The Best Home Remedies For Eczema Scars

The Best Home Remedies For Eczema Scars What Is Eczema? Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin of a person becomes dry, itchy, cracked and reddened. This chronic condition affects both males and females and mainly affects children. It is also known as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis. About 30 % of the skin diseases diagnosed will be eczema. Atopic eczema means inherited eczema. It can occur in any part of the body and it is a long term disease. The intensity of the disease increases at some stages in the life and it needs intense treatment. Eczema can be triggered as an allergic response to various substances and situations. The Causes Of Eczema Eczema is commonly found in people with a history of atopic diseases such as asthma, hay fever and other allergies. Usually 90 % of the patients develop the condition before reaching 5 years of age. The rashes begin on face, scalp, hands and feet. In adults the rashes are seen inside the knees and elbows, neck, hands and feet. Though the exact cause or the eczema attack is not known, it can flare up when exposed to certain triggers like • Allergens- this includes pet hair, dander, pollen, mold, foods such as eggs, nuts, dairy products, wheat, shellfish etc. These allergens also trigger asthma and hay fever. • Skin Irritants- perfumes, household chemicals, harsh soaps, alcohol containing skin- products, tight clothing, wool are the main skin irritants. • Climatic Conditions- excess heat and low or high humidity triggers eczema. The dry skin conditions during winter also triggers the flare-up. • Water- hot baths and hard water trigger eczema. • Cold Or Flu- infections of the body triggers eczema • Stress- when the stress increases the dryness of the skin and itching increases. • Foods –certain foods cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. The food items which may cause allergy includes cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, soya, wheat etc. • Hormones – there are reports that eczema symptoms in women worsen during the menstrual cycle. About 30 % of the women have flare ups in the days preceding the periods. About 50% of the women with eczema experiences worse eczema symptoms when they are pregnant. This shows that the hormonal changes affect the symptoms of eczema. The Symptoms When the person is having eczema and there is no flare up the symptoms are as follows • The skin feels dry • Some areas of the skin appear cracked • The skin in particular areas becomes itchy and may appear as raw if scratching is uncontrollable • The itching increases at night • Thickened areas of the skin due to scratching • Some areas of the skin become red and inflamed • Some of the inflamed areas of the skin develop blisters and starts oozing liquid • The skin develops red, brown or gray colored patches • There will be bumps appearing on the skin When the patients have a flare up of the eczema, the above symptoms will be there and some new symptoms also appear. The symptoms that are developed during flare-up includes • The skin becomes extremely itchy • The itching and scratching makes the skin appear redder, raw and more sensitive • The skin becomes more scaly and drier • The affected areas become hotter • Skin develop blisters • The raised bumps will become more prominent and may leak fluids • Bacterial infection o0f the affected areas occurs How Does Eczema Affect Your Life? Eczema is a frustrating condition and causes stress. • In people with severe eczema the daily life will be challenging and very uncomfortable. • The intense itch cause loss of sleep and keep the children off from attending school and the adults from work. • The person will not want to mingle with others as they are embarrassed about the skin condition. • They won’t be able to enjoy the pool or sports activities as chemicals in the water and sweating can trigger flare-ups. Eczema puts the person in a vicious circle. The diseases start with unpleasant itching and the scratching cause the itch to worsen. The patient will scratch more causing the skin to bleed. The life becomes really challenging for the affected people. The diseases result in scars which make people embarrassed about their condition. There are home remedies for eczema scars which will help to remove the scars. Goals Of Managing Eczema You need to make smart choices and follow good routines to manage eczema effectively. The main goal of managing eczema includes • Maintaining healthy skin • Avoiding flares of the symptoms • Relieving the symptoms quickly when the flares occur Managing Eczema Good skin care is the most important thing needed to manage eczema. Some things which help to manage eczema includes • Regular Bathing- this helps to keep the skin hydrated and removes the crusts of the inflamed skin. It also removes the germs and dirt from the affected area. Do not use harsh soaps while bathing. Do not scrub or wipe the water aggressively. • Use Moisturizers- moisturizing using natural items to reduce dry skin. This is one of the best ways to keep eczema under control. Hydrating the skin reduces itching and irritation. • Cotton Dress- using cotton dress reduces itching • Cut Your Nails- this will do less damage to the skin when you scratch the skin • Keep Hydrated- drink at least 8 glasses of water to keep your skin hydrated. • Temperature Changes -Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Treatments And Medications For Eczema The treatment to be provided for eczema depends on the severity of the condition. For minor conditions home remedies for eczema scars are helpful. There are various topical creams available for treating mild eczema condition. Severe eczema results in scars which are difficult to remove. It may require strong –cortisone products to treat severe eczema conditions. Home Remedies For Eczema Scars There are many home treatments which will provide you relief from the itch and pain associated with eczema. They also help to reduce the unsightly scars. Here are 12 effective home remedies for getting rid of eczema scars. Oatmeal Bath Oatmeal bath is very effective in reducing the scars of eczema quickly. Take 1-2 cups of ground oatmeal add to warm bathing water. Use this water to soak your body for 20- 30 minutes. Pat dry the skin, after 30 minutes. Use this remedy two- three times a day for better results. Honey This remedy has excellent ability to remove all types of scars. The antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties to help you reduce any skin problems. Wash the area with rashes and apply honey directly on the rashes. You can also make a body scrub using honey and sugar and scrub the affected areas of the skin. Rinse off the honey or the scrub after 20-30 minutes with cold or warm water. Repeat the treatment daily to heal the scars of eczema. Shea Butter Shea butter contains vitamin A and vitamin E. These vitamins help to maintain the health of the skin. This remedy moisturizes skin and rejuvenates the skin when applied on the affected areas. This will make the scars to vanish. For getting quick results apply the remedy at least twice a day. You can also use Shea butter along with lemon juice. Mix 2 parts of Shea butter with one part fresh lemon juice and apply this paste on the affected areas. You can leave it on the skin overnight. Aloe Vera Take the gel from the fresh leaves of aloe Vera and apply it on the scars. This will reduce the dark scars of eczema. You can alternatively use it with vitamin E oil. Apply the remedy on the skin and leave it overnight. Next day morning use warm water to wash it off. Apply this remedy regularly to make the scars vanish. Lemon Lemon juice has acidic properties and kills the bacteria that will infect the skin. They also act as bleach and lighten the color of the scars. The vitamin C present in the lemon juice will help the skin to produce new cells. You can use lemon juice for the treatment of scars in different ways. You can either apply the fresh juice directly on the skin or you can mix the juice with sugar and use it for exfoliating the skin. This will remove the dead scar cells. Drinking water with lemon juice added to it helps to remove the toxins from your body. This makes healing of scars faster. Apple Cider Vinegar The antifungal and antibacterial properties of this home remedy help to prevent the flare up of eczema and also help to reduce the scars. Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey in one glass of water and drink it thrice a day. This home remedy will increase the immunity of the body and helps in reducing inflammation and scarring. You can also apply apple cider vinegar on the affected areas by diluting it with 1 part water the dryness and itchiness of the scars can be reduced by this method. Fish Oil If you want to minimize the scars caused by eczema, you should regularly take fish oil capsules. The fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which help to reduce inflammations in the body. This helps to reduce the eczema scars. It is necessary to take a daily dose of 1200 milligrams three times a day to fade away the scars left by eczema attack. You can also consume foods enriched with fish oil to treat the scars. Olive Oil This is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and it reduces the inflammations caused by eczema. It softens the skin and reduces the skin color. It is necessary that you use extra virgin olive oil to get the proper result from the remedy. Apply the extra virgin oil directly on the scars. Leave it on the skin for a few minutes. Wipe away the oil using lukewarm water. Coconut Oil The virgin coconut oil has antiseptic properties and it also moisturizes the skin. Rub virgin coconut oil on the affected areas many times a day. This is one of the most effective home remedies for eczema scars. Nutmeg Powder Add water to powdered nutmeg and make it a paste applies the paste to the affected skin. Repeat the treatment regularly to lighten the skin. Vitamin E Oil Break open Vitamin E capsules and apply the oil contained in them on the affected skin. Avoid synthetic vitamin E. Read the labels of the capsule before buying it. You can also make a paste of vitamin E rich nuts like almonds and walnuts and apply it on the calloused skin. This remedy helps in itch reduction and removal of inflammation. The oil present in the nuts softens the skin and the granules exfoliate the skin removing the dead scar cells. Cocoa Butter This natural remedy helps to restore the damaged skin and get rid of the scars. Use pure cocoa butter and avoid beauty products containing the cocoa butter. The other ingredients in the product may aggravate your eczema. The cocoa butter moisturizes the skin when applied daily on the scars. Baking Soda Make a smooth paste of baking soda with water apply it on the affected skin and gently massage for two minutes. Rinse of the mix with lukewarm water. You will find an instant reduction in the redness and inflammation around the scars. Sea Salt Bath Take a bath with water having sea salts added to it. This offers the perfect cure for eczema scars. Soak yourself in salt water for at least 20 minutes. Salt helps to heal the cracks in the skin and will help to remove the infections and inflammations. Regular use of this remedy will remove the dirt scars from your body. Apart from these home remedies, take measures to prevent the flare up by changing your diet, soaps and detergents and the clothes you wear. Apply Vaseline on the affected areas after the bath this will prevent dryness of the skin. Are you worried about the dirty scars caused by eczema on your body? Are you on the lookout for best home remedies to treat the scars? Then, try the above said remedies and find the difference it makes to your skin.

NATURECURE TREATMENT AND REMEDY FOR CONSTIPATION

CONSTIPATION Root Cause of Most Diseases DR.RAJESHKUMAR.S, Senior Naturopath Constipation means bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation. Severe constipation includes obstipation (failure to pass stools or gas) and fecal impaction, which can progress to bowel obstruction and become life-threatening. Constipation is a symptom with many causes. These causes are of two types: obstructed defecation and colonic slow transit (or hypo mobility). Constipation occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent. The normal length of time between bowel movements ranges widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements three times a day; others, only one or two times a week. Going longer than three days without a bowel movement is too long. After three days, the stool or feces become harder and more difficult to pass. Causes What Causes Constipation? Constipation is usually caused by a disorder of bowel function rather than a structural problem. Common causes of constipation include: • Inadequate water intake • Inadequate fiber in the diet • A disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling • Inadequate activity or exercise or immobility • Eating large amounts of dairy products • Stress • Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which is sometimes the result of pain from hemorrhoids • Overuse of laxatives (stool softeners) which, over time, weaken the bowel muscles • Hypothyroidism • Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis • Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum • Medicines (especially strong pain medicines, such as narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills) • Depression • Eating disorders • Irritable bowel syndrome • Pregnancy • Colon cancer In some cases, lack of good nerve and muscle function in the bowel may also be a cause of constipation. The causes of constipation can be divided into congenital, primary, and secondary. The most common cause is primary and not life threatening. In the elderly, causes include: insufficient dietary fiber intake, inadequate fluid intake, and decreased physical activity, side effects of medications, hypothyroidism, and obstruction by colorectal cancer. Constipation with no known organic cause, i.e. no medical explanation, exhibits gender differences in prevalence females are more often affected than males. Nature Cure Treatment: • Mud pack to abdomen or cold compress. • Cold hip bath • Abdomen pack every night. • Gastro-hepatic pack 2 to 3 times in a Week. • Enema initially and then tapering it off as diet and exercise show their effects. • Fasting initially for 2 to 3 days, then fruits and raw vegetable diet for a few days. High fiber cooked diet to be introduced gradually. • To aid in digestion, drink a Warm glass of water with lemon juice in the morning. • Castor Oil Pack once a Week. • Colon hydrotherapy - three sessions once in a year. • Laghushankprakshalan - yogic kriya. Acupressure Acupressure is a traditional healing practice that involves the application of finger pressure to specific acupuncture points on the body. A point that is often recommended by acupuncturists for constipation is Large Intestine 4. Although it hasn't been studied for constipation, it is a simple home remedy that may work for some people. The point is at the highest spot of the muscle between the thumb and index finger when they are brought close together. Caution: do not use this point if you are pregnant. With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable. Remedies: A great home remedy to cure constipation is agar wood leaves. The leaves can be made into a tea that completely flushes your body of toxins (such as mercury). One of the advantages of this flush is it also eliminates any constipation 100% naturally. Prunes and figs can be added to breakfast or eaten as a snack. Another option is to sprinkle one teaspoon of ground flaxseeds over any meal. They can be found in packages at the health food store or some grocery stores. They have a mild, nutty taste. Fiber supplements are also available, the most popular being psyllium husk supplements such as Metamucil. Add fiber to your diet gradually to avoid bloating and gas. Also, be sure to drink enough water otherwise fiber can have the opposite effect and be constipating. Fluids Making sure you drink enough fluids such as water may help some people with constipation. Fluids make bowel movements softer and easier to pass. • Castor oil has a compound that when digested stimulates the small and large intestines. Swallow one to two teaspoons quickly on an empty stomach and give it eight hours to work its magic. Tastes nasty but it works! • Prunes are one of the oldest home remedies for constipation. High in fiber, prunes also contain a compound called dihydroxyphenyl isatin, which kicks the colon into action. • Raisins are also high in fiber as well as tartaric acid, which have a laxative effect. • Triphala churna which consists of fruits of 3 trees, the Indian gooseberry, Belleric myrobalan and Chebulic myrobalan, is a laxative and helps to regulate digestion and elimination. It is available as a powder, can be mixed with honey or ghee, and should be taken twice a day. • Fennel and licorice tea help to relieve constipation. • Soak raisins and prunes overnight and drink the juice. It will provide a mild eliminative effect. • Before going to bed take isabgol with a glass of hot water or tea. • Drinking milk boiled with some turmeric and figs can help relieve constipation. • If you are severely constipated, drinking milk with two teaspoons of castor oil can help. • Guava when eaten with seeds and bael fruit helps to tone the intestines and add roughage to the diet to give relief from constipation. Fruits like banana, prunes, pears, grapes, and papaya can also help. • Mix lemon juice with a glass of warm water and drink 2-3 times a day. Things that shouldn’t be forced: Relax and don’t wait: • Never force a bowel movement. You can give yourself hemorrhoids or anal fissures that eventually narrow the anal opening, causing constipation. • Never ignore nature’s call. If you do, you’re asking for a case of constipation.

when do u need a doctor?

KNOWING if your chest pain needs a trip to the doctor or whether an antacid can alleviate it is essential. This information may save you from an unnecessary trip to the doctor. It also provides you a chance to learn to tackle minor symptoms by yourself.

We tell you about some signs and symptoms which call for a visit to the doctor’s clinic and those which can be managed at home.

When to see a doctor

FEVER

DON'T PANIC

If you are running a low-grade temperature with mild headache, running nose, body ache and tummy upset, it could be a cold or viral fever.

When you have fever with sore throat and are unable to swallow or lose your appetite.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR

If you have a persistent, low-grade (38.3 degree Celsius or less) fever for more than a week.

You feel faint and confused after spending time outdoors in hot weather and start running high fever, as this is a sign of heatstroke.

If you have fever for more than three or four days, chances are it might not be a seasonal flu.

Body aches are common in fever but if you have joint pain then you may have chikungunya.

WHEN TO HEAD TO HOSPITAL

When you have high-grade fever accompanied by a severe headache, neck stiffness, drowsiness, nausea, aversion to bright lights or vomiting. These symptoms indicate meningitis, which is a life-threatening condition.

If your fever is accompanied by mental confusion or difficulty in breathing or chest pain or extreme listlessness or irritability or abdominal pain or pain when urinating, seek medical attention immediately.

DIZZINESS

DON'T PANIC

If you vomit after travelling long distance. You could just be a symptom of temporary motion sickness.

If your head spins when you get up suddenly after lying down; or experience a light dizziness after a night of heavy drinking.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR

If you often feel dizzy immediately before a headache, you may have migraine. But if you have a persistent headache which gets worse when you wake up or lie down this might be a symptom of a brain disorder such as a tumour.

Dizziness that occurs after starting a new medication could be a drug reaction.

The dizziness occurs when you move your head or turn it rapidly, or it has lasted a few hours to a few days. You could be suffering from a mild inner-ear disorder.

WHEN TO HEAD TO HOSPITAL

If you feel dizzy after a blow to the head or fall on your head as you could have a brain injury.

If your dizziness is accompanied by pain in your chest; pain or tingling in your jaw, neck, or arms; shortness of breath or sweating, rush to the hospital.

These are all signs of a heart attack.

You have a spinning sensation accompanied by numbness in your face, arms or legs and slurred speech. These symptoms usually signify stroke.

CHEST PAIN

DON’T PANIC

You get a burning sensation after meals or when you lie down and it’s accompanied by bloating, belching or an acid taste. It could be symptoms of heartburn and can be treated with a change in dietary habits and over- thecounter antacids.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR

If your heartburn is persistent, it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD).

Your chest pain occurs when you exert yourself or when you are angry and goes away after you take rest. You may have angina— chest pains caused by coronary artery disease.

WHEN TO HEAD TO THE HOSPITAL

Your chest pain is severe and is accompanied by dizziness, sweating and shortness of breath. These are all signs of a heart attack.

You feel short of breath or the pain gets worse when you inhale. You could have a blood clot that's travelled to the lung— this most often occurs after you have been confined to a bed or seat (car, bus, train, or plane) for many hours.

HEADACHES

DON’T PANIC

If you have recently binged on alcohol and feel a headache coming on, it is probably just a hangover.

Sometimes a headache results due to dehydration so if you have forgotten to drink water, this may happen. Headaches are also a direct symptom of sudden caffeine withdrawal. So, if you have been drinking fewer cups of coffee, tea and fizzy drinks, be patient as the symptoms will definitely ease out on their own.

When it is a band-like pain across the entire front or back of your head, this is most likely to be a stress induced headache.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR

If you also experience nausea and vomiting, it could be a drug reaction or even a migraine. Be sure to talk to your physician so that he/ she can make the required changes in your medication.

If you feel dizzy and shaky with incoherent movements, get fresh air immediately and then see a doctor. Chances are, the headache is brought upon by toxic fumes.

When throbbing eyes and blurred vision accompany the headache, it could be indicative of increased eye pressure or high blood pressure.

WHEN TO HEAD TO THE HOSPITAL

A headache caused by a blow to the head and comes with confusion, nausea and blurred vision could be a concussion or haemorrhage.

The feeling that this is the worst headache you’ve ever had may be a sign of something far more serious lying deep below the surface. Head to the hospital in this situation

Try These to Give your Immunity a Boost

A healthy immune system is an aggressive age fighter that helps keep us feeling good, looking good and bustling with energy. If the immune system functions properly, we can put our health-related worries to rest. But as we age, our immune system, like an ageing cricketer, loses some of its vigour. This amazingly complex defensive unit gradually deteriorates and its ability to tackle invading organisms fades out.
The immune system comprises millions of cells having many specialised roles. The immune system reaches its optimum level just about the time you touch puberty. While some declines in immunity may be a natural part of the process of ageing, experts says that adopting a few lifestyle changes can keep your immunity on your guard for a longer period of time.
Let's take a look at some ways and means to boost the body's natural defences:
Bust that Stress: Stress has been found to stifle the immune system. Emerging evidence also supports the theory. Scientists have propounded that steroids are produced by the adrenal glands during times of stress and they are eventually released and affect the activities of immune system cells. To get rid of that stress try exploring interesting options like playing with kids or pets, watching a comedy movie, reading an enjoyable book, travelling etc.
Eating the Right Stuff: The kind of diet we subscribe to directly affects the immunity. Specific nutrients play categorical roles in pushing the immunity up and down. It's very important to pump up your iron as it is a vital nutrient to enable the immune system to nab intruders. Mineral nutrients like magnesium, zinc and selenium are of paramount importance for upping the immunity levels. Among the vitamins, Vitamin A, B6, C, D and E are your immunity's best friends.
Stay Fit: To keep your immune system at its best, try sweating out a bit (if not a lot). Walking, jogging, swimming or cycling for 20 minutes a day can help you strengthen the vigilance of the immune system to a good extent.

Kick the Butt: Tobacco smoke is composed of formaldehyde, a chemical that makes us susceptible to respiratory ailments. Giving up smoking is strongly advised if you have a weak immunity.

Sleep Tight: While several parts of the body take rest during sleep, the immune system still remains active. So it has less competition for the nutrients needed to strengthen the disease-fighting mechanism. Six to eight hours of sleep is what we definitely need to better the immune system.

Health benefits associated with fasting

The wonders which fasting can do 

While fasting can amount to pushing your body to an extreme, it does bring some health benefits along with it. During the course of human history people have practiced fasting both for its health benefits as well as for spiritual and religious reasons.

While religious events (like Navratri, Ramzan etc.) give us ample opportunities to observe fasts, one can also do that for health reasons and offsetting the over-eating we often indulge in. It is not recommended to push beyond the limits while fasting. Similarly, discipline also needs to be maintained while fasting. Many people transform their fast to a feast during Navratris and end up overeating. So the key lies in observing a disciplined and realistic fast:

Here are some health benefits attached to fasting:

Fasting counters allergic reactions, including asthma and hay fever.

Fasting promotes detoxification. As the body breaks down its fat reserves, it mobilizes and eliminates stored toxins.

Fasting initiates rapid weight loss with little or no hunger. Most people are surprised at how little desire for food they have while fasting.

Fasting restores taste appreciation for wholesome natural foods. People say that their taste buds come alive after fasting and that food never tasted so good.

Fasting makes it easy to overcome bad habits and addictions. Many people have overcome tobacco and alcohol addictions by fasting, and even drug addictions.

Fasting corrects high blood pressure without drugs. Fasting will normalize blood pressure in the vast majority of cases, the blood pressure will remain low after the fast, if the person follows a health-supporting diet and lifestyle.

Fasting gives the digestive system a much-needed rest. After fasting, both digestion and elimination are invigorated.

While these health benefits can be considered, you must also keep in mind that fasting may also lead to muscle loss and lowering down of blood sugar levels. Also, some experts say that fasting may work against weight loss in a way. Fasting can cause the metabolic rate of the body to slow down and since weight loss is usually better achieved with a fast metabolism, it (fasting) may hamper the entire process.

 Top 10 Myths Related to Heart Problems

Myth No. 1: Heart-Attack cannot get you if you're Physically Fit

Being fit may lessen the risk factors but it doesn't guarantee a life exempted from diseases. People often live under the impression that heart diseases mostly affect those who are obese. Even thin or weight conscious people can suffer from clogged arteries resulting from cholesterol deposits or damaged arteries. Factors like diabetes, smoking, tobacco abuse, genetic predisposition, genetics, high cholesterol or hypertension expose you to risk irrespective of your fitness levels.

Myth No. 2: It's Easy to Recognize the Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Forget ordinary people, a heart attack can even play hide-and-seek with cardiologists. Its symptoms can be varying and may not always be severe. Do not take the following symptoms lightly: Chest pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, weakness, unusual fatigue, heaviness, weakness, or pain in one or both arms, back pain, indigestion, racing or fluttering heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these.

Rough diagram of pain zones in myocardial infarction (dark red = most typical area, light red = other possible areas, view of the chest).

Myth No. 3: No Chest Pain Means No Heart Attack

A heart attack can have unusual indicators. Infact at times diabetics may not experience any pain. And it's not necessary that a person only experiences pain in the chest area. Chest pain or discomfort can be anywhere, starting from jaw to the umbilicus (navel aka belly button). The pain is not clearly localised. In fact, it's not even well-defined. It might be some sort of “heaviness” or “tightness” or a feeling of pressure. The chest pain associated with heart attacks is not usually sharp but more often described as dull. It can be lasting or intermittent. Squeezing or unusual discomfort at the back doesn't always mean an attack but the possibility cannot be fully ruled out until the tests are done.
Also, if you feel that you are experiencing an irregular heartbeat or hyperventilating, then don't overlook it as stress related disorder.

Myth No. 4: Wait and Watch the Chest Pain to Subside

The ancient “wait and watch” approach can prove to be lethal in the cases of heart and brain. Immediate medical attention should be sought after if you experience unrecognized, inexplicable chest pain. Every second counts and may cause irreparable damage to the heart. Dismissing chest pain for indigestion or gas is not a wise idea.

A myocardial infarction occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque slowly builds up in the inner lining of a coronary artery and then suddenly ruptures, causing catastrophic thrombus formation, totally occluding the artery and preventing blood flow downstream.

Myth No. 5: Heart Problems do not Affect Young People

This may have been true in ancient times but doesn't really hold any weight in the present times. Cases of people aged between 20 and 40 years getting hit by a heart attack have been widely reported. And the main reason for this? The kind of lifestyle we have developed in the recent years. Junk food, smoking, less exercise, increased intake of alcohol and high levels of stress has become daily lifestyles of most of the urban working population. Add to this, the factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Myth No. 6: Taking an Aspirin in a Day Helps to Subside Heart Attacks

While taking of aspirin tablets is recommended during an active heart attack when someone is having chest pain, it is not recommended for everyday use to prevent heart disease unless specified by your doctor. Aspirin can have some seriously harsh side-effects. Everyday use of aspirin should not be done unless approved by a doctor.

Myth No. 7: After a Heart Attack Life Comes to a Halt

Life can be back on track if a person gets conscious about his lifestyle. Don't take an attack as the end of good life. If you become aware of your eating habits, exercise regime, banish smoke and alcohol from you territory and most importantly adopt a positive attitude towards your work then you can be as healthy as you were. Of course, you have to remain under strict medical supervision and follow all the advice dispensed by the doctor.

Myth No. 8: Heart Diseases Affect Men and Women in the Same Way

Men and women, both, suffer from heart disease but men have a higher risk of getting a fatal heart disease than women who are still getting their menstrual period. The conception that women do not suffer from heart attacks in erroneous. It's just that they are less prone to the disease than men and that too in their reproductive age group. By the age of 60-65, a woman is under the same degree of risk as a man. Women also lose much of their protection if they smoke, take oral contraception, are diabetic or hypertensive. While heart attack-related symptoms are almost same in both the sexes, women may also experience vomiting, breathlessness, nausea additionally.

Myth No. 9: Diabetes is Not a Threat as Long as the Blood Sugar Level is under Control

Diabetes itself causes inflammation that can damage blood vessels, raising the risk of heart disease and other health problems. One also needs to take into account his weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels apart from the blood sugar level.

Myth 10: I've Already Had an Angioplasty (heart surgery) and so I can put all Heart-related worries to Rest

This is definitely untrue. If you go back to same old lifestyle ripe with carelessness that originally allowed you to develop a heart problem then you are quite likely to damage your heart again.
We must understand that heart is a complex organ and needs our attention accordingly. With diet, exercise and greater awareness of risks, most heart diseases are preventable. But sadly enough, people treat their cars better than their bodies

60 ways to look young

'Beauty is what health and happiness look like on the outside,' Good Housekeeping told readers in 1916.

Our advice has changed little since because we've always extolled the fundamentals: The right diet, exercise and spirit promote long life - and keep you looking and feeling young. (Of course, a fabulous haircut, lipstick, and the right pair of jeans can't hurt, either.)

Here's the ultimate clock-resetting guide - beauty how-to and health must-do.

Mind your brain
These strategies will help keep you sharp-witted(and healthy, too!) throughout your life

Drink up

Your coffee, that is. Swedish and Finnish researchers found that moderate consumption of coffee (3-5 small cups a day) cuts the risk of dementia by 65 percent.

Get moving

Middle-aged women and men who exercise 5-6 times a week (brisk walking is okay) are far less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment later in life.

Check your numbers

High cholesterol in your 40s can up your chances of developing Alzheimer's later in life, researchers reported at a 2008 meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Also Keep an eye on

Your high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Low levels are linked to memory loss and dementia, a University College, London, study of 3,673 participants found.

Watch your weight

Obesity can increase the dementia risk by 80 percent, a Johns Hopkins, US, study found. Most dangerous: fat around your middle.

Be a groupie
Payoffs from having a circle of friends or people you see regularly at a club or other gathering:
Lower blood pressure
Delayed memory loss
Reduced risk of recurrent stroke and even the common cold

Save your skin

Choose the right products but follow through with some mustdos as well... Your chest is thin-skinned, making it susceptible to sun damage. to renew it, gently exfoliate regularly with a face scrub. Wear a hat that has at least a three-inch brim in order to shade your face. or carry a parasol. on cold days, give your face extra protection with a super-rich thick moisturiser. Use sunscreen with a minimum spf of 15 - no matter where you live or what your skin colour, use every day, whether it's winter or summer. and don't forget the after-sun face wash.

Keep an eye on your vision

Dark green leafy vegetables are prime sources of both lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that protect your eyes from uv damage. make lettuce salads - and make sure spinach is on the menu, too.

Happy birthday!
Celebrating one of these milestones? Gift yourself new cosmetics and a new look. Move beyond the bare essentials.

Don't hold back - treat yourself to...

AT 30 tinted moisturisers, loose body powders and shimmers.
AT 40 lengthening mascara, eyelid primer.
AT 50 rosy blush, glowy foundation.
AT 60 shimmery shadow, hydrating lipstick.

Dress code

7 fashion tricks that will make you look younger-instantly

1. Try the new black - It's actually black and white; the combination makes you look sophisticated but still playful.
2. Experiment with a new trend - It updates your look and gives you a more youthful vibe.
3. Learn the power of shapewear - They can give you a sleeker line by invisibly smoothing the areas that bulge out a bit. A more supportive bra adds lift - and subtracts years.
4. Show some leg - Who said that once you're 40, hems should be below the knee? At the knee or just above is most flattering.
5. Skip the Mommy jeans - A dark wash, lower waist, and slimmer-cut jeans will give you the impression of legs you had in high school.
6. Go casual - A T-shirt under your jacket instead of a buttondown shirt, for example, can make you look younger.
7. Keep it in proportion - A slim pant, paired with a longer tunic, will take away years (and conceal extra pounds).

Go fish
For omega-3-rich sources. The fatty acids in these cold-water fish fight inflammation (precursor to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes) and boost mood.

Best high-in-fat:

• Salmon (canned is fine)
• Mackerel
• Sardines
• Pomfret
• Rohu

If you can't find these fish, or your tastes are more turf than surf, then take fish oil supplements containing 500mg of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). Seven Seas Seacod and Maxepa are locally available brands. While you can get omega-3s from plant sources, they're in a form that don't give you similar protection.

Love lessons
A study conducted at Columbia and Yale Universities found that elderly women who named their husbands as their primary confidants had a reduced risk of dying over the next six years. Bonus: Their husbands lived longer, too.The give-and-take of couple-dom may help keep the neurons firing, say Scandinavian researchers whose study of 1,400 men and women found that people who live alone at mid-life are twice as likely to develop cognitive impairment later in life as against those who are paired up.

A hand up

Pure lemon juice is one of the finest things for the hands,' Good Housekeeping reported in 1897, foreshadowing today's fruit-acid craze. While citric acid remains a great slougher, here are two more smooth moves: To avoid chapping, always dry hands thoroughly and follow with a hand cream. Keep gloves in your kitchen and bathrooms, to protect your hands whenever you're washing or cleaning.

Build a better memory
Our ability to commit new information to memory - and then retrieve it when we need it - slows down over the years.

To minimise the decline:

Practise paying attention Forcing yourself to observe and recall the details of your day - which tie did your husband wear? Did the supermarket cashier have her hair up or brushed back - sharpens your memory, even if you never need the information.

Watch TV, or unwind in whatever way works for you - a long walk, a chat with a girl friend. Stress hormones (cortisol) may interfere with encoding and retrieving information; as you age, chronic elevated cortisol levels are linked to memory impairment.

Do crossword puzzles, or learn a new instrument or language. Mentally challenging activities build fresh connections in your brain, creating "cognitive reserves" that may protect memory later in life.

Shine on

'The price of a head of good hair is never ending vigilance,' warned Good Housekeeping in 1910. Today, thanks to new techniques and products, you can drop your guard but keep your looks.

1. Gray hair, which can be coarse, needs extra conditioning. Try hair products which soften hair. Hot oil treatments are still your best bet.
2. Hair becomes drier as you age; keep it healthy-looking with frequent trims and deep-conditioning.

A cut above

Ask your hair stylist for bangs. They look young and fun, and hide forehead lines.Make waves. Stick-straight hair can look severe (read: older); gentle curls soften the contours of your face.

Short cuts create the illusion of more hair. If you prefer to keep your hair long, add face-framing layers for a subtle lift.

A la smart menu

'Proper diet? will tend to ward off diseases,' Good Housekeeping said in 1919. Today, research has identified specific foods that can help you stay healthy and happy:? Berries of all hues are rich in antioxidants. They combat chemicals that can cause cell-damage and chronic inflammation. Spinach and other dark leafy greens deliver Vitamin K, which strengthens bones. Red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant, inflammation-deterrent, and artery-protector. Curd and other dairy products are a terrific source of bone-building protein and calcium.

In a Japanese study conducted recently, eating 1/4 cup of curd a day led to a 50 percent reduction in tooth loss, possibly because of the probiotics in curd. Whole grains can protect against diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and gum disease. Dark chocolate helps keep your arteries functioning well. But have no more than 42gm a day. Too much will pack on the heartdamaging kilos.

Keeping lips luscious

Whatever your challenge - dryness, shape - there is a solution.

Lift droopy corners, apply a basic colour first, then go over the centre of lips with a slightly deeper shade.Prevent the lipstick from melting away into lines. Use a pencil to line lips before you apply lipstick. Then, avoid too-creamy or glossy formulations, which tend to migrate or melt into those lines.

Soften your pout. Gently rub a warm, damp washcloth over your lips to slough dead skin. Follow with a balm.

What's so funny about that
A University of Maryland, US, research found that laughing can increase blood flow by 22 percent and may protect against heart problems. It also relieves stress.

As the crow's(feet) fly
In 1931, Good Housekeeping referred to them as those "hateful little lines," and advised - as a deterrent - avoiding 'visual strains of all kinds,' including 'lack of glasses when they are not needed.' Besides not smoking, here's how you can minimise the dreaded crinkles:
After you've washed your face, pat around your eyes to dry the delicate skin - rubbing stretches it.
Even if you have oily skin and don't use a face cream, moisturise around your eyes twice a day. Apply moisturiser with your ring finger; it's your weakest one and thus least likely to cause damage to your eyes, or result in wrinkles.

Master your metabolism
You'll reverse middle-aged spread - and help keep your body slim and strong for years to come. Shed pounds slowly Crash dieting leads to greater loss of metabolism-boosting muscle. A fast-like diet will drop the average woman's metabolic rate by at least 25 percent.

Pump iron
Adding weight training to your cardio routine helps you avoid losing the 2.3kg muscle that otherwise disappear every decade, simply from getting older.
Switch it up
Trying different routines keeps muscles from getting bored - they have to work in new(challenging) ways.

4 Eye-Openers
1. Curl your lashes.
2. Cover dark undereye circles without telltale chalkiness - apply powder foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone to the darkened areas, then pat with a damp sponge.
3. Liner trick - choose a creamy eyeliner pencil. Hard pencils can pull at delicate skin.
4. Because of its texture, the skin around your eyes looks youngest with just a bare minimum of setting powder.