Colon Cancer - How to Launch a Pre-emptive strike

Only two types of cancer in men can be detected and stopped before they become cancer. They are Colon cancer and skin cancer. Doctors say that colon cancer is highly preventable if only people only knew how to deal it. One big reason that it can be prevented is that before it forms, it's red-flagged by growths known as polyps. These are small bumps with big heads and skinny necks that generally range in size from about 1 millimeter to 4 centimeters. They're not cancerous at first, but depending upon their type, 5 to 40 percent of polyps become tumors.

Still, it takes about 5 years for this malignant change to take place, leaving a window of opportunity for the doctors to remove the polyps, nipping the cancer in the bud.

Getting it in your sights

Polyps can be detected in a number of ways. The best way is to have regular checkups with your family physician. He does it with a flexible sigmoidoscope, a thin, bendable, 24 -inch tube like device with a tiny light and lens that goes inside the body, allowing the doctor to see what is inside your body through a viewing port. It is inserted in the rectum for a 5-to-10 minute procedure that allows a doctor to examine the entire lower third of the colon, where more than 50% of the tumors occur. It is not an exam to look forward to, but it is effective.

The Power of Diet
Detection isn't the only way to prevent colon cancer. You can also avoid things that raise your risk and take up things that reduce it. Here are a few tips :

• Cut fat : Population studies have found that people in countries with low-fat diets such as Japan have lower rates of colon cancer. So reduce fat intake to 30 % or less of total calories intake.
• Bulk Up : Eat a diet high in fiber content. This is said to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Some sources of good fiber are beans,lentils, dried pears , apples and whole wheat spaghetti.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables : These foods are both low in fat and generally high in fiber.

A Prevention Lifestyle
In addition to these basic guidelines, there are other options that may be worth acting upon. These include :

• Drink alcohol moderately : Many studies link spirits with colon cancer. Imbibing three drinks of wine or liquor each day raised risk by more than two times.
• Ask your doctor about aspirin : Numerous studies have found that people who take aspirin regularly have lower rates of colon cancer.
• Get Active : Physical activity has consistently been associated with lower risk of colon cancer. People who are most likely to exercise are also more likely to have a low-fat diet.

Colds and Flu - Keep the bugs from getting you

Did you know that colds can be caused by more than 200 rhinoviruses - the word literally means nose viruses - and are amoung the most common illnesses people get. In addition, one in 4 people world wide get flu every year.

How do you differentiate between a cold and a flu ?

Although colds and flu share some of the same symptoms - coughs, sore throats, nasal congestion and muscle aches - they're caused by entirely different viruses, and flu symptoms are usually more severe. A cold tends to be more upper respiratory, with nasal congestion, sore throat and ear ache. When you get into the flu, it tends to be more in the chest.

Fever is another tip-off. With flu, your temperature may shoot up to 101 degree Fahrenheit or higher within a few hours, while a cold may not cause much of a fever at all. Perhaps the main difference between a flu and a cold is the severity of the illness - flu tends to be far more uncomfortable - and dangerous, experts say.

Cold War Defenses

Given the huge number of cold viruses out there, preparing an effective vaccine is virtually impossible. But the flu has only three main stains A, B and C - which makes it easier to prepare a vaccine against flu.

The principle behind a vaccine is simple. When you take a serum that contains the inactivated viruses, your immune system is stimulated to make antibodies to kill the same type of virus in the future - without making you sick in the process. Studies have shown that an annual flu shot will prevent about 70 percent of flu cases.

After you get the shot, it will take your immune system about two weeks to marshal its defenses. So don't wait until the flu's already swept through the office before seeing your doctor.

Practical Prevention

Although the viruses that cause both flu and colds are everywhere, there are some simple ways to lower your risk. Here's what experts recommend.

• Wash your hands more often : Cold and flu viruses are often spread by hand-to-mouth or hand-to-eye contact. Washing your hands several times a day will wash away the chance of secondary bacterial infections. If someone at home is already sick, cleaning surfaces will also help prevent germs from spreading.
• Stay far from the sniffing crowd : Did you know that one hearty sneeze can launch virus-laden nose droplets up to 12 feet ? So it might be a good idea to stay away from cramped social settings, at least when the virus has been cutting a swath through your community.
• Stop Smoking : Cigarette smoke paralysis the protective, hair like cilia in your airways that help sweep virus-laden mucus from your body. This is why smokers are far more likely to catch colds than nonsmokers. So don't smoke, and if someone else lights up, light out.
• Address Stress : Studies have found that the more stressed a person is, the more likely he was to catch a cold. Scientists suspect that stress releases hormones that suppress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds and other infections. Studies, however, also show that even simple relaxation techniques, like slow, deep breathing or just hanging out with friends, can help the immune system work more efficiently.
  

Finding comfort

Although there is no cure for these viral interlopers, there is a way to make yourself more comfortable.

• Bring out the big guns : When your flu is caused by the type-A virus, your doctor may recommend a prescription drug called amantadine. Taken within two days of the onset of symptoms, amantadine can cut the duration of your illness in half.
• Drink up : Drinking 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day should help keep virus fighting mucus thin and fluid. Warm liquids are usually more soothing than cold ones.
• Go easy on the booze : Alcohol can suppress your immune system and make you even more uncomfortable by drying out mucous membranes. So stop drinking atleast till you are feeling better.
• Eat well : Good nutrition - lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, along with protein sources, like beans, dairy products and lean meats - makes for a stronger immune system. While a well rounded diet won't prevent colds and flu, it will improve your odds for staying healthy.
• Exercise a cold : Regular exercise can help prevent colds by strengthening your immune system. But research also suggests that exercising during the cold also might help you get over it. But there are several "buts". Wait until acute symptoms have passed - usually 3 days - and go easy. Do not exercise if you are experiencing chest congestion, aching muscles, a hacking cough or fever.
• But rest the flu : While regular exercise may be good for colds, it is not so great for flu. Experts say that overexerting yourself can allow flu viruses to do even deeper damage such as invading muscles. Before returning to your exercise routine, it is best to wait for two weeks after your symptom is gone.
• Wet the air : Adding moisture to the air with a vaporizer or moisturizer will help keep your airways lubed.
• Get yourself a new toothbrush : Viruses and bacteria can linger for hours outside the body. Both can linger on your toothbrush. It is not the virus but the bacterial infection that can make a cold or flu last longer. Doctors advise getting yourself a new toothbrush so you are not reinfecting yourself.
• Soothe your sore throat : While over the counter medicated lozenges will help relieve sore throat pain, just sucking on hard candy, which stimulates the flow of saliva, can also be helpful. You can also try gargling with a solution made from one to three teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water. Drinking warm liquids, like tea with honey and lemon, can help too.
• Turn up the heat : Hot peppers contain a fiery substance called capsaicin, which will cause the mucous membranes to secrete more liquid - one of the body's ways of eliminating viruses. So when illness strikes, make your favorite cuisine extra hot.
• Try chicken soup : All over the globe, hot chicken soup is remedy of choice for colds. It not only gets the mucus flowing but also inhibits the action of neurophils, blood cells that cause nasal congestion and discomfort.
• Blow gently : Blowing your nose hard could blast the infection back into your ears or sinuses. So take care to blow gently, one nostril at a time.
• Take vitamin C supplements : Drinking about 5 glasses a day of juice - orange, tomato, grapefruit or pineapple - will provide 500 milligrams of vitamin C - a safe and effective amount . Other high vitamin C foods include broccoli, brussels sprouts and strawberries.
  

Cold and Canker sores

Canker and cold sores rank amoung the most common of human affliction. While their causes are different, cold sores and canker sores have much in common. Both are painful lesions that develop on the lip or inner mouth. Stress is the top trigger for both. And with both, outbreaks occur infrequently for most, continuously for a few and last anywhere from 10 to 14 days.

The rare guy with constant cold sores might be suffering from some underlying disease related to the immune system and should see a physician. For the rest of us, occasional outbursts of either canker or cold sores aren't serious, will almost heal with time and don't require a doctor's visit.

Containing cold sores

Given time, even the most painful cold sore will disappear on its own. But a combination of preventive steps and fast responses can greatly diminish the problem. Here are the things to do.

• Remember the sunscreen : Exposing your lips to sun may trigger cold sores, so consider giving up the bronzed-god(dess) look. Always wear a broad-brimmed hat and lip protection outside.
• Consider medicinal solutions : If cold sores are a persistent problem, ask your doctor about whether the prescription drug acyclovir is appropriate for you. A daily dose of the drug will significantly reduce the number of outbreaks.
• Protect others : After an outbreak, the chances of infecting another adult with the cold sore virus are slim. But avoid passing it on to that rare adult who has yet to be exposed by foregoing kissing and oral sex during an outbreak. If you touch the sore and rub yourself, you may transfer the virus to another part of your body. Although it is rare, cold sores can form on the inside of the mouth, on the nostrils, fingers , genitals and eyelids.
• Keep it moist : Use petroleum jelly, lip balm or an over the counter antibiotic ointment as often as needed after the blister breaks. Avoid picking at the sore; it only invites the possibility of developing a secondary bacterial infection. If you notice swelling and pus or if the sore fails to heal in two weeks, see your physician.
  

Corralling canker sores

• Protect your mouth : Any mouth trauma can trigger a canker sore, from hot pizza to a tooth or filling rubbing against the inner lining of your cheek to biting the inside of your mouth.
• Avoid the food foes : Certain chronic canker sores sufferers report recurrences after eating sweet, spicy or acidic foods. Keep track of what triggered the canker sore and eliminate it from your diet. If the food is gone but the canker returns, look for other causes.
• Avoid the pain : Once a canker sore appears, sour, salty or acidic foods will burn or otherwise exacerbate the sore.
• Take appropriate medicines : Taking a mixture of Kaopectate and Benadryl Elixir can help to numb the mouth once the sore appears. Also taking antacid tablets could neutralize mouth enzymes that aggravate the sores. Also try anesthetic lozenges and mouthwashes to deaden the nerves.
  

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that seems to have no underlying cause. Exactly what causes chronic fatigue syndrome is one of the great medical mysteries of our time.

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome

In majority of the cases, it sometimes starts with an ordinary bout of flu. Instead of going away after a few weeks, the symptoms - which can include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, sore muscles and diarrhea - linger. Other symptoms can develop too: headaches, difficulty sleeping, difficulty in concentrating, forgetfulness. True to its name, though, the overriding symptom of CFS is a bone-crushing fatigue.You can hardly get out of bed when it hits you. It never goes away; it waxes and wanes.

Taming Chronic Fatigue

Because the symptoms of CFS are similar to some of the early symptoms of so many other conditions - everything from kidney disease and anemia to AIDS and leukemia - the first step for anyone who thinks he may have it is to rule out the other possiblities. That means getting an evaluation by a doctor who is familiar with the CFS guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And if you are diagnosed with CFS, then here are some steps you can take to make your battle with it as short and easy as possible.

Slow Down : Stress is one of the common denominators for guys with chronic fatigue syndrome. Thus the universally recommended treatment for CFS is simple: Get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet and exercise moderately. Take a good look at your lifesytyle, rearrange your priorities, cut down on the pressure. You have to start drawing a line somewhere .

Stay Active : Becoming sedentary or being goggy from too much sleep are both common side effects of CFS. With CFS, you won't feel like working out, and vigorous exercise only makes the fatigue worse. Nevertheless, do try to get aerobic exercise, even if that means no more than getting up and walking around the house - even minor activity will be better for your body in the long run. If you don't have muscle fatigue already, you are going to get it by spending three months in bed.

Don't label yourself : Doctors urge that you keep yourself open to admitting that you may have something besides CFS. Research has shown that, many patients who thought they had CFS have recovered after being treated for everything from sleep disorders and sinus problems to hyperventillation. Depression is often mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome, too. A high percentage of CFS patients respond favorably to antidepressants.

Stay away from quacks : Any disease, especially one as mysterious as CFS, is bound to bring out the hustlers. There's a long list of megavitamins, minerals and natural supplements that are rumoured to relieve the symptoms of CFS. None of these have been proven to be of any value. The same goes for any number of specialized diets. The study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health analysed the diets that five self-help books claimed would cure CFS, including several that eliminated yeast, sugar and carbohydrates. They didn't find any proof that any of these diets are effective. Worse, such diets may do more harm than good because they are nutritionally unbalanced.

Adopt a diet : Studies aside, many CFS patients have found special diets or vitamin regimens that seems to work for them. Doctors say that diets that eliminate sugars and caffeine are especially popular because people with fatigue have a tendency to overindulge in those substances, only to come crashing down again when the rush wears off. There is no scientific evidence that these things work; but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence. If there is nothing harmful in the diet, then there is no harm in following it. The patients need to feel they have some sense of control, that there is some thing they can do.

Cataracts - Clearing the cloudy vision

Sooner or later - but usually much later - it happens to almost all of us. Colors loose their punch, paling against what we remember them to be. The summer sky looses its brilliance, the panoramas darker than those in memory. All this could be caused because you have cataract. The lens in our eyes get progressively cloudy and opaque as we age - and this phenomenon is called cataract. Usually it happens during old age. But there is hope for even the most serious cataract patient. Now medical science has progressed so much that in a matter of weeks, the average patient can see as well as he could when he was young.

The Age Factor

The primary cause of cataracts is something we would all like to avoid but can't - getting older. Men and women in their fifties and older make up the vast majority of those seeking treatment - and the incidence increases enormously with age. Cataracts would appear in everyone if they lived long enough. But saying that cataract comes with age is like saying the sun causes light - it tells you nothing about the why of it all. The reality is that no one really knows precisely why we develop cataracts as we get older.

A lot of things can cause cataracts - trauma, infection, diabetes, measles. But doctors really don't know exactly why they develop with age.

Alternative Theories

A small body of evidence suggests that alcohol and tobacco use may be linked to earlier onset but not to cataract formation itself. One theory suggests that cataracts are caused in part by oxidation of the lenses caused by so-called free radicals. Beta-carotene, vitamins C and E and the minerals zinc and selenium are known antioxidants, so some doctors suggest taking a daily dosage.

The surgical solution

Now a days with the advancement of modern surgical techniques, one can remove cataract completely. In the most popular surgical procedure, an ophthalmologist will make a cut about 3 millimeters long in the surface of the eye. This incision is so small that sutures aren't normally required to close it; it heals well without them.

Your eye surgeon will then insert a device that uses ultrahigh frequency sound waves to literally liquefy the clouded lens within its capsule. The doctor then vacuum out the old lens and inserts a small plastic replacement - individually cut and ground to restore the focusing ability of a particular patient's eye. The typical patient has usable vision the very next day and can normally see quite well within a matter of one or two weeks. The procedure that is used today will restore excellent vision to about 95 % of all patients.

Bronchitis - Opening the airways

Bronchitis is the inflamation of the bronchi - the air passages in the lungs - caused by a bacteria or virus. In response to the inflamation, the body produces secretions to protect the lining of these airways. As these secretions build up, they interfere with breathing and you begin to cough in order to clear out phlegm, mucus and other lung wastes. Bronchitis can also cause shortness of breadth, wheezing, fever and pain behind the breastbone. In most cases, the inflamation is caused by the same viruses that cause colds and flus. These acute or short-term bouts of bronchitis are common and usually clear up within a week. If phlegm is yellow or green, the bronchitis is likely caused by bacteria and will require antibiotics.

Chronic bronchitis on the other hand unlike the acute kind, can last for months or even years. Air pollution may be a risk factor, but smoking is by far the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. In fact, 90 % of the people who have it are smokers.

Steps to prevent bronchitis
Doctors say that simply living a healthy life can drastically slash your risk of bronchitis.

• Snub the smokes : If you are a smoker, then this is the right time to quit. Smoking is the number one cause of chronic bronchitis.
• Avoid the passive stuff too : Passive smoke is clearly one of the most serious forms of air pollution that we are exposed to. It predisposes children and many adults to episodes of bronchitis. If someone in your family smokes, consider creating a well-ventillated smoking area away from the frequently used rooms of your home.
• Relax : Stress saps your immunity and may make your lungs more vulnerable to bronchitis and other respiratory infections. So practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and progressive relaxation may help.
• Eat the right foods : A balanced diet can help your immune system prevent bronchial infections. Try to eat atleast five servings of fruits and vegetables, like apples, oranges, beans and carrots, six servings of grains such as cereals and whole wheat breads, two servings of dairy products, like cheese and yogurt and a couple of servings of fish, poultry and meat everyday.
• Keep in shape : Taking a brisk 20 min walk three times a week and regularly doing aerobic exercise such as swimming also can help keep your immunity in tip-top condition and prevent bronchitis.
• Protect yourself from the flu : Bronchitis often is a complication of the flu. An annual flu shot can help prevent that and is particularly recommended for certain high-risk groups: those above 65 years or those with chronic heart or lung problems, diabetes or other chronic health problems.
  

Curing Bronchitis

If bronchitis sets in, the first question is whether to see a doctor. The answer is yes if you have a temperature of 101 degree Farenheit or higher, chest pain, shortness of breadth or vomiting, or if you are coughing up blood or thick yellow-, green- or rust-coloured sputum.

Before your appointment, collect sputum in a cup. It may speed your office visit since the first thing your physician will want is a sputum sample, and you may not be able to cough it up on demand.

Here are a few other things that may speed your recovery.

• Keep the water flowing : Drink an eight-ounce glass of water or juice every waking hour. It will prevent dehydration and break up phlegm, so it will be easier to clear out your lungs and airways.
• Stay away from alcohol : Some people think a cold beer will cure anything, but not in this case. Alcohol slows your metabolism, suppresses the immune system and increases the amount of time it will take you to recover.
• Don't push yourself : It is a mistaken belief that a good, hard workout in the gym will help clear up bronchitis by forcing the gunk out of your lungs. But exercise will only have a reverse effect on you and does more harm than good. Not only can you infect others, you'll probably get dehydrated, and that weakens your body's natural defences. So get plenty of rest.
• Lose the phlegm : The more sputum you cough up, the less problems you have in your respiratory tract. You might also use a cough medicine that contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that will help you expel phlegm from your lungs.
• Control the coughs : You want to do some coughing to keep your airways clear, but excessive coughing might make your throat sore and inflame your airways even more. In this case, an over the counter cough suppressant that contains dextromethorphan could be beneficial.
• Keep a humidifier humming : Moist air - it doesn't matter if it is warm or cool - can help loosen up phlegm and decongest your airways. if you use a humidifier, however, be sure that it is cleaned and dried after each use to prevent disease causing molds from growing in it.
  

Boils - Its cause, prevention and cure

Boils are to complexion problems what the popular comic book character Hulk Hogan is to professional wrestling; bigger, meaner and higher-profile than the rest. While pimples are more of a surface problem, boils start as an infection inside the hair follicle, meaning they have much deeper roots. And a boil is a lot bigger than the pimple: about a centimeter or larger. They can come on very rapidly, in two or three days and enlarge quickly. Suddenly the patient feels it because a boil can be very, very painful.

The typical boil hangs around for several weeks, fading away only after the body's white blood cells conquer the inflammation inside the follicle. A sign of your white blood cells' battle with the inflammation is the yellowish pus you will often see at the head of the boil.

Most boils are caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus. It is found on most people's skin, but for unexplained reasons, the bacteria only causes boils to form in some cases. Sometimes, medical problems like diabetes or immune deficiencies make a person more susceptible to the painful skin eruptions. Skin disorders like atopic dermatitis and eczema are also a big risk.

Prevention of Boils
Even if you are prone to boils, there are things you can do to keep them away.

• Stay in touch with the soap : Good hygiene makes a difference. Use an antibacterial soap. If you can decrease the number of bacteria on your skin in the first place, you'll have less chance of getting a boil. It is also important to bathe shortly after exercise, when the number of bacteria on your skin are increased.
• Loosen up : Tight fitting clothing that doesn't let the skin breathe could be a boilmaker . With men, that's one of the most common causes.
• No close shaves : If you cut facial hair too close to your face, the hair will retract under the skin surface and get trapped, which sets up the initial inflammation that could lead to a boil.
• Wash your hands : Oils that contact the body will irritate the hair follicles and cause a boil or acne. Try to minimize contact and protect yourself with some type of coat or jacket. And wash your hands often.
  

Cure for Boils

Once you are sure you have a boil, it is left to the doctor to decide whether you will face the knife or not. If the boil is soft and there is some collection of pus, it is ready to be lanced. But if it is an early boil, doctors tend to treat it with heat and antibiotics. Any acute painful swelling of the skin that doesn't resolve in a couple of days should be evaluated by a physician.

Here are a few treatment tips.

• Compress it : You can speed up the healing process by applying hot, wet compresses to the boil every two hours to bring it to a head and hasten drainage. The heat can also lessen pain from the pressure inside the follicle.
• Don't pick on yourself : Keep your hands off the boil. If you try to squeeze the boil yourself, it's possible the membrane in the pus sac could break down and multiply your problem. The lining of the boil bursts and sets up another boil, which can come out in clusters called a carbuncle. This in turn could send bacteria into the bloodstream, and in rare instances could cause infection of the heart, brain or bones.
• Attack with antibiotics : If your boil seems to have taken up permanent residence, or if you have a recurring problem with painful bumps, see a doctor who may prescribe antibiotics.
  People with severe boils could be put on a treatment of systemic antibiotics. Chronic carriers may be treated with a 12-week course of antibiotics to eradicate the staph from the nose.
  

Body Odor - Its cause and cure

What creates body odor ? Actually it is not as simple as you may think. There are two kinds of sweat glands - the eccrine sweat glands, which are present all over the body, and the apocrine sweat glands, which cluster primarily under your arm pits and around your groin. It's the apocrine glands that are the main culprits in body odor, although it is not their secretions which produce the problem. The glandular secretions are sterile and they don't have any smell. It is when they persist on the skin and are acted upon by the bacteria that we get the smell. Left unattended, the bacteria feed on the apocrine oils. As the oils are broken down, they become rancid and smell.

Body odor can be very depending on your body chemistry, like how much sweat and odor you're genetically inclined to emit, your activities, your mood and the time of year, but the most effective plan of attack always remain simple and constant - which is good personal hygiene.

The Body Odor Battle

1. Wash regularly : Simple enough. Since odor principally comes from the bacteria working on the oily secretions, if you wash off the secretions. you shouldn't have an odor problem. For most people, a shower a day is enough.
2. Use an antibacterial soap : With an antibacterial soap, not only do you wash away the secretions but also kill off the scent producing bacteria. Ask the pharmacist for his recommendation.
3. Use a deodorant : Deodorants mask underarm odor by leaving chemicals on the skin that help to kill off bacteria and have a pleasant odor of their own.
4. Use an antiperspirant : If your deodorant doesn't seems to work, try adding an antiperspirant to your arsenal. The antiperspirant reduces the amount of sweat the body produces so the bacteria have fewer oils to work on. Many commercial products now contain both a deodorant and an antiperspirant - delivering a one-two punch that's usually very effective.
5. Try a tropical antibacterial cream : Some men get irritations from deodorants and antiperspirants, which contain alluminium salts and other drying agents that may be too strong for sensitive glands in the armpits - If this happen to you, you could switch over to an over the counter antibacterial cream, like neosporin. These creams don't stop you from sweating , but as the name suggests, they do kill bacteria.
6. Hammer the underarm : Plain old sodium bicarbonate ,also known as baking soda, can do the same thing under your arms that it does in your fridge - kill odor causing bacteria and absorb moisture. As an alternative to commercial deodorants, try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda into your bath or mix it with a little talcum powder to slap under your arms.
7. Watch the wash : If you don't clean your clothes properly, they'll retain the odor because the oils and the bacteria are still present on the clothes. Don't overload the washing machine. And if your machine doesn't seem to be doing the job, consider getting a new one or sending your clothes to a professional cleaner.
8. Shave your armpits : This may sound trendy at the best and effeminate at the worst, but the fact is underarm hair serves as a sort of fly strip for secretions and bacteria. If you shave the hair, you can get rid of a lot of the places where the bacteria can get trapped.
9. Watch what you eat : Foods and spices, like fish, onion, garlic, cumin and curry, produce extracts of protiens and oils that can seep back out through your pores. What set your mouth watering the night before can leave you smelling like a back alley the next day.

Not all body odor is easily managed. If you have followed all the steps above and still have body odor, then it is time to see a dermatologist (Skin doctor). For example, skin diseases like eczema can cause body odor, so can diseases like diabates. Such cases however are quite rare. In most cases, with a modicum of planning, body odor is one worry you shouldn't sweat.

Blisters - Don't get rubbed the wrong way

Blisters are caused when there is friction between your skin and some rough surface which causes the top two layers of skin to seperate and the space between them get filled with fluid. Most occur on the feet, the result of ill-fitting shoes or a sudden increase in activity level. They can also appear on the hands after a gripping encounter with a bat, racket, tool or anything else you can get a handle on.

Prevention of Blisters

There is no comfort in blisters. They hurt, annoy and keep you from doing what you do. The best course of action is to prevent them by keeping your skin free of friction.

• Step into the right shoes : While buying a pair of shoes, keep the following points in mind. The shoes should neither be too tight or too loose. There should be atleast a finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Make sure the toe box is high enough for you to wriggle your toes. To protect your heel, make sure the rear of the shoe is cut neither too high nor too low.
• Do the 'last' thing first : Every manufacturer has a template from which they design the shoes. This is called a last. Flip the shoe and draw an imaginary line down the middle. If there is an equal amount of shoe on both sides, it's a straight last. If it is unequal, it is either inflair or outflair. The shape of the last should match the shape of your foot.
• Break them in slowly : Although new shoes should feel comfortable right out of the box, don't wear them for long stretches of time. Instead, wear them an hour or two the first day and increase gradually from there.
• Cover the area : As a precaution with the new shoes, wear a moleskin patch on the area that's vulnerable to blisters. The idea is to transfer friction and pressure to the moleskin rather than your skin.
• Wear the right socks : For athletics, wear dual layer socks. In these socks, the two layers are made of different materials. the part against the skin shunts moisture to the outer layer. This keeps the skin cooler and reduces the friction.
• Get a grip : The same principle applies to prevent blisters on the hands: avoid friction. If you're taking up bowling, biking or a racquet sport, or you're about to use hand tools, wear protective gloves.
• Ease into it gradually : The best way to start a blistering activity is to toughen your skin slowly and gradually. Build up a callus. That is the body's response to repeated friction and pressure. The skin builds up thickness to protect itself.
  

Cure of Blisters
Once you get a blister, three things are essential: maintain comfort, promote healing and prevent infection. Here are some specifics.

• Burst the bubble : The best thing to do is to poke a hole and drain it yourself within the first couple of hours. It will reduce the pressure and let you get back to activity quicker. Popping the blister leaves you vulnerable to infection so it has to be done the right way. Put alcohol on the blister to kill any bacteria that is on it. Heat a pin or needle over a flame and poke a hole on the blister to let the fluid drain. Pierce it a couple of times between the edge and the middle, where the blister is raised by fluid, and be careful not to pierce healthy flesh. Don't remove the roof of the blister - if it is open, dust and dirt can get in. Apply antiseptic and cover it with sterile bandage.
• Get to the source : To prevent a recurrence, check your shoes and socks for points of friction.
• Check your mechanics : If you keep getting blisters, you might have a biomechanical problem. Here is a simple test. Stand normally and start walking in place. Then let your feet stop. Look at the angle of your feet to the line you're walking. If your foot is turned more than 15 degrees, you may have a problem. In which case, it is advisable to see a foot specialist.
  

Bad Breath Prevention

Bad breath could be changing your world and you don't even know it. You may be charming, witty and interesting, but unless you are mime, you have to open your mouth to prove it. Bad breath can have three causes - moxious foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene or medical problems like sinus infections, gum disease or intestinal problems. All of these problems are quite common.

How do you find out if you have bad breath ?
Take this simple test. Take a piece of gauze or cotton swab and run it around your mouth, over the top of your tongue and around your gums. Then smell it. In most cases, if you have offensive breath,you're going to smell that odor.

Prevention of Bad Breath

• Attack plaque : Your mouth can be a haven for plaque, a soft, clear film to which living and dead bacteria glom. At any given time, there are atleast 50 trillion of these odor causing bacteria in your mouth. Brushing your teeth after each meal removes this gooey substrate along with the bacteria and food bits stuck in it. Follow that by flossing between your teeth - especially along the gum line - and you will get what is left.
• Give your tongue the twice over : When you are finished brushing your teeth, take your toothbrush and brush all across the top surface of your tongue. That will remove any bacteria hiding in the skin folds of your tongue. You could also use a tongue cleaner for the same effect.
• Rinse out your mouth : A lot of times, bad breath is really a result of a dry mouth. The odors just kind of ferment in a dry environment. By swishing your mouth with water, you are flushing away some of the bad residue. This is especially important if you have had coffee or milk. These two drinks are notorious for bad breath.
• Suck it up : If you have water scarcity, you may suck on a sugar-free lemon frop. Citrus fruits stimulate salivary flow, and saliva, being slightly acidic, helps supress bacteria. Chewing gum can serve the same function, loosening food bits then flushing them away with saliva.
• Avoid problem foods : Spices (onions, hot peppers, garlic) and spicy offshoots like pepperoni tend to stay in your mouth and recirculate for up to 24 hours no matter how often you brush. Research indicates that a diet high in certain fats may contribute to bad breath.
• Don't skip breakfast : Your stomach contains powerful acids which aid in the digestion of the food you eat. In the morning, these acids tend to rise. A morning meal helps to absorb the acid fumes before they escape through your mouth.
• Try a breath freshener : You can get upto 30 minutes of relief from bad breath by using breath fresheners. Some natural breath fresheners are cloves, cardamom, thulsi leaves (holy basil), mint leaves etc.
• Use a good mouthwash : Make it a habit to use a mouthwash each time you finished brushing your teeth. Mouthwashes not only kill bacteria but also prevent gum disease.
• See your dentist : Bad breath could also be a result of gastrointestinal problems. Some diseases like tuberculosis, cancer and syphilis can also cause bad breath. But the most common medical problem that gives rise to bad breath is periodontal, or gum, disease, and untill it is addressed, you will continue to have bad breath. So getting a periodic dental checkup is a good idea.

Bleching - The art of managing excess air

There is no cure for bleching, but there is no cause for alarm. It's often a protective measure when you blech. You get the air out of there and relieve discomfort. You can't - and don't - want to do away with belching. But you can keep it to a civilized minimum. This is how :

• Watch your manners : You can easily swollow a pint of air during a meal. Shoveling down a pizza and a soda while debating the merits of some work you have recently done, will have you sucking in air which will make you blech after some time. So to prevent that, don't talk while you eat. Chew slowly and thoroughly, with your mouth closed. Don't drink and eat at the same time. Don't eat on the run.
  People who eat quickly or drink while they are eating tend to swollow more air. You need to watch how fast you are eating.
• Eschew gluttony : Don't overload your stomach at any meal. If you overeat, you will blech.
• Watch what you eat and drink : Carbonated soft drinks and beer are quick to set you popping. Certain foods like ice cream, souffle, omlettes and whipped cream contain high air content too.
  
  Ofcourse, if you want to blech, change your strategy. If you eat a seven course dinner at a fancy restaurant, you might feel a little bit distended. So you take a peppermint and it acutely relaxes the lower esophageal sphinster allowing you to blech and feel relieved.
• Avoid the water fountain : Water is really wonderful. But sucked from a fountain, it is also largely air.
• Avoid chewing gum and sucking on hard candies :These result in much saliva and air swallowing.
• Don't smoke : Sucking on a pipe, a cigar or a cigarette can cause excessive stomach gas and that gas has to have a place to go.
• Let nature take its course : Don't force yourself to blech - It won't help. In trying to force up trapped air, you suck down more air.
• Cool out : Anxiety tends to set you swallowing, no secret to anyone who has ever gone to the altar or driven over 50 miles in a small crappy car. Research shows that you can gulp quite a bit of air every time you swallow. A lot of people tend to gulp air when they are nervous. For a quick fix during tense situations try clamping down on a pencil or your finger. Keeping your mouth open makes it difficult to swallow.
• Don't get upset : If you blech a lot, don't be too concerned. Probably the worst thing you may have is an incompetant lower esophageal sphinster, cause of heart burn in millions of people. That is the most common disease that's associated with bleching and it is rarely serious. Bleching is more of an embarrassment than anything else.

Back Pain - Its prevention and cure

Back Pain is one of the most common ailments of mankind. Experts estimate that more than 80 % of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

The vast majority of back problems is caused by sprains in the muscles or tendons. You don't have to lift heavy weights to hurt your back. Just dragging out the garbage can do it, or bending over to pick up a paper clip. Even sleeping wrong can send your muscles into painful spasms.

Doctors are of the opinion that if everyone were to do the right things for their backs, the incidence of back pain would decrease significantly.

Here are a few suggestions to help you keep your back on track.

Backpain Prevention

• Go for the back stretch : It is crucial to be limber. A flexible back will go a long way toward protecting your back from injury. Some of the exercises you may choose to take up are yoga, aerobic exercises, swimming and jogging - infact any exercise which give a workout to your back will do.
• Get Strong : If you are interested in preventing backache, then exercise is a must. Infact the correct exercise will strengthen the crucial support muscles of your back.
• Hold tight and light : The biggest cause of back injury is lifting too much and lifting improperly. For example, stretching out your arms when you lift weights will throw you off balance and put unnecessary weight on your back muscles. Instead, be sure to hold things close to your body when picking them up. Bend your knees, keep your back straight and let your leg muscles do most of the lifting.
• Improve your sleeping posture : Even when you are resting, your back may not be. Sleeping on your belly, for example, forces you to twist your head to one side, placing both your neck and back under tremendous tension. Instead, doctors recommend sleeping on your side. You could also try sleeping with a pillow tucked between your knees which will help keep the legs parallel to the hips, helping to relieve the strain on the lower back and hips.
• Move your bottom : Most of us spend an inordinate amount of time sitting, which puts even more stress on your spine than standing does. It is advisable to take a break from your desk every hour or so and use that time to walk around whiich will relieve the stress.
• Find the proper chair : It is important that you sit in a chair which lets your feet rest flat on the floor and your back is flush against the back of the chair. If it doesn't then your lower back is not getting the support it needs.
• Get shoes with sole : Every step you take sends shock waves straight up your back. To cushion the blow, try wearing a light shoe with a thick sole instead of a hard-soled loafer or workboot.
  

Cure for Backpain

If you already have back pain, then you ought to be talking to your doctor, especially if the pain seems to travel into your buttocks and down the back of your legs. This is often a symptom of a ruptured disk. In some cases, this kind of back pain can be corrected only by surgery.

For the most part though, back injuries can be effectively treated at home. Here is what you need to do.

• Take it easy : Once you have hurt your back, the best thing you can do is to get in bed and lie on your back with a pillow up under your knees. Or lie on your back on the floor, knees bent at 90 degrees and your calves resting on the seat of a chair. This position relaxes the key back muscles and puts the least strain on your spine.
• Get your back up : While some rest is good, more isn't necessarily better. After a few days, muscles will start to weaken with bed rest. The quicker you can get back to your normal activities, the quicker your back is going to heal. But there is no hard and fast rules. If your back hurts too much, you're doing too much.
• Reach for a painkiller : Virtually any over the counter analgestic can help ease back pain. Best are the anti-inflammatories, like aspirin or ibuprofen.
• Run hot and cold : Using ice and heat can provide excellent relief for bum backs, but they can't be used interchangeably.
  In the first few days after an injury, experts say, ice is the way to go. Ice decreases swelling and inflammation and increases blood flow to the injured area. Keep a towel or some sort of cloth between the ice and your skin to prevent frostbite. Apply the ice as often as you can for atleast 30 minutes each time.
  After a few days, you may apply a mix of ice and heat - 30 minutes of ice followed by 30 minutes of heat.
• Get back in training : Once you are standing tall, be sure to keep your back limber and strong with regular exercise and stretching.
• Shed some pounds : While excess weight doesn't usually cause back problems, it can make them worse. Once you have back pain, every pound you carry hurts. For instance, you could enrol yourself for a weight reducing program as well as adopt a fitness routine.
  

By adopting the above mentioned measures, you can successfully prevent or cure back pain.

Top Ten Health Facts

Top ten reasons why men are hospitalized

1. Cardiovascular operation
2. Digestive system operation
3. Musculoskeletal operation
4. Arteriography and angiocardiography
5. Urinary system operation
6. Cardiac catheterization
7. CAT scan
8. Ultrasound
9. Respiratory system operation
10. Skin and tissue operation
    

Top ten killers of men

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Accidents
4. Stroke
5. Lung disease
6. Pneumonia
7. Suicide
8. HIV infection
9. Diabetes
10. Homicide
    

Top reasons why men see their doctors

1. Cough
2. General medical exam
3. Follow-up visit
4. Throat symptoms
5. Back problems, earache, skin rash or fever
6. Vision problems
7. Knee symptoms or head cold
8. Nasal congestion
9. Stomach pain, headache or high blood pressure
10. Depression

Know your Vitamins and Minerals

It used to be considered normal for a man's body to go downhill with age. Today, researchers have traced much of this damage to free radicals, highly reactive molecules that your body produces during normal metabolic processes.

Short on electrons, free radicals scavenge them from your body's tissues, leaving damaged cells behind. As you age, this damage shows up in the form of clogged arteries, cataracts and other acts of terrorism going on inside your body.

Enter the antioxidants - substances produced by the body or found in your diet that wipe out free radicals before they can do their dirty work. They include the nutrients vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. It is very important that we take in enough of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. If we don't get enough, the result is oxydative damage.

Vitamin C : This important antioxidant can help prevent a slew of health problems, from minor infections to heart attacks. It is said to decrease the severity of colds. The daily value of vitamin C - 60 milligrams, the "full day's supply" found in a glass of orange juice - is certainly enough to prevent a deficiency but probably not enough to reap the preventive benefits. Many people take supplements that contain 500 to 1000 milligrams a day routinely which is perfectly safe. Vitamin C is also abundant in citrus fruits and some vegetables, including peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower. Eat them raw or lightly cooked, though, since vitamin C is destroyed during cooking.

Vitamin E: This vitamin prevents the oxidation of low density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholestrol - a process that seems to lead to arterial plaque blocking up your arteries, making you a candidate for a heart attack. Unfortunately, vitamin E is found mostly in vegetable oils, which the heart - conscious man would do well to limit. There is a general feeling that, the levels of vitamin E that seems to be protective are very hard to get through diet alone. Doctors advice that it is good to take a daily supplement of about 100 international units.

Beta-carotene : A form of vitamin A, beta-carotene is another powerful antioxidant with preventive benefits. Studies show that people with a high intake of beta-carotene - between 5 to 6 milligrams a day - have a lower incidence of heart disease and cancer, especially colon cancer. It is easy to get that much if you eat the 5 to 6 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Go for orange fruits, such as cantaloupes, mangoes, peaches and apricots, and vegetables, such as carrots, squash and sweet potatoes.

Antioxidants aren't the only nutrients that keep people healthy. Here are some others that are found to have important benefits for your health.

Vitamin B6 : May help prevent kidney stones. Some of the good sources of vitamin B6 are soybeans, tuna,beef, pork and chicken. If you are prone to stones, it is advisable to ask the doctor to prescribe a supplement.

Potassium : Potassium's claim to fame is its effect on blood pressure. Studies show that some people can control high blood pressure with less medication once their potassium intake is increased. Experts recommend a minimum of 2000 milligrams a day - an amount that is easy to get if you eat enough fruits and vegetables. Good sources of potassium include spinach, bananas, tomatoes and milk.

Magnesium : This mineral is essential for a healthy metabolism. Researchers claim that getting enough magnesium may reduce asthma symptoms, help people with chronic fatigue syndrome, control blood pressure and even protect you against heart disease. Adults need about 350 milligrams a day. Good sources include spinach, seafood, oatmeal, beans, potatoes and brown rice.

Zinc : Zinc plays an important role in insulin shortage in the pancreas, and low levels of it have been linked to a depressed sex drive. Zinc is plentyful in beef, oysters and wheat germ.

Calcium : Best known to prevent osteoporosis, the "brittle bone" disease. The right time to build bone is when you are young. So it is advisable to get atleast 800 milligrams of calcium supplement a day. Loading up on low fat dairy products - about 3 servings a day - is the best way.