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Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

11.20.2010

FOR HEALTHY LIFE-HEALTH TIPS

1. Drink eight glasses of water a day.
2. Include two vegetables and one fruit in every meal.
3. Begin each meal with a raw vegetable salad.
4. Make a light snack of assorted sprouts.
5. Start the day with a glass of warm water and a dash of lime.
6. Use only fresh vegetables.
7. Once a week have only fresh fruits until noon, make lunch the first meal of the day.
8. Eat only freshly cooked meals, not refrigerated leftovers.
9. Include one green vegetable and one yellow vegetable in every meal.
10. Go on a juice fasta for a day. Start with vegetable juice, and sip fruit for lunch and dinner.
11. Kick the old coffee habit. Have a glass of fresh fruit juice instead.
12. Cut out all deep-fried foods from your diet.
13. Cut down on high sugar products like soft drinks, ice-cream, candy and cookies in your diet.
14. Never skip a meal, even if you are on a diet. Eat a fresh fruit or have vegetable juice instead.
15. Avoid beverages like soda, coffee, colas and so on.
16. Include high fibre foods plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains in planning your diet.
17. Use salt in moderation
18. Wash vegetables throughly in clean water before chopping.
19. Stream or boil vegetables (rather than fry or saute.
20. Retain peels of potato, cucumber, carrot and tomato while cooking.
21. Do take a moment off to mentally list out the nutritional value of the food you are about to eat.
22. Dont rush through your meals. Set aside enough time to appreciate, enjoy and digest your food.
23. Make every meal an enjoyable experience. Set dishes out attractively and chew slowly to appreciate the full flavour of the foods you eat.
24. Choose to be radiantly healthy. Keep yourself informed about the nutritive value of every food you buy.
25. Shop for groceries yourself. Notice the look, feel and smell of fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy their intrinsic goodness.
26. Watch out for eating habits paired with emotional states, like reaching for a chocolate when you are depressed. Resist the urge and eat fruit instead.
27. Eat popcorn (rather than chips) while watching a movie.
28. Sit at the table at meal times. Dont read the paper or review bills while eating.
29. Make it a point to have dinner with the entire family at the table, and not in front of the TV.
30. Eat just to the point of the fullness. Dont stuff yourself!
31. Stop smoking.
32. Restrict alcohol consumption.
33. Get a good night sleep, every night.
34. Enrol today in an exercise programme.
35. Take a brisk, 20 minute invigorating walk each morning.
36. Spend 10 minutes every morning and evening doing basic stretches.
37. Do not use elevators when you can climb the stairs.
38. Enrol in a TM programme today.
39. Focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat a couple of times a day.
40. Learn to relax. Spend 20 minutes consciously relaxing each muscle of your body.
41. Spend 20 minutes a day in silent meditation, prayer or contemplation.
42. Learn the healing power of laughter. Watch a crazy movie, recall a joke or read a funny book and laugh out loud.
43. Tap the powers of your sub-conscious. Relax your body for 20 minutes and project the Perfect You on your mind screen.
44. Balance your lifestyle. Devote equal time each week to work and fun.
45. Join kids in a sports activity and rediscover the joys of childhood.
46. Do keep in touch with friends. Call up or visit them and be at peace with the world.
47. Enrol in an activity (like dancing, swimming or roller skating…) you never indulged in because you were afraid of what people might say.
48. Forgive someone who you think has done you wrong and cleanse your spirit of rancour.
49. Do a nice turn to someone you dont know too well, but who could do with a friend.
50. Spend a quiet half-hour chatting with your family.
51. Read a great book once a week.

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9.18.2010

Impact of Urbanization on Human Health

Urbanization or Urban Drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. Urbanization refers to a process in which an increasing proportion of an entire population lives in cities and the suburbs of cities. Urbanization is also defined by the United Nations as movement of people from rural to urban areas with population growth equating to urban migration.
Natural population increase (high births than death) and migration are noteworthy factors in the growth of cities in the developing countries. It is possible because of improved medical care, better sanitation and improved food supplies, which reduce death rates and cause populations to grow.

The data of urban development in the late 20th century surpass any other demographic indicators.
 The proportion of the world’s population that lives in cities rose from 29 per cent in 1950 to 47 per cent in 1998, and 55 per cent is anticipated by 2015. According to latest predictions 60% of the world’s population are expected to be urban dwellers by 2030 (Table 1). Although two thirds of urban residents live in cities of less than a million people, data show the increment in the number of megacities (population with more than 10 million). In 1975 there were five, by 1995 there were 15 and by 2015 there are expected to be 26 megacities.

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घरेलु खाजाः स्वस्थ, पोषिलो र ताजा

सामान्यतया खाजा भनेको खानाको परिपूरक खाद्यपदार्थ हो।एक मान्यताकाअनुसार खाजा भनेको दिनभरिको खानाको लगभग एक चौथाइ भाग हुनुपर्छ।खाना खानु केही समयअघि तथा खाना खाएको केही घण्टापश्चात् खाजा खाने चलन पुरानै हो।सहरमा एकाविहानै बिस्कुट,चियाले खाजाको काम गर्छ।गाउँमा मकै, भटमास आदि खाने चलन पनि कायमै छ।त्यस्तै दिउँसो च्युरा, रोटी तरकारी आदि पनि खाजाको रूपमा खाइन्छ।नेपालको सन्दर्भमा कार्यालय जानेहरू बिहान खाजाको सट्टा चाँडै खाना खाएर निस्कन्छन्।गाउँघरमा अहिले पनि विहान खेतबारीमा निस्कनेहरू भने विहानै खाजा खाएर जाने र ढीलै खाना खाने अभ्यास छ।कार्यालय जानेहरू दिउँसो खाजा खान्छन्।त्यसैगरी विद्यालय जाने केटाकेटी पनि दिउँसो विद्यालयमै खाजा खान्छन्।विहानै खाना खानेहरू दिउँसो खाजा खान्छन् र विहान खाजा खानेहरू सामान्यतया मध्यान्हअघि खाना खान्छन्।यसरी खाजाले खानाको परिपूरकको रूपमा काम गरिरहेको हुन्छ।खानाको तुलनामा खाजाको मात्रा सामान्यतया कमै हुन्छ।कसैले पनि खानाजत्तिकै खाजा खाँदैनन्।यसरी खाजाले खानासँग फरकपन कायम गरेको हुन्छ।कसैले धेरै खाजा खान खोजेमा कत्ति खानाजत्तिकै खाजा खाएको भनेको सुनिएकै कुरा हो।यसरी खाजाले खानाको परिपूरकको रूपमा काम गरेको हुन्छ।

हाम्रो सनातन धर्मसंस्कृतिले भोजनलाई तीन किसिममा विभाजन गरेको देखिन्छ-सात्त्विक, राजसी र तामसी।सात्त्विक भोजनलाई दीर्घकालीन स्मृति अर्थात् स्मरणशक्तिका लागि उपयोगी मानिन्छ।बौद्धिकवर्गले सात्त्विक भोजन गर्ने कुरा प्राचीनकालमा प्रचलित थियो।यस्ता खानामा हरिया सागपात, फलफूल, कन्दमूल, दूध तथा दुग्धजन्य पदार्थसगायत अन्य प्राकृतिक भोजन पर्छन्।विहानको खाजाजति बढी पचाउन गाह्रो हुन्छ, त्यति नै हानिकारक पनि हुन्छ।

खाजामा के खाइन्छ ?
सामान्यतया खानाको रूपमा नखाइने खाद्यपदार्थ खाजामा खानुपर्छ।यसो गर्दामात्र खाने मान्छेलाई खानेकुरा नदोहोरिने हुनाले झिँझो (Irritation) नलाग्ने हुन्छ।एउटै खानेकुरा बारम्बार खाए खानपिनमा अरुचि भई खाद्यपदार्थप्रति नै वितृष्णा उत्पन्न हुन सक्छ।तसर्थ खाद्यपदार्थमा विविधता हुनुपर्छ।सन्तुलित भोजनको लागि पनि खाना, खाजामा विविधता आवश्यक हुन्छ।समयसँगै खाजा खाने प्रचलनमा पनि परिवर्तन देखिन थालिसकेको छ।फुर्सद कम हुन थालेपछि मान्छेहरू यान्त्रिक हुन थालेका छन् र स्वस्थ, स्वच्छ, ताजा, घरेलु खाजाको सट्टामा तयारी, अर्धतयारी खाजातर्फ आकर्षित हुन थालेका छन्।मान्छेहरू चाउचाउ, बिस्किट, दालमोठ, भुजिया, भुजा आदि खान थालेका छन्।मकै, भटमास, च्युरा, रोटी तरकारी आदि तयार गर्न तथा खान फुर्सद कम हुन थालेको छ।मकै उसिन्न, भटमास साँधेर खाने चलन हराउँदैछ।तिनमा धैर्य पनि कम छ।अचेलका केटाकेटीलाई रोटीसँग गुन्द्रुकको अचार खाने चलनको बारेमा थाहै हुन छोडेको छ।महीसँग भटमास खाँदाको स्वाद कठै तिनले कहिल्यै नपाउने अवस्था आउन थालिसकेको छ।बाबाआमा दुबै जागिरे हुनेहरूको घरमा त अझ कहालिलाग्दो अवस्था देखिन्छ।त्यसैगरी घरमा हजुरबा,हजुरआमा नहुने बालबालिकाको त झनै विजोग छ।अचेल केटाकेटीलाई पैसा दिँदै खाजा किन्न लगाइन्छ।तिनले के खान्छन्,अभिभावकलाई थाहै हुन्न।सबैले सफा, ताजा, स्वच्छ खानेकुरा खान पाउँछन् भन्ने छैन।सहजै प्राप्त हुने भएकाले तयारी खाजा तिनको रोजाइमा पर्ने हुँदा आवश्यक पौष्टिक तत्त्व तिनले प्राप्त गर्ने अवस्था रहन्न।साथै धुलोमैलोयुक्त खानेकुरा खाँदा अलर्जी,रुघाखोकी आदि लगायतका रोगले आक्रमण गर्नसक्ने अवस्था पनि रहन्छ।
रोटी, पुरी, च्युरा तरकारी, मकै, भटमास, आदि परम्परागतरूपमा खाइँदै आएको खाजाको ठाउँ हाल चाउचाउ, बिस्किट, पाउरोटी, चटपटे, पानीपुरी आदिले लिन थालेका छन्।घरमा बन्ने खाजाको तुलनामा बजारमा पाइने यी खाद्यान्नले समयको बचत गरे पनि स्वास्थ्य भने पक्कै बिगार्छ।

घरेलु खाजा तथा तयारी खाजाको तुलनात्मक अध्ययन
घरपरिवारका सदस्यहरू आफैले मिलेर तयार गर्ने खाद्यपदार्थ नै घरेलु खाजा हुन् भने सामान्यतया बजारमा सहजै किन्न पाइने खाद्यपदार्थलाई तयारी खाजाको रूपमा लिन सकिन्छ।घरमा मकै उसिनेर जति पौष्टिकतत्त्व पाइन्छ, त्यति बजारमा पाइने उही मकैको उत्पादन पपकर्नमा पक्कै पाइन्न तापनि हामी पपकर्न खानमा रमाउँछौँ।पपकर्नको प्याकेजिङका लागि सित्तैमा पैसा खर्च गरिन्छ।घरेलु खाजामा मकै, भटमास, रोटी, च्युरा, तरकारी, भुटेको भात, हलुवा, ताजा फलफूल आदि पर्छन् भने चाउचाउ, बिस्किट, पाउरोटी, पिज्जा, बर्गर, आलुचिप्स आदिले तयारी खाजाको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्छन्।

तयारी खाजाले आक्रामकरूपमा बजार ओगट्नुको मुख्य कारण तिनको बजार प्रबर्द्धनको नाममा लाखौँ खर्च गरिनु तथा समयाभावको नाममा मान्छेहरू अल्छी गरेर पन्छने प्रवृत्ति हो।चाउचाउको बजार प्रबर्द्धनमा लाखौँ रुपियाँ खर्च गरिन्छ।समयको बचत, उपहार आदिको प्रलोभनमा परेर हामीले तयारी खाद्यपदार्थको रूपमा खासै फाइदा नगर्ने जङ्क फुड खाइरहेका छौँ।सहरियाहरूको घरमा एकदिन फुर्सद हुँदा पनि सबैजना रेष्टुरेण्ट गएर खाने चलन बढ्दो छ।रेष्टुरेण्टमा बर्गर, फिङ्गरचिप्स, चाउमिन, पिज्जाजस्ता जङ्कफुडका लागि हामी व्यापकमात्रामा खर्च गर्छौँ।यसले मान्छेहरूमा रमाइलो गर्ने चलन बढेको देखाउँछ साथै स्वास्थ्यप्रति असंवेदनशील रहेको पनि देखाइरहेकै छ।गाउँघरमा पनि चाउचाउ,बिस्किटले आफ्नो बाक्लै उपस्थिति जनाइसकेकाले हुनेखानेहरू पैसा तिरीतिरी त्यस्ता खानेकुरा खान थालेका छन्।मकै,भट्मास,घरकै मेवा,गाँजर खानेहरू त अहिले उपेक्षित हुने विडम्वनापूर्ण अवस्था छ।खानपानमा ध्यान नदिँदा व्यक्तिगत, पारिवारिक नोक्सानी बढ्ने हुन्छ।

घरेलु खाजा कस्तो खाजा हो?
घरमै आफै मिलेर तयार गरिएको खाजा स्वाभाविकरूपमा पोषिलो हुन्छ।घरमा अनावश्यकरूपमा मरमसला, चिल्लो, अमिलो पीरो आदि नहाली बनाउने तथा खाजा बनाउन प्रयोग गरिने खाद्यसामग्री पनि सफा, स्वच्छ हुने भएकाले घरेलु खाजाले स्वास्थ्य सवल बनाउन मद्दत गर्छ, साथै धेरै हदसम्म नगद बचत पनि गर्छ।घरमै तयार गरिने हुनाले बेचेर नाफा गर्नुपर्ने अवस्था नहुने भएकाले खर्चिलो पनि हुन्न।यसरी खर्च कम लाग्ने भएर पनि घरेलु खाजा स्वस्थ हुने भएकाले यसको प्रयोग व्यापकमात्रामा गरिनुपर्छ।बजारमा कुकिज किन्नुको सट्टा घरमै पनि तयार गर्न सकिन्छ।घरेलु खाजा मूल्य प्रभावकारी (Cost Effective) हुने भएकाले पनि घरेलु खाजाको प्रयोग गरिनुपर्छ।

घरेलु खाजा बनाउन श्रम र समय लाग्ने भएकाले हतार हुनेहरूले घरेलु खाजा तयार गर्ने कामलाई झण्झटिलो मान्छन्।खाजा तयार गर्न आवश्यक कच्चा पदार्थ सङ्कलन,तिनको सरसफाइ तथा पकाउन वा तयार गर्न लाग्ने समयका कारण कतिपयले घरेलु खाजाको पौष्टिक महत्त्व बिर्सेको देखिएको छ।हतार भएकै बेलामा पनि गाँजर, स्याउ, छोकडा, काजु, किसमिस, केरा, स्याउ, अङ्गुर आदि खाजामा खान सकिन्छ।त्यस्तै सातुमा जौको सातु भए त अझ पौष्टिक खाजा तयार हुन्छ।विहानको खाजामा फलफूल, फलफूलको जुस, टुसा पलाएको गेडागुडी, सलाद, कन्दमूलअन्तर्गत आलु, तरुल आदि, सुख्खा फलफूलअन्तर्गत काजु, किसमिस, छोकडा आदिलगायत जौको सातु, भुटेको मकै, भुटेको चना, मही आदि खानुपर्छ।अन्न, गेडागुडी जस्तै भटमास, मकै, बदाम आदिमा ढुसी परेमा माइकोटक्सिन नामक विषालु पदार्थ उत्पादन भई क्यान्सर रोगले गाँज्न सक्ने हुनाले सतर्क रहनुपर्छ।खाद्यपदार्थमा कीटाणुको उपस्थिति भएमा पेट दुख्ने, रिङ्गटा लाग्ने, बान्ता हुने, पेट सुन्निने समस्याहरू देखा पर्छन्।घरेलु खाजा तयार गर्नेको व्यक्तिगत सरसफाइ आवश्यक हुन्छ।तरकारी,फलफूल आदि सदैव सफा पानीले धोइपखाली गर्नुपर्छ।प्रयोग गरिने भाँडा पनि सफा हुनुपर्छ।

तयारी खाजाले कस्तो खाजा हो?
घरेलु खाजाको तुलनामा तुरुन्त प्राप्त गर्न सकिने हुनाले तयारी खाजाको प्रचलन मुख्यतः सहरमा व्यापक छ।समयाभावको कारण दर्शाउँदै सहरियाहरू तयारी वा अर्धतयारी खाजातर्फ आकर्षित हुन्छन्।ग्रामीण क्षेत्रमा पनि यसको प्रभाव बढ्दैछ।तुरुन्त खान मिल्ने हुनाले तयारी खाजातर्फ मान्छेको आकर्षण बढेको देखिन्छ तर यस्तो खाजा सामान्यतया बासी हुन्छ।खाद्यपदार्थको अनावश्यक प्रशोधनका कारण तिनमा पौष्टिकत्त्व पनि कि नष्ट भइसकेको हुन्छ कि त न्यूनगुणस्तरका हुन पुग्छन्।अनावश्यक मरमसला हालिनु,कच्चापदार्थको सरसफाइमा पर्याप्त ध्यान दिन नसक्नु, उपभोगको तुलनामा उत्पादन अधिक हुनु आदिका कारण तयारी खाजाले पर्याप्त पौष्टिकतत्त्व उपलब्ध गराउन नसक्ने हुनाले केवल समय बचाउने नाममा यसको प्रयोगले स्वास्थ्यमा विकृति ल्याउन सक्छ।भण्डारण विधि नपुग्दा पनि तयारी खाजा छिटो बिग्रने हुन्छ।खाजा सफा र स्वच्छ हुनुपर्ने न्यूनतम शर्त हो।सडेगलेको,उत्पादन गरिएको मिति धेरै पुरानो हुँदाको खाद्यपदार्थले स्वास्थ्य बिगार्छ।त्यसैले तयारी खानेकुरा किन्दा सदैव लेबल हेरेरमात्र किन्नुपर्छ।आवश्यक मात्रामा मात्र किन्नुपर्छ, बढी किनेर उपभोग नहुँदा सडीगली बिग्रने भएमा खर्च पनि अनावश्यक गराउँछ।

बालबालिकाका लागि घरेलु खाजाको महत्त्व
बालबालिकाको शरीर छिटोछिटो विकास हुने अवस्थामा हुने भएकोले तिनको खानपानमा अभिभावकको चासो रहनुपर्छ।तिनलाई मुख्यतः शक्तियुक्त तथा प्रोटिनयुक्त खानाका साथै भिटामिन ए, फलाम तत्त्वयुक्त खाद्यपदार्थ खुवाउनुपर्छ।हुर्किसकेकाहरूको तुलनामा तिनको पाचनशक्ति र रोगप्रतिरोधात्मक क्षमता विकास नभइसकेको हुनाले बालबालिकाको खाना सहजै पचाउन सकिने, अर्धठोस, पौष्टिक तत्त्वयुक्त सफा, ताजा हुनुपर्छ।तिनको शारीरिक विकास द्रुतगतिमा हुने भएकाले तिनलाई प्रोटिनको स्रोतको रूपमा आमाको दूध, पर्याप्तमात्रामा गेडागुडीसमेत मिसाइएको बालआहार (लिटो) खुवाउनुपर्छ।साथै चिल्लो पदार्थ, मह, चिनी मिसाइएको खाद्यपदार्थले शक्तिको पूर्तिसमेत गर्छ।खाजामा तरकारी नरुचाउने केटाकेटीहरूलाई फलफूल खुवाउन सकिन्छ।केटाकेटीको दाँत र हाड बलियो बनाउन आमाको दूध वा गाइभैँसीको दूधबाट तयार भएका खानेकुराले क्याल्सियम, फस्फोरसको आवश्यकतासमेत पूरा गर्छ।केटाकेटीका खाजाका लागि महङ्गा खाद्यसामग्रीको तुलनामा घरमा बनाउनसकिने, गाउँघरमा सहजै उपलब्ध हुने मकै, भट्मास, गाईभैँसीको दूध आदि उत्तम विकल्प हुन्।माछामासु, अनार, स्याउ नै ख्वाउनुपर्छ भन्ने छैन।

विद्यालय जाने उमेरका बालबालिकाले पौष्टिक तत्त्व नपाउँदा तिनले विद्यालयमा ल्याउने शैक्षिक नतिजा सन्तोषजनक त हुँदैन नै साथै तिनले खेलकूदमा पनि उल्लेखनीय प्रगति गर्न सक्दैनन्।कुपोषणका कारण सिक्ने क्षमता ह्रास हुँदा तिनले कक्षामा उच्चतम् नतिजा हासिल गर्न सक्दैनन्।बाल्यावस्थामा कुपोषणकै कारणले शारीरिक बृद्धिमा बाधा पर्दा पुड्को हुन पुगी ताञ्जानिया र घानामा ढिला गरी विद्यालयमा प्रवेश गर्ने प्रवृत्ति बढेको छ।त्यसैगरी सूक्ष्म पोषकतत्त्व जस्तै आयोडिन, क्याल्सियम, फोस्फोरस आदिको कमीले पनि केटाकेटीको सिक्ने क्षमतामा कमी आउने हुन्छ।आयोडिनको कमीमा मानसिक विकास नहुने,फलामको कमीमा रक्तअल्पता भई मानसिक एकाग्रता नहुने, शरीर आलस्य हुने भएकाले बौद्धिक क्षमतामा ह्रास हुन पुग्छ।केटाकेटीलाई गेडागुडी, माछामासु अण्डा, दूध तथा दुग्धजन्य पदार्थ, तरकारी, फलफूल आदि ख्वाउनुपर्छ।यस्तो खानेकुरा नपाउँदा तिनको शारीरिक तथा मानसिक विकासमा बाधा पुग्छ।एउटा असल नागरिक बनाउने राज्यको दायित्व पनि पूर्ण हुन्न।

विद्यालय टाढा हुने अवस्थामा घरबाट एकाविहानै हिँड्नुपर्दा तथा बेलुकी ढिला फर्कनेको अवस्थामा केटाकेटीको खाजा ताजा, स्वच्छ, पोषिलो हुनु आवश्यक छ।तयारी खाजाको तुलनामा यतिखेर घरेलु खाजा ख्वाउनु श्रेयष्कर हुन्छ।घरेलु खाजामा च्युरा तरकारी, रोटी तरकारी, मकै भट्मास्, खिर, पुवा, हलुवा आदिले स्थान पाएमा बच्चाहरूको स्वास्थ्यका लागि उत्तम हुन्छ।बजारमा पाइने तयारी खाजाको भन्दा यिनीहरू धेरै नै स्वस्थबर्द्धक हुन्छन्।चाउचाउ, बिस्किट, चकलेट, चिप्स् आदिको प्याकेजिङ्मात्र आकर्षक हुन्छन्।यस्ता खाजा मसलादार,विभिन्न रसायनयुक्त तथा कम पोषिला भएकाले पेट भर्ने काममात्र गर्छन् साथै कालान्तरमा यसले पेटसम्बन्धी रोगहरू, मुटु कलेजोसम्बन्धी रोगको श्रोत बन्न पुग्छ।खाजासँगै केटाकेटीलाई सफा पानी पनि दिनुपर्छ।खाजा बनाउँदा आयोडिनयुक्त नूनको प्रयोग गरिनुपर्छ।बासी, सडेगलेका कृत्रिम रङ, रसायन प्रयोग गरिएका कम पोषिला खाद्यपदार्थको उपभोग गरिनुहुन्न।दिनभरिमा खाना र खाजा गरी कम्तीमा चारपटक खानुपर्छ।खाजामा विविधता पनि आवश्यक हुन्छ।स्कुले केटीहरूको लागि मुख्यतः प्रोटिन, फलाम र रगत बनाउने अन्य पोषकतत्त्वयुक्त खाजा दिनुपर्छ।

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कुपोषणले मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदरमा पर्ने असरहरू

मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदर के हो ?
शिशु मृत्युदरले देशवासीको स्वास्थ्य अवस्थाको स्पष्ट झल्को दिन्छ।यस्तो मुलुकले गरीब, अविकसित मुलुकको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्छ।बढी शिशु मृत्युदर हुने देशमा नै बढी मातृमृत्यु हुने गरेको देखिएको छ।कुपोषण तथा स्वास्थ्य हेरचाहमा कम खर्च गर्ने देशमा यो समस्या बढी छ।शिशु मृत्युदरले कुनै निश्चित क्षेत्रमा प्रति एक हजार जीवित जन्ममा एक वर्षभित्रको उमेरसमूहका शिशुको मृत्यु उही वर्षमा भएको जनाउँछ।कुनै वर्षमा एक वर्षभन्दा मुनिका शिशुको मृत्युको सङ्ख्यालाई उक्त वर्षमा जीवित जन्म शिशुको सङ्ख्यालाई भाग गरी १००० ले गुणन गर्दा निस्कने परिणाम नै शिशु मृत्युदर हो।त्यसैगरी गर्भावस्थामा वा गर्भावस्थाको तुरुन्तैपछि आमाको मृत्यु अर्थात् मातृमृत्युदरले प्रतिवर्ष प्रतिहजारमा मृत्यु हुने आमाको संख्या बुझाउँछ।तसर्थ एक लाख जनसङ्ख्यामा मृत्युदर ३.५ ले उक्त जनसङ्ख्यामा प्रतिवर्ष ३५० जना अर्थात् ०.३५% को मृत्यु हुने सङ्ख्या बुझिन्छ।

तथ्याङ्कमा मातृ तथा शिशुमृत्युदरको अवस्था
मातृ मृत्युदरले देशको स्वास्थ्यसेवाको स्तर मापन गरेको हुन्छ।तथ्याङ्ककअनुसार प्रति लाख जीवित जन्ममा सबैभन्दा खराव अवस्था सिएरालिओनको छ।त्यहाँ मातृमृत्युदर २००० छ।त्यस्तै अफगानिस्तानमा यो दर १९०० छ।त्यहाँ हरेक सत्ताइस सेकेण्डमा एकजना महिला गर्भसँग सम्बन्धित कारणले मर्छन्।मातृमृत्युको आजन्म जोखिम (Lifetime risk of maternal death) ले गर्भवती र जोखिमको संख्या देखाउँछ।अफ्रिकामा १६ गर्भमध्ये एक जोखिममा पर्छ भने विकसित देशमा २८०० गर्भमा एकमात्र जोखिमअन्तर्गत पर्छ।अविकसित देशमा आमा, शिशुको स्वास्थ्य समस्या यस्तो गम्भीर देखिन्छ।विश्व स्वास्थ्य सङ्गठनका अनुसार अविकसित मुलुकमा प्रजनन् क्षमताका (१९-४९ वर्ष) महिलाहरूको मृत्युको एक मुख्य कारण गर्भधारणबाट उत्पन्न हुने जटिलता नै हो।

स्वास्थ्य सुविधामा पहुँच, परिवार नियोजन सेवा तथा आकस्मिक प्रसूती तथा सुत्केरीलगत्तैको स्याहारको गुणस्तरमा सुधारसँगै रक्तसञ्चारको सुविधा, अनिच्छित गर्भधारणमा कमी आएकाले मातृ मृत्युदरमा कमी देखिएको छ।विविधखाले खोपको विकासले बालबालिकालाई विभिन्न रोगहरूबाट उन्मुक्ति दिएको छ।त्यस्तै परिवार नियोजनका अस्थायी, स्थायी विधिहरूका कारण अनिच्छित गर्भ रोकेको छ।नेपालमा मातृमृत्युदर प्रति लाखमा २८१ छ भने अन्तरिम योजनाको लक्ष्य २५० मा झार्ने थियो।त्यसैगरी नवजात शिशु मृत्युदर (प्रतिहजार जीवित जन्ममा) ३४ छ, शिशु मृत्युदर ४८ छ भने बाल मृत्युदर (पाँच वर्षमुनिका) ६१ रहेको छ।यी दरहरू निरन्तर घटिरहेका छन्।

मृत्युदर किन बढ्दोछ?
विश्व स्वास्थ्य सङ्गठनका अनुसार मातृमृत्युको मुख्य कारणहरू यस्ता छन्-अत्यधिक रक्तश्राव (२५%), सङ्क्रमणका कारण १३%, असुरक्षित गर्भपतनका कारण १३%, Eclampsia (१२%), असफल प्रसव (Obstructed Labour) ८%, अन्य प्रत्यक्ष कारणले ८% र अप्रत्यक्ष कारणले २०%।अप्रत्यक्ष कारणहरूमा मलेरिया, रक्तअल्पता, एच्. आइ. भी. एड्स र मुटुसम्बन्धी (Cardiovascular) रोगहरू तथा समस्यामूलक (complicate) गर्भधारण पर्छन्।९०% भन्दा बढी मातृमृत्यु त अविकसित देशमा हुन्छ।अविकसित देशहरूमा मातृमृत्युको साझा कारण obstetrical hemorrhage हो र योपछिको अर्को कारण deep vein thrombosis हो।

एक अनुमानअनुसार ८० प्रतिशत प्रसूतिसेवा दिन प्रति एकहजार जनसंख्याका लागि २.४ चिकित्सक, नर्स र मातृशिशु कार्यकर्ताको आवश्यकता रहेकोमा दक्षिणपूर्वी एसियामा प्रतिएकहजार जनसंख्याका लागि २.१ स्वास्थ्यकर्मी परिचालित छन्।अर्कोतिर लाखौँ धनराशि खर्चेर तयार स्वास्थ्यकर्मी विदेशिनु, सुविधाकेन्द्रित हुनुले समस्या बढाएको छ।विश्व स्वास्थ्य सङ्गठनको एक तथ्याङ्कअनुसार नेपालमा प्रतिदसहजार जनसंख्याका लागि १५ स्वास्थ्यकर्मी कार्यरत छन्।तिनीहरू पनि दक्ष नहुँदा कार्यालय सहयोगी (पियन) ले एक्सरे, रगत जाँच्ने गरेको सुनिएकै कुरा हो।

ग्रामीण समाजमा अद्यापि सानो उमेरमै विहे गरिदिने र बच्चा जन्माउने प्रवृत्तिका कारण पनि मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदर बढ्दो छ।विश्वमै बालविवाह गर्ने प्रमुख देशमध्येमा नेपाल पर्छ।तसर्थ बालविवाह र प्रजनन् स्वास्थ्यका कारण मातृमृत्युदर यहाँ बढी छ।केटाको तुलनामा केटीले तुलनात्मकरूपमा घरायसी काम बढी गर्नुपर्ने, तिनको छिटो विवाह गरिदिने संस्कार र त्यसकारण तिनीहरूमा देखिने विभिन्न समस्याका प्रभावस्वरूप पढाइप्रति नै अरुचि उत्पन्न भएकाले पनि बालबालिका निरक्षर भइरहन्छन्।बाल-विवाहको फलस्वरूप केटीहरू सानैमा आमा बन्छन्।तिनले आफ्नो लोभलाग्दो महत्त्वपूर्ण समयको रूपमा रहेको बाल्यकाल अनाहकमा गुमाउँछन्।बालविवाहपछि स्वास्थ्य र शिक्षाको अधिकारसमेत गुमी विभेद र घरेलु हिंसाको सिकार हुन पुग्छन्।आफ्नो खुट्टामा उभिन नसक्ने, मानसिकरूपमा विवाहका लागि तयार नहुँदा मानसिक यातना बढी हुने, घरायसी खर्च बढ्ने, सानै उमेरमा बच्चा जन्मिने, बच्चा र आमाको मृत्युसमेत हुनसक्ने जस्ता विभिन्न समस्या भोग्नुपर्ने हुन्छ।बालविवाहपछि तिनले श्रीमानका घरमा स्वच्छ र पर्याप्त खाना र हेरचाह पाउँदैनन्।यही कारण बालविवाह गर्नेहरू विभिन्न शारीरिक तथा मानसिक रोगको शिकार भएका पाइन्छन्।उता सानैमा सुत्केरी भएमा बच्चा जन्माउन गाह्रो हुने, घरपरिवारबाट सहयोगी व्यवहार नहुने, नयाँ जन्मेको बच्चा बारम्वार बिरामीका साथै सुस्त मनस्थितिको हुनसक्ने, आमालाई कामको बोझ हुने, यौनाङ्गमा हानि हुनसक्ने र परिवार चलाउन गाह्रो हुन्छ।प्रायः अभिभावकले परम्परागत सोचका कारण विहेअघि नानीहरूसँग एकवचन पनि सोध्दैनन्।केटा र केटी पनि विहेअघि भेट्दैनन्।यसरी बिना कुनै योजना विहे भएपछि परिवार नियोजनका बारेमा सोच्ने समय नै पनि पाइँदैन।योजनाबिना शिशुको आगमनले शिशुको स्याहारसुसारमा समस्या देखिन्छ।

देशमा गरीवीका कारण आमाहरू घरभित्रका काममा हिँड्नु त पर्छ नै साथै मेलापात, खेतीपातीमा संलग्न हुनुपर्दा समयमा खान नपाउने, शिशुले खान नपाउने हुँदा तिनको शारीरिक बृद्धिमासमेत अवरोध पर्छ।गर्भवती भएपछि नै भारी बोक्नेजस्ता गह्रौँ काम त्याग्नुपर्छ तर गरिबीले थिल्थिलो भएका हामी अन्य सामान्य अवस्थामाझैँ गर्भवतीलाई काममा लगाइरहन्छौँ।यसले महिला तथा गर्भस्थ शिशु दुबैको स्वास्थ्य जोखिममा पार्छ।

गर्भवती आमाले सदाझैँ नखाई दुईजनाको लागि खानुपर्छ।आमाले पौष्टिकतत्त्व खान नपाए आमाको स्वास्थ्य गडबड हुनुका साथै छोराछोरी पनि कम तौलका (जन्मँदा दुई किलो पाँचसय ग्रामभन्दा कम तौलको) जन्मन्छन् किनभने बच्चाको बृद्धि र विकास गर्भदेखि नै हुन्छ।शिशुको एक पाउण्ड तौल कम हुनु भनेको आमाको मृत्युमा दोब्बर बृद्धिको जोखिम बढ्नु हो।त्यसैगरी बढी तौलको बच्चा जन्मनु भनेको आमाको स्वास्थ्यमा जोखिम कम हुनु हो।कम तौलको शिशुमा रोगहरूविरुद्धको लड्ने क्षमता कम हुनेहुँदा विभिन्न सङ्क्रामक रोगको सिकार चाँडै हुन पुग्छ।कम तौलको शिशु जन्मने एक प्रमुख कारण गर्भिणीले पौष्टिक खाना खान नपाउनु हो।झाडापखाला, पोषणको कमी, सरुवा रोग, गर्भकालको विभिन्न विकृतिका कारण बालबालिकाको मृत्यु बढ्छ।त्यसैगरी रक्तअल्पता, प्रसव समस्या, असुरक्षित गर्भपतन र पोषणको कमीले मातृमृत्यु बढेको छ।गर्भवती भएपछि पनि परिवारका अन्य सदस्यलाई गर्भका बारेमा जानकारी नहुँदा महिलाले घरको जेजस्तो पनि काम गरिरहन्छन्, तिनलाई आवश्यक सल्लाहसुझाव पनि कसैले दिँदैन।कतिपय घरमा त बुहारीलाई घरायसी कामका लागिमात्र ल्याइएजस्तो पनि देखिन्छ।गर्भावस्थामा काम गर्नु जोखिमपूर्ण हुन्छ।गर्भिणीले काम गराइ बिस्तारै कम गर्नुपर्छ।सात महिनाको गर्भिणीले त दैनिक गरिआएका सामान्य काम पनि क्रमशः घटाउनुपर्छ।

जोखिम किन बढेको होला ?
प्रसूती तथा सुत्केरी अवस्थामा गर्भवतीले पौष्टिक पदार्थ खान नपाउँदा पनि शिशु तथा मातृमृत्युको मात्रा बढ्दो छ।मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदर बढ्ने अर्को कारण स्वास्थ्य सेवाको पहुँच नपुग्नु पनि हो।ग्रामीणक्षेत्र तथा अविकसित मुलुकमा यस्तो समस्या छ।टाढाटाढा जानआउन गाह्रो हुँदा तिनीहरू स्वास्थ्य संस्थासम्म जाँदैनन्, जान खोज्दैनन् वा भनौँ जाने मौका कमैमात्र पाउँछन्।यो काममा खर्च पनि हुने तथा टाढा हुँदा साथीको रूपमा अरूलाई पनि सँगै लैजानुपर्ने हुँदा घरको काम लथालिङ्ग हुने तथा घरको आम्दानी पनि घट्नसक्ने हुनाले कतै जानुपर्दा घरपरिवार चलाउनै धौधौ हुने अवस्थामा कोही पनि स्वास्थ्यचौकी जान खोज्दैनन्।गर्भवतीको नियमित स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण गराउनुपर्नेमा सबैजसो स्थानमा स्वास्थ्य सेवासुविधा नहुने तथा भएको ठाउँमा पनि विभिन्न व्यावहारिक कठिनाइका कारण महिलाहरू स्वास्थ्यकर्मीसम्म पुग्नै सक्दिनन्।कतिपयलाई त गर्भिणी भएपछि स्वास्थ्य संस्था जानुपर्ने ज्ञानै छैन।केही यस्ता कारण पनि कारण पनि छन्-

 कुपोषण
 स्वास्थ्य समस्याका बारेमा सजग नहुनु, स्वास्थ्य शिक्षा तथा सुविधाका बारेमा अनभिज्ञ
 सानै उमेरमा विहेका कारण छिट्टै सन्तान जन्मँदाको समस्या
 मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युका बारेमा जनचेतना नजगाइएको अवस्था
 अशिक्षाका कारण अन्धविश्वासी हुनु, अस्पताल नजानु आदि

रक्तअल्पताबाट गर्भिणी स्त्री तथा ससाना बालबालिका पीडित देखिएका छन्।हामीले खाने खानामा फलामको मात्रामा कमी हुँदा, विविध कारणले शरीरले फलाम तत्त्वको उपभोग नगर्दा, परजीवी जस्तै जुका आदिले रगत खाइदिँदा, रक्तश्राव हुँदा रक्तअल्पता हुन्छ।आमामा फलामको कमी भए आमाका साथै बच्चा पनि पीडित हुन्छ।दूध खुवाउने आमा छिटो थाक्ने, अल्छी हुने भएमा रक्तअल्पता भएको हुनसक्ने भएकाले रगत बढाउने खानेकुरा जस्तै आइरनचक्की, मासु, कलेजो, साग, फलफूलको मात्रामा बृद्धि गरिनुपर्छ।प्रोटिनयुक्त खानेकुरा पनि यतिखेर आवश्यक पर्छ।

गर्भवती किन पोषणसम्बन्धी समस्यामा पर्छन् ?
 कम उमेरमै तथा धेरै पटक गर्भवती हुनु
 धूमपान, मद्यपान, लागूपदार्थको प्रयोग
 अशिक्षा, आर्थिक अवस्था आदिका कारण पोषण ज्ञान नहुँदा अनावश्यक व्रत बस्नु, कम खाने, बढी खाने वा सन्तुलित भोजनको नियम पालन नगर्नु ।

मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदर कम गर्न के गर्नुपर्ला?
स्वास्थ्य कार्यकर्ताले गर्भवतीबाट धूमपान, मद्यपान, लागूपदार्थको प्रयोगलगायत कुपोषण, तनाव, गर्भावस्थामा अपर्याप्त रेखदेख, गर्भवतीमा दीर्घरोगहरू हुँदाका बेफाइदाका बारेमा गर्भवती तथा तिनका परिवारलाई जानकारी गराउनुपर्छ।धूमपान, मद्यपान नगर्ने महिलाको स्वास्थ्य सवल हुन्छ, साथै शिशुको स्वास्थ्यमा पनि अनुकूल प्रभाव पर्छ।आमा स्वस्थ भएमात्र शिशु पनि स्वस्थ जन्मने हुन्छ।गर्भवती, सुत्केरी तथा शिशुलाई दूध खुवाउने आमाको विशेष हेरचाह आवश्यक हुन्छ।समुदायले आमा र बच्चालाई जोगाउन गर्भवतीलाई पहिलो तीन महिनामा गरिने प्रिनाटल केयर (Prenatal Care) का लागि जुनसुकै बखत तयार रहनुपर्छ।जोखिमयुक्त लक्षणहरूका बारेमा सदैव सतर्क भएर गर्भवतीलगायत घरका सबै चनाखो हुनैपर्छ।

कुन पोषकतत्त्वको कमीले मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदर बढाउँछ?
निम्नवमोजिमका पौष्टिकतत्त्वको सन्तुलित उपभोगले मातृ स्वास्थ्यको रक्षामा उल्लेखनीय योगदान गर्छ।यी खाद्यपदार्थको अभावमा वा यिनको समुचित सन्तुलन हुन नसक्दा गर्भिणीको स्वास्थ्यमा समस्या देखिन्छ र सँगै गर्भस्थ शिशुले पनि पौष्टिक तत्त्व नपाउने हुँदा शिशु पनि स्वस्थ जन्मँदैन।

 क्यालोरीयुक्त- भात, रोटी, घ्यू, तेल, चिनी, सख्खर आदि
 प्रोटिन- दाल, गेडागुडी, माछामासु, फुल
 फोलेट- दाल, गेडागुडी, कलेजो, सुन्तला, पालुङ्गो र अन्य हरिया सागपातबाटमात्र फोलेटको मात्रा नपुग्ने हुनाले फोलेट चक्की पनि खानुपर्छ ।
 फलाम- रातोमासु, गाढा हरिया सागपात, दाल, गेडागुडी (खानेकुराबाटमात्र फलामको पूर्ति नहुने भएकोले फलामचक्की खानुपर्छ)।
 अन्य- रेसादार खाना खाने, प्रशस्त तरल पदार्थ पिउने (दालको झोल, सफा पानी आदि)

सुत्केरी अवस्थामा गर्भवतीले आफ्नो र बच्चा दुवैका लागि खानुपर्छ तथा यतिखेर यथोचित् आराम पनि गर्नुपर्छ।आमाको कुपोषणले आमाको दूधमा भरपर्ने शिशु आवश्यक पौष्टिकतत्त्व प्राप्त गर्न नसकी कुपोषित भई विभिन्न रोगहरू लागी बाल्यावस्थामै पिलन्धरे, ख्याउटे भई रोगहरूविरुद्ध लड्न सक्दैनन् साथै शारीरिक, मानसिक विकासमा बाधा पुग्छ।सुत्केरी अवस्थामै आमाको मृत्यु पनि हुन सक्छ।

शिशुको खाना
स्तनपान भनेको अमृतपान बराबर हो।आमाको दूधमा शिशुका लागि मानसिक, शारीरिक विकासका लागि आवश्यक पौष्टिकतत्त्व हुनुका साथै शिशुलाई लाग्नसक्ने नानाथरी रोगहरूविरुद्ध लड्ने क्षमता पनि हुन्छ।तसर्थ स्तनपान गराउने आमालाई सामान्य अवस्थामा भन्दा बढी झोलपदार्थ, थप तागतिला खानेकुरालगायत अन्य पौष्टिक खाना खुवाउनुपर्छ।आमाहरूमा कुपोषणको कारणले पनि दूध उत्पादनमा कमी आउने हुँदा शक्ति, क्यालोरी, भिटामिन ए, भिटामिन सी तथा जिङ्क खनिजतत्त्वको आवश्यकता बढीमात्रामा पर्छ।तसर्थ आमाहरूले दूधदही, चिज, ठीक्कमात्रामा घ्युतेल, फलफूल, माछामासु, फुल, तरकारी भात, रोटीयुक्त सन्तुलित भोजन यथेष्टमात्रामा केही समयको अन्तरालमा खाइरहनुपर्छ।बच्चा जन्मेको केही समयपछि नै आमाले बिगौती दूध बच्चालाई खुवाउनुपर्छ।यस्तो दूधमा विभिन्न रोगहरूविरुद्ध लड्नसक्ने क्षमता रहेको हुन्छ।बच्चा जन्मेपछिको पछिल्लो छ महिनासम्म आमाकै दूध खुवाउनुपर्छ।यो जत्तिको पौष्टिक खाना शिशुका लागि अरू हुनै सक्दैन।त्यसपछि नरम दाल, भात, तरकारी खुवाउन सकिन्छ तर आमाको दूध छुटाउनुहुन्न।

गर्भवतीको खाना
गर्भवती अवस्थामा एक किलो शारीरिक तौलबराबर डेढ ग्राम प्रोटिन खानुपर्छ।यतिखेर हुनसक्ने रक्तअल्पता हुन नदिन रगत बढाउने पौष्टिक तत्त्वहरू जस्तै फलाम, भिटामिन सी, भिटामिन बी६, भिटामिन बी१२ को उपभोग बढाउनुपर्छ।यतिखेर फलामको आवश्यकता झण्डै दैनिक तीस ग्रामसम्म हुन्छ।गर्भवती भएको तीन महिनापछि यसको मात्रा बढाउँदा फाइदै हुन्छ।साधारणतया गर्भवतीले दैनिक १.२ मिलिग्राम क्याल्सियम खानुपर्छ।धूमपान गर्दा सालबाट कम रगत जान्छ र बच्चो कमजोर तथा कम तौलको हुनसक्छ।मद्यपानले गर्दा पनि बच्चा कम तौलको जन्मने हुन्छ।बढी फाइबरयुक्त भोजन गर्दा पनि शरीरमा खनिजतत्त्वको कम शोषण हुँदा कुपोषण हुन्छ तर यो ठीक्क खाए फाइदा गर्छ।धेरै व्रत गर्दा पौष्टिक खानाको अभावमा आमाबच्चा दुवैलाई समस्या पर्नसक्छ।

गर्भावस्थाभन्दा सुत्केरीअवस्थामा थप ५५० क्यालोरीको आवश्यकता पर्ने हुनाले क्यालोरीका लागि भातरोटी, घ्यूतेल, सख्खर, चिनी आदि खानुपर्छ।साथै सुत्केरी अवस्थामा रगतको कमी हुँदा फलामचक्की पनि खानुपर्ने हुन्छ।सुत्केरीले स्तनपान गराउनुपर्ने हुनाले क्याल्सियम खनिजतत्त्वको कमी हुन गई हाड दुख्ने, हाड बाङ्गिने समस्या आइपर्न सक्छ।यसका लागि क्याल्सियमयुक्त खानाहरू दूध तथा दुग्धजन्य पदार्थ, ज्वानोको झोल, सिस्नु, भुरामाछा, बदाम, काजु आदि खानुका साथै क्याल्सियम चक्की पनि खानुपर्छ।यसका साथै दूधका रूपमा शरीरबाट पानी निष्कासन हुने भएकोले तरल पदार्थ पनि प्रशस्त पिउनुपर्छ।शिशुलाई स्तनपान गराउनेलाई दूध खुवाएर बाहिर निस्केको पानी पूर्ति गर्न र बच्चाको आवश्यकतानुसार दूध बनाउन प्रशस्तमात्रामा झोलपदार्थ खुवाउनुपर्छ।परम्परागत चलनअनुसार सुत्केरी र त्यसपछि नानीलाई दूध खुवाउने आमालाई ज्वानोको झोल खुवाउने चलन रहेको छ।ज्वानोको झोलमा प्रशस्त मात्रामा क्याल्सियम, केही मात्रामा शक्ति (घ्यूतेलबाट आउने) र पानीको आपूर्ति हुनेहुँदा दूध ख्वाउने आमाको लागि यो पौष्टिक खाना मानिन्छ।ज्वानोको झोलका साथै दाल तथा गेडागुडीको झोल, माछामासुको रसजस्ता झोलिला खाना ख्वाउनाले दूध प्रशस्त बन्ने हुन्छ।त्यसैगरी प्रोटिनका लागि माछामासु, फुल, दूध, दाल तथा गेडागुडी पर्छन्।दूध खुवाउने आमालाई गाउँघरमा घ्यू, माछामासु, गुलियो मिठाइ आदि खुवाउने चलन छ।यसले गर्दा प्रशस्त दूध आउँछ।नेवार समुदायमा ताजा तथा नरम भातसँग घ्यूचाकु खुवाउने चलन रहेको छ।गरिष्ठ भोजन तथा गह्रौँ खाद्यपदार्थहरू भने यतिखेर नखाएकै बेस हुन्छ अर्थात् त्यस्ता खानेकुरा खुवाउनुहुन्न।गाउँघरमा अझ पनि सुत्केरी औषधिको रूपमा पौष्टिक खाद्यवस्तु खाने चलन छँदैछ।यो औषधि खाँदा सुत्केरी हुँदाको घाउ चाँडै निको हुने र दूध पनि भनेजति आउने हुन्छ।आमाको खानपानमा ध्यान दिएमा आमाको दूधको मात्रा बढाउन सकिन्छ।यस्तो खानाले आमाको स्वास्थ्य तथा पोषणस्थिति पनि सवल हुने अनि शिशुलाई पनि प्रशस्त दूधको श्रोत प्राप्त हुन्छ।ल्याक्टोजीनजस्ता महङ्गा खाना तथा यिनबाट हुनसक्ने खतरनाक सङ्क्रमण अनि असमयमै बच्चालाई ठोस आहार, गाईभैँसीको दूध खुवाउनुपर्ने बाध्यताका कारण शिशुको पाचनप्रणालीलाई असर नगर्नेगरी आमाको दूधमार्फत शिशुलाई जोगाउन सकिन्छ।

गर्भावस्थामा नियमितरूपमा स्वास्थ्य संस्थामा जाने बानी गर्नुपर्छ।बरोबर शरीरको तौल लिने गर्नाले आफ्नो र गर्भको प्रगतिको बारेमा जानकारी रहन्छ।साधारणतया महिनामा डेढ किलोको दरले तौल बढ्नुपर्छ र पछिल्लो दुई तीन महिनामा केही अझ बढी तौल बढ्नुपर्छ।अचानक तौल बढ्नु र घट्नु दुर्घटनाको सङ्केत हुनसक्छ।अन्य अवस्थामा भन्दा यतिखेर बढी आराम गर्ने, सुत्ने गर्नुपर्छ।

केही प्रयास
गर्भवती महिलाको ज्यान खतरामा पर्ने, विकलाङ्ग बच्चा जन्मने वा गर्भवती महिलाको गर्भकै कारणले शारीरिक र मानसिक स्वास्थ्यमा गम्भीर, प्रतिकूल असर पर्ने कुरा स्वीकृत चिकित्सकले राय दिए सम्बन्धित महिलाको मञ्जुरीमा गर्भपतन गर्ने कानूनी व्यवस्था २०६१ चैत ५ बाट भएको छ।उक्त कानूनी प्रावधानअनुसार महिलाको स्वीकृतिमा १२ हप्ताभित्रको जुनसुकै गर्भ र बलात्कार र हाडनाता करणीमा १८ हप्तासम्मको गर्भपतन गराउन कुनै रोक छैन।लिङ्ग पहिचान गरी गर्भपतन गराउन कानूनी दृष्टिले दण्डनीय मानिने व्यवस्था गरिएको छ।पाँचवर्षमुनिका बालबालिकालाई वर्षको दुईपटक भिटामिन ए खुवाइँदैछ।त्यसैगरी पोलियो, दादुरा आदिका खोप राज्यले निःशुल्क उपलब्ध गराएको छ।यस्ता खोपहरूले पनि मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदरमा कमी ल्याइरहेकै छ।

वास्तवमै स्वस्थ आमाले मात्र बच्चा हुर्काउन सक्छिन्।आफै आफ्नो जीवनको लागि विविधखाले संघर्ष गर्नुपर्ने महिलालाई आफ्नो र शिशुको स्वास्थ्य रक्षा गर्न कठिन अवश्यै हुन्छ।पितृप्रधान समाजका कारण शिशुको नजिकैको घनिष्ठ साथी आमा नै हुन्छन्।

तीन वर्षीय अन्तरीम योजनाका केही कार्यक्रमहरू
 गरिवी निवारण कार्यक्रम लागू भएका २५ जिल्लामा मातृत्व तथा नवजात शिशु स्याहार कोषको स्थापना गरी कार्यान्वयनको लागि निर्देशिका तयार गरी लागू गरिने
 आधारभूत प्रसूती सेवा जिल्लाका प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य केन्द्रसम्म र प्रसूती सेवा स्वास्थ्य चौकी तथा पूर्वाधार र जनशक्ति पुगेका उपस्वास्थ्य चौकीस्तरसम्म प्रसूती केन्द्र स्थापना गरिने
 विद्यालय खोप कार्यक्रम २४ जिल्लाबाट विस्तार गरी ४४ जिल्लामा सञ्चालन गरिने
 सबै जिल्लाका विद्यालयमा मुख, दाँत, आँखा, कुपोषण र कानको परीक्षणको व्यवस्था मिलाइने
 राष्ट्रिय पोषण केन्द्रको स्थापना गरिने र राष्ट्रिय पोषण नीति कार्यान्वयन गरिने
 पोषण शिक्षामा जोड दिँदै स्तनपानको महत्त्वबोध गराइने ।

गर्न बाँकी काम
सानै उमेरमा विहे गर्ने प्रवृत्ति रोक्नैपर्छ।चाँडो विहे गर्नेको तुलनामा ढिलो विहे गर्दा आमा तथा बच्चा दुवैले स्वास्थ्य समस्या कम झेल्नुपर्ने हुन्छ।यसले गर्दा श्रीमान्, श्रीमतीले सानो परिवारको महत्त्व बुझ्न सक्छन् साथै परिवार नियोजनका बारेमा आफै पनि निर्णय गर्न सक्छन्।मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्युदरको बढ्दो मात्रा र आर्थिक क्षमताबीच नजिकैको सम्बन्ध रहने देखिएको छ।आर्थिक क्षमताको कमीका कारण स्वास्थ्य सेवासुविधासम्म पहुँच नपुग्दा पनि मातृ तथा शिशु मृत्यु बढेकै देखिएको छ।निम्न काम गर्नैपर्ने देखिएको छ-

 प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य सेवा सुविधासम्म सबैको अनिवार्य पहुँच
 सन्तुलित पौष्टिक आहारको प्रत्याभूति
 शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्यलगायतका कल्याणकारी क्षेत्रमा छोराछोरीबीचको विभेदको अन्त
 गर्भावस्थामा आमा र गर्भस्थ शिशुको हेरचाह
 परम्परागत प्रसूती व्यवस्थामा परिवर्तन गरी दक्ष स्वास्थ्यकर्मीको रोहवरमा सुत्केरी गराउनुपर्ने
 शिशुको हेरचाह आमाकोमात्रै कर्तव्य नभई परिवारकै दायित्बोध गराउनुपर्ने
 बालविवाहमा रोक
 सुरक्षित मातृत्त्वसम्बन्धी शिक्षा (परिवार नियोजन, विहे गर्ने उमेर आदिसम्बन्धी)
 गर्भवतीको नियमित अनिवार्य स्वास्थ्यजाँच आदि

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Maternal Mortality Rate declines

(AP)
GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Wednesday that fewer women die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth than previously estimated, but efforts to sharply cut maternal mortality by 2015 are still off track. A new WHO report found that 358,000 women died during pregnancy or childbirth in 2008, mostly in poor countries of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

As recently as April the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a global alliance hosted by the World Health Organization, had estimated that maternal deaths worldwide could still be as high as 500,000.

The latest figure shows a drop of about one third compared with 546,000 deaths in 1990, the global body said. Dr. Flavia Bustreo, director of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, said researchers had revised their earlier estimates after closer scrutiny of figures provided by WHO member states.
"All of these numbers are bound with a lot of uncertainty," she said, noting that in many developing countries births and deaths aren't officially recorded, meaning reliable figures are difficult to come by.

About 57 percent of maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and 30 percent in South Asia. Five percent of maternal deaths happen in rich countries, WHO said.

Women in developing countries are 36 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause during their lifetime than their counterparts in developed countries.

WHO warned in its report that improvements to maternal health are too slow to meet the global body's goal of cutting deaths during pregnancy and childbirth by three quarters between 1990 and 2015.

"No woman should die due to inadequate access to family planning and to pregnancy and delivery care," said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan.
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How to be Healthy

1. Drink eight glasses of water a day.
2. Include two vegetables and one fruit in every meal.
3. Begin each meal with a raw vegetable salad.
4. Make a light snack of assorted sprouts.
5. Start the day with a glass of warm water and a dash of lime.
6. Use only fresh vegetables.
7. Once a week have only fresh fruits until noon, make lunch the first meal of the day.
8. Eat only freshly cooked meals, not refrigerated leftovers.
9. Include one green vegetable and one yellow vegetable in every meal.
10. Go on a juice fasta for a day. Start with vegetable juice, and sip fruit for lunch and dinner.
11. Kick the old coffee habit. Have a glass of fresh fruit juice instead.
12. Cut out all deep-fried foods from your diet.
13. Cut down on high sugar products like soft drinks, ice-cream, candy and cookies in your diet.
14. Never skip a meal, even if you are on a diet. Eat a fresh fruit or have vegetable juice instead.
15. Avoid beverages like soda, coffee, colas and so on.
16. Include high fibre foods plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains in planning your diet.
17. Use salt in moderation
18. Wash vegetables throughly in clean water before chopping.
19. Stream or boil vegetables (rather than fry or saute.
20. Retain peels of potato, cucumber, carrot and tomato while cooking.
21. Do take a moment off to mentally list out the nutritional value of the food you are about to eat.
22. Dont rush through your meals. Set aside enough time to appreciate, enjoy and digest your food.
23. Make every meal an enjoyable experience. Set dishes out attractively and chew slowly to appreciate the full flavour of the foods you eat.
24. Choose to be radiantly healthy. Keep yourself informed about the nutritive value of every food you buy.
25. Shop for groceries yourself. Notice the look, feel and smell of fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy their intrinsic goodness.
26. Watch out for eating habits paired with emotional states, like reaching for a chocolate when you’re depressed. Resist the urge and eat fruit instead.
27. Eat popcorn (rather than chips) while watching a movie.
28. Sit at the table at meal times. Dont read the paper or review bills while eating.
29. Make it a point to have dinner with the entire family at the table, and not in front of the TV.
30. Eat just to the point of the fullness. Dont stuff yourself!
31. Stop smoking.
32. Restrict alcohol consumption.
33. Get a good night sleep, every night.
34. Enrol today in an exercise programme.
35. Take a brisk, 20 minute invigorating walk each morning.
36. Spend 10 minutes every morning and evening doing basic stretches.
37. Do not use elevators when you can climb the stairs.
38. Enrol in a TM programme today.
39. Focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat a couple of times a day.
40. Learn to relax. Spend 20 minutes consciously relaxing each muscle of your body.
41. Spend 20 minutes a day in silent meditation, prayer or contemplation.
42. Learn the healing power of laughter. Watch a crazy movie, recall a joke or read a funny book and laugh out loud.
43. Tap the powers of your sub-conscious. Relax your body for 20 minutes and project the Perfect You on your mind screen.
44. Balance your lifestyle. Devote equal time each week to work and fun.
45. Join kids in a sports activity and rediscover the joys of childhood.
46. Do keep in touch with friends. Call up or visit them and be at peace with the world.
47. Enrol in an activity (like dancing, swimming or roller skating…) you never indulged in because you were afraid of “what people might say.
48. Forgive someone who you think has done you wrong and cleanse your spirit of rancour.
49. Do a nice turn to someone you dont know too well, but who could do with a friend.
50. Spend a quiet half-hour chatting with your family.
51. Read a great book once a week.

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8.13.2010

Drinking own urine!

According to an article at Fanhouse.com, the pro boxer Juan Manuel Marquez surprised (no doubt some were shocked) a lot of people recently when he announced prior to his bout with Mayweather that part of his pre-fight regimen involves drinking his own urine. Unknown to many, Marquez was echoing an ancient practice of urine therapy. But is it safe to drink one's own urine?

Drinking Urine Has Ancient Roots
The drinking of urine has been a cultural practice as well as a form of medicinal treatment in China, Egypt, the Aztec empire, and India for thousands of years, writes Diane Stressing in an article entitled "True or False:It's Safe to Drink Your Urine," published at epnet.com.

Drinking one's own urine and that of others has been touted as a sort of natural elixir for all kinds of ailments. In fact, one well known 20th century leader of India, former prime minister Morarji Desai, is said to have drunk a pint of his own urine every day and he lived to be 99 years of age, according to a report at SMH.com.

Given this history, it would seem that Marquez's announcement is not so shocking after all. Nevertheless, many continue to question the safety of urine therapy.

Arguments in Favor of Drinking One's Own Pee
Stressing sets forth in her article some of the main arguments in favor or urine therapy. She says that some of the reason given most often for gulping down a glass of urine are:
•It is better to drink your urine than suffer the consequences of dehydration when no other liquid is available for drinking.
•Urine is 95% water which has been filtered through the body.
•Urine is an ancient practice which invests this form of therapy with historical verification.
•There are some scientific studies which indicate that urea, which next to water is the largest component of urine, has some antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities.
•Drinking urine in small amounts has not been shown to cause any medical problems.

Arguments Against Drinking Urine
In the same article, Stressing gives some compelling reasons for not drinking urine:
•There is no medical evidence which supports the claims that drinking urine has medicinal purposes.
•Drinking urine is unnatural since urine is a waste product which the natural processes of the body has discharged and it goes against the workings of nature to reintroduce this waste into the body.
•If one is religious and believes in a creator who designed the human body, then it is idolatrous to ingest a substance which the creator has determined should be discharged from the body.
•Urine can contain harmful substances from the environment and from drugs and other substances ingested into the body.
•The Chinese Association of Urine Therapy has cautioned that drinking urine in excessive amounts can cause diarrhea, fever, muscle soreness, and fatigue which increase in severity as the amount of urine taken into the body increases.

It appears then that drinking urine in small amounts is safe. But why would anyone want to drink urine? Given the beating to which Marquez was subjected at the hands of Mayweather, his urine therapy appears not to have aided his boxing skills and instead catapulted him to the unexpected status as a poster person for reasons why people should not drink their urine or anyone else's.
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1.10.2010

झाडापखाला - कारण र रोकथामका उपायहरू

दिनमा अर्थात् चौबीस घण्टामा तीनचार पटक वा त्यसभन्दा बढी पटक पानीजस्तो पातलो दिसा लागेको अवस्था नै झाडापखाला हो । गर्मी तथा वर्षायाममा प्रायः देखिने यो समस्याले मुख्यतया बालबालिका तथा कमजोर स्वास्थ्य हुने बृद्धबृद्धालाई सताउँछ । धेरैपटक पानीजस्तो पातलो दिसा अर्थात् पखाला लाग्दा शरीरबाट पानीको मात्रा असन्तुलितमात्रामा शरीरबाट बाहिर जाँदा शरीरमा नून (सोडियम), पोटासियम र चिनी (ग्लुकोज) को कमी हुन गई निर्जलीकरण हुन जान्छ र यथोचित औषधोपचारको अभावमा जलवियोजन हुनजाँदा रोगीको मृत्यु हुनसक्छ । विश्व स्वास्थ्य सङ्गठनको तथ्याङ्कअनुसार विश्वव्यापीरूपमा हुने कुल मृत्युको चार प्रतिशत झाडापखालाबाट हुन्छ । दीर्घ झाडापखालाले बालबालिकाहरूमा कुपोषण पनि हुने गर्छ । झाडापखालाले आक्रान्त पारिसकेपछि तत्काल उपचार नपाएमा यसबाट विरामीको मृत्युसमेत हुनसक्छ ।

कारण
यो रोगको प्रमुख कारण प्रदूषण र विषाक्तता हो । स्वच्छ खानेपानीको अभाव, फोहोरमैलाको विसर्जन जथाभावीरूपमा गर्दा, शौचालयको समुचित प्रबन्ध नहुँदा, भान्साघर तथा खाने ठाउँ खुला स्थानमा हुँदा विविध खालका कीटाणुको सङ्क्रमण हुन गई झाडापखालाको प्रकोप बढ्छ । सडेगलेका र बढी चिल्लोयुक्त खाद्यपदार्थ तथा बासी खानेकुरा प्रयोग गर्नु आदिबाटसमेत यो रोग सर्छ । शिशुहरूलाई आमाको दूधको सट्टामा प्रयोग गरिने दूध राख्ने बोटल, भाँडालाई सङ्क्रमित पानीले सफा गर्दा तथा प्याकेटको तयारी खाद्य पदार्थलाई आवश्यक तापक्रममा नराखी प्रयोग गर्दा पनि रोग सर्छ । रोगी व्यक्तिको दिसा र बान्तामा रहेका कीटाणु र परजीवीहरूबाट सङ्क्रमित दूषित पानी तथा खानेकुरा प्रयोग गर्दासमेत झाडापखालाले आक्रान्त पार्छ ।

लक्षण
झाडापखाला हुँदा दिनमा तीनचार पटक वा त्यसभन्दा बढी पटक पानीजस्तो पातलो दिसा लाग्छ । बालबालिका जसले आमाको दूधको सट्टा बोटलको दूध खाएका हुन्छन्, जन्मँदा कम तौलका हुन्छन्, छिट्टै अनाज खुवाइएको हुन्छ, कमजोर, कुपोषित, अमाशय तथा आन्द्रासम्बन्धी र अन्य रोगहरूबाट पीडित हुन्छन्, त्यस्ता केटाकेटीमा झाडापखालाको तुरुन्त उपचार सम्भव नभएमा बच्चाको मृत्यु पनि हुनसक्छ । यो रोगमा वाकवाकी लाग्ने र बान्ता हुन्छ । पेट गड्याङ्गुडुङ् गर्छ, दुख्छ तथा साह्रै गन्हाउने दिसा हुन्छ । हातखुट्टा गल्छ, मांसपेशी बाउँडिन्छ । बढीमात्रामा तिर्खा लाग्ने, रिङ्टा लाग्ने हुन्छ । विरामीको आँखा गाडिँदै कमजोरी महसूस हुन्छ । मुख, जिब्रो सुख्खा र फोहोर हुन्छ । पिसाब कम हुन्छ तथा जलवियोजन बढी भएमा पिसाब नहुने, रुँदा आँसु नआउने हुन्छ । बच्चाहरूको तालु धसिन्छ । शरीर चिसो हुन्छ, पेटको छाला तन्काएर छोड्दा मुजा परिराख्छ । नाडीको गति मन्द भई पत्ता लगाउन गाह्रो हुन्छ, रक्तचाप कम तर श्वासप्रश्वास तीब्र हुन्छ ।

घरेलु उपचार
आमाको दूध खाने बच्चा भए साविकभन्दा बढीपटक दूध खुवाउनुपर्छ । आमाको दूध अपुग भए गाईभैँसीको दूधमा आधा पानी मिसाई खुवाउनुपर्छ । प्रशस्तमात्रामा झोलिलो खानेकुराहरू जस्तै दालको झोल, मसला कम भएको तरकारी, गेडागुडीको झोल, केरा, माछामासु, फलफूलको रस, फिक्का चिया, भातको माड, पातलो लिटो खुवाउनुपर्छ । यी खानेकुराहरू पनि नभएमा सादा पानी प्रशस्त मात्रामा पिउनुपर्छ । शरीरमा झाडापखालाबाट खेर गएको लवण, पोषकतत्त्व र पानीको क्षतिपूर्ति गर्न पुनर्जलीय झोल बनाएर पनि खुवाउनुपर्छ ।

पुनर्जलीय झोल
शरीरबाट खेर गएको तरल पदार्थको तुलनामा विरामीलाई झोल खुवाउने प्रकृयालाई पुनर्जलीय उपचार भनिन्छ । यसले विरामीलाई मृत्यु हुनबाटसमेत जोगाउँछ । साबुनपानीले राम्रोसँग हात धोई जीवनजल तयार गर्नुपर्छ । पुनर्जलीय झोल जतिपटक पखाला लाग्छ, त्यति नै पटक खुवाउँदै जानुपर्छ । घरमा जीवनजल नभएमा दुई माना सफा उमालेको पानीमा दुई ठूलो चम्चा चिनी, मह वा ग्लुकोज चौथाइ चिया चम्चा नुन र सम्भव भए कागती, सुन्तलाको रस आधी कप राखी बनाउन सकिन्छ । यसरी झोलपदार्थ खाँदा सामान्यतया तीन-चार दिनमा झाडापखाला सुध्रिँदै जान्छ र विरामीलाई ठीक हुन्छ तर तीन दिनसम्म सुधारोन्मुख नभएमा, धेरै पातलो दिसा तारन्तार वान्ता गरेमा, ज्यादै तिर्खा लागेमा, राम्ररी खानपिउन नसकेमा, ज्वरो आएमा, दिसामा रगत देखिएमा, मुखबाट पुनर्जलीय उपचार गर्न नसकिएमा तुरुन्तै नजिकको स्वास्थ्य संस्थामा वा स्वास्थ्यकर्मी वा चिकित्सककोमा लैजानुपर्छ । पेयपदार्थ खाँदा कतिपय रोगीलाई बान्ता हुने भएकोले निर्जलीकरणबाट छुटकारा पाउन ग्लुकोज-स्लाइन तत्काल दिनुपर्ने भएकाले रोगीलाई अस्पताल वा स्वास्थ्य केन्द्र लैजानुपर्छ ।

रोकथाम
बच्चा जन्मेदेखि पाँच महिनासम्म आमाको दूधमात्र खुवाउनुपर्छ । त्यसपछि आमाको दूधको साथै थप पोषिलो र ताजा खानेकुराहरू दुई वर्षसम्म खुवाइरहनुपर्छ । बच्चालाई एक वर्षभित्रै सबै खोप दिनुपर्छ । फिल्टर गरेको वा उमालेको पिउने पानी प्रयोग गर्नुपर्छ । खाना खानु, खुवाउनु वा पकाउनु अगाडि, फोहोरमैला छोएपछि, दिसा धोएपछि साबुनपानी वा खरानी पानीले राम्ररी हात धुनुपर्छ । परिवारका सबै सदस्यले खुला ठाउँमा शौच नगरी चर्पीको प्रयोग गर्नुपर्छ ।

पानीको मुहान सफा राख्ने, मुहान वरपर दिसापिसाब र अन्य फोहोर नगर्ने, सडेगलेका बासी, झिँङ्गा भन्केको, काँचो, राम्ररी नपकाइएको तथा नपखालिएको खानेकुरा नखाने, चुरोट, जाँडरक्सी नखाने, सफा र ताजा खानेकुरामात्र खाने, विरामीको रेखदेख गर्नेले हात साबुनपानीले धुने, नङ सफा राख्ने, सबैले व्यक्तिगत सरसफाइमा ध्यान पुरयाउनेजस्ता सावधानी अपनाइएमा झाडापखालाबाट जोगिन सकिन्छ । खानपानमा ख्याल पुरयाए झाडापखाला, हैजाको सङ्क्रमणबाट जोगिन खासै गाह्रो हुँदैन । मात्र शुद्ध पानी खाने र घरबाहिरको खानेकुरा नखाने हो भने यो समस्या धेरै कम हुन्छ ।
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4.02.2009

Foods that cure

Apples

Protects your heart

prevents constipation

Blocks diarrhea

Improves lung capacity

Cushions joints

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Apricots

Combats cancer

Controls blood pressure

Saves your eyesight

Shields against Alzheimer's

Slows aging process

***********

Artichokes

Aids digestion

Lowers cholesterol

Protects your heart

Stabilizes blood sugar

Guards against liver disease

***********

Avocadoes

Battles diabetes

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

Controls blood pressure

Smoothes skin

***********

Bananas

Protects your heart

Quiets a cough

Strengthens bones

Controls blood pressure

Blocks diarrhea

***********

Beans

Prevents constipation

Helps hemorrhoids

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

Stabilizes blood sugar

***********

Beets

Controls blood pressure

Combats cancer

Strengthens bones

Protects your heart

Aids weight loss

***********

Blueberries

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Stabilizes blood sugar

Boosts memory

Prevents constipation

***********

Broccoli

Strengthens bones

Saves eyesight

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Controls blood pressure

***********

Cabbage

Combats cancer

Prevents constipation

Promotes weight loss

Protects your heart

Helps hemorrhoids

***********

Cantaloupe

Saves eyesight

Controls blood pressure

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

Supports immune system

***********

Carrots

Saves eyesight

Protects your heart

Prevents constipation

Combats cancer

Promotes weight loss

***********

Cauliflower

Protects against Prostate Cancer

Combats Breast Cancer

Strengthens bones

Banishes bruises

Guards against heart disease

***********

Cherries

Protects your heart

Combats Cancer

Ends insomnia

Slows aging process

Shields against Alzheimer's

***********

Chestnuts

Promotes weight loss

Protects your heart

Lowers cholesterol

Combats Cancer

Controls blood pressure

***********

Chili Peppers

Aids digestion

Soothes sore throat

Clears sinuses

Combats Cancer

Boosts immune system

***********

Figs

Promotes weight loss

Helps stops strokes

Lowers cholesterol

Combats Cancer

Controls blood pressure

***********

Fish

Protects your heart

Boosts memory

Protects your heart

Combats Cancer

Supports immune system

***********

Flax

Aids digestion

Battles diabetes

Protects your heart

Improves mental health

Boosts immune system

***********

Garlic

Lowers cholesterol

Controls blood pressure

Combats cancer

kills bacteria

Fights fungus

***********

Grapefruit

Protects against heart attacks

Promotes Weight loss

Helps stops strokes

Combats Prostate Cancer

Lowers cholesterol

***********

Grapes

saves eyesight

Conquers kidney stones

Combats cancer

Enhances blood flow

Protects your heart

***********

Green Tea

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Helps stops strokes

Promotes Weight loss

Kills bacteria

***********

Honey

Heals wounds

Aids digestion

Guards against ulcers

Increases energy

Fights allergies

***********

Lemons

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Controls blood pressure

Smoothes skin

Stops scurvy

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Limes

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Controls blood pressure

Smoothes skin

Stops scurvy

***********

Mangoes

Combats cancer

Boosts memory

Regulates thyroid

aids digestion

Shields against Alzheimer's

***********

Mushrooms

Controls blood pressure

Lowers cholesterol

Kills bacteria

Combats cancer

Strengthens bones

***********

Oats

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

Battles diabetes

prevents constipation

Smoothes skin

***********

Olive Oil

Protects your heart

Promotes Weight loss

Combats cancer

Battles diabetes

Smoothes skin

***********

Onions

Reduce risk of heart attack

Combats cancer

Kills bacteria

Lowers cholesterol

Fights fungus

***********

Oranges

Supports immune systems

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Strengthens respiration

***********

Peaches

prevents constipation

Combats cancer

Helps stops strokes

aids digestion

Helps hemorrhoids

***********

Peanuts

Protects against heart disease

Promotes Weight loss

Combats Prostate Cancer

Lowers cholesterol

Aggravates

diverticulitis

***********

Pineapple

Strengthens bones

Relieves colds

Aids digestion

Dissolves warts

Blocks diarrhea

***********

Prunes

Slows aging process

prevents constipation

boosts memory

Lowers cholesterol

Protects against heart disease

***********

Rice

Protects your heart

Battles diabetes

Conquers kidney stones

Combats cancer

Helps stops strokes

***********

Strawberries

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

boosts memory

Calms stress

***********

Sweet Potatoes

Saves your eyesight

Lifts mood

Combats cancer

Strengthens bones

***********

Tomatoes

Protects prostate

Combats cancer

Lowers cholesterol

Protects your heart

***********

Walnuts

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

boosts memory

Lifts mood

Protects against heart disease

***********

Water

Promotes Weight loss

Combats cancer

Conquers kidney stones

Smoothes skin

***********

Watermelon

Protects prostate

Promotes Weight loss

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

Controls blood pressure

***********

Wheat Germ

Combats Colon Cancer

prevents constipation

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

improves digestion

***********

Wheat Bran

Combats Colon Cancer

prevents constipation

Lowers cholesterol
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12.24.2007

Depression and Women

We hear a lot about depression in general, but there's a reason most of the ads we see for antidepressant medications feature women. Women are twice as likely as men to have major depression and, like men, may experience episodes throughout their lives. Women also attempt suicide much more frequently than men, but are less likely to die from those attempts. Here are some facts about women and depression:

Women may develop depressive episodes at any time during their lives, but the tendency is greatest during their reproductive years. Prior to adolescence, boys and girls become depressed at about the same rate. Some women experience depressive symptoms in relation to their menstrual cycles (most commonly toward the end of the cycle). Depression may also occur during pregnancy, the postpartum months, and during the years just before and after menopause. Despite extensive research, however, no reason for the increased risk for depression in women has been firmly established. Some hypotheses point to hormonal changes; endocrine system alterations such as elevated cortisol levels and subclinical hypothyroidism; the pressures of social and family roles; culturally determined gender expectations; and genetic influences. But we don't know for sure how these factors combine to cause depression. After menopause, the risk for depression in women is closer to that for men because it declines somewhat in women and increases in men in that same age range. As do men, women certainly suffer as a result of their depression. Mood, motivation, concentration, energy, sleep, appetite, and libido all can be affected. In some women, these signs can be overlaid with feelings of worthlessness and guilt, irritability and restlessness, and thoughts of suicide. And because women often play central roles as family caregivers, their depression can have a profound effect on all family members, especially children. This makes effective treatment especially important.
One treatment challenge that only women face is what to do about taking antidepressants and related psychiatric medications during pregnancy. All FDA-approved medications are categorized according to their relative safety during pregnancy.

The system includes ratings of A, B, C, D, and X, with "A" being proven safe during pregnancy and "X" posing a high risk. Some antidepressants apparently carry less risk than others. Women who have had episodes of depression and either are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant should consult with their health care providers about their treatment options. All women need to recognize their increased risk for depression. If you believe you or someone you know may be depressed, help may come in many forms. Your first step is to talk to someone, such as another family member, a counselor or doctor, or another trusted person.

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Depression in Male

Is depression the same for men and women? Not necessarily. Men and women both may develop major depression with persistent sadness, hopelessness, sleep and appetite disturbance, lack of sexual interest, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts. However, the social roles and the physical and psychological differences between men and women create some differences in their vulnerabilities to and experiences of depression. Although the overall rate of depression is greater in women than in men, the rate of actual suicides is four times higher in men. And, when men do kill themselves, they are more likely to use violent methods.

Major depression often occurs by itself, as a primary disorder, although it is not unusual for it to develop in association with other psychiatric conditions. Men who are abusing alcohol and other substances, or whose teen years were marked by a conduct disorder (i.e., physical aggression, verbal abuse, destruction of property), have a greater risk of depression. Sometimes, it's difficult to identify depression as a separate disorder that should be treated.

And, of course, not all men respond to depression in the same way. Some will become more socially isolated and withdrawn. Some will turn to alcohol and drugs, perhaps in an effort to escape from their symptoms.

When depressed, some men may become more reckless and take more risks, not caring whether they harm themselves or others. Some men become abusive. The biggest challenge for men who are depressed is recognizing that they have a problem and then going to see a health care provider to discuss their problem. Men tend to deny their symptoms. They are less likely to describe feeling sad, but instead may discuss their low energy, motivation, poor sleep, and low interest in work and hobbies. When reviewing the past, men often minimize earlier episodes of depression, although their pattern for recurrent episodes is similar to that experienced by women. The recommended treatment for men suffering with major depression is the same for all populations: psychotherapy and antidepressant medications.

So, men — remember: You might be depressed if you are experiencing:

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism or both
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in once-pleasurable activities or hobbies, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating, or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Persistent aches and pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

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12.23.2007

Great Seven Medical Myths

By Peter Griffiths
Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow back faster. These well-worn theories are among seven "medical myths" exposed in a paper published on Friday in the British Medical Journal, which traditionally carries light-hearted features in its Christmas edition. Two U.S. researchers took seven common beliefs and searched the archives for evidence to support them.
Despite frequent mentions in the popular press of the need to drink eight glasses of water, they found no scientific basis for the claim.

The complete lack of evidence has been recorded in a study published the American Journal of Psychology, they said.

The other six "myths" are:
* Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight
The majority of eye experts believe it is unlikely to do any permanent damage, but it may make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing, the researchers said.

* Shaving makes hair grow back faster or coarser
It has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair regrowth, studies say. But stubble lacks the finer taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression of coarseness.

* Eating turkey makes you drowsy
It does contain an amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken or minced beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas are probably the real cause of sleepiness.

* We use only 10 percent of our brains
This myth arose as early as 1907 but imaging shows no area of the brain is silent or completely inactive.

* Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death
This idea may stem from ghoulish novels. The researchers said the skin dries out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair or nails.

* Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals
Despite widespread concerns, studies have found minimal interference with medical equipment.
The research was conducted by Aaron Carroll, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, and Rachel Vreeman, fellow in children's health services research at Indiana University School of Medicine.

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Sex Education delay Teen Sex

By Madeline Vann

Sex education programs do work to help discourage many teens from becoming sexually active before age 15, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Formal programs -- such as those presented in schools and church groups -- did appear to delay onset of sexual activity. For example, teen girls in the nationally representative sample were 59 percent less likely to start having sex before age 15 if they had received sex education, while teen boys were 71 percent less likely, the study found.

"We were obviously hoping to find that sex education is effective. We're glad to see the strong associations," said lead author Trisha Mueller, a CDC epidemiologist. She emphasized that in order to be successful, sex education should take place before young people become sexually active.

Mueller's team also learned that teen boys who attended school were almost three times more likely to use contraception if they had attended a sex education program, compared to those who had not.

However, attendance at a sex education class did not seem to impact girls' use of birth control, the survey found.

The survey did not differentiate between programs that emphasized abstinence and those that educated about contraception. Instead, researchers focused only on whether the teens had ever attended any sex education program in a formal setting, such as school or church.
The study was expected to be published in the January issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

According to earlier, 2005 data available from the CDC, 47 percent of high school students said they had already had sex. Of those who were currently involved in a sexual relationship, one-third said they were not using a condom.

Curious about the effectiveness of sexual education on these behaviors, Mueller and colleagues examined data from more than 2,000 teen boys and girls between 15 and 19 years of age who participated in the door-to-door 2002 National Survey of Family Growth.

"Formal sex education is beneficial for youth who are considered to be at-risk," noted Mueller, who cited as an example the 88 percent reduced risk of initiation sex before age 15 among urban black females who had received any sex education. Urban black teen girls who were still in school at the time of the survey had a 91 percent reduced risk of initiation sex before age 15, the survey found.

The research also showed that boys living in single-parent households were more likely to delay sex past age 15 if they had attended a sex education class.

Mueller and her team were interested in teen sexual decision-making before and after the age of 15, because the federal governments' Healthy People 2010 initiative treats 15 as a dividing line. Healthy People 2010 sets a wide array of health goals for states and communities to achieve over the first decade of this century. One of its objectives: to reduce the number of teens under age 15 who are having sex for the first time.

"First and foremost, the report makes clear that the timing of sex education is quite important. That is, providing sex education to young people at an early age seems quite important in helping delay sexual activity," said Bill Albert, deputy director of the Washington, D.C.-based National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

The researchers said the study could not explain why sex education might have a stronger effect in delaying sex among teen boys and black girls, but Albert offered an explanation.

"It is the case that declines in sexual activity among teen boys, as opposed to girls, and African-American teen girls, as opposed to other racial/ethnic groups, have been much more dramatic over the past decade. This may, in part, explain why the effect of sex education seems stronger. It may also be that concern about HIV/AIDs may be particularly strong among these two groups," said Albert.

However, certain sub-populations of teens deserve further research, said Mueller. The data suggested that both rural, white teen girls and white or Hispanic teen girls who had dropped out of school might be more likely to have sex before age 15 if they had sex education, but Mueller said the number of people in those groups in the study was so small that the results could be a statistical fluke.

"They were kind of opposite findings," said Mueller, who acknowledged that "some subgroups may not benefit from sex ed the same way as the larger group of teens."

This research comes in the wake of data released Dec. 5 by the CDC showing that the annual rate of births to teens has increased for the first time in 14 years. Between 2005 and 2006, the birth rate for girls 15 to 19 rose 3 percent -- from 40.5 births per 1,000 in 2005 to 41.9 per 1,000 in 2006.

Considering both studies, Albert said, "The early wins may have been won. Future efforts may well have to be more intense, focused, and creative if the nation is to make continued progress in reducing teen pregnancy and childbearing. Put another way, yesterday's way of doing business will no longer suffice."

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France prepares to stub out smoking in cafes

by Carole Landry
Smokers in France are enjoying their last leisurely puffs on a cigarette over coffee or a glass of rouge before cafes, restaurants and nightclubs join a nationwide ban on smoking on January 1.
Eleven months after smoking was outlawed in workplaces, schools, hospitals and shops, the ban is extending to bars and bistrots, with some owners predicting the demise of France's lively cafe culture.

When some of the 13.5 million French smokers return home from their New Year's revelry, they will not be able to pop into their local cafe and light up over a cup of espresso, Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot warned last week.

"The ban has been ready for a year and everyone knows that it is going into effect. No one can say they were taken by surprise," said Bachelot, who has vowed a "zero-tolerance" approach toward offenders.

While the ban kicks in on January 1, police say they are in no hurry to hand out fines to smokers hours after they ring in the New Year, suggesting that the ban will be gradually enforced. Supporters of the anti-tobacco drive point to France's smooth transition to smoke-free workplaces in February as a sign that the country has become more health-conscious. But some business groups representing cafe and restaurant owners are up in arms, demanding that restrictions be eased, especially in the countryside where banning smoking at the local "bar-tabac" is tantamount to an attack on the French lifestyle.

"It's going to be a real mess," said Rene Le Pape, a cafe owner in Brittany who is also president of the Confederation of Tobacconists, which represents about 30,000 members. "What are we supposed to do? Call the gendarme when a loyal customer of 30 years lights up a cigarette?" said Le Pape. "This law is inapplicable."

Last month Le Pape led a march by thousands of cafe and restaurant owners in Paris to protest the smoking ban, but the government has stuck to its position that it will go ahead without exemptions.

Laurent Sotty, vice president of the main industry group UMIH, said many of 80,000 cafe, restaurant and bar owners that he represents fear they will lose a large part of their clientele accustomed to a daily dose of nicotine and coffee. "Lots of businesses are worried, they fear that they will have to shut down," said Sotty, who owns a nightclub in northeastern France.

"People will probably change their habits, especially in small rural establishments," he said.
"A friendly game of cards may not take place in the bar any more, but at someone's house. People just won't be going to the bistrot," said Sotty.

France's latest smoking ban comes six months after Britain decided to make its pubs smoke-free and nearly four years after Ireland became the first European country to take a tough stance on outlawing smoking in public places.

Under the French ban, smokers who light up in a public place can be fined up to 450 euros (645 dollars) while business owners may face penalties of up to 750 euros.

Staring down opposition from some cafe and bar owners, the government says it is tackling a major public health challenge and hopes the ban will encourage smokers to kick the habit.
Tobacco is the leading cause of avoidable death in France, with more than 5,000 deaths per year from second-hand smoke and an additional 66,000 from smoking directly, according to the health ministry.

Despite the dire warnings, Gerard Audureau, president of the association for the defence of non-smokers' rights, predicts French mourning of the smoke-filled cafe will be short-lived.
"The new awareness about the dangers of smoking far outweighs all of these cultural notions about smoking," said Audureau.

In Paris's chic Latin Quarter, Christian Azzopardi declared his Coupe Chou restaurant smoke-free last year and said the move caused very few ripples among his clientele.

"It really turned out to be nothing extraordinary," said Azzopardi. "Some people sulked for a bit, but they got used to it."

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12.20.2007

Cost Effective Living

Achieving financial peace and independence in life is hard, especially when you can barely afford the necessities. Life should be enjoyed, but it is hard to have a good time when you are funneling all of your money into your bills instead of your vacation fund.

Believe it or not, little changes made throughout the year is almost like giving yourself a raise. As a bonus, money saving habits can improve your health, not to mention your stress level.
With patience, planning and discipline you can add thousands of dollars to your yearend bottom line and your personal net worth.

Here are just a few ideas you can consider to save money:

TRANSPORTATION
Many families budget nearly $1000 per month for transportation costs, which may include several car payments, insurance, fuel and repairs.
Payments
Generally, buying a car less than two years old is unwise. Most cars depreciate so quickly that before you even park the car in your driveway for the first time, the loan is already upside down.
Discipline yourself to pay off one car loan before you finance a second vehicle. Do not buy vehicles on impulse. Shop around, read consumer reports and choose a vehicle with a good resale value. Do not buy more car than you need. It is not prudent to buy a $40,000 truck for two trips to Home Depot per year. To haul items, often you can rent a truck for less than $20 per hour. Before financing a car, set aside the payment amount and increased insurance amount for several months. If you cannot do this, or you fall behind on other expenses, you are not ready to finance a car. If you can do this, and kept up with your regular expenses, use the saved amount as a down payment. If you are uncomfortable taking your older car on long trips, rent instead of buying. If you were to buy a new car, at $250/month it totals $3000 per year just in payments. An older, paid off vehicle may require $1000 per year in repairs and renting a car for a weekend trip may cost around $100. Therefore, including two weekend trips per year and the repairs on your older vehicle, the cost is still $1800 less than the payments on a new vehicle.

Insurance
Shop around for the best rates. Get several quotes before you decide on a new service. Increase the deductible if possible to decrease monthly payment.Older, paid off vehicles do not require full coverage, refer to your state laws and see if you can make any changes to decrease your payments. See if your insurance offers lower rates for monthly, payment in full or other arrangements. For example, many quote a lower rate if you pay six months up front instead of per month.

Fuel
Shop fuel prices, do not let yourself run so low on gas that you are stuck going to the most expensive option. Use public transportation when possible. Combine your trips. Instead of running multiple errands in several trips, organize a list and complete everything at one time. Do not run your errands during high traffic hours and burn fuel sitting in traffic. Walk, bike or run to where you need to go.
Ride share.
Keep your car tuned.
Drive your vehicle that gets the best gas mileage most of the time.
Think before you go, driving to the store to buy $1 worth of soda, while spending $1 worth of gas is not cost effective.
Ask your employer if you can telecommute.
Purchase your gas from discount wholesalers like Costco or Sams Club.
Repairs
Shop around; get at least three quotes on major repairs.
Keep up the maintenance on your vehicles to prevent larger problems later.
Put aside at least $50 per month per vehicle for repairs.
food
In america, more and more families and individuals are eating out. this means they spend as much on one meal as they would an entire day or even a whole week if they ate at home.
Eating Out
Limit how often you eat out, for example once per week instead of once a day.
Use coupons or eat out at lunch instead of during the higher priced dinner hours.
Look around, often you can find a locally owned restaurant with excellent specials.
Order water with your meal instead of soda or other higher priced items.
Split a meal.
Order only what you want, if you really only want artichoke dip, just order that.
Do not let yourself get over hungry. Store in your office desk, purse or car a few breakfast bars or other low calorie snacks that can hold you over until you get home.
Eating at Home
Home cooked food is nearly always cheaper and healthier than eating out or prepackaged food.
shopping for bulk items is not always the best bargain, check prices and quantities for the best deal.
Coupons are usually for name brand items; generally, the generic variation costs less.
Never buy anything at full price.
Stock up when you find an exceptional deal.
Teach your kids (and if necessary yourself) how to cook.
Consider the cost of habits such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. These are expensive and you may want to reduce or eliminate them.
Decrease the amount of meat and cheese that you eat, substitute or decrease the amount in recipes to save money and lower your fat intake.
Drink more water and less soda, juice, milk or other costly beverages.
Do not shop for groceries when you are hungry, on impulse or with your kids.

HOME
Winterize/summerize your home to help prevent heat loss/gain.
Keep your thermostat no higher than 65F in the winter and no lower than 75F in the summer.
Take shorter showers, or take your showers at your gym.
Use cold water when washing your clothes as often as possible.
Consider shutting off your landline telephone if you have reliable cell phones with good rates.
close doors to unused rooms and shut the vents in those areas.
Use your grill in the summer and oven in the winter.
Install water saving devices, such as a low flow showerhead.
plan a xeriscaped yard, with native plants, that require less work and less water.
Sweep your walks and driveway instead of using water or an electric blower.

ENTERTAINMENT
Evaluate whether you really need cable television, or whether it would be more cost effective to rent a movie every now and then.
Go for a walk, hike or picnic instead of a high priced alternative.
Budget your entertainment. plan and track your expenses so they do not get out of hand.
Instead of subscribing to a magazine, read it at your local library.
Buy used books and then when you are done resell them back.
Watch movies during the lower priced matinee hours and do not buy the expensive popcorn and soda.
It is actually less expensive in the end, to go the theatre often, than to buy an expensive home entertainment system.
Rent instead of buying, often you can rent boats, hiking equipment, bikes or other recreational gear for much less than it would cost to buy them and you do not have to worry about storing them throughout the year.

CLOTHING
When it comes to clothing, never spend an excessive amount on a trendy item that will only be worn a few times or will quickly go out of style.
Never buy anything full price.
Shop quality not quantity. It is better to have a few items that you really like, that fit and look good on you, than a closet full of stuff you do not like.
Buy large quantities of the basics if you find a good deal, such as on socks.
Shop at the end of the season for the next year.
Buy clothing that is washable and easy to care for, check care labels.
Do not shop on impulse or for other emotional reasons.
Do not view shopping as entertainment.
Bargain shop; compare prices, shop consignment stores, thrift stores, garage sales or online.
Do not waste your money by buying your kids something they do not like and will not wear.

WINDFALLS
If you do not plan how you are going to spend a windfall, it will slowly disappear into unnecessary expenses and you are going to be wondering where it went.
Tax Returns Try to budget extra money towards paying off interest charging loans or credit cards. Those that charge the highest interest rates should be paid off first.
Gifts Teach your children to put half of the money they receive as gifts into savings. Adults that receive gifts should put the money into their rainy day fund, in a vacation fund or towards interest charging accounts. Do not pre spend windfalls. For example, taking an expensive vacation on a presumed tax refund, bonus or raise that never materializes can get you into trouble.

As you can see most of these money saving ideas are not going to change your lifestyle or cramp your style that much, they are just little things that with patience and foresight can add up to significant savings throughout the year

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12.12.2007

Hernias

If you're a guy, you probably know the drill by now: The doctor snaps on a latex glove and tells you to turn your head and cough. You probably wonder, "Why do I have to do this?"

Your doctor is checking you for a condition called a hernia. There are several types of hernias, and they don't just happen to guys — everyone from your baby sister to your grandfather can develop them. But learning to prevent hernias isn't hard to do.

What Are Hernias?
A hernia (pronounced: hur-nee-uh) is an opening or weakness in the wall of a muscle, tissue, or membrane that normally holds an organ in place. If the opening or weakness is large enough, a portion of the organ may be able to poke through the hole. Imagine an inner tube poking through a hole in an old tire — that's what a hernia is like.

Hernias happen more frequently in certain parts of the body, like the abdomen, groin and upper thigh area, and belly button area. They also can happen in any place where you may have had an incision from surgery.

How Do People Get Hernias?
It might take a long time for a hernia to develop or it might develop suddenly. Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain, although the cause of the weakness and the type of strain may vary. Hernias are actually more common in babies and toddlers. And most teens who are diagnosed with a hernia actually have had a weakness of the muscles or other abdominal tissues from birth (called a congenital defect). In these cases, straining your muscles doesn't cause the hernia; it only makes the hernia more apparent (and painful!).

Here are some types of strain on the body that may induce hernias:
obesity or sudden weight gain
lifting heavy objects
diarrhea or constipation
persistent coughing or sneezing
pregnancy
These types of strain on their own probably won't give you a hernia. But when they team up with a weak muscle, a hernia is more likely to result.

Many hernias are discovered during routine physical exams. If you're a guy, you may have had a physical exam where your doctor gave you a testicular exam and checked your testicles for a hernia. By placing a finger at the top of your scrotum and asking you to cough, the doctor can feel if you have a hernia.

It's good for girls to know about hernias, too, because they can affect you, especially if you've been pregnant or are obese. A doctor can check for any possible hernias in girls by gently pressing on the organs or looking for possible signs during an examination.

Types of Hernias
Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal (pronounced: in-gwuh-nul) hernias are more likely to occur in guys than girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin, called the inguinal canal. In guys, the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into.

If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet. In guys, the protruding piece of intestine may enter the scrotum, which can cause swelling and pain. Other symptoms of an inguinal hernia might include pain when you cough, lift something heavy, or bend over. These types of hernias require surgery to repair; in fact, inguinal hernia operations are the most common type of surgery performed on kids and teens.

Umbilical Hernias
Umbilical hernias are common in newborns and infants younger than 6 months. They occur when part of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall next to the belly button. In babies with umbilical hernias, parents may see bulging around the belly button area when the baby cries. Unlike other types of hernias, umbilical hernias may heal on their own, usually by the time a baby is 1 year old. If not, surgery can repair the hernia.

Epigastric Hernias
In an epigastric (pronounced: eh-pih-gas-trik) hernia, which is also called a ventral hernia, part of the intestines protrude through the abdominal muscles located between the belly button and the chest. It's mostly guys who have to worry about this type of hernia — about 75% of epigastric hernias occur in males. People with this type of hernia may notice a lump. Surgery is a common way to fix this problem.

Incisional Hernias
If you've had surgery in your abdominal area, you might experience this type of hernia. In incisional hernias, part of the intestines bulge through the abdomen around a surgical incision. In this case, surgery actually weakened the muscle tissue in the abdomen. This type of hernia requires another surgery to repair it.

Hiatal Hernias
This type of hernia occurs at the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus (the pipe that food travels down) joins the stomach. If the muscle around the opening to the diaphragm becomes weak, the uppermost part of a person's stomach can bulge through the diaphragm. Hiatal (pronounced: high-a-tul) hernias are common, although small ones don't usually cause any symptoms. Unlike the other types of hernia, you won't be able to see a bulge on the outside of your body, but you might feel heartburn, indigestion, and chest pain. Hiatal hernias can be treated with medication and diet changes, but they do sometimes require surgery.

What Do Doctors Do?
If you notice a bulge or swelling in your groin, abdomen, scrotum, or thigh, you should talk to your doctor. Sometimes a hernia may also cause sharp or dull pain and the pain may worsen when you are standing.

With most types of hernias, including inguinal, umbilical, epigastric, and incisional, your doctor will be able to see and feel the bulge and diagnose you with a hernia.

Except for umbilical hernias in babies, hernias don't just go away on their own — you must talk to your doctor and receive treatment. Over time, your hernia may become larger and more painful, and in some cases of hiatal hernia, a piece of the intestine could become trapped (this is known as incarceration). In a true surgical emergency, the blood supply could be cut off to the incarcerated intestine (this is known as strangulation). This situation is painful and dangerous because it can cause infection and may cause the strangulated tissue to die, so it's important to call your doctor.

If you've had a hernia operation and you notice redness or discomfort around your incision (the area where the cut was made to perform the operation), be sure to let your doctor know. It could be a sign of infection that will require further treatment.

Can Hernias Be Prevented?
Here are a few tips for keeping hernias from hurting you:

Stay at a healthy weight for your height and body type. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about a healthy eating and exercise program if you think you are overweight or obese.
Make fruits, veggies, and whole grains a "regular" part of your diet. Not only are these foods good for you, they're also packed with lots of fiber that will prevent constipation and straining.
Be careful when weight lifting or lifting heavy objects. Make sure you lift weights safely by never lifting anything that's too heavy. If you have to lift something that's heavy, bend from your knees, not at your waist, or don't lift it at all.
See your doctor when you're sick. If you have a persistent cough from a cold or you sneeze a lot because of allergies, see your doctor about cough or allergy medicines.
Quit smoking. Smoking can cause persistent coughing, and this can strain your abdominal muscles. The risk of getting hernias is just one more reason to kick the habit! (kidshealth.org)

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