What are Empty Calories ? You should know about it

Everyday empty calories are gobbled up or gulped down by millions of unsuspecting people. Empty calories can be found in many popular beverages, snacks and foods that are the mainstay of your diet.

A look into your snack drawer, kitchen pantry, or work place vending machine may reveal a rich supply of foods and beverages that are loaded with empty calories. So, just what are empty calories? Calories that are primarily made up of solid fats and/or added sugars are called “empty calories’.

It is important to note that foods and beverages with empty calories add to your overall caloric intake but offer little to no nutritional value.

Solid fats are fats that keep their shape even when at room temperature. They are found in some foods naturally, but are routinely included in some recipes, and added to processed foods for extra flavor.

Butter and shortening are examples of solid fats Sugar is naturally found in certain foods, but sugar in excess is not your friend. 

Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added when foods or beverages are processed or prepared. 

Solid fats and added sugars can make a food or beverage more appealing, but they also can add a lot of extra calories without nutritional value.

The added sugars in recipes and processed foods can be detrimental to your diet and health. Some examples of added sugars are corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup and sugar.

Added sugars are found most often in cakes, cookies, pastries, and donuts (contain both solid fat and added sugars) Sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit drinks (contain added sugars), Ice cream (contains both solid fat and added sugars)

Both solid fats and added sugars are used to enhance overall food flavor. However, solid fats and added sugars can unleash a ton of empty calories that can sabotage your best your weight loss efforts.

Cakes, cookies, pastries, sodas, cheese, pizza, sports drinks, ice cream, hot dogs and bacon are some examples of foods with empty calories There is good news. Some foods with an excess of solid fats or added sugars offer lower-calorie choices.

Drinking non-fat milk instead of whole milk is a great way to get calcium and other nutrients without extra fat and calories. Or instead of fried chicken, which is loaded with empty calories, make it a protein-rich, skinless baked chicken meal. 

Avoiding empty calories when possible can change your health profile from poor to better.

Guide to Pregnancy Care

Pregnancy is the most crucial phase of a woman's life and a happy one too - if everything's fine and without complications. However, the presence of the following signs is a serious cause of concern and need to be brought to the doctor's notice immediately:

• If the mother is suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney and heart diseases, tuberculosis, or any other chronic illness.

• If the mother is malnourished, suffering from serve anemia or osteomalacia (due to the deficiency of vitamin D and calcium).

• If the previous pregnancy had resulted in an abortion, still or premature birth of physically or mentally retarded body.

• If there was excessive bleeding, toxemia or any infections during the previous pregnancy.

• If the mother's age is less than 18 years or more than 35 years.

• If the mother is obese or underweight.

• If the mother is suffering from AIDS, Hepatitis B or syphilis or other sexually transmitted or infectious diseases.

• If the mother is drug addict, smoker, alcoholic, or epileptic.

• If the mother's blood group is Rh negative and the father's is Rh positive.

If you doubt the presence of any of the above you must surely consult the doctor. Its better to take precautions at the early stages so as to prevent complications in the final stages of pregnancy.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - Key Information

 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - Key Information for Patients awareness

                                                            Pic Source: Science Photo Library  

This post covers below questions with the interest of Patient information

 1) What cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is ?

Cardiopulmonary arrest means that a person’s heart and breathing has stopped. When this happens it is sometimes possible to restart their heart and breathing with an emergency treatment called CPR. CPR can include: 

    • repeatedly pushing down very firmly on the chest 

    • using electric shocks to try to restart the heart 

    • ‘mouth-to-mouth’ breathing; and

     • artificially inflating the lungs through a mask over the nose and mouth or a tube inserted into the windpipe

 2) How decisions about CPR are made ?

CPR is most often used in emergency situations, for example if you have a serious injury or suffer a heart attack.

However, CPR is not always automatically used; this depends on the circumstances and the doctor’s estimate of how likely it is to work. 

If you are already very seriously ill and nearing the end of life, there may be no benefit in trying to revive you. 

In this case, CPR may not be attempted. CPR will not be used if you have said in advance that you do not wish to receive it. 

The information in this leaflet has been written to help you to decide whether or not you want to make this decision. It is important to remember that your relatives, friends or carers cannot make this decision for you

3) Does CPR always work?

The chances of CPR restarting your heart and breathing will depend on: 

    • why your heart and breathing have stopped 

    • any illness or medical problems you have (or have had in the past) 

    • the overall condition of your health. When CPR is attempted in a hospital it is successful in restarting the heart and breathing in about 4 out of 10 patients. However only about 2 out of 10 patients survive long enough to leave hospital. 

    The figures are much lower for patients with serious underlying conditions and for those not in hospital. It is important to remember that these figures only give a general picture and not a definite prediction of what you personally can expect. Everybody is different and your healthcare team will explain how CPR might affect you

4. Can CPR ever be harmful?

The techniques used to start your heart and breathing sometimes cause side effects, for example, bruising, fractured ribs and punctured lungs. 

Attempts at CPR do not always restart the heart and breathing despite the best efforts of all concerned. Success depends on why your heart and breathing stopped, and on your general health. It also depends on how quickly your heart and breathing can be restarted.

People who are revived are often still very unwell and need more treatment, usually in a coronary care or intensive care unit. Some patients make a full recovery; some recover but have health problems. Some people never get back the level of physical or mental health they previously enjoyed. Some have brain damage or go into a coma. People with many medical problems are less likely to make a full recovery

5. Can I decide in advance that I DON’T want to have CPR if my heart or breathing stops?

If you know that you do not want CPR, you can inform your doctor, who will ensure that your decision is respected. You may also find it useful to make a living will (also known as an Advance Decision) to document your wishes. If you have a living will, you should let your healthcare team know about it so they can keep a copy of it in your healthcare records. You should also let the people close to you know so they are aware of your wishes.

6. Can I decide in advance that I DO want to have CPR if my heart or breathing stops?

If you think you would like to have CPR, then it is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor and make sure that they know your views. 

However, CPR will only be given if the doctor believes it is clinically appropriate. This will depend on your current state of health and other underlying medical problems. 

Your doctor can explain the chances of CPR being effective in your case. If there is a chance that CPR could restart your heart and breathing but it is likely to leave you severely ill or disabled, your opinion about whether these chances are worth taking are very important. Your doctor will listen to your opinions and, if you choose to involve them, the opinions of your family, carers and friends. 

If you disagree with your doctors opinion about whether CPR is appropriate for you, you can ask for a second opinion. You can also seek mediation or counselling or use the formal complaints procedure.

Source: NHS East of England

Post Pregnancy Workout Postnatal workout

Post-Pregnancy most women tend to keep up more weight than usual. Its highly recommended to focus on reducing of weight. If you are the one, who are the victim of this increase of weight after your pregnancy, then your diet is very important in helping you lose weight, and there are some foods that make the cornerstone of a healthy nutrition, while other foods will only make your goal to lose weight that much more difficult. Post Pregnancy workout also called Postnatal workout.

The good foods are the unprocessed foods that provide you with great nutritional value. They provide you with protein, good fats, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals that are very essential for a healthy nutrition. Your diet should mostly consist of these types of food.

Poultry, fish, eggs, and lean meats: These foods are high in protein, contain all the essential amino-acids, and most of the times, are great sources of Zinc, Selenium, Vitamins B6 and B12, Iron, and others.

Vegetables: They are always recommended in any diet. They have a rich content of nutrition and provide a lot of vitamins and minerals that complement those found in both red and white meat. Most vegetables are low in calories, high in fiber, and take up a lot of space in your stomach. So if you are looking to lose weight after pregnancy, these can be great as they make you less hungry and allow you to limit the consumption of junk foods.

Fruits: They are usually not very high in calories, and help fill you up fast. Making sure to get several servings of fruit a day might satisfy your sugar craving and provide you with the minerals, vitamins, fiber, and enzymes you need.

Low fat dairy: These foods are relatively high in easily absorbed protein and provide some vitamins and minerals, especially Calcium. These foods would include cottage cheese, milk, and fat-free yogurt. Try to avoid the yogurts with fruits at the bottom as they are filled with sugar additives and not much fruit.

Healthy fats: These come from nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc..., avocados, fish oil, flax seed, and extra virgin olive oil. These fats are helpful in maintaining good cardiovascular health and keeping both cholesterol and inflammation levels low.

Whole grains and similar: Oats, brown pasta, brown rice, etc... are some of the best sources for carbohydrates. They also provide you with fiber and some vitamins and minerals. Compared to their white versions, whole grains have a lower chance of turning into fat stored by the body.

These foods are the cornerstone of healthy nutrition. They cover all the bases needed, and making sure to start consuming them while reducing your intake of processed foods is perfect to lose weight after pregnancy and to include as part of your post pregnancy workout.

Source: Hashimoto Tout 

Learn the Facts and Risks of Using Steroids

Hi Friends, do you ever thought, Hollywood actors or WWE players ever use steroids or they just naturally that big? In this article let understand what all risks generated by using steroids.

Are you the one who are putting constant efforts to increase your body weight or like to improve sporting ability, then give it a pause. In fact, better to stop and understand risks mentioned below

"The threats of steroid use are various yet numerous individuals are uninformed of them. If not recommended by an authorized specialist, steroids are hazardous and can cause a large group of clinical issues with lasting outcomes. Anabolic steroids are fake variants of testosterone (a male hormone). They can be directed by infusion or taken orally. "

It advances the development of muscle tissue and is regularly utilized by weight lifters and different competitors. Over-use by young people can influence the body's development plates. There may either be an easing back down of development or a speeding up of bone maturing, the two of which are irregular and happen because of a hormonal unevenness. 

A few clients infuse the steroids into their frameworks with messy or unsterile needles. This can expand the danger of contracting AIDS and other blood borne infections. Since the body is getting a counterfeit flexibly of testosterone, it quits creation its own gracefully of the hormone which can cause the shrinkage of men's balls. 

Ladies' bodies likewise produce modest quantities of testosterone. Subsequently, the utilization of steroids additionally influences ladies. Not exclusively can both genders endure with untimely going bald, yet they can even reason an expansion of body hair. Ladies endure with conceptive issues too. For instance, abnormalities in the monthly cycle can happen. Once in a while, the period will totally quit, making it difficult to shoulder youngsters. 

Steroids can cause extreme liver harm and numerous clients create genuine liver related conditions like water maintenance, hepatitis, tumors, blisters, and liver poisonousness. Some of the time, total liver disappointment may happen. Manifestations of liver harm are weariness, dull pee, tireless stomach torment, and a yellowing of the skin or eyes.

I hope by this time you have understood what all risks you might face by using steroids. Keep yourself aware of your diet, and supplements intake ......Keep fit and be healthy.

Thanks for reading, do let me know your opinion / views below.

Best Effective Weight Loss System

Hello Friends!!

Are you the one who is seriously looking to lose some weight? There is a quick and powerful weight reduction framework that you can without much of a stretch follow for everybody. 

There are loads of simple weight reduction exercise tips however you can in any event pick the best for you. 

Here are my proposals on quick and compelling weight reduction framework:- 

Drink plenty of water. Water may go about as a suppressant in your yearnings for food. It additionally hydrates your body and flushes out poisons with the assistance of your kidneys and liver. 

Fiber admission is enthusiastically suggested for getting more fit. Like water, it additionally flushes out poisons and it unquestionably purges your stomach related framework. Start your day by eating high fiber grains and devour fiber for around 8-25 grams. 

One of my best weight reduction tips is protein utilization. Protein may keep you full for extended periods of time. It might help in adjusting starches by hindering the unexpected flood of insulin in this manner keeping you from sugar yearnings. Protein likewise includes protein mass. 

Eat nutritious nourishments like foods grown from the ground. A few people attempt crude food diet for quick weight reduction. Crude food diet comprises of burning-through crude products of the soil. These new nourishments contain higher amounts of nutrients and minerals to help reinforce your framework. 

Burn-through nourishments that expansion your digestion. Nourishments that accelerate the digestion rate are imperative to consume fats in your body. Have a go at eating a bowl of oat or oats in the first part of the day; it helps in catching fire more calories. 

Starch admission is once in a while unavoidable. The best activity is to supplant basic sugars to complex. Straightforward starches admission will out of nowhere shoot up your energy since it is processed without any problem. Complex sugars like entire grains, dried or thick natural products are longer to process and accelerate digestion. 

Exercise can be a quick method to diminish up your weight. Start your activity by strolling as a warm up then you can do mountain biking or running on string plants and other exercise regimens for getting thinner. 

Burn-through solid fats. Not all fats are awful for us. There are additionally acceptable fats like Omega 9, Omega 6 and Omega 3. These solid fats have linoleic corrosive and linolenic corrosive. There additionally items that has zero Trans fat or unsaturated fat, these keep up our ordinary blood levels. 

Consider trying out a wellness rec center. There are wellness experts who can assist you with shedding pounds. They will give a health improvement plan that is good for you. 

Make an every day diary on your weight reduction regimens. This will give you indispensable data on the number of pounds you lose and what are the nourishments that you have burned-through for the afternoon. You will likewise have the option to screen your calorie admission in keeping up your weight. 

There are accessible weight decreasing enhancements that you can benefit of in driving drug stores. Be that as it may, make sure to counsel your overall doctor or specialist first. It is on the grounds that some of marketed dietary enhancements are not appropriately endorsed by the FDA or Food and Drug Administration. 

So take no concerns in getting in shape, attempt these compelling tips and you will see the outcomes.

I wish you all the best in your weight loss ....do let me know your success here !!

Thank you for reading..

Exercises for Babies

 Continuation of Post :Click Here

Toddlers (aged 1 to 2)

Toddlers ought to be bodily energetic each day for at the least a 180 minutes(three hours). The extra the better. This ought to be unfold for the duration of the day, along with gambling outdoors.

Three hours can encompass mild hobby together with status up, shifting around, rolling and gambling, in addition to extra lively hobby like skipping, hopping, walking and jumping.

Active play, together with the use of a mountaineering frame, using a bike, gambling in water, chasing video games and ball video games, is the high-quality manner for this age organization to get shifting

Pre-schoolers (aged 3 to 4)

Pre-schoolers have to spend as a minimum of three hours, an afternoon doing a number of bodily sports unfold at some stage in the day, which include lively and outside play. The extra the better.

The a hundred and eighty mins have to encompass as a minimum 60 mins of moderate-to-energetic depth bodily interest.

Children under five have to now no longer be inactive for lengthy intervals, besides while they are asleep. Watching TV, touring via way of means of car, bus or train, or being strapped right into a buggy for lengthy intervals aren't excellent for a kid's fitness and development.

All kids under five who're obese can enhance their fitness via way of means of assembly the interest guidelines, even supposing their weight does now no longer change. To obtain and preserve a healthful weight, they'll want to do extra interest and make nutritional changes.

Here is list of physical activities, though not comprehensive:

All movement counts. The more the better.

tummy time

playing with blocks and other objects

messy play

jumping

walking

dancing

swimming

playground activities

climbing

skip

active play, like hide and seek

throwing and catching

scooting

riding a bike

outdoor activities

skipping

Benefits of Coconut Water

 

The Big Question, What are the benefits of Coconut Water ?

The worlds new hottest health craze, coconut water is taking the healthy world by storm. Many celebrities have replaced many of their diet drinks with the new “natures sports drink” with a juice box, coconut water.

Coconut Water Benefits-

The biggest healthy claim is its rich potassium; with any typical serving of 569 mg (almost twice as much as a banana) this mineral helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting the stimulating effects of sodium which helps prevent related issues like stroke, heart attack and oddly even hangovers.

But nutritionists say not to drink coconut water during heavy exercises as its very low in sodium, if you didn’t know when your exercising you lose a lot of sodium through sweating. The popular belief is that there are a lot of coconut water benefits but in reality it might just be the same as drinking regular old water.

The major marketing purpose behind coconut water is the claims of comparing it to sports water, you would expect this to be true but sadly its not. In fact some nutrition experts suggest that most people may not really need electrolyte (A major part of sports drinks) in the first place. Don’t count on coconut water benefits as it does not help with rehydration.

Coconut Water Benefits

Acording Andrea Giancoli, a registered dietitian “What coconut does have is higher levels of potassium than a lot of other foods,” she explained. “The American public in general, if they’re not eating enough fruits and vegetables, they’re not getting enough potassium.”

Top 10 Health Coconut Water Benefits:

• The coconut water is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, and minerals that rehydration levels in the body. (Water is recommend for heavy workouts)
• Its water has much more minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of fruits like oranges.
• Very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates.
• Coconut water contains a good amount of  potassium.
• Coconut water helps in breaking down and eliminating all forms of kidney and bladder stones, one health benefit that is low cost effective.
• Coconut water benefits if taken during feverish conditions reduces fever, it is also known to calm nervous and emotional imbalances.
• Aids in flushing the liver, since it contains lauric acid (a crystalline fatty acid. Source: coconut, laurel oils) which gives it anti-microbial properties and makes it suitable for treatment of some liver ailments like hepatitis.
• It happens to be one of the purest liquid known to man, natural drinks at its best.
• Coconut water is naturally fat-free and low in calories.
• Coconut water calms upset stomachs and reduces vomiting.

4 Effective Herbal Teas for Relaxation

What better way to de-stress at the end of a long day, than with a hot cup of herbal tea?

In our fast-paced society, dealing with stress has become a normal part of everyday life. 

While it may be impossible to completely eliminate stress from your lifestyle, there are certain ways of managing stress which can help ensure that you remain in good health. 

Aside from prescription medications, many people turn to herbal remedies to help reduce stress. Here are a few of the most common anti-stress herbal teas.

Note: Many of these herbs have not been examined by the FDA as official anti-stress remedies. This simply includes herbs that are popular anti-stress remedies. Always consult your physician before attempting to self-medicate with herbal remedies.

Lavender

Lavender is cited as being a calming, relaxing herb for helping to reduce stress. Lavender lotions, candles and aromatherapy infusions may all be used in addition to lavender tea for helping to de-stress.

Kava Kava

This south pacific herb has been used for thousands of years to treat stress and anxiety. It’s also cited as being an effective treatment for depression. Use caution when using Kava Kava for stress, since it may interact with other medications.

St. John’s Wort

This anti-depression herb is also often used as an anti-stress remedy. Many herbalists warn that St. John’s Wort takes around 30 days to be effective, which means you might want to combine St. John’s Wort tea with herbal supplements for maximum effectiveness.

Chamomile

Chamomile tea is sweet, calming and relaxing. Herbalists use it for helping to promote sleep and feelings of overall well-being. Chamomile is a delicate herb tea, and can be safely consumed before bedtime.

Best food to boost mind and mood !!

An enormous number of us, from time to time, end up to be sensitive, crabby, or basically sluggish and depleted. This could have a ton to do with your dietary model and ordinary dietary examples. 

Maybe the best factor for a perpetual trickiness could be a drop in glucose, or glucose. Eating little meals during that time instead of tremendous dinners could be of extraordinary help to keep your mind and personality impeccable. 

Regardless, on the flip-side eating on concentrated sweets isn't always an amazing response for keep your spirits high. 

Like most addictive drugs, concentrated sweets start a spike in the perspective because of their high sugar levels that are trailed by a manner annihilating drop that makes you have to scan for your next fix. These kind of sustenance's can leave an individual tired,depleted and much of the time upset

For More information >>> visit : Healthy Feminine

KAUVERY HOSPITALS HEALTH CHECKUP PACKAGES

Chennai's Kauvery Hospital is a leading, multi-speciality hospital offering best-in-class medical services for nearly 2 decades. With paramount focus on patient care, patient safety and patient satisfaction, we are committed to offer exemplary medical services going beyond the norm of healthcare.

Below are contact numbers:

Below are the list of health packages at Kauvery Hospitals @ Chennai :

PRIMARY HEALTH CHECK	Package Rate @ Rs.2750/-
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT	HAEMOGLOBIN
	PACKED CELL VOLUME
	R.B.C COUNT
	MCHC, MCV, MCH
	TOTAL W.B.C/ DIFFERENTIAL COUNT
	E.S.R
	PLATELET COUNT
BLOOD SUGAR	FASTING BLOOD SUGAR
	POST PRANDIAL BLOOD SUGAR
	HBA1C
RENAL PARAMETERS	UREA
	CREATININE
	URIC ACID
LIPID PROFILE	TOTAL CHOLESTEROL
	HDL CHOLESTEROL
	LDL CHOLESTEROL
	VLDL CHOLESTEROL
	TRIGLYCERIDES
	TOTAL CHOLESTEROL / HDL RATIO
LIVER FUNCTION TESTS	TOTAL PROTEIN
	ALBUMIN
	GLOBULIN
	A/G RATIO
	SGPT
	SGOT
	ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
	GGT
	BILIRUBIN TOTAL
	BILIRUBIN DIRECT
	BILIRUBIN INDIRECT
ENDOCRINE	TSH
GENERAL TESTS	ROUTINE URINE ANALYSIS
	ECG
	X- RAY CHEST PA VIEW
	ULTRASOUND ABDOMEN
	PHYSICIAN CONSULTATION

To book an appointment: call +91 9543647047

Below are the list of other health check up packages with the prices. 

Note: Please book an appointment while availing the health checkup.

Also, you can schedule an appointment by clicking any of the two options below :

Chennai : 044 40006000

Trichy - Cantonment :  0431 40777771

Trichy - Heartcity : 0431 4003500 | +91 9024290242

Trichy - Tennur : 0431 4022555

Hosur : 04344 272727

Karaikudi : 04565 244555

for more details please visit: Kauvery Hospitals

Know everything about ASTHMA in Children

Under special posts of Children Health care, you will notice series of posts related to critical treatments.

Today, lets discuss about Asthma.

                               Pic: Renown health
Asthma is a long-term (chronic) lung disease that causes your child's airways to become sensitive to certain things (triggers). 

Several things happen to the airways when a child is exposed to triggers:

• The lining around the airways swell.
• The muscles around the airways tighten.The airways make more thick mucus than normal.
• All of these things will cause the airways to narrow. 
• This makes it difficult for air to go in and out of your child’s lungs and causes the symptoms of asthma.

Causes

The exact cause of asthma is not known. Researchers think it is partially passed down through families. But it can also be caused by many other things such as the environment, infections, and chemicals.

Risk Factors

A child is more likely to get asthma if he or she:

• Is age 5 to 17 years old
• Has family members with asthma
• Has allergies
• Is around tobacco smoke
• Is around air pollution
• Has another health problem such as sinus problems and being overweight

Symptoms

Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. Children with asthma have times when they have few, if any symptoms. They also have times when symptoms flare up. Symptoms may include:

1. Cough that is either constant or comes and goes
2. Wheezing or whistling sound that is heard while your child is breathing
3. Trouble breathing or shortness of breath while your child is active
4. Chest tightness
5. Tiredness
6. Cough at night
7. Noisy breathing
8. The symptoms of asthma can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

                                               Pic:Asthma Society. ie

Diagnosis

To diagnose asthma, your child’s healthcare provider may recommend these tests:

Spirometry. A spirometer is a device used to check lung function. It can be done in young children, including infants. 

Peak flow monitoring. A peak flow meter is used to measure the amount of air a child can blow out of the lungs. This measurement is very important in checking how well your child’s asthma is being controlled.

Chest X-rays. This diagnostic test uses invisible energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film.

Allergy tests. Allergy tests can show if your child has allergies that may be causing or worsening asthma.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

• Your child’s healthcare provider may refer you to a pulmonologist. 
• This is a doctor with special training to treat lung conditions. 
• Your child may also be referred to an asthma and allergy specialist. 
• Your child’s treatment is based on how severe his or her symptoms are and how easily they are controlled. 
• Treatment includes finding triggers and ways to avoid them. It will also include medicines.

Asthma medicines include:

Bronchodilators. These medicines are used to help open the narrowed airways. They may relieve coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.

Anti-inflammatory medicines. These medicines help decrease the inflammation in the airways.

Anti-leukotrienes. These medicines help decrease the narrowing of the airways. These are usually given by mouth.

Immunotherapy. This can be used for severe asthma attacks in children ages 12 and older.

Complications

Asthma that is not well controlled may cause:

1. Severe asthma attacks
2. Lasting damage to the airways
3. Increased time in the hospital or the emergency department
4. Missed school or other activities
5. Prevention
6. Asthma can’t be completely prevented. 

There are steps you can take to reduce the chance of your child developing asthma. They include:

• Avoiding secondhand smoke
• Avoiding air pollution

In most children, asthma flare-ups can be prevented by:

• Avoiding known triggers
• Carefully managing symptoms
• Taking medicines as instructed
• Living with
• You can help manage your child’s asthma by:
• 
  
• Finding out your child’s triggers and keeping him or her away from them.
• Giving your child medicine as directed to prevent symptoms.
• Creating and keeping an Asthma Action Plan.
• Closely watching asthma signs and symptoms to know when they are getting worse.
• Knowing what to do when asthma gets worse.
• Work with your child’s healthcare provider to find the best way to take care of your child’s asthma. There are guidelines for children from newborn to age 4, ages 5 to 11, and ages 12 and older.

The more information a person with asthma has, the better the asthma can be controlled.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider???

Call your child’s healthcare provider if your child’s symptoms are not well-controlled. 

For example, your child is waking at night with symptoms or is having trouble with daily activities.

Call your child’s healthcare provider or get medical help right away if your child has severe 

symptoms. 

These severe symptoms can include trouble:

Breathing
Sleeping
Walking
Talking

Key Points:

• Asthma is a long-term (chronic) lung disease that causes the airways to swell and make more mucus, and the muscles around the airways to tighten.
• 
  
• Asthma symptoms include trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.
• 
  
• Staying away from those things that cause asthma symptoms (triggers) is an important part of asthma treatment.
• 
  
• Medicines are used to prevent and control symptoms during flare-ups.
• 
  
• Asthma can cause serious complications if it is not well-controlled.

Pic: standardmedia

Next Steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

1. Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

2. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

3. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. 

4. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.

5. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know        what the side effects are.

6. Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

7. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

8. Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

9. If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

10. Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

Source:St Louis Childrens

How to Prevent Bad Breath: Preventing Gum Disease

If you want to know how to prevent bad breath, you need to look no further than your oral health. Keeping your mouth healthy is one of the keys to dealing with bad breath, as bad breath is almost always caused by a buildup of bacteria in your mouth. However, one of the primary causes of bad breath is gum disease, also known as periodontitis. If you find yourself with bad breath, it may be because you’ve allowed your gums to get infected. By preventing infections of your gums, you can nip bad breath in the bud.

How to Prevent Bad Breath: Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease can be caused by many things, but the results are almost always the same. The disease can be caused by bacteria building up on food left in your mouth for too long, and you will find that it can be quite painful when your gums swell up. The gums become very inflamed, and it can actually spread to the bones around your teeth if it becomes more serious.

You will notice the first signs of gum disease when you see a plaque forming on your teeth, and this sticky, white substance will basically coat your teeth. You must take immediate steps to brush your teeth and floss, as that is how you will be able to get rid of the plaque before it worsens. If the plaque is left untreated, it will harden and turn into tartar – something that is much more difficult to get rid of. If you don’t take steps to treat the problem, it may turn into gingivitis. This gum disease may be mild, but it can worsen if it is left unchecked. For this reason, you should take care to deal with any problems at the first sign of development.

How to Prevent Bad Breath: Symptoms of Gum Disease

It will be very hard not to notice when you have gum disease, but you may think that it’s oral thrush, an infection in your mouth, or the result of a very bad cold. However, if you notice any of the symptoms listed below, it’s definitely gum disease:

• Your gums are very red and very swollen
• You find that your gums bleed when you brush or floss them
• Your gums are receding, which means they’re moving away from your teeth
• You have bad breath all the time, even after brushing, rinsing your mouth, and eating a  breath mint
• The spaces between your teeth are widening, and your teeth feel lose in your mouth

If you notice any of these things, it’s time to get yourself to a dentist and get immediate help to deal with your gum disease.

How to Prevent Bad Breath: Treating and Preventing Gum Disease

If you want to ensure that your mouth stays healthy, it’s important that you know what you can do to both treat and prevent gum disease. Here are some of the more common remedies for gum disease:

Cranberry Juice – Cranberry juice is more than just a liquid that you can use as a mouthwash, but it’s an antiseptic – meaning it will help to prevent infections. Cranberry juice is used to treat many infections simply because it’s a very strong liquid, and it has properties that will help to kill bacteria and yeast. If you drink cranberry juice regularly, it will help to prevent the bacteria in your mouth from clinging to your teeth and causing the infection.

Vitamin D –Vitamin D has been proven to help improve your body’s defenses against gum disease, and taking this supplement can actually stop you from developing the problem in the first place. You can get a lot of Vitamin D from the sun, and just spending a few minutes in the sun every day can go a long way towards preventing gum disease.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C is the antioxidant that will give your immune system a kick, and you’ll find that it will help to prevent infections all over your body. Vitamin C deficiency is one of the primary causes of gum disease, so getting enough of this vital vitamin is very important. You can get lots of Vitamin C from citrus fruits, as well as from dark green vegetables. You may want to consider adding a vitamin C supplement to your diet, or start drinking a cup of sugar-free natural lemonade every day.

Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree oil is one of the most powerful antiseptic and cleansing agents on the planet, which is why it has to be watered down so much in order to be safe to use. You will find that using a tea tree oil gel on your gums will help to cure the problem, and you can deal with your gum infection naturally using this gel. It won’t work as quickly as the medications, but it will definitely help to stop your gums bleeding and deal with the gingivitis.

CQ10 – Coenzyme Q10 has become a topic of much debate in recent years, as it’s an antioxidant that has proven to be very effective for a number of things. One of them is dealing with infections. The enzyme is needed to repair the tissue in your gums, and using it in the form of a toothpaste can help to reduce the infection and swelling.

Reducing Stress – Surprisingly, stress has been linked to gum disease, so fighting your stress can help to fight your gum disease. Stress causes higher chances that your gums will bleed and plaque will form, so it’s always a good idea to reduce your stress.

It’s amazing how dealing with your gum disease will cure your bad breath problems very easily, so it’s time to break out those natural cures for gum disease! You will find that your gum disease can be treated easily, and your breath will smell so much better once you’ve gotten rid of the problem. If you want to know how to prevent bad breath, prevent gum disease first!

Tips For Losing Weight

This is the guest post from Racheal (U.S based blogger)

It is surprising that many people go through a lot of turmoil and pain to reduce their body weight. 

They keep switching diets, visit the gym, try out various food supplements, fast, subscribe to weight loss programs and do just about everything to acquire a body bereft of fat.  

Very often the effort is not sustainable and leads to dissatisfaction and they are back to where they started.

Well, you may ask, what is the alternative?

The alternative is rather simple.  You can lose weight and very effectively by not doing any of the above and just following some simple natural methods to shed excess fat.  

These will save you a lot of bother and unnecessary hardship.

Let us look at them in detail.

a) Adequate Sleep

The most important starting point and the genesis of most health problems has got to do with insomnia or lack of adequate sleep.  If you can ensure a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed, your body will not need to compensate its lack by demanding more sugar as it is likely to do when you do not sleep well enough. 

The body tries to make up sleep deficit by craving for sugar, which you seek from cakes and doughnuts and that leads to accumulation of calories.

You must endeavour to sleep for a minimum of eight hours and if need be, must retire for the night early to achieve this.

Make sure that you do not consume anything sumptuous two hours prior to hitting the sack and if at all you feel hungry, a glass of milk should keep you satiated.

b) Enough physical activity

It is a fact that regular physical exercises promote a sense of well being within the body.  They need not be very strenuous, simple walking and some light stretching releases endorphins that will make you feel good and automatically invoke sleep.

You can try walking to your parking lot or foot it up instead of the elevator and these are enough to give you the quota necessary for the day.

c) Addition of sizzling chili pepper

.It may seem odd but fresh chilli pepper has the unique property of absorbing fat from your body fat cells and can help you maintain your weight.  Asians do add this ingredient to their daily diet and that is one of the reasons for their fit frames.

d) Balanced meals

The most important of them all is the need to consume three balanced meals through the day.  The breakfast needs to be a full one with all the vital nutrients so that you are ready and energized to face the world. 

This first meal of the day has to be enjoyed fully and you have to make time for it, if need be by getting up early enough.

Lunch is another meal that should never be skipped. If you do feel drowsy after the meal, you are at liberty to take a walk and feel fresh.

Skipping the meal will mean that you will end up purchasing junk food later in the day and these will only provide calories without any nutrition.

Having the dinner at least a couple of hours before you hit the sack is another virtue that you must cultivate.

Do not forget to complement these meals with a lot of water through the day as this is something your body will relish.