Cell Phones and Health

One of the most common sights we see these days is that of people with their mobile phones next to their ears. A boon for better communication, cell phone usage nonetheless has many health hazards. Various studies indicate that the emissions from a cell phone can be extremely harmful, causing genetic damage, tumors, memory loss, and increased blood pressure and weakening of the immune system. This is alarming information, and one has to take into account all these factors

CELL PHONES AND HEALTH

• Though there is no evidence of cell phones causing cancer or any such illness, but the suspicion, or fear of the same is not baseless either. The electromagnetic radiation from cell phones does have a potential link to cancer. The fact that this radiation is invisible, intangible, and enters and leaves our bodies without our knowledge makes it even more intimidating. 

Possible hazards:

Two minutes of exposure to emissions from mobile phones can disable a safety barrier in blood causing proteins and toxins to leak into the brain, could increase chances of developing Alzheimer's multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. (Scientists at Sweden's Lund University) Scientists say exposure to the phones' low-level radiation causes red blood cells to leak hemoglobin and can lead to heart disease and kidney stones. Recent studies suggesting a link between cell-phone use and brain tumors, and the possibility that the microwaves could ignite petroleum fumes at gas stations. A cell phone unit, or communications tower, has so many of thee radiation emanating gadgets. This can be a problem for its immediate environment.  SPECIFIC HEALTH CONCERNS Cancer / Tumors  Studies have been conducted suggesting that rats that have been exposed to microwaves similar to the sort generated by mobile phones but more powerful, showed breaks in their DNA which could indicate an adverse effect. Also, mice exposed to radiation for 18 months developed brain tumors. Though of course, these studies are not concrete proof.  Blood Pressure  It was observed that people using cell phones were prone to high blood pressure. Again, there isn't any concrete evidence of the same.  Pregnancy  A study at the University of Montpellier in France was carried out on 6000 chick embryos and suggested that the heavily exposed chick eggs were five times less likely to survive than the control group.  This study raised questions about possible effects on pregnant women but it has not yet appeared in peer-reviewed scientific literature or been reproduced, so its findings are difficult to assess. Headaches, Heating Effects, Fatigue  A study brought out that longer the people used mobile phones, the more likely they were to report symptoms such as hot ears, burning skin, headaches and fatigue.  The study did not include a control group (that is people who do not use mobile phones, to make a comparison); therefore the symptoms reported could have been caused by any number of other factors in the mobile phones users' environment, such as working with computers, stress, driving or reading.  Memory  There have been various studies into the connection between mobile phones and memory loss. A study looked into the effect of radiofrequency (RF) on the section of rats' brains that is linked with the memory. The results showed that RF could modify signals in the cells in a part of the brain that is responsible for learning and short term memory.  Posture (holding phone between raised shoulder and ear)  Some researchers claim that holding a mobile phone between the raised shoulder and the ear could have a damaging effect on muscles, bones, tendons and discs. These problems would apply equally to a cordless phone or a landline phone as to a mobile phone and are the effect of bad posture.  Mobile Phones and Children  Because of their smaller heads, thinner skulls and higher tissue conductivity, children may absorb more energy from a given phone than adults. PREVENTION TIPS Cell phones should be used for emergencies, and not for long conversations. A small chip-like cell phone microwave radiation protection device is available, which has the ability to absorb electromagnetic energy waves from your mobile phone. It helps in reducing the potential harmful effects of these emissions to the human body. Using a mobile headset is a good idea, you don't have to hold phones next to your   ears all the time Use a hands free mobile car kit while driving, without taking your hands off the steering wheel THE WHO (World Health Organization) RULES Mobile phone users should limit their exposure to harmful radio frequencies by cutting the length of calls. Hands-free devices cut exposure by keeping the instrument away from the head and body. Driving cum mobile phone talking should be banned. Mobile phones should not be used in Intensive Care Units of hospitals as they can   pose a danger to patients by interfering with the working of pacemakers and defibrillators. People with hearing aids should not use mobile phones. Base stations, which have low powered antennae on their terrace to communicate   with cell phones, should not be located near children's schools and playgrounds. CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING Studies indicate that a lot of car accidents have happened, while the driver was on the phone. This is because while driving, one obviously needs to concentrate, and talking on a phone doesn't help. Some countries like Portugal have banned the use of cell phones, which may not be very practical, as their main use is to be     reachable while you are on the move. Thus, it is important to take certain precautions while driving: Position your phone within easy reach so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road. Get to know the features of your cell phone - speed dial, redial, voice mail, they can be your lifesaver. But don't dial and drive at the same time. Use a hands free kit. Avoid using a phone when road conditions are hazardous or traffic is heavy. You can let your voice mail take messages and then call back later. Don't engage in stressful conversations that may distract your attention from the road. Don't take notes or look up phone numbers whilst driving, wait till you can pull over. User abbreviated speed dialing. In fact, voice activated dialing is even better. It leaves both hands free. Frequently called numbers can be programmed. Have an answering machine installed that could take messages until you can return the calls. Let your co-passenger handle the calls if you are not travelling alone. Globalisation is the new mantra. In this age, it is very difficult not to have technology. But with technology, come certain hazards. The only way to beat these is again, better technology. Electromagnetic radiation is everywhere. More and more wireless communication services (cellular phones, paging, wireless Internet) are expected so is the artificial electromagnetic radiation. It seems that there is no way to reverse this trend. Scientists and engineers are developing better and safer wireless systems and devices. Smaller cell size, better base station antennas and other more advanced technologies will allow future cell phones to radiate much lower power. So one can only hope that cell phone hazards will be reduced.

Signs of an Unhappy Marriage

How to know that your Marriage is in Trouble

Not all marriages are made in heaven. A marriage in order to be a happy one takes a considerable amount of work. There are many signs to an unhappy marriage. I am giving below some of those signs. If either or any of the partners is behaving in such a manner then the chances are that it is an unhappy or failing marriage.

Frequent Arguments and Disrespect: 

If there are frequent disagreements between the husband and wife it is a definite sign that all is not well in the marriage. Abusive behavior and disrespect is another sign of an unhappy marriage. Some couples even resort to constant name calling, hurtful or vulgar behavior and bringing up issues that will purposely hurt the other person. Some not only curse each other they even throw objects at each other or get violent with each other. This can also be devastating for children of the unhappy couple if any.

Lack of Communication: 

If either or one partner has stopped communicating like he or she used to earlier that is a sure sign of unhappiness in marriage. While some couples choose to get into arguments or verbal lashing some couples stop communicating and keep a distance with each other. They stop sharing their thoughts and feelings with each other and stop consulting each other about home or personal issues. Couples in unhappy marriages often busy themselves with distractions to avoid the real issues.

Lies or keeping Secrets from one another: 

When the Marriage is on rocks many couples become too secretive about their activities. For instance if the spouse leaves the room frequently for private phone conversations or switch of the phone suddenly when the partner appears in front of them it is a sign to be beware. A happy couple often talks about their plans for the future. One of the signs of an unhappy marriage is that the spouse no longer shares hopes and dreams of future with you.

Not Spending time with you: 

If your spouse suddenly has started to spend more time with friends regularly than they spend time with you it is a sign of troubles in your relationship. Your spouse may even find excuses to stay at work late just to avoid being with you. Frequent trips made by one party or both, extended working hours, more time spent separately with friends and general avoidance of the other party can all be signs of an unhappy marriage. If the Spouse suddenly develops new hobbies and prefers to spend time alone without your company it is one of the signs that your marriage is in trouble. Such a person may also display Escapism.

Lack of Intimacy and Affection: 

If either of the parties do not display signs of love or affection like hugs, kiss or compliments then the marriage has lost its spark. Many times the spouse may also indulge in comparing you with others or praising others in front of you. Many times even the hand holding is gone, the pats on the back are absent and they usually won’t be sleeping in the same bed also. Lack of intimacy is one of the most common indicators of lack of emotional connection. Though the honeymoon phase may not last forever a total disinterest or lack of intimacy with spouse may be a sign of marital discontent.

Drinking or Drug usage: 

Some people tend to think they can drown their problems by drinking or using drugs. If such a habit has started suddenly that may be a sign of an unhappy marriage.

Partner Infidelity : 

Adultery or Partner Infidelity is a clear sign that the marriage is an unhappy one. When such a thing happens it is very hard to recover from an affair because once trust is gone it does not come back fast. There are instances when the marriage is under false pretenses (like the husband is not a Gay when he is one). A cheating husband or wife is a clear indication of an unhappy marriage.Sometimes one may make a sudden change in appearance or be secretive of their phone calls and may indulge in huge credit card spending when they are cheating on their spouses apart from spending time away from home. 

Body language: 

The Body language between the husband and wife can also point if the marriage is a happy or unhappy one. Bad body language and behavior between spouses can be indication of an unhappy marriage.

Selfishness and not caring for the needs of the Spouse: 

When marriage is unhappy it will appear that one spouse will be unselfish with his or her feelings. He or she will not care that their activities bother the other person or care for the other persons needs.

Depression and Loneliness: 

If any of the partners is suffering from any form of depression or is exhibiting signs of depression is clear that he or she is unhappy. He or she will get even unhappy with the marriage if they feel alone in this suffering.Some may even have stronger feelings of regret regarding a choice of partner. Many may lose or put weight in such a condition because they either eat more or eat less.

Falling out of Love or having unrealistic Expectations: 

Many enter into marriage with unrealistic expectations and when they do not get fulfilled the marriage becomes an unhappy one. There are also instances where the couple who was in love fall out of love and lose interest in the spouse.

Other Issues: 

Sometimes other issues also can lead to unhappiness in marriage like monetary troubles or work pressures. There can also be problems from in laws or children.

In order to make a marriage succeed both husband and wife should stay emotionally connected and work towards building trust and love in the relationship. Have I missed anything? Please feel free to add through Comments.

Be A Good Husband

Some Ways to Be A Good Husband was the first post that hit it big on Stumble upon, and still gets a lot of search traffic.  It’s also the most popular post for people who are looking through the archives.  Here’s the post.

Respect the Sanctity of Marriage

Put your marriage first. Whether you are religious or not, some things are just sacred. Marriage is very near the top of the list of sacred things. Society is built on successful families and successful families are built on a bedrock foundation of trust, love and fidelity. If every man in the world would treat his marriage like it was the most important thing in the world, above his career, friends, and hobbies, then so much of society’s problems would be solved.

Be Her Sounding Board

Listen to what your wife has to say. Sometimes she needs to talk to someone and that doesn’t necessarily mean she needs you to fix it. This has always been a difficult thing for me to do. Sometimes instead of having a problem fixed, women just want someone to listen to them so they can talk it out and work it out in their own minds and hearts. She might ask for suggestions or thoughts, but sometimes what she really wants is just a sounding board.

Show Respect and Withhold Judgment

Most likely (HOPEFULLY!) you respected your wife’s intelligence and capabilities when you married her. You should continue to do that. Women want to feel respected and cherished. They want to feel safe. If your wife makes a suggestion that you disagree with or find unreasonable, try asking her what she means, and do it in as kind a tone as possible. You might find that behind her unreasonable suggestion is a little nugget of wisdom that you did not recognize.

Know When to Make it About You

Every marriage should be built on the premise of making it about your spouse first. There are times, however, when an individual’s needs must be met before they can be capable of helping others. If you are really upset about something, don’t just bury it under manly silence. Tell her about it and ask for her help. Most wives will be more than glad to listen and care about you. You are not less of a man if you need help with a problem every once in a while, or if you just need to blow off a little steam. Indeed, I would say that most wives appreciate it a great deal when their husbands really open up to them about what’s troubling them.

Word Hard and Work Smart

Women are attracted to men who are able providers, protectors, and nurturers. They want a man who can and will be an able partner in life. It is fulfilling for a man to work hard and succeed at whatever he does. if the job requires more time than originally estimated, if it’s more strenuous than originally thought, a Good Husband will gird up his loins and redouble his efforts. Of course, working long and difficult hours when you don’t have to is less than effective. Think about what you’re doing and whether it’s actually worth it. Is there a better way to get it done? Can it be more efficient? Good Husbands use their intellect as well as their brawn.

Be A Leader

Do you have something you believe in? Do you hold to your convictions no matter what? If so, these are admirable traits in a man. I’m not talking about being obstinate or obtuse, I mean standing up for what’s right and convincing others to do the same. There is a whole industry built around learning how to lead, but let me just say this: if more men would take the time to help those who need a little direction, the world would be a better place.

Care About Her Well Being

Not all of you will have to live with having a spouse who is chronically ill, but you will have to deal with illness, injury, and emotional distress. You should care about how your wife is feeling. She is delicate and sensitive. She needs to be cared for and it is your responsibility to do so. In addition to general health concerns, women feel better when they are allowed to be beautiful. Pamper her. I remember when I first got married and found out how much makeup and hair products cost. I almost went through the roof, but then I realized that it makes my wife happy, which in turn makes me happy.

Be Generous and Fair

I take care of the family finances in our household and I always make sure that my wife has some money. Whoever takes care of the money in your house, make sure that your wife is cared for and not deprived. Buy her treats and presents. Be liberal with your household budget and trust that she will be careful with the hard earned money. It’s amazing what a woman can do with a home when she is allowed free reign with decorating and arranging.

Think Like a Team

However you have worked out your roles within the household, whether one works and one stays home with the kids, or both work, you are a team working towards a common goal. Do you have goals? My wife and I sit down each Sunday afternoon and have family counsel. We talk about our plans for the week, how we can help each other, any business that needs to be discussed, and then we share at least 3 three things we like about each other. It usually takes about 30 minutes but it’s an integral part of our marriage.

Show Respect:

If you expect respect from others you need to treat others with respect too. Respect can be reflected in the way one talks and behaves. Always speak in a loving manner and refrain from speaking harshly. A good husband never chooses to belittle strike, humiliate or otherwise harm his wife in private or in public. It is better to watch what you say and to think your thoughts through before speaking as it is not possible to take back the words once they have been spoken. Treat her with respect in front of others and at home. Do not look at other ladies in front of her. Take in consideration her opinion when making important decisions of the family. If you are bringing your buddies home let her know in advance.

Keep her happy in Bed:

Sexual intimacy is one of the most essential things in any marriage. Good Sex helps to strengthen your emotional and physical attraction to her. Please your wife in bed and be faithful to her. No woman would tolerate a cheating partner. Good sex plays a vital part when it comes to a satisfying relationship and if you are not skilled in bed that is going to be a major turn off. Never grumble about having to support children you didn't want to have. If you were irresponsible enough to help her get pregnant, then it is your duty to pay for that child.Do not bring porn into a relationship. Porn will only create unrealistic expectations in your mind about your spouse’s libido, body, and comfort level with weird sex positions.

In short, if you don't like how you partner treats you, take a minute to notice how you treat your partner and correct your behavior. If you are an ideal husband, that will help your wife to be an ideal wife. A wife usually responds to the way that she is treated. If she is treated like she is worthless, she will be worthless to you. But, if you treat her well, she will be a jewel in your crown, a pleasure to you and a forever blessing.

Love and Affection:

Show your love and affection to her as often as possible. Every woman is a sucker of affection. If you only give them that stuff to get to bed, your wife is going to notice and think it's insincere. A good husband will appreciate his wife and will notice her, even after twenty or fifty years of marriage. She needs you to notice when she gets that new haircut or dresses up in something sexy for you to come home to. If you fail to notice what she is doing for you too many times, she may just count it as fruitless and quit. Gift your Partner something fancy when she least expects it. Surprise her by planning a trip, preparing a nice dinner, giving a bunch of her favorite flowers or taking her out for shopping. Every Woman likes to be pampered. Women, one way or the other, are nothing but over grown babies who constantly need care. But every woman has their likings, give things what she likes instead of forcing your likes on her and show her that you care and would be always there for her. Never forget the special days in her life. Make an effort to initiate spontaneous affection with your wife. Build the companionship by doing things together whether it is a common interest or hobby. Give her a hug or surprise kiss and tell her how much you love her. Hold hands with her when you’re out together. These small gestures show your wife that you’ve thought of her and help you reinforce your commitment to your wife.

Top 10 super foods

We're all entitled to having our particular likes and dislikes when it comes to the food we eat. But which foods should we all make a point of including in our diets, because they're simply magic?

Take a look at our list of top 10 super foods – and find out why you just can't afford to go without them. The good news is that some of your favourites probably made the list:

1. Tuna
Tuna, and other fatty, dark-skinned fish, came out tops.

Fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Research suggests that the omega-3s can also play a role in preventing conditions like hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, depression, dry eye syndrome, and possibly cancer. These are all diseases that affect a staggering number of people across the globe.

Make a plan to eat fatty fish at least two to three times a week. Just make sure you lay off on the batter and added fat.

2. Eggs
A single egg is packed with goodness. And while eggs do contain cholesterol, the effect is not as detrimental as scientists once believed.

For as little as 75 calories, an egg provides 12% of the daily recommended value for protein, as well as a wide variety of other nutrients such as vitamin A, B6, B12, D, folate, iron, phosphorous and zinc.

On top of this, the humble egg is now also categorised as a "functional food", i.e. a food that provides health benefits beyond its basic nutritional benefits.

The key is the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, found in egg yolks. These substances collect in parts of the eye and have been shown to play a role in promoting vision and preventing some common causes of blindness.

A word of warning though: make sure your cholesterol levels are normal before you start including more eggs in your diet. You may be suffering from high cholesterol without knowing it.

However, if your cholesterol levels have been tested and are normal, two or three eggs per week could boost your health. Just remember to opt for poached, boiled or scrambled eggs instead of fried ones.

(Keep an eye out for pasteurised eggs. These eggs, which are now available at Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores in Gauteng and the Western Cape, are safe to use if you're pregnant or immune compromised.)

3. Beans
Baked beans, black beans, lima beans, kidney beans. Eating plenty of beans can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and help prevent cancer, researchers say.

This is mostly due to the fact that beans are a rich source of antioxidants. A variety of veggies, fruits, legumes and nuts recently battled it out for the top spot on a new list of the 20 most antioxidant-rich foods. The small red bean came out tops, and red kidney beans and pinto beans weren't far behind.

A serving (one-third cup of cooked beans) contains about 80 calories (336kJ), little fat, no cholesterol, and plenty of complex carbohydrates. These legumes also provide a good source of B vitamins, potassium and fibre.

Legumes make a great side dish and can also be used as a substitute for meat as it's inexpensive. While legumes don't contain complete proteins such as meat, you could supplement your diet by eating grain or dairy products along with legumes. This is particularly useful in the diet of the vegetarian.

4. Cocoa
Here's a bit of good news for chocoholics: the delicious treat could lower your risk for heart disease and hypertension.

It looks like cocoa exerts its positive effect mainly in three ways: firstly, by keeping the endothelium (the layer of cells that lines the heart and blood vessels) healthy, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks; secondly, by lowering blood pressure, which is also related to heart disease; and thirdly, by modulating platelet function in a similar way as aspirin does.

However, the key ingredients in cocoa, what scientists call flavanols, are only present in dark chocolate.

Although more research needs to be done, it's probably safe to say that a small helping (10 g) of good-quality chocolate every day could do no harm – if the chocolate is of the darker variety, and if it forms part of an energy-controlled diet.

5. Brazil nuts
Due to Brazil nuts' high selenium content, these nuts can be seen as a "complete" protein source.

This means that, unlike the proteins in most plant products, Brazil nuts' proteins contain all the necessary amino acids to foster optimal growth in humans in the same way as proteins from animal products do. But even animal products, like chicken and beef, don't contain as much selenium as Brazil nuts do.

Selenium is also a powerful antioxidant, which protects against harmful free radicals that may cause heart disease and cancer. Selenium is also important for healthy immunity. And Brazil nuts are also a very good source of zinc (essential to digestion and metabolism).

Eight medium Brazil nuts count as one serving (30 g). Since these nuts are high in fat, they shouldn't be included in the diet more than three times per week. These nuts should also replace other fats in the diet and shouldn't just be added.

Note, however, that, because of its high saturated fat content, Brazil nuts could be a dangerous addition to your diet if you are at risk of heart disease. Rather opt for nuts with less fat, like almonds, if this is the case.

6. Garlic
Garlic is not only a great way to add a little kick to a pasta dish; it also offers tremendous health benefits because of its high antioxidant content.

Research has shown that garlic could help prevent heart disease, hypertension and cancer, and can possibly improve lung function. Garlic is also a great way to boost one's immunity – especially in wintertime.

Include a clove or two of garlic in your diet every day. Just make sure that the garlic isn't overcooked. And steer clear of garlic if you're on anti-coagulant medication.

7. Yoghurt
Yoghurt not only contains bone-building calcium, but is also a great source of probiotics.

Probiotics are microbial foods or supplements that can be used to change or improve the intestinal bacterial balance to boost the health of the host. Probioics thwart the overgrowth of harmful bacteria by competing for attachment sites and nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract.

Include a tub of fat-free or low-fat yoghurt in your diet every day – just make sure the label states "live AB cultures".

8. Citrus
You probably know that citrus fruits are a fantastic source of vitamin C, but did you know that oranges, naartjies, lemons and grapefruit are all also rich in antioxidants?

Citrus contains zeaxathin (like eggs) that maintains healthy vision. These fruits are rich in flavanones that play a role in preventing cancer. Citrus fruits also contain caffeic acid that may reduce the risk of heart disease and eye disease.

A variety of delicious citrus fruits are available in South Africa. Depending on the season, try to include citrus fruits in your diet as often as possible.

9. Bananas
Research has shown that high-potassium foods, of which the banana is a prime example, may lower the risk of stroke.

Potassium also plays a vital role in the functioning of the muscles, heart and nerves. It ensures that the body’s fluid levels remain balanced and that the body is neither too alkaline nor too acidic. It also prevents calcium from being lost in the urine.

Eating bananas before bedtime can also make for a good night's sleep, as bananas help to increase serotonin levels. To top these benefits, bananas help to maintain bowel health and are good energy-boosting snacks.

10. Cranberries
Cranberries are packed with proanthocyanidins that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve urinary tract health. New research shows that cranberry juice may also work against gastrointestinal viruses.

Drink 300 ml cranberry juice every day to reap the benefits.