Health Information Center

Four years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancerous tumor could not be felt by me or my gynecologist or the surgeon who performed my mastectomy. My film mammogram and my ultra sound were inconclusive, but I had a radiologist that wouldn’t stop. The tumor finally showed up on a diagnostic mammogram. It was difficult to see and impossible to feel because the tumor was in the back of my breast close to the chest wall. I am one of those very fortunate women who have not become a statistic. Over 40,000 women die every year from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths of women in the United States. (Lung cancer is first.) While there are no guarantees in life, there are measures to take to give you an edge.

There are two types of screening mammograms: digital and film. Get a yearly digital mammogram. They are more definitive than a film mammogram. A digital mammogram takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it on a computer. Images can be enhanced and brightened for a clearer reading by a radiologist. Digital mammograms use less radiation than a film mammogram. A film mammogram takes a picture of the breast on film, like a picture. It can’t be altered, magnified, or brightened. Continue reading ‘October is Breast Cancer Month’ »

A cancer diagnosis knocks you flat and before you can get up off the floor, you are swamped by a tsunami of strange medical lingo, perpetual appointments, costly medications, dreadful treatments, possible surgery and an uncertain future. Everything moves along too fast to afford you the luxury of finding your emotional balance.

Just a simple statement from your doctor instantly topples everything familiar and comfortable. Your home, your relationships, your job and your future all change in an instant and will never again be quite the same. Continue reading ‘Cancer: Between Diagnosis And Treatment’ »

How often have you been on holiday and returned feeling more exhausted than you were before you left? With the pace of modern holidays and everyone’s expectations of what we absolutely must see and must do in those precious few weeks away, this is hardly surprising. But there is an alternative. Yoga holidays and retreats are a fantastic way to escape the stresses and strains of modern living and return to the real world feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated.

Half the fun of a holiday is in the planning as this helps build the excitement and anticipation of what is to come. But then by trying to live up to your own expectations, you are likely to overdo things on holiday, rushing around to fit everything in and, more often than not, eating and drinking in a way that your body simply isn’t used to. As a result, you come back home feeling as if you need a holiday to recover from the holiday! Continue reading ‘Release the Stress on a Yoga Getaway’ »

Yoga believes that the mind is central to a diseased condition and pacifying it would in itself help cure the disease to a great extent. Asthma is primarily a disease of the respiratory system, where there is a wheezing cough and a sense of suffocation where the patient has difficulties in inhaling rather than exhaling the air. Some common triggers for asthmatic attacks are allergens like cold, house dust, pollen, animal dander, irritants such as smokes, chemical fumes etc. Asthma is a common disease that affects your breathing, and if you do have an asthma, you find it difficult to breathe if you have an attack. It may also be accompanied by coughing and wheezing and may disrupt your normal day-to-day activities, thus finding help with asthma as early as possible can help you manage its symptoms.

Two days after diving in the Pacific ocean, I was hiking in the snow up Cotopaxi at about 16,000′ (+4800m) above sea level. My extremely fit, but asthma-prone girlfriend began having shortness of breath. I also became light headed, and began experimenting with my breath as I trekked up the volcano. Several such times I inhaled deeply and compressed my chest with my intercostal (rib) muscles for a long moment. This seemed to help increase my consciousness even after I released the breath, and I realized that I had the power to change my physiologic state quite simply.Regular practice of poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), deep relaxation (yoga nidra) and meditation, can help such diverse ailments such as: acidity , allergies, Alzheimer disease, anaemia, anger, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, bronchitis, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, colitis, common cold, constipation, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, eye problems, facial wrinkles, gastro-intestinal disorders, headaches, heartburn, haemorrhoids, hepatitis, high blood pressure, hypertension, immune-deficiency, impotence, menopause, menstrual cramps, migraines, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, nervous tension, obesity, osteoporosis, prostate, enlargement, sciatica, skin problems, sleep apnoea, slipped disk, sterility, stiffness, stress, insomnia, intoxication, thyroid problems, kidney stones, stuttering and stammering, urinary tract disorders for women, vaginal infections and many more…

Continue reading ‘Yoga Helps During Asthma’ »

Aging is an inevitable process and everyone has to go thorough it regardless of the state of health they possess. For some it is a pleasurable experience as they lead healthy lives and age with grace without bearing too many health issues, but for others it is the most difficult phase of life when they are faced with health challenges, medications and treatments that hinder their lifestyles. Regular yoga practice can aid in leading a healthy life and if started early in life can also slow down the process of aging. Regardless of age, yoga is a practice that can immensely improve the overall well being of an individual at any age, and as you grow older, you have more free time to start taking better care of yourself, so it is never too late to begin a yoga program.

Yoga is a wonderful art that possesses the ability to adapt to each individual’s specific needs. Just like yoga during pregnancy concentrates on factors that will aid in a healthy prenatal period, yoga for old age takes into account the health and physical conditions of its practitioner. Senior citizens can benefit from yoga in terms of reducing or eliminating certain health conditions such as arthritis, incontinence, high blood pressure and osteoporosis and also encountering an overall sense of well being. Regular yoga practice increases flexibility, stamina, energy levels and at the same time helps to conquer a number of ailments. Continue reading ‘Is it Safe to Start Yoga in Old Age?’ »

There are many doubts and questions in the minds of pregnant ladies, especially the first timers. For all of those who are going through this period, this article will help you with the answers to most of your pregnancy related queries and doubts.

The first and the most common question asked by pregnant ladies is if it is normal to have a period (menses) while they are pregnant? The answer to this doubt is that the regular menses does not occur during pregnancy but bleeding during early pregnancy may signify that there is a failed miscarriage. If you experience any kind of bleeding, you should contact your Gynec immediately.

The reliability of home pregnancy tests as compared to blood pregnancy tests has always been a cause of concern for all pregnant ladies. But the matter of the fact is that both the tests are done to check one hormone which is called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Home pregnancy tests are around 97% accurate when done correctly. Thus it is very important to follow the instructions which appear on the kit, to complete the test correctly and to get an accurate result.

The next question that is often asked by pregnant ladies is if it is normal to secrete milk from the breast prior to delivery. The answer to this question is that Colostrum or the pre milk is secreted in the later phase of the pregnancy. However, it can happen in an earlier stage too. But one must understand that not all women experience this, and it is normal both ways. If you are leaking, you might use nursing pads to protect your clothing. Nursing pads are available in all reputable pharmacies or drug stores. Continue reading ‘Most Common Pregnancy Questions and Doubts For Pregnant Women’ »

Exfoliate the skin with crystals, stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles, acne and scars.

Use this Crystal Peel Facial product as a body wrap for intense exfoliation and detoxification. It contains ayurvedic oil, has an antibacterial effect, and supports natural skin regeneration.

Regular consumption or use of Crystal Salt provides your body with natural minerals, trace elements and living energy. This will balance the fluids in your body, support proper nutrient absorption and toxin elimination. You will achieve the same purifying effect as going on a several day fast. At the same time you will receive an energy boost due to the high concentration of minerals in the salt mixture. The peeling will also enhance the blood circulation in your skin.

Continue reading ‘Ayurveda Skincare Crystal Peel’ »