Internet or Computer Addiction

What is Internet or Computer Addiction?

• A student has difficulty getting his/her homework done because computer games occupy all after-school time.
• Someone connects to the Internet at 9:00pm and suddenly discovers it is dawn and he/she has not left the computer.
• A wife is distraught because her husband has replaced their sexual relationship with Internet porn and online sex.

Searching for information, skimming news headlines, downloading your favorite songs, or placing bids on eBay … the options are endless. We all enjoy the benefits of the Internet. But at what point does frequent online activity become too frequent and become a source of significant problems in someone’s life? Internet addiction is generally defined as spending so much time online that Internet use adversely affects marriages, family and social life, work, and psychological and physical well-being.

What are signs and symptoms of Internet or Computer Addiction?

As with any other addiction, a computer addict is likely to have several of the experiences and feelings on the list below. How many of them describe you or someone close to you?

• Have mixed feelings of well-being and guilt while at the computer.
• Lose control of time while on the computer; want to quit or cut down, but are unable to.
• Neglect friends, family and/or responsibilities in order to be online.
• Lie to your boss and family about the amount of time spent on the computer and what you do while on it.
• Feel anxious, depressed, or irritable when your computer time is shortened or interrupted.
• Use the computer repeatedly as an outlet when sad, upset, or for sexual gratification.
• Develop problems in school or on the job as a result of the time spent and the type of activities accessed on the computer.
• Have financial problems due to on-line purchases or gambling.
• Become tempted to get involved in relationships with strangers, which may put you at risk for victimization or jeopardize your safety.

What are physical or medical problems associated with Computer Addiction?

Being addicted to the computer also can cause physical discomfort or medical problems:

• Carpal Tunnel syndrome (pain, numbness, and burning in your hands that can radiate up the wrists, elbows, and shoulders)
• Dry eyes
• Backaches
• Severe headaches
• Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals
• Failure to attend to personal hygiene
• Sleep disturbances

Who is most at risk for Internet addiction?

According to the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery, Internet addiction affects people of varying ages, cultural backgrounds, occupations, and educational levels. The following problems are likely triggers for internet addiction:

• Substance Abuse. Over half of Internet addicts suffer from other addictions, mainly to drugs, alcohol, smoking, and sex.
• Mental Illness.Trends show that Internet addicts suffer from emotional problems such as depression and anxiety-related disorders and often use the fantasy world of the Internet to psychologically escape unpleasant feelings or stressful situations.
• Relationship Troubles. In almost 75% of cases, Internet addicts use applications such as chat rooms, instant messaging, or online gaming as a safe way of establishing new relationships and more confidently relating to others.

source: http://www.helpguide.org/

Infertility -- Fast Facts

• Approximately 6.1 million couples in the United States ‑- or 10 percent of all couples of childbearing age ‑- have difficulty conceiving, according to the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC).
• About one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to males, another one-third to females and the remaining one-third to both members of a couple. At least 10 percent of infertility cases go unexplained, although these couples often later succeed in becoming pregnant.
• Ovulation abnormalities and sperm deficiencies are responsible for two-thirds of infertility problems.
• About 20 percent of infertility cases are the result of fallopian tube disease, according to the NWHRC.
• Between 30 and 40 percent of women with endometriosis are infertile, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• The sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most important preventable causes of infertility, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Between 75 and 85 percent of fertility problems are diagnosed after a patient's initial evaluation.
• Most women are about 30 percent less fertile in their late 30s than they were in their early 20s, according to the National Women's Health Resource Center.
• In 85 to 90 percent of all cases, infertility is treated with either medication or surgery, according to the NWHRC. Just 5 percent of infertility treatments involve in vitro fertilization or other kinds of assisted reproductive technologies, in which a laboratory is used to try to help a couple become pregnant.
• More than 70,000 babies have been born in the United States using assisted reproductive technologies, including 45,000 born as a result of in vitro fertilization, according to the NWHRC.
• Women are most fertile during ovulation, which occurs around the 14th day of their menstrual cycle. However, the exact time of ovulation varies among women due to normal differences in the length of the menstrual cycle.
• When no fertility problems are present, the average couple between ages 29 and 33 has about a 20 to 25 percent chance of becoming pregnant during any given menstrual cycle, according to the NWHRC.
• The greatest odds of fertilization occur in the first 12 hours after the sperm are ejaculated in the vagina. However, sperm can fertilize the egg for up to 72 hours after ejaculation.

source: http://health.ivillage.com/

Low-Tech Ways to Help You Get Pregnant

Getting pregnant can be difficult for some people. If you suffer from infertility you may need a whole range of services to help you conceive. Usually most doctors start with simple ideas before resorting to big guns like in vitro fertilization. Here are 10 low-tech things that might help you conceive if your are having trouble getting pregnant.

1. Ovulation Prediction

Figuring out exactly when you ovulate is important to getting pregnant. Rather than leaving it up to random chance each moth, if you have sex near ovulation you will increase your chances of getting pregnant with each menstrual cycle. It can also be done using a basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer.

2. Men should wear boxers

Don't laugh -- the oft recommended boxer shorts versus briefs is actually a helpful thing for men. This can help prevent overheating of the testicles, which can damage sperm.

3. Baby Making Sex

Are you timing intercourse to meet with ovulation? Are you using the best positions to enhance the positioning of the sperm near the cervix? These simple factors can influence your ability to conceive.

4. Female Orgasm

We know that the man needs to have an orgasm for pregnancy to occur, but did you know that female orgasm is also relevant to conception? Her orgasm actually helps draw the semen into the cervix. So be sure that you're not forgetting this part of the process.

5. Elevate your hips after intercourse

It truly is beneficial if you can elevate your hips and buttocks after having sex. This keeps the semen closer to the cervix and prevents leakage of this precious fluid. It really only needs to be done for about 20 minutes. It can easily be accomplished by propping your hips up on a pillow and laying in bed for a bit. Try a quick nap or some pillow talk to make the time go more quickly.

6. Are there other signs of ovulation?

Check for other signs of ovulation like cervical fluid changes. Remember the stretchy, copious cervical fluid is indicative of ovulation and being fertile. A lack of cervical fluid, or dry, sticky mucous is more non-fertile mucous. There are also other signs like mittelschmertz, or "middle pain," a small abdominal pain sometimes felt by women at the time of ovulation.

7. Don't douche

Douching is actually harmful to conception. It can aggravate some types of infection and disturb the normal state of the vagina, making it more difficult to conceive. If you douche, you may want to discontinue this practice.

8. Exercise?

Exercise is a great way to stay healthy and to keep your weight under control. But too much exercise can cause problems with conception, including amenorrhea, or no periods. If you are having odd cycles you may want to back off of strenuous exercise and see if there is a difference in your periods.

9. Overall health

Have both you and your partner had a physical to check for potential problems in conceiving? This might include a check for previous sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STI/STD) which can cause silent problems with your fertility like internal scarring of the reproductive tissues. They will also talk to you about staying healthy to get pregnant.

10. What's going in your mouth?

Is any medication you are taking interfering with your fertility? This goes for you and your partner. Not only does it mean prescription medications, but also social and recreational drugs like alcohol and tobacco. You may also want to see a nutritionist for help in making sure your diet is just right in getting pregnant.

Source: http://infertility.about.com/

Infertility -- Coping Skills

Coping with infertility can be difficult. It's an issue of the unknown — you can't predict how long it will last or what the outcome will be. Infertility isn't necessarily solved with hard work. The emotional burden on a couple is considerable, and plans for coping can help.

Planning for emotional turmoil

• Set limits. Decide in advance how many and what kind of procedures are emotionally and financially acceptable for you and your partner and attempt to determine a final limit. Fertility treatments may be expensive and often not covered by insurance companies, and a successful pregnancy often depends on repeated attempts. Some couples become so focused on treatment that they continue with fertility procedures until they are emotionally and financially drained.
• Consider other options. Determine alternatives — adoption, donor sperm or egg, or even having no children — as early as possible in the fertility process. This can reduce anxiety during treatments and feelings of hopelessness if conception doesn't occur.
• Talk about your feelings. Locate support groups or counseling services for help before and after treatment to help endure the process and ease the grief should treatment fail.

Managing emotional stress during treatment

• Acupuncture. This ancient therapy may benefit couples who are undergoing fertility treatment.
• Practice relaxation. Cognitive behavior therapy, which uses methods that include relaxation training and stress management, has been associated with higher pregnancy rates.
• Express yourself. Reach out to others rather than repressing guilt or anger.
• Stay in touch with loved ones. Talking to your partner, family and friends can be very beneficial. The best support often comes from loved ones and those closest to you.

Managing emotional effects of the outcome

• Failure. The emotional stress of failure can be devastating even on the most loving and affectionate relationships and for people who've prepared well for the possibility of failure. Don't hesitate to seek professional help if the emotional burdens become too heavy for you or your partner.
• Success. Some studies have indicated that even if fertility treatment is successful, women experience increased stress and fear of failure during pregnancy. Other research suggests that women who achieved pregnancy using fertility treatments felt increasingly better and had higher self-esteem and less anxiety as the pregnancy progressed than did women whose pregnancies didn't involve medical intervention.
• Multiple births. A successful pregnancy that results in multiple births introduces new complexities and emotional problems. The risk of depression is higher in women who have multiple births.
• Parenting. Once a child arrives, parents are more likely to be more anxious and have less confidence and self-esteem. Discuss becoming parents with your partner and plan for the many changes — challenging and rewarding — that a child will bring to your lives.

source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Infertility -- Complications and Prevention

You and your partner have tried for months, perhaps for even more than a year. But despite sexual intercourse without birth control, you've been unable to conceive a child.

If you've been trying to conceive for more than a year, there's a good chance that something may be interfering with your efforts to have a child. Infertility, also known as subfertility, is the inability to conceive a child within one year. Infertility may be due to a single cause in either you or your partner, or a combination of factors that may prevent a pregnancy from occurring or continuing.

Infertility differs from sterility. Being sterile means you're unable to conceive a child. With sterility, you or your partner has a physical problem that precludes the ability to conceive. A diagnosis of infertility simply means that becoming pregnant may be a challenge rather than an impossibility.

Complications

Complications of being infertile often involve strong emotions and may trigger negative feelings between you and your partner. These may include:

• Depression
• Guilt
• Anger
• Stress
• Disappointment
• Resentment
• Blame
• Fear of losing partner because of infertility
• Diminished confidence and self-esteem

Prevention

Most types of male infertility aren't preventable. However, avoid drug and tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption, which may contribute to male infertility. Also, high temperatures can affect sperm production and motility. Although this effect is usually temporary, avoid hot tubs and steam baths.

If you're a man who's uncertain about whether you would eventually like to become a father, don't undergo permanent sterilization, such as a vasectomy. Although surgery to reverse this condition is possible, risks are involved that could affect fertility in other ways.

A woman can increase her chances of becoming pregnant in a number of ways:

• Exercise moderately. Regular exercise is important, but if you're exercising so intensely that your periods are infrequent or absent, your fertility is likely to be impaired.
• Avoid weight extremes. Being overweight or underweight can affect your hormone production and cause infertility.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and street drugs. These substances may impair your ability to conceive or produce a healthy child. Don't drink alcohol or smoke tobacco. Avoid illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.
• Limit medications. The use of both prescription and nonprescription drugs can decrease your chance of getting pregnant or keeping a pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about any medications you take regularly.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/

The Relationship Between Age and Fertility

Delayed child bearing is becoming increasingly common in western societies for several reasons: many couples prefer to rear their children only after establishing a stable relationship and financial security, also, there are increasing numbers of late and second marriages.

Although pregnancies in women approaching 50 and beyond are occasionally reported, there is a decrease in fertility (the ability to achieve a pregnancy) with advancing age. The decline is gradual over the reproductive life span of the woman; it is particularly noticeable over the age of 30 and accelerates between 35 and 40 so that fertility is almost zero by the age 45.

The risk of miscarriage is also increased with ageing e.g. the risk of miscarriage at age 25-29 years is 10% while the risk at age 40-44 is 34%. Furthermore, advanced maternal age is associated withan increased risk of chromsomally abnormal offspring.

Why does fertility decline with increasing age?

• Ageing of the ovaries is the most prominent factor and is part of the normal ageing changes that affect all organs and tissues. Most women have about 300,000 eggs in their ovaries at puberty. For each egg that matures and is released (ovulated) during the menstrual cycle, at least 500 eggs do not mature and are absorbed by the body. By the time the woman reaches menopause which usually occurs between 50-55 years, there are only several thousands eggs remaining. As the woman ages, the remaining eggs in her ovaries also age, making them less capable of fertilization and their embryos less capable of implanting.
• Fertilization is associated with a higher risk of genetic abnormalities e.g. chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome with increasing age. The risk of a chromosomal abnormality in a woman age 20 years is 1/500 while the risk in woman age 45 is 1/20.
• Gynecological problems such as pelvic infection, tubal damage, endometriosis, fibroids, ovulation problems etc tends also to increase with age. As the woman gets older, she has more time to develop these conditions, which will adversely affect her fertility.
• Sexual function is also decreased with ageing e.g. libido, frequency of intercourse etc.
• The effect of ageing in endometrial receptivity (ability of the endometrium to receive the embryo) is controversial. There is increasing evidence that the receptivity decreases with age.
• Ageing does not just affect women, but also men to a much lesser degree. It affects sperm and coital frequency. There is no maximum age at which men are not capable of conceiving a child.
• Advanced maternal age increases the risk of autosomal dominant diseases such as Marfans syndrome, neurofibromatosis and achondroplasia.

Investigation of infertility in older women

• It is advisable to seek the advice of your doctor/ specialist sooner than later so investigations and treatment can be started without undue delay.
• Several tests may be useful in assessing the fertility potential in older woman e.g. blood tests to examine the levels of the hormones FSH, LH, estradiol and inhibin on day 3 of your menstruation.
• You will be more likely to be counseled about the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities in relation to your age. In addition to the potential complications of pregnancy such as high blood pressure, bleeding and diabetes.

Treatment options for infertility in older women

There are limited options for treating older women who are menopausal or perimenopausal. Older women usually respond poorly to ovarian stimulation and the live birth rates even with IVF treatment are significantly lower than with younger women.

Age	40	41	42	43	44 or over
Live birth rate per egg collection	15%	11%	8%	5%	2%

Data adapted from SART report 2000

In addition, older are at increased risk of having medical problems in their pregnancies and deliveries. In order to improve the success rate of IVF treatment in older women, some clinics recommend assisted hatching, blastocyst embryo transfer, preimplantation diagnosis and only transfer normal embryos. Furthermore in some countries the transfer of high number of embryos is recommended. Other options of treatment include:

• Egg donation using eggs donated by younger woman.
• Embryo donation if the male partner also has a sperm problem.
• Surrogacy if a woman (traditional surrogate) agrees to become pregnant using the male partner sperm and her own eggs.
• Adoption and foster care.
• Accepting child-free living.

source: http://www.ivf-infertility.com/

Infertility -- Risk Factor

Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same. They include:

• Age. Age is the strongest predictor of female fertility. After about age 32, a woman's fertility potential gradually declines. A woman does not renew her oocytes (eggs). Infertility in older women may be due to a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities that occur in the eggs as they age. Older women are also more likely to have health problems that may interfere with fertility. The risk of miscarriage also increases with a woman's age. A gradual decline in fertility is possible in men older than 35.
• Tobacco smoking. Women who smoke tobacco may reduce their chances of becoming pregnant and the possible benefit of fertility treatment. Miscarriages are more frequent in women who smoke.
• Alcohol. There's no certain level of safe alcohol use during conception or pregnancy.
• Body mass. Extremes in body mass — either too high (body mass index, or BMI, of greater than 25.0) or too low (BMI of lower than 20.0) — may affect ovulation and increase the risk of infertility.
• Being overweight. Among American women, infertility often is due to a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight.
• Being underweight. Women at risk include those with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, and women following a very low-calorie or restrictive diet. Strict vegetarians also may experience infertility problems due to a lack of important nutrients such as vitamin B-12, zinc, iron and folic acid. Marathon runners, dancers and others who exercise very intensely are more prone to menstrual irregularities and infertility.

source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Infertility -- The Different Causes

The goals of evaluating infertile couples are to determine the cause of infertility and hence make recommendations about the treatments available and evaluate the chances that such treatments will help. In approximately 30% of infertile couples, the cause is identified only in the female and in 30% the cause is identified only in the male. In 30% of couples, causes can be detected in both partners. In about 10% of cases, the underlying cause is not yet found by the current diagnostic methods. Test.

source: http://www.ivf-infertility.com/

Ovulation -- Detection

The initial infertility evaluation should always try to document ovulation. This can not always be done with absolute certainty. The human egg is microscopic. This means that it is invisible to the naked eye and cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. Therefore, when you think about it the only real way to absolutely confirm the egg's release from the ovary is to achieve a pregnancy or to identify the egg under the microscope after flushing the microscopic egg out from the pelvis, fallopian tube or uterus (which is possibly immoral and certainly both impractical and difficult).

Useful methods of documenting ovulation

1. Obtaining the history of regular menstrual cycle intervals off all medication.

This is the oldest technique of documenting ovulation and it is both simple and fairly reliable. Additional support occurs if each menstrual flow is consistent in amount, there are premenstrual symptoms reflecting that hormonal shifts are occurring, and the menstrual intervals have been regular for a long period of time (eg., years). It should be confirmed that the cycle intervals are regular off all medication since some medications regulate the menstrual cycle (such as birth control pills).

2. The basal body temperature (BBT) record

This is another potentially useful source of information about ovulation. A woman's early morning temperature increases a little more than a half degree Fahrenheit after ovulation due to the effect of increased progesterone on her temperature regulator (which is in the hypothalamus of the brain). Typically, the woman's temperature rises from less than 98 degrees (prior to ovulation) to greater than 98 degrees (after ovulation). The classic biphasic pattern on the BBT record is good supportive evidence that ovulation is occurring. Unfortunately, up to 10% of women may not have a biphasic BBT record despite regular ovulation.

3. Cervical mucus characteristics

The cervical mucus is strongly influenced by estrogen and progesterone. The most commonly noted changes that can be seen by a woman include amount and elasticity (stringy quality) of the mucus. Just prior to ovulation, there is abundant elastic clear mucus at the cervix, the time of "maximal wetness." In my experience, there are only a relatively small handful of women sufficiently motivated to consistently check for changes in mucus. Although popular in some circles, I have not encouraged use of this method of detecting ovulation

4. Ovulation predictor kits

A modern and accurate way to test for ovulation relies on detection of the LH surge with ovulation predictor kits. The sudden increase in circulating LH when there is a mature egg in the ovary triggers that egg to undergo the final maturational steps that allow it to become fertilized by sperm and also triggers the egg's release from the ovary. One advantage of the ovulation predictor kits is detection prior to ovulation. These kits become positive about a day prior to ovulation since the circulating LH must be metabolized, processed through the kidneys and excreted from the bladder in urine to allow for detection. The ovulation predictor kits are useful in timing intercourse or artificial inseminations with sperm.

5. Random luteal phase progesterone concentration

The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by high circulating progesterone concentrations. The uterine endometrium undergoes structural changes in the presence of progesterone that can be seen histologically (under the microscope). Pathologists can date the endometrium with respect to the day of ovulation with good accuracy. Therefore, a luteal phase endometrial biopsy has been used to confirm ovulation. Also, a random serum progesterone concentration in the luteal phase may confirm ovulation. One disadvantage of the random serum progesterone concentration is that the level is pulsatile with large changes every 5-15 minutes, so that if you obtained 3 different serum levels on the same day you could receive three very different concentrations. Cutoffs for deciding that ovulation has occurred are controversial with a wide range of accepted values from about 4 ng/ml to 10 ng/ml.

Additional techniques

The other available methods of ovulation detection are considerably more involved and are rarely warranted in the clinical setting. The additional effort and expense of this testing can be significant and the additional information gained is usually not useful clinically. These additional techniques include

1. Serial ultrasonography,

Daily transvaginal sonograms look for the development and eventual collapse of an ovarian follicle. This is expensive, time consuming and not much more informative than the ovulation predictor kit. It is also not uncommon to "miss ovulation" since the follicle can collapse with the release of the egg and reaccumulate with fluid to form the corpus luteum cyst (which can look like a follicle) between ultrasounds.

2. Frequent blood sampling,

Blood can be sampled up to every few (usually 10-15) minutes for days looking for subtle changes in hormone values that reflect ovulation. This testing is the "gold standard" for ovulation detection but is usually only useful in research where the additional gathered information may change the research findings. Clinically, this level of precision is not needed.

3. Flushing the body for eggs or embryos,

This is restricted to experimental settings, where the pelvic cavity or the uterine cavity is flushed and the washings are examined microscopically for the presence of eggs or embryos. This can involve minor surgical procedures, there are serious ethical and moral concerns and the retrieved products are not usually viable.

source: http://www.drdaiter.com/

Ovulation -- What Normally Occurs?

At puberty, a woman begins to ovulate. Ovulation is the release of a mature fertilizable egg from the ovary. Ovulation should continue throughout a woman's reproductive lifespan typically at regular monthly intervals.

At each of the two ends of the reproductive lifespan, after the onset of puberty and prior to menopause, menstrual cycle intervals may be irregular and generally longer in duration.

A woman has an estimated 300 to 400 thousand eggs contained within her ovaries at the time of puberty. She is usually presumed to have no remaining eggs at menopause, although research has recently demonstrated that she may actually have a few hundred eggs remaining at menopause. Since a normal reproductive lifespan typically covers the ages 14 to 44 there are about 30 years of ovulation with about 12 ovulations per year for a total of about 300 to 400 ovulations. Thus, a woman "uses up" an average of about 1000 eggs per menstrual cycle (300 to 400 thousand eggs in 300 to 400 ovulations).

It is not clear whether these eggs are used at a uniform rate over the entire reproductive years or whether there is a certain time period of rapid loss. It does appear that about 10-15 years prior to menopause (at about the age 37-38 and continuing for up to a few years) there is a period of accelerated loss of follicles with an initial shortening of the egg maturing phase of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase). This period of accelerated loss does not fully account for the enormous loss of eggs over the reproductive lifespan.

A follicle is a cyst in the ovary containing an egg. Most likely, of the 1000 eggs that are committed for any given cycle only a small number of follicles (maybe 5-25) actually begin the process of maturation at the onset of the cycle.

Ovulation can be interrupted by physiologic events (such as during pregnancy or breast feeding), medication (such as oral contraceptive pills), or pathology (such as hormonal or anatomic abnormalities).

source: http://www.drdaiter.com/

Myths and Facts About Sunscreen and Sunburn

Review common myths and facts about sunscreen, such as whether or not you can get a sunburn on a cloudy day or when you are in the shade, so that your kids are protected from the sun.

Myth: Can you get a sunburn on a cloudy day?

Yes, clouds don't block the UV rays that cause sunburn, so you can still get a sunburn when it is cloudy outside.

Fact: Since UV rays can be reflected off of water, sand, snow, and concrete, you can even get a sunburn in the shade.

Myth: Does a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 provide twice the protection as one that has an SPF of 15?

No, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 provides protection against 93% of UVB rays, while one with an SPF of 30 provides 97% protection. Keep in mind that a sunscreen with an SPF of 2 only provides 50% protection, so be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15-30. Many experts question whether using a sunscreen with an SPF above 30 provides much more protection, since you are already blocking 97% of UVB rays.

Fact: You should apply your sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you are going to be exposed to the sun. Since it takes time for the sunscreen to be absorbed by your skin, you should apply it in advance. If you wait until you are already outside or until your child shows signs of getting red, then he will have a longer period of being unprotected and will be more at risk for getting a sunburn.

Myth :Do you need to use sunscreen if you have dark skin or already have a tan?

Yes, everyone should use a broad spectrum sunscreen all of the time when they are going to be out in the sun. Even people with deeply pigmented skin, who rarely burn, should use sunscreen. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 'everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun. So use sunscreen, no matter your race or ethnic origin, or whether or not you already have a tan, because it is a myth that people with dark skin don't need sunscreen. A 'base tan' isn't a substitute for sunscreen either.

Fact: SPF is an acronym for sun protection factor.

Myth: Do you have to reapply sunscreen if it says that it is 'waterproof' or that it has 'all day protection'?

Yes, no sunscreen is truly waterproof. Instead, they can be water resistant and need to be reapplied every few hours or according to the manufacturer's instructions. And no sunscreen really provides all day protection. Even with an SPF of 50+, you should still reapply it every 2 hours, or sooner if you have been in the water or sweating a lot.

Fact: Using a sunscreen or sunblock does block your body's ability to make Vitamin D from sun exposure. While some experts use that fact to recommend unprotected sun exposure, if your child is following nutrition guidelines for drinking milk, then she should be getting enough Vitamin D. And many experts think that the amount of sun exposure needed to get enough Vitamin D is minimal, especially if you have fair skin, and may just equal a few minutes a day. Most children probably get enough sun exposure for making Vitamin D from their daily activities when they are not wearing sunscreen. Talk to your Pediatrician if you think your child needs more Vitamin D, especially if he doesn't drink milk, has very dark skin, and/or is rarely in the sun.

Myth: Does a combination sunscreen and insect repellent provide good protection against both the sun and insect bites and stings?

While you can use a combination product to protect your children against both the sun and bugs, it may not be a good idea.

Fact: Remember that you should reapply sunscreen every few hours, while you usually don't reapply an insect repellent very often, or at all. Also, most experts think that insect repellents lower the SPF of sunscreens. So while a combo product might provide protection, it likely doesn't provide good protection, unless your child is only going to be outside for a few hours.

References

USA EPA. Sun. The Burning Facts. May 2001.
CDC. Insect Repellent Use and Safety. August 3, 2005

Milk Reduces The Health Benefits of Tea

An Online paper in the January 7th issue of the European Heart Journal points out that it is better to drink tea without added milk. Researchers from the Charité Hospital, Berlin have found that the beneficial effects of tea are greatly reduced upon adding milk.

It appears that proteins in milk bind to some of the substances present in tea, leading to a vast reduction of their beneficial effects.

The researchers asked healthy women volunteers to drink either freshly brewed 500 ml of black tea, black tea with (skimmed) milk, or boiled water as control.

Studies showed that drinking tea with milk was no better than drinking water.

Vessels relaxed

Their blood vessels (arteries) were monitored before and continually after they drank, for two hours using high- resolution ultrasound measurements. Black tea was found to relax the vessels significantly while water did nothing.

This result confirms many earlier studies, which have suggested that drinking tea is beneficial to, among others, the cardiovascular system.

The surprise came when they monitored the blood vessels of women who drank tea with milk. Drinking tea with milk was no better than drinking water!

The first author of the paper, Dr. Mario Lorenz, is reported to have said: "We found that whereas drinking tea significantly increased the ability of the artery to relax and expand to accommodate increased blood flow compared with drinking water, the addition of milk completely prevents the biological effect. To extend our findings to a functional model, we determined vasodilation (relaxation of blood vessels) in rat aortic rings by exposing them to tea on its own and tea with individual milk proteins added, and got the same effect".

Musical names

In other words, the proteins in milk are the benefit-killers here. The researchers theorise that these proteins bind to the biologically active ingredients of tea, making them unavailable for action.

These ingredients belong to what is called the catechin class of molecules. Their names have a chant-like intonative or rhythmic ring to them: catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate.

The name catechin comes from its origin in tropical plants (catechu), and the family belongs to the class of flavonoids, since these molecules are responsible for the flavour. Catechinoids have been shown to offer a variety of health benefits. They are good anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, and protect cells from general wear and tear.

They are thus helpful against age-related disorders such as cataract and some retinal diseases of the eye, cardiovascular and neuromuscular disorders. They activate some enzymes that help relax blood vessels. There is also some evidence of their anti-cancer activity. In short, tea catechinoids have multivalent health benefits.

China's gift to the world

The Chinese, who introduced it to the world two millennia ago, have always held that tea is an all-purpose tonic. They consume two varieties: green tea and oolong, which is prepared by mild fermentation of green tea. The rest of the world uses black tea; we in India grow and pluck tea leaves and do the three-part process called CTC (curl, twist and cure) to it. Fermentation modifies the catechins and offers a slightly acidic and pungent flavour.

Black tea too has the catechins slightly modified; heating in the CTC step generates tannins; hence the darker colour (and also the unpleasant sour after-taste upon boiling it in water).

Tannins are not that healthy; they bind to the iron and other micronutrient metals in the diet, and remove them from circulation (so, do not overboil your tea, nor overdrink it). The lighter hued green tea and oolong, free of tannins, are safer. Tea came to India quite early.

The late Dr. K. T. Achaya remarks in his "A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food" (OUP, 1998) that I Ching, a Chinese traveller in India in the fifth century AD, described its use here. (Tea antedates coffee, brought here by Arab merchants 1100 years later).

While the Orientals drink tea straight, people in 17th century Surat were reported to drink black tea with `conserved lemons' (and no sugar). They also took tea with some spices added as treatment against headache, kidney and bowel troubles. Tibetans drink tea with the butter of the animal yak. Kashmiris drink it as kahwah, adding almonds and cardamom.

Gujaratis make tea with milk and add ginger; they also make a special masala, a pinch of which is added while making tea.

Adding milk to tea seems to have come from the colonial British ad Dutch. The other more popular way to drink tea is to add lemon or lime rather than milk.

Synergy and dysergy

That the added milk acts as a confounding factor tells us another thing, namely the effect of one component on that of another in a mixture.

Traditional medicine differs from allopathy or molecular medicine in that it more often than not uses multi-component mixtures as extracts.

In a mixture, component A might be the one that confers benefit; what each of the other components (B, C,…) does — enhance or confound the benefit — is an issue that needs study.

A substance that enhances the effect of another is said to act in synergy, while that which decreases this effect is said to act in dysergy.

Put it another way. Now that the Berlin study has shown that while milk in tea adds taste but kills the benefits, we need to study what the other additives do.

Adding lemon juice to black tea lightens the colour; does it modify the effects of the catechinoids?

Summer project

What are the effects of added butter, salt, ginger, cardamom, the Gujarati masala and other spices? Here is a nice little summer project for a student!

Let us not forget coffee, the morning staple of many in peninsular India. While it has far more caffeine and other types of anti-oxidants than tea, it is still known to be beneficial in small doses.

Does added milk synergise or dysergise? Are the Americans, Eastern Europeans and the Turks wiser in drinking it black and thick?

Some papers claim, however, that the cholesterol-lowering effect of coffee is not affected by added milk. Can this be confirmed? Add this as another aim of the summer project.

source: www.hindu.com

Arthritis -- Fight with Spicy Things

For centuries, spices have been used to preserve food and enhance its flavor, and as remedies for a long list of ailments. With the rise of allopathic medicine, much of that folk wisdom fell out of favor, and spices were replaced with prescription drugs.

Today the pendulum is swinging back, and researchers are confirming what herbalists have known all along -- the spice rack can be as potent as a medicine chest. Spices are rich sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals, both of which help our cells repair damage while easing symptoms of many common conditions. "They're powerhouses of pleasure and health," observes Victoria Zak, author of The Magic Teaspoon (Penguin Group, 2006).

There's another advantage as well. Flavoring food with more spices and less butter, oil, cream and salt can help improve health and make weight management easier.

Science has not yet investigated all of the dozens of spices on store shelves. But here is the latest research on eight of the most familiar.



Cayenne: The pepper spice that puts the zing in chili and other dishes, cayenne's claim to fame comes from its compound capsaicin, a popular ingredient in pain-relieving creams. But wait, there's more: One study found that a diet rich in cayenne-spiced chili protected against the formation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, while another demonstrated that chili helped keep insulin levels low after meals. "Cayenne is the red-hot mama of healing spices," says Zak. "It's great for warming and as an all-around body tonic."



Cinnamon: One of the most versatile spices, cinnamon can be used to flavor everything from cookies to soups. And that's a wise choice because cinnamon has plenty to offer. Not only does it ease common tummy troubles like gas and bloating, but in a recent clinical trial, cinnamon significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels in diabetics. Worried about E. coli? New research shows that cinnamon can wipe out the bacteria. When a teaspoon of cinnamon was added to highly contaminated apple juice, the E. coli was reduced by 99.5 percent after three days.



Coriander: For hundreds of years, coriander has been a favorite remedy for anxiety and insomnia. Now research has confirmed its tension-taming properties. Like cinnamon, coriander aids digestion. And it has shown promise in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Zak recommends a simple method for getting a daily dose of coriander -- adding it to honey. "Stir a teaspoon of coriander into one-half cup of honey for an uplifting afternoon treat, " she explains. Or mix it with hot water, tea or hot cereal.



Ginger: A common ingredient in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicines, ginger boasts an antioxidant power equal to vitamin C. Among the spice's reported health benefits; easing arthritis pains, improving digestion, and treating colds, coughs and flu. Plus, research has shown that ginger is more effective at combating motion sickness than Dramamine.



Oregano: Reducing inflammation and battling bacteria and viruses are good reasons to include oregano in favorite foods. And now scientists may have discovered why the spice is so effective. In a study examining the antioxidant activity of nearly 40 different herbs and spices, oregano won the highest scores, beating out apples, oranges and blueberries.



Rosemary: A staple in Mediterranean cuisine, rosemary fights the formation of blood clots and reduces inflammation, making it a powerful ally against heart disease. Even the fragrance of this powerful antioxidant has healing properties. Aromatherapy research has shown that inhaling essential oils of several spices, including rosemary, eased depression and pain in arthritis patients. A 2004 study found that rosemary's phytochemicals may even be useful in treating Alzheimer's disease.



Saffron: Harvested from crocus blossoms, saffron is one of the world's most cherished spices. It's also a potent antioxidant, packing more punch than vitamin E. On the health front, saffron has been shown to protect against cancer and to treat depression as well as Prozac. "This spice is a great rejuvenator and circulatory tonic," Zak says. "If your spirits need lifting, saffron is for you."

Turmeric: A common ingredient in curries, turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer, lowers cholesterol and eases arthritis aches and pains by reducing inflammation. It has also been shown to increase insulin sensitivity by 300 percent.

More good news: Researchers at UCLA found that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, was more effective at preventing the development of brain-damaging plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease than any drug being tested. It is probably no coincidence that India's populace has the lowest rate of Alzheimer's in the world -- and a diet rich in turmeric.

Take a look at your store's spice shelves, and you'll see that we've only scratched the surface of what's available. Even though research has a long way to go when it comes to unlocking the health secrets of spices, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy their abundant flavor and satisfying aromas in the meantime.

Perfect Spiced Cider

Makes 20 servings

The proportions in this recipe need not be absolute. Remove and discard the apples when they get soft and brown.

Ingredients

• 1 gallon apple cider
• Two 3-inch cinnamon sticks
• 4 medium apples
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 1 lemon, sliced

How To

1. Combine cider and cinnamon sticks in Dutch oven or large pot over low heat.

2. Insert cloves in apples. Add to cider.

3. Increase heat, and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

4. Add lemon slices, and serve warm.


Do-ahead tip


For a large party, make three separate batches. Start the first a half-hour before the party. When that batch begins to get low, put on the second pot. Have the third assembled in the refrigerator and ready to go, if needed. Keep the apples (cloves inserted) and lemon slices separate until the last batch goes on the stove.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 96 calories; 0 grams protein; 0 grams total fat (no saturated fat); 24 grams carbohydrates; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 20 milligrams sodium; 0 grams fiber; 20.8 grams sugars.

Reprinted from the Vegetarian Times.



How to Buy and Store Spices

Faced with the option of buying spices in glass or plastic containers, choose glass, Zak says. And unless you're cooking industrial quantities of food, go with the smallest size. "Spices should not be kept more than six months as a general rule." she says, explaining that sitting on the shelf longer can rob a spice of flavor. "Spices that are not fresh will show it. They lose their color and appear blanched or have no aroma. Fresh spices are fragrant."

Source: Better Nutrition.

Arthritis -- Fish Oil Still Fights Pain

In the 17th century, cod liver oil was quite different from its present form. Initially, it was produced by rotting cod livers, so it stunk and was black in color. Naturally it tasted yucky.

Despite that, people knew it to be good for health and they drank it as an all-purpose supplement though no one knew exactly how it worked.

By the 18th century, cod liver oil was produced by heating with steam. This resulted in a paler and better quality oil though it was still far from tasty and mothers had to force it down the throats of children, especially those who suffered from rickets.

In the 19th century, owners of The British Cod Liver Oil Producers (Hull) Ltd. found that some trawling companies operating in Hull, England, were using the sea boiling technique that produced a light golden brown oil that was far superior in quality, low in acidity, and had a bland taste. Kenneth McLennan, previously from Lever Brothers, came up with the idea of producing cod liver oil in tiny capsules and also came up with the name Seven Seas.

For Healthy Joints

The Eskimos have a reduced incidence of rheumatoid arthritis because of their fish-rich diet. The Japanese diet is also rich in fish, which may explain why they have fewer cases of arthritis compared to people of other countries.

Studies have shown that for patients with mild rheumatoid arthritis, fish oil supplements were able to reduce their nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug requirement.

Fish oil high in omega-3 fatty acids is crucial for adults suffering from arthritis and other bone-related problems. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the production of chemicals that cause inflammation of the joints.

In patients with arthritis, inflammation is like a jagged edged knife because the enzymes worsen the problem. Apart from reducing the production of chemicals that cause inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce the breakdown of cartilage.

Presently there are no drugs available to slow the progression of cartilage degradation. These joint problems cannot be cured, but with good management, a patient can lead an active life
Osteoarthritis.
Arthritis is a joint-disabling disease and one of the most common forms of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This degenerative joint disease is confined to local attacks in individuals.

It is basically the result of normal wear and tear on the joints with years of usage. Thus it occurs mostly in older individuals. Yet it doesn't just happen to older people. It is also likely to develop in joints that have taken a lot of punishment and abuse.

If you're overweight, for instance, your knee and hip joints are likely to be affected. Joints injured in an accident or sports, subjected to stresses at work or play, or joints with hidden birth defects are also more prone to developing osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, disabling disease of the immune system that triggers discomfort and swelling in nonspecific joints, nerves, muscles, tendons, blood vessels and connective tissue in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any age, but mainly those between 25 and 40.

For some, it attacks only once in a lifetime. For others, it could be a long-term and progressive disease spreading from joint to joint and even resulting in limb deformities.

There is no cure for arthritis, only proper management and prevention. This includes watching your weight and doing light workouts like walking, swimming and cycling. Supplementing with cod liver oil will also help. The oil has been consumed for generations for alleviating the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Scientists have confirmed what people have long believed about cod liver oil -- that it can slow down or even reverse the destruction of joint cartilage. The fatty acids in the oil switch off enzymes that break down cartilage.

Experiments have shown that by exposing human osteoarthritic cartilage to cod liver oil for 24 hours, it reverses the action of the degenerating enzymes and swelling affecting the joint's tissue.

Source: New Straits Times.

Minimizing Breast Implant Complications and Detection

Breast augmentation with implants is the most popular and sought after cosmetic surgery available today. This is because the results of a successful procedure don’t just have the power to transform a patient’s body, but her self-confidence and quality of life as well. However, if you select an inexperienced or unqualified cosmetic surgeon, you may end up with unnatural looking breasts or recovery complications that can change your breast implant experience from an exciting, positive one to a difficult and painful one.

To ensure you are selecting the right cosmetic surgeon and that he or she is able is to achieve the best results possible, you should refer to the information and tips below when speaking with your cosmetic surgeon about the breast augmentation procedure and how to minimize complications and detection.

The Components of a Thorough Consultation

Once you’ve narrowed your cosmetic surgeon search down to one or two individuals, you need to schedule an initial consultation and come prepared. This is important because a thorough consultation can tell you if you’re in the right hands. You should bring along a list of the specific questions you’d like to ask as well as a sample photo of the breast size and shape you would like to achieve with the surgery.

One of the most important aspects of your consultation should be a detailed breast exam. In order for your cosmetic surgeon to recommend the best type of implant, placement and initial technique for your surgery, he or she will need to carefully evaluate your natural breasts. You will know if your surgeon is doing a thorough job of this if he or she is taking detailed measurements of breast volume and width, shape and nipple positioning, and the width between breasts. If your cosmetic surgeon doesn’t gather this important information during your consultation, it should be cause for concern.

Limiting Complications and Pitfalls - Strategies to Discuss With Your Surgeon

There are a number of steps that can be taken to make sure your breast implant surgery is as successful as possible. The following is a summary of the most commonly reported complications and telltale signs of surgery you want to avoid. Before you schedule your surgery, you should ask your cosmetic surgeon how he or she is going to address these issues to help ensure that you have the most positive experience and results possible.

Post Surgery Infection: Your cosmetic surgeon should have a detailed strategy for ensuring you do not contract an infection as a result of your surgery. Most surgeons will administer an antibiotic for you to take right before surgery as a precautionary measure. In addition, the instruments and implant used should be carefully sterilized in an autoclave.

Deflation and Rippling: Deflation and rippling are embarrassing telltale signs of breast implant surgery. There are several strategies for avoiding these pitfalls, the most common of which is overfilling your implants and selecting implant models that are smooth in texture.

Nipple Numbness: Fifteen percent of all women who have cosmetic breast surgery are left with permanent nipple numbness. The numbness is caused by intercostal nerve damage (the nerve that provides nipple sensation), which can occur if the nerve is cut accidentally during surgery. To avoid this, your surgeon should take care not to cauterize or cut any tissue near this nerve.

Asymmetry: The last thing you want as a result of breast augmentation is asymmetry. To help avoid this, your cosmetic surgeon should take detailed notes on any asymmetry you had before the surgery and adjust the amount of fluid or position of the implant to attain the best degree of symmetry possible.

Post Surgery Pain and Nausea: To make sure you do not experience severe pain after your procedure your surgeon can employ a variety of pain reduction methods. He or she can inject a long lasting numbing medicine directly into each breast that lasts for several days. In addition, you should be prescribed a strong oral pain medication to take once the injected medicine wears off. Managing pain is one of the best ways to avoid the onset of nausea. If you still experience nausea, there are other medications that your cosmetic surgeon can prescribe including Zofran, Scopalamine and Pepcid AC.

Once you have covered all of this information with your surgeon, you should feel confident in his or her abilities and that your experience will be an extremely positive one.

source: http://www.the-cosmetic-surgery-directory.com