BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS

According to the infant nutrition experts the babies who are breastfed are less likely to catch viruses, cold and pneumonia. Devastating infections like diarrhea that are common in the developing countries are also reduced to a greater extent by breastfeeding. Breast feeding can also help to lower the risk of developing chronic disease like celiac, Crohn’s and diabetes type 1.

STRONGER BONES

According to health care experts “when a mother is lactating, the baby’s body absorbs calcium much more efficiently therefore making bones much healthier and denser six months post weaning.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is reduced by half while a child breast feeds.

Fewer weight issues

Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to become obese when compared to mothers who do not breastfeed their children. About 500 calories are burnt each day with nursing.

Post Delivery Healing

Nursing the baby releases oxytocin that helps contraction of uterus and thereby reduces the blood loss post delivery. Breastfeeding also helps the size of the uterus to return to normal earlier as compared to the women who don’t breast feed.

Lowered risk of Cancer

Chances of breast and ovarian cancer are reduced in women who nurse their children. Nursing also lowers the risk of childhood cancer development in babies.

Tailor made supply

Colostrums is a complete package of antibodies that protects the neonate from infections. It is also higher in protein and lower in sugar as compared to formula milk and therefore small amount can help hold off hunger.

More effective vaccination

Breastfed babies show better response to vaccines than babies who are not breastfed.

Oil from Menstruation

Nursing the child round the clock helps delay ovulation and delays menstruation. This is due to the release of prolactin that controls progesterone and estrogen so that ovulation is not triggered.

Stick off Protection

Breastfeeding is 99 percent effective as a post baby birth control pill is, if some guidelines are followed. These include that your regular cycle has not resumed, you breastfeed every 4 hours round the clock, you do not use pacifiers or formula milk and you are less than 6 months post-partum.

Developing closeness with your infant

Read your baby’s satiety cues a little better, because unlike with a bottle you can’t see how much the child has eaten.

Corn Silk Benefits

Corn is one of the most widely grown cereal crops in the world and has become the third most important cereal crops other than wheat and rice. Corn and its other plant parts are used in various food, agricultural and health applications. Corn cereal contains nutritious components essential for health.

In herbal medicine the part of the corn that is used are the long stigmas, called silks, which grow from the top end of the corn's 'ear'. Once they are dried the corn silks look very different to their fresh form, becoming brown, curled, crinkly, and incredibly light-weight. The main historical and current use of the Corn-silk as a medicine is for the special action of being what is known as a ‘soothing diuretic’.

Let’s have a look at different benefits of corn silk.

Treats Urinary Tract Infections

Corn silk works as an anti-inflammatory agent for urinary tract infections. It basically coats the urinary tract lining and thwarts further irritation. Corn silk tea consumption helps soothe the inflamed bladder and the urinary tract. It makes you urinate, and thus reduces the risk of bacteria build-up in the urinary tract.

Keeps Kidney Stones at Bay

Kidney stones are made of small crystallized deposits that can cause pain and annoyance. Corn silk usage can increase urine flow and decrease the chances of sediment formation in kidneys, which otherwise can eventually lead to kidney stone formation. However, remember that its use will not treat kidney stones that are already present.

Lowers Blood Pressure

A lot of people suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure issues nowadays. They can consume corn silk tea to reduce high blood pressure. This will ensure they don’t have to cope with the adverse effects of OTC blood pressure medications.

Works as a Diuretic Agent

For ages, corn silk tea has been used as a natural potent diuretic agent. It helps flush out excess water and waste from the body, thereby reducing complications related to water retention. According to studies, usage of diuretics helps get rid of several health hazards including congestive heart failure and kidney diseases in the long run.

Helps Heal Inflammatory Ailments and Conditions

Corn silk is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional medicine followers are of the view that it can be used to reduce the pain caused by inflammatory ailments like gout and arthritis. The diuretic action of cork silk may prevent excess uric acid formation in the body joints, which leads to gout pain. However, it should not be taken as a cure for arthritis related conditions.

Helps Fight Cholesterol

Cholesterol in the bloodstream leads to the onset of several critical ailments in the long run (including cardiac complications). Keeping cholesterol levels in the blood low is the key to staying healthy and avoiding heart hazards, say the doctors. A study carried out by Jilin University scientists in China showed that corn silk consumption brings down cholesterol in rodents.

Source of Vitamin C

Corn silk contains vitamin C, which is ideal for boosting immunity. It also plays a pivotal role in regulating a myriad functions in the human body.

Helps Fight Obesity

Obesity is a major health menace affecting a large part of the human population nowadays. While obesity is caused by more than one factor including genetics, some people put on excess weight owing to excess water retention and toxin accumulation in the body. Since corn silk helps eliminate excess water and waste from the body, such people will find it helpful to evade weight gain. They can have this tea twice or thrice a day for maximum benefits. However, it would be wrong to assume that it is a cure for obesity.

Self Medication (A dangerous practice)

Different drugs have different effects; they may be used for different reasons. The use of medications for self-recognized & self-diagnosed conditions without prior medical consultation, regarding indication, dosage, and duration of treatment is referred to as self-medication. In most illnesses self-medication is the first option, which makes it a common practice worldwide.

Self-medication is far from being a completely safe practice, in particular in the case of non-responsible self-medication.

Potential risks of self-medication practices include:

Incorrect self-diagnosis, delays in seeking medical advice when needed, infrequent but severe adverse  reactions, dangerous drug interactions, incorrect manner of administration, incorrect dosage, incorrect choice of therapy, masking of a severe disease and risk of dependence, abuse & resistance.

Common illnesses where patients self medicate

 Common infections, like cold & Flu, cough

Anxiety & Mental illness

Acne

Weight loss

Factors leading to self-medication

 Socioeconomic factors waiting time

Health care cost

Lack of awareness

Sources of medicines

Pharmacies

Drug stores

Medicines stored at home

Friends and relatives

Street vendors

Medications categories mostly used in self-medication are, Antibiotics, Anti-malarials, Anti-allergy, Pain killers, Weight gain and weight reducing agents, Multivitamins, Skin bleaching steroids, supplements.

Although responsible self- medication which requires a certain level of knowledge and health orientation has some advantages, as it is thought to reduce the load on the medical services, decrease the time spent in waiting to see the physician, and saves cost especially in economically deprived countries with limited health resources .However,  responsible self-medication is not free of risk, which can increase the burden and out- of- pocket expenses since it may result in adverse health effects that require medical intervention.  Several studies investigating self-medications have revealed that common over the counter and Prescription Only Medications have been associated with adverse health reactions due to use of sub therapeutic doses and frequent use of antibiotics (ending up in anti-biotic resistant bacterial infections) and other prescription only medicines.

We all know that Pharmacies survive commercially, through product sales, but it should never be the principal focus.

Conclusion

One should consult a physician for proper diagnosis, and further consult a pharmacist to seek guidance regarding proper administration of prescribed medicine to get optimum therapeutic results is necessary.

We encourage, proper diagnosis of medical situation through consultants, before heading towards pharmacy, to avoid serious medical issues and delay in treatment of root cause.

12 Ways to a Healthy Liver

12 Ways to a healthy liver

The best way to fight liverdisease is to avoid it, if at all possible.

Maintain a healthy weight. If you're obese or even somewhat overweight, you're in danger of having a fatty liver that can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the fastest growing forms of liver disease.

Eat a balanced diet. Avoid high calorie-meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, white rice and regular pasta) and sugars. For a well-adjusted diet, eat fiber, which you can obtain from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals. Hydration is essential, so drink a lot of water.

Exercise regularly. When you exercise consistently, it helps to burn triglycerides for fuel and can also reduce liver fat.

Avoid toxins. Toxins can injure liver cells. Limit direct contact with toxins from cleaning and aerosol products, insecticides, chemicals, and additives. Don't smoke.

Use alcohol responsibly. Alcoholic beverages can create many health problems. They can damage or destroy liver cells and scar your liver.

Avoid the use of illicit drugs. Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) used non-medically.

Avoid contaminated needles. Of course, dirty needles aren't only associated with intravenous drug use. You ought to follow up with a medical practitioner and seek testing following any type of skin penetration involving sharp instruments or needles. Use only clean needles for tattoos and body piercings.

Get medical care if you're exposed to blood. If, for any reason, you come into contact with someone else's blood, immediately follow up with your doctor.

Don't share personal hygiene items. For example, razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers can carry microscopic levels of blood or other body fluids that may be contaminated.

Wash your hands. Use soap and warm water immediately after using the bathroom, when you have changed a diaper, and before preparing or eating food.

Follow directions on all medications. When medicines are taken incorrectly by taking too much, the wrong type or by mixing medicines, your liver can be harmed. Never mix alcohol with other drugs and medications even if they're not taken at the same time. Tell your doctor about any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and natural or herbal remedies that you use.

Get vaccinated. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Unfortunately, there's no vaccine against the hepatitis C virus.