8 Things your feet are saying about your health

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A foot is perhaps the most overlooked part of the body and gets very little attention. Besides painting our toes now and then and plucking off that stray hair during sandal season, our feet are mostly ignored. But did you know that a foot is the perfect indicator of our overall health and provides valuable pointers that we should take note of. If you experience any of these below, make sure you consult your general practitioner immediately.

Stinky Feet

If you have improper hygiene, your feet are likely to show the first signs of it. While stinking or smelly feet may not signal anything dangerous, it is nevertheless an important indicator. If the feet continue to smell even after you have restored your hygiene (for example, by taking a bath), then it may be a sign of fungal infection such as athlete’s foot. Always wear cotton socks to prevent smelly feet and regularly wash both your shoes (yes, your shoes need to be cleaned!) and socks.

Foot Cramps

If you had recently walked or hiked long distances or worn shoes without ankle support, then it is likely that the foot cramps were caused because of that. However, if you don’t think any of that applies to you then foot cramps could be an indicator of issues with the nervous system such as vasculitis or arteritis. It could also be something as harmless as nutritional deficiency such as low calcium or magnesium. After periods of high exercise always make sure to rest your feet and give it a proper foot massage.

Yellow Toenails

Unlike common assumption, yellow toenails are not a sign of improper hygiene. Rather it is a sign of fungal infection called as Onychomycosis. Many people ignore this symptom and do not pay attention believing that it would go away in time. However, onychomycosis fungus keeps growing under the toenail and since feet are usually in cold and moist places (inside a shoe), it provides the perfect breeding ground for the fungus. In extreme cases, it has caused people to lose the entire toenail.

A sore that won’t heal

A sore that doesn’t heal is a very important indicator for diabetes mellitus. Because diabetes causes increased glucose levels, it prevents any wound from healing properly. If your sore does not go away in a few days consult a doctor immediately. A sore could also be an indicator for skin cancer.

Perpetually cold feet

While some people prefer their feet cold when sleeping, yet others have naturally cold feet. If your feet seem unusually cold, then it could be an indication of hypothyroidism. It means that your thyroid gland is secreting less thyroid hormones than necessary for proper body functioning.  You can confirm this with a simple blood test at home or by visiting the nearest doctor.

Heel Pain

While it is common in women who wear stilettos, pain in the heel could be a symptom of several issues. It could be a sign for ligament inflammation or it could be a sign that you are starting to develop varicose veins. Try wearing flat heeled and open toes shoes to see if the symptoms persist. If they do, consult a doctor right away.

A Puffy Toe

At first glance a puffy toe may seem like the result of hitting your toe against a hard surface. But if your puffy and enlarged toe does not subside within a few hours, it may be a sign of gout. Gout which is a form of arthritis is caused by the accumulation of uric acid. Monitor your toe for a few days to see if it continues to be puffy and visit a podiatrist at first opportunity.

Pitted Toenails

Pitted toenails could be an indicator of the immune condition psoriasis. In general psoriasis manifests in the skin but in rare cases, some people may find their toenails to have small holes or pits in them. It is easily treated with over the counter medication.

Great ways to spruce up your gender reveal party!

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The emotion of revealing the gender of the baby in your belly cannot be explained in words. And what better ways to make it happen that at a gender reveal party. Well, the concept is not new to folks, but what’s new is how you organize the party and what the unique ways in which you can reveal the gender. And the party becomes more exciting when no one, I mean no one in the family has a clue about what’s happening!

The best part about a gender reveal party is not just the revealing part but being surrounded by all your family and friends. Gender reveal is not just special for the soon to be parents but also for the myriad aunts, uncles and grandparents. And keep in mind, the true success of a gender reveal party is when the news finally dawns on the parents! So, whether you are a partner planning the party for your spouse or if you are a friend, relative or colleague, here are a few tips and tricks that will help spruce up the party.

Let the balloons surprise you

As common as it is, pink and blue balloons are a time-tested way to go. The individual responsible for organizing the party must know the gender of the baby and then all you need to do is place the pink or blue balloons in a box. Keep that huge box in your backyard, lawn or garden and open the box at the countdown of 3. And that’s it! The color of balloons will say it all! One cannot even express that feeling just a second before the box opens! It’s spectacular and scary at the same time!

And if you are planning this party and want to keep the gender as a surprise for you too, then all you must do is have a word with doctor who will slide an envelope to you with the gender printed inside. Just slide that envelope to your trusted friend or party organizer and everything will be taken care of!

Blue and Pink must be your food

All you need is a passion to bake, a little food coloring and a great backyard and you can create a magical gender reveal in minutes. Organize the dining table with a giant cake and other delectable food! Use a pink or blue food die to color the cake and cover it in white frosting. In the end, you will only be able to see the white frosting and not the color within.

When the soon-to-be parents cut the cake, the joy on their faces will be the perfect reward. Plus, you get to enjoy some delicious cupcakes while you’re at it!

Family Matters

Why not get the spectators involved by handing out pink or blue color t-shirts to your guests? You can either use apparel accessories like: pink or blue caps, hand bands, tattoos or just pins. If your party has kids in it, do not forget to get them some fun accessories too. But before you plan such an idea, make sure that each member in the family (especially the kids) are kept from divulging the secret. And then, when the time is right, let all the members of the party give a surprise to the would-be parents and revel in their priceless reactions.

Post it on Social Media

If you cannot gather your family around, you can still surprise them on social media. There are several ways you can post a gender reveal on social media. All you need to do is when you know the gender of your baby, fill your palm with pink or blue ink and leave a print on a plain white t-shirt and post it on social media profile. Another idea is to leave the imprint of that specific color on the belly of the would-be mother! This is an amazing way to surprise the mother as well. Best of all, you get to share the joy with your friends and family from around the world.

Baby Outfits

How about opening a present with the outfit of the baby! If it’s a girl, you might want to buy a little princess pink dress and a probably a blue suit if it’s a boy! But who will prepare this present if everyone wants to be surprised? Well, all you need to do is tell your doctor to write the gender inside an envelope and go to a baby apparel shop. Choose outfits for both genders and slide the envelope to the shop assistant! And they will take care of the rest and pack the right one inside a sealed bag.  And you get to walk away not knowing what is inside the bag.

Get Silly with Silly String

This creative idea is most enjoyed by the kids in the party. So, all you have to do is hand over the silly string spray of a specific color (pink/blue) and let the kids reveal the gender. And why only kids! Hand over silly string spray to everyone at the party and they will enjoy the revealing too.

And if you want, you can enjoy a gender reveal party with every technique listed above. You can have box of balloons in the garden. When the box opens, all your guests can spray silly string wearing pink/blue caps. And your husband can surprise you with baby t shirts. And all the fun can continue to the colored theme desserts and cupcakes in the garden.

And yes, don’t forget to record the priceless expression of the soon-to-be parents and each member in the family. You might want to use that video in future to tell your kid how special he/she was for the entire family and how everyone reacted during the surprising reveal! Gender reveal parties are a great way to enjoy time with your family and friends and revel in the bundle of joy you are soon about to have.

3 Meditation Techniques from Around the World

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In this world of technology and constant stress, meditation is a great way to relax, unwind and a chance to focus inward. Ancient civilizations around the world recognized the importance of meditation and devised several techniques that are designed to heal the mind and spirit. Whether you are feeling down or lethargic or simply want a break from all the chaos around you, try one of these meditation techniques and feel your spirits lift

The Buddhist Samatha Meditation

The word ‘Samatha’ means serenity or tranquillity and the objective of this meditation is to calm your inner self. The Buddhist meditation techniques share several similarities with other techniques from South Asian religions such as Jainism and Hinduism. These techniques are designed to help alleviate anger and improve concentration, insight and mindfulness.

For this technique, sit quietly in a room devoid of any sounds or interruptions. Make sure you do not have any cell phones, televisions or speakers on. Slowly concentrate inward on your breath and count the number of breaths you take. When you release a breath, feel the worries and tensions drain away from your body. You can also choose to meditate in front of an inanimate object such as a statue or flower pot. Concentrating on a single spot on the object allows your mind to relax and prevents excessive visual and cognitive distractions.

The Samatha meditation provides great inner peace in the short term and when performed periodically over a period allows you to achieve greater control over your thoughts and provides tranquillity in times of stress. Ultimately, the goal of Samatha is to help achieve nirvana or enlightenment. So, what are you waiting for. Grab your yoga mat and head down to quiet and peace.

New Age Hindu Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation or TM is an ancient technique from the Hindu Upanishads that was brought to the west by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1959. It is perhaps the most well-known technique in the west with several hundred researchers publishing studies that suggest TM can help with stress, anxiety and improving brain function. The TM technique involves repeating a specific mantra accompanied by rhythmic breathing.

TM teachers claim that it is an effortless technique that can be practiced by both sceptics and believers. It currently has over six million followers worldwide and has helped several soldiers deal with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

Although transcendental meditation has several advocates, critics argue that the benefits achieved through transcendental meditation can also be achieved through other meditation techniques. Besides, since TM is taught by accredited teachers, the cost for TM may be as high as $960 making it a stressful way to relieve stress. However, if you are looking for a meditation technique that is endorsed by the likes of Hugh Jackman, then head on over to your nearest TM centre and learn how to achieve inner peace.

Inner Transformation through Taoist Meditation

Taoism or Daoism a Chinese religion that dates back to several hundred centuries; This type of meditation teaches that the power to control your mind and body exists within yourself and the best way to achieve inner peace is by harnessing this power and spirit. One of the key benefits of being able to control and unify the mind and body is to help achieve longevity.

There are several methods of performing Taoist meditation but emptiness meditation is the most commonly used technique. In this method, a person is supposed to remove all thoughts and feelings from their mind. They need to ‘forget about everything’ or empty their mind to achieve inner quiet. When this state is achieved, the spirit or the vital force within the body is able to gain back its strength and replenish it. This is one of the toughest forms of meditation for absolute beginners because a true state of emptiness is almost impossible to achieve even for experienced meditators.

So now that you have learnt some of the most commonly studied and learned meditation techniques, what are you waiting for? Go forth and conquer yourself.

Top 10 Temples in India

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The diverse and cultural epicenter of South Asia is home to several beautiful temples dedicated to various Gods and architecturally diverse. Take a look at the top 10 temples.

1. Kapaleeshwar Temple
This temple is in Myalpore in the southern province of Tamil Nadu and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year, there are millions of worshippers who come to Tamil Nadu to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. This temple was built in the 7th century under the architectural presence of Dravidians. People of various faiths also visit this place to marvel at its spectacular architectural beauty. There are many rituals performed here daily between 5:30 AM to 10 PM. One of the popular festivals celebrated in this temple is Arubathimooval which is prominent in this region.
2. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
This temple is a dedication to an Indian Saint named Sai Baba. This temple was built in the year 1952 in the memory of Sai Baba who was a popular philosopher in the region and his philosophies were popular in Hindu community. His mission was to bring all communities together and help build interfaith relations. Interestingly, this temple does not follow conventional temple architecture and is rather post-modern and modernist much to the delight of architectural buffs.

3. Sri Parthasarathy Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is also located in Chennai. This temple was built in the 8th century by Pallavas. One can witness the coin of the temple which includes five forms of Lord Vishnu namely: Krishna, narasimha, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha and Rama. This temple is one of the oldest temples in India and oldest structure in the city. This temple features several scenes that set the backdrop of battles between the Vaishnavite and Saivite kings who warred back in the 7th and 8th centuries.

4. Marundeeswarar Temple
This temple is in Chennai and is located along the Bay of Bengal beach. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is widely believed that this temple has curing powers and people with serious illness and medical problems often visit this place in the hope that they get cured. The architectural style of this temple is traditional Dravidian form but the murals on the walls are exceptional and different from other temples. Shivratri is the most popular festival in this area witnessing millions of worshippers gathered together and the whole area is lighted with beautiful lamps.

5. Sundareswarar Temple
This temple was built in the year 1965 under the dedication of Lord Shiva. This temple is located at Kovour which is a suburb in Chennai. This temple shares an extraordinary significance of architectural beauty which is witnessed by much architecture in the country. The work ad elegance of architecture in 7th century can be witnessed in the carvings and details images on the temple walls. And thus, this temple is not only popular among the deities of Lord Shiva but also among those individuals who praise the beauty of architecture.

6. Mumbadevi Temple
Mumba Devi is one of the ancient temples in the city of Maharashtra called Mumbai. This temple was built in the year 1675 as a dedication to the Hindu Saint called Mumba. This woman was known as a symbol of worship and power in Maharashtra. In fact, the city was named Mumbai inspired by the legacy of this temple and Mumbai, a woman of power, a great mother. This temple is in the markets of steel and clothing in South of Mumbai and can be noticed from far vision as a symbol of greatness and power. Tourist visiting Mumbai acknowledge their presence in this temple to unfold chapters of the rituals and believes of the followers of this temple.

7. Siddhivinayak Temple
Well this temple does not really need an introduction to the Hindu Community. This temple is a dedication to Lord Ganesha and is in the area of Prabhadevi in Mumbai. This temple is known for its beauty and believes. Many film stars and celebrities come to worship the greatness of Lord Ganesha majorly at the time of Ganesh festival. During the festival, there is usually no place to stand still as there are visitors from around the world who come watch the festivities.

8. Babulnath Temple
Another ancient temple in Mumbai is Babulnath. This temple is a dedication to Lord Shiva and more than millions of visitors are welcomes in this temple every year. The peak time of the year is Mahashivratri where worshippers and deities from different parts of India climb up to the temple to receive blessings. This temple was known as the first temple which was built in Mumbai under the Parsi community rule. And thus, this temple is a written name in the golden book of Indian history as a place of a Parsi’s final resting.

9. Walkeshwar Temple
Also, known as Ball ganga temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in Mumbai. This temple also shares an amazing tale of existence when Lord Rama created a Shiv Ling of sand while he was waiting for his brother (lakshman) to get water. This temple is attached with Banganag tank and is known as a primary tourist attraction in Mumbai. This temple shares a beautiful architectures presence and holds a great value for architects wishing to understand how the temple works.

10. Balaji Temple
This temple is located inside the premises of TTD information center in Chennai and is dedicated to the Lord Balaji. Many celebrities and film stars come to visit this temple to pray for the success of their upcoming movies or programs. This temple is a home to sculptures of Lords namely: Varaha, Sri Devi, Bhumidevi, Brahma, Charkratalwar, Sri Ramar, Andal and Shri Krishna. This temple is the richest temple in India and collects millions of funds from devotees that are then spent for charitable purposes.

What is diabetic Mononeuropathy?

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death around the globe. This disease tends to run in families and it’s so dangerous that it is one of the leading causes of many of the severe and acute disorders. One of those disorders is mononeuropathy. This term is often confused with neuropathy, although these two conditions are close enough but they are not the same. The difference is quite subtle. In neuropathy multiple nerves are damaged while in mononeuropathy only a single group of nerves gets damaged such as the olfactory nerves, sensory nerves etc.

As this condition negatively affects the group of nerves in any part of the body, targets them and damages them, the body part becomes unable to move or the result is simply loss of any of the sensations. There are various types of the mononeuropathy that differ in symptoms, severity and rarity. The most common type is carpel tunnel syndrome. It is the result of pressure on median nerve of the arm which causes muscle damage, numbness and weakness of the muscles of arms and hands. There are a few forms of cranial mononeuropathy as well that damage the nerves going out of the skull. Cranial mononeuropathy 4 can render double vision and difficulty moving your eyes.

We will not look into the causes or etiology of a common mononeuropathy because that is beyond the scope of this article. The purpose here is to highlight the complications caused by mononeuropathy caused as a result of diabetes.

Signs and symptoms to look for:

The symptoms of this condition are specific to the area that it affects but the most common ones include:

·         Loss of sensation, as not being able to see, feel, hear, taste, or smell depending on the sensory area that got affected

·         The burning and tingling sensations in the body

·         Feeling numb or lack of feeling in any body part

·         Not being able to balance or coordinate your body

·         Losing your reflexes

·         Spasms, twitches, cramps and convulsions of the muscles

·         General weakness

·         Excruciating pain

·         Muscle waste or muscle atrophy

·         Paralysis characterized by difficulty in moving your body.

How to diagnose it?

If you experience even mild symptoms of this disease and believe that you may be having it then get checked by your doctor as soon as possible. Provide complete medical history such as genetic disease running in family, if any first degree relative have any disease specially diabetes, age, gender, the first time you experienced these symptoms, If you ever had any other disease in your life, if you ever got operated and whether you had to go through a surgery. Also inform them about any medications you may be taking or even any multivitamin supplements. It’s a better idea to inform your medical care practitioner of any herbs you may be taking on the regular basis because certain herbs such as devil’s weed, cohosh and other varieties may react to the certain medications given.

After taking the history, your doctor may perform a thorough medical checkup. The tests help determine the exact cause of your condition. These tests may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, C-reactive protein, sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody panel, computed tomography (CT) scan, thyroid tests, and blood tests.

How to treat it?

Treatment of diabetic mononeuropathy may be suggested by looking at the severity of nerve damage, if the nerve damage is not severe enough and it is mild then it may get better on its own.

Treating the underlying cause:

In this case standard preventive measures for controlling diabetes will be taken as well as treating the area of nerve damage. Your doctor may recommend controlling blood sugar levels and cut down the intake of sugar.

Corticosteroids

These are used to relieve pressure and swelling that is caused by mononeuropathy. Pain relievers can also be used to provide relief from the symptoms of pain. A medicine named Gabapentin has been shown to be particularly effective in treating the diabetic mononeuropathy.

Physical therapy

It can be used to maintain the strength of the affected area of the muscle in the body. You may be asked to wear orthopedic appliances such as splints, braces and special shoes.

 Occupational therapy and well being:

Along with any mode of treatment being applied emotional, mental and occupational therapy is necessary to enhance the general well being and reduce the negative impact of the disease in day to day life. The victims of this disease need support and awareness about healthy ways to cope with this disease. The coping strategies will be effective in managing social, occupational and emotional lives of these individuals. Additionally, biofeedback and acupuncture will be the right type of complementary treatments for this debilitating disease.

What to look for?

Nerve pain can sometimes last for long period of time. If left untreated it can cause permanent nerve damage which can lead to the loss of sensation. When the feeling of touch or pain is lost a person is unable to feel anything and this may lead to the development of more serious injury because of being left untreated for a long time.

You can take care of yourself very well if you visit your health care practitioner often and get educated about early signs and warning symptoms of the disorder. This may make your outlook to be positive and long term regarding your health.