Diseases (Anorexia)

IntroductionAnorexia nervosa is a psychiatric illness leads to eating disorder characterized by extremely low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Individuals with anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually 15% below the person's normal body weight.

The key factors associated with anorexia nervosa are: • Refusal to sustain a minimally normal body weight • Intense fear of gaining weight, despite being underweight • Distorted view of one’s body or weight, or denial of the dangers of one’s low weight Types: Anorexia has been classified into two types include: Restricting type: This is characterized by the patient adopting unhealthy habits, like fasting, to avoid weight gain. Binge eating or Purging type: This type is characterized by the use of self-induced vomiting, or misuse of laxatives or diuretics to help in the prevention of weight gain.

Causes

There is no single cause of anorexia nervosa. Several different factors are usually involved in producing this disorder are as follows

   • Cultural pressures

   • Psychological issues

   • Family environment

   • Genetic factors

   • Life transitions

   • Perpetuating factors

Symptoms

The following are the symptoms of Anorexia nervosa  • Anxiety  • Body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height  • Brittle skin  • Loss of at least 3 consecutive menstrual periods (in women)  • Not willing or refusing to eat in public  • Obsessiveness about calorie intake  • Shortness of  breath  • Weakness Complications: • Osteopenia- Osteopenia is increased bone resorption as well as decreased bone formation. It is one of the most severe complications of anorexia nervosa. • Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common cardiac change in patients with anorexia nervosa. • Amenorrhea (absence of menses)

Diagnosis
Diagnosing anorexia nervosa is a complex process, made more difficult by the anorexic's refusal to accept that they have a problem, a complete medical and psychological history will be gathered if anorexia is suspected. This will include details such as previous weight, extent of weight loss, physical symptoms, dieting history, binge eating, exercise levels, and family or relationship problems. Blood tests will usually be part of the physical examination, and electrocardiogram tests will be performed if there is reason to believe the heart has been affected.




Treatment

Drugs- Medication treatments play less prominent role in anorexia than for many other psychiatric disorders. In some severe cases olanzapine, fluoxetine, risperidone and quetiapine are used.

Other treatments are as follows:

• Behaviour therapy

• Cognitive therapy

• Counseling therapy

• Family therapy

• Group therapy

• Nutritional therapy for anorexia

Prevention

There are no preventive measures available as such for anorexia but the following are some tips to lead a healthy life.

• A healthy view of self and others

• Teach children to take good care of their bodies

• Avoid making comments that link being thin to being popular or healthy

• A healthy approach to food and exercise

• Avoid punishing or rewarding your children with food

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Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth is always related to knowledge, our grandparents often says that when wisdom tooth comes it means that now the person has become wise. This is how it is related to wisdom and knowledge. No such studies and facts are present to prove this saying, apart from the fact that everyone knows this story. Wisdom tooth usually comes till the age of 17 years. Its eruption is the most painful phase of teething in one’s life. If jaw size is big and enough space is present to erupt then it is not painful otherwise it results in swelling and even need small surgery. In some cases wisdom tooth comes on its appropriate place, but in some case it erupts in different angulations as shown in figure.
	Mesial Impaction:- Impaction is the word given to condition when sufficient space is not available for the eruption of tooth as shown in figure .Wisdom tooth is hitting second molar and even causing gum infection in surrounding area. In this case small surgery is required in which dentist has to give incision to extract wisdom tooth. After surgery sutures are placed to promote proper healing.
	Distal Impaction: - In this case when tooth is placed distally, extraction has to be done very carefully. Little negligence can prove to make task difficult.
	Vertical Impaction: - In this, tooth is placed vertically and space is not available for its eruption. During the extraction of vertically placed wisdom tooth dentist has to remove even bone.
	Horizontal Impaction: - Extraction of horizontal impaction tooth is quite difficult as second molar lies close to wisdom tooth. Sometimes during extraction , second molar gets affected unintentionally.
Some precautionary measures after wisdom tooth extraction are as follows:- Do not remove the cotton swab for at least half an hour. Do not smoke after extraction for at least 3 days. Do not miss any of the medication prescribed by the Doctor. Do not use straw to sip drinks. Do not spit frequently; try to swallow for at least 1 day. Do not stretch your cheeks or prick finger in lesion. Do not use vigorous brushing till the sutures are removed. Take fluid diet for at least 2 days. Do warm saline rinses twice daily for 3 days. Keep mouth clean, use mouthwash so that plaque does not deposit on teeth.

Diet » Health Articles » Nutrition facts of egg

Nutrition facts of egg

Eggs are rich source of nutrients except vitamin C. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids. Egg protein has high biological value. It has biological value of 100. One medium size egg contains 214 mg of cholesterol. The cholesterol present in egg yolk may be harmful for diabetes, cardiovascular, obesity and diabetes. Phosphorus and iodine present in egg is essential for making thyroid hormones. Egg is a good source of glutamine. Raw egg is not good for health as raw egg contains avidin and it binds with biotin and makes the vitamin unavailable. Avidin is destroyed by cooking the egg. Egg is a good source of albumin. Egg fat is highly emulsified. Eggs are rich in vitamin B12. One large egg provides 75 kcals. Choline present in eggs is helpful in fetal brain development. Eggs are of immense benefit for eyes. According to one study, an egg per day may prevent macular degeneration due to its carotenoids contents specifically lutein and zeaxanthin.   Lutein may lower risk of developing cataracts.

Health Articles » Food Additives

Diet  »  Health Articles    »   Food Additives

A food additive is defined as a substance or a mixture of substances, other than basic food stuff, which is present in food as a result of any aspect of production, processing, storage or packaging. Food additives are added in order to improve texture, flavor, color and appearance. Food additives are classified as antioxidants, Preservatives, Food colors, food Flavors, Emulsifiers and stabilizers, anti caking agents, acids, bases and buffers, sweeteners, enzymes, leavening agents, anti foaming agents.

Antioxidants: A substance when added to food prevents oxidative deterioration . Some of the anti oxidants added in different foods are gallic acid, resin guiace, citric acid, tartaric acid, octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate, propyl gallate, ethyl gallate, butytlated hydroxyanisole and tertiary butyl hydro quinone.

Preservatives: These are substances when added to food inhibit, retard or arrest the activity of microorganisms such as fermentation, acidification and decomposition of foods. Some of the preservatives are common salt, dextrose, honey, spices, sugar, vinegar, edible vegetable oils, glucose syrup, nisin, sodium diacetate, nitrates, nitrites, lactic acid, sorbic acid, acid calcium phosphate.

Food colours: These food colours are used to enhance colors that occur naturally but at levels weaker than usually associated with a given food. There are natural and synthetic food colours. The natural sources are turmeric, saffron, caramel, beta carotene. The artificial colours are Red, yellow, blue and green.

Flavorings agents:  Flavorings agents add flavor to foods. There are natural and artificial flavours.

Emulsifying agents: Substances which are capable of facilitating a uniform dispersion of oils and fats in aqueous media.

Anticaking agents: Substances that pick up moisture without themselves becoming wet. These are added to products such as table salt and dry mixes to a maximum level of 2%.

Anti foaming agents: The anti foaming agents are added to retard decorative changes and foaming height during heating of edible oils and fats.

Buffering agents: These are agents used to counter acidic and alkaline changes during storage or processing of the food, thus improving the flavour and increasing the stability of foods.

Nutrition Basics » Dietary Fat

Nutrition Basics    »   Dietary Fat

Fat is major source of energy. One gram of fat provides 9 kcals. It is recommended that 15 – 3-0% of total daily calories be derived from fats. The upper limit of fat should not exceed 30% of total calories. The visible fat intake should be 15 – 25gms/day. It plays a major role in your cholesterol levels. It serves number of functions in the body. Fat in the diet is important to absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A present in the food. Fat also provides fatty acids important for structure and function of cells. It also helps to use proteins and carbohydrates more efficiently in the body. Fats are a vital part of the membrane surrounds each cell of body. Kidneys, Heart and intestines are cushioned by fat that helps and protects from injury. Fat in the diet can be of two types visible fat and invisible fat. Fat provide palatability to food.

Visible fat:  The fats derived from animals and plants like butter, ghee, mustard, safflower, sunflower, groundnut etc. are visible fats.

Invisible fats: The fat present in food items like cereals, pulses, milk, eggs, meat etc. are called invisible fats.

Different types of fats are saturated and unsaturated fats:

Saturated fats: Saturated fats are mostly found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy and sea foods. Plant sources like palm oil and coconut oil also contain high amount of saturated fats. These saturated fats increase LDL bad cholesterol. Daily recommended intake of saturated fats should be below 10% of total calorie intake. When we consume enough of good fats our body can produce saturated fats we need.

Unsaturated fats: These fats increase HDL cholesterol and decrease LDL cholesterol. Unsaturated fatty acids include both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.

Polyunsaturated fats: Polyunsaturated fats should not exceed 10 percent of total calorie intake. Examples of these fats include sunflower oil, soy bean oil, safflower oil, flax seed oil , walnuts and fish oil. Polyunsaturated fat includes both omega 3 and omega 6.Omega 3 fats are anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fats are not synthesized by body , but we can get through some of the foods. Omega 3 fatty acids produce a metabolite DHA which reduces symptoms of depression. Omega 3 fatty acids improve oxygenation. Omega 6 fatty acids are proinflammatory.

Monounsaturated fats: The recommended intake of monounsaturated fats should be around 10 to 15 percent of total calorie intake. Monosaturated fats include olive oil, peanut oil, sesame oil and canola oil.

Diet for liver Health

Liver is the most important organ and has wide range of functions like protein synthesis and detoxification. This is the place where most of the medicines get metabolized. A balanced diet is very important to protect the liver from infections. Overeating adversely affect the liver and damages the liver cells.

Diet for liver:

• Include dietary fiber in your diet which binds with bile. This will help to transport toxins in large intestine, and helps to eliminates fat-soluble toxins.

• Your daily diet must contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B, beta carotene and calcium this will protect the liver from damage.

• To increase liver decongestion and functioning include food rich in folic acid, choline, betaine, methionine, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

• Fasting with proper medical supervision helps in the process of detoxification.

• Vitamin C and Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant to protect your liver. Some of the foods you can include are citrus fruits, mangoes, red cabbage, green leafy vegetables and almonds.

• Include nutritional yeast, peanuts and brown rice which are rich in Vitamin B complex.

• Include egg yolks, garlic, onions, whole grains and beans which are rich in methionine and cysteine.

• Avoid highly processed, refined foods such as coffee, chocolate, sugar, spicy foods, and fried foods.

• Avoid alcohol consumption.

Body Mass Index

 Fitness and Exercises

Body mass index is the ratio of weight to height to estimate body fat. It is advisable to use Body mass index along waist to hip ratio to get complete picture of your weight status. Body mass index is particularly helpful for identifying children and adults at risk of overweight. But it not gives completely accurate information.

The formula for Body mass index is WEIGHT (KG)/HEIGHT (MT2)

BMI	Category
Less than 18.5	Underweight
18.5 to 24.9	Normal weight
25 to 30	Over weight
More than 30	Obese

Curative and Prevention Tips

Your ears require very little maintenance. However, since you only have two of them, here are some hints to protect and keep those two healthy:

NEVER use cotton-tipped applicators (such as Q-tips) in your ears!  Cerumen, or ear wax, is natural, lubricates the canal, catches dirt particles, and naturally moves itself and debris to the outside.

If you remove the cerumen, your ears will most likely become itchy.                                  

Using applicators in the ear canal can push the wax deeply into the canal creating even more difficult removal, scratching the canal results in infection and tear the skin of the canal with bleeding, or even perforate or tear the ear drum.

If a child observes adults using applicators in their ears, they mimic the adults, using them in their own ears -often with serious injuries!

To clean the wax:

Clean the cerumen from the outer ear canal with a moist washcloth wrapped around your finger.

Provided there is no perforation or hole in the ear drum, limited use of wax removal drops or hydrogen peroxide in the ear as well as allowing warm shower to enter the canal will help soften and remove the wax.

Avoid loud sounds:

Exposure to loud music, fireworks, firearms, motorcycles, aircraft, power tools, and other sources of loud sound may cause permanent nerve-type hearing loss - even with one exposure!

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, often accompanies such loss and is also often permanent.
 
When exposed to loud noise, always wear adequate approved ear protection.

Keep children away from such sounds; they can permanently lose their hearing, too.

Ear pain may not be due to the ear itself.

Other conditions, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease, Eustachian tube dysfunction, tumors in the throat behind the nose, or referred pain from tumors or infections in the throat or voice box may cause pain in the ear.

If you have ear pain, see your physician or an otolaryngologist.

Recurrent ear infections or fluid in the middle ear in children can cause permanent damage to the ears and hearing.

Benefits of Neem Oil

Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil is obtained from its fruits and seeds. It is an Indian subcontinent evergreen tree. Neem oil is a vegetable oil.

Medicinal Benefits of Neem :

• Neem oil can help us from many unfriendly microorganisms since it has anti bacterial, anti parasitic, anti fungal, anti protozoal and anti viral properties.

• Apply neem powder or oil on wounds or cuts. This will help in fast recovery.

• If you suffer from body odour problems, then take bath in warm water with a few neem leaves. This is highly helpful.

• Neem powder and oil has been used for many skin problems like rashes, ringworm infection, eczema, allergy etc.

• Neem is known to have anti malarial activity.

• Neem oil has been used to remove lice from hair. It is also effective to treat graying of hair, dandruff and hair fall.

• Neem oil helps to relieve pain. A massage on muscle and joints with neem oil can help to relieve pain.

• Neem cures constipation and help from indigestion.

• Neem had deworming action and will help in better intestinal functioning.

• Neem will purify blood. And has anti-toxic effect.

• Neem is a very good medicine for diabetic patients to control blood sugar levels.

• Neem strengthens the immune system and destroys any foreign disease in the body.

Back Pain Remedies

Pain in the lower back is one of the most common medical problem. Back pain can be cause by either disease or injury to the muscles, bones, and nerves of the spine.

To overcome back pain, one should follow the simple steps as given below,

• Massage with eucalyptus or mustard oil in the stained area.

• Include garlic in daily diet.

• Daily drink mixture of warm tulsi water with salt.

• Take one tablespoon of honey with little amount dalchini powder, twice a day.

• While sleeping, sleep on a firm mattress.

• Include tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, spinach in diet.

• Take equal amount of cuscus grass mixed with sugar in warm milk, two times per day.

• Take mixture of warm water with one tablespoon of honey.

• Go for regular exercise and brisk walk.

• Avoid carrying heavy weights.

• Apply ice pack to the painful area.

• Take hot bath.

• Maintain healthy weight.

• Avoid direct bending for picking any thing from the ground.

• Avoid Sedentary life style.

• Don’t sit in one posture for long time.

• Practice relaxing techniques such as meditation, deep-breathing exercise.

Childhood Obesity Prevention

Obesity has already acquired the role of an epidemic. The cases of childhood obesity have been continuously increasing throughout the world. There have been many articles in newspapers and documentaries on television asking the parents to get up and prevent their children from falling prey to obesity. There are easy ways that parents can become the first line of defense for their children and truly be instrumental in reducing the risk for childhood obesity within their child.

• Have the child evaluated regularly by the family physician or the pediatrician. A health and wellness checkup is important for every child, because it can help to evaluate medical problems while assessing risk factors for potential and future medical problems.

• Encourage healthy eating by removing high fat and sugary snacks, and replacing them with healthier choices like fresh fruits and vegetables. Numerous healthy low fat snacks are also available in the market.

• Take a stand against sedentary activity. Motivate and encourage your child for more physical activities rather than just sitting at one place and getting glued to television, computer or video games. Always remember that the child who abstains from physical activities is more prone to obesity.

• Communicate acceptance to the child in case he/she is already obese. An obese child knows they have a weight problem, and they do not need to have the parental ridicule to deal with on top of the peer ridicule they probably receive daily. Parents should love their child unconditionally and accept them for who they are. They should form a partnership to help their child reduce the risk of obesity and combat weight problems.

• Always remember to be a positive role model for your child because children learn from the example set by their parents. So, practice what you preach.