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151

Pharmacy / Avoid Milk Tea

« on: November 30, 2011, 12:13:46 PM »

Avoid Milk Tea
 

Milk tea is very much popular than black or green tea. But adding milk to black tea destroys its ability to protect against heart disease. Drinking black tea significantly helps the arteries to relax and expand to keep blood pressure healthy. Catechin is a component of tea which is responsible for this beneficial effect by stimulating the production of chemical nitric oxide. But animal milk contains proteins called casein. These proteins bind to the catechins, reducing their concentration and effectiveness. Milk may affect the antioxidant potential of tea. Black tea is more helpful than milk tea. So avoid milk tea and take black or green tea to be healthy.

Ref: 1. http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/tea-with-milk.html
       2. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070108191523.htm
       3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_tea

152

Pharmacy / Tips for common cold

« on: November 23, 2011, 10:49:35 AM »

Common Cold:
Winter is coming .Most of the people is affected by common cold. The term 'the common cold' does not denote a precisely defined disease, yet the characteristics of this illness are familiar to most people. It generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms.


Treatment and home remedies for the common cold:
There is no cure for the common cold. The common cold is a self-limited illness that will resolve spontaneously with time. Home remedies and treatments are directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold while the body fights off the infection.
Home treatment for the common cold includes getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids. In older children and adults, over-the-counter medications such as throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups may help relieve symptoms, though they will not prevent or shorten the duration of the common cold. Gargling with warm saltwater may help those with a sore throat. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms, while saline nasal sprays may also be beneficial. It is important to note that over-the-counter medications may cause undesirable side effects; therefore they must be taken with care.

Prevention of common cold:
The most important measure to prevent the common cold is to avoid infected individuals. Frequent hand washing is also extremely important, as this can destroy viruses that you have acquired from touching contaminated surfaces. Also, try to avoid sharing utensils and try to use disposable items (such as disposable cups) if someone in your family has a cold. Finally, lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation and stress management may decrease your susceptibility to acquiring the common cold. At this time, an effective vaccine against the common cold is not available.

Tips for common cold:
•   The common cold is caused by many different viruses.
•   Being in cold weather does not cause the common cold.
•   Over-the-counter medications may be used for treatment of the common cold.
•   Antibiotics do not help the common cold.
•   The common cold is self-limited and can generally be managed at home.
•   Drinking plenty of fluids.
•   Take vitamin C containing fruits, such as lemon, guava, peppers, oranges, strawberries and grapefruit
•   Maintain personal hygiene.
•   Avoid excess dust.