How to protect your eyes when using a Computer

When using a computer for prolonged periods of time, whether for work or pleasure, it's important to protect your eyes from long-term damage. There are a number of things you can do to help protect your eyes. Some of those ways are:

• Clean your computer screen periodically to remove any dust, dirt or fingerprints. This can make it easier on your eyes, so they are not having to focus harder to see what is on the screen, especially if there is text to read.
• Keep the monitor about 20 to 30 inches away from your face. This range has been found to be the best distance for proper viewing and for reducing eye strain.
• Use fonts and icon sizes that are easy for you to view and read. Avoid using small fonts and icon sizes as it can cause eye strain.
• Adjust the height of the monitor so that the top of the monitor is just below your eye level so that you are looking down slightly when viewing the screen.
• Make sure there is proper lighting in the room. Overly dim lighting or overly bright lighting can cause strain to your eyes.
• Use an anti-glare filter on your monitor, to help prevent glare and reflection from lights in the room.
• Use a document holder for placing documents that you look at regularly, and place it at the same distance as the monitor.

One of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes is to take regular breaks. Taking several minutes to get up and not look at the monitor can greatly help in protecting your eyes and reducing any strain.

Another recommendation is to use an LCD Monitor aka flat penal display. The older CRT monitors are harder on the eyes, due to the lower refresh rates and general design of the monitor. LCD monitors feature higher refresh rates, high enough that most people are unable to see the refreshing of the screen. LCD monitors in general are easier to view for longer periods of time and cause less strain on the eyes.

Working On Your Computer In Healthy Way

Follow some basic tips to work in a better way on your computer.

• Do not work in total darkness where the computer screen is the only source of light, especially if you have to type or copy from a printed document.
• Ensure that the keyboard and the document you are typing from are adequately lit up. The keys and letters should be visible and they should appear in focus when you look at them. If you are looking at a sheet of paper while typing, keep a paper holder adjacent to the monitor and ensure the letters are visible. Contrast also affects visibility. Black letters on a white background are the easiest to read as opposed to light lettering on a dark background.
• Set the contrast correctly for your monitor, too. Outrageous colours such as red letters on a gray background are painful to even stare at. Set your desktop screen to a subtle colour and avoid pictures and graphics with fluorescent colours.
• Make sure the light you use does not cause a glare on the screen. Continuously staring at a monitor with a glare on it can cause a lot of stress to your eyes. Also, ensure that there are no harsh shadows falling on a part of your screen. Adjust your monitor brightness to a level where you can look at it comfortably and see letters on it without straining your eyes.
• If you have a CRT monitor (the fat ones that look like television sets), use a flicker filter because these screens flicker a lot. Since your pupils are really wide open while working in the dark or staring very hard at the screen, the constant flicker makes things worse.
• Mind your position if you are sitting in your room and working the night away. It is very tempting to recline and work with the laptop on your lap, but that is a bad ergonomic choice. After a while, you will realise that your back is hurting. Use a bedside table where you can keep your monitor at eye level and use a lamp to illuminate the keyboard.
• More importantly, take frequent breaks. Practice a focus pull: focus on an object close to you and then move your gaze to an object at a greater distance. Scanning across the various objects in the room also helps. Blink very frequently and use artificial tears if your eyes feel very dry. A few head rolls, too, will help keep the neck free of pain.
• Remember, taking frequent breaks and exercising your eyes is not unique to working in the dark. Try and practice these even during the day if you have to work for long periods continuously.
• Courtesy: http://www.investmentkit.com/

Vodafone Launches Ask a Doctor Service

Vodafone India today announced the launch of 1st ever Wap health portal “Ask a doctor” a unique health portal for its customers. With the current service health and care service launched its becomes the simplest mode to ask any query on health.

This service is priced at Rs. 5/day and allows customers to ask unlimited queries or questions from qualified experts. Answers to the queries or questions will be provided within 24 hours.

Few features of the health portal ,Any questions asked by the customers will be archived in the “My questions” section for any future reference. Also customers can browse through the questions asked by the users. Customers can know about the questions asked by the others users also.

Customers can know various myths & facts related with a disease.Interesting medical cases in the Very short story format. Basics health tips will also be updated to handle some common challenges.How to activate sms HC5 from your Vodafone number and send it to 111 / 144. Charged at Rs. 5/day with unlimited queries. To cancel CAN<>HC5 to 111/144.

Courtesy : http://telecomtalk.info

5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

1. Emergency 

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out. 

2.Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: 

  If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). 

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!' 

3.Hidden Battery Power 

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time. 

4.How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? 

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.

When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

  

And Finally.... 

5.Free Directory Service for Cells 

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem.. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now. This is sponsored by McDonalds.

This is the  kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends !!!

Courtesy :  http://sapost.blogspot.com/

Working on PC? 5 Tips to Protect Eyes

Working on PC? 5 Tips to Protect Eyes

Those working for long hours in front of computers often suffer headaches, itching, burning, blurrness and tiredness of eyes. As the usage of computers grows, so does Computer Vision Syndrome. Take note of the issue before it gets serious. Here are tips to prtect your eyes

2. Keep Blinking

"These kind of problems, essentially, occur as we deprive our eyes of a basic action while working on computers - blinking. A human eye typically blinks 10-12 times a minute but the need to concentrate on the screen leads to reduction in that process, leading to dryness in the eyes," says Dr Noshir Shroff, medical director, Shroff Eye Centre in New Delhi. Neglecting this for long can lead to inefficiency and lower organisational productivity.

3. Ensure proper Lighting

Every corner of the room should be evenly lit to avoid stress on the eyes from one source - the computer. Also , the distribution of light should be vertical. "The best way is to have luminaires that light the ceiling along with the peripherals. Also, eyes should not be exposed to direct light. Companies that have modern lighting arrangements with reflections of light on surfaces illuminating the surroundings, offer a healthy environment to employees," says Sunil Sikka, president, Havells India.

4. Take Frequent breaks

Working for long hours in front of the machine leads to fatigue in eye muscles. Individuals who work in sectors like IT, media or financial research , need to focus on the screen for long durations, which strains the eyes. "They should try taking a 15-minute break every hour away from the system to keep their eyes relaxed ," suggests Dr Shroff.

5. Use Eye Lubricants

Dryness in eyes causes irritation and constantly staring at the screen increases this problem. There are a lot of 'artificial tears' or eye lubricants in the market, which can be used tokeep eyes moist.

6. Exercise Regularly

"There are plenty of exercises for the eyes that help build stronger muscles . Washing eyes at regular intervals is a good option to keep this vital organ healthy," says Vikram Tandon, head, HR, HSBC India. In today's work environment, when more work happens.



--Shreya Biswas, TNN

Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Cell Phone Safety measures

Cell Phone Safety measures :  View

Herbal Care Product for Leucoderma Launched by DRDO

Lukoskin, a herbal product for Leucoderma developed by DRDO, was launched by Dr. W. Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist & Chief Controller Research & Development (Life Science & International Cooperation) in New Delhi, yesterday. The product will be a boon for the patients of Leucoderma and is backed by extensive R&D work by the scientists of Defence Institute of Bio-energy Research (DIBER) (formerly Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory), Haldwani. DIBER, a DRDO laboratory has carried out extensive work in the area of medicinal plant and is also engaged in R&D in generating bio-energy solutions for energy security. The product, Lukoskin, was developed under the leadership of Dr Narender Kumar, Ex Director DARL and his team. Special efforts in the development of this herbal product were made by Dr. P.S. Rawat, ex Head, Herbal Medicine Division and Dr. H.K. Pandey, Scientist presently heading Phyto-Chemistry Division at Pithoragarh. The herbal product will be available in the form of ointment and oral liquid. Dr. Zakwan Ahmed, Director – DIBER, Haldwani and Dr G Ilavazhagan, Director – Life Sciences have pursued the case to bring the product into the market and render much needed service to mankind. This herbal product would be a new hope and boon to the vitiligo affected person. Under the leadership and guidance of Dr. W. Selvamurthy, the ‘Transfer of Technology’ has been granted to the AIMIL Pharmaceuticals (India) Ltd., New Delhi to manufacture and market this research product based on their technological and marketing credentials.

Leucoderma or vitiligo is an idiopathic acquired disorder of skin. Patients with vitiligo develop white spots in the skin with varying size and location. The world wide incidence of leucoderma has been reported 1-2%. In India, its incidence is around 4-5% in some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat it is very high more than 5-8%. This skin disorder is considered as social stigma in our country and people confuse it with leprosy. The affected individuals are always remain in constant depression with the feeling of being socially outcast. There are many existing remedies of this disorder viz., allopathic, surgical and adjunctive. None of the therapies has satisfactorily cure of this disease. Secondly, these are either costly or single component based, with very low level of efficacy and develop blister, edema, irritation in the skin with the result most of the patients discontinue the treatment. The scientists of DIBER (DRDO) have therefore focused on the causes of disease (aetiology) and researched out a comprehensive formulation for the management of leucoderma from Himalayan herbs by exhaustive scientific studies led to the establishment of the safety and efficiency of the product which extends the benefits on all fronts with very good efficiency. Clinically, the product is quite effective and helps not only in restoring the normal complexion in the affected area but also relieves the affected ones from mental stress, emotional and psychological trauma and thereby, enhancing the confidence and efficiency.

The product was launched by Dr. W Selvamurthy in the presence of Dr. Narender Kumar, Dr. Zakwan Ahmed, Dr. G Ilavazhagan, Mr. KK Sharma, Managing Director, AIMIL Pharmaceuticals and senior officials of DRDO and AIMIL Pharmaceuticals.

Courtesy : http://www.gservants.com/

What is Dengue ? . A Health Issue

 What is Dengue?

Ø   Dengue is a serious viral disease transmitted by the bite of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

Ø   Dengue occurs in two forms: dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Ø   Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects older children and adults but rarely causes death.

Ø   Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a second more severe form, in which bleeding and occasionally shock   occur, leading to death; it is most serious in children.

Ø   Persons suspected of having dengue fever or DHF must see a doctor at once.

Ø   Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease and early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. Unless proper treatment is given promptly, the patient may go into shock and die.

               The symptoms of dengue fever vary according to the age and general health of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with a measles-like rash, which is difficult to distinguish from influenza, measles, malaria, infectious hepatitis and other diseases with fever. Older children and adults may have similar symptoms or symptoms ranging from mild illness to very severe disease

 Characteristics of Dengue Fever:

Ø   Abrupt onset of high fever

Ø   Severe frontal headache

Ø   Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement

Ø   Muscle and joint pains

Ø   Loss of sense of taste and appetite

Ø   Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs

Ø   Nausea and vomiting

Characteristics of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever & Shock :

Ø  Symptoms similar to dengue fever

Ø  Severe and continuous stomach pains

Ø  Pale, cold or clammy skin

Ø  Bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums and skin bruising

Ø  Frequent vomiting with or without blood

Ø  Sleepiness and restlessness

Ø  Constant crying

Ø  Excessive thirst (dry mouth)

Ø  Rapid weak pulse

Ø  Difficulty in breathing

Ø  Fainting

 Who is most affected?

              Children, tourists and travelers are usually at a higher risk for Dengue transmission. However, adults living in endemic areas are in danger too.

When do Dengue mosquitoes bite?

Dengue mosquitoes bite in the early morning and the late afternoon.

Where does the Dengue mosquito live?

               The mosquito rests indoors, in closets and other dark places. Outside, they rest where it is cool and shaded. The female mosquito lays her eggs in water containers in and around homes, schools and other areas in towns or villages. The larvae, known as wigglers, hatch from the mosquito eggs, and live in the water for about a week; they then change into a round pupal stage for one or two days, after which the adult mosquito emerges, ready to bite.

 Where does the Dengue mosquito breed?

               Dengue mosquitoes breed in any water-catching or storage containers in shaded or sunny places. Favored breeding places are- Barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, tanks, cisterns, bottles, tins, tyres, pans, plant saucers and roof gutters, refrigerator drip pans, catch basins, drains, soak-away pits, cement blocks, cemetery urns, plant leaf axils, bamboo stumps, tree cavities and a lot more places where rainwater collects or is stored.

How is Dengue spread?

              Dengue is spread by the bite of an infected female, Aedes aegypti mosquitoe which has got the dengue virus by taking a blood meal on a person who is ill with dengue. The infected mosquito then transmits the disease through its bite to other people who in turn becomes ill, and the chain continues. The diagram below, illustrates this action.  There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus, therefore people must protect themselves from all mosquito bites, which will also protect against malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.

How can Dengue be prevented?

               As there is no drug to cure dengue or vaccine to prevent it, there are two key measuresthat can be applied to prevent the spread of Dengue.

Elimination of mosquitoe breeding places

Ø   Cover water containers -Tight covers on water storage containers, will prevent the mosquitoes laying their eggs there. If the cover is loose, mosquitoes can go in and out.

Ø   Septic tanks and soak-away pits -Cover and seal these, so that dengue mosquitoes cannot breed there.

Ø   Removal of rubbish -Garbage articles and other rubbish found around houses can collect rainwater. They should be removed or smashed and buried in the ground or burned, where this is permissible.

Ø   Biological control -Mosquito wigglers can be controlled by small larva-eating fish, such as guppies. These fish can be found in streams or ponds or obtained through pet shops. Bacterial pesticides will also kill mosquito wigglers.

Ø   Chemical control -Safe and easily used larvicides such as temephos sand core granules can be placed in water containers to kill developing wigglers.

Prevent mosquito bites

People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by using any of the following means-

Ø   Mosquito coils and electric vapour mats -Slow burning mosquito coils or electric vapour mats are effective in the rainy season, just after sunrise and/or in the afternoon hours before sunset, when dengue mosquitoes bite.

Ø   Mosquito nets -Nets placed over sleeping places can protect small children and others who may rest during the day. The effectiveness of such nets can be improved by treating them with permethrin (a pyrethroid insecticide) . Curtains (cloth or bamboo) can also be treated with insecticide and hung at windows or doorways, to repel or kill mosquitoes.

Ø   Repellents -Mosquito repellents can be applied to exposed parts of the body where mosquitoes bite. Care should be taken in using repellents on small children and the elderly.

Ø   Screens -Screens on windows and doorways are effective protection against the entry of mosquitoes in homes.

Ø   Protection of people sick with dengue -Mosquitoes become infected when they bite people who are sick with dengue. Mosquito nets and mosquito coils will effectively prevent mosquitoes from biting sick people and help stop the spread of dengue.

Source of information: A fact sheet on Prevention of Dengue by Division of Control of Tropical Diseases and Division of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization

Courtesy :managementparadise.com &    http://aipeup3bbsr.blogspot.com/

It's Official Chocolate Linked To Heart Disease

Madhubala was diagnosed with a heart disease.  She kept it a secret for years.

High levels of chocolate consumption might be associated with a one third reduction in the risk of developing heart disease, finds a study published on bmj as well as this site on Aug'29,2011 under the head "Take Chocolate to Reduce Heart Disease". The findings confirm results of existing studies that generally agree on a potential beneficial link between chocolate consumption and heart health. However, the authors stress that further studies are now needed to test whether chocolate actually causes this reduction or if it can be explained by some other unmeasured (confounding) factor.

The findings will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Paris at 10:10 hrs (Paris time) / 09:10 hrs (UK time) Monday 29 August 2011.

The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030, nearly 23.6 million people will die from heart disease. However, lifestyle and diet are key factors in preventing heart disease, says the paper.

A number of recent studies have shown that eating chocolate has a positive influence on human health due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This includes reducing blood pressure and improving insulin sensitivity (a stage in the development of diabetes).

However, the evidence about how eating chocolate affects your heart still remains unclear. So, Dr Oscar Franco and colleagues from the University of Cambridge carried out a large scale review of the existing evidence to evaluate the effects of eating chocolate on cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.

They analysed the results of seven studies, involving over 100,000 participants with and without existing heart disease. For each study, they compared the group with the highest chocolate consumption against the group with the lowest consumption. Differences in study design and quality were also taken into account to minimise bias.

Five studies reported a beneficial link between higher levels of chocolate consumption and the risk of cardiovascular events and they found that the "highest levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke compared with lowest levels." No significant reduction was found in relation to heart failure.

The studies did not differentiate between dark or milk chocolate and included consumption of chocolate bars, drinks, biscuits and desserts.

The authors say the findings need to be interpreted with caution, in particular because commercially available chocolate is very calorific (around 500 calories for every 100 grams) and eating too much of it could in itself lead to weight gain, risk of diabetes and heart disease.

However, they conclude that, given the health benefits of eating chocolate, initiatives to reduce the current fat and sugar content in most chocolate products should be explored.

Sources: European Society of Cardiology (ESC) &  http://tkbsen.blogspot.com

Guidance for Using a Laptop Computer

Laptop computers are not ideal for continuous use. They normally have an elevated and compressed keyboard, a small display screen that is at an angle and position not ergonomically sound, even if they are at an otherwise entirely suitable workstation.

Incorrect or inappropriate use of laptop computers can cause health problems. This guidance offers some practical advice on how to avoid any problems.

Occupational Health has put this leaflet together as an additional aid for anyone who uses a laptop and it should be noted that general workstation set up etc. is covered in the guidance and code of practice documents for computer use.

The significant hazards associated with laptop use may include:

Ergonomics of use – the requirements for portability often means that the ergonomic standards developed for desktop computer workstations are largely ignored when an individual uses a laptop. Often laptops are used on laboratory benches, unsuitable desks and tables at home, on trains or in hotel rooms with limited legroom, poor seating and incorrect screen positions. There are therefore foreseeable risks of developing a wide range of health problems from such poor ergonomic environments.

Vision fatigue – often laptops are used extensively in environments, which do not have suitable lighting. Additionally, laptops often have screens that are not as clear, stable or as bright as normal computer monitors. It is possible that users may be exposed to a greater risk of developing temporary vision fatigue as a consequence.

Manual handling – laptops and their accessories are typically in excess of 5 kg. Although well within the ‘accepted normal load’, they may need to be carried in addition to other items for long periods of time when travelling.

Theft – There is also a real risk of theft and steps should be taken to avoid personal injury by being cautious whilst commuting with equipment. Brand name cases should not be used if possible as this draws attention to the value of the equipment that is being carried.

The following tips should help ensure that you can work comfortably and safely with your portable computer.

Purchasing:

Tip 1: Test the keyboard before purchase to make sure it fits your fingers - miniature keyboards are fine only if you have small fingers or do little data entry/word processing. If you must have a small keyboard and still want to type comfortably, consider fewer keys (with multiple shifts) or use a separate keyboard for such work.

Tip 2: Purchase laptops that have the largest and brightest screen you can afford. It is easier to create a more ergonomic position with such screens and they minimise the potential for vision fatigue. The angle of the screen should be approximately 90o to you line of vision to view the screen clearly.

Tip 3: If possible, buy a ‘docking station’ or attach a separate monitor and/or keyboard to a portable computer for prolonged use since the screen will inevitably be below the optimum viewing angle for comfort.

Tip 4: If you intend to work whilst travelling, make sure the pointing device (trackball, button or whatever) can cope with movement and vibration. Palm or wrist rests in front of the keyboard can help provide a stable base for use on the move, or in the office environment.

Health:

Tip 5: When using a trackball or glide pad, keep your hand relaxed with your fingers moving together. Do not screw up your fingers or hold them up in the air while working.

Tip 6: You dramatically increase strain if you twist your body or try to operate your laptop within a cramped environment, such as while travelling. Ensure comfortable working. Adjust your seat to support your back and place the laptop on a flat surface at the correct distance and angle from you.

Tip 7: If travelling, check the total weight you will need to carry. Although laptops are getting lighter, most still require external mains transformers and power leads etc. Additionally most people will also have to carry other papers, their briefcase and other articles. This can result in a number of musculoskeletal disorders over a period of time. The normal solution is a shoulder bag with a padded shoulder strap. Additionally, you can reduce the weight carried by ensuring the battery is fully charged so as to avoid carrying a spare battery.

Tip 8:  You may wish to consider purchasing a lightweight laptop stand, mouse and compact keyboard.