About Health Benefits of Almonds

Almonds are healthy nuts and are loaded with many essential nutrients. Healthy almonds are good for your health and are perfect for a quick meal anytime. The health benefits of almonds are extensive, and they are frequently used as a healthy solution from constipation, respiratory disorders, heart disorders, anemia, coughs, and diabetes. It also help to maintain healthy hair, healthy skin, and dental care.

Almonds are found in place like Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iran. This highly nutritional nut is a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It also has Zinc, selenium, copper and niacin. Compared to all other nuts, almonds are the most packed with nutrients and beneficial components.

Below are about health benefits of almonds:

Reduce risk of heart attack:  Those who consume nuts five times a week have about a 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attack. Almonds contain minerals like potassium, folic acid, protein, monosaturated fats and vitamin E. Hence eating them can significantly reduce your chances of heart diseases.

Good for brain:  Almonds are source of many nutrients which help in the development and health of the human brain. Almonds have been connected to a higher intellectual level and they have long been considered an essential food item for growing children. Almond, it also contain two vital brain nutrients, L-carnitine, and riboflavin, which have been shown to increase brain activity, resulting in new neural pathways and a decreased occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. Studies shown that almonds in the diet, and almond's oil, is nutritive to the overall health and functioning of the nervous system.

Regulation of cholesterol: Regular consumption of almonds helps to increase the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and they reduce the level of low density lipoproteins  (LDL). This balance is vital to a healthy cholesterol level, and a reduction of LDL(bad cholesterol) is always a good thing.

Strong bone: Almonds are a fantastic source of many vitamins and minerals, and phosphorous is definitely counted among them. Phosphorous can have a considerable impact on the strength and durability of bones and teeth, while also preventing the onset of age-related conditions like osteoporosis.

Non-Medical treatment of insomnia

Non-medical therapies are relaxation therapy, stimulus control, sleep hygiene, and sleep restriction. These also are referred to as cognitive behavioral therapies.

Relaxation Therapy

Relaxation therapy involves measures such as meditation and muscle relaxation or dimming the lights and playing sooting music prior to going to bed.

Stimulus Control

It  consists of a few simple steps that may help patients with chronic insomnia.

• Don't watch TV, eat, read or worry in bed. Your bed should be used only for sleep and sexual activity. 

• You have to go to bed when you feel sleepy.

• If you do not fall asleep 30 minutes after going to bed , get up and go to another room and resume your relaxation techniques. 

• You have to set your alarm clock to get up at a certain time each morning, even on weekends. Please, don't over sleep. 

• Avoid taking long naps in the day time. 

Sleep Hygiene 

Sleep hygiene is one of the components of behavioral therapy for insomnia. Some simple steps we can take to improve a patient's sleep quality and quantity. These steps include:

• Exercise regularly at least 30-40 minutes.

• Sleep as much as you need to feel rested.

• Avoid forcing yourself to sleep.

• Keep a regular sleep and awakening schedule.

• Do not smoke, especially in the evening. 

• Don't go to bed hungry. 

• Adjust the environment in the room.

• Don't go to bed with your worries. Try to resolve them before bedtime.

Sleep Restriction

Restricting your time in bed only to sleep may improve your quality of sleep. This therapy is called sleep restriction. This is achieved by averaging the time in bed that the patients spends only sleeping. Rigid bedtime and rise time are set, and the patients is forced to get up at the rising time even if they feel sleepy. This can help a patients sleep better the next night because of the sleep deprivation from the previous night. Sleep restriction has been helpful in some causes.

Other simple measures that can be helpful to treat insomnia include:

• Avoid large meals and excessive fluids before bedtime 

• Be conscious about light, noise, and undesirable room temperature that can disrupt sleep. Shift workers and night workers especially must address these factors. Dimming the lights in the bedroom, relaxation, limiting the noise, and avoiding stressful takes before going to bed can be beneficial.

• Avoid doing work in the bedroom that should be done somewhere else.

If we are conscious about insomnia or sleep disorders or sleep problem and take necessary steps and how to prevent or resolve then we will be free from this type of problem.

Prevention of Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Insomnia can occur in response to a behavioral, physical, or mental health issue. Physical, psychological, environmental, and modifiable lifestyle factor can all play a role in preventing the condition, or alleviating the symptoms if it occurs.

There are many causes of insomnia. Below are some steps and tips for preventing insomnia and sleep disorders.

Treat Underlying Disease 

Pain and chronic disease can cause insomnia for a variety of reasons. Diseases or conditions that may disrupt sleep include depression, diabetes and chronic renal failure, chronic lung disease, alcohol abuse and alcoholism or drug abuse and drug addiction, arthritis, heart disease, gastric ulcer, sleep apnea, and chronic pain.

Please, discuss with your doctor whether these conditions or any other physical problems can be treated. Proper and timely treatment can reduce symptoms and often lead to an improved night's sleep.


Avoid Nicotine, Caffeine, and Alcohol

Tobacco use disorder and caffeine stimulate the nervous system. Although this may give you a sense of energy during the day, these substances may interfere with your ability to go to sleep at night. Alcohol can depress nervous system. Although alcohol makes you feel drowsy at bedtime, it interferes with normal sleep patterns during the night and causes restlessness. You must avoid using tobacco products and drinking beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol in the afternoon or evening. They can create a vicious cycle of poor sleep at night and an increased use of stimulants during the day to counteract the drowsiness from poor  sleep.

Reduce Stress

Stress is considered by the most  sleep experts to be the number one cause of short-term sleeping difficulties.  Some common triggers include job or school related pressures, a family or marriage problem, and a serious illness or death of close person. Exercise regularly that helps relieve stress. Other techniques that may reduce stress are meditation and deep breathing.

Adjust Daily Activities

Habits and activities that you do during the day time or night can interfere with getting a good nights' sleep. Set your time schedule in order to avoid eating a large meal prior to bedtime, exercising close to bedtime, working or doing other mentally intense activities right before or after getting into bed.

Follow Bedtime Rituals If You Work at night Shift

Night shift work forces you to try to sleep when activities around you and your own "biological rhythms" signal you to be awake. One study shows that night shift workers are 2-5 times more likely than are employees with regular, daytime hours to fall asleep on the job because of poor sleep quality. If you work the night shift, speak with your employer about how to minimize the dangers of fatigue. You have to discuss with your family members so that you can create a proper environment to sleep in the day time.

Create Better Sleep Habits and Environment

A distracting sleep environment, such as a room that is too hot or cold, too noisy, or too brightly lit may be a barrier to sound sleep. Interruptions from pets, children, or other family members can also disrupt sleep. Other influences may be the comfort and size of your bed and the habits of your sleep partner. Try to create an environment that is restful by painting your room a light blue or green, using shades to block light, and playing soothing music or white noise like fan. Seek medical help for a sleeping partner who snores loudly, or consider separate sleeping arrangements.

Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a "signal" to your brain that it is time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a warm bath can help. Avoid "clock watching" after going to bed and avoid drinking fluids just before bedtime.

If we want to be lead a happy life then we need to acquire knowledge about how to prevent all types of disease such as sleep disorders , insomnia, sleep walking, sleep apnea etc. and we must be conscious about diseases and their prevention , after that we can lead a happy and healthy life. I think that you will learn more after reading this article about prevention of insomnia. 

Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. It include wide range of sleep disorders, from lack of quantity of sleep to lack of quality of sleep. There are two types of insomnia primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition [like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn] ; pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using like alcohol.

Causes of insomnia

Insomnia may be caused  by a host of different reasons. These causes may be divided into situational factors , medical or psychiatric conditions, or primary sleep problems. Insomnia could also be classified by the duration of the symptoms into transient, short-term, chronic. Transient insomnia generally last less than seven  days; short-term insomnia usually lasts for about one to three weeks, and chronic insomnia lasts for more  than  three weeks.

Many of the causes of transient and short-term insomnia are similar and they include-

•  Jet lag

• Changes in shift work

• Uncomfortable room temperature

• Excessive or unpleasant noise

• Stressful situation in life

• Withdrawal from drug, alcohol, sedative, or stimulant medications

• Insomnia related to high altitude(mountains)

Uncontrolled physical symptoms [fever, pain, breathing problems, nasal congestion, cough, diarrhea etc ] may also cause someone to have insomnia.

Causes of long-term or chronic insomnia 

The majority of chronic or long-term insomnia are usually linked to an underling psychiatric or physiologic condition.

Psychological causes of insomnia

The most common psychological problems theses may lead to insomnia include:

•  Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress [mental, emotional, etc.]

• Schizophrenia

• Mania [bipolar disorder]

Insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness. As mentioned earlier, depression and anxiety are strongly associated with insomnia. Out of the all the other secondary medical and psychological causes of insomnia, anxiety and depression are the most common.

Physiological causes of insomnia

Physiological causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. The following are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:-

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Chronic pain syndromes

• Congestive heart failure

• Acid reflux disease[GERD]

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]

• Nocturnal asthma [asthma with night time breathing symptoms]

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Brain tumors, strokes, or trauma to the brain

Symptoms of insomnia 

Doctors associate a variety of signs and symptoms with insomnia. Often the symptoms intertwine with those of other medical or mental conditions. 


Some people with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night. The problem can begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem can become chronic.

Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:

•  Poor concentration and focus

• Difficulty with memory

•  Impaired motor coordination [being uncoordinated]

•  Irritability and impaired social interaction

•  Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers.

Many people with insomnia don't complain of daytime sleepiness, and in fact, they may have difficulty falling asleep during intentional daytime naps.

Treatment of insomnia

In general, transient insomnia resolves when the underlying trigger is removed or corrected. Most people seek medical attention when their insomnia becomes chronic.

The main focus of treatment for insomnia should be directed towards finding the cause. Once a cause is identified, it is very important to manage and control the underlying problem, as this alone may eliminate the insomnia all together. Treating the symptoms of insomnia without addressing the main cause is rarely successful. Chronic insomnia can cured in the majority of causes if its medical or psychiatric causes are evaluated and treated properly.

The following therapies can be used in conjunction with therapies directed towards the underlying medical or psychiatric cause. They are also the recommended therapies for some of the primary insomnia disorders.

Usually,  treatment of insomnia entails both non-medical and medical aspects. It is best to tailor treatment for individual patient based on the potential cause. Studies have shown that combining medical and non-medical treatments typically is  more successful in treating insomnia than either one alone.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the  heart increases. As a result, the heart can't pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart may respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body and by becoming stiff and thickened. This helps to keep  the  blood moving, but the heart muscle walls may eventually weaken and will be unable to pump as efficiently. As a result the kidneys may respond by causing the body to retain fluid and salt. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure is the term used to describe the condition.

Causes of heart failure 

Heart failure is often a long-term(chronic) condition, but it can sometimes develop suddenly. It can be caused by many different heart problems.


The condition may affect only the left-side or right-side of the heart. These are called right-side heart failure or left-side heart failure. More often, both sides of the heart are involved.

Heart failure is present when :-

• Your heart muscle can't pump the blood out of the heart very well. This is called systolic heart failure.

• Your heart muscles are stiff and do not fill up with blood easily. This is called diastolic heart failure.

These problems mean the heart is no longer able to pump enough oxygen- rich blood out to the rest of your body.



If we want to lead a healthy, happy life and that will be free from all types of heart diseases, then we must know about heart diseases, i believe that you will get very important information after reading this article.

Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Now a days female sexual dysfunction is a common condition among women. It is most commonly evidenced by a decrease in the desire for sex, and difficulty in achieving arousal or orgasm, and pain or discomfort during the sexual act.

There are many reasons of female sexual dysfunction. Some of them are listed below in detail to give you an idea about female sexual dysfunction.

Physical Causes : 

When a woman is experiencing sexual dysfunction, physical causes can also be to blame. One of the most evident physical causes of female sexual dysfunction involves hormones. With many women, hormones constantly fluctuate. With this constant rise and fall in hormone levels, sexual dysfunction is bound to become noticeable at one point or another, as sexual desire and activity are, of course, largely the result of hormonal activity.

Body infection is another common cause of sexual dysfunction. Some of the most common infections which may result in ancillary complication when it comes to sexual relation are those that actually cause physical discomfort while having sex [including many sexually transmitted diseases]. Infections that can invade the urinary tract and the vaginal area can also result in female sexual dysfunction.

As a female ages, she may encounter a loss of libido.It is relatively common and while it almost always occurs as a result of hormone fluctuations,  many other physical changes in the body may be at play as well.This is particularly true of women who experience serious medical conditions in their older years, including breast cancer. Many women who grow ill must endure various types of treatments for their condition like chemotherapy, hysterectomy, and having to take certain prescription medications- any of them can lead to sexual dysfunction. In this type of condition, the woman should discuss the problem with her doctor.

Psychological Causes :

Most women experience depression, due to the taking of certain medications, fluctuations of hormone with in  the body, enduring a challenging medical condition, or often unknown origins. Regardless of the reason behind the depression, there  are many common symptoms that a women may suffer while experiencing depression. One of the most common developments is a lack of interest in sexual encounters.

Female sexual dysfunction may be the product of traumatic events in their childhood for some unfortunate individuals. These may include enduring a rap, sexual abuse, or any other type of abuse. Engaging in sexual relations in adult life may arouse of these experiences. Actually, this often imposes on the ability to enjoy or even desire sex.

Now a days women endure a lot of stress on a daily basis. Dealing with children, ensuring success in the are  of careers, maintaining the household, and upholding all other responsibilities can be an extreme burden. Most women are so exhausted and overwhelmed that they can't find it within themselves to enjoy any sexual experience. This can develop into female sexual dysfunction.   


Medical Causes :

Here are some more common medical causes of female sexual dysfunction:


Drugs

In addition to hormonal contraceptives, a surprising number of drugs can interfere with sexual functioning. These include:-

• Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], such as Prozac [fluoxetine] and Paxil [paroxetine], which can alter brain chemical that affect sexual desire and response. They also can cause fatigue and nausea.

•  Antibiotic, which can cause yeast infections, making intercourse uncomfortable.

• Antihistamines, which dry mucous membranes [including those of the vagina]

• Heart and hypertension medicines, which can cause sexual dysfunction in as many as 25% of women taking them. In one study, women with unimpaired sexual function who were given clonidine and prazosin[antihypertensive medicines] were less likely to desire sex than those given a placebo.

•  Tranquilizers, which can lower libido and delay and prevent orgasm.

•  Sleep aids, diet aids, and other over-the counter drugs, which can cause drowsiness, impair function, and reduce sexual.

Illness

Organic diseases like disorders of the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands[the regulators of hormones], cab alter your attitude toward sex. Interestingly, oxytocin, which is secreted by the pituitary glands, has been linked in animals[not humans, yet] to the contractions of the uterus during orgasm. Oxytocin is better known as the substance given to pregnant women to induce contractions.

Infection

Infection like urinary tract, rectal, vaginal infections, and sexually transmitted diseases can cause pain during intercourse.

Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy, such as fatigue and nausea, can lower libido in cancer patients, who also may feel unattractive because of breast surgery, for instance. Surgery for cancers o the ovary, bladder, rectum, and uterus can induce menopause, as can chemotherapy for breast for breast cancer.

Hysterectomy



Hysterectomy can have completely opposite effects on sexual function: Half of 104 women in one study reported improvement after subtotal hysterectomy; 21% reported deterioration. Those who felt better were more likely to have had satisfying sex lives before the surgery.

Hysterectomy should not affect sexual desire or function if the ovaries[that produce hormones] are still intact, and hormone replacement therapy can make up for missing ovaries.

Spinal Cord Injury

This types of injury doesn't have to close the book on sexual activity. In a 1995 study half of 25 women with spinal cord injury reported the ability to achieve orgasm regardless of the pattern of degree of their neurological injury.


There are a variety of ways in which a women can resolve female sexual dysfunction issues. Of course, the remedy is only effective if it directly relates to the cause. Getting the right amount of exercise, including in a healthy diet, and ensuring that stress is reduced are three fairly general, but still excellent methods of resolving sexual issues.

Sexual Dysfunction In Men and Women

Sexual dysfunction can take many forms- it is not limited to erectile dysfunction or lack of interest in sex, often referred to as a low libido. Sexual dysfunction can involve pain during intercourse, an inability to maintain an erection, or difficult experiencing an orgasm.

Though there are many causes of diminished libido and sexual dysfunction in men  and women, there are also many ways to increase libido and rekindle the joy of the sex one you identify the problem.

Woman's Sexual Dysfunction :


Female sexual dysfunction is a term for any general disturbance or disorder that frequently or always prevents a woman from engaging in satisfactory sexual intercourse. It includes lack of libido[sex drive], problems with having sexual intercourse and lack of orgasms.

Specifically, sexual dysfunction in women may be due to:-

  Vaginal dryness : This can lead to low libido and problems with arousal and desire, as sex can be painful  when the vagina is not properly lubricated. Vaginal dryness can result from hormonal changes that occur during and after menopause or while  breastfeeding, for example. Psychological issues, like anxiety about sex , can  cause vaginal dryness. And anticipation  of painful intercourse due to vaginal  dryness may, in turn , decrease a women's desire for sex.    


  Low libido: Lack of sexual desire can be caused by lower levels of the hormone estrogen. For depression, fatigue or anxiety can also lead to low libido, as can certain medications, including some these problems.


  Pain during sex : Pain can be  sometimes from a known cause like vaginal dryness. But sometimes the cause of pain during sex is elusive. Known as vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis, expert do not  know what is behind this mysterious type of chronic, painful intercourse. A burning sensation may accompany pain during sex. 


Difficulty achieving orgasm : Orgasm disorders, such as delayed orgasms or inability to have one at all, can affect both men and women. Some antidepressant medications can also cause these problems.


Man's Sexual Dysfunction :

Man's sexual dysfunction can be caused either due to physical factors or psychological factors or even a  combination of both. Some of the physical causes of erectile dysfunction are diabetes, hyper tension, a hardening of the arteries [also known as atherosclerosis], liver or kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, stroke and even due to prostate surgeries.


The types of sexual dysfunction men may experience include: 

  Ejaculation problems : These include premature ejaculation [ejaculation that occurs too early during intercourse ] and the inability to ejaculate at all. Causes include medication, like some antidepressants, anxiety about sex, and strict religious beliefs.

  Erectile dysfunction : Erectile dysfunction can be caused by medical condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or anxiety about having sex. Depression, fatigue, and stress can also contribute to the erectile dysfunction.

  Low libido : Psychological issues like stress and depression, and anxiety about sex also can lead to a decreased  or no sexual desire. Decreased hormone levels, physical illnesses, and medication side effects may also diminish libido in men. 

Now a days there are many treatment for sexual dysfunction. Women and men  should go to a doctor before starting any types of treatments.