Lomi lomi is the Hawaiian term for masseuse. It is a form of massage where the practitioner uses hands, forearms, elbows, thumbs and other body parts to provide their client a unique healing experience. Treating the legs with lomi lomi massage stimulates the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems and leaves the recipient relaxed and revitalized.
Instructions
1. Place the recipient face down on a flat, comfortable surface. Help him relax by bending the left leg back and forth at the knee, gently rotating the left ankle and massaging and stretching the leg and hip muscles with your hands.
2. Apply long, even strokes with the sides of your arms from the lower hip to the calf. Work your way to the bottom of the foot, back up the leg and back down again.
3. Strive to leave your arms connected to the surface of the recipient's body as you continue the strokes back to the knee. Use your arm and elbow to continue up to the hip and back down to the foot in one long fluid movement, applying pressure to the foot, then around the foot and back up the leg.
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 with the right leg.
5. Instruct the recipient to turn over and do the front of her legs in the same fashion. When treating legs with a lomi lomi massage, alternating long and short strokes toward the end leaves the recipient refreshed.
Tags: back down, foot back, leaves recipient, legs with, lomi lomi, lomi lomi massage,
High blood pressure is a serious cardiovascular disease that many people have. It can lead to stroke or death if not treated. Doctors usually prescribe medications including calcium channel blockers to treat the symptoms associated with high blood pressure. There are certain vitamins that can lower blood pressure naturally and may help individuals to reduce the amount of prescribed medication they take.
Vitamins
Some vitamins used to lower blood pressure are potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin C. Potassium not only helps blood pressure but may also reduce the risk of strokes and prevent kidney damage because it balances out electrolytes. Potassium works best with magnesium since patients who have high blood pressure often have magnesium deficiencies. Magnesium is responsible for protein breakdown, cellular functions and muscle relaxation, all of which help the heart to function properly. Calcium helps with the formation of bones, muscles, blood vessels and overall body functions. Vitamin C is essential because it has antioxidants and nitric oxide that help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels and lining of the muscles.
Other Vitamins
Other lesser known vitamins that may assist in reducing systolic and diastolic pressure are coenzyme Q10, niacin and selenium. Coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance our bodies make that assists in the function of blood cells, circulation and energy. Niacin opens the blood vessels and may reduce plaque in the arteries. Selenium has antioxidants and strengthens muscles, including those surrounding the heart.
Supplements
In addition to taking vitamins, nutritionists often recommend herbal supplements in conjunction with the vitamin therapy. Some of the herbal supplements are cayenne, rutin, hawthorn berry extract and garlic. These supplements assist in circulation, cell function and contain vitamin C and antioxidants. Since garlic can also thin the blood, it should only be used under doctor's supervision and shout not be taken before surgery.
Considerations
The best way to get these vitamins is through the foods that we eat including dairy products, fruits, leafy vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. Individuals who don't eat one or more of these food groups may be deficient in these vitamins and should consider taking vitamin supplements that are available from most health stores.
Keep in mind that vitamins cannot replace treatment for high blood pressure from a licensed physician. Check with your doctor before taking vitamins for any health condition to get the proper dosage and to ensure the vitamins do not interact with other medication.
Doctors prescribe antidepressants to treat depression, typically in combination with psychotherapy. Many types of antidepressants are on the market, and while they can be quite effective, all have side effects. The precise side effects vary by brand and individual patient, but a few common generalities remain.
Side Effects of SSRIs
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant on the market; they affect serotonin levels in your brain. Side effects can include sleeplessness, drowsiness and erectile dysfunction.
Side Effects of Atypical Antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants, which physicians typically prescribe when SSRIs fail, target neurochemicals other than serotonin, such as dopamine. They can cause sleep difficulties, nausea, exhaustion and unexplained weight gain.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When you stop taking antidepressants, you must do so gradually to avoid symptoms of sudden withdrawal, which can include mood swings, nausea, insomnia, stomach pains and even suicidal thoughts.
Suicidal Thoughts
In a very small percentage of patients, antidepressants can increase the risk of suicide during the early stages of treatment. Doctors monitor patients very closely for warning signs.
Side Effects of Older Antidepressants
Antidepressants such as MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants have many of the same side effects as their newer counterparts, but because they are less refined, the side effects can be more severe.
The male role in infertility lies in the fact that they provide half of the genetic material required for successful fertilization. According to the East/West Acupuncture & Wellness Center, the better the quality and quantity of sperm, the better the chance of successful fertilization. Using herbs to increase sperm count, together with traditional Chinese medicine techniques such as acupuncture can be successful in resolving infertility problems. According to the "Diagnosis of Sterility and its TCM Treatment" by Jin Weixin, when low sperm density was treated by herbs, in 151 TCM cases, there was an effective rate of 95.4 percent.
Ginseng
Men seeking to increase their sperm count may benefit from adding ginseng to their diet. According to the Journal of Sexuality and Disability, clinical trials pertaining to improved scientifically researched in vitro. Two placebo-controlled, double-blind trials cited on Iherb.com have shown significant improvement in erectile dysfunction. Panax ginseng use may lead to an improved sense of general well-being, relieving stress, improving diabetes and other health-related issues, of which such improvement may lead to higher sperm counts. A daily dosage of 200 mg of standardized extract or 1 to 2 g of raw herb is recommended on an ongoing basis. This herb appears to be nontoxic, and very few side effects have been associated with treatment.
Pycnogenol
Another herbal treatment that has proven successful in boosting sperm count is Pycnogenol. A new study conducted by Dr. Roseff of the West Essex Center for Advanced Reproductive Endocrinology indicates that Pycnogenol, a natural plant extract from the bark of the French Maritime Pine, is a superior antioxidant that improves natural fertility. The high anti-oxidant value of Pycnogenol protects the sperm cells from the oxidative damage that all cells are subject to. It is available over the counter in drug stores. Test subjects took 200 mg daily for a period of three months.
Natural alternative
By using herbs to increase sperm count, couples may be able to avoid potentially invasive and expensive treatments such as IVF. While it does take hard work and commitment to stick to herbal treatments and it demands some lifestyle changes, taking the natural route may have many benefits for overall health. Herbal remedies may offer new hope to infertile couples as an alternative treatment or as a complementary approach to more successful attempts at IVF.
Tags: sperm count, have been, herbs increase sperm, successful fertilization
A personal trainer can greatly improve your chances of attaining your fitness goals, so it's important to choose one who's certified, motivating and, above all, knowledgeable.
Instructions
1. Determine goal. Whether it's to lose weight or complete a marathon, a clear goal will help you narrow the choices of trainers and find one with related experience and expertise.
2. Consider where you want to work out. Location can often determine your selection of trainers.
3. Decide how much you're willing to spend. Trainers can cost anywhere from $25 to $200 an hour, depending on their professional background, clientele and services.
4. Research your options by requesting trainers' brochures from local gyms and asking for referrals from friends.
5. Check for certification. Your trainer should be certified by at least one nationally recognized organization, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) or the National Strength and Conditioning Council (NSCC).
6. Check for personal liability insurance. Most trainers are required to carry insurance to protect their clients and themselves against personal injury and property loss.
7. Ask if the trainer knows CPR. Most certifications require CPR training, but it's good to ask anyway.
8. Talk with the trainer and determine whether you feel comfortable and confident with his or her skill level and dependability.
9. Set a date and time to begin training.
Tags: Choose Personal, Choose Personal Trainer, your fitness
Hard day at work? Treat yourself to a massage. Stress, sore muscles and even headaches can be alleviated by a back massage. You don’t have to wait for your significant other or an appointment at a fancy salon to get one, either. You can give yourself a back massage that is relaxing and effective.
Instructions
1. Start near your neck. Firmly grasp the muscles on either side of your neck, with your thumbs outside by your shoulders and your fingers facing on your back. Slowly knead the muscles with the insides of your hands, making small, circular motions. Do a count of eight circles moving towards followed by eight moving away from your neck.
2. Get to the middle of your back. Place your hands as if you were going to put your hands on your hips, but flip your fingers to your back and place them as high underneath your armpits as you can reach. Keeping your thumbs wrapped around your ribs towards the front of your body, rotate your fingertips in small circles. Do a count of eight circles moving towards your spine followed by eight moving away from your spine.
3. Move your hands down a few inches, still with your fingers on your back and your thumbs wrapped forward, and repeat the set of circles a little lower.
4. Keep moving your hands down your back repeating the set of circles until you've hit every area. The final move in this series should have your thumbs sitting at the top of your hip bones..
5. Make two fists. Take the flat part of each fist below the first knuckes and work them up your back in small, circular motions. Start at the base of your spine for two sets of eight, move slightly up to the mid back and repeat then take your fists as high as you can on your back and repeat once more.
6. Finish off your self-massage by giving yourself a hug. Wrap your arms firmly around yourself, with each palm grasping the opposite shoulder and squeeze as hard as you can for a count of eight. Exhale and release.
Tags: your back, your hands, your neck, your thumbs, count eight
Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that afflicts over 46 million Americans of all ages. Actually, arthritis isn't just a single ailment; there are over 100 varieties. The most common is osteoarthritis, a wearing down of cartilage around joints. This is more prevalent in higher age groups. Other types are caused by infection. Whatever the variety, early treatment is essential to slow the disease's progress.
Instructions
1. Check for joint pain or tenderness, the most common symptom. If you have persistent joint discomfort that was not caused by injury or strain, arthritis is the likely culprit. (Note: injuries to joints can also contribute to the development of arthritis.)
2. Examine the skin around the joints in question. If arthritis exists, it may be red, and it may feel warm.
3. Try moving your joints through a wide range of motion. Arthritic joints become stiff and limited in mobility, especially in the morning. If you have difficulty performing an accustomed task--such as opening a jar--it may indicate the onset of arthritis.
4. Examine the appearance of the joints. Arthritic joints typically become swollen and, in advanced stages of the illness, even visibly deformed. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness in a joint on the hand, compare it carefully to the corresponding joint on the other hand to see if it looks enlarged.
5. Listen as you move. The affected joint may produce a cracking sound or feeling. In medical terminology, this is called crepitus.
6. Check for fatigue, chills or fever, all of which may accompany some forms of arthritis. It is especially important to seek prompt medical attention when these symptoms are present, as they signal an infection.
Tags: around joints, Arthritic joints, arthritis Examine, , pain tenderness
The main function of the lungs is to take in oxygen and provide energy to the rest of the body. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the function is to govern qi or energy and provide defense against external pathogens such as viruses. Herbs that tonify the lungs can be used to strengthen their function and decrease susceptibility to infection.
Shortness of Breath
Ren shen or ginseng root, powerfully tonifies the (qi) energy circulating through the lungs and is especially useful for conditions where shallow breathing, shortness of breath and poor circulation are present.
Increasing Energy
Huang qi or astragulus root stops sweating, releases toxins and strongly raises the (qi) energy in those who are frail or recovering from an illness. The skin is considered to be controlled by the lungs and is the largest and most exterior portion of the body, so loss of fluids through the pores can cause dehydration and loss of valuable minerals.
Strengthen Immunity
Sheng jiang or fresh ginger is a warm herb used widely to strengthen a weakened immune system, stop cough and loosen phlegm a cold, flu and other chronic lung disorders. Known to relieve indigestion and nausea, when grated and combined with honey in boiling water relieves cough, and when applied alone as a hot liquid wash induces sweating to relieve fever.
Cold Limbs
Rou gui or cinnamon bark is another herb known for its ability to warm the kidney yang in Chinese medicine. This is important in ensuring vitality and warmth in the body and aids in common symptoms such as wheezing, severe sweating, and cold limbs associated with lung diseases.
Toxins
Licorice lubricates the lungs and counteracts toxicity. Boiled with half the amount of ginger and strained, it is consumed as soup to treat abscessed lungs, suppurate pneumonia and bronchitis without cough.
Cough
Other common herbs useful for colds and coughing are spearmint and peppermint which have a cooling effect on inflamed lungs and throat and diluted garlic, which can be used for whooping cough in children.
Everyone has occasional black moods. Changing your bad mood isn't difficult. It just takes a little work and some responsible living. According to,
natural-homeremedies.com, each color has its own energy and can affect your mood for good or ill. Laughter, reaching out to a friend or associating with positive people can all brighten your mood. Do a little experimentation to see which mood-elevator works best for you.
Instructions
1. Pencil and paper
Write down a list of things that trigger your bad moods, so you will know what to avoid.
2. Healthy diet
Eat a healthy diet. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats in your diet. Avoid sugar, fatty or processed foods, which can add weight and contribute to bad moods.
3. Get Rest
Get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep causes fatigue, which can lead to bad moods.
4. Multiple vitamins
Take a multiple vitamin daily. This way, your body will get the nutrition it may not be getting from your diet alone.
5. Yellow and orange
Add yellow and orange colors to your clothes and room. These are bright and tranquil colors. According to natural-homeremedies.com, you should avoid black and brown, which can have a negative affect on your mood.
6. Exercise
Exercise every day. Take your mind off what may be contributing to your bad mood, and get fit and lose weight while you're at it.
7. Recall good memories
Recall things that bring back good memories. For example, the aromas in your grandmother's kitchen.
8. Think about who loves you
Close your eyes and think of a person or people who love you.
9. A quiet place to relax
Find a quiet place to rest, read an inspirational book or listen to relaxing music.
Tags: your mood, , affect your, affect , , quiet place, things that
Herbs have been used to balance the kapha dosha for 5,000 years.
Kapha dosha is one of the three doshas or, life forces, that Ayurvedic medicine revolves around. The other two are Vata and Pitta. Ayurveda is a system of medicine that originated in India 5,000 years ago, and it believes that achieving balance between the body, the mind and the spirit is the key to well-being. Each dosha is primarily made up of two of the five elements of nature: fire, water, earth, air, and ether (space).
The two elements that are prominent in kapha dosha are earth and water. Vata doshas are dominated by ether and air, and pitta doshas are dominated by fire and water. Although each dosha is dominated by two elements, each dosha has some degree of each of the five elements and the key to health in the Ayurvedic system is to keep the two dominant elements from overpowering the other three elements. Using the proper mix of herbs is one of several ways to achieve balance for the kapha dosha. Herbs can be used to make tea, added to food, and they can be added to body oils. Herbs can also be ingested directly with water, honey or oils like olive oil.
Herbs for Improved Digestion
Characteristics of Kapha doshas include having medium to large body types, good skin, thick and wavy hair and slow digestion. When kaphas are out of balance they tend to be lethargic, retain water and gain weight easily. This dosha needs herbs that are astringent and cleansing, like tumeric, dandelion, hops, barberry, bayberry bark, juniper, burdock and milk thistle.
Herbs to Alleviate Respiratory Problems
Although kapha doshas are considered solid body types, when they do get ill, they usually suffer from problems related to their mucous membranes and have respiratory problems, like sinus trouble, asthma and lung problems. Herbs good for helping alleviate respiratory problems are herbs with astringent properties like raspberry leaves, ginger, elecampane, thyme, hyssop, licorice and marshmallow root.
Herbs to Help Ease Depression
To ease depression, kaphas can use herbs that have a soothing, relaxing effect on the body like chamomile, lavender and lemon balm. Each of these herbs offers benefits that are calming to the body both internally and externally. Chamomile tea is a common a relaxation remedy and the scents of lavender and lemon balm are both calming and uplifting. Each of these herbs can be used to make teas or can be used as aromatherapy by adding them to a bowl of warm water. Herbs that generate heat, like ginger and turmeric, are also good for easing depression by forcing kaphas to combat their tendency to be inactive.
Warning
The safest way to use these herbs is to use them to make tea and add them to food. If you have allergies or a compromised immune system due to chronic illness, please see a practitioner who specializes in Ayurvedic medicine before ingesting large amounts of any herbs in their concentrated form.
Tags: kapha dosha, these herbs, Ayurvedic medicine, balance kapha, balance kapha dosha, body types
Your chest muscles are some of the largest and most powerful muscles in your body, and they are also the most often neglected when you go on the road and are away from your regular gym. Because it can be hard to train chest muscles without dumbbells or barbells, many people let this part of their weightlifting regimen slide when they are on vacation, leading to sagging pectorals in just a few weeks. Fortunately, elastic exercise bands can be used to work out the chest muscles easily and quickly. You can even do a version of the that is just as hard--if not harder--than the original. In this article, we will discuss chair bench press with an elastic exercise band.
Instructions
1. Sit in the chair. Both of your feet should be flat on the floor and your back should be straight. If the chair does not have a straight back, that is okay as long as you make yourself maintain good posture.
2. Wrap the elastic band around the back of the chair. You should be holding one handle in each hand. The band will wrap behind the chair and then run along the backs or tops of your arms.
3. Extend your arms as far as they will go. This should be a controlled, steady motion. If the movement is too easy, loop the elastic band around your hands once on each side and repeat the motion.
4. Return your arms to a ninety degree angle. You will be moving with the pull of the elastic on this part of the exercise. Keep your movements slow and resist the urge to jerk your arms backward.
5. Repeat this exercise as many times as you wish. Most trainers recommend three sets of 10 to 20 repetitions each. However, if you are trying to increase muscle tone you may wish to do as many as 100 repetitions per set, while increasing bulk will require fewer repetitions but much harder resistance.
Tags: your arms, chest muscles, , bench press, elastic band, elastic band around, elastic exercise
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus enters the body through small breaks in the skin. Sexual contact is the most common way of developing genital herpes. There is no cure for the disease, but there are treatments to protect yourself and to prevent the spread of disease to anyone you whom with you have sexual contact.
Symptoms
Symptoms of genital herpes can be so mild they can go unnoticed. When an outbreak does occur, symptoms can include small red bumps, blisters or open sores in and around the genital and anal areas. Pain and itching accompany the sores and can spread to the buttocks and thighs. The sores can eventually become ulcers and ooze blood. Ulcers may make it painful to urinate. During an outbreak, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. The first outbreak is normally the worst. Subsequent outbreaks are less severe, but outbreaks can occur several times a year for many years.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will take a culture, a scraping from a sore and examine it in the laboratory. Blood tests will reveal the presence of the herpes virus and also which type you have. Your doctor may also test you for other STD's as they commonly accompany genital herpes.
Treatment
Prescription medication can shorten genital herpes outbreaks. Medicines, such as Zovirax and Famvir, can help sores heal faster, lessen the severity of the outbreaks, reduce their frequency and decrease the risk of infecting another person. Your doctor may have you only take the medicine during outbreaks or he may have you take it daily. If you have five or more outbreaks a year, your doctor will normally prescribe daily medicine to help suppress the outbreaks. The drugs are considered safe and effective for daily treatment.
Prevention And Support
Practice safe sex using a latex condom. This helps in preventing all sexually transmitted diseases. Do not have sex with a partner who has open sores in the genital area. Talk to your doctor on minimize your risk of infecting your partner and ask about support groups in your area. Discussion with people suffering from the same disease can help you vent and learn from others experiences.
Tags: genital herpes, doctor will, open sores, risk infecting, sexually transmitted, your doctor, Your doctor
Whether you're sweeping your floor, cutting wood, or even riding an airplane, without a dust mask, you may be prone to the inhalation of toxins and viruses. Knowing which dust masks to use in which situations is a key element to keeping you safe.
Purpose
Dust masks, also known as respirators, are masks that cover your mouth and nose area to protect you from inhaling harmful toxins or viruses.
Types
There are many variations on the theme, but the dust masks can basically be broken down into two categories. There's the plain white mask that goes over your mouth and nose like the ones you see people wearing on home improvement shows. This mask is called a "nuisance mask."
The other type of dust mask is the gas/vapor dust mask. This mask usually comes with an adjustable nose clip, exhaust valves, and canister filtration. It even sometimes comes with goggles to protect your eyes, and is used for more hazardous work.
Nuisance Masks
These masks are broken down into three categories: N, R and P. Type P is oil-proof. Type R is oil- resistant, and Type N shouldn't be used anywhere where there's oil mist. These masks are usually disposable, and are mainly for short-term use. However, some varieties of the nuisance mask come with disposable filters to extend the life of the mask.
Gas/Vapor Masks
Gas/vapor masks are used for more heavy-duty work, or if the environment that you're working in will be extremely polluted. And unlike the nuisance masks, gas/vapor masks can protect against vapors, fine mists, or hazardous gasses. They're seamless when it comes to blocking inhalants, and can be used for long periods of time. These mask types range from simple masks with replaceable canister-type filters to full bodysuits with a separate air supply.
Choice
Most jobs around the home will only require a nuisance mask. It can be used for sweeping, cutting wood or basically any standard industrial job, and is mainly for short-term use. Just remember what N, P, and R are for, and be sure to check the label on the mask for its specific coverage.
As far as viruses go, the N95 was approved by the FDA in April 2009 to prevent against the swine flu. You can pick one of these up at your local drug store. If you're dealing with long-term, or extremely hazardous work, you may want to look into getting a canister-type respirator. This would be appropriate when working with asbestos, lead or cadmium.
Tags: nuisance mask, dust mask, your mouth nose, broken down, broken down into, comes with, cutting wood
In the world of alternative medicine, many techniques come from the Chinese, whose techniques differ greatly from traditional Western medicine. Chinese cupping is one of these practices.
Origins
Chinese cupping dates back to 281 AD. The practitioners of cupping during this time used animal horns, as opposed to the modern glass or plastic cups. The practice eventually spread into Japan, Korea, and India, where it was commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture to effectively treat a variety of ailments.
Use
Cupping is usually performed on the back, but can also be used on the legs or abdomen. During a cupping procedure, the affected area is oiled and heated cups are applied to strategic spots. Although heat alone can create suction, some practitioners use moistened cups or pumps to create a greater suction. The cups are left on for about 10 minutes, until the heat fades. Many cupping professionals slide the cups over the skin, creating a massage-like technique.
Effects
Cupping is thought to heal by balancing the positive and negative influences in your body by drawing out tension, stress, and toxins. Cupping draws blood to the surface of the skin, which is thought to reduce stagnation in the blood. Cupping is especially useful in treating muscle or arthritis pains, colds and lung ailments. It can also help treat hypertension, indigestion and various other health issues.
Rose quartz is the stone of universal love is believed to promote a happy, peaceful and loving life. If you suffer from trauma, rose quartz may help your heart to heal. Born in January? Rose quartz is your alternate birthstone, with garnet as your primary birthstone, and you are considered lucky in love as rose quartz resonates with the heart chakra.
Facts
Rose quartz has a trigonal crystal structure, meaning it is "created from triangles, radiates energy and is invigorating and protective, rebalancing the biomagnetic sheath," states Judy Hall in "The Encyclopedia of Crystals." Its chemical makeup is silicon dioxide with impurities and rose quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Rose quartz is found in South Africa, the U.S., Brazil, Japan, India, Madagascar and Germany and is affiliated with the planet Venus.
History
Rose quartz became South Dakota's official state mineral in 1966. Rose quartz beads were found in Mesopotamia, now Iraq, which date back to 7000 BC. The Assyrians crafted jewelry from rose quartz in 800-600 BC and the Romans used rose quartz for making seals of ownership. The Egyptians believed in rose quartz's ability to prevent aging.
Benefits
Rose quartz is a stone of universal love and peace. It promotes receptivity to beauty of all kinds and attracts love. In alternative healing circles, it is believed to help emotionally heal traumatic experiences by releasing unexpressed emotions and soothing internalized pain. Rose quartz may help you deal with your grief by opening your heart chakra and encouraging self-forgiveness and acceptance. It is thought to draw off negative energy, replacing the energy with love. Rose quartz is also said to promote forgiveness and tolerance.
Types
As with other stones, the form of rose quartz adds additional benefits. As a wand, rose quartz is a "tool for drawing out emotional distress and for healing a broken heart," states Judy Hall. Smoky rose quartz is another type of stone that includes properties of both the smoky quartz and the rose quartz. Combined, it is thought to eliminate resentment, draws out abuse and provides a protective shield around you.
Methods
"Placed by your bed or in the relationship corner of your home, it draws love toward you or supports an existing partnership, restoring trust and harmony," says Judy Hall. If you hold rose quartz, it can remind you of your positive affirmations. Wear or place it over to access its soothing, peaceful and loving energy. Washing your face in water that has been charged with rose quartz is thought to help reduce wrinkles and keep you looking young.
Tags: Judy Hall, rose quartz, rose quartz, your heart, heart chakra, peaceful loving
At best, scalp psoriasis is itchy and produces a few flakes. At its worst, it can produce painful, oozing and even bleeding scales called plaques. Like other forms of psoriasis, scalp psoriasis can be linked to immune system disorders or attacks and can be aggravated by stress or hormones. The condition is generally hereditary. Physicians may prescribe a steroid liniment or lotion. However, some natural remedies may help alleviate symptoms.
Shampoo
Using a coal tar shampoo helps remove thickened scales from the affected scalp area. Shampoos made to treat scalp psoriasis are a good follow-up. If you cannot find any of those that are not prescription, try a good sulfate-free shampoo, preferably one with jojoba oils or wheat germ. These shampoos will moisturize the scalp and help it recover to a healthy state. Shampoo daily. Avoid using perfumed hair products, moose or hair sprays as these will generally worsen symptoms.
Herbal Remedies
With herbs and essential oils, make a soothing hair rinse. Chamomile tea, once it has cooled down, makes a soothing rinse. Be warned, however, if your hair is light blond, even a tea as mild as chamomile may have a slight staining effect. Other good essential oils that can be rubbed into the scalp directly include: neem oil, eucalyptus oil, and lavender. Neem oil helps soothe your scalp by stopping the itch. Lavender, too, has some anti-itch properties, while being a soothing agent. Also, lavender stimulates new cell growth to promote healing. Also try tamanu oil for problem areas. These essential oils can be mixed with water and spritzed onto the scalp. Another soothing remedy is to make a poultice from dandelion, yellow dock and chaparral.
Additional Remedies
UVB light is sometimes used to treat psoriasis. If you have access to a UVB lamp, be sure to read and follow all instructions for length of time to expose your skin. Sea salt water can help heal psoriasis. Either soak in a tub of sea salt water (use unscented sea salts) with your head tilted back into the water or mix the sea salts in a bowl and apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball, holding it on for several minutes at a time, repeating the process several times a day. Some psoriasis sufferers have found relief with acupuncture. Others have found homeopathic remedies to help. Native Remedies offers a homeopathic-herbal remedy called Skin Dr. for treating skin conditions, including psoriasis. If you are interested in a homeopathic solution, the best course is to see a homeopathic doctor for a specific remedy as homeopathy is primarily done on a whole-patient treatment basis.
Tags: essential oils, have found, remedies help, salt water, scalp psoriasis
One of the keys to improving is to thin the blood out. This can be done by lowering one's cholesterol intake, but taking herbal extracts can also be very effective. While these natural extracts may not pack the same punch as a manufactured blood thinner such as cumadin, they also have a greatly decreased risk of serious side effects.
Garlic
Garlic has been proven to be so effective at fighting high-cholesterol and circulatory problems that it is widely available in odorless tablet form. Specifically, garlic releases an organosufluric compound called allicin into the bloodstream when ingested. Allicin then becomes ajoene, which thins out the blood by reducing blood cholesterol. People wishing to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis with natural medication frequently increase the garlic in their diet or begin taking garlic extract tablets.
Ginger
Ginger is a perennial herb and a rhizome which used to spice everything from Indian food and Asian food in its fleshy form, to baked goods in its powdered form. As a medicinal herb, it is best known for its anti-nausea effect, but ginger is also effective at improving blood circulation.
The ginger oil in ginger root contains the hydrocarbon terpenes and oleoresin. Both terpenes and oleoresin have lymph-cleansing and circulation-stimulating abilities. Specifically, ginger lowers blood cholesterol by lowering the level of cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver. In large doses ginger can thin the blood in much the same manner as garlic.
Ginkgo Biloba
Gingko Biloba is an unusual Asian tree species which produces large, fleshy seeds. The extract from these seeds is used in many natural health products, and has become one of the most popular natural, alternative medical extracts in western Europe. Ginkgo Biloba is not only effective at combating hardening of the arteries, but also works in regards to microcirculation in tiny capillaries. Additionally, it is often used as a stimulant and a sexual performance enhancer.
Focused on eating protein-rich and fat-rich food sources, low-carb diets severely restrict the intake of any forms of carbohydrates. Make sure you know the dangers associated with consuming a low-carb diet before you start.
Why Low-Carb Diets are Bad
When you deplete carbohydrate intake, your body starts depleting your healthy stores of glycogen in the muscles and liver to convert to energy. As a result, you begin feeling fatigued and dehydrated. In addition, this glycogen depletion leads to muscle loss and a lowered metabolic rate since metabolism occurs in the muscle.
Turning Cells into Fat Magnets
As your body goes into a state of ketosis, a type of metabolic acidosis, your cells transform into "fat magnets" that are 10 times more active in shuttling fat into cells than they were before you went on the low-carb diet.
Too Much Fat is Never Healthy
Consuming unreasonable amounts of saturated fat and animal products on a low-carb diet has been linked to numerous health risks such as heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, gall stones, kidney stones and arthritic symptoms.
Non-existent Nutrients
Restricting your intake of low-glycemic carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables leads to a deficiency in fiber, nutrients and antioxidants. A diet lacking in fiber, essential nutrients and antioxidants can increase your risk of cancers in the digestive track.
Weight Loss Faux Pas
Most of your initial weight loss on a low-carb diet stems from a loss of lean muscle mass and water weight, not from fat.
Disease Considerations
A low-carb diet increases your risk for osteoporosis, blindness and macular degeneration, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease.
Brain Impairment
A low-carb diet impairs your cognitive performance, since it takes a long time for fat to turn into the usable glucose that the brain needs for optimal performance. Carbohydrates are the only efficient fuel source for the brain.
Tags: , nutrients antioxidants, your body, your risk
The soft palate is the soft tissue in the top of the back of your mouth. Behind that is the pharynx in the throat. Either part of the mouth can trigger gagging. The gag reflex is an adaptation designed to prevent choking. If something unexpectedly touches the soft palate when you are not swallowing, it triggers a convulsion in the back of the throat. This involuntary contraction is designed to stop food or water from going down your windpipe, or something too big to swallow from going into your throat.
Gag Triggers and Problems
The gag reflex is highly variable, and not always useful. Anything that stimulates the back of the throat can potentially cause a gag reflex. Excessive mucus from a cold or sinus infection can make people gag, as can irritation and swelling from a sore throat or allergies. Gagging can also occur because of anxiety or feelings of nausea. In people with sensitive gag reflexes, even swallowing pills or eating certain foods can trigger gagging. The vagus nerve stimulated in the gag reflex can stimulate the vomit center in the brain, causing vomiting. The more you gag, the more likely you are to vomit. For people with hyperactive gag reflexes, this can be a problem.
Treating an Oversensitive Gag Reflex
If your gag reflex has to do with a throat irritation, excessive mucus, or some other temporary condition, the best way to alleviate it is to treat the causes. For a sore, swollen throat, for example, gargling with saltwater will bring down swelling, reducing the gag reflex. Desensitization also works well. Brush the back of your tongue right at the point where it makes you gag for a minute every night until the reflex lessens, for example. For gagging caused by psychological issues, using relaxation techniques works well. Deep breathing and meditation are frequently used to help with the gag reflex.
Tags: back throat, , from going, people with, soft palate
Rice bags, also known as microwave heating bags, are a simple but functional item. These little rice bags that you warm in the microwave have a number of uses. They can be used as hand warmers, heat therapy for sore or aching muscles, and they can be frozen for cold therapy too. They are inexpensive to make and anyone that can sew a basic stitch can put them together.
Instructions
1. Select a towel for your rice bag. Base your choice on the size of rice bag you would like to make, and a color and design on the towel that appeal to you.
2. Measure the towel and then cut a piece of muslin to these same dimensions. Fold the muslin in half and sew two of the sides closed, leaving the third side open so that you can fill the muslin .
3. Fill the bag about 3/4 full of rice and add a little lavender or other scent. Do not overfill with rice or the bag will not form to your body well when using it as a heating pad. Sew the last opening closed.
4. Fold the towel in the same manner as the muslin, and sew two sides closed again. Sew Velcro fasteners to both ends of the third side rather than sewing it closed. This allows you to take the towel off and launder it.
5. Warm the bag in the microwave for about three minutes (test different times with your microwave) to use. The bag releases a gentle heat for up to an hour.
Dermatitis is an itchy skin condition characterized by rashes, moderate to severe itching, and inflammation of the skin afflicted. There are many creams available to treat dermatitis topically, but if you are wanting to treat the root cause of your dermatitis, then you may want to try an herbal remedy for dermatitis. Here are the most popular herbal treatments used to treat dermatitis.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed Oil contains omega fatty acids, which support organ and digestive functioning and moisturize the skin from the inside out.
Zinc
Zinc is a strong immune booster that can help your body fight off infections and diseases, such as dermatitis.
Chamomile
Chamomile, used as a tea, can help soothe the reactions of dermatitis. It can also be used in a cream.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 aids in circulation to the skin and can be found in supplement form, in meats and in oily fish, such as salmon.
Oregon Grape Root
Oregon Grape Root can decrease the inflammation caused by dermatitis. You can take Oregon Grape Root in supplement form.
Testicular cancer is not very common, but according to the Mayo Clinic, the disease is most prevalent cancer in young men between the ages of 15 and 34. The cancer is very treatable, even if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and self-examinations can help patients to detect cancer growths early so that treatment can begin right away.
Fatigue
Fatigue for reasons that can't be explained could be a symptom of testicular cancer. Men who experience fatigue even while getting adequate sleep each night and eating well should consult their doctors about testing for testicular cancer if the fatigue persists.
Testicular Enlargement
A lump or enlargement in either testicle may also be a symptom of testicular cancer. A doctor can show patients check for lumps, the same way that women have to do self examination to check for breast cancer. Enlargement or breast tenderness in males can also be a sign of testicular cancer.
Undescended Testicle
Cryptorchidism, or an undescended testicle, is one of the risk factors for testicular cancer. During fetal development, the testicles form in the abdominal area and descend into the scrotum before the baby is born; but according to the Mayo Clinic, most men who develop cancer don't have an undescended testicle.
Genetics
Men with a family history of testicular cancer are at greater risk for developing the disease. White men are also more likely to develop testicular cancer than black men.
Treatment
Surgery to remove the testicle that has been affected by cancer is the primary method of treatment. Some men may also benefit from radiation therapy if the cancer is non-seminoma, or limited to the testicles.
Tags: testicular cancer, testicular cancer, according Mayo, according Mayo Clinic, cancer very, Mayo Clinic
What do your fingernails say about your health? Hand and finger diagnosis is an age old technique to detect imbalance, or disease, sometimes long before the official test results get back from the lab. Read on to find out more.
Instructions
1. THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:
We'll start here because it's probably the most generalized, and easiest, "self-diagnosis" to make.
Are your nails soft, or chewed down? Nervousness, fearfulness, insecurity may be the answer here.
2. CONSIDER NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES:
Are cracked, tear easily, brittle? This can indicate a lack of certain nutrients including calcium, zinc, or vitamin B.
3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A DISEASE IN PROGRESS:
Hourglass shaped fingernails-- heart defects or lung disease
Spoon shaped-- anemia, circulatory disorders, and vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Yellow and thick-- Indicates a smoker, possible fungus, or potential pulmonary disease.
Horizontal ridges in the nail-- Potential gastrointestinal illness or infection.
Sage is a traditional herbal remedy used to treat several minor ailments. According to the "Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," sage can be used to treat digestive problems such as upset stomach and diarrhea, irritation of the throat or gums, and by breastfeeding women to correct an oversupply of breast milk. Because sage tea occasionally causes serious side effects (see Warnings), limit your consumption to one or two cups per day.
Instructions
1. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a teapot, kettle, or small saucepan. Although you'll only need about six ounces of water, some will evaporate as you heat it.
2. Put the sage into a tea ball or place it directly into the tea cup.
3. Pour boiling water over the tea ball or sage in the cup. Allow the tea to steep for about five minutes. The longer you steep the tea, the stronger it will be. Very strong sage tea may be unpleasantly bitter, but tea that is too weak may not have therapeutic benefits.
4. Remove the tea ball from the cup if you're using one. Otherwise, use a sieve to strain the sage from the water.
5. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and honey or other sweetener if desired.
Used to serve many purposes semiprecious stones are desired all over the world. They widely used for home decor and making jewelry. They come an array of colors, shapes, sizes, hardness and clarity. Its important to be well informed on each of these categories before buying your own semiprecious stone.
Peridot
Peridot varies in color from greenish-yellow to greenish-brown.
Known as the August birthstone, peridot is a gem variety of transparent green olivine, a silicate mineral. It's a bright green stone, with hints of yellowish gold. The depth of the green color depends on the iron content within the stone. It varies from greenish-yellow to greenish-brown. The most valuable form is when it is olive green.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a variety of beryl, a silicate of beryllium and aluminum.
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. Its found mainly in Pakistan, Africa and Russia. Its color varies from pale blue to bluish-green.The most valuable color is deep blue. Aquamarines are sometimes heated to change the color from a bluish-green to a deep blue.
Jade
Known as the birthstone for March, jade is a term used for variations of jadeite and nephrite. Both are similar in appearance but jadeite has been deemed more valuable and true form of jade. Jade is usually an emerald green color. Rarer forms of jade are black, purple, pink and yellow.
Blue Topaz
Topaz is found in Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Russia and the United States.
As the birthstone of December, blue topaz was thought by the Greeks to have the power to enhance strength. Blue topaz is deep blue in color.
Moonstone
A ,oonstone with a purple tint is used for jewelry.
Moonstone is the birthstone for June. In India is thought to carry spiritual power. Its a mineral stone usually a white stone with a bluish-yellow to bluish-pink tint. Moonstones are also found in transparent and translucent forms.
Tags: , , , from greenish-yellow, from greenish-yellow greenish-brown
Wearing harsh fabrics while exercising can cause chafing.
Chafing is painful and embarrassing enough, but without proper treatment, your tender, even broken skin can develop an infection. Patches of skin naturally rub together on certain areas of the body, such as the inner thighs, groin or upper arms, making these most susceptible to chafing. Performing repetitive motions through exercise of physical labor can increase these risks, especially if you are wearing rough, synthetic fiber clothing. Ignoring chafing is both ineffective and dangerous, particularly for individuals at risk for infection or with suppressed immune systems.
Wash Your Skin
Wash the affected skin twice a day using cool water and a mild disinfecting soap. Massage the skin using your fingers, not an abrasive loofa or washcloth. Your skin naturally accumulates a layer of sweat and bacteria throughout the day. Keeping your chafed skin clean reduces the bacteria near raw skin and the subsequent risk of fungal or bacterial infections.
Keep Dry
As you already know, the pain and discomfort of chafing increases significantly with perspiration. Keeping the affected skin clean prevents infection, keeping it dry allows recovery. Wear clothing made from smooth, natural fibers to increase circulation. For exercise-induced chafing, wear breathable synthetic materials and avoid protruding seams, tags or ties that rub against your skin while moving.
Reduce Friction
Unlike irritation caused by clothing, areas prone to skin-on-skin chafing, like the groin, can be especially difficult to treat. Frequent applications of baby powder reduce the friction between skin patches, while eliminating moisture. If your chafing occurs in a bathing suit, rub a generous scoop of petroleum jelly into the affected area. Petroleum jelly helps lubricate and sooth, while creating frictionless contact between your skin.
Ointment
Severe cases of chafing causing welts, or even bleeding, a more potent ointment is necessary. Chafing is similar in affliction to diaper rash, so apply a thick diaper cream to discourage further irritation, protect your skin and encouraging healing. Apply the diaper cream before bed to avoid staining your clothing. As you lie still and sleep, your chafed skin absorbs the medicinal value of the diaper cream. Combine this treatment with other healing measures, such as powder and breathable clothing, during the day.
Tags: diaper cream, affected skin, broken skin, chafed skin, clothing made, clothing made from, made from
Colors have long been known to have an effect on emotions. While the perception of color is subjective, colors in the red spectrum are stimulating and colors in the blue/green spectrum are soothing.
Warm Colors
These are the colors reds, oranges and yellows. The emotional effect can be stimulating and energetic to the extreme of evoking anger.
Cool Colors
These are the blues, purples and greens. These colors can evoke an emotional feeling of calm, or possibly to the extreme of sadness.
Red
Red is a stimulating color, demanding attention. Red is the color of warnings, alerting the viewer to stay vigilant for danger. Red is intense, inducing feelings of passion or excitement.
Blue
Blue is a calming color, producing feelings of tranquility and confidence. Blue is associated with wisdom and sincerity. In the extreme, blue can also evoke feelings of melancholy and sadness.
Environment
The use of color in a room can have an impact on the emotional response of the person in the environment. When choosing colors for a room, it is beneficial to consider the emotional impact of the colors used. Warm colors are bold and invigorating, inviting excitement, and cool colors are calm and serene, encouraging harmony and peacefulness.
Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression and anxiety. It works to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain to relieve symptoms of severe depression: lack of energy, loss of interest, loss of sex drive, sleep disruption, overeating or loss of appetite. Like all drugs used to treat depression, Lexapro has side effects. This article addresses the concerns of elderly depression sufferers taking the drug.
How Lexapro Works
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the class of drugs to which Lexapro belongs) work by increasing the amount of serotonin active in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that sends signals in the brain. Serotonin affects appetite, mood and anger. It travels between the presynaptic cell and the postsynaptic receptor to do its work. Normally there is some absorption or "reuptake" of serotonin in the presynaptic cell before it reaches the postsynaptic receptor. SSRIs limit this reuptake, increasing the amount of serotonin delivered to the postsynaptic receptor.
Common Side Effects
The side effects of Lexapro are generally mild and decrease after a few weeks of taking the drug. Side effects may include:
Decrease or loss of appetite
Nausea
Dry mouth
Sleeplessness
Fatigue
Sleepiness, yawning, tiredness
Sweating
Sexual disturbances (particularly inhibiting the ability of males to reach orgasm)
Uncommon Side Effects
Some more unusual side effects may indicate an adverse or paradoxical (opposite) reaction to the drug. If any of these side effects are experienced, immediate medical attention may be necessary:
Dizziness, especially when standing (due to low blood pressure)
Agitation, panic attacks
Low sodium in blood (causes feelings of physical weakness, mental confusion)
Serious allergic reaction
High fever
Mania, hallucinations
Seizures, tremors
Side Effects for the Elderly
Lexapro can be prescribed to patients over 65 in a lower dose. The effects and side effects are the same as with younger patients.
Before Taking Lexapro
Before taking Lexapro or any prescription drug, talk to a health professional. There may be interactions with a drug you are currently taking or with a pre-existing medical condition. It's always best to consult a doctor before putting something new in your body.
The HCG Diet is a weight loss program that combines calorie restriction with Human Chorionic Gondaotropin (HCG) injections. HCG Diet founder A.T.W. Simeons, M.D., claims HCG injections eliminate fat from the shoulders, hips, upper arms, thighs and buttocks, allowing people to target trouble areas while losing weight rapidly. According to Simeons, people can lose up to 5 pounds per week on the diet.
Features
According to HCGDietInformation.com, the HCG Diet requires dieters to eat 500 calories per day and to administer a daily HCG injection. The HCG Diet also has a strict daily diet to follow. Breakfast only allows tea or coffee at any quantity, lightly flavored with 1 tablespoon of milk. Lunch and dinner only allows 100 grams of a lean meat, one type of non-starchy vegetable, one bread stick and a small, raw fruit. No snacks are permitted.
Time Frame
The HCG diet lasts until the person reaches her weight-loss goal. On average, dieters utilize the HCG diet for two to three months. Many dieters are unable to stay on the diet for more than because of the strict dietary restrictions.
Science
The HCG diet is based on obesity research conducted by Simeons, who believes that HCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, helps obese people lose weight quickly. According to his research, small quantities of HCG release stored fat into the bloodstream.
Side Effects
According to Yahoo Health, HCG causes stomach discomfort, bloating, irritability and headache. In rare cases, it caused a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), causing the ovaries to enlarge and cause pregnancy-like symptoms, such as abdominal distention, weight gain and vomiting.
Theories/Speculation
Most of the facts, claims and benefits reported by Simeons come from his own research, not independent studies. There are no studies conducted by the FDA or other reputable health organizations that report the same benefits. Skeptics of the HCG Diet also believe calorie restriction is the cause of rapid weight loss, not the HCG injections.
Tags: calorie restriction, , only allows, , three months
Cancer that forms in the tissues lining the stomach is gastric cancer. There are five different types of stomach cancer.
Adenocarcinoma
The type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma. Out of 100 cases of stomach cancer, 95 are adenocarcinomas. This cancer begins in the gland cells of the innermost lining in the stomach.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is also called MALT lymphoma or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. They are solid tumors and are the second most common type of stomach cancer.
Leiomyosarcoma
Leiomyosarcoma is cancer that begins in the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the stomach. This cancer grows uncontrollably and forms tumors.
Gastrointestinal Stomal Tumors
Gastrointestinal stomal tumors are the third most common type of . This slow growing cancer begins in the muscles of the stomach.
Carcinoid
Carcinoid cancers begin to grow in the tissues that produce hormones in the digestive system. Carcinoids release chemicals or hormones into the blood stream and cause symptoms to appear in other parts of the body.
Tags: stomach cancer, common type, stomach, most common, most common type
Great veggies, like the type you'll be eating more of with the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is one of the best diets out there. As opposed to other fad diets or fly by night ideas, the Mediterranean diet is based on the eating habits from many residents of Mediterranean villages. These people tend to live longer and healthier than most other people in the world, and the positive eating habits in this diet will help most people lose weight and be healthy without the stress of most other diet plans.
Instructions
1. Find a very specific meal plan that is designed around the Mediterranean Diet. There are some excellent diet books out about this diet, which works better than fad diets because it is a general eating plan with a lot of great food that help instill positive to replace the bad habits that led to weight gain in the first place.
2. Take a look at which foods you like most, and which least. For me, chicken is a more attractive option than fish, but for others that might not be true. Vary the types of oatmeal, yogurt, and vegetables that make up a heavy bulk of the Mediterranean Diet eating plan. Variety is always best to keep from getting tired of your eating plan, and there is enough variety of foods in the Mediterranean Diet that this should never be a problem.
3. Find a copy of the "Mediterranean Diet Pyramid." What's great about this is it lets you look at a glance at what types of foods you can eat and how often. This diet is particularly heavy in nuts, olive oil, cheese, yogurt, fruits, veggies, rice, pasta, grains, and potatoes are all daily foods that go along with six glasses of water, along with wine in moderation. Meat and eggs are eaten in moderation, making for a much healthier eating plan that can help the majority of people lose weight without the stresses that come with many diets.
4. The easiest way to handle shopping is to figure out a meal plan for one or two weeks at a time. This way you don't buy too much of food that you won't eat often (like red meat) and you will buy enough of food that are a main stay of the diet (rice, bread, yogurt, nuts, grains, etc). You'll be buying more fish and poultry, which means that buying these with a week or two of meals in mind can make it cheaper to buy in bulk, as well as easier to prepare.
5. The Mediterranean Diet is also referred to as Mediterranean Cuisine because this is a steady eating plan. With this plan you drink unlimited water (at least 6 glasses a day), moderate amounts of wine, and three meals and two snacks each and every day. Keep to this schedule and don't cheat, and don't skimp.
6. The Mediterranean Diet works for many reasons. It is low in fat in general, and extremely low in bad fats, full of healthy foods that have anti-oxidants, heavy water drinking, moderate wine for the heart, and honey replaces sugar. All these things work to help most people lose fat, and the excellent range of foods that you can eat will always keep this diet fresh.
7. Have fun with a Mediterranean Diet Cookbook and keep trying new dishes. You never know what you might find that is delicious and changes the way you look at eating in daily life. This is one of the healthiest diets in the world, and it only takes moderate activity (like daily 30 minute walks) with this eating plan to shed the extra pounds and to get into fantastic shape. Follow the Mediterranean and you won't be let down!
Tags: , eating plan, eating habits, food that, foods that
Hepatitis is a general term that refers to a variety of diseases that inflame the liver. The C variety of hepatitis is contagious and spreads through blood contact with another person who has HCV. While anyone may contract hepatitis C, people who frequently come in contact with other people's blood--such as intravenous drug users--are much more likely to get HCV. Hepatitis C presents itself as either an acute disease or a chronic disease. Treatment options to cure hepatitis C depend on which presentation of the disease you have and what damage it has already done to your liver.
Cure for Acute Hepatitis C
Acute hepatitis C is usually the first version of hepatitis C that people contract, but sometimes people may have acute hepatitis C without realizing it. The acute phase of hepatitis C is short-lived but often the virus remains in a person's body even after initial symptoms subside. As this occurs, acute hepatitis C develops into chronic hepatitis C.
The Centers for Disease control currently does not recommend any specific medication for acute hepatitis C. To cure the disease, the CDC recommends hydration, rest and a healthy diet.
Cures for Chronic Hepatitis C
If acute hepatitis C evolves into chronic hepatitis C, doctors may opt for a variety of treatments. Aggressive treatment plans target sufferers who already have significant liver damage, actively have the virus in their bloodstream, or whose blood shows high levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase. If the liver has already suffered extensive damage, the only cure is a transplant. A liver transplant entails a major operation, during which a surgeon implants a healthy liver or portion of a liver into your body in place of the diseased liver. Since donated livers must match a person's blood type, sufferers who require a transplant remain on a waiting list until a suitable match is made. After a liver transplant, you will have to remain on medication for the rest of your life to ensure that your body doesn't reject the new liver.
If you have chronic hepatitis C that has not already inflicted extensive damage on your liver, you may benefit from a variety of medications that will help your body eliminate the hepatitis C virus from your bloodstream. If you undergo medicinal treatment for HCV, you may have to self-administer a weekly injection of the medication pegylated interferon alfa. In addition, you will need to take an anti-viral medication known as ribavirin twice a day. To ensure that the hepatitis C virus exits the bloodstream properly, you will have to continue medicinal treatment for either 24 or 48 weeks, depending on your genotype.
Hepatitis That Resolves Itself Naturally
According to CDC statistics, 15 percent to 25 percent of people with HCV do not require treatment. For this group, the body fights off the virus without medical intervention. While "doing nothing" is not a recommended course of action, a doctor will regularly test your liver function through a blood test to monitor the progress of the disease. This treatment option is known as watchful waiting. As long as your liver continues to function normally and/or your doctor decides you are "low risk" due to your overall health and age, you do not have to fight HCV actively with medication.
Tags: your liver, acute hepatitis, your body, chronic hepatitis, contact with
Ipecac syrup is an over the counter medication that used to be recommended by poison control centers as a way to treat accidental ingestion of poisons. However, the Food and Drug Administration no longer recommends automatically giving ipecac syrup to someone who has been poisoned, because the side effects of the syrup can be worse than those of the poison. According to the National Guidelines Clearinghouse and Drugs.com, the dangers of ipecac syrup include allergic reactions and overdose.
Dizziness
may cause dizziness or drowsiness that may be sudden and severe, and can result in accidents if taken while driving.
Excessive Vomiting
may make you vomit too much, which can lead to very low blood pressure and severe dehydration.
Allergic Reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction to ipecac syrup, which can include symptoms such as swelling of the tongue and mouth and inability to breathe.
Interactions
If the poison swallowed was a petroleum product (gasoline, kerosene), acidic (sulfuric acid) or alkaline (lye), ipecac syrup can interact and increase the amount of bodily damage.
Fetal Effects
If taken by a pregnant woman, ipecac syrup may cause harm to the unborn baby, and the medication may be passed to a baby through breast milk.
Overdose
The proper dose of ipecac syrup is based on body weight, and giving too much medication can result in overdose, which may be life threatening.
Tags: ipecac syrup, Ipecac syrup, ipecac syrup, syrup cause
The Swiss physician Paracelsus in the 16th century was the first to use magnetic fields in the treatment of such ailments as epilepsy and hemorrhaging. Today, magnetic therapy makes use of electrical-magnetic fields in the treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis. Joint pain, and bone-related injuries can also benefit from electromagnetic treatments.
An electromagnetic simulation
Electromagnetic Therapy
Electromagnetic therapy involves the use of a pulsed electromagnetic field, or PEMF, to stimulate tissue and cell masses. This technology is designed to work with the electrical activity that exists in the body. Electrical signaling processes between cells, tissues and bone structures are an essential component of healthy functions. As bone structures are made up of individual cell networks, electromagnetic therapy works to stimulate the processes conducive to adding bone mass and strength.
Extracellular Matrix Effects
Bones are surrounded by materials that contribute to their health and strength. The extracellular matrix is made up of nonliving materials like fluid, collagen and tendons. Electromagnetic therapy induces a series of energy waves that work to stimulate the cell processes within the extracellular matrix. This stimulation helps to improve cellular functions in the materials that contribute to bone cell metabolism. The health of bone cell metabolism processes affects the overall mass and strength of the bones.
Electrical Signaling
The electrical currents used in electromagnetic devices can assist with regulating the electrical signals that pass between bone structures and extracellular materials. Electrical currents stimulate the cell membrane pathways that move materials in and out of bone cells. Improved signal transmissions enable cell structures to better coordinate and process nutrients.
Bone Mass
Electromagnetic therapy improve the calcium transport processes involved in bone metabolism. Improved transport processes help to coordinate signaling functions and provide cellular structures with nutrient. Short daily exposures to electromagnetic fields can stimulate bone formation processes in advanced cases of decalcification.
Bone Strength
Bones are made of calcium, phosphates and trace mineral elements. Alpha Quartz is a mineral element that assists in the electrical signaling processes that take place within the cells. When this element is stimulated, or compressed it attracts osteoblasts--or bone forming cells--to the areas of stimulation. These cells in turn work to strengthen the area by building up extra bone material. The pulses generated by electromagnetic therapy devices can be adjusted to simulate stress, or compression effects in bone structures, which in turn, stimulate osteoblast processes.
Tags: bone structures, bone cell, bone cell metabolism, Bone Mass, Bone Strength, cell metabolism, electromagnetic therapy
Ticks are one of the ugliest pests we encounter. Ticks feed on blood, carry diseases and can go for long periods of time unnoticed. Ticks can attach to humans or pets. When you find a tick, follow some basic steps to remove it.
Use Sharp Tweezers
Don't remove the tick with your bare hands. Use tweezers and wear latex gloves. With the tweezers, grab the tick at its closest part to your body. This is usually its head, which the tick uses to dig in and feed.
Don't Squeeze or Twist
After you have a firm grip on the tick, grab it and gently pull it straight up. Do not squeeze the tick; this can push out fluids back into your bloodstream. Don't twist the tick or pull it too violently or you could leave its head lodged in your skin.
Once you take the tick off, make sure its body parts are intact. Check for its mouth, and inspect your skin to see if any parts were left behind. Use an antiseptic to wash the area where the tick was lodged.
Properly Dispose
Properly dispose of the tick. Place it into an airtight container and keep it there for a couple of weeks in case you need to identify an illness if you become sick after the contact with the tick. Otherwise, stay out of the tick before you throw it away.
A Colon polyp is a little growth of tissue that develops in the wall of the colon. Polyps can either be raised resembling a mushroom or flat against the colon. There are two different types of polyps that can develop: hyperplasic polyps (benign) and adenomatous polyps (malignant). Colon Polyps take years to become dangerous. Not all cases of colon polyps will show symptoms.
Bleeding
Polyps of the colon may cause intermittent bleeding from the anus. Bleeding may be present either after the person has had a bowel movement, or in underwear periodically.
Loose Stools or Constipation
Polyps may cause chronic diarrhea in the person. This diarrhea may or may not include blood as well. A person may experience constipation that lasts longer than one week.
Pain
Larger polyps can cause a person to have abdominal pain. This pain can be due to the colon being partially blocked by the polyp.
Weight
In cases where colon polyps have become cancerous, the person may begin to lose weight. Additional changes in bowel habits (such as severe diarrhea) that affect this weight loss will become obvious.
Health
Other symptoms caused in relation to colon polyps include fatigue, muscle weakness and anemia. These associated illnesses are due to the person suffering from diarrhea and rectal bleeding.
Sometimes people fall out of love with their mate. This can be for many reasons. Sometimes it is temporary, and sometimes it's forever. Sometimes you may think you have fallen out love, yet one can rediscover it is still there. Some reasons include boredom with a mate or a lack of attention or emotional connection. Women need to feel special and comforted at all times in a relationship. Once a woman gets what she wants, she is less likely to seek it elsewhere. Old feelings can be renewed with love.
Instructions
1. Pay attention to your wife. Women need a lot of attention at all times. They need to feel wanted and admired so you need to give her as much time as you can. Make sure you are acting like you want to be there. Show interest even if you don't really have any just to make her happy
2. Wine and dine your wife as if you are just beginning to date. Take her out to dinners or for lunch. Just surprise her and take her somewhere to spice up your relationship. This is also really romantic. You need to make sure you keep the relationship fresh at all times.
3. Send her special and intimate things such as flowers, cards and gifts. This will let her know you are thinking about her. This goes along with always making your wife know how special she is and why you love her so much,
4. Show improvements in the area which your wife feels you are not good in. The reason you and your wife are not on good terms is because of something you did or something you don't do. Once you show you are willing to change and improve your behavior for your marriage, she will greatly appreciate this.
5. Make the sex all about her. Do the all things she likes and make it more intimate. Be very romantic in the way you have sex with your wife. Cater to all her little desires.
6. Tell her you love her as much as you can. Your wife will never get tired of hearing this This is something you want to say in the morning before you head to work. Whenever you talk to her during the day, make sure you let her know.
Tags: your wife, your wife, Love Again, love much, need feel, Wife Love, Wife Love Again
Alzheimer's disease is a frightening condition in which brain cells can no longer communicate effectively with each other and, in some cases, with other parts of the body. Over time, it can lead to serious senility and dementia. Fortunately, there are medical treatments that can halt or stall the progression of the disease, but the earlier you catch it, the better your odds of treating it.
Instructions
1. Have your spinal fluid tested. While the results are certainly not guaranteed to indicate your condition forever, shortly before the first noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer's manifest themselves, certain proteins in your spinal fluid may increase in concentration. Scientists use these proteins as "biomarkers" to determine if you are at risk for Alzheimer's.
2. Get tested with Pittsburgh compound B (PIB). This chemical enables doctors to look at at an image of your brain and detect the presence of beta-amyloid peptides, which are the plaques that ultimately block the communication between brain cells and cause Alzheimer's disease.
3. Ask for an MRI. PIB tests are very expensive and usually not available to the general public, though they are being tested and are expected to become commonly used within five years. However, a high intensity MRI or your brain may enable a doctor to detect the beta-amyloid peptide plaques as well.
4. Have your doctor track your brain structure. People who will someday develop Alzheimer's disease have changes in their brain structure including loss of brain volume. These changes are often evident as many as four years before the first symptoms occur.
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