Understand Anxiety: It can become Disorder!

Q: Is anxiety a common phenomenon? How can one differentiate anxiety from other feelings?

Anxiety is a common emotional reaction to stressors, either outer or inner. We all experience anxiety in its various forms throughout different life events, such as the loss of a job or a loved one. We may also experience it routinely, for instance before giving a presentation to a potential client, or in a public situation. Anxiety also manifests in a variety of “happy” events such as anticipating the call of a loved one.

Q: When does anxiety evolve from simple worries to becoming a disorder?

If the anxiety you feel starts to feel overwhelming and is impacting your daily life negatively, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
If you suffer from panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, unrelenting worries, or an incapacitating phobia you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
There are many types of anxiety disorders, such as:   Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as well as Panic Disorders.

Q: What is the relation between a Panic Disorder and a Panic Attack?

Panic disorder is a serious condition that strikes without reason or warning. Symptoms of a panic disorder include sudden attacks (often called panic attacks) of fear and nervousness, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating and a racing heart.
During a panic attack the fear response is out of proportion for the situation, which often is not threatening. Over time, a person with panic disorder can develop a constant fear of having another panic attack, which can affect daily functioning and general quality of life.

Q: What are the classic symptoms during a panic attack?During a panic attack, most patients experience some, or all of these symptoms:
Difficulty breathing.
Pounding heart or chest pain.
Intense feeling of dread.
Sensation of choking or smothering.
Dizziness or feeling faint.
Trembling or shaking.
Sweating
Nausea or stomachache.
Tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes.
Chills or hot flashes.
A fear that you are losing control or are about to die.
 

Avoid Instant Noodles

1. Nutrient Absorption : Noodles inhibit the absorption of nutrients for the children under 5.



2. Cancer Causing : The ingredient in the instant noodles called "Styrofoam', Which is a cancer causing agent.

3. Miscarriage : Women who are Eating instant noodles during their pregnancy causes miscarriage, because it affect the development of a fetus.



4. Junk Food : instant noodles are enriched with full of carbohydrates, but no vitamins, fiber and minerals. This makes the instant noodles considered as a junk food.

5. Sodium : Instant noodles are power packed with high amounts of sodium. Excess consumption of sodium leads to heart disease, stroke, hypertension and kidney damage.


6. MSG : Monosodium Glutamate is used to enhance the flavour of instant noodles. People who are allergic to MSG consume it as part of their diet, then they end up suffering from headaches, facial flushing, pain, burning sensations.

7. Overweight : Eating Noodles is the leading cause of obesity. Noodles contains fat & large amounts of sodium, which causes water retention in the body and surely it leads to overweight.


8. Digestion : Instant noodles are bad for digestive system. Regular consumption of instant noodles causes irregular bowl movements and bloating.

9. Propylene Glycol : The ingredient in the instant noodles called "Propylene Glycol" which has a anti-freeze property. This ingredient is used because it prevents the noodles from drying by retaining moisture. It weakens the immune system of our body. It is easily absorbed by the body and it
accumulates in the kidneys, heart and liver. It causes abnormalities and damage to those areas.

10. Metabolism : Regular consumption of instant noodles affect the body's metabolism, because of the chemical substances like additives, coloring and preservatives inside the noodles.
 

Drink Water at Correct Time!

Health benefits of eating Tomatoes

1- Helps to keep blood vessels healthy

2- Rich in lycopene to promote prostate health
3- Full of vitamin C to keep immune system strong
4- A good source of beta-carotene for healthy vision

5- Studies have shown tomatoes help prevent breast cancer.
6- Contains compounds to help lower cholesterol

7- Rich in potassium for heart health
8- Full of vitamin E to keep skin healthy and beautiful
9- The skin is full of carotenoids tomatoes to promote wellness
10- Rich in energizing B vitamins to help you stay active

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MUSIC

1. Heightens Awareness: Musical (non-verbal) and verbal interaction with others, enhances awareness of self and others.


2. Share Feelings: Offers opportunities for individuals to openly share their feelings and to experience a sense of ‘universality’.

3. Improves Self Belief: Music allows everyone to express themselves creatively without the need to follow any strict guidelines, processes or norms.



4. Skill Development: Plays an important role in the development of physical, sensory and cognitive skills, extending your visual perception.

5. Improves Focus: Music helps improve your concentration and attention span.

6. Motivation Booster: Increases self-confidence, self-esteem, personal insight and motivation.


7. Sense of Independence: Leads to development of independent, decision-making skills.

8. Improves Quality of Life: Provides immense satisfaction, enjoyment and an overall improvement in quality of life.

9. Creates Relaxed Environment: Provides a relaxed environment that enables better social interactions.



10. Anti depressant: Music calms the nerves and decreases tension, anxiety and stress. Your heart loves it.

11. Sharpens Motor Skills: Musicians have more evolved gross and fine motor skills.

12. Improves Memory: Musicians have sharper sequential memory and shorter recall time.

13. Improves Discipline: Trains the mind towards self-management and inculcates discipline.

14. Amps up happiness levels: Deeply engaging with music, rather than allowing it to wash over us, gives the experience enhanced emotional power and happiness.


15. Rehabilitation: Music therapy is widely used for patients with visual, sensory or motor disabilities, induced through stroke.

16. Effective Learning Aid: The inherent structure and emotional pull of music makes it an easy tool for teaching concepts, ideas, and information.

17. Shortens Recall Time: Music is second only to smell for its ability to stimulate our memory in a very powerful way. Music therapists use this while working with patients suffering from dementia and amnesia.

18. Easy Storage: Music, with its rhythmic patterns is easy for the brain to store and recall: predictable, structured, and organized–and our brain just loves it that way!
 

Symptoms not to be ignored

1. Constant coughing. If you've recently had flu, a cough will linger for a few days or even a few weeks. But if you have a cough which has moved in lock, stock and barrel, it's time to get to the doctor. It could be one of several things, from tuberculosis, a chest infection and lung cancer, to name but a few.

2. Rectal bleeding. If your stools are dark in colour and you become aware of the fact that you regularly bleed from the anus, make that appointment. It could be any of a number of things, from benign (bleeding piles) to serious (colon cancer), but don't take any chances.

3. Blinding headaches. Everyone gets headaches from time to time, but if you start missing work regularly and live on painkillers, the time for action has come. It could be as simple as getting different glasses, changing your diet/lifestyle, or it could be more serious. Best to get to the truth as soon as possible.

4. Vision problems. Everyone's vision deteriorates somewhat with age, but if your vision becomes blurry overnight, or changes in any other noticeable way, see an optician and a neurologist. It may be something insignificant, but it may also be serious.

5. Fever. If your temperature fluctuates between high and normal for no discernable reason, find out what's wrong. If you run a fever for more than 3 days, visit your doctor.

6. Ongoing diarrhoea. Whether the result of food poisoning or a virus, diarrhoea is dangerous. And the longer it continues, the more dangerous it becomes, as it dehydrates you. If you regularly get diarrhoea, or if it carries on for more than two or three days, see the doctor. If your baby has diarrhoea, don't waste a day before you see your doctor/nurse.

7. Chest pains. This could be as innocent as heartburn, but it could also signal that your heart is in trouble. If chest discomfort is accompanied by pains in your left arm, don't bother with the GP – get straight to the hospital's emergency room. You could be having a heart attack.

8. Night sweats. Sweating at night is not normal – it is often a symptom of tuberculosis, Aids or Hodgkin's disease, which is a lymphatic cancer. Do something about it.

9. Genital sores. These are usually a symptom of a sexually transmitted disease. They should not be ignored, as this disease can be passed on to others, regardless of what it might be doing to you.

10. Menstrual problems or paralysis. A menstrual period that lasts more than ten days, or doesn't arrive at all, should not be ignored. Non-arrival could mean you're pregnant, or have fibroids or cysts on your ovaries. A period that overstays its welcome could mean many different things – point is, you should get to gynaecologist.

11. New moles. Most people have moles somewhere on their bodies. If a mole changes its colour, shape or size, it could be turning nasty. Watch out for new moles. It will not go away by itself and if left untreated, can ultimately become life-threatening.

12. Sudden muscle weakness. If you suddenly find you have difficulty standing, walking, balancing or that muscles that were fine the day before have become weak and useless, get it checked out. It could be, among other things, Parkinson's disease or you may even have had a mild stroke. And yes, young people can have strokes too.

13. Breathing difficulties. Sudden onset of breathing difficulties could signify many things – from asthma, to an allergic reaction, to name but two. It should be remembered that untreated asthma can kill. Breathing problems can quickly become life-threatening. Don't ignore it.

14. Constant urination. Everyone urinates a few times per day, but when you start getting up three or four times during the night to go to the toilet, something is wrong. It could be prostate problems or the onset of Type 2 diabetes or a bladder infection.

15. Bumps and lumps. Whether we're talking swollen glands or lumps under the skin, these should never be ignored. Better be safe than sorry. It may be something benign like a mild infection or a pimple or boil, but then again, it may not. Do something about it.

16. Chronic exhaustion. Between working nine-to-five and keeping the family going, most people are tired, and not surprisingly. But when you suddenly feel as if getting out of bed in the morning is a major undertaking, something could be wrong. It may be depression, or the exhaustion could be a symptom of other ailments.

17. Loss of interest in life. If you or family members suspect you may be depressed, why suffer unnecessarily? We are no longer in the fourteenth century and depression can be treated. Most people who commit suicide suffer from depression. Up those serotonin levels before you get to these levels of desperation.

Emotions vs Body Organs

Tips for Flat Tummy

Neem - Nature's Miracle Tree

Ancient Indians system of Ayurveda believed in utilizing everything nature had to give to promote an all natural healing remedies for a healthy lifestyle. One such herb of India with worldwide fame and known for its amazing healing properties and medicinal value is Neem.

Neem, commonly known as Margosa in English or “Aritha” in Sanskrit, is known as the free tree of India as it is found almost everywhere. It is part of every Indian home due to its many applications and is considered to be sacred. Everything from this tree can be used in one way or the other. The bark extrudes a fluid called neera, green leaves, branches, small white flowers that blossom in spring to the oval fruits that contain one seed each that contains oil.

External Health Application:
Applying Neem powder or oil topically helps in healing wounds, burn injuries, itch, rash, infection or allergy. Taking bath with Neem helps the body counter mild infections. Its tropical application can relieve acne, eczema and even ringworms. The oil is extensively used for hair loss, greying hair, dandruff or lice.

Its local application of arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, lower back pain and muscular-skeletal pain has had good results.

Internal Health Application:Chewing on a Neem twig has been a common practice in India to prevent gum disease and maintain strong and healthy teeth. However, as the twig is very bitter, it is now utilized in Neem toothpaste that helps prevent cavities, gingivitis, tooth loss or toothache.

Neem is beneficial in with indigestion, constipation, bad taste in mouth, de-worming, gastritis, is a blood purifier, detoxicant and cures urinary tract infection. It helps in maintaining proper secretions of liver; works as an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving agent, suppresses fever and relieves cough.

Beauty Application:Adding boiled Neem water to bath helps rid of skin infections, acne and white heads. In this form it makes a great skin toner to clear scars, pigmentation and blackheads on face.

Boil Neem leaves with small segment of orange peel in a bit of water. Add honey, yogurt, soy milk to for a smooth paste and apply to face to clear skin problems and also to reduce appearance of pores.

Pesticide Application:Neem has been used as a natural pesticide because of its remarkable property to fight pests and other organisms that are harmful for agricultural and household purpose. It is considered to be the most wonderful discovery for humans. It acts as anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-protozoan and anti-viral.

Despite all the health benefits, Neem is largely ignored by urban folks in favour of more synthetic ingredients. However, as more and more research is being done on Neem outside India, we are finding ourselves coming back to this very ancient yet very useful, simple and miraculous tree that was cherished by Ayurveda over 5,000 years ago!

High Cholesterol: A Serious Health Risk

You may wonder whether something like cholesterol which is so common can really be a serious health risk. The truth is: Absolutely. Your body makes cholesterol, and you also get it when you eat eggs, meats, and dairy products. When you have more than your body needs, cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This thick, hard plaque can clog your arteries like a blocked pipe. Reduced blood flow can lead to a stroke or heart attack.


How High Cholesterol Causes Heart Attack:
If there is a clog in a coronary artery, your heart gets too little blood and oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your heart becomes weak and damaged. If the plaque breaks open, a blood clot may form on top of the buildup, further blocking blood flow. Or, a blood clot can break off and flow to an artery in another part of the body. If a clot completely blocks an artery feeding your heart, you have a heart attack.

How High Cholesterol Causes Stroke:
Plaque buildup can also keep your brain from getting enough blood and oxygen. If a clot completely blocks an artery feeding your brain, you have a stroke.

A Problem Without Symptoms
Despite the risks, about 1 in 3 Americans have not had their cholesterol tested in the past 5 years. That’s how often the American Heart Association recommends screening.
Sperling says high cholesterol may not worry you enough because:
It doesn’t cause symptoms. So you don’t know you have it unless you get a blood cholesterol test.
It doesn’t cause pain. So you may be less likely to seek treatment or keep taking your cholesterol-lowering medicine.
"It's not like taking a painkiller for an aching knee, where you know it's working," he says.
Plus, the risks from high cholesterol aren’t immediate. The damage accumulates over years -- even decades. High cholesterol in your 20s and 30s can take its toll in your 50s and 60s. Because the effects take time, you may not feel the urgency to treat it. You may think you can deal with it later – but you may wait too long.
"Having high cholesterol may not hurt you today or tomorrow," Sperling says. "But if you don't do something about it, it can have a terrible cost down the road."

Protect Yourself
You can outsmart high cholesterol. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and take medicine as your doctor recommends to lower your levels.
The first step: Ask your doctor if it’s time for you to have a fasting cholesterol blood test. If they're high, ask your doctor what numbers are ideal for you based on your personal health and risk factors. Also ask how often you need the test.

Most people should have:
LDL, “bad” cholesterol, less than 100 mg/dL.  If you already have heart disease, you may need to aim for under 70 mg/dL.
HDL, “good” cholesterol, 60 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides, another type of risky fat in your bloodstream, less than 150 mg/dL
Whatever you do, don't ignore your high cholesterol risks.
 

Coconut Water:Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits

1. Reduce high blood pressure - Coconut water is high in potassium and some studies have reported that low levels of potassium has been linked to high blood pressure. Therefore, drinking coconut water regularly can help in regulating blood pressure. Similar recent studies also have found that coconut water can help raise HDL (good) cholesterol, which makes it an excellent natural treatment for maintaining good cardiovascular health.


2. Strengthen the Immune System - The lauric acid in Coconut water has antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties, which help strengthen the body’s immune system against a variety of viruses and illness.

3. Keep Body Hydrated - Since coconut water is pack with all five of the same electrolytes that the body has, including potassium, magnesium, chloride, calcium and sodium. Altogether, play an important role in keeping the body hydrated during physical activities. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have fought for a patent in 2000 to promote coconut water as the next big sports drink.

4. Helps Lose Weight - Coconut water is low in calories and 99% fat-free. A serving of coconut water has just 46 calories. So regular intake of coconut water can help shed unwanted pounds by increasing the metabolic rate.


5. Aids in Digestion and Metabolism - Coconut water contains various bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase and RNA polymerases, which help to overcome the problem of digestion and metabolism. Drinking of coconut water on a regular basis has been shown effective in dealing abdomen discomfort.

6. Improve Blood Circulation - Coconut water is also good source of fiber, vitamin C and protein which can help in improving blood circulation and heart rate.

7. Good for Pregnant Women - Coconut water is an efficient natural remedy for pregnant women who suffer from acidity, constipation and heartburn problems. It is also helps boost the levels of amniotic fluid, which plays a vital role in the overall wellness of the baby. With such great benefits, it is no wonder that coconut water is recommended for pregnant women.

8. Treats Urinary Infections - Coconut water is a natural diuretic which helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTI) as well as relieve the kidney stones problem.

9. Promotes Skin Health - Coconut water acts as a light moisturizer which also decreases excessive oil on the skin. This proves to be beneficial for smoothing the skin as well. It can be used directly to a bath or mix with liquid shower gel. This natural water is also best for treating acne and blackheads as well.

10. Increase Energy Levels - The lauric acid in coconut water stimulates the production of thyroid hormones, thereby increasing your metabolic rate, which in turn increase your energy level.