Ruby Hall Clinic

Acupuncture is a complementary treatment. Weight loss falls under the bigger concept of weight management and acupuncture can help with that.

Sometimes, people go to any extreme to lose weight. Fad diets are the rage nowadays. These diets usually stress on consuming only one food group over the others. This leads to severe lack of important nutrients, leading to severe imbalances in your body. Acupuncture, in tandem with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), can do wonders for your weight loss program. Together, they try to address both psychological and physiological problems. The therapy handles issues regarding digestion, emotions, appetite, metabolism and cravings.

In TCM, malfunctions in the spleen and liver cause imbalances in the body, which lead to excessive weight gain. The spleen transforms the food we eat into Qi—the key substance of life; and the liver maintains the flow of blood and Qi. If these two are affected, then imbalances occur in the body. Thus, the focus of TCM and acupuncture lies therein.

Acupuncture Points-

In acupuncture, the ear is considered to be the main point in the body, with respect to weight. The ear affects other points in the body. These points are called the auricular points. Some common auricular points include:

1. Shen men (ear-point): to calm the mind and reduce stress

2. Small intestine: for spleen reinforcement and promotion of digestion

3. Mouth: for smoking and overeating, this calming point is used

4. Hunger point: to subdue hunger and manage overeating

5. Endocrine point: activates liver Qi and helps metabolic functions

With these, a right diet should be followed as well. The food and herbs chosen for treatment aid in hunger, digestion, improving Qi, augmenting removal of toxins and waste products from the body and bettering metabolism. Step up the intake of bitter, acrid and sour foods, whereas, greasy, salty and sweet foods should be avoided.

Along with the right foods, exercise is a must. Abdominal massages can provide good stimulation.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you lose weight safely, either by itself or combined with other weight loss programs.

Do you know about the different types of sexually transmitted diseases and how they are caused? STDs are caused mostly by bacterial infections. The bacteria get transmitted while having sex, in the case of most common STDs. There are several STDs which commonly occur in people, primarily because of having unprotected sex.

Causes:

There are various forms of infections, including bacteria like gonorrhea and syphilis, viral STDs like HIV, genital herpes, hepatitis B, and genital warts. The germs which lead to the STDs dwell in the semen, vaginal secretions, and saliva. The transmission mostly occurs through vaginal, anal, and oral contact. Certain STDs are caused due to skin contact.

Types of STDs:

The most common STD diseases are as follows:

1. Chlamydia- This bacterial infection occurs in your genital tract, and it is difficult to diagnose as no early symptoms are always experienced. The disease strikes three weeks after the exposure to the responsible bacteria. Lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge are indicated as symptoms.

2. Gonorrhea- This is a bacterial infection, which affects the genital tract. It can also develop in your eyes, mouth, throat, and anus. The symptoms start appearing within ten days of the exposure. Major symptoms include thick, bloody discharge from the penis or vagina. Painful sensation while urinating is also indicated.

3. Trichomoniasis- This STD occurs from a microscopic, single-celled parasite called trichomonas vaginitis. It is commonly transmitted during sexual intercourse with an affected individual. In the case of men, the disease infects the urinary tract, without showing any symptoms in many cases. In women, the vagina is affected. The condition appears twenty-eight days within exposure. Mild irritation and severe inflammation are common symptoms. A clear white, greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge is likely in women, while discharge from the penis occurs in the case of men.

4. HIV- HIV occurs because of the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a severe health disease which disrupts your body’s immune system, or your body’s ability to fight fungi and bacteria that lead to illness. HIV results in AIDS, which is a chronic, life-threatening condition. Commonly, early stage symptoms are not experienced in case of HIV. An illness which is similar to flu within two to six weeks of infection is likely to occur in some patients. You need to take a screening test for HIV for the diagnosis of this condition.

Another common STD which occurs is genital herpes. This is caused due to a certain form of the HSV or herpes simplex virus. The virus enters your body through tiny breaks in your skin membrane or mucous.

First-trimester screening is a prenatal test. It is conducted to get early information about a baby's risk of certain chromosomal conditions. It can detect conditions like Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and extra sequences of chromosome 18 (Trisomy 18).

It is usually conducted in two steps:

1. Blood test
2. Followed by USG

Initially, a blood test is conducted to ascertain the levels of two pregnancy specific substances in the mother's blood. The blood is tested for pregnancy associated plasma protein and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Thereafter, a USG is done to find out the size of the clear space in the tissue that is present at the back of the foetus’s neck.

The screening is done between weeks 11 and 14 of pregnancy. The doctor is able to gauge the risk of your baby having Down syndrome or Trisomy 18 by using your age and results of the test. This screening is quite helpful and can guard you against deadly consequences in the future. Down syndrome is known to cause impairments in the mental and social development of the child. Trisomy 18 gets often fatal by age 1. However, first screening doesn’t find out the risk of neural tube defects.

It is the first screening done in pregnancy. It can be done before any other screening. Thus, the results are known at an early stage. You will get time to think about the future consequences can help you in deciding your course of action and the decision to either continue or terminate the pregnancy. You will be ready to know and decide whether you will be able to live and take care of a baby with special needs. You can conduct other screenings later in pregnancy. You must know that first-trimester screening is treated as being optional. It can detect the risk and cannot tell you whether your baby has the problems in real or not.

Often women get worried about the test and it’s after effects. However, there is no need to worry. It will not harm your pregnancy. The foetus remains untouched and safe during the screening. It will not lead to any miscarriage or any other complication.

A practitioner will collect your blood by inserting a needle into your veins. The blood is then sent for testing to the lab. You can resume your usual daily activities. The ultrasound will need you to lie on your back on a table and the technician will put a transducer on your abdomen. The sound waves will be changed into digital images that the technician will refer to. You can get back to your normal routine as soon as the test is over.

Intrauterine growth restriction is a condition where the foetus is smaller than it should be according to its age because it is not growing at a normal rate inside the uterus. This puts the baby at risk for several dangerous conditions during pregnancy, delivery and post-birth. Some of these are low weight at birth, caesarian delivery, decreased oxygen levels, low blood sugar, low resistance power, breathing problems and low body temperature. IUGR can lead to stillbirth in extreme conditions and to long-term growth problems too. This is the main reason why prenatal birth monitoring is very important.

Causes
IUGR can occur in expecting mothers who have a problem with the placenta. We already know that placenta is the cord of life that joins the mother with the foetus. It provides oxygen and food to the developing baby inside the womb. Apart from this, IUGR can occur if the mother has:

1. Diabetes
2. Hypertension
3. Heart disease
4. Rubella or syphilis infections
5. Kidney or lung disease
6. Malnutrition or anaemia
7. Twins and triplets also increase the risk for IUGR

The main symptom of IUGR is a small baby for its age in the womb. It may look small and sickly and the placenta is dry and shrivelled.

Management
Dealing with IUGR depends on many factors. Usually, doctors go for a slew of tests to see how the infant is doing. A detailed sonogram is usually performed to look for foetal anomalies. Tests like a urine sample, ultrasound, platelet count and liver function test are also administered to the mother. The mother is put on bed rest to improve blood flow to the foetus and antenatal steroids are prescribed to promote foetal lung maturity. General management also includes treatment of maternal disease like high BP and cessation of substance abuse or alcohol.

For management of IUGR, daily blood pressure measurements, foetal movement profiles, serial ultrasound examinations are important to determine the severity and progression of IUGR. If the situation becomes critical, labour is induced and the baby is delivered by caesarian section.

IUGR can’t be cured and can only be managed so it’s best to prevent it in the first place by keeping all of your prenatal appointments. You must be aware of your baby's movements. If your baby is not moving much or stops suddenly, you should rush to your doctor. You must also not take any medicine without consulting your doctor during pregnancy. Eat healthy and rest fully to have a risk free birth and last, but not the least, stay away from drugs, alcohol and smoke, even second hand, for the health of your baby.

Many of us take the role our kidneys play in keeping us healthy and sturdy for granted. Having your kidneys work well can go a long way keeping you in good shape. You can delay the progression of kidney disease and potentially prevent permanent damage to your kidneys. Here are some things that should be kept in mind in order to protect your kidneys:

1. Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in target range: High blood sugar and high blood pressure levels harm the nephrons in your kidneys and prevent them from functioning well. So, get tested periodically to monitor your levels. Improving them and keeping them under the target range will help to prevent further complications.
2. Get moving: Being active will get your blood pumping and thereby, boost blood flow to your kidneys. It helps your heart to be fit too. So for your body, exercise is a win-win. It can help to slow the rate of chronic kidney disease. Keep a goal to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
3. Eat less protein: It is good to avoid protein rich foods as they can stress the kidneys and lead to unnecessary problems. It is important to consume the right amount of protein in your diet and stay away from meat rich in proteins.
4. Don’t drink soda: Studies have found a positive link between excessive soda drinking and kidney damage. Two or more diet sodas a day can lead to damage and make it progress quicker.
5. Balance your blood pH levels: When the kidneys don’t function right, they fail to keep the acid balance in your body. A low acid diet with natural veggies will help the kidneys to last longer and restronger. Also, sodium bicarbonate can help protect your kidneys by neutralizing the acid content of your blood. You can mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water and consume it regularly. Consult with your doctor about it.
6. Skip canned foods and processed foods: Stick with natural foods and avoid the artificial foods of fast-food joints, ready-made foods and more as they can contain high levels of sodium and other chemicals that deter the kidney function.
7. Avoid painkillers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause kidney damage. Since kidneys need a strong blood flow to function well, certain painkillers reduce blood flow and make things worse if you have kidney disease.
8. Antioxidants to flush out toxins: Consider taking antioxidant foods that can help kidney function and protect your cells.

Follow the above tips and prevent your kidneys from damage to lead a happier and healthier life.

Flat stomach is a matter of pride as it gives the impression to others that a person keeps himself fit and is cautious about what he eats. A fit body makes a person stronger and less prone to injuries. Some are born fitness freak, so they maintain their body in such a manner that others, who are not, would envy them and wish if they had the same physique. So, people who are not born with flat stomach or concerned about keeping themselves fit and healthy but they still need to have flat stomach, there are some very good exercises, which if done in a religious manner can help them yield the desired benefits.

Some of the best exercises for flat stomach are discussed in detail as follows:

1. Burpee: This is a very effective exercise which requires going from a pushup position to a jump and back again to a pushup position. It puts pressure on every muscle from head to toe. 10 fast paced repititions are enough and as effective as a 30 second all out sprint. One can burn their accumulated fat in the tummy faster.
2. Side Plank: This exercise is done by extending one’s legs and lying on the right side in such a way that the feet and hips rest on the floor or top of each other. Now place the right elbow under your shoulder, while contracting the core muscles, lift the hips and knees off the floor. Keep yourself in that position for few seconds and come back to normal. Repeat it for the other side.
3. Mountain Climber: Consider a pushup position with the hands below your shoulders and your body forming a straight line from your head to your heals. This is the position you start off with the exercise. Now, raising the right foot off of the floor, drive the right knee towards the chest. Then tap the floor with the right foot and return back to the starting position. Do it alternately for both the legs with each repetition.
4. Russian Twist: Russian Twist is another extremely useful exercise to get rid of your fat and get a flat stomach. For this, one needs to sit on a floor mat with knees bent slightly and heels kept flat on the mat. Start leaning back till you feel that the abdomen muscles are getting engaged.
5. Dumbbell overhead walking lunge: In this exercise, a person needs to grab a pair of medium to light-weight dumbbells. Dumbbells should be pressed overhead so that the palms face one another. Take a step forward into a lunge position, pause and then bring the back leg forward to step both the feet together. Do it alternately for both the legs.
6. Dumbbell hot-potato squat: This is done by grabbing a medium to light-weight dumbbell and holding it in the racked position with elbow bent and the end resting on your shoulder. Get into a squat position, so that the quads are parallel to the floor, then quickly get back to standing, tossing the dumbbell from one hand to another in front of the face.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy helps to improve the strength of muscle, and joint which is affected by injury, diseases, or disability through movement, exercise, manual therapy, and advice. 

What are the most common joint complaints?
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout are the most common complaint, and physiotherapy has a great role in it.

What are the benefits of physiotherapy in joint complaints?

1. It reduces pain which in turn helps you reduce your intake of painkillers.
2. In some cases, it prevents chances of surgery, and also increases the capacity of the joint to function for the longer period of time.
3. It improves mobility, and movement of the joints.
4. It avoids fall which is usually common in the joint complaint and improves the balance of the patients.

How physiotherapy help in the joint complaint?
Physiotherapy includes following methods to improve the joint complaints:

1. Local applications
Application of ice packs to soothe hot, swollen joints and application of heat packs to relax tense, tired muscles is usually done.

2. Splinting of joints
In cases of rheumatoid arthritis where joint complaints flare ups at that time splinting of the joints helps to the greater extent. Immobilization of the joint with splint helps to avoid further damage of soft tissues, and nerves.

3. Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
It helps by blocking pain messages from affected joint to the brain, and it alters the perception of pain. It is done by using a small machine with an electronic device which sends impulses to the nerve endings, and this is attached with the pads which are placed on the skin. This device causes a tingling sensation that gives soothing effects to the joint.

4. Gradual increasing daily exercises
Exercise should be started slowly, and it should increase slowly. This helps to strengthen the muscles and joints and increases fitness. Regular exercise also stimulates the production of endorphin which is one of the best pain-relieving hormones.

5. Massage therapy
Physiotherapy also includes massage therapy which helps to relax the muscles, helps to improve joint movement, and makes more comfortable movements.

6. Acupuncture
Sometimes, acupuncture is also used to stimulate the brain to produce endorphins.

7. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy includes exercise in the warm water pool. It is mostly used in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The warm water in the pool increases circulation during exercise, and due to the buoyancy of water, the joint, and muscles can be exercised without any unnecessary pressure on it.

8. Phonophoresis
In which ultrasound is used to deliver certain medications such as topical steroids, painkillers to decrease the inflammation of joints.

9. Use of light therapy
In light therapy, infrared waves are used to raise body temperature which ultimately increases blood circulation. It gives fast pain relief and reduces inflammation.