There was a time when getting married was considered a moral obligation and a part of cultural dignity. The male part was taken as a symbol of responsibility and security whereas female was taken as a beatification sign and domestic strength. Long and time-consuming efforts were done to get a pair in making, with the groom’s family visiting the bride-to-be's family, presenting themselves as a best match for the girl. Picture-sharing was the typical presentation formula for both the boy and girl. It was almost impossible for the future life partner to see each other before legally married.
Marriages solemnized during that era were taken as long-term, never-ending relations, where family values, mutual respect and loyalties held the relation together and ever stronger. Personal gains and interest always stood last. The foremost issue had been the happiness and interest of family. Eating together was considered as a sign of ever-growing prosperity. The grandchildren were always the apples of the eye for aging parents. In-laws were loved, cared for and respected as real parents.
But as they say good things always change with time. Values change. Cultural polarization brought change in the thought process. People changed. Values which were once considered against the religion and culture are being taken as a need of time. Traditional inter-family marriages are taken over by inter-cultural marriages. Language, cast, creed and religion remain no bar. The one reason which has brought such a drastic change has been education. Not only it widened thought process but also played a key role in giving new meaning to relationships.
The other reason which played significant role has been ever-blooming electronic media. Talk shows portraying women liberty, working women, movies of different cultures, fashion shows and of course the dramas. Men and women working side by side, getting basic as well as higher education at same institute removed any prohibition which once were significant part of cultural values.
Choosing life partner in such setting has become more common. Still, the parents have to be involved, as we still value our culture and respect elders to some extent. But after getting married, the picture starts to get more clearer, as many issues start creeping into social life. Most common of these is the failure of the new bride to accommodate the in-laws in her life. If she is working, then it is more than complicated. There develops a failure to balance new relations in life. In a culture that we are in, it is not very difficult to understand that parents are to be cared for, loved and respected. This goes for both man and woman. The outcome of such a scenario has a two-prongs effect; either the young lady slowly starts understanding her role and adjusts in new family setup or totally ignores it, making life a bit hard for herself and for her husband. The former situation brings about a better and positive change whereas the latter has all the negative possibilities in offing.
So when we start analysing, it is not very difficult to conclude that the culture and tradition we are brought up has its values different than what is being depicted as modern era needs. The new generation will not have much of a problem in finding a solution. The only thing needed for them to do is to just recall how their parents got along together so many years, loving and caring for each other, bringing up the kids and caring for aging parents. It requires sacrifices from both partners and compromise few times, here and there.
This approach has all the ingredients for what we call long term relations, because no other way one can have a happy life. It’s a give and take attitude which bears fruit of fulfillment, and most of it is giving rather than taking which is more satisfying…
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Eat For Living
Diabetes dilemma
Diabetes is a serious condition .It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, characterized by elevated fasting blood sugar levels, greatly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and loss of nerve functions.
There has been so much research going on in medical field each day. All the efforts are aimed to improve quality of life, as well as prognosis of disease itself. Most of the work done on controlling infectious diseases has been rewarded with excellent results, as for controlling the infection as well as preventing it by vaccination.
The non- infectious ailments are becoming most difficult to manage. Diabetes is among the stubborn of all. There has been introduction of newer drugs every now and then, each has an improve outlook as for efficacy and lesser side effect. Insulin patch, insulin sprays are already in market in many western countries. although their efficacy is still being under close monitoring.
There are some countries like Canada and United states, where pancreatic cell implants have been done with encouraging results in animals.but as far as human application to this method, called stem cell generation is concern ,the use of immunosupressant like steroids has discouraging long term results.Total organ transplants are being done in united states and few other western countries,but there are more in need than the available organ donors. There are hectic efforts being done by research experts and clinical personnels all over the world, to keep mortality to minimum and morbidity as low as possible. Until major advancement is achieved in diabetic treatment, the basic diabetic management pattern will be unchanged. Diet control, mono or multiple drugs, insulin injections, insulin nasal spray (in some part of the world), regular physical exercise and blood sugar monitoring will remain the corner stone of good glycemic control.
The major part of responsibility to maintain a good blood sugar level and live as good a normal life lies on the person effected by diabetes, because he or she is going to have all main meals of the day at home or at the office, so what they will consume in terms of calories will not only determine success of treatment but also how much diabetic complications are avoided. Sadly in most cases this target is not achieved. The three basic reasons for such an obstacle are:-
(a) failure of drug compliance
(b) lack of will to adhere to diet regime advised clearly by physician
(c) sedentary life style or lack of regular physical exercise
The last two are the cornerstones of keeping a diabetic in good health and avoiding all the related complications. The complications can be:
(1) hypoglycemia
Diabetes is a serious condition .It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, characterized by elevated fasting blood sugar levels, greatly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and loss of nerve functions.
There has been so much research going on in medical field each day. All the efforts are aimed to improve quality of life, as well as prognosis of disease itself. Most of the work done on controlling infectious diseases has been rewarded with excellent results, as for controlling the infection as well as preventing it by vaccination.
The non- infectious ailments are becoming most difficult to manage. Diabetes is among the stubborn of all. There has been introduction of newer drugs every now and then, each has an improve outlook as for efficacy and lesser side effect. Insulin patch, insulin sprays are already in market in many western countries. although their efficacy is still being under close monitoring.
There are some countries like Canada and United states, where pancreatic cell implants have been done with encouraging results in animals.but as far as human application to this method, called stem cell generation is concern ,the use of immunosupressant like steroids has discouraging long term results.Total organ transplants are being done in united states and few other western countries,but there are more in need than the available organ donors. There are hectic efforts being done by research experts and clinical personnels all over the world, to keep mortality to minimum and morbidity as low as possible. Until major advancement is achieved in diabetic treatment, the basic diabetic management pattern will be unchanged. Diet control, mono or multiple drugs, insulin injections, insulin nasal spray (in some part of the world), regular physical exercise and blood sugar monitoring will remain the corner stone of good glycemic control.
The major part of responsibility to maintain a good blood sugar level and live as good a normal life lies on the person effected by diabetes, because he or she is going to have all main meals of the day at home or at the office, so what they will consume in terms of calories will not only determine success of treatment but also how much diabetic complications are avoided. Sadly in most cases this target is not achieved. The three basic reasons for such an obstacle are:-
(a) failure of drug compliance
(b) lack of will to adhere to diet regime advised clearly by physician
(c) sedentary life style or lack of regular physical exercise
The last two are the cornerstones of keeping a diabetic in good health and avoiding all the related complications. The complications can be:
(1) hypoglycemia
(2) diabetic coma
(3) diabetic nephropathy seriously damaging kidney functions, to the extent of needing renal transplantation.
(4) cataract
(5) neuropathy
(6) retinopathy
(7) skin ulcers and gangrene leading to amputation
(8) stubborn skin infections
(9) life threatening heart diseases.
Although as mentioned, a diabetic usually lacks the motivation and will to adopt restriction on his diet which becomes the very root cause of his complication later, but the physician cannot give up guiding and advising him about the best way to control blood sugar as normal as possible and lead a healthy life.
Following are basic and simple guidelines :
(a) Meals composed of complex carbohydrates are rich in fiber, which are slower to get absorbed and therefore provide a much slower and gradual increase in blood sugar level, giving time to limited availability of insulin to be effective.
(b) Small, frequent meals through out the day, rather than full regular meals.
(c) Intake of vegetables and fruits of low sugar content.
(d) Adopt a regular physical exercise pattern 2 ½hrs of total weekly duration. Exercise not only burns the calories, it also brings down blood sugar levels, increases tissue chromium thus in turn increases number of insulin receptors thereby enhancing effects of insulin to bring down raised sugar to control levels.
(e) Obesity is strongly associated with diabetes type 2,weight control is an important element in diabetic management. If you want to loose weight to control diabetes, high blood pressure and risk of heart diseases, then walk, walk and walk some more.
Oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin injection don’t cure diabetes. The key word is HEALTHY LIFESTYLE through diet, exercise, certain herbs and supplements.
Although as mentioned, a diabetic usually lacks the motivation and will to adopt restriction on his diet which becomes the very root cause of his complication later, but the physician cannot give up guiding and advising him about the best way to control blood sugar as normal as possible and lead a healthy life.
Following are basic and simple guidelines :
(a) Meals composed of complex carbohydrates are rich in fiber, which are slower to get absorbed and therefore provide a much slower and gradual increase in blood sugar level, giving time to limited availability of insulin to be effective.
(b) Small, frequent meals through out the day, rather than full regular meals.
(c) Intake of vegetables and fruits of low sugar content.
(d) Adopt a regular physical exercise pattern 2 ½hrs of total weekly duration. Exercise not only burns the calories, it also brings down blood sugar levels, increases tissue chromium thus in turn increases number of insulin receptors thereby enhancing effects of insulin to bring down raised sugar to control levels.
(e) Obesity is strongly associated with diabetes type 2,weight control is an important element in diabetic management. If you want to loose weight to control diabetes, high blood pressure and risk of heart diseases, then walk, walk and walk some more.
Oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin injection don’t cure diabetes. The key word is HEALTHY LIFESTYLE through diet, exercise, certain herbs and supplements.
For more info, visit the following website: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/chapter7.asp
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