SKIN ALLERGY
Clear skin is free from germs. But an irritated skin is a cause of trouble. Chafing of the skin is more likely to occur where two moist areas meet, such as in the groins or buttocks, or under the arms. Skin reactions are more common today due to many new fabrics in use. Babies often develop skin rashes because of irritation from the coloring materials in these fabrics.
Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the Immune System to relatively harmless environmental antigens (substance which causes the allergy).
Diaper rash usually arises from some chemical irritation due to certain germs present in the baby’s stool. These germs break down the urea into ammonia, which irritates the skin.
Allergic conditions, such as Hay fever and sinusitis are also greatly aggravated by the presence of the germs within the tissues of the nose and throat. The most common allergens are grass and tree pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander. Eating certain foods and food additives and being stung by insects can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Such common disorders as eczema, hives, hay fever and asthma are often attributed to allergic reactions.
The most common cause of the skin allergies is impairment in the immune sysytem, which increases the risk of allergic reactions. This occurs due to stress on the immune system due to excess of the toxins.
Other causes of the skin allergies are the nutritional deficiencies, imbalanced diet, chemicals in the food chain due to preservatives and chronic intestinal yeast overgrowth.
Researchers have found that digestion also plays some role in the allergies. These are not just caused by the food. Proper digestion helps to remove toxins from our body. When digestion is disturbed, large amount of toxins get accumulated in the body and our body becomes over loaded with the toxins. This is what leads to allergies.
Itching is an unpleasant sensation, which we try to relieve by scratching. A certain amount of mild itching is normal for every one. Only if it is persistent and troublesome it becomes serious. Persistent scratching may produce swellings in the skin with deep scratch marks and small ulcers into which germs have found their way, causing much more trouble.
Allergies in general are defined as hypersensitivity to some foreign particle or the other. Different people have different kinds of tolerances for foreign bodies. When some people cannot adjust with certain elements in their surroundings, they may suffer from certain skin problems that are commonly referred to as skin allergies.
There is a sure way of determining whether your skin affliction is an allergy or not. If you have got a skin problem due to a cause that has affected no one else, then it is an allergic reaction. For example, several people may be exposed to dust. But if it affects you in a strong way, then you are allergic to dust.
Skin allergies could be in the form of itching, dry and scaly skin, eruptions, rashes, boils, etc. There are three main types of problems that are associated with skin allergies.
These types are as follows:-
(i) Dermatitis – This is the skin allergy which is caused due to contact with some substances. It is shown as an inflammation.
(ii) Hives – Hives is a fluid accumulation in the skin which shows up as a swelling. This is a temporary condition and heals with treatment. Hives are also known as urticaria.
(iii) Prickly Heat – This is a red rash which occurs on the body. Prickly heat is generally caused due to excessive perspiration due to hot and humid climates.
All skin problems are vata dosha disorders. Vata dosha controls the air element of the human body. Hence, when the vata dosha is vitiated, there are skin reactions. In different people, there are different degrees of the vata dosha. In some people, the vata may be weak and get easily vitiated due to external factors. Such people are more specific to skin allergies than others.
In this article, we see how to treat various skin allergies with an Ayurvedic point of view.
HOME REMEDIES FOR SKIN ALLERGIES
Grind 1 tbls of poppy seeds with 1-teaspoon water. Add 1-teaspoon limejuice. Apply to affected area for relief from skin allergies.
Add 1-teaspoon limejuice with sandalwood paste. Apply to affected skin allergy area
Avoid the foods, plants, animals, drugs, dust, or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Smoking exacerbates allergic reactions. Those who are allergic to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) should avoid smoking.
Vitamin C is very helpful in fighting with the allergic reactions.
Avoid white sugar, and everything made with it. The process of chemically whitening sugar is toxic.
Avoid bleached flours, and everything made with it.
Avoid all processed foods, including the frozen pre-packaged types.
Avoid the processes meat.
Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in warm water
Eat whole foods, and prepare your meals at home using fresh, natural products.
Prepare an eating schedule. It may be that 3 large meals per day or 4 or 5 smaller ones will be better.
Regularly practice juice fasting. This will cleanse your system of toxins and residues.
Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy coffee consumption is to be avoided ( 1 or 2 regular cups per day is not considered harmful )
Avoid fried foods and foods cooked in oil to prevent skin allergies. When oil is heated to cooking temperatures it begins to break down and has been identified as a carcinogen.
Regularly try to do regiment of moderate exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming and strive to live in harmonious surroundings that contribute to inner peace.
Rub an ice cube gently over the affected area. This cools the skin, reduces inflammation and soothes the itch immediately.
Pour boiling water over a bowl of oats. Cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes.
Strain the oats away and pour the liquid into an ice cube tray. Freeze the oat liquid to form oat cubes. To relieve itch, rub and frozen oat cube gently over the affected area.
Apply aloe Vera gel on the affected areas. It will sooth the areas and gives a cooling effect.
Take 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon each Echinacea root and marshmallow root,
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers, ½ teaspoon peppermint leaf and ¼ teaspoon ginger rhizome. Combine water and Echinacea and marshmallow roots in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. For a 50-pound child, give 1 to 2 cups daily.This is an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Take 1 cup boiling water,1 teaspoon each calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, Echinacea root, elder flowers and yarrow flowers, 3 tablespoons baking soda. Pour boiling water over herbs and steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. Stir in baking soda. Apply to irritated skin with a soft cloth or a sponge until itching is reduced. This is also an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Take about 30 milliliters of the juice of the leaves of wood apple (Feronia limonida) and mix some cumin powder in it. Take this twice daily. This is a very good treatment for urticaria or hives.
- Extract the juice of the jambula (Indian Plum) and mix some soda in it. Apply this in case of prickly heat.
- In hot seasons, drink a glass of lemon juice twice everyday. This will supplement the vitamin C content of the body lost due to perspiration and will prevent the outburst of prickly heat.
- Chomping on sugarcane several times in the hot season is also a good method of preventing prickly heat.
- If the area on the skin is exceptionally itchy, then mash a papaya and spread the paste of the papaya on it. This will reduce the itch and also make the skin healthier.
Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Skin Allergies
- Cassia (Cassia fistula)
Cassia is used effectively in the treatment of several irritations on the skin caused due to allergies. A paste of the cassia leaves can be applied on the skin in case of inflammation of the hands and feet caused due to extreme cold, and also swellings caused due to accumulation of fluids under the skin, as in hives.
- Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Henna is an excellent remedy for several skin allergies. It can be used in case of hives, swellings, boils and other kinds of inflammation. Applying henna on the skin cools the skin and removes the symptom of the allergy.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) (tulasi)
The holy basil is venerated in Indian tradition as the tulsi. It has an almost maternal status for the Hindus. This plant is venerated for its many medicinal properties. Among the other advantages, tulsi is also used for healing skin problems. In case of itches and rashes, the juice of the tulsi leaves is applied on the skin. This is a very quick treatment for allergic skin problems.
- Madhuca (Madhuca indica)
Madhuca is used as a treatment for skin itch problems. The leaves are made into a paste and applied onto the skin in skin infections due to allergy.
- Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)
Rauwolfia is known as sarpagandha in Ayurveda. It is a very good remedy for skin problems. In case of hives, the juice of its leaves is applied on the swollen parts to reduce itching. Relief is almost immediate.
- Sandalwood (Santalum alba)
Sandalwood is a traditional remedy for all kinds of itch problems on the skin. It is made into a paste and applied on the skin. It smoothes the skin and prevents it from allergies. Itches are immediately resolved by applying sandalwood paste on the skin. Permanent relief can be obtained by keeping the paste smeared on the skin for half an hour before washing it off. Sandalwood oil is also used in the treatment of diseases such as erysipelas (an eruptive allergic skin disease) and prurigo (an itchy skin eruption).
Dietary Guidelines for Treatment of Skin Allergies
You must take a lot of water to prevent all kinds of skin allergies. These include fresh fruits and vegetables that have high water content in them. In the summer season, take cooling drinks such as lemon juices and sherbets.
Do not consume sour foods if you have skin allergy problems often. This can vitiate the vata dosha further.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Home Remedies for ACIDITY
Acidity may be defined as sour or burning sensation in the chest, which is caused by regurgitation of the excessive acid secretion into the upper end of the esophagus.
It is advisable to chew the food properly and drink lot of water for proper digestion and absorption. Pregnant women suffer from heartburn as the uterus presses on the digestive tract as the fetus grows.
Normally the stomach secretes an acid, which is essential for the digestion. This acid helps in the breakdown of the food. When there is excessive secretion of this acid by the stomach it results in acidity. Its common symptoms are dyspepsia, heartburn and formation of the ulcers. It is more common in emotional and nervous individuals.
This is caused due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid, either from an increased quantity of the gastric juice or increased concentration of hydrochloric acid in it.
Other reason for this may be fermentation of organic acids such as lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid. Increased acidity with regurgitation causes some amount of oesophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), which increases the sensitiveness. Acidity causes reflex increased secretion of alkaline saliva, which accumulates in the esophagus and is rushed into the mouth without any sensation of vomiting. This is commonly associated with duodenal ulcer.
Causes of hyperacidity are gastro duodenal (peptic) ulcer; reflex pylorospasm from any cause and sometimes-excessive smoking can also lead to severe acidity. The amount of free hydrochloric acid in the stomach does not gives the measure of the total acidity of gastric secretions i.e. amount of total chlorides indicates the better.
Most acidity problems occur after meals, when doing some heavy exercise and applying pressure in the intra-abdominal region or at night when lying down.
What is ACIDITY?
The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity. Dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers are some of the symptoms. It is more common in highly emotional and nervous individuals.
Common Causes of Acidity
Consumption of Alcohol
Highly spicy foodstuffs
Non-vegetarian diets
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's)
Most acidity problems occur
After meals
When lifting weight or straining and applying pressure in the intra-abdominal area.
At night when lying down.
Ulcers also occur as a result of over secretion of acid.
Home Remedies for Acidity
Tip 1:
After all three meals, take a small piece of jaggery and keep it in your mouth and suck. Voilá no more acidity.
Tip 2:
Boil one cup of water. To this add 1 tsp of Aniseed (Saunf). Cover and leave overnight. Strain the water in the morning, add 1 tsp of honey. When this is taken 3 times a day it prevents acidity.
Tip 3:
To 1 ½ liters of water add 1 tsp Caraway seeds (shah jeera). Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Sip while warm. Have the concoction 2-3 times a day for 5-6 days.
Tip 4:
Powder one clove and one cardamom; use the powder as a mouth freshener after every meal. No more acidity and no more bad breath.
--------------------
Other home remedies for acidity:
Drinking milk or eating milk products are helpful in relieving symptoms of acidity.
Foods such as pickles, vinegar, fried foods, hot spicy foods, chocolate, pastries, and raw salad vegetables like onion, radish, cabbage, and peppers should be avoided.
Clove also helps to relieve the symptoms of acidity. Suck one piece of clove slowly to relieve the symptoms. It also helps to reduce the onset of disease that arises due to acidity.
A cup of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk also helps to get relieve heartburn and acidity within minutes.
Almonds are also a good source for relieving the heartburn and acidity. Eat several almonds when heartburn symptoms persist.
Lemons also help to prevent heartburn. Cut a lemon into thin strips and dip in salt. Eat before meals to prevent heartburn.
Take some mint leaves and chop these and then boil in a cup of water and sip slowly after meals. If a person drinks Fresh mint juice every day he will never experience acidity.
Jaggery or gur taken after every meal also helps to reduce the acidity. Keep a piece of gur in the mouth and slowly suck it till acidity decreases.
Eating bananas is also helpful in preventing the symptoms of acidity and heartburn. To prevent acidity it is advised to eat a banana daily.
A mixture of 2 tsp of natural apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp raw honey in a glass of water before meals fights with acidity.
Basil (tulsi) leaves helps to get relief from burning, nausea and gas. Chew some leaves of tulsi to decrease the acidity.
Coconut water 4-5 times a day decreases the symptoms of the acidity and the heartburn.
Harad (Terminalia chebula) if taken after every meal prevents the symptoms of the acidity.
1 tsp juice of chebulic myroblan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice helps to prevent acidity and heartburn.
Another very effective home remedy for acidity is - Boil one cup of water. To this add 1 tsp of Aniseed (Saunf). Cover and leave overnight. Strain the water in the morning, add 1 tsp of honey. When this is taken 3 times a day it prevents acidity.
To 1 ½ liters of water add 1 tsp Caraway seeds (shah jeera). Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Sip while warm. Take this liquid 2-3 times a day for 5-6 days. This is also very effective home remedy for acidity.
Take a glass of water, add a pinch of baking soda and drink it. It gives immediate relief from acidity.
Take a glass of warm water, add a pinch of hing (asafoetida) and have it every morning to prevent acidity.
Eat a serving of cucumber or watermelon 4-5 times in a day to fight against acidity.
Fennel helps to relieve abdominal pain, colon disorders, gas, and gastrointestinal tract spasms. It is an effective remedy for acidic stomach conditions (heartburn).
Ginger is very useful for digestive disorders. It help to relieve indigestion from rich foods.
Make a fine powder by adding equal amounts of ginger powder, black pepper, dried mint leaves, asafetida (hing), anise seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, fennel and common salt. Dosage: Take about 1 teaspoon of this powder with water, twice a day after meals.
It is advised to eat 8-10 glass to water daily. Drinking water gives immediate relief to symptoms like wind, distended stomach and acidity.
Chewing bubble-gum also disappears the acidity. This is an easy and best way to get rid of Acidity.
For heartburn drink a teaspoon of vinegar. It is because there is not sufficient acid in our stomach to digest food properly, thus gasses come back up and burn our stomach.
Calcium also helps to fight with the heartburn and acidity. Yoghurt or ice-cream gives immediate relief from acidity and heartburn.
1 tsp juice of chebulic myroblan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice daily relieves acidity.
Powder one clove and one cardamom; use the powder as a mouth freshener after every meal. No more acidity and no more bad breathe.
After food maintain an upright posture to prevent the reflex and to prevent the symptoms of acidity.
Sleep with your head and shoulder on a high pillow for elevation.
Do not skip meals. Do not keep large gap between meals. This produces gas / wind.
Eat dinner 2-3 hours before going to bed.
Last but not the least stop smoking and cut down on alcohol.
Reference:
Clifford R. Anderson, M.D. : Your Guide To Health. Second edition.
Snow J. Monograph: Glycirrhiza glabra Leguminacae The Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine 1996;Winter:9-14.
It is advisable to chew the food properly and drink lot of water for proper digestion and absorption. Pregnant women suffer from heartburn as the uterus presses on the digestive tract as the fetus grows.
Normally the stomach secretes an acid, which is essential for the digestion. This acid helps in the breakdown of the food. When there is excessive secretion of this acid by the stomach it results in acidity. Its common symptoms are dyspepsia, heartburn and formation of the ulcers. It is more common in emotional and nervous individuals.
This is caused due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid, either from an increased quantity of the gastric juice or increased concentration of hydrochloric acid in it.
Other reason for this may be fermentation of organic acids such as lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid. Increased acidity with regurgitation causes some amount of oesophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), which increases the sensitiveness. Acidity causes reflex increased secretion of alkaline saliva, which accumulates in the esophagus and is rushed into the mouth without any sensation of vomiting. This is commonly associated with duodenal ulcer.
Causes of hyperacidity are gastro duodenal (peptic) ulcer; reflex pylorospasm from any cause and sometimes-excessive smoking can also lead to severe acidity. The amount of free hydrochloric acid in the stomach does not gives the measure of the total acidity of gastric secretions i.e. amount of total chlorides indicates the better.
Most acidity problems occur after meals, when doing some heavy exercise and applying pressure in the intra-abdominal region or at night when lying down.
What is ACIDITY?
The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity. Dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers are some of the symptoms. It is more common in highly emotional and nervous individuals.
Common Causes of Acidity
Consumption of Alcohol
Highly spicy foodstuffs
Non-vegetarian diets
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's)
Most acidity problems occur
After meals
When lifting weight or straining and applying pressure in the intra-abdominal area.
At night when lying down.
Ulcers also occur as a result of over secretion of acid.
Home Remedies for Acidity
Tip 1:
After all three meals, take a small piece of jaggery and keep it in your mouth and suck. Voilá no more acidity.
Tip 2:
Boil one cup of water. To this add 1 tsp of Aniseed (Saunf). Cover and leave overnight. Strain the water in the morning, add 1 tsp of honey. When this is taken 3 times a day it prevents acidity.
Tip 3:
To 1 ½ liters of water add 1 tsp Caraway seeds (shah jeera). Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Sip while warm. Have the concoction 2-3 times a day for 5-6 days.
Tip 4:
Powder one clove and one cardamom; use the powder as a mouth freshener after every meal. No more acidity and no more bad breath.
--------------------
Other home remedies for acidity:
Drinking milk or eating milk products are helpful in relieving symptoms of acidity.
Foods such as pickles, vinegar, fried foods, hot spicy foods, chocolate, pastries, and raw salad vegetables like onion, radish, cabbage, and peppers should be avoided.
Clove also helps to relieve the symptoms of acidity. Suck one piece of clove slowly to relieve the symptoms. It also helps to reduce the onset of disease that arises due to acidity.
A cup of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk also helps to get relieve heartburn and acidity within minutes.
Almonds are also a good source for relieving the heartburn and acidity. Eat several almonds when heartburn symptoms persist.
Lemons also help to prevent heartburn. Cut a lemon into thin strips and dip in salt. Eat before meals to prevent heartburn.
Take some mint leaves and chop these and then boil in a cup of water and sip slowly after meals. If a person drinks Fresh mint juice every day he will never experience acidity.
Jaggery or gur taken after every meal also helps to reduce the acidity. Keep a piece of gur in the mouth and slowly suck it till acidity decreases.
Eating bananas is also helpful in preventing the symptoms of acidity and heartburn. To prevent acidity it is advised to eat a banana daily.
A mixture of 2 tsp of natural apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp raw honey in a glass of water before meals fights with acidity.
Basil (tulsi) leaves helps to get relief from burning, nausea and gas. Chew some leaves of tulsi to decrease the acidity.
Coconut water 4-5 times a day decreases the symptoms of the acidity and the heartburn.
Harad (Terminalia chebula) if taken after every meal prevents the symptoms of the acidity.
1 tsp juice of chebulic myroblan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice helps to prevent acidity and heartburn.
Another very effective home remedy for acidity is - Boil one cup of water. To this add 1 tsp of Aniseed (Saunf). Cover and leave overnight. Strain the water in the morning, add 1 tsp of honey. When this is taken 3 times a day it prevents acidity.
To 1 ½ liters of water add 1 tsp Caraway seeds (shah jeera). Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Sip while warm. Take this liquid 2-3 times a day for 5-6 days. This is also very effective home remedy for acidity.
Take a glass of water, add a pinch of baking soda and drink it. It gives immediate relief from acidity.
Take a glass of warm water, add a pinch of hing (asafoetida) and have it every morning to prevent acidity.
Eat a serving of cucumber or watermelon 4-5 times in a day to fight against acidity.
Fennel helps to relieve abdominal pain, colon disorders, gas, and gastrointestinal tract spasms. It is an effective remedy for acidic stomach conditions (heartburn).
Ginger is very useful for digestive disorders. It help to relieve indigestion from rich foods.
Make a fine powder by adding equal amounts of ginger powder, black pepper, dried mint leaves, asafetida (hing), anise seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, fennel and common salt. Dosage: Take about 1 teaspoon of this powder with water, twice a day after meals.
It is advised to eat 8-10 glass to water daily. Drinking water gives immediate relief to symptoms like wind, distended stomach and acidity.
Chewing bubble-gum also disappears the acidity. This is an easy and best way to get rid of Acidity.
For heartburn drink a teaspoon of vinegar. It is because there is not sufficient acid in our stomach to digest food properly, thus gasses come back up and burn our stomach.
Calcium also helps to fight with the heartburn and acidity. Yoghurt or ice-cream gives immediate relief from acidity and heartburn.
1 tsp juice of chebulic myroblan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice daily relieves acidity.
Powder one clove and one cardamom; use the powder as a mouth freshener after every meal. No more acidity and no more bad breathe.
After food maintain an upright posture to prevent the reflex and to prevent the symptoms of acidity.
Sleep with your head and shoulder on a high pillow for elevation.
Do not skip meals. Do not keep large gap between meals. This produces gas / wind.
Eat dinner 2-3 hours before going to bed.
Last but not the least stop smoking and cut down on alcohol.
Reference:
Clifford R. Anderson, M.D. : Your Guide To Health. Second edition.
Snow J. Monograph: Glycirrhiza glabra Leguminacae The Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine 1996;Winter:9-14.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Exercise: A Healthy Habit to Start and Keep
How much exercise do I need?
Talk to your doctor about how much exercise is right for you. A good goal for many people is to work up to exercising 4 to 6 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Remember, though, that exercise has so many benefits that any amount is better than none.
How do I get started?
Start by talking with your doctor. This is especially important if you haven't been active, if you have any health problems, or if you're pregnant or elderly.
Start out slowly. If you've been inactive for years, you can't run the Boston Marathon after 2 weeks of training. Begin with a 10-minute period of light exercise or a brisk walk every day and gradually increase how hard you exercise and for how long.
How do I stick with it?
Here are some tips that will help you start and stick with an exercise program:
Choose something you like to do. Make sure it suits you physically, too. For instance, swimming is easier on arthritic joints.
Get a partner. Exercising with someone else can make it more fun.
Vary your routine. You may be less likely to get bored or injured if you change your routine. Walk one day. Bicycle the next. Consider activities like dancing and racquet sports, and even chores like chopping wood.
Choose a comfortable time of day. Don't work out too soon after eating or when it's too hot or cold outside. Wait until later in the day if you're too stiff in the morning.
Don't get discouraged. It can take weeks or months before you notice some of the changes from exercise.
Forget "no pain, no gain." While a little soreness is normal after you first start exercising, pain isn't. Stop if you hurt.
Make exercise fun. Read, listen to music or watch TV while riding a stationary bicycle, for example. Find fun things to do, like taking a walk through the zoo. Go dancing. Learn how to play tennis.
Making exercise a habit
Stick to a regular time every day.
Sign a contract committing yourself to exercise.
Put "exercise appointments" on your calendar.
Keep a daily log or diary of your activities.
Check your progress. Can you walk a certain distance faster now than when you began? Or is your heart rate slower now?
Ask your doctor to write a prescription for your exercise program, such as what type of exercise to do, how often to exercise and for how long.
Think about joining a health club. The cost gives some people an incentive to exercise regularly.
How can I prevent injuries?
Start every workout with a warm-up. That will make your muscles and joints more flexible. Spend 5 to 10 minutes doing some light calisthenics and stretching exercises, and perhaps brisk walking. Do the same thing when you're done working out--until your heart rate returns to normal.
Pay attention to your body. Stop exercising if you feel very out of breath, dizzy, faint or nauseated, or have pain.
Benefits of regular exercise
Reduces your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity
Keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible so it's easier to move around
Reduces some of the effects of aging
Contributes to your mental well-being and helps treat depression
Helps relieve stress and anxiety
Increases your energy and endurance
Helps you sleep better
Helps you maintain a normal weight by increasing your metabolism (the rate you burn calories)
What is a target heart rate?
Measuring your heart rate (beats per minute) can tell you how hard your heart is working. You can check your heart rate by counting your pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the beats by 4.
The chart to the right shows the target heart rates for people of different ages. When you're just beginning an exercise program, shoot for the lower target heart rate (60%). As your fitness improves, you can exercise harder to get your heart rate closer to the top number (85%).
What is aerobic exercise?
Aerobic exercise is the type that moves large muscle groups and causes you to breathe more deeply and your heart to work harder to pump blood. It's also called cardiovascular exercise. It improves the health of your heart and lungs.
Examples include walking, jogging, running, aerobic dance, bicycling, rowing, swimming and cross-country skiing.
What is weight-bearing exercise?
The term weight-bearing is used to describe exercises that work against the force of gravity. Weight-bearing exercise is important for building strong bones. Having strong bones helps prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.
Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, climbing stairs, dancing and weight training.
What about weight training?
Weight training, or strength training, builds strength and muscles. Calisthenics like push-ups are weight-training exercises too. Lifting weights is a weight-training exercise. If you have high blood pressure or other health problems, talk to your family doctor before beginning weight training.
What is the best exercise?
The best exercise is the one that you will do. Walking is considered one of the best choices because it's easy, safe and cheap. Brisk walking can burn as many calories as running, but is less likely than running or jogging to cause injuries. And it doesn't require any training or special equipment, except for good shoes.
Walking is an aerobic and weight-bearing exercise, so it is good for your heart and helps prevent osteoporosis.
More Information
Physical Activity
Exercise: How To Get Started
Nutrition & Exercise
Exercise & Seniors
For Teens: Why Exercise?
For Kids: Exercise is Cool
Other Organizations
Revolution Health Fitness Community
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Source : familydoctor.org
Talk to your doctor about how much exercise is right for you. A good goal for many people is to work up to exercising 4 to 6 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Remember, though, that exercise has so many benefits that any amount is better than none.
How do I get started?
Start by talking with your doctor. This is especially important if you haven't been active, if you have any health problems, or if you're pregnant or elderly.
Start out slowly. If you've been inactive for years, you can't run the Boston Marathon after 2 weeks of training. Begin with a 10-minute period of light exercise or a brisk walk every day and gradually increase how hard you exercise and for how long.
How do I stick with it?
Here are some tips that will help you start and stick with an exercise program:
Choose something you like to do. Make sure it suits you physically, too. For instance, swimming is easier on arthritic joints.
Get a partner. Exercising with someone else can make it more fun.
Vary your routine. You may be less likely to get bored or injured if you change your routine. Walk one day. Bicycle the next. Consider activities like dancing and racquet sports, and even chores like chopping wood.
Choose a comfortable time of day. Don't work out too soon after eating or when it's too hot or cold outside. Wait until later in the day if you're too stiff in the morning.
Don't get discouraged. It can take weeks or months before you notice some of the changes from exercise.
Forget "no pain, no gain." While a little soreness is normal after you first start exercising, pain isn't. Stop if you hurt.
Make exercise fun. Read, listen to music or watch TV while riding a stationary bicycle, for example. Find fun things to do, like taking a walk through the zoo. Go dancing. Learn how to play tennis.
Making exercise a habit
Stick to a regular time every day.
Sign a contract committing yourself to exercise.
Put "exercise appointments" on your calendar.
Keep a daily log or diary of your activities.
Check your progress. Can you walk a certain distance faster now than when you began? Or is your heart rate slower now?
Ask your doctor to write a prescription for your exercise program, such as what type of exercise to do, how often to exercise and for how long.
Think about joining a health club. The cost gives some people an incentive to exercise regularly.
How can I prevent injuries?
Start every workout with a warm-up. That will make your muscles and joints more flexible. Spend 5 to 10 minutes doing some light calisthenics and stretching exercises, and perhaps brisk walking. Do the same thing when you're done working out--until your heart rate returns to normal.
Pay attention to your body. Stop exercising if you feel very out of breath, dizzy, faint or nauseated, or have pain.
Benefits of regular exercise
Reduces your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity
Keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible so it's easier to move around
Reduces some of the effects of aging
Contributes to your mental well-being and helps treat depression
Helps relieve stress and anxiety
Increases your energy and endurance
Helps you sleep better
Helps you maintain a normal weight by increasing your metabolism (the rate you burn calories)
What is a target heart rate?
Measuring your heart rate (beats per minute) can tell you how hard your heart is working. You can check your heart rate by counting your pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the beats by 4.
The chart to the right shows the target heart rates for people of different ages. When you're just beginning an exercise program, shoot for the lower target heart rate (60%). As your fitness improves, you can exercise harder to get your heart rate closer to the top number (85%).
What is aerobic exercise?
Aerobic exercise is the type that moves large muscle groups and causes you to breathe more deeply and your heart to work harder to pump blood. It's also called cardiovascular exercise. It improves the health of your heart and lungs.
Examples include walking, jogging, running, aerobic dance, bicycling, rowing, swimming and cross-country skiing.
What is weight-bearing exercise?
The term weight-bearing is used to describe exercises that work against the force of gravity. Weight-bearing exercise is important for building strong bones. Having strong bones helps prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.
Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, climbing stairs, dancing and weight training.
What about weight training?
Weight training, or strength training, builds strength and muscles. Calisthenics like push-ups are weight-training exercises too. Lifting weights is a weight-training exercise. If you have high blood pressure or other health problems, talk to your family doctor before beginning weight training.
What is the best exercise?
The best exercise is the one that you will do. Walking is considered one of the best choices because it's easy, safe and cheap. Brisk walking can burn as many calories as running, but is less likely than running or jogging to cause injuries. And it doesn't require any training or special equipment, except for good shoes.
Walking is an aerobic and weight-bearing exercise, so it is good for your heart and helps prevent osteoporosis.
More Information
Physical Activity
Exercise: How To Get Started
Nutrition & Exercise
Exercise & Seniors
For Teens: Why Exercise?
For Kids: Exercise is Cool
Other Organizations
Revolution Health Fitness Community
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Source : familydoctor.org
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