Living with asthma, not an issue anymore

Asthma is a condition which one cannot get fully cured of. The only option is to accept the fact that you have to live with it and live fully! Here are some simple tips to help asthmatics lead a fuller life:
1. Get rid of dust: Dust, due to its allergy-inducing properties, causes havoc for asthmatics. Therefore it’s absolutely essential that very high levels of hygiene are maintained and that rooms are kept dust-free. This can be achieved by thoroughly vacuuming the entire room including every nook and cranny.
2. Keep the fungi away: Hygienic conditions need to be maintained. Especially damp corners because they are breeding grounds for fungal growth.
3. Kick the butt: Smoking not only triggers asthma attacks but is seen as one of the major sources which causes asthma among children. Even passive smoking affects asthma as much as first-hand smoking. It’s imperative to provide a clean and healthy environment for the entire family and that means one’s dwelling should be completely smoke-free.
4. Flower Power? No thanks: Pollen from flowers is a known trigger for asthma attacks and one will do well to avoid them. Maybe say it with some chocolates.
5. Avoid the kitchen: The smoke and aromas given off when cooking can be a major irritant to asthma sufferers so take steps to reduce such problems. If a proper exhaust fan or chimney is not available, then ensure there is an open window in the kitchen to help the cooking smells to escape outside.
6. Pet peeve: Animal lovers are going to the find the going tough. Research suggest that contact with cats or dogs is extremely dangerous for asthmatics not to mention the fact that small pieces of fur, particles of hair, saliva and even skin are all known asthma triggers. Even if the pet is not physically around you, their fur/hair might be in your environment and may pose risks.
7. Breathe clean air: Make sure your air conditioners are serviced regularly. If you are using them after a long break, make sure they are serviced before you switch them on. If your job requires you to travel in polluted areas, do cover your face with a mask.
8. Exercise: Contrary to popular belief, asthmatics should exercise. In fact it’s the best strategy to manage asthma as it increases your lung capacity. However, one should always consult a physician before starting any exercise regime  and keep one’s medication in hand.
9. Don’t neglect that cold: Common cold has been shown to precipitate an attack of asthma. So, try to avoid catching cold. Wash your hands often. Choose to say namaste instead of shaking hands. If you do catch one, take good care of it and make sure you recover fast.
10. Inhaler dos and don’ts: Always carry your inhaler in your bag. Do check the dose counter on your inhaler regularly (if it has one) so you know when to get a new one in good time. Always keep a spare inhaler. Ask your doctor to teach you how to use the inhaler correctly.
11. Get your nutritional supplements: Vitamin E, C, magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids have been shown by research to reduce the inflammation that contributes to asthma. Do ask your doctor if you need to take them.
12. Drink water at regular intervals: Water has been shown to reduce the secretions in asthma thus preventing attacks. Take your 8-10 glasses per day seriously.
13. Meet your doctor regularly: It doesn’t matter if your asthma is under control or not, do meet your doctor regularly. Share your doctor’s number with close friends and relatives in case of emergency.
14. No stress: Stress has been shown to trigger attacks. So, do whatever acts as a stress-buster for you – be it meditation, movies, music, friends or playing with kids.

Thyroid – facts you need to know

You’ve often heard of people suffering from hypo or hyperthyroidism. If you’ve been putting on weight or losing it without any possible explanation, it is very likely that your doctor advises you a thyroid profile. So, what is the gland? Why is it so important?
In this post, we’ll try and answer some of the frequently asked questions on this topic.
 So, what is the thyroid gland?
A large ductless gland in your neck, the thyroid has many functions most important of which is to regulate your growth and development by controlling your metabolism.
 Why is the thyroid gland important?
The thyroid gland secretes hormones which control a lot of things; like the way you metabolize food, use energy, your sleep patterns, your temperature preferences, whether you gain or lose weight and a lot more.
How does it affect your health?
Both an increase and decrease in thyroid hormone production can cause health problems.
Increase in the hormone production can cause hyperthyroidism. If you’ve been noticing weight loss despite a good appetite, an increase in heart rate, high blood pressure, nervousness, increased sweating, enlargement in your neck, shorter menstrual periods, frequent bowel movements and trembling hands, it could signal hyperthyroidism.
Decrease in the hormone production can cause hypothyroidism. Weight gain or failure to lose weight despite a proper weight loss regime, lethargy, reduced heart rate, increased cold sensitivity, numbness in hands, enlargement in the neck, dry skin and hair, heavy menstrual periods and constipation could indicate hypothyroidism.
 You are at an increased risk of thyroid disease if you have a family history of thyroid disease, are a type I diabetic, over 50 years of age, lead a stressful life, have had thyroid surgery or suffer from Down’s or Turner’s syndrome. Women are also more prone to thyroid problems than men especially during periods of hormonal flux like during delivery and menopause.
How are thyroid problems diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects a thyroid disorder, he/she may ask you to undergo some tests like Thyroid profile to measure your Thyroid stimulating hormone -TSH. If TSH levels are high, it shows that you are hypothyroid and vice versa. He/she may also check for other thyroid hormones. In a few cases, imaging and biopsies are done.
Ideally, everyone should be screened for thyroid dysfunction every five years after they turn 35. People with symptoms or risk factors should get tested more often.
 If you are diagnosed as hypothyroid, your doctor might prescribe thyroid hormone pills which you’ll need to take for life.
If you are ‘hyperthyroid’ you may be prescribed anti-thyroid medications and/or radioactive iodine. Certain drugs to reduce symptoms like increased heart rate and tremors may also be added.
In a few cases, people might also be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. A lump in the neck with pain and swollen lymph nodes, hoarse voice, trouble in breathing and swallowing could signal its presence. Surgery to remove the gland fully or a part of it along with radioactive iodine therapy could help such cases.
Whatever you are diagnosed with, do take your condition seriously and stick to the regime as prescribed by your doctor. If untreated, thyroid problems could lead to major heart problems, infertility, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke due to high blood pressure and death.

Self-defence tips and tricks to protect yourself

The recent past has seen many serious crimes being committed against women and cases of molestation, verbal abuse, and touching women inappropriately in public places in a crowd have become a norm. It is vital that women learn to guard themselves against such men who look for an opportunity to harm them whenever they can. Here are a few  self-defence tips and tricks that women can use when they come across such men.
In crowded public places
Walking in a crowded place or standing in a bus full of people is a golden opportunity for eve teasers to touch a woman inappropriately as it is easy to merge in the crowd without getting caught. To avoid this, always keep your guard on while walking by keeping your elbows firmly out. This way, you can hit the other person with it and it will be difficult for him to touch you.
Another simple trick is to keep an open safety pin in your hand while walking and poke the other person if he tries to act fresh. It will be a momentary sting but will keep him away and you can walk ahead in that time.
If these don’t stop them from making a move, just make a commotion to let people around you know and catch the culprit. You can then report him to the police.
When walking alone
Seeing a woman walking alone on the streets is a prime chance for such men to corner a woman and attack her. Here are some moves to protect yourself and cause pain to your attacker. Once you attack them with these tips, run as quickly as you can to a safer area where there are more people around and alert them about the attacker. This will help catch him and ruin his chances of attacking you again.
If someone comes too close and tries to touch you, hold their shoulders and hit them with the knee in the groin area. You can even kick them if they are a little far away but you know they are coming closer. This surely causes pain as it is a sensitive area. Another sensitive area is the shin (the area of the leg between the knee and the ankle) – a kick there will put them off balance.
Another good self-defence trick is to poke them in the eye with either a sharp object or your fingers if you can’t find anything else. They will lose their balance and vision temporarily and you can use this time to move away from them.
Punching your attacker in the face (on the nose or forehead) is also a good defence trick. You can even catch hold of their thumb when they approach you and bend it outwards. Make use of whatever you have to attack them and buy time. The trick is to hurt them so that they are unable to do anything and use that time to run away from them.
Other safety options
These days, a lot of women carry pepper sprays in their handbags to protect themselves from such attacks. These sprays irritate the eyes and skin of the attacker and make it difficult for them to do anything because of the burning sensation they experience. They work from a range of 10 ft and can really come in handy in times like these. You can order these sprays online, they are quite affordable.
Another option is to carry a small, sharp object in your purse and use it on your attacker. This can be a little risky though as the attacker can snatch it from your hand and use it on you so be careful – use it on sensitive areas first.
An anti-rape lingerie which emits powerful shocks will soon be launched in India. Developed by three engineering students, it will be equipped with GPS, GSM, and pressure sensors and will also be able to alert the police. Shock waves of 3,800 kV can be emitted by this lingerie. The circuit is placed in the bra but is insulted to protect the wearer.
If you have a smartphone, you can download safety apps on it which inform your friends and family about your whereabouts through an email or message. Some these apps are:
SOS whistle – This app triggers an alarm to let people around you know that you are in danger. Though the concept is good, the volume isn’t loud enough to be heard in a crowded place. But the good thing is that it does not need any internet connection.
Circle of 6 – In this app, you can add six people from your contact list and send them alerts of your whereabouts by clicking on an icon. Though this is a great feature as it sends all the six people a map of your current location (it is accurate too), the other two icons on the app are not that helpful.
Life360 family locator – This app is quite useful to keep track of your loved ones and vice versa. Know where they are, get or send alerts when in danger with a click and know your nearest hospitals and police stations on your map with easily identifiable options.
Store important helpline numbers in your phone to call for help. Some of these are:
Emergency police helpline – 100
Police helpline for women, children and senior citizens– 103
Always be alert and inform your close ones of where you are going and when you can be expected back home. File an FIR in the nearest police station if you feel someone is stalking you. Be alert, be safe!

The ladies’ gide to looking good during sex

10 sex positions for body-conscious days

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India.com Health, Last Updated: May 4, 2013 at 9:01 AM

Tags: Body image, Doggy style, Missionary, Reverse cowgirl, Sex positions, Spooning, Standing, Top sex positions, Women's health

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The ladies’ guide to looking good during sex

 

Sometimes, no matter how much your man showers you with compliments and drools over your naked body, you just can’t seem to enjoy sexy time when you’re having a body conscious day. Don’t let how you feel about your body turn it into a no-sex night; switch the lights back on and use this intimate guide to sex positions to conquer your body blues.
Sex position to disguise a bloated stomach: doggy style
The bloated tummy is perhaps one of the most common body hang-ups that women encounter when it comes to sex. The chances are, your lover hasn’t even noticed that your stomach is slightly bloated. If it’s really putting you off though, the doggy style is a good position for disguising it. There are two ways of going about this position; either lie flat on your stomach and let him enter you from a higher angle, or get down on all fours with your man positioned behind you. You can easily adjust the angle to reach your hotspot.
 Sex position to disguise jiggly boobs: Reverse cowgirl
Most men love the bouncing boob action when you’re having sex – they find it a real turn-on! Sometimes, though, we worry about big boobs getting in the way or looking too saggy, which makes us lack confidence between the sheets. For the days when you just can’t learn to love your lady lumps, try the reverse cowgirl. Sit on top of your man as if you’re about to do the classic cowgirl position, but spin around so you’re facing away from him. Make the most of this position because it allows you to be in full control; you can go as deep and penetrative or soft and gentle as you like.
Sex position for small boobs: spooning
Moving from one worry to the polar opposite, some ladies would do anything for bigger breasts and feel they need to hide them away during sex by wearing a bra. This only decreases your sexual pleasure though. Indeed, sex author Debby Herbenick says that exposing your breasts ‘boosts your comfort level during sex, helping you orgasm more often’. Instead of hiding your boobs, use them to enhance your sexual pleasure. If you’re really not basking in body bravado today, lie on your side and ask him to lie behind you and enter you from the spooning position. You don’t need to lose out on the sexual pleasure of your breasts; he can caress your boobs and other intimate regions from behind you.
Sex position for between waxes: Over the top rush
Having pubic hair in your sexy regions can make you self-conscious if you like it to be smooth and silky.  To combat this problem, try the ‘over the top rush’ position. This involves your man lying on his back with his torso hanging off the edge of the bed and his arms over his head relaxing on the floor. You mount him in a sitting position with your knees bent towards your chest, and hold onto his sides to keep you steady. The possibilities are endless with this position; spin around and do the reverse cowgirl, thrust up and down, or sway your hips from side to side to rub your G-spot.
Sex position to disguise big thighs: On his lap
This is a great one if you’re looking to hide your thighs or your bum and it’s great for showing off your boobs too. Sit on his lap and put your arms around his neck to steady yourself. This position allows him to caress your breasts and other frontal hotspots and you can control the pressure and the direction to reach the area that feels best. For deeper penetration, try leaning back and putting your arms out to support you, then rock back and forth. This position allows you to enjoy deep, penetrative sex while you’re intimately cuddled up face-to-face (or boob-to-face) with your guy.
Sex position for bum issues: The hot hula
Feeling like your bum’s a bit flat? Or too big? The hot hula position is great for hiding your bum when you’re having one of those days because it’s nowhere in his sight. Mount him in the missionary position, put your hands and knees on either side of his torso and then gently swivel your hips back and forth and side to side. These slow, controlled motions allow you to position his manhood exactly where you want it – this is the perfect position for locating your G-spot. Have a long session of slow, intimate sex or vary between gentle movements and some upwards and downwards thrusts.
Sex position to disguise your legs: The intimate tree hug
Hairy legs, cellulite, bruises, chipped toe nail varnish… whatever reason you have for wanting to hide your legs or feet, we’ve got a position for you. Ask your man to stand up with his feet approximately one shoulder width apart and his knees slightly bent. Put your arms around his neck and jump onto him, wrapping your legs tightly around his waist (as if you were climbing a tree). He can support you with his hands on your bum and lower back and if extra support is needed he can stand against the wall.
 Sex position to disguise your arms: Sockets
Whether it’s bingo wings or dry skin you’re worried about on your arms, this position has you covered. Start off by lying on your back with your legs spread and your knees bent. Next, ask your partner to lie on his side facing you and to place his leg over yours (if he’s lying on his right hand side, he can slide his right leg under your left leg and vice versa). Gently guide his manhood down and put it inside you before using your legs to thrust forwards and backwards in a rocking motion. As your man will be on his side and you will be using your arms to steady yourself, he won’t be able to get a good view of them.
Sex position for excess skin:standing up

If you’ve lost a lot of weight, excess skin can make you feel self-conscious; don’t let this be a lust-buster though. Standing up positions are great for if you have excess skin because a good posture will flatter your body and make your skin look more taut. Pick your favourite standing up sex position and enjoy!
Sex position for when you just don’t feel pretty: The sure fire
Some days we have a breakout of spots and we just don’t feel pretty. On these days, coming face to face in an intimate embrace with your partner can make you feel self-conscious. While your partner is no doubt attracted to you however you look, you can try a position where you aren’t looking at each other’s faces so closely to make you feel more confident. Ask him to lie on his back with one leg stretched out and the other bent. Straddle his bent leg so you are facing sideways and lower yourself onto him. You can rock back and forth or move up and down – find a position where it feels great for you both

Breast cancer patients ignorant about their ailment

 

In India, about 4 out of 5 breast cancer patients are at an advanced stage when they come to a hospital according to medical experts. Among the prime factors fuelling the disease in the country, especially among urban women, are fast-paced lives and delayed reproductive activity, they add.
No time for fitness, bad food, increased tobacco and alcohol consumption and lifestyle changes like late marriage are the perfect recipe for breast cancer.
“The cancer registries’ data shows that urban women are at almost double the risk of breast cancer than rural women. The incidence of breast cancer is much more in urban areas,” P.K. Julka, senior oncologist from the department of radiation oncology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), told IANS.
According to the Delhi Cancer Registry data, the number of cancer cases in rural areas is 14.5 per 100,000, whereas in urban areas, it is 26.9 per 100,000.
With breast cancer growing at alarming rates among urban women in India, lifestyle changes such as delayed reproductive activity, prolonged reproductive period playing hormonal havoc and lack of phsyical work are being cited as key factors.
Julka said the psycho-social taboo regarding breast cancer is a major cause why the majority of women never come for treatment in early stages.
“In India, almost 80 percent of patients are in advanced stages when they come to hospitals, whereas in the West the number is just 20 percent. Many times social taboos regarding breast cancer prevent women from talking to their friends and families, let alone doctors,” he said.
“The need of the hour is to create awareness and bring out a media campaign on this disease so that there’s an acceptance and awareness about the disease and its cure,” Julka added.
Doctors point out that treatment techniques are also reaching new dimensions.
“The treatment of breast cancer has developed greatly these days. For similar-sized lumps in different patients, we could give different medications these days,” Anupama Hooda, chief medical oncologist at Max Healthcare in Saket, told IANS.
“Even the treatment has become highly specific. Earlier we used techniques like restructuring, but now we do breast conservation, where we try to conserve as much of the tissue as possible,” Hooda added.
For women over 40, doctors advise an annual checkup by a doctor and self-examination every month. But for women with a genetic history of cancer, regular checkups are a must once they turn 35.
The good thing is breast cancer is one of the few forms of the disease that can be cured completely.
“Breast cancer is one among the few cancers that can be cured completely. But the treatment needs proper planning,” said Anshuman Kumar, surgical oncologist at the Dharamshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
“The major issue pertaining to the treatment of breast cancer is that it is considered a simple form of cancer that can be treated in every hospital by any physician – and that is a misconception. It should be handled by an oncologist,

The story behind the HPV Vaccine

Cervical cancer has outstripped breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in India due to lack of knowledge and an ‘it-cannot-happen-to-me’ attitude. It kills around 33,000 women every year in India. India alone accounts for 27% of the worldwide deaths.
But it was not until 2006 that the vaccine for HPV was introduced. Very early on, Professor Harald zur Hausen (a German researcher who discovered that the HPV virus causes cervical cancer) contacted many pharmaceutical companies for developing the vaccine. Initially the Behring Company in Marburg showed interest in it, and even funded their research for some time, expecting collaboration in the development of vaccines. But when their market analysis showed that there would be no market for such a vaccine, they stopped the funding. The reason for such a result could be the use of the polymerase chain reaction technology which was inefficient in DNA replication procedures in the early days after its invention in 1983. There were wide variations in data obtained in that time period. ‘After I discovered the HPV link to cervical cancer, I approached a German company for support in developing the vaccine. They agreed at first but some time later, their business studies showed that there was no market. There was a climate of scepticism about the whole thing – so, they stopped the funding, causing huge frustration in me and my colleagues,’ Professor Hausen told TOI.
Finally, in 2006, the first preventive HPV vaccine, marketed by Merck & Co. under the trade name Gardasil was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2007 another HPV vaccine Cervarix by GlaxoSmithKline was licenced in Australia, and approved in the European Union. It was approved for use in the U.S. in 2009.
‘Cancers caused by external infections definitely can be dealt with, as in the case of cervical cancer – this is a major step forward because 70% of cervical cancer cases are curable. But even more important is the prevention of cancer – this is still not part of the strategy,’ said Hausen. ‘HPV is commercially available and has a 100% success rate. But the vaccine is not widely used in developing countries like India because of the high cost,’ he concluded.
The HPV vaccine can protect girls and young women against infection with two high-risk types of HPV (HPV 16 and HPV 18) that cause most cervical cancers. They are effective for females between 9 to 26 years.  The vaccine is likely to have the greatest effect when administered before the teen years; before the person is sexually active. These vaccines prevent infection with HPV but do not treat existing infections or cervical cancer. However, there is yet no proof that in the long term they will prevent invasive cervix cancer. It is also not known how long the immunity against HPV infection will last. Cervical cancer develops slowly over several decades. Currently in India, the vaccine has not yet been included in the recommended vaccine schedule. It is recommended to have regular screening tests (Pap test and HPV test). Cervical cancer can be prevented by prevention of HPV infection, as well as detection and treatment of precancerous changes to the cervix.

Mastectomy blouse: For women who’ve lost breasts to cancer

 

Indian designers Shivan & Narresh have designed a ‘Mastectomy Blouse for All’ in order to save breast cancer survivors the trauma of losing their breasts. Now women who have lost their breasts due to cancer can walk with confidence after wearing this blouse which will be available at concessional prices very soon. Kriti Saraswat delves into details in this interview with the duo, Shivan & Narresh.
What is a mastectomy blouse? When did you launch it?
The ‘Mastectomy Blouse for All’ is an initiative by our brand for breast cancer survivors. This blouse with an in-built prosthetic breast, acts like a cure to the social trauma that a woman undergoes on losing a breast besides the physical trauma of suffering from cancer. The blouse is proposed for Indian women – many of whom living in villages aren’t even exposed to the idea of bras, to be able to wear the Indian sari without any inhibitions or lack of confidence or self-esteem.
The blouse was launched on February 18, 2013 in collaboration with Women’s Cancer Initiative – Tata Memorial Hospital.
How did you come up with this idea?
Narresh: Losing my father to cancer in 2011, after six months of gruesome sessions of medical procedures, surgeries and therapies completely changed by perception towards life. Watching him go through that struggle beyond just the hospital, and watch him ignore meeting all his loved ones only to keep his self-esteem and confidence intact, made us realise how important it is for every individual to live each and every moment of their lives with self-esteem and dignity.
The seeds for this initiative were germinated then and we knew that our brand’s vision for confidence and pride amongst Indian women for their body types was not just about limiting to fashion, but a necessity for a healthy life. These became the foundations in inventing the ‘Mastectomy Blouse for All’ for breast cancer survivors – for infusing a sense of social confidence for the women survivors. As an intimate Indian brand, we were aware of the most innate reasons why women in India felt less confident about their bodies and suffer from low self-esteem. The ‘Mastectomy Blouse for All’ was our tool to provide a cosmetic solution to the cause as we felt it was necessary for the survivors to deal with society, which can often be insensitive with a frivolous outlook towards beauty.
Where will it be available and how much will it cost?
The retail of this blouse has been planned across three channels of distribution: the first price bracket would be applicable at the retail of the blouse from our flagship stores (customised sizes only) in Mumbai and Delhi, the second price bracket (for ready-to-wear blouses) would be based on the concession of the first, allowing chemists and hospitals to retail the blouse (standardized sizes), and the third bracket is a further concession which will allow NGOs and corporates to buy and donate the blouses (standardized sizes) for the cause. Costing can be variable depending on the donation quantities.
Do you have any future plans to launch a collection line for such apparels?
Yes, this blouse is a prelude to our mastectomy swimwear service, where we intend to customise swimsuits for breast cancer survivors so that they can recreate around water confidently and without any inhibitions.