Friday, 23 September 2011
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Smoking harms women more than men
A large European epidemiological study has found that the harmful effects of tobacco smoke on atherosclerosis, one of the driving forces of cardiovascular disease, are greater in women than in men.
In the improve study, authors examined 1694 men and 1893 women from Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, France and Italy, and used ultrasound technology to assess the presence of wall thickening and plaques in the carotids, the arteries that bring blood to the brain.
The research shows that the amount tobacco exposure during the entire life significantly correlates with the thickness of carotid arterial walls (an index of atherosclerosis) in both genders.
However, the impact is more than doubled in women than in men. Similarly, the effect of the number of cigarettes smoked per day on the progression of the disease over time is more than five-fold in women than in men.
These associations are independent from other factors that may affect atherosclerosis, such as age, blood pressure, cholesterol level, obesity and social class.
"This is a particular relevant finding, especially in view of the fact that educational campaigns carried out in the last years have been less successful in reducing the number of smokers in women than in men," said Elena Tremoli, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Milan, Italy, and scientific director of the Monzino Cardiology Centre in Milan who led the study.
"The reasons for the stronger effect of tobacco smoke on women's arteries are still unknown, but some hints may come from the complex interplay between smoke, inflammation and atherosclerosis," added Prof. Tremoli.
One mosquito coil equals 100 cigarettes - The Times of India
One mosquito coil equals 100 cigarettes (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)
Smoke emitted from one mosquito repellant coil is equivalent to those of 100 cigarettes, thus causing harm to a large number of people in India, an expert said Wednesday.
"Not many people know about it, but the damage done to your lungs by one mosquito coil is equivalent to the damage done by 100 cigarettes. This was according to a recent study conducted in Malyasia," said Chest Research Foundation director Sandeep Salvi.
He was speaking at the conference 'Air Pollution and Our Health', organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) along with the Indian Council for Medical Research and the Indian Medical Association.
Salvi said there is a lack of awareness about the impact of air pollution on human health.
Pointing out the "lack of research culture" among Indian doctors, Salvi said that indoor air pollution too is a health risk factor.
Participants at the event, which included doctors and health researchers, also spoke about vehicular air pollution in the capital.
According to estimates, about 55 per cent of Delhi's population lives within 500 metres from main roads - and is, therefore, prone to a variety of physical disorders.
"The vehicular pollution is a major concern for the environment. The rising incidents of genetic disorder has a lot to do with air pollution. India loses one million children under five because of respiratory problems every year," said Sanjeev Bagai, the chief executive officer of Batra Hospitals.
One mosquito coil equals 100 cigarettes - The Times of India
Eating walnuts cuts breast cancer risk
They are hard to crack, but walnuts have a handful of medicinal values from curing headache and preventing baldness to having some influence on fertility.
Now, a new research has found that eating a modest amount of walnuts as a regular part of the diet might reduce a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.
The researchers at the Marshall University found that a daily dose of walnuts - equal to 2 ounces a day in humans - reduces the growth of breast cancer tumors in mice.
Lead researcher Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., of Marshall's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, and colleagues studied the mice from the mother, through conception and throughout life. They then compared mice given walnuts to those fed a regular diet.
They found that the group whose diet included walnut at both stages developed breast cancer at less than half the rate of the group with the typical diet.
In addition, the number of tumors and their sizes were significantly smaller.
"These reductions are particularly important when you consider that the mice were genetically programmed to develop cancer at a high rate," Hardman said.
"We were able to reduce the risk for cancer even in the presence of a preexisting genetic mutation," she added.
Using genetic analysis, they researchers found that the walnut-containing diet changed the activity of multiple genes that are relevant to breast cancer in both mice and humans.
Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that may all reduce the risk of the disease.
"The results of this study indicate that increased consumption of walnut could be part of a healthy diet and reduce risk for cancer in future generations," she said.
The study was funded by grants from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the California Walnut Commission.
Symptoms of depression in men - The Times of India
Contrary to the popular misconception that only women suffer from clinical depression, depression affects men as well.
However, depression in men may present itself differently and may have different symptoms as compared to women. Moreover, men are less likely to admit to symptoms or seek help. According to a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research, most men are unaware of the physical symptoms associated with depression. But, if left untreated and undiagnosed, it can have shocking consequences. Here are some important signs and symptoms of depression in men.
Difficulty in focusing :
Are you finding it difficult to concentrate at work lately or do you feel that you have been focusing more on negative thoughts? People suffering from depression often face difficulties in concentrating due to which their performance at work or school suffers. Depression interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, take proper decisions and perform complicated tasks.
Constant anger or irritability :
Another common sign of depression is increased agitation or irritability. This is because, unlike women who give vent to their pent-up emotions in the form of tears, men resort to anger or aggression. Some even manifest depression by being hostile to a situation or another person. Apart from this, men often find themselves being cranky and irritated at simple circumstances. Adequate encouragement and support from friends and family can make a lot of difference in such situations.
Frequent substance abuse :
Many times, men try to mask their depression by resorting to some form of substance abuse. But what they don't realize is that depression and alcohol problems often go hand-in-hand. What they usually resort to for seeking solace actually adds to their woes. Alcohol, being a depressant, further blunts the effects of stress hormone and leaves a person feeling worse than ever.
Diminished sexual drive :
Although many people refrain from admitting openly, depression is often associated with loss of sexual desire and erectile dysfunctions. This is because depressed people usually feel withdrawn and believe that they are unable to raise enough energy to follow the normal routine. The general damping down of brain activity during depression leads to a feeling of hopelessness and this, in turn, causes loss of libido and sexual dysfunctions.
Chronic pain and digestion problem :
According to a research by the Harvard Medical School, pain, particularly chronic pain, is as much an emotional condition as a physical condition. In fact, men with chronic pain have three times the average risk of developing depression as compared to a normal person. Another study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that apart from chronic pain, depression is also associated with digestive disorders. This can be treated using prescribed medicines as well as counseling and psychological therapy.
Sleep imbalance :
Too much sleep or too little sleep is another common indication of an underlying depressive condition. Usually, people with depression complain about waking up early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep. Some even wake up frequently during the night or find it hard to get out of the bed in the morning.
Extreme tiredness :
General feeling of tiredness or fatigue has also been reported by many people suffering from depression. Most of them experience a persistent sense of tiredness and lack of motivation to complete regular chores.
Have sex everyday to keep diseases away! - The Times of India
If you thought that the only benefit of sex was, well, pleasure, here's some news for you. Making love is good for adults. And making love regularly is even better. Not only does it help you sleep well, relieve stress and burn calories, there are also several other reasons why you need to have sex more often.
Improves cardiovascular Health
A recent study says that men who have sex more than twice a week, have a lesser risk of getting a heart attack, than men who had sex less than once a month.
Increases immunity
Regular lovemaking increases the level of the immune-boosting antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA), which in turn makes your body stronger against illnesses like the common cold and fever.
Reduces stress
Stressed out with work or family problems? Don't let it affect your performance in the bedroom. Not only will having sex improve your mood, but a study has also proven that folks, who indulge in regular bedroom
activities can handle stress better and are happier people.
Relieves pain
If you're using a headache as an excuse to not make love, stop doing that. Have sex instead, because, when you're about to have an orgasm, the level of the hormone oxytocin increases by five times. This endorphin
actually reduces aches and pains.
Promotes longevity
When one has an orgasm, a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone is released. This improves immunity, repairs tissue and keeps the skin healthy. Men, who have at least two orgasms a week, live longer than men who have sex just once every few weeks.
Increases blood circulation
Because your heart rate increases when you have sex, fresh blood is supplied to your organs and cells. While used blood is removed, the body also expels toxins and other materials that cause you to feel tired.
You sleep better
The sleep that you get just after you've made love will be much more relaxed. Getting a good night's sleep will make you feel alert and overall healthy.
Improves overall fitness
If you find going to the gym mundane or working out at home a task, here's another way to help you lose the flab and keep in shape. Regular sex will do wonders for your waistline. Half an hour of lovemaking burns more than 80 calories.
Increases levels of Oestrogen and testosterone
In men, the hormone testosterone is what makes them more passionate in the sack. Not only will it make you feel way better in bed, but it also improves your muscles and bones, keeps your heart healthy and keeps a check on your cholesterol. In women, on the other hand, the hormone oestrogen protects them against heart disease and also determines a woman's body scent
Have sex everyday to keep diseases away! - The Times of India
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)