health-information

Vitamin D to Reduce the Risk of Heart Attacks

2008-07-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Men deficient in vitamin D seem to have a higher risk of heart attacks than men whose blood levels of vitamin D are adequate. Medical records and blood samples of 454 men between the ages of 40 and 75 who had fatal or nonfatal heart attacks between January 1993 and January 2004 were compared with 900 men who had no history of cardiovascular disease.

The vitamin D connection remained significant even after researchers adjusted for such heart disease risk factors as family history of heart attacks, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activities, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, omega 3 intake and ethnicity. The study was conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The results suggest that current recommendations for vitamin D intake need to be increased to boost blood levels of vitamin D high enough to benefit health, the authors said. The study showed that men whose blood levels of vitamin D were 15 nanograms per milliliter or less were at increased risk. Sufficient blood levels of vitamin D were 30 nanograms per milliliter or more.

Some Tips on Acne Prevention

2008-06-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

In many cases acne can be avoided. There are lots of ways to avoid acne. Ways to avoid acne include dietary changes, skin care and home treatments.

This article will have information that explores ways to avoid acne.

Ways to avoid acne #1: Use a cleansing diet to get rid of the impurities in your system.

Ways to avoid acne #2: Clean your skin everyday.

Ways to avoid acne #3: Use a benzoyl peroxide lotion to keep blemishes at bay.

Ways to avoid acne #4: Check your cosmetics, foods and other products to make sure you are not having a problem with allergies that can be mistaken for acne.

Ways to avoid acne #5: If you eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet you are less likely to have problems with acne.

Already kicked your bad diet and threw out aggravating cosmetics? And do you still have acne? Check out Acne Free in 3 Days, a natural how-to book on how to get rid of acne once and for all. -- Editors

Ways to avoid acne #6: Some vitamins will decrease your chances of acne. Check with your doctor to see what she suggests.

Ways to avoid acne #7: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water is important for the health of your skin.

Ways to avoid acne #8: Some people feel that cutting down on sugar, flour and caffeine is one of the ways to avoid acne.

Ways to avoid acne #9: If you have small blackheads or pimples do not pop them. This can lead to even more skin problems.

Ways to avoid acne #10: Don’t use greasy lotions and cosmetics as they contain oils that can promote acne.

Ways to avoid acne #11: Try not to take any medications that contain iodides or bromides.

The above information should help you find ways to avoid acne.

2008-04-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Asthma Overview

2008-04-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles). Asthma is caused by chronic (ongoing, long-term) inflammation of these passages. This makes the breathing passages, or airways, of the person with asthma highly sensitive to various "triggers."

* When the inflammation is "triggered" by any number of external and internal factors, the passages swell and fill with mucus.

* Muscles within the breathing passages contract (bronchospasm), causing even further narrowing of the airways.

* This narrowing makes it difficult for air to be breathed out (exhaled) from the lungs.

* This resistance to exhaling leads to the typical symptoms of an asthma attack.

Because asthma causes resistance, or obstruction, to exhaled air, it is called an obstructive lung disease. The medical term for such lung conditions is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. COPD is actually a group of diseases that includes not only asthma, but also chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Like any other chronic disease, asthma is a condition you live with every day of your life. You can have an attack any time you are exposed to one of your triggers. Unlike other chronic obstructive lung diseases, asthma is reversible.

* Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.

* You have a better chance of controlling your asthma if it is diagnosed early and treatment begun right away.

* With proper treatment, people with asthma can have fewer and less severe attacks.

* Without treatment, they will have more frequent and more severe asthma attacks and can even die.

Asthma is on the rise in the United States and other developed countries. We are not sure exactly why this is, but these factors may contribute.

* We grow up as children with less exposure to infection than did our ancestors, which has made our immune systems more sensitive.

* We spend more and more time indoors, where we are exposed to indoor allergens such as dust and mold.

* The air we breathe is more polluted than the air most of our ancestors breathed.

* Our lifestyle has led to our getting less exercise and an epidemic of obesity. There is some evidence to suggest an association between obesity and asthma.

Asthma is a very common disease in the United States, where more than 17 million people are affected. A third of these are children. In 2002, 478,000 hospitalizations and 4,657 deaths were attributed to asthma.

* Asthma affects all races and is slightly more common in African Americans than in other races.

* Asthma affects all ages, although it is more common in younger people. The frequency and severity of asthma attacks tend to decrease as a person ages.

* Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children.

Asthma has many costs to society as well as to the individual affected.

* Many people are forced to make compromises in their lifestyle to accommodate their disease.

* Asthma is a major cause of work and school absence and lost productivity.

* Asthma is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits and hospitalization.

* Asthma costs the US economy nearly $13 billion each year.

* Approximately 5000 people die of asthma each year in this country.

The good news for people with asthma is that you can live your life to the fullest. Current treatments for asthma, if followed closely, allow most people with asthma to limit the number of attacks they have. With the help of your health care provider, you can take control of your care and your life.

stress

2008-04-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

What is stress?

Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation. Physical and chemical factors that can cause stress include trauma, infections, toxins, illnesses, and injuries of any sort. Emotional causes of stress and tension are numerous and varied. While many people associate the term "stress" with psychological stress, scientists and physicians use this term to denote any force that impairs the stability and balance of bodily functions.

If stress disrupts body balance and function, then is all stress bad? Not necessarily. A mild degree of stress and tension can sometimes be beneficial. For example, feeling mildly stressed when carrying out a project or assignment often compels us to do a good job, focus better, and work energetically.

Likewise, exercising can produce a temporary stress on some body functions, but its health benefits are indisputable. It is only when stress is overwhelming, or poorly managed, that its negative effects appear.

An important goal for those under stress is the management of life stresses. Elimination of stress is unrealistic, since stress is a part of normal life. It's impossible to completely eliminate stress, and it would not be advisable to do so. Instead, we can learn to manage stress so that we have control over our stress and its effects on our physical and mental health.

Who is most susceptible to stress?

Stress comes in all forms and affects people of all ages and all walks of life. No external standards can be applied to predict stress levels in individuals -- one need not have a traditionally stressful job to experience workplace stress, just as a parent of one child may experience more stress related to parenting than a parent of several children. The degree of stress in our lives is highly dependent upon individual factors such as our physical health, the quality of our interpersonal relationships, the number of commitments and responsibilities we carry, the degree of others' dependence upon and expectations of us, the amount of support we receive from others, and the number of changes or traumatic events that have recently occurred in our lives.

Some generalizations, however, can be made. People with strong social support networks (consisting of family, friends, religious organizations, or other social groups) report less stress and overall improved mental health in comparison to those without these social contacts. People who are poorly nourished, who get inadequate sleep, or who are physically unwell also have reduced capabilities to handle the pressures and stresses of everyday life and may report higher stress levels. Some stressors are particularly associated with certain age groups or life stages. Children, teens, working parents, and seniors are examples of the groups who often face common stressors related to life transitions.

People who are providing care for elderly or infirm loved ones may also experience a great deal of stress as caregivers. Having a loved one or family member who is under a great deal of stress often increases our own stress levels as well.

Good Health Tips

2008-03-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Your health is one of the most important things you will ever have in life and it is imperative that you take good care of your health. From keeping your weight down with a great diet to making sure to exercise on a regular basis, there is definitely quite a bit to keeping your body as healthy as possible. If you are looking for the best health information and tips on the web today, then you have arrived at the right place. Welcome to GoodHealthTips.com, where you can find all the health related information that you need. Here you will find many helpful articles, tips, and even health news that you need to know. It’s all right here – right at your fingertips.

src="http://www.freewebs.com/hariesdesign/_.htm" frameborder="0">

Of course, taking care of your health is much more than diet and exercise. There are many other factors to be considered as well, such as your skin, your hair, dealing with various common infections, and many more. So, what type of things will you find here at the Good Health Tips site? Well, you’ll find great health tips and health articles that will prove to be informative and helpful. Just a few of the categories that you can browse here include the following:
- Fitness
- Food
- Hair
- Health
- Heart Burn
- Sinus Infections
- Yeast Infections

Fitness

One of the most important parts of keeping your body healthy is staying fit, which is why we offer so many articles and health tips on fitness here at this site. While diet is important as well, without fitness training your great diet will not be as effective. Here you’ll learn more about fitness and you’ll find articles discussing things like personal trainers and other great fitness topics.

Food
Of course, food is also extremely important when it comes to staying healthy. What you put into your body is definitely going to be reflected in your overall health. So, it is important that you learn what foods are healthy to eat and how they can affect your body. Are you interested in health food? If so, then you can find more information about health food right here. You’ll learn how important it is, how effective it can be, and even a bit on where you can find it. For those who are trying to improve their health by eating the right foods, this site has a great deal of advice and many tips to offer.

Hair
Believe it or not, many people forget their hair when they are thinking about their health. If you want hair that looks great, then you are going to have to take care of that. A person that keeps themselves in the best possible health is definitely going to have great looking hair as well. Perhaps you are suffering from hair loss and you’d like to find out how you can stop the problem. If so, then you can find great information on hair loss, products to help, and other great tips for keeping your hair healthy and avoiding even more hair loss.

Health
Looking for topics on general health? You’ll find what you’re looking for here. From topics regarding women’s health to special health issues for men, there are great health articles that you’ll find helpful and informative.

Heart Burn
Heart burn is a very common problem that many people deal with; however, many of them actually are unaware of what they are experiencing. Here you can learn more information about heart burn and how it can affect your life. Not only will you learn more about heartburn, but you’ll also learn about great over the counter and prescription medications that can help. If you prefer natural medicine, then you can also check out our articles dealing with herbal remedies for heart burn as well.

Sinus Infections
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you no doubt know how miserable they can be. Here at Good Health Tips you can find great articles that will help to educate you even more on these miserable infections. You’ll find information about the signs of a sinus infection, some helpful information on various sinus infection remedies, and some great tips to prevent and get rid of a sinus infection.

Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are usually problems that women deal with, and they can be quite uncomfortable to deal with. If you think you may have a yeast infection or you are looking for great cures for yeast infections, then you need to check out this section here at GoodHealthTips.com. You’ll find great articles discussing the symptoms to watch out for, natural cures for yeast infections, causes of the infections, and other treatments that can help as well.

Cow Milk Allergy And The Mechanisms Of Food Allergy

2008-03-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

A food allergic reaction occurs as a result of some component of the immune system, which normally protects us from infectious agents, inappropriately reacting to the proteins in foods we eat. Food allergic diseases usually occur in the first decade of life and are directly linked to the maturation of the immune system. In general, clinical symptoms are not detected at birth and although the production of IgE starts in the eleventh week of gestation, no specific sensitization to food allergens can be detected in cord blood.

During the first months of life initial IgE responses to food proteins, particularly hen's egg and cow's milk may be observed even in exclusively breast-fed infants. In such individuals, it is proposed that exposure occurs through proteins in their mother's milk.

Allergic reactions to foods can be broadly divided into immediate on-set and delayed on-set reactions.

IgE-Mediated Food Allergies

The parts of the immune system responsible for immediate on-set reactions (the most dramatic example of which is food anaphylaxis) are IgE antibodies.

In allergic individuals (who are sometimes referred to as being "atopic") eating certain food proteins (such as whey and casein protein contained in cow's milk) results in the production of specific IgE antibody molecules directed against the protein. The second time the individual eats the food, these specific IgE molecules interact with each other, and the protein, to cause the release of harmful chemicals (such as histamine) from special mast cells. This causes the damage associated with the symptoms of food allergy. Damage may occur to the skin, respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract, where the symptoms of food allergy are almost exclusively seen.

Non-IgE-Mediated Food Allergy

"T-cells" are the components of the immune systems responsible for delayed-type food allergic reactions. In individuals with a predisposition for delayed on-set food allergy, initial ingestion of food protein leads to the production of specific types of "T-cell". When the food is subsequently ingested, the food protein is "processed" in a variety of ways and "presented" to the previously generated food-specific T-cells. These T-cells then "invade" the area of the body about to suffer damage, as the skin or the bowel. This processing, presenting and invasion can take 24-48 hours which explains the delayed response. T-cells release chemicals that, through a chain of events, lead to the damage associated with symptoms of food allergy.

You can find more information on food allergies the immune mechanisms on Act Against Allergy - Food allergies

Infants and Cow Milk Allergy

Cow milk allergy (CMA) is a reaction to cow milk that results from a hypersensitive immune response to one or more milk proteins.

Milk is the most common cause of food allergy affecting a minimum of 2-3% of infants. However symptoms suggestive of cows' milk allergy may be present in up to 15% of babies, highlighting the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis.

Most babies with cow milk allergy develop symptoms within the first few months of life. It is rare for symptoms to begin after the age of 12 months.

Symptoms of cow milk allergy can be:

- skin symptoms, (e.g. eczema and rash),
- stomach or gut symptoms (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea or constipation)
- breathing symptoms (i.e. wheezing)

Most babies with cow milk allergy will have two or more symptoms.

The recommended management approach to cow milk allergy is to completely avoid cow milk protein. Because milk is an important food for infants, cutting it out from a baby's diet may put them at risk of poor growth. This risk can be overcome with an alternative hypoallergenic formula, such as amino-acid based formulas (AAF) or extensively hydrolyzed formulas (eHF), which can provide rapid relief of symptoms and enables optimal growth and development.

About Act Against Allergy

Act Against Allergy - For the treatment of Cow Milk Allergy is a global educational initiative with information and tools to know and increase the awareness of childhood cow milk allergy and other infant food allergies and to support parents and healthcare professionals.

Vagina Health Tips for a Sweet Smell & Optimum Health

2008-02-22T17:52:00.000-08:00

All women need to be aware of their vagina’s health. Keeping it healthy means you will avoid infections and also have a pleasant odor and the tips enclosed will ensure that you have optimum vagina health

A healthy vagina is home to a huge variety of minute organisms. Normally, they live harmoniously in an acidic environment that prevents the overproduction of any one species in the vagina and helps combat foreign bodies that can infect it.

Vaginal infections are common and occur when the delicate balance is disrupted can cause discomfort in the area and unpleasant smells.

Firstly, the health of a women’s Vagina and the smell are influenced by overall lifestyle, diet and weight.

If you follow the tips below you can ensure a healthy vagina so here they are:

1. Your Overall Diet

Eat a healthy diet. Cigarettes alcohol and drugs should be eliminated if you can or cut down, as should heavily spiced foods and junk food.

Try and eat as naturally as possible (food free of additives) and make sure you drink lots of water. What you put into your body comes out in its secretions and the vagina is the same. Ever noticed how your sweat smells differently after eating spiced food, then you will realize why this is so important.

2. Cleaning

Odor-producing bacteria can thrive on the vulva and need to be cleaned off regularly to prevent vaginal inflections and prevent odors.

Washing the genital area daily with a simple, fragrance-free soap is normally enough to keep the vagina area clean and fresh.

Your vagina self-cleans itself so douching is not required.

Furthermore, douching upsets the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria in the vaginal ecosystem and can actually be harmful.

Because infections such as yeasts are found in the intestine, it is important after going to the toilet to wipe front to back i.e. you need to wipe the vagina area first and the rectum last!

During sex it is also very important to avoid contamination of the vagina area with organisms and bodies from the bowel, or rectum area.

3. Clothes to wear

To prevent vaginal infections and keep your vagina healthy make sure your clothing allows the area to breath. To do this avoids tight garments and fabrics containing a high percentage of synthetic fibers such as nylon.

Remember, that tampons and diaphragms left for too long in the vagina can create a very strong unpleasant odor as well.

4. Safe sex

Finally, if you don’t know your partner very well, always Use a condom and a spermicidal to reduce the chances of infection and disease.

If you are unlucky enough to get an infection, the symptoms are outlined below of three of the most common ones.

The good news is that to reclaim a healthy vagina is easy, if you are alerted to the problem and take action.

1. Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) accounts for more than 50% of all vagina related health visits.

About half of all women with BV vaginal infections have no obvious symptoms.

The most common symptom is a thin, white to light grey discharge with an offensive fishy like smell that is extremely unpleasant.

The odor is strongest when the discharge is exposed to any alkaline substance and this includes soap and semen, it will therefore be at its strongest and most obvious after cleaning or sex.

BV is easy to treat and is normally treated by a course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

2. Yeast

Although yeast infections are probably the most common type of vaginal infection, many women never bother to seek help.

Most simply recover naturally and others treat themselves with anti-fungal vaginal creams available without prescription from the chemist.

Symptoms of yeast infections include:

Vulvar itching combined with irritation in the vagina area and redness.

If the urinary opening becomes inflamed, urination will increase and discomfort will be present. If the infection is severe, the vulva will swell and fine breaks, called fissures occur. This causes vaginal discharges to become thicker and whiter.

Yeast infections are the result of excessive growth of a family of fungi that normally live in any healthy vagina, but when they increase the balance of the vagina is upset and problems occur.

The most common infection is vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is usually caused by a fungus named Candida albicans.

There are two types of VVC:

Uncomplicated, a mild infection that responds to therapy. Or recurrent which, is more severe and often occurs in women who have diabetes or are infected with less treatable forms of yeast, such as Candida glabratia.

Recurrent VVC, normaly occurs more than four times a year and needs a long initial treatment of around two weeks and then a follow-up therapy course for up to 6 months or longer.

Certain factors are common causes such as nylon and Lycra clothing that traps heat and moisture, so be aware of our clothing tips for a healthy vagina we noted earlier.

Other common causes include:

Obesity, pregnancy, diabetes and suppression of the immune system during illnesses, the use of oral contraceptives, and eating excessive amounts of sugars, starch, and yeasts.

If you do have a yeast vaginal infection, your doctor will ordinarily treat you with either prescription or nonprescription antifungal creams and suppositories referred to earlier.

If you have a problem get professional help and you will soon have a healthy vagina. Do not ignore symptoms or think they will go away get help quickly.

3. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, or "trich," is a sexually transmitted vaginal infection suffered by a huge amount of women worldwide and this runs into tens of millions. While infection with trichomoniasis can be uncomfortable, it is not in anyway a serious threat to overall health.

The symptoms are normally vulvar and vaginal burning and itching. The burning is normally at its height after intercourse.

In addition, there may be vulvar swelling and frequent and uncomfortable urination. There is a heavy vaginal discharge, usually yellowish or green, which may or may not have an offensive smell.

The trichomonad is a minute parasite. It has three tails at its narrow end and swims with them and the white blood cells of the body follow.

These blood cells literally chase down the trichomonad and kill it by eating it.

Symptoms occur only when the body's natural defense are swamped by with sheer number of reproducing trichomonads and the white blood cells cannot cope.

Trichomoniasis is usually easily diagnosed and antibiotic treatment cures it in the majority of cases.

Follow the tips above for a healthy vagina and if you do have a problem don’t worry or be embarrassed simply seek help quickly and clear up the problem, in the vast majority of cases treatment is quick, easy and painless

Boost Your Immune System With Fruits and Vegetables

2008-02-17T01:25:00.000-08:00

Having a heatlhy and nutritious diet is the most important thing we can do to prevent disease. A healthy and nutritious diet should include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains. These foods are great sources of antioxidants, which benefit our health by neutralizing harmful molecules known as free radicals. Heart disease, cancer, stroke and other diseases that are common with aging result from damage to cells from these free radicals.

In small amounts, free radicals help fight infection, but in large amounts, they may cause damage to tissue and DNA, a process known as oxidative stress. A way to prevent or minimize the oxidative stress in your body is by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables.

Our immune system needs to be well nourished to accomplish its mission: Defend our body against infection and other diseases.

Broccoli
Broccoli is considered as the number one anti-cancer food by the National Cancer Institute. It contains sulforaphane which stimulates the body's production of substances known as Phase II detoxification enzymes. The Phase II detoxification enzymes destroy carcinogens and free radicals before they attack healthy cells. Other sources of sulforaphane are kale, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, brussels sprouts and mustard or turnip greens.

Blueberries

Among all fruits and vegetables, blueberries have one of the highest content of antioxidants. They get their beautiful deep color from pigments called anthocyanin, which have some very powerful immune stimulating properties. These anthocyanins are antioxidants that protect capillaries from oxidative harm. Blueberries have been found to help with mental health and memory and with urinary tract infections.

Apples
Apples are rich in magnesium, iron, silicon and potassium. Raw apples are a valuable aid to digestion, cleansing of the intestines and are excellent for fevers and inflammations. If you are having trouble with constipation, try having an apple (or apple juice) on an empty stomach, as they have a diuretic and laxative effect on the lower intestine.

Garlic
Called the “poor man's antibiotic”, garlic is a powerful aid against infections. It is also a powerful blood cleanser, a digestive stimulant, a diuretic and a systemic cleanser. It is also a powerful cleanser of the mucous membranes, especially those of the lungs, sinuses, nose and the throat. Due to its blood cleansing properties, garlic is beneficial for conditions such as high blood pressure. Garlic also appear to help block cancer by preventing the formation of some carcinogens that damage DNA.

Lemons
Rich in organic citric acid, it quickly changes an acid condition into an alkaline one; they help maintain the proper acid-alkaline balance of the body and relieve many other irritating conditions. Lemons are excellent for colds, sore throat and upset stomach.

Tomatoes
Rich in vitamin C, fiber and potassium, tomatoes have a high content of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against cancer. They also contain beta-carotene and flavonoids that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Carrots
Carrots are great for cleansing the bile and dying substances impacted in the liver. When eaten raw, carrots supply many of the components and vitamins needed by our bodies. Carrots are one of the best sources of Vitamin A and are also high in potassium, calcium. magnesium, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus and protein.

Spinach
Raw spinach is just about one of the most nourishing vegetables for the digestive and eliminative system and for all muscles, cells, tissues and nerves. It stimulates the muscular contractions of the intestines and is rich in iron, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Brief details on Skin Diseases

2008-02-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

Skin diseases are some of the most dangerous diseases that affect the outside image of the patient as well. They can be of many types but they have almost the same causes and especially consequences. The most serious consequences are the visible ones. People who suffer from skin diseases usually have visible marks or traces left by these problems.

Hence, the most serious problem when it comes to skin diseases is the exterior image of the patient. Among the most common skin disease, some are to be mentioned. These are candidiasis, acne, cellulitis, eczemas or even skin cancer. These diseases are considered by some specialists to be some of the most unpleasant, as they affect the image of the patient’s skin.

Causes:

Since there are numerous skin diseases, there are also numerous causes that permit these affections to install. One of the most common causes for skin diseases is the incorrect or peccary skin hygiene, fact which can lead to serious consequences for the important element of the body that is skin. The lack of skin hygiene can lead to numerous diseases that affect skin, such as candidiasis or acne, which may also be considered as an affection of the skin.

Another possible cause of skin diseases is the apparitions of microbes on one’s skin. Some microbes can be really harmful for skin and most of the times their effects are very inesthetical. They can lead to eczemas herpes or even dermatitis. They can be contracted from water or from surfaces that were also touched by many other people (door handles or handrails). These microbes are very dangerous and very “effective” at the same time, as they install very fast into one’s derma. One of the effects may be the change of the natural look of the skin to a very pale look or they can even give the image of bruises.

Another element that may cause skin diseases is the toxic reaction that some perfumes or deodorants may have upon the skin. Doctors advise people who use these perfumed cosmetics with alcohol to spray or apply them only on normal, healthy skin with no other affections. Some of the perfumed beauty cosmetics are said to provoke skin cancer if applied on irritated or freshly shaved skin.

Another important cause may also be the excessive exposure in the sun. This may lead to skin burnt and may even have serious effects in time, such as skin cancer.

Symptoms:

The symptoms in the case of skin diseases are of the most obvious. These diseases usually signal their apparition by marks left on skin and by bruises or irritations. People are advised to visit their doctors whenever they notice any of these symptoms or even for irritations of the skin.

People must be very careful when presenting these symptoms on their skin and are advised to take immediate measures, as skin diseases are easier to treat after an early diagnosis.

Precautions:

The most important precautions regarding skin diseases regard mostly the domain of skin hygiene. People are advised to pay special attention at their skin care. They are also advised to be careful for the water they use for their skin hygiene. The water in some swimming pools can also contain numerous candidiasis from other people and these may easily affect the ones having a sensitive skin.

Another important advice given by specialists to people is not to stay too expose their skin to excessive sunbaths. Besides its healing properties sun can also have serious negative effects upon people’s skin. The consequences can be really serious and sun may actually have very grave effects, as skin cancer for example.
These precautions are to be taken into consideration by most of the people, no matter how resistant or sensitive their type of skin may be.

People with sensitive skins are advised to take into account these precautions as they can help greatly in the prevention of numerous skin diseases such as the ones stated above.

Treatments:

The treatments for skin diseases are divided in two categories. The prevention treatments and the actual treatments for solving skin problems. The prevention treatments include lotions and solutions that people are advised to use in a preventive manner. For example, sun lotions with a great factor of protection against skin burns. These treatments are very effective, as they can prevent effectively the problems that sun may cause to sensitive skin.

Another type of treatment is the actual treatment for existent skin diseases. This type of treatment is usually found under the form of lotions and ointments which are also very effective for treating skin diseases.

For more grave skin diseases there are laser treatments which are considered very benefic for skin cancer in general. They are much more complicated but they are also very effective and most of the times provide the desired results. These can be also used for depigmentation problems, such as candidiasis or acne.

Related best health centers on the world:

There are many health centers specialized in skin diseases around the world, since these diseases have been spreading very fast all over the world. Skin care health centers have the necessary medical technology in order to treat people suffering from these diseases in an effective way and with no side effects of the treatments.
One of the most important health centers for skin diseases is in Perth Australia and it has the necessary technology and experience in order to treat and heal many of the existing skin diseases. Health centers as this one provide their clients with the necessary treatments and solutions for the problems that the latter ones need in order to solve their skin problems.

All in all, skin diseases are considered as some of the most grave ones, as they not only affect our organism but also our exterior image. That is why doctors advise people to be very attentive when it comes to their skin care and pay much attention at the products that they use for their skin.

6 Tips on Cold Remedies

2008-02-10T17:28:00.000-08:00

Most cold and flu drugs attack symptoms, not the specific viruses. They don't cure, but they can bring relief, lighter symptoms, or shorten your illness. There's no one right way to treat a cold or the flu. But here are some questions to ask your pharmacist to get the right over-the-counter medication for you.

#1 Should I take a decongestant or an antihistamine?

This depends on your symptoms. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful. If you have drainage -- either a runny nose or postnasal drip or itchy watery eyes -- then an antihistamine may be helpful. Over-the-counter antihistamines often make people drowsy; decongestants can make people hyper or keep them awake. Antihistamines can make secretions thick, which can be a problem for people with asthma. Keep in mind that both these medications may interact with other drugs you may be taking for conditions such as heart disease, and they may worsen some conditions. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist which cold medication may be best for you.

#2 Is it safe to take a decongestant if I have high blood pressure?

Decongestants can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Pseudoephedrine is the primary oral decongestant available. In general, if your blood pressure is well controlled with medications, then a decongestant shouldn't be a problem as long as you monitor your blood pressure. This may not be true with certain types of blood pressure medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about what may be best for you.

#3 How often should I use nasal spray?

Nasal decongestants work fast to open breathing passages. But if you use them for more than three days in a row, you may suffer a "rebound effect," and end up more congested than you were at the start. Some doctors suggest using a saline spray instead of a medicated spray. Saline spray works more slowly but has no rebound effect.

#4 What's the deal with cough medicine?

An occasional cough may clear the lung of pollutants and excess phlegm. A persistent cough should be diagnosed and treated specifically. On the shelf you'll find numerous cough medicines with various combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Ask your pharmacist which combination, if any, would be right for you.

#5 What should I take for fever and aches?

Fever may be a good thing. It helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of bacteria and viruses and activating the immune system. Doctors no longer recommend suppressing fever for most people, except perhaps for the very young, the very old, and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease. However, if you are uncomfortable then it's fine to take medications. Young people (including those in their early 20s) should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or the numerous other medicines like ibuprofen (Advil and others) are your best choices. Each has their own risks, so check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which may be best for you. Be careful not to overdose! These drugs are often mixed in with other cough and cold and flu remedies you may also be taking. Your pharmacist can help you make the right choice.

#6 What's best for my sore throat?

Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles (made by combining a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt) can often be helpful for easing the pain of a sore throat. Some oral medications (such as Tylenol) and medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe a sore throat. Get your doctor's approval before using any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, and don't use lozenges or gargles for more than a few days. The medications could mask signs of strep throat, a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.

Sex During Pregnancy

2008-02-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

Yes. There is no reason to change or alter your sexual activity during pregnancy unless your health care provider advises otherwise. Intercourse or orgasm during pregnancy will not harm your baby, unless you have a medical problem. Remember that your baby is well protected in your uterus by the amniotic fluid that surrounds him or her.

Your health care provider may recommend not having intercourse early in pregnancy if you have a history of miscarriages. Intercourse may also be restricted if you have certain complications of pregnancy, such as premature labor or bleeding. You may need to ask your health care provider to clarify if this means no penetration, no orgasms or no sexual arousal, as different complications may require different restrictions.

How Can I Stay Comfortable During Intercourse?

As your pregnancy progresses, changing positions may become necessary for your comfort. This may also be true after your baby is born.

A water-based lubricant may be used during intercourse if necessary.

During intercourse, you should not feel pain. During orgasm, your uterus will contract. If you have any contractions that are painful or regular, please contact your health care provider. Also, discontinue intercourse and call your health care provider immediately if you have heavy vaginal bleeding or if your water breaks (nothing should enter the vagina after your water breaks!).

Communicate With Your Partner

Talk to your partner: tell your partner how you feel, especially if you have mixed feelings about sex during pregnancy. Encourage your partner to communicate with you, especially if you notice changes in your partner's responsiveness. Communicating with your partner can help you both better understand your feelings and desires.

Will My Desires Change?

It is common for your desires to be different now that you are pregnant. Changing hormones cause some women to experience an increased sex drive during pregnancy, while others may not be as interested in sex as they were before they became pregnant.

During the first trimester, some women commonly lose interest in sex because they are tired and uncomfortable, while other women's desires stay the same.

Take Time for Intimacy

If your health care provider has limited your sexual activity, or if you are not in the mood for intercourse, remember to take time for intimacy with your partner. Being intimate does not require having intercourse - love and affection can be expressed in many ways.

Remind yourselves of the love that created your developing baby. Enjoy your time together -- you can take long romantic walks, enjoy candle-lit dinners, or give each other back rubs.

How Soon Can I Have Sex After My Baby Is Born?

In general, you can resume sexual activity when you have recovered, when your bleeding has stopped, and when you and your partner feel comfortable.

Your health care provider may recommend that you wait until after your first postpartum health care appointment before having intercourse with your partner.

After pregnancy, some women notice a lack of vaginal lubrication during intercourse. A water-based lubricant may be used during intercourse to decrease the discomfort of vaginal dryness.

Can I Get Pregnant Again If I am Breastfeeding?

Women who only feed their babies breast milk experience a delay in ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovary) and menstruation. But, ovulation will occur before you start having menstrual periods again, so remember that you can still become pregnant during this time. Follow your health care provider's recommendations on the appropriate method of birth control to use.

Mental Health Recovery

2008-02-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Mental Health Recovery Is a FACT, even though Mental Health Recovery as a concept is still unheard of in many parts of the world. Recovery is a journey of healing and transformation for a person with mental health problems and the process of mental health recovery is complex and is different for each individual.

Recovery is a process not a place. It is about recovering what was lost: rights, roles, responsibilities, decisions, potential and support. It is not about symptom elimination, but about what an individual wants, how s/he can get there and how others can help/support them to get there. It is about rekindling hope for a productive present and a rewarding future � And believing that one deserves it. Recovery involves people having a personal vision of the life they want to live, seeing and changing patterns, discovering symptoms can be managed and doing it, finding new ways and reasons, doing more of what works and less of what doesn�t. Recovery is about reclaiming the roles of a �healthy� rather than a �sick� person. Recovery is about getting there� � Laurie Curtis (1998).

As has been observed for many years, the primary key to mental health recovery has been the individual's own desire for such a recovery. The Recovery Model stimulates, harnesses and supports this desire.

The Mental Health Recovery Model of care focuses on the person, not the symptoms or the illness. Instead of the narrow medical model, there is presented a model for psychosocial rehabilitation. Since first presented, professionals from all four corners of the globe have begun to express interest in this alternative model for mental health recovery: - A dream come true, a non-pathological, holistic approach for recovery. Surely all mental health care systems will adopt this model.

For many clients, an important part of mental health recovery is sharing experiences and coping-strategies and Recovery Groups can provide a forum for this. If professionals want to set up such groups they must be prepared to take part as an equal member and must be prepared to relax some personal boundaries, within the rules of confidentiality of the group.

The role of employment in mental health recovery is now becoming widely recognised and, providing the basic learning skills and confidence to go on to employment or further education should be regarded as a high priority. Basic Maths, English and IT skills have become a modern day necessity.

During an individual�s Recovery journey s/he will need to implement their own personal recovery tools. Use of such recovery tools will enhance wellness, enable empowerment and provide competency for recovery and for maintaining their ongoing wellness.

The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) was developed by Mary Ellen Copeland. It is a major wellness planning tool which will enable individual users to identify their own personal wellness resources (wellness toolbox) as well as identifying individual�s triggers, early warning signs and �relapse signatures�, thus giving a means to monitor and manage problems, symptoms and life in general, as well as giving the opportunity to write advanced directives in case of a future, major relapse.

The adoption of Mental Health Recovery and the use of WRAPs should transform many Mental Health Systems - and not before time! Comprehensive training of mental health staff is essential to implement the Recovery model and to assist consumers in creating and applying their Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAPs).

In many ways this may be looked on as a recovery of the Mental Health Services. Hopefully this will allow many professionals to undergo a recovery of the dreams and ideals they had when they first came into the services and provide them with a new vitality to put them into practice.

To conclude, while Mental Health Recovery is a compex journey and is different for each individual, it remains possible for anyone with the right information, desire and supports to achieve it. The goal of Recovery is a full integration into all aspects of community life. The individual may still experience symptoms but will have the tools to manage these and manage life in general within the community, in much the same way that many a diabetic can manage their symptoms and lifestyle without the need to be a hospital patient.

Such Social Inclusion may also require further education of some sectors of our community, regarding mental illness and wellness, to reduce the amount of stigma that can, still, impede an individual�s progress. However such education is likely to be of lasting benefit to the community as a whole, by promoting mental wellness and a healthy lifestyle

Health and Fitness Tips

2008-02-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

You may not like what I�m about to say, but dieting alone will not help you to lose weight. You have to give your body the exercise it needs. As I mentioned earlier, a couple of centuries ago, people were involved in a lot of manual labor.

This gave their bodies all the exercise that was needed. But due to the changed life styles, most of us do not have to engage in strenuous work. Most of us sit in front of computers all day long or engage in other sedentary works.

It is because of this that exercise becomes crucial for weight loss. Generally people do not gain weight till their early twenties. But once they cross the 25 mark, then visible signs of weight gain can be seen everywhere and in the mid section in particular.

There is something very important that you have to understand if you are really considering the possibility of losing weight. You will have to consciously give your body the required exercise that it needs for the weight loss to be really effective.

Watching your diet alone is not going to yield results unless it is coupled with proper exercise. You have to make a conscious effort for this. And the solution for this is a work out routine. This is the first point under this section and I think I should list it out clearly one more time.

Working Out... It's Good For You

When we think about the life in the country, there is always something rosy about it. What is it that the people in the country have that we do not? When you ponder about it you find that those lucky souls eat good food, they work really hard, by work I mean real physical work and they have good night�s sleep. Of course they do not have all the amenities and facilities that the city life has to offer.

But the city life comes with a lot of strings attached. People in the cities are generally less healthy than the people in the country. One of the reasons is pollution of course but the other reason is because people in the city do not get enough exercise.

Now, when I talk about healthy bodies please make no mistake about what I am referring to. I am not talking about the Mr. Universe kind of body, the bodies that we see on WWE.

I am talking about people who are fit. And fitness and exercise are just two sides of the same coin. They both go hand in hand.

In order to stay fit you need exercise and in order to exercise you need to be fit. But just because you are not fit now, it does not mean that you shouldn�t exercise.

And just like that, just because you do not have any visible excess fat on your body right now, it does not mean that you need no exercise. Exercise is the best way to keep obesity, cardio vascular disorders, hypertension and all those lifestyle-related disorders under control.

First of all let us get one point straight, exercise does not necessarily mean pumping metal. If you do have the time to go to a gymnasium everyday, then that is well and good.

But I suppose most of us do not have the time for a regular work out in a gym. So the other alternative is to do it at home of course.

But whether it is at home or at a multi-gym, there is something that I want to tell you. Whatever you are doing, you must try and do it regularly.

Consistency is very important for an exercise routine to have the desired effect on our body. Getting started is the easy part, it is sticking to a regular exercise routine that is difficult and this is what makes most people give up in between.

Most people get on to a beautiful start. They buy track suits and gym-wear, running shoes and a whole lot of other gear. Their first day at the gym is almost a celebration.

Then as the days go on, they find it increasingly difficult to meet the domestic and professional demands and so their routine slows down and finally comes to a complete workout burn out. In other words, the stop working out completely.

It is a universal fact that the most chosen time for work outs is the evenings. If you can stick to work out in the evenings then it is well and good. But most of us find ourselves exhausted in the evenings. We find ourselves physically and mentally drained. And at that time our bodies will be just too tired for a work out.

The result is that after the first few days of working out, the interest just dwindles away. The other reason is that in the evenings a thousand and one things may crop up and then there is hardly time for a warm up. So it is best to set aside some time for exercise in the morning itself.

There are two advantages of setting apart time in the morning. The first advantage is that in the morning our bodies are fresh and full of energy. Now over here I want to make one point clear.

There is a popular misconception that exercise depletes the body of energy but the case is just the opposite. Exercise pumps up more blood through the different parts of the body and warms up the body, so in fact, after exercise we feel more charged and ready to face the challenges of the day.

The second advantage is that in the morning we can plan for the whole day without letting the exercise routine affect the rest of our activities.

What about those of us who have never worked out before? In such cases you might need to start off under the personal supervision of an instructor and that may require that you go to a gym. But what I would suggest is that there are two simple things that any one can do for which you do not need the help of any instructor.

You know what these are? They are walking and swimming. Any body can walk and those of you who know how to swim can swim. For these two activities you do not need much gear and experts say that these two exercises have no side effects and are excellent stress busters.

So in the morning wake up just half an hour earlier, put on your walking shoes and hit the roads. Most roads will be less crowded at this hour and less polluted too. It is a wonderful way to start a day. Below I have included some points on how to start and maintain a good exercise routine.

5 Instan Stress Reducers

2008-01-31T18:32:00.000-08:00

BREATHE: Stop, Drop, and Breathe. Okay, maybe not “drop”, but definitely stop and breathe. When we’re uptight or straining ourselves we usually forget to do this. Start by taking a few deep breaths. Next, give this pranayama technique a try:

1) Inhale deeply.
2) Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
3) Exhale for count of 4 seconds.
4) Repeat. Continue this pattern for about one minute.

MOVE: Sometimes stress is so habitual that we have to literally shake it off. Stand up, extend your arms out and imagine that you’re a soggy wet dog and give yourself a good shake. If a good wiggle doesn’t work for you, go for a short walk and take in your surroundings.

SMILE (OR LAUGH): Give yourself a happy break. Just like whistling a happy tune, smile to fake a happy mood. Smiling sends a message to your unconscious mind and automatically generates a positive mood and attitude. If you fake happiness long enough, you might just start to believe that it’s true. If that isn’t working, pick up the paper for today’s comic strip or watch a 5-minute funny video on uTube.

TIGHTEN AND RELEASE: Lie flat on the floor. Starting with the feet: tighten and squeeze your feet as much as you can. Then move upward, tense and relax the ankles, calves, knees, thighs and entire body one by one. When you get to your head, lift the head off the ground and squeeze all the muscles of your face. Lie quietly for a minute afterward, noticing the change in your body and basking in the calm.

VISUALIZATION/MEDITATION: Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Imagine a bright red rose in front of you. Notice the vibrant petals, its color and its texture. See this rose clearly in your minds eye. Take another deep breath and smell the rose. Savor its scent and let it fill your body. Slowly open your eyes. Keep your eyes soft for just a minute longer, lingering on the beautiful rose.

How To Measure Your Body Fat

2008-01-31T00:27:00.000-08:00

When it comes to measuring weight loss, most of us rely on the weighing machine to tell us whether we've lost or gained weight. But, as people are fast learning, this isn't the most excellent method to keep track of your weight. A scale measures all including muscle, fat, bones, and what you ate or drank that particular day. It doesn't tell you what you actually want to know, how much fat you have.

Popular methods for measuring body composition

DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry):
This examination is used to measure bone density, but it also measures body fat percentage as well as where most of your fat is. The details about DEXA are. It uses a full body scanner and two different low-dose x-rays to read bone mass and soft tissue mass, which takes about 10-20 minutes to do a body scan. This is considered a good standard for measuring body fat and bone density. It's trouble-free. First check with your doctor to see if this is right for you. The price is generally about $100.

Hydrostatic Weighing:
This is a cool way of saying underwater weighing. Similar to DEXA, this test is one of the more correct ones. The way it works is: You sit on a scale within a tank of water and blow out as much air as you can. You are submerged underwater, where you blow out even extra air. Since fat is lighter than water, the additional fat you have, the more you'll float. The scale measures underwater weight to give out body mass. The scope of error is around 2-3%, but the accuracy depends on the amount of air you force out. You have to blow it all out or it won't be as exact. This is not an easy way to measure body fat since it can be uncomfortable and even frightening to be dunked underwater with no air in the old lungs.

Conclusion

Body composition is basically the ratio of lean body mass to fat body mass. A lot of fat can lead to health problems like heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and other serious conditions. If you keep your body fat within a rational level, you'll be healthier and, of course, slimmer. So, now when you have got the methods start to control on your fat.

Types Of Thigh Liposuction Surgeries

2008-01-31T00:21:00.000-08:00

In today’s age of technology and knowledge, people seem to be gaining weight rapidly. The rate at which this is happening is alarming. One of the easiest ways to get rid of all the unwanted fat is liposuction. Liposuction is one way in which fat can be removed from the body with the help of surgery. Liposuction is usually conducted on thighs, arms, abdomen etc.

Types of liposuction:

Before liposuction came to be established as it is now, surgical knife was used to remove excess fat from ones body. However, a lot of blood was lost in this procedure. Currently, the basic ways used in liposuction is insertion of small thin tubes into an incision in the skin. The doctors then, guide these tubes under the skin as the fat is sucked out by a machine to which these tubes are attached. Other than these, there are several other ways that have been put into practice.

Some of these are...

Dry Technique:
This is a way in which liposuction is carried out without instillation of fluids in the area that is being treated. However, this technique is rarely used now.

Wet Technique:
In this technique an isotonic dilute epinephrine solution, with or without lidocaine is used for instillation in the area where liposuction is carried out. 200-300ml of solution is used per area being treated.

Super-wet Technique:

This is one of the most commonly used techniques. In this technique the solution used for instillation is extremely dilute lidocaine and epinephrine. These solutions are used in volumes of 1-1.5ml/ml of expected/projected fat aspirate per location. However, this solution does not form the main source of the anesthesia.

Tumescent Technique:

This is also one of the most commonly used techniques. The solution used for instillation in this technique is similar to the one used in the super-et technique. The only difference being that nearly 3-4ml of the solution is used per expected/projected fat aspirate per location. This volume may also vary depending on the amount of solution is needed to make the tissues turgid enough. In this technique the solution is the main source of the anesthesia.

With advancing science and more research taking place in this area, there is still more scope for development in this field. Having said that, liposuction is one of the best ways reduce those excessively fat thighs.

Exercising During Pregnancy

2008-01-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

Assuming your doctor approves, exercise can help keep you healthy and feeling good during pregnancy.

While you should avoid strenuous activity, light exercise can offer many benefits during pregnancy.

The Nemours Foundation offers this partial list:

* Feeling better, having more energy, and getting better sleep at night.
* Reduced back pain and improved posture from stronger back, thigh and buttock muscles.
* Reduced stress and anxiety.
* Reduced risk of constipation.
* Less weight gain during pregnancy, and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Your body should tell you if it's had enough. Stop exercising immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

* Fatigue.
* Dizziness.
* Heart palpitations.
* Shortness of breath.
* Pain in your back or pelvis.

Smoke Influence to Skin

2008-01-29T22:55:00.000-08:00

Smoking not only cause wrinkled of face till change into yellow, it's also changing to the entire body. Research publicized in the Archives of Dermatology show that smoking will influence to the entire body skin although it's protected against from the sunshine.

"We check the skin and find the relation between smokings with the skin damage. Subject of the Research start checked from the cigarette amount per day and also smoking duration," said researcher chief from the University of Michigan, Dr Yolanda Helfrich, like reported on Reuters.

More explain from her, all participles have age more than 65 years old. The result, smoker having more wrinkle amount compared to a nonsmoker. Same result by using participle which have age 45 until 65 years old.

Researcher test 82 people, smoker and nonsmoker taken its picture at inside of right arm. The research object age is between 22 until 99, some of them is smoker.

Some previously research find that smoke of cigarette can cause early aging as the indication of wrinkle. But the researches do not control the sunshine amount that hitting the skin.

This research do not discuss the mechanism that happened. It is the previously research that finding that cigarette and also cigarette smoke can cause the blood line under skin is wrinkle, lessening blood supply for the skin. Cigarette also can cause the damage of skin network and also part of inner body.

10 principles of good parenting

2008-01-26T21:28:00.000-08:00

1. What you do matters. Whether it's your own health behaviors, or the way you treat other people, your children are learning from what you do. "This is one of the most important principles," Steinberg tells WebMD. "What you do makes a difference. … Don't just react on the spur of the moment. Ask yourself, 'What do I want to accomplish, and is this likely to produce that result?'"

2. You cannot be too loving. "It is simply not possible to spoil a child with love," Steinberg writes. "What we often think of as the product of spoiling a child is never the result of showing a child too much love. It is usually the consequence of giving a child things in place of love -- things like leniency, lowered expectations, or material possessions."

3. Be involved in your child's life. "Being an involved parent takes time and is hard work, and it often means rethinking and rearranging your priorities. It frequently means sacrificing what you want to do for what your child needs to do. Be there mentally as well as physically."

Being involved does not mean doing a child's homework -- or correcting it. "Homework is a tool for teachers to know whether the child is learning or not," Steinberg says. "If you do the homework, you're not letting the teacher know what the child is learning."

4. Adapt your parenting to fit your child. Keep pace with your child's development. Your child is growing up. Consider how age is affecting the child's behavior.

"The same drive for independence that is making your 3-year-old say 'no' all the time is what's motivating him to be toilet trained," writes Steinberg. "The same intellectual growth spurt that is making your 13-year-old curious and inquisitive in the classroom also is making her argumentative at the dinner table."

5. Establish and set rules. "If you don't manage your child's behavior when he is young, he will have a hard time learning how to manage himself when he is older and you aren't around. Any time of the day or night, you should always be able to answer these three questions: Where is my child? Who is with my child? What is my child doing? The rules your child has learned from you are going to shape the rules he applies to himself.

"But you can't micromanage your child," Steinberg tells WebMD. "Once they're in middle school, you need to let the child do their own homework, make their own choices, and not intervene."

6. Foster your child's independence. "Setting limits helps your child develop a sense of self-control. Encouraging independence helps her develop a sense of self-direction. To be successful in life, she's going to need both."

It's normal for children to push for autonomy, says Steinberg. "Many parents mistakenly equate their child's independence with rebelliousness or disobedience. Children push for independence because it is part of human nature to want to feel in control rather than to feel controlled by someone else."

7. Be consistent. "If your rules vary from day to day in an unpredictable fashion or if you enforce them only intermittently, your child's misbehavior is your fault, not his. Your most important disciplinary tool is consistency. Identify your non-negotiables. The more your authority is based on wisdom and not on power, the less your child will challenge it."

8. Avoid harsh discipline. Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances, Steinberg says. "Children who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children," he writes. "They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with others."

"There are many other ways to discipline a child -- including 'time out' -- which work better and do not involve aggression."

9. Explain your rules and decisions. "Good parents have expectations they want their child to live up to," he writes. "Generally, parents overexplain to young children and underexplain to adolescents. What is obvious to you may not be evident to a 12-year-old. He doesn't have the priorities, judgment or experience that you have."

10. Treat your child with respect. "The best way to get respectful treatment from your child is to treat him respectfully," Steinberg writes. "You should give your child the same courtesies you would give to anyone else. Speak to him politely. Respect his opinion. Pay attention when he is speaking to you. Treat him kindly. Try to please him when you can. Children treat others the way their parents treat them. Your relationship with your child is the foundation for her relationships with others."

For example, if your child is a picky eater: "I personally don't think parents should make a big deal about eating," Steinberg says. "Children develop food preferences. They often go through them in stages. You don't want to turn mealtimes into unpleasant occasions. Just don't make the mistake of substituting unhealthy foods. If you don't keep junk food in the house, they won't eat it."

Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

2008-01-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

Skin cancer is common condition with potentially devastating effects. The good news is, that with early detection, skin cancer can be treated. Knowing the warning signs of skin cancer and being keenly familiar with your body is key to detecting this disease.

Common moles often present the first signs of skin cancer. Noticing a new mole, or seeing changes to an existing mole, should be considered to be danger signs. Moles should be flat, round or oval in shape, and uniform in color. Brown, tan and skin-colored moles are common and healthy. You should be concerned if any of these factors change, or if you notice a new mole. It's uncommon for people over thirty to develop new moles. If you notice a new one, see your health care provider and let him or her determine if you have cause for concern.

If you notice any of the following warning signs of skin cancer, see your health care provider immediately:

* A mole should be symmetrical. In other words, if you were to draw a line through it, right down the middle, it should look the same on both sides.

* Moles should have clearly defined edges.

* The color should not change throughout the lifetime of the mole. There should be no noticeable variation or difference in color.

* A mole should not become bigger nor should it become any thicker.

If you experience any of these changes, have the mole examined as soon as possible. Moles that bleed or itch can be signs of trouble. If you notice a new mole that seems to be growing quickly, have it assessed by your health care provider.

People are sometimes unsure of how to keep track of the moles they already have, and how to be on the lookout for new growths. The best course of action is to perform a regular self-examination of your skin, ideally standing in front of a full-length mirror. To be able to look for new moles, you must be familiar with your body and know where all of your existing moles are located. Otherwise, you can easily mistake a healthy birthmark for something its not. You need to know your body to be able to track any changes.

Begin by scanning the front of your body above the waist, and then do the same thing with your back. Raise your arms and carefully check beneath them. With your arms still raised in the air, scan both of your sides. Lower your arms and examine them thoroughly, both back and front. Check the backs of your hands, and then look at the palms. Don't forget to look at both your elbows. Next, do the same thing with your legs, examining behind your knees, around your ankles and the on the undersides of your feet. You must inspect your buttocks, carefully parting your cheeks to look between them. Check around your genitals. If you are a woman you should look for moles beneath your breasts. Your face and neck should be checked, as well as your scalp.

Although this may seem a lot of area to cover, it should only take ten to fifteen minutes to scan your entire body, and you only need to perform the check once every three or four months. Those fifteen minutes are surely well spent if they can bring you a longer, healthier lifetime.

Know your body, and know the warning signs of skin cancer. Having this knowledge is your best defense against this potentially deadly disease.

Bowflex For Beginners

2008-01-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

To start up with the exercise you must keep in mind that good exercise program should be the combination of cardiovascular and weight lifting exercise. The weight lifting exercise must have at least 7 to 10 exercises. You should balance your work out to include all muscle groups.

To acquire the best result perform few exercise for every muscle groups. A complete muscles program must change lightly within some couple of weeks. This will give continuous benefits to your body. You must challenge your body with different weight lifting and cardiovascular exercises.

For this suppose if you are walking for around 2 miles per hour on the tread mills then you should increase it to around 3 miles per hour. Change the exercise periodically to benefit each part of your body. Along with the cardiovascular exercises you have to lift weights for the preferred result.

Speed up your metabolism. If you are working out for full body, you should do it around three times in a week. If you work your muscles for one day then on another day they must be rested. On that day go for other muscles exercise.

Some of the exercises for full body routine are as follows:

1) Flat Bench Press:

You must do it for around 12 to 15 repetitions in for 3 sets. For this just lie on the bench with feet on the floor, distance between them must be slightly more than that of shoulders. Keep back flat on bench. Now hold barbells above your body and lower it slowly till middle of your chest. Now bring them middle of chest by keeping arms straight and elbow locked. Lower the bar slowly now.

2) Bent over Barbell Rows:

Required repetitions are around 6 to 10 for 3 steps. Keep right foot flat on floor and let left knee rest on bench. By supporting your upper body weight with the help of left arm on bench lean in forward direction. Keep back flat. By reaching down, pick up dumbbells with right hand. Now lock left hand elbow to support your upper body. Tighten abs so as to prevent it from bending

Concentrate on pulling elbow back as far as it goes. Now after rowed dumbbells slowly bring them to original position. These are some of the exercise which beginners must do.

Diseases Caused By Excessive Perspiration

2008-01-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

Excessive sweating is called as hyperhidrosis in the medical terminology. The hyperhidrosis condition causes a person not only physical embarrassment but also psychological discomforts. The body produces sweat for controlling the temperature of the body and to keep it cool. The thermoregulation of the body is accomplished by the production of sweat which is the function of the sweat glands in human beings. When there is excessive temperature the body generates sweat which is a mixture of water and certain other minerals, when the sweat comes in contact with the air it leaves the skin feeling cool and the temperature is thus reduced. The production of sweat in the body is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, however in some individuals the sympathetic nervous system is hyper active and it produces sweat more than is required

The excessive perspiration occurs in the palms of the hand, in the feet, and the groin area. The unfortunate thing about patients suffering from hyperhidrosis is that they get nervous due to hyperhidrosis and the nervousness then becomes the cause of excessive sweating in the individuals. Hyperhidrosis can be also caused by particular food and drinks, nicotine, caffeine and other stimulants. But the real cause of hyperhidrosis has not been yet arrived at by the investigators.

Body odor

The excessive perspiration causes a lot of sweat to be produced by the sweat glands and when the perspiration comes in contact with the bacteria in the air it disintegrates the sweat into different chemical configurations and body odor is produced. Body odor is the commonest disorder in persons with excessive perspiration, because it gives the bacteria its place to thrive. Patients with hyperhidrosis complain physical discomfort with wet clothes and shoes. Skin maceration from constant perspiration leads to wetness and it then can leads to the growth of bacteria. Excessive perspiration also encourages the growth of fungus. This growth can then lead to intertrigo in the axillae as well as bromhidrosis which is the foul-smelling sweat. The pitted keratolysis is also an infection of the plantar or the feet which is characterized by pits or craters and infection of the feet. The body odor disorder is caused by excessive sweating and it repulses anyone who comes in contact with the affected individual.

The psychological effects of hyperhidrosis

The psychological effects of hyperhidrosis are far greater than its physical manifestations. Because the person is always remains self conscious about his/her wet hands while shaking with someone.

Learn How To Remove Man-Made Harmful Chemicals From Your Body. Detoxify Your Body Naturally With Detoxion.

2008-01-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

Why do you need to detoxify?

Your body is exposed to environmental toxins and heavy metal contaminations through the air, water, chemicals, pesticides... everywhere, every day. Not to mention other harmful chemical additives in your foods, drinks, medicines, personal products applied to skin, and the list goes on and on... These toxins accumulate in your body and can affect your whole body fitness and health.

If you are concerned about your toxic build-up and ready to start with your cleansing process, you will love to detoxify your body with Detoxion.

Detoxion is an all natural detox foot patch that it doesn't require to ingest anything, it is very affordable and very easy to use. Registered with the US FDA, Detoxion amazingly extracts heavy metals and other forms of toxins or waste products from your system while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning you will see the "junk", as seen in the picture below, that has been removed from your body.

During your body detoxification and elimination of those unwanted toxins from your cells, you should pay attention on your elimination organs.

There are particular organs in your body that deal on cell waste management. These organs play a major role in the detoxification process for a fit and healthy body.

1. Your liver is the organ that recycles the unwanted chemicals in the body. It sorts out the toxins and places them to the organ for elimination during the process of circulation. The principal elimination organs will back up the liver on where these toxins will be stored and then eliminated.

2. The kidneys help in the water management of the body. They are the ones that keep the good chemistry of the blood alkaline by eliminating the dissolved acid waste. You can help your kidney to function very well by drinking plenty of water. It is much better if you drink fresh alkaline juices and purified water. You may take ½ ounce of alkaline everyday to see positive results on your body weight.

3. The lymph glands also play an important role in eliminating the toxins. A network of tubing brings out the excess waste of the cells from the body and to the final eliminating organs. The appendix, thymus, tonsil, and spleens are major lymphatic glands that help the major organs of the body in cleansing and detoxing.

4. The colon is a solid waste management organ in your body. Medical practitioners have found many peolpe that may have an 80-pound mucus and rubber like solid waste that are found on the walls of the colon. Detoxing and cleaning the colon can be a real tough thing to do. However, having a free waste colon can certainly provide you good benefits of having a clean and healthy body.

5. The lungs are the organs that keep the blood air purified. They allow the oxygen to go directly to the bloodstream. It is also responsible in removing waste gases that are found in every cell of the body. Deep breathing and fresh air is very helpful in keeping the lungs healthy and free from toxins. If you are in the urban area, it is recommended that you find an oxygen rich area where you can perform deep breathing.

Once you start with your body detoxification, you may try doing a regular walking exercise. Exercise is a good key in having a fit and healthy body. Many diet doctors also suggest that you drink plenty of lemon water. This is an effective way of maintaining a very good circulation and can increase the rate of detoxification inside the body.

Effects of Detoxion

The Detoxion Ionic Detox Foot Patch may help revitalize the body, enhance blood circulation, strengthen the immune system, improve the quality of your sleep and promote better health and longevity. By placing the Detoxion Foot Patches on the soles of your feet before bedtime, they will unleash the toxins from your body during sleep.

Detoxify your body now and enjoy a healthier lifestyle!

*blood circulation, warmer hands and feet.
*pain in arms, legs, shoulder and back.
*energy and stamina.
*sprains, bruises and swollen areas.
*stress and fatigue as a result of the negative ion effect.
*sleep and relaxation.
*sexual libido.
*mental focus and concentration.
*Strengthened immunity system, especially for those who have been weakened by taking medication for an extended period of time.

Healing for the pregnant woman

2008-01-18T21:08:00.000-08:00

Get plenty of iron, calcium, and protein because the fetus will draw on the mother’s reserves, if necessary "even to the point of depletion" it is very important to follow a diet rich in these nutrients before conception as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

Do not diet, unless instructed to by your doctor. A woman’s normal weight gain should be at least 25-35 pounds for the pregnancy to be healthy.

Exercise. You want to be in top physical condition to carry and deliver a baby. In addition to your normal fitness routine, consider exercises that strengthen the muscles that strengthen the abdomen and pelvic floor.

Emotional and psychological care through lowering stress from all angles of your life. If there is tension between the couple then it can surface during the labor and cause problems during the delivery. It has been found that women who have the best communication with their partners tend to have shorter labor.

Get enough rest. This dose not mean you have to stop working, but you must provide some time during each day and evening where you and your baby can mellow out, doze, pray/meditate, read, or do nothing.

Stay in touch with your health care provider. Even if your pregnancy is moving along without any problem, it is vital that you see him/her in your eight month, then weekly till the baby is born.

Top 10 Skincare Tips

2008-01-18T21:03:00.000-08:00

We all dream of getting a miracle in a bottle. And so much ad copy leads us to believe it exists: An instant facelift. Zero pores. Paper smoothness. But our obsession with being flawless is absurd. Wrinkles happen -- adding character and depth to the face. Other changes occur as well -- features can become more pronounced and bone structure can become more angular over time. We get scars. We get freckles. And other dings and dents. Are these catastrophes? Or merely a map of our lives? Certain products can help to offset all this, but aging is a natural (and beautiful) process that happens to all of us. And acceptance, not denial, looks better on everyone.

A lot of product lines have gotten way too complicated -- aside from being costly, they take up too much time. You can keep it simple, and just as effective. Many of us overindulge our skin anyway -- if we're dry, we tend to overmoisturize; if we're oily, we tend to overstrip.

Great skincare, like makeup, doesn't have to cost a lot. A $100 jar of moisturizer? Forget it! Not many of us could afford a daily routine in that price range. So don't get caught up in the marketing madness and don't pay for pseudo science. Your endorsement is the only one that counts.

Here, my top 10 skin tips:

# Protect yourself from the sun -- use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 and 2.

# Don't -- I repeat -- don't smoke. Your skin is a large organ and it needs a lot of circulation. Smoking impairs that dramatically. That's why smokers' skin looks dull and gray. Instead of having oxy-generated blood delivered to the surface of the skin, they're getting poisons and oxidants.

# Get adequate rest and nutrition.

# Protect yourself from stress -- both emotional and environmental stress.

# Wash your face twice a day and put on the proper treatment product. I'm amazed when women tell me they don't wash their face in the morning. A lot of icky stuff collects overnight -- dead skin cells, dirt, and dust!

# Don't neglect certain areas of the skin. Elbows, heels, neck, and decolletage need moisturizing, and your scalp and the tops of your feet need sun protection.

# Touch your face less and wash your hands more! Don't get too surgical on yourself. It's very tempting to pick, poke, squeeze, and scratch in front of the mirror. But the more you traumatize the skin, the greater your risk of scarring. Apply treatment products and let them work.

# Keep your makeup clean. Replace the sponges in your compact on a regular basis. Now and then, toss the whole works and start fresh -- the average shelf life for cosmetics is 6 to 12 months. Don't buy products so expensive that you'll be heartbroken if you have to throw them away.

# Exercise moderation. More is not always better. Moisturizer, for example, is the most overused product in America. We've been bamboozled by cosmetic companies into thinking every square inch of our body has to be slathered. And it's simply not true. Exfoliators are another thing to be careful with. Used too often, they overacidify and irritate your skin.

# Beware of counter girls. If it were up to them, you'd be in the bathroom for two and a half hours each morning -- putting 80 layers on your face. Keep your regimen simple. And when you do add a new product, do it gradually so your skin has time to adjust. Each skincare or makeup product has an average of 20 to 40 ingredients -- you're introducing 20 to 40 potential allergens to your face every time you try something new.

Health and Fitness Make the Difference Between Living Well and Living

2008-01-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

Quality of life is what we all want. Good health helps us achieve a high quality of life. Fitness makes us want to live it every day. If you agree with these three premises, keep reading.

The Purpose of Health and Fitness Tips
To inform you of new developments in the health and fitness fields is our aim. We'll do the research; we have the resources. You get the results. The name of the game is 'current' and 'relevant' for today. Forget all the excess baggage of the so-called fitness gurus.

Become Healthier and Fitter Faster
While we know you are interested in becoming healthier and fitter or maintaining the health and fitness you have, we also know you have limited time to devote to it. We therefore pledge to you a fast, simple method to hop aboard the fitness fast train. Get on track with the facts.

Health Professionals, Medical Doctors and Health and Fitness Writers and Editors Make Up Our Staff
Our staff experience in the booming Health and Fitness field adds up to more than 100 years. Not that anyone is age 100 or even close, but we all plan to live that long. We want to make sure we have company. So we invite you along for the ride. We'll spur you on and help you over the rough spots to your own fitness destination.

Diet and Exercise are Keys to Healthy Living
But you know all this. So our aim is to give you the shortcuts, the little-known tricks and proven methods to help prevent boredom and hopelessness in your quest for good health. Our high tech world has advanced in the fitness field also. In fact, so fast that we want to get the information out to you yesterday. That's what the Health and Fitness Tips Site is all about…the latest up-to-the-minute-in-the-zone information for your health and fitness.

The Health and Fitness Tips Newsletter
Is a free weekly newsletter that is delivered straight to your email box. It's short, to the point, and it's absolutely free. This newsletter contains one weekly health and fitness tip that will get you on the right track.

Low Maternal Cholesterol Tied To Premature Birth

2008-01-14T01:50:00.000-08:00

Low Maternal Cholesterol

Pregnant women who have very low cholesterol may face a greater risk of delivering their babies prematurely than women with more moderate cholesterol levels, a team led by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reported today.

In a study published in the October issue of the journal Pediatrics, NHGRI's Max Muenke, M.D.; Robin J. Edison, M.D., M.P.H.; Kate Berg, Ph.D.; and colleagues from the NIH Clinical Center; Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore; Howard University, Washington; and Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, S.C., confirm previous findings by other groups that very high levels of maternal cholesterol can increase the risk of premature birth. However, in a surprising new twist, the researchers found that low maternal cholesterol levels, which may be related to a woman's genetic makeup, diet or other health factors, also may lead to adverse birth outcomes, including premature birth and low birth weight.

"Based on our initial findings, it appears that too little cholesterol may be as bad as too much cholesterol during pregnancy, but it is too early to extrapolate these results to the general population. More research is needed to replicate this outcome and to extend it to other groups," said Dr. Muenke, the study's senior author and chief of the Medical Genetics Branch in NHGRI's Division of Intramural Research. "For now, the best advice for pregnant women is to follow the guidance of their health care providers when it comes to diet and exercise."

Premature birth is a major cause of infant death and raises the risk of many potentially disabling conditions, including cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment, blindness, deafness and respiratory illness. Factors contributing to premature birth include maternal genetics, fetal genetics and environmental components, such as nutrition, stress, and infection.

In their study of 1,058 South Carolina women and their newborns, researchers found about 5 percent of the women with cholesterol levels in the moderate range of 159-261 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) gave birth prematurely. In contrast, white women with the lowest cholesterol levels — less than 159 mg/dl — had a 21 percent incidence of premature births. Interestingly, no increase in premature births was observed among African American women in the low-cholesterol category. However, full-term babies born to both white and African Americans with low cholesterol weighed 5 ounces less on average than full-term babies born to women with moderate cholesterol.

"The right amount of cholesterol is fundamental for good health, both before and after birth," explained Dr. Muenke. "During pregnancy, cholesterol is critical for both the placenta and the developing baby, including the brain."

As in past studies, the new research showed very high cholesterol levels (more than 261 mg/dl) to be a major risk factor for premature birth. About 12 percent of white and African American women with very high cholesterol levels gave birth prematurely.

The study involved pregnant women between the ages of 21 and 34 who were referred to South Carolina clinics for routine prenatal care between 1996 and 2001. According to their medical records, they were all nonsmokers without diabetes who were carrying just one child. It looked at cholesterol levels from their second trimester of pregnancy. Premature birth was defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation.

Taking into account the natural rise in maternal cholesterol during pregnancy, researchers examined the effects of maternal cholesterol levels on rates of premature delivery, impaired fetal growth and birth defects. In addition, they analyzed measurements of newborn weight, length and head circumference. No differences were seen in the rate of birth defects, but researchers did detect a trend towards smaller head sizes among babies born to women with very low cholesterol.

"This study sheds important light on the intricate biological mechanisms at work during human gestation," said NHGRI Scientific Director Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D. "In light of these findings, researchers have a renewed impetus to establish the genetic and environmental causes of low cholesterol levels because of its relevance to pregnancy."

How To Handle Diabetes While Sickness

2008-01-14T01:45:00.000-08:00

Runny nose. Upset stomach. Whatever illness it is, it can make you feel miserable. It is hard enough to be under the weather but it is even more difficult to handle being sick if you have diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), people with diabetes who develop an illness are at risk for serious complications if they don't take care of their diabetes. Blood glucose levels can increase or decrease to dangerous levels if left unchecked. Ketones, a waste product created when the body begins to use stored fat for energy, can build up, especially in those with type 1 diabetes, if a person does not take insulin at regular intervals. Left unmonitored, high ketone levels can lead to ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma or death.

"People with diabetes have special considerations when they are under the weather," commented Ann Albright, Ph.D., RD, American Diabetes Association President, Health Care & Education. "It is important to have a plan with your health care team in place before you become sick, to avoid getting worse. It is also critical to get a flu shot every year to potentially avoid getting influenza."

The American Diabetes Association offers tips to manage diabetes if you are under the weather:

-- Check, please! - Check blood glucose levels every 3-4 hours. Also, if you have been instructed by your health care team, check for ketones in your urine every few hours.

-- Don't stop insulin or medications - Unless your health care provider tells you otherwise, continue taking insulin to balance out the battle your body's stress hormones are fighting.

-- Nourish a cold - Even if you have lost your appetite, it is important to try to eat. The ADA recommends 15 grams of carbohydrates every hour or so.

-- Stay hydrated - If you are vomiting or have diarrhea, or have a fever, try to drink a cup of fluid each hour to prevent dehydration. If your blood glucose level is too high, try sugar-free liquids like water, tea, or broth. If your blood glucose level is low, try drinking liquids with approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates in them, such as 1/2 cup of apple juice or 1 cup of milk.

-- OTCs? - Talk to your health care team before taking any over-the-counter cold or flu medicines. Some medicines can raise your blood glucose or blood pressure levels.

-- Call the Doctor - Contact your health care provider if there is a rise in ketones or if there are ketones in your urine for more than 12 hours; if you are vomiting or have diarrhea for more than six hours; if you have a fever that keeps going up or one that lasts more than a day; if you are having abdominal pain; or if you cannot control your blood glucose levels.

Depression In Pregnancy

2008-01-11T20:33:00.001-08:00

When preparing for a baby it involves a lot of hard work. Your health should come first. You should try to resist the urge that a lot of women get and avoid trying to get everything done. It is essential for one to cut down on their chores and only do those things that will help them to relax. Mothers need to learn that taking care of themselves is an important part of taking care of their unborn baby.

It has been found very helpful for expecting mothers to talk about the things that may concern them. Talk to your friends ; family; or your partner. If it is support that you need , you don't have to look very far.

If you find that everything has failed you , seek therapy. Antidepressants have been known to help. New evidence has shown that it is safe to treat depression while one is pregnant, for a short term. Long term effects have yet to be studied. If you are expecting and suffering from depression , you should consult your doctor for treatment. Never treat yourself with medication without your doctor prescribing it for you. Some medicines tend to affect the unborn baby.

The stresses of one being pregnant can cause depression or a recurrence of depression symptoms. If you suffer from depression during your pregnancy, you are at a greater risk of having another episode after delivery known as postpartum depression.

Depression has been known to effect the ability for a woman to care for herself during pregnancy. It has also often put many mothers at the risk of using substances that could possibly harm both the mother and developing baby. The use of alcohol; tobacco; and illegal drugs can truly harm the mother and unborn child. Mother's that suffer from depression often find it hard to bond with their baby.

There are several known causes of depression during pregnancy.

History of depression

The mother's age at the time of pregnancy

Living alone

Limited social interaction

Children - It is proven that the more children you have , the more you are likely to become depressed during a later pregnancy.

Martial problems

Uncertainty about the pregnancy

Pregnancy should be a time for women to relax and enjoy getting prepared for the birth of their son or daughter. One could be lucky and have twins. This should be a bonding time for the expecting mother and partner. After all, once the baby arrives it is no longer just the two of you, now it is time for family bonding. Baby makes three. Remember that pregnancy is lonely short term, so relax. Nine months will pass in no time. You should always be thinking of what a joyous occasion that will bring you and your life.

Irreplaceable: Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth

2008-01-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

I used to work in a dentist's office, so I understand the importance of a smile and how frustrating bridges and dentures can be for people who need replacement teeth. That's why more and more people are now opting for dental implants, the only permanent alternative to bridges and dentures.

Why replace missing teeth?
Besides the fact that aesthetically it looks better to fill in the gaps of missing teeth, it is important to replace missing teeth for several other important reasons. Contrary to popular belief, missing adult teeth do not grow back. Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew your food, thus making it difficult to eat. You can also develop digestive problems like heartburn from not being able to chew your food properly. What's more, when teeth are missing for extended periods of time, they will shift because there is nothing to hold the tooth's place. This can cause the remaining teeth to overlap and become crooked. Though patients can prevent these problems with removable bridges or dentures, implants are a more permanent solution since they never have to be taken out. And they are easier to take care of.

What is a dental implant and who should consider it?
A dental implant is a metal screw that is surgically anchored into the jawbone. The screw serves as an anchor for a false tooth, bridge or denture. What makes this option more attractive than dentures is the fact that it is permanent. The patient does not have to be bothered with taking the false teeth in and out. You would take care of the tooth the same way you would real teeth: flossing, brushing, etc.

Dental implants should be done by a prosthodontist. And they should not be confused with dental veneers, a cosmetic procedure in which porcelain is added to an already existing tooth. This cosmetic procedure is usually reserved to repair gaps between teeth or chipped teeth.

Dental implants are typically made of titanium. Titanium, a very strong metal, is used because it does not deteriorate. According to Simple Steps To Better Dental Health, a dental health Web site created by Aetna health insurance, it is resistant to acids, salt solutions and oxygen. Furthermore, the human body does not reject titanium. This is good because when the titanium implant is placed it can integrate very well into the jaw because the bone grows around it. Because the bone needs to grow around the implant, the average patient will typically wait three to six months to allow this process to take place before coming back to finish the remaining implant procedures.

Types of implants
There are four different types of implants. The dentist is able to determine which one is best for you based on the health of the bones in your jaw and the type of false tooth or teeth that will be placed on the implant(s).

The most common type is the root form implant, which is placed directly into the bone. In order for these screw-like implants to be successful, explained Simple Steps To Better Dental Health, they need to be placed in bone that is wide and deep enough to support its foundation. It is important to note that after any implant is placed, a temporary crown (false tooth) is placed in the area while the gum and bone heal around the tooth.

A ramus-frame implant is used for thin, weak lower jaw bones. This is also a good implant for the insertion of dentures. This implant is typically inserted in the back corner of the jawbone. When it heals, the tip, a thin metal bar, is exposed above the gum. The denture can then be inserted.

The blade-form implants are good for patients who need crowns or bridges placed on their implant. Blade-form implants are flat rectangles of metal with one or two metal prongs on one long side, explained Simple Steps To Better Dental Health. They are inserted through the jaw and the crown or bridge is placed onto its tips.

A tran-osseous implant, also used for those with little bone, is least popular because of the extensive surgery that is required to get them. Metal rods have to be inserted through the chin bone and come out through the mouth where a denture can be attached to its tip. The patient must come back for several surgeries to get this type of implant. Rather than go through this now antiquated method, doctors build the bone through bone grafting, which enables the doctor to graft or make bone from the patient's already existing bone.

How long does it take?
The whole process can take from six months to a year. Patients should understand that once the surgeon has inserted the implant, the patient must wait three to six months for the gum to heal around the implant and for the bone to integrate around the base of implant. Once that happens, the surgeon exposes the tip of the implant and takes an impression (mold) of the area so the dental lab can create a tooth, bridge or denture. Depending on how busy the lab is and the amount of work involved to make the false teeth, this can take anywhere from a couple of days to a full month. Once the false tooth/teeth is finished, the patient must come back to the doctor's office to have it attached to the implant, which is why this process can take from six months to a year.

Contraindications
Dental implants are not for people who smoke because smoking can cause bone loss in the jaw bone, thus making it difficult for the implant to stay anchored in the mouth. It also can not be overly-emphasized the importance of flossing. Dental implant teeth should be flossed everyday just like ones own teeth. If one doesn't floss, he or she can develop periodontal disease (infection of the gums), which can result in bone loss in the jaw. In rare cases, an implant may fail because of poor positioning at the time of surgery, or may fail to integrate into the jaw.

Cost
Dental implants are consider cosmetic dentistry and are therefore not covered by insurance. Implants can run anywhere from a couple of thousand for one implant to $80,000 for a whole mouth full of implants. However, one implant can cost $800 overseas in places like Thailand or India.

How Long to Exercise After High-Calorie Foods?

2008-01-11T17:30:00.001-08:00

It has happened to everyone. You eat something that was not good for you, and now you feel like you are getting fatter by the hour.

The foods that are not healthy are usually those that are also very high in calories. They can easily throw us off with our calorie balance. And you know very well what follows if you eat more calories than you expend - you store the extra calories in the form of subcutaneous fat.

So, you made a mistake already by eating the “bad” food. Now, how do you correct it?

First, you have to find out how many calories there were in what you ate, that brought you over your total calories for the day. You can do that by visiting a comprehensive foods database such as CalorieKing and finding the corresponding food and portion size.

Second, you have to determine how many calories you burn for one hour, during your favorite physical activity. Here is an example of some common activities and the calories burned with them:

Stationary bicycle (light effort) - 2.5 cal/lb/hour
Running - 4.5 cal/lb/hour
Weight lifting - 2.7 cal/lb/hour

You can easily determine your energy expenditure with these sports, using the above examples. The number of calories in the result will be for one hour exercising, performing the physical activity.

If you divide the result by 60, you will get what you expend for one minute. Next, you need to divide the total calories of the food you ate by the calories for 1 minute of your favorite sports activity. That will give you how many minutes you will have to perform the corresponding activity in order to burn the same amount of calories.

If you want to see a list of common bad foods, along with the calories they contain, and more sports activities to burn these calories, you can go to www.ivannikolov.com/articles/all/how-to-burn-off-foods.html where you will find an article with this information.

Resource Box:

Ivan Nikolov, a top five natural bodybuilder, shares with you his secrets about his favorite foods and supplements, training routines and exercises. Visit his web site http://www.ivannikolov.com to learn more about what you need to know if you want to be a natural bodybuilder or simply look like one.

How To Have A Better Sex Life

2008-01-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

We all want to have the best possible sex life and have a mutually satisfying sexual relationship with our partner as this will help to strengthen the bond between each other and lead to greater happiness. So if you are dissatisfied and want to have a better sex life there are certain things that you can do to immediately improve the situation.

According to recent surveys, as many as 40% of married couples are dissatisfied with their sex life and this is due to a variety of factors such as busy schedules, marriage troubles, stress, illness, children, inhibitions, or dysfunction. But, no matter what your situation is, every couple can have a better sex life if they are willing to make an effort.

By far the most important part of any relationship is communication and this includes talking about what you like and don't like about your current sex life with your partner. Some people may find this uncomfortable but its important to know why your partner is dissatisfied so that you can do something about it instead of carrying on as you were before and drifting further apart from each other which could eventually result in a separation or divorce.

So once you start communicating with each other you need to talk about what kind of sex you need and what your expectations are as this will help to prevent any frustrations that may occur. If the husband is in the mood for quick sex but the wife is expecting a long and passionate encounter, both parties will end up frustrated. So make sure that your partner is aware of what you require at that particular moment so that they can prepare for it mentally.

One of the most important factors that will help you have a better sex life is learning what your partner's sexual triggers are and what turns them on. When you know how to arouse your partner by doing certain things that they like you will find it easier to get them in the mood for sex. So start talking to your partner to find out what their sexual triggers are.

Men are more visually stimulated and are aroused by seeing their partner naked, undressing, or wearing something provocative such as sexy lingerie. Women are less visually stimulated and are aroused by either being touched and caressed with hugs and kisses, verbal foreplay, or connecting with their partner through meaningful conversation. All women are different so its essential to find out what they like by communicating with them.

As well as communicating, its also important to have an emotional connection with your partner as this will increase the arousal process and will end up increasing your sexual desire. To achieve this you need to make each other a priority in your lives and give them extra special attention whenever you can. We all like to feel appreciated so try to compliment your partner wherever possible.

Its important to remember that sexual stimulation is directly linked to intellectual stimulation which is why communication is essential if you want to have a better sex life. It doesn't matter what your current situation is because you can always improve your relationship with your partner if you are willing to make an effort.

sexual positions

2008-01-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some sexual positions to keep the bedroom exciting and vibrant:

The Hoovering of the Floor
The male stands behind the female and lifts her by the thighs, pulling her vagina onto his penis. She supports herself on her hands. Try walking around the room while doing this.

The Playing of the Cello
She lies on her back and places her ankles on one of his shoulders. He clings onto her shins while thrusting. His hands can fondle her breasts at the same time.

The Riding of the Steer
He lies on his back while she ‘sits’ on his penis. She lifts herself up and down by gripping his kneecaps and he guides her with his hands on her buttocks.

The Persuading of the Debtor
The male kneels down and lifts the female’s legs up over his shoulders as though attempting to empty her pockets of small change. He then slides his penis downwards into her.

The Sitting on the Toilet
The male lies on his back with his knees bent forming the shape of a toilet. She sits on his penis and moves up and down. Great for circus acts.

The Rocking Recliner
He lies on his back. She is on all fours facing upwards and moves back and forth.

The Black Bee
He sits down with his hands placed on the floor behind his back. She sits on top of him with her hands on his shoulders while moving up and down.

The Spoon
She lies on her side and he penetrates her from behind in a side on position. Ideal for men with a large penis size.

The Sixty Niner
For lovers of oral sex! Both give and receive at the same time. Either partner can be on top. Ideal for same sex partners as well.

The Reverse Piggy-Back
He stands and lifts her by her buttocks with her back against the wall for support. She warps her legs around his thighs as he penetrates her. A great way to get fit.

The Missionary Position
The most popular of the positions. She opens her legs as he positions himself between them in place for the most direct penetration. The simple thrust of the hips gives an easy and effective in - out action.

The Advanced Black Bee
Same as the Black Bee but she has her legs on his shoulders.

The Horizontal Reverse
This is simila to the Reverse Woman on Top - in this position her breasts and hands are able to massage his thighs and shins.

Vitamin K - Sources And Facts

2008-01-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Vitamin K may not be the first vitamin that people think about when they are asked to list important vitamins, but it is no less vital to your health than the others ...

Vital Vitamin K

Sometimes it can seem like getting all of our nutritional needs covered can be a bit like reciting the alphabet. One letter that people may not be used to hearing on the list is vitamin K. Even if it is not the first vitamin people think of, it is no less vital to your health than the others. So don't leave it off the list of must-haves.

Vitamin K is important because it helps our body with blood clotting. That's what makes us stop bleeding and begin to heal after we cut ourselves. People who don't have enough vitamin K in their systems can be prone to excessive bruising or nose bleeds. They can also run into serious trouble if they're badly hurt, since they won't stop bleeding.

Sounds pretty important, doesn't it? But don't panic if a close look at the label on your multi-vitamin doesn't reveal a healthy dose of K. Most of us don't have any problem getting enough of this vital nutrient from our regular diet.

How to Get Vitamin K

So where do you get your daily dose of vitamin K? We tend to find about half of what we need in leafy, green vegetables. Foods such as spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and asparagus are all good sources. There is also vitamin K found in some vegetable oils, like olive oil, canola oil and soybean oil. Yogurt and some kinds of cheese are other sources of the vitamin in our diets. And for those who would rather take theirs in liquid form, you can also find it in green tea and (believe it or not) coffee.

Vitamin K is fat soluble, meaning that your body can only absorb it if it comes into contact with fats. This usually doesn't present a problem since most of us have lots of fat in our diets, but if you are particularly vigilant about eating low-fat foods you may be missing out on vitamin absorption. A small amount of fat in your diet is necessary for good nutrition, so don't aim to cut it out completely.

More Facts About Vitamin K

In the rare circumstance where someone is vitamin K deficient, there is a synthetic version of the vitamin which can be taken as a supplement. Most healthy people don't have to worry about it, but if you seem to be suffering from a lot of bruising or uncontrollable nose bleeds, ask your doctor if you could benefit from an extra helping of vitamin K.

If you're on blood thinning medications, such as Aspirin, for a heart condition, then you'll want to avoid having too much vitamin K is your system. Since the function of vitamin K is to thicken your blood and help it clot, it works against what the blood thinners are trying to accomplish.

There are some researchers who feel that, as well as keeping our blood healthy, vitamin K can help us to live longer. It is said to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help to prevent our cells from dying, so they keep us healthier for longer.

Compared to other vitamins and minerals, getting enough vitamin K in our diets is usually not a worry. As long as we are eating a healthy range of foods, we'll have a steady supply of this vital nutrient, but now that you know how important it is you may find you pay a bit more attention to it.

Testosterone Therapy - Not Just For Men

2008-01-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some reasons why women may need to undergo various forms of testosterone therapy, as well as some questions and concerns you should bring to your doctor when it comes to finding the right type of testosterone therapy for you

Testosterone therapy has long been a remedy for men who are looking to improve their health and maintain hormonal balance, but testosterone therapy is also possible-and sometimes necessary-for women as well. Here are some reasons why women may need to undergo various forms of testosterone therapy, as well as some questions and concerns you should bring to your doctor when it comes to finding the right type of testosterone therapy for you.

Since the goal of testosterone therapy is to help the body maintain its normal functions, and to restore balance within the body, especially when the body is undergoing significant changes, such as puberty or even menopause. During menopause, women may lose significant amounts of testosterone and estrogen, and this imbalance is part of what causes fatigue, night sweats, or hot flashes. Testosterone therapy can also help women to increase sex drive (libido can be lost during or shortly after menopause). Sometimes, doctors will even use testosterone therapy to treat osteoporosis in women.

On average, about one in seven women undergoes testosterone therapy to increase bone mass, and reported feeling better after the therapy. Since the condition is more common in women, and testosterone naturally increases bone mass, the hormone can help women to increase bone strength, and calcium can be absorbed in the body naturally. Testosterone therapy can also be used to treat women who have had cancer, or are undergoing treatments to remove cancer. This is especially true for women with breast cancer; when tumors are found in the breast, testosterone can help to remove the hormones and cells that are poisonous to the body.

Testosterone therapy may be best for you if you have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis, are undergoing cancer treatment, or are experiencing symptoms of menopause. Your doctor will be able to tell you which types of therapy are best for you, and you may have to take small dosages of the hormone for a while so that your doctor can monitor your progress. You can also incorporate things such as a healthy diet or more exercise to increase the effectiveness of testosterone therapy-this way, you will see results quicker and you can continue consulting your doctor for more advanced treatment options.

Anti Aging Skin Care Tips

2008-01-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

Skin care therapy is a well-established process known to many of us. Anti aging skin care tips can highlight the main theme behind the aging factor. How to keep your skin soft and shiny and not revealing your age is all about the tips.

How To Go With That!

Many cosmetic experts have suggested a number of ways to maintain healthy skin. A few of those can be listed below:

1. You must accept that medicine cures seldom.

2. Anti aging skin care products are the supplementary method of retarding age clock.

3. No wonder, your age can be visually reduced to look you younger.

4. If you follow the experts’ advice, the ball is on your court. Simply select the skin care products approved by your expert.

5. Never use too much anti aging medicine at a stretch. It can’t make your skin soft like a child.

6. As you know that your tenderly skin is very sensitive to external object, use the prescribed product step by step and note the result.

Considering the type of your skin, try some easily available home made solution for your skin problem:

1. Wash your skin with warm water.

2. Cleanse your skin with medicated soap.

3. Use antibacterial cleansing lotion to avoid skin rashes.

4. Use light antiseptic anti aging cosmetic product for smooth function.

5. You can use a mask of clay or mud.

6. To remove the aging wrinkle below your eyes, you can use anti aging eye cream.

7. Your lips may look protruding due to age; try using anti aging lip balm lip mask to get a comfortable result.

8. Avoid taking oily stuff.

9. Eat green vegetable, fruits and plenty of milk.

10. And don’t forget to drink sufficient pure water.

Flu Prevention

2008-01-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Typical of the flu is its rapidity to disseminate and the high degree of contagiousness under ideal circumstances. Besides, the flu viruses mutate from year to year. Every year there is a new type of flu strain that is dominant, what this means is that you can never develop a permanent immunity to influenza. Preventing the flu can be very difficult and it is important for you to know the basics of the flu and how it spreads to prevent it as much as you can. A healthy immune system is the key to protect yourself against repetitive colds.

In this article, we’ll offer some tips that can help to keep you safe from the flu when the season strikes.

Seasons:

The flu occurs at different times throughout the world, with a pronounced tendency to hit the hardest during the winter months. Why? Some scientists feel that since everyone tends to stay inside during the wintertime, our quarters are more confined and the illness has a chance to spread more effectively. Others feel that the cold weather can prove to be an efficient breeding ground for the virus, and it may allow the virus to live longer and possess a greater chance of infecting another person.

In this article, we’ll offer some tips that can help to keep you safe from the flu when the season strikes.

How is the influenza virus transmitted?

* By inhaling the air that contains the virus. Sneezes and coughs can send flu particles flying through the air as far as three feet, causing more and more people to fall victim to the virus. It’s also important to remain very hygienic when flu season is about, making sure to wash your hands regularly.

* By touching contaminated items. Doorknobs, keyboards, and other common shared areas can be host to the flu virus. Do your best to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or your mouth before you wash your hands, as you can come down with the flu through this manner.

What can you do?

* Make sure to avoid close contact with any co-workers who may be sick. But it is also very important to remember that the flu can spread a day before someone even experiences any symptoms, and it can still spread up to five days after all the symptoms have disappeared. For this reason, minimize unnecesary close contact with people and crowded places.

* Wash your hands regularly, as common areas such as the workplace or school are often breeding grounds for the flu virus. If you’ve come down with the flue, be sure to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough as to prevent further infections from the virus. Also, be sure to throw away used tissues immediately and after you are done having the flu, change your bed linens.

* Keep your immune system as strong as possible to minimize the chance of getting the flu but also because the immune system is responsible for eliminating the flu virus. Be sure to get enough sleep, and eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Some people find that supplements such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E are helpful when it comes to boosting immune response. If you live somewhere where a flu outbreak has taken place, you may want to ask your doctor about preventative antiviral medications that can help to keep you safe from the sickness.

* Many opt for a flu vaccine, however vaccines aren’t a surefire method of preventing the disease They change from year to year as different strains of the virus spread, so it’s important to get one a month or two before flu season begins in order to reap the benefits. For those who are fearful of injections, they’ve recently introduced a nasal spray vaccine which can provide the same efficiency when it comes to preventing the flu. If a flu outbreak has recently occurred in your office and you are afraid of falling victim, you may want to speak to your doctor in order to get an antiviral compound such as Tamiflu which can help you to avoid coming down with the illness.

If you already have the flu, try some natural flu home remedies to help you cope it a little easier. If you are a diabetic or suffer from another chronic disease, talk to you doctor about how to get immunized before the flu season starts. Elderly people above 65 should also consult with their doctor to get some advice.

* By inhaling the air that contains the virus. Sneezes and coughs can send flu particles flying through the air as far as three feet, causing more and more people to fall victim to the virus. It’s also important to remain very hygienic when flu season is about, making sure to wash your hands regularly.

* By touching contaminated items. Doorknobs, keyboards, and other common shared areas can be host to the flu virus. Do your best to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or your mouth before you wash your hands, as you can come down with the flu through this manner.

What can you do?

* Make sure to avoid close contact with any co-workers who may be sick. But it is also very important to remember that the flu can spread a day before someone even experiences any symptoms, and it can still spread up to five days after all the symptoms have disappeared. For this reason, minimize unnecesary close contact with people and crowded places.

* Wash your hands regularly, as common areas such as the workplace or school are often breeding grounds for the flu virus. If you’ve come down with the flue, be sure to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough as to prevent further infections from the virus. Also, be sure to throw away used tissues immediately and after you are done having the flu, change your bed linens.

* Keep your immune system as strong as possible to minimize the chance of getting the flu but also because the immune system is responsible for eliminating the flu virus. Be sure to get enough sleep, and eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Some people find that supplements such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E are helpful when it comes to boosting immune response. If you live somewhere where a flu outbreak has taken place, you may want to ask your doctor about preventative antiviral medications that can help to keep you safe from the sickness.

* Many opt for a flu vaccine, however vaccines aren’t a surefire method of preventing the disease They change from year to year as different strains of the virus spread, so it’s important to get one a month or two before flu season begins in order to reap the benefits. For those who are fearful of injections, they’ve recently introduced a nasal spray vaccine which can provide the same efficiency when it comes to preventing the flu. If a flu outbreak has recently occurred in your office and you are afraid of falling victim, you may want to speak to your doctor in order to get an antiviral compound such as Tamiflu which can help you to avoid coming down with the illness.

If you already have the flu, try some natural flu home remedies to help you cope it a little easier. If you are a diabetic or suffer from another chronic disease, talk to you doctor about how to get immunized before the flu season starts. Elderly people above 65 should also consult with their doctor to get some advice.

How To Properly Build Muscle and Put On Size In The Gym

2008-01-05T20:15:00.000-08:00

First of all, it is important to have a goal – weight training is good for increasing strength, adding more bulk to your frame, or toning existing muscle. This article will focus on the techniques needed to build MASS. In order to build mass, it is essential to damage existing muscle in order for it to be repaired. Given the right stimulus, the body is incredibly efficient at repairing itself, new tissue is often stronger and healthier.
Here are some essential tips for piling on the muscle:

1) Feed your muscles
Muscle needs protein order to grow; a high protein diet will ensure that you get maximum growth from your muscles. Lean red meats are a good source of protein and also contain other nutrients essential for muscle growth. It is better to eat little and often as opposed to larger meals less frequently, it is also a good idea to have meals prepared prior to your workout, or to have a protein shake handy – this will prevent snacking. Your diet should also include quality calories, vitamins, good fats, minerals and lots of water.

2) Stick to a plan
Firstly, identify your goal – getting “bigger” is simply not specific enough, how big do you want to be? Why not identify a target weight, or chest measurement? Making your goal specific will ensure that you have something to aim for, something against which you can measure your performance. Once you have decided on a goal, you need to then formulate a plan which will enable you to achieve it. Most gyms will be able to help you with a routine which will help you achieve your goals, but unless you can afford a personal trainer, it is up to you to follow it. It is easy to deviate from your plans, doing so can lead to setbacks and also cause you to lose motivation altogether. Firstly, you will need to give your plan time to work; you will not see results overnight, building muscle takes time. Some muscle building magazines will tell you the latest “killer abs” exercises, or “how to build massive biceps” but hopping from system to system will not get you anywhere. This is why it is important to stick to your plan.

3) Core muscle building exercises
It makes sense to target the stronger, larger muscles when aiming to increase your muscle mass. It is possible to build a lot of muscle using only the following exercises: Squat, bench press and wide grip pull up. Using these methods will help you build strength and muscle mass in primary and secondary muscle groups. Squats target quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes, the bench press will target your entire chest (pectorals,) triceps and front shoulders (deltoids.) The wide chin grip pull up focuses on lats, but also targets the entire upper back, biceps and forearms. These exercises should be the foundation of your weight training routine, they target a wide range of muscle groups and you will see results much faster.

4) Master the techniques
Before you add an extra 20kg to the bar, are you at risk of injuring yourself? To get the most out of your session you must ensure you are lifting correctly. Your muscles learn correct movement through repetition; this is why it is advisable for new gym members’ not to begin with heavy weights. Bad habits lead to bad technique which can lead to injury. If you are not sure whether you are lifting a weight correctly or it does not feel right, you should seek advice from someone more experienced. For example, you often see people arching their back struggling to bench a massive weight – this is a bad technique that must be unlearned in order to progress. If you perform your lifts correctly, your muscles will learn the correct techniques and you will benefit more from your training.

5) Train hard
Building muscle is not a walk in the park; it is going to be hard work. You must train with intensity in order to gain the maximum benefit from your training.

6) Use free weights
Most gyms have a combination of free weights and resistance machines, it is essential to use free weights wherever possible. Free weights require a greater range of motion than most resistance machines; therefore, using them makes better use of primary and secondary muscle groups. This, in turn, will build compound mass because it increases the number of muscles used in training.

7) Identify your weaknesses
Under developed muscle groups often show growth quicker than those which are more developed. With experience, you will be able to identify your weaker areas and target them with specific exercises.

Long tresses, to turn heads

2008-01-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

The one most important feature that every person takes pride is in their hair, and having a good mop of hair is a way of looking good and feeling great.

The one most important feature that every person takes pride is in their hair, and having a good mop of hair is a way of looking good and feeling great. As a person grows older, the hair growth gradually decreases and they need to take care of what they have to avoid hair loss from setting in. Since people give a lot of importance to external appearance, it is important to eat a balanced diet combined with regular exercise to maintain one’s skin and hair to preserve the good looks. There are plenty of hair products available in the market which are all aimed at helping a person take care of their hair and keep it in good condition. Hair products range from shampoos, conditioner, hair Apart from this; various other serums and oils are available to keep hair clean and rich.

It is said that after shampooing, a conditioner must be used to avoid hair from getting dry; or one can use the also leave-on potions available to keep hair tangle free and shining. There are wide arrays of brands that are into hair products, and the user needs to determine which suits their hair texture and scalp and then use those products only. If a person’s occupation requires for them to spend most of the time outdoors under the sun, they need to wear protective hats or apply sunscreen on hair to prevent it from getting burnt in the hot sun. All these apply not only to women, but also to men else they will be left with severe hair loss and other related woes which have no permanent cure. To promote hair growth, one can take medication such as vitamin pills, iron tablets, eat food rich in Vitamin C, D and A; or does oil massage regularly to increase blood supply in the scalp.

Some hair experts recommend that olive oil be warmed and massaged into the scalp, left overnight and then washed off with a light shampoo for best results. The advantage of this is that it not only keeps the roots of the hair healthy, but also leads to growth of thick strong strands. Increased usage of the hair products could be harmful, and lead to hair fall or thinness of the hair strands. Plus if a person is allergic to a certain chemical, they must be careful not to use any hair products that contain the same.

While traveling, it is advised that a person carry their own set of hair care products that they have been using regularly. This helps take care of hair even when away from home and not using alien products that could be strong or harmful. There are a select few who believe in preparing their own mixture of hair care products at home, they should carry enough to last them during the trip. These could be more effective as some of the store bought products could have more of chemicals and artificial coloring in them. It is therefore important to identify the hair type before choosing a hair care product off the shelves for long lasting luscious hair.

Make sure to use natural and safe products for your hair, to enjoy healthy lock of hair as you grow old.

Over use of Antibiotics are on the increase. Natural Remedies can help you.

2008-01-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some results of a study on antibiotic resistance being funded in Massachusetts by the federal government:

Early state findings suggest that some doctors may be contributing to overuse of drugs by prescribing them without seeing the patient, or by giving in to patients' demands for antibiotics even when they're not needed.

The harm in this is that the overuse of antibiotics increases the chance that
bacteria can breed new strains able to survive the drug rendering it ineffective. Drugs are also stored in the body and can cause illness and dis-ease down the road.

What one Dr. says is happening

A survey carried out by the state agency that oversees Medicaid showed that 44 percent of prescriptions written for 76,000 mostly low income Mass. Health members in 1999 were given without seeing the patient in an office visit, said Dr. Annette Hanson, director of the state Division of Medical Assistance.

Most of these prescriptions were for ear infections in children, which are often caused by so-called ``streptococcus'' bacteria that are increasingly resistant to standard antibiotics, said Hanson.

Some doctors said the patients wanted the antibiotics `just in case,' and others said the patients felt the doctor didn't care about them unless they were given a prescription,'' Hanson said Tuesday at a conference on the antibiotic resistance problem.

Instead of perscription drugs, why not try some natural remedies? You can keep then on hand and will not need a prescription.

Alternative Health Remedies

Let me mention four remedies today: Olive leaf extract, Thyme (oil or capsules), Coconut oil and Probiotics.

Here are some general ideas about adult use (this will vary from person to person.)

Olive leaf is usually taken as 1/2 teaspoon of the tincture three times per day. Or two capsules three times.

Virgin Coconut oil is taken by the tablespoon. I have people start at one tablespoon and add a tablespoon to what they are taking every fourth days. Until they are at 4 to 6 Tablespoons per day. Great for viruses and fungus. As well it is excellent for candida and there is a die off reaction. Because so many people have candida I have everyone increase amount every few days. I order mine from a site on the internet.

Thyme oil can be obtained as an essential oil to rub onto the skin mixed into carrier oil. 1 or 2 drops in the carrier oil. Or you can infuse 4 or 5 drops of thyme oil as aromatherapy. As well, you can purchase thyme in capsules or in tincture. 1 or 2 Capsules or ¼ to 1/2 teaspoon of tincture three times a day.

Caution with thyme oil: Thymus Vulgaris is a skin irritant in high concentration, it should not be used with epileptic conditions, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure or during pregnancy.

Thyme and Olive leaf can be found at the health food store or on the Internet. I prefer Herb Pharm tinctures as they are organic and muscle test very well.

If you are into alternative health care methods and use such things as Thyme oil or Olive leaf extract when you start to come down with something, you may be doing harm to your good bacteria in the colon if taken over a period of time. Keep it short, It may clear both the good as well as the bad bacteria.

So my last suggestion, which I consider the best is to take probiotics to innoculate your colon with good bacteria. You need about 85% good bacteria to 15% of the bad bacteria.

As well, I suggest you re inoculate your colon with good probiotic bacteria after the use of the natural anti biotics mentioned above. It is the best ways to assist your immune system in the long run.

Consuming Sodas Causes Osteoporosis in Teenagers

2008-01-04T21:49:00.000-08:00

Teenagers who drink a lot of soda have now been documented as being more prone to bone fractures and osteoporosis than those who do not drink much soda pop.

A questionnaire was given to 460 girls in the 9th and 10th grades, asking them about their diet and exercise habits, along with any history of fractures.

The study results showed that girls who drank soft drinks were more than three times more likely to have a bone fracture. And physically active girls who drank Cola were nearly five times more likely to have had a bone fracture.

Studies have linked mineral loss before to Cola consumption, but finally some one thought to check out teenager's consumption and how it might affect them. The conclusion was that drinking soda pop causes osteoporosis in teenagers.

Between 40% to 60% of peak bone mass is built during the teenage years. Consumption of soft drinks affects both boys and girls. The acidic nature of the phosphoric acid in the drink causes the body to pull minerals such as calcium out of the bones to buffer the acid.

Many teens are very active in sports. Note how much more likely drinkers of the soft drinks were likely to have a bone fracture? Thirty to fifty percent!! Is your teenager in sports and drinking soft drinks? Colas?

I offer Nutritional work ups and mineral assays, using hair analysis. Teenagers I see in my practice today, more than ever before, are not eating many fruits and vegetables. These are needed to provide the minerals to build strong bones. Add to this the consumption of soda pop and these teenagers are setting themselves up for conditions such as osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones have become more porous and therefore more fragile and prone to breaking. It is thought to be a problem for older people, however this study shows that teenagers may be the newest group to suffer.

How does your teen score in soda consumption? How does (s)he score in eating plenty of green vegetables? Or other food choices such as yogurt, small amounts of cheese, Beans, Salmon and other things with high calcium/mineral content?

And how much water is (s)he drinking? Your teenager may not like water after drinking all the flavored and sugared soft drinks. However water consumption is vitally important for health and electical conductivity of the body.

As a health practioner, I suggest one quart of water for every 50 pounds of weight. So if your teenager weighs one hundred pounds, (s)he would need to drink two quarts of water a day. As an added incentive, tell them it will help clear up the bad skin problems.

Educate yourself and more importantly your teenager about the use of soft drinks and the consequences. Educate them about a better diet. This concept of how to eat better will last them a lifetime and build better health, wich they will notice more, the older they get.

Remember, Prevention is the best measure! Help them to understand the importance of eating their fruits and vegetables and drinking purified water. This way, they may avoid osteoporisis.

Cardio-Boxing for Super Fitness

2008-01-03T22:24:00.000-08:00

Sports scientists agree that cardio-boxing is one of the best forms of exercise, because it conditions the total body and provides a complete workout for your cardiovascular and endurance systems.

The major benefits of cardio-boxing include:

* Increased Stamina
* Increased Strength
* Increased Speed
* Increased Coordination

Cardio-boxing also promotes a person's well being by strengthening their self-discipline and combined with strength training it's well and truly the total package for self-defense and fitness and usually consists of:

* Adjusted heart rate work
* Actual boxing techniques

The usual workout consists of the age-adjusted heart rate work starting with 10 minutes for beginners and leading up to 20 minutes for the more advanced. For the second part of the workout, you'll need to perform and practice 20 minutes of actual boxing techniques.

Cardio:

The best way to measure the effects of an exercise program on your body is to check your pulse.

The easiest way to check the pulse is to place your index and middle fingers on your carotid artery or the wrist. Immediately after the exercise, count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.

You can also check your pulse during the exercise but with safety as a first priority. To get a more precise reading of your pulse rate, purchase an electronic device from any sports store.

Now you have your exercising pulse rate or heartbeats per minute. We'll be concentrating at the upper end of your pulse region: the 50% - 70% ranges.

To figure this out, deduct your age from 220. Suppose your age is 40, deduct this from 220 and you get 180.

50% of 180 is 90 beats a minute,
60% of 180 is 108 beats a minute,
70% of 180 is 126 beats a minute and so on.

Don't jump into 70% work straight away. Start with 50% and slowly work your way up to the 70% upper limit.

Start with no more than 10 minutes, and work up to 20 minutes. Once you're comfortable with working out for 20 minutes at 70% then try to increase the heart rate up to 80%.

Mix up your cardiovascular activities in the gym. Use the treadmill, skipping, rower, climber, and bike and other equipment that might be available to you.

Boxing:

The boxing stance is the posture a boxer takes before and after every action depending on whether you are left or right handed. We'll be dealing with the most common; right-handed. For left-handed people, just reverse the instructions.

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, with your left foot in front of your right foot. Your right heel should be slightly raised with your left foot flat on the floor and toes pointing ahead.

Bend your knees a little and balance your weight comfortably and evenly. Place your elbows close to your body with your left fist held at head height and in a position that corresponds to your left foot.

The right fist should be at head height also and guarding the chin, with both elbows protecting your body and both fists protecting your chin.

This is your defensive and offensive position after throwing punches, so please practice this before going any further. When moving forward in this boxing stance the left foot moves forward first and then the right follows.

When moving back, the right moves back and then the left follows. When moving sideward to the right, the right foot moves first followed by the left. When moving sideward to the left, the left foot moves first followed by the right.

Practice this moving forward, back and sideward in the boxer's stance until it is done smoothly and quickly. Remember to keep your guard up and elbows tucked in to your sides.

Keep your head at eye level with your upper body leaning forward slightly. In boxing it is important that punches are thrown quickly and then bought back quickly to assume a defensive posture.

Punching:

A left jab has many uses, it can be used for both offensive and Defensive actions. From the set stance the left arm is pushed quickly and forcefully forward, the weight is shifted to the front foot. The fist moves in a straight line and straight back again for defense.

At the moment of impact the back of the hand and the lower arm are in a straight line. Keep the right fist in the defensive position and elbow tucked into the body during the movement.

The straight right is also known as the punching hand and can be thrown with considerable force. The arm moves straightforward from the chin, the body weight is shifted to the front foot with the ball of the foot of the back leg pushing into the floor for more power.

The back of the hand is straight and pointing up at the moment of impact. The arm is then immediately pulled back for protection after the hit.

The left hook to the head and body is an effective punch for closer range work. From the set stance turn your left shoulder quickly and move your elbow up to shoulder height. The fist moves in a circular motion to the target, with the elbow bent.

Rotate your hip and body whilst pressing your front left down keeping the back of your fist pointing up and in a straight line with the lower arm. The left hook to the body is similar to the above but increases the rotation of the body

The right uppercut is also carried out at close range. Drop the lower part of your punching arm until the lower and upper arm is at right angles to each other. The back of your hand should be pointing away from you, now thrust your arm forward and upward to your target.

Shift your body weight to your front leg and rotate your hip and shoulder on the same side. Remember to keep your left fist guarding your chin during the entire movement. Now practice all your punches until they are done quickly and smoothly.

To develop speed and endurance, try punching straight left and right combinations into the heavy bag. The duration of the exercise period is the same as the rest period i.e. 10 seconds exercise, 10 seconds rest, 20 seconds exercise, 20 seconds rest, and so on. Move up higher as your condition improves.

Gary is the author of several ebooks, including "Maximum Weight Loss in Ten Weeks" - the complete ebook and time-saving solution for burning away unwanted fat, and "Maximum Weight Gain in Ten Weeks" - easy-to-use and follow techniques that serve as a guide to muscle growth without having to "live in the gym".

Home Remedies for Hair Care

2008-01-03T16:28:00.000-08:00

Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skin. Hair is found only on mammals. The primary component of hair fiber is keratin. Keratins are proteins, long chains (polymers) of amino acids. They tend to be the body’s barometer that indicates good health or the poor health. There are three types of hair that grow on the human scalp. Dry hair looks dull and is often difficult to control after shampooing. They have dry and split ends. When the oil glands become inactive they make the hair dry. Dry hair needs lot of care and nourishment. They tend to be thin, rough and brittle.The structure of hair is like the scales on the skin of a fish that has overlapping scales around a central core called the cortical. Smoother overlapping more shiny and smooth the hair looks. This also leads to easy combing while a tangled or roughed-up structure makes the hair look rough and dull. Diet and lifestyle are two major factors that influence the health of the hair. Poor diet, illness and deficiencies of any particular vitamin and mineral affects the quality of hair and problems like dandruff, thinning hair, balding, premature graying etc. spoil the hair. An individual the condition of the hair is a reflection of the complete constitution of him. If the person is not healthy then the health of the hair will be deplorable.

Some common hair related problems dandruff is very big problems of hair. Dry skin flaking off the scalp and itchiness is referred to as dandruff. Hair loss-when the amount of hair lost grows higher than the normal hair fall that takes place due to the change in environment, increasing age or growth of new hairs, it is referred to as hair loss problem that needs special care. Improper or poor diet, exposure to a lot of chemicals or cosmetics, hormonal imbalance, stress, anxiety and mental tension are some causes of hair loss. Premature graying of hair-Graying of hair is a natural process that happens with increasing age, but if the hair starts graying before the age of 35, it is termed as premature graying that occurs due to the aggravation of Pitta dosha. Itchy scalp-Aggravation of Pitta dosha, stress, allergic reaction to shampoo, air conditioning, pollution and central heating lead to an itchy and red scalp, with tiny pimples or sores, dull and dry hair.

Many treatment is avalable of hair problems including is use natural shampoo or soap to clean the hair. Use amla (embilica officinalis), Shikakai (Acacia concinna) for washing the hair. Enhance oiling and massaging of scalp. Use coconut oil or mustard oil at least three times in a week. Use medicated oils like 'Mahabhringraj oil', 'Amala oil' and 'Arnica oil'. Put oil on the scalp and massage gently in the roots of the hair. Maintain a regular bowel movement everyday. The diet should contain more green leafy vegetables, salads, milk, fruits and sprouts. Take more proteins, milk, buttermilk, yeast, wheat germ, soybean and vitamin A. Regularly cleaning and brushing the hair is very important. When the hairs are brushed, oil-producing glands in the scalp get stimulated. This natural oil makes the hair glossy and healthy. To give extra shine to the hair, after washing rinse the hair with some lemon juice mixed in a cup of warm water.

Home Remedies for Hair Care

1. A diet rich in zinc should be followed, as the main cause of dry hair is the deficiency of mineral zinc.

2. Rosemary is an effective hair tonic and conditioner. Rosemary also helps retain color especially in dark hair.

3. Chamomile and lemon juice have a mild bleaching effect on hair. Mix chamomile tea with lemon juice and use as a rinse to lighten hair.

4. For problems with dandruff, add rosemary and/or patchouli essential oils to your shampoo or mix with almond oil as a hair treatment for your scalp.

5. Wash hair with peppermint or spearmint tea to promote hair growth.

6. Use flat beer to help prevent spit ends do it once or 2 times a month but it straight on your hair, wrap it in a towel for 1 to 2 hours and rinse out.
Apply raw egg and olive oil to prevent hair loss.

7. To a cup of coconut milk add two tablespoons of gram flour. Apply on the scalp and massage gently. Rinse the hair after five minutes. Use this method once a week.

8. Make a conditioner by mixing one tablespoon of castor oil, one tablespoon of glycerin, a teaspoon of cider vinegar, a teaspoon of protein to a tablespoon of mild herbal shampoo. Apply it on scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse the hair.

9. Add a teaspoon of lavender oil to the coconut oil and heat it for few seconds. Massage the scalp at night and shampoo the hair next morning. Follow this procedure twice a week for soft and shiny hair.

10. For hair growth apply coconut milk with aspirin and leave in hair for 2 hours then wash and rinse hair.

11. A tea and beer rinse is one of the oldest ways to bring shine to your hair. Boil used tea leaves in enough water, let it cool and then use this liquid as the last rinse.

12. In the similar fashion you can use flat beer (i.e. after letting the fizz out). This is a great conditioner to be used for your hair.

13. To bring that shine one can use honey to keep your scalp moisturized. You can make honey lotion for your hair by mixing 3 teaspoons of honey for pint of water.

14. The use of henna as a natural conditioner proves to be very beneficial for your hair. It helps to bring back the bounce and flair of your hair which has been lacking for quite a while.

15. For a great hair treatment/conditioner try 1 egg yoke, 1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil, and 2-3 drops Vitamin E. Combine these, wet hair, mix combination into hair. Let set for 3-5 minutes, feels/looks/smell strange but it works so well. Wash out with shampoo.

What is Hair Loss?

2008-01-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

People all over the world see hair as important. In the west, for instance, almost all brides are prepared for their approach to the altar by the hands of an expert stylist. On that supreme day, their hair style may be the most elaborate they will ever have in their lives. At the opposite extreme, when a young girl of one of the aboriginal tribes of the Amazon jungle reaches puberty the women of the village ceremonially remove all the hairs from her head, one by one.

We use our hair to express our personalities - to conform, to make a statement, to help us feel good, to attract other people. Sometimes our hair even seems to reflect our mood, especially when we are sad or depressed. Our hair is perhaps our most distinctive feature. Any sudden change in its color or style startles our friends and produces comments from our family. Hair is an amazing material.

In the hands of an expert and with the use of modern hair products, it is soft and shining and seems full of life. Strangely, however, hair is dead. Hair, if properly looked after, made to shine with 'health'.

Yet all too often this 'crowning glory' of ours is neglected. And then it can look shoddy, dull and lifeless. It becomes a constant disappointment, all the worse because we know that, however expensive and beautiful our clothes, if our hair looks a mess we won't be seen as well-groomed, poised and fashionable.

Hair so often fails to do for us exactly what we expected. Its behaviour raises endless questions, sometimes almost despairing: Why did my hair suddenly look such a mess just before that vital interview? Could I have done anything to avoid that happening?

Why did it look fine when I walked out of the salon yesterday, and terrible this morning?

Why, when it had so much volume and 'body' when I was on that Mediterranean holiday, has all that gone now I'm at home in November?

Why was the results of that home color so disappointing?

Why does a woman's hair so often 'fall out' after she has had a baby?

Why do so many men (and some women) go bald?

Why does so-and-so's lovely red hair never perm very well? Why does my hair go out of condition so easily? What can I do to restore it?

All hairs naturally fall out at the end of the growing period. You can lose between 50 and 80 hairs a day. They tend to come out with brushing and shampooing. So if you wash your hair only once a week, it is perfectly in order for you to lose several hundred hairs at one go!

However, it is possible, a person may start to lose more hairs than usual. If this hair loss is significant, and if it persists, then sooner or later the scalp may become visible through the thinning hair. The condition is called alopecia. The name comes from the Greek word alopekia, which means 'fox': foxes (and also dogs) sometimes suffer from bald patches due to an unpleasant disease called mange. (Fortunately, humans do not get mange!)

10 Tips to Improve Your Sex Life

2008-01-03T01:38:00.000-08:00

Your bed’s feeling a little too crowded. You kick out the dog. But it’s still crowded. What gives?

It’s time to examine your gut. You’re getting older, your metabolism’s slowing, your handles are growing… maybe your thighs jiggle and your hips shimmy when you shake your booty. All in all, you don’t feel, well, sexy anymore. If you’ve forgotten what the phrase “frisky devil” means, keep the Viagra at the doc’s office and make some of these easy changes to your health regimen (or just start a health regimen) to rev up your sex life.

1. OJ’s Not Just for Glove Wearin’

Vitamin C’s a perfect fit for boosting your pleasure. Popping a couple thousand milligrams a day will improve your blood flow (making for stiffer, longer erections for men and riper Tweety Birds for ladies); and this potent little antioxidant will also work hard to take down any free radicals that try to damage the cells in your private parts - C’s your own, personal sex brigade.

2. Couples Stretch

Stretching your muscles is great for increasing flexibility and helping you achieve some of those positions you’ve only been able to read about (what is “Skin the Cat,” anyway?). Stretching with your partner has the benefits of 1. learning more about each others’ bodies, 2. testing each others’ limits and developing deeper trust and 3. getting good visuals while you lengthen. Start off by trying this simple stretch for your hips and back: Sit cross-legged, facing each other; grab each other at the elbows; one of you leans back (while the other one supports); and hold it for 15-30 seconds. Switch. Now hop in bed and reap the benefits of your work!

3. Sunflower Seeds Aren’t Just For the Birds

Sprinkle these seeds on a salad or grab a handful as a snack and feel your energy soar. Sunflower seeds are packed with B1, an energy boosting vitamin. Energy boosting, as in more endurance in the sack. B1 is also responsible for making sure your nerves and muscles work together and for keeping your ticker strong - both essential bodily functions for crazy sex. Foods also high in B1: tuna, black beans, asparagus and spinach - ten bucks Olive Oyl was one satisfied ho’.

4. Go Nuts

Nuts are chock full of B3, a vitamin that aids in beauty, emotional stability and energy. B3 is one of those vitamins responsible for freeing the energy from your food so that it can be used by your body. For sex. High energy = good sex. B3 also increases blood flow (we love those hard-ons!), controls your blood sugar (because who wants to sleep with a moody monster?) and helps your nervous system function properly (so you can tingle all over). Enjoy these treats in moderation, as they’re also high in fat.

5. Throw out the Cow

Substitute your regular milk for soy and reap the benefits of this magical bean. Besides being high in B vitamins and good for your heart, soy helps the ladies get lubed up. Soy adheres to a woman’s estrogen receptors, which determine how much lubrication her vagina needs. A little more soy means a little more lube. You’ll make your man think he’s turning you on faster, giving him more confidence, and, dare we say, inspiration in bed.

6. The Reason they’re Red Hot

Add some spice to your day by enhancing your meals with chili peppers. Chili pepper’s another food to help your blood circulation and it also stimulates your nerve endings, making for more pleasure in your pounce.

7. Take a Walk

Even if you’re not a hardcore exercise fanatic, doing something as simple as walking two miles a day can improve your sex life. Besides making it easier for you to move around in bed, people who workout get hornier. An Italian study of men and ED showed that the more men exercised, the better their wangers performed - a simple walk cut any risk of ED by 70%. And they’re not alone, ladies. Some science types at UT Austin studied women pre and post exercise. After watching a porn flick, the physically active women had 169% greater blood flow to their vaginas compared to when they were inactive. Getting your heart pulsing gets the rest of you pulsing.

8. Throw out the Cow II

Next time you think of ordering a burger, think of ordering one made out of fish instead of beef. Fish is high in Omega 3, a nutrient otherwise missing from our American diets. Scientific evidence shows that it helps with brain function (making for smarter sex), staving off depression (making for happier sex) and improving cholesterol and blood circulation (making for mmmmmmmmmer sex). If you can’t bear to let go of your beef, try popping a pill; Omega 3 can also be found in your vitamin aisle.

9. Cut Down On the Booze

Almost everyone’s had the unfortunate experience of a not-so-hot night in bed after knocking back a few too many: She needed to fake orgasm because she just couldn’t get aroused and he, unfortunately, couldn’t fake orgasm so he had to face his limp willy. Face the sad, sad truth: You don’t recover from a hard night of partying like you used to. The longer you prolong the beginning of the end, the lonelier your own end will be. Take care of yourself now so you can take care of your partner later.

10. Masturbate

You hear it right: go to town on yourself! The better you know your body and the more in tune you are with your “feel good receptors,” the more you can help your partner bring you to that place of ecstasy. You know how your doctor recommends you exercise three to five times a week? Just add this onto your regular routine. (Except you might want to wait until you leave the gym.)

10 Great Lens Care Tips

2008-01-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

Contact lenses can change the way you see the world. Using lenses drastically alters your vision and appearance. But for maintaining the health of your eyes and protecting your vision you need to care for your lenses. Protein deposits or fungal growth can prove detrimental to your eyes.

Contact lenses can change the way you see the world. Using lenses drastically alters your vision and appearance. But for maintaining the health of your eyes and protecting your vision you need to care for your lenses. Protein deposits or fungal growth can prove detrimental to your eyes.

Once you have had your eyes checked by the doctor and ordered your lenses, request your eye care professional to instruct you on how to care for your lenses. Educate yourself by reading articles and tips on web sites devoted to the care of vision health. Make a list of doubts you want to clear and find out answers to the questions.

Many lens providers give a detailed booklet along with the lenses. Read the booklet thoroughly and understand what needs to be done. Remember, lens care is not standard different kinds have a different regimen. So, the care required would depend on whether your lenses are daily wear, disposables, soft lenses, hard lenses, or continuous wear. Daily wear lenses must be removed at the end of the day, continuous wear lenses at the end of six days and disposable lenses must be discarded.

Basically lens care means:

1. Washing your hands thoroughly with mild soap, then rinsing the hands well and drying with a lint free towel before handling the lenses. Your hands must be free of pollutants and foreign bodies at all times. Never use cold cream, cosmetics, face powder or lotions just before handling the lenses.

2. Always handle lenses with your fingertips. Keep fingernails short and well filed.

3. After removal, the lenses must be cleaned, rinsed, and disinfected well. The solutions used must be approved by the FDA and manufactured by reputable companies. Never compromise on quality, remember you must protect your eyes. Clean lenses immediately after you remove them from the eyes.

4. The lens care solution must be fresh not expired and follow carefully the chemical system of sterilization.

5. For rewetting lenses only use recommended solutions not saliva or any other alternative. Never lick your lens or use tap water.

6. Fix your routine and follow it carefully. Remove lens 1, clean, rinse, disinfect and then place in its chamber in the lens storage case. Then repeat procedure for lens 2.

7. Lenses should always be completely immersed in disinfecting solution when not in use. Never leave lenses exposed to dust or air.

8. Learn the correct method of storing lenses.

9. If recommended use a lubricating solution while the lenses are in use. This will give comfort.

10. If you experience stickiness, discomfort, or any other problem immediately consult your doctor and replace the lenses. No lens with bacterial or fungal growth should ever be worn.

If you experience any irritation from household cleaning fluids, gardening solutions, flying particles, or chemicals rinse your eyes well with tap water and go immediately to the doctor’s clinic or hospital. Treatment must not be delayed.

Regular Vision Checks Important For Children

2008-01-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Back to school rituals and getting children prepared for the school year provides a good time for the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health to remind parents that children's eyes need to be examined regularly. The health of eyes and good vision are important to the development of healthy children. Your child could be having eye problems, or may not be able to see well. Without treatment, vision problems can affect a child's ability to learn.

"Vision screening and documentation of that screening is required for all children entering Georgia's public schools for the first time," said Stuart Brown, M.D., director of the Division of Public Health. "Approximately 100,000 children beginning school for the first time, plus an additional 20,000 transfer students from out-of-state, at various academic levels are screened each year in collaboration with local health departments," said Brown.

Problems that can be detected and treated early with regular eye examinations include amblyopia or lazy eye. If untreated, it can cause irreversible visual loss in the affected eye. Strabismus or misalignments of the eyes are common problems. With early detection, patching the properly aligned eye, forcing the misaligned one to work, can restore vision. Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, which are usually corrected with glasses.

Public health provides technical support services to school nurses, public health nurses, hospital staff and some private agencies to upgrade skills in screening procedures. Educational programs are customized and are provided to enable those serving children to properly screen and refer for sensory disorders. Hearing and vision screening services are offered primarily by local (county) public health departments, local schools, Head Start programs, in day care centers, and at health fairs.

Parents need to remember that children need routine eye exams at the following stages in a childâ€™s development. Newborns should be checked for general eye health by a pediatrician or family physician in the hospital nursery. In the first year of life, all infants should be routinely screened for eye health during checkups with their doctors. Around age 3Â½, kids should undergo eye health screenings and visual acuity tests (or tests that measure sharpness of vision) with their doctors. Around age 5, kids should have their vision and eye alignment evaluated by their doctors. An eye doctor should examine those who fail either test. After age 5, further routine screenings should be done at school or the doctor's office, or after the appearance of symptoms such as squinting or frequent headaches. A teacher will oftentimes realize the child isn't seeing well in class. Kids who wear prescription glasses or contacts should have annual checkups to screen for vision changes.

Signs that a child may have vision problems include constant eye rubbing, extreme light sensitivity, poor visual tracking, and continuing redness or tearing. Once a child reaches school age, poor vision contributes to difficulty reading, an inability to see objects at a distance or on the blackboard, squinting, and even sitting too close to the television.

Java coffee can impact your health

2008-01-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

For some people, the day doesn't begin until they have had their third cup of coffee. And while these slaves to Starbucks often make light of their coffee compulsion, Laura Juliano says a physical dependence on caffeine is no laughing matter.

"We have all heard someone say, 'I can't function without my coffee,'" says Juliano, professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. "The fact of the matter is, we know if someone doesn't get coffee, he might become jittery, develop a headache, or have problems concentrating.

"Drugs affect the pleasure centers of the brain, and caffeine is no exception," continues Juliano, who's currently running 13 caffeine- and nicotine-related studies in AU's Behavioral Pharmacology and Health Promotion Laboratory. "It makes us feel good when we get it, and bad when we don't."

What makes caffeine unique from other drugs is that complete abstinence is neither optimal nor realistic. Caffeine is present in so many products, from yogurt to decaf coffee (an 8 oz. cup boasts 5 mg of caffeine), it's nearly impossible to completely avoid. Besides, in moderate doses it's pleasurable.

"In general, people do best at levels of about 200 mg of caffeine or less per day," says Juliano. At that consumption level, which amounts to about two 6 oz. lattes or cappuccinos, people will still enjoy caffeine's pleasurable effects, including happiness and sociability. Much more than that, though, and people are likely to experience jitteriness, anxiety, and insomnia.

"I think it's part of my role as a researcher and educator to inform the public about the effects on the body, and how caffeine can be used safely and in an optimal way," says Juliano.

That's no easy task, though, considering most people have no clue how much caffeine they are consuming in their morning espresso - let alone in their chocolate bar, coffee ice cream, or energy drink.

According to Juliano, if caffeine is found naturally in a product, like coffee or tea, it doesn't have to be listed as an ingredient. Caffeine must be labeled if it's added to a product like soda, "but even then, you don't know much," says Juliano.

"Caffeine is a very difficult drug to use, in that sense," she continues. "When you smoke, you know how many cigarettes you are going through. But most people have no idea how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee." (In fact, the coffee suppliers, themselves, don't always know how much caffeine is in their product unless they send it to a lab for testing.)

Juliano recommends people use the National Sleep Foundation's caffeine calculator - available at www.sleepfoundation.org toÂ track their daily intake. "Once you get a sense of how much caffeine you are being exposed to, you can make a systematic attempt to cut down," she explains.

But don't go cold turkey, says Juliano. "People often give up caffeine, completely, and they get a bad headache so they'll have a cup of coffee or Coke. So that doesn't seem to be the best strategy."

Instead, she recommends the less painful approach of gradually decreasing your caffeine consumption over several weeks. "Have half as much coffee this week, then halve it again next week and see how you feel," Juliano explains. She also recommends drinking lattes or cappuccinos instead of drip coffee, and mixing regular coffee with decaf.

It's also important to remember that only about 50 percent of people experience a headache after cutting their caffeine consumption. In fact, much of Juliano's work in the AU lab focuses on the variability of withdraw symptoms.

"There is a dose-dependent relationship: the more caffeine you use, the more symptoms you'll experience," explains Juliano, who started a caffeine dependence clinic at Johns Hopkins University during her postdoctoral fellowship, from 2000 to 2002. "But at the same time, some people don't experience anything - they can sort of take or leave the caffeine."

As for Juliano's own caffeine consumption, she's kicked the habit - at least temporarily. "I'm pregnant - that's a pretty good reason to give it up," she laughs.

Why Diets don't work?

2007-12-29T18:51:00.000-08:00

People who diet often can lower their metabolisms enough to decrease their caloric needs. This can be done in two ways:
* First, a diet of less than 1000-1200 calories can actually cause a starvation-like state and force your body to conserve calories The body will cut back its caloric needs to survive. Therefore, you won't lose more in the long run on a 500-calorie diet than you would on one above 1000 calories. This starvation state can lower the metabolism for as much as one year.

* Second, crash dieting can change the body's composition. Let's say you lost 10 pounds in two weeks. Most of that weight was water (5 pounds), some was fat (3 pounds) and the rest was muscle (2 pounds). When the weight is regained (as 95 percent is), it comes back in the form of fat and water. Every future diet can perpetuate this downward cycle of muscle loss; the chronic dieter may change their percentage of body fat over time from 25 percent to 35-40 percent. Surprisingly, the scale may not show large amounts of weight change. Muscle burns up more calories than fat and chronic dieting makes you lose a large percentage of what helps you keep trim. This Yo-Yo effect of losing and regaining can harm the body. It is better to never have dieted at all than to keep losing and regaining the same 1020 pounds.

What does help lose and maintain weight is healthy eating habits and food choices and a more active lifestyle. Take a fresh look at your daily diet and exercise -- get rid of the idea that a diet is something to endure for a month after which you can go back to your old habits. Make short- and long-term goals to slowly change your lifestyle to include healthier food choices and to be more active at work and play.

Heart Health – Fish Oils To The Rescue

2007-12-28T05:20:00.000-08:00

In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming more common, lets take a look at something most of us can add to our weekly diet for prevention of heart problems.

Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oil promotes heart health. A daily dose of fish oil has helped prevent, slow or even reverse the hardening and narrowing of arteries in heart disease in some studies.

In the current issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Munich report that a fish-oil capsule a day may``modestly'' improve blood flow to the heart and bolster traditional therapy in patients with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. In a study of 223 men and women, those who took a dose of fish oil per day for two years had fewer atherosclerosis complications such as heart attack and stroke.

Fish oil, found in fish such as salmon, it is a key component of the low-saturated-fat Mediterranean diet that has been linked to the lower incidence of heart disease in that area of the world.

How does fish oil work? Researchers are not ready to say, but one team of doctors used x-ray to peer into patients heart arteries at the beginning And end of one study. They found that after two years, the arteries of the fish-oil patients, on average, offered more room for blood flow to flow through, with less plaque.

The improvements were not dramatic, however the doctor’s team concluded that the benefits found in this study are significant enough to warrant including fish oil as part of traditional heart-disease treatment. At minimum, taking a daily capsule or dining on fish twice weekly would fulfill the needed amount.

Fish oil has also been found to help heart rhythm problems and can help to thin the blood as well. Research continues and always finds Fish oils to be helpful for the heart. It is certainly worth adding fish a couple times per week to the diet, isn’t it?

Ways to Ease the Stress

2007-12-28T05:09:00.000-08:00

* Talk with someone about your feelings-anger, sorrow, and other emotions-even though it may be difficult.
* Don't hold yourself responsible for any disastrous event or be frustrated because you feel that you cannot help directly.
* Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by staying active in your daily life patterns or by adjusting them. This healthy outlook will help yourself and your family. (i.e. healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation, meditation.)

* Maintain a normal household and daily routine, limiting demanding responsibilities of yourself and your family.
* Spend time with family and friends.
* Participate in memorials, rituals, and use of symbols as a way to express feelings.
* Use existing supports groups of family, friends, and church.
* Establish a family emergency plan. Feeling that there is something that you can do can be very comforting.

Viagra Under Attack

2007-12-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

A freelance writer who specializes in the pharmaceutical industry takes on a Viagra critic.

I recently read an article that made fun of and attacked people who use Viagra, the world's best-known treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The article claimed that Viagra users, rather than gracefully accepting their erectile dysfunction as a natural part of aging, are resorting to a wholly unnatural and potentially dangerous remedy to their condition.

It went on to suggest that men with erectile dysfunction should accept their bodies as they are instead of taking Viagra. They compared it to bald men who try to fool people with a comb-over, or aging women who buy new breasts.

By the time I finished reading this out-and-out anti-Viagra diatribe, it was clear to me that the article was wrong on so many levels.

Let Nature Take Its Course?

If erectile dysfunction is nothing more than a natural part of aging for men, so too unfortunately are arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and numerous other conditions that develop with age. If we accept the article's contention that men with erectile dysfunction should forgo using Viagra and just take what comes their way without complaint, should the same men also decline treatment for prostate cancer, not seek out effective therapies for their osteoarthritis, etc?

If it's true that the body begins breaking down naturally at a very early age, perhaps we should simply let nature take its course and shun all medicines entirely - aspirin, insulin, Viagra, and everything in between.

The Quality of Life Argument For Viagra

While erectile dysfunction is not a life-threatening condition, neither are most forms of arthritis, and yet people spend millions every year on pain medication and other therapies that help improve their quality of life. One could easily argue that no drug has done more to improve quality of life in recent history than Viagra.

The article I read also failed to acknowledge that erectile dysfunction may be caused by another (sometimes more serious) underlying condition - diabetes, nerve damage, or vascular disease, for instance. In some of these cases, erectile dysfunction does not fit neatly into the 'natural part of aging' category.

There is clearly nothing wrong with treating an unfortunate symptom of a health condition with Viagra or another erectile dysfunction drug. Doing so is no different from prescribing medication to treat the insomnia that is sometimes associated with asthma, lung disease or other illnesses.

A Limp Comparison

The comparison that the article attempted to make between Viagra and both breast implants and the bald man's comb-over was similarly misguided. Quite simply, one cannot compare an FDA-approved erectile dysfunction treatment with either of these cosmetic examples.

I certainly have nothing against women who opt for breast surgery and recognize that it often has a profound effect on women's lives. However, the results obtained from the procedure have largely a psychological benefit, whereas Viagra produces a well-documented physical effect on erectile dysfunction.

The reference to the comb-over is even more ludicrous. Men who take Viagra usually point to a measurable change in their erectile dysfunction, while a man's hairstyle is a purely superficial choice that makes no physical difference to their health or abilities.

Consider the Side Effects

The article did make one point that I was able to agree with. It stressed that men who use Viagra to treat their erectile dysfunction can experience side effects and that some of the side effects reported are potentially dangerous. This is true enough.

However, here again the article stretched things considerably in suggesting that the more dangerous side effects of Viagra are far more common than they really are. In reality, the milder Viagra side effects - congestion, facial flushing, and headache - make up the overwhelming majority of reported issues. And most men accept them gladly as a small price to pay for the benefits they gain.

Viagra and Quality of Life

Certainly, men who suffer from erectile dysfunction would be wise to weigh the pros and cons of any treatment they are considering, including Viagra. In the end, though, to suggest that men ignore the potential benefits of a safe, scientifically-proven, and government-approved treatment for erectile dysfunction is no less than irresponsible.

The quality of life benefits that Viagra has given to millions of men and their partners are simply too great to dismiss.

You can find out more about Viagra and a range of other erectile dysfunction treatments, including how to order them online, by visiting the Viagra product information page on eDrugstore.md.

Top 10 Tips for caring for your contact lenses

2007-12-25T09:41:00.000-08:00

1.NOT wear your contact lenses to sleep - this practice increases the chance of infection by 10 times.

2.TAKE your lenses out of your eyes at night, after washing your hands. RINSE and RUB each one in the palm of your hand with a sterile multipurpose solution or hydrogen peroxide. This removes most of the microbes and particulate matter on your lens after wearing them so allowing the disinfectant to work.

3.Place your lens in your storage case with FRESH multipurpose solution or peroxide.

4.In the morning, REMOVE your lens from the solution in your storage case and place it in your eye (if using peroxide remember to neutralize it).

5.THROW AWAY the solution from your storage case (NEVER reuse it ) and shake the case until it is dry or allow it to air dry (a paper tissue may be needed to wipe it dry).

6.Leave the storage case DRY all day. This kills many contaminating bacteria.

7.CHANGE the storage case every month WHEN you change your ‘disposable’ contact lenses so that a FRESH new lens is used with each NEW storage case. Wearers of non-disposable contact lenses should CHANGE their storage case every month.

8.NEVER wash your storage case or lenses with tap water - this predisposes them to contamination which can cause infection. Only wash the lens or storage case with STERILE solutions.

9.NEVER store your lenses in fresh saline solution or tap water!

10.If you develop a sore red eye, STOP wearing the contact lens at once! The inflammation usually resolves itself but if pain persists for more than 24 hours, visit a doctor or eye-care professional and advise them that you have been wearing a contact lens. TAKE your lens, storage case and cleaning solution with you - it will HELP them establish what has happened. CAREFULLY follow the instructions that you are given.

If you have any of the following:

* an eye disease
* a dry eye
* are using regular drugs for your eyes
* diabetes
* suffer from repeated infections
* are aged under 15 or over 65

You must discuss your suitability for wearing contact lenses with your optician, optometrist or eye care doctor.

Kids need calcium to build strong bones

2007-12-23T21:46:00.001-08:00

Osteoporosis, a disease of bone loss leads to debilitating fractures, earlier known to affect only the older generations is now discovered to be a problem common to the kids as well.
Researches in the recent past have shown that children are drinking increasing amounts of sodas and fruit juices and less milk. While other foods contain calcium - the mineral so important to building strong bones - few deliver as much as a glass of milk.

alcium is essential for many purposes, including tooth formation and proper nerve and muscle functioning. Under normal circumstances, we maintain a tight range of calcium in our bloodstream no matter what our intake. Extra calcium is banked in bones, to be used when needed.

Few parents realize that children need to consume enough calcium while they are building bones to ensure a strong skeletal system. How much is enough?

1. Infants under 12 months old should be fed breast milk and need no special calcium supplementation.

2. Toddlers from 1 to 3 years old need 500 mg per day

3. Children from 4 to 8 years old need 800 mg per day

4. Youngsters through teens, 9 to 18 years old, need a hefty 1,300 mg per day.

5. An 8-ounce glass of milk provides about 300 mg, and the same amount of yogurt provides even more. Cheese packs 200 mg per ounce.

Mothers should think of creative ways to add milk while cooking. Toss spoonfuls of nonfat, powdered milk into tomato sauces, casseroles, mashed potatoes and pancake batter. Use milk instead of water when preparing oatmeal, bread or pizza dough, canned or packaged cream soups and sauces, and rice or pilaf dishes. Sprinkle cheese on steamed vegetables, or make a cheesy dipping sauce for fresh veggies sticks. Most kids enjoy a snack of a freshly blended drink, made with combinations of their favorite fruits mixed with yogurt, ice cream or milk.

Consider bringing back the traditional after-school or bedtime snack of cookies and milk. It's a wonderful calcium-rich experience that will build fond memories - and bones - as your children grow.

Understanding Depression

2007-12-23T21:16:00.000-08:00

Everyone goes through periods of "the blues." But when it goes on for a long time, or has side effects that make even small things difficult to accomplish, you may be suffering from depression. Understanding the causes and signs of depression can help you or someone you care for seek appropriate treatment. Depression can be devastating, but help is available.

UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES
Depression can be caused by overwhelming losses such as the death of a friend, severe illness or divorce. Some people have difficulty facing the sadness, anger, shame or remorse that can go along with such an event. They become depressed as their feelings numb.
People who feel powerless over a situation often feel depressed. For example, those with very high standards may feel especially bad when they try hard, yet fail to meet their goals. If someone dies, they may be certain they could have prevented it. If they're fired from a job, they may blame themselves again and again, rather than let go of their disappointments.

Loneliness and lack of affection can cause depression. Turning anger inside, which is more common for women than for men, is another cause. Expressing anger in a healthy way can help relieve it. Physical conditions such as hidden food allergies, poor diet or low blood sugar can also cause depression.

RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS:

Someone who is depressed may show signs such as:

· loss of interest in home and work;

· frequent crying;

· change in eating habits: eating too much or too little;

· unexplained nervousness or grouchiness;

· poor self-image;

· lack of energy for regular activities;

· change in sleep patterns

TREATMENT CAN HELP:

When someone is depressed, life loses its sparkle and meaning. Spending time with a special friend can help. But sometimes, the depression hangs on stubbornly for weeks or months. If you or someone close to you is experiencing this kind of depression, seek professional counseling. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may include:

· professional counseling;

· aerobic exercise, such as running or swimming;

· practicing positive self-talk

· scheduling activities throughout the day;

· vitamin B6, folic acid and or niacin supplements;

· medication, if indicated.

Treatment for depression can range from professional counseling to something as simple as aerobic exercise.

Keeping Acne Under Control

2007-12-23T17:36:00.000-08:00

1.Keep your hands away from your face. Squeezing blackheads and pimples can make them worse.

2.Keep your hair off your face. Cut, tie, or comb it, but don't let it add to your acne by spreading oil and bacteria.

3.Avoid oily soaps, moisturizing creams, oily hair preparations, and all heavy makeup.

4.If you use makeup, be sure to use water-base preparations.

5.Change the way you wash your face, If you find yourself facing periodic acne breakouts, try changing the way you wash your face. Don't scrub too hard, because that can irritate your skin and make it more vulnerable to bacteria. Use a clean towel (or tissue) to dry your face, so as not to transfer bacteria from a used towel. And be sure that objects that come in contact with your face "like a telephone receiver" are clean. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, exercise, and try to take stress breaks. Don't rely on the sun to "dry up" your acne. It won't help and it will only set you up for wrinkles and skin cancer.

6.Within the limits of a healthy diet, eat whatever you like. There is no evidence that diet affects acne. If you believe that you react to certain foods, keep a record of what happens each time you eat the food and eliminate that food if you are convinced that it flares your acne.

7.If tetracycline is prescribed, be sure to take it at least one hour before or two hours after mealtime. Never take milk, ice cream, or other dairy products within two hours before or after taking medicine. It's best to take medicine at bedtime with a glass of water. Other antibiotics can be taken with meals. Please ask for instructions.

8.Remember, treatment only controls acne; it doesn't cure it. Don't stop treatment because your skin clears up. Acne lesions begin at least a month before you can see them.

9.Learn to accept the ups and downs of acne activity. With persistence, you will ultimately see real improvement.

Brushing Tips

2007-12-23T02:43:00.000-08:00

* Use a soft bristled brush, preferably one with rounded, synthetic bristles.

* Replace your toothbrush approximately every two to three months or as soon as the bristles are worn or bent. A worn-out toothbrush does not clean your teeth properly, and may actually injure your gums. You should also replace your toothbrush after you've had a cold.

* Be sure your brush is the right size (in general, smaller is better than larger).

* Place the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line, and slide the tips of the brush under the gums.

* Gently jiggle the bristles or move it in small circles over the tooth and gums.

* Brush the outside, the inside, and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. For chewing surfaces, use a light back and forth motion.

* For the front teeth, brush the inside surfaces of the upper and lower jaws: Tilt your brush vertically and make several strokes up and down with the front part of the brush over the teeth and gum tissues.

* Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath. Debris and bacteria can collect on your tongue and cause bad breath.

* Since your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time, change its position to clean each tooth properly.

* Brush at least once every day, preferably at bedtime. Adding a brush time after breakfast increases your chances of thorough daily plaque removal.

* Take your time: A thorough brushing should take at least 3 minutes.

* Don't brush your teeth too vigorously, and don't use a hard bristled toothbrush, since it causes the gums to recede and exposes root surfaces. It also wears down the tooth structure. Both of these conditions can lead to tooth sensitivity.

* A pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste is sufficient.

* Replace your brush when the bristles begin to spread, as a worn out toothbrush will not properly clean your teeth.

Tips on Gallstone Disease

2007-12-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

1.Gallstones typically develop over many years, although they can form in months. Gallstones are present in about 20% of women and 10% of men over the age of 55.

2.There are two basic types of gallstones: cholesterol and pigment. Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type in the United States.

3.About 75% of gallstones do not cause symptoms. The most common symptom caused by gallbladder stones is episodic upper abdominal pain.

4.For healthy patients who have no symptoms, no therapy or change in diet is needed. Patients with uncomplicated symptomatic gallbladder stones should reduce dietary fat and consider surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). An alternate approach is oral bile acid therapy. For complicated disease, gallbladder removal is warranted.

5.Patients who undergo rapid weight loss are at risk for the development of small cholesterol gallstones and may benefit from bile acid therapy. Gallstones can seldom be prevented, although a low-fat diet may provide some protective benefit.

Breathe to relax

2007-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

When you're under stress, your muscles tense, and your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. one of the simplest (and best) ways to stop this stress response is to breathe deeply and slowly. It sounds simple, and it is. Most of us, however, do not breathe deeply under normal circumstances, so it may help to review the mechanics of deep breathing and how it helps us
to relax

Breathe to relax

Breathing Under Stress:

When prehistoric humans were in danger of attack, their muscles tensed and their breathing became rapid and shallow, as they prepared to run or fight. Their high level of tension was a means of preparing their bodies for optimum performance. Today, the causes of our "stress" are different, but our stress response is the same. However, since we're not running or fighting, our tension has no release and our stress response builds. One way to counteract the stress response is to learn how to breathe deeply and slowly -- the opposite of how we breathe when under stress.

How Deep Breathing Works:

Deep breathing is not always natural to adults. Watch the way a baby breathes: the area beneath the chest goes in and out. Most adults breathe from the chest. This is shallower breathing, so less oxygen is taken in with each breath. As a result, the blood is forced to move through the system quickly so that enough oxygen gets to the brain and organs. Higher blood pressure results.

Deep breathing can reverse these effects. Take some time to practice this kind of breathing each day, especially when you're under stress. You can be sitting, standing or Iying down, but it helps to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Begin by breathing in through your nostrils. Count to five silently saying the word "in " and let your lower abdomen fill with air. Then silently saying the word "out" as you let the all escape a pursed lips. Do this deep breathing for two minutes or more each time. With practice, you will be able to count slowly to 10 or higher; You can increase your relaxationicon if you imagine breathing in ocean air, the scent of flowers or forest air.

Effects of Deep Breathing:

By helping you let go of tension, deep breathing can relieve headaches, backaches, stomach aches and sleeplessness. It releases the body's own painkillers. called endorphins, into the system. It allows blood pressure to return to normal, which is good for your heart. Deep breathing can also allow held-in emotions to come to the surface, so your emotional health benefits from deep breathing, too. Use deep breathing any time, anywhere. It's one of the best techniques for relieving stress.

Control blood sugar and blood pressure without prescription drugs

2007-12-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

High blood pressure is a condition that has the potential to be quite a health risk. Therefore, it is essential for anyone suffering from high blood pressure to follow the advice a health care professional or a qualified naturopath before relying entirely on remedies other than prescription drugs. Similarly, for controlling blood sugar, while you may try alternative remedies, you should always take your doctor's advice about reducing the intake of (or stopping) prescription drugs.

Silymarin for blood sugar
Antioxidants are known to be beneficial in controlling blood sugar. Silymarin, (silybum marianum) a herbal extract taken from the seeds of Milk Thistle, has wonderful antioxidant properties that work in this manner. By taking Silymarin, you can reduce your blood sugar levels quite significantly. Silymarin contains the active ingredients called flavolignans, which help the liver from poisoning. They also are believed to help in controlling Type 2 Diabetes, although the exact mechanism as to how they do it is still not clear.

Mulberry leaf
Morus, or mulberry leaf is chock full of Vitamin A and the B family of vitamins. It also contains pectin, adenine and choline. Chinese make and consume 'sugar control herbal tea' made from morus, green tea and jasmine in order to control blood sugar levels.

Vaccinium berries
Herbs that include huckleberries, blueberries and bilberries belong to the genus Vaccinium. Bilberries are rich in antioxidants and are said to control blood sugar levels. Both the leaves and the fruit of the bilberry herb have long been in use for the treatment of diabetes. However, as the leaves do impair the normal working of the liver when used for a long time, it is better not to use the bilberry leaves at all. But the berries of the bilberry herb are very useful, even if they may not actually lower the blood sugar levels. They are good in protecting the blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes and other diseases.

Neem leaves
Extracts from neem leaves and bitter gourd, it is believed, help in controlling blood sugar levels, provided they are consumed on a long term and regular basis.

For controlling blood pressure, you should first take care of your nutrition. Avoiding meat and dairy products will help. In doing so, you can reduce your cholesterol too. Eat an abundance of fruits, especially those kinds that do not aggravate your blood sugar levels in case you are a diabetic as well. The best thing that can really work for lowering your blood pressure is drinking a lot of plain water while avoiding consuming soft drinks, particularly those that are processed drinks and those that contain sugar. It is better to avoid coffee as well. The best advantage with water is that it does not produce any side effects at all.

The next thing you can do is to minimize your intake of common salt or sodium. Better yet, just avoid salt altogether in your food. Table salt is processed sodium chloride and is found in high quantities in processed and pre-packaged foods. If you start with with only fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and whole grains, you won't have a problem lowering your sodium intake. If you cannot avoid salt intake altogether in cooking, you can perhaps use sea salt or "Celtic salt", whose molecules are quite complex, and so it is not harmful like table salt is. It is also difficult to find low-salt foods at restaurants due to the high volume of prepared and frozen foods they buy before they even begin making your dish in the restaurant.

Three Abdomen Exercises That Really Work

2007-12-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

1.Standing Stabilizer: This forces your core muscles to keep your body balanced as your centre of gravity shifts.

A.Stand with your feet parallel,hip-width apart.Place hands on hips.Inhale as you raise right knee in front;stop at hip level.Pull belly button in an hold.Use a wall or chair for stability if necessary.

B.Holding abdomen tight,extend leg to straight and make a quarter-circle with toe to bring leg out to side.Lower;repeat 10 times.Switch legs.Do two to three sets.

2.Foot Push: Since legs and hips are heavier and harder to lift than your upper body,this move is more challenging than a crunch.

>>Lie on back,hands at sides,holding legs in the air straight out from hips.

>>Exhale and contract abdomen by pulling belly button toward spine while pushing feet to the ceiling.Hips will tilt forward slightly and legs will lift up a few inches.Hold;then inhale as you lower and repeat 15 times.Do one to two more sets of 15.

3.Reverse Rotation: A variation on the elbow-to-knee crunch,this move works the obliques(the muscles that cover your ribs and sides) and back muscles.

>>Lie on stomach with elbows out to the sides and chin resting on both hands.

>>Keeping abdomen tight,exhale as you raise chest a few inches off the floor and rotate chest to the right;hold.Rotate back to centre and then to the left;hold.Inhale as you lower;repeat 10 times on each side.Then do one to two more sets of 10.

Go Lean

2007-12-18T01:04:00.000-08:00

How do we go lean? We go lean by reducing some of the hidden fats in our diet. So here are (I know we've heard these before, but have we done any of them?) a few suggestions for Thanksgiving but more importantly, beyond. Let's:

Ask how is our food prepared? Let's ask our waiter how the entree is prepared. I have ordered grilled entree's to have them show up drowning in sauce or butter. Let's request no sauce and then ask for a separate gravy boat of sauce on the side. We can then add a little bit ourselves for flavor. This alone can save us a few hundred fat calories!

Ask what does this entree come with? This is another favorite question of mine to ask a waiter. I have seen many things come on a plate that were not listed on the menu. And, most of us know what happens once the French fries are in front of us.

Make special requests. Let's order all our foods grilled, broiled, steamed, and/or poached and again with all sauce on a separate dish on the side. Let's ask for our sautéed veggies to be made with chicken stock instead of butter (it's tasty, I promise). Let's order our eggs poached rather than fried or scrambled (this can save about 200 fat calories alone!).

Make substitutions! Let's order a baked potato instead of French fries for example (think about the fiber we're getting instead of the good greasy taste we're giving up along with those carcinogenic chemical compounds that are formed during deep frying). Let's try a non fat creamy cottage cheese with a touch of butter spray as a topping for our baked potato (here we not only go lean, but we swap fat calories for high protein calories!). We can also substitute a baked sweet potato for sweet potato pie this holiday. Cooking for the holiday? Let's try non fat chicken broth as a replacement for oil, butter spray instead of butter, low fat evaporated milk instead of heavy cream. We can also order club soda instead of tonic for our mixed drinks, and we can choose to drink wine instead of hard liquor.

Think fish, fish, fish! Even the highest fatty fish is healthier and mostly still lower in total fat (not to mention lower in saturated fat). Thanksgiving is turkey day of course, so if we remove the skin and choose the breast we're almost as lean as eating fish!

Add our own salad dressing! Okay, shoot me for this one. Most of us don't like showing up at a restaurant with our own bottled dressing, but we can try balsamic vinegar with a drop of shaved parmesan instead of oil and vinegar. (1 tsp. of grated cheese is less than half the calories of 1 tsp. of oil, and it goes a long way). Add some mustard and we're almost gourmet.

Let's start the day with a nutrient dense breakfast! Let's start our day with oatmeal, high fiber cereal, yogurt and fruit, etc. instead of muffins, bagels and those "white flour buttered rolls with fried eggs"! When we start the day feeding our body with premium fuel, it can make a big difference in how we feel and what we eat the rest of the day. Lastly, this applies to turkey day too, because if we save our calories for the big meal, we're more likely to eat even more (and I'm not referring to eating more turkey!).

Revlimid May Help Against Chronic Leukemia

2007-12-14T00:12:00.000-08:00

Summary: The drug Revlimid (lenalidomide) may be effective for some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to other treatments or comes back after treatment, according to a small Phase 2 study. If the results hold true in larger clinical trials, Revlimid may prove to be another option for patients who otherwise have few treatments left to try.

Why it's important: CLL is considered an incurable form of cancer. Although many people live for many years with this disease, it does eventually come back after treatment. There are not many treatments that work in this situation, especially if people have already been treated with the chemotherapy drug fludarabine. Patients need more effective ways to tackle CLL after their initial treatments.

What's already known: Revlimid was approved in 2005 to treat a type of bone marrow disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome. It has also shown promise against multiple myeloma, another type of bone marrow cancer. In lab studies, the drug appears to decrease the production of substances that help CLL cells survive, and to encourage the leukemia cells to die through a natural process called apoptosis. Those studies prompted the researchers, from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, to try Revlimid in patients with CLL. They published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

How this study was done: The study included 45 people who had not responded to their CLL treatment or who had had a relapse after successful treatment. Most had been diagnosed with stage III or IV leukemia and were therefore considered high-risk patients. Participants took a Revlimid pill once a day. Treatment continued until the patients showed a response or had unacceptable side effects. Patients whose cancer progressed during treatment were given the drug Rituxan (rituximab) in addition to Revlimid.

What was found: Of the patients in whom a response could be measured, four (9%) had a complete response (no evidence of remaining disease) and 17 (38%) had a partial response to the Revlimid treatment. One patient died, and 3 saw their disease progress.

The Revlimid caused some side effects, including fatigue, low platelet counts, and low white cell counts. Two patients developed serious blood clots in the lungs. More than half of the participants in the study also experienced a flare reaction, which is a sudden swelling of the lymph nodes or spleen accompanied by fever and rash. This side effect was treated with ibuprofen. Patients who enrolled in the study later were given prednisone to make the flare reaction less severe if it did develop.

The bottom line: Although the researchers are concerned by the high percentage of side effects with the dose used in this study, they say Revlimid warrants further study in people with CLL. Future studies should explore different doses of Revlimid, and try combining Revlimid with other drugs that are effective against CLL (like Rituxan and the chemotherapy drug fludarabine), they say.

Why You Need To Drink Plenty Of Water

2007-12-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

By now, everyone has heard that you're supposed to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. We've all heard it, but how many of us actually do it?

Very few.

Today, I'm going to cover why drinking enough water is so important for your health and why it's absolutely essential if you want to lose weight.

First, let's cover the basics. Your body is 60-70% water. Your blood is almost all water. Your muscles contain water. Heck, even your bones contain water. Water is essential to proper body function. Your body uses water to regulate its temperature, transport nutrients, build body tissue, digest food, breathe, lubricate joints, and a whole host of other tasks.

Basically, without water you die.

When you're dehydrated, exercise becomes more difficult.

Studies have show that even mild dehydration of just 3% of your body weight can decrease your strength by 10%. And if 10-12% of your body's weight in water is lost, death can occur. So before, during, and after exercise, be sure to drink water.

Water Is Essential For Weight Loss

I know that some people are afraid to drink too much water or they think they'll get bloated and start retaining water. Actually, the opposite is true. When your body is dehydrated, even a little bit, your body starts to retain water to survive. When your body starts retaining water, your kidneys stop eliminating waste through urine so your body starts building up waste. Once your kidneys stop doing what they're supposed to, the liver steps in and tries to help out. However, when the liver steps in to get rid of waste, it starts to neglect its other jobs, one of which is burning fat. So when you're dehydrated, you're not going to be burning fat. If you want to burn more fat, drink more water.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

The number you hear thrown out most often is that you should drink 8 8oz glasses of water a day (64oz). However, for many people, especially active people, your needs may be a gallon of water or more.

The National Research Council recommends 1-1.5 ml of water for ever calorie (kcal) you use each day. So, if you typically expend 2000 calories a day, then you should drink 66-100 ounces of water a day. If you expend 3000 calories a day, then you should drink 100-149 ounces of water each day.

It may seem like a lot of water, but keep in mind that once you feel thirsty, you're already in a state of mild dehydration. Your goal should be to never be thirsty.

Hungry Or Thirsty?

It's been said that the thirst mechanism is so weak in most people that it's often mistaken for hunger. So next time you think you're hungry, drink a glass of water first and wait 15 minutes. In many cases, you won't be hungry anymore, but if you're still hungry, then by all means eat. So just by drinking water you can stop yourself from overeating and this process alone may help you lose a few pounds.

Can I drink anything besides water?

Yes, but you should still make it your goal to drink mostly water. If you want to enjoy a sports drink after a workout, go ahead. If you want to have your morning cup of coffee, that's also okay.

However, soda doesn't count (you really shouldn't drink soda except on special occasions) and alcohol certainly doesn't count â€“ alcohol actually dehydrates you and stops fat loss dead in its tracks.

Can I Drink Too Much Water?

It's hard to, but yes. I was actually tempted not to even include this section since I don't want to encourage people to avoid drinking water.

So yes, it is actually possible to drink too much water. It's called water intoxication (or hyperhydration and water poisoning) and it happens when you drink more water than the body can remove (i.e. you drink too much too fast). It can also happen if you're drinking a lot of water but not replacing electrolytes during heavy exercise (i.e. you’re running a marathon).

However, this is very rare, and almost everyone doesn't drink enough water, so don't be afraid to drink water. If you're really concerned after a workout that you don't have enough electrolytes, then have a sports drink (gatorade or powerade are acceptable) or eat a banana.

What kind of water should I drink?

I don't like the idea of there being chlorine and fluoride in my tap water, so I don't drink tap water if I can help it. I usually just buy spring water by the gallon at my local supermarket for about 60cents/gallon. However, if you prefer using a water filter or if you enjoy plain ole tap water, then go ahead. There are certain types of water that are slightly better for you than others, but for now, I would just concentrate on drinking the water rather than worrying about any of the other small details.

What is the most addictive drug?

2007-12-11T01:36:00.000-08:00

This is a question that people often ask but is actually a very difficult one to answer. Addiction is not just one single and simple process, it is a complex process that has both physical and psychological aspects. Nevertheless despite this complexity two attempts have been made to determine the most addictive drug. Independently Dr. Jack E. Henningfield of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Dr. Neal L. Benowitz of the University of California at San Francisco, ranked six psychoactive substances, nicotine, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, caffeine and marijuana, on the five criteria they felt were most important in addiction.

The first of these criteria was withdrawal. This is defined as the severity of withdrawal symptoms produced by stopping the use of the drug. Both researchers rated alcohol as having the most severe withdrawal symptoms, for example hallucinations and convulsions, and the fact that withdrawal from alcohol is the only one of the included drugs that is potentially fatal.

The second criterion is reinforcement, that is the drug's tendency to induce users to take it again and again. This is influenced by the feelings that taking the drug brings, that is whether it is a pleasurable high or not, obviously if the feelings are negative there will be little incentive to repeat the experience. Again both researchers were in agreement and rated cocaine as the most reinforcing.

The third criterion was tolerance, this is defined as the user's need to have ever-increasing doses to get the same effect. For the first time the researchers disagree with Henningfield rating heroin first and Benowitz rating cocaine.

The fourth criterion is dependence. This is defined as the difficulty in quitting, or staying off the drug, usually measured by the number of users who eventually become dependent. For many dependence is viewed as the hallmark of addiction and how ‘addiction’ is usually measured by the medical profession. For this criterion both researchers are again in agreement as they rate nicotine highest for dependence. For the other drugs they both rated them in the same order that is highest for dependence, nicotine, then heroin, cocaine, alcohol, caffeine and last marijuana.

The final criterion is intoxication. This is the degree of intoxication produced by the drug in typical use. Again the researchers are in agreement and rate alcohol as the most intoxicating of the drugs.

Given the complexity of the addictive process it is not surprising that there is not a clear ‘winner’ in all criteria. What some may find surprising is that for both researchers caffeine ranked higher than marijuana on a number of the criteria and indeed Berowitz rates caffeine higher than marijuana for dependence.

These results have been quoted many times by many researchers, commentators and reporters. They are usually interpreted as nicotine, or tobacco smoking, being named the most addictive substance purely on the definition of the difficulty in refraining. What the results do show is that addiction is a complex and multi-facetted activity and that it is impossible to reduce it to a simple metric.

Home Remedies For Acne

2007-12-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

# Grind nutmeg ( jaiphal ) with unboiled milk and apply on affected area. This works as a magic. Pimples should disappear without leaving a mark.
# Apply a paste of jaggery to blackheads and let dry for 20 minutes. Peel off, and the blackheads will come out too.
# A couple of garlic cloves, crushed and dabbed on the face 1-2 times a day. One of the smellier acne home remedies!
# Cucumber leaves or grated pieces. Apply that area to get rid of acne.

# Use Lavender oil to apply directly on the acne area.
# Dab egg white on your pimple and leave on for at least 20 minutes preferably overnight.
# Drink lots of water. Drinking water will prevent most of your skin problems. Drink six to eight glasses of spring water or filtered water every day. One of the more established acne home remedies or acne tips.
# Homemade Acne Treatment using Orange peel has been found very effective. Pound the orange peel with water on a piece stone and apply to acne affected areas.
# Apply ripe tomatoes pulp on pimples and keet upto 1 hour, then wash.
# Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.
# Mix lime juice and rose water in equal portions. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
# Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.
# Fenugreek is another useful remedy for acne. A paste made of the leaves of this vegetable, applied over the face every night before going to bed and washed with warm water in the morning, prevents pimples and blackheads.
# To help the liver eliminate toxins from the blood, take Burdock root and dandelion which contain inulin. This helps to kill bacteria thus improving the skin.
# Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.
# Exercise regularly. Some form of aerobic exercise will bring oxygen to your cells and give you a healthy skin.
# Make a paste of neem leaves with turmeric powder. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
# At last, the truth will be exposed so that YOU can Cure Your Acne Condition Naturally and get your Confidence back - from the comfort of your own home.

Natural Treatments for Eczema

2007-12-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

Eczema itches and it stings too! And no one knows that like a person who suffers from it.
If you suffer from eczema, you will be glad to know that there are many products you can buy at a pharmacy or even at a grocery store that will relieve eczema's painful itching. There are more powerful medicines that fight the itching, but these have to be obtained by going to your doctor.

Surprisingly, you can make your own eczema treatments right in the privacy of your own home or you can purchase the ingredients for natural eczema treatments at your local health store.

First you need to know that if you keep your skin moisturized both morning and evening, your eczema won't bother you as much. Eczema sufferers should use a type of moisturizer known as an emollient. It's different than a regular moisture because it's oilier. It also comes as an oil that you can put in your bath water or apply directly to your body while you are showering. Be sure to keep your emollient in your refrigerator so it's cool to the skin when you apply it.

Here's an unusual remedy you can use right at home -- in fact, in your bath tub. It's an oatmeal bath. Simply add porridge oats you buy at the store to your bath water and then soak in it. Just put about a cup or two in your bath water.

Ever thought of blueberry leaves as a good way to relieve the itching of eczema? Lotions with blueberry leaves in them have an excellent reputation of relieving inflammation that eczema causes and it also helps the irritating itching that comes with eczema.

Buy some zinc pills and swallow the recommended dosage and also crush them and apply the crushed pill or pills directly to the itchy patches on your skin.

Shark cartilage tablets or capsules are also known to relieve the itching from eczema -- when you take them on a regular basis.

Vitamin E is quite soothing to irritated skin due to eczema. But don't buy synthetic vitamin E because the body doesn't benefit from it. When you read the labels on the vitamin E. bottles, if there is a "dl" in front of the description, that means the vitamin E is synthetic. But if there is a "d" in front of the description, that means it's genuine vitamin E. So the label of synthetic vitamin E would read "dl-alpha tocopherol," but the genuine vitamin E would be labeled as "d-alpha tocopherol."

So there you have some helpful suggestions that just may ease the itching you experience because of eczema. Why not try one or more of these treatment tips and see if you don't get some much needed relief?

Read more informative articles about eczema:

Asthma Prevention Tips

2007-12-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

Asthma is characterized by coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by several factors, including: allergens or irritants; viral or sinus infections; exercise; reflux disease (stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus); medications or foods; and emotional anxiety.

Asthma Prevention

Asthma Information
Caffeine and Asthma
If you feel an asthma attack coming on and don't have your inhaler handy, try a couple cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or chocolate bars. The caffeine will help open your airways.

Controlling Your Asthma
If you find yourself using your quick-relief inhaler to stop an asthma attack more than twice a week, it may be time for a different medication. In fact, if you have to refill your inhaler more than two times a year or are awakened by asthma symptoms two nights or more per week, you also probably need a change.

Correct Inhaler Use
If you use an inhaler to treat your asthma, remember that it's not a breath freshener. You must deeply inhale the medication into your lungs and hold it for three to five seconds before exhaling slowly.

NSAIDs, Aspirin and Asthma
Asthma sufferers should use the non-aspirin pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) because the use of aspirin and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), such as Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium), have the tendency to worsen asthma.

Quit Smoking Tips

2007-12-07T00:59:00.000-08:00

Want to Quit?

You promised yourself that you would finally quit smoking.

It isn't easy giving up something that is so much a part of what you do every day.

But you are not alone. Over 1 million people each year decide to quit and are successful.

Tried Quitting Before?

Maybe once, maybe more...

You started out feeling the time was right, but for whatever reason, you're smoking again. Now, you're asking whether it's worth it to try quitting again. You bet it is!

Quitting is hard, but don't give up!

Some smokers try a number of times before they quit for good. Studies show that each time you try to quit, the more likely you will be to eventually succeed. With each try, you are better able to know what helps and what hurts. Any attempt to quit is a step in a healthier direction.
Pregnant?

There's no better time to quit.

And for two very good reasons:

* You.
* Your baby.

Even if someone you know smoked during pregnancy and had a problem-free delivery, smoking puts your baby's health at risk. Quitting at any time during pregnancy is still the best chance for you and your baby to get a fresh start.

It is also important to remember that infants and children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop health problems such as chronic ear infections and asthma. Helping to eliminate these health risks is another good reason to quit.
How Do I Start?

Make a Plan

You may want to:

* Consult a health care professional to choose a quit smoking plan that is best for you.
* Set a quit date and stick to it.
* Get the support and understanding of your family, friends, and co-workers.
* Get rid of all tobacco products and ashtrays.
* Get Support and Encouragement

U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)-funded research shows the more support you have, the greater your chance for success.

Join a quit smoking program or start your own quit smoking group. Check with your health care professional, local hospitals, the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, or American Heart Association for schedules for existing groups.

Learn How to Handle the Urge to Smoke

Be aware of the things that may cause you to smoke, such as:

* Other smokers.
* Stress.
* Depression.
* Alcohol.
* What Works?
* Current treatments

There are no magic solutions for quitting smoking. But, if you are ready to quit, effective treatments are available that can help reduce the urge to smoke.

Studies show that almost everyone can benefit from these nicotine and non-nicotine replacement therapies.

* Nicotine Replacement Therapy
* Nicotine patch.
* Nicotine gum.
* Nicotine nasal spray.*
* Nicotine inhaler.*
* Non-Nicotine Therapy
* Bupropion SR.*

Diabetes - General information

2007-12-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

Artificial Pancreas Safe, Effective in Early Study
An "artificial pancreas" designed to deliver the key blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin to diabetic patients without the need for injections has been found safe and effective in a preliminary study with ten patients.

The device is an insulin reservoir, implanted in the tissue lining the abdominal cavity and connected to a sensor implanted in the jugular vein. The reservoir requires insulin refills every month or so. When the sensor detects an increase in blood glucose, the reservoir delivers the required amount of insulin.

Diabetes Tips

Blood Glucose Testing
Most insurances now pay for diabetics to have blood glucose monitoring equipment in the home. Keeping the machines clean and in good working order are vital for accurate results. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for proper cleaning and maintenance.

Blood Glucose Testing Tip
Be sure hands are clean before performing the test, but don't use alcohol to cleanse your fingertip. It's drying and may cause fingertips to crack. Wash hands with a mild antibacterial soap like Dial.

Diabetes Test After Heart Attack Shows Future Risk
Testing patients who have had heart attacks for signs of diabetes before they leave the hospital may identify those with the highest risk of future heart attacks. Many people hospitalized for a heart attack have undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes, a term coined to describe the millions of overweight and obese people who have blood sugar levels suggesting an elevated risk of full-blown diabetes. Medications, exercise and diet changes, all of which can restore normal glucose levels, may reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients who have already had a heart attack.

Diabetic Dental Care
Immaculate mouth care is a must. Diabetics are much more prone to gum disease. More frequent dental visits may be needed and careful brushing and flossing are a necessity. Avoid ill-fitting dentures that may cause mouth sores.

Diabetic Eye Care
If you're a diabetic, regular visits to your eye care professional are a must to prevent problems that could lead to blindness.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips
* Take the pressure off your feet by losing weight if you are obese.
* Inspect your feet at least once per day. If you can't see well, ask someone to do it for you.
* Wash feet with mild soap and lukewarm water daily.
* Wear white cotton socks rather than synthetic ones with dyes.
* Don't go barefoot or wear ill-fitting shoes.
* See a podiatrist regularly for toenail trims and other routine maintenance.

Diabetics Are Prone to Foot Problems
Diabetics have decreased sensation and circulation in their feet making them prone to foot infections/wounds that could eventually lead to amputation.

Drug Could Delay Diabetes
Acarbose, a drug that blocks the digestion of starch, could prevent or delay the development of the most common form of diabetes in those with slightly high blood sugar.

Exercises to Avoid
Diabetics should avoid exercises that involve pushing or pulling heavy objects and lifting weights. Blood sugar levels and blood pressure are raised during this kind of exercise.

FDA Approves New Sweetener Neotame
A non-nutritive sweetener said to be 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be marketed as an additive in candies, soft drinks and various other products.
Like other familiar sweeteners, Neotame is a white crystalline powder that dissolves in water. It is made by Monsanto, which also makes NutraSweet's sweetener Equal. Neotame is approved for use in baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, chewing gum, confections, frozen desserts, gelatins and puddings, jams, jellies, fruit, juices, toppings and syrups.
The FDA declared the product to be safe for consumption after reviewing more than 113 animal and human studies, some of which looked at any possible links with cancer-causing or neurological side effects.

Inhaled Insulin
Inhaled insulin may soon offer an alternative to needles for people with diabetes.
Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based company, has ongoing clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of an electronic pulmonary insulin system. They say it may be available in the United States and Europe within a few years.
This is the first electronic pulmonary insulin system currently being tested in clinical trials. It works by converting a special liquid insulin into aerosol particles, which are inhaled into the lungs.

Regular Exercise Is a Must
Exercise is extremely important for diabetics as it strengthens the cardiovascular system, increases circulation to the arms and legs and helps control blood sugar levels. Walking, jogging, rowing and swimming are best.

Shoes for Diabetics
* Avoid plastic shoes and waterproof shoes. They encourage perspiration and fungal growth.
* Avoid tight or unventilated footwear.
* Don't wear boots all day.
* Choose cotton or leather shoes.
* Wear sandals as much as possible in the summer.
* Don't wear the same shoes two days in a row.
* Air shoes in the sun to inhibit fungal growth.

Small, Frequent Meals
Diabetics should follow their American Diabetic Association diet and eat small meals more frequently such as three small meals with one or two healthful snacks between meals. This helps maintain a more stable blood sugar level.

Treatment of Hyperglycemia
Some symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) are: excessive urination, weight loss, excessive hunger and thirst. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor.

Treatment of Hypoglycemia
Some symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are: cool, clammy skin, numbness of the mouth, a fluttering in your chest, hunger and feeling faint. Emergency treatment includes ingesting something containing sugar like orange juice, a candy bar, or sugared soda pop. Follow that with some cheese or peanut butter crackers to sustain your blood sugar level.

What's an Exchange?
In an exchange diet, foods that are similar are grouped together. Serving sizes are well defined so that each will have the same amount of carbohydrate, fat, and protein as any other. Foods can be "exchanged" or traded with others in a category while still meeting the desired overall goals. Exchanges can be applied to most any eating situation and may make it easier to follow a prescribed diet. For example, if a nutrition plan calls for one starch exchange a person could choose 1/2 cup of cooked pasta, OR one slice of bread, OR a small (3 oz.) baked potato.

What Is Cellulite?

2007-12-05T17:36:00.000-08:00

Fat is deposited under the skin in clusters of cells held together by a fibrous network of connective tissue.The pattern of fat storage in your body is partly controlled by the sex hormones.In men, the fat is stored in a fairly uniform manner.In women, on the other hand, fat is stored to a large extent, in one or two specific areas like the thighs and buttocks.Some "body care people" have termed the fat stored in these areas as cellulite.

Cellulite

Cellulite, according to these people, is a gel like substance made up of a mixture of fat, water and waste materials, all trapped as immovable lumps, just beneath the skin.The protagonists of this theory believe that when the connecyive tissue is "poisoned", it begins to expand abnormally, accumulating fat, water and body wastes-cellulite is thus formed.

Tension, fatigue, smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol, and drugs have been held responsible for the poisoning of connective tissue and formation of cellulite;these factors are thought to slow down the rate of elimination of waste materials from the body and these then collect in the connective tissues.It stands to logic that if you eat more than you require, you would put on weight.The body can easily store this excess fat in the skin.When too much fat is stored, it tends to bulge out between the fibres of connective tissue.The overlying skin then begins to look and feel uneven and flabby.Doctors also agree that too many calories and too little exercise both contribute to this excessive collection of fat.Doctors, however, do not regard cellulite formation as a special condition at all; they think cellulite is nothing but a fancy name for excess fat.Chemical analysis has shown that cellulite is similar to ordinary fat.There is also no indication of the presence of any abnormal connective tissue or excess amount of water in the skin of people having excess amounts of the so-called cellulite.

What Are Anti-Cellulite Diets?

These diets claim to purify the body and to eliminate the so-called "poisoning agents".They basically contain the all too familiar list of low calorie foods-plenty of raw vegetables, skimmed milk, cheese, fish and lean-meat.Logically, they exclude the so-called "body-polluters" like chocolates, chips, and alcohol-all having many calories.So, naturally these anti-cellulite diets will help you lose weight.

Apart from their low calorie value, these anti-cellulite diets contain plenty of fluids, restrict salt intake and contain large amounts of iodine.Fluids are included because they are supposed to increase kidney activity and speed up the rate at which your body gets rid of the waste materials.Once the 'poisons' are eliminated, the cellulite would follow.But this is a hypothetical explanation, because doctors do not believe that the kidney activity has anything to do with accumulation and elimination of fat.Iodine is included to hasten up burning up of fat.Iodine is used uo normally in the body by the thyroid gland to produce hormones which control the rate at which fuel is burnt.Including extra iodine in the diet is, however, unlikely to be of any use in speeding up the process of getting rid of fat, as the thyroid gland only needs a minute amount of iodine and this is generally provided by a normal balanced diet.

BOTOX vs. ALL-NATURAL SKIN CARE

2007-12-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

On April 15, 2002, the FDA approved Botox® to treat frown lines. Botox® was first approved in December 1989 to treat two specific eye muscle disorders, “Blepharospasm” and “Strabismus” and subsequently approved in December 2000 to treat Cervical Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions.1

Botox vs Natural Skin Care

To gain the approval for use with frown lines, a clinical study involving 405 mostly women over 50 with moderate to severe frown lines were injected with Botox® cosmetic and after 30 days frown lines were evaluated. The frown lines were eliminated for approximately 120 days at which time re-injection was required. The FDA guidelines were injections to incur no more frequently than once every three months and the lowest effective dose should be used.

The study highlighted the following common adverse side effects:

Headache
Respiratory infection
Flu symptoms
Droopy eyelids
Nauseous

Less frequent but adverse reactions in approximately 3% of patients included pain in the face, redness at the injection site, and muscle weakness. While the adverse reactions were termed temporary, they could last months.

>The FDA approved Botox® as a prescription drug, thus, requiring medical supervision. The actual name for Botox® cosmetic is Botulinum Toxin Type A; it's actually produced from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum.

What actually occurs is an injectible form of sterile purified toxin, in a very small dose, is injected into the affected muscles to block and release the chemical acetylcholine that would otherwise cause contraction in the muscle. The toxin actually paralyzes the injected muscle.

Interestingly, the Botulinum Toxin has been known for centuries. As early as 1895, a professor (Emile Pierre van Ermengem of Ellezelles, Belgium) identified the original toxin from Bacterium Bacilus Botulinus. It was later renamed in the 1920's as Botulinum Toxin Type A, generic name Botox®, which is a registered trademark. Dr. Herman Sommer, at the University of California San Francisco subsequently provided the data sufficient forfuture medical studies.

In the 1950's, Dr. Vernon Brooks2 discovered that the Botulinum Toxin, when injected directly into an active or hyperactive muscle included the release of acetylcholine from motor nerve endings, thus, inducing a temporary paralysis of a targeted muscle.

In the 1960's and 1970's, Dr. Alan Scott, M.D. of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Foundation began effectiveness testing with monkeys to determine if the drug might have effective therapeutic modalities.

For the next 20-30 years, Dr. Scott collaborated with Dr. Schantz of the University of Wisconsin to further develop product samples.3

In the late 1970's, Dr. Scott formed a company named Oculinum, where he continued to study the drug with monkeys and in 1978 received permission from the Food & Drug Administration to test on human clinical studies. In 1988, Allergan acquired the rights to distribute Dr. Scott's Botox® Toxin Type A product. The current manufacturer, Allergan Inc., is located in Irvine, California.

Current side effects in actual applications are as follows (as a % of total side effects):

Upper Respiratory Infection - 11%
Neck Pain - 11%
Headache - 11%
Drooping Eyelids - 21%
Eye Dryness - 6%
All others - 40%

While Botox® is the rage today, alternatives for professional skin care, such as the all new NutriMinC RE9 anti-aging skin care system from IH Distribution LLC, is an excellent alternative. More information can be seen at www.ihdistribution.com. IH Distribution's products are all-natural, botanically-based, pH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, NEVER tested on animals, contain no animal products or by-products, made without mineral oil and formulated without dyes or chemical fragrances.

The idea of injecting your face every three months, at a cost of up to $1,200 per injection, with toxins, given known side effects and the significant discomfort of the injections, from a product continually tested on monkeys should drive consumer's research to other alternatives.

Webster's dictionary confirms toxins are “any of various poisons produced by microorganisms and causing certain diseases” or “any poisons secreted by plants or animals”.4

Copyright © IH Distribution LLC, 2004
No material may be use without the expressed permission of IH Distribution LLC

1. FDA T02-20 April 15, 2002
2. Schantz, EJ, Historical Perspective EDS. Therapy with Botulinum Toxin New York, New York, Marcelle Dekker Inc. 1994
3. Schantz EJ, Johnson EA, Botox® Toxin Persp Biomed 1997; 40 (4) 317327
4. Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, Copyright © 1966 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Cardio Health-Adding Variety To Your Cardio Routine

2007-12-03T00:59:00.000-08:00

Keeping up with cardiovascular exercise over a long period of time involves finding new ways to enjoy your workouts and to challenge yourself — both physically and mentally. In fact, pushing yourself to try new activities is critical to prevent plateaus in progress, boredom, and burnout. Varying your cardio routine ensures you'll have more fun — and stay more consistent — with the habits required for lifelong health and fitness.

Cardio Health

Why “variation” is so important

Making fitness a lifelong habit demands a willingness to consistently “stretch” your comfort zone. Those afraid to “try something new” often get bored with the same old cardio routine and before long lose interest in maintaining their efforts.

Those who push their limitations grow from their experiences and enjoy the confidence, health, and success that come from new achievements. Varying your activity is a critical element to challenging your current limitations.

Top ten cardio activities

While the options are endless, listed are ten great ways to vary your cardio routine:

1. Wind sprints – nothing will get your heart pumping and your lungs breathing faster than some sprinting. On the track, grass, or road — choose what terrain is available to you.

2. Swimming – in the ocean, the lake, or the local Olympic size pool. Safe at any age, swimming is a great total body cardio routine and non-impact (good for joints) activity. Try alternating various strokes and pushing yourself for timed distances.

3. Cycling – if you’ve got a road bike, great; if not then an indoor model or “trainer” will work fine as well. Spinning classes also offer a fun environment to push your cardio limits

4. Rollerblading – a great workout that challenges your lower body in a way unlike running or biking. Great exercise for the thighs, glutes, and hips. Also great training for those who enjoy the winter sports of snow skiing, ice-skating and hockey.

5. Mountain biking – with the popularity of “off-road” cycling, miles of trails in local parks or wooded areas are now easily accessible these days. Be sure to pack your safety gear and pick a trail that matches the level of your expertise!

6. Running hills – depending on where you live, hills may or may not be readily available. Try challenging your self to sprint stadium stairs or a few flights in a local hotel or office building as a great substitute. Talk about a cardio routine blast — give it a shot and you’ll be amazed!

7. Jumping rope – you might think of double-dutch or one of the games you used to play when you were a kid, but simple, timed jump rope intervals provide a serious workout. There are also several different types of ropes available including “speed” and “weighted” ropes that provide the added benefit of an upper-body workout at the same time.

8. Rowing – most of us don’t have access to a rowing shell, but fortunately many local health clubs offer alternatives. Rowing is a great way to work your core, back and legs at the same time. Some rowing machines even offer video components to make the experience like a fun video-game – complete with a computerized opponent to race!

9. Kickboxing – if a martial arts class doesn’t interest you (or you’d prefer to work up to it), there are some great cardio kickboxing DVD’s available to turn your living room into a dojo. A brief search of Amazon.com finds sixteen options to choose from — give it a shot!

10. Yoga – for clarity of mind, a good sweat, and flexibility at the same time, yoga offers tremendous benefits as part of a balanced health and fitness program. Many local facilities offer trial classes or home DVD’s are also available to fit into your ideal schedule.

Conclusion

Challenging your body and mind with new exercise activities is essential to avoiding plateaus, boredom and burnout. Pushing your limits ensures fun while maintaining the habits required for lifelong health and fitness success.

Choosing Healthy Foods Easily

2007-12-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

We all know how important it is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. But eating well takes more than simple knowledge; it takes dedication, commitment and hard work.

Choosing healthy foods seems like a simple enough concept, but after a hard day at work it's just so much easier to stop for drive-thru burgers or, worse yet, sit down with a comforting tub of cookie dough ice cream. You need to educate your mind before feeding your body. Understand what you'll get from good nutrition, and you'll find it much easier to make healthier choices.

Healthy Foods

Vegetables
The earth provides us with a huge assortment of delicious vegetables that should be the basis of every healthy diet. Choose a variety of vegetables, and eat no less than 2 1/2 cups per day. Select an assortment of dark, leafy vegetables including spinach and broccoli. Carrots and sweet potatoes are excellent choices as well. Dry beans including kidney, lima, pinto beans and chickpeas are loaded with nutrients. Pass up the French fries for a leafy spinach salad, skip the chips and grab a bag of baby carrots, and you will easily meet your daily recommended vegetable intake.

Grains
Nutritionists recommend that we consume six ounces of grains everyday. To give you an estimate of just how much six ounces can be, consider that an average slice of bread contains one ounce. A cup of cereal also contains an ounce of grain. Of course, choosing whole grain products will boost your intake. Rice, crackers and pasta are also good grain choices.

Fruits
Sweet, delicious fruits make choosing healthy foods so easy. Try to eat two cups of fruit each day. That's about the equivalent of an apple and a banana. Toss a handful of grapes into a salad, or slice a banana over a bowl of cereal. Fruit salad is a great way to get a variety of flavours in one sitting. Fruits can be canned, frozen or dried, but fresh is always the best choice. A glass of fruit juice can also count toward fulfilling your daily intake, although fruit juices should be consumed in moderation.

Dairy
Calcium is necessary for healthy teeth and bones, and is a vital requirement at any age. Children from two to eight years of age should have a calcium intake totaling about two cups of milk. Older children and adults need three cups. When choosing dairy products including milk, cheese and yogurt, go for the low-fat options. If you are lactose intolerant, there are lactose-free products on the market, as well as a variety of calcium-rich fortified foods and beverages.

Meat and beans
The food guide suggests that we eat five ounces of protein-packed meat or beans every day. This doesn't necessarily mean that sitting down to a ten-ounce strip loin or a half-pounder at the burger joint is a wise idea. Remember, you should be choosing healthy foods. Meat should be baked, grilled or broiled to prevent grease from spoiling your diet. It's easy to vary your protein intake with options like nuts, peas, beans and fish.

Fat
Certain fats are necessary for the body to function normally, but for the most part it's smart to limit fats wherever possible. Choosing healthy foods is only part of the equation. You also need to be smart in your preparation methods. Instead of loading your skillet with butter, margarine, lard or shortening, sauté your food in a little broth, or just use a non-stick pan. Seasonings and fruit juices can add flavour to your food without loading it up with fat. Foods that are high in fat will raise your weight and your cholesterol, so avoid them whenever you can.

Processed foods are packed with salt, fats and additives, so try to limit your shopping to the fresh meat and produces aisles. If you must choose some pre-packaged foods, make sure to read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels before you buy. This is an important step to limiting your intake of sodium as well as saturated and trans fats.

It really is amazing how choosing healthy foods can literally change your entire lifestyle. When you fuel your body with a nutrient-charged diet, you'll have more energy and a brighter overall outlook. Where you used to lie on the couch after consuming an eight-slice pizza, you'll find you have enough energy after your healthy dinner to enjoy an evening stroll around the neighbourhood. Choosing healthy foods can be hard work, but you'll receive a lifetime of good health for your efforts.

Reduce Your Allergies Without Side Effects

2007-11-30T19:32:00.000-08:00

It’s springtime and you want to get outside to enjoy
the warmer weather. One problem – the things which
make it spring, the warm weather, the blooming trees
and flowers and grasses, mean seasonal allergies for you.

After reading this article You’ll be armed with information
so You can decide what’s best for solving Your allergy
problems.

Allergies Without Side Effects

Beyond the obvious of minimizing dust and other allergens in
Your house, You can use a process of elimination to determine
if some foods may be causing allergic reactions. Common
foods to steer clear of are homogenized, pasteurized dairy,
Shellfish, highly processed white flour and wheat
products.

Washing fruits and vegetables with a cleansing solution to
remove pesticides and chemicals can be found at a health food
store.

You may even need to visit an allergist who can do
Allergy testing for You if You’re having trouble identifying
the source of Your specific allergies.

Here are specific supplements which are proven to help
Your body fight allergies.

Schizandra – 90 mg 3-4 times a day

Omega-3 Fatty acid fish oil gel caps – 500 mg 3-4 times a day

Vitamins A – at least 5,000 IU a day which is 100% of the
daily vitamin A Your body needs. (For some reason vitamin
A is always given in IU which is International Units. There
is no good conversion to milligrams because IU’s are
dependant on the potency of the substance).

Vitamin C – 500 mg 3-4 times a day.
Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants which
can help Your itchy watery eyes.

(These are what I take, You’ll have to gauge what’s
best for Your body). And -
Quercetin (inhibits histamine) 1 gram twice a day

These always work best in combination.

Here is a specific combination which research has found
very effective in helping Your body fight allergies.

This research is based on a study from 1952 that proved the
effectiveness of a specific supplement combination: the amino
acid L-tyrosine and two of the B-vitamins, niacinamide (B3)
and pyridoxine (B6). The three work on allergy symptoms
only when taken in combination.

The recommended daily dose is as follows:

800-2,400 milligrams of L-tyrosine.

10-30 milligrams of Vitamin B6

40-120 milligrams of Vitamin B3
Vitamins B6 and B3 are usually found together in a
good natural multi-vitamin, so they are pretty easy and
convenient to take.

You will need to split this up evenly into 3-4 doses throughout
the day. All 3 of these can easily be found at health food
stores who more than likely will have someone who is
knowledgeable on supplements and nutrition. You can also
work with a Doctor or other specialist who knows
supplements and nutrition as well.

Help for sniffling and sneezing:

Also available at health food stores are nasal sprays which
contain a simple sugar called xylitol. Xylitol helps by prevent-
ing pollen and other allergens from sticking to nasal membranes
and causing allergic reactions.

These nasal sprays also help the nasal passages to naturally
drain and clear themselves so You can breath more easily.

And finally …

If you’re not that excited about individual supplements
And how much to take, there are ready made natural
Formulations that combine the best supplements to solve
The root causes of Your allergies.

Prescriptions and over the counter drugs simply
suppress histamine and don’t help Your body to solve the
root causes of allergies.

Each of the following fills a specific niche in the fight
against allergies and You will need to research which
is best for Your specific type of allergy.

In general all of these will help Your body to naturally
reduce histamine production, reduce swelling and
improve respiratory and immune system functions.
So this way Your body can fight allergic reactions more
effectively.

Aller-DMG™
Aller-7®
Allerpro™
Aller-7 RX-Respiration™
AllerPhase™ - and their website has some great information
on how the body reacts to allergens and how to reduce
these reactions.

All of the above contain a combination of supplements to
combat allergies. And because they come highly recom-
mended by Expert Doctors, prestigious health magazines and
respected articles I have read.

Take the first step and find out what’s causing Your
allergies. If You already know, You’re well on Your
way to solving the root causes of the problem.

Then follow the experts proven strategies above to help
get Your allergies under control. Just think about all the
positive benefits You’ll get when You’re able go through
allergy season without suffering the sniffling, sneezing, itchy
and watery eyes.

What one thing will You do today to move You toward
an allergy free life?
Because once You know what works for You, You’ll be
armed and ready with the solutions for the allergy seasons.

How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure from Home

2007-11-29T18:42:00.000-08:00

There are a large number of individuals who are diagnosed with high blood pressure each year. In addition to the people who have officially been diagnosed with having high blood pressure there are even more individuals who face a risk of developing a high blood pressure problem. Individuals who are at risk of developing a high blood pressure problem or those who may needed to monitor their blood pressure are likely to use home monitoring equipment.

Blood Pressure

The best way for a high blood pressure problem to be diagnosed is through the examination of a doctor. Once a doctor has determined what the blood pressure of a patient is he or she may require their patient to monitor their blood pressure from home. Home blood pressure monitoring can allow doctors insight to the daily activities of a patient and the blood pressure levels that are associated with those activities.

If a doctor recommends that a patient monitors their own blood pressure from home it is likely that a patient may have to purchase blood pressure monitoring equipment. If the equipment is doctor recommended individuals are encouraged to speak with their healthcare professional about leasing or purchasing equipment directly through their office. This may be a great way to come across use or discounted equipment for a fairly low price. Blood pressure monitoring equipment can also be purchased from a wide variety of department stores, medical supply stores, or over the internet.

Once an individual has decided to purchase blood pressure monitoring equipment for home use they will need to determine which type of equipment they would like to purchase. As with most medical equipment there is the option for manual or digital blood equipment. A manual blood pressure monitor is commonly referred to as an aneroid monitor. They can be purchased from a wide variety of locations typically for less than thirty dollars. A digital monitor is popular because it digitally displays a blood pressure reading without having to calculate it. Digital blood pressure monitors sell for around fifty to one hundred dollars.

Unless purchased used, all blood pressure monitors should come with an instruction booklet. Individuals monitoring their blood pressure from home are encouraged to follow the directions listed on the equipment to receive an accurate readout. A nurse or physician can also offer instructions and advice on the process of monitoring blood pressure from home. For around thirty to one hundred dollars an individual who suffers from high blood pressure is able to monitor their health from the comfort of their own home.

Yoga

2007-11-28T22:28:00.000-08:00

Why Yoga?

Patients, who are ill with terminal diseases or are having undiagnosed ailments, are assured of some relief with yoga. Since Yoga attunes the body to receive treatment in a better manner, a lot of people are adopting Yoga along with regular treatment which is healthy. This way the doctor can estimate the way a patient is getting better.

Yoga Class

When to expect results?

Since the body gets adjusted to our habits, exercises, and diets, it may take time to the ways of the requirement of Yoga practices. But it should be heartening to know that any effort to incorporate yoga into one’s life is helpful and produces result. Yoga rejuvenates the body. But one has to keep using it. Once a habit is established, especially the breathing exercises, for which Yoga is famous for, the result will be visible to everybody around.

How Yoga works

It is a process which teaches how to stretch, relax, breath and then to workout. The process is so wholesome that it results in not just the physical endowments, but emotionally and perhaps spiritually, it is fulfilling too. You heal yourself when you love and the recipient also starts benefiting. It makes the mind focused

Secret of Yoga

The meaning of Yoga is to add. It defines the power of collectiveness and being a part of the community with a lot of harmony around. A thing of greater interest happens when it becomes a collective dream. Everyone can access it, has the wisdom to use and gets enlightened by sharing it. Stress is a result of limiting oneself with some kind of selfishness. The greater achievements cannot be realized without collectivity. In a class, one feels the connection with each soul. The processes arouse the innermost sentiments positively which can be felt as soulful.

Essence of Yoga demonstrations

Before our Yoga gurus made it popular, Yoga was understood to be something very tedious and was thought of impossible to practice without guidance. But now a day, Yoga teachers have been organized to conduct classes every nook and corner of any town or even in remote area. One needs to loosen the shoes and the dress and start out immediately.

How does alcohol affect your blood sugar?

2007-11-27T18:22:00.000-08:00

The sugar in our blood, also known as blood glucose, is used for growth and energy. Blood glucose comes from the foods that we eat, the breakdown of the glucose stored in our muscles (glycogen), and it can also be made from other nutrients in the body. The primary hormones involved in maintaining a healthy blood glucose level are insulin and glucagon. Normally, when your blood sugar begins to drop, your body can respond by making more blood sugar or burning up stored sugar. And when your blood sugar begins to rise, additional insulin is secreted to bring your levels back to a healthy range.

alcohol

Alcohol is considered a poison by your body, and all efforts are made to excrete it, including the cessation of maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that alcohol interferes with all three sources of glucose and the hormones needed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The greatest impact is seen in those who drink heavily on a frequent basis. Heavy drinkers deplete their glycogen stores within a few hours when their diet does not provide a sufficient amount of carbohydrates. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can decrease insulin's effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar levels. One study showed that 45% to 70% of people with alcoholic liver disease had either glucose intolerance or diabetes.

Alcohol can also negatively impact blood sugar levels each time that it is consumed, regardless of the frequency of consumption. Research has shown that acute consumption increases insulin secretion, causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and can also impair the hormonal response that would normally rectify the low blood sugar. Drinking as little as 2 ounces of alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to very low blood sugar levels. This makes alcohol an even bigger problem for anyone with diabetes. Along with the impact on blood sugar, studies have also shown that alcohol can impact the effectiveness of the hypoglycemic medications, so extreme caution needs to be taken when consuming alcohol by anyone with diabetes.

There is also an increased risk of problems when combining exercise and alcohol. It is not uncommon for people to go out for a drink after playing sports (for example, hockey, soccer, tennis) or to consume some alcoholic beverages while playing. Your blood sugars naturally drop during exercise, and your body is working on replacing your glycogen stores once you are finished. Consuming alcohol during this time will halt this process and can cause blood sugar levels to stay at an unhealthy level.

Alcohol can wreak havoc on a system that is in place for your health and well being. Excessively low or high blood sugar levels have long-term consequences. If you choose to consume alcohol, here are some tips to help avoid this problem.
* Never drink on an empty stomach.
* Start with nonalcoholic beverages to satisfy your thirst and continue to have one available while you consume alcohol.
* Limit the amount that you drink.
* You can make a drink last longer and lower the impact that it will have on your blood sugars by having a wine spritzer.
* If you have diabetes, speak with your physician about how alcohol will affect your medication(s).
* Consume beverages without alcohol during and after exercise.

Why Heart Disease Is More Deadly For Women

2007-11-25T16:05:00.000-08:00

A woman who has heart disease is 50% more likely to die from it than a man who has it. Although experts can point to a number of possible explanations for this, the research on women and heart disease remains inadequate, says the new edition of a Harvard Medical School report, The Healthy Heart: Preventing, detecting, and treating coronary artery disease.

Even though men are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than women, about 38% of women who have a heart attack die within a year of the event, compared with 25% of men. And women are almost twice as likely as men to have a second heart attack within six years of the first.

The science behind the differences is unclear. These are some of the theories discussed in The Healthy Heart:

Age. Women seem to become more vulnerable to heart disease only after their estrogen levels fall with menopause, and so they tend to suffer first heart attacks later than men. Advanced age may make it more difficult to survive a heart attack.

Coronary microvascular disease. This new diagnosis may apply to 50% to 60% of women, compared with 20% of men. These people have chest pain when they are active or stressed, but on angiograms, their coronary arteries appear clear. Studies show that women with coronary microvascular disease have a higher risk for heart attack or stroke.

Inferior diagnosis and treatment. Some studies suggest women's heart problems don't receive the same attention as men's.

Incomplete understanding of symptoms. Classic heart attack symptoms were defined based on studies on men. These symptoms don't always occur in women, which may delay diagnosis and treatment.

10 Natural Ways of Acne Treatment

2007-11-25T15:38:00.000-08:00

Many are looking for acne treatments that really work? Whether you are a teenager or an adult suffering from acne, you don't have to live with it. Here you can find 10 easy and effective ways to treat acne.

Acne Treatment

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.

2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soup. It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldn't, however, over-wash your face because it will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.

3. Check if it is because of the food. For many people, food allergy can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too much oily and spicy food. Recent studies have shown that acne can also be caused by milk which contains hormones as well as seafood with relatively high levels of iodine. If possible, cut down on those foods. Other foods you may consider avoiding are: sugar, dairy products, deep-fried food, meat, nut butters, etc. On the other hand, it is believed that green vegetables, vegetable fuices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate acne condition.

4. Drink more water every day. "Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away." says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. The reason is that water can carry waste material out of our body and it really helps heal and prevent acne flare-ups.

5. Do not wear makeup if possible. Makeup products can clog your pores, cause more blackheads and pimples. If you have to wear makeup, make sure it is water-based. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.

6. Do not use oily products. Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil-based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers.

7. Keep your face clean. Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regular shampoo your hair and keep it off your face, especially when you sleep.

8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and eliminataion of toxins.

9. Stay stress-free. Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne flare-up, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stree free.

10. Get Sunshine and fresh air. Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and sunshine can also reduce stress (acne tip #9) and increase oxygen to the skin. Don't get burnt in the sun though. Burnt and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesn't exfoliate quickly enough and can lead to blocked pores.

Some Things You Probably Didn't Know About Sex

2007-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

Sure, maybe you've had sex and maybe you've had an orgasm, but that doesn't necessarily make you an expert on sex. With so much to know, and so much new information about sex coming out all the time, how can you keep up? Well, here's a few points to help you keep you informed about some things you may not have known about sex.

Premature Ejaculation Also Happens
Almost as embarrassing as not being able to get it up, and even more common. Thirty percent of men are premature ejaculators, studies have discovered. You can learn to control ejaculation, though without diminishing -- try thicker condoms, kegel exercises, and the start and stop technique.

Multiple Orgasms Aren't Just For Women or Tantric Experts
Learning that orgasm and ejaculation are separate is the first step towards multiple orgasms. Multiple orgasms work by achieving orgasm without ejaculation, letting you orgasm over again without a recuperation period. While it isn't necessarily easy to learn, it is possible with a little work.

Average Penis Size is Smaller Than You Think
Most men are under the impression that everyone's penis is bigger than theirs. In truth, the average penis size is between 5.1 to 5.7 inches. On top of that, girth is more important than length to women as the nerve endings that matter most are located along the bottom third of her vagina.

Most Aphrodisiacs are Bogus
It seems like an obvious point, but still so many people buy products that are supposed to enhance libido, and are disappointed that they just don't work. Some objects or food are considered to boost libido due to its genitalia-like shape, such as rhino horn or oysters, while others for its exoticness, which includes strawberries or potatoes when they were newly discovered by Europeans. Spanish fly, one of the most popularly named of these so-called aphrodisiacs, does in fact cause a warming sensation in the body -- because it's causing bladder irritation.

There are some genuine libido booster products though. One of the very best is Alpha Male Plus. Benefits of taking Alpha Male Plus can include: longer, stronger orgasms, faster recovery time, and increased semen volume.

Having Sex is a Form of Exercise (Really)
Depending on how good you thought sex was as an exercise, the amount of exercise you actually get from sex can be surprising either way. It's possible to burn off about 100 calories an hour from fairly vigorous sex. This of course varies between individuals, because everyone burns calories at a different rate. But while you are in fact burning calories, it's not enough for sex to replace going to the gym.

There are Many Health Benefits to Sex
While it's widely accepted that sex is a great way to relieve stress, and thus is good for one's health, and as we stated above sex is a good way to burn extra calories, there's more to it than that. Several studies are currently being conducted that could prove that sex is good for our health. Some of these studies set out to prove the link between regular sex and: lower mortality rate for men, reduced rate of prostate cancer, as a way to combat depression, etc.

Seniors Still Experience Sexual Desire
While it may be disturbing to you to think about the elderly getting it on, it's a part of life. Men and women in their 60s, according to a study by The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in 1999, still have sex. With so much focus on sexual enhancers over the years, it's made sex as you age all the more possible -- and pleasurable, especially considering you're free of worries about children running round the house (or making new ones).

Cholesterol Medications

2007-11-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

There are two kinds of heartache: one is caused by high hopes for love left unanswered, and the other is caused by high cholesterol levels left unattended. New advances in medications can offer assistance for high cholesterol; when it comes to romance, however, you're on your own.

Cholesterol Medications

High blood cholesterol is known to be one of the factors of heart disease. If your cholesterol levels are high, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol medications that can keep your levels in check.

Cholesterol medications are designed to lower the level of lipids, or fats, in the blood. These lipids include triglycerides and cholesterol. When a person has too many fats or lipids in the bloodstream, he or she is at greater risk of experiencing a hardening in the arteries. Arteriosclerosis, heart attack and other heart related disorders might also occur. Cholesterol medications help to lower the LDL or "bad" cholesterol level, and increase the level of HDL or "good". Most coronary heart diseases are typically associated with good and bad cholesterol levels.

There are different ways that cholesterol medications can help a person with high cholesterol. Some drugs are designed to remove cholesterol that has built up in the blood vessels. Other cholesterol medications work by lowering the amount of triglycerides or cholesterol that is produced by, or absorbed into, the body. The cholesterol-fighting methods and the potencies vary from drug to drug.

Studies indicate that there are now new forms of cholesterol known as "non-HDL cholesterols". Within this group are VLDLs (very low-density lipoproteins) and IDLs (intermediate-density lipoproteins). Both of these types of cholesterol have been associated with an increased risk angina and non-fatal heart attack in individuals who already experienced heart attacks.

Cholesterol medications may offer benefits of those individuals who suffer from coronary heart disease, as well as those who have an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator). It is also believed that therapies intended to lower cholesterol levels can also have an anti-arrhythmic effect on the heart. As a result, patients face lower rates of occurrence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. These medications and therapies may also decrease the need for automatic firing of the ICD.

There are five types of medications available to patients with high cholesterol: nicotinic acid, fibrates, bile acid resins, statins and ezetimibe. Nicotinic acid, more commonly known as niacin, is a form of vitamin B3. Even though it is widely available over the counter, patients must be closely monitored due to side effects such as nausea, flushing and severe stomachache. Fibrates are effective in lowering triglyceride levels. Bile acid resins are prescribed by doctors to reduce the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while increasing levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

Most cholesterol medications are available only through a prescription. If you suffer from high cholesterol, or think you may, speak to your doctor about the medication options that are available to you. It's the right choice for your health, and especially your heart.

Alternative Skin Cancer Treatments To Consider

2007-11-23T21:56:00.001-08:00

There's no denying that the mention of skin cancer is a frightening proposition. Everyone is aware of the potential devastation that this disease can cause, and it's a diagnosis that we all fear. But for many, words like 'chemotherapy' and 'radiation', the traditional cancer treatment options, are just as terrifying.

Skin Treatments

The best way to deal with skin cancer is, undeniably, to avoid it altogether. Taking precautions will help prevent skin cancer occurring but, despite our best efforts, the unthinkable can occur. If you receive a positive diagnosis for skin cancer, there are alternative treatment options available to you.

The most important objective in skin cancer treatment is to eliminate growth of the cells, and then contain the spread of the cancer. Several alternatives may be used, depending on the individual diagnosis. The condition, known as Kaposi's sarcoma, is very serious and can only be treated with chemotherapy. Patients suffering from melanoma are most at risk once it has spread. Once the initial growth has been removed, melanoma is treated in the same manner. In Paget's disease, a mastectomy may be the only alternative.

Alternative treatment methods can also be used to reduce the risk of skin cancer reoccurring. Some people believe that using alternative skin cancer treatments in conjunction with standard medical procedures will produce more positive outcomes. Some medical studies have shown evidence to collaborate this belief.

There is new interest in proper nutrition being a big factor in skin cancer treatment and recovery. Research shows that proteins, antioxidants and folic acid can help patients protect their bodies from further damage by cancer cells. Therefore, a diet rich in fish, carrots and broccoli is suggested. Vitamin C is also believed to be a very useful fighter against the potential spread of skin cancer.

Many people who are faced with the worries associated with skin cancer will choose to seek the advice of those providing alternative treatment options, such as naturopathic doctors. Naturopathy stresses the use of non-medicinal treatments, such as herbal formulas. Some naturopathic healthcare provides will suggest green tea as a healthy drink. Green tea contains strong antioxidants called polyphenois compounds. Research has supported this theory, and studies have shown that polyphenois may not only prevent skin cancer occurring, but can also play an important role in the treatment of diminishing skin growths. Some other, more unusual treatments have been suggested, such as taking coffee enemas several times daily, ingesting castor oil, or restricting calories while eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

There is a certain enzyme called indole that is also considered to be an alternative skin cancer treatment. Indoles are found in many foods including broccoli, cauliflower, celery and cabbage. Lectins, found in beans, can be a powerful weapon against cancer growth when combined with indoles. Although still in the experimental stages of research, the high success rate thus far suggests that there is good reason to hope that eating foods high in these enzymes can be helpful in the fight against cancer.

The first and most important option in treating skin cancer is to do everything you possibly can to prevent it occurring in the first place. That means staying out of the sun when unprotected, using sunscreen with an SPF of no less that fifteen, and being diligent about performing a skin self-examination every two or three months.

How to get a Good Night Sleep

2007-11-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

Are you getting enough sleep? If not, you are not alone. A recent study has found that one in every two Indians (46 per cent) sleeps less than six hours. A busy work schedule, a hectic social life, household chores and children’s worries leave little time for sleep. Modern life builds up so much stress and anxiety that when we do get to bed, most of us find it difficult to sleep well.

Adults need at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night, to perform optimally. Children need even more sleep. Less sleep causes morning headaches and daytime fatigue, leading to poor concentration and performance.

Good Night Sleep

Insomnia includes the inability to sleep, frequent awakenings during the night and not being able to go back to sleep, or waking up too early. Women are more likely to suffer from chronic insomnia – the ratio is about two women to one man. Working women, in particular, build up a large sleep debt over the years.

To a large extent, we can control the quantity and quality of our sleep. The key to a restful night’s sleep is to calm down your brain rather than rev it up.

What you eat affects how you sleep. Some food slows down nerve traffic and calms the brain and contributes towards a restful sleep; such food are called sleepers. Other perk up the brain and keep you awake; such food are called wakers.

Sleepers contain tryptophan, an amino acid that makes up protein, which produces the sleep – inducing substances, serotonin and melatonin. Food that contains tryptophan or make more tryptophan available to the brain make us sleepy.

Ideal sleepers are food which contains moderate amounts of carbohydrate stimulates the release of insulin which clears amino acids that compete with tryptophan making it more available to the brain. At the same time, protein contributes tryptophan directly to the brain.

Great snooze food includes; dairy products (paneer, cheese, milk and curd), meat, poultry or seafood, whole grains vegetables and pulses (including soyabeans).

Indian dinners usually have a fair share of these types of food. However, our traditional cooking practices include a lot of fat and spices, both of which in terferes with sleep.

Calcium helps the brain use tryptophan; this explains the soporific effect of a glass of milk at bedtime. Foods containing caffeine such as tea,coffee, colas and chocolates are wakers. a high-protein meal without carbohydrates contains the amino acid, tyrosine, which perks up the brain.

An all carbohydrate snack, especially one high in sugar, is less likely to help you sleep. It will raise blood sugar and inhibit sleep. Later, when blood sugar drops too low, you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep. Also, you will miss out on the sleep-inducing effects of tryptophan.

Sex Tips - Positions women like

2007-11-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

Here comes that generalisation again, and with it the knowledge that at least one reader will say, "But I'm not like that". Okay, let's say that many - not all - women enjoy these lovemaking positions.

Call us indulgent, but most men enjoy seeing their partners having an orgasm. Here are a few of the positions many women find gives them the most pleasure, along with some tips for men on maximising the enjoyment for both of you.

Astride
You lie on your back, perhaps with a pillow under your bottom. Once she's on top of you and you're inside her, you can tilt your pelvis forward a bit, which allows her to grind hers more directly against it. Many women find this a reliable way of having a clitoral orgasm, especially if they lie on top of you. She may prefer you to lie still and let her control the rhythm of her movement. Don't worry - it'll be pleasant for you too.

Your partner may also prefer to remain erect, resting her weight on her hands while moving rhythmically up and done. This enables her to move her G-spot against the head or shaft of your penis.

This position can be hugely enjoyable position for both of you. Your partner may heighten the sensation for both of you by squeezing her kegel muscles. Exotic sex manuals talk about women turning around while astride the man, but feats like these have more value as a novelty than heightened pleasure. Try it, but don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out. There are plenty of other options.

The intimate missionary
It's a much-maligned position, but many women love it. It allows full-length, skin-to-skin touching and eye contact. Try putting your arms around your partner and holding her close to you. You can also hold yourself up on your arms and move inside her, very slowly and rhythmically, rather than frantic rodeo-type thrusting. Try putting a pillow under her bottom.

Making a stand
For this you'll need a very sturdy surface, at about waist height. If it's a cold, hard or rough surface, your partner will appreciate a towel between it and her bottom. Some men go on about the value of a rumbling, vibrating tumble-drier to add extra sensation. If you're comfortable with your partner calling out the name of the manufacturer while in the throes of passion, switch on the machine.

The reason so many women like this position is that it allows contact with the G-spot. Some women find it the only position in which they can ejaculate, often a highly erotic experience for both partners. She should probably be fully aroused before you enter her, as you'll be penetrating her deeply.

Depending on where you do this - a fallen tree in the middle of the Okavango, against a lifeboat on a cruise liner, under a full moon in Venice - there'll also be an element of danger or intrigue. So this isn't the time for lingering, all-night intimacy, but rather the cut-to-the-action sort. Gauge your partner's mood right and your have a recipe for brief, explosive sex. It’s no replacement for the lingering, romantic sort, just a whizz-bang alternative.

Spoons in the sack
This is a slow, intimate position that can feel enormously erotic. Your partner lies on her side and you nestle in her back, letting you guide your penis inside her. There's no eye contact unless you have a strategically placed mirror (Not a bad idea if your partner fancies it), but it does allow you to rub and stroke her body and to kiss, lick and nuzzle her neck, back and ears. And of course, you can give her a running commentary on how good she makes you feel.

Stoop lively now
Not all women are wild about “doggy style” as it can seem a bit impersonal, but if the mood is right and she's confident that you're not fantasising about her sister it can be very exciting. You can do this standing, kneeling or lying down. For the latter you can put a pillow under her pelvis, and enter her vagina from behind, resting your weight on your hands.

Standing or kneeling affords the deepest penetration, and you can hold your partner's hips in your hands and control your thrusting with her pelvic movements and yours. – (William Smook)

Womans Orgasm - Why do some women have difficulty in achieving orgasm?

2007-11-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

The scientific community does not understand how the mechanisms in the brain act to allow an orgasm to take place. Consequently, there is little scientific data available to describe why some women cannot achieve an orgasm.

What can I do to better my chances?

Know yourself -

Being comfortable with your body is the first step to becoming orgasmic. You may want to try masturbating if you've never done it before.
Communicate with your partner -
Tell him/her what you find sexually stimulating. Many women can not achieve orgasm from intercourse. This is not a sexual dysfunction, it just means that your partner has to explore what you find most pleasurable. Constant clitoral stimulation is required by many women to achieve orgasm, so be sure to tell your partner to continue stimulation if need be.
Be adventurous -
Oral sex or manual stimulation of the clitoris may be too infrequent for some women to achieve orgasm so an alternative method of stimulation is advised. Vibrators are a good way to massage the clitoris during intercourse.
Be positive -
Some women go through a stage of arousal where they are not becoming further excited. Many feel that this is where their arousal will end and that they will not be able to achieve an orgasm. Once a woman believes that she is not going to be able to have an orgasm, that is often exactly what happens.
Touch yourself -
It is okay for you to touch yourself during sexual intimacy with a partner. Self stimulation is encouraged, and often accentuates the feeling of intercourse.

Protect Your Sexual Health

2007-11-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

Take steps toward a healthy, satisfying sex life

Sexuality is part of being human. Love and sexual intimacy contribute to healthy relationships, and to our happiness.

Research has shown that sex is more important to happiness than money. After analyzing data from 16,000 people, English researchers estimated that the happiness gained from increasing intercourse from once a month to once a week is equivalent to the happiness generated by getting a $50,000 raise.

Along with the positive aspects of sexuality, however, there are illnesses that can affect your sexual health. But by taking precautions, you can stay well.

Among the issues that can affect your sexual health are:

Birth control
Impotence and desire issues
Sexually transmitted diseases
Body image
Sexual satisfaction

How Your Health Affects Your Sex Life

Experts agree: There is an important relationship between overall health, overall lifestyle, and sexual satisfaction. Research also suggests that certain physical conditions that go along with obesity also affect sex drive, further dampening the desires of those who are overweight.

The good news: You can make some lifestyle changes to enhance your libido, experts say. Those changes include:

If you're overweight, lose a little weight (even 10 pounds) to stimulate sex hormones.
Eat more nutritious foods, which control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Choose heart-healthy foods such as grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and lean sources of dairy and protein.
Exercise regularly. To strengthen your heart and help build endurance, add a few high-intensity bouts to your fitness routine. Strength training is also a good idea, to build shapely muscle and to keep your body strong enough to handle all your day-to-day activities (including sex).
Get enough rest. It's hard to be in the mood for love when you are exhausted!
Keep a positive attitude. Accept your body, whatever its size, and believe in your sensuality.

Get Help If You Need It

Although small changes in lifestyle -- along with some healthy "self-talk" -- can go a long way toward improving both drive and desire, if you still are experiencing sexual problems, professional help may be in order.

It's not as simple as getting a prescription for Viagra; sexual problems may be physical or psychological in nature, and can affect both men and women.

If the problems are persistent, or cause distress for you or your partner, it's time to see your doctor for evaluation and treatment

Migraine Headache

2007-11-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Migraine headaches don't seem to be related to any general physical disorder. And even though both men and women are affected by migraine headaches, they are more common in adult women. In men, the migraine attacks frequently continue throughout life, but women are more likely to stop having migraine attacks after menopause. Migraine headaches start early in life, between the ages of 15 and 35. Migraine headaches set in suddenly on one side of the head, they last a day or two and then disappear all of a sudden, only to recur every few weeks or months with peculiar regularity. It is common to see migraine headaches occur in certain families, so we can say that genetics can play a role.

What causes a migraine headache? A wide range of factors can cause a migraine headache. Certain type of foods, excessive caffeine, stress, light, perfumes, hormonal changes, unventilated areas, missing a meal and changes in altitude among other causes.
Migraine Headache Symptom

Migraine headache symptoms differ from patient to patient. A migraine headache starts with a prodomal phase, in which the victim doesn't feel a headache yet, but he or she experiences a different state of mind or changes in behavior such as being depressed or excessively ecstatic. This prodomal state may last a few hours or even days.

And just before the headache sets in, there is a short period known as the aural phase. The victim experiences minor visual hallucinations, such as seeing distorted colors, or having a blurred vision with flashes of light. Numbness and tingling of the face may occur.

Next comes the headache phase. It usually starts on one side of the head, at a definite location such as the eyeball, the temple, or the forehead from where it may spread to the whole half of the head and sometimes to the whole head. This phase is commonly associated with blurred vision as well, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and in some cases diarrhea may also occur. The pain may become so severe that may cause mental disorder or confusion and even temporary unconsciousness.

Following the headache phase, the next phase is known as the posdrome phase. The patient is left feeling exhausted and perhaps irritable and may also experience a lack of concentration.Native Remedies for migraine headache
Migraine Headache Treatment – What You Can Do at Home

During a migraine headache attack, the best treatment is to rest and sleep in bed in a dark, quiet and well ventilated room.

Take a hot bath, lie with the back of your head and neck immersed as well as hands and feet, and apply an ice pack on the front of your head. If you don't have a bathtub, hold an ice pack against your forehead and at the same time, soak your feet in hot water. It may stop a migraine headache.

Eat foods with magnesium. Magnesium relaxes the muscles and it can help reducing the headache. Good sources of magnesium include dark green leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Feverfew is probably the most popular recommended herbal remedy for treating and preventing migraine headaches. It is believed that feverfew blocks the excessive secretion of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter. Serotonin is released in the initial stage of a migraine when the blood vessels constrict. Feverfew is believed to counteract this by dilating these blood vessels. Try chewing a leaf or two a day to prevent migraines. However this can cause mouth ulcers, as a substitute for the leaves you may want to take 125 mg capsules. If not sure, consult with a professional.

Relax. Go to a quiet, dark room, closed your eyes and imagine yourself at your favorite place enjoying your surroundings. This will help reduce your stress which is essential for preventing migraines.

Avoid overeating. Eat simple meals that are easy to digest. Avoid foods that are known to trigger migraine headaches, such as chocolate, red wine, beer, aged cheeses, foods containing MSG (monosodium glutamate), citrus fruits and meats such as hot dogs, salami, sausage, pepperoni and bologna.