Yoga - Ancient remedy for modern-day ailments
http://zoominlocal.com/ml-brampton-guardian/2010/01/07/#?article=716780
By SUNIL RAO | Staff Writer

“Three years ago I was diagnosed with lung cancer,” said Arun. “Together with the allopathic treatment — including chemo — I started practising yog. “Today I feel better. I live in hope.”

Added Rehana: “My family has a history of diabetes, and sometime ago I too was diagnosed as a borderline case. Along with lifestyle changes prescribed by my doctor, I started regular yog pranayam (breathing exercises), along with certain asanas, particularly mandukasan (frog pose).

“Today my diabetes is con trolled; I no longer need any tablets,” said Rehana (names changed to protect identity).

Confided Renu: “Both my kidneys have started failing. I’m turning to yog pranayam to help me.”

The three were among some 200 yoga students attending a three-day training course in Mississauga conducted by Patanjali Yogpeeth Canada, who had organized the event — the fifth in the series — to impart the vision of Swami Ramdev Ji: “Good health is the birthright of mankind.”

Said popular GTA-based orthodontist Dr Gagan Bhalla, who as the organization’s national coordinator and trustee has over the last three years done much, along with his wife Uma, drive the message of Yog Pranayam across Canada: “I myself got interested when I found I could no longer use the treadmill due to my sore knees, nor could I play tennis due to tennis elbow.

“Then, the more I watched Swami Ramdev Ji’s programs which run on Aastha TV channel, the more I realized these were based on scientific foundations.”

Dr Bhalla’s efforts over the past three years have seen more than 700 yog teachers across Canada having been trained in Swami Ramdev Ji’s PranYog practices.

The recently concluded Yog training classes have added 200 yog teachers, to take total number from 500 to over 700. Now trained Assistant Yog teachers are available from Montreal to Vancouver, coast to coast, to provide free yog instructions, to make Canada a healthier place to live.

Sarwan Poddar, an international Yog instructor who trained under Swami Ramdev Ji in Haridwar, India, specially flew in from the UK to conduct the two most recently held Yog training classes, in Ottawa and Toronto.

The response was so overwhelming that Yog teachers training class registration had to be closed, disappointing many, one week ahead of the class start date, said Dr Bhalla. “To address this pent-up demand, we expect to run future yog teachers training classes, to take the number of trained Canadian Yog teachers to 1,100 by 2010,” he added.

K.R. Sahi, Chairman, Patanjali Yogpeeth (Canada), added these newly trained Assistant Yog teachers are now ready to conduct free PranYog classes in many more communities, such as Ottawa, Guelph and Windsor, in addition to the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal and Vancouver. These trained teachers will add to the 100-plus free PranYog classes already run by existing teachers across Canada.

Those interested in attending the free PranYog class, or supporting one in your community, may contact Uma Bhalla at 905- 608-1993.

Pneumonia: Protecting those at risk
http://zoominlocal.com/ml-brampton-guardian/2010/01/07/#?article=717384

(NC) - Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death from infectious disease in Canada, and cases can range from mild to severe. The good news is there are steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce the risk of getting pneumonia.

There are two main kinds of pneumonia: viral and bacterial. The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is called pneumococcal pneumonia, and is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, invading the lungs. Symptoms often come on suddenly, and can include high fever, chest pain, fast breathing and heart beat, bluish lips and finger nails from lack of oxygen in the blood, and feeling very tired.

Those at greatest risk for contracting bacterial pneumonia include the young and people over the age of 65. For these vulnerable groups, a case of bacterial pneumonia could prove fatal. Together with influenza, pneumonia accounts for approximately 8,000 deaths per year in Canada.

Fortunately for infants and toddlers, a 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine called Prevnar is already available to prevent bacterial infections that could lead to pneumonia. Within the first three years of the vaccine’s availability in Canada there was a 92 per cent reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease. Additionally, recent research shows that a new investigational 13-valent vaccine may offer broader protection against pneumococcal disease for Canadian children.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against some very serious infections. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends routine immunization. Children are protected from seven serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria through routine vaccination with Prevnar. Parents just need to ensure immunizations are up-to-date.

News Canada

Neurologist offers migrane heads-up
http://www.mississauga.com/community/health/article/245937--neurologist
By: Radhika Panjwani

A neurologist from Mississauga's Trillium Health Centre is urging Canadians to take adequate precautions during the holiday season to prevent migraines. Migraine, a chronic biological disorder, that makes an individual prone to recurrent headache attacks, can be triggered by common food such as red wine, artificial sweeteners, vinegar, products straight from the oven and milk, say neurologists who gathered in Amsterdam recently during the Heads-Up on Migraine meeting. A similar forum to discuss the impact of migraines on Canadians was held in Toronto earlier this year.

“The holiday season is a particularly challenging time for migraine sufferers as they fear their migraines will disrupt the festivities for them and their loved ones,” said Dr. Stephen McKenzie, a neurologist affiliated with the Trillium Health Centre. “Sticking to a routine and avoiding overindulgences as well as maintaining good rest habits will help to prevent migraines. It's important to have medication at hand as prompt treatment has a greater chance of success.”

McKenzie said certain smells such as scented candles, cigarettes, perfumes and cleaning products can also result in migraine. Neurologists said understanding where the problem areas may lie and how it affects those who suffer from it can help lessen the chances of an attack.

“If you're planning a holiday gathering and know that a guest is prone to migraines, there are some simple steps you can take to lessen the chances they will suffer from an attack," said Dr. Suzanne Christie, president, of the Canadian Headache Society, a non-profit physician organization dedicated to promoting research, education and patient care in the field of headache. “There are certain 'triggers' that can set off migraine headaches and knowing what they are in advance will go a long way to making a happier holiday season for all.”

For more information visit www.headachenetwork.ca.

Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada doubles its efforts in 2010 to convince Canadians that they must be proactive to prevent colorectal cancer

TORONTO, Jan. 7 /CNW/: Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of Cancer death in Canada overall for men and women. By being proactive, adopting healthy lifestyles (proper nutrition and exercise) and getting screened for colorectal cancer, the mortality rate from the disease will drop substantially over the next ten years and those diagnosed early with the disease will have a better chance at a cure. "However, in order for this to happen, a great many more Canadians need to be proactive and get screened in a timely manner. That is why it is so important for every province to integrate a population-based colorectal cancer screening program," said Barry D. Stein, president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada.

Inadequate knowledge of the screening process for colon cancer is often the result of the limited information provided by individual physicians. "We know that if people are advised by their physician to get screened, there is a greater likelihood of them actually doing so. The CCAC provides first class information on colorectal cancer on its website and terrific publicity and awareness for screening across the country, but there is nothing like being told to get screened directly by your doctor to get you to act on it," said Stein.
 
"If you are wondering what you can do to prevent colorectal cancer in the New Year, here are a few things you can do," Stein added:

1. Start a conversation with a family member or friend about colon cancer screening. The more you talk about it the more likely you are to act on it; You'd be surprised how many people have symptoms but are embarrassed to talk about it.

2. You can reduce your risk of getting colon cancer by being physically active and exercising regularly.

3. Maintain a healthy weight.

4. Eat a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetable, beans, nuts and whole grains.

5. Consume calcium rich foods.

6. Limit red meat consumption and avoid processed meats.

7. Do not smoke.

8. Limit alcohol consumption.

It is important to recognize that early stages of colorectal cancer do not usually present symptoms. Screening is for the average risk person without any sign or symptom of the disease. "Most people think that they only need to get screened when they have a sign or symptom, but in fact, by then, it is often too late. Without proper screening many people discover that they have cancer only in the later stages and that is when it is most difficult to treat," said Stein.

Symptoms of the disease may include:

• Rectal Bleeding or blood in the stool

• Change in bowel habits or stools that are narrower than usual

• Stomach discomfort such as bloating, fullness or cramps

• Diarrhea, constipation or a feeling that the bowel does not fully empty

• Weight loss for no apparent reason

• Constant fatigue or anemia

• Vomiting

For information on Colorectal Cancer Click Here

What's your green resolution?

STAPLES Canada wants eco-conscious resolutions for the New Year

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 5 /CNW/ - In 2009, STAPLES Canada collected over 1.3-million ink and toner cartridges, recycled more than 2,127 tonnes of electronic waste, diverted 3,450 tonnes of cardboard from landfills and expanded the number of stores collecting electronic waste. What is your eco-resolution?

STAPLES Canada has set a goal to eliminate PVC (polyvinyl chloride) from its own brand product packaging by fall. "We are taking innovative initiatives in building sustainability into our business. Taking out PVCs from packaging and giving customers a place to recycle their unwanted electronics is another way we are giving customers easy options to help the environment," said Pete Gibel, Chair of STAPLES Canada environmental committee.

Making eco-resolutions is easy and affects everyone. "You are not only doing something good for yourself and others, but also for generations to come. There are many simple lifestyle changes people can make at home and in the office that can make a difference," said Gibel.

STAPLES Canada wants every Canadian to take action in building a sustainable lifestyle for our future. Here are a few tips:

• Embrace the flat screen Flat screen monitors and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens use
  less than half the energy of traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors.

• Reuse materials as much as you can Print documents and recipes on the back of used paper; save paper clips, push-pins, elastics, sticky flags; make a point of buying
  rechargeable batteries.

• Purchase a power bar and turn everything off Turning everything off with the single flick of a power bar makes it easy to save energy (and money)!

• Switch lightbulbs to compact fluorescent The typical incandescent is 60W and a comparable compact fluorescent is 13W-a significant kilowatt reduction when you consider the number of hours you operate your lights and the fact that the average cost of electricity is 10 cents per kilowatt hour.