Fatigue - Useful Tips

Fatigue fighting tips

People who are fatigued feel chronically tired in both body and mind. Low energy levels can be caused by a number of factors working in combination, such as unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems and stress. There are many different ways you can boost your energy levels. However, always see your doctor to make sure that your fatigue isn’t caused by an underlying medical problem.

Energy explained
Food is broken down by the digestive system. Some elements, such as water and glucose, can be absorbed through the stomach, while the remaining nutrients are absorbed through the small intestine.

The body’s preferred energy source is glucose, which comes from carbohydrates, but it can also use fatty acids (from fats) and amino acids (from proteins). Glucose is delivered to virtually every cell in the body by the bloodstream, and is then burned with oxygen to produce energy. Hormones control every step in this process; for example, the pancreas makes the hormone insulin, which helps to control blood sugar levels.

Dietary suggestions
Have a good look at your diet - it’s very important if you want more energy in your daily life. Suggestions include:

• Drink plenty of water - a dehydrated body functions less efficiently.
  


• Be careful with caffeine - one or two caffeinated drinks (like coffee, tea or cola) per day boosts energy and mental alertness. However, heavy caffeine users (more than six drinks per day) are prone to anxiety, irritability and reduced performance.
  


• Eat breakfast - food boosts your metabolism and gives the body energy to burn. The brain relies on glucose for fuel, so choose carbohydrate-rich breakfast foods such as cereals or wholegrain bread.
  


• Don’t skip meals - going without food for too long allows blood sugar levels to dip. Try to eat regularly to maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
  


• Don’t crash diet - low kilojoule diets, or diets that severely restrict carbohydrates, don’t contain enough energy for your body’s needs. The reduced food variety of the typical crash diet also deprives the body of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
  


• Eat a healthy diet - increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain foods, low fat dairy products and lean meats in your diet. Reduce the amount of high fat, high sugar and high salt foods.
  


• Don’t overeat - large meals can drain your energy. Instead of eating three big meals per day, try eating six mini-meals to spread your kilojoule intake more evenly. This will result in more constant blood sugar and insulin levels. You’ll also find it easier to lose excess body fat if you eat this way.
  


• Eat iron rich foods - women, in particular, are prone to iron-deficiency (anaemia). Make sure your diet includes iron rich foods such as lean red meat.

Sleep suggestions

A common cause of fatigue is not enough sleep, or poor quality sleep. Suggestions include:

• Get enough sleep - adults need about eight hours sleep per night. Make the necessary changes to ensure you get a better night’s sleep.
  


• Limit caffeine - too much caffeine, particularly in the evening, can cause insomnia. Limit caffeinated drinks to five or less per day, and avoid these types of drinks after dinner.
  


• Learn how to relax - a common cause of insomnia is fretting about problems while lying in bed. Experiment with different relaxation techniques until you find one or two that work for you; for example, you could think of a restful scene, focus on your breathing, or silently repeat a mantra or phrase.
  


• Avoid sleeping pills - sleeping pills don’t work in the long term because they don’t address the causes of insomnia.

Lifestyle suggestions

Suggestions include:

• Don’t smoke - cigarette smoke contains many harmful substances. There are many reasons why smokers typically have lower energy levels than non-smokers. For example, for the body to make energy it needs to combine glucose with oxygen, but the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen available in the blood.
  


• Increase physical activity - physical activity boosts energy levels, while a sedentary lifestyle is a known cause of fatigue. Physical activity has many good effects on the body and mind. For example, exercise and moderate physical activity reduces blood pressure, helps to maintain a healthy weight, and is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. A good bout of exercise also helps you sleep better at night.
  


• Limit the time you sit down - reduce sedentary behaviours such as watching television and using computers.
  


• Seek advice - if you haven’t exercised in a long time, are obese, aged over 40 years or have a chronic medical condition, always seek your doctor’s advice and encouragement regarding the small steps you can take toward a more active lifestyle.
  


• Seek treatment for substance abuse - excessive alcohol consumption or recreational drug use contributes to fatigue, and is unhealthy and potentially dangerous.
  


• Workplace issues - demanding jobs, conflicts at work and burnout are common causes of fatigue. Take steps to address your work problems. A good place to start is to talk with your human resources officer.

Psychological issues

Studies suggest that between 50 and 80 per cent of fatigue cases are mainly due to psychological factors. Suggestions include:

• Assess your lifestyle - for example, are you putting yourself under unnecessary stress? Are there ongoing problems in your life that may be causing prolonged anxiety or depression? It may help to seek professional counselling to work out family, career or personal issues.
  


• Relaxation training - constant anxiety drains the body of energy and can lead to burnout. Strategies include learning relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, to help to ‘switch off’ the adrenaline and allow the body and mind to recover.
  


• Learn to do nothing - one of the drawbacks of modern life is the urge to drive ourselves to bigger and better heights. A hectic lifestyle is exhausting. Try to carve out a few more hours in your week to simply relax and hang out. If you can’t find a few more hours, it may be time to rethink your priorities and commitments.
  


• Have more fun - maybe you’re so preoccupied with commitments and pressures that you don’t give yourself enough time for fun. Laughter is one of the best energy boosters around.

Coping with the mid-afternoon energy slump

Most people feel drowsy after lunch. This mid-afternoon drop in energy levels is linked to the brain’s circadian rhythm and is ‘hard wired’ into the human body. Prevention may be impossible, but there are ways to reduce the severity of the slump, including:

• Incorporate as many of the above fatigue fighting suggestions as you can into your lifestyle. A fit, healthy and well-rested body is less prone to severe drowsiness in the afternoon.
  


• Eat a combination of protein and carbohydrates for lunch, for example a tuna sandwich. Carbohydrates provide glucose for energy.
  


• More good reasons to eat protein for lunch; the amino acid tyrosine allows the brain to synthesise the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which help keep your mind attentive and alert.
  


• Get moving. A brisk walk or even 10 minutes of stretching at your desk improves blood flow and boosts energy.

Where to get help

• Your doctor

Things to remember

• Always see your doctor to make sure that your fatigue isn’t caused by an underlying medical problem.
  


• Activity and nutrition are an important part of putting more energy into your daily life.
  


• Studies suggest that between 50 and 80 per cent of fatigue cases are mainly due to psychological factors.


• You might also be interested in:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

.Chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise.

Fatigue explained.

Jet lag.

Sleep - common disorders.

Sleep apnoea.

Sleep deprivation.

Sleep hygiene.

Sleep problems - insomnia.

Smoking - effects on your body.

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Related topics:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise
Fatigue explained
Jet lag
Sleep - common disorders

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Fatigue fighting tips - Better Health Channel
Fatigue can mean feeling tired, lethargic, sleepy or lacking energy. Tips to fight fatigue include drinking lots of water, limiting caffeine, improving your diet and getting enough sleep. Activity and physical exercise help fight fatigue. Fatigue can have a medical cause so check with your doctor. Fatigue can also be a symptom of stress, anxiety, grief or depression. ..
The link should appear like this: Fatigue fighting tips - Better Health ChannelFatigue can mean feeling tired, lethargic, sleepy or lacking energy. Tips to fight fatigue include drinking lots of water, limiting caffeine, improving your diet and getting enough sleep. Activity and physical exercise help fight fatigue. Fatigue can have a medical cause so check with your doctor. Fatigue can also be a symptom of stress, anxiety, grief or depression. ..© State of Victoria. All rights reservedThe information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.

Bird Flu - Symptoms,Causes,Prevention

Bird Flu

Bird flu is a kind of influenza that is caused by viruses, which are adapted to the avian species, i.e. birds. This kind of avian influenza is also known as avian flu. It is generally caused by the different influenza virus strains that are adapted to a specific host. This kind of influenza is similar to that of dog flu, horse flu or human flu.
Causes of Bird Flu

The different virus that causes bird flu in the birds belongs to the species of Influenza A. All the subtypes of these viruses, however, have been adapted to the avian species. Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 virus strain, which is a subtype of the Influenza, A virus. However, the H5N1 strain virus that causes bird flu is known as HPAI A (H5N1). This virus strain has caused epidemic in different species of bird. However, apart from other avian species it can also affect other animals.
Bird Flu Symptoms

The most common symptom of bird flu is fever. A person suffering from bird flu can have temperature above 100°F. Apart from fever a person suffering from bird flu will have cough which is similar to the normal flu symptom. However, a person who is affected with bird flu will pass on the virus along with the cough.

This is the reason why the disease is called to be highly infectious. This infectious nature of the disease makes it essential that both the patients suffering from bird flu and the caretakers taking care of them should wear facemasks. However, a person suffering from bird flu will face difficulty in breathing. Besides, these patients will also suffer from shortness of breath.

The patients suffering from bird flu will also suffer from sore throat, which is a common symptom of normal flu; some of the patients suffering from bird flu suffer from diarrhea and also abdominal pain. However, all patients do not face this kind of problem. Some patients may even face the symptom of watery diarrhea.

In most cases the patients generally face the problem of diarrhea before encountering the respiratory problem. Another common symptoms which some of the patients display is the bleeding of the gums and nose. There are some patients who have the symptoms of muscle aches, which is similar to the symptom of normal flu.

Some of the patients suffering from bird flu face the symptom of vomiting and nausea. Conjunctivitis is another common symptom. People who are affected with H5N1 bird flu generally do not get affected with conjunctivitis. This is mostly faced by patients who are suffering from bird flu caused by different other subtypes of the Influenza A virus.

Bird Flu Prevention

There is no definite treatment for bird flu. There are no vaccines that can treat H5N1 bird flu. However, researches on some vaccines are in progress. Nonetheless they have not yet crossed the boundaries of clinical trials. The vaccines that are available in the market have been found to be ineffective in treating this kind of bird flu.

However, there are some antiviral drugs that target the neuraminidase component of influenza, and have been found to be of great help in fighting bird flu. These antiviral drugs may help in reducing the severeness of the symptoms of bird flu.

Besides, these drugs also reduce the days for which a person suffers from bird flu. These antiviral drugs also help in reducing the complications that occurs to a person suffering from bird flu. Among the different antiviral drugs the three drugs that have been found to be effective include Tamiflu, Peramivir and Relenza.

Bird Flu Prevention

If you want to protect yourself from bird flu, you should always properly wash your hands and maintain general hygiene. You should try to stay away from a particular area where bird flu has occurred.

Always try to stay away from animals and humans suffering from bird flu. The healthcare professionals who are taking care of people suffering from bird flu should always use masks, aprons, gloves and other kind of protective to protect themselves from getting affected by bird flu.

Dengue Fever - Symptoms,Causes,Treatment

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue.

Dengue (pronounced DENG-gay) strikes people with low levels of immunity. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.

Dengue goes by other names, including "breakbone" or "dandy fever." Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever. Slaves in the West Indies who contracted dengue were said to have dandy fever because of their postures and gait.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Manifestations include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Petechiae (small red or purple blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening or even fatal.

What areas are at high risk for contracting dengue fever?

Dengue is prevalent throughout the tropics and subtropics. Outbreaks have occurred in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba, and Central America. Cases have also been imported via tourists returning from areas with widespread dengue, including Tahiti, the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, the West Indies, India, and the Middle East.

Dengue fever is common and may be increasing in Southeast Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia have all reported an increase in cases. According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 50 million cases of dengue fever with 500,000 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever requiring hospitalization each year. Nearly 40% of the world's population lives in an area endemic with dengue.

How is dengue contracted?

The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease.
The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.

What are the signs and symptoms of dengue?

After being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, the incubation period ranges from three to 15 (usually five to eight) days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear. Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. The temperature rises quickly as high as 104° F (40° C), with relative low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension). The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.

Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by rapid drop in temperature (defervescence) with profuse sweating. This precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows. A characteristic rash appears along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face. The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen.

How is dengue fever treated?

Because dengue is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms (symptomatic). Rest and fluid intake for adequate hydration is important. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine may be given for severe headache and for the joint and muscle pain (myalgia).

What is the outcome with typical dengue?

Typical dengue does not result in death. It is fatal in less than 1% of cases. The acute phase of the illness with fever and myalgias lasts about one to two weeks. Convalescence is accompanied by a feeling of weakness (asthenia), and full recovery often takes several weeks.

What is dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a specific syndrome that tends to affect children under 10. It causes abdominal pain, hemorrhage (bleeding), and circulatory collapse (shock). DHF is also called Philippine, Thai, or Southeast Asian hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.
DHF starts abruptly with high continuous fever and headache. There are respiratory and intestinal symptoms with sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Shock occurs two to six days after the start of symptoms with sudden collapse, cool, clammy extremities (the trunk is often warm), weak pulse, and blueness around the mouth (circumoral cyanosis).

In DHF, there is bleeding with easy bruising, blood spots in the skin (petechiae), spitting up blood (hematemesis), blood in the stool (melena), bleeding gums, and nosebleeds (epistaxis). Pneumonia is common, and inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may be present.
Patients with DHF must be monitored closely for the first few days since shock may occur or recur precipitously. Cyanotic (bluish) patients are given oxygen. Vascular collapse (shock) requires immediate fluid replacement. Blood transfusions may be needed to control bleeding.
The mortality, or death rate, with DHF is significant. It ranges from 6%-30%. Most deaths occur in children. Infants under a year of age are especially at risk of dying from DHF.

How can dengue fever be prevented?

The transmission of the virus to mosquitoes must be interrupted to prevent the illness. To this end, patients are kept under mosquito netting until the second bout of fever is over and they are no longer contagious.

The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue. In nations plagued by dengue fever, people are urged to empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots. Governmental initiatives to decrease mosquitoes also help to keep the disease in check but have been poorly effective.

Wear long pants and long sleeves. For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing water and staying indoors two hours after sunrise and before sunset will help. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with peak periods of biting around sunrise and sunset. It may bite at any time of the day and is often hidden inside homes or other dwellings, especially in urban areas.

There is currently no vaccine available for dengue fever. There is a vaccine undergoing clinical trials, but it is too early to tell if it will be safe or effective.

Tips - Prevent from Brain Stroke

Stroke Prevention: 5 Ways to Prevent a Brain Attack

You can prevent the third-leading cause of death and the top cause of adult disability in the U.S.
By Sarah Baldauf
Posted May 12, 2009

Lifestyle counts, and in stroke prevention, the sum of one's efforts appears to be greater than singular prevention elements. A study in an August issue of the journal Circulation suggests that leading a low-risk lifestyle—including getting exercise, eating a healthful diet, and not smoking—reduces the risk of ischemic stroke, the most common from of stroke, in the general population by approximately 80 percent. It's essential to know what puts you at higher risk for stroke and to be able to immediately recognize the symptoms if you have a stroke, but much can be done to prevent such an event. Consider these elements of reducing your likelihood of having a stroke:

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Quit smoking. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers on average have double the risk of ischemic stroke. And a study in an August issue of the journal Stroke found a dose-response in female subjects, meaning that the more cigarettes a woman smoked per day, the higher her odds of suffering a stroke. Two packs per day boosted risk of stroke to nine times that of nonsmokers. The same study found that when subjects quit smoking, their risk of stroke returned to normal within two years.

Get off the hormones, ladies. Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen, used to ease symptoms of menopause, have been found to significantly boost a woman's risk of stroke. And Tibolone, a synthetic HRT that mimics estrogen and the hormone progesterone, was found last year to increase the risk of stroke in women older than 60. Also, smokers who take birth control pills are at far greater risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart attack than women on the pill who don't smoke.

Eat your veggies. As if you need yet another reason to eat your vegetables, the American Heart Association recommends people at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, which includes stroke, should make sure they get several servings a day. One reason is to increase intake of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, which have been associated with lower blood levels of homocysteine. Epidemiological studies suggest that high levels of this amino acid are associated with elevated rates of heart disease and stroke. Folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 can also be found in fortified grains and cereals.

Take aspirin and a blood thinner, if your doctor recommends it. Low-dose aspirin is regularly prescribed to prevent a second heart attack, stroke, or "mini-stroke" and also is given to patients who are at high risk of having such a cardiovascular event. In those with abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, the blood thinner warfarin is often also prescribed to help prevent stroke. But some heart patients cannot safely take warfarin, which can cause dangerous bleeding and requires that the patient follow strict dietary limitations. A study published online in a March issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that the incidence of stroke in those who cannot take warfarin went down by a third (from 3.4 percent to 2.4 percent per year) when they took Plavix along with aspirin.

Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Making lifestyle changes, including eating a diet low in sodium and saturated fats, getting regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and staying trim, can help you lower your stroke risk. So can taking medications your doctor may prescribe to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol. Chronically uncontrolled blood pressure promotes hardening of arteries and buildup of plaque, and a temporary spike in blood pressure can raise the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by bleeding in the brain. A study published in the May issue of Lancet Neurology analyzed existing research and concluded that taking statins to lower "bad," or LDL, cholesterol, if that level is initially too high, is associated with reduced rates of stroke.

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Benefits of Fruits - Health Point of View

Benefits of Fruits
by Rodallega, Sep 3, 2008

Which fruit is good for which illness or diseas? For which patients do doctors recommend which fruits and combinations of them?

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In 1948, Jay Kordich caught to bladder cancer. According to the doctors, Kordich needed a great miracle to heal. The only thing which will heal Jay is miracle. However, Jay was not as worried as doctors'. She believed that she would heal. Since she didn't believe that modern medicine would not heal her, she tried to discover new alternative way of healing. At the end of her fight against the cancer, she was the winner. After years, she could get over the cancer with the help of fruits and vegetables. She went on her research after she completely felt fine and vigourous. These ones are what she found about fruits and their benefits.

Fig
It is used in treatment of hemorrhoids and some cancer types like skin cancer. It is suggested for asthma and diabetes patients. Fig is also good for nausea, headache, fevers and whooping cough.

Apple
It improves the functions of kidneys and eases kidney activities. Apple is also good for digestion problems.

Apricot
It is a blood supply. It increases the flow of blood in both directions in vessels. It protects the formation of cancer cells since it is a great source of Carotenoid. Apricot also helps to growth of hair.

Banana
Banana is good for heart and muscular system. It protects the feeling of exhaustion and diarrhea.

Cherry
Good storage for minerals and vitamins. It contains vitamin A and vitamin C, Melatonin, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids. It help to fight cancer types. It relieves the pain and especially headache, improves mental functions and reduces the risk of heart attack.

Grapefruit
It strengthens the immune system. It is a good source of vitamin C with lemon and other fruits. It helps to prevent formation of cancer cells and tumors. It helps in digestion of nutrients. Grapefruit is good for cough and flue since it is rich in vitamin C. It also decreases the level of cholesterol in blood and protects gingival bleedings.

Orange
It helps to whooping cough, flu and heart diseases. It protects and decreases the risk of paralysis.


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Benefits of Vegetables - Health Point of View

Health Benefits & Concerns for Vegetables

Bronchitis

A diet high in antioxidants may protect against the free-radical-damaging effect of environmental toxins or cigarette smoke. Studies comparing different populations have shown that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may reduce the risk of developing chronic bronchitis.

Cataracts

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.

Crohn’s disease
A high-animal-protein and high-fat diet (from foods other than fish) has been linked to Crohn’s disease in preliminary research. As with many other health conditions, it may be beneficial to eat less meat and dairy fat and more fruits and vegetables.

Diabetes
A high-fiber diet has been shown to work better in controlling diabetes than the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and may control blood sugar levels as well as. The high-fiber diet also reduced the need for oral diabetes drugs. In this study, the increase in dietary fiber was accomplished exclusively through the consumption of foods naturally high in fiber—such as leafy green vegetables—to a level beyond that recommended by the ADA.

Diverticular disease
Dietary factors influence the frequency and severity of diverticular disease recurrences. A diet high in fiber has been shown to be protective against diverticular disease. One study of food intake revealed a 50 percent increase in incidence of diverticular disease in persons eating a diet high in meat and low in vegetables relative to those eating a high-vegetable and low-meat diet. In addition to helping prevent the disease, a high-fiber diet may also be useful as a treatment for diverticular disease.

Heart attack
A large study of male healthcare professionals found that those men eating mostly a “prudent” diet (high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry) had a 30 percent lower risk of heart attacks compared to men who ate the fewest foods in the “prudent” category. In contrast, men who ate the highest percentage of their foods from the “typical American diet” category (high in red meat, processed meat, refined grains, sweets, and desserts) had a 64 percent increased risk of heart attack, compared to men who ate the fewest foods in that category. A parallel study of female healthcare professionals showed a 15 percent reduction in cardiovascular risk for those on a prudent diet compared to the effect of those eating a low fruit and vegetable diet.

Making positive dietary changes immediately following a heart attack is likely to decrease the chance of a second heart attack. In one study, individuals began eating more vegetables and fruits, and substituted fish, nuts, and legumes for meat and eggs 24 to 48 hours after a heart attack. Six weeks later, the diet group had significantly fewer fatal and nonfatal heart attacks than a similar group who did not make these dietary changes. This trend continued for an additional six weeks.

Hypertension
Vegetarians have lower blood pressure than do people who eat meat. This occurs partly because fruits and vegetables contain potassium—a known blood pressure-lowering mineral. In the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial, increasing intake of fruits and vegetables (and therefore fiber) and reducing cholesterol and dairy fat led to large reductions in blood pressure in just eight weeks. Even though it did not employ a vegetarian diet itself, the outcome of the DASH trial supports the usefulness of vegetarian diets because diets employed by DASH researchers were related to what many vegetarians eat.

Pap smear
High blood levels of folate (the food form of folic acid) have been linked to protection against the development of abnormal Pap smears, but these folate levels may only be a marker for eating more fruit and vegetables.

MALARIA FEVER - Symptoms,Causes,Treatment,Prevention

Definition of Malaria

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite (plasmodium) which is transmitted from human to human by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Description of Malaria

Four species of the parasite plasmodium are responsible for malaria in humans: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium falciparum.

Malaria continues to be endemic in many parts of the tropics and subtropics. Today, the number of cases is rising worldwide. Malarial parasites cause clinical illness in an estimated 300 to 500 million people every year and cause 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths per year.

Each year in the U.S., there are an average of 1000 imported infections; a few cases of locally acquired, mosquito-transmitted infection from an imported case; and an average of four deaths from falciparum malaria. Most of the imported infections are acquired from tropical Africa.

The female Anopheles mosquito becomes infected by ingesting blood containing the sexual forms of the parasite plasmodium. After developing in the mosquito, the plasmodium is inoculated into humans when the mosquito next feeds (bites).

The first stage of plasmodium development in humans takes place in the liver. When the more mature plasmodium escape from the liver and enter the bloodstream, they infect red blood cells and multiply, causing the red blood cells to burst open after about 2 to 3 days and to release a new crop of parasites (plasmodium). The cycle of invasion, multiplication, and red blood cell rupture may be repeated many times.

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Causes and Risk Factors of Malaria

Malaria comes from being bitten by a mosquito carrying the malaria organism. Risk factors include traveling in areas in which such mosquitoes are found or, rarely, being bitten by a mosquito that has previously fed on an "imported" case of malaria (such that the case can occur in an area of the world where malaria is not endemic).

Symptoms of Malaria

Malarial attacks present over 4 to 6 hours with shaking chills, high fever, and sweating, and are often associated with fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dry cough, muscle or joint pain, and back ache. The attacks may occur every other day or every third day.

Cerebral malaria and death can occur, sometimes within 24 hours, if the infection is caused by plasmodium falciparum.

Fever or other symptoms can develop in malaria as early as 8 days or as late as 60 days after exposure or stopping prophylaxis. For plasmodium vivax in temperate areas, the delay may be up to one year.

Diagnosis of Malaria

Methods of diagnosis are:

• complete medical history of symptoms and travel
  


• physical examination
  


• blood tests, including thick and thin blood films, to identify the plasmodium species responsible for infection
  

Treatment of MalariaMedical treatment should be sought immediately.The effectiveness of antimalarial drugs differs with different species of the parasite and with different stages of the parasite's life cycle. Your physician will determine the treatment plan most appropriate for your individual condition.

Drugs include chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, quinine, pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar), and doxycycline. Some plasmodium have developed resistance to certain medications, and therefore, alternative medications will be prescribed for you.

Prevention of Malaria

No prophylactic regimen gives complete protection. Speak with your physician or local travel clinic to receive up to date information about the best malaria protection for you. Effectiveness of any given medication varies by the region of the world in which you plan to travel. Effectiveness also varies from year to year, so current information is essential.

Prevention is based on:

• evaluating the risk of exposure to infection
  


• preventing mosquito bites by using DEET mosquito repellant, bed nets, and clothing that covers most of the body
  


• chemoprophylaxis (preventive medications)
  
  Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Malaria

Are preventive measures necessary for the region of the world I'll be visiting?

Is this a high-risk area for malaria?

What drugs can be taken as a preventive measure?

What is the correct dosage?

When should the drug be started and stopped?

What other precautions should I take; repellents, clothes, nets?

What symptoms should I look for?

Chickenpox - Causes and Symptoms in childhood

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. It is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine.

Chickenpox usually isn''t serious in healthy children. But it can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have immune system problems that make it hard for the body to fight infection.

After you have had chickenpox, you are not likely to get it again. But the virus stays in your body long after you get over the illness. If the virus becomes active again, it can cause a painful viral infection called shingles.

What causes chickenpox, and how is it spread?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can spread easily. You can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister.

A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2 to 3 days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over.

You are at risk for chickenpox if you have never had the illness and have not had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your risk is even higher because of the close contact.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptoms of chickenpox often are a fever, a headache, and a sore throat. You or your child may feel sick, tired, and not very hungry. The chickenpox rash usually appears about 1 or 2 days after the first symptoms start. Some children get the chickenpox rash without having a fever or other early symptoms.

It usually takes 14 to 16 days to get the symptoms of chickenpox after you have been around someone with the virus. This is called the incubation period.

After a chickenpox red spot appears, it usually takes about 1 or 2 days for the spot to go through all its stages. This includes blistering, bursting, drying, and crusting over. New red spots will appear every day for up to 5 to 7 days.

You or your child can go back to work, school, or day care when all blisters have crusted over. This is usually about 10 days after the first symptoms start.

Other illnesses can have symptoms like those of chickenpox. For this reason, you may think you have had chickenpox twice when instead you have had two different infections.

How is chickenpox diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and will examine you. This usually gives your doctor enough information to find out if you have chickenpox.
Healthy children with chickenpox symptoms may not need to visit a doctor. You may be able to describe your child’s symptoms to the doctor over the phone. Then your child won''t have to leave the house and risk spreading the virus to others. But it is important to check with your doctor to find out if he or she wants to see your child.

Teenagers, adults, pregnant women, and people with health problems need to see a doctor for chickenpox. This is especially important for pregnant women, since chickenpox during early pregnancy can cause birth defects. Call first to make an appointment and to discuss whether you need to take any steps to avoid spreading the virus when you arrive. For example, office staff may take you straight to an exam room, rather than have you wait in the lobby.

How is it treated?

Most healthy children and adults need only home treatment for chickenpox. Home treatment includes resting and taking medicines to reduce fever and itching. You also can soak in oatmeal baths to help with itching.

People with long-term diseases or other health problems may need more treatment for chickenpox. They may need immunoglobulin treatment (IG) or antiviral medicine. Your doctor can give you these soon after you are exposed to the virus to help you feel better sooner.

How can you prevent chickenpox?

You can prevent chickenpox by getting the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. Doctors recommend two doses of this shot for healthy children 12 months of age and older who have not had chickenpox. Older children and adults who have not had chickenpox and have not yet had the vaccine also need two doses.

Most children do not have a reaction from the vaccine. But if your child has a serious or long-term illness, talk to your doctor about whether your child should have the vaccine. These children may have a bad reaction from the vaccine.

If you have been around a person who has the virus and you have not had chickenpox or the vaccine, you still may be able to prevent the illness. Get a shot of chickenpox antibodies or the vaccine right away.

In rare cases, people who have had the vaccine still get chickenpox. And a few people who have already had chickenpox get it again. If this happens, a milder form of the illness usually occurs, with fewer blisters and symptoms. This is called a breakthrough infection.

Do not expose your child to chickenpox on purpose. Some parents expose their children to chickenpox because they think it is safer for children to have the illness when they are young. But this isn''t a good idea, because even young children can have serious problems from chickenpox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about chickenpox

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Chickenpox:

1. Do you recommend that I have my child vaccinated against chickenpox?Why or why not?
   
2. Can the vaccine cause serious reactions?
   
3. What are they?
   
4. Can they be worse than reactions a child might have to the disease itself?
   
5. Is there anyone who should not receive the vaccine?
   
6. Children with other conditions, such as asthma?
   
7. Women who may be pregnant or are trying to become pregnant?
   
8. Other?
   
9. Under what circumstances should adults receive the chickenpox vaccine?
   
10. Can children who have been vaccinated still get chickenpox?
    
11. Can children who have been vaccinated still spread the illness?
    
12. If a child has never been vaccinated against chickenpox but comes in contact with someone who has the illness, is it too late to have him or her vaccinated?
    
13. How long will the vaccine offer protection against chickenpox? Will boosters be required?
    
14. What causes chickenpox?
    
15. How is it spread?
    
16. How long after exposure do symptoms appear?
    
17. How long does it last?
    
18. How long does the contagious period last?
    
19. I don't remember if I ever had chickenpox. Is there a test to determine if I did?
    
20. Who might be at particular risk from chickenpox and how serious is the risk?
    
21. Children with other conditions, such as asthma?
    
22. Adults in general?
    
23. Pregnant woman?
    
24. Are there related conditions that I should be aware of?
    
25. How are chickenpox and shingles related?
    
26. Other conditions?
    
27. If your child has chickenpox: What home treatments can I use?
    
28. What medicine should I give my child?
    
29. Should I keep my child isolated?
    
30. Should I limit my child’s activity or change his or her diet?
    
31. How long should my child remain home from daycare or school?
    
32. Should I notify daycare or school that my child has chickenpox?
    
33. How likely is it that scarring will occur?
    
34. Are there any symptoms to look for that might require emergency medical attention?
    
35. Can children who have had chickenpox ever get them again?
    
36. Should we return for a follow-up office visit? If so, when?
    

TIPS - Prevent from Cold and Flu

12 Important Tips to Prevent Cold and Flu Infection

Since there are no known cures for colds or the flu, prevention should be your goal. A proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier. The most effective way to prevent flu, frankly, is to get a flu shot. It may not be natural, but it works better than anything else. But there are other strategies you can employ as well.

#1 Wash Your Hands

Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the flu sneezes onto their hand, and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, a kitchen glass. The germs can live for hours -- in some cases weeks -- only to be picked up by the next person who touches the same object. So wash your hands often. If no sink is available, rub your hands together very hard for a minute or so. That also helps break up most of the cold germs.

#2 Don't Cover Your Sneezes and Coughs With Your Hands

Because germs and viruses cling to your bare hands, muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands results in passing along your germs to others. When you feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don't have a tissue, turn your head away from people near you and cough into the air.

#3 Don't Touch Your Face

Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Touching their faces is the major way people catch colds.

#4 Drink Plenty of Fluids

Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. How can you tell if you're getting enough liquid? If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you're getting enough. If it's deep yellow, you need more fluids.

#5 Take a Sauna

Researchers aren't clear about the exact role saunas play in prevention, but one 1989 German study found that people who steamed twice a week got half as many colds as those who didn't. One theory: When you take a sauna you inhale air hotter than 80 degrees, a temperature too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive.

#6 Get Fresh Air

A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. Also, during cold weather more people stay indoors, which means more germs are circulating in crowded, dry rooms.

#7 Do Aerobic Exercise Regularly

Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood, makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood, and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.

#8 Eat Foods Containing Phytochemicals

"Phyto" means plants, and the natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away the vitamin pill, and eat dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and fruits.

#9 Eat Yogurt

Some studies have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.

#10 Don't Smoke

Statistics show that heavy smokers get more severe colds and more frequent ones.
Even being around smoke profoundly zaps the immune system. Smoke dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes cilia, the delicate hairs that line the mucous membranes in your nose and lungs that sweep cold and flu viruses out of the nasal passages. Experts contend that one cigarette can paralyze cilia for as long as 30 to 40 minutes.

#11 Cut Alcohol Consumption

Heavy alcohol use destroys the liver, the body's primary filtering system, which means that germs of all kinds won't leave your body as fast. The result is, heavier drinkers are more prone to initial infections as well as secondary complications. Alcohol also dehydrates the body -- it actually takes more fluids from your system than it puts in.

#12 Relax

If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months. Keep in mind, relaxation is a learnable skill, but it is not doing nothing. People who try to relax, but are in fact bored, show no changes in blood chemicals.

The People's Medical Society is a nonprofit consumer health advocacy organization.

Charles B. Inlander is president, and co-author of 77 Ways to Beat Cold and Flu.

Copyright © 2004-06• Office of Health Education • University of Pennsylvania• Designed by Steve McCann

TIPS - Child Care

Every parents want to nourish their children in a loving, caring and secured atmosphere. The parents would want to give proper care and attention to the little ones, especially during their initial stages of development. As far as child care is concerned, everything, starting from their health, hygiene to safety at home and outside the home needs to be considered. We are here to help you with some child care tips. In this section, you will learn about how to give baby massage, car seat safety tips for babies and young children, facing challenges of diapering babies, weaning babies from breast or bottle, soothe a colic baby and to deal with insisting cries of a toddler to be always held.

Baby Massage

Baby massage is a good old tradition of nurturing the infants, followed by people since centuries. The conventional method of massaging the body parts of the baby with oil helps strengthen the immune system of the infants. The moms take immense pleasure in massaging the soft and delicate skin Apart from being a therapy for strengthening the muscles; baby massage is a nice way to bond with the child. of the infants. However, they should know how to give proper massage, so that the baby gets all the benefits of the therapy.

Car safety seats

Car safety seats, as the name suggests, are primarily designed to protect the children from the impact of an accident in a car. Such seats shield the child during an accident and reduce injuries on a sudden jerk. Child car safety seats are available in a variety of types, designs and with unique features. It is important to purchase the right type of car seats, so that the children can enjoy a safe ride, every time they get into the vehicle. This is because children placed in the wrong type of seat are more prone to accidents.

Colic Soothers

Generally, an infant cries when he/she is hungry or unable to sleep. However, if the baby cries for longer hours continuously, probably he/she is suffering from some ailment. One of the most common health problems suffered by babies is colic. It generally occurs in a baby aged between 3 weeks and 3 months. Immature nervous system in the little ones is the prime reason for the occurrence of colic. Learning how to deal with colic babies is very important, because the baby whimpers all the time, which causes frustration, deprivation of sleep and exhaustion in parents.

Carrying The Growing Baby

Many toddlers, who already know how to walk well, often insist on being carried by their parents. The babies, perhaps, like to view the world at the same height of the elder ones. They might be eager to enjoy a trip to explore the world around them, by resting on the shoulder of their parents. Other factors prompting the babies to be carried by the parents may include insecurity in the presence of strangers. While carrying the growing baby, the parent should make sure that he/she is held comfortably.

Diapering Fidgeting Babies

Diapering a baby is one of the intimidating tasks for the parents, especially when the little ones fidget. While many parents know how to hold their babies in the correct position and tie the diaper, others are not adept at doing the job effortlessly. It becomes even more challenging for the parents, when the baby wobbles and tires to push the diaper with his/her legs. Simple techniques can help the parents to diaper the baby without making the little one cry or become restless.

Weaning Strategies for Babies

Many parents find the transition period of switching from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, called weaning, quite hard to cope with. By the time the babies are one year old, most of the parents stop nursing their children. During the process of transition, it is important to consider the gentle weaning strategies that are recommended by the doctors, so that the baby drinks in bottle and cups happily, without showing any discomfort.

• Baby Massage Tips
  
• Car Seat Safety Tips
  
• Colic Soothers
  
• Carrying the Growing Baby
  
• Diapering Fidgeting Babies
  
• Weaning Strategies for Babies
  

Latest in Parenting in Parenting & Family

• How To Teach Your Baby Sign Language

• How To Discipline Your Child

• How To Protect Children From Bullies

• How To Talk To Your Kids About Sex

• How To Spank Your Child

TIPS - Prevent from Sun Stroke

How to Avoid Sunstroke

Sunstroke can be avoided by following and taking a few easy steps to prevent it. Proper prevention will help you avoid sunstroke, which is very serious and life threatening. One important factor to consider whenever you will be outdoors for an extended period of time under the sun is to protect your eyes from the rays of the sun by wearing sunglasses and a wide brim hat.

Steps

1. Keep the rays of the sun far away from your skin when taking a stroll during a hot summer day. Make sure to wear a hat or walk with a light umbrella, wearing light protective clothing.
   
2. Make sure to go out in the early part of the day if you want to enjoy the solitude and relaxation while sitting and watching the ocean waves as this is when the sun has not reached its peak. If you prefer late in the afternoon, make sure it is the time when the sun is setting. Take along a lightweight umbrella, a bottle of water, and enjoy the peacefulness and quietness, broken only by your thoughts, without worrying about the rays of the sun beating down on your body.
   
3. Use a body size umbrella to completely shade you when it is necessary to remain outdoors for a long period of time. Setting up a table to display your wares at an art show, or casual dining outdoors in the heat of the day, will ensure you the rays of the sun will be prevented from beating directly down on your body preventing dehydration and sunstroke.
   
4. Limit vigorous activity during hot or humid weather, especially during the middle of the day. Try to schedule exercise during cooler morning or evening hours. Rest under the shade for about 10 minutes every 1/2 hour so as not to get exhausted. Drink plenty of water frequently, not just sips and not just when you feel thirsty.
   
5. Rent a cabana or an umbrella when you want to spend the day at the beach without worrying of the sun's rays beating directly down on you. This will not only ensure your comfort, but will keep you safe from the rays of the sun and keep you cool. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages and eat light meals. Drink plenty of water or water-based drinks, and enjoy your day out at the beach. Make sure you wear a wide brimmed hat, and do not forget the eyeglasses. A few precautions will ensure you a great day out, and keep you safe from getting sunstroke.
   
   Tips
   In tropical climates, the rays of the sun are very strong even though it is a shady day. Do not be complacent and think you do not need to take precautions because it is not sunny. This is not true as the rays go through the clouds and penetrate your body even more than on a sunny day.
   
   Warnings
   Many medicines interfere with your body temperature regulations. Either ask your doctor or druggist which medication state that you should not go under the sun, or look up the drug indications on the internet. Look at the prescription bottle itself to see if there are any warnings on there about this.
   
   Related wikiHows
   How to Prevent a Sunburn
   How to Look Good for a Day out in Summer
   How to Treat a Sunburn
   How to Pack a Bag for the Beach
   How to Ride a Bike
   How to Apply Sunscreen

Sources and Citations
Heatstroke info
Wikipedia Hyperthermia
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TIPS- Relief of Depression

If you're feeling like everything is getting on top of you, or you're finding it difficult to cope and function as you normally do or perhaps you're feeling down in the dumps, then try these 5 easy stress relief tips.

1. My favourite stress relief tip of all. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a glass of your favourite drink: beer, tea, hot chocolate, wine or even champagne. Close the door and forget about everything else foran hour or so. This helps to increase levels of calmness and the calmer wefeel, the less likely we are to get stressed out or depressed. A luxurious wayto find stress relief.

2. Comedy night: get in your favourite nibbles: chips, tortillas, salsa, crackers, cheese, pizza, chocolate, cookies, ice cream etc. Crack open a bottle of wine or pour yourself a beer or two and spend a full evening watching your favouritefunny films or comedians. Finding stress relief through laughter will raise yourspirits and is a great antidote to the pressures of modern life.

3. Need stress relief quickly but feel overwhelmed? Get out of the firing line. Just scoot off for some peace and quiet for a day or better still a weekend or aweek. Take a journal, relax and gather your thoughts. When you're under pressure or struggling to cope with a major situation or event in life,seeing solutions to problems can be really difficult. Distance from problems can bring clarity. I love going to the coast when I feel like this and it always, without fail, helps me to quickly find stress relief and the calmer I am, the easier I discover solutions. I don't know why, but being near the ocean helpsme find stress relief almost instantly. Being near water, come to think of it.

4. Find stress relief and feel great by indulging in massage. Share a massage with your partner - create a relaxing atmosphere by softening the lights andhave oils and towels to hand. Lavender oil is particularly relaxing. Or, treat yourself to a massage from a professional masseur or masseuse. For a reallyinvigorating massage, visit a Turkish baths if you're fortunate enough to have one nearby. Massage is very relaxing and increases intimacy between lovers.It's an excellent way to get stress relief but be warned, it's addictive! Not a badthing to be addicted to though, and it will do you the world of good.

5. Spend a week without watching any television. Television can fill your mind with negativity, bombard you with image manipulation via commercials and give you a distorted view of reality by showing you everything that's bad aboutthe world. Famines, disasters, murders, violence, war - the list is endless - andnews programmes and soap operas are full of such events. Continually watching such things will cause you no end of stress! Find some much needed stress reliefby giving your mind a break from this assault on your senses. Abandon the television for a week and do something more rewarding instead: Read a book,listen to music, socialize, workout, go for a walk or try your hand at something new. If you need to hear the news, listen to a radio news bulletin once a day. But try and avoid them for one week, replace them with something more life enhancing. Out of all the stress relief tips, this is perhaps one of the easiest. Try it, see stress levels drop.The above stress relief tips are very easy to implement but they are also very effective in helping to relieve stress, depression and anxiety. Give them a try andwatch your mood levels rise!Until next time.Click Here Now to get started right away on kicking stress, depression and anxiety out of your life forever so you can enjoy a brighter, happier future!