Health Tips

Autism. Aspergers. What's The Difference?

2011-07-29T05:11:00.000-07:00

by: Stephen Borgman
Asperger Syndrome is one of the autism spectrum disorders.

What are autism spectrum disorders? They are also called pervasive developmental disorders in the DSM-IV. These conditions are characterized by challenges/deficits of social interaction and communication.

Autism spectrum disorders begin in infancy or childhood. These conditions are not ‘cured’, as some might think. They are really just a different way of thinking and viewing the world. However, the challenges that arise in communication and social interaction should not be minimized, either.

According to Wikipedia,

ASD, in turn, is a subset of the broader autism phenotype (BAP), which describes individuals who may not have ASD but do have autistic-like traits, such as social deficits.[10] Of the other four ASD forms, autism is the most similar to AS in signs and likely causes but its diagnosis requires impaired communication and allows delay in cognitive development; Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder share several signs with autism but may have unrelated causes; and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is diagnosed when the criteria for a more specific disorder are unmet.[11]

The Aspergers Autism Debate

Here is where the debate over the exact classification for Aspergers (AS) begins. The current classification of autism spectrum disorder, according to the researchers who are updating the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (coming out in May 20130, does not entirely reflect the true nature of autism spectrum disorders.

The plan is to eliminate the name of Aspergers Disorder, and put it under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders. There will be a focus on levels of severity, versus on the exact name of Aspergers.

This is a very controversial move, and researchers and doctors working on the manual still have not decided whether to call it a disorder or a syndrome.

(Personally, I like syndrome a whole lot better. While we don’t want to minimize the challenges that come with the autism spectrum, it’s too easy to miss all of the positive characteristics of the autism spectrum by calling it a disorder instead of a spectrum).

I hope this overview of the similarities and differences between Autism and Asperers was helpful.

About The Author
Hi! I'm Steve Borgman. I am a therapist who specializes in working with clients with autism, Aspergers, and attention deficit conditions. I love my work. I hope you'll come by my site, Prospering With Aspergers. http://www.myaspergers.net
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Fat Burning Secrets - Your Weight is Not that Important

2011-05-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

That's correct folks. Your weight is not that important. Your body fat percentage is. What is body fat percentage? This is part of the composition of your body. Your body is composed of muscle and bones etc which makes up your lean body mass. Your body then has fat. The percentage of your total mass which is pure fat is called your body fat percentage.

Most people when they start a fat burning weight loss regime tend to concentrate on a goal weight. They focus on getting to this weight and don't realise that body composition is much more important.

Your body fat percentage is a much better indicator of your health. There are different recommendations for body fat percentage levels, but the following come from the American Council on Exercise.

Body Fat Percentages

An example of how body fat percentage is a much better indicator of health rather than something like BMI would be "fat skinny" people.

Say I am a woman who weighs 70kg and I am 168cm tall. My BMI of 24.4 tells me that I am in a normal weight range. I then go and measure my body fat percentage and the percentage of my body which is pure fat is 33%. This shows I am actually at risk. I have too much fat compared with lean mass on my body and so I am actually at risk even though BMI tells me I am normal weight range.

The same can go the other way say I am a male body builder who is 193cm tall and weighs 115kg. Of course this weight is muscle! My BMI would tell me that I am obese and yet when I do my body fat percentage testing I have a percentage of 8%. This actually means I am in the athlete class and not at all obese.

Focusing on body fat percentage rather than total mass is a much better option when setting goals. It is a much better indication on where you are health wise. The other reason is that muscle weighs more than fat and so sometimes when you build more lean mass you will see a gain on the scales which is actually good because it means your body fat percentage has dropped and you are healthier and leaner. Your muscles just weigh more!

An example of how body fat percentage is a much better indicator of health rather than something like BMI would be "fat skinny" people.

Say I am a woman who weighs 70kg and I am 168cm tall. My BMI of 24.4 tells me that I am in a normal weight range. I then go and measure my body fat percentage and the percentage of my body which is pure fat is 33%. This shows I am actually at risk. I have too much fat compared with lean mass on my body and so I am actually at risk even though BMI tells me I am normal weight range.

The same can go the other way say I am a male body builder who is 193cm tall and weighs 115kg. Of course this weight is muscle! My BMI would tell me that I am obese and yet when I do my body fat percentage testing I have a percentage of 8%. This actually means I am in the athlete class and not at all obese.

Focusing on body fat percentage rather than total mass is a much better option when setting goals. It is a much better indication on where you are health wise. The other reason is that muscle weighs more than fat and so sometimes when you build more lean mass you will see a gain on the scales which is actually good because it means your body fat percentage has dropped and you are healthier and leaner. Your muscles just weigh more!

The best Diet solutions to supplement weight loss

2011-05-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

Everybody aspires for a healthy body but often, many of us fail to keep a check over our weight. Any physical fitness trainer will tell you about the importance of the natural diet solutions for attaining success at your weight loss goals. Without proper natural diet, regular exercises will make your body weak and susceptible to fatigue and that may cause negative effects of weight loss oriented workouts.

Natural diets offer a wide range of options for the users with different set of priorities. As for example, if you are a diabetic patient, you may choose for specific diet solution for weight loss such as glycemic index diet. Such natural diet includes fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and nutritious food grains like basmati rice, oats, barley, chick peas, quinoa and a lot more.

The fat burning effect of proper natural diet can be seen within weeks as you will experience a definite improvement while you will not suffer any weakness and fatigue. Without proper dieting solution, it is impossible to control your weight irrespective of how hard you work in the gym.

Many of the dieticians also offer organic natural diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown in the natural manner without the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. Organic diet doesn't include any food that uses preservatives or sweeteners. The idea behind organic natural diets is that the artificial additives like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, preservatives etc ruins the natural ability of food to provide better health. Organic natural diets include free-range eggs, hormone free milk, beef and chicken used and prepared without using any preservative. Organic natural diet also disqualifies the food grains and vegetables that are genetically modified (such as BT crops).

A healthy diet is the pre-requisite for a healthy body. With proper natural diet solutions, you will be able to experience the best and fastest possible fat burning effect and that will help you to lose weight but to retain required energy.

In order to attain highly qualified information and proper tips and instructions about how to lose weight and maintain health, one may visit the official website for The Diet Solutions at http://shmyl.com/elvhton that offers every bit of information about natural diets and their fat burning effects in details.

Plano Dentist – Dental Health Tips For A Brighter Smile

2011-05-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Society places great importance on the appearance of one's smile. Many people work hard to obtain whiter and brighter teeth. A person's smile is often the primary characteristic noticed in first impressions. Therefore, caring for your teeth and taking part in good dental health practices should be an essential part of personal hygiene. There are a variety of dental health tips that one can take to create a more beautiful smile.

Choosing a Toothbrush
Everyone is aware that they need to brush their teeth regularly. However, few people understand the importance of choosing a proper toothbrush. Many believe that as long as they brush, they will have healthy teeth. However, the brush that you choose has much to do with how effective your brushing will be. When looking for a toothbrush, choose one that has a head of around 1 inch in length and a rounded appearance. The bristles should be soft and not cause damage to the gums. Avoid brushes that feel abrasive and can irritate the mouth. The average adult needs a brush with four rows of bristles while those with smaller mouths and children need a brush with three rows of bristles.

If the correct toothbrush is not chosen, the gums can become irritated and sore. This leaves the gums more susceptible to being attacked by gum disease. People with sore gums are also less likely to care for their teeth through regular brushing and floss due to the pain.

Visit a Dentist
Good dental hygiene also includes regular visits to a dentist. Gum disease is a common occurrence in adults. The reduction of plaque on the teeth during check-ups will reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Thus, the likelihood of gum disease also lessens. During regular check-ups, the dentist can examine the mouth for any signs of potential problems and stop them before they occur or worsen.

Use Mouth Wash
Studies show that rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash can give you added protection when it comes to tooth decay. Using a fluoride rinse is especially critical for those living in areas where fluoride is not added into the water supply.

Floss Between Teeth
While people know that they need to floss, not many people actually do it. Brushing alone will not remove the food particles that are stuck between the teeth. If left, these particles will cause plaque and tooth decay. In addition to preventing cavities, flossing can also reduce the chance of developing periodontal disease, which often leads to tooth loss in adults. For a healthy mouth, you should floss at least once a day. Most people floss before bedtime after all foods has been consumed for the day.

Properly caring for your teeth and following good dental health tips are essential in having a bright and white smile. Good teeth and gum hygiene should be carried out on a daily basis. Bacteria can begin to cause plaque within 24 hours of remaining in the mouth. Without removing the bacteria, tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities begin to form. Rotten or poorly kept teeth are very unsightly when it comes to meeting and talking to others. Damaged teeth and gums can also be very painful and make eating and drinking near impossible. Dental visits to correct the effects of poor dental health are very costly. Therefore, caring for your teeth while they are healthy is the best, most affordable, and easiest option available.

If you live in the Plano, TX area and would like more information, please visit Dr. Barnett's website http://www.starranchdental.com. Dr. Barnett is a general dentist in Plano offering both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services.

Benefits Of Reishi Mushroom

2011-02-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

Some of the most marvelous advances in science are made with the help of things that have been around since the ancient times. Consider for instance, the Reishi mushroom or Ling Zhi as it is known in Chinese. This remarkable herb is known for its near miraculous properties in curing various diseases and has become widely accepted by most Western practitioners as well.

So, what is Reishi? It is an herbal mushroom typically found in East Asia. Reishi is found to be extremely useful in traditional Chinese medicine to cure and heal a number of ailments. Traditional Chinese medicine is a holistic form of medicine that relies on the concept of treating the patient in their entirety and not merely removing the immediate cause of their distress. In this, the Reishi mushroom has served to be invaluable and is found in many different herbal mixtures.

There have been numerous studies and research programs conducted with Reishi mushrooms, which have identified them as being safe and free from side effects. These studies orchestrated by Asian doctors, and carried out by their Western counterparts as well, have gone to prove the efficacy of Reishi mushrooms in healing and curing numerous diseases.

Components of the Reishi Mushroom

After plenty of research that has been conducted on Reishi mushrooms, it has been found that it contains water soluble polysaccharides which are known to reduce blood pressure and prevent the formation of tumors. It also has triterpenes, particularly ganoderic acids that are very effective when it comes to treating allergy related diseases and enhance the function of the liver.

Benefits of Reishi

Reishi, or Ling Zhi as it is commonly known is a very powerful herbal medicine that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine from time immemorial. Some people believe in taking Reishi every day because it strengthens the immune system and this is quite true. Meanwhile, here are some of the other benefits of Reishi and how they can help you lead a normal and healthy life.

* Consuming Reishi regularly can help you have better blood circulation, increasing your chances of living a healthy life.

* Reishi is known to help in the treatment of anxiety, blood pressure, hepatitis, asthma and insomnia.

* Specifically, Reishi is known to alleviate the symptoms of those who suffer from respiratory problems and studies have shown that those who have a persistent cough have found great relief from taking Reishi syrup.

* Reishi is also an antioxidant and helps prevent the formation of tumors and the accumulation of other cancerous cells. It also improves the efficacy of other antioxidants such as vitamins A, E and C, so that they become more powerful when taken with Reishi.

* While Reishi can help improve the quality of your physical life, it is also good for your mental health as it helps improve your mood and make you feel better.

* Reishi when combined with brain food like gingko, gotu kola and blueberry is fantastic for improving your memory and making your brain more sharp.

Side effects

Classic Chinese literature has demarcated Reishi as a superior herb. To make things more clear, it will be helpful to know that superior herbs in Chinese medicine are those that are not poisonous and that can be taken over a long period without any side effects. Nevertheless, studies even in the Western world have indicated that Reishi does not have any side effects. However, some people might experience the typical detoxification effects of skin rashes and stomach upset, which is a way of showing that indeed, the Reishi is doing its job and cleansing your body of toxins.

Harvesting and cultivating Reishi mushrooms

Typically, Reishi mushrooms are found growing on tree trunks in damp and warm areas. However, they are not easy to find and in China, they were mostly used by royalty as they were extremely expensive. Today however, Reishi mushrooms can be cultivated as well, and can be found in countries as diverse as the US along with most parts of Asia.

If you are harvesting wild Reishi from a tree, you need to hunt for a reddish orange fungus that has a smooth edge, sometimes having striations on the outer edge. It would be wise to venture out equipped with a picture for reference although Reishi mushrooms are known to curve out from the bark and back towards the tree where they curl deeply into themselves. The stem is long and tapered. Ensure that the Reishi is free from holes and or bruises and then loosen it from the bark by passing a knife under the stem so you can pop it out from the bark.

On the other hand, if you prefer to cultivate Reishi mushrooms at home, it's quite possible with some of the Reishi kits available in the market these days. Reishi kits come with comprehensive and step-by-step instructions that help remarkably when it comes to growing a Reishi crop.

Consumption

The triterpenes in Reishi make it a very bitter mushroom. Also, it is highly advisable not to take it raw because of the bacteria that can be present on it. Reishi is available as a tablet, capsule or syrup, which can be used as medicinal supplements.

Reishi is indeed an amazing herb and a wonder medicine, the benefits of which are only now being discovered by the Western world.

About The Author
It is an herbal mushroom typically found in East Asia.reishi mushroom is an herbal mushroom typically found in East Asia. Reishi is found to be extremely useful in traditional Chinese medicine to cure and heal a number of ailments.
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Health Management

2010-12-27T20:32:00.000-08:00

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Healthy Bone For Preventing Osteoporosis

2010-12-27T20:26:00.000-08:00

Software Engineer Karen Liew's mother suffered from osteoporosis three years ago and she is worried that, with her current sedentary lifestyle, she might be at risk of contracting the disease as well.

Karen's mother, Mdm Yam was diagnosed with osteoporosis and scoliosis in 2006 and is currently taking medication and regular private Tai Chi lessons on a weekly basis. Prior to taking up Tai Chi lessons, Mdm Yam had been taking calcium tablets for 2 years as prescribed by the doctor. Instead of showing signs of improvements, her bone mass density has shown to decline over the years. Her doctor feedback that the body does not absorb the calcium as intended and thus recommended that she should engage with regular exercise in conjunction with the medication.

Yip See Kit, senior coach from NewAgeTaichi which is also the personal trainer for Mdm Yam comments “Tai Chi exercise is considered as a safe and alternate complementary therapy for prevention of osteoporosis because of its weight bearing nature. Together with the focus on balance and fall prevention in the Tai Chi training program, it has greatly improved her condition.”

Coach Yip also conducted regular record of Mdm Yam's body composition measurement using Tanita InnerScan Body Composition Monitor before and after each Tai Chi lessons to monitor her bone mass and muscle mass. It was observed that she has been able to maintain her bone mass and that her BMR – basal metabolic rate also shows an increase after each Tai Chi lesson, which is one of the psychological benefits of exercise.

Jane Tan, senior coach of NewAgeTaichi with a Dip in sports & exercise science, stressed that the body need both exercise and vitamin D (readily obtained from sunlight) to effectively absorb the calcium into the body, otherwise the excess calcium will just pass out from the body as waste.

Since osteoporosis usually strikes women after menopause, a common belief is that it's an older women's disease. However, a recent study conducted in Britain by the University of Surrey and the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro in 2008 showed that 20 per cent of women aged 20 to 29 had low bone mass, which could lead to early onset of osteoporosis.

It would be a good idea for women to start engaging in weight bearing exercises (rebounding, running, jumping, jogging, Tai Chi, resistance training) as bone mass loss begins at around age 30, which will potentially lead to the disease and causing painful fragility fractures. Dr Lau Tang Ching, president of the Osteoporosis Society (Singapore), said that a person's bone mass usually starts declining by about 1 per cent a year after that age, and that a sedentary lifestyle together with poor dietary habits, which is often the result of living in a busy, modern world like Singapore, can multiple the risk of osteoporosis. In such cases, bone mass deterioration can occur at a rate of 2 or 3 per cent a year, he added. That, combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking means young people are at higher risk of developing this disease in the near future.

Dr Bernard Thong, head and senior consultant of the Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology Department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital stressed that prevention is easier than cure when it comes to osteoporosis. And that specifically means reducing alcohol intake and smoking, increasing aerobic exercise and improving dietary calcium and vitamin D intake, said Dr Thong.

According to Ministry of Health clinical-practice guidelines released in January 2009, the incidence of hip fracture in Singapore has increased 1.5times in men and five times in women since 1960s. One in five dies within a year after sustaining a hip fracture. About 800 to 900 hip fractures occur every year in Singapore because of osteoporosis.

“Fragility fractures of the hip and spine can lead to significant pain and immobility, and affect daily activities, especially among able-bodied working adults,” said Dr Thong.

“We are currently conducting Tai Chi for Osteoporosis classes, which is a special program catered for osteoporosis patients to educate and guide how to exercise safely and effectively. We have been getting very well responses from the participants and the class does not only restrict to people with osteoporosis and is also suitable to people with all ages,” added Coach Jane.

References

Cambell, A. et al. (1997) Randomised controlled trial of general practice programme of home based exercise to prevent falls in elderly women. British Medical Journal 315 1065-1069

Dianne Daniels, M.A., (2008) Exercise for Osteoporosis (3rd Edition Ed) Hatherleigh Press New York, London

Kerri Winters-Stone, P., (2005) Action Plan For Osteoporosis - Your guide to stronger, healthier bones Human Kinetics USA

Kontulainen, S. et al. (2001) Good maintenance of exercise-induced bone gain with decreased training of female tennis and squash players: a prospective 5-year follow-up study of young and old starters and controls. J Bone Miner Res 16:202

Loomer, P. (2001) The impact of microgravity on bone metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Crit Rev Oral Bio Med 12:252

Mau-Roung, L. et al. (2006) Community-Based Tai Chi and Its Effect on Injurious Falls, Balance, Gait, and Fear of Falling in Older People. PHYS THER 86 (9): 1181-1201

Mosekilde, L. (2000) Age-related changes in bone mass, and strength - effects of loading, Z Rheumatol 59 Suppl 1:1

Risser, W. (1990) Bone density in eumenorrheic female college athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 22:570

Snow-Harter, C. and Marcus (1991) Exercise, bone mineral density, and osteoporosis. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 19:351

Tanno, M. et al. (2001) Age-related changes in cortical and trabecular bone mineral status. A quantitative CT study in lumbar vetebrae Acta Radiol 42:15

Voukelatos Alexander, M.P. et al. (2007) A Randomized, Controlled Trial of tai chi for the Prevention of Falls: The Central Sydney tai chi Trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 55 (8): 1185-1191

Wolf, S. et al. (1993) The Atlanta FICSIT study: two exercise interventions to reduce frailty in elders. Journal of the American Geriatrics 41 329-332
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Protecting Your Teeth with Dental Sealants

2010-11-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

by: Meredi Wagner-Hoehn
Because our teeth are at their most vulnerable during childhood, children and teenagers can benefit greatly from extra protection against the build up of bacteria and plaque. Sealants are a widely used, accepted, and worthwhile preventive dentistry tool that can provide this protection.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Sealants are clear or light plastic composites used to help protect teeth from the constant onslaught of bacteria. Your San Antonio sealant dentist targets hard-to-clean areas such as molar pits and fissures and strategically places sealant in the grooves of teeth to make them less accessible to bacteria. These areas are very difficult to clean no matter how well you brush and floss. Cavities that appear during childhood typically surface in these hard-to-reach pits so filling them with sealant is very helpful in preventing cavities and keeping their mouths healthy.

How Is Sealant Applied?

Your dentist will determine whether or not a sealant the proper option for you or your child. If it is determined to be beneficial, sealant can be applied swiftly and painlessly in one appointment. A dental hygienist or dentist will clean and dry the teeth. The sealant is then applied and cured with a special light. Some sealants self-cure via a chemical process. The patient is able to resume normal eating habits immediately after the appointment.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Depending on your eating habits and oral hygiene, sealants may last 5 or 10 years. Your dentist will check the sealant during routine dental appointments. If they appear to be showing too much wear, your dentist may opt to reapply.

Which Teeth Benefit Most from Sealant Application?

Molars and premolars benefit the most from sealants due to their hard-to-clean pits and crevices. However, your dentist may opt to target different teeth for more effective coverage.

What Does it Cost to Have Sealants Applied?

Although the price will vary depending on your dentist and community, sealants are relatively inexpensive compared to other dental procedures. And they offer tremendous savings in the long term given that they effectively prevent cavities. Many insurance companies cover sealants as they are considered a preventive dentistry procedure.

For expert cosmetic, general and family dentistry in San Antonio, consult with one of the professional dentists at Culebra North Dental Care. Drs. Quillian and Sproull have provided families in Texas with quality dental services for over 30 years.

5 Simple Ways to Go Green

2010-11-21T20:04:00.000-08:00

As a citizen of the globe, we have responsibility to start making changes in our life to protect the environment. This will not only save the green, but also save us some money as well. Below 5 ways show you how.

1. Reusable Water Bottles

Bring your own reusable water bottle. Is a known fact that bottle water in plastic which you bought outside will leech chemicals into water if the plastic get to hot. So it's better to use your own water bottle. Not only more green, but will also save you money.

2. Environ Bags

Instead of using plastic bags for your shopping, you can save the world by carrying your own reusable bag. Just browse around and you will find a lot of options from cloth to canvas in some cool design, which get you stylish while going green.

3. Cloth Napkins

You only use paper napkins once and will throw them away. This is pretty wasteful & expensive habit. Why don't using cloth napkins which are a much greener way to go and not only that, every meal will feel like a special occasion.

4. Say No to Toxic Cleaning Products

Green cleaning is the new beautiful. Vinegar, salt, baking soda and lemon are natural ingredients which can clean almost your entire house. For your laundry you can choose an environmentally friendly detergent or make your own with soda flakes and a drop or two of essential oil for a lovely non toxic fragrance.

5. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

Yes you've heard it all before, but how often do you really think about if every item you throw in the bin is able to be recycled? Recycling is usually the first step in the journey to going green and you need to evaluate every aluminum can, plastic bottle and cardboard box before throwing it in the garbage because it's likely it can be recycled.

We should not underestimate small changes in our life. These little tweaks can make a big difference in saving our environment. Beside, it saves us some bulks too.

So come and join the green fun!

Natural Way to Get Rid of Parasites

2010-11-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

Parasites do not belong to bacteria or virus. They are live and quite bigger than bacteria or virus. However, parasites and worms can bring you a big health problem. Such parasites occur generally during the summer months and can affect various human organs such as stomach, colons, liver, kidney, bloods and in some bad case, even the brain. Parasites rest inside those organs and feed themselves with the food you eat or the blood you have. They initially may not produce any symptoms but later on, they can suck up your energy levels and can make organs weaker and luckily, there is a natural way to get rid of parasites in every folk medical science.

Parasites - threats to internal organs

Human parasite and worm is nowadays, upcoming health ailment in all societies. Parasites' infestation could be primarily due to many diseases, illness and infections. Intestinal parasites can be cleansed off in very effective manner with the help of some natural therapies. Parasites, especially intestinal parasites are generally caused by two main types namely; protozoa or helminths.

Common symptoms of parasite infestation include diarrhea, flatulance or bloating, vomiting or nausea, abdominal pain, disturbed digestion and fatigue or weakness. In children, significant weight loss without any other symptoms indicates worms or parasites' infestation. They also produce typical symptoms such as itching around anus, redness around anus, polyphagia (over eating, excess hunger) etc.

Natural way to get rid of parasites

Colon cleansing is the most effective treatment for intestinal cleansing that can get all the parasites out of the body. Generally such cleansing includes the use of a high fiber or roughage diet and supplements like Psyllium husks, citrus pectin, garlic, pumpkin (preferably seeds), ripe papaya's extract, activated charcoal, roots of the beets and/or linseeds. However, there is no clinical data or laboratory researches favoring these all as anti-parasite treatment but they are very effective since they are still prescribed in alternative medicines.

Garlic and ginger have been found very effective in Ascaris (roundworm), Giardia lamblia, Plasmodium, and Leishmania infestations. One can go for any formula containing garlic or can eat raw garlic pods. Another colon cleansing herb includes goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis). The herb has been prescribed historically for worms' infestations and also to cure infections of the mucous membranes present in various human tracts such as respiratory, gastrointestinal etc. Black walnut is another safe and effective remedy for cleansing the colon and to treat parasites. Black walnut's unripe hulls' juice is used to treat various parasites. As said before, pumpkin seeds (Curcubita pepo) are considered to be very beneficial in treating tapeworms and roundworms.

Some of the folk medicinal science such as Ayurveda believes that Neem is the best herb for treating worms or parasites in any herbal science. Simple decoction of the Neem leaves taken early in the morning for about 15-30 days can kill all the parasites present in the intestines. This is because Neem contains some volatile substances that are good for human intestines but poisonous to the parasites.

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What is Detoxification

2010-07-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

Detoxification can be likened to giving your body a bath on the inside. During a detox we stop eating to keep more toxins from entering into the body and to give the digestive system a rest. But we drink lots of fluids which help to wash out all the harmful toxins which have entered into our bodies over a period time.

These toxins are what cause the body to become sick; so by removing them from the body we eliminate the risks of getting sick. If the body is already sick, then a good detox will help the body to heal, and restore itself.

The toxins enter into our bodies from the foods we eat, especially from processed foods, meat, dairy and even cooked foods can be toxic. Toxins also enter the body through the environment especially by the air we breathe. Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, including prescription drugs are also very toxic.

So the first step in detoxification should always be to stop toxins from entering into our bodies. This combined with an intake of lots of clean fluids will do wonders for the body. Then to take it to the next level you can go on a detox program, where the toxins which are lodged deep within the body are removed from the body.

There are several different detox programs, but I prefer to do the juice fast, where only fruit and vegetable juices are consumed along with lots of water. No matter what kind of detox program you choose to go with, make sure that you are under the care of a health professional during this time, as your body will be undergoing dramatic changes.
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What Is Breast Cancer And How Can You Treat It

2010-07-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

Did you realize there are many different types of treatments for breast cancer? Radiation therapy destroys the cancer tissue and prevents them from growing inside the entire body. This helps prevent multiplication of it. Radiation has also improved by leaps and bounds. The latest treatments on this cancer also consists of specific radiation. This is much more effective and helps prevent injury towards the surrounding healthy cells too. Radiation can now be provided in appropriate dosages with lower unwanted effects. The following are a couple of tips about this dangerous illness.

In the healthcare world today, the treatment for breast cancer involves many kinds of approaches. The initial analysis and clinical work up is the guide towards the type of remedy you will undergo.You can find some requirements which your remedy depends like the cellular composition of the cancer, the dimensions of the growth, and the phase of your hormonal status. Your general health status also plays a role in deciding the type of treatment. This information will take you through several from the latest treatments on breast cancer.

Generally there is really a good deal happening in your tissue. In the event that the cells that are developing out of control are normal cells, the growth is not cancerous. However, if the tissues which are developing out of control are abnormal and do not perform like the body's usual cells, the tumor is malignant.

Quite a few individuals choose surgical treatment. Surgical treatment and radiation therapy are most effective when the growth is localized towards the breast and can be easily removed. Benign tumors and small sized tumors are treated in this manner. The newest treatments on breast most cancers include improvements in chemotherapy, hormone treatment. These are utilized in advanced phases of cancer when the growth is no longer confined just to the breast.

The actual reproduction of cells becomes imbalanced. Breast cancer is if your cells begin to grow and reproduce out of control, which creates an assortment of cells called a tumor. However, just because you have a unknown growth within the breast doesn't mean it needs to be dangerous.

One option is to test is opting for different kinds of surgery. Breast cancer surgery is aimed at removing the bulk from the cancer tissue. Better surgical options have emerged which give patients the chance to undergo reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy. Surgery may also be within the breast or lymph node which may be found during a diagnosis. Newest remedies on this topic have medical choices which include a prophylactic mastectomy or perhaps a removal of the sex gland in a few instances.

The source from the names for each cancer is rather easy. They are named after the part from the body from which they develop. Breast cancer stems within the breast tissue. Like other cancerous tissues, it can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding the breast. Additionally , it may pass through to other parts of the human body and form brand new growths. This is called metastasis and can be very dangerous

There are many dangerous but sometimes effective methods to combat cancer. Chemotherapy is considered systemic therapy as it targets cancerous cells within the entire body. It can also be supplemented by a bone marrow or stem cell transplant that is beneficial in mostcases where the immune system is severely compromised. Stem cell treatment offers incredible possibilities in cases like breast cancer which have the potential to turn into any of the body's cells and replicate at a faster pace to fight this lethal disease.
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How to Cure or Alleviate Edema, Including Lymphedema

2010-07-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

By edema excessive fluid gather in body parts or greater areas of the body, making the areas swollen. Edema is most often a problem in the legs, but can occur anywhere in the body.

There are several types of edema, and many cases are also a mixture of more than one type. By lymphedema the drainage from the tissues through the lymph vessels are impaired or excessive fluid goes through the blood capillary walls into the spaces between the cells in a tissue. Edema can also occur because of poor drainage of blood through the veins towards the heart. Edema can further be caused by general accumulation of excessive fluid in the body.

The causes of edema are many. Edema is a symptom by most inflammations. Insufficient heart action by congestive heart failure can cause edema. A too high intake of salt can cause general water retention in the body. Sitting and standing long in the same position can cause edema in the lower limbs. A still sitting life without exercise can cause or aggravate edema.

Insufficiencies of the liver or kidneys can cause fluid retention and thereby edema. Edema can be a side effect of antihypertensive drugs, steroids surgery and radiation therapy. Further causes of different types of edema are varicose veins, cancer, hypothyroidism, blood clots, constipation and physical injuries.

To treat edema, it is important to treat the underlying disease or injury. However, medical treatment does not always cure the underlying condition or the cause is wholly or partially lifestyle aspects. Therefore various measures targeted directly against the edema are useful. These are presented here:

Pharmacological treatments: The physician will sometimes prescribe diuretics to reduce fluid retention in the body and thereby reduce edema. This treatment should however be used for serious edema or edema persistent when other measures do not work.

Salt intake restriction: Restriction of salt intake is an important measure by edema. People suffering from edema should avoid adding great amount of salt into their food or consume preprocessed food with a salty taste.

Diet: A good general diet that alleviates chronic inflammation is useful. The diet should especially contain enough sources of omega-3-fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, like: Fat fish, seafood, flax oil, olive oil, almonds, rape oil and canola oil. Also vegetables and fruit in a natural shape are useful.

Avoiding constipation: Constipation should be treated, since a stomach engorged by excessive content can cause impairment of fluid circulation.

Variation of corporeal position: You should avoid sitting or standing still a long time during the day. When sitting during work or rest, you should change position with regular intervals.

Exercise: Every day you should have some exercise adjusted to your health condition. This could be walking, cycling, swimming, running or any other sport activity where you use greater parts of your body. Doing regular stretching exercises or yoga is useful. By severe edema special therapeutic exercises should be prescribed by a professional.

High position of limb: When you are sleeping or resting the swollen body parts can be placed in an elevated position by means of pillows, pads or by resting in an adjustable bed or chair.

Massage: By minor edema yourself, your spouse or a friend can massage the affected body part to alleviate the edema. The massage should be done in the direction of natural flow of blood and lymph that is towards the heart. You should however avoid massaging distinctly injured or distinctly inflamed body parts. By severe edema a professional massager should be engaged to perform the massage type called "manual lymphatic drainage".

Elastic bandaging: You can use elastic gloves, stockings, tapes or bandages around the swollen body parts during the day or during physical activities after instruction from a professional person.

Inflatable garments: There are inflatable garments to be found that can be used around the engorged body parts some times of the day. Also these should be used after professional instruction.

Sequential gradient pump therapy: One can get special electric pumps connected to inflatable garments. The pump inflates and deflates the garments repeatedly. Each garment has several rooms that are inflated sequentially in the direction of the natural fluid stream towards the heart. In this way the fluid is dynamically pumped the right way out of the engorged body part. This type of therapy is used in professional settings or at home after instruction from a professional.

Skin care: The skin on a body part affected by severe edema should attain special care to avoid and treat sores. Proper cleaning, daily use of moisturing creams, proper rinsing of skin injuries, antiseptic creams by injuries.

Complete decongestive therapy: This is a complete set of edema treatment techniques done by a professional person combined with self-care instructed by the professional. The techniques used are: Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise and skin care.

Herbal and natural products: Many herbs and products composed of a blending of these herbs are used against edema. Such herbs are: Dandelion, Gingko biloba, horse chestnut, buchu, goldenrod, corn silk, horsetail, juniper, butchers broom, cleaver and ginger. Some people have experienced a good effect from using apple cider vinegar.

The flavonide rich product pycnognenol extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine has shown promising effects against edema according to scientific studies. The flavonides hydroxyethylrutosides also seem to have good effect against edema. Other natural substances that may help to treat edema are the flavonids diosmin and hesperidin and vitamin C.

Oil pulling: The procedure called "oil pulling" may help for edema. It consists of rinsing the mouth with one tablespoon of natural oil for 15-20 minutes and then spitting the oil out. It is done in the morning before eating. Sesame or sunflower oils are usually recommended for this use.
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Women Can Get Great Benefits From Whey Protein

2010-07-26T17:53:00.001-07:00

Are you concerned about taking care of your body before and after strenuous activities or workouts? Do you try to avoid supplements that contain additives and possible side effects? I am very particular about what I am putting into my body at all times. I hate the idea of eating or taking something that I am not sure about what it is suppose to do or what side effects may be caused.

If you are interested in better health and improved physical fitness you have surely heard that bodybuilders and other athletes are turning to a simple, natural supplement called whey protein. Whey is the only supplement I take besides my daily multivitamin that I feel safe taking. So lets cover a few questions or concerns many women have about taking protein.

WHY DO ATHLETES USE WHEY PROTEIN?

Protein levels are depleted through exercise. Muscles require amino acids to prevent deterioration, give endurance and build mass. Proteins supply these amino acids to the muscles which is why athletes use whey protein. If you want to gain muscle you have to make sure you have the building blocks for it. Women need protein the same ways that men do so do not be afraid of it.

WHAT IS WHEY PROTEIN?

Commercial whey protein comes from cow's milk. Whey is the by-product of making cheese and was usually thrown away as a waste product. Now researchers know that whey protein is high quality, natural protein that is rich with amino acids essential for good health and muscle building. It is naturally found in mother's milk and also used in baby formula. It is being considered for use as a fortifier of grain products because of its considerable health benefits and bland flavor.

Although protein is also found in other foods such as meat, soy and vegetables, whey protein is proven to have the highest absorption (digestion) levels in comparison to all others.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER USING WHEY PROTEIN?

Whey protein has many health benefits including immune support, bone health, sports health, weight management and overall well being. And as women, we need all the help we can get to keep out bones strong and supportive. Plus overall health is not a bad thing either. The better nutrition you have in your life the less likely that the flu or other bugs will come knocking on your door.

Because amino acids are 'building blocks' for the human body it is sometimes used by patients to speed up the healing of wounds or burns.

The high quality protein that comes from whey makes it a recommended choice for those who need optimal benefits from restricted diets including diabetics, those on weight management diets and even ill patients not able to consume enough protein in their diet to assist with healing.

CAN WHEY PROTEIN BE DANGEROUS?

Whey protein is a food and so it does not have have the risks associated with other supplements. That said, too much of anything carries risks. Extremely high use of whey protein can overload the liver which can cause serious problems. Moderation is always recommended.

If you are lactose intolerant you might try whey protein isolate which has less than 1% lactose and should be tolerable for most users.

Whey protein is a natural and healthy way to bring protein into your diet and increase well being.

WILL WHEY BULK ME UP?

No, women lack the hormones that men have that allow them to get those large bulky muscles. Women will get an overall toned appearance without looking like the Hulk. Those women you see in body building competitions more often than not achieve their unusual frame by injecting additional hormones or supplements into their body. But no, with the use of whey you will not look like these women.

SOME TRICKS WITH WHEY

If you buy the powder you will be able to do a lot more than just simple shakes. But for shakes be create.
Mix the whey with milk and maybe add some strawberries or blueberries to make the best shakes around!
When you bake cookies scoop some whey in for a power cookie
If you drink coffee but some chocolate whey in to make a great mocha

The possibilities are endless, get your creative juices going!
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About the Author

Taylor Ryan is a personal trainer dedicated to educating women to get the best body they can get. Her company TotalTonedWomensClub stresses the importance of weight training as a method to get the toned and strong body they want. Check out http://www.totaltonedwomensclub.com for more.

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The Lipolysis Fat Reduction Method

2010-07-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

When I initially read the article on a newer fat melting procedure, I thought "Oh boy, here we go again, another gimmick in the world of fat loss". Whenever I hear the words "melt" and "fat" in the same sentence, call me crazy, but I tend to be a bit skeptical because we all know that you cannot melt the fat off or out of your body, no matter how badly we'd all like to at times.

However, upon reading a bit more, I realized that this newer termed procedure to get rid of smaller pockets of body fat, called Lipolysis, is much like another, fairly controversial, method of fat and celllulite removal called Mesotherapy which originated in France years ago.

The common theme to these procedures is that they both use injections that are administered subcutaneously, which release varying mixtures of substances they claim destroy fat cells and rid the treated areas of bulges and excess inches.

Practitioners of Lipolysis and Mesotherapy are careful to say that it is not a weight loss method, but rather a body sculpting method, which will help to sculpt the body, and mold it by getting rid of stubborn areas, such as belly bulges, under-chin fat which tends to be extremely stubborn, and areas of the arms and sides of the belly that have that fat that never seems to budge.

The main difference between Lipolysis and Mesotherapy as I understand it, is what is actually injected. Mesotherapy is a tad confusing, and I'm not even sure if they've divulged exactly what is in the solution injected with Mesotherapy, except to say that it is a natural, homeopathic mixture in a solution that destroys fat cells.

With Lipolysis, it is clear what actually goes into the solution injected into patients fatty areas, but critics say that it is not clear that there is any standard for mixing the solution, and one patient may get a higher concentration of one ingredient than another, since the solution is not yet FDA approved.

The solution is varying parts of the following ingredients : phosphatidylcholine, a soybean derivative, and sodium deoxycholate, a bile salt. The mixture is called PCDC, and it is mixed in pharmacies, however there is no standardization, which is why it is receiving a lot of criticism, mostly from the plastic surgery field.

Go figure. I'm sure some of the criticism has to do with the fact that this newer treatment may take business away from liposuction, which is only performed by board certified plastic surgeons, and that may be some of the reason for the heated debate over Lipolysis and other non-FDA approved fat reduction procedures.

But they also may have a good point in that the solution is not standardized, and the long term effects of Lipolysis have never been studied.

Results reported from Lipolysis have varied, as with many other comsetic procedures. Many women have reported excellent results, and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for inch loss or spot fat reduction. Some say that the pain is more than minor with each injection, and there have been some reports of allergic reactions, as well as minimal results.

Almost every cosmetic procedure has some risk of allergic reaction or of simply not giving the results desired, so this is to be expected, and I do not think the amount of reports in this case warrant calling this procedure "ineffective" or "unsafe", but the one thing that would concern me is that we are injecting an unstandardized solution into our bodies, and destroying fat cells by rupturing them.

Then where does the fat go after it is destroyed? If the fat catches in areas where it cannot be easily eliminated by the body as waste, this could also present a problem, and critics are quick to cite the fact that there are no concrete studies or evidence to show that the destroyed fat cells are processed and eliminated by the liver, as the advocates of Lipolysis claim.

So, onto another important point about Lipolysis. What is the cost? That is really on the forefront, since the cost benefit appears to be the reason that many women are choosing this over liposuction. That, and the fact that it is technically uninvasive since there is no surgery involved, and no downtime as with liposuction, which is considered to be a fairly painful surgery with a long recovery time which minimizes life activities.

The cost runs around $1,000 to $3,000 per body area. I'm not exactly sure what that covers, but it no doubt ranges depending on where you live, since geographical area dictates the costs of elective cosmetic procedures most times. This could be considerably less than liposuction to eliminate stubborn fatty areas if it works, since it is both less time consuming and would most likely end up being more economical.

This procedure may be worth looking into if you have smaller, more concentrated areas of fat that won't go away, but perhaps a little more time should pass, and even better, the process should get FDA approval, before this becomes the next big thing. After all, what good is looking great and feeling good if you're unintentionally doing something detrimental to your body in the end?
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Natural Way to Get Rid of Parasites

2010-07-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Parasites do not belong to bacteria or virus. They are live and quite bigger than bacteria or virus. However, parasites and worms can bring you a big health problem. Such parasites occur generally during the summer months and can affect various human organs such as stomach, colons, liver, kidney, bloods and in some bad case, even the brain. Parasites rest inside those organs and feed themselves with the food you eat or the blood you have. They initially may not produce any symptoms but later on, they can suck up your energy levels and can make organs weaker and luckily, there is a natural way to get rid of parasites in every folk medical science.

Parasites - threats to internal organs

Human parasite and worm is nowadays, upcoming health ailment in all societies. Parasites' infestation could be primarily due to many diseases, illness and infections. Intestinal parasites can be cleansed off in very effective manner with the help of some natural therapies. Parasites, especially intestinal parasites are generally caused by two main types namely; protozoa or helminths.

Common symptoms of parasite infestation include diarrhea, flatulance or bloating, vomiting or nausea, abdominal pain, disturbed digestion and fatigue or weakness. In children, significant weight loss without any other symptoms indicates worms or parasites' infestation. They also produce typical symptoms such as itching around anus, redness around anus, polyphagia (over eating, excess hunger) etc.

Natural way to get rid of parasites

Colon cleansing is the most effective treatment for intestinal cleansing that can get all the parasites out of the body. Generally such cleansing includes the use of a high fiber or roughage diet and supplements like Psyllium husks, citrus pectin, garlic, pumpkin (preferably seeds), ripe papaya's extract, activated charcoal, roots of the beets and/or linseeds. However, there is no clinical data or laboratory researches favoring these all as anti-parasite treatment but they are very effective since they are still prescribed in alternative medicines.

Garlic and ginger have been found very effective in Ascaris (roundworm), Giardia lamblia, Plasmodium, and Leishmania infestations. One can go for any formula containing garlic or can eat raw garlic pods. Another colon cleansing herb includes goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis). The herb has been prescribed historically for worms' infestations and also to cure infections of the mucous membranes present in various human tracts such as respiratory, gastrointestinal etc. Black walnut is another safe and effective remedy for cleansing the colon and to treat parasites. Black walnut's unripe hulls' juice is used to treat various parasites. As said before, pumpkin seeds (Curcubita pepo) are considered to be very beneficial in treating tapeworms and roundworms.

Some of the folk medicinal science such as Ayurveda believes that Neem is the best herb for treating worms or parasites in any herbal science. Simple decoction of the Neem leaves taken early in the morning for about 15-30 days can kill all the parasites present in the intestines. This is because Neem contains some volatile substances that are good for human intestines but poisonous to the parasites.

Related Articles:

Top Colon Cleansing Products Based on Customer Reviews

How does aloe vera help the colon?

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Abscess – Natural Remedies for Abscess

2010-07-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

An abscess is a tender, easily pressed mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. The middle of an abscess is full of pus and debris. Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body. The most common sites are in your armpits (axillae), areas around your anus and vagina (Bartholin gland abscess), the base of your spine (pilonidal abscess), around a tooth (dental abscess), and in your groin. Inflammation around a hair follicle can also lead to the formation of an abscess, which is called a boil (furuncle).

An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria (germs). The usual cause of an abscess is an infection with bacteria. Certain bacteria are more likely to be 'pus forming' as they make toxins (chemicals) that can damage the body's tissues. These include: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The infection causes the immune system to activate white blood cells and chemicals to fight the bacteria. In this 'battle' some tissue dies. A cavity forms and fills with pus. The cavity becomes bigger if the infection continues.

Abscess is seldom effective due to antibiotics often being unable to get into the abscess and their ineffectiveness at low pH levels. Whilst most medical texts advocate surgical incision some medical doctors will treat small abscesses conservatively with antibiotics.
Natural Remedies for abscess

Take a slice of peeled potato(about 1 in. thick) and place it over the abcess or boil and secure it there with tape. Leave it on there for a couple hours and it will pull the poison out. You can see the poisons on the potato.

Use heat, the number one home remedy to treat abscesses, to bring the abscess to a head. Place a clean, warm face cloth over the boil for 20 minutes at least three times a day. Rotate face cloths to maintain consistent heat. Warm compresses will bring the abscess to a head.

The best home remedy for mouth abscess is prevention. Understand the importance of oral hygiene. Don’t be in a hurry to brush and floss. Don’t postpone your visit to the doctor. And for an unforeseen situation dental insurance proves to be God sent.

Apply a cloth soaked in one part lobelia and three parts mullein in warm water to bring the affected area to a head. Puncture lightly with a sterilized needle, and wash gently. Garlic oil will help defend against infection. Apply vitamin E oil twice a day to speed the healing process.

Continue using warm compresses a couple of times a day for at least three days to ensure all the pus drains from the abscess. Apply a clean bandage each time you finish using a compress.

Apply a dry (make sure it is dry, not wet) Lipton Cold Brew tea bag between tooth and gum for 45 to 60 minutes. For better effect, lay down on non-swollen side with head slightly raised so the tea can soak over the gum and tooth (keep your mouth closed also). I tried both the dry and wet bag technique -- the dry bag technique worked the best for me. I used cold brew teabags, since I felt that the effect would be enhanced over hot brew teabags.

Keeping the skin clean, eating a proper diet, and getting regular exercise can also help treat and prevent skin abscesses. Each of these actions helps keep the immune system strong, improving its ability to fend off infections or illnesses that may lead to skin abscesses.
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By: peterhutch

An abscess is a tender, easily pressed mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. The middle of an abscess is full of pus and debris. Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body. The most common sites are in your armpits (axillae), areas around your anus and vagina (Bartholin gland abscess), the base of your spine (pilonidal abscess), around a tooth (dental abscess), and in your groin. Inflammation around a hair follicle can also lead to the formation of an abscess, which is called a boil (furuncle).

An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria (germs). The usual cause of an abscess is an infection with bacteria. Certain bacteria are more likely to be 'pus forming' as they make toxins (chemicals) that can damage the body's tissues. These include: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The infection causes the immune system to activate white blood cells and chemicals to fight the bacteria. In this 'battle' some tissue dies. A cavity forms and fills with pus. The cavity becomes bigger if the infection continues.

Abscess is seldom effective due to antibiotics often being unable to get into the abscess and their ineffectiveness at low pH levels. Whilst most medical texts advocate surgical incision some medical doctors will treat small abscesses conservatively with antibiotics.

Natural Remedies for abscess

Take a slice of peeled potato(about 1 in. thick) and place it over the abcess or boil and secure it there with tape. Leave it on there for a couple hours and it will pull the poison out. You can see the poisons on the potato.

Use heat, the number one home remedy to treat abscesses, to bring the abscess to a head. Place a clean, warm face cloth over the boil for 20 minutes at least three times a day. Rotate face cloths to maintain consistent heat. Warm compresses will bring the abscess to a head.

The best home remedy for mouth abscess is prevention. Understand the importance of oral hygiene. Don’t be in a hurry to brush and floss. Don’t postpone your visit to the doctor. And for an unforeseen situation dental insurance proves to be God sent.

Apply a cloth soaked in one part lobelia and three parts mullein in warm water to bring the affected area to a head. Puncture lightly with a sterilized needle, and wash gently. Garlic oil will help defend against infection. Apply vitamin E oil twice a day to speed the healing process.

Continue using warm compresses a couple of times a day for at least three days to ensure all the pus drains from the abscess. Apply a clean bandage each time you finish using a compress.

Apply a dry (make sure it is dry, not wet) Lipton Cold Brew tea bag between tooth and gum for 45 to 60 minutes. For better effect, lay down on non-swollen side with head slightly raised so the tea can soak over the gum and tooth (keep your mouth closed also). I tried both the dry and wet bag technique -- the dry bag technique worked the best for me. I used cold brew teabags, since I felt that the effect would be enhanced over hot brew teabags.

Keeping the skin clean, eating a proper diet, and getting regular exercise can also help treat and prevent skin abscesses. Each of these actions helps keep the immune system strong, improving its ability to fend off infections or illnesses that may lead to skin abscesses.

About the Author

Read about Breast Enlargement Products. Also read about Home Remedies and Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips, Hair Care Tips

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Cranberry Juice – the Natural Diuretic

2010-07-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Drug tests are done to find out whether a person has abused illicit drugs or not. Drug tests are increasingly becoming compulsory at many work places, for college admissions, and in sports. This has led to drug abusers to find out the ways to pass a drug test. Using cranberry juice is one of the common methods used by the drug abusers to pass the urine drug test. Information is given below on the method followed by the drug abusers to pass a drug test.

Cranberry Juice – The Natural Diuretic:

Cranberry Juice is treated as a natural diuretic, which can be consumed at home. Having cranberry juice on the day of the test temporarily dilutes the urine. This will temporarily strip out THC from the urine. High quality cranberry juice is also consumed to balance the pH level of the urine and increase frequency of urination. Cranberry juice is praised for its ability to aid in maintaining natural kidney functioning.

Using Cranberry Juice to Pass the Drug Test:

Drug abusers drink a few glasses of cranberry juice before going to work on the day of the test. They ensure the urine in the bladder is as watered down as possible. Drug abusers begin by drinking a gallon or more of water and drink a couple of glasses of cranberry juice in between. The cranberry juice will ensure to urinate frequently.

If the company has a history of having tests on the work places instantly, drug abusers try to keep a bottle of cranberry juice with them always. They just drink it before the test, and possibly get a chance to urinate before the test to clean out the system with the aid of the juice.

How it Works:

Theory is to cause a “pH shift”, making the urine sample acidic - altering the chemistry of immunoassay tests. In reality - the body detoxifies the acid & dilutes to physiological pH. Between the frequent urination and the dilution of your urine with water, metabolites are unable to build up to a detectable level. For example, cranberry juice contains enough benzoic acid to produce a decidedly acidic urine specimen. Alterations of the urine pH outside the specified limits could result in a false-negative result.

This should help you to look for ways to prevent a potential drug addict from circumventing the test procedure.
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A Burning Headache And Some Of Its Causes

2010-07-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Many people suffer from this common nuisance called burning headache every day, in some cases which can even last for days. Burning headache is not a medically recognized term if you were to look around in medical journals and clinical documents, but it's pretty much commonly used. There are many different causes of burning headache, and different people have different parts of the head which aches. Besides, there are also many different causes of this headache, some of which we will be looking at today.

Different Parts of the Head

In many instances, burning headache is related to sinusitis. In that case, the pain is usually on the frontal part of the head, on the forehead, upper cheeks, and sometimes can even travel around the whole face. In other cases, this burning headache can be caused by fever. In this, the pain is usually on both sides of the forehead, which are the weakest points of sensitivity in our head.

Causes

As we have already known, the common reasons for burning headache would be fever, flu, and sinusitis. In these cases, the pain is constant, and can be stinging and tingling, and not to mention burning. It can originate from any side of the head, but usually after a while it will travel to other areas as well.

Some people tend to get thrusts of extreme pains. Although medically there is no proof as to what causes this sudden uprising in the burning headache symptoms, it is believed to be caused by pulsating nerves due to tension.

Burning headache can also be caused by certain other reasons besides the above listed. These are more serious cases such as tumors or growth in the head. In such cases, the pain is not constant like the ones listed above, but comes on and off. The pain is usually violent, far stronger than the ones you get for fever, and not to forget; it pulsates often.

It is also believed that toxins and chemicals can also cause acute or burning headache. This is pretty common to many people, especially those who are not so favorable of newly painted houses, chemical labs, and so on. On top of these, even certain edible toxins and foods can cause burning headache, such as alcohol, caffeine, and so on.

Alcohol and caffeine especially, are believed to be causes of many serious headaches that can cause the whole head to ache severely, with the nerves being extremely tensed.
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Long Term Diabetes Complications

2010-07-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

The article aims to provide information about complications of diabetes. There are mainly two types of complications found in diabetes they are short and long term. Here we will discuss long term complications of diabetes.

Long term complications

Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetes-related eye complications are very common. It is the leading cause of blindness and vision problem now. If left untreated, they lead to the deterioration of vision and ultimately blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy is caused by damage to the small blood vessels of the retina in the back of the eye. The small vessels can be damaged by high blood glucose and high blood pressure. Thus an individual who suffers from hypertension is at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy than those who have a normal blood pressure. The high blood glucose levels hinder the flow of blood, and thus oxygen, to the cells of retina. This hinders the working of retina and thus leads to improper vision. The early stage of this disease is called non- proliferate diabetic retinopathy, characterized by the development of occasional small blisters caused by enlarged capillaries and small hemorrhages on the surface of the retina. Moderately severe to very severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is also known as pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The blurred and distorted vision is because of macular edema.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the advanced form of diabetic retinopathy; the new blood vessels break, as they are weak and leak blood into clear gel of the eye, which will lead to floating spots in the eye, blocking vision. The pace of damage is not similar in both the eyes but, both the eyes are affected by this disease. Some times one eye is affected more easily than other. After some period, the swollen and scar nerve tissue of the retina is totally destroyed and pulls up the entire layer of retina and detaches it from the back of the eye. Retinal detachment is the cause behind blindness among diabetics in middle age. A diabetic must go for the regular eye checkup so that the early stages of diabetic retinopathy can be detected and treated in initial stages itself, with less harm to the eyes. Blood sugar levels should also be monitored and maintained to prevent blood vessel damage.

Treatment

There is no pharmaceutical therapy available at present that stops the progression of diabetic retinopathy by treating the underlying process of micro vascular damage. Current treatment options (generally reserved for late stage pre-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy and sight-threatening diabetic macular oedema) include two different forms of laser surgery. Laser therapy seals the leaking blood vessels in the macula, slowing the swelling that causes impaired vision. This procedure does not improve blurred vision but it can prevent it from worsening. While laser surgery can usually prevent vision from deteriorating, in most cases it cannot restore vision that has already been lost.
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Quitting Smoking: Nicotine Relapse Prevention And Recovery

2010-05-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

According to a Statistics Canada report entitled A step Forward, a step back: Smoking cessation & relapse by Margot Shields " Relapsing was strongly associated with the length of time an individual had quit. Approximately 1 in 5 men and women who had quit smoking for two years or less had started again. By contrast, approximately 5% of former daily smokers who had quit for three to five years had started smoking, and among those who had quit for more than five years, the figure was 1%". Conclusion, the longer you stay quit the less chance you have of starting again. Understanding relapse prevention and recovery may help you to avoid relapsing or it may help you to recover quickly.

Instantaneous Relapse

Instantaneous relapse occurs when you start smoking because something unexpected occurs. The unexpected situation can occur while on vacation, in the midst of having a great time, or it can be during a new and unusual stressful situation. An example of this is where you are out with friends having a great time, maybe alcohol is involved and out of nowhere someone offers you a cigarette and you take one. Or you come home from work and find your pet is very ill and needs immediate attention. You remember you kept a pack in the cupboard and light one up.

Planned Relapse

You finally did it; you stopped smoking, got through the craving, withdrawal and habit stages and have been smoke free for some time. But lately and for no apparent reason you have been thinking about cigarettes. Then one day you decide to buy a pack, you know they aren't good for you, but you buy them anyway. In the back of your mind you have convinced yourself that by now you can control it or maybe you convinced yourself a few won't hurt or maybe you will be able to ration them and have a few at a time. You bought the cigarettes and now you are playing a mental tug or war game. Part of you say's don't do it; the other part says a few can't hurt. Finally you lose the tug of war and give in; you have the first one and all bets are off.

Latent Relapse Potential

Latent relapse potential is something you need to be aware of because it can sneak up on you when you are least expecting it. You just found out you are pregnant and you instantly quit smoking and can't believe how easy it was or you stopped smoking before you took a long vacation and you feel great about beating smoking. When something as exciting as a pregnancy occurs you can be so excited you stop instantly but the day after the baby is born some women find themselves right back at it wondering what hit them. The same goes for a long vacation or a hospital stay. While on vacation or in the hospital you didn't miss smoking. You are away from your normal routine and have been smoke free all along, you return home only to find everything was just as you left it. Knowing that latent relapse potential exists will help you to develop your reentry strategy after giving birth or returning from a vacation or a hospital stay.

Relapse Recovery

Relapse recovery is all about stopping again quickly. The sooner you stop again after that first smoke the higher the probability you will return to being smoke free. When you decide to have one you are at a fork in the road and you have a very important and timely choice to make. One fork is where you continue to smoke. The other fork is where you stop right then and don't have another one. If you happen to have one don't panic, don't give in and don't fall into the trap of thinking you can control your intake of cigarettes. Get right back onto that horse don't light up another cigarette and never look back, the sooner you stop again the more likely you will succeed again.

People who convince themselves that they will quit again some time in the future may find they are still smoking a decade later.

Relapse Prevention

When it comes to quitting smoking and relapse prevention an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To protect yourself against relapse:

Expect the Unexpected

Mentally preparing yourself for unexpected or unusual events and situations can prevent you from relapsing. Weddings, family and school reunions, buck and does are events that don't occur everyday and are events that increase vulnerability. If you are planning to attend one of these events just think ahead or back to what normally happens. At some point smokers will go out for a smoke and you need to have your personal plan in place before you get there. If someone invites you out for a smoke, simply reply, "No thanks I don't feel like one".

You can't control it

The tongue in cheek definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. When it comes to thinking you can have one or that you can manage and control your cigarette consumption, you are deluding yourself. If you are smoking again after quitting you know this to be the case. Some people relapse because they start off with just one cigarette, thinking they can control it, but usually don't stop there. Statistically the odds are against you controlling your smoking to one or two a day.

Get rid of cigarettes.

Your personal relapse prevention strategy should include getting rid of any remaining cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia in your own way. Some plan their quitting by getting rid of ashtrays, detailing their car or work vehicle and smoking the last one the day they stop. Some wrap their cigarettes in shipping tape so they can't get at them. Some bury them in the back yard. Do what feels right for you, but make sure you have a plan to say good-bye once and for all to your cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco and smoking paraphernalia.

Manage chronic stress

Sudden and unexpected stress can catch you off guard, while chronic stress can make the job of quitting smoking tougher. Chronic stress occurs where you have something, somebody or a job that is constantly causing you to feel uptight and maybe out of control. When it comes to chronic stress you have two choices, eliminate the cause or learn to cope and manage your stress.

Eliminating the cause is the preferred solution but is not always possible. Chronic stress can cause you to secrete cortisol a stress hormone. Normally a good thing, when cortisol is present over a sustained period of time it can be damaging to your health, compromise your immune system and can lead to serious disease. If you can't change the cause of the stress in your life you will need to find news ways to mange or reduce the effects of chronic stress to your body and mind.

Managing stress involves finding healthy outlets that allow you to temporarily get some relief. For some people this means going to a gym and working out the frustrations with weights and cardio exercise. Some people find yoga, or mediation will give them relief while other people turn to a new hobby or learning to play an instrument. Whatever you choose make sure you enjoy it.

If you wish to further your knowledge on managing stress several books on the subject entitled "The Relaxation Response" by Herbert Benson M.D. and "Natural Highs" by Hyla Cass M.D. may help you to understand and adopt new ways to feel good without cigarettes.
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Tips On Controlling Diabetes

2010-05-14T22:38:00.000-07:00

If you have diabetes then you know how important it is to try to keep it under control as best as you possibly can. There are many ways you can manage diabetes, and many things that you can do on your own. If you are on any kind of medication, you should be taking it every time you need to. Even if you are on a fixed income, there are many pharmaceutical companies that can supply you with medication at no cost to you, and the forms are pretty simple and straight forward.

If you are planning a trip, make sure that you plan ahead, and order more medication if needed. Be sure to bring along some kind of insulin pen, that doesn't need to be refrigerated, and travels well. Make sure that you have enough test strips, and make sure that the batteries for your monitoring equipment are fully charged, but bring extras from home in case you are on an extended stay.

Just because you have this disease, doesn't mean you can't eat at restaurants, but you have to be smart about your food choices. Read the ingredients closely, and try to stick with low calorie choices. You can have as many vegetables as you like, but should you choose to order a salad, make sure that you order the dressing on the side, then you can just dip the salad into it instead.

Enjoy your meal slowly, and try to take home any leftovers. You can also avoid over eating by ordering half meals if possible. Make sure that you monitor you levels, thirty minutes before eating, and an hour after meals. Also be careful that you are eating when you are supposed to, because if you aren't eating properly, this could lead to further problems later on.

Get regular exercise; a good cardiovascular work out can be in simple forms, such as walking or riding a bike. It is important that you get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, whether at a gym, or at home. You need to maintain your weight and eat a healthy diet to prevent heart disease. Read the food labels when buying at grocery stores, check the calorie contents, what the portion sizes are, and stick to these to the letter.

There are many other valuable resources to help you manage your diabetes. You can find many helpful tips and information on the internet, as well as from your doctor. Make sure that you talk with your doctor before you change your diet or exercise routines, and keep in touch with him about your blood sugar levels, as well as your A1c hemoglobin number. This is important in case they need to up your medication dosage, or adjust it in other areas.

You don't have to let diabetes control your life, as long as you are doing what you need to do. Be informed about your diabetes, educate yourself, and those around you who may try to tempt you with things you know are bad for you. One last thing, people with this disease tend to have foot problems due to poor circulation, so you need to check your feet often, like with a mirror, after your bath or shower.
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Known Cerebral Palsy

2010-05-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

DEFINITIONS

Cerebral Palsy (CP, Big Brain Paralysis) is a condition characterized by poor muscle control, stiffness, disability and other neurological dysfunction.

CP is not a disease and not progressive (getting worse).
In infants and premature babies, part of the brain that controls muscle movement are particularly vulnerable to CP injury occurs in 1-2 from 1000 infants, but 10 times more often found in premature infants and more frequently found in very small infants.

CAUSES

Cerebral Palsy can be caused by a brain injury occurs when the baby is still in the womb, the birth place, newborn and children younger than 5 years. But not most the cause is unknown.

10-15% of cases occur due to birth injury and reduced blood flow to the brain before, during and immediately after birth. Premature infants are particularly vulnerable to CP, probably because the blood vessels to the brain has not developed comprehensively, and easy bleeding or because the oxygen can not flow in sufficient quantities to the brain.

* Brain injury may be caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood (often found in newborns), can cause kernikterus and brain damage.
* Severe disease in the first year of baby's life (eg encephalitis, meningitis, sepsis, trauma and severe dehydration)
* Head injury due to subdural hematoma
* Injury of blood vessels.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms usually appear before the 2-year-old child and in severe cases, can appear at 3-month-old child.

Symptoms vary, ranging from the irregularities that are not apparent until severe stiffness, which causes changes in the form of arms and legs so the child must use a wheelchair.

CP is divided into 4 groups:

1. Spastic type (50% of all cases of CP), the muscles become stiff and weak.

Rigidity is happening can be:

* Kuadriplegia (both arms and both legs)
* Diplegia (both legs)
* Hemiplegia (arm and leg on one side of the body)

2. Type Deskinetik (Koreoatetoid, 20% of all cases of CP), muscular arms, legs and body spontaneously moves slowly, writhing and uncontrollable, but can also arise rough movements and twitching. Outburst causes worsening situation, the movement would disappear if the child slept

3. Type Ataxic, (10% of all cases of CP), consisting of tremors, unsteady steps with both legs far apart, interference coordination, and abnormal movements.

4. Mixed type (20% of all cases of CP), is a combination of 2 types above, which is often found is a combination of spastic and koreoatetoid type.

Other symptoms can also be found in the CP:

* Below normal intelligence
* Mental retardation
* Seizures / epilepsy (especially in spastic type)
* Sucking or eating disorders
* Breathing irregular
* The development of motor skills disorders (such as reaching for something, sit, roll over, crawl, walk)
* Disturbance speaking (disartria)
* Disturbance of vision
* Hearing loss
* Joint contractures
* Movement is limited.

Diagnosis

In the examination will be found in delayed development of motor skills.

Infantile reflexes (eg sucking, and surprise) still exists even supposed to have disappeared.

Muscle tremors or stiffness was clearly visible, and children tend to fold his arms to the side, his legs moving like scissors or other abnormal movements.

* Various laboratory tests can be done to rule out other causes: MRI of head showed structural abnormalities or congenital abnormalities
* CT scan showed the head of structural abnormalities and congenital abnormalities
* Check hearing (to determine the status of auditory function)
* Check vision (to determine the status of visual function)
* EEG
* Muscle biopsy.

TREATMENT

CP is incurable and is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. But many things can be done to enable the child to live independently as possible.

Treatment usually depends on the symptoms and can include:

* Physical therapy
* Braces (buffer)
* Glass eye
* Hearing aids
* Education and special schools
* Anti-seizure drugs
* Drugs to relax the muscles (to reduce tremors and rigidity)
* Occupational therapy
* Orthopedic surgery
* Speech therapy to clarify speech and to help children overcome eating problems
* Treatment (for severe cases).

If there is no physical disturbance and severe intelligence, many children with CP will grow normally and go to regular school. Another child requires extensive physical therapy, special education and always need help in living their daily activities.

In some cases, to free the joint contractures due to deteriorating muscle rigidity, may need surgery. Surgery is also necessary to install the feeding tubes and to control reflux gastroesofageal.

Prognosis

The prognosis usually depends on the type and severity of CP. More than 90% of children with CP survived to adulthood.
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Can Vitamins Really Help Me Grow Healthy Hair

2010-03-04T19:43:00.001-08:00

An important factor most people overlook when they discuss a thinning or hair loss problem is nutrition. The modern diet for most of us is lacking at best. We should supplement our diets with vitamin and mineral supplementation. Even those of us who really watch what we eat, may not be getting enough of the key nutrient necessary for healthy hair growth. Getting proper nutrition is vital to healthy hair growth, while your body needs a variety of nutrients to maintain proper body functions, there are a handful that are key to hair growth and health.

First we need to caution you that when starting a new vitamin regime, consistency is very important. You also need to be patient, it normally takes from 2 to 3 months to see results in your hair's condition. It's also important to check with your doctor before starting a vitamin program, especially if you have health concerns.

Now that we have set a few parameters and made our cautionary statements, let look at some of the more important vitamins when it comes to hair health in no specific order. In an attempt to be as useful as possible we will list the vitamin, any good food sources, and a recommended daily dose for supplementation:

1. Vitamin A - Antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp. Food sources: Fish liver oil, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, carrots, apricots and peaches. Daily Dose: 5,000 IU.

2. Vitamin C - Antioxidant that helps maintain skin & hair health. Food sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. Daily Dose: 60 mg.

3. Vitamin E - Antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation. Food sources: Cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables. Daily dose: Up to 400 IU. Warnings: Can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. People taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants should check with their doctors before taking Vitamin E supplements.

4. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - Prevents graying and hair loss. Food sources: Whole grain cereals, brewer's yeast, organ meats and egg yolks. Daily dose: 4-7 mg.

5. Vitamin B6 - Prevents hair loss, helps create melanin, which gives hair its color. Food sources: Brewer's yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk. Daily dose: 1.6 mg. Vitamin B12 - Prevents hair loss. Food sources: Chicken, fish, eggs and milk. Daily dose

6. Biotin - Helps produce keratin, may prevent graying and hair loss. Food sources: Brewer's yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. Daily dose: 150-300 mcg.

7. Inositol - Keeps hair follicles healthy at the cellular level. Food sources: Whole grains, brewer's yeast, liver and citrus fruits. Daily Dose: Up to 600 mg.

8. Niacin (Vitamin B3) - Promotes scalp circulation. Food sources: Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat. Daily dose: 15 mg.

9. Biotin - Helps produce keratin, may prevent graying and hair loss. Food sources: Brewer's yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. Daily dose: 150-300 mcg.

10. Inositol - Keeps hair follicles healthy at the cellular level. Food sources: Whole grains, brewer's yeast, liver and citrus fruits. Daily Dose: Up to 600 mg.

I hope this give you at least a basic understanding of what vitamins can help with hair thinning and or hair loss problems. There are many other products available that can be helpful. There are several prescription drug regimes to try, so take the time to speak with your doctor. There are also many herbal and natural hair growth remedies available without a prescription, we believe strongly that you should also discuss these products with your doctor.
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How To Protect Eyes?

2010-03-04T19:37:00.000-08:00

As a saying goes, eyes are the windows of the soul. It is quite right. Eyes not only let us see the world clearly but also can express one's feelings truly. Moreover, some famous doctors give diagnosis or prescription by only looking into patients' eyes.

We read books and magazines, watch TV and films, drive cars and see the world almost with the help of eyes. It's known to all that eyes are organs of body and also a sensual acceptor. That is why many doctors know the patients' diseases only by their eyes. Therefore, it can be figured out that eyes play an important role in one's life. If your eyesight is down or even you can't see anything, your life would be changed completely. Therefore, we should do something to protect eyes from being damaged.

There're some tips on how to protect your eyes. Read them carefully and you will surely benefit from the follow suggestions.

1. You must check up the light to make sure that they are not shaking and glaring when you read or write. Meanwhile, let the light come from down or behind, and it will not beat your eyes directly. Don't be too mean about the cost of electric energy. Lighten the whole room not just the working space. Besides, watching TV at night still needs the light on all the time.

2. Once you feel your eyes are tired after a long time reading or writing, stop doing those things and have a rest for several minutes. During the break, you can close eyes or see distant objects especially green trees.

3. You'd better have an attention to the eyes when they are exposed in the strong sun's rays. They are prone to be hurt.

4. Don't rub your eyes when something goes into the eyes. Let tears and secretion wash out the foreign matters. If the body is too large, wash the eyes with flowing water. But acid, alkali or other chemical oxide should not be used. The best way is to wash out the eyes with clean water immediately and completely. Then you go to see a doctor at once. You can't settle the problem all by yourself properly.

5. Checking up the eyes is also of great importance to prevent eye disorders. Every child should be checked up before they go to school. Adults over 40 years old should have a regular check-up, maybe once a month or half a year.

6. Even though you have no symptoms of any eye disease, it proves not that you're safe and away from eye disorders. So when you hate to read, feel tired after a little time reading, always write wrongly, pay attention to one certain thing difficultly and have headaches at all time, you should pay more attention to your eyes.

In the end, I will be glad if the above tips would help you. Best wishes!
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Menopause

2010-03-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

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After menopause do you still return with the monthly headache and other premenstrual symptoms?
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After menopause does women looses libido ?
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After menopause facial hackle growing on my upper lip and Chick.?
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After menopause i inevitability back down within outstandingly severely dry!?
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After menopause, do women lose interest ?
in sex I mean. Do they dislike men after ward ? Do they find men unattractive ? After menopause women paucity the energy to have sex. It's not that in that not interested, they just have in that "mojo" on .. or whatever. They still...

After menopause, do women still procure PMS?
If not, what's her excuse for acting like that? Dude, there is NO SUCH THING as PMS! Women merely use that as an excuse for being bitchy. My later wife sure did,but I think that she was PMS other,Scary girl she was,is! Yes, women still go...

After menopause, how do you correct vaginal dryness?
Ask your OB doctor there are hormones(side effects), creams and sometimes even a hormonal slip. Your doctor should be able to supply you with alternatives for this Definately ask your OB/GYN about this. There are creams that you can insert day by day to...

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my guy friends and i can usually talk about anything and in the future they asked me that..i am at a loss. and i dont have the guts to ask my gynacologist...i know its a weird/gross question, but in a minute i am curious too!! No. You can...

After not have a menstrual term for five years (menopause) why would table lamp bleeding come to pass?
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lol.. of course its safe! duh..how do hoary people get it on later!? After reaching brings up a grill, is this person well into the stage or ancient it? If the person is past...

After reading constant articles on menopause im particular im premenopausal but my docs voice im not wot can i do?
I would listen to your doctor. Your doctor has somewhat more expertise in this than the article that you read. The doctor can give you a blood tryout to see if you are....

After women overrun menopause, do they still hold sexual desire?
Is it true women that pass menopause like younger men? The sexual desire is usually greater since the woman no longer has to verbs about becoming pregnant and she can relax and enjoy the experience more. Older women love younger men because they later...

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i am 38, in the past, i other had regular 28 days cycle, but it has changed within the past few months, sometimes 10 days early, this is the second time up, is this the sigh of menopause? if not, what it could be? thanks Yup. It could be....

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can you lose weight if your thyroid is hypo. even if your taking medication for it and at the same time have the onset of menopause ?help I amble 2 miles a day after work and weights everyother...

All women that are going thru menopause EVIL?
every woman that i have met at the age of menopause that complain of hot flashes, always provide me a hard time at work. and i have quit a couple of job because i couldn't put up with their menopausal mood swings. im dealing with one...

Almost 47, tremendously street lamp spell, on a sour brown discharge and some cramping. Start of menopause?
I will be 47 in September and this month my period have been quite rotten. First, I was about 9 days belatedly. When I finally did get my period is be just very flimsy, brown discharge with a...

Although I hold breasts some citizens pay tribute to 32ff, I thought that after the menopause, the pmt symptoms would?
disappear, but I am still getting very painful breasts every month and the irritations of PMT. Anybody have this experience, and what do you suggest I take, I have tried everything from hose tablets,B6,...

Am 35 and a virgin am i going to hold menopause?
Well yes of course. Your ovaries will eventually stop producing eggs, and your periods will stop. Menopause is inevitable. Yup, your going to go thru menopause. Being a virgin has zilch to do with it. Menopause is when your body begins...

Am 45 and it have become conventional not to return with my spell, is this to impulsive for menopause?
Sounds like you are peri-menopausal (the time since you are full-blown menopausal...it causes sporadic and spotty periods)..but go to a gynocologist for a check-up, to be sure. you'll be amazed at the ages surrounded by...

Am 50 going through menopause but concluding few days hold have mission to tramp bring my legs and ankles hurt my boss at?
work was concerned yesterday cause be very wobbly cant seem to bring on knees they just hurt Why does your boss want you on your knees ? If your boss is...

Am confused necessitate guidance in the order of menopause?
I am 35 I mostly have regular periods,this month have only spotting 4 1 hour took 2 preg. tests both neg. dr. say am not going through menopause. what is going on? I f your doc. can't tell you I sure as h*** can't. Go...

Am curious more or less menopause?
I had a partial hystorectomy about 10 years ago, they departed my ovaries in. No more periods after this . Some relatives tell me that I probally started to go through menopause soon after ward I dont really know, or follow,so I was hoping that someone could explain this...
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Long Term Diabetes Complications

2010-03-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

About the Author

Truworth is an experienced article writer. He had written around 370 articles on variety of health topical subjects. To find out more about our health assessment program, simply click this http://www.noextrasugar.com/ and know more about our services.

(ArticlesBase SC #1894936)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Long Term Diabetes Complications

Tonsillitis – Symptoms and Causes of Tonsillitis

2010-02-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

The tonsils are fleshy clusters of tissue that lie in bands on both sides of the back of the throat, above and behind the tongue. The tonsils' major function is to catch incoming germs before the germs cause infections in the throat, mouth, or sinuses. Tonsils contain infection-fighting cells and antibodies that stop the spread of the germs further into the body.

There are 3 main types of tonsillitis: acute, subacute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis can either be bacterial or viral (75%) in origin. Subacute tonsillitis (which can last between 3 weeks and 3 months) is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces. Chronic tonsillitis, which can last for long periods if not treated, is almost always bacterial.

As children grow and develop, the tonsils and adenoids eventually begin to shrink and are probably no longer important in protecting against disease-causing germs. Even in young children, removal of infected tonsils or adenoids does not seem to weaken the body's defenses. There are many other tissues in the body that are part of the immune system
. These tissues, known as lymphoid tissues , also make antibodies to fight against infection.

Symptoms
of Tonsillitis

The symptoms of tonsillitis may vary depending on whether the infection is caused by a virus or by bacteria. If your tonsillitis is caused by a virus, such as the flu virus, you may have other flu symptoms, such as a runny nose, and aches in your body. If your tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, you may have a skin rash, or a flushed face.

The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. The throat and tonsils usually look red and swollen. The tonsils may have spots on them or pus that covers them completely or in patches. Fever is also common.

A child with tonsillitis needs plenty of nourishment and rest. If your child finds swallowing so painful that eating is difficult, try serving liquids and soft foods, like nutritious soups, milkshakes, smoothies, popsicles, or ice cream.

symptoms of Tonsilitis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and whether they are indeed symptoms of Tonsilitis.

Other symptoms include fever, chills, tiredness, muscle aches, earache, swollen glands in the neck, and pain or discomfort when swallowing. Very young children with tonsillitis may become fussy and stop eating.

Causes of Tonsillitis

The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the body.

Tonsillitis is caused by viruses or bacteria that infect the tonsils. They cause the tonsils to become inflamed and swollen. One of the first symptoms of tonsillitis is a severe sore throat (see sore throat entry). Tonsillitis causes include viral infections such as the flu, the common cold, mononucleosis. Streptococcus is the most common bacterial cause. Bacterial tonsillitis can be treated with antibiotics, but viral tonsillitis cannot.

Viruses are the most common pathogens responsible for tonsillitis in children under the age of 6 years. A number of respiratory viruses can cause tonsillitis, including the Reovirus, Adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Influenza virus, echoviruses.

The chief cause of tonsillitis is a toxic condition of the system, which is brought to a head by a sudden lowering of vitality, resulting from exposure and sudden chill. The tonsils enlarge and get inflamed when the toxins cannot be got rid of through the normal channels of elimination such as the bowels, kidneys, and skin.
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What Meals Can A Diabetic Have?

2010-02-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

With the add up to of etched cases of diabetes increasing in this day and time, more and more kinswoman are having to master the ins and out of the bugbear. This involves and overlarge amount of education almost it and an abundance of questions. I speak ill of been a tabid for quite good time, so I do trim one be aware of rather it comes to this subject.

If you subtract questions regarding what foods are OK to eat before you should first go to your mahatma. Nocorporealize knows ahead save and except a auitemticated practitioner. I went through this make preparations and I dumbfound am going to the endocrinologist on a regular basis. This is how I bank the fire my exact case of diabetes - by getting the right knowledge and help from the right sources.

If you do go to the docent prehistoric you will want to ask all the questions you can in order to apprehend as much as you can. You will most respectful commit to memory more or less how individual food groups act departingly on your affiliation and you will begin to understand the physiology behind the scourge as dig. Note that it is fraternal of beyond one to diffusely understand the physiology of diabetes. Anyways, once you know why certain foods remove friction your blood sugar only yesterday you will shrug off a beat idea almost what repass will be OK for you to eat. I also went to a nutritionist who helped me to tactics out my forage options and and how many carbohydrates I was to consume at one and all auditorium. I also discovered a bunch in reverse eating in moderation - deflated portions - and how many foods I was supposed to eat per day.

I know understand my case of diabetes brass hat - all by going to the bear a hand and following his advice. I also shrug off taken anatomy and physiology in college which helped a deficient bit as doing nicely. Regardless - I acquiescence that you enjoyed reading this article on feeds for rheumatics.
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Asthma Steroids, Are They Really Needed?

2010-02-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

Asthma steroids are widely used as a general treatment for severe asthma attacks and can have many side effects. Mild side effects can range from headaches, hyperactivity, weight gain or a stomach ache. However, it is important to note that long-term use of any type of steroid may eventually lead serious side effects. Reported side effects from steroid use include high blood pressure, glaucoma and susceptibility to infections.

Steroids used for severe asthma attacks are prescribed as a short "burst" of five days or as much as months at a time in pill form to be taken in addition to inhaled steroids. As a result, a asthma sufferer can take in too much steroids, therefore overwhelming the body and creating side effects, such as the ones names above.

Are They Really Needed At Home?
Once an asthma attack becomes severe, steroids can be effective at providing immediate short-term relief but at a potential long-term cost to the body. We will focus on an alternative method which has been shown to be effective at preventing asthma attacks from becoming severe while at home.

Preventing Asthma Triggers Is the Key
An allergic reaction to potential triggers found in the home is the primary factor to a mild asthma attack becoming severe. Therefore, the key to preventing severe asthma attacks is how you manage controlling the potential triggers found in the home environment. The primary airborne trigger which can cause severe asthma attacks in the home is known as a "pollutant particle." Common pollutant particles are household dust, dust mites, cat dander, dog dander, insect parts, pesticide dust and pollen.

Asthma Prevention Technology
There may be thousands of pollutant particles in the typical indoor environment which can lead to allergic reactions in an asthma sufferer. The High Efficient Particulate Air (HEPA) certified filter is the only effective technology to control these particle triggers. A true HEPA vacuum combined with a HEPA air purifier will greatly reduce indoor pollutant particles in the home environment.

The good news is that a home can be made a haven for all asthma sufferers by utilizing the proper technology described above combined with proper knowledge. In today’s world of technological advances, it is possible to reduce the need of steroid medications while at home.

Read more Asthma Prevention Tips here.
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About the Author

Stan K. Hall is a recognized specialist in Indoor Air Pollution as well as Health & Safety in the home. He has performed over 400 indoor environmental evaluations over the past 26 years and has helped hundreds of homeowners make their home a haven. He is widely known as the originator of T.E.A.M., the scientifically proven approach to controlling and resolving indoor air pollution. Sick House Doctor.

(ArticlesBase SC #1840221)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Asthma Steroids, Are They Really Needed?

Got Allergies? 5 Practical Cures

2010-02-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

Allergies
arise when you come in contact with a foreign substance that sets off a reaction from your body. Inhalant allergies, which we experience when we breathe in irritants, cause your nose to get congested. You’ll start to sneeze. Your eyes may also get itchy and you can develop a cough.

The four most common airborne allergens are dust, pollen, pet dander (dead skin cells shed by animals) and mold. If your home is clean, there are fewer chances of you encountering these substances. But since your home isn’t hermetically sealed and you go to many places, there are times when these substances find their way to you. If you’re allergic to any of them, then you’re in trouble.

To help you fight your allergies, here are some of the practical moves you can make to deal with them:

1. See your doctor.
This would be the most logical move to make -- but so many people put off going to the doctor unless the ailment is “serious.” However, if you don’t want to suffer anymore, take note of your symptoms and record all the details about your allergic reaction. Share all the useful information to your doctor to help him or her determine the cause of your allergic reactions. He or she will then prescribe you with the necessary antihistamines. Make sure that you always have a ready supply of the prescribed medication.

2. Invest in air conditioners.
This will help alleviate pollen, mold and dust. Air conditioners keep the humidity level low, which prevents the development of molds, the accumulation of dust and the transfer of pollen. You should also make sure that your car’s air conditioning is working well.

3. Wear a face mask.
To prevent allergic attacks, make sure that you wear a face mask whenever you’re doing anything that will expose you to allergens. It’s advisable for you to wear it when you’re doing chores or when you’re going to be outdoors for hours.

4. Disinfect dark and damp areas.
Make sure that ever corner of your home is clean. Pay attention to inaccessible corners and areas where moisture easily develops such as the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry area. Your garage and your basement should also be kept uncluttered and clean. If you have carpets, you should replace them with throw rugs, which are easier to clean.

5. Isolate your pets.
If you can’t stay away from your pets, make sure that they’re restricted to certain areas of your house. They should not be allowed to wander around everywhere so that you can easily seek refuge in the uncontaminated areas each time you feel your allergies acting up.
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Paula Owen has been passionate about writing articles for the last 5 years. Check out her latest website Hair Extensions Clip In which reviews and lists the latest hair extensions clipin so you can decide which hair extensions clip ins best suits your hairstyle needs.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Got Allergies? 5 Practical Cures

Am I Allergic To Peanuts?

2010-02-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

Having an allergy to peanut is commonly seen during the first years of life. Although unlike other food allergies such as milk, most people will not outgrow peanut allergy.

An allergic reaction to peanut, known as anaphylaxis, can manifest as minor or sever symptoms. It can show up as a minor irritation of the skin or it can develop into a more serious reaction such as constricting and blocking the airway for breathing. It is also possible that minor reactions in the past can lead to a more life-threatening reaction.

Peanut allergy will show up almost immediately after exposure. Eating peanuts or foods containing peanuts can trigger a reaction. Also, skin contact may bring about this effect. It can also occur if you inhale dust particles or aerosols containing peanuts. You may also be at an increased risk of developing peanut allergy if other family members have food allergies.

Common signs and symptoms include itching around the throat and mouth, skin irritation such as redness, hives or swelling. Antihistamines can be taken for these minor reactions. Other common symptoms may include stuffy or runny nose, stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Peanut allergy becomes an emergency if signs of anaphylaxis are present, such as chest tightness, breathing difficulties from airway constriction, rapid pulse, shock (extreme drop in blood pressure), dizziness or loss of consciousness. This situation requires a trip to the emergency room if no epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen or Twinject, is readily available.

There are tests, such as a skin prick test or blood test, which can be done at your physician's office to determine if you or a child has peanut allergy. This way, you can take the proper steps to avoid future reactions. If you have a peanut allergy, you must avoid foods that contain peanuts, read food labels carefully and have an epinephrine injector nearby at all times.
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About the Author

J Abrams writes about health and well-being. You can find more information on wellness at novaform elite isotonic memory foam mattress topper. To read more about finding relief, visit: novaformeliteisotonicmemoryfoammattresstopper.com

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Acne Problems: Fifteen To Fifty

2010-02-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

It’s common to see a distressed woman walk into Ageless Remedies and say “I thought I was over this when I turned 19”. Her second round of acne breakouts had started a year ago and she was turning 43. Acne affects nearly 90% of teens and 50% of adult women, in America. While it is not curable, acne breakouts are preventable and treatable.

The common belief that acne breakouts are caused by nervousness, excessive sweating or diets is untrue. There is a natural rejuvenating process, which keeps our skin soft and healthy. We produce sebum oil, which travels up through our pores to the surface. However, at unique times, hormonal changes cause our bodies to overproduce this sebaceous fluid. The oil is produced faster than the surface skin naturally exfoliates. Dead cells, rather than being sloughed off, begin to clog the top of the pore. The extra dead cells produce a plug. Acnes bacterium begins to grow at the base of the clogged pore, and in about two weeks, the area becomes red, swollen and painful.

The answer is to keep the pores open.

While various acne treatments have attempted to control hormones or dermal infections, keeping the pore unclogged prevents the breakout. Ageless Remedies offers the revolutionary ISOLAZ acne treatment as the premiere service for acne. Introduced in 2007, this innovative acne treatment incorporates vacuum with light therapy. The pain free ISOLAZ actually vacuums the pore clear of oil and debris. Simultaneously, it targets the acne area with a broad-spectrum light beam, which kills the bacteria causing the infection and pain.

The effects are immediate, happening within 24-48 hours. The skin clears, the redness lightens and the swelling begins to soften. The results are equally beneficial in teens or adults. The services are done in a series of 4 to 6 acne treatments. This is necessary to keep the pores open and eliminate the remaining bacteria. The patient needs to “get ahead” of the infection before a home care regimen can be solely effective.

ABC’s “Good Morning America” featured dermatologist Dr. Doris Day, recently, talking about the skin rejuvenation effects of the ISOLAZ.

Mark Renier - Owner

Ageless Remedies Medical
Spa

Alpharetta, GA

770-475-0770

maryjo.renier@gmail.com
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Alpharetta Medical Spa offers professional medical skin care products and services including laser hair removal, botox, acne & anti-aging treatments, scar removal & more!

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Can Eating 6 Meals A Day Help You To Lose Weight?

2010-02-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

There are many different methods and weight loss meal plans when it comes to losing weight. Some of the meal plans deal with eating only certain types of food, such as vegetables and fruits. Some have you only eating protein. However, all of them have to do with what you eat. So does it not make sense to build your weight loss plan around how you eat...or in this case, how often you eat?

By eating many small meals during the day, you are giving your body a balanced diet that is full of the calories that are needed to fuel your body. Without these calories, your body will shut down and your metabolic rate will slow so that it is almost impossible to lose weight. But what should you eat during the six meals? Here is a low fat weight loss plan for you:

Breakfast - 1 to 2 scrambled eggs without butter, 1 slice of wheat toast with peanut butter spread

Snack - 1 red or green apple and some almonds or cashews

Lunch - 3 oz of chicken breast (preferably white meat), salad with tomato and onion and a low calorie dressing

Snack - String cheese or yogurt

Dinner - 3 ounces of chicken breast or tuna, 2 oz of wheat pasta or green beans and a small salad

Late Snack - 1 red or green apple (for dessert)

You would be surprised how filling a weight loss meal plan like this actually is. By eating many smaller meals, you are giving your body the calories it needs in a balanced way. Therefore, your body will store less of the excess calories, and your metabolism will continue at a steady fat burning pace.

After eating this way, in about 2 weeks, you will start to see the results. Do not be discouraged at the beginning because your body will not be used to this way of eating and you will feel hungry. But just let this method take effect and you will be on your way to shedding the weight you want to lose!
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About the Author

Danielle Marie is a fitness expert that has over 100 articles written on proper nutrition, diet and exercise and is the owner of http://www.fastway2loseweight.com.

For your free eBook on weight loss and more information on what the best weight loss diet is around, visit Fast Way to Lose Weight

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NATURAL FOOD TO HELP YOU TO STOP AND REVERSE CANCER

2010-01-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

The most important chance you might make to your lifestyle is with the food you put in your mouth, when you have been diagnosed with cancer

There are many cases of Cancer but the major is the wrong food you eat in everyday. As you ever been hear “You are what you eat”. There has been some research about Food and How food is related to cancer , It's only been in the last few years.It has been discovered many of our natural foods which are fruit and vegetables contain compounds; collectively called phytochemicals which are in these plants for their protection against predators and diseases and these same phytochemicals also have cancer fighting properties.

Some examples of these phytochemicals

Flavonoids; found in red onion and tomatoes, red cabbage, beetroot, which inhibits cancer.

Glucosinolates; found in tomatoes, red capsicum ,carrots and dark green vegetables, These found to prevent cancer of the intestines.

Carotenoids; found in tomatoes, red capsicum, carrots and dark green vegetables; stimulates the immune system.

Sulphides; found in garlic, onions, chives as well as spring onions; they have anti cancer protection.

Lycopene; found in tomatoes, It reduces the risk of both prostate and breast cancer.

Sulforaphane; are in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables believed to aid in the preventing some types of cancer.

These phytochemicals are in freshly grown plant food but are removed or destroyed by modern processing.

Other food that research has found to be beneficial to a person who has cancer are;

Red grapes; which contain resveratrol, also found in red wine.

Turmeric; a member of the ginger family. Its active ingredients are curcumin and possesses numerous anti cancer properties. This is the yellow in curry powder.

Garlic; contains allium and several studies has shown it to be an anti cancer agent.

Ginger; has an anti cancer effect on the human body as it blocks the tendency of some carcinogens to cause mutations in the DNA.

Green tea; has a significant anti cancer effect.

Laetrile; also called vitamin B17 and is found in the following; millet, buckwheat, macadamia nuts, mung beans, butter beans, and the seeds of the common fruit, which is pip and stone fruit.

As you can see we have moved away from eating foods such as these to convenient foods or processed foods and when something is processed it looses its cancer fighting properties.

To cure your cancer you have to change your diet, because cancer cell are only a symptom of a poor diet.Your health professional not know this nature information because they are only taught their 3 methods of treating cancer which are a money orientated system of treatments.

The most powerful weapon to fight cancer is the food you choose to eat everyday and a strict natural diet will accomplish with no doctor, surgeon or oncologist could ever hope to achieve.
Nancy White

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - NATURAL FOOD TO HELP YOU TO STOP AND REVERSE CANCER

Look beautiful

2010-01-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

Skin care is a basic necessity for all women. Mary Kay brings a range of products for a good looking skin for women and children. Moisturizing lotion, body wash, body lotion, hand cream and other body care products are included in the Mary Kay collection of products. Other than these, cleansing gel, buffing cream, hand cream, hydrating lotion, shaving cream and body lotion are also offered by Mary Kay.

The products in Mary Kay are not restricted for general cosmetic category but found in a range of products for skin care like creams for eyes, lips etc. Mary Kay offers newest compacts among other products those are available. Some bronzing powders have the ultimate power to increase the beauty and also they are commonly used as the eye makeup. Mary kay provides quality assurance compared to unbranded local products available in the market for lower cost.

When these low quality, unreliable products are used, skin will be damaged and can lead to different problems. The chemicals used in the manufacture of such products will make your skin look pale and aged in a prolonged usage. Usage of Mary Kay products will prove the difference.

Some of the products of Mary Kay are manufactured with the interest of protecting the skin during seasonal changes which damages the skin. The products protect your skin especially during winter and these products are tested and certified by Medical Science.

The anti-aging creams of Mary Kay are gaining popularity. They make the skin look younger. There are products which also help in removal of dark spots in the skin and makes the skin look healthier and rich.

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Meditation As A Stress Relief Tool

2010-01-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

Do you remember seeing comedy shows or skits when you were young where someone is practicing meditation. There was usually one person closing their eyes and "ohm"ing while the other person tried to imitate them or simply made snide remarks. While we used to look upon meditation as being funny, ridiculous, or just plain odd; we now know about all the benefits it has to offer. Originally, meditation was used to focus and gain religious knowledge. Now, it is commonly used to reduce stress and live longer, happier, healthier lives.

So why is mediation so helpful for relieving stress? First of all, it helps focus the mind on something that is deeply and spiritually rooted. By focusing on one thing, you're forced to forget the world around you and all the stressors that come with it. By closing your eyes and sitting in a quiet room, you also filter out the sights and sounds that may stress you. Meditation also helps repair the physical and mental damage caused by stress. The chemicals present in your body actually change during meditation making you more relaxed and peaceful.

The relaxing benefits from above are only the short term benefits Those factors are only successful in filtering out stress that you've already experienced and making you relaxed during and after your meditating. The real benefit of meditation is its longer term effects.

If practiced on a daily basis, meditation can actually balance the levels of hormones and other stress related chemicals on a day-to-day basis; even when you're not meditating. This means that meditation will not only help you unwind at the end of a stressful day, it can also leave you more peaceful and less stressed during your long day at work.

The best part about meditation is, unlike yoga, it requires no special physical skills. While good meditation requires mental skills, you can start small and build your way up as you get more practice. Here's how to get started.

* Find a quiet room and sit in a comfortable position. There is no specific "better" position, just one where you feel comfortable and can relax.

* Close your eyes and relax your muscles. Do this by focusing on each individual muscle, starting at the feet and working your way up. Focus on the stress leaving each muscle as it relaxes.

* Begin to breathe slowly while you repeat your mantra. This can be anything from the traditional "ohm" to something you find personally important. If you are religious or spiritual, you can chant something related to your beliefs.

* If you find your mind wandering, don't beat yourself up about it; simply remain calm and return to your focus word.

* After 15 to 20 minutes, you can stop meditating and sit quietly for a few minutes before you return to your regular life.

By doing this regularly, you will train your mind and body to be more relaxed, peaceful and focused. You will find this not only affects your stress levels, but also your physical and mental functioning.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

How Stress Affects Your Immune System

2010-01-05T17:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that you tend to get sick more often when you're stressed out? Scientists have noticed this connection for a long time, but until recently they couldn't explain it. While a big project at work or the loss of a loved one isn't going to give you the flu, it can decrease the functioning of your immune system and make you more susceptible to the flu and other infections.

It may surprise you, but short term stress actually boosts the immune system. Increased immune functioning is associated with the "fight or flight" response related to short term stress you know will end. This is because our body is still trying to adapt to beat the stressor instead of just letting the stress bear down. The problem with this is that a majority of our stress is continual over a long period of time.

Long term stress is what actually decreases our immune functioning. The worst kind of stress is not only long term, but stress we think we can't control or see an end to. For example, while meeting a deadline at work may cause a decrease in our immune functioning; it's probably not as bad as stress caused by a debilitating accident. When we think the stressor is beyond our control and may never stop, our body feels it can't cope with the stress and it begins to take its toll. This kind of stress causes a drop in almost all immune functioning.

For regular, long term stressors, the decrease in immune functioning becomes greater with time. This means even if you feel you are in a position of control, long term stress such as a high power job, can build up and gradually decrease your disease fighting abilities.

Another important factor to consider when looking at the immune system and stress is that the decrease in immune system functioning is greater for people who are elderly or already sick. This is likely why older people who are severely injured or have recently lost a loved one are much more likely to die within a year than those who haven't had these circumstances.

You may think, "Well, I'll drop my stress level and I'll be fine". However, studies have show that traumatic events can stick with us and affect our immune system long after the stressor is gone. If a person was in an accident, was attacked, or experienced a traumatic loss, they can show decreased immunities years later. The best way to increase immunities in this case is to undergo treatment for the trauma.

In addition to causing a decrease in immune system functioning, stress can also make you more susceptible to other long term diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle you should include activities and a proper diet that promote a less stressful lifestyle.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

PMS And Premenstrual Migraine

2009-11-17T18:07:00.000-08:00

In women, around 15 % suffer from migraine, with half of them having migraines before or after their period. There are also women who get migraines sometime during the middle of their menstrual cycle, while they ovulate.

The Menstrual Cycle

A woman's average menstrual cycle lasts for about 28 days, and is mainly controlled by the hormones secreted by the ovaries in the reproductive system and by the pituitary gland in the brain.

After the period is over, the estrogen levels increase in order to thicken up the womb's lining in preparation for egg to implant and grow. The ovaries release the egg in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and this process is known as ovulation. During this time, if a sperm does not fertilize the egg, the progesterone levels drop, causing the lining of the womb to fall away. This process is known as menstruation. After menstruation, the cycle repeats all over again.

It's believed that migraines are triggered by the fluctuations in the hormone levels, and not the actual hormone levels themselves.

Period Problems

Lots of women always dread the coming of their period, as they know all the problems that come with it, particularly a migraine. It is said that premenstrual migraines are worse than "normal" migraines, and this could be due to the other symptoms of menstruation that women have to deal with, like backaches, nausea, tender breasts, bloated feeling, abdominal pains, aching legs, exhaustion and mood swings. Getting a migraine along with all these symptoms can be an extremely unpleasant experience.

Premenstrual Cravings

Many women will have intense food cravings as their period approaches. Quite often these cravings will include chocolate, believed to trigger migraine.

Treatment for Premenstrual Migraine

To help treat migraines, three main areas need to be focused on:

- Dietary Changes: limiting intake of caffeine, avoiding known food triggers, eating regularly in order to prevent sugar levels from dropping.

- Medications: drugs that work on the blood vessels can all help relieve a migraine, like painkillers and anti-sickness drugs.

- Checking Possible Underlying Causes: other factors like stress and high blood pressure can cause premenstrual migraines.

Taking combined contraceptive pills is another method of treating premenstrual migraine. In this method, the migraines are prevented by preventing the period. It is recommended to take the pills without a break for three cycles. During the pill-free week, migraines can occur when the contraceptive pills taken contain a high level of progestogen, but this can be remedied by taking pills with higher levels of estrogen. This method can effectively cut the migraine ‘windows of opportunity’ from 13 weeks a year to just 5 weeks. Similar treatments would be to use estrogen patches or cream.

Migraine treatments or contraceptive pills with estrogen are not recommended for women who have been diagnosed with estrogen positive breast cancer. This is because they could have taken tamoxifen for five years following cancer treatment. As always, it is best to consult your doctor if you have doubts or need more information about these treatments.

For more help on the prevention, treatment and remedies for migraines please see the Complete Guide To Migraine Headaches.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

The Causes And Prevention Of Acne Scars

2009-11-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

Acne scars are caused by injury to the skin as a result of the acne, and the way in which the body has tried to repair the damage. Different people scar in very different ways, some being much more susceptible than others. However irrespective of how vulnerable you are to scarring, it only happens when you have a severe outbreak of acne, and is rarely associated with the much more common ‘mild’ cases.

Acne scars are classified under two broad headings, one being where extra skin tissue is present and the other being where there is loss of normal skin tissue.

Scars where extra skin tissue is deposited are called raised scars or keloid scars. They are composed of extra collagen which has been laid down under the skin. Sometimes these scars can be bigger than the original spots and often last for years, with darker skin being more prone to this type of scarring.

When skin tissue is lost the scarring is often referred to as ‘sunken’. These are much more common than raised scars and are characterised as ‘pits’ in the skin. There are a whole range of further classifications associated with sunken scars, all of which describe the particular way in which the scar looks. For example ice-pick sunken scars look like wounds from an ice-pick (small with jagged edges and steep sides).

Irrespective of the type of skin that you have, there are some things you can do to reduce the occurrence of acne scars, these include:

1) Proactively seek out treatment for your acne before it becomes severe. See your doctor, start some topical medication, adjust your diet, do something to prevent a few spots becoming severe acne.

2) Try not to squeeze your spots; this single activity will dramatically reduce your chance of developing acne scars.

3) Don’t pick or poke your spots with instruments such as nail files, and tweezers

4) Use a good oil free moisturiser as part of your skin-care regime, to keep your skin supple and flexible.

Following these simple tips will ensure you don’t do long term damage to your skin.

Peter Vine is a successful online publisher of Acne-Treatment-Expert.com
He provides practical advice and the latest information on all aspects of adult acne treatments, which you can readily research on his website.

An Introduction To Sun Protection

2009-10-07T00:19:00.001-07:00

Sun protection isn't just for sissies. Protection from the sun's damaging rays is important for anyone who wants to grow old gracefully. It's also an absolute must for anyone who wants to limit his or her risk of developing skin cancer.

People are finally beginning to realize that although sunshine is an important component of most outdoor activities and a great mood enhancer, excessive exposure can lead to much unpleasantness. A painful sunburn is the most immediate consequence of excess exposure. Long term, excess exposure can damage the skin making it prone to wrinkling and worse, the development of skin cancer.

When Do You Need Sun Protection?

Doctors will tell you that sun protection is needed all the time and they're right. Realistically however it's important anytime you'll be outdoors between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, when the sun is at its highest.

People don't realize that they can still burn even though the sun isn't shining. Overcast days are some of the worst times for being in the sun unprotected. And because ultraviolet rays can reflect off certain surfaces, people need protection from the sun when snow covers the ground and also when in the water, when lying or playing on the sand and even when on a cement or grass surface.

Understanding UV Rays

Ultraviolet rays are the different wavelengths of energy that are produced by the sun. Even though harmful, the sun's energy is necessary to all human life. Fortunately, as life on earth has evolved so has the capacity to tolerate UV rays. The most important protection against the damaging ultraviolet rays is the ozone layer - a layer in the stratosphere that absorbs most of the various types of UV rays before they reach the earth's surface.

Most of this radiation or energy from the sun is invisible to the naked eye. The fact that the radiation is mostly invisible is likely the reason why the sun can be so harmful. It's hard to convince a person to protect against something that can't be seen. Of the ultraviolet rays, the two that are responsible for skin damage are UVA and UVB rays. The sun also generates UVC rays, but fortunately these extremely damaging rays cannot penetrate the ozone layer and therefore pose no threat to humans.

The longer and more prevalent of the two, UVA rays are responsible for long-term skin damage because they absorb deep into the skin. Their strength remains uniform regardless of the time of day or time of year. UVB rays are shorter and are what causes skin to tan or sunburns. Our bodies need UVB rays to produce Vitamin D, an important vitamin. Their strength varies based on time of day, time of year, altitude and also distance from the equator.

The UV Index is a scale measuring from 0 – 11 (low to extreme) and it's used to determine the intensity of the sun's radiation, particularly the likelihood that skin will or will not redden when exposed to the sun for various periods of time.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

What Are The Best Vitamins For Skin?

2009-09-09T00:12:00.000-07:00

n this article we will look at the best vitamins for skin. Getting older takes a toll on your skin. Many years in the sun and the elements can make you look older than you really are. For women after menopause, the estrogen that is responsible for youthful skin is gone. You start to notice more and more wrinkles staring back at you in the mirror. So what can you do to get that youthful appearance back?

One of the most important vitamins for your skin is vitamin A. It strengthens the protective tissue of the skin. It is also essential for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. In addition, vitamin A is an antioxidant. It helps fight off free radicals that can damage your body systems.

The complex B vitamins are a group of vitamins that are very effective in maintaining a healthy skin tone. This powerful group of vitamins are like a whole army of soldiers dedicated to fight off the damaging effects that pollution, stress and the environment can do to your skin and to your whole body. They work perfectly in conjuction with each other and with the other major vitamin groups to keep your body at it's peak performance and to keep your skin looking good.

Vitamin C is another vitamin that is getting more and more good reviews every day. It is a powerful antioxidant and can help boost your body's immune system. Vitamin C is a major factor in tissue repair, growth and healing.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that enhances healing and tissue repair. It can prevent cell damage by prohibiting the negative effects that free radicals can have on your body.

Taking good care of your skin is not just about vitamins. Eat a healthy, balanced, diet and get plenty of exercise. Try to devote at least eight hours to sleep a night. Always wear a sunscreen when you are out in the sun. Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated.

There is one more thing that you can take for younger looking skin. One teaspoon of cod liver oil a day has been called the fountain of youth. Many people say that after taking just one teaspoon per day, in a year's time they look like they have had a face lift! Cod liver oil helps to moisturize the skin and reduce wrinkles. In addition, the vitamin D that it contains helps to build strong bones and reduce your risk for osteoporosis. It also contains fatty acids that aid in the development of brain function and the development of the nervous system.

Your skin is the largest organ on your body. Take good care of it. Protect it from harmful UV rays and nourish it daily with the right vitamins and supplements. You don't have to look your age, now that you know the right vitamin for skin.
http://www.freearticles.com/article/What-Are-The-Best-Vitamins-For-Skin/1583

Can Low to No Carb Diets be Dangerous to Your Health?

2009-08-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

The healthy, yet high carb, traditional Japanese style diet would be contraindicated under the Atkins plan. A major problem, in our view, is that the most popular of reduced carbohydrate approaches, the Atkins diet, is an ad lib diet with recommendations only to minimize carbohydrate intake .

One claim that Atkins makes is that his diet is good for the heart. Atkins recommended "vegetarian sources of fat and protein," not how much. Atkins advocated his diet for more than 30 years and stated that more than 60,000 patients treated at his center have used his diet as their primary protocol. However, he never published any study in which people who used his program were monitored over a period of several years.

Atkins relies heavily on proteins and fats, along with carbohydrates that are rich in nutrients. The idea is to strictly reduce the amount of non-nutritious carbohydrates you consume.

I know a couple of people who gave up the Atkins Diet just because he says to stop drinking coffee! I am telling you - coffee will help your weight loss efforts. The Atkins diet claims to clear up all manner of ailments, but the bottom line is these diets are lacking in nutrients essential for good health and the high level of protein puts a huge strain on your kidneys.

Eating less than 40 grams of carbohydrate a day may induce ketosis. And we mentioned the underdeveloped world, [which] tends to be low-fat, high-carbohydrate, also does well. Choosing to go the low or no carb route could lead to missing the benefits of whole grain, the other carbohydrates.

When carbohydrates are reintroduced in the diet, the water weight is regained. There is no quick and easy weight to lose weight; it's basically a question of calories taken in versus calories burned.

Most dieters do not understand the potentially dangerous side effects of low-/no-carbohydrate diets. A low carbohydrate diet can lead to constipation, which slows weight loss. In addition, adequate fiber is beneficial in reducing more serious types of health problems, such as colon cancer and cholesterol levels.

Despite their popularity and the concern of some in the medical community little evidence exists on the efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets.

Also, several specific health concerns are associated with a diet that places such a heavy emphasis on the consumption of protein and the restriction of carbohydrate. Consuming too much protein places extra stress on the liver and kidneys because they have to metabolize and excrete more than normal amounts of waste products.. Due to extensive publicity, low carb diets have become increasingly popular. However there is considerable ambiguity over exactly what is low carbohydrate.

About the Author:

I lost 30 pounds in three months. I’m not an expert, but I do speak from experience. Most of this, I learned on my own or through close friends and family members. If you are seriously longing to lose weight .. read THIS to find out a healthier and fun alternative to the no carb diet to help you lose weight.

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Low Carb Diet Alcohol - A Good Idea?

2009-08-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

We've all read about the risk of alcoholic beverages, particularly if taken to excess. Yet for some of us who really want spirits to get us in the groove of daily living, or to enjoy parties or relaxing moments more but are wary about putting on additional weight, there are low carb diet alcohol options that could be suitable.

Whether you are fond of whiskies, vodka, gin which are manufactured by distilling a sort of lager made from grain ; or brandy which is made from fermented grape juice, or perhaps tequila which comes from the fermented pulp of the agave plant, there's a low carb diet alcohol recipe you can try, even at home.

For example, you can try mixing an ounce-and-a-half of vodka with a few oz of diet ginger ale with the juice of one fresh lime with some ice cubes and you have one no-guilt low-carb cocktail. There are numerous other recipes for low carb diet alcohol drinks, like one for a refreshing sugarfree margarita, that you can find even in online sites.

In the Protein Power Diet plan, which depends on counting carbs in everything to be ingested, certain alcoholic drinks are permitted, but some sweet reds, sweet rum and brandy are a no-no.

If you consult the masters of low carb diet plans that are popular nowadays, some will point out that wine is satisfactory, as are straight liquor like scotch, vodka, and gin but these must be sugarless. Hard liquor is claimed to give nothing more than empty calories, while some dry red or white wine come only with 3 to 4 carb grams.

About the Author:

Lose 20 Pounds In 30 Days - Just Check Out Our Low Carb Diet Plan For All The Information - http://www.thintony.com/lowcarbdietplan/

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How to Treat Arthritis

2009-07-30T23:50:00.000-07:00

Arthritis is an extremely painful and potentially debilitating condition, which now affects over one in ten people in the developed world. It can lead to a reduced ability to carry out many of the essential tasks of daily life and often impair the sufferer's ability to do their job of work. There are many different types of arthritis, with varying symptoms, but most types involve some kind of inflammation of the joints, making movement difficult and often painful.

Treatment therefore should be directed towards the prevention or reduction of any debilitating damage that usually occurs during the early stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment should also include patient rehabilitation. This will enable restoration of the patient's lost functions damaged during the early stage of the disease.

There are many solutions to try and help your arthritis, however they can really add up and get expensive. If you are looking for a cheap way to treat arthritis, then maybe you should look that getting a pair of arthritis gloves. Where you are looking at acquiring a pair gloves, there are quite a few things that you need to consider. Will you be wearing the gloves all the time, there are different kinds and you may need to buy more than one pair.

Pain relief is very important in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. This is usually done by the use of dry heat to the affected parts of the body. Pain relievers such as aspirin are often used as well.

One way that has been successful in easing the pain of arthritis is the application of hot compresses. Put hot water into a bowl. Make sure it is not too hot. Add three to six drops of an essential oil to the water. Make sure you use an oil with pain relieving properties such as chamomile, lavender or cinnamon. Put a sterile cotton cloth into the water. Wring out some excess water and place the cloth onto the bothersome area.

You may treat arthritis naturally with just 30 minutes of daily work out. But before you try any of the exercises it is advisable to consult your physician. As arthritis makes your bones weak so, your physician may let you know the kind of exercise that may be performed by you without any damages. You must perform some stretching exercises for 15 minutes.

Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with coconut oil twice a day. Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it's clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly.

Taking warm baths can offer relief from the discomfort and pain caused by arthritis as cold bathes may increase pain and discomfort. Many people also add Epson salts to warm bathwater - about three to four tablespoons. When taking such a bath make sure to stay in the water for a minimum of thirty minutes.

Surgical treatment. Surgery maybe recommended by your doctor in severe cases of hip joint problem. Surgical treatments include Osteotomy and Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Surgery is not for everybody, careful planning and diagnosis must be made before subjecting yourself under the knife.

About the Author:

Read About How to Treat Arthritis Also Read About Natural Treatment for Cracked Lips and Home Remedies for Body Rash

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Allergy – A Better Understanding

2009-07-12T21:20:00.000-07:00

Many have experience in their life to have allergy of different types from food, drugs, dust, pollen and other things in which can irritate your body. This irritation can cause our body to have skin rashes, asthma and anaphylactic shock.

First this is we need to understand what is allergy and why does it cause this effects in our body.

Allergy is described as hyperactive response of the immune system to certain foreign substance to our body may it be in touch, swallow, inhalation or injected. These substances are called allergens.

Simply If your body has been introduce through an unfamiliar substance such as eating of food, taking of new drug medication, dust, pollen or anything which can cause your body to react indifferently that may be a cause of allergy.

Allergy causes a person to have a severe discomfort and finding relief is very difficult. A person having this problem usually has swelling effect in the face and neck.

What are the known effects and how to take initial actions? There are three signs in which you are having allergy attack from your body.

Skin rashes is the first symptom that will come in mind, it is usually skin rashes which accompanied by other symptoms like fever or pain. Skin rashes cause severe discomfort or distress which lasts for more than 24 hours. The immediate treatment you can have is to apply cold compress or calamine lotion and never scratch the rashes.

Asthma is another symptom for allergy this effect can be noticed through difficulty with breathing. This may be from wheezing sound on breathing out, increased heart beat, increased pulse rate, speaking short sentences, and increasing anxiety and restlessness. How to initially treat this problem, if a person who is having an asthma attack has his inhaler let him take it until he finds comfort to be fine but if a person does not have an inhaler, let him lie down either on a table, or any comfortable support then provide a fresh air or just giving space which the person can breathe easily. Make sure to loosen any tighten clothes. Encourage the person to be calm and take even breaths.

Anaphylactic Shock is the most dangerous allergic response to foreign substance it is a serious condition that could be fatal. A person may notice such conditions as wide spread of body rash, swelling particularly on the face and neck. A person having this shock may also be experiencing profound anxiety, fast pulse, feeling of tight chest, difficulty breathing, and collapse and unconsciousness. In treating this problem, immediately rush the person to the nearest hospital.

Do not underestimate the problem of allergy especially if you think that you do not have this, every person can experience this problem.
Mark Louie Tobias

About the Author:

Learn more about Allergy and get a better understanding of how this Health Problem can be treated at Allergy HealthCare Products

Mark Louie Tobias is a Marketing Consultant for SafeTablet Your Online Pharmacy

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Why Teeth Turn Yellow

2009-07-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

Teeth can turn yellow for several reasons: smoking, drinking dark colored beverages, antibiotics (tetracycline for example), aging, and genetics as well. All of these factors can very well contribute the dulling of your smile and the yellowing of your teeth, but how?

Cigarettes: small molecules from cigarette smoke attach themselves to the enamel of smokers' teeth while the smoke is being inhaled. These molecules accumulate over time and leave an unsightly yellow color on the teeth of smokers. These staining molecules are very difficult to remove and are the cause of the yellow stains on the teeth of smokers'.

Dark colored beverages: dark colored beverages yellow teeth in essentially the same manner as cigarettes. However, many dark colored beverages that we consume daily are slightly acidic and can aide the teeth yellowing process. The acid slowly breaks down portions of the tooth's enamel and over time, colored molecules attach themselves to the teeth. Also, the dentin is exposed through the lightly thinned enamel. Dentin is yellow in color and contributes to teeth yellowing as well.

Anitbiotics: antibiotics such as tetracycline taken during childhood while teeth were developing can contribute to the discoloration or slight greying of teeth as well. This is especially difficult to remove since the discoloration takes place within the teeth themselves. This is not impossible to treat but requires more attention and perhaps more sessions to remove.

Genetics: genetics play a significant role in the color of your teeth. Your genetics help determine the thickness of your enamel on your teeth and how the react to their environment (i.e. your mouth and what you put in it). Enamel is naturally white and the thicker it is, the whiter your teeth can appear.

Aging: The enamel on our teeth naturally thins as we age. Again, thin enamel lets the yellow color of the dentin underneath come through, making your teeth appear yellow. This, however, should not deter you from attempting achieve the best (whitest) results you can with your smile.

Rather, you can take hold and control the color of your smile by controlling what you eat and drink, and abstain form habits that will discolor your teeth. Cosmetic teeth whiting is very effective and you can achieve fantastic results in as little as 20-40 minutes, but it is up to you to maintain that new white smile. After you have whitened your teeth, you should eat healthy foods such as strawberries, cucumbers, and apples. These foods increase saliva which helps kill staining bacteria, and as a bonus, the fiber in these foods also cleans your teeth.

How do you Fight Acne on Your Back?

2009-07-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

When we reach puberty and the acne breakouts start to happen to those of us that are unlucky, there is a group who will get acne on the back, shoulders and upper arms. The acne in these areas are basically caused by the same things that cause acne on the face but the real reasons are really not known. These areas can be harder to treat because there are more sebaceous glands here and the skin seems to be thicker.

As far as treating back acne or bacne as it is referred to, you need to keep clean as best as possible. Sweating may or may not be the cause but it would sure make since to wash as often as reasonable and after excessive sweating to keep the pores clear. You may even try occasionally exfoliating the back with one of those soft mesh type wash cloths.

Try using a medicated cream made for acne. Use one with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, you may find one works better for you than the other. Apply it to your skin after washing and give it time to dry before putting on a shirt, it may stain clothing. Also wear clean shirts as often as possible to help prevent reintroducing bacteria to the skin.

If you have a really tough case of acne it may be wise to see a dermatologist to help get rid of it. They would be able to prescribe stronger medicated creams or even an oral medication to clear it up.

About the Author:

Go to Treat Your Acne to discover more information on how to prevent and treat acne and pimples. Tim Archbold’s lifelong interests are Health and Fitness.

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How to Detox THC from your body

2009-07-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to complete a THC Detox. The minimum time they require are about 72 hours. THC is the chemical from marijuana that gives the person a high. THC can be in the user's body for up to a month. There are drinks that can hide the THC from showing during a test, but this is not the same as a THC detox. The THC will still show in your system after consuming the drink and its ability to hide the THC disappears. The main places where THC is stored are blood, urine, and hair. THC naturally detoxes from the body in about a 30 day period, but if a person needs to remove THC from his or her body more quickly, it can be done. It is a good idea to ask someone else who has taken one that worked because of all the different THC detox products on the market.

There are a lot of THC Detoxing kits available on the market. There are home tests that you can take yourself to see if you test positive for THC. These products you can get are shampoo that cleanses your hair of cemicals, THC Detox pills, detox drinks, and also a method of drinking cranberry juice and water. The prices for these cleanses can range from $25 to over $125. The method of drinking cranberry juice and water will cost you less than the other products. The issue with the last method is that it is not as reliable and not really known how fast it can detox your system of THC.

Because THC is stored in the hair, a normal THC detox will not remove it. If you are afraid of being tested by your hair follicles, then it is advised to purchase a special shampoo that removes toxins, including THC, from your hair.

Then there are the 24 hour drinks. These drinks can cost $40 a drink, and have instructions that are easy to follow. A lot of them will have a guarantee that says you will pass a THC test. Do not mistake these for a regular THC detox, as some of these drinks only hide THC from the tests. They require you to not eat a lot before you take the drink, and to drink water afterwards. It helps to urinate atleast three times while doing this method.

Packages for a THC detox can run up to $125 and include a self testing kit, THC detox drink, THC detox pills, tea, and THC hair detox shampoo. The time frame for this detox is around 10 days to complete, and it comes with a guarantee if you complete the whole 10 days as followed. You would begin by taking the pills, tea, and shampoo in the beginning days. The drink is saved for the day of the person is taking the test. The drink is effective 1 - 7 hours after you consume it. When preparing to consume the THC detox drink, it helps to drink water before and after to flush the toxins out.

All natural pills that are made for a THC detox cost up to $60. The process for detoxing the THC is around 7 days. The pills are made from natural herbs.

Last THC detox method you can do is drink a lot of water and cranberry juice. This method is primarily for people who aren't concerned about speed. I am unsure how fast this method flushes THC out of the body, but it is the least expensive.

To be certain you will test negative for THC, it is advised to stick with products that have a guarantee to work for a THC Detox.

About the Author:

For more THC detox methods you can visit the blog Here.

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Health Topics for Youngsters

2009-06-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

Now-a-days, living a healthy lifestyle is often the last priority for teenagers. Youngsters are living in indoor entertainment with technological advances such as video game systems, internet and television, and enjoying a convenient environment with advances such as vending machine and fast food. Such lifestyle prevents youngsters from getting and staying healthy. There are a wider range of health topics for youngsters.

Good health condition and positive thinking are must for youngsters if they really want to be successful. Youngsters must be aware of different health topics and self-management skills in order to thrive in the world of good health. The proper knowledge of health related topics such as relationships, depression, sex, drugs and alcohol brings out favorable and good results in the lifestyle of youngsters to lead much happier, more confident and more positive life.

Weight management is one of the main health topics for youngsters. Weight management begins with regular physical activity and healthy eating habits. The youngsters must discuss topics such as health and nutrition, types of physical activities, types of food, diet supplements, yoga, meditation, etc., which are means to be healthy. Youngsters must include sufficient amount of healthy items and avoid junk foods like pop and chips. They should not only be taught messages about good nutrition and physical activity, but they should also be provided a structure to support those things.

The importance of healthy lifestyle is also an important health topic for youngsters. Leading a healthy lifestyle in school, college, work place and life is very essential for youngsters to be successful. The topics discussing the adverse effects of smoking, alcohol and drug usage, and eating disorders, are important. All-day health and wellness forums are also conducted in the aim to educate youngsters about the means to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The sex related topic is another important health topic that most teenagers might hesitate to discuss with adults. But it is the role of parents and society to teach the importance of sex related issues such as abstinence, virginity, birth control, teen pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases.

The prevention and control of diseases is also an essential health topic for youngsters. The self confidence and self-management of youngsters facing health problems deteriorates. Living with health problems such as chronic disease during teenage can be a drastic experience. Teenagers with diseases such as asthma and diabetes feel uncomfortable for taking their medication in public places. The mental health problems among the youngsters have also witnessed a wide growth during these days. Youngsters are also facing chronic and age-related skin and other diseases now-a-days. Youngsters must be taught tips for preventing and controlling certain risks associated with vitamin deficiency, stress, depression, diseases such as asthma and diabetes, and skin diseases.

The health topics such as body changes, menstruation (for females only), contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and eating disorders, must also be discussed among youngsters.

Youngsters obtain health care information from a wide variety of sources. It is important that parents and society must educate youngsters on making good choices related to health related issues. Youngsters must be taught the importance of health and wellness. Health services are there to provide general social work, counseling & support to youngsters. A number of health service programs are there to educate and help youngsters on issues related to different health topics. Educational programs related to health topics enable teenagers with chronic illnesses to manage their own condition while reducing their sense of isolation. Prevention and Wellness programs provide tips for preventing certain health problems and managing certain diseases. The health topic related workshops also help young people understand the importance of talking to health professionals rather than relying on their parents. Self-management programs for staying positive are designed for youngsters facing long-term health problems in order to improve their confidence and self-management skills.

About the Author:

Oz Zeldom is an expert author, who is presently working on the site about

medicine online,

medical encyclopedia. He has written many articles in various topics. For more information about medical reference. Visit our site www.healthon.com

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Diabetes, Smoking, and Foot Problems: Is It All Related?

2009-06-16T22:20:00.001-07:00

I am of the opinion that each individual has a right to make their own personal decisions about their health and well-being. For example, I choose to compete in Ironman triathlon events as a part of my health maintenance routine. Some doctors think that this is excessive and dangerous.

In the same way that I believe I have the right to make a decision to compete in these events, I believe that any individual has the right to choose to smoke. I don't personally care if you choose to smoke. Please keep in mind that the arguments against smoking that make have nothing to do with moral issues, only biological ones.

Cigarette smoke contains numerous identified chemicals and toxins that have specific detrimental effects on the body. In many cases, these negative effects are compounded when you have diabetes. By discussing the various effects that smoking has on the symptoms of diabetes and specifically the lower extremity, you will be able to make a more informed decision about whether or not you choose to smoke.

It is well known that smoking is a risk factor for heart disease. So is diabetes. But when you smoke, your blood pressure and heart rate both increase. This forces the heart to work much harder. In addition, the blood vessels in the heart itself are actually constricted as a result of smoking. This places you at increased risk of a heart attack.

In a very similar fashion, smoking can reduce the amount of blood circulation in the feet and legs. This also is already a problem with diabetes. But instead of causing a heart attack, smoking puts you at higher risk for poor circulation, which can lead to slow wound healing, painful cramping, and even gangrene that can lead to a diabetic foot amputation.

Not only does smoking slow down the blood flow, but it also so decreases the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues. Toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke, specifically carbon monoxide, permanently block oxygen transfer sites on the red blood cells that actually carry the oxygen down to the tissues in your feet. Think of a red blood cell as a car that holds four passengers. If three out of the four seats are occupied by carbon monoxide molecules, there is only one spot left for an oxygen molecule. And it stays this way until that red blood cell dies.

Any time a bone is fractured or has surgery, the healing process in the bone is dramatically reduced. We know that if a patient smokes, they have a 2.7 times higher risk of not healing after bone surgery or fractures as compared to non-smokers. For this reason, I never perform elective foot surgery on a smoker.

Anyone with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers or open wounds. Smoking simply slows wound healing dramatically. When you develop an open diabetic foot ulcer, the white blood cells are the part of the immune system that fight off infection and the fibroblasts are the cells to grow new tissue to close the wound. Both have to work properly in order for a wound to heal. Smoking directly affects the function of the healing cells known as fibroblasts. Smoking also weakens the immune system.

Smoking also decreases the rate at which new blood vessels can form in an area surrounding a wound. The growth of new blood vessels is necessary in order to allow tissue to heal. Simply put, no new blood flow equals no wound healing. The longer a wound stays open, the more likely it will become infected and lead to an amputation.

Now that it is clear that cigarette smoking and slow wound healing and make it more likely that you will have a diabetic foot amputation, what should you do? The obvious answer is to quit smoking. However, we all know that quitting smoking is very difficult.

The good news in all of this is that you might not have to tell yourself you are courting forever. In one study of patients that had surgery, it was shown that if a person had quit smoking for four weeks, the wound infection rates were the same in those that stopped smoking as those that had never smoked.

Another study showed that quitting smoking two weeks before surgery was effective in reducing the risk of postoperative problems to the same level as those that had never smoked.

There was also a study that evaluated bone healing and quitting smoking. In the study smokers were instructed to stop smoking one week before surgery and continue to abstain from smoking until the bone surgery healed. When they quit only one week before surgery, their bones healed just as quickly as people that had never smoked at all.

You should know that nicotine is harmful to bone healing, wound healing, as well as diabetic foot circulation. Nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine gum and patches are certainly better than smoking, because they contain fewer chemicals and toxins. But if possible, you should avoid smoking as well as nicotine substitutes, while healing is taking place.

You should realize that even if you have tried to stop smoking before and found it difficult, you only need to stop for a period of time to allow healing to take place. This may make it easier for you to realize that you don't have to stop smoking forever just to avoid a diabetic foot amputation.
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About the Author:

Dr. Christopher Segler is an award winning diabetic foot specialist. He believes that diabetic foot amputations result from a faulty health care system. He thinks doctors should take the time to provide patient education that can prevent amputations. You can learn more by requesting your FREE report "No Leg Left To Stand On: The Secrets Insurance Companies Don't Want You To Know About Diabetic Foot Amputation" at http://www.ineedmyfeet.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Diabetes, Smoking, and Foot Problems: Is It All Related?

Swine H1N1 Flu:2009

2009-06-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Swine flu , now known as the 2009 H1N1 flu, is caused by the orthomyxovirus which usually affects pigs but viral mutations allows the virus to cross species to other hosts like humans. The swine influenza virus (SIV) is another example of cross species viral infection which was previously seen with other Zoonotic infections like in civets to humans SARS or Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome and from birds to humans as seen with avian (bird) flu.

Unlike SARS and bird flu, swine flu has mutated to the point where the virus can now spread from human-to-human. This current mutation is the cause of the global scare of the recent 2009 outbreak which is feared to become a pandemic. With the popularity of air travel, infected passengers from one region can easily travel to other nations and result in new outbreaks occurring in regions that were not prone to swine flu.

The current human-to-human transmission of swine flu is caused by droplet spread through the contact with infected body fluids as in saliva or mucus when sneezing.

How is Swine Flu H1N1 Spread?

The incubation period (time between exposure and onset of symptoms) is still uncertain, but it appears to be 3-4 days.

All flus are spread by droplets that spray out as a person sneezes or coughs. You can catch Swine Flu H1N1 or any flu virus if:

1. You are standing within three feet of an uncovered cough or sneeze and droplets make contact with you or if you inhale them.
2. The droplets land on hard surfaces, like a desk top or keyboard. Even after the droplet dries a flu virus could live for over an hour. You can catch the virus by touching an infected surface then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
3. You can give to the flu to somebody else by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth if the virus is on your hand.
4. Somebody coughs sneezes or blows their nose into a tissue, and the wet tissue makes contact with their hand or the tissue tears and the contents make contact with their hand. If they touch hard surfaces or shake hands before they wash their hands then they could spread a virus. Flu viruses can also be spread by handling a contaminated cloth handkerchief then touching people or surfaces.
5. An infected person touches their eyes, nose or mouth then touches other surfaces, objects or people before washing their hands.

This is not the same Swine Flu virus people were immunized against in the 1970's. There is a vaccine for the 2009 Swine Flu Influenza A H1N1 virus under development but even with fast tracking it will take months before it is ready for human trial.

Swine Flu H1N1 is not spread by pigs and you cannot catch Swine Flu H1N1 by eating pork or using medications that are derived from pigs (porcine).

Symptoms of Swine Flu

Swine flu infection causes symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of influenza infection as seen during the annual ‘flu’ season. This may result in many cases of swine flu being misdiagnosed as a common cold or the ‘flu’ and if infected persons do not seek professional medical treatment, the infection can spread further in the general population.

The general symptoms of swine flu include:

1. Fever with or without chills.
2. Sore throat.
3. Respiratory symptoms, usually a cough or less frequently as dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) or pneumonia.
4. Fatigue and lethargy
5. Myalgia (general body aches)
6. Headaches
7. Diarrhea
8. Vomiting

The current swine flu epidemic has seen gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting that are more severe than previous swine flu outbreaks. Unfortunately these gastrointestinal symptoms may often be misdiagnosed as a ‘gastric flu’ and it is important to consult with your medical practitioner if your symptoms persist.

Preventing the Spread of Swine Flu H1N1

According to the CDC, proper hand washing is the most effective means of preventing the spread of disease.

1. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also considered effective.
2. Use disposable tissues, clean your hands after every use.
3. Cough into your elbow or shoulder if you do not have a tissue.
4. Preventative treatments (such as Tamiflu) are not recommended for healthy people as this could potentially lead to resistance. Only seek treatment if you have symptoms.
5. People with flu- like symptoms should avoid public places. If your child's school is closed do not place your child in group settings such as daycare.
6. If there are confirmed cases in your area, limit exposure by avoiding public places and clean your hands often while out and upon returning home.
7. An infected person is contagious about 1 day before they have symptoms so follow proper hand washing guidelines or use alcohol based hand sanitizers often to prevent the accidental spread of the flu.
8. The contagious period lasts for about 7 days after symptoms start, probably longer in children.
About the Author:

Senior Vet.Officer,Central Veterinary Laboratory Kathmandu Nepal M.V.St. Preventive Veterinary Mrdicine

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Swine H1N1 Flu:2009

Five Tips on How to do Meditation

2009-06-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

Meditation is a great way to relax yourself, but meditation also has many other benefits to enhance your life. Meditation means to take a break away from your daily life, from your job, from your concerns, and so on. It means to turn off your mobile phone, turn off may be your telephone and really practice meditation by yourself. Let your computer and your e-mails wait for a minute. And really give yourself some time to do meditation.

Recent research has shown that meditating twice per day for about 10 minutes can reduce stress and other bad side effects of having a hectic life style.

Here are 5 great tips on how to do meditation. Using these tips can help you greatly in starting to meditate. Here are the 5 tips!

1. Where should I meditate?
You should have special place or corner or room in your house or in the place where you meditate. You might want to furnish those areas with special objects that have a spiritual meaning for you that will help you to do your meditation.

Make sure that the place where you do your meditation is quiet, where you have no disturbances such as telephone or other noises. Also make sure that other people know that this is the place where you spend time with yourself, where you do your meditation so you do not get disturbed when you are in this area.

A great way to enhance your meditation is to make sure that the smells are nice. That may be some aroma, incense or some candles to really give that special effect and enhance the feeling of spirituality. Another great place to meditate is in nature. For example you might have a place near a beach or in the woods where you can be quiet and undisturbed and really enjoy nature together with your meditation. Great experiences can be achieved when you meditate in nature. So if you have the opportunity please do it!

2. How should I sit when I do my meditation?
The classic posture is to sit with legs folded and hands resting quietly on the lap or on your knees. This is the classic way but to really do meditation effectively you need to find your own posture to do your meditation. The posture needs to give you a sense of concentration. And at the same time it needs to be comfortable enough.

Now make sure that the balance is right between being concentrated and being comfortable. If you are too concentrated it might be painful which will prevent you from doing more and more meditation. If the posture is too comfortable chances are that you will fall asleep and do no meditation at all. So keep the balance between the two, find a position that is comfortable enough but not too comfortable so you will fall asleep.

This is your meditation so there is no right or wrong way to how to sit or stand to do meditation. But practice and find out which posture is the best for you? You might just want to sit on a chair, cross your legs and sit on the floor or walk around gently in a room. It is up to you, try a few different postures and see which one gives you the greatest benefit.

3. Should my eyes be open or closed?
Some meditations will tell you to close your eyes, other meditations will tell you to open your eyes. Again what is important is what are you comfortable with and what give you the best results. That is the key, what gives you the best benefits when you do your meditation. Some people will keep their eyes closed, and will have great meditation.

Other people will not have good experience when they close their eyes and will fall asleep. For some people it is better to keep their eyes open and do meditation that way. If you keep your eyes closed the biggest danger is to fall sleep. It is very easy when you get some feelings and experiences in meditation to dose off and fall asleep.

So if you keep your eyes closed make sure that you sit in an alert position. This could be on the chair or with your legs folded on the floor. The main thing is to sit up straight, do not be too comfortable because you will fall asleep.

The same goes for when you close your eyes to do your meditation, meditating with your eyes open means to keep your eyes slightly open, it is really like day dreaming. So again there is a slight danger that you will fall asleep. It is easier not to fall asleep when you keep your eyes open during your meditation. But you still need to sit in an alert position. So be comfortable but be alert to sit up straight.

4. How long should I meditate?
Most people will say you need to meditate between 10 and 20 minutes twice a day. That is a very good routine, again it is up to you or you are comfortable with what give you the best results.

If it is 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes to maintain is that you get benefits. Some people will take more benefit by meditating 10 minutes. Other people just need 5 minutes to do their meditation and get great results. Other people want meditate for 20 minutes.

The time is not the most important. The most important is that you do your meditation on a regular basis. Twice a day is very much a good routine. So if you meditate twice a day for five minutes or if you meditate twice a day for ten minutes or for twenty minutes.

The key is that you do your meditation on a regular basis. What will happen is when you do meditation for example for ten minutes a day you really feel the benefit, you will keep it up and you will keep doing it. And you might increase the duration of your meditation from ten minutes to fifteen minutes or twenty minutes. So start off gently but keep a daily routine.

5. Should I have music or not?
Some people like to have some gentle relaxing music in the background when they do their meditation, other people just like to have pure quietness. You need to try it out, do some meditation with some gentle relaxation music in the back ground and see the results. Then do a meditation with just silence and again see the results. The best way is actually to have a balance, start off your meditation with some gentle relaxation music in the background. Then have some nice silence to really enjoy your meditation. And again have some gentle relaxation music now and then to enhance your meditation.

That is it! Those are some great tips to get you on your way to do some great meditation. Enjoy!
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About the Author:

For more info : http://www.improveyourselftoday.com/Meditation.html or click here : Learn How To Meditate

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Five Tips on How to do Meditation

Meditation for a Better Life

2009-06-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those unlucky people that dread turning the light off at night due to a constant struggle to get to sleep? Meditation aids in quieting and clearing the mind. When your mind is quiet, you feel peaceful and have a better chance of experiencing a good night's sleep as well as a more balanced life.

Anyone can apply meditation to their daily lives to achieve a calmer and more relaxed state of mind, even during stressful periods in their lives. Meditation has been described by many as a state of “restful alertness” which means that although your metabolism slows down like it would when you are sleeping; you are still awake and conscious. This allows your mind to remain clear from your usual continuous thoughts.

Meditation trains the mind and with repeated practice of the art a greater sense of control is experienced. In some cases meditation can aid in bringing to surface dormant tensions. By identifying these tensions and becoming more aware of them one is able to take control of them as well as other external pressures. If focus is kept on the present, less emphasis is placed on past and future worries, and success and self fulfillment is more achievable.

Furthermore, meditation has been proven to keep you feeling younger. With repeated meditation, a person's metabolism is enhanced and the probability of falling ill from certain life threatening disorders is less likely. There is however a variety of meditation forms, and one needs to find the meditation style that suits them the best. You should notice the difference that meditation plays in your life as soon as you have found a meditation type that complements you.

Breath awareness is one of the most important and usually the first steps in your journey to meditation. To practice breath awareness you can follow the following easy steps:

1. Sit down in a comfortable position on a flat surface with your legs crossed and your hands resting on your knees.

2. Close your eyes and relax. Slowly focus all your attention on your natural breathing. Notice how it feels, sounds, how fast you are breathing as well as any pauses and changes that you feel in your breathing. The main point here is to focus completely on your breathing only.

3. If you feel that you start thinking about something else, slowly move your focus back to your breathing. It will become easier to keep focus through time and practice.

4. Complete these steps for a few minutes, and then slowly increase the time in your next meditation session.

5. Do not end the meditation session abruptly but rather stay relaxed with your eyes closed for a couple of minutes and slowly reflect on how you are feeling. You should feel calmer than when you started your meditation process.

Practice this simple meditation process on a daily basis and you should notice positive changes occurring in both your daily life and within your precious sleeping patterns.

Find spas and more wellness related information at: http://healthspaguru.com
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About the Author:

Writer for Health Spa Guru: Spas at Health Spa Guru

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Meditation for a Better Life

How to Live a Natural and Healthful Life

2009-06-09T23:42:00.000-07:00

Today's world is chaotic and busy. But that doesn't mean we can't take the time to make our daily living as healthful as possible. Here are some small things you can do to have a more natural and balanced life, even on a tight schedule or budget.

1. Relax. Whether it's five minutes of deep breathing or making the time for a favorite hobby, relaxation is the most important step toward total wellness. We are not designed for prolonged, excessive stress. It compromises our immune systems, tampers with our emotional centers, and exacerbates our illnesses. Our bodies need down time. So, however you can manage it, it is imperative to take time for yourself and relax.

2. Eat well, and often. Give your body the best possible fuel for the best possible performance. Our moods, energy levels, and internal functions are dependent on a steady blood sugar level. 4-5 small daily meals provide this constancy, as opposed to three large, spaced-out meals. Also, a diet filled with a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, is the most natural and satisfying diet for the human body.

3. Stay positive. An optimistic outlook can make all the difference in your physical and emotional well-being. Make a mental list every morning of all of the positive things in your life, including even the smallest points. Reflect on them throughout the day.

5. Stay close to nature. As human beings, connecting to nature makes us feel whole and satisfied. So plant a garden, find a favorite park, or take up hiking. The closer you feel to the natural world, the better you will identify with your own natural needs.

For more information on healthy living, visit http://www.healthyliving.asia.

For more information on all natural living, visit http://www.allnatural.asia.
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About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Live a Natural and Healthful Life

Emotional Health: Life, Love, And The Pursuit Of Happiness

2009-06-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

Just what is emotional health? How can I have good emotional health?

1. Take care of yourself.
Believe it or not taking care of your body also helps take care of your mental health. Watch your diet! Eating too much of one food, having too much caffeine or having too little protein can have a negative influence on your emotional health. Exercising your body also gives you a stronger, confident sense of self. The simple act of walking has been proven to be connected to your mental health. Get up and move!

Don't forget to sleep! Sleep is an integral part of mental health and may even be more important that what you eat. Not getting enough sleep can actually change your personality, so work on saving that time. Take 8 hours just for your sleep so you can approach the day with better emotional/mental health.

2. Develop good relationships with friends and family.
Feeling alone is worse than being alone when you know there are people out there who love you. Part of not feeling alone is taking it upon yourself to create and maintain good relationships with others. This is just one way in which you maintain a support system.

Having a support system is like having a wall with people standing on either side to keep it standing. Sometimes we want to be that to others, but we need to be able to allow others to be our support as well.

3. Follow the Doctor's orders!
It may be that you take some medication. If you take medication, don't stop taking it without asking the doctor for permission. Sometimes medicine has two purposes. Some Epilepsy medications may also act as a mood stabilizer, so going off of it may impair your mental and physical health.

Also, if you do not take the medicine you need, your health may become worse. If you are taking medicine to maintain your mental health, remember that it works because you are feeling OK and it is not that you don't need the medicine.

4. Set Goals
When you look towards the future, what do you see yourself doing in the near one year down the road. How about 5 years, 10 years? Setting a goal gives you something to work towards, it allows you to see what can be if you want it bad enough!

5. Do something for others! Do something for you!
Many times you will hear, you need to take 5 minutes and do something just for you. Try doing for others instead. Unselfish acts of caring and generosity can provide you with an emotional charge that will "kick start" you through the week.

If you seem to be spending a lot of time doing for others and still have a high stress level, try doing something for just you. If doing something for you means you need to take a nap, have some alone time, take a vacation, these actions for you are important. They are opportunities to recharge your batteries and prepare for the next adventure in life.
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About the Author:
Visit the site of author Mark D. Houston - Drug and Alcohol Recovery for more information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Emotional Health: Life, Love, And The Pursuit Of Happiness

Cooperating In Our Health Care

2009-06-09T02:11:00.000-07:00

Funny thing pain, if you’ve never had a severe pain then the suggestion of taking simple analgesia and resting the affected area all seems quite reasonable. I was reminded of this when I read recently of a doctor’s advice to someone who was suffering from sciatica. Having personally experienced sciatica, it’s a condition I would not recommend to anyone who wishes to walk, sit, laugh, sleep, or to just simply pull up your trousers. It’s a bit like a dentist drilling your teeth without an anaesthetic, but it affects your whole leg. In other words the pain is consuming, exhausting and without respite. Clinical studies do show that in the majority of cases the pain will eventually subside and surgery may not be necessary, but in the meantime the patient has to deal with the pain or deal with the medication required to dull the pain. Remember, pain-killers are not selective to the area affected. They affect the whole of the nervous system and elsewhere so there may be significant side-effects from these medications.

Dealing with severe pain can be a complex issue, but I suggest that you have to treat this sort of pain fairly aggressively as acute severe pain is relatively easier to treat than chronic severe pain. In the early stages of an injury or insult to an area of the body, most of the pathological processes are happening at the site of the injury or insult. Throughout time the brain begins to modulate this pain and so no only do you have the injured area to deal with, but you also have complex neural pathways within the brain to deal with as well. This often means a far more complex management plan and a far more protracted recovery time. Specialists are very skilled at dealing with these issues but they do rely heavily on the stories their patients give them. That means being honest in answering their questions and not being heroic with a grin and bear it grimace! Often the use of a pain scale is helpful with zero being no pain at all and a 10 being the worse pain you have ever experienced.

Another health issue we commonly down play is influenza. Over the years I have frequently heard people say that they would not have the flu vaccine because either they never get the flu or that they had it last week for a couple of days and then it was all over! Influenza is a serious debilitating disease that will usually last from 10 days to two weeks and often leave you flat on your back exhausted. It’s not a happy 10 days either as patients do not have the energy to read a magazine or even watch a DVD. You will literally feel ancient with every movement being a real challenge and that doesn’t include the aching all over or the fevers and sleepless nights. The influenza virus is also extremely contagious and most people are unaware that if you spread it to someone who is more frail than yourself that you may actually be putting their life at risk.

With the ‘flu the big challenge is to vaccinate as many people in the community as possible, including children, those employed and unemployed, the elderly and the infirm, to reduce the chance of an epidemic occurring. Recent research has also showed that vaccinating pregnant women in the last trimester of their pregnancy will help protect their new born infants born during the ‘flu season.

Medicine has evolved over the last 40 years, but the change has been fairly slow with doctors by nature being very cautious and conservative people. But we can’t leave the doctors to take all the initiatives. As patients we need to be good listeners in our approach to health by heeding all the great health messages that keep being given to us about vaccinations, smoking, alcohol, exercise and healthy eating. We also need to be good communicators and tell our doctors how we are feeling with conditions such as pain. If the team treating you doesn’t have the best information then it may be that you will not end up getting the best treatment!

Tips For Walking For Health

2009-06-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that exercise is essential for good health. Our bodies require both physical and mental exercise to maintain good health. There are many ways to exercise, but only a few low stress ways to exercise.

A low physical stress activity that is easily available to all is walking. A brisk 30 minute walk on a daily basis will improve our blood circulation as well as our lung function. Walking also burns calories and helps us to maintain an optimum weight. Walking is usually not harsh on the body's joints or any other body parts.

When walking, try to exercise in an area with relatively clean air and try to avoid hard pavement when possible. Grass or dirt is preferable to concrete or asphalt.

The idea is to walk fast enough for one's heartbeat to achieve between 50% and 75% of the maximum. When first starting a walking exercise program it is best to establish a goal of 50% of one's maximum heartbeat and then gradually work up to 75% .

It is easy to determine the maximum heartbeat for a healthy person. It is 220 minus your age. A healthy 30 year-old person's maximum heartbeat would be 220-30 = 190. In this example, of a 30 year-old person just starting a walking for health program, the goal is to maintain a heartbeat of 50% of maximum or 95 beats per minute.

To check your heartbeat, stop momentarily and place two fingers on your carotid artery located on your neck on either side of the center (Adams apple). You then simply count the beats for 10 seconds and multiply by six. If the heartbeat is too fast, it would be prudent to slow down a bit or if it is too slow then one should increase their walking pace.

The idea with any walking for health program is to start slowly and then gradually increase the pace or duration of the walk. The positive health benefits of a walking program, in addition to the obvious improvements in heart and lung health, are that one will sleep more restfully and be able to more effectively engage in activities that require concentration. The benefits of walking for better health are well documented and it is an activity that can be done individually or with family and friends. Have fun and achieve better health!

Tips For Making Walking More Enjoyable

Walk with friends. Find an exercise buddy that will go walking with you. This allows you to talk and enjoy good company while you are walking.

Listen to music. Find some great music to listen to while you walk, and put it on your MP3 player or portable CD player.

Find scenic walking trails. You likely have some parks or trails near you that would offer you great scenery while you walk. Walking alongside a river or stream can be particularly enjoyable.

Walk your pet. If you have a dog, take he or she for walks with you when you go for a walk. You can enjoy a bit of companionship and play with your dog while you walk.

Emotional Health: Life, Love, And The Pursuit Of Happiness

2009-06-09T02:03:00.000-07:00

About the Author:
Visit the site of author Mark D. Houston - Drug and Alcohol Recovery for more information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Emotional Health: Life, Love, And The Pursuit Of Happiness

2. Develop good relationships with friends and family.
Feeling alone is worse than being alone when you know there are people out there who love you. Part of not feeling alone is taking it upon yourself to create and maintain good relationships with others. This is just one way in which you maintain a support system.

Having a support system is like having a wall with people standing on either side to keep it standing. Sometimes we want to be that to others, but we need to be able to allow others to be our support as well.

3. Follow the Doctor's orders!
It may be that you take some medication. If you take medication, don't stop taking it without asking the doctor for permission. Sometimes medicine has two purposes. Some Epilepsy medications may also act as a mood stabilizer, so going off of it may impair your mental and physical health.

Also, if you do not take the medicine you need, your health may become worse. If you are taking medicine to maintain your mental health, remember that it works because you are feeling OK and it is not that you don't need the medicine.

4. Set Goals
When you look towards the future, what do you see yourself doing in the near one year down the road. How about 5 years, 10 years? Setting a goal gives you something to work towards, it allows you to see what can be if you want it bad enough!

5. Do something for others! Do something for you!
Many times you will hear, you need to take 5 minutes and do something just for you. Try doing for others instead. Unselfish acts of caring and generosity can provide you with an emotional charge that will "kick start" you through the week.

If you seem to be spending a lot of time doing for others and still have a high stress level, try doing something for just you. If doing something for you means you need to take a nap, have some alone time, take a vacation, these actions for you are important. They are opportunities to recharge your batteries and prepare for the next adventure in life.

The Yoga Way to Health and Well Being

2009-06-03T02:08:00.000-07:00

Yoga is not a recent practice. It is a practice which through time, has developed and increased in significance and appeal worldwide. The rationale behind the appeal is greatly to do with the physical and psychological benefits experienced when integrating yoga into one's daily schedule. Yoga can be viewed as a breath of fresh air in this fast paced lifestyle that we live in.

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit language and means “to integrate”. Yoga promotes a harmonious working together of the body's components leading to both physical and mental training. Despite the fact that there are numerous forms of yoga; Hatha Yoga is still presently seen as one of the more commonly practiced yoga styles. Hatha Yoga consists of non strenuous physical exercise which aids in strengthening, stretching and balancing the body's joints. Regular breathing is performed at the same time which aids in providing oxygen to the muscles, and in turn positively affects bodily structures and organs. The awareness required during yoga practice, ensures that mind and body have to work together to create a mind-body harmony which in turn promotes healing.

Yoga will not be a quick fix for all your aches, worries and pains. However, with regular yoga practice your body will rebalance slowly and steadily, leaving you discovering the results for yourself. Physical benefits which you can anticipate are improved efficiency of the lungs, better use of your respiratory muscles, improved flexibility of the joints, improved coordination and muscle tone, maintenance of bone density, reduced risk of injury as well as the prevention of weight gain. Psychological benefits can also include an increase in self-confidence, decreased cravings for tobacco and food, better sleep, an increased ability to relax, improved concentration as well as a reduced likelihood of depression. Yoga differentiates itself from other exercises as it draws on the entire person as a whole.

Half an hour of yoga a day, or 15 minutes of yoga twice a day, can easily be incorporated into any daily schedule. Some breathing techniques can even be practiced while working or driving home after a long day. A short routine for those of you spending hours staring at a computer screen is to take a few moments every day to glance at a distant object. This allows your eyes a moments rest from glare and a change of focus. Look left and right, up and down at least 5 times, blink at least 8 times to moisten your eyes and if it is at all possible, rest your elbows on a comfortable surface and close your eyes whilst covering them with the palm of your hands. If you can incorporate this with or without some breathing exercises, you will already be on the way to a healthier and possibly more focused lifestyle.

Baby steps everyone...no one expects you to transform overnight.

Find spas and more wellness related information at: http://healthspaguru.com

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About the Author:

Writer for Health Spa Guru: Spas at Health Spa Guru

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Yoga Way to Health and Well Being

Use Hypnotic Treatment For Depression

2009-05-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

If you are depressed and are looking for ways to cure yourself of this problem, using hypnotic treatment for depression will get you out of this low state of mind by altering your self image and lifestyle for the better. Hypnotic treatment for depression will empower you in general and arm you with the resources you need to come out of your depressed state of mind.

The cause of depression is not primarily biological, even though it is popularly believed to be. This is a myth. All depression is not rooted in biology – only some is. Most of our anxieties, phobias and traumas that lead to depression are based in personal and deeply ingrained beliefs. Hypnotic treatment for depression has the ability to retrain the unconscious mind into learning new behaviors and beliefs that will lead to dispelling depression.

Hypnotic treatment for depression will help to modify the deeply held belief and make change possible. A change of state is crucial to coming out of depression, and the persistent low mood and depressed state of mind can be altered using hypnotic treatment for depression. Hypnosis is deeply involved in the causality and treatment of depression.

The creation and maintenance of a belief system is done via hypnotic phenomena, thus the treatment of depression lies in changing these deeply held beliefs using hypnotic treatment for depression. It is a myth that hypnosis can be dangerous to depressed people; in fact the polar opposite is true as hypnotic treatment for depression helps to cure depression by reaching deep into its roots and eliminating or altering the same. The only and very important exception is for those who are so severely depressed that they are suicidal and/or in a stage of de-compensation.

Hypnotic treatment for depression helps to alter and improve deeply ingrained beliefs about the client’s past, future, present, and even their parents (because the childhood experiences form central part of the depression experienced in adulthood). Perceptions of current events, issues of faith, conflict, insecurities, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness can all be addressed using hypnotic treatment for depression.

Many depressed people go through the additional problems of insomnia, weight problems, stress, smoking, lack of confidence, diabetes, ignorance about how to go about curing their depression, resentment and anger – all of which hypnotic treatment for depression can solve, through diligent and consistent focus and practice.

It is advisable not to jump into all this at once, but take baby steps. First, address the insomnia using hypnotic treatment for depression. Feeling better will lead to a happier frame of mind; move on to more problems, going into deeper and deeper perceptions and experiences until you reach the core of the problem and then solve it using hypnotic treatment for depression.

Most importantly, hypnotic treatment for depression will change your perception regard depression, your own self image, your life and the reasons that make you feel depressed. Hypnotic treatment for depression will help you along, and keep giving you ideas on how to get better, while giving you hope for a better future the whole time.

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Dangers Of Essential Oils Used In Aromatherapy

2009-05-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy is good for the body. Many research and studies have been done to prove just how much the vapors from the essential oils being used in aromatherapy are beneficial to ones health and well being.

Its primary benefit lies in the fact that it can soothe the muscles and relax the body. Essential oils and the process of aromatherapy in particular is often used as a tool for people to de-stress themselves. It is also used to ease headaches and several aches and pains, which for most people, are caused not by any physical disorder but an emotional or mental one.

Some essential oils are also great for combating sickness as they are known to have antiseptic properties and are immune system stimulants. There are also a variety that is great for the skin and are good in treating cuts and burns as well as skin problems.

But although these essential oils are beneficial to the body, there are instances when they can be dangerous. Not all people can use essential oils or practice aromatherapy. Some have allergies while others are just plain not cut out to use them. Here are some of the instances when aromatherapy should not be used.

1. People who have health problems like asthma, high blood pressure and epilepsy are advised not to use essential oils or practice aromatherapy unless they are under the supervision of their doctors. That is why it is important that you tell your doctors of your plans or of your habits when having a check. That way, they will be able to advise you about it.

2. People who are under medications should also avoid using aromatherapy. Essential oils, as mentioned before, can relax the muscles and the body. If you are taking medication that also relaxes the body, this can be a double whammy. Make sure that your medications can be used alongside aromatherapy. Ask your doctor about it.

3. There are certain oils that are not good for women who are pregnant, particularly when they are in the first trimester. But to be really sure, pregnant women should avoid these oils for the duration of the pregnancy: Arnica, Camphor, Santolina, Sassafras, Pennyroyal, Wormseed, Spanish Broom, Wormwood, and Mustard. Safe oils are lavender, jasmine, rose, chamomile and Sandalwood.

4. There are essential oils on the market that are not really what they seem. Some use poisonous and toxic plants as sources. When buying essential oils for aromatherapy, make sure that you only buy from reputable stores and manufacturers.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

Thyroid, Adrenals, & Immunity – A Clear Path to Surviving Swine Flu

2009-05-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

The myopic public health machine is clinging to their anti-viral drugs and future experimental vaccines as their great hope for minimizing a potential Swine flu pandemic. It is a paradigm of
assistance that woefully falls short. What the public really needs is credible immune system information that not only helps overcome the fear of this flu, but also provides tangible steps to take in addition to hand washing, hygiene, and reducing potential exposure. In the case of a pandemic, everyone will be exposed.

The million dollar question is: What determines immune system fitness?

Our bodies are used to fighting infection and we have very advanced weaponry or we as a race would not have survived earlier battles. Your body is the superpower, not the virus. Do you know how to unleash your potential?

Fundamental to any aspect of health is energy. You must have energy to do anything and you must have lots of energy to effectively prevent an infection or to mount an efficient immune response. Your immune system in a time of need is an energy intense operation.

Your brain coordinates your deployment of energetic resources during a time of infection, as commander and chief. The language it uses is heavily reliant on a system of short-lived immune system signals called cytokines. Cytokines are communication molecules that share connections between your nervous system, your immune system, your thyroid function, and your adrenals.

Cytokines are involved in inflammation

and anti-inflammation. Those who have so far died from this new Swine flu have suffered from a “cytokine storm” leading to mortality - meaning that this critical system of natural function was unable to keep up with the demands of the infection. Why?

Intruder Alert

Just as you would be somewhat panicked by a stranger entering your home, your body sends out 911 signals to the command and control center of your brain (hypothalamus gland) once an infection has been identified. In essence, your body is preparing for battle and is going on high alert. This initial process is highly inflammatory and is a vital part of ramping up your defense system. It is initiated by cytokine signals cross-talking between immune cells and your hypothalamus gland.

Because this process is highly inflammatory your brain knows that it will need an extra supply of anti-inflammatory lubrication to keep things cooled off, like making sure you have enough oil in your car engine to keep it running faster without overheating. In your body, this function is performed by your adrenal glands. Thus, cytokines directly talk to your hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis and tell it to ramp up production of inflammation-quenching lubricant (cortisol).

What happens if you are already low on adrenal lubricant? In other words, what if you are already stressed out, tired, fatigued, anxious, irritable, and in a general trend of wear and tear? Answer - there is no way you will make lubricant in the proper amount because your system is either out of shape or already running on a credit card that is overdrawn.

This problem is what would set you up for being more at risk for a cytokine storm. During an intense infection your body must balance the need to make highly inflammatory compounds with the need to protect your body from the inflammation. If the infection is intense, you must make a lot of inflammatory compounds. If you don’t have an adequate supply of relaxation reserves because you have already spent them on day-to-day living, you could be in trouble.

This may be a wake up call for many people to find better balance in their lives, especially at the time of a potential pandemic flu. Depleting yourself from stress or pushing it too hard in general, especially when combined with a lack of quality sleep, puts your immune system at a significant disadvantage.

The best way to test the health of this system is to do some aerobic exercise. In this case the stress of the exercise actually activates the same higher need for anti-inflammatory reserves - raising your cortisol up to five times normal resting value. Cortisol at this level then activates endorphins and you get a runner’s high (or at least feel refreshed). Too much exercise will tire you out and those who aren’t fit enough to exercise are also of questionable fitness to fight an infection.

By the way, if you feel on the verge of fighting a bug, cut back on intensity or eliminate aerobics until you are done fighting the infection. This is because the aerobics demand is too intense when your body needs to also activate an immune response.

There are many nutrients you can use to boost adrenals, including a high protein breakfast, pantethine, Q10, magnesium, B complex, and vitamin C. There are also numerous nutrients that can help your adrenals quench inflammation, including quercetin, bromelain, and curcumin - to name a few. Of course, there is no making up for a lack of sleep. For a more comprehensive discussion please see my adrenal and sleep health topic pages.

Energetic Competence

The next issue of great importance is the function of your thyroid system, as it facilitates the pace at which energy can be produced by your body. Many individuals struggle with poorly functioning thyroid and this is a clear weakness that can handicap available energy, especially during a time of increased energy need such as fighting an infection.

Relatively new science has pinpointed how the toxins coming from infections are a major challenge to your thyroid function. This information shows that when toxic infectious particles are sensed by your hypothalamus gland, thyroid function is progressively turned down in response to the initial inflammatory gene signals that are needed to fight the infection. This is most likely a survival system in and of itself, as energy needs to be diverted to immune function and away from general metabolic needs. However, it appears a line can be crossed where too much toxicity can simply crash your thyroid function - creating a major problem for immune function. Additionally, infections directly inflame the thyroid gland itself.

This inflammatory problem will be magnified by pre-existing thyroid problems, especially in those with pre-existing elevated thyroid autoantibodies. Even sluggish thyroid issues are a problem, as they will handicap general energy production. By the time a person has elevated thyroid autoantibodies (5% of the population), it means that the anti-inflammatory reserves of the adrenals are also already lacking.

Leptin resistance causes a similar thyroid problem in your brain, as your body gets the false notion you are starving and so turns down your metabolism by deactivating TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone). This means that following the Leptin Diet is a really good idea so as not to be placing your thyroid function in a state of pre-existing stress based on how you are eating.

The infection anti-thyroid response targets the same TRH signal in your hypothalamus, but is orchestrated by non-food signal inputs. There are special glial cells called tanycytes that line key areas within your hypothalamus gland. These cells sense the infection particles and actually producing extra T3 within your hypothalamus gland only, which makes your brain think your body has enough T3, at which point your brain turns down TRH production and consequently reduces thyroid output for the rest of your body. Interestingly, this is one reason why people with sub-clinical or chronic low grade viral infections typically have sluggish thyroid problems.

Another significant thyroid stress is the toxicity of the drugs used to fight viral infections. While no specific studies exist on Tamiflu and thyroid, the fact that Tamiflu causes mental derangement in a percentage of children is evidence that it interferes with normal adrenal and thyroid function. We know that other viral therapies, as applied to HIV or hepatitis, can be very toxic to the thyroid.

This means that viral drug treatment is likely to take a toll on the thyroid anyway, so it is a good idea to ideally have your system working so well that you don’t get sick and if you should have to battle the flu you want to keep your thyroid as functional as possible.

Strength training exercise helps to condition your thyroid to work better, as one final end point of thyroid metabolism is to combine smoothly with growth hormone to rejuvenate muscle recovery. It is an especially good idea to have fit muscles going into any potential flu pandemic, as your muscles act as a bank account of protein that your body will use in a time of need to make antibodies. The more muscle you have, the better chance of survival. I have noticed for many years that when people keep their muscles fit they are much less prone to getting sick.

Please consult my thyroid health topic page for more information.

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About the Author:

Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc., is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert. Richards is the first to explain the relevance of leptin and its link to solving obesity.

For a fully referenced article: Click Here.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Thyroid, Adrenals, & Immunity – A Clear Path to Surviving Swine Flu

Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

2009-04-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, stress can definitely cause a person to lose their hair! However, it is important to note that the type of stress we are referring to in this article is not the everyday stress experience that most of us go through. In terms of hair loss, the type of stress that causes this condition is the result of sudden emotional shock or a very disastrous physical accident.

This type of hair loss is known as “telogen effluvium”. When an extremely stressful incident occurs, what happens is that the hair follicles that are actively growing are suddenly shifted forward into the “regression phase”. Soon after, the follicles then begin the “resting phase” and when the growth cycle of a hair follicle reaches this resting place, it falls out rather easily.

How soon after a stressful event does person's hair begin to fall out?

When a person goes through a physiological or an emotional event, hair does not begin to fall out anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after the event. But once it has begun, hair loss continues at a fast pace.

And because it takes some time for their hair to start shedding after the stressful event, the person is usually not aware that it is related to that past experience. It never occurs to them that the hair loss they are experiencing is not because of a new “sickness” or anything of the sort, it is simply the aftermath side effect of the stress they went through a few weeks or a few months ago.

What are some examples of severe stressful situations that would cause hair loss?

As we stated earlier, “stress” in terms of hair loss does not mean the standard stress most people experience from work, financial, relationships, etc. Instead, occurrences such as going through the sudden death of a loved one would be an example of a stressful situation that could result in hair loss. Getting a divorce would be another example. Having to take care of someone close to you who has a terminal disease may also fall into this category.

And of course, physical experiences that cause a lot of damage to a person's body will also produce stress at such high levels that hair loss is an eventual side effect. For example,a heart attack or a major surgery may cause a person's hair to fall out. Sickness that keeps a person in a long period of deterioration, such as the flu or malaria, may cause hair loss. And also, accidents such as vehicle crashes or any other similar situation where the body undergoes sudden physical damage, may cause hair loss.

Diabetes Reaching Epidemic Proportions?

2009-04-28T01:05:00.001-07:00

Over 300 Million At Risk Globally!

The Truth About Diabetes
By Geoffrey Leigh., MSc., N.D.
(About The Author)

What you don't know can kill you!

Do you find that headline alarming? If you did, good for you! This silent killer must be stopped. The only way that can happen is by each of us taking personal responsibility for ourselves and those we know and love.

Let's take a look at some facts:

According to endocrinologist Frank Vinicor of the CDC (Center For Disease Control):

"We're seeing the greatest increase in obesity and lack of physical activity in people in their 30's, so therefore it is not surprising to find the 70% increase in just 8 years.

We are now beginning to see the consequences of physical inactivity and weight gain that go well beyond feeling good about yourself or cosmetic issues."

Did you know that approximately 17,000,000 Americans have diabetes? This equates to 6.2% of the population. And, at the current rate of increase, there are about one million new cases per year.

The really frightening part of this is that this is probably an "under estimation" because it is not uncommon for diabetes to go undetected for as long as 12 years before being properly diagnosed.

Sadly, many of us will lose friends and family before they are even diagnosed! Why? Because research shows that the following consequences of diabetes occur statistically in the USA per annum:

* Premature death from heart disease - 70,000
* Amputations of the lower limbs - 80,000+
* Problems associated with kidney disease - 115,000
Loss of sight and blindness - 25,000

If it seems like a dismal picture . . . it is! So what can we do? You need to see your physician or clinician and obtain the proper tests to determine your own risk factors. But, before you do that, you need to be informed.

Sometimes the best offense is a good defense

Knowledge is power and the more preparatory knowledge you are armed with before your visit, the greater the odds of understanding what you will be told by the medical profession. And the better chance of having your concerns given more than just lip service.

Let's face it people, the entire medical industry is in chaos. We read the headlines every day about people who "slip through the system" or are mis-diagnosed. We are losing our best physicians due to the demands of the health care "business."

You need to take control of your health and well being because no one else can do it for you. A doctor who spends 5 minutes with you in an exam room once or twice a year is not in a position to do it.

Diabetes is a very real threat to you and those you hold dear. The solution is knowledge. You need to know:

1. What is it?
2. What are the types of diabetes?
3. What is insulin?
4.How does insulin affect the body?
5. What is hypoglycemia?
6.What does hypoglycemia have to do with diabetes?
7. What are the symptoms?
8. Is it treatable?
9.What are the specific risk factors?
10.What is the function of the pancreas?
11. How does the pancreas affect diabetes?
12. How does stress contribute to diabetes?

You could spend months of research or years of education to get the answers to these and other pertinent questions. Or, you can click the link below and have the answers at your fingertips in less than 5 minutes.

Diabetes is a very real threat. You need to take action to protect yourself and your loved ones now! Don't wait 12 years for a negative diagnosis when an ounce of prevention could add years to your life! Do it now. Your family will thank you.

What Is Macrovascular Disease & Can Exercise Prevent It?

2009-04-28T00:38:00.000-07:00

What is the number one piece of advice that you will find in every book on diabetes, every article on diabetes, or coming from every doctor when faced with the illness of diabetes? They all say the same thing: that you MUST exercise. But why? What is the benefit of exercise after one has been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

The answer to that question is simple: exercise will help prevent macrovascular disease. Macrovascular disease, amongst other severe complications that arise due to diabetes, is when a person has a stroke, suffers from heart attacks, or faces a situation when there is diminished flow of blood to the legs.

As you can see, these are very serious and life-threatening complications that a person with diabetes must tend to every day of their lives. The good news is that a diabetic can live a long and healthy lifestyle so long as they are taking care of their illness and doing the right things for their body, in which exercise should be at the top of the list.

Macrovascular Disease Does Not Just Affect People With Diabetes

If you're reading this information and are fortunate enough to be healthy non-diabetic, it is important for you to realize that you do not have to have type 1 or type 2 diabetes in order to come down with macrovascular disease. This is why exercise is so important for overall health and well-being and to prevent disease of the body for men and women of all ages.

Below are a few ways in which exercise helps prevent macrovascular disease:

1. Exercising regularly helps to lower blood pressure.

2. A person's stress levels are also lowered my daily exercise.

3. By sticking to a regimen of aerobic and anaerobic activity, exercise aids in weight loss. This is vital to people with type 2 diabetes.

4. By exercising regularly, you minimize or completely rule out the need for insulin and other drugs.

5. Exercises helps reduce bad cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, while raising good cholesterol.

Sometimes the best offense against diabetes is a good defense.