Alternative Therapies and Health News

Erectile dysfunction or impotency is the inability of men to achieve and sustain erection for sexual intercourse. As many 18 million Americans aged between 40 and 70 years suffer from erectile dysfunction. Most of the time, they are hesitant about seeking help because either they feel embarrassed or think that there really is no problem at all and that it is just all in the mind. Well, these “shy guys” are missing out on a variety of treatment options for erectile dysfunction after all.

Herbal Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Charaka, one of the prime contributors to the science of Ayurveda, has given some herbal remedy solutions for erectile dysfunction. Charaka has explained through his works that herbal remedies contain aphrodisiacs that help in increasing the erection time, preventing premature ejaculation and in hardening the penis.

Though researches haven’t been that encouraging, some herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction are listed here below:

• DHEA (supplement)
• Asian ginseng
• Ginkgo biloba
• Propionyl-L-carnitine
• Damiana (used in Mexico as a male aphrodisiac)
• Saw Palmetto
• L-arginine (an amino acid which is contained in dairy products, fish, poultry and meat)

Experts opine that a doctor’s recommendation for taking such herbal supplements for erectile dysfunction is a must.

Causes for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is often a result of damage caused to the veins, arteries, fibrous tissues and muscles that help in erection. Erection itself is an undisputed effort of the brain which sends impulses to the spinal cord down towards the penis. Any malfunction midway can make erection difficult.

It is in response to the impulses that the muscles, arteries, veins and fibrous tissues are filled with blood in and around the corpora and cavernosa (two chambers within the penis which are filled with spongy tissues).

Some causes for erectile dysfunctions are listed below:

• Excessive exposure to smoking
• Increased exposure to alcohol
• Diabetes
• Atherosclerosis
• Kidney problems
• Psychological or emotional problems – stress, depression, etc
• Continued medication

When is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
Experts opine that though it is normal for men to get an erection occasionally, if a man seems to be having a problem sustaining one for more 25% of the time then he must visit a urologist (a doctor that specializes in urethra, penis, kidneys, prostate and bladder function). In addition, is erection is a persistent problem lasting for almost 2 months or so now, then a doctors advice is to be sought immediately.

Tips to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction
Some basic tips to avoid erectile dysfunction are listed below:

• Exercise on a regular basis
• Limit high cholesterol or fatty foods
• Drink less
• Quit smoking
• Include vitamins and minerals in your diet – vitamin C, E, zinc

Researchers also feel that clinic trials have not been enough to prove the benefits and safety of herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction. For instance, Yohimbe (found in West Africa), a very popular sexual stimulant in the market when taken in excess can lead to hypertension or heart failures. So consult a doctor before taking herbal supplements for treating erectile dysfunction.

Caution: Avoid more than one herbal preparation and always be careful about the brands you select. In case of any side effects like vomiting, skin rashes, diarrhea or increased heart beat, stop taking the herbal supplement.

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Though short naps may seem like the territory of the old or of tiny tots, a well-times nap is recommended for all adults alike. Did you know that a short nap can be more restorative than a cup of coffee? Yes, naps can elevate your mood, increase your alertness and better your memory power as well.

People in the warm equatorial belts like the Philippines and Spain follow typical tradition called the “siesta”. People in these places stick to a regular pattern of going home for lunch, spending quality time with their family and finally take a post-meal nap.

Researchers are of the opinion that people living in these warm equatorial climates suffer from fewer heart-related ailments. Though warm temperatures and a filled stomach can automatically lull you off to sleep, there is one reason why sleepy afternoons are common – like all mammals humans too experience forceful or persuasive sleep at 2-4 am in the morning and at 1-3 pm in the afternoon.

The sleep cycle actually stretches across 5 stages. Experts claim that human beings can derive maximum benefits from well-timed naps without having to sleep for 8 hours. This also explains that a nap should not be misunderstood as a substitute for 6-8 hours of sleep.

5 Sleep Stages
The 5 stages of sleep experienced by people include:

• Stage 1: Initial 5-10 minutes of sleep stage goes on closing your eyes and falling into the slumber state. It is this stage where the experts recommend people to hit the “power nap” of 30 minutes which can boost your energy levels and concentration to spend the rest of your afternoon.
• Stage 2: This stage constitutes the next 20-30 minutes where your body prepares for deep sleep. At this stage your heart rate slows down, temperature falls and your muscles relax.
• Stage 3-4: This sleep stage constitutes the next 45 minutes period where you gradually go into what is called the “slow-wave sleep”. This sleep stage encourages your declarative memory to remember facts and reason or explain them.
• Stage 5: The finals stage of sleep stretches across 90-120 minutes where you enter the world of dreams and where your sleep state is characterized by what is called the “rapid eye movement”. Here, your heart rate and respiration also pick pace.

Nap Tips
Some essential nap tips that you may have never thought of before are listed here below:

• Short Nap: Your nap should not be longer than 1 hour
• Lean Back or Rest: The ideal position to take a nap is to rest or lea back on something. So if you’re not getting a bed or couch to sleep on just close your eyes while sitting your chair for a few minutes
• Best Place: Your nap environment should be dim lit, peaceful, safe and little warm. Sleep masks also work well in providing the darkness required to get sleep.
• Setting Nap Intention: Set a limit like a 20-minute nap for yourself and do not extend or fall into deep sleep after that. You could probably make use of a timer or alarm for to give you a wakeup call.

Though getting a nap is difficult in our hectic schedules of work and home; there are some offices which are becoming sleep and eco-friendly. You can catch up on a few winks while the lights dim during lunch hours. The again, many sleep salons are coming up in cities where you can grab some sleep or a relaxing massage on the comfortable chairs and sleep pods provided.

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Yes, a British study states that even small amounts of soy eaten on a regular basis can cause infertility in obese men. Experts opine that plant oestrogens present in foods like milk, soy and tofu can interfere with hormonal activity thereby increasing the activity of estrogen that contributes in less sperm counts.

Harvard School of Public Health examined as many as 99 men who were afflicted with fertility problems. It was seen that there was a huge gap between the sperm counts of those who ate more soy and those who ate the least soy.

What is the Normal Sperm Count?
Experts from the Harvard School consider the normal sperm count to be “between 80-120 million milliliter,” which was not the case for men who are just one portion of soy. They reported a 41 million fewer sperms per milliliter of semen.

How Can Soy Cause Infertility in Men?
A BBC report suggests that both – estrogen and isoflavones contained in soy can affect reproduction of sperms and thereby decreases fertility in men. It is further suggested that these chemicals can affect the hormone oestrogen as well.

Experts suggest that heavy weighing or obese men are more prone to this condition of “infertility” because high levels of body fat can also lead to increased level oestrogen production in men they say.

The researchers also revealed that the intake of soy did not affect the Asian men to the extent it affected the Western men. This could probably mean that the Asian populace does not suffer from obesity as acutely as the Westerners do.

In addition, soy products have been popular ever since the 1940s in the Western countries and they can be seen in the form of biscuits, pasta, bread, sweets, etc. In Asian countries, soy is gaining momentum because of it being a cheap source of protein.

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A little bit of salt adds taste to your food and your taste buds is what is commonly assumed which may not be quiet true. In addition, did you ever know that salty foods can be dangerous for kids too? So, as salt can be considered as an imperative ingredient of almost all foods, it could be one of the impeding factors for health.

Top 8 Salt Myths
Listed below are some top 10 myths associated with salt:

• You’re not eating salty foods because you’re not adding any to it: The biggest myth of all times is that you aren’t eating salty foods because you don’t add salt to foods. Experts opine that much salt is already contained in the foods you buy like – soups, cereals, biscuits, etc. Sometimes some foods can contain more than the required daily intake of salts.
• Foods are tasteless without salt: Much of this really depends on how your taste buds have adapted to the levels of salt used in foods. Therefore, it is not so that foods become tastier with salt; salt less foods or foods prepared with limited salt can also be tasty.
• You can measure the levels of salt in a food because it tastes salty: No, this is another absurd belief that people store in their minds. Experts opine that there are some foods that contain high levels of salt but do not taste salty because of the high levels of sugar contained in them. In addition, people can become used to a kind of food with high levels of salt and wouldn’t realize till somebody ate it for the first time.
• Too much salt can affect only older people: The next salt myth is associated with age. Experts explain that salt is dangerous for the young hearts too. Though diseases like stroke and heart attack generally affect the old, high salt levels can trigger high blood pressure even when you are as young as 20 or 30 years.
• Posh salt is safer than table salt: Salt contains sodium chloride. Experts opine that it is the sodium which leads to the increase in blood pressure levels. So, whether you pick up salt from an expensive store or through normal grains, cereals, etc, salt invariably contains sodium.
• Much of salt is lost from your body in summers because you perspire so much: Some people believe that under such situations it is important to increase the intake of salt. Experts say NO, there is no need for increasing your salt intake during summers because a minimal amount of salt is lost through perspiration. Instead, you should be drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
• Reducing the levels of salt intake would mean starving the body from it: Experts say NO. Instead, they are of the opinion that it is difficult to limit the intake of salt because it comes in various forms that cannot be restricted like sauces, cereals, biscuits, etc.
• High blood pressure can be assumed: NO, say experts. High blood pressure cannot be assumed just by the amount of salt you think you maybe consuming but needs to be detected.

Most of the time people are oblivious about the levels of salt in their body. For instance, about one-third of England’s population is reported to be suffering from high blood pressure, which means about 29.5% women and 31.7% of men. Keep a watch on your regular salt intake and ensure that you kids learn from you too.

“Taste” however, is a subjective experience and not much can be done about that. Even then try encouraging good eating habits so that your kids don’t indulge in salty and unhealthy foods too often.

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Have you ever noticed that getting choked when you’re about to cry is common to every other person? Well, this natural phenomenon has its own scientific explanation too. Experts describe the “lump” on the throat not as a lump exactly. They say that people get the feeling of a lump because the throat is actually struggling to perform two different actions at the same time.

The larynx through which human beings produce sound has a middle path called the glottis. The glottis is the passage which allows air to enter the body and pass into the lungs and closes when we swallow food and air. Experts opine that the vocal chords regulate the size of the passage of the glottis.

What Happens When You Fear or Get Angry in a Situation?
Experts opine that when you fear a situation and want to flee or when you get angry and want to probably fist someone, your heart rate increases, the lungs pump harder and the vocal chords stretch more in order to gasp for more breath required by the lungs.

Experts believe that the lungs and vocal chords function in the same way when people get emotional or are about to cry.

Why the Lump When You’re About to Cry?
The lumpy feeling on the throat arises when the glottis is stretched so much in order to accommodate the maximum amount of air from outside while at the same time you are also trying to swallow your tears.

The process of “swallowing” either while you are weeping or before you cry forces the glottis to close.

This constant expanding (for air) and closing (while swallowing) of the glottis is what makes people get the “lumpy” sensation in the throat and that is when you get choked to be able to say another word.

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Have you ever wondered if there’s a food that contributes to an overall fitness and well being? Yes, there is – the coconut! Experts are of the opinion that coconuts are not just tasty to eat or drink but are loaded with nutritional values that contributes to an overall good health and hence is regarded as the “ultimate guardian of good health”.

Health Benefits of Coconut
Listed below are some health benefits of coconut:

• Coconut Water: The sweet water which is extracted from the tender coconut can not just quench your thirst but can also elevate your energy levels to a great extent. Suitable for all ages, coconut water can be fed to infants as well and is one of the favorite drinks of sportspersons and athletes. So come hail or storm, coconut water keeps you running on your toes till dusk.
• Coconut Oil for Skin: Coconut oil works excellent on the skin thereby functioning as an effective moisturizer. Infact, coconut oil is said to possess antioxidant properties that can rid the system of free radicals and/or infections.
• Coconut Oil for Hormones: Experts further claim that coconut oil helps regulating the hormones thereby preventing skin inflammations, psoriasis and eczema.
• Coconut Oil for Wrinkles: The sun’s rays can come down hard on the skin and cause wrinkles. Coconut oil is effective in preventing wrinkles caused by excessive sun exposure thereby reducing the process of ageing.
• Coconut Oil for Hair: In addition, coconut oil works wonders for the hair too thereby making your tresses long, strong and healthy.
• Coconut As a Food: Experts opine that almost 60 percent of coconut oil is made up of Caprice and Lauric acid which are reported to be of the medium chain of fatty acids according to which fats are classified. It is also reported that Lauric acid is converted into Monolaurin a kind of fat which is present in the mother’s milk which helps infants develop a stronger immune system. Coconut oil is said to be rich in Monolaurin thereby containing both antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Medicinal Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is reported to have numerous medicinal benefits as identified by Ayurveda and is used for treating the following conditions:

• Debility
• Urinary inconsistency
• Menstrual disorders
• Cough

Experts also opine that coconut kernel is processed in a way to prepare what is called nalikera khanda and nalikera lavana  that have proved effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcers and many more related problems. So if you’re looking to an overall well being, then a glass of coconut water or white flakes from the coconut kernel can do great wonders!

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Be it ramp models or celebrities “thin is in”! Women need to really wake up to a serious problem related to being lean and thin and that which is the least chances or ability to conceive. Yes, experts are claiming that excessive gymming and dieting which results in awfully low weights can lead to disturbed menstrual cycles that can completely disallow women to conceive.

Gynecologists are of the opinion that if at all a woman gets pregnant; she is most likely to experience premature delivery and will deliver malnourished kids.

How Can Excessive Gymming or Dieting Prevent Pregnancy?
Experts opine that excessive tendency to lose weight either through dieting or excessive gymming can result in loss of the libido which suppresses the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), as well other secondary sexual hormones in the brain.

Chemists and experts are believe that certain pills that help reduce weight can also lead to fertility problems in women. Such herbal pills may also contain oestrogen levels akin to contraceptive pills that are taken to prevent pregnancy.

Excessive weight loss whether a result of excessive dieting or gymming can therefore lead to two major problems in women – Amenoria (Abnormal Menstruation) and Anorexia (Eating Disorder) that can rob them of their gift to deliver babies. Anorexia is another condition that aggravates the problem and susceptibility of women to contract osteoporosis where bones decay and can lead to not just injuries or fractures but deaths too.

Though slim-fed models are not confirming that they stick to such modes of unhealthy eating, diet and gymming the research has brought to light a disturbing revelation for womankind. Models believe that their mantra to looking beautiful is to keep fit, healthy and toned which either they are gifted with or nurture it with healthy diet and exercise like swimming.

The most recommended ways to keeping the extra weight off are – moderate exercises and Yoga say experts. Liposuction, though not highly preferred can be an option to reduce weight but excessive dieting or gymming should be avoided to prevent fertility problems in women. So if you still want babies, you better cash on some calories.

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As uncanny as the fights and words may appear, it is worse for men to bear with the memory power of their women counterparts. Needless to say, women beat men in quarreling and more precisely in remembering every detail of an ancient fight or argument. Experts hold an interesting view with regard to the gender gap that exists in the game of “remembering harsh words” which they feel has a scientific reason.

Marianne J. Legato, an MD and founder of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine from the Columbia University states that “Men and women are different in every system of the body, and nowhere is this more true than in the brain”. This shows how gender determines the extent to which one can remember things too.

Why Women Have Sharper Memories?
Women are said to possess sharper memories owing to 2 factors – higher blood flow rate to the brain (also to parts that control language) and a higher concentration of oestrogen levels.

There are 2 areas where the memory of women are said to supersede that of men – Spoken Words and Unpleasant, Frightening and Stressful Experiences.

Spoken Words
Dr Legato in her book “Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget” says that spoken words form an indefinite part of a woman’s memory especially when stories are read out loudly from books or words from past verbal arguments.

Dr Legato explains that due to an increased level of blood flow to the brain women tend to hold onto these words and/or arguments better than men. In other words, Marianne says that they are better “packed” and can be easily recalled by women later after weeks or even months.

Unpleasant, Frightening and Stressful Experiences
Dr Marianne explains that due to higher levels of oestrogen in their bodies, an enlarged neuron field is activated in the brain of women during upsetting situations. As a result, women tend to be more severely and deeply affected by the trauma of a situation or event then men.

Dr Legato adds by saying that “Simply remembering an unpleasant incident can bring back the same terrible sadness and agitation to women that they experienced at the time.”

Since gender has played such an important role in the construction of society, it is important to identify the parameters and the extent to which men and women can differ. Though upsetting words and situations aren’t pleasant things to remember, the memories of women can prove better in crime scenes or accidents.

Don’t let harsh words slip out of your mouth ever again in front of women because they have an enriched-brain to get back on you even after weeks. In addition, couples should ensure that duels are controlled in time before the clash of words – abuses, etc creep in to last for a long time if not for a lifetime, at least for women!

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A new research claims that frequent teeth brushing in kids, especially after every meal turns out to be more dangerous for kids than helpful. The research suggests that more than 79 percent of dentists are reporting acid erosion of the teeth on a weekly basis in kids. In addition, more than 53 percent of the kids aged 5 years seem to have a teeth problem where the enamel of the tooth rots away because of acid-containing foods and drinks.

Jimmy Steele, from the University of Newcastle is of the opinion that adult teeth begins to grow at the age of 6 which eventually stay on for a lifetime. In order to build the endurance of teeth, kids need to be trained on keeping them safe and protected before they attain 6 years itself.

Teeth-Training Tips
Parents can encourage their kids to keep their teeth less affected by the atrocities of foods and drinks by the following means:

• Teach your kids to consume acidic drinks with the help of a straw that is placed at the back of the mouth and away from the teeth
• Discourage your kids to brush their teeth immediately after eating acidic foods and drinks because at this point the teeth enamel is softest and can be scraped

Experts opine that the main cause of “acid erosion” is not just fizzy drinks alone but ones that contain fruits with high acidic content. Experts opine that eating oranges or sucking on the juice of oranges can also have a drastic effect on the teeth thereby causing acid erosion.

Another disturbing trend that emerged form the study was that nearly 93 percent and more parents were weary or unaware about the foods and drinks that were acidic in nature. In addition, about 58 percent of the parents claimed that their kids mixed foods with sauces and dressings without realizing the effects of acid erosion on their teeth.

Orthodontic specialists like Dr Peter Huntley claim that this could be an emerging problem with the new generation of kids who are so careless abut their eating habits and lifestyles. Keeping a check on their eating patterns and type of foods eaten has to start as early as before 6 years in order to save the young ones from enamel destruction which is caused by acidic foods and drinks.

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Cholesterol is good for memory? Is it surprising you?  A study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology of American Heart Association suggests that, low levels “good” HDL cholesterol can cause memory loss and dementia – that is, a disease which causes decreased cognitive functions. They show the important relation between cholesterol and memory. The capacity of the person to remember words is affected due to low level of HDL.

Is Cholesterol Harmful to Your Body?
The common belief is that cholesterol is harmful for our body forgetting the fact there are “good” and “bad” cholesterol. Like many other substances produced by the human body, cholesterol is also important in keeping our body fit and healthy. Cholesterol helps the body to produce cell membrane and essential hormones.

High density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered as good cholesterols, since it reduces the risk of heart attack. HDL carries cholesterol from human tissues through blood to liver and it would not harden the arteries. The researchers say that low level of HDL will increase the chance of heart attack. Earlier some researchers found the link between HDL cholesterol and Alzheimer’s.

How to Balance Good and Bad Cholesterol in Your Body?
The important fact is that you should keep the balance between good and bad cholesterols. There are some ways to keep balance between good and bad cholesterol which can be done by increasing the HDL cholesterol in your body. You can do it by modifying your life style.

Please try these to increase your HDL cholesterol level:

• Do aerobic exercise, like jogging, running, swimming, climbing etc
• Reduce your body weight
• Quit smoking
• Avoid foods which have  high fat content, like meat, butter, egg, pea nut butter, cream, chocolates, pastries, cakes etc
• Include foods which are rich in fibers, like whole grain flour, fruits( dried and fresh), vegetables (like broccoli, beans), green vegetables like spinach, beet greens
• Eat baked, steamed, broiled or grilled foods instead of fried ones

Do not say anymore that “cholesterol kills you”. Try to be benefited from the good cholesterols like HDL, and avoid the risks of heart attack and memory loss. This is the time to praise “good” HDL cholesterol.

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We heard very often about Chikungunya in recent past. What is Chikungunya? Which virus causes it? What are the symptoms of Chikungunya? Is there any treatment for Chikungunya?  Chikungunya is a form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by mosquito bites from Aedis aegypti mosquito. CHIKV( Chikungunya virus) is a member of the genus Alphavirus, in the family Togaviridae. ‘Chikungunya’ means ‘that which bends up’ in swahili.

First Isolation of Chikungunya:
Chikungunya virus is first isolated from the blood of a febrile patient in Tanzania in 1953. Since then it is identified in  Central, West, Southern African countries and in many Asian countries. It also been cited in numerous epidemics in above areas.  Aedis aegypti mosquitoes and monkeys transmitts  chikungunya virus  to human beings.

Symptoms of Chikungunya:
Chikungunya infection can cause a debilitating illness, which is often characterized by fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, muscle pain and joint pain.

Incubation Period of Chikungunya Virus:
Incubation period means the time the virus takes to cause illness since the infection. Incase of Chikungunya incubation period can be 2-12 days but often it takes 3-7 days. Latent chikungunya infections are also reported which cause infection without illness.

Treatment of Chikungunya:
Chikungunya fever outbreaks very widely and rapidly because no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is available. Symptomatic treatment is given with the help of Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Acataminophen or Paracetamol which may relieve symptoms of fever and aching. However, consult a physician before taking any medication.

No vaccine or preventive drug is there for Chikungunya infection. The best way to protect ourselves from Chikungunya infection is preventing mosquito bites. So, keep your environment clean and free of mosquitoes so that there is no chance for Chikungunya to set in.

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