Yoga and Diabetes- An Alternate Therapy

Yoga and Diabetes- An Alternate Therapy

It is rightly said that, understanding is the first step towards change. In order to follow the ways to attain good health, understanding them is the first step. Good health is acquired when one follows a healthy diet, regular exercise, positive thinking, unhurried pace of living, and a sublime faith in the divine. Disease manifests in the body when nature's health laws are transgressed.

Yogic discipline with its asanas, pranayama, and meditation is a way to good health. This ancient therapy helps in treating diseases, which eventually improves personal efficiency and assists in achieving mental peace. When yoga becomes a lifestyle, it effects a radical transformation in an individual. Any health conscious person would turn to yoga and reap the benefits it offers.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition when the pancreas in the human body fails to produce insulin. Incidentally, insulin is the hormone that converts the sugar in the food into energy. Insufficient secretion of insulin by pancreas results in excess glucose level in the bloodstream, resulting in diabetes. The blood glucose is required to be used up to provide energy and fuel to the body, in order to do its work. If the level of glucose is high, it eventually affects the body parts.

A person suffering from diabetes portrays symptoms, which could be fatigue, hazy vision, excessive thirst, weight loss and an increase in appetite.

Causes of Diabetes

• Overweight
• Stress
• Genetic factors
• Lack of exercise

Food or diet plays a significant role in the life of a diabetic. Selective, healthy food with adequate intake of fruits and vegetables along with regular exercise helps to keep diabetes in control.

Yoga to the Rescue

Yoga provides an alternate source of healing for diabetes. Yoga helps to strengthen the immune system, improves blood circulation and the flow of vital energy or prana to the internal organs of the body. The secretion of stress hormones, due to faulty diet, hectic lifestyle or wrong thinking is controlled by the practice of yoga.

Effect of asanas on blood sugar level

Yogic exercises cause the muscles to absorb the excess glucose in the blood, thereby reducing the blood sugar level. They help the pancreas and liver to function effectively, which regulates the blood sugar levels. Asanas help in rejuvenating the pancreatic cells, thereby assisting insulin secretion. The muscular movements also help in bringing down the blood sugar levels. Asanas induce relaxation, which also plays a key role in the healthy functioning of the internal organs of the body.

Yogic exercises are perhaps the only exercises that bring us close to the inner being or the soul, which is essentially spiritual in nature. Practitioners of yoga, pranayama and meditation, usually find a shift in their attitude towards life. They radiate good health and positive energy .

A profound understanding of yoga enables introspection. When attention is turned inwards, it effects a radical change in our beings, manifest as inward balance and poise. As peace fills our being, the body begins to function in harmony, which is a sign of good health.

The results of yogasanas are best when they are executed without exertion, in a non-striving manner. Ideally, the movements should be fluid and harmonious. The ease, with which yoga must be practiced, is perhaps best expressed by Deepak Chopra, a renowned leader in the field of mind-body , who has said,

• Grass doesn't try to grow, it just grows.
• Fishes don't try to swim, they just swim.
• Flowers don't try to bloom, they simply bloom.
• Birds don't try to fly, they simply fly.

The natural poses assumed in yoga practice bring peace to the mind of the practitioner. Asanas can be practiced with any classical music played at the background. They make the practice enjoyable. It is important to be conscious of the movements and understand the limits of ones own flexibility. Straining beyond ones own means is certainly not recommended.

Asanas for diabetes

Paschimotasana

Paschimotasana is a sitting asana also referred to as the 'forward seated bend'. This asana is good for those suffering from diabetes. It is known to stimulate the functioning of the internal organs like liver, pancreas and kidney.

Steps

1. Sit on a yoga mat in a comfortable position with legs outstretched in front.

2. Bend your head to touch your knees and exhale completely.

3. Grasp the toes with your fingers. Maintain this position for a few breaths and inhale when you return to the original position.

4. Repeat this asana 2-3 times.

Mayurasana-The peacock pose

This asana tones up the internal organs like the liver, pancreas and kidney. It also helps to cure stomach disorders, which improves digestion.

Steps

1. Lie on your abdomen.

2. With the support of the palms on the floor, lift the whole body above the ground. The body remains parallel to the ground

Note

This asana may appear daunting to a beginner, but with guidance from a yoga expert and regular practice, the asana becomes child's play.

Shalabhasana- The Locust

This asana helps to cure acidity. It is also known to relieve nervous tension and indigestion.

Steps

1. Lie on the floor with the abdomen touching the mat.

2. Rest your chin on the floor with arms at the sides. The heels and toes must be held together.

3. Inhale and lift both the legs above the floor. While lifting the legs, pressure must be applied on the fists.

4. Maintain this position for a few seconds and come back to the original position.

5. Relax and feel the stretch on the muscles of the back.

Note

Always use a yoga mat for sitting postures.

Yogic Breathing for Diabetes

All life is energy or prana, which descends into the human body in a rhythm. It is this life force that makes our heart beat and energizes the various systems and organs of our body.

Through pranayama, this prana can be controlled. The vital force and life currents within the body are controlled through pranayama. This flow of energy helps to do away with the diseases and toxins in the body.

Bahya Pranayama or External Kumbakha

Kumbakha is the retention of breath. In this pranayama, the breath is retained outside for a longer duration than inhalation and exhalation. The ratio of inhalation, exhalation and retention is 3: 6:12

Steps

1. Sit in a cross-legged position.

2. Inhale through the left nostril, by closing the right to the count of 3.

3. Immediately exhale through the right nostril to the count of 6.

4. Retain the breath outside or in other words remain breathless to the count of 12.

5. Repeat the pranayama with the same count from the right nostril.

Period of Meditation

Steps

1. Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.

2. Mentally chant 'Om' and concentrate on the sound. Thoughts would rush in endlessly, but attention should be focused on the chant.

3. Do this till a feeling of peace envelopes you.

recipe for food on diwali

BOONDI GULAB JAMUN

Ingredients
For boondi

Gram flour (besan) 2 cups
Ghee To deep fry
Sugar 4 cups
Melon seeds 1 tsp
Green cardamom powder 1 tsp
Saffron a pinch
For gulab jamun
Khoya/mawa, grated 2 cups
Refined flour (maida) 5 tbsps
Cottage cheese (paneer), grated 4 tbsps
Baking powder ½ tsp
Ghee To deep fry
Sugar 4 cups

Method

1.Mix gram flour with a little water to make a smooth and semi thick batter.
2.Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai and pour batter into it through a perforated ladle to make boondis.

3.Mix sugar with five cups water and boil to make one string syrup. Mix in the boondi, melon seeds, green cardamom powder and saffron. Keep aside.

4.To make gulab jamuns, mix khoya, refined flour, paneer and baking powder and knead into a dough using half a teaspoon of water.

5.Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai on low heat.

6.Prepare small smooth balls with no cracks and fry in hot ghee on low heat till golden brown.

7.Prepare a thin syrup with sugar and four cups of water. Soak gulab jamuns in it.

8.Remove from the syrup after nearly half an hour and cover each one of them with boondi and form into a laddoo.
9.Chill and serve cut in halves.

SUJI AUR BADAM KA HALWA


Ingredients

Semolina (rawa/suji), roasted 1 cup
Almonds, blanched and peeled 2½ cups
Ghee ½ cup + 1 tablespoon
Sugar 2½ cups
Milk 1 cup
Saffron few strands
Green cardamom powder 1½ teaspoons

Method

1.Pat the almonds dry. Keep aside twenty almonds for garnish and grind the rest to a coarse powder.

2.Heat half a cup of ghee in a pan. Add almond powder and sauté over medium heat till golden.

3.Add semolina and mix well. Add sugar and mix. Add milk and stir to mix well. Let it cook for eight to ten minutes.

4.Add saffron and stir. Continue to cook till the halwa thickens.

5.Add green cardamom powder and stir to mix well.

6.Add one tablespoon of ghee to finish off. Garnish with reserved almonds and serve hot.

Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, India's best known chef, is also the celebrity host of TV show Khana Khazana, author of best selling cookbooks, has restaurant franchisees in India and abroad and is the winner of several culinary awards. His mission is evident: to make Indian cuisine the number one cuisine in the world.

Diwali is a festival not just for lights, lamps and firecrackers, but for some mouth-watering delights as well. Here’s a whole host of lip-smacking Diwali sweet recipes for you to feast on!

BOONDI GULAB JAMUN

Ingredients
For boondi

Gram flour (besan) 2 cups
Ghee To deep fry
Sugar 4 cups
Melon seeds 1 tsp
Green cardamom powder 1 tsp
Saffron a pinch
For gulab jamun
Khoya/mawa, grated 2 cups
Refined flour (maida) 5 tbsps
Cottage cheese (paneer), grated 4 tbsps
Baking powder ½ tsp
Ghee To deep fry
Sugar 4 cups

Method

1.Mix gram flour with a little water to make a smooth and semi thick batter.
2.Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai and pour batter into it through a perforated ladle to make boondis.

3.Mix sugar with five cups water and boil to make one string syrup. Mix in the boondi, melon seeds, green cardamom powder and saffron. Keep aside.

4.To make gulab jamuns, mix khoya, refined flour, paneer and baking powder and knead into a dough using half a teaspoon of water.

5.Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai on low heat.

6.Prepare small smooth balls with no cracks and fry in hot ghee on low heat till golden brown.

7.Prepare a thin syrup with sugar and four cups of water. Soak gulab jamuns in it.

8.Remove from the syrup after nearly half an hour and cover each one of them with boondi and form into a laddoo.
9.Chill and serve cut in halves.

SUJI AUR BADAM KA HALWA


Ingredients

Semolina (rawa/suji), roasted 1 cup
Almonds, blanched and peeled 2½ cups
Ghee ½ cup + 1 tablespoon
Sugar 2½ cups
Milk 1 cup
Saffron few strands
Green cardamom powder 1½ teaspoons

Method

1.Pat the almonds dry. Keep aside twenty almonds for garnish and grind the rest to a coarse powder.

2.Heat half a cup of ghee in a pan. Add almond powder and sauté over medium heat till golden.

3.Add semolina and mix well. Add sugar and mix. Add milk and stir to mix well. Let it cook for eight to ten minutes.

4.Add saffron and stir. Continue to cook till the halwa thickens.

5.Add green cardamom powder and stir to mix well.

6.Add one tablespoon of ghee to finish off. Garnish with reserved almonds and serve hot.

Ingredients

Coconut, scraped 1 cup
Gram flour (besan) 1 cup
Milk 1 cup
Ghee 1 cup
Sugar 2¾ cups

Method

1.Take coconut, ghee, sugar, gram flour and milk in a deep pan and mix. Grease a thali.
2.Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, till thick. As it begins to leave the sides of the pan transfer the mixture onto the greased thali and spread. Smoothen the top and let it set.
3.When cooled cut into squares or diamonds and remove the pieces.
4.Store in an airtight container.

Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, India's best known chef, is also the celebrity host of TV show Khana Khazana, author of best selling cookbooks, has restaurant franchisees in India and abroad and is the winner of several culinary awards. His mission is evident: to make Indian cuisine the number one cuisine in the world.

Diwali is a festival not just for lights, lamps and firecrackers, but for some mouth-watering delights as well. Here’s a whole host of lip-smacking Diwali sweet recipes for you to feast on!

BOONDI GULAB JAMUN

Ingredients
For boondi

Gram flour (besan) 2 cups
Ghee To deep fry
Sugar 4 cups
Melon seeds 1 tsp
Green cardamom powder 1 tsp
Saffron a pinch
For gulab jamun
Khoya/mawa, grated 2 cups
Refined flour (maida) 5 tbsps
Cottage cheese (paneer), grated 4 tbsps
Baking powder ½ tsp
Ghee To deep fry
Sugar 4 cups

Method

1.Mix gram flour with a little water to make a smooth and semi thick batter.
2.Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai and pour batter into it through a perforated ladle to make boondis.

3.Mix sugar with five cups water and boil to make one string syrup. Mix in the boondi, melon seeds, green cardamom powder and saffron. Keep aside.

4.To make gulab jamuns, mix khoya, refined flour, paneer and baking powder and knead into a dough using half a teaspoon of water.

5.Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai on low heat.

6.Prepare small smooth balls with no cracks and fry in hot ghee on low heat till golden brown.

7.Prepare a thin syrup with sugar and four cups of water. Soak gulab jamuns in it.

8.Remove from the syrup after nearly half an hour and cover each one of them with boondi and form into a laddoo.
9.Chill and serve cut in halves.

SUJI AUR BADAM KA HALWA


Ingredients

Semolina (rawa/suji), roasted 1 cup
Almonds, blanched and peeled 2½ cups
Ghee ½ cup + 1 tablespoon
Sugar 2½ cups
Milk 1 cup
Saffron few strands
Green cardamom powder 1½ teaspoons

Method

1.Pat the almonds dry. Keep aside twenty almonds for garnish and grind the rest to a coarse powder.

2.Heat half a cup of ghee in a pan. Add almond powder and sauté over medium heat till golden.

3.Add semolina and mix well. Add sugar and mix. Add milk and stir to mix well. Let it cook for eight to ten minutes.

4.Add saffron and stir. Continue to cook till the halwa thickens.

5.Add green cardamom powder and stir to mix well.

6.Add one tablespoon of ghee to finish off. Garnish with reserved almonds and serve hot.

Ingredients

Coconut, scraped 1 cup
Gram flour (besan) 1 cup
Milk 1 cup
Ghee 1 cup
Sugar 2¾ cups

Method

1.Take coconut, ghee, sugar, gram flour and milk in a deep pan and mix. Grease a thali.
2.Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, till thick. As it begins to leave the sides of the pan transfer the mixture onto the greased thali and spread. Smoothen the top and let it set.
3.When cooled cut into squares or diamonds and remove the pieces.
4.Store in an airtight container.

Ingredients

Gram flour (besan) 4 cups
Pistachios 10-12
Almonds 10-12
Desi ghee 2 cups + for greasing
Green cardamom powder ½ teaspoon
Sugar (powdered) 2 cups

Method

1.Cut the pistachios and almonds into thin slivers.
2.Heat ghee in a kadai, add the besan and roast it on low heat stirring continuously for ten to fifteen minutes or till it starts changing colour and gives out a nice aroma.
3.Add cardamom powder, almonds and pistachio slivers and mix. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4.Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
5.Grease a tray with ghee. Pour the besan mixture and spread it evenly on the tray.
6.Let it cool and then cut into square and diamond shaped pieces and serve. While storing keep in an airtight container.

Light up-HAPPY DEEPAWALI

Light up

HAPPY DEEPAVALI

...this season by bearing in mind the first aid required for burn and eye injuries, just in case

The lure of using crackers is irresistible. But it doesn't take long before this festival of lights can turn into a nightmare of sorts for many with people suffering from burn and eye injuries. Here, we offer tips on first aid. Burn Injuries With the increase in the number of firecrackers, burn cases have also increased over the years. Dr Milind Wagh, plastic surgeon, consultant plastic aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital offers quick measures to treat burns. Recognising the burn type A first degree burn is superficial. The skin turns red in colour but the sensation is intact. Second degree burns cause blisters on the skin. The skin turns pink at the periphery. Third degree burns result in skin death. The skin is white and without sensation. First-aid for burns • Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least five to 10 minutes or until the pain subsides. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. • Remove clothing from the burned area if it is silk or nylon because it tends to stick. Do not just peel off just because the skin can also come off • Do not clean the area with anything other than water • Do not give unsupervised painkillers. You can give a child Paracetamol if the child is in great pain • Do not cover it with a bandage or a sterile gauze pad. Do not use cotton as it may stick to the wound • Consume water in any form possible to avoid further tissue damage • Use cool compresses till the doctor arrives or the patient is taken to the hospital • Apply an antiseptic cream available in the market. Do not neglect because superficial burns can turn out to be first degree and second degree burns. Eye Injuries Apart from burn injuries, eye injuries are something which is another common concern during Diwali. Most of the eye injuries may result in permanent loss of vision. Dr Anand Shroff, opthalmalogist, Shroff Eye Hospital helps avoid these problems. First-aid for eye injury • Do not rub your eyes • Use the corner of a soft clean cloth to draw particles out, or hold the eyelids open and flush the eyes with water • If a particle is large or stuck in the eye, do not attempt to remove it. • Keep eyes closed and go to the eye doctor immediately • If there is any chemical that has entered the eyes, immediately irrigate the eyes and under the eyelids, with water, for 30 minutes and consult a doctor. Why are Fireworks dangerous? • Sparklers are one of the major causes of firework injuries requiring hospitalisation. Sparklers are dangerous because they burn at a temperature hot enough to melt gold (1,800° F) • Most fireworks contain gunpowder, which causes these devices to explode. Because fireworks are unpredictable, injuries can occur even if the person is careful or is under supervision • Bottle rockets are among the most dangerous fireworks available today. They account for the majority of all fireworks injuries that lead to permanent eye damage.

WEIGHT LOSS FOOD

Citrus fruits like, oranges and limes contain high concentrations of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). This Vitamin C has a fat burning quality. Vitamin C reduces the effectiveness of fat. It reduces its content and can liquefy or dilute fat. By diluting the fat, it makes it less effective, and easier to flush out of your system. Vitamin C also works on cholesterol deposits. By adding Citrus Fruits to your daily diet, you will greatly increase your metabolism, increase your ability to get rid of fat, and also control your cholesterol levels

Add applesauce (it's loaded with pectin), apples, fresh fruit and berries, to your diet and let the power of pectin pulverize the fat that accumulates on your cells. An apple a day can help keep the fat away.

Cucumbers are usually used in many salads, besides tasting great their high water content adds to your bulk hence making you feel full. They can be consumed before every meal which will greatly help you from over-eating.

Berries contain a chemical call pectin. Pectin limits the amount of fat your cells can absorb. This will put a natural limitation on the amount of fat your cells can absorb. Pectin, once in your system, has a water binding property, it absorbs watery substances, and these watery substances in turn bombards the cells and makes it release fat deposits.

Garlic oil or the juice of garlic has a significant protective quality to cells which help to reduce fatty deposits. When taken, it brings down the levels of fat. Garlic, garlic oil, or anything with garlic, also has an antibiotic property to it and can be used to cure many ailments.

Breakfast cereals are typically heavily processed foods, and most of their original micronutrients, like vitamins or minerals, are removed during the food-processing. However, most breakfast cereals are fortified with added vitamins and minerals, making them a convenient source of most B-vitamins, vitamin D and several minerals including iron. Wholegrain breakfast cereals (eg. granola, muesli, oats) are typically rich in natural B-vitamins, soluble fiber (which helps to lower cholesterol) and have a lower GI-value than regular refined cereals.

IMPLIMENET WHENEVER U CAN

SNAGGED

---

These are really very powerful, Implement whenever you can.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3.Try to get enough sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to____ today."
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2006.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They
provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice bed sheets, Don't save it for a special
occasion. Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will
this matter?"
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing!
37. Call your family often. Keep in touch with them.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I
am thankful for ___." Today I accomplished ____.
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you
certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so
make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!! May your troubles be less, May your blessings be
more. And may nothing but happiness come through your door!

18 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

18 ways to improve your body language

1. Don’t cross your arms or legs –

2. Have eye contact, but don’t stare

3. Don’t be afraid to take up some space

4. Relax your shoulders

5. Nod when they are talking

6. Don’t slouch, sit up straight

7. Lean, but not too much –

8. Smile and laugh

9. Don’t touch your face

10. Keep you head up.

11. Slow down a bit

12. Don’t fidget

13. Use your hands more confidently

14. Lower your drink

15. Realise where you spine ends

16. Don’t stand too close

17. Mirror

18. Keep a good attitude

MOSQUTIO-INFO

Let's say it's summer time. You're out in your backyard enjoying the sun and grilling your dinner. Ouch! You look down at your arm and see a painful, swelling mosquito bite. Moments later, you feel another one bite you. What are these pesky insects? Why do they bite? Do they carry diseases? What can you do to protect yourself?

A female mosquito (Anopheles gambiae), feeding.

In this article, we'll take a close-up look at mosquitoes -- how they breed, how they bite, what diseases they carry and what you can do to control them.

Up Close
Mosquitoes are insects that have been around for over 30 million years. And it seems that, during those millions of years, mosquitoes have been honing their skills so that they are now experts at finding people to bite. A mosquito has a battery of sensors designed to track their prey, including:

• Chemical sensors - mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide and lactic acid up to 100 feet (36 meters) away. Mammals and birds gives off these gases as part of their normal breathing. Certain chemicals in sweat also seem to attract mosquitoes (people who don't sweat much don't get nearly as many mosquito bites).
• Visual sensors - if you are wearing clothing that contrasts with the background, and especially if you move while wearing that clothing, mosquitoes can see you and zero in on you. It's a good bet that anything moving is "alive", and therefore full of blood, so this is a good strategy.
• Heat sensors - Mosquitoes can detect heat, so they can find warm-blooded mammals and birds very easily once they get close enough.

Little Fly The word "mosquito" is Spanish for "little fly," and its use dates back to about 1583 in North America (Europeans referred to mosquitoes as "gnats"). Mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera, true flies. Mosquitoes are like flies in that they have two wings, but unlike flies, their wings have scales, their legs are long and the females have a long mouth part (proboscis) for piercing skin.

Something with this many sensors sounds more like a military aircraft than an insect. That's why mosquitoes are so good at finding and biting you! As we'll see later, one of the only ways to stop mosquitoes from finding you is to confuse their chemical receptors with something like DEET.

Like all insects, adult mosquitoes have three basic body parts:

• Head - This is where all the sensors are, along with the biting apparatus. The head has two compound eyes, antennae to sense chemicals and the mouth parts called the palpus and the proboscis (only females have the proboscis, for biting).
• Thorax - This segment is where the two wings and six legs attach. It contains the flight muscles, compound heart, some nerve cell ganglia and trachioles.
• Abdomen - This segment contains the digestive and excretory organs.

So you have a sensor package, a motor package and a fuel processing package -- a perfect design!

The parts of a mosquito

We'll look at the different types of mosquitoes in the next section.

There are over 2,700 species of mosquitoes in the world, and there are 13 mosquito genera (plural for "genus") that live in the United States. Of these genera, most mosquitoes belong to three:

• Aedes - These are sometimes called "floodwater" mosquitoes because flooding is important for their eggs to hatch. Aedes mosquitoes have abdomens with pointed tips. They include such species as the yellow-fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). They are strong fliers, capable of travelling great distances (up to 75 miles/121 km) from their breeding sites. They persistently bite mammals (especially humans), mainly at dawn and in the early evening. Their bites are painful.
• Anopheles - These tend to breed in bodies of permanent fresh water. Anopheles mosquitoes also have abdomens with pointed tips. They include several species, such as the common malaria mosquito (Anopheles quadrimaculatus), that can spread malaria to humans.
• Culex - These tend to breed in quiet, standing water. Culex mosquitoes have abdomens with blunt tips. They include several species such as the northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens). They are weak fliers and tend to live for only a few weeks during the summer months. They persistently bite (preferring birds over humans) and attack at dawn or after dusk. Their bite is painful.

Some mosquitoes, such as the cattail mosquito (Coquilettidia perturbans), are becoming more prevalent pests as humans invade their habitats.

Let's examine how mosquitoes live and breed.

Life Cycle and Breeding
Like all insects, mosquitoes hatch from eggs and go through several stages in their life cycle before becoming adults. The females lay their eggs in water and the larva and pupa stages live entirely in water. When the pupa change into adults, they leave the water and become free-flying land insects. The life cycle of a mosquito can vary from one to several weeks depending upon the species (the adult, mated females of some species can survive the winter in cool, damp places until spring, when they will lay their eggs and die.)

Life cycle of the yellow-fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti): An egg (upper left) laid on the surface of the water hatches into an aquatic larva (lower left). The larva changes into an aquatic pupa (lower right), which then changes into a free-flying adult (upper right). The adult female bites a human to gather blood for laying eggs.

Mosquito Development

Egg
All mosquitoes lay eggs in water, which can include large bodies of water, standing water (like swimming pools) or areas of collected standing water (like tree holes or gutters). Females lay their eggs on the surface of the water, except for Aedes mosquitoes, which lay their eggs above water in protected areas that eventually flood. The eggs can be laid singly or as a group that forms a floating raft of mosquito eggs (see Mosquito Life Cycle for a picture of an egg raft). Most eggs can survive the winter and hatch in the spring.

Larva

Identifying Larvae You can distinguish the larvae of various mosquito species. Anopheles larvae lie parallel to the surface of the water, while larvae of Aedes and Culex extend down into the water (the air tubes of Culex are longer than those of Aedes).

The mosquito eggs hatch into larvae or "wigglers," which live at the surface of the water and breathe through an air tube or siphon. The larvae filter organic material through their mouth parts and grow to about 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1 to 2 cm) long; as they grow, they shed their skin (molt) several times. Mosquito larvae can swim and dive down from the surface when disturbed (see Mosquito Life Cycle for a Quicktime movie of free-swimming Asian tiger mosquito larvae). The larvae live anywhere from days to several weeks depending on the water temperature and mosquito species.

Aedes aegypti larvae extend into the water and have short siphons.

Pupa
After the fourth molt, mosquito larvae change into pupae, or "tumblers," which live in the water anywhere from one to four days depending on the water temperature and species. The pupae float at the surface and breathe through two small tubes (trumpets). Although they do not eat, pupae are quite active (see Mosquito Life Cycle for a Quicktime movie of free-swimming Asian tiger mosquito pupae). At the end of the pupal stage, the pupae encase themselves and transform into adult mosquitoes.

Adult
Inside the pupal case, the pupa transforms into an adult. The adult uses air pressure to break the pupal case open, crawls to a protected area and rests while its external skeleton hardens, spreading its wings out to dry. Once this is complete, it can fly away and live on the land.

One of the first things that adult mosquitoes do is seek a mate, mate and then feed. Male mosquitoes have short mouth parts and feed on plant nectar. In contrast, female mosquitoes have a long proboscis that they use to bite animals and humans and feed on their blood (the blood provides proteins that the females need to lay eggs). After they feed, females lay their eggs (they need a blood meal each time they lay eggs). Females continue this cycle and live anywhere from many days to weeks (longer over the winter); males usually live only a few days after mating. The life cycles of mosquitoes vary with the species and environmental conditions.

Bites, Diseases and Protection

As mentioned before, only female mosquitoes bite. They are attracted by several things, including heat (infrared light), light, perspiration, body odor, lactic acid and carbon dioxide. The female lands on your skin and sticks her proboscis into you (the proboscis is very sharp and thin, so you may not feel it going in). Her saliva contains proteins (anticoagulants) that prevent your blood from clotting. She sucks your blood into her abdomen (about 5 microliters per serving for an Aedes aegypti mosquito).

This female Anopheles gambiae mosquito is feeding. You can see the blood swelling her abdomen.

If she is disturbed, she will fly away. Otherwise, she will remain until she has a full abdomen. If you were to cut the sensory nerve to her abdomen, she would keep sucking until she burst.

After she has bitten you, some saliva remains in the wound. The proteins from the saliva evoke an immune response from your body. The area swells (the bump around the bite area is called a wheal), and you itch, a response provoked by the saliva. Eventually, the swelling goes away, but the itch remains until your immune cells break down the saliva proteins.

To treat mosquito bites, you should wash them with mild soap and water. Try to avoid scratching the bite area, even though it itches. Some anti-itch medicines such as Calamine lotion or over-the-counter cortisone creams may relieve the itching. Typically, you do not need to seek medical attention (unless you feel dizzy or nauseated, which may indicate a severe allergic reaction to the bite).

Diseases

Not HIV The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS cannot survive in a mosquito, and therefore cannot be transmitted from one person to another through mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes can carry many types of diseases that are caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. These diseases include:

• Malaria - Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted by an Anopheles mosquito. The parasite grows in your bloodstream and can produce symptoms that develop anywhere from six to eight days to several months after infection.The symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and general malaise (similar to flu symptoms). Malaria is a severe disease that can be fatal, but can be treated with antimalarial drugs. Malaria is prevalent in tropical or sub-tropical climates.
• Yellow Fever - Yellow fever does not occur in the United States, but is prevalent in Africa and is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Yellow fever produces symptoms similar to malaria, but also includes nausea, vomiting and jaundice. Like malaria, yellow fever can be fatal. There is no treatment for the disease itself, only the symptoms. Yellow fever can be controlled by vaccination and mosquito control.
• Encephalitis - Encephalitis is caused by viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes such as the Aedes mosquitoes or Culiseta mosquitoes. The symptoms of encephalitis include high fever, stiff neck, headache, confusion and laziness/sleepiness . There are several types of encephalitis that can be transmitted by mosquitos, including St. Louis, Western equine, Eastern equine, La Crosse and West Nile. West Nile encephalitis is on the rise in the eastern United States, which has raised concerns about mosquito control .
• Dengue Fever - Dengue fever is transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito, which is native to East Asia and was found in the United States in 1985. It is also transmitted by Aedes aegypti in the tropics. Dengue fever is caused by a virus that produces a range of illnesses, from viral flu to hemorrhagic fever. It is especially dangerous for children.