Month: September 2013

Woman in Bihar Gives Birth to Quintuplets

The babies were born at a private hospital in Bihar’s Nawada district. Janakai Prajapati gave birth to four children at Sultania Hospital on Thursday late night. Hospital superintendent Dr Sudha Chaurasia told that the delivery was done in seven-and-a-half months, therefore, the children are weak but stable.

Three infants died soon after birth, while a boy and a girl survived despite weighing less than normal, said the district health official.

The woman, resident of Ambika village, was fine and the doctor was monitoring the health of the two surviving babies, he added.

Hundreds of villagers thronged the hospital to take a look at the quintuplets but doctors did not allow them to enter the hospital.

Source: medindia.net

 

5 surprising ways to prevent migraines

When it comes to migraines, the best offense is a good defense. If are suffering from a migraine, you are probably more than willing to try any migraine medication or unusual home remedy in the hope of getting some sort of migraine relief. Many migraine sufferers find that it is easier and more effective to prevent a migraine from happening in the first place than trying to treat the pain and nausea of a full blown migraine headache once it occurs. The best treatment for migraine relief is migraine prevention.

The problem with finding a definitive migraine medication or preventative treatment for migraines is that all migraine sufferers are unique and have different migraine triggers and causes. For example, the treatments for migraine prevention that keep me from having a migraine for months and even years at a time have not, unfortunately, worked for my sister.

If you suffer from migraines, the key is to keep trying until you find a treatment for migraine prevention that works for you.

 1: Lifestyle changes are the best treatment for migraine prevention.

The most important strategy in the war against migraines is avoiding a migraine attack in the first place. To prevent migraines, you need to figure out what your own personal migraine triggers are and avoid them religiously.

Common migraine triggers include chocolate, red wine, cheese and caffeine. Keep a diet diary to discover your migraine triggers. Avoiding migraine triggers in your diet is an effective treatment for migraine prevention.

Certain smells can also trigger a migraine headache. My sister, for example, stopped wearing perfume and asked her friends and family to do the same when they planned to spend time with her. That helped a little, but it was not enough.

However, when she stopped buying any type of scented soaps, shampoo, lotion, laundry detergent and other cleaning products and got rid of her flowering houseplants, it made an even bigger difference. You may not think of the original scent of Tide, for example, as being perfumed, but it is. Being around those low level smells meant that my sister was exposed to one of her migraine triggers all the time; for her, buying unscented everything is an effective treatment for migraine prevention.

 2: Natural herbal remedies for migraine prevention.

For centuries, migraine sufferers have been using natural herbal remedies to prevent and treat migraine headaches. If you suffer from migraines, you might want to try traditional herbal remedies to prevent migraines.

Natural herbal remedies such as feverfew and ginko biloba that increase blood circulation and decrease the constriction of blood vessels, especially in the brain, are good herbal treatments for migraine prevention. In fact, daily doses of feverfew has been shown in British medical studies to reduce not only the frequency of migraine attacks, but also the intensity of migraine headaches when they do occur, especially when taken in conjunction with white willow.

Ginger, a natural powerhouse and home remedy staple, is well known for preventing and reducing the nausea that all too often accompanies a migraine headache. Ginger can also be used as a treatment for migraine prevention.

 3: Vitamin supplements can be used to prevent migraine headaches.

You might also want to consider taking over the counter vitamins and supplements from preventative migraine relief. Coenzyme Q10, magnesium and vitamin B2 have all been shown to be helpful treatments for migraine prevention.

 4: OTC Migraine medications can help stave off a full blown migraine attack.

If, despite your best efforts, you do feel a migraine headache coming on, your best strategy is to stop it in its tracks.

Excedrin Migraine is a popular over the counter (OTC) migraine medication. It contains acetominphen, aspirin and caffeine, and many migraine sufferers have found that Excedrin Migraine works when taken at the first sign of a migraine. However, if caffeine is one of your migraine triggers, Excedrin Migraine not the migraine medication for you.

I personally find OTC naproxen (ie. Aleve) be effective if taken immediately, as well as over the counter sinus medications that combine pain relief with antihistamines and decongestants.

Finally, many migraine sufferers, men included, have found that OTC medications designed for menstrual problems are also effective for migraine relief.

 5: Prescription medications for migraine prevention.

If you have tried the typical lifestyle changes, herbal migraine prevention medications and over the counter migraine drugs listed above, you may need to talk to your doctor about at migraine relief from prescription migraine prevention medications.

Currently, there are only four migraine medications approved by the FDA for use in preventing migraine headaches. Two- Topamax (topiramate) and Depakote ER (divalproex sodium)- are neuronal stabilizing agents, or anticonvulsants originally developed for seizure disorders. The other prescription medications approved for migraine prevention are Blocadren (timolol) and Inderal (propranolol), which are beta blockers originally developed for treating heart disease and high blood pressure

These migraine medications provided relief from migraines to many sufferers, but they can have side effects. Topomax, for example, has been shown to cause birth defects, kidney stones, acute myopia (nearesightedness) and glaucoma, which can lead to blindness.

Doctors may prescribe certain medications off label for preventative migraine relief. “Off label” means prescribing a medication approved for something else for the treatment of migraines. Antihistimines, antidepressants and blood pressure medications have all been prescribed by doctors in the hope that they will prevent migraines.

Other brands of beta blockers and anticonvulsants that have not specifically been approved by the FDA for migraine prevention have been successful when used as preventive migraine medications, as well as Botox, muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) generally prescribed for arthritis, and medications usually used in the treatment of ADD.

As always, you should make sure to talk to your doctor before using prescription medications as a treatment for migraine prevention.

Source: health.com

What does California’s new toxic substances law mean?

What does California’s new toxic substances law mean?

A short while ago, the point out of California one particular-upped these producers by approving the landmark Safer Buyer Products and solutions polices, which choose effect October one, 2013 and will need companies to look for safer options to the harmful chemical ingredients at this time located in usually applied goods.

As the California Department of Toxic Substances Management (DTSC) observed in a press release, this is a single of the initially programs of its form in the planet. The laws lay out an considerable, time-consuming critique procedure that commences with the condition establishing a list of “Candidate Substances.”

Suppliers can then figure out if any of their “Priority Products” consist of a person of these substances perform an “Alternatives Analysis” as to what safer ingredients might be substituted and then wait around for “Regulatory Responses” to be issued.

All this may possibly audio easy ample, but could just take years to generate true outcomes in the marketplace. The eventual implications, nonetheless, are exceptionally extensive-achieving: If manufacturers have to reformulate their goods for sale in California – by considerably the most populous state in the country – they’ll probably do so throughout the board for merchandise sold in all states, in any nation.

The term “consumer products” is vague, making it challenging for businesses to exempt their goods from subsequent the laws. Luckily, California’s DTSC will prioritize a product for evaluation centered on the “Applicant Chemicals” it includes (if any), and just how dangerous these chemical compounds can be more than the everyday living cycle of the item – this means not just when it is made use of by the client, but also how poisonous its manufacturing method is on the atmosphere, among the other factors.

I admire California lawmakers for having this essential move in the name of public wellness, and I persuade shoppers to follow this story as it develops. Although it might take yrs for adjustments to be compelled on makers, all those with any amount of money of foresight will strike preemptively, and take away unsafe components ahead of currently being pressured to do so by regulation.

In the meantime, glance out for California’s list of “Prospect Chemicals,” to be unveiled at the conclude of October, and do some regulating of your have! Scour the cupboards and closets of your property and look at the chemicals on the list to individuals detailed as components on your favorite goods.

It is good that California desires to support safeguard its citizens, and by extension the relaxation of the region, from harmful substances, but only you can management which merchandise enter your dwelling and have an effect on the wellness of everybody inside.

Source: dailynewsen.com

Vitamin B could help reduce risk of stroke

Taking Vitamin B supplements may help to reduce the risk of stroke, according to a new study.

Researchers found that across 14 studies taking vitamin B reduced the risk of having a stroke by around seven per cent.

Vitamin B, which actually consists of a group of 8 vitamins, are generally found in fortified cereals along with meat such as tuna, liver and fruit such as bananas.

Processed foods such as bread, however, tend to contain low levels of B vitamins and so many health experts encourage taking supplements.

Previous studies have revealed conflicting findings for whether vitamin B supplements can help guard against stroke or heart attack. Some have even shown it can increase the risk.

However, researchers at Zhengzhou University in China analyzed 14 clinical trials, involving nearly 55,000 participants.

They found there was a seven per cent lower risk of stroke among those taking the supplements.

There were 2,471 patients suffered strokes but the studies also showed vitamin B resulted in lower levels of a molecule involved in blood clotting called homocysteine.

The authors, whose findings are published in the journal Neurology, said: “Our analysis demonstrated that homocysteine lowering therapy with B vitamin supplementation significantly reduced stroke events.”

However, the researchers found vitamin B supplementation did not have a significant impact on reducing the risk of heart attack.

They also found that folic acid, which is also known as Vitamin B9, could reduce the benefits of taking other vitamin B supplements.

However, many health experts have been pushing to have folic acid added to bread to help ensure pregnant women get enough of the nutrient as it can protect against neurological diseases such as spina bifida in their children.

The researchers also found vitamin B12, which is a common supplement, did not appear to have any impact on stroke risk at high doses.

Previous studies have shown that vitamin B3 can help to improve recovery in patients who have suffered a stroke.

Dr Xu Yuming, another of the authors behind the study, said: “Based on our results, the ability of vitamin B to reduce stroke risk may be influenced by a number of other factors such as the body’s absorption rate, the amount of folic acid or vitamin B12 concentration in the blood, and whether a person has kidney disease or high blood pressure.

“Previous studies have conflicting findings regarding the use of vitamin B supplements and stroke or heart attack.

“Some studies have even suggested that the supplements may increase the risk of these events.”

“Before you begin taking any supplements, you should always talk to your doctor.”

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Accidental ingestion of acids common among children

The immediate symptoms are vomiting and severe abdominal pain with mostly children mistakenly consuming substances like toilet cleaners or acids kept in mineral water bottles or other daily-use containers, the doctors said.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) authorities say more than 50 such cases reach the hospital’s emergency every year with peak incidence between 1-3 years of age.

Esophageal injuries caused by ingestion of caustic agents occur frequently in small children. Commonly, the ingestion occurs because of inadequate storage of products such as acids, alkali and bleaches, doctors from AIIMS said.

According to the doctors, ingestion of such corrosives burns the food pipe from inside and causes ulcers in it. These ulcers bleed and perforate, which is often life-threatening.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital receives 20-25 cases in a year.

“When such an accident takes place, family members should try to stimulate vomiting and rush the child to a paediatric where endoscopy should be done within 25 hours.

“If the reports reveal that the ulcers are too deep, then a nasojejural tube is inserted through the food-pipe. It takes almost four to six weeks for the injury to heal.

“But the actual problem starts after the healing as it leads to the narrowing of the food pipe and the child may have difficulty in swallowing even his saliva,” Dr Nishant Wadhwa, Paediatric Gastroenterologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said.

Apart from esophageal complications, these corrosives can cause severe damage to the stomach due to pyloric spasm and accumulation in the antrum, Dr Pankaj Vohra, Paediatric Gastroenterologist at Max hospital, said.

“They form ulcers in the stomach and cause swelling and obstruction of stomach outlet. In such cases, nothing should be given by mouth. The child should be started on intravenous fluid and given parenteral nutrition.

“After that, the child should undergo endoscopy for some time. Surgical interventions may required if there is a complete obstruction,” Dr Vohra said.

However, precaution is always better than cure. Doctors advise that such poisonous substances should be kept in secure places out of reach of children.

Potential household poisons should not be transferred to empty containers (otherwise used for food or beverages) and corrosives should not be kept in the open.

Source: Businessstandard.com

Beat insomnia with yoga, Ease Stress, and Relieve Pain

If you’ve already tried everything from a warm bath to a warm glass of milk but you’re STILL lying awake counting sheep, wellness expert Peggy Hall has another tip that could help you get a good night’s sleep.

The next time you find yourself lying awake at night, grab your yoga mat: , relieve stress, and ward off aches and pains that can keep you tossing and turning. Closing your eyes and breathing long, slow breaths can have a sedating effect on the body, says Sara Ivanhoe, featured instructor on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab. “I’ve had trouble sleeping since I was an infant,” she says. “One of the reasons I got into yoga is because I wanted to learn to relax on command.”
“As a yoga instructor, I’ve developed two easy and effective yoga moves that anyone can do,” says Peggy. “Whether you’re a yoga pro or have never done yoga before!”

The first move she recommends is what she calls “Sleeping Beauty”:

  • Sit on the bed and place two pillows or a folded blanket to your left side.
    Bend your knees toward the pillows and let your feet go to your right.
    Place your chest and side of your head on the blanket. Close your eyes
    and relax for five to eight breaths. Repeat on the other side.
  • Why this works: According to the traditions of yoga, when you lie on your
    back, your brain tends to stay more alert, so it’s not conducive to falling
    asleep. But when you’re face down or curled up, your brain senses a
    drawing in and a calming down. If you like to sleep on your back,
    that’s fine — just start out on your side until you get drowsy, then you
    can turn over.

Peggy’s second move is the “Whole Body Blast”:

  • Lie on your bed, face up.
  • Tense your whole body, making fists, and clench every muscle tight. Hold this position and hold your breath for a few seconds, then release everything. Repeat a total of three times. Peggy says that this helps squeeze out the last remaining bits of physical and emotional tension that can lead to insomnia.

“You’re going to feel such a sense of relief after doing these simple moves,” says Peggy, “that your body is naturally going to enter the sleep zone so you can wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day!”

Source: Americanownews.com

Single cup of tea `boosts the brain

A new study has claimed that the nutrients found in a cup of tea can boost your brain power and increase alertness.

For the research, Dutch scientists studied the brain activity in 44 young volunteers to analyze the effect of key chemicals, an amino acid called L-theanine, and caffeine at levels typically found in a cup of tea, News.com.au reported.

The natural ingredients radically enhanced accuracy across a number of switching tasks for those who drank the tea after 20 and 70 minutes, compared with those who didn’t.

The study also found that tea drinkers’ had heightened alertness and were less tired as compared to their non tea-drinker counterparts.

Researchers added that the results of the study suggest that the combination helps to focus attention during a demanding cognitive task.

The study was published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience
Read more: http://www.indiavision.com

 

How to prevent initial weight gain

Obesity has been a long standing problem for many people but now a new method could help prevent people from getting overweight and obese

All participants in the study were 30-65 years of age and were recruited on the basis that they had twice participated in Vasterbotten Intervention Programme (VIP), which is carried out in Vasterbotten, Sweden, or in the Upstate Health and Wellness Study, in New York State in the US.

The thesis shows that of all VIP-participants who were of normal weight or overweight and took part in the VHU study in 1990-2004, only about one third did not gain weight.

One surprising result was that younger individuals of normal weight, without type-2 diabetes, and without risk factors for cardiovascular disease were those least likely to maintain weight.

Kristina Lindvall, a dietitian and doctoral candidate at the Unit for Epidemiology and Global Health, said that this means that interventions and programs aiming at prevention of overweight and obesity may need to be broadened to also include these groups that are normally regarded as being at low risk for weight gain.

Source: Sify.com

 

Cure for lifestyle-related diseases comes closer to reality

A new research suggests that changing your lifestyle could actually help your body’s metabolism, which could help fight against major diseases.

The study has found that an unhealthy lifestyle leaves traces in the DNA, which may have specific effects on metabolism, causing organ damage or disease.

Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen have now identified 28 DNA alterations associated with metabolic traits in the world-first epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of modified genes and metabolites.

In the course of life, aging processes, environmental influences and lifestyle factors such as smoking or diet induce biochemical alterations to the DNA.

Frequently, these lead to DNA methylation, a process in which methyl groups are added to particular DNA segments, without changing the DNA sequence.

Such processes can influence gene function and are known as epigenetics.

Scientists of the Institute of Genetic Epidemiology (IGE) and the Research Unit Molecular Epidemiology (AME) at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen are seeking to determine what association exists between these epigenetic processes and the health consequences, in particular for the metabolism.

To this end, the team led by Christian Gieger (IGE) and Melanie Waldenberger (AME), in collaboration with Karsten Suhre of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar analyzed blood samples from more than 1800 participants of the KORA study.

In doing so, they analyzed more than 457,000 loci in the DNA as to biochemical alterations and compared them with the concentrations of 649 different metabolites.

The analysis showed that the methylation of 28 DNA segments changed a number of important metabolic processes.

“This study gives us new insights into how lifestyle factors can influence metabolism via the resulting alterations in the DNA,” Gieger, research group leader at the IGE, said.

“We can now use these results to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes,” he said

The research is published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics.

Source: ANINews

 

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to asthma in grand kids

Researchers have discovered that smoking can have a lasting legacy, and one well-established risk factor for asthma is having a mother who smoked during her pregnancy.

When animal mothers are exposed to nicotine during pregnancy-a proxy for smoking-their grandchildren were also at an increased risk of asthma, even though they were never exposed to nicotine themselves.

Wondering if this dangerous heritage might extend even farther down the family line, Virender K. Rehan and his colleagues at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) exposed pregnant rats to nicotine.

They then tested an additional generation-the mothers’ great-grand-rats-for signs of asthma .

Their results suggest that this group of rats is also at an increased risk of this condition, bearing the brunt of nicotine exposure three generations in the past.

The study is published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, published by the American Physiological Society.

Source: Zee News