In the picture, you see a bed bug biting and sucking blood which is getting filled in its stomach.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

There are several ways in which bed bugs can be infested. We list them below so that while you try to get rid of them, you unknowingly do not infest them at the same time.

1. Bedbugs are picked up while on way back to your home from hotels, temporary accomodations, places where bedbugs are already present etc. As soon as you come back home, do not sit on your bed without changing clothes and also while changing do not put them on your bed.
2. Use of pesticides such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is considered to be an effective pest control mechanism.
3. Plants such as black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and Pseudarthna hookeri is used.
4. Use of steam on areas where bedbugs are infested.
5. Spraying of alcohol or bedbugs is effective in killing them.
6. A bed can be isolated by applying petroleum jelly around the bed and the bed is left unused for few days which starves the bedbugs and kills them.

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has set some standards to ensure that there are no impurities in bottled water. But are manufacturers really following these standards.

Recent study and report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), suggests that some bottled waters have same quality as tap water. In fact, the report found fertilizer residues, pain medications and other chemicals in some samples. The Environmental Working Group suggests that FDA must ensure that bottled water manufacturers release list contaminants that bottled water contains.

Most manufacturers say that the quality of water depends on the area from which it is collected. Though the results of the reports are not that alarming, but it is suggested to check the label of the bottled water. It the label says, ‘drinking water’, it is likely the same as tap water. If the label has ’spring’ or ‘artesian’ on it, they are not supposed to have any contaminants.

1. Register with your State department so that you can be reached in case of any emergency.
2. Have a valid signed passport and visa. Remember to fill in the emergency information page in the passport.
3. Leave copies of passport and itinerary with your friends, family or relatives so you can be reached in case of emergency.
4. Check with your medical insurance agent about your overseas medical insurance coverage. Take a travel insurance if needed and make sure you take the necessary vaccines before travelling.
5. Get familiar with the local weather conditions, law, culture and food habits of the place you are visiting.
6. Take necessary precautions to stay out of any terrorist activity and avoid being target of crime. Wear simple clothes and avoid jewellery and excessive money. Traveller cheques are always preferred to cash.
7. Do not carry heavy luggage. Make sure you take care of your luggage always and do not leave your luggage unattended in public places.
8. If you are travelling with kids, carry their food and medicines and a set of additional clothes.
9. Make sure you keep your medicines handy and remember to take medicines on time despite the journey.
10. If you are a diabetic or heart patient, inform the considered airlines or your fellow traveller about your condition in advance.
11. Make sure you contact the immediate authority in case of any emergency.
12. Keep your tickets, passport, visa, money, medical certificates handy so you can produce them whenever necessary.
13. Do not indulge in heavy meals during or after journey. Have moderate or light food and avoid oily foods.

Cold water

Cold water is a must in hot scorching summer. We often feel stomach full after drinking a glass of cold water and do not feel hungry. But, some cardiologists say that drinking cold water after a meal will impede digestion and eventually lead to cancer and heart attacks.

But, drinking cold water during and after exercise brings down the temperature of the body to normal levels. Studies show that cold water gets absorbed quickly than warm water and prevents dehydration.

Warm water

Drinking warm water especially in the morning flushes the kidneys, helps in bowel movement. Warm water stimulates the glands on the walls of the stomach and prepares the stomach for food. Drinking warm water after every meal detoxifies the body. It improves digestion.

Decide yourself

Drinking water in either form is beneficial for the body. Drinking cold water burns extra calories, whereas drinking warm water improves digestion. Your body type and life style decide which form suits you. However, remember that drinking too much water in too little time can cause water intoxication.

What is posting calories on menu?

According to this rule, all fast food chain restaurants should post calories of a food item in its menu or menu board.

Why to post calories on menus?

Most of the fast food restaurants have the calorie details of the food items posted on their websites, brochures, posters, wrappers, tray liners, and handouts. The new requirement will enable he customers to take more informed decisions.

Why should people be aware of calories?

Most of the additional calories people have from outside home food. The awareness of calorie intake among general public is very less. A mere 100 calories a day may add up to 10 pounds an year. People are generally consuming 1000 calories in their lunch time. Extra pounds result in obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Who should post calorie details?

This rule is applicable for restaurants that are standardized for portion size and content. Further, if the restaurant has fifteen or more food service establishments under the same name, this establishment too must post calorie details on the menus.

Where to post the calorie details?

1. Menu boards
2. Menus
3. Item tags
4. Any desk or window where the order is taken

This rule does not apply for menu items that are listed on the menu board for less than 30 days in a calendar year.

Find out more information on complying with the regulation on posting calories.

Is it useful?

It is indeed a good idea to track your calorie intake and this will add to your weight loss plan. While, some people believe that this new rule would not affect their food intake, I personally trust that the new rule will increase the health awareness in public. As a result, the fast food restaurants may see a reduced business.

What do you feel? Use the form below to post your comments on this rule.

Other sources of toxins include pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, and other heavy metals like lead.

Detoxification is the process of removal of potentially toxic substances from the body

Detox Diet

Detox is mostly deployed as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence. Further, the term is used for diets, herbs, and other methods of removing toxins from the body for good health.

Benefits of Detox diet

A detox diet:

• Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested
• Promotes intake of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that detoxicate the body
• Contains high fiber foods and water that eliminate toxins

What does detox diet comprise?

In general fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, herbal teas and massive amounts of water form the detox diet. Food items such as wheat, dairy, meat, fish, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, salt, sugar and processed foods are not allowed in detox diet. Chocolates, sweets, jam and sugar in any form is strict no.

You will need a detox diet if you have certain symptoms. A detox diet results in improved energy, clear skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and better concentration.

Here are the symptoms of toxification. You need detoxification treatment if you are:

• Often feeling tired, sluggish, or lethargic
• Have eczema, acne, or psoriasis
• Have difficulty concentrating or staying focused
• Catch colds easily
• Have bad breath
• Tend to get congested, stuffed-up, or post-nasal drip
• Have unpleasant body odors when I’m not using deodorant or perfume
• Often have bloating, gas or indigestion after eating
• Usually have dark circles under my eyes
• Have allergies
• Often go for more than one day without having a bowel movement
• Are a chain smoker
• Drink less than three cups of water a day
• Eat meat two times or more a day
• Tend to get bloated or puffy

Contact your nearest physician or your family doctor and follow detox diet to get back to normalcy.

Mosquito control

Mosquito control is the task of limiting the population of mosquitoes to prevent their damage to human health. Mosquito control is a key public-health practice throughout the world as mosquitoes spread many dreaded diseases, such as malaria.

Mosquito control: Rule one

One of the most effective ways for mosquito control is to eliminate their habitat. Mosquitoes multiply faster in standing water. The sources of standing water can be rain gutters, old containers, fountains, bird baths, swimming pools, storage tanks, and the like. Eliminate old containers with dirt water. Recycle and circulate swimming pool water every month.

Mosquito control: Rule two

The next method for mosquito control is to stay away from them. You should find all the possible ways to keep mosquitoes away from you. These include using mosquito repellents, nets, bug-tight windows and other mosquito control products.

Mosquito control: Rule Three

Larvicide is another popular method for mosquito control. Larvicide is an insecticide that targets bugs in their early stages. This includes contact poisons, stomach poisons, growth inhibitors and biological agents.

Additionally, herbs can also be used for mosquito control.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD is a condition is small children, which makes them difficult to control their behavior and pay attention. In a class of thirty students, around three students have ADHD.

ADHD Symptoms

Its symptoms include hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. All these symptoms are common in any child but kids with ADHD, experience these at a younger age. These symptoms are observed over a period of time and confirmed by a qualified professional.

Many children with ADHD have other disorders such as learning disability, Tourette syndrome, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.

Causes of ADHD

Most of the parents are anxious ADHD and would like to know its causes. Is it the social factors or child-rearing methods or nerves or genetic disorders?

Some of the reasons might be smoking and alcohol consumption of the mother during pregnancy. Or the other environmental factor could be higher lead levels in the bodies of school children. The other reasons could be due to food additives such as sugar and aspartame.

The exact answer is unknown yet, but parents must look forward to support their children in this difficult situation.

ADHD Treatment and medications

Every parent is anxious to determine the suitable treatment for their child. The government funds some of the treatments. The four common methods include:

1. Medication management alone
2. Behavioral treatment alone
3. A combination of both
4. Routine community care

The water treatment

Japanese have an interesting habit of drinking plenty of water, they drink a lot of water specially in the morning as soon as they wake up. This habit helps them stay fit and get rid of most of the ailments. The procedure is proved scientifically too. The Japanese medical association approved the water treatment as a medicine for short term as well as long term diseases.

Four simple steps of water treatment

Here is the typical water treatment procedure that Japanese follow:

1. Drink four glasses of water empty stomach as soon as they wakes up. This is even before cleaning the teeth.
2. Do not eat anything for 15 minutes after you brush and clean the mouth.
3. Have breakfast after 45 minutes.
4. Do not eat anything for two hours after breakfast or lunch or dinner.

Benefits of water treatment

The water treatment cures many diseases such as headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases, and so on.

If senior citizens cannot drink four glasses every morning, they can start with two glasses and gradually increase up to four glasses.

Duration of water treatment

The water treatment is effective for all diseases. High blood pressure is cured within 30 days, gastric problems within 10 days and diabetes takes 30 days. It is unbelievable that this treatment cures constipation within 10 days and cancer 180 days. Further, the water treatment cures tuberculosis within ninety days. Arthritis patients are advised to follow this three times in the first week and daily from the second week.

The bottom line about water treatment to stay health

The water treatment proved to be very effective for Japanese. We all can experiment with it and enjoy the benefits. Isn’t it an easy and proven way to stay fit and healthy? Isn’t it an international and innovative way to restore our health? Let’s get started today as you now already know the deep connection between water and health.