KNOW YOUR THYROID

Today’s superwoman, balancing home and career may be more prone to thyroid disorders than she realizes. The pressure of multitasking put her system at risk, which goes up particularly for new mothers.


What is THYROID?
The thyroid is the butterfly shaped gland in front of the neck, which produces the hormones T-3 & T4. The thyroids stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland controls their production.
WHAT CAUSES HYPERTHYROIDISM?
Stress makes the thyroid gland falter. It has strong genetic and gender basis, being more common among women.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM?
It’s often linked to depression or abnormal cholesterol and sugar levels, particularly during pregnancy or lactation. There are a number of subtle symptoms which mimic hypothyroidism, the commonest being “feeling drained or tired”.
This is often accompanied by weight gain, swelling of feet, body of face, water retention, irregular cycles, dry skin, constipation and hair loss.

HOW IS IT TESTED AND TREATED?
Usually, blood tests of Free T3, free T4 and TSH are conducted. The thyroid hormone replacement (T4) pill has to be taken life long.

TIPS TO CONTROL HYPERTHYROIDISM :-

• Eat right and less, walk more, sleep well, smile
• Take medicine regularly.
• Drink boiled or mineral water; avoid water filters which use iodine’s disinfectants.
• Avoid iodine rich foods like broccoli, soya, prawns, shellfish and crabs.
• Get vitamin B12 & Vitamin D3 levels checked, particularly if you’re a vegetarian.
• Test your thyroid regularly and keep it in control.
• The winter season aggravates thyroid, so be careful.
• Lifestyles measures like Yoga have long-term benefits.
  

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK

Poor posture, a sore neck, and aching back muscles don’t happen overnight.Blame it on the eight hours each day we spend at work hunched over a computer, followed by the additional five hours spent slouching on the couch watching television. Regardless, our posture is shot, and our backs are aching in response.

Here are some tips for Back care :-
▪Always stretch before exercise or other strenuous physical activity.

▪ Don’t slouch when standing or sitting. When standing, keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when curvature is reduced.

▪ At home or work, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height for you.

▪ Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the task. Keep your shoulders back. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension. A pillow or rolled-up towel placed behind the small of your back can provide some lumbar support. If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low stool or a stack of books.

▪ Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

▪ Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your spine. Always sleep on a firm surface.

▪ Ask for help when transferring an ill or injured family member from a reclining to a sitting position or when moving the patient from a chair to a bed.

▪ Don’t try to lift objects too heavy for you. Lift with your knees, pull in your stomach muscles, and keep your head down and in line with your straight back. Keep the object close to your body. Do not twist when lifting.

▪ Maintain proper nutrition and diet to reduce and prevent excessive weight, especially weight around the waistline that taxes lower back muscles. A diet with sufficient daily intake of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D helps to promote new bone growth.

SUN EXPOSURE IS GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

SUNNY DAYS....

You must be thinking what am i saying, coz now-a-days every body tries there level best to save themselves from the radiation of Sun. Expert doctors warn us to avoid almost any exposure to these potentially damaging rays – the sun’s radiation is known to suppress our immune system, give us cancer, and cause us premature aging.

BUT we need these rays to lead a healthy life. Just imagine the morning when it is cloudy outside you will feel lowered motivation, sleepiness, increased appetite, weight gain, irritability, and decreased sociability. On the contrary if it is a nice sunny morning you are active, energetic and less nervous. See you can make out difference here itself.

Other than this Sun rays are the main source of Vitamin D lacking which can cause bone deformity known as rickets.One can suffer from the heart diseases, skin diseases as well as from other types of cancers due to the low level of vitamin D in the body.
Some of the common types of cancer which are caused by scarcity of vitamin D include colon cancer and prostate cancer. Vitamin D is a substance which helps in using calcium as well as it is also an essential thing for maintaining the bone health.

Additionally Sun rays does the following :-

-Lowers cholesterol

-Lowers blood pressure

-Promotes thyroid stimulation

-Regulates the immune system

-Stimulates insulin production

-Improves heart muscle contractility

-Early morning Sun rays are recommended by the doctors for people suffering from Acne,Psoriasis,Depression,Osteoporosis.

-Sun rays are preventive measures for Heart diseases.diabetes (type-1),Multiple Sclerosis,Cancers of various types.

Nicely summarized, sunshine is health and happiness.