ranjan

A weak economy is a state of economy in which growth is slow, flat or declining. When there are layoffs and no new jobs being created, consumers tend to save money or spend less. With less consumer and business spending, there's less money in the economy. As a result, a decrease in demand for goods occurs which leads to lower growth rates for companies and the overall economy. Growth in an economy is measured as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP is the aggregate total of all goods and services produce in a country. There are two key factors which drive growth - consumer spending and Business environment. Consumer Spending - If consumer spending is more, it might increase for example - purchases of clothes, Homes, Cars and electronic devices and many more. As a result, Employment and Jobs are created in industries such as Retailing of clothing sectors, Banks that supply the mortgages and credit cards that consumers use as also many businesses which caters to and sells to c...

When your Blood sugar is higher than normal, you are more likely to have Type 2 Diabetes and Heart disease. A simple blood test can tell you if you do. You are at risk if you are overweight, over 45 and you don't exercise. It is generally characterized by Insulin resistance where the body does not fully respond to Insulin.Because of this, Blood glucose levels keep rising, resulting in the body producing less and less Insulin causing even higher blood sugar levels. The Type 2 diabetes management is a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy body weight. Oral medications like Metformin ( allows body to use its own insulin more effectively) and Sulfonylureas (stimulate pancreas to increase insulin production) are prescribed to help control blood glucose levels.     Type 2 Diabetes interferes with the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates for energy, leading to high levels of blood sugar. It can affect all people, regardless of age. Early symptoms of Type 2 may be missed, so...

Age makes us more susceptible to having a stroke, as does having Mother, Father or other close relative who has had a stroke. You can't reverse the years or change the family history, but there are many other stroke risk factors that can be controlled, provided that you're aware of them. Knowledge is power - so if you know that a particular risk factor is sabotaging your health and predisposing you to a higher risk of stroke, you can take steps to alleviate the effects of that risk. Here are seven ways to start reigning in you risks today to avoid stroke, before a stroke has the chance to strike - 1) LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE - Maintain a Blood pressure of 135/85 but for some, a less      aggressive goal may be more appropriate (140/90). To achieve this, you have to -      a) Reduce Salt intake in the diet to not more than 1500 MG a day ( Half teaspoon)      b) Avoid high cholesterol foods such as Burgers, Cheese and Ice cream.   ...

Prior to the period of economic liberalisation in 1990s, India followed a fixed Exchange rate system. Indian Rupee was linked to U.S dollar and a basket of other currencies. India started having balance of payment problems since 1985 and by the end of 1990 it found itself in a serious economic trouble. The purchasing power of U.S dollar higher due to low inflation. It is subjected to Demand and Supply of resources and for developed countries it is normally low because over a period of many years, a certain stability has been achieved with, estimating the demand and supply constraints. These countries have taken proper measures to regulate the demand of such tight resources and Goods and Services by establishing proper trade channels. In developing countries like India, Brazil etc. which are still growing, estimation processes can vary as much as 20%; due to demographical variations. Also, to meet various demands of consumers, when we import more goods we also import inflation, inc...

It is estimated that the total energy released by nuclear explosions in 20th century amounts to 600 Megatons equivalent of energy. Divided over the 510 million square meters of the earth's surface and over the two decades of peak testing, that represents 8 million of watt per square meter of power. For comparison, the 1.8 watts per square meter of CO2 Radiative forcing as of 2011 generates 29 Billion, Trillion Joules of energy over the earth's surface in a single year, or more than 10,000 times as much energy in a year that the entire combined nuclear weapons program of the world has generated.   Many Nuclear tests kick up a lot of dust which reflects sunlight thereby cooling the earth. Nuclear winter is the severe and prolonged global climatic cooling effect hypothesized to occur after widespread fire storms following a Nuclear war. The hypothesis is based on the fact that such fires can inject soot into the Stratosphere where it can block direct sunlight from reaching the ...

Body is a finely tuned machine and to keep it running in top form, proper fuel is needed to stay heart healthy. Following is a list of 25 of the best foods to protect heart and blood vessels, along with Menu suggestions to incorporate these items into daily meals. 1) SALMON - is a chock full of Omega- 3 fatty acids which can decrease the risk of abnormal heart     beats (Arrhythmias), lower Triglyceride levels and slow growth of Plaque in the arteries, and     slightly lower Blood Pressure. It is recommended eating Omega-3 foods including salmon thrice     a week. A versatile food. Grill it with a rub or marinade. Chop some and add to pasta dish with fat     free sauce or add to salads. 2) FLAXSEEDS (GROUND) - Also has Omega 3s, along with both soluble and insoluble fibre and     and Lignans, which have both Plant Estrogen and anti oxidant qualities. Ground flaxseed is easy     to incorporate in diet, can be sprinkled ...

A Heart attack is the death of heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. The loss of blood supply is usually caused by a complete blockage of a Coronary Artery, one of the arteries that supplies blood to heart muscle. Death of the heart muscle, in turn, cause chest pain and electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue. Chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom of a heart attack, however, people who are having a heart attack may experience of a variety of conditions that include Jaw pain, Sweating, Heart burn, Shortness of breath, Toothache, Headache, Nausea and Vomiting. Most of the deaths from heart attacks are caused by ventricular fibrillation of the heart that occurs before the victim of heart attack can reach an emergency room. Heart attacks are diagnosed with procedures such as Coronary Angiogram and PTCA (Coronary Balloon Angioplasty), and clot dissolving drugs are available that can quickly open blocked arteries in order to restore circulation to the heart and...

Cholesterol is a natural substance made by the body. Most of the Cholesterol in our blood stream (75%) is produced by the Liver and (25%) from foods we eat. It is well known that elevated Blood cholesterol levels are not good for health, but the right levels play a vital role in maintaining cell membrane and synthesizing hormones. Usually high Cholesterol does not produce any symptoms and one may not know that Cholesterol is high. Too much Cholesterol can build up in arteries, causing Artherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This restricts blood flow through the arteries and can lead to serious medical problems such as Heart attack or Stroke. It is recommended that all adults above the age of 20 years should get their Cholesterol levels checked every four to six years. It is done with a Blood test that measures three things. 1. High Density Cholesterol (HDL) - Good cholesterol     HDL is considered good because it works up to keep LDL (Bad cholesterol) from building ...

Thyroid disorders can be treated by medications, or in some cases, Surgery. Treatment will depend on the particular disease of Thyroid. Medications can be given to replace the missing Thyroid hormone in Hypothyroidism. Synthetic thyroid hormone is given in pill form by mouth. When Hypothyroidism is present, medications can be used to decrease production of Thyroid hormone or prevent its release from the Gland. Other medications can be given to help manage the symptoms of Hypothyroidism such as Increased Heart Rate. If Hypothyroidism is not controlled with medications, Radioactive Ablations (procedure done to decrease function of some, or all of Thyroid gland- is usually done with medicine called Radioactive Iodine) can be performed. Ablation involves giving doses of Iodine labelled with Radioactivity that selectively destroys the thyroid tissue. The goal of treatment for any Thyroid disorder is to restore normal blood levels of Thyroid Hormone. There are several nutrients which ar...

 A ductless gland in the neck which secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism. Its correct functioning depends on having a good supply of Iodine from the Diet. Thyroid disorders are the conditions that affect the Thyroid gland. A butterfly-shaped Gland in front of the neck, it has important roles to regulate numerous metabolic processes through out the body. Different types of thyroid disorders affect either its structure or function. Thyroid gland is located below the Adam's apple wrapped around Trachea (windpipe). A thin area of Tissue in the gland middle, known as Isthmus, joins the two lobes on each side. Thyroid uses Iodine to produce vital hormones. Thyroxine (T4) is the primary hormone produced by the gland. After delivery via the blood stream to the body's tissues, a small portion of T4 released from the gland is converted to T3 (Triiodothyronine) which is the most active hormone. The function of Thyroid gland is regulated by ...

You may be encouraging, without knowing, Neck pain by the way performing daily activities. In most cases, pain occurs due to a muscle strain or another benign case. In general, try to keep your head balanced directly over your spine, so it is not leaning forward or cocked to one side. That's because neck's main job is to support your head, and your head weighs about 10-12 pounds. Even without a clearly diagnosed cause, today's treatment can effectively relieve neck pain and help you learn how to prevent its return. Here are some hints for achieving a healthy neck posture in common activities - 1) At the Desk or Computer - Keep your head balanced directly over your spine as much as possible.     That means setting your chair height so both your feet can rest on the ground and sitting with     your buttocks far back in your chair using a small pillow, if needed, to support your lower back.     Properly adjusting the key Board and monitor with a Laptop...

Love it or hate it, we live in Digital age and there is no going back. Today Tsunami of Digital distractions can pose challenges to the Neural networking that regulate attention. Digital literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share and create content and design nuanced communication across fluid digital forms. Managing Digital distractions is a learning skill in itself, so by banning personal devices, the learners will be deprived of the opportunity to develop this skill. In less than three decades, computer technology has moved from being in the room (Desktop) to being anywhere we like (Laptop) and now computers have shrunk to fit in a pocket, to be always in our hands (Smartphones). This has ushered in a culture of nonstop use that is compulsive and , quite simply distracting. Our connectedness is now so that as per one study- we pick up our devices every 12 minutes which is roughly 80 times during one day's working hours. Following steps to gauge the extent o...

Flood control is important in Netherlands, as due to its low elevation. Approximately, two-third of its area is vulnerable to flooding while the country is densely populated. Natural sand dunes and constructed Dikes, Dams and Floodgates provide defense against storm surges from the sea. After a devastating North sea flood in 1953 which resulted in 1800 deaths, nation adopted a "never again" attitude. The floods stuck the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England and Scotland as well. Landscape dimensions of Netherlands has one-third lies below sea level, lowest point being 22 ft' (6.7 meters) below sea level and the highest point is about a 1000 Ft. above sea level. This is how Netherlands look alike. Dutch expertise in Water Management is as old as the Netherlands itself, and as the global seas rise, the Dutch are still on the front lines in dealing with flooding and sea-level rise. This exercise is not only helping them in their efforts, but now they are going all a...

From a medieval settlement in the swamps of the Senne ( a principal water source for the city) to the beating heart of European Union, Brussels certainly has an interesting history. Brussels humbly started out as a small settlement by the river Senne, around 10th century. It is said that the name Brussels originates from the word ' Broekzele' translates into "Settlement in the swamp". Some historians state the existence of Brussels began as early as 7th century while others claim the city started as a fort built by Charles of Lorraine around 979. What is certain is that Brussels originates from three spots around Senne, a valley and two nearby hills. The city was first mentioned as a Portus - a River post. The Grand place was referred to in 1147 as the 'Lower Market' situated close to the port on Senne and along an important road. The market place did well as a bustling center for trade. But the buildings that make the Grand Place famous today were built ...

The idea of co-operation across European borders came after Second World War. After signing the Maastricht treaty in 1992. European Union was born on 1st November 1993. Brussels was not the only candidate to harbor the new European institutions, Strasbourg, The Hague, Liege, and Saarbrucken were all proposed as hosts. Eventually, Brussels was chosen for various reasons, like, historical buffer state between  France and Germany, located on the borders between Latin and Germanic cultures, located between cities like London, Paris, major metropolitan region in Germany and the Dutch cities. The European Commission, Council of the European council and the European council are all located in the European quarter in Brussels. This is the area between three parks - Leopold park, Brussels park and the Cinquantenaire park. During my visit to Brussels recently, I have visited EU Parliamentarian office. It is the place where decisions taken have an impact on daily life of 500 million Euro...

                                                                                                               (continue from my earlier post) There are two types of Migraine. This classification depends on whether the individual experiences any disturbance of the senses leading up to migraine. These are known as Auras - 1) Migraine with Auras - For many people with Migraine, Auras act as a warning, telling them that a  headache is soon to come. The effects of the Aura can include :   - Confusing thoughts or experiences.   - Perception of strange, sparkling or flashing lights.   - Zig-Zag lines in the visual field.   - Blind spots or Black patches in the vision.   - Pins a...

A migraine (Neurological disease) can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It is often accompanied by vomiting, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last hours to days and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities. The causes of migraine is not yet known. However, the following triggers are likely to set off migraines - 1) Emotional Triggers - Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Excitement and shock can trigger a migraine. 2) Hormonal Changes - Women may experience migraine symptoms during mensuration due to     changing hormone levels. 3) Physical Causes - Tiredness and insufficient sleep, shoulder or neck tension, Poor posture and     physical over exertion have been linked to migraines. Low Blood sugar and Jet Lag can also act     as triggers. 4) Triggers in the Diet - Caffeine and Alcohol can contribute to triggering migraines. Some specific ...

Hand pain is more than just annoying. The stiffness and swelling that go along with hand pain can sap strength and diminish the ability to carry out routing functions like Buttoning clothes. One common cause of hand pain is Osteoarthritis - when the shock absorbing cartilage between the bones in the finger joints and at the base of the Thumb becomes worn or damaged. Hand pain can also result from Nerve conditions, like the pain and tingling you feel when there is pressure on the median nerve in the Wrist or the Ulnar nerve near the Elbow. Sometimes hand pain results from Tendinitis, an inflammation of the Tissue that attacks muscles to the Bones. Here are six methods to help manage hand pain, retain hand function and avoid surgery. These nonsurgical solutions will enhance daily activities and independence. 1. SPLINTING - A Splint - a strip of rigid material for supporting and immobilizing a broken bone when it has been set, for a few weeks. It stabilizes the position of fingers, ...

A desert is an Arid, barren land with little vegetation. Essentially uninhabited Deserts make up roughly one-third of planet's land area. Deserts are no less inhospitable today than in the past. Modern methods of transportation allows to take a close-up look on these regions which were considered extremely difficult in the past -impossible to reach. These are : - 1)  NAMIB DESERT - At an age of 43 million years is widely accounted for the world's oldest      desert  is located on the coast of Southern Africa. A diverse set of animals live here, many of      which exist  nowhere in the Planet. This desert overlays coastal Namibia extending to Angola      and South Africa. 2)  SAHARA DESERT - This desert, which carpets a large part of Northern Africa is the third       largest desert in the world. Winds and sporadic rainfall have shaped the Sahara into a landscape       of dunes,Valleys...

Despite impressive changes being made by Govt. of India, there is still need for old-fashioned investment in transportation, power and internet to create more employment for Women and Youth in Rural areas and Human capital. Despite technology promise, around 25% of Indian adults cannot read or write. India needs to bridge the Gender divide, particularly investing in Rural women's education, training. Innovative technologies can be a significant engine of growth, equity and sustainability, but their geographical application is limited to rural areas, and many farmers remain unaware of advancements. Insufficient connectivity in Rural areas, lack of basic computer knowledge and literacy bars rapid development of e - agriculture. Substantial investment is needed in physical infrastructure (only 27% of villages have banks within 5 kms.), power, transportation, Broadband, education particularly in poorer regions and in the poorest people. Criticism mounts - Across thousands of schools...