Who doesn’t want a great smile? And not just your personality, you need a set of sparkling teeth. However, nothing is a bigger dampener than discolored, stained teeth. The symptoms of discolored teeth are pretty much visible to the naked eye. There can be either white permanent patches on the teeth, white streaks or yellow coloration over the entire region. Improper food habits, consumption of certain food stuffs, smoking and the lack of oral hygiene are the most common causes of discolored teeth.

However, it is a treatable condition. Bleaching agents can clean discolored teeth over a period of time and some visits to the dentist. Other than that, quitting smoking, limited intake of tea and coffee and having a proper meal schedule also helps. Also, Apple Cider Vinegar can be used to bleach out the stains. And of course, brushing and flossing after every meal. So, go ahead and flash that winning smile!

Tags: Dental Hygiene, Health Care by qwcdirect
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Yes! Who knew that simple oral hygiene can have such far reaching benefits? This comes from a study done at the Columbia University who has identified a positive link between oral hygiene improving your memory and combating dementia. The bacteria accumulated between our teeth throughout the day can lead to arterial damage.

Arterial damage over a period of time can lead to decreased blood supply to the brain. This can ultimately lead to memory loss which can result in dementia. Brushing and flossing regularly prevents these bacteria from accumulating. Regular oral hygiene help keep your arteries unclogged and ensure proper blood flow to the brain and keeping it sharp and in ship shape. They also help prevent inflammation in the body which is also cause for arterial damage. Not to mention, improve your memory.

So, the next time you can’t remember something, ponder over it as you brush your teeth!

Tags: Dental Hygiene, Health Care, Healthy habits, Medical Research by qwcdirect
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Halitosis or persistent severe bad breath can, for obvious reasons, wreak havoc with your personal relationships and social life. It is caused to several odorous enzymes released by either bacteria or the body’s metabolism that get deposited on the tongue. Apart from medications, there are a few easy steps you can employ at home to get rid of bad breath. Here are five of them that you can follow on a daily basis

1) Mix baking soda in warm water and gargle with this solution every night and also use it to clean the tongue
2) Chewing sunflower seeds after every meal and gargling with warm water afterwards
3) Eating Parsley and Yoghurt on a regular basis also alleviates bad breath naturally.
4) Chewing a clove seed or a couple of Cardamom seeds after a meal also gives good results
5) Finally, brushing and flossing religiously after every meal helps keep bad breath at bay.

Tags: Body Care, Health & Fitness, Health Care by qwcdirect
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Liquid vitamins are touted to be the next big thing in nutrition and are in many ways considered to be ideal supplements, leaving their solid counterparts far behind. They are said to be 98% absorbable by the body, compared to the 10% of vitamin pills.

This of course, means that you take in considerably more nutrition when you ingest vitamins in their liquid form. Vitamin pills can prove to be quite hard and they cannot be swallowed that easily. This is due to several other constituents such as binders that are added to the pills to fit in as much vitamins into a single pill as possible.

Also, there arises a need to add artificial colors and flavors and wax coating material. This can be hard to digest, especially for senior citizens and people with digestion problems. Liquid vitamins can be added to your juice or water, eliminating all these problems. They cost considerably less than vitamin pills too! Sounds like liquid vitamins are the smart new way to make sure your body gets its daily dose of vital nutrition. It sounds like a high time to make a switch over.

Tags: Health & Fitness, Health Care, Health care & Regulation, Health Products by qwcdirect
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Burn injuries are amongst the hardest to cope with, not only because of the physical and mental trauma that accompany them but also the risk of severe complications that can arise. The first of these complications are severe infections. This is because of the skin becoming extremely susceptible to several bacteria.

Regular samples are taken from the skin and tested for microbial activity to prevent infection of the skin in burn victims. If any infections is found a course of Antibiotics are used to treat such infections. Another common complication is the appearance of gastrointestinal ulcers in the inner lining of the stomach called the duodenum. These are acute in nature and are revealed by Endoscopy and can be treated with drugs.

Most complications are treatable; however the key is their early detection. Depression and mental trauma is common in burn victims and hence, they need to be provided mental support as well as physical care.

Tags: Family health, Health Care, Health care & Regulation, Injuries & Treatements by qwcdirect
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Heavy metals are elements that have an explicit gravity greater than 4.0 amongst other properties. They have been in use in our day to day lives for many years now in the most basic of forms such as utensils used for cooking. However, at no point in time have they been used as much as they are being, right now.

The most common heavy metals in our immediate environment are Aluminium- Used abundantly in many day to day activities, Cadmium- A constituent of plastic, Nickel – Found in batteries, glass etc amongst others. Heavy metals act on the cells of the body by taking up the cell’s electrons and causing DNA damage, disruption of protein production and triggering Apoptosis of cells (Cell Suicide).

These can directly leading to symptoms such as slurring speech, confusion, psychological disturbances and breathing problems. They can eventually become the causative agents of conditions like several autoimmune disorders, Alzheimer’s and Autism. If this doesn’t call for a reality check and measures for control of Heavy Metal exposure, nothing will.

Tags: Body Care, Health Care by qwcdirect
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Thought that trip to the sauna or the steam bath was merely a way to unwind after a long day? Think Again. A sauna bath might be bringing you a host of other health benefits too. A sauna bath can increase your heart rate by over 50% which produces the same effect as that of taking a brisk walk.

A sauna bath also increases the blood output to your subcutaneous and skin surface tissue by up to 70%. This also increases the flow of nutrients to the surface tissue giving you radiant skin. Sauna’s also increase your sweating which cleanses your skin pores and sweat glands. It serves to detoxify your body and getting rid of accumulated impurities in the body. The internal and skin temperature of the body also increases and induces a fever-like state which is a part of the body’s natural defense mechanism. It activates the natural antibodies; white blood cells and interferon, which help fight Cancer. It also relaxes muscles and removes stiffness due to Arthritis.

So, sweating it out every once in a while is the new way to keep the doctor away.

Tags: Health & Fitness, Health Care by qwcdirect
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Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique where specific pressure points in the body are stimulated by fine needles to cure illnesses, still finds a place in contemporary medicine because of its effectiveness. A notion exists that acupuncture is only effective in muscular pain relief. However, it has proved to be remedial for many afflictions, including many afflictions that women face. A majority of women suffer from PMS i.e.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome which results in many symptoms such as Irritability, headaches, muscle pain, feeling bloated due to increased water retention, breast tenderness and mild depression. These symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. Acupuncture can help fight PMS better than conventional medicine. This is because Acupuncture seeks to restore the body’s balance holistically and not just treat the symptoms. Women also face Dysmennhorea, commonly known as menstrual abdominal cramps. While pills are available for pain relief, they don’t offer a permanent cure.

Acupuncture, taken at the right time during the menstrual cycle can help alleviate these cramps by mobilizing the body’s principal energies known as the Yin and Yang. Acupuncture can also help lessen the symptoms of Menopause such as hot flushes, weight gain, palpitations and insomnia. Hormonal replacement therapy used conventionally can have many side effects which aren’t seen with Acupuncture. It is also believed to be effective as a cure for Endometrosis and Infertility.

Tags: Body Care, Common Health Issues, Health & Women, Health Care, Women & Health by qwcdirect
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There are a number of ways to avoid stomach flu. Some of the ways to avoid stomach flu include;
Washing your hand – One of the best ways to avoid stomach flu and other related disease is to wash your hand thoroughly. You have to make sure that you wash your hand after using the toilet, bathroom, after changing diapers and before eating or preparing a meal. You should make it a routine to wash your hand when you get home for this will ensure that your hands are clean any time you are at home. If it is not possible that you can wash your hand with soap and water, it is advisable that you carry a bottle of alcohol based waterless sanitizer.
Another way of avoiding stomach flu is to disinfect all surfaces especially if one of your family members is ill. Keep bathrooms clean and ensure that the kitchen surface is properly disinfected.

Tags: Health Care, Health care & Regulation, Healthy habits by qwcdirect
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