Foods that improve eyesight

While it is a known fact that carrots are excellent for your eyes, there are other foods as well that are known to protect eyesight and promote eye health. Include the following food items in your diet...

• Dark, leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, iceberg lettuce, kale, etc contain a lot of antioxidantssuch as lutein and zeaxanthinthat lower your chances of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.
• While there are several people who are against consumption of eggs, when eaten in moderation, these can actually be beneficial for health. The yolk present in eggs contains lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc, which lower your chances of developing macular degeneration.
• Consume citrusy fruits such as grapefruit, tangerine, oranges, lemons, sweet lime etc, which are packed with vitamin C, known to lower your risk of developing cataracts.
• Consuming a handful of almonds daily will help slow down macular degeneration thanks to the vitamin E present in them.
• Tuck into fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon, etc, which are packed with fatty acids that protect your eyes.
• Some studies also say that regularly consuming oysters is said to improve eyesight.
• Corn contains lutein and zeaxanthin, excellent for your eyes.

Beer helps overcome creative block: Study

Suffering a creative block? Drinking a pint of beer may trigger productivity and help you think out of the box for your artistic tasks, a study suggests. Scientists from the University of Graz in Austria found that people performed better in a range of creative tasks after drinking moderate amount of alcohol.

In one word association test, a pint of beer for men, or around 350 mililitres (ml) for women, increased test scores by around 40%. In the test, participants were given three words and asked to think of a word that can be connected to each -for example, the word `pit' can be attached to `peach', `arm' and `tar'. Alcohol helps remove parameters which surround a problem, allowing more creative thought, researchers said.

However, while alcohol boosted creativity it decreased 'executive function'. This may impede tasks that require motor skills, such as painting or dancing.

"Anecdotal reports link alcohol intoxication to creativity," Mathias Benedek, from the University of Gras, was quoted as saying by 'The Telegraph'. "Alcohol impaired executive control, but improved performance in the Remote Associates Test," said Benedek, lead author of study.

Drinking tea, red wine may protect against flu: Study

Drinking tea and wine may help prevent influenza, as a compound found in these beverages can boost the immune system, scientists say. Researchers at Washington University in the US found that a particular gut microbe can prevent severe flu infections in mice, by breaking down naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids. This strategy is effective in staving off severe damage from flu when the interaction occurs prior to infection with the influenza virus, researchers said.

"For years, flavonoids have been thought to have protective properties that help regulate the immune system to fight infections," said Ashley Steed, from St Louis Children's Hospital in the US. Flavonoids are commonly found in black tea, red wine and blueberries. "We were able to identify at least one type of bacteria that uses these dietary compounds to boost interferon, a signalling molecule that aids the immune response," said Thaddeus Stappenbeck, from University of Washington.

"This prevented influenza-related lung damage in the mice. It is this kind of damage that often causes significant complications such as pneumonia in people," Stappenbeck added. The study was published in the journal Science.

6 reasons you have itchy butt.

ITCHY BUTTS? THIS COULD BE THE REASON: Scratching your butts in public is something that causes much embarrassment. You may have tried to control it several times, but when the condition worsens, you end up scratching the area - which clearly doesn't make for a socially acceptable sight. To some, the condition of itchy butts may sound normal but in intense cases, it can be the result of a medical condition referred to as Pruritus ani.

There are many reasons that can lead to itchy butt, from lifestyle factors to various medical reasons. Take a look at different reasons that may be causing it.

SPICY FOOD: Our diet plays an important role in overall wellness. If you are one of those who usually crave for spicy foods, then be ready to face the embarrassment of itchy booty. These spicy foods along with different other food items such as tomatoes, coffee, beer, when consumed in excess can elevate acidic range down there, resulting in itchy butts.

HERPES: Herpes is a viral infection that can affect your butts during skin to skin contact. This usually happens when you have a weaker immune system. You may suffer from red and itchy butts when suffering from herpes. Contact a health expert and take necessary medication.

FUNGAL INFECTION: Another reason that may cause itchy butts is fungal infection. Fungal infection mostly thrives in moist area and when your butts are highly moist, you may suffer from itchy butt condition. To cure fungal infection, rinse the area with luke-warm water or contact your doctor.

NOT WIPING PROPERLY OR WIPING TOO HARD: Wiping your butts too hard can cause irritation and itchiness back there. If you tend to wipe a lot, rinse and then pat dry the area. Do not go hard, gently wipe your butts.

CHECK FOR HEMORRHOIDS: Hemorrhoids may cause swelling and inflammation in your veins in the rectum. This can cause more acidic stool and itchiness there. Eating a high-fiber diet can help in treating hemorrhoids.

HYGIENE: The most common cause of itchy butts is lack of personal hygiene. If you aren’t cleaning yourself properly, or not taking bath regularly, you may face excessive itching in your butt. Take care of your hygiene and if the situation persists, don't feel embarrassed to see a doctor.

High salt intake might double risk of heart failure

Doctors say that table salt or sodium chloride is one of the biggest sources of sodium in our diets. It is made up of 40 per cent sodium and 60 per cent chloride. Dr Tilak Suvarna, senior interventional cardiologist says, "Sodium is a mineral that is essential for life. It helps to control our body's fluid balance, assists in sending nerve impulses and affects muscle function."

Cardiologists say that while we do need sodium in our diet to help regulate fluids in the body, the amount of salt we actually eat in a day is far more than we require.

"It's the excess of sodium that's the problem in relation to blood pressure. When there's extra sodium in our bloodstream, it attracts water into our blood vessels, increasing the total amount of blood flowing inside, leading to a hike in blood pressure," says Dr Suvarna.

There is very convincing evidence in the form of studies and research done in our country and abroad, which has shown that regularly eating too much salt puts us at increased risk of developing high blood pressure. It is the main cause of strokes and also a major cause of heart attacks and heart failures — the most common causes of death and illness in the world.

Why you need to stop having excess salt
"Even if one does not have high blood pressure, eating less sodium can help blunt the rise in blood pressure that occurs with age, and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke," says Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, senior cardiologist.

Eating less salt has also been shown to reduce the risk of kidney disease, osteoporosis, stomach cancer and even headaches. The extra water in our body can also lead to bloating and weight gain.

High salt intake can be very harmful
"So far, high salt intake has been associated with increased risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke. No such association has been seen for heart failure. In fact, there have been conflicting reports with some studies suggesting an association between dietary sodium intake with fluid retention and risk for hospitalisation, whereas other studies, however, have signalled a worsening of heart failure with sodium restriction," says Dr Suvarna.

There is now enough evidence to start taking action to reduce salt intake globally, which could include legislation and education, alongside collaboration with the food industry, say cardiologists in the city.

Beware! Salt ups the risk of heart ailments

"A recent study has found that those who consumed more than 14 grams of salt per day had two times higher risk of heart failure compared to those consuming less than seven grams per day, independent of other risk factors," says Dr Dora.

Keep in mind...

• About 77 per cent of the sodium we consume comes from packaged or prepared foods. The rest of the sodium in our diet occurs naturally in food (about 12 per cent) or is added by us during cooking or while eating our meals (about 11 per cent). So, even if you are not using a salt shaker, you're probably getting too much sodium.
• Most of the sodium that we eat is in our food before we buy it, so, many people unfortunately don't realise that they are eating too much salt. Thus, it makes it hard for people to limit how much sodium they are eating.
• Dr Suvarna says, "It is recommended that we should eat no more than six gm of salt a day, which is about a teaspoon. For people with high blood pressure, the recommendation is less four gm of salt which is about 2/3rd of a teaspoon."

DID YOU KNOW?

The World Health Organization recommends salt intake to be a maximum of five gms/ day for a normal person. The daily physiological need is around two to three gms/day.

Acne - Causes, Signs, Symptoms & Prevention.

Acne is a big concern, especially for women in their 20s. However, it would be wrong to say that men don't suffer from acne. To many, acne is also known as blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or cysts. It is most common during puberty and adolescence.

According to recent data, almost 80 per cent of people in the age group of 11 to 30 years have acne outbreak at least once. Having said that, even adults are not fully immune. The number is low, but people in their 40s and 50s also get acne. There are also cases when a woman does not suffer from acne during teen but gets it in adulthood before her menstrual cycle.So what exactly is acne?

Your skin has small holes (pores) that are connected to the oil glands lying under the skin through follicles. These glands are responsible for producing sebum, an oily substance. When these follicles get clogged, it leads to the outburst of acne. The reason acne occurs more around puberty or at the time of hormonal changes, is because there is excess secretion of oil.

Acne, most commonly, does not have any serious health concern, but are distressing for the sufferer. Having said that, not all acne-like skin problems should be left untreated. Sometimes acne can have a more serious underlying cause such as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). The faster the issue is diagnosed, more effective will be its treatment.Acne should not be treated with antibiotics but can be fixed with certain dietary changes. For example, avoiding oily foods, preservatives, sweeteners, having two liters of mineral water along with having foods rich in Vitamin B6 helps dealing with acne.Oil-based products make acne worse, so do oil-based cosmetics. So for people with a family history of acute acne, must opt for water based products.

Acne Causes

"Acne is basically a skin manifestation resulting from the action of fluctuating hormone levels and other substances on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called Acne lesions or pimples. These lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Low estrogen levels, stress, improper cleansing, excessive use of creams and cosmetics often result in aggravating Acne lesions," says Dr Ramanjit Singh, Senior Consultant, Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, Medanta The Medicity.

Other causes include:

Genetic

If either of your parents had Acne, it is more likely that you will also develop Acne.

Hormonal

Sex hormones called Androgens increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the follicular glands to enlarge and make more sebum leading to Acne. Many medical conditions can also induce a high-androgen state. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives can also affect sebum production.

Diet

The connection between diet and Acne is unclear as there are no clear indications of a definitive link. Though, some studies have indicated that dairy products, carbohydrate-rich foods and chocolates worsen the severity of Acne.

Stress

Some studies indicate that stress causes or worsens Acne, while some others have refuted it.

Drugs

Certain medications are known to have worsened Acne. These include steroids and anticonvulsant medications.

Pressure on skin
Items like helmets, collars, phones, etc. can cause a pressure on skin and lead to Acne.

Acne Symptoms

Severity of Acne would determine the symptoms. They can include:

1. Whiteheads - These are closed plugged pores

2. Blackheads - These are open plugged pores that turn brown after exposure to air

3. Red, tender bumps known as papules

4. Pimples that contain pus at their tips known as pustules

5. Large and painful lumps under the surface of the skin called nodules

6. Painful and pus - filled lumps under the surface of the skin called cystic lesions

Sometimes, pigmentation also occurs as a result of Acne lesions. But they usually fade away with time but deeper scars, if left untreated, can last up to years and even a lifetime.

Acne Prevention

A dermatologist can help you treat your Acne with medications that reduce oil production, fight bacterial infection, and reduce inflammation. Medications can also speed up skin cell turnover. The medication for Acne can include retinoid (creams, gels, lotions), antibiotics (both application on skin based and oral), dapsone gel, anti-androgen agent, or Isotretinoin for a severe case of Acne.

Following can be taken care of at home to avoid Acne:

Change your lifestyle
Sleep eight hours, eat three meals, and drink plenty of water in a day.

Open your pores
Get your blackheads removed during facial.

Skin care
Keep your face clean and wash it once or twice a day with mild cleansing bars

Exfoliate your skin

Use mild scrubs and exfoliants as they remove the upper layer of the skin and open your pores.

Antibacterial cleansers

Use these to kill surface bacteria on your skin.

Reduce oil

Wipe your skin with an astringent or toner to remove the oil from your skin time to time.

Erectile Dysfunction - Causes, Signs, Symptoms & Prevention

Erectile dysfunction is a condition wherein a man has difficulty in getting or maintaining a firm enough erection to be able to achieve sexual penetration. However, every time a man is not able to achieve an erection or have trouble or difficulty with their penis erection, cannot be diagnosed as Erectile Dysfunction.

ED is a common type of male sexual dysfunction. This dysfunction may be a huge signal for a variety of health issues that may be cropping in your body. This may mean your blood vessels are clogged, it may also mean that your nerves have been damaged due to diabetes. If ED is a recurring problem, it can cause stress and also affect your confidence. Chances of developing ED increases with age and is a common dysfunction amongst many.

Some major causes of ED are ageing, high blood pressure, smoking, depression, alcoholism, some kind of trauma. However, this is a condition which can be cured at any age.The most organic causes of Erectile Dysfunction are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological problems and drug side effects.

Treatments for ED include psychotherapy, adopting a healthy active lifestyle. Doctors may even include medication and vaccines in the course of the treatment, to see if the patient is responding to treatments. Various factors can contribute to Erectile Dysfunction; these may include being overweight, injuries, medical conditions, stress and long-term drug and alcohol use.Erectile Dysfunction can cause certain complications like relationship problems, inability to get your partner pregnant, low confidence and unsatisfactory sex life.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes
Erectile Dysfunction is caused due to many factors. These vary from physical to psychological problems.

1. Tobacco use

2. Alcoholism

3. Heart disease

4. Low amounts of testosterone

5. Depression, anxiety or stress

6. Not getting enough sleep

7. Obesity

8. Diabetes

9. High cholesterol

10. Hypertension

11. Clogged arteries and other blood vessels

12. Injuries, surgeries around the spinal cord

13. Underlying medical conditions

Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

1. Decrease in sexual desires.

2. Facing difficulty in reaching erections.

3. Finding it harder to maintain erections.

4. Premature or delayed erection.

Erectile Dysfunction Prevention

1. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
2. Cardio and other forms of exercises help in maintaining a healthy heart and hence, an erection.

3. Meditation keeps the brain relaxed and reduces stress.

4. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables helps in maintaining a healthy body.

5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and decrease the chances of Erectile Dysfunction.