Women Health

Health Tips & Info For Women : Manicure

2011-12-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

Manus Cura (manicure) is the latin word for Manicure. Manus means hands and Cura means care. This has become an essential for today's mordern women. If you are doing it for the first time its adviced to get it doen from a pofessional.

Any manicure starts with the removal of old polish and trimming of nails. Regular manicures can do wonders for your hands. Gently push and trim your cuticles. Wash your hands with soap and water. Apply lotion and rub it in. Hand lotion is applied to the hands and massaged.

Blood circulation is boosted and the muscles are relaxed too. Wipe nails once more with polish remover to eliminate residual lotion. Apply Nail polish. A base coat is applied on the nails. This works as a perfect layer for the polish to be applied. Once the base coat of nail polish is dry, its time for your favorite nail color. It must be applied with just 3 strokes and allowed to set before a second coat is applied. Nevert overwork the brush strokes.

An important routine in the manicure process is to soak the nails in a bowl of warm water to which is added some scented oil or nail cleanser. When the hands are thoroughly soaked, the nails are soft and ready to be cleaned and polished.

One can choose to pick up a home manicure kit and do it at home also. Ensure you get good quality set. Ensure sterilisation of the set after use. The best time to give yourself a manicure is after you have taken a shower or a warm bath. Your nails would be clean then and the skin would be well soaked.

A manicure done in a SPA can be reviving. The hands are exfoliated with essential salt and dipped in hot paraffin. The hands are hydrated with essential oils. This treatment would leave the hands relaexed and smooth.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Here's How to Prepare Your Child About The Arrival of Another Baby

2011-12-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

Telling your child about the new baby?

There are no real rules about how your break the news to your child about the new baby. If your first child is still very young, he or she might not quite understand the concept of waiting for a few months till the baby arrives. You might wake up every day to be bombarded by the same question, “Has the baby come yet”

How your child handles the news also depends on the age of the child and the size of the extended family. If the child has been the centre of attention in a small nuclear family, he may find it hard to give up his place. Sibling jealousy and rivalry is a fact of life. By preparing your child, you may be able to lessen it even if you cannot do away with it completely.

The age of the child

If your child is 2-3 years old he might tend to be more possessive of your affections and might find it hard to share you. A 4-5 year old child might find it easier to share because he has already learnt to deal with other children in school. If the child is 6 or older, he might want to be informed about all that is happening and might be very interested in helping out with the new arrival. Regardless of the age, parents have to be realistic and need to know that each child will react differently to the arrival of a new baby.

Involve your child during pregnancy

If your child is small but old enough to understand the concept of another baby, tell him around the third month of your pregnancy. Of course, if your child is older and understands your conversations, then tell him as early as possible so that he does not feel left out. Take your child with you to the antenatal checkups so that he can be involved in the process right from the beginning. Let your child help in picking stuff for the new arrival. Encourage your child to come up with names for his sibling. Either directly or by suggestion, does not influence the child to say that he specifically wants a sister (or a brother). Encourage him to stay that he wants a baby and it does not matter whether it is a boy or a girl. When your keep stressing that you want the baby to be of the opposite sex of your child, he might feel that you don’t appreciate him or that he was a disappointment. He will then resent the new baby.

Involve your child in the hospital

Make arrangements for your child to be take care of when you are in the hospital. You must also prepare the child for the separation and let him know that he is being very helpful to you by being mature and staying at home. Let your first child come and visit you as soon as possible. Your child will want to touch and fell the baby. Do not get agitated and angry. Let him gently touch the baby while you are holding it. Calmly explain that the new baby is very fragile and needs gentle handling. Do not be surprised if your first child regresses and wants to be held and cuddled by you. Give him all the hugs and reassurances he needs.

After bringing the baby home.

When you come, reserve some special time for your first child. Have someone handle the baby for a while and give all your attention to the first one. If your child sulks and throws a tantrum, be patient and calm. Do not lose your temper or tell him that he is a bad brother. Be firm and allow the child to calm down. If the child continues to be aggressive, make sure that you do not leave him alone with the baby. The aggression will lessen eventually. You just have to be patient.

The Hindu the Wellness dated June 12 2008

Health Tips & Info For Women : What is Menopause?

2011-12-23T09:28:00.000-08:00

Menopause is something that happens to all women as they get older. Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her period stops. It is a normal change in a woman's body. Natural menopause occurs when the monthly cycle of ovulation comes to an end. This is because the ovarian supply of follicles and eggs declines sharply as a woman approaches menopause. It occurs between the age of 45 and 55.

Menopause is when a woman has not had a menstrual period for a full year. It marks both the end of menstruation and the end of a woman's ability to naturally conceive a child. Menopause is a natural occurance and not the one that occurs due to medical intervention. Menopause that occurs due to medical intervention like removal of ovaries etc, its termed as induced menopause.

As you near menopause, you may have symptoms from the changes your body is making. Many women wonder if these changes are normal, and many are confused about how to treat their symptoms. The symptoms are differnt for every women, the only common symptom is stopping of periods. Some of the symptoms are :

Vaginal dryness
Sleeplessness
Change in menstural cycle
Hair loss
Mood Swings

Women who had mood swings (PMS) before their periods or post-partum depression after giving birth may have more mood swings around menopause. This symptom fades away with time.

One can over come the symptoms of menopause by eating a healthy diet and exercising at menopause and beyond . Most women do not need any special treatment for menopause. Only some serious symptoms need to be treated. Hormone therapy is one way to deal with the most difficult symptoms of menopause. There are many kinds of Hormone therapies to treat the various symptoms like Reducing hot flashes, Treating vaginal dryness , Slowing bone loss , Improving Sleep. Your doctor could advice you on the best treatment.

Menopause is called "premature" if it happens at or before the age of 40--whether it is natural or brought on by medical means (induced). Some women have premature menopause because of Genes, Treatments for cancer.

Follwing healthy food habits and regular exercise routine would help to overcome menopause symptoms easily.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Meditate To Ease Labour Pains.

2011-12-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

First time mom's would be anxious about there birth of the new-born. Each woman experiences labor differently. Some women are more sensitive to pain than others and medical factors such as the size and the position of the baby affect the amount of pain and duration labour. One cannot predict how the labour and delivery will go. But planning ahead can definitely help ease labour pains.

Yogic breathing energises the mother and the child and helps control stressful situations. Expectant mother feels relaxed enabling her to have a positive approach to labour. It increases the stamina and vitality promoting an easy delivery with minimum distress and fatigue during labour. Physical and respiratory exercises should be done alternatively in order to avoid tiredness, Complete yogic breathing regimen includes abdominal, upper chest and clavicular breathing.

While expelling the child, it is essential for the woman not to lese her breath control. For this, Lamaze breathing techniques are taught to help the woman to learn to control her respiration as well as her muscles during bearing down period. Then she will have no difficulty in following the instructions of her doctor during child birth.

Meditation helps the expectant mother remain in a tranquil state and makes her bonding with the baby easier. The chanting of holy mantras helps in the development of the brain in a positive way. Meditative postures include cross legged posture etc. Here the body resembles like triangle symbolising harmony and balance. Yoganidra is a systematic method of ensuring complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The state of our mind and that of our dodies are united.

When our muscles are relaxed our mind relaxes too. To relax is to rejuvanate. This relaxation technique requires a few minutes and is very effective in day to day lives.

Courtesy : Women's life Indian Express, October 17 2006

Health Tips & Info For Women : Skin Care - How to Have Beautiful Hands

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Beautiful hands are an essential part of one’s body. Hands cannot be kept hidden and they are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions. However much one may try to do so, they constantly come in contact with water which contains such powerful chemical solutions as washing powder, bleach and washing liquids. Therefore hands can easily show signs of neglect and ageing.

Protect your Hands

Proper care of the hands should be taken by drying it with a towel everytime you come in contact with water. A pair of gloves should be worn during all household chores like washing, cleaning and cutting vegetables. One will feel uncomfortable but will get used to it.

Cleansing

Every night, hands should be washed with a mild soap and scrubbed thoroughly with a face brush. In case of hard skin, it should be whizzed over with a pumice stone. If the fingers are stained due to vegetables, they should be rubbed with a piece of lime, this will help bleach the stain.

They should then be rinsed well and dried thoroughly, the hands should be treated over or twice a week to a massage with a real rich cream. This should be preceded by soaking them in warm oil preferably olive oil or almond for 15 to 20 minutes. A useful remedy for keeping the hands young and beautiful is to dip them up to the wrist in a bowl of milk. If the hands are too tired, soak them for a few minutes in warm water to which two or three tablespoons of salt is added, this will soothe the hands. As for the nails, soak them in a little vegetable oil and rub them with a herbal shampoo.

TO KEEP THE HANDS BEAUTIFUL DIP THEM IN A BOWL OF MILK. IF THE HANDS ARE TOO TIRED, SOAK THEM FOR A FEW MINUTES IN WARM WATER TO WHICH TWO TO THREE TABLESPOON OF SALT IS ADDED.

Courtesy: Indian Express, Health Supplement, December 13 2005

Health Tips & Info For Women : Women and Exercise.

2011-12-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

There is no doubt that exercise is the only salvation for the health problems that are overwhelming Indians. Women hold the key to their family’s health. By exercising regularly, they can set an example and get their family members to follow a healthy life style.

Reading about the advantages of exercise is not enough. We all know that exercise tones our body and adds flexibility and balance, but many women do not realize that exercise has long-lasting effects. Chronic aches and pains disappear.

Women can avoid osteoporosis in the long run. Regular, moderate exercise also reduces the chances of developing diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart disease. For those who already have these conditions, exercise helps control the disease and prevents further complications.

Get up and get going
Set the date when you are going to start exercising, and stick to it. Let your family and friends know the date so that you will be embarrassed if you are going to do so don’t treat it as a chore: look at as a gift to yourself.

Make it easier to exercise
Keep your exercise shoes in a bag that you take to work. On your way back from work, you can go to a park nearby. Or leave them near the door so that you can set out for a walk whenever you feel like.

Good shoes matter. Make sure your shoes have good cushioning and arch support. This will make exercising fun for your feet. Badly fitting shoes can actually cause heel and calf pain.

Set yourself sensible goals
If you start off on the first day wanting to walk, run or jog for an hour, you might get disheartened if you get exhausted in the first 15 minutes.

Begin with 10-15 minutes of activity, several times daily. Just fit it in whenever you can. Plan to go for a 20-minute walk three times a week and then increase it gradually to at least 45 minutes a day, five days a week.

Make it a group activity
Except for professional athletes, most of us do not have the mental discipline to keep exercising by our- selves. Join a group, a gym or get your husband to go with you. If a bunch of your friends get together to exercise you will be motivators and conscience-keepers for each other.

Exercising with your husband is not only a great bonding experience but also gives you both time together to discuss the day’s events or plan the next day.

Exercise does not have to be high-tech
Many people believe that they need expensive equipment such as treadmills and stationery bicycles to exercise. It is a well-known truth that in many homes, these machines quickly get converted into clothes hangers or storage areas! More and more professional trainers are turning away from elaborate exercise machines and getting back to basic exercises such as aerobics, weight training and gym balls.

The staircase at home is a great way to exercise. Walking briskly up and down the stairs will burn up those calories. Give yourself 20 to 30 minutes of stair-climbling in a day. You will have to build up your stamina by starting with 10 to 15 minutes, and then gradually increasing the duration.

“Exercise is boring!”
It doesn’t have to be. Turn on the music and exercise. If you like to dance, play your favourite songs and dance! It is all about being active, using various muscles and burning calories. Mix and match various forms of exercise.

Walk three times a week and do aerobics on three days. Strength training is particularly good as you grow older, to prevent your muscle mass from turning into fat. Exercising regularly will make you a happier person. Start today!

The Hindu, Monday, November, 29, 2010.Metro Plus.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Women health vs Women weight

2011-12-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

A majority of women are more concerned about their weight than overall health, says a recent US poll. The new poll has found, it is not health related issues that's weighing down most women, but weight-related ones - even among the 26 per cent of respondents whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is in the normal range.

Of the 1000 respondents, just one-third said they didn't like their physical condition - despite the fact that obesity and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of ailments like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

"So many women think more about the number on the scale than whether their blood pressure or cholesterol is normal," an American daily quoted registered dietitian Keri Gans, a spokesperson for the American Dietic Association, as saying. "They really don't think about disease risk as much as they do about their weight," Gans added.

The survey also revealed that women exercise for a median of just 80 minutes per week, which means that half the women do even less exercise. A mere eight per cent of the women surveyed said that they eat the minimum recommended servings of fruit and vegetables (five a day) and a full 28 per cent said they consume those five servings just once a week or less.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Menopause or Metamorphosis? - Irregular Menstruation, Absence of Menses

2011-12-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

Among the various health problems menopause is the one every women has to face in her life. Though it is a natural event its accompanying symptoms cause a setback in her health and mind. More than 75 percent of women complain of menopause blues. The average age of a women to attain menopause is 51 years. The medical definition of menopause is absence of menses at a stretch for 12 months. In some menstruation ceases abruptly and in some it slowly tapers off.

Some of the symptoms for this syndrome include hot flashes, vaginal thinning, loss of control over urination, insomnia, pain during intercourse, irritability and irregular menstruation. These symptoms vary from individuals to individual. Some times these symptoms surface quite earlier to menopause even at the age of 40 signalling it’s setting on at a later date. This is termed as “perimenopause”. Menopause also occurs soon on removal of ovaries and uterus of the reproductive system. This is known as “surgical menopause”.

Principle female hormones “Oestrogen” and “Progestorne” are produced by a pair of “ovaries” located on either side of the uterus. These hormones are crucial to maintain menstrual cycle and reproduction. Besides, they also help in a way to keep the level of cholesterol lower in blood thus serving as a barrier from cardic problems among the premenopause women.

This explanation why cardiac problems occur among women mostly only after 50 years of age. These hormones are also very essential for the growth of bones. Hence, among some menopause may result in “Oesteoporosis” an ailment caused by the low density of bone. This can be averted to some extent by taking food rich in calcium.

Female body system carries male horomones also. It is essential that there should be a balance between female and male hormones. Since menopause involves withdrawal of female hormones and consequent increase of male hormone among a few women this may cause excessive growth of facial hair resulting in an embarrassing and unfeminine condition.

Though it is beyond our reach to dispense altogether the onset of menopause still by rudent management its evil effects can be controlled. Avoidance of smoking, alcohol, spicy food, doing yoga, frequent intercourse to maintain the elasticity of vagina are some of the means by which we can minimize these effects. In some cases Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is adopted in which related female hormones are administered to the patient to offset their loss. Since it has hazardous side effects HRT has to be taken strictly under medical supervision.

Courtesy: Indian Express, Health Supplement, February 7 2006

Health Tips and Info For Women : Smoking Harms Fetal fertility

2011-12-17T02:15:00.000-08:00

Here's another reason why to-be moms should kick the butt — smoking during pregnancy can harm their unborn son's fertility later in his life, say scientists.

A new study, published in philosophical transactions of the Royal Society B journal, has claimed that how a woman looks after herself in pregnancy could have a major effect on her unborn baby's ability to father a child.

According to them, smoking and exposure to pesticides and traffic pollution all do more harm in the first weeks of life than in adult body – in fact, damage inflicted in the womb can be permanent.

This could be because exposure to toxins in the womb cuts the number of certoli cells, highly specialized cells needed to " nurse" young sperm through to maturity during a man's adult life, the Daily Mail reported.

To reach this conclusion, experts, led by Richard Sharpe of Edinburgh University, evaluated studies from around the world on the effects on male fertility factors such as smoking and exposure to chemicals.

Simple Tips For Women : Beauty at its best

2011-12-10T02:13:00.000-08:00

Balance your diet and drink lots of water. Keep a bottle of water on your table that you don't forget to drink. Follow a good diet regimen. There is no harm in relaxing your rules indulging in scrumptious delicacies once in a week.

But detoxify your body later. Have at least two cups of green tea everyday to detoxify your body. Avoid junk food. Instead eat a bowl of fruit or vegetable salad.

Do not go for crash diets. They do more harm to the body and cause mood swings. Instead eat short meals at regular intervals. Exercise is very important. Start your exercises with slight warm up exercises. Never wind up your work out session without stretching.

Be patient when you start your exercise routine. When stressed, breathe deeply for a while. This helps in relaxing your body. Strike a balance between work and life. Spend time with family friends and relax as much as possible.

Good skin care is essential. Remove the makeup before you get to bed. Maintain your hair clean. Maintain good personal habits.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Nutrition and Health Diet

2011-12-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

The basic foundation for a healthy individual starts from his foetal stage with proper and healthy nutrition derived from his or her mother. Hence, a pregnant woman's diet stands atop all diets.

Your food shall be your medicine. Ayurveda has postulated the role of food and especially nutritive foods for maintaining health as well as cure of diseases. Nutrients are necessary for the proper functioning of mental, physical, metabolic, chemical and hormonal activities. The body is like a machine that will repair and rebuild itself if proper nutrition is provided by way of food.

Sumptous nutrition is available in fruits and vegetables. Fruits have the capacity to give all that a body needs. How to consume? What to consume? Which fruit helps in which way?

Health Tips & Info For Women : ULTRASOUND - A glimpse into a hidden world

2011-11-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

The ultrasound scan is a safe, non-invasive and accurate obstetric tool that plays an important part in the care of pregnant women.

The new mom is excited. She is three months pregnant and has been scheduled for an ultrasound examination. She and her husband will actually be able to see the baby! At the same time she is a tiny bit nervous. Will the baby be normal? Will the doctor be able to tell her that the baby is growing normally? Does she have twins?

What is an obstetric ultrasound scan?

In the 70s, ultrasound scanning was introduced, to image the foetus growing inside the uterus. Ultrasound scans literally threw new light on the growing foetus, giving us a glimpse into the hitherto hidden world of the foetus. We can now measure its growth, and watch and make sure that most of its organs are functioning well. We can see it moving, blinking its eyes, making breathing movements, swallowing, waving its fingers, sucking its thumb and even urinating inside!

Ultrasound scan is a safe, non – invasive, accurate and cost-effective investigation in a pregnancy. It has increasingly become an indispensable obstetric tool and plays an important part in the care of every pregnant woman.

The role of ultrasound scanning in pregnancy

Confirmation of pregnancy: Ultrasound can confirm a pregnancy by 5 weeks from the last period. By 6 weeks of pregnancy a heartbeat can be confirmed.

Diagnosing a miscarriage: When there is vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, ultrasound examination is very important in confirming the viability of the foetus. If the heartbeat is identified, the chance that the baby will go to term is almost 95 per cent.

In case the pregnancy is not growing well, the gestational sac may be irregular and the foetus may not be identified. This is called a blighted ovum. If the foetus is seen but there is no heart beat, a diagnosis of missed abortion will be made.

Occasionally, the pregnancy may not be growing inside the uterus but may actually have formed inside the tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy.

Dating of pregnancy: Foetal body measurements give us the gestational age of the foetus. A scan done between 6 – 12 weeks of gestation will give us the most accurate age of the foetus. In women who have irregular periods or who do not remember the first day of the last period, such measurements must be made as early as possible in pregnancy to arrive at a correct dating of the pregnancy.

In the second half of pregnancy measuring body parameters will allow assessment of the size and growth of the foetus. The measurements help in determining if the baby is growing well or not.

Confirming that the baby is normal: Many physical abnormalities in the foetus can be reliably diagnosed by an ultrasound scan. A few abnormalities can be seen even in the early weeks of pregnancy but the best time to look for most defects is between 20 – 24 weeks of pregnancy. It is important to remember that even with the most advanced ultrasound technology; 15 – 20 per cent of foetal defects may be missed. A normal scan report is not a guarantee that the baby will be completely normal. Some abnormalities are very difficult to find or to be absolutely certain about.

Diagnosing twins: Ultrasound scanning is invaluable in the diagnosis of twins. Ultrasound scanning is also used to monitor the growth of the twins.

Screening and diagnostic procedures: Ultrasound scanning is a very important part of screening for chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome. Ultrasound can also assist in other diagnostic procedures in prenatal diagnosis such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling and foetal blood sampling.

How often is a scan done?

An early scan is done at 7 – 8 weeks to confirm pregnancy, exclude ectopic or molar pregnancies, confirm the presence of a heart beat and measure the crown rump length for dating. A scan between 11 – 14 weeks of it’s useful to check nuchal translucency and can be combined with blood tests to rule out Down syndrome.

A scan at 20 – 22 weeks is important to rule out foetal abnormalities. Growth can be assessed and placental position determined. Further scans may be needed if abnormalities are suspected. Your obstetrician may ask for a scan in the third trimester to assess foetal growth and evaluate foetal size and weight. It might also be done to follow up on possible abnormalities seen in an earlier scan.

Special ultrasound scans.

Doppler ultrasound. This imaging technique is used to measure the flow of blood in the blood vessels of the placenta and the foetal blood vessels.

3-d Ultrasound: This technology uses especially designed probes and software to generate three-dimensional images of the developing foetus. It helps in clearly defining certain foetal abnormalities for example cleft lip.

Fetal echocardiography: this technology is extremely useful to assess the baby’s heart structure and function. This is used to help assess suspected congenital heart defects.

(The author is a Chennai – based obstetrician and gynecologist with a special interest in women’s health issues).

Health Tips & Info For Women : How to Treat Open Pores and Reduce Pimples

2011-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

Though you have been taking much care of your skin, one day, you get out of bed early morning and you see a pimple staring at you from your reflection. Hush!... What did I not do?, you wonder. You ate the right food, drank water, cleaned your face regularly, and despite everything this PIMPLE.

The reason is, its just that many of us have a problem of open pores. Open pores are a result of excess sebum production or sun damage, where the skin loses its elasticity around the pore.

What's the best solution to deal with open pores?

Unfortunately, there's no magic cure for open pores. Anything that exfoliates the skin can help to quite an extent. This includes creams containing alpha or beta-hydroxy acids or vitamin A, as well as treatments such as microdermabrasion (skin polishing), peels or intense pulsed light.

Any vegetable or fruit with astringent properties will help smoothen uneven skin texture and reduce open pores. Tomato juice to which a few drops of lime juice has been added can be applied on open pores for 20 minutes. Then wash with cold water.

The juice or pulp of pineapple, peaches and papaya are very good. Always wash your face with cold water after steaming. In humid weather, wash your face at least two to three times with cold water. If you have powdered orange peel, use this in place of soap.

Sometimes, the pore structure is also genetically determined. Simple measures like using an astringent or toner at night or splashing the face with cold water after washing your face or before going out in the sun will go a long way in keeping eruptions our of sight.

Foot Care for Women - Pamper Your Feet

2011-10-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

One should not forget caring for the feet because they are hidden, they need regular care not only to make them look good but also avoid crippling conditions like corus and calluses which can lead to painful feet. Besides, the strain of tired and aching feet will adversely affect even the most beautiful face.

Foot care is the in the TO-DO list of people who have time. The negligence we show gets reflected as the years go by and when age catches up. Foot problems mainly arise due to wrong foot ware, obesity, lack of foot care, calcium deficiency and prolongled usage of high heeled foot wear. One can prevent foot related problems by following certain simple routine pedicures.

It will also cause a loss of balance while walking and promote tension and irritability. Like the hands, the feet also should be kept in good shape with a few exercises. Useful exercise for the feet is to arch the ankles, bend the toes and flex the whole foot first thing in the morning.

Feet that are sore and swollen after a long day, should be relaxed by placing them higher than the head and gently massaging them with some olive oil. An ancient remedy for the tired feet is to soak the feet alternatively in hot and cold water. Soaking the feet in warm water to which Epsom salt or special footsalts (available in the market) have been added can be very soothing.

To avoid fungal or bacterial infections, wash your feet in warm water and be sure to dry between the toes using talcum powder. To keep the feet smelling fresh a deodorizing talcum powder should be applied each morning after washing, avoid wearing plastic or vinyl shoes as they do not allow the feet to breathe freely.

The toe nails should be given as much as attention as the nails of the hands, an orange stick tipped with cotton wool should be used to clean around the nails. Particular attention should be paid to the sides of the nails where dirt tends to collect. Next comes the shoes, when buying shoes look for fit and comfort just as much as fancy design. Ill fitting footwear can cause corns caused by friction when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes.

Shoes should always be comfortable to your wider and longer feet. Make sure that your heel fits snugly in each shoes and does not slip out of the back while walking. Walking, dancing, swimming and cycling are good exercise to develop leg muscles.

Dry skin can cause itching and burning of the feet so rub a thin coat of skin lotion cream or petroleum jelly on the affected areas. The heels should be made wet thoroughly and then it should be rubbed with two tablespoon of ground nut mixed with a tablespoon of salt, after a few minutes they should be rinsed and sesame oil mixed with a few drops of vinegar should be applied.

Soak the feet in warm water for about ten to fifteen minutes. you can either add shampoo or liquid soap to the water. Use a soft bristle bursh to rub the edges and the between the toes and ankles.Rub a pumice stome on the sides of the feet to remove the dead skin. Apply a scrub which contains the peel of babana or papaya with sugar crystals sprinkled on it. Once done, Remove the feet and dry it with a towel. Nails have to be trimmed before pedicure and cuticle creams can be applied to remove the cuticles.

Avoid wearing tight foot wear, socks etc., If prolonged usage of shoes is done then do not forget to dust some talcum powder on the feet before wearing your socks. This will help to absorb sweat and prevent odour. Never wear bear foot on the floor. Nail trimming should be made a regular practice to avoid dirt and germs accumulating in the gaps.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Battling for breath

2011-10-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

Did you know that after age 20, women are more likely than men to have asthma for the first time? Dust and pollution can trigger off asthma. Inhalers may not be effective and a visit to the hospital becomes a must.

Even though asthma is more common in little boys as compared to little girls, this trend reverses after puberty. After age 20, women are more likely than men to have asthma for the first time. Women also have more problems with asthma, as compared to men. Due to hormonal changes around the time of the periods, women may find an exacerbation of the diseases during that time. Pregnancy too, can make asthma worse, and moreover it may complicate pregnancy. Between the ages of 20 and 50 women are nearly three times more likely than men to be hospitalized for asthma.

Not having asthma as a child is no guarantee against getting it as an adult. 30 to 40 per cent of people suffering from asthma will get it as adults.

In mild cases, the chest feels tight, but in severe cases there can be an intense feeling of suffocation. Being unable to breathe or feeling like you can’t breathe is one of the single most frightening situations to find oneself in.

WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA?

The basis of an asthma attack is inflammation of the bronchioles, which are the narrow tubes which carry air into the lungs. The inflammation leads to constriction and narrowing of the bronchioles and results in wheezing, tightness of the chest and persistent dry cough. Substances like dust, mold, pollen and smoke trigger cell inflammation and mucous production. The basis for this is an allergic reaction. People who have a tendency to have allergies have a greater chance of developing asthma.

All asthma is not triggered by allergies. Women can also have asthma attacks after taking drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen. Some women develop asthma in the workplace due to exposure to certain chemicals or other substances. Some women have asthma which is triggered by exercise.

Exercise-induced asthma is caused by dry air coming into the lungs or a change in the fluid balance of cells. Within five to ten minutes after beginning exercise, individuals experience asthmatic symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing or wheezing.

Breathing exercise like pranayama is excellent for asthmatics and complement medical treatment.

DEVELOPING ASTHMA IN ADULTHOOD

Adults will often develop asthma soon after a respiratory infection. Women who are prone to allergies may develop asthma when they move to a place where there is more dust, pollution or an allergy stimulating environment.

Asthma attacks can be unpredictable. A woman may get an attack when she is least expecting it. That is why all asthmatics are advised to always keep their medications with them. Asthma can also be exhausting. Women may find that they have no energy to carry on their daily routine after having spent a night fighting an attack. It also prevents women from exercising, leading to an increase in weight which in turn worsens the condition.

Asthma can sometimes be so severe that it requires hospitalization. Oxygenation of the brain can be hampered and in rare cases asthma can actually be fatal.

ASTHMA AND THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

More women have an asthma attack around the beginning of their period than at other times in the menstrual cycle. At this time, the oestrogen level in the body is very low and this may trigger the attack. 75 percent of adults hospitalized for asthma are women. The hormonal changes in women may account for this.

PREGNANCY AND ASTHMA

A particular concern for women is how pregnancy will affect their asthma. Some women find their symptoms get worse, while others find their symptoms stay the same or get better. Women with more severe asthma are more likely to have their asthma worsen during pregnancy than women with milder forms. Inhalers (both steroid and bronchodilators) are safe in pregnancy. Oral medications may be taken under physician supervision.

Most women with mild to moderate asthma can go through a pregnancy without complications. Women with severe, poorly controlled asthma may have the risk of delivering babies with low birth weight and premature babies.

(The author is a Chennai – based obstetrician and gynecologist with a special interest in women’s health issues).

The supplementary: the Wellness
The Hindu date September 25 2008

Health Tips & Info For Women : Hair Care! How to manage SPLIT ENDS?

2011-09-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Split Ends, (or trichoptlosis), could be a curse. This happens when the protective cuticle has been stripped away from the ends of hair fibres.

Dry brittle hair could result in split ends. Causes of damage include excessive drying or vigorous brushing. It is impossible to replace once the hair cuticle is removed. The hair splits into two or three strands, and this could be as long or two to three centimeters in length. What one can do is cutt off the split end of the damage fibre.

One can take small sections of hair and twist them in a downward motion. All split ends will stick out. Then you can snip into the twist with scissors.

Cut into the thickness to remove the damaged cuticles and this gives a natural layered effect. Split ends will stick out, then you can remove the damaged cuticles and this gives a natural layered effect. Split ends usually travel up the roots of the hair and keep on damaging it until they are cut off. Shower conditioners can temporarily glue them back together. Same could be said of conditioners and hair oils.

Split ends are formed on growing hair because the inside of the hair, also know as the cortex, splits at the ends, thereby getting the name ‘split ends’. Curling irons can cause split ends because the hair is overstretched or damaged. Split ends can be avoided by keeping off intense heat on hair. One should use a conditioner that protects hair during heat if you can’t naturally dry your hair, and throw away bobby pins.

Make a regular appointment with yourself or someone else to do trim your split ends as much as often as necessary. If you have very healthy hair and rarely get split ends, then you can do this less than every five to eight weeks.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Hazards of Breast Cancer

2011-09-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Awareness of Breast Cancer is very essentail among the women as the incidents of Breast cancer are steadily increasing. This is no longer a western disease but, can occur to any women. One in seven women is prone to Breast cancer although it is said that it is common only among older women.

Breast Cancer is a disease in which the cancer cells form in the breast tissues. Our body is made up of cells and the cell division occurs as required by the body. Sometimes the cell division goes out of control in a particular part resulting in formation of a mass of tissue called tumour.

Breast Cancer orginates in the breast and is capable of ivading to the other parts of the body if left unattended. It is advicable for every women to conduct regular self examination after proper consultaion with the doctor. If there is any noticeable change the same should be notified to the doctor who in turn would conduct a detailed examination which may include a biopsy of the suspected tissue.

Some of the sysmptoms are listed below :

Change in size and shape of the breast.
Unusual formation of a lump accompanied with or without pain
Bleeding from the nipple.
lump in the breast
pain in the breast bone.
swelling of arm
Unintentional weight loss.
Skin ulceration- at advanced stages.
Change in the skin texture on the breast surface.
Itching sensation on the nipple and breast.
shrinking or pulling in of the breast.

The breast examination should be done on the same day of every month. The treatment of Breast Cancer depends on the stage of detection of cancer.

Listed are some of the risk factors that could influence breast cancer :

If a close relation in the same bloodline has cancer then the risk of developing cancer increases. Hereditary breast cancer instances contribute to 5-10 percent of te total breast cancer incidents.
Older women are prone to breast cancer. Women who had started mensurating before the age of 12 are more prone to breast cancer sue to the longer span of exposure to estrogen.
Women who do not have issues are more prone to breast cancer.

Although the risks can never be eliminated one can take to healthier life styles to prevent the risks of breast cancer. Studies have proved consumption of low fat diet and regular exercising can decrease the chances of Breast Cancer.

Health Tips & Info For Women : Breastfeeding - Natural and Important for New Moms

2011-09-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Breastfeeding is one of the most enriching experiences for a mother": It not only nourishes the baby, but also creates an immense bond between the mother and the baby".

Breastfeeding is natural, but it is important that expectant moms educate themselves on how to breastfeed and learn about positioning and latching-on, supply and demand of milk, and how to handle challenges during breastfeeding.

It’s important to understand that the production of breast milk is based on demand and supply. The more the mother feeds, the more the supply of milk which means that a mother should feed the baby on demand, rather than on a schedule. Also, babies have growth spurts. So, a baby who was being fed every three hours might suddenly demand to be fed every hour: It does not mean that the supply of milk is less, but that the baby is experiencing growth spurts.

Even the dad has a role to play in this process. It is important that the expectant dads attend a childbirth class to learn about breastfeeding. For successful breast feeding the mom needs food, rest, sleep and support. So, it is dad’s duty to take on household chores. So, men, better get a grip on cleaning, cooking, washing and entertaining guests. Also the dad has to encourage the mom and tell her that she is doing a great job.

Dads can also support the mom to position and latch-on the baby while she is breastfeeding. Once the feeding is done allow the mom to rest and take the baby under your care. Burp the baby, change its clothes and put it to sleep. Also at night it is the dad’s duty to bring the baby to the mother for feeds.

Courtesy: Chennai Times, august 3 2009

Health Tips & Info For Women : How to Prevent Dry skin?

2011-08-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

A woman’s body undergoes changes in every stage of her life. Her hormones undergo changes in a phased manner. The color and the texture of the skin depends upon the diet and the environmental conditions. Diet plays a vital role as far as the skin is concerned. Avoid consumption of salty and sour food. Always add ghee to your food. It is recommended to take purgatives periodically.

If your skin is dry do not use much of soap as this drains the skin of all the essential oils. Instead of soap one can use a paste of green gram flour and milk. Honey is a natural moisturiser. Apply honey on the face and leave it for 10 minutes and wash of with plenty of cold water. This helps retain the moisture in the skin and leaves the skin soft and supple. Application of fresh Aloe Vera gel before a bath is also very helpful to prevent dryness.

One can practice the below given home facial method to keep dryness at bay. Use a mixture of glycerin, rose and sandal wood to open up the seat pores and bring the dirt to the skin surface and follow up with steaming, this also helps to increase blood circulation.

After exfoliate the skin using a gentle scrub made of lentil powder, almond powder, tulsi mixed with fresh aloe Vera juice. Gently scrub the same in circular motion and wash off with plenty of cold water. Follow up with a pack made with mutant mitt with fresh aloe Vera juice. Keep the pack for about 15-20 mins and wash off with cold water. For toning up of the skin use a pulp of banana or apple. This toner makes the skin softer and supple.

Consume plenty of water to avoid dryness. Consumption of seasonal fruits and high fiber diet is also recommended. One can use rosewater to refresh the skin from tiredness.