5 Fruits for a glowing skin

That fruits are the best medicine is a wellknown fact.

We also know that a cup of fruit juice a day is sure to guarantee a clear complexion. How about a massage with a fruit pulp or a fruit facial? Fruit facials have been there for at least a decade now. But with people getting more wary of effect of chemicals on the skin, a majority of them are now resorting to using something from their own kitchen. What better way to pamper your skin than with pure stuff which is free of toxins and not harmful to your skin?

Besides the fact that they hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, the very smell of a fruit on your face is quite de-stressing. Unlike the chemical beauty treatments, fruits are cost-effective, natural and also bring a visible difference. Here are a few fruits and their properties, choose what suits you best!

Banana: This is one fruit that's abundantly available in India all through the year. We know it's a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium and helps reduce menstrual cramps. The effect of banana on skin too is not something that can be ignored. Bananas are rich in vitamin A, B and E and hence works as an anti-aging agent. A fresh mashed banana facial can do wonders for your skin.

Lemon: Lemon juice is an important ingredient in most Indian recipes. This is also a fruit of all seasons and almost always finds place on your kitchen shelf or refrigerator. With its vitamin C content, its juice will keep your skin beautiful. A glass of warm water with a tsp of honey and a dash of lemon juice on an empty stomach every morning is a great skin cleanser. With its astringent properties, it can be used to lighten the skin tone and also diminish acne scars. Rub the inside of a lemon peel on your elbow remove dark spots. Mix lemon and honey and use it as a natural bleach on your skin.Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away is cliched, but its health benefits are undisputable. Apple's antioxidant property prevents cell and tissue damage. Studies by nutritionists have shown that apples contain abundant amounts of elastin and collagen that help keep the skin young. Applying a mixture of mashed apple, honey, rose water and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your skin.

Orange: Rich in vitamin C that improves skin texture. Like apple, orange too contains collagen that slows skin aging process. Rub the insides of orange on your skin to tighten the skin. Oranges can be dried and powdered and used as a natural scrub. Like lemon, oranges too help clear skin blemishes.

Papaya: The benefits of this fruit on skin have perhaps been talked about since the time of our ancestors. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. A glass of papaya milk or just applying the flesh of papaya on your skin can do wonders to your skin.

Mango: Rightly called the king of fruits for not just its taste but also for health benefits. The soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on skin too. Rich in vitamin-A and rich antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, regenerates skin cells and restores the elasticity of skin.

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Can’t get pregnant? Try IVF

Have you and your spouse been trying to conceive for a while? If you have answered yes, but are facing medical complications and do not know  how to get around them, IVF could be your answer. Just like B’town couple Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao, you could try Invitro fertilisation to start a family. Here’s more about the procedure.

According to Dr. Firuza Parikh, Fertility Expert, Jaslok Hospital says, "IVF is not merely a science, it is also a meticulous art. You look into the little details, work with nature instead of trying to outsmart it and always strive towards improving pregnancy rates”.

The beginnings
IVF as an option is swinging it’s way up, ever since the first ‘test tube baby’ ( that’s the colloquial term for IVF babies since the fertilisation takes place in a glass tube), developed by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, came about. Closer home Dr. Subhash Mukhopadhya, gave India its first test tube baby called Durga and things have never been quite the same. A lot of aggressive marketing of the specifics are giving millions of hopefuls a chance to be ‘mothers’

How is it done?
IVF involves fertilising egg cells with sperms outside of the womb; the fertilised egg is then put back into the women’s uterus and the pregnancy is allowed to go into its full term. Success rates have improved over the last decade (about 50% of women who opt for IVF go home with a baby); treatment options have expanded and facilities have improved.

The downside
It’s invasive, exhausting both physically and mentally. “With all that pain, I wasn’t sure I needed a baby” says a patient. Then there’s the financial bit. IVF is costly. And insurance companies don’t always cover it. Birth defects, multiple pregnancies that reduce the chances of a full term labour and compromise with the health of each baby are the other side of the IVF story.

IVF is not just a medical miracle, there’s more to it. For one, it’s ‘empowering’. It gives you more options. For women who are career-oriented and who don’t want to listen to their biological clocks, IVF allows them to freeze their eggs and use them later. Don’t have a partner, still want to be a mom? No problem. Donor sperms come in handy. IVF has made it possible for women to even choose when to have a baby!

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Generalized anxiety disorder

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, severe, ongoing anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder.

It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or as an adult. Generalized anxiety disorder has similar symptoms as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety, but they're all different conditions.

Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge. In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. In most cases, generalized anxiety disorder improves with medications or psychological counseling (psychotherapy). Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills and using relaxation techniques also can help.

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. They can include:

·         Constant worrying or obsession about small or large concerns

·         Restlessness and feeling keyed up or on edge

·         Fatigue

·         Difficulty concentrating or your mind "going blank"

·         Irritability

·         Muscle tension or muscle aches

·         Trembling, feeling twitchy or being easily startled

·         Trouble sleeping

·         Sweating, nausea or diarrhea

·         Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat

There may be times when your worries don't completely consume you, but you still feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason. For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones, or you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen.

Symptoms in children and adolescents
In addition to the symptoms above, children and adolescents may have excessive worries about:

·         Performance at school or sporting events

·         Being on time (punctuality)

·         Earthquakes, nuclear war or other catastrophic events

A child with the disorder may also:

·         Feel overly anxious to fit in

·         Be a perfectionist

·         Lack confidence

·         Redo tasks because they aren't perfect the first time

·         Strive for approval

·         Require a lot of reassurance about performance

When to see a doctor
Some anxiety is normal, but see your doctor if:

·         You feel like you're worrying too much, and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life

·         You feel depressed, have trouble with drinking or drugs, or you have other mental health concerns along with anxiety

·         You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors — seek emergency treatment immediately

Your worries are unlikely to simply go away on their own, and they may actually get worse over time. Try to seek professional help before your anxiety becomes severe — it may be easier to treat early on.

As with many mental health conditions, what causes generalized anxiety disorder isn't fully understood. It may involve naturally occurring brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It's likely that the condition has several causes that may include genetics, your life experiences and stress.

Some physical health conditions are associated with anxiety. Examples include:

·         Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

·         Heart disease

·         Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

·         Menopause

Things that may increase your risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder include:

·         Being female. More than twice as many women as men are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.

·         Childhood trauma. Children who endured abuse or trauma, including witnessing traumatic events, are at higher risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder at some point in life.

·         Illness. Having a chronic health condition or serious illness, such as cancer, can lead to constant worry about the future, your treatment and your finances.

·         Stress. A big event or a number of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety.

·         Personality. People with some personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than are others. In addition, some personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, also may be linked to generalized anxiety disorder.

·         Genetics. Generalized anxiety disorder may run in families.

·         Substance abuse. Drug or alcohol abuse can worsen generalized anxiety disorder. Caffeine and nicotine also may increase anxiety.

Generalized anxiety disorder does more than just make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical health conditions, including:

·         Depression

·         Substance abuse

·         Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

·         Digestive or bowel problems

·         Headaches

·         Teeth grinding (bruxism)

·         Substance use disorders

You may start by seeing your family doctor. However, you may need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist if you have severe anxiety or if you also have another mental health condition, such as depression. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. A psychologist and certain other mental health providers can diagnose mental health conditions and provide counseling (psychotherapy).

Because there's often a lot of ground to cover during an initial appointment, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and know what to expect from your doctor or mental health provider.

What you can do
To be prepared for your visit, it can be helpful to think about a few things ahead of time and write down some notes to take with you. Things to write down include:

·         A list of your symptoms. Include when they occur and whether anything seems to make them better or worse. Also note how much they affect your day-to-day activities, such as work, school or relationships.

·         What's causing you stress. Include any major life changes or stressful events you've dealt with recently. Also write down any traumatic experiences you've had in the past.

·         Any health problems you have. Include both physical conditions and mental health issues.

·         A list of all medications you're taking. Be sure to write down the doses, and include any vitamins or supplements you take.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

·         What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?

·         Are there other possible situations, psychological issues or physical health problems that could be causing or worsening my anxiety?

·         Do I need medical tests or other tests?

·         Are there any restrictions or steps I need to follow?

·         Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider?

·         Would medication help? If so, is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?

·         Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy and psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working out underlying life stresses and concerns and making behavior changes. It can be a very effective treatment for anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common types of psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Generally a short-term treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching you specific skills to identify negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with positive ones. Even if an undesirable situation doesn't change, you can reduce stress and gain more control over your life by changing the way you respond.

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Top 10 travel tips for couples

No matter how much you are looking forward to spending some quality time with that special someone, traveling together can be a bit stressful; regardless of whether you have been married for decades or are just testing the waters as a couple. So what can you do to ensure a blissful getaway?Hotels.com, the global hotels expert, brings you some surefire ways to keep the fires burning without getting burnt.

Both contribute to the planning: It’s important that you both feel like you have a part in the trip’s success. A site, like hotels.com, is great because you can check out all accommodations from bed & breakfasts to boutique hotels, vacation rentals to spa resorts. Take the virtual tours, read the guest reviews, check out the location relative to the sites you want to see and book it, together.

Work with each other’s strengths: During planning, if one of you is a savvy researcher then perhaps that person can do the destination investigation while the other could be responsible for booking the flights or hotels. Working with each other’s strengths is even more important while traveling. Who’s the control freak (I mean backseat driver) between the two of you? Come on! Admit it?! Maybe you should drive while your partner navigates. Don’t be afraid to play to each other’s strengths versus struggling through a situation.

Pace yourselves: Rome wasn’t built in a day and you can’t see it all in one either. Trust me! I know how fantastic it is to be on vacation sans work and children, but take time for the small moments and some relaxation. Factor in downtime for your vacation as well as extra time while sightseeing.  You never know when you will want to spend some additional time in a museum, on the beach, or sampling the vineyard’s newest harvest. And you’ll appreciate not having the pressure to be on time or the disappointment of missing out on an opportunity.

Communicate: Seems simple enough, right? Are you tired? Are you hungry? Do you want to stay in this town for another day? How quickly we forget that we are not mind readers. Be sure to let your sweetheart know what you’re thinking before it’s too late to do something about it. When traveling, you are out of your normal rhythm and routine so it’s important that you are sharing your needs and desires even if you are used to your honey knowing what those things are.

Take time for yourself: It’s important on vacation to have some time for you, whether to relax or explore.  That’s when the tips above are most useful by working together, communicating and taking the time to really enjoy your trip; you should be able to get some coveted “me time”.  For example, you could check out the local village shops while he takes in a round of golf.

Do not disturb: Our sleep patterns can really wreak havoc with our vacations. Is your sweetie a snorer? Plan ahead and pack those earplugs.  Who’s the morning person? Be kind to your special someone and allow her that precious time to sleep-in by perhaps following the tip above for your “me time” and take a walk around town or read a few chapters of that book you have been wanting to peruse.

Try something new to both of you: If you frequent the same destination then make sure you change it up by finding something new to do each time you go.  Experiencing something for the first time is a great way to bring a couple closer together. So whether the destination is new to you or perhaps it’s that zip-line adventure that you both have always wanted to try, give it a whirl…together.

Budgets and splurges: Let’s face it money is often an issue for most couples.  It is important for a couple to understand their vacation budget, if they have one, before they embark on their trip.  It’s not fair to either person to feel constrained or overly frugal while traveling.  So know before you go! Allow and anticipate for splurges like dinner at that trés romantic restaurant you stumbled upon or a piece of locally created art.

Use the hotel concierge: Here’s what frequent travelers know; the concierge can make things happen. They often have discount tickets to area attractions, know the best restaurants and want to help make your hotel stay special. Tell the concierge if your stay is to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, etc. and see how he/she can help you make it memorable.

You don’t have to go far to get away: A vacation is merely a break for the ordinary.  And sometimes staying in a nearby resort can feel like you are one million miles away. A staycation, or vacation close to home, is often a great way for new couples to test the traveling together waters as well as to have some fun. It’s also a great way for couples with children to have some alone time without the worry that comes with traveling away from your children.

 

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

10 Most Annoying Restaurant Habits

Eating out can be a great way to relax and enjoy some good food at the end of the day! But then again maybe not! Especially if someone in the group isn't aware of any basic table manners! From shouting at waiters, to making weird eating noises, here are some atrocious restaurant habits that are best nipped in the bud! Take a look and make sure you stay clear of these annoying habits!

Making weird eating noises
No one likes to hear the person across the table chewing every bite! Worse still, trying to talk while their mouth is stuffed! We’re sure that whatever they have to say can wait until they’ve swallowed that mouthful! Also nothing can be tackier than burping after a meal, right?

Getting up to grab food
So the waiters come and place the food on the table. Don’t you hate it when someone swoops halfway across the table to grab the dish first? How desperate! Why can't they just ask someone to pass the dish?!

Talking loudly
We all love a quiet sit-down dinner at our favourite restaurant which is why it can be extremely annoying if the person you are dining with seems to be yelling loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. Not only is this incredible embarrassing but it can be pretty uncomfortable for the people sitting around you!

Crudely beckoning the waiter
Getting the waiter's attention can be easily done by raising your hand and discreetly beckoning him over! There’s absolutely no need to yell out across the room or call him with a loud “Sshhh” or “Hey You!”

Eating off others' plates
You maybe starving and your friends dish probably looks mouth-watering but that’s no excuse to reach out and help yourself to someone else’s food! In fact, unless someone offers you their food, stay away from their plate!

Not watching your kids
If you’ve brought your kids to a fancy place, it's important to note that they are behaving themselves! After all, you don’t want them running around the restaurant while other people stare at you wondering what kind of parent you are! Get them to sit down and enjoy the meal with you in a civilized manner!

Ordering more than you can afford
Know how much you are willing to spend before you actually order! There’s no point ordering the most expensive meal on the menu only to discover you’ve forgotten your wallet... again! You’ll end up asking your friends to pay for you, and they sure won’t appreciate you for that!

Constantly answering calls
If you’re at an intimate dinner with friends or family, switching off that cell phone would be the best option. No one appreciates a person who keeps shouting into his cell phone throughout the meal! If you wanted to spend your night on the phone, you might as well have stayed at home!

Creating a scene
Always remember a restaurant is a place to relax and enjoy a good meal! So don’t ever make a scene by getting drunk, picking fights with the waiter or fighting with your own family members or friends in front of all the diners! Nothing could be tackier than getting yourself kicked out of the restaurant, that’s for sure.

Refusing to pay the bill
You’ve just had a lovely meal, some pleasant conversation and a great evening. But when it’s time to pay the bill, the foods too spicy, too bland or not the way you wanted it? Or you find a hair in your meal, so you need a discount? Well guys, the restaurant is not the place for you to bargain so don’t bother!

Age-wise facial guide

Here are some things you should know before opting for a facial or a facial routine

The sun, dirt, grime, pollution, stress - they're all taking a toll on your skin. You may not immediately realise it, but over time it shows. Dehydration due to sun causes fine lines and pigmentation. You could also face breakouts and suffer from blackheads. Hence, it's essential to follow a facial routine that's right for you.

Happy 20s
At 20, most men and women are just starting to get rid of teenage acne and working towards clearer skin. A monthly visit to the spa for a clean up can help delay the ageing process. Go for something herbal and light that provides a moisturising treatment to balance the skin. Ingredients like fresh ginger, turmeric, mint leaves along with tangerine, cucumber and honey can help. A fruit moisturiser treatment can also be beneficial and will exfoliate, moisturise and soften the skin. Ensure that you use all organic and natural products.

Trying 30s
This is the age when your skin starts to change. A facial should rebalance the hydration, balance the sebum and moisturise and improve your complexion. Opt for a facial that includes a gentle massage which will relieve tension. An exfoliating substance will help clear out dead skin cells and should be finished off with a hydrating mask.

Essential 40s
Those with mature skin, aged 40 and above, should be careful of what they use. Since Mumbai weather is rather sticky, cleanse your skin thoroughly and then use a light fruit based gel or cream. Steam can be harmful for older skin. Instead, use a face pack of cold milk, cucumber juices, papaya or even mashed banana according to your skin type.

Handy tips
No matter your age, there are certain ingredients that can work wonders. A light skin polishing that uniformly clears dead skin cells is recommended. Try out a de-stressing aloe vera facial massage that removes impurities and rejuvenates the skin. Always go for fresh fruit, rose, marigold and jasmine based masks that add a radiant glow to the skin.

How to Avoid Osteoporosis with Vitamin D3

In today’s modern world, and more than ever before, there are demands on women to play multiple roles in their lives. These roles can include those of a daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, bread winner, house keeper and so many others. With each of these roles, and of course many can run in parallel, comes a separate set of responsibilities and demands. Motherhood is possibly the best ‘defining’ phase in a woman’s life but ironically it is this phase, when a woman almost stops caring for herself.  Motherhood changes her priorities in life - the conditional woman now becomes truly unconditional; but somewhere in this transition, the multifaceted woman neglects herself and is then vulnerable to a host of potential problems.

One of the most common diseases that women suffer from as they age is 'Osteoporosis.' This silent disease attacks the bones weakening them or sometimes making them brittle. This leads to joint pains, difficulty in walking and even fractures. Women, especially when raising children, also tend to have erratic eating habits which results in minimal intake of calcium and Vitamin D3. In fact, most women consume calcium but ignore an important fact that Vitamin D3 is essential for proper absorption of calcium in the gut and helps maintain adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations required to aid the process of bone mineralisation.

Vitamin D also plays other crucial roles in human physiology and its role cannot be ignored. It plays an important role in modulating cell growth, neuromuscular activity and immune function. Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce inflammation. Research has shown that Vitamin D also shields the body from hypertension (High BP), cancer and some autoimmune diseases.

Given the far-reaching effects Vitamin D deficiency can have, it is extremely important for both women and men to include sources of Vitamin D in their diet.  The RDA (recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 600 IU (15 mcg). However, there is an ongoing debate on whether the current RDA of 600 IU is good enough.

Sources of Vitamin D: Unfortunately, very few foods contain Vitamin D. Certain fishes like tuna, salmon and mackerel are good sources of Vitamin D. Eggs and fish liver oil also have small amounts of Vitamin D. The sun plays an important role in the production of Vitamin D in the skin; from which the vitamin derives its name as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin. Researchers say that most people may meet their Vitamin D needs from exposure to sunlight, but overexposure to sunlight also has its dangers.

Most health practitioners these days suggest consuming Vitamin-D fortified foods and moderate exposure to sunshine to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels.

The best way to find out if you have adequate Vitamin D is to talk to your physician and get a Vitamin D – 25 (OH) D test done. Start with a Vitamin-D fortified food supplement after discussing with your doctor.

Love it or hate it, but you cannot ignore the role of Vitamin D. So, don’t forget, no matter how hectic and demanding your lifestyle is to take care of yourself; eat well and  get out and take a walk in the sunshine to maintain good health.

Wishing you sunshine and good health!

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

 

Green tea could lower bad cholesterol

Green tea may be effective in reducing 'bad cholesterol', a study has found.

Green tea contains antioxidant compounds called catechins, which many studies have tested for their effect on cholesterol even though the studies have been small and had conflicting results.

For the new study researchers at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, pooled the results of these clinical trials, involving a total of 1,415 adults.

Participants in the trials consumed green tea beverages, capsules, or placebos daily. Benefits were found among people who had high cholesterol levels at the beginning of the study.

However, the researchers still sound a word of warning.

"If someone is already taking medication for their cholesterol, they should stick with it and not try to trade it for green tea, either capsules or the beverage," CBS news quoted study author Dr. Olivia Phung as saying.

According to the study, the use of herbal supplements like green tea is only one of the strategies to lower cholesterol, along with medication and lifestyle changes.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

 

Stroke risk higher in HIV patients

The treatments for the AIDS-causing virus may put HIV positive patients at a higher risk for cardiovascular trouble.

While the overall hospitalization rate for stroke has declined in recent years, the numbers have jumped dramatically for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), suggesting they may be up to three times more likely to suffer a stroke than people uninfected by the virus that causes AIDS. Strokes can result in rapidly occurring, permanent loss of brain function due to severely reduced or interrupted blood supply to the brain.

There's no direct proof linking the medications to the higher stroke rate, but previous research has suggested that HIV drugs can boost cholesterol and triglyceride levels, both of which contribute to stroke risk.

For their study, American researchers examined a database of hospitalisations for stroke from 1997, when a new generation of AIDS drugs was in its early days of use, through 2006.

It was found that while overall hospitalisations for stroke fell by 7 percent, the number of stroke hospitalisations in HIV-infected people rose by 60 percent in 2006. The researchers adjusted their numbers to account for factors such as age and gender. The time period studied coincided with the emergence and widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV patients. HAART has been notably successful in extending the lives of HIV/AIDS patients, but emerging data suggest that these drugs can be associated with metabolic complications linked to higher risk of stroke.

The researchers also looked at the two kinds of stroke - ischemic (when a blood vessel is blocked) and haemorrhagic (when a blood vessel bursts). There was no change in the percentage of hemorrhagic stroke patients who were HIV-positive, but the rate went up from 0.08 percent to .18 percent - more than doubling - among HIV patients who had ischemic strokes. The latter number suggests, but doesn't prove, that more HIV patients are suffering from blockages in their blood vessels.

Stroke risk is highly correlated with increasing age. Almost three-quarters of strokes occur after the age of 65. Indeed, after 55, the risk doubles for each successive decade. However, among HIV patients the average age for a stroke was in the 50s and previous studies have shown that drugs used in HAART affect lipid and glucose levels, which are metabolic biomarkers associated with ischemic stroke risk.

The researchers advise that patients on HAART will clearly need to remain on the drugs to extend their lives, but the challenge will be to clarify whether HAART therapy is an innocent bystander or a direct culprit in this process. Furthermore, it would be helpful to find out if rates of heart attacks, are rising among HIV patients since they share similar underlying biological mechanisms to ischemic strokes.

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com