Is honey good for babies?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Honey Board (NHB) state that honey should not be fed to infants up to 1 year of age. It should not be added to food, formula or water. It can be safely given to babies over 12 months of age.

Honey for infants

Honey is the only food linked to infant botulism. Honey is identified as the one avoidable source of botulism spores specifically for infants below 12 months.

Infant botulism is a serious type of food poisoning which occurs when you feed honey to infants. Honey has spores of the C. botulinum bacteria which proliferate in the underdeveloped intestines of infants and produce a toxin. This can result in nerve damage and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This is a rare disease (less than 100 reported cases per year in the United States, but it is serious and in 5-10% of all cases it can be life threatening.

Symptoms of infant botulism include constipation, difficulty in feeding (sucking and swallowing reflexes), loss of appetite, weakness, loss of muscle tone, weak cry, a striking loss of head control and paralysis.

Raw, cooked and pasteurized honey, all contain spores of Clostridium Botulinum bacteria. While pasteurization improves the shelf life of honey, the high temperatures are not sufficient to completely kill the spores that cause infant botulism. Thus, raw, pasteurized or cooked honey for new borns is not advisable as it carries the risk for infant botulism.

Manuka honey for toddlers

Manuka honey has UMF (unique manuka factor) with phytochemical properties in the nectar of the flower rather than antimicrobial activities from  the active ingredients H2O2 and polyphenols of regular honey. This is believed to have additional antibacterial properties. The higher the UMF factor, the greater is the antibacterial potency. Manuka honey has higher MGO (methylglyoxal) levels, an antibacterial compound but its contribution on health and disease are still unknown. Honey is a good preservative. It maintains healthy gut microflora with its prebiotic effect as it increases bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the gut. Honey also protects against allergies in children as it protects against development of IgE associated allergic disease. Earlier research has shown that probiotic supplementation in prenatal stage is likely to reduce levels of IgE associated allergic disease in children.

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Neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which can also affect nerves in the whole body. Peripheral nerves carry information back and forth from the brain and carry signals from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. When a single nerve or bunch of nerves (nerve group) is damaged, it can affect the extremities (fingers and toes). Activities which require finer movements such as using a knife for chopping vegetables, needlework, use of hairpins, buttoning your shirt seem difficult to do.

This condition is also known as Peripheral neuritis or Peripheral neuropathy.

Why does neuropathy happen?

Neuropathy happens most often due to damage to nerve axons. Many times, loss of the myelin sheath which insulates the nerves to form a protective layer can lead to some neuro-degenerative autoimmune diseases. The myelin sheath is the electrically insulating protective layer around the nerve which is essential for proper functioning of the nervous system.

Causes for neuropathy / Who gets neuropathy

There are many conditions and behaviors that can cause neuritis. It can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic disorders, and exposure to toxins.

One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. Diabetics with poor control of their blood sugars are likely to suffer from neuropathy.

People with diabetes who poorly control their blood sugar levels are very likely to suffer from some neuropathy. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis also increase one’s chance of developing a neuropathy. People who have received organ transplants, AIDS patients, and others who have had some type of immune system suppression have a higher risk of neuropathy. In addition, those who abuse alcohol or have vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins) are at an increased risk. Neuropathy is also more likely to occur in people with kidney, liver or thyroid disorders. Those with Vitamin B12 deficiency can also develop peripheral neuritis. B12 is responsible for the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves and gives insulation to them. Once this sheath begins to wear off then the exposed nerve is much more vulnerable to neuropathy. This is one of the more common vitamin deficiencies assoc. with this neuropathy.

Symptoms of neuropathy

Most common neuropathy symptoms are pain, tingling sensation, muscle cramps and numbness in hands and feet. The person with neuropathy often complains of feet sensation as though they are standing on a block of ice barefoot making them feel cold, numb with no sensation at the extremities (hands and feet).

Other common symptoms of neuropathy may range from double vision, blurred vision mainly in central visual field affecting one eye, eye movement may result in pain, loss of vision or hearing, swaying movement of hands and feet due to difficulty in coordination, hard to maintain balance, weakness in legs or arms, memory loss, speech impairment, heat sensitivity, frequent bowel movements or urination, fatigue..

Home Remedies for Neuropathy

1. Those with diabetes should learn to control their blood sugar levels with the right diabetic diet and regular exercise.
2. Speak to a physical therapist for specific exercises to gain better muscle strength and control. In advanced neuropathy, use of wheelchairs, braces, and splints may help in movement and the ability to use an arm or leg with nerve damage.
3. Wear protective footwear at all times. Do not walk without slippers at home. Always check the inside of shoes for rough poking areas to avoid hurting your feet.
4. Check your feet everyday to ensure there is no injury or damage as the lack of sensation numbs the hand and feet.
5. Apply petroleum jelly, oil, herbal lotions or moisturizers made from natural ingredients on feet having dry skin.
6. Avoid any pressure for long period of time on nerve damaged areas.
7. Take rest whenever neuropathy worsens or when fatigued.
8. As sensation on fingers and toes reduces, check temperature of bath water with elbow to avoid possibility of getting burnt.
9. Smoking and alcohol can worsen neuritis problems. Smoking affects circulation and alcohol can hinder absorption of Vitamin B6. This water soluble vitamin is required for normal nerve cell communication as it helps in synthesizing neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
10. Wear gloves when using any kitchen equipments, knives to protect your fingers.
11. Your doctor may prescribe omega-3 fatty acid supplements or medications containing GABA Benzing which can relieve neuralgia pain and symptoms.
12. Diet for neuropathy means eating healthy food to ensure that you get essential vitamins and minerals. Eat low-fat meats and dairy products, include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Eating well is good for a healthy immune system. Supplementation with vitamin B6, B12 and omega 3 fatty acids may be useful.
13. The herb, Skullcap has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative qualities which can help treat symptoms of neuropathy.

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Juice diet recipes include some great vegetable juices for weight loss such as white pumpkin – ginger drink, cucumber – tomato – mint drink, spinach – tomato drink, cilantro – tomato drink, carrot – tomato drink. You could add salt, a dash of honey and lime for taste. These are low cal refresher drinks which leave you feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

Juice fasting is not recommended. Eat a balanced diet along with this power packed vegetable juice detoxifier to maintain your weight. It is a good idea to drink various combinations of these vegetable juices daily along with a well planned diet by a dietitian to help you lose weight. Your weight management plan is likely to be successful if you also watch sugar and fat intake in your diet and take care to eat fiber rich foods.

Juicing for weight loss gives you a big “high” and a sense of accomplishment which is a big plus for your juicing weight loss plans. You are less likely to indulge in binge eating behaviors and stay focused on your weight loss plan with better determination. Juicing ideas for weight loss should help you manage weight in the long-term with increased motivation and guidance.

Juicing recipes help not only to lose weight but also provide the body with vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) which is essential for good health.

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Microdermabrasion is a mechanical process which removes the top layer of the skin to improve skin quality and achieve a younger, refreshed looking beautiful skin. It resurfaces the skin to reduce or eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, uneven coloring, and light scars.

Side Effects of Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion side effects are rare though occur occasionally as mild and are temporary. The common ones seen on the face are • dry skin, • itchy skin, • flaky skin and • skin redness. • Color balance of the skin may get altered with light or dark patches on complexion and uneven skin tone. Pigmentation and scars are common side effects of all skin procedures like chemical peels, laser surfacing and dermabrasion.

There are minute risks seen if the procedure is not performed correctly. Serious complications involve • inhaling microdermabrasion crystals, • microdermabrasion crystals in your eye and • high risk of infections. Your treatment provider usually a skin specialist should ensure adequate hygiene such as sterilize microdermabrasion tips before use and use only new crystals to rule out chances of infection.

Microdermabrasion treatment is unsuitable for these people Microdermabrasion is inappropriate for these people • pregnant and nursing mothers due to their fluctuating hormonal levels which affects skin regeneration process, • people using Retino A (accutane), • those having keratosis, • those having active herpes disease, • those with malignant tumors. Microdermabrasion acne patients are seen to have a short term increase in spot formation called as purging. Purging is a natural response to microdermabrasion treatment. The surge in acne is temporary as exfoliation process which happens during microdermabrasion unclogs pores releasing many of the acne causing bacteria. After a temporary acne surge, a period comes when you have improved better looking skin.

How to Avoid Microdermabrasion Side Effects?

Two key precautions to remember in order to prevent the side effects of microdermabrasion are: • Apply moisturizer and • Avoid direct sunlight This prevents the side effects of microdermabrasion which can happen as the skin is too sensitive and can lead to skin irritation and redness. Applying a moisturizing cream after the treatment reduces the risk of dry skin and flaky skin caused by the abrasive effects of crystals on the skin. Acne patients to undergo microdermabrasion treatment should take care to stop using hydrocortisone creams such as Retino A or accutane for at least a week before they undergo the treatment. A qualified and experienced provider is skilled in the treatment and will leave you with great looking skin with minimal microdermabrasion side effects.

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For snoring to happen, the soft palate i.e. the portion at the back part of the roof of your mouth vibrates. Why do we snore? The muscles which support the upper airway in the back of your throat and keep it open, get relaxed while sleeping. With each breath, the extra tissue in the palate and fleshy piece between the tonsils (the uvula) vibrates. This vibration creates the snoring sound. The airway narrows down in some people and can close at any point. This narrowing can create the sound of snoring.

Causes of Snoring

Natural snoring causes are different for each person. It is important to be aware of the reason for snoring as it helps you understand and deal with the cause of snoring in order to get a good night’s sleep and let others around you sleep undisturbed.

Obesity, alcohol and drug abuse, excessive smoking, respiratory problems in people with sinusitis and/or asthma, hereditary disorders and birth defects such as those seen in cleft palate , narrow throat and large adenoids, incorrect sleeping position and advancing age are some causes for snoring. Men are more likely to snore than women as their nasal passages are more narrow than a woman’s.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper airways get obstructed. There is a reduction is blood oxygen saturation due to repeated pause in breathing during sleep, despite effort to breathe. These breathing pauses are called apnea.

Home Remedies for Snoring

How do you stop snoring? Can you prevent snoring? These are questions which you may have lingered upon when you get disturbed with your spouse or a family member’s loud snoring. Some simple and natural snoring treatments can help you deal with a troublesome snoring partner.

1)      Clear nasal congestion:  A stuffy nose can create a vacuum in your throat and give rise to snoring. A humidifier in the room can reduce nasal congestion and give relief from snoring particularly to those with respiratory problems arising out of allergies, sinuses and/ or asthama.

2)      Weight loss: If you are overweight or obese, it is common to have obstructive sleep apnea which causes you to snore. In such cases, weight loss with a healthy diet plan and regular exercise can help reduce or stop snoring.

3)      Stop smoking: Staying away from smoke reduces nasal congestion and mucous in the throat that cigarette smoke can give rise to. A smoker usually breathes through the mouth. Once you stop smoking, you tend to breathe through your nose which allows air to flow more freely into the lungs. Improved breathing reduces chances of snoring.

4)      Restrict alcohol intake: Alcohol relaxes soft tissues and throat muscles which are responsible for sleep apnoea and snoring.

5)      Sleeping position: Sleep posture affects snoring. Sleeping on your back worsens snoring as the tongue falls back and blocks airways. This gives rise to snoring. Sleeping side ways on any one side reduces snoring.

6)      Exhaustion and fatigue can lead to loud snoring. De-stress activities and meditation are essential to calm down and stay in control over snoring.

7)      Disciplined lifestyle:  Eating and sleeping on time and a disciplined lifestyle is essential. Timely sleep and drinking plenty of water are important.

8)      Avoid sedatives as they depress the central nervous system and relax muscles/ tissues in the throat resulting in apnea and labored breathing. Sedatives and tranquilizers are also linked to heart disease.

9)      Use of nasal sprays, mouth and jaw support: Other snoring treatments involve use of Mouth Guards and Jaw Supports which keep air flowing freely. Nasal strips and nasal sprays may also be effective to stop snoring.

10)   Surgical and Laser options are available which you could discuss with a dentist or surgeon.

Snoring can cause sleep disorders so it is best to take proactive steps to control this problem before it can cause other health and relationship problems.

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Most of us want a quick fix diet which works like a magic pill to give us the perfect figure we dream of. Before we decide to go on a diet or exercise program, first of all it’s important to know this simple weight management formula.

When Calories IN are more than Calories OUT then you gain weight.

When Calories IN are lesser than Calories OUT then you lose weight.

When Calories IN are equal to Calories OUT then you maintain your weight.

Popular weight loss diets for women are low carb diets, high protein diets like the Zone diet and the Atkin’s diet. Such quick fix diets encourage you to include certain food groups and exclude some other foods completely. These are the General Motors diet, South Beach diet, Pritikin diet, Cabbage Soup diet. Such fancy diets seem appealing to you with their quick weight loss but they are restrictive, and lead to nutritional deficiencies. Such fad diets give rise to uncontrollable food cravings that lead to binge eating later on which worsen health in the long term. If you skip meals or starve yourself, you tend to overeat soon. In between snacks need monitoring as you are likely to eat much more than your usual intake based on what you eat and how often you eat it.

Weight loss diets for women should include lean protein, wholesome carbs and high fiber.  The best weight loss diets for women encourage balanced weight loss – cuts 500 calories from their daily caloric requirement and include foods which are high fiber, low fat, lean and low in sugars. Weight loss foods choices should be lean protein like white meats (chicken, pork, fish) , beans and fiber which are present in most fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These stop hunger cravings as they take a long time to digest and leave you feeling satisfied. With this kind of a diet, you would lose about a pound a week. This has to be prescribed and monitored by a qualified dietitian or nutritionist after taking down your diet recall. Diet recall means you recall what you have eaten throughout the day, usually recorded over 3 days food intake.

The diet recall helps the dietitian to plan the diet tailor-made for your requirements and needs so that it is practical and easy for you to follow. Any diet which gives you large amounts of weight loss instantly is suspicious and unhealthy. Quick weight loss diets for women do more harm to the body than good. Hence, balanced well planned weight loss diets customized as per each individual person’s requirement along with regular physical exercise is the right weight loss plan for women.

Here are some tips for your Weight Control Plan that you can follow in your weight loss efforts.

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Though an ancient tradition, the Indian head massage has regained popularity among all age groups because of its numerous benefits on health making it more and more relevant for today.

Benefits of Indian head massage range from increased hair strength, better hair growth, slowing down hair graying. It offers great benefits for the hair and scalp, besides relieving stress, depression, and improving concentration. The therapy has now extended to include not just the head, but the face, neck, shoulders, back and arms. By focusing on the areas, which tend to ‘hold’ stress and tension this gentle form of massage can now offer a far greater range of physical and mental health benefits.

The head is the centre of the nervous system. The brain is the first organ to form in the process of foetal development. It is larger and heavier than any other organ. The head massage performed with oils during the first few months of life is excellent for the infant’s brain and eyesight development. In the later years, it performs several functions like relaxing the tense nerve, stimulating hair follicles and bringing about total relaxation. Soothing oils most commonly used for the head massage are almond oil, coconut oil, mustard oil, olive oil or sesame oil.

The Indian head massages are increasingly popular not only due to the numerous health benefits it offers but it can increase income of beauty parlors,  salon owners and masseurs.

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1. Emphysema, a condition of the lung characterized by the chronic enlargement of the alveoli, accompanied with permanent changes in the walls without obvious fibrosis. Pulmonary disorders affect nutritional intake, often making patients at risk for malnutrition, depleting nutrient body stores and marked weight loss.

2. Chronic bronchitis, a condition wherein there is chronic production of cough in response to irritants, often environmental, coupled with inflammation, both causing blockage or narrowing of the airways and difficulty in breathing.

Nutritional care in COPD

The primary goals of dietary care for COPD patients are to facilitate nutritional well-being, maintain an appropriate lean body mass: adipose tissue ratio and correct fluid imbalance.

Energy: Energy requirements are elevated in COPD and they vary for each individual. A 150% increase of the REE calculated by Harris Benedict’s equation is usually recommended. This is approximately 30-40 Kcal/ Kg body weight.

Carbohydrates: A low carbohydrate diet is recommended. About 45-55% of calories should come from carbohydrates. Simple sugars are best avoided. The reason being that carbohydrates when metabolised produce excessive amounts of CO2, contributing to the already existing trouble of expiration.

Proteins: About 1.1-1.3g/Kg body weight is recommended. This should amount to about 16-20% of total calories. More than 20% of total calories put unnecessary stress on the kidneys. First class proteins such as eggs, milk should constitute at least 50% of the total protein. In cases where oral intake is insufficient, protein supplements are helpful.

Fats: About 30-35% of the total calories should come from fat. Care, should however be taken not to plan deep fried foods in the diets as these might irritate the respiratory lining causing cough and vomiting.

Often other concurrent disease processes exist such as CVD, Renal diseases, cancer or Diabetes Mellitus. These underlying diseases affect the total amount and kind of protein, fat and carbohydrate prescribed.

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Impact of malnutrition on the pulmonary system

Malnutrition adversely affects the lung structures, elasticity and function; respiratory muscle mass, strength and endurance; lung immune defense mechanisms and control of breathing. For e.g. protein and Fe deficiency result in low Hb levels, resulting in diminished oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Low levels of other minerals such as Ca, Mg, Phosphorous, Potassium compromise respiratory muscle function at the cellular level. Thus the association of malnutrition with impaired immunity places any malnourished patient at high risk for developing respiratory infections. Malnourished respiratory patients requiring hospitalisation are likely to have long hospital stays and are prone to increased morbidity and mortality.

Impact of Pulmonary system disease on nutritional status

Pulmonary disease substantially increases the energy requirements. The complications of pulmonary diseases or their treatment can make adequate intake, digestion, absorption, circulation, cellular utilisation, storage and excretion of many foods and most nutrients difficult. Some adverse effects of lung disease on nutritional status are

• Increased energy expenditure
• Increased work of breathing
• Chronic infection
• Medications
• Reduced intakes
• Fluid restriction
• Shortness of breath
• Anorexia due to chronic disease
• Gastrointestinal distress and vomiting

Types of Lung Disease

A)    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

1. Emphysema
2. Chronic Bronchitis

B)     Asthma

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• What is Anemia?
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A lack of oxygen can cause Fatigue, Difficulty in concentrating, Loss of appetite and Sleeplessness or insomnia.

Many different diseases can cause shortage of red blood cells (RBC). Anemia is a symptom that can have numerous causes: blood loss, inadequate production of RBCs and excessive destruction of RBCs such as in sickle cell anemia, Thallasemia and repeated blood transfusions.

Although anemia is common, it sometimes can be a complex problem to diagnose and treat because of its many causes

Signs and Symptoms of Anemia

The main symptom of most anemias is fatigue. Other signs and symptoms of anemia in general include:

• Weakness
• Pale skin, including decreased pinkness of the lips, gums, lining of the eyelids,
  nail beds and palms
• Rapid heartbeat with mild exertion
• Shortness of breath with mild exertion
• Chest pain
• Dizziness, light headedness
• Irritability (in children with anemia)
• Numbness or coldness in hands and feet

Cause of Anemia

Our blood performs a number of crucial functions, including transporting oxygen throughout your body.

Blood consists of a liquid called plasma. Floating within this plasma are three types of blood cells — red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets help blood to clot after a cut.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes), which are the most abundant of the three types, give blood its red color. They also carry oxygen from your lungs, via your bloodstream, to your brain and the other organs and tissues in your body. Our body needs a supply of oxygenated blood to function. Oxygenated blood helps give our body its energy and our skin a healthy glow.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin — a red, iron-rich protein. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from our lungs to all parts of our body.

Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in our bone marrow — a red, spongy material found within the cavities of many of our large bones. To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, our body needs iron and vitamins from the foods we eat.

Anemia is a state in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin in them is below normal. When a person is anemic, his body produces too few healthy red blood cells, loses too many of them or destroys them faster than they can be replaced. As a result, the blood is low on red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues — leaving the person fatigued.

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