1 December, 2017

Rise in cancer cases worldwide could be due to diabetes, says study

According to a recent study, a team of researchers has found that cancers related to metabolic diseases, especially diabetes and obesity, have an increasingly high incidence, according to Express.co.uk As per the team’s data, 5.6 percent of all cancer cases throughout the world in 2012 were linked to pre-existing diabetes and a high body mass index (BMI), which is defined as over 25 kilograms per square meter. Of this total, 3.9 percent of cases were attributable to diabetes – almost twice as many cases as were related to a high BMI. Dr. Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, the lead author of the study, said, “While obesity has been associated with cancer for some time, the link between diabetes and cancer has only been established quite recently. Our study shows that diabetes – either on its own or combined with being overweight – is responsible for hundreds of thousands of cancer cases each year across the world.”

A surge in both conditions over the last four decades has made the tally significantly worse, the study showed. The global increase in diabetes between 1980 and 2002 accounted for a quarter of the 800,000 cases, while the obesity epidemic over the same period resulted in an additional 30 percent of cases. On current trends, the share of cancers attributable to the two conditions will increase by 30 percent for women and 20 percent for men in less than 20 years, the scientists warned.

For men, obesity and diabetes accounted for more than 40 percent of liver cancers, while for women they were responsible for a third of uterine cancers, and nearly as many cases of breast cancer. The new study took into account the increase in the incidence of 18 types of cancer-related to diabetes and high BMI in 175 countries between 1980 and 2002. The researchers explain that an increase in diabetes diagnoses between 1980 and 2002 caused a 26.1 percent increase in related cancers in 2012. The study was published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

01.12.2017

If you can stay positive in a negative situation, you win

30 November, 2017

One in 10 medicines fake; diseases becoming untreatable: WHO

An estimated one in 10 medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries like India is either "substandard or falsified", says a new research report from the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to WHO, these medicines not only fail to treat or prevent diseases but can also cause serious illness or even death.

"Substandard and falsified medicines particularly affect the most vulnerable communities," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General. The report highlighted that since 2013, the WHO has received 1,500 reports of cases of substandard or falsified products. Of these, antimalarials and antibiotics are the most commonly reported.

Most of such reports (42 per cent) come from the WHO African Region, 21 per cent from the WHO Region of the Americas, and 21 per cent from the WHO European Region.

"This is likely just a small fraction of the total problem and many cases may be going unreported. For example, only 8 per cent of reports of substandard or falsified products to WHO came from the WHO Western Pacific Region, 6 per cent from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and just 2 per cent from the WHO South-East Asia Region," said the report.

The report further says that substandard or falsified medicines promote antimicrobial resistance in people, who can pass on the mutant infection while travelling abroad. Such bacteria or virus resistant to medicine will become impossible to treat.

According to the report there is clear evidence that resistance to the most important antimalarial medicine, artemisinin, first appeared in a part of the world where at one point between 38 and 90 per cent of the artemisinin medicines on the market were substandard or falsified.

The substandard and falsified medical products also affect the legitimate manufacturers of both generic and innovators pharmaceutical products who suffer financially and reputation-wise when criminals falsify their products.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

30.11.2017

If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten you path

Buddha

29 November, 2017

Lifestyle, NCDs kill over 61% in India

Over 61% of all deaths in India can be attributed to lifestyle or non-communicable diseases, according to a new report that red-flagged how many environmental risk factors are linked to seven major diseases affecting the millions of Indians.

Take the case of cancer for example. More than 1.73 million new cancer cases are likely to be recorded each year by 2020. While air pollution, tobacco, alcohol and diet change are the known triggers, up to 20% of cancer cases can be linked to environmental exposures of toxins says the report prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment.

The report underscores the significance of tackling the environmental risk factors in order to curb the non-communicable diseases, responsible for more than 61% of the deaths in India.The seven diseases or disorders, highlighted in the report, are obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory troubles (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder); mental health, hormonal imbalance and food allergies.

"India has 2% of the world's land mass but 21% of the diseases mass. In the last two decades, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, mental illness, and depression have become common. A host of organs including heart and kidney are affected by air pollution besides the lungs. The toxins in the air also cause infertility and insulin resistance," Sanjeev Bagai, vice chairperson of Manipal Hospital said at a function where the report was released.

The World Health Organisation identified four risk factors for non-communicable or lifestyle diseases – alcohol, tobacco, poor diet and lack of physical activity. The global body argued that by investing just $1-3 per person per year, countries can dramatically reduce illness and death from NCDs.

"We believe the cost is going to be much higher. The risk factors have multiple targets and can cause diseases which are not generally linked to them. For example, exposure to pesticides is known to cause cancer, but new data is emerging to link it to diabetes as well," said Sunita Narain, director general of the CSE.

Increase in lifespan is coming at a big price. In the 1970s prevalence of diabetes was 3-4% but the figures are staggering at the moment. Its all about processed food and changing eating behaviour is the biggest challenge, said Ambrish Mithal, head of the endocrinology division at Medanta Heart Institute, Gurugram. 

Air pollution is another risk factor. While its role to trigger respiratory problems are well known, there is little understanding of how this can adversely affect mental health. Increased sugar intake too has been linked to mental illness, says the report.

Source: www.deccanherald.com

29.11.2017

Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching

28 November, 2017

Health policy must tackle new reality

The report "India: Health of the Nation's States," which was released last week, gives a better and more detailed perspective of the state of the nation's health than similar reports and surveys done in the past. It is very comprehensive and has much more data than exercises like the National Family Health Survey. It confirms some known facts but also provides new information which will be useful in formulating public health policies for particular regions and states. The report was prepared by the Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR) and some other organisations in collaboration with the Union health ministry. It has traced the changes which have taken place in the country's health profile over a period from 1990 to 2016 and mapped the state-wide divergences in disease burden. It is well known that social and economic development improves health outcomes. This has happened in India also and key health indicators like life expectancy have shown great improvement from 1990 to 2016. The report has shown this.

An important finding is that the disease profile has undergone a major change. During the 1990-2016 period, the threat posed by communicable diseases like tuberculosis and malaria and by maternal, neonatal and nutrition-related diseases declined and the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart ailments and diabetes has grown. In 1990, the burden of infectious and associated diseases was 61% and that of others, linked to lifestyles, was 30%. The relative positions reversed in 2016, with infectious diseases accounting for 33% and NCDs accounting for 55%. This trend is going to continue in the years to come and so public health strategies will have to be changed accordingly. Different strategies will be needed, which target sections of people in different socio-economic strata. Health infrastructure, medical education and the training and skills of medical personnel will have to be re-oriented to cater to the new situation.

The report also shows that the health profiles of different states vary widely. While NCDs took more lives in developed states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab, infectious and associated diseases were the major threats to health in states like UP, MP and Orissa. The report also compared pairs of states like UP and MP, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra and Gujarat and showed that national health performance can be vastly improved if the health problems and risks in particular states are targeted separately. The national health policy should be decentralised to address the specific needs of states, and even of regions within states. Collection of more data and better research will also help to fine-tune the policy.

Source: www.deccanherald.com

28.12.2017

Believing in yourself is the secret to success

27 November, 2017

Researchers have found a way to regenerate new blood vessels

Researchers have identified a signaling pathway that is essential for the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels. This may be a significant discovery for treatment of narrowing of heart arteries and peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes. The study led by researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) is important because it may help in revising strategies to improve flow of blood in ischemic tissue. “Our research shows that the formation of fully functional blood vessels requires activation of protein kinase Akt by a protein called R-Ras, and this mechanism is necessary for the formation of the hallow structure, or lumen, of a blood vessel.” Masanobu Komatsu, Ph.D., associate professor at SBP’s Lake Nona campus said.

There have been efforts to treat ischemia by creating new blood vessels and delivering angiogenic growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to ischemic sites. But these efforts have failed to yield results. “Generating new blood vessels is similar to the way trees grow; sprouts develop from existing vessels and then branch out further and further to restore vascularity, Fangfei Li, Ph.D., postdoctoral associate in Komatsu’s lab said.

“This study shows that there are distinct steps and signals that control the process. First, VEGF activates Akt to induce endothelial cells to sprout. Then, R-Ras activates Akt to induce lumen formation,” Li explained. “The second step involving Akt activation by R-Ras stabilizes the microtubule cytoskeleton in endothelial cells, creating a steady architecture that promotes lumen formation,” Li added. “We propose that VEGF and R-Ras activation of Akt signaling are complementary to each other, both are necessary to generate fully functional blood vessels to repair ischemic tissue,” said Komatsu.

“Our next step is to work toward promoting the combined signaling of Akt in clinical studies; prompting R-Ras activation through either gene therapy or pharmacologically in parallel with VEGF therapy,” said Komatsu. The findings of this study were published in Nature Communications.

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

27.11.2017

You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength

Marcus Aurelius

24 November, 2017

HEALTH ALERT! This everyday habit can give you diabetes

REGULAR HYGIENE HABIT THAT CAN UP YOUR RISK OF DIABETES: It’s said if you maintain hygiene then good health will automatically follow. So, in order to maintain good health, we all follow habits that we think are good for us. But did you ever imagine that one of these healthy habits could be one of the reasons behind a nasty lifestyle disease - diabetes? With nearly 50 million people suffering from type 2 diabetes, India is known as the diabetes capital of the world. In fact, according to WHO (World Health Organisation), diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. It is one of the major causes of kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and lower limb amputation.

USING MOUTHWASH MORE THAN TWO TIMES IN A DAY: A recent study published in the Journal 'Nitric Oxide' says that people who use over-the-counter mouthwash twice or more every day are at an increased risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Shocked to know? So are we. But there is an explanation for the same. Let’s discover.

HOW: Your mouth has both good and bad microbes. The mouthwash that we use to maintain dental health is anti-microbial in nature. It does not differentiate between good and bad microbes and destroy them all. In short, mouthwash is antiseptic in nature. We need these oral microbes for overall metabolic health.

THE PROCESS: The oral microbes change nitrate into nitrite, which is then swallowed by the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract then converts it into nitric oxide (NO) which is an important molecule. It is important as it regulates the insulin level which keeps the blood sugar level in check. Not only the nitric oxide, it also regulates metabolism and energy levels. 

THE STUDY: A study conducted in 2013 examined people who used mouthwash more than two times a day for seven days continuously. This reduced their oral nitrate production by 90 per cent and the blood nitrate levels by 25 per cent. As mouthwash kills the useful microbes, it could be making way for the harmful ones.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

24.11.2017

Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities

Terry Josephson

23 November, 2017

Can't do without an AC? Here's how it is hurting you

With indoor as well as the outdoor quality of air deteriorating, many experts suggest using air conditioner (AC) to keep the indoor air clean. This obviously requires you to keep your AC in a good condition. However, it may be harming you in other ways that you don't know.

ITCHY SKIN AND HAIR: Due to change in temperature, the moisture on our skin is ripped off leading to dry and itchy skin & hair. This is because we keep alternating between indoor and outdoor, and in the process, the difference in temperature affects our skin and hair cells.

DEHYDRATION: Air conditioning tends to suck humidity out of a room. In fact, excess air conditioning is a prime cause for dehydration.

PROLONGED COLD AND COUGH: If you are already prone to cold and cough, air conditioning can worsen it as the cool air can enter our system and not let these common issues heal.

LETHARGY: The age-old saying of getting fresh air is applicable here. Our body needs natural ventilation in order to have increased metabolism. With the artificial cooling of air, this does not happen. Therefore, a majority of people who stay in too much air conditioning through the day are lazy or lethargic when they step out of this setting.

DRY EYES: Dry and itchy eyes are another byproduct of staying in too much air conditioning. Constant exposure to computers and too much air conditioning can worsen this condition.

VIRAL INFECTIONS: Just like air conditioning can prolong an existing disease or condition, it can also play a key role in spreading viral infections. This is because too much air can dry our nasal passage and mucus membrane, letting in infections.

HEADACHES: If you keep suffering from a severe headache every day, your AC may be to blame. This is a consequent reaction to dehydration and no consumption of water at all.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

23.11.2017

Your ability to succeed, to fail, to win, to loose is just a matter of attitude

Scott Oteri

22 November, 2017

Scientists develop video game to boost recovery of stroke patients

Scientists have developed a novel video game which may serve as a rehabilitation for stroke patients. The video game called Balloon Buddies is designed to level the playing field by allowing healthy participants to support the less abled player.

The findings showed that the performance of the patient was boosted when they played with a healthy volunteer, compared to if they were playing the game on their own. In addition, they found that the poorer a patient's single player performance was, the greater the improvement seen when they played with another during dual-player mode.

This type of collaboration makes it more rewarding for the less-abled partner, more challenging for the better partner, and overall more fun for both, as they have to continuously work together to score points, the researchers said. "Video games are a great way of providing repetitive exercise to help patients recover from debilitating illnesses," said lead author Michael Mace, from the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London.

The study, published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (JNER), suggest that this form of rehabilitation through gaming may be beneficial to patients recovering from other illnesses such as musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis and cerebral palsy.

The researchers are aiming to further develop the game alongside new multi-player concepts and show that it can be used in different settings including patients training with their therapist or with other patients, in community centres or even remotely at home.

"The technology is still being developed, but we have shown that playing jointly with another individual may lead to increased engagement and better outcomes for patients," Mace added.

Playing video games has been known to help reduce stress, boost memory in the young as well as in the elderly.

Source: www.zeenews.india.com/health

22.11.2017

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow

Melody Beattie

21 November, 2017

Anxiety disorders taking toll on literate, urbanised states

The burden of anxiety disorders is growing across India, especially in the literate and urbanized states, shows the country's first state-level disease charts published in The Lancet last week.

While anxiety disorders were in the 40th place in 1990 as a contributor to disability adjusted life years (DALYS)—the World Health Organization's special scale to measure loss of 'healthy' years—it climbed to the 26th place in 2016. In fact, the study listed it among the top 10 causes for morbidity across India in 2016 (in terms of YLDs or years lived with disability).

Anxiety disorders, which range from generalised fear to panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorders, are generally not as crippling as depression but can cause disability and hit economic production.

Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra, Karnataka and Kerala are among 10 states that have more problems due to anxiety disorders, said the study. These states also made the transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases, indicating they are more urbanised and literate.

"Urbanisation is a contributor to higher levels of anxiety disorders and depression," said Dr Pallabh Maulik, an AIIMS-trained psychiatrist who is with the Delhi-based George Institute for Global Health. The National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-16 said urban metros were witnessing a growing burden of mental health problems that result in disabilities and affect work, family and social life.

Many with anxiety disorders could progress to depression, which is the leading cause for self-harm and suicides. "The key message is that anxiety disorders cannot be ignored. Some of these people could be at the start of a depressive disorder and should be helped at the earliest," said Dr Maulik.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

21.11.2017

Most people fail in life because they major in minor things

Anthony Robbins

20 November, 2017

WHO gets support of 114 countries to end TB by 2030

Delegates from 114 countries have agreed to take urgent action to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, the WHO said. The announcement on Friday came as the delegates gathered in Moscow for the first WHO global ministerial conference on ending tuberculosis, Xinhua news agency reported. The delegates promised to achieve strengthen health systems and improve access to the people regarding TB prevention and care so that no one is left behind.

They also agreed to mobilize sufficient and sustainable financing through increased domestic and international investments to close gaps in implementation and research. Resources are expected to advance research and development of new tools to diagnose, treat and prevent TB, and to build accountability through a framework to track and review progress on ending TB. “Today marks a critical landmark in the fight to end TB,” said World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“It signals a long overdue global commitment to stop the death and suffering caused by this ancient killer.” Though global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 53 million lives since 2000 and reduced the TB mortality rate by 37 per cent, progress in many countries has stalled, global targets are off-track and persistent gaps remain in TB care and prevention, according to the WHO. As a result, TB still kills more people than any other infectious disease. Due to its antimicrobial resistance, TB is also the leading killer of people with HIV. Representatives at the meeting, which was attended by over 1,000 participants, also promised to minimize the risk and spread of drug resistance and do more to engage people and communities affected by or at risk of TB.

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

20.11.2017

Thinking positively also increases your confidence and makes you believe in yourself more

Robert Smith

18 November, 2017

Delhi smog can cause hair loss, dry hair, itchy scalp; here are dermat-recommended tips to reverse damage caused by air pollution

This year, the dangerous smog levels in Delhi caught everyone’s attention. Most of us know the health hazards of smog but did you know that smog harms your skin? Just like how your skin is affected, your hair undergoes some damage too, because of the smog. The air pollution, sun exposure, dust, cold winds all contribute towards making your hair and your scalp extra sensitive, dry and flaky. Celeb dermat Dr Rashmi Shetty helps you with tips on how to protect your hair from smog and air pollution.

Smog consists of a collection of particles of different sizes. The large particles sit on the surface of your skin and clog your skin pores which cause issues like pigmentation and acne. The smaller particles, including the allergens go deep inside your skin. This leads to itchy, red, dry, sensitive skin on the face and even on the scalp.
In the cold winter weather, the scalp becomes dry and sensitive and develops these tiny wounds.

1. It’s therefore important to protect, control, treat and nourish your hair and scalp during these cold winter days from the outside and the inside. Dr Rashmi recommends antioxidant supplements, polypodium supplements, glutathione supplements and astaxanthin molecules to protect against sun damage and irritation.

2. You must also up your intake of water and antioxidant-rich food like berries, green leafy vegetables, red wine, dark chocolate and other foods. 3.Oil capsules and collagen supplements can help reverse the damage caused by the particulate matters.

4. Do not forget to cover your hair with a scarf or a dupatta when you step out of your home.

5. The BEST way to protect your hair and keep it moisturised is to oil your hair during this smog season. Oil forms a protective layer and sealant on the hair strands and keeps the harmful particulate matter away. When you massage your hair with some warm oil, it also moisturizes it from inside and deeply nourishes it.

6. Wash your hair more often during the winter/smog season.

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

18.11.2017

If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me

Maya Angelou

17 November, 2017

Eating too quickly may up risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes

The speed at which you eat could determine whether you're at a risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. According to a preliminary research, slow eaters are less likely to develop metabolic syndrome – a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and abnormal cholesetrol levels, that can multiply a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

On the other hand, eating quickly may cause fluctuations in your blood sugar, which can lead to insulin resistance. According to research presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2017, eating more slowly could be the key to keeping your health and body in check.

As per the Independent, a team from Hiroshima University in Japan evaluated 642 men and 441 women with an average age of 51.2 years, none of whom had metabolic syndrome, in 2008.

The participants were divided into three categories based on how they described their usual eating speed: slow, normal or fast. Five years later, the researchers reassessed the participants.

It was found that fast eaters were more likely (11.6 percent) to have developed metabolic syndrome than normal eaters (6.5 percent) and slow eaters (2.3 percent).

Eating quickly was also associated with more weight gain, larger waistline and higher blood glucose. The practice of consciously chewing your food and eating slowly allows the brain to receive signals of fullness, which also means that you are more likely to stop eating earlier.

Eating more slowly may be a crucial lifestyle change to help prevent metabolic syndrome,” said Takayuki Yamaji, M.D., study author and cardiologist at Hiroshima University in Japan.

“When people eat fast they tend not to feel full and are more likely to overeat. Eating fast causes bigger glucose fluctuation, which can lead to insulin resistance. We also believe our research would apply to a U.S. Population,” the Independent reported.

Source: www.zeenews.india.com/health

17.11.2017

A kind word never broke anyone's mouth

16 November, 2017

Your blood group can put you at risk of heart attack due to pollution

If you have A, B, or AB blood type, you might be more at risk of suffering a heart attack during periods of significant air pollution, than those with the O blood type, finds a new research. The findings showed that when pollution hits the mark of 25 micrograms per cubic metre, it increases the risk for people with non-O blood types. “Once you go above that, each additional 10 micrograms of pollution per cubic metre of air provided substantially higher risks,” said lead investigator Benjamin Horne, a clinical epidemiologist from the Intermountain Heart Institute in Utah, US. “At levels higher than 25 micrograms per cubic metre of pollution, the increase in risk is linear, while below that level there’s little, if any, the difference in risk.”

In the study, the researchers studied genetic differences between O blood types and non-O, which includes positive and negative A, B, and AB blood types. “The one that’s been found in genetic studies to be a lower risk is O. The other three were higher risk,” Horne said. However, “this association between heart attacks and pollution in patients with non-O blood isn’t something to panic over, but it is something to be aware of”, he said. Moreover, people with type O blood also have a higher risk of heart attack or unstable chest pain in times of high air pollution. But their level of risk is much smaller, at 10 percent instead of the non-O blood type’s 25 percent per 10 additional micrograms per cubic metre, Horne said. 

 So at the 65 micrograms per cubic metre pollution level, a person with type O blood faces the risk that is 40 percent higher than if the air wasn’t polluted. The results were presented at the 2017 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in California. Staying indoors, exercising indoors, compliance with heart medication may help reduce risks, the researchers said.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

16.11.2017

Take a risk or otherwise you won't know what you missed

Levi Strauss

15 November, 2017

Sale of anti-diabetic medicines shoots up in India

Sales of anti-diabetic medicines, including insulin, is on the rise in India, along with the steadily increasing number of diabetics, says a study. The findings led by Anoop Misra, Chairman at Fortis C-DOC Hospital, showed that from Rs 151.2 crore in 2008, the sale of insulin (especially newer insulin) rose to Rs 842 crore in 2016.

Sales of oral drug (especially newer ones) also went up from Rs 278.5 crores in 2013 to Rs 700 crore in 2016. The spike could be attributed to the rising number of patients, increased availability and aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies.  On the other hand, the affordability and accessibility of the anti-diabetic therapy to lower socio-economic strata remained inadequate, the study said. 

"Increasing sales of high cost medications as shown by our data are particularly worrisome since most Indians pay out of their pocket and nearly seven per cent experience catastrophic expenditure for diabetes," Misra said.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of adults suffering from diabetes has risen from 4.7 per cent of the global population in 1980 to 8.5 per cent in 2014. 

In 2015, the disease touted as lifestyle epidemic affected 415 million people worldwide while there were 69.1 million people with diabetes in India -- the second highest in the world after China, which had 109 million people, according to the report "Diabetes Atlas" released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). 

"India has to take several stringent measures to ensure that there is a balancing mechanism in place, education of physicians, tighter regulations on price control and stricter norms for pharmaceutical companies around new drugs and marketing ethics," Misra added.

The research was based on the data of sales trends from all top selling drugs (20 brands) for the past nine years (between December 2008 and December 2016), with emphasis on anti-diabetic drugs.

Source: www.zeenews.india.com/health

15.11.2017

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible

Christopher Reeve

14 November, 2017

HEALTH WARNING! Why you MUST avoid sitting crossed-leg

Considered as the most stylish posture, sitting crossed-leg has been claimed harmful by many health experts. Not many of us know that this sitting posture could cause major damage to legs. From increasing blood pressure to causing varicose veins, this ‘lady-like’ position can be responsible for many health issues. Let’s have a look at some more hazardous effects of sitting crossed-leg.

IMPACTS BLOOD PRESSURE: Some studies say that if you sit crossed-leg for a long time, the body’s blood pressure increases as it puts pressure on the nerves. It is recommended even for those without blood pressure issues to avoid sitting in this posture for a longer duration.

MAY CAUSE PERONEAL NERVE PARALYSIS: Another reason you should avoid sitting crossed-leg for a long period is that it may lead to the condition called palsy or peroneal nerve paralysis. Sitting in the same position for a prolonged period can suppress the nerves and can damage them.

AFFECTS BLOOD CIRCULATION: Cross-legged position greatly impacts your blood circulation. This is because when you put your one leg over the other, it pumps larger amount of blood into the heart. This, in turn, negatively impacts blood circulation.

COULD CAUSE PELVIC IMBALANCE: Sitting in crossed-leg position can also lead to pelvic imbalance. It is due to the reason that this position can impact your inner and outer thigh muscles. This could also put your leg-joints at risk.

SPIDER VEINS OR VARICOSE VEINS: Crossed-leg posture can increase the chances of developing Spider veins or Varicose veins. Sitting in this position can cause inflammation in the legs and may compress veins. When you sit in a crossed-leg position, the pressure on the veins increases and impacts the blood flow, leading to these two conditions.

VERDICT: Ensure that in whatever position you sit, do not sit in the same position for a prolonged period. Keep on changing your sitting position and whenever you sit, sit in the right posture.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

14.11.2017

Life is about making an impact, not making an income

Kevin Kruse

13 November, 2017

Infertility increases death risk in women: Study

Women with a history of infertility have a 10 percent increased risk of dying due to breast cancer and diabetes compared to women without fertility issues, finds a new study. The findings showed that while women with infertility were 44 percent more likely to die of breast cancer, infertility was not associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer or endometrial cancers. In addition, women with infertility were 70 percent more likely to die from diabetes, despite both women with and without infertility having a comparable prevalence of diabetes.

“It is possible that the condition may be an early indicator of either endocrine or inflammatory disruption that over time, leads to long-term health issues such as malignancy or diabetes,” said lead author Natalie Stentz, a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania in the US.  The results were presented at the annual American Society of Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress and Expo in Texas.

For the study, the team examined 78,214 women between 1992 and 2001, who were followed for 13 years, or until study withdrawal or death.  Infertility was reported in 14.5 percent of the study population.  “The results raise significant questions over the long-term effects of infertility and whether it is infertility itself or an underlying condition that predisposes an individual to infertility that drives these increased risks,” Stentz said. 

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

13.11.2017

Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone

Cyrus Bartol