Charles Best---The co-discoverer of miracle drug “Insulin”

Insulin, the miracle drug for diabetes, was discovered by Frederick Banting and Charles Herbert Best in the year 1922.  Every year around 1.5 million patients are being diagnosed as diabetic in America. Only with insulin the drug, they are hopeful and lead their life in normal manner.

Charles Best was the co-founder of this wonderful drug. He was a medical scientist and a physiologist, born in 1899 in Maine and graduated in the University of Toronto, Canada. In between his studies, he joined in 2nd Canadian Tank Battalion and served for one year during World War I. When he returned back to his studies and was looking for summer project, he was assigned to work under Dr. Frederick Banting as a research assistant. Both of them, after a long struggle and a line of experiments, discovered the insulin drug. They were able to announce it in 1922 and in 1923 Frederick Banting was awarded with the Nobel Prize.

Discovery Process:

Banting looked after the surgical procedures whereas Charles Best measured blood and sugar levels through chemical tests. In the surgical procedures done with the dogs, Banting tried to separate the pancreatic secretions. He removed the pancreas from the dogs and then injected the resulting extracts into them and found out that the dogs were alive till they received insulin injections.

From Dogs to Humans:

In their quest to find the right insulin extract, Macleod joined and directed them in the right path. He provided a better lab, animals to experiment and his valuable guidance for extract preparation.  They very soon switched over their experiments with dogs to calves and found better results by way of faster secretions. Then, they soon started their experiments with humans and began getting positive results. Their supply to humans started in 1922.

Insulin, the Life Source of Diabetes:

Diabetes was killing millions of people before the invent of insulin. Whatever best diet they took and whatever sugar supplements were taken to balance the insulin secretion in their body, they were able to prolong just a few more years in their life. Physicians were not able to find a way and handle the pancreases for two reasons. Because

- Pancreases produce digestive juices and

- They also produce the substance ‘glucose’ that regulates sugar content in the body.    

Only Banting and Best were able to solve this problem by tying the pancreatic ducts and stopped nourishment they were receiving. This made the pancreas to lose its ability to secrete digestive juices and enable the anti-diabetic extraction easy.

Nobel Prize:

In 1923, Nobel Prize was awarded to Banting and Macleod. Best was left out since he had not completed his medical degree. However, Banting shared the prize money with Charles Best. Later on, Best completed his medical degree and worked as Professor. He died on March 31, 1978. 

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Hair Care Tips to Combat Hair Loss & Strengthen the Hair!

Hair is the crown of our body. Good and healthy hair makes you attractive while weak, fragile, and falling hair makes you conscious with less confidence and self-esteem. Everyone wants to have healthy hair that they can flaunt and style the way they want. Before starting with the online hair care tips to take care of your hair, let’s understand the reasons that lead to hair fall.  

Reasons for Hair Fall

Though there are many reasons for hair fall, the primary five reasons are listed below:

Nutritional Deficiency: An unbalanced and deficient diet may get reflected with poor hairs on your scalp. If your diet has not enough of protein, calcium and vitamin E, you may experience ongoing hair fall.

Pollution: The air we move in is full of pollutants that can easily get into your hair making them cloggy, frizzy, and untidy. These elements are enough to steal the luster of your hair and make them fragile.

Improper Care of Hair: Too much shampooing or lack of timely shampooing can damage your scalp and hair follicles. Make a routine of doing shampoo twice in a week and if you go out in pollution, make it to thrice but not more than that. It will get rid of oil, particles, sebum and other elements that can harm your hair.

Side Effects of Illness and medications: If you are experiencing sudden hair fall, the reason may be any new medicine you have started or any prolonged illness.  

Genetic Reasons: Many times even after taking proper care of your hair and taking a rich diet, you experience hair fall that is not easily controlled. In such cases, the reason may be genetic or hereditary that needs programmed medical treatment.

Online Hair Care Tips to Strengthen Your Hair

Home/Natural Remedies: There are a lot of resources at home that can help you manage and strengthen your hair at nominal cost. Prepare hair masks at home and apply on your hair. Some of the constituents for hair mask can be oat paste and curd, curry leaves paste with fenugreek seeds’ paste, lemon juice with honey and hibiscus leaves, heena mixed with gooseberry powder, and others like shikakai powder mixed with amla powder. Applying them once in ten days can nourish your hair and strengthen them.

Proper Diet: Taking a balanced diet is important. Try to eat two dates daily and a glass of milk at bed time. If doctor advice's, include other items in your diet as well.

Protection: When you go out in sun, in vehicle, or in polluted area, cover you hair with a scarf or stole. This will prevent direct exposure to UV rays, dust, and other pollutants that can damage your hair.  

Medical Treatment: For unknown reasons of hair fall or hair fall due to side effects of some other illness or medication, you need to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

How to Regrow Lost Hair?

Having your lost hair back is a little difficult. However if your hair follicles are still alive and fertile, the chances of your hair regrowth is high. Also, if you have recently shed your hair and your baldness is not chronic, then you should definitely give a try to bring back your hair. The two major ways of hair regrowth are mentioned below:

Hair Transplantation: This is a very successful and highly demanded cosmetic surgery. In this process, fertile hair follicles are transplanted to the area of baldness where they grow naturally. The look and feel of your own hair growing the natural way is the advantage with this process. 

Home Remedy: Some home remedies have done wonders in the process of hair regrowth. However, the results depend on the type of hair fall and the consistency you maintain in following the remedies. Applying onion juice daily on your scalp may result in hair regrowth. It may take two to three months of time. The pungent smell of onion juice is repulsive, so sticking to the routine gets difficult. But, if followed there are chances that you get your hair back.

Follow these online hair care tips and enjoy a shiny lustrous hair that attracts everyone. 

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Cosmetic Clinics---Making People Adorable!

Beauty is God’s gift, but science has got the power to enhance this gift and make it more adorable. So if you find yourself a little less attractive or you want to enhance your features, then cosmetic clinics can play a vital role in attaining your dreams of being a Juliet or a Jane. With excellent expertise in skin, hair, and weight management, they are showcasing international level skills in cosmetic surgeries or plastic surgeries. 

If you find your nose a little hooked, your lips a little broad, or are pissed off with the growing smiles lines and crow’s feet, then there is nothing to worry, but to seek the services of a cosmetic clinic. They deploy various ways of superficial and internal treatment and procedures to give you a desired result that ultimately builds your self-esteem and confident presentation. Not only this, the treatment timing and ways are scheduled as per your convenience to give it a feel different than that of conventional treatment centers or hospitals. With online consultation booking at the cosmetic clinics, you can visit the center as per the schedule and avoid waiting for long hours for your turn.

You can choose cosmetic clinics for your various requirements like giving a shape to your body through liposuction, breast augmentation, treatment for gynaecomastia, Botox injections, blepharoplasty, hair transplantation and more. Gone are the days when you had to compromise with your unsatisfying physical attributes and live your life with a complex forever. 

How to Choose the Cosmetic Clinic

There are many cosmetic clinics but the results depend on the expertise of the doctor performing the procedure. So make sure your doctor has enough experience and also try to get in touch with few of his clients. Taking reviews from others is important as this is related to your looks where you cannot compromise. 

Also to make sure you are paying the right amount for your procedure, visit a few more clinics. Seeking multiple opinions in cosmetic treatment is necessary as a little fault can cost you high on your looks. Many times you would find significant difference in the cost. So you must compare the cost and take a wise decision. Again, the earnest suggestion here is not to compromise with the quality of service you choose. Excellence costs a little higher. So if you feel, paying a little more will yield good results, then do not hesitate to go with the one that gives you peace of mind. 

Alternatives to a Cosmetic Clinic

Being good looking is not always an expensive affair. While cosmetic clinics can enhance your physical features requiring a lot of money expenditure, a little effort at home can make you adorable without any investment. Let’s understand what all you can do at home.

     1. Skin care with natural products: You would have heard about the miracles of honey, lemon, rose water, turmeric, aloe vera juice, papaya juice, and other natural products. But have you tried them regularly. If not, start at the earliest. A regular use of these natural and easily found products at home can bring admirable change in your skin.

    2. Hair care with natural products: Hair spa is not the only solution for silky and healthy hairs. You can prepare a number of hair masks at home to pamper your hair. Use curry leaves with fenugreeks seed paste for shiny hair, onion juice for falling hair, amla juice in coconut oil for greying of hair and reduce your monthly budget on parlous. 

    3. Enhancing look with different styling: There are some inborn features with which you might not be satisfied. But a change in the way you do make up, change in hair stylish, and transforming the way you dress can bring an altogether new look that will hide the inferior features of your body. Try to have a change in the way you had been presenting yourself for years. 

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Healthcare---What Does It Actually Mean?

We need medical services when we are not well. We book appointment online for doctors only when we have to get our illness or ailment treated and cured. In such a situation, we take care of our health. But, is that the only thing we can do to keep ourselves healthy? Does meeting doctors and visiting hospitals during illness the only way to show our awareness towards healthcare? No! When we talk about healthcare, it includes a whole lot of things that we generally ignore. Healthcare encompasses a number of areas that need our attention for a healthy and happy living.

What does healthcare actually mean?

Anything we do to improve our health during illness or healthy days comes under healthcare. It is not only getting rid of some diseases or ailments. It is keeping ourselves healthy, so that our body is not invaded by any kind of disease, infection, trauma, or internal or external sickness. Caring for our body, mind, and soul through healthy habits and, if needed, medical measures, is healthcare in true sense.

What can be done for better healthcare?

A number of things can be done for a complete healthcare:

      1. Morning exercise, physical activity, yoga, and meditation: To keep ourselves always on the go, we need to be fit, physically and mentally. We need to have better endurance, stamina, and physical and mental strength. Timely yoga, meditation, and exercise can boost our mind and body and lead to an organic healthcare.

      2. Regular health check-ups: There are certain health conditions that develop gradually without much of trouble you can track. Regular health checkups will track for any development of diseases like diabetes, tumor in breasts or cervix, increasing cholesterol, polyps development, or any harmful growth inside the body. Visiting a clinic or hospital at regular intervals will keep a number of diseases at bay. With online appointment bookings for regular health checkup, you can even save your money.

      3. Immediate medical help for unusual symptoms: Sometimes, even after taking enough care of your body, you may develop a serious health condition. Do not ignore the symptoms and consult a doctor immediately to resolve the issue and avoid any big upcoming health issue. Find doctors online and book appointments as per your choice and convenience.   

      4. Precautions against prevailing disease or epidemic: If you are aware of any prevailing illness in your area, you can take the precautions for factors that lead to its spread. Be particular about using clean water, maintaining hygiene in the house, bathroom, and bed. Use masks to prevent areal transmission of the disease, etc. If there is any vaccination available, go for it or consult your doctor to get better suggestions.

      5. Healthy eating habits: A strong body system can resist a number of diseases. So eat healthy foods and avoid junk food to maintain the good health of your body system. If you are allergic to something, control your temptation and avoid it. Eat on time and have enough clean water.

Take all round care of your health for a better healthy living! 

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Celebrate Rene Laennec --- The Father of Clinical Auscultation

Rene Laennec, a French Physician gave medical science a discovery that is unmatched and will remain in the medical history forever. A child born on 17^th February 1781, who suffered from childhood asthma and pyrexia, never knew that he himself will discover a device that will be used to examine chest and detect pulmonary ailments. He discovered the “stethoscope” a much have companion of all doctors since then. This device was earlier known as “chest examiner” which was capable of differentiating among different heart sounds to diagnose a healthy or unhealthy condition. Like many other big discoveries, this invention was also criticized in the beginning as no one knew what a gigantic impact it will have on the medical science.

Though, we all know Rene Laennec with the invention of stethoscope, his contribution to medical science spans to many other fields as well. He was the one who coined the name “cirrhosis” for a serious liver disease. Since then it is known as Laennec cirrhosis. He also brought in light a skin cancer known as “melanoma” in 1804 and the world got aware of this type of cancer. He did significant studies on tuberculosis and his own device stethoscope helped him a lot in understanding the diseased condition of tuberculosis patients. He was able find our diseases like pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchiectasis and more with his device. In this way, he was leading the then medical research scenario with his ability to detect and diagnose diseases.

It is an irony that this great discovered himself died of tuberculosis on August 13, 1826. In such a short life span he made tremendous contributions to the medical science and left enough knowledge for today’s practitioners to get inspired.

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Online Hospital Treatment Packages---An affordable Medical Solution

Illnesses come without any intimation, and usually not in budget. Very few of us keep ourselves mentally and financially ready to face and manage the huge bills that incur as a result of entire treatment process and hospitalization. Sometimes an outpatient consultation may work while at other times, you may need a prolonged hospitalization and medical procedures costing deep on your accounts. To rescue you from expensive healthcare services online, a number of hospitals have introduced treatment packages that are comparatively affordable, accounting to lesser medical bill than a cumulative bill that accounts each single element of the treatment process. 

Treatment packages for illnesses like heart surgery, knee replacement, cataract, renal disorders, gastroenterological ailments, and other healthcare services like wellness check-ups and delivery facilities are offered in different budgets to cater people from different segments. Based on your convenience and affordability, you can go for a package that meets your requirement and budget. These packages include everything right from your hospital admission through entire treatment process including the consultation, medications, surgeries if any done, different facilities and emergencies support provided, nurse charges, room cost, and similar other services that you avail. If you go for each of these services separately, you may end up with a huge medical bill. So opting for a health package is always beneficial and a wise decision that keeps a limit on what you are going to spend. 

Now, which treatment package or which hospital package is good and beneficial for you is the main concern. To make a profitable decision here, you need to seek help of online healthcare facilities. You can explore more about the treatment packages from different hospitals online and compare the benefits and cost. While you visit every hospital individually, you may miss a few more promising hospitals that may offer same healthcare services at lower cost. So, instead of depending on one hospital, you should explore online and get information on healthcare facilities available at different hospitals and the cost they charge for them.

Online healthcare system is offering tremendous opportunities to the people by keeping them aware and providing relevant information. For treatment packages, online healthcare service portals and websites are a great resource to take informed decision. Here you can easily find the hospitals that are offering treatment packages online for a particular illness. Also, comparing the services they are offering and the respective cost for them gets easier and quick enabling you to be more sensible with your money while you choose the best treatment package. 

So, next time you opt for any treatment, explore online healthcare service portals, find out the best treatment packages from various hospitals and protect your health and wealth both. 

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6 Key Points To Remember During Doctor Consultation

Doctor’s Consultation----How to Optimize the Limited Time

You consult a doctor only when you are not well and need medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.

Of, course you are not in your physical best, so expecting concentration, clear & explanatory communication, and normal grasping of information is not justified in such a health condition. But, this only is the time when you have to talk to the doctor and explain him everything about your problem, that too in a limited consultation time. So, you have to be clear about a certain things that can let you make the most out of the doctor’s consultation. These points remain effective with online doctors as well.

Points to consider during doctor’s consultation:

1.       Male or female; a doctor is a doctor: Do not hesitate to share your problem with the doctor. Sometimes, a male can be a gynecologist and a female can be a specialist of men’s health. Always remember, a doctor is a doctor and for him or her you are only a patient. So give details of your complications without shying away. However, to ensure your comfort level, you can have a family member along with you during the consultation.

2.       Be honest to the doctor: You might be having a problem for too long or a significant past medical history, social history, or habits that may affect your current health. If you hide information from your doctor, it may lead to a poor diagnosis and treatment plan. So, be honest to your doctor and ensure you get a treatment based on complete analysis of your details. Doctors are someone, you need to trust and be honest with for your well-being.

3.       Carry notes of important points to discuss with the doctor: It is possible that you forget some important points you had to ask, so making a list of things you want to ask your doctor is a good idea before going for an appointment. Make a note of questions to ask the doctor about your health issues. Also, note down the medicines or supplements you are currently taking, this will help you not consume the precious consultation time. Carry this list for your appointment and make efficient use of the given consultation time.

4.       Do not hesitate to ask: The medical diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of action may include a lot of medical terms and things you have no idea about. But to proceed further with a complete treatment that really helps you, ask clearly about everything you are not sure of. It’s your health and a wrong move can drastically affect you. Your consultation or booking appointment with doctor empowers you to ask anything that concerns your health. So, leave hesitation for better understanding of your health condition and its improvement through treatment.  

5.       Be sure of the instructions or processes to follow: During your doctor’s appointment, you may be advised for certain tests or procedures and medications. Make sure you have understood everything properly. To proceed further with the diagnostic tests, any confusion may result in wrong or inadequate reports which will lead to wrong diagnosis. So, ask your doctor to explain to you everything in a manner that makes it clear to you.

6.       Get comfortable with office staffs: Apart from your doctor’s consultation, other people who matter and who may help you are the office staffs, nurses, and boys. If you are a regular patient to a particular doctor or hospital, they may also guide you with some instructions that will save your time during consultation with the doctor. However, new patients should also get friendly with them to utilize their consultation time better.

Visit to a doctor online can be intimidating, but having a clear idea about what all you have to do there will release the stress you often feel. So before visiting any doctor or consulting any online doctor, make note of the above six points and make your doctor consultation more worthy. 

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Zika Virus in Indian Scenario---Status and Precautions

Zika Virus has been declared as “public health emergency of international concern” by WHO. It has affected 22 countries across Central and South America and is rapidly spreading to grab other countries in Asia-Pacific as well.  In  January 2016, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued travel guidance on affected countries, including the use of enhanced precautions, and guidelines for pregnant women including considering postponing travel. On February 2, 2016, Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed the first case of transmission in the United States.

However, till now, not a single case of Zika virus has been registered in India. This does not mean, India is not vulnerable to the infection. The national center for disease control in India is already on a high alert and is getting equipped with laboratory diagnostic research and findings to fight the disease, if reported.

The worrisome news for India is that the carrier mosquito of this disease, which is Aedes mosquito is found in every part of India and India with a poor mosquito control scenario stands vulnerable to the disease. Anyone entering the country infected with this virus can spread the disease through Aedes mosquito bites. And the worst part is that, we still don’t have any medication or vaccine available for this disease. However, with online activities and awareness campaigns, people can be made aware of the condition and the precautions they can take.

Symptoms of Zika virus Infection:

·         80% of the people remain asymptomatic because the symptoms are not very severe. However, it is marked with continuing mild fever, skin rashes, and conjunctivitis. The person may also experience headaches and muscle and joint pains.

·         These symptoms are similar to other diseases spread by the same vector like chikungunya and dengue. The symptoms usually last for 2 to 7 days.

·         A pregnant woman infected with Zika virus may result in having a child with birth defects and a condition known as microcephaly.

Diagnosis of Zika Virus

Zika virus is diagnosed through blood test like polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation.

Prevention of Zika Virus

The Indian government is cautious about the situation and is taking ample care to prevent the spread of this disease by stopping them right at the entry points like international airports.

Nonetheless, everyone personally should try to take preventive measure to ensure they do not get infected by Zika. What all you can do?

1.       Do not let water stagnate in and around you. It will breed mosquito which are the carriers of the virus.

2.       Try to keep the body covered with full-sleeve dresses to avoid any contact with mosquitos.

3.       Use mosquito repellant body creams and liquids to keep mosquitos away.

4.       Use mosquito nets while sleeping which ensures complete protection against the mosquitos.

Safety at each level is important and we are answerable to our own safety. So, be cautious, take precaution, and be healthy. 

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