CONSTIPATION

• Eating more fruits can also helps to prevent constipation such as prune pears, grapes, Orange juice & Papaya.
• Ginger tea is a very good home remedy for constipation. It helps start bowel movement.
• Another natural remedy for constipation is to add a little extra sugar or some honey to a glass of milk. Drink twice a day.
• Take a high fibre diet. Soluble fiber, found in grains, legumes and fruits, is particularly effective. Oatmeal, rice, wheat germ, corn bran, prunes, raisins, apricots, figs and an apple a day are all good sources.
• A person with constipation should try to avoid milk and milk products such as cheese. Both milk and cheese contain casein, an insoluble protein that tends to block up the intestinal tract.
• Exercise also helps to get rid of constipation. Aerobic exercise such as walking, running and swimming is best.
• Drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes immediately after waking up early in the morning. this is also very effective home remedy for constipation.
• Mix lemon juice with warm water. Take it two to three times a day. It helps to relieve constipation.
• One of the most important remedy is to cut short a bout of constipation is to sit in a bathtub of warm or hot water. It may take several immersions in the water to cure the problem, but it does work.
• Take a glass of warm water to which the juice of 1/2 a lime and 1 tsp honey has been added. Drink daily in the morning.

KIDNEY STONES

• Patients with kidney stones should avoid taking too much milk because of its high calcium content.
• For kidney stone treatment, drink lots of water and other fluids.
• Limit the amount of calcium-rich foodsâ€"milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy foods.
• Avoid oxalate rich foods such as beans, beets, blueberries, celery, chocolate, grapes, green peppers, parsley, spinach, strawberries, summer squash, and tea.
• Eat vitamin A rich foods. Vitamin A is necessary to keep the lining of the urinary tract in shape and help discourage the formation of future stones. Foods high in vitamin A include apricots, broccoli, cantaloupes, pumpkins, winter squash, and beef liver.
• Protein tends to increase the presence of uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus in the urine, which, in some people, leads to the formation of stones. Limit the quantity of proteins in your diet.
• Reduce your consumption of table salt, pickled foods, and salty foods such as luncheon meat, snack chips, and processed cheese.
• For kidney stone treatment, boil two figs in a cup of water. Drink this first thing in the morning for one month.
• Mix 1 tspn of Holy basil leaves juice with 1 tspn of honey. Have this every morning for 5-6 months.
• Eat 2-3 Apples a day.
• Eat watermelon, either as such or had a juice. This is an effective home remedy for kidney stones.
• Take 1 cup of juice made with radish leaves 2 times a day.
• Drink 1 glass of fresh tomato juice first thing in the morning. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to this.
• Take 3 long and thick lady fingers (slightly raw) Cut in thin long pieces and soak it in 2 litres of water overnight. In the morning, remove the ladyfingers and squeeze the juice into the same jar of water. Drink the entire water over 1 â€" 2 hours· Celery is a valuable food for those who are prone to getting stones in the kidneys or gall bladder.
• The seeds of both sour and sweet pomegranates are useful medicine for kidney stones. Make a fine paste of a tablespoon of the seeds, take this along with a cup of horse gram (kulthi) soup to dissolve gravel in kidneys.
• Watermelon contains the highest concentration of water amongst all fruits. It is also rich in potassium salts. Therefore it is very good food for kidney stones patients.
• Eat a whole foods diet that contains leafy green vegetables, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fish and poultry in small portions.
• Mix 2 oz of olive oil and 2 oz of lemon juice, drink it straight down and follow with a large glass of water at the first sign of stone pain. This is also an effective home remedy for kidney stones.

COUGH

• Prepare a mixture by adding 1,1½ teaspoon honey with 1,1½ teaspoon lemon juice. Take this every 12 hours. Honey relieves the itchiness by moisturizing the throat passage·
• Take 0.5 pounds (250 gms) of sweet apples daily for a week to cure cough.
• Soak almonds overnight and remove their skin. Make a paste of the soaked almonds with little butter and sugar. This is very useful for dry cough.
• Mix 8 - 10 tablespoons of coconut milk with 1 tablespoon poppy seeds and 1 tablespoon of pure honey. Take this every night before going to bed.
• Prepare a mixture by adding a teaspoonful of honey with a few drops of brandy. It helps to relieve cough.
• Mix equal parts of limejuice and honey.
• Combine a cup of grape juice and a teaspoon of honey. Mix well to prepare an effective natural cough remedy for coughing.
• Mix 1 teaspoonful raw onion juice with 1 teaspoonful of honey. Keep it aside for 3 to 4 hours before drinking. This is an effective home remedy for cough.
• Apply hot mustard pack on the chest. This brings down fever, eliminates toxins and speeds in recovery. If needed, repeat every other day for a week.
• Deep breathe in front of an open window. This has multiple benefits. Exhaling vigorously rids the body of waste gases and deep inhalation saturates the lungs with oxygen.
• Chop an onion finely, put it with a tablespoon of clear honey in a screw-top jar and leave overnight. In the morning, drinking a teaspoonful of the juice produced will give relief to cough.
• Garlic-and-onion chicken soup is also an effective remedy for cough .
• For cough treatment, drink hot tea with lemon and raspberry jam, drink as much as possible.
• Drink hot milk with honey at bedtime for cough relief.
• Slice 2 snow pears into small pieces. Add 3 bowls of water and boil until the water has reduced to 2 bowls. Strain and discard the pears, and add 30 grams of rice to the liquid. Boil again until rice is cooked. Drink the soup.
• Peel 50 grams fresh ginger and cut into small slices. Boil the slices with 100 grams maltose in 2 glasses water for 30 minutes. Drink it hot, twice a day, in one day. This is also an effective home remedy for cough.
• Boil 20 red dates with 60 grams maltose in enough water. Eat once a day.
• Prepare a mixture of 5 fresh-pitted olives and rock sugar; steam them for half an hour. Eat the olives to help with chronic coughs.
• Steam 2 unpeeled tangerines with 30 grams rock sugar to relieve coughs with a yellowish mucous discharge. Eat the tangerines at bedtime.
• In one cup of warm milk, add a pinch of turmeric powder (Haldi) and drink twice a day.
• In one cup of warm milk, add 2 teaspoon 3 strands of saffron (kesar) and drink twice a day.
• For cough treatment, Mix half a teaspoon of tulsi juice with half a teaspoon with ginger juice. Add 1 teaspoon of honey. Take the above mixture 2-3 times a day till symptoms subside.
• Take 1 cup of water and add 4-5 leaves of tulsi; a small piece of ginger (adrak) and 1 teaspoon of jaggery. Boil this mixture over slow heat till the quantity becomes half a cup. Drink this at least 2 times in a day.

Asthma

Allergy caused by weather conditionsAsthma is caused by a variety of factors. It may be due to an allergy caused by weather conditions, food, drugs, perfumes, and other irritants. Allergies to dust are the most common.
Asthma Cures
Asthma treatment using HoneyHoney is one of the most common home remedies for asthma. It is said that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with it, he starts breathing easier and deeper.
Asthma treatment using FigsAmong fruits, figs have proved very valuable in asthma. They give comfort to the patient by draining off the phlegm.. Three or four dry figs should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked overnight.
Asthma treatment using LemonLemon is another fruit found beneficial in the treatment of asthma. The juice of one lemon, diluted in a glass of water and taken with meals, will bring good results.
Asthma treatment using Indian GooseberryIndian gooseberry has also proved valuable in asthma. Five grams of gooseberry mixed with one tablespoon of honey forms an effective medicinal tonic for the treatment of this disease. It should be taken every morning .
Asthma treatment using Bitter Gourd RootsThe roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used in folk medicine for asthma since ancient times. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for this disease.
Asthma treatment using Drumstick LeavesA soup prepared from drumstick leaves, and taken once daily, has been found beneficial in the treatment of asthma. This soup is prepared by adding a handful of leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes. After being allowed to cool, a little salt, pepper, and lime juice may be added to this soup.
Asthma treatment using GingerA teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, acts as an excellent expectorant in cases of asthma. The decoction of fenugreek can be made by mixing one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water. This remedy should be taken once in the morning and once in the evening.
Asthma treatment using GarlicGarlic is another effective home remedy for asthma. Ten garlic cloves, boiled in 30 ml of milk, make an excellent medicine for the early stages of asthma. This mixture should he taken once daily by the patient. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in it, can also help to keep the problem under control, and should be taken in the morning and evening.
Asthma treatment using Bishop's WeedThe herb bishop's weed has been found valuable in asthma. Half a teaspoon of bishop's weed should be mixed in a glass of buttermilk and taken twice daily. It is an effective remedy for relieving difficult expectoration caused by dried-up phlegm. A hot poultice of the seeds should be used for dry fomentation to the chest twice daily. The. patient can also inhale steam twice a day from boiling water mixed with ajwain. It will dilate the bronchial passages.
Asthma treatment using SafflowerSafflower seeds are beneficial in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Half a teaspoon of powder of the dry seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, can be taken once or twice a day in treating this disease. This acts as an expectorant and reduces the spasms by liquefying the tenacious sputum. An infusion of five grams of flowers mixed with one tablespoon of honey, taken once daily, is also useful in this disease.
Diet for Asthma
Carbohydrates, Fats and ProteinsThe patient should avoid common dietetic errors. Ideally, his diet should contain a limited quantity of carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are 'acid-forming' foods, and a liberal quantity of alkali-forming foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables, sprouted seeds, and grains. The patient should avoid foods which tend to produce phlegm, such as rice, sugar, lentils, and curds. He should also avoid fried and other difficult to-digest foods, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments pickles, sauces and all refined and processed foods.
Other Suggestions for Asthma
Fasting and exercisesThe patient should also follow the other laws of nature. Air, sun, and water are great healing agents. Regular fasting once a week, an occasional enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, a dry climate, light exercises, and correct posture go a long way in treating the disease.

Diabetics

There are few natural ways by which Diabetics can be controlled and can be cured1. Keep a small pinch of Turmeric powder to a glass of drinking water at night and drink it morning after breakfast .As turmeric powder is one of the best antibiotic from nature it can control Blood sugar. Drinking twice In A day is more effective.2. Take two Ladies finger (Vendakaka) Vegetable,and cut and remove both ends , then make a small cut on the middle. put it in a glass of drinking water keep it and remove the ladies finger (Vendakka ) morning from water and drink that water before breakfast. Continuously if it use for 3 months you can see the miracle of controlling and curing of Diabetics and if you have Kidney stone problem it can be also cured.3. Take 2 grams of Cinnamon and eat it and drink little water daily after breakfast. and at night after supper. it can control the blood sugar.( it is a popular herbal and spice.4. Eat daily 10 fresh curry leaves ( Kariveppila or sweet neem) at every morning Can control and cure Diabetics also can even reduce obesity and digestive problems.

Detoxification

Before you go to bed at night, take two cloves of fresh garlic and chop it and let it expose to the air for a few minutes ( not more than 5 mts) The chopping releases the enzyme alliance in the garlic. Gather the chopped garlic on a spoon and swallow it with water. The garlic will travel your entire digestive tract while you sleep and scavenge and neutralize all the toxins, carcinogens, harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, foreign chemical before they can harm your healthy cells. Swallowing the chopped garlic will not give you garlic breath, as long as you don't chew it. You brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before you go to bed anyway. In the morning, drink a big glass of water. Your first bowel movement will have a strong garlic odor and you will know that the harmful stuff have been eliminated from your body. Try it, especially if you have had a bad eating day. Before practice any natural medicine it is advisable that wash your stomach by enema or take some Tamarind in warm water and drink it at night , it can be happen a loose motion, and your stomach will be clean.which will help you for a good treatment ( at least once in a Couple of week is best for maintain a good health.

Some Body facts

Bones - The largest bones is the femur, or thigh bone which is 20 inches in a six-foot tall man. The smallest bone is the stirrup in the ear, which is one-ten th of an inch. Each had has 27 bones : eight in the wrist, five in the palm, and 14 in the fingers. A newborn baby has 300 bones, some of which fuse to form in the adult.

Blood - In a child, there are 60,000 miles of blood vessels. An adult has 100,000 miles of blood vessels. The blood circulates through the body 1,000 times a day.

Brain - A newborn baby has a brain that weights three ounces. The average brain of an adult weighs three pounds. The brains is the "mission control center" of the body, sending our messages at a rate of 240 miles per hour. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body.

Cells - The cells are the body's building blocks. There are about 26 billion cells in an adult.

Eyes - Each eye weighs 1 1/4 ounces. The eyes are constantly in motion, even during sleep. Tears keep the eyes warm and are continually secreted through 12 ducts in the eye. Tears are normally secreted through two canals near the inner corner of the eyes.

Fluid - The body is two-thirds water. Blood is 83% water, muscles are 75% water, the brain 74% water, and the bones contain 22% water. In a single day, three pints of saliva are produced in the mouth.

Hair - Kids have about 75,000 hairs on their heads, which grow about 1/100 of an inch daily. Hairs of different colors grow at different rates. Dark hair grows faster than light-colored hair. No one known why. Each hair on the scalp grows about five inches a year. Eyelashes keep dust out of the eyes. Aneyelash lives about 150 days before it falls out and is replaced.

Muscles - There are over 650 muscles in the body, form the tiny ones that move the legs. The strongest muscle is the masseter muscle of the jaw. It takes at least 14 muscles to smile. The smallest in the body is located in the middle ear. Fingers have no muscles.

Nails - Nails are made up of hardened skin called kertain. Nails protect the ends of the fingers and toes. The half-moon at the root of the nail is called the lunule. Nails grow faster in summer than in winter. Fingernails grow fourtimes faster than toenails. Right - handed people's nails grow faster in their right hands. Left-handed people's nails grow faster on their left hand.

Nose - More than 2,500 gallons of air flow through the average adult's nose in a day. The nose can recognize up to 1,000 different smells. The nose is the air conditioning unit of the body. It cools or warms incoming air. It also filters the dirt and dust in the air.

Skin - The human body has six pounds of skin which is, on average, 1/20 of an inch thick. The two layers of skin are the epidermins and under it, the dermis. The skin is waterproof, it protects the body and helps to regulate body temperature. A substance called melanin colors the skin the more melanin, the darker the skin. A freckle is a dense concentration of melanin. A new layer of skin replaces the old layer approximately every 27 days, totalling about 1,000 new outer layers of skin a lifetime.

teeth - Humans have 20 primary Baby teeth and 32 permanent teeth. By age 13 most people have 28 teeth. By age 18 the four "wisdom" teeth have grown in for a total of 32 permanent teeth.

The Wonders of Blood

The Wonders of Blood
You’re born with a little over a pint of it, by adulthood you’re up to
four or five quarts, and if at any point you suddenly shed more than a
third of your share, you must either get a transfusion or prepare to
meet your mortician.
Taste for Blood (October 21, 2008)

Human cultures have long recognized that blood is essential to lifeand have ascribed to it a vast array of magical powers andmetaphorical subroutines. Blood poultices and blood beverages weresaid to cure blindness, headaches, gout, goiter, worms and gray hair.The Bible mentions blood more than 400 times, William Shakespeareclose to 700. It’s “all in the blood,” your temperament, your fate. Areyou a blue-blooded Mesopotamian princess or a red-bloodedAmerican male?Yet to scientists who study blood, even the most extravagant bloodlore pales in comparison to the biochemical, evolutionary andengineering marvels of the genuine article.The fluid tissue we call blood not only feeds us and cleans us,delivering fresh oxygen and other nutrients to all 100 trillion cells ofthe body and flushing out carbon dioxide, ammonia and othermetabolic trash. It not only houses the immune system that defendsus against the world.Our blood is the foundation of our very existence as multicellularanimals, said Andrew Schafer, a professor at Weill Cornell MedicalCollege and the outgoing president of the American Society ofHematology. Blood is the one tissue that comes into contact withevery other tissue of the body, and it is through blood that ourdisparate parts communicate, through blood that our organscooperate. Without a circulatory system, there would be no internalcivilization, no means of ensuring orderly devotion to the commoncause that is us.“It’s an enormous communications network,” Dr. Schafer said — theoriginal cellphone system, if you will, 100 trillion users strong.Blood can also be thought of as a private ocean, a recapitulation ofwhat life was like for all the years we spent drifting as microscopic,single-celled organisms, “taking up nutrients from sea water andthen eliminating waste products back into sea water,” Dr. Schafersaid. Not only is blood mostly water, but the watery portion of blood,the plasma, has a concentration of salt and other ions that isremarkably similar to sea water.Of course, we can’t rely on wind and weather to keep our hiddenseas salubriously churned and aerated, so we have evolved an activerespirator and pumping mechanism, the lungs and heart. Our eightpints of blood circulate through the powerhouse duet maybe 60times an hour, absorbing recently inhaled oxygen from thehoneycombed fabric of the lungs and proceeding into the thicklymuscled heart, which then shoots the enriched fluid outward.Oxygen allocation is the task of the red blood cells, whichhematology researchers refer to with a mix of affection and awe.“Red cells have enormous capabilities,” said Stanley Schrier ofStanford University’s School of Medicine. They give up so much tomake room for their hemoglobin, the proteins that can latch ontooxygen and that give blood its brilliant grenadine sheen. Aloneamong body cells, red cells at maturity jettison their nucleus andDNA to accommodate their cargo.And oh how roughly they are treated. A red cell at rest looks like aplump bialy and measures about 8 microns, or .0003 inches, across.Yet to reach every far-flung, oxygen-hungry customer, the cells mustsqueeze through capillaries less than half their width, which theyaccomplish by squashing down into threads that then crawl in singlefile along the capillary wall, pulling themselves forward, Dr. Schriersaid, like tank treads gripping the road.Blood is also a genius, able to sustain two contradictory stateswithout going mad. To ceaselessly shuttle along the body’s 60,000miles of arteries, veins and capillaries, blood must be fluid, our trustysouvenir sea.Yet even though we constantly replace components of our blood,directing the aged and the battered to the spleen and liver — the“graveyards for blood cells,” Dr. Schafer said — and replenishingthem with fresh blood cells forged in the bone marrow, the turnovercycle is gradual and we can’t afford to lose everything in one biggush wrought by a predator’s gash. Blood, then, departs from seawater, or, for that matter, from breast milk, another prized bodyfluid, in one outstanding way: it is always poised to clot, to relinquishliquidity and assume solidity.In deciding whether to flow or clot, blood takes its cues from itssurroundings. As blood glides through the bulk of its tubularcircuitry, the comparatively heavy red cells are driven toward thecenter of the swirl, said James N. George, a hematologist at theUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, while two other,lighter characters are pushed out to the periphery: the white bloodcells that operate as immune warriors, and the platelets, tiny cellsthat have been called the Band-Aids of the body. Theirmarginalization is no accident. “They’re surveillance cells,” Dr.George said. “It’s almost like they’re scouting for trouble.”White blood cells look for signs of invasive microbes, while plateletsscan for leaks. As long as the platelets detect the Teflon-like surfaceof unbroken endothelium, the tissue with which blood vessels arelined, they keep moving.But even the tiniest cut or gap in the smooth vessel wall will exposesome of the fibrous strands beneath, and the platelets are primed toinstantly detect the imperfection. A passing platelet will stick to theraggedy strand and change shape, from round to octopoid, which inturn attracts other platelets, forming a little clump. “If the cut issmall, that’s all you need,” Dr. George said. If not, the next phase offlood control begins. Signals from the platelets arouse the blood’sclotting factors, free-floating proteins that can cross-link togetherinto bigger, better Band-Aids.“Platelets and clotting factors,” Dr. Schrier said. “It’s a marriagemade in heaven.”Up to a point. Just as our immune cells can go awry and beginattacking our own body tissue, so an overzealous clot response canhave dire consequences. Should a clot happen to cut off blood flow toa vital organ like the heart or brain, the only one playing the harpwill be you.

Much is talked about Cholesterol and its control.
Foods That May Lower Your Cholesterol
Oats

When women in a University of Toronto study added oat bran to
an already heart-healthy diet, HDL-cholesterol levels—the
beneficial kind—climbed more than 11 percent.

Almonds

A 2005 Tufts University study found that substances in almondskins help prevent LDL cholesterol from being oxidized, a processthat can otherwise damage the lining of blood vessels andincrease cardiovascular risk.

Beansand lentils

In results reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2005,LDL-cholesterol levels fell almost twice as far in volunteers on alow-fat diet who added beans and lentils (along with more wholegrains and vegetables) to the menu.

Blueberries

Blueberries contain a powerful antioxidant called pterostilbenethat may help lower LDL cholesterol, scientists at the AgriculturalResearch Service reported in 2004.

Barley

When volunteers in a 2004 USDA study added barley to thestandard American Heart Association diet, LDL-cholesterol levelsfell by up to 17 percent.

Avocados

The monounsaturated fats in avocados have been found to lowerbad LDLs and raise good HDLs, especially in people with mildlyelevated cholesterol.

Alcohol

Drinking a glass of wine with dinner—any alcoholic beverage, infact—has been shown to raise good-cholesterol levels and lowerthe risk of a heart attack. (Excessive drinking, however, raisesheart-disease danger.)

Human Body Facts

The average human brain has about 100 billion nerve cells.
Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles (274 km) per hour.
The thyroid cartilage is more commonly known as the adams apple.
The only jointless bone in your body is the hyoid bone in your throat
It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
Your stomach needs to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it would digest itself.
It takes the interaction of 72 different muscles to produce human speech.
The average life of a taste bud is 10 days.
The average cough comes out of your mouth at 60 miles (96.5 km) per hour.
Relative to size, the strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.
When you sneeze, all your bodily functions stop even your heart.
Babies are born without knee caps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age.
Children grow faster in the springtime.
It takes the stomach an hour to break down cow milk.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people do.
There are 10 human body parts that are only 3 letters long (eye hip arm leg ear toe jaw rib lip gum).
If you go blind in one eye you only lose about one fifth of your vision but all your sense of depth.
The average human head weighs about 8 pounds.
Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator.
An average human scalp has 100,000 hairs.
The length of the finger dictates how fast the fingernail grows. Therefore, the nail on your middle finger grows the fastest, and on average, your toenails grow twice as slow as your fingernails.
The average human blinks their eyes 6,205,000 times each year.
The entire length of all the eyelashes shed by a human in their life is over 98 feet (30 m).
Your skull is made up of 29 different bones.
Your ears and nose continue to grow throughout your entire life.
After you die, your body starts to dry out creating the illusion that your hair and nails are still growing after death.
Hair is made from the same substance as fingernails.
The average surface of the human intestine is 656 square feet (200 m).
A healthy adult can draw in about 200 to 300 cubic inches (3.3 to 4.9 liters) of air at a single breath, but at rest only about 5% of this volume is used.
The surface of the human skin is 6.5 square feet (2m). 15 million blood cells are destroyed in the human body every second.
The pancreas produces Insulin.
The most sensitive cluster of nerves is at the base of the spine.
The human body is comprised of 80% water.
The average human will shed 40 pounds of skin in a lifetime.
Every year about 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced.
The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet (9 m).
You were born with 300 bones. When you get to be an adult, you have 206.
Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.
Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell.
There are 45 miles (72 km) of nerves in the skin of a human being.
The average human heart will beat 3,000 million times in its lifetime and pump 48 million gallons of blood.
Each square inch (2.5 cm) of human skin consists of 20 feet (6 m) of blood vessels.
During a 24-hour period, the average human will breathe 23,040 times.
Human blood travels 60,000 miles (96,540 km) per day on its journey through the body.

Regular Health Mistakes

All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing our legs

Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don"t want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing our toothbrush

How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we"d be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don"t massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you"re damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.

Eating out often

There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favourite Indian food restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you"re getting served light and healthy food.

Skipping breakfast

Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it"s been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.


High heels

High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.


Sleeping on a soft bed

You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.

Pillows

No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support


Not exercising

So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

Finger nails to predict health

Examining the Fingernails When Evaluating Presenting Symptoms in Elderly Patients
Introduction
Human fingernails, located on the dorsal aspect of the terminal 40% of the distal phalanx of each finger, are complex structures involving 3 different layers:

The nail plate (the nail). This is the keratinized structure, which grows throughout life;
The nail bed (ventral matrix, sterile matrix). This is the vascular bed that is responsible for nail growth and support. It lies protected between the lunula (the "half moon" seen through the nail) and the hyponychium (the posterior part of the nail bed epithelium); and
The eponychium (cuticle). The epidermal layer between the proximal nail fold and the dorsal aspect of the nail plate.

The primary purpose of the nail is protection. Abnormalities of the nail are often caused by skin disease and infection (most often fungal) but may also indicate more general medical conditions. This discussion does not address localized trauma or nail infections but offers examples of nail abnormalities that may occur with systemic disease.

Check to see whether the nails are normal by looking at the following (Figure 1):

Softness and flexibility of free edge;
Shape and color;
Quality of paronychial tissue; and
Growth rate (about 6 months from cuticle to free edge). Time of events can be estimated from location.




Figure 1. The normal nail.

Examining the Nails
Elderly people carry the last 6 months of their medical record on the approximately 10 square centimeters of keratin comprising the fingernails. Examining the fingernails can help the clinician detect a number of general and specific factors, including the following:

Overall vitality;
Inner emotional state;
Cerebral dominance;
Occupations and hobbies;
Medical history;
Nutritional status;
Cardiovascular function;
Rheumatic conditions; and
Dermatologic problems.

The patient's manicure can reveal state of health, nutritional status, past events, personality, occupation, and one's inner state. Systemic illness should show the nail changes in each of the nails on one hand. The thumb may reveal more extensive changes given its increased size.

It is useful to follow the following sequence when examining the nails:

Check the nail shape;
Examine the nail color;
Survey processes around the nails;
Compare hands; and
Note skin conditions.

It is critical to examine the nails in adequate light. Gently rotate the nail in the light so that the reflection highlights all aspects of the nail. Notice the lunula, the pale crescent moonlike coloration at the base of the nail. Leukonychia stria and a pointed tent-like lunula suggest an excessive manicure and pushing on the cuticle. Paronychias suggest stress and poor attention to hygiene. This can reflect depression, dementia, or psychiatric illness.

Nail Growth

Nail growth is continuous. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail in an elderly person to completely grow out. Cold temperature can slow growth rates but not to any clinically significant degree (pun intended). The middle finger nail grows the fastest, followed by the forefinger and ring finger. Aging slows the growth rate from approximately 3 months in childhood to 6 months in 70-year-olds. Nails in elderly people are also thicker than in younger people. Thin nails in a postmenopausal woman raise the possibility of metabolic bone disease. The nails of the dominant hand grow slightly more quickly than the nondominant nails, probably because minor trauma accelerates nail growth. Conversely, immobility slows the growth rate of fingernails. Understanding the growth rate is important because the time interval from a critical event can be estimated from the location of a nail lesion. For example, a white line appearing transversely halfway up the nail suggests an acute illness 3 months earlier. Regular observation will demonstrate its progression to the end of the nail edge.

Nail Polish

Distance from base and line of polish gives approximate date of application (nails grow 0.1 mm/day). Picking at polish reflects nervousness and agitation. Toenail polish suggests unusual flexibility or a friendly helper.

Observing the Nail Shape and Surface

Clubbed Fingernails

Clubbing involves a softening of the nail bed with the loss of normal Lovibond angle between the nail bed and the fold, an increase in the nail fold convexity, and a thickening of the end of the finger so it resembles a drumstick.
To determine whether nails are clubbed, have the patient place both forefinger nails together and look between them. If you can see a small diamond space between them (Schamroth's window) then the nails are not clubbed (Schamroth's sign) (Figure 2).


Figure 2. Schamroth's sign.

Causes of clubbing (not exhaustive) include the following (Figure 3):
Pulmonary and cardiovascular causes (80%)
Lung cancer, pulmonic abscess, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, beryllium poisoning, pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, subacute bacterial endocarditis, infected arterial grafts, aortic aneurysm

Gastrointestinal causes (about 5%)
Inflammatory bowel disease, sprue, neoplasms (esophagus, liver, bowel)
Hyperthyroidism (about 1%)
Note: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease does not cause clubbing.




Figure 3. Example of clubbed fingernails.
Koilonychia
Koilonychia are spoon-shaped concave nails (Figures 4A, 4B). This occurs normally in children and usually resolves with aging. To determine whether a nail is spooned, perform the water drop test. Place a drop of water on the nail. If the drop does not slide off, then the nail is flattened from early spooning. An experienced clinician can look at the nail and perform a "mental" water drop test. Causes include the following:

Iron deficiency;
Diabetes mellitus;
Protein deficiency, especially in sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine or methionine);
Exposure to petroleum-based solvSystemic lupu
Raynaud's disease.


Figure 4A. Spooned nail.


Figure 4B. Spooned nail.
In 1846, Joseph Honoré Simon Beau described transverse lines in the substance of the nail as signs of previous acute illness.. The lines look as if a little furrow had been plowed across the nail. Illnesses producing Beau's lines include the following:

Severe infection;
Myocardial infarction;
Hypotension, shock;
Hypocalcemia; and
Surgery.

Intermittent doses of immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy can also produce Beau's lines. Severe zinc deficiency has also been proposed as a cause of Beau's lines. By noting its location on the nail, the approximate date of the illness associated with it can be determined (Figures 5A, 5B). Moreover, the depth of the line provides a clue to the severity of the illness.




Figure 5A. The location of Beau's lines half way up the nail suggests illness 3 months ago.



Figure 5B. Two Beau's lines suggest illnesses about 2 months apart.

Thin Brittle Nails
Thin, brittle nails can indicate the following (Figure 6):

Metabolic bone disease (nail thinness is correlated with osteopenia);
Thyroid disorder;
Systemic amyloidosis (indicated by yellow waxy flaking); and
Severe malnutrition.



Figure 6. Note the thin nails in this woman with severe osteopenia.

Onychorrhexis is the presence of longitudinal striations or ridges (Figure 7). It can simply be a sign of advanced age but it can also occur with the following:

Rheumatoid arthritis;
Peripheral vascular disease;
Lichen planus; and
Darier's disease (striations are red/white).

Central ridges can be caused by:

Iron deficiency;
Folic acid deficiency; and
Protein deficiency.



Figure 7. Example of a central nail ridge.

Central Nail Canal (Median Nail Dystrophy)

When a central nail canal is present, the cuticle is usually normal (Figure 8A). Central nail canal is associated with:

Severe arterial disease ("Heller's fir tree deformity" -- a central canal with a fir tree appearance -- may occur with peripheral artery disease (Figure 8B);
Severe malnutrition; and
Repetitive trauma.




Figure 8A. Example of central nail canal.



Figure 8B. Central nail canal with Heller's fir tree deformity.

Nail Pitting

Nail pitting -- small punctate depressions -- are caused by nail matrix inflammation, which can be the result of:

Psoriasis (random appearance of pits) (Figure 9);
Alopecia areata (geometric rippled grid) (Figure 10);
Eczema; and
Lichen planus.



Figure 9. Indication of psoriasis.



Figure 10. Indication of alopecia areata.

Nail Beading
With nail beading, the beads seem to drip down the nail like wax (Figure 11). It is associated with endocrine conditions, including the following:

Diabetes mellitus;
Thyroid disorders;
Addison's disease; and
Vitamin B deficiency.



Figure 11. Nail beading.

Rough Nail Surface

When nails look sandpapered and dull, consider (Figure 12):

Autoimmune disease;
Psoriasis;
Chemical exposure; and
Lichen planus.



Figure 12. Example of a rough nail surface.


Nail Thickening


Slow nail growth produces thickness (Figure 13). In such cases, the following should be considered:

Onychomycosis;
Chronic eczema;
Peripheral vascular disease;
Yellow nail syndrome; and
Psoriasis.





Figure 13. Example of a nail thickening.

Onycholysis

Onycholysis is distal separation of the nail plate from the underlying nail bed (Figure 14). It is associated with the following:


Thyrotoxicosis;
Psoriasis;
Trauma;
Contact dermatitis;
Tetracycline;
Eczema;
Toxic exposures (solvents);
Blistering from autoimmune disease; and
Porphyria cutanea tarda (onycholysis and skin blistering from sun exposure).




Figure 14. Traumatic onycholysis (involving only 1 nail).

Severe Nail Curvature (Beaked Nails)

Curved or beaked nails are caused by resorption of distal digit (Figure 15). Consider the following:

Hyperparathyroidism
Renal failure
Psoriasis
Systemic sclerosis




Figure 15. Example of severe nail curvature.

Complete Nail Destruction

Complete local nail destruction can be caused by local mechanisms, including trauma and paronychia. Generalized conditions that might cause complete nail destruction include the following:

Toxic epidermal necrolysis;
Chemotherapy;
Bullous diseases; and
Vasculitis.



Observing Nail Color Abnormalities of the Lunula

If the lunula is absent, consider anemia or malnutrition (Figure 16). A pyramidal lunula might indicate excessive manicure or trauma (Figure 17). A pale blue lunula suggests diabetes mellitus. If the lunula has red discoloration, consider the following causes among others (Figure 18):

Cardiovascular disease;
Collagen vascular disease; and
Hematologic malignancy.



Figure 16. Absent lunula.




Figure 17. Pyramidal lunula.





Figure 18. Lunula with red discoloration.


Transverse White Lines (Mee's lines)


Any acute illness can produce transverse milky white lines. In addition, they might be caused by heavy metal toxicity (classically arsenic) or chemotherapy. The time of event may be determined from the location of the lines on nail (Figure 19).






Figure 19. Note the Mee's line approximately one third of the way up the nail, suggesting a significant illness 2 months previously.


Leukonychia Striae


Leukonychia striae are white splotches caused by minor trauma to the nail matrix (Figure 20). The timing can be determined by the location of the splotches on the nail.






Figure 20. Example of leukonychia striae. Note location of white splotches, which can indicate timing of the traumatic event.


Longitudinal Brown Lines


Longitudinal brown lines form because of increased melanin produced by nail matrix melanocytes (Figure 21). They are associated with:


Addison's disease;
Nevus at the nail base;
Breast cancer;
Melanoma (check for periungal pigmentation); and
Trauma.





Figure 21. Longitudinal brown lines.


Splinter Hemorrhages

Splinter hemorrhages are caused by hemorrhage of the distal capillary loop (Figure 22). Note the thickness of these areas. They are associated with the following:


Subacute bacterial endocarditis;
Systemic lupus erythematosus;
Trichinosis;
Pityriasis rubra pilaris;
Psoriasis; and
Renal failure.





Figure 22. Splinter hemorrhages tend to be fat.

Terry's Half and Half Nails


With Terry's half and half nails, the proximal portion is white (edema and anemia) and the distal portion is dark. These nails imply either renal or liver disease (Figures 23A, 23B).





Figure 23A. This example of Terry's half and half nails suggests liver disease (no brown lines).




Figure 23B. Half and half nails imply renal disease when there is a brown band at the junction of the erythema and the free edge. Image courtesy of www.dermnet.com Used with permission.



Generalized Discolorations of the Nail Plate

Nail discoloration is a useful method for identifying potential problems.


White Nails


White nails can be caused by anemia, edema, or vascular conditions (Figure 24). Consider the following:



Anemia;
Renal failure;
Cirrhosis;
Diabetes mellitus;
Chemotherapy; and
Hereditary (rare).






Figure 24. Example of white nails.


Pink or Red Nails


With pink or red nail discoloration, the following should be considered (Figure 25): Polycythemia (dark);
Systemic lupus erythematosus;
Carbon monoxide (cherry red);
Angioma; and
Malnutrition.






Figure 25. Example of pink and red nails.

Brown-Gray Nails

Brown-gray nails may suggest the following (Figure 26):

Cardiovascular disease;

Diabetes mellitus;
Vitamin B12 deficiency;
Breast cancer;
Malignant melanoma;
Lichen planus;
Syphilis; and
Topical agents, including hair dyes, solvents for false nails, varnish, and formaldehyde (among many others)





Figure 26. Example of brown-gray nails.

Yellow Nails

Yellow nails suggest the following (Figure 27):

Diabetes mellitus;
Amyloidosis;
Median/ulnar nerve injury;
Thermal injury; and
Jaundice.

Consider yellow nail syndrome if a patient has lymphedema and bronchiectasis.





Figure 27. Example of yellow nails. Image courtesy of www.dermnet.com Used with permission.


Green or Black Nails



Green or black nails indicate the following (Figure 28): Topical preparations, including chlorophyll derivations, methyl green, and silver nitrate (among others);
Chronic Pseudomonas spp infection; and
Trauma.




Figure 28. Example of black nails.

Processes Around the Nail

Paronychial Inflammation Paronychia is associated with separation of the seal between the proximal nail fold and the nail plate that provides entry for bacteria and leads to a localized infection of the paronychial tissues of the hands (Figure 29). Symptoms may include inflammation, swelling, and/or scaling.


Figure 29. Example chronic paronychial inflammation.

Periungal Telangeictasia Periungal telangeictasia is caused by dilated capillary loops and results in atrophy of the cuticle (Figure 30). It is strongly associated with collagen vascular disease, including the following:

Systemic lupus erythematosus;
Dermatomyositis (especially with Gotton's papules over knuckles); and
Scleroderma.



Figure 30. Example of periungal telangeictasia. Image courtesy of www.dermnet.com

Mucus Cyst A mucous or myxoid cyst is a collection of degenerative collagen that can cause swelling and ridging of the nail above the cyst, forming a "gutter" (Figure 31).



Figure 31. Example of a mucus cyst.

Cases
The following are examples of patients in whom examining the fingernails may help identify their conditions.


Slide 1. 78-year-old with multiple conditions.



Slide 2. 84-year-old man with a painful ankle.




Slide 3. 68-year-old man with esophageal cancer.

About Human bones

The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes bone which is located in the ear.

There are 54 bones in your hands including the wrists.

The only bone fully grown at birth is located in the ear.

The human face is made up of 14 bones.

The chances of getting a cavity is higher if candy is eaten slowly throughout the day compared to eating it all at once and then brushing your teeth.

If an identical twin grows up without having a certain tooth, the other twin will most likely also grow up with that tooth missing.

Humans are born with 300 bones in their body, however when a person reaches adulthood they only have 206 bones. This occurs because many of them join together to make a single bone.

Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones.

Enamel is hardest substance in the human body.

Although the outsides of a bone are hard, they are generally light and soft inside. They are about 75% water.

Adult human bones account for 14% of the body's total weight.

In 2000 babies are born with a tooth that is already visible.

Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails!

Your thigh bone is stronger than concrete.

The strongest bone in your body is the femur (thighbone), and it's hollow!

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis


A condition due to narrowing of the spinal cord causing nerve pinching which leads to persistent pain in the buttocks, limping, lack of feeling in the lower extremities, and decreased physical activity.


The Silent Epidemic


Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can often help relieve symptoms by restoring flexibility and strengthening back and abdominal muscles. This program may include:
Heat/cold therapy
Water therapy
Acupuncture
Traction
Dynamic lumbar stabilization program
Electrical stimulation
Assessment of musculoskeletal imbalances
Stretching exercises
Posture and body mechanics training
Medication
In the earlier stages of spinal stenosis, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can relieve mild symptoms.
Pain-blocking Injections
Inflammation of the spinal nerves and nerves roots can often be reduced through steroid or cortisone injections next to the spine, at the site of back pain. However, pain-blocking injections offer temporary relief and may need to be administered more than once a year, depending on the patient's needs.
Decompressive Surgery
Surgeons can alleviate abnormal pressure by decompressing the spinal canal, removing bone and ligaments around the narrowing. Decompressive surgery is usually recommended for patients with severe symptoms which haven't been relieved by other treatments.
In a procedure called a laminectomy, an incision is made in the patient's back to access the spinal canal. The canal is O-shaped, formed by the vertebrae in front and tissue (lamina) at the rear. Physicians surgically remove the lamina, changing the canal from an O to an open-ended U shape, which creates room in the canal and restores nomal blood flow to the nerves. The patient's back muscles cover and protect the open area of the canal.
Laminoplasty is a variation on cervical laminectomy (in the neck) used in some patients; it preserves movement (no lost range of motion from fusion), and does not require as much bone removal as a laminectomy.
Some patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive approach to spinal surgery.

Wear and tear on discs and joints can cause spinal instability as well as stenosis. In such cases, it may be necessary to brace the spine by fusing the backbones. Metal rods, hooks, wires, and screws are all strong, safe and effective fusion methods. Other patients may benefit from stabilization with bone implants specially designed for grafting. Both methods effectively brace the spine and lessen pain.

source :
Article: Multislice CT fluoroscopy-assisted cervical transforaminal injection of steroids: technical note

Sinus Headache

sinus headache relief

home remedies for treatment of sinus headaches.

Dip a small towel in cold water, rinse, and apply to forehead. Once the towel gets warm, flip it to the other side, or dip it into cold water again.

Lying down, in a dark room, maybe getting a 1/2 hour of sleep,will always make you feel better.

Back
A decoction of half a teaspoon mustard seeds powder and three teaspoons water, if instilled in the nostrils, redresses migraine.

The juice of ripe grapes is an effective home remedy for a migraine.
For a sinus headache, eat a jalapeno pepper as soon as possible. Within minutes your sinuses will start to drain and the sinus headache will subside.

A peppermint steam inhalation provides quick relief for sinus headaches. Peppermint acts as a decongestant, and the combination of warm steam and the essential oil is doubly effective for opening up the sinuses.

Mix 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon (called dalchini in India) in 1 teaspoon water and apply on the forehead. It is very effective in headache due to exposure to cold air.

Make a paste from dry ginger with a little water or milk, apply to the forehead for sinus relief.

Grind 10-15 Basil leaves with 4 cloves and 1 teaspoon dried ginger into a paste and apply to forehead for sinus cure.


For a painful sinus headache, try a hot footbath along with a cold compress on the forehead