6 Medical Symptoms One Shouldn't ignore!!

That new symptom is troubling: the inexplicable swelling in your calf or the blood in your urine. Could it be serious or even life-threatening?

"Your body flashes signals -- symptoms and signs -- that warn you of potential problems," say Neil Shulman, MD, Jack Birge, MD, and Joon Ahn, MD. The three Georgia-based doctors are the authors of the recently revised book Your Body's Red Light Warning Signals.

Fortunately, many symptoms turn out not to be serious. For example, the majority of headaches stem from stress, eyestrain, lack of sleep, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, and other mundane causes.

But a sudden, agonizing "thunderclap" headache -- the worst of your life -- could mean bleeding in the brain. Being able to recognize this serious symptom and calling 911 may save your life.

Here are six important flashing signals:

1. Paralysis of the arms or legs, tingling, numbness, confusion, dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, trouble finding words, or weakness, especially on one side of the face or body.

These are signs of stroke -- or a "brain attack" -- in which arteries that supply oxygen to the brain become blocked or rupture, causing brain tissue to die.

Symptoms depend on which area of the brain is involved. If a large blood vessel is blocked, a wide area may be affected, so a person may have paralysis on one side of the body and lose other functions, such as speech and understanding. If a smaller vessel is blocked, paralysis may remain limited to an arm or leg.

If you have symptoms, call hospital right away and get to an emergency room that offers clot-busting therapy for strokes due to blocked vessels. Such treatment, which dissolves clots in blocked vessels, needs to be given within the first three hours after symptoms begin, but newer treatments may work within a longer time frame, says Birge, who is medical director at the Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Ga.

Timing is urgent; fast treatment can potentially stop brain tissue death before permanent brain injury happens. "There is a time clock ticking as to when you might totally recover," Birge tells WebMD.

2. Chest pain or discomfort; pain in the arm, jaw, or neck; breaking out in a cold sweat; extreme weakness; nausea; vomiting; feeling faint; or being short of breath.

These are signs of heart attack. If you get some of these symptoms, nearest hospital immediately and go to the emergency room by ambulance. Shulman and Birge also recommend that patients chew one regular, full-strength aspirin (unless they're allergic to aspirin) to help prevent damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack.

Not everyone who has a heart attack feels chest pain or pressure or a sense of indigestion. Some people, especially women, the elderly, and people with diabetes, get "painless" heart attacks, the doctors say. Being aware of "painless" heart attack signs is crucial: a very weak feeling, sudden dizziness, a pounding heart, shortness of breath, heavy sweating, a feeling of impending doom, nausea, and vomiting.

Both doctors say that it's important to learn heart attack signs and understand them in context. "Everybody has jaw pain. You don't immediately run and say, 'I've got a heart attack,'" Shulman tells WebMD. He is an associate professor of internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. "But if you're also sweating and you have some of these other symptoms -- shortness of breath and so forth -- then that's going to tip you off that there's something much more serious happening."

3. Tenderness and pain in the back of your lower leg, chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.

These are symptoms of a potentially dangerous blood clot in your leg, especially if they come after you've been sitting for a long time, such as on an airplane or during a long car trip. These signs can also surface if you've been bedridden after surgery.

"Anybody is susceptible, " Birge says. He adds that such blood clots are more common than most people and doctors realize.

Blood is more likely to pool in your legs when you're sitting or lying down for long periods of time, as opposed to standing and walking. If a blood clot forms in your leg as a result, your calf can feel swollen, painful, and tender to the touch; you should be evaluated. If you get sudden chest pain or shortness of breath, a piece of the blood clot may have broken off and traveled through the bloodstream to your lungs. This condition can be life-threatening, so get to an emergency room without delay.

4. Blood in the urine without accompanying pain.

Anytime you see blood in your urine, call your doctor promptly, even if you have no pain.

Kidney stones or a bladder or prostate infection are common causes of blood in the urine. But these problems are usually painful or uncomfortable, which sends people to the doctor promptly.
In contrast, when people see blood in their urine but feel no pain, some take a "wait and see" approach, especially if they just have one episode. "But you can't have this attitude," Shulman says. Lack of pain doesn't necessarily mean lack of seriousness.

Cancer of the kidney, ureter, bladder, or prostate can cause bleeding into the urinary tract; when these cancers are small enough to be curable, they may not cause pain. So don't dismiss this important sign because, according to Shulman and Birge, "blood in the urine may be the only clue for an early diagnosis."

5. Asthma symptoms that don't improve or get worse.

Asthma attacks are marked by wheezing or difficulty breathing. When an attack doesn't improve or worsens, a patient should get emergency care.

If an asthma attack is left untreated, it can lead to severe chest muscle fatigue and death, say Shulman and Birge. Some people with persistent asthma hesitate to go to the emergency room because they've gone so many times before, or they need someone to drive them because they're too short of breath. So instead of seeking care, "They try to hang in there," Birge says, even if they need higher doses of inhalants or have decreasing lung function measurements when using a device to measure how well they move air out of their lungs.

Because asthma makes breathing difficult, the muscles for breathing may tire and the volume of air exchanged by the lungs will decrease. As a result, a person's oxygen level drops while blood levels of carbon dioxide rise. As Birge and Shulman explain in their book, "A carbon dioxide buildup in the blood has a sedating effect on the brain, which may cause you to feel even drowsier. You may lose the motivation or energy to breathe."

"A person with asthma who seems to be relaxing more, who seems to not be struggling for breath anymore -- even though they've been at it for six or eight hours -- may actually be worse. It could be a sign of respiratory fatigue," Birge says. Eventually, the person could stop breathing.

"They're really in a big danger zone," Shulman adds. Patients believe they're getting better when they're actually getting worse, he says. "They become sedated and seem to be peaceful when actually, they're dying."

One of the most important considerations is how long an attack lasts, according to both doctors. "If you've been having labored respirations with the asthma not relenting after a period of several hours, even though you may be apparently doing OK, don't let it go any longer," Birge says. "Get on to the emergency room."

6. Depression and suicidal thoughts.
Few people would put up with crushing chest pain or extreme shortness of breath, but many endure depression, even though at its extreme it can be life-threatening.

"Depression can be a very, very serious problem because people can commit suicide," Shulman says. "Some people will not seek care when they are depressed because they think that they'll be perceived as being crazy or not strong or not manly, and they have to understand that there is a chemical imbalance going on in their brain. It is a disease just like any other disease."

Symptoms of depression include sadness, fatigue, apathy, anxiety, changes in sleep habits, and loss of appetite. Depression can be treated with medications and psychotherapy.

Speak Up When You Think Something Is Wrong
Doctors are human: They can miss important diagnoses, including heart attacks. A patient's awareness and vigilance can make a difference, Shulman says.
"My feeling is, as a doctor, I want a patient who's informed. I'd rather have a patient who's informed, who's helping me so I won't make a mistake," Shulman says. "And I can be honest and say, 'I'm human. Don't be intimated by me because I have a white coat on. Don't be intimidated by me because I'm using big words.'"
If patients can recognize potentially serious symptoms, they'll have more power when they go to the doctor or the emergency room, he adds. "You have enough to say, 'Well, have you ruled out this problem?'"

Courtsey: www.Webmd.com

Drink Water on Empty Stomach!!

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have provena its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningtitis, kidney and urine disea ses, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhoea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure main deseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days

2. Gastric - 10 days

3. Diabetes - 30 days

4. Constipation - 10 days

5. Cancer - 180 days

6. TB - 90 days

Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment for only 3 days. In the 1st week to be followed by daily treatment. This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

Secrets for a Flat Stomach!!

Developing a lean, flat stomach takes time and patience, especially when it comes to those last few kilograms in those hard to lose places. There is only one way to lose fat in the so-called 'stubborn areas,' and that is with the correct combination strength training (with a extra focus on mid-section), cardiovascular exercise (short, hard workouts), and stable blood sugar (keeps you from adding additional fat and makes it easier for the body to use body fat for fuel).

Spot Reduction is a Myth - The first thing you need to realize is that it is impossible to 'spot reduce' fat from one specific part of the body. Fat loss occurs systemically, meaning that you can't control where the fat comes from. When you burn fat for energy, you will draw it from all areas of the body, and the first place you tend to put it on will be the last place it comes off.

Cardio, cardio, cardio - Doing all the abs exercises in the world will do nothing if you have a layer of fat covering it. Doing strength training, or lifting weights, would help, but not as much as aerobic exercise. If you want to add some ab exercises in after the cardio, that's great, but be sure to work your whole torso, not just the upper abs — that includes the lower abs, lower back and the muscles that wrap around your sides.

For example, Walking, jogging, bicycling, elliptical exercise and stair climbing are all great fat burners. Most give up early in the workout. During the first 10 minutes of aerobic activity, glycogen (stored carbohydrates) is the primary fuel source. Because you don't burn significant amounts of fat until glycogen stores are depleted, the key to maximum fat loss is to work out aerobically for 30-60 minutes continuously per session.

Diet - Its best to stay away from fried food and too many sugary desserts. Abdominal fat loss is a 50% exercise, 50% nutrition combination. Regardless of how much you workout, if the number of calories you take in is greater than the amount you burn, you'll still put on abdominal fat.
Eat Small Meals Regularly - You should try and spread your calories out into five small meals a day instead of 2 or 3 big ones so that you don't overeat in one feeding.

Eat Small Meals Regularly - You should try and spread your calories out into five small meals a day instead of 2 or 3 big ones so that you don't overeat in one feeding.

Give it Time - If you want to have a flat stomach in 3 weeks, forget it. Losing fat takes time, and it's unhealthy to lose too much weight too fast. Gradual weight loss is healthier, and more likely to be sustained over time. Go for a lifestyle change, something you can live with for the rest of your life, or you will just yo-yo. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

10 Health Tips for Night Shifters!!

1.Drink tender coconut in the morning without fail.
2.Follow a healthy diet by adding more vegetables to your food
3.Never skip your lunch; but eat less
4.Never munch snacks at night to keep yourself awake.
5.Restrict yourself to minimum cups of tea or coffee
6.Never drink aerated drinks during breaks at night shift
7.Don't eat stomach full as it can make you feel sleepy
8.Get up from your chair and walk around every one or two hours.
9.Sleep at least for five hours a day.
10.Have regular health checkups to avoid problems due to hormonal changes

Typical Health Mistakes!!

Typal Health Mistakes

All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing our legs
Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don"t want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing our toothbrush
How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we"d be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don"t massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you"re damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.

Eating out often
There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favourite Indian food restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you"re getting served light and healthy food.

Skipping breakfast
Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it"s been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.

High heels
High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.

Sleeping on a soft bed
You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.

Pillows
No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support

Not exercising
So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

Healthy Habits!!

Habit 1: Drink more water.
Sure, I know about all the news reports that say it's possible to drink too much water.

Surprisingly, this same story is told just about every 4 years when news stations have no other "news" going on, and it always seems to stir up all sorts of awareness on the topic. The truth is, in all my years of guiding individuals on proper nutrition, I have yet to run into one person who had an H2O disorder.

A well-hydrated body has a much easier time at shedding unwanted body fat and preserving lean muscle mass. A healthy, active individual should be consuming .6 - .7ounces of water per pound of body weight.

Habit 2: Eat more fiber.
I'll say it again. People do not get nearly enough fiber in their diets. Work on trying to get anywhere from 25 - 30 grams of fiber per day into your eating plan. Fiber provides a plethora of benefits from increasing the thermic effect (calories burned from digestion) of a meal, to trapping and evacuating excess fats.

Habit 3: Eat every 3 hours.
Start splitting your larger meals up into smaller, more frequent bouts of eating. Spreading your calories throughout the day allows for an increase in metabolism and insures that none of the nutrients you are consuming go to waste.

This can be difficult for many people who maintain busy lifestyles, which is why I suggest picking one or two days a week to do all of your cooking. At that point, Tupperware containers become your new best friend.

Habit 4: Eat more fruits and vegetables.
And eat a large variety as well. The more colors you consume the better. They're packed with fat-burning fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

We all know that vegetables are gold, but when it comes to fruit, it sometimes gets a bad rep. I often get the question "but doesn't fruit have a lot of sugar in it?" Again, I have yet to meet the person who has a well-balanced diet who has found that fruit was the main reason they couldn't let go of the extra body fat.

Get over it. If you're obese fruit isn't the culprit. Take a long look at everything else you're eating, and I'm positive you'll find something a little more worthy to drop.

Habit 6: Choose organic and local foods when possible.
There is no doubt in my mind that we will start to see more and more studies come out showing the adverse effects of consuming over-processed food. It's only a matter of time.

Digestion is a delicate process, a process our bodies have spent hundreds of thousands of years perfecting. In just the past few decades we have started introducing extra hormones, antibiotics, and other impurities into our foods. Our bodies have filters that take care of these things, but let's not put them to the test.

Habit 7: Reduce the amount of sugars consumed.
At this point it should be a no-brainer. If anything good has come from the hundreds of diet books written this past decade, it's the awareness that controlling your blood sugar is crucial to achieving optimal health. The sweets do not have to be eliminated from your diet completely, but you should have them well under control.

Habit 8: Stop going to the super market hungry.
Real simple. If you're hungry, you'll buy what you want, not what you need.

Our bodies are still hard-wired for survival. Unfortunately when you stroll down the aisle at your local food supply your brain will target just about anything in your field of vision and deem it an acceptable choice of nourishment, regardless of its nutritional value.

Habit 9: Take regular stand up breaks at work.
Do it for your posture, do it for circulation, and do it for your own sanity. Our bodies were not designed to be in a seated position all day long.

You could prevent much of life's chronic pains if you would just take a moment to stand up and stretch your legs every 30 or 40 minutes. Set a timer on your desktop if you have to; just get it done.

Habit 10: Start using the stairs instead of the elevator.
Even park farther away from your destination so you have to walk a few extra steps in the day. Adding a tiny bit of extra footwork can add up at the end of the year. I know it's not exciting or drastic, but the difference can be a few extra pounds that you don't need hanging around your waist.

Habit 11: Balance your physical and sedentary activities.
I'm talking about what you do with your free time. Have you ever spent a couple of hours on the weekend watching TV, playing video games, or browsing the Internet looking at cat pictures?

Try to create some balance by doing an equal amount of leisure activities on your feet. Take a walk, shoot some hoops, and maybe take up a new physically active hobby. Who knows, you might find something new you really like.

Habit 12: Keep a health journal.
One of the most powerful ways to be successful with your health is to write it all down.

Keep track of your workouts and your nutrition. It can be very hard to figure out where you're going if you don't remember where you've been. You'll be giving yourself a point of reference so you can truly see if any of the changes you make are creating a difference. If they're not, then at least you know that and can change your plan of action and recalibrate.

A lot of times we get a little too ambitious when it comes to our New Year's resolutions and try to take on more than we can handle. This inevitably leads to failure. Start with the small habits and work your way up the fitness ladder for a more subtle and long-term experience.

Handling Depression!!

However, there are lots of people who have to face disappointments while handling certain things. These disappointments can easily lead to depression which is a tough thing to deal with. But, if you will keep few things in mind, you will become able to come out of the depression without much ado.

First of all, you must understand that depression is not just a feeling as it can hurt you mentally and physically. When you feel depressed, you body starts to release certain hormones. For instance, the level of cortisol gets increased in times of depression which can eventually affect neurotransmitter serotonin. This is something that can lead to clinical depression. So, you must never take things lightly as this can create a lot of problem if you will show carelessness.

In order to handle depression, you must try to go through the causes of depression. Although, it is difficult to find exact causes, but, there will surely be few things which will be triggering your depression. If you will become able to find those, it will become relatively easier for you to handle depression.

However, when someone will be under depression, he will never be able to think about the causes and that’s what complicates the whole situation. Here, it is the job of the friends and family members to heal a depressed person. One thing that can be done to help someone getting out of depression is to talk with him.

If you are having a friend suffering with depression, then you must get in touch with him. Try to talk with him over certain things. Here, you can always talk about his favorite topics as this will entice him to take part in conversation. But, you must keep in mind that you may have to face a harsh response from a depressed friend which should be understandable. You must always tell yourself that your help can really work wonders for your friend.

After getting out of this first phase, things will be a bit easier to handle. You must try to take him along with you for an outing. Once the other person will start to feel that the life is beautiful, then your job will be over. This will be the time when a person can take control over his emotions by changing his routines. Exercising, running and walking can really help in order to get back on track.

However, taking a sufficient amount of sleep is of utmost importance and that’s where all types of stimulants should be avoided.

As a whole, it can easily be deduced that if you want to get out of depression, then you will have to keep yourself busy. You can talk with other people, join a gym or take part in certain house chores. All these activities will keep you away from negative thoughts and you will become able to beat depression.