Effects of drinking heavy liquor to the liver, Can it really cause cancer??

EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH DRINKING

Effects on the Liver
The function of the liver is to break down toxic substances (such as drugs and alcohol) and filter them from the body. In addition to this important purpose, the liver filters the blood, synthesizes chemicals needed by the body, and stores vitamins, sugars, fats and other nutrients. When alcohol is present in the body, the liver must cease its important functions and deal solely with ridding the body of the toxin. As a result, fatty acids may build up in the liver. Alcohol can damage the liver by destroying or altering its cells and may even worsen an existing liver condition. Chronic liver disease is a serious complication that affects from 5 to 15% of IBD patients.

Effects on the GI Tract Lining
While all the effects of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract are not clear to researchers, it appears that the lining is affected. The results of this irritation can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding (symptoms that IBS and IBD patients are already struggling to keep under control).

Drugs and Medications
Several medications prescribed for gastrointestinal conditions may react unfavorably with alcoholic drinks. In addition, medications put a strain on the liver's ability to rid the body of toxins and alcohol can increase that effect. See the Table below that lists drugs commonly used to treat IBS, IBD or related conditions and the possible effects when mixed with alcohol.


Positive Effects
In addition to the psychological and social benefits of the occasional drink at parties, moderate amounts of alcohol may have health benefits. Studies have indicated that moderate drinking (defined as 1 drink a day for women, or 2 drinks a day for men) may have a positive effect on the coronary system and help prevent coronary artery disease.

Conclusion
The choice to drink is an individual decision that should be made after clearly understanding the potential effects. For many with IBS or IBD, an occasional drink may not worsen their condition, but some may discover (as with other foods, through trial and error) that it does have a detrimental effect. Additionally, the effect of alcohol on the liver, the stomach, and overall health should be weighed against the positive effects as well as the importance of social drinking to quality of life.
One Drink Is…
· 4-5 ounces of wine
· 10 ounces of wine cooler
· 12 ounces of beer
· 1-1/4 ounces of distilled liquor (80 proof whiskey, vodka, scotch, or rum)

DRINKING LIQUOR

EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH DRINKING

Effects on the Liver
The function of the liver is to break down toxic substances (such as drugs and alcohol) and filter them from the body. In addition to this important purpose, the liver filters the blood, synthesizes chemicals needed by the body, and stores vitamins, sugars, fats and other nutrients. When alcohol is present in the body, the liver must cease its important functions and deal solely with ridding the body of the toxin. As a result, fatty acids may build up in the liver.
Alcohol can damage the liver by destroying or altering its cells and may even worsen an existing liver condition. Chronic liver disease is a serious complication that affects from 5 to 15% of IBD patients.
Effects on the GI Tract Lining
While all the effects of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract are not clear to researchers, it appears that the lining is affected. The results of this irritation can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding (symptoms that IBS and IBD patients are already struggling to keep under control).
Drugs and Medications
Several medications prescribed for gastrointestinal conditions may react unfavorably with alcoholic drinks. In addition, medications put a strain on the liver's ability to rid the body of toxins and alcohol can increase that effect. See the Table below that lists drugs commonly used to treat IBS, IBD or related conditions and the possible effects when mixed with alcohol.
Positive Effects
In addition to the psychological and social benefits of the occasional drink at parties, moderate amounts of alcohol may have health benefits. Studies have indicated that moderate drinking (defined as 1 drink a day for women, or 2 drinks a day for men) may have a positive effect on the coronary system and help prevent coronary artery disease.
Conclusion
The choice to drink is an individual decision that should be made after clearly understanding the potential effects. For many with IBS or IBD, an occasional drink may not worsen their condition, but some may discover (as with other foods, through trial and error) that it does have a detrimental effect. Additionally, the effect of alcohol on the liver, the stomach, and overall health should be weighed against the positive effects as well as the importance of social drinking to quality of life.
One Drink Is…
· 4-5 ounces of wine
· 10 ounces of wine cooler
· 12 ounces of beer
· 1-1/4 ounces of distilled liquor (80 proof whiskey, vodka, scotch, or rum)

Exercise of the day! Bent Over Leg Lifts.

Exercise of the day! Bent Over Leg Lifts

Start your day right.

The leg lift is one of those classic exercises that's been around for so long, most of us have probably done it at least once in our lives. One reason is because it's a great move for targeting the glutes and hips. What I don't like about the traditional floor leg lift is that, well, you're on the floor which means you're not using very many muscle groups. By moving to a standing position, the leg lift immediately becomes more challenging because now the standing leg has to work and so do the abs.
Even better is adding a balance challenge by tipping forward and holding onto a ball. The ball is unstable, so you really have to engage the core to keep your balance throughout the movement. Bending forward challenges your balance even more and really fires up the standing leg as well. The key to this move is to keep the hips stable, like headlights pointing towards the floor, and to only lift the leg a few inches off the ground, keeping the range of motion shorter than normal. If this move bothers you, try it standing all the way up.


Do it right: Bend over and place the hands on an exercise ball (more challenging) or chair. Engage the abs and make sure the back is straight (not rounded) as you lift the right leg a few inches off the floor without turning the hips. Keep the hip, knee, ankle and foot in alignment and facing the front of the room throughout the movement. Repeat for 10-16 reps and switch sides.

Food poisoning can really kill. What can we do about it?

Food Poisoning Overview
Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that come on suddenly (within 48 hours) of consuming a contaminated food or drink. Depending on the contaminant, fever and chills, bloody stools, dehydration, and nervous system damage may follow. These symptoms may affect one person or a group of people who ate the same thing (this would be called an outbreak).

· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States alone, food poisoning causes about 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and up to 5,000 deaths each year. One of the most common bacterial forms of infection, the salmonellae organisms, account for one billion dollars in medical costs and lost work time.
· Worldwide, diarrheal illnesses are among the leading causes of death. Travelers to developing countries often encounter food poisoning in the form of traveler's diarrhea or "Montezuma’s revenge." Additionally, there are new global threats to the world's food supply through terrorist actions using food toxins as weapons.

Ways on how to care for babies when they are burping, travelling, sleeping. etc.,

BABY CARE :)

Things you need to know. .

BURPING
Best thing is to place baby on your shoulder with her chest resting on your shoulder bone, support baby’s bottom with your arm or hand. Gently pat or rub baby’s back in a circular and upward motion. You can also lay baby down across your lap with her head resting on one thigh and stomach on the other. Burping should be done every after feeding.

TRAVELING
Always use an approved safety car seat when taking baby on a ride. Infants below 12 months should be placed in a rear-facing car seat. Use the correct harness snug. Pad the sides of the seat and between baby’s crotch with rolled up diapers or blankets. Do not carry heavy, unrestrained luggage around baby’s seat. Remember to buckle up too!

SLEEPING WITH BABY IN BED
Infants must be placed on their backs to sleep. Avoid placing baby down on soft, fluffy bedding such as pillows, comforters, or water beds to avoid suffocation. A firm mattress with zippered covers is the best bedding. Install bed rails or arrange the bed such that one side of the mattress is flattened against the wall. Don’t allow older siblings to sleep with a tiny baby.

HOLDING A NURSING BABY PROPERLY
Hold baby using the cradle or semi-reclining position, with her head in the crook of your arm. Firmly support baby’s back with your forearm and buttocks with your hand. Use your other hand her head and prevent it from flapping backwards. Her whole body should be facing you and her head should be in straight line with her body, not dropping back.

HAIR CARE!

NO MORE DRY HAIR!
Steps to smooth and silky hair:

Step 1: SCALP MASSAGE
Starting from the nape, apply and massage teaspoon warm olive oil to scalp in light, circular motions. Cover the hair with shower cap and leave for 30 minutes to an hour. Then rinse off. This nourishes the hair as it moisturizes and lubricates the scalp. Do this once or thrice a week, depending on your extremely dry hair.

Step 2: SHAMPOO
Shampoo as usual with your fingers, not your nails! Shampooing removes dirt and build up that may cause flakes and other forms of scalp irritation. Choose one especially formulated for dry or damaged hair with vitamins.

Step 3: CONDITION
After tapping off excess water, condition as usual. Use one that locks lot of moisture in the hair. Look for conditioners with shea or cocoa butter, jojoba oil, citrus, extracts, or aloe vera. Always apply conditioners from the hair shafts and not from the roots to prevent product build up. Rinse well.

Step 4: SERUM
Towel-dry hair. Squirt a small drop of polishing serum and comb through damp hair with finger. Style as usual. This can help seal in moisture and add shine. Use serum regularly –preferably everyday until hair’s condition starts to improve and as needed thereafter.

Step 5: DEEP CONDITION
Once a week, treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment after shampooing (in exchange for regular conditioning in STEP 3). Apply all over the hair, comb the hair through and leave for up to 3 minutes. Then rinse. For more damaged hair deep condition two to three times a week.

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING?

'BEFORE SMOKING KILLS YOU'

Drink More Water
Water eliminates toxins from your body, including toxins from smoking. By drinking plenty of water, you will essentially be eliminating your smoker's life and starting fresh as a non-smoker.

Quit With a Buddy
If you have a friend that smokes and you have talked with them about quitting, make a plan to quit together. Not only does this offer additional support for each other, but also going through withdrawal at the same time will help you empathize with each other and increase your chances of success!

Count the days since you stopped smoking
There is a reason that recovering alcoholics and drug addicts know exactly how long it has been since they quit. They enjoy the days of sobriety. They need to know how many days of clean living they've had because it offers them hope that they can continue.
The same thinking can be applied to cigarettes. Count the days you've been smoke free. Use it as an incentive to know you can stay smoke free since you have some this far.

Enlist Support
Your friends and loved ones care about your health. When the time comes for you to kick the habit of smoking, it's a good idea to recruit your family members to be your backbone. When you need additional support, someone to talk to, or someone to get your mind off of smoking, they will be the first ones to stand up and start working for you.
Create a list of ways that the can help support you through your hard efforts because no two people are the same and what you need to help you succeed may be different than what someone else may think you need.

Will I experience weight gain when I quit smoking?
Many people who want to quit smoking worry about whether or not they will gain weight when they quit. After all, not only do we want to look our best, but we are always hearing how weight gain comes with its own set of health risks.The bottom line is even if you do gain some weight when you quit smoking, your health risks will still decrease significantly. There are also many steps you can take to limit the amount of weight gain you may experience, such as keeping healthy snacks readily available and staying active.

IUDs ARe mORe eFFEcTivE!

IUD's are safe and effective. . . .

Intra-uterine device (IUD), a hormone-free- T-shape device that’s inserted into the uterus by a gyne, It comes in sterile packages that can keep you conceiving for up to five years or more and is characterized in two ways: by their shape and the material they’re made of. Though it has come possible side effects like pain, cramping, heavier menstrual bleeding and/or menstrual irregularities, IUD’s are highly effective, economical, don’t interfere with intercourse, are easy to use, and easily reversible. In the market today, there are newer t-shaped copper IUDs that are much smaller and cause fewer side effects. Talk to your gyne to find out it’s right for you.

biRTh cOntROL piLLs

YOUR UNPLANNED-PREGNANCY RISK INCREASES WHEN YOU MIX THE PILL AND MEDS.

Popping a birth-control pill every day becomes such a reflexive habit, it's easy to forget that oral contraceptives are real drugs with potential serious interactions. But there's one interaction you must be aware of: taking the PILL with antibiotics. Thought the risk is small, some antibiotics may reduce the Pill's effectiveness. "These include common antibiotics like penicillin, which are taken for UTIs, bronchitis, and vaginal infections, "says Patrick McDonell, PharmD, associated clinical professor of pharmacy at Temple University, in Philadelphia. If you don't want a baby on board, use a backup method, such as condoms.