Archives for January 2018

January 31, 2018 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

Games4Good for Mental Fitness

‘Memory Games’, seems to be the most sought after by GOQii players on ‘Games4Good’, the games platform that helps GOQii users, to connect, play, score and motivate each other.

Playing games on the mobile and other handheld devices has never got better. It has become part of daily routine for people of all ages. While, the ‘Brain Games’ or Memory games as we call it is designed to optimize cognitive functions and improve mental fitness, it is also designed to help individuals have fun both scoring and winning over each other.

These games while being fun also help individuals to break the monotony, concentrate and keeps the individual motivated.

What are Brain Games?

Brain, one of the most important body part helps us to do many functionalities in our daily routine and helps to maintain our health. Living a healthy lifestyle is enough for us to improve our brain health. There are various ways to keep our brain healthy, some of these are staying hydrated, eating mindfully to keep body and brain fit, sleeping well, meditating to increase our brain power, self-confidence, controls emotions, reduces stress and relaxes the mind, following a hobby helps to keep the brain active and lastly play games to avoid boredom and improve the cognitive skills.

With age most humans tend to struggle with learning, thinking and being attentive. These are caused largely due to weak cognitive skills. Playing games allows you to improve your cognitive skills through intense but fun mental exercises, it helps to pay attention, concentrate, learn, reads, remember and think.

The rule of practice works with a human brain too. The more you practice the game, the better you get at it. When you do certain activity multiple times your brain gets bored as well and does not feel the challenge anymore. The reason for this is because you start mastering the skills. When this happens, you need to start increasing the difficulty levels of the game and keeps yourself challenged. In games scoring is a component of fun, feel motivated and tracking your own progress.

Cognitive or Brain games helps you to stay focused and remember the information while doing multiple things. It tends to improve short-term memory, recall information stored in the past, improves logic & reasoning. These games increase your problem-solving ability, decision making and strategy development. It also enhances and improves hand-eye coordination. To hang on to information while in the process of using it, to think in visual images, perform tasks quickly and accurately.

So, if you haven’t tried the games on GOQii Games4Good-now is the time to challenge your brain with games to train Memory, Focus, Problem Solving, Mental agility and all other cognitive skills.

January 30, 2018 By Dr. Viral Thakkar Leave a Comment

You can indulge when you are expecting!

Sex-During-Pregnancy

Isn’t it is exciting to create something wonderful which is a part of you and your partner! Yes, I am talking about a baby here!. However, the 9 months are full of challenges for the mother and the father, physical intimacy being a major concern. In this article, I am trying to address the common concerns of sex during pregnancy, its benefits and when to abstain!

The roller coaster hormonal ride, change in the taste buds, fatigue, weakness and mood swings are just a few reasons which put women off their sex drive especially in the first trimester. Many women might also experience an increase in libido during pregnancy! Check, which side of the coin does your loved one fall on and indulge!

If you are an expectant mother, you will notice an increased blood flow to the pelvic area and engorgement of the genitals. It might be accompanied by sore and tender breasts which results in a heightened sensation. You might enjoy it or be put off. Communicate with your loved one and let him know.

Boys and girls, pregnancy is also the time for you to bond. So if you are up for it, go for it! As far as your baby is concerned, be rest assured he/she is safe in amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus. The mucus plug at the cervix prevents infections from entering the womb. Your baby, on the other hand, does not care what you do and neither does it know. In fact, you might experience some happy kicks once you are done!

Hitting the big ‘O’ during pregnancy is safe if you have a normal & low-risk pregnancy and cannot start labour or cause a miscarriage. Mild uterine contractions post an orgasm (or during nipple stimulation and the prostaglandins in semen) are harmless. Even if your climax is particularly intense these contractions aren’t harmful — they’re not a sign of labour. So let loose, enjoy the pleasure you deserve!

However, ensure your partner is tested for infections before indulging! Because you’re better off safe than sorry (with or without a baby on the way).

When is it off limits!

As a woman, when your body says “no”, please listen to it!. Respect yourself and your decision.
Your practitioner might declare your pregnancy as high risk depending on your tests and restrict sex

If you’re experiencing signs of preterm labour or, if you have such a history
If you’ve been diagnosed with incompetent cervix or placenta previa
If you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding or if you have a history of miscarriages

If you are restricted from being intimate, communicate with your partner to find ways to address the intimacy you’re both cravings. Focus on hand holding, cuddling, the old-fashioned making out… Your woman will love you for the support you give her during this time!

Ayurveda insists on listening to one’s body. Apart from this, sexual activity should be limited during the first trimester and post the 7th month since it is a delicate time. Also, at all times one should avoid compression of the abdomen.

While making love is beneficial, it is also beneficial during pregnancy if your practitioner has not advised otherwise.

1. Making love restores the functioning of the body with the release of certain hormones and ensures proper circulation. This means the fetus receives an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients when in the womb that aids growth and development.

2. If you are making love regularly during pregnancy, it can help keep your pelvic floor muscles toned and strong to help you deal with the arduous phase of labour. Don’t give your exercise a miss though!

3. Making love increases the level of IgA antibodies in the body that boost immunity during pregnancy.

4. It leads to release of endorphins in the body that makes both the mother and the baby happier by reducing levels of stress. Sex also increases production of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for attachment and love.

5. Better sex, better bonding and a surge in endorphins help an expectant mother to sleep better, fight fatigue and other nagging symptoms of pregnancy.

6. It helps keep pre-eclampsia at bay because man’s sperm has a special protein called HLA-G that helps regulate body s immune system and lowers blood pressure levels in a woman during pregnancy.

While you can try any position during your pregnancy, here are a few positions you might find comfortable instead of the common missionary.

position 1

position 2

position 3

position 4

position 5

So guys and girls, keep the myths at bay enjoy this special period with your special one!

January 29, 2018 By Trupti Hingad 13 Comments

Body Massage: A luxurious way to healthy life

body massage

After a strenuous, hectic week at work, do you feel the need to relax your body and mind on weekends? There are various options to relax like you sleep for more hours, you take a hot shower after a hectic day, Meditation, and many more, but nothing is as comfortable as lying on a massage table.

Yes! The conversation between your skin and therapist fingers is the most important discussion you can ever have.

Let me start with explaining what is body massage and why you should take it?

Body massage is a process of massaging the body by using hands, fingers, knees, elbows, forearm, feet or any massage device. It is generally working on the body with pressure by using structured or unstructured motion.

The word comes from the French massage “friction of kneading”, or from the Arabic word– massage meaning “to touch, feel”

In today’s fast-paced life, physical and mental stress leads to a fatigued body. A masseur or a massage therapist has the art of massaging away the pain, stress, fatigue and tension from the body. Massage involves the rubbing and manipulating of muscles, tendons, skin and ligaments. Massaging rubs away fatigue and stress. It improves blood circulation. It creates a pleasant sensation on the skin and works on the soft tissue like muscles, tendons and ligaments hence improves muscle tone. Its benefits reach the deeper layers of muscle and even the internal organs. It relaxes muscle spasm and relieves tension. It helps to eliminate waste and toxins from the body.

There are various types of massage available on the market now. I am listing few of them.

1.Reflexology– is a special type of massage which includes the application of pressure to the feet and hands with specific movements and pressure. Oil or creams are not used in this technique. The pressure applied in these areas stimulates the effective functioning of those organs.

2.Active release technique: ART is used as a treatment for various conditions like pains caused by overuse of muscles. When muscles are subjected to tear, pull or undergo injury, they produce a tough and dense scar tissue at the site. So, this technique helps.

3.Acupressure-This was originated in China. In this, physical pressure is applied to the acupressure points with hand, elbow, palm, wrist, knees or using machines. Acupressure technique of body massage is believed to restore the balance of energies throughout the body.

Swedish Massage– This technique involves five styles of strokes, namely sliding, kneading, rhythmic tapping, friction and vibration or shaking. It helps in alleviating pain and joint stiffness.
Aromatherapy massage-It is one of the most common types of massage. It is a body massage using highly effective essential oils and essential oil blends mixed with a carrier oil to massage the body.

6.Balinese Massage: This type of massage adopts gentle skin folding, kneading, stroking. It improves the flow of blood, oxygen and energy throughout the body.

7.Craniosacral Therapy: The technique involves applying gentle strokes and touches to the skull, face, spine and pelvis. This regulates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

8.Stone Massage: Using stones that may be cold or hot to apply pressure and heat to the body. The stones may be heated with water, oil and are usually Basalt stones or lava rocks that are smooth and polished.

9.Lymphatic Drainage: This is a type of gentle massage that facilitates the natural production and drainage of the lymph.

Thai Massage: It involves deep, full body massage that progresses from feet towards upper body and concentrates on stroking the energy lines of the body. It is effective in managing musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, improves flexibility and movement of joints and improves blood flow in the body. A very popular form of massage now, mostly in metros.

BENEFITS OF BODY MASSAGE:

Everyday stress is unavoidable in today’s fast-paced world. Tension headaches, tightness in your shoulders, stomachaches and assorted pains are signs of built-up stress. This is a case where you don’t need to do anything other than relaxing and feel your body ease a sigh of relief. The confident hands of an expert massage therapist help melt all that stress and tension like sun bringing energy to each part of your body.

Regular massage improves blood circulation: The manipulation of the soft tissues and the chemicals and hormones relaxed during massage also improve the blood flow to the body.

It keeps skin rejuvenating– A full body massage helps remove dead skin cells over the entire body for improved skin tone. The stimulated blood flow benefits the appearance and health of the skin. Massage can also encourage tissue regeneration, which may help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks

It loosens your stiff muscles, reduces cramps, reduces back pain, Gives pain relief post-surgery, releases good hormones into the body and reduce the migrane issues.

For Medical conditions like tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, obesity, sleep disorders, frozen shoulder, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome massage therapy have shown good results.

Some tips to follow while you go for body massage:

Drink enough water for an hour before the massage session to help remove the toxins easily. Drink enough water post massage too

Breathe deeply when the stroke is painful.

Stay calm and do not encourage any thoughts in your mind during a massage session. Just enjoy and feel it.

NOTE: Consult a physician before having a massage if you have medical conditions, such as cancer, fractures, blood clots, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis or if you are pregnant.

So, get to a Spa and relax the Mind, Renew the Body and Revive the Soul.

January 27, 2018 By Nisha Rashmi 2 Comments

Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms and prevention

Arthiritis is a common and most people are aware of this medical condition. Among all arthiritis -Osteoarthrits is the most common form of arthritis. It is a non-inflammatory degenerative condition of joints, characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage and formation of new bone that is called osteophytes.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, though it most commonly affects joints in hands, hips, knees and spine. Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints can be affected. Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can relieve pain and help you to remain active. Taking steps to actively manage osteoarthritis may help patient gain control over his osteoarthritis pain.

Symptoms:

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms include:

Pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of inactivity.
Tenderness in the joint when you apply light pressure.
Stiffness in a joint that may be most noticeable when patient wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
Loss of flexibility may make it difficult to use the joint.
Grating sensation when moving the joint
Bone spurs, which appear as hard lumps, may form around the affected joint.
Swelling in some cases

Osteoarthritis symptoms most commonly affect the hands, hips, knees and spine. Unless one has been injured or placed unusual stress on a joint, it’s uncommon for osteoarthritis symptoms to affect jaw, shoulder, elbows, wrists or ankles.

Causes:

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage e that cushions the ends of bones in the joints deteriorates over time. The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough, causing irritation. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, patient may be left with bone rubbing on bone — causing the ends of the bones to become damaged and the joints to become painful. It isn’t clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. Researchers suspect that it’s a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness.

Risk factors: Factors that increase risk of osteoarthritis include:

Old age: Osteoarthritis typically occurs in older adults. People under 40 rarely experience osteoarthritis.

Sex: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn’t clear why?

Bone deformities: Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. ·

Joint injuries: Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Obesity: Carrying more body weight places more stress on weight-bearing joints, such as knees. But obesity has also been linked to an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the hands, as well.
Prevention:

Diet: Avoid processed and sugary foods and drinks, eat more fruits and vegetables, foods that is rich in antioxidants helps in decreasing pain and inflammation, eating food rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acid. Use of Olive Oil helps in preventing inflammation, eating fruits rich in vitamin C helps in build collagen and connective tissue. Examples are citrus fruits, strawberries, red peppers and cabbage.

#1 Bananas and Plantains

Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium which increases your bone density. Magnesium is also known to alleviate symptoms of arthritis, so peel a banana or fry up some plantains!

#2 Blueberries

Berries also pack a walloping antioxidant punch! Antioxidants protect your body against inflammation and free radicals, molecules that can damage cells and organs. Pay special attention to blueberries. USDA researcher Ronald Prior, Ph.D., showed that a one-cup serving of Wild Blueberries had more antioxidant capacity than a serving of cranberries, strawberries, plums and raspberries.

#3 Salmon

Not only can omega-3s found in fish significantly reduce joint pain and shorten the duration of morning stiffness, but studies, such as those reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, show that increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids also have enabled people taking non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce their dosage or discontinue use.

#4 Green Tea

Many studies have shown that green tea possesses anti-inflammatory properties. One study showed that mice predisposed to a condition similar to human osteoarthritis had mild arthritis and little evidence of cartilage damage and bone erosion when green tea polyphenols were added to their drinking water. Another study showed that when added to human cartilage cell cultures, the active ingredients in green tea inhibited chemicals and enzymes that lead to cartilage damage and breakdown. Brew a cup from a tea bag, or just pick up a bottle of Lipton Green Tea at the supermarket!

#5 Orange Juice

Vitamin C is important in the development of normal cartilage. A deficiency of Vitamin C might lead to the development of weak cartilage. In 2010, The Arthritis Research Institute of America, Inc. published an important article in the Journal Public Health Nutrition which suggested that Vitamin C supplementation may indeed be beneficial in preventing new cases of knee osteoarthritis.

#6 Tofu

Soy protein, found in tofu, has been shown to reduce pain and swelling in chronic knee joint pain not attributed to injury or rheumatoid arthritis. Results were found to be more beneficial for men than women. Tofu can be cubed and fried with noodles, or bought prepackaged as tofu pups or tofu burgers. There are even recipes that call for it in fruit smoothies!

#7 Peanut Butter

Vitamin B3, found in peanut butter, is a supplement that may help people with osteoarthritis. One 1996 study (National Institutes of Health) showed that taking vitamin B3 was more effective than a placebo in improving flexibility and reducing inflammation. It’s peanut butter and jelly time!

#8 Whole Grain Breads and Cereals

In one placebo controlled trial, those with rheumatoid arthritis (and by extension osteoarthritis) had less disability, morning stiffness, and pain when they took high doses of pantothenic acid (Brewer’s Yeast) daily.

#9 Lobster

Lobster is an excellent source of vitamin E. Vitamin E may be the key to fighting arthritis-like damage. According to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, vitamin E (also known as alpha tocopherol) and other naturally occurring antioxidants in the diet appear to protect against knee osteoarthritis. Researchers found vitamin E has a protective effect against knee osteoarthritis in Caucasians but they did not find the same protective effect in African Americans.

#10 Pineapple

For years, professional coaches have recommended pineapple to athletes to help heal sports injuries. That’s because a key enzyme in pineapple called bromelain helps reduce inflammation.

Super foods are a special category of foods found in nature. By definition they are nutrient dense meaning they pack a lot of punch for their weight as far as goodness goes and the ones we have listed above are selected because they will help your fight against osteoarthritis and help you cut back on your prescriptions. They are superior sources of anti-oxidants and essential nutrients – nutrients we need but cannot make ourselves. For more information on each of these super foods in your day to day life please have a look at our Diet Research section of the Website. Each super food is covered in more detail and there are more foods listed there as well. Many of them are actually organized by the vitamin, such as vitamin E, and you’ll find a list of all the foods that contain E, not just lobster. We hope this list hopes you on the road to relief. Try some of the exercises on our site too!

Exercise: Sitting in a chair, but with the help of a wall. Press your back flush up against a wall, and lower your body down to a seated position. Then, slowly rise up. Do 10 to 12 reps. One can also try this move with an exercise ball

an effective hamstring stretch, sit down on the ground, put one leg out in front of you and bend the other leg with the foot flush with your knee. Stretch forward as far as you can comfortably go. Switch legs and repeat.

Full squats seem a little too difficult, try a half squat. These types of squats can be very effective at leg and knee strengthening. Start by standing up straight. Then, squat down about half way between a standing position and a seated position with your legs at a 90-degree angle. Try to do two sets of 10 to 12 reps. (You may need to build up to that.)

Conclusion:

Though Osteoarthritis is chronic disorder, you can prevent it or if you have it already then you can live in a better way with it. Prevention is always better than cure. So let’s concentrate on exercises as well as healthier diet option.

Ultimately, eating right, exercise and living a healthy life style can prevent most of us from all sorts of ailments so that we all can lead a healthier life style in future.