Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tips on How to Fight Memory Decline

September 21st is the Alzheimer's day, the day we have kept aside lest we forget the unfortunate dementia stricken seniors amongst us.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of memory loss and mental deterioration which usually starts in the sixth to seventh decades of life. When the memory goes, with it goes the delicate emotions of love and caring. Such a situation could cause intense emotional upheavals in the near and dear ones. The patients, "fortunately", do not realize this, as they care less and less about their surroundings and withdraw altogether to a world of blank gloominess!

Studies have revealed that Alzheimer's disease occurs when a protein called amyloid gets deposited in the brain tissues disturbing the normal neuro-chemical, and biological functioning of the brain and the neural transmission between the brain and the rest of the body. Why and how this amyloid gets deposited is not known for sure, though there are lots of theories regarding the pathogenesis, which is though to be an abnormal protein metabolism. Such amyloid deposits are also associated with many hereditary and genetic diseases as well.

Scientists are on the look out for medications that could arrest the amyloid deposition and stop the onset of Alzheimer's. The effect of female hormones, oestrogens, anti-inflammatory drugs and a number of other drugs are being investigated.

Another interesting finding in patients with the disease is that they have low levels of acetylcholine in their brains. Acetylcholine is the most important neurotransmitter chemical that helps in transmitting messages and signals between the nerve cells of the brain.

A few drugs belonging to the class of cholinesterase inhibitors like Precept and Exeo, which increase the acetyl choline levels have been developed. These medications are called cholinesterase inhibitors. They do not stop the primary pathophysiological changes, but they do help in augmenting the mental facilities in the patients.

Mental deterioration is also seen with increasing age, known as senile dementia. This is caused by the normal ageing process whereby the blood vessels supplying the brain cells narrow down and there are repeated, small and often unrecognized cut off of blood supply(known as infarcts or strokes) to the brain cells. These also mimic Alzheimer's and can also occur earlier if the patients suffer from uncontrolled diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, increased blood pressure, and stress.

Scientists have found proof that those people who continuously exercise their mind through various mental activities regenerate new neurons in the brain, thus reducing the chances of memory loss and decline in old age and before. An exciting recent advancement in preventing or prolonging the onset of dementias is the concept of Neurobics™.

Acetylcholine is also the transmitter between the nerve cells and the muscle cells in the body. When acetyl choline is released at a neuro-muscular junction, it crosses a tiny space (synapse) that separates the nerve from the muscle. It then binds to acetylcholine receptor molecules on the muscle fibre's surface. This initiates a chain of events that lead to muscle contraction.

Scientists have shown that each muscle fibre contains a scaffold made of special proteins that hold these acetylcholine receptors in place. Research led by Jeff W. Lichtman, M.D., Ph.D., at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, indicates that a loss of nerve signals - due to inactivity - actually disassembles this scaffold and causes a loss of acetylcholine receptors. When the muscle becomes active again, however, the scaffold tightens its grip and catches any receptors that come by.

This finding that actual muscle cell activity (known as exercise, of course) stimulates the acetyl choline receptors to re-assemble has thrown up exciting possibilities in preventing the development of dementia. The stimulant activity that occurs in the neuro-muscular synapses could be duplicated at the nerve synapses connecting the neuronal cells in the brain as well!

It is well known that during our life time we utilize only a small part of our brain cells. There are lots of inactive brain tissue and neuronal junctions out there just waiting for us to activate, nurture and develop!

How to activate and nourish these under-utilized brain cells?

Neurobics™ is a unique system developed by Lawrence C.Katz, professor of neurobiology at Duke University Medical Centre. These are a series of innovative brain exercises that make use of our five senses and the emotional sixth sense to brush up brain and neuronal activity on both sides of the brain.Usually right handed people utilize left side of brain for all their conscious, voluntary activities.

The brain exercises devised by Prof.Katz help stimulate the release and uptake of acetyl choline and other neuro-transmitters both at muscular and neuronals junctions in the body and the brain.

The advantage of Neurobics™.

Without spending a cent, you can keep your mental capabilities at top gear and postpone the development of senile or premature dementias as in Alzheimer's.
Another advantage of Neurobics™ is that these can be done at any place, any time, at our own leisure pleasure. We can also create original and creative "brain exercises" to activate our underused nerve pathways and brain connections and make it an enjoyable exercise all day long!

Here are a few brain exercises (Neurobics™) you can practice daily:

1. Use more than one of your senses in an everyday task:
  • Button your shirt and cuff links with your eyes closed.
  • In the shower, spread the foam on your body with eyes closed.
  • While eating use visual signals to communicate.

2. Combine two of your senses while doing a task:

  • Feel the fragrance of a flower, see the beauty of the flower and listen to music at the same time
  • Close your eyes, listen to the rain outside and run your fingers alongside the chair, table or your clothes and feel the texture of the wood and the textile.
  • Watch the scenery from the balcony and do clay modelling at the same time.

3. Alter the beaten path!

  • Take a new route to your office.
  • Brush your teeth with your opposite hand.
  • Shop at a new grocery.
  • Use a different hand on your mouse!

4. Reading, Chess, Sudoku and Crosswords

  • Reading, doing crossword puzzles or sudoku, playing scrabble or chess etc are all very good brain neuronal stimulants.
  • A new hobby or learning a new language will also exercise your brain.
  • Watch less TV though, instead of putting your mind in forward drive, your brain will go into neutral during the soaps
  • Playing bingo has been found to bolster memory and improve hand eye coordination in the elderl

5. Refresh yourself in the morning by a wake up call to the brain and the body

Skin of our feet, soles, hands and palms have got millions of nerve endings and nerve pathways the muscles underneath. These nerve pathways are also in communication with most of your internal organs. Hence it is very essential to wake them up after a night's restful sleep or after sitting or driving for a prolonged period of time.

Here is what you can do:

  • Before getting up from the bed, start moving your toes, especially the great toe. Flex them, extend them, stretch them and wriggle them
  • Slowly rub and massage your toes up the other
  • Do the same with your fingers also

This activity will not only stimulate your brain and nerve pathways, it will also make you feel cool, refreshed and energetic to start the day on a positive note. It will also reduce early morning falls in the elderly as the muscles have got their grip even before getting up from the bed..

Keep your brain busy! It will not let you down!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

What is so unique about the lesstress program?

One of my affiliates wrote to me recently.

"Dr.Hanish, While I am promoting the '10 days to stress free life' program, I would love to include the most unique benefit of theprogram in my emails and ads. Can you just give a few helpful hints?"

This is indeed a very intelligent question!

There are dozens of stress management programs on the net. Some cheap, some very costly.Why should the customer choose "10 Days to Stress Free Life" over the others?
For 3 simple reasons!

1. This superb stress management program not only preaches, but alsoteaches you, step by practical step, how to get rid of your Tension& Stress within just a short 10 days!

2. The most important difference between '10 days' and the otherstress management programs is that, 10 Days to Stress Free Lifecomes along with 5 ready to use, easy to follow MP3 audio relaxation downloads for you ! These relaxation audios are unique in that byjust spending 10-15 minutes daily, you will be able to scrub anystress, any tension, any worries off and away from your mind! Youwill be starting each and every day fresh with renewed energy and vigor!

3. Compared to the benefits to your family and yourself, you have to pay very little to own this amazing program!

The special offer price of 20$ will be over by midnight today. If you have not done already, grab it before the offer runs out and also suggest to your friends and relatives the same!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Lesstress Product on ClickBank Launch Today!

Greetings from the lesstress team. Here is a breaking news:

You are among the first to be informed of this and get the referral link, even before it appears on the clickbank marketplace later today!
It is indeed a previlege to be on Clickbank team. Clickbank has a vast sales team and has more than 12,000 products in its market place.
Another Great news:
**For the next 2 days, that is, upto midnight of 16th September, this unique Stress Management Package will be available for only $20!**
This is a special Clickbank launch promotion price. From 17th, the price will go back to 47$.
Do not miss this chance to be among the first to promote the 10 days to stress free Life through clickbank.
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You can get your referral link here:
http://drhanish.jmap.clickbank.net
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All the best.
Together We Grow; Together We Prosper!
The lesstress Team

How does our body react to stress?

Psychoneuroimmunology has grown in leaps and bounds during the last decade and our knowledge of response of body to stress is also vast.

The reaction of body to stress is generally known as the
General Adaptation Syndrome:GAS has three stages: The alarm reaction ;The stage of Resistance ;The stage of exhaustion

01.The Stage of Alarm Reaction : This is also known as the 'fight or flight 'response. As soon as our body is faced with a stressful situation, our body explodes with a sudden surge of energy with flooding of hundreds of hormones and chemical activators into the blood stream. We become alert and ready to meet any threat. The main players in this stage are heart, lungs, brain, nervous system and the muscles, all stimulated by the release of hormones. Arousal is initiated by hypothalamus by release of endorphins, the natural painkillers. At the same time, adrenaline is secreted by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline causes palpitations, increased blood pressure and release of vital nutrients. It also causes muscle tension and makes breathing faster and shallower. Nor adrenaline is also secreted, and is associated with positive ecstatic arousal. Another hormone, cortisol, converts glycogen stored in the liver into blood sugar, thus stimulating the brain and whole body with instant energy. In males, the hormone testosterone is released, and provides the required surge of strength. Thyroxin, released by thyroid gland, stimulates the metabolic system and regulates the oxygen consumption. Our digestive system slows down, as blood is diverted to essential organs required to meet the immediate threat

02.The Stage Of Resistance: Once the alarm reaction is established and the immediate threat is faced, the body moves onto a resistance phase, where the bodily functions put on alert are reverted back to a near normal state. The heart rate, respiratory rate and metabolic activities come down to a maintenance level; the body is still ready and alert. More cortisole, thyroxin etc are released to speed up the tissue repair, which may have been damaged during stress.

03. The Stage Of Exhaustion: Emotions such as anger, anxiety and impatience etc are continuous stress stimulators, and without our knowledge, our body is put in (and stays in!) a 'fight' mode. Overdose of adrenaline often cause irritability and uneasiness. Nor adrenaline excess makes us feel disconnected and high. Too much of cortisol will suppress the immune system, making us vulnerable to a host of diseases. Extra sodium is retained, affecting the cardiovascular and excretory systems adversely. Thus our body goes into exhaustion and breakdown due to continuous uncontrolled stress. Emotionally, we are depressed, anxious, disoriented, insecure and frustrated. If this goes on unchecked, family breakdown, mental illness, alcoholism and drug dependency all sets in adding to the already present armamentarium of problems.

Once we have understood this basic physiology of Stress Reaction, we can set out to prepare a proper stress management program, specially individualized for each of us.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Are You Under Stress?

How do you know whether you are facing a situation in full control or the circumstances are denerving you?
Stress may express itself in myriad ways.
Here is a simple way to know whether you were under stress at any given moment :

When you are faced with any situation, spend a few moments to analyze your reaction/response at that time, during the event and after the event. Did you suffer from any of the following?

Palpitation
Hesitation
Restlessness
Tremors
Guilty
Anxious
Angry
Difficulty
Indecision
Loss Of Confidence
Cold Extremities
Moist Palms, Brows
Tight Muscles
Loss of appetite
Sweating (without Physical Exertion!)
Headache
Increased Breathing
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Dyspepsia
Increased Frequency Of Urine
Irritability
Hyperacidity
Weakness
A general uneasiness

If the answer is yes to any of the above, then you may be sure that you have been stressed by that particular event.

Monday, September 11, 2006

What are the different types of Stress?

A certain amount of stress is necessary for optimum performance by an individual (students may not study well if they do not have a little stress about exams); this is evidently good stress, also known as eustress.
Thus, eustress is good stress that brings out our innate strengths and helps us in improving our performances. When stress gets out of hand, it becomes distress or bad stress which will expose our vulnerability and weakness and pave the way for ill-heath and breakdown.
Psychologists say we respond to stress with these steps:
First, during primary appraisal we:
Decide if the situation is threatening
Evaluate our resources
Choose what
to do
We do something to limit the impact of the stress, then engage in a process called secondary appraisal to see if our efforts worked. We continue to appraise the situation until it changes or until it no longer causes us stress.
We are likely to feel less stress if we feel competent to deal with any given situation. We are likely to feel more stress if we feel it over our heads. Illness, tiredness and drug or alcohol addiction can also increase our stress over situations that we might otherwise take in stride.

When does stress occur?

Imagine our life to be on a balance with the resources (tools for managing life) on one side and the demands we have to handle on the other side.
Resources could be internal or external.
Internal resources are our intelligence, wisdom, creativity and certain hereditary characteristics and what we have accumulated with the help of these,viz., education, training, maturity, wisdom, intelligence etc .
External resources are those worldly goods that we have acquired with the proper use of the internal resources: our wealth, bank balance, friends and relatives, properties (movable and immovable) and such.
Demands on our mind and body come from different sources- personal, familial, socioeconomic and attitudinal. If there is optimum balance between the demands and resources, the stress is under control. When there is an imbalance, stress becomes distress!
Successful management of stress depends upon our ability to keep our demands at a realistic level and mobilize sufficient resources to meet the demands at hand.

Learn More

What Is Stress?

Researchers define stress as the psychological and physiological condition that a person experiences when a situation is perceived as threatening, harmful or demanding.
Stress is in the mind of the beholder.
While negative events can be stressful, so can positive changes. Getting married, being promoted at work, taking that trip to Europe, and moving to that great new home can all create stress.
The more effective people feel in a given situation, the better they cope. The benefit to thinking you are effective is that you’re more likely to take changes and success in stride—which reinforces your belief that you are effective.

Learn More About Stress