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Dandruff
Posted on
Friday, August 7, 2009
by DSLR MASTER
Dandruff is condition in which white scales of dead skin are shed by the scalp. The main causes of dandruff are impairment of general health, development of a toxic condition mainly due to taking of wrong foods, constipation, and a low vitality due to infectious diseases.
Consider the following home base remedies for dandruff:
a) Just mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water to make a hair rinse that is a brilliant home remedy for dandruff. You may need more or less of this mixture, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. In fact, you can take an empty gallon jug, preferably plastic, that has a handle which will enable you to grip it while in the shower. You can mix 1/3 of a cup of apple cider vinegar into a quart of water, and keep this jug in your shower so it is ready for you to use. Pour the mixture on your head, and with your fingertips, massage it in gently. Do not rinse! And no, your hair will not smell like vinegar after it dries. It will be soft, easy to manage and most importantly, dandruff free.
b) One teaspoon of lime can do wonder in removing dandruff from hair. It regenerates the lost bounce in hair and prevents further stickiness to set in. You need to mix lime juice one tea spoon while washing your hair, and you need to select a mild herbal shampoo to wash your hair.
c) The most important point in the treatment of dandruff is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to decrease the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. Massage the scalp daily using one-finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff and helps in the hair growth.
d) Add six spoonfuls water, two spoonfuls pure vinegar and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool before going to bed.
e) Wash the hair with whey, gram flour and myrobalan soaked in water.
f) Meats, sugar, white flour, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods should all be avoided.
As we grow old our skin loses its charm and elasticity. So we should be wise enough and take necessary steps at the right time
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 3:00 PM
Prostate Cancer
Posted on
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
by DSLR MASTER
What is the prostate gland?
The prostate gland is an organ that is located at the base or outlet (neck) of the urinary bladder. (See the diagram.) The gland surrounds the first part of the urethra. The urethra is the passage through which urine drains from the bladder to exit from the penis. One function of the prostate gland is to help control urination by pressing directly against the part of the urethra that it surrounds. Another function of the prostate gland is to produce some of the substances that are found in normal semen, such as minerals and sugar. Semen is the fluid that transports the sperm. A man can manage quite well, however, without his prostate gland. (See the section on surgical treatment for prostate cancer.)
In a young man, the normal prostate gland is the size of a walnut. During normal aging, however, the gland usually grows larger. This enlargement with aging is called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), but this condition is not associated with prostate cancer. Both BPH and prostate cancer, however, can cause similar problems in older men. For example, an enlarged prostate gland can squeeze or impinge on the outlet of the bladder or the urethra, leading to difficulty with urination. The resulting symptoms commonly include slowing of the urinary stream and urinating more frequently, particularly at night.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that consists of cells from the prostate gland. The tumor usually grows slowly and remains confined to the gland for many years. During this time, the tumor produces little or no symptoms or outward signs (abnormalities on physical examination). As the cancer advances, however, it can spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding tissues (local spread). Moreover, the cancer also can metastasize (spread even farther) throughout other areas of the body, such as the bones, lungs, and liver. Symptoms and signs, therefore, are more often associated with advanced prostate cancer.
Why is prostate cancer important?
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in American men and the second leading cause of deaths from cancer, after lung cancer. Most experts in this field, therefore, recommend that beginning at age 40, all men should undergo yearly screening for prostate cancer
What causes prostate cancer?
The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but the cancer is thought not to be related to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The risk (predisposing) factors for prostate cancer include advancing age, genetics (heredity), hormonal influences, and such environmental factors as toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. The chances of developing prostate cancer increase with age. Thus, prostate cancer under age 40 is extremely rare, while it is common in men older than 80 years of age. As a matter of fact, some studies have suggested that among men over 80, between 50 and 80% of them may have prostate cancer!
Genetics (heredity), as just mentioned, plays a role in the risk of developing a prostate cancer. For example, black American men have a higher risk of getting prostate cancer than do Japanese or white American men. Environment, diet, and other unknown factors, however, can modify such genetic predispositions. For example, prostate cancer is uncommon in Japanese men living in their native Japan. However, when these men move to the United States, their incidence of prostate cancer rises significantly. Prostate cancer is also more common among family members of individuals with prostate cancer. Thus, a person whose father, grandfather, or even uncle has prostate cancer is at an increased risk for also developing prostate cancer. To date, however, no specific prostate cancer gene has been identified and verified. (Genes, which are situated on chromosomes within the nucleus of cells, are the chemical compounds that determine specific traits in individuals.)
Testosterone, the male hormone, directly stimulates the growth of both normal prostate tissue and prostate cancer cells. Not surprisingly, therefore, this hormone is thought to be involved in the development and growth of prostate cancer. The important implication of the role of this hormone is that decreasing the level of testosterone should be (and usually is) effective in inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer.
Environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking and diets that are high in saturated fat, seem to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Additional substances or toxins in the environment or from industrial sources might also promote the development of prostate cancer, but these have not yet been clearly identified.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In the early stages, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms for many years. As a matter of fact, these cancers frequently are first detected by an abnormality on a blood test (the PSA, discussed below) or as a hard nodule (lump) in the prostate gland. Usually, the doctor first feels the nodule during a routine digital (done with the finger) rectal examination. The prostate gland is located immediately in front of the rectum. As the cancer enlarges and presses on the urethra, the flow of urine diminishes and urination becomes more difficult. Patients may also experience burning with urination or blood in the urine. As the tumor continues to grow, it can completely block the flow of urine, resulting in a painfully obstructed and enlarged urinary bladder.
In the later stages, prostate cancer can spread locally into the surrounding tissue or the nearby lymph nodes, called the pelvic nodes. The cancer then can spread even farther (metastasize) to other areas of the body. The doctor on a rectal examination can sometimes detect local spread into the surrounding tissues. That is, the physician can feel a hard, fixed (not moveable) tumor extending from and beyond the gland. Prostate cancer usually metastasizes first to the lower spine or the pelvic bones (the bones connecting the lower spine to the hips), thereby causing back or pelvic pain. The cancer can then spread to the liver and lungs. Metastases (areas to which the cancer has spread) to the liver can cause pain in the abdomen and jaundice (yellow color of the skin) in rare instances. Metastases to the lungs can cause chest pain and coughing.
The prostate gland is an organ that is located at the base or outlet (neck) of the urinary bladder. (See the diagram.) The gland surrounds the first part of the urethra. The urethra is the passage through which urine drains from the bladder to exit from the penis. One function of the prostate gland is to help control urination by pressing directly against the part of the urethra that it surrounds. Another function of the prostate gland is to produce some of the substances that are found in normal semen, such as minerals and sugar. Semen is the fluid that transports the sperm. A man can manage quite well, however, without his prostate gland. (See the section on surgical treatment for prostate cancer.)
In a young man, the normal prostate gland is the size of a walnut. During normal aging, however, the gland usually grows larger. This enlargement with aging is called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), but this condition is not associated with prostate cancer. Both BPH and prostate cancer, however, can cause similar problems in older men. For example, an enlarged prostate gland can squeeze or impinge on the outlet of the bladder or the urethra, leading to difficulty with urination. The resulting symptoms commonly include slowing of the urinary stream and urinating more frequently, particularly at night.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that consists of cells from the prostate gland. The tumor usually grows slowly and remains confined to the gland for many years. During this time, the tumor produces little or no symptoms or outward signs (abnormalities on physical examination). As the cancer advances, however, it can spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding tissues (local spread). Moreover, the cancer also can metastasize (spread even farther) throughout other areas of the body, such as the bones, lungs, and liver. Symptoms and signs, therefore, are more often associated with advanced prostate cancer.
Why is prostate cancer important?
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in American men and the second leading cause of deaths from cancer, after lung cancer. Most experts in this field, therefore, recommend that beginning at age 40, all men should undergo yearly screening for prostate cancer
What causes prostate cancer?
The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but the cancer is thought not to be related to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The risk (predisposing) factors for prostate cancer include advancing age, genetics (heredity), hormonal influences, and such environmental factors as toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. The chances of developing prostate cancer increase with age. Thus, prostate cancer under age 40 is extremely rare, while it is common in men older than 80 years of age. As a matter of fact, some studies have suggested that among men over 80, between 50 and 80% of them may have prostate cancer!
Genetics (heredity), as just mentioned, plays a role in the risk of developing a prostate cancer. For example, black American men have a higher risk of getting prostate cancer than do Japanese or white American men. Environment, diet, and other unknown factors, however, can modify such genetic predispositions. For example, prostate cancer is uncommon in Japanese men living in their native Japan. However, when these men move to the United States, their incidence of prostate cancer rises significantly. Prostate cancer is also more common among family members of individuals with prostate cancer. Thus, a person whose father, grandfather, or even uncle has prostate cancer is at an increased risk for also developing prostate cancer. To date, however, no specific prostate cancer gene has been identified and verified. (Genes, which are situated on chromosomes within the nucleus of cells, are the chemical compounds that determine specific traits in individuals.)
Testosterone, the male hormone, directly stimulates the growth of both normal prostate tissue and prostate cancer cells. Not surprisingly, therefore, this hormone is thought to be involved in the development and growth of prostate cancer. The important implication of the role of this hormone is that decreasing the level of testosterone should be (and usually is) effective in inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer.
Environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking and diets that are high in saturated fat, seem to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Additional substances or toxins in the environment or from industrial sources might also promote the development of prostate cancer, but these have not yet been clearly identified.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In the early stages, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms for many years. As a matter of fact, these cancers frequently are first detected by an abnormality on a blood test (the PSA, discussed below) or as a hard nodule (lump) in the prostate gland. Usually, the doctor first feels the nodule during a routine digital (done with the finger) rectal examination. The prostate gland is located immediately in front of the rectum. As the cancer enlarges and presses on the urethra, the flow of urine diminishes and urination becomes more difficult. Patients may also experience burning with urination or blood in the urine. As the tumor continues to grow, it can completely block the flow of urine, resulting in a painfully obstructed and enlarged urinary bladder.
In the later stages, prostate cancer can spread locally into the surrounding tissue or the nearby lymph nodes, called the pelvic nodes. The cancer then can spread even farther (metastasize) to other areas of the body. The doctor on a rectal examination can sometimes detect local spread into the surrounding tissues. That is, the physician can feel a hard, fixed (not moveable) tumor extending from and beyond the gland. Prostate cancer usually metastasizes first to the lower spine or the pelvic bones (the bones connecting the lower spine to the hips), thereby causing back or pelvic pain. The cancer can then spread to the liver and lungs. Metastases (areas to which the cancer has spread) to the liver can cause pain in the abdomen and jaundice (yellow color of the skin) in rare instances. Metastases to the lungs can cause chest pain and coughing.
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 11:37 AM
Pose of the Month: Matsyasana
Posted on
Thursday, December 18, 2008
by DSLR MASTER
Walking into an yoga class can sometimes feel like you’ve stepped into another world. The language of asana is often different than the language of everyday life with phrases like “opening our hearts,” “staying with our breath,” and “being in the moment.” In the context of a yoga asana practice, our ability to truly feel these words of guidance sometimes gets lost in the rhetoric of the experience. We are not always able to “feel” what we are told to feel in a specific asana, which can be frustrating and discouraging. But when the feelings that we seek are “opening our hearts” and “awareness of the breath,” Matsyasana or Fish Pose is an indispensable resource.
Matsya was an incarnation of the Lord Vishnu who is the source and the maintainer of the universe and it’s manifestation in the microcosm of our Selves. During a great flood, Lord Vishnu took the form of a fish, Matsya, to warn of the impending danger and carry the family of the sage Manu and seven great rishis to safety. Through its expression in asana, the fish expands the space of the heart and brings a deeper awareness to our breath, the great sustainers of our human life. In this asana we may feel vulnerable as we open our hearts completely, or we may feel strengthened as we focus on the sensation and sound of our breath that is the source of all our experiences.
Matsyasana is meant without question to reveal the expansive quality of the heart, thus uncovering our core of calm that underlies all events in our lives, and by expanding the space of the throat as well, we are drawn into the experience of our moment to moment companion of the breath. As the heart lifts above the space of the head in Fish pose, we are reminded to direct our actions more from the wisdom of the heart and less from the scrutiny of the mind.
Use Matsyasana when we are flooded with the rising waters of our everyday lives, to restore the calm eye of the heart in the middle of the storm of our mind, which will always lead us to higher ground.
—Kelly Golden
Among the many benefits of Matsyasana is the effect on our spine. A common postural misalignment is thoracic kyphosis, exhibited by a rounded upper back, which can lead to rounded shoulders and a forward head. Physical activities such as driving, working at a desk for 6-9 hours a day, a typical gym workout, as well as emotional and energetic responses to low self esteem, lack of confidence, and feeling negative about ourselves can cause us to exhibit this misalignment.
When our spine becomes misaligned into kyphosis, we develop tightness of the muscles of the chest, shoulders and neck (Latissimus Dorsi, Pectoralis Major and Pectoralis Minor). We also end up with weakness of the muscles that support our upper back, neck and shoulders (Middle and Lower Trapezius and Rhomboids).
These muscular and joint imbalances can lead to compression of the vertebrae of the neck or compression of the nerves that go from the neck and into the arm. Headaches and pain throughout the neck and into the shoulder blades will often result. Compression of the nerves can be the cause of pain down the arm and into the hand (i.e. thoracic outlet syndrome) Matsyasana works to correct the postural misalignments of thoracic kyphosis and to relieve the resulting joint and muscular imbalances.
To provide support in fish pose, you can use two blocks; one placed horizontally under the lower edge of your scapula and one under your head. Make sure the blocks are at a level that allows for a smooth curve of the cervical spine versus having the head in hyperextension, coming at a sharp angle towards the second block. You can also use a bolster or blankets under your thoracic spine either vertically down your spine or horizontally below your shoulder blades. Once in supported fish you can lay your arms out to the side in a “T” position to focus on the Pectoralis Major or bring them overhead towards the floor to focus on the Pectoralis Major and Latissimus Dorsi. If you are practicing Matsyasana without support, you want to make sure not to have too much pressure on your head and not to have your head hyperextended.
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 8:52 AM
Hypnosis
Posted on
Sunday, November 30, 2008
by DSLR MASTER
The rapidly expanding field of contemporary hypnotherapy has a vast variety of safe, powerful applications.
Hypnosis can dramatically assist with improving performance, health, confidence, relationships, recall and creativity. It can help with overcoming habits, fears and phobias, pain control, insomnia, and facilitate self-discovery, stress reduction, healthier self-expression and therapy for past traumas.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that is entered spontaneously every day. It is a state of narrow focus, such as you experience when watching television or are absorbed in a good book. Road hypnosis occurs when you are driving and suddenly realise you have no conscious memory of the kilometres just traveled.
Hypnotherapy is a process of applying, while in a hypnotic state, therapeutic suggestion to replace the negative elements that underlie a particular behaviour or problem - this allows a more beneficial and positive outcome to emerge. In the state of hypnosis, commonly called trance, the 'conscious' mind recedes, allowing the 'subconscious' mind to come to the fore. In a deeply relaxed state, therapeutic suggestion is greatly enhanced and amplified.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be influenced to do something against my will?
No. You are always aware of the suggestions given to you. You have total control over whether you accept or reject the suggestions given to you while in hypnosis. For example, the therapist may induce relaxation by guiding you to imagine you are at a beach - although this feels very 'real', it does not mean you will prepare to plunge into the water!
While in hypnosis you are aware of everything that is said - you are not unconscious. Instead, you are deeply relaxed and mentally very focused, much more than when in a normal waking state. You are able to hear and respond, and actively participate, in the session. The therapist does not have any type of power over you, but instead is a trained professional.
How will hypnosis feel?
During hypnosis, the body and conscious mind are in a relaxed, natural state, while the subconscious mind remains awake and receptive to suggestion.
During hypnosis you are not immobilised - you know exactly where you are the entire time. You can adjust your position, talk to the therapist, scratch, sneeze, or cough. You can open your eyes and bring yourself out of a trance any time you wish. You can still hear the sounds around you, like a passing car or a ringing telephone.
There is no 'right' way to experience hypnosis. One person may have a deep, heavy, restful feeling, whilst another may feel light and floating. Every persons experience is unique.
Why is the unconscious important in hypnosis?
The subconscious mind is the seat of the emotions, imagination, habits, intuition, and memory. It is the core, the essence, of how we experience ourselves and the world. All meaningful personal transformation that has occurred for us, either in or out of therapy, has been brought about by a shift in the unconscious mind. Even when we have been consciously working very hard to make changes there is often the sense of something deep inside that stops us. Hypnosis allows you to change those inside feelings so your conscious mind and subconscious mind are in agreement.
How is hypnosis induced?
Hypnosis can be induced in a number of ways which your therapist will discuss with you. The most popular method of induction is the 'progressive relaxation' technique which allows you to relax all the major muscle groups in the body before going on to relax your mind and drifting comfortably into the hypnotic state.
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 11:44 PM