Beautiful Microscopic Images from Inside the Human Body

Get up close and personal with your innards with these 15 amazing 3D-body shots. Almost all of the following images were captured using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a type of electron microscope that uses a beam of high-energy electrons to scan surfaces of images. The electron beam of the SEM interacts with atoms near or at the surface of the sample to be viewed, resulting in a very high-resolution, 3D-image. Magnification levels range from x 25 (about the same as a hand lens) to about x 250,000. Incredible details of 1 to 5 nm in size can be detected.

Max Knoll was the first person to create an SEM image of silicone steel in 1935; over the next 30 years, a number of scientists worked to further develop the instrument, and in 1965 the first SEM was delivered to DuPont by the Cambridge Instrument Company as the “Stereoscan.”

Here you’ll experience the power of SEM in a journey of self-discovery that starts in your head, travels down through the chest and ends in the bowels of the abdomen. Along the way, you’ll see what’s normal, what happens when cells are twisted by cancer and what it looks like when an egg meets sperm for the first time. You’ll never see yourself the same way again.

1. Red blood cells

Image: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images

They look like little cinnamon candies here, but they’re actually the most common type of blood cell in the human body - red blood cells (RBCs). These biconcave-shaped cells have the tall task of carrying oxygen to our entire body; in women there are about 4 to 5 million RBCs per microliter (cubic millimeter) of blood and about 5 to 6 million in men. People who live at higher altitudes have even more RBCs because of the low oxygen levels in their environment.

2. Split end of human hair

Image: Liz Hirst, Wellcome Images

Regular trimmings to your hair and good conditioner should help to prevent this unsightly picture of a split end of a human hair.

3. Purkinje neurons

Image: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images

Of the 100 billion neurons in your brain, Purkinje neurons are some of the largest. Among other things, these cells are the masters of motor coordination in the cerebellar cortex. Toxic exposure such as alcohol and lithium, autoimmune diseases, genetic mutations including autism and neurodegenerative diseases can negatively affect human Purkinje cells.

4. Hair cell in the ear

Image: Wellcome Photo Library, Wellcome Images

Here’s what it looks like to see a close-up of human hair cell stereocilia inside the ear. These detect mechanical movement in response to sound vibrations.

5. Blood vessels emerging from the optic nerve

Image: Freya Mowat, Wellcome Images

In this image, stained retinal blood vessels are shown to emerge from the black-coloured optic disc. The optic disc is a blind spot because no light receptor cells are present in this area of the retina where the optic nerve and retinal blood vessels leave the back of the eye.

6. Tongue with taste bud

Image: David Gregory Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images

This colour-enhanced image depicts a taste bud on the tongue. The human tongue has about 10,000 taste buds that are involved with detecting salty, sour, bitter, sweet and savoury taste perceptions.

7. Tooth plaque

Image: David Gregory Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images

Brush your teeth often because this is what the surface of a tooth with a form of “corn-on-the- cob” plaque looks like.

Remember that picture of the nice, uniform shapes of red blood cells you just looked at? Well, here’s what it looks like when those same cells get caught up in the sticky web of a blood clot. The cell in the middle is a white blood cell.

9. Alveoli in the lung

Image: David Gregory Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images

This is what a colour-enhanced image of the inner surface of your lung looks like. The hollow cavities are alveoli; this is where gas exchange occurs with the blood.

10. Lung cancer cells

Image: Anne Weston, Wellcome Images

This image of warped lung cancer cells is in stark contrast to the healthy lung in the previous picture.

11. Villi of small intestine

Image: Professor Alan Boyde, Wellcome Images

Villi in the small intestine increase the surface area of the gut, which helps in the absorption of food. Look closely and you’ll see some food stuck in one of the crevices.

12. Human egg with coronal cells

Image: Yorgos Nikas, Wellcome Images

This image is of a purple, colour-enhanced human egg sitting on a pin. The egg is coated with the zona pellicuda, a glycoprotein that protects the egg but also helps to trap and bind sperm. Two coronal cells are attached to the zona pellicuda.

13. Sperm on the surface of a human egg

Image: Yorgos Nikas, Wellcome Images

Here’s a close-up of a number of sperm trying to fertilise an egg.

15. Human embryo and sperm

Image: Dr. David Becker, Wellcome Images

It looks like the world at war, but it’s actually five days after the fertilisation of an egg, with some remaining sperm cells still sticking around. This fluorescent image was captured using a confocal microscope. The embryo and sperm cell nuclei are stained purple while sperm tails are green. The blue areas are gap junctions, which form connections between the cells.

15. Coloured image of a 6 day old human embryo implanting

Image: Yorgos Nikas, Wellcome Images

And the cycle of life begins again: this 6 day old human embryo is beginning to implant into the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

What is it?
An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery, usually the aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It receives all the blood from the left ventricle of the heart, and continues from the heart, through the chest, and on to the abdomen. It supplies blood to every organ in the body, except the lungs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects the segment of the aorta that runs through the abdomen.
Who gets it?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is common in older adults. There appears to be a genetic link because this type of aneurysm tends to run in families. People who smoke cigarettes are more likely to die from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm than nonsmokers.
What causes it?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm usually occurs in people with atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. As the arteries harden, the wall of the aorta is damaged and weakened. The pressure of the blood flow inside the aorta causes the weakened wall to bulge outward. High blood pressure also contributes to weakened aortic walls.
What are the symptoms?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm may not cause any symptoms at first. When symptoms do occur, they include a pulsing sensation in the abdomen, and pain ranging from mild to severe. Pain may be located in the abdominal, back, or groin area. Sudden, excruciating pain in the lower abdomen and back pain usually indicates a ruptured aorta, which needs to be treated immediately.
How is it diagnosed?
Because abdominal aortic aneurysms may not cause any symptoms until the condition has progressed, they are usually diagnosed by chance during a routine physical examination. The doctor may feel a pulsing, tumor-like mass in the middle of the abdomen. If the aneurysm is about to rupture, it may hurt or feel tender when pressed. It is important to determine its size because the larger the aneurysm, the greater the risk of rupture. The most commonly used test is an abdominal ultrasound, a painless procedure in which a small scanning device is pressed against the abdomen. Sound waves bounce off the internal organs and produce a picture on a video screen. The picture shows the size and length of the aneurysm.
What is the treatment?
Treatment depends upon the size of the aneurysm. If the aneurysm is less than 4 cm (1.5 in) wide, surgery is not necessary, but your doctor will monitor it carefully for an increase in size. Aneurysms between 4 and 5 cm (1.5 - 2 in) wide may be treated with surgery if you and your doctor determine that is the best course of treatment. Aneurysms that are larger than 5 cm (2 in) or are causing symptoms are always treated with surgery, unless it is considered risky because of other health problems. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, removes the aneurysm, and repairs it with a synthetic patch, called a graft. This type of surgery has a very high success rate. There is also another type of surgery called endovascular grafting, which involves inserting a thin tube called a catheter through a groin artery into the abdominal aorta. The catheter's tip holds a deflated balloon that is covered by a tightly folded graft. When the catheter is in position, the balloon is inflated, which causes the graft to open to span the length and width of the aneurysm. Devices at each end of the graft secure it to the inner wall of the aorta to strengthen the wall and prevent it from rupturing. This surgical method may not be available at all hospitals at this time and is only used for non-emergency repairs. Emergency surgery is performed when the abdominal aortic aneurysm has ruptured or is about to rupture. Because a ruptured aneurysm causes internal bleeding, there is a risk of damage to internal organs, such as the kidneys, because their blood supply is interrupted. If a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is not treated, it always results in death.
Self-care tips
You can reduce your risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm by not smoking and keeping your blood pressure under control. If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that does not need to be treated by surgery at this time, keep regular appointments for ultrasound scans of the aneurysm to monitor it for changes in size. Some aneurysms can grow larger in a matter of months. If you have had surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is good to know that they usually do not occur again, and that you are not at any greater risk for developing aneurysms in other areas of the body.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Girls Have Better Taste Sense Than Boys

Here is one more reason why girls are better than boys: a new study has found that girls have a better sense of taste than boys do.
Recently, a large scale study was done by the Danish Science Communication and The Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) at University of Copenhagen in which they looked at taste sensations of children.
Over 8,900 schoolchildren from Denmark were used in the “mass experiment” study where each of the children were supplied with a kit of taster samples along with instructions. This study was quite different because it was conducted as part of the children’s natural science classes.
The tests were designed to recognize the ability of the children to discover sweet and sour tastes and to find out what they prefer when each sensation varied in intensity. The study also had the children finding out how many taste buds they had as well as filling out questionnaires about their eating habits.
“It is quite clear that children and young people are very good tasters, and that there are bigger variations between them than most people would expect. There is, for example, a marked difference between boys and girls, and the ability of children to recognize tastes changes with age. So one could easily develop more varied food products and snacks for children and young people. For example, it is quite clear that children do not necessarily prefer sweet things. According to the findings, healthy snacks could easily be developed for boys with slightly extreme and sour flavours,” says Bodil Allesen-Holm, MSc in Food Science and Technology and head of the study.


Their findings showed that girls recognize taste much better than boys. They also found that boys need about 10 percent more sourness and 20 percent more sweetness to be able to recognize the taste of something.
“We also asked the pupils to count ‘taste buds’ or organs of taste on the tongue. However, the experiment showed that boys and girls have largely the same number of taste buds. So it would appear that what makes the difference is the way in which boys and girls process taste impressions,” says Michael Bom Frّst, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science at LIFE.
Surprisingly, the study also showed that boys have a sweeter tooth than girls, and about 70 percent of all the children like the taste of fish.
While this study focused on taste alone, more testing could eventually include the other sensations such as sight and smell.

Eye care tips for computer users

11 Eye care tips for computer users
Most of our work is done on computers, and there is usually no escape from it. It is a visually intensive task and, unfortunately, our work pressure and lifestyles do not give us the opportunity to be kind to our eyes.
Which is why these tips should come in handy.
1. Know your eyes
Tears: The first line of defense, they also serve as lubrication by keeping the eyes moist and nourished; they also have a corrective lens function. Eyelids: Their main job is to protect your eyes from dirt, dust and harsh light.
Eyelashes: A protective net for your eyes.
Cornea: A refractive zone that guides light to reach the retina.
Pupil: Controls the amount of light that enters your eyes.
Lens: A refractive zone that also guides light into the retina.
Retina and Optic Nerve: A bunch of intricate wiring that carries vision signals between your brain and eyes.
2. Exercise your eyes
Dr Harish S Belvi, a practising ophthalmologist (eye specialist) based in Mumbai, says that regular work hours should be infused with short breaks. During such breaks, he suggests a small and easy exercise: "First, blink your eyes several times. While you keep your eyes closed, roll your eyeballs both clockwise and anticlockwise and take a deep breath. Gradually open your eyes while releasing your breath. This exercise lasts for a minute and you can repeat it three times before getting back to work." It serves as a good workout for the eyes.
3. Look away
While working for long hours, look at distant objects either in your office or outside. Looking at a distant object and then returning to your task helps your eyes focus better. Try taking such visual breaks for about five to 10 minutes every hour.
4. Positioning is everything
Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm¢s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.
5. Lighting can make all the difference
Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your color, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.
6. A little extra help for your glasses
Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don¢t forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot.
Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule
Step I :-
After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your
head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This
changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.
Step II :-
Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.
Step III :-
Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes
of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.
all in the blinking
Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we¢re on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!
7. Palming
Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.
8. Splash water on your face
During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed..
9. Use tea bags
Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.
10. Eat healthy
Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Wate

Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Wate

This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about   Heart Attacks .
The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water,
maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer . It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
C ommon Symptoms Of Heart Attack...
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting .. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save a life. So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.

Common Sex Myths Busted ..... Read On

Despite a great deal of awareness, people are still sexually misinformed. Knowingly or unknowingly their sex lives are surrounded by a large number of myths and misconceptions.
So, here we bring to you a sex educator and relationship expert to debunk some of the myths surrounding the clandestine yet crucial aspect of an individual's life.
Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright, the founder of Sexuality Source Inc, has shed light on six common sex myths, reports Fox News
Myth #1: Viagra is 100 percent effective
Regarding this, Fulbright wrote that men bearing this notion needed to think again because a desire component is needed for males to become sexually aroused and attain erection.
Myth # 2: A virgin's hymen always breaks
Breaking the misconception that the presence of a hymen is an indicator that a female is a virgin, and it is broken she has intercourse, the expert explains: This might not happen with every girl, and since girls are born with hymens of various sizes and openings, some might appear to have no hymen at all.
Fulbright also said that some girls might have their hymen stretched from activities like bicycling or horseback riding.
Myth # 3: Withdrawal = Good birth control
Regarding the notion that withdrawal is the best method of birth control, Fulbright said that pregnancy could occur any time unprotected sex was had, whether or not a male had climaxed.
Thus, according to the expert, withdrawal is not recommended as a form of birth control, especially for males who are sexually inexperienced.
Myth # 4: Oral sex is safe sex
Another misconception on the list was that oral sex does not put people at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, which was rendered untrue by the expert. He said that even oral sex can make you susceptible to STDs.
Myth # 5: You can't get pregnant if you aren’t ovulating
Regarding the thought that women can't get pregnant if you aren't ovulating, the expert said that it was not true.
Myth # 6: The Pill protects against STDs
Lastly, Fulbright debunked the myth that contraceptive pills protects against STDs. The expert said that such pills provide protection only from pregnancy, adding that it's the condom that can protect against STDs when sexually active.

Understanding Abdominal Pain In Women, 8 common causes for abdominal pain

Understanding Abdominal Pain In Women, 8 common causes for abdominal pain

Do you suffer from frequent abdominal pain? Being a woman, it is quite common to feel discomfort in the lower abdomen from time to time during menstruation.
However, persistent or frequent abdominal pain can imply other health problems such as kidney problems, bowel problems involving reproductive organs like fallopian tubes and ovaries.
If you want to ensure your abdominal pain gets the correct treatment, identify the main cause behind the pain first.
Abdominal pain arising from urinary system
If you suffer from pain in your urinary system, it can indicate bladder problems such as cystitis, kidney stones or inflammation of one or both kidneys.
If you have urinary infections, you may experience burning sensation while passing urine, in addition to abdominal pain.
Pain in lower right abdomen
Besides inflammation of the bowel or appendicitis, pain in the lower right abdomen can also be caused by an ectopic pregnancy or hernia.
Bloating or swelling of the lower abdomen also represents various abnormal intestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome which causes severe abdominal pain.
Pain in navel area
If you are experiencing pain near the bellybutton, it can indicate inflammation to the appendix or a small intestine disorder.
However, despite the area or location of the pain, recurrent or persistent abdominal pain can lead to serious health problems.
Consult your regular healthcare provider to get the right treatment at the right time.
Abdominal pain is most common problem for women. Some of you can experience frequent abdominal pain and for some it can be a very rare but debilitating issue.
Before you go for appropriate treatment for abdominal pain, you have to know the cause behind it.
Here are few most common causes for abdominal pain.
Many of you can experience pain in both sides of lower abdomen, particularly during your regular ovulation period.
Regular menstrual periods or premenstrual syndrome can also cause severe abdominal pain for some of you.
If you are experiencing pain in lower abdomen during pregnancy, it can be a natural sign of pregnancy loss.
Presence of cysts or fluid filled structures in ovaries also makes you to experience debilitating abdominal pain during menstrual periods.
Parasitic infections and other gastrointestinal problems can trigger severe abdominal pain.
Unusual or abnormal production of mucus due to damage of certain organs of your body can also cause abdominal pain.
Urinary tract infections are most common problem among women and this could be one of the main reasons for abdominal pain in women.
Other than these, stress, tearing of abdominal muscles, peptic ulcers, and overdose of drugs or medications can lead to abdominal pain.

Male Menopause?

Is there a male menopause?
Dr. Male menopause is a controversial area of discussion. But unlike women, wherein there is an acute cessation of hormone production from the ovaries and subsequent menopause, in males there is a gradual decline in serum testosterone levels starting at the age of 40.
What is testosterone?
Dr. Testosterone is a male hormone. The decline in male hormone levels is a very slow gradual process and there is no single point where one can say that a man has attained menopause, as you would do in the case of a woman. There are changes associated with this decline, which are similar to changes that women undergo at menopause.
At what age does male menopause begin?
Dr. It starts very gradually. If you see the physiology of the male hormones, there is a pubital spurt wherein a boy becomes a man, he attains puberty. Now this spurt gives you an excess of male hormones and growth hormones. As time passes both these hormones begin to decrease. The growth hormone starts decreasing by 20 years of age and the male hormone at about the age of 30 or 35.
What are the symptoms of male menopause?
Dr.  The symptoms usually are loss of muscle strength, weakness, inability to concentrate, depression and lack of energy. But a lot of men tend to give importance to impotence or erectile dysfunction and therefore, a lot of males would complain of andropause once they have erectile dysfunction.
What is the treatment?
Dr. The symptoms can be treated by the supplementation of testosterone, which can be done in a variety of ways like injection, patches or pills.
  What are the physical symptoms of male menopause and what are the remedies available?
Dr.  The physical symptoms of male menopause are depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, lethargy and low serum testosterone level. Administration of testosterone will clearly have a benefit.
  What is the ideal way of providing testosterone – a tablet or an injection?
Dr.   Testosterone is available in three forms and the most commonly used is the injectable testosterone. The other two are scrotal patches and tablets. The tablets are quite expensive. The injection (given twice weekly) costs about Rs. 110 each and the tablets (given thrice a day) cost Rs. 30 per tablet.
I have diabetes since the last 5 years. It is said that diabetics experience reduction in libido. Is there any link between diabetics and male menopause?
Dr. Most diabetics do not have a testosterone problem. They have a problem of blood flow wherein the flow of the blood to the penile area or the groin area is low because the arteries become narrow, so you don’t get good erection. Or there is a problem with the nerves due to which a diabetic man’s erection is affected.
I have osteoporosis of the hip bone and my bone density is low, is it a sign of male menopause? I had bypass surgery and I am taking a lot of heart related drugs, do these drugs affect osteoporosis?
Dr.  You are not a good candidate for testosterone supplements. You can continue with your heart medications.
Why is he not a good candidate for testosterone?
Dr.  Firstly, it is important to demonstrate that the low bone density at the hip is because of low testosterone. So the first step would be to demonstrate that he has low testosterone. If he does have a low testosterone level, he would be prone to side effects of testosterone, and he would possibly have drug interactions. More importantly, if he has underlying definite heart disease, then testosterone, at least theoretically, can aggravate the heart disease. As he said that he has had a bypass and is on multiple drugs, it means he is not a good candidate for testosterone. He can treat his osteoporosis with other good available remedies, which include calcium, vitamin D as well as other drugs like Bisphosphonate.
There are many men at the age of 65 or 70 who have fathered children, but women at the age of 50 or 60 cannot bear children. How do you explain this?
Dr. The biggest example is Charlie Chaplin who fathered a child at 80 years of age. But if you see the testosterone levels in males even at 80 years of age, 50 percent would have a decline in testosterone but 50 percent would still have normal testosterone level; therefore, it is not age that dictates andropause and this is the reason why we insist on documenting a low testosterone.
I am a 24 years old bodybuilder. A few days back, I went to a chemist who advised me to take testosterone tablets in order to increase my strength to lift heavier weights. Does this help?
Dr. I think, you better stay away from his advice. We do not recommend testosterone for bodybuilding as it has harmful side effects.

Say no to diet pills

You have a dress in your wardrobe that you've never watched before. And now that you want to, it doesn't fit! So you decide the best thing to do is pop diet pills so it can be worn to the upcoming cocktail party.
But before you actually swallow, read up on how these pills affect your body.
They affect metabolism
Diet pills kill appetite, thereby making one take in fewer calories. The body metabolism slows down as it is not getting enough fuel to function. The body is thus deprived of essential nutrients. Once metabolism slows down, weight loss process also slows down (metabolic rate-the rate at which the body burns calories).
Increased dependency
"Usually, the effects from such diet pills are short-lived. When you stop taking this medication, the weight comes right back on. With the rising popularity of diet pills like Phentermine and Amphtamine, dependency cases have become extremely common too", says Dr Nishi Viswanathan, doctor and nutrition expert.
Long term use of diet pills can cause irreversible damage to the body.
Disastrous side effects
Some side effects experienced by users of a variety of diet pills are heart-related problems like palpitations, high blood pressure, mild to severe strokes and even heart attacks, complete appetite loss, insomnia, nausea, increased urination, etc. 'Diet pills containing Ephedrine can lead to serious heart related problems", says Dr Deepali Tripathi, a physician.
Lifestyle changes can do the trick
Why resort to extreme methods when simpler and healthier options are available? Eat healthy and exercise moderately.
    *      If you are fond of sweets and fatty foods, don't deprive yourself, but eat them in moderation.
    *      Increase your consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits.
    *      Have a regular exercise routine-walking, swimming, jogging, yoga, skipping, Pilates, weight- training, dancing-the list is endless!
    *      Don't deprive your body of food, as that is the only fuel that keeps the body functioning!

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

What is it?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is the most common knee injuring, resulting from a stretch or tear in the ligament. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. The ACL is one of the major ligaments in the knee, connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). It helps to keep the knee stable and protects the femur from sliding or turning on the tibia.
Who gets it?
While anyone can injure an ACL, it is unusual in childhood. The incidence of ACL injury peaks in adults during their middle years.
What causes it?
ACL injuries most often result from sports where the foot is planted on the ground while the leg is being twisted, such as in football, soccer, basketball and skiing. The ACL may also become injured when the knee is straightened further than it normal (hyperextended). It can also occur when the thigh bone is forcefully pushed across the shin bone, such as with a sudden stop while running or a sudden transfer of weight such as in skiing.
A chronic ACL injury is often the result of an injury in which the patient either did not consult a doctor after initial injury, the diagnosis was missed, or nonoperate care of an ACL injury was unsuccessful.
What are the symptoms?
Often the patient will hear a popping sound when the ACL injury occurs and will not be able to continue the activity. Swelling of the knee within the first several hours of injury will usually follow.
In the case of a chronic ACL injury, the patient will sometimes experience increasing instability of the knee during twisting and pivoting movements and muscle weakness.
How is it diagnosed?
A doctor may suspect an ACL injury after noticing the knee is loose and swelling is present upon initial examination. To confirm diagnosis, the doctor may draw blood from the knee for testing and order x-rays to be taken to see if there is an injury to the bones in the knee. An MRI test may be done to show the condition of the ACL.
The doctor may also examine the ligament, lateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament for injury, and may make a comparison of the injured and uninjured knee to make sure that another injury is not overlooked.
In a chronic ACL injury, the longer the injury has been present the more likely it is to have an abnormal appearance on MRI examination. The doctor should also determine if there is an associated instability from other tears.
What is the Treatment?
Initial treatment for an ACL injury may including icing the knee, keeping the knee elevated whenever possible and administering anti-inflammatory medications.
Long-term treatment for ACL injuries may vary for each patient. Activity level, age, job demands, and general medical condition may be factors in the decision to recommend reconstruction. If the knee "gives way" during daily activities, this is a strong indication for surgery to prevent injuries from falls.
Since a torn ACL will not heal by itself, reconstructions by using ligaments or tendons from another part of the body (graft) are used. During ACL reconstruction, holes are drilled in the femur and tibia, and the torn ACL is removed. The graft is passed through the drill holes to replace the ACL, and is anchored in place using screws or staples. The hope is that stabilized knees will allow patients to return to pre-injury activity level and prevent further damage to the knee.
New surgical equipment has made this operation easier to perform and more precise, so that more surgeons are able to perform it. Patients with a chronic ACL injury and recurrent giving way of the knee are also candidates for ACL reconstruction.
Self-care tips
With successful ACL reconstruction, the patient may expect to return to vigorous sporting activities and degenerative changes will be prevented. Current rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction includes achieving full motion very quickly after reconstructive surgery. Exercises such as the leg press, bicycling and stair-climbing machines are usually recommended during rehabilitation.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

What is it?
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction to a substance that is normally harmless to most people.
Who gets it?
Anyone can suffer allergic reactions, but anaphylaxis occurs in people with an extreme sensitivity to a certain substance.
What causes it?
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system produces antibodies and other disease fighting cells in response to an allergen. An allergen is a substance, most often an insect sting, drug, or food, that causes an allergic response. The antibodies release chemicals that actually injure the surrounding cells and cause the physical symptoms of an allergic reaction. Certain antibodies release histamines, which affect the skin, mucous membrane, mucous gland, and smooth muscle cells. Life-threatening allergic reactions can occur without any previous symptoms of allergy. Exercise or exposure to cold can trigger anaphylaxis in some people.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of anaphylaxis occur quickly and progress rapidly. They can include sudden anxiety and weakness, itching, swelling, hives, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, very low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and shock. Anaphylactic shock can occur within minutes and result in death. A patient in anaphylactic shock needs immediate medical treatment.
How is it diagnosed?
Anaphylaxis is diagnosed based upon its rapidly progressing symptoms. Your doctor may order blood and skin tests to identify specific allergens.
What is the treatment?
People who have anaphylactic reactions should, of course, avoid the allergens that trigger this response. Anaphylactic shock is treated with an injection of epinephrine, a hormone that stimulates the heart and relaxes the airways. This may be combined with an injection of an antihistamine, which counteracts the histamine produced by the immune cells during an allergic reaction. Those who are known to have severe allergies should carry a self-injection kit, including antihistamine tablets, for emergency treatment. However, they should still seek medical care after any type of anaphylactic reaction. Patients with anaphylactic reactions may need to receive supplementary oxygen and intravenous (IV) fluids. In severe cases, a breathing tube may need to be inserted to open the airways. People who are severely allergic may undergo a desensitization program, in which a series of injections of the allergen are given in increasingly larger doses until the body shows that it can be tolerated. This type of program must be administered by an allergy specialist and it may take anywhere from 15 to 20 weeks to develop an immunity. These are followed up with monthly booster shots.
Self-care tips
The only way to prevent anaphylaxis is to avoid known allergens. Some of the most common include bee stings, fish and shellfish, penicillin, latex, certain vaccines, nuts and seeds, and certain food additives. If you have a history of anaphylaxis, you should wear a medical ID bracelet containing information on your allergies.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Do You Know the Sixty Uses of Salt ?

Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great number of uses other than simply seasoning your food. The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which you probably didn't realize:
1. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
2. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
3. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
4. Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
5. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
6. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
7. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
8. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
9. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
10. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
11. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
12. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
13. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
14. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
15. Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
16. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
17. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
18. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
19. Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
20. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
21. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
22. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
23. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
24. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
25. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
26. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
27. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
28. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
29. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
30.A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
31. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
32. Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
33. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
34. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
35. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
36. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
37. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
38. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
39. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
40. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
41. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
42. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
43. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
44. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains..
45. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
46. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
47. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
48. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor.
49. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
50. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
51. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
52. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
53. Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
54. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
55. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
56. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
57. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
58. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a better look.
59. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled

Med Info : Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis
Also known as:  Rheumatoid spondylitis or Marie-Strumpell disease
What is it?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a disease of the connective tissue that results in the inflammation of the joints in the spine. The word "ankylosing" refers to a condition where the bones of a joint are fused, stiff, or rigid. "Spondylitis" is an inflammation of the spine.
Who gets it?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is found in less than 1% of the population. It is three times more likely to occur in men than in women, with symptoms usually occurring for the first time between the ages of 20 and 40. People with a parent or sibling with AS are more likely to have the disorder. Afro-Americans have an approximately 25% higher incidence of AS than Caucasians.
What causes it?
The exact cause of AS is unknown. However, the fact that the disease tends to run in families makes genetics a likely factor. Researchers have identified a gene called HLA-B27 in more than 90% of patients with AS. However, the presence of this gene doesn't guarantee AS. Only around 10 to 15% of people who inherit the gene actually develop this disease.
What are the symptoms?
Like most forms of arthritis, AS flares up, so patients may have periods with no symptoms alternating with periods of mild to moderate symptoms. The most common symptom is back pain. Pain is often worse at night, and stiffness is worse upon waking in the morning. The pain and stiffness in the back can progress to the chest and neck. Patients may find that the pain is relieved by bending forward, which is why people with AS often have a stooped appearance. Eventually, the bones in the back may fuse. In some, the back ends up curved and inflexible. This condition is called "bamboo spine."  In others, the back is straight and stiff. AS can also cause eye inflammation, damage to the heart valve, difficulty taking deep breaths, psoriasis, ileitis (inflammation of the small intestine), colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), fever, fatigue, and weight loss.
How is it diagnosed?
If your pattern of symptoms fits the description of AS, your doctor will order x-rays of the spine and pelvis. He or she will look for wear at the joint between the spine and the hip bone, and for abnormalities in the vertebrae. A simple blood test may also reveal the HLA-B27 gene. If AS is diagnosed, you will be referred to a rheumatologist, which is a doctor who specializes in treating arthritis.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of AS is focused on relieving pain and restoring mobility. Drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are prescribed to relieve pain and stiffness. Your doctor may recommend corticosteroid drugs to treat severe joint and eye inflammation. Corticosteroids are only prescribed for short-term use because of potential side effects. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will help with breathing and posture, as well as to increase and maintain flexibility. A back brace may also be needed to keep the back straight. Surgery, performed by an orthopedic surgeon, is only considered in severe cases where the hip or knee joint is completely worn away or permanently bent. Alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture, have brought relief to some patients. Consult your doctor before trying any alternative treatments.
Self-care tips
While there is no known way to prevent AS, most patients lead full, productive lives with treatment to control and relieve symptoms.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. '

8 Wonder Ways For A Flat Tummy

Blame it on SRK’s six-pack-magic, Aamir’s eight-pack-charisma or Priyanka’s hot bikini bod, but flaunting the flattest tummy and a set of well toned abs is the latest dream for many youngsters.
But, they usually tend to forget that it takes more than just basic crunches and crash dieting to carve a drool worthy, flat stomach. Explains fitness trainer, Deanne Pandey, “Ab exercises + cardio exercises + right diet – this is the most effective formula to achieve well-toned abdominal muscles. Missing upon any one of these will take away the real impact of an abs-workout.”
“An ideal diet and workout for every individual depends upon his/her weight loss requirement, body type and body shape,” suggests Pandey. For instance, a pear shaped person may indulge in a less strenuous workout and minimal diet modifications to get the desired tummy in comparison to an apple shaped body, who is usually heavy in the tummy area.
Here are a set of workout and physical activities, which when combined with an ideal eating plan and cardio workouts can assure you of the killer abs that you always dreamt of...
1. Naukasana- A common yoga posture that works wonders on your abs.
Method: Lie flat on the ground, with your back on the floor. Raise your upper body and legs to an angle of 30 degrees and hold the posture for 30-40 seconds, then relax. Repeat this asana for 10 times to begin with, graduating to 30 times. Breathe normally all through the work out.
“Holding onto the posture tightens and contracts your upper and lower abs while repeating the movement tones them up,” tells yoga expert Usha Chegappa of Bharat Thankur’s Artistic Yoga.
2. Ushtrasana : It is the counter pose to naukasana .
Method: Stand on your knees, with heels facing upwards. Arch your back, placing your hands on your knees one by one. Hold your head behind pushing your belly outwards. Hold this posture for 30 seconds and repeat 30 times.
“During naukasana , the ab muscles contract building up tension in the area, while ushtrasana releases the tension by giving your tummy a good stretch. It is important to practice ushtrasana after naukasana to save one's back from injury,” explains Usha.
3. Basic crunch : The good old crunch still remains the best exercise to bag the perfect abs.
Method: Lie on the floor with your legs off the floor in a right angle. Keep your shoulders just above the floor. Breathe in and bring your knees in towards your chest, while lifting your upper body to an angle of 30 degrees and breathe out while you relax. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times to begin with.
“Don’t arch your back. The crunches will help you contract your abdomninal muscles giving them an effective workout,” suggests Deanne.
4. Bridging: Stretch till you feel the burn!
Method: Lie flat on the floor with your hands resting by your sides, feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and knees bent. Now, contract your abdominals, lower back and gluts and slowly lift your midsection to form a bridge from your knees, through your hips to your shoulders. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower. Fitness expert Kiran Swahney suggests, “Avoid this exercise in case you are suffering from lower back problems.”
5. Lying Torso Twists:  Twisting motion stretches the oblique muscles.
Method: Lie on the floor with knees pulled over your chest. Place a ball between your knees and stretch arms to the sides like an airplane, palms facing up. Contract your abs and twist your hips to the right, bringing knees towards the floor Don’t touch the floor, but use your abs to bring your knees back to the start and go to the other side.
“Make sure your shoulders lie flat on the floor and keep breathing normally,” advises Kiran.
6. Cycling: Not on the cycle, but on the floor.
Method: Lie on the floor and raise your legs. Make slow pedaling motions with both your legs alternatively. Keep breathing normally. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.
“The slower and controlled are the motions, more is the pressure exerted on your abs giving better results,” explains Deanne.
7. Side plank: targeted to your oblique muscles or side abs.
Method: Lie down on your side with elbows supporting your body above the ground. Now lift your body sideways. This will make you feel the stretch on your oblique muscles giving them a good workout. 2-3 sets of 15-20 movements are ideal.
“Make sure your body is in one line without any bends and arches. If indulging in a strenuous workout is on your mind, hold in the position and pulsate,” adds Deanne.
8. Dancing wonders: Feel the pulse
“Stomach muscles are core muscles involved in any kind of dancing. A toned stomach accentuates your moves, while dance movements make your stomach sexy. It’s a co-related process,” says dance instructor, Nanda Kundu.
Some of the dance forms that can help you tone your stomach include Lindy Hop, Jive, cha cha and belly dancing. “All these forms of dance involve lots of lifts, dips and tricks which give a great workout to the stomach muscles,” adds Nanda.
The above mentioned abdominal muscles are required to be repeated over a period of time to get desired results. “Give sufficient rest between abdominal exercises and sets. Increase the amount of repetitions that you perform each week by two times, until you can comfortably perform 20 repititions of each abdominal exercise,” advises Kiran.
“With adequate diet and a regular workout, the effects can be felt in as many as just seven days,” adds Usha.

SAFETY OF COMMONLY USED DRUGS IN NURSING MOTHERS

SAFETY OF COMMONLY USED DRUGS IN NURSING MOTHERS

Philip O. Anderson, PharmD, FASHP, FCSHP
Director, Drug Information Service, University of California San Diego Medical Center
Clinical Professor of Pharmacy, University of California San Diego & University of California San Francisco

Avoid.  These drugs should be avoided during lactation if possible.  If they are essential to the mother's health, breastfeeding may have to be discontinued temporarily or permanently.
- Amantadine*
- Amiodarone
- Antilipemics (excluding resins)
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Aspirin (large doses)
- Bromide
- Cocaine
- Chloramphenicol**
- Clozapine
-  Dipyrone (dipirona in Mexican drugs)
- Gold Salts
-  High-dose Iodide (including topical)
- Indandione Anticoagulants
- Metamizol (same as dipyrone)
- Radiopharmaceuticals (withhold breastfeeding temporarily)
- Salicylates (large doses)
Potentially Hazardous. Although not absolutely contraindicated, an alternative drug in the same class should be used from one of the lists below, particularly while breastfeeding an infant of 2 months of age or less.
Acebutolol
Alcohol (daily use or large amounts)
Atenolol
Antihistamine/Decongestant
Combinations*
Benzodiazepines, long-acting  (e.g., diazepam)
Chlorthalidone*
Citalopram
Clonidine*
Contraceptives, Estrogen-Containing*
Doxepin
Ergotamine
Ethosuximide
Fluorescein, Intravenous
Fluoxetine
Iodinated Contrast Media (withhold breastfeeding temporarily)
Lamotrigine
Lithium (monitor infant serum levels)
Metronidazole**
Nadolol
Narcotics(especially with meperidine, in addicts or with high doses in neonates)
Nefazodone
Nicotine/Smoking*
Nitrofurantoin
Phenobarbital (anticonvulsant doses)
Piroxicam
Primidone
Quinolones (norfloxacin preferred)
Reserpine
Sotalol
Sulfonamides, Long-Acting
Thiazide Diuretics, Long-Acting or in High Doses*
Venlafaxine
Probably Acceptable in Usual Doses: There are insufficient data to absolutely ensure that these agents have no adverse effects in breastfeeding infants, but if they occur they are probably infrequent and/or mild.  The potential for rare allergic or idiosyncratic reactions should be kept in mind.
ACE Inhibitors (eg, enalapril)
Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
Anticholinergic Agents*
Anticonvulsants(except ethosuximide, lamotrigine,  phenobarbital primidone)
Antihistamines* (nonsedating types preferred)
Antituberculars
Azathioprine (immunosuppressive doses following organ transplantation)
Barbiturates (except phenobarbital)
Bupropion
Clindamycin
Decongestants, Oral*
Ergonovine (short courses)*
Fluvoxamine
Gadolinium MRI contrast agents
Haloperidol (used alone)
H2-Receptor Antagonists Hydrochlorothiazide (low doses)
Lorazepam
Macrolide antibiotics
Methimazole (£20 mg/day)
Metoclopramide (£14 days)
Midazolam
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Oxazepam
Paroxetine   
Phenothiazines (used alone)
Propofol
Propylthiouracil
Quinidine
Salicylates (occasional use)
Sertraline
Spironolactone
Sulfisoxazole
Sumatriptan
Tetracyclines (£14 days)
Trazodone
Tricyclic Antidepressants  (nortriptyline, desipramine,  preferred; avoid doxepin)
Little Risk in Usual Doses. Although the potential for rare allergic or idiosyncratic reactions should be kept in mind, usual doses pose little risk for the breastfed infant.
Acetaminophen
Acyclovir
Antacids
Bupivacaine
Caffeine
Cephalosporins
Clotrimazole
Contraceptives, Progestin-Only
Corticosteroids
Decongestant Nasal Sprays
Digoxin
Fexofenadine
Fluconazole
Heparin & LMW Heparins
Ibuprofen
Inhalers, Bronchodilators  & Corticosteroids
Insulin (requirement may drop)
Labetalol
Laxatives, Bulk-Forming and  Stool Softening (eg, Psyllium,  Docusate)
Lidocaine
Loratadine
Magnesium Sulfate
Methyldopa
Methylergonovine (short courses)
Metoprolol
Miconazole
Nifedipine
Penicillins
Propranolol
Theophylline
Thyroid Replacement
Vaccines (except smallpox)
Valacyclovir
Vancomycin
Verapamil
Warfarin
* Drug may also inhibit lactation.
** In situations where bottle feeding poses a grave threat to the infant's life, breastfeeding may be undertaken cautiously.
Sources: (1) Anderson PO et al., eds.(2002) Handbook of Clinical Drug Data, 10th ed. McGraw-Hill; (2) Anderson PO (1991) Drug use during breast-feeding Clin Pharm 10:596-624.  (3) UCSD Drug Information Service 619-543-6971. For health professionals and nursing mothers.
Note: The information contained in this document is time-limited.

Med Info : Andropause

Andropause
Also known as: Male Menopause
What is it?
Andropause, or male menopause, is a condition associated with declining androgen levels. It may result from primary or secondary hypogonadism or from a pathologic condition.
Who gets it?
Andropause affects about half of men older than age 50.
What causes it?
Andropause is caused by lower levels of testosterone and its consequences as men age. Recent studies show that after age 30, testosterone levels generally decrease by one to two percent per year - although this decline can vary widely.
Sudden, drastic declines in testosterone levels are usually caused by hypogonadism. Classified as either primary or secondary, hypogonadism should be ruled out in patients experiencing symptoms of andropause.
What are the symptoms? 
Symptoms of andropause can vary from one man to the next.  Symptoms of male Andropause may include lethargy or decreased energy, decreased libido or interest in sex, erectile dysfunction with loss of erections, muscle weakness and aches, inability to sleep, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, infertility and thinning of bones or bone loss.
How is it diagnosed?
Andropause can be diagnosed by measuring the level of testosterone in the blood. Andropause occurs as a result of testosterone deficiency and a low free and bioavailable testosterone level is found in males with androgen deficiency. Total testosterone levels can be used as a screen for the Andropause but it is the decrease in the free form of testosterone that causes the symptoms.
Usually testosterone deficiency is not the most common cause of impotence; other causes include atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and use of certain medications. These factors, as well as previous genital trauma and other aspects of the patient’s medical history, are important in diagnosing andropause.
What is the treatment?
To treat andropause, the doctor may advise the patient to undergo hormone replacement therapy. Replacing testosterone can have a significant benefit particularly in older men with an improvement in well-being, improved sex drive, improved sexual function, improved muscle mass and strength and an increase in bone density. There are now several alternatives available for testosterone replacement therapy in the form of skin patches and creams that can deliver testosterone into the blood in a non-invasive way.
Men who are carefully selected for hormone replacement therapy must be monitored for signs of prostate disease, dyslipidemia, hepatotoxicity, erythrocytosis, and other side effects.
Consult your physician and ask her/him whether you should have a testosterone level determined to see if you are deficient. If you are deficient and are a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy, your physician will prescribe just the right therapy for you. Questions can be directed to the Endocrine Clinic here at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Self-care tips
Patients diagnosed with andropause and being treated with hormone replacement therapy should be monitored to check testosterone, lipid and hematocrit levels. That way, treatment can be adjusted according to the patient’s needs and side affects closely monitored.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Med Info : Anemia

Anemia
What is it?
Anemia is condition caused by low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin (the part of the red blood cells that delivers oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). There are over 400 different types of anemia ranging from mild to severe. Many of them are rare.
Who gets it?
Anyone with certain underlying conditions can develop anemia. Those at risk include anyone with chronic blood loss due to cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, hemorrhoids, heavy menstrual flow, stomach ulcers, alcohol abuse, or other medical conditions.
What causes it?
Anemia is caused by chronic bleeding, a decrease in red blood cell production, or an increase in red blood cell destruction. A poor diet low in iron can cause anemia, as can some hereditary disorders and certain diseases. However, excessive bleeding due to cancer, childbirth, injury, gastrointestinal tumors, heavy menstrual flow, hemorrhoids, nosebleeds, stomach ulcers, alcohol abuse and surgery is the most common cause of anemia.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of anemia include weakness; fatigue; pale sallow skin; dizziness; lack of color in the palms of hands, gums and nail beds; chest pain; cravings for ice, paint or dirt; headache; inability to concentrate; inflammation of the mouth; insomnia; irregular heartbeat; lack of appetite; nails that are dry and brittle; swelling of the hands and feet; thirst; ringing in the ears and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose anemia, the doctor may look at the patient’s medical history and symptoms to determine what tests should be done. Anemia may be diagnosed through laboratory tests that measure the percentage of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. The doctor may also use the tests to determine the type of anemia responsible for the patient’s symptoms. In addition, the doctor may order x-rays and examinations of bone marrow to identify the source of the bleeding.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of anemia is usually directed at the underlying cause. The doctor may recommend anemia due to nutritional deficiencies be treated with iron supplements, injections of vitamin B12, or other vitamin supplements. If blood loss is severe, the doctor may recommend the patient undergo transfusions of red blood cells to accelerate their production. Medication or surgery may be necessary to control menstrual flow, repair a bleeding ulcer, or remove polyps (growths or nodules) from the bowels. Cancer-related anemias may be treated with blood transfusions and/or medication.
Self-care tips
While inherited anemias cannot be prevented, avoiding excessive use of alcohol, eating a balanced diet that contains plenty of iron-rich foods, and taking a daily multivitamin can help prevent many types of anemia.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Maximum Fitness, Minimum Time: 16 Tips

These 16 strategies will help you get the body you've always wanted:
1. In the beginning, your fitness plan should not be overly aggressive. One of the biggest problems most people encounter when starting a fitness program is rapidly depleted motivation after only a few weeks; this is due to an overly ambitious fitness plan.
Two days per week of 20-minute low-intensity cardiovascular exercise (walking, jogging, biking, swimming) and two days per week of 30-minute light resistance training (using weights or resistance machines) is adequate in the beginning. As you adapt to the lifestyle shift, you can add more days and get improved results. But beware: If you try to do too much too fast, you may end up quitting altogether.
2. If your goal is fat loss, then your cardiovascular exercise should be low intensity. Your heart rate during cardio exercise should not exceed 50 percent to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate. The simple formula for calculating your 100 percent maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age.
If the intensity of your exercise increases your heart rate beyond 70 percent (which can occur very easily if you are in poor shape), you start shifting from using body fat as your energy source to relying on glucose metabolism. Your personal trainer can supply you with a simple heart-rate monitor you can wear during exercise. That way, you always stay in your peak fat-burning range.
3. Don't waste your time working small muscles with isolated movements. If you don't enjoy doing resistance training or are pressed for time, concentrate on working the largest muscle groups with compound resistance movements.
When I see overweight people doing wrist curls or lateral raises, I wonder why. It's generally just a lack of understanding of how their bodies work. Most people want to lose fat and tone and firm their bodies. The way to do that is to use resistance (weights or machines) to train the large muscle groups
Men should be concentrating on legs, chest and back. Women should concentrate more on their legs and back. The best exercises for legs are lunges or squats (your personal trainer will show you the proper form and then monitor you during the exercise) and the leg press. The best chest exercise is the bench press, and the best back exercise is the seated row. All of these are compound movements, which means they incorporate multiple muscle groups.
4. Always stretch. Stretching improves flexibility, blood flow, muscle recovery and a host of other things. Additionally, stretching can prevent injury, make you sleep better and improve your performance in all sports. Always stretch, but be certain not to stretch cold muscles. You should always warm up before stretching. However, it is very important that you know how to stretch. Never bounce! Your personal trainer will show you the proper execution and timing of your stretches.
5. Never do a traditional sit-up. Unless you are super athlete with an incredibly well-developed midsection, sit-ups can lead to a strained lower back and possibly lumbar injuries. But it gets worse. Rather than hitting your abdominal section, sit-ups can shift exercise tension to your hip flexors, which defeats the purpose of the exercise.
There is so much misinformation about how to strengthen, tone and firm the midsection, it's almost frightening. It is very difficult to learn proper abdominal exercise technique by reading about it or watching it demonstrated on a video. You need to do it with supervision and get feedback about your form from a knowledgeable source.
And keep in mind that you use your abdominal muscles in almost every single movement you make. Strengthening your abdominal region is the most effective way to prevent, or recover from, lower back pain.
6. Set realistically attainable goals. You must have tangible, quantifiable, short-term and long-term goals for your fitness program so that you can gauge your progress. It's crucial to have a baseline before you begin. Your health club or personal trainer can give you a complete fitness analysis that will aid you or your trainer in developing a personalized fitness program to address your particular needs.
Having goals, particularly short-term goals, allows you to track your progress and keeps you motivated when times are tough and you don't feel like exercising. Keeping a journal of your cardio and resistance-training workouts, as well as tracking what you eat, will ensure fitness success.
Just remember that your goals should be realistic and attainable. The best way for you to understand what is realistic and attainable for you is to talk to a fitness professional -- don't buy into the hype of infomercials or diet products that blatantly mislead.
7. Set exercise appointments with yourself. You wouldn't miss a business meeting or client appointment, would you? So don't miss your exercise appointment with yourself. Nothing is more important than your health. Nothing. Everything else will crumble around you if your health goes south. So make your exercise appointments a priority.
If you find it difficult to keep these appointments, then consider hiring a personal trainer who will hold you to your commitment. When you have money invested and someone waiting for you to show up, you are much more likely to actually show up!
8. Remember the benefits of exercise. Remember that feeling of euphoria you experienced after a particularly good workout? You experienced that feeling because the most powerful feel-good drug in the world, endorphins, were coursing through your veins. If there is a panacea, it's exercise.
Nothing feels better than the post-workout high you experience after exercising. Revel in that feeling. Let it wash over you and truly experience it. Etch that feeling in your brain. It will fuel your motivation on those inevitable days when you just don't feel like exercising. Being physically fit affects every single aspect of your life: You sleep better, eat better, love better, overcome stress better, work better, communicate better and live better!
9. Exercise correctly. So much time is wasted doing, at best, unproductive exercise, or at worst, dangerous exercise. Get educated on how to exercise correctly. And the absolute best way to do that is to hire a personal trainer to develop a program for you and then teach you what to do and how to do it right.
Personal training does not have to be an ongoing process. You can hire a personal trainer for whatever length of time you need to learn the ropes. It could be five sessions or 15. It's completely up to you. But statistics prove that those who understand how to exercise correctly, get better and faster results. And that's what you want, right? Results!
10. Enjoy yourself. The most difficult thing is actually getting into your running shoes or going to the gym. But once you begin your workout, relax and enjoy the process. Don't fight it. Make exercise your personal time.
When you are exercising, you can focus completely on yourself. Yes, exercising can and should be somewhat rigorous (depending on your level of fitness), but it is just that investment that makes it supremely rewarding. As with anything, if you are in the moment, you can fully appreciate the experience and truly enjoy the process.
11. Americans eat too many carbohydrates for our lifestyles. Minimize your intake of bread, pasta, rice, potato and, of course, all sugary drinks. We are no longer an agrarian society participating in manual labor. Most of us are fairly sedentary throughout the day and therefore do not need the high levels of carbohydrates to sustain our energy.
Additionally, carbohydrates are addictive. The more doughnuts you eat, the more you want. The bulk of your carbohydrates should come from vegetables and fruit. Focus on those with high water content, such as cucumbers, grapefruit, tomatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries and even vegetable soups (watch out for high sodium), which will all fill you up nicely.
By the way, numerous studies have conclusively proven that the quarter of the population eating the most vegetables get half the cancer of the quarter eating the least!
12. Deep-fried food has no nutritional value none! Almost every food, whether it s steak, chocolate or red wine, has some nutrients to contribute. But one thing is absolute: Fried foods are garbage.
Potato chips, french fries, onion rings, breaded chicken strips and all the rest of the deep-fried junk are pregnant with saturated fat and calories -- and they contain almost zero nutritional value. If you're trying to lose weight and/or reduce fat, simply eliminate fried foods completely from your diet. Yikes! That stuff is scary.
13. Never skip breakfast. If you want to maximize your fitness results or fat-loss efforts, you've got to eat breakfast. Even if you don't exercise at all, breakfast remains the most important meal of the day.
Your breakfast should contain complete proteins and complex carbohydrates. A great breakfast is oatmeal (not the pre-packaged, pre-sweetened kind) with a little honey and banana and a protein drink. Or try scrambled egg whites with Healthy Choice turkey sausage.
14. Eat fat to lose fat. Healthy fats are necessary to your body for a bunch of reasons: regulating hormonal production, improving immune function, lowering total cholesterol, lubricating joints and providing the basics for healthy hair, nails and skin.
You must be aware of the difference between healthy good fats and dangerous bad fats. Good fats are monounsaturated fats such as olive; peanut and canola oil; avocados; all-natural peanut butter and nuts; and omega-3 fats found in salmon, mackerel and soy-based foods. Bad fats are saturated fats, partially hydrogenated fats and trans fats.
Your personal trainer can provide you with a simple diet program that will complement your exercise to help you live longer, feel better and boost your immune system. The bottom line is your body needs good fats and will revolt if you attempt to abstain from them; it absolutely does not need bad fats.
15. Drink plenty of fresh, clean water. Yes, I know that you've heard this over and over again. The recommended amount is approximately eight glasses, or 64 ounces, of water every day. When you are exercising, you need to drink even more. More than 75 percent of your body is water (even bone is more than 20 percent water). When you don't drink enough water and substitute diuretics like coffee, tea and caffeinated sodas, you dehydrate your body, your blood doesn't flow properly and your digestive system doesn't operate smoothly (among other problems).
Even a small deficit of water can radically affect how your body performs. Here's a good rule of thumb: If your urine is a dark yellow or has a strong odor, you're not drinking enough water. Drink up!
16. Eat regularly throughout the day. Fasting or overly restrictive diets will enable you to lose weight in the short run because the weight you lose is primarily water weight and lean muscle mass. But in the long run, it has exactly the opposite effect you want.
When you restrict your diet, your body instinctively thinks it's being starved and shifts into a protective mode by storing fat. Energy expenditures are fueled by your lean muscles. Therefore, your body fat remains essentially the same and you lose vital fluids and muscle instead.
The less muscle you have, the slower your metabolism becomes and the less fat you burn. You should be eating three nutritionally balanced meals each day, and you should have at least one or two healthy snacks. This keeps your metabolic furnace stoked -- you burn more at a faster rate. I know it's counter-intuitive, but it's the gospel truth!
There you have it: Sixteen essential strategies for an effective weight-loss-and-fitness program that will have you looking and feeling better than you have in years -- maybe ever!
I realize that starting (or re-starting) a productive and effective fitness program is not easy. That's why I encourage you to get help.
If you're sick, you go to the doctor. If you've got a tax problem, you see an accountant (or an attorney). Have a toothache? You're off to the dentist. Leaky pipes result in a call to the plumber. So why is it that so many people attempt to solve their health and fitness problems without consulting an expert? I don't know why, but I encourage you to make the investment in yourself -- in your quality of life -- by hiring a qualified professional to help you get started.
The hardest part is getting started and sustaining your motivation until fitness becomes habitual. Once you develop the habit, which can take as little as 30 days, your whole life will change for the better.

Be Happy, Boost Weight Loss

Researchers tell us that we think 400 words per minute and speak about 125 words per minute. What those figures don't reveal is how many of those words are positive and how many are negative.
All people can use the strength and power of positive words to enhance their lives. Positive words can be particularly helpful when we are trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Most people are not aware of the things they think and say on a continual basis. Our thoughts and words have a powerful impact on our attitude and behaviors.
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that people tend to eat an average of 118 calories more per day when they are moderately depressed or anxious. If this impulsive eating continues, this amount of additional calories is enough to put on an extra 12 pounds a year! To prevent this from taking place, you must first become aware of the words and thoughts that run through your mind every day.
This means you must make a conscious effort to examine your thoughts and words. This is not an easy task! It takes concentration and determination to be cognizant of what you are thinking and saying, especially when you are not in the mood.
What can you do to change the direction of your life? There are some things that you can do on a daily basis that will make your words and thoughts more positive. The more you do these exercises, the easier it will be to make positive behaviors a permanent part of your life. Consistency and repetition will help make your lifestyle changes permanent.
1. When you wake up in the morning (and before you go to bed), write a list of 10 positive things about yourself. In the beginning, it may be difficult to complete this list. The more you do the exercise, the easier the process will get. If possible, list different positive things each time.
2. Establish a secret signal to yourself each time that you catch yourself saying or thinking something negative. Some examples could be snapping a rubber band, putting away your money or rubbing your knee. Do anything that will act as a wake-up call to stop the negative behavior.
3. Ask a trustworthy friend or relative to listen to you speak. Ask them to be honest with you whenever they hear you say something negative. Carry around a small tape recorder and tape yourself, so you can listen to what you say. Also, write down your thoughts and reread what you have written to see if you are being negative. Give yourself a reality check!
4. Learn how to breathe. Breathe from your stomach and exhale through your nose. Deep breathing helps to put energy and oxygen back into your system. When you are breathing, think positive thoughts. Create a mantra that works for you and repeat it while you are breathing. Here's one example: "I am a bountiful, beautiful person. I am healthy and full of positive energy."
The more you work on establishing positive thoughts, the healthier you will become. Imagine you can control your destiny by living your life in a happy and healthy manner. Consistency and repetition will make your lifestyle changes permanent.

The Fab Ab Checklist

It's time to declare your independence from those flabby abs!
Far too many people spend hours trying to tighten that tummy, only to see the same old pudgy pooch day after day. Where are the fruits of your labors, you wonder.
Well, fitness expert Michael Stefano has the answer. The author of The Firefighter's Workout (HarperCollins) has put together a checklist for flat abs that will guarantee results. But if you're not focusing on all five aspects, then you probably aren't getting any closer to that six-pack.
The Flat Abs Checklist
1. Eat Right: Find a nutritional program that works for you and stick to it.
2. Exercise: Three times a week, perform some type of aerobic conditioning or circuit training for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Ab/Core Routine: Include 2 abdominal exercises in your routine.
4. Good Posture: Perform a posture check.
5. Reduce Stress: Relax with exercise, deep breathing or meditation.
"If you don't take this five-step approach, you're going to be missing something," Stefano tells eDiets. "No matter how much you exercise, if you miss one of these steps you're going to handicap yourself. You can't take a one-prong approach.
"Too many people think you can just do sit-ups and bike kicks to flatten your abs. Sure those exercises will tone and tighten the abs, but you have to take steps to reduce the fat."
Stefano says that far too often people believe that doing ridiculous amounts of sit-ups is the only way to get fab abs. Sure, their stomach muscles are rock hard, but they're hidden beneath that beer belly.
"Unless you're already lean, just doing sit-ups, bike kicks or any abdominal exercises will have no effect at all on the reduction of body fat," he says.
While most people are well aware of the need for a healthy eating regimen, a regular aerobic workout and an ab/core routine, many exercise enthusiasts may not realize the importance of good posture and stress reduction techniques. If you're constantly slouching and not standing up straight, you'll have that pot-belly appearance. Good posture promotes a taller, leaner and more youthful look.
Stress increases the production of insulin (the fat storage hormone) and cortisol, which is associated with increased appetite and increased fat deposits, typically around the trunk and abdomen. Stefano points out that the effects of cortisol can be combated by meditation. When you do relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, a hormone known as DHEA is released. This hormone reduces blood cortisol levels and fights against the negative effects of stress.
By following all five steps, you'll be on your way to fabber abs. Get started with the following ab/core routine. Perform two sets of 20 for each exercise. Rest one minute between sets. Do this routine two to three times a week.
CRUNCH
Lie on your back on a mat or padded carpet with your knees partially bent, feet flat on the floor, arms folded across your chest (least intense). Be sure the feet are not too near your buttocks. Exhale as you press the lower back into the floor and begin to raise your head, shoulders and chest off the floor in one unit, concentrating on bringing the ribs towards the hips. Pause briefly as you feel your abdominal muscles contract. The movement need only be a few inches. Inhale and slowly curl back down, trying not to let your head and shoulders touch the floor, maintaining tension in the abdominal muscles for the entire set. Repeat to muscle fatigue.
Trainer's Notes:
Be sure to keep the knees only partially bent with the heels at least one foot from your butt. This engages the oblique muscles as well as the rectus abdominus. To increase intensity, lengthen the pause when the abs are flexed to 2 seconds, or place your hands behind your head (as in the bicycle kick). Extend the arms overhead to maximize intensity levels.
Goal: 2 sets of 20 to 30 repetitions
BIKE KICK
Lie on your back on a mat or padded carpet with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Press the low back into the floor, engaging the abdominal muscles, as you put both hands behind your head (don't pull on the head). Bring the right elbow over to the left knee, and then bring the left elbow over to the right knee in a twisting, bicycle pedal motion. Continue to breathe naturally. Alternate opposite elbow to opposite knee with hands interlaced behind the head in a slow and controlled manner, and to muscle fatigue, with full extension of each leg on every repetition.
Trainer's Notes:
Be sure to breathe naturally and not hold your breath at any time during this exercise. Full extension of the legs will increase intensity (as shown), as will performing the motion very slowly. Keep the knees bent throughout the movement, while you tap the feet to the floor (instead of extending the leg straight out), to decrease intensity.
Goal: 2 sets of 20 to 30 repetitions