Thirty percentage of people  in the age group of 60, and  16 % of people in  the age group of 41-59 and 8% of people  in the age group of  29- 40 are suffering from hearing loss. Today new age lifestyle has accelerated the hearing problems, and according to the latest study conducted every sixth person worldwide has hearing problems. By 2015 about 1.1 billion people will be affected with hearing loss in varying degrees.

There are different types of hearing problems diagnosed today, of which the very common type is age related. A lot of children too face the hearing problems with varying degrees.  With properly fitted hearing instruments 90 % of people can improve their hearing problems. With the advancement of technology even invisible canal hearing instruments are available. Invisible canal fits inside the second bend of the ear canal. It is a small computer that the experts custom match to the specific hearing needs identified during the hearing assessment. Invisible canal technology is suitable for 70 % of the people with hearing problems. Others can use usual hearing instruments sits behind the ear or in the visible part of the ear canal.

In a recent study supported by the National Blood Foundation, more than 5,000 individuals who were current blood donors at the time or who had given blood in the past were asked why they donate blood. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents said that they give blood to help others. Respondents also said that giving blood makes them feel good about themselves; supports their local communities and hospitals; supports their community culture; and “pays back” society for the times when they or their families have needed blood transfusions in the past. For all of these reasons and more, donating blood is a good idea.

If you really  feel that ' donating blood is a good idea ' , promote our campaign. binbrain.org/?photo=donate-blood-to-save-lives

The move by Pathway Genomics, San Diego, a trendy bio-tech company to sell a genetic test kit through retail outlets that can assess users’ predisposition to various diseases has sparked off a furious debate in America over its ethical and moral dimensions. The company had announced that it would start selling the ‘Spit Kit’ through the nation’s 7,500 Walgreen stores. Packaged in a box with “

Using the $20-$30 ‘Spit Kit’, customers can mail a dab of their sputum to labs for tests that will examine DNA variations to determine their risk of getting heart disease, diabetes, various forms of cancer, besides their reaction to common drugs. Depending on the range and depth of information, the tests will cost up to $300. This idea of Pathway Genomics is not a new one. Personal genomics companies have been around for around three years. But by going retail Pathway hope to become the front-runners in this field.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has not approved or validated the test kit and ethicists are also concerned. They say learning about predisposed diseases will raise moral issues relating to marriage, childbirth, inheritance, and even business and professional decisions. Medical insurance companies and the clergy are yet to pitch in. Pathway, on its part, says FDA clearance is not necessary to sell the Spit Kit, because, it insists, the tests are not intended for use in diagnosis, treatment or for the mitigation or cure of a disease. Anyway let’s wait some days to evaluate the actual result and feedback to Pathway’s revolutionary initiative.

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Tummy tuck

The tummy tuck is an ideal solution for stubborn surplus fat that is unresponsive to exercise and a controlled diet. The doctors’ name for tummy tuck is abdominoplasty surgery. Tummy tucks are meant to take fat from your stomach and also take the flabby skin from around your abdomen. Your stomach muscles will also be tightened and this may make them stronger. The tummy tuck should not be considered as a procedure for losing weight. Candidates for the treatment are either already in their normal weight or quite close to it.

A tummy tuck can be done under local anesthesia or a general anesthesia, but most people opt for a general anesthesia for this procedure. It involves an incision from one hip to the other. A second incision will then be made to remove your navel. A final step in the tummy tuck procedure is to remove the skin and fat from the wall of your abdomen and tighten the muscles there. Afterwards the skin is stretched over the abdomen again and any excess is removed as you are stitched up again. A drainage tube will be inserted to aid the draining away of fluids from the wound and this will be removed after a few days when everything is drained.

Endoscopic tummy tuck

An endoscopic tummy tuck is the same operation which is carried out in a slightly different procedure, which needs a much smaller abdominal incision. Here a camera and tools are inserted through the small incision to drain the fat. One problem with this method of carrying out a tummy tuck is that it does not allow for the muscles to be tightened, nor the excess skin to b e removed. It is purely a method of fat removal.

Either of these methods of performing a tummy tuck will leave you sore and swollen for a few days, but you should be given painkillers. You can also find yourself numb in that area for as long as six months, but you can help yourself recover more quickly by doing a few light exercises.

All these sound great but it should also be telling you that tummy tuck is major surgery. Further, it is important that the patient discusses not just the advantages and cost but also the side effects and risks of the procedure with the concerned practitioner before deciding to go for it. It’s a big deal and not something you can take lightly or agree to without a lot of thought. You need to think seriously about the advantages and disadvantages of a tummy tuck.

I know some people  struggling hard due to over body weight. They put themselves into agony by making severe fasting and vigorous exercises. But all these works without a proper guidance or a systematic approach do any good I think. So if you are looking for a new and effective way of losing weight or tired of sweating for hours on a treadmill without seeing any appreciable results, believe me , there is a way to lose weight in a healthy manner….. YOGA.

I hope some of you may be very familiar with Yoga. Anyway I shall give a very brief description to it, for those who are unfamiliar with the word. “Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice. It is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and is a form of a spiritual practice in India.”  It’s true that people normally don’t consider yoga for weight loss, but take a moment to think about it. You will invariably find that people who have been practicing yoga regularly are fit and lean, never fat.

Yoga is one of the very effective exercises for weight loss because it works on many different levels at the same time. At the end of the day, yoga aims to bring your body and mind to a natural state, where your entire being functions as one, with full efficiency, and in perfect harmony with the rest of the universe. Let’s take a look at some of the yoga poses for weight loss.

Surya Namaskara: The Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation is a series of 12 exercises that are performed in a sequential manner. These 12 exercises not only strengthen your body, they also help to boost your metabolism and make your body burn fat faster than ever.

Dwichkrika Asana: The Dwichkrika Asana or Prone Cycling Pose helps to strengthen your abdominal regions and also helps in burning fat. Just a couple of minutes of performing this yoga exercise for weight loss can work wonders on your midsection.

Ardha Hala Asana: The Ardha Hala Asana or Half Plough Pose is one of the best yoga asanas for weight loss. This asana helps to stimulate the digestive system and boosts your metabolism. It is also one of the best exercises to lose that stubborn fat that accumulates on the lower abdomen.

Pawan Mukta Asana: This is also an excellent exercise to stimulate the digestive system and one of the more popular yoga poses for weight loss. This amazing exercise not only tones your midsection, but also helps to dispel any gas that is trapped in the intestines.

It’s commonly said that children like chocolates but i think most of the adults too like chocolates and if given a permit for “unlimited consumption, without obesity and other health risk”, many would consume lots and lots of chocolate daily. In a recent study it was found that 99% of all women love chocolate and that they may actually prefer chocolate more to than to sex. Well, in fact it is not just the women who love it  but almost everybody would love it too. It always feels so nice to have it melted in your mouth, delivering its wonderful taste right through your tongue …. whh !!!!!!

Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants,  the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system.  They are thought to help prevent stroke, heart disease and cancer. And if that wasn’t enough many more health benefits are contributed to antioxidants including slowing  the aging process & the visible signs of aging. The darker and more pure forms of chocolate contain the most antioxidants.

Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine  as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.chocolate is a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium too. The benefits of each are well documented. Magnesium helps to maintain muscle  and nerve function, is good for strong bones, and supports a healthy immune system and more. Phosphorus is important for bone and teeth formation in children and for works with calcium to keep bones strong and healthy for us throughout our lives.Some ingredients in chocolate can even trigger happy feelings in our brain.  A study reported by the BBC indicated that melting chocolate in one’s mouth produced an increase in brain activity and heart rate that was more intense than that associated with passionate kissing, and also lasted four times as long after the activity had ended.

How chocolate is made?

The first step is the harvesting of the cocoa pods containing the cocoa beans.The Pods are crushed and the beans and surrounding pulp extracted and fermented naturally for about six days in either open heaps or boxes after which the beans are dried.The finest chocolate is produced when the drying process is done naturally by the sun for 7 days or more. Accelerated or artificial drying is quicker, but produces inferior quality chocolate, mainly used in mass produced products and cake coverings.The next process is shared with coffee in that the beans are first graded, then roasted. Roasting times depend on the type and size of the beans, like coffee this can also affect the final flavour of the chocolate. Light Crushing separates the kernel or ‘Nib’ from the shell or husk , the husk is then separated or ‘winnowed’ out and discarded. At this stage most manufacturers put the Cocoa Nibs through an alkalisation process to help develop flavour and colour.

However, some purists producing the finest chocolate prefer to rely on the quality of the beans and natural processing to produce the best colour and flavour. The nibs, which are very high in fat or cocoa butter, are then finely milled and liquefy in the heat produced by the milling process to produce cocoa liquor. When cocoa liquor, otherwise known as cocoa mass, is allowed to cool and solidify. At this point the manufacturing process splits according to the final product. If the end product is chocolate, some of the cocoa liquor is reserved, the rest is pressed to extract the cocoa butter leaving a solid residue called press cake. Press cake is usually kibbled or finely ground to produce the product known to consumers as Cocoa Powder.

What is H1N1 ?

H1N1, referred to as “swine flu”  is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, India  have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.  Like seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine) flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.  A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

The signs and symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people

The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1  flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Emergency warning signs in Children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Emergency warning signs in Adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 (swine) flu. (I mean the right vaccine) There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Colour is the key to food nutrition. The natural pigments that make fruits and vegetables so colorful can also help protect your body from common diseases and illnesses as you age. Here’s just a sampling of the health benefits of eating colorful fruits and vegetables.

When you add deep reds or bright pinks to your daily diet, you are also adding a powerful antioxidant is found in tomatoes, red and pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and guava. The red in tomatoes helps reduce the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, and other types of cancers.

Bright yellows have many of the same perks as the orange groups: high in essential vitamins. Pineapple, is rich with Vitamin C and manganese. The yellow in corn protects against macular degeneration, the number-one cause of blindness in the elderly. Yellow fruits and vegetables belong to many different families, but they all share the common bond of being health enhancing with great taste.

Orange, the color of a blazing sun, is a must have in your daily diet. Orange vegetables and fruits like sweet potatoes, mangos, carrots, and apricots, contain beta-carotene. In addition to being touted as a powerful health-protector, the orange group is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B. The orange in carrots and sweet potatoes helps prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of stroke.

Green vegetables look great and taste wonderful, leafy greens helps prevent cancer and keep you healthy. And protect your eyes by keeping your retina strong. Also, research is being done on cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and turnips to see if they may reduce the risk of cancerous tumors! Greens are also loaded with essential vitamins minerals, and fiber.

The blue in blueberries helps protect memory and motor function as you age, and helps fight cancer and heart disease. Blues and purples not only add beautiful shades of your plate, they help prevent heart disease. Blueberries, in particular, are rich in Vitamin C and folic acid and high in fiber and potassium.

These 15 tips helps to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in your diet

• Keep cleaned fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator — ready to eat.
• Have vegetables with low-fat dip for a snack.
• Try commercial prepackaged salads and stir-fry mixes to save prep time.
• Add vegetables to casseroles, stews and soups.
• Drink 100% fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks or soda pop.
• Have fruit for dessert.
• Keep a bowl of apples, bananas and/or oranges on the table.
• Choose a side salad made with a variety of leafy greens.
• Bake with raisin, date or prune puree to reduce fat and increase fiber.
• Add lettuce, onions, peppers and/or tomatoes to sandwiches.
• Order veggie toppings on your pizza.
• Enjoy fruit smoothies for breakfast or snacks.
• Pack fresh or dried fruits for quick snacks.
• Limit peeling to preserve fiber content.
• Steam, broil, microwave or cook in small amount of water, avoid boiling.

So when you’re adding color to your plate may add years to your life, think color!

Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. Green tea is naturally rich in antioxidants. These antioxidant properties and help our body to fight various disease conditions. The antioxidants acts as free radical scavengers and keeps our system free of damaging free radicals. Green tea is good for your teeth, hair, and now an effective preventive thing against cancer! Drinking green tea reduced the risk of cancer by nearly sixty percent.

Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat. One study confirmed that the combination of green tea and caffeine improved weight loss and maintenance in overweight and moderately obese individuals. Green tea may also be useful in inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. Green tea may also be effective in treating genital warts and preventing symptoms of colds and influenza.

My most enjoyed green tea is Kahwah. It is a traditional and popular refreshing beverage, originates from Kashmir. Kahwa is a popular refreshing beverage. It provides instant relief from headache. And another favorite Tea is Iced Green Tea. It provides me with immense energy and how my day takes off. I prepared like this. Remove tea bag and cool in refrigerator. Add a fruit juice of your choice; sweeten with honey or sugar desired and mix well. And serve in cocktail glasses over ice and garnish with a spring of mint on the top.

The only negative side effect from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee. There are no known scientific reports on the pediatric use of green tea, so it is not recommended for children. For adults, maximum two to three cups of green tea per day is recommended. People with heart problems, kidney disorders should not take green tea. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should also avoid green tea.

Caffeine Protects Brain.

Coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body, research suggests. Coffee may have an antioxidant effect on the bloodstream by reducing vascular risk factors for dementia. Further, people who drank regular caffeinated coffee, were reported to have 30 percent lower risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr Jonathan Geiger (University of North Dakota) says, “Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug and its ability to stabilize the blood brain barrier means it could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders”


Coffee Help You Get in Shape.

In a study recently released, researchers at the University of Georgia in Athens found that the amount of caffeine in two cups of coffee cut exercise-induced muscle pain in half. Caffeine boost short-term metabolic activity to burn an additional 100 calories a day. It helps Weight control.

Coffee Aid Mental Health.

A team of Swedish and Danish researchers observed a group of 1,409 middle-aged men and women for a period of 21 years. Those who reported drinking three to five cups of coffee per day were 65% less likely to have developed dementia than those who reported drinking two cups or less. Other health factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and socioeconomics were controlled in the study.


Coffee Helps Prevent Cancers.

Coffee is linked to lower rates of liver , mouth and gullet cancer. In a recent study conducted by the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida , consuming three cups of coffee a day was found to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women under the age of 50 by 37 percent. The researchers concluded that coffee consumption was associated with a low risk of mouth and gullet cancers, even in the high-risk group.

Coffee Help Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Coffee drinkers have a substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who abstain from the beverage, a new study shows. Chlorogenic acid is a major component of coffee that may provide more of an explanation for coffee’s effect on risk for type 2 diabetes.

For Pregnant Women.

Drinking more than two cups of coffee or three to four cups of tea could prove to be harmful, as it increases the risk of miscarriage by 25 percent. Coffee consumption can lead to iron deficiency anemia in mothers and infants. Coffee also interferes with the absorption of supplemental iron,and coffee causes staining of the teeth.