What is Osteoporosis?

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Osteoporosis happens when bone density decreases and the body stops producing as much bone as it did before.
It can affect both males and females, but it is most likely to occur in women after menopause, because of the sudden decrease in estrogen, the hormone that normally protects against osteoporosis.

As the bones become weaker, there is a higher risk of a fracture during a fall or even a fairly minor knock.

Osteoporosis currently affects over 53 million people in the United States (U.S.).

Fast facts on osteoporosis
Here are some key points about osteoporosis. More detail is in the body of this article.
Osteoporosis affects the structure and strength of bones and makes fractures more likely, especially in the spine, hip, and wrists.
It is most common among females after menopause, but smoking and poor diet increase the risk.
There are often no clear outward symptoms, but weakening of the spine may lead to a stoop, and there may be bone pain.
A special x-ray-based scan, known as DEXA, is used for diagnosis.

Treatments include drugs to prevent or slow bone loss, exercise, and dietary adjustments, including extra calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.

What is osteoporosis?
“Osteoporosis” literally means “porous bones.” The bones become weaker, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in the hip, spinal vertebrae, and wrist.

Bone tissue is constantly being renewed, and new bone replaces old, damaged bone. In this way, the body maintains bone density and the integrity of its crystals and structure.

Bone density peaks when a person is in their late 20s. After the age of around 35 years, bone starts to become weaker. As we age, bone breaks down faster than it builds. If this happens excessively, osteoporosis results.

Treatment of osteoporosis
Treatment aims to:

slow or prevent the development of osteoporosis
maintain healthy bone mineral density and bone mass
prevent fractures
reduce pain
maximize the person’s ability to continue with their daily life
This is done through preventive lifestyle measure and the use of supplements and some drugs.

Drug therapy
Drugs that can help prevent and treat osteoporosis include:

Bisphosphonates: These are antiresorptive drugs that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
Estrogen agonists or antagonists, also known as selective estrogen-receptor modulators, SERMS), for example, raloxifene (Evista): These can reduce the risk of spine fractures in women after menopause.
Calcitonin (Calcimar, Miacalcin): This helps prevent spinal fracture in postmenopausal women, and it can help manage pain if a fracture occurs.
Parathyroid hormone, for example, teriparatide (Forteo): This is approved for people with a high risk of fracture, as it stimulates bone formation.
RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitors, such as denosumab (Xgeva): This is an immune therapy and a new type of osteoporosis treatment.
Other types of estrogen and hormone therapy may help.

The future of osteoporosis therapy?
In future, treatment may include stem cell therapy. In 2016, researchers found that injecting a particular kind of stem cell into mice reversed osteoporosis and bone loss in a way that could, potentially, benefit humans too.

Findings published in 2015 suggested that growth hormone (GH) taken with calcium and vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of fractures in the long term.

Also in 2015, researchers in the United Kingdom (U.K.) found evidence that a diet containing soy protein and isoflavones may offer protection from bone loss and osteoporosis during menopause.

Scientists believe that up to 75 percent of a person’s bone mineral density is determined by genetic factors. Researchers are investigating which genes are responsible for bone formation and loss, in the hope that this might offer new ways of preventing osteoporosis in future.

Bone loss that leads to osteoporosis develops slowly. There are often no symptoms or outward signs, and a person may not know they have it until they experience a fracture after a minor incident, such as a fall, or even a cough or sneeze.

Commonly affected areas are the hip, a wrist, or spinal vertebrae.

Breaks in the spine can lead to changes in posture, a stoop, and curvature of the spine.

Causes and risk factors
A number of risk factors for osteoporosis have been identified. Some are modifiable, but others cannot be avoided.

Unavoidable factors
Non-modifiable risk factors include:

Age: Risk increases after the mid-30s, and especially after menopause.
Reduced sex hormones: Lower estrogen levels appear to make it harder for bone to reproduce.
Ethnicity: White people and Asians are more susceptible than other ethnic groups.
Bone structure: Being tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or slim (weighing under 125 pounds) increases the risk.
Genetic factors: Having a close family member with a diagnosis of hip fracture or osteoporosis makes osteoporosis more likely.
Fracture history: Someone who has previously experienced a fracture during a low-level injury, especially after the age of 50 years, is more likely to receive a diagnosis.
Diet and lifestyle choices
Modifiable risk factors include:

eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa, or orthorexia
tobacco smoking
excessive alcohol intake
low levels or intake of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, due to dietary factors, malabsorption problems, or the use of some medications
inactivity or immobility
Weight-bearing exercise helps prevent osteoporosis. It places stress on the bones, and this encourages bone growth.

Drugs and health conditions
Some diseases or medications cause changes in hormone levels, and some drugs reduce bone mass.

Diseases that affect hormone levels include hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and Cushing’s disease.

Research published in 2015 suggests that transgender women who receive hormone treatment (HT) may be at higher risk of osteoporosis. However, using anti-androgens for a year before starting HT may reduce this risk. Transgender men do not appear to have a high risk of osteoporosis. More research is needed to confirm this.

Conditions that increase the risk include:

cancer
COPD
chronic kidney disease
some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Medications that raise the risk include:

glucocorticoids and corticosteroids, including prednisone and prednisolone
thyroid hormone
anticoagulants and blood-thinners, including heparin and warfarin
protein-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and other antacids that adversely affect mineral status
some antidepressant medications
some vitamin A (retinoid) medications
thiazide diuretics
thiazolidinediones, used to treat type 2 diabetes, as these decrease bone formation
some immunosuppressant agents, such as cyclosporine, which increase both bone resorption and formation
aromatase inhibitors and other treatments that deplete sex hormones, such as anastrozole, or Arimidex
some chemotherapeutic agents, including letrozole (Femara), used to treat breast cancer, and leuprorelin (Lupron) for prostate cancer and other conditions
Calcium is essential for bones, and ensuring an adequate calcium intake is important.

Adults aged 19 years and above should consume 1,000 milligrams (mg) a day. Women aged 51 years and over, and all adults from 71 years should have a daily intake of 1,200 mg.

Dietary sources are preferable and include:

dairy produce, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
green leafy vegetables, such as kale and broccoli
fish with soft bones, such as tinned salmon and tuna
fortified breakfast cereals
If a person’s dietary intake is not enough, supplements are an option. Calcium supplements are available for purchase online.

Vitamin D plays a key role, as it helps the body absorb calcium. Dietary sources include fortified foods, saltwater fish, and liver.

However, most vitamin D does not come from food but from sun exposure, so moderate, regular exposure to sunlight is recommended.

Vitamin D supplements are available for purchase online.

Lifestyle factors for preventing osteoporosis
Other ways to minimize the risk are:

not smoking, as this can reduce the growth of new bone and decrease estrogen levels in women
limiting alcohol intake, to encourage healthy bones and prevent falls
getting regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, as this promotes healthy bone and strengthens support from muscles
doing exercises to promote flexibility and balance, such as yoga, as these can reduce the risk of falls and fractures

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155646.php

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Cancer and controlling it

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What are cancer cells?

Your body is made up of 100 million milion cells. Cancer can start when just one of them begins to grow and multiply too much. The result is a growth called a tumour. Benign tumours are localised growths – they only cause problems if they put pressure on nearby tissues, such as the brain.
A number of forces can cause gene mutations, such as smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and a lack of exercise.


Most cancers don’t hurt at first. Cancers are often found by the detection of a painless lump, or some other symptom such as coughing or bleeding. … Most advanced cancers have the potential to cause pain. The good news is that our ability to control that pain is dramatically better than it was in the past.


There is nobody who can claim cure for cancer as such. But few people have successfully completed chemotherapy and lived life, even though the numbers are in single digits.
Instruction to cancer patients:
1. Stop Milk, Soy and Wheat
2. Stop sweets, cookies, candies, soda, canned and processed food
3. Stop Smoking
4. No microwave cooking , Cook on low flame, open vessel
5. Don’t warm coffee or anything in microwave
6. Use brown or unpolished rice
7. Use only organic vegetables
8. Use good quality liquid ghee or virgin coconut oil or virgin olive oil for cooking
9. Use ginger, garlic, turmeric, mint, Rosemary abundantly in cooking
10. Drink more warm water, cells need water
11. Green tea instead of coffee/ tea
12. Eat grapes with seeds, papaya, ripened banana every day
13. Take barefoot walk on beach or soil 15 minutes a day
14. No Active electronic gadgets in bed room including phones, Wifi during night.
15. If you can, don’t use plastic bottles for storing water, plastic spoons, plastic containers to store food
16. Oxygen kills cancer – have deep breathing exercises and medidate if you can every day.
17. Eat Til (sesame) Laddu or til once a week.
How turmeric helps cure cancer?
1. Curcumin [Turmeric] protects lungs
2. Kills cancer stem cells (root cause of cancer) – Research report
3. Shrinks tumour with 80% success rate – Research report
4. Cuts breast cancer rate in half
5. Shrinks pancreatic tumour by 42%
6. Activates cancer killing mechanism in human saliva – Research report
7. Eat Neem leaves – photo chemical obtained by name Nimbolide has used in cancer treatment
These are everyday consumable food and we all can use these more in our daily diet to be healthy!

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Headphones: When hearing danger is closer than you think !

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It seems like everywhere you look, from the gym to the subway to the street, people are wearing headphones or earbuds connecting them to their own portable listening devices. Have we become a society of “musicophiles?” Not really. More so than ever before, people are using their headphones to listen to music as a means of blocking out the outside world, and that is coming at an unfortunate price.

According to the World Health Organization, 50 percent of young adults are exposed to potentially unsafe music levels from their portable devices. And the latest statistics on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are astounding; according to the CDC, in the U.S. alone 5.2 million people between the ages of 6 and 19 and 26 million adults between the ages of 20 and 69 have NIHL. It is a growing problem; studies suggest the rate of children with hearing loss is 30 percent higher than it was 25 years ago.
Though convenient, it seems that new technology could be to blame. Some of us remember the days when we popped one cassette tape into our Sony Walkman, listened to both sides, and that was that. But now iPods and other mp3 players allow us to have thousands of songs at our fingertips at all times, meaning listening time is increased. The increased storage plus the rise of streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes radio mean we are spending more and more time on our personal music devices.

Adding to the problem is that young people especially are using their devices as a means of relaxation, a way to tune out the noise of the outside world. But most headphones aren’t built for that, so in order to “block out” ambient noise, the music needs to be cranked up to unsafe levels. The problem is that most earbuds that come bundled with mp3 players are of low quality, and not only do they not block ambient noise, they transmit the bass poorly. Both of these factors lead listeners to turn up the volume even more.

So how does the damage occur? In order to explain that, we need to look at the parts of the ear vital to transmitting sound: the cilia. In each ear, there are about 18,000 of these tiny hair cells that transmit sound. Those microscopic hair cells are an integral part of the process that sends an electrical signal to the brain, which then translates to a recognizable sound. Loud music damages these hair cells, and that damage eventually causes them to die. Unfortunately the hair cells lack the capability to regenerate. In other words, once they are gone, they are gone for good.

Earbuds in particular are dangerous to hearing simply because of their design. They are essentially tiny speakers that sit in the ear, funneling music straight into the ear canal. Outside-the-ear headphones are a better option, as unlike earbuds which deliver music directly into the ear, they provide somewhat of a buffering space between the music and the ear canal. However — although headphones are a safer choice than earbuds when it comes to hearing — they are not without their drawbacks. Like earbuds, most headphones are of low or mediocre quality and do not transmit the bass efficiently. It is worth investing in better quality headphones to improve your listening experience and protect your hearing.

Two different kind of headphones are available which can not only help block out ambient noise, but can protect your hearing as well by allowing you to hear your music at safer levels. One option is noise cancelling headphones, which work by using inverse waves to cancel out the incoming sound. They work best at cancelling out low frequency sounds, like the hum of an engine or the rumble of traffic, but not as well as cancelling out higher frequency sounds like the sound of conversation. Another option is noise isolating headphones; they work a bit differently, by creating a seal around the ear that creates a physical barrier between the ear and the outside noise.

If you’re not ready to shell out for expensive noise-cancelling or noise isolating headphones, it doesn’t mean you have to stop listening to the music you enjoy. Whether using earbuds or headphones, there are other steps you can take to protect your hearing. For example, to ensure safe listening, experts recommend listening at a maximum of 85 decibels (dB) for no more than eight hours a day. You are most likely not measuring the sound output of your iPod with a decibel meter, so in lieu of that, the 60/60 rule is a good guideline: listen to your music for no more than 60 minutes at a time at no more than 60 percent of your iPod’s maximum volume.

“The maximum output of an mp3 such as an iPod player can get up to 115 dB which can cause permanent hearing damage in as little as eight to 15 minutes,” warns Dr. Sreekant Cherukari, otolaryngologist in Chicago. But if you go under your iPods settings, you can actually set it so the volume doesn’t exceed safe listening levels. Again, 60 percent of maximum volume is recommended.

So don’t worry, it’s still possible so enjoy your music. Just keep it as far away from your ears as possible and keep the volume down to ensure healthy hearing for years to come.

Source: https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52503-Headphones-when-hearing-danger-is-closer-than-you-think

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Cosmetic Surgery in Teens: Information for Parents

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Pediatric Cosmetic surgeons perform both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery repairs a physical defect that affects a child’s ability to function normally (e.g., a cleft palate).
Cosmetic surgery aims to improve someone’s physical appearance and is mainly about improving their self-image or confidence.


Age of Consent
The question of cosmetic (aka aesthetic) surgery in teens can be a thorny subject. There are no specific laws in the United States that prevent teenagers from getting cosmetic surgery; however, parental consent is required for patients under the age of 18. Therefore, the responsibility falls to parents to help their children make the right decision.

Common Cosmetic Surgeries Performed on Teens
Cosmetic surgery can be appropriate in selected teenagers and can be safely done. In 2013, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) published data showing that number of cosmetic surgery done for the teens has actually come down progressively over the years, in contrast to the media reports suggesting otherwise.

For example, in 2013 the ASPS reported that members performed 63,600 surgeries on patients between 13-19 years of age. The most common surgeries included:

Breast augmentation (breast implants) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers aesthetic breast augmentation for patients less than 18 years of age to be an off-label use. The FDA has not approved breast augmentation in patients younger than 18. According to the ASPS, over 8,000 surgeries were performed in 2013 on 18-19 year old girls.
Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) – This is the most requested aesthetic surgical procedure by teens. It can be performed when the nose has completed 90% of its growth, which can occur as early as age 13 or 14 in girls and 15 or 16 in boys.
Breast reduction – Frequently, this surgery is performed on girls with overly large breasts that may cause back and shoulder pain, as well as restrict physical activity. Breast reduction usually is delayed until the breasts have reached full development. In some boys, excessive breast development (gynecomastia) can become a significant problem. In those cases, the excess tissue can be removed.
Otoplasty (ear pinning) – This surgery is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six.
Liposuction
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures
The ASPS reported nearly 156,000 non-surgical cosmetic procedures including botulinum (Botox®) injections, skin resurfacing, and laser treatments of hair, skin and veins.

If Your Teenager Wants Plastic Surgery
They must voice a specific concern and have realistic goals. Teens who are able to voice a specific concern and have realistic goals for their outcome are candidates for cosmetic procedures. For example, a teen who notes a hump on the nose and requests to have it removed, has a specific complaint. If that teen’s goal is to have a straight nose and blend in with peers, the outcome is likely to be achieved, so this teen may be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. It the teenager believes that a straight nose will increase popularity, the goal is unrealistic and the teenager is not a good candidate for surgery.
They must show maturity and understand the procedure, risks, and consequences. A good candidate for cosmetic surgery is mature enough to understand the procedure, its risks, and what limitations the recovery period will require. The teenager requesting nasal reshaping who cannot rearrange their sports obligations to allow 6-8 weeks for surgery and healing is not yet ready to commit to the surgery and is not a good candidate for surgery. A mature teenager should also have an understanding of the possible things that can go wrong and be willing to accept that situation should it happen.
They must initiate the request for surgery. It is never advisable for a parent to suggest plastic surgery. The idea has to come from the child. Parents may project their own experiences and want to protect their children from emotional harm. If a teen has prominent ears, but is not bothered by them, that teen is not a good candidate even if the ears would respond well to an otoplasty. Parents who request consultation for a teen in this case may tell the doctor, “My ears have always bothered me and I don’t want my child to have the same problem.” If the teen is not requesting the surgery, there is no patient consent, even if there is parental consent.
​If your teen asks you about cosmetic procedures– particularly on the ears, nose or breasts – they may be candidates for cosmetic surgery. Explore what they feel they would like to change and why they would like it changed. Research what surgery might be like, what its risks are and how it would affect their activities. If as a parent-teenager team, you feel that cosmetic surgery may be appropriate, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric plastic surgeon who can explain more about it to you and your child.
Check Credentials
State laws permit any licensed physician to call themselves a “plastic” or “cosmetic” surgeon, even if not trained as a surgeon. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). If the doctor operates in an ambulatory or office-based facility, the facility should be accredited. Additionally, the surgeon should have operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure being considered.

Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Cosmetic-Surgery-in-Teens-Information-for-Parents.aspx

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Health benefits of Jamun fruits

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White Jamun fruits health benefit
Jamuns are low on calories, which makes them the perfect healthy snack. Jamun juice has bioactive phytochemicals that minimise the risk of liver disease and cancer. They are also known to be effective in treatment of diabetes. Here’s How Jamuns Help in Weight Loss. Jamun is very low in calories, and hence, makes for a great healthy snack if you are trying to lose weight during summers. … In addition to this, jamuns are known to optimise digestion, which further helps in your weight loss management.

Toss a few white jamuns or wax apple in a bowl with other citrus fruits and enjoy a healthy fruit salad.

Surprising benefits of Black Jamun
Jamun or Black plum is an important summer fruit, associated with many health and medicinal benefits. The black plum is known to relieve stomach pain, carminative, anti-scorbutic and diuretic. Jamun vinegar is good to reduce enlargement of spleen, diarrhea, and who has urine retention problems. Jamum’s ployphenolic compounds are effective against cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma and arthritis. Various digestive disorders i.e. flatulence, bowel spasm, stomach disorders, dysentery are cured by jamun. It is also eaten as tonic to increase sexual activity. Jamun is known by different names such as jambul, jambas, jamun, jambolan, rajaman, kala jamun, neredu, naval, nerale, jamali, java plum, black plum and black berry.

Jamun for diabetes treatment

The jamun fruit and jamun leaves are good for diabetes patient. The black plum has anti-diabetic features. Jamun helps to convert starch into energy and keep your blood sugar levels in check. In the summer season, the sugar patient should eat jamun regularly because of its low glycemic index. Jamun reduces the symptoms of diabetes like frequent urination and thrusting. The extract of bark, seeds, and leaves are too beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. In a recent study in CDRI, Lucknow, India, it has been found that the dried alcoholic extract of the seeds are good to reduce the level of blood sugar. The decoction of the bark and powdered seed is good in the treatment of diabetes. The extract of the bark, seeds and leaves are good in decreased of sugar in urine (glycouria). Jamum and jamun seeds are hypoglycemic effects. Jamun seeds powder contains jamboline, a type of glucose, which helps to control the conversion of starch into sugar.

Jamun for beauty and fair skin
Jamun seeds are used as an effective agent to treat acne. First of all crush the jamun sees and mix cow milk to it. Apply the paste before going to bed and wash it in the morning. Regular application of these ingredients is helpful in curing and treating of acne. The problem of oily skin is controlled with the mix of jamun pulp, barley flour, amla juice and rose water. Use this mix as face mask and wash when it gets dry. To control dark spots from your face, the paste of jamun seed powder, lemon powder, gram flour, few drops of almond oil and rose water, is prepared. Apply it on your face and wash it when it dries off. Jamun cures leucoderma after stimulating the melanin.

Jamun nutrition facts
The black plum has many vital nutrients. The nutrition values and nutritional properties of jamun are as follows: The jamun fruit is loaded with sugars like glucose and fructose along with lesser calories. The 100 grams of the fruit contain nutrients: calcium (15 mg), iron (1.41 mg), magnesium (35 mg), phosphorous (15 mg), sodium (26.2 mg), vitamin C (18 mg), thiamine (0.019 mg), riboflavin (0.009 mg), niacin (0.245 mg), vitamin B6 (0.038 mg), calories (62 k cal), carbohydrate (14 gm), carotene (48 ug), folic acid (3 mg), fiber (0.6 gm), fat (0.23 gm), protein (0.995 gm), water (84.75 gm).

Medicinal uses of Jamun
One of the best medicinal benefits of jamun is its anti-diabetic properties. The black plum works against diabetes and convert sugar into energy. The Jamun fruit is good for digestive system because of its coolant features. Jambul is being having astringent properties, helps to prevent acne, blemishes, wrinkles and pimples. It is also good for blood due to more amount of iron. The presence of vitamin C is beneficial for fair skin complexion. Jamun is having many bio-chemical compounds, which includes flavonoids, essential oils, gallic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, betulic acid, etc., which are beneficial in managing and treating of many diseases.

Commercial uses of Jamun
Colored jelly is made with black plum flash by adding a commercial jelly agent. The black plum squash is prepared with jamun juice. For making squash, other ingredients such as sugar, water, citric acid and sodium benzoate are used. Sodium benzoate is used for the purpose of preservation. Besides squash, jams and candies are also made from jamun. Vinegar is made from the unripe fruit while as excellent quality of wine is prepared from ripe jamun.

Jamun to increase haemoglobin
Jamun has the adequate amount of iron and vitamin C. The presence of iron in the black plum is good to increase the haemoglobin count. Jamum iron content acts as blood purifying agent. Since, it is the medium of purifying your blood; therefore, it is good for skin and beauty. Iron content is beneficial in menses where the lady faces blood loss. People suffering from anemia and jaundice should take jamun because of its high iron content.


Drinking of Jamun juice is used to treat digestive disorders such as diarrhea, dysentery and dyspepsia.
In case of diarrhea, jamun juice is beneficial after mixing little amount of sat in it.
Jamun juice along with curd is good against digestive problems.
Teeth related problems can be solved by applying jamun juice or by drinking it.
Jamun juice is beneficial in treating of piles and hemorrhoids.
Drinking of the fresh fruit juice helps in cough and asthma.
Jamun juice enhances your immune system.
It protects you from cold and acts as anti-aging agent.
The juice of the fruits is given in spleen enlargement and urine retention.
Jamun juice should be taken to overcome the problem of female sterility.

Source: https://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/amazing-health-benefits-and-uses-of-jamun-fruit-black-plum/8944/

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When your child needs Speech Therapist?

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As with other skills and milestones, the age at which kids learn language and start talking can vary. Many babies happily babble “mama” and “dada” well before their first birthday, and most toddlers can say about 20 words by the time they’re 18 months old. But what if a 2-year-old isn’t really talking yet or only puts two words together?

Knowing what’s “normal” and what’s not in speech and language development can help parents figure out if there’s cause for concern or if their child is right on schedule.

How Are Speech and Language Different?
Speech is the verbal expression of language and includes articulation (the way sounds and words are formed).
Language is the entire system of giving and getting information in a meaningful way. It’s understanding and being understood through communication — verbal, nonverbal, and written.
What Are Speech or Language Delays?
Speech and language problems differ, but often overlap. For example:

A child with a language delay might pronounce words well but only be able to put two words together.
A child with a speech delay might use words and phrases to express ideas but be difficult to understand.
When Do Kids Develop Speech and Language Skills?
The stages of speech and language development are the same for all kids, but the age at which kids develop them can vary a lot.

During routine well-child checkups, doctors look to see if kids have reached developmental milestones at these ages:

Before 12 Months
By the first birthday, babies should be using their voices to relate to their environment. Cooing and babbling are early stages of speech development. At around 9 months, babies begin to string sounds together, use different tones of speech, and say words like “mama” and “dada” (without really understanding what those words mean).

Before 12 months of age, babies also should be paying attention to sound and starting to recognize names of common objects (bottle, binky, etc.). Babies who watch intently but don’t react to sound could be showing signs of hearing loss.

By 12 to 15 Months
Kids this age should have a wide range of speech sounds in their babbling (like p, b, m, d, or n), begin to imitate sounds and words they hear, and often say one or more words (not including “mama” and “dada”). Nouns usually come first, like “baby” and “ball.” They also should be able to understand and follow simple one-step directions (“Please give me the toy,” etc.).

From 18 to 24 Months
Most (but not all) toddlers can say about 20 words by 18 months and 50 or more words by the time they turn 2. By age 2, kids are starting to combine two words to make simple sentences, such as “baby crying” or “Daddy big.” A 2-year-old should be able to identify common objects (in person and in pictures); point to eyes, ears, or nose when asked; and follow two-step commands (“Please pick up the toy and give it to me,” for example).

From 2 to 3 Years
Parents often see huge gains in their child’s speech. A toddler’s vocabulary should increase (to too many words to count) and he or she should routinely combine three or more words into sentences.

Comprehension also should increase — by age 3, a child should begin to understand what it means to “put it on the table” or “put it under the bed.” Kids also should begin to identify colors and understand descriptive concepts (big versus little, for example).

What Are the Signs of a Speech or Language Delay?
A baby who doesn’t respond to sound or who isn’t vocalizing should be seen by a doctor right away. But often, it’s hard for parents to know if their child is just taking a little longer to reach a speech or language milestone, or if there’s a problem that needs medical attention.

Here are some things to watch for. Call your doctor if your child:

by 12 months: isn’t using gestures, such as pointing or waving bye-bye
by 18 months: prefers gestures over vocalizations to communicate
by 18 months: has trouble imitating sounds
has trouble understanding simple verbal requests
by 2 years: can only imitate speech or actions and doesn’t produce words or phrases spontaneously
by 2 years: says only certain sounds or words repeatedly and can’t use oral language to communicate more than his or her immediate needs
by 2 years: can’t follow simple directions
by 2 years: has an unusual tone of voice (such as raspy or nasal sounding)
is more difficult to understand than expected for his or her age:
Parents and regular caregivers should understand about half of a child’s speech at 2 years and about three quarters at 3 years.
By 4 years old, a child should be mostly understood, even by people who don’t know the child.
What Causes Speech or Language Delays?
A speech delay in an otherwise normally developing child might be due to an oral impairment, like problems with the tongue or palate (the roof of the mouth). And a short frenulum (the fold beneath the tongue) can limit tongue movement for speech production.

Many kids with speech delays have oral-motor problems. These happen when there’s a problem in the areas of the brain responsible for speech, making it hard to coordinate the lips, tongue, and jaw to produce speech sounds. These kids also might have other oral-motor problems, such as feeding difficulties.

Hearing problems are also commonly related to delayed speech. That’s why an audiologist should test a child’s hearing whenever there’s a speech concern. Kids who have trouble hearing may have trouble articulating as well as understanding, imitating, and using language.

Ear infections, especially chronic infections, can affect hearing. Simple ear infections that have been treated, though, should not affect speech. And, as long as there is normal hearing in at least one ear, speech and language will develop normally.

How Are Speech or Language Delays Diagnosed?
If you or your doctor think that your child might have a problem, it’s important to get an early evaluation by a speech-language pathologist. You can find a speech-language pathologist on your own, or ask your health care provider to refer you to one.

The speech-language pathologist will evaluate your child’s speech and language skills within the context of total development. The pathologist will do standardized tests and look for milestones in speech and language development.

The speech-language pathologist will also assess:

what your child understands (called receptive language)
what your child can say (called expressive language)
if your child is attempting to communicate in other ways, such as pointing, head shaking, gesturing, etc.
sound development and clarity of speech
your child’s oral-motor status (how the mouth, tongue, palate, etc., work together for speech as well as eating and swallowing)
Based on the test results, the speech-language pathologist might recommend speech therapy for your child.

How Does Speech Therapy Help?
The speech therapist will work with your child to improve speech and language skills, and show you what to do at home to help your child.

What Can Parents Do?
Parental involvement is an important part of helping kids who have a speech or language problem.

Here are a few ways to encourage speech development at home:

Spend a lot of time communicating with your child. Even during infancy — talk, sing, and encourage imitation of sounds and gestures.
Read to your child. Start reading when your child is a baby. Look for age-appropriate soft or board books or picture books that encourage kids to look while you name the pictures. Try starting with a classic book (such as Pat the Bunny, in which your child imitates the patting motion) or books with textures that kids can touch. Later, let your child point to recognizable pictures and try to name them. Then move on to nursery rhymes, which have rhythmic appeal. Progress to predictable books (such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) that let kids anticipate what happens. Your little one may even start to memorize favorite stories.
Use everyday situations. To reinforce your child’s speech and language, talk your way through the day. For example, name foods at the grocery store, explain what you’re doing as you cook a meal or clean a room, point out objects around the house, and as you drive, point out sounds you hear. Ask questions and acknowledge your child’s responses (even when they’re hard to understand). Keep things simple, but avoid “baby talk.”

Source: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/not-talk.html

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Four signs if you need Knee Replacement

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Is a bad knee getting in the way of the things you love? Mr Peter Gallacher, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital, reveals four signs you may need a new one.
Knee osteoarthritis develops over time and can sneak up on you. When you do begin to experience symptoms, much of the damage may already be done. Here are some signs you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Pain points
Pain with activity.
Knee pain manifests in many ways. Pain that comes on with activity and limits what you can do is a clear signal to seek help.

Pain doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks to be serious. Pain that comes on after activity, also known as ‘payback pain’, can be a warning that your knee isn’t performing as it should.

Pain that interrupts sleep.
If you find knee pain prevents you from falling asleep or you wake up because of pain caused by your movements during sleep – talk to someone about it.

2. Visual changes
The way your knee looks can be just as important as the way it feels. Changes in the appearance of your knee can be a sign of inflammation. If your leg swells, or looks markedly different from the other then it may be time to speak with a specialist.

3. Limited movement
Difficulty sitting down in a low seat such as in a car or cinema because your knee refuses to bend is a common sign of osteoarthritis. Seizing or catching of the joint during movement can also indicate advanced deterioration or that a loose bone fragment has become lodged in the joint.

4. Lifestyle limitations
It doesn’t matter if you want to climb a mountain or simply prune the garden – any symptom that prevents or limits your ability to do the things you love is cause for concern. With a little help, a bad knee doesn’t have to impact your quality of life.

Source: https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/article/4-signs-you-need-a-knee-replacement

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Colon Cancer

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Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the final part of your digestive tract. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers.

Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer.

Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool, that lasts longer than four weeks
Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
Weakness or fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they’ll likely vary, depending on the cancer’s size and location in your large intestine.

When to see a doctor
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or an ongoing change in bowel habits, do not hesitate to make an appointment with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend that colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.
Causes
In most cases, it’s not clear what causes colon cancer. Doctors know that colon cancer occurs when healthy cells in the colon develop errors in their genetic blueprint, the DNA. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But when a cell’s DNA is damaged and becomes cancerous, cells continue to divide — even when new cells aren’t needed. As the cells accumulate, they form a tumor.

With time, the cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy normal tissue nearby. And cancerous cells can travel to other parts of the body to form deposits there (metastasis).

Inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer
Inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer can be passed through families, but these inherited genes are linked to only a small percentage of colon cancers. Inherited gene mutations don’t make cancer inevitable, but they can increase an individual’s risk of cancer significantly.

The most common forms of inherited colon cancer syndromes are:

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC, also called Lynch syndrome, increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers. People with HNPCC tend to develop colon cancer before age 50.
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is a rare disorder that causes you to develop thousands of polyps in the lining of your colon and rectum. People with untreated FAP have a greatly increased risk of developing colon cancer before age 40.
FAP, HNPCC and other, rarer inherited colon cancer syndromes can be detected through genetic testing. If you’re concerned about your family’s history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor about whether your family history suggests you have a risk of these conditions.

Association between diet and increased colon cancer risk
Studies of large groups of people have shown an association between a typical Western diet and an increased risk of colon cancer. A typical Western diet is high in fat and low in fiber.

When people move from areas where the typical diet is low in fat and high in fiber to areas where the typical Western diet is most common, the risk of colon cancer in these people increases significantly. It’s not clear why this occurs, but researchers are studying whether a high-fat, low-fiber diet affects the microbes that live in the colon or causes underlying inflammation that may contribute to cancer risk. This is an area of active investigation and research is ongoing.

Get screened for colon cancer
People with an average risk of colon cancer can consider screening beginning at age 50. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner.

Several screening options exist — each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Talk about your options with your doctor, and together you can decide which tests are appropriate for you.

Make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk
You can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer by making changes in your everyday life. Take steps to:

Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which may play a role in cancer prevention. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables so that you get an array of vitamins and nutrients.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
Stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit that may work for you.
Exercise most days of the week. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. If you’ve been inactive, start slowly and build up gradually to 30 minutes. Also, talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you are at a healthy weight, work to maintain your weight by combining a healthy diet with daily exercise. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy ways to achieve your goal. Aim to lose weight slowly by increasing the amount of exercise you get and reducing the number of calories you eat.

Source https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353669

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Health benefits of Jaggery and Neem

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Health benefits of eating jaggery everyday

Weight loss: Jaggery is a good source of minerals, including potassium, which helps improve metabolism and maintain electrolyte balance in the body. The potassium content of jaggery also helps control water retention in the body and build muscle, thereby aiding in weight loss.

Liver detoxification: It is claimed that jaggery also boosts immunity and helps prevent different blood-related problems. The food can also help cleanse the liver by flushing out impurities from the body. Therefore, jaggery seems to be an excellent food for liver detoxification, which further helps with weight management. Read – Jaggery and lemon juice: Best Ayurvedic medicine to lose weight and burn belly fat

Prevents respiratory problems: Consuming jaggery everyday may help prevent different respiratory ailments like bronchitis and asthma. This is due to the fact that jaggery contains certain health and anti-allergy properties that help in regulating the temperature of the body, which is highly beneficial for patients such as asthma.

Improves digestion: It’s quite common in India to eat a small piece of jaggery after a heavy meal or eating meat. Some people claim jaggery helps speed up the procedure of digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzyme. This also means that jaggery can stimulate bowel movements, making it an ideal choice for preventing digestive issues like constipation and flatulence. Read – Air pollution: How to protect your eyes from smog and toxic pollutants

Prevents anaemia: Since jaggery is rich in iron, it may be beneficial in preventing anaemia. Thus, adding jaggery to your diet isn’t a bad idea because it contains iron.

Although jaggery can be beneficial for your health in different ways, remember, it is still sugar. So, have it in moderation, eating too much of gur is not a good idea. Moreover, excessive sugar consumption is linked to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

NEEM LEAF BENEFITS

1. Skin Benefits
In the book ‘Ayurveda For All: Effective Ayurvedic Self Cure for Common and Chronic Ailments’, Murli Manohar lists how consuming neem leaves can remove toxins, and purify blood to give us a clearer skin. Neem leaves have strong anti-bacterial properties which work wonders on infections, burns and any kind of skin problems. While a paste of neem leaves and turmeric can be used for treating insect bites, itching, eczema, ring worms and some mild skin diseases, chewing the leaves can also give you a nourished, purified and radiant skin. If the bitterness bothers you, mix them with honey and have or make a solution by boiling neem leaves and drink the strained water. It can also treat all your acne and dark spot problems.


2. Good for Hair Nourishing

Chewing neem leaves can prove beneficial for your hair too, with its high levels of antioxidants. Neem protects the scalp from oxidative stress caused by the free radicals. Neem leaves also stimulate healthy cell division and support hair follicle growth around your scalp region. Washing your hair with boiled neem water has been a traditional method to combat dandruff and undernourished, damaged hair. Neem leaves have anti-fungal properties, which work effectively against a fungi called Malassezia, which causes dandruff. Its immense healing properties has earned neem the name of scalp saviour too.


3. Good For Your Eyes

Ayurveda also points out how neem leaves can be good for the eyes. Chewing neem can improve your vision. To treat any kind of irritation, tiredness or redness you can also boil some neem leaves, let the water cool completely and then use it to wash your eyes.


4. Boosting Immune System

Rich in antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant properties, chewing neem leaves can prove very effective in strengthening your immune system. Those leaves can prevent the damage caused by free radicals, thereby bringing down the risk of many diseases ranging from common flu to cancer or heart disease. Neem leaves destroy bacteria and further stimulates the immune system.

5. Improves Digestion

Neem leaves are excellent for your liver, which automatically enhances your digestion. Apart from this, consuming neem on a daily basis also destroys excess bacteria in the intestinal region and cleanses your colon, further facilitating a smoother digestion.


6. Oral Health

In rural areas, Indians are very well versed with the idea of  brushing their teeth with neem twigs. Even chewing neem leaves can bring forth multiple dental and oral benefits. Neem being antibacterial in nature fights germs and maintains the alkaline level of our saliva. It is also effective against plaque formation and gum infections. Chewing neem can also lend you a shiny set of pearly white teeth.

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What is monkey fever or KFD?

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The disease was first reported from Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka in India in March 1957. The disease first manifested as an epizootic outbreak among monkeys killing several of them in the year 1957. Hence the disease is also locally known as “monkey disease” or “monkey fever”.The similarity with Russian spring-summer encephalitis was noted and the possibility of migratory birds carrying the disease was raised.

Monkey fever is a virus fever, belonging to the family Flaviviridae, which also includes yellow fever and dengue fever. The disease is carried by ticks, rodents, birds, etc and it affects monkeys and human beings. It is a vector-borne disease.

Money fever or Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a viral fever that is a tick-borne hemorrhafic fever. It is detected in South Africa and coastal southern India.

It is a virus fever, belonging to the family Flaviviridae, which also includes yellow fever and dengue fever. The disease is carried by ticks, rodents, birds, etc and it affects monkeys and human beings. It is a vector-borne disease.

The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of nymphs of the tick or when humans come into contact with an infected animal.
Primary symptoms

– High fever

– Frontal headaches

– Haemorrhagic symptoms, such as bleeding from the nasal cavity, throat, and gums, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding

Secondary symptoms

– Vomiting,

– Muscle stiffness,

– Tremors,

– Absent reflexes,

– Mental disturbances

Recovery and cure

– Vaccination,

– Proper Rest

– Rich protein diet

Precautions

– Protective clothing

– Tick control,

– Mosquito control

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