SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK

We should be aware that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.

We should be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

We may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.

Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.

60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.

Pain in the jaw can wake us from a sound sleep.

Let us be careful and be aware of the symptoms .

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.

The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand - houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.

Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.


What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists.

A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks.

In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.

What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture; overactivity of the pituitary gland;

Hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis; mechanical problems in the wrist joint; work stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools; fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause; or the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal. In some cases no cause can be identified.

Who is at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?

Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain.

Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults.

The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is not confined to people in a single industry or job, but is especially common in those performing assembly line work - manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, and meat, poultry, or fish packing.

In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more common among assemblers than among data-entry personnel. A 2001 study by the Mayo Clinic found heavy computer use (up to 7 hours a day) did not increase a person's risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor's direction. Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first.

Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling .

There are both non surgiacl , and surgical treatment available .

How can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented?

At the workplace, workers can do on-the-job conditioning, perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, wear splints to keep wrists straight, and use correct posture and wrist position. Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible.

Workstations, tools and tool handles, and tasks can be redesigned to enable the worker's wrist to maintain a natural position during work. Jobs can be rotated among workers.

Employers can develop programs in ergonomics, the process of adapting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers. However, research has not conclusively shown that these workplace changes prevent the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

add less salt to avoid diseases

We all know that salt is important in cooking . How ever if it raises a bit then the taste of the food changes .

People having blood pressure complaints are advised to use less salt in their food. Well what is the amount of salt one needed daily ?

According to scientists it is 2.8 gm per day for people who are working hard , and 2.2 gram per day for others .

Though it is hard to weigh our daily salt consumption , it is better to eat less salt to avoid high blood pressure and other complaints .

DO YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT

Here's a diet that can help you knock off anywhere up to 10 kilos in two months. It is a realistic and easy to follow programme that you will have no trouble sticking to.
you will need to couple this with an exercise routine which is equally easy to follow.
Your diet:
A good weight-loss diet is one which helps you drop kilos while improving your overall health. This food plan will make sure you never go hungry or even feel like you are on a diet. Things you need to be particular about are following the plan closely and maintaining regular, fixed meal times every day, because erratic eating causes the body to store fat.
Breakfast:
A bowl of cereal (of your choice, except sugar-coated varieties) with skimmed milk
Egg whites (boiled or poached)
Wholegrain toast with a low-fat spread
Fruit or fruit juice
Tea or coffee with skimmed milk and a sugar substitute (optional)
Mid-morning snack:
Handful of nuts
Glass of water with lemon OR green tea
Lunch:
Rotis
Vegetables lightly cooked in olive oil
Dal
Salad OR a wholegrain sandwich with low-fat filling, eg: veggies with chutney or hummus, egg with low-fat mayo etc.
Evening Snack:
Fruit OR idlis OR khakras
Tea/ coffee with skimmed milk and a sugar substitute (optional)
Dinner:
It is extremely important to eat your dinner at least 3 hours before you lie down in bed, in order to prevent fat storage:
Soup
Salad with a low fat dressing
Lightly cooked chicken/ fish/ lentils

Drink plenty of water through the day. Have a glass between every meal and two glasses before, during and after exercise.If you find yourself craving chocolate, wafers or any such sinful foods, you have two options:a. Go for a low-fat version of it or, b. Have just one bite of it to satisfy the urge. But make sure you don't do this more than once a week!

Your exercise routine:
Simply put, your body needs to burn more calories than it is consuming in order to lose weight. So while your diet takes care of not adding on unnecessary calories, exercise takes charge of burning the accumulated calories/ fat.

Here's a very simple exercise to help you burn off the kilos:
Walking!
You need to walk 5-6 days a week for a duration of 45 minutes. Start off with a 7-minute warm-up of walking at a medium pace. For the next 30 minutes, walk at a fast pace and maintain that pace through the 30 minutes (work hard!). Bring the pace down to medium again for the last 7 minutes and then to slow for the last minute. Make sure you walk on a jogging track or any even surface and wear proper walking shoes. Increase the walking pace each week. You could even start jogging.
Be persevering
Every individual's body reacts differently and some people lose weight faster than others. So if you don't see the results you'd hoped for un two months, don't give up. It just means that your body will take a bit longer, but you will get the figure you've always wanted, so keep at it!

Have a great health