GI bleeding: causes

GI bleeding: causes

ABCDEFGHI:

Angiodysplasia
Bowel cancer
Colitis
Diverticulitis/ Duodenal ulcer
Epitaxis/ Esophageal (cancer, esophagitis, varices)
Fistula (anal, aortaenteric)
Gastric (cancer, ulcer, gastritis)
Hemorrhoids
Infectious diarrhoea/ IBD/ Ischemic bowel

Image Source ::  KMCPA

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Medical Mnemonics :: Post-operative complications (immediate)

Medical Mnemonics  ::  Post-operative complications (immediate)

"Post-op PROBS":

 Pain
 Primary haemorrhage
 Reactionary haemorrhage
 Oliguria
 Basal atelectasis
 Shock/ Sepsis

Image Source :: Funny Junk Site

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Medical Mnemonics :: CAGE--Alcohol Use Screening

The M-SASQ Screening Tool

1. Have you ever felt it necessary to CUT DOWN on your drinking?

2. Has anyone ever told you they were ANNOYED by your drinking?

3. Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking?

4. Have you ever felt the need to have a drink in the morning for an EYE OPENER?

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Medical Mnemonics :: The five W's--post-operative fever

The five W's--post-operative fever

Wind--pneumonia, atelectasis
Water--urinary tract infection
Wound--wound infections
Wonderdrugs--especially anesthesia
Walking--walking can help reduce deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolus

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Vascular Occlusion as Cause of ISCHEMIA

Vascular Occlusion as Cause of ISCHEMIA

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Common Dermatologic Terms

Description of Secondary Skin Lesions

• Lichenification: A distinctive thickening of the skin that is characterized by accentuated skin-fold markings.


• Scale: Excessive accumulation of stratum corneum.


• Crust: Dried exudate of body fluids that may be either yellow (i.e., serous crust) or red (i.e., hemorrhagic crust).


• Erosion: Loss of epidermis without an associated loss of dermis.


• Ulcer: Loss of epidermis and at least a portion of the underlying dermis.


• Excoriation: Linear, angular erosions that may be covered by crust and are caused by scratching.


• Atrophy: An acquired loss of substance. In the skin, this may appear as a depression with intact epidermis (i.e., loss of dermal or subcutaneous tissue) or as sites of shiny, delicate, wrinkled lesions (i.e., epidermal atrophy).


• Scar: A change in the skin secondary to trauma or inflammation. Sites may be erythematous, hypopigmented, or hyperpigmented depending on their age or character. Sites on hair-bearing areas may be characterized by destruction of hair follicles.

Common Dermatologic Terms

• Alopecia: Hair loss; it may be partial or complete.


• Annular: Ring-shaped lesions.


• Cyst: A soft, raised, encapsulated lesion filled with semisolid or liquid contents.


• Herpetiform: Grouped lesions.


• Lichenoid: Violaceous to purple, polygonal lesions that resemble those seen in lichen planus.


• Milia: Small, firm, white papules filled with keratin.


• Morbilliform: Generalized, small erythematous macules and/or papules that resemble lesions seen in measles.


• Nummular: Coin-shaped lesions.


• Poikiloderma: Skin that displays variegated pigmentation, atrophy, and telangiectases.


• Polycyclic: A configuration of skin lesions formed from coalescing rings or incomplete rings.


• Pruritus: A sensation that elicits the desire to scratch. Pruritus is often the predominant symptom of inflammatory skin diseases (e.g., atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis); it is also commonly associated with xerosis and aged skin. Systemic conditions that can be associated with pruritus include chronic renal disease, cholestasis, pregnancy, malignancy, thyroid disease, polycythemia vera, and delusions of parasitosis.

[source: Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine; 18th edition]

Last Edited: 07-09-2012

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20 Ways to reduce hair loss in Men

Hair loss is one of the most common problems worldwide; affecting one-third of the population. Everyone loses 100 hair stands each day.

It is a natural phenomenon; so there's is no need to worry over a few follicles falling off. There could be many causes of hair loss which include diet, mineral deficiency, medications, stress, pollution and genetics. Putting on a cap, hat or helmet could also be another reason in men. Here's our list of 20 solutions to help reduce or deal with hair loss.

Regularly wash your hair with mild shampoo

Regular hair washing is a part of preventing hair loss by the way of keeping hair and scalp clean. Doing so, you are lowering the risk of infections and dandruff that may lead to hair breakage or loss. Moreover, clean hair gives the impression of more volume.

Vitamin for hair loss

Vitamins are not only healthy for overall well being but also good for your hair. Vitamin A encourages healthy production of sebum in the scalp, vitamin E betters blood circulation in the scalp to help hair follicles remain productive and vitamin B helps hair maintain its healthy colour.

Enrich diet with protein

Eating lean meats, fish, soy or other proteins promotes hair health and in turn helps curb hair loss.

Scalp massage with essential oils

Those who have been experiencing hair loss for quite some time must massage the scalp with essential oil for couple of minutes. It helps your hair follicles remain active. You can add lavender in an almond or sesame oil.

Avoid brushing wet hair

When hair is wet, it is in its weakest state. So avoid brushing wet hair because the chances of hair loss increases. But if you must comb wet hair, use a very wide-toothed comb. Also avoid brushing hair too frequently as doing so can injure hair and increase loss. Use your fingers to undo tangles, not a comb or brush.

Garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice

Rub one of the juices on your scalp, leave it overnight and wash it out in the morning. Do it regularly for a week and you will see noticeable result.

Keep yourself hydrated

The hair shaft comprises one quarter water so drink at least four to eight cups of water in a day to stay hydrated and for the growth of healthy hair.

Rub green tea into your hair

Studies have shown that rubbing green tea into hair may help curb hair loss problem. All you need to do is brew two bags of green tea in one cup of water, leave to cool and thereafter, apply it to your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly after an hour. To see results, practice this regularly for a week to ten days.

Know what is bad for hair

If you want to keep hair healthy, you must know how to take care of them. Avoid rubbing your hair dry with a towel. Rather, let hair dry naturally.

Reduce Alcoholic Beverages

If you are experiencing hair loss than lessen your alcohol intake because drinking alcohol reduces hair growth. So decrease or eliminate alcohol to see an increase in hair growth.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking cigarettes reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp and this causes a reduction in hair growth.

Physical activity

Make time for physical activity every day. Walk, swim or bike for 30 minutes a day helps balance hormonal levels, reducing stress levels besides reducing hair fall.

De-stress

Studies in the past have found medical evidence to link stress with hair loss. De-stress yourself; one of the ways of doing it is by practicing meditation. Alternative therapies such as meditation and yoga not only reduce stress but restores hormonal balance.

Avoid Constant heating & drying

Don't subject your hair to frequent, constant heating and drying procedures. Heat weakens hair proteins, and constant heating and drying can lead to weakness and fragility that causes hair loss.

Keep your head sweat free

Men with oily hair, experience dandruff during summer due to sweating and the chances of hair fall increases. Using shampoos that contains aloe vera and neem can keep the head cool and prevent from dandruff.

Also, men who wear helmet experience major hair loss in summer. As the sweat accumulates in the pores and weakens hair roots causing hair loss in men. So wearing a scarf/ bandanna over your hair or a terry cloth headband can prevent hair loss.

Change how you style your hair (for men with long hair)

If you are losing your hair lately, you must loosen up your hair. Hairstyles such as ponytails, braids and artificial hairstyles pull hair or tug hair follicles, and can eventually cause baldness.

Take care of your health

Health problems are harbingers of hair loss. Ensure you deal with chronic illnesses, high fevers and infections properly to ensure healthy hair.

Keep a watch on medication

Certain medications may have side-effects, one of which could be hair loss. Consult a doctor to ask about conditions that you may have. Let him know if the medication is causing hair loss and if that is the case, ask him to change the medication.

Keep away from chemicals

Harsh chemicals and permanent hair colour products could be damaging for hair health. When you are experiencing hair loss, it is advised not to colour your hair.

Schedule appointments with doctors regularly

There are many health conditions, particularly skin-related conditions, that causes changes in hormonal balances which in turn lead to hair loss. Make sure you see a doctor regularly for your underlying illnesses and conditions.

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Surgery MCQ – Renal Calculi in proteus infection

Which of the following renal calculi is seen associated with proteus infection?
A. Calcium Oxalate
B. Triple Phosphate
C. Xanthine
D. Uric Acid
 
Correct answer : B. Triple Phosphate
High ammonia concentration leads to the formation of triple phosphate stones. This arises when urine is infected with urea splitting organisms like Proteus.

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Case Report 5 :: Chest X-ray in Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure Intro

 Results from any structural or functional abnormality that impairs the ability of the ventricle to eject blood (Systolic Heart Failure) or to fill with blood (Diastolic Heart Failure).

Chest X-ray in Heart Failure

•  Cardiomegaly
•  Cephalization of the pulmonary vessels
•  Kerley B-lines
•  Pleural effusions

Kerley B-lines

 Pulmonary Edema due to Heart Failure

Pulmonary vessel congestion

 Cardiomegaly

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Sinus X-Rays Are Worthless

Oftentimes, patients come in with sinus x-rays with this or that finding. What many patients as well as physicians may not realize is that sinus x-rays are notoriously unreliable in determining whether sinus infectionis present or not. Indeed, most of the doctors NEVER order a sinus x-ray. Just how unreliable are sinus x-rays?

It may be literally a flip of the coin whether the sinus x-ray is providing a correct diagnosis compared with the gold standard CT sinus.

Depending on what study you look at, the specificity of a sinus x-ray hovers around 50% (how often it correctly states normal sinuses). Sensitivity is a little better at around 80% (how often it correctly detects actual sinusitis).

Several studies have concluded that sinus plain film x-rays are unreliable and no longer routinely indicated for the evaluation of nasal and paranasal sinus disease. When radiographic evaluation is indicated a limited CT series provides superior information.

Take home message?

Do not order a sinus x-ray when evaluating for sinus disease/sinusitis!!! Why bother ordering a test that is going to be wrong almost half the time?

(If a CT sinus comes back normal, the patient most definitely does NOT have acute or chronic sinusitis.)

Reference:
Radiographic evaluation for nasal dysfunction: computed tomography versus plain films.Head Neck. 11 (5), 405-9. 1989

Comparison of sinus x-rays with computed tomography scans in acute sinusitis. Acad Emerg Med. 1 (3), 235-9. 1994

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Happy Independence Day

Never forget their sacrifice
Thousands laid down their lives so
that our country is breathing this day
Never forget their sacrifice...

Happy Independence Day


Martein Kyun Ho Bewafa Sanam Key Liyea
Zara Mar Key Dikhaoo Aapne Watan Key Liyea
Mar Mitoo Gye Desh Key Liye Tooh .
Sanam Bhi Utaar De Gi Apna Dupatta
Tumhare Kafan Key Liyee

Join me to celebrate this day.

This is the day,
We stand up high, as We
All start to cry
That Our nation sings
This is the day
That the liberty bell starts to ring
This is the day to remember
What we stand for
And to celebrate our Independence Day

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Life Support - Humor

Try That for Resusitation

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Advances in Transfusion Medicine

Blood transfusions are an important part of hematologic care. Transfusion is the transfer of blood, its components, or products from one person (donor) into another person’s bloodstream (recipient). Every year in the U.S., more than 20 million units of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are transfused to treat hematologic conditions such as severe anemia, leukemia, and sickle cell disease. Transfusions have long been associated with some risk to patients. The HIV epidemic during the 1980s was a major cause of fear; regular transfusions, especially of clotting factor concentrates, spread the virus quickly and nearly undetected. That outbreak prompted the development of biovigilance or hemovigilance: tracing and tracking transfusion-related adverse events and incidents, both infectious and non-infectious, that affect blood donors and recipients. Another of the most significant issues complicating transfusion safety has been bacterial contamination of blood products, particularly of platelets. However, steps have been taken in the last decade to avoid, detect, and eliminate this complication through improved donor selection, specialized preparation of the arm before needle insertion, and special screening techniques.

Despite ongoing improvements in the collection, processing, testing, delivery, and monitoring of transfusions during the past several decades, concerns over the safety of these therapies and the process in general continue today.

Historically, there was concern about transmitting infectious diseases from a donor to a recipient. Now blood is regularly tested for infectious disease transmission, particularly for viruses such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and West Nile Virus. Traditionally, serum has been tested to look for the body’s response to past infectious exposure, but many serum tests have been replaced by molecular testing called nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT), which finds active viruses in the donor’s blood to determine infection risk. If an active virus is found, the donor unit is discarded. Experts anticipate that new methods, including new molecular and microarray testing, which can identify many infectious agents rapidly and accurately, will replace or augment serum studies and NAT in the near future. Blood transfusion has never been safer from known infectious risk than it is today.

In addition to infectious disease risks, doctors must also manage other risks, such as post-transfusion reactions. These include transfusion-related lung injury (TRALI), during which the donor’s immune antibodies cause breathing problems in the recipient; transfusion associated cardiac overload (TACO), which is swelling caused by the increased blood volume; and post-transfusion iron overload, which is a buildup of iron in the body, usually caused by multiple or regular transfusions.

Source ::  http://www.hematology.org

This article was published in December 2008 as part of the special ASH anniversary brochure

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Happy Ramadan ! رمضان كريم

The holly month of Ramadan is here! I'd like to wish a blessed and peaceful month to muslim foreros on WR
and to all muslims around the world
  
رمضان كريم
أعاده الله على الجميع بالخير والبركة

كل سنة وإحنا طيبين

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Structures passing through foramina of skull

The internal surface of the cranial base can be divided into 3 cranial fossae, the anterior, middle, and posterior. The anterior and middle fossae are separated by the lesser wing of sphenoid bone, and the middle and posterior fossae are separated by petrous part of temporal bone.

Various structures (nerves, arteries, veins) passing through various foramina of skull are listed below:

Foramen Ovale:

Mnemonic: MALE
1. Mandibular Nerve (CN V3)
2. Accessory meningeal nerve
3. Lesser petrosal nerve
4. Emissary vein (Cavernous sinus to pterygoid plexus)
5. Occasionally anterior trunk of middle meningeal artery

Foramen Spinosum

Mnemonic: MEN
1. Middle meningeal artery and vein (posterior trunk)
2. Emissay vein
3. Nervus spinosus (Meningeal branch of mandibular nerve)

Foramen Lacerum:

Mnemonic: MEIG
Structures passing whole length:
1. Meningeal branch of Ascending pharyngeal artery
2. Emissary vein
Other structures partially traversing:
3. Internal carotid artery
4. Greater petrosal nerve

Carotid Canal:

Internal carotid artery (ICA) and venous and sympathetic plexus around it

Foramen Rotundum:

Maxillary nerve (CN V2)

Stylomastoid Foramen:

1. Facial nerve (CN VII)
2. Posterior Auricular artery (Stylomastoid branch)

Internal Acoustic Meatus:

1. Facial nerve (CN VII)
2. Vestibulo-cochlear nerve (CN VIII)
3. Nerves intermedius or pars intermedia of wrisberg
4. Labyrinthe vessels

Hypoglossal canal:

1. Hypoglossal nerve
2. Meningeal branch of Hypoglossal nerve
3. Meningeal branch of Ascending Pharyngeal artery
4. Emissary vein (Sigmoid sinus to internal jugular vein)

Jugular Foramen:

1. Anterior part: Inferior Petrosal Sinus

2. Middle part: 9,10,11 MAP

a. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve)
b. CN X (Vagus nerve)
c. CN XI (Accesory nerve)
d. Meningeal branch of Ascending Pharyngeal Artery

3. Posterior part:

a. Internal Jugular vein (IJV) – Sigmoid sinus junction
b. Emissary vein (Sigmoid sinus to occipital vein)
c. Occipital artery

Mastoid canaliculus (entry) and Tympanomastoid fissure (exit):

Auricular branch of vagus nerve
Tympanic Canaliculus
Tympanic branch of CN IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve)

Incisive Foramen

1. Greater palatine vessels
2. Nasopalatine nerves

Greater Palatine Foramen:

Mnemonic: GAP (Greater and Anterior Palatine Vessels)
1. Greater Palatine vessels
2. Anterior Palatine vessels

Lesser Palatine Foramen:

Middle and Posterior Palatine nerve

Superior Orbital Fissure

1. Lacrimal nerve
2. Frontal nerve
3. Trochlear nerve
4. Occulomotor nerve
5. Nasociliary nerve
6. Abducent nerve
7. Superior ophthalmic vein

Foramen magnum

Mnemonic: MAVer
1. Medulla oblongata
2. Ascending parts of spinal accessory nerves
3. Vertebral arteries

Tags: carotid canal, cranial fossa, foramina of skull, jugular foramen

Source :: Medchrome

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Flat Belly Plan

Even if you've never had a flat belly, you can still shrink your gut. Learn how you can fight fat, reduce inflammation and even beat stress!

The Flat Belly Plan was designed to flatten your belly with four key steps:

1. Shrink Fat Cells

A recent study found that those who ate three yogurts a day while dieting lost 81% more belly fat than people who didn't eat yogurt. All study participants were directed to eat 500 calories less per day. As part of the Flat Belly Plan, you should eat about 6 ounces of low-fat Greek yogurt before every meal. Why? It's thought that calcium can help stop fat from entering your cells, improve your body’s ability to break down fat and help your body carry out fat through your bowel movements.

2. Shed Excess Pounds With MUFAs

MUFAs, or monounsaturated fatty acids, are the cornerstone of the Flat Belly Plan. These are plant-based fats, so the easiest way to remember them is to look for healthy fats that aren’t from animal sources, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, oils and olives. A study done through the American Diabetic Association found that a diet rich in MUFAs worked to reduce belly fat.

As part of the Flat Belly Plan, you need to eat three MUFA meals a day.

The foundation of any MUFA meal has:

• 3 ounces lean protein
• 1 complex carb
• Unlimited vegetables
• 1 MUFA
• Each meal should be 350 calories (or fewer)

3. Reduce Inflammation
The next part of the plan aims to reduce inflammation. Belly fat has been linked to inflammation and elevated cortisol (the stress hormone). Belly fat is even thought to be "toxic" to your system as it releases chemicals into your body that wreak havoc on your appetite and the way your body metabolizes food. That's why anti-inflammatory foods are thought to be effective in fighting belly fat and breaking the vicious cycle.

As part of the Flat Belly Plan, have an anti-inflammatory snack in the afternoon. Snacks should be rich in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that help curb inflammation. They're the natural compounds that give berries and other fruits their vibrant color. Try a sliced yellow bell pepper with hummus or a bowl of mixed berries drizzled with dark chocolate. 

4. Beat Bloat
Drink ginger iced tea with mint and lemon to reduce bloat! Ginger naturally aids digestion, mint helps to reduce gas, and lemon juice is rich in antioxidants. Follow the recipe below and sip on this Flat Belly Tea all day long:

Ingredients

3 bags of ginger tea

1 cup fresh mint, chopped

Juice of 1 lemon

2 cups of water

2 cups of ice

Directions

In a large pitcher (about 24 ounces), steep the ginger bags and chopped mint for 5-10 minutes. Strain mixture to remove bags and leaves. Add lemon juice. Stir and serve. Store in refrigerator, serve chilled and sip.

Source ::  http://www.doctoroz.com

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5 Reasons You Are Bad At Whatever You Are Doing

What follows are 5 reasons you are bad at whatever you are doing and understanding why this is indeed the case is important if you are to ever improve. In all honesty, we are often bad at something because of us making tiny errors on a regular basis or perhaps we are just not cut out for it in the same way as some people are good at sports while others are just not as athletic. However, hopefully by reading these five reasons it will give you renewed confidence in what you do.

1. Failure to start with the basics.

We are often guilty of thinking that we already know the basics of something and this then leads to us skipping reading the instructions and just getting stuck into it. The problem here is that we are often slightly deluded and misjudge our own capabilities or see it as some kind of a weakness in having to go right back to the start. However, it is essential that you read instructions or take small steps from the outset in order to build a firm foundation and the task, or job, you are doing will then become easier and you will be better at it. Get the foundation wrong and you will continue to make the same mistakes and be completely unaware that there is anything amiss leading to you failing to improve over time.

2. We rush through it without too much thought.

Following on from the idea of not starting with the basics, you will often also find that people are bad at what they are doing due to not taking their time with the job and trying to just rush through it in order to get it done. The problem here is that we will often make the same mistakes time and time again, but due to the speed at which we are doing the task we will not even notice the mistakes and carry on regardless. The key here is to slow down a bit and try not to do too much in the one day and you will see an improvement in how you handle the tasks and will be better as well.

3. We do not practice and lack concentration.

Studies have shown that there are so many working hours lost in offices around the world due to people being easily side-tracked in a variety of ways or time wasted correcting mistakes that have come due to a lack of concentration. If your heart is not in whatever it is that you are doing it will then lead to errors not only being made, but also you missing correcting them. In order to improve our concentration we need to be focused and actually practice what we are doing. Accept that even top people in their field still practice, you only have to look at sports people, and there is no shame in it, so just do it.

4. We allow our frustrations to get the better of us.

If you find that you are becoming frustrated it will often lead to you being bad at whatever it is that you are doing because as that anger builds and the adrenaline flows around our body it leads to the job or task getting the better of us. Instead, you need to look at ways to prevent yourself from becoming so frustrated and accept that things will not always go as smoothly as you hoped and when you master your mood it should hopefully lead to things becoming a lot easier.

5. We try to do something we have no real interest in.

Doing a job that you find laborious or boring will often lead to you being bad at it as you do not have the same kind of drive to complete it to the standard required and you will also care less about those small errors that creep into your work. By doing something you love, or at least have some kind of interest in, you will find that you can get better and have a willingness to learn and improve, but we need to have that desire inside us in order to make any progress. If you have no real interest in a particular type of job, then the best advice is to avoid it or if you hate golf, then avoid picking up those clubs or you will face an uphill struggle from the start.

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7 Alarming Signs You Are Unhealthy

We are often guilty of believing that we are a picture of fine health as we have no real signs that anything untoward is going on inside our body. However, this does not have to be true as there are actually a number of indications that we tend to ignore that are actually telling us that something is not right. Failure to pay attention to them will of course tend to lead to things getting worse, so what follows are 7 signs you are unhealthy in the hope that they may stop further problems from occurring.

1. You find that your lips crack.

It may sound like something that just happens due to the weather, but cracked lips, especially at the corners, can actually show that you have a vitamin B12 deficiency. A lack of this vitamin in your system can lead to health issues such as anaemia and it will affect your blood, so look at either buying a supplement to boost the levels, eat foods that are high in it, or consult your doctor to get a special injection that really will make a difference to your health.

2. You are not as tall as you used to be.

This may sound strange, but as we get older there is a tendency for us to shrink, but the rate at which this happens can indicate that there is some kind of issue with our bones and in particular with us developing osteoporosis. The problem with this bone disease is that it then means we are more likely to fracture a bone when we fall or develop curvature of the spine, so early diagnosis will allow you to make changes to your diet that can stop it from progressively getting worse.

3. You pick up more than your fair share of colds.

If you seem to be more prone to picking up colds it may indicate that you need to boost your immune system or there may be some kind of issue with it. You may be lacking in Vitamin C or there could even be a virus attacking it that you are unaware of, so get a blood test carried out that can check if there is anything to be concerned about and try to improve your general health to give it that natural boost.

4. Your urine is too yellow.

It is important that you pay attention to the color of your urine as this can actually be a fantastic indicator about your general health. If you are hydrated your urine should be almost clear, but if you are drinking enough and it is still a dark yellow it may indicate that there is an issue with your kidneys and the waste is not being processed correctly. Look at upping your fluid intake and see if it helps, but only drink water, and if it stays the same get your kidney function checked.

5. Your skin acts up continuously.

If you find that you develop acne, eczema, or any other skin disorder on a regular basis then it can mean more than you are simply not taking care of the skin or using the correct products. Instead, it could be the result of an allergic reaction or it may be your body telling you that it is stressed and needs you to slow down. Your skin is the biggest single organ in your body, so listen to what it is telling you as your body often uses it to put out a cry for help and it offers up signs that all is not well and you are not as healthy as you thought you were.

6. You are not sleeping like normal.

If you find that your sleep pattern is disturbed and you are suffering from some form of insomnia it does tend to point towards your body and mind being too stressed. When we sleep, our body is supposed to lower the amount of cortisol coursing through it, but when we are stressed this does not happen and we are thrown out of sync. When this happens our body struggles to repair itself and recharge its batteries leading to us gradually being run down and when this happens we can pick up all kinds of illnesses due to our immune system not operating at full capacity.

7. You are tired, but sleep enough.

If you are getting more than enough sleep, but still find that you are tired in the afternoon, then it may indicate that there is a problem with your thyroid. The problem here is that your adrenal glands are being exhausted leading to your body using up all of its energy early on without it being replaced in the proper manner. This problem can then lead to your body being run down as it is working so hard trying to protect you from the different kinds of toxins that you can pick up during the day from the environment as well as things you are doing. When this happens it leaves you open to other potential health problems, so get your thyroid checked.

Source  ::  FITNEA

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7 Ways You Can Always Be Mentally Sharp

We live in a highly competitive world where our brain is our most important asset. The human brain is a complex machine, and although scientists have figured out how it works, there still are some unexplored areas of it – and, in the end, this is what makes the brain such a fascinating thing! Nonetheless, we need to train it properly if we want to have a great, sharp mind and to improve our cognitive function. Here are 7 ways of exercise brain and stay mentally sharp that will surely benefit you in the long run:

1. Avoid Activities That Make Your Brain Numb

Believe it or not, there are certain activities that not only make you numb and tired, but also destroy brain cells – once destroyed, these valuable cells do not regenerate, this is why it is essential to minimize this natural destruction. While it is true that brain cells get damaged as we age, why speed up the process with activities like watching TV or playing computer games?

There is nothing wrong with these two activities when enjoyed moderately, the problem is that most people end up spending hours in a row doing nothing else but watching low-quality TV shows. These activities will eventually take their toll on your memory, your ability to concentrate and your cognitive function.

2. Include More Brain Foods In Your Diet

There are certain foods (which are commonly referred to as “super foods” due to their health benefits) that support the proper functioning of your brain in the long run. They protect your brain and they can even generate new brain cells, provided that you give your brain the nutrients it needs, the building blocks that are required to make new brain cells. Focus on foods that contain healthy fats and fatty acids, like the well-known Omega-3 and Omega-6 which can be found in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna.

On the other hand, your brain also needs high amounts of antioxidants to function properly. The older we get the more exposed we are in front of free radicals, therefore you need to increase your intake of carrots, garlic, broccoli, grapes or blueberries. Olive oil is extremely beneficial for the health of your brain as well!

3. Train Your Brain With Numbers And Lyrics

There are many different ways in which you can train your brain, but a pleasant and efficient way is to train it with song lyrics – after all, who does not like song lyrics? Not to mention that sometimes, we tend to memorize lyrics without even trying. Learning a few new lines and repeating them constantly is certainly a great way to train your brain. Moreover, it is also highly recommended to do easy math problems without relying on your calculator, if they do not involve complex mathematical equations.

4. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake

While it is true that computer games and watching too much TV can make you brain-dead, nothing damages your brain more than alcohol. You do not even need to consume alcoholic beverages in impressive amount, if you consume them on a regular basis they will eventually affect your memory. Alcohol is known to slow down the mental functions and to interfere with your cognitive ability as well. Otherwise stated, it prevents you from thinking clearly – one more reason to steer clear from it!

5. Learn A New Language

In addition to lyrics, learning a new language is also a great way to train your brain – you will be amazed to see how easy you can connect languages and find similar words. This is a fast, efficient and cost-effective way to improve your cognitive function, not to mention that you also have the chance to discover new mentalities and cultures, and this will certainly look good on your CV!

6. Mind Games Can Work Like Magic

Mind games and memory games are also a great choice when it comes to training your brain and staying sharp in the long run. Scrabble, for instance, is a great way to expand your vocabulary and to improve alertness, while card games and board games will improve your memory and help you develop mental strategies quickly and effortlessly.

7. Learn How To Relax

Last, but not least, stress is also one of the most dangerous factors that impact your cognitive function, not to mention the variety of negative effects it has on your overall health. It is important to know when to detach from the daily routine and pressure – stress is directly related to anxiety, panic attacks and depression, and all these issues are known to dampen your cognitive function if not addressed in real-time.

Source  :: FITNEA

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10 Best Detox Foods You Should Start Eating

Detoxing has become bit of a trend with all the different fasting formulas and super foods that are out there. Unfortunately, most of the popular “detoxes” really aren’t safe for you and aren’t healthy either. If you want to detox your body, did you know it can be as simple as eating the right foods? Here’s a list of 10 foods you can enjoy if you really want to cleanse your body.

1. Avocados - Do you love avocados so much you would put slices of them on just about any food you eat? There’s no reason to feel guilty about doing this, especially because this is such a great food for you to eat. Avocados are packed full of antioxidants, including glutathione. This detoxes the body by transporting harmful toxins right out of it. By reducing the chemicals and toxins in your body you will be healthier and feel better.

2. Cranberries - These might be great for preventing urinary tract infections, but they can also get rid of toxins inside of your body. These get rid of waste from the body and are antibacterial so they remove toxins.

3. Cabbage – This food has sulfur inside of it, which is essential when it comes to breaking down chemicals in the body. Sulfur can help get rid of everything from pesticides to prescription drugs, which could be harmful if they stuck around.

4. Lemons – These are great in drinks and recipes, but they are also packed full of vitamins and antioxidants. These protect the liver and they get rid of chemicals inside of the body. Consuming lemons on a regular basis can improve health.

5. Broccoli – If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like broccoli, you should try it out once again! It’s full of antioxidants that can cleanse your body. It’s also high in enzymes that help to get your digestive system running efficiently. Raw broccoli is best because it has a high level of nutrients inside of it.

6. Garlic – Packed full of sulfur, this is another great food to use for body cleanses. It also has antibiotic properties so it can help internally heal your body. There are a lot of advantages to eating garlic on a regular basis; it’s even available in supplement form!

7. Beets – These can be incorporated into a lot of different recipes or they can be eaten raw. They are full of betaine and pectin, which help protect the liver and the digestive system. These can cleanse the body so you have fewer toxins.

8. Grapefruit – This fruit helps cleanse the digestive system and it can prevent kidney stones from developing. It’s also low in natural sugars and calories, so it’s great for dieting.

9. Sunflower Seeds – These are great to snack on and can detox the liver so it’s healthier. It can also get rid of harmful toxins floating around in the body. In addition to this, it prevents cholesterol from building up and causing body damage.

10. Lentils – These aid the digestive system to cleanse and detox your body. Lentils also lower the cholesterol and help balance the blood sugar inside of your body.

Source  ::  FITNEA

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