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Pain Relief With Needles

August 15, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Pain Relief With Needles

Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine but the importance of acupuncture in alternative medicine also cannot be ignored. The technique requires needles to be inserted in the skin to provide pain relief. The needles are usually made of stainless steel, to avoid rust and infections. This form of alternative medicine is mainly used to provide pain relief to cancer patients but due to conflicting results from studies conducted, the effectiveness of acupuncture is in question.

It was a very important part of Chinese medicine and is estimated to have originated as early as loo BCE. The early Chinese believed that a life force known as Vi’flowed from all the important organs of the human body and the manipulation of this said life force, was the primary basis of acupuncture.

It was believed that certain pressure points which existed in the body being affected by wind, cold and damp was the main cause of diseases. Modern medicine has disproved the existence of the patterns of energy ‘01, ‘therefore, bringing into question, the effectiveness of acupuncture.

Modem acupuncture has let go of the idea of ‘0i’and other unscientific explanations that were part of explaining how it works. The theory today, remains that acupuncture helps release the body of endorphins and has a very positive affect in reducing pain. There is also an idea that acupuncture needles work as conduits for electricity in electro-acupuncture and relieve the body of any burden. Right now, these are the standing explanations for how acupuncture works, as both these theories have not been debunked.

Acupuncture has quickly evolved over the years to become the most commonly used alternative form of medicine in the world, despite the lack of scientific backing for its effectiveness. The reason for the popularity of acupuncture is simply that it can be effective sometimes, with tangible results and at the same time is a very attractive alternative. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that acupuncture as a medicinal alternative can cause physical issues if it is practiced without proper training.

Filed Under: Health

Nip Communicable Diseases In The Bud

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Nip Communicable Diseases In The Bud

Better access to immunization and treatment, improved living standards and an increasing awareness of hygiene and sanitation has led to the decrease in the overall incidence of communicable disease. Yet, communicable diseases still rank high in the list of causes of morbidity and deaths. Broadly speaking, communicable diseases refer to infectious diseases which are transmitted by various routes. Some of the common ways of spreading these infections include:

Airborne Spread
Through direct respiratory droplets inhaled from infected patients or through fomites (infected droplets on objects which are subsequently transferred to the patient). Common infections transmitted through this route include measles, rubella, tuberculosis, chicken pox, and influenza. A large number of viruses affecting a person cause respiratory infections.

Faecal-Oral Transmission
These include diseases which spread through faecal contamination of food or water. Some of the common diseases that spread through this route is typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, hepatitis A and E infections, cholera, bacterial and amoebic dysentery, E.coli infections and viral diarrheal diseases.

Contact Transmission
Person to person spread which occurs through exposure of skin or mucus membrane contact as with scabies, skin infections with streptococci, staphylococcal wound infections, certain STDs etc.

  • Blood or blood products like HIV, hepatitis B, C infections.
  • Soil transmission through spores found in soil resulting in tetanus.

Zoonosis
Spread from infected animals to humans. Diseases like rabies, salmonellosis, brucellosis, tapeworm infections and leptospirosis are usually transmitted from infected animals to humans.

Parasite And Arthropod Borne Infections
Transmitted through bites of mosquitoes, ticks and mites. Common diseases include malaria, dengue. rickettsial dise ases etc.

Most of these infections are familiar to us. So, depending on their mode of transmission, various preventive measures are recommended:

Preventing Airborne Spread

  • Most respiratory diseases can be contained by good hand hygiene. Frequent washing of hands or use of sanitizers prevents infected particles from being transferred by patients themselves or by care givers.
  • Isolation of patients suffering from diseases with high communicability like measles, chicken pox, open cases of pulmonary tuberculosis etc. help reduce droplets related transmission in the community.
  • Wearing masks or covering the nose and mouth with a cloth while sneezing or coughing is a basic requirement.
  • Infected persons should avoid crowded places till recovery.
  • Avoid exposure to very small children. those seeking cancer treatment or people who are on immunosuppressive medications.
  • Affected individuals should seek prompt treatment and complete medication courses. Taking plenty of warm fluids, avoiding exposure to dust and irritants or extreme cold environments will accelerate recovery.

Preventing Faecal-Oral Spread

  • Food hygiene safety measures must be constantly practiced.
  • Drink lots of water from a known. clean or purified source.
  • Avoid fresh juices unless prepared at home or in a hygienic environment. Water or ice are usually the sources of infections like diarrhoea.
  • Avoid semi-cooked or non-cooked foods that are prepared on the roadside, unless the surroundings are hygienic.
  • Avoid foods that may not be thoroughly washed or which is left uncovered for a long time. This includes salads that are commonly served at eating joints.
  • Hand hygiene of food handlers matters too, especially when food is prepared on a large scale or on the roadside.

Preventing Contact Transmission

  • Avoid direct contact with infected wounds or sores unless protected by gloves.
  • Wash small wounds or abrasions under running water to clean any infected soil particles which may transmit tetanus spores.

Preventing Animal To Human Spread

  • Some of these diseases can be prevented by thorough cooking of meat and poultry, including eggs. Avoid eating raw meat.
  • Milk should always be pasteurized. Avoid cheese made from unpasteurized milk.
  • Avoid exposure to rabid animals. All animal lovers must immunize their pets.
  • Prevent arthropod or parasitic borne infections.
  • Use mosquito nets especially in mosquito infested areas. And use mosquito repellents at all times.
  • Avoid breeding of mosquitoes by keeping the environment dean without stagnant water.

Immunization Can Set You Free

Child and adult immunizations help in preventing major communicable diseases. The eradication of small pox and the tremendous efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis are all remarkable successes of immunization.

Childhood immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis and hepatitis is highly effective in preventing them. Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria, dengue, and even I-11V is going on and once they are ready a majority of communicable diseases will be prevented.

Chemoprophylaxis (Medication)

The prevention of malaria in travelers going to endemic diseased areas by using medications is highly recommended. Another example of chemoprophylaxis (which was successful) was the use of tamiflu (oseltamivir) which was used to prevent H1N1 infection during the initial outbreak a few years ago.

In conclusion, communicable diseases continue to pose a big challenge to mankind but constant efforts from the community and the medical fraternity are needed and are being carried out for effective measures to prevent communicable diseases and to stop their incidence.

Filed Under: Top Stories

How To Stop Nosebleeds

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

How To Stop Nosebleeds

Bleeding from the front of the nose is quite a common occurrence and is easy to control either by simple home measures or by a general practitioner. It is a common ENT emergency which can be scary and frightening. Luckily, most often it is not serious and usually can be managed, although sometimes, medical intervention may become necessary.

While bleeding from the front of the nose is called anterior epistaxis, the other form of nose bleeding is from the back and deeper end of the nose. called posterior epistaxis, which is less common and tends to occur ¡n the elderly. This ¡s more complicated and usually needs admission into a hospital and should be managed by an ENT specialist.

Causes

The commonest cause for nose bleeding is trauma to the nose either external, such as a blow to the tace, or internal, due to nose picking. However, in most cases there is no easily identifiable cause. Some other local conditions that can cause epistaxis includes prolonged exposure to warm and dry air, sino-nasal infections, allergies, foreign body inside the nose. blowing the nose hard, nasal surgeries and septal deviation or perforation, to name a few.

Some of the less common causes of nose bleeding include drugs or medications such as anti-platelets that prolong blood clotting, which include aspirin, ecospirin. clopidogrel, NSAI Ds (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Sometimes nasal bleeding may also be caused by topical nasal medications like antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Chronic liver or kidney disease, long standing alcohol abuse, platelet disorders and inherited bleeding disorders can interfere with blood clotting and influence nasal bleeding. Vascular malformations inside the nose and certain tumours of the nose are some rare causes of epistaxis Uncontrolled hypertension can also cause nose bleeds, but often it is the anxiety associated with nose bleeding that leads to an increase in the BP.

Nose bleeding in the paediatric age group or children between two to twelve years is common and is at most times, harmless and self-limiting. It can also normally be managed at home. And unlike adults, bleeding in children occurs from the front of the nose. It is a spontaneous occurrence, even though some children may experience it more frequently.

The most common causes of nose bleeding in children are minor trauma due to nose picking and exposure to warm, dry air leading to crusting. especially during the summer.

The commonest causes for nose bleeding is trauma to the nose, either external such as a blow to the face, or internal, due to nose picking

Dealing With Nosebleeds Not a lot needs to be done when there is only a small amount of bleeding from the nose. For example, if a person with sinusitis or a cold blows his/her nose forcefully and notices blood on the tissue, they should avoid vigorous nose sneezing, blowing the nose and nose picking. This ¡s enough to keep the bleeding from getting worse.

When To Seek Medical Intervention

  • If bleeding persists after pinching the nose for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • If nosebleeds occur frequently over a short time or if a large amount of blood is lost.
  • If feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Heart beat is fast or there is trouble with breathing.
  • If vomiting blood
  • Have a rash or high fever

Treatment

Most of the anterior bleeding is controlled by day care office procedures such as chemical cauterization (sealing the blood vessel). In severe cases it may be necessary to pack the nose with medicated gauze, balloon nasal packs and synthetic sponge packs that expand when moistened.

The decision on the best course of treatment is made by the ENT specialist. The packing is left in place for 48 to 72 hours. If this does not control bleeding, then arterial embolization or certain surgical procedures may be required.

Prevention

  • Avoid nose picking and forceful blowing of the nose.
  • Trim children’s nails
  • Use saline drops or moisturizers during summer.
  • Take blood thinners only under medical supervision
  • Keep blood pressure under control

FirstAid

  • Don’t get anxious and panicky
  • Sit straight with the head raised. Leaning your head forward while tilting your head back will only make you swallow blood.
  • Pinch the nostrils together and apply direct pressure with the thumb and index finger for 10 minutes.
  • Apply ice packs tightly over the nose on both sides.
  • Spit out any blood in the mouth. Swallowing blood may make one feel nauseous.

Filed Under: Top Stories

Boost Your Brain Power

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Boost Your Brain Power

The brain serves many important functions, such as memory, language, calculation, arithmetic, judgment and reasoning, music and artistic skills and so on. Therefore, the brain is, undoubtedly, the most important organ of the body. It is the brain that differentiates human beings from animals, makes them superior and most powerful of all. Also, among human beings, people with superior brains perform better and excel in their lives. So, it would be most useful to boost brain power, if possible. Here, we discuss simple methods that can help improve brain power.

Unchangeable Factors

Genes
Many brain functions such as memory and intelligence depend on genes of parents that are passed on to children. Obviously, these cannot be changed. So, parents with superior brains are likely to have children with superior brains, with better memory and intelligence.

Age
Most brain functions deteriorate with age. Therefore, one should try to do most of the things at an earlier age, taking advantage of the best condition of the brain. However, with more experience and at an older age, certain tasks can be done better.

Modifiable Factors

Brain Workouts
It is important to keep the brain engaged in some fruitful activities, as much as possible. Activities such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku are very important ways to boost brain power. Also, learning a new hobby at a later age would improve brain power. One can even learn to play a musical instrument or a new game in their 40s or 50s. Creative work such as writing, reading, painting or playing instruments are very healthy activities to boost brain function. On the other hand, watching TV, sitting idle. etc. are not good for the brain.

Foods That Boost Brain Power

Wholegrains – The brain needs energy in the form of glucose to function and this is provided by wholegrains, such as wheat, brown pasta, etc. A steady supply of glucose improves concentration and focus.

Fish – Fish is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.

Tomatoes – These are rich in lycopene which is an antioxidant that protects from free radical damage, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Blueberries – Regular consumption of blueberries has shown to improve or delay memory loss.

Pumpkin seeds – These seeds are rich in zinc, which can enhance memory and thinking skills.

Broccoli – This vegetable is rich in vitamin K which enhances cognitive skills and improves brainpower.

AmIa, Oranges And Ber – These fruits are rich in vitamin C, known to increase mental agility.

Nuts, Green vegetables, Olives – Rich in vitamin E, these foods can prevent cognitive decline, especially in the elderly.

Vitamin B Supplements Such As Folic Acid, B 12 And Pyridoxine – They reduce the levels of serum homocysteine. High homocysteine levels may increase the risk of brain strokes, so regular intake of B vitamins may reduce the risk of brain strokes (an important cause of cognitive decline).

Exercises improve the brain’s ability to repair any damage, or prevent cognitive decline

Other Methods To Increase Brainpower

Meditation – The brain is constantly working. So, meditation where the brain can be trained to be completely at rest is very important, as ¡t can recharge the brain and make it ready for other challenges.

Yoga – Practicing yoga regularly can also help improve brainpower.

Changing Routine – Doing the same things daily, day after day. makes our life easy. However, challenging the brain by changing the routine, such as taking a new route to office, taking public transport, using the left hand for brushing. etc. really helps the brain get sharper.

Becoming Social – Mixing with friends and society is good for the brain, rather than being aloof and lonely.

Outdoor Activities – Activities like camping. picnics, trekking etc. are fun as well as helpful for improving brain power.

Physical Workouts

Physical exercises are not only useful for building muscle, but also to improve brain function. Aerobic exercises such as walking. running, swimming and cycling lead to release of feel good hormones such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These hormones act as antidepressants and also improve functioning of the hippocampus. Exercises also help the brain plasticity, which improves the brain’s ability to repair any damage, or prevent cognitive decline. New connections in the brain are more easily formed in people who exercise regularly. Though exercising for long will be beneficial, as little as even 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercises may prevent or delay cognitive decline.

Filed Under: Health

How Deep Is Your Pain?

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

How Deep Is Your Pain?

pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. or described in terms of such damage. Pain helps us to withdraw from the actual injury and is usually a protective measure. It also helps us seek appropriate action and prevent potential harm that we might do to ourselves. But sometimes, the pain continues to bother people even after the actual stimulus has been taken care of, continuing to impact an individual’s life.

Debilitating Pain Syndromes

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Phantom Pain
  • Fibromyalgia

Here is an example of a case where a patient with severe pain was treated:
A 49-year-old male was involved in a motor bike accident and sustained a trimalleolar fracture. He underwent an operation and the recovery was as expected and he went home, but he was walking with crutches when discharged. He continued to suffer from pain though the wound had healed and had to be readmitted to the hospital again to remove the surgical plates placed in his ankle. There was some improvement in the pain but it started again after six months.

The pain increased in intensity and started affecting his day-to-day life. So, he avoided meeting his friends and family and became quite withdrawn. He even quit his job as a carpenter and always stayed at home due to the pain. Finally, an orthopaedic team met him and even a number of tests could not detect the cause of the pain. He was then referred to a neurologist to manage the pain. He reported throbbing pain in his right ankle ranging in intensity between seven to nine out of 10 on a pain scoring system. He also reported of a freezing sensation over his foot as well as a change of colour in his toot and ankle with it turning pink/ mottled and swelling during a flare up.

A neurologist reviewed his case and noted that he has less hair on his right leg. has smooth skin with mottled appearance, dystrophic nails, cold to touch and sweaty on comparison to the normal side. The man was diagnosed with CRPS and referred to chronic pain service. He was put on multiple medications with limited benefits. He was also given some low dose antidepressants, which made no significant difference.

He then had to undergo intensive therapy under the rehabilitation department and inputs from the pain team at the same time. He was started on peripheral nerve block with a local anaesthetic and was seen by a rehabilitation physician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist and a social worker for a multidisciplinary approach.

Budapest Diagnostic Criteria For CRPS

The man had temperature changes. colour changes, swelling, sensitivity changes, shiny skin and dystrophic nails.

The Budapest Criteria

Sensory
Allodynia (aka pain normally not painful situations such as touch, temperature, or movement), Hyperalgesia (heightened pain intensity)

Vasomotor
Differences in skin temperature (greater than 1°C)

Differences in skin colouration between different sides of the body

Sudomotor/oedema
Changes or asymmetry in swelling

Changes or asymmetry in sweating

Motor/trophic Decreased movement
Motor symptoms (weakness, tremors etc)

Changes in hair/skinfriails

Left/Right Discrimination

The man was challenged with various approaches and his responses and accuracies were timed. Research shows that people with debilitating pain lose left/right discrimination and retraining, helps them to progress to the next stages of GMI.

He then underwent motor imagery where he had to imagine doing some movements and initially he had pain issues just by imagining the movements, but he made progress with time. His third step in GMI (Graded Motor Imagery) was mirror therapy.

Invented by Dr Vilayanur S Ramachandran, mirror therapy was initially designed for relieving phantom pain and is now being used for other conditions like complex pain syndromes and stroke recovery as well.

Filed Under: Top Stories

Weight Training And The Heart

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Weight Training And The Heart

Traditionally heart patients are strictly advised against indulging in any weight lifting exercises due to the added stress it can cause to the heart. However, research shows that this is not entirely true. Patients suffering from angina, uncontrolled blood pressure, severe pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure are often refrained from lifting weights. However, when they practice using light weights, it can benefit patients with stable coronary disease. The positives of weight training include increased muscle strength, bone density, insulin sensitivity, and endurance.

However, it is extremely crucial that all heart patients consult their cardiologists before taking up weight training, as it affects each patient differently. It is also important to decide on which exercises to do, intensity and duration beforehand in consultation with the doctor and trainer. Also, weight training exercises must always be performed under the supervision of an experienced trainer who has prior experience in dealing with heart patients.

The Heart And Exercises

For those with a history of any heart ailment, like a weak heart or having suffered from a heart attack, aerobic exercises are the safest. Research indicates that an ongoing exercise routine (over 150 minutes a week) improves the functioning of the heart, expedites the recovery process and even reverses heart conditions in some cases. An ideal exercise regime should consist of a mix of aerobic (cardio) exercises, stretching and weight training. This will help burn calories, lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol.

Aerobic exercises denote low to high-intensity physical exercise that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Medium to long distance running, jogging. brisk walking, swimming, and cycling are some of the exercises recommended for good heart health, but do not push yourself too hard. Pro-exercise warmups and post-exercise cool down routines are extremely important. Stretching can improve the body’s flexibility and also regulate blood flow.

Weight Lifting And Heart Health

  • Weight training involves exercises in which one has to lift weights. If done correctly, ¡t helps widen blood vessels and lower arterial stiffness. Both these factors are key contributors to good heart health.
  • Weight lifting should always be done in combination with aerobic exercises and not more than two-three times a week as over indulgence can cause injury. The amount of weight that one can lift depends on age, gender, physical condition and the cardiac function of the person. It also depends on the type of exercise being done
  • It is imperative for pre-diagnosed heart patients to consult their cardiologist before engaging in any sort of weight training exercises.

Exercising should make you feel wonderful and not stressed out. Add variety to your regime to make it more enjoyable. Make exercising an integral part of your life and help your heart stay fit and healthy.

Precautions While Exercising

  • Stop exercising if there is shortness of breath. Consult a doctor to discuss the symptoms. It the problem persists, the doctor might make changes in your diet and medication.
  • Do not exercise if you have been recently unwell. It is important to wait for a few days for the symptoms to disappear.
  • Stop exercising it the heartbeat ¡s irregular or there are palpitations. Rest and check your pulse after 15 minutes. If it’s more than 120 beats per minute at rest, consult your doctor immediately.
  • Do not ignore any pain you feel while exercising. If you have pain in the chest or anywhere else in the body, discontinue exercising. Performing an activity while in pain causes damage to the joints.
  • Watch out for chest pain, dizziness, weakness, pressure or pain in your neck, jaw, arm or shoulder. If you experience any of the above, stop exercising and rest.
  • Never opt to engage in strenuous exercises such as running a marathon without prior training.
  • Do not exercise for at least an hour after eating.
  • Maintain a steady pace whether you are doing aerobic exercises or weight lifting.
  • Always workout at a moderate consistent speed especially when lifting weights.
  • Breathe while exercising. Exhale when you are lifting weights and inhale when you some back to the starting position.
  • If you are healthy, start with 12 repetitions of each exercise and if you are afflicted with a condition, use lighter weights and do as many as 15 repetitions of each set.

Filed Under: Health

10 Power Foods For Strength and Stamina

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

10 Power Foods For Strength and Stamina

Physical strength is much more than being able to run long distances or lift heavy weights in a gym. Being physically fit isn’t only about being able to carry out our daily activities with ease and vigour. Physical strength, according to sports nutrition is considered to be a cumulative effect of components such as cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength, body composition, balance, agility, and flexibility or in other words, a state of general health and wellbeing.

We often use the terms strength, endurance, and stamina interchangeably during fitness programs, but each of these attributes are distinct concepts that define and measure our physical strength. While muscular strength refers to the maximum amount of force our muscles can exert during a short period of physical activity (achieved through resistance training) muscular endurance or stamina is related to our ability to perform repeated muscular activities for an extended duration (marathon, cycling or long cardio sessions).

The key to becoming stronger, fitter and healthier is to adapt exercise regimes according to your specific fitness goals and to adopt a sound nutrition plan that fuels the body optimally, builds and repairs muscles and also improves workout performance.

The Role Of Diet

Whether the aim is to build six packs, improve energy levels, or train better, the power of nutrition cannot be trivialized. Both training and nutrition work synergistically to ensure that tat loss is achieved and muscular strength is enhanced. The rule is simple. Fuel the body with the right kind and amount of foods at regular intervals.

Include high quality lean protein sources such as whey, egg, meat, soy and milk throughout the day, with extra doses during breakfast and after training sessions to build muscle mass. Add a consistent supply of slow acting good carbs to avoid sudden spikes in glucose levels and consume adequate amounts of essential fatty acids to boost stamina and speed up post workout recovery.

Foods For Fitness

Instead of relying on expensive supplements, try to get the majority of strength building nutrients from these power foods that provide a well rounded package of proteins, carbs, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

Eggs
Loaded with nine essential amino acids, vitamin D and B 12, iron and choline, eggs are easily the number one power food. If you are watching your cholesterol intake, eat only egg whites. otherwise enjoy whole eggs as long as you are not overdoing it. Team boiled, poached or scrambled eggs with whole wheat breads or oatmeal and sautéed carrots and peas as sides to add more power to the dish.

Bananas
Opt for energy dense bananas to fight fatigue and replenish potassium stores that the body needs but loses during intense physical activities.

Green Tea
Besides antioxidants, green tea contains an amino acid called L theanine that keeps the mind focused and provides protection against muscle damage.

Sweet potatoes
The starchy nutrient dense goodness of sweet potatoes makes them excellent post workout snack options. The complex carbs spruce up energy levels. vitamin A. C and iron boost immunity and oxygen carrying capacity of blood. potassium helps maintain electrolyte balance and magnesium relaxes muscular contractions.

Broccoli
High in folic aad, calcium, iron and vitamin K, green veggies such as broccoli and spinach are the new superheroes for better muscle power and stronger bones.

Cottage Cheese
A mere 100 grams of low fat cottage cheese or paneer packs a whopping 12 grams of protein, only 103 calories and less than two grams of fat. Pair them with crackers, add to salads and wraps or simply enjoy them plain with salt and pepper.

Mackerel
Consume fresh saltwater fish like salmon, mackerel. pomfret and tuna for their excellent protein profile and heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids that help reduce muscle soreness and pain.

Berries
Antioxidants are crucial to tight oxidative stress caused by tree radicals released during aerobic and strength building exercises. Just a handful of berries can arm our body with vitamins (A and C), minerals such as manganese and copper and a range of phytochemicals help keep us alert and energized and also ward off muscle damage, heart diseases and cancer.

Quinoa
Quinoa is a power packed protein and carbohydrate combo that replenishes glycogen stores and also builds muscle power and stamina.

Mixed Nuts
Source of calories, proteins, mono unsaturated fats, vitamin E, zinc, magnesium and fibre, nuts are a great choice for building strength and endurance. Prepare a homemade mix with almonds, walnuts, peanuts, raisins and dates and grab a handful in between meals or an hour before workouts to render that extra edge to your fitness routine.

Filed Under: Health

Ageism And Elderhood

August 11, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Ageism And Elderhood

“What we need is a radical reinterpretation of longevity that makes elders (and their needs) central to our collective pursuit of happiness and well-being”

Why don’t we celebrate old age joyously. embrace it and rejoice in it, like we celebrate youth? Ageing is as inevitable as wrinkles and death is a feature inbuilt in the design of all living things from microscopic organisms to plants, animals and human beings. So what is the point of denial? Why is there a proliferation of anti-ageing products? Emphasis on smooth skin and youthful qualities are giving impetus to this industry, projected to being worth 191.7 million dollars by 2019.

The Rise Of The Elderly The human life cycle is incomplete without experiencing the fourth stage of life called elderhood, after the end of adulthood. A champion for the cause of elderhood, Dr William Thomas says. “People of all ages will live better lives when we succeed in bringing elders back to the heart of our society.” His book ‘What are Old People For? ’focuses on how intergenerational connectedness gives meaning to living for all age groups. The all-pervading presence of people aged 65 and above is larger now, compared to any point in history and gives society a resource never seen before!

We see millions of experienced, wise, patient older citizens in good financial standing and excellent health than of the elderly from the previous generation. Quoting some statistical data from the United States, we see that half of every dollar spent is by a person older than 50 years of age.

The Ageism Problem

In 1968, Dr Robert Butler coined the word ‘ageism’ which has become the third ‘ism’ after racism and sexism. Ageism hurts society as a whole. It is visible in all aspects of society. Portrayals of incompetent older people in the media, phrases like the ‘grey tsunami’forecasting dire economic consequences due to aging, lack of gainful employment for older adults and the dismissal by professionals of the health care concerns of older adults as being attributed to age are just a few. Ageism is creeping into all aspects of society; even the 2016 US presidential race is not above it. Hilary Clinton’s candidature is being questioned as she turns 69 on Election Day next year.

Unfavourable Comparisons

For successful ageing to flourish, we need to combat ageism in workplace structures, policies and beliefs, discourage research that glorifies youth and conflates normal ageing with disease. Why are only the young considered as prototypical humans when the fastest growing segment is in the age group of 65 and older? Why not include older people in research on physical health, biological functioning and human behaviour? Older people are portrayed as needy and frail, with an over exaggeration of cognitive decline associated with normal ageing. However, research shows that our brain is constantly evolving and that an elder uses both sides of the brain, thus using the full spectrum of the brain power in decision making.

Research shows that our brain is constantly evolving and that an elder uses both sides of the brain, thus using the full spectrum of the brain power in decision making

Change In Perception Required

Ageing is seen as a stand-alone phenomenon happening to individuals, but this is a universal phenomenon. A focus on gerontology, trained geriatricians and enhancement of features that lead to high level functioning very late in life and getting these within the reach of the older population is the need of the hour. Longevity is here to stay, so we must work towards ending ageism.

Discriminatory social structures and erroneous beliefs attempt to shape our ageing. Let us tackle ageism with fervour. If marriage equality is worth a mention why not age equality? Death is associated with ageing and research shows that the elderly are not afraid of dying. People are happiest at the beginning and at the end of their lives (Blanchflower and Oswald 2008, Yang, 2008) age bestows more on an individual than it takes away. Once we are at peace with this, we will be able to tackle prejudices that go with age like, ‘wrinkles are ugly’ or even the linking of incompetence with old age.

Filed Under: Health

Knockout Knee Pain

August 9, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Knockout Knee Pain

The dip in temperature during the winters, can be troublesome for some and most especially for those suffering from joint pain, inflammatory conditions, and arthritis. It is believed that joint pains increase in winters because the air pressure decreases during cold weather. It is because of this, that the inflamed parts of the body like the knees, shoulders. elbows etc. swell up and pain increases. This pain can nevertheless be managed by following some simple tips.

Pain Management

Eat Healthy
Eating healthy food that includes a lot of vegetables. diary, fruits, cereals and pulses is good for the joints. Consuming food rich in vitamins C and K is good for cartilage production and absorption of calcium which will in turn strengthen the bones. Drinking water, taking vitamin D supplements and staying away from coffee, tea, alcohol and sugary drinks is great for the joints. Drink juices or just plain water instead of unhealthy drinks.

Exercise
Working out regularly not only aids weight loss but also makes the body flexible and strengthens the muscles, supporting the joints. Exercises like cycling and walking are good for the knees.

Soak Up Some Sun
The best source of vitamin D is the sun and it is very important for bone strength. Standing in the sun early morning or just before sunset is good for bodily functions and is the best way to warm up on chilly mornings as well as to soak up important nutrients but avoid the afternoon sun.

Keep Warm
To ease joint pain, soak them in warm water. Taking a hot bath or swimming in a hot pool can also help. But do not let it last for more than 20 minutes. Wrapping joints in a warm cloth or wrap also helps.

Joint pain, stiffness and inflammation can be quite debilitating for a person as almost every activity they were previously used to, like walking or even sitting can prove painful. In winters, the pain can be terrible during the nights making a person feel fatigued and requiring painkillers to ease the discomfort. In such cases, it is important to visit a doctor in the early stages of the pain so that it doesn’t get aggravated.

If a doctor suggests surgery after consultation, necessary research and even a second opinion needs to be taken before opting for it. There has been a lot of technological advancements in hip and knee surgeries, so getting a knee replacement surgery done is not a problem.

Latest technology has helped create long-lasting implants that also perform very well like Oxinium, which has been tested extensively in labs before being used on patients. It is the most commonly recommended prosthesis on patients and is responsible for them leading more active and happy lives.

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Addressing Fertility Problem In Men

August 9, 2019 by Prasanna Leave a Comment

Addressing Fertility Problem In Men

Infertility, especially in India, is still considered to be a female problem, while in reality, sometimes the infertility problems could lie with the man. People know it exists, but it is one of those things that no one wants to address. Male infertility happens to 50 per cent men who visit clinics and the problem can be due to low sperm motility, abnormal sperm, and even low sperm count.

Male infertility could also be due to genital infections, hormonal problems and ejaculatory dysfunction. It is therefore important for men to get fertility tests done along with their partners. The semen of the man is analysed to check its quantity and quality. Any defects like oligospermia (few sperms produced), azoospermia (zero sperm count) no sperm movement and sperm motility problems can be detected with sonography and analysis.

Thanks to advances in technology, the causes of male infertility is easy to detect. A DNA fragmentation is used to check for damages in the DNA. a sperm aneuploidy test (SAT) and a diagnostic test can be done to study chromosomal abnormalities to determine the cause of infertility. In some cases, when the veins get too enlarged in the scrotum, like in varicocele, surgical therapy can prove helpful.

It is always easy to choose the right treatment once the cause of infertility is determined. The various treatment options include hormonal treatments, intra-uterine insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and assisted reproductive techniques. The ICSI is a new procedure whereby the egg and sperm of the couple are taken and then a single sperm is injected into an egg which is then implanted into the uterus of the woman. It ¡s just like having a test tube baby.

Another successful process is the testicular sperm exaction in which sperm is taken from the testicles if there is no sperm in the semen due to a blockage in the testes. Some of the most common lifestyle causes of male infertility is, leading a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and stress. According to research, these causes amount to 25-50 per cent of male infertility.

Helpful Suggestions

  • Do not delay having a baby. Men, like women, also have a biological clock so the older a man gets, the harder it becomes to impregnate a woman.
  • Do not get too stressed out. Do some yoga or some form of exercise to feel good.
  • Avoid taking steroids
  • Give up smoking as it affects fertility, reduces sperm production and also damages the DNA.
  • Visit a fertility specialist if you have not been able to conceive for a year.

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