Holistic Health For Life

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: What are They Really?

2008-11-23T07:03:00.001-08:00

The physician who knows only medicine, knows not even medicine. Omega-3s are fatty acids that help build other fats in the body. They derive their name from their chemical structure -- the omega end of the molecule has its first double bond in the 3 position. Know what that means? Do you really care what that means? Isnt fat just fat?

Scientists have found that historically the Eskimos of Greenland have enjoyed exceptional heart health despite a diet very high in fat. After some research, it was discovered that the primary source of the fat in their diet came from sea mammals, which contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Research has uncovered a many beneficial health effects of these types of fats. They are essential for the proper development of nerves, eyes and brains in growing children. They protect against dying from a heart attack. And they have been studied for their beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases (see Dr Barry Sears Books on Omega 3 and inflamation) such as arthritis, lupus and asthma.

Three major types of omega-3 fatty acids exist. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is in plant foods such as flaxseed, walnuts and canola oils.

Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, are found in fish and algae, especially in fatty fish such as salmon, trout and herring.

Human milk contains all three types of omega-3 fats: ALA, DHA and EPA. (DHA is the main type needed for brain, eye and nerve development.)

The American Heart Association recommends healthy people eat omega-3 fatty acids from fish and plant sources to protect their hearts. Have you heard of this miracle?

Scientific Evidence Reveals a Diet Rich in Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Helps Support

A Healthy Brain

A Healthy Heart

A Healthy Immune System

Healthy Joint Movement

Healthy Kidneys

Balanced Mood and Sense of Well Being

Strength and Stamina

And Helps Maintain Cholesterol Levels that are Already within the Normal Ra! nge*

Your grandmother probably used fish oil in the form of cod-liver oil, which is rich in vitamins A and D. It was used to prevent rickets (a disease resulting in weak bones that is caused by a deficiency of those vitamins). Even though cod-liver oil is one of the most disgusting foods known to man, taking it daily was a given in many households. It turns out the reason that cod-liver oil was so beneficial was not because of those vitamins, but because of its high levels of the long-chain, omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA.

EPA is a key factor for controlling insulin levels, and DHA is essential to maintain and rebuild your brain. So, Grandmother was doing an excellent job in promoting health in your parents.

Equally important, many neurological conditions such as depression, multiple sclerosis, and attention deficit disorders are linked to low levels of DHA in the diet; supplementation with fish oils rich in DHA often show dramatic improvement within a few weeks.

Dr. Barry Sears is a research scientist and creator of the world famous Zone Diet. His most recent book, The OmegaRx Zone - The Miracle of the New High-Dose Fish Oil, is the culmination of 20 years of research on the benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil. In fact, Dr. Sears pioneered the development of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, a highly refined nutritional supplement rich in DHA and EPA. This work continues his life long dedication to using diet to help people maintain their state of wellness.

Author Bio: My name is Ruth Bird, and I am the owner of 3 dogs, 2 are Registered Therapy Visiting Dogs, my third dog is blind. My passions are health for people and pets and promoting a happy, healthy and wealthy lifestyle. Omega 3 has become one of my favorite topics.

http://www.mimfreedom.com
http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

Sleep Apnea Dealing With This Common Sleep Disorder

2008-11-21T07:03:00.001-08:00

One of the most well-known sleep disorders, sleep apnea is a fairly common condition. Marked by interruptions in breathing during sleep, sleep apnea causes the person suffering from this condition to wake up, or partially wake, several times during the night. Because of the frequency of these interruptions in breathing, a person with sleep apnea will have trouble getting a restful night?s sleep, causing them to feel the effects of sleep deprivation during their waking hours.

Two types of sleep apnea have been diagnosed: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. OSA is caused by the soft palate becoming so relaxed that it actually blocks off the breathing passageway, while central sleep apnea is caused by the brain relaxing to the point that it does not remind the body to breathe. While both types can cause interruptions to breathing on their own, most people with sleep apnea actually have mixed apnea, which is a combination of both forms.

Sleep apnea is sometimes difficult to diagnose, simply because it only strikes while the person is asleep and won?t notice that it is happening. Because most people with sleep apnea awake only partially ? not fully ? so they do not actually notice that they have had their sleep cycle interrupted. Thus, if someone wants to determine if they have sleep apnea, they will have to look for the symptoms.

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is excessive sleepiness upon waking. Because the sleep cycle is being interrupted, the person is not refreshed during the night and will wake up feeling lethargic, fatigued, or even feel like they need to go back to bed for another round of sleep. Also, people with sleep apnea almost always snore; often very loudly. However, a person does not necessarily have to show these symptoms to have sleep apnea. In fact, a bed partner may be the only person to notice the interruptions in breathing during the night.

Additionally, people with sleep apnea are often overweight to obese, so treatment usu! ally inv olves helping people to lose weight. Treatment can also include eliminating alcohol or other substances that help people relax, quitting smoking, using special pillows or other appliances that help keep the airways open, or even special apparatus that uses air pressure to keep the airways open. This last form of treatment, continuous pressure airway pressure (CPAP), uses a breathing mask to pressurize the airways and inflate them, almost like a balloon. Though this form of treatment is more than a little disconcerting at first, they quickly get used to the mask and find that they feel much more alert in the morning.

Sleep apnea is very difficult for a person to self-diagnose but, once the problem is found, there are treatments available. But for people who are overweight and have large necks, smoke, use sedatives or muscle relaxers, or just drink too much alcohol, lifestyle changes would be the best place to start either keeping sleep apnea away or treating it before it becomes a major health concern. After all, not breathing is a problem whenever it happens. So by treating sleep apnea now, sufferers can keep performing the one act they need to perform every day and every night.

Sleep HQ http://sleephq.com/ your guide to sleep apnea and getting a good night's sleep.

Indigestion with Acid

2008-11-20T07:03:00.001-08:00

General indigestion is typically caused by eating too quickly, especially when the food is high in fat. Indigestion can be felt as a burning sensation in the upper portion of the stomach, general nausea, bloated, heartburn, and among others a bitter taste can result in the month from stomach acid that is coming up into the esophagus. The most commong way to relieve indigestion is to take indigestion tablets, that battle to neutralize the extra acid, so that the indigestion can be eliminated.

Acid indigestion on the other hand, is similar to 'general indigestion' above, however it involves an excess of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. if Acid indigestion is experienced frequently it can wear on the duodenum and the lining of the stomach, both which are aggravating and can lead to conditions such as ulcers, which can be life threatening. It is important to know that acid indigestion is different from heartburn, which is the aggravation more specifically of the esophagus.

Acid indigestion is most commonly attributed to eating foods that have too much fat in them, but can also be do to too much spice, or an excess intake of caffeine or alcohol, smoking, overeating, or simply just eating too late in the evening (like right before going to bed).

Antacids can help to relieve the problem short term, however, it is known that a dependence can develop on these over the counter remedies, and isn't recommended as a long term solution. Be smart with your dietrary habits as your life is depending on you!

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Indigestion Area - http://www.indigestion-area.com, which is the best site on the internet for all indigestion related information.

The Hypocritical Oath

2008-11-15T07:03:00.001-08:00

(With apologies to Patch Adams and any other medical practitioner who actually puts patient care before any other consideration.)

Many medical practitioners have sworn the Hippocratic oath since it was first proposed by Hippocrates, known as the father of modern medicine. Since that time, the oath has been changed by different societies to accommodate changing times, and, today, not all teaching schools require new doctors to swear to this oath. Below is an examination of one of the variants.

Para 1: I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

Fair enough, but do they really know what they are swearing to? Do you?

Para 2: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

??in whose steps I walk,? that?s the problem. The medical industry is build brick upon brick of so called scientific evidence produced by individuals who claim advances in medical science. Well, it?s about time that it suffered from a double whammy Katrina/Wilma hurricane of Category 5+ magnitude. That?s what it?s going to take to get them to realize that the American Medical Association and the scientific method does not have all the answers and that the very basis of their scientific method is Herbalism, a practice the AMA seeks to step on.

As for sharing their knowledge, this is definitely a patchy affair. Some do, if they can get a research grant to enable them to write a paper for publication in a scientific journal. But, if a doctor working for a drug house produces scientific evidence for the efficacy of another approach or a less expensive drug, they can?t get their work published. Their over-riding need is to stay employed by the company whose principal goal is to find new ways of producing specialist drugs sold at exorbitant prices to increase their profits. Worse, these researchers have to sign secrecy contracts before they can be employ! ed.

< p>Para 3: I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

Ignoring the fact that the statement itself is grammatically incorrect (what else might they do in such a slipshod manner?), let us look at over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism: many children have been subjected to this phenomenon by doctor?s ignorance of a child?s condition. For example, epilepsy can be easily cured by naturopathic methods as practiced at John Hopkins School of Medicine and yet doctors throughout the world still prescribe drugs with horrendous side effects that do absolutely no good at all, i.e. they are therapeutically nihilistic and to use them is to over treat a condition for which there is a simple remedy.

The same applies to the treatment of gallstones. Gallstones are formed in the liver and only become apparent when they have moved into the gallbladder, becoming sufficiently calcified as to show up on X-Ray. There is a simply herbal remedy used for thousands of years that can relieve the problem in 24 hours painlessly and cheaply without surgical intervention. To subject patients to surgery is decidedly therapeutic nihilism in the extreme.

Para 4: I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

Doctors practicing modern medicine in America are taught that medicine is a science. Whatever part of their education is dedicated to ?warmth, sympathy, and understanding,? we have no idea, but it is patently obvious, if only from the limited amount of time a doctor gives each patient, that these three qualities are not practiced in the majority of cases. When did your doctor last give you the warmth of a hug of sympathy, or show any true understanding of how you are feeling?

Para 5: I will not be ashamed to say I know not, nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills ! of anoth er are needed for a patient's recovery.

The danger in this statement is that when a doctor does not know what a patient is suffering from, he rarely says so, frequently prescribing treatments for assumed conditions that the patient does not have. His alternative is applied by sending the patient to a specialist. If this isn?t passing the buck, what is? The problem then becomes the specialist, and we?ve known plenty of those who don?t have the answers either. Ask any rheumatologist, ?What causes the disease?? ?Aha,? he will confess, ?We really don?t know??

Para 6: I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

?? play at God!? Now this does bring a smile to the face and a chuckle to the throat. The moment you step into a doctor?s office and ask his assistance, you are asking him to take responsibility for your health care. You, in that moment, are asking him to ?play at God?. Since when did a doctor acknowledge your own culpability and your own responsibility for your health? At that moment, all he/she can do is offer you drug therapy or surgery. As a member of the American Medical Association and the laws this organization has brought about, they can do nothing else. If this is not playing God, what is?

When you do accept responsibility for your own healthcare, does your doctor cooperate with you? Unlikely! When we have explained to our doctors that we don't want a particular drug, or have requested something that has helped us in the past, we have been turned down. Another example of the doctor playing God! We know our bodies and how they respond to medication, our doctors? do not and any treatment offered (! albeit w ith the best of intentions) may not be appropriate for our bodies ? or yours. What happened to freedom of choice, a God-given right?

Para 7: I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

In America, health care is a business of massive proportions backed by the drug houses whose major interest is increasing the profits of shareholders. It does not matter what effect any medical treatment offered has on a ?person's family and economic stability?. Expensive tests will be performed regardless of whether they are needed or not due to the physicians? greater fear of being sued for damages. Medications will be prescribed, treatments recommended, all of which the patient, despite their familial and financial circumstances, will be expected to fund. Very few doctors under this regime take responsibility for such matters. If the treatment kills the patient, what then! It?s a well-known fact that doctors bury their mistakes, or, if they are discovered, get sued for millions of dollars thus increasing the cost of healthcare to the patient. Between them, the doctors and lawyers fleece the poor. Under these circumstances, can doctors really claim they ?care adequately for the sick??

Para 8: I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

Prevention is certainly better for the individual, but two factors are important here. Firstly, the patient goes to the doctor for treatment when they have become ill. The doctor does not prevent illness in his patient because he only becomes activated after the fact, not before. There are no provisions in America for any doctor to ensure that his patients do not become sick in the first place. Secondly, most medications the doctor prescribes do not prevent disease. Many, have side effects that cause other dise! ases, an d can even cause death.

Para 9: I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If we remember rightly, the majority of doctors earn significantly more money than the majority of people in their society. It has always been a prestigious profession from a financial perspective. Can anyone point us to a doctor who goes out of his way to ensure that his patients can prevent themselves from becoming ill, or a doctor who makes financial sacrifices of his own for the infirm? What ?special obligations? are being referred to here? Can anyone tell us?

Para 10: If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

We think you would agree that the majority of doctors enjoy their lives and practice very little art in the diagnosis and treatment of disease whether they do or do not violate the Hippocratic oath.

We submit that the respect doctors receive is out of the fear their patients have of them, rather than for the treatment received.

??respect?? Now why should we respect someone who has a mind so shut that they actually go out of their way to deprive people of homeopathy, naturopathy, Herbalism, etc. Nope! They don?t deserve respect ? they do deserve derision.

??remembered with affection?? What a joke. We don?t think most patients know their physicians well enough to remember them at all given the amount of time their doctor allows them.

A very uplifting last statement to the final clause of the Hippocratic oath, but who do these people think they are kidding? The finest traditions of their calling died long ago. The AMA and the drug houses rule practicing medical professionals! They have no minds or wills of their own in the practice o! f modern medicine. We suspect many of them realize this after they have been in practice for several years. As for the use of the expression ?joy of healing?, we are staggered beyond belief at such arrogance. They heal no one; they simply help the individual?s body to heal itself. Now what could be more hypocritical than that?

The Hippocratic oath is the most hypocritical oath any doctor could take. Not only does it need updating, it needs to take into consideration all other medical practices that are in use today that DO bring relief to the suffering of millions without drugs or surgery. The original meaning, as postulated by Hippocrates, has become meaningless and we?re certain that he?s turning in his grave at what has happened to medical practice, certainly in the last sixty years.

BJ Day and Russ Miles are authors who often challenge conventional mistaken, if even widely accepted beliefs.

BJ Day retired from an active business life to take up writing as a retirment career a few years ago. BJ has recently been invited by Durban House Publishers to sign a three book deal as a writer of note. Expect to see BJ in print soon.

Russ Miles is author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. A ?Seasoned Real Estate NAR? Broker,? disabled by Multiple Sclerosis, Russ writes books & articles on varied subjects. FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback, is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct! Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers.

What do you think? Questions, criticisms or comments can be addressed to bjjayd@gmail.com. For other items and Issues of interest, please visit http://MilesBooks.com

Traditional Herbal Uses for Goldenseal

2008-11-07T07:03:00.001-08:00

Native to the damp woodland areas of the Northeast, goldenseal is one of the top selling medicinal herbs in the North America. Known botanically as Hydrastis canadensis, goldenseal has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. Native Peoples throughout the area recognized the healing potential of this unassuming-looking herb and used it extensively.

Traditional Medical Uses for Goldenseal

Native Americans used goldenseal both medicinally and non-medicinally. The best known non-medicinal use for goldenseal was as a fabric dye.

The Cherokee used goldenseal for inflammation, as a cancer treatment, and to treat digestive problems. The Iroquois used goldenseal to treat diarrhea, to bring down fevers and to treat ear and eye infections.

Other problems treated with goldenseal included whooping cough, heart disease and mouth sores.

Goldenseal Today

By the mid-1800s, goldenseal had become so popular that wild populations of this small perennial began to decline dramatically. In 1997 goldenseal was place on the Endangered Species list and gathering the herb on public lands became illegal. Today, because of continuing demand, many goldenseal products are adulterations using goldenseal leaves instead of the vastly more valuable roots.

Today's herbalists understand that goldenseal is poisonous in large doses so they use the herb sparingly--mainly for its anti-microbial properties. A handful of studies have shown goldenseal to be an effective antibacterial and anti-parasitic. Herbalists prescribe goldenseal to treat bacterial infections, tapeworm infestations, bacteria-caused diarrhea and more.

Current Research

Both of goldenseal's active constituents, berberine and hydrastine, appear to strengthen the circulatory system and berberine has shown significant antispasmodic properties. Additional studies seem to indicate that goldenseal may someday prove effective in the fight against cancer. Berberine has been shown to be toxic to some types of cance! r cells.

Other unproven herbal uses for goldenseal include using it as an immune stimulant, a natural antibiotic and as a digestive tonic.

Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in Empowerment through Education or to take a free online natural health class see her website, http://www.LisaBarger.com

Medical Billing Doctors

2008-11-06T07:03:00.001-08:00

Medical billing doctors play a significant role in medical billing business. Many medical professionals run medical insurance billing services as a side business.

Medical billing doctor's is a profession that combines the job of a doctor and a medical insurance billing professional. Even though, healthcare industry is well established in America, most healthcare providers, especially doctors, have no idea about how to make quick money. Furthermore, health maintenance organization (HMO) and many other insurance companies have reduced remuneration rates to healthcare professionals, and as a result, many doctors have to search for new revenue sources such as medical billing and seeing patients in large volume. They consider medical billing as a convenient means to get paid more. Medical billing doctors offer you services such as claims management, patient billing, receivables management, electronic processing, payroll management services, and receivables management.

As medical insurance billing professionals, doctors also carry some responsibilities. They have to check and send the patient's claim form out to the medical insurance company, and make sure that all the information is correct.

Medical billing doctors need to be well informed on various medical insurance plans, which help them treat their patients according to the best insurance plan. As a medical billing agent, a doctor has to play a more active role in office administration. Doctor's electronic billing services and many online medical billing services assist them in easy processing of patient claims. Lots of medical billing software packages assists doctors in creating patient statements, reprint overdue claims and statistical practice management reports, and electronic billing claims within seconds.

Medical Billing provides detailed information on Medical Billing, Medical Billing Software, Medical Billing Services, Medical Billing Jobs and more. Medical Billing is affiliated with Medical Coding Certification.

Unearth the Weight Loss Values in an Egg

2008-11-05T07:04:00.001-08:00

At the University of Illinois, a new research found that eating high quality protein such as protein found in eggs can help weight loss. An essential amino acid leucine reduces muscle tissue loss, promotes body fat loss and stabilizes blood glucose levels. Two groups of women aged 45 to 57 were put on a 1700 calorie weight loss diets. The first group ate high protein breakfast which had eggs, low fat diary products and lean meat. And the second group had high carbohydrate breakfast. Women who ate rich protein diet showed more weight loss than those on a rich carbohydrate meal. This research finding will help people who are battling with obesity, type2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases.

Have Egg, stay healthy

Many say no to eggs fearing heart problems while some others think staying away from eggs promote their well being. Eggs are one of nature?s most nutritious and versatile foods. Moderate egg consumption should be an integral part of anti-aging diet. Egg contains 200mg cholesterol. Cholesterol is not a fat. It is a waxy, fat like substance needed for maintaining bodily functions. Egg whites are cholesterol free and fat free. And eggs contain the highest quality of proteins you can buy. It is low in sodium and has essential vitamins and minerals. Its amino acids strengthen the body. The American Heart association now recommends an egg a day for healthy living.

More than one egg a day is unhealthy. Egg proteins can also cause allergies in some people. Eggs contain sulfur which can strain your liver and kidneys. The yolk of a single large egg contains 215mg of cholesterol; more than two thirds of the recommended daily value of 300mg. An egg a day can fit in fine if cholesterol from other sources like meat, poultry and diary products is limited.

Barbara Camie
Agriculture Organic Food Specialist
Weight Loss Managment Group

Pubic Lice Crabs

2008-11-04T07:03:00.001-08:00

What are pubic lice crabs?

Pubic lice, often referred to as ?crabs,? are small six-legged parasitic insects. Although most often they are found in the genital area of humans, they can also be found in armpits, mustache, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes. They are found all over the world, and infection is quite common.

Adult female lice lay eggs (called nits), which are attached to hair shafts. The eggs, which are oval shaped and yellow or white, hatch in about 7-10 days. Newly hatched louse are called nymphs. The nymphs mature into adult lice in about 7 days. Adults live for about 30 days, and feed on human blood. If a louse falls off and cannot feed, it will die within 1-2 days.

How are pubic lice crabs spread?

Pubic lice are generally sexually transmitted. They can also be transmitted through physical contact with a contaminated object, such as a toilet seat, sheet or pillow case. They are most often found in adolescents, but can affect anyone of any age.

What are the signs and symptoms?

?Itching, especially in the pubic hair region. The itching is usually worse at night.
?Eggs (nits) or actual adult lice are usually visable.
?Genital lesions can occur due to the bites.
?Lesions can become infected from excessive itching.

How are pubic lice crabs diagnosed?

Pubic lice are diagnosed by examining the external genital region where the infestation is suspected. A trained medical professional will examine the pubic hair for nits, nymphs, or adults. It can be difficult to find nymph or adult lice since there are usually only a few of them, and they move very quickly away from any light. If moving lice cannot seen, then finding nits (gray-white oval eggs) will confirm that the person is infested and needs treatment. Many people try to self-diagnosis. If you are unsure, it is best to have a doctor examine you.

Prevention of pubic lice

You must avoid sexual activity with infected individuals. If you are sexually active, ! use a co ndom, and practice safe sex. Avoid trying on bathing suits when shopping, or wear your underwear under the bathing suit. Good personal hygiene is always helpful.

Pubic lice treatment.

If you acquire pubic lice crabs, get treatment immediately. This will prevent others from contacting it from you. There are many over the counter treatments that are effective against lice. You can ask your pharmacist for specific recommendations.

All linens and clothing should be washed in hot water. All items that cannot be washed should be put in sealed plastic bags for 2 weeks, then opened outdoors. All members of the immediate family, and any other intimate contacts, should be examined for infestation.

Fortunately, pubic lice are easy to kill and eliminate. Usually one treatment will eliminate the problem.

This article was written by Scott Mogul, editor for Healthy Skin Guide . For additional information on pubic lice treatment, please visit http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com

Is Stomach Acid Troubling You?

2008-11-03T07:03:00.001-08:00

The body is a very complex machine. Unfortunately, more often than not, it is taken for granted. While so much is done to fulfill ?the inner desire?, the physical structure is exploited beyond exhaustion with overeating, drugs, alcohol and utter neglect. No wonder, the world is in a state of chaos with over weight and lethargic people increasing in number.

Humans are a greedy bunch! Every human is lead by temptation to over indulge in things that should be done in moderation. And topping the list is overeating.
Gluttony is a worldwide phenomenon and the proof of which can be seen in countless overweight and obese people doing the rounds.

While overeating is a problem, a graver problem, however, is the abundance of unhealthy food and beverages that we all seem to love so much. Thanks to countless fast-food joints and restaurants, eating unhealthy food has become a norm. And with such habits in place, stomach ulcers, heart burn, irregular bowel movements and other stomach ailments will remain a predominant part of everyone?s lives.

Today, every impulsive eater has gone through his share of stomach cramps because of excess acid secretion. At this moment, over-the-counter antacids are a favorite. Pop one in and the problem disappears. But with time, the problem gets graver and the pill stops doing it job, the result ? unhealthy bowel movements.

Pills aside, this problem can only be corrected by eating healthy and in moderation. The trick is to eat six small meals rather than three large ones a day. Also avoiding excessive fat, caffeine and alcohol go a long way in reducing stomach problems.

But it is not as easy as it sounds. Like they say, ?Bad habits die hard.? Therefore, when self motivation fails, Bentyl comes in.

Bentyl (dicyclomine) is an anticholinergic. It prevents spasms in the muscles of the gut and bladder by relaxing them, and reduces the amount of stomach acid produced. So, next time you have overeaten again, make sure you are carr! ying Ben tyl with you. Cheap Bentyl is available online, so buy Bentyl today.

Come to think of it, it is a predisposition of human behavior to indulge in harmful things that later become the cause of discomfort and illness. Only if people stopped this epicurean onslaught, things would have been much better. The sad thing is, it is only when things go way too wrong that regret and wisdom start seeping in the consciousness. And by that time, it is often very late. Don?t let that happen with you. Get smart now!

Anjlina Croft is an associated editor to the website http://www.prescriptionsfirst.com. It?s a online pharmacy company. It is committed to provide visitors with complete information on weight loss, men's health, sexual health, and online prescription drugs like Cialis, Phentermine, Tamiflu, Influenza and Levitra by latest news, personal views, and articles on erectile dysfunction related topics. Your feedback & comments will be highly appreciated at anjlinacroft@gmail.com.

The Benefits of Wheatgrass

2008-11-02T07:03:00.001-08:00

People are beginning to realize the importance of eating healthier and the positive benefits that are derived from a healthy diet. The benefits are many and studies have shown that individuals who eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals suffer less health problems and can even live longer lives.

One of the very latest health trends is healthy drinks and ranking very high in that category is wheatgrass. The name itself may not sound very appealing but there's no denying that the benefits of wheatgrass are hard to ignore.

Probably the most heralded benefits of wheatgrass it is believed to be a cancer fighting agent. Many people strongly believe that the benefits of wheatgrass on cancer are real and that consuming wheatgrass can help in the treatment and even in the prevention of cancer. Cancer, along with heart disease are our biggest killers so anything that aids in preventing them is seen as a positive.

Another benefit of consuming wheatgrass is that it lowers blood pressure. There are many medications regularly prescribed to individuals who have high blood pressure. Many medications can have unpleasant side effects and one of the benefits of wheatgrass is that there are no side effects because of the fact that wheatgrass is completely natural. This is a great alternative for those individuals that suffer from high blood pressure.

We dress is also very effective in helping an individual's digestive system and can be seen as an effective and flushing toxins from the system.

A definite negative of wheatgrass is the taste. Truth be told, it really doesn't taste good at all. Many people don?t find the taste of wheatgrass appealing and even though it?s co! nsumed i n small doses, it can be a struggle to take it. But you can get around this by adding wheatgrass to another, more pleasant tasting drink to make it more appealing. There are several nutritional drink companies that offer wheatgrass as an ingredient in a smoothie. The benefits of wheatgrass in this form are that the taste is disguised and you have a much easier time ingesting it. Another thing to keep in mind is the one you drink wheatgrass you do it in small doses.

There are some cosmetic benefits of wheatgrass. It is also believed that wheatgrass actually retards or slows the graying of hair. And of course with our youth crazed culture this is definitely a desirable that.

It can also be seen as an effective fighter of tooth decay. Your teeth are the focal point of your smile and when they sparkle and shine you are presenting your best self to the world.

The benefits of wheatgrass are many and really the only negative does it taste, but that's not the worst thing in the world as it? Although it should never be seen as a substitute for a balanced diet, the benefits of wheatgrass consumption can go a long way in offering you greater health.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of health and beauty. You can get interesting and informative information here at Benefits of Wheatgrass

HeadachesHome Remedies and Lifestyle Changes That Work

2008-11-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

Americans spend more than $4 billion each year on over-the-counter pain relief for headaches, says Rita Mullin at healthdiscovery.com. Migraine sufferers alone lose more than 157 million workdays to headache and related symptoms each year and other garden-variety headaches are responsible for another 2.8 million lost workdays. Time lost from work and resulting medical expenses due to headaches are estimated to cost American industry $50 billion each year.

Not to mention the pain and suffering.

Yet often simple lifestyle and habit changes can make a difference in the frequency and severity of headaches. Here are several things you can try with very little effort or expense:

Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is common, affecting perhaps a quarter of the adult population. The ability to survive on little sleep seems to be a skill that elevates us to superhuman status; yet the fact remains that humans need a certain amount of sleep to function properly. How much is enough may vary somewhat from individual to individual, but most experts agree that adults need at least seven hours per night. Sleep less, and you will suffer.

Control your stress factors. This is a big enough topic for an entire book, but just being aware of how you react to stressors in your life may help you avoid headaches. Even the facial expressions you habitually wear can make a difference; for example, frowning and clenching your teeth can definitely cause headaches. When you're under stress, be aware of your breathing. Are you hyperventilating or holding your breath? Practice breathing slowly and deeply.

Experiment with your diet. Some foods can trigger migraines. Migraine sufferers might benefit from avoiding aged cheeses, such as Brie, Gruyere, and cheddar; alcohol; and black tea. So can many food additives, such as MSG. Coffee--because it contains caffeine, a vasoconstrictor--can relieve a headache; conversely, suddenly stopping or cutting back on caffeine consumption can cause a headache. And don't ! skip mea ls--that can trigger a headache.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, and remember that caffeine is a diuretic; the more caffeinated beverages you drink, the more water you will need to replace the fluids. Also note that drinking alcohol is doubly harmful, for besides being a direct cause of headaches, it is also a diuretic. So are sugary drinks. Stick with water as much as possible.

Keep your feet warm. This is obviously more of an issue in the winter. Keeping your feet well covered with socks and closed shoes will draw blood away from your head to your feet, thus relieving the blood pressure in your head. At night, cover your feet with plenty of layers at the foot of your bed; you might consider wearing socks to bed.

Use heat and cold to your advantage. When the headaches starts, applying an ice pack to your head (on the top of your head or your forehead) can provide quick relief. If that sounds too uncomfortable, soaking your feet in hot water can have the same effect; some people have had success with soaking their feet alternately in hot and cold water. Try applying a heating pad to your neck. Finally, try taking a hot bath.

Check your lighting. This too is more of an issue in winter, with its short days and indirect light. It's worse for people who work in windowless buildings, unwittingly subjecting themselves to concentrated doses of artificial light. If this is your situation, spend as much time as you can outdoors, especially in the middle of the day, or at least indoors near a window. Finally, if you have any fluorescent lights in your home or workplace, do your best to replace them all with full-spectrum lights, available in a wide variety of fixture styles.

Try massage and/or biofeedback. A massage can relieve stress by relaxing the muscles in your neck and other parts of your body. Biofeedback also can be effective in preventing and relieving headaches by changing and controlling the body's vital functions such as temperature, muscle tension, and blood flow. I! n therma l biofeedback, commonly used for migraines, relaxation techniques are used to increase blood flow to the extremities.

In some cases, prescription medications and, as a last resort, surgery may provide the only relief. Only your healthcare provider can say for sure. Yet these eight fairly simple and do-able tips are definitely worth a try. They may save you your share of that $54 billion spent on pain relievers and lost productivity each year.

? Lisa J. Lehr 2006

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer and Internet marketer specializing in direct response and marketing collateral. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health, pets, and conservative issues.
Please visit her blog at http://hopeforheadaches.blogspot.com
If you?re looking for a copywriter, go to http://www.justrightcopy.com Just Right Copy--because words sell.

Fat Breast Treatments For An Improved Female Body Shape

2008-10-31T08:03:00.001-07:00

It's one thing to be "curvaceous", the so-called ideal female body shape. It's quite another thing to have big fat breast woes. For some women, and even younger girls just in their teenage years, fat breast issues reflect family heredity which can be next to impossible to reverse.

Fortunately, the "market" has come to your rescue, with a range of low impact minimally invasive breast fat reduction treatments as well as the highly popular gold standard cosmetic surgery options.

How To Lose Breast Fat - Low Impact Minimally Invasive. Face it. Large pendulous breasts not only spoil the balance of your female body shape, but out-sized breasts create a literal strain on your neck and upper back from the sheer forward-hanging weight. Just one hundred years ago, women and their physicians began the drive to get control over the huge fat breast syndrome, with the initial foray into cosmetic surgical "fat harvesting". Considerably less invasive breast fat reduction technologies have come onto market.

* Lipodissolve - Dissolving Breast Fat. Since the 1950s various FDA approved fat-lowering compounds have been subjected to new applications, departing from the cholesterol focus of cardio-vascular health and moving now into the cosmetic body contouring field. By the late 1980s, European researchers established performance results for reducing breast fat, along with other low volume localized body fat areas, using Lipodissolve. An 'off label' application of FDA approved formulations, Lipodissolve harnesses enzymes plus mild medications for injection directly into your breast fat treatment area. Result? Breast fat cells swell up, harden after a short period, then break down for easy elimination by your body. Find out more about treatments, costs, risk by using the resource links below.

* "Light Energy" - Ultrasound To Melt Breast Fat. Using an ultrasound device very similar to those used to create fetal images from inside a pregnant mom's wo! mb, phys icians can now use a carefully calibrate ultrasonic wavelength in order to bombard breast fat cells accumulating just below the skin. Your breast fat cells are relatively less complex when compared to nearby glandular tissue and nerve fiber and blood vessels, so they rapidly absorb this "new energy" which is reflected by the other cell types. Result? You might render as much as 1 to 2 pounds of drooping breasts fat. Learn how Vaser ultrasound body fat loss works, costs, typical treatment plans in the resource links.

Gold Standard Breast Augmentation Surgery. When breast fat volumes are considered medium to large, then you'll get dramatic body shaping results from breast reduction surgery. You'll need a prior health screening exam, plus you'll want to carefully consider the amount of breast fat reduction necessary to create a smaller firmer more balanced breast shape for your body. Breast augmentation surgery has become quite sophisticated, where exact amounts of fat, glandular tissue and sagging loose skin can be "harvested", with minimal scarring and post-op down time.

Male Breast Reduction. Contemporary lifestyle, diet and insufficient time for exercise and fitness have resulted in many men exhibiting excess breast fat. Good news, however, is that many cosmetic surgeons now offer male breast reduction or gynecomastia surgery in order to help men create a more manly breast shape.

Learn more on how to lose breast fat, selecting surgeons and treatment styles, costs and patient financing options, health risks and more as you take positive steps towards an enhanced female body image.

Breast Augmentation Options: http://www.beauty2morrow.com/breast/

Ultrasound Body Contouring: http://www.beauty2morrow.com/body/ultrasound.htm

Author Robin Derry is publisher for http://www.beauty2morrow.com/, a specialty information site that gives solutions to body image and body shaping needs.

Botox: The Wrinkle Killer Strikes Again

2008-10-30T23:03:00.001-07:00

The discovery of Botox: the wonder product that turns back the clock - happened by accident.

In the 1820s, a German doctor, Justinus Kerner began experimenting with Botulinum toxin; a toxic protein produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism (a deadly form of food poisoning, that thrives in home-canned food and has caused many deaths through the centuries).

But Kerner wanted to make use of the bacterium?s muscle-weakening qualities for therapeutic use. His work laid the foundation for the discovery that the toxin could be used to relieve muscle spasms ?specifically, by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that tells muscles when to contract.

Inspired by this discovery, a dermatologist and ophthomologist, Alistair and Jean Carruthers, began injecting patients mainly for muscular disorders of the eye, and the results were successful. When her assistant suggested she inject her pronounced frown area, between the eyebrows, above the nose (referred to as ?glabellar lines?). A phenomenon was born.

At first people were horrified that a poison would be used to take away their wrinkles. What were the risks? What needs to be clarified is that you?re injecting a product of the botulism bacterium in the same way that penicillin is a product of a mold. Most antibiotics are natural products of other micro-organisms, and Botox is no different.

The Treatment Approved
In 1989 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved Botox? for treatment of crossed eyes and uncontrollable blinking (Blepharospams) and in 2000 for a neurological movement disorder known as cervical dystonia. In 2002 it was approved for a single cosmetic procedure: reduction of glabellar lines (frown lines).

Botox? works for three to six months depending on the dosage and physiology. But in tiny quantities, the toxin acts as a muscle-relaxing agent by blocking the release of acetylcholine in the nerve endings. It is administered by units, each! equalin g precisely the dose it takes to kill a mouse. A typical cosmetic treatment is 20 units per ?site?.

Although, treating glabellar lines constitutes the only cosmetic use indicated by the FDA and Allergan, doctors routinely inject other facial areas: crow?s feet around the eyes, laugh lines, and creases near the nose. Once injected, practitioners contend, the toxin ?spreads? by no more than a quarter-inch.

Products And Uses
Botox? for aesthetic use is marketed as Botox/Botox Cosmetic or Vistabel? depending on the country of approval.

As of March 2006, Botox? from Allergan, Inc. (Irvine, Calif., U.S.) received approval in the U.K. for cosmetic use (glabellar/frown lines) and will be marketed as Vistabel?, following in the footsteps of other European countries including France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and most recently Germany as well. Botox? or Vistabel? has cosmetic approval in 30 countries worldwide.

Another development that is heating up among neurotoxins, is the introduction of Xeomin? (Merz Pharmaceuticals), another botulinum toxin type A, currently approved across Europe for blepharospams (a debilitating condition that causes patients to have uncontrolled eyelid twitching and blinking) and cervical dystonia (sustained contractions cause abnormal posture of the head and neck, while periodic spasms produce jerky head movements. The severity may vary from mild to severe.) Xeomin was introduced in Germany in July 2005. There is also an assortment of preparations from China and Korea flooding the market.

Myobloc? from Solstice Neurosciences (Malvern, Pa., U.S.) which is botulinum toxin type B is currently approved in the U.S. and Canada for the treatment of cervical dystonia. It is marketed in Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom as NeuroBloc?. A! lthough considered effective, it has a more rapid onset of action and a shorter duration of effect and is not widely used for cosmetic uses.

The Cosmetic and Ophthalmic Surgery Centre (COS) is a premier day surgery clinic located in London. A special BOTOX offer is available until end June 2006. Please note that treatment prices vary depending on how many areas are treated. This offer entitles you to a Botox treatment at a cost of only ?150.00. The Botox alternative is a welcome one to many individuals who have concerns about more invasive cosmetic surgical procedures.

Alternative Medicine: Pressure Remedies that Heal You

2008-10-29T23:03:00.001-07:00

Alternative medicine is a recent term to something that has been a part of human existence from old. From the times of early man to the present day instinct and reason has taught humans many thing. The best advice for anyone wanting to adopt alternate medicine is

?Understand the rationale and limitations of the type of alternate medicine you choose.

?Natural used any place does not necessarily mean safe.

?Body constitution differs from person to person. What works for someone else may not work for you. Do not get influenced by personal anecdotes from different persons.

?If you are on other allopathic drugs then alternate medicine may have a harmful reaction. Some combinations of different medicines may be dangerous.

?Consult your family doctor and few other learned/informed persons before embarking on an alternate healing remedy.

Pressure remedies of alternative therapy

Acupuncture: This is a procedure where specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes. The idea is to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.

Acupressure: Like acupuncture it is a traditional Chinese medical technique. They have the same principle. It involves physical pressure by hand, elbow or various devices for therapeutic value.

Fire cupping: This method involves applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. It is done by placing a glass, plastic, or bamboo cups on the skin and creating a vacuum with fire used to heat the air inside the cup. When the air cools it creates a vacuum at the acupressure point.

Moxibustion: A cone of dried wormwood leaves or ?Moxa? a traditional Chinese medicine is used to relieve pain. It is usually burnt close to the skin or on top of the acupuncture needle.

Reflexology: A method of massage therapy done on the feet that relieves nervous tension through the application of finger pressure. It is also known as zone therapy.

Shiatsu : This is a Japanese form of therapeutic mas! sage in which pressure is applied with the thumbs and palms to those areas of the body used in acupuncture.

Acupoint therapy: This is an extension of Akupunkt Massage. The acupuncture points or meridians are stimulated with a therapy stick. It does not used needles or pressure that is used in shiatsu.

Chiropractic: A medical practice where the pressure on the nerves is relieved to treat some ailment. Exercise, application of heat, cold and light as well as massage and manipulation by hand is some techniques used.

Manipulative therapy: It is a mixture of therapies like massage therapy, osteopathy and chiropractic. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed therapeutic massage therapy or manipulative therapy.

1.Among the host of alternative therapies like Chelation Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Gene Therapy, Heat Therapy, Homeopathy , Crystal & Gem therapy, Flower Remedies, Hydrotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Music Therapy, Naturopathy etc. Some are new and has basis in science others are ancient and are being rediscovered by science.

http://www.alternateheals.com is a site that is comprehensive in major alternate medical remedies. Chelation therapy , Cognitive therapy, gene therapy, etc. are some of the few described on the site.

New Treatment for Diabetes

2008-10-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

While new treatments for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are being developed all the time, none of these have withstood the ultimate test ? of time.

Treatments offered for diabetes are dependent on a number of factors:

? The type of diabetes diagnosed

? The length of time an individual has been diabetic

? In the case of women ? pregnancy

? Whether insulin has already been used in significant amounts, to treat the condition

Type 1 diabetes sufferers have only one treatment at the time, the injection of insulin. In type 1 a diabetic who do not take the insulin they need and who allow high levels of glucose to build up in their blood, risk their lives.

Insulin is still usually injected into the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin, implantable insulin pumps are now available, from where it is absorbed into the blood stream for immediate use. However, research is ongoing to try alternative treatment forms and ways of delivering the insulin to the body, one of them is the the delivery of insulin through inhalation. The insulin is prepared in a dry micro fine powder form which is inhaled directly into the lungs from where it is absorbed into the blood stream, but this nor any form, as yet, widely available.

Type 2 diabetes is different. Type 2 usually develops in older individuals and there appears to be a correlation between obesity, and there is a great increase in developement of type 2 in younger childeren who are obese and who don't exercise. This connection gives the first clue to the simplest form of treatment for type 2 diabetes ? diet and exercise.

Type 2 diabetics may find that the only treatment required to control their diabetes is a change in their diet and increase the amount of exercise in their lives. This is more likely if the diabetes is diagnosed at an early stage before insulin levels have dropped too dramatically or tissue has become too resistant to insulin uptake.

When diet and lifestyle changes alone are not enough to control ! the diab etes, medication will needed. This is often in pill form and is sometimes in a combination of pills. There are basically two kinds of by-mouth medication ? those that stimulate the pancreas to produce and release more insulin and those that block or inhibit the release and absorption of glucose into the blood stream. It is important that these drugs are taken exactly as advised ? with the instructions often differing between types and brands.

As with all health conditions in the twenty first century, there are an increasing number of alternative and complementary therapies now being promoted which, while interesting, need to be approached with caution.

One of the new treatments now being made available is a drug based on the saliva of a venomous lizard ? the Gila Monster. The drug containing this new treatment is delivered by injection in much the same way as insulin but early trials have seen many participants withdraw because of an increase in side effects when compared to those caused by insulin. All research so far undertaken has been sponsored by the pharmaceutical company that produces this drug.

In 2005 researchers reported some success in treating patients with type 1 diabetes with an antibody called ChAglyCD3 that appears to preserve some of the valuable beta cells within the pancreas to permit some insulin production and release. Treatment with this antibody slows the progression of the autoimmune response and the associated destruction of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. As with all treatments side effects have been reported and the treatment has yet to be proven as safe.

Genetic research continues into the causes of diabetes with some researchers claiming success in identifying the gene responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes. Geneticists hope that further research will assist diabetics through the development of the following possible treatments:

A diabetes vaccine. Experiments are already being carried out on animals to test a vaccination! against the autoimmune response that causes type 1 diabetes.

Scientists have already used genetic engineering to make liver cells that produce insulin. Unfortunately, although insulin is produced there is no internal control mechanism as there is with the pancreas, so the insulin levels from such cells remains constant regardless of the body's requirement for this hormone.

There is an enormous amount of research into the therapeutic use of stem cells. Stem cells are the very basic building blocks of the human body and have the ability to develop into any kind of cell.

It is possible that researchers will find a way to use stem cells to make insulin producing cells to replace those that have been damaged by the autoimmune problem that causes type 1 diabetes.

As with the other treatments, these need much more research.

All new treatments offer hope for the future but the effectiveness of any of them will not be fully appreciated until they have been tested over time.

Of course one of the best treatments remains eduction, To that end, there are numerous sources for you to get the information you need about the disease, how to treat it, and any other questions that you may have.

The National Diabetes Education Program is a great example of a place to get accurate information about this disease.

Located online at www.ndep.nih.gov, this institute represents a coalition of public and private organizations, partnered with the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This site is a great resource for learning about diabetes and what it means to your health. That being said, here is some basic information regarding diabetes.

Come Get More Life Improving Information About Diabetes Including Symptoms, Signs, Dietary Information and Treatments.

Crohn's Disease Symptoms and Treatment

2008-10-28T23:03:00.001-07:00

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. The disease is also called granulomatous enteritis, colitis, regional enteritis, regional ileitis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis and it causes ulcerations of the small and large intestine. The disease can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus, but distinctively affects the terminal ileum as well as demarcated areas of large bowel. The disease is named after the American physician, Burrill Bernard Crohn (1884?1983), who described the disease in 1932.

Crohn?s Disease Symptoms

Crohn's disease symptoms may include:

Chronic diarrhea & disrupted digestion: It becomes difficult for the patients in the acute phase of the disease to eat and/or digest food.
Painful and debilitating inflammation
Fistulas of the colon
Hemorrhoids
Lipid absorption problems
Anemia: Persistent rectal bleeding may lead to anemia.
Bruising of the shins.
Fever, pain and psychological damage in many cases
Crohn's disease in children may cause delayed development and stunted growth.

Crohn?s Disease Treatment

Crohn's disease treatment may include medication, surgery, dietary advice and Helminthic therapy (current research).

Medication Treatment

Acute treatment: steroids are used in the initial stages. Long-term steroid therapy is discouraged because of their side effects. Corticosteroids like prednisone are traditionally used medications. The side effects of steroids may include insulin resistance and frank diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), glaucoma, osteoporosis, severe psychological issues etc.

Chronic treatment (Steroid-sparing): The treatment may include Salicylates - 5-ASA derivates - 5-aminosalicylic acid compounds such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine?, Salazopyrin?), mesalamine (Pentasa?, Asacol?), olsalazine, and balsalazide. Immunomodulating drugs such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate are given mainly in moderate-to! -severe cases. Infliximab (brand name Remicade?) is given in patients with therapy-resistant or fistulating Crohn's. Adalimumab (brand name Humira?) has been used in patients who show allergic reaction to infliximab. The drugs like thalidomide are under study trials.

Surgery

In the case of widespread intractable Crohn's colitis, the colon and rectum (protocolectomy) are removed by the surgery ileostomy. Surgery is generally avoided, as this does not cure the disease. Crohns disease can recur at the site of the anastomosis or ileostomy.

Dietary Advice

Crohn?s patients should avoid the following foods and liquids:

Dairy foods
High fiber foods should be avoided during flare-ups.
Hot spicy foods
Alcohol & caffeine
Foods containing saturated fats, found in meat and dairy products. However some fats such as in fish oil may actually be helpful.
Products containing corn or gluten, those made from wheat, oats, barley, or triticale
Foods, such as soy, eggs, peanuts and tomatoes
Gas-producing foods such as cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts), dried peas and lentils, onions and chives, peppers and carbonated drinks
Foods that may irritate the intestine (particularly the cabbage family vegetables)
Simple sugars
Dried fruits or high-sugar fruits, such as grapes, watermelon, or pineapple
Sorbitol (an artificial sweetener)

Beneficial Foods:

Fluids to keep the body hydrated and prevent constipation
Fruits may be protective
A high protein diet with lean meats

Advice:

Eat small frequent meals
Prebiotics such as psyllium may help in the healing process.
Probiotics may also be helpful in aiding recovery of the intestines.

Helminthic Therapy

Recent studies have come up with a promising Crohn?s disease and ulcerative colitis treatment. Helminthic therapy is a new treatment that has shown impressive results in clini! cal tria ls. It argues that the absence of intestinal worms (due primarily to higher hygiene standards) from the human intestinal tract may cause the immune system that is not evolutionary adapted to this condition, to over-react causing inflammation and other negative effects, and that reintroducing helminths through ingesting eggs of a certain species (which is not dangerous to humans) can help down regulate and normalize immune responses.

Helminthic therapy like the fecal bacterio therapy induces a characteristic TH2 white cell response in the diseased areas which seems to be the key in achieving and maintaining remission, and may prove to be of key significance in further research.

Paul MacIver writes about health conditions including IBS and Crohn's Disease. If you found this article helpful, please visit the Crohn?s Disease website. You may freely reprint this article as long as nothing is changed, bio is included and all links are made active.

Shea Butter Lip Balm No Petroleum Jelly

2008-10-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Natural Lip Balm Vs the Other Kind

Lip balm has been around for over 100 years. But it took a wrong turn right at the beginning. The inventor of lip balm, Dr. C. D. Fleet, started an unfortunate trend by using petroleum jelly in his Chap Stick lip balm, and it's only become clear in recent years just how ineffective petroleum jelly is as a lip balm. At best, since petroleum jelly isn't absorbed by the skin, it provides only a short-term fix for dry, chapped lips. And since it keeps the skin from breathing, it can -- if used frequently -- actually make your lips more chapped. If you?re looking for a lip balm that can actually heal chapped lips you should consider lip balm made with shea butter. Shea butter's effect on the skin is different from that of petroleum jelly. Instead of lying inert on the surface of the lips, it is absorbed by the skin cells. Because it improves the moisture retention capacity of your lips, your lips become dry and chapped much less frequently.

Why Shea Butter Lip Balm Works

In early adulthood, all of our skin cells -- including those in our lips -- begin to become more porous and less elastic. If shea butter -- a substance that both moisturizes the skin and restores the skin cells' elasticity -- is applied to the lips, then not only are the cells hydrated, but they gradually regain their natural elasticity so that they are better able to keep moisture from escaping. Because unrefined shea butter contains both a high moisturizing fraction and an extraordinarily high healing fraction, it is a wonderful agent for revitalizing our skin cells so that they get back their moisture retention capacity.

Why Petroleum-based Lip Balm Doesn't Work

Petroleum-based lip balm doesn't pretend to fix the problem that causes dry chapped lips. Instead, it basically acts as a band-aid -- slightly moisturizing the surface of the lips and trapping the moisture there, thus temporarily making the lips less dry. But to keep your lips moist using petroleum-based lip balm, ! you need to frequently reapply the lip balm. Well you might as well just lick your lips all the time -- that has the same temporary effect, it's a lot cheaper, and it doesn't run the risk that bacteria will be trapped between the greasy lip balm and the skin, causing further irritation and even infection.

Cause of Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are, of course, the result of our lips being too dry. Everyone experiences dry chapped lips at one time or another, but some of us have a severe and chronic problem. The explanation for severe and chronic dry lips is that our skin has lost its moisture retention capacity. As a consequence, our lips become easily chapped. The chapping further reduces the moisture retention capacity and this vicious circle results in the problem becoming chronic and increasingly severe. Whether you just have occasional chapping or chronic and severe chapping, shea butter lip balm is a good choice since it enhances the skin?s moisture retention properties.

John McDermott provides information about the various uses of shea butter on his website http://www.karitegold.com. And he provides additional details about shea butter lip balm.

Flax Seed The Latest Super Food

2008-10-27T08:03:00.001-07:00

Why Flax Seed?

Flax seed seems to be popping up everywhere. In my own daily life I see people consuming it at the gym as a nutrition supplement, I see people grinding it and topping their salads with it. Flax seed is used for it's fiber content along with it's containing the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid. The fiber of course we all know to be necessary for proper function of the digestion system and for regular bowel function. Most questions arrive with the omega-3 alpha linolenic acid. Benefits of the omega-3 are seen in the heart, hair, nails, joints and skin. Most importantly it fights hormone influenced cancers such as breast and colon cancer.

Are all forms of flax seed the same?

NO! They are not. All forms of flax seed have particular health benefits but not all forms contain the fiber, protein and omege-3 fatty acids. Milled flax seed often contains only the fiber and protein of the flax seed as the oils have all been extracted to leave the dry powder. This is great for some cooking purposes but the health benefits of the flax seed have been greatly diminished. The omega-3 is the most beneficial portion of the flax seed. Flax seed oils are very popular and contain the omeg-3 acids but do not contain the fiber, lignan or protein. There are hi-lignan oils that have had the pulp put back into the oil after crushing.

For the most comprehensive health benefits the whole flax seed contains all of the benefits offered by the flax seed. The best way to get all of the contents of flax is to include the whole grain into your daily diet. Flax seed can be easily ground at home with a small hand-held grinder that is available from most flax seed providers.

Visit this link to purchase organic Flax Seed.

Natural Prevention of Prostate Cancers

2008-10-26T23:03:00.001-07:00

Prostate cancer is one of the three very common prostate diseases. Many experts estimate that every man will eventually develop cancer of prostate if he lives long enough.

Natural prevention of prostate cancers begins with the habit of maintaining urinary tract as clean as is possible. A daily fluid intake to as much as 8 to 12 glasses will increase the urine amount. When you are drinking enough, you are urinating more often than usual. Eliminated extra fluids help maintaining the urinary tract clean. Since the prostate is involved seminal fluid producing, there is a strong belief that regular ejaculations - two or three times weekly - will also help. There is no much scientific proof of this, but it is risk-free.

Diet is also a factor.

Avoid red meat. There is a strong correlation between high red meat consumption - more than four servings weekly - and the development of prostate cancer.
Eat cereals - wheat, oats and bran - as a good source of protein
For the prevention of cancer as well as for healing, eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Include in the diet apples, all kinds of berries, fresh cantaloupe, watermelons, zucchini, carrots, pumpkin (seeds tea especially), parsley, squash and yams.
Increase the zinc intake using Wheat Germ oil, Wheat Germ and Oatmeal.
Tomatoes, eat tomatoes as much as you can.

Massage

Lying down on the bed, face up, massage the lower abdomen just above the base of the penis. Be gentle, you should feel some pressure, but not pain.
Massage each leg about 5 minutes/day to stimulate reflexology points.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues affecting men like prostate cancer prevention.

Blood Pressure: Understand It Control It (Preferably with Diet)

2008-10-26T08:03:00.001-07:00

Your heart pumps blood through your arteries, and the force this creates on your arteries is called your blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured by counting your pulse when a cuff is tightened around your arm, and again when it is loosened. This gives you two blood pressure numbers: systolic, that measures blood pressure when your heart contracts, and the much lower diastolic, when your heart relaxes.

When your heart contracts, it pushes a huge amount of blood forward to your arteries. Your arteries are supposed to act like balloons and expand to accept the blood and prevent your blood pressure from rising too high. Having plaques in your arteries stiffens them and prevents them from expanding when your heart contracts, causing your blood pressure to rise higher than normal. The stiffer your arteries become, the higher your blood pressure rises. The intense pressure on artery walls from high blood pressure can cause damage that provides ideal places for even more plaque to accumulate. It?s a vicious circle -- high blood pressure continues to cause plaque build-up, which narrows the arteries and increases the blood pressure even more.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease, yet it can go completely unnoticed for years because you usually don?t feel anything when your pressure is up. The systolic (contraction) blood pressure is more of a concern than the diastolic (relaxation) blood pressure as an indicator of your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Your risk is increased further if you also have high blood cholesterol, sugar or insulin, an enlarged heart, or if you are overweight. Over time, high blood pressure can cause serious damage to your cardiovascular system, your kidneys and other organs.

Check your blood pressure yourself at your local pharmacy, or buy your own blood pressure cuff (they're not expensive.) If your blood pressure is frequently over 120/80, check with your doctor. Read my reports about the ! DASH die t, which can control blood pressure in 80 percent of people with hypertension. It's explained in The Good Food Book and in the Heart Health section of my web site (see the links below.)

Read my Good Food Book FREE, with 100 healthful recipes.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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How To Activate Your Immune System To Heal and Protect Your Body

2008-10-25T23:03:00.001-07:00

In our technologically advanced society, why have the advocates of traditional medicine not found a cure for the common cold?

The reason is that the common cold is not the problem; it is only the effect or symptom of the underlying problem.

And what is the underlying problem?

Stress.

Dr. Bruce Lipton, a cellular biologist at Stanford University Medical School, clinically proved in landmark research in 1998 that 95% of all our illnesses are caused by stress.

And why have the practioners and researchers of traditional medicine failed to realize that?

The reason is that the supporters of traditional medicine still maintain that the universe is material at its core; and therefore they continue to treat the symptoms rather than the invisible causes because the symptoms are material and palpable. And they continue to do so 81 years after physicists discovered in 1925 that atoms were made out of energy. So if energy makes atoms, and atoms make molecules, and molecules make cells, and cells make us, then we, too, are energy.

The supporters of traditional medicine have also been wrong about what causes stress. Stress is not caused by our external environment; stress is caused by what we perceive our external environment to be. For example, darkness may cause stress in one person; whereas it has no affect on another person.

Our autonomic nervous systems are our bodies' control center for stress. Our autonomic nervous systems are divided into the parasympathetic nervous systems and the sympathetic nervous systems.

Our parasympathetic nervous systems control our bodies' involuntary functions such as our immune systems, digestive systems, cardiovascular systems, neurological systems, and reproductive systems. During this normal body functioning, our cells are in a growth mode and our bodies' immune systems are healing our bodies.

Our sympathetic nervous systems are activated when we perceive danger, whether real or imagined; and that perception of danger ! causes o ur stress. As our bodies ready themselves for immediate physical activity, they are now in a fight or flight mode. Our sympathetic nervous systems send adrenalin, glucose, and oxygen to our organs most active in warding off danger. Our cells now shift from a growth mode to a self-protection mode. And when our cells are in a self-protection mode, our immune systems shut down and are no longer available to heal our bodies. But when stress disappears, our autonomic nervous systems automatically shift our cells back into growth mode; and our immune systems are available again to heal our bodies. Our bodies are now in homeostasis or normal body functioning.

But what happens if stress remains in our bodies? If stress remains in our bodies, whether or not we are conscious of it, our cells remain in a self-protection mode, and illness, disease, and disorder manifests.

So how do we eradicate stress from our bodies? How do we return our cells to growth mode? How do we activate our immune systems to again heal and protect our bodies?

We do this by healing or changing our destructive pictures.

Dr. Pierce Howard in his landmark book, The Owner's Manual for the Brain, shows that all our information is stored in the form of pictures and that pictures are the primary source from which everything else flows.

So what occurs if we are burdoned with numerous destructive pictures? Our destructive pictures create wrong beliefs which in turn causes our stress; and stress, according to Dr. Lipton, is the cause of 95% of all our illnesses.

Therefore by healing or changing our destructive pictures, we can eradicate stress from our bodies, return our cells to growth mode (and according to Dr. Lipton, a cell in growth mode is healthy and impervious to disease), and activate our immune systems to again heal and protect our bodies. And that leads us to wellness, peace, happiness, and true abundance.

Click here to learn about a healing technique that will completely revolutionize the health fi! eld htt p://immune--system.blogspot.com

Endurance Training Philosophy

2008-10-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

I've always been interested and fascinated with what works and what does not work when it comes to endurance training. I've seen and heard many different philosophies and methods as to what works and how an endurance athlete should train. Of course, many roads lead to Rome and there are without a doubt many different ways to succeed. I would certainly say that the training culture in northern Europe is a bit different maybe then what it is in Southern or Eastern Europe. I will try and sum up what I've learned, observed and heard with regards to the Norwegian method vs. Continental Europe. Endurance training methodology in Norway consists of some key items:

1. As much as possible of the training is done outside, year round. Irrespective of weather conditions. We compete outside, so we train outside. We have access to some of the best natural training terrain in the world and use it well. As a side-benefit, if you are used to training in bad weather, you compete better in bad weather. One of the reasons for this obsession with outdoor training activities is simply that most citizens from a very young age is taught the joy of being outside, enjoying nature.

2. Cross-training. It is generally more accepted that an endurance athlete can improve his performance by using cross-training. In other words, a cyclist can become better by running, hiking and cross country skiing. He does not necessarily only have to ride his bike. This belief also allows us to train outside year round in a country that might not have 100% optimal conditions for cycling in the winter. In southern Europe the general feeling is that a cyclist can only become better by riding his bike. Running or skiing is a waste of time.

3. Long rides at medium intensity vs. shorter rides at high intensity. Traditionally, endurance training at home has been overwhelmingly dominated by lots and lots of long, relatively easy sessions and very few hard, high intensity sessions. In a nut-shell this would make up the yearly training pro! gram for cross country skiers, long distance runners and cyclists. It has become very hip recently to discard these long, easy rides and label them as a waste of time. Some scientists have gone as far as to say that this type of training is entirely wrong. Instead, they suggest more hard, threshold sessions and intervals. This they say, regardless of the fact that most successful elite endurance athletes, regardless of sport, never trained this way.

I will defend the traditional method and here is why: For an endurance athlete, about 90-98% of the performance is aerobic. The remaining 2-10% are anaerobic. So, in a 4 hour competition, as much as 3.92 hours would be aerobic and 0.08 hours would be anaerobic. In other words, you can train to improve your performance in the 3.92 hours or you can train to improve your performance in the 0.08 hours. Obviously, the potential for improvement is much greater in the 3.92 hours that are performed aerobically. Not to mention that the 0.08 hours of anaerobic performance is not that trainable / improvable. So, in short - traditional endurance training with about 90% of the total training volume per year focused on aerobic capacity (long rides with low-medium intensity) and the remaining 10% invested in intervals and tempo rides is more beneficial. The long, easy-moderate intensity rides (called langkj?ring in Norwegian) improves certain key physical attributes: increase incellularr mitochondria, improvement of the capillary blood vessel network and an increase in aerobic enzymes. These long rides also improves the body's ability to utilize fat as an energy, leaving the more fast-burning carbohydrate energy for the short bursts of power in a race.

Even with these facts, many modern coaches are not recommending young athletes to focus on these long rides. A simplified way to look at an effective endurance athlete's weekly training program, following traditional endurance training is: Hard, easy, easy, Hard, easy, easy. On a weekly basis it would be Hard, Harder, Har! dest, Ea sy, in regards to volume.

4. Athlete vs. coach / team. I think we have been successful in treating each athlete as an individual and listening to the athlete. Just because you have a team of top, elite performers, does not mean that each one will not have specific individual needs. And those needs may vary from week to week or month to month. One training program will only fit one athlete, you cannot design one program and suggest that everyone follows it. Individual variables such as illness, recovery rates etc will throw that whole system off. Eastern European nations on the other hand have notnecessarilyy believed in this. They have required all athletes on the national team to follow the same training program, regardless of individual variables. This has in effect, lead to eastern European countries falling 10-15 years behind the curve.

A great example is the old Soviet cross country ski team and their training program. Between May and September everyone on the team had to follow this plan: Monday - 35 km rollerski in the morning and 1.5 hour run in the terrain in the afternoon. Tuesday - 2.5 hour run, uphill in the morning and 1.6 hour rollerski in the afternoon. Wednesday - 2.5 hour rollerski in the morning and 1 hour easy run in the afternoon. Thursday -strengtht-training and easy recovery training. Friday - 2.5 hours hard run in the morning and 1.5 hours rollerski in the afternoon. Saturday - 3 hour run or rollerski Sunday - rest with lots of sleep. In addition, they were forced to sleep at certain times. In other words, no consideration for the individual athlete. This program lead to great success for the athletes that fit the program and no success for the individual that needed something different. Many talentedskierss never realized their potential because of this rigidness. I think we have been successful in Norway, due to the concern for the individual.

5. Use of pharmaceuticals. One of the greatstrengthss we have in sports at home is the attitude towards taking any type ! of drug, legal or not. The use of any drug, pill, drink etc that is not natural is very rare. From bottom to top, we utilize very, very little products that aid athletes. In short, top training consists of running, skiing or biking outside combined with an afternoon nap and a good night sleep for recovery. The diet is a simple, sound composition of wheat bread, dairy products, potatoes, fish, lean meat and lots of vegetables and fruit. This is VERY different on the continent where athletes take all sorts of recovery enhancing products etc. I'm glad I got that attitude with me now, it makes it easier to make the correct choices in modern cycling where team doctors etc are always trying to give you something to speed up recovery etc.

I'm a full-time endurance athlete (cycling), with the 2012 London Olympics as my main goal. I maintain a blog, where I write about my ups and downs in training / racing as I work towards year 2012. http://roadrace1.blogspot.com/

A Lighthearted Look at Bedwetting Alarms

2008-10-24T22:04:00.001-07:00

The reactions of an older sibling are greatly enhanced by enuresis. Training is quick and easy ? one shared bedwetting episode generally does the trick. It is however not as easy to train the bed wetter to adopt the same fully-awake, upright posture in the bathroom, irrespective of the distance away, as it is to have a bed-sharing sibling do so.

Primary bedwetting, usually prevalent from the ages of three to seven years, also induces a disproportionate sense of terror in the male species when junior creeps through in the middle of the night and crawls under the sheets between mom and dad. Mom, generally speaking, continues her slumber but dad, as if by genetic disposition, starts experiencing REM (rapid eye movement) and false warm feelings.

For all marketers of bedwetting alarms: take advantage of this gender disparity ? fathers are generally more product-susceptible when buying alarms than mothers. Not to suggest that mothers are insensitive to the practicalities of bed-wetting; they are just not equally disposed to the midnight stark-staring-mad eyes look when urinated upon in their own beds. The hangover smell of stale urine in the children's room and the washing of bedding is far more likely to trigger a buying signal in mothers than the prospect of being drenched.

All infants wet the bed? it's perfectly normal so we are left to argue for how long enuresis should continue and how best to hasten its demise.

Enter the bedwetting alarm. The vote is normally unanimous ? parents, siblings, grandparents and camp-out buddies united in squandering part of the child's inheritance on any device that will speed up the process.

The majority of bedwetting alarms are aural aids to the enuresis sufferer. (A notable exception is the vibratory alarm, which is tactile.) They are meant, according to product brochures, to gently remind the wearer to wake up and use the bathroom.

Given that sound is the prime source of reminder, be aware that what sounds like a moderate beep in the! superma rket may take on the qualities of a World War II Klaxton air-raid siren in the quiet of the night. Cheaper models may resort to a common vehicle alarm. You aren't trying to stop the child from urinating for life; just to waken them sufficiently to move activities to the bathroom. If in doubt about the volume of the device, choose a model with volume adjustment.

Bedwetting alarms comprise a few parts. A moisture sensor, a wire, batteries and an alarm are generally the sum of the whole. Read the insert to get some idea of the model being contemplated. (No madam, you don't tie the wire around the tip of his tinkie.)

The moisture sensor is at the sharp end of the enuresis business. This front-rank member should be safe, comfortable to wear and washable. Too sensitive and it will go off during the sweat of hot weather - too insensitive and immersion in a bucket of urine won't trigger it. Testing the sensitivity in the supermarket by licking it is generally considered a no-no.

Comfort is paramount. If it is uncomfortable enough to keep a child awake, it's bad. Mind the chunky sensor type.

The sensor's connected to the?ay-larm. The ay-larm's connected to the? sorry, old songs are terrible things. A wire runs through it and you don't want the wire around the windpipe. Check this safety aspect carefully. Some fancy models even have a remote facility to an alarm in the parent's room ? guess who's going to get up ? that facilitates checking that the child has woken up and gone to the bathroom.

Don't buy any model that plugs into the mains, if there are any such models still available. You're trying to train the bedwetter, not invoke the death penalty.

After selecting a model, you're still faced with the prospect of getting the victim to wear it. Passing it off as a Captain?n?n?n Bladder! suit works with the gullible, but it may come back to haunt in later years. Getting the child's buy-in to wearing the device usually takes bribery, corruption and threats. Peer, not pee'er, press! ure work s for the campout types but don't enlist the tent bully's help.

Many models recommend inserting the sensor into a sanitary towel to make sure it hits the enuresis spot, especially with boys. Passing the sanitary towel off as shoulder pads can have embarrassing consequences when taking your toddler shopping and they brandish a pack, declaring loudly that you have forgotten the shoulder pads.

Models differ. A few aspects that may lead to failure are:

? Missing the point? girls are easier to line up than boys. Make sure the sensor can be kept in place without resorting to uncomfortable devices.
? Sharp edges on any part... if the device is uncomfortable, the child is not going to wear it.
? Ease of use? the device should be simple enough for the child to reset it without parental assistance.
? Durability? sooner or later the device will accidentally end up in the toilet bowl.
? Hygienic design? you should be able to disinfect the sensor easily.
? Tangling of the sensor / alarm connector wire? wireless models are available, if your budget runs to this.

Bedwetting alarms are an aid to preventing enuresis and there are other factors to consider. Remove the fish tank from the child's bedroom. That lovely gurgle-bubbly water sound? you get the picture. Have soft lighting in the bedroom. Stumbling over discarded toys, the furniture or the cat in the dark with an alarm going off in your ear doesn't endear the process to the child. Ultimately, be patient. It is usual for the process to take a few months.

Enuresis affects those both young and old, but the problem can be conquered. Receive effective bedwetting advice and enuresis tips at Bedwetting Relief.

Good Night Sleep Tight!

2008-10-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

One of the most important things you can do for fat loss, controlling weight gain and for overall health is often overlooked. MORE SLEEP! Yes, you actually need to sleep more to gain less!

A lack of sleep could be contributing to America's obesity epidemic. A recent Columbia University study found that not getting enough sleep could put you at increased risk for weight gain.

The study, presented at the meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, analyzed data from 18,000 adults and found that those who slept less than the recommended seven hours a night had an increased risk of obesity. People who slept for less than four hours per night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than those who slept for seven to nine hours. Getting five hours of sleep or less decreased that risk to 50 percent, and getting six hours or less decreased it even more to 23 percent.

While it's still unclear exactly what causes this increased risk, scientists believe that lack of sleep lowers the amount of leptin your body produces. Leptin is a protein that suppresses appetite and is responsible for telling your brain when your stomach is full. In addition, when you are sleep-deprived, you are less able to make clear decisions and may eat more food than your body actually needs.

What's the lesson? A good night's sleep is not only critical for your mental health; it may also be a crucial part of your diet.

So, good night and sleep tight!

Be well & stay fit!

Aimee Deak

Aimee Deak is a certified personal trainer, nutrition analyst and author of the book, Every Body Loses, an easy-to follow, step-by-step guide to fat loss.

You can find more information about fat loss and exercise on her website http://www.aim4nutrition.com

How Lasik Vision Correction Works

2008-10-23T22:04:00.001-07:00

The sheer number of different eye corrective surgeries available can be overwhelming at times. And since the matter concerns the eyes, regarded by many as the most important of the five senses, it becomes highly essential that you carry out a basic research of the procedures available. This would certainly aid you in selecting the most feasible and effective treatment. It is also imperative that you have a grasp of how LASIK vision correction works, since LASIK is the most prevalent type of eye surgery.

It is comforting to know that LASIK eye surgery has the most advanced scientific technology at its disposal. It makes use of high-precision equipment and dedicated technicians. For instance, the surgeon employs the Excimer laser, which is an amazingly precise ultraviolet chemical laser. As an evidence of its precision, the Excimer laser is capable of removing 0.5% of a human hair?s width at a time.

At first, a thorough pre-operative examination is conducted, in order to detect astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. The patient is also advised to take a few precautions approximately 7 to 10 days prior to the surgery. LASIK eye surgery is performed with the patient awake and functional, however, the ophthalmologist administers a mild sedative and anesthetic eye drops. The surgeon performs the surgery with the assistance of a dedicated technician who controls the laser.

Basically, a flap is cut in the cornea using a blade (a microkeratome) or a laser. The flap is lifted up to reveal the middle section of the cornea. Then the Excimer laser is used to make the desired incisions, in order to reshape the corneal tissue. The cornea is carved in a finely controlled manner, since the Excimer laser is a cool laser and does not produce heat, which could otherwise damage the adjacent tissue. The flap is then replaced to allow for natural binding.

Reshaping of the cornea in such a manner, corrects any refractive error that the patient may have. LASIK procedure is sim! ple and the patient may go to work the very next day ? sounds like a very much doable treatment.

Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about how LASIK Eye Surgery works at Your Lasik Information. http://www.Your-LASIK.info

The One Acne Treatment That You Should Be Using But Probably Aren't

2008-10-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Section 1. Why Clear Skin Is A Difficult Task Acne sufferers go a long time without having any success with getting immaculate skin. If you desire this right now, then have a look at what the natural acne treatment in this article will do for you.

Actually, I must correct myself immediately: it's not really an acne treatment, but it's a treatment for a lot of ailments. And this natural remedy that I am talking about is Bentonite Clay.

Section 2. Bentonite Clay Is A Superior Acne Treatment Bentonite Clay has been extensively used by many people and they have all had major breakthroughs. Before I talk about Bentonite Clay in terms of what it is and how it works, I must explain a simple concept of life that acne patients' just don't get.

The concept of life I want to talk about is this: the human body is constantly trying to clean itself from the inside.

You have to understand this. Your body has been put together by a unique network of capillaries, blood vessels, nerves, vital internal organs, and so many more complex systems. These systems all work together to protect your body and to keep it clean from the inside. On the outside of your body, you have orifices that can permit the entry of dangerous toxins, bacteria, viruses, and various other poisonous substances. And such toxins come from your food, cigarette smoke, vehicular traffic, smog, drugs, alcohol, air pollution, and generally any form of pollution itself.

Section 3. Your Body's Channels Of Elimination The human body gets rid of toxins through various channels of elimination. I refer to them as primary and secondary channels.

The primary channels of elimination for toxic substances are the anus and urethra. Most of the unwanted waste is passed out in your urine or faecal matter. Now the problem for acne patients begins right in the small and large colon. Basically what I mean is that your body will get rid of toxins via these two routes first before it attempts to use use the secondary channels, but the pro! blem ari ses when the small and (especially) the large colon become congested.

Section 4. Your Skin Is A Channel Of Elimination Now, one of the biggest secondary channels of elimination is your SKIN. The proof is the fact that you release waste such as ammonia through your sweat pores. Yes. Your skin is one of the biggest secondary channels of elimination.

Section 5. Your Congested Colon So what exactly is the ideology of a CONGESTED COLON and what impact does it have on your skin?

Ok. If your colon becomes congested, it means that you have particles of food, faeces, and various types of waste literally stuck to the walls of your intestines. And in some cases (depending on how severe the congestion actually is), the impaction of waste material can remain for as long as several months.

Well if you think about it, your intestines absorb nutrition into your blood stream. It then processes this nutrition and you are left over with toxic by-products that need to be gotten rid of.

Now if the walls of your intestines are impacted with mucoidal waste, the absorption of nutritional chemicals from your food and the expulsion of by-products into the intestinal tract are both seriously reduced. This is exactly why acne patients feel sluggish, and experience lethargy, headaches, lack of motivation.

More importantly, an impacted intestinal tract will force further toxins to your skin, which is the secondary channel of elimination. This is what stops you from getting rid of your acne spots. This is it.

Good colonic health is vital for acne sufferers.

Bentonite Clay is the one natural acne remedy that you must start using today. This medicine is fine particles of clay that carry a negative charge that attract all of this junk and flushes it out of your system. In turn, this begins to suck out your acne spots and your skin start to look a whole lot clearer.

Who else wants to use natural acne treatment systems that work from the inside. To download your free report on the 2 fa! stest wa ys of getting rid of acne... Go to the natural acne treatment website

Acne Medication The Whole Truth

2008-10-22T22:04:00.001-07:00

Most people will suffer from acne at some point in their life. Everyone's skin condition and chemistry are different so there can be no set remedy to prevent or clear existing acne. The good news is that it can be treatable. People make the mistake of letting it run its course, thinking they will outgrow it. Sometimes that is just not good enough.

With so many acne medications available over-the-counter or by prescription, it can be frustrating finding one that works. But something out there will work for you if you just keep trying. If you find that you are getting nowhere with your acne, try finding something more specific to your skin type.

Common over-the-counter (OTC) acne medications available are: Stri-dex, Clearasil, Oxy, Neutrogena On-the-Spot, Cetaphil, and Persa-Gel 10. These can be found in most drug and grocery stores. The prices may vary ($4-$14) but price does not necessarily mean it will work the best on your acne. There is also a variety in the form of the medication, such as: gels, lotions, creams, and medicated pads. The form of the acne medication does not usually effect how well it treats your skin. Do not be discouraged if a product that you try makes your acne worse. Sometimes we must take a step back to make progress. Make a note of the ingredients in what you used and, in the future, only use medicines that do not contain any or much of this. You should always read the labels before purchasing a product. You wouldn't order a dish at a restaurant if you didn't know what was in it, would you? If you skin is oily, then you may choose to purchase something that is especially for treating oily skin.

If your skin is too sensitive for OTC acne medications that you have tried, then perhaps you should consult a Dermatologist. Some forms of acne can not be treated without a prescription. The doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic instead of a topical acne medication for severe cases. These are commonly used to decrease inflammation that can contribute to acne.

T! opical p rescription acne medication for severe cases of acne usually contains retinoids. Retinoids prevent blackheads and whiteheads, while un-clogging your pores. The downside to this is that you could have increased sensitivity to the sun or develop an irritation. It is possible for fine lines and wrinkles to be reduces with this treatment, which is a bonus advantage to having younger and healthier looking skin.

In addition to typical acne medication options, there are some home remedies include treating with Hydrogen Peroxide, toothpaste, or diluted alcohol. If you experiment with these, you may end up with a cheap solution to your acne. Peroxide could speed up the healing process of existing acne. It kills germs to drastically reduce inflammation. Toothpaste can be applied lightly on spots that appear before the actual acne has formed. Usually, this is left on overnight and washed off in the morning. It dries up excess oils that can contribute to the formation of acne. Pure alcohol should never be applied to the skin. However, if you dilute it half with water to gently wash your face, you can dry up excess oils without completely drying out your skin.

Acne is a common problem and getting treated is nothing to be ashamed of. No one should have to live with the embarrassment of acne. There is an effective method out there for you, as long as you are willing to take the time to find it.

John Wellington is from AcneHelpZone.com provides people who are suffering from acne with quick, relevant and free acne resources that they can download and take away with them for easy reference.

Adding Variety To Your Cardio Routine

2008-10-22T07:04:00.001-07:00

Keeping up with an cardiovascular exercise over a long period of time involves finding new ways to enjoy your workouts and to challenge yourself? both physically and mentally.

In fact, pushing yourself to try new activities is critical to prevent plateaus in progress, boredom, and burn-out. Varying your cardio routine ensures you'll have more fun? and stay more consistent? with the habits required for lifelong health and fitness.

Why variation is so important

Making fitness a lifelong habit demands a willingness to consistently ?stretch? your comfort zone. Those afraid to ?try something new? often get bored with the same old cardio routine and before long lose interest in maintaining their efforts.

Those who push their limitations grow from their experiences and enjoy the confidence, health, and success that comes from new achievements. Varying your activity is a critical element to challenging your current limitations.

Top ten cardio activities

While the options are endless, listed are ten great ways to vary your cardio routine:

1. Wind sprints ? nothing will get your heart pumping and your lungs breathing faster than some sprinting. On the track, grass, or road- choose what terrain is available to you.

2. Swimming ? in the ocean, the lake, or the local Olympic size pool. Safe at any age, swimming is a great total body cardio routine and non-impact (good for joints) activity. Try alternating various strokes and pushing yourself for timed distances.

3. Cycling ? if you?ve got a road bike great, if not then an indoor model or ?trainer? will work fine as well. Spinning classes also offer a fun environment to push your cardio limits.

4. Rollerblading ? a great workout that challenges your lower body in a way unlike running or biking. Great exercise for the thighs, glutes, and hips. Also great training for those who enjoy the winter sports of snow skiing, ice skating and hockey.

5. Mountain biking ? with the popularity of ?off-road? cycling! , miles of trails in local parks or wooded areas are now easily accessible these days. Be sure to pack your safety gear and pick a trail that matches the level of your expertise!

6. Running hills ? depending on where you live, hills may or may not be readily available. Try challenging your self to sprint stadium stairs or a few flights in a local hotel or office building as a great substitute. Talk about a cardio routine blast? give it a shot and you?ll be amazed!

7. Jumping Rope ? you might think of double-dutch or one of the games you used to play when you were a kid, but simple, timed jump rope intervals provide a serious workout. There are also several different types of ropes available including ?speed? and ?weighted? ropes that provide the added benefit of an upper-body workout at the same time.

8. Rowing ? most of us don?t have access to a rowing shell, but fortunately many local health clubs offer alternatives. Rowing is a great way to work your core, back and legs at the same time. Some rowing machines even offer video components to make the experience like a fun video-game? complete with a computerized opponent to race!

9. Kickboxing ? if a martial arts class doesn?t interest you (or you?d prefer to work up to it), there are some great cardio kickboxing DVD?s available to turn your living room into a dojo. A brief search of Amazon.com finds sixteen options to choose from? give it a shot!

10. Yoga ? for clarity of mind, a good sweat, and flexibility at the same time, yoga offers tremendous benefits as part of a balanced health and fitness program. Many local facilities offer trial classes or home DVD?s are also available to fit into your ideal schedule.

Conclusion

Challenging your body and mind with new exercise activities is essential to avoiding plateaus, boredom and burnout. Pushing your limits ensures fun with maintaining the habits required for lifelong health and fitness success.

For more information

Call Hut Allred at 972.871.7575 or visit his! website at http://www.newwavefitness.com to request a 15 minute phone consultation to learn how he can help you customize a fitness and nutrition program to achieve your goals.

Acne Scar Removal: How To Do It The Right Way?

2008-10-21T22:04:00.001-07:00

For many individuals, acne scar removal is the best solution to having scars removed from their body. Many individuals spend years dealing with acne in one form or the next. They find that there are many products on the market that do little to actually help them to remove acne. Acne scars can be devastating to their self esteem and outward appearance. Many individuals will deal with confidence issues because of their scars. Yet, acne scar removal can be the exact answer to their needs.

How Do They Work?

Selecting the right product for acne scar removal is important in the process. What individuals need to know is how the product actually works. For some situations, the product will work by exfoliating the skin enough to create new skin growth in the area of the scar. When the new skin heals, the scar will be gone or much less noticeable. These exfoliating products work well for many. Often, this acne scar treatment is called a chemical peel.

There are both natural and chemical forms of this type of acne scar treatment. Many of them work in the same method with the goal of removing the top layers of skin to help improve the skin?s condition. Other products work by gently and effectively removing the scar through topical treatments. In any case, the method for which the acne treatment works should provide some results rather quickly.

How To Select The Appropriate One

When selecting an acne scar removal product, insure that you understand how the product works. Find out how it will work to remove the scars on your body. Also, insure that you are not allergic to anything in the product. If you are unsure, test the product on a small area of skin to see if there is a reaction within a day?s time. Also, you should notice where the removal treatment is used. Some are not meant for the face while others will not be able to be used on the neck or body.

Acne scar removal can actually help to reform the skin and the soul when it is selected wisely.

We ha! ve made a research to find the best acne treatments. Find it only on the Fast removal of acne scars website. All about acne treatments on LeanderNet - http://www.leandernet.com.

Makeup Tip: Beautiful Eyes

2008-10-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

Eyes have been called the windows of the soul because of how much they communicate. Eyes give your face energy and individuality. They do not have to be a certain size or shape to be considered pretty - all eyes have their own unique beauty. When makeup is applied to look natural it will bring out the eye?s true color and enhance the eye?s beauty. When you feel good about your makeup you will be more confident and will have one less thing to worry about.

A subtle application of eyeliner, shadows and mascara work together to create magic and make your eyes look their best.

Eye Shadow

Eye shadow is meant to highlight and define the eyes. Eye shadow is used to create depth to bring out the beauty of the eyes. A dark color used on the lid will make the eye appear smaller, while a lighter color will make it appear larger. That is what eye shadow is about creating illusions. These are the basic techniques for the following eye shapes:

Small eyes: Don?t use too much shadow or liner ? it will make you eyes look smaller. Apply a light color on eyelid, use a darker color in the crease and use a highlighter under the brow.

Large eyes: Wear darker shadow on the lid and extend it to the crease. Use a flat color under the brow to highlight.

Deep-set eyes: Use light colors on the eyelid and under the brow. Use a medium color in the crease. Emphasize the outer corners with shadow.

Wide-set eyes: Use darker colors on the inner corners of the eye.

Hooded eyes: Apply light colors on the lid. Use darker colors from the center of the eyelid to the outer corners and blend.

Round eyes: Make round eyes longer by using color all around and extending toward the outer corners.

Asian eyes: Apply highlighter under the brow. Use light shadow on the inner half of the lid and a darker color on the outer half.

1.Light colors cause the eyes to open, dark colors will cause the eyes to recede

2.If you have very light skin avoid dark shades

3.Be ca! reful wi th shimmer ? they will bring attention to imperfections and wrinkles.

4.The eye area is the first to show age don?t tug on the skin.

Eyeliners:

Eyeliners are meant to define the eyes so they should do just that, not be the focal point of your makeup. Eyeliners come in various colors and forms liquid, pencil etc. Keep the eyeliner natural. Pencils are available in many colors (for the best look stick to black or brown) and can be sharpened for a fine line. For a smudged effect use a sponge tip shadow applicator or an eye shadow brush. When your pencils are too soft refrigerate them. When they are too hard soften them by holding them between your fingers.

To line the eye, start on the lower lid, just beneath the lashes. When you are finished always smudge the line with your sponge. Stay as close to the lash line as possible. On the upper lid, draw a line form the inner corner to the outer corner, thickening the line toward the outer corner. After the age of 40 keep the line in between the lashes.

Mascara and the creation of beautiful lashes:

Mascara frames your eyes and can make your face come alive. Mascara softly accentuates the eye while thickening and darkening the lashes; it is the finishing touch for eyes. There are several different types to choose from, thickening, and waterproof to smudge proof. Waterproof will need a special remover and smudge proof will wash off easily. It is not a good idea to wear waterproof mascara for extended periods of time since it has a tendency to dry the lashes.

Select a shade of mascara that complements your coloring. Dark shades on pale eyes with brown lashes will darken them and will look harsh. Stay away from blues and other colors since they will ruin your look.

Lashes that are hard to curl may need the help of an eyelash curler. Curl your lashes before you apply mascara ? hold for ten to twenty seconds.

To apply mascara look straight into your mirror with your chin slightly lifted so you can see y! our lash es. Insert the wand only once and twist, don?t pump. Pumping can break the brush bristles and distribute the mascara unevenly and will dry out the mascara faster. Start by rolling the wand from root to tip in an upward motion. Reinsert the brush and apply again. If your eyelashes are thick and long they may clunk together. If this happens let them dry and then separate them with the corner of an eyebrow brush.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

The Amazing Benefits of Melaleuca Oil

2008-10-20T07:04:00.001-07:00

Melaleuca oil, also known as tea tree oil, is truly nature?s natural antiseptic. This topical oil, which comes from an Australian tree called the tea tree, is naturally safe oil that is effective as an antibiotic, anti-viral, and fungicide.

Tea tree oil was first used by the Bundjalung Aborigines living in the Northeast Corner of what is now New South Wales, Australia. They would pick the oil-covered leaves of the tea tree and rub them on their skin to alleviate cuts, bites, burns, and other skin ailments. They made a dressing for wounds by grinding the leaves into a paste. They also crushed the leaves to use as an insect repellant.

There are several kinds of tea trees. Yet, the most potent medicinal oil is called Melaleuca alternifolia.

Dr. A. R. Penfold, a chemist in Sydney, found that tea tree oil was 13 times stronger in killing bacteria than carbolic acid, the universal standard antiseptic in the early 1900?s. The Medical Journal of Australia published a study that tea tree oil was effective in treating pus filled infections of the skin and infected nail beds, and helped speed recovery from sore throats when the oil was gargled. Another study published in the Medical Journal of Australia in 1990 found tea tree oil as effective in treating acne as benzoyl peroxide, with fewer side effects. It is also effective in treating burns, thrush, and bacterial and fungal infections.

Tea tree oil can also be used for animals; Bites, cuts, stings, rashes, dermatitis, lice, mange, ringworm, fleas, and ticks are just a few of its veterinary uses.

Melaleuca oil may be applied full strength or diluted in water or other type of oil like olive oil. Most tea tree oil that is produced is added to skin and beauty care products, such as deodorants, shampoos, and mouthwashes. Industrial-grade oils are used as disinfectants, floor detergents, and can be added to air conditioning and ventilation systems to kill mold and fungus.

As we rediscover nature?s natural medicines through modern ! research , a new world of therapies is opened to us. Natural therapies are often as effective as drugs, but without the side effects. Many medicinal drugs contain properties to heal that no synthetic drug has been able to mimic.

This article was written by Vanessa Pruitt, a work at home mom promoting wellness in our everyday lives. To learn more about the benefits of Melaleuca oil, and about the products Vanessa uses in her home, email her at peetred@hotmail.com To learn more about working from home promoting wellness visit her website at http://www.TriCityMoms.com

How Birth Control Pills Can End Your Acne

2008-10-19T07:03:00.001-07:00

It would almost be shorter to list the things that birth control pills DON'T effect, then to mention all the things they DO effect. They don't, for instance, effect vegetables, they don't effect rocks, and they don't effect outer space, however they may, on occasion, effect machinery and small animals.

Weather you're taking them to even out your menstrual cycle or to keep yourself from getting pregnant, now you have yet another reason to try out birth control pills,... clear skin. Birth Control Pills have proven that they help reduce acne. So much so in fact that the FDA has approved Ortho Tri-Cyclen and generic norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol (the stuff in Birth Control Pills) for use in the treatment of acne.

How Does this work? Androgen is a male hormone that increases oil production. Androgen is always working away, but it increases it's production of oil just before menstruation begins, which could result in your skin breaking out around you period. Where does the pill fit in? Low-doses of birth control pills have shown that they decrease these excess androgens. That means less oil and less breakouts, and they can even be used with other acne therapy (details can be found in the February 2001 Skin Therapy Letter)

Does this mean you should go out and pick up some birth control pills to kill that acne? Probly not, remember these studies were done with low doses of birth control pills. You might wanna think of it more as one of the things to add to the benefits of birth control pills. Maybe it'll help offset the nausea and headaches over on the drawbacks side.

Jessica MacQuarrie is a writer from San Franciso California. She currently edits her web site http://www.endacnenow.com from her bay area home.

Weight Loss News! Fat Serves A Purpose

2008-10-18T22:04:00.001-07:00

I write a lot about weight loss and fat loss and how these contribute to health. You have got to remember, however, that fat is not a villain. It is an important nutrient for the health of your body and should not be ignored or disdained.

The six dietary components necessary to the health of your body are protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Of these, protein, fats, and minerals are used to help build the various components and systems of your body. Protein, carbohydrates, and fat are the sources of energy for your body.

FAT AS A STORED ENERGY SOURCE

One of the first functions you normally are aware of is that fat is a major source of energy stored in the body. While carbohydrates and protein are also sources of energy, they are not as efficient as fat. While fat provides approximately nine calories per gram, protein and carbohydrates only provide approximately 4 calories per gram.

Carbohydrates are normally stored in the body as glycogen, a form of glucose found in the liver and muscles. While some glycogen is stored to provide quick energy, about four pounds of water are required to support one pound of glycogen making it not very desirable or efficient as a stored energy source.

GLYCOGEN VS FAT FOR THOSE IN EXERCISE PROGRAMS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

While sustained physical activity is great for weight loss, many people put the pedal to the metal and try to go as fast as they can whether running, swimming, walking, or doing aerobics. Unfortunately, activities such as these when done at high intensity levels tend to deplete the body's stores of glycogen first. Since the activity cannot normally be sustained, most of the energy used up comes from the glycogen stores. A slower version of the same exercise, done over a longer period of time (a 45 minute walk versus a 10 minute run, for example) will not trigger the release of the body's glycogen stores, but, as energy is needed, will cause the breakdown of fat for use as an energy source.

While protein is also a potential source of energy, your body cannot store protein per se. The protein stored in your body is in use in the form of muscle or other tissue. In fact, protein is even used to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of your body. If the body needs protein for energy, it has to begin breaking down an existing structure, such as a muscle. Hmm! The heart and diaphragm are muscles aren't they?

WEIGHT LOSS AND PROTEIN LOSS

If you want to lose weight, one of the most important items in your arsenal can be a good structure of lean muscle mass. Muscle tends to burn more calories than fat. Also, if you have built good muscles with lots of lean muscle mass, you are more likely to be active, burning even more calories. If, however, you restrict your intake of fat to extremely low levels, your body may begin breaking down existing muscle tissue to supply its energy needs. This means less lean muscle mass, fewer calories burned at rest, and less strength and willingness or ability to participate in calorie burning activities.

The bottom line is that, as stored energy, your body cannot find anything better than fat.

OTHER BENEFITS OF FAT

In addition to this energy service, fat also has a few other benefits for your body.

In addition to being a source of energy, some forms of fat, called fatty acids, are one of the building blocks of the cell membranes which surround every cell in the body. The manner in which the cell responds to hormones, participates in the supply of nutrients and disposal of waste is dependent upon the health and integrity of these cell membranes.

Fat helps to keep your skin essentially watertight and appropriately moist, and is very important to your nerves, assisting them in the speedy transmission of signals. Fat is also important for certain hormones, known as eicosanoids. These are critical for various functions regulating events such as inflammation, blood pressur! e and cl otting, and labor. A little known fact is that an animal which is lacking appropriate levels of fat cannot go into labor.

FAT AND VITAMINS

Without going into a major discussion of vitamins, you should be aware that some vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin E, require fat for proper absorption and use by your body.

FAT AND CHOLESTEROL

While fat was generally touted for many years as a contributing factor in high cholesterol, studies have been emerging showing that there are good forms of cholesterol (HDL) and bad forms of cholesterol (LDL). Some forms of fat (polyunsaturated fats) actually improve the levels of these good forms of cholesterol, some increase the bad cholesterol and good cholesterol (saturated fats), and some (monounsaturated fats) have a relatively neutral effect.

EXAMPLES OF TYPES OF FATS

Saturated Fats These tend to be solid at room temperature. Found mostly in meat and dairy products, some vegetable oils, such as coconut and palm oils (tropical oils) and butter (as opposed to margarine).

Polyunsaturated Fats These are mostly from plant sources such as: safflower, sunflower, soybean, corn, and cottonseed.

Monounsaturated Fats These fats come from both plant and animal products, such as olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil. Some plants, such as avocados, may also be sources of monounsaturated fats.

Let's remember this about fats in general. Like almost everything in life, too much is bad and too little is bad. Take in too much fat and you may have problems with heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Take in too little, and you may have problems with dry skin, immune system problems and decreased disease resistance, menstrual difficulties, loss of muscle mass, and retardation of childrens' growth.

Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. A graduate of the University Of West Florida (1973) with a BA in accounting, he is a member of Mensa and has held several managerial positions. After retir! ing from the U. S. Army in 1995, he became interested in internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters. He has blogs on the subjects of weight loss and health, hybrid cars and alternative fuels, and internet marketing and related business topics.

Depression And Personal Fights

2008-10-18T07:03:00.001-07:00

Friends, especially boyfriends and girlfriends, fight. It is natural. It doesn?t necessarily mean that there is a problem with the relationship, it means that there is a disagreement. However, it can cause you to get upset and bring you down. There are a few tricks that can prevent that. But before we get to that point, there are a few things that you need to do or not do as the case may be. Firstly, don?t let any fights bring you too low. Fights are not inherently bad, they can, in fact, strengthen a relationship. However, do not say or do things after a fight that you might later regret. It is very easy to end a relationship because of a fight, but that is a mistake. Decisions should not be made while angry.

To deal with the fight, take a few breaths. It might be useful to take a short walk or drive. Get out of the house, find something to take your mind off of what happened. It is natural to feel upset after the fight, to feel like you are sinking lower in your depression. The worst thing to do is to decide that this is your mood. You will rebound. Fights, and the causes thereof, are temporary. It is likely that you will feel like things are getting worse, but they are not. In order to keep your mood high, do not let yourself read too much into what a fight means.

You can read more about depression at http://www.curemydepression.com

Study Says Obesity May Be Caused By Virus

2008-10-17T07:03:00.001-07:00

In new study published this month, a research team claims to have found evidence that a contagious virus can contribute to obesity.

The team found that a specific human adenovirus Ad-37 seems to trigger obesity in chickens. Previous studies had linked other adenoviruses -- Ad-36 and Ad-5 -- to obesity in animals.

These and other adenoviruses cause colds and other common illnesses in people. There are about 50 of them, according to the team leader, Leah D. Whigham of the University of Wisconsin. Three have now been linked to obesity, and Whigham says the others need to be studied for similar effects.

There is quite a bit of already published data with Ad-36 and its association with obesity, she said. If you look at obese people, more of them have antibodies to Ad-36 than lean people.

The report is in the January issue of the American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - http://ajpregu.physiology.org.

One of the long term objectives of researchers is to create a vaccine that would combat the effects of these viruses. This would, presumably, help people fight obesity.

**Traditional Causes of Obesity

Not surprisingly, other experts in the field of obesity are sceptical of the quest to pin the cause on viruses. According to the traditional view of obesity, its primary cause is quite simple. A person gains weight when he or she consumes more calories than they burn.

This involves two important factors -- diet and activity level. In countries like the U.S. where obesity has reached epidemic proportions, common diets are oozing with more fat and sugar than ever before. People are also generally less acitve and involved in sedentary activities such as sitting in front of computers all day, and in front TV screens all night.

**Some Facts about Obesity

Generally speaking, a person is considered obese when his or her health is endangered by the amount of fat stored in his or her body endangers. Here are some recent! OECD st atistics that show just how widespread the problem of obesity is:

Percentage of Population (+15 years old) who are obese

U.S.A. - 30.6%

Mexico - 24.2%

U.K. - 22.4%

Australia - 21.7%

New Zealand - 17%

Canada - 14.9%

Germany - 12.9%

France - 9.4%

That means, almost 1 in 3 Americans and about 1 in 5 Australians are so severely overweight that they have health problems because of their weight.

Obesity is now the most significant contributor to ill health worldwide.

Researchers and health officials have attributed a wide range of illneses to obesity. These include type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, asthma, back and lower extremity weight-bearing degenerative problems, depression, and even certain types of cancer.

In the United State overweight and obesity have become an epidemic. Recent statistics show that approximately 127 million adults are overweight, 60 million are obese, and 9 million are severely obese.

This is a trend that has been accelerating at least since the 1970s. In just 24 years (1976 to 2000) the percentage of overweight adults in the U.S. went from 46% to 64.5%. And in just 12 years (1988 to 2000) the percentage of severely obese adults in the U.S. went from 2.9% to 4.7%.

About The Author
Rick Hendershot does website promotion. Get 100 Links a Month at http://www.linknet-promotions.com/linknet-news.com Get Rid of Fat with Lap Band Surgery - http://www.lap-band-surgery.org Vitamins and Minerals discussion - http://vitanet.typepad.com.

I've Got A Cold Can You Make Me Some Chicken Soup

2008-10-16T22:04:00.001-07:00

Colds are caused by over 100 different viruses and the symptoms can last from 7 to 14 days regardless of any treatment. Not all viruses will cause you to have a ?temperature? ? however if this does occur and the temperature stays below 102 F (39 C), then the increased temperature will help get rid of the virus a little faster.

Because there is no effective treatment for the virus, the best thing to do is to keep your immune system in top condition ? and that means avoiding certain foods and giving your immune system the nutrition it needs.

Natural cold remedies includes:

Vitamin C to bowl tolerance and bioflavenoids, Vitamin A and bioflavenoids.

Garlic (very good natural antibiotic) and Echinacea (widely use in Europe ? improves production of immune system proteins).

Chicken soup! ? believe it or not, even Harvard and many other Universities have proven this as one of the best natural cold remedies. The protein in the soup helps to replace that which is lost through mucus and contains an amino acid (cysteine) that helps to thin the mucus.

Reduce your intake of milk and milk products as well as refined carbohydrates such as sugar, biscuits, bread etc. Avoid juices especially orange juice ? contains fructose sugar and can worsen the condition.

Drink plenty of water and lots of rest. Caution against over-exercising ? particularly if you have been taking antibiotics for a secondary infection (such as bronchitis or pneumonia). This can and does regularly lead to cardiac failure in otherwise healthy people including athletes.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids help boost the immune system. Conversely, fried food and vegetable oils (omega 6) depress the immune system.

There are many essential oils that can be used as natural cold remedies by inhaling, adding to a bath, and as a rub or massage including ? lavender, lemon, lemongrass, Roman and German chamomile, marjoram, ginger, tarragon, manuka, cedar! wood, pe ppermint, ravensara, myrrh, orange, pine, oregano, frankincense, thyme, Eucalyptus globulus and E. radiata, rosemary, tea tree and thyme.

Recommended Supplements for Colds

All 90 essential nutrients ? including a full range of minerals, amino acids, vitamins and essential fatty acids.

Selenium ? is an immune-boosting supplement and important antioxidant.

An Echinacea/garlic supplement ? particularly useful before the ?cold season?.

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and manages the Global-Longevity.com website. He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Bird Flu Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Essential Fatty Acid Report and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com

Medication for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Alternative Anxiety Disorder Treatments

2008-10-16T07:03:00.001-07:00

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most difficult of the anxiety disorders to diagnose because it lacks many of the more dramatic symptoms of other disorders. People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are not always prone to panic attacks, for example, and do not necessarily fear social situations. GAD usually includes subtler symptoms, such as excessive worry about things like work, family, health or money, and can be accompanied by physical symptoms that include muscle twitching, headaches, sweating, or gastrointestinal trouble. The National Institute of Health classifies a specific symptom of GAD as being excessive worry or anxiety occurring more days than not for at least a six month period. Many who experience this can begin to feel frustrated and helpless, but there are a variety of successful treatments and therapy that can help restore patients to a normal life.

Individual therapy is generally recommended for people with GAD, as many do not feel comfortable discussing their symptoms in a group environment. Therapy sessions should focus on identifying stress factors, practicing relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, and helping the individual find a balance between work, family, personal time and other obligations.

Doctors occasionally prescribe medication as one of the treatments for anxiety if the individual's symptoms are so intense that they interfere with psychotherapy and relaxation exercises. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (also known as Valium) and lorazepam (Xanax) are the most commonly prescribed medications for this type of disorder, but it should be noted that there is not much clinical research that has shown these types of medications to be more effective than others. Benzodiazepines can produce sedative side effects that affect performance and daily functioning, and medication for Generalized Anxiety Disorder should only be taken if absolutely necessary and always under professional supervision.

It can often also be beneficial to explore alternat! ive anxi ety disorder treatments like herbal medications. The herb Passiflora Incarnata (Passion Flower) is regularly used to provide anxiety relief, and as a treatment for isomnia, hyperactivity and nervous tension. Lemon Balm is an overall nervous system restorative that can also successfuly calm symptoms, as well as Lavender - the most popular and widely used natural ingredient for treatment of anxiety and an active ingredient in panic attack treatments as well.

Successful treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is attainable and should generally include a much more intense focus on therapy than on prescription medication. Many who suffer from the disorder are able to overcome the symptoms purely through focusing their energy on learning how to identify stressors in their lives and regularly practicing methods for coping with them. Each person's life is different, and so are each person's symptoms, but individualized treatment can go a long way toward alleviating anxiety and restoring a healthy life.

Webmaster: You are authorized to reprint this article providing the author bio/resource box is left completely in tact - including all hyperlinks.

Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for many health conditions including natural treatments for anxiety and panic attack treatments.

Stop Acne Scarring

2008-10-15T22:04:00.001-07:00

People who suffer from chronic acne also have to deal with the after effects ? acne scars. If you?ve had acne for awhile then you know that where there?s a zit, there?s most likely a scar. However, there are measures you can take to prevent acne scarring.

When you?re treating acne, not only should you tackle the business of controlling breakouts, but preventing future scarring as well. The best way to prevent scarring is not to tamper with your face. Do not touch or pop pimples, no matter how tempting this might be. Many people think that messing with the zit will make it clear up faster, and this simply does not solve your problems. It only creates future scarring.

The next thing to do is to get an acne treatment clearing routine. This often involves acne treatment products for both day and night that usually come in the form of face washes, skin exfoliates, cleansers, facial scrubs, and day or night creams. Use acne treatment products as prescribed, and consider buying a series of acne products or line of products that each produces a different desirable effect.

To increase your chances of controlling acne, make your treatment routine easy to maintain. There?s really no way out of it, you either have to make time to complete the steps of your acne regimen or learn to live with bad skin. It might require you to wake up half an hour earlier to invest the extra time you need. If you consider the benefits in the long run, you will agree that is worth it.

In addition to this regimen, you should consider alternatives to your current behavior to reinforce good skin treatment. For instance, if you feel the urge to pop a pimple, go wash your face instead. It all pays off in the long run. This will help reduce the amount of scarring you will have after your skin finally clears up. But if you don't make the commitment to your daily regimen, as well as complementary behavior modifications, you may never experience a clearer complexion.

About the Author: Sherry Frewerd publishes se! veral we bsites for affiliate marketing and direct sales. Learn to build your own website at http://websitebuildingmom.com To learn more about natural health and body treament visit http://naturalbathbodyandhome.com

What to Do When You Feel Nausea?

2008-10-15T07:03:00.001-07:00

Nausea can be very disruptive, sudden and occur in embarrassing situations. And for sure it is always highly uncomfortable.

Anyone who has suffered from nausea knows that it is not always possible to get out of the situation or treat yourself with medication. And many times you need relief faster than that provided by the medical remedies.

Acupressure is a fast and very effective technique relieving nausea, especially when it is caused or worsened by physical or emotional distress. Self treatment of specific acupoints gives relief from motion sickness, whether it is due to traveling in a car, boat or an airplane. Nausea caused by nervousness, use of alcohol or some drugs, and abdominal imbalances can also be effectively relieved by acupressure.

Acupressure is also highly recommended to relieve morning sickness during pregnancy, because as a drug-free alternative it is absolutely safe to use. Acupressure beats nausea by blocking signals that trigger the nausea response and promote relaxation. Thus it uses your body?s own systems to restore the balance.

Because treating the acupressure points that relieve nausea works in just few minutes and the techniques are so simple that you can teach them to your own child for motion sickness, acupressure provides an unbeatable means to combat nausea.

Acupressure techniques are easy to apply at home or even out in public, as you do not require special equipment. Discovering and treating a few pressure points can bring you enormous relief from nausea without disturbing anyone, attracting unwanted attention, or interfering with whatever else is going on around you.

Virpi Tervonen reveals the most effective acupressure points that relieve lower back and hip pain, sciatica, and stiff shoulders and neck in her new acupressure guide. If you suffer from any type of back pain, be sure that you don?t make any of the 5 common mistakes that might keep you in pain needlessly. Claim now a $17 Special Report for free at http://www.HomeBackPai! nAcupres sure.com

Romancing the Cigarette

2008-10-14T22:04:00.001-07:00

This article is by one of our Ciggyfree Administrative blogger's who goes by the online handle of ZZYZX.

The insignificant things that contributed to the attitude were the mechanics of smoking. Just the fact I had smokes around made me feel the world was right. The routine actions of getting a cigarette, and lighting up were familiar and made me feel comfortable. Even having the usual places to keep them just seemed to be so right. At home I kept them by the door, and at work they were on my desk. The whole logistical process of supplying me with cigarettes was part of my reason to be alive. All these things worked subconsciously to make my habit what I thought were an enjoyable one for me.

The things that were not true were that I liked to smoke, it relaxed me, and that any concern for health complications was a matter for the future. Now that I have stopped for a while, I do not miss the sore throat, dry skin, cough, nasal congestion, yellow teeth, and shortness of breath, gray skin, and stink of my former habit. I also know now that nicotine is actually a stimulant, and my blood pressure sure is better without it. As far a future health concerns, that is always a matter for now, because later may be too late.

The truth of the matter is that all these things that I thought made smoking a pleasant experience just propped up my addiction, supported the endless greed for the nicotine that made me subservient to an intangible master. I was acting like an overgrown lab rat, and actually enjoying it.

Until I realized that what I used to enjoy was nothing more than the addiction driving my thoughts and behavior, I always missed smoking when I quit before. I fantasized about smoking, about buying smokes, about handling the package and lighter, and about the false sense of relaxation I had when I smoked. I had smoking dreams, and daydreams. I would go outside with friends that smoke just to smell their smoke. I totally romanticized the whole smoking business.

Now, my attitude ha! s change d. I recognize what the addiction was doing to me, and that was to make me a more than willing collaborator in my own degradation, captivity, and death. What changed my attitude is actually listening to my doctor, and my quit buddies, and doing the research on the subject. If I could say why I took so long to get to the point where I really understood my behavior, I could be a pretty rich psychologist. I am just glad I finally did.

Romancing The Cigarette ? http://www.ciggyfree.com

Options for Hair Loss

2008-10-14T07:03:00.001-07:00

Losing one?s hair can have a major emotional impact and cause much anguish in the long run. Studies indicate that perceptions of bald or balding men compared to men that have hair is that they are less physically attractive, less assertive, less successful and older. Although hair loss in women is not as common as it is in men, it can also result in the same perceptions of less attractive, less successful and older.

Abnormal hair loss is called alopecia. There are many different types of alopecia, including androgenic alopecia, alopecia areata and postpartum alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is the result of genetics, age and hormonal changes. In men it is known as male pattern baldness which usually progressed to the familiar horseshoe-shaped hair. In women it shows up as a generalized thinning over the entire crown area.

Alopecia areata is characterized by the sudden falling out of hair in round patches or baldness in spots. It can occur on the scalp or anywhere else on the body. It is an autoimmune disease that causes the affected hair follicles to be mistakenly attacked by a person?s own immune system. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total hair loss.

Postpartum alopecia is the temporary hair loss that women can experience at the conclusion of a pregnancy. Usually the growth cycle of the hair will return within one year after the baby is born.

There are many different options for people suffering from hair loss today. One is medication. A popular topical medication is Minoxidil, which is sold over the counter. Minoxidil is applied to the scalp twice a day and can be effective for some. There is also prescription medication for men that may be more effective than Minoxidil. But many prescription medications have side effects such as weight gain and loss of sexual function.

The second option is hair transplant surgery. Transplants, also known as hair plugs, are the most common! permane nt hair replacement technique. In the procedure, a small section of hair is removed from an area where there is a lot of hair. The entire hair follicle, papilla and bulb is removed and transplanted to the new location. Typical costs for this type of surgery ranges from $8,000-$20,000 and up.

The third option is to use wigs, toupees, hair weaving, hair extensions or hair integrations. Wigs and toupees can be custom designed using either human hair or synthetic hair. They have come a long way and can create a very natural looking style. Hair weaving involves sewing pieces of human or synthetic hair into the natural hair to create a fuller, long hair style look. Hair extensions are similar to hair weaving since you are attaching human or synthetic hair to the natural hair. Except hair extensions are attached by one of several different methods using adhesives, locs, links or clips. Hair integrations are custom designed nets with hair attached or even man-made skin with hair attached that are attached, typically using medical grade adhesives directly to the scalp to create a fuller hair style.

There can be complications to hair weaving, hair extensions and hair integrations. If they are not attached properly, by a trained hair stylist, the hair loss situation of the client can become worse, resulting in permanent hair loss with the extension hair pulling the natural hair out. Always consult with a professionally trained hair stylist that has experience with hair loss situations.

In short, hair loss may have a major emotional impact on many people. But as technology advances there are many more options for men and women suffering from hair loss.

Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources, http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net online resources for hair loss, hair extensions, hair styles and more. Rodriguez is the author of the E-books, Hair Extensions-The official consumers guide to getting hair extensions, 2005's Most Popular Hair Extension! s and We dding Hair Styles, all available at the online Hair Resources Bookstore. Visit Hair Resources for better hair days.

Thinking About An Infrared Sauna?

2008-10-13T22:03:00.001-07:00

What is an infrared sauna and how does it work? Firstly the main appeal for me in regards to a sauna is the health benefits. I mean who wants to sit in an oven for nothing? So how does the infrared sauna differ from the traditional sauna? Firstly it does not feel like an oven, the infrared sauna uses and infrared heater it does not use wood or electric stoves.

This heater heats the occupants not the surroundings. The infrared heater uses far infrared light. Far Infrared light emits far infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is known as heat. Infrared light form the sun accounts for around 50% of the heat on our planet. The infrared radiation or better known as heat is safe and beneficial

So once again the difference between the traditional sauna and the infrared Sauna is that the sauna itself is not hot. Those in the sauna will get hot as they absorb the infrared light. This infrared light penetrates the skin to debt of up to an inch and a half hence giving it the ability to stimulate and heal tissue.

Seemingly it can do this to a greater extent than the traditional sauna. In actual fact proponents of the infrared sauna say it will even make you sweat more than a conventional sauna. Learn more about the infrared sauna and it s health benefits.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of All-About-Saunas.com. A guide to Infrared Saunas

Do the Infrared Sauna Comparison at All-About-Saunas.com

Natural Home Remedies for Parasites that Infect the Intestines

2008-10-13T07:03:00.001-07:00

There are four kinds of parasites

The intestines are sometimes infested by parasites, which trouble the patient. The most commonly noticed parasites in India are: threadworm, tapeworm, hookworm and the roundworm. They exist in the intestines because they find a congenial climate for their growth which again is the result of wrong type of feeding which most people indulges in. patients suffering from these worms generally acquire a voracious appetite, but in spite of massive quantities of food they take in, there is no gain the weight. Sometimes they are pale and sickly and, therefore, gloomy. Infants and young children are likely to be irritated all the time and are prone to throw tantrums at the slightest excuse.

The most common and the least harmful parasite infesting the intestines is the threadworm, or enterobius vermicularis. When they are expelled from the anus, they tend to create uncontrollable itch and the patient is forced to scratch his anus. They are small, thread like creatures, which can be noticed in the stools of children. The hookworm and the tapeworm reassemble earthworms: they are, fortunately, less common in our country than threadworms.

Causes

It is the dirty habits, like eating food without washing your hands, putting the finger first in the nostril then in the mouth, eating contaminated food, scratching the anus and then eating food without thoroughly washing your hands, using underwear worn by a person suffering from threadworms, constipation, and mucus in the stools, which encourage the parasites to infest the intestines.

Treatment

Traditional medicine depends on drugs to kill the parasites; they may give temporary relief, but that is more likely to harm the digestive processes and create other complications. Naturopathy, on the other hand, aims at strengthening the intestines so that they can purge themselves of the parasites. The stools of a child suspected to be suffering from threadworms could be examined visually: in some cases they wou! ld be fo und sticking to the anus of the child.

Treatment of threadworm-infested patient must start with cleanliness. A child suffering from it should be administered a warm water enema to which juice of half a fresh lime has been added. It should be followed by administration of about 50 to 100 militres of coconut oil with the help of a syringe through the anus. The child should be asked to strain himself at the time of passing the stools.

The best course would be to start the treatment with fasting: if the young patient or his mother cavils at it, he should be administered fruit juice or clear vegetables soup mixed with water. Lukewarm enema must be given during the treatment both in the morning and evening. Enema would help expel mucus and threadworms from the intestines. Bedclothes of the patient must be aired in the sun every day and he should stay in a well-ventilated room.

If the child is walking he should be encouraged to fast for two days followed by a diet of fruits and boiled vegetables for five to six days. Raw vegetables like carrot, cucumber and onions can be given in addition to tomatoes. Mil and cereals should be totally avoided. Potatoes roasted over the coals and raisins soaked in water could also be given. After that the patient could be allowed porridge or gruel. When he has started taking cereals, milk should not be given to him not lentils.

Cold compresses and mudpack applied from the navel to the pubes can also help in the initial stages of the treatment. Juice of garlic could also be taken recourse to since it kills the parasites without harming the patient.

This course of treatment could help in dealing with disease like the enlargement of a spleen, hepatitis low fever, goiter, mumps, discharge of pus from the ear and swollen eyes in children.

For more information regarding Home Remedies for Parasites, Herbal Remedy visit http://www.natural-homeremedies.com

Dr John Anne
Also know about Causes of Diabetes and Diabetes Mellitus Information

Understanding Teen Acne

2008-10-12T22:03:00.001-07:00

Acne is a very common condition among teens. It affects not only their physical appearance, but may also affect their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Many teens are often afraid to go to social events or participate in extra activities because they are afraid of how others may see them.

Acne can be caused by a variety of factors, but hormones are believed to be a leading cause of acne in teens. This can also cross over into adult acne. Hormones cause the body to produce excess oil, which in turn clogs pores and causes pimples. The good news is, acne is very treatable and by figuring out its cause, you can find a treatment.

Having acne has nothing to do with what you eat or how often you wash your face, two common myths often associated with this condition. Washing your face too much, however, can cause the skin to become dry and irritated, and may, therefore, irritate existing acne, but it does not actually cause more acne to form.

One of the best ways to combat acne is to try to prevent it. This involves finding its cause and taking measures to treat it. By doing so, you are treating existing acne, while treating the root of its cause.

Since teens often produce more oil than do adults, it is important to wash twice a day with a mild cleanser that won't irritate or dry the skin. This helps eliminate excess oil, while wiping away any unwanted dirt and bacteria. It is also important to keep the skin properly hydrated and moisturized. Oily doesn't equal moisture. Skin that is oily must be moisturized as well.

All these things can be accomplished by washing the face. The excess oil will be removed, while the face will be hydrated and moisturized. A moisturizing cream may also help to keep moisture in the skin, which will help prevent it from becoming dry and irritated.

While it is good to exfoliate, it is important that you do not use a harsh product to do so. Use a gentle formula containing small grains. These will be less harsh to your skin and! will re move dead skin without irritating the healthy skin and aggravating the acne.

Avoid products that contain substantial amounts of alcohol, as this can cause your glands to produce more oil, or dry and irritate your skin. Instead, use a gentle toner that will help even your skin.

Don't squeeze or pick at your pimples. This can only cause them to become more inflamed because the bacteria are pushed deeper into the skin.

Choose makeup products wisely. Don't use products that have cause past breakouts, and use those that are noncometigenic, meaning they won't clog your pores.

No matter the cause, it is important to find a cure. Find a regimen that works for you and stick to it. If your acne persists, consult a physician. There are medications that can help treat many forms of acne. Finding a solution will help you feel better about yourself.

About the Author

TR Brown

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http://logoreg.com

Please email me if you want some free articles about ACNE. admin@logoreg.com

Fluoride in Drinking Water

2008-10-12T07:03:00.001-07:00

Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water that has Fluoride added? Well, the jury seems to be out, and they have been out for a very long time, without producing a satisfactory answer as to whether it is beneficial or harmful.

Scientists have discovered that there is a Toxic interaction between Fluoride and Aluminium, which can lead to Alzheimer's Disease. Others say that Fluoridation is a corrosive poison that will produce serious effects over the long term.

A large number of local authorities, worldwide have included Fluoride in the Cocktail that is called drinking water, for many years, whilst others have steered clear of inflicting this on the public, without their consent. Some authorities feel, that if parents want their children to have Fluoride, they can obtain tablets themselves, some authorities even provide them free, if they are required, as cost is not usually a problem, Fluoride is not an expensive chemical.

It is very difficult not to use Fluoride, as most brands of toothpaste contain this chemical, though if you read the labeling on products, you will find that there are a few around, that are free of Fluoride, perhaps this is what you should be looking out for if you put any value on your health, of course the choice is yours.

Fluoride is supposed to help prevent teeth problems in growing children, it appears from a number of reports that it makes very little difference to the state of childrens teeth, large numbers of Dentists are very much in favour of fluoride in the water.

Fluoride is, Hexafluorosilicic acid, a toxic industrial waste by-product, derived from Super-Phosphate, a fertiliser and Aluminium manufacturing. It is a fact that Sodium silicofluoride (Fluoride) has never been registered anywhere in the world as safe for human beings. It has been accepted scientifically and by some health and medical authorities that Fluoridated drinking water, must not be used in the preparation of Baby formula nutrition because of the dangerously! high po tential, of children receiving a poisonous overdose.

International scientific studies have shown that there is very little difference, if any, between the incidence of decayed, missing or filled teeth in children, or adults living in Fluoridated, or non-Fluoridated areas.

Medical professionals and scientists are warning that water fluoridation has dangerous long term health consequences, yet we are still allowing authorities to force it upon our children.

Perhaps you should check out our Web Sites listed below, you will certainly learn a few things that will improve your health.

Article by Alfred Jones, More Information at: http://www.SugarsR4U.com and http://www.RUsweetEnuf.com

Learn about Glyconutrients, The Essential Sugars for Life or Himalayan Goji Juice a Boost Immune System Vitamin. We can help with these problems.

Key Differences Between Bird Flu and Other Flu Types

2008-10-11T22:03:00.001-07:00

There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Of these, type A is further classified into subtypes, H and N. Type A affects people and numerous animals, while B and C typically affect humans only. Each type varies in severity, with A being the most dangerous, then B, and C being the least severe.

Bird flu is of the A type of influenza virus, one of more severe types. While several subtypes and strains exist, H5N1 is the most widely known and feared form of bird flu.

One of the primary differences of bird flu and the other types of the influenza virus is the way it is transmitted. Other strains of the flu virus, common among humans, are passed from human to human through saliva and mucus. This is done through sneezing, coughing, or breathing on or near someone. H5N1, on the other hand, is only transmitted from poultry to humans, and is done so through direct contact with the animals or their feces.

Another difference between the regular flu virus and H5N1 is the availability of a vaccine. The regular flu has been an irritant to people for some time. As a result, steps were taken long ago to challenge the virus and lessen the impact it had on people. Every year, people go in droves to receive a flu vaccine to avoid the virus. However, a vaccine has not been developed for the mutated form of bird flu that is to come. The reason for this is multifaceted. One reason is the lengthy development process. H5N1 has been a serious threat to humans for less than two years, since the outbreak of the virus began in Vietnam in January of 2004. Therefore, there has not been significant time to research and create a vaccine for the virus. Also, little purpose lies in creating a vaccine for the current strain of H5N1, as the real threat will come when the virus mutates. A vaccine that is developed now will be useless when mutation occurs, at which point a vaccine will really be needed. So, the virus must first be allowed to mutate and only then can an effective vaccine be ! develope d.

The other variation between bird flu and other flu strains is the severity of the symptoms. While symptoms of sneezing, coughing, sore throat and fever are similar, the symptoms easily become severe in cases of bird flu.

Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Crohn?s Disease. For more of her articles, go to http://www.imedicalvillage.com now.

Visit http://www.imedicalvillage.com and read more of her articles.

The Original Fast Food Diet

2008-10-11T07:03:00.001-07:00

'Fast foods' are not just a 20th century thing. They have been around since before man was created. The original 'fast food' diet was fresh raw herbs, fruits and vegetables, nuts & grains. What's faster than peeling a banana and eating it, or eating some grapes, or strawberries or an apple.

We have no excuse for not eating right, because God made it easy for us from the beginning. The Bible says in Genesis 1:29 And God said, See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

Fresh raw fruits and vegetables have live enzymes in them which help to heal, cleanse, & revitalize us. The live enzymes that are in the raw foods that we should consume every day are like soap to our insides. A day without some fresh raw foods is like a day without a bath or shower - if we go too many days everyone will know.

We need, along with all of the other things that we consume everyday, at least 5 to 9 servings of fresh raw fruits and vegetables everyday. Not to mention the 6 to 8 glasses of water that we need everyday (which we'll talk about in more detail later). Have you had yours today? Plan ahead and be prepared whether you go to school, work, or even the doctor's office. Bon appetite!

As an aerobics instructor, wife and mother of four (2 boys, 2 girls), Karen practices what she advocates regarding Health, Nutrition and Fitness.

Teaching primarily in christian/church environments, she helps people understand how to meet and achieve their Health/Fitness objectives.

Karen's Aerobics Music http://www.thewtlclub.com/page5.htm

What are the Best Acne Treatments?

2008-10-10T22:03:00.001-07:00

The most common home treatment for acne is twice daily application of a benzoyl peroxide solution such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot. This works by killing bacteria, drying up the oil, and causing your skin to peel. It is effective for minor acne (whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples).

Prescription or over-the-counter antibiotics like Stri-dex or Oxywork kill the bacteria which, with oil, causes acne.

For an even more surefire acne treatment, your doctor may suggest chemical skin peeling, removal of scars by dermabrasion or laser, or removal or drainage of cysts.

Synthetic Vitamin A derivatives, or retinoids, are for severe acne, which take the form of redness, nodules and cysts. Retinoids include creams and gels such as Retin-A and isotretinoin pills - Accutane. Accutane is an effective acne treatment in that it works to reduce the size and production of oil glands in the skin. Its effects are unbeatable and last a long time ? six months ? which is why it is so expensive ($450 per bottle). Pregnant and sexually active women must avoid retinoids, because they cause severe birth defects.

Laser resurfacing is the newest way to remove acne and acne scar tissue, among other uses. It is showing itself to be a very effective means of clearing up acne permanently, and is quickly surpassing dermabrasion in popularity. It works by vaporizing unwanted tissue, clearing the way for new healthy skin cells to grow.

Acne Treatment Info provides detailed information on the best acne treatments, including laser acne treatment, and scar treatment, as well as adult, natural, home treatment, and more. Acne Treatment Info is the sister site of Microdermabrasion Web.

Psoriasis and Acne Natural Treatment

2008-10-10T07:03:00.001-07:00

Dead Sea Minerals Products- Natural Psoriasis Treatment

The Dead Sea serves as a health and rehabilitation beauty spa. It holds many Beauty centers, Spa and Mineral pools that patients can rest in and cure their skin problems and achieve a mental relaxation.

Patients who suffer from: Psoriasis/Psoriasis-Arthritis/ Atopic Dermatitis/Vitiligo/ Arthritis/Asthma, have been using Dead Sea products to help relief their symptoms. The Dead Sea cosmetics and mineral products have proven to be greatly effective with reliefing symptomsof all Psoriasis, Eczema and other skin diseases.

Psoriasis patients around the world visit the Dead Sea very often and buy products for they found it the best natural treatment for their skin disease.

Unfortunately, Psoriasis, a chronic disease, cannot be cured and disappear forever.

Patients who suffer from Psoriasis must know that the Psoriasis treatment that is available today can only improve the diseases symptoms but cannot solve the problem forever.

This is why it is so important to maintain a healthy life style and know how to treat your skin so that the disease will stay under control and that the symptoms will be very delicate, almost in a degree to be ignored.

Psoriasis patients should use special cleaning and cosmetic skin care products that do not irritate their skin and cause them irritations of the skin.

Dead Sea Minerals are very popular among Psoriasis patients since they were proven very efficient in lowering the symptoms of the Psoriasis disease.

Obey Your Body's products are very good for people with sensitive skin and those who suffer from skin problems, such as Psoriasis patients.

Obey Your Body's Psoriasis Creams are very popular among Psoriasis patients, as the sooth the skin and make the symptoms almost totally disappear.

Obey Your Body Dead Sea Products

Reduce Body Fat With Newest Treatment Lipodissolve

2008-10-09T22:04:00.001-07:00

Fat knows just where to go around your body, to become a pudgy lumpy flopping annoyance to your body shape. Time and aging, diet, lifestyle and even family genetics may have set you up for a lifetime of battling body fat building up behind your knees...around your breasts...under your chin and neck...around your stomach...even your eyelids.

Fortunately, you have new minimally invasive ways to lose body fat such as with the innovative lipodissolve treatment plan, developed originally in Europe and now available in the USA. Remember, this is not about weight loss, rather 'touching up' those hard-to-reach areas where diet and exercise don't seem to reach.

Melting Body Fat With Lipodissolve. Here's how your lipodissolve treatment works. A trained physician gives you a preliminary health screening. Together you work out the focus areas where you have small to medium amounts of body fat build-up. Target areas are generally localized, rather than say a large fat tummy or outsized love handles. You'll be taken into an antiseptic treatment room where your doctor will carefully carry out a series of injections, delivering a clinically safe compound to a point just below the skin (subcutaneous) where all your fat cells have built up.

What happens next is that individual fat cells absorb the solution, initially harden, and then over a period of about two weeks simply break down, with your fat being naturally expelled by your body.

Pain Free No Scars Way To An Improved Female Body Shape. Lipodissolve presents a near-zero health risk, based on thousands of patient injections to date. Allergic reaction is the only recognized health risk in the results data to date. The reason why lipodissolve works so well is that it's based on well understood naturally occurring enzymes combined with established mild medications which also have a reliable and safe history of medical use, particularly in the cholesterol lowering drug field. Men, too, use lipodissolve especially to reduce love handles and jowl! y chin a nd cheek fat deposits.

Body Fat Target Areas Using Lipodissolve. Think small, discrete areas where you want some subtle body contouring rather than dramatic weight loss. Under your breast line, along a fat waist, reducing chin fat, lose weight in butt and thigh or calves, eyelids, lowering arm fat, cheek and neck fat, or even upper back fat are some of the body fat zones successfully treated by Lipodissolve.

Get More Ideas On Lipodissolve. Find out more details, costs, how to pick the right guides and more.

Lipodisolve: http://www.beauty2morrow.com/body/lipodissolve.htm

Stomach Liposuction: http://www.beauty2morrow.com/body/lipo-stomach.htm

Author Robin Derry publisher of http://www.beauty2morrow.com/ a specialty information site that gives solutions to body image and body shaping needs.

Aromatherapy Diffusers

2008-10-09T07:03:00.001-07:00

Aromatherapy diffusers, as the name implies, are devices that disperse aromatherapy scents around a room. Different aromatherapy vendors manufacture different types of diffusers. Some diffusers allow filling and refilling of non-liquid aromatherapy scents, and some are pre-filled with cotton absorb essential oils.

Diffusers are a convenient way of spreading a scent around an area. Diffusion can also be done using tissue paper, steam and candles. Steam diffusion is probably the best and the easiest way of diffusing a fragrance into a room. As steam heats the oil added to water, the oil evaporates and leaves a trail of fragrance in the room as the vapors disperse.

Lamp rings can also be used as diffusers. The oil stays in the ring of the lamp, and as the bulb heats the ring, the oil evaporates and spreads. Also, available are clay pot diffusers that resemble small terra-cotta pots. A clay pot diffuser contains an opening to add essential oils. A cork seals the opening. As the oil permeates through the pot, the diffusion of the aroma takes place. A fan diffuser, on the other hand, blows air into the oil and diffuses the aroma. Electric heat diffusers use heat instead of air to diffuse the scent into a room.

Another novel method of diffusing an aroma is using a nebulizer, which breaks an essential oil into fine particles and disperses them as small molecules around the area where the nebulizer is placed. Those who believe in a spiritual penchant for aromatherapy prefer a nebulizer diffuser that sends essential oil molecules directly to the lungs where they enter the blood stream and produce a desired therapeutic effect.

Aromatherapy provides detailed information on Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy Oil, Aromatherapy Candles, Aromatherapy Diffusers and more. Aromatherapy is affiliated with Acupuncture Schools.

Planting And Nurturing Your Contacts And Resources

2008-10-08T22:03:00.001-07:00

The success level of your bodybuilding endeavors is highly determined by the contacts and resources that you posses and have access to, as well as these that you can offer to the world of bodybuilding.

Success is achieved through desire dedication, effort, simplicity, and consistency.

As any type of success, it is achieved through consistent care, dedication, interest, and effort.

It is important to note that in order to succeed in your bodybuilding endeavors, it is vital to constantly be aware of what you can offer to the world of bodybuilding and the contacts through which it will be achieved.

It?s simple to follow that focusing on planting seeds that will enable you to create contacts and create resources that you will offer to the world of bodybuilding is a vital procedure to the overall level of success.

Each possesses his unique truth. Plant it, nurture it, and create from it a masterpiece.

Metaphorically speaking, each person possess a farm yard in which he plants various types of seeds with the desire for these seeds to grow and blossom into successful results.

You get out exactly what you put in.

It?s vital to realize that in order to achieve your desired level of success, it essential to create a habit of creating contacts and resources by constantly planting new seeds, and further, dedicating the time and effort to nurture them and allow them to blossom.

Build it, and it will come.

With the creation of such a habit, your mind will begin on it?s own to seek ways to create new relationships, nurture the current ones through constant interest and concern, and build ways to offer your resources to the world of your goals and endeavors, attaining higher levels of success on a consistent basis.

Mike Vainshtein, a bodybuilder and motivational speaker shares his power mental and motivational strategies to allow you to achieve your goals and dreams, and lead the life that you desire.

Mike Vainshtein is currently offering persona! l one-on -one consultation to allow you to create your own marketing plan and earn from your passion for bodybuilding.

You can also contact Mike at Mike@Repsofpain.com

And visit his website http://www.repsofpain.com

Acne Prevention and Effective Remedies

2008-10-08T07:03:00.001-07:00

Your granny might have told you about the rigorous life-style she stood by to keep acne at bay. She might also have some acne prevention tips to give you if she notices an acne or two ? ?go for natural cleansing diets minus spices,? ?have plenty of water,? ?take out time for regular skin-care,? so on and so forth. Following these acne prevention tips definitely renders your skin excellent service ? removing acne, preventing further attacks and scar formation.

It is not necessary, however, that the bitter acne-episode of your life will come to such an easy and rapid ending. In many cases, acne returns with increased severity. Actually, the hullabaloo surrounding acne prevention was based on a vague understanding of the acne condition. However, clogging of skin pores, overactive sebaceous glands, hormonal activity and a range of different factors have been associated with acne, with each factor perpetrating acne in different age groups and under different conditions.

With seemingly no escape from acne, the best way to handle your acne will be to go for a safe treatment as soon as they put up their first appearance. With hosts of available remedies like home treatments, topical treatments, hormone therapies and many non-prescription drugs, peels and lotions, your chances of shedding the acne-scale is nearly hundred percent. The advanced scar treatments and a little patience will be enough to take care of your acne scar before it starts bothering you.

If you want to see some real magic ? not acne prevention but acne (along with scars) vanishing in just 2-3 days ? you can try the TCA or Trichloroacetic Acid Skin Peel. Certified as ?safe and most effective? among peels by the medical fraternity, the effect of the TCA peels last for about 6 months. Recommended for adult acne, TCA peels tighten sagging skin to give you a fresh, young look too. Tca Peels have been proven to eliminate all acne causing bacteria, change skin pH so acne is less likely to form, and greatly improve or erase old ac! ne scars .

Acne prevention might not always be possible for you, but preventing the acne condition from further deteriorating is something, which you always can! The best tip that will surely prevent acne from spreading is restraining yourself from squeezing or picking at the acne lesions.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests and manufactures various skin peels and acne treatments for doctors offices and medispas. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Acne Scar Removal: How To Do It The Right Way?

2008-10-07T22:03:00.001-07:00

How Do They Work?

How To Select The Appropriate One

Acne scar removal can actually help to reform the skin and the soul when it is selected wisely.

We ha! ve made a research to find the best acne treatments. Find it only on the Fast removal of acne scars website. All about acne treatments on LeanderNet - http://www.leandernet.com.

Lose Weight Fast ? Incorporate This Food In Any Diet and Melt The Pounds Away!

2008-10-07T07:02:00.001-07:00

Incorporate this food in your diet and you will satisfy your hunger , get lots of nutrients and it is the perfect snack so can be eaten any time.

This is one of natures most under rated foods, yet its importance should not be ignored. So what is this food?

Apples! Read on and you will see just how good they are for you and how they can help lose weight when incorporated in ANY diet.

Featured in the Bible and other ancient writings, the apple has a colorful and varied history.

Apples why they help you lose weight!

It is also well known to farmers that apples should NOT be fed to their pigs, as it satisfies them, and they eventually will not gain the desired weight.

This ?secret? also applies to people, and not only will the apple help a dieter lose weight, it has amazing health benefits as you will see below.

Apples are full of goodness and protect against disease

Continuing research suggests that eating apples regularly may reduce the risk of various cancers, such as colon, prostate, and lung. Furthermore, eating apples regularly appear to aid those with heart disease and cholesterol problems.

But that is not all.

There is a group of chemicals in apples could protect the brain from the type of damage that triggers such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's and senile dementia.

Amazingly the apple phenolics (naturally occurring antioxidants) and found in fresh apples, protects nerve cells from neurotoxicity. An apple a day can indeed, ?keep the doctor away?.

A Fantasitc source of fibre to satisfy hunger

In dieting however, the apple appears unequaled as a source of dietary fiber, moisture, micro-nutrients, vitamins (see table at end of this article), and its flavor is well-known to be satisfying as to assist with our appostat reaction (the neurological reaction that tells our body to STOP eating).

The secret is simple, effective, safe and beneficial beyond your expectations.

Have an apple before each of your m! eals. Th ree a day is recommended, but if you are hungry and need a snack, some apple juice or an apple between meals also works.

You will eat less, you will see the kilos melt away, and your health will improve.

It?s as simple as that.

Further, from the Materia Medica, it is stated that the apple is a heart protector, it lowers blood cholesterol due to its pectin content, it lowers blood pressure; it regulates blood sugar; and apple juice kills infectious viruses; strengthens the nerves; acts as liver tonifier and a blood purifier.

No other fruit has so many qualities.

More than that, natural remedies (since recorded history) suggest that eating apples can cure (or assist the body to cure) the following:

jaundice and other bilious conditions, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation; atherosclerosis, hypotension; gout, arthritis; skin eruptions; anemia and lymphatic system disorders.

For the dieter, this is the ideal food.

The chemical analysis of a medium sized apple.

raw apple with skin

calories (kcal): 81
weight (g): 138
water (%): 84.1
protein (g): 0.3
fat (g): 0.5
carbohydrates (g): 21.1
unsaturated fatty acid (g): 0.4
saturated fatty acid (g): 0.1
calories from fat (%): 5.6
cholesterol (mg): 0
dietary fiber (g): 2.8
vitamin A (RE): 7
vitamin A (IU): 74
vitamin B1 (mg): 0.02
vitamin B2 (mg): 0.02
vitamin B3 (mg): 0.1
vitamin B6 (mg): 0.07
vitamin B12 (mcg):
vitamin C (mg): 8
vitamin E (IU): 1
folic acid (mcg): 4
pantothenic acid (mg): 0.08
sodium (mg): 1
potassium (mg): 159
calcium (mg): 10
phosphorus (mg): 10
magnesium (mg): 6
iron (mg): 0.25
zinc (mg): 0.05
copper (mg): 0.057
manganese (mg): 0.062

natures super food!

The apple is wholesome and promotes health, it gives you a full supply of nutrients and vitamins, some important minerals, a micro amount fat, useful carbohydrates, a perfect! combina tion of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated ones, and water.

Best of all, Apples taste good, is a natural food, and will satisfy your hunger. You cannot help but to lose weight and gain lots of other benefits to!

More FREE diet and nutrition advice

Including more on general diet and weight loss as well as general information on all areas of healthy eating our website features:

Articles features and PDF downloads visit:

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Lung Cancer: The Bad and the Worse

2008-10-06T22:03:00.001-07:00

In terms of deaths caused by various forms of cancer, lung cancer ranks second only to breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute recently reported that an estimated 172,570 new cases of lung cancer will be reported this year and that 163,510 American will die from this disease.

Lung cancer is caused predominantly by smoking. One expert says that in the case of Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (cancer), it is almost always caused by smoking.

Lung cancer is called lung cancer because it begins in the lungs. The right lung has three sections, the left lung has two. Each section is called a lobe. Sometimes the term ?bronchogenic cancer? is used to refer to lung cancer as most lung cancers begin in one of the two breathing tubes, the bronchi, in the lungs.

There are two major types of lung cancer. One is the Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) mentioned in the previous paragraph. The other is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer has three subtypes: Adenocarcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Large Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma. NSCLC is the least ?serious? of the two types. In fact, if it is detected early, it is possible that it can be cured with surgery.

Andenocarcinoma accounts for about 40 percent of lung cancer cases in the U.S. It is the most common cancer among women and can be seen in non-smokers. Squamous Cell Carcinoma represents about 30 to 35 percent of lung cancers and tends to stay localized in the chest longer than other types of lung cancer. Large Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma represents only about five to 15 percent of lung cancers in the U.S. The incidence of this type of cancer seems to be decreasing.

The worst and most aggressive form of lung cancer is Small Cell Lung Cancer. It represents only about 15 to 20 percent of all lung cancers. It spreads to the lymph nodes and other organs more quickly than NSCLC, but seems more responsive to chemotherapy drugs.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is described in stages ? Stage I through IV! . WebMD recently reports survival rates of NSCLC as:

?Stage 1A or 1B with no lymph node involvement has a five-year survival rate of 43 to 64 percent when treated with surgery.

?Stage IIA or IIB with a single lymph node involvement, when treated with surgery, has a five-year survival rate of 20 to 40 percent.

?Stage IIIA with a single lymph node involvement in the center of the chest, when treated with surgery has a five-year survival rate of 15 to 25 percent.

?Stage IIIB with lymph node involvement in the chest and neck, when treated with radiation without other treatment, has a five-year survival rate of five to seven percent.

?Stage IIIB with lymph node involvement in the chest and neck, when treated with radiation and chemotherapy, has a five-year survival rate between seven and 17 percent.

?Stage IV with extensive lymph node involvement or cancer that has spread to other organs, hen treated with chemotherapy and palliative care to reduce symptoms and increase comfort has a one-year survival rate.

The prognosis is much bleaker for patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer. This form of cancer is found in two stages: limited or extensive. The limited version is that which is found in only one lung and nearby lymph nodes. The extensive type has spread outside the lung to other parts of the chest or body (metastasized). Limited SCLC when treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy has an average survival time of 18 to 20 months. The extensive form of SCLC when treated with chemotherapy has a survival time of 10 to 12 months. Ttwo-year survival rate is one to three percent, and the five-year survival rate less than two percent.

The majority of people diagnosed with SCLC will die despite the best available treatment.

While surgery plays the most important part in the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, chemotherapy is always the chosen treatment for Small Cell Lung Cancer. In the case of limited stage SCLC, radiation therapy may also be used as the cancer ! is still localized to the chest area where radiation can be focused.

Small Cell Cancer Cells are so small they cannot be seen on scans. Even in the case of limited stage SCLC, it is possible for some cells to break away from the primary cancer and migrate to anywhere in the body. For this reason, chemotherapy is the preferred treatment as it treats the whole body, unlike radiation therapy which must be focused on a selected area. In act, chemotherapy is the preferred treatment for both limited and extensive stage Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Here's a more upbeat idea. If you're looking for a great place to vacation, choose Denver. Denver is unique in that it offers the best of two worlds -- the fun things to do and see that you find only in a big, sophisticated city, plus the breathtaking scenery, unforgettable vistas and amazing wildlife you find in our nearby Rocky Mountains. To learn more about the best Denver vacation, just go to Just go to http://www.best-denver-vacation.com

Douglas Hanna has lived in the Denver area for nearly 35 years and is an expert on both Denver and Colorado. He is also the author of more than 120 articles on Denver and Internet marketing.

WSIB: The Importance of Knowing Your Rights if You Have an AsbestosRelated Disease

2008-10-06T07:02:00.001-07:00

Asbestos-related diseases are increasing in the United States and in some other countries, because asbestos workers were exposed to this mineral, which is the main risk factor for developing the disease. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) helps you to find out if you are entitled to compensation if you worked exposed to asbestos.

This is important, because when you are sick you do not have time to think of your disease causes, since you never thought of being ill with pain and even with so much danger to your health.

For instance, in Ontario, Canada, exists a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) that oversees your state?s workplace safety education and training system, provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care, and assists in early and safe return to work.

The most exposed workers to the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease are power plant workers, asbestos and talc miners, shipyard workers, auto break mechanics, demolition workers, pipe fitters, insulation workers, boilermakers and workers who make products which contain asbestos, such as firebricks, fire-retardant paint, and asbestos cement.

The most common asbestos-related diseases are asbestosis, mesothelioma, benign pleural diseases, pleural plaques and lung cancer.

It does not exist a cure for most of the above mentioned diseases, but there are treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as for other types of cancer pathologies.

There are also different ways of prevention the high risk of inhaling asbestos fibers when you work with this material.

This article was written by Hector Milla, editor of Disorder Skin .com, visit http://www.disorderskin.com for skin disorder information, or you could see their last article: pictures of skin disorders at:
http://www.disorderskin.com/1/picture-of-skin-disorder.html. Thanks for use this article in your website or ezine keeping a live link.

What Is Crohn's Disease?

2008-10-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Crohn?s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), one of many disorders that cause inflammation in the intestines. There is particular difficulty diagnosing Crohn?s Disease because of the similarity between Crohn?s and other intestinal problems, specifically ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Most of these disorders cause digestive problems and pain.

This disorder can affect any part of the digestive tract, but predominantly is found in the lower small intestines. It is presented as swelling of the intestinal walls and is as common in men as women, as well as various ethnicities. There also appears to be a genetic link to Crohn?s as many sufferers also have family members with the disorder as well.

Common symptoms of Crohn?s Disease include diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss, rectal bleeding, and fever. For a more in-depth look at the symptom associated with Crohn?s Disease read ebook 2 of ?A Complete Guide to Crohn?s Disease and Possible Treatments.? Because this is a chronic disease, it may be prevalent and active for a period of time and then become dormant.

The cause of this disease is unknown; however, it has been debated that the body?s reaction to bacteria in the bowel causes inflammation, thus the primary symptom of Crohn?s. Because of the inflammation, the bowels empty frequently, causing diarrhea and cramping. However, a serious concern with Crohn?s Disease is the possibility of a blockage in the intestines, due to swelling and the presence of scar tissue. Another complication is the infection of small fistulas, or tunnels, that develop between the affected area and surrounding tissue. Arthritis, kidney stones, gallstones, and liver disease are also possible complications associated with Crohn?s Disease.

Nutritional deficiencies are also common with Crohn?s Disease. This may be due to poor absorption as well as inadequate diet. When people have digestive issues, they tend to alter their diet, sometimes to their detrimen! t. When food is consumed, is it often not absorbed into the system correctly because of the inflammation and swelling in the intestines. This is also the primary reason for weight loss among Crohn?s sufferers.

People with Crohn?s Disease are often diagnosed by testing and a physical examination. A series of tests, such as blood testing, an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and a colonoscopy, may be completed to determine if Crohn?s is present. A blood test may show an increase in white blood cells or anemia, which would point to an infection as well as bleeding in the intestines. A GI series, as well as a colonoscopy, will show inflammation and other intestinal abnormalities.

visit http://www.imedicalvillage.com and read more of her articles.

Losing Weight with Salsa Dancing

2008-10-04T07:02:00.001-07:00

If you?ve been trying for months to lose those extra pounds and those love handles are no longer showing you any love ...

If you?re tired of the high gym memberships, the constant travel, the packing and unpacking of your gym bag and the unsanitary change rooms you have to visit in order to attend an expensive gym just to sweat your money away rather than those extra pounds than you?ll be interested in what I am about to share with you.

I?m sure you?re just plain tired of the demand, inconveniences and repetitiveness of most exercise programs. That is why you should definitely consider salsa dancing as a way to lose those extra pounds but at the same time have fun while doing it.

Salsa dancing is one of the best ways to enjoy yourself while also getting in shape. It works various body parts and is an excellent cardio workout exercise that burns fat while lightly toning the body without the rigorous and strenuous movement of most exercise programs.

One session of salsa dancing can leave you feeling revived but also lifts your spirits giving you a confidence for dance that you never knew you had.

Most salsa dancers have fabulous physiques because the muscles worked in salsa dancing can add new form and definition to your body.

Here are the particular muscle groups worked during a casual salsa dance:

1.Calf muscles
2.Hip muscles
3.Hamstrings
4.Arms ? shoulder muscles and triceps
5.Quadriceps

But best of all, salsa dancing is a quick moving exercise that entails endurance making it one of the best cardiovascular workout activities ever!

So if you feel bummed one Saturday night and feel guilty that you missed a session of your weekly exercise routine well why not check out your local salsa club for a quick pick me up that will improve your social circle while also helping you keep the pounds off.

But don?t forget, a good workout routine also entails eating right. So, drink plenty of water, eat your greens, eat lots of healthy nuts ! like cas hews and almonds (stay away from peanuts as these are very fattening), and don?t forget that fruits are your best friend.

Have fun!

www.salsadancedvd.com

Evan Margolin shares his passion for salsa through DanceSF, the premier salsa studio in the Bay Area, his Learn to Salsa DVDs (http://www.salsadancedvd.com) and SalsaCrazy.com, a comprehensive guide to salsa news and events in the Bay Area.

Early Trials Lead to Breakthroughs for Psoriasis Treatment

2008-10-03T22:03:00.001-07:00

Therapeutic Use Of Jojoba

Jojoba Oil is a liquid wax that is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba bush. Originally a native of the Sonoran Desert of South West USA and Mexico, its long traditions in Native American uses led to the development of commercial plantations in Israel, the USA, Australia and Argentina.

Dr Mosovich said in his paper: About 40 volunteers, in our laboratories, tried using jojoba wax for chapped hands and against sunburn with very good response, and no allergenic reaction. We started our studies on the assumption that jojoba wax could ease certain skin diseases.

He also indicated that: The known lack of toxicity for human beings induced us to test jojoba oil in two groups of volunteers affected with dermatological processes of high cosmetic and esthetic significance. The first group consisted of 35 patients affected with acne vulgaris. Their condition was 'cystic' or 'purulent' and seemed to be most resistant to customary treatments.

He noted that Patients willingly returned as they felt that the facial treatments were useful.

A second group of 27 patients suffered from psoriasis vulgaris. This condition is characterised by excessive scaling (turn over) and is very resistant to conventional therapeutics. The keratoplastic and keratolytic action of jojoba oil suggested that it might be used as additional treatment. The use of steroids in the treatment of this condition is expensive, cumbersome, and may have secondary effects. Jojoba oil may be recommended in certain cases of psoriasis, such as those affecting the scalp.

Treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris

Under this heading, Dr Mosovich's paper outlined: The experience obtained during studies of acne patients, as earlier reported, showed positive keratoplastic and also slight keratolytic effects, ease and convenience of use, and no side effects. These induced us to study the effect of this ointment for treatment of patients suffering from Psoriasis vulgaris. This illness is frustrating for ! the phys ician and the patient, is most unaesthetic and is incurable. The treatment which seems to help one patient has no effect on another, and for this reason it is called heartbreak disease.

The psoriasis histological phenomenon consists of parakeratosis, which could affect several areas of the body. The condition follows an irregular cyclic pattern - improvements followed by declines. The treatment usually used should help to peel the hard scales. Of the medicines used today, some are very expensive and include hormones, such as fluocinonide; the others are classical medicines such as mineral oil or coal tar derivatives, some of which are very greasy, black and, thus, unpleasant for daily use.

The patients treated: a group of 27 volunteer patients aged 12 to 60 were treated, eighteen of them for psoriasis of the scalp, as other medications used for this illness are not very effective. The illness causes hard itching, open sores and hair clumping.

Ointment specifications: the lipidic water immiscible ointment contains refined jojoba wax esters in cis and trans forms.

Method of treatment: The ointment was massaged lightly on the scalp, twice a day, with no immediate hair wash. The patient returns for first control after one week, and for subsequent checks once a month.

Results: light spreading of the ointment on the scalp or the effected area permits the removal of dandruff or scales, separates the hairs from each other and causes softening of the skin. The area remains erithematosous. However in several of the cases the scales reappear after a time. There are no adverse effects on the skin. In all cases we could positively say that the treatment helped, at least initially, which is not always the case with other classical treatments. (Fig 5 shows marked improvement on the same psoriasis of the elbows case after the first treatment). The patients begin to use the jojoba ointment willingly as it has no bad odour, and is not greasy; treatment can be carried out during the daytime.

It seems, therefore, that jojoba ointment could be a good medication for psoriasis in addition to other recognised medications against the disease.

Potential for Relief

These findings by Dr Mosovich and his team more than two decades ago ignited a feeling that jojoba could and should be developed into a beneficial product for psoriasis relief.

In those early days we, at Premium, were involved in this nascent industry. Having established commercial jojoba plantations in Australia, we developed natural refining processes that delivered a 100% pure super fine jojoba moisturiser product, now called LANNI Ultimate Moisturiser.

We commissioned a University in Sydney to undertake further research into the qualities of the product in order to further understand its applications and potential benefits to the human skin. The university identified a remarkable quirk of nature? the molecular structure of the product has an amazing similarity to sebum wax - the skin's own lubricant.

It is also extremely stable to oxidation and therefore addition of anti-oxidants is not required. It does not need any preservatives, additives or perfumes, which can often cause allergies or skin irritation and it is refined to anti bacterial standards.

From reading literature on psoriasis, I understood the importance of lubricating the skin in order to minimise dryness, scaling and itchiness. I made it my quest to research potential treatments and cures and to bring awareness and relief to psoriasis sufferers. Used by Psoriasis Sufferers.

A growing number of people with various irritated skin conditions (ranging from light to extreme) are now reporting that regular application of Lanni Ultimate Moisturiser is bringing considerable relief when many other treatments have brought only frustrating disappointments.

For more information about how Lanni Ultimate Moisturiser, a totally natural balm, can be used in psoriasis treatment to lubricate your skin as well as relieve your dry, scaly, itchy sk! in condi tions, please go to http://www.PsoriasisTreatment.net.au

3 Simple Tips For Losing Fat and Gaining Muscle

2008-10-03T07:02:00.001-07:00

Sculpting your body involves two factors ? losing fat and gaining muscle. Only when these are enjoined will there be any noticeable improvement in your physique.

Some people have good muscle mass. Unfortunately, it is lost in a sea of fat. The only way you can get muscle definition is by losing the excess fat around the muscles. On the other hand, some people diet and lose fat only to realize that they don?t have any muscle to show for the diet.

There should be a balance of the two to have any meaningful result to one?s diet and body building regimen. Here are a few tips for losing fat and gaining muscle:

1. Build Muscles With Weights ? Free weights are some of the most effective means of gaining muscle. The technique here is to start a high-intensity, low-rep workout to build muscles.

Contrary to what people think, the only way to build muscles is to push your muscles to exert themselves to about 80 to 90 percent of its limit. This forces the body to bulk up its muscles in anticipation of greater workload over the course of a few weeks.

Some people settle for low-intensity, high-repetition exercises. These types of exercises increases the endurance and tones the muscles, however, they do not build muscle mass that much. A good regimen would be to engage in muscle bulking programs before going on endurance training in alternation.

Don?t forget to increase your protein intake as you will need it to build new muscles.

2. Lose Fat ? As mentioned earlier the only way to get muscle and cuts defined is by losing fat. You can do this in a variety of ways. Here are some of them.

Dieting ? thanks to today?s high-fat, high-salt diet, most Americans are obese and overweight. If you are to lose fat, you will have to reduce the amount of fat, and salt in your diet. Go for healthy foods such as vegetables, grains, and fruits, and avoid processed foods, fats, some oils, and eat meat in moderation.

Water ? While most body builders try to lose water by decreasing f! luid int ake, increased fluid intake can actually help flush out fats in the body, not to mention it helps you body function better ? and a healthier body is easier to sculpt.

3. Rest ? Without rest there can be no room for your body to grow. Some body builders have had trouble gaining only to realize that it is due to overtraining. Your body needs rest to repair tissue and grow muscle, so don?t forget to rest and get enough sleep.

Conclusion

In all, sculpting a better body is not impossible. However, it will take a total commitment from you to be anything but futile. If you invest enough time, effort, and patience, you will very soon find that your body has rewarded you for your efforts.

To learn more about ways to sculpt a better body, please visit http://www.burn-fat-build-muscle.info/

Diet For Acne

2008-10-02T22:02:00.001-07:00

In order to control the rate of acne development, there are a few tips, which need to be followed. It is better advised to consume vegetables, cereals, pulses and fruits to the maximum. They are usually rich in fiber content and lack the constituents that lead to obesity. You will be on the safer side if you avoid gulping fried food, milk products, hydrogenated vegetable oils, shellfish, carbonated beverages etc. Proper intake of water is also necessary and will work out best.

As vitamin supplements are the building blocks for healthy skin, they should be eaten but with a proper guidance from a physician.

1.Vitamin A is necessary for reducing the sebum production, but excessive dosages could cause knee and joint pain, decrease in bone density, a few gynecology issues etc. A woman expecting an offspring should carefully follow a guideline from the medical experts and continue with her course of therapy.

2.Ingestion of zinc, especially the solution of zinc gluconate will readily reduce the rash formations, reduce inflammation and also slow down the effect of adrenal glands on the skin.

3.Vitamin B6 is required for proper metabolism.

If the above mentioned diet and vitamin supplements are consumed you can restrict acne to a large extent. Consult a physician before embarking on any supplement or diet regimen.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1522.html

Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentists

2008-10-02T07:02:00.001-07:00

Cosmetic dentists are perhaps the most sought-after dentists these days. They can offer you a real good smile make over, which enhances your appearance as well as boosts your confidence. Philadelphia, to put it simply, has lots and lots of cosmetic dentists. You can find them spread throughout Philadelphia. Needless to say, they are in demand.

Many Philadelphia cosmetic dentists claim to give you results in a matter of days. This has been made possible mainly due to the incredible advancements in cosmetic dentistry. Some of the popular Philadelphia cosmetic dentistry procedures include porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding, clear braces, laser dentistry, porcelain crowns, and laser tooth whitening, to mention only a few. Cosmetic dentistry can make you look years younger, and more importantly, help you enjoy pain free chewing.

The world over, nothing conveys good health and improves your smile more than a set of clean, white teeth. This is the reason a vast majority of people with some or other form of dental problem think twice before flashing even a grin, let alone a smile. They become self-conscious about their smile. Cosmetic dentistry aims to bring you a great smile, with beautiful teeth. Although it is generally termed as cosmetic dentistry, it could include restorative dentistry services and preventive care services. Restorative dentistry services, as the name suggests, restores your teeth. If you happen to have discolored, damaged, or decayed teeth or even lost teeth, restorative dentistry offers you a way out and can bring that natural smile that you always hankered after. Restorative dentistry could include inserting dental crowns, porcelain veneers and other forms of aesthetic dental makeovers. Now, preventive care services mainly deals with maintaining your dental health, to last a lifetime.

Philadelphia Dentists provides detailed information on Low Cost Philadelphia Dentists, Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentists, Philadelphia Dentists, Philadelphia Emergency Denti! sts and more. Philadelphia Dentists is affiliated with Laser Tooth Whitening.

BPH (Prostate Enlargement) What Is It and How Can It Be Treated?

2008-10-01T22:02:00.001-07:00

BPH is the enlargement of the male prostate gland. It can have many associated problems including the need to urinate frequently, difficulty in urinating and inability to completely empty the bladder.

The main cause of BPH is age. It?s a very common complaint in older men - indeed over 50% of males 55 years old and over are thought to be suffering with BPH.

It?s important for BPH to be properly diagnosed, mainly to assess treatment options and to rule out other more serious problems such as prostate cancer.

The difficulty here is many males are embarrassed to seek treatment and indeed some will put up with annoying symptoms for years rather than admit to any problems in this sensitive area!

Still others fear being diagnosed with prostate cancer and will spend years worrying about the possibility while being too afraid to know.

All this, while quite understandable, coupled with a natural male reluctance to admit to any weakness is counter productive. Why suffer when it?s not necessary?

Even if there is a problem, it?s much better to know about it. This gives us back some control and ability to make choices among the many options now available.

BPH is what it says - ?benign?. Meaning that there is no malignancy. Having been diagnosed then, all worry about cancer should cease! It?s sensible, however, to do everything to prevent prostate cancer - information about which can be found on the site below.

Treatments for BPH fall into 3 categories. Drugs, surgery or natural medications.

Prostate Surgery -

If the symptoms of BPH are severe and causing major problems such as complete inability to empty the bladder, then surgery is the best and probably the only option.. This can take several forms, but the most common is known as TURP.

TURP is performed without cutting and access to the prostate is through the urethra. An instrument is inserted which removes any obstructive tissue, easing the pressure thus relieving the BPH symptoms. TURP is a rel! atively safe operation.

Drug Treatments -

For those whoses BPH symptoms are not severe - or for those who hate the thought of surgery! - There are two main types of BPH medication.

Hormones - For example Finasteride (Proscar). Hormones work by interfering with the male hormone, testosterone. It is a slow acting and long term treatment. The side effects can be impotence and erection failure.

Alpha Blockers - These act by relaxing the muscle in the prostate itself which prevents urine flow. This is faster acting than the hormone approach but the side effects are weakness and lethargy.

Alternative BPH Treatment

These herbal remedies can be extremely effective without the side effects of drugs. For more information visit the site below.

This article is for informational use only. It is important to seek medical advice if you are experiencing BPH symptoms.

Help for Prostate enlargement, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis and prostate cancer. Super prostate formula. Visit: http://www.safe-prostate-health.com Wendy Owen is a health writer and researcher.

How To Prevent Acne A Simple Acne Home Cure

2008-10-01T07:02:00.001-07:00

So what is how to prevent acne really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about how to prevent acne--info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

How to prevent acne is one of those irked questions people have been asking themselves since the beginning of time. The first humans to walk the earth undoubtedly marveled at the sun and stars, wondered why they were here, what greater purpose there was to their lives, thinking of how to prevent acne once and for all. Today, we still wonder the same things, and its clear we haven't really made many advances toward finding a cure for acne.

There are many different theories out there on how to prevent acne, and while I suspect that most of them are nothing more than just theory, none of them works completely for everyone. The theories on how to prevent acne seem to fall in three different categories; diet, stress, and skin care. Of all the different ideas on how to prevent acne, the ones based on changing your diet seems to be the biggest myth to me. It doesn't seem to matter even in the slightest what I am eating, and I do eat everything, because I love my mouth.

I could be eating nothing but the finest, healthiest foods, and still get massive outbreaks, even when I am on a strict diet. Stress and skin care are much better areas to focus on in acne prevention, from what I have learnt and experienced. Learning how to prevent acne has been a process Ive been mastering since I was a teenager. Over the years I've come to realize one sorry and unfortunate fact; acne seems to be impossible to prevent or cure completely. While I can usually prevent somewhere in the vicinity of 90% of the acne I would normally get, that still leaves a fairly significant proportion of acne that gets through.

Even though there isn't a direct connection between staying active and exercising a lot, such measures are proven to lower stress and so indirectly are very great methods to prevent acne. Exercise seems t! o be the best way to prevent everything bad in life, doesn't it? You are not only preventing acne in a roundabout way, but you are also preventing all kinds of cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, while boosting your body's ability to fight off many more common diseases as well. Incidentally, many of these diseases also seem to have a stress component to them. Skin care is getting the most attention as a way to prevent acne, and probably for many good reasons.

Using just an acne face wash and a simple acne body wash every day does indeed seem to go a long way to reducing my outbreaks. From what I have seen, I think stress is underestimated as a cause of acne. Of all the theories I've examined on how to prevent acne, the one theory that deals with lowering stress levels are the most effective for me in the long run.

Alexander Marlin

Having suffered from acne for years has finally made a site showing you how to prevent acne. It is a very simple and easy home cure for acne.

Asthma: A Respiratory Tract Infection

2008-09-30T22:16:00.001-07:00

Asthma is a disease which affects the respiratory system of the human organism. Asthma makes the airways more constrained and makes it more narrowed down through certain symptoms like wheezing, lack of proper breath, tightness of the chest and coughing, prolonged termination of breath, fast heart beat, chest inflation etc. Asthma is generally caused due to environmental pollution. Asthma reduces and constricts the airways as a result of which the patient suffers from normal way of breathing. The term ?Asthma?? is usually a Greek word which means ?sharp breath.?

The symptoms of asthma can sometimes range from mild to severe life threatening. Moreover, it is to be estimated here that the symptoms of asthma can be solely controlled through the use of certain drugs and through changes in the life style. Asthma is generally caused by inflammation of breathing or the bronchial tubes which is present in the lungs. The most common cause of asthma is environmental pollution. Exposure to the environment of cotton and flour dust, smoke, smoke and to a wide range of chemicals further increases the risk of asthma. Generally, the most common symptom which is associated with asthma can be felt with the tightness sensation in the chest.

Asthma can be of two types. One is extrinsic and the other is intrinsic. Extrinsic is considered as the most common form of asthma which is usually caused due to allergies and also due to the use of certain allergens to diagnose the allergies. This form of asthma is very much prone during the early stage of one?s development which gradually gets reduced with the advancement of the age. The other form of asthma which is known as the intrinsic asthma can be traced out through certain infections in the respiratory tract.

Asthma as it is a chronic disease can be to a certain extent overcome through proper means of exercises. Sports like swimming can to a great extent help in overcoming asthma. This sport helps in exfoliating the humidity in the atmosphere and helps in o! verall t oning of the body. Besides swimming, activities like long walks in the morning as well in the evening helps in reducing the effects of asthma. Along with these activities biking, cycling, skiing helps effectively in the process of inhaling the air. Along with them, football, basketball, golfing, wrestling, gymnastics etc all works quite effective in overcoming asthma.

All asthma patients need proper treatment and medical attention so that the intensity of the disease gets mild and also if possible are diagnosed forever and thus enable the patient to lead a healthy life.

Farzina Naznin has been greatly associated with sites like http://www.healthcenterassociation.com/, http://www.healthcentreworld.com/, and http://www.fitnessgoodhealth.net/ for writing articles. Her articles will help the readers to understand various health related concepts.

A Muscle Building Tip That May Work Wonders

2008-09-30T07:14:00.001-07:00

Maybe you want to build up your muscles for your health, or maybe you just want to look good - there's nothing wrong with that. Whatever your reason, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it. The truth is, any kind of mass building program is beneficial to your heart as well as to your muscles. But if you're trying to build up your muscles, there are particular muscle building workouts that are designed specifically to help you.

In order to increase the size of muscle, the muscle must be stimulated. One way of providing the stimulation your muscles need is to exercise so your muscles will grow in size.A muscle building tip that has helped many to attain their goal is to begin training with free weights. Strength and resistance exercise will also help by motivating your muscles to develop.

A workout routine of lifting weights combined with strength training exercises will begin to gradually bulk up your muscles. Muscle building workouts done on a regular basis will not only develop muscle mass but will add to your overall health. If you are a beginner, you will want to start out with lighter free weights and slowly increase the amount of weight you lift and the number of repetitions you perform.

Free weight training along with strength and resistance training will gradually help your body develop muscle. You can use this muscle building tip to your advantage if you remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and your muscles won't be built in a day either. Building muscle is a slow process, but perseverance is the keyword to success. Anyone who has gone through the process of building up their muscles will confirm that they have been discouraged by the apparent lack of progress, but eventually they reached and maintained their goal.

Mass building workouts along with strength training will further enhance your chances of success in building muscle. Bench presses, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, and/or other exercises that target specific muscles are very effective in building! muscle. It is important that you rest in between muscle building workouts to allow your muscles time to recover.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, one common occurrence while doing muscle building routines is the possibility of muscle spasms. A muscle spasm occurs when a voluntary muscle (those you can control)bunches up and tightens. Muscle spasms can occur for several reasons or no reason at all, with the result being a painful muscle contraction, or muscle spasm. Muscle spasms can sometimes be relieved by resting the muscle, massaging it or by moving around. The best way to avoid these painful spasms is to do proper warm-up exercises, and let your muscles rest in between workouts. If you want to be successful in your efforts to build muscle mass, it is important to follow these and other muscle building tips when you begin your muscle building routine.

Michael is a former skinny guy who gained over 20 lbs of muscle. He attributes most of his success to the information about how to build muscle he learned from http://www.fastmusclegain.com

Tibetan Medicine Defying Time

2008-09-29T22:15:00.001-07:00

Tibetan medicine is a centuries-old hallowed traditional medical system. This is a fairly complex approach to diagnosis and utilizes behavior and dietary modification, natural medicines and physical therapies to treat illnesses. Since Tibet is a border country, Tibetan medicine is a synthesis of the Indian (Ayurveda), Persian (Unani), Chinese, Greek and Tibetan medical systems. Tibetan medicine is practiced in a wide belt of the world including countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, Siberia, China and Mongolia, in addition to Tibet. More recently, Tibetan medicine has also started seeping into the West, invading parts of Europe and America.

Since Tibet is the land of monasteries, monks and meditation, it is inevitable that Tibetan medicine is a fusion of the scientific with the religious. It embraces the traditional Buddhist belief that illness of the body is caused by the poisons in the mind, namely ignorance, aggression and materialism.

Tibetan medicine is an art, science and philosophy that encompasses a holistic approach to health care. It is an art because its diagnostic methods are based on creativity, subtlety, insight and compassion of the medical practitioner. It is a science because it has a systematic and logical framework that is based on the study of the body and its relationship with the environment. It is a philosophy because it embraces the Buddhist principles of altruism, ethics and karma.

According to the underlying Buddhist philosophy that shapes Tibetan medicine, all suffering has a reason. According to the Buddha, impermanence is the only permanent feature of life. Everything in this world is in a state of flux. This is a reality and a necessity of life. This state of constant change brings with it suffering and it is this suffering that is inflicted on man from time to time. Thus suffering is not accidental. One can avoid suffering only through proper guidance and the rigorous following of one?s Karma.

According to Tibetan Medicine, everything in the! univers e is made of 5 elements ? Earth, water, fire, air and space. And each of these elements has a specific influence on man. Tibetan medicine also believes that there are 3 principle energies or humors in the body. These principle energies are responsible for the mental, physical and spiritual activities of the body. In a healthy body, all the elements are in proper equilibrium. Where there is non-equilibrium, a state of disorder or ill-health arises.

Diagnosis in Tibetan medicine is fairly straightforward. Doctors depend on observation, interrogation and touch. Visual observation includes checking the color of the skin, texture and color of the nails, blood, sputum and faeces. The patient?s tongue and urine also gives important clues. The next step is pulse analysis where the physician places three middle fingers on the patient?s radial arteries. Medical interrogation leads the practitioner to important clues regarding the causative factors, site of the illness and symptoms that the patient is experiencing.

Tibetan medicine places a lot of importance on dietary and lifestyle factors. The immediate reason for most disorders is improper diet or lifestyle. Therefore the first step of the treatment is to change the lifestyle and diet of the patient. Only if this fails, medication is used.

Bloodletting, Moxibustion, golden-needle therapy and Tibetan acupuncture are some of the therapeutic measures taken. Medicinal baths and natural spring baths are also important parts of therapy.

Alternative Holistic Medicine

Are You An Experimental Lab Rat?

2008-09-29T07:15:00.001-07:00

At the age of 17, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My doctor couldn?t hardly believe it. That was back in 1975. I wasn?t fat, in fact I was almost pure muscle. I was hyper and couldn?t stay still. I had to be doing something all the time. I felt like I was just like anyone else.

According to the blood pressure reading, I was an odd ball. My doctor told me it?s unusual for a 17 year old to have high blood pressure. However, he didn?t just start writing prescriptions then. I told him I was very nervous around doctors and maybe that was what the deal was. I told him that I haven?t eaten all day either. He suggested that I go eat and come back.

Once I got back, instead of instantly putting on the blood pressure cuff, he decided to talk to me a little. I figured he was trying to get me to relax. Well, it worked! My blood pressure was actually lower than normal.

Two years later, I decide to enlist to United States Marine Corp. During my examination, my blood pressure reading was high. Same thing happened, I was told to go eat and come back. I passed the examination with flying colors or should I say numbers.

Three years later, I decided to drive a truck cross country. I had to pass a ?D.O.T.? examination. ?Basically a physical.? Again, my blood pressure was high and instead of the doctor listening to my back ground of what has happened before, he started writing a prescription for ?Inderol?.

Oh yes, I was placed on drugs for high blood pressure at age 22. They finally got me. I am now part of the ?legal druggies of America?.

My doctor did not tell me that I would have side affects to the drug. It apparently didn?t matter to him. I suppose side affects can also be treated which most of my experience now tell me that this happens a lot.

The next time I went to see this doctor was around 2 weeks later. The nurse instantly grabs the blood pressure cuff and starts pumping away. After she takes the reading, she acts like it?s suppose to! be some sort of secret. She doesn?t tell me what it was or anything. She hardly even spoke to me. I bet she hated her job. At this point I felt like a lab rat. The feeling got stronger when the doctor came in and told me the results.

The first thing the doctor does is look at the chart. He reads the blood pressure reading and tells me he?s going to up the medicine. This routine went on for about 3 months till I was taking enough drugs to kill a small child. I believe I was taking ?160 mg or inderol?, ?80 mg of Inderide? and ?40 mg of elevil?.

I may add that even after taking all these drugs, the blood pressure reading was still elevated while in the doctors office. I told the doctor that I bought me a blood pressure cuff of my own. I felt like I was taking drugs for no reason. I complained about my sexual inadequacies. I also thought after previous complaints that I?d better shut up because this doctor was not about to take drugs away. He was real good about subscribing them.

This kind of makes you wonder why we have a drug problem in America. I don?t see any problem at all. If you don?t want to take drugs, your doctor is going to insist on it. Maybe the problem is the lack of revenue to the pharmacies if you take illegal drugs. The way I see it if you want a drug, go to the doctor.

Well, I took those stupid drugs for about 7 years and stopped taking them on my own at the age of 29. I knew for a fact that my blood pressure readings were low. But needless to say, the doctor was real mad.

First he stated that I should never ever stop a drug without consulting a doctor first. Second, he said that the drug dose I was taking were leathal doses and had to be stopped gradually. Third, he made me feel stupid by telling me that he should take me over to the hospital and show me a victim of ?Stroke?.

Well, enough of that. I quit going to that doctor. I wrote a letter to another doctor in town before making the appointment and told my story. I also told him that ! when I c ome in, he needs to spend some time to talk with me. I have no desire to take drugs since I am convinced that my blood pressure is normal when away from doctors. (Most of these doctors did not know what White Coat Hypertension was.)

Stopping those drugs instantly like that really had no affect on me. I monitored my own blood pressure. I suppose some doctors believe they are the only ones that can take a blood pressure reading. I took mine so often, I could tell you what part of the day it?s the highest. The only thing the doctor knew was it was high while in the office. Did they listen? This doctor did and diagnosed me as having anxiety problems.

For two weeks, he decided to try me on ?VALIUM? to conclude his diagnoses. When it was proven that my blood pressure readings were low with the ?Valium?, he took me off of it and told me that we needed to find the root of my problems. He had no intentions of keeping me on ?Valium?.

Shortly after my diagnosis, that old doctor died. I wasn?t going to take a chance and start all over, I lived with my anxiety problem till 2001. No drugs of any kind was taken during that 13 year stretch.

In my forties, it is necessary to see a doctor now and then. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure again. Back to the drawing board as one could say. I took the drugs for a while and decided to go back and monitor my own blood pressure again.

Right before I go into the doctors office, I would write down my blood pressure. It was just about perfect according to statistics. It read 117 over 77 or so. When the doctor took it, it was quite a bit higher. I tried to explain. I can see that most doctors ignore what you say. They have their own conclusions and they believe they know you after taking 2 readings.

Last year, I stopped the blood pressure pills again. My readings are about 121 over 70 to 78.

It may be time for the world to start educating them selves more. A blood pressure reading is a mere symptom. If you trea! t the sy mptom, you are still faced with the problem. It?s been said that there are lots of reasons for high blood pressure. Most doctors fail to try and find that reason. It?s far easier to give a pill and send you on your way.

I believe drugs killed my mother and they will eventually kill me.

I wonder what doctors mean when they say the person dies of natural causes! At what age would be considered natural to die at?

I was told that my mother died of heart failure. She took a handful of pills prescribed by doctors. I still wonder to this day why she died at 50? Who came up with what a normal blood pressure reading is?

Please forgive me if you don?t agree with me. Everything I write is of my own experience and opinions. I don?t ever want you to think that what I do is okay for you to do. This article is for your own entertainment. I am not a doctor, scientist or a medical expert. I am just another experimental lab rat.

Randall Stafford

Since childhood, Randall Stafford has been involved in Health Programs in a round about way. In his own diagnosis, it appeared that his blood pressure went up with his weight. To maintain proper blood pressure readings, and to keep the weight off, Randall has been promoting health sites that do not use any form of drugs. If you too want to lose weight, go get a free book at http://www.starmotivators.com

What are the Best Natural Cures for Acid Reflux?

2008-09-28T22:09:00.001-07:00

Acid reflux is quite a serious condition that must not be overlooked. Many people experience heartburn from time to time, but those suffering from acid reflux feel it a few times a week, and eventually the esophagus can get too erroded and stomachal acids can leak into the lungs and into the mouth.

Many things can cause acid reflux, from drinking too much alcohol and eating too many acidic foods to too much stress.

Acid reflux can be treated with medication prescribed by the doctor or with natural remedies. Since medication can have side-effects many people prefer the natural cures for acid reflux. But if both natural cures and prescribed medication fails to give any results then surgery is required before acid seriously damages the esophagus.

The first symptoms of acid reflux are a sensation of heartburn that keeps appearing more and more often and stomach content coming back inside the mouth. These symptoms get worse when you lie down right after eating a meal.

There are a lot of natural cures for acid reflux, and many have reported that these natural cures gave good results in the treatment.

You shouldn't lie down right after eating a meal, because this can help what's inside the stomach leak back. You should also elevate the side of the bed where you put your head. Digestion is usually done in 2-3 hours, so you can lie in bed all you want after this time passes. It's also better to eat more small meals instead of few beg ones, to keep the stomach from filling.

Then you should avoid certain types of foods that stimulate acid production, like chewing gum and chocolate. Cut down alcohol and smoking because these irritate the esophagus' walls even more.

Some natural substances are recommended in the heartburn and acid reflux condition. These can relieve the symptoms and reduce the pain. They do not have any side-effect. The most effective are :

-peppermint - makes digestion easier and prevents tension and cramps that can push the acids backwards

-l! avender - this miraculous herb does wonders for the body. In the acid reflux' case it can reduce the quantity of gastric acids from the stomach, just like an antiacid medicine

-aloe vera - the juice from this plant can heal the damaged esophagus

In order to heal your acid reflux you need to do two things: to cure the damaged esophagus and to lower the quantity of acid inside the stomach. If you loose weight, exercise regularly lift you bed as mentioned before, and also take some herbs you will certainly feel some effects, and everyone can do these things.

http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com is one of the best acid reflux information sites on the net. Visit it if you are looking for great information on natural cures for acid reflux, acid reflux diet, acid reflux treatment and many more.

Muscle Cramps & Running Cramps ? Are You at Risk?

2008-09-28T07:16:00.001-07:00

Treating running cramps, muscle cramps, night cramps, side stitches or any form of cramping first involves identifying whether you are in a higher than normal risk category than others.

Good friend, TV presenter, helicopter rescue doctor and medical director for EcoChallenge and Survivor, Dr Adrian Cohen, has seen his fair share of cramps associated with exercise and health problems.

Together we?ve assembled a checklist to help you determine if you may be more susceptible:

?Infants & Young Children (as they are more susceptible to heat)

?Over 65?s (more susceptible to nutritional deficiencies, heat and after the mid 40?s muscles generally begin to start breaking down more than they?re being built back up)

?Anyone who is ill and/or taking certain medications

?Overweight or Obese people

?If you suffer from arthritis, osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease

?Endurance Athletes

?Sports people involved in pre-season competition

?Physical fatigue

?If You Have a Poor diet

?Anyone who?s dehydrated

?If you have poor or non-existing stretching habits

?Long history of running

?If you do a lot of hill running

?If you have poor fitting or worn-out/old running shoes

?Running frequently on a hard surface

?Running on a muddy or wet football field

?Running or exercising in a hot climate

?If you are inactive for long periods of time

Now you have to agree that this is a pretty general list and can apply to practically everyone ? but the truth is ?practically everyone? does suffer a cramp from time to time.

The question then becomes a matter of how frequent and what you need and are prepared to do to stop and prevent them from happening ever again.

Sometimes by simply recognizing that you have a higher risk helps with the treatment and prevention.

For example ? if you do a lot of hill training, you might break it up a little with more flat courses or take a break from the hills. A! nd if yo u do a lot of running on a hard surface such as concrete, consider switching some of your training sessions to grass or sand. Even a road surface may be a little ?softer? than a concrete footpath. And if you're not very active, it' easy to get active.

If you take any type of regular medication, read the inside of the packaging that lists contra-indications and you may find cramp as something your doctor may not have told you about.

?For some who eats a poor diet and tries to compensate by training regularly, simply improving the diet - and that means drinking a whole lot more water, eating more fresh fruit and vegetables and avoiding fast and processed food - is enough to break the cycle and stop the cramps?, says Cohen.

If you do suffer cramps regularly and they affect your sporting performance then you will definitely need to take ?steps? to fix the problem before it gets worse and starts affecting your health.

For many athletes, cramps are early warning signs for a range of more serious health issues . . . elite athletes suffer many health challenges like diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, gut problems and even cancer because they ignored the warning signs during their career.

Last time I checked the records for the longest lived and most healthful people on the planet aren?t those who trained the hardest or were the fittest. James Fixx ? the legend runner who wrote the hugely popular 'The Complete Book of Running' which popularised the sport - died at the age of 52 from a massive heart attack.

Paul Newland is a health and nutrition consultant, trainer, martial arts instructor, commercial helicopter pilot and author. His Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide is one of the internet's leading health information books and is the definitive guide to preventing, treating and curing cramps associated with exercise. In the Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide Newland speaks with 6 health, sports, nutrition, medical and complimentary health care professionals and exp! lains wh y you get cramps, the best ways to treat them and how to prevent them from happening again.

How to Select a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

2008-09-27T22:09:00.001-07:00

Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is a very popular subject these days. Make a search on the internet for cosmetic or plastic surgery and you will get millions of results - web sites of plastic surgeons of different nationalities, various procedures available, advice for cheap plastic surgery, before and after photos, celebrity patients, clinics and surgery travel packages for various countries, news from around the world, and more.

There is an increasing number of individuals from all walks of life who undergo cosmetic surgery each year. How should someone considering plastic surgery select a plastic surgeon and make an informed decision? Patients considering cosmetic surgery should know that choosing the right surgeon is the single most important decision they will make. Today, many doctors perform cosmetic plastic surgery but not all of them have trained as plastic surgeons. Once doctors get their medical degrees, they may practice any specialty, even if they have not completed advanced training in that field. And so, a doctor who performs cosmetic plastic surgery is not necessarily trained as a plastic surgeon. He may have merely observed the procedure or taken a short course or workshop. To ensure the best results for the surgery you are considering, choose an authentic plastic surgeon with the specialized training and experience that is necessary for the success of your surgery.

As you visit the websites of plastic surgeons, they should provide you with basic information about plastic surgery and the various procedures available. You should be able to find information about the surgeon's formal training and experience. From the website, you should also be able to get an idea about the surgeon's basic approach and philosophy on cosmetic surgery and patient care.

Training

Select a surgeon who has completed at least five to six years of formal training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in accredited training hospitals. This includes three to five years of general surge! ry resid ency and two to three years of plastic surgery residency. In the Philippines, these doctors are either board-eligible or board-certified by the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery. Doctors who have completed residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery are the only doctors who can rightfully claim to be plastic surgeons. Many doctors who perform cosmetic surgery procedures are board-certified in specialties other than plastic surgery or may even lack such credentials.

Experience

Good credentials provide a reasonable indication of a doctor's qualification to perform cosmetic surgery, and should serve as the basic starting point. Patients should then ask the surgeon about his experience. How long has he been in practice and how many times has he done the procedure you are considering? The broader your surgeon's experience, the greater your chances for a successful surgery.

Hospital Privileges

Another factor to consider is whether the surgeon has hospital privileges. Before a hospital grants privileges to physicians, they usually require certain standards of training and competence to be met. Although many cosmetic surgery procedures may be safely done in outpatient clinics, others should only be done in a hospital setting. It is best to choose a surgeon who has hospital privileges.

Consultation

Find a plastic surgeon whom you feel comfortable with. You should be able to communicate easily with him, ask him all your questions and discuss your needs and expectations. Make sure you have all the facts you need in order to make an informed judgement.

A good plastic surgeon should be able to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for the surgery you are considering. He should be able to educate you about your options and give you advice about the best technique for your needs. If there are less invasive or non-surgical procedures that could fulfill your needs, the surgeon should be able to tell you about them.

Realize that pre- and post-operative pho! tos of t he surgeon?s patients can be useful in helping you understand the surgery but are no guarantee that your results will be similar. Every individual is different.

Beware of any doctor who tells you there are no possible risks involved in surgery. There are always risks, and these should be discussed frankly.

Never allow a doctor to talk you into any procedure you don?t want. A reputable plastic surgeon will let the patient suggest what he or she wants done and then advise them on what is or is not possible.

Be skeptical of any doctor who seems to avoid talking about his or her training and professional qualifications.

Price

Although price is definitely a factor when considering elective surgery, don?t bargain shop for plastic surgery. Any surgery is still surgery and has some uncertainty and risk involved. When price is the primary factor for choosing a plastic surgeon, risks increase. The success of your surgery is largely dependent on your choice of surgeon and professional qualifications and experience should be your main consideration in selecting your plastic surgeon. Even when you go to popular clinics where a number of surgeons practice as a group, take a look at the qualifications of the particular surgeon who will be handling your case.

Good plastic surgeons may charge relatively affordable fees, especially if they practice in Asian countries like the Philippines, where cost of living expenses are low and if they can keep overhead costs low by having modest outpatient surgery clinics. But think twice if the surgeon you're considering charges much lower than other plastic surgeons in the same country. Especially if the procedure to be done is in the face, like a rhinoplasty (nose surgery), blepharoplasty (eye surgery) or rhytidectomy (face lift), you could end up having to stare at your cheap doctor's mistakes in the mirror every day. No wonder there are also so many searches made for awful plastic surgery.

Dr. Carlos Lasa Jr. is a Filipino plastic & re! construc tive surgeon who trained at the University of the Philippines, Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Georgia, USA, & Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Ohio,USA. He is currently based in Metro Manila, Philippines. He specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, rhinoplasty (noselift), breast augmentation, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhytidectomy (facelift), and more. For more information about having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines, visit his site at http://www.cosmeticsurgeryphil.com or email clasamd@cosmeticsurgeryphil.com

Forms of Honey

2008-09-27T07:12:00.001-07:00

Basically honey comes in various physical forms:

1. Comb Honey:

It is difficult to find comb honey nowadays, but sometimes you can find a jar of liquid honey to which a piece of cut comb has been added. Before the invention of honey extracting device, honey is mostly produced in the form of comb honey. Today, very little honey is produced as comb honey. Comb honey is raw pure honey sections taken straight from the hive ? honey bees? wax comb. It is the most unprocessed form in which honey comes -- the bees fill the hexagon shaped wax cells of the comb with honey and cap it with beeswax. You can eat comb honey just like a chewy candy. Because the honey in the comb is untouched and is deemed to be pure, honey presented in this form comes with a high price tag.

2. Liquid honey:

I easily find this honey everywhere. When I travel abroad, I notice that most countries seem to have no lack of it. Liquid honey has been filtered to remove to remove fine particles, pollen grains, and air bubbles, and heated to melt visible crystals after being extracted from the honey comb by centrifugal force or gravity. Because liquid honey mixes easily into a variety of foods, its uses are diverse. It is used as a syrup for pancakes and waffles and in a wide variety of recipes, and it's especially convenient for cooking and baking.

3. Cream honey:

If you are one of those who complain that honey is messy to use, cream honey would be an excellent alternative to liquid honey. Cream honey, also known as whipped honey, spun honey, granulated honey, or honey fondant, is found in the market in a crystallised state. It has one part finely granulated honey blended with nine parts liquid honey. The crystallisation is controlled in such a way that at room temperature, the honey has a smooth consistency and can be spread like butter.

Source: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com

Important Information on Diabetes You Should Know

2008-09-26T22:14:00.001-07:00

There are approximately 14 million people in the United States that have been diagnosed with diabetes. Unfortunately, it is also estimated that another 6 million people have the disease, but have not yet been diagnosed. These are the people that need accurate information on diabetes to be sure that they visit their health care provider right away if they notice symptoms.

While looking for information on diabetes, your search will reveal that Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and is often found among the aging population. Type 2 differs from Type 1 in that Type 2 diabetes patients do produce insulin, but for some reason the cells ignore its presence. This results in a build up of glucose in the body, which can lead to blindness, heart disease and kidney damage to name a few of the complications that are associated with Type 2 diabetes.

While looking for information on diabetes it is important to find information on the complications that accompany the disease as well. While diabetes is a treatable illness, it does have some complications that should not be ignored. If you notice any of these issues, it is important to see your doctor immediately. Some of the issues associated with diabetes include an increase in periodontal disease, sexual dysfunction among men and women, an increase in blood pressure and nerve damage. This is a small list of the complications that are common with diabetes; your physician will be able to provide a more complete list.

The two most common types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is a direct result of the body's failure to properly manufacture the insulin that it needs. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose inside cells to fuel them. While being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is serious, it is defiantly an illness that can be lived with and controlled. The information on diabetes will reveal that Type 1 diabetes is controlled by insulin injections.

When looking for information on diabetes, there are three types to learn ! about. O ne of the best places to find the information you need about type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes is from your doctor. However, another good way to find this information is on the internet. When you are looking up information on diabetes online, it is important to be sure that you are getting it from a reputable source. The government has several websites that has the kind of accurate information on diabetes that you need.

John Mancini has been writing about Diabetes online and offline for a long time. Visit http://diabetics-net.info or http://stop-diabetes.net to read more about matters like diabetes supply and diabetes 2.

Cosmetic Surgery Guide

2008-09-26T07:13:00.001-07:00

Cosmetic surgery, also known as aesthetic surgery, is a unique branch of medicine focusing on improving appearance by using surgical and medical techniques. It is a very popular avenue for personal enhancement. Cosmetic surgery is performed for purely aesthetic reasons, and reconstructive or plastic surgery is normally performed for medical reasons. Real cosmetic surgery is one of the quickest growing branches of modern day medicine. This type of surgery is no longer just the exclusive domain of movie stars and celebrities. The decision to go ahead with any sort of cosmetic surgery is intensely personal.

Reasons

There are many reasons to opt for cosmetic surgery, varying with each individual, some reasons cosmetic and some medical. Most importantly, you should be doing it for the correct reasons. To increase the chance of a satisfying outcome, first look at your motives for wanting cosmetic surgery. Each person has different reasons for wanting to alter their appearance but having cosmetic surgery may not be the best choice for you. Today, it is not just women that are having this kind of surgery, men are requesting plastic surgery too.

Dangers

Are you alert to the possible dangers of a facial plastic surgery. Problems that have been known to occur with plastic surgery range from some scarring to even death in rare cases. Even simple operations like a brow lift entail certain dangers, although these are quite small. In spite of the risks involved, cosmetic surgery is a lot more acceptable now than it was a few years ago.

Costs

Due to the recent proliferation of techniques and lowering of costs, a lot of people can afford to have some cosmetic surgery. Reckon up all the costs and benefits both personal and financial. Costs of cosmetic plastic surgery can and do vary quite a bit, depending on the type and duration of the procedure. Costs should be discussed at the time of your consultation. Extra surgery expenses, flight costs and hotel bills can add up to hundreds or! thousan ds of pounds/dollars or whatever. Insurance companies usually cover costs for reconstructive surgery but do not as a rule cover cosmetic surgery.

Summary

Whether cosmetic surgery is the right thing for you depends on several factors. The most important factor when considering plastic or cosmetic surgery is to choose the right surgeon. And never forget that death from cosmetic surgery has been reported in isolated cases. Cosmetic surgery is very satisfying for the patient and the surgeon when it is performed in a way that is safe, sound, and realistic. Receiving cosmetic surgery is starting to become as common as going along to the dentist. Just remember that the aim of facial cosmetic surgery is improvement, and not perfection.

James Hunaban is the owner of cosmetic-surgery.health-info4u.com - a site dedicated to Cosmetic Surgery . Go there now and read some interesting articles on the subject.

How to Cope with Tinnitus

2008-09-25T22:13:00.001-07:00

For any tinnitus sufferer, it can be overwhelming to try and stop the ringing. When doctors tell you that there is only so much you can do, and stress becomes a major setback, life just doesn?t seem fair. Often patients fear the worst and begin to feel like there is no way out for this problem. It also is extremely frustrating when you know that you can hear the overpowering sound, yet no one else around you can.

For any person who suffers from Tinnitus, it is important that you recognize how you acquired it. Many people do not learn as much as they can about the disease, because they feel like it is no use. However, it is extremely imperative that you learn as much as you can about the disease and what causes it. This may help you start coping with what you have, regardless of how frustrated you feel.

If you have heard of Tinnitus, chances are you cringe at the thought of developing such a problem. With constant high pitch sounds resonating throughout your ears, it is a wonder that anyone can focus on other areas of life. Surprisingly, at least half of the 35 million Americans suffering from this disease can deal with it. While it is one of the most difficult things anyone will have to face, it is possible to take control.

Tinnitus may make the person feel like they have been defeated, but there are ways to control the sound, and perhaps decrease it. Otolaryngologists will teach you how to take the sound and alleviate it to an extent. For instance, there are concentration exercises that focus on relaxation. By calming your ear muscles down, it can actually decrease the stress, and thus control the constant ringing that you hear. Some patients actually claim that it stops the sound all together, while others say it only helps a little. Nevertheless, it is an exercise that should be tried.

If the ringing sound is driving you crazy, doctors will suggest covering it up with another sound. White noise from a radio or a clock that ticks loudly can make you focus on other things, esp! ecially if you are in a very quiet environment. When you go to bed, there are peaceful sounds that you can try. The majority of Tinnitus sufferers buy pillow speakers and suggest using relaxation music that is similar to yoga or relaxation techniques. Still not helping? It is imperative that you find other areas in life to focus on. Go for a walk, hang out with friends, or simply ride a bike. By doing all of these other hobbies, you will most likely be able to block out some of the noise.

It has been shown that stress actually increases the ringing in people?s ears. Therefore, it is essential to always stay stress free, or at least keep it to a minimum. Exercising daily to alleviate anxiety, listening to soothing music, or writing may help you cope with this. It is also recommended that you avoid salty foods. By eating healthy and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, you could be doing your ears a huge favor.

Although Tinnitus can drive people to serious places, it is possible to enjoy life and ignore the ringing. Most people feel that support groups are actually the most helpful. For this reason, you should try and locate an organization or group that deals with this kind of issue. You will be able to hear other people?s stories, and learn a lot from the techniques that they use. Nevertheless, having Tinnitus doesn?t mean that your life has to end. It may bring extra hurdles that you have to overcome, but it is possible to walk a smooth path. By living stress free and surrounding yourself with amazing people, the disease does not have to win. You can still accomplish whatever you?d like, even if there is a ringing in your ears.

Mark Goeder-Tarant lived under the spell of Tinnitus for almost 6 years before realizing that only HE held the key to success. He is now dedicated to supporting and helping other Tinnitus victims. The e-book My Best Friend Tinnitus can be found at his own site especially designed for Tinnitus victims.

Burger King: Eat Like a Pig

2008-09-25T07:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I just have to shake my head... I was driving down the street when a spied a Burger King about a block away. It had one of those signs where they can promote a particular item or special, and this is what it had written on it:

Ultimate Double Whopper: Eat Like a King!

Right, I thought... more likely it should have read Eat Like a Pig!.

I came home and decided to look up the nutritional (Ha!) info on this kingly bit of food and here's what I found:

Calories: 1,250
Carbs: 55 grams (26%)
Protein: 69 grams (33%)
Fat: 84 grams (40%)

Nice, huh? It's the highest calorie item on their menu. We're talking HALF the amount of calories the average man should be eating per day in ONE BURGER. Keep in mind that most people are going to order a side of fries with that, and the large size adds 500 calories to the tally for a total of 1,750 calories!

Keep in mind that while on my fat loss regime that's what my target was for the entire day!

On a side note, I checked out Burger King's French Toast Kid's Meal as I was curious how many calories might be in that. I mean it's for kids, right? So it shouldn't be THAT high in calories...

Try 670 calories.

Do you know how many calories Burger King's much-advertised man-sized Enormous Omelet Sandwich contains?

740 calories.

So here we have the difference between an item meant for a child and a big, hungry man standing at only 70 calories.

That's just bloody wrong, folks and it makes me angry. It should make you angry too.

Visit http://www.diet-to-lower.my-cholesterol-level.com to learn how to lower your cholesterol level.

Vitamin Supplement to Treat Hair Loss: Zinc

2008-09-24T22:13:00.001-07:00

One of the reasons that contribute to your hair loss problem may be insufficient nutrients. If our bodies lack the necessary vitamins, then it is not possible to expect that they will be functioning optimally and healthily. In fact, one of the major nutrients that prevents and treats hair loss is zinc. By understanding how this nutrient relates to hair loss, you can ensure a diet that is helpful in stopping hair loss.

It is known that zinc will add the extra proteins into your system that will then affect hair growth, as well as healthy skin and nails. If you do not have enough in your system, it will cause your hair to stop growing and fall out. Zinc works in relation to the several proteins that are located throughout your body in order to create a support system for your body. Zinc is needed for cell division, in the growth and maintenance of muscles, helps to control oil glands, and is also required for the synthesis of protein and collagen - which is great for wound healing and a healthy skin.

Zinc deficiency not only produces problems with hair loss, but also with changes in the scalp. The scalp may become too dry or flaky and may often times be irritated because of the lack of nutrients. Many have reported that zinc has been shown to be effective in stopping their hair from turning gray. Even when hair is already gray or becoming thinner and balding, zinc can reverse the effects when taken in proper amounts. It is not surprising that many suffer from zinc deficiency since zinc is destroyed in the milling process and is also lost in cooking. In addition, a zinc deficiency can result in a poor immune system, heightened sensitivities and allergies, night blindness, loss of smell, white spots under finger nails, skin problems, sleep disturbances etc.

Men with zinc shortage may have a problem with fertility, while women may experience irregular periods. Children with too little zinc may have stunted growth and slow sexual maturity.

Thus, zinc deficiency is a proble! m that y ou do not wish to have. In your diet, include a variety of foods that contain this nutrient. Wheat germ, yeast, muscle meat, fish and egg yolks are all known for having a high amount of zinc in them. From here, the proteins will be stimulated in the several areas of your body. It is best to have zinc from natural sources.

If, however, you find that you are not able to consume zinc through natural sources, then you can always buy zinc supplements. Instances where consuming zinc from natural sources is not possible include if you have certain food allergies or intolerances. Zinc supplements are readily available in health stores. They can be effective when you take between fifty to one hundred milligrams a day.

Definitely whether you are having adequate sources of zinc in your diet, is an important factor to consider with regards to your hair loss. This is one vitamin supplement that may just work wonders for your receding hair line.

Kathlene Capelle writes on hair loss solution, female hair loss, male hair loss, cause of hair loss, natural hair loss treatment and hair care tips. Her blog also includes home made recipes for hair loss. For hair loss remedy information and news updates, please visit http://www.hair-loss-remedy-central.com

Common Aromatherapy Uses

2008-09-24T07:11:00.001-07:00

Aromatherapy as used today originated in Europe and has been practiced there since the early 1900s. Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that every oil has a vibration or note, which can be used for different therapeutic applications.

Aromatherapy can be used to relax and soothe the mind and body, to energize or even to arouse. Aromatherapy derived from the use of essential oils to solicit specific emotions. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their health supporting properties. The powerful aromas of essential oils affect your moods and feelings through your sense of smell.

By selecting a particular scent, you can encourage a state of relaxation, romance, healing or comfort. Essential oils can be used in Aromatherapy, to scent potpourri, lotions, cosmetics, perfumes, food flavorings and medicinally.

Additionally oils can be used in creating sachets, potpourri, reviving potpourri, and for light bulb scenting. Essential oils can also be used via the bath, diffusion, massage, or compress. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use.

Essential oils can be mixed in a cream essential oil combinations are applied directly to the skin for beauty care or treatment of sores or irritations. By using different essential oils, you can control the nature of those benefits.

A unique property of plants is that many contain natural fragrance or perfume-like scents known as essential oils. Essential oils come from plants while fragrance oils are artificially created and often contain synthetic chemicals.

Essential oils are taken from a plant's flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots. The yield of essential oil differs with individual plant species-ranging in most cases from about 0.2 to 2.0%. That's why literally tons of plant material are required for just a few hundred pounds of oil.

In some cases different organs of a single plant may contain essential oils of different chemical composition. In ! the end, even the smallest bottle of essential oil can create a lot of powerful solution. It is important to note that the benefits of aromatherapy do depend on the unique nature of each person's response to an aromatic stimulus.

Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items http://www.organic-items.com and Aromatherapy Blends http://www.aromatherapy-blends.net leading portals for organic products and essential oils.

Simple and Effective Ways to Control Acne

2008-09-23T22:09:00.001-07:00

Acne control include unclogging the pores of the skin, destroying bacteria and reducing excessive oil, or, in other words, Prevention.

As the saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

With this in mind, what then are the best ways to prevent and control acne?

First of all remember the basics of healthy living- nourish your body with good food, consume 6-8 glasses of water per day and try to get enough shut eye (8-9 hours is highly recommended).

A method of controlling acne that is not widely known is to take fish oil supplements on a regular basis.

Fish oils contain EPA and DHA fatty acids as well as omega-3 and omega-6 oils.

These essential elements create prostaglandins in the human body.

Prostaglandins are chemical hormones and they serve to maintain optimum functioning in all of the body's organs and cells.

They keep androgen hormones, which cause the production of excessive oil, in check.

Using mild soap-free cleansers such as Cetaphil, Dove, Purpose or Neutrogena helps keep the skin clear of dirt and surface impurities.

Exfoliating creams and masques are also good for acne control as they work to gently peel away dead skin cells. But make sure you don't choose one that is overly abrasive.

Using an astringent or toner to rid your face of excessive oil is an effective way to control acne as is using topical solutions containing benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.

Some acne sufferers find products with benzoyl peroxide to be harsh or excessively drying to their skin.

Stress is a contributing factor in acne growth so try to keep it to a minimum.

Too much stress becomes a vicious circle in that pressure triggers the production of more oil which ultimately causes more skin problems and the acne that results tends to stress out the sufferer even more.

Who else has been search for more articles and information regarding acne and skin treatments, visit Acne-Care-and-Skin-Treatments.com

Improve Your Eyesight with Trataka

2008-09-23T07:11:00.001-07:00

Eyes are the windows of the soul and you can see what a person is up to by looking into his eyes. Hence it is important to have clean eyesight. In yoga, trataka is a technique devised by the ancient sages to improve the eyesight. It is a shuddhikriya or purification process to cleanse the eyesight and help in silencing of the mind in concentration. Sit with your back straight. Keep your eyes fixed on an object without winking till tears start streaming down your face. The small object can be the flame of an oil lamp, or an image or a picture or the letter ?AUM?. This object should be placed in the line of sight at a distance of about four to six feet. You can also do this kriya without any object in front of you. Having an object is not necessary. Just stare in front of you at the wall without moving the eyeballs or eyelids. Ensure that you stare at a certain point on the wall.

Before starting this exercise, you can start off by movement of the eyes without moving the head, where you roll your eyeballs up and down, sideways and from corner to corner diagonally. Initially, you can make this movement with the open eyes and then repeat them with the closed eyes. This will give the requisite exercise to the eye muscles. This is then followed by trataka. Trataka makes the eyes clear, improves eyes and silences the mind. Over a period of time, you will experience the silence of the mind. If you want to meditate, start with trataka to silence the mind and then go to the meditation. This way, you will reap the benefits of meditation. Since you are exercising the eye muscles, they become stronger. You can perform this kriya daily without any harmful effects.

Kevin Pederson is the webmaster for Yogawiz that provides loads of information on Basics of Yoga, Office Yoga, Asanas and Poses. Trataka is an excellent eye exercise. It can also lead to silencing the turbulent mind.

http://www.yogawiz.com

Organic Essential Oils Sourced Directly from Nature's Lap

2008-09-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

Essential oils are the pure essence of a plant or herb. However, it is difficult to rule out the presence of pesticides in the so-called pure essential oil, particularly in the age where pesticides form an important constituent of farming. A conclusion thus follows that the essential oil derived from such raw materials may not be as effective for ones purpose; resulting into side effects at times. The craze for organic essential oils springs from the concern for ones safety while using essential oils.

Organic essential oils are manufactured from plants and herbs that have been grown without pesticides. Organic farming coexists with the natural systems rather than dominating them. In the process, the farmer is able to sustain and build soil fertility, reduces pollution and overall becomes a crusader to protect environment.

Pesticides are not the only component that the organic essential oil must be rid of. The farmers must take steps to preserve the soil quality of the land. This will result into enzyme-rich and therapeutically viable raw materials. Using these techniques ensures that the organic essential oil is alive and active.

If compared to the essential oils derived from non-organic elements, one will find that the organic essential oils outscore them. The quality of organic essential oils taken as a whole, curative benefits and aroma are always superior to the non-organic oils.

Thanks to the several certifying agencies, buyers can escape the unscrupulous activities that are going on in this industry. One can easily be duped into taking a non-organic essential oil in place of the organic essential oil. ECOCERT International certified organic essential oils are considered of a good quality through out the world. Soil Association in the UK certifies organically manufactured essential oils.

However, certification of a few oils is difficult. An example of this is the Boswellia tree resin, which is the raw material for deriving frankincense essential oil. It is difficult ! to certi fy the essential oil derived from this because it is grown only in wild conditions. In such cases, if the manufacturer is able to source raw material from the actual location, it will be deemed to be grown without pesticides or insecticides.

When shopping for organic essential oils, the buyer must look for terms such as 100% natural or 100% biodegradable. Only the manufacturers of organic essential oils can use the terms or phrases. Another thing to look for when shopping for organic essential oils is its ingredients. If the list of ingredients reveals fragrance oils, artificial colors or synthetics, it is not organic essential oil.

Organic essential oils are available in sizes of 5ml, 10ml and 15ml. Expensive oils come in sizes of 2ml and 1 dram. It is very important to store essential oils in good conditions. Rather than using clear glass bottles, it will be advisable to use dark amber or cobalt blue bottles. These bottles do not allow sunlight to pass through and thus prevent deterioration of organic essential oils. To prevent temperature fluctuations and sunlight to contaminate the oils, the user can purchase or get special wooden boxes constructed to store the essential oils.

Cost of organic oils is more. This is because the cost of producing via organic means is more. However, an essential oil with little or no therapeutic value (for which the buyer chiefly purchases the oil) is of no use. All good things come at a price. The same applies to organic essential oils too. Buyers thus must not shy away from paying a small premium to get the pure essential oils.

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils, essential massage oils, essential oils wholesale visit http://www.ndaroma.com.

The Health Advantages of Permanent Makeup

2008-09-22T07:24:00.001-07:00

The art and science of permanent makeup goes by many different names: micropigmentation, permanent cosmetics, derma pigmentation, intradermal cosmetics, dermagraphics and cosmetic tattoos. As the procedures associated with permanent makeup become more main stream the public becomes more aware of the benefits, especially for individuals that suffer from illness, disease, injury or scarring. In my recent article Building a Bridge: Cosmetic Surgery and Micropigmentation I explored the relationship between cosmetic surgery and permanent makeup. I would now like to discuss how permanent makeup can work as part of the solution for a variety of medical conditions.

Physicians as Partners

According to the Third Edition of Medical Issues for Permanent Cosmetic Technicians published by the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals permanent cosmetic professionals are part of a new and exciting trend in the aesthetic medical arena. It goes on to say that plastic surgery and dermatology centers are now offering permanent makeup procedures in order to attract new patients. At times physicians recommend permanent makeup to compliment other cosmetic procedures, such as Botox or a face lift, but it also helps the patient feel better about themselves and the way they look during or after a difficult illness or injury. The artistic eye of a trained permanent makeup practitioner can analyze color and form to achieve the best look when the doctor has exhausted medical and surgical options.

Know Your Medical History

It is important that the permanent cosmetic professional inquire into a client's medical history. For specific medical related issues the physician should approve the procedure. Healing time and the strength of the immune system are incredibly important. Some of the most common medical conditions that warrant permanent makeup are cancer patients experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy and areola repigmentation after breast reconstruction. It is pref! erable t o have permanent makeup applied before chemotherapy or in the early stages of treatment to reduce stress and promote healing. A Doctor's release should be provided. Permanent makeup can also be used to assist patients that suffer from Vitiligo-the absence of pigmentation in the skin, Trichotillomania-a condition that causes compulsive plucking of hair or Alopecia-a condition that leads to complete or partial hair loss. Permanent makeup can also help Hypothyroid patients who have thinning eyebrows. Individuals who have recently had a facelift or plastic surgery should wait until their physician has determined they are healed, this can take six months or more, but patience will guard against infection. Anyone with medical issues that create a higher risk for infection, such as an artificial hip, mitral vale prolapse or autoimmune disorders should be on an antibiotic. If you are on medication consult your doctor, it is essential that you do your homework.

Toxicity Issues and Camouflaging Scars

Permanent makeup is also a viable alternative for individuals that suffer from allergies or toxicity issues. Patients should talk with their doctors about potential side effects related to pigments then consult a trained permanent makeup practitioner. In many situations the pigments are less toxic than applying conventional cosmetics every day. Individuals that suffer from arthritis, loss of vision or neurological problems that cause painful or unsteady movement of the hands can also enjoy the freedom achieved through permanent makeup. In her book The Essence of Beauty Dr. Adrianna Scheibner, M.D. says in Chapter 9 the applications of the procedure [derma pigmentation within the realm of medicine are numerous. In the past few years, Scheibner continues, corrective camouflaging has emerged as a useful service to dermatologists and plastic surgeons when they can no longer medically improve a patient's appearance. Camouflage, applied by an experienced permanent makeup profe! ssional, is a tricky procedure. In the Procedures of Macro-Theory Dermagraphics printed by the American Institute of Permanent Color Technology it states that the application of camouflage is unlike any other procedure...when applying camouflage you actually are taking something away, or diminishing something that already exists, from the skin. Because of this, camouflaging is an imperfect procedure. Camouflaging is difficult and the results never exact. Camouflaging strives to recreate the skin?s natural appearance; realistic expectations are essential with this type of procedure. Also, when seeking assistance with scar camouflage the procedure should be done when scars are a pale white color, not red or pink.

There are many potential issues when a candidate for permanent makeup suffers from illness or injury. The permanent makeup professional you choose should have experience and provide you with referrals from previous clients and a portfolio. An experienced permanent makeup professional will know the right questions to ask during your initial consultation and will guide you through the safest and healthiest way to looking your best. To learn more about permanent makeup visit my web site www.DawnColors.com.

Dawn Willard?s extensive career in the fine and applied arts has included lettering, illustrations and photo and film styling. Twenty-three years as a photo and film stylist taught Dawn and array of artistic skills, one being makeup. Ms. Willard?s foray into permanent makeup began in 1996. She currently owns the Permanent Makeup Studio in Asheville North Carolina. She has explored a variety of techniques and has clients coming to her from Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, New Hampshire, New Mexico and numerous towns in western and central North Carolina. She can be reached at http://www.DawnColors.com or starjump@gmail.com.

Motivation: Keeping the Fire Going in Your Fat Loss Plan

2008-09-21T22:17:00.001-07:00

Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to weight loss endeavors because you feel strong and determined when first embarking on a fat loss plan. You?re positive you?ll never lose sight of your goals. But, what happens when you lose your focus and motivation takes a serious dive? Can you ever regain your fierce determination and get back on track? YES YOU CAN!

Are you ready?

Are you ready to stop fighting against your own success? Are you ready to break free of your limitations? Think for a moment about your desire to lose fat and get fit. Know that if you would attempt it, you would without a doubt, achieve your goal. Think carefully about it. Now, reach out and touch that highest vision.

The day you begin your fat loss plan you have just started to make your goal a reality. You've set your mind on the best you can imagine for yourself, and you're on your way. You'll most certainly get there. There will be effort involved in reaching it. But that's okay, because you can do it. In fact, you'll enjoy making that effort because you'll know where it's leading.

Have you ever seen someone who seems to be able to attract success easily and naturally? You've just become that person. The goal you desire will come to you, easily and naturally, because you've focused yourself on achieving it.

The efforts involved may be things you once considered difficult or uncomfortable, yet now they won't bother you because you'll know precisely where they're taking you.You're on your way. Keep going, and delight in the wonderful rewards you've already started to create for yourself, including feeling better and living longer!

For many people, change is more threatening than challenging. They see it as the destroyer of what is familiar and comfortable rather than the creator of what is new and exciting.

Anyone can lose weight. The trick is to LOSE FAT and keep it off!

People who stay slim have usually experienced an attitude shift. It's as if a switch flips in th! eir head . They come to a point in life, for one reason or another, where it becomes clear that the benefits of keeping the fat off exceed the costs. Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.

My fat loss and fitness plan ?Every Body Loses? will give you the tools you need to begin a healthy fat loss program. The style of eating and exercising outlined in my book is one that you can follow for life without feeling deprived. If you?re serious about losing fat and getting fit go to http://www.aim4nutrition.com and get started TODAY!

Aimee Deak is a certified personal trainer, nutrition analyst and author of the book, Every Body Loses, an easy-to follow, step-by-step guide to fat loss.

You can find more information about fat loss and exercise on her website http://www.aim4nutrition.com

The Healing Arts: 18 Things Healers Learn #17 Answers Appear In the Space In Between

2008-09-21T07:26:00.001-07:00

It has been said of Frank Sinatra that his power as a singer was not so much in what he did with the notes, but what he did with the space in between those notes. In music, tones come out of nowhere and recede back into nothing, and their relationship with each other and those spaces combine to make up the body of a complete piece that moves us. There is no music without the space in between; it is defined by it.

There are no words without the space in between. There is nothing that exists without the space in between. It is as integral and essential as the matter that defines our universe.

The space in between is not empty, for too much goes on there. It is a place, however, where there are no distractions; a free space through which everything else comes forth as a result of interaction. Without it, we would be an immense, formless thing called ?the One.? In one sense, the space in between is the glue that holds us apart. Out of that space comes creation.

Within that space there occurs a sorting and assimilation of factors from all levels of experience; the immediate physical, the current emotional, the symbolic, and the accumulation of past experiences into an expression of a new moment. So much of this goes unnoticed, it is no surprise that a new thought often appears to ?come from nowhere.?

Of course that nowhere is the space in between where everything that is available to you ? both seen and unseen ? coalesces into a subtle shift that defines the direction of the next moment.

Have you ever had the experience of discovering a new connection, finding a new way to see things, or seeing something for the first time within the context of the familiar? Where did those experiences come from? Perhaps it is an indication that the space in between is where thought becomes reality; the passageway through which energy becomes matter. No matter how you view it, the space in between is anything but a vacuum. And it is where co-creation occurs.

Find a partner (or two or! three) and stand a few feet away from each other. One of you will use your hands and body to define the dimensions and weight of an invisible ball. Make sure the other(s) can see what is being done, then, that person will toss it to one of the others, who will catch what is thrown to her, form it into a ball of a different size, shape and weight, and throw it back to another to catch.

Was that a real experience?

There is nothing in your hands at the beginning. Out of that nothing evolves a shape. To that shape is added weight. Once that ?ball? leaves your hands, something happens to it enroute; the recipient?s interpretation of what you offered is imposed on that object and it begins to morph into something else. At first, it is an approximation of the ball that was first defined. Then, it gets translated from the vision of the originator into the vision of the recipient; essentially, run through the filters of the recipient?s life and his relationship with the moment.

There is a point at which the ball is neither the originator?s nor the recipient?s. It becomes a unique expression of where the two meet. In essence, all interactions happen this way. An originating moment gets affected by outside influences and becomes a new moment.

The acts of observation, interpretation, and response all take place in the space in between ? the illusion of empty time that exists between moments. The space in between is where everything that is in front of you is assimilated with everything you?ve ever experienced to that point in your life ? and pitted against the influences of the moment. Out of that relationship, something happens. The space in between is the place where you get the directions about how, what, where, and when the tools that you?ve been gifted with are to be used, and how they can be applied to the situation/person at hand.

The power and effectiveness of what you do are determined right there. If what you choose to do doesn?t work, where do you go? Right back into the space! in betw een to find a new approach.

The implication for the healer lies in recognizing that the space in between is not about the originator, it is about the new that springs forth from the interplay between originator and recipient. It is a by-product of that connection, rather than a reflection of one point of view.

For the healer, working with the space in between means keeping it as uncluttered by self as possible. In that way, the special healing alchemy that results when two people come together can be allowed to come to full realization.

Russ Reina shares over 35 years of experience in the healing arts through his web site http://mauihealingartist.com. It is a potent resource for those wishing to deepen their abilities in connection and develop their powers as healers. For a powerful free tool to explore your inner world, please check out his adjunct site http://thestoryofthis.net

(Permission is granted to reprint this article, unedited, provided proper attribution is made and the signature line -- the above resource paragraph -- is kept intact)

Toenail Fungus UV

2008-09-20T22:17:00.001-07:00

As a treatment for toenail fungus uv light is seldom, if ever used. However, it can be useful as a means of ridding the environment of infectious fungal spores. Laboratories that work with fungal isolates use ultraviolet light to sterilize equipment, and it has been at least suggested that ultraviolet light might prevent fungal spores and other organism from being dispersed through air conditioning and ventilation systems. At home, simply exposing shoes and socks to normal daylight, which includes ultraviolet wavelengths, may help kill off lingering fungal elements from fungal nail infections.

Ultraviolet light is harmful or lethal to many forms of life. It is routinely used to disinfect contaminated surfaces and water supplies. On the other hand, exposure to ultraviolet rays causes blindness, and almost everyone is aware that increased exposure to ultraviolet in sunlight is causing an increase in skin cancers. It is not a benign light, therefore any toenail fungus uv treatment should be approached with extreme caution, and under the supervision of a professional. Tanning beds are a relatively safe way to expose skin and nails to ultraviolet light, but even these come with associated risks and many people do not think they are a safe approach to tanning or skin treatment.

Perhaps the reason some people believe that toenail fungus uv treatment is an option is that patients who suffer from psoriasis are often treated with ultraviolet radiation. This can be very beneficial in clearing up the uncomfortable skin lesions these individuals suffer experience. Because psoriasis patients often have deformed nails that resemble nails that are infected with fungus, there may be some confusion: dermatitis caused by psoriasis affects the root of the nail and makes the nail grow out abnormally: settling down the dermatitis can result in new nail growing in with a normal appearance. Clearly, this is not a toenail fungus uv cure.

One of the drawbacks in ultraviolet light, with respect to sterilizatio! n techni ques at least, is its inability to penetrate surfaces. Glass and plastic that don't allow ultraviolet wavelengths to pass through are readily created. It may very well be that ultraviolet rays would not penetrate an infected nail sufficiently to affect the fungus growing underneath - a weakness of many nail fungus treatments. The bottom line is that toenail fungus uv treatment is not a good treatment choice. A natural remedy or prescription drug will probably work better and carry less risk.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Nail Fungus Treatment, a blog dedicated to the treatment of fingernail and toenail fungus.

Glucosamine Chondroitin & Arthritis A Health Supplement

2008-09-20T07:23:00.001-07:00

Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering from Arthritis and research has shown that Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphates combined have given these people new hope and relief from their painful ailments.

Many medicines are available to reduce pain, but some of them have serious side effects, some that have even proven to be fatal.

Both substances are Natural complex sugar like molecules that the body uses to rebuild cartilage and restore movement to Arthritic joints. It is important to remember that Glucosamine and Chondroitin are an amazingly safe and easy to use mixture, especially when compared with other forms of treatment.

Loss of cartilage can result in damage to the bone and the development of Osteoarthritis, which ends up as pain and disability. Cartilage is the key to healthy joints, and maintaining a healthy cartilage throughout life is critical to healthy joints and continued movement of joints.

As we age, or as the result of injuries, our ability to renew cartilage diminishes, causing damage to bone ends as they rub together. Glucosamine and Chondroitin can actually help to rebuild cartilage, therefore, improving joint health.

Taking the two compounds proves to be a very easy way of maintaining joint health and helping to alleviate pain and disability.

Cartilage rebuilding is a slow process, but with the right amounts of Glucosamine and Chondroitin benefits to mobility and pain relief can be seen within two to six weeks, it is recommended though that it should be taken daily for at least three months.

Engagement in mild or moderate exercise on a regular basis, would help in providing joint mobility.

Most users would need something like 1250mg to 1500mg of Glucosamine a day and about 1000mg to 1200mg of Chondroitin a day.

You should check with a Physician or Natural Health Care provider before commencing treatment.

Glyconutrients contain Glucosamine along with seven other sugars or polysaccharides.

Article ! by Alfre d Jones, More Information at : http://www.SugarsR4U.com and http://www.RUsweetEnuf.com

Learn about Himalayan Goji Juice, the world?s most powerful Anti Aging Food and Glyconutrients with Antioxidants, The Essential Sugars for Life.

Can A Contact Lens Really Get Lost In Your Brain?

2008-09-19T22:21:00.001-07:00

Did you lose your contact lens under your upper eyelid? HELP! If you ever get a contact lens misplaced under your upper lid the first step is to stay relaxed. There is never really a reason to panic. Know that it is not at all dangerous to have a lens under your upper lid, usually it does not even hurt. At best it is a nuisance, nothing more.

Also know that your lids are attached to your eye, so the lens can not get lost behind your eye, in your brain, or up in your forehead. Let me repeat that, a contact lens can never get lost behind your eye and go in to your brain. It is impossible and will never happen.

So how do you get a contact lens out from under your upper lid? There are two basic techniques depending on what style of lens you are wearing. Removing a Soft Contact Lens From Under Your Upper Lid: 1) Look all the way down towards your nose. 2) Close your eyes. 3) Place one finger over your lid at the inside corner of your eye(near your nose) 4) gently rub in one direction, towards your ear, along the globe of your eye under your brow. 5) Open your eye and notice you have pushed out from under your upper lid. 6) remove the lens.

That's it, it's that simple. If the lens did not come out, hold your upper lid out of the way to see if it is still there. If you see it, repeat the previous steps. If you don't see the lens, take a break. It is highly possible the lens isn't even there anymore.

Removing a Gas Permeable Contact Lens From Under Your Upper Lid:

1) First, be over a surface where the lens will not get lost if it falls out.
2) Locate the lens by holding your upper lid out of the way and look downward into a mirror. (or have a friend look)
3) Once the lens is located, lift your upper lid entirely over the lens so the entire lens is exposed.
4) Using the margin of your lid (where the lashes grow) gently push on the upper edge of the contact lens.
5) When the proper connection is made, the lens will slide freely and easily.
6) You can slide the l! ens back over the cornea, or pop it off.

Usually lenses don't get dislodged unless they are rubbed or very dry. If you find that your lenses consistently move off center, you may consider contacting your eye care provider to verify the fit and type of lens is right for you.

In general, thinner lenses tend to rub off center very easily. People who wear one day disposable lenses are most likely very familiar with fishing around for lost lenses. More substantial, high power, conventional lenses hardly ever get moved under an upper lid.

With all these tips, remember the best defense against a lens going under your upper lid is stop rubbing your eyes.

Steve Cogger is a contact lens specialist currently practicing in New York. For more great tips and tricks to improve your lens comfort and vision, visit http://www.ContactLensSuccess.com today.

Generic Cialis Let Relations Flourish

2008-09-19T07:21:00.001-07:00

Any thing natural is exciting and sex is one of them. Sex is one of the chief ingredients in the recipe called ?Married life?. It has the power to make two people intimate without even saying a word. But at times trivial condition can shatter sexual lives, one such problem is erectile dysfunction.

Popularly termed as Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) was long considered as a bane for the healthy relationships. ED used to play havoc with men?s health. The healthy sexual relationship that had been a cause of joy for so long suddenly seemed a distant dream. Slowly but surely the couple drifted away from the long blissful relationship they once enjoyed.

The worst part was that people suffering from this problem were embarrassed to disclose it, taking it on their self esteem. Believe me one can overcome impotence easily and that to through a pill.

Sounds surprising but that?s true Generic Cialis, the generic version of the much popular drug Cialis can do wonders for you. The effectuality, safety and the active ingredients of the pill are similar to Cialis. Generic Cialis is cheaper in comparison to Cialis because the manufacturers need not spend much on manufacturing and advertisement. Being cheap and equally effective as the branded the branded version makes Generic Cialis a mass choice.

Do not let impotence threaten your healthy relationship. The pain of not being able to consummate the relationship can lead the couple to serious medical conditions. It can lead to depression which can even prove fatal for the sufferer.

Generic Cialis is available only from healthcare providers and should always be used in accordance with its approved labeling. If patients experience pain, nausea, or any other discomfort during sex they should seek medical help. The most common side effects of Generic Cialis are headache, facial flushing and upset stomach.

The conclusion of this information is to boost enough confidence in men that their sex problems are easily curable lest they show! some gu ts to talk to a physician or even their partner. Simply stating that an open and supportive mind is all that is required in such cases.

The author is an amateur writer focusing primarily on health related topics or on the health related research findings. For more information on Viagra, visit http://www.eugenerics.com

Hepatitis C Virus

2008-09-18T22:20:00.001-07:00

Hepatitis C is one of the seven types of hepatitis, a disease that takes on many forms and features inflammation of the liver. Although this type does not reveal many signs or symptoms, there are various treatments that can be used to cure this disease, one of which is a combination of interferon alfa injections and ribavirin capsules. But for mild hepatitis C, doctors will recommend bed rest, a healthy diet, and some medications after diagnosis.

Hepatitis C is diagnosed through a blood test to determine the severity of the disease. In the case of chronic hepatitis, the illness can be assessed through a tissue sample from the liver. Aside from this, there are many other tests for liver function that can be conducted to determine to what extent the liver is affected by the hepatitis C virus.

In 1989, investigators at Chiron, Inc., discovered the hepatitis C virus, better known as HCV. This is an enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus of the Hepacivirus genus and Flaviviridae family. This virus binds to receptors, the CD81 and Scavenger Receptor class b1, on liver tissue when circulating in the bloodstream. Based on genetic differences, HCV is classified into six genotypes that can be transmitted by blood contact. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. But there are available treatments that may vary depending on the HCV genotype.

In spite of the discovery of HCV, much experimentation should still be done in order to come up with drugs to better treat this disease. Even with the development of excellent diagnostic methods, the production of specific drugs that work against HCV is yet to come. But with the advancement in science and technology, they soon will be discovered.

Hepatitis C provides detailed information on Hepatitis C, Hepatitis C Symptoms, Hepatitis C Treatments, Hepatitis C Virus and more. Hepatitis C is affiliated with Herpes Cure.

7 Reasons To Start Up With an Exercise Program

2008-09-18T07:23:00.001-07:00

Most of us need to follow an exercise program. This is due to the fact that just a minority of Americans exercise in a significant way. Below follows 7 good reasons to start exercising now.

1. Contributes to fat loss.

It is well documented from scientific research all over the world for many years that physical exercise contributes significantly to weight loss. I will not dwell on this issue fore it is so obvious, but just mention the simple fact that weight loss is a function of the net calorie intake.

If you burn more calories than you take in thorough nutrition, you lose weight and vice versa. When you exercise you burn more calories then when you don't. So the buttom line is: All other factors equal, the more you exercise the more weight or fat you'll lose. That's really simple.

2. Preventing Disease

The probability of developing a large number of various diseases has been proven to decrease dramatically thanks to physical exercising. These include;

heart disease

cancer

diabetes

stroke

About 4/5?s of deaths caused by heart disease and cancer, are linked to life-style factors like stress and lack of physichal training. We also know that diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. This shows that many of the risk factors and diseases caused by inactivity are working together to damage your health. Don't let these ugly forces do that - start exercising today.

3. Healing or improving disease

We also know that many severe and minor diseases can be dramatically improved or even healed by doing regular exercises. These include most of the diseases I mentioned in the last paragraph. Following a workout plan regularly also decreases HDL cholesterol (bad cholestrol) levels, decreases triglyceride levels (a fat liquid that increases the risk of diabetes) and decreases blood pressure (a cause of heart attack and stroke).

Regular physical training also reduces the risk of prostate cancers for men, breast and ! uterine cancers for women, non-insulin dependent diabetes for both genders and much more. All this is scientifically proven. So, why not start your workout today?

4. Enhance your mental health

We know from many scientific studys that regular exercising leads to an increased release of endorphins in the body. These chemicals help combat depression and make us feel happier. The body releases these endorphins after only 12 minutes into the workout.

Another chemical called serotonin is increased during and after a workout session. Increased levels of serotonin in the central nervous system is associated with feelings of well-being and decreased mental depression. It also helps you feel less tired which can increase your mental alertness. It also helps you sleep better.

5. Enhance your feeling of wellness

When you are in a good shape and fit you'll feel more upbeat, and your overall mood is improved. You have experienced that you can stretch your own limits, you know you are capable to do more than before you started to exercise. This gives you a feeling of wellness that's difficult to describe.

Let's do an experiment: Do an hour of workout today; do whatever you want like walking, bicycling, swimming, jogging, running whatever. Adjust the intensity of the training so that you sweat really good. Then take a shower and sit down. Feel yourself. Now you know what I mean.

6. Increase your persistence

Regular exercising gives you more energy, which can make you more productive at home and at work. Exercise can give you new goals and a sense of purpose - you have something positive to focus on and aim for. This will increase your overall persistence and prevent the likehood of getting off track, whatever your goal is.

7. Enhance your social capabilities

Following a workout plan regularly can boost our self-esteem. It will Help you look better and you will be more confortable with your own company. Exercise helps you to get active and meet new people, w! hich pre vents you from feeling isolated and unsupported. It even increases your interest in sex, and can improve your marriage or your partner relationship.

So, after knowing all this - all the positive things exercise and workout can do for you - do you have any reason to remain inactive? Come on, get active today. You deserve it.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet marketer. He runs the website 11-Weight-Loss.net. Terje enjoys to give advice and help people with workout plans and fitness programs

What Can You Learn About Getting In Shape From A Terrorist?

2008-09-17T22:18:00.001-07:00

Since September 12th, 2001, the U.S has been kicking major butt overseas.

The country of Iraq has become a free and democratic nation, more U.S. soliders have made it home safely, and more and more countries are inspired by our actions.

But why is the war still going on?

I?ll tell you why: There is no give-up in an terrorist?s eyes.

Think about it. These individuals have no chance of winning - EVER.

They?re outgunned (we have bombs smarter than some of our political leaders), outmanned at least 1,000 to one, better technology, faster jets, we maintain our equipment better, and most importantly, our people are taken much better care of.

So why do they persist?

That?s a darn good question.

I?ve never spoken to one, and I?ve never interviewed one, and I honestly don?t like them, but you have to tip your hat to that resolve that they never give up.

Remember the military bombing campaign, ?SHOCK AND AWE?? Remember the live news feeds of Iraq getting bombed like no tomorrow? Wouldn?t that have been enough to cause at least some of them to quit?

Yes, but still more didn?t. And they keep coming. And we keep arresting them or taking them out.

And they still won?t give up.

Honestly, I know they?ll never win. They don?t have a chance. But if you took that type of determination and applied it to your training program, how soon would it be before you had the body you wanted?

Not long at all.

It?s all about setting a goal and going for that goal without any hesistation. Put your blinders on and run like there?s no tomorrow.

Insurgents are outgunned, out-manned, out-technoed, and any shots they get on American soliders are by far LUCKY shots.

But they don?t give up. However, there are some of us who let a simple 8-hour day at work get in the way of our fitness goals.

There are some of us who let a phone call deter us from training that day.

There are some of us who allow a bad decision to stop us fro! m eating correctly.

And then, there are some of us who really don?t care what happens, we?re going to hit the gym whether our boss, significant other, friends, drinking buddies, fellow gamblers, or pets care or not.

And these are the ones who make the fastest and most noticeable progress.

A little dedication goes a lot way. Remember that.

Online home fitness specialist and fitness author and author Lee Smith specializes in helping people get in shape in the comfort of their own homes. For more incredible tips and tactics like these and a free subscription to his Successful Fitness Strategies newsletter, visit http://www.howtoachieveyourfitnessgoals.com.

Quit Smoking Methods ? An Alternative Perspective

2008-09-17T07:21:00.001-07:00

?A cigarette is a pipe with a fire at one end and a fool at the other? said Dr. Johnson in his sarcastic comment on cigarettes and smoking.

Smoking is in fact a pernicious craving for tobacco products, especially cigarettes and cigars.

An organic compound, nicotine, which is richly found in tobacco smoke, is very detrimental to your health. It is linked with various health risks. It can cause diseases of the cardiovascular system, myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, diseases of the respiratory tract such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) chronic bronchitis and emphysema, cancer (particularly lung cancer and cancers of the larynx and tongue), peripheral vascular disease, birth defects of pregnant smokers' offspring, Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans), impotence, and in some cases it may develop cataracts that may cause blindness.

The statement ?One thousand Americans stop smoking every day - by dying? ironically expresses the risks of smoking.

?Sooner or later, everyone stops smoking.? Major health risks can be minimized by cessation smoking. Smoking cessation means to quit smoking, but the cardinal point is how to quit smoking.

Smoking can be quitted by using nicotine-containing tobacco substitutes. Nicotine replacement therapy has been quite an effective treatment. It uses various other nicotine delivery methods to replace nicotine obtained from smoking or other tobacco usage. The nicotine patch, inhaler, nasal spray, gum, gel, and lozenge are some effective tools of NTR. Nicotine gum is a chewing gum, which delivers nicotine to the body.

Nicotine patches are also used to quit smoking. Nicotine patches are transdermal patches that release nicotine into the skin. The patch therapy has been considerably successful in helping many people quit.

Hypnosis Stop-Smoking programs are another alternative that can help people who seriously want to quit.

Quit smoking help with hypnosis involves consultations and sittings with a h! ypnother apist, who generally squeezes out the reasons for one?s smoking and the reasons for wanting to quit. Various hypnotherapy techniques, positive affirmations, and suggestions, are used to help the patient undertake a change of mindset and therefore quit smoking. Tools like stop smoking tapes or CDs are provided to the patient. Quit smoking hypnosis therapy is also proving to be a great quit smoking support.

The best way to quit smoking is to develop a strong will power to want to quit smoking. People who have weak will power cannot quit smoking. Weak will power can make even the effective therapies useless.

James I of England expressed his hate for smoking while he quoth, ?A custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black, stinking fume thereof nearest resembling the horrible Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.?

Smoking is not only injurious to health but rather to society also. It should be eradicated as early as possible.

Paul MacIver writes articles on a variety of topics. For further information on successful stop smoking methods visit How to Quit Smoking You may freely reprint this article as long as nothing is changed, this resource box is included and all links are intact.

Lingzhi A Miracle Herb For Peak Health

2008-09-16T22:18:00.001-07:00

The secret of success is knowing how to deal with your body to maintain peak health condition. The dictum Health is Wealth hold more truth in the modern context than ever before.

While medical science has progressed what one could ever imagine, in treating disorders and disease, the real challenge lies in prevention. Modern medicine has succeeded in treating major disease it has not found a perfect system for prevention of dreaded diseases like cancer and HIV.

The answer lies in looking to a system which is natural sustainable and adaptable for all conditions and all body systems.

This has now led to extensive research in Herbs as the primary preventive source and healthy herbal and organic food products now take the lead in preventive systems.

The king of Herbs as it is known in China and Celestial Herb in Japan is Ganoderma. It is also known as Lingzhi in China and Reishi in Japan.

Lingzhi is now widely researched across the globe by many universities and research institutions and sterling work has been done by China and Japan.

Revered for thousands of years and shrouded in mystery, Lingzhi however was difficult to grow. After much research in 1970 a breakthrough was achieved in commercial cultivation. Still it remains rare and cultivated in few countries like China, Japan, Malaysia and Korea to name a few.

DXN a company from Malaysia remains in the forefront of bringing the benefits of the Lingzhi to the common man. More details at http://globalhealthnetwork.tripod.com

The Magic Effects of Ganoderma

Research is still going on and scientists have discovered 252 active components beneficial and essential to the human body. It is an adaptogen which brings immense benefits to human body without any side effect.

Analysis and experiments done by various universities and pharmaceutical manufacturers have attested to its being a hemocatharsis, detoxificant,diuretic, liver protector, intestine regulator, cardiotonic, blood pressure adjuste! r, a col d tonic, expectorant, a tranquilizer and inhibits tumour and cancerous growth.

What is the Healing Principle of Ganoderma

Many clinical trials and experiments by doctors, especially Dr. Shigeru Yuji?s experiments has established the reasons Ganoderma is effective because of its basic functions

Lowers cholesterol in the blood and the amount of free fat
Reduces blood sugar levels and helps pancreatic functions
Lowers blood lipids and stabilizes red cell membrane
Improves the function of the cortex of the adrenal glands to maintain endocrine balance
Elevates the natural healing ability of the body, allows the body to establish strong immune system
Prevents tissue cell degeneration
Prevents senility, maintaining a youthful constitution
Lowers the side effects of antihypertensive drugs
Prevents organ degenetation
Prevents allergy caused by antigens, because it inhibits the histamine release by mastcells
Relieves pain caused by cancer

While plenty of medical terminology is used to describe various effects on the body, we have avoided such references as the article is not meant as a medical prescription but mainly for use by the common man as an effective health giving food supplement.

Main Health Giving Components

While the Linghzhi mushrooms are said to contain 252 active medicinal compounds, the two main components are:

Germanium: Germanium can promote blood circulation, can increase oxygen absorbing capability of the body and keep sufficient oxygen in the body, improve metabolism and prevent functional degeneration. Based on research germanium is the major component of Lingzhi. The germanium contained in Lingzhi is 4-6 times more than ginseng.

Poly-saccharides: The poly saccharides can increase antibody count which strengthens immunity. Poly saccharides are the most active health enhancing ingredient for the body.

No wo! nder the Lingzhi mushrooms are called the ?Celestial Herb? by the Japanese for its health giving properties. Modern science and cultivation methods have made this difficult to grow herb available for the past decade or two for everyone to derive the benefits.

While there are thousands of research papers available on the medicinal aspects of the Lingzhi this article primarily is to highlight the health giving aspects of this wonderful herbal remedy for ills of the modern living like stress, pollution and imbalances in food habits.

About The Author

R.G. Srinivasan is professional Soft Skills Trainer, Author and a network marketing leader. He is passionate about alternate healing therapies and writes on these subjects regularly. He is a practitioner of Bach flower therapy and Ganotherapy. You can find out more about the availability of Reishi ganoderma and articles on health and wellness at http://globalhealthnetwork.tripod.com

How Do I Gain Weight Learn How To Gain Weight

2008-09-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

How do I gain weight? While many possess a firm understanding on how to lose weight, most have no sound ideas on how to gain weight. Just eating a lot is not going to cut it. In fact, most Americans don?t view being underweight as any sort of problem. Many see them as lucky, which is certainly not the case.

If left unchecked, an abnormally small physique will undoubtedly lead to osteoporosis and a weakened immune system and while only 2% of Americans find themselves asking if they will ever be able to bulk up, it still needs to be covered and better understood. For some, their body?s are weakened by disease, while others simply have a faster metabolism and therefore burn more calories than most others.

Fortunately for those tired of their stubborn, small physiques, the problem is certainly not insurmountable.

There are two elements that absolutely have to be attended to if lean weight is to ever be gained. The first element would certainly have to be diet, while the second would have to be strength training. Those struggling need to first look into what they are eating on a daily basis and how much they are eating. One needs to eat normally for a week and see how many calories are consumed a day. Of course, this will be a rough estimation, but be vigilant enough so that you get a relatively accurate figure.

At this point, add 500 calories a day to your estimate and at this rate you will gain about a pound a week. However, this does not mean to eat any 500 calories you want to eat, but tack on 500 calories that are worthwhile, so to speak. For those with fast metabolisms, try and eat more meals that are spaced out every 3 to 4 hours max. This could mean eating 5 to 6 small meals a day. So instead of eating nutritionally devoid ?empty calorie? foods such as sodas and sweets, eat bread (not white, preferably), lower fat dairy products, nuts, and avocados. Also, it is imperative that you eat a serving of lean protein at all 5 or 6 of your meals. In case you were wondering, each me! al shoul d contain protein that is roughly the size of a deck of cards, a slightly larger portion of vegetables, and maybe one or two pieces of bread. Do something to this effect 5 to 6 times a day and you will be off to a great start.

Next, one needs to ensure that they are exercising regularly and, no, this does not mean ?cardio?. You absolutely have to get in the gym and lift an amount of weight that would be challenging within a 10-12 repetition range. Anything over 15 repetitions is going to be a little light and will quickly become more of an aerobic workout as opposed to an anaerobic struggle. Aerobic exercise means that the mode of exercise relies on oxygen for energy as opposed to the heavy strength training that utilizes energy that is already stored within the muscle cells. Once these energy stores are exhausted, you will have difficulty move the same amount of weight and probably feel like a ?noodle?.

There are many different ways to structure your workouts, but one that is recommended for beginners and veterans alike is simply a total body workout. Pick a pushing movement, like the bench press, a pulling movement, like single arm rows, a leg exercise, like squats or deadlifts, and a core exercise, like crunches. These movements need to be as varied as possible. Start on machines or seek proper instruction with free weights before attempting the movements on your own. As the workout progresses, you might have to lower the weight so that you can stay within the rep range outilined above. This is to be expected. Lastly, one needs remember to lift at least three times a week in order for muscle growth to ensue.

This is only the most basic glimpse into the world of strength training and in order to progress to a higher level, one needs to delve deeper. So, if food and exercise can be manipulated in the right direction, there is little to no reason that anyone should remain underweight. It does take extreme dedication that I believe is equal to the obese community?s efforts in losing weig! ht, but be patient and results will follow. I guarantee it.

Learn more about exercise and fitness as well as weight loss at PhenForum.com, the best site about Phentermine and healthy weight loss online! We have a wonderful support group who will welcome you as a new friend and help you get through the tough times. Just register for free and start your weight loss journal.

Purchase Healthy And Safe Skin Care Products And Avoid Harmful Ingredients

2008-09-15T07:25:00.001-07:00

The skin is the biggest organ in our body and absorbed whatever we put on it. Skin care, lotion, make up, chemicals and toxins get absorbed by the skin the same way, if we do not show some precaution. The skin function is to protect our body, support the immune system and provide a barrier against exterior aggressors. To fulfill its vital functions we need to take care of our skin and provide high quality nutrients in form of skin care.

Most skin care, beauty and personal care products contain harmful components that can cause damages to our skin, body and health. The food we eat is labeled and we have a fairly good idea of what is in our food. With a little bit of research it is fairly easy to make conscious and educated choices when we do our grocery shopping. Read the labels, stay away from trans fats and processed foods, eat fresh foods and vegetables as well as lean proteins is a good step towards healthy eating. With cosmetics, beauty and skin care products it is really no different. However the cosmetic and beauty industry is not as regulated as the food industry. They are a lot of grey areas. For example a bottle of natural shampoo might only contain 1% of natural ingredients?.! There are very little regulations as far as putting organic or natural labels on the containers. So how do you find skin care products that are healthy and truly nourishing for your skin, hair and body?

The following are five tips for buying skin care products.

1 - If there are no ingredients listed on the label ?. Do not purchase the product

2 - If you cannot pronounce the ingredients ?.. Do not purchase the product

3 - Do not let Natural or Organic labels deceive you ?? Always check the labels

4 - When looking for skin care products, look for whole ingredients, natural with the least processing and preferably sell directly to consumers. Less traveling time and stocking will reduce the amount of preservatives used in the beauty products. Whole ingredients insure you that th! e healin g and health are close to the natural state of the plants or herbs

5 - Buy in small quantities. Made with fresh alive components, truly natural skin care products have a shorter shelf live. Keep your skin care products in the fridge or follow the recommendations on the labels

You can find a list of harmful ingredients in skin care products by following the link at the bottom of this article. It will take you directly there.

Catherine Potin is the publisher for Best Of Natural Skin Care. You are invited to Healthier Skin with skin care expert revealing secrets and tips every week for a smooth, young and radiant looking skin. Here is the link to Ten Harmful Ingredients. you want to avoid in your skin care products.

How Do You Treat Pericardial Mesothelioma?

2008-09-14T22:17:00.001-07:00

Of all the cancers caused by asbestos dust (mesothelioma), pericardial mesothelioma is the most rare, accounting for a fraction of all cases (5%). It is a cancer that grows on the pericardium (the lining of the heart). This is a delicate 'film', and any infection on the pericardium can have deadly consequences.

Once an individual has been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma they are offered three different treatment options. These are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely difficult to treat (due to the intricacies involved in removing the tumours from the pericardium), and a patient's chances of survival are slim. All three methods have a poor success rate mainly due to the fact that pericardial mesothelioma is detected in the mature stages of development. (The reason for this is because in the early stages of the cancer the symptoms resemble those of diseases such as pneumonia). The prognosis for a patient undergoing treatment at this point (mature stage) is usually less than a year.

Before treatment, the patient requires a doctor's evaluation in order to determine which of the three treatments are suitable for him/her. Details such as age, weight, medical history, and general well-being are considered prior to the commencement of treatment. So, how do you treat pericardial mesothelioma?

Radiation - As with all cancer treatments that use this method, large doses of radiation are used to kill the cancerous cells on the pericardium. The downside to radiation treatment is that not only are you killing off the cancerous cells, but you are also damaging the vital organs in close proximity to the heart, namely the lungs. The heart also gets damaged (due to the large doses of radiation).

Surgery - We can break this down into two parts; aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery involves the removal of the cancerous cell. Since these are very close to the heart and lungs, this makes it an extremely precarious procedure and! one tha t requires an extremely skilled surgeon. Palliative procedures are used in the latest of stages of pericardial mesothelioma and serve the sole purpose of reducing the symptoms. Usually at this stage the cancer is practically incurable.

Chemotherapy - This is the most widely-used of cancer therapies which involves the use of drugs to kill the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, the majority of drugs used have a low success rate with pericardial mesothelioma. Research is being conducted to come up with a cocktail of drugs that have a more favourable outcome.

There does exist another form of treatment which involves using all three aforementioned treatment options. It is known as Dual Therapy. Surgery is used to remove the cancerous cells, then chemotherapy and radiation are used to kill the remaining cells. The success rate for this method is higher than just using radiation, surgery or chemotherapy alone, but can still be dangerous.

Nkeno Kapya owns http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.info, where numerous other articles on pericardial mesothelioma can be found.

The Psychology Of Diet Preparation

2008-09-14T07:26:00.001-07:00

We decide to lose weight because of any number of reasons: we don?t like the way we look, our clothes don?t fit, our health is in danger, our significant other is wandering, our job is at risk, or our kids are embarrassed. We tend to think of weight loss as something that involves only our body; surely no one ever decided to lose weight because of a fat brain or a bloated mind.

Yet ?we decide? is a mental function. When and why we make such a decision depends on our mind, not our body. We may make the decision when we are five pounds heavier than we would like, or after passing the two hundred pound mark and entering true medical obesity. The actual size of the body does not trigger the decision to lose weight, such a choice in made in the brain.

Since the start (and the continuation) of a diet program is a mental process, it would seem to be worthwhile to explore what factors might trigger such a decision.

1. Self-Image.

Each of us has a dual image: the face we turn to the world and our internal idea of how we appear. Although we dress and groom ourselves in an effort to be seen as attractive by others, we are far less influenced by others than by our satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, with ourselves.

Explore this concept by observing yourself and others over the course of the next week. You will notice that you often receive compliments on clothes you wear that, to you, don?t feel ?quite right.? Wear a favorite outfit that fits perfectly, that you think looks outstanding, and that makes you feel especially dashing ? and no one notices! The same phenomenon occurs with a hairstyle. One morning, rushed for time, you can?t get your hair to do anything so you angrily pull it back with clips and hope that no one important sees you looking so awful. Voila! Three people comment that they like what you?ve done with your hair.

There is the same disconnect when it comes to our weight. If we look good in our mind?s eye, we don?t feel fat, even if friends and coworkers are whis! pering a bout our steady weight gain. However, if we see ourselves as overweight, no amount of reassurance from those around us is going to make us feel less fat. Carried to the extreme, this mental picture of our body size can lead to the eating disorder anorexia nervosa in which painfully thin individuals continue to dangerously restrict their caloric intake because they consistently see themselves as too heavy.

We decide to go on a diet, therefore, in response to our internal self-image. Some of the benefits we envision that go along with being slim and fit do take others into account: I will be more attractive to the opposite sex; I?ll be noticed at work when it?s time for a promotion; my family and friends will be jealous and will have to re-evaluate me as a stronger person than they had thought. But the real payoff for getting in shape is what it does for us personally. It is the desire to feel great about ourselves that carries us through the pain and monotony of diet and exercise. It is the future vision of ourselves in our mind that spurs us toward our goal. Losing that vision, or concluding that we won?t feel that much better about ourselves, are the reasons we give up and fall back into the relative comfort of settling for just ?okay.?

2. Body versus Mind dominance.

We all wage a lifelong internal battle between our body and our mind. Each is dominant at different stages of development. As infants, we are little more than a collection of sensations. We explore the exciting new world around us through touching everything within reach, tasting everything we can put into our mouths, watching the movements of everything around us, and listening to all the sounds we hear until we eventually learn to imitate them.

As we move into our early school years, we start to concentrate on our minds. We voraciously devour immense amounts of information. We learn to read and our world expands its boundaries by a thousand percent. We learn to use the Internet and a limitless universe is at our fi! ngertips .

Then we move into puberty and, overnight, our appearance becomes the dominating factor in our everyday lives. We navigate the pitfalls and pleasures of adolescence where popularity and being cool are so much more vital than mere learning or mental development. We spend an inordinate amount of time on our bodies. We try new clothes, new hairstyles, and new makeup. We have body parts pierced and undergo the pain of a tattoo because it will make us stand out. We primp, and groom, and force ourselves into the styles our peers have judged as ?in.?

As we mature, we seek to balance our mental and physical selves. While our bodies reign supreme in the attract-a-mate environment, we need to exercise our minds to advance our careers and to develop deep relationships that move far beyond mere physical attraction.

It is when we settle down, and start to build the good life we want, that our efforts and energies turn towards things outside ourselves: children, significant others, friends, family, and work pursuits. We have so much happening around us and so much to do that we lose touch with both our bodies and our minds. We slip into our own comfort zone where so many of our needs are fulfilled by food. It eases our anxiety, relieves our frequent frustrations, and makes periodic bouts of the blues bearable. It oils our social interactions. It becomes a vital cog in how we demonstrate affection for those we love. We continue to see ourselves as we have always been and ignore the love handles and pockets of fat that attach themselves to parts of our body we resolutely ignore. Our bodies, and our internal image of our bodies, become more and more discordant.

3. Our sense of self-efficacy.

Self-efficacy is a term used in psychology to describe an individual?s belief that any action they take will have an effect on the outcome. It is not self-confidence, nor a belief that one is competent to do something, although it may involve both. It reflects our inner expectation that what we do will ! effect t he results we want.

If I lack this belief, then I fear that whatever I do will not bring about my desired goal. Bordering on helplessness, it leads to self-defeating thoughts:

?No matter how carefully I diet, I don?t lose weight . . .? ?I could work out every day but I?ll never get rid of these thunder thighs . . .? ?I try to eat healthier foods but my hips just keep on spreading . . .? ?No matter what techniques I try, nothing is going to keep the wrinkles away . . .?

If I have a strong sense of self-efficacy, my belief system and thought patterns will sound like:

?All I have to do is get motivated and I can whip my body into shape in a few weeks . . .? ?I just need to pick a date to start my diet and I?ll be on my way . . .? ?I may have neglected myself for a while but some hard work will bring me back . . .?

Whether or not we start a diet, decide to get in shape, or start taking better care of ourselves is, ultimately, a personal decision which may, or may not, be made as we have planned. The difference lies in the expectation of success and it is always easier to set out on a journey we anticipate will be successful than it is to drag ourselves toward a goal where failure is the most likely outcome.

How can we combine these concepts to work for us in our desire to become slim, fit, and attractive?

We begin by examining our self-image and how we appear to others. Merely asking others ?Do you think I?m getting too heavy?? doesn?t work unless you have a brutally honest friend or you ask someone who dislikes you. Most of us are culturally trained to spare others? feelings so responses to such a question are more likely to be polite than true.

Concentrating on specifics can produce better feedback. Tell everyone that you?re completing a survey for a class you?re taking. Hand out a brief one page questionnaire requiring that each friend or coworker list three adjectives to describe different aspects of your physical appearance. Complete one of the sheets you! rself. Make sure that the answers are anonymous by requesting that no names be used and having someone else collect the completed sheets.

Once you have the responses back, compare them to your own answers and see where the descriptions diverge. You may find yourself becoming a little defensive: ?My hips aren?t that big . . . my clothes do too make me look slim.? This isn?t an exercise to make you feel bad about yourself nor for you to gloat over the unexpected complimentary remarks you received. It is an organized effort to help you identify where your self-image and your image-in-the-world move apart. Those areas of divergence are a place to start in the effort to make the two images overlap.

Once the areas where work is needed have been identified, it is time to call on the immeasurable strength of our wonderful mind to start imposing the structure and organization we are going to need to effect the desired changes. Our mind can only get us where we want to go if it is supported by a belief in our ability to bring about a successful conclusion. Now is the time to dismiss any expectations of failure. There may have been many unsuccessful dieting and fitness attempts in the past. Leave them in the past. We are not somehow doomed to continue unproductive behaviors forever. We possess that jewel of evolution, the human mind, which is capable of just about anything. If we set our mind to any task, it will accomplish it, if our doubts and misgivings don?t get in its way.

We build up our positive expectations by exploring our memories to pile up a long list of prior successes. There may be major benchmarks such as bringing about a promotion we wanted, orchestrating a fantastic event, or working ourselves into an intensely satisfying relationship. However, the small personal triumphs count the most but are usually quickly forgotten or discounted as unimportant.

Studying hard and obtaining a good grade in a difficult class clearly demonstrates your ability to bring about the results you want. G! o for qu antity: the day you smiled at someone across a smoky room and ended up with a brief but lovely affair; the report you brought in on time which no one expected; the night you mastered a spin on ice skates. Keep going: making the drill team, shooting a stolen basket, making your own prom dress, dying your hair a wonderful color in your own bathroom, catching a fly ball, figuring out new software on your computer, burning your first CD. The list can be endless and will be, as you keep remembering snippets of the past that you had long buried under more important things.

Keep this list close by and read it regularly. It is your personal self-efficacy pep squad.

You now know the areas you are going to work on and are developing a belief in the effectiveness of your own efforts. Now you need to identify the internal rewards that successful weight loss will bring. Feeling good about yourself, enjoying stepping on a scale, and easily zipping up your clothes are easy starters. Unselfconsciously walking to the pool in a brief suit is a reinforcement to dream about. Making a sales presentation with the confidence that you are looking your absolute best is an image to relish as you fall asleep. Seeing someone you love watch you admiringly, or seeing your competitive coworker jealous, underscores your resolve and keeps you going through the discomfort of dieting and the demands of boring exercise routines.

You know where you?re going, you know what it?s going to take, and you know you?re going to be successful. Your mind is fully prepared, simply awaiting your day of decision. You?ll make that decision whenever you choose because you are now in control.

Virginia Bola is a licensed psychologist and an admitted diet fanatic. She specializes in therapeutic reframing and the effects of attitudes and motivation on individual goals. The author of The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a free ezine, The Worker's Edge, she recently published a psychologically-based weight control e! -workboo k, Diet with an Attitude which develops mental skills towards the goal of permanent weight control. She can be reached at http://www.DietWithAnAttitude.com/index2.html She provides support and guidance in use of the workbook through her regular blog, http://dietwithanattitude.blogspot.com

Rolfing Description and Benefits

2008-09-13T22:18:00.001-07:00

Rolfing was developed about 50 years ago by Ida Rolf, PhD, a biochemist who became interested in the subject of body structure and function while trying to relieve her son's pain. She originally named it structural integration and although this name is still used today, it has become more popularly known as Rolfing - a name that is now trademarked.

The theory behind Rolfing is that the body's natural state is relaxed, comfortable and aligned with the Earth's gravity. However, over time the stresses of everyday life cause people to adjust the way they hold their bodies and the way they move. An example is what happens when people spend long hours at a computer - their head drops down and forward, their shoulders hunch over and their ears end up over air instead of directly above their shoulders.

Newly-learned positions and movements become patterns and for a while may be more comfortable. But eventually, because they work against gravity, they put even more stress on the body. Muscles may become shorter on one side and longer on the other and the tissue that connects them - the fascia - may become stiff and even fused, creating adhesions. A Rolfing treatment is designed to not only release the adhesions and relax the muscles, but also teach better body mechanics so that the patterns the client has just unlearned don't return.

A Rolfing session does use massage techniques, but these are usually done more slowly and deeply; since Rolfing is intended to affect the structure of the body, the more superficial techniques of massage are not helpful. The work the Rolfer does can be intense. But the level of discomfort the client may feel will depend on how out of the balance the body is and whether the Rolfer has to do a lot of work to release the effects of old injuries. The best advice is to try to avoid tensing up by breathing through the more difficult techniques. After a treatment the client will usually feel lighter and more balanced and may even be taller.

Rolfing is us! ually do ne in a series of 10 sessions, starting with specific areas and progressing to whole-body treatments. These sessions are usually done about a week to two weeks apart. The Rolfer may also give the client exercises to do between sessions to help them move more correctly and stay aware of how they move - in other words, to keep the re-education process going. Some people would rather get only one or two treatments focusing on what they think are their problem areas, but most Rolfers discourage this. They believe that focused treatment is not helpful and does not have lasting effects, because each part of the body supports each other part.

Some of the effects of Rolfing are - increased flexibility - better posture - relief of pain, muscle tension, or headaches - smoother, more efficient body movement - emotional balancing (which results from the physical balancing and release of old injuries)

Because it works to change the structure - and therefore function - of the entire body, Rolfing may not be as relaxing as some other forms of bodywork, but for long-term effects many people prefer it to anything else.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Massage