Cholesterol

Cholesterol:
Cholesterol is white crystalline solid compound produced by liver and plays an important role in blood plasma and cell membranes. Cholesterol,triglyceride are different forms of storage substances of fats in the body. Chemical structure of cholesterol is C27-H4-OH and triglyceride is CHOH2-CHOH-CHOH2.

To maintain an optimal health, cholesterol and triglycerides are essential. Cholesterol and triglycerides play an important role in cell development but if they cross normal level which is essential for body chemical reactions, it will distress the health. Our body has the capacity to prepare required cholesterol or fats. But people intake certain junk foods (pastas, pizzas,fast foods, Burgers, Oils etc) which increases fat levels in body and considered as cholesterol foods. Lack of exercise, food habits, busy life style are some of the reasons effecting increase in cholesterol levels in body.

Lipid profile test gives total analysis of cholesterol and triglycerides percentage in body.  People always focus on cholesterol levels and ignore triglycerides percentage due to lack of awareness. This became main reason for so many health problems. In India, people have more triglycerides percentage when compared to cholesterol level in blood. This shares main percentage in causing heart related problems.

When ever we eat food,  calories will be released. Liver will transform them into glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides and release to blood. Glucose will transform quickly into energy but cholesterol and triglycerides will remain in body as energy deposits. in extreme conditions when body requires energy, these cholesterol and triglycerides will be utilized as energy. But now a days these cholesterol and triglycerides are never utilized and their levels are increasing gradually day by day.

There are two types of cholesterol in the body 
1) HDL-High-density lipoprotein ( good cholesterol) .
2) LDL-Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol).

 Increased levels of HDL cholesterol in body never harm to body. But LDL cholesterol will settle on blood vessels and disturbs the blood flow and increased levels of LDL gradually closes the blood vessels and interrupts blood flow. On the other hand, triglycerides saturate on blood vessels and gradually converted to LDL. By this action, heart will face trouble to take blood filled with oxygen. When ever blood vessels are completely closed, the person will be affected with severe heart attack.

                                             

Normal cholesterol levels or cholesterol ratios:
LDL which ranges in between '130 -200mg/dl 0r 50-95% MESA'  is considered as high rates of LDL cholesterol. Triglycerides which ranges in 200-499 mg/dl considered as risk levels where as normal level is lesser to those two.

Obesity is only one of the reason, there are several reasons which causes increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body.  People who are having smoking and alcohol drinking habits will suffer from increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides percentage in the body. Diabetes and lack of exercise are other main reasons.

Activities to lower cholesterol:

• Need to exercise at-least 30 minutes everyday.
• Need to leave smoking and alcohol habits. 
• Reduce the intake of pasta's, pizza's, burgers and fast foods which increases cholesterol levels in the body. 
• Need to intake fresh vegetables and millet's.
• Avoid Chocolates,Tea and coffee with added sugars.
• In serious conditions need to take surgery for removing excess cholesterol from body.
• Regularly check BMI(body mass index) and it should be less than 24.
• Foods which have omega-3-fatty acids like fish,flax seeds have capacity to lower triglycerides levels in body.

Natural Cholesterol lowering foods:

• Oats,Barley,Brown Rice, Millets
• Flax seeds
• Cereals
• Nuts - Almonds, Walnuts, etc
• Vegetables -Eggplant,Soya,Lady finger
• Fruits.- Sour taste fruits(Citrus, Grapes, etc),Apples, Papaya
• Garlic

Stomach Gas and Bloating

Stomach Gas and Bloating:
Releasing excess gas from stomach is a natural phenomena in human body. This process is known as Belching or burping. Swallowing air while drinking or eating quickly is the main reason of belching. Inflammation of the stomach lining is known as gastritis, delayed emptying stomach is known as gastroparesis. These diseases of stomach are related to chronic belching.

When gas doesn't go from stomach in natural way, it will buildup from stomach to intestines and leads stomach bloating. This stomach bloating will causes intense abdominal pain. Releasing gas or a bowel movement may relax the pain.

Stomach bloating with vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps with gas is known as Gastroenteritis. Food poison, unhygienic water, close contact with affected person leads to Gastroenteritis. Drinking of clean water by mixing salt and sugar is natural remedy for Gastroenteritis. Electrolyte powder,oral rehydration solution with proper care is needed to overcome this situation.

What causes stomach gas?
Food we eat, irregular life style, swallowing food without chewing, talking while eating, fiber foods like beans, chemical reaction of bacteria on food,  some foods like pulses,cereals, beans and cauliflower which are really good also a reason, carbonated drinks, smoking , foods that contain sulphur like meat,cauliflower,eggs which causes gas with bad smell, indigestible sugars in stomach reacts with bacteria in colon  and releases gas, indigestible fructose also releases gas, bacteria in intestine releases gas.

Prevention of stomach gas causes:
Chew the food properly, chewing slowly, limited food intake, stop smoking, Avoid Tobacco related mouth fresheners, exercise daily,limiting carbonated drinks and sweets, eating at regular times, drinking 10-12 glasses of fluids , simple walk after eating food, walking.

Stomach gas remedies:

• Coriander seeds will relieve stomach gas and bloating. Coriander seeds will reduce stomach pain.
• Ginger with honey in hot water act as stomach gas pain relief.
• Intake ginger pieces with 1 spoon of lemon juice after every meal. It helps in quick digestion and eliminate stomach gas.
• Asafoetida is a good remedy for eliminating stomach gas and bloating.
• Garlic with Chickpeas (brown) or Bengal gram soup will cure stomach pain and gas.
• Peach tree leaves in hot water will release excess stomach gas.
• Carom seeds with Cardamom, black pepper and dry ginger powder will relieve stomach gas and bloating.
• Cinnamon will reduce stomach pain and gas.
• Holy basil leaves will prevent forming of stomach gas.
• Asafoetida with rock salt, dry ginger and Cardamom powder will give stomach gas relief.
• Cumin seeds boiled extract will act as stomach gas medicine.
• Carom seeds,beewort root, dry ginger ,fennel seeds ,mustard seeds , fenugreek seeds, cardamom, cumin seeds, sour grapes are excellent stomach gas medicines or home remedies for stomach gas prevention.

Thyroid

What is thyroid glad?
Thyroid is a small gland which is like a butterfly in structure and situated near throat. Thyroid is very important gland in the body when it functions lesser, life will be very slow,inactive and when it functions greater life will be full of puzzles, difficulties. Neglecting this Thyroid will cause disturbances in body parts which located from eyes to heart. Always need to track thyroid glad in the body.

Thyroid gland function:
Thyroid will produce T3, T4 hormones by utilizing iodine in food. These hormones will reach to all parts of body through blood and keeps all the body parts in active state. These T- hormones will be balanced by Thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) which is released by pituitary glad in the body. The disturbance in synchronization between hormones of thyroid and pituitary glads  will leads to Thyroid disturbances. 

What is meant by thyroid nodule?
A group of thyroid cells that grow inside thyroid glad and forms a lump. Thyroid ultrasound, MRI and CT scan are the measures to detect thyroid nodule. This thyroid nodule often confused with thyroid cancer. Severity of thyroid nodule leads to thyroid cancer. Thyroiditis is defined as inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Types of thyroid issues:
The body defense mechanism(Immunity system) sometimes think thyroid as intruder and fight against the gland and kills its functionality. In these situation it leads to two cases 1) Hypothyroidism : decreased production of hormones by thyroid 2) Hyperthyroidism : Increased production of hormones by thyroid.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism disease: In-activeness, tidiness, always want sleep, dry skin,less sweating , increased weight,irregular menstrual periods, hair loss, loss of memory, constipation, indigestion, difficulty in cool environment are the symptoms of hypothyroidism.These symptoms particularly high in women. Chemical reactions between hormones in women and thyroid hormones causes thyroid disturbance. When the symptoms of bulged throat , less development in children, late menstrual cycle are observed, need to take T3,T4 and TSH medical thyroid tests. If t3,t4 hormones are functioning in low level or normal level with increased level of TSH function indicates disturbance in Thyroid function. 

Proper medication need to take for thyroid symptoms. Doctors prescribe tablets which need to take for whole life. Need to take these tablets in early morning on empty stomach.women need not neglect these medication while in the time of pregnancy. If medication ignored person will go to coma it is known as myxedema. Thyroid plays important role in pregnant women. People suffers from throat bulge(gator) with deficiency of iodine. Need to follow thyroid diet upon doctor prescription.

Natural thyroid treatment for hypo-thyroidism:
People suffering from hypothyroidism need to intake cereals, leafy veggies, fish which are high in iron and vitamin-B. Need to avoid soya,cabbage,bracoli, mustards, spinach,strawberries,radish,cauliflower, Pearl millet because they have capacity to release goitrogens which infuse thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism disease: irritation, low levels of mental balance,Palpitation, over sweating, weight reduction,sleeplessness,shivering, difficulty in facing heat are the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of palpitation, resembling multi dimensional images before eyes, women without pregnancy, Bulging Eyes are considered as extreme levels of Hyperthyroidism.

Doctors prescribe medication of anti thyroid for Hyperthyroidism. For thyroid cancer, surgery to remove the gland or Radio Iodine treatment will be done if needed.

Natural thyroid treatment for hyper-thyroidism:
People suffering from Hyperthyroidism need to intake cereals, foods which are rich in anti-oxidants and omega fatty acids.

Majorly 80% of troubles caused by Hypothyroidism only 20% were affected from Hyperthyroidism. Interestingly people with age between 20-30 are suffering from Thyroid. 

Thyroid supplements:
Iodine plays important role in treating thyroid,kelp or seaweed,flax seeds,ginger,Coconut oil are other foods which naturally defense thyroid disease.Exercise regularly. Exercise brings fresh oxygen to the body and aids in removal of bad toxins.

Kidney disease

Kidney problems:
Kidneys play vital role in eliminating wastes and toxins from the body. Kidneys releases body waste in urination and balances minerals and essential salts in the body. Kidneys functions 24 hours a day to keep us healthy. Kidney releases a hormone called 'erythropoietin' to balance blood levels in the body. If kidneys fails to do any of the above jobs it is considered as kidney problem.one on each side slightly above the waist and just a little towards the back near spine is exact kidney location in the body.

Kidney failure stages:
There are three types of kidney troubles. When kidneys functioning stops suddenly it is called as acute renal failure. When kidneys gradually stops functioning with in weeks, it is called as Rapid progressive failure. When kidneys gradually slow downs its functioning , it is called as chronic kidney failure. Acute renal failure of kidneys are dangerous but 90% of recovering the kidneys can be possible. Chronic kidney failure can be reduced by using medicines and sophisticated diet.

Reasons for kidney problems :
Main reasons for kidney failure are obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure leads chronic kidney failure. Due to these reasons pressure on kidneys gradually increases and leads kidney functional disturbances. Stones in kidneys, kidney bulge can also cause for kidney failure. Enlargement of prostate gland often seen in old-age people, high levels of cholesterol in the body also leads to kidney failure.

Kidney disease symptoms:

• It is very difficult to know whether kidneys are functioning correctly. Symptoms can't be observed. But people with diabetes, high blood pressure, if elder people suffered from kidney disease in a family lineage need to take constant kidney health checkup.
• Loss of protein in urine, leg inflammation, sudden bulge of face, fatigue,tiredness, anemia, vomiting' s,indigestion,skin rashes, cool sensation in summer,back pain near waist(lumbago),High blood pressure are the few symptoms of kidney failure.
• Symptoms of decrease of strong smell in urine, frequent urination at nights  are the important kidney disease symptoms. people suffering with diabetes need to check sugar levels.

Checking kidney health:

• checking protein percentage in urine, serum creatinine, ultrosound, PTH are the medical tests to estimate kidney failure.

Kidney disease diet:

Arousing of any problem related to kidney need to follow strict diet. 

• Need to avoid meat,sweets,chocolates and sweeteners. Need to intake cereals which high fiber content like(Wheat, Barley,Millets,Oats,..,etc). Due to intake of cereals energy will be released slowly in blood and reduces pressure on kidneys.
• Need to reduce salt. Salts increases bad water content in body causing obesity, leg inflammations and fatigue. Salt is one of reason for forming stones in kidney. Intake only 4grams of salt every day. Avoid salted nuts,pickles and salt biscuits.
• Need to intake Omega fatty acids, poly unsaturated fats to reduce bad cholesterol which is formed my kidney failure.
• Need to avoid Banana,Papaya, water melon,oranges and other foods which are high in potassium. Excess potassium levels increases pressure on kidneys. Kidneys cannot flush potassium easily. Before using vegetables soak them one hour in water to decrease potassium levels.
• Intake buttermilk avoid milk,curd and other bakery items.Avoid vitamin-D capsules which increases calcium in the urantion and leads to kidney stones. Avoid yellow starch in egg, Tea,coffee, betel nut, cool drinks which have high levels of phosphates.
• Chronic disease can be controlled by following above diet. Kidney dialysis need to be done if the symptoms are severe and final stage is kidney transplantation. 

Nephrology is the medical term which deals with kidney diseases.March 13th is considered as world kidney day.National Kidney Foundation(NKF) is a major voluntary health organization in the New York,USA with over 30 local branches across the country.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid or Piles or Bleeding in stool or Sharp Pain at the edge of Anal or Anal fissures

What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are sponge like muscles present in rectum or anus.These helps in controlling stool movement. If they swell or inflamed they lead to severe pain causing symptoms for piles. People get embarrassed to take medical checkup with doctor, often ladies feel difficulty to express the symptom to others.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids:
There are two types of hemorrhoids based on symptoms 1) Internal hemorrhoid 2) External hemorrhoid. Internal hemorrhoids leads blood discharge in stool where as external hemorrhoid leads pain, heat ,redness and improper stool. Loss of cushion at the joints makes improper bowel movement and painful discharge with blood. People experience more heat at the bottom and cant sit and stand properly.Some people suffer from itching with hemorrhoids.Internal hemorrhoids cannot be seen because they hide internally but external hemorrhoids can be seen with naked eye. A lump or lumps can be seen at the edge of anus when people suffering with external hemorrhoid. Passing stool becomes difficult because stool will become harder and dry.

What causes hemorrhoids?
There are several factors which cause piles.This can often occur in the people who are suffering from constipation, vigorous sexual activity in particularly seen with newly married couples due to increased intra-abdominal pressure, poor water balance in body, daily intake of meat and dry items likes fry's, smoking immediately after eating food,pregnancy,obesity,prolong sitting posture..,etc. 

Hemorrhoid treatment:
In general people will intake more fibers, more liquids and constant rest.  Doctors prescribe general laxatives for relieving pain while passing stool and ointments, creams and gels.

Barley water: Take a handful of barley rinse and soak in 2-3 glasses of water for whole night. Filter the water early in the morning from barley grains, add honey and lemon juice to the filtered water for good taste. Drink this water on empty stomach. Barley contains 43% of fiber and essential minerals,vitamins(molybdenum-60%, manganese-60%, selenium-42%, copper-34%, vitamin B1-33%,chromium-23%, phosphorus-23%, magnesium-20.3%, vitamin B3-18%). Intake of barley in any form maintains intestinal health,decreases risk of colon cancer and hemorrhoids. It is very useful in releasing excess heat from the body.

Butter milk:Consuming 2 glasses of buttermilk will correct the enzymes which act on digestive system and improve liver functionality. Buttermilk will gradually decrease size of piles and gives immediate relief from pain by suppressing excessive heat. Adding a pinch of ginger and few mint leaves to the buttermilk considered as highly beneficial.

Dry figs: Dry figs naturally eliminates constipation and helps in easy bowel movement without pain. At least intake of 4 dried figs are necessary to eliminate hemorrhoids. Soak two dried figs for whole night eat them early in the morning and two dried figs after last meal or before going to bed.

Radish & Carrot : These veggies aid powerful body detoxification and helpful in treating piles. These veggies cure constipation by improving water retention capacity in the body.

Yams: Yam dried powder will cure hemorrhoids. Yams with Buttermilk will cure piles in 30 days.

Coconut: Applying coconut oil on affected area and eating dried coconut after every meal are highly beneficial. Coconut oil possess anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and dried coconut have large amounts of fiber(75%). Coconut water cools the body and provides essential electrolytes to body by avoiding dehydration.

Banana : Eat three ripen bananas daily . Banana acts as laxative and helps in easy bowel movement . Boiled raw banana also acts as remedy in curing hemorrhoids.Eat banana after every meal.

Green gram : Green gram contains 64% of fiber . Not only green gram all legumes have high amounts of fiber which helps in smooth bowel movement. Try to eat recipes which contain boiled green grams.

Water : Drink at least 2 liters of water which is helpful to keep body hydrate and helpful in evacuation of stool by eliminating dryness. Early morning 1 liter before lunch half liter before 4PM half liter.

Exercise: Daily do exercise. Vajrasana for 15-30min is best posture to digest the food in quick time without any trouble. This vajrasana can also be done after consuming meal. This exercise will help in digestive system to process the food easily. Chewing bubblegum after every meal. Chew bubble gum without sucking juice for at least 1 or 2 hours is best when people have no time to do exercise.

Wheat flour, Brown rice, leafy veggies and fruits are also beneficial in curing hemorrhoids. 

Cautions:
Need to consume water,barley water,buttermilk before 4PM.Shouldn't consume heavy water contents after 4PM which leads to cold and cough. If it is unavoidable try to add turmeric or black pepper to it.Water can be taken in any form like coconut water,barley water,buttermilk, etc.,

Need to take easy digestible foods which have water content like fruits,vegetables and soups. Try to include soup in every meal.

Avoid packaged food,canned food, refrigerated food, jams, sweets and pastries. Always eat freshly prepared food.

If things get worse, need to consult physician or Ayurvedic consultant to take medicine or surgery for hemorrhoids depending on severity.

Things to avoid:
Coffee and Tea 
Alcohol
Spicy food
Red chillies, green chillies
Pickles
Non-Vegetarian food.
Dry items or fried foods.
Cigar.