Bitter melon (Karela) is a unique vegetable more commonly used in Asia and the Caribbean than the United States. With an appearance similar to a cucumber with warts, the melon, or gourd, is sometimes called the most bitter of all vegetables. Despite that, it has several health benefits that can increase the functioning of your immune system. Naturopathic healers have found bitter melon effective in treating HIV/AIDS, diabetes, viruses, colds, infections, tumors, high cholesterol, psoriasis, cholera and eye disorders.
Instructions
1. Drink bitter melon tea. The leaves from bitter melon plants can be used to make a medicinal tea. The fruit and seed of the melon can also be used for this purpose but are not as easily available for purchase, if you live in non-tropical areas
2. Take supplements. Pills and capsules are available with recommended dosages ranging from 1 to 3 pills per day.
3. Eat bitter melon fruit. The fruit or flesh of bitter melons can be eaten to improve your immune system. Where not commonly grown, the melons can often be purchased from Asian grocery stores.
4. Drink bitter melon juice. If the bitter taste of the fruit is too much for you to handle, the fruit or leaves can be juiced and consumed in liquid form. To decrease bitterness, soak the melon or leaves in salt water for 30 minutes prior to juicing.
5. Take some tincture. Bitter melon tinctures or liquid extracts are also available in health food stores. A dropper full can be added to your water or juice up to 3 times per day.
Tags: bitter melon, bitter melon, Drink bitter, Drink bitter melon, melon leaves, your immune, your immune system
When someone complains of lower stomach pain, he is typically not experiencing pain in the stomach at all, but rather somewhere lower in the abdomen. Since this is the location of nearly all of our organs, lower stomach pain can be quite disconcerting. However, lower stomach pain can be caused by nearly any problem, from digestive issues to (in some instances) a panic attack. For this reason, it is important to understand a few of the possible causes of lower stomach pain.
Appendicitis
Lower stomach pain caused by appendicitis is often the most painful type of stomach pain. This lpain is caused by the inflammation of the appendix caused by infection. The cause of infection is unknown, but the disease can strike anyone. Most people feel this type of lower stomach pain in their belly-button area first. Most often, the pain will then adjust to the lower right side of the abdomen. However, many people feel this pain in various areas of the lower stomach, or even in the back. If a pain like this has been problematic for more than 4 hours, contact a physician. Ultrasound and CT scans are the most common ways to diagnose appendicitis.
Uterine Pain
When a woman experiences lower stomach pain, it can actually be caused by the uterus. Uterine pain is typically felt just above the pubic bone or near the hip bones on either side. Occasionally, the pain will radiate to the belly button. Uterine pain can be caused by something as simple as an impending menstrual cycle, early pregnancy implantation or even ovulation. More severe pain, however, may be caused by endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroid tumors or cervicitis (an infection of the cervix). Consult a doctor for lower uterine pain if you are pregnant, the pain lasts longer than a week or it is accompanied by a ripping or burning sensation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that causes lower stomach pain with diarrhea or constipation. While most people experience either constipation or diarrhea, some go through cycles of each. Other symptoms of IBS include bloating and stools containing mucus. Since IBS is a long-term disorder, lower stomach pain experienced in combination with constipation or diarrhea should be assessed by a doctor to begin relieving the symptoms.
Parasites
Parasites like ascaris worms can often cause lower stomach pain, as well as diarrhea and bloating. Travelers must be particularly aware of parasites. Giardia and gastroenteritis are two common parasitic infections that people contract when traveling to countries with bad food or sources of water. Parasitic infections can manifest in a multitude of ways. Most commonly, an infected person will experience lower stomach pain and diarrhea. Parasitic infections can also cause fever, headache, body aches and an overall feeling of illness. Since parasites can actually suck host bodies dry of nutrients, it is important to have all parasitic infections addressed immediately.
Other Causes
Most often, lower stomach pain is not as severe as the above conditions. It is usually caused by strong gas pains, constipation, diarrhea, muscle strain, the flu or a urinary-tract infection. Typically, these problems can all be addressed by over-the-counter medications or by simply waiting the problem out. However, lower stomach pain is occasionally the result of colon cancer, intestinal ulcers, colon polyps, food poisoning, food allergies, bladder stones or kidney stones. If is severe or experienced long-term, it is an important symptom to address.
Acupressure is a healing art believed to have originated in India and later spread to China and the rest of Asia, Egypt, by Buddhist monks. Acupressure utilizes the fingers to push on the surface of the skin to stimulate pressure points in the meridian system. Your body contains complex physiological systems that regulate physical functions including digestion, blood circulation and respiration. According to Chinese traditional medicine, another complex system exists in your body called the meridian system. This system manages your chi (life force energy). Harmony and balance inside the meridian system can impact internal organ function, immunity, health and mood. Acupressure works by influencing strategic pressure points that lie along the meridian system in order to re-harmonize and loosen up energy flow. By employing all the methods below, you can easily learn and apply acupressure.
Instructions
1. Purchase an audio guided CD about acupressure. These are useful to listen to if you are on the go or occupied with another task.
2. Buy an acupressure point reference chart. Most are color coded and contain detailed illustrations of all the meridian points, including alarm points, source points and chi control points. You can find acupressure charts at local bookstores such as Barnes and Nobles.
3. Visit free websites such as Acupressureonline.org. These can give you downloadable instructions for different acupressure techniques.
4. Read books about acupressure. Most have detailed illustrations and can show you find potent points for treating hundreds of ailments.
5. Watch instructional videos on acupressure. You can purchase them at any health food store or watch them for free on Youtube.com. Many local libraries also have them.
Tags: meridian system, about acupressure, detailed illustrations, pressure points
A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet has been used for years by those dieters looking to lose weight and build lean muscle tissue. By forcing the body into ketosis through lack of carbohydrates, the body burns stored fat instead of the fuel offered in the diet. In combination with a good exercise regiment practiced regularly, this can help with long-term weight loss goals. While the fat is being burned, the intake of lean protein helps the dieter to tissue, which in turn raises the metabolism's resting rate, causing more fat to be burned with less work.
Breakfast
Breakfasts are vital for any diet. They form the base of the diet for the day and the food chosen here can help provide energy as well as combat cravings. Most convenience foods such as cereals and breakfast bars are designed to give a quick burst of sugar, which is quickly used up and leaves the dieter hungry long before the next meal. It is important to plan a breakfast that is high in protein and utilizes complex carbohydrates that are used more slowly by the body, offering less impact on blood glucose levels.
Low-carbohydrate, high-protein breakfast menus include an omelet with fresh or frozen vegetables, one slice whole grain toast, bran or flax muffin, vegetable frittata, yogurt with fresh or frozen unsweetened berries, cottage cheese with fresh fruit.
Lunch
Since lunch is often eaten on the fly, especially for those who work, the ideal situation is to pack a lunch. This helps the dieter to control portion sizes as well as food choice. When eating lunch out, menu choices are often limited for low-carb dieters. However, it is possible to find at least a few carb-friendly menu choices when dining.
Low-carb, high-protein lunch menu choices include grilled chicken with vegetables, tuna, egg or chicken salad with high-fiber crackers, burritos without the tortilla and rice, salads with appropriate dressing such as balsamic vinegar, vinaigrette or olive oil. Add couscous, pine nuts or a whole grain to add some complex carbs.
Dinner
Often the biggest family meal of the day, dinner choices for low-carb, high-protein diets are less limited than some other meals. With some simple substitutions, such as using artificial sweeteners like sucralose, standard favorite meals can be altered to be low carb. One of the drawbacks of a low-carb diet is the preparation required for meals, but given a little forethought, dinners can be low carb and tasty.
Sample low-carb, high-protein dinners are grilled chicken with vegetables and whole grain or wild rice, fajitas with sour cream and cheese, high-fiber pastas with bolognese sauce, and pan-seared tuna with grilled vegetables. Substitute whole grains like couscous, bulgur wheat, pearl wheat, and wild rice for potatoes and rice for sides. Don't forget to add vegetables. Many manufacturers produce steam-in-the-bag versions which are convenient.
Tags: menu choices, whole grain, with fresh, build lean, build lean muscle, chicken with
There are two different types of immune diseases in the human body. One type impairs the body from fighting diseases. The other type causes the body to overreact to stimuli, causing organ damage or other serious defects in the body. Immune diseases are very common. Some immune systems diseases are very common and well known, such as AIDS and diabetes Type 1. However, there are also many other diseases that are far less common.
Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T)
One of the more uncommon immune system diseases is ataxia telangiectasia. This disease is progressive and degenerative in nature. The first signs of it occur around 2 years old and include lack of balance and slurred speech. The disease is also characterized by cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency and a sensitivity to radiant energy such as X-rays. People with this disease are also predisposed to cancer.
Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome
This immune system disease affects the endocrine system. Little is known about this disease, but doctors do know it's a "rare autosomal recessive disorder that maps to human chromosome number 21." Doctors have determined that a protein product of the autoimmune regulator gene regulates its expression. Mutations of this gene are responsible for its negative functions.
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
Severe combined immunodeficiency is a group of rare, often fatal, congenital disorders that are characterized by little or no autoimmune response. This disease produces a defect in the white blood cells, which are responsible for the body's ability to fight infection. People with this disease have virtually no way to fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Therefore, these people are continually susceptible to infections such as chicken pox, meningitis and pneumonia. Often, patients with SCID die before their first birthday. Those who live beyond that point must stay away from any infection-causing agent. Since severe isolation is critical, this disorder is often referred to as "bubble boy" disease.
DiGeorge Syndrome
DiGeorge syndrome is a congenital immune by a large deletion in chromosome 22. The deletion results in the absence of several genes in people who are affected with DGS. Often, the symptoms that are present in DGS patients depend on the amount of genetic material that is lost or otherwise missing. The symptoms tend to vary between affected individuals. However, some common traits among people who have the disease are recurrent infections, heart defects and characteristic facial features.
Immunodeficiency with Hyper IgM (HIM)
This disease is caused by the production of too much IgM antibody or an inability to produce enough IGH and IgA. Individuals with this disease are susceptible to frequent bacterial infections. They are also at a greater risk for autoimmune disorders and cancer at an early age. Although HIM can be treated with frequent IV treatments that replace the missing antibodies, the only way long-term immunity can be achieved is through a bone marrow transplant.
Tags: immune system, with this, with this disease, disease also, disease caused, diseases very
A hot stone massage is a relaxing luxury that many people indulge in on a regular basis. While you could buy a hot stone massage kit from a company that sells massage supplies, it is easy to make one yourself, and it can be done for half the cost of purchasing one.
Instructions
1. Visit a rock quarry. The stones sold in massage kits are usually polished stones. While these can look nice and uniform, any river rock works just as well. A rock quarry or landscape firm that sells to the public can show you their selection of river rocks.
2. Select rocks that are flat and fairly smooth. Pick out two large oval stones that are approximately 8 inches long by 6 inches wide. Next, select seven pairs of rocks that you can hold easily in your hand. Finally, choose eight small stones that are between the size of a quarter and the size of an egg.
3. Purchase a warmer, such as a slow cooker or a large tabletop skillet with a lid. You need a 6-quart or larger to heat all of the stones at once. If you will be using a tabletop skillet, you need one that has sides at least 3 inches tall.
4. Get the accessories. In addition to the rocks, you need a strainer, slotted spoon or tongs to get the rocks out of the warmer. Also, get a food thermometer and two tea towels.
5. Assemble your hot stone massage kit. Begin by assembling the slow cooker or skillet. Wash the rocks and stack them into your warmer. Fill the warmer with water until the rocks are submerged. Finally, place the kit and the accessories on a sturdy surface by an electrical outlet.
Color and light therapy, or chromotherapy, is an ancient healing art. Many ancient cultures use light and color to treat a wide spectrum of illnesses. Full spectrum light is essential to human health. Color and light therapy are related.
Full Spectrum Light
Sunshine contains every shade of color, but artificial light such as fluorescent bulbs eliminate many colors. Full spectrum light bulbs are recommended by the majority of eye care professionals. Indoor lighting with all colors of the visual spectrum is beneficial to the eyes and general well-being.
Color Therapy
Chromotherapy is a relatively new concept in Western cultures, but it was used widely in ancient Persia, Egypt, China and India. Specific colors are believed to enable certain energy points. Although considered by some to be a pseudo-science, the effect of various colors on mental health has been proven by various researchers.
Light Therapy
Light therapy is used for patients with seasonal affective disorder. A reliance on artificial light has led to a breakdown of natural cycles such as the sleep cycle. Using intense light in a therapeutic manner positively impacts people who are afflicted with seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy has effective in thousands of patients.
Soothing the Mind
The colors around us can have a positive or negative impact on our daily lives. Soothing colors are used in doctor offices and schools to relax people. Bright colors are used to excite the mind and attract the eyes in advertising and entertainment.
Changes in Daily Life
Change the lighting and colors in your immediate environment. Bright light and cheerful colors will add energy to the surroundings. In winter, increase exposure to bright full spectrum light whenever possible. Use colors to positively impact mood.
Tags: spectrum light, affective disorder, artificial light, been proven, Color Light, Color light
Magnets have been used for healing purposes since the time of ancient Greece. Many chiropractors, naturopaths and holistic doctors believe that the fields generated by magnets can have a positive effect on the body by influencing the natural electrical charges of the cells. Typically biomagnetic therapy is used to relieve pain, but because it can influence cellular signals, it's possible magnets can also be used to help people lose weight.
How Biomagnetic Therapy Works
Scientists have known for more than a hundred years that electricity is critical to how your body works. In 1924, Dr. Willem Einthoven was awarded the Nobel Prize for building the first electrocardiogram, a machine that measures electrical impulses in the heart. Mainstream medicine also uses electromagnetic fields produced by the body to measure activity in the brain and take internal images of the body. Every one of your cells carries a small electric charge, and your central nervous system communicates using electrical impulses. Magnetic fields can influence the electrical charges in your cells and may even help restore proper electrical function to damaged cells.
At this time, research regarding biomagnetic therapy as an aid to weight loss is slim, but there is research to support the use of biomagnetic therapy for conditions that exacerbate weight gain. In this way, biomagnetic therapy may assist some people with losing weight.
Losing Weight with Magnets
Biomagnetic therapy may help relieve inflammation and improve circulation. Good circulation is important when trying to lose weight. In one Hungarian study published in the peer-reviewed Hungarian journal Orvosi Hetilap in January 2009, researchers found that increasing the amount of oxygen reaching the cells helped overweight individuals improve their body mass index. The method used for bettering oxygen uptake was oxyhydromassage, but researchers speculate that combining this method with biomagnetic therapy may have even better results because it also increases circulation.
According to biomagnetic expert Gary Null, who holds a Ph.D. in public health science and human nutrition, biomagnetic therapy also helps relieve stress, increase energy and improve athletic performance and endurance. All these potential benefits may help you to stick with an exercise program and therefore lose more weight.
Considerations
The main caveat to using biomagnetic therapy to assist with weight loss is that there is not direct evidence showing that it will produce significant results. Biomagnetic therapy is safe, so it may be worth a try, but you should not plan to rely on it alone. Better eating habits, eating fewer calories and getting regular exercise all play an important role if you plan to succeed at reducing your weight.
A good way to prepare for face-lift surgery is to equip yourself with all of the do's and don'ts previous to your surgery, as well as understanding what is going to happen during the procedure. Most importantly, prepare yourself for the after effects; this will minimize your recovery time and trips to your physician post-op.
Consultation and Two-weeks Before
In the consultation, you and your surgeon will go over the procedure and what results you are likely to get from it. This consultation can help you avoid any mistakes or unsatisfactory results from your procedure. Here you can go over your surgeon's qualifications and experience with the procedure as well.
Two weeks before the face lift, you must stop smoking. The reason you are asked to do this is because of the effect that smoking has on the blood flow, which may cause you to heal negatively. This same principle applies two weeks following the surgery as well. You should also avoid taking any blood thinners, ibuprofen or Vitamin E. Your surgeon may give you other instructions prior to your surgery, so be sure to let your physician know at this time if you are on any medications because these medications could affect the outcome of your surgery.
The Day Before and The Day Of
The day before the procedure, wash your hair; this minimizes the risk of infection. You should drinking any alcoholic beverages before the procedure. The day of the face lift, you will be given local or general anesthesia, so you should arrange someone to take you home. Also arrange to have someone help you around the house with cooking and cleaning after the surgery. This will speed up your recovery time.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Your recovery time is expected to be one to several weeks, according to DocShop.com. You will have to wear a bandage around your head and face after the procedure for a few weeks. These bandages will help the healing process and reduce swelling. You will also have to wear a drainage tube behind your ear, which is used to keep blood or fluid from accumulating under your skin. Although you will be in some pain, you will be prescribed pain medication to take. Also, do not be alarmed if you experience some numbness, discoloration or swelling of your face; this is normal and will start to fade away after about two weeks.
Tags: recovery time, your surgery, also avoid, before procedure, have wear, should also
Cholesterol is a necessary ingredient to life. All animals, including humans, need cholesterol to build cell walls and membranes. Cholesterol is only a problem when there is an excessive amount in the bloodstream.
Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance manufactured by the liver. The liver produces about 1,000 mg daily, which is sufficient for cell development. Because cholesterol is waxy, it doesn't readily dissolve in blood. Cholesterol combines with certain proteins to form lipoproteins, which are more soluble and able to enter the bloodstream.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) account for the majority of cholesterol in the blood. Referred to as "bad" cholesterol, LDL is the cholesterol that can build up in arteries and cause heart disease and stroke. A healthy LDL level is below 129 mg/dL. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) help remove cholesterol from the body and are called "good" cholesterol. For HDL, higher levels are better, and a healthy level is above 40 mg/dL. A level above 60 mg/dL actually can protect the heart against disease. A high triglyceride level (above 150 mg/dL) doesn't necessarily mean a risk of heart disease, but it may be associated with other conditions that can lead to heart disease, such as diabetes.
Sources of Cholesterol
Cholesterol comes from many sources, but the most significant is diet. Because it's a natural substance manufactured by the liver, all animal products (meat, fats and dairy products) contain cholesterol. Remember, your liver already produces all of the cholesterol your body needs. A healthy diet includes no more than 300 mg of cholesterol daily, according to the American Heart Association.
As a group, saturated fats contain more cholesterol than any other food group. Saturated fats (including trans fats) are found in red meat, hydrogenated vegetable oils (shortening or lard) and palm and coconut oils. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are healthier choices.
Other than diet, genetics are perhaps the most significant factor contributing to high cholesterol levels. Some people naturally produce more cholesterol, and some people eliminate cholesterol more slowly than others.
Excess weight is another major contributor to high cholesterol levels. People who are overweight tend to eat more high-calorie, high-fat foods and tend to have low activity levels. A sedentary lifestyle can lower HDL levels, and obesity can raise LDL levels.
Reduce Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol has no warning signs. It's important to have regular blood tests, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease or if you're older than 50.
Effective medications are available to reduce and control cholesterol levels, but many people can lower their blood cholesterol to healthy levels by following a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly. Use fats sparingly, and select monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated fats. Eat low-calorie, low-fat foods. Increase the amount of fiber and complex carbohydrates in your diet by choosing whole grains, oat bran, beans and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Add a regular exercise routine to your healthy diet for maximum benefit.
Milk thistle is a powerful detoxifying agent and overall liver tonic. It owes its medicinal potency to an active compound called sylmarin. Sylmarin helps combat the effects of free radicals in your liver, while enabling liver cell regeneration. Milk thistle is also a good source of nourishment as it contains many proteins and amino acids that are beneficial to your health. It works to lower cholesterol and prevent cancer. As an added bonus, milk thistle has anti-oxidant properties that are even more potent than Vitamin C and E.
Milk thistle seeds make a great snack, while serving as a potent, natural herbal tonic that your liver just loves! Here's snack on milk thistle to promote and protect healthy liver function.
Instructions
1. Make your own trail mix with milk thistle seeds. Mix them with other healthy seeds (pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds), some roughly chopped nuts (almonds, cashews and walnuts), dried fruit and raisins.
2. Grind a handful of milk thistle seeds into a fine powder in a coffee grinder or food processor. Sprinkle the powder on your salads, vegetables, soups and smoothies. The ground seeds are an excellent form in which to have your milk thistle seeds raw without the unpleasant taste.
3. Plant some milk thistle seeds in your herb garden. Snack on the young leaves or add them to your veggie salads.
4. Brew an herbal coffee from milk thistle seeds. Lightly roast half a cup of the seeds. Grind these to a fine powder. Brew in your coffee maker just as you would regular coffee.
5. Make your own healthy sprouts from your milk thistle seeds (see Resources below for eHow, Make Sprouted Nuts). Milk thistle seeds are chock full of nutritious goodness--sprouted milk thistle seeds are even more so. They not only provide an even higher proportion of nutrients, but the nutrients are in an even more digestible source.
6. Brew an herbal tea decoction and sip on it throughout the day. This delivers milk thistle's herbal goodness directly into your bloodstream. Simmer a teaspoonful of milk thistle seeds in a cup of water for 30 minutes. Strain and serve.
7. Brave the bitter taste and snack on a spoon or two of milk thistle seeds when you're on the go.
Surviving the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment is just the beginning for patients with mouth cancer. With over 30,000 cases diagnosed a year, people who have cancer that affects the tissues of the mouth and throat know that living with oral cancer is the next step in the process and can be done with the right amount of knowledge and preparation.
Instructions
Get Continuing Care
1. Know that although mouth cancer is comparatively rare, there are certain risk factors that increase your chances of having to live with mouth cancer. Tobacco use is the most obvious, and increased age is a risk, as it is with most cancers. Another major risk factor is heavy alcohol consumption.
2. Continue check-ups and follow-up appointments with your physician or oncologist. Tests to see if the cancer was eliminated will be necessary after treatment and so will regularly scheduled appointments to make sure that the cancer has not reappeared.
3. Be prepared for different forms of therapy. Speech therapy may be necessary to help you to adjust to changes in your mouth or throat due to surgery. In addition, physical therapy can be used to assist with problems eating, swallowing or breathing.
Take Care of Your Personal Health to Live With Mouth Cancer
4. Maintain a healthy diet. Nutrition is one of the key elements to ensure a productive life after cancer, and eating habits that have been established during cancer treatment should be maintained if appropriate. Ask your doctor for nutrition recommendations or referral to a dietitian.
5. Check your mouth regularly for re-occurrence of symptoms, such as sores in the mouth that do not heal promptly, and report them to a doctor immediately.
6. Reduce your risk of a re-occurrence. Stop using tobacco or alcohol. Limit exposure to the sun if you've had cancer of the lips. Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen.
Maintain Your Mental Health to Live With Mouth Cancer
7. Join a support group for cancer survivors to assure you that you are not alone in your experience as a survivor of mouth cancer.
8. Keep a support system around you of friends or family, or try counseling or therapy to deal with the emotional side effects of cancer treatment and recovery.
Tags: Live With, Live With Mouth, With Mouth, cancer treatment, Health Live, Health Live With
Rattlesnake bites are the most common poisonous snake bites in the United States. Almost all of the United States has rattlesnakes, so everyone should know treat a rattlesnake bite. There are definite dos and don'ts to dealing with rattlesnake bites, so read consider all the dangers and warnings when treating the injuries.
Instructions
1. Look at the bitten area. If the area begins to change color and bulge, you have been bitten by a poisonous snake. Look for blood from the bite, and note any pain and bruising in the bitten area.
2. Get a look at what bit you or the person in question. Don't go hunt the snake down, but listen for a rattler or look at the head and tail. All rattlesnake bites are treated the same and the same anti-venom is used, so just get a general idea of what kind of snake it might be.
3. Transport the patient to a doctor right away. This is the best thing you can do for the bitten person. If you are within 30 minutes of a doctor, go there. If you are farther away, treat the bite as you drive to the doctor.
4. Wash the with soap and water if available. Don't do this and then go to the doctor; do this on the way.
5. Keep the infected area lower than the heart and immobilize it. Use a stick, board or any hard surface and try not to move the bitten limb or area.
The causes of are not fully known, which makes it difficult to prevent brain cancer, especially primary brain cancers, which start in the brain. On the other hand, secondary, or metastatic, brain cancer is an off-shoot of another cancer in the body. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent a brain tumor from forming, there are things that you can do to better your health and reduce your risk.
Risk Factors
There are multiple risk factors that can predispose you to brain cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Men have a higher risk than women of developing a brain tumor, but meningiomas are more common in women. Caucasians are more likely to have malignant brain tumors than people of other races. Brain cancers are most commonly found in two age groups: in people age 70 years and older and in children younger than eight years old. Having a family history of is also a risk factor.
In the same report by the Mayo Clinic, there have also been links to certain chemical exposures and brain cancer. Nuclear industry workers who have been exposed to radiation have a higher risk of developing brain tumors. Pathologists and embalmers who work with formaldehyde also are at risk for brain cancer, though the risk has not been linked to other people who work with formaldehyde. In addition, workers with plastics who are exposed to vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile have a larger chance of developing brain cancer.
Nutrition
Eliminating poor diet and eating brain-healthy food can lower your chances of developing brain cancer. Types of brain healthy foods include leafy green vegetables, fish with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium-rich foods, whole grains and soybeans. In addition, these foods are also good to eat even if you are diagnosed with brain cancer.
Carcinogens
According to Arthur Schoenstadt, M.D., author of "Brain Cancer Prevention", avoiding carcinogens not only reduces your risk of brain cancer, but also lowers your risk of other cancers. Reducing your overall cancer risk is important, as secondary brain cancer is the most frequent type of brain cancer. The most common types of cancer that have brain metastases are colon cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer, kidney (renal) cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
Some of the ways to avoid carcinogens are to quit smoking and reduce your time around secondary smoke, cut down on an excessive use of alcohol, eliminate unnecessary sun exposure and wear sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
Tags: , brain cancer, developing brain, brain cancer, your risk
Red rice yeast is an herbal supplement used to lower cholesterol. There are some side effects associated with the use of red rice yeast as well as other symptoms of use for some individuals. It's important to understand safely take red and what negative side effects to look for before beginning the supplement.
About Red Rice Yeast
The Latin name for red rice yeast is Monascus purpureus. It's also called red rice, red yeast or Hong Qu. It's made by fermenting a type of red yeast called Monascus purpureus over rice. In China, it is used as a preservative, spice and as a food coloring. Red rice yeast gives Peking duck its characteristic red coloring. It's an ingredient often used in fish sauce, fish paste and red wine. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and is supposed to help poor circulation, indigestion and diarrhea.
Side Effects
It's not completely understood why some individuals experience the following side effects and why other individuals do not, but here are some of the side effects of taking red rice yeast:
headache
indigestion
bloating and gas
dizziness
heartburn
muscle pain
joint pain
liver inflammation
damage to peripheral nerves
Red rice yeast can also cause myopathy. Signs and symptoms of myopathy include muscle pain, weakness and elevated levels of creatine kinase. Another negative side effect of red rice yeast can be the development of rhabdomyolis, a breakdown of muscle tissues that can lead to kidney failure. This more serious side effect occurs rarely.
Other Safety Information
Red rice yeast products contain citrinin, which is a toxic byproduct of the fermentation process. Women who are pregnant or who are nursing should avoid using red rice yeast. People who have been diagnosed with liver disease or who are at higher risk for liver disease also should avoid using red rice yeast. Also, individuals with acute infections, kidney disease or who have had an organ transplant should not use red rice yeast. If you develop muscle pain or tenderness while taking red rice yeast, discontinue using the product immediately and make a doctor's appointment to discuss the product and its usage.
Always talk to your health-care provider before starting anything new. Discontinue use of this (or any supplement) if you notice a change in the way you feel or feel like you are having an allergic reaction.
Tags: rice yeast, rice yeast, side effects, muscle pain, avoid using, avoid using rice
Just the word dentist scares you to death. You've been to the dentist before and it hurt a lot. You know that dentists are going to be part of your life for many years, and you need a way to cope so that you can have a nice smile, half-decent breath and keep yourself well-groomed orally. It may take a few visits to completely alleviate your fears of the dentist, but you can conquer them.
Instructions
1. Get frequent checkups. Most people only go to the dentist when it hurts. If you do that, you begin to create a correlation between the dentist and pain. It's unimportant that the dentist is the one who makes the pain go away. Once the association is made, it's hard to break. The truth is, however, that if you see the dentist preventatively, it's less likely that you will feel the pain that creates a negative correlation--and more important, most dentist visits will be painless.
2. Brush, floss and rinse. Good oral hygeine includes flossing, brushing and regualr use of mouthwash. If you brush only, then you miss about 30 percent of the reachable surface area of your teeth. That's why flossing is so important. Very simply, along the lines of having regular checkups, keeping your hygiene in check means fewer dental appointments that require painful procedures.
3. Demand that the dentist tell you exactly what he's doing, why he's doing it, when he's doing it, how he's doing it and why it's the best of the possible options. Learn the repercussions of failing to have the suggested procedures done. Knowledge is power, and it's hard to feel fear when you are the one in charge. It's your mouth. If you don't ask the questions, no one will.
4. Tell the dentist what makes you nervous. He will want to know so he can explain to you what exactly he will be doing. Dentists have a high rate of suicide, likely because people come to them in distress and yet they don't really ever want to see them.
Do your eyes water just at the thought of sniffing a spring flower or mowing summer grass? Whether the trigger is pollen or ragweed, suffering during allergy season is no fun. Although you may not be able to escape all of your allergy symptoms, there are ways to be comfortable and survive allergy season.
Instructions
Allergies
1. Build a comfort zone. Stock up on groceries and other household items to save yourself from venturing out in public with a runny nose or watery eyes. Subscribe to a movie rental service to avoid large crowds. Purchase allergy season must haves such as and eye drops. Keep your interaction with allergy triggers to a minimum.
2. Get help with outdoor tasks. It is not wise to attempt to mow your lawn or trim your hedges while suffering from allergies. Exposure to allergens may increase your symptoms or create new ones. Ask friends to take pity on you during allergy season and help with outdoor chores.
3. Take allergy medication. There are many forms to choose from including tablets, sprays, and drops .Choose the right medication combination. Choose medications that help treat multiple symptoms. Use care when taking allergy medications to avoid overdose and adverse effects. Consider asking your doctor for prescription medications.
4. Try natural treatments. Use acupuncture to treat seasonal allergies as an alternative to medication therapy. Try other natural remedies such as stinging nettle to relieve congestion. Research natural remedies on-line. Consult with your doctor for guidance regarding drug interactions and proper dosages.
5. Clean your surroundings. Keep your windows and doors tightly closed to help prevent pollen and spores from entering into your home. Dust and vacuum daily to remove particles that have managed to slip into your home. Consider purchasing a HEPA filter to remove the greatest amount of allergens.
Tags: allergy season, during allergy, during allergy season, help with, help with outdoor
Boswellia extract is derived from the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, native to India. The extract has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat issues such as diarrhea, arthritis and lung conditions.
Significance
Boswellia is an anti-inflammatory and can be used to reduce inflammation, according to a 1998 study conducted at the University of Ulm in Germany. It is especially helpful for people who suffer from osteoarthritis, according to the University of Michigan .
Benefits
Although studies suggest boswellia extract can help people with asthma, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, more data is required before its efficacy can be confirmed, according to the University of Michigan Health System. However, it has been proven not to be effective for bursitis.
Considerations
Boswellia is considered safe and has minimal side effects for users. However, some people may experience rashes, nausea and diarrhea, although this is rare. There are no known drug interactions with boswellia.
Tags: according University, according University Michigan, Health System, Michigan Health, Michigan Health System, University Michigan
Gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery that usually bypasses a portion of the and creates a new, smaller stomach pouch. Less food is eaten and weight loss occurs. Normally, a large portion of the digestive process takes place in the small intestine, but in gastric bypass patients, undigested food goes farther than it normally would, and a common side effect is involuntary, painful flatulence. Although it may be impossible to eliminate all gas, there are steps you can take to reduce it.
Instructions
1. Write down what and how much you eat each day, and mark when you experience gas. Certain foods may cause an increase in gas, such as beans, broccoli and cabbage. Limit foods that you determine cause gas.
2. Eat and drink small portions. Eating large portions will cause the food to ferment in the large intestine longer, increasing the production of gas. Discuss specifics with your physician.
3. Chew thoroughly and eat slowly. Eating fast increases the amount of air swallowed, increasing gas. Also, chewing food well makes it easier to digest and move through the digestive system.
4. Use a product containing an anti-gas enzyme, such as alpha galactosidase. These are often available over-the-counter in liquid form. Use it on tend to cause gas, such as beans.
5. Talk to your doctor about starting an exercise program. Once you get cleared by your doctor, work your way up to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as jogging, aerobic dance classes or swimming. Exercise helps the digestive system work more effectively, which may help reduce gas.
6. Determine whether you are lactose intolerant. After gastric bypass surgery, some people will develop an intolerance to products such as milk. If gas pains become more severe after eating foods such as yogurt, milk and cheese, consider substituting different foods, such as lactose-free milk. If you do reduce dairy, talk to your doctor about calcium supplements.
Tags: your doctor, digestive system, doctor about, foods such, foods that, gastric bypass, small intestine
Lyme disease is an illness that is transferred to humans through ticks that bite and infect a person with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Ixodes (species of ticks) like to attach themselves to areas of the body that have hair, or areas that are moist. Ticks live in gardens and wooded areas. Since the United States has no vaccine available for protection from Lyme disease, steps should be taken to prevent Lyme disease. Diagnosis, treatment, prevention, advice and other information about Lyme disease is given below.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of Lyme disease may appear as a round area of redness where the tick bite is, but this is not the case with everyone and the rash may not affect everyone. Other early symptoms include aching muscles and joints, headaches, fever accompanied by tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes. Later stage symptoms include evidence of arthritis, problems with the nervous system and abnormalities of the heart rhythm.
Assessment
Assess whether or not you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Lyme disease and think back to any times when you may have exposed yourself to tick-infested areas.
Testing
Diagnostic testing for Lyme disease is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. These tests diagnose Lyme disease by checking the blood for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Testing may also be done through samples of urine or body fluids, but this form of testing has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Cure
Lyme disease can be treated in its early stages with oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil (or Ceftin); however, medication may need to be administered intravenously for patients suffering from a neurological or heart ailment. Antibiotic treatment for long periods of time was revealed to be associated with major health complications and death.
Prevention
The most obvious way to protect yourself from tick bites is to stay away from locations where ticks may dwell, mostly during the months of May, June and July. Wear clothes light in color so ticks can be seen, shirts with long sleeves and long pants, high shoes and a hat. Use an insect repellent according to directions, one that contains DEET. Check your body for ticks after being outside and immediately wash and dry clothing you've worn while outside at a high setting in your washer and dryer.
Additional Information
Cats do not get Lyme disease, but dogs can become infected. The use of a tick repellent designed for dogs, or the use of a collar that offers protection from tick bites, is recommended to protect your pet and you from becoming infected with Lyme disease. Also, according to the Center for Veterinary Medicine, there are two kinds of vaccines that can be given to a dog to protect it from Lyme disease, but the advice of a qualified veterinarian should be sought before administering one of these two vaccines to your dog.
Tags: Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, Cure Lyme, Drug Administration, Food Drug, , from Lyme
Lung cancer is diagnosed through a number of tests to determine if the disease is indeed present and, if so, how advanced it is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). Signs and symptoms of lung cancer do not surface until the cancer is in its advanced stages, often too late to save the victim, so early diagnosis is crucial.
Identification
On visiting a physician, a biopsy will be ordered to check for lung cancer. The biopsy will be sent to the pathologist for positive identification. The pathologist will review the sample and determine the type of lung cancer present, and also the stage to which it has advanced.
Types
There are two basic types of lung cancer, and the term "non-small cell" and "small cell" cancers encompass many similar types of lung cancer that are classed under these two main types. Non-small cancers include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer, often called oat cell carcinoma, which is almost always seen in heavy smokers diagnosed with cancer.
Warning
Warning signs of advanced cancer include a new, persistent cough, a smoker's cough that changes, coughing up blood, wheezing, hoarse voice, being short of breath and chest pain. The signs and symptoms of lung cancer should be checked out by a medical professional immediately.
Benefits
Lung cancer victims, depending on their overall health, may benefit from a number of therapies available to them. These include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, lung surgery and targeted drug therapy. Discuss options in your particular case with your physician.
Prevention/Solution
Prevention of cancer includes not smoking, giving up smoking, and staying away from secondhand smoke. Other preventative measures include having your home tested for radon levels, and workplace carcinogen awareness if working around chemicals or carcinogenic substances. Eat plenty of fruits and fresh vegetables in your diet and take 30 minutes daily exercise to stay fit.
Patients may never know the difference. But a locum tenens physician is essentially a temporary or substitute doctor. Generally, they have the same credentials as your regular doctor but do not have a regular panel of patients.
Definition
Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that means "to hold the place of, to substitute for." In layman's terms, it means a temporary physician. These professionals are still governed by their respective regulatory bodies, despite the transient nature of their positions.
Types
Locum tenens physicians, also known as "locums" can be found in all aspects of patient care including clinics, hospitals and urgent care centers. They are used worldwide to cover gaps in patient care. They may cover multiple areas or specialties in a single rotation provided they have the qualifications to do so. A locum doctor may work in a primary clinic one day, an emergency center the next and an urgent care center another. Locum tenens may also be used for projects to do medical record review or other background research and consulting or medical analysis.
Significance
The significance of a locum tenens doctor is immense. For a single practice physician, a sick day could mean canceling 20 or more appointments that day. This can be a serious concern in terms of patient care and the financial solvency of the practice. If you are faced with a locum tenens physician, feel free to question their training and credentials just as you would any new doctor before accepting their care.
Employer
Locum tenens physicians can be employed in several ways. Most work for a specialized employment agency where they may see patients for another doctor from anywhere to ½-day to an extended period of time lasting several months or more. General practitioners can also work as freelance doctors and may find their own work. Others may be employed on contract directly from a medical facility such as a hospital or medical provider.
Considerations
So long as a physician is adequately trained, properly credentialed and carries the requisite malpractice insurance, one should feel comfortable in receiving care from and employing a locum tenens physician. If you want to investigate the history of a locum tenens doctor you may access your state medical practitioner database for a listing of verified schooling, training and malpractice history at the national health care practioner database.
Tags: locum tenens, patient care, Locum tenens, , locum tenens physician, Locum tenens physicians
Many people turn to alternative forms of healing when faced with disease or pain. Self-healing refers to the body's natural ability to heal itself through the orchestration of the immune system and energy pathways in the body. There are many ways to achieve self-healing including meditation, Reiki, Qi Gong, and breath work. Everyone's path to healing is different, but a few steps can be taken to get you started towards self-healing.
Instructions
1. Implement breath work into your daily life. Deep breathing calms the mind and body and eases stress. Just 10 minutes a day of deep and focused breathing can change your health and dramatically reduce stress.
2. Begin meditating daily. There are many types of meditation, from guided meditation to simple breathing exercises. Meditation clears the mind and allows the body to relax and begin healing itself. Many cultures and religions use meditation to connect the physical body to the nonphysical plane of consciousness.
3. Practice Qi Gong to target specific problem areas in the body. Qi Gong is a type of moving meditation that works with the internal energy pathways of the body. The choreographed movements reflect the elements of nature, harness the healing energies of the Universe and have been used by Buddhist cultures for centuries.
4. Meet with a Reiki practitioner to receive a . Reiki is a form of hands-on healing, focusing on the energy centers of the body or chakras. Many find receiving a Reiki healing relaxing and rejuvenating.
5. Look within. You may need to work out issues from your past or even the present. Emotions can manifest in the body as disease or pain and meeting with a counselor or therapist can help you release pain and move towards healing.
Tags: breath work, disease pain, energy pathways, energy pathways body, , Reiki healing
Ozone treatments for cancer are based upon the premise that the body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. With the increase of carbon dioxide emissions and the decrease of oxygen in the air it becomes clear as to why there are increases in the cases of cancer reported each year. In the USA, medical authorities have been slow in researching various oxygen/ozone therapies however the same is not true in Europe.
How it Works
The premise is quite simple. By using ozone or activated oxygen our immune systems get a boost. Anti-cancer substances are then released from white blood cells and the blood's ability to circulate is increased. The blood can travel through even the smallest vessels in the body reaching tissues despite their distance from the heart. Healthy, oxygenated blood is one of the most effective ways of fighting cancer.
Infusion Bottle Therapy
Cancer cells die when they are exposed to oxygen/ozone. One method used to help patients suffering from stage 4 cancer is the infusion bottle therapy. First a pint of blood is drawn from the patient and placed into an infusion bottle. The oxygen/ozone is then forced in and mixed with the blood. The newly treated blood is then re-injected back into the patient for it to start working. This new blood is what fights the cancer when it circulates back through the body.
Ozone I.V. Treatment
The ozone I.V. treatment works in a similar method to the infusion bottle therapy. The main difference is that no blood is actually taken from the patient. A fluid that is saturated with ozone is injected into the patient using an I.V.
Safety
According to the German Medical Society for Ozone Therapy, the practice of using ozone is completely safe. Of over 5 million ozone treatments administered throughout the country (not all being treated for Cancer) only 40 patients reported any form of side effects. Only 4 fatalities were also reported using the therapy. This is a remarkably low percentage when compared to 100,000 Americans that die each year from reactions to conventional medicine.
Other Advantages to Ozone
According to Dr. Kartaut Dorstewist and Dr. Horst Kief, ozone can be effective in treating forms of Hepatitis. A study conducted at the University of Arizona found that ozone/oxygen can be helpful in the fight against advanced Aids. Finally, in West Germany the practice of treating infected wounds with oxygen has been used for decades. Even wounds infected with gangrene were seen to heal.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a condition that, if untreated, can eventually lead to the need for immediate medical attention. Some aneurysms can be treated medically, others require surgery.
Types
aneurysms are treated either by controlling risk factors that could lead to rupture or surgically repairing the aneurysm. Once ruptured, surgery is the only option.
Non-invasive treatment
Your doctor will try to manage your aneurysm by controlling blood pressure, lowering your cholesterol, having you quit smoking and possibly prescribing beta blockers to reduce the blood pressure within the blood vessel.
Surgery
On aneurysms more than 5 centimeters in size, or rapidly growing aneurysms, surgery is the prescribed treatment. One technique involves opening the abdomen, finding and removing the aneurysm, and sewing a tube in its place. The other technique, endovascular surgery, involves guiding a stent graft down the blood vessel to the site of the aneurysm without cutting the abdomen open. A is a tube made of metal mesh that supports the artery.
Considerations
The endovascular technique, though less invasive, cannot fix all aneurysms and requires closer follow-up and testing. The post-operative recovery is shorter than with abdominal surgery.
Complications
There are many possible complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm. You can have an aortic dissection, in which the blood seeps out of the blood vessel, an arterial embolism , which is a blood clot, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke or hypovolemic shock, where the heart can't pump enough blood to the body.
Warning
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a serious condition always with the potential to rupture. Once it ruptures, you will get unbearable pain in the lower abdomen and back which leads to massive blood loss, shock and, left untreated, death. Only 40 percent of people with ruptured aneurysms survive.
You can buy electric vaporizers at large department stores and retail outlets. Some use only aromatherapy oils and some use steam along with the oils, while still others use cool air therapies. Finding the machine that is right for you is a simple matter of doing your research on what you really need the machine for. If you have sinus trouble, you will probably need the steam treatment more than anything else. Aromatherapy is great for people who need to remove stress from their lives and relax more.
Instructions
1. Pick a is easy to handle and portable enough to take anywhere that you need it. This will enable you to easily set up the equipment where you can be most comfortable in order to do the treatment. You will not need to check the instructions each time you use the vaporizer.
2. Plug your vaporizer into an electrical outlet and give it some time for the machine to heat up to the proper temperature. Read the instructions to determine the correct amount of time to wait. This is especially important if you are using steam treatment in your machine, as the water only turns to steam at a certain temperature.
3. Pour medicated oil on a pad in the center of the vaporizer. These paper pads are available at any drugstore or department store. Some machines will also have a water reservoir that needs to be filled before use. These type of vaporizers use steam to deliver the medicated oil. Other machines deliver the oil without the use of water to create steam. This method does not dilute the potency of the oil. The non-water machines use a stream of air to deliver the oil to where you want it.
4. Place the plastic face piece over the recessed bowl, if your machine has such a face piece. Place your mouth and nose against the top of the . The steam will be warm but not too hot to the touch. It will push the medicated oil in the proper direction for you to breathe it in.
5. Inhale as deeply as you can until the steam stops or the medicated oil is gone. Some machines will signal you when it is time to quit the treatment. Other machines will simply stop making steam because all of the water is used up.
Tags: face piece, machines will, machine that, Other machines, Some machines, Some machines will
Treatment for most thyroid cancers involves removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy), often followed by radioactive iodine to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue.
Thyroglobulin is a protein produced only by the thryoid gland. After total thyroidectomy and remnant ablation, thyroglobulin (Tg) should thus be virtually undetectable in the bloodstream. Rising levels of Tg post-treatment provide a generally reliable marker for recurrent papillary or follicular thyroid cancer in the absence of remaining healthy thyroid tissue.
Follow-Up
Well-differentiated thyroid cancers (papillary and follicular types) make up approximately 90 percent of all diagnosed cases of thyroid carcinoma. These tumors typically grow slowly and respond well to targeted therapies, and the prognosis for the majority of patients is excellent.
While recurrences are usually highly treatable, diligent follow-up is required for life, as thyroid cancer may reappear decades after initial treatment.
Ablation
A "total" thyroidectomy typically leaves behind a remnant of thyroid tissue. Therefore, radioactive iodine, attracted uniquely to thyroid cells, is then administered orally after surgery to destroy this remnant tissue. Besides decreasing the chances of recurrence, this treatment has the benefit of making thyroglobulin an excellent tumor marker. If any thyroid tissue remains, however, Tg measurement has little prognostic value.
Antibodies
Automimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) is common in patients with thyroid cancer and often causes the body to produce antibodies to thyroglobulin, which render Tg screening unreliable.
Fortunately, following thyroidectomy, the body gradually stops producing these antibodies in most cases. Thus Tg can be a useful tumor marker even in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Tg testing should always be done in conjunction with screening for antibodies, as a return of antibodies may also signify a return of the cancer.
Low thyroglobulin levels immediately following ablation are considered a positive prognostic factor.
TSH
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the thyroid's production of hormones. Following thyroidectomy, thyroid hormone replacement is given in pill form and TSH levels are deliberately kept very low (suppressed) to avoid stimulating growth of thyroid cancer cells.
Temporarily raising TSH to unnaturally high levels is the first step in screening for recurrent thyroid cancer. The standard protocol used to involve weeks of what many patients referred to as "hypothyroid hell," in which thyroid hormone replacement was withheld, resulting in unpleasant symptoms such as extreme fatigue, irritability and weight gain.
The availability of injectable recombinant TSH has greatly simplified the process of scanning and Tg measurement for thyroid cancer patients, allowing them to continue thyroid hormone replacement without interruption or significant side effects.
Advances
Recent studies have shown the Tg blood test to be an effective barometer for thyroid cancer recurrence in moderately low-risk patients. A simple blood test, performed periodically in conjunction with injectable TSH, has thus supplanted regular radioactive iodine scanning in many survivors, obviating the need for the low-iodine diet and "hypo hell."
The eye is an important organ to give us vision and sight. Once damaged the vision is compromised and there is limited options in restoring the sight back to normal Therefore it is important to have knowledge and be aware of certain conditions that affect the eyes and prevent the loss of vision by providing first aid to eye injuries immediately when it occurs.
Instructions
1. Certain medical conditions or diseases can cause changes in vision, for example, diabetes can cause gradual and permanent decrease in vision for certain individuals over time, acute glaucoma can occur sudden and rapid vision impairment. Injuries to the eyes, ie, penetrating injuries, cuts or lacerations in or around the eye, infection, allergies, and chemical burns can all affect the eyesight and reduce vision.
2. There are certain signs and symptoms to look for when someone's vision is affected. If the person has experienced sudden vision changes and no injuries are involved they might complain of associated vomiting, nausea, headaches and or double/triple vision or even loss of vision. If an obvious injury can be found then there will be pain or stinging sensation at the wounded site, bleeding, a laceration/cut with or without the penetrating object present in the wound site, swelling and bruising of the affected area and redness/inflammation. The person can be rapidly blinking or experience extreme tearing or dryness and pithiness.
3. When the person has contracted conjunctivitis, red eye they will complain of specific signs like discharge from the eye and crusting around the eyelids. There will also be redness around the eye or the conjunctiva (the white area around the eye) and pain upon movement of the eyeball. Sometimes if a sty is present you will see a red bump or growth in the upper or lower eyelid which will interfere with the vision and blinking. Sometimes red eye can also present with associated nausea, and vomiting and headache.
4. When the eye has been lacerated the first thing to do is cover the injured eye with a dressing and bandage and take the victim to the doctor or ER for immediate medical attention. Don't put the bandage on too tight or apply pressure to the injured eye. If the cut is very deep and there is profuse bleeding that does not stop then call 911 immediately. While you are waiting for EMS you should administer first aid to prevent the victim from going into shock. This can be achieved by positioning the victim onto the back and then to elevate the lower extremities or legs to allow the blood flow to increase to the vital areas of the body, ie, brain and the heart. Cover the victim with a blanket to help maintain the body' s core temperature. If the cut is small and on the areas around the eye socket and it appears to be a very shallow cut then you should clean the area and then apply antiseptic ointment or cream to reduce the risk of infection and then cover the wound with dressing and bandage. Keep the wound area clean and change the dressing often.
5. For serious injuries that involves a penetrating object through he eye socket itself then you must call 911 (EMS)immediately. This is always a medical emergency and if there is a chance of saving the eye itself or reduce the loss of vision then immediate medical attention is absolutely needed. The first thing to do is place the injured person on his/her back down on the ground. Next, DO NOT REMOVE THE OBJECT from the eye or FLUSH the eye!!! Find a paper cup or some covering that will be able to cover the injured eye and the object. This will help to secure the object in position and prevent it from moving around in the eye which will cause more damage to the eye tissue and structures in the eye. Tape the covering or cup to the face and ensure its positioning by wrapping a bandage around lightly around the victim's head. To prevent the injured eye from moving around in the socket you can cover the other uninjured eye with a sterile dressing.
6. For eye problems in victims who wear contact lens and wounds that does not involve penetrating injuries or bleeding from the eye socket then you should attempt to remove the contacts from both eyes. To remove the lens you should place your index finger on the upper lid and on the lower lid and gently open the lids. Next, with your thumb from the other hand you should slide the contact lens towards the outer edge of the eye and the lens should either stick to your thumb and be removed or the lens will come out by pulling the skin at this edge up and down.
7. For chemical burns to the eye the to do is to flush the eye with water. You should hold the eyelids open with your hand, tilt the head towards the injured side of the face (this will prevent the chemical from being flushed into the other eye) and flush for approximately for 15 - 30 minutes to ensure you have removed as much of the chemical from the eye tissue. Make sure you start flushing from the inner side of the eye at the side of the nose area so the water and chemical will drain from the head at the same side of injured eye. Seek immediate medical attention to ensure that no permanent damage has occur to the sensitive eye tissue. Place a dressing and keep it in place with bandages to the eyes.
8. If the victim has experienced an injury to the eye to cause a haematoma or a "black eye" ( which is bleeding under the skin tissue around the eye) the first thing to do is make sure the person is sitting or lying down. Next place an ice pack or cold compress to the injured eye. Make sure you wrap the ice pack or cold compress with a cloth first before applying to the eye. If the victim complains of pain or extreme swelling and bruising and their is impairment in vision then take the victim to seek immediate medical attention.
Tags: first thing, immediate medical, attention, medical attention, loss vision, your thumb, around socket
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that affects about 615,000 people in the United States. It is characterized by vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and a feeling of pressure in the ear. People suffering from Meniere's disease usually experience a worsening of symptoms over time, though the disease is not fatal. There is no known cure for Meniere's, but there are a variety of options available to lessen a patient's symptoms (see Reference 1).
Theories/Speculation
Treatment for most diseases is dependent upon the cause of the disease. The Meniere's Disease Information Center reports that because most people suffering from the condition report acute symptoms, many doctors believe that the endolymphatic fluid leaking into and contaminating the perilymphatic fluid of the inner ear is responsible for Meniere's. Some doctors and researchers believe the condition could be the result of a viral infection, an autoimmune condition or pressure on a nerve by a blood vessel. There's no definitive answer as to what causes Meniere's and as such, the treatments are varied. Patients respond to various treatments with differing levels of symptom relief (see Resource 2).
Types
Treatments that have been found to be successful in some patients include diet and lifestyle changes, vitamins and supplements, alternative treatment options such as chiropractic care, prescription medications and surgical procedures. Most people suffering from Meniere's use a combination of treatment methods to achieve the highest level of symptom relief.
Benefits
Diet and lifestyle changes can have a profound effect on symptom relief, and are usually fairly easy to implement. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and stress are all important in managing Meniere's symptoms. A low-sodium diet can help reduce fluids in the body, thus helping eliminate excessive endolymphatic fluid. Though there is no proven evidence to support the use of herbs and supplements in the treatment of Meniere's, supplements such as ginkgo biloba and niacin are said to improve blood flow to the head, and some patients have reported symptom relief when using these supplements. Ginger root is a commonly used herb to relieve the nausea associated with vertigo. Alternative treatment options such as chiropractic care and acupuncture have also been successful in some patients. A variety of prescription medications are used to treat the various symptoms of Meniere's. Diuretics are often used in conjunction with a low-sodium diet to reduce endolymphatic fluid. Valium and Antivert have also been used to reduce the vertigo that many patients experience. Lidocaine has been used to treat tinnitus in many Meniere's sufferers. Cases of Meniere's Disease that are believed to have originated from an autoimmune condition are sometimes treated with immunosuppressant drugs. Surgical treatments are usually used as a last resort and can reduce vertigo by cutting nerves in the inner ear or by removing part or all of the inner ear.
Side Effects
Many of the treatment options available for Meniere's Disease are associated with various side effects that patients should be aware of and should discuss with their physicians. Ginkgo biloba might possess harmful anticoagulant properties, especially when used in conjunction with drugs such as aspirin. Overdosing on niacin can cause severe damage to the liver. Valium and Antivert, while successful in treating vertigo and the associated nausea, can cause moderate to severe drowsiness. Always consult with your doctor about any possible side effects before beginning a course of treatment. Many surgical procedures are accompanied by a loss of hearing in the ear that was operated on.
Potential
While there is no cure for Meniere's Disease, most patients are responsive to one or more symptom-reducing treatments. The symptoms of Meniere's nearly always worsen, though some patients experience a more rapid progression than others. Most patients are only affected in one ear, however the disease may progress to both ears. The number of patients who eventually experience symptoms in both ears varies, and a definitive percentage has not been determined. The Merck Manual estimates that 10 percent to 15 percent of Meniere's patients experience bilateral symptoms, while the University of Kansas places the number as high as 20 percent to 60 percent. Some patients do experience temporary remission, lasting from a few days to a few years, while others will eventually suffer from deafness or complete disability as the disease progresses. As doctors and researchers learn more about Meniere's and its causes, it is very possible that new and better treatment options will become available.
Losing weight isn’t easy. There are many different strategies people choose to achieve their goals. If your goal is to incorporate walking into your work day to help with weight loss, then you need to have a clear plan of action to follow. Read on to learn lose a lot of weight by walking at work.
Instructions
1. Get your plan of action together. Decide when you are going to get the walking in. Will it be at every break, only during lunch, or throughout the whole day in the form of parking farther from the entrance, walking during every break, and making extra special trips just to get in more walking? Incorporating walking into the whole day will help to lose a lot of weight by walking at work, but you can achieve weight lose with the other two options also.
2. Now that you have decided which course of action to take you need to get the correct gear. You need good walking shoes when you plan to make walking your primary form of exercise. Go to a reputable shoe store and get an associate to help you pick shoes that fit correctly, have good support, and are correct for your foot shape. Picking good walking shoes is not as easy as it sounds. You don’t want to hurt your feet by wearing the wrong shoes so ask for help if you need it.
3. Once you have good walking shoes you are ready to put your plan in motion. Park as far away from the front entrance as you can safely. If safety is an issue at your company then you might want to leave this step out. Staying safe is more important that weight loss. If safety is not an issue move to the next step in this section, otherwise go to Step 3. Get to work 30 minutes early and walk around the building a few times. This will add many extra steps. Make a point to walk to your boss and co-workers' desk to ask questions instead of using the intercom or talking across the room. Every step you add to your day will aid with weight loss. Take a quick to eat lunch so that you can get to walking as soon as possible during your lunch break. Whether you get 30 minutes or an hour, you should be using most of it for your walking plan. Be prepared for all types of weather. Keep an umbrella and any cold weather gear you will need in a desk drawer or locker. It’s also a good idea to keep extra deodorant on hand.
4. Finally, losing a lot of weight by walking at work requires you to stay healthy enough to stick to the plan. To do this you need to drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and eat correctly. If you are tired, dehydrated, or have an upset stomach, your plan will fall to the wayside. Following a healthy lifestyle will help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Tags: , good walking, good walking shoes, walking shoes, walking work, weight walking, your plan
If you have been bitten by a black widow spider, it is going to be painful. This spider produces a neurotoxin protein that can damage your nervous system. Anti-venom is given to fight off the damage of the effects of the venom as well as narcotics for the ensuing pain. If you can't get to a doctor, which is recommended, there are some home remedies that you can administer in the event of a black widow spider bite.
Warning
According to Brownreclusespider.org, the bite of a spider can be lethal. The pain from this type of bite may not occur until a few hours after the incident. The pain may initially feel as though you were pricked with a pin.
Garlic and Onion
Best-home-remedies.com recommends applying a piece of garlic or onion to the bite site. These foods contain enzymes that will break down those substances that your body releases in response to pain. Steam or pound the garlic clove or slice of onion before applying it to your skin.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils, such as lemon, savory, lavender, basil, thyme and cinnamon contain anti-venomous property and are anti-toxins. Apply these to the .
Hot and Cold
Holding a hot water bottle against the bite mark may help relieve pain. Cold compresses and elevation may also help.
Charcoal and Lobelia or Yellow Doc
Mix charcoal tablets and lobelia together and apply to the wound or drink yellow dock tea until your symptoms go away.
ConsiderUsing Ginko Biloba
Ginkgo biloba reportedly helps the pain that results from a spider bit
Tags: black widow, black widow spider, widow spider, bite mark
Teapots have changed little in China over the centuries.
Tea is popular the world over. Tea itself is Chinese in origin, so it should be no surprise that the use of teapots is as well. The part that is surprising is that the invention of teapots came at least 500 years after tea was first made to drink. In China, teapots have changed little. From their first introduction to the West in the late 1600's, however, Western teapots have undergone many transformations while Chinese ones have stayed the same.
Origins
Tea was first written about in China in 780 A.D. It was during that time, the Tang Dynasty (618-907), that the Camellia sinensis began to be cultivated for tea production. During the early days of tea drinking, rather than steeping the tea in one vessel then transferring it to a cup, tea leaves were placed directly into a cup of hot water. It wasn't until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that the first teapots were created.
YiXing Teapots
The first teapots come from the YiXing region of China. Since the Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279), a purple clay called zisha has been mined around Lake Taihu, and it's this clay that's used to make the teapots. The main feature of the clay is its ability to absorb the flavor of tea. If a teapot is used long enough, it retains enough of the tea's flavor that it is possible to brew tea with the teapot and boiling water alone.
Original Form
YiXing teapots were the prototype teapot and their general form is still used to this day (a bowl or cup-shaped vessel with a spout). Prior to the use of teapots, the leaves were steeped directly in the cup. The first teapots were also the cups the tea was drunk from. The pots were small enough to contain only a single serving of tea and had spouts that the drinker would drink from.
Construction
YiXing teapots are still used today in China, and their construction has changed little over the centuries. The teapots are made by hand on a potter's wheel and are left unglazed when fired. They're left unglazed for two reasons: the first so the clay remains porous and can therefore absorb the flavor of the tea; and secondly because the clay's natural colors are better displayed when the teapot is unglazed.
East India Company
In the late 1600's, the East India Company and trade with the West brought about a change in the design of teapots. This change is a small one (placing a wire mesh or grate at the base of the spout) and allowed for teapots to be easily distinguished from wine vessels which had roughly the same shape. At this time, teapots were also being created specifically for the European market and featured an English version of Oriental designs.
Tags: teapots were, , first teapots, , East India, East India Company, first teapots were