Archive for the 'Health' Category
August 19th, 2010 -- Posted in Health, The Medical Plus |
Fasting the act of willingly abstaining from food, drink, sexual intercourse for a period of time. No doubt, fasting has health and spiritual benefits, but we must never lose sight of the main goal of fasting, the spiritual meaning of the Fasting which includes:
- It teaches man the principle of sincere Love: because when he observes Fasting he does it out of deep love for God. And the man who loves God truly is a man who really knows what love is.
- It equips man with a creative sense of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace.
- It imbues in man the genuine virtue of effective devotion, honest dedication and closeness to God; because when he fasts he does so for God and for His sake alone.
- It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience; because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no mundane authority to check man’s behavior or compel him to observe fasting. He keeps it to please God and satisfy his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in public. There is no better way to cultivate a sound conscience in man.
During Fasting, daily diet should not differ greatly from normal and should be as simple as possible. We should be able to maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, fasting is an ideal practice to lose weight. We should aim to consume slow digesting foods including fiber-containing foods. Slow-digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last only 3 to 4 hours. Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, etc. (complex carbohydrates).
Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. ie refined carbohydrates.
Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains, seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, methie, fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc. Meals should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.
During Fasting the following food should be avoided
- Fried and fatty foods.
- Foods containing too much sugar.
- Over-eating .
- Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before fasting.
What you can eat
- Complex carbohydrates at the night before so that the food lasts longer.
- Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.
- Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium & magnesium.
- Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
- Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
- You should drink as much water or fruit juices as possible between the period of breaking the fast and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.
Problems to avoid during Fasting
Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (cracks in anal canal) and indigestion, with a bloated feeling. Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.
Causes: Over-eating. Excessive fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, fizzy drinks like Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or water. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.
- Lethargy (Low blood pressure)
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting, paleness and feeling faint are symptoms associated with “low blood pressure”. This tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their doctor.
Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, too much exercise, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur during the day and worsen towards the evening. When associated with “low blood pressure”, the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before breaking the fast.
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before fasting. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganize your schedule during fasting so as to have adequate sleep.
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), headache, and palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics: Excessive sugar consumption i.e. refined carbohydrates. The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.
Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication when fasting, consult your doctor.
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy: Eat foods rich in these minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.
Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.
- Peptic ulcers, Heart burn and Gastritis
Increased acid levels in an empty stomach aggravate the above conditions. It causes a burning feeling in the stomach area and can extend up to the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions.
Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before fasting.
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.
June 22nd, 2010 -- Posted in Eye Care, Health |
Our eyes are one of the most valuable organs in our body and it is our duty and responsibility to ensure they are well protected and kept away from any harm. Just as we take care of our hair, skin and other organs, we need to be very alert and quick to detect any problems that may be developing within the eyes and take remedial action at the earliest. While there is no need to press the panic button should anything untoward happen, it is the awareness and quick action that can save us from any further damage.
Eye Floaters
In this context, one problem that many people face intermittently and even over some period of time is that of eye floaters. These are small spots that are seen when you look at bright backgrounds such as the sky or anything white. They are the result of a jelly like substance forming within the eyeball due to the aggregation of debris. Since they move with the eyeball, you cannot physically remove them with your own hands by washing or cleaning your eyes or even by rubbing them.
These eye floaters are of different dimensions and while some appear like small dots, others would appear hair like or in the form of threads. Generally they are harmless except the irritation they cause to the person. It is only when they increase in number that the person needs to be worried about them and should take steps to get them removed through appropriate techniques. Delaying then can lead to the internal eye structure getting damaged.
So what are the typical symptoms and causes of this condition?
The typical symptoms are those which are mentioned above and while the smaller specks do not cause much harm to the eyes, larger ones can cause your vision to get disturbed and distorted.
As for the causes, as one grows older, the vitreous humor present in the eye undergoes changes. Those having a firm vitreous humor do not experience any problems but those with a liquid vitreous humor would have issues due to the debris being able to move more freely within the eyeball and that is how they then aggregate over time to become small lumps. Other causes include any inflammation in the eye, infections, any detachment of the vitreous and so on. Eye floaters are also caused due to the regular intake of certain medications that are used to reduce weight, treat skin related problems or for memory recovery.
What is the cure?
The eye has powerful natural ways to protect itself and as long as the eye floaters do not cause any problems related to sight, one should try to get used to them. Over time, the brain will learn to ignore the presence of these floaters and there would be no need for any medication. Surgery is not a recommended option unless the problem gets worse and it causes a lot of pain or discomfort.
The ideal solution of course would be to avoid getting Eye Floaters in the first place and that can be achieved by strengthening the eyes by taking a balanced diet. There is a need to take a lot of water, fresh vegetables and fruits as these are very good for the body in general and for the eyes in particular.
January 14th, 2010 -- Posted in Health |
A mother accused of murdering her disabled son has described in court how she told him that she loved him before administering a heroin overdose.
Frances Inglis, 57, of Dagenham, Essex, denies murdering Thomas Inglis, 22, on 21 November 2008 and an earlier attempt to kill him on 4 September 2007.
Mr Inglis was fatally injected with heroin at his Hertfordshire care home.
The Old Bailey jury heard she injected his arm and thighs after saying: “Everything’s going to be fine.”
She was giving evidence about the moment she allegedly attempted to murder her son Tom in September 2007 in a bid to end his suffering.
The Old Bailey has heard that Ms Inglis went on to succeed in killing the 22-year-old in November 2008.
His mother said: “I held him, told him I loved him, told him everything was going to be fine, took the syringe, and I injected him in his thigh and his arm.
“Then he went to sleep. He was at peace. I stayed with him.” 
‘Peaceful death’
The defendant said she was convinced that the doctor treating her son at Queens Hospital in Romford, Essex, was lying about his chances of recovery.
He was left helpless after suffering severe head injuries when he fell out of an ambulance in July 2007, the jury has heard.
Ms Inglis said: “I knew I had to help him. I asked myself what Tom would want. He wouldn’t have wanted to live like this.
“I asked myself what I would want. I would want someone to love me enough to help me die.
“That’s why I thought heroin – a painless, peaceful death.”
Ms Inglis told the court she had started to research her son’s condition on the internet within days of his accident.
She also claimed she had to beg hospital staff to give him some relief for his “terrible pain”.
‘Horror and pain’
Ms Inglis, who said she used to visit her son twice a day, was asked by her barrister Sasha Wass QC about the “encouraging” prognosis described by consultant surgeon Ragu Vindlacheruvu.
He had suggested “that Tom would be running his own business, walking, talking, independent, totally opposed to what everyone else had said and what I had seen with my own eyes”, said the defendant.
“All I saw was horror, pain and tragedy,” she said.
She added: “I knew that Dr Vindlacheruvu was lying.”
The trial continues.
Sources: BBC NEWS
March 9th, 2009 -- Posted in Health |
Taking regular lunchtime siestas could increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to research.
The study of 16,480 people, found those who napped were 26% more likely to get the condition than those who did not.
Several factors which may be behind the link included disrupted night-time sleep and an association between napping and reduced physical activity.
But a conference in Glasgow will hear that factors like genetics and being overweight are more significant.
The researchers will tell delegates at the Diabetes UK event that napping during the day may disrupt night-time sleep.
This could have an impact as short night-time sleep duration has been shown to be associated with an increased Type 2 diabetes risk.
‘Another step’
Waking up from napping also activates hormones and mechanisms in the body that stop insulin working effectively, the researchers said, and this could predispose people to Type 2 diabetes – which can develop when the insulin the body makes does not work properly.
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: “We already know that people who are overweight or obese, and therefore more at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, can have problems sleeping.
“This new research could be another step towards explaining the possible link between disturbed sleep patterns and Type 2 diabetes.”
“However, in terms of being major risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes, disturbed sleep or napping are likely to remain less significant than already established risk factors such as being overweight, being over the age of 40 or having a history of diabetes in the family.”
Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation.
Short-term complications include hypoglycaemic episodes, which can lead to unconsciousness and hospitalisation if left untreated, and persistent high blood glucose levels can be fatal if untreated.
The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Birmingham and from Guangzhou Hospital in China, will be presented at Diabetes UK’s annual conference in Glasgow’s SECC.
March 7th, 2009 -- Posted in Health |
One in three people with type 2 diabetes are given medication too soon, instead of being urged to eat better and do more exercise, a study suggests.
A study of 650 people in south west England found 36% were put on tablets within a month of being diagnosed, a Diabetes UK conference heard.
Yet UK guidelines recommend patients should first try to make lifestyle changes to control the condition.
The Royal College of GPs agreed diet and exercise should come first.
More than 400 people a day are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK.
It is often associated with obesity, and attempts in recent years to screen people for the disease has increased the number of people being diagnosed.
In the latest study, researchers found that in many patients lifestyle management was not given a chance, despite being widely recognised as being the initial first “treatment”.
Metformin is the first drug of choice, but more drugs can be added if that is not doing enough to control blood sugar levels.
The researchers found that 13% of participants were actually on two types of tablets within the first few weeks of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle
Study author Dr Rob Andrew, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol, said they had not expected the figures to be quite so high.
“There is quite clear guidance that says when you’re first diagnosed, you should have the opportunity to concentrate on lifestyle then if that doesn’t work the next stage is metformin.
“When people are diagnosed, they’re ready to make a lot of changes but if you give them a tablet, you’re saying it is not their lifestyle that is the problem.”
He added that incentive payments to encourage GPs to reduce blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes, a lack of NHS resources for lifestyle support and a cultural attitude that people will not make the necessary changes are probably all to blame.
Simon O’Neill, from Diabetes UK, said they were concerned that in some cases medication seemed to be the first port of call.
“A healthy, balanced diet and doing physical activity should always be the foundation of good diabetes management.
“Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition – the longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to need tablets, and eventually insulin.
“Even if people are on tablets, medication should not simply replace diet and physical activity.”
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said there was probably a case of jumping in too quickly with pills.
“It is a reminder for GPs and nurses managing newly diagnosed diabetes that lifestyle advice is the most important component.”
He added that in some areas of the country there was a lack of resources for supporting behavioural changes.
source: bbc
February 23rd, 2009 -- Posted in Health |
Majority of the people are facing stress problem. Most of them assume that their work is providing them stress, their dealing, mouth words, annoying employees and etc are the major stressors. You carry all your stress to home from work and mix it up with your social life; as a result you will be mentally and physically disturbed and frustrated.
If you are not successful in handling stress then it will affect your health in forms like headaches, digestion problem, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, lack of concentration and other major diseases.
There are hundreds of steps and tips that you can use to solve the problem. Listed below are some important tips for handling stress at work.
First important thing which has to be considered when it comes to handling stress is that you must handle and manage it by yourself. By the use of this tool you can manage your stress easily. Let’s see through which ways you can handle your stress at work:
- Planning
- Avoidance
- Ignorance
Make a habit to relax half an hour every day or enjoy with your friends, family members or kids (if you have any).
Determine what event distress you, after determining try to avoid them as much as you can, if it is not possible to avoid then try to do less.
There are many companies offering seminars to their employee on the topic of handling stress at work. In that seminar they are discussing the factors through which you can manage stress at work.
After reading this article I am sure that you will be able to understand the term handling stress at work.
July 6th, 2008 -- Posted in Health |
OK so you are a man and upon viewing the title your brain starts to think , It’s not my job my Girlfriend or wife will sort that side of the relationship out, Sorry but you are wrong. It would be a very naive way of thinking for a man to jump into bed thinking that he isn’t responsible for the contraception side of things.
Out there it’s a tough world and with sexually transmitted diseases on the up rise it’s vital as a man that you look after your sexual health. If your girlfriend or wife is taking a pill, had an implant and is protected against pregnancy. You need to be aware that pregnancy is not the only thing to protect yourself from. There are many men that think pregnancy is the problem; In the UK today one in 3 sexually active men under 30 will carry a STD and not even now of its existence.
I don’t mean to soon sexist, because it’s the women too! For 1 in 3 men that carry a disease the same figures also apply to women. However as a man you can think about protecting your manhood. There is an ingenious invention called a condom!
Don’t worry about the cost of a packet of condoms it is nothing to the harsh reality of having to go through the embarrassment of getting treated for an STD. If you can’t afford the cost and feel it’s too much then there are family planning clinics that offer free condoms. Most NHS doctors will offer you free family planning and there are centres for young men up until the age of 21 to call in and get free condoms.
These centres are called the brook advisory clinics and there could be one local to you depending which town in England you reside. There has been a lot of talk recently about a new study done into a male contraceptive! – Don’t want to worry you it’s not avalible yet but scientists have discovered new research that by injecting the male hormones into your body it can actually prevent you from producing child bearing sperms.
There is also the possibility of getting a vasectomy. A vasectomy is a small operation made to a man that prevents your sperms from producing the chromosomes that are needed to create a human life.
Most men that go through this process do so as they already are married and have more than one child without wanting any more. This is in most cases is an irreversible process and it’s certainly not a decision to be taken lightly.
The best way to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancies, diseases and embarrassment is to use condoms. They won’t harm you and are less expensive than your life is worth!
Be wise protect your manhood,
June 13th, 2008 -- Posted in Health |
Complementary medicine is rapidly becoming very popular and ranges from homeopathy, ayurveda, acupuncture to Chinese herbs. Many doctors are beginning to learn more about the complementary aspect of medicine because they are realizing that half of the people try some kind of complementary medicine before consulting their doctors, which is considered the Western medicine.
Many believe that the strongest character of Western medicine is in its trauma care and therapies for those problems that require urgent care or are considered acute. Complementary medicine is very helpful in the areas of chronic or consistent problems and preventive medicine.
Another difference between Western and Complementary medicine is complementary treats the Yang and the Western treats the Yin. Everything in the entire world or universe is described in terms of Yin or Yang which is the Chinese philosophy of the Oriental Medicine or Complementary Medicine. The meaning of Yin is the shady side of the hill, which corresponds to the night and less active functions and is the feminine qualities of the universe. The Yang is the sunny side of the hill, which corresponds to the day and more active functions and is the masculine qualities of the universe. When thinking on medicine in general, Western medicine acts upon the Yin of the body, the actual chemicals and cells, and the substance of the body. The Complementary medicine acts upon the energy that makes the cells react. The Western medicine diagnoses and treats the state of the disease on the body itself while the alternative medicine diagnoses and acts upon the energy that makes the disease state.
With the invention of the microscope and discovering the cell, Western medicine has become more materialistic in approaching the human body. If you can’t see it under a microscope, can’t make a chemical equation of it or can’t touch it then it isn’t materialistic or if it isn’t in the physical realm then it isn’t real. In the Oriental or complementary terms, this is Yin.
The complementary medicine acts upon the Yang of the body or the Qi, Chi, energy. The Yin and Yang are always connected and acting upon how the Yin will affect the Yang and how the Yang will affect the Yin. Complementary medicine is a more casual and deeper approach to medicine than Western medicine. The most important difference between these two major medical treatments, Western and Complementary, is the difference between acting upon the body’s energy and acting upon the body’s material.
Western medicine has a tendency to treat the symptoms while complementary medicine treats the cause and complements the western medicines. The Western medical community is beginning to accept some of the complementary medicine treatments and is also offering education in the complementary treatment programs. Therefore, many Western medical practitioners are including these complementary treatments along with their conventional methods because they are becoming more educated and familiar with the use of the complementary medicines. It is very evident that Western and complementary medicines can work together and be used for the good of the patients but the patient has to be sure to check with their physician before combining these to be on the safe side.
June 9th, 2008 -- Posted in Health, Medicine |
Welcome to the health medical. This blog sets out to bring you information and resouces on health, healthy loving, nutrition, fitness and should you need it information on medicines and other resouces to keep you fit, healthy and active.
We seek to inform you on both Western Medicine and complimentary medicine which some calls alternative medicine. We welcome feedback on our articles, please do get back to us to let us know if you find the information provided useful.
Thank you for visiting Health Medical.
