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TSH Levels (Thyrotropin) – Test, Normal, High and Low Level

Posted: July 22nd 2010 By rajeshm6         under: Endocrine Disorders     Tags: , , , , , ,

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or TSH or Thyrotropin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small organ located below the brain and behind the sinus cavities. It is responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland. The TSH levels are measured for diagnosing any thyroid disorders.

The level of thyroid hormones in the blood depends and is controlled by the pituitary gland and the TSH levels. The TSH is secreted by thyrotrope cells in the front pituitary gland which is responsible for regulating the endocrine function of the thyroid gland. The TSH level is directly related to the level of thyroid hormones.

The TSH is responsible for the secretion of the following hormones by the thyroid gland:

  • Triiodothyronine or T3
  • Thyroxine or T4

Ironically, T3 and T4 restrain the production and secretion of TSH similar to another hormone somatostatin that inhibits TSH production.

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is located at the anterior part of the throat just below the Adam’s apple. This butterfly-shaped gland produces hormones that can affect and regulate nearly every bodily function. Along with these, Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) are also necessary for the normal development of the human brain. In case of any thyroid disorders in the early years of a child resulting in insufficient thyroid hormone production, the child may become mentally retarded.

These hormones control various functions of the body including memory, heart rate, cholesterol levels, metabolism and organ function, weight loss or gain, energy levels and skin condition.

Thyroid Gland Disorders

When the thyroid gland is producing less thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland produces increased TSH levels to stimulate the thyroid forcing it to increase its production of thyroid hormones. This condition is called hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, dry skin, slow growth, constipation and delayed pubertal development.

When the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than required, the pituitary gland decreases its level of TSH production so as to decrease the level of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid. This condition, hyperthyroidism, results in unexpected weight loss, irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, irritability and nervousness.

Indian Vegetarian Foods and Meals Good for Health – Recipes, Pictures

Posted: May 10th 2010 By Admin         under: Food and Fitness     Tags: , ,

Common Food Related Issues In Indian Vegetarians

  • Proteins
  • image by mocmoc

    Calories

  • Vitamin B12
  • Iron
  • Bloating
  • Food poisoning

Indian Plant Foods High in PROTEINS

Amount of proteins in 100g (except specified otherwise) of food:

  • Pulses (cooked)
    • Lentils, Masoor dal = 9g
    • Pigeon peas, red gram, Toor dal = 7g
    • Black lentils, black gram, Urad dal = 7g
    • Chickpeas, Bengal gram, Channa dal = 9g
  • Soybean, cooked = 12 g
  • Tofu = 9g
  • Soymilk (one cup, 243 g) = 8g
  • Kidney beans = 9g
  • Green peas = 5g
  • Nuts: 21-24g
    • Ground nuts, peanuts, arachides, Moongfali, roasted = 24g
    • Peanut butter (2 tbsp) = 8g
    • Pistachios, Pista = 21g
    • Walnuts (Akhroat/Akhrot), dried = 24g
    • Almonds (Badam), roasted = 21g
    • Cashew nuts (Kaju) = 15g
  • Cereals: 6-13 g proteins
    • Indian flatbread, Roti = 11g

Vegetables and fruits contain less than 5g proteins per 100g of food.

Common Causes of Hair Loss

Posted: April 23rd 2010 By Dr.S.Sivaraman         under: Hair and Skin Care     Tags: ,

Causes of Hair Loss

One of the major issues faced by all especially the teens is hair fall. The loss of hair has become a serious problem and people are keen in identifying an effective solution to it. To prevent hair loss it is always good to be aware of the causes of hair loss.

image by mayarn

The usual cycle of hair growth generally lasts for 2 to 3 years. It is a fact that every hair grows approximately 1 cm per month during this growing phase.

Almost 90 percent of the hair on the scalp keeps growing at any time. The remaining 10 percent of the hair on the scalp seems to be in the resting phase.

After duration of 3 to 4 months the resting hair falls out and it is replaced by the new hair. As a part of this cycle it is quite normal to shed some hair each day.

Sometimes it happen that people may experience too much of hair loss. Hair loss is not specific to any person. It affects men, women and children.

Some of the common causes of hair loss can be any of the following:

Illness:

In general the factors that cause hair loss are many. For instance if a person suffers from major illness or undergone a surgery, he may experience excessive loss of hair. As this hair loss is related to the stress of the illness it is temporary. Lupus also can cause hair loss. Causes of hair loss also include hormonal problems. In case if the thyroid gland is over active or underactive, hair loss may be distinct. Such type of hair loss can be rectified by treating thyroid disease.

High Protein Breakfast Foods

Posted: April 21st 2010 By Dr.S.Sivaraman         under: Food and Fitness     Tags: , , ,

High Protein Breakfast Foods – Ideas and Foods

What to eat for the most important meal of the day, the breakfast?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because we are going to feed the tummy after a long break of eight to six hours; in addition, the whole body functioning had been in good rest for the past six to eight hours.

Therefore, they will all be ready waiting for some good job to do; if not your entire system will turn down leaving the whole day lethargic.

High Protein Breakfast Diet

Research has shown that high protein diet intake keeps the whole day active for you.

Protein is an essential component found in every body cell including nails and hair. It is also required to repair damaged tissues. Consuming a high protein diet can also help to build and strengthen muscles. It also produces a healthier cartilage.

Another reason why the breakfast should include high protein diet is that the body is not capable of storing protein. So, when there is a lack of protein in the body, there is nothing for it to draw on. Consuming high proteins during breakfast can provide adequate supply for one day.

Protein Shakes:

Smoothies for a breakfast in tight morning schedule if rich in protein is a very good form to keep you active throughout the day. They usually contain a combination of nuts, milk and fruits. Other smoothies will include a combination of multi grains, milk and fruits.  These drinks are fit for athletes, and help in body and muscle building, enhancing digestion and to maintain moisture content in the body.

Eggs:

An egg a day will give 6 grams of protein in your daily intake. To control the intake of fat while consuming egg, the best thing to do is to avoid the intake of yellow of egg and consume only the white of the egg. A high protein source for your die, egg is also prescribed by American Heart Association as a must for a healthy heart.

Dairy:

Dairy products are rich in protein, and in fact, there are several low fat and non-fat products that will keep the entire day healthy and active. You can opt for milk, cheese, yogurt for a protein rich diet; though ensure that the products you choose are low on fat. These products also provide the body with essential calcium.

Nuts:

Nut butters are good combination with toasted bread and honey. Peanut and soy butter could give about 4 grams of protein per day.

Cheese and Omlette:

Two scrambled eggs in milk with sprinkled cheese and a slice or two of bread toast topped with honey or nut butter is the best way to start your morning. This diet is really rich in protein and calcium with fiber to make your tummy feel full without rumbling and will keep you active until you have the morning breakfast or until lunch.

Soy Products:

Many breakfast foods are made of soy products like soymilk, and breakfast cereals with added soy protein that can give nearly up to 20 grams of protein in your daily dietary intake. For the vegans, this is a good choice. Soy products like tofu and burgers and beans too pack quiet a punch besides providing the body with necessary fiber to cut cholesterol levels.

Fish:

Fish is high in protein and good fats that will provide both energy to your body and boosters for active memory or in other words will enhance the better functioning of the brain. In fact, a piece of smoked salmon is a better alternative to sandwich. Some fish like salmon are high on fat but are still better than red meat as fish fat is of the healthy variety known as omega-3 fatty acid.

Traditional Breakfasts:

Traditional English breakfasts like sausages, ham and bacon with eggs are very good source of protein rich breakfast suggestions.

The average person needs only a small amount of protein for his/her everyday needs and this can be obtained from various food sources. Though foods like nuts, vegetables, meats, cheeses and milk contain protein in adequate quantity, the fat content in these foods is also very high. If you are looking for a weight-loss diet then a low fat high protein breakfast is the best one for you. For this, the healthier choice is to include high protein cereals instead of fatty meats or diary products like milk, butter and cheeses.

High Protein Breakfast Recipes

A healthy breakfast will include one serving of dairy product or a high calcium food, one serving of a whole grain or multigrain carbohydrate, and one serving of fruit.

Some classical examples of this combination are:

  • Multi grain cereal with lots of strawberries or blueberries topped with milk.
  • A high Protein Breakfast with one whole-wheat grated burrito with low fat cheddar cheese sprinkled over a cup of milk and boiled until cooked. Supplement this breakfast with peeled and sliced orange toppings.
    This breakfast is rich in protein, vitamin C, calcium, fiber and other anti oxidants.
  • A low fat muffin with a glassful of latte filled with skimmed milk.
  • A high protein grain bar with an apple and a glassful of chilled milk.
  • A scrambled egg, a cup of fresh fruit salad, one wheat roll and a cup of milk.
  • A cup of fresh blueberries with free fat yoghurt, and a slice of whole-wheat toast topped with fruit spread.
  • A wheat bagel with light spread cream cheese and jam; a cup of peach yogurt will complement this nutritious breakfasts.

Jiffy Breakfast:

A cup of fruit smoothie blended with strawberries and a sliced banana with a scoop of health drink powder with or without crushed ice. This is rich in antioxidants if you could some more boosters and flavor to your tongue with mint or makes it also calcium rich by blending with a cup of yoghurt.

High Protein Breakfast Cereal

High protein breakfast cereals include a high protein diet along with those cereals that are rich in micronutrients and amino acids. These vitamins or minerals, though in small amounts, are essential for the maintenance of the body.

For overall health, fibrous foods are equally important along with high protein diet. A lack of fiber can result in constipation. Therefore, high protein diet combined with cereals and added fiber is considered the best option for overall health. Adding high protein cereals to your breakfast diet is certainly one of the best ways to get the benefits of protein without having to add too much high fat or sugar. Moreover, the high protein diet should not be continued for more than six months at a stretch as the body may become biologically used to the diet and the expected results are not noticed.

A low carb high protein breakfast is considered the best option when trying to loose weight. This type of diet includes fruits and vegetables. But this can’t be continued for a longer period as by reducing carbohydrates, the body can lose antioxidants and nutrients needed for fighting diseases. Reducing carbohydrates intake can also increase the risk for diabetes, cancer and heart problems. The signs of old age develop at a quicker rate and also the body’s natural immune system functions may suffer leaving the body vulnerable for external and internal damage.

Cereals:

A bowl full of cereals and milk topped with fruit and nuts is really a very good healthy diet. This fiber and milk combination will keep your bowel movements in very good condition.

Sweetened Brown Rice:

A bowl of sweetened brown rice has a very high content of protein, rich in Vitamin B complexes and is a great source of fiber. To add value to the nutrition, a spoonful of honey, a handful of raisins, sliced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Alternatives to rice are barley, rye, red wheat, oats, buckwheat, quinoa or millet.

High protein breakfast diets will allow easy digestion and fills up the body with all active amino acids required for the body after eight to six hours of starvation.

Sources:

http://nutritiondata.com/

Leukemia Diagnoses and Treatment

Posted: April 20th 2010 By Dr.S.Sivaraman         under: Cancer, Diseases and Conditions     Tags: , ,

Leukemia Diagnoses

The blood forming cells of the bone marrow begins to form cancer when this disease of leukemia affects them. The bone marrow cells begin to grow abnormally in quantity resulting in abundant amount of white blood cells or leukocytes that usually spread to other parts of the body.

image by ratz plt

This comes to known when the affected person is undergoing leukemia diagnoses. Irrelevant of sex, it affects both male, female and children.

According to clinical and pathological conditions it is divided in to two types. One is called acute and another one is called chronic.

In acute type, the normal cell forming tendency of the bone marrow is altered and bone marrow loses its capacity to produce mature cells. But there forms the rapid immature cell and this immature cells are produced and accumulated. These accumulated cells are sent to blood stream. And the activity of immature cell production becomes endless. This type of condition is common in children and they should be advised to go for specific leukemia diagnoses and treatment.

Against acute type, in chronic type the old and matured cells are affected. The process of abnormal cell division occurs only in old and matured cells. Unlike acute type, in chronic type the progression of the disease is slow and it takes from months to year for appearance and it can be confirmed only during leukemia diagnoses. But as in acute type, the chronic type also results in increased quantity of white blood cells. Unlike acute type, in chronic type only old people are affected normally.

What is Leukemia?

Posted: April 13th 2010 By Dr.S.Sivaraman         under: Diseases and Conditions, Medical Questions     Tags: , ,

Leukemia

LEUKEMIA – the word derived from Greek word. Leukos means white and aima means blood. Normally the blood forming cells are affected by this disease.

It is an abnormal growth of cells that usually begins at bone marrow and results in large quantity of white blood cells or it is characterized by abnormal increase in leukocytes-(white blood cells) and eventually spread to other parts of the body. This condition is commonly developed in all male, female and children.

Classification:

Pathological and clinical condition of this disease decides the classification in to two major types of leukemia. They are called acute and chronic type.

Acute type of leukemia:

In the beginning of this condition, the normal function of the bone marrow is disturbed and the bone marrow is unable to produce healthy blood cells before which huge quantity of immature blood cells are produced and due to speedy increase, production and accumulation the produced immature blood cells are taken to blood stream immediately. The speedy mechanism of production of these immature cells is not stopped. This acute type of leukemia is to be treated at once. This condition is commonly seen in children.

Menopause Bleeding

Posted: February 1st 2010 By editor1         under: Women's Health     Tags: , ,

Menopause Bleeding

Each woman in the world is unique and the worst thing they are facing in their life is menopause bleeding problem. The principle reason of menopause bleeding is hormonal imbalance. Menopause can be defined as the physiology of menstruation and the hormones that involves in monthly cycle.

image by Seegul

image by Seegul

Hormones act like a messenger substance in our body and it can bind the cells known as receptor site, where they initiate a chain of specific event. The menstrual is dominated by estrogen in first half cycle, which builds the lining of uterus in preparation for a potential pregnancy. The ovulation is referred to an egg released from the ovaries after day14of the cycle approximately or two weeks prior to the menstruation. The ovary begins to produce progesterone as a result of ovulation.

The progesterone is dominant in this second half cycle. The impotent role of progesterone is to prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy and also to prevent build up of lining by estrogen. If the egg is not fertilized, the level of estrogen and progesterone drops causing sloughing of the uterine lining, or menstruation. For a potential pregnancy the body goes through this cycle every month to ensure a fresh uterine lining.

Cessations of menstruation due to normal declaim in ovarian function. Technically, we can say menopause (or post menopause) occurs when a women has not had her period for 12 consecutive months.

Natural and Holistic Hair Loss Treatments

Posted: October 27th 2009 By editor1         under: Hair and Skin Care     Tags: ,

Hair Loss Treatments

There are many hair loss treatments that are natural and perfectly balancing for one’s health. They have several treatments on offer than can bring about natural hair loss restoring and balancing.

 aImage by battleagainstbald

The several ingredients that are used in most chemical laden products are not really good for our hair.For instance, Therapy-G hair loss treatment is one of the rather prominent features of curing male pattern baldness.It is one of the safer approaches that bring about some of the greatest cures in old forms of hair loss forms.

Conventional methods of hair loss cleaning can be quite harmful in the long run while alternative, natural and holistic therapies always have a way to go with that. Consistent use of herbal therapies is also important as there may be choices from extraordinary sources that bring about some of the greatest turning points in the history of hair care and hair loss remedies.Permanent and natural hair loss problems’ remedies can be achieved with 100% safe and even highly affordable nature.There are many clinics out there for you that bring you some of the greatest resources of hair loss therapy.

Vitamin E Deficiency Syndromes

Posted: August 21st 2009 By editor1         under: Vitamins     Tags: , ,

Vitamin E Deficiency

There are many symptoms through which one can note whether one has Vitamin E deficiency though

 aCredit : pro.corbis

these are pretty rare cases. They could be happening if you have a malnutritious diet and if you are not really absorbing your nutrients properly due to any debilitating disease in your body. The list of symptoms can range to anything from irritability to edema. Anemia in adults can also occur not just due to low iron absorption but also due to Vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin E would be one of the primary health vitamins that one could get help from for overall bodily functions.

Anything from erectile dysfunction, bodily balance, brain health, skin and hair health, sexual health, etc. can be cured through Vitamin E. When our body is not getting enough of this Vitamin or showing any syndrome, it is time to check up with it. Vitamin E also works as a natural skin barrier against UV rays. If you want to have great skin and hair, it is must to note that. But you are unlikely to get the requisite amount if you are not taking it through natural food but depending on supplements. Synthetic Vitamin E supplements are never good to optimally serve the purpose.

Chemotherapy – An Overview

Posted: April 10th 2009 By editor1         under: Vitamins     Tags: , , ,

The type of treatment focuses on the anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs, for destroying the cancerous cells

including lymphoma and leukaemia, is called Chemotherapy. It can be used as an isolated treatment for some types of cancers or as a mixture with other cancer treatments like radiotherapy, surgery, hormonal therapy or biological therapies.

The Reasons of Giving Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is suggested widely to treat some kinds of cancer, especially which can metastasize in other parts, because it invades all the cancerous cells present in the whole body. While other treatments only focus on the cancer cells at specific areas.

  • It may be given to shrink a cancer so that in the second step like surgery it can be removed easily.
  • Likewise chemotherapy may be used to destroy the remaining cells after a surgery or radiotherapy to improve the results.
  • This treatment can prolong life by shrinking the cancer and minimizing its development. This therapy is called Palliative Chemotherapy

Read More….

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