Tuesday, September 23, 2008

shop for opi nail polish

Some people are born with beautiful nails. But, more women keep their nails
looking beautiful with nail polish and other treatments like Rejuvacote and
those offered by Nailtiques. With so many outstanding products on the market
there is no reason for your fingernails not to look beautiful at all times. Even
if you have weak, brittle nails there is still hope for you. Consider the
advantages offered by the following treatments and see which one is best for
you!



Nailtiques

There are many different types of Nailtiques products and treatments. They are
all specifically designed to improve and enhance the appearance of fingernails
and skin. Most of the Nailtiques formulas are designed and formulated to improve
the condition of fingernails. Nails that are dry, flaky, that chip or peel, are
no match for the treatments by Nailtiques. It takes seeing to believe, but after
you use the Nailtiques products you will find your nails are repaired, healthy,
and beautiful like you always dreamed of.



Essie Nail Polish

If you have been wearing acrylic nails for some time, or even a short period of
time, you know how thin and brittle your natural nails can become. Your natural
nails actually become so thin that they are flimsy and can easily break, crack,
or peel. But, Rejuvacote rescues your nails. No matter how bad your nails are
after wearing acrylics you can use Rejuvacote and see significant results in no
time.



OPI Nail Polish

There are all sorts of nail polish you can choose from. There are nail polishes
that simply add color, there are others that treat a specific problem like weak
nails, and there are still more that have a combination effect. You may have a
favorite nail polish, most women do,
but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try out some other nail polish brands,
either. There are some outstanding types of nail polish you can choose from. In
fact, there are all kinds of nail polish that are probably better than yours so
try some of the salon brands and see which ones you like best!



Gorgeous Hands at Last

Using products like Rejuvacote, Nailtiques, and salon quality nail polish will
result in you having gorgeous hands in just a few weeks. You may never have
imagined that you could have beautiful hands, but with these treatments you can!






Saturday, May 3, 2008

Oily skin solutions that work in Monsoons



Very few of us can boast of having the blemish-free, peaches 'n' cream complexion that Cosmo models sport. However, just because you don't have perfect skin doesn't mean you can't help your skin look the best it can! A popular and effective answer to common dermatology woes such as pimples or blemishes is the face pack or face mask.

What is a face pack?

A face pack is a combination of several natural or artificial ingredients targeted at improving skin texture, colour or remedying a specific skin problem such as blemishes, pigmentation, acne, wrinkles, oiliness, dryness, etc, and conditioning the skin.

These active ingredients are blended into an application base or vehicle that stays in contact with the skin for a sufficient time period and is then washed off. Face packs are available as ready-to-use blends or can be prepared fresh at home using a few simple ingredients from your kitchen.

A new trend is to add multivitamin tablets or granules to your face packs. There is no scientific proof of how it boosts the efficiency of your mask, but many people swear by it.

Choosing the right mask

Before you use a face pack, you need to identify your skin type. Is your skin oily, dry, blemish-prone or balanced? Do you want to make your skin lighter, get a glow, avoid wrinkles, treat acne or get rid of a tan? Depending on your specific needs, select a mask and use it one to three times a week.

Remember, your face pack should never contain any ingredient to which you are allergic (for eg eggs or strawberries). To check if the mask agrees with your skin, apply a little to a small patch of skin and leave it on for a few minutes. If it causes burning or itching, you are probably allergic to one or more of the ingredients, so wash it off immediately. Consult a dermatologist if the irritation persists.

How to use a face pack?

Tie your hair back with a headband and rinse your face with warm water. Massage your face lightly to improve circulation and steam it for a couple of minutes to open the pores. Steaming helps improve the absorption of active ingredients in the mask by the skin.

Following steaming, gently dry your face and apply the freshly prepared mask using a pack brush or your fingertips with smooth upward and outward strokes, ie, from the center of the face outward. Place cucumber slices on your eyes and relax as you allow the pack to dry (10-15 minutes).

Once dry, rinse your face with warm water to remove the pack. If you are using a peel-off facial, peel off the dried pack in chips. In the case of an exfoliating mask, you will need to scrub the pack off vigorously to remove dead, dry skin. Once you have removed the pack, follow it up with a toner and some moisturiser.

Face packs for oily skin:

This article deals with face packs specially designed for oily complexions. These packs help absorb the excess oil, while cleansing and nourishing your skin.

1. Fuller's Earth mask:


Take two teaspoons of Fuller's Earth (multani mitti) and add four to five spoons of rose water to make a paste. This is commonly known as a 'mud pack', and is used to cleanse and tone the skin while soaking up excess oil from the face. You can also add a vitamin E capsule (gel) to the pack if desired.

2. Citrus blast:


Take a quarter cup of orange juice, a teaspoon of lemon juice, some grated orange rind and a crushed tablet of vitamin C. Blend the ingredients together with a couple of teaspoons of ground oatmeal or 'besan' and apply evenly.

3. Cucumber cooler :


Extract the juice of half a cucumber and add in a few mint leaves. Blend with a few drops of limejuice, a teaspoon of milk powder and a little egg white* (optional). Chill the mixture in the refrigerator before applying. This pack also helps whiten the skin apart from optimising its oil balance.

4. Yeast and yogurt froth up:


Blend a teaspoon of Baker's yeast with fresh yogurt and a little sugar till it gets frothy. Apply the pack about 10 minutes before a bath for best results.

5. Summer fruit cocktail:


Blend a cube each of fresh ripe papaya, pineapple, cucumber and strawberry with a little egg white* (optional) or besan (chickpea flour). The fruits contain alpha hydroxy acids and enzymes that help peel off dull, dead skin and reveal a clearer complexion.

*Kaolin, a type of clay (which is an ingredient of calamine lotions and is available at pharmacies), may be used instead of egg whites if you're vegetarian.

Skin Care Advice At Any Age

It's been noted that we spend more on beauty products in the west than we do on education.

Why are we so obsessed? Because it's easier and more affordable than ever before.Anti-aging skincare technology has progressed leaps and bounds. We know more about the skin today than we ever did. There are advanced skincare products that can erase years, and of course, the plastic surgeon has perfected his trade such that procedures are easier and cheaper than ever before.

Are we justified in our obsession?

They say that beauty is only skin deep, and while I believe this to be true it's also important to do what feels right for you. If keeping up appearances gets you through the day then, by all means, that's what you need to do, however I must add that I'm not a fan of going under the knife. With the huge advances made in skincare products today, I'd much prefer taking the less invasive route.

Here's a few age related tips and remedies that will help boost your skin's appearance at any age without needles and knives.

20 Something
Your skin is at its peak of beauty in your twenties, however nurture its beauty and always use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen. Of course this should continue at any age.

Avoid oily makeup and coverups. Use an oil free moisturizer every day. This is also a good time to begin using an eye cream under the eye area at night.

Try using products that contain green tea which have shown to help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

30 Something
Your 30's is when your skin is beginning to become a bit drier and sun damage may begin to appear. It's time to start using thicker moisturizing creams so as to lock in high contents of moisture. Continue with eye creams at night and use your sunscreen religiously. Also, skin bleaching products may need to be used to diminish dark spots from sun damage. Hint: Put your moisturizer on over damp skin. This helps lock in more moisture.

40 Something
It's time to kick it up another notch. Your forties is when your skin loses much of it tightness. It may begin to look dull and your pores may become larger. Blotches, freckles, age spots, discoloration, and changes in skin color may become much more visible. Retinoids, anti-oxidants and alpha hydroxy acids can improve the look of your skin and your 40's would be a good time to begin using them. Of course it's essential that you continue using a thick moisturizer and eye serums on a daily basis.

Home microdermabrasion kits are also an option that can result in a smoother more even appearing skin texture and tone while rejuvenating your skin's texture and color.

50 Something
Changes in your skin have reached high gear. Menopause has assisted in the loss of Estrogen which is what has given your skin its elasticity and kept it hydrated, however since those estrogen levels have diminished, you will begin seeing wrinkles form around your eyes, drooping eyelids and expression lines around the mouth and forehead.

Begin using anti-aging or wrinkle reducing formulas such as vitamin A (Retinol) or Glycolic acid products. Retin A has proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture, skin tone and color, as well as your skin's hydration levels.

Glycolic acid will trigger new formation of collagen to plump cells and reduce wrinkles on the skin’s surface. Postmenopausal women can also use a cream containing progesterone that may improve skin elasticity and firmness.

60 Something
By age 60 all types of collagen are significantly below their youthful levels. There are, however wonderful hydrating creams that contain Alpha Hydroxy acids (Glycolic acids), soy, green tea and retinol (vitamin A) which your skin will need now that it is drier and showing major signs of age. The alpha Hydroxy acids will help reduce droopy skin and the retinol will reduce your fine lines.

60 Plus
Your skin's texture will become visibly less smooth and you will most likely begin to see age spots. You'll appreciate the early care you've given to your skin because the signs of aging will be minimal, however, if you haven't started early you'll clearly notice the effects of neglect.

While it's never too late to take care of your skin the damage you already have will be difficult to reduce without special medical treatments such as botox or perhaps surgical procedures. All the above should continue to be applied but it is wise to consult your physician on advanced treatments.

If you haven't yet reached 60, the best skin care advice is to follow a good skin care regimen at an early age. It's an easy habit to get into and best of all, you'll thank yourself later on.

7 Little Known Acne Skin Care Secrets

An acne problem is not a problem, so long as you know wise acne skin care tips. One does need much money to get that healthy glowing skin, with the natural acne skin care methods, acne shouldn't be treated like monsters under your bed. Here are some acne skin care methods we can practice.

The power of water. Oil, they say is thicker than water. But water is the plainest, most natural substance we can use for acne skin care. In washing your face, do it gently. Rubbing and scrubbing your face does not clean the skin gently. For best acne skin care effects, using a mild cleanser or toner once in the morning, noon and evening, and after doing a heavy work out, will help you achieve a clear skin.

Pick that zit. People who prick pimples and blemishes as if pricking a bubble only aggravates the risk of skin inflammation and acne scars. Avoid hand contact with your face for better acne skin care results.

Shave with care. Choose the best electric shavers and safety razors you can trust for years. They'll be more comfortable to use. Men need not use a super sharp blade to get rid of that beard. A regular shaver used with soap and water, or shaving cream will help you get that smooth finish. Doctors advised men to shave lightly, and shave only when necessary for acne skin care maintenance .

Sun of the beach! If you love sun tanning or just want the sight of that sophisticated sunburnt look - forget it. This is an acne skin care no-no. The sun’s harmful ultra violet rays redden the skin, making the skin drier. It can make one’s blemishes visible, speed up aging and bring serious damage to the human skin. Also, excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. You don't want to ruin that great acne skin care you've been starting on with.

Cosmic Cosmetics. Eye shadows, blush on, moisturizer, and other cosmetics we use should be free from oily substances to permit healthy acne skin care maintenance. Even hairstyling products in forms of gels or aerosols that come in close contact with the skin may destroy a healthy acne skin care practice. Choose hairstyling products, which are commercially labeled as non-comedogenic are products which do not provoke the formation and growth of blemishes and other related skin
disorders.

Buttered Face. An African beauty secret reveals the power of shea butter which originated from the Karite Nut Tree (or Mangifolia tree). Hmmm... juicy acne skin care tip! Karite Nut Tree was discovered in the semi-arid savannahs of West Africa and Central Africa. People in Africa, women in particular - rely in shea butter as a vital tool for acne skin care treatment for over centuries now.

Spare me that SPA! You need not visit the most expensive spa parlors to get that destressing facial treatment to aid you in your acne skin care endeavor. Create a home made magical elixir right at the comforts of your own home by purchasing simple spa tools found in beauty stores.

Get only the best and the FRESH. Increase intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. These acne skin care tools are free of toxins which decreases the speed of blood circulation. A salad or a fruit a day will keep an acne away!

There is no perfect cure, medication, treatment or acne skin care methods for acne problems. Thus, as the sole proprietor of our own skin, we must take full charge of what lies to be our first armor against diseases and bodily injuries.

An Effective Acne Skin Care Regime

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions today. It affects or has affected nearly everyone at one time or another. Acne skin care is the most important tool in reducing or eliminating outbreaks. Many different things contribute to healthy skin.

Acne occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog pores, or follicles. Acne primarily affects teens, although adults are affected also. Puberty causes an increase in oil production which increases the risk of having an acne outbreak.

What are some of the ways we can instil acne skin care?

The easiest acne skin care regime is to wash your face twice daily with warm water and mild soap. Using your bare hands to wash your face is gentler and kinder to your skin. Acne skin care dictates that you are very gentle with your skin-no scrubbing vigorously, using harsh soap, or alcohol based skin products. These only serve to irritate the skin and may make acne much worse.

Acne skin care revolves around oil control where it can be controlled. Wash your face frequently to remove oil and dirt when you are sweating or working around an oily area. Exposure to grease, pore-clogging cosmetics or hair products can worsen acne. If you are prone to oily hair, wash your hair daily to reduce the oil. Concentrate on using oil-free makeup and moisturizers.

Acne skin care demands that you be gentle to your skin. Picking or squeezing pimples can cause more inflammation and help to push bacteria deeper into your skin. Friction, such as athletic gear, bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars, can make you sweat which can cause clogged pores and therefore, acne.

The Don't's of acne skin care are:

Don't touch your skin unless absolutely necessary!
Don't rest your chin in hands!
Don't pick at your face!
Don't smoosh your face into your pillow and keep pillowcase clean!
Don't let hair products get on skin!
Don't rest cellphone against your face!

The Do's of acne skin care are:

Do treat your face gently and kindly.
Do wash your face with your bare hands.
Do wash face two times daily with warm water and mild soap.
Do use oil-free makeup.

If your acne is very severe or does not respond to the pampering acne skin care regime, then you may need to contact your physician for more aggressive treatment options

Eye Cate Tips

With so many of us spending lots of time in front of the computer every day it comes to no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can one do? First, it’s important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits.

Here are some helpful Eye Care Tips -

Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm’s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don’t forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot
ake time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Step I :-
After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your
head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This
changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.


Step II :-
Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.


Step III :-
Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes
of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.

It’s all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we’re on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!


Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed.

Use tea bags

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.


Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

Symptoms And Solutions Of Back Injuries For Women

Symptoms And Solutions Of Back Injuries For Women


Injuries to the spine can cause paralysis, so first aides must treat suspected back injuries very carefully
What are they?
The spine, or backbone, protects the spinal cord, which controls many body functions. Back injuries can be caused by pinching or displacement of nerves, or by spinal fracture.
Symptoms
Suspect a spinal injury after an awkward fall or awkward injury. Look for:

Localized tenderness around the back or neck
Shooting pains in casualty's limbs
Limbs feeling heavy or tingling
Loss of sensation in limbs below level of injury
Breathing difficulties First aid aims
Prevent further injury
Get casualty to hospital
Actions if casualty is conscious
Do not attempt to move casualty
Call 999
Offer reassurance
Steady and support casualty's head in your hands
Actions if casualty is unconscious
Check airway and breathing
Place casualty in modified recovery position if you have help
Actions if casualty stops breathing
Call 999
Open airway
Check for breathing again
Give resuscitation until help arrives
Broken bones - child
Broken bones always need professional attention, but there's action you can take immediately to help the casualty.
Because children tend to put their arms out as they fall, arms, elbows and wrists are where breaks tend to occur.

Symptoms
Intense pain
Inability to use the limb
Bruising or deformity at site of the break
Actions - broken arm
Sit child down
Ask them to support injured arm with other hand
Put a pad between arm and chest
Put injured arm in a sling
Place a broad-fold bandage over sling and around arm and chest
Take child to hospital
Actions - broken leg
Lay child down and support leg at ankle and knee joints - by hand if an ambulance is expected soon, or on a chair if not Steady injured leg with padding
Put rolled-up blankets outside injured limb and between legs
Keep child warm

Trans-fats raise breast cancer risk

Trans-fats not only clog arteries, but may also raise the risk of getting breast cancer.

Trans-fats are artificial by-products of the hydrogenation process of vegetable oils, developed by an inexpensive method. These were, ironically, meant to be healthful replacements for artery-clogging saturated fats such as butter and lard. But the process of making vegetable oil behave like butter made it as unhealthy as butter. Trans-fats can be found in cooking fats, baked goods, snacks and a variety of other prepared foods. Many countries in the West have banned trans-fats in restaurant foods.

To look into the adverse effects of trans-fats, French researchers looked at blood samples collected between 1995 and 1998 from 25,000 women who had volunteered to report on their eating and lifestyle habits and then be followed for years to see if they developed cancer. Out of these women, 363 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Their blood levels of fatty acids were compared with those of women without cancer. It was found that the higher the levels of trans-fatty acids, the more likely a woman was to have cancer. Women with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, being studied for their potential benefits to health, were not any less likely to have breast cancer. Obese women are more likely to develop breast cancer, among other types of cancer, and high-fat diets are also linked with breast cancer.

The findings suggest that people, especially women, should limit their consumption of processed foods, which is the source of industrially produced trans-fatty acid.

Bitter melon good for diabetics

Bitter melon may reduce blood sugar levels in animals and human beings and help to fight diabetes and obesity.

Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear and Momordica charantia, is a tropical vegetable widely eaten and used medically all over Asia. It is has certain constituents which when isolated from the vegetable help in treatment of diabetes and obesity.

To investigate the benefits of bitter melon in fighting diabetes and obesity, Chinese researchers studied its constituents. These constituents exhibited a number of biological effects beneficial in treating diabetes and obesity. When tested in muscle and fat cells, the compounds promoted more effective glucose metabolism and had effects similar to those of insulin.

It was noted that out of the 70 active compounds, cucurbitane triterpenoids, the main constituent of bitter melon, might become another class of therapeutic drugs for diabetes and obesity. The compounds were also found to be beneficial in stimulating glucose tolerance and fat burning.

Thus, bitter melon might serve as an alternate to drugs available for treating diabetes and obesity.

Now, cloned child is a question of when

A new technique developed by a US company makes it far simpler to produce "designer babies", raising fears that human cloning may be illegally being done using similar methods.

The American team used the new procedure to create baby mice from genetically altered skin cells of adult animals. It claimed that the method is more efficient than the one used to clone Dolly, the sheep, and is more suited for human use as it had fewer side effects.

Scientists at the US biotech company, Advanced Cell Technology, inserted reprogrammed skin cells from an adult mouse into mice embryos to create offspring, some of whom were full clones and others partial clones of the specimen from whom the skin cells were taken.

The company said it used the technique for harvesting stem cells to treat diseases like Parkinson's and stroke. But ACT's chief scientific officer, Robert Lanza, told The Independent of London that a rogue attempt to perform the technique on humans was now too real to be ignored.

"It's unethical and unsafe, but someone may be doing it today," Lanza told the newspaper.

Ironically, the breakthrough involving genetic reprogramming of skin cells so they revert to an embryonic-like was praised by the Catholic Church and US President George Bush last year as a morally acceptable way of producing embryonic stem cells without having to create or destroy human embryos.

Lanza said, using the new method, it is possible to take a few skin cells from, say, Albert Einstein, and have a child that is 10% to 70% Albert Einstein by just injecting a few of the cells into an embryo.

The new cloning method combines the technique of reprogramming skin cells with other methods pioneered by researchers elsewhere. From the experiments on mice, Lanza said, it's possible to take a human skin cell, reprogramme it back to its embryonic state and then insert it into an early human embryo. The resulting offspring would share genes of three people - the two parents as well as the person who gave the skin tissue. Such children, who share a genetic mix of two or more individuals are known as chimeras.

But the new method can be used to produce a 100% clone as well. This is achieved by using a defective embryo that has four sets of chromosomes instead of the normal two. This "tetraploid" embryo can only develop into the placenta of the foetus. And when a reprogrammed skin cell is injected into it, the rest of the foetus develops from the skin cell to become a full clone of the person whose skin was used.

"Cloning isn't here now, but with this new technique we have the technology that can actually produce a child. If this was applied to humans it would be enormously important and troublesome," Lanza was quoted as saying

Is radiosynovectomy effective in treating joints?

Q. How effective is radiosynovectomy in treating joints in haemophilic patients?

A. In haemophilia, repeated bleeding into a joint (chronic haemarthrosis) leads to chronic synovitis, inflammatory arthritis and progressive arthropathy (joint destruction). The synovium is a thin layer of tissue that lines the joint space. Its inflammation (chronic synovitis) leads to overgrowth and increase in blood vessels, thus predisposing to chronic haemophilic haemarthrosis. Joint destruction and deformity can be prevented if frequent joint bleeding is effectively eliminated before the onset of arthropathy and this requires removal of synovium (synovectomy) The removal of the synovium can be done either through surgical or non-surgical procedures. It has been known for long that if certain substances (chemicals and radioactive agents) are injected into the joint, they decrease the volume and activity of the synovial tissue. As these procedures are minimally invasive, non-surgical synovectomies are of special importance for haemophilic patients who have developed inhibitors to clotting factors.

The procedure is ideally done in a haemophilic patient with frequent joint bleeds (two to three bleeds per month) in a particular joint, who has failed to adequately respond to conservative treatment with clotting factor replacement and physiotherapy, and who has no radiological evidence of joint damage. In reality, most patients seen in haemophilia clinics for chronic haemarthrosis and synovitis already have some degree of articular deterioration. This does not disqualify them as candidates for radiosynovectomy, although patients must clearly understand that articular degeneration already present cannot be improved with the procedure. The aim is to control joint bleeding and prevent further damage.

Radiosynovectomy or radiosynoviorthesis is a local intra-articular (inside the joint) injection of radioactive substances in colloidal form. The proliferative tissue is destroyed, secretion of fluid and accumulation of inflammation causing cellular compounds stops and the joint surfaces become fibrosed, providing long term symptom relief. The radionuclides are injected in colloidal form so that they remain in the synovium and are not transported by lymphatic vessels causing radiation exposure to other organs. The type of radionuclide to be used is determined by the size of the joint to be treated and includes Erbium-169 (for finger joints), Rhenium-186, Phosphorus-32, etc. (for larger joints like wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle and hip) and P-32, Yttrium-90 etc. for knee & shoulder. In recent years several other radionuclides like Holmium-166, Rhenium-188, Samarium-153, etc. have also been introduced. These isotopes emit beta-emissions, have a shallow depth of penetration and moderate half-life. The risk of chromosomal damage and malignancy has been assessed and found to be minimal with this procedure. The procedure is often done on an out-patient basis though some patients who have inhibitors maybe kept overnight to monitor for possible bleeding. Generally, a dose of clotting factor is given to keep the blood level around 50% of normal (or that dose which is most effective in controlling bleeding in the patient). Following injection, the joint is put through range of motion so that the isotope is evenly dispersed throughout the synovial surface and is then immobilized for 48 hours. No strenuous activity is permitted for about a fortnight.

In comparison with surgical synovectomy, this procedure produces equivalent results, costs less, clotting factor requirement is lower, allows the patient to remain ambulatory, and is repeatable. There is more than 75% reduction in bleeding (slightly less in repeated procedures). In fact, radiosynovectomy is now considered the initial procedure of choice for the treatment of patients with haemarthrosis in haemophilia, the only limitation being its limited availability.

10 keys to a healthy lifestyle

These keys will enable you to become motivated and focused, as well as condition yourself to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. Notice that we did not say 'ways to diet'. These are ways to realising a healthy lifestyle


The first key to keep in mind is making sure you have a daily plan. If you have your daily plan written down with all of the details of your day, including the snacks you will carry with you and your meals for the day, you will be much more inclined to avoid the unhealthy foods and actions that may throw you off track.

The second key is to have written goals. These may be the dreams you have, the things you want to do in life that you may have forgotten about. Many people have resigned to just living the same monotonous daily routine.
Start by writing down your goals; no matter how outrageous they may seem, write them down. You need goals and dreams that could take you a lifetime to accomplish. Make sure they are meaningful so that when you read them and ponder their reality, you feel the motivation to get there. When you can get to that point, you have created significant goals and dreams for yourself.

The third key is to be sure your daily plan includes at least one action that moves you closer to your long-term goals. If your daily actions only include those things you are now doing, then you keep getting what you have gotten.

The fourth key: Don't look back at where you've been, only where you want to go! This complements having a daily plan. There's no time to look back at any tragedies, mishaps or unhappy times. There’s only time to create new memories, new experiences and happy times. With your plan, you are creating those things and not leaving yourself time to ponder the "what ifs" of the past.

The fifth key is to leave excuses behind. There are many reasons we have for not having what we want in life.

It's not hard to find someone who can talk about the tough times, how rough things are or how difficult the boss is, but guess what? Everyone has hurdles to overcome.

The sixth key to a healthy lifestyle is to take full responsibility. When it comes down to it, ultimately, you are the only one who can make things happen for you. That means you are the one who has to make the plan; you are the one who needs to perform the exercises each day; and you are the one who will overcome the hurdles to reach your goals.

The seventh key is to be aware of people or things that can divert your focus from your goals. Sometimes when we say no, we are really just saying yes to "sticking to" what's good and healthy. You not only will be empowering yourself to make the right decision, but also letting others know that your focus on living a healthy lifestyle is in their best interest, too, and maybe it will rub off on them.

Key number eight: Decide where you would like to be 20 years from now. Are you doing what you are doing now, only older? Can you see from the goals and dreams you have written that you are carving out a new person who has had many new experiences? If you can visualise what your life will be in 20 years, you will really begin to see the potential that the years ahead can bring.

Key number nine: Surround yourself with other positive people. It's great to belong to a support group for weight loss as long as you're not around the people who only want to talk about how hard it is. You want positive energy on your side, and the more you have, and the more positive energy you give, the stronger you will be.

The 10th key is to learn to love exercise and all physical activities. There are so many forms of exercise and physical activity and so many ways to enjoy them that you should not have any reason not to do so.

How many different places are there to enjoy taking a walk? The park, a museum, downtown, window-shopping, in your neighbourhood and many more. How about the different types of exercise besides walking? There's riding a bike, playing tennis, football, lifting weights, jogging, kickboxing, aerobics, yoga, jazzercising, dancing, gardening, cutting the grass and painting the fence.

If you have trouble exercising, try riding a stationary bike if you can. It's the easiest piece of equipment that you can use. Try different activities and exercises and find what you can really enjoy. Remember, these are the things that you want to be doing for the rest of your life.

Finally, the BONUS key to a healthy and fit lifestyle - Don't ever stop believing that you are capable of more than what and who you are now! Your potential is limitless. With this attitude, you will constantly be able to improve upon your health in some way. If your mind can perceive it, and you can truly believe it in your heart, then you can achieve what you set out to accomplish.

Heart diseases on the rise in India

India is expected to account for 60 percent of the world’s total heart disease cases by 2010.

Heart disease, the leading cause of death globally, kills about 7.1 million people each year. The two major reasons for developing heart diseases are fatty deposits that harden and block the arteries and high blood pressure, which damages the blood vessels.

Indian and Canadian researchers studied 21,000 heart attack patients across 89 centres in 50 cities for four years. The participants were less likely to go for surgery to clear clogged arteries than people in other countries because about three-quarters of the patients in India pay for their own treatments.

It was found that the time taken to reach the hospital was much longer in India at 300 minutes compared to between 140 minutes and 170 minutes in developed countries. The researchers confirmed that people with heart diseases in India get slower care than people in developed countries. This in turn, increased risk of deaths due to heart diseases. Despite the availability of low cost generic drugs such as blood thinners, clot busters and cholesterol-lowering drugs, the mortality rate was highest in poor patients because of the differences in treatments and not risk factors.

Heart patients in India were found to be younger, with an average age of 57 years, than heart patients in many other countries. Further, South Asians had a higher prevalence of risk factors for heart diseases. Lack of good transportation to reach the hospital was specifically pointed as a major factor hindering good treatment in India. The researchers pointed out that the heart attack patients in India reached hospitals in rickshaws rather than ambulances, and looked for paying for the cheapest possible treatments out of their own pockets.

As the Indian economy grows, there is a possibility for further increase in cardiovascular diseases and thus, strategies should be drafted to reduce delays to access to hospitals and to improve the affordability of urgent care to reduce morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, ensuring that the poor get better access to treatment could prevent deaths due to heart diseases in India.