ROAD TO HEALTH CARE
TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING TREATING HEADACHE AND HAIR RELATED PROBLEMS KEEPING YOUR FACE BEAUTIFUL EYE, EAR, NOSE AND THROAT PROBLEMS CHEST PROBLEMS: CAUSES, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION HEART PROBLEMS SIGNS CURES FOR COMMON STOMACH PROBLEMS LIVER PROBLEMS URINARY AILMENTS PREVENTING DIABETES REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS TREATING SKIN PROBLEMS LOOKING YOUTHFUL: THE SECRET CONTENTS OBESITY: CURSE ADOLESCENCE: END OF THE AGE OF INNOCENCE LIFE AFTER FOOD HABITS TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING AS THE COMMON ADAGE GOES, HEALTH IS WEALTH AND THE BEST WAY TO BE HEALTHY IS TO BE HAPPY, PRACTISE GOOD HABITS, MAINTAIN A REGULAR HEALTHY ROUTINE AND A HEALTHY WAY OF THOUGHT THE FOLLOWING TIPS WILL HELP YOU MAKE EVERY MEAL A HEALTHY ONE FOR YOUR BODY 1 EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO RISE MAKES A MAN HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE IS A NURSERY RHYME WORTH ACTING UPON ONE CAN MAINTAIN PROPER HEALTHY ROUTINE ONLY IF ONE WAKES UP EARLY AND PERFORMS THE RIGHT ACTIVITY AT THE RIGHT TIME THIS ENSURES GOOD HEALTH AT ALL TIMES 2 AVOID ANXIETY AND STRESSFUL CONDITIONS 3 DO NOT SURPASS THE URGE TO PASS STOOL AND URINE AT ANY POINT OF TIME 4 TO MAINTAIN ORAL HYGIENE REGULAR CLEANING OF THE TONGUE REMOVES THE EXTRA COATINGS THAT CAUSE ORAL INFECTIONS 5 BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER EVERY MEAL A TOOTHBRUSH WITH SOFT, ROUNDED BRISTLES IS THE BEST BRUSH TOUR TEETH FOR AT LEAST TWO MINUTES 6 DO NOT USE YOUR NAILS, TOOTHPICKS OR OTHER POINTED THINGS TO CLEAN YOUR TEETH BECAUSE IT CAN WEAR AWAY THE GUMS RESULTING IN COMPLETE EXPOSURE OF THE TEETH 7 TO REMOVE FOOD PARTICLES FROM YOUR TEETH USE A PROPER UP-AND-DOWN MOTION WITH THE BRUSH AND THEN RINSE YOUR MOUTH THOROUGHLY IF BRUSHING IS INCONVENIENT AT SOME PLACES, RINSE WITH WARM OR PLAIN WATER FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS 8 TO PREVENT EROSION AND CAVITIES AVOID CHEWING BETEL NUT 9 FLOSS REGULARLY IN BETWEEN YOUR TEETH 10 USE A FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE OR BAKING SODA 11 REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH EVERY MONTH 12 BREATHE FROM THE NOSTRILS AND NOT FROM THE MOUTH YOUR NOSE IS LINED WITH SMALL HAIR THAT HELPS IN FILTERING AIR THE AIR IS WARMED AND MOISTENED IN THE NOSE BREATHING FROM THE MOUTH DRIES THE PHARYNX, RESULTING IN DRY COUGH AND FORMATION OF MUCOUS 13 EAT A WELL-BALANCED NUTRITIOUS DIET THAT INCLUDES ALL MINERALS, VITAMINS, PROTEINS, CARBOHYDRATES, FATS AND WATER IN REQUISITE PROPORTIONS CHAPTER 14 NEVER EAT FOOD WHILE UNDER STRESS, STRAIN OR WORRY AS IT HINDERS THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS AVOID ANY OTHER SIMULTANEOUS ACTIVITY AS THIS FORCES THE HEART TO PUMP MORE BLOOD, SLOWING DOWN DIGESTION AND LEADING TO VARIOUS AILMENTS INCLUDING INDIGESTION THUS, ONE SHOULD AVOID READING OR STUDYING WHILE EATING 15 ONE IS SOMETIMES TEMPTED TO OVEREAT AVOID THIS AS IT DISTENDS THE ABDOMEN AND LEAVES NO SPACE FOR WATER AND AIR 16 DRINKING LOTS OF WATER RELIEVES MANY AILMENTS ENSURE THAT THE WATER IS PURE TO AVOID WATER-BORNE DISEASES DRINK WATER IN THE MORNING JUST AFTER GETTING UP AND BEFORE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH DRINK AT LEAST A LITRE OF WATER AT ONE GO AND DO NOT EAT ANYTHING FOR AN HOUR AFTER DRINKING WATER, WASH YOUR FACE AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH THOSE UNABLE TO DRINK SO MUCH WATER CAN INITIALLY START WITH ONE GLASS AND GRADUALLY INCREASE TO FOUR GLASSES THE FIRST ONE OR TWO GLASSES HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE BODY EXCEPT FOR EXCESSIVE URINATION AFTER A FEW DAYS, EVERYTHING BECOMES NORMAL PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ARTHRITIS AND VATA DISEASES SHOULD DO THIS TREATMENT THRICE A DAY DRINKING A COPIOUS QUANTITY OF WATER AT ONE TIME CLEANS THE INTESTINE AND IMPROVES ITS FUNCTIONING EVEN THE INDIAN HEALTH ASSOCIATION CONSIDERS THIS A SCIENTIFIC METHOD POISONOUS SUBSTANCES IN OF BODY ARE EXCRETED WITHIN 24 HOURS CONSTIPATION IS RELIEVED AND IT PREVENTS MANY DISEASES 17 REGULAR USE OF ANY ITEM REDUCES ITS APPRECIATION HENCE, EVEN SEASONED FOOD SHOULD BE TAKEN ALTERNATIVELY AT INTERVALS 18 SWEETS SHOULD ONLY BE CONSUMED AFTER MEALS, AS THEY TEND TO BE TEMPTING AND FILLING PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF CHILDREN, SWEETS SATIATE ONE’S HUNGER WITHOUT ACTUALLY MEETING THE BODY’S NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FOR GROWTH 19 CONDIMENTS SUCH AS CHILLIES, PEPPER, MUSTARD, GARLIC, GINGER, CLOVES, CINNAMON, CARDAMOM SHOULD BE USED IN LIMITED AMOUNT EXCESSIVE USE IRRITATES THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT, DIMINISHING THE DESIRE FOR ORDINARY BUT NUTRITIOUS FOOD 20 AVOID TEA OR COFFEE, ESPECIALLY BEFORE MEALS IN MINIMAL AMOUNT, THOUGH, THEY ACT AS A STIMULANT, MAKING THE BODY ACTIVE AND ALSO INCREASE PROFICIENCY WHILE PREPARING TEA, SPICE IT WITH TULSI, BOOSTS IMMUNITY AND IS COMMONLY AVAILABLE 21 THERE SHOULD BE AN INTERVAL OF FOUR TO FIVE HOURS BETWEEN MEALS, WHICH GIVES TIME FOR THE STOMACH TO CLEAR ITSELF OF THE PREVIOUS MEAL THE EVENING MEAL SHOULD BE THE LIGHTEST SO THAT IT IS EASILY DIGESTED INDIANS NORMALLY FOLLOW THE CONTRARY PRACTISE, ESPECIALLY BUSINESSMEN, WHO ARE LATE-NIGHT HEAVY-DINNER EATERS 22 DAILY BATHING IS VERY ESSENTIAL BOTH IN WINTERS AND SUMMERS, OTHERWISE THE WASTES (ALONG WITH SWEAT IN THE FORM OF OILS) COMING OUT OF THE SKIN ARE NOT WASHED AND CAN LEAD TO ITCHING AND OTHER SKIN PROBLEMS BATHING HELPS IN RE-ENERGIZING ONESELF DO NOT WASH YOUR HAIR WITH WARM WATER IT DAMAGES THE HAIR ROOTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BEAUTIFUL, GLOWING AND PROTECTED SKIN SEE CHAPTER 5 ROAD TO HEALTH CARE 23 BODY POSTURE MATTERS A LOT YOU SHOULD SIT OR STAND ERECT SO THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT SPACE FOR AIR TO ENTER THE LUNGS ENSURING AN OPTIMUM SUPPLY OF AIR WHEN THE BREATH IS DRAWN IN 24 MAN IS LIKE A MACHINE EXERCISE MAKES THE BODY ACTIVE AND INSPIRES IT TO WORK THE HEART BEATS FASTER DURING EXERCISE AND EVERY PART OF THE BODY GETS AN EXTRA SUPPLY OF BLOOD FOR A GOOD MEMORY AND GOOD BODY, ONE SHOULD EXERCISE DAILY IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, ONE SHOULD EXERCISE AT LEAST THRICE A WEEK SIT IN THE SUN AFTER A MASSAGE THIS FACILITATES VITAMIN D ABSORPTION, HELPS IN REJUVENATING YOUR BODY, INCREASING YOUR LIFESPAN AND PREVENTING GENERAL MALAISE AND INSOMNIA IT IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO POUR ONE OR TWO DROPS OF OIL IN THE EARS DAILY AND DAILY MASSAGE OF THE FEET AND SOLES KEEPS ONE’S VISION PERFECT AS SOME NERVES ARE DIRECTLY LINKED WITH THESE BODY PARTS EXERCISE SHOULD BE DONE GRADUALLY AND WITHIN LIMITS, ACCORDING TO THE AGE AND HEALTH OF A PERSON EXERCISING BEYOND ONE’S ENDURANCE IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AS THE BODY IS UNABLE TO REST, LEADING TO INJURY AND ILL HEALTH 25 THERE ARE SPECIAL POSTURES DEVISED FOR YOGA, WHICH SHOULD BECOME STEADY AND PLEASANT WITH CONTINUOUS PRACTISE STAYING FIT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL TO STAY FIT HOWEVER, THERE ARE THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF FITNESS: MUSCULAR STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY AND CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS OUT OF THESE, FLEXIBILITY IS ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED THROUGH A ROUTINE OF STRETCHING MOVEMENTS DO THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES EACH DAY AS WARM-UPS FOR MORE STRENUOUS EXERCISE LIKE JOGGING, CYCLING OR SWIMMING FOR THE FLEXIBILITY OF SHOULDERS, WAIST AND ARMS, FOLLOW THESE STEPS : (I) STAND WITH YOUR FEET ABOUT 12 INCHES APART (II) RAISE YOUR ARMS OVERHEAD AND CLASP YOUR HANDS LOOSELY (III) BEND SLOWLY ON ONE SIDE HOLD FOR 10 SECONDS (IV) REPEAT ON THE OTHER SIDE ROAD TO HEALTH CARE FOR CALF MUSCLES (I) STAND 3 4 FEET AWAY FROM A WALL (II) MOVE YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD AND LEAN YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS ABOVE AGAINST THE WALL (III) BEND YOUR LEFT LEG AND KEEP YOUR RIGHT LEG STRAIGHT (IV) DO NOT LIFT YOUR HEELS FROM THE FLOOR (V) MOVE YOUR HIPS SLOWLY FORWARD FOR THE FLEXIBILITY OF ANKLES AND LOWER BACK (I) SQUAT WITH YOUR FEET ABOUT 12 INCHES APART AND POINTED SLIGHTLY OUTWARD (II) KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE FLOOR HOLD FOR 20 SECONDS (III) DURING THIS EXERCISE KEEP YOUR HEELS ON THE FLOOR FOR HAMSTRINGS AND UPPER BACK (I) SIT ON THE FLOOR WITH YOUR FEET SLIGHTLY APART (II) REACH FIRST FOR ONE FOOT AND THEN THE OTHER (III) KEEP YOUR KNEES STRAIGHT REPEAT FIVE TIMES WITH EACH LEG ROAD TO HEALTH CARE FOR GROIN MUSCLES (I) LIE ON YOUR BACK IN A RELAXED POSITION (II) BEND YOUR KNEES AND PUT THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET TOGETHER ( III) HOLD FOR 20 SECONDS FOR SPINE MUSCLES (I) SIT AND HUG YOUR KNEES WITH YOUR ARMS (II) MOVE YOUR HEAD TOWARDS YOUR KNEES AND TURN YOURSELF INTO A BALL AND ROCK SLOWLY BACK AND FORTH (III) REPEAT GENTLY FOR 5 TIMES FOR THIGH MUSCLES (I) LIE ON YOUR SIDE IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND REST YOUR HEAD UPON YOUR ARM (II) PULL THE UPPER FOOT WITH THE OTHER HAND TOWARDS YOUR HIP (III) HOLD FOR 5 SECONDS AND REPEAT ON THE OTHER SIDE ROAD TO HEALTH CARE FOR LEG MUSCLES (I) LIE ON YOUR BACK IN A RELAXED POSITION, WITH BOTH LEGS STRAIGHT (II) BEND ONE LEG AT YOUR KNEE AND PULL IT TOWARDS YOUR CHEST (III) HOLD FOR 30 SECONDS AND REPEAT THE MOVEMENT WITH THE OTHER LEG TOTAL BODY STRETCH (I) LIE ON YOUR BACK, WITH YOUR ARMS AND LEGS STRAIGHT (II) POINT YOUR FINGERS AND TOES AND STRETCH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE (III) HOLD FOR 5 SECONDS AND RELAX AS IN SHAVAS AN (EXPLAINED IN HEART PROBLEMS) ROAD TO HEALTH CARE AYURVEDA AND YOU IN AYURVEDA THERE ARE THIRTEEN NATURAL URGES, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE SUPPRESSED WHENEVER THEY ARISE THEY ARE FLATUS, STOOLS, URINE, SNEEZE, THIRST, HUNGER, SLEEP, BREATH, YAWN, BELCHING, TEARS, VOMIT CAN AND SEMEN OBSTRUCTION OF ANY OF THESE LEADS TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS 26 AS MENTIONED EARLIER, PURIFICATION OF THE MIND IS EQUALLY ESSENTIAL DEVELOP GOOD MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HABITS TO AVOID DISEASES AND LIVE A HAPPY LIFE MEDITATION IS THE KEY TO KEEP THE MIND STABLE 27 WHILE STUDYING KEEP SUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN YOUR EYES AND THE STUDY MATERIAL DO NOT READ OR WRITE IN A POORLY LIT PLACE LIGHT SHOULD PREFERABLY COME FROM THE LEFT SIDE OR THE BACK DURING LONG HOURS OF STUDY, CLOSE YOUR EYES IN BETWEEN FOR A FEW SECONDS TO REST THEM; THIS HELPS TO CONCENTRATE MORE WHILE STUDYING 28 CLEAN YOUR EARS REGULARLY AFTER BATH BUT NEVER REMOVE WAX FROM THE EAR UNLESS IT INTERFERES WITH HEARING DUE TO HARDENING WAX PROTECTS THE EAR FROM ANY INSECT ATTACK BECAUSE IT IS BITTER IN TASTE 29 TRIM OF YOUR NAILS AND BEARD REGULARLY AS THEY ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFE AND BODY 30 DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE VIOLENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM NASAL COLD THIS FORCES THE GERMS IN THE NOSE AND THROAT TO ENTER THE MIDDLE EAR AND CAUSES DEAFNESS MANY A TIME, NATURAL URGES OCCUR WHEN YOU ARE IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS, THEN YOU TRY TO SUPERS THE URGE THIS MAY LATER LEAD TO BELCHING, CONSTIPATION, SOMETIMES DIARRHOEA, UNEASINESS, LOSS OF APPETITE AND PAIN IN THE ABDOMEN (COMMONLY SEEN IN CHILDREN NOWADAYS) IN SEVERE CASES DRINKING MILK OR MILK WITH CASTOR OIL HELPS AS COMMONLY SEEN IN INDIAN WOMEN, THE URGE TO PASS STOOL IS OFTEN SUPERSEDED THIS LEADS TO HEADACHE, BELCHING, CALF MUSCLE PAIN, AND CHEST PAIN AND IN SEVERE CASES VOMITING URINE RETENTION LEADS TO HEADACHE, SLEEPLESSNESS AND PAIN IN THE REGION OF THE URINARY BLADDER, PENIS, VAGINA OR GROINS TO RELIEVE PAIN IN THE AREA APPLY HAT WATER BOTTLE MANY A TIME A SNEEZE IS HELD BACK LEADS TO HEADACHE AND HAMPERS THIS EFFECTS FUNCTIONING OF THE EYES, EARS AND NOSE IF THIRST IS SUPPRESSED IT LEADS TO LESS WATER INTAKE AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH COUNTLESS STOMACH AILMENTS IN SEVERE CASES IT CAN CAUSE WASTING OF THE BODY AND MAY BE THE CAUSE OF HEART PAIN IF HUNGER IS CONTROLLED OR ONE FASTS FOR LONG HOURS, FORCES THE BODY TO USE STORED ENERGY, LEADING TO MUSCLE WASTAGE NOT SLEEPING WHEN THERE IS AN URGE MAKES YOU DIZZY, INACTIVE AND LEADS TO HEADACHES BREATH CONTROL FOR A LONG PERIOD LEADS TO INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF OXYGEN AND CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS AND OTHER HEART PROBLEMS IF COUGH IS SUPPRESSED, IT CAN INCREASE COUGH ATTACKS, BREATHLESSNESS, HICCUPS, ETC HOLDING BACK TEARS LEADS TO EYE PROBLEMS, VERTIGO AND ROAD TO HEALTH CARE OTHER HEAD RELATED DISEASES SKIN DISEASES, COUGH AND BREATHLESSNESS ARE DUE TO BACK THE URGE TO VOMIT IF SEMEN IS HELD BACK AND NOT ATONED TO BE RELEASED, IT CAN BAD TO PAIN IN THE VAGINAL REGION, FEVER, HEART PAIN, URINE RETENTION AND BODY ACHES 30 AVOID HEAT EXHAUSTION BY COVERING YOUR HEAD WHEN EXPOSED TO THE SUN 31 RESTORE BODY FLUIDS; DRINK LOTS OF WATER AND ELECTROLYTE DRINKS 32 EAT FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 33 AVOID ALCOHOL, IT CAUSES DEHYDRATION AND SERIOUS LIVER AILMENTS 34 AVOID CAFFEINE (PRESENT IN TEA AND COFFEE) AND SMOKING 35 KEEP YOURSELF COOL AND WEAR LIGHT COLOURS 36 DURING SUMMERS MERELY KEEPING A PEELED ONION IN THE POCKET PROTECTS ONE FROM HEAT ALSO EAT RAW ONIONS DURING MEALS, WHICH PREVENTS HEAT STROKE 37 BEFORE MOVING OUT OF THE HOUSE DRINK LOTS OF WATER AND BUTTERMILK 38 IF A PERSON SUFFERS FROM HEAT STROKE, FOR INSTANT RELIEF BOIL FOUR UNRIPE MANGOES, SEPERATE THE JUICE, ADD A LITTLE SALT, TWO GRAMS CUMIN SEEDS (IF POSSIBLE, TWO GRAMS SPEARMINT) AND DRINK IT STOPS VOMITING TO PREVENT HEAT STROKE, 500 GMS OF THIS JUICE SHOULD BE TAKEN TWICE A DAY IT IS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE AS WELL AS A REMEDY YOGA AND YOUR FINGER TIPS IN THIS BOOK, I HAVE DESCRIBED MANY ASANAS OR POSTURES IN DIFFERENT CHAPTERS TO SERVE AS PREVENTIVES FOR SPECIFIC PROBLEMS IN SPECIFIC REGIONS OF THE BODY A STEADY AND PLEASANT POSTURE PRODUCES MENTAL EQUILIBRIUM AND PREVENTS FICKLENESS AND KEEPS AWAY BAD IDEAS FROM THE MIND ASANAS ARE NOT MERELY EXERCISES; THEY ARE POSTURES TO SOOTHE THE NERVES TO PERFORM THEM ONE NEEDS A CLEAN, AIRY PLACE AND DETERMINATION THE LIMBS OF THE BODY PROVIDE THE NECESSARY WEIGHTS AND COUNTER WEIGHTS; THUS ONE DEVELOPS AGILITY, BALANCE, ENDURANCE AND GREAT VITALITY BY PRACTISING THESE ASANAS THEY SECURE A FINE PHYSIQUE, WHICH IS STRONG AND ELASTIC WITHOUT BEING MUSCLE-BOUND AND THEY KEEP THE BODY FREE FROM DISEASE THEY ALSO REDUCE TIREDNESS BUT THEIR REAL IMPORTANCE LIES IN THE WAY THEY TRAIN AND DISCIPLINE THE MIND TIPS KEEP IN MIND WHILE DOING ASANAS OR EXERCISES (A) DISCIPLINE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN REGULARITY: THERE SHOULD BE AN INTERNAL WILL TO PRACTISE DAILY (B) URINE AND STOOL BEFORE STARTING TO EXERCISE (C) ONE SHOULD HAVE A CLEAN BODY BEFORE AND AFTER PERFORMING ASANAS; SO ONE SHOULD BATHE TO REFRESH THE BODY AND MIND (D) YOGA SHOULD NOT BE PRACTISED ON A FULL STOMACH OR FULL BLADDER IF THIS IS DIFFICULT TO REMAIN EMPTY STOMACH, A CUP OF TEA, COFFEE, COCOA OR MILK MAY BE TAKEN BEFOREHAND THE ASANAS CAN BE PRACTISED AFTER AN HOUR OF TAKING OF A LIGHT ROAD TO HEALTH CARE