Thursday 26 June 2014

How to choose your make up kit for summer

skin care products
All of us have a fixed routine for our skin and skin care depending upon our skin type. However, with the change of the season, there is a change in the overall texture of the skin. Given this situation, it becomes essential to change your skincare regime and update your make up kit. For summer, you need to choose your make up kit and skin care products accordingly. These products should be such that they can deal with the dirt and sweat of the summer days. 


Fabulous and essential products in your make up kit for summers

Here are some of the fabulous and essential skin care products which should be in your make up kit during the summer months. Let's take a look at them: 

Tinted moisturizer: In the summer months, rather than going for a foundation, it is better to go for a tinted moisturizer. Foundation will not be the right type of coverage for you in the summer months. Due to excess sweat, foundation can clog your pores and will not give you any sun protection. On the other hand, tinted moisturizers are quite light and will not make your skin oily. Moreover, they have an SPF protection.  

Waterproof Mascara: You should put aside the regular mascara during the summer months and keep a waterproof mascara in your make up kit in the summer months. This will help you in avoiding the dreadful raccoon eyes. These mascaras are splash proof as well as sweat proof but you will not face much hassle to remove it. It is a perfect product for the summer months. 

Mineral Powder: Put aside the compress powder and go for the mineral powder. If you layer your skin with a heavy powder over any kind of foundation, then you are surely going to face breakouts on your skin because of the sweat and oil. Mineral powders are lightweight and are known for their semi-sheerness. This will help you set up your make up and will also allow your skin to breathe. 

Tinted Lip Balm: You might be in love with the heavy lipsticks but during the summers, it will be better to fill your make up kit with a lip balm. In the summer months, the heavy lipstick will tend to dry  your lips and will make them look parched. On the other hand, the lip balm will give a glossy look to your lips. Moreover, your lips will remain hydrated for a long period of time. 

Dry Shampoo: Rather than live-in skin care products, it will be better if you could go for a dry shampoo. During the summer months, your hair will be more prone to oiliness and attract dirt. With the help of a dry shampoo, you will be able to sop up any excess oil present in your hair. Not only this, it will help you keep your hair smelling fresh and not sweaty. Apart from this, you will also be able to get extra bounce in your hair. 

Sunscreen: This is a must during the summer months. Choose sunscreen which are of high SPFs. Apply it on your face and other body parts half an hour before stepping out in the sun. Reapply it if you are constantly roaming out in the sun. 

Make sure to keep these skin care products in your summer make up kit and face the summer easily.

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Knee Ailments – How to keep them at bay


knee ailmentsKnee ailments are quite common in the present times. Apart from the knee problems, a lot of people suffer from various orthopaedic problems due to the kind of lifestyle they lead. With a lot of development in the field of science and technology, various medicines for knee ailments have come up. Most of the medicine stores in Kolkata as well as other parts of India will provide you with generic medicines. However, rather than consuming generic medicines for your knee ailments, it is essential that you consider certain alternative methods to cure them.

Alternative way outs to cure knee ailments

Here are some of the alternative way outs to cure knee ailments. Let's take a look at them:

Maintain the right weight: If you wish to keep your knee ailments at bay and want to avoid the intake of generic medicines, then it will be better if you could take steps to maintain the right weight. If you are overweight, then it will exert pressure on your knees and it will in turn cause knee problems. Develop the right eating and exercise plan to keep the knee ailments at bay.

Go for low impact exercises: As it is the matter of knee problems, while choosing exercises, you should go for low impact exercises. Before you choose your exercise program, you should consult a doctor. People with knee ailments should go for exercises like walking and swimming. Go for proper warm up and cool down before and after exercises. Avoid running and jumping exercises.

Relax and take rest: When you are facing a knee ailment, you should take ample rest and relax. You should go for massages and therapies. This will help you soothe your senses and will have a positive impact on your knee ailment. You should learn certain stress relief techniques which will in turn help you re-energize your life. Learn various meditation and breathing exercises.

Get enough sleep: Proper sleep is very important to cure any kind of ailment. If you are facing knee ailment, then ample sleep is very important to cure it. Good sleep will help you relax your muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons. Proper pain management will help you get sound sleep.

Ice and heat therapy: Rather than taking generic medicines, it is essential that you opt for ice and heat therapy. Ice will help you relieve pain as well as swelling and the heat will help you reduce stiffness. However, you should know the right technique to use an ice pack or a heat pack. A warm bath before sleep can be of great help in relieving you from stiffness and help you get sound sleep.

Go for a topical pain reliever: Rather than consuming generic medicines, it will be better if you could go for the over the counter pain relieving gels, sprays or creams. You can apply them on the affected area. It may help relieve pain and swelling. However, it will be better if you could take prior permission from the doctor in this regard.

If you can follow the above mentioned way outs, you will be able to keep your knee ailments at bay and lead a happy life.

Tuesday 24 June 2014

What factors should you consider while choosing an online medical store?

If you search for medicines online, you will be able to find a number of digital pharmacies. In the recent times, the popularity of online pharmacies have increased by leaps and bounds. While you look for an online medical store and browse through the Internet, you will also find a number of scam stores.  Thus, it is essential for you to know the various factors which will help you choose the right online pharmacy for yourself.

Factors to consider while choosing an online medical store

Some of the major factors that you should consider while choosing the right online pharmacy for yourself are listed below. Let's take a look at them:

digital pharmacyThe online pharmacy should require a prescription: It is mandatory for the online medical stores to ask for prescription. This should be mentioned in their order process. If the online medical store you are choosing does not ask for medical prescription, then you should see a red flag! In most countries, it is required by law to ask for the medical prescription of the patients before providing them with the desired medicines.

The online pharmacy should check your medical history: If an online medical store is genuine, they will definitely check your medical history before providing you with the medicines. Also, if you are allergic to some medicines, then you should inform the pharmacy about it so that they can let you know if any particular medicine will cause any harm to you or not.

The online pharmacy should not supply narcotics: Well, online pharmacies cannot supply narcotics to people. Apart from this, the online pharmacies should not sell, offer or advertise about narcotics, targeted substances or controlled substances. It is illegal for them to do so or ship such products from one place to another.

Go for pharmacies which sell prescription pharmaceuticals: There are a large number of pharmacies which will sell mainly best seller drugs or lifestyle drugs like Viagra and not prescription pharmaceuticals. Such online pharmacies are more concerned about their profit rather than service to you. Thus, it will be better for you if you go for online medical stores that will provide you with prescription pharmaceuticals.

Go for a licensed digital pharmacy: It is always better to go for a licensed digital pharmacy. If the pharmacy has a license, then they will display it on their website. If you do not find it mentioned on the website, then you can ask for it from the pharmacy. You can even get the license number verified from the licensing organization. In India, mostly, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association gives the license.

Do your own research: Before choosing any online medicine store, it will be better if you could do your own research. Do not jump for the first digital pharmacy you come across online. Doing proper research will help you choose the best pharmacy in the market.

If you keep the above factors in mind, then it will be easier for you to choose the best online medical store. Also, it will help you avoid scams associated with online pharmacies.

Friday 20 June 2014

Natural remedies – Know their effectiveness for a comprehensive skincare

Considering the pollution that we face in our everyday lives, it is very essential for you to consider a comprehensive skincare regime. If you take help of natural remedies for your skin care, then it will leave your skin clear, soft and hydrated. It is up to you to decide what will go on your skin and what will not. Thus, you can formulate a routine regime using homemade skincare products with ingredients from your grocery items or kitchen.  The effectiveness of the natural remedies lie in the fact that they are economical and do not involve any kind of preservatives. Apart from that, these natural products will not be irritating or harmful for your skin.

How can natural remedies be effective for your skin?
Natural RemediesRather than using cosmetic skincare products, using natural products for skin problems can be helpful in many ways:
  • Natural remedies are better than other skincare products as they will leave your skin clear, hydrated as well as healthy irrespective of your skin type.
  • Natural remedies are a great way to reduce acne issues. 
  • There are various natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Lemon, etc. which will help you in slowing the process of skin ageing. 
  • Olive oil, one of the popular products in the kitchen in recent times, plays a great role in improving the texture of your skin. 
  • The dead sea salts, a natural product, has various therapeutic minerals which is effective for better skin.
  • You will be able to get a clear and glowing skin with the help of apple cider vinegar.
  • Regularly exfoliating your face with natural products like oatmeal, honey, lemon or sugar can help you get rid of acne scars.
  • All the natural ingredients are safe and non-toxic. Moreover, they are environment friendly. They will help you keep your skin glowing for many years.
  • Natural ingredients are easy to find. You can find them in the local market, kitchen or your garden.
  • Potato is an excellent natural product for removing marks, blemishes as well as pigmentation on your skin. You will also be able to reduce fine lines with potato juice. Put two slices of potato on your eyes in order to reduce dark circles.
  • The oil derived from fresh coconuts will help you reduce wrinkles and pigmentation on your skin. It will also help you lighten your complexion.
Common natural skincare products

Some common natural ingredients used as skincare products include: Aloe Vera, Olive oil, Sugar, Egg, Honey, Lemon, Cucumber, Potato, Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil, etc. Apart from this, you can even add various other essential oils and other natural items in order to add power to your formulations. All these will make you feel wonderful and beautiful.

However, it should also be noted here that before you try any natural ingredient, you should always do a 24 hour patch test. This will let you know if you are sensitive to that natural ingredient or not. Thus, you can well understand how beneficial the natural products are in respect to your skincare!

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Ayurvedic medicines and the emerging trends in this field

Modern medicines have developed to a great extent in the recent times because of the development in science and technology.

Ayurvedic Medicines
In the present times, efforts are being made in order to update the science of Ayurveda. In a recent trend, special attention is being given toward the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of ayurveda. There are many scientists who are working toward herbal research which will help in development of new principles which will help to cure various medical disorders. But again, the basic principles of Ayurveda like the concept of Agni (digestive fire), Tridosha (three bio-humors), Dhatu (tissues), Mala (excretory products) as well as disorders (vyadhi) are not taken care by them. While developing a new drug, these factors are not given much importance yet. The most important motivation behind any kind of ayurvedic drug invention is the modern views as well as references. In order to do so, it is quite essential to require the reassessment of the whole thing in a holistic way.

Some of the upcoming trends in ayurvedic medicines are as follows:

Ayurveda, on the other hand, is considered to be a 5000 year old science. Those who are associated with the world of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic products are extremely proud of themselves! Here, it is important to note that it will be good if the tradition and culture change as per the present trends. But there has been not much change in the form of Ayurveda that is being practiced since ages. It is obviously true that the principles of Ayurveda are immortal but it is also important to modify them as per contemporary needs and scientific trends. This will not only benefit the society but will also nurture and develop the science of Ayurveda.
When you search for ayurvedic medicines, you will find them in two major categories – Traditional and Branded. Of late, there are mainly 1,500 traditional products available in the market. On the other hand, more than 30,000 branded products are available in the market in the present times.

A lot of people are searching for ayurvedic medicine information in the recent times. So, the Indian manufacturers export products worth around Rs.1500 crore amongst the Rs 6,000 crore products manufactured per year.

In the recent times, India exports around 60% of crude herbs, 30% finished products and 10% partially prepared products to the outside world.

Presently, ayurvedic medicines are used in various fields – food supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals as well as industries engaged in extracting or distilling oils.

It can be well understood from the facts mentioned above that Ayurveda has now found ample importance in various other parts of the world. However, it should also be noted here that to integrate modern technologies with the age old basic principles of Ayurveda can be very tough. In order to achieve this, a senior rheumatologist of USA, Dr. Gopal Basishta is planning to rewrite Charak Samhita  by inserting certain modern technologies. If such innovative plans are not seriously considered by the experts, then ayurveda will become stagnant and will be taken over by the present herbalist research. Some of the major pharmaceutical brands like Himalaya, Dabur, Zandu, Baidyanath, Arya Vaidya Shala etc. are conducting research in various aspects of ayurveda and help it evolve with time.

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Diabetes – Facts, Causes and Prevention

Diabetes is a condition which prevents the body from processing sugars properly. It either forbids the body from producing enough insulin, or triggers an inability to use its own insulin efficiently. This can lead to various other health challenges.

Types:

The most common types include type 1 and type 2 diabetes, none of which can be considered mild. Gestational diabetes (GDM) is the condition that occurs during pregnancy. Other than these, there are other specific types as well.

The treatment of diabetes has seen a lot of improvement in the recent times, especially with the invent of self glucose monitoring devices. Good glucose contro
l helps in reducing diabetic complications by about 60%.

Causes & Facts:

•    Family history or genetics plays a major role in determining the chances of developing diabetes. Statistics have proven that the odds of developing diabetes in an individual increases if a parent or sibling is already suffering from the ailment.

•    The risk of diabetes type 2 increases with growing age, especially after 45. Nevertheless, it is also prevalent among adolescents, younger adults and children. Lack of proper exercise, reduced muscle mass and weight gain with age are considered common causes for this.

•    Obesity, primarily fat around the abdomen causes insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes.

•    Malnutrition, especially low intake of protein and fibre cause type 2 diabetes.

•    Gestational diabetes tends to develop into type 2 diabetes at later stages. 

Prevention Tips:

•    Increasing physical activity & losing weight – aerobics, resistance training etc.
•    Maximum intake of fibrous food – fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans, nuts etc.
•    Say no to fad diets – stick to healthier choices
•    See your doctor and share your concerns – especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.