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Showing posts from July, 2009

Salt is No fat, No calories but Delicious

Adding salt to the natural food supply is artificial. Industrial revolution made to prduce crystalline sodium chloride (common salt) cheaper and abundant enough for the heavy use we make of it today. It is only used to add taste to meals. Too much salt can be a major cause of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, or kidney disorders. But human boyd also needs a certain amount of salt every day because it is required by all cells to maintain fluid balance. It is also vital for proper nerve and muscle function. And the most intense exercisers need even more of it as salt is excreted mainly through urine and sweat. Salt Requirement of our body It is usually agreed that bodies need around 500 mg of sodium. That's about a quarter of a teaspoon of table salt (sodium chloride, the most typical source of sodium). A daily maximum of 2,400 mg of sodium is recommended by the federal government. Most of us consume about 5,000 mg of sodium per day; 10 times more t

New norovirus variant causing viral gastroenteritis outbreaks and Epidemic in Europe

Cases of norovirus gastroenteritis reportedly increase in hospitals of UK and Ireland and cruise ships in the USA raised new hazard of outbreak. In a recent study, data was collected in ten European countries (England and Wales were analyzed as one region) through a collaborative research and surveillance network of viral gastroenteritis, regarding total number of outbreaks by month, and compared genetic sequences from the isolated viruses. The historic data were compared from a systematic retrospective review of surveillance systems and with a central database of viral sequences. Data from ten European countries demonstrate a striking increase and unusual seasonal pattern of norovirus gastroenteritis in 2002 that occurred concurrently with the emergence of a novel genetic variant. Additionally displaying the added value of an international network for viral gastroenteritis outbreaks, these observations raise questions about the biological properties of the variant and the mechanisms

Probiotics in Babies

Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that live in the human gut. They are also considered the "friendly bacteria". Mainly, probiotics are available for consumers in the form of dietary supplements and foods. They can be utilized as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a group not presently considered as part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicines are applied together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used as an alternate to conventional medicine. Probiotics are classified as live microorganisms that, when ingested, produce some therapeutic or preventive health benefits. Successful probiotics are capable of resisting these insults, and transiently start residing in the gut. It would seem logical that most health promoting benefits of probiotic organisms would be seen in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract with probiotics is an exciting new ar

Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is treated according to the symptoms. Some type of symptoms can only be treated by just changing lifestyle; what they drink or eat. Others will need medications. In some very exceptional cases, when GERD is very severe, a surgical treatment would be necessary. GERD is treated according to the symptoms. Some type of symptoms can only be treated by just changing lifestyle; what they drink or eat. Others will need medications. In some very exceptional cases, when GERD is very severe, a surgical treatment would be necessary. The lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and alcohol, losing extra weight can help in healing or alleviation the GERD. Eating small meals, wearing loose-fitting clothes, avoiding carbonated soft drinks and foods that trigger reflux will also help in prevention GERD. It is also advisable to have a gap between taking a meal and going to bed. Gravity plays a significant function in controlling reflux. Eat meals at least 3 to 4 hours before lying down on bed, an

Treatment of Viral Gastroenteritis

Although no specific medicines exists for viral gastro, but Antibiotics have somewhat effective. But problem of antibiotics is that they do not kill viruses, they can only kill bacteria. Thus only useful in such cases where bacteria is the cause of illness. Make sure that you give antibiotics to patient only in case of bacterial infection (instead of viral infection like rotavirus. In case of viral infection, antibiotics may have a number of side effects including developing resistance to antibiotics for antibiotics. Medicines for vomiting and diarrhea have not much established benefits. They may even delay the healing process and prolong gastro-enteritis. The most vital treatment for children in viral gastro is to make sure they continuously replenish sufficient fluids wasted through vomiting and diarrhea; because dehydration may develop serious even require hospital treatment. Immediately contact your health care provider, if any signs of dehydration appear. Use the following fluids

Heartburn Symptoms, Remedy and Prevention

Reasons of Developing Heartburn Heartburn is a condition when somebody has feeling of chest burning along with a sharp and harsh taste in the mouth. Heartburn normally builds up when the acidic contents of the stomach flow upward into the esophagus (the tube through which food travels from throat into the stomach. Almost one in ten adults feels heartburn in one week. In women heartburn is very frequent during pregnancy. The pressure on the stomach by the expanding uterus is the main reason of this problem. There is a muscle, lower esophageal sphincter, situated at the lower end of the esophagus. In normal conditions, the juices generated by the stomach for digestion are blocked by the lower esophageal sphincter to move upward. When esophageal sphincter develops weakness due to some reasons, the food can overflow from stomach into esophagus. Reasons of relaxing Esophageal Sphincter ·          Spicy foods ·          Alcohol ·          Cigarettes ·          Overeating

Baking Soda - Usages for Hygiene of Children

Making your own harmless clay for children for playing. Two cups of baking soda One cup of cornstarch One cup of warm water to make clay This will keep your kids busy as well as creative. You can include some food colors to create different colors. Clean and deodorize With a quart of warm water mixed with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Using baking soda and water to clean and deodorize laundry, toys and rooms where your young child eats, sleeps and plays is a great idea. Baking soda is not harmful and it will deodorize while you are cleaning leaving all those yucky smells behind and giving you a fresh baby room or play room that you and your children can enjoy! Using baking soda and water to keep hygienic and deodorize playing places and activity rooms, laundry and toys. Baking soda is harmless and removes all stinks and smells. Bed wetting Clean the insides of them out about once a month with following mixture: One quart of warm water One cup of baking soda One cup

Adopting FODMAPS Programmes

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal disorder include abdominal pain, bloating, wind, reflux, diarrhoea and/or constipation. FODMAPs are a collection of small chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbable in the body. Fermentation of FODMAPs in the distal small and proximal large intestine stimulates such conditions in the bowel that lead to releasing gas, boost intestinal permeability, an inclination factor to growth of Crohn's disease. FODMAPs are a group of poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates in the diet because of their osmotic consequences (diffusion of molecules through a semi-permeable membrane until both sides balanced), increase fecal output following colectomy and ileal pouch formation or ileorectal anastomosis (IRA). Avoid the following FODMAPs for a period of at least 8 weeks. After 8 weeks your dietitian will give advice whether to start any of the FODMAP groups. What Foods Need to be Limited? High FRUCTOSE Foods Apples, Carambola, Coconut cream/ coconut milk,

Gluten Intolerance

Symptoms of gluten intolerance Approximately, 15% of the US population suffers from Gluten intolerance, in some shape. These statistics are seems similar to Western countries because people of these countries have similar dietary patterns and health problems. The main question is how to diagnose gluten intolerance? First of all, we need to spot the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is a reaction of our immune system caused by a severe sudden beginning of an allergic reaction against the protein called gluten.

Diagnosing Stomach Problems with Stool Color

Dark-colored stools may be seen in platelet function disorders, iron deficiency anemia, cirrhosis, colorectal cancer, disseminated intravascular coagulation, peptic ulcer, or stomach cancer. Liver disease may include a yellow tone to the skin and whites of eyes (jaundice) and brownish urine. Black or tarry stools (Melena) The passage of black, tarry and foul-smelling stools; can be an indication of digested blood in the stool. Other causes are, iron deficiency anemia, cirrhosis, colorectal cancer, disseminated intravascular coagulation, peptic ulcer, or stomach cancer. In advanced cirrhosis (liver disease), the abdomen becomes distended with fluid and ruptured blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus cause bleeding. The person may vomit blood or pass black stools. Very dark stools, for example, may indicate an ulcerative lesion in the higher digestive tract. Note: The ingestion of black licorice, lead, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can all cause black stools or false

Babies and Constipation

Constipation in babies can be treated at home quite successfully. First you need to know causes and treatments of constipation for regulating bowel movements. A lot of newborn babies normally have their first bowel movement within 24 hours after birth. Newborn babies will have a thick greenish black like stool called meconium in the first 24 to 36 hours after birth. After the first few days, the poop will be yellowish-orange in color and grainy in composition. Baby may be constipated if she does not have a bowel movement in three or more days, or if there is any blood in the stool. You know the pattern of baby's bowel movements as the baby grows older and can recognize any future constipation. If you notice the stool to be very dry and hard like pebble, your baby may have constipation. If your baby has occasional bowel movements like once in 2 or 3 days or if baby makes a sound or stresses a lot during bowel movement, it does not necessarily indicate she is constipated. Grunting an