Putting on weight? Easy. Losing weight? Not so much. You certainly need to put in blood, sweat and tears to lose weight. There are many methods, which can be used to lose weight, such as tennis, running, cycling, going to the gym, etc. One of the most effective weight loss programs is Yoga. Yoga is followed all over the world not just for its weight loss benefits, but also for its techniques that work every part of your body to bring back synergy. The Sun Salutation, or the “Surya Namaskar” as it is named in Sanskrit, is one such technique that can help you lose weight. The Sun Salutation is a good option for those who have hectic work schedules and who therefore don’t usually have the time to perform yoga. Doing at least 12 sets of the Sun Salutation, if possible at sunrise, can prove to be a great cardio workout. Apart from helping you lose weight and burn calories (as many as 417 calories per workout), the other benefits of Sun Salutation are: Increased flexibility Improved digestion Prevention or reduction of anxiety Increased concentration Read on to know how each pose in the Salutation helps you lose weight naturally.

Contraception has been in practice since ancient times. It birthed out of the necessity to avoid unintended and/or unplanned pregnancy. Though newer technologies have changed the way birth control methods are practiced, yet the underlying principles have remained the same. The need for contraception has also remained consistent- to enjoy sex without getting pregnant. Contraception can be planned or can be taken as an emergency measure. It can be reversible or irreversible, long-term or short term. The widely used barrier method of contraception acts by preventing the sperms from meeting the egg. There also are hormonal preparations that act on the female reproductive system hindering the release of the ovum from the ovaries. Intrauterine Devices (IUD) prevent fertilization while the long-term irreversible solution is offered by sterilization. But what method to use depends on various factors like age, marital status, education of the beneficiaries, socioeconomic status, hormonal status, etc. Having a number of options to choose from, it is more of a cafeteria approach where you are given the options to choose from a menu card. In this article, we shall see what the various methods of contraception are and what would be the most suitable profile to use them.

Dry eyes, or more medically appropriate, Tear Film Dysfunction, occurs due to lack of natural lubrication in the eyes. This uncomfortable condition can be caused by an array of issues —including environmental (i.e., dry, dusty surroundings), an existing health condition (i.e., seasonal allergies), and other health issues that cause a decrease in the tear or natural oil production. Dry eyes can also be situational in occurrence. For instance, working all day at a computer can cause the eyes to become dry, red, and irritated because of lack of blinking, which naturally re-lubricates the eyes. You may experience all or many of these common symptoms if you suffer from dry eye syndrome: Itchy eyes, prone to rubbing Eye redness and burning Eye pain or discomfort, the feeling of sand or grit in the eye Eye light sensitivity that causes frequent blinking Blurry or distorted vision Eye discharge and caking of the eyelashes A headache and eye pain, behind the eyes Eye fatigue or heavy eyelids Reflex tearing that counteracts eye irritation Tearing up or reflex tearing Dry eye syndrome is the result of a lack of natural tear production. Our tears are made up of eye secretions like lubricating oils, proteins, natural water, and mucus as well as protective antibodies that safeguard the eyes from infection.

A heart attack occurs when the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is abruptly blocked. Heart attacks occur suddenly. They usually are a result of a morbidity that has existed for a long time. Due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the incidences of heart attacks have increased. The following are the various risk factors that could lead to a heart attack: Stress: Stress could lead to elevated levels of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline with could lead to heart disease. Stress also can change the way in which blood clots and therefore increase the risk of having a heart attack. Atrial fibrillation :  Also known as Afib, is a type of cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, where the heart’s upper chambers (or atria), beat irregularly and can disrupt the normal blood flow of the heart by not allowing complete blood flow to the lower chambers of the heart.  Afib can cause major complications, such as blood clot, ischemic stroke (oxygen-depriving), and heart failure. A sedentary lifestyle: An inactive lifestyle could lead to obesity and high cholesterol levels, which could increase the risk of having a heart attack. High blood pressure: The pressure of blood in the arteries and veins of the circulatory system increases with high blood pressure.

The majority of epileptic attacks, which include seizures, may be managed with medication used to control the seizure trigger. In rarer cases, epileptics may require surgery to minimize seizures. Depending on the age of the patient, seizures can diminish with time. For example, some child patients outgrow the condition age they age. While epilepsy has no definitive cause, certain identifiable risk factors do put certain individuals at increased risk of developing the condition. In many cases, epilepsy can be linked to the following combination of risk factors: Prenatal factors Several pre-birth factors can make babies prone to brain damage that could put them at increased risk of epilepsy or other brain disorders, like cerebral palsy. For example, several nutritional deficiencies, oxygen deprivation, and infection passed from mother to baby, can damage the brain. Developmental conditions Epilepsy has been linked to accompany certain developmental disorders (i.e., neurofibromatosis and autism). Brain disorders Certain disorders that cause permanent brain damage (i.e., stroke or tumor) also trigger epilepsy. For instance, stroke in patients 35-years and older is a prime indicator of epilepsy. Infections and immunocompromised diseases Epilepsy has also been linked to certain immunocompromised diseases (i.e., AIDs) and infections (i.e., meningitis and viral encephalitis).

Hemophilia is a serious blood-clotting disorder that impacts bleeding and lacks the protein necessary for blood to clot and cease bleeding. For instance, if a hemophiliac suffers a minor cut, he or she can bleed on the surface of the body or internally, much longer and more dangerously than is normal. Hemophiliacs also tend to bruise a lot more easily, severely, and for much longer. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder, meaning it’s either inherited from a mother and passed on to her son, or due to a gene mutation that prior to birth. While hemophilia mainly affects males, females can carry the hemophilia A or B gene mutation, and they may also suffer the symptoms. Both hemophilia A and B causes a deficiency in a specific protein that supports blood clotting: Patients with hemophilia A lack the clotting factor VIII (8) While patients with hemophilia B are deficient in clotting factor IX (9) Both hemophilia A and B are typically born with the disorder and diagnosed in early children. Hemophilia A is the more common form impacting roughly 1 in 10,000 patients, while hemophilia B is rarer, affecting on average 1 in 50,000 patients. The most telltale symptoms of both hemophilia A and B are as follows:

It is estimated that nearly 13,000 women in the U.S. are affected by cervical cancer every year. These statistics might seem alarming; however, it has been observed that the mortality rate for cervical cancer has been on a decline over the years. This is mostly because cervical cancer is completely curable, especially when the diagnosing and staging of cervical cancer is done. Cervical cancer affects the cells of the cervix; the cervix is the lower part of the uterus and connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer is caused by strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection. Usually, the immune system fights back against HPV. However, in some instances, the virus lies dormant in the body for a long time. This causes some cervical cells to become cancerous and leads to cervical cancer. Often, environmental and lifestyle factors act as triggers for cervical cancer. For timely diagnosing and staging of cervical cancer, it is essential to undergo regular screening tests and receive vaccination against HPV. Diagnosing of cervical cancer For early diagnosing and staging of cervical cancer, periodic screening tests should be done from the age of 21 years. Screening tests include Pap test and HPV DNA test.

Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are some warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them or someone you know is experiencing any of the signs , please see a doctor. Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. Speaking and writing Those with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words to identify objects, express thoughts or take part in conversations. Over time, the ability to read and write also declines. Challenges in planning or solving problems Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

While the exact reason individuals develop the disease is unknown, it is thought to depend on a multitude of factors. Those factors are a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Genetics play a very small percentage in a patient’s development of this disease; however, if the individual does fall into one of the few percent of the population in which there is a genetic history, then those individuals have a significantly higher risk of developing the disease in the future. What are the Risk Factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease? Age Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the older population. Therefore, age is the greatest associated risk for patients developing Alzheimer’s disease. Patients greater than the age of 65 have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease; and with each decade above age 60, the risk increases two-fold. Genetics Genetics and family history also play key roles in determining which patient population is likely to develop this disease in the future. If there is a significant history of a parent or sibling having the disease, then the individual is at an increased risk of developing the disease. There are only a small percentage of patients who develop Alzheimer’s disease as a result of genetic mutations.One genetic mutation that researchers have identified as increasing the risk of individuals developing Alzheimer’s disease is the APoE4.

Rationale This vaccine is formulated to fight against three diseases – tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. The purpose of having three vaccines in one vial is convenience. In one sitting the recipient gains protection from all three diseases. Tetanus is a neurological disease which can prove fatal. Diphtheria, on the other hand, produces toxins which could cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic effects. Obstruction of the respiratory tract, presenting as tachypnea, dyspnea, stridor, cyanosis; and use of accessory muscles of respiration; can be caused by extensive pseudomembrane formation and swelling during the first few days of the disease. If your larynx or tracheobronchial tree is infected, you can suffer a potentially fatal respiratory obstruction. Pertussis is a respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. Its most common presentation among adolescents and adults is a cough, with or without paroxysms, persisting for 2 weeks or more. Other useful clinical clues are shortness of breath during coughing spells, nocturnal cough, tingling sensation in the back of the throat, vomiting, and a history of exposure to other patients with a prolonged coughing illness. The life-threatening complication of this disease is pneumonia. Generic and brand names The generic name is Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed.

Cataracts are cloudy layers that form in the lens of the eye. It is caused when the proteins in the eyes thicken that disrupts the lens from transmitting a clear image to the retina. Usually, most cataracts develop gradually; therefore, you can’t discern its effects right away. Mostly, this condition is common among elderly individuals. In its initial stage, cataracts can be managed with the help of adequate lighting and spectacles. However, eventually, it will tend to interfere with your routine activities. Although, the good part is that you can opt for a surgery which effectively corrects the vision. Symptoms of cataracts Cataracts, in its early stages, could be a difficult to diagnose as they start small and progress slowly. Therefore, of lately if you have been sensing that something is wrong with your vision, watch out for the following symptoms of cataracts. Cloudiness – Your vision might seem a little blurry and cloudy, and this sign could intensify with time. As a result, you could increasingly find it difficult to manage everyday tasks. Diminished night vision – Cataracts can lead to poor night vision because of which you can’t spot subtle things in the background. So, during nighttime, it could become extremely problematic for you to drive or move around without switching on the lights.