Smoking ups lung disease risk

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

Scientists have found that approximately one out of every twelve adult smokers have abnormal lung densities present on chest computed tomography (CT) images suggestive of interstitial lung disease which is associated with substantial reductions in lung volumes.

In addition, despite being positively associated with smoking, these lung densities were inversely not associated with emphysema.

It is increasingly acknowledged that interstitial lung disease may evolve prior to the development of symptoms. Although it is known that smoking can cause some forms of interstitial lung disease, the prevalence of these chest CT scan abnormalities and their effect on lung volumes had been unclear.

6 super annoying things about men

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

Love them, hate them, hate to love them or love to hate them, it doesn't matter. When it comes to the opposite sex, especially when it involves annoying habits that are characteristic of the male species, we women certainly have a list that seems endless. However, here's the pick of the lot. Six habits of men that are so annoying, you either find yourself tearing your hair out or crying in frustration in the privacy of your bathroom...

Ball scratching: In public. Or even in private. The less said the better. Not just gross and embarrassing, but makes you wish that the earth would just open up and swallow you (or him, depending on how mad you are). Farting and burping also fall in this category. Trust us, that's just not the way we want to know what they had for lunch!

Road rage: Especially against women. How is it that the men always assume that a bad driver has to be a woman? Yes, we might have our leverage with traffic policemen, but that doesn't mean that we travel in amoebic speeds on the road. Pay some attention next time; it just might be one of your own behind the wheel.

The male ego: Fragile is the word that can be used to describe the male ego. Other words that you can use for the same are huge, confusing and even downright deplorable. Here are a few examples of what men think are great ego boosters - vrooming on a bike in the middle of a traffic jam that's a mile long, making a woman feel about three inches tall, confusing two diverse terms like possessiveness and protectiveness... the list is quite endless. Annoying as hell isn't it?

Dirty talk: Or even talk in general. What is hilarious is when they tread on tough topics like 'giving each other space' and 'it's not you it's me'. Not only do they not have a clue about what they are saying, it sounds downright made up, to say the least. And please, dirty talking and bad mouthing is just not the way to flirt. We hate to break your bubble. It is absolutely revolting.

Sheer dumbness: Here's a familiar scene. You are arguing like crazy with the guy you are seeing and at the end of what seems like hours, he asks you, "So what is your problem now". What have we been screaming for the last four hours, retard? Sounds familiar? We don't blame you.

Selfishness: An annoying thing about men is that they live in this little world of their own, where they think that the world revolves around their central axis. Breaking news. It doesn't. Though you might think that everything is about you, it unfortunately isn't. Respect the fact that we have a life that is independent of your likes and dislikes - that is all we ask.

15 warning signs of depression

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

Most of us have felt down in the dumps or in a rut from time to time. But depression is more than that—it is a serious medical illness that affects 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. Despite these numbers, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Would you recognize serious depression in yourself or a loved one? Here are 15 warning signs to watch for.

Diagnosing Depression

For some people, a dramatic life event like a death in the family or divorce can set off symptoms that are immediate and drastic. For others, depression manifests in slow, subtle ways that are harder for friends to notice — and sometimes even harder to diagnose. Doctors have a set list of specific symptoms, and someone meets the clinical requirements of a major depressive episode if they experience five of those symptoms during a period of two weeks. As you read through these warning signs, if they sound familiar, of if you know someone who has shown signs of a depressed mood or loss of interest, the first move is to see a doctor or qualified therapist for an official diagnosis. Most importantly, if you're personally having thoughts about harming yourself or others, please seek immediate help from a friend and or medical professional.

 Get Serious About Depression

Too many people casually toss around the word “depressed.” Whether used to describe yourself, a friend, family member or colleague, it’s an easy way to explain someone’s mood, attitude or behavior. But depression is a serious condition with serious consequences, one with clinical standards for diagnosis and real treatment options. To understand clinical depression and how it affects the mind and body, you need to know the warning signs.

Change in Appetite and Weight

While a reduced appetite is a common symptom of depression, so is an overly active one. Wild swings in hunger, and being consistently hungrier or less hungry than normal can all be signals of major depression. A change in appetite may be difficult to perceive; instead you may notice that you’ve gained or lost weight. If your weight has changed significantly, talk to your doctor.

Low Energy

Lethargy isn’t just “a case of the Mondays.” It’s an overall feeling of low energy, including slowed thinking and even slowed down motion. Feeling sluggish is an early warning sign, and prolonged physical and mental slowness are the systemic clues that the body gives when depression is setting in.

Trouble Focusing

When the body slows down, the effects show in the brain’s processes too. Mental slowdown includes a loss of focus, especially on problems or topics that used to be easy. As depression sets in, people tend to become indecisive and have trouble concentrating on simple tasks. Tasks that were once quick and easy become difficult and frustrating.

Apathy

Loss of interest in activities and topics that you used to enjoy is a classic symptom of depression. It’s normal to wake up tired and unmotivated from time to time, but letting go of a regular fitness routine, skipping book clubs or other hobby meetings that you used to find fun, or ditching classes or work on a consistent basis could indicate depression.

Detaching From Friends

Loss of interest can apply to people as well as activities. When facing depression, people withdraw and turn friends and family members away. Though it may be the most important time to draw on a support system, a bout with depression usually causes people to isolate themselves and deal with the condition alone. That usually makes things even worse.

Sleep

If you’re like most people, chances are you’re not getting enough sleep anyway, so judging “too much” or “too little” sleep might not be easy. Insomnia is more than just a night or two of tossing and turning: those who are depressed spend weeks battling fatigue and low-quality sleep. A sudden increase in sleep or desire to sleep all the time or sleep instead of participating in fun activities is a major tip off that depression is setting in, too.

Detect changes in your sleep patterns

Irritability

Irritability is another warning sign of depression. Especially in typically pleasant people, sudden mood swings aren’t just a result of hormones or “waking up on the wrong side of the bed” — they’re alerts. The tendencies to become agitated with minimal provocation or to become irritable for no reason are both tied closely to clinical depression.

Sadness

Being sad may sound like an obvious sign of depression, but this level of sadness goes beyond the passing feelings that may come throughout the day. In major depression, sadness is a pervasive feeling. It’s extreme, almost inescapable and comes with little explanation. Unprompted crying spells are a key warning of major depression.

Feelings of Worthlessness

 Along with extreme sadness can come feelings of worthlessness and helplessness. Depression can cause people to lose hope and even feel that the value of their own life has diminished or disappeared. Things seem unimportant, and yet not good enough. Those who are depressed sometimes feel as if the whole world has lost meaning and find it impossible to control all of the negativity surrounding them, feeling unjustified guilt over uncontrollable issues, from global issues like war and poverty to personal troubles like family issues or being sick.

Suicidal Tendencies

The feeling that life isn’t worth living is just a step away from suicidal tendencies, a warning sign that requires immediate action. Even the closest friends or siblings may not notice that someone is having frequent thoughts of suicide. If you’re experiencing these feelings, immediately contact someone you trust, like a friend, relative, doctor, therapist or other mental healthcare clinician, adviser, or a religious or spiritual leader. If you don’t feel comfortable with those resources, or they aren’t responding to your needs, reach out to professional help.

Recklessness

Before someone with depression reaches the point of suicidal tendencies, there are other signs to look for. Those with depression will often turn to risky behavior. Though it may not be a pursuit of death, turning to reckless activities, from dangerous stunts to drunk or impaired driving, recklessness is an important sign to look out for.

Alcohol Abuse

When you’re feeling down in the dumps, do you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine, a bottle of beer or even a shot of vodka for a “pick-me-up?” Problems with alcohol abuse led to increased major depression as opposed to major depression leading to alcohol abuse, suggests a 2009 study conducted by the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences in New Zealand. However, it is common behavior for those who are battling depression to turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to numb their pain. Because of its association with depression, alcohol abuse is a definite warning sign that depression might not be far behind.

Low Sex Drive

A sudden drop in libido is usually associated with some physical or mental change. It goes along with a loss of interest in general social contact as a very common sign of depression. Clinical depression is so extreme as to virtually eliminate an individual’s pursuit of any kind of joy or pleasure, including physical contact and sex.

Pain

Though depression may seem like it all takes place in the head, it can be a full-body condition. Partly because people with depression aren’t getting the right amount of sleep or a balanced, nutritious diet, physical pain can set in. Headaches are the most common pain depression symptom, though back pain and aching joints and muscles are also possible. Even stomach and digestive problems can arise and be related to depression.

Prescription Drug Abuse

From pain to sleep disorders, people with depression have plenty of justifiable reasons to take strong prescription drugs. Unfortunately, they also have a tendency to abuse these drugs. Combine the inclination toward reckless behavior, physical pain and the need to escape, and the temptation to abuse prescription drugs is often just too great. Prescription drug abuse is even more frightening because of the potential risk for inflating suicidal tendencies. Additionally, some prescription drugs have a risk of depression as a side effect, even when taken in the proper dose. If you think someone may be abusing prescription drugs or if you think your medication may be affecting your mood, call a doctor.

Treatment Options

Not everyone knows that depression is a clinical condition with guidelines for diagnosis, so if you recognize these warning signs in yourself or someone you know, address the issues and seek medical help. Very often the biggest challenge is accepting the problem. In talking with a doctor, you’ll learn the various treatment methods, ranging from prescription pills to talk therapy, and figure out which treatment — or combination of treatments — works best for you.

Prevention

While there is no sure way to prevent depression, there are things you can do to help you through tough days and keep your depression from worsening. Working to control your stress and anxiety levels, maintaining strong relationships with supportive friends and family and treatment at the earliest sign of problem can help. Also, maintaining treatment long-term and routine therapy may help in preventing a relapse.

Beauty tips for natural beauty

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

The popular saying beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder may hold true to an extent, but restricting beauty to a phrase is not fair, especially when we can make use of various natural beauty tips to enhance our looks and overall appearance. Today, the beauty stores are flooded with a vast range of chemical beauty products. Though the “look” and “feel” of these big brands may often tempt us, we should never forget the benefits of using homemade beauty and skincare recipes, organic beauty products and natural beauty products.

Free Beauty Tips

1. Sleeping on your back will prevent many wrinkles and breakouts on your face, and even wrinkles in your cleavage area.

2. Wearing clothes that are tight make you look heavier. Even a slim girl can bulge over too-tight jeans.

3. Put on a coat of clear nail polish before a colored polish to keep your nails from discoloring.

4. Being angry really does take away from your beauty now and will result in more wrinkles later.

5. Wearing less make-up makes you look younger.

6. Vitamins and minerals are needed for health and beauty, but more is not always better. Too much Vitamin A or Selenium can cause hair loss. There is nothing beautiful about losing your hair.

7. If you are unhappy with a hair conditioner, it will still make a great “shaving cream” for your legs in the shower.

8. When shaving, don’t stretch the skin or you could cause ingrown hairs by shaving hair off slightly under the skin.

9. Drink plenty of water and get eight hours of sleep every day.

10. Tighten bra straps as they stretch out, or buy a new bra when they can’t tighten any further, to keep the bosom looking young and perky.

11. Instead of shaving over and over, with the hairs coming in darker and thicker each time, try waxing. Waxing to remove hair will result in softer hairs each time and result in permanent hair loss after a few sessions. Aussie Nad’s is an all-natural product which is easy to use.

12. Sleeping on two or three pillows at a time, or on an Acid Reflux Sleep Wedge will help get rid of dark circles under your eyes.

13. Exercise while dieting is a must or your skin will be too large (and saggy) for your smaller body. It is much, much tougher to tighten skin after your body shrinks than as you go.

14. After washing your face, rinse in cold water (fair-skinned people should use cool instead of cold) to close the pores and tighten the facial muscles.

15. If you are out of quick-dry spray for nails, dip your fingers into a bowl of ice-cold water. (Don’t to touch the sides of the bowl.) Your nails will dry very quickly.

16. Good posture can make you look much slimmer.

17. Wearing a low heel will give you better posture than wearing flat shoes.

18. Renew thick nail polish by adding a few drops of fingernail polish remover to the bottle.

19. Make a nail polish bottle not get stuck closed, put a thin coat of Vaseline inside the lid.

20. Clean hair brushes occasionally with dish soap and borax. In a dishpan of very warm water, add 1/2 cup of borax and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Swish the brushes to stir, rinse, and let air dry. Scrub any stubborn spots with a used toothbrush.

Author: Dr.Mike Boucher

How living a healthier lifestyle can prevent Alzheimer's

Source: Yahoo - Rejuvenate

A study has found that Alzheimer's can be prevented by making some simple lifestyle changes like smoking less and exercising more.

Study author Dr Deborah Barnes, from San Francisco VA Medical Centre, called the findings "exciting".

"Over half of all Alzheimer's disease cases could potentially be prevented through lifestyle changes and treatment or prevention of chronic medical conditions," the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

"Analysing data from studies, we concluded that worldwide, the biggest modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are, in descending order of magnitude, low education, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, mid-life hypertension, diabetes and mid-life obesity.

"Together, these risk factors are associated with up to 51 percent of Alzheimer's cases worldwide - 17.2 million cases.

"What's exciting is that this suggests that some very simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking, could have a tremendous impact on preventing Alzheimer's and other dementias worldwide.

"We are assuming that when you change the risk factor, then you change the risk.

"What we need to do now is figure out whether that assumption is correct," she stated.

The findings have been published in journal Lancet Neurology. (ANI)

How to make sure your kid eats healthy

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

After a shocking report yesterday on how more and more urban Indians are becoming obese, here’s some good news. School children are starting to get conscious about eating healthy. With principals, teachers and parents increasingly becoming worried about the rise in obesity among children, they are not only looking into what’s being served in the canteen and brought in tiffins, but also bringing on board dieticians and nutritionists. Here are some tips to make sure that your child eats right.

Healthy proteins: Growing children need protein. Dairy products (milk, curd, paneer etc), dals and pulses should be a part of their daily diet. For non-vegetarians, chicken and fish is advised, but not red meat. At snack time, give them a sandwich made of brown bread with cottage cheese, tofu or chicken.

Essential nutrients: Fresh fruits and vegetables are very important as they provide essential vitamins and minerals. A good way to ensure your child eats vegetables is by making yummy, vegetable soups for him. They are low in fat, yet nutritious. You could make sure he eats enough fruit by cutting up fruits and adding them to his morning cereal.

Go nuts: Children should regularly consume small amounts of dates and nuts, like almonds and walnuts. Though high in calories, they build immunity. Tip: Throw in a couple of almonds or a few dates into a fruit smoothie.

Start early: Children should be told the ill effects of consuming junk food. There should be restrictions on food sold in school canteens. You could make suggestions about what kind of food should be served during the next PTA meet. And if your child’s school agrees, you could also suggest that they get a nutritionist or dietician on board.

All work and no play: Schools and parents should emphasise sports and a healthy diet. Encourage your child to play a sport of their choice everyday. It could be anything from basketball to swimming, cycling or cricket. This ensures that they get their daily dose of cardio.

Top 10 hygiene tips to keep diseases at bay

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

Sweaty women in the train, slimy railings on overhead bridges, dirty auto-rickshaw seat covers, etc. Living in a big city means that you come into contact with several germs and bacteria, which are responsible for common ailments like cold and cough.

Dr Sujata Iyer, a general practitioner, says, "A lot of these germs have the potential to cause serious illnesses such as jaundice or tuberculosis too."

Here are some hygiene tips that you need to bear in mind if you live in a big city.

1. Wash your hands every time you come indoors.
If you use public transport, chances are that you have come into contact with surfaces that were touched by several other people. Make sure that you wash your hands with soap.

2. Wash your socks.
This is important not only for your personal health but it is also in general public interest. As you move around, your socks accumulate a lot of dust and bacteria.

3. Don't rub your eyes.
Rubbing your eyes with contaminated hands can transfer a lot of germs into them and cause eye infections.

4. Use a hand sanitiser.
For times when you can't wash your hands, carry a hand sanitising lotion with you. This becomes particularly important when you have to eat out in the middle of the day.

5. Carry tissues when commuting.
Tissues are better than cloth handkerchiefs as the latter accumulate germs on them, leading to infections. Therefore, carrying wet tissues is a better idea as they are disposable.

6. Avoid touching your hair.
The hair is one of the most exposed areas of the body. Avoid touching your hair to prevent transferring those germs on to your hands.

7. Use a deodorant.
Most people travelling by public transport stink, but that's no reason for you to join the club. A deodorant will also allow you to reduce the chance of bacteria breeding on your skin.

8. Treat skin infections in time.
Skin infections, if ignored, tend to aggravate and spread all over the body.

9. Clean your hands after playing with pets.
While playing with pets and strays is nice, they carry germs. Make sure to wash your hands before you sit down to eat your meal.  

10. Get immunised.
In big cites with lots of people, you don't know what surface carries what infection. Get yourself immunised against some common infections such as tetanus.

These basic hygiene tips will ensure that you stay safe from the common ailments that affect people in a city. 

Top 25 reasons to get running

Source: Yahoo - Rejuvenate

 

 

 Running is one of the best forms of exercise, not only for getting fit but for weight control too. A 30-minute run, three to four times a week, trims your waistline, strengthens the cardiovascular system, improves muscle tone and definition and helps foster a positive mental attitude. Running can also be a great social activity. Here are the top 25 tips on why you should start running today.

1. Running is the quickest way to cardiovascular fitness. You get fitter faster by running regularly.

2. Running is one of the cheapest forms of exercising. You only need a pair of running shoes and shorts and T-shirt to get started.

3. Running is easy to learn. Most people have run at some point in their life, either competitively or at school/college, so there is no steep learning curve involved.

4. Running makes you feel good, not only physically, but mentally as well.

5. Running is excellent for reducing stress levels. There is nothing better than a run to clear your head and concentrate the mind. Many great ideas have been formulated on training runs.

6. Running is one of the most flexible methods of training around. Wherever you are in the world, it is nearly always possible to get out for a run. You can jog, steady run or sprint depending on how you feel that particular day.

7. Running is good for your heart. It not only strengthens the heart but also reduces the actual resting heart rate.

8. Running is accessible to all. As long as you are physically able, you can go for a run virtually anytime and anywhere. There are no race barriers to running.

9. Running helps you to lose weight and tone muscles. The more your train and run, the more weight you will lose. Also by toning up, you are getting rid of the excess fat and converting it to muscle.

10. Running is for people of all ages. Old or young, everyone can benefit from running.

11. It is good for your sex life! By being more physically active you increase your sex drive.

12. When run training, you can get away with eating chocolate and legitimately say it is part of your training program.

13. Running is a great way to recover from a hangover. A run will help clear your head faster than sitting around feeling terrible.

14. Running is a great safety aid. Being able to run away from people puts you in a much better position if you are chased.

15. You can use running to change other people's lives. Run for a charity and raise money to help the needy or less able.

16. Running with friends gives you time to catch up on gossip and get fit at the same time.

17. Running is a time-efficient way to get fit and lose weight so you have more free time after exercising to enjoy yourself.

18. Running is a challenge that can be motivational and bring great personal satisfaction.

19. Running is a great way to see a new place if you have limited time available for sightseeing. Just think how much more of a place you can see when running around it compared to walking.

20. Running improves your concentration as you are forced to concentrate more when running. This in turn improves your concentration when you have to focus in other areas of life.

21. You nearly always work better after a run because you are still on a runner's high and feel ready for anything.

22. Running is a great way to meet people, especially if you join a club or enter a race.

23. There are no monthly subscriptions with running. You just put your running shoes on and go.

24. Endurance built-up through running can be transferred to other sports.

25. If you drink alcohol you can just run a little bit further the next day to work off the extra calories.