Allergies are caused by antibody distress responses to environmental substances that are not generally harmful to those without allergic reactions to them. Stress in the form of nervousness, irritability, depression, panic attacks and fatigue can aggravate or trigger allergy symptoms.
Significance
Allergic individuals can suffer from more frequent symptoms due to the body's histamine responses to emotional and physical stress, leading to inflammation throughout the body and chronic reactions.
Considerations
Stress puts added pressure on the immune system, causing the body to release antibodies that aggravate hives and eczema, which spread due to nervous itching and emotional distress.
Effects
Allergic asthma can be induced by stress, becoming more pronounced due to hyperventilation, high blood pressure and heart palpitations caused by anxiety.
Warning
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, and symptoms can progress rapidly when stress-induced panic occurs during the reaction, leading to hives that can swell to the point that they obstruct the airway, which can cause suffocation.
Prevention/Solution
Individuals with allergies and allergic asthma that worsen under stress may consider implementing routine breathing exercises, yoga, daily fitness, vitamin B supplements and counseling.
Treatments
Antihistamines, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, immunizations and emergency epinephrine shots can relieve allergy symptoms, while prescription antianxiety or depression medications may benefit stress-related allergies.
Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress or danger. Though the feeling is uncomfortable, anxiety is a reflex that helps one avoid potentially harmful situations. Anxiety in response to a stressful situation is healthy, but when anxiety begins to interfere with a person's daily life, an anxiety disorder may be the cause. Anxiety relief can be achieved with the help of a licensed professional who can provide therapy or medication.
Pounding Heart
The heart may pound, race or palpitate noticeably. The chest may also feel tight or painful. Some compare the feeling to a heart attack, though it is usually not as severe.
Panic
Anxiety can paralyze a person with an unexplainable or unreasonable feeling of panic or dread. Anxiety also causes feelings of apprehension and tension, though there may not be a determinable cause.
Difficulty Breathing
Anxiety can make it difficult for a person to breathe regularly. She may experience shortness of breath and need to gasp for air.
Therapy
Counseling and therapy are very effective methods to achieve anxiety relief. A licensed therapist can help a person work through anxiety issues and treat any underlying causes of anxiety.
Medication
Anti-anxiety medication, such as Xanax or Ativan, can provide swift relief from an anxiety attack. A physician can determine which medication and dosage are right for an individual.
Researchers claim pearls contain beneficial amino acids, proteins and minerals.
Chinese medicine prescribes pearl powder for a host of ills including insomnia, hypertension and diarrhea. The remedy only belongs to those who can afford the high cost of finely ground pearls. Retailers of pearl powder say its health benefits are legitimate, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration disagrees. It will not endorse these health claims and the FDA requires disclaimers on pearl powder packaging that state its position. However, pearl powder has been a part of Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Those who ascribe to it can make their own pearl powder with a ceramic mortar and pestle.
Instructions
1. Place one pearl in the mortar. It is too difficult to grind multiple pearls at once. The mortar and pestle must be ceramic because ceramic is harder than pearl according to Moh's hardness scale. A wooden or stone pestle will be worn away by the pearl and unable to grind properly.
2. Place the pestle on top of the pearl. Tap on the pestle to crush the pearl. Begin grinding it in the mortar.
3. Grind the pearl until it becomes a fine powder. It may take several minutes to reach the desired texture. Pour the pearl powder onto the waxed paper. Place the next pearl in the mortar and repeat until all pearls are ground. Store in a sealed container for future use.
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Bitter melon is a fruit that has been shown to help stabilize blood sugar in diabetics and might possibly have uses for HIV and cancer too. In Ayurveda, or Indian medicine, bitter melon is used to treat gout, a painful joint inflammation. You can either , or make your own fresh juice and begin treatment as soon as you have a gout flare-up.
Bitter Melon Capsules
Bitter melon capsules are also sometimes called bitter gourd capsules. They are mainly sold in 500 mg capsules. For gout, one to two grams are recommended. You must take two capsules in the morning and, if it's well tolerated, possibly two more in the afternoon to treat gout. Ask your physician before taking any supplement to see if it will affect any of your current conditions or medications.
Bitter Melon Fruit Juice
Bitter melon is a fruit grown on a vine that looks like a bright green, warty cucumber. Employed mainly in Asian and South American cooking, bitter melon does indeed taste bitter. Look for it at Asian markets in the spring and summer.
To drink bitter melon juice as a gout cure, simply juice one or two of the melons in a blender or processor and drink twice a day every day until the gout goes away. This is very bitter, so be prepared. Cooking it in a dish dilutes the effect, so stick with the pure fresh juice for results.
Warnings
Bitter melon is used as an abortive stimulant in some countries because it can cause uterine contractions. Therefore, do not use bitter melon if you are pregnant.
It can also cause reactions with certain diabetes medications. Always check with your doctor before taking bitter melon supplements.
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Tinnitus is a ringing of the ears that can make hearing very difficult. There are several homeopathic remedies that can be directly used to tinnitus, but there may be an underlying cause that can lead to as well. If you have circulation problems or a history of ear infections, tinnitus may result, so it is worth attacking your other problems first to get a better handle on the tinnitus. Here are a few remedies to holistically defeat tinnitus. Consult your doctor before trying new remedies.
Circulation
Since circulatory problems are a common cause of tinnitus, and have the opportunity to cause many other ailments, it is a good idea to first use homeopathic circulation remedies.
Carbo vegitabilis can be used if you have sluggish or stagnant circulation accompanied by exhaustion, icy cold limbs and a numbness of the body parts used for reclining.
Veratrum album is used if you feel cold all the time and have icy cold hands and feet that occasionally turn blue. If you need this remedy, you may also have a numb body, a tingling sensation on your skin and a tendency to fall asleep.
If your poor circulation is a result of blood clots and distended veins, Secale may be the best remedy for you. Secale is needed if you have hardened vessels, inflamed arteries, body numbness and if dark, thin, foul blood is released when bleeding.
Take a low potency dosage one to three times a day of the remedy that fits best with the description of your problem for a few weeks to see how your tinnitus is affected.
Ear Infections
If circulation help has not aided your tinnitus, you may want to attack any infections that may be present in your ears. Most ear infections result in ear aches, so many of these treatments can help with both ear aches and tinnitus. Belladonna is a can aid ear aches that come on quickly, intensely, and may be red and throbbing. Ferrum phosphoricum can help if ear pain has come on slowly. This remedy can help early on in the stages of infection and when you first notice symptoms. Pulsatilla is used if your symptoms are erratic, coming and going with no discernible pattern. Try a low potency dosage once a day and see if there are any results after a week or so.
Tinnitus
If your attempts to stop your tinnitus by dealing with other causes have not been successful, then you can use the following homeopathic remedies to attack the problem directly.
Causticum can be used if your impaired hearing includes roaring, rushing and ringing sounds consistently. There may be a burning sensation and a loud reverberation of spoken words, steps and other noises if you need Causticum.
Tabacum is used for those with tinnitus in which there is a rushing, whizzing and humming accompaniment to the sounds you hear. Your tinnitus may also include motion sickness, nausea, and a worsening of symptoms early in the morning.
Use Conium if your tinnitus has a humming, roaring, ringing windstorm that goes along with abundant earwax and extreme frustration. Conium seems to best help the elderly and those who are celibate.
By combating your circulatory system, your ear infections and directly, you may experience improved hearing within a month or two.
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Throat cancer is a disease that affects the pharynx, more commonly known as the throat, though technically it's a specific part of the throat. Throat cancer can develop in the throat itself or in the pharynx, commonly called the voice box. The American Cancer Society estimates that as many as 24,000 new cases of throat cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, with half of those found in the pharynx and the other half in the throat. The symptoms of this disease vary between individuals, and some mimic other, much less serious, conditions such as sore throats.
Common Symptoms
Some of the more frequently seen symptoms of throat cancer include a sore or a lump that lingers and does not heal in the throat area. Sore throats and persistent coughs are also symptoms of throat cancer.
Obvious Signs
When an individual has a hard time swallowing, this can be a sign of throat cancer. Changes in voice, especially a hoarseness to the voice that hasn't been observed before, is another potential indicator of throat cancer.
Strange Sensation
Sometimes a person suffering from throat cancer will get a feeling that he has a lump in his throat. This strange sensation will make him feel as if he needs to swallow even though there is nothing in his throat.
Swelling
Swelling in the neck can be a sign that throat cancer is present. The lymph nodes located in the neck can become enlarged, creating a swollen appearance.
Other Possible Symptoms
Other symptoms of throat cancer may include raspy-sounding breathing or a wheezing when breathing. There can be coughing up of blood and an unexplained loss of weight.
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Flax seed provides many health benefits because it is rich in fiber and nutrients, and it helps regulate cholesterol and blood pressure. Adding flax seed to your diet may also prevent diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Flax seed is a great source of alpha-linolenic acid and may help with arthritis and other types of inflammation disorders. Flax can be sprinkled on top of food or incorporated into it during the cooking process.
Instructions
Adding Flax Seed to Prepared Food
1. Sprinkle on salads, oatmeal, rice, yogurt, beans, sandwiches and cereals. These are just a few of the possible foods that whole flax seed can be added to.
2. Add whole flax seed to creamed potatoes, stirring to blend well. The nutty flavor of the flax seed adds depth to the potatoes.
3. Add whole flax seed to milkshakes and smoothies to obtain the health benefits of flax.
Cook With Flax
4. Replace cooking oil with flax seed. One and 1/2 cups of ground flax seed is equivalent to one-half cup of oil.
5. Substitute ground flax seed for eggs. Two tbsp. of ground flax seed combined with 6 tbsp. of warm water equals two eggs. Allow the flax seed and water mixture to sit for 5 minutes before using.
6. Add 1 tbsp. of flax seed to pancake batter, bread dough and muffin batter.
7. Incorporate 1/2 tbsp. of flax seed into any casserole or baked dish without a significant change in taste.
Salmon, avocados and green veggies all increase hair and nail health.
While proper grooming and beauty products can promote healthy hair and nails, without a healthy diet you might be sabotaging all of that hard work. Since hair and nails, like the rest of your body, require vitamins and minerals to maintain health, if you are looking to increase the health of and nails, there are certain foods rich in these essentials that can help.
Salmon
Salmon is a wonder food that gives your body protein along with healthy omega-3s. Since hair and nails are protein-based, it's no wonder they need it to grow healthy. Salmon has also been found to increase the health of your scalp and prevent dryness, which in turn promotes generally healthy-looking hair. The fish also contains iron, which is another needed nutrient for hair and nails.
Meat
Meat contains both iron and protein each which will keep hair and nails strong. When eating meat, avoid eating meat that is high in fat, such as greasy foods. Stick with lean meats like super lean ground beef or high quality fillet cuts. Lean chicken and turkey are other good meat sources. If you have a craving for some fast food, skip the drive-thru and go purchase a lean version of the meat at your local grocer, then cook it up at home adding your own flavorings.
Greens
Green veggies are another food that pack pow for both your hair and fingernails. With green veggies, think the darker the better --- spinach, kale, broccoli and peas. Lighter green veggies such as lettuce and celery aren't bad for you, but don't contain as much of the vitamins, calcium and iron that darker veggies carry.
Eggs
Eggs not only make for a number of yummy breakfast options, but also a great booster for hair and nails, thanks to the protein and and vitamins they contain. One way to double-up on the healthful benefits for your hair and nails is to pair eggs with another healthy food, such as a spinach omelet or a veggie-egg scramble.
Avocados
Avocados contain many nutrients, including vitamins such as A and E and minerals that promote moisture and strength in both your hair an nails. Another added benefit of avocado is that it can be used as both an internal and external boost for hair and nails. The next time you make guacamole try saving some avocado to use as a 10-minute hair mask, and rub a little over your cuticles for five minutes, then rinse.
Low-Fat Dairy
Low-fat milk and milk products are filled with calcium without all the calories, making them good for both hair and nails along with your figure. Calcium is an essential requirement for hair and nail growth, so try eating foods like low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat cheese or sipping on a glass of low-fat milk with your breakfast.
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Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that may have some beneficial health properties when used as a mineral substance or in jewelry. Tourmaline is a constant source of electricity due to the presence of negative and positive ions. It is a natural source of ions and far infrared rays (FIR). These properties may make pure tourmaline useful for purifying water and other medicinal purposes.
Purifies Water
When used as a water filter, tourmaline negatively ionizes water, which improves taste, reduces alkalinity and reduces odor. The far infrared rays (FIR) in tourmaline help purify water, reduce waste and make it healthier for consumption.
Improves Sleep
According to the website N-Ion, users have reported better and more restful sleep, fewer symptoms of fatigue and more energy when wearing tourmaline jewelry. The reason may be that the ion charges in the jewelry positively affect the body's energy and improve sleep-and-wake cycles.
Improves Hair
Styling tools that use tourmaline may improve the quality and appearance of hair due to the negative ions in the tourmaline, as well as the far infrared rays (FIR). These factors reduce frizz in hair, close the cuticle and make hair appear shinier.
Other Health Benefits
The application of tourmaline by wearing it on the skin may also offer improvement to individuals suffering from arthritis, joint problems and depression. It may also act as a detoxifying agent, according to a publication issued by the Brazilian government.
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Beaded medallions may represent a culture or an accomplishment or showcase a metal work of art. You can create your own beaded medallions with polymer clay, a coin and glass or crystal beads. Polymer clay is pliable and you can shape it any way you like to incorporate the coin and beads. Consider creating a necklace from an old coin left to you by your grandfather, or commemorating a special vacation with a coin from a different country. You can also create your own metal insert by hammering or embossing a piece of copper foil to make a beaded medallion.
Instructions
1. Soften a quarter-size section of polymer clay by kneading it with your hands. The clay will be the back of your medallion, so select a color that complements the glass beads and coin.
2. Flatten the softened clay with the palm of your hand. Run it through the pasta machine on the largest setting.
3. Draw the outline of your medallion on the flattened clay with a marker. You can skip this step if you are using a cookie cutter to make the shape of the medallion.
4. Cut the shape of the medallion from the clay with a clay knife or a cookie cutter. Place the shape onto a baking sheet lined with tin foil. You can fill the baking sheet with medallions.
5. Press the coin into the center of the clay. You only need the edges of the coin to be embedded into the clay; do not press the coin all the way through the back side of the clay shape.
6. Surround the coin with glass beads, pressing them into the clay right beside the coin. Make sure your beads are glass and not plastic, since you will be baking the medallions. Select beads in any shape, but the size should not overwhelm the coin. For example, if you use a small penny-size coin, should be no larger than 4mm. Depending on the shape of your beads, you may have a space between the edge of the coin and the beads where the clay is visible. You can fill in this space by pressing in tiny glass seed beads.
7. Trim away any excess clay around the outside edge of your . Bake the clay in the oven according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually around 40 minutes at 275 degrees.
Ayurveda encourages a state of healthy balance by looking at how each person falls into one of three types, or doshas. A specific disease or health issue might point to either an excess or deficiency of the doshas kapha, pitta and vata. Specific health conditions, including different types of allergies, point to different dosha imbalances. Dietary recommendations to alleviate allergy symptoms depend on whether the allergy has more kapha, vata or pitta characteristics.
Kapha Allergies
Do your allergies take place mostly in the spring? Do you tend to feel as if your body is too heavy and wet when you have allergies? If so, ayurveda would classify you as having a kapha allergy. Ayurvedic health experts generally caution people with kapha cold allergies to stay away from foods that create excess mucous in the body. These include not only bananas but also dairy products, wheat, and sugar. Kapha allergies benefit from substances that heat and energy the body to burn off excess kapha. An ayurvedic healer might suggest you spice your foods with or drink teas that contain ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, fenugreek, mustard or cardomom.
Vata Allergies
While springtime pollen allergies indicate excess kapha, fall allergies to mold and dust tend to indicate a vata imbalance. Patients with vata allergies may experience gas, bloating and other abdominal discomforts, and insomnia in addition to wheezing and runny nose. To help heal a vata allergy condition, avoid beans and cruciferous vegetables, since these increase vata. Kapha foods usually will not affect a vata allergy, so unless your ayurvedic healer says otherwise, feel free to indulge in bananas.
Pitta Allergies
The pitta dosha has a fiery character, so pitta allergies can mean skin rashes and burning eyes. This type of allergy usually occurs in the summer, and/or after exposure to strong chemicals, ragweed, house dust and certain fabrics. To douse the fire of a pitta allergy, stay hot, spicy foods, as well as from salty and fried foods, vinegar, and alcohol. A cooling banana might actually help quench the burning of a pitta allergy.
Ayurveda, beyond diet
Ayurveda is a complete system of health that includes much more than a lis of dietary dos and don'ts for different doshas. If you seek out an ayurvedic healer, you may receive recommendations for specific yoga poses to help you, as well as ideas on different times of day to eat and adapt your diet to the changing seasons.
The prostate is part of the male glandular system. It produces ingredients for seminal fluid, which transports sperm intercourse. To work properly, the prostate needs male hormones, including testosterone, which is produced in the testes.
Location
The prostate is located under the bladder directly in front of the rectum. It is usually about the size of a walnut.
Purpose
The prostate gland secretes a watery, milky-colored alkaline fluid that makes 30 percent of what will become seminal fluid. Once the prostate produces this fluid, it houses the fluid until it is needed for reproduction. The fluid that the prostate produces guards the sperm from the acidic environment that is present in the vagina.
Other Prostate Purposes
The prostate can cause added stimulation during sexual intercourse. It has been called a man's G-spot.
Prostate Inflammation
The prostate is also the site of many male disorders. As men age the prostate can become inflamed, a disorder often called prostatitis. This can cause difficulty urinating. The disease can be treated with physical therapy and/or antibiotics.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common and still the most deadly cancer among men. It usually afflicts men over the age of 50. Regular screenings by your doctor can lead to early detection and treatment, which may include surgery to remove the prostate or radiotherapy.
Tags: during sexual, during sexual intercourse, fluid that, prostate produces, seminal fluid, sexual intercourse
Soap with sunscreen is usually made with eco-friendly, organic and essential oils.
Soap with sunscreen is soap that is fortified with various types of oils and sun protection ingredients to provide extra protection for the skin. Therefore, the soap cleans the skin while providing long-lasting sun protection, even after it is washed off in the shower. Sunscreen soap is often made at home or by independent soap and beauty product companies.
Making Organic Soap
Soap with sunscreen starts out as regular, organic soap that does not contain harsh chemicals. Organic soap is made via the process of saponification, which involves mixing organic and essential oils with lye (i.e., water and sodium hydroxide). The lye and oils are mixed at a specific temperature until they becomes thick. During this stage, herbs and natural colorings are added to enhance the soap's fragrance and aesthetic appeal. The mixture is then poured into a mold and left to cure (i.e., left at room temperature) for three to four weeks.
Adding Sunscreen to Soap
Homemade, organic soap can be fortified with a mixture of sesame, avocado and jojoba oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, soy lecithin, aloe vera gel and borax powder to give it sun protection qualities. Various fragrances, such as rose or lavender water, can be added to create a pleasing smell.
Benefits of Soap With Sunscreen
Homemade soap with sunscreen has many benefits for the skin. Homemade, organic soap is eco friendly because it is made with organic materials and essential oils that are produced through organic farming. Soap with sunscreen is also beneficial because it enables users to protect their skin from the sun by simply using soap during their showers or baths, eliminating the need to layer on greasy sunscreens. The soap also eliminates sunscreen smells, substituting a light, floral fragrance instead.
Types of Soap
Homemade soap with sunscreen is usually made in bar form. However, organic beauty companies also sell organic sunscreen soap in liquid and gel forms. The liquid form is ideal for use in kitchens or in bathrooms. The shower gel, which is great for use with a loofa, creates a heavy lather and emits a pleasant, fragrant smell.
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Massage is an important part of a man's physical health. Stress and daily wear and tear on a man's body cause pressure points to build up in joints and around muscles. You should massage a man's body on a weekly or twice-monthly basis in order to provide him with the tension relief he needs to keep his body healthy.
Instructions
1. Lay your man flat on his stomach on a massage table or bed. Position yourself near him, so you have easy access to his back, legs, knees and arms. These are the spots on a man that typically need to most attention for massage.
2. Rub his back with the palms and fingers of your hands. Rub under and around his shoulder blades and ribs. Apply pressure with your arms and body onto his back muscles in order to loosen them.
3. Feel for any knots in his back. These are the pressure points that you will want to focus on most. When you find a knot, rub it gently with the palm of your hand. Slowly apply an increased amount of pressure to the knot, until you loosen the knot and it disappears. It could take 10 minutes or so to cause a knot to disappear.
4. Apply pressure to his legs in the same manner you did with his back. A typical point of tension for a man is the area on the back of the legs immediately above his knees. Rub gently and gradually increase the pressure you apply on this area. Massage his calves, thighs and feet in the same manner.
5. Ask him to roll over, so he is lying on his back. Ask him to tilt his head up, so there is space between the massage table or bed and his neck. Stand behind his head and place both hands under his neck. Apply a slight amount of pressure to the muscles in the back of his neck. Locate each joint in his neck bones and apply a slight amount of pressure.
6. Massage the man's arms by starting with his shoulders, moving toward his biceps, elbows, forearms and hands. Rub the arms with the palms of your hands gently at first and then applying an increased amount of pressure.
Anyone can stop bleeding using pressure points, possibly saving a life. When someone is bleeding uncontrollably, he can bleed to death in minutes or seconds. This can occur long before medical help arrives. When you apply pressure to pressure points involving blood flow, you can slow the bleeding and keep the victim alive until medical professionals arrive.
Instructions
1. Understand how blood flows in the human body. The heart pumps oxygen rich blood throughout the body through a system of arteries. The body absorbs the oxygen then returns the blood to the heart through a system of veins. When someone is bleeding heavily, they have cut open an artery or vein. The amount of blood being lost is an indication of how badly the artery or vein was cut.
2. Identify the area of the body that is bleeding and find the corresponding pressure point that will control the bleeding. Each part of the body has a major artery and vein feeding it blood. Look for it. Sometimes you can see a blue vein indicating where it is. Otherwise, feel for a pulse at each pressure point. This will indicate that you are pressing the right point.
3. If the bleeding is on the head above the ears, press the point just in front of the ear. You can find the exact spot by tracing a line from the corner of the eye straight back until you hit the ear. Feel for a slight indentation where you can feel a pulse.
4. If the bleeding is on the lower part of the face, press the point on the jaw bone half way between the chin and the end of the jaw. Pinch the jaw bone between a finger and your thumb.
5. If the bleeding is from the neck, press the point on the side between the Adam's Apple and neck muscles. This is where the carotid artery and jugular vein---which supply blood to the brain---are located. Stopping bleeding from here is a matter of life and death.
6. If the bleeding is from the shoulder or arm, use pressure points along the brachial artery. If the bleeding is high on the arm, press the point just above the middle of the collar bone. If the bleeding is low on the arm, press the point in the fold opposite the elbow on the inside of the arm.
7. If the bleeding is from the hand, press the points on both sides of the inner wrist. The first one is under the thumb, at the spot where a pulse is commonly felt. This is easy to locate since it is pulsing. The other pressure point is in a similar spot under the pinkie finger.
8. If the bleeding is from the groin or thighs, press the point on the femoral artery. You find it along the bikini line half way between the hip and the groin. A lot of blood flows through the femoral artery to supply oxygen to the legs. You will need to apply a considerable amount of pressure to stop the blood flow. Have the bleeding person lie down and press downward with your entire hand.
9. If the bleeding is from the shin, calf or foot, press the point on the popliteal artery. This is found in the fold opposite the knee cap, on the back of the leg.
Tags: , bleeding from, artery vein, pressure point, blood flow
Although we might think of hormones as something associated with menopause or menstruation, hormones play an important role in both men and women's bodies. The organs of your endocrine system regulate hormones, including the pancreas, thyroid, adrenal glands, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and thymus. If you're experiencing a hormonal imbalance, try vitamins and minerals to correct your endocrine function.
Instructions
1. Support your thyroid function with selenium and zinc. Low thyroid can cause fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and headaches. Selenium and zinc help the body utilize the thyroid hormone.
2. Use iodized salt. Iodine provides an essential component of thyroid hormone. If you exclude salt from your diet, eat seaweed or saltwater fish. You can also take 100 mcg of iodine daily as a supplement.
3. Take vitamin B supplements to increase your adrenal gland output. If you have adrenal gland insufficiency, you can feel irritable, light-headed and hypoglycemic. Your body needs vitamin B to produce adrenal hormones, so take 500 mg of vitamin B5 a day and 100 mg of vitamin B6.
4. Ask your doctor to check your chromium levels. Chromium helps the hormone insulin to deliver glucose to cells throughout the body. If you have low chromium levels and , fat cells retain the sugar, which increases the risk for diabetes and heart disease.
5. Increase your intake of biotin-rich foods. This B vitamin decreases the risk of insulin resistance. Biotin-rich foods include animal sources like poultry, dairy products and fish.
6. Enhance your body's ability to process estrogen with vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and choline. These vitamins and minerals support liver's ability to excrete excessive estrogen.
Diabetes is a disease that is caused when the pancreas does not function properly. Often, diabetics' bodies produce little or no insulin, causing their blood sugar levels to be dangerously low or high. Insulin levels can be controlled to some extent by eating a low-carbohydrate diet. There are homemade food gifts that can be made for a person with diabetes.
Shepherd's Pie
A shepherd's pie easily can be made for a diabetic. To make a low carbohydrate shepherd's pie, brown about 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey in a pan and place the browned meat in the bottom of a baking dish that has been sprayed with a cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then add a can of vegetable soup and ½ cup of chopped onion, celery and ½ teaspoon of thyme. On the top, spread 3 cups of pre-made mashed potatoes and top with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. The pie should be golden brown on top. Let cool completely before the dish is covered. Shepherd's pie can be kept in the freezer until the recipient is ready to eat it and then reheated in the oven at 375 degrees for about 50 minutes. This recipe serves about four people.
Tropical Nut Cookies
Cookies can make a great homemade gift for diabetics. They can be put in a decorative tin that reflects the recipient's taste. Tropical Nut Cookies are a unique dessert or snack that are healthy and full of flavor. To make, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Mix a large egg, ¼ cup of pineapples, 2 peeled bananas and a teaspoon of vanilla. Then add 1¼ cups of flour, 1/3 cup of coconut, ½ teaspoon of baking soda and salt. Add ½ cup of macadamia nuts. Place small balls of the cookie dough on the baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between the dough balls. These cookies take about 10 minutes to bake. Cookies should be light brown when they are finished baking. Be sure to let the cookies cool completely before they are removed from the baking sheet. A sugar substitute such as Splenda can be sprinkled on top of the cookies to add a sweeter taste. About 24 cookies can be made with this recipe.
Italian Spinach Pie
To make an Italian spinach pie, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix a 16-ounce container of cottage cheese, a 10-ounce package of thawed spinach, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, four eggs, 7 ounces of roasted red peppers, 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of oregano leaves. Pour the mixture into a greased pie plate. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. When the center is set, the spinach pie is finished baking. This recipe serves about eight people.
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Also known as epilepsy, a seizure disorder is present when a child has experienced more than one seizure that occurs when abnormal and sudden disruptive electrical signals are sent to the brain.
Significance
The Epilepsy Foundation states "326,000 school children through age 15 have epilepsy," and incidence is highest for those under the age of 2.
Types
Four main types of seizures exist: the generalized (absence or petit mal, atonic, tonic-clonic or grand mal, myoclonic), partial/focal (simple and complex), nonepileptic and status epilepticus---when the seizures don't stop. Absence or petit mal seizure is most common in children.
Causes
Reasons for a seizure can range from birth trauma, fever or infection, alcohol use, neurological problems, brain tumors or drug withdrawal, or the reason may simply be unknown.
Treatment
Doctors may prescribe antiepileptic medication, surgery or vagus-nerve stimulation (VNS) that sends small pulses to the vagus nerve in the neck. If those fail, your pediatrician or specialist may try the ketogenic diet, a glucose fast that prevents seizures in some children. This diet needs to be under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Prevention/Solution
While prevention may be unrealistic in some instances, helmets, medication after a first seizure, good prenatal care, and prevention of any disorder that affects the brain all help to prevent seizures. Time may also allow epilepsy to care for itself.
Distillers are ordinarily associated with the making of whiskey, vodka and other liquors in which alcohol is distilled from a . Another use of distillers is the separation of aromatic scents and oils from flowers used in perfumes and other fragrances. Distilling fragrance works on the same principle as distilling alcohol.
Distillation Basics
When alcohol is distilled, a fermented mash or other source of alcohol is heated to boiling. The alcohol rises as steam that is condensed by passing it through coils. If the mash is made of barley, the condensed steam is whiskey; if fermented grapes are distilled, it is brandy, and so on.
In distilling flowers, the fragrance, like alcohol, is lighter than water. Steam is passed through dried flowers. The steam picks up the essential oils that give the flowers their distinctive fragrance. When condensed, this steam comes out as hydrosol, or aromatic flower water.
About Hydrosol
Hydrosol contains about five percent essential oils. Flower water is mild and subtle, suitable as body perfume or facial splash.
Aromatic oils are obtained by putting hydrosol through a clear-glass separating filter with a valve at the bottom.
The fragrance yielded from hydrosol depends on the flower. Lavender flowers are often used. Roses are good. Virtually any flower with a nice aroma can be used.
The Still
Distilling flowers requires three glass laboratory flasks for a small still or larger containers for a more ambitious project.
The first flask holds water that's boiled to provide steam. The second contains dried flowers. The third receives the hydrosol.
These flasks are separated by glass or flexible plastic tubing that carries the steam from the boiling flask to the flask with the dried flowers and from there to the flask that receives the condensed hydrosol.
Seperating
To separate essential oils, or pure fragrance, put the distilled hydrosol into the separating funnel and carefully drain it.
The water in hydrosol is heavier than the essential oils. When the lighter oils get to the bottom, close the valve.
The yield of essential oil is small. Four ounces of dried flowers will give about two milliliters of pure fragrance.
Plans and Supplies
Plans for simple stills can be obtained from the Internet. You can buy the glass flasks, stoppers, tubing and separating funnels necessary for a modest distiller from a store that sells laboratory supplies. You also can buy them on the Internet.
Dental veneers are a category of cosmetic dentistry for those seeking a beautifully shaped white smile. Dental veneers are custom-made shells of tooth-like material made from porcelain or resin composite. Veneers are bonded to the front of the tooth to improve appearance such as improving discolored teeth, uneven alignment or spacing and chips or cracks. In deciding whether dental veneers are right for you, there are many questions you should consider beforehand.
What Are Dental Veneers Used For?
Dental veneers are used to cover up an imperfect dental appearance, so those seeking a perfect, bright white smile may benefit. Veneers often are used to correct discolored teeth, which can occur from root canal procedures, food and drink stains, excessive fluoride or the presence of large resin fillings. Veneers also are used to cover teeth worn down from tooth grinding, chipped or broken teeth, unaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth, and to close gaps between teeth.
How Much Do Veneers Cost?
Prices fluctuate from each dental practice, ranging from $500 to $1300 per tooth. Dental insurance usually does not cover dental veneers, so cost should be discussed up front with .
Should I Get Porcelain Veneers or Composite Resin Veneers?
are made from porcelain or composite resin. The advantage of porcelain veneers is that they resist stains better than composite resin veneers and better mimic the reflecting properties of natural teeth. However, porcelain veneers have a greater risk of cracking than composite resin, which is a harder material. Composite resin veneers require less shaving of the tooth surface before placement, however, and so are a better option for those with sensitive teeth.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Dental veneers last between 5 and 10 years, after which they need to be replaced.
Care for Dental Veneers
Dental veneers should be taken care of as if they are your natural teeth. Thus, continue brushing twice a day and flossing as normal. Although porcelain veneers resist stains, your dentist may advise caution on stain-causing foods and beverages like red wine, coffee and tea.
What Is the Procedure for Getting Dental Veneers?
Before the procedure begins, your dentist will decide if local anesthesia is needed. The procedure then begins with your dentist shaving off 1/2 mm of the tooth's enamel, which is about equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will be placed on the tooth's surface. Next, an impression is taken of your tooth and is sent to the dental laboratory that makes the veneer. This can take about 1 to 2 weeks.
Finally, the dental veneer is permanently bonded to the tooth using cement. The cement shade determines the color of the veneer. Once the veneer is bonded onto the surface, the tooth is cleaned, polished and etched to make for a stronger bonding surface. A special light beam is then shined on the dental veneer to activate the hardening chemicals in the cement. To end, excess cement is removed and an evaluation of your bite is taken to determine any needed veneer adjustments.
Tags: your dentist, Dental Veneers, Dental veneers, porcelain veneers,
The bowels are responsible for holding and eliminating waste from the body. When they don't function well a variety of digestive ailments can result. recommend fasting and cleansing as way of keeping the bowels clear and the organs functioning well. Natural therapists recommend undertaking a fast or a cleanse every six months for optimum health.
Fasting
The digestive process involves consuming food, absorbing the nutrients from food and then eliminating the waste. The waste is held in the bowel until it is ready to be eliminated during a bowel movement. The bowels need water and fiber to stay healthy and strong. If the bowel is unhealthy it can lead to diarrhea, constipation and other digestive upsets. Natural therapists believe that this can lead to fatigue, irritability, headaches and even bowel or colon cancer.
Natural therapists often recommend fasting as a way of giving the organs a rest and the bowels a cleanse. Fasting traditionally involves drinking only water for a period of time. Today natural therapists recommend cleansing and detoxifying the body and the bowels using a variety of cleansing mixtures.
Honey and lemon are known for their cleansing and antibacterial properties. Cayenne pepper is also believed to help stimulate and cleanse the bowel. Add 1 tbsp of honey, half the juice of a lemon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to a glass of water. Drink 12 glasses of this for three to 12 days to cleanse the bowels.
Fiber
Psyllium husk is a type of fiber that forms a gel like substance in the digestive tract, helping to sweep out waste as it is eliminated from the bowels during a bowel movement. Add 1 tbsp of this to the lemon, honey and cayenne pepper mixture three times a day during the fast to help cleanse the bowels. Psyllium husk can be purchased in a granulated form and is available from most supermarkets and health food stores.
Apple cider vinegar is known to contain a fiber called pectin. This is believed to cleanse toxins and unhealthy fats from the body as it is eliminated. Add 1 to 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to the mixture to help cleanse the organs and the bowels.
Herbs
Marshmallow root, fennel and licorice root are known to help cleanse the intestines as well as soothe and coat the lining of the intestines and bowels. Add 1 tsp to a cup of boiled water. Allow the herbs to steep for three to five minutes and then strain and drink. You can drink one to three cups of this tea everyday to help keep the digestive tract healthy.
Even if you don't have a regular yoga practice, the alternative nostril breathing yoga technique is so simple, it can be easily done anywhere and anytime. It is believed this yoga exercise, also called nadi sodhana, which means purification of channels, cleans and rejuvenates your energy. It also is said that alternative nostril breathing can relax the mind and produce optimum brain function.
Instructions
1. Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position, such as the lotus or half lotus.
2. Place your left hand in the mudra, or position, of the index finger and thumb gently touching.
3. Enter the left hand in the mudra where the index and middle fingers are in toward your thumb.
4. Inhale through both nostrils, then take your right hand ring finger and close off your left nostril so there is no breath flowing as you exhale through that side of your nose for a count of eight.
5. Change to block off the right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through nostril for a count of four.
6. Repeat the process, inhaling through the left nostril for a count of eight and exhale through the right nostril for a count of four. This completes your round of alternate .
Tags: left nostril, nostril breathing, nostril count, your left, alternative nostril, alternative nostril breathing
Ulcers are usually caused by a bacterium named helicobacter pylori. This bacterium can burrow into the stomach's protective mucous coat and irritate the stomach lining. Along with the damage caused by stomach acid this forms an ulcer. The long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause stomach ulcers. Stress, spicy food, alcohol use and other lifestyle factors are known to irritate ulcers. According to the National Center of Disease Control more than 25 million Americans suffer from ulcers. Self-care at home can help cure ulcers.
Food
Your diet does not have any effect on forming an ulcer. Spicy and fried foods can irritate people who have already developed ulcers. If you discover a food that causes you pain, then avoid eating that food. Ulcer pain can strike on an empty stomach. One key is to always have some food in the stomach for the stomach acid to work on. This means to eat smaller meals but eat more frequently. Try not to overeat. This causes weight gain and the production of more stomach acid. Just eat your normal calorie amount spread out throughout the day. Milk used to be considered a treatment for ulcers. It was believed that it neutralized stomach acid. Modern medicine has discovered that calcium-rich foods acid. So while the dairy protein in milk soothes the burning pain, the calcium makes the ulcer worse.
Lifestyle
Stress does not cause the formation of ulcers. Stress can make your ulcer feel worse. Change the way you react to stress to make your ulcer feel better. You need to learn to cope with stress more effectively. You can take a stress management class in order to learn different techniques. Some suggestions are to find an enjoyable hobby, learn to meditate or participate in an aerobic exercise program. Smoking is not a way to deal with stress and actually causes an increase in stomach acid production. Smoking inhibits the creation of prostaglandins and sodium bicarbonate, which is naturally produced by the body and protects the stomach lining. Smoking also prohibits blood circulation that is required for healing of the ulcer.
Medications
The most common treatment for ulcers is antibiotics coupled with an acid reducing medication. This treatment usually lasts one to two weeks. Over-the-counter antacids may bring you ulcer relief but it is easy to under- or over-medicate. They also have side effects if used for a prolonged period of time. Aluminum-based antacids can cause constipation. They also interfere with the digestion of phosphorus from foods. The long-term result is weakness and bone damage. Magnesium-based antacids can cause diarrhea. Overuse causes weakness and fatigue due to high blood levels of magnesium. Prolonged use of antacids is known to cause over production of stomach acid. The use of antacids can mask the symptoms of more serious issues.
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Protect your pets and your family by getting rid of fleas.
Fleas spread disease, make you and your pets uncomfortable and are difficult to eliminate. The parasites feed on dogs and cats, but will also attack people, resulting in red itchy bumps around the shins and ankles. The FDA claims that one flea can bite you or your pet as many as 400 times in a day and produce hundreds of eggs. Because fleas produce so many eggs in such a short amount of time, and because these eggs can lay dormant for months before hatching, getting rid of fleas means being persistent.
Instructions
1. Clean your yard and mow your lawn. Pets and people track fleas indoors so keeping outdoor areas free of flea infestations is integral to getting rid of the parasites for good. Fleas thrive in overgrown environments. To , you must keep your grass trimmed enough to let the sun shine all the way to the earth.
2. Treat your yard with products that kill fleas. Nematodes are one choice. Spray these parasitic organisms onto your lawn and they will destroy any flea larvae present. Hire a lawn care company to treat your yard for you if you're unsure of which products to choose.
3. Launder pet bedding. Dispose of old pet materials in cases of severe infestation and purchase new bedding to replace them.
4. Vacuum your house. Pay special attention to areas frequented by your pet. Throw away the vacuum cleaner bag after each use.
5. "Bomb" your house with flea bombs. These products disperse pesticides through the air to eliminate fleas. You and your pets will need to leave the house until the pesticides dissipate.
6. Apply flea control products to your pets. These range from topical "spot" treatments that you apply to your pet to oral medications that kill fleas. Your veterinarian can advice you on which products to choose or avoid. Combing your pets with a flea comb will also help.
Tags: your pets, your yard, eliminate fleas, getting fleas,
Flatulence occurs when "flatus" or gases from your intestines get passed through your rectum. Causes for flatulence include lactose intolerance, too much intake of fiber, some prescription medications, celiac disease, constipation, intestinal bacteria, irritable bowel syndrome, colon disorders, swallowing too much air and dyspepsia. If you are flatulent, you may experience symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, bloating and emission of foul-smelling gas from the rectum. This can cause physical discomfort, as well as create embarrassing social situations. If you want to solve this problem, there are alternative remedies that might be able to offer you some relief.
Instructions
1. Make note of the foods that seem to trigger flatulence. Dairy products can contribute to the problem, if you are lactose intolerant. Beans, broccoli, citrus fruits, apples, pears, bran and other fiber-rich foods can also cause gas. You may need to cut back on the foods that bother you the most.
2. Use activated charcoal powder when you get too gassy. Carefully stir 3 tablespoons in a glass of distilled water and drink it down. It doesn't taste particularly pleasant, but it does ease flatulence. Activated charcoal can get very messy, so be very careful when using it to keep it from ruining your clothes. Do not use activated charcoal if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, suffer from intestinal problems, have had surgery in recent weeks or are allergic to activated charcoal. If you are on prescription medications, speak with your doctor before taking activated charcoal.
3. Chew a few fennel seeds to reduce cramping and gas. Fennel aids in improved digestion and keeps flatulence at bay. Fennel seeds come from an aromatic plant commonly grown in Asia and Europe. You should not eat them if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have estrogen-dependent cancer or take ciprofloxacin, a drug used to treat bacterial infections.
4. Mix together a teaspoon of lime juice with a teaspoon of powdered ginger and take it when you experience flatulence and gas pains. Ginger comes from the stem of a plant called zingiber officinale that originates in India and is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Ginger has long been used to treat digestive disorders. Avoid ginger if you are on blood thinners or are on an aspirin regimen. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, suffer from a digestive disorder or are on another type of prescription drug, ask your doctor if you can safely take ginger.
5. Eat yogurt, but make certain that it contains live culture acidophilus. The live cultures in acidophilus are what propels fermentation and turns pasteurized milk into yogurt. This good bacteria can help ease bloating and gas. Consider eating yogurt on a regular basis to prevent flatulence from occurring. You should not eat yogurt if you take ciprofloxacin, as there may be an adverse reaction.
Eat plenty of vegetables for a healthy hypoglycemic diet.
Hypoglycemic people need to follow a special diet for hypoglycemia. The hypoglycemic diet should be higher in protein than an average person's diet. It is important to know which foods to eat and which foods to avoid so you can prevent your blood sugar from dropping. Eating frequently is also a very important part of a hypoglycemic diet.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid eating foods such as ice cream, candy, cookies and cakes. These can trigger a spike and then a drop in your blood sugar. If you do eat foods that are high in sugar, you must limit it to a very small portion and also eat some protein or fat at the same time. Protein and fat slow the body's insulin response, helping to stabilize your blood sugar.
Keep a food diary of everything you eat. Record the times that you eat and how you are feeling after you eat the food. Anytime you have low blood sugar, write down the time. That way you can go back and analyze your food diary to figure out what foods are triggering your low blood sugar. You may be surprised at the culprits.
Avoid juice and other sugary drinks. Juice is high in sugar and doesn't contain any protein or fat to help your body handle the sugar. Limit the amount of juice you drink; consider watering it down so that you can still drink your juice but won't have the same insulin response.
Eliminate sugar, white flour, alcohol, caffeine and tobacco from your diet. These things can have negative affects on your blood sugar.
Foods to Eat
Eat plenty of lean protein. You can get protein from sources such as skinless poultry, lean cuts of meat, fish, legumes, beans, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Eating a source of protein every three hours will help you maintain your blood sugar at a steady level. You can eat carbohydrates too, but it's best to include at least some protein every time you eat. Eat complex carbohydrates such as starch, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and whole grains instead of white bread, white rice and regular pasta.
Choose snacks that have at least three grams of protein and no more than 10 grams of sugar. Eat plenty of vegetables and whole grains. You can eat fruits in small amounts, but don't eat dried fruits.
Always carry a snack with you. It is important to be able to eat without having to hunt down food. Once you start to feel that your blood sugar is dropping, it's too late. If you feel that your blood sugar is getting low, eat something as quickly as possible to bring your blood sugar back up. To bring your blood sugar back up drink some orange juice or a regular soft drink like Coke, Pepsi or Dr Pepper. The clear soft drinks don't have as much sugar. Wait about 20 minutes for your blood sugar to go back up from the sugary drink, then eat some protein to stabilize your blood sugar.
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We all want our hair to look shiny and healthy. Indian people in particular seem to have beautiful hair. Ancient Indian holy men developed what's known as Ayurvedic medicine some 5,000 years ago. The philosophy behind Ayurvedic medicine is to prevent problems rather than wait and try to cure them.
Thinning Hair
If your hair is thinning or slow to grow, you can boil sage leaves in coconut oil and then, removing the leaves, apply the now blackened oil to your hair and scalp. Leave in your hair for at least 30 minutes before shampooing. Another remedy for hair loss is to pound fenugreek seeds into a powder and then mix with coconut milk and a pinch of black pepper. Apply the mixture to your scalp three times per week about an hour before you wash your hair.
Shampooing and Treating Head Lice
For Indian hair care, shampooing is actually secondary to conditioning. Mild shampoos containing the same herbal ingredients as the conditioners are recommended. One of the most popular shampoos contains amla, which comes from Indian gooseberry. Amla is a powerful antioxidant used to retard aging; it can also be taken in supplement form. Remember that anything that is good for your skin is also good for your hair.
For head lice, try massaging neem oil into the hair and scalp before going to bed. In the morning, rinse your hair with neem tea. Neem is a type of evergreen tree and is a natural pesticide and antifungal herb.
Moisturize and Brush
If you want to moisturize your hair and scalp you can try the centuries-old remedy also used by Native Americans: Apply pure jojoba oil to your hair and massage it into your scalp as well. Leave this on for at least 15 minutes before rinsing out. After shampooing you can also rinse your hair in juniper tea for shine and to prevent gray hair, in the practice of Hopi Indians. One of the most prescribed methods to keep hair soft and shiny is to brush hair vigorously with a stiff brush. Then use a soft brush to smooth and stimulate growth.
Tags: your hair, hair scalp, Ayurvedic medicine, good your, least minutes, least minutes before
Hepatitis C is a serious, chronic liver diseased caused by a virus. Transmitted primarily though contact with infected blood, Hepatitis C has no vaccine and is the most serious of the six hepatitis viruses (the others being A, B, D, E and G), with many cases ending with liver failure, cirrhosis, cancer and death. While conventional treatment exists, there are also a number of alternative and natural methods deemed beneficial for liver health, thus weakening the impact of Hepatitis C.
Symptoms
While the disease typically produces no symptoms in its early stages, its later stages can be characterized by symptoms, such as malaise, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), a loss of appetite and fever. It is possible, however, for there to be no symptoms even in the later stages of the disease. When severe or left untreated, Hepatitis C can result in severe liver problems, many of which can lead to death.
Millk Thistle
Silymarin, an extract from the milk thistle plant, has been used since the sixteenth century to treat a variety of liver disorders. Seemingly beneficial by aiding in the stimulation of the enzymes that work with the liver to attack dangerous toxins, only small studies have been performed to test its efficacy in treating liver conditions, none of which focused on the study of milk thistle and hepatitis C. A study performed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that the benefits and efficacy of milk thistle are not clinically established, and as such more research is necessary.
Possible side effects of milk thistle extract include nausea and diarrhea, the feeling of bloating or gas and possible allergic reactions. As such, it is always wise to discuss the use of milk thistle as a supplementary treatment for Hepatitis C.
Other Natural Treatments
While milk thistle is seemingly the most effective natural treatment, the study of other possible natural treatments do exist. While these may be beneficial in treating the liver, there is no conclusive evidence concerning their efficacy and safety in treating patients with Hepatitis C.
These include ginseng, thymus extract and colloidal silver, the latter of which can cause potentially serious side effects. Glycyrrhizin, an extract of licorice root that has been studied outside of the United States, and there is some evidence supporting it effectiveness; and the herbal extracts lactoferrin, TJ-108, schisandra and oxymatrine, all of which require further study to determine their effectiveness. A pilot study featured in the "Japan Journal of Cancer Research" identified lactoferrin as a potentially effective method of treatment, though further research is necessary. Additionally, a study found in the "Chinese Journal of Hepatology" suggested that oxymatrine is an effective anti-Hepatitis C agent in vitro, though further studies are necessary to prove its long-term efficacy.
Lifestyle Treatment
If diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a number of lifestyle treatments and preventative measures can help stave off the effects of the disease. These include regular exercise and a proper diet, eliminating all alcohol, and avoiding potentially liver-damaging drugs, such as acetaminophen.
Preventing the spread of the disease is crucial, and as such sharing toothbrushes and razors, along with ensuring the proper care of cuts and scrapes to avoid the blood from coming into contact with anyone else is of the utmost importance.
Warnings
While these forms of treatment may help the symptoms and help to protect the liver, they should not be used as a substitute for conventional medicine. None of these treatments have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as treatment for Hepatitis C, and therefore should be discussed with a physician before utilizing any of them. Additionally, some herbal supplements have been known to actually damage the liver instead of promoting its health (kava and comfrey, for example), and as such all herbal treatments should be carefully researched.
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Panic or anxiety attacks are periods of intense physical symptoms of fear brought on by no specific cause. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, heavy breathing, shaking, sweating, chills, chest pain and hot flashes. When anxiety attacks occur often enough to interfere with your daily life, there is medication available to help relieve the symptoms.
Features
Medication for all function by helping you relax or changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin. Doctors do not fully understand why, but an increase in serotonin and other brain chemicals often decreases the frequency of panic attacks.
Types of Medications
Medications for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants, benzodiazpines and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Time Frame
Some of the drugs used for anxiety attacks, such as benzodiazepines, are only safe for short-term use because they have the potential to cause physical dependence, cautions the Mayo Clinic.
Risks
Side effects of the medications used to treat anxiety attacks include nausea, loss of libido, dry mouth, headaches, diarrhea, weight gain, drowsiness, blurred vision and dizziness. There are also a risk of serious side effects posed by some of these medications as well, including heart problems, high blood sugar, suicidal thoughts, hypertension and intercranial bleeding.
Considerations
It is not uncommon for patients to need to try several medications before finding the one that alleviates symptoms of anxiety attacks. As you and your doctor work to find the best drug for you, psychotherapy can help you understand and learn to control your responses to stress and help in the treatment process, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
These techniques can identify if a speaker belongs to a set of known people.
Speaker recognition is the computer problem of establishing the identity of a speaker using voice characteristics. It is different from speech recognition, where the goal is to identify the words being spoken. An example of speaker recognition technology is building security, where a door only opens when a given person speaks into the microphone. Several methods can be used to accomplish this task.
Frequency Estimation
The spoken signal has an unknown noise component, such as background noise and audio equipment noise. Frequency estimation methods estimate the noise component by using techniques such as solving for eigenvectors, a type of mathematics important in physics and engineering; subtracting the noise from the input to get an approximation to the signal of interest; and decomposing that signal as a sum of complex frequency components. The most important fact about this method is that the noise-free voice of a given speaker is reduced to a more manageable representation: the voice's intensity on a few frequency components (that happen to be the most intense ones.) This well when background noise is a problem and when the words spoken when the system was trained may not be exactly the same words spoken when trying to authenticate the speaker.
Hidden Markov Models
A hidden Markov model always is in one of a set of states, but the current state is not visible to the observer. Such a model is constantly making transitions from the current state to the next at rates, and with probabilities, determined by the model's parameters. When making a transition, the model may emit an output with a known probability. The same output can be generated by a transition from multiple states, with different probabilities. In the particular case of speaker recognition, a hidden Markov model emits outputs representing phonemes with probabilities that depend on the prior sequence of visited states. A speaker uttering a sequence of phonemes (i.e., talking) corresponds to the model visiting a sequence of states and emitting outputs corresponding to the same phonemes. This to authenticate the speaker by having him utter a sequence of words forming complete sentences.
Pattern Recognition
This technique, among the most complex being used for speaker recognition, compares two voice streams: the one spoken by the authenticated speaker while training the system, and the one spoken by the unknown speaker who is attempting to gain access. The speaker utters the same words when training the system and, later, when trying to prove his identity. The computer aligns the training sound stream with the one just obtained (to account for small variations in rhythm and for delays in beginning to speak). Then, the computer discretizes each of the two streams as a sequence of frames and computes the probability that each pair of frames was spoken by the same speaker by running them through a multilayer perceptron--a particular type of neural network trained for this task. well in low-noise conditions, and when the speaker is uttering exactly the same words used to train the system.
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A doctor may listen to your chest to diagnose an upper respiratory infection.
An upper respiratory infection is caused by one of more than 200 viruses that affect the head and chest. It commonly will have a significant effect on a person's middle ear, windpipe and airways, according to the Dartmouth College Health Services. URIs accompanied with shortness of breath may be a sign of a more serious condition and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Cause
The UW-Seattle Hall Health Primary Care Center states that the main cause of shortness of breath related to an URI is inflammation and excessive mucus in the lungs. When the lungs become inflamed, they swell, restricting a person's ability to breathe normally or deeply. The excessive mucus may cause a person to develop a wheezing sound with a cough.
Signs and Symptoms
The common signs and symptoms of a URI are coughing; sore throat; fever; headache; sinus infection; such nasal issues as runny nose, sinus pressure and congestion; and muscle aches, according to the Hall Health Primary Care Center.
A URI accompanied by shortness of breath can signal inflamed lungs, bronchitis, pneumonia or asthma induced by the infection. A person with a URI will experience symptoms for 10 to 14 days, so a lingering cough is a sign of a more serious problem.
Treatment
There is no cure for a URI. A viral infection has to be fought by the body's natural defenses. However, URI symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin and decongestants. The most common OTC drugs used to help open up the lungs and provide breathing relief are expectorants and cough suppressants.
Treatment for inflamed lungs is rest and drinking fluids. Bronchitis is antibiotics and an expectorant to kill the bacterial infection and loosen any excessive phlegm. Pneumonia is treated with rest and sometimes antibiotics. In serious cases, sufferers may be hospitalized. Asthma is treated with inhalers, antihistamines and sometimes prednisone.
Prevention
To prevent a URI, you should sleep at least eight hours a night, drink a minimum of six 8-ounce glasses of water daily and eat a balanced diet. Use saline washes at the first sign of nasal congestion because they may help remove dripping into the lungs.
In addition, you should stay away from people who appear to be sick and wash your hands with hot, soapy water as often as possible.
Considerations
Shortness of breath is a serious condition. You should seek medical attention if shortness of breath is accompanied by fainting spells, loss of memory and lack of oxygen throughout the body. Shortness of breath with chest pain can be the result of a severe allergic reaction and should be evaluated by a doctor.
In addition, if your URI is accompanied with shortness of breath, you should talk to your doctor before self-treating with OTC medications. If OTC drugs do not improve the ability to breath normally, talk with a doctor.
Tags: excessive mucus, , , accompanied with shortness, Care Center,
Pranic crystal healing was developed by Master Choa Kok Sui and strives to balance and transform the body's energy centers, known as chakras, by utilizing consecrated, expressly programmed crystals. The word Pranic comes from the Sanskrit word Prana, meaning life-force. Also known as Chi, Ruah and the Breath of Life, this life-force or energy is believed to keep the human body alive and healthy.
History
Pranic healing was practiced by the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India and China as well as many other cultures and religions throughout recorded history. Pranic crystal healing is a form of Pranic healing using crystals and is currently practiced internationally in more than thirty countries.
Function
In Pranic crystal healing, the crystals are used on the aura, the body's bio-electromagnetic field, as it is believed that physical problems in the body will first manifest themselves as disruptions in the aura. The aura is considered to be the blueprint of the Prana that surrounds the physical body, absorbs the life energy and circulates it throughout the body.
Types
Pranic crystal healers use specifically designed methods with crystals to treat individual ailments and remove negative or diseased energy from the body. The healers will then transmit clean Prana to the inflicted areas to achieve Pranic crystal healing. Clear quartz crystals or laser crystal wands are used due to their ability to absorb, collect, project and focus the body's energy.
Effects
Pranic crystal healing claims to create personal barriers against and remove negative emotions and diseased energies from the aura making beneficial changes and equalizing imbalances as well as increasing energy, filtering out damaging energy and releasing blocked energy. Healers treat numerous diseases and conditions such as cancer, migraine headaches, menstrual pain, arthritis and hypertension.
Disclosure
Pranic crystal healers are not licensed physicians, nor are Pranic treatments licensed by the state. Pranic crystal healing is meant to accompany traditional medical services and has no health guarantees. Pranic healers do not physically touch patients, diagnose diseases or prescribe medications.
Wu long tea is a traditional Chinese tea that falls somewhere between a green and a black tea. The taste is similar to both, but lacks the full flavor of true teas of either type. For centuries, people have spoken about the health benefits of wu long tea, and in the last 30 years or so major research has gone into proving them. Discover some of the benefits that this kind of tea offers.
Healthy Skin
After about a month of daily consumption, wu long tea will begin to show its skin-clearing capabilities. This skin health benefit was published in the "Archives of Dermatology."
Burning Calories
A study published in the "Journal of Medical Investigation" proved that wu long tea is great at burning calories. In fact, it was shown to burn twice as many calories as green tea.
Dental Health
This kind of tea has an antibacterial affect that prevents plaque from building up and damaging the teeth. This was published in the journal "Caries Research."
Antioxidants
Wu long tea is full of antioxidants. These help to boost the immune system and also to fight against oxidative damage.
Aging
The antioxidants in wu long tea are so powerful that regular consumption of the tea can destroy nearly half of the free radicals roaming the body. One of the effects of this is stopping the signs of aging.
The goal of brow lift surgery is to elevate drooping eyelids and a lined brow. Over time, the things that we do every day, like laugh, cry, smile, frown or squint, cause our foreheads to develop furrows, wrinkles and lines. Combined with aging, these expressions create forehead lines that result in a tired, worn look. While is often the best way to correct this problem, there are alternatives that you should explore before making a final decision on your treatment.
Instructions
Explore Alternatives to Brow Lift Surgery
1. Consult with a plastic surgeon. During your consultation, the surgeon will ask about your goals for the surgery and the results you expect. He will also ask you about any medical conditions that could cause problems during or after the procedure.
2. Ask the surgeon questions about alternative or cutting-edge procedures. This is best time to explore alternatives to brow lift surgery.
3. Consider a new procedure called brow suspension. Brow suspension is less invasive than brow lift surgery because it requires fewer and smaller incisions. The drawback to brow suspension is that it lasts only 1 to 6 years. It can, however, be repeated.
4. Research other facial plastic surgery procedures like collagen implants, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion and Botox injections.
5. Log on to All About Plastic Surgery for plastic surgery information and resources for a variety of procedures (see Resources below).
6. Explore alternatives to brow lift surgery by reading all that you can about the subject. A great place to begin researching facial resurfacing treatments, lasers, chemical peels, cosmetic dermatology and collagen implants is "Light Years Younger: The Definitive Guide to Anti-Aging Skin Care" by David J. Goldberg and Eva Herriott (see Resources below).