Benefits of Vitamins – The Vital Need of the Body!

Benefits of Vitamins – The Vital Need of the Body!!
by gkarti
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Vitamins are vital for the growth and development of the body. Vitamin C and all of the B vitamins are water soluble vitamins. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins.

Vitamins are vital for the growth and development of the body. There are mainly two types of vitamins – Water soluble vitamins and Fat soluble vitamins.

Water Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin C and all of the B vitamins are water soluble vitamins. They circulate freely in the blood. Water soluble vitamins are vulnerable to losses during cooking as they can easily leach into the cooking water. These are not toxic when consumed in food.

Antioxidant Vitamins
Antioxidant vitamins protect the body from the attack of free radicals. So they are necessary for building the immunity of the body. There are three antioxidant vitamins:

Vitamin C - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...tioxidant.html Click here!
Vitamin A - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...tioxidant.html Click here!
Vitamin E - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...tioxidant.html Click here!

The B Vitamins – the Energy Vitamins
Vitamin B1 - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...bo-burner.html
Vitamin B2- http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...at-burner.html
Vitamin B3 - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...96-niacin.html

Biotin
Vitamin B5 - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...re-energy.html Click here!
Vitamin B6 - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...in-burner.html Click here!
Vitamin B 12 - http://www.penmai.com/forums/healthy...ood-maker.html Click here!

Principal Functions of B Vitamins
1. Energy production
2. Conversion of amino acids
3. Synthesis of fatty acids and hormones
4. Antioxidant protection
5. Helps to heal stress and depression

Deficiency Symptoms of B Vitamins
1. Cracks at the corner of the mouth
2. Sore and red tongue
3. Skin problems
4. Emotional disturbance and stress

The best way to avoid a deficiency of B vitamins is to eat a varied diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, legumes, nuts and seeds.

The B vitamins are synergistic, which mean that they work together. Ensure that you take vitamin B1, B2 and B6 in roughly equal quantity. The vitamin B complex is vital for the synthesis of fatty acids. They help us make and control cholesterol in the body. They are needed to synthesize steroid hormones such as melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Fat Soluble Vitamins
Fat soluble vitamins are found in the liver and fatty tissue of the body where they are stored and used. These are not destroyed through cooking water. There are four fat soluble vitamins:

Vitamin A,D,E and K.

All these vitamins are necessary for the proper physical development and growth. A balanced and nutritious diet is must to get all these vitamins.

Thanks!! Hope This Article helps :)

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Do you live a heart healthy lifestyle?

Quiz: Do you live a heart healthy lifestyle?

by Nirmalya Dutta

September 29 is World Heart Day.

Our heart is probably the most important organ in our body but we spend the better part of our day abusing it by making unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking excessively, eating junk food and not exercising. Take this quiz to find out how healthy your lifestyle is for your heart?

Question1
* How often do you exercise in a week?
About twice a week
More than four times a week
Never

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Beware! Excessive colouring, straightening and perming could lead to hair loss

Beware! Excessive colouring, straightening and perming could lead to hair loss

by Dr Apoorva Shah

Hair styling isn't a fad that just caught the fancy of humans. People in ancient Greece used harsh soaps and bleaches to lighten and redden their hair to the colour that was identified with honour and courage. In fact, even first-century Romans preferred dark hair which was made so by a dye concocted from boiled walnuts and leeks.

Things have not changed much over centuries. More and more youngsters are experimenting with styles, going blonde or simply curling or straightening hair.

The worst hit are probably models and actresses who being under bright lights are prone to dandruff and probably have to get their hair styled every second day. Even air hostesses have to style their hair when on duty hence it is an occupational hazard. But perming, dyeing and straightening hair seem to be becoming increasingly popular even amongst the masses. But before going in for these it is best to recognise the risks involved and how too much of these can lead to hair loss.

Perming and straightening

Girls with curly hair want it straight and silky and those gifted with the latter want them curled. Salons are flooded with clients making requests for weird hair-dos.

When hair is straightened or curled, tremendous heat is applied in order to change its natural shape. This converts the protein cystine (of which the hair is composed) to cysteine and then manipulated into a certain look. However, in the process, some amount of cystic acid is generated. This process results in 20% of the hair getting destroyed. So, if you want to perm your hair or get it straightened, make sure you don't do so too frequently. (Read: Hair straightening – To do or not to do?)

Hair colouring

Regular streaking and dyeing can cause cumulative damage, although it may take years before there are obvious signs of hair breakage. Permanent chemical dyes may damage the hair by breaking through the cuticle shield to invade the cortex. They may also cause an autoimmune reaction leading to alopecia or a skin disease called dermatitis. Instead of using a permanent dye, try a rinse or a temporary dye. (Read: Hair colouring – what you need to know)

Hot rollers and dryers

Applying excessive heat to the hair can damage the scalp and cause the hair follicles to weaken. High heat and the time for which it is used on the hair will also impact its structure. While hair loses its elasticity, damage to the cuticle makes it more breakable. Steam forming inside the hair shaft causes hair breakage. It is therefore necessary to limit the amount of heat as well as the length of time you dry your hair.

If you use a blow dryer, use a moderate heat setting. Never over dry. Cold hair dryers are the best. It is also advisable to towel dry your hair gently before blow drying. 

Hair styling

Avoid tight braids and ponytails as these may cause breakage and tearing of the hair shaft. Though these may look trendy, making tight ponytails every day will make the hair prone to breakage. (Read: Tips to tackle bad hair days)

Diet

Thin may be in but definitely not when it comes to hair. Dieting can make your hair root too weak to sustain the pressure of your hair, leading to a form of hair loss called Anagen Effluvium. If you want to lose weight, do so under qualified supervision of a dietician who can help you with a safe and healthy diet plan.

If you ever notice worrying changes in your hair – such as hair loss, itchy scalp, and split ends – contact a trichologist immediately. You may be too fashionable for your hair's liking but with timely help you can rectify the condition.

For more articles on beauty, check out our Beauty section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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6 heart health myths busted! by Agencies

6 heart health myths busted!
by Agencies

The source of information, or misinformation, can be anything – a neighbour, a commercial, something you had read 'a long time back' – but over time, it often becomes something we staunchly believe in. Cardiologists say that in the process of treatment of many of their patients, they have to battle myths, some more common than others, which, if cleared, can go a long way in ensuring a healthy heart and a healthy future. Here are some myths surrounding heart health worth busting:

1. All kinds of exercise are good for the heart

Among some of the most common myths related to heart care, according to renowned cardiologist Dr Ashok Seth, is that all kinds of exercise is good for the cardiovascular system.

'A 45-minute brisk walk, or aerobic exercise is good for your heart. But weightlifting and gym exercises are not necessarily good for your cardiovascular health,' Seth told IANS. (Read: Is running bad for your heart?)

2. Women are less prone to heart ailments

It's also a misconception that women are less prone to cardiovascular ailments.

'Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death in women, six times more than breast cancer,' Seth said. 'But traditionally it's seen that in most Indian families this doesn't appear as a concern vis-a-vis a woman's health. If the man has a slight discomfort, they rush to the hospital, but the women, maybe because they have a high tolerance level, simply ignore any such discomfort'.

'Even while going for health check-ups, a mammogram or a pap smear test is listed (to detect cancer), but not a heart check-up, which is very necessary,' he added.

Agreed K.K. Talwar, cardiologist at Delhi's Max hospital. 'Although women have the protection cover of the estrogen hormone, lifestyle habits like smoking, unhealthy eating habits and contraceptive pills make them prone (to heart ailments). And after menopause, the risk increases,' Talwar said. (Read: Indian women more vulnerable to heart diseases now)

3. Young cannot be affected by heart ailments

That the young cannot be affected by heart ailments is another myth, Talwar says.

'It's no longer true that only those in their 50s and 60s can have cardiovascular problems. Even those in their 30s are coming with such problems these days. In fact, because of lifestyle habits like junk food, alcohol consumption and smoking, plus stress, they are prone to acute heart attacks that can be fatal,' he said.

According to Talwar, about 20 percent of heart attack patients in Max hospital are in the 30-40 age group. In the West this number is 5 to 10 percent lower because South Asians are more prone to cardiovascular problems at a younger age than their Western counterparts. 'Five to seven percent of those who come for angiography are below the age of 35,' Talwar told IANS. (Read: More young people falling prey to hypertension)

4. Heart pain, indicating emergency, will be on the left side of the chest

It's not necessary that heart pain, indicating emergency, will be on the left side of the chest, Sunita Choudhury, another cardiologist, emphasised. 'It may also be in the right arm, upper abdomen, and usually in the left arm,' she said. (See: Ask a cardiologist: First aid for Heart Attack victims (Expert opinion))

 

5. A particular brand of oil is good for your heart

Much against TV and print commercials promoting a particular kind or brand of oil as being good for the heart, doctors say that such information should be taken with a pinch of salt.

'Trans-fatty acid is bad for the heart, and one should look out for food containing that. Other than that, there is no truth that only a particular kind of oil is good, like the trend is of olive oil. Even mustard oil is good,' Talwar said. But even as the Mustard Research and Promotion Consortium says that mustard oil can prevent coronary artery disease, many doctors say that it's best to keep changing one's brand or kind of oil every few months.

6. Nuts are bad for your heart

Nuts, a rich source of oil, are also not at all bad. 'Almonds and walnuts are good for the heart, and one should have 8 to 10 pieces of almond, soaked in water, every day,' Seth said. But don't go overboard – fried almonds are a big no. As doctors say, it's often a thin line separating information and misinformation.

Source: IANS

This article is a part of our Heart Health Month initiative.

Know your heart, love your heart

More and more Indians are falling prey to heart disease. There are various reasons for this including a sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, pollution, smoking, drinking, a fatty diet and a general ignorance about what causes heart ailments. However, we at health.india.com intend to fight that by covering every aspect of cardiovascular health including diet, expert advice, exercise, natural remedies, diagnosis and treatment, specific heart advice for women and more this month.

Check out our Heart Health Page for more.

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

 

 

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Is it possible to lose weight by walking?

Is it possible to lose weight by walking?

by Nirmalya Dutta

Of course it's possible to lose weight by walking. See what you've to understand about weight loss is that it's based on simple mathematics. If you eat X calories in a day and burn Y calories, you will only lose weight if Y is more than X. But Y isn't just the calories you burn in the gym or while walking, it's the calories your body burns throughout the day with its normal processes.

But how much weight you burn will depend on a number of different variables – what, when and how much you eat every day; how often you walk and with what intensity. It will also depend on your physical levels throughout the day.

Walking for weight loss

If you want to walk away those extra pounds you will have to keep in mind that when you walk, it's at a fast, brisk pace not a leisurely stroll. Of course you could be out of shape and it won't be extremely easy. If you're just getting some physical activity after a long time, we recommend that you start with at least 30 minutes of walking. In time you can gradually increase your pace and duration. The major problem most people have is that they get bored while walking and this leads to them leaving the activity. You can make it more fun by making walking a group activity or listening to music. If you're doing it in the gym you can always watch TV.     

Pros

Walking is a hassle-free activity, free and doesn't require you to do anything other than put on a good pair of sports shoes. It's easy on the joints and is a doable activity for people of all age groups. Research after research has shown that even a 30-minute walk every day is enough to keep obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, etc. at bay. Walking at 6.5 km/h, a fairly standard pace can help a 65 kg man burn 362 calories per hour. (Read: Could walking be more healthy than running?)

Cons

While walking might be good for losing that initial extra flab, it might be hard to get rid of stubborn fat from areas like bellies for men and hips and thighs for women. To lose that stubborn fat you'd need to up your metabolism which you go do through strength training, faster forms of cardio or other more strenuous exercises.  

For more articles on fitness check out our Fitness Section and for videos check out our YouTube Channel.

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Blood cancer or leukaemia in adults – lifesaving answers to your queries by Dr Shyam Agarwal

Blood cancer or leukaemia in adults – lifesaving answers to your queries by Dr Shyam Agarwal

by Dr Shyam Agarwal

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) is the most common adult leukaemia in India that affects people between the age groups of 30 and 60. It is more common in males than in females with almost 0.8 to 2.2 males out of 100,000 being diagnosed every year. With these startling statistics, it is about time people woke up to the possibility of contracting this disease. Dr Shyam Agarwal, senior consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, tells us more about the most common form of blood cancer in adults.

What is CML?

 Dr Shyam Agarwal: CML stands for chronic myeloid leukaemia, and it is a type of slow blood cancer. This cancer starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and invades the blood. In CML, leukaemia cells tend to build up in the body over time, but in many cases people don't have any symptoms for at least a few years. With time, these cells invade other parts of the body, including the spleen. CML can also change into a fast-growing form known as acute leukaemia which is capable of invading any organ in the body. (Read: Leukaemia – the blood cancer)

How does it happen?

 Dr Shyam Agarwal: The exact cause of CML is not known, but the patient usually comes to us with symptoms like an enlarged spleen, left-sided abdominal pain, weakness, low grade fever, loss of appetite, and loss of weight. On further testing we find their white blood cell count or total lymphocyte count is raised to a great extent, which is one of the hallmarks of this condition. On further testing we find what is called the 'Philadelphia chromosome'. Here, chromosome 9 and chromosome 22 are interchanged, because of which, the person's genes don't function properly. This leads to the rearrangement of two genes known as BCR and Abl1 gene. Because of this rearrangement the white blood cells within the patient's bone marrow begins to reproduce abnormally leading to the manifestation of symptoms.  

Is early diagnosis important in this condition?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: Yes, definitely, the earlier the better. In this disease there is a scoring system in which the burden of the disease is estimated. But like I said this condition is due to gene rearrangement, so if we control or block this malfunction then most patients suffering from CML recover, even if it is diagnosed a bit late. 

Is there a classic symptom that people should look out for?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: One of the most common symptoms is the enlargement of the spleen, low-grade fever and weakness. These are the hallmarks. One should visit a doctor immediately if they see these symptoms.

Like other types of leukaemia is there any bruising in this form of the disease?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: No, not really. They can happen in about as low as 10 people in the whole population. One will most commonly find bruising in people suffering from acute leukaemia and not this form of the disease.

What are the methods of diagnosis?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: As such a blood test can identify the presence of the faulty genes, but to get a proper diagnosis a bone marrow biopsy is necessary. We usually take a bone marrow aspiration to identify the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome in the bone marrow and confirm the presence of the rearranged BCR gene and Able1 gene by the FISH method (Fluorescence in-situ hybridization) or PCR method (polymerase chain reaction).

What are the complications of not getting treated?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: CML has three phases, the first one is the chronic phase which goes on for about three to three-and-a-half years, after that the disease progresses more swiftly, and this phase is known as the accelerated phase. In this phase the patient's haemoglobin level drops, he/she has an extremely swollen spleen and one can see increased levels of basophils and blasts (types of blood cells) in the person's blood and bone marrow. These numbers increase markedly, and this phase lasts about six to eight months. After this, if the patient does not get treated they get into the blast phase which is also known as acute leukaemia. This is the last phase and is extremely short and the patient usually dies in about two to three days. This phase is untreatable and the most severe part of the disease.

What are the treatment options for patients diagnosed with this condition?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: There are now three medicines in the market to help resolve this disease, they are – Imatinib, Nilotinib and Dasatinib. All three medicines are very potent and almost 99% of the patients diagnosed can recover. These patients have the chance to live a long life, anywhere from 10 to 25 years.  

As a part of the treatment, is a bone marrow transplant needed? How effective is it?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: The drugs that we have today are doing a good job in controlling the condition that is why a bone marrow transplant has become the second line of treatment. This is because a bone marrow transplant is an expensive and cumbersome procedure, costs a lot more than the drugs and only about 60% of the patients treated with this surgery recover. Moreover, about 40% of the patients die due to the bone marrow transplant surgery in about four to six months. So, now that we have medicines that work on the root of the problem, that is to block the misplaced gene's functions, and heals about 98-99% of the patients, bone marrow transplants are not the norm.

Are there any newer treatment methods?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: Yes, there are two more drugs that have been introduced, but they are not currently available in India. They are Ponotanib and Bosutinib.

Q: Most people associate leukaemia with chemotherapy. What is the advantage of having medicines for this disorder? 

Dr Shyam Agarwal: The good thing about medicines is that they are easier for patients to deal with than a treatment like chemotherapy. The patient can eat them at home and there are no serious side effects. They are known as targeted drugs. Patients usually have mild side effects like water retention (oedema), swelling in the face and lightening of the skin. In the case of Dasatinib, which is more potent, patients do suffer from a condition called plural effusion (which is the accumulation of fluids in the lungs), but with proper regulation of their dosage this side effect is also controlled. In comparison, these are fairly mild side effects and don't interfere with the patient's quality of life does. Patients have been eating these medicines for a very long time and leading an absolutely normal life. They get married and can also have children. This is one disease where the medicine acts as a magic bullet. We do prescribe other medication along with this to counter side effects, like diuretics to beat the water retention problem so most don't have too much trouble. More importantly these drugs are good in the long run.

Is this condition hereditary?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: No, it is not hereditary. When these patients have children, they are normal. The only precaution a patient has to take is to discontinue the medication during their conception and pregnancy since the medicines have a cytotoxic effect (can harm a developing foetus).

How expensive is the treatment and diagnosis?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: It used to be more expensive earlier. All these medicines are available in about five to ten thousand rupees per month, and they are very readily available. There are also some schemes for poor patients that provide these medicines to them free of cost.

What is the most important thing that patients should know?

Dr Shyam Agarwal: The most important thing for patients is for them to remember that they have to take these medicines as long as they live. They must get regular checkups where we monitor their BCR and Abl1 gene by doing regular blood tests. These patients should remember that they should not discontinue the medicines even after their blood reports become normal.

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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Cute And Beautiful Brides Just Got Married

Cute And Beautiful Brides Just Got Married
by mahi khan
Hot Desi Girls| Pakistani girls Mobile Number: Hot Tamil Beautiful ...22 Sep 2013

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அசந்து போகும் உலக அதிசயங்கள் new tamil world records

அசந்து போகும் உலக அதிசயம்
by Marikumar
ஆண் பெண் : சில டிப்ஸ்Yesterday,

1. இரண்டு பெண்கள் அருகருகில் இருந்தும் பேசாமல் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

2. கணவன் பேசும் போது மறு பேச்சு பேசாமல் மு ழுவதையும் காது கொடுத்து கேட்கும் பெண்கள் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம் .

3. காதலனுக்கு செலவு வைக்காமல் தனது பில்களையெல்லாம்­ தானே செலுத்தும் காதலி இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்...

4. மேக்கப் போடாமல் வீட்டிற்கு வெளியே போகும் பெண்கள் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

5. உன்னை மட்டும் காதலிக்கிறேன் என்று ஒரே ஒரு பெண்ணிடம் சொல்லும் ஆண்கள் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

6. பேஸ்புக்கில் பெண்கள் சொல்லும் மொக்கைகளுக்கு ஒரு லைக்ஸும் விழாமல் இருந்தால் அது உலக
அதிசயம்

7. பேஸ்புக்கில் ஆண்கள் சொல்லும் நல்ல கருத்துகளுக்கு சில லைக்ஸாவது கிடைத்து இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

8. தமிழ் நலனுக்காக உண்மையாக பாடு படும் ஒரு தலைவர் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

9. இங்கிலிஷில் பேசி பீலா விடாத தமிழ் கல்லூரிப் பெண்கள் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

10. கல்யாணம் ஆகி குழந்தை பெற்று 10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பிறகும் கணவனை குறை சொல்லாமல் நேசிக்கும் பெண்கள் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

11. செய்திளை திரிக்காமல் வெளியிடும் பத்திரிக்கைகள் வந்தால் அது உலக மகா அதிசயம்

12 . விகடன் குழும பத்திரிக்கைகளில­் சினிமா நடிகைகளின் கவர்ச்சி படங்கள் வராமல் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

13. ஜெயலலிதா அவர்களின் காலில் விழுந்து வணங்காத அமைச்சர்கள் இருந்தால் அதிசயம்

14. கலைஞர் அறிக்கைகள் விடாமல் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

15. சட்டசபையில் ஜெயலலிதாவும் கலைஞரும் எதிர் எதிராக அமர்ந்து தமிழ்
மக்கள் நலனுக்காக ஆரோக்கிய மாக விவாவதித்தால் அது உலக மகா அதிசயம் .

16. கமலஹாசன் ஆங்கில படங்களை தழுவாமல் இப்போது படங்கள் எடுத்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

17. ரஜினிகாந்த வருடத்திற்கு ஒரு முறையாவது வாய்ஸ் கொடுக்காமல் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்

18. தீபாவளி , பொங்கல் , புத்தாண்டு தினங்களில் டிவிகளில் சாலமன் பாப்பையா பட்டிமன்றம் இல்லாமல் இருந்தால் அது உலக அதிசயம்.

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More Cleanliness Can Weak Your Memory : A Research

More Cleanliness Can Weak Your Memory : A Research

Many people in the world has habit of cleanliness and they think it half of faith.To keep clean your home and surrounding,save you from many diseases and health problems.Recently a research has been made in this field that much cleaning can be harmful for human brain memory.Now lets see,what's the research says about this:

Cleanliness is half of faith,but most modern scientific research says that a lot of cleanliness pursuant can be risky for your health.And the weakness of human memory or it may be suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Researchers in a study at Cambridge University has warned that a lot of cleaning in the future can cause Alzheimer (memory-related disease) and may increase the risk of suffering from such diseases.

Researchers say that to recover immune system,is very important to have friends with friendly bacteria,and the balance limit should be keep in the cleaning pursuant and much cleaning can also be risky for the life. During this disease,human memory slowly becomes weak and affect his ability to communicate with others.

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World Alzheimer’s Day 2013: Early medical help can slow effects of disease

World Alzheimer's Day 2013: Early medical help can slow effects of disease

by IANS

May 21 is World Alzheimer's Day. 

One fine day, Pradeep Singh Rana, 65, completely forgot the way to the house he had lived for more than 40 years. He had to actually stop and seek help. It was a wakeup call that he perhaps had Alzheimer's, an incurable form of dementia commonly affecting people above 60. When he was consulting his GP, who has been his doctor for 20 years, he realised that this was not the first time that he had forgotten something. He was not able to recall some past memories.

His doctor-cum-friend advised him to undergo a thorough check-up. He was eventually diagnosed to be suffering from Alzheimer's. Doctors said that very few people realise that they have the condition and the best way to slow the process and prevent it from progressing is early medical intervention. Sunil Mittal, director, Cosmos Institute of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences (CIMBS), said Alzheimer's has become a very common problem.

'Initially considered to be uncommon, Alzheimer's is now more common than ever thought to be, thanks to the researches and studies being conducted. People are living longer, and hence are bound to get affected by age-related disorders. The only way forward is early medical intervention,' Mittal told IANS. Alzheimers, which leads to the non-functioning of brain cells, is said to have no medical treatment for cure. It starts with remembering recent events, and goes backwards.

The prevalence of the condition in India is said to be one in 20 for people over 60 years and one in five for people over 80 years. The condition develops slowly, but it slowly gets worse and can become severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.  According to Sanjay Pattanayak, consultant psychiatry and de-addiction, Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (VIMHANS), the prevalence of Alzheimer's increases by five percent every five years after 60 years of age.

'Genetic in nature, the effects of this degenerative condition can never be zero. However, seeking medical help in the initial stages can definitely slow down the process.  'First, people need to take memory loss or related problems, howsoever trivial, seriously. Patients come to us only after they forget about a recent wedding they attended, or the route back home. It gets too late by then. After turning 60, every little memory-related problem should be taken seriously,' Pattanayak told IANS.

According to Samir Parikh, chief of the Department of Mental Health and Behavorial Sciences, Max Healthcare, medical help is required in the initial stages along with building approaches to create awareness on early indications. 'Sometimes, dementia is nutrition-related, which can be due to the deficiency of vitamin B12, thyroid or at times because of medicines which are likely to make a person forget things, and undergo mood swings. Such types, also knows by pseudodementia, need to be ruled out immediately,' he said. He also said that appropriate medication needs to be started at the earliest. Although, there is no data to show whether Alzheimer's can affect a person below 60 years, doctors say they are getting patients who show the symptoms even when they are in their early 50s. 'There have been cases. But it could be early detection cases. Although there are no clear reasons for its Occurrence,' Mittal said. The doctor said the best way to prevent its onset is by changing one's lifestyle. 'We can try to prevent its onset and progress by altering our eating and lifestyle habits, and taking medicines which increase neurological communication in the brain, increasing its functioning,' he said.

Source: IANS

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10 secrets to great heart health

10 secrets to great heart health
by IANS

On World Heart Day which is celebrated on September 29, say yes to good eating habits and exercise. Have low fat milk, make your plate colourful by opting for different coloured vegetables and fruits, says an expert.

Sonal Raval, nutritionist at Snap Fitness India, shares dietary and health tips to help people have a healthy heart: 

- Eat a variety of food items, but not in excess: Different coloured vegetables and fruits, pulses and legumes, low fat dairy products are some of the ways to prevent your food from becoming boring.

- Check your weight: Overweight can be the reason behind high blood pressure or disease like diabetes. To avoid such problems, it is best to keep a check on your weight. Eat slowly and take smaller portion, opt for low calories, but rich in nutrients food. (Read: 5 diseases you can prevent with weight loss)

- Keep away from food rich in fat: Use skimmed or low fat milk and milk products. Bake, roast or boil rather than frying.

- Eat food with adequate fiber: Fruits and vegetables like carrot, cucumber and apple have skin. They should be consumed along with it.

- Avoid sugar in excess: White sugar, soft drinks, candies, chocolates, cakes and cookies should be avoided. Don't eat sweets between meals. (Read: 6 healthy substitutes for white sugar)

- Sodium should be taken in less quantity: Use small amount of salt to prepare dish, try more natural ways to add flavour to food items. Go with spices, lemon juice, tomatoes and curds, don't munch chips and fried foods constantly.

- Don't encourage exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups. Such exercises involve straining muscles against other muscles or an immovable object.

- Don't exercise outdoors when the temperature becomes extreme. High humidity may cause you to tire more quickly; extreme temperatures can make breathing difficult, and cause chest pain. Indoor activities such as mall walking are better.

- Exercise in hilly areas is a big no. If you are located in such places then slow down when climbing up the hill. 

- If your exercise programme has been interrupted for a few days due to illness, vacation, or any other reason, start with a reduced level of activity. (Read: Ten tips for a healthier heart)

Source: IANS

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How long should you exercise daily to stay fit?

How long should you exercise daily to stay fit?

by IANS

Keeping ourselves fit has become increasingly important in today's world where the fast paced lifestyle often leads to stress. A lot of people complain of not having the time to put in hours of work at the gym, but there's some good news for them. Exercising for just 30 minutes on a daily basis, which is the time it takes to watch one TV programme boosts energy and encourages people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, says a recent study.

Interdisciplinary research at the University of Copenhagen explains why moderate exercising is more motivating than hard training. The findings have been published in Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. (Read: 10 awesome fitness workouts for the perfect you!)

The obesity epidemic has massive socio-economic consequences, and decades of health campaigns have not made significant headway, reports Science Daily.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen are pursuing the development of a new integrative methods for preventing and treating this widespread problem.

'Obesity is a complex social problem requiring a multidisciplinary approach. In a new scientific article we combine data from biomedical studies of the subjects' bodies with ethnological data on their experiences during the 13-week trial period. (Read: No country for fit people – every other urban Indian is obese!)

'This enables us to explain the background for the surprising fact that 30 minutes of daily exercise is just as beneficial as a full hour of hard fitness training,' says Professor Bente Stallknecht from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at University of Copenhagen.

'The 'lightweight' group of exercisers appear to get more energy and be more motivated in relation to pursuing a healthy lifestyle.'

Source: IANS

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Viral fever: How to recognize, diagnose and treat it

Viral fever: How to recognize, diagnose and treat it

by Pavitra Sampath

'Oh! You have viral fever', is a common response when someone we know comes down with a fever. The person usually suffers from symptoms like fever, generalised body ache, weakness and a general feeling of discomfort. But could there be more to the condition than just self-medicating and suffering through it? Here are some things you should keep in mind when you suddenly suffer from fever.   

What is viral fever?

Viral fever, as the name suggests, is a condition that is transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with the person's bodily fluids. This is much simpler than you think. When a person coughs, sneezes, yawns or even talks they tend to spray tiny particles of fluid that contain bacteria and viruses from their body. If you are close enough, these bacteria enter your body through your nose or mouth and infect you. Once infected it takes anywhere from 16 hours to 48 hours to turn into a full blown infection.

While this doesn't mean that we all need to become hypochondriacs, it does mean that we should be careful with our personal hygiene. Some common steps to keep diseases like this at bay would be to wash your hands regularly, avoid crowded places and avoid touching your face (mouth and nose) with your hands without washing them. Another thing to remember is that if you do have cold, viral fever or cough, avoid crowded areas, always cover your mouth with a clean hanky while coughing, sneezing or yawning. This not only minimises the number of bacteria/viruses you transmit it also ensures that you don't catch any other disease when you are already ill. 

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will most likely listen to the symptoms you have, and come to a conclusion about your illness. But in some cases doctor may tend to prescribe blood tests to rule out any other conditions like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, typhoid, etc. A blood test may also be indicated in cases where your doctor needs to differentiate between the causative organisms. That means he/she wants to know if your fever is caused due a bacteria or virus. Since a virus cannot be detected by a blood test and a bacterium can, the test is mainly to rule out bacterial infection. (Read: Causes of fever you didn't know about)

How can I differentiate between viral fever and something more serious?

Since the symptoms of viral fever often overlap other common and serious conditions it is pertinent to know about the symptoms that can help you differentiate between a viral fever and other diseases. The red flags you need to keep an eye out for are – very high fever that is either of the following:

     Intermittent in nature (occurs at regular intervals)
     Occurs along with chills
     Doesn't subside with medicines
     Has been present for a long time
Other symptoms are severe pain around the joints, vomiting, swelling of the face and a rash. If you experience any of these symptoms make it a point to visit your doctor immediately.

What can you so once you have viral fever?

If you are suffering from viral fever it is best that you take enough rest and have warm soothing food like soup and khichidi till you get better. If you have very severe symptoms like high fever, extreme body ache, etc. you should visit your doctor for some medicines to give you some symptomatic relief. A number of people tend to self medicate during such times, relying on antipyretics, analgesics and antibiotics to help them out, but remember that self-medication is a bad idea. More importantly a viral fever will not heal with antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines that are made to kill bacteria, they cannot kill viruses; so by taking them, all you are doing is heading towards a bad case of acidity, stomach disturbance and in more severe cases damage to your liver and kidneys.

Can I stop taking antibiotics once I recover?

If your doctor has prescribed you antibiotics after diagnosing you with viral fever, it is usually to help beat any opportunistic or secondary infections you might catch while you are sick. When prescribed it is important to complete the entire course of the medication, even if you are feeling better. This is because discontinuation of antibiotics midway leads to the formation of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This is a risk factor not only for you but also others who might get infected by it.

Can viral fever recur?

No, once a person is infected by a virus, he/she cannot be infected by the same virus again because the body makes antibodies (infection fighters) for that specific virus. These antibodies fight the virus before it has a chance to infect you once again. If you suffer from recurrent viral fever it is likely that you have been infected by different types of viruses at different stages.

Finally, remember that you should not ignore a fever, do not self-medicate and visit a doctor at once if you notice symptoms like high fever with chills, one that won't subside with medication, one that lasts for a long time and one that is intermittent in nature. (Read: 5 reasons the summer could be tough on you)

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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How do I treat small dots of fat below my eyes? (Beauty query of the day)

How do I treat small dots of fat below my eyes? (Beauty query of the day)

I am a 20-year-old male and I have small dots of fat below my eyes. Is there any solution to prevent these? I also have dark spots on my forehead and around my eyes. How can I reduce them?

Answered by our expert Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar.

Firstly, you need to get your lipid profile done (cholesterol level). The fat spots can be treated with the help of radiofrequency machine.

For your dark spots, you or the skin specialist first needs to find out the cause. If they are due to sun allergy, you need to ensure you wear a good sunscreen and a cream containing hydrocortisone. If it's fungal infection then use anti-fungal creams. And, if it's plain hyperpigmentation then use depigmenting creams containing kojic acid, arbutin.

Health.india.com tip

Always apply sunscreen before you go out in the sun and carry an umbrella to further protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. You can also try home remedies like applying the juice of lemon, tomato, aloe vera gel or raw milk on the affected area every day to lighten the spots. But remember, do not apply them especially lemon juice and then step out in the sun as that will only make the spots darker.

Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar is a skin specialist with three years of PG training in dermatology, venerology and leprology. She practises at various clinics and hospitals in Mumbai. She is the daughter of celebrity dermatologist Dr Shrilata Suresh Trasi. Dr Shefali is also a member of the European Academy of Dermatology and American Academy of Dermatology.

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Fruit face packs for normal skin

Fruit face packs for normal skin
by Kriti Saraswat

Normal skin is relatively easy to manage and requires less upkeep as compared to other types. In order to keep it glowing, pimple-free and young, try the following fruit packs.

Tomatoes make for a good, natural scrub. They can do wonders for your skin like reducing pore opening, clearing acne and preventing ageing of skin. Mash along with pulp and add a spoon of yoghurt and oats to it. Mix it well and apply this thick paste evenly, avoiding area around the eyes. Let it dry and then wash your face with water.

Watermelon hydrates the skin and keeps it soft and supple. Combine water pulp with cucumber juice and leave it on your face for 10 minutes. Then wash it with cold water. This pack is good for removing tan as well.

Give the tubes of creams and expensive facials a miss and try these home-made fruit face packs to see a natural glow on your skin.

 For more articles on beauty, check out our Beauty section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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Fruit face packs for oily skin

Fruit face packs for oily skin

Oily skin tends to attract more dirt and grime which then clogs pores and results in acne. Constant care is needed to manage oily skin. Apart from the daily care, it is essential to pamper it once a week to keep your skin looking young and fresh.

Citrus fruits can come to your rescue as they have astringent-like properties which work well for oily skin. This eliminates the bacteria while toning it. Fruits like lemon, oranges and even strawberries can work wonders for your skin.

Orange can be used in any form – peels, powder, juice. You can store the powder for a longer time and then use it in combination with other ingredients which will further enhance the appearance of your skin. Add a few drops of lime juice and some honey to powdered orange (dry the peels and then blend them to make powder) and then mix it well to make a pack. Apply it on your face and neck and leave it to dry. Then wash it off with cool water and pat dry.

You can even use orange peel directly by squeezing it on your skin or rubbing the peel till it changes colour. Oranges are high in vitamin C content, remove tanning and oil, prevent blemishes, and even keep ageing signs away.

Lemon is an excellent fruit to use for oily skin. It lightens marks, removes dead skin cells, cleanses the skin, reduces oil secretion and gives a fresher look to your face. You can directly apply lemon juice or mix with something, like multani mitti, honey, chandan, etc.

Strawberries contain antioxidants which not only fight signs of ageing but protect your skin from free radical damage. They make for good scrubs which can be used once a week to remove dead skin cells and impurities from the skin. Mash them and then add a bit of lime juice. Now apply it and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then wash off with water. 

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Natural fruit face packs for awesome skin!

Natural fruit face packs for awesome skin!
by Kriti Saraswat

Tan removal creams, hydra facials, anti-acne gels… the list goes on! If you are confused and want to stay away from all these products but still want to keep your skin happy, why not give home-made fruit face packs a try? If you choose the right one, they won't disappoint in giving you the desired results. And the good news is, there is something for every skin type.

While beauty salons too offer fruit facials, they aren't restricted to just the application of fruits. They involve the use of some or the other cream or gel which will have chemicals and may cause a reaction if it does not suit your skin. To top it all, they will charge an exorbitant amount for what you can do yourself at home. All you need are fruits which are suited to your skin type.

Since oily skin is prone to attracting dust and dirt, it needs fruits which can remove this oily film and leave it feeling soft and glowing naturally. Try packs made of orange, lemon and strawberry for the same.

Dry skin on the other hand, craves moisture and hydration. As a result, citrus fruits are a big no-no for it. Fruits which are rich and pulpy work best. Banana, papaya and even peach make for good face packs for dry skin.

Besides these two, people with normal skin type also need some amount of care and upkeep. While they can try any fruit pack as such, tomato and watermelon are good options as they not only tone and make the skin tighter but also remove tan and keep signs of ageing like wrinkles, lines, etc at bay. 

For more articles on beauty, check out our Beauty section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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Indian-origin teacher in UK gives birth in classroom

Indian-origin teacher in UK gives birth in classroom

Indian-origin teacher in UK gives birth in classroom

An Indian-origin teacher in the UK has dramatically given birth to a baby boy in a classroom after she went into labour while in school.

Diane Krish-Veeramany, 30, went into labour, a week before her due date, and three of her colleagues at Manford Primary School helped deliver the baby, called Jonah.

Krish-Veeramany, who delivered the baby last Thursday said, "Everyone was so supportive and just acted on instinct."

"Luckily, my husband got to the school before I gave birth," she said.

"We now joke that he was late for his first day at school as he was born after the bell," the primary school teacher was quoted as saying by BBC.

Krish-Veeramany had gone to a morning meeting, but shortly afterwards she asked to go home after feeling ill.

"I texted my husband to come and get me... but my colleagues asked if I wanted an ambulance.

"I said 'I'll just go home' - I just didn't think it would be a contraction as it didn't feel like one," she said.

Her husband Vijaye Veeramany was on his way to pick up his wife when he got a call telling him she was in labour.

Teaching assistants Dita Gojnovci, Chris Sword and Sam Mustafa helped her give birth in a classroom.

"One person was on the phone to my husband, one was on the phone to my hospital and the other to an ambulance," said Krish-Veeramany.

"It all just happened really quickly, within 20 minutes of these phone calls I'd had Jonah," she added.

Jonah is her second child, but this birth was very different from her previous delivery which was in a hospital.

After giving birth Krish-Veeramany was taken by paramedics to Queen's Hospital, in Romford, where mother and baby were later allowed to go home.

"The school have named the room he was born in after him - it's now called Jonah's Room," she said.

"Everyone has seen this sort of thing on the television before but you never dream it will happen in real life," she added.

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Immense Use Of Medicines Cause Headache

Immense Use Of Medicines Cause Headache

by desimzatube
Tamil Girls Mobile Numbers |

In Britain, a study revealed that the use of pain killer medicines,causes the severe headache.
According to the experts people do not pay attention for the proper treatment these days and use medicine with their own wishes,which decreases headache timely but after a sometime,these medicines come out in the shape of side effects.Therefore it is necessary that medicines should be used with the instructions of doctors.

You have seen many people,who often advises you about a minor diseases like headache,flue etc.They are not only spoiling their habits but also affecting other people.The main reason of headache is hard work or incomplete sleeping.It is said that precautions is more better than cure.Therefore if you want to avoid headache,then do your work only in limit and complete your sleeping.

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Surprising facts regarding Human body

Surprising facts regarding Human body

by krushrikrish
New Tamil Jokes - Penmai.comToday,

It's possible for your body to survive without a surprisingly large
fraction of its internal organs. Even if you lose your stomach, your spleen, 75% of your liver, 80% of your intestines, one kidney, one lung, and virtually every organ from your pelvic and groin area, you wouldn't be very healthy, but you would live.

During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. If your saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. The egg is actually the only cell in the body that is visible by the naked eye.

The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue and the hardest bone is the jawbone.

Human feet have 52 bones, accounting for one quarter of all the human body's bones.

The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades. The reason it doesn't eat away at your stomach is that the cells of your stomach wall renew themselves so frequently that you get a new stomach lining every three to four days.

The human lungs contain approximately 2,400 km
of airways and 300 to 500 million hollow cavities, having a total surface area of about 70 sq mtrs, roughly the same area as one side of a tennis court. Furthermore, if all of the capillaries that surround the lung cavities were unwound and laid end to end, they would extend for about 992 km. Also, your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.

Sneezes regularly exceed 100 mph, while coughs clock in at about 60 mph.

Your body gives off enough heat in 30 min to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail 3 in long.

Earwax production is necessary for good ear health. It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.

Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins, who smell the same.

Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born. This is why one out of every 2,000 newborn infants has a tooth when they are born

A baby's head is one-quarter of its total length, but by the age of 25 will only be one-eighth of its total length. This is because people's heads grow at a much slower rate than the rest of their bodies.

Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206. Some of the bones, like skull bones, get fused into each other, bringing down the total number.

It's not possible to tickle yourself. This is because when you attempt to tickle yourself you are totally aware of the exact time and manner in which the tickling will occur, unlike when someone else tickles you.

Your nose can remember 50,000 diff scents. But if you are a woman, you are a better smeller than men, and will remain a better smeller throughout your life.

The human body is estimated to have 60,000 miles of blood vessels.

The three things pregnant women dream most of during their first trimester are frogs, worms and potted plants. Scientists have no idea why this is so, but attribute it to the growing imbalance of hormones in the body during pregnancy.
The life span of a human hair is 3 to 7 years on average. Every day the average person loses 60-100 strands of hair. But don't worry, you must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone.

The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as an encyclopedia. Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen that enters your bloodstream, and is itself made up of 80% water. Though it interprets pain signals from the rest of the body, the brain itself cannot feel pain.

The tooth is the only part of the human body that can't repair itself.

We are about 1 cm taller in the morning than in the evening, because during normal activities during the day, the cartilage in our knees and other areas slowly compress.

The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb, even while you are sleeping. In fact, the brain is much more active at night than during the day.

Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles per hour. Neurons continue to grow throughout human life. Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons.

It is a fact that people who dream more often and more vividly, on an average have a higher Intelligence Quotient.

The fastest growing nail is on the middle finger.

Facial hair grows faster than any other hair on the body. This is true for men as well as women.

There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee.

About 32 million bacteria call every inch of your skin home. But don't worry, a majority of these are harmless or even helpful bacteria.

The colder the room you sleep in, the higher the chances are that you'll have a bad dream.

Human lips have a reddish color because of the great concentration of tiny capillaries just below the skin.

Like fingerprints, every individual has an unique tongue print that can be used for identification.

It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.

Humans can make do longer without food than sleep. Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors. Sleep deprived people, however, start experiencing radical personality and psychological changes after only a few sleepless days.

The most common blood type in the world is Type O. The rarest blood type, A-H or Bombay blood, due to the location of its discovery, has been found in less than hundred people since it was discovered

Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears.

The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the air.

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Child sex abuse – it’s very much there

Child sex abuse – it's very much there

It will never happen to my child! Well, this myth is right away busted by the fact that around 53% Indian children are sexually abused sometime in their life. Child sex abuse is extremely real and we're reminded of it every other day on the news. It doesn't matter whether your child is a boy or girl – everyone's vulnerable. 

In the last one fortnight there were two major child sex abuse cases one from Thane where a bus cleaner raped a 4-year-old girl at the back of the bus after promising to show her magic while another case involved a nursery student of a posh Lucknow school who was lured to the basement by a woman staffer and was then raped there by an unidentified person. So the fact is that the threat is very much there.

According to a 2007, report by the Ministry of Women and Child Development 21.90% child respondents reported facing severe forms of sexual abuse and of the total number of abuse cases 50% of the respondents claimed that they knew the perpetrator. That's the really shocking bit – it could be anyone the father, the uncle, the bus driver, the cleaner or the neighbour – almost everyone is a suspect. When you consider the fact that we've a rich tradition of maintaining honour and keeping it in the family, the numbers could be much, much higher! (Also read: Satyamev Jayate: Second episode highlights child sex abuse)

What is child sexual abuse (CSA)?

One of the worst things to happen to a child is abuse – whether physical, emotional, sexual, and educational or health neglect by parents/guardians. Any form of abuse robs the child of his/her childhood, innocence and their faith/trust in the world. Sexual abuse of a child is difficult to define due to varied forms of the abuse. The two main terms associated when talking about sexual abuse of a child are the child victim (any child, male or female under the age of 16 usually; age varies according to medical, legal or psychological definitions) and the perpetrator or offender (any adult male or female or child's peer or another minor).  

The majority of sexual offenders are family members or people known to the child. Sexual abuse by strangers is not as common as sexual abuse by family members. Research shows that there are more cases of men being sexual offenders compared to women.

The legal definition of child molestation is an act of a person—adult or child—who forces, coerces or threatens a child to have any form of sexual contact or to engage in any type of sexual activity at the perpetrator's (abuser) direction. It can be divided into three categories – sexual offences using touch, non-touching sexual offences and sexual exploitation.

Touching sexual offenses include:

 fondling of a child's body, especially genitals
 making a child touch an adult's sexual organs
 oral-genital contact
 vaginal or anal penetration (medical purpose not included)
 sexual deviations.
Non-touching sexual offenses include

engaging in indecent exposure or exhibitionism
voyeurism
exposing children to pornographic material
deliberately exposing a child to the act of sexual intercourse
masturbating in front of a child.
Sexual exploitation includes

engaging a child or soliciting a child for the purposes of prostitution
using a child to film, photograph or model pornography
All above offences are just as harmful and devastating to a child's well-being.

It's very difficult to get accurate statistical evidence about child sexual abuse due to under-reporting, confusion about what denotes sexual abuse, the child's feelings of guilt and the social stigma attached. According to research, CSA happens to both boys and girls equally, though female child sexual abuse is reported more. (Read: Time to talk to kids about right and wrong touches)

How do we spot if a child is being sexually abused?

Each CSA victim may exhibit behaviours different from others. Due to the varied forms of CSA, it becomes difficult to say that is particular behaviour is due to CSA. The strongest indication that a child has been sexually abused is inappropriate sexual knowledge, sexual interest and sexual acting out by that child.

Psychologists use drawings, body language, communication patterns and play behaviour to investigate and diagnose CSA cases. For example, in Play Therapy

tendency to bury toys in sand
showing fear in using certain dolls
omission of certain dolls in dolls' houses
showing violent behaviours with dolls
use of dark colours very intensely while painting or drawing
sexually explicit drawings
sexual talk
are indicators of emotional trauma due to any form of abuse.

Parents can look for these indicators in child's behaviours with peers or adults in their family and surroundings:

The child tends to avoid or fear an adult or peer or any older child
 Child going back to early childhood behviours like thumb sucking, bedwetting
 Suddenly the child shows obsessive or compulsive behaviours like bathing or hand washing 10 to 15 times a day
 Child has difficulty in sitting or walking
Refusing to participate in physical education activities
Withdrawn behaviours
Sexually inappropriate communication (postures, gestures, talk)
Sudden change in dressing style (either wearing shapeless and large clothes to hide body or provocative dressing).
Sleep disorders
Self destructive behaviours (head banging, drug abuse, obesity, anorexia)
Sudden problems in school – no interest in school activities
Poor peer relationships
Loss of appetite
This list is not an exhaustive one. There are many more indicators that a trained psychologist can detect as possible behavioural and emotional effect of CSA.

Many children tend to suppress the abuse due to the trauma and guilt feelings and may understand and reveal it years after the abuse happened, in adulthood. Also some children may accept the abuse as normal or as a reward by the perpetrator. This occurs when the abuser has been grooming the child gradually to accept the touching or non-touching sexual activities, by tempting or reinforcing the child using gifts, food etc.

If the above indicators are frequently seen in the child's play at school or home, it becomes imperative for the psychologist to conduct an in-depth research into the child's background and report to relevant authorities. If the perpetrator is a parent, the child should be immediately removed from that parent's custody. If the perpetrator is a relative or known person or unknown person, parents need to be notified and appropriate legal action needs to be taken. Also read the second part in this series: Tips to prevent child sex abuse 

Some sites and books that parents and teachers can use to talk to children about good touch, bad touch; what can parents do.

http://www.amazon.com/Bobby-Mandees-Good-Touch-Bad/dp/1935274546

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1355679/teaching-good-and-bad-touch-mostly-bad

http://www.parentbooks.ca/Child_Abuse_Resources_for_Kids.html

http://thealternative.in/education/how-to-talk-to-children-sexuality-and-abuse/

http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6069255/k.F1A5/The_Issue.htm

 For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

 

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Use Of Tomatoes Protects From Heart Diseases Best Tip

Use Of Tomatoes Protects From Heart Diseases Best Tip

Modern research proved that use of tomatoes protects from heart disease and high blood pressure.

The research made in Australia proved that use of red tomatoes helps in maintaining high blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels in the human body. With Use of 25gm of Kopean chemicals found in tomatoes daily reduces ten percent level of fat in the blood.

According to the experts to use baked tomato or using its juice is more beneficial than eating ripe tomato and daily use of 25gm amount of tomato juice can prevent from heart diseases.

Just like salt,people all over the world uses tomatoes daily in their routine meal.Specially in Asian countries a curry is prepared from tomatoes and its juice,As it proved from the research that Daily use of tomato juice reduces heart diseases,therefore a survey conducted in all over the world,which proved that Asian countries people faces to less heart diseases as compared to other countries people.

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ப்ரியாமணி actress priyamani interview

500 ரூபாய் சம்பளம் வாங்கிய ப்ரியாமணி

by abtamil
ஆண் நண்பருடனான ... - Tamil newsToday,
சினிமாவில் முதன் முறையாக 500 ரூபாய் சம்பளம் வாங்கிய ரகசியத்தினை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார் நடிகை ப்ரியாமணி.
கண்களால் கைது செய் படத்தில் அறிமுகமான இவர் பருத்தி வீரன் திரைப்படத்தின் மூலம் முத்தழகியாக ரசிகர்கள் மத்தியில் இடம் பிடித்தார்.

தற்போது இவர் கைவசம் படங்கள் எதுவும் இல்லாததால் குத்துப்பாடலுக்கு கால்பதித்துள்ளார்.

இவர் தனக்கு பிடித்த விடயங்களை பட்டியலிட்டு பேட்டி ஒன்றினை அளித்துள்ளர்.

பிடித்த விஷயங்களை பட்டியலிட்டு பேட்டி அளித்துள்ளார். அதன் விவரம் வருமாறு:–

கேள்வி: உங்களுக்கு பிடித்த பாடகர்?

பதில்: ஹரிகரன், சங்கர் மகாதேவன், கார்த்திக், இவர்கள் பாடல்களை விரும்பி கேட்பேன்.

கேள்வி: உங்களுக்கு பிடித்தது?

பதில்: என் கண்களும், சிரிப்பும் ரொம்ப பிடிக்கும். எனக்கு நல்ல குணம் இருக்கிறது. அதையும் ரசிக்கிறேன்.

கேள்வி:பிடித்த நடிகர்கள்?

பதில்: கமலஹாசன், ஸ்ரீதேவி, அமீர்கான்.

கேள்வி: ஓய்வை எப்படி கழிப்பீர்கள்?

பதில்: டி.வி. பார்ப்பேன். நண்பர்களை சந்திப்பேன்.

கேள்வி: மறக்க முடியாத பாராட்டு?

பதில்: பருத்திவீரன் படத்தில் சிறந்த நடிகைக்கான தேசிய விருது எனக்கு கிடைத்ததும் அம்மாவும், அப்பாவும் ரொம்ப சந்தோஷப்பட்டார்கள். பாராட்டினார்கள். அதுவே எனக்கு கிடைத்த பெரிய பாராட்டு ஜூனியர் என்.டி.ஆர். நான் நன்றாக நடனம் ஆடுவதாக பாராட்டினார். அதுவும் மறக்க முடியாது.

கேள்வி: உங்கள் அடுத்த ஆசை?

பதில்: மேக்கப் போடாமல் நடிக்க வேண்டும்.

கேள்வி: ரசிகர்களுக்கு உங்களைப் பற்றி தெரியாத விஷயம்?

பதில்: நான் சினிமாவில் வாங்கிய முதல் சம்பளம் 500 ரூபாய். இது எனக்கு மட்டுமே தெரிந்த ரகசியமாக இதுவரை இருந்தது.

கேள்வி: பார்ட்டிக்கு போவீர்கள்?

பதில்: நள்ளிரவு பார்ட்டிகளுக்கு செல்வது உண்டு.

கேள்வி: பிடித்த உணவு?

பதில்: ரவா தோசை சாப்பிடுவேன். பிரியாணியும் விரும்பி சாப்பிடுவேன்.

கேள்வி: கணவராக வருபவர் எப்படி இருக்க வேண்டும்?

பதில்: எனக்கு கணவராக வருபவருக்கு திறமையாக பேச தெரியனும், தங்கு, தடை இல்லாமல் பேச வேண்டும் தூய்மையாகவும் சுகாதாரமாகவும் இருக்கனும். சந்தர்ப்பத்துக்கு ஏற்ப தன்னை மாற்றிக் கொள்ளவும் வேண்டும்.

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Please refer me salon for pre bridal package

Please refer me salon for pre bridal package

by Radhu
New Tamil Jokes - Penmai.comToday,

Dear all,
Please refer me salon for pre bridal package.
My choice is naturals or lakme, Chennai.
please refer if you like any.

Thanks,
Radhu

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10 ways til or sesame seeds add more to your life than just flavour!

10 ways til or sesame seeds add more to your life than just flavour!

Sesame or til has more health benefits than most other seeds. It is one of the most common ingredients used in kitchens all around the world including India. While we do relish a tasty til ka ladoo, did you know that our ancestors were right on the money when they made sure to include til and its derivatives in almost all aspects of life? Sesame has been found to have a number of benefits apart from just adding colour, flavour and texture to your food.

Here are the top ten benefits of the tiny seed:

Lowers bad cholesterol

Sesame seeds are rich in oleic acid, a potent mono-unsaturated fatty acid which lowers the 'bad cholesterol' or LDL cholesterol in the blood and increases the level of 'good cholesterol' or HDL in the body. Thereby helping you maintain a healthy lipid profile. All this in turn protects you from heart disease, stroke and atherosclerosis. (Read: Herbal remedies for high cholestrol)

Protects you from cancer

Research has found that sesame has very potent anti-cancer properties. It has been found to be effective against a number of cancers like lung cancer, colon cancer, leukaemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. There have been a number of papers published on its efficacy in stopping the proliferation of blood vessels supplying the tumour, in changing the way white blood cells (or your immune system cells) are attracted to chemo attractants (substances that are attracted to cancer causing agents), in reducing the rate of infiltration of the cancer etc. All these benefits are brought about by a potent antioxidant known as sesamin. Sesamin stops and slows down the regeneration of cancer cells and stops the production of chemicals that are linked to their survival. [1]

Helps reduce anxiety

Rich in niacin, an essential vitamin, and sesame seeds are known to reduce anxiety. With almost 28% of the total necessary daily intake of niacin present in 100 grams of the seeds, it helps in improving the GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) activity inside the brain, thereby reducing anxiety and neurosis. 

Keeps your heart muscles healthy

Sesame seeds are extremely rich in essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. These minerals help to regulate cardiac muscle activity making them stronger and beat at regular intervals. (Read: Drink green tea for weight loss and to keep heart disease at bay!)

Helps maintain healthy bones in children

Sesame seeds are rich in dietary proteins and very good quality of amino acids that are essential for the growth of bones in children. Just 100 g of the seed gives approximately eighteen grams of proteins. This combination is great for the uptake and use of proteins and amino acids by the child's body, helping them grow stronger and better.

Helps keep pregnant mothers and growing foetuses healthy

Packed with folic acid, sesame seeds are great for pregnant mothers. Since folic acid is essential in the proper DNA synthesis in growing foetuses and improves the all round health of a pregnant mother, sesame seeds and their derivatives like sesame oil lends greatly to the health of an expectant mother. (Why pregnant mothers need folic acid in their diet)

Makes a great massage oil for babies

While the benefits of massaging a baby after birth is still debatable, a number of Indian cultures still practice it. According to a study, sesame oil or til oil massage showed to improve the bone strength and their growth in babies. It also showed that the child was able to sleep better after a massage with the oil. According to Ayurveda, sesame oil is said to have a relaxing effect on a child and is cooling in nature. Its innate components also add to the healthy growth of the baby. Read more about massaging your baby.

Beats osteoporosis

Due to the zinc and calcium present in sesame seeds, they are great in preventing osteoporosis. The combination of essential minerals and vitamins help in the proper assimilation of calcium by the body, and zinc helps in preventing excessive leeching of calcium into the body.

Improves the efficacy of certain diabetes drugs

A study published by the Department of Biothechnology at the Vinayaka Missions University, Tamil Nadu, found that sesame helps to reduce blood pressure and has an anti glycaemic effect with up to 36% of reduction of the glucose levels in the blood when combined with the widely used anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide. [2]  So for a type 2 diabetic, including sesame seeds is a great idea to fight the disease naturally. 

Helps recovery after a stroke

Studies on animal models found that sesame seeds are great in restoring the blood flow to parts of the brain that have lost circulation due to a stroke. This study is based on the fact that the high amounts of magnesium and zinc present in the seed help in strengthening one's blood circulation and neural impulses.

Health.india.com tip:

To include sesame into your daily diet, just eat them either roasted and sprinkled over your salad or cooked into your food. Another good way to include its benefits is to cook food in til ka tel/sesame oil or to make til ke laddo , jowar and til ke puri or a dessert like date and sesame puranpoli

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel.

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How do I make sure my baby is doing fine and is healthy?

How do I make sure my baby is doing fine and is healthy?

(Pregnancy query of the day)
by Dr Zinal Unadkat
My penis size is 5 inches. Will it satisfy my wife? (Sex query of the ...Today,

I am a 27-year-old woman and I am eight months pregnant. As my due date is nearing, my anxiety levels are rising as to how I will handle my newborn. Could you provide some tips on what I should do once my baby is born?

Answered by our expert Dr Zinal Unadkat.

Freaking out a little towards the due date is not uncommon. Every first time mother goes through some anxiety no matter how many books she's read so you are not alone. But with some handy tips, you can make sure your newborn is welcomed into this world safely.

There are a few important things to remember right after childbirth to let the baby adapt to the outside environment.

The baby should be pinkish in colour which indicates good blood circulation – to ensure this, provide warmth to the baby by keeping her/him close to your body.

The doctor should check for the breathing, heart rate, etc. and see that the baby is doing fine. In India, a healthy baby weighs anything between 2.5 to 4 kg.

Once this is done, the newborn should be breastfed because they are most active in the first one hour and will learn to suckle immediately. (Read: How do I know my baby is getting enough breast milk?)

Remember, there should be minimal handling of the baby. This means that the child should be carried, changed or fed by the least number of people, to avoid infections.

Babies tend to cry often but parents need to gauge why they are doing so. There are basically two tell-tale signs that there is something wrong – if the baby is crying too much and if the baby is too quiet. When the baby does not cry at all, he/she is not feeding well, is listless and lethargic, that is when you have to worry.

Make sure your baby sleeps enough, drinks enough milk, passes enough urine and stools and reacts well to stimuli. Even though newborn babies cannot see very well, they can feel and understand. So when you talk to them they will immediately become quiet, or if you pick them up, they feel your warmth and become quiet. So if you try all of this, and the baby does not get quiet and continues to cry, then you need to take the child immediately to the doctor. (Read: 10 expert tips to make the house safe for your baby)

 For more articles on pregnancy, visit our Pregnancy Section and for videos check out our YouTube Channel. 

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Fitness or sex, Sherlyn Chopra likes being ‘on top’! (Exclusive interview)

Fitness or sex, Sherlyn Chopra likes being 'on top'! (Exclusive interview)

by Nirmalya Dutta
My penis size is 5 inches. Will it satisfy my wife? (Sex query of the ...Today,

Sherlyn Chopra is undoubtedly one of the fittest and boldest actresses in B-town. While other actresses baulk at the thought of being pictured in bikinis (or after being pictured in them), she neither shies away from showing off or talking about her body nor worries about voicing her opinion on a variety of topics including fitness and sex. We caught up with India's only Playboy cover-girl who took time out of her busy shooting schedule to talk to us:

Q. You are one of the few Bollywood actors who are extremely comfortable with her body. How do you do it? Do you've any specific workout regime?

Fortunately, I filter my mental blocks regularly due to which I'm at great ease with my body. Fitness is my lifestyle, not a mere occasional indulgence. I thoroughly enjoy cardio and weight-training. 

Q. What does a typical day's exercise routine look like? Are you into weight training? What do you have to say to people who say women shouldn't lift weights?

When I'm not shooting around the clock, I hit the gym to do 45 min of cardio and 30 min of weight training. Women can lift whatever they want to.  (Benefits of weight training for women)

Q. What do you eat all day? Do you follow any specific diet regime? What is your favourite go-to healthy snack?

I consume strictly home-made food when I'm in Mumbai. I love rich carbs such as steamed brown rice, jowar/baajra ki roti, high protein such as chicken/fish and lentil, fibre such as green salad, sprouts and fruits. My favourite snacks include ragi wafers and boiled corn. (Healthy weight loss diet)

Q. Do you think you've any problem areas? Did you've any apprehensions about doing nude scenes? Did you do anything to get camera-ready? These days we're inundated by stories about how actors go through tough regimes to get in shape for a movie – do you've any special regime?

I lead a very healthy lifestyle and I do not have problem areas on my body. But then it takes a lot of effort to maintain a slim body. It's very easy and tempting to let go. Thankfully, I have zero apprehensions about nude scenes as I know with certainty that my body looks nothing less than unadulterated art. I was asked by the makers of Kamasutra 3D to give my lean structure a toned look for which I started lifting weights. For a movie like Kamasutra 3D, one cannot afford to look less than ten on ten. And so, I've been visiting the gym with a vengeance to stay fab & fit.

Q. Do you've tips for people who suffer from body image issues?

I believe that we are the masters of our reality. Hence, we can change our reality as and when we want to with a mere shift in our thoughts and attitude. To those who suffer from body image issues, I'd like to say, 'If you want something badly, truly, deeply and madly, you can have it.' It's as simple as that.

Q. The KamaSutra was the world's oldest and most comprehensive sex manual. How is the movie related to the book? Also what other aspects of the scriptures does it cover?

Erotica is most often perceived as an easy, tantalizing sexual arousal. Kamasutra 3D which is based on Vatsyayana's Kamasutra portrays erotica as a force that compels one towards fundamental living. The film is about the journey of an Indian princess who undergoes mental, emotional, spiritual and sexual transformations while in pursuit of her husband. Like the book, the film reiterates the essence of love-making, the lack of which creates an incomparable void in one's life.

Q. There's a tendency to blame rising sex crimes on porn, Western values or skimpily clad women? What's your opinion on that?

That's perhaps the best way to divert attention from the root cause of all anti-social elements which is undoubtedly corruption.

Q. Why did we lose our liberal attitudes?

I choose to believe that we're progressing with each passing day. We're not perfect. We're not regressive either.

Q. How can we stop men from treating women like objects?

By creating constant and consistent awareness through education, art etc. and by having zero-tolerance to prejudicial behaviour. 

Q. Do you think we will ever become a nation which can respect a woman's sexuality?

We're getting there.

And finally we did a survey on our site for sex positions people liked the most and they voted for woman on top, followed by rear entry or doggie style? Which is your favourite?

On the top always… 

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Some cool ways to make your kids listen to you

Some cool ways to make your kids listen to you
by nlakshmi

Recently I asked a group of moms, "How do you get your child to listen to you?"

Some replied, "Give consequences till he listens" and others, "Be willing to leave if she doesn't listen." Those things do work, but most of the time a parent has to add a reaction to the request in order for it to work.

Circle of Moms reader Hanan Y. wants to know, "Seriously how many times do you have to say, 'please stop' before you are pushed to the point of screaming at them."

There are many ways to help parents increase listening. However, unless a parent is clear about the intent behind their wish to be heard, no tip will work for very long.

Knowing What Your Goal Is

In order to be effective when you ask your child to listen to you, ask yourself what your goal is. Is your goal to be heard, or is it to be listened to? There is a difference.

When you want to be "heard" your main focus is on producing words to express your feelings so "you feel heard."

When you want to be heard you're not really aware, and sometimes don't care, how the other person is impacted by what you're saying. In other words, when you want to be "heard" you are focused on you.

When your goal is to get someone to do as you ask, or to "listen" to you, you unconsciously look for clues to tell you if your message is getting through. In other words your focus is on the other person.

Here are four tips to increase listening. (This works well when used with adults, too.)

1. Give Your Child Time to Switch Focus

When a person is deeply focused and concentrating on what they're doing, whether it's playing, crying, whining, fixing the car, reading or making dinner, they aren't able to immediately listen to you.

DO observe what's the other person is doing before speaking. Adults and children need a moment or two to switch from one side of the brain to the other so they can give you their undivided attention. Waiting a moment before speaking also teaches your child how you'd like them to interrupt you, too.

What if it's an emergency? When your habit is to wait before speaking or respectfully ask, "Is now a good time?" then if you ever really need their full attention during an emergency the alarming and jarring sound of your voice causes them to listen immediately since it's so different than the norm.

2. Don't Talk Over a Crying Child

Talking over a crying child to insist that they stop crying is not only fruitless; it also sends the silent message, "What I'm saying is more important than your feelings."

DO try waiting silently until the crying slows just a bit before you speak.

3. Talk Slowly, with Pauses

When a parent's words/requests are delivered with rapid intensity most children will unconsciously retreat behind the "I'm not listening barrier" to protect themselves from the onslaught.

DO try to be mindful not to emotionally overload the other person/child. Make sure you give them a moment or two to digest what you've just said before you move on to the next point.

4. Watch and Adjust Body Language

Paying attention to your child's body language is a good way to see if what your saying is getting through to them. If you're not getting through, don't blame them or make them self conscious by calling their attention to what their body is doing. Instead, adjust what you are doing.

DO make eye contact, do reach out and touch them lightly on the shoulder to create a connection, do get down to their eye level, not in their face, and do modulate your voice so your words are warm and accepting versus cold and accusing.

Being mindful of how your words impact someone places you in partnership with them and increases the possibility of listening, whether you're speaking to an adult or a child.

source : Circle of moms

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