House Plants Clean the Air

That pretty plant perched atop your windowsill may be doing more than just decorating your home. While they brighten up your living space, potted plants can also combat indoor pollution and boost your creativity. Read on to discover which plants will improve both your home and your well being!

To add some zing to your living room décor, consider hanging a potted plant instead of a Picasso! A two-year study conducted by NASA scientists and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) researched about a dozen plants for their added health benefits. The results demonstrated that certain leafy greens can absorb hazardous contaminants and produce clean air.

1. Cleanse with Chrysanthemums

Originally cultivated in China in fifteenth century BC, this plant boasts multiple medicinal and culinary uses. Its yellow and white flowers are enjoyed as a sweet drink in some parts of Asia, while the greens are boiled and served as a delicious meal in China. In addition to being a tasty treat, the NASA study found that chrysanthemums were effective at removing benzene from the air. Benzene is one of the most common odorless pollutants found in inks, paints, plastic, dyes, detergents, gasoline, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. The flowers last about six weeks and thrive in bright, indirect light.

2. Purify with Peace Lily

Native to tropical regions, this beautiful perennial plant contains large leaves that vacuum formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and other hard-to-pronounce pollutants. Peace-lilies thrive in low and bright light with a slightly moist soil. The next time you need an air freshener don’t reach for the chemical spray, breath in the bloom and serenity of a peace—lily!

3. Dispel Dryness with Bamboo Palm

Growing between 3 to 6 feet tall, the long, elegant leaves of this sturdy palm sweep away toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, and chloroform. In addition to helping you breathe fresh air, it is an excellent spider mite repellant. During the cold winter months when air is very dry, the bamboo palm emits some much-needed moisture. It is best kept out of direct sunlight and feeds on all-purpose liquid fertilizer during the summer months.

UN-HYGENIC PRACTICE IN LAHORE

captured by Aamir Raza (via cell phone camera)

Ear Hygiene – Tips to Safe Cleaning

Your external ear naturally produces oil and sheds skin tissue. Ear wax is the mixture of your body’s natural skin oils and dead tissue. Some people produce more of it than others. While ear wax helps protect the delicate lining of your ear canal, excessive build-up over time may lead to blockage, hearing loss and the attraction of dirt, resulting in poor ear hygiene.

1.Always Use clean hands to insert and remove earplugs.

2. Clean your outer ear by gently washing it with a washcloth and warm water.

3. Safely remove excess ear wax using over-the-counter ear wax removal solutions.

4. Visit your ear, nose, throat (ENT) or otology physician for more extensive ear wax removal treatments or if you are experiencing ear pain, inflammation, blockage or hearing loss.

1.Never Use a cotton swab inside your ear canal. Why?

A cotton swab can actually damage the tissue lining of your ear canal or puncture your ear drum (tympanic membrane). It can also dry and irritate the ear canal, creating an itching sensation for some people. Cotton swab usage inside the ear canal may actually plunge the ear wax deep into the canal, making it more difficult to remove without the help of a physician. In severe cases, the wax may form a plug that may reduce your ability to hear. This wax plug may also adhere to the ear drum.

2. Never use a bobbie-pin, finger nail or other sharp object inside your ear canal.
These items may easily cause serious injury.
3. Never use “ear candling,” also known as auricular candling
or coning.

DENGUE MOSQUITO HIT LAHORE

Prevention is the only key to this out break.

A 1920s photograph of (WHO)efforts to disperse standing water and thus decrease mosquito populations

There are no approved vaccines for the dengue virus. Prevention thus depends on control of and protection from the bites of the mosquito that transmits it. world Health Organization recommends an Integrated Vector Control program consisting of five elements:

(1) Advocacy, social mobilization and legislation to ensure that public health bodies and communities are strengthened.

(2) collaboration between the health and other sectors (public and private).

(3) an integrated approach to disease control to maximize use of resources.

(4) evidence-based decision making to ensure any interventions are targeted appropriately

(5) capacity-building to ensure an adequate response to the local situation.

The primary method of controlling A. aegypti is by eliminating its habitats. is done by emptying containers of water or by adding insecticides to these areas, although spraying with pyretheroide is not thought to be effective. Reducing open collections of water through environmental modification is the preferred method of control, given the concerns of negative health effect from insecticides and greater logistical difficulties with control agents.People can prevent mosquito bites by wearing clothing that fully covers the skin, using mosquito nets while resting, and/or the application of repellent.

Food allergy

Normally, your body's immune system defends against potentially harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins,In some people, an immune response is triggered by a substance that is generally harmless, such as a specific food.

The cause of food allergies is related to your body making a type of allergy-producing substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies a particular food.

Although many people have a food intolerance, food allergies are less common. In a true food allergy, the immune system produces antibodies and histamine in response to the specific food.

Any food can cause an allergy, but a few foods are the main culprits. In children, the most common food allergies are to:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, snails, clams)
• Tree nuts
• Wheat

  Treatment

  The only proven treatment for a food allergy is to avoid the food. If you suspect you or your child has a food allergy, consult an allergy specialist.

  If you have symptoms on only one area of the body (for example, a hive on the chin after eating the specific food), you may not need any treatment. The symptoms will likely go away in a brief time. Anti-Histamines may relieve the discomfort. Soothing skin creams may provide some relief.

  Consult your doctor if you think you have had an allergic reaction to food, even if it is only a local reaction.