Medical Tourism Advantages and Disadvantages

Good Swimming Hygiene

12 Strange but True Health Tips

4 Surprising Ways Science is Battling Aging

6 Breast Cancer Risk Factors YOU CAN CONTROL

Is Tooth Polishing Necessary?

9 Charcoal Beauty Products

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Mahan Inflight MagazineHealth

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Good Swimming Hygiene

Tips for Healthy Pool Behavior

Swimming is easily one of the most popular family activities with countless people able to fondly recall lazy summer days spent splashing around in the pool with parents, siblings, or friends. Swimming is also an excellent form of low impact exercise that just about anyone at any physical fitness level can enjoy. However, to enjoy healthy swimming for a lifetime it is crucial to exercise good swimming hygiene and to be aware of potential health dangers. Let’s take a look at some of these tips for good swimming hygiene, recognizing when you shouldn’t swim, and most importantly how to protect your health and that of your loved ones.

The Dangers of Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) is a term used by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to refer to the various types of illnesses that may be spread by recreational water locations such as swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, rivers, lakes, and oceans. The most common type of RWI is diarrhea, however other RWIs include:• Skin infections• Gastrointestinal infections• Eye infections• Ear infections• Respiratory infections• Neurologic problems• Infections of wounds and injuriesRWIs are spread when water contaminated with germs, bacteria, or parasites enters the body. Entry may occur as the result of the person swallowing pool water or it may occur through a cut or scratch on the skin, or the pathogen may be absorbed through the ears, eyes, or nose.

Tips for Good Swimming HygieneThe pathogens that cause RWIs may be introduced to the water in a number of ways, but they most commonly enter the water via other swimmers. This may occur when the water mixes with an individual’s sweat and perspiration, if the person urinates in the water, or if trace amounts of fecal matter enter the water. Meanwhile, sunscreen, lotions and ointments, and other chemicals the person may be wearing – as well as dirt, debris, and even sunlight – can compromise chlorine and PH levels, creating a friendly environment for disease-causing pathogens. Finally, some pathogens such as the parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which cause diarrhea, are resistant to chlorine and may be able to survive in contaminated water for several days. To keep yourself and others safe from these dangerous RWIs practice the following good swimming hygiene tips:• Shower with soap and water before entering the pool.• Don’t get in the water if you currently have or have recently had diarrhea.• Always get out of the pool for restroom needs.• Take your children out of the water for frequent restroom breaks.• Make sure your children are clean before entering or re-entering the pool. Use soap and water.

• Don’t swim while sick or with open wounds.• Never swallow pool water and try to keep it out of your mouth entirely.• Never allow a baby to be in the water with a dirty diaper.• Do not change diapers near the pool; go to designated changing stations.• Shower after swimming.

Know When Not to SwimYour attempts to practice good swimming hygiene may be in vain if others at the pool have not been responsible or if the pool itself is poorly maintained. If you observe any of the following warning signs stay out of the pool entirely since your chances of contracting an RWI may be increased:• Strong chlorine smell – Contrary to popular belief, a pool that smells strongly of chlorine may not have high enough levels of chlorine. That is because the odor comes from chloramines which form as chlorine is broken down as a result of coming in contact with germs and bacteria. • Itchy skin – Incorrect chlorine or PH levels may cause dry itchy skin. • Eye irritation – Incorrect chlorine or PH levels may also cause eye irritation.• Cloudy or visibly dirty water – You should be able to clearly see the pool’s floor and walls.• Slippery or slimy surfaces – The pool’s walls and floor should feel smooth and clean, not slippery and slimy. Slippery, slimy surfaces are an indication of the presence of algae or other microorganism.• Missing or broken equipment – The water should be continually lapping into filtration grills and you will likely be able to hear the sound of pumps and cleaning equipment. If this is not the case then the pool is likely not receiving the care and maintenance it needs to remain a healthy environment for swimmers.

Know When to Get Medical TreatmentMany RWIs are relatively minor and may not be cause for alarm. However, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant woman, small children, and the elderly are at a greater risk of developing serious, even life-threatening complications due to an RWI. Severe pain, high fever, and difficulty breathing are also major warning signs that must be quickly addressed. If symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.

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Medical Tourism Advantages and Disadvantages

Medical tourism has served as a gateway for patients to receive affordable and quality medical care by crossing borders. The net worth of the health tourism industry is believed to be $40 billion. Savings from medical tourism can be 15 to 85 percent in some cases. Leading medical tourism hubs around the world include Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey. Estimates show that over 7 million global citizens cross borders every year to appreciate the effects of medical tourism.

Advantages of medical tourism •Cost savings is one of the predominant factors that has made medical tourism a lucrative option for patients from countries with expensive medical care. Some complex medical surgeries such as organ transplants and cardiac surgeries have extremely steep prices. Patients don't have to break their accounts to furnish their medical expenses when they choose medical tourism. They are able to pay travel, medical treatment and accommodation expenses in emerging medical tourism destinations for a lesser price than how much the treatment alone would cost in home countries, while receiving quality medical care at many health tourism destinations.

• Medical tourism gives patients access to instant medical care with a short to zero waiting period. Medical tourism serves as a timely and effective solution to patients whose health condition requires immediate attention, and who aren't able to receive such medical care in domestic hospitals.

• There are over 600 JCI-accredited medical facilities worldwide. These hospitals give patients access to high standards of medical care which may otherwise not be available in their home countries.

• Healthcare facilities who have tied up with medical tourism agencies offer post-op care for visiting medical tourists. Patients receive utmost attention and care at these facilities, helping them recover in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Medical tourism or a medical vacation gives patients a chance to explore a new destination and a new culture. In fact, medical tourism agencies offer well-rounded health vacation packages that let medical tourists receive first-class medical care while sightseeing tourist hotspots or relaxing on the beach in the destination.

Disadvantages of medical tourism • Legal paperwork and permits can be tedious and/or serve as a hindrance to patients in medical tourism destinations. Furthermore being unaware of the legalities in a foreign country can also undermine their medical care travel.

• The cultural and language barrier puts medical tourists at a disadvantage. Medical tourists may find it tough to communicate with healthcare professionals and locals during their visit. The change can also make some medial tourists apprehensive.

• There have been instances where a patient is promised of high-quality medical care services to receive inefficient medical treatment, or has chosen a medical vacation earmarking a pre-planned budget only to have hidden costs crop up later on. Any kind of misinformation in the treatment or cost, can defeat the whole purpose of a medical vacation.

Weighing the pros and cons of medical tourism before making a decisionTo experience the true benefits of medical tourism, patients should avoid the commonly associated pitfalls. For instance, patients can ensure that they receive quality medical care by choosing facilities that have been certified or accredited as per international standards. If language is an issue, patients can rely on interpreters or facilitators, to help bridge the gap. Taking some time to carry out a thorough research of a medical tourism facilitator or institution can pay off, as patients can filter out the available options to only choose those with high standards.

12 Strange but True Health Tips

These healthy habits might be counterintuitive, but they really work.Many methods to improve your health are pretty straightforward: to lose weight, eat less and exercise more; to boost your energy, get more sleep; to prevent dehydration, drink more water. Others, however, are totally counterintuitive. The following 12 tips really do work—but they may leave you scratching your head.

Drink coffee to have a better napIn a Japanese study that examined how to make the most of a nap, people who took a "coffee nap"—consuming about 200 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in one to two cups of coffee) and then immediately taking a 20-minute rest—felt more alert and performed better on computer tests than those who only took a nap.Why does this work? A 20-minute nap ends just as the caffeine kicks in and clears the brain of a molecule called adenosine, maximizing alertness. Adenosine is a byproduct of wakefulness and activity. As adenosine levels increase, we become more fatigued. Napping clears out the adenosine and, when combined with caffeine, an adenosine-blocker, further reduces its effects and amplifies the effects of the nap.

To wear a smaller size, gain weightIf two women both weigh 150 pounds and only one lifts weights, the lifter will more likely fit into a smaller pant size than her sedentary counterpart. Likewise, a 150-pound woman who lifts weights could very well wear the same size as a 140-pound woman who doesn't exercise. The reason: Although a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle, muscle takes up less space. You can get bigger muscles and get smaller overall if you lose the fat. The bulk so many women fear only occurs if you don't lose fat and develop muscle on top of it. Cut back on calories and add weight to your workout to lose inches.

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To eat less, eat moreGrabbing a 100-calorie snack pack of cookies or pretzels may seem virtuous, but it's more likely to make you hungrier than if you ate something more substantial. Eating small amounts of carbohydrates does nothing but spike your blood sugar and leave you wanting more carbs. Choose a protein such as peanut butter or string cheese with an apple. They are higher in calories per serving, but the protein and fat helps you get full faster and stay full longer—and you end up eating fewer calories overall.

For healthy teeth, don't brush after eatingDon't brush your teeth immediately after meals and drinks, especially if they were acidic. Acidic foods—citrus fruits, sports drinks, tomatoes, soda (both diet and regular)—can soften tooth enamel like wet sandstone. Brushing your teeth at this stage can speed up acid's effect on your enamel and erode the layer underneath. Wait 30 to 60 minutes before brushing.

Skip energy drinks when you're tiredEnergy drinks contain up to five times more caffeine than coffee, but the boost they provide is fleeting and comes with unpleasant side effects like nervousness, irritability, and rapid heartbeat, says Plus, energy drinks often contain high levels of taurine, a central nervous system stimulant, and upwards of 50 grams of sugar per can (that's 13 teaspoons worth!). The sweet stuff spikes blood sugar temporarily, only to crash soon after, leaving you sluggish and foggyheaded—and reaching for another energy drink.

Drink water when you're bloatedWhen you feel bloated, drinking water sounds as if it would only make matters worse, but it can often help. If you're on a high-fiber diet, for instance, then your body needs more water to work more efficiently. Water mixes with water soluble fiber and makes it into a gel like substance. This affects the motility of the gut and reduces the symptom of bloating. Drinking more water also relieves bloating caused by dehydration. When you're dehydrated, your body clings to the water your body does have, causing you to puff up.

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Ditch diet soda to lose weightYou should ditch all soda, including diet. overweight and obese adults who drank diet beverages ate more calories from food than those who drank regular soda. Additionally, diet soda drinkers had a 70% greater increase in waist circumference than non-drinkers over the course of about 10 years. Many people think 'low-fat,' 'low-sugar,' or 'light' means fewer calories, but that's not always true. Typically when manufacturers cut something out and the end result tastes just as good, they've added something like additional sugar.

Exercise when you're tiredAfter a long, exhausting workday, exercising sounds like the last thing you'd want to do, but getting your sweat on will actually energize you. Fatigue along with mood and depression improved after a single 30-minute moderate intensity exercise session. Everything we do uses oxygen, so when you exercise it helps you work more efficiently and you don't tire as easily. You also function better mentally.

Drink a hot beverage to cool off Which will cool you off faster on a steamy summer morning: iced coffee or hot? Two recent studies say the latter—and so do other cultures where drinking hot tea in hot weather is the norm. When you sip a hot beverage, your body senses the change in temperature and increases your sweat production. Then, as the sweat evaporates from your skin, you cool off naturally.

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Handwrite notes to boost your brainpowerTyping notes enables you to jot down more material, but you're more likely to remember those notes if you handwrite them. To learn something means you have processed it, and when you take handwritten notes, you 'process' or learn more information. You begin the learning process as you listen to the lecture. Plus, since you look at the page on which you are writing, you naturally review the material and reinforce the information you've already processed.

To improve your relationship, spend less time togetherJumping from one social event to another without any time to come up for air could sacrifice the quality of your relationships. Spending time alone allows you to process your thoughts rather than act impulsively and, as a result, you get to know yourself better. Alone time enables you to be more in touch with yourself and can better give and receive. In addition, it reduces stress and anxiety, which could also contribute to relationship strains. Meditate, go for a walk, sit in a café and watch people, or even clean out your closet.

Ditch antibacterial soap to prevent illnessReaching for the soap bottle labeled "antibacterial" won't necessarily reduce your risk of getting sick or passing illness to others—in fact, there is no evidence that antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular ones. What's more, long-term exposure to some ingredients in these products, such as triclosan, may pose health risks like bacterial resistance or hormonal effects, according to a 2013 FDA statement. More research on the effects of triclosan is needed, and in the meantime, the FDA is working toward requiring manufacturers to prove their products are safe for long-term use.

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4 Surprising

Ways Science is

Battling Aging

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New strategies could mean big advances in staying young For humans, death in old age has always been life’s great punchline. It takes 70 or 80 years to get really good at the whole business of being alive, and no sooner does that happen than

mortality begins looking your way, tapping its watch and discreetly reminding you that there’s a line waiting for your table.It’s the job of aging—and the

multiple diseases that accompany it—to make sure we

eventually get out of the way, an unhappy fact humans have been

battling practically as long as we’ve been around. But some experts argue

that aggressively treating the age-related diseases—heart disease, cancer,

diabetes, dementia—instead of aging itself has been a mistake.

A collection of studies aims to explore some promising new strategies for getting down into the machinery of the cells themselves to stop or at least slow the aging process. Age is the greatest risk factor for nearly every major cause of mortality in developed nations. Despite this,

most biological research focuses on individual disease processes, without much consideration

for the relationship between aging and disease.The effort to change this is a war being fought on multiple fronts. Here are the places science is making some of the greatest advances.

Gut microbes: Whether you like it or not, your body is home to many trillions of bacteria that are essential to digestion and other bodily processes. In the aged, however, the makeup of that population changes, with higher concentrations of a bacterial species known as bacteroides, which are harmless and helpful as long as they remain in the gut, but can cause infections and other problems when they infiltrate other tissues. Overall, researchers have found, the changing makeup of the microbiome can have an impact on immunity, cognitive function and maintenance of muscle tissue—all of which decline in older people.

Telomeres: Telomeres are cuff-like structures at the ends of chromosomes that grow shorter over the course of a lifetime, leaving the body susceptible to

a range of age-related breakdowns. The rate at which any one person’s telomeres burn down is from 30% to 80% determined by genetics, with the rest most heavily influenced by external variables such as diet, environmental toxins, exercise and stress.The low-hanging fruit here are lifestyle variables: improving diet, increasing exercise, doing what you can to reduce stress and limit exposure to environmental toxins. No matter the reason for telomere shortening, boosting the levels of the body’s own telomere-building enzyme, known as telomerase, may help. That can be done, but it’s risky. In 80 to 90% of fully malignant human tumors, cancer cell telomerase is up-regulated compared to normal tissue counterparts.”

Stem cells: The body’s best little construction workers are stem cells, the versatile progenitor cells that have the power to rebuild organs and other systems by becoming whatever kind of specialty tissue they need to be. No surprise, stem cell production and performance decline as we age—and organ decline follows. Environmental factors such as toxins and poor diet can further damage stem cells, as can sun exposure, in the case of the skin. Two approaches can help reverse, or at least slow, the aging and death of stem cells. In numerous experiments, stem cells from an older organism injected into a younger one have been shown to revert to a more youthful state, and the reverse is true for young cells place in an aged body. Introducing plasma or other blood factors from younger people into older ones may work a similar rejuvenation. Simpler interventions may also help: if a person with a poor diet and little exercise or a high stress level is exhibiting stem cell decline too early in life, reducing the stressors and otherwise changing the lifestyle may reduce the problem, too.

Mitochondrial breakdown: There’s a little tiny engine room deep inside your cells that is responsible for metabolizing energy and keeping the cell alive. It’s the mitochondria, and it’s so important it’s thought of as its own tiny organ. It even has its own DNA profile. But the engine starts to falter as we age, and that has an impact across the entire power grid that is the body. The good news is, researchers have definitely determined that yes, this plays a direct role in aging. The bad news is that reversing the process doesn’t seem to reverse aging—at least not by itself.

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6 Breast Cancer Risk Factors YOU CAN CONTROL

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Being Overweight Overweight and obese women -- defined as having a BMI (body mass index) over 25 -- have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared to women who maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause. Being overweight also can increase the risk of the breast cancer coming back (recurrence) in women who have had the disease. This higher risk is because fat cells make estrogen; extra fat cells mean more estrogen in the body, and estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers develop and grow.

Eating Unhealthy Food Diet is thought to be partly responsible for about 30% to 40% of all cancers. No food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer. But some foods can make your body the healthiest it can be and help keep your risk for breast cancer as low as possible. Research has shown that getting nutrients from a variety of foods, especially fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can make you feel your best and give your body the energy it needs. Eating food grown without pesticides may protect against unhealthy cell changes associated with pesticide use in animal studies.

Lack of Exercise Research shows a link between exercising regularly at a moderate or intense level for 4 to 7 hours per week and a lower risk of breast cancer. Exercise consumes and controls blood sugar and limits blood levels of insulin growth factor, a hormone that can affect how breast cells grow and behave. People who exercise regularly tend to be healthier and are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

Drinking Alcohol Compared to women who don't drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer. Experts estimate that the risk of breast cancer goes up another 10% for each additional drink a woman regularly has each day. Research consistently shows that drinking alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol also may increase breast cancer risk by damaging DNA in cells.

Smoking Smoking causes a number of diseases and is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women. Research also has shown that there may be link between very heavy second-hand smoke exposure and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.

Using Hormone Replacement TherapyBecause the female hormone estrogen stimulates breast cell growth, exposure to estrogen over long periods of time, without any breaks, can increase the risk of breast cancer. Taking combination (estrogen and progesterone) hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for several years or more, or taking estrogen alone for more than 10 years, are associated with increased breast cancer risk. (Combination HRT also increases the likelihood that the cancer may be found at a more advanced stage.)

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When a dental hygienist cleans your teeth, s/he usually finishes with polishing using a mildly gritty paste and a rotating polisher. It always seems to me like sandpapering with an electric sander. I opt out, since it seems like it must wear down the enamel. Is it necessary or beneficial to polish teeth this way?Polishing teeth may make them feel smooth and gleam, but the procedure isn’t necessary. There is no health benefit to polishing. It’s not going to impact tooth decay, gum disease or oral cancer.Polishing should not be considered a routine part of a dental cleaning. So feel free to skip it.Polishing with a gritty paste can remove stains on a tooth's surface. But to get rid of stains, hygienists should also be scaling. Most of us are familiar with scaling, which typically involves removing tartar and plaque off the teeth with a metal hooklike instrument.

It used to be standard for all teeth to be polished until research showed that doing so removed enamel. Then in the 1970s, an influential textbook, “Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist,” by Dr. Esther Wilkins, recommended “selective polishing” - meaning the hygienist should only shine stained parts of the teeth and not the whole set.Twice-a-year polishing at the dentist’s office, even with the coarsest paste, is “not frequent enough to cause significant damage to the enamel.Polishing is not a significant risk. By contrast, not using a soft toothbrush or brushing too hard daily can damage the softer structures of the teeth, including the cementum, the surface layer of the tooth root.Patients who remained concerned about enamel damage but want polishing can request the dental hygienist use a finer-grained paste.

Is Tooth Polishing Necessary?

9 Charcoal Beauty Products for Beautiful Skin & Hair

If someone told you to use the coal from your barbecue grill on your skin, would you do it? We wouldn't either. But what if we told you that there are some great beauty products out there that contain activated charcoal powder? Ideal for individuals with oily or acne prone skin, charcoal has been found to remove toxins and bacteria. Although there are a lot of face washes and masks made from charcoal powder, you could also use this unconventional beauty treatment for your hair, body and lips. If you're willing to go over to the dark side, here are nine charcoal beauty products worth trying:

1. Bioré Self Heating One Minute Masks: Sure, it feels kind of weird when the mask heats up on your face, but after wiping it off, your skin will feel so good that you'll forget you were freaked a minute ago. 2. Orange Thyme Coal Lip Balm: Orange Thyme is awesome in general, but you should explore the depths of the strangeness and charm of charcoal lip balm. 3. Lush Coalface Cleanser: This is perfect for oily skin, especially if you forget to exfoliate -- this face wash does it for you! 4. Freeman Facial Polishing Mask, Charcoal & Black Sugar: The mix of charcoal and sugar creates quite the cleansing experience. 5. Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge With Bamboo Charcoal: We might be putting words into our own mouths, but Konjac sponges are the only sponges we'll be using on our faces moving forward. 6. Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo: A shampoo that helps you deal with a dry, flaky scalp.7. Sort Of Coal Kuro Shampoo: Black shampoo? Blashphemy! But really, this could conquer your greasy hair problems. 8. Origins Skin Diver Body Soap: Your body needs some good charcoal love, too. 9. SMOKE Willow Tree Charcoal Eyeliner and Eyeshadow: Forget your Kohl liner and get down with the real deal.