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Secondhand Smoke: Health Risks

Secondhand smoke refers to tobacco smoke that is passively breathed in by people in the vicinity of a person who is smoking. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke from the tobacco product itself (termed sidestream smoke) and exhaled smoke from the smoker (known as mainstream smoke). When a nonsmoker inhales secondhand smoke, he or she is exposed to the same toxins and chemicals, including nicotine, as the smoker. Terms that have been used to refer to secondhand smoke are passive smoking, involuntary smoking, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).

Exposure of children to secondhand smoke also increases their health risks; and children are especially vulnerable to the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. About 35% of U.S. children live in homes where smoking occurs regularly. Research has shown that 50% to 75% of children in the U.S. have detectable levels of cotinine (the breakdown product of nicotine) in their blood, so even children who do not live with smokers may be at risk for adverse effects of secondhand smoke. Chemicals from tobacco smoke inhaled by a nursing mother are also known to reach breast milk.

Cigarettes are the most common sources of secondhand smoke, followed by cigars and pipe smoke. People can be exposed to environmental tobacco smoke anywhere - in their homes, in the workplace, and in recreational settings. At least 250 harmful chemicals have been identified in secondhand smoke, including at least 50 carcinogens (chemicals that are known to cause cancer). Just some of the dangerous chemicals present in secondhand smoke include vinyl chloride, cadmium, benzene, arsenic, and ethylene oxide. Secondhand smoke is known to cause cancer. It has been classified as a “known human carcinogen” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is also associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as other serious health conditions. We’ll take a look at some of these on the next few slides.

Passive smoking is an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Research has shown that nonsmokers who reside with a smoker have a 20% to 30% increase in risk for developing lung cancer when compared with nonsmokers who do not reside with a smoker.

Like cigarette smoking itself, secondhand smoke is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and heart attack. Breathing secondhand smoke for even a short time can have immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, interfering with the normal functioning of the heart, blood, and vascular systems in ways that increase the risk of heart attack. Persons who already have heart disease are at especially high risk of suffering adverse affects from breathing secondhand smoke and should take special precautions to avoid even brief exposure.

Secondhand smoke contains many chemicals that can quickly irritate and damage the lining of the airways. Even brief exposure can trigger respiratory symptoms, including cough, chest congestion (phlegm), wheezing, breathlessness and decreased lung function. Brief exposure to secondhand smoke can also trigger an asthma attack in children with asthma. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke can also develop serious respiratory infections.

In addition to the risk of pneumonia and respiratory infections in babies exposed to secondhand smoke, passive smoke is known to increase the severity of asthma in children with this condition. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The question of whether or not passive smoking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer is currently a source of both investigation and controversy. Breast cancer risk in active smokers is not known to be increased, yet some studies have found a possible link to breast cancer with exposure to passive smoke.

So, if you are a non-smoker, the safest way to avoid passive smoke is not to allow others to smoke in your home. This is particularly important if there are children in your home. On the other hand, if you are a smoker, obviously, quit smoking is the best way to protect your family and friends from secondhand smoke. A number of support systems, programs, and even prescription medications are available to help smokers break the habit.

Causes for Stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or, more commonly, when a blockage develops. Without treatment, cells in the brain quickly begin to die. The result can be serious disability or death. If a loved one is having stroke symptoms, seek emergency medical attention without delay.

Signs of a stroke may include:

- Sudden numbness or weakness of the body, especially on one side.
- Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes.
- Sudden, severe headache with unknown cause.
- Sudden problems with dizziness, walking, or balance.
- Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding others.

The most common type of stroke is known as an ischemic stroke. Nearly nine out of 10 strokes fall into this category. The culprit is a blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel inside the brain. The clot may develop on the spot or travel through the blood from elsewhere in the body. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common but far more likely to be fatal. They occur when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts. The result is bleeding inside the brain that can be difficult to stop. A transient ischemic attack, often called a “mini-stroke,” is more like a close call. Blood flow is temporarily impaired to part of the brain, causing symptoms similar to an actual stroke. When the blood flows again, the symptoms disappear. A TIA is a warning sign that a stroke may happen soon. It’s critical to see your doctor if you think you’ve had a TIA. There are therapies to reduce the risk of stroke.

A common cause of stroke is atherosclerosis — hardening of the arteries. Plaque made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances builds up in the arteries, leaving less space for blood to flow. A blood clot may lodge in this narrow space and cause an ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis also makes it easier for a clot to form. Hemorrhagic strokes often result from uncontrolled high blood pressure that causes a weakened artery to burst.

A poor diet may increase the risk for stroke in a few significant ways. Eating too much fat and cholesterol can lead to arteries that are narrowed by plaque. Too much salt may contribute to high blood pressure. And too many calories can lead to obesity. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish may help lower stroke risk.

Others certain conditions also increase your risk of stroke, which include, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

Feeding Baby: How to Avoid Food Allergies

Starting to feed a baby solid foods is an exciting milestone for parents — and one that also comes with a lot of new questions and concerns. What’s the best way to avoid food allergies once your baby has mastered single-grain cereals and is ready to move on to new foods? What foods are most likely to cause allergies in babies?

It’s important to introduce baby to new foods gradually, and one at a time, in case of food allergies. Otherwise, you’ll have trouble tying an allergy to a specific new food. For example, if you give your baby three new foods over the course of a day and she develops an allergic reaction, you won’t know which of the foods provoked it.

It doesn’t matter all that much which foods you introduce to your baby, or which order you introduce them in, as long as the foods you are offering are healthy and well-balanced. But each time you offer a new food, you should wait three to five days before adding another to the menu. Don’t eliminate all the other foods your baby is already eating during that time — just don’t add anything else new.

With each new food, you’ll want to be on the lookout for allergic reactions. There are more than 160 allergenic foods, but these eight foods and food groups are the culprits 90% of the time. You may want to wait until baby is older to try some of these foods, especially peanuts. In fact,  many experts suggest waiting until your child is 3 before trying peanuts. Ask your pediatrician if you have any questions about a food.

- Milk
- Egg
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Wheat
 
Food allergy symptoms usually appear very soon after the food is eaten — within a few minutes to a couple of hours. If you’re introducing a new food to your baby, keep an eye out for these symptoms:

- Hives
- Flushed skin or rash
- Face, tongue, or lip swelling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Coughing or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness

Remedies for Amnesia

Amnesia refers to partial or complete loss of memory. Different types and degrees of amnesia occur in old age and in some mental disorders. The most common form of this disease is verbal amnesia. In this condition, the patient forgets words or names. An uncommon form of amnesia is temporary loss of memory, in which a person even forgets his own identity, including his name, age, family background, and any recollection of the past.

The main cause of amnesia is the impairment of brain cells by diseases which affect them directly or indirectly, due to a poor blood supply caused by circulatory diseases. Poor memory also results from dullness of intellect and weakness of the brain. Many cases are, however, largely psychological in origin. They are caused by anxiety neurosis, resulting from attention-seeking in persons obsessed with their own problems. Temporary loss of memory may result from an injury.

- Amnesia treatment using Rosemary
The most remarkable remedy for loss of memory or forgetfulness is the use of the herb rosemary, botanically known as Romarinus officinalis. Rosemary has long been regarded as a herb for remembrance. In ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans prepared fragrant distilled water from the flowers of this plant and inhaled the odour so that ‘the evils were destroyed from the mind and the memory no longer played tricks.’ Rosemary is considered to be an antidote for mental fatigue and forgetfulness. A tea made from this herb, taken once or twice a day, is a refreshing drink and an effective natural remedy for enhancing mental agility.

- Amnesia treatment using Brahmi Booti
Another herb useful in amnesia is perennail booti, botanically known as Bacopa scrophulariaceae. About seven grams of this herb should be dried in the shade and ground in water, along with seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper. This mixture should be strained and sweetened with twenty-five gm of sugar. It should be drunk every morning for a fortnight on an empty stomach.

- Amnesia treatment using Sage
The herb sage has also been found beneficial in the treatment of a weak memory or loss of memory. It acts on the cortex of the brain, mitigates mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate. A tea prepared from dried sage leaves can be used regularly for this purpose.

- Amnesia treatment using Almonds
Almonds are very valuable for restoring a poor memory caused by brain weakness. They contain unique properties to remove brain debility and to strengthen the brain. Almonds preserve the vitality of the brain and cure ailments originating from nervous disorders. Ten to twelve almonds should be immersed in water overnight and their outer skin removed. They should then be made into a fine paste and taken, mixed with one teaspoonful of butter or even alone. Inhaling ten to fifteen drops of almond oil through the nose, morning and evening, is also beneficial in the treatment of brain weakness.

- Amnesia treatment using Walnuts
Walnut is another unique dry fruit valuable in countering brain weakness. About twenty grams of walnuts should be taken every day. The value of walnuts is enhanced if they are taken with figs or raisins in a proportion of ten gram each, everyday.

- Amnesia treatment using Apples
Apples are useful in amnesia. The various chemical substances contained in this fruit such as vitamin B1, phosphorus, and potassium help in the synthesis of glutamic acid. This acid controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. Eating an apple a day with one tea-spoon of honey and one cup of milk is beneficial in the treatment of loss of memory and mental irritability. It acts as an effective nerve tonic and recharges the nerves with new energy and life.

- Amnesia treatment using Other Fruits
All fruits which are rich in phosphorus are valuable mitigators of amnesia, as they invigorate the brain cells and tissues. Apart from apples, almonds, and walnuts, which have been discussed earlier, other phosphorus-rich fruits are figs, grapes, oranges, and dates. Their intake is highly beneficial in loss of memory due to brain debility.

- Amnesia treatment using Cumin Seeds
The use of cumin seeds is another valuable remedy for amnesia or dullness of memory. Three grams of black cumin seeds should be mixed with two teaspoonfuls of pure honey and taken once a day, preferably, in the morning.

- Amnesia treatment using Black Pepper
Five seeds of finely ground black pepper, mixed with one teaspoon of honey are also beneficial in the treatment of this condition. This preparation should be taken both in the morning and evening.

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