Use of Laser in Dental treatment

Tweet

Dentistry has seen a number of technological advancements in the past decade or so, and one of them is the laser therapy. In the early 1960’s lasers were being used in the treatment of teeth and gum diseases. And since then laser technology has been accepted and used globally. Laser dental treatments ensure low-power, meaning the device is gentle on the mouth.

Using laser in dentistry doesn’t require additional training. Most dentists find it an affordable alternative for patients who are afraid of the drill. The treatment with laser involves generating a beam of light into the oral cavity. This light enables the dentist to eliminate the infected areas with a lot more accuracy. In most cases, it has been found that the patient doesn’t require use of an anesthetic agent thereby shortening the dental visit.

The time span of a laser treatment can vary depending upon the usage. It could last from a few moments to a few minutes. Laser is also very beneficial in surgical treatments offering several significant improvements. The need for anesthesia is reduced, also bleeding and swelling is reduced markedly. The postoperative discomfort is decreased greatly.

A laser doesn’t make any noise and also doesn’t require any physical contact with your tooth. One has to use eye glasses to shield the eyes from the laser. 

Laser has an enhancing effect on bleaching agents, thereby speeding up the process. Natural looking fillings for cavities can be cured in minutes. Laser can be tuned to affect different parts of the mouth, as the various tissues react to different wavelengths of light. By tuning the laser for a specific task the dentist is able to target a problem without causing other side effects. The benefits of laser treatment are numerous and exciting.

Childhood fears

Before birth, a mother’s womb envelops the child, which protects it from the world outside. At birth, she finds herself in a world that is totally strange and unfamiliar to her; hence, the origin of her fears. Fear becomes an integral part of a child, as she grows up and begins to explore her surroundings and becomes overwhelmed with all the strange things, noises, people and events that are occurring in her life. Therefore, it is appropriate for a child to be fearful.

Some common childhood fears from birth to 5yrs.

Certain fears are typical at certain ages. At birth, a child is afraid of strangers holding her, as she is only familiar with the sound and smell of her mother. She might even be fearful of her own father. However, gradually she recognizes both her parents. This fear is termed ‘stranger anxiety’, which lasts until the child is about 18 months old.

At 8-9 months, the child begins to stand up and try a few steps on her own. Her fears then include falling down and separating from her mother. As she begins to walk, she understands that she can leave her mother and that her mother can leave her.

When the child is around 1 yr old, she is still fearful of separation from her parents. However, she is now trying to be independent by exploring the world around her. All objects that move and make sounds fascinate her. At this stage, children can be afraid of almost anything that appears strange to them. For e.g., animals, taking a bath, loud noises made by crackers or lightening thunder, doctor etc.

From 2yrs to 5yrs, children go through a wide range of experiences. This is the time when parents opt to put her in a day care or crèche for a few hours, then comes schooling, toilet training, she may have another sibling at this time, and she learns the essential difference between boys and girls. These experiences would give seed to new fears, e.g., separation from parents, bath, bedtime, doctor, anyone who looks different from a family member, monsters and ghosts, toilet training, going to day care, getting lost, injury, loss of parent, divorce, death.

In short, fears can arise in children due to their growing independence, change in their surroundings, lack of knowledge and from the parents own fears.

Symptoms of fear and anxiety in children

It is imperative that you handle a child’s normal fears correctly or they can become excessive and/ or can persist into adulthood. Children express their anxiety in many different ways: -

1. Difficulty in concentrating.A fearful child will often have difficulty paying attention. For e.g., the child may have problems in school, completing assignments, listening in class, etc.

2. Changes in normal activity level.An anxious child may be more active than usual, seeming hyperactive, or, they may be less active than usual, seeming slow and lethargic. What parents should look for is a change in their children’s activity levels.

3. Changes in eating habits.Some anxious or fearful children have little or no appetite, as a result eat less than what is normal for them. Other children eat more than usual.

4. Regression.Many children who are experiencing anxiety will regress in some way. For e.g., a child who is fully toilet trained may begin nighttime wetting, or a child who has stopped sucking her thumb may start the habit again.

5. Changes in sleep habits.Anxious children may have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, and have nightmares that are more frequent and /or night terrors.

6. Occurrence of psychosomatic (physical) complaints. Fearful children may complain of physical ailments such as stomachaches or headaches.

Parents should keep in mind that children experiencing normal fears do not generally present the above symptoms. When fears become excessive, these symptoms can develop. However, there are certain things that parents should avoid when they learn of their children’s fears.

a) DO NOT expect child’s fear to go away overnight.

b) DO NOT shame your child for her fears.

c) DO NOT force her to face her fears. This will make the situation only worse.

d) Try NOT to tell your children that they will be a “ big boy” or a “ big girl” when they overcome their fear. This puts too much pressure on him.

Take steps to help children overcome fear.

# Teach relaxation skills. – There are various relaxation techniques that parents can use to help their children release the tension caused by anxiety. First, make children use their imagination or develop positive and relaxing images (e.g., playing on the beach). Second, teach them to relax various muscle groups systematically. Use these techniques on a daily basis for them to be most effective. Call a professional to provide this training under his care and guidance.

# Teach ways to counter anxiety. Parents can encourage their children to listen to music when they are anxious, because music tends to have a calming effect on them. Alternatively, parents can distract them from their fears by involving them in activities like counting coins, naming all the children in her class, naming her favorite foods etc.

# Gradually desensitize. Parents should encourage children to confront their fears gradually, and let them set their own pace. They should not force a child to do anything they are not comfortable with. In some cases, professional assistance may be necessary. For e.g., a child afraid of the dentist chair needs to be gradually desensitized to it which can be done only by the dentist himself, with the help of the parents.

To conclude, one can say that most fears in children are very common. They are essentially a normal part of a child’s growth and development. However, in some cases, fear can become a serious problem. If it is found that a child is afraid, either of a specific thing or generally fearful, it can seriously interfere with her and/ or her family’s everyday life, even though the parent has taken appropriate steps to help her cope with it. In such circumstances, it is best for the parent to seek professional assistance.

How to get your child to read books!

I have been reading books since my childhood. This habit of reading was instilled into me and my sisters by my father who himself is an avid reader. I remember as a child he used to bring comics, books etc. and read aloud to us at bedtime. I just loved that moment, the excitement of having another story being narrated and explained very patiently by my father! I would always look forward to those times!

I found books to be very intriguing and entertaining and interesting as there were very nice colorful pictures in some of them. I have been telling myself that when I have a child of my own, I will also try to get him interested in books! How to go about this? Well…. It’s very simple really! Follow the age old tradition.

When the child is a baby, you must show him all colorful pictures and talk to him. You can read aloud to a baby at any age! I know, you will wonder whether he understands anything or not. Not to worry! Research shows that reading to your child is a very healthy habit. It helps in many ways; one- it has a soothing effect on the baby, allowing him to relax at the sound of your voice, and it will put him to sleep. The baby feels safe and secure to hear the voice of his mother or father at bedtime. Second – the tone of your voice and modulation will make the child realize that you are saying something nice or scary, or exciting; depending on how well you read the story to him. Third – if you repeat this process and make a habit of it, soon you will realize that your child will start picking up books on his own to read! That is the most important time to encourage the child to go on! See that he doesn’t give up this habit. Last, but not the least, reading aloud will help your child to bond with you.

There are many hundreds of books for all age groups that are good reading. Try and select good books that help in teaching the child good language, manners, habits, virtues, morals etc. As the child grows and is beginning to get interested in books, see if you can visit a library or a good book shop along with him. Show him the library full of books to choose from, or pick up some interesting books from a bookstore. A library is the best place to take your child. This may inculcate the habit of going to a library to read books, which seems to be diminishing these days due to the presence of computers and internet at homes! 

However still, I believe that reading a book is a far better method of recreation. It helps you to relax your mind and also is a good source of information.

How to cope with your child’s fears

“Mommy, I am scared.” Says your three-year-old child. What do you do? When your child begins to express fear, you may think that something is wrong, but psychologists and child specialists say childhood fears are all a natural part of growing up.

It is important that you help your children learn to cope with their fears in ways that preserve their dignity and self worth. Help your children to become familiar with the unknown. Their experiences in mastering the unfamiliar will give them the confidence they need to master new things rather than shrinking away from new situations. Here are some useful tips on how to cope with your child's fears.

1)Offer understanding of the fear 

Provide helpful information about the feared item or situation. For example, let your child know that you understand that thunder can be scary. Tell your child that dogs bark because that is how they talk or they bark a lot when they are happy to see someone. Explaining about the feared item or situation to children may help them to see it in a different perspective thereby easing away their fear.

2)Read Special Books – 

Special books that deal with various childhood fears are readily available. Reading such books encourages children to talk about their own fears. Here are three special books written by Mercer Mayer to help children in overcoming their nighttime fears. Try reading these books aloud to your children and afterwards talk about their fears. You may also wish to share a few of your own fears that you had when you were their age.
*There’s A Nightmare in My Closet- (A cute children’s story about nightmares)
*There’s Something in My Attic (A pied Piper book) - (All about things that go bump in the night)
*There’s An Alligator under My Bed- (More things that go bump in the night)

3)Do not ever belittle the fear 

Parents might be tempted to take the bed apart- to prove no monsters lurk within the house. Do not do it, because, then the child begins to think that there is something there, instead of dispelling the myth and moving on. Do not ever belittle the fear. Children seek reassurance from parents that things will be OK. Parents should be able to communicate that fears are normal and that there are solutions. If, for instance, your child is afraid of the dark, you might say, “Many kids your age develop a fear of the dark. I did and here is how I used to deal with it.” Help them develop a sense that they can handle it.

4)Help your children approach fears at their own pace 

Some children need more time than others do, to enter a new situation. Do not push or force her, but use encouragement and praise for coping and approaching a feared situation. For example, if your child is afraid of dogs, read stories and watch a TV show about dogs and then get your child acquainted with a small, friendly dog. If your child is afraid of a doctor’s visit, plan a visit when your child is well and does not need an examination or injection. If your child is afraid of the dark, provide a nightlight or soft music so your child does not feel lonely. If your child is afraid of the toilet flushing or the drain in the bathtub, provide a potty first and make bath time fun with water toys.

5)Avoid scary situations 

When it is reasonable and practical, take away or avoid those things that make your child feel afraid. If the noise of the vacuum cleaner scares your child, try to vacuum when your child is in another room.

6)Monitor what your child watches on TV 

Many programs and movies are too intense for young children and may encourage their fears. Encourage them to shut their eyes when they see something they do not like and remind them that they can turn off the TV if they are scared. Children’s fear will abate if they feel that they have some control over it.

7)Good luck charms 

Giving your child a good luck charm is very effective for relieving anxiety. Holding a favorite doll or blanket makes children feel that it will protect them from harm. Even grown-ups use a “lucky pen” to get better grades. Good luck activities like whistling, humming, taking deep breaths or squeezing a parent’s hand also works well. Some good luck rituals can be very reassuring to older children. These rituals can be symbolic – for example, spraying an aerosol can to keep monsters at bay, or, they can be bodily gestures- for example, crossing one’s fingers for luck.

8)Listen and encourage

Encourage children to talk about their fears and be ready to listen and lend support. Very young children are not able to put their fears into words. In these instances, activities such as coloring, painting, and play-acting can help them communicate their fears. Alternatively, encourage them to listen to music, as it tends to have a calming effect.

9)Distract Them 

Distraction is an especially useful technique for younger children and infants, who have such a short attention span that they will forget what made them afraid. “Look at this light (or pencil or button). Do not look at anything else. Let’s see what we can do with it.” This will make the child concentrate on the activity at hand and forget about the feared item.

10)Control your own fears 

Children are very aware of their parent’s anxieties. The concern that a parent feels for her child is easily misinterpreted as meaning that the parent is afraid too. Your facial expression and your words should convey the impression that everything is under control and that everything will be OK.

11)Magical, good luck thoughts 

By suggesting good-luck (or special) thoughts, you can distract your child from a thought that is scary and replace it with one that is more pleasant. Blowing on imaginary candles on a birthday cake (your fingers) are good activities for controlling fears, such as getting an injection in the doctor's office. In addition, the tried-and-true "kissing a boo-boo" still has the same magical healing effect on minor cuts and bruises. The more modern version of kissing a child's forehead to heal sad thoughts uses the same magic.

12)Offer support 

Do not try to dismiss their fears with statements such as “don’t be silly; there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Rather, offer support by statements such as “I know you are afraid of going into the water; I’ll be there with you to make sure you are all right.”

13)Conjure up images to help conquer fears 

Help your children to master their fears by thinking of ways to handle them. Capitalize on the children’s imagination by having them conjure up an image, such as a super-hero protector or a container into which they can put their fears.

14)Protect your child 

Help them understand that some fears are appropriate. We need to protect ourselves from danger. We do not touch a hot stove or run in front of an oncoming bus. We read about incidents where children are abducted and killed by strangers and that has prompted some parents to go overboard in warning their children about people who might hurt them. Be careful how you explain these things to your children, as those awful stories may affect them seriously and make them think that the same thing will happen to them.

Three-year-olds are so seldom away from caring adults that there is no need to scare them about people who might harm them. Most people love and protect kids, and it is only when children get older and begin wandering the neighborhood on their own that parents must teach them self-protection skills. For example, you might consider buying your daughter a whistle she can wear around her neck or keep in her pocket that she can blow when she is fearful. The whistle serves two purposes: It calls you to her side and frightens anyone who might harm her. It also allows her to control her fears rather than having them control her.

15)Do not let up on discipline and limits in order to appease a fearful child. 

The child needs the security of limits. Provide safe boundaries within which the child can function. Reinforce coping; do not rescue.

Try out these tips, and even then if you fail to cope up with the situation, seek professional assistance.

Women and War

History is a witness to countless number of wars: - civil, religious, revolutionary, freedom struggles, and even world wars. These wars brought about radical and historic changes in the lives and lifestyle of the women trapped in them, forcing them to come out of their homes in order to earn money and bring food to the table, as the men were called out to the battlefield to fight for their country. History raves about the heroics of these men in war- however, few instances are mentioned in which female valor was displayed.

COURAGE AND DETERMINATION

In India, there is a saying that “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. Hindu mythology is full of examples of women who played important roles in both family affairs as well as the affairs of the state or country. Rani Lakshmi Bai was perhaps the most courageous woman of the 19th century. She actively fought against the British, in 1858, after her husband’s death, resisting the takeover of her homeland.

During the wars that were raging in other parts of the world, civil as well as world wars, women were actively participating in one way or another. They displayed great strength of character and resilience: - enduring pain and suffering, caring for the injured people, taking up jobs in fields that were male dominated, looking after their families and children and even taking up arms to fight the enemy. Their contributions have proved to be highly significant in every conflict.

Some of the best examples of courage and determination shown by women are perhaps evident in the World Wars 1 and II. During these wars women were inducted in various “non combat” missions, which often proved to be extremely dangerous. In May 1941, the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was officially established. Through their heroic sacrifice and dedication, the fighting men of the United States Armed Forces were assured of the support that was essential to win a war.

In September 1942, the Army Air Force (AAF) created the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). Their main task involved ferrying and towing of planes from the factories and AAF installations during the war. Over 1000 women completed flight training and as the numbers increased, the value of their contribution began to be recognized, and the AAF took steps to militarize them. Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) was the new name for this unit. These pilots served grueling, often dangerous tours of duty, and suffered injuries - some were killed in the course of duty. In 1977, the WASP finally achieved military active duty status for their service.

Women demonstrated amazing work and courage as combat nurses. In 1901, the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) was established, and about 43% of all nurses joined in the efforts of the ANC during World War II. Over 200 female nurses were killed during the war and more than 1,600 medals were handed out for bravery and courage. This also included the ‘Purple Heart’, presented to those who were wounded in their efforts to serve the country.

There are almost two million women war veterans. Thirty- three thousand women served in World War I and almost five hundred thousand took part in World War II. The theater deployed seven thousand women during Vietnam War and during the operation Desert Storm, of the total U.S. forces deployed; seven percent were women (over forty thousand).

BENEFITS OF WARS TO WOMEN

Another facet to war, proving beneficial to women, is that it brought on many new opportunities for women and soon became a doorway through which they gained freedom.

Women were given employment in various fields of work such as journalism, photography, spying, mechanics, factory work, transport, farming, mail delivery, garbage collection and as builders. These women have set a trend for the future generations.

For the first time, women were free to create their own lives and became mobile. This also brought with it an increase in equality for men and women.

They wore overalls, uniforms, slacks, and bandanas to cover their hair. Though the clothes were unfeminine, the women found them comfortable, and continued to wear them in public.

It was not an easy task though, as the women working in factories or places that were male dominated struggled with new horizons, social discrimination, gender harassment, and physical pain from long hours and poor work conditions.

MISERY, HARDSHIPS and SUFFERING

Any war or conflict brings along with it untold horrors, atrocities, miseries, and sufferings of the most unimaginable types affecting innocent men, women, children and old people. Its traumatic effect lasts for a lifetime and generations thereafter suffer its consequences. The most recent example of such suffering is, perhaps, of the women in Afghanistan and Indian women in Kashmir.

After two decades of war, in 1992, Afghanistan slid into the hands of Islamic fundamentalists. These fundamentalists look upon women as sub-humans, fit only for household slavery and as a means of procreation. When the Taliban came to power, their atrocities made the lives of the women even more hellish. They made long lists of rules regarding the code of conduct of women in public and in their own homes.

Under these new rules women were totally deprived of the right to education, to work, to travel alone, to have any kind of recreation, to the most basic rights of being human - they had to cover themselves fully and no bright clothing was allowed, they could not wear high heel shoes, nor laugh aloud. Women did not have the right to health, that is, they could not go to a male doctor for treatment, and of course, no woman could practice as a doctor, and they had no right to family planning.

Other instances of atrocities include the beating of women on the slightest pretext and publicly stoning them for committing adultery. There are also sexual crimes, rapes, tortures, and murders committed.

Kashmir, during the never-ending conflict between India and Pakistan, has witnessed countless horrors and sufferings for the women in that region. The Lashkar-e-Jabar (a militant group) declared that all Muslim women should wear the 'burqa' to differentiate them from the Hindus and Sikhs, who should wear a 'bindi' on their forehead. The women who did not comply had acid thrown on their faces. The government imposed constant curfews forcing the people to remain inside their houses after sunset. Many innocent lives are still lost due to stray bullets and land mines in the border areas. Thousands of women are displaced from their homes, widowed, separated from loved ones, and become victims of violence and injury due to the constant conflicts in the region.

Despite all the hardships and sufferings that women face, it is surprising that their voices are the first ones to be heard calling for justice and restraint, and opposing the use of military force against more innocent and defenseless victims. Women are commenting on the need for immediate and long-term solutions in an unequal world capable of producing such violent acts of rage. The women who changed our lives, for the better, through their heroic acts of courage, determination and many sacrifices- deserve our salutations

Maintaining Relationships

Most of us like to believe that if we fall in love, the eventual outcome will be marriage in which we will live happily ever after. This is not true, however. There is a sharp increase in divorce rates all over.
Two people who are in a long-term relationship discover that they have too many areas of dissimilarity. The most common reasons being, that they had different interests, backgrounds, sexual attitudes, intellectual ability, or views about marriage. People can avoid such problems, early in the relationship, by paying close attention to similarity factors. There are, however, some areas of dissimilarity that are difficult for a person to foresee, for e.g., different attitudes about spending versus saving money, looking after children, or simply deciding who will clean the bathroom, etc.

Another common factor in a long-term relationship, to consider, is boredom. There are a number of activities in life that fall into potentially boring routines. Individuals, in such a relationship, can help by being aware of the potential problem and by making some effort in seeking ways to avoid it, rather than doing the same things the same way, day after day and year after year, which brings about a monotony and unhappiness in life.

As two people settle into a relationship, many of the verbal and nonverbal niceties become less frequent, and negative evaluations begin to replace them. Both men and women feel free to criticize, nag, complain, and find fault with each other. Again, awareness of the problem and a conscious effort to avoid it is important to maintain a positive relationship.

Couples need to work at finding meaningful ways to avoid boredom and to bring zest and interest into their lives. They need to remind themselves frequently to be as nice as possible to each other; this will go a long way in keeping relationships intact.

Sex or the lack of it can be a major factor in maintaining relationships between married couples. Partners should try to understand and be sensitive to each other's needs and if possible, even go for counseling if it helps in any way.

Jealousy can become a serious problem in a relationship. Those who are most jealous tend to feel inadequate, dependent and excessively concerned about sexual individuality. Deliberate attempts to induce jealousy in a partner can be a dangerous game that can lead to deterioration of the relationship. Therefore, handle a jealous person with care and tenderness and you might resolve an issue successfully.

Misunderstandings, small or big, are commonplace in any relationship; however, letting the misunderstanding fester unresolved for long will not help in your relationship! Try to resolve your differences immediately and bring out all issues that bother you. Communication in a relationship goes a long way in keeping it intact!

Finally, a deteriorated relationship is likely to end in a breakup unless three factors are present-
a) The relationship has to provide a high level of satisfaction.
b) Both partners must have already invested a lot of time and effort.
c) Alternative partners should not be readily available.

Therefore, we can safely conclude that love may strike an individual suddenly and effortlessly. Maintaining a relationship, in contrast, requires hard work over a long period by two committed individuals.

Largest killer disease in the world

Depression, one of the most common types of mood disorders, is fast emerging as one of the largest killer diseases in the world. All of us experience various degrees of this disorder at some time or the other in life. However, a severe depression that interferes with the ability to function, feel pleasure or maintain interest is not merely a case of the blues. It is an illness, which results from biochemical imbalances in the brain.

Normally, a mildly depressed person is able to shake him / her self out of it and lead quite a healthy life. They are able to take the difficulties of life in their stride. However, not everyone has such mental capabilities. Some people feel so miserable that they stop living life and start thinking of different ways in which they can bring an end to their suffering, including death and suicide.

Reasons for feeling depressed may vary from, increase in stress levels, frequent disappointments, failures at work / love to grief over the loss of a loved one or grief due to a natural calamity causing extensive destruction to life and property, e.g., floods, earthquake, terrorism etc.

It is sad to note that, though many people suffer from chronic depression, very few of these people actually turn up for treatment. In most of the cases, they may not be even aware that the condition is treatable. In addition, some people do not acknowledge the fact that they are suffering from an ailment, may be due to any number of personal reasons.

Some Facts about Depression.

According to statistics in the United States, depressive illness is the most common and destructive psychological ailment prevalent today. There are around 4,00,000 people treated for this disease every year. Of the 35-40 million afflicted people in the U.S, a substantial percentage will commit suicide if not treated with appropriate medication.

Depression affects women more commonly than it affects men. Moreover, 6-19% of us will suffer a serious episode of depression at least once in our lives. In addition, lifetime risks for depression were found to be less (8-12%) in men and higher in women (20-26%).

Generally, men and women have different ways of reacting to depression. Men may turn negative emotion outward, feeling more anger, whereas women may turn their negative feelings inward, thus feeling more depressed over friendships. There is evidence to suggest that many hormonal factors cause women to be depressed, factors such as- premenstrual cycle changes (PMS), pregnancy, postpartum period, miscarriage, pre-menopause and post-menopause. However, many women also face additional stresses such as responsibilities at home and work, single parenthood and caring for children and aged parents. Men report depressed moods in situations, such as contests that relate to achievement. Women tend to amplify their moods by ruminating about their problems, whereas men tend to actively distract themselves by doing other things.

Symptoms of Depression.

The symptoms of depressive illness are highly recognizable. A depressed individual has no interest in life, experiences low energy levels, and is not able to enjoy himself and the simple pleasures of life. There may be a decrease or increase in sleep or appetite and he will have difficulty in concentrating. As the depression progresses he may show indecisiveness, slow or fuzzy thinking and demonstrate exaggerated feelings of sadness, hopelessness or anxiety. His feeling of worthlessness increases and this causes him to have recurring thoughts about death and suicide.

Causes of Depression.

There are probably several causes of depressive illness and different types of depression. Research indicates that there are several factors such as: Biological, Environmental and Cognitive, which may be responsible for this illness.

Biological Factors

Research indicates that depression tends to run in families. In addition, depression is often related to sleep disturbances, which has led to the suggestion that it may result from the disruption of circadian rhythms.
Interestingly, depression is more common during morning hours. Some people suffer from depression in different seasons. This malady is termed Seasonal affective disorder. People, who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, are depressed especially during colder and darker months of the year; that is, they feel happier in summers than in winters.

Environmental Factors

Majority of depressive episodes usually precede a stressful event, such as a divorce, and the adverse social reactions that follow may worsen the condition further.In the beginning, people often reward a depressed individual by giving him attention and reassurance. After some time, however, these people avoid the depressed individual as much as possible because it becomes very unpleasant to interact with a person who is in a bad mood most of the time. As a result, the condition of the depressed person worsens as he starts feeling excluded and lonely causing a lowered self-esteem.

A failed attempt to control the stressors in their lives is another reason for people to become depressed and this phenomenon is known as “learned helplessness.” This response of helplessness is transferred to other situations that the person could in fact control, were he or she to try.

Cognitive Factors

Some theorists believe that maladaptive ways of thinking can also lead to depression. In addition, depressives may differ from normal people because they are more likely to take personal responsibility for negative events in their lives, even when the events are outside their control. They also tend to deny responsibility for positive events.

Interestingly, depressives are found to be relatively accurate in appraising their control over the world, while non-depressives, conversely, distort reality in a self-flattering manner. Thus, depressives are considered ’sadder but wiser’. This is true only for mildly depressed people. Severely depressed individuals are not so accurate, but distort their explanations in ways that make them look bad.

Shattered and Lost lives. In terms of human suffering, the consequence of untreated depression is beyond measure. They include loss of self-esteem, “self-medication” with alcohol and drugs, family and career disruption, chronic disability and, in many cases, death. Suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death among children and adolescents. 15% of those treated for depression eventually go on to end their lives. It is the 9th highest cause of death in the United States.

Suicide among the elderly people is increasing at an alarming rate. The number of women that attempt suicide is higher than that of men. Yet, a higher number of men are successful in doing so, as they are more likely to use lethal methods like shooting. The motivation for committing suicide also differs according to the gender. For example, a failure at work is a reason for which men, generally, commit suicide. Failure at love is a reason for both men and women to commit suicide (Women more than men). Divorced people of both sexes show a high rate of suicide than the rates of suicide in married couples, or single people.

However, not everyone who is depressed considers suicide. When an individual has a sense of hopelessness, a rigid approach to solving life’s problems and is unable to imagine a solution to his/ her present problems; then there is danger of the person committing suicide.

Depression in children

Only in the past two decades has depression in children been taken very seriously. The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or, worry that the parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and feel misunderstood. Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be very difficult to tell whether a child is going through a temporary “phase” or is suffering from depression. The rate of suicide in children and adolescents is increasing day by day, as the pressures and stresses in their lives have increased.

How to Make Life Easier.

There are many ways to overcome your depression. There may be certain times of the day when you feel better; try to recognize them and use it to your advantage. You can set priorities for yourself regarding tasks. Break the larger tasks into small ones and take one thing at a time. Try to avoid taking too much responsibility and setting overly difficult goals in the beginning. At the same time, do not expect too much from yourself to lessen any feelings of failure you may have.

Any form of physical exercise can make you feel better. Activities like sports or manual work is good to take your mind off your worries. Cultural events, religious events, music, art etc are a few other things with which one can distract oneself. However, it is important not to overdo things as feeling better takes time.

If you are depressed, avoid taking alcoholic drinks and non-prescribed medication. They may give you temporary relief, but, in the end, it will only intensify your depression.

You may feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless if you are suffering from depression. You may even feel like giving up. However, it is important to realize that these symptoms and negative thinking are a part of depression that is curable.

Correct Diagnosis and Treatment

In spite of the fact that depression is a treatable Illness, very few people actually turn up for treatment.
The correct diagnosis of this condition, by a physician, is very essential for the proper treatment. Other physical ailments can cause depression, such as viral infection, and these should be ruled out. A thorough psychological evaluation is also required before prescribing any medication. Treatment of choice will depend on the outcome of a complete diagnostic evaluation.

The principal medications used in treating depressive illness are several antidepressants that include the newer medications- chiefly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)-the tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Only patients with a depressive illness will experience a positive response. Although some improvement may be seen in the first few weeks, antidepressant medication must be taken regularly for three to four weeks (in some cases eight weeks) before the full therapeutic effect occurs.

On occasion, electro convulsive therapy (ECT) is useful, particularly for individuals whose depression is incapacitating, severe life threatening, or for those who cannot take or do not respond to antidepressant medications.

For the proper diagnosis of this condition and administration of antidepressant medication, it is better to consult a physician who is an expert in diagnosis and biochemical therapy. All physical treatments incur the risks of side effects and make informed medical monitoring a mandatory part of all treatment.
Over eighty percent of those treated with these medications respond favorably, and most are able to resume normal activity. Many find psychotherapy or counseling useful as well.

Is Technology taking over mankind?

Have you ever heard of technology phobia? There apparently exists such a phenomenon. I have always feared technology and feel reluctant to accept any new gadget or computer or whatever things are coming in these days! It’s all coming on too soon and rapidly for my comfort!

I have this strong feeling that someday, we all (humankind) will be overcome and consumed totally by this “technology”, and may start living in a false world or a world that will be so full of illusions that we may not be able to distinguish between what is reality and what is an illusion!

Our kids, unfortunately, are the easy prey to this so called technology. They are spending more and more time on computers and all sorts of other gadgets, namely- mobile phones, ipods, gaming consoles, video games, TV games and what not! What are they learning from all this? Is it really healthy for kids? I find that today’s kids may be more adept at playing or operating a computer at a very early age, but they definitely lack the finer skills of managing their day to day tasks of simple things, like for e.g. Eating with a spoon or fork, playing with other kids with true sportsmanship spirit, being able to use their fingers or hands with dexterity for creative activity, or they don’t have any creativity at all as they never seem to be in situations where they need to use their head or brains. All the solutions are easily available on the net these days. Kids are doing their homework, and project work using the computer or printer! All they need to do is copy and print!

Where is all this going to lead, I wonder? What is tomorrow going to look like? Will our children be able to appreciate the finer things of life? The simple beauty of our existence. Will they be able to be in touch with their inner self or nature for that matter? Aren’t we all losing touch with our basic instincts? I agree to some extent that technology has helped us in easing out our lives in some ways! But, how far are we going with this comfort? We need to stop and reflect on this aspect before we destroy mankind totally…………! We need to make sure that we don’t forget that we are mere mortals and keep in touch with our souls, and remain as Human Beings……….!

Help save ourselves…………………!

How to prevent Dental Caries

Tweet

Dental Caries or more commonly referred to as a dental cavity, or dental decay is a disease caused by microbes normally present in the oral cavity. It is the most prevalent chronic disease affecting mankind. Once it occurs its manifestations persist throughout life even after the lesion has been treated.

Dental caries may properly be considered a disease of modern civilization, since prehistoric man rarely suffered from dental caries.

What causes dental caries?

When we eat food that contains sugar or starch it tends to stick into the crevices or grooves in the teeth. This then slowly ferments to form acids. The film that is formed on the tooth surface is called plaque, which contains microorganisms. These microbes then attack the weakened tooth structure i.e. enamel and the process of dental caries is initiated.

The initial or earliest symptoms of dental caries are sensitivity to hot and cold foods. The moment one experiences this sensitivity he should immediately visit the dentist for an early treatment. A simple restoration can take care of the problem and can arrest the further spread of caries to adjacent teeth.

As the lesion progresses further and involves the inner layer, that is the dentin, the person will continue to experience symptoms of sensitivity to hot and cold foods. The intensity of the pain may increase slightly and may last longer. In this stage, it is still not too late to visit the dentist and get a restoration done. The tooth can still be saved.

When the lesion progresses further and involves the pulp, the nerve centre of the tooth, the person will experience sharp or continuous pain in the tooth. The characteristic feature of this pain is that it occurs usually at night when the person is lying down and does not abate soon. It may continue throughout the night and the person generally has to take a pain killer to get relief. This stage is the “dying pulp” stage. The person should visit the dentist and take appropriate medication to relieve pain. The dentist may have to do a Root canal procedure in this case to save the tooth.

How to prevent dental caries?

Dental caries can be prevented by scrupulous oral hygiene measures.

• Proper brushing techniques must be followed to remove plaque effectively from all the surfaces of the teeth.

• Brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and at night before going to bed.

• Rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal.

• Use inter dental aids like toothpicks, dental floss and inter dental brushes to clean the inter dental areas that cannot be reached by normal brushing.

• Clean your tongue daily.

• Use commercially available Fluoride mouthwashes to rinse your mouth daily before going to bed at night.Fluoride helps in preventing dental decay.

• Use fluoride containing toothpastes.

• Children should be supervised by their parents right from birth regarding their oral hygiene and habits. Dental caries can be prevented and arrested if detected early.

Follow these simple steps to take better care of your teeth. Visit the dentist for a routine check up every 6 months.

Natural Home Remedies for common ailments-3: Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is characterized by frequent passage of loose or watery unformed stools.

Causes and Symptoms

Diarrhoea is one of the commonest diseases, and is commonly known as ‘loose motions’. It may be acute or chronic.

The main causes of this condition are overeating or eating of wrong foods, putrefaction of food in the intestinal tract, fermentation caused by incomplete carbohydrate digestion, nervous irritability, use of antibiotic drugs, and excessive intake of laxatives. It can also be caused due to parasites, germs, virus, bacteria, or poison, allergies, emotional strain or stress in adults and fright in children.

Remedies

1.Buttermilk

Buttermilk is one of the most effective home remedies in the treatment of diarrhea. It helps overcome harmful intestinal flora. The acid in the buttermilk also fights germs and bacteria. Buttermilk may be taken with a pinch of salt three to four times a day for controlling this disease.

2.Carrot Soup: 

Carrot Soup is another effective home remedy. It supplies water to combat dehydration; replenishes sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, and magnesium; supplies pectin; and coats the intestine to allay inflammation. It also checks the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and prevents vomiting. ½ Kg carrots may be cooked in 150ml of water until they become soft. The pulp should be strained and enough boiled water added to it to make a litre. ¾ of a tablespoon of salt may be added. This soup should be given in small amounts to the patient every half hour.

3.Fenugreek: 

One teaspoon of seeds which have been boiled and fried in butter should be taken with a cup of buttermilk twice daily. The seeds are beneficial in the treatment of this disease.

4.Ginger:

In the case of diarrhoea due to indigestion, dry or fresh ginger is very useful. A piece of dry ginger should be powdered along with a crystal of rock salt, and a quarter of a teaspoon of this powder should be taken with a small piece of jaggery. It will bring quick relief.

5.Mint:

One teaspoon of fresh mint juice, mixed with a teaspoon each of lime juice and honey, can be given thrice daily with excellent results.

6.Bottle Gourd:

The juice of bottle gourd is a valuable medicine for excessive thirst due to severe diarrhoea. A glass of plain juice with a pinch of salt should be taken every day in treating this condition.

7.Turmeric:

Turmeric is a very useful intestinal antiseptic. It is also a gastric stimulant and tonic. One teaspoon of fresh turmeric rhizome juice or one teaspoon of dry rhizome powder may be taken in one cup of buttermilk or plain water.

8.Rice:

Rice is useful in treating diarrhoea in children. A teaspoon of powder of charred parboiled rice mixed with a glass of buttermilk, should be given in doses of thirty grams every half hour. This brings good results.

Other Remedies

Cooked or baked apples are good for this condition. The cooking process softens the cellulose. Much of its value as a regulating material is thus lost and it is effective in looseness of the bowels.

A glass of fresh tomato juice, mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper, taken in the morning, also proves beneficial.

Other starchy liquids such as arrowroot water, barley water, and coconut water are also useful in treatment of diarrhoea. One can also take bananas and garlic.

Dietary Considerations

In severe cases, it is advisable to observe a complete fast for two days to provide rest to the gastrointestinal tract. Only hot water may be taken to compensate for the loss of liquids. Juices of fruits may be taken after the acute symptoms are over. After condition improves, meals can be enlarged gradually to include coked vegetables, whole rice, and soured milk. Raw foods should be taken only after the patient completely recovers.

Being a “stay-at-home” mom and a homemaker!

I had romantic notions about everything when I was young and unmarried! I was not very ambitious about my career and knew that all I wanted eventually was a good husband and a house to call my own. My own mother was a homemaker and I felt that I wanted to do the same.Therefore, after getting married I stayed at home and proceeded to become a “homemaker”. I forgot all about my career as a dentist, and settled down as a wife and daughter-in-law! Now, mind you, I had been working before my marriage. And somewhere at the back of my mind that option, that I could start working again at any time I wanted, was always there. My husband was quite agreeable to my choices and he left it to me to decide if I wanted to stay at home or continue with my work. But, I felt strongly at the time about staying at home. I felt I was making the “Right” choice. I thought it was more important to look after the home and hearth and maintain “good” relationships with all the relatives, specially the “in-laws”. 

And so I set about my life, trying to be a dutiful wife, daughter-in-law, mom etc……Well, as life proceeded on I learnt a lot of lessons the hard way. Life was not as easy as I thought I could make it to be! People don’t respond to you the way you want them to! In the end there comes a time when you begin to feel that all is futile! That being a “homemaker” is a thankless and most unappreciated job. People start taking you for granted! I started hearing comments like- “You can easily do this or that, you are at home whole day.” They start treating you as if you are a brainless idiot and are sitting at home only because you probably can’t get a job outside! Or worse that nobody wants you, as you are incapable of any kind of work!All those years (11years) went in looking after my son and trying to make a “home” of some sorts! I avoided meeting any of my classmates or colleagues as I used to feel awkward in replying to their inevitable question of “what are you doing these days.” I knew that all my contemporaries were far ahead of me in their respective careers! 

There were times when I began to feel that maybe I should have continued working and made something of myself! Sitting at home, I started feeling that the grass was greener on the other side. I began to lose confidence in myself, I didn’t feel like making conversations with people (specially, working ones) as I felt that they were probably looking down at me! And, soon I began thinking that maybe I ought to start working again, to gain respect, to gain confidence, to gain self importance ……………….!And I finally got the opportunity that I was looking for. I opted for a job in a family welfare clinic as a dentist. Now, it has been one year since I have been working. And now that I have tasted what it feels like to work outside, I still feel confused as to whether it was better to stay at home and look after my family or to work and feel frustrated that I am not really getting anywhere?

Natural Home Remedies for common ailments-2: Constipation

Constipation is a common disturbance of the digestive tract. This condition is characterized by irregular movements of the bowels, or they do not empty out completely when they move. This condition is the chief cause of many diseases as it produces toxins which spread to the rest of the parts of the body via the bloodstream. This condition can be very distressful to the patient.

Causes and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of constipation are infrequency, irregularity or difficulty in passing stools. The other symptoms include a coated tongue, foul breath, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, dark circles under the eye, depression, nausea, pimples on the face, ulcers in the mouth, constant fullness in the abdomen, diarrhea alternating with constipation, varicose veins, pain in the lumbar region, acidity, heart burn and insomnia.
The most important causes of constipation are a faulty diet and style of living. Intake of refined and rich foods lacking in vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water, consumption of meat in large quantities, excessive use of strong tea and coffee, insufficient chewing, overeating and wrong combination of foods, irregular eating habits may all contribute to irregular bowel movements.

Remedies

1.Bael fruit: All fruits generally, except, banana and jack fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Bael fruit is regarded as the best of all laxatives. Its regular use for two or three months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. It should be preferably taken in its original form and before dinner. About 60gms of the fruit are sufficient for an adult.

2.Pear:Patients suffering from constipation should take this fruit exclusively in his diet or its juice for a few days, but, in ordinary cases, a medium sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have the desired effect.

3.Guava:When eaten with seeds, this fruit provides roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas should be taken everyday.

4.Grapes:This fruit is very beneficial and has good laxative properties. One should take at least 350gms of this fruit daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins, soaked in water can be used. They should be eaten early in the morning, along with the water in which they were soaked. They should be soaked for 24-48 hrs.

5.Orange:Taking one or two oranges at bedtime again on rising in the morning is good for constipation.

6.Papaya and Figs: Half a medium sized papaya should be eaten at breakfast for it to act as a laxative. Both fresh and dry figs have a laxative effect. Four or five dry figs should be soaked in water overnight in a little water and eaten in the morning.

7.Spinach: Among vegetables, spinach has been considered to be the most vital food for the entire digestive tract. Raw spinach juice-100ml, mixed with an equal quantity of water and taken twice daily, will cure the most aggravated cases within a few days.

8.Other Remedies: Half a lime, squeezed in a glass of hot water with half teaspoon salt is also an effective remedy. Drinking water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessal, first thing in the morning, brings good results.

Dietary Considerations
The most important factor in the cure of constipation is a natural and simple diet consisting of unrefined foods, bran, lentils, green and leafy vegetables, fresh and dry fruits and milk products in the form of butter, ghee, and cream. Food should be properly chewed. Have meals regularly and on time. Avoid sugar and sugary foods.

Other Measures
Exercise and toning up the muscles also helps in treatment of constipation. Fresh air, outdoor games, walking, swimming etc. play an important role in strengthening the muscles and thereby preventing constipation.

Why is the baby crying?

A question, which has rankled, bewildered, stumped, mystified, perplexed and harassed many a new mothers and fathers, is “why is the baby crying?” Many parents will identify sleepless nights, hours of agony, and lots of hair pulling (their own, of course) as they battle with the “crying baby” syndrome.A crying baby can be quite tiresome as it can keep the people around it on their toes, trying to figure out what it needs now! Well, to be quite fair to the baby, it generally cries only when it wants or needs something. So, the least we can do is find out what that is!The answer to the question may not be all that difficult to find really, if you go about it in a rational and logical manner. You need to adopt a more systematic approach towards solving the problem. Here are certain guidelines that you can adopt to reach at the right conclusion.

1.Calm down yourself: First and foremost you need to be calm yourself if you are to be any help in calming the baby! Don’t start getting all hyper, the moment the baby starts wailing.

2.Baby is hungry:the most common cause for its crying could be simply because of hunger. Ask yourself, when did I last feed the baby? Was it less than an hour ago or more than that. If your answer is more than one hour then, maybe you need to feed it again. If that is not the case then go to the next step.

3.Baby has soiled the diaper:Check the diaper to see if it is wet or soiled. If so, then change the diaper. That should take care of the problem, for the moment, we hope so! If this is also not the case then proceed to next.

4.Baby has some discomfort:Now this could be a real tricky one. You need to be able to find out what kind of discomfort the baby has.

    a.Stomach ache or gas problem: This occurs most commonly in babies after feeding milk. The baby needs to be “burped” every time after a feed. If you have forgotten to do it then do so now. Pick up the baby to your shoulder and pat it on its back with slight pressure upwards to help the baby to burp. Once the baby has burped, it has instant relief!

    b.Insects, flies, bugs, ants biting the baby: If you have ruled all of the above criteria quite quickly then consider this. In India, specially, there could be these factors to rule out. Provide a clean and bug free bed to the baby.

    c.Loud noises, sudden movements, dark room or shadows: The baby can be rattled if it perceives any threat to itself by a sudden movement or loud noises or even darkness or shadows etc. so, make sure that you comfort the baby and provide adequate security to it. Make sure that your baby knows that you are around and will come to its aid quickly. Don’t leave the baby unattended alone for long period of time. (Especially when it is awake).

    d.Baby is sick? Is the baby sick with cold or fever? If you feel that it is then go to the doctor immediately and get treatment.

    e.Has the baby hurt itself? You need to make sure that everything in the baby’s immediate surrounding is smooth and soft, as rough edges or sharp things can hurt the baby!

5.Last but not the least:Sometimes the baby may cry for no apparent rhyme or reason. It just wants to cry! Like you know…… it just feels like having a good bawl……….! In that case , I guess there’s nothing much you can do but wait till it has had his fill….! This can be quite exasperating as this usually seems to occur at night around bedtime. One very simple and yet very effective remedy for this is take out your car and take the baby for a long drive round the block! I know it sounds ridiculous. But, believe me I’ve done it a dozen times and it works like magic. The baby will fall asleep in the car! All the best.......

Astronomer sees signs of water in atmosphere of a dusty planet

There might be water beyond our solar system after all. An alien planet that appeared to be dark, dry and dusty has water in its atmosphere, according to Travis Barman, an astronomer. But some of the Astronomers who had made the earlier observations said his conclusions might be premature. The planet, known as HD 209458b, circles a sun like star about 150 light years away in Pegasus, passing between its star and earth every 3.6 days. Last winter, two teams using a special telescope called the spitzer space telescope failed to find signs of water in its atmosphere.