Ammonia Tips

What is a peptic ulcer?

Digestive juices help in digestion of food but when these digestive juices damage the membrane of the digestive tract then sore areas develop which are called as peptic ulcers. A peptic ulcer may develop inlining of the lower oesophagus, stomach or duodenum. Thus called oesophageal, gastric and duodenal ulcer respectively.

Risk factors

• NSAIDs- repeated use of NSAIDs irritate the wall of the stomach thus increase the acid secretion.
• Stress although is not the direct cause for the peptic ulcer but obviously makes the condition worse in patients with ulcers.
• Smoking may increase the risk of ulcer formation and cases which already have the erosion then smoking aggravates the condition further.
• Alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining of your stomach by increasing acid production.
• Eating spicy food also makes the ulcers worse although does not cause ulcer formation directly.

Complications

• Perforation: the ulcer if left untreated then may grow to the deeper layers of the stomach and would ultimately perforate the wall of the stomach.
• The perforation would further cause inflammation of the surrounding structures causing peritonitis.
• Internal bleeding from the ulcer.
• Slow longstanding bleeding from the ulcer would cause anaemia.
• Due to repeated inflammation and scarring at the site of ulcer; blockage may occur thus obstructing food passage and regurgitation of food eaten.

Symptoms and causes
Symptoms

• Although its not uncommon for people having ulcers to stay without any symptoms but following are the indicative symptoms of peptic ulcer:
• The most common symptoms of the peptic ulcer are pain which is localized to the upper abdomen from the belly button to the chest bone.
• The pain is a burning type of pain which is worse at night and in between meals.
• Regurgitation of the food eaten.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Easy satiety with small amounts of food.
• Blood in vomiting or in the stool.

Causes

• H pylori infection is usually the most important cause of the ulcer formation as the bacteria lives in the mucous membrane of the stomach wall of the infected person thus causing inflammation of the stomach wall. This causes ulcer formation.
• Pain killers if taken for long irritate the wall of the stomach promoting ulcer formation.
• Smoking, alcohol, stress and spicy food although don't cause ulcer formation but make the condition worse.

Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis

• Symptomatical presentation of the case helps in indications towards peptic ulcer. To further diagnose the condition:
• Ammonia breath test for h pylori would confirm the presence of the bacteria in the body. Blood or stool test can be done for ammonia but the breath test is more reliable.
• Endoscopy would help in visualisation of the wall of the stomach thus confirming the diagnosis.
• Barium swallow followed by x-ray would also diagnose the peptic ulcer. 

Treatment

• Conventional treatment includes eradication of h pylori by several antibiotics. Antacids are given to neutralise the acid produced in the stomach.
• Further treatment includes inhibiting acid production by blocking the receptors for acid production. But these treatments are not permanent and peptic ulcer relapses so homeopathic treatment is far superior for the treatment of the ulcer which is permanent too.

Management

• Dietary management: increasing probiotics in the diet like yogurt, coconut water would help in keeping the environment in the stomach favourable. Further adding vitamin a and c would also help.
   
• Eating habits: should be improved. Split the meals in small regular meals rather than eating at long intervals and a lot at once. Don't stay empty stomach for long as acid secretion empty stomach would make the condition worse.
  • Drink enough water but not excess also.
  • Limit milk in the diet as it would increase acid production.
  • Limit pain killers as it would further complicate the situation.
     
• Sleep schedule: should be maintained, sleep on time and get up on time as this would regulate the body functions and ultimately maintain acid production.
   
• Quit smoking: as it would help in improving the symptoms.
   
• Limit or stop alcohol: intake as well so that the wall of the stomach can be protected from irritation.
   
• Maintain stress: do yoga and meditation.
   
• Don't wear tight belt around the waist.
  ​
• Keep the head end of your bed high while sleeping.
   
• Homeopathy would help a lot in managing a case of peptic ulcer.

Homeopathic management
Homoeopathic medicines like Argentum nitricum, nux vomica, kali bichromicum, lycopodium, carbo veg, Hydrastis Canadensis, graphities, phosphorus etc have wondrous results in the treatment of peptic ulcers but the constitutional approach should be sought for choosing the medicine by the doctor for permanent relief.

Do’s and don’ts
Do’s

• Eat a healthy diet.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Add vitamin a & c to the diet
• Limit milk in the diet
• Add probiotics to your diet
• Have enough sleep and keep the sleep schedule on time.
• Do meditation to manage stress.

Don’ts

• Don't smoke
• Don't take alcohol or carbonated drinks
• Don't wear tight clothes around the waist
• Don't stay up till late at night.
   

Kidney or renal stones refer to the hard mineral deposit that accumulates along the path from the renal pelvis to the bladder. In normal conditions, toxins are filtered by kidneys from the blood and then passed into the urine. But if this waste does not dissolve fully, crystals are formed and these might get stuck in the ureter. Renal stones are common though and can be treated effectively. But you should first know how to detect it.

Signs and Symptoms:

If kidney stones are small, they might pass on with urine, and not cause any pain. But large stones can obstruct the flow of urine and lead to severe pain. Also remember that the location of the stone and the way it is travelling through your urinary tract can affect the symptoms you face. Sometimes, you might feel a sharp pain in your back or lower abdomen. In other cases, the pain may be constant or come and go, or the intensity might fluctuate.

Here are some other symptoms to watch out for:

• Pain during urination, cloudy urine, urine that smells different and the frequent urge to urinate
• Blood due to kidney stones can make urine pink, red, or brown
• Nausea, vomiting, fever or chills
• Pain that increases in severity and stops you from standing, sitting or lying easily
• The pain might start in the early morning or late night since people urinate less
• Treatment
• Though small kidney stones are often dissolved with medication, larger stones might create blockages and have to be removed in a hospital. The good news is that now you don’t have to undergo any invasive surgery to get rid of renal stones. The new-age Holmium YAG laser technique can carry out this process with minimal cuts.

This laser sends intense and short infrared light pulses to break the stones into tiny pieces, which can then be passed out with urine. Patients also face lesser complications and get well quickly too.

More on the procedure:

The laser beam passes through a 0.2mm wide wire, which can easily rotate to reach stones whether big or small. Any location in the kidneys, tubes or bladders also becomes easily accessible. Hence the wire can directly contact the stone, without harming any other tissue.

In laser lithotripsy, a very thin tube with a small camera is inserted into the patient’s urethra to guide the doctor towards the stone. Laser pulses, each lasting not even 0.0003 seconds are then targeted towards the stone. Depending on the number and size of stones, this treatment takes 10 minutes to 1 hour and is conducted under general anesthesia. The patients recover fast and are discharged soon after. The disintegrated pieces of the stones are also sent for analysis to see what is causing the problem and how the patient can prevent it in future.

Prevention:

Kidney stones can be prevented by drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol. If the stones are being caused by uric acid, ammonia, or calcium, then certain dietchanges might be suggested.

Kidney or renal stones refer to the hard mineral deposit that accumulates along the path from the renal pelvis to the bladder. In normal conditions, toxins are filtered by kidneys from the blood and then passed into the urine. But if this waste does not dissolve fully, crystals are formed and these might get stuck in the ureter. Renal stones are common though and can be treated effectively. But you should first know how to detect it.

Signs and Symptoms
If kidney stones are small, they might pass on with urine, and not cause any pain. But large stones can obstruct the flow of urine and lead to severe pain. Also remember that the location of the stone and the way it is travelling through your urinary tract can affect the symptoms you face. Sometimes, you might feel a sharp pain in your back or lower abdomen. In other cases, the pain may be constant or come and go, or the intensity might fluctuate.

Here are some other symptoms to watch out for

• Pain during urination, cloudy urine, urine that smells different and the frequent urge to urinate
• Blood due to kidney stones can make urine pink, red, or brown
• Nausea, vomiting, fever or chills
• Pain that increases in severity and stops you from standing, sitting or lying easily
• The pain might start in the early morning or late night since people urinate less
• Treatment
• Though small kidney stones are often dissolved with medication, larger stones might create blockages and have to be removed in a hospital. The good news is that now you don’t have to undergo any invasive surgery to get rid of renal stones. The new-age Holmium YAG laser technique can carry out this process with minimal cuts.

This laser sends intense and short infrared light pulses to break the stones into tiny pieces, which can then be passed out with urine. Patients also face lesser complications and get well quickly too.

More on the procedure
The laser beam passes through a 0.2mm wide wire, which can easily rotate to reach stones whether big or small. Any location in the kidneys, tubes or bladders also becomes easily accessible. Hence the wire can directly contact the stone, without harming any other tissue.

In laser lithotripsy, a very thin tube with a small camera is inserted into the patient’s urethra to guide the doctor towards the stone. Laser pulses, each lasting not even 0.0003 seconds are then targeted towards the stone. Depending on the number and size of stones, this treatment takes 10 minutes to 1 hour and is conducted under general anesthesia. The patients recover fast and are discharged soon after. The disintegrated pieces of the stones are also sent for analysis to see what is causing the problem and how the patient can prevent it in future.

Prevention
Kidney stones can be prevented by drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol. If the stones are being caused by uric acid, ammonia, or calcium, then certain diet changes might be suggested.

By far smoking is considered the most common and predictable cause of cancer. Years of study and research has established a link between the two, but what exactly gets smoking to cause cancer, still remains unknown to many people. This article talks about why and how smoking is associated with lung cancer.

How does smoking lead to lung cancer?
Cigarettes contain as many as 60 harmful chemicals such as Benzene, Polonium 210, Nicotine, Hydrogen cyanide, Carbon monoxide, Ammonia, Arsenic etc. which cause damage to the DNA cells including the genes that keep us protected against cancer. These chemicals adversely affect your lungs. The initial symptoms include wheezing and coughing, and can lead to further complications if not paid attention at an early stage.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease of the lungs which obstructs airflow resulting in respiratory troubles like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with COPD find it difficult to breath because of narrowed airways and damaged lung tissues.

How long does it take for smoking to cause lung cancer?
Although the initial symptoms such as a ‘smoker’s cough’ can be dismissed in the early stage, it usually takes a decade or many years of smoking to get your DNA cells damaged. Even though the human body is designed to cope with certain health problems and damage, it becomes difficult for your system to fight the harmful chemicals present in cigarettes and tobacco. Studies show that for every 15 cigarettes you smoke, your DNA undergoes change which can cause a cell to become cancerous.

According to a study by the American Lung Association, almost 80% of lung cancers result from smoking. It is most common among people over 50 years of age who have been smoking for a prolonged time. Further research studies show that life expectancy among current smokers drop by 10 years or more, while those who quit smoking at an early stage manage to survive few more years.

How to prevent lung cancer?
Now that we’ve established the link between smoking and lung cancer, the next big thing would be to prevent the risk of getting affected by it. The most effective way of preventing lung cancer is to stop smoking. Even if you have been smoking for a long time, it is never too late to quit. You may find it hard to resist smoking initially, but do not give up. Consult your doctor, ask for help. He will most likely prescribe you anti-smoking drugs like Zyban and Chantix. One alternative to anti-smoking medication is the Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). NRT helps reduce the urge for nicotine in your body by giving you a controlled amount of nicotine that is free from any of the harmful chemicals present in cigarettes.

Awareness is the key to prevention. Even if you find it hard to quit smoking, remind yourself why you made a decision to quit, of the long-term effects smoking has on your health, and how it can lead to a life-threatening condition.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hepatic encephalopathy refers to a serious liver condition in which the toxins build up to such an extent in the body that the liver becomes severely dysfunctional and the patient loses a normal level of consciousness. In this condition, the level of ammonia rises to a dangerous degree in the blood. It is an advanced stage of liver failure and is characterized by disturbing symptoms such as bloating, edema, amnesia, disturbed mind, changes in personality and in very advanced cases, even loss of memory and coma is reported. However, it is curable and Ayurveda offers to be of great help in treating this condition. It has numerous medicines and therapies to treat this condition.

Ayurvedic detox in hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by extreme damage to the liver cells. This damage is the result of an excessive buildup of toxins in the liver, which overpower its filtration capabilities making the organ give up. It is similar to liver failure. Ayurveda tackles the disease by treating the root cause, that is, the buildup of toxins. Additionally, it helps strengthen the immunity while also ensuring relief in the painful symptoms. The remedies aim to remove the toxins from the system so that the liver cells can be restored to their normal state. So, such herbs and medicines are administered to the patients that possess diuretic, laxative, and cleansing properties.

Ayurvedic treatment effects
The liver detoxification medicines in ayurveda carry detoxification properties and they work with great efficacy in flushing out the toxins from the liver that have scarred the liver cells so badly. These Ayurvedic medicines also have anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties and thus, they also relax and protect the liver. This is because, in hepatic encephalopathy, the damaged liver cells become inflamed and thus, anti-inflammatory medicines are also required to soothe the damaged cells. Apart from this, the damaged liver also requires protection and thus, proper consultation with an experienced doctor is highly recommended.

Ayurveda dos and don’ts
In hepatic encephalopathy, a regulated diet and abstinence from alcohol and smoking are also recommended. The former is given immense emphasis because the liver damage is so advanced that it cannot tolerate heavy and spicy food. A light and easily digestible diet are conducive to the recovery of the liver and in fact, acts as a medicine itself. In Ayurveda, nishedha (prohibition) is also equally important and in addition to oily and spicy food, alcohol and smoking are also prohibited. Alcohol is like poison to the damaged liver and smoking would further affect the immunity, negating the effects of the Ayurvedic treatment.

So, the patient, during the course of the treatment, should adhere to the do's and don’ts without any fail. They should eat what is recommended by their Ayurveda specialist and must bear in mind that Ayurveda is a holistic treatment procedure that targets the root cause and ensures permanent relief. Therefore, the patient must respond to the treatment in a holistic manner, adhering to the medicines as well as prohibition.

Take opinion from an expert Ayurveda Doctor for the best result in chronic liver diseases.

What happens when you are addicted to a chemical substance? You lose control of your life. It doesn’t matter what you are addicted to alcohol, nicotine or drugs the effects are the same. It is usually not easy to get rid of an alcohol and/or nicotine addiction. Most people find it difficult to give up these substances even after years in de-addiction therapy. Hence, it’s prudent to let Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing handhold us in getting rid of addictions. 

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. Perhaps this list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes is enough to make you want to quit smoking for good! - Lowell Kleinman, M.D., and Deborah Messina-Kleinman, M.P.H​

Addiction - The Ayurvedic View
Ayurveda considers alcohol and nicotine consumed in large quantities as ‘Visha’ or toxic. According to Ayurveda, alcohol has the following properties-

1. Light or Laghu
2. Hot or Ushna
3. Sharp or Tikshna
4. Drying or Visada
5. Rough or Ruksha
6. Expensive or Vikaasa
7. Swift or Aasuga
8. Sour or Amla
9. Subtle or Sookshma

These properties are all opposite to the qualities that ojas possesses. Ojas has all life-giving properties and alcohol and nicotine have life-negating qualities.

Why do humans get addicted to alcohol and nicotine?
Human brain produces Dopamine normally and what alcohol does is to activate the nervous system to promote dopamine formation. The brain thus remembers the taste of alcohol and nicotine by creating special cells called receptor cells. As a person increases the quantity of alcohol, these cells also increase in numbers. When the person wants to give up his addictions these receptor cells agitate and create withdrawal symptoms with unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms.

De-addiction - Ayurveda Way
De-addiction treatments in Ayurveda comprise the following:

1. Purification therapies or Panchkarma: These are used for getting rid of all toxins present in the patient’s body. These must always be done under the supervision of an ayurvedacharya as they are quite potent. After Panchakarma, the patient is given vomiting therapy or Vamana, followed by purgative therapy or Virechana, Basti or enema therapy and administration of Nasya or nasal drops therapy. All these help in detoxifying the body and mind and prepare the patient for further de-addiction ayurvedic treatments like Rasayana therapies which nourish and strengthen the body after Panchkarma. For treatment of addictions, Rasayana treatments include changes in diet and use of oral herbal medicines both.
2. Herbal medicines used in de-addiction: A range of herbal medicines and their combinations are used in the treatment of addictive problems in Ayurveda and these are to be consumed orally. Ayurveda prescribes Chamomile and Ashwagandha in combination to heal the lungs. These help in cleansing lungs of smoke- related problems. Doctors also prescribe congestion relieving herbs like ginger and pepper mixed with honey or lemon. 

In addition, herbs to improve memory, concentration and to fight depression are also given. These are:

1. Shankhpushpi
2. Kanphool or dandelion
3. Brahmi
4. Ashwagandha

In addition, herbs to treat sleep disturbances like Jatamansi, Sarpgandha, Brahmi and Jaiphal are also prescribed. Since most addicts have impaired liver function, herbs that improve liver function like Aloe Vera, Punarnava, Long pepper, Kutki, Tulsi are given to revive the liver.

What happens when you are addicted to a chemical substance? You lose control of your life. It doesn’t matter what you are addicted to alcohol, nicotine or drugs the effects are the same. It is usually not easy to get rid of an alcohol and/or nicotine addiction. Most people find it difficult to give up these substances even after years in de-addiction therapy. Hence, it’s prudent to let Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing handhold us in getting rid of addictions. 

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. Perhaps this list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes is enough to make you want to quit smoking for good! - Lowell Kleinman, M.D., and Deborah Messina-Kleinman, M.P.H?

Addiction - The Ayurvedic View
Ayurveda considers alcohol and nicotine consumed in large quantities as ‘Visha’ or toxic. According to Ayurveda, alcohol has the following properties-

1. Light or Laghu
2. Hot or Ushna
3. Sharp or Tikshna
4. Drying or Visada
5. Rough or Ruksha
6. Expensive or Vikaasa
7. Swift or Aasuga
8. Sour or Amla
9. Subtle or Sookshma

These properties are all opposite to the qualities that ojas possesses. Ojas has all life-giving properties and alcohol and nicotine have life-negating qualities.

Why do humans get addicted to alcohol and nicotine?
Human brain produces Dopamine normally and what alcohol does is to activate the nervous system to promote dopamine formation. The brain thus remembers the taste of alcohol and nicotine by creating special cells called receptor cells. As a person increases the quantity of alcohol, these cells also increase in numbers. When the person wants to give up his addictions these receptor cells agitate and create withdrawal symptoms with unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms.

De-addiction - Ayurveda Way
De-addiction treatments in Ayurveda comprise the following:

1. Purification therapies or Panchkarma: These are used for getting rid of all toxins present in the patient’s body. These must always be done under the supervision of an ayurvedacharya as they are quite potent. After Panchakarma, the patient is given vomiting therapy or Vamana, followed by purgative therapy or Virechana, Basti or enema therapy and administration of Nasya or nasal drops therapy. All these help in detoxifying the body and mind and prepare the patient for further de-addiction ayurvedic treatments like Rasayana therapies which nourish and strengthen the body after Panchkarma. For treatment of addictions, Rasayana treatments include changes in diet and use of oral herbal medicines both.
2. Herbal medicines used in de-addiction: A range of herbal medicines and their combinations are used in the treatment of addictive problems in Ayurveda and these are to be consumed orally. Ayurveda prescribes Chamomile and Ashwagandha in combination to heal the lungs. These help in cleansing lungs of smoke- related problems. Doctors also prescribe congestion relieving herbs like ginger and pepper mixed with honey or lemon. 

In addition, herbs to improve memory, concentration and to fight depression are also given. These are:

1. Shankhpushpi
2. Kanphool or dandelion
3. Brahmi
4. Ashwagandha

In addition, herbs to treat sleep disturbances like Jatamansi, Sarpgandha, Brahmi and Jaiphal are also prescribed. Since most addicts have impaired liver function, herbs that improve liver function like Aloe Vera, Punarnava, Long pepper, Kutki, Tulsi are given to revive the liver.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Dyeing one's hair has become a modern fashion trend. Streaks, highlighting with a blond color or changing the hair color altogether is done often to alter one's looks. However most hair colors contain chemical ammonia which causes hair to become brittle and dry. Here are a few tips to color your hair and keep it fabulous, all at the same time. Read on more to find all about it.

Pre-color care

One of the most important things to consider before coloring your hair. Deep condition your hair. Avoid applying chemicals to your hair one month prior to the actual coloring. This helps in reducing the damage your hair takes during coloring. It also revitalizes your hair which it received via styling or heat.

1. Manage your hair: Make sure that you manage your hair and go for regular trims or haircuts. It will help in coloring if you do not have to manage split ends or breakage.
2. Condition your hair: Deep condition your hair to properly boost its strength. Mix banana, egg and yogurt evenly and apply them to your hair. Rinse after an hour. This will make your hair softer and stronger.
3. Color on non-shampooed hair: Make sure that you apply color on your hair on a day in which you haven't applied shampoo. It is recommended to not shampoo your hair 2 days prior to coloring as it washes the natural oilspresent in your hair and causes the coloring to result in excess damage to the hair follicles.

Post-color care

1. Rinse hair with a protecting shampoo: After applying color make sure that you only apply color protecting shampoos. This helps the color to set in and does not wash it away. Rinse using cold water.
2. Wash hair twice a week: Shampooing on a regular basis strips your hair of the natural oils. Restricting it to twice a week ensures that the color on your hair stays for a longer duration.
3. Deep condition post coloring: Use almond oil, olive oil or coconut oil to deep condition your hair.
4. Avoid blow drying: Blow drying your hair causes it to be extra dry. This can cause damage to your hair. Let your hair dry naturally or if necessary use a cooler setting on your hair dryer.
5. Rinse hair with cold water: After colour use cold water as cool water seals your cuticles, controlling frizz and helps in sealing the color in your hair shaft. 
6. After coloring, wait for some days before you shampoo: When you color your hair, wait at least 24-48 hours to shampoo, preferably longer. If you can go three or four days before shampooing, even better. This will give the color plenty of time to set. 
7. Apply a hot oil treatment to add luster to colored hair: Hot oil treatments are simple to do at home and help color-treated hair really shine. Apply the treatment oil to clean, towel-dried hair, and cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap. Apply heat by using a hot towel, blow dryer or even by sitting in the sun. After heating the oil, allow the hair to cool to room temperature and then rinse with cool water. 
8. Use your hair wash in the right places: Make sure to focus your shampoo on cleansing your root and not on the middle to ends of the hair as this will strip your color over time. 
9. Blot dry your dyed hair: Rubbing towel on your dyed hair can strip the hair colour more easily. Just blot your hair and let it air dry naturally. 
10. Stay away from chlorinated water: The majority of tap water is chlorinated in order to kill the bacteria that can cause illness, but the chlorine in tap water can have a negative effect on colored hair. In most cases, the chlorine in tap water is not sufficiently strong to have a major effect of hair but if the added chlorine causes a problem, a filter can remove chlorine in your home’s shower water. 
11. Heat is the enemy: Yes, it’s true that you're damaging your hair every time you turn on your blow dryer or use that curling iron. Dyed hair is more susceptible to damage, so avoid using blow dryers, curling irons or straightening irons as much as possible. if you wish to use than apply some heat protecting oil or serum and blow dry with low heat settings.
12. Sun can also harm or take away your hair colour: Wear hats or scarf while going in sun to keep your hair colour stay longer. 
13. Eat right diet to keep your hair look great: An overall balanced diet is necessary for a healthy scalp and healthy hair. A diet rich in Protein, Iron, Zinc, Selenium Vitamin C & E, will make your hair look good and helathy. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ayurveda.

Smoking – Some Naked Facts!

• Smoking kills > 420,000 people per year worldwide.
• In India, one million people die of smoking-related diseases each year.
• Tobacco use is the second leading cause of death world-over.
• Smoking is more lethal than AIDS, Accidents, Homicides, Suicides, Fire, etc.
• 2700 substances have been identified in Cigarette smoke, most of them harmful including cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, acetylene, ammonia, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, etc.
• Every cigarette takes 5.5 minutes of your life.
• Smoking one packet a day for 10 years increases risk for Ischemic Heart Diseases by 300 % & risk for lung cancer by 500 %.
• Passive smoking (breathing second-hand smoke) is also harmful. Spending 2 hours in a smoky bar is equivalent to smoking 4 cigarettes. Living with a pack-a-day smoker is like smoking 3 cigarettes by yourself.
   

What are the Risks? 

• Cancer: 85% of Lung Cancers and 28% of all cancer deaths are attributed to smoking. Smokers have higher rates of leukemia, kidney, stomach, bladder, and pancreas cancers. About 30% of cervical cancers have been attributed to both active and passive smoking.
   
• Lungs: Smokers are generally at higher risk for nearly all major lung diseases like pneumonia, flu, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, etc.
   
• Brain: Smokers run almost two and a half times the risk of stroke as non-smokers and the risk for dementia is also higher in smokers.
   
• Male Sexuality and Reproduction: Smoking decreases the amount of blood flowing into the penis, reduces sperm density, reduces sperm motility, and may lead to impotence & infertility
   
• Female infertility, Pregnancy: Smoking increases the risk of female infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, stillbirth, prematurity and low-birth weight, so also there is a risk of passing genetic mutations that increase cancer risks to unborn babies.
   
• Children: Mothers exposed to smoke (active or passive) are more likely to have children with motor control problems, perception impairments, and attention disabilities. Exposure to smoke early on affect the lungs of infant as early as the first 2 to 10 weeks of life, it increases the risk for lower respiratory infections (asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia) by 50% and worsens the condition of children who have existing asthma.
• Spine & Bones: Smokers whose jobs involve lifting heavy objects are more likely to develop low back pain than non-smokers. They are at increased risk for developing osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Smokers are more prone to develop degenerative disorders and injuries in the spine, they have more trouble recovering from spinal surgery as smoking also impairs formation of new bone.

Why Quit?
Physical Benefits: They start as early as in few minutes.

• Blood pressure and Pulse rate return to Normal in 20 minutes.
• Levels of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the blood return to normal in 8 hours and the chance of heart attack decreases in 24 hours.
• Nerve endings start to regrow; ability to taste and smell increases within 48 hours.
• Bronchial tubes relax; lung capacity increases by 72 hours.
• In 2 to 12 weeks’ time, circulation improves and lung functions improve up to 30%.
• In 1 to 9 months’ time, there is a decreased incidence of coughing, sinus infection, fatigue, and shortness of breath; cilia in lungs start re-growing, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the chance of infection.
• Overall energy level increases.
   

What happens when you are addicted to a chemical substance? You lose control of your life. It doesn t matter what you are addicted to alcohol, nicotine or drugs the effects are the same. It is usually not easy to get rid of an alcohol and/or nicotine addiction. Most people find it difficult to give up these substances even after years in de-addiction therapy. Hence, it s prudent to let Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing handhold us in getting rid of addictions. 

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. Perhaps this list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes is enough to make you want to quit smoking for good! - Lowell Kleinman, M.D., and Deborah Messina-Kleinman, M.P.H?

Addiction - The Ayurvedic View
Ayurveda considers alcohol and nicotine consumed in large quantities as  Visha  or toxic. According to Ayurveda, alcohol has the following properties-

• Light or Laghu
• Hot or Ushna
• Sharp or Tikshna
• Drying or Visada
• Rough or Ruksha
• Expensive or Vikaasa
• Swift or Aasuga
• Sour or Amla
• Subtle or Sookshma

These properties are all opposite to the qualities that ojas possesses. Ojas has all life-giving properties and alcohol and nicotine have life-negating qualities.

Why do humans get addicted to alcohol and nicotine?
Human brain produces Dopamine normally and what alcohol does is to activate the nervous system to promote dopamine formation. The brain thus remembers the taste of alcohol and nicotine by creating special cells called receptor cells. As a person increases the quantity of alcohol, these cells also increase in numbers. When the person wants to give up his addictions these receptor cells agitate and create withdrawal symptoms with unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms.

De-addiction - Ayurveda Way
De-addiction treatments in Ayurveda comprise the following:

Purification therapies or Panchkarma: These are used for getting rid of all toxins present in the patient s body. These must always be done under the supervision of an ayurvedacharya as they are quite potent. After Panchakarma, the patient is given vomiting therapy or Vamana, followed by purgative therapy or Virechana, Basti or enema therapy and administration of Nasya or nasal drops therapy. All these help in detoxifying the body and mind and prepare the patient for further de-addiction ayurvedic treatments like Rasayana therapies which nourish and strengthen the body after Panchkarma. For treatment of addictions, Rasayana treatments include changes in diet and use of oral herbal medicines both.
Herbal medicines used in de-addiction: A range of herbal medicines and their combinations are used in the treatment of addictive problems in Ayurveda and these are to be consumed orally. Ayurveda prescribes Chamomile and Ashwagandha in combination to heal the lungs. These help in cleansing lungs of smoke- related problems. Doctors also prescribe congestion relieving herbs like ginger and pepper mixed with honey or lemon. 

In addition, herbs to improve memory, concentration and to fight depression are also given. These are:

• Shankhpushpi
• Kanphool or dandelion
• Brahmi
• Ashwagandha

In addition, herbs to treat sleep disturbances like Jatamansi, Sarpgandha, Brahmi and Jaiphal are also prescribed. Since most addicts have impaired liver function, herbs that improve liver function like Aloe Vera, Punarnava, Long pepper, Kutki, Tulsi are given to revive the liver. Take advice of an ayurvedic doctor for de addiction. Don't follow any remedies without guideline of ayurvedic docttor. Consult an expert & get answers to your questions!