Foodviki: July 2017

A Vegetarian Recipe - Peanut Butter Bars

July 06, 2017

What Is a Crush and Why Do I Have One?

July 05, 2017

You both like basketball, listen to the same music, and eat strawberry ice cream with chocolate chips. How could anyone else have so much in common?He has the coolest hair, and he is so funny, but every time you see him, you feel shy and embarrassed.

You don't even know her, but you feel nervous whenever you see her. Your face feels hot and your cheeks get red.If a girl or boy is making you feel this way, you might be wondering, "What is going on?" Well, it sounds like you have a crush.

What Is a Crush and Why Do I Have One?

Just as our bodies grow as we get older, so do our feelings. They change and mature as we become preteens, teenagers, and adults. A crush is a word used to describe special feelings you have for another person, a classmate, or friend that you really like.

Noticing your first crush is an exciting time in life because you're beginning to understand how it feels to like another person a lot!

Sometimes, feelings for a crush can be confusing because they're new to you and you aren't sure how to act. You could have mixed feelings. When you see your crush, a part of you might feel embarrassed and you might want to run away and hide. Another part of you might imagine your crush noticing you and sharing the same feelings.

Crushes are a little bit like the romantic love adults feel toward one another. And in a way, a crush can help us think about the kind of person that we want to love when we grow up. They help us understand which qualities we notice and like in another person and maybe a few that we don't like.

The Object of Your Affection

You can't choose your crushes. Sometimes they sneak up on you and — wow — who was that? Your crush might be a classmate, a neighbor, your best friend's crush, an older kid, a friend of your brother or sister, a sister or brother of a friend, or a teacher at your school.

Your crush could even be on someone you don't know, like a professional athlete or a celebrity. When the crush is on someone you don't know, you might imagine what that person is like. Maybe you think about what it would be like to meet that person, even though you know you probably never will. It's still fun to imagine!

You might find yourself writing the name of your crush over and over again in a notebook or telling a good friend about that special person you like so much. Crushes might last a few days, weeks, months, or longer.

What Does It Feel Like to Have a Crush?

If you feel strange around your crush, you're not alone. That's how most people feel around their crushes. You might feel shy or giddy or maybe even shy and giddy all at once! Some people can't remember what they want to say when they see their crush. They feel speechless, or tongue-tied.

Some kids might chase their crushes around the playground, call them on the phone, or tease them to get attention. This might make a person feel uncomfortable. Have you ever felt this way? It can be hard to control how you feel, but the rules of good behavior still apply. If your crush doesn't want to talk with you or it seems like you're making the person uncomfortable, it's time to back off.

Likewise, never let anyone behave in a way that makes you feel funny or uncomfortable. It's never OK for anyone a kid or a grown-up to do or ask things of you that don't feel right. That's not a good crush.

If I Have a Crush, What Do I Do?

When you develop special feelings toward someone, it can change your world. You might want to talk on the phone or ask your crush to your birthday party or a school dance. As you get older and your feelings change, you might be ready for your first boyfriend or girlfriend and even your first kiss! But for now, you might just be friends with your crush, if your crush wants to be friends with you.

You might or might not want to tell other people who your crush is. It can be fun to talk with friends about it, but sometimes kids tease other kids about crushes. Getting teased is never fun, so if you know about other kids' crushes, don't give them a hard time!

Some people call first loves or first crushes "puppy love" because these feelings are new to you, you're young, and you don't have much experience with life. You're the puppy! Get it? Think about how a puppy is so excited and happy with everything new in its life — from a rubber bone to an old shoe. But when your feelings seem real and strong, it may not seem like puppy love to you.

If you need someone to talk with about a crush, a parent can be a good choice. Remember, they were kids once, too, and they know what it's like. Can you imagine who your mom or dad's first crush was? Maybe they'll tell you about it!

What if Someone Breaks My Heart?

When you have a crush on someone and you find out that he or she likes you, too, it's a wonderful feeling. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. It's hard to find out that the person you like doesn't feel the same way about you. You might feel sad, disappointed, and rejected. That sad feeling is called heartbreak, even though your heart isn't really breaking into pieces. If you feel heartbreak, those feelings can last for a while, but they will fade.

Another word about heartbreak: Try to be kind if you're on the other end of a crush — when someone likes you. It's a compliment when someone thinks you're special. If you don't feel the same way, try to tell him or her in a nice way.

Crushes are new and exciting, so enjoy them while they last. Someday, you'll be telling your own kids about your first crush!

Health

Bedwetting Causes, Symptoms,Treatment & Medications

July 05, 2017

Soggy sheets and pajamas and an embarrassed child are a familiar scene in many homes. But don't despair. Bed-wetting isn't a sign of toilet training gone bad. It's often just a normal part of a child's development.Bed-wetting is also known as nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis. Generally, bed-wetting before age 7 isn't a concern. At this age, your child may still be developing nighttime bladder control.

If bed-wetting continues, treat the problem with patience and understanding. Bladder training, moisture alarms or medication may help reduce bed-wetting.

What is Bedwetting?

Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, refers to the unintentional passage of urine during sleep. Enuresis is the medical term for wetting, whether in the clothing during the day or in bed at night. Another name for enuresis is urinary incontinence.

For infants and young children, urination is involuntary. Wetting is normal for them. Most children achieve some degree of bladder control by 4 years of age. Daytime control is usually achieved first, while nighttime control comes later.

The age at which bladder control is expected varies considerably.

Some parents expect dryness at a very early age, while others not until much later. Such a time line may reflect the culture and attitudes of the parents and caregivers.

Factors that affect the age at which wetting is considered a problem include the following:

The child's gender: Bedwetting is more common in boys.

The child's development and maturity

The child's overall physical and emotional health. Chronic illness and/or emotional and physical abuse may predispose to bedwetting.

Bedwetting is a very common problem.

Parents must realize that enuresis is involuntary. The child who wets the bed needs parental support and reassurance.

Bedwetting is a treatable condition.

While children with this embarrassing problem and their parents once had few choices except waiting to "grow out of it," there are now treatments that work for many children.

Several devices, treatments, and techniques have been developed to help these children stay dry at night.

What Causes Bedwetting?

While bedwetting can be a symptom of an underlying disease, the large majority of children who wet the bed have no underlying illness. In fact, a true organic cause is identified in only a small percentage of children who wet the bed. However, this does not mean that the child who wets the bed can control it or is doing it on purpose. Children who wet the bed are not lazy, willful, or disobedient.

There are two types of bedwetting: primary and secondary. Primary bedwetting refers to bedwetting that has been ongoing since early childhood without a break. A child with primary bedwetting has never been dry at night for any significant length of time. Secondary bedwetting is bedwetting that starts again after the child has been dry at night for a significant period of time (at least six months).

In general, primary bedwetting probably indicates immaturity of the nervous system. A bedwetting child does not recognize the sensation of the full bladder during sleep and thus does not awaken during sleep to urinate into the toilet.

The cause is likely due to one or a combination of the following:

The child cannot yet hold urine for the entire night.

The child does not waken when his or her bladder is full. Some children may have a smaller bladder volume than their peers.

The child produces a large amount of urine during the evening and night hours.

The child has poor daytime toilet habits. Many children habitually ignore the urge to urinate and put off urinating as long as they possibly can. Parents are familiar with the "potty dance" characterized by leg crossing, face straining, squirming, squatting, and groin holding that children use to hold back urine.

Secondary bedwetting can be a sign of an underlying medical or emotional problem. The child with secondary bedwetting is much more likely to have other symptoms, such as daytime wetting.

Common causes of secondary bedwetting include the following:

Urinary tract infection: The resulting bladder irritation can cause lower abdominal pain or irritation with urination (dysuria), a stronger urge to urinate (urgency), and frequent urination (frequency). Urinary tract infection in children may in turn indicate another problem, such as an anatomical abnormality.

Diabetes: People with type I diabetes have a high level of sugar (glucose) in their blood. The body increases urine output as a consequence of excessive blood glucose levels. Having to urinate frequently is a common symptom of diabetes.

Structural or anatomical abnormality: An abnormality in the organs, muscles, or nerves involved in urination can cause incontinence or other urinary problems that could show up as bedwetting.

Neurological problems: Abnormalities in the nervous system, or injury or disease of the nervous system, can upset the delicate neurological balance that controls urination.

Emotional problems: A stressful home life, as in a home where the parents are in conflict, sometimes causes children to wet the bed. Major changes, such as starting school, a new baby, or moving to a new home, are other stresses that can also cause bedwetting. Children who are being physically or sexually abused sometimes begin bedwetting.

Sleep patterns: Obstructive sleep apnea (characterized by excessively loud snoring and/or choking while asleep) can be associated with enuresis.

Pinworm infection: characterized by intense itching of the anal and/or genital area.

Excessive fluid intake.

Bedwetting tends to run in families. Many children who wet the bed have a parent who did, too. Most of these children stop bedwetting on their own at about the same age the parent did

What Are Risk Factors for Bedwetting?

Risk factors for the development of enuresis include

male gender and family history;
medical conditions such as abnormal anatomy or function of the kidneys, bladder, or neurologic system;
sleep apnea;
chronic constipation;
sexual abuse;
excessive fluid intake before bedtime;
urinary tract infection; and
some medications (for example, caffeine).

What Symptoms May Be Associated With Bedwetting?

Most people who wet their beds, wet only at night. They tend to have no other symptoms other than wetting the bed at night.

Other symptoms could suggest psychological causes or problems with the nervous system or kidneys and should alert the family or health-care provider that this may be more than routine bedwetting.

Wetting during the day
Frequency, urgency, or burning on urination
Straining, dribbling, or other unusual symptoms with urination
Cloudy or pinkish urine, or blood stains on underpants or pajamas
Soiling, being unable to control bowel movements (known as fecal incontinence or encopresis)
Constipation

Frequency of urination is different for children than for adults.

While many adults urinate only three or four times a day, children urinate much more frequently, in some cases as often as 10-12 times each day.
"Frequency" as a symptom should be judged in terms of what is normal for that particular child.
Equally important, "infrequent voiding" (less than three times urinating/day) can be a sign of other underlying problems.

Fecal impaction may present as constipation. Both fecal impaction and constipation cause straining, which can injure the nearby urinary sphincters, muscles that control flow of urine out of the body.

Fecal impaction occurs when feces becomes so tightly packed in the lower intestine (colon) and rectum that passing a bowel movement becomes very difficult or even impossible. When the stool is passed, it is often a painful experience.
The hard, tightly packed feces in the rectum can press on the bladder and surrounding nerves and muscles, interfering with bladder control.
Neither fecal impaction nor constipation is unusual in children.
A strict bowel regimen utilizing dietary modification and/or over the counter medications can often alleviate bedwetting

What Specialists Treat Bedwetting?

Routine evaluation and management of both primary and secondary enuresis should be in the domain of a pediatrician or family practice physician. If a complex cause for the child's enuresis is determined or if routine therapies are not helpful, a consultation with a pediatric urologist would be in order.

When Should a Child Seek Medical Care for Bedwetting?

The decision of when to involve your health-care professional is variable and is most commonly based on how the situation is affecting the child, as well as the parents. If the child displays only nighttime wetting without any other symptoms, then the decision about when to seek medical treatment is up to the family.

It is probably a good time to seek medical help when the child is 5-7 years of age.
Referral to a specialized enuresis clinic is likely not needed for most children with no other symptoms. This is a reasonable problem for the child's pediatrician to handle.

A child should be checked without delay for an underlying medical problem if he or she develops any other physical or behavioral symptoms.

What Exams and Tests Assess Bedwetting?

The health-care provider will ask many questions about the child's symptoms and about many other factors that can contribute to bedwetting. These include the following:

The pregnancy and birth
Growth and development, including toilet training (both urine and stool)
Medical conditions. Specific attention is focused on the following:

Wetness of underwear: indicates day and nighttime enuresis
Palpating stool in the abdomen: indicates possible constipation or other obstruction
Excoriation of genital or vaginal area: possible scratching due to pinworms
Poor growth and/or high blood pressure: possible kidney disease
Abnormalities of the lower spine: possible spinal cord abnormalities
Poor urinary stream or dribbling: possible urinary abnormalities

Medications, vitamins, and other supplements
Family history if one or both parents were enuretic, approximately one-half to three-quarters of their offspring may also wet the bed. Identical twins are twice as likely to both be enuretic when compared to fraternal siblings.
Home and school life: recent stress, how this problem is affecting the child and family, any attempts at therapy which have been tried
Behavior
Toilet habits: Record a voiding diary (daytime pattern and volume of urine, to determine bladder volume) and stool diary (to evaluate for constipation).
Nighttime routines
Diet, exercise, and other habits: Is there caffeine intake?

There is no medical test that can pinpoint the cause of primary enuresis. Secondary enuresis more commonly reflects underlying pathology and thus warrants laboratory and possibly radiologic evaluation.

A routine urine test (urinalysis) usually is performed to rule out any urinary tract infection or kidney disease.
An X-ray or ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder may be done if a physical problem is suspected. Occasionally, MRI examination of the lower spine/pelvis is indicated.

Generally, medical professionals divide bedwetting into uncomplicated and complicated cases.

Uncomplicated cases consist of only bedwetting with no other symptoms, a normal urinary stream, and no daytime urination complaints or soiling. These children have a normal physical exam and urinalysis findings.
Complicated cases may be any of the following: wetting in relation to another disease or condition, problems urinating, soiling or daytime urinary incontinence, or urinary tract infections. These children require further evaluation.

Children who have complicated bedwetting may be referred to a specialist in urinary tract problems (urologist) for further evaluation.

What Are Treatments for Bedwetting?

General Principles

Bedwetting is typically seen more as a social disturbance than a medical disease. It creates embarrassment and anxiety in the child and sometimes conflict between parents. The single most important thing parents can and should do is to be supportive and reassuring rather than blaming and punishing. Primary nocturnal enuresis has a very high rate of spontaneous resolution.

The many treatment options range from home remedies to drugs, even surgery for children with anatomical problems.

Underlying medical or emotional conditions should first be ruled out.
If there is an underlying condition, it should be treated and eradicated.
If bedwetting persists once these steps are taken, however, there is considerable debate as to how and when to treat.

Treatment of uncomplicated bedwetting is not appropriate for children younger than 5 years of age.

Because a majority of children 5 years and older spontaneously stop bedwetting without any treatment, many medical professionals generally choose to observe the child until age 7.
The age at which to treat, then, depends on the attitudes of the child, the parents/caregivers, and the health-care provider.

Are There Home Remedies for Bedwetting?

Here are some tips for helping your child stop wetting the bed. These are techniques that are most often successful.

Reduce evening fluid intake. The child should try to not take excessive fluids, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated drinks, or citrus after 3 p.m. Routine fluids with dinner are appropriate.
The child should urinate in the toilet before bedtime.
Set a goal for the child of getting up at night to use the toilet. Instead of focusing on making it through the night dry, help the child understand that it is more important to wake up every night to use the toilet.
A system of sticker charts and rewards works for some children. The child gets a sticker on the chart for every night of remaining dry. Collecting a certain number of stickers earns a reward. For younger children, such a motivational approach has been shown to provide significant improvement (14 consecutive dry nights) in most children with a low relapse rate (two wet nights out of 14).
Make sure the child has safe and easy access to the toilet. Clear the path from his or her bed to the toilet and install night-lights. Provide a portable toilet if necessary.
Some believe that you should avoid using diapers or pull-ups at home because they can interfere with the motivation to wake up and use the toilet. Others argue that pull-ups help the child feel more independent and confident. Many parents limit their use to camping trips or sleepovers.

The parents' attitude toward the bedwetting is all-important in motivating the child.

Focus on the problem: bedwetting. Avoid blaming or punishing the child. The child cannot control the bedwetting, and blaming and punishing just make the problem more frustrating for all.
Be patient and supportive. Reassure and encourage the child often. Do not make an issue out the bedwetting each time it happens.
Enforce a "no teasing" rule in the family. No one is allowed to tease the child about the bedwetting, including those outside the immediate family. Do not discuss the bedwetting in front of other family members.
Help the child understand that the responsibility for being dry is his or hers and not that of the parents. Reassure the child that you want to help him or her overcome the problem. If applicable, remind him that a close relative successfully dealt with this same issue.

The child should be included in the clean-up process.

To increase comfort and reduce damage, use washable absorbent sheets, waterproof bed covers, and room deodorizers.

Self-awakening programs are designed for children who are capable of getting up at night to use the toilet, but do not seem to understand its importance.

One technique is to have the child rehearse the sequence of events involved in getting up from bed to use the toilet during the night prior to going to bed each night.
Another strategy is daytime rehearsal. When the child feels the urge to urinate, he or she should go to bed and pretend he or she is sleeping. He or she should then wait a few minutes and get out of bed to use the toilet.

Parent-awakening programs can be used if self-awakening programs fail. These programs should only be used at the child's request. Interruption of sleep should be a last resort.

The parent should awaken the child, typically at the parents' bedtime.
The child must then locate the bathroom on his or her own for this to be productive. The child needs to be gradually conditioned to awaken easily with sound only.
When this is done for seven nights in a row, the child is either cured or ready for self-awakening programs or alarms.

Bedwetting alarms have become the mainstay of treatment.

A majority of children stop bedwetting after using these alarms for 12-16 weeks.
Some children start wetting the bed again when the alarm is discontinued (relapse). However, the positive response to reinstating the alarm system is rapid due to the behavioral conditioning experienced during the first treatment cycle. With persistence, this method works for a majority in the long run.
These alarms take time to work. The child should use the alarm for a few weeks or even months before considering it a failure.
There are two types of alarms: audio and tactile (buzzing) alarms.
The principle is that the wetness of the urine bridges a gap in the sensor, which in turn sets off the alarm. The sensor is placed either on the child's underwear or bed pad.
The child then awakens, shuts off the alarm, finishes urinating in the toilet, returns to the bedroom, changes clothes and the bedding, wipes down the sensor, resets the alarm, and returns to sleep.
Alarms are preferred over medications for children because they have no side effects.
It is generally believed that all children 7 years and older should be given a trial of an alarm.
For the alarm to be effective, the child must desire to use it. Both the child and parents need to be highly motivated.

Beware of devices or other treatments that promise a quick "cure" for bedwetting. There really is no such thing. Stopping bedwetting is, for most children, a matter of patience, motivation, and time

What Is the Medical Treatment for Bedwetting?

After an organic cause has been ruled out, there is no medical urgency to treat the child. Bedwetting tends to go away by itself. Discuss the treatment options with your child's health-care provider; together you can decide whether treatment is right for your child.

Several drug therapies are available.

These are typically reserved for children who have not stayed dry by using the alarms.
Adults with bedwetting often take medications. They may have to stay on the medication indefinitely.
The drugs do not work for everyone, and they can have significant side effects.
The two drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for bedwetting are desmopressin (DDAVP) and imipramine (Tofranil). Others, which are not specifically approved for bedwetting, are oxybutynin (Ditropan, Urotrol) and hyoscyamine (Cystospaz, Levsin, Anaspaz).
Medical opinion is divided on using drugs to treat bedwetting. Many believe that, since the child will outgrow the bedwetting anyway, the risks outweigh the benefits of taking the drugs.

Surgery for Bedwetting

Certain underlying medical or physical conditions may require surgery.

What Medications Treat Bedwetting?

Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), a substance that occurs naturally in the body and is responsible to limiting the formation of urine.

It has been in use for the treatment of bedwetting for about 10 years and is generally the first medication prescribed.
This drug imitates ADH in the body, which is secreted by the brain; it increases the concentration of the urine and reduces the amount of urine formed. It is recommended to be taken just before going to bed.
Its main use is for children who have not been helped by an alarm. It is also used as a stopgap measure to help children attend camps or sleepovers without embarrassment.
DDAVP comes as a pill and is taken before bedtime. Side effects are uncommon but include headache, runny nose, nasal stuffiness, and nosebleeds. A previously manufactured nasal spray form is generally not used since it is more likely to be associated with potentially severe side effects.
The dose is adjusted until effective. Once it is working, the dose is tapered if possible. About 25% of children with enuresis will have total dryness with desmopressin, while approximately 50% will have a significant decrease in bedwetting. When compared with alarm devices, however, approximately 60% of patients will return to bedwetting when DDAVP administration is stopped.

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that has been used to treat bedwetting for about 30 years.

How it works is not clear, but it is known to have a relaxing effect on the bladder and to decrease the depth of sleep in the last third of the night.
Initial cure rates range from 10%-60%, and it has a relapse rate of up to 80%.
Side effects tend to be rare with correct dosage, but nervousness, anxiety, constipation, and personality changes have been reported.
It can have toxic side effects if taken improperly or as an accidental overdose. Deaths have been attributed to accidental overdoses - most commonly associated with abnormal heart-rhythm patterns.
It may be combined with desmopressin if desmopressin alone is not effective.

More Good News

If you wet the bed, there are some things you can do to stay dry. Try not to drink anything after dinner and remember to go to the bathroom before going to bed. If you do wet the bed, help with the cleanup by pulling off the sheets and putting them in the laundry.

A lot of doctors think that the best treatment for enuresis is a program that retrains your brain to do one of two things:

wake you up so you can go to the bathroom

stay asleep and hold it until morning

This program includes doing bladder exercises, such as waiting a little longer to pee during the day, reading about and imagining staying dry, or even using a tiny alarm. The alarm is connected to a pad placed in your underwear at night. If you start to urinate, the pad senses the moisture and sets off the alarm. Different alarms make a loud noise, vibrate, or do both, but they're all easy to use and can help wake even the deepest sleeper.

There are medicines for kids who wet the bed. They might help you temporarily, but they don't cure bedwetting. These medicines work best when combined with the alarm or other training programs.

It may take some practice to retrain your brain, and you'll need to be patient. But eventually, you will stop wetting the bed.

Men's Health

Reasons Women Struggle to Lose Weight

July 04, 2017

Trying to lose weight? Having trouble? Women often find it harder than men to shed excess pounds. In part that's because women's bodies have a tendency to "hold on" to a certain amount of fat. But in some cases the problem can be traced directly to certain habits and lifestyle traps - including many that can easily be remedied.

Being over-weight makes you conscious about how you look and at times it hurts your self-confidence. But weight is not always about how you look. Excessive weight brings with it greater risks of cancer, heart disease, premature aging and untimely health.

These problems are not small. And that is why a lot of people make efforts to lose weight. The struggle is said to be the most beautiful part of the story. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

And what can be better than your struggle bearing sweet fruits? But at times women struggle a lot but their struggle brings no effects. Losing weight is an art. It has several dimensions and all of them are to be taken care of. It is one thing where hard work doesn’t pay unless accompanied with smart choices.

So if you have tried everything and still couldn’t see the desired result then lets your eyes spark with hope now. Take a look at this article to know about what you might have been doing wrong or what problems could be there and rectify it.

Here are five reasons why women might struggle to lose weight:

Wrong Eating Habits

Choosing processed food over fresh food, drinking your calories, eating things with a dearth of essential nutrients, skipping breakfasts are some major mistakes that one might make. Make sure that your plate consists of natural foods and not the processed ones.

Processed fake foods will make your body famish for essential nutrients and will give you no benefits. Develop a taste for fresh organically grown healthy fruits and vegetables. Not eating is not how you lose weight.

Eating enough and healthy is the new cool. Your breakfast should be your heaviest meal of the day. If weight loss would have been the language then breakfast would surely be the ABC’s of that language. Keep in mind that healthy breakfast is essential to enhance the metabolism.

Thyroid Trouble

Some women have trouble losing weight because of a hormonal problem. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, pumps out hormones that control body metabolism. If the gland's output isn't high enough, a condition known as hypothyroidism, the pounds can pile on - and stay on. If you think thyroid trouble might underlie your weight-loss difficulties, a doctor can test your hormone levels via a simple blood test. If you have a deficiency, effective treatment is available.

Oprah Winfery is just one of many celebrities to suffer from hypothyroidism. She wrote that the condition "slowed down my metabolism and made me want to sleep all the time. (Most people gain weight. I did! Twenty pounds!)"

Competing with Others rather than Yourself

This is the era of competition. Competition keeps you motivated, active and focussed. But the quest is to choose whom to compete with. At times you have to compete with others. But for weight loss competing with others will either give you non-existential happiness or sadness.

When it comes to weight loss, your real competition must only be you yourself. Each human is different from other. What works for one might not work for another or might work totally different from some other person.

Every time you look into the mirror, know that you love yourself. Adore the entire struggle that you’re doing now. Take pride in how far you have come and keep working harder to reach where you have to go.

You are one of a kind and very much pretty yourself. You need not look better than others. Because everyone is different and everyone is beautiful. All you need to work for is to look better than what you looked yesterday. That is how you will win the weight loss battle.

Certain Medications

Some medicines like anti-depressants, birth control pills and steroids that treat certain allergies can make you gain unwanted weight. These weight-gaining side effects of such medicines initiate within a few weeks.

If it is because of medicines that you’re gaining weight then you should probably talk to your doctors to suggest you some other alternatives. They could probably suggest you some alternatives that will help you to lose weight or at least won’t make you gain more weight.

If that is not possible then make sure you monitor your food and also the amount of exercise that you indulge in each day.

Your Medicine Is to Blame

It's true - pills can make you fat. All sorts of prescription medicines can cause weight gain, including steroids, which are commonly used to treat asthma and other inflammatory conditions, and certain antidepressants.

What to do? If you think a drug might be contributing to your weight problem, ask your doctor. If he/she can't suggest an alternative drug, you might simply have to be extra-vigilant about what you eat and how much exercise you get.

Not Understanding the Importance of Salt

It is the world known fact that many processed foods contain an immense amount of salts which is one of the reasons why they taste so good. And this is one of the reasons why people who want to lose weight, avoid processed foods.

But many people are not aware that in the case of salts, less is always more. People reduce their intake of salt thinking that it will make them lose weight but what they not know is that unnecessary curbing of salt can have negative repercussions and at times causes blood pressure and metabolic problems too. Too much salt can be dangerous but too less salt doesn’t do any good too. Make a wise choice!

Not getting Enough Sleep

Leptin and ghrelin are the hunger hormones which are affected by sleep. The dearth of proper sleep also hinders and slows down your metabolic processes and therefore it might be taking you far away from your weight loss goals.

Leptin instructs your brain to stop eating while ghrelin stimulates hunger. Improper sleep reduces leptin and increases ghrelin and thus makes you gain unwanted and undue weight. You are also losing weight while sleeping.

While sleeping, your body is working hard to burn those calories. So for those who think that waking up is the only way to work hard, it is time to change your thoughts a bit.

Skipping Breakfast

Your metabolism is like a car. If you don't put gas in the tank, it won't run. And skipping breakfast helps ensure that your fat-burning metabolism never gets out of the driveway.

Marisa Sherry, RD, a registered dietitian in private practice in New York City, recommends eating breakfast one hour after waking up. What's on the menu she recommends to her clients? Oatmeal with berries and crushed walnuts is a great choice.

So these were some common mistakes that most of us make. Weight loss has its own intricacies that need to be understood before heading on in a direction.

You may know where you want to go and you must be working hard but if you are not aware of all the dos and don’ts then sorry to say but your journey will not make you reach your destination. So know what you’re doing and make sure you do it right. Then there is nothing that can stop you.

Fitness

How To Tell If your Stomach Acid Is Too Weak Using Just A Beet

July 04, 2017

It is an interesting fact that eating a beet can help you determine your stomach acid levels.It is very easy and simple. Just eat this veggie then check your urine color.

If your pee is clear, this indicates that you have enough stomach acid. If the color of your urine is pink, this means that your stomach acid is quite weak.

The stomach acid requires a pH so it can break down proteins and make vitamin B12 more available. If you are deficient in stomach acid, your body will not be able to digest proteins properly. In this case, they will go in the small intestine as protein fragments.

As a result, this will cause various health problems, including leaky gut. This problem occurs when gluten particles make holes in the small intestine, thus allowing undigested food components to reach the bloodstream.

Moreover, improper absorption of vitamin B12 can make you more fatigued. This means that your gut will be developing problems and you will be drained out and tired the entire time!

Fortunately, beet can help you to find out what is going on with your stomach.

In a case your urine has pink tones after eating this veggie, this means that your pH is very low and you should do this:

Drink 2 glasses of water 15-30 minutes before eating

Drinking water before having your meals will give your stomach a water jacket, thus protecting it from the acid. According to the Ayurvedic medicine, the stomach will respond in the right way and increase the release of hydrochloric acid.

Drink a large sip of organic apple cider vinegar

In order to lower the stomach acidity, you should drink apple cider vinegar before you eat. Make sure to use 1 tablespoon of ACV for each glass of water.

More Benefits Of Beets

Anti-Cancer Properties

Beet juice has a high nutritional profile. It is a great source of antioxidants, potassium, betailing, and folate. It is extremely beneficial for the prevention of cancer. Many studies showed that people with solid tumors experience remission. The individuals consumed beet powder in water. It was the regular consumption of beet powder that led to tumor shrinkage.

Top Health Food

Summer Fancy Food Show claims that beets are one of the 5 most beneficial foods. They have the ability to improve digestion, lower blood pressure levels, and boost libido. They can be grilled, make into delicious juices, or simply added to salads.

Fight Inflammation

Beets have a rich content of betaine, the nutrient that protects enzymes, cells, and proteins. Due to the high content of this nutrient, beets can effectively fight inflammation, protect the internal organs, and prevent many chronic diseases.

Detoxification Support

Beets contain pigments that can support the process in which toxins are attached to other molecules, so they can be effectively eliminated from our body. This process is known as body`s phase II detoxification process.

Beauty

Facts You Should Know About Bras and Boobs

July 04, 2017

Some girls can't wait for them to come and look forward to their arrival as they would their birthday, first kiss, or a soccer championship.Other girls dread them as much as eating a big plate of Brussels sprouts or changing the kitty litter.

But most girls have mixed feelings and are not quite certain why they have them and what to do about them. Boys don't have them, but they're likely to be curious about them.

What's the mystery subject? We're talking about breasts. If you're a girl, look down and there they are or will be soon. They are just two mounds of flesh, but they get a lot of attention. As a girl matures and goes through puberty, breasts tell the world that this girl is leaving girlhood and entering a new stage in her life.

Because large breasts get attention (just look at magazines, TV, or movies), some girls may worry if their breasts are small or if they mature more slowly. Girls with large breasts may be unhappy, too, because their shape attracts attention they don't want. The truth is that beauty doesn't come in just one bra size. There are all sorts of female shapes and sizes in the world, and all are beautiful.

But breasts do more than just look nice. Girls have them so they can do an important job later in life. Someday, if the girl grows up to have a baby, her breasts can provide the milk the baby needs. Breast milk is the very best food for babies and mom is the source. And it doesn't matter if those breasts are small, medium, or large. All sizes can produce enough milk to feed a baby.

When Do Breasts Start Growing?

Breasts can start growing as early as age 8 or as late as 13. Some girls' breasts grow slowly and others grow quickly. Some girls may feel like their breasts will never start growing. But it's just that girls start developing at different ages and different rates. One girl might have more developed breasts at 12, whereas her friend could be still flat as a board.

Breast development happens in stages. The first stage starts during the early part of puberty, when a girl's ovaries enlarge and estrogen, an important female hormone, begins to circulate in the body. Doctors often refer to the early stages of breast development as "breast budding." Get it? Budding — like a flower has buds.

A breast bud is like a small raised bump behind the nipple. After breast budding happens, the nipple and the circle of skin around the nipple (called the areola) get bigger and a little darker. Then the area around the nipple and areola starts to grow into a breast.

As breasts keep growing, they may be pointy for a while before becoming rounder and fuller. For some girls, one breast might be a little bigger than the other one. A girl's breasts may continue to grow during the teen years and even into her early twenties. Fully developed breasts come in all shapes and sizes.

Breast size gets a lot of attention and many girls may wonder how they can make their breasts grow faster or bigger. Despite what some magazine ads say, there isn't any magic cream or pill that can speed up the process or make a girl's breasts larger than they are. In fact, breast size is mostly determined by heredity and a girl's weight. So if a girl's mother has big breasts or small breasts, the girl can expect to have breasts of similar size. And a girl who has more body fat is more likely to have larger breasts.

Getting a Bra

Once a girl has breasts, a bra is a good idea, especially when the girl is exercising and playing sports. Bras can protect breast tissue and keep the breasts supported. Some girls may also like that bras smooth out their silhouettes and make them feel more comfortable. A bra can make a girl feel less exposed when she's wearing a light shirt, such as a T-shirt.

Some girls look forward to getting their first bras, but others dread that event. Like anything new, wearing a bra can be tough to adjust to. They can be difficult to fasten and adjust. Once a bra is on, it can bag or gap, ride up, dig in, or pop open. The straps can slide off a girl's shoulders or dig into them. And a bra can peek out of a girl's clothing. Not only that, but a girl's brother might think it's just hysterical to pull it so it snaps against her back. (If you are a boy, do not do this!)

The ABCs of Bra Sizes

Wearing the right size bra can decrease the number of other problems a girl will have with her bra. For instance, a bra that's the right size won't pinch, gap, or slide around. So it makes sense to spend some time learning about bra sizes.

There are two parts to a bra's size: the chest size (also called the band size) and the cup size. The chest or band size is represented by a number (32, 34, 36, etc.) and is the part of the bra that runs across a girl's chest and around her back. The cups are the parts of the bra that hold the breasts and come in letter sizes (AA, A, B, C, etc.).

Bras come in many sizes, which are different combinations of the chest sizes and cup sizes — 32AA, for instance. It's important to get both the chest and cup sizes right to ensure a proper fit. Some bra manufacturers are now starting to offer cup options in half sizes in addition to regular cups to help girls get a better fit.

What Size Bra to Buy?

A girl might feel shy about her growing breasts and not want other people talking about them, looking at them, and measuring them. But it's wise for a girl to get measured so she knows her correct bra size.

The women who work in the bra departments of stores can help a girl with this measurement. A girl also can do it at home if she has her mom or a friend help her. Here's how to do it:

Run a tape measure just under your breasts, all the way around your back and ribcage. The tape measure should rest flat on your skin and lie straight across your back — not so tight that it digs in, but not so loose that it sags down in the back.
Make a note of your measurement and add 5 inches. That's your chest size.
To measure cup size, take the tape measure around your body across the fullest part of your breasts.
Write down this number and subtract your chest measurement from it. The difference between the numbers is a way of figuring out your cup size. If the difference between the two numbers is less than 1 inch, your cup size is AA. If it's 1 inch, your cup size is A; 2 inches, you're a B; 3 inches you're a C, and so on. For instance, if your cup measurement was 33 and your chest measurement was 32, that's a 1-inch difference. Your bra size is 32A.
If your chest measurement comes out as an odd number (such as 31 inches or 33 inches), it's usually a good rule to round down to the next number. Most bras have a few sets of adjustable hooks and eyes, so you can adjust the tightness. It's a good idea to round down, rather than round up, since bras tend to stretch over time.

What Kind of Bra to Buy?

A first bra used to be called a "training bra" it was for girls who didn't yet fit into the cups of standard-size bras, but needed basic support and comfort.

These days, many girls' first bra is a sports bra, a type of bra worn by active women of any age. Sports bras prevent fully grown breasts from jiggling around when a woman is playing sports or exercising. Because they're flatter in the cup area, sports bras also make really good first bras for many girls. In fact, because of sports bras, and dresses and tops that have built-in bras, a girl might not need a training bra or a more traditional bra early on. Not all sports bras are alike, so a girl should try on a few to figure out which ones she prefers.

In addition to sports bras, there are a lot of other types of bras. The most natural-looking bra is a soft-cup bra, which doesn't do much to change the shape of a girl's breasts. Soft-cup bras come in different fabrics and thicknesses and some may have an underwire. Underwire is a U-shaped wire inside the fabric that goes under the breasts to help support them. If a girl's breasts are C cup or larger, an underwire bra is a good choice.

Other bras may have more structured cups and some come with padding inside. Minimizer bras are also available for girls who want their breasts to appear smaller. These bras are usually made of relatively thick fabric and often have substantial backs and straps.

A Girl's Changing Shape

Breasts are just one sign that a girl is getting older and on her way to becoming a woman. If a girl has questions or concerns about breasts or bras, the good news is that there are plenty of women and older girls to ask.

And if a girl is worried about how slowly her breasts are growing, her doctor is also a good source of information. More often than not, a girl is developing normally and before she knows it, she'll be bra shopping, too.

small boobs bra hacks you need to know

Finding bras for small boobs can be a nightmare - but thankfully, we've spoken to the experts to bring you the information you need to know about finding a better fit. These are the bra hacks for girls with small boobs...

Get Fitted!

We cannot stress enough how important this is. You might think you're a 34A, but you could discover you're more like a 30C, for example. "We recommend you have a bra fitting at least every 6 months just to ensure you haven't changed size," says Suzanne Pentland from b.tempt'd. "Diet, stress and exercise and hormones all effect our breast size so ensure you get fitted regularly."

So what should you look for?

"A correctly fitting bra should sit firmly but comfortably around the body," explains Suzanne. "The underwires should lie flat against the rib cage, and contain the whole breast. The breast should be contained within the cup with no puckering or bulging in the cup fabric." Mimi Holliday's Sarah Jenkins adds: "Buy a bra on the loosest hook and eye to account for stretch; throughout its (long!) life you may want to take it in to the tightest setting."

Don't be restricted by what's in the shops.

Srsly. If you're quite petite on top (take note if you're usually a size 8 or below in tight tops), chances are you might be a 30 or 28 band, which you won't find stocked in most underwear shops. But there are a whole host of brands that will cater to your size and trust us, you'll be grateful you're in a comfy bra, even if it means you can't just buy a standard high street set.

Material can make all the difference.

Certain materials like lace can fit tighter than stretchy synthetic fabrics, so if you find a brand you LOVE but it's just a tad too big, try a style in a different fabric. "Rigid lace and embroidered bras can fit firmer, but some bra styles also feature stretch lace fabrics," so lace isn't always tighter, explains Suzanne. Sarah agrees: "A heavier lace will tend to fit a little more tightly and provide more support than a thinner lace with more stretch."

Make a padded bra work for you.

"With padding, make sure you're scooping your boobs into place on top of the padding. You don't want the bra just sitting on top like a pillow," says Boux Avenue buyer Lisa Annand. "Some bras will have the boost at the bottom, so you will need to lift your boob upwards and sit it on top of the pad. This is common in balconette style padded bras, which create a 'shelf effect' cleavage, where your boobs are pushed upwards. Whereas, padded plunge bras often have padding at the side and so you will need to scoop your boobs in towards the centre of your chest and sit them in place. This will create a nice central cleavage."

You might even need to go up a cup.

Sarah says: "Check the fit closely - is it sitting smoothly and snugly around the body and no overspill on the cup? (Yes, overspill can happen on a small bust too!) Buying a padded bra can mean going up a cup size - never think your size is concrete."

Getting gapes? Try another style.

From our humble experience, if you're getting that annoying gap between the top of your cup and boob, it could mean a few things. But most likely, either your cup is too small or the band is too big. "If a bra is heavily padded, you will need to ensure it is a firm fit at sides and back to prevent the padded cup standing away from breast," explains Suzanne.

But all breasts were not created equal.

"Small boobs still have variation in shape, so try try try until you find a bra that's perfectly you!" says Sarah. "Certain styles will just suit more than others, so experiment with shapes."

For example, in our experience, if your boobs are further apart, plunges and push-ups will be ideal to create cleavage. But if you have a fuller, rounder shape and find straps dig in around your armpit, try a multiway or triangle style, where the straps sit further in and can be adjusted more easily. Or if you're getting a lot of gaping, it may be that your boobs just don't suit a standard plunge or T-shirt bra, especially if there's more volume at the bottom of your boob than the top. Try a half cup or balconette design instead.

Bras with boning in the side can add structure and shape.

"It pushes the breast to the centre of the chest for great shape, and can help maintain the longevity and structure of the bra, too," says Sarah. Suzanne adds: "Side boning anchors the bra to the frame, preventing the sides from collapsing helping you to feel supported."

Tired of push-ups but want some cleavage? Try contouring.

Start off by using a slightly darker powder or bronzer, a couple of shades darker than your natural skin tone. Brush this from between your boobs out and around the top in an outward C-shape (basically outlining the shape of your boobs). Then, apply a shimmer or illuminator to the rounds of your boobs and on your décolletage to catch the light and create a 3D effect.

Puckering at the nips? Try a few in the same size.

"The majority of bralets are single layer fabrics, which are very unforgiving when trying to fit," says Lisa. "This makes it very hard to get something to fit skin tight and can result in creases and puckering in the fabric. This could either mean there is too much space (or not enough, depending on the cut), or that the seam is slightly too long. Try a couple of different bras on if this happens as each garment could alter very slightly."

Straps keep slipping off? There's a few reasons why.

"Always look out for bras with fully adjustable straps," says Suzanne. "Your bra straps should be tight enough that you can put only 2 fingers underneath the straps. If you can pull your straps away any more then they are too loose." Lisa agrees that the first port of call is to try tightening them or to position them closer to the neck to reduce the strap slipping off the shoulder.

18 Fun Facts You Should Know About Bras and Boobs

As new moms, our breasts become a popular topic of conversation. Are we using them to feed our babies? They’ve gotten bigger! They’ve deflated! What on earth has HAPPENED to them, anyway? Given how much we discuss these crazy orbs, I thought I would arm us with fun facts to interject into these boob-filled chats.

#1 – Women own, on average, nine bras. (Eight sexy ones to mollify their husbands and one that they actually wear.)

#2 – Ancient Greeks thought the Milky Way was made from drops of breast milk from the goddess Hera.

#3 – Vogue magazine first used the word “brassiere” in print in 1907. Only grandmothers and Duggar family members continue to use this word today.

#4 – 36C is today’s average bust size, which has increased from a 34B over the past 15 years. Which is, no doubt, due to…

#5 – The 290,000 breast enlargement surgeries performed in the U.S. in 2013 alone.

#6 – Most women will change in bra size six times over their lifetime. (But continue to try to stuff themselves in their old, way-too-small favorite one.)

#7 – According to studies, British women have the largest breasts; 50 percent wear at least a D cup. (“Hey, want to take a family vacation in London?” –My husband)

#8 – $16 billion was spent on bras worldwide last year. Apparently, much of that was devoted to investing in enough fabric to cover British women’s breasts.

#9 – The woman with the worlds biggest breast augmentation is a 38KKK. (“Why, oh why, did she do this?!” — The woman’s lower back)

#10 – There is an NGO that fights for women’s rights to be topless. (Finally! A women’s cause that most men wholeheartedly support.)

#11 – The left breast is usually bigger than the right. (Million-dollar idea: Push-up cups for right breasts.)

#12 – The average breast weighs one pound or, approximately, one Olsen Twin.

#13 – In China, you can major in bra studies. I assume they’re graded on a curve.

#14 – The first push-up bra was introduced in the 1800s. Because, you know, corsets didn’t torture the female body nearly enough.

#15 – The most expensive bra in the world is Victoria’s Secret’s $15 million Red Hot Fantasy bra from 2000. For that price, Gisele had better come with it.

#16 – In 2008, there were nearly 18,000 breast reductions performed… on men.

#17 – The largest natural breasts recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records are 112 pounds. No, they are not Simon Cowell’s.

#18 – Implants miraculously saved an Israeli woman from death by Hezbollah rocket attack. During the war, she was wounded in the chest by shrapnel but survived because of her boob job, done two years prior. While the patient is fine, the implant, unfortunately, did not survive. (R.I.P. brave implant)

Fitness

Cancer-Causing Foods You Should NEVER Eat !

July 03, 2017

As stated on the official website on The American Institute for Cancer, a research has shown that most cancers can be prevented.

Scientists now estimate that 60 percent to 70 percent of cancers are all preventable through currently available information and simple changes in diet and lifestyle.”

In other words, making certain changes in your daily diet can reduce the exposure to toxic chemicals which increase the risk of cancer as well as to improve the overall health.

1. Sugar

Cancerous cells feed on sugar and any other food that turns to sugar. The list involves most fruits, pasta carbs, grains, and bread. For individuals who are suffering from cancer, it is essential to eliminate these foods from their daily diet. However, those who are looking to keep themselves healthy are allowed to follow a balanced diet that includes fruit.

2. Refined Sugars

Researchers have found a close relation between sugar and various health issues, such as immune suppression, improper levels of blood fats, higher blood triglyceride levels, arthritis, low HDL levels, obesity, and increased risk for heart disease. As mentioned above, cancerous cells feed on sugar.

3. Non Organic Fruits and Vegetables

The conventionally grown crops are grown with GMO seeds and treated with herbicides and pesticides all of which are dangerous for one`s health.

4. White Flour

The commercially grown grains are grown from seeds that are treated with fungicide. Then, the plants are sprayed with pesticides. They are harvested and kept in bins covered with insecticides. All of these things increase the toxic load. The following step is processing the grains on high temperature in high-speed rollers. Manufacturers also use chlorine oxide in the form of chlorine gas bath, which is used as both aging and whitening agent. Finally, you get a starch devoid of nutrients and full of toxins as a final result.

5. Hydrogenated Oils

Also referred to as trans-fats, the hydrogenated oils are a man-made product. Their structure is highly chemical and it is done so for the purpose of increasing their shelf life and preventing the product from going rancid. Additionally, the chemicals are used in order to change the taste and the odor of the oil. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, these fats trigger inflammation and immune system over-activity, which in turn increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

6. Microwave Popcorn

These bags are lined with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroalkyl. Once heated, the chemicals leach into the popcorn and once ingested, they enter the blood as blood contaminants. The PFOA is linked to tumors in animal organs, such as mammary glands, liver, testicles and pancreas in rats. In addition, it increases the risk of prostate cancer in PFOA plant workers.

7. BPA Lined Cans

Bisphenol- A or BPA which is found in resins and hard plastics is used to coat metal cans. According to several laboratory studies, this ingredient is associated with obesity, infertility, diabetes, and even cancer. It is usually found of dental composites and plastic products. Make sure you opt for the canned item which is labeled BPA free.Grilled Meat

8. Grilled Meat

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are produced through certain types of combustion, such as the burning of coal or wood. What makes the situation worse is the fact that fat from meat drips onto a fare and creates a flare up and smoke, which in turn allows the PAHs to affix themselves to the food. This leads to higher risk for carcinogenic exposure.

9. Processed Foods

Cured meats are rich in nitrates and nitrites, preservatives which are shown to increase the risk of stomach and other cancers when taken in large amounts. Moreover, processed foods are usually full of flavorings, sugars, white flours, colors, and oil.

10. Soy Protein Isolate

Nearly 90-95 % of U. S- grown soybeans, used to create soy protein isolates are genetically altered to withstand herbicides. As stated by the American Dietetic Association, soy protein isolates contain anti-nutrients which can potentially delay or body`s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.

11. Cured and Smoked Foods

As mentioned above, nitrates and nitrites are preservatives which prevent the food from going rancid as well as to add color to meats. However, during the cooking process, they change into N-nitriso compounds, such as nitrosamides and nitrosamines, all of which are linked to an elevated risk of cancer.

12. Soda/ Sports Drinks

Instead, of needed vitamins and minerals, soda and energy drinks are rich in aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, dyes, brominated vegetable oil, and sugar. In brief, there isn`t any nutritional value in these beverages.GMOs

13. GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms, commonly known as GMOs have become a huge part of our food supply. They should definitely be avoided!

14. Farmed Fish

Farmed fish contain higher levels of chemical pollutants in comparison to wild fish, including PCB, according to Food and Water Watch. They are more prone to disease which increases the use of antibiotic use. Moreover, they are treated with pesticides.

15. Bagels

Yes, bagels are delicious, but they're also one of those white foods that sends your blood sugar soaring. Consuming foods with a high glycemic index (those they rapidly elevate blood sugar levels), was found to potentially increase risk of developing lung cancer in non-Hispanic whites, according to a study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. High GI foods include white bread and bagels, corn flakes, and puffed rice. Instead, choose lower GI foods such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, and steel-cut oatmeal. These tasty low-glycemic snacks won't spike your blood sugar.

16. Canned tomatoes

I know what you’re thinking… You’ve likely heard how the nutrient Lycopene in tomatoes lowers cancer risks, but that benefit is completely cancelled out when the lining of canned tomatoes contain chemicals that disrupt hormonal activity in the body. Since tomatoes are so acidic, the chemical BPA actually leeches from the lining into the tomatoes. This toxic chemical has been linked to different cancers, heart disease and reproductive problems. Next time you feel like making a nice red sauce, go with a glass jar or stew the tomatoes yourself.

17. Potato chips

They may be cheap, easy and delicious, but these crispy, addicting snacks can also be deadly. These fatty foods don’t only cause weight gain because of their high trans-fat content, they also have excessive sodium levels, which cause high blood pressure and artificial flavors, preservatives and colors. Another risk is the presence of acrymalide, a known carcinogen found in cigarettes. Try not to feed these quick snacks to yourself or your kids and choose pretzels, air-popped popcorn or baked apple chips instead.

Also Read: CANCER FIGHTING FOODS & DRINKS FOR YOU

Were you surprised by any of these foods? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Fitness

Chickenpox - Overview, Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

July 03, 2017

You haven't been feeling so great for the last few days, and you've had a runny nose and a cough. Then one morning you wake up and stumble into the bathroom. You look in the mirror with blurry eyes and yikes! You have chickenpox!

Chickenpox, also called varicella, is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. A virus causes this condition. It often affects children, and was so common it was considered a childhood rite of passage.

It’s very rare to have the chickenpox infection more than once. And since the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in the mid-1990s, cases have declined.

What Is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. People who get the virus often develop a rash of spots that look like blisters all over their bodies. The blisters are small and sit on an area of red skin that can be anywhere from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a dime.

You've probably heard that chickenpox is itchy. It's true! The illness also may come with a runny nose and cough. But the good news is that chickenpox is a common illness for kids, and most get better by resting just like you do with a cold or the flu.

And the really good news is that, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, lots of kids don't get chickenpox at all. Kids who do get it after they've gotten the shot often get less severe cases, which means they get better quicker.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

An itchy rash is the most common symptom of chickenpox. The infection will have to be in your body for around seven to 21 days before the rash and other symptoms develop. You start to be contagious to those around you up to 48 hours before the skin rash starts to occur.

The non-rash symptoms may last a few days and include:

fever
headache
loss of appetite
One or two days after you experience these symptoms, the classic rash will begin to develop. The rash goes through three phases before you recover. These include:

You develop red or pink bumps all over your body.
The bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks.
The bumps become crusty, scab over, and begin to heal.
The bumps on your body will not all be in the same phase at the same time. New bumps will continuously appear throughout your infection. The rash may be very itchy, especially before it scabs over with a crust.

You are still contagious until all the blisters on your body have scabbed over. The crusty scabbed areas eventually fall off. It takes seven to 14 days to disappear completely.

What Happens When You Have Chickenpox?

Chickenpox may start out seeming like a cold: You might have a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and a cough. But 1 to 2 days later, the rash begins, often in bunches of spots on the chest and face. From there it can spread out quickly over the entire body sometimes the rash is even in a person's ears and mouth.

The number of pox is different for everyone. Some people get just a few bumps; others are covered from head to toe. At first, the rash looks like pinkish dots that quickly develop a small blister on top (a blister is a bump on your skin that fills up with fluid). After about 24 to 48 hours, the fluid in the blisters gets cloudy and the blisters begin to crust over.

Chickenpox blisters show up in waves, so after some begin to crust over, a new group of spots might appear. New chickenpox usually stop appearing by the seventh day, though they may stop as early as the third day. It usually takes 10–14 days for all the blisters to be scabbed over and then you are no longer contagious.

Besides the rash, someone with chickenpox might also have a stomachache, a fever, and may just not feel well.

How Does Chickenpox Spread?

Chickenpox is contagious, meaning that somebody who has it can easily spread it to someone else. A person with chickenpox is most contagious during the first 2 to 5 days of being sick. That's usually about 1 to 2 days before the rash shows up. So you could be spreading around chickenpox without even knowing it!

Someone with chickenpox can pass it to others by coughing or sneezing. When he or she coughs, sneezes, laughs, and even talks, tiny drops come out of the mouth and nose. These drops are full of the chickenpox virus. It's easy for others to breathe in these drops or get them on their hands. Before you know it, the chickenpox virus has infected someone new.

Itchy-Itchy, Scratchy-Scratchy

If you are that unlucky person, how do you keep your chickenpox from driving you crazy? They itch, but you're not supposed to scratch them.

These tips can help you feel less itchy:

Keep cool because heat and sweat will make you itch more. You might want to put a cool, wet washcloth on the really bad areas.
Trim your fingernails, so if you do scratch, you won't tear your skin.
Soak in a lukewarm bath. Adding some oatmeal to your bath water can help relieve the itching.
Have your mom or dad help you apply calamine lotion, which soothes itching.

Don't Scratch

Scratching the blisters can tear your skin and leave scars. Scratching also can let germs in, and the blisters could get infected. If your fever goes higher and an area of your skin gets really red, warm, and painful, tell an adult right away. You'll need to see a doctor because you could have a skin infection.

While you have the chickenpox, a pain reliever like acetaminophen might help you feel better, but let your parents help you with this. Medicines and creams that may stop the itch can also be helpful.

Do not take aspirin because it can cause a rare but serious illness in kids called Reye syndrome.

It doesn't usually happen, but let your parents know if you feel especially bad. Sometimes, chickenpox leads to other, more serious illnesses.

Most kids don't have any major problems and get better in a week or two. And when all the blisters have scabs, you're not contagious anymore and you can go back to school! In a few days, the scabs will fall off. And once you've had chickenpox, it's unlikely you'll ever get it again.

Get a Shot, Avoid the Dots!

Not long ago, 3 million people got chickenpox each year in the United States. But now that kids receive the shot, fewer and fewer people get chickenpox.

Have you had the chickenpox vaccine? You might not remember because it's often given at age 1. But you can get it when you're older, too. Ask your mom or dad if you've had yours. You'll be glad that you did if chickenpox starts making its way around your school!

How can chickenpox be prevented?

The chickenpox vaccine prevents chickenpox in 98 percent of people who receive the two recommended doses. Your child should get the shot when they are between 12 and 15 months of age. Children get a booster between 4 and 6 years of age.

Older children and adults who haven’t been vaccinated or exposed may receive catch-up doses of the vaccine. As chickenpox tends to be more severe in older adults, people who haven’t been vaccinated may opt to get the shots later.

People unable to receive the vaccine can try to avoid the virus by limiting contact with infected people. But this can be difficult. Chickenpox can’t be identified by its blisters until it has already been spreadable to others for days.

Fitness

Personal Questions & Answers For Boys

July 03, 2017

Puberty is that time in life when kids' bodies change and become more like grownups'. So it's no surprise that kids have LOTS of "personal questions" about these changes.

My dad isn't around. How can I talk to my mom about guy stuff?

When you're going through all the changes of puberty, you should have someone you can go to when you have a question or concern. That person could be your mom. (Moms know about guy stuff, too!) You could also turn to a male relative, like a grandfather, uncle, or older cousin. When you visit your doctor, you can ask him or her questions. They're experts in how kids' bodies grow and change.

One easy place to start is with a website for kids (like this one!) or a good book about growing up. Your mom could help you find one or you could search the health section in your local library. Sometimes knowing a few facts can help you feel more comfortable when talking to your mom about growing up.

I have a lump on one of my testicles. What should I do?

You should tell your mom or dad about any lumps or swelling in your testicles. You will need to visit the doctor. The doctor will have to examine your testicles and feel for the lumps. It shouldn't hurt and it's the best way for the doctor to check it out.

Lumps in the testicles could be many things. Some are perfectly normal. For example, you may be feeling the epididymis, the tightly coiled tube where sperm are stored. Other lumps may be signs of a problem that won't go away on its own, so tell your mom or dad and then see the doctor.

One of my testicles hangs lower than the other. What should I do?

This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Either side may be slightly larger or hang lower. But be sure to tell a parent (who will let your doctor know) if you have any pain, swelling, or lumps in your testicles.

My doctor is a woman and I feel weird about it, especially if I have to be naked. What should I do?

Little kids often run around naked and think nothing of it. But as you get older, you get more aware of your body and have an increased need for privacy. So it can feel strange to take off your clothes at the doctor's office. But your doctor does need to examine you to make sure you are healthy.

To make you more comfortable, you can ask that your mom or dad come into the exam room with you. Or, if you prefer, you could ask that a nurse come into the room, so you're not alone with the doctor. You can also ask for a gown — a thin robe that ties. Most doctor offices have these available for patients.

Can you teach me how to find a girlfriend when I grow up? I don't want to be lonely!

Sometimes it seems like everywhere you look, you see couples. You might see them walking hand-in-hand down your street or even kissing in movies or on TV shows. So it's common to wonder how you will get your very own girlfriend (or boyfriend) when you are older. How will someone decide that you are a very special person worth spending more time with?

The good news is that it usually happens pretty naturally. As you grow up, girls and boys get more and more interested in one another. In the teen years, many kids want to experience what it's like to go on dates and be part of a couple. So someday you might meet someone in school or at a party and develop an interest in her. Maybe the two of you will talk or exchange phone numbers or even discover that you both like the exact same music groups.

Next comes the tricky part. When feelings are mutual you both are interested in each other in the same way things work can work out pretty well. But sometimes the girl you like only likes you as a friend or already has a boyfriend. Sigh. What can you do then? Keep hanging out with your friends and having a good time. Try not to be too focused on getting a girlfriend and you just might meet someone special when you least expect it!

How do you tell a girl you don't like her as a girlfriend?

It happens a lot someone likes you, but you don't like the person back, at least not in that way. What's a guy to do? Ignoring her would be rude. Telling her to go away or saying "no way!" would be unkind and hurt her feelings. But not telling the truth about it doesn't work either because then she might think you like her, too.

One boy said his dad told him not to hurt the girl's feelings, which made him really confused. How do you not hurt someone's feelings when the answer is "no"?

Being honest about how you feel is always a good thing as long as you say it kindly, without being mean on purpose. It shows the kind of person you are and it's part of being your best self. Don't forget that it's a compliment when someone likes you. Maybe she thinks you're cute, funny, kind, smart, cool just irresistible in whatever way.

It feels good to know that someone likes you. But it doesn't feel so good when you like someone, then find out that the other person doesn't feel the same way. So she's probably going to be disappointed. Still, maybe you can think of a friendly compliment to give her when you tell her you just want to be friends.

Here's an example: "You're a nice [or cool, pretty, smart] girl, but I like you just as a friend, not a girlfriend. I hope you're OK with that."

Good luck and we hope that works!

Why don't any girls like me?

Some boys are happy to keep girls at a distance right now. But others might be wondering when they will get a girlfriend, especially if their friends already have them. For starters, don't be so sure that no girl likes you. Some girls are too shy to say anything. It can be so embarrassing if someone finds out! Or you might be friends with a girl who likes you, but you just never thought of her that way.

The best advice we can give for right now is to enjoy the girls who are your friends. You also might think about the kind of girls you like. Lots of guys say they like girls who are pretty, but what else? Should she be smart and funny? If you burped really loud, would she be annoyed or laugh until her stomach hurt?

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