Thyroid Balance In The Body

Not just lungs but also every cells of human body and the hard organs like bones and teeth get adversely affected by smoking, said Professor Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Kumar said that the first hand smoke and second hand smoke both are equally harmful for health. Expressing concerns on rising smoking habits among women, she said that it may result into infertility, cases of which is also rising these days. Also, smoking may lead to premature birth. People generally think that smoking affects lungs only, but the case is different, it affects every parts and is one of the important risk factors for growing numbers cases related to autoimmune diseases, Kumar said while speaking on the prevention of deaths caused by tobacco on the occasion of World Health Day. The event was organised by Tobacco Free India. Dr Vishal Rao of HCG, Bangalore said that the reason for the rapidly increasing cases of oral cancer in India is tobacco products. To save the lives of 13 lakh Indians annually, it is need of the hour that the strictness on tobacco products should be increased, said eminent economist and BJP's national spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal. Read More► Lung Diseases Causing Bacteria Thrive on Red Blood Cells

Want to maintain good health and keep diseases at bay? Cutting your waistline to less than half of your height could be key instead of just measuring body mass index (BMI), according to UK health experts. The high build-up of fat around the waist, called "central adiposity", is a major cause for increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Measuring waist-to-height ratio instead of just BMI can be more useful as BMI does not take into account excess weight around the abdomen. They are also not accurate in people with a BMI over 35, pregnant women or children under two, BBC reported. For example, if you're 5ft 9 inches tall, then your waist measurement should be less than 87.5cm (34 inches) - or half your height, according to new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The guidance stated that Asians and some ethnic groups are more prone to central adiposity. The recommendation suggests these people make use of lower BMI thresholds for obesity to help predict their specific health risks. "Explain to people that to measure their waist, they should find the bottom of their ribs and the top of their hips, wrap a tape measure around the waist midway between these points and breathe out naturally before taking the measurement," said NICE the guidelines. While some experts feel trying "new ways" to get people to think about their health is not harmful, others said that measuring the waistline doesn't work for people who are very short or older people over 60 who may have lost height with ageing. But Professor Rachel Batterham, consultant in obesity, diabetes and endocrinology, diagrees, the report said. "Waist-to-height ratio is a simple, easy-to-use measure that identifies people who are at increased health risk and would benefit from weight management support to improve their health," Batterham was quoted as saying. "Increased fat in the abdomen increases a person's risk of developing several life-limiting diseases including type 2 diabetes and heart disease," she added. The updated guidelines noted that doctors should also consider using waist-to-height ratio in children and young people aged over five to assess and predict health risks. Healthcare professionals and the public can comment on the proposed recommendations in the guidelines before they are published in May, the report said. (agency) Read More► Increased Blood Fat Levels More Harmful Than Thought Earlier: Study

'Doshas' are biological energies found in our bodies and minds made up of five major elements (Panchabhutas), which are linked to our five senses and subtle actions. Doshas govern our physical, physiological, mental, and emotional processes and define our optimal health. Each of the 'doshas' - VATA, PITTA, and KAPHA - has a specific function in our body and is supposed to be present at an optimum level to determine perfect health, and any imbalance in these 'doshas' can harm our health. Below is how 'doshas' are formed from the five great elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air & Ether Air and Ether together form Vata Fire and Water forms Pitta Water and Earth make Kapha These three 'doshas' can be found in varying proportions in everyone, and their proportions can change depending on the climate and food habits. Changes in 'Doshas' During Summer Because of the scorching heat outside, our bodies feel hotter internally as well. The fire and air elements are slightly on the higher side, which increases both Pitta and Vata 'doshas'. During this time, our digestive fire and vitality are also at their lowest. Because summer is the season of Pita aggravation, one should consume more pita-calming foods during this time. Foods that are cooling, liquid in consistency, sweet in taste, moist and oily are recommended to calm Pita. Avoiding foods that are spicy, hot, sour, or salty should be avoided. During the summer season, milk, ghee, naturally sweet foods, coconut water, jeera water rice preparation, and so on are recommended to balance the 'doshas'. Excess Pita 'dosha' is managed during the summer by foods with three prominent tastes in our food that are sweet, bitter, and astringent in nature. Milk, root vegetables, most grains, fresh yoghurt, and other naturally sweet foods are excellent pita pacifiers. Aside from these bitter foods, other pita-friendly foods include kale, dandelion, dark chocolate, and spices such as cumin, neem leaves, turmeric, and others. The bitter taste is also very refreshing to the body. Bitter foods also benefit the blood, satisfy thirst, balance the appetite, support digestion, and absorb moisture and excess pitta. Beans, fruits, vegetables, apples, berries, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables, in addition to these, help to reduce summer stress. While we should focus on some of the foods listed above, we should also try to limit certain foods that can aggravate the summer's predominantly high 'dosha'. These foods are either overly pungent, sour, or salty. Foods like chillies, onions, and spicy spices should be avoided or limited. Fermented foods, grapes, pineapple, and foods that cause a burning sensation in the stomach should be avoided in our daily diet. Salad dressings containing lime, on the other hand, can be used in place of traditional salad dressings. Another element that can both increase and decrease inflammation in the body is salt. (agency) Read More► Ayurveda can help Bone Cancer Patients lead Better Quality of Life

Thyroid disorders are quickly becoming one of the most common health concerns in India, with more than 42 million people suffering from some form of thyroid disorder. Also, 1 in every 10 people in India has thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid cancer, and over 60 per cent of them go undiagnosed. It can affect people of all ages, but women are more likely to be affected because it is often inherited from family members and also results from iodine deficiency. While traditional treatments usually focus on drugs and surgery, eastern treatments like acupuncture can effectively manage thyroid issues. While acupuncture has many applications, it has proven to be especially effective in the safe and natural treatment of all types of hormonal imbalances. What is Thyroid? The thyroid happens to be a butterfly-shaped gland that is situated at the front of the neck. The gland is responsible for metabolism, energy, hormone regulation, body weight, and blood calcium levels.It is one of the endocrine glands that make hormones. Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine hormone. Similarly, hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain crucial thyroid hormones. Here are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism: Hyperthyroidism Weight loss despite good appetite Increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, heart palpitations, nervousness and excessive perspiration Frequent bowel movements, sometimes accompanied by diarrhoea Muscle weakness Shorter or lighter menstrual periods Development of a goiter (an enlargement in the neck) Hypothyroidism Lethargy, depression or slower mental processes Increased sensitivity to cold Reduced heart rate Numbness or tingling in the hands Constipation Heavy menstrual periods or dry hair and skin Hormones are like messengers in the body that are responsible for numerous functions, such as overseeing the regulation of sleep cycles, emotional health, reproduction, physical growth, metabolism, mental acuity, body temperature, the immune system, and energy levels. When they go out of balance, all of the body's systems can be adversely affected. Fluctuations can be a natural occurrence, but long-term imbalances are not. That is why it is important to get diagnosed by testing the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. How Acupuncture Helps According to traditional Chinese medicine philosophy, most diseases stem from imbalances in the key energies of the body and spirit. "Qi" which can be defined as life force energy, flows along pathways through the body known as "meridians". It must be kept strong and flowing freely. If Qi is weak or the meridians are blocked, certain organs will not get the nourishment they require, and illness will result. Acupuncture is a process that involves inserting very thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body that coordinate with particular pathways of Qi. By targeting these meridians or pathways, an acupuncture practitioner aims to bring back into balance a disruption of Qi believed to cause thyroid disorders or other symptoms of a disease. According to the British Acupuncture Council, acupuncture can treat thyroid disease in many ways, such as: Lowering thyroid hormone levels in patients with hyperthyroidism Increasing thyroid hormone levels in people with hypothyroidism Reducing sensitivity to stress and pain, as well as promoting relaxation Improving joint mobility and muscle stiffness by increasing blood circulation in small blood vessels Enhancing the release of the chemical adenosine, which reduces sensitivity to pain Reducing inflammation by helping in the release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors Along with acupuncture, certain lifestyle changes like a diet rich in calcium, protein, magnesium, and iodine help support thyroid function. Also, certain foods known as goitrogens may interfere with thyroid hormone production and should be limited. These include cruciferous vegetables (e.g., cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts), soy, and peanuts. Stress-reducing exercises like yoga or tai chi can also be helpful. (Dr.Srividya Nandakumar - Senior Naturopath, Jindal Naturecure Institute) Read More► Yoga and Home Remedies To Help Treat Dengue