February 2013

Calcium is not synonymous to Milk

By gmirage1

February 28, 2013

6 Comments

When asked for a source of calcium, milk is almost always the first thing that comes to mind. More often than not, dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese are the only Calcium sources recognized by many. What most people are unaware of is that some vegetables are also rich sources of calcium and that even grains contain small amounts of it. Since grains are consumed frequently, they are still able to contribute a good amount of calcium to the diet. Moreover, plenty of foods such as fruit juices, tofu, cereals, and even biscuits are now fortified with calcium.

milk calcium — image via http://www.thelibertybeacon.com

Some non-dairy food sources of calcium people have been consuming oblivious to its calcium content are:

Sardines, canned in oil, with bones (324 mg Ca / 3 oz)
Orange juice, calcium-fortified (200-260 mg Ca / 6 oz)
Firm tofu made with calcium sulfate (204 mg Ca / half cup)
Pink salmon, canned, solids with bone (181 mg Ca / 3 oz)
Soft tofu made with calcium sulfate (138 mg Ca / half cup)
Spinach, cooked (120 mg Ca /half cup)
Turnip greens, boiled (99 mg Ca / half cup)
Chinese cabbage, raw (74 mg Ca / one cup)
White bread (31 mg Ca/ ounce)
Broccoli, raw (21 mg Ca / half cup)
Whole wheat bread ( 20 mg Ca / slice)

The recommended dietary allowance of Calcium for those aged 19-50 years old is 1000mg. This means that even if one is lactose intolerant and has to refrain from consuming dairy products, choosing a combination of food servings above would enable him to meet the daily RDA for Calcium.

There’s No Hay in Hay Fever

By gmirage1

In Featured&Physical Well Being

February 22, 2013

1 Comment

Hay and fever really have nothing much to do with Hay Fever which is actually the most common form of allergic rhinitis. Seasonal rhinitis, the more apt term for hay fever, is mainly caused by pollen from trees, weeds and grasses. The amount of wind-borne pollen in the atmosphere greatly depends on weather conditions. Concentration of pollen in the atmosphere is highest during dry, sunny, windy days and most sufferers have the worst conditions during these seasons.

pollen, hay fever — image via http://www.fitday.com

Seasonal rhinitis is often confused with the common cold as their symptoms are the same. The nose, the roof of the mouth, the throat and the eyes start to itch and this is followed by sneezing, watery discharge, and blocked nose. Headaches, irritability, loss of appetite and insomnia may also occur in severe cases. These symptoms may just be for a short sneezing bout or may last for several days.

Sufferers of seasonal rhinitis may find relief of symptoms from the following:

Antihistamines – relieve runny nose, sneezing, and watery and itchy eyes
Decongestants – clear nasal blockages
Antiallergic drugs – prevent the release of histamine and other chemical mediators
Steroids – strong anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the production of mucus and the swelling of the nasal lining

These medications merely provide relief of symptoms but do not eradicate rhinitis completely. To cure one’s allergy, one may try to undergo the process of desensitisation. In this process, the correct allergen is identified and the patient is given injections of the purified allergen extract in progressively increasing concentrations until the patient’s immune system becomes desensitised to that particular allergen. Although it can eradicate the symptoms completely, this process has unpredictable outcome that it is rarely used as treatment for allergies.

For more information on the diagnosis and test for allergies, view this post.

Horseback Riding as a Sport

By gmirage1

In Horseback Riding

February 22, 2013

No Comments

Horses are very popular among kids. It’s one of the animals that they learn about in picture books and trips to the zoo. Cowboy wannabes naturally would want to have a horse of their own. For people who live in the urban jungle, this might not be possible at all. If your child’s interest in horses and horse riding is more than just a passing fancy, you can enroll them in a riding school. You can support your child as he learns equestrian skills and tricks to excel in the sport of horse riding.

The first thing that you should do is to determine whether your child is serious about the sport or not. The lessons and the equipment needed in the sport are not inexpensive. You want to make sure that your child will really pursue the sport. There are riding schools that you can visit for a go-see. Ask if your child can ride one of the horses to see how it feels. Take your child on a tour of the riding school and stables. Introduce him to the instructors. Some schools might have introductory promos that will also allow the instructors to assess the child’s skills.

You also have to talk to the instructors at the riding school to find out what the sport entails and what resources you need to have. Let him give you and your child a walk-through of what the lessons involve, what skills your child will develop, and what you can expect your child to achieve both over the short term and in the future.

This will help anchor your child’s goals with respect to riding as a sport. When you talk to your child later on, you can discuss these goals and work out a plan on how you can support him. Remember that succeeding in horse riding as a sport takes a whole lot more than learning how to trot and gallop. It takes the commitment and dedication of yourself, your child, and your child’s riding instructor in working towards helping your child develop the necessary skills to excel in the sport and who knows someday soon, your little one would be seen competing at one of the grand national horse riding competition in your area or perhaps as an equestrian at the Olympics!

Ward Off Warts and Keep Your Charm

By gmirage1

In Physical Well Being

February 16, 2013

7 Comments

In a society where people value physical appearance, even the most harmless skin problem is a cause for concern. I’m talking about the skin growth caused by a virus called human papillomavirus or warts. These are small, fleshy and grainy bumps that can be found in different parts of your body. Often times they just disappear on their own but since warts are viral in nature, they can easily spread to other parts of your body or worse you can transmit them to other people.

clear warts — image via www.theclearskinclinic.com.au

Plantar warts – are hard warts usually found at the bottom or soles of our feet sometimes mistaken for corns or calluses. The difference is that warts have black spots within the growth while corns and calluses are clear. It can be irritating or painful when you walk since it is located at the bottom of your feet. You may put bandage or plaster on your wart to cushion it and decrease the pain. Plantar warts can easily be treated with salicylic acid or freezing methods which can be bought over the counter in drug stores.

Flat Warts or juvenile warts – these are flat, pin sized, and flesh colored warts usually found in the face, neck, legs, arms or sometimes the torso. These are painless warts that you would hardly notice except when you look in the mirror. You may go to your dermatologist for wart removal options.

Facial or Filiform Warts – are long brush-like warts usually found on the eyelids and surrounding area, neck and the lips. This kind of wart spread easily, simply touching the wart can infect other parts of the body. Unlike the other types of warts, Filiform warts may itch or bleed. The best solution is to have them removed quickly. However, it is strongly suggested that you consult a doctor before treating your wart.

They may be harmless and trivial compared to other skin problems but like it or not, your handsome prince charming can turn into a frog if he gets freckled with warts.