AUTISM

Autism is a lifelong disorder that interferes with the ability to understand what is seen, heard, and touched. Autism occurs in as many as one or two per 1,000 children. It is found four times more often in boys (usually the first-born) Autism usually is evident in the first three years of life, although in some children it's hard to tell when the problem develops. Sometimes the condition isn't diagnosed until the child enters school.
Profound problems with social interaction are the most common symptoms of autism. They avoid eye contact and don't seem to want or need physical contact or affection and show little interest in human contact. Such a child doesn't smile or lift his arms in anticipation of being picked up. He forms no attachment to parents nor shows any normal anxiety toward strangers. He doesn't learn typical games of childhood
Studies show that people with autism can improve significantly with proper treatment. A child with autism can learn best with special teachers in a structured program that emphasizes individual instruction. The two most-often studied types of treatment are Educational or behavioral treatment and Medication

A MARRIAGE OF DIFFERENCE

''No gift please" that is the request made by some people in Vellore District of Tamilnadu, India, but they accept the gift as "BLOOD DONATION" and even they in their marriage invitation specify that only blood donation would be accepted. It was started by R. Chandrasekaran, a social activist during his marriage in 1977. So far 10 marriages with blood donation camps have been taken place in the Vellore District with the help of R. Chanrasekarn. Really it is a marriage of difference with no fun, extravaganza and spending loads of money.

FATHER OF LSD DIES AT 102

Albert Hofmann, the father of the drug LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamine) has died. He was 102.

The Swiss chemist discovered lysergic acid diethylamide-25 in 1938 while studying the medicinal uses of a fungus found on wheat and other grains at the Sandoz pharmaceuticals firm in Basel.
After its discovery, LSD was viewed as a wonder drug with the potential to treat problems including schizophrenia and alcoholism.

For decades after LSD was banned in the late 1960s, Hofmann defended his invention.
"I produced the substance as a medicine. ... It's not my fault if people abused it," he once said.

ASBESTOSIS

Asbestosis is chronic, progressive inflammation of the lung. It is not contagious. Asbestosis is a consequence of prolonged exposure to large quantities of asbestos, a material once widely used in construction, insulation, and manufacturing. When asbestos is inhaled, fibers penetrate the breathing passages and irritate, fill, inflame, and scar lung tissue. In advanced asbestosis,, the lungs shrink, stiffen, and become honeycombed.

The first symptom of asbestosis is usually shortness of breath following exercise or other physical activity. The early stages of the disease are also characterized by a dry cough and a generalized feeling of illness.

Anyone who works with asbestos should wear a protective mask or a hood with a clean-air supply and obey recommended procedures to control asbestos dust. Anyone who is at risk of developing asbestosis should:
---not smoke
---be vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia
---exercise regularly to maintain cardiopulmonary fitness
----avoid crowds and people who have respiratory infections
A person who has asbestosis should exercise regularly, relax, and conserve energy whenever necessary.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN AND EYES FORM UV RAYS

ULTRA VIOLET rays popularly known as UV rays are known to cause damage to skin. Ultra violet radiation consists of invisible rays from the sun which will burn the skin and can damage the eyes.

• Avoid staying outdoors for long hour especially between 10 a.m. and 4 pm. during which period three-quarters of UV exposure occurs in summer.
• Wear a hat as possible a broad-brimmed one.
• Wear a cool sun glass.

BEAT THE HEAT

• Keep out of the heat. If possible, do not go outside during the hottest time of the day.
• Avoid strenuous activity but if you cannot, plan to do the activity during the early morning.
• Try to spend time in the coolest parts of your home. Keep curtains and blinds closed in rooms that catch the sun.
• Remember that lights generate heat. Keep windows open where possible, unless it is cooler inside than out.
• Fans can help sweat evaporate but do not cool the air itself.
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing.
• Splash yourself with cold water at regular intervals and take cool baths or showers.
• Use damp towels or cloths to cool off.
• Drink lots of fluids, even if you are not thirsty.
• Water and fruit juice are best.
• Both alcohol and caffeine can make dehydration worse: avoid them.
• Eat cold food, particularly salads and fruits that are high in water. Heavy meals are best avoided.

ADDICTION

Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping, eating, and sexual activity). According to data from the World Health Organization, there were 1.1 billion smokers worldwide and 10,000 tobacco-related deaths per day.

Some substances are more addictive than others, either because they produce a rapid and intense change in mood; or because they produce painful withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly.Some people appear to be more vulnerable to addiction because their body chemistry increases their sensitivity to drugs. Some forms of substance abuse and dependence seem to run in families.

Inexpensive or readily available tobacco, alcohol, or drugs produce marked increases in rates of addiction.Treatment requires both medical and social approaches. Substance addicts may need hospital treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms. Individual or group psychotherapy is often helpful, but only after substance use has stopped.

• Admit powerlessness over the addiction.
• Believe that a Power greater than oneself could restore sanity.
• Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of self.
• Admit to yourself and another human being the exact nature of your wrongs.
• Make a list of all persons harmed by your wrongs and become willing to make amends to them all.
• Make direct amends to such people, whenever possible except when to do so would injure them or others.
• Continue to take personal inventory and promptly admit any future wrongdoings.

The most effective form of prevention appears to be a stable family that models responsible attitudes toward mood-altering substances and behaviors. Prevention education programs are also widely used to inform the public of the harmfulness of substance abuse.

BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME

Battered child syndrome refers to injuries sustained by a child as a result of physical abuse, usually inflicted by an adult caregiver. Alternative terms include: shaken baby; shaken baby syndrome; child abuse; and non-accidental trauma (NAT).

Internal injuries, cuts, burns, bruises and broken or fractured bones are all possible signs of battered child syndrome. Emotional damage to a child is also often the by-product of child abuse, which can result in serious behavioral problems such as substance abuse or the physical abuse of others.

Battered child syndrome (BCS) is found at every level of society, although the incidence may be higher in low-income households where adult caregivers suffer greater stress and social difficulties, without having had the benefit of higher education. The child abuser most often injures a child in the heat of anger. The incessant crying of an infant or child may trigger abuse.

Recognizing the potential for child abuse in a situation, and the seeking or offering of intervention and counseling before battered child syndrome occurs is the best way to prevent it. Signs that physical abuse may be forthcoming include parental alcohol or substance abuse; previous abuse of the child or the child's siblings; history of mental or emotional problems in parents; parents abused as children; absence of visible parental love or concern for the child; child's hygiene neglected.

BED-WETTING

Bed-wetting is the unintentional (involuntary) discharge of urine during the night. Although most children between the ages of three and five begin to stay dry at night, the age at which children are physically and emotionally ready to maintain complete bladder control varies and it is technically termed as ‘Enuresis’.

Many researchers consider bed-wetting normal until age 6. About 10% of 6-year-old children wet the bed about once a month. More boys than girls have this problem.

The causes of bed-wetting are not entirely known. It tends to run in families. Most children with primary enuresis have a close relative--a parent, aunt, or uncle--who also had the disorder. About 70% of children with two parents who wet the bed will also wet the bed. Sometimes bed-wetting can be caused by a serious medical problem like diabetes, sickle-cell anemia, or epilepsy. Children who wet the bed frequently may have a smaller than normal functional bladder capacity.

Occasionally a doctor will determine that the problem is serious enough to require treatment. Standard treatments for bed-wetting include bladder training exercises, motivational therapy, drug therapy, psychotherapy, and diet therapy.

Bladder training exercises are based on the theory that those who wet the bed have small functional bladder capacity. Children are told to drink a large quantity of water and to try to prolong the periods between urinations. These exercises are designed to increase bladder capacity

Alarms. This form of therapy uses a sensor placed in the child's pajamas or in a bed pad. This sensor triggers an alarm that wakes the child at the first sign of wetness. If the child is awakened, he or she can then go to the bathroom and finish urinating. The intention is to condition a response to awaken when the bladder is full. Bed-wetting alarms require the motivation of both parents and children. They are considered the most effective form of treatment now available.

Although preventing a child from wetting the bed is not always possible, parents can take steps to help the child keep the bed dry at night. These steps include:

Encouraging and praising the child for staying dry instead of punishing when the child wets.
Reminding the child to urinate before going to bed, if he or she feels the need.

Limiting liquid intake at least two hours before bedtime

BODY MASS INDEX

Body Mass Index (BMI) a figure calculated from your height and weight. It has been proposed by The World Health Organization as a method for defining obesity.

If your BMI is too high, you're at greater risk than people with a normal BMI.

BMI = [Weight in pounds ÷ Height in inches ÷ Height in inches] x 703. For example: A person who weighs 210 pounds and is 6 feet tall would have a BMI = 210 pounds divided by 72 inches divided by 72 inches multiplied by 703 = 28.5.

Your BMI score means the following:
· Underweight: below 18.5
· Normal: 18.5 to 24.9
· Overweight: 25 to 29.9
· Obese: 30 and above

The most successful weight-loss strategies include calorie reduction combined with increased physical activity. Be active. To maintain weight, you need to be active for 60 minutes on most days. If your schedule seems too jammed for exercise, try to give up something else. But if you've been sedentary for years, doing too much too soon can lead to burnout and injuries. In any case, talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise program. You may want to begin by walking outdoors or on a treadmill for 10 minutes a day and gradually build up your time.Seek your doctor's advice before launching into any weight-loss program or taking any over-the-counter diet pill or supplement. If you consume too few calories, your body will go into starvation mode, your metabolism will slow down in order to store fat and weight loss will become even more difficult.Set realistic weight-loss goals, such as one to two pounds a week or eight pounds a month. Even small weight loss is important. It makes a tremendous health difference.

AJINOMOTO

Monosodium Glutamate, commonly known as Ajinomoto, was invented 97 years back in Japan. Currently, it is used in all the countries and in all types of food.

Monosodium glutamate, the sodium salt of glutamate, was ideal for enhancing the taste, as it had no smell or specific texture of its own.

Ajinomoto is only the company which produces this product and this name become generic like Xerox for photocopier.

Glutamate is a natural part of our metabolism and is actually produced by the human body in amounts of about 50 grams per day.

During 70s there were rumors that MSG causes Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, a combination of head ache, stiff neck and nausea. Subsequently, several international organizations conducted trials and researches and have approved MSG as safe for human consumption.

The sodium present in MSG is 12 percent as against 40 percent in the common salt (Sodium chloride). The loss of palatability due to reduced salt could be compensated with small addition of MSG in the food.

BREATHING

Breathing is the only major source over which every human being has some conscious control.

Sit in any comfortable posture. Keep left hand on the left knee. Keep the body and head upright. Close the eyes and relax the body. Place the thumb on the right nostril and ring finger on the left nostril; the mid and index fingers on the eyebrow centre.

Close right nostril with thumb. Inhale and then exhale through left nostril only. Close left nostril with ring finger, open right nostril. Inhale and exhale through right nostril only. Breathe evenly, without break, strain, etc.

The Respiratory passages are cleared of blockage; the blood stream is purified and the brain cells get enough oxygen to stimulate the brain centres.

DUST ALLERGY

Allergic symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, itching and watering of eyes, running nose, cough, wheezing etc are usually attributed to dust. Actually the dust mite is causing the allergy.

Dust mites are tiny bugs belonging to the spider family. They are microscopic and measures about 0.01 mm. Mites are 8-legged bugs with bristles covering their body. There are 50,000 species of mites. Since they dwell in dust, they are called 'dust mites.

They thrive on dandruff, fragments of hair, food etc. Dust-bins, bed, pillow, mattresses, furniture, curtains, woollen materials and old dumped materials are their favorite places.

One gram of dust contains nearly 15,000 mites. Dust mites can live for about two months. Within this short span, they produce 80 to 100 eggs. It can also excrete 20 pellets of faecal matter per day.

MEASURES TO BE UNDERTAKEN

Clean and mop the floor with detergents daily.

Bed and pillow should be regularly dried under the sun. Cover them with plastic if possible.

Blankets, carpets, mattresses should be dusted regularly.

Unused materials should be discarded or kept clean.

Old books, toys, clothes, rugs, should be frequently cleaned.

Left-over food stuff should be discarded immediately.

While dusting, cover your nose with clean cloth.

BE HAPPY !!

Happiness is a state of mind. It doesn’t reside in objects.

Nobody can make you happy except you yourself.

Happiness can’t be purchased. It can only be experienced.

Fountain of happiness is inside you. Don’t make futile attempts to search it outside.

The origin of stress is in your mind. Without understanding and controlling the mind, it is impossible to eliminate stress.

Nobody can make you unhappy unless you allow him to do so.

Happiness is your valuable treasure. Don’t allow it to be snatched by varying circumstances and petty matters of life.

HOW ESSENTIAL IS WATER !!!!

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention.
Overweight people need more water than thin ones.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and prevents dehydration.

Drinking more water helps in getting rid of unneeded salt.

Water can help relieve constipation. Water also increases energy, mental and physical performance, keeps skin healthy and glowing

If we do not consume enough water, symptoms such as headaches, tiredness and loss of concentration occur leading to dehydration.

Deep breathing helps in rejuvenation of the skin. It makes skin smoother and reduces facial wrinkles. Deep breathing helps in relieving stress.

USE COST EFFECTIVE CFLs AND PROTECT ENVIRONMENT

If you are still using incandescent bulb, then you are contributing to the greatest environmental threat facing us today. The alternative is Compact Fluorescent lamps or CFLs, which are more energy-efficient. A CFL lasts 10 times longer and consumes 80 percent less electricity then the ordinary bulbs. CFLs may be costly but you can recover the cost of the CFL in four months.

PINEAPPLE IS FINE

Pineapple has high enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which play a major role in the body's healing. The benefits of this tropical fruit can be achieved through eating fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple or by drinking its juice. Pineapple is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Its nutrients include calcium, potassium, fibre, and vitamin C. Besides, it is low in fat and cholesterol.

Pineapple helps to build healthy bones. Pineapples are rich in manganese, a trace mineral that is needed for the body to build bone and connective tissues.

Many people often take extra vitamin C or drink extra orange juice when they have a cold, few consider eating pineapple. The benefits of pineapple when one has a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice. The bromelain contained in fresh pineapple can relieve indigestion as well.

Pineapples are good for one's oral health, because of its high vitamin C content.

MUSIC THERAPY – A REMEDY FOR EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Music therapy offers a safe, secure space for the release of feelings. Music therapists work with children and adults with learning disabilities, physical, emotional and psychological disorders and sensory impairments. People with emotional traumas may find that music therapy can provide a safe setting for expressing their repressed feelings. Music Therapists say that it has most dramatic effect on children in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Irrespective of the degree of their autism, they all respond to the music.

VITAMIN D GIVES LONGER LIFE

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble compound which acts like a hormone, regulating the formation of bone and absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the intestine. It is fact that Vitamin D is definitely good for health, but a new study has revealed that taking a pill of the organic compound everyday could help you live longer. The vitamin D is produced naturally in the body through exposure to sunlight and is also found in salmon, tuna and other oily fish, and routinely added to milk.

QUIT SMOKING, AVOID LUNG CANCER

Smoking is the greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer, with nearly nine out of 10 lung cancer cases occur due to smoking. The level of risk is affected by the length of time someone has smoked and also the quantity smoked. For example, if one has smoked 20 cigarettes per day for 40 years, he/ she is approximately eight times more likely to develop lung cancer than if he/ she smokes 40 cigarettes per day for 20 years.

Passive smoking is also a risk factor with a 25 per cent increase in the likelihood of developing lung cancer in spouses of smokers, while people who are exposed to smoke at work have an increased risk of about 17 per cent. So, please avoid smoking.

Diabetes - not cured, but controlled

Control of the blood sugar level becomes unsatisfactory if the insulin secretion is inadequate for the diet consumed. Diabetes sets in once the naturally available insulin is less than 20 per cent. The damaged pancreas may not produce adequate insulin to meet the demand.

Complex carbohydrates and fibre have to be added to delay digestion and absorption and maintain the blood sugars evenly. Instead of vitamin supplements, adequate raw vegetables or fruits can be eaten. The salt should be kept at five gm/day or lower.

If the food intake has been inadequate or activity excessive, the blood sugar levels may suddenly drop in a diabetic on treatment and causes a sudden feeling of tiredness, uncontrolled yawning, slurred speech, sweating, fainting. This is dangerous, and should be tackled immediately by eating or drinking something sweet.

Regular exercise in a systematic way releases body chemicals which help to keep the blood sugar under control all day. Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be well-controlled with diet, exercise and medication.

GOITRE - IODINE DEFICIENCY

The main cause of goitre is the deficiency of iodine in the diet. Goitre is more common among women, swelling of thyroid leads to goitre due to hypothyroidism.

Doctors say, it can be treated by medication or by surgery depending on the cause. Deficiency of iodine occurs when the daily intake, especially from food and water, does not fulfill the iodine requirement of the body. There are regions that lack iodine and crops grown on such soil are deficient in iodine.

Iodine is mainly required for thyroid functioning and for the production of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland adds iodine to the amino acid tyrosine to create thyroid hormone. This hormone is required for the normal functioning of organs in the body. Inadequate quantity of iodine intake cause thyroid glands to bulge and stops the secretion of thyroxin, which is essential for the physical and mental growth of growing children, and thereby leading to goitre.

One should consume at least 150 mg of iodine per day to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). Doctors say IDD leads to mental retardation, development of goitre, lowered IQ, spontaneous abortion and stillbirths. Iodine is required for the essential growth of children. During pregnancy, proper care should be taken to see expecting mothers are not deficient in Iodine.

The deficiency of iodine leads to hypothyroidism, which is common in women than in men, The symptoms include , changes in skin, putting on weight, feeling cold, hair fall, constipation. Among adults, IDD can result in low productivity and lack of energy. Iodine intake in excess can also be harmful and can cause other illness. A very large dose of iodine can lead to iodine goitre and cause hyperthyroidism. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include eye changes (prominent), palpitation, rapid weight loss, and tremors in hands, frequent passing motion. And in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, there will be swelling in the neck.

One can lead a healthy life and can easily prevent IDD by consuming iodised salt.