ANTIBIOTICS - GOOD OR BAD?

What do you do when you are suffering from an infection or when you fall sick? With the feeling of awfulness and lack of energy, and, usually as a last resort you find yourself in a waiting room filled with other patients, coughing and spluttering, waiting to see your doctor. Fortunately or unfortunately, the doctor’s usual response will be to put you on a course of antibiotics!

So, what actually is an antibiotic? Antibiotics, also known as antibacterial, are chemical substances, which are produced by some microbes and can kill or retard the growth of other disease causing microbes. The Greek word anti means ‘against’, and the word bio means ‘life’, which together mean ‘against life’, in the context of disease causing organisms, whereas, with reference to human beings, they are pro-life, not against. They act as powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections and can save lives when used properly. Antibiotics either stop bacteria from reproducing, or kill them.

They were first discovered back in the late 1880’s. When they first came out, they were thought to be the miracle cure that was going to save the world from diseases. They have the potential to be life-savers when used properly. Antibiotics are usually used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as tuberculosis, salmonella, and some forms of meningitis. To a great extent, they did a very good job and saved many lives. Well, until, the disease and bacteria got smarter! Over the past few decades, the bad-effect of antibiotics has been getting exponentially worse. The sad part of the story is that we are at fault for this negativity. Yes! You read that right. Antibiotics worked so well for years that everyone wanted to take them whenever they got sick. Even when there was a case of little sniffle or running nose or even a flu, people had been continuously asking their doctors for antibiotics regardless of these being viral diseases where antibiotics don’t work. Eventually, the bacteria started to change and mutate into strains that are resistant to antibiotics. Facts has it that if antibiotics are overused or used incorrectly there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant and then the antibiotic becomes less effective against that type of bacterium.

As a result, more and more people are being killed by drug resistant bacteria. The number of deaths is even more than those caused by prostate cancer and breast cancer combined. Alarming? Isn’t it?

Well, that’s not all. Even if you have never taken antibiotics, the odds are that you must have seen consumed large quantity of them. Did you know that the water we drink contains antibiotics? It’s hard to avoid them but it can be done. Thus, it is always advisable to drink reverse osmosis water.

To end it all, antibiotics are both good and bad. It depends on how you utilize it. Overuse can harm you while adequate use can save lives. Choice is yours!

Keep your body healthy and it will take care of itself.

After all, if you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?

Happy living!

LAUGHTER THAT HEALS

Have you laughed today? No, I don’t mean a sarcastic snigger or texting LOL to a friend. I mean a real, lung–squeezing, belly-shaking, eye-watering kind of laugh! Laughter is far more infectious than the regular cough or the sneezes you get. When shared, laughter binds people together and increases happiness among folks. The more ha-ha-has you have in a day, the healthier you become. Laughter, which is the body’s humor receptor, effectively treats many ailments.

As the saying goes, ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ Though it may not be regarded by the medical professionals as the optimal solution to health problems, but the fact remains that it can improve a person’s quality of life.

The power to laugh, play and have fun with others not only makes life pleasurable but also helps one to solve problems, connect with others and increase one’s creativity to a great extent. It is a step towards renewal of daily life activities and relationships.

Laughter makes you feel good. And this good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations and in times of dashing hopes.

More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hopes. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh or even a simple smile can go a long way toward making you feel better. And, laughter is really contagious as just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.

Laughter not only triggers fun but also activates quite a many physical changes in one’s body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts your energy, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.

Did you know that laughter protects your heart? Baffled? Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. So have a heartiest laugh always!

Laughter decreases the stress hormones, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, and thus helps in improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins which is the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. It also helps in the relaxation of muscles.

Besides physical health benefits, it also serves us with mental health and social benefits. Socially, a laugh shared, is a good way to strengthen group bonds, improve teamwork and defuse conflicts. Mentally, laughter aids in relieving stress, improving mood and also in enhancing resilience.

The famous English actor, comedian Charlie Chaplin once quoted, “Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.”

Now that you know the wondrous job of laughter, get your hearty dose of laughter and spread this healthy infection around you.

Laugh out loud folks!

GET HIGH ON LIFE, NOT ON DRUGS

Something has been bothering me since few days. I have come across news of someone’s death many times. But this one has been has been haunting me for quite a longer period. A boy of a very reputed school in Kolkata died last week. To say it was just an accident will be an understatement. The boy had literally killed himself. Was it a suicide? Well, not really. He died due to drug overdose. Yes you read that right! Drug overdose. A boy, who merely has been a school pass out this year died of drugs. He was the only son of his parents; parents who had gone out of their way to educate him in a big city like Kolkata, staying in village themselves. The drugs he was addicted to not only killed him, it did destroy his family, their dreams, their lives. Do you think he had the right to do this? Isn’t this an injustice done on his upbringing? How easy it is to end one’s life without even giving it a thought about the people who are affected by this act.

Studies show that there are many causes of drug addiction. The most common is trying to fit in school. While drugs and alcohol are prohibited at school, teenagers always find their way around it. If the cool kids at school are doing it, odds are other kids might be using and abusing too, in order to fit in. Lack of communication between child and its parents also results in addiction of drugs. Children who think their parents don’t care are more likely to pick up bad habits. Nowadays, more kids are being left at home while mom, dad or other adults are at work. Teenagers who are left along for long period of time or who are allowed to come and go as they please will undoubtedly have greater opportunity for exposure to drugs.

Most children use drugs and alcohol when going to friends’ homes, spending the night out or when attending parties. It’s not only about teenagers; adults also take to drugs at some point of time. Either due to depression or due to peer pressure at work place. Drug addicts need drugs in order to function normally. What an irony indeed! The substance which takes you to the path of death, prevents your brain from functioning rationally is seen as a compulsive need for addicts.

Many try alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Some try these substances only a few times and stop. Others can't control their urges or cravings for them. This is also called substance abuse.

Folks may try a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, household chemicals (inhalants), prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and illegal drugs. Teenagers use alcohol more than any other substance. Marijuana is the illegal drug that people use most often.

Even casual use of certain drugs can cause severe health problems, such as an overdose or brain damage. Many illegal drugs today are made in home labs, so they can vary greatly in strength. These drugs also may contain bacteria, dangerous chemicals, and other unsafe substances.

There is only a need for little support and care for these addicts. Please lend a helping hand. Speak to these people; urge them to speak out their grievances. Try not to use harsh, judging words. Be as supportive as much as you can during this time. Advice the person addicted to go to the rehabilitation center. 

Life is the greatest gift you get, live it to the fullest.

Stop doping, start living!