 |
|
| HEALTH & FITNESS |
|
|
|
Menopausal zone: the winter blues
Music to treat ailments Yoghurt could help stop spread of AIDS eYESIGHT
Ayurveda & you
|
|
Menopausal zone: the winter blues
Old age in winter is a curse, goes the old saying. However, getting menopause does not mean becoming old. In fact, we may look on menopause as a blessing. It is a freedom from the ups and downs of our hormonal cycles, the end of menstrual cramps and bloated bellies, and the end of sanitary pads. We can become more creative, more empowered, wiser and more deeply beautiful by remaining physically and mentally active. The need to remain active is all the more during winter. Its time to bury the Barbie doll image of beauty. We can wear our silver hair as our crowning glory (hair dye is not out of place). In fact, winter can be made more enjoyable. Several researchers have suggested that there is a definitive link between the onset of menopausal symptoms and the seasons. “Seasonal variations of reproductive functions in wild animals are well known, and similar, seasonal trends have been described for humans. Menopause is a complex set of symptoms that we know is determined partly by internal influences and partly by environmental and/or lifestyle factors. Many primenopausal women find that their symptoms of irritability are exacerbated a great deal in the winter months, the time of the year when our energy turns inward. Depression is also more common during winter. The depression that arises when natural light levels fall is known as Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Many women respond beautifully to dietary and/or hormonal changes. SAD also responds very well to natural light therapy through the use of full-spectrum light, a treatment that decreases symptoms by raising brain levels of serotonin. Changing your light bulbs to full-spectrum bulbs works wonders for some women. They recommend light boxes for those who desire or require light therapy than an ordinary bulb. Full-spectrum light can also stave off seasonal weight gain, carbohydrate cravings, fatigue, irritability and social withdrawal — all symptoms associated with SAD. What causes these seasonal patterns? Some experts claim melatonin (a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland) could be involved. Melatonin could influence ovarian steroid hormone production. “It is plausible that this process (menopause) is not just due to the ovaries no longer being able to produce developing egg follicles that provide an adequate hormone supply. Rather, it can be perceived as the ovaries — governed by several internal and external factors affected by climatic conditions such as length of the day, brightness, temperature and humidity.” For example, when the cooler weather arrives, we need to maintain our exercise routine, indoors or outdoors, and have a variety of workout options to keep fit. The colder it gets, the less active most of us become (or vice versa for some). Therefore, we need to remember that we will not be burning as much energy as before. Obviously, avoid fatty foods and alcohol intake. The seasonal affective disorder is a common form of depression that is related to the seasons. The symptoms include depression, lack of energy, decreased interest in work or significant activities, increased appetite, weight gain, carbohydrate cravings, increased sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, social withdrawal, afternoon slumps and slow, sluggish and lethargic movement. If you experience a few of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor. A short-term use of hormonal replacement therapy has been found as a useful treatment for alleviating the symptoms associated with the onset of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. However, long-term use of HRT (more than five years) and the practice of prescribing HRT to women not experiencing severe menopausal symptoms is avoidable. Also avoid mindsets of depression and ageing by becoming more active. Many women confuse hypothyroidism symptoms with menopause symptoms. Hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, palpitations and “fuzzy thinking” are common symptoms of both. A look at the thyroid is also required in such cases, specially during winter.
|
|
Music to treat ailments
Lucknow: Imagine that you are having severe pain due to spondylitis and instead of taking all those analgesics you go in for a music session or after a bout of asthma you find yourself enjoying music. If you are unable to find the connection between the two, you must meet Shashank Kutty, the trained classical singer from Maharashtra. Mr Kutty said that the serene and soothing effect of the classical music, if played in a definite and researched pattern, can cure not only diseases like asthma, spondylitis and diabetes but can also be helpful in the removal of complications in the growth of child in the mother’s womb and normal child delivery. The singer, who was here in connection with a workshop on the music therapy in renowned Bhatkhande Institute of Music, said that music when properly combined with Ayurveda and other disciplines of medicines, helps in the treatment of many ailments. All which has to be looked into is the time and the use of the exact Raga to treat specific ailments, he added. Giving examples, he said Raga Hindone helps in relieving pain due to spondylitis while Raga Malhar helps in treating asthma. The workshop organised here has been attracting large crowds who are amazed at the prospects of treating their common ailments through music.
— UNI
|
|
|
Yoghurt could help stop spread of AIDS New York: “Friendly bacteria” found in yoghurt has been genetically modified by researchers in the US to produce a drug that blocks HIV infection. Although the bacteria has only been tested in a lab dish, scientists are optimistic the technique could provide a cheaper and more effective way of delivering drugs to fight the spread of AIDS, by getting the bugs to live right where the drugs are needed most, Nature magazine reported. The bacterium (Lactococcus lactis) the researchers have modified naturally produces lactic acid, and so is used to produce cheese and yoghurt. It is also found in some parts of the human anatomy, including the gut and the vagina, where the acid it produces damps down the growth of other, harmful bacteria, Nature said. Some ‘probiotic’ yoghurts are loaded with such beasties with the aim of keeping consumers’ guts healthy. — PTI
|
|
|
eYESIGHT A paediatrician called me to see a child having redness in the right eye. The child had come to him for diarrhoea from which had been suffering for four-five days. Knowing the history I could make out that the patient must be having some malnourishment and vitamin deficiency. On seeing the child, I found myself helpless as the child had keratomalecia (melting of the cornea) because of vitamin A deficiency and had lost his sight forever. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children and raises the risk of disease and death from severe infections such as diarrhoeal disease and measles. Vitamin A is essential for normal vision as well as proper bone growth, healthy skin and protection of the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts against infection. Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in 118 countries, especially in Africa and South-East Asia, once again hitting hardest young children. While most people know that vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness, many are unaware that even before blindness occurs, a vitamin A deficient child faces a 25 per cent greater risk of dying from a range of childhood ailments such as measles, malaria and diarrhoea. Symptoms:
Night blindness may occur and is often an early manifestation of the disorder. Other symptoms may include extreme dryness of the eyes (i.e., xerophthalmia), followed by wrinkling, progressive cloudiness and increasing softening of the corneas (i.e., keratomalacia). With advancing vitamin A deficiency, dry, “foamy,” silver gray deposits (Bitot spots) may appear on the delicate membranes covering the whites of the eyes. Without adequate treatment, increasing softening of the corneas may lead to corneal infection, rupture (perforation) and degenerative tissue changes, resulting in blindness. Signs:
Vitamin A deficiency results in atrophy and keratinisation of epithelium, leading to dry skin and hair; increased incidence of ear, sinus, respiratory, urinary and digestive infection; inability to gain weight; drying of the cornea with ulceration — xerophthalmia; nervous disorders; skin sores; and night blindness or decreased ability for dark adaptation. Management:
The WHO’s goal is the worldwide elimination of Vitamin A deficiency and its tragic consequences, including blindness, disease and premature death. The basis for lifelong health begins in childhood. Vitamin A is a crucial component. Breastfeeding: Breast milk is a natural source of vitamin A. Promoting breastfeeding is the best way to protect babies from Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A supplementation: Ensuring that children get enough vitamin A enhances their chances of survival, reduces the severity of childhood illnesses, eases the strain on health systems and hospitals, and contributes to the well-being of children, their families and communities. Supplementing children aged six months to five years with two high-dose vitamin A capsules a year has been identified as a safe, cost-effective, efficient strategy for ending vitamin A deficiency. Giving vitamin A to new mothers who are breastfeeding helps protect their children during the first months of life. Vitamin A is found in milk, liver, eggs, fish, red and orange fruits and green leafy vegetables. Foods that contain significant amounts include apricots, beet greens, fish liver and fish liver oil, garlic, papayas, peaches, pumpkin, spinach and sweet potatoes. Food fortification is also a central strategy that is being introduced in more and more countries and holds great hope for the future. In some parts of the world, food staples like sugar, flour and margarine are fortified with vitamin A and other micronutrients. In case of suspected/established vitamin A deficiency, treatment by oral/injectable vitamin A in large doses is given. Vitamin A deficiency is a major cause of preventable blindness in children the world over and still remains a problem in the developing countries. In India alone, there are over 200,000 children blinded from this condition. It most commonly occurs in children during the three-six years of age. So, its prevention is the best management done at the personal level. Go ahead and ensure that your child eats lots of green vegetables and fruits and drinks a glass of milk everyday to keep away from Vitamin A deficiency.
— The writer is Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight, New Delhi.
|
| HOME PAGE |
Ayurveda & you As we are on an unending search for a healthier diet, it is natural for a person to study food plans followed in different parts of the world. Of the numerous types of diets adopted by different civilizations, the Mediterranean diet is the centre of discussion for many of its good features. This diet derives its name from the countries bordering the Mediterranean sea. If we look more closely, it is a nutritional and lifestyle concept, somewhat similar to that envisaged by the ayurvedic masters which lowers the risk of many serious health disorders like cardio-vascular problems, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Although there are several variations of the Mediterranean diet, all of these share the same characteristics. It is closely tied to the areas of olive oil cultivation and countries such as Italy, parts of Spain, Portugal, the southern part of France, Morocco, Tunisia, parts of Turkey and areas of Middle-East, especially Lebanon and Syria. Scientists have found that this area shows the lowest rate of chronic diseases and enjoys the highest adult life expectancy. A typical Mediterranean diet emphasises on consuming olive oil (read monounsaturated fat) and eating more of fruits, vegetables, cereals and beans. Its main thrust is on using cheese,
yoghurt, fish, poultry, eggs and sweets in a descending order. Though moderate use of wine has been recommended, it is the red meat which has been kept out to be used only sparingly. Energetic lifestyle and more of physical activity has been a hallmark of the Mediterranean living. It is an established fact that using more food from plant sources like fruits, vegetables and grains with an emphasis on minimally processed and seasonally fresh eatables is the best dietary support to the body. Its consumption maximises the adoption and absorption of the health promoting micronutrients and antioxidants. Food obtained from natural sources has the inherent property to raise immunity and delay the change of the cellular structure which leads to aging and decadence. Less use of animal fats and oils lowers the risk of heart disease, hypertension and many other health disorders. Olive oil, though a high quality nutrient, is generally not used in India for cooking purposes. In the past few years many studies have been conducted on the health benefits of various edible oils. With the introduction of oils of rice bran, soyabean and sunflower, the average consumer is confused about which one of these is better. Apart from desi ghee, the oils of cottonseed, coconut, groundnut and mustard have also been used in India for cooking for thousands of years. Though each of these have a few advantages over the other, using less of oil ultimately emerges as the most healthy form of cooking and eating in Indian conditions. Experts believe that an active lifestyle supported by good eating habits sets into motion many of the healthy biochemical actions in the body. Despite a lot of awareness, in urban India a majority of people still remain away from proper physical activity or exercise programme. With the increasing day-to-day stress and given to unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle, there is nothing unnatural that we are falling prey to ailments which most of the times originate due to faulty ways of living. In fact, the Mediterranean lifestyle, with a few dissimilarities which may be of cultural or geographical origin, falls very near to the ayurvedic dietary concepts. Scientific findings seem to be consonant with the age-old Indian dictum that a regulated and active daily routine, proper mental discipline and a balanced and careful eating is the basic format of a healthy, happy and long life.
— The writer is a Ludhiana-based senior ayurvedic
consultant |
