Dengue

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Dengue: Symptoms, causes and treatment

The alarming rise in cases of dengue across cities in the country has become an increasing cause of worry. It now more important than ever to be aware of the risk factors, and protect yourself. Prevention in this case, is truly better than cure.

What is dengue?

Dengue is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person, i.e., is not contagious. A person can only become infected by the bite of a mosquito that is infected with the dengue virus. It is important to note that these mosquitoes bite during the daytime as well as nighttime.

Symptoms

Dengue usually begins with chills, headache, pain while moving the eyes, and backache. Persistent high fever is characteristic of dengue. Other symptoms to watch out for are exhaustion, backache, joint pains, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure and rash.

Treatment

Because dengue is caused by a virus, there is no specific treatment for it; treatment of dengue is typically concerned only with the relief of symptoms. People who show the symptoms mentioned above should immediately consult a physician. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, stay hydrated, and get as much rest as possible.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)

DHF is a more severe form of dengue and can be fatal if untreated. It tends to affect children under the age of ten, and causes abdominal pain, hemorrhage (bleeding), and circulatory collapse (shock).

Prevention

There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Prevention of dengue requires eradication of the mosquitoes that carry this virus. This means high standards of hygiene and sanitation. Avoid areas littered with garbage. All containers of stationary water (like drums or buckets) should be covered or discarded, including flower vases and pets' feeding bowls. If your area is infested with mosquitoes, wear long sleeves, use mosquito repellants and fumigate if necessary.

Article Credit: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/dengue--symptoms--causes-and-treatment.html

Kareena Kapoor

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Yash Chopra

What made his films unforgettable was his uncanny ability to create magic on screen. Here's a look

Waqt: Though Yash Chopra's directorial debut was Dhool Ka Phool, it was Waqt which got him the best director award for the first time. According to Bollywood trivia, B R Chopra had originally planned the film with Prithviraj Kapoor and his three sons, Raj, Shammi and Shashi. Eventually, only Shashi Kapoor was cast in the film.

Daag:The hit pair of the seventies Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore teamed up together in this drama about a polygamous man living a dual life. At that time, Rajesh Khanna was a superstar and everybody wanted a piece of him. Sources say that the leading ladies of the film never spoke to each other for years after a fight over Rajesh Khanna.

Deewar: The film contains all the stock-in-trade elements of a Bollywood masala potboiler - Brothers who are poles apart, the wronged mother, a taut script ( one of the best from Salim - Javed), the powerful dialogues and above all a power-packed performance by Amitabh Bachchan which strengthened his image as an angry young man.

Trishul: This film about an illegitimate son's quest to destroy his father's fortune was one of the biggest hits of the eighties. Dilip Kumar was initially offered the role which was eventually played by Sanjeev Kumar.

Silsila: In a conversation with Shah Rukh on his 80th birthday, Chopra disclosed that both Smita Patil and Parveen Babi had signed the film.But eventually, it was the Amitabh's real life heroines who got to play the roles. Despite the cold war between the two actresses, Jaya Bachchan and Rekha were dignified enough to not make the shooting difficult for anyone.

Kabhi Kabhi: The snowy peaks and the post card sized photographs of tall Kashmiri poplar trees lining the road decorated many scenes in Yash Chopra's Kabhi Kabhi. The cast which comprised of Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhi, Shahi Kapoor, Waheeda Rahman, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh contributed to every aspect of the film, and they even brought their families with them (they were used as extras in the wedding scenes). Chopra had described the shooting as a honeymoon.

Darr: This saga of an obsessed lover who goes to any lengths changed Shah Rukh Khan's career graph for good. While Juhi Chawla was actually named Kiran in the film, it was Shah Rukh Khan who became famous for this dialogue. Most parts of the film was shot in Yash Chopra's favourite country-Switzerland.

Chandni: Chandni made chiffon saris the quintessential garb of the Bollywood heroines. It is said that Rekha was original choice but Yash Chopra felt that she would not fit in well with the two leading men of the film-Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna.

Lamhe: When Lamhe released, it didn't go down with the audience as they found this cross-generational love story to be incestuous but the film remains one of Yash Chopra's best work."Lamhe came before its time," Yash Chopra had lamented after the disheartening response to his film.

Dil Toh Pagal Hai: The film, initially supposed to be called 'Maine To Mohabbat Ki Hai' brought back the concept of soulmates shall meet. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karishma Kapoor, Dil Toh Pagal Hai was a hit with the younger generation with its foreign locales, chart-bursting songs and yes, chiffon!

Veer Zaara: The film was originally going to be called 'Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum', after the song from Silsila, but Yash Chopra felt that 'Veer-Zaara' went better with the story of the film. However, a song in the film twisted the title and became 'Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hai Kahaan'. Sources say that Rani Mukherjee's role was originally intended for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, but she backed out.

Image and Article credit: http://in.movies.yahoo.com/blogs/24fps/best-yash-chopra-174538425.html

Malala Yousafzai

Hollywood philanthropist Angelina Jolie said she was compelled to share Malala Yousafzai's story of grit with her children.

So what is special about this 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot down by Taliban gunmen?

For us it is difficult to comprehend a world where a girl is shot for her desire to be allowed to go to school. But for folks in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province this has become a way of life.

Yousufzai, a cheerful schoolgirl who had wanted to become a doctor before agreeing to her father's wishes that she strive to be a politician, has become a potent symbol of resistance against the Taliban's efforts to deprive girls of an education.

Malala was shot in her head and neck for advocating education for girls.

Facing widespread condemnation for attacking Malala, a defiant Taliban said that the attack on her was justified as she had spoken out against the group and praised US President Barack Obama.

Taliban described Yousufzai as a "spy of the West".

"For this espionage, infidels gave her awards and rewards. And Islam orders killing of those who are spying for enemies," the group said in a statement.

"She used to propagate against mujahideen (holy warriors) to defame (the) Taliban. The Quran says that people propagating against Islam and Islamic forces would be killed.

"We targeted her because she would speak against the Taliban while sitting with shameless strangers and idealized the biggest enemy of Islam, Barack Obama."

So what did the 14-year-old do to shake the Taliban?

Their story began in 2009, when Fazlullah, known as Radio Mullah for his fiery radio broadcasts, took over Swat Valley, and ordered the closure of girls' schools, including Yousufzai's.

Outraged, the then-11-year-old kept a blog for the BBC under a pen name and later launched a campaign for girls' education. It won her Pakistan's highest civilian honour and death threats from the Taliban.

Yousufzai was not blind to the dangers. In her hometown of Mingora, Fazlullah's Taliban fighters dumped bodies near where her family lived.

"I heard my father talking about another three bodies lying at Green Chowk," she wrote in her diary, referring to a nearby roundabout.

A military offensive pushed Fazlullah out of Swat in 2009, but his men simply melted away across the border to Afghanistan. Earlier this year, they kidnapped and beheaded 17 Pakistani soldiers in one of several cross border raids.

Yousufzai continued speaking out despite the danger. As her fame grew, Fazlullah tried everything he could to silence her. The Taliban published death threats in the newspapers and slipped them under her door. But she ignored them.

The Taliban say that's why they sent assassins, despite a tribal code forbidding the killing of women.

"We had no intentions to kill her but were forced when she would not stop (speaking against us)," said Sirajuddin Ahmad, a spokesman of Swat Taliban now based in Afghanistan's Kunar province.

He said the Taliban held a meeting a few months ago at which they unanimously agreed to kill her. The task was then given to military commanders to carry out.

On Tuesday, the two men stopped the bus she was riding home in. They asked for Yousufzai by name. Although the frightened girls said she wasn't there, the men fired at her and also hit two other girls in the van. One of them remains in critical condition.

Her would-be killers said they had no idea their attack would propel their victim, already a national hero, into a global icon.

Article Credit: http://in.news.yahoo.com/why-malala-yousafzai-s-story-needs-to-be-told.html

Honey

Honey is considered to be an elixir of life. This lustrous brown liquid works wonders for your health in more than one ways. Read through the article to find out more.

1. Immunity booster

The antioxidants and anti bacterial properties that honey contains, aids the improvement of the digestive system. Consuming this liquid can help boost your immune system and keep you healthy and fit in life.

2. Skin Care

Variety of beauty products available in the market contains honey as their prime ingredient. Honey not only helps to smoothen your skin but also keeps acne at bay. The anti-bacterial properties of this liquid can give your skin a nourishing look and feel.

3. Aids Weight Loss

Experts recommend eating honey mixed with warm water every morning. This unique combination helps you digest the fat in your body and aid the weight loss process.

4. Cancer preventive properties

Honey contains a number of antioxidants and flavanoids that help diminish the risk of a few types of cancer. These antioxidants kill the collagen in the body.

5. Vitamins and Minerals

Honey is rich in a number of vitamins and minerals too. Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron are primarily derived from this golden ingredient.

6. Relaxes the throat

A commonly known benefit of eating honey is the soothing effect it provides to the throat. You must consume it or gargle with a honey and water mixture when you have a sore throat. It is known to kill the infection causing bacteria, reliving you of the irritation.

7. Healing Properties

Honey is considered to be a natural healer when applied to wounds. It cures the wound by killing the bacteria and cleans the infection too. The antibacterial property it contains does this magic to any kind of injury.

8. Induces Sleep

Enjoying a sound sleep is a problem for many especially amongst the older people. Drinking a glass of warm milk mixed with honey can solve your problem. This mixture is known to soothe you and induces sleep too.

Consuming a spoonful of honey on a daily basis can help you extract a number of golden benefits from this thick liquid. Making this tad bit effort can shower your body with miraculous benefits and promise a healthy life too.

Article Credit: http://www.mensxp.com/health/live-healthy/7581-health-benefits-of-honey.html

Travelling

Top 5 Hygiene Tips While Travelling

Trying out new things, going on an adventure, sampling local cuisine, shopping and having the best time of your life etc. are 'little' expectations you have when you go out to explore the world. But, do you know that there are certain little things which you often ignore amidst all the fun in your travel plans? And those little things are germs. Ignore them and all your travel plans will go for a toss. So, if you want to enjoy a trouble free vacation, then follow these simple hygiene tips which will let you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Prepare a Travel Kit

You must carry a hand sanitizer, disposable tissues, face wash and a first-aid kit with you to ensure that your vacations go without a hitch. These small things will protect you from the vicious bacteria and germs that can make your stomach upset or make you fall sick on the way. Irrespective of the expected menstrual cycle time, a woman should always carry sanitary napkins in her bag.

Nature's Call and Dirty Toilets

Not just public toilets, airline toilets are also a breeding ground for germs. With hundreds of people using the same commode, it is natural that it becomes the hub of viruses and germs. So for your peace of mind, always clean the rim of the toilet seat with sanitizing wipes. And also, touch the toilet door knob using a tissue paper.

Whenever you travel, carry your own toilet paper which will be useful while using public toilets. It is always advisable to carry your own disposable soap sheets, rather than using the liquid soaps available in the public toilets.

Examine Your Hotel

Your hotel room may appear clean to you, but you never know what the true story is. Pillows and bed sheets are the two things which tend to be "germy" in a hotel room, as they have been used by many people.

Therefore, it is advisable to carry a bed sheet which can be used underneath the quilt or sheet provided in the hotel. Besides this, examine each and every nook and cranny of your hotel room. If you are unsatisfied, then talk to the cleaning staff and give them your feedback. Do not forget to give them a good tip as well. They will surely appreciate your gesture and put an added effort to clean your room.

Food

Hygiene goes for a toss when you see mouth watering street food in front of you.

After all, everybody loves gol gappas in Delhi, momos in Kolkatta, gaeng som in Thailand and hot dogs in New York. However, before you order from a joint, always go through the below mental checklist.

"    Is the wok spotless?

"    Are the surroundings clean?

"    Are the serving dishes being washed carefully?

If you are a little confused about where to go, you can talk to the locals and ask them to recommend some good food joints. While on a road trip never take a risk and go to an unhygienic restaurant. Just walk into a super market and get some juice, bread, chocolate bars, assorted cheese and fruits.

Water

While travelling, always buy mineral water. A few places may claim to have clean water, but do not take their word for it. You can also make an investment in a mini water purifier. Carry it around wherever you go and enjoy clean and safe drinking water for free.

Article Credit: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/top-5-hygiene-tips-while-travelling.html

Kaanchi

Noted filmmaker and showman of Bollywood Subhash Ghai is back in the limelight with his next directorial venture after four years! After making box office hits like Ram Lakhan, Khal Nayak, Pardes and Taal among others, the maverick director is back with Kaanchi to be released on August 15, 2013.

Like his previous films Taal, Kisna and Yuvraaj, the new film also seems to have music and dance as its central theme. The actress in the teaser poster as well as trailer cannot be identified and Ghai obviously wants to keep mum about it. With top league actresses such as Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif having acted in his films, we are not sure if a new face will work here.  

Subhash Ghai tweeted earlier this morning - "thank u all for good wishes for my new movie 'KAANCHI' a musical thriller played by newcast n stars like rishi kapoor"

Check out the Kaanchi trailer here.

Image and Article Credit: http://idiva.com/news-entertainment/subhash-ghais-new-film-kaanchi-first-look/16702

Video Credit: youtube.com 

Break up

Open any tabloid today. Any one. Go on. What will you see?

Celebrities, hooking up, immediately after a break-up. Kim Kardashian is into Kanye West suddenly, after her just as sudden divorce (post a marriage that lasted 72 days); Ashton Kutcher, fresh from his split with Demi Moore, is allegedly living-in with Mila Kunis, the petite hot brunette from ‘Friends With Benefits’ and ‘Black Swan’.

How do they do it? How do they fall in love immediately after a break-up? Or rather why? How do they start a new relationship right after the old one goes kaput? Well, it is because it is one of the best ways to get over a heartbreak. Nothing else works as well. When you find someone that you like to be with right after a painful break-up, this new person helps you forget the pain, makes you feel better, comforted. It’s similar to being stuck in a hailstorm and then coming home to a fireplace and blanket.

After a break-up you find yourself disoriented, unstable. You might find yourself breaking down all of a sudden; find yourself getting emotional for the most trivial of things. A new person in your life brings with him/her stability, a much needed support, like a crutch when you have had a fracture. He/she boosts your confidence, your self-esteem to where it originally was, makes you happy and keeps you from doing stupid things like calling your ex after getting drunk. Falling in love right away will plug the holes and keep them from leaking.

And what if this person is the original Mr/Ms Right? What if the lessons you learned from past relationship actually help you in choosing the right partner this time around? It can happen. Your internal radar may actually lead you the perfect partner. So, go with your instinct. Just like with every relationship, don’t overanalyse. Give it time to simmer, let the colour show.

Seeing someone new right after a heartbreak is a great idea. However, make sure you take a little time off in between, like taking a break after an injury. You need some time to heal, to get back to full health, some time for yourself, to take a breather, to reflect on how the last one went and how you want the future one to go. Eventually, you will need to take some time off to resolve past relationship issues, gain some closure. When you do feel sad or hurt because of your past romance, don’t take it out on your present partner. Instead, discuss it with him/her. Be open about how you’re feeling. Remember, it’s not them, it’s you.

All in all, falling in love immediately is a wonderful thing, but just make sure you set the pace for the relationship – a pace where you don’t feel too rushed, and make sure it isn’t a rebound. So, go forth, get over the pain with a new, fresh start.

Image and Article Credit: http://www.mensxp.com/dating/inner-game/7329-why-falling-in-love-immediately-after-a-break-up-is-a-fantastic-idea.html

Red Wine

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10 Health Benefits of Red Wine

Not everyone chooses to drink alcohol, but those who do are probably smart to choose red wine. Every year, the research on the health benefits of red wine piles up. Wine has always been a staple in the human diet. In fact, scientists have documented red wine as far back as 5400 B.C.

Here are ten reasons to drink red wine (in moderation of course!)

Sleep

New research shows that red wine, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, and Merlot, contains melatonin. Melatonin regulates the body clock, so drinking a glass of red wine before bed may help you sleep. Melatonin is also an anti-oxidant, which means it also has anti-aging and cancer preventative properties.

Longevity

A compound in red wine called resveratrol has been shown to increase lifespan in animal studies.

Brain Health

Resveratrol has been shown to protect against Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Heart Health

Red wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart and cardiovascular disease thanks to the resveratrol and other anti-oxidants it contains.

Lung Cancer

Researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain found that each glass of red wine per day reduced the risk of lung cancer by 13%.

Prostate Cancer Four or more glasses of red wine per week has been shown to reduce men's overall risk of prostate cancer by 50% and the risk of the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer by 60%.

Breast Cancer

Moderate consumption of red wine is believed to lower the risk of breast cancer. However, drinking more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day appears to increase the risk of breast cancer in women, so moderation is key.

Colds

Researchers in Spain found that people who drank more than two glasses of red wine per day have 44% fewer colds than people who abstained.

Inflammation

Resveratrol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps overall physical health since many diseases and ailments can be attributed to inflammation.

Cholesterol

Resveratrol has been found in studies to lower LDL cholesterol, while another ingredient in red wine, saponins, also have cholesterol lowering properties.

Article Credit: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-red-wine.html