Saturday, October 22, 2011

Piles home treatment


A sizeable number of people suffer from piles or hemorrhoids. Piles are essentially a condition that results due to the swelling of veins in and around the rectum. There are two types of piles; internal piles - where the swelling is located inside the anal passage and can be felt rather than seen; external piles - where the swelling is easily visible because they are located just outside the anus. Internal piles cause the discharge of dark colored blood whereas external piles are extremely painful with little or no blood discharge. Constipation or forcing out stools could lead to the rupture of the veins and this results in bleeding piles. This will cause internal bleeding or external bleeding, depending on the location of the rupture.

There is an abundance of information on piles and hemorrhoids on the internet because of the high incidence of the condition, but despite this there is a lot of confusion on the subject. This is because most individuals are embarrassed or awkward about discussing some health problems and consider them to be of a personal nature. Very often otherwise health conscious individuals even defer going to a doctor or seeking medical treatment simply out of fear or anxiety of social discomfort. The fact is that piles problems are exceedingly common and if treated effectively can be cured permanently. Piles is not a disease, but is a condition that could be caused by some underlying infection, but there is no such thing as a piles infection. In most cases piles is simply caused due to faulty eating habits, with diets that are deficient in essential fiber, while being extremely rich in fat.

Piles symptoms, cures and treatment are connected and it is important to identify the cause of the piles for a lasting piles cure. Piles may be caused by a variety of factors apart from the most common diet causes. The direct cause being the exertion of excessive pressure on veins in the anal region causing them to get inflamed. Obesity can contribute to the development of piles and severely aggravate the problem because of increased pressure. For the same reason piles symptoms in pregnancy are not uncommon and the condition usually resolves naturally post delivery. In such scenarios simple home remedies for piles can offer a great deal of relief. Typically these would include diet remedies and modifications to your lifestyle. While there are piles remedies for quick relief it is absolutely necessary to make changes to your lifestyle and diet for a lasting cure to the condition. Failing this piles will simply keep recurring and worsen over time. In cases where piles have been caused by some underlying condition such as bowel cancer then treatment would need to address that underlying condition to cure piles.

This is one condition where home treatment is preferable as natural home remedies for piles are not just effective, but also a lot safer. Constipation is not just a contributing factor to piles, but it can make the passage of stools excruciating when suffering from piles. In such situations it may be necessary to take laxatives or seek medical help. Keep in mind however that frequent usage of laxatives can be dangerous as it may create a dependence, with lazy colon syndrome, where the bowels cannot be evacuated without consumption of a laxative. Natural laxatives like dates are therefore a much better idea. Curing piles or successfully passing stools is however not the end of the problem and it is important to make changes to your diet, including more fiber rich foods and water to prevent the problem from recurring.

It may help to look for piles pictures and symptoms diagrams online to get a better perspective of the condition.

Piles Symptoms

Pain or Irritation While Passing Stools, Bleeding

The symptoms of piles are easy to spot. The first and most obvious piles symptom is the experience of pain in the rectum while passing stools. This could be followed by other symptoms such as bleeding, soreness and itching. Piles symptoms can differ from one case to another and so it is important to get a definite diagnosis.

Piles Causes
Piles Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet

Chronic Constipation, Bowel Disorders

The primary cause of piles is chronic constipation and other bowel disorders. The straining in order to evacuate the constipated bowels, and the pressure thus caused on the surrounding veins leads to piles. Piles are more common during pregnancy and in conditions affecting the liver and upper bowel.

Other Causes

Other causes are prolonged periods of standing or sitting , strenuous work, obesity, general weakness of the tissues of the body, mental tension, and heredity.

Piles Home Remedies




The Use of Dry Figs in the Treatment of Piles



Use hot water to clean three or four figs and then soak them overnight. Eat the figs next morning and drink the water in which they were soaked. It is beneficial if you eat the figs in the evening as well. This effective piles home remedy must be repeated for at least three to four weeks. The figs contain tiny seeds that stimulate the peristaltic movement in the intestines. This causes a bowel movement thus keeping the alimentary canal clean. This is one of the most effective home remedies for piles as it alleviates the pressure on the anal region and the hemorrhoids begin to contract. Therefore in order to get rid of piles, constipation must be avoided at all costs.

The Use of Mango Seeds to Treat Piles Disease

Mango seeds seem to be an effective cure for piles. The seeds must be properly dried, powdered and stored in a clean, dry place. One or two teaspoons of this powder must be consumed two times a day. You can use this natural piles treatment at home to reduce the swelling and inflammation which will consequently reduce your pain and discomfort.

The Use of Java Plum or Rose Apple in the Treatment of Piles

Another effective piles home remedy is the Java Plum also known as Rose Apple. This fruit must be consumed every morning for a period of two to three months. Consumption of this fruit is known to be an effective cure for bleeding piles.

The Use of Radish in the Treatment of Piles

White radish helps alleviate the symptoms of piles. Consume a mixture of 100 mg of grated white radish and a teaspoon of honey, or drink the juice of this vegetable twice a day, about 60 to 90 ml. This piles home remedy can be used as an external medication as well. Make a paste of white radish mixed with milk and apply it on the affected area to experience relief from the swelling and the pain.

Piles Treatment Using Turnip

The leaves of turnip have been found useful in this disease. The juice of these leaves should be extracted and 150 ml given to the patient. It is, however, necessary to take a proper diet of raw fruits and vegetables while taking this juice. For better results, 50 ml of the juice should be mixed with equal quantities of juices of watercress, spinach, and carrots.

Piles Treatment Using Bitter Gourd

The juice of the fresh leaves of bitter gourd is also valuable in piles. Three teaspoons of the leaf juice, mixed with a glass of buttermilk, should be taken every morning for treating this condition. A paste of the roots of the bitter gourd plant can also be applied over piles with beneficial results.

Piles Treatment Using Ginger

Ginger is also useful in this disease. Half a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with one teaspoon each of fresh lime juice and fresh mint juice, and a tablespoon of honey, constitutes an effective medicine for piles.

Piles Treatment Using Onion

Onions are valuable in bleeding piles. About thirty grams of this vegetable should be finely rubbed in water and sixty grams of sugar added to it. It should be taken twice daily by the Patient. It will bring relief within a few days. Onion is also useful in the treatment of dry piles. A crushed onion, skinned and roasted in aches, may be applied with beneficial results.

Piles Treatment Using Wheat Grass

Wheat grass juice used as an enema helps detoxify the walls of the piles. The general procedure is to give an enema with lukewarm or margosa water. After waiting for twenty minutes, 90 to 120 ml of the wheat grass juice enema is given. This should be retained for fifteen minutes.

Piles treatment using Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are also valuable in piles. They can be taken in the form of a decoction by boiling twenty grams of seeds in 500 ml of water till it is reduced by one-third, or as sweetmeats. Ground to paste with water, they can be given with butter for bleeding piles.

Piles treatment using Chebulic Myroblan

The herb chebulic myroblan is a popular remedy for piles. It is very effective as a laxative and is highly astringent. The fruit should be roasted to a brown colour in cluster oil, and then powdered and stored. Half a teaspoon of this powder at bedtime will bring about normal bowel movements in the morning, and the astringent property of the fruit will heal masses. A decoction of the herb prepared by boiling six 10 seven dry fruits in half a litre of water should be used for washing bleeding piles. The paste of the fruit mixed in a bland oil is good as an external application.


Piles Diet

Piles : Home Remedies suggested by users

Fruit Diet

The treatment of the basic cause, namely, chronic constipation, is the only way to get rid of the trouble. To begin with, the entire digestive tract must be given a complete rest for a few days and the intestines thoroughly cleansed. For this purpose, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for, at least, seven days. Thereafter he may adopt a diet of natural foods aimed at securing soft stools.


Other Piles Treatment

Exercise

A topical piles cream/ointment along with dietary changes is generally effective in treating piles. In severe cases, however, surgery for the removal of piles may be necessary. It is important to understand what causes piles so that you can prevent a recurrence of the problem. Exercise is important and useful for everybody but more so for those suffering from piles. Exercising causes the abdominal muscles to flex and will also increase and improve circulation in the rectal region thereby providing relief from constipation and congestion. A sedentary lifestyle with little or no activity might aggravate the condition. Therefore, exercising is a sure shot technique in the treatment of piles.

source:home-remedies-for-you

5 Ways to Lose 5 Pounds


Simple Ways to Slim Down

5 Ways to Lose 5 Pounds // woman on scale next to pool © Thinkstock Image: Thinkstock

Five doesn’t seem like a huge number when it comes to throwing down a Lincoln to pay for lunch or applying the 5-second rule (we know you do it), but when it comes to losing weight, dropping 5 pounds can seem monumental.

However, like all goals with perspective and a plan, shedding the weight becomes totally attainable. Think of it this way: If you cut 200 calories each day through diet or exercise, you’ll be on track to lose a fiver in 3 months. Want to speed things up? Eliminate 500 calories from your daily intake to lose roughly 5 pounds in a month.

Drink More Water

Research indicates that chugging H2O curbs appetites. In fact, in one study by the American Chemical Society, dieters who drank water three times a day before meals over 12 weeks shed about 5 pounds more than those who did not boost their water intake. Water’s benefits don’t stop there: Agua also keeps you energized, so you’ll have the vigor needed to burn additional calories in the gym, on the tennis court, or wherever the day takes you. “Even being slightly dehydrated can lead to feeling fatigued,” says personal trainer Jim White, RD, owner of Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios in Virginia Beach, VA. And soda fiends out there can chop more than 200 calories from their diets by replacing a 20-ounce bottle of nondiet cola with some refreshing H2O.

Say No to a Side of Fries or Potato Chips
A 4-year study on the effect of lifestyle on weight gain revealed potatoes and potato chips were closely linked to packing on pounds, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, a medium order of french fries is loaded with 380 calories, and a 1-ounce serving of potato chips adds 150 calories. Replace these greasy sides with fresh veggies to save yourself hundreds of calories in a week.

Cut Down on Added Sugars
On average, Americans consume 475 calories of added sugars daily, estimates Rachel Johnson, RD, PhD, a professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont. You, too, can do the math. Eliminating added sugars could save you thousands of calories in a week. In fact, a study review published in the journal Public Health Nutritionfound that the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages contributed to 20% of weight gain between 1977 and 2007. Other offenders included cookies, cakes, doughnuts, and dairy desserts. To trim hundreds of empty calories from your daily diet, check nutrition labels. “Look for anything that ends in the letters "ose,” the biochemical ending for sugars, such as sucrose, dextrose, fructose, and maltose, and the word syrup,” Johnson says. If it’s sweetened, skip it.

Beware of Hidden Calories
We’ve got to give credit where it’s due: Following reports about their high-calorie eats, many restaurant chains have begun to disclose calorie information on their menus. But while these eateries are off to a good start, a recent study from Tufts University showed that the calorie counts that appear may be incorrect. Researchers found that 19% of the foods they tested contained at least 100—and in one case 1,000—calories more than what was stated on the menu. Additionally, the biggest culprits of this calorie miscalculation were items usually viewed as healthy choices (think salads and soups). This means even diligent dieters may inadvertently consume more calories than they intend. The best way to fight back: Learn appropriate portions for common foods and skip calorie-laden condiments and dressings.

Move More

Not all calories are lost at the kitchen table. Daily physical activity chips away at unwanted pounds.

If lifting weights and running the treadmill have become a snooze, shake things up with some unconventional training, suggests White. “Choose an activity that you enjoy, whether it’s yard work, pole dancing, Zumba, or Pilates—anything that gets your body going.”

Whether you already work out or haven’t hit the gym in a year, slash even more calories by integrating these activities into your weekly routine.

To burn…*
More than 100 calories, try:
Walking for an hour at 2 miles per hour (183)
Cooking for an hour (176)

More than 200 calories, try:
Raking the lawn for an hour (281)
Cleaning the house for an hour (246)
Bowling for an hour (219)
Leisurely bicycling (less than 10 mph) for an hour (292)

More than 300 calories, try:
Golfing for an hour while carrying your clubs (329)
Mowing the lawn for an hour (387)
Dancing for an hour (317)
Playing baseball or softball for an hour (365)

More than 400 calories, try:
Doing high-impact aerobics for an hour (493)
Hiking for an hour (438)
Stationary bicycling or rowing for an hour (493)

More than 500 calories, try:
Playing basketball for an hour (584)
Jogging at 5 miles per hour (584)
Using a stair treadmill for an hour (657)
Swimming laps for an hour (511)

*Based on the average calories burned for a 160-pound man according to the compendium of physical activities.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Simple ways to shave 250 Calories

These 9 challenges will help you burn more calories, eat less & reap major effects with less effort


It’s been drilled into our heads that 3,500 calories equals a pound of fat—cut 500 calories every day for a week and you’ll be a pound lighter. But according to a new study in theLancet, most people actually will lose only half the weight predicted by the 3,500-calorie rule. Why? Muscle burns more calories than fat, so the rate at which your body gains and loses weight depends on, in part, your body’s make up.

Before you throw your diet—or scale—out the window in frustration, change your expectations. It might sound counterintuitive, but the same study suggests that you’re better off cutting just 250 calories a day. You’ll still lose about 25 pounds over 3 years and probably feel less deprived while you’re at it. So lose weight the easy way. Here, 15 ways to shave 250 calories from your day.

Nix the Muffin

Shave 340 calories
America may run on Dunkin’, but your body could probably run on fewer calories and still function just fine. Instead of going with the chocolate chip muffin (610 calories, 23 g of fat), order a chocolate frosted doughnut (270 calories, 15 g of fat) and save 340 calories.

Make Your Own Trail Mix

Shave 251 calories
Loaded with way too much sugary dried fruit and candy, store-bought trail mix has veered far from the good-old raisin and peanut blend from your Cub Scout days. A half-cup of the store-bought kind packs an average of 346 calories! Shave off 176 calories by making your own concoction with 1/2 cup of Fiber One cereal, 15 raisins, and 15 peanuts, suggests Erin Palinski, RD. Trade your regular 20 ounces of Gatorade for the low-cal G2 version and cut another 75 calories.

Take a Hike

Shaves 250 calories
Grab your hiking shoes and head out to enjoy the fall foliage. A 160-pound person will torch 250 calories every 35 minutes spent trekking on the trail.

Split Dessert

Shave 246 calories
Life’s little pleasures are better when you share them. Divvy up a slice of tiramisu with that special someone and save close to 250 calories.

Make Mashed Potatoes with Greek Yogurt

Shave 480 calories
Channel Paula Deen and your mashed potatoes—complete with butter, cheese and a liberal helping of sour cream—can pack up to 600 calories per serving. Upgrade the nutritional value of this side dish by subbing in Greek yogurt for sour cream and cutting down on butter, recommends Palinski. The spuds will still be rich and creamy, but for 480 fewer calories.

Eat Just the Inside of Your Pie

Shave 250 calories
Skip the calorie-laden piecrust and enjoy the warm filling, says Sari Greaves, RD, nutrition director at Step Ahead Weight Loss Center in Bedminster, NJ. That alone will cut about 150 calories. Say no to the dollop of whipped cream (save 30 calories) and trade your scoop of vanilla Häagen-Dazs for one from its Five line (save 70 calories).

Choose a Broth-Based Soup

Shave 300 calories
“Eating a broth-based soup instead of a cream-based one is going to be a lot healthier,” says Palinski. Not only does cream have more fat and calories, but also it’s typically used in soups made with starchy carbs, such as potatoes. While a serving of New England clam chowder can pack up to 480 calories, a cup of minestrone can warm you up for only 180 calories.

Drink Water before Every Meal

Shave 270 calories
Drinking two glasses of water before eating may reduce your consumption by 90 calories a meal, report Virginia Tech researchers. Want other strategies to eat less? Eating slowly can help you shave 66 calories per meal; chewing gum before you eat can cut another 68 calories.

source: fitbie.com

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The 9 Best Winter Foods

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you should skip the produce aisle. For starters, the cold months are the perfect time to branch out to bolder fruits, and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap your tastebuds out of their winter funk. "Many offer a great combination or sweet flavor and an acidic tang," says chef Theo Roe of the Culinary Institute of America. "They're refreshing and can provide a nice mental boost during long, cold winters." We selected the five on this list because they also have health-boosting potential.

But here's the catch: A healthy diet is made from more than just fruit. Canadian scientists recently compared the cancer-protective properties of 33 vegetables and found that the most powerful tumor fighters - brussels sprouts, leeks, beets, and kale - are often among the ones least likely to land on your plate. If you find these 4 winter vegetables hard to swallow, use our tips to unlock their flavor potential. For a list of all-season farmer's markets in your area, check localharvest.org. Or just stay in bed and order online!

Fruit
Vegetable
#1 - Pomegranate

Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.
#1 - Brussels Sprouts

Remove the outer layer of leaves, trim the stems, and toss with olive oil and sea salt. Place them on a baking sheet and roast at 425 degree-F until they're nicely browned.
#2 - Persimmon

The antioxidants in persimmons can help control diabetes and the cell damage it causes. Serve the fruit with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella.
#2 - Leeks

Many restaurants offer potato-leek soup in the winter, but you can also finely slice leeks and add them to omelets, salads, and rice.
#3 - Kiwifruit

One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.
#3 - Beets

Wrap one or two beets in foil and bake them in a 350 degree-F oven for an hour or until they're cooked through. Then cut them into cubes to toss into a salad of greens and crumbled goat cheese. Add a drizzle of walnut oil.
#4 - Guava

One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.
#4 - Kale

To temper kale's bitter taste, gently sauté it with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped garlic, and pine nuts.

#5 - Pomelo

Pomelos pack flavanones, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Include them in a topping for a dessert sorbet.


Thursday, February 24, 2011

7 Desserts that Fight Fat

What do Darth Vader, King Kong, and an ice cream sundae all have in common? They’re all destructive, havoc-wreaking villains. But if you look deeper, you discover that they all have a good side, as well. Kong may have made a mess of Midtown Manhattan, but his animal rage was driven by his love for Fay Wray. Sure, Lord Vader wanted to destroy the Jedi, but when push came to shove, he put Skywalker first. And, well, the same is true of the ice cream sundae sitting in your dish.

It might have a bit more sugar than your body needs (technically your body doesn’t need any sugar), but ice cream also delivers calcium, which binds to fatty acids in the digestive tract and blocks their absorption. And ½ cup gives you 17 milligrams of choline, which can lower homocysteine. What’s homocysteine? An amino acid that restricts blood flow, and by lowering it, ice cream might actually help diminish your risk of stroke and heart disease. And so it is with dessert: If you can look at your after-dinner treat as an opportunity to add something more than just calories, you’re on your way to a healthier (and more indulgent) diet.

To that end we’ve pulled together America’s best desserts—the ones that offer something of nutritional substance, avoid the flab-inducing deluge of calories, and short you none on satisfaction.

Best Scoop-Shop Dessert

Cold Stone Creamery Tart and Tangy Plain Yogurt (Like It size with walnuts)
270 calories
13 g fat (1 g saturated)
24 g sugars

On its own, the Like It Size Tart and Tangy Yogurt has a mere 140 calories, making it the ideal base for a healthy topping of your choice. Fruit works fine, but walnuts usher in fiber and healthy fats, both of which work to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range as you indulge your sweet tooth.

Not That!
Oreo Crème Ice Cream (Like It Size)
440 calories
31 g fat (14 g saturated)
38 g sugars


Best Classic Dessert

Sonic Junior Banana Split
200 calories
6 g fat (4.5 g saturated)
22 g sugars

Whoever decided that banana splits should have three scoops of ice cream obviously wasn’t worried about body fat. So let’s agree right now: The only banana split worth eating is a single-scoop banana split. Thank you, Sonic, for giving us what we want.

Not That!
Banana Cream
Pie Shake (14 oz)
408 calories
29 g fat (20 g saturated)
77 g sugars

Best Dessert Parfait

Ruby Tuesday Berry Good Yogurt Parfait
162 calories
3 g fat
26 g carbohydrates

The parfait is an entirely underutilized dessert. Ideally it should be a little sweeter than a breakfast parfait (this one is), yet still offer significant hits of fresh fruit, protein, and fiber (this one does). Order this in place of Ruby’s Italian Cream Cake and consider yourself 828 calories thinner.

Not That!
Italian Cream Cake
990 calories
56 g fat
108 g carbohydrates

Best Chocolate Bar
Chocolove Strong Dark Chocolate Bar, 70% Cocoa (1/3 bar, 30 g)
157 calories
12 g fat (7 g saturated)
8 g sugars

It’s time to swear off milk chocolate. The dark stuff is a far richer source of epicatechin, an antioxidant that helps blood vessels relax, and studies show it migh reduce your odds of developing diabetes. After years of taste-testing dark chocolates, Chocolove’s Strong Dark still wins out—dark enough to corral cocoa’s benefits, yet sweet enough to taste like dessert.

Not That!
Hershey’s Mr. Goodbar (49 g)
250 calories
17 g fat (7 g saturated)
23 g sugars


Best Shake

Wendy’s Jr. Original Chocolate Frosty
150 calories
4 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
22 g sugars

It seems like every year Wendy’s comes out with some new, tricked-out Frosty. There are now Frosty Floats, Frosty Shakes, and Frosty-cinos, and every one is worse than the original Frosty. Stick to the classic, and make it a “junior.” Up-sizing to the small will more than double the calories in your cup. Want to see what other restaurants have transformed your favorite foods into your belly’s worst enemy?

Not That!
Oreo Twisted Frosty
440 calories
14 g fat (7 g saturated)
55 g sugars


Best Yogurt

Chobani Strawberry Nonfat Greek Yogurt
140 calories
0 g fat
19 g sugars

With other flavored yogurts, “strawberry” amounts to little more than corn sweeteners and red dye, but on Chobani’s ingredient statement, fruit is second only to Greek yogurt—just as it should be. That fills your dessert out with more natural sugar and good stuff like vitamins C and A, which bolster your immune system while mopping up free radicals in your body.

Not That!
Yoplait Original 99% Fat Free Strawberry
170 calories
1.5 g fat (1 g saturated)
27 g sugars


Best Caffeinated Dessert

P.F. Chang’s Mini Tiramisu
100 calories
11 g fat (5 g saturated)
10 g carbohydrates

Thanks to the arms race of oversized foods currently underway in America’s kitchens, proper dessert portions now come with qualifying terms like “mini.” So be it. Chang’s Tiramisu consists of multiple decadent layers, just enough to hit your sweet tooth and reward a good day of eating. Eat this instead of a slice of New York-Style Cheesecake and you’ll save 820 calories. Make a dessert swap like that three times a week and you’ll shed nearly 3 pounds every month.

Not That!
New York-Style Cheesecake
920 calories
56 g fat (36 g saturated)
92 g carbohydrates

source:yahoo health