yoga

By Anusha K.




IT takes lots of practice to reap the benefits of hatha yoga. Like any other form of exercise, discipline is also required.



Many people today have bloating and constipation problems attributed to over-eating and lack of fibre respectively.



"Yoga can be performed even by those with medical problems," says P. Manisekaran, president of Malaysian Yoga Society And Malaysian Association Of Yoga Instructors.



"Yoga does not require much physical strength or energy. Those who are fasting, semi-fasting or just out of the hospital after a surgery can perform the postures. The best part is that the practice of yoga and its benefits are best attained when done on an empty stomach."



One doesn't strain certain body parts because of the low-impact postures.



"But once a person experiences a faster heart beat, it's best to stop and relax," says Manisekaran, who's had 15 years of experience in practising and teaching yoga.



Manisekaran recommends certain poses beneficial to the digestive system. In addition to these postures, one should eat more vegetables and fruit.

monitoring

Monitoring


Most medicines have side effects and they can be minimised by taking certain measures, eg eating prior to taking a medicine to reduce abdominal upset, avoiding alcohol, etc. It is advisable to ask the doctor or pharmacist about these measures.



You should also know what to do when side effects are experienced and when to inform the doctor.



When taking a medicine, you should be aware of how you feel and whether there are any bodily changes. If there are any changes, it is advisable to write it down so that you can remember to inform the doctor, pharmacist or nurse.



You should also know when an improvement will be felt and when the next appointment with the doctor is.

understanding depression

Understanding depression

We all feel sad from time to time. But when this sadness never seems to fade away, it might be a symptom of depression. Knowing how to spot depression can help protect you and your loved ones. With early detection, you can beat the blues.

What is depression?
Depression is more than feeling down or being sad. Depression may affect your work, interest in activities and quality of life. It is not a sign of weakness and it does not just 'go away'. Depression can happen to anyone.

Depression is a medical condition that affects how you think and behave, and the way you feel and function. It is one of the most common mental health problems and is faced by over 121 million people worldwide. In Singapore, an estimated 5.6 per cent of the population are affected by depression during their lifetime.

» Learn more about myths and common misconceptions about depression

How to recognise depression
Depression is different from normal sadness as it interferes with your day-to-day life making it hard for you to work, rest and have fun. People with depression experience five (5) or more of the following symptoms almost every day, for two weeks or longer:

Persistent sadness or emptiness
Loss of interest in all or almost all activities
Decrease or increase in appetite; unintentional weight loss or gain
Difficulty in sleeping or sleeping excessively
Restlessness or feeling agitated
Fatigue and lacking in energy
Difficulty concentrating or having trouble thinking and making decisions
Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
» Take our quiz to find out if you may be experiencing symptoms of depression

Risk factors for depression
Challenging life events can increase your risk of depression especially when you find it difficult to cope with them. Some of the life stressors that can increase the risk of depression may include:

Relationship problems
Financial difficulties
Physical illnesses
Unemployment
Lack of support
Loss of a loved one

Symptoms of Alzheimer's

Symptoms of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease can affect different people in different ways, but the most common symptom pattern begins with difficulty in remembering new information. This is because disruption of brain cell function usually begins in regions involved in forming new memories.

As damage spreads, individuals experience other difficulties. The following are some warning signs of Alzheimer's:

Progressive memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information
Behavioural, mood and personality changes
Difficulty finding the right words and performing familiar tasks
Misplacing things or putting them in unusual places, like milk in the bathroom
Problems with abstract thinking, loss of initiative and poor judgment
Getting lost in familiar surroundings, and disorientation
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testimonal

My name is Michele Holderby, and I refused to let Parkinson's disease control my life.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's at 45 years old. I cried all the way home. As a physical therapist, I knew what to expect from having worked with Parkinson's patients.

But I am pretty optimistic, so I was able get on with my life. I found the Parkinson's part I could live with. The worst was the dystonia. My arms would go up, and my head would arch back. It is really painful. It stretches and pulls at your muscles, and you can't do anything about it. It was stealing my life away.

Allow yourself to cry... but don't stay there.

So I went to the University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration in Gainesville, an NPF Center of Excellence, where I met Dr. Okun and Dr. Foote. Dr. Okun said they could help me, and I almost burst into tears.

In 2009, I underwent one deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, followed by a second outpatient surgery to install the battery pack in my chest. As soon as they started to test my limbs during the first surgery, I started giggling because I was so happy — they were moving my limbs and there was no stiffness! It was amazing. The difference between my life then and now is night and day.

If you have Parkinson's, you need to educate yourself. Know how to communicate with your healthcare team so you can help manage your own health. Keep hoping — there is always hope for a cure. Allow yourself to cry because it makes you feel better sometimes just to get that all out. But don't stay there and feel sorry for yourself, continue. It is a battle.

Parkinson's may be part of your life, but it doesn't have to take over your life.

Thanks to the generous support of friends like you, the National Parkinson Foundation can continue its life-changing work.

Sincerely,

Michele Holderby

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PD isn't the end of your life

PD isn’t the end of your life. It can be the start of a new life. If you use the power of positive thought, you can change your life for the better. I’m a better, more caring person now. Think about what you can do, not what you can’t doI think there's still a need for better information for people with Parkinson's disease, at all stages of their illness. Greater public awareness about Parkinson's is also needed, so that people understand that the disease does not just affect the elderly and isn't just about wheelchairs and disability

for people w1th parkinson's

For People With Parkinson's


The words “you have Parkinson’s” have changed your life. For some of you, it is fresh, raw and startling news—often poorly told. Others may have grown more accustomed over the years. Some of you have loving support of friends and family. Others may feel very alone. For everyone who hears those words, life is forever changed.
Parkinson’s is an extremely individual syndrome. And you have a great deal of power to decide how your life will unfold. Yes, it is still possible to live your best life. The information on these pages is intended to arm you with knowledge, understanding, and power. This portal will help you take an active role in educating yourself and give you the tools to live to the fullest with Parkinson's.

PD 101: Read more to understand the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how to live well with the disease.

PD Library: Gain access to a comprehensive listing of articles, checklists, books, DVDs, videos, webcasts and web sites to help you learn more about PD.

Local Resources: Search for a health care professional, center, chapter or support group in your area.

Discussion Forums: Get connected with professionals and other people diagnosed with PD.

Personal Stories: Learn how others continue to live well with this experience.

On the Blog: Stay up-to-date with the latest in PD research, "What's Hot in PD?"

Clinical Trials: Interested in participating in a PD research study