Monthly guide to healthy life!

HEALTH:02 FIT:02 FEBRUARY 2008

Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it Dr.Baskaran

MYTH : I can stop taking my antibiotics because I feel better. FACT : Keep taking the antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribed, even if you feel better. If you don't finish them, you might get sick again and the infection may be more difficult to treat. MYTH : I can take antibiotics at any time of the day. FACT : Take each dose at the same time each day, according to your doctor's advice. Taking antibiotics irregularly allows bacteria to adapt and multiply, can lead to antibiotic resistance. MYTH : I can save leftover antibiotics for the next time I get sick. FACT : Never take leftover pills, whether they're your own or someone else's. Antibiotics are prescribed specifically for you and the infection you have. The prescribed medication takes into account any allergies or health concerns you have. It is wrong to think that your leftover pills from another illness will work. MYTH : Antibiotics will help cure colds and flu. FACT : Colds and flu are caused by viruses. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics will only help if your illness is caused by a bacterial infection.

Some people like to take cold soft drinks after each meal, guess what's the impact? Our body has an optimum temperature of 37 degrees for the functioning of digestive enzymes. The temperature of cold soft drinks is much less than 37, sometimes quite close to 0. This will lower the effectiveness of the enzymes and put stress on the digestive system, digesting less food. In fact the food gets fermented. The fermented food produce bad smelling gases, decays and forms toxins, which are absorbed in the intestines, get circulated in the blood and is delivered to the whole body. This spread of toxins can lead to the development of various diseases. Think before you drink aerated drinks soon after food.

Our kidneys are having basic units called as Nephrons.They filter the water and other waste material from blood and maintain the water equilibrium in the body.

The risk of getting kidney problem is more with someone who is habituated taking painkillers like Ibupfofen for even mild form of pain at frequent intervals. Those who take painkillers should consume more water to flush these chemicals outside more quickly. Once prescribed cant be the medicine for ever.Better to avoid taking medicines without Doctors advice.

A few drugs especially pain killers tend to be harmful to these nephrons.These medicines suppress the chemicals which produces pain.These chemicals also take care of circulation inside the kidney.As these chemicals are suppressed the circulation inside the nephrons gets retarded.This may lead to kidney malfunctioning.Sometimes kidney failure can also result.

Word of caution !
Tail bone The lowermost bone in the vertebral column is coccyx.It looks like a tail and one of the evidences to prove that man descended from monkey. Whenever a person sits on the backseat of two wheeler should sit with their two legs on the either side of seat. For ladies with sarees sitting on the rear seat are tend to sit with their both legs on one side.If do so they should sit side on and not to try to take a turn to look straight towards the front of vehicle.This twist is stated to be harmful to vertebral bones.

This bone can get injured when somebody falls especially in staircases and landing on the low back.It give rise to severe pain whenever he sits.

Women tend to have longer curved tail bone which makes them more susceptible for trauma.

What's the best treatment for a cold?

There is no cure for the common cold. The most important thing you can do is drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated. Avoid drinks like coffee, tea, and colas with caffeine. They rob your system of fluids. As for eating, follow your appetite. If you're not really hungry, try eating simple foods like white rice or broth. To prevent colds the natural way, it's best to make sure you've got a well-nourished immune system. $ Dark greens foods like spinach are loaded with vitamins A and C. $ Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation. $ Low-fat yogurt may help stimulate the immune system. $ Regular exercise -- such as aerobics and walking -- also boosts the immune system.

Aspirin. Young people and children should not take aspirin * Decongestants can help make breathing easier by shrinking swollen mucous membranes in the nose. Use for no more than two days. * Cough preparations are not hugely effective. For minor coughs, water and fruit juices probably help the most. * Gargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat.

Believe or not that when we have a craving for something, such as certain desert or food, that the feeling only stays with us for 8-14 minutes, and if we can control ourselves from not eating, then the craving feeling will go away.

It is called The Stop!Watch method to curb food cravings: any craving can be stopped within just 15 minutes, there is a secret as to how we can pass this time without giving into temptation. First is to drink a big glass of water, this is to send a signal to the brain. If the feeling is still there, then eat a healthy snack, to increase glucose in your blood stream, now it might be low; healthy snack can be carrot, yogurt, or fruits, and then following by another big glass of water. After 8-14 minutes has passed, your craving might be diminished, therefore not much damage done to your body.

Sudden development of feeling compressed in the chest is sometimes misjudged as gas trouble Pressure on your chest might be a little more serious than indigestion. Sudden chest pains could in fact be a symptom of an on-coming heart attack, and these could start weeks before the actual attack. So if you feel a sudden squeezing, a pain spreading to your neck and arms, and some dizziness, make sure you are not carelessly assuming it to be a case of flatulence (gas). The heart symptoms would be in the centre of chest with or without radiating to other areas..

In fact don't be embarrassed about raising a false alarm. After all, it's your life that's on the line

Fermentable carbohydrates(those enhance acid production) like starchy,sugary and sticky food stuff should not be taken alone.Because it can harm the tooth enamel to produce decay.They can be combined with protein. Example-Cream and biscuits, milk with banana. Sweets and dessert can be taken as a part of meal rather than separately to avoid tooth trouble.

Dental problem can happen more frequently in pregnant women in first three months due to hormonal problems.

Fruits should be cut just before eating in order to prevent excessive exposure to air, which results in the destruction of Vitamin C. Salads should be prepared just before serving and should be served in closed dishes to avoid excessive exposure to air. Soak grains, particularly pulses, in just enough water overnight. Soak dals for half an hour before cooking. Soaking helps to remove some of the anti-nutritional factors present in pulses (these anti-nutritional factors, which do not allow the protein to be digested properly, are destroyed by soaking, cooking or sprouting).

The nutrients in vegetables and fruits are mostly concentrated just below the skin; it is important to eat fruits and vegetables unpeeled so that you don't lose out on fibre and vital nutrients. Root vegetables like potato, sweet potato, colocasia (arbi), yam, suran, etc, should be boiled with their skins on and then peeled Fruits and vegetables should be soaked in water without peeling or cutting to remove any pesticide residues that are present in them. You must remember never to wash, soak or store cut vegetables as it results in the loss of Vitamin B and Vitamin C.

Wall pushups. Elbows close to body, looks pretty easy but give it a try.

Bodyweight Lateral Squat. You can interchange these with stationary lunges.

Hip Thrusts. Start doing this movement after youve develop some abdominal strength by doing more conventional abdominal exercises.

Correct posture 1.Lie flat on our back with legs stretched out and slightly apart. Drop your feet sideways as possible (Figure 1) 2. Arms to be kept by the sides (about 50 degrees away from the chest), with palms turned up. If possible drop your feet sideways (Figure 2) 3. Close your eyes and keep the chin pointing toward the chest, breathe normally and relax (Figure 3)

1.Keep your eyes gently closed with the facial muscles relaxed and breath deeply and slowly through the nostrils. 2.Starting at the top of the head and working your way down to the feet, bring your attention to each part of your body, consciously relaxing it before proceeding on to the next. 3.Remain in the posture for between 3 and 5 minutes or longer. If you become sleepy while in this step begin to breath a bit faster and deeper. Benefits of relaxation pose: 1.It relaxes the nerve and brains 2. Removes fatigue 3.Teaches concentration, calms the emotions

Run little guy run

Doctor, Doctor, You've got to help me - I just can't stop my hands shaking!" "Do you drink a lot?" "Not really - I spill most of it!" Patient to the eye doctor: "Whenever I drink coffee, I have this sharp, excruciating pain." "Try to remember to remove the spoon from the cup before drinking." "The doctor said he would have me on my feet in two weeks." "And did he?" "Yes, I had to sell the car to pay the bill." Patient: I always see spots before my eyes. Doctor: Didn't the new glasses help? Patient: Sure, now I see the spots much clearer.

How many faces can you see in this tree? Find out yourself

Eat a bowl of oatmeal each day to lower your cholesterol.

Avoid maida(white flour)based foods.Switch to whole wheat bread. Bananas raise the levels of serotonin the calming neurotransmitter in the brain. Apples are great diuretics that help flush out salt and bring down blood pressure. Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli contain powerful antioxidising bioflavonoids that protect the body from being harmed by free radicals that are generated in a high-strung state. Warm milk helps you sleep better.Makes you feel nourished and banishes agitation. Drink a glass of vegetable juice everyday made from carrot and beet root,or tomato and coriander,or mint ,or ginger-lime-coriander Sip warm water through the day it settles ruffled nerves.

Keep health as your top priority !! Healthmag created by Dr.v.Baskaran,TI Cycles