By Flora McCraith, MSN, Updated: 1/25/2010

Embarrassing body problems

We look at eight cringy body problems and how to solve them

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Embarrassing body problems will haunt you from time to time. These problems seem to pop up at the worst times and usually rear their ugly heads when we are out in a meeting, on a date or at a party.

Some people suffer from different body problems and find it excruciatingly embarrassing which can take a toll on their self-esteem so we look at some of the most common problems, why they occur and ways to prevent them.

Halitosis hell

The mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of which have the sole purpose of preventing other disease-causing bacteria from thriving in the moist and warm environment. These bacteria live in the throat and on the tongue, not on the teeth; so brushing the teeth really only masks bad breath and prevents cavities. When the mouth does not get oxygenated, these bacteria produce sulphur compounds which cause the smell.

A sure-fire way to ruin a post-lunch interview or important meeting is to load up on chicken rice chilli, with all its garlic glory, or anything too fishy during lunch. While brushing your teeth right after meals will help significantly, flossing at least once daily is even better.

Body odour

It’s tough fighting perspiration in our humid tropical climate, much less excessive sweating. Armpit stains and a rank odour are just by-products of perspiring. Wear light, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen and obviously, good body hygiene will resolve some of these issues. This includes showering daily, using an antiperspirant and/or deodorant, and light perfume.

Excessive sweating is usually a benign and inherited trait that shouldn’t be a cause for serious concern. But if you have continual heavy sweating, you should consult your doctor to rule out underlying problems like an overactive thyroid, low glucose level and other health conditions.

Hair there and everywhere

Hair is an issue that is increasingly plaguing men than it is women, making it now commonplace to find waxing salons catering to both sexes. There are easy short-term hair removal methods such as tweezing, waxing, shaving and bleaching. If you’re looking for something more permanent, you’ll need to head to a dermatologist. Your skin specialist may suggest using laser to remove hair from places such as your face and arms.

Some women suffer from facial hair and if your face is moderately hairy, meaning you need to trim your brows or shave your upper-lip area once a month, this is a normal and inherited trait. However, if your hair sprouts on a daily basis, there may be an underlying condition like high levels of male hormones (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or an adrenal gland problem.

Stretch marks

Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it's overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted. As a result, scars called stretch marks may form.

There is no guaranteed treatment to completely remove stretch marks. The best that can be done is to make them less noticeable. You can go to a dermatologist to get laser treatments, which lessens the brightness of recently acquired red marks, or microdermabrasion, which treats white marks.

Bikini rash

Waxing and shaving too closely causes inflammation and redness when the hairs split and loop around under the surface of the skin as they grow back.

What you shouldn’t do is rub the bumps to free the trapped hairs with a loofah. What you should do is exfoliate the top layer of your skin by applying an over-the-counter aspirin solution twice a day for at least two days.

Smelly feet

Our feet have their share of normal bacteria, which produce stinky sulfurous odor when they come into contact with moisture from socks and shoes or when your feet become sweaty. This can be embarrassing for some women, especially if they have been to the gym, but it also can affect them on a daily basis.

The solution is to always keep your feet dry.Your socks should be made of absorbent cotton and your shoes from breathable materials, like canvas and leather.Sprinkle a drying powder in your shoes every morning, and place a desiccant in them when you put them away.

Weak pelvic floor

The pelvic floor are large sheets of muscles between your pubic bone and your tailbone, and these muscles help keep your bladder, vagina, uterus and bowel in place. Sometimes they become stretched and weakened, mostly due to childbirth. These muscles give you control over your bladder and bowel movements, so their weakening can lead to some uncomfortable moments.

There are a number of pelvic floor muscle exercises such as squeezes and contractions that can help you tighten the muscles and restore your bladder control, for example, stopping the flow of urine when you go to the toilet.

Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that haunts most of us. 80% of teenagers are afflicted with some degree of acne between the ages of 13 and 18 years (although, a minority of cases may also start in adulthood).

Usually occurring on the face, arms, back and chest, acne occurs in puberty because of adjustment to hormone levels, which cause the sebaceous glands to manufacture increased amounts of sebum that blocks the hair follicles and causes spots ranging from blackheads to painful red nodules.

Acne can often correct itself, but there are also a number of over-the-counter and prescription treatments available.

By Flora McCraith, MSN, Updated: 2/11/2010

Foodborne illnesses

According to public health and food safety experts, each year, millions of people suffer from illnesses that can be traced to foodborne bacteria.

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The global occurrence of foodborne disease is hard to estimate, but it has been reported that in 2005 alone, 1.8 million people died from diarrhoeal diseases. A huge quantity of these cases can be credited to contamination of food and drinking water. Foodborne illness usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or food storage. The delay between consumption of a contaminated food and appearance of the first symptoms of illness is called the incubation period. This ranges from hours to days, depending on what bacteria was eaten and how much.

We look at the most common illnesses that can be caught through food and how to prevent catching them.

E.Coli

This is a bacterial pathogen that resides in cattle and other similar animals. Human illness usually happens after eating or drinking food or water that has been contaminated with microscopic amounts of cow faeces. The illness it causes is often severe, like bloody diarrhoea and painful abdominal cramps, without much fever.

Although their incidence is relatively low, their severe and sometimes fatal health consequences, particularly among infants, children and the elderly, make them among the most serious foodborne infections.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a major problem in most countries and it is caused by a bacteria which can be found in the intestine of birds, reptiles and mammals and can spread to humans through a variety of different foods.

Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. For people with general poor health or weakened immune systems, it can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

Listeria

Listeria is a type of bacterium often found in food and elsewhere in nature. It can cause a rare but serious disease called listeriosis, especially among pregnant women, the elderly or individuals with a weakened immune system. In serious cases, it can lead to brain infection and even death.

It is found in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertilizer. Animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill and can contaminate foods of animal origin such as meats and dairy products. It has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, as well as in processed foods that become contaminated after processing, such as soft cheeses and cold cuts at the deli counter.

Campylobacter

This is a bacterial pathogen that causes fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps and is the most commonly identified bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the world. Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhoea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within two to five days after exposure to the organism.

Eating undercooked chicken or other food that has been contaminated with juices dripping from raw chicken is the most frequent source of this infection. It is usually an isolated case rather than due to an outbreak.

Calicivirus

Calicivirus (Norwalk virus) is an extremely common cause of foodborne illness, though it is rarely diagnosed, because the laboratory test is not widely available. Norwalk viruses are spread by exposure to infected people or contaminated food and water and passed in stool and vomit. Outbreaks have been linked to sick food handlers, contaminated shellfish or water contaminated with sewage. It is generally spread from person to person by direct contact, but some medical reports suggest that the virus can spread through the air during vomiting.

Although the virus is easy to spread, serious illness rarely occurs. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Diarrhea may occasionally accompany vomiting. Fever is usually low grade or absent. Infected people generally recover in one to two days.

Cholera

Cholera is a big public health problem in developing countries. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given.

Water and contaminated foods can be the cause of infection. Different foods, including rice, vegetables, millet gruel and various types of seafood have been implicated in outbreaks of cholera.

Hepatitis A

Although this disease is usually transmitted through other routes, it can occasionally be caught through food. It’s a contagious disease that spreads from person to person almost exclusively through fecal-oral contact, generally from person to person, or via contaminated food or water. Food contaminated with the virus is most common for transmitting hepatitis A, and outbreaks have been traced to foods contaminated by infected food workers, as well as fresh foods such as green onions and strawberries that were contaminated before entering the establishment that served them.

Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation.

How are foodborne illnesses prevented?

Most cases of foodborne illnesses can be prevented through proper cooking or processing of food, which kills bacteria. In addition, because bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F and 140°F, food must be kept out of this temperature range.

Refrigerate foods promptly at 40F or lower.

Cook food to the appropriate internal temperature.

Foods are properly cooked only when they are heated long enough and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause illnesses.

Prevent cross-contamination. Bacteria can spread from one food product to another throughout the kitchen and can get onto cutting boards, knives, sponges, and countertops.

Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from all ready-to-eat foods.

Handle food properly and always wash your hands before handling food and different food products.

Keep cold food cold and hot food hot.

If you are going to reheat food, make sure that it is only once and at at least 165°F.

Points to remember

Foodborne illnesses result from eating food or drinking beverages that are contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

People at greater risk for foodborne illnesses include young children, pregnant women and their foetuses, older adults, and people with lowered immunity.

Symptoms usually resemble intestinal flu. See a doctor immediately if you have more serious problems or do not seem to be improving as expected.

Do you know the effects that air conditioning have on your health?

I read this article during waiting for my email . It is very interesting and hopefully you'll get some useful information

By Flora McCraith, MSN, Updated: 3/19/2010

Keeping Malaysia cool

Do you know the effects that air conditioning have on your health?

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Among plenty of other factors, one of the reasons that we love Malaysia is the glorious weather all year round, which certainly puts a smile on our face and a spring in our step. The tropical climate, however, means that we have become far too dependent on air conditioning to keep us cool and whether it is really needed or not, it will be on full blast in shopping centres, restaurants, homes, offices and hotels.

Air conditioning without a doubt, is a benefit in uncomfortable humid temperatures and most people are thankful for its invention. While we welcome its cooling effects and the relief from the unrelenting heat we can often experience outside, it could actually be doing more harm than good.

Scientists and research have found that in actual fact, while there are many benefits to air conditioning, it is actually doing harm to our health.

The unnecessary refrigeration of Malaysia has become a chronic disease and it seems to have gotten worse over the past few years, with thermostats routinely set at chilling temperatures.

What are the hazards of A/C?

Weight

This may sound ridiculous, but comfortable temperatures have been added by researchers to the “Top Ten” other contributors to obesity. When our bodies are uncomfortable, they use up energy to bring us to a more stable level. When we are too cold, we burn fat to stay warm. When we are too hot, we naturally become less hungry. Also, our bodies react to disagreeable temperatures by shivering and sweating. Heating and air-conditioning make life easier by regulating our body temperature for us. Basically, the body does not have to expend hardly any energy to heat or cool itself, which results in increased fat stores.

Harmful microbes

Air conditioners also need regular maintenance, as the moist environments in the filters can encourage the growth of harmful microbes and has been known to result in serious conditions such as Legionnaires disease. This maintenance is often forgotten and can result in these filters becoming breeding grounds for microbes.

SBS – Sick Building Syndrome

Try telling someone, who steps into a cool air conditioned office after they have been in the sweltering heat, that air conditioning is a bad thing. The blessing that it brings is as satisfying as an ice cold drink to the hot and thirsty.

However, in 1982, the World Health Organisation (WHO) first recognised the condition SBS or ‘sick building syndrome’ which approximated that 30% of office buildings worldwide have considerable problems with indoor air quality. SBS is a widespread problem that describes an assortment of medical conditions caused by dangerous chemicals, pathogens and other airborne contaminants found in many homes and office buildings.

The main causes are due to flaws in heating, ventilation and air conditioning units, and lack of fresh air among other things. In hot humid climates, like Kuala Lumpur, it is moisture that is the primary culprit.

Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, sneezing, sore throat, memory and breathing problems, skin rash, mood changes and difficulty in concentrating are the most common complaints and a study done in Malaysia found that if ventilation is increased among typical office buildings, on average, it will significantly reduce prevalence of SBS.(Source: Global Journal of Health Science)

Why does this happen?

Breathing in recycled air means that you are breathing in recycled germs, so when one person falls sick, the whole office can too. The air conditioning system, unfortunately, seems to spread germs around as quickly as it brings relief from the outdoors.

Not only that, but in Malaysia, the ducts associated with the air conditioning units are full of fungal and bacterial growth, which is most likely the cause of sick building syndrome. The ducts (which sometimes aren’t cleaned as often as they should) accumulate fungal and other growths which can be considerable in ducts of old buildings.

The grime includes dead insects, cockroach’s droppings, dust and soil. This dirt and the humidity is the perfect environment for germs and even more so if there is dormant water, which can collect in air conditioning draining pans and ducts. The germs, dust and mould is enough to cause constant flu-like symptoms in sensitive people. Also, repeated exposure to indoor allergens and airborne particles could lead to respiratory symptoms and conditions.

You’re hot then you’re cold

There is also evidence to suggest that it is unhealthy for the body to undergo sudden changes from extremely hot environments to air conditioned ones. Scientific studies have shown that those who work for extensive periods in air conditioning environments and those who work outdoors, prove that those exposed to air conditioning, are much more susceptible to common ailments.

Dry as a bone

Air conditioning units take the sizzle out of hot days by blowing warm air over metal coils filled with a refrigerant. This not only lowers the air temperature, but also condenses the water vapours in the air, producing a cooler, drier indoor climate.This then removes any moisture from the air, which ultimately leaves our skin very dry as they aren’t selective about where that moisture comes from. Some of the moisture that is pulled from the air conditioned room is removed from the skin. Moisture is essential for the skin to maintain its elasticity and without it, the skin shrivels, creases and wrinkles. In other words, the aging process is speeded up.

Life’s Cool with LG

In light of the above, LG has launched their new ‘Life’s Cool’ air conditioners, which includes a Health+ (Health Plus) range which are equipped with PLASMA filters. These filters provide 99% protection from viruses, including H1N1, which has been certified by KITASATO Research and Centre of Environmental Science in Japan.

With their cutting-edge technology, their air conditioners twice sterilises various bacteria, moulds and allergens. They also have an allergy filter which stops allergy-causing substances from circulating in the air and minimises the chances of allergic reactions that cause asthma and skin rashes by changing the nature of the allergen proteins. This has been given the British Allergy Foundation seal of approval.

The H1N1 filter is installed to sterilise the virus effect and the PLASMA filter has been developed to remove microscopic contaminant and dust, but it also removes house mites, pollen, pet fur and odour such as cigarette smell.

LG is also the first in its kind to produce air conditioners with stand alone air purifiers. As we know, the air quality that we breathe in today is a lot worse compared to earlier times. Therefore, with air purifiers, the designated area will tend to have less contaminant in the air (dust, pollen, mould spurs). The reason of removing all these unnecessary contaminants is to protect allergy sufferers, asthmatics and to avoid SBS.

Lastly, their automatic function will dry the wet heat exchanger to prevent moulds and bacteria from breeding. It will get rid of air conditioners' odours and actually save you from frequent cleaning efforts.For more information go to

www.lge.com.my

or call 1-800-822-822

~*~* 10 PeRKaTaaN LaZiM KauM HAWA *~*~

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FINE
Ini la yang perempuan suka gunakan untuk hentikan pergaduhan, lebih-lebih lagi bila dia rasa dia yang betul dan anda kena diam. Jangan sekali-kali gunakan perkataan ini untuk memberi gambaran rupanya, terutama sekali apabila dia sedang mencuba pakaian di kedai - hanya akan membawa anda berdua bergaduh.

LIMA MINIT
Ini sebenarnya setengah jam. Ianya sama jugak dengan lima minit yang perlawanan bola sepak akan berakhir sebelum anda membawa sampah ke luar, jadi ini adalah pertukaran yang seimbang.

TAKDE APA-APA
Ini bermakna “something” dan anda perlu berjaga-jaga! Perkataan ini melambangkan perasaan perempuan yang inginkan anda berputar-putar kat dalam macam mesin basuh. Selalunya, ini akan memulakan pergaduhan yang akan bertahan selama ‘LIMA MINIT’ dan diakhiri dengan ‘FINE’.

PERGILAH!
(dengan kening terangkat) Ini adalah satu cabaran yang akan membuat si perempuan menjadi marah dengan ‘TAKDE APA-APA’ dan diakhiri dengan ‘FINE’. PERGILAH (dengan kening biasa) Ini bermakna ‘mengalah’ atau ‘buat je la apa yang awak nak sebab saya tak kisah’. Anda hanya akan mendapat situasi ini dan dalam beberapa minit diikuti dengan ‘TAKDE APA-APA’, ‘FINE’ dan dia akan bercakap kembali dengan anda dalam masa ‘LIMA MINIT’ apabila dia dah sejuk.

MENGELUH YANG KUAT
Ini sebenarnya bukanlah perkataan, tetapi kenyataan yang sering disalah anggap oleh kaum lelaki. ‘MENGELUH YANG KUAT’ bermakna dia merasakan anda adalah seorang yang bodoh ketika itu dan dia sendiri terfikir kenapalah dia menghabiskan masa berdiri di situ dan bergaduh mengenai ‘TAKDE APA-APA’.

MENGELUH YANG PERLAHAN
Lagi sekali, ini bukanlah perkataan. ‘MENGELUH YANG PERLAHAN’ membawa maksud yang dia berasa puas. Adalah lebih elok jika anda duduk diam, jangan buat sebarang tindakan… dan dia akan kekal puas.

OKAY LAH
Ini adalah kenyataan yang paling merbahaya seorang perempuan boleh buat kepada lelaki.

‘OKAY LAH’
bermakna dia ingin berfikir panjang sebelum dia membalas terhadap perbuatan anda yang telah menyakitkan hatinya. ‘OKAY LAH’ selalunya digunakan dengan ‘FINE’ bersama ‘Kening Yang Terangkat’.

BUAT LAH
Satu ketika di masa depan dalam masa terdekat, anda akan dilanda masalah yang besar.

TOLONGLAH
Ini bukan kenyataan, sebaliknya adalah pelawaan. Seorang perempuan memberi anda peluang untuk mengeluarkan sebarang alasan atau sebab di atas apa yang telah anda lakukan. Anda mempunyai peluang yang adil dengan kejujuran, jadi berhati-hati dan anda tidak akan mendapat ‘OKAY LAH’.

TERIMA KASIH
Seorang perempuan mengucapkan terima kasih. Jangan pengsan. Terima dan ucapkan sama-sama.

TERIMA KASIH BANYAK-BANYAK
Ini banyak berbeza dari ‘TERIMA KASIH’. Seorang perempuan akan menggunakan ini apabila dia dah terlampau marah pada anda. Ini menunjukkan yang anda telah menyinggung perasaannya dan akan diikuti dengan ‘MENGELUH YANG KUAT’. Berhati-hati untuk tidak bertanya apa yang salah selepas ‘MENGELUH YANG KUAT’ kerana ini hanya akan membuat dia berkata ‘TAKDE APA-APA’.

sharing is caring?

Sharing is caring? What is that means? Some people say that we must share everything we have so that we will get rewards from God (Allah). But, some people say to me, not everything we can share. It depends on the people whom are sharing, whether they think the same idea (sharing is caring) or not. Some people in this world is selfish, ungrateful and always take advantages from other. In my opinion, this kind of people cannot be the people we choose to share everything. Just some matter we can share...

"Sharing with people who is caring"

friday

For me, it's the happiest day hahaha. It is not that i'm a lazy worker but weekend will be the time for me to sleep. I like to sleep till my friend calls me garfield. You know garfield? A fat, lazy cat that always sleep and never care about anything. But i don't like to be like that. Just the sleepy behavior that make us in common.. ^^,

big apple donuts

Today i got 2 donuts. Look tasty but since i already ate my lunch so just keep them for dinner ^^,.Some of my friends said that when we eat more, the stomach become more bigger and we can eat more in the future. It's true? I never realize that fact actually..