• Health Tips
    Read more

    Surprising Secrets That Your Tongue Can Reveal About Your Health

    There is a reason why many wellness practitioners ask you to open your mouth and say, “ahh.” With a closer look at your tongue and other parts of the mouth, a lot can be revealed about your health. Whether you see red bumps, white spots, or other strange things in the mirror when you look at your tongue, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Undoubtedly, this article is meant to be taken as a guide and if you suspect anything remotely suspicious, do not try to google for more symptoms for your tongue, instead, just go to a doctor for medical advice.

    Strawberry Red Tongue
    tongue 1You might want to take a look at your current diet. A red tongue means your body is suffering from vitamin deficiency and you might want to ensure that you are getting the necessary minerals, supplements and nutrients your body needs. Try a vitamin supplement, particularly iron or B12 and if it doesn’t work, consult a doctor.

     

    Cracked/Wrinkled Tongue
    tongue 2If your tongue has plenty of cracks on it, it just means you’re ageing, or growing up. But remember to clean your mouth thoroughly to ensure that none of the cracks get infected.

     

    Brown, dirty looking tongueYou see: Brown or Black FuzzYour tongue has brown or black fuzz. It’s not a health concern, but this means you have to revisit mouth hygiene as soon as possible. Make sure you brush, floss and use mouthwash every time you clean your mouth and your tongue will get back to it’s healthy looking state. It can also be caused by drinking caffeinated drinks and smoking.

     

    Small White Patches or LeukoplakiaThere’s something that irritates your mouth and this condition is usually seen in smokers. Smokers usually gets them on the underside of their tongues. Although painless at first, this has at least 5% chance of developing into cancer. If you don’t smoke, there could be something harsh that rubs against your tongue and this will usually go away in two weeks at most. If not, visit a dentist ASAP.

     

    Cottage Cheese White You see: Cottage Cheese WhiteThis is worse than the small white patches displayed by lumps of white all over your tongue. This could signal a thrush, which is a yeast infection in the mouth due to candida. This condition is often associated with antibiotics or it could mean you have very weak immune system. This is why a thrush is common in children and people with diabetes and autoimmune diseases.

     

    Small, painful sores on the tongueYou see: Painful SoresDon’t be alarmed if these painful sores appear suddenly, it could be the fact that you’re under great stress. These sores appear on the cheeks and mouth and they are very uncomfortable, especially during the first four days. Learn to relax a bit and you’d find them disappearing soon enough. If problem persists, please consult your doctor immediately.

     

    Red LesionsYou see: Persistent Red LesionsThese appear from time to time, particularly with canker sores. But if you have them regularly, it is a sign that you have tongue cancer. Make sure you check with your doctor immediately.

     

    Tongue with hills and valleys (Bumpy tongue)If you see your tongue looks like there are a lot of bumps, this is something you shouldn’t be worried about. It’s normal to have a bumpy tongue.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Disease and Care
    Read more

    12 Facts You Need To Know About Melanoma

    Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. Usually, it develops from an existing mole although it may also show up anywhere else where there is no mole present and without any warning. Knowing some vital facts about this dreaded skin disease is important. Continue reading to learn 12 important matters about this form of cancer.

    1. It’s the Deadliest Form of Skin Cancer
    Experts say that melanoma is the deadliest of all forms of skin cancer. In fact, it is said that the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than any form of cancer on the planet! To give you a better idea: a person dies every hour from skin cancer, in particular melanoma.

    2. Melanoma Usually Arises From a Mole
    In most cases, this deadly form of cancer stems from an existing mole. That’s why one of the disease’s risk factors includes being born with moles. However, it is also possible for the condition to arise even when there’s no mole in sight.

    3. Watch Out for Atypical Moles
    Experts say that having atypical moles puts you at high risk of having melanoma. Unlike typical moles, atypical moles are larger and feature varied colors as well as irregular borders. They may be found practically anywhere on the body but they are more commonly observed on the lower legs, torso, upper back, neck and head.

    4. Treatment for Melanoma Has Had No Significant Advances
    In the past 30 years, it is said that there had been no advances in the medical treatment for individuals afflicted with this deadly form of skin cancer.

    5. Early Detection is Imperative
    Although it’s true that melanoma is deadly, early detection can help save a person’s life. In fact, removing the problem surgically is usually enough to put a stop to the disease’s progression and complications.

    6. It Becomes Deadly When It Spreads to Other Areas
    Once this form of skin cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the survival rate diminishes. Melanoma may spread to the lymph nodes as well as various organs, making the disease harder to treat.

    7. Changes in a Spot on the Skin is a Warning Sign
    According to specialists, the most important warning signs of melanoma include changes in the appearance of a spot on your skin. Something that changes in size, shape and color should be a cause for concern.

    8. The Disease May Strike at Any Age
    Regardless of the person’s age, he or she may suffer from melanoma. However, it is more likely to occur after puberty. Experts say that melanoma is the second most common form of cancer in people aged 25 to 29, although the average diagnosis is 52 years old.

    9. Genetic Factors are the Most Important Risk Factors
    Risk factors for melanoma come aplenty. Some of them include unnecessary exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, being white and aging over 50. The most important risk factors, however, include the genetic kinds. Having family members with melanoma and being born with moles are some examples.

    10. Sunbathing Puts You at High Risk
    It is said that short-term but intense exposure to the sun’s UV rays puts you at high risk of developing this deadly form of skin cancer. One very good example is sunbathing.

    11. Having Melanoma in the Past Puts You at Risk Too
    You may suffer from melanoma if you had the disease in the past. Previous cancer such as that of the thyroid or breast may also put you at higher risk of melanoma.

    12. It’s Possible to Dodge Melanoma
    The most preventable risk factor for melanoma is unnecessary exposure to the UV rays of the sun. You can lower your chances of having this skin cancer by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and staying in the shade. Sunbathing and the use of tanning beds should be avoided.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Disease and Care
    Read more

    10 Symptoms of Heart Disease You Just Ignore

    Heart disease is the number one killer in the world. A WHO report estimated that 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008 alone, and by 2030, more than 23 million people will die annually from CVDs.

    Why is heart disease so deadly?
    Many people would blame it on bad diet, unhealthy lifestyle, environmental pollution and so on. But one reason that heart disease becomes the number one killer is that many people are slow to seek help when symptoms arise. At worst, many even don’t know the symptoms. For one thing, most CVD symptoms are not always intense or obvious, and they vary between individuals.
    Because it can be hard to determine the symptoms of a heart problem, make sure to pay attention to the following warning signs and seek the doctor’s help if they recur or don’t go away after several hours or a few days

    1. Dizziness and shortness of breath
    Breathlessness, when you are not suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, can indicate a heart attack. Dizziness can also be a symptom.

    2. Sickness
    Stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting or feeling sick can also happen during heart attack.

    3. Pressure
    A feeling of discomfort in the chest area, like something is pressing on your chest or tightening around, can also be a symptom of a heart problem.

    4. Chest Pain
    While not all chest pain has to do with the heart, pay careful attention as to where exactly the pain is coming from. Heart-related chest pain is often centered under the breastbone, a little to the left of the center. The pain can feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest, and sometimes it can be an uncomfortable feeling or fullness, pressure or squeezing.

    5. Unusual Pain Elsewhere
    Heart disease-related pain is not confined to the chest. It can radiate to other parts of the body as well. According to Amy Thompson, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, the pain can start on the left or right side of the chest, then reach up to the neck and jaw. A 2012 U.S. study actually found that a significant number of heart attack patients were admitted to hospitals without chest pain or discomfort.

    6. Anxiety
    Anxiety or a feeling of foreboding about your health, especially if accompanied by light-headedness or dizziness, can be your body’s way of telling you that your heart has a problem.

    7. Looking Ill
    People who are about to suffer a heart attack can look gravely ill. As blood pressure drops so low, they may look ashen or grey and observably unwell.

    8. Palpitations
    Rapid, irregular heart beat accompanied by dizziness, weakness, or breathing shortness can be a sign of heart problem like heart failure, heart attack or arrhythmia. The latter can result to stroke when left untreated.

    9. Tiredness or weakness
    Some people who suffered from heart attack experienced tiredness and severe weakness leading up to the episode. Women in particular experience such symptom, according to the British Heart Foundation.

    10. Sweating
    Heart attack patients often break out in cold sweat prior to the episode.

    You can have heart disease and not know it. So, when in doubt, consult your doctor for medical advice.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Health Tips
    Read more

    7 Unhealthy Acts After Meal

    1. Don’t smoke- Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).
    2. Don’t eat fruits immediately –When you eat your fruits with meals, the fruit is stuck in the stomach along with the contents of the meals and cannot reach the intestines in time. Lying there they get spoilt and spoil the remaining food in the stomach too. Thus it is recommended that you eat a fruit at least one hour after eating a meal or before your meal and preferably in the morning with empty stomach. It is in the morning that the body can best use the nutrients in the fruit and get enough energy to start the day
    3. Don’t drink tea – Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.It is preferable to drink tea an hour after meals.
    4. Don’t loosen your belt –Fiction, not particularly bad for you! We generally have an attitude that a good meal is that which forces us to loosen our belts. However, loosening the belt is bad, not because it causes the intestines to twist or block but because it means that you have over eaten to a level that you are uncomfortable. Loosening of the belt may also cause you to feel comfortable once again which means you may continue overeating. So eat only to the extent that you can be comfortable without loosening your belt!
    5. Don’t bathe – Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.
    6. Don’t walk about –Fact, it is bad for you! Walking directly after meals is a bad idea, it can result to acid reflux and indigestion. However, walking about half an hour after meals is known to be good for you. Researchers in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina, have found that walking after exercise is a good way to burn energy. The point to note is when to walk, you should ideally walk for about 10 minutes and only 20-30 minutes after meal to prevent acid reflux and stomach upsets.
    7. Don’t sleep immediately – The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric &; infection in our intestine.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Health Tips
    Read more

    10 Simple Health Checks You Can Do At Home

    Here are 10 ways you can check your health at home from checking your eyesight, to your digestive health, all the way to your tolerance of food.

    Retention of Fluid: Using your thumb, press down on three or four areas on your legs. Do they stay white for a few seconds after you remove your thumb? If yes, then you are retaining fluid especially when your feet and ankles are a bit swollen. The best way to treat this is to reduce your sodium intake as well as increase your water consumption as this helps in flushing excess sodium in your body.

    Food Tolerance: In a glass of water, stir in a tablespoon of soda bicarbonate and drink it. If you burp immediately then this is a good sign since it means that the acid environment found in your gut is normal. If you don’t burp, then you might not be absorbing the nutrients your body needs because your stomach’s acidity levels are low.

    Check the skin below and above your eyes: Are there any yellow bumps? These yellow bumps are accumulated fats which can mean that you have high cholesterol levels. See your General Physician about this.

    Spit into a glass when you wake up: If there are white tendrils that extend from the blob of spit or if it turns grey then you might have candida growing inside your body. This is usually triggered by poor immune or digestive system and can cause fatigue, allergies, and other health problems. See a nutritionist if candida is detected.

    Get a cotton bud and add blue coloring to it before swabbing it over your tongue: Check the swab using a magnifying glass and count the blue dots found near the tip of your tongue. Twenty or more blue dots indicate that you have a good sense of taste or you are considered as a “Supertaster”. However, this may not be exactly a good thing as it can make you at a higher risk of getting certain types of cancers. Eating vegetables such as broccoli, sprouts, or cabbage may be too difficult to eat for supertasters due to the intense flavour which may mean they’re not getting the protection they need against cancers. To help neutralize the bitterness of these veggies, eat potatoes or rice along with it.

    Pelvic Floor: As you sit, clench the pelvic floor(the muscles that you use to hold your pee in) and hold it for ten seconds. Release then repeat as many times as you can. If you can do more than 16 then well and good. If not, it means that your pelvic floor is not healthy which can cause you to have sexual problems as well as incontinence. The best way to treat this is to tighten your buttocks then draw the pelvic floor until you feel your stomach begin to hollow inward. Hold this for a few seconds then release. Do this exercise 6 times in a day.

    Lung Function: Light a candle and stand 30 cm away from it. Open your mouth and try to put out the light by exhaling sharply, fully, and with that huffing sound. If it does not go out then it is possible that you may have asthma especially when symptoms such as coughing at night is experienced. If there are no symptoms but you weren’t able to extinguish the fire then it may be that your lungs are not that elastic which means you need to improve your general health.

    From a parked car, walk 20 full strides away and try to read the license plate: If you can’t read the numbers well or if they are blurred may mean that you’re not fit to drive.

    Iron Deficiency: Hold out your hands with palms facing upward. Push your fingers backward. Your palms will most likely go pale but did the lines of your palm turned white? If yes, then you may be suffering from anemia due to lack of iron in your system. This can be checked through blood test. If you are suffering from anemia, increase your consumption of leafy greens and red meat.

    Digestive Health: Have you been wondering whether your bloating is related to your intolerance of certain types of food? Check your pulse first then sit quietly and eat a medium to large portion of the food that you think you have intolerance of. If your heart rate increases then it is most likely that you have intolerance. No one knows how this test works but the results are fairly accurate.

    Although these tests may not be conclusive, they can still give you a general idea on your overall health. Nothing beats having to consult with your General Physician to know more about your health.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Home Remedies
    Read more

    Some Useful Natural Health Remedies

    Here are some helpful home remedies to cure common health problems.

     
    Pain
    Caffeine: What exact role does caffeine play in combating pain? It distracts your body from feeling pain during a task. Obviously, drinking coffee is how you get caffeine. But, there are other foods to consume that have, caffeine such as chocolate, tea, and soft drinks.
    Fish Oil: It has been reported that fish oil Omega 3 fatty acids reduce stiffness and pain. Fish oil, as the name suggests, can be found in fish foods such as halibut, tuna, and salmon. A food that equally contains fish oil is flax seeds. Combining flax seeds with your favorite foods may introduce to you a different taste and at the same time, overcomes the pain.

    Heart
    Green Tea: Green tea is not letting it get left behind when it comes to benefitting the heart. Within consumption, in a speedy 30 minutes, it improves the function of blood vessels. Green tea also has additional health benefits which get professionals and researchers raving about it; green tea prevents development of certain cancers and improves brain function.
    Garlic: Did you know that aside from being used as an ingredient in fried rice or a bane for vampires, garlic also has a hundred something medical uses? So don’t leave those cloves of garlic in your kitchen area lying around untouched when you can consume one every day. Garlic normalizes blood pressure and prevents heart damage, lung cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, and much more.

    Nasal Congestion
    Spicy Foods: If you are someone who LOVES spicy foods, rejoice! For not only do you get to delight in such a delicious and challenging taste, but it also becomes your hero for the day. Eating spicy foods improve mucous flow within the nasal passages. You can even get instant relief if the sinus passage opens up. Go on, my friend, binge on them hots!
    Hot Tomato Juice: Drink this hot juice twice a day. Here’s how you make it: boil a tablespoon of chopped garlic with a cup of tomato juice, a tablespoon of lemon juice, a tablespoon of hot sauce, and a pinch of celery salt.

    Hypothyroidism
    Nuts and More: Eating nuts, herbivore animals, organic foods, and eggs provide the body with more protein, which transports thyroid hormone to every single tissue.
    Glutathione: Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which strengthens the immune system and also does a number of healing effects to Hypothyroidism. Foods like asparagus, broccoli, peaches, avocado, squash or raw eggs assist the body work up for more production of glutathione.

    Bruises
    Ice Cubes: Holding ice cubes wrapped in cloth for thirty minutes onto the bruise can reduce the swelling. As if to juxtapose, applying hot compresses instead of freezing ice cubes opens up the capillaries which increase the response of the immune system.
    Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is popular for its healing capabilities concerning sunburns, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. If no action was taken, it could take weeks for bruises to naturally disappear, but if Aloe Vera gel were to be applied, bruises would disappear faster on a percentage of 30-50. The gel seeps underneath and towards the broken blood vessels, sealing it from dirt and bacteria.

    Chapped Lips
    Olive Oil: Apply a small amount of olive oil on a paper towel before blotting it on your lips and reapply as much as you want. If olive oil doesn’t work, coconut oil can be a very effective alternative.
    Cucumber: As a replacement for ingesting cucumber, how about rubbing it on chapped lips? It may sound uncanny but it actually does work. Cut slices and hold on lips. The water from the cucumber would soothe the dryness.

    Urinary Tract Infection
    Fresh Coconut Juice: Fresh coconut juice often does a better job than water of naturally cleansing the body and flushing out bacteria hanging around. This is effective particularly for people who are suffering from kidney stones. Not to mention it tastes delicious.
    Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar works as a natural antibiotic to many health conditions and also contains many useful minerals that prevent bacteria from growing. Mix two tablespoons of this with water and drink twice a day.

    Leg Cramps:
    Potassium: Potassium plays a big part in muscle contraction. Too little potassium increases the chances of leg cramps from happening. To avoid this, eat foods that are high in potassium like bananas and potatoes. Drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm water is a great alternative. But, really though, why choose the sourness of apple cider vinegar than the sweetness of bananas and potatoes?
    Acetylcholine: There is something called “acetylcholine”, a muscle stimulant. It is produced by acetic acid, contained in mustard and a pickle. Simply ingest those.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Health Tips
    Read more

    Surprising Vitamin Deficiency that can cause Back and Joint Pain

    Most people just assume that pain is part of the aging process. Many may wake up with creaky joints or end the day with a screaming back and swollen joints. Either way, this pain may be caused by a simple vitamin deficiency.

    Joint and back pain can have a negative impact on your physical activity levels and how much you enjoy your life. Don’t let pain do that to you—you deserve to stay active, try new hobbies, and not spend your life in crippling pain. The secret is to learn more about how this common vitamin deficiency linked to back and joint aches.

    Surprise: your back and joint pain may not just be caused by your age, weight, job type, or activity level. In fact, it may well be caused by the food you’re eating (or not eating). Research has linked joint pain to a vitamin D deficiency. It can be difficult to hit your recommended daily vitamin D intake every day, especially if you’re not particular about getting outside or eating a balanced diet.

    Researchers note that joint and back pain can become increasingly worse as a vitamin D deficiency lasts longer and longer. In time, it can even lead to the development of arthritis and cause bone problems.

    Are You Missing Out on Vitamin D?

    If you are missing out on vitamin D, your body is probably giving you signs. However, it’s easy to start ignoring symptoms if you’ve lived with them for years. On top of chronic back and joint pain, you may notice the following symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency:

    • Burning sensation on feet
    • Poor balance
    • Low-quality sleep
    • Leg pain
    • Fatigue and generalized weakness
    • Disturbed bowel
    • Mood changes and irritability

    You can try this simple test to see if you’re getting enough vitamin D.
    1. With your thumb, press with about 4 kgs of force on your sternum (breastbone).
    Is it tender or painful?
    2. Now, press on the tibia (shin bone) of both your legs.
    Are they sore or tender?
    If the answer is “yes” to both of these tests then you have a 93% chance of being Vitamin D deficient.

    Great Ways to Get More Vitamin D

    Now that you know that a lack of vitamin D can cause many problems, you may be wondering how you can boost your intake and start getting rid of your joint and back issues.

    One of the best sources of vitamin D is the sun. Just 10 minutes a day of natural sunlight may give you the vitamin D you need. It can be difficult to get natural sunlight in some places, especially in areas where it rains a lot or where harsh winters are common.

    Vitamin D is found in many food sources, including salon, mushrooms, tuna, mackerel, and egg yolks. However, vitamin D is one of the instances in which I think supplementation is a great option.

    Benefits of Supplementing

    Missing out on vitamin D can have serious consequences, which is why supplementation is such a good option. It ensures that you get your daily recommended intake without you having to meticulously track your diet.

    Make sure you choose a vitamin D supplement that contains D3, not D2. Vitamin D3 is the vitamin made naturally by your body in response to sunlight, and it’s the type that your body needs.
    Sources

    http://eisensteincenter.com/vitamins-supplements/pro-line/pro-d3-5

    http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/the-truth-about-vitamin-d-what-kind-of-vitamin-d-is-best

    http://www.curejoy.com/content/vitamin-deficiency-cause-joint-pain/

    https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

    http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/the-truth-about-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-food-sources

    http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-d-deficiency.php

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Diet and Fitness
    Read more

    Tips To Motivate You for Morning Workouts

    Ever tried working out early in the morning? Did you experience better productivity and concentration throughout the day? This doesn’t really come as a big surprise since morning workouts will positively affect your mind and body. Exercise will help boost your metabolism, keep your calories burning more throughout the day and increase your heart rate. This also eliminates the need to schedule in your workout during the afternoon or after work. A recent study concluded that exercising before taking in your first meal of the day can help reduce the risk of weight gain or overeating. The study was done of two groups of subjects. One were asked to exercise without eating breakfast and the other consumed breakfast before their workout.It showedthat the group that was not able to have breakfast overate after the workout and the group that did consume less and showed no sign of resistance to insulin.I may give you different more reasons to inspire you to work out early, but let’s face it; not all of us are morning people. Most of us are not given the mutual respectful relationship with our alarm clock. To help you get into morning workouts here are some tips and tricks to help you get motivated for working out in the morning.

    Stretch It Out
    When you’re tempted to hit that snooze button, remove your blanket and stretch it out. The simple action of moving and stretching your limbs can help you feel more awake. Keep your alarm ringing as you stretch in bed. This will also help decrease the time of your workout by skipping the warm up stretch. Start by sitting upright and crossing your bent leg over each other. Take the knee that is on top and pull it towards your chest. Repeat this process on the other side. After your first stretch, extend your legs straight and stretch your arms over your head, feel the stretch in your shoulder and back.Slowly try to reach your toes (Keep your leg straight). Your last exercise is the hamstring stretch. Bend one of your knees slightly, pull your other leg towards the sky. Hold on to your ankle or knee and pull it towards your head. Repeat this process on the other side. You’re now done with your stretching and warmed up to work out. Picking the right sound for your alarm can help make you more into a morning person. Waking up to a blood pumping beat can help motivate you to wake up. Go for songs that are lively and fun. Pick one that is your jam and a song that can always make you want to dance. Slow and repetitive alarms can at time sync into your normal beat, making you miss the alarm. Just remember to change your music atleast once a week. Hearing the same song over and over again will make you hate it.

    Make It A Habit Not A Task
    Making morning workouts a habit can help you make it as a lifestyle choice. Don’t think that waking up in the morning for 2 months every day to wake up is a good idea. Think of this as a long term goal. How many times a week can you wake up early, without sacrificing too much of your relaxation time or health? When starting, stick to waking up three days in a row.Performing something three times in a row can help make it a habit. Once you get the hang of three days increase your schedule and stick by them.

    Short Workouts
    Like making it a habit, you can’t go full on beast mode in the beginning. You’ll end up getting sore muscles throughout the day and depleted energy levels. Start with short workouts,let your body adjust to the new schedule and don’t force yourself when you feel tired. Simply walk around outside a few minutes is enough. The more you get into the morning routine the easier the process will be.

    Keep a Bottled Water beside You
    Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning can remove some of the haze of waking up and make you feel more refreshed. If you can drink a cold glass of water the better. It’s important to hydrate yourself first thing in the morning. This will also prevent you from getting dizzy due to dehydration during your workout.

    Not much of a morning person? So is half the world! Don’t worry, like most things we can learn to adapt and make it into permanent habit. Try following these tips and kick start your day with a good heart pumping workout and stay fit.

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Home Remedies
    Read more

    6 Natural Remedies for Runny Nose

    Your body has all sorts of natural ways to flush microbes, allergens and irritants out of it. A runny nose is often due to the increase in the amount of mucous produced in the sinuses as well as nasal passages in order to get rid of anything that causes colds, flu and allergy. Headaches, earaches and coughing may result from having the condition.
    Various over-the-counter medications for a runny nose are available. However, they do come with side effects such as drowsiness, nausea and dizziness. It’s not unlikely for these orally-taken solutions to cause dryness of the nose, mouth and even throat. Some people who take these drugs may suffer from nervousness and insomnia too.
    Instead of popping a pill in your mouth, there are a handful of effective home remedies that you may opt for if you are bugged by a runny nose. What’s so nice about these solutions is they enable you to provide relief from the condition and its signs and symptoms, but without leaving side effects. Additionally, many of them are so easy on the budget.

    Here are some of the tried-and-tested effective solutions for a runny nose:
    1. Saltwater Solution
    There are a couple of benefits to enjoy from instilling saltwater solution into the nasal passages. First, it helps thin out excessive mucous, making their elimination easier and your breathing more efficient. Second, it facilitates the flushing out of irritants. In 2 cups of lukewarm water, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Sit down, tilt your head back and use a medicine dropper to instill the solution into the nasal passages. Blow your nose afterwards. Repeat until you attain utmost relief.

    2. Turmeric
    This well-known spice is also a staple in so many home remedies for various maladies because of its amazing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In order to attain relief from your runny nose using turmeric, simply dissolve a teaspoon of it in a glass of warm milk, and take it before you hit the sack. It’s also a good idea to opt for soupy meals with turmeric.

    3. Raw Ginger
    Many swear by the effectiveness of chewing on a small piece of raw ginger with a sprinkle of salt in alleviating the symptoms of a runny nose. You may also allow a few slices of the herb to steep in a cup of boiling water. After a few minutes, add a teaspoon of honey and slowly sip. Consume ginger tea with honey 3 to 4 times daily so you may benefit from its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

    4. Garlic
    Another herb that’s proven effective against a runny nose is garlic. All you need to do is crush 3 to 4 cloves of garlic and allow it to steep in a cup of boiling water for several minutes. Afterwards, strain and sweeten with a little honey. Aside from drinking this garlic tea twice a day, you may also consume foods with lots of garlic in them.

    5. Pure Honey
    You may have noticed that honey has been mentioned in this list of home remedies for a runny nose more than once. This does not come as a surprise because this healthy sticky liquid is very good at providing relief against a runny nose. You may dissolve a couple of tablespoons of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and take this up to twice a day. You may also add a few drops of freshly-squeezed lemon juice into the mix to help boost your immune system.

    6. Cayenne Pepper
    If you love spicy food, have lots of them when you are having a bout of runny nose. Cayenne pepper, in particular, is said to be very good at providing relief from the condition. The super hot spice can make your runny nose run even more, and this is a good thing because the removal of microbes and irritants is hastened.

     

    Share This:

    Published by:
  • Disease and Care
    Read more

    7 tips for avoiding cancer

    1. Quitting Smoking

    Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer — including cancer of the lung, bladder, cervix and kidney. And chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer.

    Avoiding tobacco — or deciding to stop using it — is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It’s also an important part of cancer prevention. If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting.

    2.Healthy Diet

    Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it might help reduce your risk. Consider these guidelines:

    • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans.
    • Limit fat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and might increase the risk of overweight or obesity — which can, in turn, increase cancer risk.
    • If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you’ve been drinking regularly.

    3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active

    Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney.

    Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

    Adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic physical activity. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine — and if you can do more, even better.

    4. Protect yourself from the sun

    Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable. Try these tips:

    • Avoid midday sun. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
    • Stay in the shade. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat help, too.
    • Cover exposed areas. Wear tightly woven, loosefitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for bright or dark colors, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation than pastels or bleached cotton.
    • Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Use generous amounts of sunscreen when you’re outdoors, and reapply often.
    • Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight.

    5. Get immunized

    Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:

    • Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of developing liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for certain high-risk adults — such as adults who are sexually active but not in a mutually monogamous relationship, people with sexually transmitted infections, intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men, and health care or public safety workers who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids.
    • Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical and other genital cancers as well as squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. The HPV vaccine is available to both men and women age 26 or younger who didn’t have the vaccine as adolescents.

    6. Avoid risky behaviors

    Another effective cancer prevention tactic is to avoid risky behaviors that can lead to infections that, in turn, might increase the risk of cancer. For example:

    • Practice safe sex. Limit your number of sexual partners, and use a condom when you have sex. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV. People who have HIV or AIDS have a higher risk of cancer of the anus, liver and lung. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer, but it might also increase the risk of cancer of the anus, penis, throat, vulva and vagina.
    • Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with an infected drug user can lead to HIV, as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C — which can increase the risk of liver cancer. If you’re concerned about drug abuse or addiction, seek professional help.

    7. Get regular medical care

    Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, prostate, cervix and breast — can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful. Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you.

    Take cancer prevention into your own hands, starting today. The rewards will last a lifetime.

    Share This:

    Published by: