Showing posts with label Health amp; Lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health amp; Lifestyle. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 November 2013

10 Easy Tips to Eat Your Way to Lower Cholesterol

lower cholesterolAre there high cholesterol and need to lower it? That is no surprise considering how many people have high cholesterol these days. To help lower your cholesterol, here are 10 tips you can find started with today.

As with anything medical, diet and exercise are the 2 crucial components. What you eat is important to lowering your cholesterol levels, so that is what is included here.

One thing you should know is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol. Simply think connected with HDL as "healthy" and LDL while "lousy. " HDL can actually help carry cholesterol from your blood vessels while LDL allows it to deposit within your artery walls.

The good news is that you could change your cholesterol for the higher quality. Here is how to do except:

1. Have a nice sandwich on whole grain bread or a pita with some lean turkey and several fresh veggies. Skip the hot dogs, bologna, and salami, and offer the Mayo. All of those are ready-made and filled with fat and cholesterol.

2. Fish, like trout, is good. Look for wild red salmon varieties, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids (good weight. ) Also, flax seed is an effective source of Omega-3s.

3. Steer clear of Trans fats! Not only do they boost the lousy LDL cholesterol, they can also lower your HDL levels! Steer clear of foods like margarine, shortening, and processed foods containing partially hydrogenated soybean gas.

4. Go ahead, go nuts! Look for walnuts mainly but in addition try almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and pecans. Nuts are high in fat, but it's the beneficial kind. (Also, use natural peanut butter rather than the normal kind which contains harmful Trans fats. )

5. Limit desserts and seek to eat only the healthier ones like angel food cake, graham crackers, Jell-O, and fat-free frozen yogurt.

6. Eat foods that are high in fiber. Examples include whole grain bread, oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, espresso beans, and some cereals. (Look with the boxes that say "may help lower cholesterol. ")

7. Use the grill. If you're going to have steak or burgers, grill them at your home and use lean meat. This specific practice avoids the grease, is fun, and the meat style great.

8. Find a completely new salad dressing. Most of them are full of Trans fats and cholesterol. Extra virgin olive oil is good, and maybe put vinegar or lemon juice. Furthermore, skip the bacon bits, croutons, and egg yolks.

9. Go overboard on vegatables and fruits. They contain no cholesterol and in addition they have lots of nutrients just like antioxidants.

Here are some illustrations: green peas, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, oranges, mangos, papaya, pineapple, tomato, garlic cloves, onions, spinach, water chestnuts, apples, apricots, blueberries, and kiwi.

10. Avoid junk food like french fries and anything from the deep fryer. Those foods will raise your cholesterol like crazy, so stay away from the burger joints when you can.

11. Bonus tip: Use spices like pepper and oregano to provide flavor to your dishes. They're a healthy alternative to other toppings like Mayo.

That ended up being easy, wasn't it? Just make some changes and get plenty connected with exercise like walking, jogging, boating, or playing basketball. You will have lower cholesterol quickly!

Thursday, 10 October 2013

Preparing For Pregnancy

preparing for pregnancyAlmost every woman is blessed with the capacity to bear a child at least once in her lifetime. It is considered to be one of the greatest gifts that a woman can give her husband. Bearing a child would make the couple more closer together, and at this certain point in their lives they can actually call themselves a family. Upon learning that the woman is pregnant, most couples enthusiastically start planning for her pregnancy and eventual childbirth.

When talking about pregnancy, it is important to know about preconception issues regarding on giving birth. A check up with the physician or midwife would be advisable for the woman in order to face facts on childbirth. Physical preparation is needed for giving birth, since this could really change the normal function of the woman's body. A caregiver would be helpful in preparing the woman's body in conceiving, and also impart information concerning potential problems in pregnancy. Anxiety is felt at this point, since the woman would really have to follow certain precautions in order to conceive a healthy baby. By seeking advice regarding on preconception, safety, lifestyle changes, prenatal vitamins, and the importance of folic acid, the woman could really prepare for giving birth.

In preparing for pregnancy, a change in the woman's lifestyle is needed. Smoking cigarettes is a definite no-no, and also the consumption of alcohol. These addictions can affect the health of both the woman and her unborn baby. A woman might need to lose or gain weight, according to her present weight relative to her height and build. Being too fat or too thin might bring complications for both the woman and the baby. A good start in preparing for childbirth would be to establish a fitness regime for the period of the pregnancy. Asking the physician about nutrition and working out would be recommended for possible questions regarding exercise and food intake.

Learning more about the woman's body while on the early stages of giving birth is essential for proper knowledge of the situation. Various parts of a woman's body have specific roles when it comes to pregnancy. Certain disorders from both prospective parents should be discussed with the physician for  additional health background information. Anxiety and stress is also felt by the couple since this is a very critical stage for the woman. Preconception stress is normal in women about to give birth, considering factors such as scheduling, sexuality, and self esteem, among many others.

When preparing for pregnancy, the couple should be confident enough to know how to handle a child. Knowledge of early pregnancy symptoms are also important since these are signs that giving birth would happen in due time. When the couple feels that they are ready, then a visit to the Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OBGYN) would help in gleaning more information on pregnancy. At this point, the couple can make use of a pregnancy calendar in order to follow the due course of giving birth.
Anxiety is often felt by women when they know that they are pregnant. Feelings of worry and tension are usual signs that shows her being anxious about giving birth. But by spending time with your husband, regular visits to the OBGYN, finding time to relax and unwind, with good exercise, anxiety should not be a problem at all. All you have to worry about is what to name the baby?

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Symptoms and Signs of Breast Cancer

breast cancer signs and symptoms

I lost two (2) good friends to breast cancer due to the fact that they did not either know the signs, or they never checked or even neglected the signs and symptoms.

It is obligatory that every woman knows the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and also to do a regular check up to make sure of their health. because of this fact, i have done a careful research and compiled possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer for my readers to get well acquainted with.

By performing monthly breast self-exams, you will be able to more easily identify any changes in your breast.  Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional if you notice anything unusual. below are the signs




and symptoms that can suggest breast cancer is in the offing.

1. A change in how the breast or nipple feels:



  • Nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area

  • A change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast  (some describe this as similar to an orange peel’s texture)

  • A lump in the breast (It’s important to remember that all lumps should be investigated by a healthcare professional, but not all lumps are cancerous.)


2. A change in the breast or nipple appearance:



  • Any unexplained change in the size or shape of the breast

  • Dimpling anywhere on the breast

  • Unexplained swelling of the breast (especially if on one side only)

  • Unexplained shrinkage of the breast (especially if on one side only)

  • Recent asymmetry of the breasts (Although it is common for women to have one breast that is slightly larger than the other, if the onset of asymmetry is recent, it should be checked.)

  • Nipple that is turned slightly inward or inverted

  • Skin of the breast, areola, or nipple that becomes scaly, red, or swollen or may have ridges or pitting resembling the skin of an orange.


3. Any nipple discharge—particularly clear discharge or bloody discharge:


It is also important to note that a milky discharge that is present when a woman is not breastfeeding should be checked by her doctor, although it is not linked with breast cancer.




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source:nationalbreastcancer.org

Monday, 30 September 2013

How to Build Your Self Confidence

self confidence                              How to Build Your Self Confidence
What is Self Confidence? self confidence put in a simple way is, assurance: freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities.

MOST youths struggle with uncertainties about their appearance and their abilities, as well as how they measure up to others. they can not even handle unfair remarks from their peers they feel so unhappy and insecure, all these are signs of lack of self confidence.

How Can You Boost Your Self Confidence?
There are practical ways by which you can boost your self confidence, the steps needs to applied in your day to day life for your self confidence to be boosted.




1. Appreciate Yourself: Granted, you might  not look too physically attractive or possess much skill or training,  but its never true that you are not at all attractive or good looking or even possess some exceptional skills which other of your peers may not possess. first, although you might have limitations, try and analyze your strength.Don’t tell yourself such things as ‘I always fail’ and ‘I never do anything right.’ Such overstatements only keep you down. Instead, acknowledge your shortcomings but also recognize your strengths.

2. Choose Your Friends Wisely: Some people are good in criticizing or finding fault in other people, they never see good in other people. instead of making friends with such people and trying to fit in to their perfectionist kind of lifestyle, try and make friends with those who look inwards to see the good you can offer and who will point out your mistakes where necessary but will never keep emphasizing on them.

3. Give of Yourself: You can also apply yourself to good and kind deeds. reasonable people will love and appreciate you naturally and sincerely when you offer or add value to their lives irrespective of how you look or your possible shortcomings. when you add value to someones life you will find internal joy and happiness.

4. Bounce Back from Your Mistakes: Its normal for us to make mistakes as imperfect humans that we are. when that happens, do not dwell on your mistakes, learn from it and try and move on possitively, dwelling on a mistake can affect your self confidence negatively.

5. Open Up: Try to open up or be cheerful at all times, there maybe times your peers might make fun of you or even say sarcastic things or make unfair remark, if people around laugh at you, do not feel bad outwardly no matter how it hurts, if it is possible join them and laugh too. your peers will continue making fun of you if they notice that you feel bad or get hurt by their remarks, but they will leave you alone if they notice that you even laugh more than them, then when it is wise you can take your leave if you are not comfortable being around them.

6. Dress Up and Go UP: It has been noted that dressing when it fits can boost your self confidence. do not dress to please your peers you may end up wearing what might not fit you  and that might cause more embarrassment. make sure your clothes are neat and worn properly according to the occasion.

These few steps will help you boost your self confidence and help you see things as they truly are. always remember that the greatest love of all is learning to love yourself.




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Friday, 20 September 2013

Health and Nutritional Benefits of Eating Mango

mango fruitThe mango fruit apart from its sweetness has enormous nutritional benefits to human life and it contributes largely to a better health. check out the nutritional value below.

Nutritional Value by Numbers:

1 cup contains the following percentages applied to daily value

103 calories

75 percent vitamin C- antioxidant and immune booster

24 percent vitamin A- antioxidant and vision

12 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins- hormone production in brain and heart disease prevention

10 percent healthy probiotic fiber

8 percent copper- a co-factor for various vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells

8 percent potassium- balances out your high sodium intake

5 percent magnesium

Mango prevents cancer

Researches have shown antioxidant compounds in mango fruit have been found to protect against colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancers and leukemia. These compounds are isoquercitrin, quercetin, fisetin, astragalin, methylgallat and gallic acid as well as the abundant enzymes.

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Health Benefits of Cucumber

cucumber

four most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your overall health, often referred to as a super food. Pick a handful of firm, dark green cucumbers and drop them into your shopping cart. Congratulations! You have just bought yourself stuff full of good health.

Cucumber re-hydrates body

If you are too busy to drink enough water, eat the cool cucumber, which is 90 percent water. It will cheerfully compensate your water lost.

Cucumber fights heat inside and out

Eating cucumber will get your body relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin and you will get relief from sunburn.

Cucumber eliminates toxins

All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Cucumber replenishes daily vitamins

Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. A B and C, which boost your immune system keep you radiant and give you energy. Make it more powerful by juicing cucumber with spinach and carrot. Don’t forget to leave the skin on because it contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 12 percent of the daily recommended allowance.

Thursday, 5 September 2013

For Men – 7 Ways To Keep Your man-hood healthy!!!

ways to keep manhood healthyYou can take steps to protect your man-hood health and overall health. For example:
1. Be sexually responsible. If you are not married, abstinence is the key. Use condoms and be faithful to your partner who’s been tested and is free of sexually transmitted infections.


2. Get vaccinated. If you’re age 26 or younger, consider the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent private part warts.

3. Stay physically active. Moderate physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction.

4. Practice good hygiene. If you’re not circumcised, regularly clean beneath your foreskin with soap and water.

5. Know your medications. Discuss medication use and possible side effects with your doctor.

6. Pay attention to your mental health. Seek treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.

7. Stop smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink. If you smoke, take the first step and decide to quit — then ask your doctor for help.

Remember, some man-hood problems can’t be prevented. However, routinely examining your man-hood can give you greater awareness of the condition of your man-hood and help you detect changes. Regular checkups can also help ensure that problems affecting your man-hood are diagnosed as soon as possible.

While you might find it difficult to discuss problems affecting your man-hood with your doctor, don’t let embarrassment prevent you from taking charge of your health.

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

erectile dysfunctionerectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is majorly a male problem that might look simple but can wreak a lot of havoc on homes and bring about pains that can take a whole life time to heal.

WHAT IS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

Erectile dysfunction is the inability of the male organ(penis)to maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

1. Casual and unprotected sex: casual and unprotected sex can expose you to bacterial diseases or sexual transmitted infections, and when they are not properly treated can lead to erectile dysfunction.



2.Forceful Penetration: In some rare cases forceful penetration can cause an erectile dysfunction,If your man-hood is bent suddenly or forcefully while erect, the trauma might cause a man-hood fracture.

3.Heart disease and diabetes: Restricted blood flow caused by diabetes and atherosclerosis— hardening of the arteries — can cause erectile dysfunction.

4.Piercings: A man-hood piercing can cause skin infections.

5.Age Related Cause: Testosterone levels decline normally as you age. This might lead to a decrease in sexual interest, a need for more stimulation to achieve and maintain an erection, a less forceful ejaculation and a need for more time before you can achieve another erection.

6.Neurological conditions: Stroke, spinal cord and back injuries, multiple sclerosis and dementia can affect the transfer of nerve impulses from the brain to the man-hood, causing erectile dysfunction.

7.Psychological problems: Depression can cause a loss of libido. Likewise, if you experience an erection problem, you might be concerned that it’ll happen again — causing anxiety or depression. This can compound the problem and lead to impotence.Trauma — such as child abuse — can lead to pain associated with sex.

8.Hormone levels: Hormone imbalances, such as testosterone deficiency or too much of the hormone prolactin, have been linked to erectile dysfunction.

9.Smoking. Smoking doubles your risk of erectile dysfunction.

10.Certain medications and treatments. Certain medications and treatments can affect your man-hood health. For example, surgical removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) and surrounding tissue as treatment for prostate cancer might cause urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

The above listed causes of erectile dysfunction might not be the exhaustive list, there are still other causes of erectile dysfunction. in our next article, we shall consider possible solutions to erectile dysfunction and self help methods to get you back in shape and help you perform better than you ever expected.

For direct counselling on how to perform better if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction you can send a mail to our contact address that is if you can not wait till the next  article on possible solution is out.

Friday, 30 August 2013

Live right, prevent heart defects in babies

Heart-defect


Open the pages of newspapers these days, and you are likely to find beleaguered parents — mostly mothers — soliciting financial help for their babies who were born with holes in the heart. Physicians say holes in the heart — aka congenital heart defects — is a problem with the heart’s structure that is present at birth. They note that these defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart. A study led by Prof. Bernard Keavney of the University of Manchester, and published in Nature Genetics, submits that CHDs occur in seven out of 1,000 babies born, and that it is one of the major causes of childhood death and illness.

“CHDs change the normal flow of blood through the heart,” experts say. Scientists say the heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum. They explain as follows: “With each heartbeat, the right side of the heart receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs. The left side of the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body. The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart. However, some babies are born with holes in the upper or lower septum.” Child and Public Health Physician with St. Ives Specialist Hospital, Dr. Rotimi Adesanya, notes that a hole in the septum between the heart’s two upper chambers is called an atrial septal defect, while a hole in the septum between the heart’s two lower chambers is called a ventricular septal defect. He says both ASD and VSD allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side, making oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood. “As a result, some oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the lungs instead of the body,” Adesanya says. General practitioner, Dr. Emmanuel Ogbebor, notes that children who have simple congenital heart defects can survive to adulthood, and that they can live normal, active lives because their heart defects will close on their own and even if this doesn’t happen, the defect can be repaired. Causes But then, what causes heart defects in unborn babies? Experts say, broadly, there are two ways a child in the womb can develop heart issues — the first is unavoidable, while the second is avoidable.

Adesanya says heredity is the first unavoidable cause of congenital heart defects. He explains: “A parent who has a congenital heart defect is slightly more likely than other people to have a child who has the problem.” However, Ogbebor says it’s very rare for more than one child in a family to be born with a heart defect, even where heredity is concerned. Other unavoidable causes of heart defect are chromosomal abnormalities, Adesanya warns. “More than one-third of children with genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, often have hole in the heart,” the paediatrician says. Scientists at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University, California, USA, disclose that other chromosomal abnormalities that could contribute to having heart defects include Turner’s syndrome (a genetic disorder that affects a girl’s development, making her infertile); Cri du chat syndrome (a disorder that causes many symptoms, most of which affect facial features and motor skills); Wolf-Hirshhorn syndrome (a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body, with characteristic facial appearance, delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, and seizures); and DiGeorge syndrome (a genetic disorder with varying effects on facial appearance, lack of/or underdeveloped thymus and parathyroid glands). Ogbebor adds that though scientists continue to search for the causes of congenital heart defects, certain unhealthy but avoidable habits could predispose an unborn child to the disorder. For instance, the physician says, smoking during pregnancy has been linked to several CHDs, including septal defects. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can also lead to having babies with foetal alcohol syndrome, a situation that often makes babies have CHDs, Adesanya says. Professor of Anatomy, Oladapo Ashiru, also warns that women who are exposed to organic solvents are three times more likely to give birth to a baby with congenital heart disease than the general population. Experts say organic solvents are chemicals found in a wide range of products and substances such as paint, ink, nail polish, glue, household cleaners, etc. The physicians also warn that taking certain medications while pregnant, especially in the first 13 weeks when the baby’s heart is still developing, can cause birth defects, including hole in the heart. “Such drugs include benzodiazepines and lithium for seizure (epilepsy) control; isotretinoin and topical retinoids for treating acne; as well as analgesics (painkillers). “That is why pregnant women are advised to consult their physicians before taking any medications whatsoever,” Ogbebor warns. The Stanford scientists also say that mothers who have phenylketonuria but who do not adhere to the special diet necessary to manage the disease during pregnancy have a higher risk of having a child with CHD. Phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder in which the body can’t process part of a protein called phenylalanine, which is present in almost all foods. Diabetologist/Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, also adds that women with insulin-dependent diabetes (particularly if the diabetes is not well-controlled) may have a higher risk of having a child with heart defects. All the physicians urge women with these chronic illnesses to undergo medical counselling before becoming pregnant. From Our Source.