HEALTH CARE BLOG

What is arthritis

2012-01-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

Arthritis is nothing but an inflamation  of joints. You can see the inflamation by an indication of swelling, redness or warmth in the joints. The word "Arthritis" is derived from Greek word "Arthron" meaning "joint" and the latin word "itis" meaning "inflamation".  The Arthritis affects the musculoskeletal system especially the joints.  Normally people above the age of 50 years suffer from arthritis.  There are nearly 100 different types of arthritis. 

A joint is a place where one bone moves on another bone.  The ligaments hold the two bones together. Any part of our body can become painful due to arthritis.  Here are some of the symptoms of arthritis.

Very high fatigue
Loss of flexibility in the joint
Lack of energy

A person with arthritis normally avoids physical activity and simply takes rest. But it should be understood that the joints become stiff and lose flexibility if there is no exercise.

Preventive tips for Acne

2011-08-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

We all know that pimples are tiny inflammations on the skin. The pimples often develop after black heads become clogged and infected. Pimples often appear as deeper lumps on the face, neck, chest, back and also on shoulders.

Preventing Acne is really a difficult thing to do. There is no cure for Acne but you can minimize it and control the condition. Effective acne prevention requires using the correct acne treatments and hygiene habits. Please look at the following tips to get rid of acne and pimples.

Don't pick pimples : It is really a very bad habit to pick the pimples on your face or body. This can permanently scar your skin. This will cause more infection. If you must pick, immediately apply a topical antibiotic to help yourself.
Wash your skin gently: It is very important when you wash your face, you should be very careful about how hard you press or rub your face. It will irritate your skin if you press hard while washing your face. This can break open the pimples on your face. So you should be careful to see that you wash your face lightly.
Avoid Stress: Try to avoid stress. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy and spend some time to have fun. Stress will definitely trigger acne. So try to avoid stress. Exercise regularly so that this will reduce stress and increase the blood circulation which will definitely help in preventing acne.
Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day.
Try to avoid hot and humid environments like poorly ventilated kitchens, gyms and stay away from cooking grease or machine oil that can contribute to black heads.
Always wear loose clothing : Where ever possible try to wear loose clothing and avoid friction against the skin caused by helmets, straps, and hand bags etc.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Follow the above tips to prevent acne.

The perfect foods to stay young

2011-08-20T04:59:00.000-07:00

Do you want to stay healthy and young? Here are 8 perfect foods which help you to stay healthy and young. You can also lost weight, have longer life span, improve memory, strengthen cardiovascular etc. with these foods.
Let us see what are these foods.

EGGS : Each egg has 72 calories and each large egg has 6.3 grams of high-quality protein and a full load of vital nutrients. The main benefit of eggs is that you can lose weight by taking eggs.
GREEN TEA : The main benefit of green tea is that your life span increases by taking green tea. Taking green tea reduces the risk of cancer by 60%. Green tea can help to prevent tooth decay too. Green tea has bacteria killing abilities that help prevent food poisoning and it also kills bacteria that cause dental plaque.
GARLIC: Here are some of the health benefits of garlic. Raw and crushed garlic is a powerful anti biotic. Garlic fights cancer, strengthens the cardiovascular system and decreases fat storage and fights acne inflammation. There are claims that garlic helps in cholesterol management. Garlic can help in normalization of body functions. For example garlic can reduce the blood pressure in high blood pressure sufferers and can increase the blood pressure in case of low BP sufferers. Garlic is powerful against tumor formation including cancer. Garlic helps against fungal or bacterial infection. Garlic also helps in nomalization of blood sugar.
ALMOND: Almonds improves your memory. Some of the health benefits of almonds include getting relief from constipation, respiratory disorders, cough, anemia, impotency and also diabetes. Almonds also help in hair care and skin care (psoriasis) and dental care. Almonds induce high intellectual levels and is considered as an essential food for growing children. Almonds also help in reducing bad cholesterol. Almonds also reduce the risk of heart diseases. The presence of magnesium in almonds helps reduce the risk of heart attacks. Almonds also help in reducing weight.
AVOCADO: Avocado fruit reduces the risk of heart disease. Avocado contains Oleic Acid which helps lower the cholesterol levels. Avocado also has potassium which helps in regulating blood pressure. Adequate intake of potassium helps in guard against circulatory diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease or even heart stroke. Avocado fruits are a source of glutathione which is an important anti oxidant which is very important in preventing aging, cancer and heart disease.
GREEK YOGURT : Greek Yogurt has many health benefits which include promoting intestinal health, strengthening of bones, lowering blood pressure, reduction of weight, and anti cancer properties.
BELL PEPPERS : Bell peppers are packed with several nutrients. Bell peppers are good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and folic acid. Bell peppers have been proved to be protective against cataracts. Bell peppers also help prevent blood clotting and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Bell peppers also help prevent lung cancer.
GRAPEFRUIT: Grape fruit is very rich in vitamin C. Consumption of grape fruit can help increase metabolism. Grape fruit also helps in prevent occurance of tumors and cancers. Grape fruit is a natural anti septic for wounds when used externally. Grape fruit also helps in improving complexion. It also helps in reduction of weight.

Diet for Hydertension

2011-07-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

High Blood pressure or Hyper Tension has become a common in today's lifestyle. Many people are suffering from High Blood Pressure in recent days. High blood means high pressure in arteries. . Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.

What makes liver unique?

2011-04-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

Liver is the only organ in human body that can regenerate itself after large portions of it is removed. Even if 80% of the liver is removed, it will grow back to normal size within a few weeks. This is the reason why it is safer to remove large portions of liver from living donors and persons with liver tumors.

All the functions of the liver remain normal even if 70 to 80% of the liver is removed ( provided the remaining 20 or 30% is healthy). So in persons with liver cancer, large portion of the liver is removed even then the patient is safe without any harm or compromise to liver function. At the same time more than 50% of the liver can be removed from a donor for transplant purposes without causing any problem to the donor. Liver is the only organ in human body that grows even if large portion of it is removed.

What is Liver Dialysis

2011-04-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

Liver Dialysis is a process in which toxins are removed from liver to sustain the patient till a liver transplant is done to him/her. Liver dialysis is only a temporary solution and it is not like kidney dialysis which keep patients alive for months or years. The filtration can be effective for several weeks. Liver dialysis has been approved for use in patients with chronic hepatitis C and some other liver diseases. This procedure is used for patients who have no other options except liver transplant. So liver dialysis is done till the patient gets a liver for transplant. It is better if a donor is found to donate liver. Many liver dialysis patients get the donors from their family members. Only a portion of the donor liver is taken so that patient and the donor survive the surgery. This is also called as live organ donation.

Bad habits that cause pimples

2011-03-05T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the bad habits which cause pimples or acne. You can avoid these habits so that you will not get acne. So you can stop the bad habits to prevent acne and enjoy a healthy glow of clear skin.

The acne or pimples occur when oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells clog hair follicles. The people with oily skin are more prone to get pimples but if you can break some bad habits, you can prevent pimples. Here are some of the bad habits which can cause pimples and you can avoid them.

Washing your skin very often : It is important to keep your skin clean, but washing it too often will only make the acne worse. Instead of that you can just wash your face in the morning when you wake up and at night before sleeping./
Scrubbing your skin vigorously : Scrubbing your skin vigorously with a wash cloth will cause significant irritation — and may worsen your acne-prone skin. To prevent acne, always wash with only lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser.
Picking at your skin and popping your pimples : Some times it may be irresistible to pick or pop pimples, this behavior can cause increased redness from squeezing the pus deeper into the skin and sometimes even scarring. Instead, keep your hands off your face and let pimples go back down to size with the help of an anti-acne lotion or cream.
Not cleaning sweaty skin : Your skin will be covered with sweat after having a tough work or have been outside in the sun. Please do not allow the sweat to dry on the skin. Instead, always bathe or wash your skin promptly after sweating.
Skipping the shampoo : If you have oily hair, that oil can seep down to your face and can cause pimples. So you make sure that you wash your hair each day to keep excess oil off your forehead.
Getting hair products on your face : It is very important to keep hair spray, gel, or other hair products away from your face to prevent them from clogging up your pores. You should cover up your face when applying these hair products on your hair and off your skin.
Eating greasy food : Greasy foods can make acne-prone skin worse because of the excess oil and grease that can get on to the skin from the food itself. So have a healthy diet without greasy and fried food to spare your skin.
Using cosmetics containing oil : If you have acne-prone skin, you should avoid using oily skin products. Look for oil-free options labeled with the terms "non-acnegenic" or "non-comedogenic" to help prevent acne.

How to improve your memory

2010-11-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

Memory is the ability of remembering the things and facts and recall them back whenever required. In simple words, memory is the mental activity of recalling the information that you have experienced or learned in the past.

We can say that memory is the process of 1)encoding, 2)storing and 3)retrieving information that we collected in the past. Memory gets affected when we fail to do any of these three.

Surveys have indicated that the first memories are formed at the age of four. Just like health and beauty, a good memory is a gift of God and we can improve the memory only by natural way. Here are some tips to improve memory.

Proper nutrition is very important to improve the memory. You should have better nutrients in your diet which is very much essential for a good memory.
Have enough sleep. If you do not sleep for the correct time, this may interfere with memory. To have good memory power, you should always have a sound sleep and that too for correct number of hours. Normally students sleep less because of their busy schedules with school activities, and extra curricular activities. If you have a problem of sleeplessness, then take 10 to 15 minutes of meditation to energise yourself.
Getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can interfere with memory. . Today, students have very busy schedules with school activities, sports and extra curricular activities that the only time left for studying is late at night or they end up cramming for tests and finals at the last minute.
Rehearsal is another thing to improve memory. The basic principle behind rehearsal is to repeat something over and over again until we know it. Regular brain exercises: Regular brain exercises like doing maths with out calculator, attempting various puzzles, baffles etc. will sharpen your memory.
Regular physical exercise: Regular physical exercise will improve the blood supply to your brain thereby improving the memory power.
Managing Stress: Cortisol, the stress hormone will damage the hippocampus which plays an important part in processing information in your memory. Stress makes it difficult to concentrate.
Drink plenty of water : Toxins can have an adverse effect on memory. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush away toxins from your body.
New research indicates that walking six miles to nine miles every week can prevent brain shrinkage and memory loss.
Do not take alcohol. Over medication can lead to memory problems as we get older.

Interesting Facts about Human Blood

2009-12-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

1) A woman has approximately 4.5 litres of blood in her body, while men have 5.6 litres.

2) The kidneys filter over 1515 litres of blood every day.

3) If you could stretch out all of a human's blood vessels, they would be about 96,560 km. long. That's enough
to go around the world twice.

4) Blood accounts for about 7% of a human's body weight.

5) A newborn baby has about 0.23 litre of blood in his/her body.

6) Two million red blood cells die every second.

7) By donating just one pint (1.75 litres) of blood, four lives can be saves.

8) One unit of blood can be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and
cryoprecipitate.

9) Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues.

10) Red blood cells live about 120 days in the circulatory system.

11) Platelets promote blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.

12) Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts.

13) Plasma, which is 90 percent water, makes up 55 percent of blood volume.

14) Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.

15) There is no substitute for human blood.

Healthy Fruits and their benefits

2009-12-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

1. Olives :

Hindi Name - Jaitun
Correspond with: Female reproductive organs, especially ovaries
How they benefit : Olives are rich in mono unsaturated fatty acids which are useful to raise good cholesterol, calcium and iron. The Vitamin E, hydroxytyrosol, and Oleuropein (all phytochemicals) present in olives are healthy for the female reproductive process. They help maintain healthy hormone levels and unobstructed blood flow to the pelvic area which is essential for sexual performance. Combine with: Cranberries. It will help prevent urinary track infections. Moreover, cranberries contain flavonoids that prevent forma tion of cysts in ovaries.

2. KIDNEY BEANS:

Hindi Name – Rajma
Correspond with: Kidneys. Its resemblance is all too obvious.
How they benefit: Kidney beans contain flavonoids and glucosinolates that regulate the creatinine level in the kidney. It has also a trace of mineral called molybdenum which is responsible for detoxifying sulphides and help in management of creatinine.
Combine with:
Black urad daal. The daal helps the chemical content get absorbed fully in the body

3.FRESH FIGS:

Hindi Name - Anjeer
Correspond with: Male reproductive organs
How they benefit: Figs, which are high in sugar content, give energy and vitality to the scrotal sac. They help maintain proper temperature inside the scrotal sac which is essential for sperm mobility, thereby leading to proper erections as well. Including figs in your diet helps battle fatigue and depression, a common reason attributed to poor performance in bed.
Combine with: Pumpkin seeds that are a good source for zinc. Zinc is important for sex drive and is also needed by the body to make sperms.

4. TOMATOES

Hindi Name - Tamator
Correspond with: Heart. A tomato has four chambers and is red. Ditto for your dil.
How they benefit: Tomatoes have fibre and lycopene, a type of phytochemical which is a powerful anti-oxidant. They also have Vitamin K which regulates blood flow.
Combine with: Lotus stem, which resemble arteries. Okra is a good combo too since it's known to purify blood capillaries. Tomatoes are best consumed through soups and sauces (without preservatives). While the raw form is healthy, cooked tomatoes are more advantageous as the heating process makes lycopene easily absorbable.

Walking can keep you healthy

2009-10-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

If a daily fitness walk could be put in a pill, it would be one of the most popular prescriptions in the world. It has so many health benefits. Walking can reduce the risk of many diseases — from heart attack and stroke to hip fracture and glaucoma. These may sound like claims on a bottle of snake oil, but they're backed by major research. Walking requires no prescription, the risk of side effects is very low, and the benefits are numerous:

Managing your weight : Combined with healthy eating, physical activity is key to any plan for long-lasting weight control. Keeping your weight within healthy limits can lower your risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis.

Controlling your blood pressure : Physical activity strengthens the heart so it can pump more blood with less effort and with less pressure on the arteries. Staying fit is just as effective as some medications in keeping down blood pressure levels.

Decreasing your risk of heart attack : Exercise such as brisk walking for three hours a week — or just half an hour a day — is associated with a 30% to 40% lower risk of heart disease in women. (Based on the 20-year Nurses' Health Study of 72,000 female nurses.)

Boosting "good" cholesterol – the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) : Physical activity helps reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) in the blood, which can cause plaque buildup along the artery walls — a major cause of heart attacks.

Lowering your risk of stroke : Regular, moderate exercise equivalent to brisk walking for an hour a day, five days a week, can cut the risk of stroke in half, according to a Harvard study of more than 11,000 men.

Reducing your risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes : The Nurses' Health Study also links regular activity to risk reductions for both these diseases. In another study, people at high risk of diabetes cut their risk in half by combining consistent exercise like walking with lower fat intake and a 5% to 7% weight loss.

Avoiding your need for gallstone surgery : Regular walking or other physical activity lowers the risk of needing gallstone surgery by 20% to 31%, found a Harvard study of more than 60,000 women ages 40 to 65.

Protecting against hip fracture : Consistent activity diminishes the risk of hip fracture, concludes a study of more than 30,000 men and women ages 20 to 93.

The list goes on and on. Many other studies indicate a daily brisk walk also can help:

• Prevent depression, colon cancer, constipation, osteoporosis, and impotence
• Lengthen lifespan
• Lower stress levels
• Relieve arthritis and back pain
• Strengthen muscles, bones, and joints
• Improve sleep
• Elevate overall mood and sense of well-being.

Good tips for a Good Heart

2009-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Please the following points and follow them to have a healthy heart.

1. Drink eight glasses of water a day.
2. Include two vegetables and one fruit in every meal.
3. Begin each meal with a raw vegetable salad.
4. Make a light snack of assorted sprouts.
5. Start the day with a glass of warm water and a dash of lime..
6. Use only fresh vegetables.
7. Once a week have only fresh fruits until noon, make lunch the first meal of the day.
8. Eat only freshly cooked meals, not refrigerated leftovers.
9. Include one green vegetable and one yellow vegetable in every meal.
10. Go on a juice fast for a day. Start with vegetable juice, and sip fruit for lunch and dinner..
11. Kick the old coffee habit. Have a glass of fresh fruit juice instead.
12. Cut out all deep-fried foods from your diet.
13. Cut down on high sugar products like soft drinks, ice-cream, candy and cookies in your diet.
14. Never skip a meal, even if you're on a diet. Eat a fresh fruit or have vegetable juice instead.
15. Avoid beverages like soda, coffee, colas and so on.
16. Include high fiber foods and plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains in planning your diet.
17. Use salt in moderation
18. Wash vegetables thoroughly in clean water before chopping.
19. Stream or boil vegetables (rather than fry or saute).
20. Retain peels of potato, cucumber, carrot and tomato while cooking.
21. Do take a moment off to mentally list out the nutritional value of the food you're about to eat.
22. Don't rush through your meals. Set aside enough time to appreciate, enjoy and digest your food.
23. Make every meal an enjoyable experience. Set dishes out attractively and chew slowly to appreciate the full flavor of the foods you eat.
24. Choose to be radiantly healthy. Keep yourself informed about the nutritive value of every food you buy.
25. Shop for groceries yourself. Notice the look, feel and smell of fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy their intrinsic goodness.
26. Watch out for eating habits paired with emotional states, like reaching for a chocolate when youre depressed. Resist the urge and eat fruit instead.
27. Eat popcorn (rather than chips) while watching a movie.
28. Sit at the table at meal times. Don't read the paper or review bills while eating.
29. Make it a point to have dinner with the entire family at the table, and not in front of the TV.
30. Eat just to the point of the fullness. Don't stuff yourself!
31. Stop smoking.
32. Restrict alcohol consumption.
33. Get a good night's sleep, every night.
34. Enroll today in an exercise programme.
35. Take a brisk, 20 minute invigorating walk each morning.
36. Spend 10 minutes every morning and evening doing basic stretches.
37. Do not use elevators when you can climb the stairs.
38. Enroll in a TM programme today.
39. Focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat a couple of times a day.
40. Learn to relax. Spend 20 minutes consciously relaxing each muscle of your body.
41. Spend 20 minutes a day in silent meditation, prayer or contemplation.
42. Learn the healing power of laughter. Watch a crazy movie, recall a joke or read a funny book and laugh out loud.
43. Tap the powers of your sub-conscious. Relax your body for 20 minutes and project the Perfect You're on your mind screen.
44. Balance your lifestyle. Devote equal time each week to work and fun.
45. Join kids in a sports activity and rediscover the joys of childhood.
46.. Do keep in touch with friends. Call up or visit them and be at peace with the world.
47. Enroll in an activity (like dancing, swimming or roller skating...) you never indulged in because you were afraid of what people might say.
48. Forgive someone who you think has done you wrong and cleanse your spirit of rancor.
4. Do a nice turn to someone you don't know too well, but who could do with a friend.
50. Spend a quiet half-hour chatting with your family.
51. Listen to soothing music for 15 minutes at least each day.

Simple but very useful Health Tips

2009-10-07T05:57:00.000-07:00

Use aloe vera gel to soothe skin rashes and irritations. It contains 18 amino acids that can cure most form of skin damages.

· To make protein rich and low fat paneer at home, use skimmed milk. Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice and wait for the milk to curdle.

· Rub your palms for a few minutes and place them on your eyes. This helps reduce the strain caused by staring at the computer screen for too long.

· Drink fresh pear juice to calm tense nerves and prevent throat infections.

· Include Vitamin C rich food like Spinach in your diet to reduce dark circles.

· To increase calcium levels, lower intake of sugar apart from taking in high calcium foods.

· To minimize the damage by bleach to your skin, apply a layer of petroleum jelly before bleaching.

· To condition hair naturally, mash a ripe banana and spread the puree through your hair. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off after 15 minutes.

· Get rid of a tan by mashing a ripe papaya and applying the puree on your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off your face with cold water.

· Pregnant women are advised to include tomatoes in their everyday diet. A regular intake of the juicy fruit helps in dealing with morning sickness.

Become Medical Assistant through online courses from St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants

2009-08-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is now providing online training with their Certified Medical Assistant Program. This program from St. Augustine School is very convenient and will allow one to study online at our own pace and convenience. This program can be completed within 6 to 8 weeks by most of the students. But there is no limit to the time period to complete the course. The Job opportunities for medical Assistants is growing day by day and is the fastest growing occupations in the next decade.

These programs are very affordable and the fee is very less (%645) and learning is very easy. There is no need to go to any school, just stay at home and just take the classess any where and any time through online. All the classes and labs are online with self-paced study. Complete online support is provided to answer all the queries. The procedure to take up this program is as follow:

1. Register online
2. You will receive your user name and password
3. Complete the online classes at your convenience
4. After finishing the classes take the online Medical Assistant exam
5. We will then send your certificate and transcripts

The fee need not be paid at one time lumpsum amount but can be paid in instalments of $285 per month. There is a special discount rate of $485 for groups of two or more students.

These Medical Assistant courses are very convenient that the entire program can be completed at our own pace and study all classes online at anytime around the world.

Medical assistants as healthcare professionals perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. Medical assistants find employment in private and public hospitals, as well as inpatient and outpatient facilities, medical doctors, etc. Given their role as healthcare professionals the demand for medical assistants is only on the rise.

So start enrolling for the program for a bright future as Medical Assistant in just 6 to 8 weeks.

Enroll in this program today and become a professional Medical Assistant in just 6-8 weeks!

Obesity and its symptoms

2009-07-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Obesity is nothing but excessive storage of fat in our body. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal as per the body mass index, which is calculated from an individual's age, height, and weight. Presence of fat tissue is essential as natural energy reserve in our bodies. But excess fat tissues result in obesity and causes health disorders.

Obesity is measured by: Body Mass index (BMI), Waist Measurement and Combined Measurements .An obese person carries the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

One of the places where this excess body fat can most easily be seen is around the waistline. A waist measurement of 40 inches or more in men and 35 inches or more in women is linked to an increased risk for heart disease and other health problems associated with obesity.

An adult who is obese has an increased risk of complications from other diseases. These may include
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gallbladder disease
- Some types of cancer
- High cholesterol
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleeping and breathing problems
- Depression or other emotional problems
- Difficulty walking or moving around
- Heartburn
- Rashes in the folds of the skin
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Snoring or sleep apnea

A Natural Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal Medicine

2009-07-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

nfectious diseases such as Flu, TB, Pneumonia, Hepatitis, Cholera, Malaria, and Dengue are quite common in many countries. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites kill more people worldwide than any other single cause.

Many studies have shown that overuse of antibiotics has increased the rate of infections as well as created many drug resistant bacteria over the past few decades. Antibiotics work only on bacteria and not on viruses. In fact, there are no effective drugs that can kill the viruses. Boosting the body's immune system is the only effective way of fighting these drug resistant and ever mutating microorganisms.

Extensive research done by scientists such as Jon J Kabara, PhD, has shown that the Lauric acid found in Coconut Oil is a potent antimicrobial agent. Lauric acid is a major component (49%) of Coconut oil. It has also been found to kill the H.

Virgin coconut oil can be used as a natural medicine in common cold, flu or viral fever. It can be consumed by using it as a cooking oil or you can simply consume 2-3 tablespoons along with meals or with your favorite juice or plain water. Make sure that your drink is lukewarm so that coconut oil can easily mix with it. Some studies that a massage with coconut oil gives rapid and superior results in acute diseases like common cold or flu. Massaging the arms, legs, chest, back and neck regions allows a large amount of oil to be quickly absorbed into the body via the skin and helps facilitate rapid recovery.

Coconut oil consists largely of what is called as Medium Chain Triglycerides, also known as MCT or MCFA, which gets digested and absorbed quickly in the body and provides a much needed energy boost. This is why the MCT, found in coconut oil, is used in hospitals to prepare food for the sick and the elderly.

The best headache treatment options

2009-07-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Nothing can ruin a mood, a day or a special occasion like a headache. Treatment for headaches is nothing new; all the back to ancient Egypt physicians have been looking for the best headache treatment they could. Doctors and physicians still disagree exactly what happens to your head during a headache. They agree that the problem is blood flow - the blood vessels contracting and relaxing around the brain. To have the proper headache treatment, you really should know the cause of your headache. Here a couple of tips to find the best headache treatment for your specific situation.

Headache treatment should really begin with headache prevention. If you can find the reason that you have headaches, and alter your lifestyle or diet to stop the headaches from even happening, that is the most effective headache treatment you can get. Most headaches are brought on by tension and stress. Discover what your headache triggers are - make a list of the top stress causers in your life. Is there are way to get around, or solve those problems? Perhaps you can change your commute or your daily routine to lower your stress levels. For most people, this is the best headache treatment. If you can’t eliminate the stress causers in your life, are there ways to treat them before they give you migraines? Perhaps you don’t have the budget you like, but if you can find a way to balance your income and expenses, you won’t have the same financial stress - and you’ll have less headaches.

Headache treatment might lie in diet and nutrition as well. Most people report headaches from the excess or lack of caffeine. Perhaps if you wean yourself off of coffee, tea or soft drinks, you’ll find the fluctuations of caffeine in your blood system will stop - and so will the headaches. Another strong possibility is the lack of water in your body. Dehydration means that all of your body’s systems and organs are running a little slow. This includes headaches. A couple of more glasses of water each day might be the only headache treatment you need.

There is of course a variety of pills and medication you can turn to for headache treatment. Some work, others don’t. The key to real headache treatment is in headache prevention. If you can eliminate the causes of your headaches, you’ll have a much happier, carefree day.

Epilepsy in dogs

2009-07-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

The condition known as epilepsy does indeed occur in dogs. In fact, the problem is broken down into two different types of Epilepsy.

1. Idiopathic Epilepsy- Idiopathic epilepsy is when there is no known cause for the condition and it is assumed it may be an inherited condition.

2. Secondary Epilepsy – This diagnosis is used when a specific cause for the seizures can be found. A veterinarian will normally run a variety of tests to rule out possible physiological or toxic causes before diagnosing the dog as having the idiopathic version.

There are several types of seizures that are seen in dogs and there are many times an owner isn’t even aware of the problem. An epileptic seizure
is the clinical manifestation of abnormal brain activity in the cerebral cortex.

These abnormalities can create seizures that vary from the mild “petit mal” to the generalized, full body “grand mal.”

Some of the physiological reasons a dog may have secondary epilepsy are:

1. Hypoglycemia or “low blood sugar.”

2. Hypothyroidism – A condition in which the thyroid functions inadequately.

3. Disease – Seizures are a common symptom of diseases such as encephalitis and distemper

4. Lead poisoning – This can be seen in dogs that like to chew on items such as painted wood.

5. Brain Tumors – This is the most common cause of seizures that begin after the age of 5.

6. Hydrocephalus – The accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain.

7. Eclampsia – This occurs when a lactating female’s calcium levels drop to dangerous levels.

8. Toxins – Pesticides, fertilizers, poisonous plants, arsenic, strychnine and chocolate.

9. Trauma – Trauma can occur from some type of severe blow to the head such being hit by a car, bat, kicked or fall.

10. Organ failure – End stage liver or renal failure can often cause

11. Parasitic – Severe cases of intestinal worms, end stage heartworms or even anemia from fleas and ticks can cause seizures.

Idiopathic Epilepsy is also called primary or hereditary epilepsy.

As with any disease or condition, your personal veterinarian is the best source for making a diagnosis, education and offering treatment options. If you suspect your dog may have either type of epilepsy and you see seizure like activity, take note of the time, date, length and type of seizure as well as the way the dog acts after the seizure has ended. Keep a record of these things for each episode and discuss the problem as soon as possible with the veterinarian. Remember to follow up the conference with information as to any further episodes so he or she will be able to lay out a plan of action for both you and your dog for the best possible results.

Our brains detect happiness faster than sadness

2009-06-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Our brains detect the expressions of happiness and surprise faster than those of sadness or fear, according to a study.

an international team of spanish and brazellian researchers made a study on this. The research team worked with 80 psychology students—65 women and 15 men—to analyse the differences between their cerebral hemispheres using the "divided visual field" technique, which is based on the anatomical properties of the visual system.

Appearing in the journal Laterality, the findings suggest that the right hemisphere performs better in processing emotions.

"However, this advantage appears to be more evident when it comes to processing happy and surprised faces than sad or frightened ones," the researcher points out.

"Positive expressions, or expressions of approach, are perceived more quickly and more precisely than negative, or withdrawal, ones. So happiness and surprise are processed faster than sadness and fear," says Aznar-Casanova.

10 Natural Ways of Acne Treatment

2008-05-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

Many are looking for acneÂ treatments that really work? Whether you areÂ 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.

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.

What is the best treatment for acne?

2008-05-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

Over the counter medications, such as Clearasil, may be helpful for mild acne, but they are of little use for those with significant disease. Depending on an individualÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s particular situation, there are a variety of medications that may help including:

Benzoyl peroxides, which can be purchased without a prescription, kill bacteria butand promote a mild degree of skin irritation. This product is available as bar soap, liquid wash, cream lotion and gel.

Topical antibiotics such as the sulfa drugs erythromycin and clindamycin are not available without a prescription. These products benefit people with mild to moderate disease acne and usually do not produce side effects.

Azeolic acid , applied to the skin once or twice daily, is safe and effective for mild acne. However, it can bleach the skin in persons with pigmented skin.

Oral antibiotics are effective for moderate to severe acne. However, some studies have shown that their use in patients taking oral contraceptives can cause the birth control pill to fail. Those who have known allergies to specific antibiotics should inform their physician.

Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A. derivative. The topical form (RetinA, Differin or Avita) is used for patients with mild to moderate acne. The oral form (Accutane) is prescribed for severe, disfiguring acne, and, in select cases, is the only medication that helps. Its disadvantages include sun sensitivity and the drugÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s capacityits potential to cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy.

Hormonal therapy, consisting of oral hormones containing less progesterone, may be helpful in women with acne, especially those with irregular periods or excess body hair.

7 Ways To Conquer Acne

2008-05-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

Reports show that over 90 percent of all adolescents and almost 25 percent of all adults suffer from acne at some time. Acne affects males and females worldwide, regardless of nationality. The most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare. Here are some of the ways you can use to prevent and treat acne:

1. Exercise

Regular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. But avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.

2. Safe Cosmetics

To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Opt for "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.

Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.

3. Healthy Diet

Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts. These include

Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic)
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
L-Carnitine
Zinc

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices.

3. Hormonal Treatment

Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years, especially for women, can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation.

Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.

4. Healthy Skin Regimen

Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.

5. Acne Products

Some of the more popular products on the market that can prevent acne include:

Benzoyl Peroxide
ProactivÂ® Solution
Salicylic Acid
Retinoids
Antibiotics
Oral Contraceptives
Anti-Androgens
Isotretinoin (Accutane)

6. Shaving

Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas taht are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

Shave with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain." A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

7. Stress

Stress includes external and internal stressors. External Stressors are those that compromise your skin's ability to heal, like oily make-up and too much sun. Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations.

To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours. Keep a check list of "Things that Calm You" handy for stressful times, like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for an ice cream cone, etc.

Things That Can Go Wrong With the Brain

2008-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Because the brain controls just about everything, when something goes wrong with it, it's often serious and can affect many different parts of the body. Inherited diseases, brain disorders associated with mental illness, and head injuries can all affect the way the brain works and upset the daily activities of the rest of the body.

Problems that can affect the brain include:
Brain tumors. A tumor is a swelling caused by overgrown tissue. A tumor in the brain may grow slowly and produce few symptoms until it becomes large, or it can grow and spread rapidly, causing severe and quickly worsening symptoms. Brain tumors in children can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors usually grow in one place and may be curable through surgery if they're located in a place where they can be removed without damaging the normal tissue near the tumor. A malignant tumor is cancerous and more likely to grow rapidly and spread.

Cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is the result of a developmental defect or damage to the brain before or during birth. It affects the motor areas of the brain. A person with cerebral palsy may have average intelligence or can have severe developmental delays or mental retardation. Cerebral palsy can affect body movement in many different ways. In mild cases of cerebral palsy, there may be minor muscle weakness of the arms and legs. In other cases, there may be more severe motor impairment - a child may have trouble talking and performing basic movements like walking.

Epilepsy. This condition is made up of a wide variety of seizure disorders. Partial seizures involve specific areas of the brain, and symptoms vary depending on the location of the seizure activity. Other seizures, called generalized seizures, involve a larger portion of the brain and usually cause uncontrolled movements of the entire body and loss of consciousness when they occur. Although the specific cause is unknown in many cases, epilepsy can be related to brain injury, tumors, or infections. The tendency to develop epilepsy may be inherited in families.

Headaches. Of the many different types of headaches, the most frequently occurring include tension headache (the most common type), caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders; migraine, an intense, recurring headache with an unclear cause; and cluster headache, considered by some to be a form of migraine. Migraines occur with or without warning and may last for several hours or days. There seems to be an inherited predisposition to migraines as well as certain triggers that can lead to them. People with migraines may experience dizziness, numbness, sensitivity to light, and nausea, and may see flashing zigzag lines before their eyes.

Meningitis and encephalitis. These are infections of the brain and spinal cord that are usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Meningitis is an inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue. Both conditions may result in permanent injury to the brain.

Mental illness. Mental illnesses are psychological and behavioral in nature and involve a wide range of problems in thought and function. Certain mental illnesses are now known to be linked to structural abnormalities or chemical dysfunction of the brain. Some mental illnesses are inherited, but often the cause is unknown. Injuries to the brain and chronic drug or alcohol abuse also can trigger some mental illnesses. Signs of chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may first show up in childhood. Mental illnesses that can be seen in younger people include depression, eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias.

Head Injuries. Head injuries fit into two categories: external (usually scalp) injuries and internal head injuries. Internal injuries may involve the skull, the blood vessels within the skull, or the brain. Fortunately, most childhood falls or blows to the head result in injury to the scalp only, which is usually more frightening than threatening. An internal head injury could have more serious implications because the skull serves as the protective helmet for the delicate brain.

Concussions are also a type of internal head injury. A concussion is the temporary loss of normal brain function as a result of an injury. Repeated concussions can result in permanent injury to the brain. One of the most common reasons kids get concussions is through sports, so it's important to make sure they wear appropriate protective gear and don't continue to play if they've had a head injury.

How the Nervous System Works

2008-05-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

The basic functioning of the nervous system depends a lot on tiny cells called neurons. The brain has billions of them, and they have many specialized jobs. For example, sensory neurons take information from the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin to the brain. Motor neurons carry messages away from the brain and back to the rest of the body. All neurons, however, relay information to each other through a complex electrochemical process, making connections that affect the way we think, learn, move, and behave.

Intelligence, learning, and memory. At birth, your nervous system contains all the neurons you will ever have, but many of them are not connected to each other. As you grow and learn, messages travel from one neuron to another over and over, creating connections, or pathways, in the brain. It's why driving seemed to take so much concentration when you first learned but now is second nature: The pathway became established.

In young children, the brain is highly adaptable; in fact, when one part of a young child's brain is injured, another part can often learn to take over some of the lost function. But as we age, the brain has to work harder to make new neural pathways, making it more difficult to master new tasks or change established behavior patterns. That's why many scientists believe it's important to keep challenging your brain to learn new things and make new connections - it helps keeps the brain active over the course of a lifetime. Memory is another complex function of the brain. The things we've done, learned, and seen are first processed in the cortex, and then, if we sense that this information is important enough to remember permanently, it's passed inward to other regions of the brain (such as the hippocampus and amygdala) for long-term storage and retrieval. As these messages travel through the brain, they too create pathways that serve as the basis of our memory.

Movement. Different parts of the cerebrum are responsible for moving different body parts. The left side of the brain controls the movements of the right side of the body, and the right side of the brain controls the movements of the left side of the body. When you press the accelerator with your right foot, for example, it's the left side of your brain that sends the message allowing you to do it.

Basic body functions. A part of the peripheral nervous system called the autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling many of the body processes we almost never need to think about, like breathing, digestion, sweating, and shivering. The autonomic nervous system has two parts: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for sudden stress, like if you see a robbery taking place. When something frightening happens, the sympathetic nervous system makes the heart beat faster so that it sends blood more quickly to the different body parts that might need it. It also causes the adrenal glands at the top of the kidneys to release adrenaline, a hormone that helps give extra power to the muscles for a quick getaway. This process is known as the body's "fight or flight" response.

The parasympathetic nervous system does the exact opposite: It prepares the body for rest. It also helps the digestive tract move along so our bodies can efficiently take in nutrients from the food we eat.

The senses. Your spouse may be a sight for sore eyes at the end of a long day - but without the brain, you wouldn't even recognize him or her. Pepperoni pizza sure is delicious - but without the brain, your taste buds wouldn't be able to tell if you were eating pizza or the box it came in. None of your senses would be useful without the processing that occurs in the brain.

Sight. Sight probably tells us more about the world than any other sense. Light entering the eye forms an upside-down image on the retina. The retina transforms the light into nerve signals for the brain. The brain then turns the image right-side up and tells us what we are seeing.
Hearing. Every sound we hear is the result of sound waves entering our ears and causing our eardrums to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred along the tiny bones of the middle ear and converted into nerve signals. The cortex then processes these signals, telling us what we are hearing.
Taste. The tongue contains small groups of sensory cells called taste buds that react to chemicals in foods. Taste buds react to sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Messages are sent from the taste buds to the areas in the cortex responsible for processing taste.
Smell. Olfactory cells in the mucous membranes lining each nostril react to chemicals we breathe in and send messages along specific nerves to the brain - which, according to experts, can distinguish between more than 10,000 different smells. With that kind of sensitivity, it's no wonder research suggests that smells are very closely linked to our memories.
Touch. The skin contains more than 4 million sensory receptors - mostly concentrated in the fingers, tongue, and lips - that gather information related to touch, pressure, temperature, and pain and send it to the brain for processing and reaction.

Anatomy of Nervous System

2008-05-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

If you think of the brain as a central computer that controls all the functions of your body, then the nervous system is like a network that relays messages back and forth from it to different parts of the body. It does this via the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down through the back and contains threadlike nerves that branch out to every organ and body part.

When a message comes into the brain from anywhere in the body, the brain tells the body how to react. For example, if you accidentally touch a hot stove, the nerves in your skin shoot a message of pain to your brain. The brain then sends a message back telling the muscles in your hand to pull away. Luckily, this neurological relay race takes a lot less time than it just took to read about it!

Considering everything it does, the human brain is incredibly compact, weighing just 3 pounds. Its many folds and grooves, though, provide it with the additional surface area necessary for storing all of the body's important information.

The spinal cord, on the other hand, is a long bundle of nerve tissue about 18 inches long and 3/4 inch thick. It extends from the lower part of the brain down through spine. Along the way, various nerves branch out to the entire body. These are called the peripheral nervous system.

Both the brain and the spinal cord are protected by bone: the brain by the bones of the skull, and the spinal cord by a set of ring-shaped bones called vertebrae. They're both cushioned by layers of membranes called meninges as well as a special fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid helps protect the nerve tissue, keep it healthy, and remove waste products.

The brain is made up of three main sections: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain.

The Forebrain

The forebrain is the largest and most complex part of the brain. It consists of the cerebrum - the area with all the folds and grooves typically seen in pictures of the brain - as well as some other structures beneath it.

The cerebrum contains the information that essentially makes us who we are: our intelligence, memory, personality, emotion, speech, and ability to feel and move. Specific areas of the cerebrum are in charge of processing these different types of information. These are called lobes, and there are four of them: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

The cerebrum has right and left halves, called hemispheres, which are connected in the middle by a band of nerve fibers (the corpus collosum) that enables the two sides to communicate. Though these halves may look like mirror images of each other, many scientists believe they have different functions. The left side is considered the logical, analytical, objective side. The right side is thought to be more intuitive, creative, and subjective. So when you're balancing the checkbook, you're using the left side; when you're listening to music, you're using the right side. It's believed that some people are more "right-brained" or "left-brained" while others are more "whole-brained," meaning they use both halves of their brain to the same degree.

The outer layer of the cerebrum is called the cortex (also known as "gray matter"). Information collected by the five senses comes into the brain from the spinal cord to the cortex. This information is then directed to other parts of the nervous system for further processing. For example, when you touch the hot stove, not only does a message go out to move your hand but one also goes to another part of the brain to help you remember not to do that again.

In the inner part of the forebrain sits the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. The thalamus carries messages from the sensory organs like the eyes, ears, nose, and fingers to the cortex. The hypothalamus controls the pulse, thirst, appetite, sleep patterns, and other processes in our bodies that happen automatically. It also controls the pituitary gland, which makes the hormones that control our growth, metabolism, digestion, sexual maturity, and response to stress.

The Midbrain

The midbrain, located underneath the middle of the forebrain, acts as a master coordinator for all the messages going in and out of the brain to the spinal cord.

The Hindbrain

The hindbrain sits underneath the back end of the cerebrum, and it consists of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla. The cerebellum - also called the "little brain" because it looks like a small version of the cerebrum - is responsible for balance, movement, and coordination.

The pons and the medulla, along with the midbrain, are often called the brainstem. The brainstem takes in, sends out, and coordinates all of the brain's messages. It is also controls many of the body's automatic functions, like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing, digestion, and blinking.

What are Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

2008-05-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Although chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom of a heart attack, heart attack victims may experience a diversity of symptoms that include:

* Pain, fullness, and/or squeezing sensation of the chest

* Jaw pain, toothache, headache

* Shortness of breath

* Nausea, vomiting, and/or general epigastric (upper middle abdomen) discomfort

* Sweating

* Heartburn and/or indigestion

* Arm pain (more commonly the left arm, but may be either arm)

* Upper back pain

* General malaise (vague feeling of illness)

* No symptoms (Approximately one quarter of all heart attacks are silent, without chest pain or new symptoms. Silent heart attacks are especially common among patients with diabetes mellitus.)

Even though the symptoms of a heart attack at times can be vague and mild, it is important to remember that heart attacks producing no symptoms or only mild symptoms can be just as serious and life-threatening as heart attacks that cause severe chest pain. Too often patients attribute heart attack symptoms to "indigestion," "fatigue," or "stress," and consequently delay seeking prompt medical attention. One cannot overemphasize the importance of seeking prompt medical attention in the presence of symptoms that suggest a heart attack. Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives, and delays in reaching medical assistance can be fatal. A delay in treatment can lead to permanently reduced function of the heart due to more extensive damage to the heart muscle. Death also may occur as a result of the sudden onset of arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation.

What is Heart Attack?

2008-05-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of heart muscle from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen, causing injury to the heart muscle. Injury to the heart muscle causes Chest Pain and pressure. If blood flow is not restored within 20 to 40 minutes, irreversible death of the heart muscle will begin to occur. Muscle continues to die for six to eight hours at which time the heart attack usually is "complete." The dead heart muscle is replaced by scar tissue.

Approximately one million Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Four hundred thousand of them die as a result of their heart attack.

What is Hypoglycemia ?

2008-03-30T00:33:00.000-07:00

Most of us at one time or another experience a degree of low blood sugar. If we are tired or moody because we have not eaten for many hours, it is a sign that our blood sugar is low. Yet chronic hypoglycemia is more than mere moodiness associated with a lack of food. It is a sign that the organs that help balance blood sugar, such as the adrenal glands and the pancreas, aren't doing a good enough job. Fortunately, the symptoms of hypoglycemia can be eliminated with a diet of whole foods, frequent meals, and carefully chosen nutritional Supplements.

HYPOGLYCEMIA OR LOW BLOOD SUGAR refers to the. body's inability to maintain normal levels of sugar in the blood. Sugar is the main source of fuel for the body, and sugar levels must remain steady. Otherwise, the brain and other organs cannot function normally. When sugar levels become undesirably low, as can occur between meals or soon after sweets are eaten, the following problems can occur:

* Food cravings, especially for sugar and starchy foods
* Depression
* Fatigue
* Headaches
* Anger
* PMS
* Dizziness
* Fainting
* Arrhythmias
* Inability to concentrate .
* Panic attacks

Yoga and Men

2007-12-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

We hear so much about yoga and women. What do you think yoga has to offer men?

First of all, more men take yoga than you think. My classes are about 30 to 50 percent men. I do think yoga has a lot to offer men. I just think it's harder for men to begin initially because of the male stereotypes in our society.

Men are supposed to be strong and goal oriented and to identify physically and mentally with sports. But what many men discover is that the stereotype of a strong, independent male is very isolating and doesn't really work. They begin to look inward and begin to move toward relationships with themselves and with others. Yoga is all about relationships between the body and the breath, the muscles and the skeletal structure, between your physical self and your emotions, your mind and your body, yourself and your community. It gives men permission to stop and listen to their inner voice.

Many men prefer the rigors of contact or competitive sports. Can a yoga practice help them perform their chosen sport better? How?

I think so. Every sport has a unique vocabulary and we often find it difficult to translate the kinesthetic language of one sport into another way of moving.

If we've trained for years to be a gymnast, for example, our body responds a certain way. Certain muscles are always contracted; others are loose. The body sets up particular neurological and neuromuscular patterns that stay the same and serve us in that sport. We breathe a certain way; we move a certain way. We often injure the same muscles or ligaments in the same way.

Yoga brings the body back into balance, into its natural alignment. Yoga, with its full spectrum of poses-prone, supine, backward bending, forward bending-can teach someone where imbalances and physical weaknesses are and can help strengthen the body. Yoga can help enhance an athlete's performance in his sport by teaching how to breathe properly, how to relax and how to gain flexibility.

What advice can you give men who may be interested in yoga but don't know how to begin?

Taking a yoga class in a health club is a good way to start. I'd also tell them not to get discouraged. Most men are very competitive and have used their bodies that way all their lives. Suddenly they come into a yoga class and everyone can do the poses so much better than they can. They begin to compare themselves to everyone else and it sometimes feels downright humiliating. Often their first inclination is to give up. Staying with it will not only be good for their body-giving strength, flexibility, and balance-but also good for balancing their mind and emotions.

I want to teach men that it's good to come up against obstacles, it's good to be faced with what you see as your weaknesses. By doing that, you not only begin to understand who you are, but you begin to develop a sense of compassion and acceptance.

Yoga for Cancer Recovery

2007-12-15T05:19:00.000-08:00

You are diagnosed with cancer, receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, recovering from surgical tumor removal, or in remission. You may be dealing with symptoms or side effect, anxiety or emotional issues.

What can you do for yourself that will help ease your symptoms, give you more energy, calm your mind, and give you tools for accepting, loving and motivating yourself? Try yoga as an adjunct to your medical treatment.

Yoga is an ancient practice of integrating the body, breath, and mind. There are many different styles and ways to practice yoga. For cancer recovery, try gentle yoga, yoga therapy, restorative yoga, yoga for healing, and yoga for beginners. There are several books and videos for different age groups, levels, and considerations. Another option you have is to take a group class or work with a yoga teacher or yoga therapist one-on-one. Go with what motivates you to continue to practice.

One big motivation may also be your body. It may be calling for your attention with fatigue, less range of motion, or pain. In yoga, the body is addressed by practicing physical postures (also called asanas). These stimulate and balance all the systems of the body: musculoskeletal, nervous system, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and urogenital. As we now know, the whole person is affected when something is out of balance, as a number of postures are practiced in a sequence to address the whole body.

Depending on what parts of your body are affected, what type of cancer you have (or had), and your physical abilities, your practice will be specific to you. You may not be able to safely or comfortably do the posture the way the teacher or someone else is doing it. That's okay. Modify or change the position so it feels good for you. You will find out what works for you, what you are able to do, and what helps you to move in a positive direction.

When you are practicing a posture, do what you can without creating more pain. You may feel discomfort, but going to the point of sharp pain is not going to benefit you. Sometimes the postures are easier if you don't try as hard - if you actually do less. Ask yourself if you can let go of something: it could be tension or holding in the body, or it could be an expectation or judgment you have about yourself.

An important aspect of yoga is the integration of the breath with the movement or posture. To get a feel for this, you can gently squeeze and release the hands with coordination of the breath with the movement. Next, move to raising the arms at the rhythm of the breath. Then move on to practicing the postures attuned to the breath.

Breathing practices (also called pranayama) are also done for the benefit of improving efficient movement and lung capacity, as well as promoting calm and relaxation.

Remember to start slowly, and create a practice that is comfortable as well as challenging enough to keep you progressing toward a healthier, happier life.

Yoga for your health and happiness

2007-12-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

What is Yoga?

Since some years ago, many people were not aware of what yoga is. Some used to believe that practice of Yoga was akin to “magical performances” of the past such as bending bars and tearing plates, Breaking stones, walking on fire, remaining underground in a pit for several days, etc. In recent times, many people have begun to understand instead of wanting to know what yoga is, they are interested to know what among The different yoga practices should they follow for maintaining health, or for overcoming some common health problems.

Yoga is one of the very ancient Sanskrit works. It has two different meanings - a general meaning and a technical meaning. Both these meaning are not related with each other. In the general sense the word ‘yoga’ is deriven from the root “Yujir-yoge”, which means joining, coming together or union of any two or more things. The word ‘yoga’ has been used in the rigveda, one of the four vedas, of ancient test, to mean “unity of the intellect of the sages” or dheenam yogaminvati or “arrangement of verses” of Chhandasam yogam. In the Atharva veda, another of the four ancient texts, words such as ashtayogaih and shadyogebhih are used to indicate a plow pulled by eight for six bullocks respectively. Word such as viyoga, samyoga, agoga, prayoga, vinigoga, Sshayoga, are common examples of the use of the word ‘yoga’ even today in the general sense of ‘coming together’, derived from the root Yuji.

The technical meaning of the term 'Yoga' is derived from another root “yoji” (samadhau). Here the meaning of word is not “Union” ,but “a state of stability, stillness, and peace”. The word ‘yoga’ here indicates both the state of stillness and the means of practices which lead to that state. These practices include asanas, pranayama, dhyana, yana-niyanmas, etc. While in the Veds the word ‘yoga’ is used only in the general sense, there are texts ( such as the Bhagavad Gita) in which both the meanings are ascribed to that word. In the Gita, words such as buddhiyoga, Karmayoga are used which refer to the technical meaning . Many experts have said that at the time of Panini, the famous Sanskrit Garmmarian of the seventhcentury BC, both the meanings of the word – general and technical – yoga were already in use.

Eight Tips to Help Ease Your Dogs Arthritis Pain

2007-11-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

* put him on a diet
* taking for a walk
* let him sleep in
* give them a soft cozy warm bed
* raises food and water bowls
* Build a ramp for him to use instead of stairs
* take him for a swim
* give him a coat or a sweater for winter.

What is Depression?

2007-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

What is Depression?
Depression is a medical Illness & not just a feeling of hopelessness. It's more then just feeling sad.

How common is Depression?
It's as common as the Common Cold. According to the World Health Organization, it's the Third Most Common Illness in the World after Infectious diseases & Heart disease. It's the 4th to the 10th most frequent diagnosis made by the family doctor.

Who is at risk to get Depression?
All of us are! An alive human being (with fair intelligence) is the greatest risk!! As confirmed by scientific data ¼ to 1/3 of us are going to have it once in lifetime. Every 3rd female and every 5th male will have it at least once.

What are the causes of Depression?
Biological
Psychological
Social
Biological causes:
I. Chemicals / Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers, which are critical in the transmission of nerve impulses in our brain and nerves. The level of certain neurotransmitters, NORADRENALINE & SEROTONIN are decreased in the brain. Most of the medications used for treating depression (Anti depressants) help in elevating the levels of these chemicals in the brain.

II. Genetic: For every possible physical and mental feature there is a gene in our cells. So is a gene for Depression. The parents of a depressed person are at a higher risk for depression. If a sibling has depressive illness then there is a 15% chance, that it will be there in another sibling .If the onset of depression is after the age of 40 yr. then chance of it being genetically transmitted is less.

Mental Health
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
Visit to a psychiatrist
ECT
OCD

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III. Hormonal imbalance: Though the exact mechanisms are not understood but imbalance of female sex hormones can lead to depression. Depressions in the postmenopausal and post partum (after delivery) period are the examples.

Psychological causes:

I. Personality/ Attitudes: Following types of personality traits predispose to depressive illness.
Very ambitious
Anxious
Obsessive/perfectionist
Setting very high standards for self
Persons having above traits/attitudes are more likely to experience depressive episodes in their lives as compared to people who don't have such type of personality.

II. Coping strategies with life events: How we deal with stressful events like separation/divorce/death, etc. determines how predisposed we are to depression. People who are
Impulsive
Aggressive
Self centered
Are more likely to have depression.

Social causes and social supports:

A lot of stressful life events like death/divorce/disease predispose to depression.
Interpersonal relationships matter a lot - good relations with the friends / spouse / siblings have a positive effect in preventing depression.
Single people are more prone to depression than couples.
Similarly, studies have found divorced persons to be more prone to depression.
What are the features of depression?
Most of the people who feel low and depressed are given a lot of advice by friends and relatives. It is automatically assumed that these feelings of low energy / low mood are just a matter of time and would get better if the individual made a little effort to feel good and happy.

Persistence of such feelings of lethargy / low energy / low mood despite all this indicates that the person may be suffering from clinical depression. Following are the features that a depressed individual experiences.

Biological features (duration - 15 day or more)
Decreased sleep--- the person gets up very early in the morning say, at 3 am & can't sleep again. Frequent awakenings. Poor quality of sleep.
Decreased appetite/ weight
Dryness of mouth
Constipation
Reversed diurnal variation - everybody feels better in the morning but a depressed patient feels worst in morning & slightly better in noon to evening.
Generalized body ache - lot of poorly localized pains and aches like headaches, abdominal pains.
Easily fatigued & lethargic.
Panic features like palpitations and sweating.
Psychological features
I. Sadness of mood
II. Decreased pleasure & interest in activities which they enjoyed previously
III. Decreased attention, forgetfulness, like forgets where he/ she has kept things.
IV. Easily irritated
V. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO WISH TO LIVE.
BAD NEWS IS THAT THIS CONDITION CAN BE FATAL. 40% OF ALL SUICIDES REPORTED ARE IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION.

GOOD NEWS IS, IT IS EASILY DIAGNOSABLE & EASILY TREATABLE.

What are the treatments available for depression?
A number of medicines are available suitable to different Patients. Broadly these are termed as Anti Depressants. These drugs remain the mainstay of therapy for depression.

There are certain important things to be kept in mind regarding anti depressant use:
ADEQUATE DOSE, FOR ADEQUATE DURATION IS THE CARDINAL RULE.
SOMETIMES SMALL DOSES FOR LESS DURATION IS GIVEN BY NON SPECIALISTS It leads to incomplete recovery with frequent relapses.
Antidepressants are NOT sleeping pills.
THEY ARE NOT HABIT FORMING.

OVER WEIGHT

2007-09-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

The prevalence of overweight & obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate.

There is a clear association between obesity / overweight and the risks in many diseases like:

Hypertension Diabetes Psychological Disturbances Hypercholestrolemia Osteoarthritis
Colonic cancer in men Skin Disorders
Gall stone formation Coronary artery diseases
Infertility and hirsutism (excess body hair)
Breast and Uterine Cancer in women Hyperlipidemia (excessive fats / lipids in blood)

How to Know your right body weight :

Body mass index (BMI) uses a mathematical formula and calculates your weight according to your height.

BMI is calculated as weight in Kgs. Divided by square of height in meters i.e. BMI = Kg / mtr2

Normal Range = 8.5 to 24.90
Over weight = 25 to 29.90
Obese = 30 to 39.90
Morbidly Obese = 40 and above

Guidance for Body Weight in Adults [ MEN AND WOMEN ] :

Height without Shoes Significantly Underweight Acceptable Range Obese Grossly Obese
In mtr. In Ft.in Wtin Kgs. Without clothes
1.45 4’9” 34 42 - 53 63 84
1.48 4’10” 35 44 – 55 66 88
1.50 4’11” 36 45 -- 56 68 90
1.52 5’0” 37 46 -- 58 69 92
1.54 5’1” 38 47 – 59 71 95
1.56 5’1” 39 49 -- 61 73 97
1.58 5’2” 40 50 – 62 75 100
1.60 5’3” 41 51 – 64 77 102
1.62 5’4” 42 52 – 66 79 105
1.64 5’5” 43 53 – 67 81 108
1.66 5’5” 44 55 -- 69 83 110
1.68 5’6” 45 56 – 71 85 113
1.70 5’7” 46 58 – 72 87 116
1.72 5’8” 47 59 – 74 89 118
1.74 5’8” 48 61 – 76 91 121
1.76 5’9” 50 62 – 78 93 124
1.78 5’10” 51 63 -- 79 95 127

Green Tea for Long Life?

2007-08-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Japanese Study Shows Link Between Green Tea Drinkers and Lower Death Risk

People who drink at least a pint of green tea each day have a lower risk of death, a Japanese study shows.
The lower overall death risk among green tea drinkers appears to be due to a lower risk of death from heart disease. And the benefit of green tea is especially pronounced in women, find Shinichi Kuriyama, MD, PhD, Tohoku University School of Public Policy in Sendai, Japan, and colleagues.

Green tea is a very popular drink in Japan. But some people drink more than others do. Women who drink five or more 3.4-ounce cups of green tea every day cut their risk of heart disease by 31% compared with women who drink one or fewer 3.4-ounce cups. Men who drink this much green tea cut their heart disease risk by 22%.

"Green tea may prolong your life through reducing heart disease and stroke," Kuriyama tells WebMD. "Our findings might explain the differences in mortality profile between Japan and the United States. The Japanese age-adjusted rate of mortality due to [heart disease and stroke] is about 30% lower than that of the United States."

The findings appear in the Sept. 13 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Green Tea: Might Americans Benefit?

Kuriyama's study is based on data collected since 1994 among more than 40,000 healthy Japanese people aged 40 to 79. More than 86% of the study participants remained in the study for 11 years. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about their daily diets and health.

The study was conducted with meticulous care. But Kuriyama is quick to point out that this kind of study can't prove green tea has any beneficial effect. Proof comes only from a clinical trial in which some people get green tea and others do not. The Kuriyama study shows only that there is a link between green tea and lower death risk -- not that green tea causes lower death risk.

More Benefits for Women?

Why do women seem to get more of a benefit from green tea than men do? Kuriyama and colleagues note that the men in their study smoked more cigarettes than women did. And smokers, overall, got less of a benefit from green tea than nonsmokers.

But Cheng says it's related to estrogen. Green tea studies consistently show a greater effect for women than for men, he says. He suggests that green tea's active ingredients may interact with the female sex hormone estrogen to boost a heart-protective effect.

Green Tea: No Effect on Cancer

Kuriyama and colleagues found no evidence that green tea protects against cancer death.

Kuriyama says that was a surprise to him, as "abundant" evidence from animal and test-tube studies suggests that green tea ingredients fight cancer.

But he notes that the current findings are in line with other, smaller studies that find green tea has no effect on several specific kinds of cancer.

Green Tea Warnings

While it's yet to be proved that green tea really will protect you against early death, there's a lot of evidence that green tea is safe -- with two major exceptions.

Cheng warns that green tea contains vitamin K. Vitamin K affects blood clotting. People taking the blood-thinning drug Coumadin, he says, should not start drinking more green tea.

And Kuriyama warns against drinking your green tea piping hot.

"Drinking green tea at high temperature may be associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer," he says. "Therefore, I recommend that green tea should be consumed at moderate or low temperature."

What's the bottom line? For Lichtenstein, the message is to go ahead and drink green tea if you like it. But to prevent heart disease and stroke, what really works is a healthy diet and daily exercise.

Neither Kuriyama nor Cheng would disagree with that. But they both recommend green tea, too.

"I personally drink two to three cups of green tea per day," Kuriyama says. "On the basis of our study results, I would like to recommend the drinking of green tea to my friends and my family because our findings are the best evidence at present."

Cheng says green tea is much better for you than oolong tea or black tea, which lose some healthy properties during fermentation. But that's not why he drinks it.

Back Pain - self care

2007-08-19T17:00:00.001-07:00

Become an active partner in your own back recovery. If you have back pain, begin with an appointment with your healthcare provider. When the problem is diagnosed, treatment will be suggested. Often back pain will go away by itself.

Back pain can be treated. However, you are the most important member of the healthcare team in treating your pain. Learn about your back, its anatomy and function. Learn how to return your back to a healthy state and how to keep it strong and healthy. Learn what good posture is. Practice safe body mechanics to prevent re- injury. Keeping your weight within the normal healthy range helps to prevent back pain.

Self-care of the back starts with relieving the immediate pain. Pain can be relieved with ice or heat. Either a cloth-covered ice pack or a heating pad on low can be put on the back for no more than 20 minutes 4 to 8 times a day. This will help to relieve the pain. Bed rest is not suggested for more than a couple of days, as it can weaken muscles. It may help to rest for 1 to 2 days.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may be recommended for the pain. Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome. NSAIDs should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. NSAIDs should not be taken by anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma, ulcer disease, or a bleeding disorder. Taking NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding with trauma, dental work, surgery, or if taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

Some people like to use a support belt for the back. A belt may help some people at first, but should only be used for a short time. If used for a long time, a back support belt can make the back weaker. A good night's rest is important for back recovery. If the pain is preventing a good night's rest, make sure that the mattress is supportive and comfortable. Sleep on your side with your knees bent. Sometimes it helps to put a pillow between the knees while sleeping. When sleeping on your back, be sure to put a pillow under your knees to take the strain off your back.

During the first 4 weeks of acute low back pain, at least one spinal manipulation by a chiropractor or osteopathic provider may help the pain. It is best not to have a manipulation of the neck because there could be serious complications.

A healthcare provider will suggest starting an exercise program, usually within 2 weeks, or sooner, of the onset of the pain. Exercising helps strengthen the back and minimize the pain. Even though an exercise program is important in making the back better, it is important not to over exert. Based upon your health status, the provider will determine what type of exerciseyou should do and how long and how often you should do it. Your exercise program will gradually increase over time. Exercise should never be done if it causes or increases the back pain.

Following a regular exercise program will strengthen your muscles and make them more flexible. This can help prevent back pain from returning. Most back exercise programs will include stretching and strengthening exercises and low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming. Sometimes, it will be necessary to see a physical therapist to learn what exercises to do and how to do them.

Back Pain -- Prevention

2007-08-19T16:59:00.001-07:00

The spine works all day every day, taking on the stress of the work and play we do. The back gives support while standing, bending, sitting, and sleeping. Back pain and back injury may occur if a person is out of shape or under stress.

A healthy spine has three natural curves that form a gentle "S" shape. These curves are:

* cervical, the curve inward at your neck

* thoracic, the curve outward in the middle and

* lumbar, the curve inward in the low back

When these curves are in their proper position, the ears will be in a straight line with the shoulders and hips. Strong and flexible muscles are necessary to maintain this balance. A healthy back requires good posture, strong flexible muscles, correct lifting and moving techniques, a healthy body weight, and a positive attitude about home and work.

Tips for a healthy back:

* Place a pillow under the knees when sleeping on your back or between the knees when sleeping on your side.
* Avoid sitting for long periods. Get up and walk around often. A lumbar support for the lower curve of the back is essential. A small pillow can be used for this. * If standing for a long time, place one foot on a stool.
* Plan the day's tasks so that sitting and standing tasks can be alternated.
* Learn how to correctly lift, reach, push, and pull. Let the legs do most of the lifting by bending the knees and keeping the back straight. Hold items close to the body even when they are not heavy.
* Exercise regularly.
* Relaxation exercises can relieve physical and emotional stress.
* Since smoking contributes to back problems, do not smoke.
* Perform daily back exercises to strengthen and improve the flexibility of the spine. A physical therapist or certified exercise specialist can help design the right routine for your back.

Back Pain -- causes

2007-08-19T16:58:00.001-07:00

Many people suffer from back pain. Usually, the origin of back pain is the skeletal system and the muscles that support it. Back pain may also be caused by kidney, gastrointestinal or cardiac disorders. It may be caused by other organs or by a side effect of other diseases.

Once someone has had back pain, it is likely to be experienced again. The longer back pain goes on, the worse it gets. This cycle can be stopped when you know a little about your back and how it works.

The spine is made up of stacked bones called the vertebrae. They are arranged in three natural curves that keep your body supported. Strong, flexible muscles and ligaments help maintain these curves. Soft cushions called discs act as shock absorbers between the bones. The nerves run through the holes in the center of the vertebrae and branch out to your body.

The bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, or discs can cause back pain. Here's how:

* The bones of the spine can develop arthritis, get narrower (compress), or pinch nerves causing the nerve to become irritated. This normally produces a lot of pain.

* Discs can degenerate or lose their shape and support, or they can bulge or rupture.

* Muscles can fatigue and weaken, or become inflexible. A weak abdomen cannot help support your back. Obesity puts an additional stress on the back.

* Ligaments can be over-stretched and cause the bones to lose their support.

* Poor posture, incorrect body mechanics, stress, inactivity or overexertion can lead to back pain.

Good posture is necessary to keep the bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments and discs working well together. Good posture while you move at work or at play is called body mechanics. Learning good body mechanics will keep your back moving safely and efficiently. Keeping your muscles toned and exercised is the key to good body mechanics.

Doing too much activity, or doing too little, are both harmful to your back. If you exceed your limits, injury can result. On the other hand, a person who is out of shape will be unable to maintain good posture. This may result in undue stress to the spine. Emotional stress can make a back problem worse, contributing to muscle strains and muscle spasms.

Learn how to use your back smartly and it will last you a lifetime. If your back pain is not relieved, or continues after using exercises, or if it gets worse, see your healthcare provider.

Back Pain

2007-08-19T16:56:00.002-07:00

Most people have low back pain at some time in their lives. Back pain is responsible for many lost workdays each year. Most acute back pain will go away by itself in a few days or weeks.

Back pain or injury can occur to anyone. It can be caused by stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the back. Jobs that require a lot of sitting or a lot of standing may contribute to back pain. Being overweight puts extra pressure on the back. Strenuous sports like football can injure the back.

The pain can be a mild discomfort that is just a mild ache in the lower back to severe pain that keeps the person from doing anything. Severe pain does not indicate a more serious cause of the pain.

Often, very little needs to be done for back pain to make it better. Many times it will go away without any treatment. Bed rest is not suggested any more, as staying in bed can make the back muscles weaker. If the pain is severe, no more than 1 to 2 days of rest may help. Sometimes, a healthcare provider will suggest using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, for the pain. Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome. NSAIDs should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. NSAIDs should not be taken by anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma, ulcer disease, or a bleeding disorder. Taking NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding with trauma, dental work, surgery, or if taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

A cloth-covered ice pack or heating pad on low may be put on the pack to help with the short-term discomfort. The heat or ice should be on the back no longer than 20 minutes 4 to 8 times a day. Doing some mild exercising like walking or swimming may help to relieve the discomfort too.

If there is still pain after resting the back for several days, if it is severe, or comes back, the healthcare provider should be seen. The provider should also be seen for anyone with pain that goes into the legs or if there is numbness or tingling in the arms or legs. If there is loss of control of the bowel or bladder, this is more serious, and the provider should be seen as soon as possible.

Back pain can be avoided. Prevention starts with exercise on a regular basis and maintaining a healthy weight. Lose excess weight by following appropriate habits of diet and exercise. Have a certified fitness trainer customize a workout plan for you.

Learn safe lifting techniques. Bend with the knees and keep the back straight. Choose recreational and exercise activities that help keep the back flexible without putting too much pressure on it. Always warm up and stretch before participating in any vigorous activities.

Since smoking is known to be a factor in back pain, it is wise to quit, if you smoke.

A healthcare provider or a physical therapist can suggest exercises that will help strengthen the back and make it more flexible.

Back Exercises

2007-08-19T16:56:00.001-07:00

Back exercises help strengthen and increase the flexibility of the muscles that support the back. It is important to exercise to keep in shape and have a strong, flexible back.

Back pain can affect people who are active as well as inactive. It is usually associated with weak muscles and poor flexibility of the back. Exercises can be done even when there is pain. Exercises are usually started a week after the pain begins. A healthcare provider can suggest a special exercise program for anyone with a back problem. Often 20 minutes of walking several times a day is the first exercise that is suggested. As the back pain gets better, more active exercise will be added, such as swimming, stationary bicycling or jogging.

Exercises such as double-leg raises, straight-leg sit-ups, sit-ups done with another person holding the feet, timed sit-ups, and standing toe touches should never be done. They put too much pressure and stress on the back.

The following exercises are exercises that are safe for people without back problems. They help make the back muscles stronger.

Exercise #1: Lie on the back with the knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Tighten the stomach muscles and press the lower back against the floor. Hold this position for a count of ten, then relax. This can be repeated 10 to 12 times.

Exercise #2: Lie on the back with the knees bent, and feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise the head and shoulders off the floor, and reach the hands toward the knees. After a count of 10, slowly relax the head and shoulders and return to the floor. This exercise can be done 5 times.

Exercise #3: Lie on the back with the feet flat on the floor, raise the knees to the chest. Both hands should be put under the knees to gently pull the knees as close to the chest as possible. The head should not be raised. Lower the legs to the floor, without straightening them. This exercise can be repeated 5 times in a set. Several more sets of this exercise can be done throughout the day.

Exercise #4: Start this exercise by lying on the stomach. Tighten the muscles of one leg and raise the leg straight from the floor. Hold this position for a count of 10, before returning the leg to the floor. Repeat this with the other leg. Do this exercise 5 times for each leg.

These exercises can be done daily to maintain the strength and flexibility of the back. Do not do any exercise that causes pain. A healthcare provider should be seen if any back exercise causes pain.

Live longer and stay healthier with Tomato

2007-08-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

A fruit that is more commonly used as a vegetable, botanically classified in the poisonous fruit family (nightshade plants), packed with lots of nutrients, and that which brings the beautiful red colour to many of our recipes, please welcome the most popular fruit in the world- The Tomato!! First cultivated in 700 AD, explorers returning from Mexico introduced the tomato into Europe in 1556. The French called it "the apple of love," the Germans "the apple of paradise", due to the misconception that it acts as an aphrodisiac (you are free to try it out though and prove it wrong!:)) A single average tomato has only 35 calories, and it's better to eat it cooked than raw. Let's explore more health benefits that this red tiny-tot holds within itself.

Lycopene - A phytochemical (carotenoid) that is responsible for the red color of tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables is a powerful antioxidant and may help reduce the risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. Unlike other carotenoids, lycopene is not converted into vitamin A by the body.Lycopene is a fat soluble substance that is found in the blood and tissues of the testes, adrenal glands, liver, prostate, breast, colon and lungs. Combined with vitamins C and E, it protect us from the free radicals that degrade many parts of the body.

Vitamins(A,B,C,E and K) - One tomato contains around 60-65% of the daily recommended vitamin intake.Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Vitamin C helps form connective tissue, keeps capillaries healthy to help prevent easy bruising, and keeps the gums healthy. It also helps the body to access iron from plant sources. Vitamin A assists in maintaining normal cellular growth, aids in the development of healthy skin, hair and mucous membranes, proper vision, development of bones and teeth and reproduction. Vitamin K helps to maintain blood clotting, thus helping to prevent hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding). Vitamin K is used fr healthy bone growth through mineralization.

Potassium - Like banana, tomato contains significant amount of potassium which helps regulate blood pressure and aids muscle contractions. It may also reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss.

Dietary fiber - The undigestible part of a plant, Fiber can aid digestion by preventing constipation and thereby prevent Piles or similar ailments.

Besides all the above, Tomato contains several other nutrients which combined with the above help in preventing prostrate, colon, lung, stomah and endometrial cancers. They help in increasing longevity of life, and also prevent cataracts. Though raw tomatoes are great for you, cooking them in oil releases Lycopene which is stored in its cell wall, and can be better absorbed by the body. They are best when consumed within a few days after ripening.

So the next time you go grocery shopping, remember this article and pick a couple extra tomatoes (for the health benefits, not for me!!)

Please visit the actual blogsite at http://funnfud.blogspot.com

Drug Allergy

2007-08-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

Any drug can cause an adverse drug reaction, which can range from a mild rash or hives to a life-threatening allergic reaction. There is a difference between being allergic to a drug and having a side effect from a drug. Prescription and over-the-counter medications provide instructions that should always be read and followed regarding proper use and side effect warnings. Some mild reactions to drugs are considered an adverse drug reaction, but are not considered a drug allergy. If you experience any drug-related symptoms, report them to your healthcare provider.

True allergic responses to drugs can affect most major organs including the skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, and blood vessels. The drugs most likely to cause these problems are antibiotics, certain vaccines, anti-seizure medicines, contrast dyes used for some x- rays, some heart and cancer drugs, and local anesthetics (like novacaine that dentists may use).

Common drug allergy symptoms include:

* itching of the skin or eyes
* skin rash or
* hives

Other more serious symptoms include:

* wheezing or breathing problems and
* anaphylactic shock

Emergency treatment may be required for an anaphylactic reaction, the most serious type of allergic reaction. Symptoms of hives, itching, and swelling usually appear within seconds or minutes after exposure and additional symptoms can ultimately result in severe respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, and even death if left untreated. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, can trigger this serious drug reaction in some people.

Diagnosis of drug allergy is based mostly on patient history. This requires that the healthcare provider be told of every drug that was taken at the time of a reaction, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines. Once the drug that caused the reaction is identified, future use of that drug should be avoided. If an adverse drug reaction occurs while in the hospital, blood tests can be done to identify the drug causing the reaction. Following a drug allergy reaction, a provider may recommend that an allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies, be seen.

Some people are allergic to antibiotics. The most common is penicillin, which belongs to the family of beta-lactam antibiotics. No one is born allergic to penicillin, nor can it be inherited. However, anyone can develop an allergy to penicillin after exposure to it. Most often the reaction is either hives or rashes that are itchy or irritating and that occur within 2 to 3 days of starting the medication. Sometimes a delayed reaction can occur after several weeks. Having an allergy to penicillin does not mean you are allergic to all antibiotics. If a penicillin allergy is suspected, the best way to confirm it is with a skin test.

Prevention of a recurrence of a drug allergy is achieved through strict avoidance of the drug in the future. This means being aware of hidden sources of the drug because it may be an ingredient in another medication. For future reference, keep the names written down of all drugs that caused the adverse reaction and keep this list in an easy to remember location. Be sure to check all labels for the names of these drugs before taking any over-the-counter and herbal medicines.

Allergy Testing in the Pediatric Specialty Clinic

2007-08-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Allergy testing may be done during your child's clinic visit.

We believe it is important to know what your child may be experiencing in order that you and your child are better able to prepare for the visit. As a parent you are best able to choose the most appropriate way to inform your child. In general, most children can be told 1-2 days before the visit. If your child is an anxious child or a very young child, you may want to wait until the day of or until shortly before the start of the procedure.

Be honest about the day's destination and purpose, and assure your child that you will be with him/her throughout the testing.

Why perform allergy testing?

An allergy test helps to identify things in your environment that may be causing your child's symptoms and enable the doctors to decide what type of medications, if any, may be needed to treat your child's condition. By identifying these things, changes can be made in your living space to potentially improve your child's health. For instance, if the test identifies your child is allergic to feathers; feather pillows could be replaced with a different type of pillow.

What happens during allergy testing?

The most common types of allergy tests used in our clinic are the puncture and intradermal allergy tests. Your child's physician will decide which type of testing will be used. In many cases, both types are combined to provide the most useful information.

* Puncture allergy testing:

A child having this test will be asked to remove his/her shirt and lie on his/her stomach while the test is applied on the back. A nurse will write letters on the child's back with an ink pen to label the areas where the test will be applied. The area is then cleaned. Drops of an allergen solution are placed on the spokes of a plastic test applicator. An allergen is a thing in your child's environment that may cause an allergic reaction. The applicator is then pressed on the child's back. Patients have described this sensation as feeling "like a hair brush being pressed on their back". Once the test is placed, each test location will have a drop of wet liquid. The patient will then be asked to lie very still for approximately 15 minutes to keep the drops of liquid from running together. This is important to keep the drops of different allergens from running together. Children may be tested for as many as 30 environmental allergens during this test. (The number could be higher if the child is being screened for food allergies in addition to the environmental allergens if food allergy testing is necessary. Individual cases vary at the discretion of the physician).

* Intradermal allergy testing:

A child having this test will be asked to remove his/her shirt, and sit upright as the test is applied to the upper arms. (If you are comfortable doing so, the child may sit on a parent's lap during the test application).

A nurse will write letters on the child's arms with an ink pen to label the areas where the test will be applied. The area is then cleaned. Small amounts of allergen are injected with a small needle syringe just below the surface of the skin. A child having this test can be tested for up to 14 allergens, each requiring individual injections.

A small reaction (similar to a mosquito bite) will appear within approximately 15 minutes if the test is positive. To be sure the test is effective, a control solution (histamine) will be applied. A positive reaction at this test site indicates the test is accurate.

A nurse will measure areas of reaction with a small ruler after test time has elapsed. Your child may experience some mild discomfort with "itching" from the testing. Applying a cool wet cloth following the reading of the test often relieves this discomfort.

What do I say if my child wants to know if allergy testing will hurt?

Each child is different in his/her ability to tolerate pain or discomfort. It is important to let your child know that they will probably experience some discomfort-especially during the intradermal testing. It is very important to be honest in answering their questions. Be honest about medical events at all costs. A child who has been deceived may lose trust with the medical team, and with you as a parent. Trust is a very difficult thing to rebuild. Finding out that testing is necessary may lead to some tears at the time of the discussion, but in the long run is healthier for your child's ability to cope.

If you would like further assistance in explaining outpatient medical events to your child, please contact Child Life at (319) 356-8904. Child Life Specialists are trained to help children and their families adjust to the medical setting.

Snake Venom can cure Cancer!

2007-08-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

The poisonous venom of snakes like the black cobra and viper may provide a possible cure for cancer, according to a new research. A team of scientists at the Drug Development Division in the India Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, has found that proteins present in snake venom can be used to prepare anti-cancer drugs.

The scientists are now trying to single out the proteins in the venom that have anti-cancer properties and inhibit the growth of malignant cells.

"The research can provide clues for development of anti-cancer drugs and our team is working on developing such drugs," Aparna Gomes, who led the team, told newspersons.

The scientists studied the anti-carcinogenic activities in the crude venom of Indian Monocellate cobra and Russell's viper on cancer of the skin, tumour (soft tissues) and blood in mice.

"Snake venom is a complex mixture of several toxic proteins and enzymes. These proteins not only inflict death to human beings, but can also be used for the treatment of cancer and many other diseases," Gomes said.

The study published in the Journal of Ethnophamacology gives an overview of various snake venom components that have prospects in health and diseases. (Agencies)

Ginko: A Natural Blood Thinner

2007-08-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

What exactly is ginkgo, and what does it do?

For thousands of years, ginkgo extract, from the seeds and leaves of Ginkgo biloba, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has since made its way west and has become one of the most commonly used herbal medicines.

Although the benefits of ginkgo are not clearly understood, it is believed that it may improve blood flow to the brain by thinning the blood. It is also thought that ginkgo reduces inflammation and may act as an antioxidant to fight cell damage.

"Because of this, ginkgo has been used in the treatment of a variety of conditions including blood flow disorders like thrombosis and Raynaud's phenomenon, and in the treatment of problems associated with memory and concentration, likely caused by decreased blood flow to the brain," says Nicole Nisly, MD, UI Hospitals and Clinics Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic. Ginkgo also has been useful in treating asthma and allergies causing inflammation in the respiratory system.

If you are interested in taking ginkgo, be sure to check with your doctor. "Because of its ability to thin the blood, people who are already taking medications to thin the blood, such as aspirin or warfarin, should not take ginkgo without recommendation from their physician," Nisly says.

Ginkgo is available in health food and grocery stores and is sold in many different forms and combinations. Remember, ginkgo is not a regulated drug, so it does not have to meet the strict guidelines for potency and purity that prescription and over-the-counter medications must meet.

Biofeedback Can Help Fight Disease

2007-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Biofeedback. The name alone sounds like something from a science fiction novel, but in reality, biofeedback is a practical alternative medicine used to treat several diseases.

According to Nicole Nisly, MD, head of UI Hospitals and Clinics Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic, biofeedback teaches you to control a function of the body that is normally automatically regulated. This includes functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature.

Why would you want to control these functions if the body already does? "The purpose of learning biofeedback is to improve the balance of your nervous system, with increased relaxation and a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate," Nisly says. "By doing so, you can treat certain ailments by learning to control certain parts of the nervous system, which may have suffered an imbalance caused by stress."

When you are learning biofeedback, therapists attach sensors to your body providing instant feedback on a body function using a monitoring device. Your therapist will then help you to control the function by teaching you physical and mental exercises related to the feedback.

Using these techniques, some patients have lowered their blood pressure, gotten rid of headaches, and helped control certain forms of mental illness, all without using medications. Biofeedback also has been useful in treating disorders of the digestive system. Physical therapists use biofeedback to help stoke victims regain muscle strength from paralysis and other movement disorders. Others use biofeedback to regain control of a poorly functioning bladder or bowel.

Most people need several sessions to learn the techniques of biofeedback and are usually successful by the time they complete 12 sessions. Contact your physician for more information about biofeedback and to recommend a therapist trained in the technique.

Aromas Can Be Therapy

2007-08-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

Does the smell of pumpkin pie make you think of crisp autumn days? Does the smell of peppermint bring back pleasant childhood memories of the holidays? If so, then you already know a bit about the world of aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils, extracted from plants, flowers, herbs, and trees, to stimulate the sense of smell. "As one of the strongest senses we have, smell has the power to activate nerve cells that send impulses to the area of the brain associated with emotions and memory," says Nicole Nisly, MD, who heads the UI Hospitals and Clinics Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic.

According to Nisly, the oils may be used in different combinations to enhance healing on several levels. "Mentally and emotionally, the scents may evoke a pleasant memory," she says. "Physically, they may help to relieve certain conditions by stimulating the nervous, circulatory, or immune systems." The technique also helps in relaxation because the scents produced can give a feeling of peace and calm."

Aromatherapy has been found helpful in relieving stress, energizing the body, and promoting general well being. Recently, aromatherapy also has been found to ease the symptoms of dementia without the negative side effects of some medications.

It is believed that each oil has its own fragrance and personality, giving it its own unique healing action. The oils can be inhaled with a diffuser or added to bathwater, or they can be used in conjunction with massage to stimulate the mind and body simultaneously.

The oils used in aromatherapy are usually found in health-food stores or pharmacies, and the techniques of aromatherapy may be performed in your home. You also may chose to visit a trained aromatherapist who will help develop a mixture of oils specifically for you. If you are pregnant, an aromatherapist can help determine which oils you should avoid.

Alternative Medicine: The Powers of Garlic

2007-08-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

Some of us ignore the smell and some of us even ignore the taste, but people can’t ignore the benefits of garlic. The herb has long been used to flavor our favorite foods, but research also suggests that garlic can decrease the risk of heart disease and may help prevent cancer.

According to Nicole Nisly, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine, garlic has been associated with preventing colon, stomach, throat and prostate cancers. Nisly suggests a few possible reasons why garlic is thought to be a cancer-preventing herb: it increases natural killer cells that fight cancers, and it works as an antioxidant that protects cells and rids the body of cancer-causing agents.

Besides preventing cancer, garlic has been known to decrease fungal infections and bacteria in the body, lower cholesterol, and decrease risk of heart disease.

While the exact role of garlic in the preventive process is undetermined, it is believed that when garlic is crushed it forms allicin, which gives garlic its smell. When allicin is formed, it then breaks down further and, depending on how it is prepared, can increase the body’s resistance to cancer. So in order to reap the benefits of garlic, it must be used correctly. Allicin is destroyed by heat and age, so it's best to cook garlic at the lowest temperature possible with a brief cooking time.

How much garlic should you consume each day? This varies by how it is prepared. Nisly suggests taking a dose of 0.4-1.2 grams in a powder or supplement form. If you are using fresh garlic, prepare 1 clove twice a day or 4 grams once a day.

There are some side effects of garlic besides the strong taste and smell. Some people experience indigestion, intestinal or stomach discomfort (such as bloating or pain), sweating, light headaches, and other allergic reactions.

There are also some drug interactions people must be aware of before taking garlic. Garlic is actually a blood thinner, so it shouldn’t be taken if you are already on blood-thinning medications. As a result, patients who are about to undergo or have just finished surgery should not take garlic. Garlic has also been known to decrease the effectiveness of protease inhibitors, so individuals taking HIV drugs should not take garlic.

Supplements can be a beneficial way to maintain a healthy body, but Nisly emphasizes that it is important to remember that dietary supplements do have an effect on your body and that by taking them you run the risk of interactions.

Dietary supplements are not regulated or restricted by the Food and Drug Administration, so different brands may contain different amounts of the product. Therefore, Nisly recommends always using the same brand of supplements. It is important to research the brand you are taking to make sure what you get in the bottle is the real thing. Many companies have toll free numbers and Web sites that can help answer any questions. If you are still unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Weight loss myths

2007-08-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Myth: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.
Fact: Fad diets are not the best option to loss weight. Fad diets may sometime help in weight loss and may also ask you to cut down certain foods from your diet. You might loss weight at first due to fad diets. But diets that strictly limit calories and food choices are hard to follow. People might find it difficult and often regain any lost weight.

Fad diets may not be healthy because they may not provide all the nutrients for your body. Also, losing weight at a very fast rate can increase the risk of developing gallstones – the cluster of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful. Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities which can be fatal.

Tips: Research has suggested that losing certain pounds (1 to 2) a week by eating healthy food choices eating lesser portions and including physical activity into your daily life is the best alternative to lose weight. By adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits you can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Myth: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight
Fact: The higher risks of health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are still not known. Eating foods such as meat, eggs and cheese is not termed as a balanced diet. You may eat too much of fat and cholesterol which may increase the chance of heart disease risk and other blood pressure problem. You may include fruits and vegetable as your daily diet, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber.

Eating less than 130 grams of carbohydrate in a day can lead to ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis can be risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes and kidney disease.

Tips: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets can sometime be low in calories because food choices are strictly limited so they may cause short-term weight loss. But eating reduced-calorie which includes recommended amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat will also allow you to lose weight. Following a balanced diet, will help you to lose weight. You may also find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a numerous variety of foods.

Myth: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight
Fact: Foods that are high in starch includes bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables such as potatoes and yams are low in fat and calories. They can be high in fat and calories when they are eaten in large portion or when topped with other high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch are the vital source of energy for your body.

Tips: All you need is to pay attention to serving sizes that you eat. Try to avoid high-fat such as whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal. Include other starchy foods that are high in dietary and fiber like beans, peas and vegetables.

Myth: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight
Fact: There are no foods which can help burn fat. Foods with caffeine can speed up the metabolism (the way body uses energy) for certain time, but they do not lead to weight loss.

Tips: The best alterative to reduce your weight is to cut down the amount of fat and calories.

Meal Myths
Myth: "I can lose weight while eating whatever I want."
Fact: In order to loss weight you need to burn your calories, than you eat. It is possible to eat food you want and loss weight. All you need is to limit the amount of calories you eat and increase your daily physical activity. Cutting down the portion is the key to loss your weight. Eat small amounts of food and choosing foods that are low in calories.

Tips: When you are in the process to lose weight you can still eat your favorite foods as long as you pay attention to the amounts of calories.

Myth: Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.
Fact: Studies have shown that people who skip their breakfast and eat few times during the day tend to be heavier than people who eat a healthy breakfast and eat good food a day. Because people who skip meals they feel hungrier and eat more than they normally eat. It should be noted that eating many small meals throughout the day helps people control their appetites.

Tips: Eat small amount of meals that include low-fat and low-calories.

Myth: Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain.
Fact: It really does not matter what time of day you normally eat your meal. What matter is how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the entire day which helps to determines whether you gain, lose or maintain your weight.

Tips: All you need is to control the amounts of fat and calories and increase the physical activity to loss weight, the time you eat is really doesn’t matter .

Physical Activity Myth
Myth: Lifting weights is not good to do if you want to lose weight, because it will make you "bulk up."
Fact: Doing regular exercise which includes weight lifting activities like push-ups and crunches on a regular basis can actually help you maintain or lose weight. These activities can help you build and burn muscle and also more calories than body fat. Doing strengthening activities 2 or 3 days a week will not bulk you up.

Tips: Doing regular exercise is good for your health other than moderate-exercise you must include walking or jogging 2 to 3 times in a week.

Food Myths
Myth: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.
Fact: Nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. They are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber and minerals including magnesium and copper. It can help you to reduce the chances of getting heart related problems.

Tips: Eating small portions of nuts can be very fruitful.

Weight Cycling

2007-08-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

What Is Weight Cycling?
Weight cycling can be defined as the repeated loss and regain of body weight. Weight cycling is the result of dieting; and is often called "yo-yo" dieting. A weight cycle can range from small weight losses and gains to large changes in weight.

Experts are not sure whether weight cycling can leads to health problems. Studies suggest that the possible health problems such as blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gallbladder disease.

Weight cycling may affect your mental health, due to the reason that it can make a person feel depressed about their weight.

If I regain lost weight, won't losing it again be even harder?
For the person who has been repeatedly loses and gain weight over a period of time shouldn’t have problem as against the person who is losing weight for the first time. Studies have shown that weight cycling does not affect metabolic rate – the rate at which the body burns food to generate energy. Based on these, weight cycling should not affect the weight loss program of an individual. Metabolism slows down as the person ages. In order, to improve the overall process of weight loss the person should be involves in regular physical activity as well as healthy eating habits can be a part of your life and improves the health.

Will weight cycling leave me with more fat and less muscle than if I had not dieted at all?
Weight cycling has not been blamed to increase the amount of fat tissue in people who are in process of lose and gain weight. Studies have found that after weight cycle, those return to normal weights have same amount of fat tissue as they did before starting weight cycling.

People are more worried that weight cycling can put-up some more fat around their stomach area. People who tend to carry excess fat in the stomach area, instead of in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Is weight cycling harmful to my health?
Research on weight cycling has suggested that it may involve the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and gallbladder disease.

Losing and gaining weight can have a negative psychological effect, which can lead to depression of gaining weight. Weight cycling should not be taken up seriously. Instead it is a way to focus on making long-term changes in your diet and level of physical activity to help you keep healthy.

Is staying overweight healthier than weight cycling?
The diseases associated with being obese are well known. These include:

* High blood pressure
* Heart disease
* Stroke
* Type 2 diabetes
* Certain types of cancer
* Arthritis
* Gallbladder disease.

Not every person who is overweight has the same of disease. Either you are a man or woman the amount and location of your fat, or your family history of disease all plays a vital role in determining your disease risk.

alcoholism -- Causes

2007-08-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

Alcoholism is a chronic illness characterized by the habitual consumption of alcohol. Some alcoholics drink daily. Others drink less often, but the drinking becomes out of control. Alcohol use is to the degree that it interferes with physical or mental health or with normal social or work behavior.

Alcohol produces both physical and psychological addiction. It is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgment, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Chronic alcoholism damages the brain, liver, heart, and other organs.

Many people wonder what causes alcoholism. No one can become an alcoholic if they do not drink alcohol. For people who do choose to drink alcohol, some seem to be able to drink without problems, while others do not. Nonetheless:

* There are certain signs and symptoms that are the same for every alcoholic.

* There are certain "stages" that each alcoholic will go through if the disease is not treated.

* Alcoholism is chronic, and the disease won't go away on its own.

* Without treatment, alcoholism can cause death.

* Alcoholism can be treated.

We can think of alcoholism like we think of other diseases. Some people are more at risk for the disease. They can learn ways to live with the disease and take care of themselves. As in other diseases, if the person refuses treatment, the disease will get worse, and the person may even die.

Risk factors for alcoholism in people who drink alcohol include:

* a family member who is alcoholic,

* a history of other substance abuse,

* depression, or

* post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Research has shown that alcoholics may not be able to metabolize alcohol in the way other people can. It may never be completely understood what causes alcoholism, but there is treatment for alcoholism. If an alcoholic decides to get treatment, he or she has a very good chance of living a long and healthy life.

To find out more about alcoholism and treatment, contact the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at (800) NCA-CALL, your school nurse or counselor, worksite nurse, Employee Assistance Program, or Alcoholics Anonymous in the white pages of your phone book.

Alcohol and drugs may be quite a trip

2007-08-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

If alcohol and drugs have been your tour guide, maybe it is time for a change.

Alcohol or drug addiction are life threatening diseases. Alcohol related crashes killed 17,013 Americans in 2003. An additional 600,000 were seriously injured. Alcohol related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000.

Alcoholism and drug addiction are chronic, progressive illnesses displaying certain symptoms in the early, middle and late stages of addiction. Alcoholism and drug addiction are treatable.

If you think alcohol or drug use is one of the causes of your stay here in the hospital, we encourage you to answer the following questions:

* Have you ever decided to stop drinking (using drugs) for a week or so but only lasted for a couple of days?
* Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking (use of drugs) - stop telling you what to do?
* Have you ever switched from one kind of drink (drug) in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
* Have you ever had an "eye-opener" upon awakening during the past year?
* Do you envy people who can drink (use drugs) without getting into trouble?
* Have you had problems connected with drinking (using drugs) during the past year? Be honest! Experts say that if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and continue using, it will get worse - never better. Eventually, death or institutionalization may result. The only hope is to stop!
* Has your drinking (drug use) caused trouble at home?
* Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks (drugs) at a party because you do not get enough?
* Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking (using drugs) any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk (high) when you don't mean to?
* Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking (using drugs)?
* Do you have "blackouts?" A blackout is when a person loses a period of time while drinking or using drugs.
* Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink (use drugs)?

Many people who answer yes to four or more of these questions realize they have a problem. There is no cure for alcoholism (addiction). It is treatable. If drinking (drug use) continues, the results are accurately predictable.

Treatment options include:

* Inpatient treatment at a hospital or treatment center. This may include a 30-day stay.
* Outpatient treatment. This can be arranged around work hours if needed. Length of treatment varies with individual.
* Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. This is most often effective if in combination with one of the first two options. Local AA Intergroup can be reached at 338-9111 for a meeting schedule. This hospital offers an open AA meeting on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
* Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center can give you information on assistance in your local area. Call 1-800-247-0614 for information for your area. Hours are Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* A professional addiction counselor can help plan the treatment best for you.
* Al-Anon is a support group for family and friends. Check with your local AA chapter for further information. 319-341-7068 for Iowa City area.
* An RN and/or counselor from The Chemical Dependency Center or 5BT is available to talk with you about options and give you information for outpatient treatment here at UIHC.

Alcoholism is considered a disease. It has a pattern of identifiable symptoms that will gradually get worse and will lead to an early death unless treated.

Alcoholism is thought of as a family disease because it affects everyone in the family. Treatment centers often request that the family participate in counseling to help themselves and provide support for their recovering family member.

Treatment is only a beginning. Recovery is a lifelong process characterized by periods of growth and sometimes relapse. It is not a sign of failure on the part of the client or counselor if relapse occurs. It is not unusual for people to require treatment more than once in their lifetime.

We hope you have learned more about alcohol/drug addiction. If you're looking for a change and think alcohol (drugs) is a problem, we will assist you in getting the right help.

about Tuberculosis

2007-07-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

Tuberculosis.jpgTuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs. But, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States.

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

However, not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. People who are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others. But, some people with latent TB infection go on to get TB disease.

People with active TB disease can be treated and cured if they seek medical help. Even better, people with latent TB infection can take medicine so that they will not develop active TB disease.

Popularity: 1% [?]

is there treatment for HIV/AIDS

2007-07-29T03:16:00.000-07:00

All the currently licensed anti-retroviral drugs, namely AZT, dd1 and ddC, have effects which last only for a limited duration. In addition, these drugs are very expensive and have severe adverse reactions while the virus tends to develop resistance rather quickly with single-drug therapy. The emphasis is now on giving a combination of drugs including newer drugs called protease inhibitors; but this makes treatment even more expensive. WHO’s present policy does not recommend antiviral drugs but instead advocates strengthening of clinical management for HIV-associated opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and diarrhoea. Better care programmes have been shown to prolong survival and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

What is HIV

2007-07-29T03:14:00.000-07:00

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV destroys certain white blood cells called CD4+ T cells. These cells are critical to the normal function of the human immune system, which defends the body against illness. When HIV weakens the immune system, a person is more susceptible to developing a variety of cancers and becoming infected with viruses, bacteria and parasites.

How do u get infectd by HIV?

HIV is passed on in the sexual fluids or blood of an infected person, so if infected blood or sexual fluid gets into your body, you can become infected. This usually happens by either having sexual intercourse with an infected person or by sharing needles used to inject drugs with an infected person. People can also become infected by being born to a mother who has HIV and a very small number of people become infected by having medical treatment using infected blood transfusions.

HIV can’t be caught by kissing, hugging or shaking hands with an infected person, and it can’t be transmitted by sneezes, door handles or dirty glasses.

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

You can be HIV-positive and not realize it. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have symptoms for many years. You cannot rely on symptoms to know your HIV status.

The following may be warning signs of HIV infection:

* Severe weight loss
* Fevers
* Headaches
* Drenching night sweats
* Fatigue
* Severe diarrhea
* Shortness of breath
* Difficulty swallowing

The symptoms can last for weeks or months at a time and do not go away without treatment. Since these symptoms are commonly seen in other diseases, don’t assume these are HIV/AIDS-related until you get tested. If you are experiencing these symptoms and think you might be at risk, don’t wait! See a doctor or visit your student health center and get tested!!

A positive HIV test does not mean a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical criteria. As with other diseases, early detection offers more options for preventative care and treatment.

What is AIDS

2007-07-29T03:13:00.000-07:00

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Acquired - means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).

Immunodeficiency - means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.

Syndrome - refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system.

A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.

What is Acidity?

2007-07-29T03:12:00.000-07:00

The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid in the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity or APD.

Normally, there are some protective mechanisms against the acid, in the stomach and proximal intestine. But an imbalance between the protective mechanisms and the level of acid secretion can cause acidity.

For Teenagers with Depressions

2007-07-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

Introduction
Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Of course, it was over twenty years ago, but I still remember with painful clarity what it was like to be a teenager with depression. The sadness, the feeling of helplessness, the belief that it was part of my personality and the conviction that something was wrong. I just didn't know what it was. At that time, in the late '70s, no one really did. The medical community didn't believe children, including teenagers, could suffer from depression. Fortunately, now things are different, to some extent. There still is a lot of misunderstanding about what clinical depression is, so many teens don't get help, either because they don't realize they have depression, or because it's hard for them to get help.

Symptoms of Depression
How Does It Feel?
You're sad all the time, and/or you feel anxious or numb.
You feel hopeless about everything.
You feel guilty.
You feel worthless.
You have a lot of physical problems (stomachaches, headaches, chest pain) that don't seem to have any cause.
You feel irritable (everything and everyone annoys you).
You have very little energy and you're tired all the time.
You feel restless and fidgety.
You have difficulty concentrating on anything.
You're thinking about suicide or death a lot.
How It May Be Affecting Your Life
Your grades have dropped.
You're sleeping a lot or having trouble sleeping.
You've gained or lost weight.
You don't want to spend time with your friends anymore.
You have no interest in things you used to like doing.
You cry a lot for no particular reason.
How Do I Tell My Parents?
This is a tough one, and a question I get fairly often. First of all, let's assume that your parents are loving, stable and have your best interests at heart. They may still unknowingly make it difficult for you to get help. They may say, "What do you have to be depressed about?" or tell you that your feelings will pass and are a normal part of being a teenager. There are two factors at work in this case. One is denial. No parent wants to think something is wrong with their child, especially something like mental illness which has so much stigma attached to it. They may feel guilty or deny what is happening because they feel helpless to take care of you, the way they used to be able to put a bandaid over a scraped knee. The second factor is lack of knowledge on their part. They are not alone in this - over 70% of adults surveyed believed that a depressed person just needed to pull himself/herself together. In this case, it's not their fault that they don't know enough about depression, and probably just need to be educated. Once you present them with some information, they will probably be eager to get help for you.

I know that you may not have parents like that. Let's assume that your parents are self-involved or have their own problems like addiction or are abusive. In this case you'll have to be strong and get help on your own. It's hard that your parents can't be there for you when you need them, but chances are that you're used to taking care of yourself. If you have depression it's very difficult to do anything positive, but you have to get help. You can't let it ruin your life.

How to prevent acne

2007-07-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Natural treatments for acne are the only treatments that are completely harmless in your battle against acne. The only way that you can prevent acne is either through very harsh prescribed antibiotics or through safe and effective natural treatments. I am going to share some things with you that you can do to treat and prevent acne.

One thing that you can do to treat and prevent acne is to use toothpaste on swelling and red pimples. Toothpaste will actually help reduce the swelling and redness a whole lot in a little amount of time. Take some regular toothpaste and put it on the affected areas right before you go to bed. Leave in on your face overnight and in the morning you should see a big difference in the swelling and redness.

Another thing that will help prevent and treat acne is to drink a lot of water each day. Make sure that you drink 10-12 full glasses of water each day. Water will flush out the toxins that are causing acne and will help your skin a whole lot. It doesn’t get much easier than water as a natural treatment for acne.

You also want to make sure that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day. They will help with water intake and provide your body with a lot of great vitamins and minerals that will help fight off acne.

Another great thing to use to treat acne is a lemon face wash. With the skin of a lemon and warm water, wash your face gently. Let the water and lemon juice stand on your face for around thirty minutes to do its magic. You will be amazed at the results within a week or two.

Acne can be hard to treat and prevent if you don’t know what to do to treat it. There is a lot of guess work when you go to the doctor and get on harsh medicines. They will try one thing, and if it doesn’t work, will go to another. This can lead to a lot of harm to your body. The great thing about natural treatment is that there will never be any harm and you will be able to get rid of acne a lot faster and keep it off.

Another tip to help treat and prevent acne is to stay out of the kitchen. When foods are frying grease becomes airborne and settles on your face and skin. This will clog your pores and will cause your acne to get worse than it already is. So, if there is food frying, go the other way.

The most important thing I want you to remember is that you need to stop popping pimples. Popping pimples spreads that bacteria causing more acne, and can also push the pus further down into the skin causing cystic acne. So, the next time you find yourself picking and popping, try to stop. I know it is hard looking at that ugly pimple, but try to hold back so that your skin can heal.

Overweight and Obesity

2007-07-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

The number of overweight and obese children in the United States is growing at a phenomenal rate. On the whole, kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video game console. And today's busy families have fewer free moments to prepare wholesome, home-cooked meals, day in and day out. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy seems to be the mindset of many people, young and old, in the new millennium.

Since the 1960s, the number of overweight kids and adolescents in the United States has nearly doubled. Today, 10% of 2- to 5-year-olds and more than 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. And a whopping 31% of adults are also obese. Studies indicate that overweight and obese adolescents have up to an 80% chance of becoming overweight and obese adults, especially if one or more parent has the same condition.

Overcoming overweight and obesity in your own children means adapting the way you and your family eat and exercise and the way you spend time together. Ensuring that your children lead a healthy lifestyle begins with you, the parent, and leading by example.

Is Your Child Overweight or Obese?

Although you may think that your child is overweight or even obese, only a doctor should make that determination (calculating your child's body mass index, or BMI, can be a good indicator).

To determine BMI, the doctor divides the child's weight by his or her height squared, or wt/ht2. (Important: To use this formula for BMI, the child's weight and height measurements must be in kilograms and meters, respectively. If you use pounds and inches, multiply the result by the conversion factor 703.) This calculation helps the doctor determine whether the child's weight is appropriate for height.

Children ranking higher than the 97th percentile for age are considered obese. Kids with a BMI score between the 85th and 97th percentile are considered overweight or at risk for becoming obese (or extremely overweight). And children who fall between the 5th and 85th percentile are considered normal weight.

For example, a 13-year-old boy who's an average 5 feet, 3 inches tall would rank as follows:

* Above 141 pounds = obese
* 124 -141 pounds = overweight
* 88 - 123 pounds = normal weight
* Below 88 pounds = underweight

There are exceptions, of course, like for those who are very muscular (because extra muscle adds to a person's body weight - but not fatness). It's important to remember that BMI is usually a good indicator - but is not a direct measurement - of body fat.

If you're worried that your child or teen may be overweight, make an appointment with your family doctor to find out for sure. Your doctor will need to evaluate your child not only for obesity, but for the medical conditions that can be associated with obesity (see below).

Before adopting any kind of diet or weight-loss plan, talk to your child's doctor, who may refer you to a registered dietitian or a weight management program. Depending on the child's weight and age, the doctor or specialist may not emphasize immediate weight loss but may focus, instead, on decreasing the rate of weight gain as the child grows.

The Effects of Overweight and Obesity

Not only are overweight and obese children at risk for serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol - all once considered exclusively adult issues - they're also prone to low self-esteem that stems from being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers. Overweight children are often the last to be chosen as playmates, even as early as preschool. They may also be more likely than average-weight children to develop unhealthy dieting habits and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and they may be more prone to depression, as well as substance abuse.

Being overweight or obese can be associated with medical conditions that affect a child's present and future health and have direct impact on quality of life:

* trouble with bones and joints
* shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity more difficult and may
* aggravate the symptoms or increase the chances of developing asthma
* restless or disordered sleep patterns
* tendency to mature earlier (overweight kids may be taller and more sexually mature than their peers; overweight girls may enter puberty earlier, have irregular menstrual cycles, excessive body hair growth, and may experience potential fertility problems in adulthood)
* the presence of risk factors such as hypertension, lipid problems, insulin resistance, and type 2
* diabetes, which can lead to the early development of cardiovascular disease
* liver problems
* depression

Serious adult medical conditions like heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and certain cancers can have their roots in childhood. Preventing or treating obesity in children may reduce the risk of developing these conditions as they get older.

What Causes Obesity?

There are a number of factors that can cause obesity, either alone or together. If someone becomes overweight or obese, genetic factors, lifestyle habits, or both may be involved.

Much of what we eat is quick and easy - from fat-laden fast food to microwave and prepackaged meals. Daily schedules are so jam-packed that there's little time to prepare healthier meals or to squeeze in some exercise. Portion sizes, in the home and out, have drastically increased.

Plus, now, more than ever, life is sedentary - children spend more time playing with electronic devices, from computers to home video game systems, than actively playing outside. Television is a major culprit.

"We should be turning off the TV for every age," says Dr. Dorothy Anne Richmond, director of the Eating, Assessment and Treatment Clinic at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. "More TV viewing is associated with being overweight."

In fact, kids younger than 8 spend an average of 2.5 hours watching TV or playing video games, and kids 8 and up spend 4.5 hours plopped in front of the TV or wriggling a joystick. In other words, once many kids get home from school, virtually all of their free time before dinner, doing homework, and getting ready for bed is spent in front of one screen or another!

And although physical education (PE) in schools can help kids get up and moving, more and more schools are cutting PE programs altogether or cutting down on the amount of time spent actually doing fitness-building physical activities. One study showed that gym classes offered third graders just 25 minutes of vigorous activity each week.

A greater reliance on "food fixes" to deal with emotions can also contribute to weight gain. Some people tend to eat more when they're feeling sad, stressed, or bored. Children will often pick up negative eating patterns from their parents. Certain endocrine problems, genetic syndromes, and medications can also be associated with excessive weight gain.

Genetics also plays a role - genes help determine how your body stores and burns fat just like they help determine other body traits. Because both genes and habits can be passed down from one generation to the next, multiple members of a family may struggle with weight.

People in the same family tend to have similar eating patterns, maintain the same levels of physical activity, and adopt the same attitudes toward being overweight. Studies have shown that a child's risk of obesity greatly increases if one or more parent is overweight or obese.

Overcoming Overweight and Obesity in Your Child
The key to keeping kids of all ages at a healthy weight is taking a whole-family approach. It's the "practice what you preach" mentality. Make eating and exercise a family affair. Have your children help you plan healthy meals and go grocery shopping, so they can learn how to make good food choices.

Lead by example. Watch less television and go for a walk with your children. Help them feel good about themselves and build their confidence. "Some activities are more prone to building self-esteem, like tae kwon do or other martial arts," Dr. Richardson suggests.

Avoid falling into some common food/eating behavior traps:

* Don't reward children for good behavior or try to stop bad behavior with sweets or treats. Come up with other solutions to modify their behavior.
* Don't maintain a clean-plate policy. Be aware of kids' hunger cues. Even babies who turn away from the bottle or breast send signals that they're full. If kids are satisfied, don't force them to continue eating. Reinforce the idea that they should only eat when they're hungry.
* Don't talk about "bad foods" or completely eliminate all sweets and favorite snacks from overweight children's diets. Children may rebel and overeat these forbidden foods outside the home or sneak them in on their own.

Here are some additional recommendations for children of all ages:

* Birth to age 1: Some doctors feel that breastfeeding instead of using formula may help prevent excessive weight gain because breastfed babies are more able to control their own intake and follow their own internal hunger cues. Also, limit the amount of extra sugar infants get, particularly in what they drink; instead of lots of juice, offer water when they're thirsty.
* Ages 2 to 6: Start good habits early. Limit children's TV time (better yet, leave the tube off) and increase their physical activity. Encourage children to eat healthy foods and only to eat when they're hungry. "Don't use food as a reward system," Dr. Richmond says. Make good foods fun and try to eat meals together as often as possible.
* Ages 7 to 12: Encourage children to be physically active every day, whether it's a pick-up game of soccer or playing in a community sports league. Keep your kids active at home, too, through everyday activities like walking and or playing in the yard. Even basic household chores like vacuuming, washing the car, and raking leaves burn calories.
* Ages 13 to 17: Teens like fast-food joints, but try to steer them toward healthier choices like grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and smaller sizes. Encourage them to join a school sports team. If they don't feel very athletic, suggest a less competitive community program or alternative sport like skateboarding, inline skating, or mountain biking. Don't force any one sport or activity - help your children find what they enjoy and then support them in their efforts.
* All ages: Cut down on TV, computer, and video game time, and discourage eating while watching the tube. Try to include 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day in their diet, plan healthy snacks, and encourage kids to eat a nutritionally balanced breakfast every day.

Most of all, let your children know you love them - no matter what their weight - and that you want to help them be happy and healthy. If you, as a parent, eat well and exercise often and incorporate healthy habits into your family's daily life, you're modeling a healthy lifestyle for your children that could last into adulthood. Instead of constantly harping on kids to eat well and be active, make it a family affair that will become second nature for both you and your children.

travel by air -- health considerations

2007-07-07T04:50:00.000-07:00

The volume of air traffic has risen steeply in recent years and the number of long distance flights has greatly increased. With modern long range aircraft the need for “stop-overs” has been reduced so the duration of flights has also increased. The passenger capacity of long distance aircraft is also increasing, so larger numbers of people travel aboard a single aircraft. “Frequent flyers” now form a
substantial proportion of the travelling public. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the annual number of flight passengers exceeded 1647 million in 2000 and although the numbers dropped the following years because of security concerns and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), numbers are again rising and are forecasted to grow by 4.4 per cent annually until 2015.

Air travel, in particular over long distances, exposes passengers to a number of factors that may have an effect on their health and well-being. Passengers with pre-existing health problems are more likely to be affected and should consult their doctor or a travel medicine clinic in good time before travelling. Those receiving medical care and intending to travel by air in the near future should tell their medical adviser.

Health risks associated with air travel can be minimized if the traveller plans carefully and takes some simple precautions before, during, and after the flight. An explanation of the various factors that may affect the health and well-being of air travellers follows.

Cabin air pressure
Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, cabin air pressure at cruising altitude is lower than air pressure at sea level. At typical cruising altitudes in the range 11 000–12 200 metres (36 000–40 000 feet) air pressure in the cabin is equivalent to the outside air pressure at 1800–2400 metres (6000–8000 feet) above sea level. As a consequence, less oxygen is taken up by the blood (hypoxia) and gases within the body expand. The effects of reduced cabin air pressure are usually well tolerated by healthy passengers.

Oxygen and hypoxia
Cabin air contains ample oxygen for healthy passengers and crew. However, because cabin air pressure is relatively low, the amount of oxygen carried in the blood is reduced compared to sea level. Passengers with certain medical conditions, in particular heart and lung disease, and blood disorders such as anaemia, may not tolerate this reduced oxygen level (hypoxia) very well. Such passengers are usually able to travel safely if arrangements are made with the airline for the provision of an additional oxygen supply during flight.

Gas expansion
As the aircraft climbs, the decreasing cabin air pressure causes gases to expand. Similarly, as the aircraft descends, the increasing pressure in the cabin causes gases to contract. These changes may have effects where gas is trapped in the body.

Gas expansion during the climb causes air to escape from the middle ear and the sinuses, usually without causing problems. This airflow can sometimes be perceived as a “popping” sensation in the ears. As the aircraft descends, air must flow back into the middle ear and sinuses in order to equalize pressure differences. If this does not take place, the ears or sinuses may feel as if they were blocked and, if the pressure is not relieved, pain can result. Swallowing, chewing, or yawning (‘clearing the ears’) will usually relieve any discomfort. If the problem persists, a short forceful expiration against a pinched nose and closed mouth (Valsalva manoeuvre) will usually help. For infants, feeding or giving a pacifier (dummy) to stimulate swallowing may reduce the symptoms.

Individuals with ear, nose, and sinus infections should avoid flying because pain and injury may result from the inability to equalize pressure differences. If travel cannot be avoided, the use of decongestant nasal drops shortly before the flight and again before descent may be helpful.

As the aircraft climbs, expansion of gas in the abdomen can cause discomfort, although this is usually mild.

Some forms of surgery, other medical treatments, or diagnostic tests, may introduce air or other gas into a body cavity. Examples include abdominal surgery or eye treatment for a detached retina. Passengers who have recently undergone such a procedure should ask a travel medicine physician or their treating physicianhow long they should wait before undertaking air travel.

Cabin humidity and dehydration
The humidity in aircraft cabins is low, usually less than 20% (humidity in the home is normally over 30%). Low humidity may cause skin dryness and discomfort of the eyes, mouth, nose and exposed skin but presents no risk to health. Using a skin moisturizing lotion, saline nasal spray to moisturize the nasal passages, and wearing spectacles rather than contact lenses can relieve or prevent discomfort. The low humidity does not cause dehydration and there is no need to drink extra water.

Ozone
Ozone is a form of oxygen (with three, rather than two, atoms to the molecule) that occurs in the upper atmosphere and may enter the aircraft cabin together with the fresh air supply. In older aircraft, it was found that the levels of ozone in cabin air could sometimes lead to irritation of the lungs, eyes and nasal tissues. Ozone is broken down by heat and most ozone is removed by the compressors (in the aircraft engines) that provide pressurized air for the cabin. In addition, most modern long-haul jet aircraft are fitted with equipment (catalytic converters) that breaks down any remaining ozone.

Cosmic radiation
Cosmic radiation is made up of radiation that comes from the sun and from outer space. The earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field are natural shields and therefore cosmic radiation levels are lower at lower altitudes. Cosmic radiation is more intense over polar regions than over the equator because of the shape of the earth’s magnetic field and the “flattening” of the atmosphere over the poles. The population is continually exposed to natural background radiation from soil, rock and building materials as well as from cosmic radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. Although cosmic radiation levels are higher at aircraft cruising altitudes than at sea level, research so far has not shown any significant health effects for either passengers or crew.

Motion sickness
Except in the case of severe turbulence, travellers by air rarely suffer from motion (travel) sickness. Those who do suffer should request a seat in the mid-section of the cabin where movements are less pronounced, and keep the motion sickness bag, provided at each seat, readily accessible. They should also consult their doctor or travel medicine physician about medication that can be taken before
flight to help prevent problems.

Immobility, circulatory problems and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Contraction of muscles is an important factor in helping to keep blood flowing through the veins, particularly in the legs. Prolonged immobility, especially when seated, can lead to pooling of blood in the legs, which in turn may cause swelling, stiffness, and discomfort.

It is known that immobility is one of the factors that may lead to the development of a blood clot in a deep vein, so-called “deep vein thrombosis”, or DVT. Research has shown that DVT can occur as a result of prolonged immobility, for instance during long distance travel, whether by car, bus, train or air. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set up a major research study to find out if there are any factors that might lead to the risk of DVT being higher for air travel than for other causes of immobility.

In most cases of DVT, the clots are small and do not cause any symptoms. The body is able to gradually break down the clot and there are no long-term effects. Larger clots may cause symptoms such as swelling of the leg, tenderness, soreness and pain. Occasionally a piece of the clot may break off and travel with the bloodstream to become lodged in the lungs. This is known as pulmonary
embolism and may cause chest pain, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, sudden death. This can occur many hours or even days after the formation of the clot.

The risk of developing DVT when travelling is very small unless one or more other risk factors are present. These include:

* Previous DVT or pulmonary embolism
* History of DVT or pulmonary embolism in a close family member
* Use of oestrogen therapy–oral contraceptives (“the Pill”) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
* Pregnancy
* Recent surgery or trauma, particularly to the abdomen, pelvic region or legs
* Cancer
* Some inherited blood-clotting abnormalities.

It is advisable for people with one or more of these risk factors to seek specific medical advice from their doctor or a travel medicine clinic in good time before embarking on a flight of three or more hours.

DVT occurs more commonly in older people. Some researchers have suggested that there may be a risk from smoking, obesity and varicose veins.

Precautions

The risk of a passenger who does not have any of the risk factors above developing DVT as a consequence of flying is small and the benefits of most precautionary measures in such passengers are unproven and some might even result in harm. Some common-sense advice for such passengers is given below.

Moving around the cabin during long flights will help to reduce any period of prolonged immobility. However, this may not always be possible and any potential health benefits must be balanced against the risk of injury that could occur if the aircraft encounters sudden and unexpected turbulence. A sensible compromise is to walk around in the cabin, e.g. go to the bathroom, once every 2–3 hours. Many airlines also provide helpful advice on exercises that can be carried out in the seat during flight. It is thought that exercise of the calf muscles can stimulate the circulation, reduce discomfort, fatigue and stiffness, and it may reduce the risk of developing DVT. Hand luggage should not be placed where it restricts movement of the legs and feet, and clothing should be loose and comfortable.

Wearing properly fitted graduated compression stockings may be helpful. These compress the calf muscles and improve the flow of blood in the deep veins. They may also help prevent the swollen ankles that are quite common on long flights. However, they need to be the correct size to be effective and passengers should therefore ask their doctor or a travel medicine clinic which type would be
appropriate for them.

In view of the clear risk of significant side effects and absence of clear evidence of benefit, passengers are advised not to use aspirin just for the prevention of travel-related DVT.

Those travellers who are at most risk of developing DVT may be prescribed specific treatments, such as injections of heparin. Cabin crew are not trained to give injections and travellers who have been prescribed these must either be taught to give the injections themselves or make other arrangements to have them given by a qualified person.

Diving
Divers should not fly too soon after diving because of the risk that the reduced cabin pressure may lead to decompression sickness (the bends). It is recommended that they do not fly until at least 12 hours after their last dive and this period should be extended to 24 hours after multiple dives or after diving that requires decompression stops during ascent to the surface. Passengers undertaking
recreational diving before flying should seek specialist advice from diving schools.

Jet lag
Jet lag is the term used for the symptoms caused by the disruption of the body’s internal clock and the approximate 24-hour (circadian) rhythms it controls. Disruption occurs when crossing multiple time zones i.e. when flying east to west or west to east. Jet lag may lead to indigestion and disturbance of bowel function, general malaise, daytime sleepiness, difficulty in sleeping at night, and reduced physical and mental performance. Its effects are often combined with tiredness due to the journey itself. Jet lag symptoms gradually wear off as the body adapts to the new time zone.

Jet lag cannot be prevented but there are some ways to reduce its effects (see below). Travellers who take medication according to a strict timetable (e.g. insulin, oral contraceptives) should seek medical advice from their doctor or a travel medicine clinic before their journey.

General measures to reduce the effects of jet lag

* Be as well rested as possible before departure, and rest during the flight. Short naps can be helpful.
* Eat light meals and limit consumption of alcohol. Alcohol increases urine output which can result in disturbed sleep by causing awakenings in order to urinate. Whilst it can accelerate sleep onset, it reduces sleep quality, making sleep less recuperative. The after effects of alcohol (hangover) can exacerbate the effects of jet lag and travel fatigue. Alcohol should therefore be consumed in moderation, if at all, before and during flight. Caffeine should be limited to normal amounts and avoided within a few hours of an anticipated period of sleep.
* Try to create the right conditions when preparing for sleep. When taking a nap during the day, eyeshades and earplugs may help. Regular exercise during the day may help to promote sleep, but avoid strenuous exercise immediately before sleep.
* At the destination, try to get as much sleep in every 24 hours as normal. A minimum block of 4 hours sleep during the local night – known as “anchor sleep” – is thought to be necessary to allow the body’s internal clock to adapt to the new time zone. If possible, make up the total sleep time by taking naps at times when feeling sleepy during the day.
* The cycle of light and dark is one of the most important factors in setting the body’s internal clock. Exposure to daylight at the destination will usually help adaptation.
* Short-acting sleeping pills may be helpful. They should be used only in accordance with medical advice and should not normally be taken during the flight, as they may increase immobility and therefore the risk of developing DVT.
* Melatonin is available in some countries and can be used to help resynchronize the body’s internal clock. It is normally sold as a food supplement and therefore is not subject to the same strict control as medications (for example, it has not been approved for use as a medication in the United States, but can be sold as a food supplement). The timing and effective dosage of melatonin have not been fully evaluated and its side effects, particularly if used long term, are unknown. In addition, manufacturing methods are not standardised and therefore the dose in each tablet can be very variable and some harmful compounds may be present. For these reasons, melatonin cannot be recommended.
* It is not always appropriate to adjust to local time for short trips of 2–3 days or less. If in doubt, seek specialist travel medicine advice.
* Individuals react in different ways to time zone changes. Frequent flyers should learn how their own body responds and adopt habits accordingly. Advice from a travel medicine clinic may be beneficial in determining an effective coping strategy.

Psychological aspects
Travel by air is not a natural activity for humans and many people experience some degree of psychological difficulty when flying. The main problems encountered are stress and fear of flying. These may occur together or separately at different times before and during the period of travel.
Stress

All forms of travel generate stress. Flying can be particularly stressful because it often involves a long journey to the airport, curtailed sleep and the need to walk long distances in the terminal building. Most passengers find their own ways of coping, but passengers who find air travel particularly stressful should seek medical advice in good time. Good planning (passports, tickets, medication, etc) and allowing plenty of time to get to the airport helps relieve stress.

Flight phobia (fear of flying)
Fear of flying may range from feeling slightly anxious to being unable to travel by air at all. It can lead to problems at work and leisure.

Travellers who want to travel by air but are unable to do so because of their fear of flying should seek medical advice before the journey. Medication may be useful in some cases but the use of alcohol “to steady the nerves” is not helpful and may be dangerous if combined with some medicines. For a longer-term solution, travellers should seek specialized treatment to reduce the psychological difficulties associated with air travel. There are many courses available that aim to reduce or cure, fear of flying. These typically include advice on how to cope with the symptoms of fear, information about how an aircraft flies, how controls are operated during a flight and, in most cases, a short flight.

Air rage
In recent years, air rage has been recognized as a form of disruptive behaviour associated with air travel. It appears to be linked to high levels of general stress but not specifically to flight phobia. It is frequently preceded by excessive consumption of alcohol.

Travellers with medical conditions or special needs
Airlines have the right to refuse to carry passengers with conditions that may worsen, or have serious consequences, during the flight. Airlines may require medical clearance from their medical department/adviser if there is an indication that a passenger could be suffering from any disease or physical or mental condition that:

* May be considered a potential hazard to the safety of the aircraft
* Adversely affects the welfare and comfort of the other passengers and/or crew members
* Requires medical attention and/or special equipment during the flight
* May be aggravated by the flight.

If cabin crew suspect before departure that a passenger may be ill, the aircraft’s captain will be informed and a decision taken as to whether the passenger is fit to travel, needs medical attention, or presents a danger to other passengers and crew or to the safety of the aircraft.

Although this chapter provides some general guidelines on conditions that may require medical clearance in advance, airline policies do vary and the requirements should always be checked at the time of, or prior to, booking the flight. A good place to find information is often the airline’s own web site.

Infants
Air travel is not recommended for infants less than seven days old. If travel is absolutely necessary for babies who are over seven days, but were born prematurely, medical advice should be sought in each case. Changes in cabin air pressure may upset infants; this can be helped by feeding or giving a pacifier to stimulate swallowing.

Pregnant women
Pregnant women can normally travel safely by air, but most airlines restrict travel in late pregnancy. Typical guidelines for those who have an uncomplicated pregnancy are:

* after the 28th week of pregnancy a letter from a doctor or midwife should be carried, confirming the expected date of delivery and that the pregnancy is normal
* for single pregnancies, flying is permitted up to the end of the 36th week
* for multiple pregnancies, flying is permitted up to the end of the 32nd week.

Pre-existing illness
Most people with medical conditions are able to travel safely by air, provided that necessary precautions, such as the need for additional oxygen supply, are considered in advance.

Those who have underlying health problems such as cancer, heart or lung disease, anaemia, diabetes, are on any form of regular medication or treatment, have recently had surgery or have been in hospital, or who are concerned about their fitness to travel for any other reason, should consult their doctor or a travel medicine clinic before deciding to travel by air.

Medication that may be required during the journey, or soon after arrival, should be carried in the hand luggage. It is also advisable to carry a copy of the prescription in case the medication is lost, additional supplies are needed or security checks require proof of purpose.

Frequent travellers with medical conditions
Frequent travellers who have a permanent and stable underlying health problem may obtain a frequent traveller’s medical card from the medical or reservation department of many airlines. This card is accepted, under specified conditions, as proof of medical clearance and for identification of the holder’s medical condition.

Security Issues
Security checks can cause concerns for travellers who have been fitted with metal devices such as artificial joints, pacemakers or internal automatic defibrillators. Some pacemakers may be affected by modern security screening equipment and travellers with these should carry a letter from their doctor. Travellers who need to carry other medical equipment in their hand luggage, particularly sharp items
such as hypodermic needles, should also carry a letter from their doctor.

Smokers
Almost all airlines now ban smoking on board. Some smokers may find this stressful, particularly during long flights, and should discuss this with their doctor before travelling. Nicotine replacement patches or chewing gum containing nicotine may be helpful during the flight and the use of other medication or techniques may also be considered.

Travellers with disabilities
A physical disability is not usually a contraindication for travel. Passengers who are unable to look after their own needs during the flight (including use of the toilet and transfer from wheelchair to seat and vice versa) will need to be accompanied by an escort able to provide all necessary assistance.

The cabin crew are generally not permitted to provide such assistance and a traveller who requires it and does not have a suitable escort may not be permitted to travel. Travellers confined to wheelchairs should be advised against deliberately restricting their fluid intake before or during travel as a means of avoiding use of toilets during flights as this might detrimentally affect their general health.

Airlines have regulations on conditions of travel for passengers with disabilities. Disabled passengers should contact the airline in advance of their travel for guidance (the airline’s own web site often gives useful information).

Communicable diseases
Research has shown that there is very little risk of any infectious disease being transmitted on board the aircraft.

The quality of aircraft cabin air is carefully controlled. Ventilation rates provide a total change of air 20–30 times per hour. Most modern aircraft have recirculation systems, which recycle up to 50% of cabin air. The recirculated air is usually passed through HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, of the type used in hospital operating theatres and intensive care units, which trap particles, bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected person coughing or sneezing or by touch (direct contact or contact with the same parts of the aircraft cabin and furnishings that other passengers touch). This is no different from any other situation where people are close to each other, such as on a train, bus or at
a theatre. Highly infectious conditions, such as influenza, are more likely to be spread to other passengers in situations when the aircraft ventilation system is not operating. A small auxiliary power unit is normally used to provide ventilation when the aircraft is on the ground, before the main engines are started, but occasionally this is not operated for environmental (noise) or technical reasons.
In such cases, when associated with a prolonged delay, passengers may be temporarily disembarked.

In order to minimise the risk of passing on infections, passengers who are unwell, particularly if they have a fever, should delay their journey until they have recovered. Airlines may deny boarding to passengers who appear to be infected with a communicable disease.

Aircraft disinsection
Many countries require disinsection of aircraft (to kill insects) arriving from countries where diseases that are spread by insects, such as malaria and yellow fever, occur. There have been a number of cases of malaria affecting individuals who live or work in the vicinity of airports in countries where malaria is not present, thought to be due to the escape of malaria-carrying mosquitoes transported on aircraft. Some countries, e.g. Australia and New Zealand, routinely require disinsection be carried out in order to prevent inadvertent introduction of species that may harm their agriculture.

Disinsection is a public health measure that is mandated by the current International Health Regulations (see Annex 3). It involves treatment of the interior of the aircraft with insecticides specified by WHO. The different procedures currently in use are as follows:

* treatment of the interior of the aircraft using a quick-acting insecticide spray immediately before take-off, with the passengers on board;
* treatment of the interior of the aircraft on the ground before passengers come on board, using a residual insecticide aerosol, plus additional inflight treatment with a quick-acting spray shortly before landing;
* regular application of a residual insecticide to all internal surfaces of the aircraft, except those in food preparation areas.

Travellers are sometimes concerned about their exposure to insecticide sprays while travelling by air. Some people have reported that they feel unwell after spraying of aircraft for disinsection. However, WHO has found no evidence that the specified insecticide sprays are harmful to human health when used as prescribed.

Medical assistance on board
Airlines are required to provide minimum levels of medical equipment on aircraft and to train all cabin crew in first aid. The equipment carried varies, with many airlines carrying more than the minimum level of equipment required by the regulations. Equipment carried on a typical international flight would include:

* one or more first-aid kits, to be used by the crew;
* a medical kit, normally to be used by a doctor or other qualified person, to treat in-flight medical emergencies;
* an automated external defibrillator (AED) to be used by the crew in case of cardiac arrest.

Cabin crew are trained in the use of first-aid equipment and in carrying out first-aid and resuscitation procedures. They are usually also trained to recognize a range of medical conditions that may cause emergencies on board and to act appropriately to manage these.

In addition, many airlines have facilities to enable crew to contact a medical expert at a ground-based response centre for advice on how to manage in-flight medical emergencies.

Contraindications to air travel
Travel by air is normally contraindicated in the following cases:

* Infants less than 7 days old;
* Women after the 36th week of pregnancy (after 32nd week for multiple pregnancies) and until seven days after delivery;
* Those suffering from:
o angina pectoris or chest pain at rest
o any serious or acute infectious disease
o decompression sickness after diving
o increased intracranial pressure due to haemorrhage, trauma or infection
o infections of the sinuses or infections of the ear and nose, particularly if the Eustachian tube is blocked
o recent myocardial infarction and stroke (time period depending on severity of illness and duration of travel)
o recent surgery or injury where trapped air or gas may be present, especially abdominal trauma and gastrointestinal surgery, cranio-facial and ocular injuries, brain operations, and eye operations involving penetration of the eyeball
o severe chronic respiratory disease, breathlessness at rest, or unresolved pneumothorax
o sickle-cell disease
o psychotic illness, except when fully controlled.

Travel tips for Seniors

2007-07-07T04:38:00.000-07:00

The free time that comes with retirement gives seniors ample opportunity to explore the globe. Seniors, in fact, make up a large proportion of the tourist market both domestically and internationally. But being a little older can make these travelers a bit more susceptible to certain travel-related health problems.

For a safe trip, heed these tips:

* Make sure your itinerary is not too demanding for you or your companions.

* Visit your doctor and dentist before an extended trip; schedule appointments enough in advance to take care of any health problems well before your departure date.

* When traveling to areas in which infectious diseases are a threat, consult your doctor several months in advance to assure time for immunizations. Many large university hospitals have travel clinics, which have the latest information on necessary immunizations, and precautions for travel to remote (and not so remote) areas. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also maintains a web site with this information.

* If you are being treated for an ongoing medical condition, carry copies of your medical records.

* Carry a good supply of your prescription medications and keep them with you, not packed in your suitcase. Take along non-prescription pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen and over-the-counter antacids and antidiarrheal medications.

* Take along a spare pair of eyeglasses.

* When traveling to areas with poor sanitation or disease-control measures, avoid drinking unbottled water (including ice cubes and tap water for brushing your teeth). Also avoid raw and undercooked seafood as well as unpeeled fruits and vegetables. The food you eat should be fully cooked and served HOT.

* For additional protection against traveler's diarrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using Pepto Bismol or an antidiarrheal. You can take these safely, several times daily with meals, for up to three weeks --EXCEPT if you are already taking salicylate products (for example, aspirin for arthritis). If diarrhea becomes severe, or contains traces of blood, seek medical attention immediately.

* When traveling in mosquito-infested regions, use insect repellent containing the compound DEET. Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading yellow fever, dengue fever, encephalitis, and malaria.

* Check your health insurance policy. If it doesn't cover you for treatment outside the U.S.A. -- including emergency evacuation by air ambulance to a major medical center -- consider purchasing travel health insurance (ask your travel agent).

* If you need medical care while abroad, go to the largest university hospital or consult the hotel concierge.

Chocolate reduces Bllod Pressure

2007-07-07T04:36:00.000-07:00

Here's some good and bad news for chocoholics: Dark chocolate seems to lower blood pressure, but it requires an amount less than two Hershey's Kisses to do it, a small study suggests. The new research from Germany adds to mounting evidence linking dark chocolate with health benefits, but it's the first to suggest that just a tiny amount may suffice.

Volunteers for the study ate just over 6 grams of dark chocolate daily for almost five months - one square from a German chocolate bar called Ritter Sport, equal to about 1 1/2 Hershey's Kisses. People who ate that amount ended up with lower blood pressure readings than those who ate white chocolate.

University of Cologne researcher Dr. Dirk Taubert, the study's lead author, said the blood pressure reductions with dark chocolate were small but still substantial enough to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease risks, although study volunteers weren't followed long enough to measure that effect.

The research involved just 44 people aged 56 through 73, but the results echo other small studies of cocoa-containing foods. Cocoa contains flavanols, plant-based compounds that also are credited with giving red wine its heart-healthy benefits.

One problem is chocolate bars containing cocoa tend to have lots of calories, so Taubert and his colleagues tested small amounts containing just 30 calories each.

The study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association. It was funded by University Hospital in Cologne.

The results are interesting but need to be duplicated in larger, more ethnically diverse populations, said Dr. Laura Svetkey, director of Duke University's Hypertension Center.

She stressed that the study results should not be viewed as license to gorge on chocolate.

"I would be as happy as the next person if I got to eat more chocolate," she said, but cautioned that weight gain from eating large amounts of dark chocolate would counteract any benefits on blood pressure.

Study participants were otherwise healthy and mostly normal-weight German adults with mild high blood pressure or pre-hypertension, which includes readings between 120 over 80 and 139 over 89.

Average blood pressure at the start was about 147 over 86.

Every day for 18 weeks, the volunteers were instructed to eat one-square portions of a 16-square Ritter Sport bar, or a similar portion of white chocolate. White chocolate doesn't contain cocoa.

Systolic blood pressure, the top number, fell an average of nearly three points and diastolic dropped almost two points in the dark chocolate group, compared with no change in blood pressure readings in the white chocolate group.

Tests suggested that steady exposure to dark chocolate prompted chemical changes that helped dilate blood vessels and regulate blood pressure, the researchers said.

Participants were told not to eat other cocoa-containing products and to continue regular eating habits and activity levels. They also kept food diaries so researchers could see if other foods might have influenced the results.

But, said Taubert, "It is very unlikely that other factors may explain the blood pressure reduction".

Dr. Lawrence Appel of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine said the most proven non-drug methods for lowering blood pressure are losing weight and eating less salt. Eating dark chocolate might help if combined with those two, he said.

For most people, "the lower your blood pressure, the better you are. So if you can get it lower from different strategies that's good for the long term".

Health Care for Women

2007-07-07T04:33:00.000-07:00

Women have been synonymous with multi tasking-juggling careers, motherhood, and household chores. This hectic lifestyle forces, health issues to take a back seat. To ensure a healthy lifestyle, it is imperative that women acquire health related literacy. Research has shown that 90% women are not concerned about their health due to lack of health care literacy, which has it’s consequences for the entire family.

Obesity in women is responsible for triggering off, a series of other health related problems. Most women would feel more positive about themselves if they could maintain an ideal body weight. Obesity however, can become a catalyst for heart disease , high blood pressure, diabetes , arthritis, back pain, some cancers, and infertility .Specific diet plans are popular but difficult to follow instead adopting healthy habits can go a long way in achieving physical and mental fitness.

Breast and ovarian Cancer : Women have been susceptible to these cancers which can turn fatal, unless detected at an early stage. Routine mammography and any changes in the breast should be evaluated by a physician. It has been proven that women over 40 years of age and in younger women with a family history of breast cancer have improved the survival rate of breast cancer patients by 2% per year over the last ten years.

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer remains more difficult to detect at the early and most curable stages. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are fairly nonspecific and often go undiagnosed. Change in urine production, bowl movements, gas production, indigestion, or weight in addition to pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or feeling of fullness should be discussed with a physician and an exam should be scheduled.

Women HealthMenopause is part of the normal life cycle of women. The average age for women to reach menopause is about 51 years. Many women welcome this new phase which life brings- liberty from pregnancy and child-raising responsibilities. However, it is important for women to seek medical advice in case menopause occurs on account of poor health or other reasons. Also post-menopausal women are at a greater risk (as much as double the risk of younger women or men) of heart attacks, cholesterol levels , which increase more rapidly in women over 50 from diet or other factors including smoking, increase the risk of heart disease.

Information and awareness can empower women to enjoy better health and lifestyle. Research and advances are continually being made in women's disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Women’s health and fitness requires constant attention. So why wait…Start your journey, to attain a healthy lifestyle-NOW!!

Eyestrain and your computer screen: Tips for getting relief

2007-07-07T04:24:00.000-07:00

Although not associated with long-term consequences, eyestrain resulting from computer use can be bothersome and uncomfortable — and may cut your work short. Minimize computer-related eyestrain by following these tips.

Your eyes hurt. Your head aches. And there you sit, peering at your computer monitor. If you're one of the many people who use computers every day — either for work or personal use — you may experience eyestrain as a result.

Eyestrain: Signs and symptoms

Common signs and symptoms include:

* Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes
* Watery eyes
* Dry eyes
* Blurred or double vision
* Headache and sore neck
* Difficulty shifting focus between monitor and paper documents in your work area
* Color fringes or afterimages when you look away from the monitor
* Increased sensitivity to light

Eyestrain associated with computer use isn't thought to have serious or long-term consequences, but it's disruptive and unpleasant. Though you may not be able to change the nature of your job or all the factors that can cause eyestrain, you can take steps to reduce the strain.

New habits can help relieve eyestrain

A few simple adjustments in how you work or surf the Internet can give your eyes a much-needed rest.

Follow these simple tips to reduce eyestrain:

* Take eye breaks. Throughout the day, give your eyes a break by forcing them to focus on something other than on your screen. Try the following exercise: Hold a finger a few inches in front of your face; focus on the finger as you slowly move it away; focus on something far in the distance and then back to the finger; slowly bring the finger back toward your face. Next, shift your focus to something farther than eight feet away and hold your eyes there for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise three times, several times a day.

* Change the pace. Try to stand up and move around at least once every hour or so. If possible, lean back and close your eyes for a few moments. At the very least, try to give yourself a five-minute rest every hour. Do other work, such as phone calls or filing, during this time.

* Blink often to refresh your eyes. Because many people blink less than normal when working at a computer, dry eyes can result from prolonged computer use. Blinking produces tears that can help moisten and lubricate your eyes. Make a conscious effort to blink more often.

What is Psychotherapy?

2007-07-02T17:34:00.001-07:00

Psychotherapy is the process by which feelings, issues, problems, stresses, symptoms, disorders, etc. are discussed openly, addressed and resolved appropriately. What form this process takes, whether or not it is successful and how it turns out depends a lot, in my opinion, on the dynamic between the therapist and client or clients, the willingness of the client to be an active partner in the helping and healing process and do his/her/their part towards working on and resolving issues (even if his/her/their part is just being open and honest in discussion and in giving and receiving feedback). I believe that the therapist and client are equally responsible for working out issues and problems. My role is to help you gain insight and awareness as well as to facilitate your healing and problem solving so that you can assume more control in your life with the issues that present themselves and in general. This is not to say that you are to blame for the problems that have occurred in your life, but for true healing, you need to assume responsibility for working on the problems and resolving them appropriately. Psychotherapy can assist in this process.

ABCs of Nutrition

2007-06-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

THE ABC'S OF NUTRITION

VITAMIN A: fat soluble for vision, gene expression, reproduction, immune function, embryonic developement, human growth.

VITAMIN B1: thiamine...converts carbohydrates and aminos to energy..helps heart,
muscles, and nervous system to operate

VITAMIN B2: riboflavin..human growth and reproduction, red blood cells, energy from carbs

VITAMIN B3: niacin...digestion, skin and nerves, cholesterol reduction

VITAMIN B5: pantothenic acid..fatty acid metabolism, synthesis of hormones and cholesterol

VITAMIN B6: pyridoxine..metabolism of amino acids and glycogen , antibodies in the immune system

VITAMIN B9: folic acid...synthesis of protein , DNA production, tissue growth, cell function

VITAMIN B12: cell metabolism, red blood cell production, central nervous system

BIOTIN: muscle mass

CHOLINE: improved memory and magnesium stores

VITAMIN C: in vivo production of collagen, or your body's infrastructure

VITAMIN E:tocotrionols...potent antioxidant, heart, circulation, cancer prevention , etc

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS or E.F.A.'s the omega oils..should be a mix of 4 parts omega 3 to 1 part omega 1 to 1 part conjugated linoleic acid..essential to tissue repair

MINERALS the correct balance of bio-identical bioavailable salts..essential for growth and hormone balance

17 steps to better health

2007-06-23T05:56:00.001-07:00

1. Do not eat sugar or high-sugar containing foods.

High sugar in your diet will stimulate micro-organisms in the gut and in your intestinal tract. It will overstimulate the growth potential for fungal and yeast infections. Diets that are high in sugar are feeding the bad remnants in our system. And when you feed the bad, those bad organisms give off toxic metabolites. Then your body has to deal with it and handle it. Therefore, it taxes and compromises your immune system.

Therefore, in this category, the foods we should all be avoiding include carbonated drinks, cookies, biscuits, dried fruits, and any food that has added sugars to it. We strongly recommend that you use Stevia as a natural sweetener.

2. Do not consume caffeine

Having a cup of coffee or two occasionally is not a major problem. It's when folks have 5-6 or 8-9 cups of coffee a day that they are asking for trouble.

The main reason is with adrenals...with caffeine, you are abnormally sitmulating the adrenals. You are driving the adrenals to increase output and you are causing your adrenals to work harder than they are already working. And for the average American, who doesn't sleep well, doesn't eat real well, and doesn't get enough exercise, your adrenals don't need more stress loaded on them. Caffeine is absolutely going to be an antagonist to your adrenal system.

3. Reduce or eliminate cow milk and cow milk products

Dairy products are problematic because the pasteurization and homogenization process is changing the molecular structure. There are a lot of implications to cardio vascular health and not because of the fat content alone. But because of how the molecular structure of the proteins has been changed.

Another reason is that dairy products are very allergy inducing. And you don't have to have a full-blown allergy to a dairy based product. Dairy products, cow dairy in particular, is fifth on the list of foods most antagonistic to the system. So, what that really is saying to me is it has a great potential to compromise your immune system. If you potentially have an immune response, and you are drinking 4-5 glasses of milk, or you are consuming ice cream on a regular basis, you are antagonizing your immune system.

4. Reduce starch intake

Starches are simple carbohydrates. That would include white flours, processed refined baked goods, cookies, and very heavy simple white starchy foods.

Not included here are the complex carbohydrates, the type of carbohydrates found in fruits and so on.

Focus on reducing the amount of starch. Why? Because a simple starch is very quickly converted to sugar. Why do you need to reduce your sugar intake? Because it compromises your immune system. A study showed that if you give an individual a sugar bolus, the equivalent of 2 donuts, it compromises your system for the next four hours, it reduces your lymphocyte production, your immune system production, by 30%. 30% is a staggering overwhelming number!

5. Increase intake of vegetables

When you increase your intake of vegetables, especially when you eat all the colors, the green, the red, the yellow, what you are doing is increasing the nutrient intake. The level of vitamins and minerals that are bio-available to you are increased. Therefore you've got an inherent health promoting benefit right there by increasing the quality of the nutrients that you are taking in.

Second, you are adding soluble fiber that actually aides in the movement of pathogenic (that means, disease inducing) types of bacteria and fungus from your intestinal track.

6. Increase intake of dietary fiber

Dietary fiber helps to remove a lot of the toxic remnants, harmful bacteria. Especially when the dietary fiber comes from vegetables, and especially those coming from the cruciferous family. What happens is you will increase the excretion of excess hormone type metabolites in your gut that you may be receiving from foods (low level hormones in foods, etc). By increasing the amount of dietary fiber, the number of bowel movements will increase and the efficacy of your bowel movements also increases. The more toxic remnants that you can remove from the intestinal track, the more you lower the overall load on your system.

7. Eat small amounts every 1 1/2 to 2 hours

In other words, grazing. Have vegetables, fruits and nuts at your disposal so that you can consume them over a regular period of time. If you have intestinal health problems and you go for long periods of time with nothing in your stomach, you are allowing the gastric acid secretions to work on the lining of the stomach. By eating small amounts, you are not over taxing your digestive processes.

You lower the load in digestive difficulties by eating smaller, more frequent, health promoting types of foods.

8. Reduce intake of cured or canned foods

Nitrates and cured foods are difficult on your intestinal track. They have been proven to be carcinogenic. We're not saying that these foods do not taste good. They do. But the fact of the matter is, they are carcinogenic.

9. Eliminate alcohol and tobacco

Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach. Tobacco robs your system of oxygen - the ability of your red blood cells to carry oxygen. That results in a reduction of muscular function efficiency in feeding your extremities. Add to that high blood pressure, heart disease, inducement of arterier cardiovascular types of diseases.

Alcohol, and particularly wine and hard alcohol, contains a lot of sugar. And we've already talked about sugar. Beer contains a lot of yeast. And if you have a fungal or yeast problem and you drink beer, you are making the problem worse.

10. Increase water intake

Water is critical. Water will improve your detoxication pathways. It will help to carry nutrients more efficiently to your cells. It has the ability to act almost as an energizer.

Water also helps hunger. A study was done on how your body recognizes it's sensation to hunger. When you do not have adequate hydration, the glucose and the nutrients do not get to the brain efficiently. The brain is a highly energy dependent organ in the body and when it senses that it is not receiving adequate nutrients, it will put out the signal for more food. Drinking more water does not help you lose weight because it fills you up, it helps because it makes sure that what you are consuming is carried to where it needs to go. Therefore, even though indirectly, it helps to curb your appetite because of the brain response.

Purified water is nature's natural cleanser.

11. At a minimum, take a good bio-available Multi-vitamin and CoQ-10

A good mult-vitamin is necessary because you need the B Complexes, you need the energy transport, it aids in cellular efficiency in elimination of toxins, and it improves the viabillity of the cellular structures. The B's are also very important to your liver. The lipotropic agents, such as mathiameine and cystine (which are amino acids), will aid and encourage and stimulate liver detoxification. Magnesium is important to detox pathways and to liver function. A good multi-vitamin along with maybe some of the good oils that we often talk about, flax oil or Triple EFA, are very important to health enhancement.

CoQ-10 improves cellular oxygenation and cellular function.

12. Add the minerals not present in the Multi-Vitamin

Selenium, especially, is one of these. Selenium, amazingly, is a helpful for reducing the potential for cancer risk. Bio-available selenomethameine has been shown to raise glutothione. When you raise glutothione, you raise your overall immune properties. Remember, though, if you take a good bio-available multi-vitamin, you don't need to do anything specific in this area.

13. Make sure you are eating enough fish or taking essential fatty acids

Essential fats are absolutely key to mobilization, utilization and reducing inflammatory states. Especially the fish oils because of the omega 3 content.

Transfatty acids and/or foods that are rich in omega 6 or omega 9 actually feed the wrong pathway. They are actually pro-inflammatory. They encourage inflammation. We want to reduce inflammatory states.

14. Take a ProBiotics with at least 3 billion live cultures in the right proportions
and form

At least 80% of the people we work with have some need of reinhancement in this area. The need comes from our eating habits, our antibiotic exposure. There's something about cleaning up the gut, and restoring and reinocculating with the right types. The bifidol bacterium, the lacto basilio ascidophilus, the brevium, the prenarium. These are all key, very key. A good healthy gut should have at least 2 kilo of bacteria floral remnants because they aid your digestion, they aid in your immune function. Your stomache has everything to do with your immune system.

Having a good healthy gut does not guarantee that you will never get sick, but it does put your body in the base position to be as healthy from an immune standpoint as you possibly can.

15. When necessary, take a supplement of natural digestive aids

If you are not digesting well, you are not receiving all the nutrients and you are opening yourself up for the potential for allergen induction over a long period of time. Undigested food remnants in your intestinal track, the potential for developing food allergies at some point in time increases many times over.

16. When necessary, add an immunemodulator in a natural remedy to your diet

An immunemodulator is anything from something as simple as echinacea and goldenseal to cholesterum extracts all the way up preps. that we use with our patients. Depending on where you are, an immunemodulator could definitely be a part of the program for you.

17. When necessary, take an antifungal medication or a natural yeast and fungal controlling remedy

If you have a tremendous amount of yeast or fungal overgrowth, it will produce a toxic metabolites that will compromise your immune system.

To actually gain the support of a traditional medical practicioner, you will need to do a stool culture or a toxic metabolite screen and prove you have overgrowth. If you don't want to do that, you can do a lot of good natural intestinal cleansers such as Pau Diarko or Cat's Claw. We offer our product, Bowel Support.

In many cases, it's not always about cleaning up and reinocculating with good, but modulating the immune system or supporting it are just as important as cleaning up. A strong host environment is when you have a good solid immune function and you are not being compromised, you should not be nearly as suseptible to fungus, yeast and bacterial overgrowth.

You want to cleanup and reduce the amount of stress and when you have done that successfully, you then need to stimulate the innate God-given abilities that your immune system has so that you do not become a hospitable host. You don't want these things setting up camp.

In Summary:

As Tiger Woods says, "When I make a mistake, I learn how to recover." When we are looking at our health, that key word, "recovery" is a key point. We know we've made mistakes. We know we used to smoke. We used to drink. We used to do other things that drove us to the point where we are today.

Improving your health is a process. Do not be discouraged. If you enhance yourself by following these 17 steps, you should see a major change in the way you feel, the way your body is processing, bowel function, mental clarity, etc.

It is a process. It needs to be a change in the way of life. And just because of the way life is, you are not going to do this 100% of the time, all the time. No. Because we don't live in a bubble. We don't live in a plastic world. That's reality. But, we have seen where people have made the commitment to make the dietary changes along with the correct targeted nutrient supplementation and they have seen astounding results. It comes down to a matter of discipline and commitment. You need to ask God to help you, to give you the strength and the wisdom to turn away from the foods that are bad for you.

The dietary changes are the foundation to these steps helping you.

Healthy Lifestyle tips

2007-06-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

Choose healthy food when you go shopping. That will make it so much easier to make healthier choices when you are at home looking for something to eat.

Eat a variety of nutritious foods every day. That means more fruit and veggies. Reduce the amount of fatty, salty, sugary, and processed foods.

Drink a lot of water. Avoid sugary drinks. Many times, they are high in calories and low in nutritional value.

Provide a substantial nutritious snack for your children to tide them over until dinner. This will help them to avoid nibbling or grazing and getting too full for dinner. Soup or a sandwich are great options.

Fruit is a great healthy snack. Find a local farmer whom you trust and choose apples and other seasonal fruit.

Get your kids involved in what they eat. Give them a range of healthy choices for their lunch box and after-school snacks..

Mindless eating can lead to overeating. Sit down, turn off the TV and eat together as a family.

Learn to use fresh ingredients and cook good basic meals from scratch.

Portion control - that's the name of the game. Watch your portion sizes and don't give children too much on their plate.

Make trying new foods fun with your children in order to get them to eat a variety of food.

Make healthy food choices the norm. But don't stress out over eating healthily. There is nothing wrong with the occasional biscuit or pizza.

Get exercise for at lease 30 minutes each day. That could mean a variety of activities - walking in the park one day, or cycling or jogging the next. Mix it up to keep it interesting.

10 Ways to avoid Headaches

2007-06-23T05:48:00.001-07:00

1. Eat Breakfast and Have Predictable Meal Times

2. Wake Up and Go to Bed the Same Time Each Day

3. Exercise At Least 3 Times per Week

4. Biofeedback Daily

5. No Smoking, Limit Caffeine after 4 pm, No Aspertame or Nutrasweet

6. Learn the Headache Pattern

7. Pamper Yourself During Stressful Times

8. Resolve Disputes - Forgive, Release, Resolve, Accept Imperfection as Human

9. Play Time is as Important as Work Time

10. Hydration

Difference between REIKI and other healing methods

2007-06-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

Reiki is simple. As compared to other forms of therapy which may demand months of training, Reiki can be learnt in a weekend. The ability to learn Reiki is not dependant on any special attributes in the learner. It is passed on from one the teacher to the student and he can then do Reiki. So, even a child can learn Reiki. In other forms healing, the healer must concentrate hard on sending energy. In Reiki, once the initial intention to treat has been completed and the hands have been placed on the body, the energy is drawn on its own.

Reiki is quite effective for self-treatment. Reiki is always with the personal and requires no special devices. Whenever there is pain somewhere, or when there is a feeling of tiredness, Reiki can be used to energize and calm down.

Principles of REIKI

2007-06-19T20:08:00.002-07:00

Fundamentally Reiki involves channeling the Universal life force or the cosmic force into the body, it is much more effective if the practitioner is emotionally and ethically healthy. Keeping these requirements in mind. Dr. Usui developed five principles of Reiki:
Just for today I will live the attitude of gratitude:
To live in gratitude is to live in abundance. When we keep dwelling on what we don’t have we continue to experience of not having. One must live in a state of gratitude, consciously appreciating and thanking the many blessings of life. It helps in transforming negative attitudes into positive ones.
Just for today, I will not worry:
Negative thoughts indicate a lack of faith in Searchd and hinder the outcome of our efforts. Live each day to the best of your ability, and surrender yourself to the Higher Self. A positive frame of mind, makes the situations appear far better than they would otherwise be.
Just for today I will not be angry:
Anger comes up when there is a fear, when one starts feeling helpless and out of control. The best way to handle it is not to repress it but rather by feeling it fully and becoming fully aware of our actions to others and thereby, over a period of time learning to master our emotions. Persons who know and have developed the ability to handle anger, have made their lives happy.
Just for today I will do my work honestly:
Doing the work honestly and facing the truth in all things brings a peace of mind and calmness which can transform the person and raise his self-esteem.
Just for today I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing:
To help in healing the whole world and developing a loving atmosphere, we must show respect to all living things.

How to learn REIKI?

2007-06-19T20:08:00.001-07:00

Reiki consists of an attunement process, which can be explained as a series of initiations, where a Reiki master transmits energy to the student in an amplified state. It creates an open channel for energy to flow in from the student’s head through the upper energy centers and out through the hands. In addition, it initiates a 21-day cleansing period, due to the quickening of the persons energy pattern.

The first degree course begins with introductory explanations and then the first of the four initiations. The first degree will enable you to transfer Reiki to yourself and others by the laying on of your hands. The physical body is opened up so that it can channel greater quantities of life force energy. Once you are initiated into the Reiki energy, you will never lose it. Even if you do not practice Reiki, it will flow automatically whenever you lay your hands on somebody for treatment.

Second degree attunement process provides a further increase in vibratory level. They initiate the person to the power keys or symbols, which are used to perform absentee and mental healing. The development of the intuitive center located at the pituitary gland is activated, thus empowering the learner and sharpening his senses. The second degree allows you to do special treatments on mental, emotional or addictive patterns.

The Master level or the third degree is final level of Reiki. Originally, Mastership was only for those dedicated to teaching but now a days more and more people are opting for the third degree. At a Reiki centre a minimum of one year of working with the Second degree is required before one can petition to be accepted for this advanced level of study. Masters are fully trained in the activation of the First and Second degree practitioners

How Does REIKI Heal?

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Life force is the non-physical energy that animates all living things. It flows through the body through certain pathways, which are called chakras and meridians. Also, it creates energy field— aura, which surrounds the body and permeates it.

Reiki heals by tapping into this life force and regulating its flow. Life force becomes disrupted when negative thought attach themselves to the energy field and obstruct the flow of vital energy, resulting in disease. Reiki straightens and heals the energy pathways, thus leading to positive thoughts and life force to flow in a healthy way.

Reiki treatment is done by laying hands gently on various parts of the body with fingers closed tight. The recipient feels a kind of flowing sensation, often combined with sensation of warmth.

Some recipients of Reiki say that they never before experienced such a deep sense of peace and relaxation. The recipient is brought into a state of unity with the harmony of the universe, and then he can heal himself by using his natural ability.

Reiki functions on all levels— mental and spiritual, physical and emotional. It cleanses the body of all toxins and encourages the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It amplified and balances energy, increases awareness and creativity helps, helps in releasing the blocked emotions and stress leading to total relaxation.

Effects and benefits of Reiki

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Reiki is an extremely effective technique for total relaxation and stress reduction. Reiki can not only effect changes in the physical structure of the body by helping to regenerate organs and re-build tissues but also helps to create balance on the mental level.

One of the greatest benefits is self treatment. Treating oneself helps to release withheld emotions and energy blocks.

Reiki has been found to :
Balance the energy
Reverse aging process.
Amplify the energy levels.
It heals holistically.
It can never do damage since it flows in quantities necessary for the recipient.

History of REIKI?

2007-06-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

What is it?
Reiki is a very ancient science, rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in mid 1800’s. Reiki in Japanese means universal life Force Energy. It is made of two parts, ‘Rei’— meaning universal, transcendental spirit, and ‘Ki’— meaning energy or power. In India, this energy is called Shakti or ‘Prana’.

Reiki is a method of connecting universal energy with the body’s innate power of healing. Reiki is simple and anybody can learn it. The possibility of self-treatment makes it quite advantageous. Self-treatment amplifies the life force energy in our body releasing the withheld emotions and energy blocks. The results may not be immediately perceptible but it is definitely helpful in relieving stress and helping the person think positive.

As in most things Reiki must be experienced to be appreciated. Practicing Reiki helps create harmony in the body, giving a deep sense of peace and relaxation.

The Principles of Reiki?
Dr. Usui developed five principles of Reiki:

Just for today I will give thanks for my many blessings: One must live in a state of gratitude, consciously appreciating and thanking the many blessings of life. It helps in transforming negative attitudes into positive ones.

Just for today, I will not worry: Negative thoughts indicate a lack of faith in Searchd and hinder the outcome of our efforts. A positive frame of mind, makes the situations appear far better than they would otherwise be.

Just for today I will not be angry: Persons who know and have developed the ability to handle anger, have made their lives happy.

Just for today I will do my work honestly: Doing the work honestly and facing the truth in all things brings a peace of mind and calmness which can transform the person and raise his self-esteem.

Just for today I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing: To help in healing the whole world and developing a loving atmosphere, we must show respect to all living things.

Introduction to REIKI?

2007-06-19T19:53:00.001-07:00

What is Reiki?
Reiki is a very ancient science, rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in mid 1800’s. Reiki in Japanese means universal Life Force Energy. It is made of two parts, ‘Rei’— meaning universal, transcendental spirit, and ‘Ki’— meaning energy or power. In India, this energy is called Shakti or ‘Prana’. It is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that allows everyone to tap into an unlimited supply of ‘life force energy’ to improve health and enhance quality of life.

Reiki is a method of connecting universal energy with the body’s innate power of healing. Reiki is simple and anybody can learn it. The possibility of self-treatment makes it quite advantageous. Self-treatment amplifies the life force energy in our body releasing the withheld emotions and energy blocks.

What are its unique features?
It is a hands-on healing system for channeling the Universal Life Energy. The way of learning is through initiations, where the student is connected up to the Reiki channel by a Reiki master.

Following are the basic features of Reiki treatment:

Reiki is not given. It is made available. The patient draws as much energy as he requires.
Reiki is given only on asking.
Once a student is initiated by a Reiki master it is there for life. Even if one doesn’t practice it one doesn’t forget Reiki, its always there.
Attunement affects each person individually depending on their vibratory level. One can increase the energy level and healing capacity by practicing daily and treating oneself.

What Can Be Treated?
Reiki is both powerful and gentle. In its long history of use it has aided in healing virtually every known illness and injury including serious problems like: multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer as well as skin problems, cuts, bruises, broken bones, headache, colds, flu, sore throat, sunburn, fatigue, insomnia, impotence, poor memory, lack of confidence, etc. It is always beneficial and works to improve the effectiveness of all other types of therapy. Reiki will improve the results of all medical treatment, acting to reduce negative side effects, shorten healing time, reduce or eliminate pain, reduce stress, and help create optimism.

Who can learn Reiki?
As compared to another forms of therapy where the learner has to have certain attributes to be able to learn the technique, Reiki is quite different . Here the ability to learn is not dependent on intellectual capacity, or on the ability to meditate or similar such things. It does not take years of practice. It is simply passed on from the teacher to the student. As soon as this happens, one has and can do Reiki. Because of this, it is easily learned by anyone.

The results may not be immediately perceptible but it is definitely helpful in relieving stress and helping the person think positive. As in most things Reiki must be experienced to be appreciated. Practicing Reiki helps create harmony in the body, giving a deep sense of peace and relaxation

About Aroma Therapy

2007-06-06T17:28:00.002-07:00

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing process for the body and mind with the use of fragrances. The basis of this therapy lies in the essential oils contained in plant materials. These can be found in leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, bark and resin. These oils are highly concentrated and when extracted, can either be used in a pure form or diluted and blended with other oils to produce the required strength.

Essential oils are medicinal and fragrant and travel through the blood stream reacting with hormones and enzymes. When the fragrance is inhaled the nerve ends in the nose transmit pleasurable signals to the brain which reacts to the positive power of the fragrant aroma inducing pleasant memories, restoring emotional balance and encouraging relaxation and energisation. Many of these fragrant oils have antiseptic and antitoxic qualities and often act as an antidote to viral infections, inflammations, aches and pains.

The origin of Aromatherapy cannot be traced to any particular era or civilization. But the virtues of fragrance were known even in the earliest civilizations. In India and Egypt the art of distillation of essential oils were known as early as 1500 B.C. There are many legends that arise from nearly every land that proclaim the sanctity of one fragrance or another.

The Aroma - therapist adopts the virtue of the fragrance of natural substances, extracts it into oil or synthetically reproduces it, and uses it for healing and health maintenance. In other words, the aim of the Aroma therapist is to capture the effects of the scents of the world-both conscious and unconscious and to blend them together in such a way that their effect is directed to a specific purpose.

This therapy is used not only for the treatment of physical illnesses but also used to improve the mental and even the spiritual conditions as well.

Applications of Aromatherapy

It is mainly divided into two

1. Inhalation
2. External Application.

Inhalation are of two types (a) direct inhalation and (b) indirect inhalation. In the case of direct inhalation Aromatherapy remedy is applied directly to the effected area. But in indirect inhalation the persons surroundings are treated with the chosen scent.

Inhalation is the more widely used method of delivering scent. In earlier days, the herb was burned and the fumes inhaled by the ailing individual for relief. Today, there are many other alternative methods to accomplish inhalation therapy, like use of oil diffusers, potpourri cookers, vaporizers, inhaling the fragrance directly from the bottle or soaking cotton balls etc. Oil diffuser is a machine specially designed as a system of delivering fragrances from an oil or oil blend into the air. Vaporizer is a device used for converting liquid to gaseous form for inhalation. Potpourri is a combination of different aromatic substances generally heated to infuse the air with a pleasing aromatic blend.

External application is also employed in both the healing and the magical facets of Aromatherapy. External application include Massage therapy, Aromatic bath etc. Thus through external application, the individual is actually taking in the healing properties of the essential blend through the skin. For massage therapy, appropriate oil must be produced. This is done by diluting the oil remedy with a carrier oil. Carrier oils are oils of low scent or no scent used to dilute more pungently aromatic oils or blends.

There are different methods for preparing Aromatic baths. Of these two easiest and least complicated methods in the preparatory stages is narrated below.

One is to introduce the essential oil or oil blend into a small amount of Epsom salts and to dissolve the salts into a tube of hot or warm water. Another method of creating an aromatic bath is to introduce the essential oil (blend) directly into the bath water.

Precautions to be taken by the Aroma therapist:

* Do not apply the remedy to an area where the skin is broken
* See that the oil is not an irritant and the subject displays no negative reaction
* Aroma therapist must know well the properties of the remedy and the sensitivities of the client.

In Aromatherapy, depending on the nature of ailments different methods are chosen. The ultimate purpose of Aromatherapy is to deliver the virtues of the scent to the client in a way that will most benefit his or her condition.

About Aroma Therapy

2007-06-06T17:28:00.001-07:00

About REIKI

2007-06-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

'Reiki' is a Japanese word meaning life energy. It is a complementary therapy and one of the many facets of alternative medicine available today. It is a method of natural healing. This therapy was discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese theologist. In this therapy, hands are used as the instruments of healing. This therapy is performed by either a Reiki master or a Reiki practitioner.

Reiki is centered upon universal life energy. Reiki energy is regarded as life energy at its most effective. It has a divine quality and it gives a feeling of detachment from the world so that problems doesn't effect the user. Those who use Reiki regularly, often find they are more joyful, lively and their own inbuilt energy is enhanced. Body organs such as the skin and protective systems such as the immune system are improved. Deep relaxation is the main factor in Reiki therapy and this is very much dependent upon the divine quality attributed to the energy.

Effects of Reiki

1.

It enables the universal energy to be received.
2.

It creates a feeling of deep relaxation.
3.

It removes energy blockages, allowing a flow of life energy throughout the body.
4.

It removes toxins of various sorts.

When each Reiki therapy session is complete the whole body may be energized via the root Chakra.

Preparation before Reiki

Remove Jewellery - Before Reiki, Jewellery must be removed, so as to enable the free flow of life energy.

Wash hands- Washing hands makes the hands pleasant to feel, for the recipient of Reiki.

Say a prayer- This is in order to concentrate upon and acknowledge your aims.

If there is any physical blemishes such as burns, the hands should be held a few inches above the skin at this area. If the person is suffering from any illness, he should seek advice from a doctor as to whether they can undergo Reiki therapy.

The extent of each session of Reiki will vary depending upon circumstances and the individual receiving treatment. In the case of a small child or an elderly person, time limit of the therapy should be limited to 15 to 20 minutes.

Positions for Treatment

Reiki can be done on various parts of the body like head, chest and abdomen, back etc. There are various basic positions or arrangements in which hands are placed in different parts of the body.

Reiki on the head is useful in case of cold, sinusitis, eye complaints, allergies, fatigue, headaches, asthma and circulatory problems. In the case of Reiki on the head, the hands are placed on either side of the nose, with the palms covering the eyes, the thumbs rest by the bridge of the nose and finger-tips cover the cheeks and reach the upper lip. In the second arrangement for the head, the hands are placed over the ears, with the fingertips extending down the jaw line to the neck, encompassing the ears of course which includes the semicircular canals, responsible for balance.

Reiki on the back is useful in cases of lung and heart diseases, muscular tension, head aches and related condition. There are a number of arrangements which can be adopted on the back and lower back. In one of this arrangement, the hands are placed across the shoulder blades at mid to upper point, to influence the intestines, lung, heart and various muscles in the neck and shoulder region. If the hands are placed lower down the back, around the midriff (on the lower ribs) this position will accommodate the kidneys and adrenal glands.

In addition to these specific positions, there are many other Reiki positions in different parts of the body to deal with multitude of complaints.

Long-term whole body Reiki can be adopted not only to counteract a particular symptom, but also to treat the whole body to achieve relaxation. Relaxation is possible with the removal of block ages in energy flow and dispersal of toxins. Reiki also facilitates faster recovery from illness. This therapy can be used advantageously with other therapies like Gem therapy, Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Yoga etc.

Cholestrol - overview

2007-04-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body’s cells. It’s normal to have cholesterol. It’s an important part of a healthy body because it’s used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. It’s also a risk factor for stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is the term for high levels of blood cholesterol.
You get cholesterol in two ways. Your body makes some of it, and the rest comes from cholesterol in animal products that you eat, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. Food from plants — like fruits, vegetables and cereals — doesn’t have cholesterol. Some foods that don’t contain animal products may contain trans fats, which cause your body to make more cholesterol. Foods with saturated fats also cause the body to make more cholesterol.

Cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two kinds that you need to know about. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as the “bad” cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the “good” cholesterol. Your body makes HDL cholesterol for your protection. It carries cholesterol away from your arteries. Studies suggest that high levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.

High cholestrol can cause Heart Disease.
Too much cholesterol in the blood, or high blood cholesterol, can be serious. People with high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol on its own does not cause symptoms, so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high.
Cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body). This buildup of cholesterol is called plaque (plak). Over time, plaque can cause narrowing of the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skler-O-sis), or hardening of the arteries.

Special arteries, called coronary arteries, bring blood to the heart. Narrowing of your coronary arteries due to plaque can stop or slow down the flow of blood to your heart. When the arteries narrow, the amount of oxygen-rich blood is decreased. This is called coronary artery disease (CAD). Large plaque areas can lead to chest pain called angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh). Angina happens when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is a common symptom of CAD.

Some plaques have a thin covering and burst (rupture), releasing fat and cholesterol into the bloodstream. The release of fat and cholesterol may cause your blood to clot. A clot can block the flow of blood. This blockage can cause angina or a heart attack.

Lowering your cholesterol level decreases your chance for having a plaque burst and cause a heart attack. Lowering cholesterol may also slow down, reduce, or even stop plaque from building up. Plaque and resulting health problems can also occur in arteries elsewhere in the body.

Healthy Cholestrol levels
What cholesterol levels are healthy varies from persong to person. If you have several risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, smoking, or high blood pressure, you should find out from your doctor what your own target levels should be. If you have one or no such risk factors, a total cholesterol level below 200 is usually desirable, while a HDL level greater than 35 is also good. Most important, your LDL level should be less than 130. However, since no one’s numbers ever match up exactly with the textbook figures, it’s good to have your doc help you with the figuring and interpreting of your lab values.

What causes high LDL Cholestrol levels
Some of the factors that can lead to high cholesterol are:

Overweight - Excess weight has been linked with high cholesterol levels.

Heredity - If cholesterol problems or heart disease run in your family, you are at a higher risk for having problems.

Diet - Remember the saying “you are what you eat”? Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat, all of which increase cholesterol levels and your risk of developing heart disease.

Physical activity - Exercise tends to increase HDL levels, which lowers your chance of developing heart disease.

Age - The risk of high cholesterol increases as you get older.

Tips to lower the cholestrol levels
The only way to check your cholesterol is to visit your doctor and have a blood cholesterol test. This is a simple, painless procedure. If you are over 40, you should have your cholesterol level checked each year. High cholesterol levels are the result of three main factors. (a) Our genes. (b) Our diet. (c) Our lifestyle.

We can’t change our genes, but we can change our diet and lifestyle. To lower your cholesterol level, here are five simple tips:

1. Reduce your total fat-intake.
2. Eliminate your consumption of saturated fat.
3. Increase your consumption of soluble fiber. Unprocessed plant foods, like vegetables, dried beans, lentils, fruit (esp. berries, bananas, apples and citrus fruits) and oats or oat-bran are good sources of soluble fiber.
4. Stop smoking.
5. Take regular exercise.

What happens during an episode of asthma

2007-04-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

Asthma occurs when the airflow moving in and out of the lungs are blocked by muscle squeezing, swelling, and excess mucus. In response to a trigger, an asthmatic’s airways become narrowed and inflamed, causing blocking of the airways that result in wheezing and/or coughing symptoms. Air becomes trapped in the air sacs, not allowing for the proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This trapped air leads to a low oxygen level in the body, thus, triggering an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, the mucus-producing cells within the airway increase their output, causing excess mucus that blocks the airway. Parts of the airway become entirely blocked with the combination of airway narrowing, mucus plugging, and airway inflammation. These attacks vary in length. A single episode can be over in minutes, or continue for hours or even days. In between asthma episodes the patient may be totally symptom free. Other patients may have slight symptoms such as chest tightness or a hacking cough.

Should people with Asthma Exercise?
Answer to this question is positive only if they are feeling well exercising. Everyone who is physically able to do so can benefit from exercise. It is generally advisable to consult a physician before beginning any exercise program. Persons with asthma may need to take special precautions in cold weather or during seasons when pollen is in the air. They may be able to prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms by using an inhaled bronchodilator before exercise.

Asthma itself can cause side effects?
Lot of people focus on the side effects of treatment of asthma, so much that they forget that asthma if not treated properly can also cause side effects. Apart from the risk of dying from asthma, there is also a risk that lung function will deteriorate over the years and that you will become disabled by chronic asthma as you age. Children with poorly treated asthma do not grow properly and pregnant women with poorly controlled asthma have a higher risk of complications.

Treatment for Asthma.
Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper asthma management.
The first step in asthma management is environmental control. Asthmatics cannot escape the environment, but through some changes, they can control its impact on their health.
Listed below are some ways to change the environment in order to lessen the chance of an asthma attack:

* Clean the house at least once a week and wear a mask while doing it
* Avoid pets with fur or feathers
* Wash the bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water
* Encase the mattress, pillows and box springs in dust-proof covers
* Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials
* Consider replacing upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl
* Consider replacing carpeting with hardwood floors or tile
* Use the air conditioner
* Keep the humidity in the house low

The second step is to monitor lung function. Asthmatics use a peak flow meter to gauge their lung function. Lung function decreases before symptoms of an asthma attack - usually about two to three days prior. If the meter indicates the peak flow is down by 20 percent or more from your usual best effort, an asthma attack is on its way.

The third step in managing asthma involves the use of medications. There are two major groups of medications used in controlling asthma - anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids) and bronchodilators.

What is Blood Pressure

2007-04-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the artery walls. High blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension) can both cause cardiovascular problems.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or tilt table tests may be used to diagnose these conditions. There are many types of high blood pressure, which may be treated with antihypertensive medications, such as diuretics, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors.

How Blood Pressure is measured?

Hypertension can be mild, moderate or severe. Your blood pressure is naturally higher when you are exerting yourself, such as during physical exercise. It is only a concern if your blood pressure is high when you are at rest, because this means your heart is overworked and your arteries have extra stress in their walls.

Blood pressure is measured in two ways:

Systolic - the highest pressure against the arteries as the heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 130 mm Hg.

Diastolic - the pressure against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80 mm Hg.

Normal Blood Pressure
Levels around 130/80 and below are absolutely fine. Doctors are generally concerned when levels are consistently greater than 140/90, as this is the level above which blood pressure starts significantly contributing to the long term risk of increased cardiovascular problems (strokes and heart attacks).

Depending on the exact classification used, pressures around 140-150/90-100 would be called mild hypertension. Pressures around 150-170/100-110 would be called moderate, and pressures higher, e.g. 200/120 would be considered fairly severe.

In reality blood pressure is a continuum, and it is sometimes difficult to be categoric about exactly what category a person is in. The higher the pressure is, the greater the risk that it will lead to further problems.

Causes of High Blood Pressure
The causes of high blood pressure vary. Causes may include narrowing of the arteries, a greater than normal volume of blood, or the heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should. Any of these conditions will cause increased pressure against the artery walls. High blood pressure might also be caused by another medical problem. Most of the time, the cause is not known. Although high blood pressure usually cannot be cured, in most cases it can be prevented and controlled.

Keep High Blood pressure under control
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s extremely important that you follow your doctor’s treatment guidelines to the letter. These guidelines include keeping your diet low in fat, reducing your salt intake, quitting smoking, and limiting your alcohol consumption.

In addition, you should exercise regularly, keep your weight within normal bounds, and learn to manage stress (instead of letting it manage you). Some recent research suggests that constant stress and pressure may predispose some men to continually elevated blood pressure later in life.

Treatment of High Blood Pressure
Treatment of high blood pressure is depended on how high it is and on what other ‘risk factors’ one have for heart disease and stroke.

Blood Pressure between 140/90-160/100mmHg will simply require some changes in lifestyle. You will probably not need to take tablets providing that the changes you make work. However, some people with a blood pressure in this range may be asked to take tablets if they are older or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high cholesterol, smoking or already have complications such as a previous stroke or heart attack.

So, if you have a blood pressure reading in this range you may need to make the following changes to your lifestyle:

* Cut down the amount of salt you are eating to 6 grams each day or less
* Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, preferably more
* Be physically active at least five times a weeks for at least 30 minutes
* Lose weight if you are overweight
* Cut down on the amount of alcohol you are drinking if it is excessive, ie, men should drink no more than three or four units a day, women no more than two or three units each day

If your blood pressure is consistently over 160/100mmHg then you will probably be given tablets to take as well as being asked to make changes to your lifestyle. The aim of this treatment is to lower your blood pressure down to below 140/85mmHg whilst making sure that you feel fit and well. If you have diabetes or have had a previous stroke or heart attack you may be asked to lower your blood pressure further, to 130/80mmHg. A small number of people may find their blood pressure very difficult to control even with medication.