How to save yourself when having a heart attack!

Imagine you're all alone when you have a heart attack! How do you save yourself? Here's how!

LASIK

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is performed for correcting refractive errors of the eye like myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. It involves creating a flap of cornea with an instrument called microkeratome, reflecting it back, and zapping the cornea with an Excimer laser. The laser, basically 'sculpts' the cornea to a predetermined level so as to ensure optimum vision. The flap of cornea is then placed back to the original position. The procedure is done under topical anesthesia and the patient can return back home shortly after the procedure.


Complications after LASIK are also not uncommon. In some cases, there might be a residual refractive error, and the patient might have to continue with the glasses. In some cases, there may be complications related to the flap. Also, structurally, the cornea is weakened slightly than it was before.

Nevertheless, in carefully selected cases, Lasik is an effective and safe procedure. LASIK is not indicated for very high refractive errors or in eyes with preexisting disease like dry eyes etc. Your eye doctor, after a thorough assessment, would be able to say if you are the right candidate. Make sure you know about all the complications and the level of vision you are likely to get, before proceeding.
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Amazing Derren Brown

I am a big fan of Derren Brown, the famous English mentalist. He harnesses the mysterious and powerful effects of the brain by suggestion, tricks of the mind, NLP, hypnosis etc. There is no magic involved, just a perfect understanding of how the mind works and using it to bamboozle people.

When a series of commands is issued rapidly and sometimes confusingly, many at the other end up doing what they are told.

I have many favorites but think this is hilarious. A poor guy ends up giving his wallet, and much more, to Derren. Of course, it may not work on any one but then, Derren has a knack of spotting the most suggestible person!




"Trains of thought" is equally amazing!( instant hypnosis at work!)



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Kosmix

The aim of Kosmix, according to their own words is to "Build the unofficial home page for every topic on the Web." With the help of a unique categorization engine that searches countless Web pages, a home page is generated on each individual topic. For example, a search on Atkins Diet will bring up a home page, which contains relevant results, articles, images, videos etc on the topic.

The results are further refined on any particular topic. Kosmix is thus the best starting place to search for any topic.

Psychological aspects of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing and usually lifelong condition. Patients with psoriasis often lose hope that their condition can be managed. This may lead to poor treatment compliance. It is a well established fact that in addition to physical discomfort and disability, psoriasis can produce anxiety, depression and other psychological problems, which in turn can aggravate the disease.

A number of studies have shown that psychological stress is often caused by psoriasis, and can be a factor in flare-ups of psoriasis. Pruritis in psoriasis contributes to stress and the stress in turn can lead to more pruritis. This vicious cycle can contribute to psychological problems including depression, anxiety, aggressive behaviors, obsessional behavior, and alcoholism.The other psychological problems can include poor self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, and suicidal ideation. The mechanisms by which psychological stress can make pruritis worse are not clearly understood.

Psychological counseling may be helpful in some patients with psychosocial problems. A family counseling session may also help the family members to understand the nature of the disease better and realize the role that family members can play in reducing psychosocial stress.

Traditional psoriasis treatment regimens may be augmented with stress-reduction strategies. Biofeedback training, psychotherapy, and hypnosis are examples of adjuncts to traditional medical treatment.

Hypnosis may improve or resolve numerous dermatoses, including psoriasis. In addition, hypnosis can facilitate aversive therapy and enhance desensitization and other cognitive-behavioural methods.

Cognitive behaviour therapy combines two kinds of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. CBT has been very thoroughly researched. Numerous studies have shown CBT to be as effective as drugs in treating both depression and anxiety.

Recognising eating disorsers

I had a friend who was a food enthusiast. She loved to visit all kinds of exotic restaurants and try new flavors. She always used to stay slim though and I was really amazed how she managed to maintain her figure. Over the years, she became too thin and looked tired and withdrawn. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that she was a bulimic.

It is too lengthy to go into the specifics of each eating disorder but I would like to point out some salient features on how to recognize the common signs of eating disorders: excessive and sudden preoccupation with body image and thinness, excessive exercising, fine hair on arms and face with loss of scalp hair, irregular or lack of periods in girls, dry skin with desquamation etc. Bulimics have some dental signs like caries, and gum disorders. Russell's sign is bleeding, scarred, or callused knuckles (due to repeated contact with the front teeth). The person may lie about food intake, conceal food or buy laxatives diuretics etc.

Of course, in some cases, there may be very subtle signs that even an observant parent or friend cannot pick up, and oh, don't forget that eating disorders are not uncommon in males too.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

It is really sad when teachers and parents label kids "stupid" without knowing that there might be an underlying disorder, like ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder manifested in preschool and early school children who often have difficulty in controlling their behavior and/or pay attention. The exact etiology of this condition is unknown but it is thought to be a genetic disorder, with deficient dopaminergic neurotransmission.
The symptoms of ADHD include: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The condition is usually suspected when such symptoms starts to affect the child’s school performance, or behavior at home. More often, the condition may not be detected till a considerable time has passed. The child may demonstrate symptoms like constant fidgeting,restlessness, squirming etc.
Medications like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and pemoline are used. Interventional approaches like psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, social skills training etc may also be helpful.

Mind reading, psychic powers, miracles etc, etc

I have always been fascinated by the powers of the mind. Hypnosis is one such powerful tool, which is scientifically validated and has been put to good use to cure a variety of psychosomatic disorders and habits.

Unfortunately, there are many tricks, illusions and sleight of hand, which can be used to fool people. James Randi and Derren Brown are two of my favorites, when it comes to exposing such people who claim to 'read minds' or posses psychic powers. Randi has exposed many, including the likes of Uri Geller:



He also exposed James Hydrick:


In subsequent blogs I'll talk about the amazing Derren Brown!

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Is your child autistic?

Autistic children lack or show difficulty with social interaction, display repetitive behavior, and have problems with verbal and non-verbal communication. The severity of autism varies widely in different children, and in mild cases, the symptoms may go unheeded, till it becomes disabling. The usual cause is genetic, although environmental factors may also have a role.

In mild cases, there may be improvement as the child grows older. There is no specific cure, although lots of Autism research has been done over the decades.

Strength training for diabetics

Any form of exercise is a must for diabetics. In particular, training with weights will help to build lean mass and control sugar levels through the day on a consistent basis. But for type 1 diabetes, it may be better to follow an exercise regimen like a brisk walk, due to the potential risk of hypoglycemia. Following these precautions will help you avoid any pitfalls.

1. First, get a go-ahead from your physician.
2. Monitor your blood glucose on a more regular basis after starting weight training.
3. Carry a card saying that you are a diabetic (the type and medications you're on).
4. Avoid over training and too heavy weights.
5. Proper footwear is a must, especially in type 1.
6. If you are taking protein supplements or other supplements, again get the green signal from your physician first. Avoid supplements, which contain sugar. Egg protein for bodybuilding is the best, since they usually have no sugar.

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Computer Vision Syndrome

So, you've been blogging incessantly or probably a demanding project is keeping you glued to the computer. The end result? painful, itchy, red eyes or blurred vision that seems to get worse by the day. You could be suffering from computer vision syndrome due to dry eyes, which is a result of tear evaporation due to reduced blink rate.

A simple solution: try the "2-2-2 formula." Every 20 minutes or so, look 20 feet away and blink for two seconds! Make sure the distance from the computer is at least 14 inches. Don't go to near the screen. Your eye level must be slightly down. An anti-glare screen also helps. Use lubricating eye drops to relieve dry eyes.
Related Links: LASIK

Probiotics

Probiotics are supplements, which contain beneficial microbes,especially lactobacillus. The normal gut flora includes both harmful and 'friendly' microbes. The 'friendly' types normally keep the harmful bacteria in check. Any alteration of the normal gut flora, which can for example, occur after a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy, will give the harmful bacteria the upper hand and leads to conditions like diarrhea.

One of the most well-known probiotic bacteria is Lactobacillus acidophilus. Some of the best sources of L.acidophilus is yogurt. Recently, many companies have jumped into the bandwagon and claim numerous benefits, which may be just Much ado about probiotics

Bionics

Bionics is a method of applying the principles and methods found in nature to benefit mankind. It can be considered as a kind of biomimicry. A good example of the earliest application of bionics in history include the development of aircraft by observing how birds fly.

Other applications in medicine include cochlear implants and the bionic eye, which can help the blind see. Here's a good article on Bionic eye

3 warning signs you should not ignore

Frequently, we ignore the subtle warning signals that our body sends us. This can prove fatal in some cases. Learn to read these signs and take heed when our body starts to warn us. As the saying goes "A stitch in time saves nine."

1. The most common warning signals of a heart attack are:

-Pain radiating to the shoulders, neck or arms.
-Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.

-Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea etc. But it is important to know that typical anginal pain described above may not occur in many.

2. Warning signals of a Stroke are: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden loss or dimness of vision, dizziness, loss of balance, severe headache without a known cause.

3. Hypoglycemia or very low blood sugar can occur in diabetics dependent on insulin. The symptoms include weakness,tremors, strange behavior, sweating, headache, and hunger. Conversely, a patient with extremely high sugar levels display a "fruity" odor in the breath, flushed face with dry skin and mouth, nausea or vomiting, and deep, rapid breathing.

Of course, there are numerous other medical emergencies, which cannot be covered entirely but knowing the features of some of the common emergencies can probably save your life or that of a loved one.

The run-down on Atkins diet

The Atkins diet is based on the theory that your body can lose weight better by reducing carbohydrates than by reducing fat.

A typical Atkins diet is rich in meat, chicken, sausages, bacon, turkey, oils, seafood, cheese, eggs, etc, etc. In short, unlimited quantities of food that your doctor told you to go easy on! Already smacking your lips? Well, just hold on. The bad news is you have to cut down on high carbohydrate foods like potatoes, pasta, bread etc.

The Atkins diet has got some real flak in the past. There does not seem to be a single major medical or science institution in the world that supports or recommends the Atkins diet.

Plainly, many see it as dangerous to health. But there are others who swear by it. So, the final verdict? You decide. Don’t say I didn’t warn you though! I would not go anywhere near it!

READ ABOUT BARIATRIC SURGERY

Omega-3 and depression

Omega-3 found in fish, has been shown to have a protective effect against depression. A diet deficient in Omega-3 may alter the levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine levels, leading to depression. In addition to the cardioprotective effects, omega-3 may also prevent development of Alzheimer's disease.

However, the exact mechanism of how it may be useful in depression is not clear, and it's use in conditions like in major depression and bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) is being evaluated.

3 foods you should consider in your diet

I know many of you may wrinkle your noses on reading this list but although the following are generally avoided by many due to their strong taste or odor, they have great health benefits.

1. Garlic-the active ingredient includes sulfur compounds and they have strong antioxidant, lipid reducing and cardioprotective effects. If the strong odor is a put off, you can consider garlic supplements in a capsule form.
2. Bitter gourd-also known as 'plant insulin' because it has a compound resembling natural insulin, and therefore, benefits diabetics.
3. Indian Gooseberry-also known as 'amla,'this is a rich source of Vitamin C.

Music Therapy

Music therapy has long been known to reduce stress and benefit even chronic disorders like Alzheimer's disease and even cancer. Music may help by releasing powerful mood enhancing chemicals in the brain, including those like melatonin.

Of course, not any music will help. Ideally, it should be soothing and relaxing. Classic music works great.

Simple ways to turbo charge your metabolism!

Even at rest, our body burns some calories for cellular activities. Even when you breathe, digest or sleep, some amount of calories are expended; this is the basal metabolic rate (BMR). As we age, our metabolic rate declines, and we tend to put on excess fat. Here are some tips, which I practice, to get your metabolism revved up!

1. Obviously, a weight training or cardio is a must.
2. At office:Use the free time behind the desk at office or home to burn calories with some simple workouts:
*Just walking around your office is a great cal burner (most of my assistants and colleagues are surprised to see me pacing around the room at times!)
*Push-ups against the table.
*Triceps dips-lean back against your table with both palms on the table. Dip down with your body in a slight inclination (just make sure you don't slip and fall!)and come up to original position. Repeat.
*Toe raise-in a seated position, and legs close together, use your toes to lift your feet off the ground. Feel your calves contract. Repeat.
*Do you have a lot of heavy, dust covered, rarely used books lying around? Great! Just dust them and do a biceps curl!
*Take the stairs and avoid the elevator.
*Instead of lazily dashing off an email/IM to your colleague in the next cubicle, actually walk up to them!
3.At home: Try to be around with your children a lot! The energy they have, will rub off on you! Sometimes, I just lie back and do some bench press holding my 3-year old daughter aloft!. She loves it, and I get my "mini-workout" and cal burner!

See, there are innumerable ways that you can burn off all of those calories. Remember, it is the tiny drops that make up an ocean. With all these "mini work outs" coupled with your regular work out and healthy diet, you are bound to see some results!

Optical illusion

Can you see something else than the face?

How to build six-pack Abs!

Who would not want what is commonly known as a "six-pack" ab? Well, it's easier said than done. While most of us 'mere mortals' can only dream of it, you can at least come closer to it. The abdomen has many large and smaller muscle groups. I will describe a few important groups. The rectus abdominis, which extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen, transversus abdominis and the obliques along the sides of the abdomen. The abdominal muscles mainly function to flex your torso forward and bend your body sideways. In men, the pattern of fat distribution mainly occurs in the abdomen, leading to an 'apple shape.' This kind of 'central obesity' is a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. Since it's not possible to describe all exercises in detail (any decent gym with an instructor can help you with it), I'll just outline some measures to get rid of tummy fat and get your abs into shape.

1. Most importantly, as I have pointed in my previous blogs, get a good cardio workout and follow a healthy diet. Unless you burn all that layer of fat overlying your abs, no amount of sessions in the gym can help you.
2. Some recommended exercises are;
* Ab curls or crunches.
* Side curls.
* Cable rope crunches.
* Low-pulley weighted crunch.
* Leg raises.

Remember, just like other muscles, your abs also need to be trained with increasing resistance. Even doing 200 crunches without resistance will get you nowhere. That is why weighted crunches (hold a weight over your chest) and cable rope/low-pulley crunches help.

Also, I've seen many just neglecting the obliques or just not knowing how these muscles work. Here's something, which I do that can get rid of your 'love handles.'

*Barbell side-bend-hold a barbell behind your shoulders and bend side ways. Repeat on either side.
*Dumbbell side-bend-The same can be done with a dumbbell held up with both your hands and bending sideways and also with the dumbbells hanging by your side.

Remember that if you are really centrally obese, it would take sometime to get into shape. More importantly, you have to continue with the workouts or else you might revert back into an 'apple'!

Related links:Good source of medical articles-visit-
Squidoo

New Year Resolution-Burn that fat!

So, have you made your New Year resolution to burn all that excess fat you've been carrying around? If the answer is "no" then please do.

If you've not read my earlier blog: 6 tips for fat loss, do so, this is a take off on that. Now lets get to your diet. Our diet mainly includes carbs (carbohydrates), fats and protein. Each of these are vital to you. The trick is to eat the healthy variety and leave out the unhealthy, junk food.

1. Carbs-These are needed for fueling your body. The best carbs to start of your day are those rich in fiber. These include; oats, brown rice, brown bread, beans, sprouts, asparagus etc to name a few. Cut down on white rice, white bread and refined sugar. Include plenty of fruits in your diet. Remember, more the fiber in your diet, the better.

2. Proteins-this is vital, especially if you are working out with weights. Without the right kind of protein, you just can't build muscle.

3.Fats-not all fat is bad. In fact, they are vital for many cellular processes and hormone production. Even cholesterol and LDL(low-density lipoprotein) are not all that bad as they are made out to be. It is important to get an adequate intake of "essential fats" like Omega 3, abundant in fish oil and flax oil. Avoid saturated or trans fats. So, in addition to fish oil, you can get essential fat from almonds, walnuts, peanut butter etc.

4.Others- It is necessary to get adequate vitamins and supplements like chromium picolinate, a trace mineral, which may work along with a weight training regimen.

Motivation-As long as you are heating healthy and working out to the optimum, you should see the desired results. But it is as important to stay motivated and try out some fat loss program.

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Book review: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You

I just finished reading this book by Dr. Ray Strand. It basically deals with nutritional supplements and how antioxidants are important in preventing various chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and even conditions like cardiomyopathy, cataract and macular degeneration, to name a few. The emphasis is on preventive medicine.

Nutritional supplements include vitamins, minerals and other supplements like 0Q10, which are vital to prevent oxidative stress and free radical damage to the body.

However, it does not mean you should bombard yourself with high doses of vitamins and minerals. In fact, a high dose of vitamins can lead to hypervitaminosis.

The book is written in a simple language, and explains even complex physiologic process in a simple way. There are some interesting revelations also on how raised cholesterol levels may not be the only cause of heart attacks and how recommended daily allowances (RDA) of key nutrients may not be enough to protect against disease.

But I would like to say that it is not true that doctors are ignorant about nutritional supplementation. In fact, vitamins may be the most frequently prescribed by a doctor! Also, there is too much emphasis in the book on nutritional supplementation. Adequate exercise and the right kind of diet is also vital. This could have received some more attention in the book.

But as Dr.Strand says, it would be wise to take supplements and be safe than spend an exorbitant amount on treatments like a coronary bypass surgery later on in life.

I would like to emphasize:

* Get adequate exercise.
* Eat healthy, fiber-rich food.
* Take adequate nutritional supplements (especially if your diet lacks fruits, vegetables).

All in all, I would recommend this book highly for everyone, irrespective of whether you are healthy or suffer from any disease.

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation (TM), created by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is a very simple but effective technique to achieve complete mental and physical relaxation. It basically involves mental repetition of a 'mantra' for about 15-20 minutes daily. With this, the mind 'transcends' any kind of mental activity to attain a state of complete relaxation and awareness.

The best part about TM is that it does not require any special effort. Anyone can practice it. The full course has many stages. Although I've not gone through an actual full course, I've been exposed to the elements of this system, and found it really relaxing and invigorating.

You can try this out whenever you feel stressed or when you have the spare time. Adopt a comfortable position, close your eyes and chant the 'mantra.' This could be anything, any phrase, not necessarily religious. It could be 'om', 'ing' 'inga', just about anything. When any stray thoughts come into your mind, don't try to resist the thought. Just let it come and go, but keep your mind focussed on the particular word. Do this for 15-20 mins, and then open your eyes. You will really feel relaxed and fresh. You can extend the session to even 30 mins or more. There! really simple isn't it?

Is it really effective?

Well, I've tried it and it works for me! Actually, I did some research in Pubmed and other journals, and many randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and other studies indicate that TM is effective and can "even slow or reverse the progression of pathophysiological changes underlying cardiovascular disease" (Walton et al.,2002.)

The skeptics

Of course, there are skeptics about the effectiveness and there are accusations about TM being a 'cult phenomenon.'

My take on this
TM is simple, safe, and well, at least 'relaxing' enough for me. Try it out!

Exposing faith healers

There are a number of faith healers who supposedly 'heal' even terminal cancer. It is really sickening how these people can fool sick people into believing that they are 'cured.' This prevents many people from undergoing further treatment. Watch how James Randi, a magician turned exposer of paranormal acts, debunks a popular TV evangelist, Peter Popoff and his "Miracle Crusades."




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Exposing psychic surgery

Psychic surgery is practiced by self proclaimed 'surgeons' mainly in Philippines and Brazil. The psychic surgeon extracts 'tumors' and other diseased parts from the body with bare hands, without any surgical instruments. It is actually nothing but quackery and any accomplished magician can perform it! All it requires is some animal blood and other parts to simulate a surgery.

James Randi, debunks the mystery of psychic surgery.




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