HEALTH CARE TIPS: 2014

Friday, 5 September 2014

Original Sprout Burger

Rate This Product 1 Star

In what may be the Perfect Burger, HEALTH IS WEALTH’S SPROUTBURGERS are a Non-Gmo Soy Burger with Organic Sprouted Grains (Quinoa, Amaranth, Millet) that is Vegan, Gluten Free, Baked (never Fried), and exploding with flavor. Our Vegan Burgers come in three types; Original, Chipolte Black Bean, and Mushroom & Onion.

Organic Sprouted Grains
Non-GMO Soy
Vegan Burgers
Gluten Free
Baked
8 grams Whole Grain per serving

INGREDIENTS

Hydrated Textured Soy Protein Non-GMO (Water, Soy Protein Concentrate Non-GMO), Organic Sprouted Grains (Organic Millet, Organic Quinoa, Organic Amaranth), Isolated Soy Protein Non-GMO, Canola Oil, Molasses, Food Strach, Hydrolyzed Gym, Oat Fiber, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Onion Powder, Flavor, Sea Salt, Spice Extracts, Maltodextrin, Yeast Extract, Lemon Juice Powder........

The Link Between Depression and Heart Disease—and How to Improve Symptoms

There is a lot of attention on diet, obesity and lack of exercise as risk factors for heart disease, but other risks are often overlooked. Depression is one such condition. In fact, the link to heart disease is so strong that a scientific statement published in the journalCirculation suggested that the American Heart Association “should elevate depression to the status of a risk factor for adverse medical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome.” With depression the second-leading cause of disability in the world, it’s an especially important focus when considering heart health.

Most people think of depression as a psychological condition, but the fact is that everything in the body is interconnected. The mind affects the body in a very real way, and vice versa. While scientists are still exploring the connection between heart disease and depression, there are some clear links.

Depression Reduces Overall Health

The symptoms of depression can cause overwhelming tiredness or fatigue, lack of motivation, headaches, cramps, digestive problems, and other aches and pains that can keep a person from living an active lifestyle. Lack of exercise is a contributor to heart disease, and individuals who overeat and don’t exercise may put on excess pounds. Overweight and obese people are much more likely to develop heart disease.

Depressed individuals may also overeat or have no appetite at all, both of which impact weight and nutrient intake. Depression has been linked to a number of nutritional deficiencies, including Omega-3s and B-complex vitamins, just to name a few. Deficiency in nutrients that affect brain function, such as B vitamins that are cofactors in neurotransmitter production, can also impact the heart. Additionally, depression usually causes a feeling of worthlessness that may cause individuals to neglect their own health, such as by avoidingtreatment for heart disease.

Improving Depression and Heart Disease

It’s true that one nutritional deficiency can cause another, and one health disorder can cause another. But the good news is that improving nutritional intake through a balanced diet and targeted supplements and adding exercise can dramatically improve both heart health and depression.

One study found that “aerobic exercise can produce substantial improvement in mood in patients with major depressive disorders in a short time.” Other research found that dietary modifications, along with vitamin and mineral supplementation, can reduce depression symptoms or improve general well-being. There are many other studies linking dietary and lifestyle strategies to improvement in both depression and heart health.

If you’re suffering from depression, the last thing you may care about is your own health. But you will someday break through the depression. Take the steps to care for your body and mind so that you can emerge from the challenge and live a vital, full life.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Depression

If you think you might be suffering from depression, I encourage you to see your doctor right away. Here are the major signs and symptoms of depression, from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Ongoing sad, anxious or empty feelings
Feeling hopeless
Feeling guilty, worthless or helpless
Feeling irritable or restless
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyable, including sex
Feeling tired all the time
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details or making decisions
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, a condition called insomnia, or sleeping all the time
Overeating or loss of appetite
Thoughts of death and suicide or suicide attempts
Ongoing aches and pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease with treatment.

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Five Steps to Safer Health Care

Patient Fact Sheet

10 Tips For Staying Healthy In Summer

Stay cool and hydrated. Drink water, at least two to four cups (16-32 ounces) upon rising, and similar amounts if you are going out for activities and exercise. Carry water with you in a hard plastic container (more stable polycarbonate rather than polyethylene that leaches plastic into the water). You may also use a traveling water filter. Check your local water stores or www.realgoods.com. Most people need two to three quarts of liquid per day, and more in hot weather or with sweating and exercise. Review Chapter 1 of Staying Healthy with Nutrition or Chapter 7 of The Staying Healthy Shopper's Guide for further information on Water.
While enjoying the sun and outdoors, protect yourself from overexposure to sunlight by wearing a hat and using natural sunscreens without excessive chemicals. Carry Aloe Vera gel for overexposure and have an aloe plant growing in your home for any kind of burn. The cooling and healing gel inside the leaves will soothe any sunburn. It works great.
Keep up or begin an exercise program. Aerobic activity is important for keeping the heart strong and healthy. If you only work out in a health club, take some time to do outdoor refreshing activities -- hiking, biking, swimming, or tennis. Reconnecting with these activities will help keep your body and mind aligned.
Enjoy Nature's bounty – fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables at their organic best. Consuming foods that are cooling and light -- fresh fruits, vegetable juices, raw vital salads, and lots of water -- will nourish your body for summertime activities. Include some protein with one or two meals. There are a number of light, nourishing proteins that don't require cooking. Most of these complement fruits and vegetables nicely-- nuts, seeds, sprouted beans, soy products, yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese. Fish and poultry can also be eaten.
Take some special summer time with your family, kids, and friends who share the enjoyment of outdoors. Plan a fun trip if you're able and motivated for a day or longer -- hiking in the wild, camping, playing at the river, or a few days resting at the ocean. Rekindling our Earth connection has benefits that last beyond this season, continuing to enrich the whole of your life.
Relax and breathe. You've been working hard. This is the season to slow the pace a bit and absorb the light that stimulates your hormonal message center. Leave your cell phone at home or take a week off from TV. In many European countries, most of the population has a month off during the summer.
Sun teas are wonderful. Use flowers and leaves (or tea bags) in a clear half- or one-gallon glass jar filled with spring water. Hibiscus or red clover flowers, peppermint, chamomile, or lemon grass are all good choices, or use your local herbs and flowers that you learn are safe, flavorful, and even medicinal. Leave in the sun for two hours or up to a whole day. Moon teas can also be made to enhance your lunar, dreamy side by letting your herbs steep in the cooling, mystical moonlight. Add a little orange or lemon peel, or a sprig of rosemary and a few jasmine flowers.
Nutritional supplements can support you with a greater amount of physical energy, enhancing your summer activities. The B-complex vitamins are calming to the nervous system and helpful for cellular energy production, while vitamin C and the other antioxidants protect your body from stress, chemical pollutants, and the biochemical by-products of exercise. Helpful summer herbs are Siberian ginseng as an energy tonic and stress protector, dong quai is a tonic for women, hawthorn berry is good for the heart, and licorice root will help energy balance and digestion.
Use the summer months to deepen the spiritual awakening begun in the spring. Begin by checking your local bookstore or the web for ideas that interest you. Plan a vacation that incorporates these new interests and provides you time to read, relax, contemplate, and breathe.
Above all, give yourself the time to truly experience Nature. This can happen, even in a city park, if you relax and let in your surroundings. When traveling, take activities for the family and your first aid kit for bites, bee stings, and injuries. Check for ticks after your hikes. Watch for overexposure, take time in the shade, and drink your water.

Thursday, 26 June 2014

No health risk from cell phone radiation

Radiations emitted by mobile phones and towers do not cause any health hazard, experts said here Thursday.

Myths without any reasonable scientific basis have been floated by people with vested business interests that electromagnetic field emissions (EMF) cause health hazard, they said.

Rigorous and independent scientific studies across the globe have been carried out to dispel the fear of health hazard from mobile tower antenna and phones.Experts were speaking at a panel discussion on "Mobile network and public health" organised by the COAI, a leading mobile communications association.

They stressed that people, who believe that radiations are really harmful, are not fully aware and should understand this perception clearly.

"Ionising radiation causes damages to the molecules - they break the chemical bonds and can cause health hazards. But non-ionising radiation from mobile tower and antenna do not cause the breakage of bonds and do not cause damage to the molecules," said R.V. Hosur, senior professor, Chemical Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

"A number research and studies have been conducted around the globe to ascertain if there is any relationship between the radiation emission from the mobile phone and cancer. However there is no enough evidence providing mobile phones causes cancer in humans," he added.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over six billion people use mobile phones to communicate with one another.

"The radiation waves used in the mobile phones technology are probably at the lowest end of the electromagnetic spectrum and do not cause any health hazard," said Rakesh Jalali, Radiation Oncologist at Tata Medical Centre...

Drinking coffee could cut death risk

Researchers have said that consuming two or more cups of coffee each day reduces the risk of death from liver cirrhosis by 66 per cent, specifically cirrhosis caused by non-viral hepatitis.

Lead researcher, Dr. Woon-Puay Koh with Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore and the National University of Singapore, said prior evidence suggests that coffee may reduce liver damage in patients with chronic liver disease.

He said that their study examined the effects of consuming coffee, alcohol, black tea, green tea, and soft drinks on risk of mortality from cirrhosis.

This prospective population-based study, known as The Singapore Chinese Health Study, recruited 63,275 Chinese subjects between the ages of 45 and 74 living in Singapore.

Participants provided information on diet, lifestyle choices, and medical history during in-person interviews conducted between 1993 and 1998. Patients were followed for an average of nearly 15 years, during which time there were 14,928 deaths (24 per cent); 114 of them died from liver cirrhosis. The mean age of death was 67 years.

Findings indicate that those who drank at least 20 g of ethanol daily had a greater risk of cirrhosis mortality compared to non-drinker. In contrast, coffee intake was associated with a lower risk of death from cirrhosis, specifically for non-viral hepatitis related cirrhosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic liver disease related to the metabolic syndrome and more sedentary affluent lifestyle, likely predominates among the non-viral hepatitis related cirrhosis group. In fact, subjects who drank two or more cups per day had a 66 per cent reduction in mortality risk, compared to non-daily coffee drinkers.

The findings have been published in journal Hepatology.

Health benefits of banana

Rich in nutrients including vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals like potassium, zinc, iron, etc, banana is a strong source of energy. Here are some other health benefits of this versatile fruit.

Controls blood pressure: According to research, the potassium in this fruit keeps the blood pressure levels in check and it can also help decrease its levels.

Improves brain power: A good source of vitamin B, banana helps perk up nerve function and boosts learning abilities.

Decreases the risk of stroke: According to studies, regular consumption of a banana helps reduce the occurrence of stroke. Rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, consumption of bananas is also said to reduce the risk of cancer.

Maintains bones: Probiotic bacteria present in bananas is known to absorb calcium in the body. Hence, it helps in building better bones.

Enhances digestion: The priobotics in banana help produce enzymes that enable absorption of nutrients, thus enhancing the digestive ability and preventing unfriendly bacteria from harming the body. Astringent in nature, raw bananas are effective in treatment for diarrhoea.

Relieves constipation: Pectin found in bananas helps to alleviate constipation and improves bowel function.

Cancer may never be completely eradicated

The war on cancer may never be won, warn researchers who discovered primordial cancer in a primitive animal.

"Cancer is as old as multi-cellular life on earth and will probably never be completely eradicated," said professor Thomas Bosch from Kiel University (CAU) in Germany.

The research team led by evolutionary biologist Bosch has been investigating stem cells and the regulation of tissue growth in hydra, a phylogenetic old polyp, for many years.

"Now we have discovered tumour-bearing polyps in two different species of Hydra, an organism very similar to corals," Bosch maintained.

This provides proof that tumours indeed exist in primitive and evolutionary old animals.

"When undertaking more detailed molecular analyses of the tumours, we found a gene that becomes active dramatically in tumour tissue and that normally prevents the programmed cell death," explained Alexander Klimovich, from Kiel University.

"As a non-functioning cell death mechanism is also made responsible for the growth and spread of tumours in many types of human cancer, striking similarities appear here to cancer in humans," he added.

The scientists also found that tumour cells are invasive - if tumour cells are introduced into a healthy organism, they can trigger tumour growth there.

"Our research reconfirms that primordial animals such as Hydra polyps provide an enormous amount of information to help us understand such complex problems as cancer," Bosch noted.

"Our study also makes it unlikely that the 'War on Cancer' proclaimed in the 1970s can ever be won. However, knowing your enemy from it origins is the best way to fight it, and win many battles," he added.

The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications.

How much do you know about stress?

Citizens of one of the most stressed nations, prove your position with this quiz.
It's every Indian's favourite word. And there's a reason for it. We top the charts when it comes to stress statistics.

A Nielsen report released after a survey of 6,500 women across 21 developed and emerging countries in 2011 said Indian women are the most stressed in the world. We polled 87% as opposed to 74% of women in Mexico who claimed they experience stress most of time. A survey by Regus last year claimed 71% Indians are victims of illnesses that arise due to stress on account of job uncertainty.

So, how much and how well do you know the phenomenon from which there is no escape? Here's your chance to find out.

You are a student, and have a final examination tomorrow. What beverage will you stock up on?

A. Coffee; it's warm, energizing, keeps you awake and attentive. If athletes down it to increase fatty acids in their bloodstream to pedal longer, surely it's going to keep you going too.
B. Water. Natural and powerful.
C. Fresh fruit juice; it's packed with nutrients.

Answer: B Hydration is key to brain function. Water, says research, can help your brain work 14% faster. Juices contain simple sugars that raise glucose levels and make you sluggish.
Too much caffeine is known to lead to jitteriness, and difficulty concentrating.

Which bright mind came up with the term `stress'?
A. American neuropyschiatrist Eric Kandel .
B. American neurobiologist Robert Sperry .
C. Endocrinologist Hans Selye.

Answer: C In the 1930s, Selye first used the term in an organic framework in his study with animals which, he concluded, had similar responses to stress as humans, e.g., hypertension, lingering back pain, and chronic abdominal problems.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has been recorded in which epic?
A. Homer's The Iliad
B. The Mahabharata
C. John Milton's Paradise Lost

Answer: A Homer's Iliad records PTSD, a mental disorder that develops after a terrifying ordeal involving physical harm or the threat of it. During the Trojan War, Achilles bemoans of being motionless, and hints at rage and suicidal tendency.

Chomping on which food has been known to ease stress?
A. Fresh wheatgrass.
B. Sun dried tomatoes.
C. Chewing gum.

Answer. C Chewing gum, researchers say, not only eases the jaw, but stress as well. Ancient Mayans and Greeks chomped on resin gum.

What's the origin of the word stress?
A. Stringere.
B. Strangulate.
C. Stringent.

Answer. A `Stress is a word derived from the Latin word stringere, meaning to draw tight. It refers to its effect on the body. Stress triggers blood vessels to close, hence the `drawing close' analogy.

Stress contributes for how much of infertility problems?
A. 5%
B. 75%
C. 30%

Answer: C Stress changes the neurochemical makeup of the body, which can affect the maturation and release of the human egg. Stress can also cause the fallopian tubes and uterus to spasm, affecting implantation.
In men, it can affect sperm count and motility and lead to erectile dysfunction.

What happens to the eyes when you are under extreme stress?
A. There is a slight loss of side vision.
B. The pupils dilate.
C. You experience the dry eye syndrome.

Answer: B Your pupils dilate (mydriasis) in exactly the same way they do in response to attraction: to gather more visual information about a situation.

How do stress balls help alleviate the symptoms?
A. The rotating action soothes the nerves in the palms.
B. They act on pressure point.
C. The chi energy released by the squeezing relaxes the mind.

Answer: B Chinese stress balls, also called Baoding balls, were created during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) in Baoding, China. Originally made of iron, the balls are thought to relieve stress because they touch pressure or acupuncture points on the hand.

In a moment of high stress, your neck gets...
A. Stiff.
B. Elongated.
C. Shielded.

Answer: C The fight or flight response is one that's crucial for our survival when under threat. The same response is triggered during modern-day stress situations, although not physically harmful. The front of your neck is soft and vulnerable, marked by a strong pulse. It houses the windpipe protected by delicate cartilage.

When you're stressed, the body's response to stay alive kicks in, causing your neck muscles to raise your shoulders and bring your head down and forward. It also causes your chest muscles to bring your shoulders forward, in an effort to protect the front of the neck.

Vit D deficiency could lead to hypertension

Researchers have provided evidence for low levels of vitamin D have a causal role in the development of high blood pressure (hypertension).

The findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation could be effective in combating some cases of hypertension.

Study leader Professor Elina Hypponen from the University of South Australia, said in view of the costs and side effects associated with antihypertensive drugs, the potential to prevent or reduce blood pressure and therefore the risk of hypertension with vitamin D is very attractive. hypertension with vitamin D is very attractive.

The Mendelian randomisation study used genetic data from the D-CarDia collaboration, involving over 146 500 individuals of European ancestry from across Europe and North America.

Researchers used two common genetic variants that affect circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D concentrations (which are generally used to determine a person's vitamin D status), to measure the causal effect between vitamin D status and blood pressure and hypertension risk.

They found that for each 10 per cent increase in 25(OH)D concentration there was a drop in diastolic blood pressure (-0.29 mm Hg) and systolic blood pressure (-0.37 mm Hg), and an 8.1 per cent decrease in the odds of developing hypertension.

According to Professor Hypponen, "Mendelian randomisation helps to determine cause and effect because by using genetic data we can better avoid confounding, reverse causation, and bias.
However, because we cannot exclude the possibility that our findings were caused by chance, they need to be replicated in an independent, similarly powered study. Further studies using randomised controlled trials are also needed to confirm causality and the potential clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation."

The findings have been published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Sleep like a baby with these tips

In today's world, when there is so much stress and people are hard-pressed for time, there isn't enough time to relax. Hence, sleeping disorders are commonplace.

Like a balanced diet and exercise are important to stay healthy, sleep ensures that your body gets proper rest and is rejuvenated. Here are some ways to get a good night's sleep...

Sleep at a fixed time: It is important to go to sleep at a fixed time. This doesn't mean just going to bed at the same time every day, but actually falling asleep at that time.Ensure that you follow this strictly.

Don't go to bed right after dinner: Apart from keep your dinner light, make sure that you give a gap of at least two hours between dinner and bedtime. Chances are that you will keep tossing and turning if your stomach is full before going to bed.
Wash your face and feet: Taking a shower is a good idea before going to bed, since it helps you relax, but if this is too much of a hassle, then make sure that you wash your face and feet before hitting the sack.

This way, the day's stress will literally get washed away.

Wake up at the same time: Just like you sleep at a fixed time, you must wake up at the same time each day as well. If you sleep well, then you don't need an alarm to get up at the same time every day . Try to maintain this over the weekend as well.

Workout in the evenings: While it is advisable to start your day with a workout, it also makes sense to work out in the evening. This way, you can shake the stress of the day away and burn a good number of calories. This is bound to tire you out, thereby ensuring that you sleep well.

Don't carry a book to bed: Many people are of the habit of reading before going to sleep, but this can keep you up longer than you would want. Finish reading on the couch or chair and don't take your book to bed.

Sleep in a dark room: If you are someone who needs to have a light on at night, break this habit. You can instead switch on a night bulb in another room. Your bedroom should be devoid of any light as this helps you sleep better.

Keep noise at bay: Just like you should keep books away from your bed, ensure that your iPod isn't with you in bed.
Apart from tampering with your sleep, listening to music while in bed is also an unhealthy practice.

De-clutter your bed: The number of items on your bed are also responsible for the quality of your sleep. Make sure that your bed is comfortable and only has the things that are required, such as pillows, sheets and blankets.
Everything else should be taken off.

Avoid caffeine: Follow a healthy diet and ensure that you don't consume caffeine since it tends to mess with your sleep cycle.

Sunday, 1 June 2014

Men’s Skincare: How to Treat Your Face

Most men prefer bars to liquid cleansers. That’s fine as long as you have normal or oily skin. But bar soap tends to dry skin out more than liquid cleansers. “If your skin feels tight or a little itchy after you wash your face, try switching to a liquid cleanser,” Glaser says.

If you insist on bar soap, look for moisturizing soaps with emollients such as glycerin. Many are made with vitamin E oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil.

You may experience problems with acne if you have very oily skin. Acne is caused by excess oil production that clogs pores, causing inflammation.

Look for soaps or liquid cleansers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzyl peroxide. All three of these exfoliating agents remove the upper layers of dead skin and allow for deeper cleaning of pores. They also have antibacterial properties.

Moisturizers for Men

Some soaps are laced with moisturizer, and for some men they work just fine. But the surest way to moisten your skin after washing it is to apply a moisturizer.

For dry skin, choose a cream, which is the thickest formulation.
For normal skin, reach for a lotion, which is lighter and less oily.
For oily skin, choose a skin toner or gel.

If you have problems with acne, moisturizers that contain glycolic acid or salicylic acid will help remove dead skin and keep your pores from clogging, dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD, says.

Sunscreen Protection for Men

Lots of facial moisturizers promise to keep your face young, but not all of them deliver.

“A lot of products these days tout the fact that they contain antioxidants,” Glaser says. “Theoretically, they should help. Sunlight and pollution cause oxidative damage to skin. But so far, we don’t have any scientific evidence one way or the other that says antioxidants at the level contained in skin products really help.”

Prescription-strength products with retinol (Retin-A) do smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and even reverse signs of aging at the cellular level. But the lower levels of retinol found in over-the-counter products may not be high enough to do much good.

Women's problems

Topic	Name	Last post	Posts	Views
'Vibrating' sensation in groin	MaggiePie	Yesterday 07:43	78	301465
Peeing myself	LM16	29-05-2014 16:59	1	216
The spicy food that should be avoided in medicine taking	cris1	26-05-2014 07:23	0	379
Period Help & Abnormal Smear	amro1982	24-05-2014 16:11	0	146
Severe pain after Orgasm	fed_up86	22-05-2014 00:12	6	68259
Help Brown discharge..pregnancy symptom??	Kazza_D	21-05-2014 13:49	0	100
Large Labia	EmmaWilson	21-05-2014 13:40	0	95
How breakfast makes women skinnier	seniorcitizen	15-05-2014 21:28	0	150
Mittelschmerz - a German term for Mid-pain between periods.	KatKaty	14-05-2014 10:35	0	309
Inflammation, the killer for woman's health	akdgj	14-05-2014 07:49	0	107
Period cramps and blood in clear mucus from vagina mid-cycle	KatKaty	13-05-2014 19:20	0	445
Using Ovestin(Estriol) Cream Internally	shiels	12-05-2014 12:10	0	161
A little worried!! Advice needed!	Kittie88	11-05-2014 13:24	0	230
pain after sex	cumbrianlady	08-05-2014 14:18	0	284
WHAT IS CELLULITE?	Audriani	08-05-2014 07:35	2	459
retained product 6 months on!!!	topazstar	07-05-2014 12:52	0	158
Why women have a hard time losing weight	davidandeve	04-05-2014 22:23	0	214
Mirena Coil and its side effects	Agalady	04-05-2014 21:47	23	94058
torn skin after sex?	laurensf96	04-05-2014 17:38	1	153
Red sore vulva	AIDE_PLEASE	02-05-2014 17:55	5	22231
Lost uterus due to my supposed " no threat Fibroids&quo	ladyvanashe	30-04-2014 08:40	0	546
Smelly Vagina	EmmaWilson	30-04-2014 06:58	4	544
Vagina Tightness, why?	Helen94	29-04-2014 13:53	0	286
septate hymen?	Lc1	29-04-2014 10:53	0	159
peice of flesh	Tischaun	26-04-2014 22:17	0	171

How to Care for Your Feet and Toenails

Your feet are two of the most abused and often used parts of the body, what with all the walking and running that you do everyday. This being said, you should make sure to give your feet the attention and care they deserve every so often. Taking good care of your feet will prevent you from getting foot conditions such as Athlete's foot or other fungal infections. No matter what the season is, it is always important to keep your feet and toenails in tip-top condition. During the hotter months, for example, your feet are constantly visible due to footwear choices such as sandals and slippers, so it would be a good idea to keep them looking fabulous and presentable. But even during the winter months when you feet are bundled up in socks and boots, it would still be advisable to take extra measures in keeping your feet well-cared for. Some of these feet and toenail care tips are applicable not only to women, but to men as well. Don't overlook the advantages of having nice-looking and cared-for feet

Here are some useful steps in taking care of your feet and toenails, which will get you to putting your best feet forward -- literally -- in no time.

Steps

1
Make sure to wash your feet daily. With all the running about from place to place that most people do everyday, the feet would have been exposed to a lot of dust and dirt by the end of the day. If you take showers in the morning and not at night, at least make feet-washing a part of your nightly routine when you get home. Lather up with soap,and pay extra attention to the spaces in between the toes. Wipe the feet gently with a towel afterward. Aside from being a mark of good hygiene, doing this would also ensure that you do not step onto your bed with dirty feet, and thus prevent from bringing dirt to your place of rest and relaxation.
2
Give your feet a pedicure every two weeks. Painting them does not necessarily have to be part of every pedicure routine, but regular pedicures really make a difference in keeping your feet soft and free from dry and rough skin, and your toenails clean and neat. You don't need to spend a lot of cash to have your pedicure professionally done in a salon, and with a few tools, you can do your own pedicure right in the comforts of your own home. Here's how to do one:
- Soak your feet for about 5-10 minutes in a large bowl with lukewarm water. As an added treat, you may also wish to infuse the water with a few drops of essential oils or Dead Sea salts, to keep the feet smelling good and to soften hard skin respectively. The soaking time indicated here is merely just a suggestion -- you may choose to soak your feet for much longer if you want to relax, or if the hardened skin on your feet need extra hydration.
- Exfoliate your feet with a foot scrub to slough off dry and dead skin, and to moisturize your feet as well. Massage the scrub in circular motions, and rinse off afterward. To exfoliate the hardened skin on the heels and bottom part of the feet, use a foot file or a pumice stone. Make sure to use a gentle filing motion, and to never rub too hard.
- Cut your toenails straight across, as opposed to a curved shape, to prevent ingrown toenails from occurring. If you would really prefer a rounded shape instead of a straight square, use a nail file to smoothen the ridges and to give the edges a bit of a curve, so you would end up with a square shape with rounded edges. Ensure that the nails are cut and filed to just the right length -- short, but not too much that you end up hurting yourself.
- Remember to include your cuticles too. Apply cuticle oil to your toenails to soften and moisturize the hardened edges, and push the cuticles back with an orangewood stick to create a smooth, open area ready for your polish. Make sure that you do not push too hard, or you might risk cutting the cuticles and exposing your feet to possible fungal infection. Some people also prefer to skip this step completely and leave their cuticles untouched -- this is okay as well.
3
If desired, apply polish to your toenails. Do this after you have done your pedicure, so that you have a smooth, clean base for the polish to go on to.
- Before painting, clean the nail plates by wiping over them with nail polish remover. This removes excess oils as well as old polish from the nails, so your new colour will go on smoothly and last well.
- Use toe separators to keep your toes apart. This makes the process of painting easier, and prevents a freshly painted toenail from staining another toe.
- Always use a basecoat - a clear layer of polish - under your colour to prevent staining and to ensure your polish goes on smoothly.
- Using the nail color of your choice, apply the polish to your toenails. Try to follow the "three stroke method", which consists of using one stroke on each side and a stroke in the middle. This ensures that the polish is evenly applied on the whole nail. Apply two coats of polish to your toenails.
- After around 10 minutes, use a topcoat to achieve the smoothest, longest lasting results and a high-shine finish.
4
Choose nail polish colors which suit your preference or the season.
- For fall, choose browns, oranges, and reds. Dark green also looks good.
- For winter, try not to go too festive. For December, either go with red or dark green, but not both. Other colors for winter include dark blue and white. You can really use any color though because your feet are not seen a lot.
- For spring, bring out the pastel colors! Soft greens, pinks, purples, and blues are a great touch!
- For summer, use bright natural colors! Other colors that work are light blue, turquoise, yellow, and white. If you have naturally fair skin and like to tan, coral accentuates it nicely.
- If you can't decide on a colour, remember that a French polish (nude or pale pink polish with white tips) suits everyone and goes with all colors of clothing and skin. But feel free to be bold with toenail colours -- on the fingernails, some colours can look garish and tacky, but on the toenails, pretty much anything goes!
5
Moisturize your feet everyday. Put lotion or foot cream on as a part of your routine. One way to achieve soft, moisturized feet is to rub on some lotion or petroleum jelly before bed, and slip on some socks. When you wake up in the morning, you'll find that your feet are very soft and are free from dryness! Just remember to never let the area between toes become over-moisturized, as this will cause fungus.

Special Hand Care Tips for Winter

ands are one of the most delicate parts of body. From eating food to picking up anything, we do everything with the help of hands. The skin of hands is more sensitive than other body parts, so they tendency to become dry and lifeless quickly. Direct exposure to water, sunrays and chemicals (exist in soaps, dish-cleaners and detergents also takes a toll on hands.

Soft and beautiful hands adds the charm in an individual’s personality, while dull and unappealing hands demote it. That’s why paying full attention towards your hands is must to maintain attractive and young-looking appearance. Here I have mentioned some natural beauty tips for hands that will help you get smooth and beautiful hands.

How to care beautiful hands in winter

1. One of the most effective beauty tips for hands is applying the mixture of rose water and glycerin before you go to sleep. Follow this remedy for at least two weeks to get observable results.

2. You can turn rough and hard hands gentle and smooth hands through regular application of carbolic acid and petroleum jelly mixture.

3. Another home remedy for beautiful hands involves the combination of honey, glycerin and egg white. Mix the constituents thoroughly to make a fine paste and apply it to your hands for few minutes.

4. An amazing beauty mask for hands can be prepared by combining egg yolk, lemon juice and rose water. Place all the constituents in a small bowl and stir them well. Apply this paste to your hands and gently massage. Then rinse with tepid water and mild soap.

5. Give your hands home-mani treatment at least once a week. Home manicure involves four basic step, soaking the hands in warm water, massaging hands skin with a cream or lotion, washing the hands and applying a moisturizer.

Mouth Care

This leaflet is for people who are at risk of developing mouth problems such as dry mouth, thrush infection of the mouth (oral thrush), bad breath, inflammation and mouth ulcers. This includes people who are unwell with serious illness, or who are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Good mouth care can prevent some problems from developing, or prevent minor problems from getting worse.

Routine mouth care

If possible, do the following either yourself or with the help of a carer:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Rinse your mouth after meals and at night. Use water or 0.9% sodium chloride solution (saline or salt water). You can make a fresh sodium chloride solution for each rinse by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of fresh water. Use cool or warm water - whatever your prefer.
Remove any debris that you can see in your mouth or on your tongue by gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush. If possible, do this regularly but mainly after meals and at bedtime. Foam sticks are an alternative if gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush causes pain or bleeding.
Chewing pineapple may also help to clean your mouth. Pineapple contains ananase which is an enzyme (chemical) which may help to break down debris in the mouth. You can use fresh pineapple or unsweetened tinned pineapple.
If you wear dentures, remove them at night. Clean dentures with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. Soak overnight in a denture solution containing sodium hypochlorite. Rinse before use the next day. (Soak metal dentures in chlorhexidine solution.)

If you have a high risk of developing mouth problems (for example, if you have radiotherapy to the head or neck), it is best to increase the frequency of the measures above. For example, rinse your mouth every 1-2 hours.

More about mouthwashes

Water or saline (described above) are the most commonly used mouthwashes. They are soothing, do no harm, and are safe to use as often as you like.
Chlorhexidine mouthwash is sometimes advised if you are at risk of mouth infection. However, you should not normally use this more than twice a day. It contains alcohol which may sting, especially if your mouth is inflamed. If you do use this twice a day, you can always use water or sodium chloride mouthwashes as often as you like in between.
Other mouthwashes such as ascorbic acid solution, hydrogen peroxide mouthwash or sodium bicarbonate mouthwash may be advised by a doctor or nurse in certain circumstances.
It is best not to use glycerine or lemon mouthwashes. They often increase the sensation of a dry mouth.

Some mouth problems that may occur if you are unwell

Dry mouth

Dry mouth has various causes. Simple measures such as drinking frequent sips of water and chewing sugar-free gum will often help. This may be all that is needed in many cases. Artificial saliva or medicine to stimulate the salivary glands is sometimes used. See separate leaflet called Dry Mouth for details.

Oral thrush (oral candida)

Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast germ called candida. Small numbers of candida commonly live in a healthy mouth. They are usually harmless. However, certain situations may cause an overgrowth of candida which may lead to a bout of oral thrush. These include a dry mouth, and if you are in general poor health. The classical symptom is for white spots to develop in the mouth. However, often there are no white spots and areas within the mouth may just become red and sore. Most cases are treated with drops, lozenges or a gel which contains an anti-thrush medicine such as nystatin, amphotericin or miconazole. Anti-thrush tablets such as fluconazole are sometimes used. See separate leaflet called Oral Thrush for details.

Mouth ulcers

Aphthous mouth ulcers are the most common type. They are painful, and can recur from time to time. Each bout of ulcers usually goes away in time without treatment. Mouthwashes and steroid lozenges may ease the pain, and may help the ulcers to heal more quickly. For details see separate leaflet called Aphthous Mouth Ulcers. Other types of mouth ulcer sometimes develop. Your doctor will advise on treatment.

Bad breath (halitosis)

In most cases of persistent bad breath, the smell comes from a build-up of germs (bacteria) within the mouth - in food debris, plaque and gum disease, or in a coating on the back of the tongue. Good oral hygiene will often solve the problem. That is, routine mouth care described above, and in addition (if possible) regular flossing, scraping the back of the tongue, and antiseptic mouthwashes. See separate leaflet called Bad Breath (Halitosis) for details. Other causes of bad breath may develop in people who are unwell. For example, oral thrush, a dry mouth, and tumours in the mouth can cause bad breath. If these can be treated then this may clear the bad breath.

Oral mucositis

Mucositis is a painful inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the mouth (the mucous membranes). Mucositis is a common side-effect of chemotherapy andradiotherapy, especially radiotherapy that involves the head and neck. It occurs because the rapidly dividing cells on the inside lining of the mouth are affected by the treatment that is directed at the rapidly dividing cancer cells. Mucositis tends to get better 2-3 weeks after the course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment has finished. However, whilst you have mucositis you are more prone to develop other mouth problems such as infection and dry mouth. The routine mouth care described above before, during and after treatment reduces the severity of mucositis, and helps prevent secondary infection. Treatment for pain, dry mouth and infection may also be needed.

Mouth pain

There are many different causes of mouth pain. Sometimes the pain is localised to one area. Sometimes it is more generalised inside the mouth. Treatment depends on the cause and may include: treating the underlying cause (if possible), local anaesthetic sprays, painkilling tablets, and locally applied painkilling gels and mouthwashes. Your doctor will advise.