential for the formation of the Thyroid hormones, thyroxine and tri iodothyronine.

CALORIE VALUE OF FOOD ITEMS

Calorie Values of Food Items
(Figures given below based on 100 gm portions)

Food	Calories	Protein (in gms)	Fat (in gms)	Carbo hydrates (in gms)	Water (in gms)	Vitamins
Milk	65	3.3	4	5	88	A, B2, Niacin
Butter	740	-	82	-	15	A
Cream	210	2	21	3	72	A
Cheese	310	22	25	-	44	A, B2, Niacin
Ice cream	170	4	7	25	64	B1, B2, Niacin
Margarine	740	-	81	-	16	A
Eggs	150	12	11	-	75	A, B1, B2, Niacin
Beef(Boiled)	340	28	24	-	48	B2, Niacin
Pork(grilled)	340	29	24	-	36	B1, B2, Niacin
Chicken (Rost)	150	25	5	-	55	-
Fish (eg. Cod)	220	20	10	8	60	B1, Niacin
Beans (Boiled)	20	2	-	3	90	A
Cabbage (Boiled)	10	1	-	1	96	A, C
Carrots(Boiled)	20	0.6	-	4	91	A
Cauliflower (Boiled)	10	1.5	-	1	93	C
Cucumber (raw)	10	0.6	-	2	96	C
Peas (Boiled)	50	5	-	8	80	A, B1, B2, Niacin, C
Potatoes (Boiled)	80	1	-	22	77	B1
Tomatoes	15	1	-	3	93	A, C
Apples	45	0.3	-	12	84	-
Bananas	80	1	-	20	70	C
Cherries	50	0.6	-	12	81	-
Grapes	60	0.6	-	15	80	C
Oranges	35	1	-	9	86	-
Pea Nuts (Roasted)	570	24	49	9	4	B1, B2, Niacin
Beer	30	0.3	-	2	-	-
Wine	70	-	-	-	-	-
Spirits	220	-	-	-	-	-
Tea (Black)	-	-	-	-	-	-
Coffee (Black)	-	-	-	-	-	Niacin
Sugar (tea spoon)	24	-	-	-	-	-
Bread	230	8	2	50	39	B1, Niacin
Rice (white Boiled)	120	2	-	30	70	-
Cornflakes with milk	205	6.5	4	34.7	-	A, B, B1, B2, Niacin
Chocolate Biscuits	520	6	28	67	2	B2, Niacin
Wheat Bran	200	14	6	23	8	B1, B2, Niacin

Calorie is the food energy is expressed in terms of Calorie.
1 calorie = 4.18400 joules

MEDICINAL VALUES OF INDIAN SPICES AND HOME REMEDIES

MEDICINAL VALUES OF INDIAN SPICES AND HOME REMEDIES

ASAFOETIDA Botanical name: Ferula Asafoetida. Other names: Hing. Used part: Oleo-gum Resin from rhizome and thickened root. Remedy for: Indigestion and used as antibiotic. Home remedies: A pinch of asafoetida dissolved in water can be taken before going bed for any indigestion problem. Grind asafoetida, rock salt, small harad and caraway seeds in equal amounts. Taken 3 spoonfuls thrice a day relieves dyspepsia.

CAROM SEED Botanical name: Trachyspermum ammi. Other names: Ajwain, Bishop’s Weed and Omum. Used part: Small fruits, incorrectly called seeds. Remedy for: Indigestion and Cold. Home remedies: These seeds soaked in water overnight and taken morning in empty stomach relieves indigestion. If the crushed seeds are tied in a bundle and inhaled it relieves the nasal congestion. The seeds can be put in boiled water and fumes can be inhaled in for adults.

cardamom Botanical name: Elettaria cardamomum (Green cardamom) and Amomum subulatum (Black cardamom). Other names: Choti Elachi (green) and Badi Elachi (Black) Used part: Seeds. Remedy for: Digestive Disorder, Bad Breath and depression. Home remedies: Ground Cardamom with Ginger, Cloves and coriander relieves indigestion problem. Cardamom chewed regularly removes bad breath. Cardamom Tea gives a pleasing aroma and cures depression.

CINNAMON Botanical name: Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum burmannii. Other names: Dalchini, Pattai Used part: Stem Bark. Remedy for: Pimples, common cold, Bad breath and Digestive Disorders. Home remedies: Paste of Cinnamon powder with fresh lemon juice applied on pimples cures it. Powdered and boiled Cinnamon in water with a pinch of pepper and honey cures digestive disorder and cold. To avoid Bad breath, chew Cinnamon or gargle cinnamon water.

CLOVES Botanical name: Syzygium aromaticum. Other names: Lavangam. Used part: Buds. Remedy for: Eye Stye (an infection of the sebaceous glands at the base of the eyelashes), Dental problems. Home remedies: Apply clove oil on the eye lids to get relief from pain and infection in a week. Gargle diluted clove oil daily to ease the throat and relieves from any dental problem.

CORIANDER Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum. Other names: Dhania. Used part: Leaves, fruits and Root. Remedy for: Skin Disorders, Menstrual Disorders Home remedies: Coriander juice with pinch of Turmeric powder cures Pimples, Black Heads and Dry Skin. Coriander with boiled rice water or coriander powder boiled with water till it remains half amount checks excessive bleeding during menses.

CUMIN SEEDS Botanical name: Cuminum cyminum. Other names: Jeera, jeeragam. Used part: Fruits. Remedy for: Stomach worms, Burns, insect Bites and Piles. Home remedies: Cumin taken with water at night kills worms. Paste of cumin and dry ginger applied on insect bites eliminates poison. Cumin powder and Black pepper powder with honey stops pain and cures piles.

FENNEL Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare. Other names: Saunf/Sanchal Used part: Fruits Remedy for: Lice Home remedies: When Fennel paste is applied over the scalp it acts as an insecticide.

FENUGREEK Botanical name: Trigonella foenum-graecum. Other names: Methi, vendhayam Used part: Leaves and Seeds Remedy for: Dandruff Home remedies: After softening them in water apply it to the scalp. After an hour wash with soap nut.

GARLIC Botanical name: Allium sativum. Other names: Lahsun, poondu Used part: The underground head called bulb Remedy for: Asthma, Cholesterol Home remedies: Three cloves of Garlic boiled in milk can be taken every night which gives relief from asthma. Drinking glassful milk boiled with Garlic every day reduces cholesterol level.

Ginger Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale. Other names : Adrak and Inji. Used part : Fleshy Rhizome. It is also available in sun dried form. Remedy for : Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea and Cold. Home remedies: Ginger Juice mixed with lime and mint juices and honey is a remedy for Nausea and vomiting. Ginger Tea and hot ginger juice with honey are good for cold and cough.

HOLY BASIL Botanical name : Ocimum tenuiflorum, Occimum sanctum Other names : Tulsi Used part : Leaves Remedy for : Cold, Cough, Teeth Disorders, Skin diseases. Home remedies: Applying basil and lemon juice in equal proportion cures any kind of skin diseases. Dried and powdered Basil leaves can be used to brush teeth. It avoids Bad Breath and disorders. Ginger and Basil juice with honey cures cold and cough.

LONG PEPPER Botanical name : Piper longum Other names : Thippali Used part : Fruits. Remedy for : Flu Home remedies: Half a teaspoon of Long Pepper and ginger juice with two teaspoons of honey taken thrice daily during initial stages of flu will help greatly.

MINT Botanical name : Mentha arvensis, Mentha asiatica Other names : Pudina Used part : Leaves Remedy for : Skin diseases, Hiccups Home remedies: Fresh Mint juice and papaya juice cures many skin disorders including spots, insect stings, eczema, scabies or other skin infections. Mixture of Fresh lemon juice, Mint leaves, common salt and lukewarm water reduces Hiccups immediately.

MUSTARD Botanical name : Brassica nigra (Black), Brassica juncea (Indian), Brassica hirta/Sinapis alba(white). Other names : Rai, Sarson, Kadugu Used part : Seeds Remedy for : Wheezing. Home remedies: Mustard plaster is very famous in stopping wheezing. Mix a half teaspoon of mustard powder and 1 teaspoon of flour with water. Warm the mixture. Spread this mixture in a cotton towel and place the pack on the patient’s chest. Remove this when the skin becomes red. It provides good first aid for any respiratory disorders.

NUTMEG AND MACE Botanical name : Myristica argenta, Myristica fragrans, Myristica inutilis, Myristica malabarica, Myristica macrophylla, Myristica otoba, Myristica platysperma Other names : Nutmeg- Jaiphal, Jathikai Mace-Javitri Used part : Nutmeg-Kernel of the fruit. Mace-Aril part, leathery tissue between the stone and the pulp Remedy for : Skin diseases Home remedies: Nutmeg paste prepared by rubbing it on a stone slab can be applied on the infected area.

PEPPER Botanical name : Piper nigrum. Other names : Kali mirchi, Milagu Used part : Dried fruits Remedy for : Toothaches, Digestive Disorders. Home remedies: A pinch of Pepper powder with clove oil can put directly to the cavity to stop toothache. Powdered pepper and salt mixture can be massaged over the gums to cure inflammation. Pepper powder mixed with Buttermilk can be taken during indigestion.

SESAME SEEDS Botanical name : Sesamum indicum. Other names : Til, Ellu Used part : Dried Seeds Remedy for : Cracked heels, Menstrual Disorders. Home remedies: Three teaspoons of Beeswax and one teaspoon of sesame oil. Warm it and apply on the cracked heels. Expected result will show up in a month. Half a teaspoon of sesame seeds taken twice a day reduces spasmodic pain during menstruation.

TURMERIC Botanical name : Curcuma longa Other names : Haldi, Manjal Used part : Rhizome Remedy for : Sprains, Measles Home remedies: Turmeric paste with lime juice and Salt applied over the sprain gives effective result. Dried turmeric powder with honey and bitter gourd leaf juice can be taken as treatment for measles.

SWINE FLU

In recent times we hear a lot about this topic,”Swine Flu”. But are we sure that all these information are reliable? Of course every Government and WHO are helping at its most to deliver us the true facts and preventive measures. But here, this is a little effort to give you every important detail on swine flu in a single document.

HISTORY:

It is well known that there are 3 major outbreaks of swine flu in history out of which 2 are pandemic.

1918 Pandemics:

It was caused by H1N1 virus. It took 6 to 9 months to spread when the travel across the countries was only by ship and train. It was also estimated that 50 to 100 million people were dead. It is believed now that the virus undergone reassortment within a mammal and remained transient.

1976-The US Outbreak:

The outbreak was identified when a military recruit at Fort Dix, New Jersey was found to be infected with a variant of H1N1 in February, 1976. Soon a vaccination program was started by the President Ford. Few of the vaccinated people reported Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a neuromuscular disorder as a side effect. But it is a rare side effect with present modern vaccination.

2009 Outbreak:

The first victim was found in Mexico on March, 2009. This time it was because of a new strain of H1N1 which was a result of reassortment of strains. It was not previously reported on pigs. And also the outbreak must have started before it was recognized.

What is Reassortment?

It is common in influenza viruses. The genetic material of viruses infecting same host can be mixed resulting in a new one. This new virus inherits properties of both its parent.

MUTATION POSSIBILITIES

While circulating in general community of people there is a possibility that H1N1 virus can get mixed up with other seasonal flu resulting in unpredictable ways.

“The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time”, said Dr.Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO.

TRANSMISSION

It is transmitted mainly through contact with the contaminated surfaces. It is transmitted from human to human through respiratory droplets.

But cooked pork is truly safe to eat.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of swine flu are much similar to the seasonal flu-fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache and joint pains. In some cases diarrhea and vomiting is also reported. Most of the cases are mild. There are chances of serious complications for the people above 65years, below 5years, pregnant women and people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disorder or a weakened immune system.

PREVENTION

The best ways to avoid all kind of influenzas are frequent hand washing, balanced diet, sufficient sleep and avoiding crowds. Masks may be of benefit. If masks are used proper use and disposal is recommended. Since incorrect use may increase the risk.

Things to be remembered when masks are worn:

• minimize the gaps between face and mask.
• cover mouth and nose properly.
• replace it when it becomes damp.
• no reuse of single-use mask.

TREATMENT

When someone is sick do not rush to the hospital. It may not be swine but swine can be caught there. Instead stay at home and call your physician or any helpline number.

Things to be done when u got flu like symptoms:

• stay at home and follow the instructions given by the Ministry of Health.
• maintain distance from the well beings.
• cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing.
• improve airflow in living space.

The antiviral drugs recommended by WHO are Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza). These antiviral drugs are used to deactivate an enzyme needed by the virus to grow and spread. Use of antiviral drugs can cause side effects. These drugs are for cases with serious complications. People with mild to moderate severity do not need these drugs. It is also feared that H1N1 may combine with seasonal flu and become drug resistant.

VACCINATION

WHO expects that the vaccine will not be available till the end of 2009. It takes 5 to 6 months for the full process of preparing a vaccine. The initial dosage is planned to make available for pregnant women, health care workers and children below 5 years.

CIRCULATION

The circulation pattern of swine flu in Northern Hemisphere is same. The spread of seasonal flu is at low speed and of swine flu continues to spread.

Whereas in Southern Hemisphere it forms a mixed pattern. In Chile 99% of the flu cases are H1N1. In South Africa seasonal flu plays dominant. In Australia we got a mixed pattern. In Southern Hemisphere the flu is likely to spread since it is approaching its winter season.

WHO Data Reports:

In July 6, there were 94512 cases of swine flu in 122 countries with 429 deaths. In August 23, the toll increased to 209,438 cases with 2185 deaths.

The very best thing that can be done now is stay informed. Look for reliable information. And learn what you can do to protect you and your family.