How to do a Breast Self-Exam

A regular breast self-exam is one of the best ways to find a cancerous tumor when it is small, before the cancer has a chance to spread. Check yourself at the same time every month , 2 to 3 days after your period. (Remember, self-examination is not a substitute for regular exams by a doctor.)

1 Stand facing a mirror with your arms at your sides. Look for
anything unusual on your breasts: dimples, scaly patches,
puckers, or discharge coming from a nipple.

2 Check for changes in the contours of your breasts.Watch in
the mirror as you lift your hands behind your head, clasp your
hands, and press them against the back of your head.

3 Check again with your hands on your hips and your elbows
pulled forward.


4 Squeeze your nipples gently to check for discharge.

5 With one arm raised, use the fingertips of your other hand
to feel your breast for any lumps under the skin. Start in your
armpit and move toward your breast, pressing in small areas
about the size of a quarter. (Try this in the shower; your fingers
will slide more easily over soapy skin.) Use a definite
pattern—a spiral, line, or wedge. Cover the entire breast, as
well as the upper chest and underarm. Repeat on other side.


Spiral Start at the outer edges of the breast and
slowly work your way around it in smaller and smaller
circles.

Line Start under your arm and slowly stroke up
and down,progressing across the breast.

Wedge Start at the outer edge of the breast and
move slowly toward the middle, then back to the
edge.

6 Repeat step 5 lying on your back,with one arm over your
head and a pillow under your shoulder. Use one of the patterns
above to check each breast.



If you find a lump, unusual firmness, a change in shape, or any discharge from a nipple, call your doctor.

Endosulfan

Endosulfan is a neurotoxic organochlorine insecticide of the cyclodiene

family of pesticides. It is highly toxic and an endocrine disruptor,

and it is banned in several countries including Germany, Norway, and

the Philippines. It is still used extensively in many countries

including the US and India. It is made by Bayer CropScience,

Makhteshim-Agan, and Drexel Company among other, and sold under the

tradenames Thionex, Thiodan, Phaser, and Benzoepin. Uses


Endosulfan is used in agriculture around the world to control insect

pests including aphids, leafhoppers, Colorado potato beetles, cabbage

worms, and other pests. It has also seen use in tse-tse fly control, in

wood preservation, and in home gardening. The World Health Organization

estimated world wide annual production to be about 20 million lbs in

the early 1980s.In India, more endosulfan is produced than any

other pesticide except mancozeb and monocrotophos, with almost 180

million lbs manufacturerd in 1999-2000.

In the US, endosulfan is registered only for agricultural use, where it

is used extensively on cotton, potatoes, and apples according to the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA estimates that 1.38

million lbs of endosulfan were used annually from 1987 to 1997. In

California, annual use of endosulfan dropped from 230,000 lbs in 1995

to just 83,000 lbs in 2005.

Health Effects

Endosulfan is one of the more toxic pesticides on the market today,

responsible for many fatal pesticide poisoning incidents around the

world. Endosulfan is also a xenoestrogen—a synthetic substance that

imitates or enhances the effect of estrogens—and it can act as an

endocrine disruptor, causing reproductive and developmental damage in

both animals and humans. Whether endosulfan can cause cancer is

debated.

Endosulfan and Cancer

Endosulfan is not listed as known, probable, or possible carcinegon by

the EPA, IARC, or other agencies. There are no epidemiological studies

linking exposure to endosulfan specifically to cancer in humans, but in

vitro assays have shown that endosulfan can promote proliferation of

human breast cancer cells.[15] Evidence of cancinogenicity in animals

is mixed.

Endosulfan in the Environment

According to the EPA endosulfan breaks down in to endosulfan sulfate

and endosulfan diol, both of which have "structures similar to the

parent compound and are also of toxicological concern…The estimated

half-lives for the combined toxic residues (endosulfan plus endosulfan

sulfate) [range] from roughly 9 months to 6 years." The EPA concluded

that, "[b]ased on environmental fate laboratory studies, terrestrial

field dissipation studies, available models, monitoring studies, and

published literature, it can be concluded that endosulfan is a very

persistent chemical which may stay in the environment for lengthy

periods of time, particularly in acid media." The EPA also concluded

that "[e]ndosulfan has relatively high potential to bioaccumulate in

fish.

The EPA recommends not more than 74 ppb (part per billion) in lakes,

streams, or rivers, and not more than 0.1 – 2 ppm (parts per million)

on surfaces of agricultural products

Amazing Benefits of Turmeric

Ayurvedic practitioners believe that it is a cleanser for all parts of the body. Thus, apart from using in cooking, turmeric is also used as a form of digestive aids, in treating infection, arthritis, jaundice and fever. A symbol of prosperity, the turmeric's healing property lies in its stalk. It is this same part that is usually used to color, preserve and flavor foods in everyday cooking. In Asian cooking, it is popularly used fresh while the dried, powdered form of the root is commonly used in other parts of the world.
Here are some of the many benefits of turmeric:
Turmeric Benefits


1) Lowering LDL cholesterol - Studies have shown that turmeric lowers LDL cholesterol levels. LDLs are responsible for the buildup of plaque in the arteries that could lead to heart disease.

2) Treating High Blood Pressure - Turmeric has been shown to improve blood flow as well as strengthen blood vessels.

3) Guarding Against Cancer - Studies point to turmeric's ability to neutralize free radicals, chemicals that could damage cells. Turmeric can ward off cancer and tumorous growths.
4) Promoting General Health - Turmeric extract contains powerful antioxidants which can help boost the body's immune system and protect against illness and disease.

Other Turmeric Benefits


Some of the other turmeric benefits include protecting the liver, aiding in digestion and helping with irritable bowel syndrome

Ayurveda BodyMassage - An Easy Way to Stay Healthy

Massage (Abhyanga) is a type of passive exercise. It is especially good for weak people, who are unable to exercise. Regular massage is the key to good health, and is necessary both for prevention and cure of diseases.

An Easy Way to Stay Healthy

Oil massage is the most common type of massage. Oil should be chosen according to the season and the personal constitution. Sesame oil is the best for massaging according to Ayurveda. In the winter one can also use mustard oil, though it should not be used in summer. However, those in the habit of constant internal use of mustard oil can massage with it in all seasons.

Coconut oil and sunflower oil are also good for massaging in hot climate. Olive oil can be used in the winter as it is heating in nature. People with a vata type of body should use warming oils, and those with pitta type will benefit from cooling oils. The kapha types should have dry massage or should use mustard oil after warming. In order to determine what type you are take a constitution test.

Method of Massaging

One can either start massage from the feet or from head. In self massage one generally starts from feet, then the legs, hands, abdomen, back, chest, neck, shoulders, face and head. While receiving massage from some one it is generally started from head. There are no specific reasons for this.

First apply the oil on the part which is to be massaged. Then massage the part gently with palms till the oil penetrates the body. When massaging, upward strokes should be employed. The motion should be uniform (not too fast and not too slow) and pressure should be applied only on the muscles, not the bones. Different types of actions of fingers and hands are used for massaging different organs.

One should receive a massage on an empty stomach. The best time for massaging is early morning or evening. One may wash the oil off after massage. Wait for 20-30 minutes before washing. There should be no anxiety, stress, anger, and worry. The person should concentrate fully on the part being massaged. It is better to get massage from an expert but you can do it yourself too.

One should avoid taking a massage when there is too much mucus in the body (aggravation of Kapha), when suffering from fever, and after one has undertaken cleansing therapies like vomiting (emesis) and purgation.

Benefits of Massage

Massage stimulates the internal functions of the body and provides nourishment to various body tissues. It helps in cleansing the toxins from channels. Massaging with oil provides lubrication to various body mechanisms. It stimulates the different agni (enzymes), increases assimilation of food and increases the vital body fluid called the Ojas. It works at both mental and physical levels of the body. It is beneficial in the case of insomnia, weakness of nerves, laziness, exhaustion, general debility, dry and unhealthy skin.

Reiki - The Spiritual Treatment

A "laying on of hands" Eastern therapy using a technique — according to practitioners, a "spiritually guided universal life force energy" called “ki” — for stress reduction and relaxation, based on the knowledge that this unseen universal life force energy flows through all living things and is connected directly to the quality of health.

Reiki techniques are said to be capable of balancing the body's energy on a physical and emotional level, and to be very effective in the treatment of emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems; in addition, practitioners claim it promotes spiritual focus and clarity.

Developed in the early 1900's in Japan by a man called Mikao Usui, Reiki is believed to have been based in Tendai Buddhism and Shintoism ancient philosophies and techniques.

In Tibet, thousands of years ago, ancient healers and mystics studied many types of unseen natural energies. These oriental sages developed a system of sounds and symbols for universal healing energies. Various healing systems, crossing many different cultures, emerged from this single root system, including the ones in which Reiki is based on. There are many variant's of Reiki being practiced today. See Alternative Medicine.

Whole body treatment

In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment, the practitioner asks the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm or meditative state of mind and mentally prepare for the treatment, which is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking.

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing his hands on the recipient in various positions. However, some practitioners use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimetres away from the recipient's body, for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept still for 3 to 5 minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting 45 to 90 minutes.

Some practitioners use a fixed set of hand positions. Others use their intuition to guide them as to where treatment is needed, sometimes starting the treatment with a 'scan' of the recipient to find such areas. The intuitive approach might also lead to individual positions being treated for much shorter or longer periods of time.

It is reported that the recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is being used. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment, although emotional releases can also occur. As the Reiki treatment is said to be stimulating natural healing processes, instantaneous 'cures' of specific health problems are not usually observed. A series of three or more treatments, typically at intervals of 1 to 7 days, is usually recommended if a chronic condition is being addressed. Regular treatments, on an on-going basis, can be used with the aim of maintaining well-being. The interval between such treatments is typically in the range of 1 to 4 weeks, except in the case of self-treatment when a daily practice is common.

Spiritual practice

Many practitioners use Reiki as the basis of a spiritual practice, or to augment other spiritual practices. The cornerstone of Reiki spiritual practice is a daily one hour self-treatment,[68] conducted in a meditative frame of mind. As well as maintaining physical, mental and emotional well-being, this practice is understood to induce spiritual growth, potentially leading to self-realization.

Top 20 tips to live longer

Life expectancy for both men and women has continued to rise with improvements in diet, awareness and medical care. In 2002, life expectancy for females born in the UK was 81 years, compared with 76 years for males. This contrasts with 49 and 45 years respectively at the turn of the last century in 1901.

These estimates are expected to increase further over the coming years, and to ensure that you are one of those helping boost future life expectancy figures, realbuzz.com have prepared a list of 20 great tips to help with putting off the inevitability of death for as long as possible…

1. Have a good laugh
Research states that laughter may be beneficial to health. Laughing appears to boost the blood flow (by more than 20%) and researchers say it may reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Laughing has previously been found to help fight infections, relieve hay fever, ease pain and help control diabetes. The positive effect of laughing is thought to last around 30-45 minutes.

2. Adjust sleeping time
Life expectancy may be reduced by sleeping more than eight hours a night. A study found that people who get only six to seven hours sleep a night live longer than those who sleep eight hours or more, or less than four hours.
3. Eat more garlic
Garlic has been referred to as ‘nature’s antibiotic’. It is a powerful cleanser of the body and regular ingestion promotes a healthy heart and circulation by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and also helps fight infection and boost immunity. There is also strong evidence to suggest that garlic helps with the prevention of cancers of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum. Those who don’t like the taste of garlic should try the odorless supplements that are available.

4. Boost your sex life
Having sex between 3-4 times a week is thought to reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke in half. During sex, the average person maintains their heart rate above 70% of the maximum, making sex a wonderful cardiovascular workout! Sex reduces stress, leads to greater contentment and better sleep.

5. Drink tea
Many bodies of research support the view that tea is good for your health. Scientists tend to agree that tea, both black and green, may contribute positively to the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic disease. Recent research studies reveal the antioxidants in tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells, support dental health, increase bone density and strengthen cardiovascular health. According to a study published in Circulation: The Journal of the American Heart Association, heart attack patients who were tea drinkers decreased their risk of death by up to 44%, as compared to non-tea drinkers.

6. Drink more red wine
Any excuse to drink more has good to be good! Recent studies show that drinking around one glass of red wine a day may have certain health benefits by protecting against certain cancers and heart disease, and can have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Excessive or binge drinking, however, unfortunately doesn’t produce the same benefits.

7. Regular self examination
For women this means regularly examining their breasts, and while breast cancer is not unknown among men, males should regularly check their testicles for lumps. It is important to get to know how your body parts normally feel and look, and report any changes, such as a lump, to your doctor. More often than not, lumps prove to be benign, and these types of cancer are usually curable if they're caught early enough.

8. Have regular smears/prostate test
Women will usually be called once every one to three years for a smear test, and should make sure they attend when requested. Cervical screening probably prevents around 2,500 deaths a year in the UK. Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and is second only to lung cancer as the biggest cancer killer. There are varying viewpoints about how often men should have a test and at what age. Testing should start at the age of 50, or at the age of 40 if in high-risk groups, such as black men or those with a father, brother or son with the disease. However, if you have any concerns go and visit your doctor.


9. Monitor your bowel behavior
Any dramatic change in bowel habits such as an increase in constipation, or passing blood should be referred to a doctor immediately. It could prove be something as simple as piles (hemorrhoids), or worse case scenario could be bowel cancer, which is important to discover as early as possible.

10. Drink more water

Most people are unaware that the recommendation is that the average person should drink around eight glasses of water a day. The human body is made up of between 55 and 75% water, and is in need of constant water replenishment.
11. Get more friends
Research suggests that friends help people live longer. Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health says that socializing with friends is beneficial.
Good friends will promise to be there for you, and their presence can actually help you live longer, researchers say. Australian scientists said having friends around in old age can do more for life expectancy than having family members around, and that friends may encourage people to look after their health, and help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety at difficult times.
12. No smoking
Everyone is aware of the potential catastrophic effect of smoking. It is better not to start at all, but the sooner a smoker quits, the better. Because the damage caused by smoking is cumulative, the longer a person smokes the greater the risk of developing a smoking-related disease, such as lung cancer or heart disease. Quitting not only saves money, but also has added health benefits. Within one year after quitting, the risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker, and within ten years, the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. In Britain, about 120,000 a year die through smoking – that’s more than 300 every day.

13. Relax
Relaxation reduces blood pressure and helps reduce stress-related conditions such as depression. A relaxation technique such as yoga or meditation can help reduce stress levels.

14. Get a pet
Owning a pet has a surprising amount of health benefits for the owner, according to a series of studies. Ownership of a pet, particularly a dog, means people are more active. Animals are known to reduce anxiety both from the actual physical comfort from stroking them, but also because they are a distraction and something pleasant to focus on. They are also good friends to many and provide a source of amusement, making us laugh.

15. Exercise
Exercise is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity. It keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, and contributes to mental well-being by helping treat depression, relive stress and anxiety. Exercise also aids better sleep. Even if you are pushed for time, exercise could be gained simply by walking up stairs rather than taking the lift, or even try walking or cycling on shorter journeys rather than taking the car.

16. Eat more fruit and vegetables
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevent some types of cancer. It is recommended to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

17. Change job
Research suggests a strong relationship between how long people live and the nature of their jobs. According to UK Government statistics, for the period 1997-99, life expectancy at birth in England and Wales for males in the professional group was 7.4 years more than that for those in the unskilled manual groups. The gap between the social classes was smaller for women than for men, at 5.7 years.

18. Have a happy marriage
Married people tend to have better health than unmarried people. For instance, married individuals tend to be able to have lower rates of alcoholism than their unmarried counterparts because they tend to offer encouragement, support, and protection from daily problems. They are also more able to handle stress better as a result. However, studies suggest that divorcing then remarrying actually increases the risk of dying prematurely.

19. Be optimistic
People with a positive outlook on life can actually live longer. Researchers found that optimistic people decreased their risk of early death by 50% compared with those who leaned more towards pessimism.
20. Eat chocolate
Chocolate contains flavanoids and antioxidants which have positive health benefits. Flavanoids aid cardiovascular health, while antioxidants are believed to prevent or delay certain damage to the body’s cells and tissues. Dark chocolate is considered best as it contains more than twice as many antioxidants as a bar of milk chocolate, and has fewer calories.

Basic Shampooing Tips

Basic Shampooing Tips


Shampoos are designed to cleanse the hair and scalp, removing dirt and grime without stripping the hair it away too much of its natural oils.

They contain cleansing and conditioning agents that can coat the hair’s shaft to make it appear shiny and thicker. The conditioning agents smooth out the cuticle scales so the hair doesn’t tangle and help eliminate static from the hair during and after drying.

Many shampoos are labeled “pH Balanced”, which means they have the same acidity level as the hair. Individuals with damaged or chemically treated hair should opt for these types of shampoos.

However, for healthy hair that is in good condition, a pH balanced shampoo is not particularly necessary provided your shampooing is followed be conditioning.

Shampooing Steps

Always use shampoos formulated for your hair type – dry, normal, oily or chemically treated.

* Brush hair and scalp before shampooing to free any knots and to loosen dirt and dead skin cells.
* Use lukewarm instead of hot water to help in removing any oily residues.
* Wet your hair then work a small amount of shampoo through out the hair, gently massaging your scalp with the pads of your fingers.
* Pay attention to areas where makeup and dirt easily get trapped like the hairline.
* Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Repeat the process if necessary.
* Blot the hair with a clean towel to remove excess water before conditioning your hair.

Additional Shampooing Tips


* Use the correct shampoo for your hair type. If in doubt, choose the mildest formulation available.
* Do not wash your hair with soap or other detergents not formulated for the hair. They are highly alkaline and will upset your hair’s natural pH balance by stripping it of its natural oils.
* Change your shampoo now and then, hair seems to grow resistant to certain ingredients after a while.
* Whenever possible, buy small sachets of a shampoo to test and determine which one works best for you.