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.