How brothers and sisters celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan

Rakhi is an exceptional occasion that is celebrated every year, in August, on Shravan Purnima day. Rakhi is one of the very significant festivals of India. It is celebrated all over the country but the ways of celebrations differ region to region. The name of this festival also transforms as soon as one enters into a new area. For example few of the names are the 'Vish Taadak' (destroyer of poison), the 'Punya Pradaayak' (bestower of boons), and the 'Paap Naashak' (destroyer of sins).

How to celebrate Raksha Bandhan?

A woman ties a "rakhi" on her brother's right wrist, to look after him from evil manipulation and those aspects which may foul his spirit, and to fortify the bond of eternal love between them. She goes to her brother and performs the rituals by smearing on kum-kum and rice particles on his forehead. In return the brother gives her an endowment and pledges to shield her too. The 'rakhi' itself arrays from a decorated strand to elegantly ornamented balls of assorted sizes and materials such as feathery fibre, glitters, gold, silver beads and so on. Sweets symbolise the sugary moments between the brothers and sisters and on this day all kinds of sweets are prepared.

On this day, priests also fasten the rakhis on their clients and in return accept contributions from them. In several parts of the country it is usual to sketch figures on the walls of their abode and worship them with offerings of vermilion and kheer. A few parts of India also keep this day for the blessed thread changing service, when the boys abandon the previous one and slip on a new one ritualistically. However it is the emblematic never-ending union between brothers and sisters that cements ties between them even across continents, which has the most importance on this propitious day.

Importance of Raksha Bandhan

Rakhi is an implicit assurance exchanged between a brother and sister strengthening their persistent relationship. This also supports their protective attachment against all evils and chances. Rituals like these, undoubtedly, ease out various communal strains, stimulate empathy, unfasten outlets of expression, and present an occasion to revise our responsibility as individual, most notably, fetch happiness in our humdrum lives.

This protective bond symbolised by Rakhi has resulted in immeasurable opinionated ties among monarchies and states. The leaves of Indian history give evidence that the Maratha and the Rajput queens have sent Rakhis even to Mughal kings who, despite their differences, have assuaged their Rakhi-sisters by rendering aid and fortification at vital instants and respected the everlasting bond. Even nuptial alliances have been established between kingdoms through the exchange of Rakhis.

Lazoi wishes everyone HAPPY RAKSHA BANDHAN!

High Blood Pressure and Its Connection With Sleep

One in every three adults is reported to have a problem of high blood pressure and two of three people with diabetes are estimated to have it too.

High Blood Pressure is often termed as a "silent killer"- as you would not know about it until your doctor figures it out when you give a visit to him.

Hypertension can also lead to risk factors like heart attack and heart failure, as with this serious condition, the heart cannot pump enough blood required by the body. In addition to this, this has serious implications on:

• The Brain: High BP (Hypertension) is considered as the most critical risk factor for stroke.
• Vision: It may even cause blurred or impaired vision or even worse, as could result in blindness also.
• Arteries: Plague build-up in arteries could also be one of the reasons for hypertension as this will make your heart and kidney work harder.
• Kidneys: It can also lead to narrow blood vessels in kidneys due to which kidneys don't function properly and toxins builds up in the blood.

Are there any warning signs of High blood pressure?

Well, in most of the cases, there are rarely any symptoms. People usually relate it to increased levels of stress, nervousness and tension, but the truth is that even a relaxed person can have high blood pressure.

So instead of assuming on your own, the best way to know if you have hypertension is by getting it checked by your health care provider. This should be done regularly as this disease of elevated blood pressure can develop over time. Prompt treatment of it can also reduce your risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and heart attack.

High blood pressure and sleep apnoea

Missing out on sleep can leave you feeling irritated and slow-witted in the morning, but the consequences do not end here. Over the time, sleep may also take a toll on your heart and blood pressure.

High blood pressure and sleep apnoea are associated with each other and studies show that it can result in even graver conditions like heart failures, irregular heart rates and heart related diseases. The simple reason for hypertension with sleep apnoea are sudden drops in oxygen levels due to sleep apnoea which will increase the blood pressure and stress will be put on heart.

How to control high blood pressure?

The risk factors like age, family history and ethnicity are among the ones that are not in our control. So when we talk about the preventive measures for hypertension, our focus would be on the factors that you can actually change.

Try to follow the below mentioned lifestyle changes to eliminate any reasons for high blood pressure and to bring down the numbers in case of elevated blood pressure.

• Maintain Healthy weight - People who are overweight should look for methods to lose weight and get a healthy body. Talk with your doctor about the ideal weight you can have and try to achieve it.
• Follow a balanced diet - Taking a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and limiting your intake of calories, fat and sugar will surely help in eliminating even the minor signs.
• Cut back on salt - Living on a low-sodium diet helps in keeping the symptoms of high blood pressure at bay. You should cut back on your total salt intake per day by avoiding high-sodium processed foods and by limiting the use of salt in your daily meals.
• Engage in regular exercise - A moderate exercise of about 30 minutes, three times in a week will be a good start to control hypertension. Furthermore, keep in mind, the more you exercise the better.
• Limit the alcohol consumption - Drinking too much of alcohol leads to hypertension. Thus, one should limit its intake to get a hold of the symptoms of high blood pressure.
• Monitor your blood pressure - Above all, it is very important to get your blood pressure checked at regular intervals of period. In case, your doctor determines that you are at an increased risk of developing hypertension, he may recommend you extra steps as a safety.
• Check for Sleep Apnoea - Your uncontrolled blood pressure, despite of prescribed medications could also be the result of sleep apnoea. So, its better you meet a sleep specialist and on his advice, undergo polysomnography to get diagnosed for sleep apnoea. They may recommend you a treatment to bring down your blood pressure.

What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

There are many couples that have a hard time conceiving children on their own, and that is why there are assisted reproductive technology methods available nowadays. Using a method such as intrauterine insemination can help increase the chances of having a child. Intrauterine Insemination involves sperm being implanted into the woman's uterine cavity. This is a well known and has a great success rate of getting a couple pregnant.

How intrauterine insemination functions?

Intrauterine insemination is considered to be an artificial insemination method and helps to utilise sperm as a way to overcome infertility. The sperm is processed and is placed inside the woman's uterus.

History associated with intrauterine insemination

Artificial insemination got its roots back in the olden days when it was used on farm animals, and especially animals that needed genetics improved including dairy cows. This began the path to use artificial insemination on humans and it also gave the science field a new foundation of harvesting embryos as well as cloning them.

What is the importance of intrauterine insemination?

There are thousands of couples each year that find they cannot have children on their own after trying for a year of unprotected sex. There are many couples who suffer infertility issues and there are others where there is no significant issue causing them to be infertile. Intrauterine insemination can be one of the many options and it can also help to increase chances of having a child if the problem is on the part of the male having a lower sperm count or even an issue with sperm mobility.

What intrauterine insemination is all about?

There are a few steps in regards to how intrauterine insemination is done. This is a rather easy and simple procedure and it begins with the woman taking fertility medications. This helps produce more eggs and at the same time the make partner is going to have to prepare for giving a sample that will be returned to the clinic. This sperm will be examined and cleaned as well to prepare it for being placed inside the woman. This process works together with a woman's ovulation period. During this time her cervix is cleaned and prepared for this process. The sperm that is clean and purified is then placed inside the woman's uterus by way of a catheter. The first cycle only has an estimated 10 to 20% success.

What are the benefits of intrauterine insemination?

The intrauterine insemination procedure will give a couple the opportunities to have a child of their own due infertility. This process helps to maximise the amount of sperm that will eventually reach the fallopian tubes of a woman. Intrauterine insemination helps in increasing the chances of eggs being fertilised and leading to a successful pregnancy.

Things to consider regarding intrauterine insemination

Intrauterine insemination is an ideal procedure that will benefit women who are of reproductive age and have healthy eggs. This is also going to be beneficial if the man has a decent amount of healthy sperms. As far as women who are 40 or older, the success rate is not going to be very high and the same goes for women who have blocked fallopian tubes. 

Happy 70th Indian Independence Day

Nothing is more important than freedom. Independence Day is the most honourable day of everyone's life who values it. It is just about to be 70 years since India became independent and 70th Independence day of India is due to be celebrated on Monday, August 15 of 2016. So Happy Independence day India.

It was midnight of 14-15 August, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his first independence day speech and the holy conch (Shankha Naad) blown to herald the birth of a new nation at the stroke of midnight hour, and the rest is history.

The Independent India is now much more vivid than ever it was under the rule of British East India Company. India has been fast growing country since these 70 years. People of India are as united as before, still "Unity in diversity" is 100% applicable for India.

Nowadays celebration of Independence Day is not limited just to flag hoisting and National Anthem Jana Gana Mana. Traditional style of Independence Day celebration like "Address to the Nation" (PM's speech), Parade(s), cultural programmes, showcasing everything with tricolour (Indian flag), and all are now just got extended and got better.

People are now using technology to express the patriotism inside their heart. Sending Independence Day wishes and messages using Whatsapp, Facebook and SMS is a common way to wish Happy Independence day to everyone. Some people choose to keep the Wishes and Greetings as their "Status" on social media, and posts Independence Day quotes. All gadgets such as smartphones, tablets and computers get's Independence Day wallpapers on their screen. People start to look for Best Independence day wallpaper on internet.

Schools and colleges organize independent day event where students celebrates independence day by hoisting Indian flag in school/college ground and then sings Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem of India) followed by salute to tricolour.

Many schools and colleges organises elocution competition, drawing competition, and patriotic play. Students deliver Independence Day speech in elocution competition; draw the pictures and images of Independence Day in drawing competition and play patriotic drama.

How do you want to celebrate the 70th Independence Day? What is your way to send Independence Day greetings messages?

Be safe and be united, Lazoi wishes you all a very happy 70th independence day.

Osteoarthritis: Relief from pain naturally

Osteoarthritis is one of the most painful and crippling autoimmune diseases to affect the joints. It is a condition that affects the articular cartilage and the subchondral bones. Symptoms of this disease include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and at times, effusion. In this condition, there is progressive loss of cartilage due to which the bone may be exposed and eventually damaged. It is the most common type of arthritis and is one of the leading causes of chronic disability across the globe. Since it is an autoimmune disease, there is no fixed cure for it. Therefore, it is better to try natural measures to relieve the pain as mentioned below.

Massage Therapy

One of the most popular natural pain relief methods is massage therapy. This is performed by massage therapists who focus on superficial layers of the muscles while using massage oil or lotion. This helps relieve the muscle tension and pain, increase the flexibility and mobility, and clear the lactic acid and other accumulated waste in the body. All this eventually leads to a reduction in the pain and stiffness in muscles and joints of the body.

One of the most important massage therapy benefits is that it also prevents muscle spasms in other parts of the body. It boosts circulation in the affected joint, which decreases joint stiffness and also promotes cartilage repair. This achieved by massaging the muscles surrounding the affected joint.

Yoga

Yoga is a safe and effective way of dealing with the pain associated with osteoarthritis. The movements of yoga increase the strength, flexibility, and balance of a person. However, consult your doctor before you start this therapy since he may guide you regarding the yoga exercises and poses that are appropriate to your condition.

Acupuncture

Another simple measure for natural pain relief is acupuncture. The World Health Organisation has managed to single out forty different conditions that can be treated with the help of acupuncture. One of those diseases listed was osteoarthritis. This therapy involves the insertion of hair thin needles into specific points of the body known as acupoints. One of the benefits of acupuncture is that it helps balance the flow of energy in the body. Certain studies have also reportedly shown that this helps release natural pain relieving substances in the body, like endorphins and serotonin.

Besides the aforementioned measures, rather than taking pain killers, people can always try taking certain supplements, like chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine to help deal with the pain. Although there is no proper cure for osteoarthritis, one can always make a few lifestyle changes to ensure that the person lives a long and relatively pain free life.

Fingernail Health- Get a clue about your overall health

The condition of your fingernails can provide a fairly accurate clue about your general health. Any abnormalities or changes in your nails may be indicative of particular health conditions or may be a result of nutritional deficiencies.

Examine your nails and check whether they are a healthy pink in colour and if the surface is smooth and curved impeccably. Or are there hangnails, ridges, lines, white spots, dents, discolorations, or irregularly shaped? While you need not be concerned about some of these, others may be indicative of various conditions like diabetes, anaemia, heart disease, fungal infections, and so on. In fact, even Hippocrates, who is regarded as the father of medicine, had taught that fingernails reflected the condition of the internal health of people.

Conditions that Damage Fingernails

Nails that are irregularly shaped or brittle, cracked or dry are often indicative of mineral or vitamin deficiency. Here are a few conditions caused due to the lack of essential minerals and vitamins:

• Brittle and Dry Nails: This is usually caused due to inadequate calcium intake in the diet.
• Ridges: Ridges on fingernails are often caused because of inadequate B-complex vitamins in the diet, particularly biotin.
• Cracked Nails: This is generally caused because of the diet being deficient in essential oils, such as omega-3.
• Hangnails: Hangnails can be caused due to a lack of vitamin C and folic acid.

It goes without saying that the best way of getting all these minerals and vitamins is to follow a diet that is balanced and full of nutritionally rich foods, such as vegetables and fruits. Here are a few dietary guidelines that will help keep your nails healthy:

• Calcium: Some of the foods that are rich in calcium are dairy foods, particularly yogurt, sardines, green leafy vegetables, beans, and almonds.
• B-Vitamins: This is found in organ meats, such as kidneys and liver, fish, eggs, yogurt, milk, cheese, mushrooms, nuts, beans (particularly chickpeas), whole grains, seeds, bananas, and avocados.
• Folic Acid: This is abundantly found in green vegetables, whole grains, beans, and oranges.
• Vitamin C: This is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and red peppers.
• Essential Oils: These are available in fatty fish like herring, mackerel, trout, salmon, and tuna, and also in tofu, seeds, nuts, flaxseeds, evening primrose oil, and flaxseed oil.

Essential nail care tips

While incorporating a balanced and nutritionally rich diet will help in maintaining fingernail health by keeping them nourished from within, they also need to be maintained externally to keep them in good condition.

• Maintain your nails regularly by trimming them regularly and cleaning under them.
• Use a good pair of clippers or scissors along with an emery board to smoothen their edges.
• Hangnails should never be pulled off, because, this usually causes living tissue to be ripped off. Instead, they should be clipped off.
• Damage to fingernails should be avoided by not using them to pry, poke, or pick things.
• Nail biting or cuticle picking should be avoided, as these habits can result in nail damage.
• Gloves should be worn while doing activity that involves exposing the nails to soap and water for extended periods, or if harsh chemicals are handled.
• Nails need to be moisturised just like the skin, hence, make sure to moisturise them frequently, especially after washing your hands.
• Avoid using nail polish removers that have acetone, because it causes the nails to dry out.

Ways to Increase Blood Circulation

Proper blood circulation is important for good health. Since the blood carries oxygen throughout the body, it is essential that it reaches everywhere. The role of oxygen in the body is not just limited to basic respiratory activities. It is essential for our general health and fitness, in terms of improved metabolism and mental activity. Good blood circulation has also known to be able to reverse, or at least delay the ageing process.

Causes and Effects of Poor Blood Circulation

Today, our sedentary lifestyle has caused us to become exceptionally inactive. As a result of lack of activity, we are faced with the problem of poor blood circulation, which in turn results in further health problems. Poor blood circulation may be experienced primarily by those who suffer from hypertension, people in the habit of smoking, and mostly in people who follow a diet rich in cholesterol and poor in essential nutrients. These habits result in the damage of free radicals in the circulatory system, thereby causing the veins and arteries to slowly deteriorate. Also, the deposition of fats in the arteries causes them to harden, which is known as atherosclerosis.

The effects of poor blood circulation are several, namely, a tingling sensation in the hands and legs, longer healing periods in cases of infections, paling of the skin, fluctuations in body temperature, and muscle cramps. Other effects include, lack of energy, shortness of breath, and poor memory.

Helpful Tips to Increase Blood Circulation

• It is most important to follow a healthy diet. Doing so will reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body, and make it easier for the blood to pass through the veins and arteries. It will also help flush out various toxins present in our system.
• For those who smoke, try to gradually reduce, and then completely stop smoking. The effects of nicotine on the human body are several, and reducing its intake is only going to be positive. Since nicotine consumes oxygen from the blood, the lack nicotine will allow the right amount of oxygen to prevail in the body.
• Treat yourself to a massage regularly. It doesn't have to be flamboyant or expensive. Just rubbing a little of your favourite essential oil all over your body will get those blood cells up and about.
• Perhaps, not enough has been said about it, and therefore I repeat, exercise is so vital for general well-being. Needless to say, they will increase circulation to the hands, feet, brain and every other part of the body.
• Another way is to consume rosemary herb combined with red wine.
• To increase circulation in legs, walking is the perfect remedy. Also, soaking the feet and legs in warm water will activate those lethargic blood cells and get them moving. This will reduce the feeling of numbness and tingling. The same can be done for the hands, along with a massage.
• Yoga is a prominent discipline in India, having physical and mental benefits, that is fast gaining popularity throughout the world. Many swear by yoga and it has proven to rid people of most health problems. The various asanas prescribed by yogic gurus will definitely help reduce stress and increase blood circulation, even to the brain. Breathing exercises too, that are associated with yoga, are known to purify the blood, thereby improving circulation.