Facts About Chocolate – The Heart Medicine

An every day ratio of dark bitter chocolate could help prevent heart diseases, according to a study realized by a team of Swiss researchers. The Swiss researchers say that the anti-oxidants from chocolate could prevent the blood veins to become smaller and less wide.

The research team came to this conclusion after testing on a group of 20 volunteers, which were smokers without health problems. The subjects were asked not to eat any types of aliments rich in anti-oxidants such as apples, onion and cabbage and after that they were given 40 grams of different types of chocolate.

Two hours after consuming the chocolate, the echo-graph showed that black chocolate, with a cocoa percent of at least 74%, significantly improved the blood flow. Additionally, ulterior tests showed that the risk of encountering blood accidents and blockages has been decreased to half of the initial risk. 

However, white chocolate did not achieve similar effects. The researches that performed the study say that dark chocolate contain the biggest quantity of anti-oxidants for one gram than any other products like red vine, green tea or forests fruits.

Chocolate is indeed an aliment that has many anti-oxidant elements in it. But it also contains fats and glucoses in huge quantities. So, it can cause weight problems if excessively consumed.

The best thing to do is to adjust your chocolate portion to your actual weight and to the amount of physical effort you make everyday. Persons that are involved in a great deal of effort can consume chocolate without fearing weight problems. 

But the ones that don’t, like people working in offices, sitting all day on a chair and not doing any kind of sports are confronted with a big problem if they eat too much chocolate. If the organism doesn’t call for sweets, like it does when we are cold, tired or worn out, then the chocolate use should be reduced to a minimal portion a day.

26 Causes Of Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day to day activities of so many people. The offensive odor from the mouth is unpleasant to those who come in close contact with bad breathers.

The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression. The sufferers from this problem will be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.

Literally speaking all human beings are bad breathes. Oral cavity contains millions  of  anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and purifies them.

 This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulphide,methyl mescaptan,cadaverin,skatol,putrescine etc. causing bad odor.

If oral hygiene is not maintained properly all will suffer from  bad breath. Most of us control this by regular brushing,tongue cleaning and gargling.

 Even after maintaining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offensive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.

Here are some common causes of bad breath.

1) Poor oral hygiene:

If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris.

 Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken in between meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.

Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva .Saliva  has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean.

Saliva contains oxygen molecules which is needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it's quantity during sleep makes a favorable condition for anaerobic bacteria.

2) Food habits:

The main cause of bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favors bad breath. Meat,fish,milk products, eggs,cakes,nuts,pear etc can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasant.

Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away,a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts can also produce bad smell.

However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food.  Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.

3) Bio-film:

There is formation of a thin sticky coating  called bio-film on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior aspect of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteria are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with bad breath. Even a  thin bio-film can make anaerobic condition favorable for bacterial proliferation.

4) Dental cavities:

This is a destructive process causing destruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavitation of the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli .

Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrefied by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily.

Cavities are common in school going children and in those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene .Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also predispose cavities.

5) Gingivitis:

Gum is a mucus membrane with supporting connective tissue covering the tooth bearing borders of the jaw .The main function of gum is protection .Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum. Due to various causes gum tissue get infected resulting in swelling,pain and discharge.

 If the condition become worse the infection spread towards periodontal area leading to continuous discharge called pyorrhea. Some times the infection goes deep producing alveolar abscess with discharge of pus. Infection can even reach the bone causing osteomyelitis. All these conditions can produce offensive smell.

6) Gum retraction:

When the gums retract from the teeth a gap is developed which will lodge food particles and cause bad breath.

7) Dental plaques and tartar deposits:

 Plaques and tartar is deposited mainly in the gaps  between the teeth and gum. This will provide shelter for the food debris and bacteria causing  bad breath.

8) Ulcerative lesions and coatings:

Almost all ulcerative lesions of the mouth are associated with bad breath. These lesions may be caused by bacteria,viruses,food allergies or due to autoimmune disorders.

Apthous ulcer is the commonest among ulcerative lesions. Others are herpes,fungal infections, angina,infectious mononucleosis,scarlet fever,diphtheria,drug reactions etc.

Cancerous ulcers produce severe bad breath. All fungal infections produce white coating(candidiasis). Leucoplakia is a white thick patch on the mucus membrane of the mouth & tongue. It is considered as a precancerous condition. Offensive breath is associated with these conditions.

9) Diseases of the salivary glands:

Saliva is very useful to supply oxygen to all parts of the oral cavity. Even a thin film of coating called bio-film can provide an anaerobic condition in the mouth. Saliva can wet these layers and make an aerobic condition which is unfavorable for the bacteria .

Any condition which reduces the production of saliva can increase bacterial activity.  Some times the salivary duct is obstructed by stones or tumors.Cancer of the salivary gland is associated with offensive odor.

10) Tonsillitis:

Tonsils are a pair of lymphoid tissue situated  in the lateral wall of oropharynx. Inflammation of the tonsil is called tonsillitis. Bad breath is seen in both acute and chronic tonsillitis. Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess can also produce bad breath.

11) Tonsillar plaques & Tonsillar fluid:

If bad breath persists even after maintaining proper oral hygiene there is possibility of this condition. Serous fluid secreted from the folds of tonsil is very offensive. Some patients complain that they hawk some cheesy materials from the throat;which are very offensive in nature.

 These are formed inside the tonsillar crypts which contain thousands of bacteria. In such conditions tonsillectomy gives noticeable relief from bad breath.               

12) Pharyngitis and pharyngial abscess:

Pharynx is a fibromuscular tube which forms the upper part of the digestive & respiratory tract. Inflammation of the pharynx is called pharyngitis, caused mainly by bacteria and viruses.

Bad breath is present in pharyngitis along with other signs like cough and throat irritation. Abscesses in the wall of pharynx can also produce offensive discharge of pus in to the throat.

13) Dentures:

Denture users may complain about bad smell due to lodgement of small food debris in between. Proper brushing may not be possible in denture users especially fixed dentures.

14) Tobacco:

Tobacco chewing is associated with bad breath. The smell of tobacco itself is unpleasant for others. Tobacco can irritate the mucus membrane and cause ulcers and coatings. Gingivitis and pyorrhea are common in tobacco chewers.

Tartar is deposited on the teeth mainly near the gums. Tobacco chewers get gastric acidity with eructations. All these causes offensive smell.

15) Smoking:

Smokers always have  bad smell. It can also produce lesions in the mouth & lungs causing bad breath.

Smoking increases carbon dioxide in the oral cavity & reduces oxygen level,causing a favorable condition for bacteria. Smoking reduces appetite & thirst hence acid peptic disease is common in chain smokers.

16) Lesions in the nose & ear:

Bad breath is occasionally seen in sinusitis(infection of para nasal sinuses). In case of post nasal dripping bad breath is common due to the presence of protein in the discharges. These proteins are degraded by the bacteria.

Infection in the middle ear with discharge of pus in to the throat through the Eustachian tube(passage from middle ear to the throat)can also cause offensive odor.

Chronic rhinitis(infection of mucus membrane of nose) and foreign bodies in the nose can also produce bad smell in the expired air.

17) Diabetes mellitus:

Mostly all diabetic patients suffer from bad breath. Coated tongue,ulcers & coatings in the mouth ,increased sugar level in tissues are responsible for bad breath.Bacterial growth in diabetic patient is very faster than non diabetic individuals.

18) Fevers:

Bad breath is common in almost all fevers. Even an acute fever can produce bad breath. Severe bad breath is seen in typhoid .Other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis  and AIDS produce bad smell.
 
19) Fasting & dehydration:

Dry mouth favors bacterial activity. So any condition which produce dryness in the mouth makes the breath offensive. Even though the food particles are known to produce bad breath, fasting can also produce the same.

Production of saliva is also reduced during fasting. Chewing and swallowing also helps to keep the mouth clean.

20) Bedridden patients:

Bedridden patients suffer from offensive breath due to thick coating on the tongue. water intake is also limited in these patients. Regurgitation of food aggravates the condition.

Since they talk less aeration in the oral cavity is reduced which favors anaerobic bacteria to become active.

21) Diseases of stomach & esophagus:

Eructation of gas and food produce unpleasant smell. Abnormality in the function of lower sphincter can allow the food to regurgitate upwards causing bad breath. Bad breath is also common in gastritis,gastric ulcer and cancer of stomach.

22) Intestinal diseases:

Bad breath is common in patients suffering from ulcerative lesions of intestine like ulcerative colitis. Other diseases are malabsorption syndrome, intestinal tuberculosis, peritonitis etc.

23) Diseases of lungs:

Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung abscess,chronic bronchitis,tuberculosis, lung cancer etc can produce bad odor during expiration.

24) Liver disorders:

Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis,can  cause bad breath.Gall bladder diseases with vomiting also causes unpleasant odor.    

25) Psychiatric  patients:

Bad breath is common in psychotic patients due to poor hygiene,irregular food habits,less water intake and etc.

26) Somatisation disorder:

This is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of a physical symptom that suggest a medical illness .These patients come with physical complaints like pain,nausea difficult respiration, bad smell etc.

This condition is diagnosed after detailed examination of the patient with all investigations.Since this is a psychiatric disorder it has to be managed with a psychological approach.

[ THE POINTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. ANY PERSON THAT NEEDS TO TREAT BAD BREATH SHOULD CONSULT A QUALIFIED DOCTOR ]

Exercise And Harm

Anytime you exercise, your brain releases chemicals known as endorphins that produce a feeling of euphoria,
which is known as "runners high", which is also very easy to become chemically addicted to.

Without this rush, you'll feel irritable and out of it until you exercise again.  Therefore, you'll go on exercising and not listen to what your body is actually telling you - which is to stop.

The main reason addicts will continue to push themselves lies in what will happen when they don't work out.
Normally when they are unable to exercise, they will display signs of depression, anxiety, confusion, and be less happy with themselves.

Aches and pains

Over exercising doesn't only affect the mind, but the body as well.  Exercise will initially do what it is intended to do, give you a fit body but once you cross the line however, it can drastic.

 Muscle damage, osteoarthritis, and heart problems will all be waiting in the wings if you continue to overdo
it.  The body has limits and if you push beyond that limit, you'll do nothing but harm yourself.

Obsessive exercise tends to happen among those who are new to exercise.  Therefore, if you are keen
to reap the benefits of getting fit, you'll tend to overstep the limits.

The initial signs of over exercise are exhaustion, which can lead to a build up of fatigue.  Keep in mind, it isn't only the muscles that are at risk, but the bones as well.

Many people who exercise push themselves to the point of injuries such as shin splints or even stress fractures, then refuse to rest, which causes greater and sometimes even permanent damage.

Even a brisk walk in the morning doesn't come without risk, as walking too much can lead to osteoarthritis.  When you walk, you are working against gravity.  Even though you are exercising your muscles, you are also harming your knee joints as well.

Many people who walk up to an hour or more everyday end up with complaints of aches in the knees.  The
fact is, jogging also harms the knees, and too many sit ups can hurt as well.  As with any type of exercise, moderation is the key.

You should always start off gradually, and combine several different types of workouts, which is one thing that obsessive exercisers forget to do.  One of the biggest complication factors of people who get addicted to exercise is that they will tend to perform the same workout each and every day, which further increases the risk of permanent damage.

Think right

You should never work out to the point where you feel completely exhausted once you have finished. Your limit with exercise should be 45 minutes to an hour, four or five days a week. 

When you are finished, your workout should leave you feeling fresh and energetic. Every week should make it a point to take a day's break - as your body will need to relax and rejuvenate.

The key to achieving this completely lies in your attitude, as exercising is the way to a healthy life.  If you do it only to please yourself, you'll defeat the entire purpose when you stand there on the weighing machine. 

If you take things one day at a time and don't over do it, you'll be well on your way to a healthy
body.  Exercising can be a lot of fun and a way to relax, if you don't rush it.

 Start off slow and gradually work your way up.  Before you know it, you'll know how to prevent injuries before they happen and you'll know exactly what you need to do to remain healthy.