Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Partying is fun and Diabetes

Partying is fun when moderation runs the show

Partying is part of our lives. Needless to say, no party can be conceived without food and beverages.

While everyone needs to guard against careless indulgence while partying, people with diabetes need to be even more careful. Parties generally tempt people to abandon healthy nutrition habits. However, the question is "how" to enjoy and still keep good health. Believe it or, not, it can be done.

Consider a few tips to start with.

• Do not miss your medicines and blood glucose monitoring on any occasion. Discuss with your doctor how you can enjoy without disturbing your health.

• Try to maintain consistency in meal timings. If food is going to be served late, try having some snacks.

• Practice portion control. You can, in fact, eat a variety of foods including your favorites if only you control the size of the portion of food you eat. A small portion is less likely to upset your blood-sugar levels.

• Follow a regular exercise routine. Moderate increase in physical activities can compensate for excess eating.

While going for a party and family get-together, do consider:

• Check your sugar before you leave so you have a fair idea of where your medication, drinks, food and dancing can take you. Have a small snack before leaving or with you if you think food would be served late.

• Never go to a party hungry. If you've already eaten, you'll be less likely to eat too much. Most buffet tables are filled with heavy, starchy and fatty foods and if you are too much hungry you are likely to eat more.

• Look at the entire buffet table before you eat anything. Choose non-fat or low-fat foods. At parties and other social events, gravitate toward the veggies and fresh fruit. When choosing a meal, try to stick to foods that have been grilled, barbecued, marinated, steamed, baked, or poached. Limit foods that are fried, creamed, buttered or that are served with sauces.

• If you feel that you are tempted by something sweet or a high calorie snack, can have a small serving. Either you can opt for for 1 or 2 units of increased insulin dose that day if you are on insulin or you could exercise little more than usual. If the party includes exercise like dance or other activities, you may be able to eat a little more without taking extra insulin.

• It is better not to have alcohol, as it can affect diabetes in many ways. Ask your doctor as over 100 medications interact with alcohol. If you want to drink, then don't drink on an empty stomach. (No more than 1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men). The effects of alcohol can last well into the next day, so test more frequently and be extra careful throughout the following 24 hours. Always, try to have roasted snacks rather than fried ones with alcohol.

• Water is preferable to any sweetened or alcoholic drink. However, if you're going to have any other beverage, alternate every other drink with a glass of water. This tactic may keep you from drinking too much.

• If the party involves lots of walking or dancing, then have good fitting, comfortable shoes. Wrong footwear can cause blisters or other injuries to your feet.

• Undue exertion may lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugars). Hypoglycemia can be dangerous. So always inform about hypos to your friends, so that you can get the required help if needed. Make sure there is some candy or sugar in your hand bag or pocket.

And if it's you who is hosting the party, it's your opportunity to set a example of health-friendly partying.

• Food doesn't have t 0 be sole means of entertainment. Try making the party fun in other ways.

• Have sugar-free sweets and desserts. Artificial sweeteners like sucralose are safe for baking and cooking.

• Have a wide variety of fruits instead of traditional mithai. You can have a spread of fruit salads, cocktails, chaats, fresh fruit drinks to choose from.

• Not only too much sugar is bad for health; high fat diets are too. Using healthy oils; low fat dairy products; lean meat and choosing microwave grilling or roasting as a method of cooking can go a long way in making your party good health friendly.

With India, being the diabetic capital of the world you can be sure that where you go or you invite a group, you will get a friend with diabetes. So, don’t hide the fact about your diabetes. Indulge in good diabetes care practices and spread them. People with diabetes can enjoy all food in moderation, which actually is good for every one. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle even when you are having a party will have a positive influence on your blood sugar and health. Regular exercise and sensible daily planning would make parties more enjoyable and fun. Pick a nice outfit and be ready for the show!

And always remember - you control diabetes, it doesn't control you.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Suggestions on Diabetes

Q. Can diabetes be cured ?
Diabetes cannot be cured, but can definitely be controlled. People with diabetes can lead a healthy life if their diabetes is well controlled (i.e. when their blood sugar levels are 90-130 mg/dl at fasting and less than 180 mg/dl 2hrs after meals) and other parameters like lipid profile, blood pressure and weight are in prescribed limits.


Q. Can I include fruits in my meal?
All people with diabetes should have at least 2 servings of fruit per day. One serving of fruit should contain 15 grams of carbohydrates. The size of the serving depends on the carbohydrate content of the fruit. The advantage of eating a low-carbohydrate fruit is that you can consume a larger portion. But whether you eat a low-carb or high-carb fruit, as long as the serving size contains 15 grams of carbohydrates, the effect on your blood sugar is the same.

The following fruit servings contain about 15 grams of carbohydrates: 1 Small Apple = 1/2 medium banana =1 1/2 slice mango = 1 1/4 cup watermelon = 1 Guava =15 Grapes = 1 Oranqee = l Peach = 1/2 pomegranate =1 kiwi = 3 Dates = 1/2 chikoo = 2-3 slice of papaya = 3 Plums = 1 1/2 slice pineapple.

So, a person with diabetes can eat any fruit, but the quantity should be measured.

Monday, April 26, 2010

GREEN TEA - good for health

GREEN TEA – good for health.

Healthy Greens
Now, in the pursuit of good health, you may just have to go as far as a pack of green tea and a whistling kettle! Most people think oftea as an enjoyable beverage that is great with some cookies. Well, the steaming, tinted brew isn't as innocuous as it seems!

Green tea was first brewed in China, where it was known as a 'miracle medicine'. In her book, Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, Nadine Taylor states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

Today, research shows us how true that ancient claim was. Green tea, with its medicinal properties, is a boon for the health-conscious and a wonder, even to modern science. The benefits of green tea are many:

Inhibits Cancer
The main ingredient in green tea, Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) inhibits the growth of cancer. The latest good news about green tea comes from a study done at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. A team of researchers headed by Dr Yihai Cao found that green tea can block angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels that tumors need, in order to grow. In an interview, Dr Caoexplained that the polyphenols in green tea prevent angiogenesis, which also explains why green tea is effective in preventing cancer. According to Dr Hasan Mukhtar, professor and research director of Case Western University, Cleveland, studies have shownthat the risk of stomach cancer goes down as consumption of green tea goes up.

Prevents High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
With the chaos of our daily lives, we can do without the added tension of high blood pressure, which can result in heart problems. Scientific studies show that daily consumption of green tea can prevent high blood pressure. 3 to 4 cups of green tea a day, can substantially reduce an individual's risk of heart disease and stroke.

Restricts Buildup of Cholesterol
We all know that fat and cholesterol are bad for our health. Bur that doesn't stop us from drooling over a sinfully creamy dessert, does it? Now green tea brings along some great news for food freaks. Experiments demonstrate that green tea restricts the excessive buildup of blood cholesteroJ. It reduces the bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood and increases the levels of positive cholesterol (HDL), thus reducing the chances of heart disease. For years, researchers were puzzled by what they called the 'French Paradox' … the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French had a very low incidence of heart disease. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and fatty diets. In a 1997 study, researchers from the Universiry of Kansas determined that EGCG, strongly present in green tea, is twice as powerful as resveratrol. Which explains why the rate of heart disease among the Japanese, who are regular drinkers of green tea, is quite low, even though approximately 75 % are smokers.

Lowers the Blood Sugar Level
Let green tea take care of health worries like blood sugar levels. The extract of green tea has the ability to actually lower blood sugar. It is believed that both the EGCG and polysaccharides in green tea are factors in lowering blood sugar.

Strengthens Immune System
Today, we live life right in the midst of the madding crowd ... with deadlines and schedules that leave no time for ourselves. With its share of ups and downs, our body needs to be strong enough to fight common diseases like the flu and other infections. Green tea helps to strengthen a weak immune system, guarding us from illnesses and infections that take a long time to heal.

Prevents Ageing
Oxygen is very important to us, but it can also be a very harmful agent in the form of active or free radical oxygen. One way to slow the ageing process is to prevent the accumulation of active oxygen in our body. This can be done by antioxidants, which are strongly present in green tea.

Oral Hygiene and Dental Care
Now you can flash that charming smile without worrying about bacteria and bad breath. Fluoride in green tea protects tooth enamel and EGCG reduces the development of bacteria growing in the plaque. Green tea can also kill other oral bacteria, which cause bad breath. It also stimulates the production of saliva and reduces the harmful acids that form in the mouth.

Boon for Dieters
Get yourself in shape with a new slimming potion. Yes, green tea can actually help burn fat. In November 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva, in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a green tea extract burned more calories, since green tea helped to excrete more fat.

So Drink To Your Health!
People who drink green tea daily, have lower rates of heart disease and cancer and a higher life expectancy. Unlike other antioxidants, those found in green tea cause no toxic side effects. Sounds good enough to put the kettle to boil and give green tea a try?

To Make That Perfect Cuppa ...
Boil water. Add 3/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of green tea per cup. Soak for 3-5 minutes. Add lemon or sugar to taste. For better results, serve without milk.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

ENT – Problems in the elderly

ENT – Problems in the elderly

About one third of the patients seen by an average ENT specialist are aged more than 65 years. Unfortunately the problems of the aging population through highly important are only partially recognized. The elderly population is more likely to be affected by one or more of the following ENT problems –

• Deafness
• Balance disorders
• Noise in the ears
• Snoring
• Bleeding from the nose
• Swallowing difficulties
• Voice disorders

These ENT problems of elderly population should be addressed immediately.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Hospitality

Hospitality


Hospitality is all about people and relationships. We, at Cindrella, constantly address team spirit and emphasise on quality to make guest comfortable.

There are five important aspects to hospitality – attitude, learning, listening, warmth/smile/care and simplicity. Minute things make a big difference and creates a bigger picture.

In hospitality, consistency is something invaluable.

Today the clear and present danger facing hotels in the brand game is one, and only one. It’s the assumption that the brand promise is reposed in another facet of a hotel, perhaps in its legacy, its technology or its glossy interiors. But like yesterday, it still rests with the employee, who defines, delivers and determines the guest experience.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

The Hospital services are horrible in India

Peter Tiller from UK wrote me,
Hospices are establishments that take care of people who have life-threatening illnesses that cannot be cured. People can spend a short time as a resident, or may move into a hospice when it is too difficult to take care of them at home. They are usually small units and have a doctor who leads a team of nurses and other medical professionals.

The hospice that Terry is now in has ten beds. The medical team there is led by a Consultant in palliative care medicine. In the case of someone who is terminally ill, as Terry is, the medical team will do all they can to make the rest of life as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Terry will also be able to talk to people who are trained in supporting the terminally ill who can help them try and cope with the situation.

We hope that this explanation helps.

Rajendra Baid replied from India,
In India, we have hospital by Govt of India. Moreover every state Government build Large Hospitals in each District Town (Numbering more than 650 ) and Sub-division towns (Numbering more than 3000 ). More over Primary Healthcare Hospitals with 10-20 Beds each in each Block ( more than 12000 ) are there. Moreover Different depts of Govt of India and State Govt build hospitals i.e. Railways, Public Sector Undertakings/ Industry , Army, Border Security Force, Air Force, Navy etc build their hospitals. They give treatment to people free of any charge, but medical facilities standards are different. The people with terminally ill stay in the hospitals, till they die. These Hospitals are treated as Hospices.

Indian Govt Hospital system does not provide right to citizens to get free medical treatment, but it is like begging for treatment. The services are horrible for common citizens and poor people.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Fire Safety Tips

Fire Safety Tips

Conduct a family / office meeting and discuss the following topics:

Make sure all family / office members know what to do in the event of a fire.
Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Make a drawing for each floor. Dimensions do not need to be correct. Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.
Test windows and doors—do they open easy enough? Are they wide enough. Or tall enough?
Switch off the main power connections of the building or floor if possible
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom.
Always sleep with the bedroom doors closed. This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape.
Find a way for everyone to sound a family alarm. Yelling, pounding on walls, whistles, etc. Practice yelling "FIRE!"
In a fire, time is critical. Don't waste time getting dressed, don't search for pets or valuables. Just get out!
Roll out of bed. Stay low. One breath of smoke or gases may be enough to kill.
Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire most likely will make it difficult to see.
Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
Feel all doors before opening them. If a door is hot, get out another way.
Learn to stop, drop to the ground, roll if clothes catch fire.
Additional Tips

Install smoke detectors & Fire extinguishers - Check smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once a year. Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and burning fires. At least one smoke detector should be installed on every level of a structure. By placing smoke detectors close to doors, you accomplish two tasks: Not only does this make enough noise to awaken the family, but it also serves as a way to know the exits by sound, should the smoke hinder your vision.

Buy a fire proof safe - These things are worth their weight in gold. Place all legal documents, birth certificates, marriage license, and voter ID cards, passports, PAN cards inside, computer backup external HDD. Include several cherished photos that can't be replaced, such as baby or wedding pictures, and pictures needed for an itemized insurance list, should there be a total loss.

Post emergency numbers near telephones - Be aware that if a fire threatens your home, you should not place the call to emergency services from inside the home. It is better to get out and place the call to fire authorities from a safe location outside the home.

After a fire emergency - Give first aid where appropriate. Seriously injured victims should be transported to professional medical help immediately. Stay out of the damaged building. Return only when fire authorities say it is safe.

Make sure you have a safe fire escape method for all situations - You may have installed a very expensive home security system. But if you cannot escape the burning structure you have a false level of confidence.

Space Heaters Need Space - Keep portable and space heaters, geysers at least 3 feet from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to sleep. Children and pets should always be kept away from them.

Smokers Need To Be Extra Careful - Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy. Carelessly discarded cigarettes are a leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.

Be Careful Cooking - Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward so they do not over-hang the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and smother the flames, then turn off the burner.

Matches and Lighters are Dangerous - In the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly! Store them where kids can't reach them, preferably in a locked area. Teach children that matches and lighters are "tools" and should only be used by adults.

Use Electricity Safely - If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don't overload extension cords. They should not be run under rugs. Never tamper with the fuse box or use the improper size fuse.

Cool a Burn - If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound under cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately!

Be Careful of Halogen Lights - If you have halogen lights, make sure they are away from flammable drapes and low ceiling areas. Never leave them on when you leave your home or office.

Fire can engulf a house in 60 seconds! Make sure you have a safe and quick method of escape!

Also get a fire insurance policy to cover the damage for your home and office - Take pictures. An at home fire safety plan for your belongings involves taking pictures beforehand. Of course you know everything that's in your house, but trying to recollect every toothbrush, washcloth, and sweater can become overwhelming, after the fact. You will have to list all items for the insurance company. Your at home fire safety plan should involve being able to list what's in the home.

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Effective Use of Time

Effective Use of Time

One of the most important factors in our life is time. Each one of us has specific amount of time measured to us and as the clock moves forward the time left to us becomes less and less. Wisely has it been said that “lost wealth may be regained by industry and economy, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance and medicine but the lost time is gone for ever.” The success in life depends on whether we have put each moment of time available to us to the best possible use or wasted it.

“I am too busy”, “I haven’t the time” are the usual replies we hear from the top executives. This is often an unconscious effort to excuse incapacity. There is always enough time to go around if it is used properly. If we enquire in detail we would be shocked to know how waste of time is going on everyday in offices, factories and stores.
(a) Letter redictated because information was not
fully assembled before first dictation 10 Minutes
(b) Half-an-hour writing a formal report which
could have been better in a three-sentence memo 25 Minutes
(c) Ten minute’s coffee break stretched to 25 minutes 15 Minutes
(d) Looked for a paper not properly placed 10 Minutes
(e) Went upper storey to see the Boss to know his
programme which could have been enquired from
his P .A. on phone 15 Minutes
(f) A fellow executive comes for a minute’s consultation
and indulged in idle gossips with him 20 Minutes
(g) Inspected a new machine installation which could
have better been supervised by a foreman 40 Minutes
(h) Telephone from wife discussing an outing programme
for the evening 5 Minutes
(i) Waited alongwith four others, in a conference, for
a file which could have been collected beforehand 10 Minutes
(j) Work interrupted too often when clerks and supervisors
came to supply information or to seek clarification 30 Minutes
Total avoidable waste of time for the working-hour-day 180 Minutes
Planning effective use of time
Before you plan out your work you need to know, in detail, exactly how you spend your time. For this purpose you should record time spent on various activities in a day atleast for a week. The time taken by each activity may be recorded. Compilation of these figure will reveal the pattern of activities, tasks involving greatest expenditure of time and factors responsible for waste of time. On the basis of this analysis it is possible to plan or budget your daily time.