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Premature Greying of Hair

Some people start greying even during childhood or early adulthood. The term ‘premature grey hair’ is used for persons who begin having grey hairs before the age of 25 or 30 years. We have seen premature greying starting at the age of three years even. Premature greying is often seen in families. If a parent has grey hairs at an early age, the children also tend to have grey hairs at an early age. It seems this tendency is hereditary. Surveys have indicated that premature greying of hairs is far more common among the Punjabis and Gujaratis than others.

The pattern of developing grey hairs varies from people to people. In most individuals, the greying is maximum at the top of the scalp, while in some others it is maximum at the frontal line or the sides of the scalp. Occasionally, the greying ofhair may involve the eyebrows and eyelashes too; the moustache and the beard are relatively less affected.Once the greying starts, it progresses, as time passes. In a few individuals however, the process reverses even without any treatment and the grey hairs disappear on their own.

Premature Greying of Hair Treatment

Studies have shown that an intake of calcium pantothenate in a dose of 200 mg per day can reverse the process of greying in some individuals. Calcium pantothenate is available as 50 or 100 mg tablets and one or two tablets taken twice a day has been used for the treatment. Studies have been undertaken only in persons with premature grey hairs and therefore, it is not known whether calcium pantothenate can be useful in senile grey hair as well.

The effect of calcium pantothenate is noticed in the form of appearance of converted hairs. A converted hair is a hair which is grey in its distal part but black at its proximal portion, indicating that a hair-root which was earlier producing a grey hair has now started producing a black hair. Since the average rate of growth of hairs is 1 cm per month, one will have to wait for a few months before the effect of this treatment can be evaluated. This effect is not Uniform in all the grey hairs; some hairs get converted earlier than the others. The appearance of the converted hairs may be easily missed out by an individual unless he/ she has been trained to look for the converted hairs. To judge the effect of the treatment we generally advise the patient to clean the hair thoroughly with a shampoo and not to apply any hair oil.

The hairs are examined from one end of the scalp to the other to look for the grey hairs with a proximal black portion. The grey portion ofthe converted hair is snipped with scissors to remove the grey part of the hair. The number of converted hairs thus removed is counted, and the process is repeated at two-to- three month intervals. If a person develops a significant number of converted hairs after the treatment, it indicates a good response. About one-third of the patients with premature grey hairs show a good response while others reveal a poor response or no response at all. Depending upon the number of premature grey hairs at the time of starting the treatment, the person may take two to five years to show a reasonably discernible effect. The treatment is quite safe and can be continued indefinitely.

A quicker method of concealing the grey hair is dyeing. The hair can be stained with any suitable water-soluble hair dye but most of these dyes get washed off when the hair are washed. These are, therefore, called ‘washable hair dyes’. Females in the glamour world often dye their hair with a washable hair dye for a particular occasion to match their dress; they then wash off the colour for the next occasion.

The hair can also be dyed with vegetable dyes, which, with the exception of henna, are temporary hair dyes. Henna consists of the dried and powdered leaves f he plant, called ‘henna’ (Lawsoniaalba).The powder is made into a paste with water and applied on the hair to be left for three to six hours. The hair are then washed with a shampoo. The longer the paste is applied, the darker is the colour. Henna imparts a golden red colour to the hair which is almost permanent and is not washed off.

Many persons however, do not like the reddish tinge, especially when the proportion of the grey hairs is too large. Some people add tea, coffee or some other components to the henna paste to obtain a darker shade of the colour, but so far it has not been possible to match thenatural black colour of the hair. Henna is a very safe dye, though occasionally it has been noticed to produce an allergic reaction in an individual. Such a person develops itching and dermatitis in the areas where henna is applied; and this recurs whenever the application is repeated.

Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both women and men in the United States. Cancer occurs when normal cells undergo a transformation that causes them to grow and multiply without the normal controls. Cancer of the lung, like all cancers, results from an abnormality in the body’s basic unit of life, the cell. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The lung is also a very common site for metastasis from tumors in other parts of the body. Tumor metastases are made up of the same type of cells as the original, or primary, tumor. There are two main types of lung cancer categorized by the size and appearance of the malignant cells seen by a histopathologist under a microscope: non-small cell (80%) and small-cell (roughly 20%) lung cancer.This classification, although based on simple histological criteria, has very important implications for clinical management and prognosis of the disease. There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is much more common. It usually spreads to different parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Air pollution, from vehicles, industry, and power plants, can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals.

Lung cancer has also surpassed breast cancer. SCLC is the less common form of lung cancer. It tends to start in the larger breathing tubes and grows rapidly becoming quite large. The most common warning sign is a cough, which occurs when a tumor irritates the lining of the airways or blocks the passage of air. Many lung cancers have a rich blood supply. The surface of the cancer may be fragile, leading to bleeding from the cancer into the airway. This blood may subsequently be coughed up. Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke also affect the nonsmoker inhaling the smoke, making “secondhand smoking” another important cause of lung cancer. It is responsible for approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually. Radon causes between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States — 12 percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon. These conditions are also symptomatic of many other lung problems, so a person who has any of these symptoms should see a doctor to find out the cause.

Viruses are known to cause lung cancer in animals and recent evidence suggests similar potential in humans. Therapy may be prescribed that is intended to be curative (removal or eradication of a cancer) or palliative. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that are effective against cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be injected directly into a vein or given through a catheter. Adjuvant chemotherapy refers to the use of chemotherapy after surgery to improve the outcome. Erlotinib (Tarceva), another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to increase survival in lung cancer patients. Erlotinib oral medication targets the epidermal growth factor receptors on the surface of cells that are involved in cell growth and proliferation. Erlotinib has been approved for use in treating recurrent non-small cell lung cancers and is being studied for use in other stages of the disease. Bevacizumab-Given as an injection in conjunction with standard chemotherapy, this treatment helps stop the growth of blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors. Lobectomy. The most common type of lung cancer surgery, lobectomy involves removing an entire lobe of one lung.

Lung Cancer Treatment Tips

1.Radioactive iodine brachytherapy at the margins of wedge excision may reduce recurrence to that of lobectomy.

2.Adjuvant chemotherapy refers to the use of chemotherapy after surgery to improve the outcome.

3.Radiation therapy may be employed as a treatment for both NSCLC and SCLC.

4.Chemotherapy may be injected directly into a vein or given through a catheter.

5. Erlotinib oral medication targets the epidermal growth factor receptors on the surface of cells that are involved in cell growth and proliferation

6.Bevacizumab-Given as an injection in conjunction with standard chemotherapy.

7.Lobectomy involves removing an entire lobe of one lung.

Anemia and its Causes

Anemia is a common blood disorder. Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin—an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood—carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Anemia can be classified in a variety of ways, based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, to mention a few. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Iron deficiency anemia is most common in women who have heavy menstrual periods. Women in the childbearing years are particularly susceptible to a form of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia. Risk factors include heavy periods, pregnancy, older age, and diseases that cause anemia. In the United States, 2-10% of people have anemia. Other countries have even higher rates of anemia. Women are twice as likely to have anemia than men. Girls going through puberty also have a particularly high risk for iron deficiency anemia because of the onset of menstruation; the monthly blood loss increases the amount of iron they need to consume in their diets.

Anemia happens in both young people and in old people, but older people are more likely to have other medical problems associated with anemia. Macrocytic anemia can be further divided into “megaloblastic anemia” or “non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia”. People with more severe anemia often report dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion. Very severe anemia prompts the body to compensate by increasing cardiac output, leading to palpitations and sweatiness, and to heart failure. Coffee, tea, egg yolks, milk, fiber and soy protein block iron absorption. Vitamin deficiency anemias fall into a group of anemias called megaloblastic anemias, in which the bone marrow produces large, abnormal red blood cells. Some people are unable to absorb vitamin B-12 for a variety of reasons and develop vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia. Anemia diminishes the capability of individuals who are affected to perform physical activities. Blood loss can also cause anemia - whether it’s because of excessive bleeding due to injury, surgery, or a problem with the blood’s clotting ability.

Anemia sometimes results from heavy menstrual periods in teen girls and women. Anemia affects 20% of all females of childbearing age in the United States. Because of the subtlety of the symptoms, women are often unaware that they have this disorder, as they attribute the symptoms to the stresses of their daily lives. Possible problems for the fetus include increased risk of growth retardation, prematurity, intrauterine death, rupture of the amnion and infection. High levels of hemoglobin and RBCs help fetal blood carry enough oxygen to developing babies in the relatively oxygen-poor environment in utero. Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious anemia, which affects mainly people of African and Arabic descent. Sickle-shaped red blood cells can also block blood flow through small blood vessels in the body, producing other, often painful, symptoms. Certain foods have been found to interfere with iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Anemia Treatment Tips

1.Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron supplements, which you may need to take for several months or longer.

2.Folic acid deficiency anemia is treated with folic acid supplements.

3. Treatment for Aplastic anemia. may include blood transfusions to boost levels of red blood cells.

4.. Treatment of these various diseases can range from simple medication to chemotherapy to bone marrow transplantation.

5.Avoid iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias by eating a healthy, varied diet that includes foods rich in iron, folate and vitamin B-12.

6.Foods containing vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, help increase iron absorption

The Importance of Weight Loss

Losing body fat and most important of all, keeping that fat off, you need a plan. Weight loss was common in PD patients. Obesity poses a huge public health problem as excess body fat contributes to an array of medical conditions/diseases. When you have diabetes, you can take many steps to control the disease and stay as healthy as possible. One of the most important is managing your weight. Weight control is an extremely important part of overall health. Losing extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight are essential when you have diabetes. A dietitian or diabetes educator will develop a meal plan that’s right for you. Your meal plan will help you meet your weight goals and help control your diabetes. Use a logbook to record what you eat, your level of activity, and how much you weigh. It will help keep you on track and show that little changes can make a big difference over time. Choose protein-laden foods for boosting your metabolism and enabling your body to burn fat rapidly. In addition to burning fat, consuming a protein-enriched diet will help you rebuild muscle after work outs and maintain leanness of that muscle. Wisely choose proteins for your diet. Take great care to pick proteins low in fat so you do not consume extra calories.

One of the best weight loss secrets is to ditch the sodas and stick to water. Experts say you should drink approximately eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and healthy. Instead of turning to calorie-laden or sugar-rich drinks, grab a refreshing glass of water. In addition to flushing toxins out of your system, drinking water encourages you to build muscle. Many experts believe you should eat six small meals a day ,you are in the market to burn fat. One great way to maximize the amount of fat you are burning is to add a weight program to your work out routine. Weight training will not only tone your physique, but will strengthen your body and improve your general health. Lifting weights will also burn calories and fat more quickly than traditional exercising, and it will also boost your metabolism. Choosing to engage in a variety of quality exercises will keep your interest and best allow you to maintain your goal of burning fat. Instead of doing the same exercises each day. A low GI diet is an excellent method of burning fat quickly. This diet encourages individuals to consume high amounts of foods with low rankings on the Glycemic Index. These foods are nutritious and will aid your body in burning fats and calories at a quicker pace. This diet includes many of your favorite fruits, vegetable, meats, dairy, and grain products.

Use a step method when cutting your calorie intake to minimize risk. Calorie controlled meal plans designed with your problems in mind, such as those found in Melt The Fat, make weightloss a lot more likely. Reducing calories too quickly results in your body rapidly burning all available calories, which will lower your metabolism. Everyone has temptations and favorite treats—so allow indulgence. You will be less likely to cheat on your new diet if you grant yourself small rewards. If you are a chocolate lover, treat yourself to a small square of chocolate or single chocolate kiss each evening. The biggest mistake people make when looking to burn fat and lose weight is to have one long, extensive work out session. Instead, break up your work out plan into small chunks throughout the day. Take a brisk walk in the morning, enjoy a work out at lunch, and then exercise more in the evening. In addition to staying active all day long, breaking up your work out will better maintain your metabolism. For those individuals who want to burn fat quickly, avoid alcohol. Rich in sugars and carbohydrates, alcohol is a calorie-rich substance. These empty calories can add up quickly and take away from necessary nutrients that should be included in your daily diet.

Weight Loss Tips

1. Drink More Water

2. Eat More Meals

3. Work Out with Weights.

4. Reward Yourself.

5. Avoid Marathon Work Outs

6. Use a step method when cutting your calorie intake to minimize risk.

7. Choose protein-laden foods for boosting your metabolism and enabling your body to burn fat rapidly.

8. Choosing to engage in a variety of quality exercises will keep your interest and best allow you to maintain your goal of burning fat.

9. Low GI (Glycemic Index) diet is an excellent method of burning fat quickly. These foods are nutritious and will aid your body in burning fats and calories at a quicker pace. This diet includes many of your favorite fruits, vegetable, meats, dairy, and grain products.

10. Alcohol is a calorie-rich substance. Avoid alcohol.

Fat Burning Foods for Weight Loss

There are foods that are just right for you and your circumstances. Take a careful look at the foods and formulate the best way to add them to your diet. Healthy calorie controlled Fat burning diets. A calorie controlled diet works on the principle that the energy you expend needs to be greater than the energy you take in. If you eat a certain number of calories in a day and you also burn off just as many calories through daily activity. Calorie controlled meal plans designed with your problems in mind, such as those found in Melt The Fat, make weight loss a lot more likely. Some low carb diets and dietitians will recommend consuming carbohydrates with high levels of fiber, which have escaped processing. These foods are likely to, but not always, have a low glycemic index and low glycemic load. It is still a matter of opinion, as to whether the glycemic index has a bearing on weight loss and body fat ratios.

Some foods such as japanese foods can have low glycemic loads. It has not been proven beyond a doubt whether or not there is a causal relationship between foods with a low glycemic index and weight loss. Exercise can speed up the amount of calories you burn off and will help you greatly. Exercise is very important, it boosts the metabolism and burns off calories. Developing an exercise routine to burn fat is important. If you don’t have one, then you could end up exercising with absolutely no results at all, or with results that do not live up to your expectations. Having a strategy or road map means that you are more likely to lose weight. Healthy fat loss can be defined as gradual but sustained weight loss. A diet that is difficult to implement, will not easily lead to permanent weight loss. Well balanced fat burning diets incorporate fruit, vegetables,dairy, fish, red and white meats, whole grains and a small amount of the right fats (roughly around 50 - 60% carbohydrates, 20 - 25% protein and 25 - 30% fats*) to provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs.

Citrus fruits like, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, and limes contain high concentrations of Vitamin C (this is also called ascorbic acid). This Vitamin C has a fat burning quality. Some claim that calcium can burn fat, a claim that is pushed heavily by the dairy industry and it’s supporters. Including fat burning foods like certain soups and salads as a part of your meal can also help speed up weight loss. Eating salads, broth, or tomato-based soups before a meal allows the body to feel full and satisfied, making you less likely to overindulge on the main course. When choosing dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurts, stick to those that are labeled low or non-fat. Tofu and soy milk are good substitutes for those who are allergic to dairy.
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Not eating enough will slow your metabolism and deteriorating your health. Oatmeal is among the best when it comes to healthy carbohydrates and “quality” calories. Water is the body’s natural appetite suppressant, and staying well hydrated is an excellent way to combat hunger and increase metabolic rates. Caffeine has also been shown to boost metabolism, however, the drug may have adverse side effects in some people. Instead of drinking coffee, try switching to green tea which has the caffeine, but also contains heart healthy ingredients and anti-cancer fighting agents. Some popular diets - especially low carb programs like Atkins and the South Beach Diet - are actually based around eating foods that could be considered fat-burning foods (which include most types of meat and vegetables). Beans are often associated with the gastrointestinal disturbances they may cause, they are also very good sources of protein, fiber and iron.

Importance of Yogic Life

A common man thinks that only the sages, saints, and brahmacharis who have renounced the wordly affairs can lead yogic life. This a misconception. Any individual married or unmarried can make his life pleasant by following the yogic way of life irrespective of his age, occupation, religion, sex, caste and creed. Yogic behaviour changes the gunas of an individual. Therefore, for making the life happy practise of Yoga is most essential.

Our life is getting more and more distressed, restless and devoid of pleasure nowadays. Its basic cause is this that we live a competitive and stressful life in the name of progress. We concentrate only one or two aspects of life due to which the development of our personality remains lopsided in place of complete and balanced. This unbalanced development is the main cause of man’s distress. There are many aspects of life. These are physical, mental, social and spiritual. Unless the human personality develops physically, mentally, socially and spiritually in a uniform way till then he will not get rid of distress and til then he will not acquire all-round health. Yoga is a science which develops the human personality by effecting all aspects of his axistance and provides him complete health, prosperity, happiness and peace.

What is High Blood Pressure ?

When the heart beats, the heart muscles build up pressure, sending about a cupful of blood throughout the circulation. The peak pressure is called the “Systolic Pressure”. When the heart relaxes between the beats, the pressure in the heart and arteries drop. The lower pressure is recorded as the “Diastolic Pressure”.

High Blood Pressure often has no symptoms, so it has often been called the “Silent Killer”. The only way to know it your blood pressure is high or not is to have it checked on a regular basis. High Blood pressure can damage arteries walls. Extra workload on the heart can cause damage and failure. If the systolic pressure rises too high, rick of heart attack rises considerably. People with consistent blood pressure of above 145 systolic or above 95 diastolic, have high blood pressure, aand need medical examination.

Obesity Treatment Tips

  1. A judicious combination of caloric intake and exercise is the most appropriete and universally accepted approach to achieve ideal weight.
  2. A sensible approach is to reduce calorific intake by 500 calories/day along with spending a additional 300-500 calories/day through each activity. Since 1 kg is equivalent to about 7000 calories, the above programme would result in a lose of around 1 kg of fat (not muscle loss or dehydration) per week. This is a safe way to lose fat.
  3. To reduce weight, take juices of carrots, tomatoes and cucumber and avoid sweets, fats, cold drinks, snacks, meat, eggs, alcohol, drugs, smoking, too much coffee or tea, potatoes, etc. Eat slowly and enjoy each bite. Chew meal slowly, each morsel to be chewed 10-15 times.
  4. Physical exercise should be done regularly. Anyone over 35, or with a health problem, should have a health and fitness evaluation before significantly increasing their level of physical activity. Follow safe exercise guidelines. Progress slowly as the body adapts to higher levels of activity.