Top Health Tips on Living with Neuropathy

Calcium is known for its role in maintaining the bone health, from keeping your teeth stronger to normal functioning of the cells. But there are various factors, which lead to a deficiency of calcium in the human body and paves the way for several complications.

Here are the top three signs that indicate you are suffering from calcium deficiency.

Difficulty in sleeping: Sleep is essential for your bone health and calcium is directly associated with your sleep cycle. The level of calcium in your bones rises and falls when you are asleep and it reaches its peak when you are in deep slumber. This indicates that when you are unable to sleep properly, it is a warning sign of calcium deficiency. There are various researches that have confirmed, that by increasing the level of calcium, it is possible to restore the normal sleep cycle of an individual. This is also related to the role that calcium plays in the production of a sleep hormone called melatonin. When the calcium content in the body is really low, this hormone is not produced, thus, making it difficult for a person to sleep.
Difficulty in losing extra pounds: Yet another frustrating aspect of any individual s life is the inability to shed off excess pounds. This issue is also linked with the lack of calcium supply in the body. The calcium that s stored in the cells assists in the processing and storage of fat. So the fat cells with high calcium content burn faster, making you lose weight. Thus, if you have trouble losing weight in spite of having a well-regulated diet and regular workout, it s a sign that you are suffering from low calcium.
Paresthesia: Though this ailment is not much heard of, it could be a sign of calcium deficiency. Paresthesia is a nervous disorder, which causes tingling sensation, tremors, numbness and loss of sensitivity. It could also lead to poor concentration, amnesia, confusion, hearing impairment, twitches and other physical as well as neurological impairment. This is because low calcium in the blood is connected with the health of your nerves.
The deficiency of calcium can manifest itself in different intensity, ranging from the non-existent to minimal to severe levels. Chronic calcium deficiency can lead to life-threatening diseases like rickets, osteopenia, and even osteoporosis. Therefore, you shouldn t ignore these signs and consult an expert without delay.

We all know about magnesium as a mineral, but what most individuals do not know is the fact that it is a very important mineral for our bodily health. Magnesium is involved with more or less 300 complex metabolic processes in our body, thus earning the title of master mineral .

Here is a list of reasons why magnesium holds an important place in our body.

It is responsible for transportation of calcium across cell membranes. As such, it helps calcium get into the bone matter. Like we all know, magnesium is anti-inflammatory. It helps in waiving conditions mentioned below:

Arthritis
Alzheimer s disease
High blood pressure
Respiratory issues
Diabetes
So magnesium deficiency can definitely cause numerous problems in the human body. This element works in our body at a cellular level. It is important to have a check up done with the doctor to ensure the magnesium level, however, a simple a blood test cannot determine the presence or absence of it. Here are a few signs that might suggest that an individual is suffering from magnesium deficiency.

A lot of calcium deficiency which means brittle bones
Very poor heart health
A lot of unnecessary weakness
Very frequent muscle cramps at unusual situations
Tremors, nausea and unnecessary anxiety
High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
Difficulty in swallowing the food
Poor memory
Lots and lots of useless confusion
Although individuals with magnesium deficiency suffer from these symptoms, it is not necessary that any individual suffering from such symptoms might have magnesium deficiency. So, the only way to improve magnesium amount in the body is by changing your diet and including magnesium rich foods or my supplementing your food with magnesium-based food products.

Magnesium overdose is close to impossible and so many would not check their magnesium intake. However, consuming too much of anything can never be a good idea. Excessive magnesium intake might end up causing the following issues:

Irregular heartbeats in individuals
Slow breathing
Diarrhoea
This excess amount of magnesium in the body might be due to the fact that not all supplements can be easily absorbed by the body. So it is a better idea to eat inexpensive food to keep the magnesium levels at par with the bodily requirements.

Here is a list of items that can relieve the deficiency symptoms of low magnesium.

Seeds of pumpkin
Seeds of sun flower
Soya bean
Black beans
Sesame seeds
Almond
Spinach and many more

For a stress free live we all need a release, both physical and emotional, and pleasuring yourself can provide you at times with that much needed release. Masturbation is rarely discussed, even amongst the closest of friends. Even though this is a normal part of human sexuality, society frowns on it and young people are often taught to avoid masturbation. Lack of knowledge and opportunities to talk about it have given rise to a number of myths on this subject. Let's take a look at a few of them.

1. Masturbation can damage the genitals: Touching your genitals is very unlikely to damage them. The sex organs are designed to withstand friction and hence are very tough organs. The maximum damage that can be caused by masturbation is a little chafing. Using lubricant can prevent this from occurring.

2. It causes health problems: Pleasuring yourself is the ultimate form of safe sex. There is no way for you to catch an STD or for it to cause any sort of mental health problem. The only risks involved are allergic reactions to lubricants or toys and a feeling of guilt or shame due to societal pressure.

3. It lowers the chances of you having an orgasm during sex: Masturbation does not reduce your sex drive or prevent you from having orgasms. Many people also claim that women get addicted to vibrators and cannot enjoy sex without them. However, there is no truth behind this.

4. Masturbation is akin to cheating: Single people as well as people in committed relationships masturbate. While it can lead to problems in a relationship depending on your partner's views about it, it does not amount to cheating on him or her.

5. It can cause blindness: Blindness is the most outrageous myth associated with self-induced orgasms. Till date, there has not been a medical case to prove it.

6. It causes infertility: Pleasuring yourself does not reduce your chances of getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant. However, for men with a low sperm count, restricting ejaculations while trying to get their partner pregnant is a good idea. The only way masturbation can lead to infertility is if partners who share sex toys do not keep them clean and pass on STDs through them.

7. Only men masturbate: Men and women across the world masturbate.

8. It can cause erectile dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction has a number of psychological and biological causes such as heart disease, stress and obesity but masturbation is not one of them.

9. Eating certain foods can help control the urge to masturbate: Pleasuring yourself is normal and not affected by what you eat or do not eat.

10. It is only for young people: Men and women of all ages can enjoy self-induced orgasms. This does not have any adverse effects on your health.

Androphobia can be described as the unfounded and often overstressed fear of men. This phobia can affect both the genders, though younger females are more known to suffer from this kind of phobia.

Causes and origin:
Many psychoanalysts are of the opinion that women who had been victims of sexual assault or any kind of male aggression are more prone to androphobia. An unsympathetic and rude father figure can trigger this phobia in both the sexes. Many young girls are taught by their parents or caregiver to stay away from the opposite sex this can also instil a sense of fear for men in the young mind.

Symptoms:
Intense and irrational fear of men is one of the commonest manifestations of this phobia. In many cases, the individual might experience disturbing thoughts about being assailed by men. In spite of realizing that the fear is unfounded, they still avoid any kind of association with men. In some cases, the person is extremely panicky and alert in presence of men. Extreme cases of androphobia are characterized by panic accompanied with tremors, increased heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, stomach ache and chest ache.

Androphobia and sex life:
Androphobia can gravely affect the personal life of an individual particularly his/her sex life. Androphobic women intentionally keep away from male company which definitely has a negative impact on their sex life. Even mildly androphobic women are known to feel uncomfortable while talking to men. The androphobics are generally depressed individuals who prefer to keep to themselves. In spite of having feelings for a man or having the urge to have sex, an androphobic woman will hardly be able to convey her feeling because of her intense fear of manliness. The loneliness and alienation which is associated with this kind of phobia often prompts a woman to contemplate suicide.

Treatment:
As with most other phobias, androphobia is also a curable condition. Your psychiatrist can suggest various medications and psychotherapies to cure your condition. The exposure therapy in which the phobic is slowly exposed to the much feared subject is known to work well in many cases. The CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is another treatment for androphobia where counselling sessions are conducted so that the phobic can express and share her nature of phobia. During the sessions, the counsellor suggests ways of dealing with the phobia and keeping it under control. The objective of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is to recognize the pessimistic images related to men and turn them into positive ones. When none of these therapies work, the psychiatrist usually suggests anti-anxiety and anti depressant medications which improve the temperament of the androphobic.

Cerebral palsy refers to a medical condition where a child suffers from certain disabilities as a result of damage caused to his or her brain during or before birth. If a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy then he or she may experience problem with body movement and brain development may also get affected. Along with difficulties in body movements, there are many other problems that he or she may encounter, such as difficulties in hearing or vision, intellectual disabilities, learning disorder, impaired speech and seizure problems, etc.

There are many causes responsible for cerebral palsy; they are stated as follows

If the brain of the child is deprived of oxygen during birth
Premature birth
Severe head injury
A brain infection
Regular exercises and physiotherapy can help the child to cope up with the condition better. Following are few exercises which may prove to be helpful:

Joint exercises: Joint exercises will help a C.P. child to increase flexibility.
Muscle exercises: Muscle exercises can help to get rid of muscle tightness which is a common disorder seen in a C.P. child.
Stretching exercises: Stretching exercises can prove to be very helpful in dealing with the problem of body movement which is one of the most potent symptoms observed in a C.P child.
Balancing exercises: Balancing exercises can help the C.P. child to improve his or her balance.
Spine stabilization exercises: Exercising the upper and lower part of the spine can help the C.P. child to strengthen his or her spine which will in turn, help him or her to improve balance.
Wrist and knee exercises: Wrist and knee exercises work on the affected wrists and knees, thus improving flexibility and bettering body motions.
Swimming exercise: Swimming, as an exercise, involves the movement of many muscles and joints. It can thus help to improve body movement disorder.
Exercises with proper assistance can prove to be very beneficial for a child suffering from cerebral palsy.

Frequent headaches can be uncomfortable at best, and debilitating at worst. While a chronic migraine can come with a throbbing pain on one side of the head, headaches due to tension can cause mild to moderate pain on both sides. Also, daily headaches happen in at least 15 days, Hemicrania Continua is a condition that brings about constant pain, and usually happens on one side of the head. Other causes of headaches include eye problems like myopia, presbiopia, squint, long sitting on computer screen, low sugar, acidity etc. A proper eye checkup, neurologist opinion, diet, meditation for treatment is important. Read on to learn more about dealing with these different kinds of headaches.

1. Medical treatment: Inflammation, infections like meningitis and brain injuries that have been proven to be traumatic should be treated with due medication after a proper consultation with a doctor. In certain cases, headaches can be caused due to brain tumours and they must be treated at once. Also, headaches that come with fever, stiff neck, confusion and constant vomiting must be treated by a doctor immediately.

2. Take an over the counter drug: Taking an over the counter drug for instant pain relief can stop the pain and give temporary or long term relief, depending on the kind of headache you are experiencing. It is advisable to speak with a doctor before taking any kind of drug.

3. Find your triggers: Find and limit your triggers like certain food types as well as stress and certain seasonal changes. Stepping out in the summer with an umbrella and avoiding caffeine or too much of chocolate and cheese can also help in alleviating the pain. Stress is also a major factor that contributes to headaches and should be avoided in order to prevent or stop the pain.

4. Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is a good way to treat headaches instantly. The consumption of water is known to soothe the pain effectively.

5. A soothing break: Find a quiet place with dim lighting to take a break that should ideally last at least half an hour to one hour, or even more. This will help in diminishing and removing the pain. You can also use a cold compress and get yourself a massage.

What do we mean by the term cerebral palsy?
A cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders which occur in early childhood. It is a neurological disorder which can occur due to many causes, such as hypoxia, injury, infection, hypoglycemia, or any other cause.

What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?
Stiffness; tightness in the muscles of the extremities either upper or lower extremity; exaggerated movements; limited movements; abnormal gait; crossed knees; and abnormal reflexes are the common presentations of this disease.

How does physiotherapy help in cerebral palsy?
Physiotherapy is one of the best methods to assist patients with cerebral palsy. It helps in following ways:

By reducing the exaggerated tone of the muscle
By enhancing the development of milestones
By maintaining the muscle length
By correcting the posture
By improving activities of daily living
What are the goals of the physiotherapy in patients with cerebral palsy?
The main goals of the physiotherapy are as follows:

To make the patient independent by improving functional mobility
To strengthen and stimulate the growth of muscles
To improve the ability to move parts of the body
To prevent the joint stiffness and muscle atrophy (wasting of the muscles) of the limbs
To improve the balance and joint stability
What methods are used in physiotherapy for the patients with cerebral palsy?
It includes following methods:

Stretching exercises to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues
Use of toys and games to make the therapy enjoyable for the child
Use of special positions, exercises, and cushions to maintain the natural position
Use of braces, casts, and splints to straighten the joint, support the joint, and to manage uncontrolled limb movements
Use of a special plastic jacket to prevent exaggerated curvature of joints
Use of equipment for constraint-induced movement therapy, to improve movements through presenting interesting activities, and giving praise and rewards when a child makes attempts to use the less-functioning muscles
Use of tilt-tables and standing frames
Serial casting to increase the range of joint motion and repeated applications of casts, typically every one to two weeks to restore it
Passive stretching or prolonged manual stretching by using the effect of body weight and gravity or mechanically with a machine or splints
Use of exercise balls, resistance bands, free weights, swimming pools, and hot and cold packs
Electric stimulation to improve gait and upper limb function
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve the oxygen supply to the surrounding neurons
Use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) in foot drop to prevent tripping over the toes
Use of walkers also may be prescribed to enhance mobility

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is damage to or disease affecting nerves, which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organ function, and affects other aspects of health, depending on the type of nerve affected. The treatment by a physical therapist helps in reducing symptoms and improves an individual s quality of life. As the cause, type, and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary, the approach to care also varies. Physical therapy is helpful in maintaining strength, mobility, and function.

Strengthening exercises for peripheral neuropathy moderately improve muscle strength. Exercising can help, when done regularly. They further reduce the neuropathic pain and also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels.

Objectives of physiotherapy include:

Maintaining and improving functions via a range of motion through stretching.

Strengthening muscles which include exercising against increasing resistance, use of weights and isometric exercise.

Balance training helps in providing stability and prevents falls.

Braces or splints can be used to enhance balance and posture.

Splinting is used in the treatment of compression mononeuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Following recommendations and care are provided by physiotherapist:

Moderate intensity exercise- It helps to improve strength and physical function.

Never gliding activities- Includes exercises shown by a physiotherapist who will help you move and glide your nerves.

Balance and coordination activities - Your physiotherapist works on strategies to improve your balance and coordination. Improving balance and coordination helps to decrease your risk of falling and injuries that arise due to it. Balance exercises are a crucial part of the recovery of peripheral neuropathy. Balance training is important in overcoming the feeling of stiffness and unsteadiness, especially among elderly people.

Education Your physiotherapist educates you on how to safely manage peripheral neuropathy. It mainly focuses on improving your safety, preventing further complications, and finding alternative ways to perform certain tasks.

Kinetic therapy in peripheral nerve injuries- It should not be started until the late stage of nerve regeneration when progressive strength return can be seen. After an injury to the nerve, physiotherapeutic methods are used to eliminate paresis and to restore normal function of muscles as well as to improve circulation.

Electrostimulation It plays an important role in the treatment of various neuromuscular dysfunctions.

Magnetotherapy- It is used where a pulsed low-frequency magnetic field is applied. It has well-known effects on enhancing enzymatic activity, oxy-reductive processes and proper blood circulation resulting in better oxidation and conduction characteristics of regenerating peripheral nerves. It enhances the regeneration of nerve fibers.

Bio-laser stimulation- where low energy biostimulation lasers are used in palatial, continuous manner. Laser radiation can also be used to rejoin the nerve stumps.

Folic acid is an important form of vitamin B, which women must take during pregnancy. It is a form of man-made vitamin B known as folate. Folate plays a significant role in producing red blood cells and helps in the development of your baby s neural tube into the brain and spinal cord, preventing any kind of birth defects in your baby. Birth defects of the brain or spinal cord may occur in early stages of pregnancy.
Therefore, by the time a woman discovers her pregnancy, it may become too late to prevent the defects.

How much folic acid should be taken?
A woman should start taking folic acid within the first three to four weeks of pregnancy, as birth defects may occur during this time. Women who start taking folic acid a year before getting pregnant produce healthy babies without birth defects.

400 mcg of folic acid is the recommended dose for all women who are of childbearing age and also in the first trimester of pregnancy. Multivitamins with the recommended amount of folate and folic acid supplements are generally prescribed as they help the mother deliver a healthy child. From the fourth to ninth month of pregnancy, the dose must be increased to 600 mcg.

Benefits of folic acid
Without sufficient folic acid in your body, the neural tube of your developing baby may not close properly. This may lead to neural tube defects, which include:
1. Spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord or vertebrae develop incompletely. A baby with spina bifida may be disabled permanently.
2. Anencephaly, a condition that features incomplete development of the brain. Babies affected with anencephaly do not live long.

Having a sufficient supply of folic acid prevents these neural defects from developing in your baby.
Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy protects your baby against many other conditions. They include:
1. Cleft lip and palate
2. Low weight during birth
3. Chances of miscarriage
4. Premature birth

Folic acid also reduces the risk of developing pregnancy complications in the mother such as heart diseases, stroke, several cancers and Alzheimer s disease. Folic acid is naturally found in dark-green vegetables, which you must consume in abundance. Other sources of folic acid include fortified breakfast cereals, beef liver, lentils, egg noodles and great northern beans.

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is damage to or disease affecting nerves, which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organ function, and affects other aspects of health, depending on the type of nerve affected. The treatment by a physical therapist helps in reducing symptoms and improves an individual s quality of life. As the cause, type, and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary, the approach to care also varies. Physical therapy is helpful in maintaining strength, mobility, and function.

Strengthening exercises for peripheral neuropathy moderately improve muscle strength. Exercising can help, when done regularly. They further reduce the neuropathic pain and also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels.

Objectives of physiotherapy include:

Maintaining and improving functions via a range of motion through stretching.

Strengthening muscles which include exercising against increasing resistance, use of weights and isometric exercise.

Balance training helps in providing stability and prevents falls.

Braces or splints can be used to enhance balance and posture.

Splinting is used in the treatment of compression mononeuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Following recommendations and care are provided by physiotherapist:

Moderate intensity exercise- It helps to improve strength and physical function.

Never gliding activities- Includes exercises shown by a physiotherapist who will help you move and glide your nerves.

Balance and coordination activities - Your physiotherapist works on strategies to improve your balance and coordination. Improving balance and coordination helps to decrease your risk of falling and injuries that arise due to it. Balance exercises are a crucial part of the recovery of peripheral neuropathy. Balance training is important in overcoming the feeling of stiffness and unsteadiness, especially among elderly people.

Education Your physiotherapist educates you on how to safely manage peripheral neuropathy. It mainly focuses on improving your safety, preventing further complications, and finding alternative ways to perform certain tasks.

Kinetic therapy in peripheral nerve injuries- It should not be started until the late stage of nerve regeneration when progressive strength return can be seen. After an injury to the nerve, physiotherapeutic methods are used to eliminate paresis and to restore the normal function of muscles as well as to improve circulation.

Electrostimulation It plays an important role in the treatment of various neuromuscular dysfunctions.

Magnetotherapy- It is used where a pulsed low-frequency magnetic field is applied. It has well-known effects on enhancing enzymatic activity, oxy-reductive processes and proper blood circulation resulting in better oxidation and conduction characteristics of regenerating peripheral nerves. It enhances the regeneration of nerve fibers.

Bio-laser stimulation- where low energy biostimulation lasers are used in palatial, continuous manner. Laser radiation can also be used to rejoin the nerve stumps.