GCB Health

Archive for August, 2009

50% of people, who travel, suffer a travel – related illness. All travelers should be well prepared for travel and be prepared to protect themselves from travel related illness. In this issue various aspects of travel related illness have been discussed with related protective measures.

According to ayurveda traveling causes vitiation of vata dosha. Vata dosha regulates all the activities of body like digestion, respiration, excretion, transmission of nerve impulses ,reflexes, body movements etc. When vata gets vitiated due to traveling all these normal functions of body also get imbalanced .The imbalances in body functions project themselves as travel related illness.

Motion sickness: Almost every body are susceptible to motion sickness. Fatigue, giddiness, deprivation of sleep, nausea and vomiting are the main unwelcome symptoms of motion sickness. Avoid consuming alcohol, pain killers, spicy foods, fried foods and junk foods during traveling. Try to relax and chose a window seat. Do not read or talk. Or watch someone who is motion sick.

Eat light food. Include pomegranate, ginger and curds in your diet while traveling. Rinse your mouth and wash your face with cold water as soon as you take your food.

Diarrhea: Though travelers’ diarrhea is mild inconvenience to a traveler, it may at times be life threatening too. Upsets in digestive system frequently occur in travelers due to stress, time zone changes, irregular meal times and new foods. But serious diarrhea during traveling is caused by bacteria, viruses or parasitic infections. The best way out is to take ample precautionary measures.

Wash your hands frequently. Use sanitizing liquids, hand washes or gels which cleanse the hands without water. Always use disposable hygienically packed tissue papers than towels. Avoid street, roadside foods, buffet meals. Select food which is well cooked and served hot. Thick-skinned fruits which you can peel yourself are usually safe. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, uncooked vegetables, salads. Be care full with unpasteurized milk and milk products. Always use sealed mineral water, canned juices and beverages. Never use ice cubes or unsealed bottled beverages. Bottled Beer, wine and hot coffee or tea are safe. Drink from original containers or clean glasses

If you get mild diarrhea eat light ,soft and semi solid foods like idli, soups etc which are easily digestible. Avoid heavy, spicy and non vegetarian foods. Drink plenty of fruit juices.(canned or hygienically packed.). Keep yourself well hydrated. Consult a doctor immediately if diarrhea leads to dehydration.

Constipation: people often become constipated when traveling because their normal diet and daily routines are disrupted. Drink plenty of water and consume food which are rich in fibers to avoid constipation .

Try to adhere to routine food timings .Drink a big glass of water every day morning. Avoid frequent consumption of tea or coffee. Taking two thriphala tablets with warm water before going to bed helps to normalize bowel movements. These tablets should be avoided during pregnancy.

Tired feet Even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs after long hours of traveling. Try to walk every now and then. Drink water, stretch your calf muscles while you’re sitting and wear support stockings.

Foot bath for tired feet: Massage your foot with little coconut oil and soak them in warm water . You can add few drops of lavender oil or peppermint oil or sandal wood oil to warm water. After a foot bath rub your foot. Relax after a foot bath.

Prevention of Malaria: To prevent mosquito bites and malaria wear mosquito repellent .Stay indoors between dusk and dawn. The malaria spreading mosquitoes generally feed at this time. Apply mosquito repellent, to your clothes and bedding. Wear socks, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors. Use a mosquito net while sleeping. Stay in air-conditioned, screened accommodation.

Jet lag To avoid jet lag get plenty of sleep before you leave. Don’t drink a lot of alcohol while on flight. Eat well-balanced meals and avoid over eating. Exercise as much as you can on your trip. Get used to a new time zone by going along with the local meal and bedtime schedules.

Accidents: Do not drive in unfamiliar places where you know less about that regional language, road conditions, rules of the road, condition of the vehicles. etc. Choose your transportation carefully. Check the security, life saving facilities provided in the transport. Chose, the cab with seat belts, hotels with fire escape and ferries with life preservers. Never swim in unknown rivers or seas when you are not familiar with sea currents and waves.

Sex: Have a safe sex when you are with unfamiliar new partners. Alcohol, drugs and sex are dangerous combination

Immunization: Get immunized with vaccines before traveling. Avoid animal bites and saliva. If you are bitten by dog wash the wound immediately with soap and water.

Travel during pregnancy: If you chose to travel during pregnancy the second trimester (weeks 14 to 27) is the best time. Before traveling take the opinion of your consulting doctor and provide him the sufficient details about the places you are visiting, mode of transport etc.

Tips for older travelers See your doctor for a checkup and discuss your fitness .See your dentist and ophthalmologist. Keep a spare pair of glasses, any medications you need in a small medical kit. Organize travel health insurance with pre-existing illness cover if needed. Make sure it covers emergency evacuation. Make sure routine immunizations are done before traveling. Consider your back – use luggage with built in wheels. Take clothes and hats to suit the climate.

Other safety precautions: Check with the regional office or through internet the situation of places you are planning to visit. The destination places must be free from riots, terrorism, floods or other calamities.

Mental tensions: Preparations for traveling lead to worry and tensions. Here are few relaxing tips before and during traveling.



Close your eyes , take five deep breaths through your nose and pay attention only to your breathing while doing this.





Taking a hot shower relaxes your muscles, and the break from more stressful activities helps too.





Laugh. Laughing helps to relax. Find people who can make you laugh and make your moments lighter..





Listen to relaxing music.





Take a walk.





Get a hug.





A visit to your family physician and some thought and planning ahead make your trip more successful and memorable. We wish you a rewarding, memorable, safe and healthy trip.

Mentally combine the words ‘Arizona’ and ‘tattoo’. You end up with ‘Arizona tattoo’, something that leaves you inclined to think that there is some sense of red rock mystery embedded in that very concept. Naturally, Arizona also leaves you with ideas of monoliths majestically reaching into the sky and evergreen vegetation that might just make you think that summer is a perennial occurrence, something that lasts ad infinitum. ‘Arizona tattoo’ is not only a phrase, but a mark of freedom and personal liberty. Bikers, spiritualists, a vast amount of new age rebels and daredevils all find appeal and satisfaction in ‘Arizona tattoo’, so why shouldn’t you? But of course you’re wondering what’s so special about Arizona tattoos?

Well, take a closer look at Arizona, move in the direction of Sedona. It’s a haven and a retreat with many purposes and attracts those with a shared passion for history, archaeology, geology, sport, art and is seen as one of the major spiritual centres of the world. It’s a place that attracts some of the most talented people of our time and, in that same breath, some of the best tattoo artists too.

But naturally, a tattoo artist, however good he or she may be, needs somewhere where the artwork can come to life and provide a pleasant safe experience for those wanting to be the canvas of creation, in other words… you. Because ‘Arizona tattoo’ is such a popular concept and because so many people visit, here’s what to expect on your visit:

Professionalism: Because clients are important to any business, even if the business is the creation of exceptional works of art. ‘Arizona tattoo’ embodies a trend-setting location within the industry.

Care: Think Italy, France and Spain – countries where art played a revolutionary role in their history and something which is deeply revered. In much the same way do the artists within the ‘Arizona tattoo’ concept respect and care for their clients. You are a walking canvas of creation and deserve no less.

Planning: You can naturally assume that not everyone is equally brave when exploring the ‘Arizona tattoo’ for the first time. For those individuals that need just that extra little bit of reassurance, the artists of ‘Arizona tattoo’ are trained to handle all sorts of emergencies including Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification.

Advice: Some people know what they want, others are not too sure. Whether you choose one of the thousands of already available designs or have your own in mind, the professionals within ‘Arizona tattoo’ will be able to provide you with consultation to satisfy your most intimate tattoo desires.

And finally, you’ll have a story to tell because ‘Arizona tattoo’ is a wonder within this world, an experience and a permanent destination. It’s a Mecca of mysterious and wonderful things; a place you’ll be proud to call ‘a home away from home’. So, whether you’re a client coming for the first time, a returning client or just a friend coming for a visit, we welcome you at ‘Arizona tattoo’.

There are many different materials that the skull cap can be made from. Leather is a popular medium to use as it is durable and offers a lot of protection from the cold and rain. It can be a bit heavier than other materials though, and can be hot to wear, which in summer, can be difficult to deal with. Cotton cloth type skull caps can be easier to wear in the summer, and are easier to customize with logo’s or designs. The aren’t as durable as leather though. There are also aviator style caps that offer a fleece lining for those very cold rides.

There are many styles of cap to choose from. Traditional skull caps have a large patch of cloth or leather that cover most of the hair, and two straps that tie behind the head, to hold the skull cap ion place. Some leather skull caps offer perforation in the head piece to allow for ventilation. Aviator style skull caps offer a certain cool style to the not so average rider, who is looking to make a statement. You could also choose to have a matching face mask with the same logo as the skull cap.

There are many different designs that can be purchased from a distributor. They come already attached to the skull cap, and offer a flair of style for the motorcycle rider. You can find for example a skull cap with white biker crosses, red crosses with flames, flames drawn in different colors, USA Flags, POW MIA symbols, motorcycles, chopper crosses, rebel flags, and stars and stripes with or without eagles. The cotton style skull caps come in a variety of colors. A motorcycle riding club might also want to consider purchasing a bulk supply of skull caps to have their own logo embroidered onto them. This is a great way to show pride for the motorcycle riding club.

When purchasing a skull cap, be sure to order the appropriate size. There are some general guidelines to follow when figuring out which skull cap size to get. Measuring the head where the headband rests at on the head will give the proper size. When the measurement falls between 2 sizes, always choose the larger size. 20 ¾ inches to 21 ½ inches is regarded generally as size small, 21 7/8 inches to 22 ¼ inches is medium, 22 5/8 inches to 23 inches is large, and 23 ½ inches to 24 5/8 inches is extra large.

The use of a skull cap dates back for thousands of years and have been seen still in use in a variety of forms through out different societies and different religions. Used as protection from physical and spiritual harms, they offer a glimpse into the human soul for a moment. They also have been used for education, social position, or even commitment to a certain group. Common sightings today can be seen in the Jewish religion, The Catholic religion, Motorcycle community and even in midevial reenactments with persons wearing chain skull caps.