Shocking Diseases Men Get – Breast Cancer - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

It makes perfect sense that there are some health conditions that favor one sex over another. How could it not? Men and women have different genes, anatomy and predominating hormones. These variances not only influence what symptoms we experience and how we react to treatments, but also our susceptibility to disease in the first place. There are some conditions so closely aligned with women that both doctors and patients overlook them as possible diagnoses in men. But there are 2 noteworthy diseases (Breast cancer & Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) increasingly crossing gender lines to strike men.

Breast Cancer in Men

Breast cancer occurs in women because they have breast tissue. But men have breast tissue too, just much less of it. While less than 1% of breast cancers occur in men, the incidence is on the rise. So the same advice doctors give women - investigate any changes that occur in breast tissue - should also be extended to men.

Why Men Too?

We know that high estrogen and low testosterone levels play a major role in male breast cancer because men who have abnormalities involving the testicles and problems with fertility are at higher risk for the disease. And like some breast cancers in women, estrogen seems to be a major player. Breast tumors in women can be estrogen-receptor positive, meaning they have receptors on the surface of the cells that have a particular fondness for estrogen. When estrogen locks into these receptors, they can fuel the growth of certain types of breast cancers. The same mechanism is also at work in men, whose tumors tend to be mostly estrogen-receptor positive.

Another mechanism for breast cancer in men is buried inside of genes. It turns out that men are not exempt from inheriting (or passing down to their children) breast cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, a factor in many breast cancers that run in families.

What Raises the Risk in Men?

• Klinefelter's Syndrome - A genetic disease where men have an extra X (female) chromosome causes higher estrogen and lower testosterone levels.
• Liver Cirrhosis- Since the liver is involved with the metabolism of sex hormones, damage (via infection or alcohol use) increases estrogen levels.
• Overweight - Fat cells convert male sex hormones into estrogen so being overweight and inactive can increase estrogen.
• Genetic - Men who have female family members who have the breast cancer gene, particularly if they test postive for BRCA or other breast cancer susceptibility genes, are at much higher risk.
• Radiation exposure -Radiation treatments received for other conditions can produce changes to breast cells if the rays are required to go through the chest.

What Should Men Do?

If there is a family history of breast cancer it is particularly important to be vigilant. So genetic testing susceptibility genes makes sense. But there are some simple things that all men can do.

Men can perform monthly breast self-exams to check for any lumps or changes breast tissue. This is done more easily in the shower where you can harness the slippery soapy surface to traverse the breast area. Use a lawn-mowing pattern to make sure all surfaces, including the underarms, are examined.

Here's what men should look for.

• Lumps, bumps or swelling in the breast or underarms
• Nipple retraction, puckering or indentation
• Bleeding or discharge from the nipple
• Redness, scaling or itching of the skin

Like women, there are some benign, non-cancerous conditions that can be taken for male breast cancer, such as gynecomastia, a condition that causes breast enlargement.

The diagnostic tools and treatments available to women are also available to men. Breast cancer in men is diagnosed using mammography, ultrasound and biopsy. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Home remedies - Salt - Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

Salt

Use it for: Sinus congestion, sore throat

How it works: When you mix salt into water at a stronger concentration than the salt water in our bodies, it helps draw fluids out of tissues..

Try this: For a sore throat, dissolve half a teaspoon of non-iodized (better option, if you don't get it go for the iodized one) salt in an glass of water, and simply gargle the water. 

To flush out your sinuses, fill a clean squeeze bottle or neti pot with the solution, lean over a sink, and squeeze or pour it into your nostril. Use only sterile bottled or tap water that has been boiled and then cooled, in your nose. If you are not confident with this procedure do not try. It is recommended you learn it from a naturopathist. This gives a miraculous cure for sinusitis.

Home remedies - Honey - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

Honey

Use it for: Minor cuts and burns, cough or sore throat

How it works: Most of us have tried honey in tea to soothe a scratchy throat, but it's also been used to treat wounds for thousands of years. Last year, a review of research found that honey helps heal minor to moderate burns, and a recent Dutch study identified a protein called defensin-1 that gives the go to its antibacterial action.

Try this: Apply warm honey to a minor cut or mild burn, then put a gauze bandage on top; change the dressing daily. 

Is your eating habit healthy? Check out - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

Stop Hunger with Protein 

If you tend to rush in the mornings, you might be tempted to skip breakfast and just grab a coffee. However, coffee alone doesn’t contain all the nutrients you need to help get your day going. Pay attention to when your hunger calls in the morning, and start your day with a protein-filled breakfast. Protein, in the morning, helps control your appetite by keeping you full throughout the day.

Eat Often

Skipping meals and eating irregularly can seriously slow down your metabolism. They key to boosting your metabolism and maintaining your weight is to actually eat more often! Research has shown that people who eat regularly eat throughout the day have less body fat. You can keep your metabolism moving by either eating five mini meals throughout the day or by eating three big meals with two snacks throughout the day.

Focus on What You Eat

It’s time to break the habit of eating while watching TV. If you eat in front of the TV, you are more likely to be distracted and end up consuming more food than you had intended to eat. When dinner time comes around, try to eat at the table and focus on the food in front of you. By just increasing your attention toward your plate, you will be able to better gauge how much you eat.

Make Yourself a Proper Plate

While eating food out of the container may be convenient, it may also be causing you to overeat. In order to avoid this, make yourself a proper plate by taking the food out of its serving tray. This way you can monitor how much food you are consuming and eat up to 20% less.

Avoid Alcohol during Your Meal

Drinking alcohol while you eat could cause you to overindulge without even noticing. Being aware of how much you eat is essential in achieving portion control. Avoid overeating by saving your drink and also protect your body.

Did you have a sore throat recently, learn how to tackle it - By Dr. P. T. Ezhil Selvan

A sore throat can be the first sign of a cold, a side effect of strained vocal cords, or an indication of something more serious (like strep throat).

Regardless of the cause, your immediate concern when soreness strikes is how to get relief, fast. You may be tempted to run to your doctor, but some of the best treatments are home remedies.

Here are 10 to try the next time you're feeling scratchy, hoarse, or just plain sick.

Saltwater gargle

Several studies have found that gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus, helping to flush out irritants or bacteria.

It is recommend dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. If the salty taste is too unpleasant for you, try adding a small amount of honey to sweeten the mixture slightly. (Just remember to spit the water out after gargling, rather than swallowing!)

Fluids
Staying hydrated is very important, especially when you're sick and your throat is irritated or inflamed. You should be drinking enough fluid so that your urine is light yellow or clear. This keeps your mucous membranes moist and better able to combat bacteria and irritants like allergens, and makes your body better able to fight back against other cold symptoms.

What you drink is up to you. Water always works, but you can also change it up with something slightly sugary, like a watered-down fruit juice, or something salty, like chicken broth.


Tea

Tired of drinking water? A warm cup of herbal tea can offer immediate, soothing relief for a sore throat. What's more, non-herbal teas—whether they're made with black, green, or white leaves—contain antioxidants that are thought to strengthen immunity and ward off infection.

For an extra boost, add a teaspoon of honey. It'll help the "medicine" go down, and it has antibacterial properties that may help you heal faster.

Chicken soup
An age-old home remedy for colds, chicken soup can help soothe a sore throat, as well. The sodium in the broth may actually have anti-inflammatory properties, and it can feel good going down.

Soup has an added benefit when you're sick: Eating can be painful and difficult with a swollen or very sore throat, so sipping some liquid nourishment will ensure that you're getting the nutrients you need to fight off your infection.

Herbal medicine from your kitchen
Garlic, Ginger and Turmeric are all very good antibiotics and anti-viral which could destroy most of the bacteria and viruses.

Ginger juice can be taken with or without honey which will check sore throat. Garlic can be chewed which can destroy most organisms and will soothe your throat. Garlic has the pungent smell which may make your breath stink a bit, as it has a lot of sulphur in it, which in turn acts as a good antiseptic. Turmeric which takes part in nearly all Indian food. Turmeric powder can be dissolved in water and be used as a gargle.

Remember most of the throat infection are viral infections where an antibiotic does not work, viral infections are rectified by the immune system of our body. But there are many herbs which can check these viruses without even a single side effect.

Rest
It may not be the quickest solution, but getting some rest is probably the best thing you can do to battle the infection that caused your sore throat in the first place, Dr. Linder says.

"The vast majority of sore throats are caused by cold viruses, and we know that there's very little we can do to cure a cold once we've got it," he says. "Making sure your body is well rested will at least help it fight off the virus so you can get better sooner."

Medicinal uses of Ginger - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

Ginger is part and parcel of our Indian food. It is also an essential ingredient of Siddha system of medicine. We shall see here some of the important aspects of Ginger for our health. Ginger is one of the best anti-oxidant, which is called a kaya-karppam (¸¡Â ¸üÀõ) in Siddha medicine, meaning a substance which increases our longevity. 

Ginger can be cut into slices and it should be soaked in honey and when we eat this regularly it will act as an anti-oxidant, as advised by Siddhars. By eating the above honey soaking – stomach pain due to gastric problem, flatulence, vomiting sensation, intestinal disorders will be cured.

It has been proved that ginger has anti-cancer property and it can considerably reduce cancerous cells in ovarian cancer. Ginger has a compound called Gingerol, which has anti-cancer property.

Gingerol also has anti-asthmatic properties. Ginger juice, small onion juice and lemon juice should be taken in equal quantity and this mixture should be taken two times a day for three days which will reduce wheezing and cough seen in asthma.

• Scientific evidence shows ginger heals migraine pain, dysmenorrhea (Painful mensuration), reduces blood cholesterol level thereby reduces high blood pressure.

• Ginger is a very good hepatoprotective. Early stages of liver disorders, like enlargement of liver and fatty liver can be cured by ginger.
• Ginger works well with people having nausea in morning sickness (Vomiting sense during pregnancy) and those taking chemotherapy. 
• Ginger has sialagogue property that is it will increase secretion of saliva which aids in digestion and easy intake of food.

Ginger juice should be avoided for those who have diahorrea, heartburn and mouth irritation due to ulcers.

How to stay healthy this summer – By. Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

Summer is around the corner. Here in India summers could get that hot, it may lead to medical attention. Let’s get ready to face this and find some scientific ways to be fit to resist it.

Skin cells contain mostly water, and if you're dehydrated, skin can look and feel parched. While the “8 glasses a day” rule is no longer valid, it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking when you're thirsty. An average adult need approximately 4 liters of water per day. Drinking lots of water is the best way to avoid sun stroke.

Take lots of fruits and vegetables. Juices are the best way to be hydrated. Fruits and vegetables will give you lots of Vitamins and minerals, also adds a lot of fiber to your diet. Most of the fruits are rich in antioxidants which will check your immunity and keep most of the lifestyle disorders at bay. Watermelon is more than just a tasty dessert alternative or salad addition. Its high levels of lycopene mean that it’s a valuable ally in the fight against heart disease. Pink grapefruit and guava boast similar lycopene content, so eat up.

Healthy fat contains essential fatty acids that help skin resist UV damage. EFAs (Essential fatty acids) are also part of the cell membranes that help hold in moisture. EFAs are found in most vegetable oils like sunflower, safflower, Mustard seed, Corn, Soya, Wheat germ, Pumpkin seed, Walnut, Most grains and green leafy vegetables. Fish oils are a very good source of EFAs. The body can't synthesize EFAs, so consume about 1 tablespoon of these oils daily to keep skin supple.

Green Tea is rich in antioxidants that decrease inflammation and protect cell membranes. Studies have shown that tea may also reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light. Green tea is especially rich in a compound known as EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) which may acts as a "fountain of youth" of sorts for skin by reactivating dying skin cells. EGCG is the most abundant catechin in tea.

Coconuts can be a great medicine! - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

When we think coconuts, we think large palm trees and tranquil beaches. When we think of coconuts, do we really think of a metabolism-enhancing, vitamin-rich power fruit?

Named ‘coco’ by Spanish explorers for its resemblance to a monkey’s face, the coconut palm is called by many as the ‘Tree of Life.’ Coastal dwellers internationally use almost every single part of it to some benefit. For instance, it provides a refreshing water product, vitamin-rich pulp and milk; oil used for both edible and non-edible purposes, as a beverage, shells for fuel and industrial manufacturing, thatch, and timber.

The fruit of the palm reveals a vast number of health benefits. There are four main edible products of the fruit: 

Coconut Water
There are three main growth stages of a coconut: tender, half-matured and fully mature. The fruit contains the highest concentration of water in the baby and half-matured stages of the fruit. This water is enriched with protein, minerals, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B and C. In fact, coconut water has the exact same composition as our blood plasma. Therefore, when consuming it, we are truly rehydrating our blood. 

Coconut water is probably even more sterile straight from the fruit than RO or distilled water, given that the water is naturally filtered for almost 9 months through the fibers of the fruit and then is stored in the sterile cavity of the nut. 

Coconut water has been tested to possess anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that clean your digestive system. Research also shows that this water also boosts the thyroid function by up to 20%, which means that both energy levels and metabolism are increased. 

Coconut pulp or meat

The white, tender meat, usually found in half-matured and fully mature stages of the fruit, is often grated for use directly in cooking or is made into either coconut milk or oil. 



We´ve all heard that all coconut products are high in saturated or ‘bad’ fat that increase the risk of heart disease and obesity. The truth is that oil and milk do indeed contain saturated fats, but not necessarily the harmful kinds that we are usually warned against, when consumed in moderation. 

The fat in coconut meat is easily digestible and less likely to accumulate in your body than other saturated fats. Additionally, almost half of the fatty acids in coconut oil or milk are identified as lauric acid. Upon entering the body, lauric acid is converted into monolaurin, which is known to kill harmful bacteria, yeast, fungi, and viruses. That being said, the bottom line is that coconut meat does indeed contain saturated fat, which most nutritionists recommend a moderate intake. 

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is particularly known to be medically beneficial, possibly protecting again osteoporosis, cancers, infections, liver and kidney disease, and obesity to name just a few. Coconut oil is also used frequently in South India as a hair and skin conditioner, insect repellent, and UV-ray protector. It is also a healthy and appropriate cooking medium given that it doesn´t go rancid easily (being a saturated fat- the better kind!) and can withstand high heat, like frying conditions.

Home remedies to prevent gum disease - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

The best way to keep gum disease at bay is good oral hygiene. In most cases it can be reversed by practising proper plaque control. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Floss once or twice a day preferably after dinner. You could also eat the following foods to keep gum disease at bay.

Whole grains

Research has shown that whole grains are great for your teeth. A study from McMaster University, Canada found that men who ate at least three servings of whole grains were 23% less likely to suffer from periodontitis than those who ate more wholegrain breads. It also stabilised blood sugar levels in diabetics which reduces periodontitis.

Green vegetables

Not only is green tea great for your overall health thanks to its high antioxidant value but it’s also great for your mouth! It has anti-inflammatory powers to prevent periodontal gum disease, prevents tooth loss and keeps bad breath away! In fact, it’s better for preventing bad breath than more commonly used items like mints and chewing gums!

Herbal remedies

In many parts of rural India, it’s the norm to use neem twigs to brush one’s teeth instead of toothpaste and brushes. The plant itself has immense antimicrobial and antifungal properties. A study tested whether neem could be used to treat gum disease and they found that it was actually better than regular mouthwash! Other than neem, ginger is known to help maintain healthy teeth and gums and prevent plaque.  The highly valued holy basil (tulsi), a natural antibiotic, is known to protect against bleeding gums and also increase the whiteness of the teeth. The antibacterial property of basil can prevent dental plaque build-up and eliminate bad odour too.

Home remedies for mouth ulcers - Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

If the mouth ulcer is causing a lot of pain, gently rub a small ice cube over the spot or rinse your mouth with ice-cold water. This won’t make the ulcer disappear, but it can help reduce the pain. Similarly, you could also chew on a clove bud (lavang) and direct the juice so generated to the area where the ulcer is located. The mild anaesthetic effect of the clove will reduce the pain you feel. To prevent the ulcerated area from getting infected, make it a point to rinse your mouth with a little salt water.

Tulsi

The leaves of the tulsi plant have amazing medicinal properties and one of the important actions of tulsi is as an adaptogen – a substance that aids the body to adapt to stress. Chew a few leaves of tulsi along with some water about three to four times every day. This will help the ulcers go away faster and also have a preventive action against their recurrence.

Honey

Honey is a natural humectant – that is, it helps to retain moisture and prevent dehydration. It also helps reduce scarring and hastens the process of new tissue growth. This, along with its anti-microbial effect ensures faster healing of the mouth ulcer. You can either dab a little honey onto the mouth ulcer or mix in a little turmeric to make a paste that can be applied to the affected area. Here are some health benefits of honey.

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds – கசகாசா - khus-khus in Hindi – are said to have a cooling effect on the body. According to Ayurveda, too much heat in the body manifests as mouth ulcers and therefore, poppy seeds are a good remedy to overcome this problem. Read how you can actually use poppy seeds to treat your ulcers.

Coconut

Dry coconut, coconut oil and coconut water are the three products of the coconut tree that are very useful in treating mouth ulcers. Drinking tender coconut water helps to cool the body down. Applying a little coconut oil directly onto the mouth ulcer or chewing some coconut (fresh or dry) helps to reduce pain and inflammation and this helps the ulcers heal faster.

Licorice

Called Mulethi in Hindi, Yashtimadhu in Sanskrit and Adhimadhuram (அதிமதுரம்) in Tamil, licorice has several medicinal properties. Scientific studies have found that it contains ingredients with marked anti-inflammatory properties which are responsible for its action against painful mouth ulcers. Mulethi is available as stem pieces as well as in powder form. Rub the stem with a little water on a grinding stone and apply the paste to the ulcerated area. Or, if you buy the licorice powder, disperse it in some honey or medicinal quality glycerin and apply to the mouth ulcer. You can also mix a little licorice powder with turmeric into a glass of warm milk and drink three or four times in a day for good results.

Health Benefits of Garlic - By Dr. P.T. Ezhil Selvan

Most Indian cuisine is incomplete without the use of garlic, an ingredient which not only adds flavour to the food, but is also packed with health benefits. Garlic gets its pungent odour from sulphur-containing compounds. Allicin, is the most important compound present in garlic, as it has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

Garlic can be used to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, colds and flu. Garlic can also be used to treat skin infections and boost the immune system. In this article, we explore the health benefits of garlic.

Garlic strengthens the immune system and can help the body fight colds, cough and chest infections. Since garlic contains large amounts of iodine, it is very effective in treating hyperthyroid. Research also shows that garlic can be used to treat cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. 

Garlic also contains large amounts of vitamin C and B6, which are needed for a healthy skin, immune system and helps in the growth of new cells. Some studies show that vitamin B6 can help with mood swings and improve one’s disposition. Garlic can also be used to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and stomach cancer, because it has high levels of vitamin B6, which is known for its cancer fighting properties. 

Many diabetics also use garlic to regulate their blood sugar levels, as garlic enhances the level of insulin in the blood.

 

 However, it is important to note that eating too much garlic, especially raw garlic, can cause body odour, as garlic leaves the body through the skin’s pores. So, make sure that you eat only two or three cloves (raw) of garlic a day, for a healthy, strong body.