
Here are some well advertised and well-loved foods that most youngsters cherish. These foods cause far more damage in even small quantities. 

Try to avoid these foods now, to prevent from further damage as you grow older.

1) Frosting- The creamy layer that you lick off from the top of a cake is one of the most unhealthy foods ever. It contains trans-fat, which lowers your good cholesterol and can raise heart rate, increase belly fat and lead to heart diseases or diabetes. Plus, frosting has just too much of sugar.

2) Packaged Fruit Juices- ‘But juices are good for you!’ is something that most people say to defend why they drink packaged fruit juices. It is true that juices are great, but the ones that are packaged aren’t any good. Firstly, the ones available in packed forms have a limited amount of real content (look at the concentrate, which is sometimes lesser than 10% of the total packaging). At the same time, most of these are filled with artificial flavours and a lot of sugar. Do yourself a favour and drink only fresh juices.

3) Artificial Sweeteners- Artificial sweeteners can actually cause diabetes and are as harmful as natural sugar. In fact, they are also responsible for a number of allergies, cancers, seizures, weight gain and obesity.

4) Soda Beverages-   They are the worst! There is absolutely no reason why you should be popping out that bottle of soda or fizzy drinks with so much of caffeine every time. These bottles contain 10 packets of sugar, highly synthetic flavors and have absolutely zero nutritional value. In fact, they promote the ugly fat deposits on all the wrong places. High content of phosphoric acid in sodas can lead to heart and kidney problems, muscle loss, and osteoporosis, as well as trigger accelerated aging.

If you have any further questions on issues related to nutrition or diet, ask me by clicking on 'consult'.

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Avoid These 4 Foods to Stay Healthy

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic progressive auto immune disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles. This makes it one of the most dreaded types of Arthritis. Such symptoms are not observed in Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritic condition.

The difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis can be put simply. In Osteoarthritis, degeneration of tissue leads to bone erosion and that precipitates the condition. In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the disease condition precipitates cartilage degradation, which abates Bone Erosion. The problem is aggravated by the obvious absence of effective medicines and treatment options.

However, one can take the help of Homeopathy to alleviate the conditions to a large extent. Homeopathy can help in all round management of the disease condition.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is radically different from degenerative Arthritic conditions.

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, the Synovium. This results in inflammation of the tissue leading to its thickening. Over time, the thickened Synovium has the effect of degrading the joints and cartilages in a joint.

Gradually, even the Ligaments and Tendons weaken resulting in the joint losing its alignment and shape. This results in deformities which are not curable so far.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms include:

Tender, swollen and worn joints

Joint stiffness. This is one of the most common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is usually worse after a period of inactivity, as well as in the mornings.

Fever, Fatigue and Weight loss

Smaller joints like fingers, wrists etc. are usually affected first unlike Osteoarthritis. In Osteoarthritis, the big joints like knee, shoulder, ankle etc. are mostly affected.

You may also suffer from problems not related to joints at all. You may suffer from problems with lungs, heart, eyes, skin, nerve tissue, kidneys, blood vessels, bone marrow etc. However, these are the fallouts of long-standing suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, and not any initial symptom.

Homeopathic Cure of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has shown that there is a significant improvement in Joint articular index, Pain, Grip strength and Stiffness in patients administered with homoeopathic medicines over a fixed period. Moreover, no side effect was observed in the patients who were given Homeopathic medicines.

The Unique Aspects Of Homeopathy in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is important in Homeopathy is to get complete history of the patient. The patient needs to talk to the doctor in detail starting with the onset of symptoms. The doctor may also ask questions about the social and family backgrounds. They ask such questions to make sure that they can establish some kind of a link between the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis and patient s habits, social interactions, family interactions etc.

Based on these details, the doctors choose a medical course for the patient. Homeopathic may not provide instant relief, but will work in the long run, as it cures the root of the disease along with curing the disease.

Consulting an experienced Homeopathic Doctor with specialization in Arthritis is suggested for treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Causes, Symptoms And Homeopathic Cure!

People who have healthy sex life are not only happier but also healthier than those who don't. Here are 9 health benefits you never knew sex can provide -

1) Rocking Immune System: Regular sex ensures higher levels of what defends your body against germs, viruses, and other intruders.

2) Lowers Blood Pressure: One landmark study found that sexual intercourse specifically (not masturbation) lowered systolic blood pressure.

3) Great Exercise: Sex is a really great form of exercise. It is a muscular exercise that burns calories and increases your heart rate.

4) Lowers Heart Attack Risk: Great sex life is good for your heart. It not just raises your heart rate, sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance.

5) Reduces Pain: Getting an orgasm can block pain. Vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain, and can reduce menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and in some cases even headache.

6) Improves Sleep:  People usually dose of quickly after sex and tend to get a sound sleep.

7) Relieves Stress: Sexual arousal releases a brain chemical that revs up your brain's pleasure and reward system. Sex and intimacy relieve you of stress and boost your self-esteem and happiness too.

8)  Reduces Risk Of Prostate Cancer: A study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that men who ejaculated frequently (at least 21 times a month) were less likely to get prostate cancer.

9) Helps Women's Bladder Control: Incontinence, a problem that affects about 30% of women at some point in their lives is helped with a regular sex. Good sex is like a workout for their pelvic floor muscles. An orgasm causes contractions in those muscles thus strengthening them

Click on consult privately to ask me any follow-up questions on this.

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Having Sex - 9 Health Benefits

Unlike what you may think, anxiety is a common emotional response in a situation where we are worried about an outcome. It is, in fact, beneficial to us as it keeps us alert and charged for a reaction. Anxiety disorder, however, comes when you lose control over your reaction and let it take control of your life in a way that disables you from living a normal life. 
The first thing to do as a positive step is to accept that you have a disorder. Mental health problems are as big as physical problems. Just like the body needs to be treated to cure a disease, the mind too can be treated to cure you of your problems. The next thing to do is to know what type of disorder you are suffering from to get specific treatment for it.

Connection between anxiety and depression:
Anxiety is not just incessant worrying. It is sometimes an obsessive compulsive disorder that can takeover your life or a terrifying phobia that can prevent you from doing things that are routine for others. Over a period of time, living with such a disorder can take an emotional toll leading to depression. 
The chances of developing depression in addition to anxiety is quite high. In fact, almost half of all people with major depression also suffer from severe and persistent anxiety. In many cases people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety are also victims of depression.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression disorder
Constant fear and worry
Loss of interest in normal life, hobbies and activities
Insomnia and fatigue with inability to relax
Panic attacks
Feeling of sadness and worthlessness

Coping with anxiety and depression disorder
The first and most important thing to know is that both conditions are treatable and patients who get regular care, medication and support from friends and family can come back to living a normal life. Here are some of the treatments available:

1. Medication: Taking proper medication is very important as it acts quickly and is quite safe. Most people do not take medication, such as sleeping pills, fearing they might get addicted to them, which is a myth. Also, medications prescribed by your doctor are safe and specific that is why they have been prescribed.

2. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): It is used to first figure out what the cause behind the anxiety or depression. It is then used to teach people to manage their fears, anxieties, and depressive symptoms and also learn how to take control of their emotions. Another therapy used for treating depression is Emotive Behaviour therapy.

3. Lifestyle modification: In order to overcome, anxiety and depression, certain lifestyle changes are required, such as one should exercise daily at least for 30 minutes and eat a healthy diet.

4. Counselling: Counselling helps the person to overcome the oppressive thoughts and cope up with the feeling of worthlessness.

5. Group therapy: Knowing you are not alone with your pains and fears can often come as a big relief. Not only will the patient benefit from joining a local support group, the care giver will also learn how to cope with the developments of the disorder and how they can continue to provide care and support to their loved ones.

How to Cope with Anxiety and Depression Disorder

Ayurveda, the ancient Hindu science of medicine, was developed over thousands of years ago (with initial mentions found in the Atharva Veda) and is based centrally on the concept of balance. This balance refers to the equilibrium between the mind and physical health to maintain a proper functioning body existing in perfectly harmonious co-existence. Based centrally around the usage of herbs and other natural remedies, Ayurveda has historically worked wonders in various aspects of life and well-being.This includes improving digestion, maintaining heart health, increasing height and maintaining an overall well-being.

When does Ayurveda flourish?
If anything aids the flourishing of Ayurveda and herb growth, it is the rains, or the season of monsoon. The months of July-September provide the optimum temperature and environment required for proper growth of herbs, and in turn, is the best time for bodily growth as well. Advancements in science and technology and extensive research has proved, that the maximum amount of growth of the body takes place during the rainy season.

Understanding the concept of Vata dosha
Vata is a concept that, according to the ancient science of Ayurveda, governs all movement of the human body, along with regulating almost all bodily systems such as the nervous system and the elimination or excretory system. When the Vata dosha dominates (which is usually congruous with the Monsoon season), it is said that you tend to be more energetic and creative. Greater energy leads you to be more enthusiastic and lively, thus aiding your growth process as well.
Growth in height, however, is not universal in all cases. It is mostly seen in people aged 25 or below, as during that period, the bones are still relatively soft and developing.

What can you do?
1. Engage in Yoga: Engaging in proper yoga and exercising regularly will go a long way in increasing height, especially when the Vata dosha is prevalent. In this regard, mention needs to be made of the Tarasana (Tadasana/Mountain Pose). Tarasana mainly exercises the foot muscles (both intrinsic and extrinsic), along with the diaphragm and quadriceps - all of which work towards increasing height.

2. Eat right: The one imperative aspect that cannot be overlooked, and which goes hand in hand with yoga and exercising is maintaining a proper diet. Suggested foods include protein rich foods such as gram flour, pulses, milk and other dairy products, black gram, beans, etc. all of which will help you to grow those extra few inches. Herbs such as ashwagandha, giloy, bala, shatavari, etc., in certain specific ratios, can also work wonders. It is advisable that you contact your doctor to know the correct amounts of each which will be suitable for you.

Ayurveda In Monsoon For Height Growth

Fractures are simply a break in a bone. They can be caused due to injury, (traumatic fractures) or a pre-existing condition like osteoporosis that causes weakening of bones (pathologic fractures). There are many ways to classify fractures. All fractures fall into the major categories of simple and compound fractures. Simple fractures are fractures where bones remain inside the skin and don t jut out. They are also called closed fractures.

Compound fractures, also called open fractures, are broken bones that penetrate through the skin. These types expose the bone and deep tissues to the environment. Compound fractures are more serious of the two. The healing here may be affected due to deep infections for which antibiotics need to be used. There are many different sub types of fractures and we re only going to skim through them here.

Comminuted fractures: Severe fractures in which a bone breaks into several smaller pieces.
Avulsion fractures: A small piece of bone is completely torn off from the main bone due to fierce pulling off a part of the body.
Other types of fractures are characterised by the many different angles the bone breaks into like transverse, oblique and spiral fractures.

Diagnosis
When a bone is broken there are symptoms like swelling that doesn t subside on its own and pain. In such a case it s imperative that one goes to a doctor for a diagnosis. Doctors can usually recognise most fractures by examining the injury and taking an X-ray. The X-ray also provides a clear idea about the type of fracture and the degree of displacement of the bone. And, it s important that the patient doesn t wait too long before approaching a doctor. This is because bones begin to heal very quickly after a fracture and the bone tissue will heal using any tissue available. This can lead to a misalignment of broken pieces of bone and cause disability and loss of function.

There are cases when X-ray may not show a fracture. This is especially common in fractures in the hip and wrist in older people. For diagnosing these, doctors will get some other tests done such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a bone scan.

Treatments
Fractures have to be treated by doctors. The doctors set the fractured bones in their proper place and hold them there so that they can heal. Setting a bone is called "reduction." Reduction without surgery is called "closed reduction." But if the fracture is serious, it s going to require surgery with bone repositioning, called open reduction.

In extreme cases, pins, plates, screws, rods, or glue are used to hold the fractured bones in place, inside the body. Once the bone abutment has been treated, the bone is immobilised to allow the broken pieces to heal. In most cases, the fractured part is set in a rigid cast. The fractured ends of the bone can be fixed into place using metal pins connected to an external frame. This is removed after the bone has healed.

Fractures - How To Diagnose Them?

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