Weight loss by injections

Weight loss by injections

SHILPA GANESH

Obesity, as all of us know, is caused by sedentary lifestyles and irregular diets. Genetic predisposition add to these factors. Still, most of us are unable to give up on fattening food like pastries and ice cream which cause obesity and related diseases. Even those who engage in physical workouts don’t always manage to lose the excess fat.

IN-XS, a specialised medical outpatient department for obesity, can help with this problem say its founders Dr Keerthi and Dr Sangeetha Patel. Started in 1998, INXS is a technology which treats fat through a minimal invasive medical method. IN-XS has conducted 5000 injection procedures. Trained in Paris in 2004 for the same, Dr Keerthi and Dr Sangeetha are associated with panel of Euro Medicom. They tell BT about procedures that help fight obesity.

What are the different procedures available at IN-XS?
The major procedures done at our clinic include lipotherapy, carboxy pen therapy, ultrasonolysis and collagen induction therapy.

How does lipotherapy injection work?
In lipotherapy, lipolytics are injected into the fat beneath the skin and left to work. These lipolytic medications break down fat cell membrane and the fatty acids inside. Later, the molecular components undergo oxidation and get converted into energy. A patient who refrains from fatty foods sees obvious results in weight loss and circumference reduction much faster. This procedure is done under surface anaesthesia and the entire session takes two hours. The procedure is done once in 15 days or a month depending on the individual.

How does carboxy pen therapy work?
Carboxy pen therapy, also known as CT therapy, involves injecting medical carbon-di-oxide into fat cells. Being one of the safest procedure, this therapy is approved by the US FDA for cellulite treatment. And we’re the official trainers for carboxy pen therapy in India.

What are the precautions taken at IN-XS while doing these procedures?
Fat loss injections are done with extreme care and hygiene. Disposable needles are opened in front of patients. Our trained medical staff observes every single precaution from using disposable gloves to clean equipment.

For further details visit the IN-XS Clinique located at No 36, 1st Floor, 2nd Main Road, Vyalikaval (near Sadashivnagar), Bangalore-03. For appointments, call 080-23311774/ 23449140/ 9845535763/ 9845002024 between 9 am and 6 pm from Monday to Saturday.

NO SIDE EFFECTS
“These procedures are done worldwide. They act locally and don’t get absorbed into the blood stream. Routine blood investigation performed before and after the treatments ensure the safety of these treatments at IN-XS. Some of our patients, who wanted to conceive and were initially apprehensive to take up these treatments, underwent the procedures and have conceived successfully. We are the first ones to bring these injections to India and have associations with Paris. We have CE marked medications. Many people come for treatments at INXS, which proves that we’re the safest and most experienced in India,” says the doctor-duo.

Summer

GET RID OF PRICKLY HEAT

It does not need special treatment, but here are a few precautions to keep it at bay

Summer temperatures are slowly heating up. The long days of hot and humid weather make you sweat like a pig. It’s a sheer torture especially when prickly heat or heat rash appears on the skin. Suddenly you feel like your body is covered with pins and needles. The tiny red bumps and spots also known as miliaria rubra can give you itching, a stinging or prickling sensation and discomfort. Prickly heat does not need any special treatment and it will vanish within a few days. However, you can take precautions to stay away from this irritating problem.

The culprits
The heat and humidity get together and make you perspire so also does intense exercise, certain synthetic fabrics, that do not allow sweat to evaporate or certain medications such as high blood pressure drug or drug for treating bladder problems. Certain bacteria such as staphylococcus on the epidermis, the upper layer of the skin may secrete a sticky substance, which blocks the sweat ducts. Heavy creams and ointments too can block the sweat ducts. If you are overweight or obese you have more chances of getting prickly heat than others. Babies and children are more prone to prickly heat since they have underdeveloped sweat glands.

What to expect?
Excessive sweating can block the sweat glands trapping the sweat underneath your skin. Trapped sweat irritates your skin and forms tiny fluidfilled blisters. The rash occurs especially in the skin folds and all over the body --back, nape, abdomen, upper chest, armpits, groin, hands, feet or neck and even on the face. Prickly heat that appears under your clothing can trouble you more because of friction that your clothes will cause.

Wear cottons
The rash usually heals on its own within a few days. However, several treatments are available such as phototherapy, antihistamine creams or topical steroids in severe cases. Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream helps soothe itching. Anhydrous lanolin can help prevent duct blockage and stop new lesions from forming. If you feel too sweaty and sticky, bathe twice in a day, wear cottons. Use talcum powder or prickly heat powder after shower. However, check for allergies on sensitive skin. In babies, avoid diapers as far as possible during summer heat. Sweat generally collects around the diaper’s synthetic waistband causing heat rash. Switch to cloth nappies. These will keep your baby cool and prevent nappy and heat rash. Try staying indoors in a cooler environment, avoid sun, loosen clothing and expose the affected areas to air. But if your rash seems to be getting worse or shows signs of infection, swelling, pus, pain, fever or chills, you need to take medical advice.
Prevent overexposure to sun by using a sunscreen over SPF 15 and cover your head with a cap or an umbrella. Do not let perspiration dry on your skin. Wipe away the sweat with a clean towel or a handkerchief to keep the skin dry.

BE COOL

Avoid excess sun and heat

Apply cold compresses to cool the area

Keep the affected area clean

Avoid heavy make-up, greasy creams and moisturisers; these can trap heat causing discomfort

Keep yourself hydrated, Drink plenty of water

Aloe Vera can soothe prickly heat

Applying a paste of sandalwood powder in rose water can be soothing

Honey, lavender and chamomile can cool the skin

Applying buttermilk or curd mixed with water can be cooling

Paste of Fuller’s Earth (multani mitti) with rose water soothes the skin, Wash off after 10 minutes

Mint, tea, lemon grass tea, butter milk, coconut water, fruits having high water content such as watermelon, pineapple, vegetables like cucumber – all have cooling effect

STAY FIT

Keep cool with the right food

What we eat and drink can make all the difference to how we feel in summer.Milk, curds, lassi and buttermilk top the list. Of course, we must ensure that the milk is thoroughly skimmed or use commercial skimmed milk. Milk is one of the most wholesome foods we can consume. It is 85 per cent water and that helps cool the system. Then it is composed of both carbohydrate as well as protein, besides plenty of vitamins and minerals. The carbohydrate in milk is a simple sugar called lactose and that will give you a boost of energy in 45 minutes.

Milk also provides protein which is body building material, good for skin, hair and musclebuilding and also very important for keeping us full. Protein takes 3-4 hours to be digested so if you have a lassi at 11 am you will feel fresh and also not feel weak and hungry up to lunch time. Similarly a cool glass of milk or a milkshake at 5 pm or 6 pm will keep you going till dinner.

Milk is a powerhouse of minerals and vitamins. It is one of the richest sources of calcium and also contains Vitamins A, B complex, D and E. So throw away all your myths about milk this summer and treat your body to plenty of skimmed milk/curd/lassi instead of ice cream and pastries.

The next must do for summer is lots of fresh fruits — water melon, musk melon, oranges, mosambi, apples, pomegranate, pineapple etc. help to pump minerals and vitamins into the body. As we sweat a lot with the heat we lose minerals and they must be replaced. Of all foods the richest source of minerals and vitamins are fruits.

Are juices good? It’s preferable for you to eat a fruit and drink the water. As you make the juice vitamins and fibre are lost and also the calories are much higher. When you eat an orange it is 40-50 cals. When you make an orange juice you squeeze 3-4 oranges so it can be anything from 100-150 cals. Even without added sugar. Packet juices are all 100-120 cals per 200ml.

Fruits are also the only natural foods on earth that give instant energy. They contain naturally both glucose and fructose which are monosaccharides. This means one single step of digestion and energy is pumping into the body. Even if you put a spoon of sugar or a toffee into your mouth, energy will come only after 45 minutes.

Summer is a time when you feel fatigued very easily. Fruit is the best snack option. Also try to do fruity desserts instead of rich creamy ones. Make fruit intake compulsory, one at 11 am and one at 6pm daily, will keep your energy levels up. They also keep you cool and fresh as they contain lots of water within them. The fibre in fruits helps to relieve you of constipation which is common in summer.

Lastly, fresh salads are invaluable. Again don’t do veg juices and soups but eat plenty of salad. Try to have a salad both with lunch and dinner. They help to cut down your total food intake and this helps to keep you full but light and fresh as they are an important source of water, minerals, vitamins and fibre.

SUMMER FORMULA

2 Fruits 2 Salads and 2-3 glasses of skimmed milk/curd daily

The Tip

Have watermelon to beat the heat

• Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher is also beneficial for those suffering from conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.

• Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, notably through its concentration of betacarotene.

• Watermelon is also a very concentrated source of lycopene. Also found in olive oil, lycopene is also an antioxidant that helps ease inflammations that cause colds, joint pain and helps prevent cholesterol build up.

• For a great summer thirst-quencher, blend chunks of watermelon with a few ice cubes and a splash of lime juice. Serve with a fresh mint leaf.

• Because watermelon has higher water content and lower calorie content than other fruits (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories), it delivers more nutrients per calorie which is an outstanding health benefit.

Healthy Teeth

How to Keep Teeth White Naturally

There are many effective methods of teeth whitening available, but some come with heavy price tags. Here are some steps you can take at home to whiten teeth naturally without breaking the bank.

Things You’ll Need:

• Straw
• Toothbrush
• Lemon Juice
• Salt
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Strawberries

Step 1:
Limit your consumption of drinks that stain tooth enamel. A few of these include coffee, tea and red wine. If you simply can't cut back on these beverages, consider drinking them though a straw to limit the amount of liquid that actually comes in contact with teeth.

Step 2:
Brush your teeth immediately after eating, especially if eating foods that stain easily, such as berries.

Step 3:
Rub raw strawberries on your teeth, preferably pureed. There is an enzyme in strawberries that acts as a whitening agent. You'll want to brush and rinse after applying the strawberries to remove the natural sugars and acids they may leave behind.

Step 4:
Eat crunchy foods that require a lot of chewing such as carrots, celery, broccoli and apples. These foods are abrasive and will remove built up plaque, which dulls the appearance of teeth.

Step 5:
Dip your toothbrush directly into baking soda and brush. The results are worth the lousy taste.

Step 6:
Combine lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt to make a paste-like substance. Brush your teeth and rinse. Again, not so pleasant on the palate, but your teeth will thank you.

Step 7:
Use hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth. Dip your toothbrush into a small capful of the peroxide and brush as you would with regular toothpaste, being careful not to swallow. Rinse with water.

- Tips -

• Consider using one of the several whitening toothpastes on the market that have all-natural ingredients.
• Brushing after every meal and flossing regularly are the first steps in maintaining a healthy smile.

Eye Care

Eye Care Tips...

Helpful Tips on Eye Care

With so many of us spending lots of time in front of the computer every day it comes to
no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can one do? First,
it’s important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by
making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits.

Here are some helpful Eye Care Tips -

Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen
should be positioned about an arm’s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level.
Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your
screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour,
contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist
to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light
sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don’t forget, your doctor of optometry
can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a
lot.

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Step I :-
After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your
head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This
changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-
Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-
Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes
of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for entire body..It’s all
in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that
when we’re on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes.
Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!

Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them
warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your
eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat
this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want.
While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk
and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall
relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed.

Use tea bags

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home,
place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes
tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.

Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy
veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots,
cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

10 tips for good night's sleep

10 tips for good night's sleep Stick to a schedule. Erratic bedtimes do not allow for your body to align to the proper circadian rhythms. Mum was right when she set a time we always had to go to sleep as kids. Also, make sure you try to keep the same schedule on weekends too, otherwise the next morning, you'd wake later and feel overly tired.

Sleep only at night. Avoid daytime sleep if possible. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to 20-minute, power naps.

Exercise. It's actually known to help you sleep better. Your body uses the sleep period to recover its muscles and joints that have been exercised. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.

Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.

Avoid eating just before bed. Avoid eat large meals or spicy foods before bedtime. Give yourself at least 2 hours from when you eat to when you sleep. This allows for digestion to happen (or at least start) well before you go to sleep so your body can rest well during the night, rather than churning away your food.

Avoid caffeine. It keeps you awake and that's now what you want for a good nights sleep. We all know that.

Read a fiction book. It takes you to a whole new world if you really get into it. And then take some time to ponder over the book as you fall asleep. I find as I read more and more, regardless of the book, I get more tired at night and so find it easier to fall asleep. Different for others?

Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you're not going to require the heat all night long.

Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.

Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It's a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.

Love

Love is not blind anymore

‘Men are often threatened by the success, salary and popularity of their women’

She is a model, a VJ, an actress and a Page 3 socialite. She has featured in a few music videos and is also a keen theatre enthusiast and will be soon seen in Gary Richardson and Alyque Padamsee’s play. She has hosted a lot of live shows and now has a film in the pipeline. But the role Pooja Mishra is enjoying right now is that of a ‘confidante’ on a talk show Jab We Talk which she is hosting. She says ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ is her tagline on the show. In the hot seat, the sizzling diva answers phone-in questions from viewers on love problems, depression, loneliness, etc. “Every second caller wants to date me,” she giggles when we ask her about the feedback she gets on the show. “I call it the psychic hotline,” she says. Mastii-Kustii caught up with her recently and asked her questions on love, marriage and relationships...

On love:
In love, chemistry is more important than physics. The adage, ‘love is blind’ does not work today. Compatibility between the two partners is an important factor. Love happens when both the partners are soul mates. There should be no expectations in love and even if there are, your mate will know even without you telling him/her about it.

On live-in:
Live-in relationships are healthy because you can discover each other to the core. Sometimes when you are in love you don’t know much about the other person, the habits, the likes and dislikes, etc. So a streamlined live-in relationship is quite okay.

On marriage:
If there is a good companionship between two people and if it is magical enough then there’s a transition from friendship to marriage. In recent times, everybody wants to live independently. Today marriage is about partnership and equality. Every relationship is a two-way street — you can’t walk on it alone — both should walk together.

On divorce:
Marriages which don’t find a balance between partnership and equality tend to break. But yes, it’s better to be divorced than to live in a sinking relationship.
After all, we have just one life to live and we need to live it well. In cases where kids are involved, it is the duty of parents to make sure that the kids are taken care of and their future is not tampered with. Divorce should not leave an imprint on the child’s mind. They shouldn’t feel that they didn’t have a nourishing childhood or feel a lack of something in their lives.

On men:
Men are threatened by success, salary and popularity of women. So the ego problems creep into a relationship. There are also men who fall into the commitment-phobic variety. Men today like to be jugglers — they juggle four to five women at the same time. They at most times suffer from insecurity. Men should learn to be more generous, more giving, more positive and more motivating.

On women:
Women should be more independent. They should delegate responsibilities equally with the partner rather than doing everything on their own. They should not get carried away by their emotion. They need to enjoy their life, take time out for themselves. They need to plan and organize their life and understand that they too deserve all the fun in their life. Everybody should learn to live a well-rounded compre