Are you drinking enough water during winter?

Water wonders in winter- Its  a common belief that we must drink lots of water during summer to avoid dehydration. Usually we forget  that drinking water in winter is as important as in summer, 

From the very beginning of our lives, we need water to survive. Human body is estimated to be made up of  60 to 70 percent water. Irrespective of changes in season our body needs water to maintain the hydration, which is a must to maintain the smooth functioning of all our systems. Several ounces of water is lost daily through breathing, so as to humidify  the air that we breathe in. During winter the outside air is drier and the use of heating systems inside makes the air more dry. In such conditions body tends to lose more water while humidifying the air we breathe in. Using a humidifier during winter may help reduce water loss from our body.

During winter- the temperature drops and sweating is less; that is the reason we have less desire to drink water- not feeling thirsty. However, there is no change in the functioning of our systems; hence we must become more careful during winter about drinking  enough  water and fluids.

Did you know?For our body to function properly, it should replace 2.4 liters of water, on a daily basis, some through drinking and the rest by eating.

Let’s find out why our body needs the right amount of water during winter months too!
Almost, all of the major systems in our body depend on water.The three most important functions of the water are,

Cleaning of system- water helps to throw out toxins out of vital organs
Water provides energy by carrying nutrients to body cells
Water maintains the optimum moist environment for the proper functioning of ear, nose, throat, lungs etc.

Water- A  Great Stress BusterDrinking a glass of water is a simplest way to unwind from your stress says researchers.

How?The link between water and stress reduction is well documented in various published studies. Studies, show that being just half a liter dehydrated can increase cortisol levels- a stress hormone. Staying in a good hydrated status, can keep your stress levels down. When you don’t give your body the fluids it needs, you’re putting stress on it, and it’s going to respond to that,” says Carlson RD, director of performance nutrition at Athletes’ Performance, a trainer of world-class athletes.

Enough amount of water in body is a must to stay active and fit, When the intake of water is less than  it leads to dehydration which can drain your energy and make you lethargic.

Wonders of water  - Health benefits of drinking water.

Keeps skin fresh: As the harsh weather and the indoor heaters can leave your skin dry, consuming the right amount of water will surely keep your skin hydrated, soft -looking fresh.

Weight control: As per published study, two glasses of water before meals helps people eat less and lose weight. According to some research, water consumption might spark the body to produce more heat, boosting metabolism and burning more calories.

Regulates body temperature- water helps to maintain the body temperature.

Cleanser: water is needed to remove the daily waste from our body. It helps us detoxify, remove toxins. It keeps body clean through urination and sweat.

Promotes Digestion:  water helps digestion and keeps away constipation.

Maintain the ph. balance: The human body needs a 7+ Ph range so that it can function properly. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps to maintain this balance.

How do you know if you’re dehydrated?Thirst- if you feel thirsty which means body needs more water for proper functioning.
Urine- Check the color of your urine, if the urine is dark in color and has a pungent smell, suggest time to drink more water.

How much water does our body needs?Drink eight glasses of water in a day!  This is a notion often heard. However, required water to maintain healthy status depends on person to person and circumstances.

• A person who exercises and sweats easily needs to drink more water.
• Lactating mother requires drinking more water and fluids to fulfill the need.
• People in tropical countries need to drink a lot more water, as the weather conditions are hot and humid.
• The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a d "Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," because all fluids count toward the daily total.#

Drink eight ounces per day! Not eight glasses!Some easy ways to keep drinking water:

• Carry a bottle of water where ever you go.
• Always keep some drinking water in the car.
• Always keep a glass of water or a bottle of water near your bed.
• Make is a routine to drink at least one glass of water, first thing in the morning.
• Drink a bowl of soup at lunch or dinner.
• Keep a reminder on your phone to drink water.
• Substitute water instead of soda.
• Drink before, after and during exercise.
• Fruits contains juice which contains water eat a lot of fruits instead of sugary snacks.
• Make water tasty by adding flavor for examples add a piece of lemon or orange.
  
  Any thing in excess is dangerous similarly, drinking too much water can also be harmful, its very  important to maintain the balance...
  

A mantra worth marketing?

It is common knowledge that Ayurveda has been in practice in India for the last 3000 years. Yet, the popular mode of diagnosis in this country is generally allopathic. However, with growing awareness about the benefits of alternative medicine and possible side effects of allopathic drugs in more and more people, one sees a renewed interest in our traditional methods of treatment and healing. It is then at an opportune time that the Government has commissioned a first-ever status report on Indian medicine and folk healing. The report, funded by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has recently been submitted to the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, strongly suggesting the establishment of a high-level commission to propagate and globalise Ayurveda. The report, over 300 pages long gives the example of China suggesting our Government “study and document” how China has succeeded in doing so with their traditional medicine.

To drive home the point, the report compiler, Shailaja Chandra, former Secretary, Department of AYUSH, and former Chief Secretary of Delhi Government, has called for “establishing a high-level Commission like the L.M. Singhvi Commission, which addressed issues related to NRI/PIOs.” The mandate should be to follow a promotional plan for our traditional medicines akin to that of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), charted out by China since 1972, primarily for Acupuncture and herbal medicine.

“The website of the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) indicate that TCM is widely used in the United States. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included questions on the use of various Complementary and Alternative (CAM) therapies, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults had used Acupuncture in the previous year,” says the report, a copy of which is with The Hindu Metro Plus. Chandra, in the report, also mentions that the U.S. Government-recognised Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) accredits schools that teach Acupuncture and TCM. “About a third of the U.S. states that license acupuncture require graduation from an ACAOM-accredited school.”

Panchakarma

The status report has particularly called for positioning Panchakarma like Acupuncture. “There is a need to reposition Panchkarma as a recognised therapy for muskulo-skeletal and neurological problems including rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinsonianism and in Behavioural Science. A beginning could be made by demonstrating Panchakarma procedures on veterans suffering from post-trauma stress disorder to be observed by Veteran Affairs Department of U.S. Defence. Were a high-level policy decision to be announced — for example if Indian Railways as the biggest employer in the public sector recognised Ayurvedic treatment for insuring accident cases, it would instil confidence,” it says.

“Our missions abroad stock few CDs and leaflets here and there but efforts to market Indian medicine have been lack-lustre and unconvincing.”

Among other suggestions, the report, compiled after an exhaustive research spanning close to a year, puts the thrust on research in Ayurveda. “Only clinical outcomes published in international journals would lead to recognition of Ayurveda. The ground reality is that there is no legal scope to practice Ayurveda in most countries, primarily because of a lack of credible research.” This has necessitated the need to study and document the policies and strategies that China adopted over the years for globalisation of TCM.

Significantly, the report calls for the need to offer postgraduate interdisciplinary training to modern scientists to increase the dialogue between Ayurveda and modern science. While lauding the efforts of the Kerala Government in promoting Ayurvedic Tourism, Chandra also highlights the fact that the influential American Medical Association is “hugely exercised about heavy metal content in Ayurvedic formulations.”

“The issue alone is enough to distort the globalisation discourse for a very long time. It already occupies centre-stage on the NCCAM's website on Ayurveda. The situation demands that massive attention be paid to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and testing for heavy metals and impurities, without which few will take us seriously.”

The report, made with “a focus on benefits that the systems have given to the public”, ends with the submission, “The 12th Five year Plan is on the anvil. The time is to act now.”

COURTESY NEWS:THE HINDU

AYUSH doctors’ strike from November 14

BANGALORE: Doctors working under the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), are all set to go on strike against the government’ negligence. The doctors are demanding regularisation of employment given to them on contract basis under the National Rural Health Mission(NRHM) scheme,  by the government.

Addressing a press conference in the city on Monday,  Dr Sanjeev Murthy, President Ayush Doctors Welfare Association said, “We are posted to far off places, where we have been working sincerely from 5-6 years, inspite of lack of basic needs and yet the government does not support us.” He added that AYUSH is making up for the lack of doctors in far-flung rural areas and this has involved a lot of hard work on the doctors’ part.“We deserve to be instated as permanent employees by the government in recognition of our continuous efforts to improve rural healthcare,” he added.

The doctors are also asking for a salary hike, to bring them on par with other medical professionals. The association has decided to go on an indefinite strike from the November 14 if their demands are not discussed.


courtesy News:Indian Express

Sleeping In Pregnancy

Sleeping in pregnancy is a precious gift that is very elusive to some mothers to be. When you wanted to become pregnant who would have ever known that it would be so hard to get a good night's sleep? Sleep problems typically develop within the second trimester as your baby starts growing. The increasing size of the fetus can make it difficult to find a sleeping position that is comfortable for both mommy and baby. As your baby grows it can become more difficult to to move around to find that sleeping position you are familiar and comfortable with.

Other reasons you may be having difficulty sleeping include increased urge to urinate, increased heart rate, heartburn, leg cramps, and backaches. Yikes! How can a mommy to be ever catch some much needed ZZZ's?

---

Finding the Right Sleeping Position

Pregnancy sleeping can be a lot easier (and healthier) by using the correct pregnancy sleeping positions. After you become pregnant you should try to get in the habit of sleeping on your side. This helps to keep pressure off of the large vein called the inferior vena cava that carries from the legs and feet to your heart. Many doctors recommend that you sleep on your left side for many reasons. It helps to keep pressure off your liver, it helps to improve circulation through many of the major organs, and it relieves pressure from your back.

It can be difficult to get used to sleeping on your side if you are used to being a back or stomach sleeper. This can only add to problems with sleeping in pregnancy when you may be forced to sleep in a position that is not natural to you. Even if you are a natural side sleeper you may have difficulty sleeping as the size of your growing baby causes pressure on your back or internal organs leading to restless or sleepless nights.

So how can a pregnant mother to be get a good night's sleep in the proper position with minimal discomfort?

Maternity Pillows to the Rescue!

What are Maternity Pillows? Maternity Pillows (also known as Pregnancy Pillows) are pillows that are specifically designed to help pregnant women sleep more comfortably and in the correct pregnancy sleeping positions recommended by doctors. They help to relieve the pressure caused by your growing baby and keep you in a position that is comfortable for you. A Maternity Pillow may be just what you are looking for to keep you in the correct sleeping position and help you get a good nights sleep.

How do I Choose the Right Maternity Pillow?

There are many different places you can find maternity pillows but the best deals and biggest selection is available online. They come in all different shapes and styles. We at Happy Mother and Baby recommend a full body maternity pillow. Full body meternity pillows offer the greatest support. They cradle your whole body in sleepy comfort and offer the most support to keep you in the proper side sleeping position.

We are especially fond of the Summer Infant - Body Support Pillow

Summer Infant's Body Support Pillow features a patented design with a unique shape and zippered insert. . The zippered insert doubles as a toddler's seat or tummy time area for baby. The pillow wraps around mom's waist for easier nursing and also supports the lower back for better sleep.

• Soft, brushed cotton cover and the polyfiber fill
• Versatile, patented design
• Body-length pillow supports mom during and after pregnancy
• Supports mom's tummy, back, and hips for a better sleep

As one reviewer said:
"I purchased this at 5 months pregnant. It has helped me to sleep comfortably! I am a back sleeper which is not recommended during pregnancy. This pillow makes it a lot easier to remain on my side. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a good night of rest."

---

The All Nighter Total Body Pregnancy Pillow is another extremely well reviewed Maternity Pillow.


This ingenious idea helps relieve insomnia due to aches, pains, stiffness or late-pregnancy discomforts: The All Nighter pillow, a candy cane-shaped body pillow that can be molded into numerous positions to support the entire body. The pillow's 3 specially designed, contoured shapes work together as a unit to give support, elevation and comfort where you need it most. Developed by a registered nurse.


Sleep like you are on a cloud as your whole body is surrounded by this comfy full body pillow. Sleeping in pregnancy is a dream with the All Nighter Total Body Pregnancy Pillow. Not only is it very comfortable, it also helps to give your entire body support and keep you in the side sleeping position.


As one reviewer said:
"5 out of 5 I love this product!! I'm so pleased with this purchase!! I like the belly support, having a cushion between my legs, and something to lean against. I sleep much better now :)"

If you are looking for something a little smaller we recommend the Summer Infant - Rest EZ II Maternity Pillow

The Summer Infant Rest EZ comforts prenatal mom by supporting her belly with a foam wedge. The back support ensures that the belly wedge won't slip away during the night.

• Supports prenatal mom by lifting her belly and supporting her back
• Back and belly pillows are attached with Velcro and can be separated, allowing mom to adjust the belly pillow away from the back pillow for the perfect fit
• Adjustable back support
• 100% cotton cover; soft and breathable
• Fully adjustable to accommodate all moms
• Dimensions: 18" x 10"

As one reviewer said:
"Very light weight and small. Does support the bellyAlso helps in keeping you from accidentally turning to your back."