Coconut Water: Health Benefits

Regulates blood pressure
According to research, coconut water helps improve blood circulation, lowers high blood pressure levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. It is also said to control your blood sugar levels.



Help lose weight
If you are on a weight loss spree, coconut water should be a must-have in your diet chart. Low in fat, drinking this beverage can help one feel full and reduce cravings.



Increases immunity
Rich in nutrients and vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and pyridoxine, and folates, coconut water has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can help increase your body's immune system and fight viral infections like flu.



For pregnant womenDoctors often recommend coconut water during pregnancy as it helps fight constipation, heart burn and slow digestion.



Improves kidney functionDue to its minerals, potassium and magnesium content, coconut water is beneficial to a person suffering from any kidney disease. This water also acts as a diuretic and increases the flow and production of urine.



For your skinIf you have acne or pimple problems or want to retain its youthfulness, apply coconut water on your face and leave it overnight. Due to its repairing properties, it can even be applied to hands and nails.

Breast Cancer in India: Symptoms, Facts & Myths

India is facing a growing cancer epidemic, with a large increase in the number of women with breast cancer. By the year 2020 nearly 70 percent of the world’s cancer cases will come from developing countries, with a fifth of those cases coming from India.

Much of the sudden increase in breast cancer cases is attributed to the rise in Westernization of the country. This includes, but is not limited to, westernized diet, greater urban concentrations of women, and later child bearing. Additionally, problems with India’s health care infrastructure prevent adequate screenings and access for women, ultimately leading to lower health outcomes compared to more developed countries.[22] As of 2012, India has a shortage of trained oncologists and cancer
centres, further straining the health care system.

Symptoms of Breast cancer

The following are some of the commonest symptoms in the breast that a woman may have. More than 90% of such symptoms may be due of benign breast disease, but many of them need to be evaluated by a doctor, for treatment as well as there is a small chance that some of these symptoms could be the first sign of an underlying cancer. So, be alert!

Appearance: Any change in the appearance of breasts should be noticed. Usually in a woman, the two breasts are symmetrical.

Bumps: Any contoural change in the breast or any lump/ bump noticed needs immediate doctor's consultation. Lumps may be benign or malignant i.e cancerous.

Color and texture: Discoloration of skin over the breast or changes in texture, making it thick, may be due to infection/ inflammatory condition and very rarely due a so called 'inflammatory breast cancer'.

Discharge from the nipple: Discharge from the nipple may also occur in benign conditions, but a blood stained discharge from the nipple is not a good sign, and may be an indicator of an underlying cancer.

Excoriations: Excoriations are seen as erosion occurring in nipple and are commonly seen during lactation. If they occur in older age group, they must be brought to a doctor's attention. They can occur in a form of cancer called as 'Paget's' disease of the breast

Feeling of discomfort: Discomfort or pain in one breast that is different to what is normal for you.

Gynecomastia: This is an enlargement of male breasts. It occurs because of hormonal imbalance and is seen during puberty with second peak after 50yrs.

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): Women taking a HRT are at a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer, and must visit doctor regularly.

Lump: During breast self examination, regularly assess and feel for any new lump or a nodule.

Mastalgia: Mastalgia is pain in the breasts. This is more a symptom of young and adolescent women, occurs before the periods. Mastalgia does not usually occur in a cancer.

Nipple: Nipple may be a source of symptoms for some women. Like for example, a nipple discharge which is new and not milky, needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

Bleeding or moist red areas around the nipple which don't heal easily may be a sign of an underlying cancer. Watch out for the direction of the nipple. Normally, in a women's upright position with hands by the side, the nipple points downwards and outwards. Any change in the position of the nipple, like if it is being pulled 'in' or points in a different direction, must promptly be reported to a doctor.

Skin: During regular examination, the skin over the breast must be paid special attention to. In some advanced cancers, the skin over the breast becomes like the 'peel' of the fruit orange. Sometimes, if the skin is tethered to the underlying cancer, there will be 'puckering' of the skin.

Breast cancer Facts

Breast cancer is the MOST COMMON CANCER in women all over India and accounts for 25% to 31% of all cancers in women in Indian cities. (Source: PBCR 2009 - 2011 )

We are witnessing an AGE SHIFT, and the average age of developing breast cancer has shifted from 50 - 70 years to 30 - 50 years; and cancers in the young tend to be more aggressive.

Awareness and understanding of this disease is half the war won already; and will help in making correct decisions and selecting correct doctor for the treatment.

According to GLOBOCAN (WHO), for the year 2012, an estimated 70218 women died in India due to breast cancer, more than any other country in the world (second: China - 47984 deaths and third: US - 43909 deaths ). Notice the difference in numbers!

In India, many non oncology medical professionals (General Surgeons, Gynecologists etc.) tend to treat breast cancer themselves, there are a lot of incorrect decisions, unwanted investigations, and inadequate surgeries, and this directly affects the outcome and longevity of the patient.

Common Myths

I do not have any habits, do not take alcohol or tobacco. Why did I get breast cancer then?

Technically, breast cancer is NOT a 'disease'. It is a 'condition'. It can happen to anyone, even the healthiest of individuals. In breast cancer, one single cell has gone haywire and out of control of normal body mechanisms and starts multiplying without any control. There are many factors in our routine lifestyle, which can trigger formation of such naughty cells. Breast cancer crosses all boundaries, it occurs in old as well as young, in the rich as well as poor, in women of all religions. Those suffering from breast cancer should never ever feel, that they have had something wrong in them so as to have developed this. If breast cancer has to happen, it will happen; no one can stop it. But we can surely detect it early.

Wearing a tight brassiere or using heavy perfumes causes breast cancer

Breast cancer occurs only in families

Breast cancer cannot occur at young age

All lumps in the breast are cancerous

Alternate treatment can cure breast cancer

ANEMIA (रक्ताल्पता या खून की कमी)

हमारे खून में दो तरह की कोशिका होती हैं -लाल व सफ़ेद | लाल रक्त कोशिका की कमी से शरीर में खून की कमी हो जाती है जिसे रक्ताल्पता या अनीमिया कहा जाता है | लाल रक्त कोशिका के लिए लौहतत्व (iron) आवश्यक है अतः हमारे हीमोग्लोबिन में लौह तत्व की कमी के कारण भी रक्ताल्पता होती है | 

रक्ताल्पता या खून की कमी होने से शरीर में कमज़ोरी उत्पन्न होना,काम में मन नहीं लगना,भूख न लगना,चेहरे की चमक ख़त्म होना,शरीर थका-थका लगना आदि इस रोग के मुख्य लक्षण हैं | स्त्रियों में खून की कमी के कारण 'मासिक धर्म' समय से नहीं होता है | खून की कमी बच्चों में हो जाने से बच्चे शारीरिक रूप से कमज़ोर हो जाते हैं जिसके कारण उनका विकास नहीं हो पाता तथा दिमाग कमज़ोर होने के कारण याद्दाश्त पर भी असर पढता है | इस वजह से बच्चे पढाई में पिछड़ने लगते हैं | 
आइये जानते हैं रक्ताल्पता के कुछ उपचार -

१- खून की कमी को दूर करने के लिए,अनार के रस में थोड़ी सी काली मिर्च और सेंधा नमक मिलाकर पीने से लाभ होता है | 
 

२- मेथी,पालक और बथुआ आदि का प्रतिदिन सेवन करने से खून की कमी दूर हो जाती है | मेथी की सब्ज़ी खाने से भी बहुत लाभ होता है क्यूंकि मेथी में आयरन प्रचुर मात्रा में होता है |
 

३- गिलोय का रस सेवन करने से खून की कमी दूर हो जाती है | आप यह अपने निकटवर्ती पतंजलि चिकित्सालय से प्राप्त कर सकते हैं | 
 

४- रक्ताल्पता से पीड़ित रोगियों को २०० मिली गाजर के रस में १०० मिली पालक का रस मिलाकर पीने से बहुत लाभ होता है
 

५- प्रतिदिन लगभग २००-२५० ग्राम पपीते के सेवन से खून की कमी दूर होती है | यह प्रयोग लगभग बीस दिन तक लगातार करना चाहिए | 
 

६- दो टमाटर काट कर उस पर काली मिर्च और सेंधा नमक डालकर सेवन करना रक्ताल्पता में बहुत लाभकारी होता है | 
 

७- उबले हुए काले चनों के प्रतिदिन सेवन से भी बहुत लाभ होता है | 
 

८- गुड़ में भी लौह तत्व प्रचुर मात्रा में होता है अतः भोजन के बाद एक डली गुड़ अवश्य खाएं लाभ होगा |