Alternative Therapies and Health News

It is a universal fact that women are the epitomes of patience and endurance. It is generally known that women with all their inborn physical and biological shortcomings bear pain to a greater degree than men. But facts suggest otherwise. Life is not that very easy, as it seems for men as well. See for your self how this is justified.

Pain affects both men and women in the same way, but may be the reaction to it may vary. Women being more expressive may react overtly. Though both the sexes feel pain, pleasure and other emotions in the same way, the reacting process may differ. To quote,

Psychologist Josh Coleman, author of The Lazy Husband, (Readers digest November 2005) “Emotions live in the background of a man’s life and foreground of a woman’s life.

• This may be due to the following listed reasons.
• Life can be hard for a man who is more expressive about his pain either physical or psychological. Man is supposed to be manly and solid as a rock. He is supposed to be the wall for every one in the family to lean on to. If he complains he is called sissy and fussy or nagging.
• A male child is taught from child hood to stop whimpering like a girl. So he learns it that expressing pain or discomfort is a girl’s nature and not being a man.
• A man can express anger but not pain. Anger is manly. Male children are taught to choke back tears quite early in child hood.
• Women try to express their feelings either of pain or pleasure very openly and it suits them. Women being women are called the weaker sex and any amount of whimpering and whining about pain is excused.
• The biological structure of a woman may be more prone to physical problems due to hormonal imbalances and other reasons and this may be the reason for their persistent health complaints and men may not be that very prone to health problems and less complaining.

Women vent out their feelings and men don’t. This may be the reason that it is generally understood that men suffer less pain. So men next time you suffer those headaches be more expressive talk it out and give vent. Probably the psychological blockade is removed and you suffer less pain too.

Pain irrespective of the sexes affects equally as scientific studies show but expressing of it may differ.

Ones oral health reflects on ones physical health. Oral health does not mean only keeping ones teeth clean but the overall health of the mouth. This includes the teeth, gum, tongue and also the throat. Instead of rushing to the dentist for minor problems it is advisable to care for the oral health personally. Certain precautions are to be taken.

• Brushing of the teeth with mild soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste is best. Do not go by the loud advertisements, which promise a lot and give a little.
• Circular motions for brushing the teeth are good. This gives a light massaging to the gum too, which improves blood circulation and keeps the gum healthy.
• The tongue should never be neglected. The tongue should be thoroughly cleaned with a good tongue cleaner. The thick plaque that forms on the tongue can cause indigestion and also gives an absolute bad breath. This is the prime cause of bad breath.
• The mouth should be rinsed with a good mouthwash.
• The throat can get sore due to allergies and due to cold. Repeated gargling with warm salt water works wonders.
• Remember neglecting oral health can cause not only health hazards like indigestion but can also lead to mouth ulcers and gum diseases.
• Tobacco is the ultimate enemy of oral health. This should be avoided at all costs.
• Periodic cleaning of the teeth by your dentist should be done to remove stains and plaque. This is also a reason for bad breath.
• Bedtime brushing is always good as it can fight against any bacteria growing out of left over food particles and leaves the mouth clean.

Take care of your oral health and it can keep your mouth free of bad breath and the ensuing problems. Remember the mouth is the entrance to the abode of all our internal organs.

Breathing problems like allergic bronchitis if untreated and neglected can lead to chronic asthmatic symptoms. Stuffiness and heaviness in the chest and difficulty in breathing accompanied by wheezing are signs of asthma. Asthma if untreated can sometimes be fatal. New studies and remedies suggest complete cure for asthma. Basically as the adage goes, “prevention is better than cure”. It is better to follow certain tips to avoid and keep it in check.

An attack of Allergic bronchitis or asthma is triggered by various allergens like dust, pollen, cobwebs, murky or strong smells, oil fumes, weather and various other factors. It is actually difficult to ascertain the actual cause. A severe attack of common cold can also lead to an asthmatic attack. In severe cases fever and sore throat are accompanying symptoms. Some basic preventive measures can help to keep it at bay.

• If you are prone to allergies try to stay away from pets, woolen rugs, and such other allergy triggers.
• Stay away from pollen, dust and other such things. Strong smells like mosquito repellents, Bathroom cleaners, incense stick smoke can also trigger an attack.
• Early morning attack along with sneezing can be lessened with a warm face wash and drinking some hot coffee. Warm to hot fluids can help a lot.
• You can boil a cup of milk with a pinch of turmeric powder and a little pepper powder, which acts as a good potion. Take it warm or hot but not cooled.
• Antihistamines are very helpful and give symptomatic relief but can be habit forming. They can also produce drowsiness, dryness in the mouth and an overall drained out feeling.
• The best option advisable for asthma and allergic bronchitis is the inhaler, which give immediate and long lasting relief.
• Inhalers have no side effects and are also safe for children.
• These are not available over the counter and are to be used only on the prescription of an expert physician.

The best way to avoid is staying away from the allergens and if you come in to contact either through smell or touch, then a face wash or hand wash or both with warm or hot water are highly recommended.

A new research claims that holy basil can fight the effects of ageing. The holy basil, much of a favorite with traditional Indian homes, has recently acquired new significance because it is said to have a rejuvenating formula.

As part of the ancient Ayurvedic system, the Holy Basil has come a long way in promoting the physical and mental state of mind. The most recent study reveals that the herb can eliminate harmful molecules and free radicals that can damage organs such as the heart, brain and liver.

The Poona College of Pharmacy, India is further speculating the efficacy of the herb in terms of its anti-ageing, anti-bacterial anti-oxidant properties.

Dr. Shinde is of the opinion that the herbs validates the traditional significance attached to it in promoting youthful skin and at the same time helps describe the function of holy basil at the cellular level.

Yes, Canadian researchers have clearly pointed out that a chemical named BPA which is found in drink and food containers can reduce vital communications between neurons. BPA, also known as bisphenol A, is still awaiting confirmation as to the safety levels. Neil MacLusky, lead author of the study opines that less of the chemicals should be used to make the containers.

On testing monkeys, he found that the animals were able to form less of synapses (process by which brain cells exchange signals). Such signals, the author reveals are of paramount important especially with respect to learning and remembering abilities.

Though the author warns that the chemicals haven’t yet reached a level to hurt human beings, the safety limits should be well-examined. It is essential to establish the safety limits of the chemical contained in containers because experts suggest that can have a huge impact on our mood, learning and memory states.

In addition, Neil also explains that estrogen, a sex hormone, plays an important role in building synapses in both men and women. However, BPA seems to be coming in way of the action of estrogen which helps in letting the brain cells connect.

Canada is taking concrete steps to confirming the safety limits of the drink and food containers and are also exchanging BPA bottles with BPA-free ones.

Yes, say experts in a BIG way. A recent research suggest that the increased use of scented creams, lotions and perfumes during pregnancy can pose a threat to the unborn child thereby increasing the risk of developing infertility at their latter stage of life. Scientists from the Medical Research Council thereon have warned mothers to quit wearing perfumes or scented creams that can make their baby sons infertile.

Professor Richard Sharpe and his team of scientists conducted their study on rats. The results of the experiment showed that a number of chemicals used in cosmetics and more precisely in lotions, creams and perfumes can completely damage the reproductive system of male fetuses which could lead to infertility and even worse testicular cancer.

Experts suggest that during 8-12 weeks of the gestation period, an unborn child’s reproductive organs are particularly more vulnerable. When an unborn child is exposed to these chemicals during that period, then it is more likely to affect the kid’s sperm production.

Sharpe claims that it is during this period that androgens such as testosterone remain more active in the fetus. Professor Sharpe further adds that if the male fetus in unable to receive enough androgens, then it will also fail to realize its reproductive potential, that is, the size of the testes and penis.

Sharpe has other important problems to highlight. He says that if the hormones such as the testosterone do not function well, then there are increased chances of male fertility problems such as – testicular cancer, low sperm count and undescended testicles.

The experiment on rats clearly revealed that when the hormones got blocked in rats, it led to fertility problems in rats.

Though it is not confirmed as to how or why the chemicals do so much harm to the unborn kids reproductive cycle, mothers-to-be are warned against using such scented products and cosmetics.

Professor Sharpe is looking forward to making his findings known at the Simpson Symposium 2008 in Edinburgh this week which is going to address issues related to reproduction.

As a precautionary measure, keep the perfumes, cosmetics and lotions away till you finally give birth to a healthy son.