Dealing with Menopause

Menopause simply means the end of menstruation and is a natural part of aging in every woman's life. It generally occurs anytime between the ages of 40 and 60 years. As you go trough menopause, you may experience various symptoms that range from mood swings, hot flushes, sweating, headaches, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, heart pal-pitations and osteoporosis. We wont to give you an insight on the lifestyle steps to manage menopause:

• Eat smart and make a healthy choice by reading the package label information.
• Calcium is important for you. Get your daily intake from dairy products, broccoli, legumes and fish like sardines and tinned salmon.
• Include a lot of fibre rich food in your diet like cereals, pasta, rice and whole grain breads.
• Eat at least 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits daily.
• Increase your iron intake. Iron can be found in eggs, poultry, fish, lean red meat, leafy green vegetables and nuts.
• Keep yourself well hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Reduce foods high in fat, especially saturated fats that raise cholesterol and increase the risk of heart diseases. Saturated fats are found in whole milk, ice cream, fatty meats and cheese. Also limit your intake of transfats, found in baked items, margarine and vegetable oils.
• Be careful in the use of sugar and salt in your diet.
• Avoid Alcohol
• Relax. Stress solves nothing.
  

Diabetics should fast only after doctor’s advice

Diabetes patients have been advised to check with their physicians whether it is safe for them to fast and also if any changes need to be made regarding the timing of taking medication and dosages, said Dr K.V. Thariani, physician at Rahat Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi.
All overweight diabetics, except pregnant or nursing mothers whose diabetes is stable with weight levels 20 per cent above the ideal weight, are encouraged to fast.

“However, diabetes patients who fast should avoid too much intake of oily or greasy food to break the fast. They should break the fast with simple carbohydrates like a couple of dates or 120ml of unsweetened juice, followed by medicines immediately. They should drink or eat low-fat yoghurt products and avoid all sweets and sugary food except dates (only 2 to 4),” Thariani suggested.
At Iftar time, diabetes patients are suggested to take one cup of soup without chicken or meat, two meat or chicken simbusak, one cup of low-fat yogurt and one piece of fresh fruit, he stated.
“At Suhour time, they should take 90 grams of meat, chicken or fish boiled or grilled, two cups of rice, macaroni, gereeshi, thareed, Mofallaq, or Haris cooked without fat or oils, salad without fat, one cup of cooked vegetables without fat, half a cup of low-fat yoghurt and one piece of fresh fruit as well. This diet can vary from person to person,” Thariani added.
There are several categories of diabetic patients. In some cases, they are allowed to fast without any danger and in some case they are cautioned to not take risk as it may be harmful.
“It is important for an individual to follow a balanced diet so that indigestion problem is avoided and metabolic parameters are maintained. Sometimes, the fasting may lead to fatigue tiredness, lethargy and dizziness. So to avoid these symptoms one should stick to a balanced diet. Adequate intake of liquids and sleep is equally important,” the doctor suggested.
However, the doctor does not recommend fasting by those who are suffering from Type 1 (Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) and those who are poorly-controlled Type 1 or Type 2 (non-Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) as it may lead to problems. Pregnant diabetes patients and elderly patients with any degree of alertness problems should avoid fasting.
“If diabetics are fasting, they should be able take pulse temperature, look for skin infection and notice changes in the sensorium (mental alertness). They should be on the alert for any colic pain, signs of renal colic or hyperventilation, and signs of dehydration,” Thariani advised. Source

Doctors prescribe precautions as we are expecting the cyclone Gonu

The weather is quite windy in the country due to the cyclone Gonu which is causing sandstorms. People, especially those with chronic lung conditions or those prone to allergies, need to take extra care. Every one can be affected of the foreign particles entering the human system.

For those who are allergic, particles such as pollen may increase the frequency of allergic symptoms.

Asthmatic people and those allergic should try and remain indoors if possible. If you have to venture out, protect yourselves by using a towel to cover their faces - the use of a mask could be helpful.

Other discomforts you may experience are sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion and coughing may indicate the increase in respiratory allergies. It may also be indicated by itchy eyes, mouth and throat.

The best way is to close all the windows, whether it’s the house or car, and switch on the air-conditioning.

Shisha is 100 times worse than cigarettes

Smoking tobacco using the traditional hookah waterpipe has been part of the fabric of life in the Middle East for centuries. It's documented evolution stretches back to 16th century India where one historian recorded that the waterpipe was invented by a physician during the reign of Emperor Akbar as a less harmful method of tobacco use. The physician, Hakim Abul Fath, suggested that "tobacco smoke should be first passed through a small receptacle of water so that it would be rendered harmless."

So began a myth that shisha smoking is far less dangerous to health than cigarette and pipe smoking. This week, the World Health Organisation has quashed that myth, suggesting that smoking a hookah is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. It also said that more research is needed into the link between the use of the waterpipe and several fatal illnesses. An advisory note from the WHO says that smoking a hookah may expose the smoker to more smoke over a longer period of time than occurs when smoking cigarettes. Because smoking a hookah may take up to 80 minutes, the report suggests that the smoker is subjecting himself to as much smoke as somebody dragging on 100 cigarettes. And the water does not strip out all toxic substances. Some of the nicotine is absorbed, but this leads to people smoking for longer in order to experience the effects of the drug, and therefore inhaling more smoke containing carbon monoxide, heavy metals and other toxic compounds, which leads to heart and respiratory problems. Source

It's Summer - Act Like a Kid

Gabby Reece writes a blog on yahoo that is informative and fun, but above all very true. She recently talked about how we adults should take tips from our kids this summer:

1. Play. Kids run and jump around and don't' call it "working out;" they call it playing. So, if you hate the gym and the feeling of "I have to work out," then find some activity that involves moving that you have fun at. Go outside and play, but be home for dinner.
2. Eat when you're hungry and only until you are full. Children don't dream and obsess about food (except candy). They sometimes even forget to eat. The key lesson to learn from young children is once they are full, they stop eating. Plenty of times you will see them leave really yummy stuff on their plate because they are full. We really overeat as a culture. If this is too difficult, then just put less on your plate.
3. Sleep. They go until they drop. Turn off the computer and TV and get some rest. That's why the little buggers are so happy and have so much energy - because they recover.
There's more tips from Gabby, so
4. Speak your mind. That's right how many times do you think you're going to crawl under the table because your kid says something overly honest? We pound it into our kids to "tell the truth," but yet we go around stuffing our own feelings. This is a form of not telling the truth. I think we would all feel better and relieved if we just got some of that stuff off of our chest. Doesn't mean you have to be malicious just honest.
5. Use your manners. This is another foundational piece we preach to children, but yet we stop being thankful. Look around and see how fortunate you are. Say thank you for what you do have and let's all stop obsessing about what we don't have or we think we want. Use that energy to put into yourself something more productive.
6. Drink alcohol in moderation. Since they are underage, they don't drink, but I think it's fine for you to have a glass of wine or a beer now and again. I would watch the alcohol consumption because it is hard on your organs, makes you reach for a lot more food than you would normally, and is just generally disruptive. I met a guy who I hadn't seen in about seven months and he lost 60 lbs. You know what he said: "I stopped drinking."
7. Laugh. You hear how often they giggle and laugh? Sometimes I catch myself and I feel so uptight and borderline grumpy. Have a laugh and notice all the fun stuff around. Joy is good for the soul and the gut.
8. Be in the moment. Kids have the luxury of being present since we worry about all of it for them. However, there is something to be said for being involved with whatever you are doing. Don't sit at lunch with one friend texting another. Hang up the cell and be present. Source

Food packed in plastic could be risky: doctors

The plastic bottle that you have kept in your car for a frequent drink can make you real sick. If one goes by what the doctors say, plastic water bottles and foodstuff packed in plastic could be hazardous for your health.
With the use of plastic, reportedly very high in the region, the doctors say that people should actually avoid its use.
The officials of the Dubai Municipality said they are currently studying the issue and would be arriving at some decision soon.
As Khalid Mohammed Sharif, assistant director of the Public Health Department and Head of Food Control Section and Public Health, said, "We are always keen to safeguard the health of the people of the emirate. Only recently we ordered several food companies to use a more healthier way of transporting food items. The municipality is presently studying and evaluating when it comes to plastic and we would arrive at some decision very soon," he said.
Doctors, however, feel the use of plastic should be checked. As K. Sukumaran, a doctor at Al Rafa Hospital said, "Plastic can be very dangerous for humans. Plastic consists of two chemical compounds, namely, phalates and bisphenol. Phalates are meant to give flexibility to plastic. This is carcinogenic by nature. It can also cause birth defects and infertility in the case of women. Bisphenol can cause enlargement of prostrate in males. There are other serious problems, too, like a decrease in sperm count and cancer," he said. "Plastic, when in contact with fat and heat releases dioxins which again are highly toxic to human cells. Many people pack food items in plastic packets. This carries the risk of cancer," he added.
"Plastic is toxic. We are particularly concerned about the labourers who pack food items in plastic bags. If kept for long, the food tends to get stale. The use of plastic needs to be stopped immediately," said Zohur Al Alam, paediatrician at Al Majid Clinic in Deira.
Most of the people have little or no idea about the ill effects of plastic. "I was also not very aware of the risks. But, in Dubai, we don't have much choice because use of plastic packaging is significantly very high in this country," said Manish Sinha, an employee with Mashreq Bank.
However, bottled water companies using plastic bottles claimed that they use plastic which is not dangerous and has been approved by local and international health organisations.
Diego Bregenza, Commercial Manager of Jeema mineral water company, said, "Most of the major mineral water companies use plastic made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). This is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family that is produced by the chemical industry and is used in synthetic fibres, beverage, food and other liquid containers. The best thing about this is that it can always be recycled. Moreover, it is approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This is not harmful at all." Source

Questions to ask before taking madications

Often we visit clinics and hospitals. More often we accompany our children and just pick up with relief the prescription written by the sympathetic doctor. There are pharmacies at every mall and every corner - easy to find and afford.

Often we just hand the prescription to the pharmacist who hands us back the drugs or the pills. We just pick it up and read the directions and start taking it. Some times this could be a reckless process, part of the hectic daily routine and we don't really pay a lot attention to it. Often we have no idea what is going in our bodies.

The American Health Association has come up with a list of questions we should ask the doctors and the pharmacists before start popping the pills:

What is the name of the medicine?
Is this the brand or generic name?
What is the medicine supposed to do?
How and when do we take it?
For how long?
What foods, drinks, other medicines or activities should we avoid while taking this medicine?

Laptop Neck

Tempted to leave work early to catch the last of the day’s sun and maybe finish off tasks on a laptop at home? It could leave with you with painful shoulders, or aches in the neck, arms or wrists.
“People should be aware that working on a laptop can cause them to hunch their shoulders and lean forward because of the screen and keyboard size”.
When you are in office you can adjust the chair height as well as the height of the desktop screen, but the laptop screen and keyboard are one unit. So while they are convenient they are not designed for everyday use.
Top Tip:
Get a monitor stand so that the laptop screen can be used at eye level, and buy a separate full-size keyboard, mouse and wrist rest to reduce wrist strain.