Health Wikipedia

Mouth sores are small ulcer patches that grow on certain areas around oral cavity. They can appear very red or white, may have a tendency to bleed and can become infected if left untreated.

Mouth ulcer is very painful and discomforting especially while eating or drinking. Many people suffer from mouth sore repeatedly. The factors that can lead to mouth sores are:

* Poor oral hygiene

* Infection: Viral, bacterial, fungal

* Trauma: Ill fitting braces and dentures

* Immuno deficiency like HIV infection

* Dietary: Vitamin C deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Zinc deficiency

* Cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma

* Excessive intake of alcohol

* Cigarette smoking

* Medical conditions: Behcet’s disease, Bullous pemphigoid, oral lichen plamus, oral thrush

Although painful, most of the ulcers in the mouth are benign in nature and resolve within week. But in certain instances this painful ulcer remains unresolved for a longer period. If anyone has ulcer for a longer period s/he must consult with a physician. Biopsy and histopathology is mandatory for long term painful mouth ulcer.

The first line treatments of oral ulcers are symptomatic. The treatment guideline includes:

i) If cause is known, then treatment of the cause is recommended

ii) Adequate oral hygiene using anti-bacterial mouthwash

iii) Apply topical paste on mouth sore directly. These topical application should be done according to doctor’s advice to avoid complications

iv) Visit your doctor for some oral medications

v) Brush your teeth with soft-bristled toothbrush

vi) Use appropriate toothpaste to clean your teeth and mouth surfaces. Make sure to apply mild to moderate toothpaste that contain fluoride. Strong toothpaste should be avoided

vii) Take your dentures off and clean them between meals

viii) Keep your mouth and whole system well-hydrated. Drink adequate water everyday to fight dehydration. Adequate moisture allow your sore to heal fast

ix) Avoid spicy foods, cigarettes and other aggravating factors.

Water for good health is an idea that goes back centuries. It is an old belief that an average person should drink at least ’8 glasses of water’ a day.

A lot of people believe that drinking water throughout the day can cure many diseases. But the ’8 glasses of water’ per day is just a rule of thumb, not an absolute standard.

Some people force themselves to drink water throughout the day and facing some small problems as well.

According to some kidney experts of the Pennsylvania University, drinking increased amount of water throughout the day is not beneficial for health. Moreover, they said (Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, April 2008), “since water is cleared from the gastrointestinal tract very quickly, it is likely that people who try to diet by not changing their food consumption and just drinking water, will be hungry between meals”.

There has yet to be a study that compares two groups of people and weight loss through water consumption.

In general, to remain healthy one need to drink enough water to replace the amount we lose daily through excretion, perspiration and other body functions. But that amount can vary from person to person. Different things are important like surrounding weather, physical condition and one’s activity level.

In fact, total water intake includes water in other beverages, and the water in food. But how do we know whether we are drinking enough water or not? Some experts say, “If you are not thirsty, your fluid intake is probably ok.” That is why marathon runners and bikers all need to recognise the signs of dehydration.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that athletes drink 16 ounces of fluids a couple of hours before starting sports practice. And certainly people in hot or in dry climates have increased need for water. They need to understand the importance of dehydration.

A German physician, Wilhelm Hufeland (1764-1836), who practiced natural medicine and vitalism, was one of the early promoters of ’8-10 glasses of water’ a day. He and some other practitioners encouraged their followers to drink lots of water for curative properties and to flush out toxins and impurities. He wrote, “fresh spring or mineral water, was the best drink and an excellent means of prolonging life.” He also added, “Many special curative properties were attributed to fresh, cold water – which was a fortifier of the stomach and nerves.”

Drinking 8 glasses water was rarely questioned until Dr. Valtin’s important investigation in 2002. He tries to find any scientific justification for drinking so much water. Dr. Valtin conducted a 10-month review of the scientific literature and historic documents and interviewed many medical experts. He also tried to uncover a definitive science-based origin for the above conventional recommendation.

Than again, it does not mean that we do not need to drink water. Water is important to maintain a healthy body.

Our body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Water transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects our joints and organs. Blood is mostly water, and our muscles, lungs and brain also contain a lot of water. Our body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs.

Anyhow, these views about water have certainly helped the plastic bottled water industries. But remember, bottled water available in our local markets is mostly purified waters. They are not mineral waters. And clearly, we need better sources of information about this bottled water as well.

One of the most basic tenets of weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume. It is not terribly complicated, but it can easily lead to one of the most common weight-loss misconceptions: The less you eat, the more you lose.

This truth does apply to a certain extent — if you eat more calories than your body needs to maintain your weight, you will gain weight. However, if you suddenly drop your caloric intake too low, your body will think you are starving and go into survival mode. If you do not eat enough, you will sabotage your weight-loss efforts.

A healthy diet generally will not drop your caloric intake below 1,200 calories, but you will need to find your “magic number” for optimum weight loss. Research suggests that women who consume less than the optimal amount see their resting metabolic rate plummet by as much as 45 percent.

Don’t be surprised if you need to adjust your calories several times throughout your weight-loss journey, especially if you have a lot of weight to lose. Your calories will need to be adjusted to account for your changing weight, activity level and metabolism.

The best way to lose weight is to keep your metabolism firing on all cylinders by eating enough calories, which can be accomplished by following these simple steps:

Always eat breakfast. may be there is no time for breakfast, you are not hungry enough and you can save some calories by skipping it. But this is completely wrong. While you are asleep, your metabolism slows down, and it does not pick back up until you eat something. Eating breakfast is crucial for boosting your metabolism first thing in the morning and burning more calories all day long. It does not need to be a hot-cooked breakfast that takes long to prepare, either.

Even if you just grab a piece of fruit and a string cheese on your way out the door, you need to at least eat something to get your system going in the morning.

Eat more often. That is right, eating every two to three hours will not only keep you from gorging at meals because you are starving, but it also keeps your metabolic rate higher because it takes more energy to digest food. Shoot for eating smaller meals and snacks — yes, you can snack! Aim for 200 to 400 calorie mini-meals every few hours and keep your metabolism stoked.

Plan your meals. It does take a little work to learn to plan ahead, but once you get into the groove, it is a piece of cake. You will find that by knowing what and when you are going to eat, you have more energy throughout the day and you will have a steadier stream of nutrients supplied to your body. The other key is to make sure you have proper snack foods on hand, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts — anything that is high in fiber is helpful, too.

Once you get your body used to a regular healthy routine, you will be on your way to serious weight loss without the starvation associated with it.

Time has come to say, few cups a day — keep the doctor away. I am talking about green tea.

It is produced from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis by some special processes. High in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and a whole swing of anti-aging and cancer fighting compounds, green tea is great. It is wildly being used as a significant part of a healthy diet.

Antioxidants are an important factor in achieving finest health. An antioxidant known as Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is at least 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells from harmful influence.

Ancient Chinese people have always used it for medical purposes and it is a part of Chinese history. In Japanese tradition, learned scholars wrote whole volumes on the importance of green tea.

Recent studies show that green tea restrains the spread of disease. It has a variety of antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is good to fight against cold to food poisoning. It is good for oral hygiene as it destroys bacteria that cause plaque and bad breath. It closes main receptors that produce allergic reactions.

Studies show that drinking green tea is related to reductions in body fat. According to one Study, green tea can burn 35-43 per cent more fat during the day when one drinks 3-5 cups.

The University of Chicago’s Tang Center for Herbal Medical study shows that it reduces the fat deposits under the skin and in our belly area. Researchers found that Green tea prevents one from gaining weight by stopping the movement of sugar into body’s fat cells and also burns fat by increasing body metabolism.

The International Journal of Obesity states that green tea contains polyphenols which causes body to produce heat that burn body fat. Several polyphenols also keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body. Study after study has found that drinking regular green tea can decrease the risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer. Some green tea studies prove that it lowers blood sugar.

Green tea is involved in reducing thrombosis cases — one of the main causes of strokes and heart attacks. It reduces the level of cholesterol in blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol. It also reduces high blood pressure by repressing angiotensin-II. Polyphenols keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure. It is said to be useful to treat impaired immune function and rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea also destroys free radicals that cause aging.

The New Year has just started. It is the perfect time for a fresh start. Many people are planning to make resolutions in health for the New Year to improve their life such as losing weight, exercising more, getting more organised or quitting smoking. But none of these will be effective without a proper health checklist, something that prioritises the important things you need to do this year, this decade and for the rest of your life. All you require is a roadmap to hit the highway to better health. The following things can help you to make 2009 your year of good health.

Control your weight
Measure your height and weight to figure out your body mass index (BMI). Or just measure your waist. Abdominal fat is a major health hazard for men. Risk mounts with waist sizes above 37.5 inches, and measurements of 40 inches and above are truly dangerous. Eat fewer calories and burn up more in exercise.

Eat right
Cut down on saturated fat and cholesterol by limiting red meat, whole-fat dairy products and egg yolk. Avoid fats in stick margarine, fried foods and many snack and junk foods. Eat lots of fishes. Load up on whole-grain products instead of refined grains and simple sugars. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Cut down on sodium (salt). And if you need to shed excess pounds, reduce your portion size, avoid calorie-dense foods, and cut your overall caloric intake.

Avoid tobacco
If you are a smoker, quitting is your first priority. Counselling and support groups can help in this regard. With physician’s advice you can use nicotine-replacement therapy or prescription medications, such as bupropion and varenicline (drugs used for cessation of smoking). Even if you do not smoke, you should resolve to help a buddy or relative who needs to kick the habit. And remember to protect yourself and your family by steering clear of secondhand smoke.

Exercise regularly
You do not have to hit the gym or train for a marathon to benefit from exercise. Build physical activity into your daily schedule. Take the stairs, do household chores, play active games with your kids. Above all, walk whenever and wherever you can. Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking a day, either all at once or in smaller chunks. If you have diseases like asthma that do not allow more exercise or need special precaution then consult with your physician.

Reduce stress
Figure out what makes you tense and then try to change the things you can control. Talk over your problems and worries. Get enough sleep. Do things that are fun, especially with people you like. Avoid TV broadcasts and tabloids. Exercise to burn off stress. Avoid caffeine if it makes you jittery. Do not try to medicate yourself with alcohol or drugs. Learn to appreciate and enjoy life’s many little pleasures. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. Talk to your doctor if you need more help.

Protect yourself from infection
Be sure your immunisations are up to date. If you are ill, protect others by avoiding crowds and coughing into a tissue. Wash your hands often, and use an alcohol-based hand rub. Protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.

Prevent accidents and injuries
Many result from careless behavior. Wear seatbelts and drive defensively. Check your house for clutter and cords that might trip you up. Hold the handrail when walking stairs.

Avoid environmental hazards
These include air pollution, pesticides and toxins, contaminated food and radiation. Remember that excessive sunlight is toxic to your skin. These include air pollution, pesticides and toxins, contaminated food and radiation. Remember that excessive sunlight is toxic to your skin.

Get good medical care
See your doctor regularly. Know your numbers cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. Take your medication as directed. Keep a record of your major illnesses and tests, your medications, and your allergies. Listen to your body and let your doctor know if you do not feel well.

If it seems like a lot, it is. But there are 12 months in 2009 and only 10 resolutions. Pick the ones you need most, change slowly, and get your family and friends to sign on to your resolutions for health. Above all, do not give up if you slip from time to time. Your goal is not perfection, but health. Take the long view and keep plugging away. Any progress you make in 2009 will give you a leg up for 2010 and beyond. If you make 2009 your health year, it will be a happy new year.

Marriage conflict is a normal part of married life. When two people start life together by the bond of marriage, conflict is bound to happen.Each person has had different life experience, and undoubtedly, has different expectations of marriage and from his/her spouse. Therefore, each one is going to react differently to life’s challenges.

Marital conflicts are not bad in themselves. It is our response to the conflicts that can be either helpful or harmful. Conflict can range from a minor disagreement over what to have for dinner tonight to the extreme of abuse.

Conflicts over monetary matters, in-laws/parents, time given to each other, domination/control of one partner, insensitivity toward the spouses feelings, unilateral decisions being made, conflict over interests, children and individual lifestyles are common.

Many marital conflicts are caused by lack of good communication. The problem of “not listening” becomes extremely evident, if you raise an unpleasant topic, ask for something or criticise a person. The accused partner may feel very uncomfortable and tries to prepare a defense or some way to get rid of the unpleasant talk.

Conflict is a reality in all marriages. How you deal with that conflict is the ultimate test of your ability to communicate as a couple.

Ignoring a conflict would never be a wise option as what might seem trivial at the surface, certainly would have some unattended underlying issue. Marital conflict stems out of unmet need, want and desire. When one person needs or wants something badly enough, and the other person is unwilling or unable to meet that need, resentment grows.

The first step in resolving any marital conflict is to understand what the conflict is all about. Once you have taken that step, without being defensive during your investigation, the solutions become much more apparent.

Some measures that can be taken to resolve conflicts or minimise conflicts in a marriage are highlighted below:

* Be kind, gentle and loving to each other

* Create a non-threatening environment of understanding

* Providing more empathy than sympathy

* Avoid cutting remarks that could start the “insult cycle”

* Try to keep your emotions under control

* Be willing to forgive

* Take joint decisions: Share your goals with each other

* Couples must approach each other with kindness and concern

* Be careful of your words: If you are angry, wait until you calm down before continuing the conversation

* Show appreciation for what your spouse does

* Communicate: It is better to deal with problems early and honestly than to let them pile up until an explosion occurs

* Do not drag the past

* Admit your mistakes

Marriage is a personal union of individuals. Good marital relationship requires patience, kindness, humility, sacrifice, empathy, love, understanding, forgiveness, and hard work. Following these principles should help any marriage to improve.

The essence of them all can be summed up in one sentence: Always treat your spouse the way you would like to be treated. If you follow this rule, your marriage will have a much greater chance for success. If you discard this rule, failure is just around the corner.