Things you dont know about asthma

When someone with asthma has trouble breathing, there’s standard medical advice they are usually given to help restore proper breathing. And that advice is wrong, dead wrong.

Research at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas, shows that although folks suffering an asthma attack are often told take deep breaths, those deep inhalations are the worst thing they can do for their asthma. Instead, the researchers found that using biofeedback along with shallow breaths improves their long-term lung health.

The study also shows that this technique can help asthma sufferers reduce their use of emergency medicines like rescue inhalers.

People having an asthma attack usually resort to gulping air and struggling to take deep breaths to offset the scary feeling of being suffocated. Plus, they often breathe too deeply at other times even when their asthma isn’t frightening them. All of these actions make the problem worse, say the SMU researchers.

“This study goes to the heart of hyperventilation — which is deep, rapid breathing that causes a drop in CO2 gas in the blood. That makes a person feel dizzy and short of breath,” says researcher Thomas Ritz. “Patients in our study increased CO2 and reduced their symptoms. And over a six-month period we saw in the biofeedback group an actual improvement in the physiology of their lungs.”

Ironically, if you breathe deeply and increase oxygen in your blood, that rise in oxygen boosts your sensation of breathlessness.

“When people hyperventilate, there is something very strange happening,” says researcher Alicia E. Meuret. “In essence they are taking in too much air. But the sensation that they get is shortness of breath, choking, air hunger, as if they’re not getting enough air. It’s almost like a biological system error. “

The imbalance between carbon dioxide and oxygen is the reason that taking deep breaths is the opposite of what someone suffering an asthmatic attack should attempt to do.

“They don’t need any more oxygen,” Meuret says. “But consciously or not, people start to take deeper breaths — and that makes the symptoms worse.”

When the researchers tried out a month-long biofeedback program on 120 people with asthma who were trained to take shallower breaths, asthma symptoms were eased, there was better lung function, air ways were less sensitive and they enjoyed overall better breathing.

The program used in this study is difficult, initially, for people with asthma to undertake.

“It’s actually very, very, very unrelaxing when patients start,” Meuret says.

If a person with asthma already has low CO2 levels in his blood, learning to breathe in a shallow manner slowly to raise CO2 levels — even just a small amount — can set off intense air hunger.

“Only by reassuring themselves that the symptoms are caused by low CO2 and not low oxygen, they can keep on going,” Meuret says. “And that’s even more difficult for asthmatics than anxious patients who have a normal lung function.”

But in the long run, say the researchers, the shallow breathing program offers the best hope for relief.

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Strange-But-True Health Tips: Drink water when you're bloated

When you feel bloated, drinking water sounds as if it would only make matters worse, but it can often help, says James Lee, MD, gastroenterologist with St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. If you're on a high-fiber diet, for instance, then your body needs more water to work more efficiently, says Dr. Lee. "Water mixes with water soluble fiber and makes it into a gel like substance. This affects the motility of the gut and reduces the symptom of bloating." Drinking more water also relieves bloating caused by dehydration. When you're dehydrated, your body clings to the water your body does have, causing you to puff up.

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Strange-But-True Health Tips : For healthy teeth, don't brush after eating

Don't brush your teeth immediately after meals and drinks, especially if they were acidic. Acidic foods—citrus fruits, sports drinks, tomatoes, soda (both diet and regular)—can soften tooth enamel "like wet sandstone," says Howard R. Gamble, immediate past president of the Academy of General Dentistry. Brushing your teeth at this stage can speed up acid's effect on your enamel and erode the layer underneath. Gamble suggests waiting 30 to 60 minutes before brushing

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5 things you need to know about Pansexuality

 

 A pansexual person could be attracted to a man, woman, a transgendered person, or a non-gendered person.

Miley Cyrus' relationship with Liam Hemsworth isn't the only aspect of her love life she's been talking about recently—she's also been opening up about identifying as "pansexual."

In 2016, Cyrus told Variety that she had a hard time understanding her own gender and sexuality. “I always hated the word ‘bisexual’ because that’s even putting me in a box,” she explained in the interview. “I don’t ever think about someone being a boy or someone being a girl. ... My eyes started opening in the fifth or sixth grade. My first relationship in my life was with a chick.”

Then in a recent interview with Billboard, Cyrus opened up a bit more about her status as a pansexual: "Who I’m with has nothing to do with sex," she said. "I’m super-open, pansexual, that’s just me."

So what is pansexuality and how does it differ from other LGBTQ identities? We turned to Holly Richmond, Ph.D., a certified sex therapist and marriage and family counselor, to learn more.

Pansexual isn’t the same as bisexual. “Pan comes for the Greek word all,” Richmond says. “Pansexual is not bi-sexual, it’s all sexual.” That means a pansexual person could be attracted to a man, woman, a transgendered person, or a non-gendered person (a person who chooses not to identify themselves by gender), Richmond says.

Pansexuality doesn’t translate to promiscuity. Pansexuals may be attracted to all people, but that doesn't mean that they're going to have sex with anyone, Richmond says. “Pansexuals can be very choosy,” she says.

The term "pansexuality" only emerged recently. Richmond says she first started learning about pansexuality five or six years ago at a conference for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Although pansexual people have definitely been around longer than that, the general public is just starting to learn what that sexual identity means.

Less than 1 percent of the population identifies as pansexual. Because pansexuality is a fairly new concept to many people, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many identify with the label, Richmond explains; she puts her best estimate at less than 1 percent. But as more people become aware of pansexuality, there may be more people who come to identify that way, she says.

Pansexuality isn’t just about sex. When pansexuals are making a romantic connection, it’s very much about connecting with the person—not the gender, Richmond says. “It’s about developing meaningful relationships."

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The most commonly-prescribed back pain treatment is wrong

That back pain treatment might be putting your health at risk after all.

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Girl Smarts: Here's why you should always masturbate on your period

Stereotypically, the only act of self-love a woman treats herself to on her period involves Advil, elastic-waist pants, and gargantuan tubs of ice cream.

But turns out that menstruating women should start taking their self-loving a little more... literally.
To put it bluntly, your period is a great time to masturbate. (And to be clear, we endorse masturbating when you aren’t on your period, too.)
“I don’t think it’s why you should, it’s why wouldn’t you?” says sexuality and relationships expert Logan Levkoff. Ph.D.
According to Logan, a lot of people tend to think of menstruation as an “other” time, when regular life gets put on hold. “And it’s really silly,” she says. “It’s also steeped in a lot of misunderstanding and misogyny.”
And there are other benefits to masturbating on your period on top of, ya know, fighting patriarchal stigmas. Orgasms don’t only feel good, but they can also decrease menstrual cramps. When you orgasm, your body releases dopamine and oxytocin—a natural pain reliever that can get rid of some of the worst period cramps.
“An orgasm can also help you sleep,” she says. “There are a lot of health benefits.”
Plus, you might just be hornier during your period. Researchers at the University of Chicago call this the "sexual phase," a six-day period (no pun intended) that starts three days before the luteinizing hormone, which triggers ovulation, surges during your period.
During these six days, women were not just more sexually active on their periods but they had more sexual fantasies, too. And while sexual desire was “more robust in women with regular sexual partners,” single women felt it, too, also reporting feeling “less lonely at the time.”
Also, a study out of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville found that women had greater satisfaction from orgasming during their menstruation cycles.
So the next time PMS has you stressed out and cramping, put Ben & Jerry on ice and spend some quality time with yourself. Worried about making a mess? Put a towel down.

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Ladies:7 reasons you have cramps that have nothing to do with your period

 

Cramps are, to put it lightly, the absolute worst. That stabbing pain can leave you breathless, and so desperate you'd do almost anything for a heating pad.

But what's the deal when those aches arise and you're not on your period? Before you fall down the Googling-your-symptoms rabbit hole, know that these sensations are normal.

"Cramps are a very common complaints amongst my patients and they can occur at any time," says Niket Sonpal, M.D., assistant clinical professor at Touro School of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City. Of course, they are more pronounced in some women during their cycles, but there are other factors that can trigger cramps at any time.

It can sometimes be helpful to determine the cramp's cause based on where it's located. Cramps in an exact location, like the lower left abdomen, are often associated with the organs in that area, says Sonpal. However, if the cramps are on both sides, the problem may be affecting the entire colon, which could indicate gas or a food-related illnesses.

One thing to keep in mind is that cramping is different from pain. Cramps come and go while pain stays constant. If you have constant pain, see an M.D. as soon as you can. If you think it could be another cause, these seven things could be the culprit:

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

"Most people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that their signs and symptoms are worse or more frequent during periods of increased stress, such as finals week or the first weeks on a new job," says Sonpal. But, while stress may aggravate symptoms, it doesn't cause them. The exact mechanism is not known, but experts think stress hormones may make the gut more sensitive to stimuli, thus responding with either diarrhea or constipation, he says. Additionally, this hyperactivity makes the muscles in your gut more likely to contract, possibly with intensity. This leads to the cramps and pain associated with IBS and stress. In fact, IBS used to be called "spastic colon," says Sonpal. If your symptoms don't calm down, see a G.I. doc to determine if a different diet or meds could help ease the problem.

MUSCLE PULL

Not all cramps and abdominal pain are due to the bowel, says Sonpal. Sometimes it's as simple as a pulled abdominal muscle. This can result from exercises like Pilates moves or even from performing your daily activities and making a sudden motion. An injury like this will leave your abs feeling sore and, in turn, they'll cramp up. Rest and hydration can help with this, he says. Take it easy on the planks for a while.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation leads to waves of pain in various regions of the colon, says Sonpal. In fact, the pain is constantly relocating because the muscles of the colon contract to push hard stool forward. If it takes a lot of pressure to move stool forward, the colon swells and causes cramping. Adding more water and fiber to your diet can help you avoid constipation, says Sonpal. For further help, supplements could aid in clearing out your colon, but be sure to see an M.D. before you start taking one.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

This is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies attack the GI tract and cause ulcers, diarrhea with or without blood, and cramping, says Sonpal. This chronic disease must be treated aggressively (mostly with antibiotics) to be put in remission. Your physician can help figure out if this is the cause with a blood test, colonoscopy, endoscopy, or a mix of these.

OVULATION

German for "middle pain," mittelschmerz, the lower abdominal pain associated with ovulation, occurs about 14 days before the next menstrual period, says Sonpal. Many PMS issues have one thing in common: the release of prostaglandins (hormones your body releases to deal with pain) by the uterus and various other organs, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn and a clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine.

When you ovulate, you can release a bit of prostaglandin, which can lead to contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus and the intestine. This is the same reason why some women experience intestinal cramping and diarrhea when they get their periods. Birth control pills do help in general with cramping because they stop ovulation and cause you to produce significantly less prostaglandins, says Minkin. Another option is to take anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen and naproxen, which blocks the production of prostaglandins. Just make sure to take it preventatively, otherwise the hormones are still produced and the cramping won't stop until they're broken down.

GAS

One of the most common reasons for cramps is developing gas, and this can be due to bacterial overgrowth or simply not letting it out. "As Shrek says, 'Better out than in,'" says Sonpal. Although it may be a bit embarrassing, flatulence is very common and normal. If you hold it in, it swells your colon and causes it to cramp up, says Sonpal. So go ahead and let it rip.

DIVERTICULITIS

"Many women do experience pain in their abdomens and assume it is gynecological in nature when it is really related to the intestines, because they occupy the same areas," says Minkin. "I have ended up diagnosing many women with diverticulitis, because they come in to see me with abdominal pain and cramping, assuming it's related to their reproductive organs." In this case, what it's really coming from is their digestive tract. This inflammation of diverticula pouches in your digestive tract lining causes intense abdominal cramping, along with fever and nausea. A mild case can be treated with rest, minor diet changes, and antibiotics. However, severe or recurring diverticulitis could require surgery.

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LADIES ONLY ! 8 Ways To Avoid Sagging Breast At Young Age

Eventually, at some point in a woman’s life, no matter how hard she tries to avoid it, her breasts will sag. However, there are a number of things a woman can do to avoid early breast sagging and maintain her youthful appearance for as long as possible.
1.Wear a Supportive Bra that’s Your Size:- Getting a supportive fitted bra that is your size will help to give your breasts the support they need. It will also help your breast to resist gravity and reduce bouncing when you walk. This will help reduce strains on the skin and ligaments of your breasts and prevent them from stretching out.
2.Exercise:- The best way to keep your body young and fit is by engaging in regular physical activity. One of such activities is exercise. As a woman, exercise helps to emphasize the perkiness of your breast. Be sure to wear a well-fitted sport bra during exercise to hold your breast in place, reduce bouncing and prevent the stretching of the skin and ligaments of your breast.
3.Avoid Smoking:- The chemicals in cigarettes harm the collagen and elastin in your skin making it weaker and less stretchy, which causes wrinkling of the skin and sagging of the breast. Once the skin of your breasts loses elasticity, your breasts will sag, even if you are young. You should be mindful of this and avoid smoking.
4.Massage:- Moisturize your breasts daily and gently massage in a circular motion from upside down and vice versa, to keep the skin supple and help your breast retain their elasticity. Massaging your breasts helps to increase circulation in the tissues, which helps to increase the elasticity of the breasts.
5.Eat Proteins:- Eating proteins is the best way to heal damages to the skin, connective tissues and muscles. Your body uses proteins to heal these damages, which in turns helps strengthen your breasts to resist gravity and remain perky. Protein rich foods include meat, milk, beans, nuts etc.
6.Eat Complex Carbohydrates:- This particularly applies to you if you exercise regularly. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and provide energy for a longer time than simple sugars. This energy they provide is vital for exercise (so you don’t collapse from exhaustion during exercise). Good sources of complex carbohydrates are beans, corn, potatoes, lentils, green peas, whole-grain breads etc.
7.Avoid Weight Fluctuations:- Try to maintain a stable weight as much as you can. Avoid yo-yo dieting, avoid rapidly gaining and losing weight, and avoid becoming overweight. This is because weight fluctuations tend to stretch out the skin of your breast causing it to sag over time.
8.Breast-feeding Will Not Make Your Breasts Sag
Please drop the unnecessary fear of breast-feeding causing your breasts to sag (if you have this fear). Your breasts sag as they get larger and heavier during pregnancy because this process stretches the ligaments of the breast. Regardless of whether you breastfeed or not, over time your breast will still sag. Breast-feeding will not make it worse.

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