Brief History of India

Good and Bad Foods for Arthritis

Nov 1, 2010 | By Ashley Tyson

Ashley Tyson is an avid writer and anthropologist who has written for numerous publications. Currently, her articles appear on LIVESTRONG.COM. As a freelance writing professional since 2005, Tyson's areas of interests include lifestyle, business, medicine, forensics, animals and green living. She has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from San Francisco State University, and a Master of Science in forensic science from Pace University.

Photo Credit Andrew Bret Wallis/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Arthritis is characterized by pain and stiffness in areas of the body, most notably the joints. Over time, the swelling of a joint can mean significant damage, leading to persistent pain and discomfort. Arthritis can also cause complications in organs like the eyes and skin, according to MedlinePlus. Diet may play a role in both reducing and aggravating symptoms.

Foods High in Selenium

An inadequate amount of selenium in the body is related to the severity of arthritis, according to Robert DiSilvestro's book "Handbook of Minerals as Nutritional Supplements." Those who suffer from arthritis naturally have low selenium levels, which can lead to more painful movements and stiffness. Eating seafood like crab, tilapia and oysters provides healthy amounts of selenium needed to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis, 

Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Inflamed tissues and joints are responsible for producing free radicals, which are molecules that damage cells, according to Michael Murray in the book "Arthritis." Dietary sources of antioxidants are critical in controlling and reducing inflammation associated with arthritis. Fresh fruits and vegetables like citrus fruits, melons, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and berries are rich in the powerful antioxidant vitamin C, according to MedlinePlus. Additional antioxidants include quercetin, anthocyanidins and carotenes, which you can get through apricots, tomatoes, onions and carrots, Murray says.

Sunflower, Safflower, Corn and Soybean Oils

Sunflower, safflower, corn and soybean oils are polyunsaturated fats, also known as omega-6 fatty acids. These oils are bad for arthritis sufferers because they increase inflammation and prolong pain and stiffness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Not all omega-6 oils are bad for arthritis, but these particular oils are. In lieu of these items, use olive oil. Many commercially baked goods like cookies and cakes contain these omega-6 oils.

Sugary Foods

Foods containing sugar, especially refined sugar, may increase inflammation, according to Jessica Black's "The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book." High blood sugar can increase cortisol levels in the body, which contributes to inflammation. Although a treat is OK occasionally, persistently eating sugary items like cake, cookies, ice cream, soda and candy can have grave affects on your arthritis.

References

• Medline Plus: Arthritis
• "Handbook of Minerals as Nutritional Supplements"; Robert DiSilvestro; 2005
• "Arthritis"; Michael Murray; 1994
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-6 Fatty Acids
• "The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book"; Jessica Black; 2006
• Medline Plus: Vitamin C

Article reviewed by RayF Last updated on: Nov 1, 2010

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/293659-good-and-bad-foods-for-arthritis/#ixzz1ygOmpP00

Aspirin sharply reduces cancer risk: study

Aspirin sharply reduces cancer risk: study

PARIS (AFP) - – A small, daily dose of aspirin significantly diminishes the risk of death from a wide range of cancers, according to a landmark study released Tuesday.
Earlier work by the same team of scientists showed that the century-old remedy for aches and pains, long a staple of family pharmacies, can help ward off colon cancer.
The new study, published in the British medical journal The Lancet, reveals for the first time that aspirin also helps protect against prostate, lung, brain, and throat cancers, among others.
"These findings provide the first proof in man that aspirin reduces deaths due to several common cancers," said Peter Rothwell, a professor at the University of Oxford and lead author of the study.
Rothwell and colleagues reviewed eight previous clinical trials involving a total of more than 25,500 patients. In each, some subjects took aspirin and others look-alike placebos.
None of the studies were originally designed to measure the impact of the drug on the incidence of cancer.
During the trials, which lasted four-to-eight years, doses of aspirin as low as 75 milligrams -- a fraction the normal dose for a headache -- cut cancer deaths overall by 21 percent.
Risk was especially reduced after five years of treatment with the drug, by 30 to 40 percent depending on the type of cancer.
Three of the eight trials ran long enough to examine the impact of aspirin over a period of two decades.
The 20-year risk dropped on average by a fifth: 10 percent for prostate cancer, 30 percent for lung cancer, 40 percent for colon cancer, and 60 percent for oesophageal cancer.
For cancer of the lung and throat, the protective effect was confined to adenocarcinomas, the type typically seen in non-smokers.
"Perhaps the most important finding for the longer term is the proof of principle that cancers can be prevented by simple compounds like aspirin, and that 'chemo-prevention' is therefore a realistic goal," Rothwell said.
The length of time before the benefits of taking aspirin kicked in also varied: five years for throat, pancreatic, brain and lung cancer, about 10 years for stomach and colorectal cancer, and 15 years for prostate cancer.
The reductions in stomach and brain cancers, however, were more difficult to quantify because of the smaller number of deaths recorded.
"These promising results build on a large body of evidence suggesting that aspirin could reduce the risk of developing or dying from many different types of cancer," said Ed Yong of Cancer Research UK in commenting on the study.
"This tells us that even small doses reduce the risk of dying from cancer provided it is taken for at least five years."
Many doctors recommend regular use of aspirin to lower the risk of heart attack, clot-related strokes and other blood flow problems.
But daily use of the drug, available without prescription, may cause stomach problems, including stomach bleeding. Alcohol use can aggravate these symptoms.
"We encourage anyone interested in taking aspirin on a regular basis to talk to their doctor first," Yong said.
Aspirin is believed to have a preventive effect because it inhibits an enzyme called COX-2, which promotes cell proliferation in cancer tumours.
In rich nations, the lifetime risk of developing cancer is about 40 percent, with rates in the developing world increasing.

Vintage Cigarette Ads

In 1971 the first health warnings appeared on cigarette packets and by 1986 you could no longer show a person smoking on a tobacco advert. A general advertising ban came into force in 2003.

United Kingdom

In 1971, tobacco companies printed on the left side of cigarette packets "WARNING by H.M. Government, SMOKING CAN DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH".

In 1991, the E.U. tightened laws on tobacco warnings. "TOBACCO SERIOUSLY DAMAGES HEALTH" was printed on the front of all tobacco packs. An additional warning was also printed on the reverse of cigarette packs.

Cigarette pack in the United Kingdom.

In 2003, new E.U. regulations required one of the following general warnings must be displayed, covering at least 30% of the surface of the pack:

• Smoking kills
• Smoking seriously harms you and others around you

 

Additionally, one of the following additional warnings must be displayed, covering at least 40% of the surface of the pack:

• Smokers die younger
• Smoking clogs the arteries and causes heart attacks and strokes
• Smoking causes fatal lung cancer
• Smoking when pregnant harms your baby
• Protect children: don't make them breathe your smoke
• Your doctor or your pharmacist can help you stop smoking
• Smoking is highly addictive, don't start
• Stopping smoking reduces the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases
• Smoking can cause a slow and painful death
• Get help to stop smoking: [telephone]/[postal address]/[internet address]/consult your doctor/pharmacist
• Smoking may reduce the blood flow and cause impotence
• Smoking causes ageing of the skin
• Smoking can damage the sperm and decreases fertility
• Smoke contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide

From October 2008, all cigarette products manufactured would carry picture warnings to the reverse. Every pack would have one of these warnings by October 2009.

Lifestyle Affects Life Expectancy More than Genetics

Information provided by University of Gothenburg - Published: 2011-02-07
How long your parents lived does not affect how long you will live. Instead it is how you live your life that determines how old you will get, reveals research from the University of Gothenburg recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

It is often assumed that people with parents who lived to be very old are more likely to live to a grand old age themselves.
"But that's just not true – our study shows that hereditary factors don't play a major role and that lifestyle has the biggest impact," says professor emeritus Lars Wilhelmsen, referring to the 1913 Men study that formed the basis of the current research.
Those who did not smoke, consumed moderate amounts of coffee and had a good socio-economic status at the age of 50 (measured in terms of housing costs), as well as good physical working capacity at the age of 54 and low cholesterol at 50 had the greatest chance of celebrating their 90th birthday.
"We're breaking new ground here," says Wilhelmsen. "Many of these factors have previously been identified as playing a role in cardiovascular disease, but here we are showing for the first time that they are important for survival in general."
He believes that it is significant that the research illustrates so clearly that we do not "inherit" mortality to any great extent, but instead that it is the sum of our own habits that has the biggest impact.
"The study clearly shows that we can influence several of the factors that decide how old we get," says Wilhelmsen. "This is positive not only for the individual, but also for society as it doesn't entail any major drug costs."
The study has been published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
The study of men born in 1913
The 1913 Men epidemiological study started up in 1963. A third of all male 50-year-olds in Gothenburg were called for a check-up that focused on cardiovascular health. Every ten years since, a new group of 50-year-olds has been called in and those who were already taking part in the study have been given another check-up. This has enabled researchers to follow the development of illnesses in a specific age group, and to compare the health of 50-year-olds in 2003 with that of 50-year-olds in 1963, for example. Women have also been included in the study since 2003. Several variables have been studied over the years, including BMI, smoking habits, cholesterol, exercise habits and blood pressure.
The men born in 1913 were examined when they were 50, 54, 60, 67, 75 and 80. Of the 855 men who took part in the study from the start, 111 (13%) were still alive at the age of 90.
Over the years the material has generated many research articles and doctoral theses. An interesting result came in 2008 when researchers were able to show that the drop in the number of smokers, combined with lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure, between 1963 and 2003 could offer an explanation for the marked downturn in the number of heart attacks during this 40-year period.

http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/lifestyle.php

Where is woman G-SPOT?

Location of the G-spot: As can be seen in the female g spot diagram below, the Grafenberg or "G" spot is located inside the front wall of the vagina. You can find the female g spot location halfway between the back of the pubic bone and the front of the cervix, along the course of the urethra and the bladder where it connects with the urethra. The size and exact location will vary slightly with each woman.
For some women hitting the g spot can bring deep and intense orgasms that differ from a clitoral orgasm. For other women stimulating the area called the g spot just makes them feel like they have to pee.
G-Spot orgasms are triggered by a brief, vigorous, application of rhythmical friction. The desired friction is usually achieved when intercourse is practiced from behind or in the doggy style sex position. Locate the G-Spot with your finger, the G-Spot will feel like a small bean, and when properly stimulated, may swell to the size of a dime or even as large as a quarter. Some women have large spots, just as some women have large breasts, and some men have large penises.
You will find the G-Spot located deep within the vaginal wall.
Firm controlled, pressure is needed to reach the G-Spot in its non-stimulated state. Stroking this area with a firm, masterful touch, she will experience twinges of contractions in her uterus. As she approaches the point of orgasm, if this is her first time having one this way, she may get a 'full-bladder" feeling. This happens because of the prolonged intensity of the orgasm. The clear, whitish fluid from her G-Spot ejaculation will be different from that achieved through clitoral stimulation.
Researchers have attempted to build on the claim that G-spot stimulation leads to female ejaculation, hypothesizing that non-urine female ejaculate originated from the female paraurethral glands, or Skene's gland.
The best way for a partner to discover her G-Spot.
You are more likely to find the G Spot if the woman is already well aroused, and using fingers are generally more effective than a penis.
1. Ask her to lie on her belly, legs apart, and hips rotated slightly upwards.
2. Insert two fingers (palm down) and carefully explore the front wall of her vagina with a firm touch.
3. Reach under her body and place your other hand on her abdomen, just above the pubic hairline, and apply a soft, downward pressure. This often helps to stimulate her G-Spot.
Position one
Guide her on to her hands and knees, with her buttocks raised and her head down. Kneel behind her and grasp her by her waist. As you penetrate her vagina in this position the head of your penis will hit her G-Spot automatically.
Position two
Guide her on to her back, raising her buttocks and lower back. As you mount her, gently bend her legs so that her knees touch her breasts. Now lovingly thump her G-Spot until she is an orgasmic mess.
Position three
Lie on your back, with your legs extended. Have your lady straddle you, with her knees positioned outside your legs, she will be facing your feet with her back turned to you. In this unique position, your penis will easily hit her G-Spot.
25 April 2012 - Study confirms anatomic existence of the elusive G-spot
For centuries, women have been reporting engorgement of the upper, anterior part of the vagina during the stage of sexual excitement, despite the fact the structure of this phenomenon had not been anatomically determined.
A new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine documents that this elusive structure does exist anatomically.
Adam Ostrzenski, M.D., Ph.D., of the Institute of Gynecology in St. Petersburg, FL, conducted a stratum-by-stratum anterior vaginal wall dissection on an 83-year-old cadaver. The dissection established the presence of the G-spot, a well-delineated sac structure located on the dorsal (back) perineal membrane, 16.5 mm from the upper part of the urethral meatus, creating a 35 degree angle with the lateral (side) border of the urethra.
Having 3 distinct regions, the G-spot emerged with dimensions of length (L) of 8.1 mm x width (W) 3.6 mm to 1.5 mm x height (H) 0.4 mm. Upon removal of the entire structure with the adjacent margin tissues, the G-spot stretched from 8.1 to 33 mm.
"This study confirmed the anatomic existence of the G-spot, which may lead to a better understanding and improvement of female sexual function," Ostrzenski concludes.
Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine believes that research in women's sexual health issues is important. "This case study in a single cadaver adds to the growing body of literature regarding women's sexual anatomy and physiology."
Female Ejaculation
The G Spot is said to be linked with female ejaculation where women produce fluid on climaxing similiar to males except the ejaculate is usually a clear watery fluid that is not urine.

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/g-spot.shtml

lemon grass

Lemongrass is a plant that looks like grass, smells minty and tastes similar to lemons.

Lemongrass is native to India and tropical Asia. It is widely used as a herb in Asian cuisine. It has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh.
Lemongrass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, beef, and seafood. It is often used as a tea in African countries such as Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Latin American countries such as Mexico.

Lemongrass oil is used as a pesticide and a preservative.

What Is Herpes?

What Is Herpes?

Herpes is a very common infection. It is caused by two different but closely related viruses. The viruses are herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both are easy to catch. They remain in the body for life and can produce symptoms that come and go.
Both forms of herpes can infect the oral area, the genital area, or both. When the infection is on or near the mouth, it is called oral herpes. Oral herpes is caused most often by HSV-1. When a herpes infection is on or near the sex organs, it is called genital herpes. Genital herpes is caused most often by HSV-2. Up to 8 out of 10 American adults have oral herpes. And about 1 out of 4 American adults have genital herpes. Millions of people do not know they have herpes because they never had, or noticed, the herpes symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?

Oral Herpes Symptoms

When a person has oral herpes, "cold sores" or "fever blisters" can show up on the lips or around the mouth. These sores may also show up inside the mouth, but this usually only happens the first time oral herpes symptoms appear. Symptoms may last a few weeks and go away. They may return in weeks, months, or years. They are annoying but usually harmless in children and adults. But cold sores can be very harmful to a newborn.

Genital Herpes Symptoms

Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms, have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed, or have symptoms but do not recognize them as a sign of infection. The most common herpes symptom is a cluster of blistery sores — usually on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, buttocks, or anus. Symptoms may last several weeks and go away. They may return in weeks, months, or years.
The first time that genital herpes symptoms appear is called "first episode" or "initial herpes." The initial herpes symptoms are usually more noticeable than later outbreaks.
Genital herpes symptoms may include

• blisters
• burning feelings if urine flows over sores
• inability to urinate if severe swelling of sores blocks the urethra
• itching
• open sores
• pain in the infected area

During initial herpes, symptoms may also include

• swollen, tender glands in the pelvic area, throat, and under the arms
• fever
• chills
• headache
• general run-down feelings
• achy, flu-like feelings

When there are initial herpes symptoms, they usually appear from 2 to 20 days after infection. But it may be years before the first symptoms appear.
Initial herpes sores usually heal in about 2 to 4 weeks. But the virus stays in the body. It can flare up and cause sores again. Symptoms from flare-ups usually heal in 10 to 14 days. Herpes symptoms may be more painful and last longer in women or men with illnesses that weaken the immune system — like leukemia and HIV.

How Can I Know If I Have Herpes?

Only a health care provider can diagnose herpes by performing a physical exam and tests. A blood test can tell if you are infected with oral or genital herpes — even if you don't have symptoms. Health care providers can also confirm herpes infection by testing fluids taken from the sores.
If you think you have herpes sores, get them checked out as soon as possible. It's important to be sure that the sores are herpes. Other serious sexually transmitted infections, like syphilis, may look like herpes but need different treatment.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/herpes-4271.htm

The Argan Oil Secret to Beauty

The Argan Oil Secret to Beauty

Argan oil has a myriad of benefits for beauty.
Argan oil is an antioxidant– known as nature’s answer to botox, it is a Vitamin C and E packed oil perfect for combating free-radicals and works as an anti-aging.
Softens dry skin – Argan oils high concentration of vitamin E and essential fatty acids alleviates skin complications like dry skin or dry patches.
Reduces the appearance of wrinkles–Applying under the eye results in the reduced appearance of crinkly lines under the eye.
Reduces skin imperfections – with regular use Argan oil for skin has been shown to heal acne blemishes and prevent new breakouts.
Now that all of the issues in regards to Argan oil claims as the secret to beauty and for general health have been explored its time to decide if the Argan oil benefits outweigh any skepticism you may have about it. Various studies have been conducted since Argan oils worldwide debut and it’s clear that Argan oil is one of nature’s natural health wonders.
If you are looking to acquire Argan oil, do your research and order from a trusted source. Since the recommendation of Oprah and others have caused such an interest in Argan Oil there have been many jumping on the Argan Oil bandwagon and pushing questionable products with only a small percentage of 100% pure Moroccan Argan Oil in their product.
Pure organic Argan oil isn’t cheap, so if you see cheap prices… there is a strong chance the product isn’t 100% pure organic – but mixed with a bunch of chemical additives.
In either event, ordering from a company that has experience and guaranteed products is a sure fire method of obtaining your little piece of ‘Liquid Gold’ via Argan Oil.

http://www.reinventingaging.org/skin-care/argan-oil/argan-oil/

Benefits of Laughter Yoga with John Cleese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEfjVnYkqM

Try to watch this with out laughing or grinning (Disliked Video☻)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDCZ0ETISmc&feature=related

How technology has transformed medicine

Karen Boruff

 

 

 

 

Technology has undoubtedly changed every aspect of our lives, especially over the last two hundred years, and in no industry is that more evident than the field of medicine. For thousands of years, people have been tinkering, designing, and exploring in an attempt to unlock the mysteries and complexities of the human body. Over time, machines began to play a larger role in medicine, as innovators developed new and better ways to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. As healthcare continues to evolve, so does medical technology and its use in every aspect of the care continuum. History is full of examples of how technology has revolutionized medicine; here are just a few of the most important innovations in the history of medicine.

 

Stethoscope
No other symbol identifies a doctor more than a stethoscope. For centuries physicians relied on percussion and auscultation – listening to chest sounds and heartbeats by pressing the ear to the chest – to assess cardiac health. Invented by Rene Laennec in 1816, the stethoscope was groundbreaking because it led to better descriptions of heart sounds and improved ability to distinguish among various murmurs and rhythmic disturbances, as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal functions. The stethoscope has become the singular symbol of physicians and has become one of the most trusted tools that physicians use for physical diagnosis.

Diagnostic Imaging
A machine that also transformed the way doctors diagnosed and treated diseases is the X-ray. Discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, X-rays allowed physicians to peer deep into the body without exploratory surgery. The use of x-rays quickly expanded, including to the treatment of cancer, until it was found that the radiation cause severe burns and was linked to actually causing cancer. Safety measures were developed and soon scientists were building off the technology to create other devices such as computerized tomography, also known as CT or CAT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, ultrasound, and positron emission Tomography (PET).

Electrocardiography
For hundreds of years, scientists and physicians studied the effects of electricity on the human body and developed ways to use it in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and diseases. In the late 1800s physicians attached wires to various points on the body to record patients’ heartbeats, but the real breakthrough came in 1902 when Willem Einthoven used his string galvanometer – the earliest form of an ECG machine - to record the first electrocardiogram. Einthoven won the Nobel Prize for his discovery and electrocardiography (ECG) is still considered one of the most reliable tools for measuring the rate and regularity of heartbeats, detecting defects and damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate heart rhythm.

Germ Theory, Vaccines and Antibiotics
Some of the most important discoveries that revolutionized medicine were not machines, but rather discoveries of how the disease process works in the body and how to treat and prevent illnesses. Louis Pasteur is often credited with establishing the germ theory of disease, but scientists and physicians for centuries believed that microscopic organisms were the cause of diseases and could potentially be killed or treated with natural substances. As this understanding grew, Pasteur built on the discovery by Edward Jenner in the 1770s that small amounts of a live virus could be injected into a human to prevent that person from becoming infected with the disease. Widespread use of the vaccines led to the near-eradication of once-epidemic diseases such as cholera, smallpox, polio, and tuberculosis. Then in 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered that penicillin was effective in destroying certain types of bacteria. These discoveries revolutionized medicine and led to broader uses of germ-killing agents beyond the practice of medicine.
These are just a few examples of how technology has changed medicine and every day scientists, physicians and innovators continue to develop new devices, drugs and procedures that allow people to live longer healthier lives. The use of technology is expending into the business of healthcare, with the widespread adoption of electronic medical records, use of mobile devices and telemedicine, and the electronic exchange of health information. With everything else, medical technology is going smaller – nanotechnology is being developed in everything from drugs to implants to surgical tools. As we look to the future of medicine and remark on the innovations being discovered today, it is important to recognize and pay homage to the forward-thinkers that paved the way for modern medicine.

http://www.examiner.com/article/how-technology-has-transformed-medicine

No Tobacco Day

No Tobacco Day

• Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death & illness in the US
• About 50% of smokers will die from smoking related diseases
• Around 443,000 Americans per year die from smoking related diseases and 5 million die worldwide each year
• Smoking has an estimated direct cost of $96 Billion in medical costs and an indirect cost of $97 Billion in lost productivity each year

Each year on May 31st, the world observes No Tobacco Day. It was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) to encourage a 24 hour period of restraint from all forms of tobacco consumption. The hopes are that facts about the negative effects of tobacco products can be shared, and that the day can be a starting point for those that would like end their dependence on this substance.

http://www.examiner.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-world-no-tobacco-day