Here & There

Indigestion probably sounds like a household term but it seems very few know what it exactly is? Doctors use the term to describe discomfort or pain in the chest or upper abdomen that is usually linked to eating, although not invariably. In some cases, it may simply be caused by bloating because you have eaten too much. In others, an excess of food and alcohol irritate the stomach lining. Most people subject their stomach to an onslaught of rich food and alcohol. Do not rush food, try to keep to regular meals, keep your intake and alcohol moderate, dont’ smoke and avoid foods that make things worse-usually spicy or acidic food. Simple antacids available over the counter can ease symptoms considerably as can peppermint tea or even a glass of cold water before eating.

Tight clothing makes indigestion worse, as can lying down for a nap immediately after a meal. A brisk walk is a better option.

Obesity could eclipse malnutrition as the biggest cause of world ill health, if current trends continue. This extraordinary prediction was made by a team at Oxford Brokers University, who pointed out that there are already 300 million people worldwide who are dangerously fat. However, the growing number of obese children is a new concern. The Oxford team did a study of a group of children aged between 10 and 13, and found the majority were falling short of recommended energy-expenditure levels. Most spent their weekends playing computer games and one girl said she only got off her bed to get more food.

Annie had a baby five months ago and should be jubilant. But all she can do is cry and feel depressed. Is this just "baby blues"? Probably not, baby blues are usually at their worst around the third to fifth day after birth, and the typical symptoms - mood swings, anxiety or irritability, and occasional weepiness, clear up within a fortnight. Annie could be suffering from Postnatal Depression (PND), which affects at least 10 per cent of women after pregnancy. With PND, the symptoms of persistent weepiness, anxiety, guilt and anger, weight loss, lack of concentration, obsessional thoughts and a loss of libido occur up to six months after delivery. One of the factors which triggers PND could be the huge hormonal changes that occur at birth. However, it is not known why only some women are sensitive to these changes. Although PND can happen to any mother, the risk is far greater if there is a history of depression, or depression during previous pregnancies.

The next time someone asks what kind of sandwich bread you prefer, consider wheat instead of white. According to a new study, whole grains may provide the nutritional boost you need to keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay. But you’ll be in a definite minority if you get enough brain food from the two vitamin Bs that were the subjects of research. Swedish researchers studied the levels of the two vitamins in 78 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable disorder that mainly hits the elderly. More than half of those examined had low levels of vitamin B-12, folic acid (also known as vitamin B-9), or both. A shortage of either vitamin may increase the levels of an amino acid called homocysteine, which poisons and sometimes kills cells, say researchers. High levels of homocysteine are well-known contributors to life-threatening clogged arteries, but they also appear to limit the brain’s consumption of oxygen. The problems "are not just from the neck down", doctors say, "They’re also from the neck up." It was found that nutritional supplements may help, but some researchers question whether folic acid absorbed through a vitamin tablet is effective. It is recommended that people eat more whole grain foods, leafy green vegetables, and dry beans and peas. Also people should add spinach to their salads and choose whole wheat bread instead of white bread.

Whether lugging heavy backpacks or slouching over a computer keyboard, people now face more challenges to maintain proper posture. Back pain, possibly chronic and other muscular skeletal problems are just a few of the ills that can result from bad posture. "Correct posture is how people stand and walk", says James McAndrews, a chiropractor. Backpacks are said to be a significant cause of poor posture, especially if carried on one shoulder. "Hanging a backpack on the shoulder can exacerbate pre-existing musculo-skeletal problems. They should be no more than five to 10 per cent of your body weight. Also the weight should be evenly distributed on both straps," he says. "The three important things to be kept in mind for proper back health are weight control, exercise and posture control," says Dr Volker K H Sonntag, president of the North American Spine Society. McAndrews adds that good posture while sleeping usually means having the right size of pillow.

(courtesy : The Times of India)