Manage Optic Nerve Atrophy

Living with optic nerve atrophy can be quite a challenge. The main focus of managing an existing condition of optic atrophy is twofold. First, there is the task of preventing any further damage from occurring. Second, finding ways to compensate for the lost vision also helps to minimize the difficulty of living with the condition. Fortunately, there are several things that can be done to aid in both these goals.

Instructions

1. Stay healthy. Regular checkups will help make sure the central nervous system is functioning properly. Other health factors can also be evaluated, ensuring that any ancillary health conditions capable of further damaging the eyes and ocular nerves is caught and treated before the current level of vision is adversely affected.

2. Adjust the lighting in the home. One way to live with optic nerve atrophy is to increase the level of natural and artificial light in the home. This will often help persons with blurred vision to identify shapes with greater ease.

3. Opt for bolder colors and lots of contrast. Even with impaired vision, the use of color to more clearly delineate one shape from another in the home space will make it easier for the person living with optic nerve atrophy to move about with more confidence.

4. Get proper nutrition. Through planning meals and taking nutritional supplements that contain vitamins and nutrients important to eye health, it is possible to protect whatever amount of vision remains from further deterioration.

5. Try alternative therapies. Acupuncture has been credited with helping persons who suffer from optic nerve atrophy to maintain at least some sight. There have even been a few claims that the treatments were helpful in strengthening the remaining healthy nerves and partially compensating for the atrophied nerves.

Tags: with optic nerve, nerve atrophy, optic nerve, optic nerve atrophy, with optic, living with

Manage Weight

As we grow older, we may find it harder to maintain a healthy weight. Techniques we used several years ago to lose a few pounds don't work the same way now. Follow these steps to manage weight.

Instructions

Manage Weight

1. Weigh yourself, and compare your current weight with your former weight. If you have reached a "normal" weight limit but still feel uncomfortable, decide on a new healthy weight goal.

2. Discuss your new weight goal with your doctor, and ask for a sensible dietary plan. When you go home, go through your kitchen cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. Take out most of the high-fat, high-sugar foods and snacks. Replace them with lower-fat, lower-calorie food items, such as fruits and veggies, crackers, low-fat cheese, sherbet, yogurt and nuts.

3. Keep a food diary for one week and find out when you eat the most. Keep track of your feelings when you ate, especially snacks. If you find yourself doing "emotional eating," find something else to do when you experience an emotion which causes you to turn to the fridge.

4. When you experience a food craving, find something to do, such as going for a walk. As you are battling the craving, try to figure out what is causing you to want a particular food right then.

5. Increase your daily exercise. If you drive a few blocks to the store, try walking, especially when you don't need to buy many things. Take up an evening walk with your partner. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or the escalator. Walk to lunch, or better yet, walk during lunch.

6. Weigh yourself regularly, but not on a daily basis. Your weight loss will be too slow to show measurable results, and you may become frustrated and give up on your weight management efforts. Enlist a weight loss partner or buddy to encourage you or to lose weight with you.

7. If you experience

Tags: with your, find something, healthy weight, Manage Weight, Weigh yourself

Introduce A Key Speaker

An introductory speech can be entertaining even if it is short.

Serving as the opening speaker for a keynote address is a great honor, but it also brings a responsibility to adequately introduce both the speech giver and his topic in a short amount of time. You are responsible for making the key speaker feel comfortable, and also for framing the purpose of his address for the audience. While it can seem like a daunting task, delivering a concise and functional introductory speech is entirely possible with adequate preparation.

Instructions

1. Meet with the key speaker, or speak with her on the phone, before the event. Learn as much as you can about her personal history, expectations for the event and chosen topic. Take notes during your conversation that you can reference later. Attempt to build a friendly rapport with the speaker to help her feel comfortable before the event.

2. Write the rough draft of your speech on index cards. Your first point should be an introduction of yourself and your role to the audience. Then move on to speaking briefly about the key speaker's background and his unique qualifications that prepared him to deliver the address. Conclude your speech by explicitly introducing the key speaker's topic and the official name of his address.

3. Practice your speech out loud. You should deliver your own address in front of a mirror and, if possible, tape record yourself speaking. This will help familiarize you with the tone and pacing of your introduction. Take note of any difficult or awkward phrases and edit them from your speech.

4. Rehearse in front of an audience of friends, family or coworkers. Read your newly edited speech just as you plan to at the event. Ask for constructive feedback on your delivery and the information you provide. Using the information your test audience provides, edit your speech for content one final time. If necessary, transfer your address to fresh index cards to avoid confusing your edited portions with your final draft.

5. Stay calm and poised the night of your introduction. Remind yourself that you are simply the jumping off point for the key speaker. Read your introduction just as you rehearsed in a steady and even tone while making plenty of eye contact with the audience.

Tags: your speech, your introduction, before event, feel comfortable, index cards, introductory speech, Read your

Orthodontist Recommended Pacifiers

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry prefers pacifiers to thumbs.

The sucking reflex begins before birth. Babies suck for comfort, pleasure and to feel safe according to The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. During the first year of life it is suggested a baby use a pacifier. Orthodontic issues increase over prolonged periods of usage. There are many types of pacifiers on the market, which can make selecting the correct pacifier difficult.

Nipple shape

Pacifiers come in many nipple shapes, from round and thin to large bulbs at the end of the pacifier. The shape of an orthodontic pacifier nipple has a flatten end. This shape simulates the shape of a natural nipple and encourages the healthy sucking reflex. Orthodontic pacifiers are designed for the growing baby's palate and gums. Children who use an orthodontic pacifier are less likely to have an over or open bite according to Dr. Greene Pediatric website.

Shield

The shield of the pacifier is the exterior portion of the pacifier that covers the mouth of the child. The shield's width should be at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches to keep the child from being able to bring the entire pacifier into her mouth and choke. The shield also should be vented, to allow air flow and saliva to escape from behind the shield. Non-vented pacifiers can cause rashes around the mouth.

Materials

Pacifier nipples are typically made out of latex or silicone. Latex nipples are softer and more flexible than silicone nipples. According to the Orthodontic Pacifier website, latex nipples are more easily accepted by babies. Silicone nipples are more durable and will last longer than latex nipples. This means the silicone pacifier does not need to be replaced as often as the latex one.

Washable

The pacifier must be washable and dishwasher safe. Running the nipple through the dishwasher removes any bacteria that may build up on the pacifier between uses. Keep multiple pacifiers available in case the child needs a pacifier while the main pacifier is in the dishwasher.

Size

The nipples on the pacifier come in different sizes. Select age appropriate nipple sizes for your child. Each pacifier brand lists the nipple shape and size on the packaging to make this selection process easier.

When to Replace

Pacifiers will not last forever. Periodically check the pacifier for potential issues. If the nipple of the pacifier is discolored, cracked or torn the pacifier should be discarded. In addition, if the child is able to place the entire pacifier, including the shield, into her mouth, the pacifier should be thrown away to avoid a choking hazard.

Tags: Academy Pediatric, Academy Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy, American Academy Pediatric, entire pacifier

Candidia Cures

Candida, or a yeast infections, are caused by fungi or yeast that grow in warm, moist areas. Yeast infections occur in the vaginal area, around dentures, beneath skin folds and nailbeds. Yeast infections can be discomforting but are easily treated through medication, diet or alternative-medicine techniques.

Candida Cures

Women with yeast infections can find over-the-counter remedies using Monistat, Vagistat, Femstat or Femizole. These treatments come in seven-, five- and three-day treatments.

Prescription medications such as Diflucan are available that help clear yeast infections through oral tablets. Medications ending with the suffix "azole" and polyene antifungals kill yeast and are used for both thrush and minor candida infections.

For those suffering from thrush, mouthwash with nystatin, an antifungal treatment, and keep your mouth area clean. Use sterilized and clean products in the oral cavity.

For natural cures, take acidophilus pills or eat yogurt containing the live culture, which helps fight against yeast buildup. Also consume garlic, which is a natural antibiotic treatment. Washing the yeast infection with raw apple cider vinegar will also kill yeast, as the yeast cannot grow in this acidic environment. Also, to help cure candida, keep the site where the yeast infection is dry and cool.

Tags: kill yeast, yeast infection, yeast infections

Facts On Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Most types of prostate cancer grow slowly and need no treatment for many years. Other types spread quickly and are very aggressive. As with most cancers, chances of survival are much greater if the disease is detected and treated early.

Causes

The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. Why some types are more aggressive than others has also not been determined.

Symptoms

Symptoms of prostate cancer are usually not present until the cancer is well advanced. When early symptoms are present, they usually are associated with urinary problems such as difficulty urinating, trouble starting and stopping the stream and decreased force of the stream.

Treatment

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on how far advanced the cancer is and how far it has spread. Different options are available for different stages of the cancer; the most common are surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

Fact

Prostate cancer affects approximately one out of six men in the United States.

Considerations

If detected and treated early, prostate cancer has over a 90 percent cure rate.

Tags: prostate cancer, cancer most, cancer most common, detected treated, detected treated early

Make Your Own Organic Diaper Cream

Have you ever wondered about making your diaper cream, but thought it would just be too hard or too expensive? Well, think again. Here is a recipe to get you started that doesn't take much work or money, and the results will be so rewarding knowing that you are using only fresh, organic ingredients to create a diaper cream for your baby.

Instructions

1. Place the herbs and oil that you are using in a glass jar. Cover the jar tightly with a lid. Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot for two weeks. You can place the jar on a table inside a large picture window.

2. After two weeks, strain the mixture into a double boiler. Pour the mixture into a piece of muslin or cheesecloth and while holding the cloth over the double boiler squeeze tightly to get out all the liquid.

3. Once all the liquid is strained out into the double boiler, warm it over very low heat for about one hour.

4. Let mixture cool completely before handling, then strain this mixture through the cloth back into the double boiler.

5. For every cup of oil add 1/4 cup of beeswax and continue to warm mixture until beeswax melts completely.

6. Once the beeswax has melted check for the desired consistency by placing a tbsp. of the mixture into the freezer for a couple minutes. Add more beeswax if it's too soft. Add more oil if it hardens too much.

7. Once you have the desired consistency you can add the optional ingredients such as Vitamin E oil or lavender.

8. Put the mixture into small jars to store.

Tags: double boiler, mixture into, into double, into double boiler, desired consistency, diaper cream

Garlic Home Remedies For Wisdom Tooth Pain

Garlic has long been used for many kinds of home remedies. It has antibacterial properties and can help reduce the pain of wisdom teeth as they grow. If you have simple tooth pain, garlic is a simple and effective remedy in many cases. If the pain does not subside in a few days, see your dentist.

Antibacterial

As many cooks know who have accidentally cut or sliced themselves in the kitchen, garlic has antibacterial properties. Several studies published by the National Institutes of health cite garlic (allium sativum) to have "broad antiseptic" properties that kills germs and bacteria. This prevents infection in the mouth, where bacteria are always present. Applying cut and crushed garlic (to release the oil) against the cut will prevent infection. Doing the same with wisdom teeth pain can yield the same results.

What to Do with garlic

Peel and crush a small clove of garlic and place directly into the mouth between the painful wisdom teeth and the gum line. If you do not like the taste or smell of garlic, place the crushed garlic into a dark-colored glass jar with a food-grade oil, such as olive oil. Steep for several days. Apply the garlic-infused olive oil to the teeth. This is a less powerful application of garlic, but it may still provide some pain relief.

Cautions

As wisdom teeth come in, they may be angled at a painful angle as they push up through the gum line in the mouth. When this happens, telltale throbbing pain is common. If it is appropriate, you might need to have the wisdom teeth removed.

If the teeth become infected, it can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream and it can even be fatal as the bacteria is carried to the heart. If there is any discoloration to the teeth or neighboring teeth, see your dentist immediately.

Tags: wisdom teeth, antibacterial properties, crushed garlic, garlic place, your dentist

The South Beach Diet Phase 2 Meal Plan

The South Beach Diet plan has three phases to bring about a slimmer, healthier you. The first phase lasts for exactly two weeks. Phase 2 lasts for however long it takes for you to get down to your desired weight and phase 3 is your plan for life. Phase 1 is the most restrictive and does not allow intake of carbohydrates or fruits or sugar. In phase 2, you gradually add some carbohydrates and fruits back into your diet in a healthy manner that allows you to still lose one to two pounds per week.

Phase 2 Meal Plan and Food List

The key to success is to add in these restricted foods slowly. For example, in the meal breakdowns, start off one serving of fruit per day and then gradually increase to three servings per day. As you lose more body weight and start to get closer to your ideal body weight, increase to two servings per day. When you are within 5 lbs. of your ideal body weight, increase to three servings of fruit per day. Use these guidelines with every food that must be added slowly to your diet.

Meal Breakdown

For phase 2, here is your meal by meal breakdown of what you should be eating as well as what foods you should be slowly adding to your body.

For breakfast: protein, unlimited; vegetables, minimum ½ cup; fruit, one serving per day to start off with (gradually increase to three), milk 1½ per day, fat 1 tsp.

For lunch: protein, unlimited; vegetables, minimum 2 cups; fruit, see breakfast requirements; starch, one serving per day to start off with (gradually increase to three), milk, see breakfast requirements; fat, 1 tbsp.

For dinner: protein, unlimited; vegetables, minimum 2 cups; fruit, see breakfast requirements; starch, see lunch requirements; milk, see breakfast requirements; fat, 1 tbsp.

Phase 2 Food List

For your Phase 2 food list, use your list from phase 1. There are some foods that can now be added. Fruits that can be added include medium-sized apples, apricots, mangoes, oranges, peaches, pears and plums; one cup servings of blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, kiwi and strawberries; and 1/2 cup grapefruit. Eat only the correct serving size.

Dairy products that can be added during phase 2 include fat free or 1 percent milk or yogurt.

Starches that can be added include whole grain bagels, multi-grain breads, rye bread, high fiber cereal, whole wheat pasta, popcorn, sweat potato and wild brown rice. Red wine can also be consumed. Even though starches and breads are now allowed, there are many that are not allowed. Starches and breads that are not allowed include bagels made from white flour, white or wheat bread, cookies, cornflakes, white flour, white rice, dinner rolls and rice cakes.

Vegetables that are still not allowed include beets, carrots, corn and potatoes.

Fruit that is not allowed in phase two includes bananas, canned fruits, fruit juice, pineapple, raisins and watermelon.

Tags: breakfast requirements, increase three, that added, body weight, gradually increase

Dress Warm When Working Outside In The Winter

It’s thirty-five degrees outside, and you’re just waking up. Getting out of a comfortable warm bed to stand outside is the last thing you want to do, but you have to because it comes with your job. So you stand in front of your closet and you try to assemble the warmest outfit you can put together. It’s getting late and the clock is ticking. You know you should have had your outfit laid out the night before, but just thinking about all those clothes is a task you keep putting off. You never know what to wear anyway.

Instructions

1. If you are a woman, you might want to wear two, or even three, pairs of leggings under a pair of wool pants. Don’t be concerned if you look a pound heavier than you really are. Wool and fabrics such as silk and propylene will keep you warmer than other fabrics will. A man should wear thermal underwear under his pants.

2. Blouses and shirts that have sleeves that hug your wrists should be worn to keep in body heat. Wear three blouses or shirts for maximum warmth.

3. Wear heavy socks to keep your feet warm (two or three pairs). Wool socks are best. Cotton socks should be avoided. Wear boots that are insulated and waterproof.

4. Wear a down jacket if you have one. If not, you should buy one. A jacket or coat made of down will keep you warm in the coldest weather. The longer the jacket is, the warmer you’ll be.

5. Wear a pair of gloves underneath a pair of mittens. If don’t want to wear both, wear the mittens. They will keep your hands warmer than the gloves will.

6. You should wear a wool or fleece scarf around your neck to protect that area of your body. A scarf really comes in handy when the bitter wind starts to nip at your nose as you can cover your face with it for protection.

7. Last, wear a fur hat that goes over your ears as well as your head. Heat escapes from your head, so you want to make sure it’s covered.

Tags: will keep, keep your, should wear, three pairs, want wear, warmer than, will should

Ideas For Fine Crafts

Fine crafts encompass a wide range of topics, materials and niches. Unlike ordinary paper crafts and cheaper hobbies, fine crafts cost more money for materials and result in higher quality products. This allows you to either give your crafts as sentimental and quality gifts or can market your wares to sell as a small business. Knowing about some of the different fine crafts you can delve into can help you decide on the type of niche that suits you best.

Candy Crafting

Finely crafted chocolate candies serve as excellent gifts and delicious snacks.

Candy crafting is something that allows you the ability to create melt-in-your-mouth delicacies by hand. When you make a hobby of making sweet treats, you are able to choose your ingredients and create interesting candy blends. For example, cordial cherries can be made at home with candy molds, flavored liqueurs and sweet chocolate coatings. These fine-chocolate creations are enjoyable to make and can be savored by yourself and friends who are lucky enough to receive these handmade gifts. Candy-making involves the following materials, which can be easily obtained and used in a kitchen: double-boilers for melting chocolates and other ingredients, candy molds, waxed paper and a wide range of sugary, sweet ingredients.

Fashion Jewelry Crafting

Fine metals and precious or semi-precious materials make high quality fashion accessories.

Making jewelry is a craft that allows you to explore boundless possibilities with traditional and unorthodox materials. You can re-create elegant vintage looks or delve into cutting-edge designs that set trends. Checking out a jewelry craft supply wholesale site or a craft supply store gives you a look at some of the many different materials you can use in fine jewelry crafting. Just like with other fine crafts, your creations can be marketed and sold. With practice and an eye for detail, you can turn your jewelry crafts into fashionable gifts and accessories for your own use. Some jewelry-craft hobbyists turn their creations into signature art pieces by hand-painting beads, casting glass work and embedding metal clays with precious gems.

Skin Care

High-end skin-care crafting provides you with endless options for ingredients and products.

Crafting your own high-end skin-care products lets you pamper your entire body with a plethora of scents and additives. It also lets you experiment with marketing niche skin-care products online or at swapmeets. Making your own high quality skin care items is a fine craft because you can select materials that are pricey and sought after, such as precious amber resin, herbal essences and botanical extracts. You can experiment with botanicals like chamomile, rose hips and even real silk, as well as a variety of clays, sea salts and other pampering ingredients to create spa-worthy products.

Aromatherapy

Perfumery is a creative and lavish craft that requires patience and money.

Just like making your own skin care, aromatherapy is a fine craft hobby because of the ability to create one-of-a-kind creations from quality materials. This hobby not only allows you to make candles and incense sticks, but it also gives you the opportunity to experiment with perfumery. Perfumery is a truly creative hobby that allows you to use your keen sense of smell to experiment with different scented oil blends. You can make attars, alcohol-based perfumes and even solids when you experiment with the fine art of perfumery and aromatherapy.

Tags: experiment with, fine crafts, that allows, ability create, candy molds

How Radiation Treatment Works For Treating Colon Cancer

Radiation Treatment

Radiation treatment, also known as radiotherapy, involves the use of x-rays to kill off cancer cells. The radiation from x-ray beams damages the DNA of colon cancer cells, causing them to die off or making them unable to reproduce. Radiotherapy can also shrink the size of colon cancer tumors, making them less obstructive to the colon path.

Application Types

For long-term radiation treatment, doctors might elect to perform an internal radiation treatment called Brachytherapy. This involves the placement of radioactive elements directly next to or inside the affected areas of the colon. High Dose Rate brachytherapy for colon cancer is applied via a catheter insertion. Successful brachytherapy can reduce treatment times for patients.

External beam radiotherapy utilizes an external application of radiation beams to the colon. Beams are delivered from a special machine called a linear accelerator that targets as close to the colon as possible. The problem with external beam therapy is that healthy cells can also be affected. Therefore, the applications are usually spaced out in small doses to reduce that possibility.

Before and After Surgery

To aid in removing colon tumors, doctors may use radiotherapy to shrink them, making them easier to cut away. Tumors that are too big to remove surgically can cause problems with surrounding, healthier tissue because their vessels are spread out wide.

For colon cancer, one main form of treatment is resectioning surgery in which the infected area is removed and the rest of the colon is sewn back together. Radiation treatment is often applied after this surgery because otherwise unseen colon cancer cells might cause resurgence in tumor growth. Application of radiotherapy can kill these cells before they even get started.

Side Effects

As with almost any treatment, there are possible, significant side effects to radiation therapy. As noted earlier, otherwise healthy tissue can be damaged if the application isn't localized. Advances in technology are helping to make treatments more effective and targeted, but the risk is still there. Radiotherapy applied to the colon can cause a loss of appetite and frequent bowel movements until the treatment series is over. There is also risk of a permanent altering of the bowel system from radiotherapy.

Tags: colon cancer, cancer cells, making them, colon cancer cells, Radiation Treatment, radiation treatment

Old Time Treatment For Shingles

Adults who have suffered from chickenpox can sometimes develop shingles. It is caused by the same virus. The virus lives dormant in the body after the individual has been infected with chickenpox and can later develop into shingles. It can take years for the infection to become active once again.

Crisco

Applying vegetable oil to the affected areas can be useful. Crisco works well because it does not leave a greasy residue behind. Crisco will help relieve the pain caused by shingles. Applying ice to the affected areas can also be helpful in relieving the pain.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix ½ cup apple cider vinegar with 2 cups water. Apply to the affected areas. This mixture may help relieve the pain that is commonly associated with a shingles infection. A washcloth can be used to apply the apple cider vinegar. Dip the washcloth into the apple cider vinegar and water mixture and carefully wring it out. Apply the cloth over the affected areas and allow to sit for approximately 1 hour. Repeat procedure until the rash disappears.

Aloe Vera, Cayenne Pepper and Apple Cider Vinegar

Rubbing a small amount (approximately 1 to 2 tsp.) of crushed cayenne pepper over the affected areas may help reduce inflammation. After doing so, apply aloe vera lotion to help soothe the affected area. Apple cider vinegar doesn't have to be used externally. It can be ingested for internal use to help fight shingles too. Mix 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar with 8 oz. water and drink at least three times a day. Doing this will help shorten the length of time someone suffers from shingles.

An oatmeal bath can also be helpful. Try rubbing cooled oatmeal over the affected areas and allowing it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off in the tub. You can also wash the affected areas with oatmeal soap. The oatmeal will help reduce the itching and the need to scratch, but unfortunately will not do much to alleviate the pain. The oatmeal may also reduce the redness of the rash.

Finally, breaking open a vitamin C pill and placing it over the sores may help to ease some of the pain and overall rash.

If home remedies do not seem to be doing the trick, seek medical attention for further help and treatment.

Tags: affected areas, cider vinegar, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, over affected, over affected areas

Bentonite & Gum Disease

Bentonite clay has been used for decades as a treatment for numerous health conditions. Popular in alternative medicine, bentonite clay acts as a detoxifying agent and is used in cleansing techniques and for removing metal toxins from the body. It is also helpful fighting in gum disease.

Bentonite and Immunity

In gum disease, the general immunity of the patient is weakened. Bentonite is said to strengthen the body's immunity helping the natural immune system to fight off the disease.

Astringent

Brushing your teeth with bentonite helps remove tartar and cleans the gums working as an astringent.

Tooth and Gum Abscesses

Bentonite clay helps clear up gum abscesses and tooth abscesses by making the gums stronger and decreasing their sensitivity. The tooth abscesses may take a couple of weeks to heal, but the gum abscesses heal within three to four days.

Gingivitis

Taking two to four bentonite tablets every day helps clear gingivitis. Bad breath and bleeding gums are reduced due to bentonite's strong anti-oxidant power.

Periodontal Disease

If bentonite clay is left in the mouth and allowed to soak for 10 to 15 minutes like a mouth wash, the clay will take out the toxins left in the mouth and prevent periodontal disease according to Natural News.

Improved Tissue and Gum Repair

Taking bentonite regularly helps repair gums from damage due to improper diet and incorrect cleaning techniques. The tissue of the mouth then becomes less sensitive and thus, less prone to bleeding.

Treating Gum Disease Long-term

For people prone to gum disease, bentonite is recommended on a daily basis. The clay is available as a solution or powder and in encapsulated form at most natural food stores and pharmacies.

Tags: Bentonite clay, bentonite clay, helps clear, left mouth

Tape A Broken Nose

It is recommended that anyone with a broken nose see a medical professional for treatment. If you are in an emergency situation where medical attention is not possible, it would be in your best interest to learn basic first-aid techniques. Improper handling of a broken nose could cause severe injuries to the person in question, so be aware of the safest way to set and tape the nose until medical help is available.

Instructions

1. Assess the injury to be sure it can be taped. If the person is severely disfigured, unable to breathe, or there is any bone or cartilage protruding from the injury, do not treat the person. Surgery is usually needed to set the nose in these cases.

2. Drain the blood from inside the nose. Ask the injured person to sit upright with his head forward.

3. Move the nose back into its proper place and stuff some gauze into the nose to keep it stable.

4. Place medical tape across the bridge of the nose, on the outside, to prevent the nose from slipping back into a displaced position.

Tags: back into, broken nose

Make Tincture Drops

Tinctures are effective herbal medicines that are easy to make at home.

Tinctures are inexpensive and effective herbal medicines. They are made by soaking an herb in alcohol. The alcohol extracts the active compounds from the plant material. Tinctures can be made from the leaves, roots, or bark of a plant, depending on the medicinal effects that you desire. Always research the plant you are using before attempting to tincture it. Tinctures are easy to make at home although they require a bit of wait time before they are ready to use.

Instructions

1. Chop 4-8 ounces of the plant material to be tinctured, or cut it using kitchen scissors. It is best to use fresh plants as dried plants may be less effective. Be sure that you have researched the plant you are using and that you have correctly identified it.

2. Fill the glass jar to the top with the chopped plant material.

3. Pour the vodka or brandy over the plant material until the liquid reaches the top. Make sure that the plant material is fully submerged in the alcohol. If it is not, the plant material will turn brown while the tincture is being prepared. If this happens, the tincture will still be usable but the taste or color of the tincture may be affected.

4. Cap the jar, making sure the lid fits tightly.

5. Place the jar in a dark cupboard. It is important that the jar not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this can break down the medicinal compounds in the plant.

6. Store the jar for 2 to 6 weeks. You can store it for longer, but a shorter time is not advisable because the compounds in the plant require time to be fully extracted. Some herbalists shake their tinctures periodically to keep the plant material fully submerged in the alcohol. Others do not. Either method will yield an effective tincture.

7. Place the strainer or cheesecloth on top of the measuring cup.

8. Empty the contents of the jar into the strainer or cheesecloth and allow to drain. This is known as decanting the tincture.

9. Wring out the herb with your clean hands into the strainer. This helps to collect the most potent liquid. It may also mean that the tincture will contain some plant material, so skip this step if you do not want any chance of residue at the bottom of the bottle. Once you have thoroughly wrung out the herb, you can discard or compost it.

10. Pour the strained liquid into the brown glass jars. You may wish to use a funnel to make this step easier. Fill the jars to the top and make sure that the stoppers are tightly screwed on.

11. Label the jars with the type of tincture and the date you decanted it. You may also wish to label the jars with the dose of the medicine and the conditions for which it is indicated. Do not skip this step or you may end up with a jar of medicine you cannot identify.

Tags: plant material, sure that, this step, compounds plant, easy make, easy make home, effective herbal

Bach Flower Remedies For Pain

Bach flower remedies are a holistic alternative method of healing based on psychological causes of illness developed in the 1930s and generally regarded as safe. Common uses for Bach flower remedies include anxiety, stress, depression and pain. A May 2009 study published in Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that using Bach flower remedies for pain are no better than a placebo in randomized control trials. However, the study also notes that evidence-based medicine is controversial in complementary and alternative medicine.

History

Dr. Edward Bach, an English physician, devoted his later life to finding the 38 flower essences that corresponded to what he believed are the 38 negative emotional states that produce all illness. He noticed that the illnesses he saw corresponded to personality traits in the patients who manifested them. This led him to search for a cure that would address these personality traits and therefore heal the illness.

Function

Bach flower remedies are 38 flower essences prepared in a specific manner. Flowers are harvested with their dew, in the wild, and are steeped in sunlight, or, for barks, boiled for one half hour. These essences are preserved in brandy, and are sold in small glass vials. A person trained in Bach flower remedies considers the patient's emotional state and other factors, then prescribes an essence that corresponds to the patient's needs for controlling pain or other illness. According to Bach flower remedy practitioners, the method works on the energy field of the patient, resulting in healing.

Benefits

Bach flower remedies are safe to use as very few adverse effects have been reported and include only minor issues such as headache, according to the study reported in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Because they work by matching negative emotional states to pain, the remedies create awareness of the connection between emotional states and pain.

Considerations

Bach flower remedies are often used over the counter and there are few studies that use random control trials and are unbiased. Because of these factors, it is difficult to tell if Bach flower remedies are effective against pain. At the same time, because there is a proven link between emotional states and the experience of pain, and because Bach flower remedies are safe, they may be a good alternative choice.

Theories/Speculation:

According to the meta-analysis done by Thaler, et al in the May 2009 issue of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is no evidence that Bach flower remedies work better than placebo for pain. At the same time, they note that there were few studies for their analysis, and that the National Institutes for Health has budgeted $122 million for the study of complementary and alternative medicine. This increase should result in more and better studies on the efficacy of Bach flower remedies for pain.

Tags: Bach flower, Bach flower remedies, flower remedies, flower remedies, emotional states, Bach flower remedies

Homemade Arthritis Liniments

Arthitis causes painful, swollen joints.

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, arthritis results in painful swelling and often causes joint deformity. Homemade Medicine states that it is possible to relieve painful swelling with homemade liniments. These liniments contain natural ingredients that, when applied to the skin, help reduce pain and swelling caused by arthritis. If you prefer to use homemade treatments instead of over-the-counter medications, you can easily make liniments from home.

Instructions

Horseradish

1. Melt 1 cup of paraffin wax in a small, microwavable bowl.

2. Pour 1 cup of grated horseradish into the melted paraffin wax and mix to form a smooth paste. According to Glenn S. Rothfeld and Suzanne LeVert, authors of "Natural Medicine for Arthritis," the enzymes in horseradish will penetrate your skin, reducing pain and swelling in your joints.

3. Pour the mixture into a plastic container and seal with a lid. Allow the mixture to cool.

4. Apply the liniment to the affected area and wrap with soft fabric. Allow the liniment to sit on the skin for three to five hours before rinsing with warm water. Apply once daily as symptoms persist.

Mustard

5. Melt 1 cup of paraffin wax in a small, microwavable bowl.

6. Pour 1 cup dry mustard and 1 cup salt into the melted paraffin wax and stir together to make a smooth paste. According to Michael T. Murray, author of "Arthritis: Your Natural Guide," salt will help draw water out of your body and reduce swelling. In addition, the enzymes in mustard will penetrate your skin and alleviate pain.

7. Pour the liniment into a small plastic container and seal with a lid; allow the mixture to cool.

8. Apply the liniment to the affected area and wrap with soft fabric. Allow the liniment to sit on the skin overnight before rinsing with warm water. Apply once daily as symptoms persist.

Tags: affected area, affected area wrap, Allow liniment, Allow liniment skin, Apply liniment

Use Feverfew To Treat A Migraine

Use Feverfew to Treat a Migraine

A migraine is a severe, recurrent headache that is usually characterized by intense throbbing pain and can be accompanied by many other symptoms. There are several types of migraines. Treatment for migraines usually focuses on controlling symptoms, avoiding triggers and using preventative drugs. Treatment, however, is often not entirely successful, and many migraine sufferers fight lifelong battles with severe headaches. Alternative treatments, such as the herbal remedy feverfew, are used by many migraine sufferers seeking preventative measures.

Instructions

1. Check your symptoms to determine if you are truly suffering from migraines or if your headaches are caused by another factor that requires different treatment. Typical symptoms of a migraine include intense throbbing pain that gets worse with activity, nausea, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound and cold hands and feet. Migraine headaches usually start in one location and then spread to other regions and worsen over time.

2. See a physician to get properly diagnosed. Diagnosis usually requires a detailed medical history and physical exam. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans may also be used to rule out other conditions.

3. Develop a treatment plan with your doctor. Your treatment program may consist of either abortive treatment (treatment at onset of migraine), prophylactic treatment (preventative treatment) or a combination of both. Doctors use a variety of different prescription medications to treat migraines.

4. Work with your doctor to find the right treatment for your migraines. Often it take some trial and error to find the right combination of medications to treat and/or prevent your headaches.

5. Talk to your doctor about using feverfew to treat your migraines if you are unsuccessful with traditional medical intervention. Feverfew has been used for years to prevent headaches in frequent migraine sufferers.

6. Determine which preparation of feverfew you would prefer to use. Feverfew is available in fresh or dried leaf form, capsules, tablets and liquid extracts. There is no evidence that one form of feverfew is better than another to treat migraines.

7. Use feverfew every day to prevent migraine headaches. Adults can take a standard dosage of feverfew up to four times a day.

Tags: migraine sufferers, your doctor, Feverfew Treat, Feverfew Treat Migraine, find right, intense throbbing

List Of Popular Crystals

Crystals have been used in healing ceremonies for thousands of years.

Crystals have been used through the centuries for healing purposes. The belief that each type of crystal or gemstone contains unique energies and powers suitable for correcting certain maladies is still prevalent in some circles today. While each crystal possesses its own qualities, some have gained fame and prominence due to their frequent and widespread use. No "powers" in any of the listed stones have ever been proven.

Hematite

Hematite is believed to calm and still the mind.

Hematite is a heavy, smooth stone in a gun-metal gray color. Cool to the touch, hematite is known as a protective stone. Said to repel negativity and protect the wearer from harm, hematite was used in the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. Hematite is a form of iron ore, and it's believed to purify blood. It has a wide reputation as an aid to healing broken bones.

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is a milky, pale pink color. Associated with the heart, rose quartz is said to promote love of all kinds. This stone has a special affinity for mothers and unborn children; it is often given to pregnant women and to those trying to conceive. Rose quartz dispels negativity and promotes a loving interaction in all situations.

Sodalite

A sodalite bracelet can be worn to boost the immune system.

Sodalite, a blue stone with white striations, is an aid for meditation, logic and calm thinking. This is a good stone for students to aid in successful studies. It is also good for those who work in communications, as it clears the way for personal interaction with others. Sodalite is said to heal headaches, cleanse organs, and decrease anxiety and panic attacks. It is recommended that people who work with x-rays and radiation wear this stone as protection from its harmful effects.

Amethyst

The deep purple color of amethyst has attracted attention throughout history.

Amethyst is a purple quartz crystal used to improve memory, protect against psychic attacks and cure insomnia. Famous as protection against drunkenness, it was ground up used by ancient Romans and placed in wine goblets. It is used in modern day to aid those with addictions. It is also reputed as a crystal useful in protecting travelers.

Turquoise

Turquoise was popular with the Native Americans.

Used by Indian spiritual healers throughout the ages, turquoise is popular for healing stomachaches, arthritis and gout. Turquoise is popular with those in financial difficulty, as it is believed to increase prosperity. Turquoise allegedly absorbs negativity, and it was often used as a talisman against the "evil eye." Found in a variety of locations worldwide, some people believe that turquoise aids in the development of intuition and psychic abilities.

Tags: been used, Crystals have, Crystals have been, have been, have been used, popular with

Uses For Prevacid

Prevacid is the name of a prescription medication that is generally used to treat the conditions of heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The medication comes in two different forms, one of which is a capsule form, and the other is a tab that melts in the mouth. Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor, which is commonly referred to as a PPI. There are several different uses and benefits associated with Prevacid.

Function

To understand the uses of Prevacid, it is important to know exactly how the medication works. The stomach consists of cells around its lining that have pumps that make the acid that the body needs for the digestion process. Acid reflux disease comes with a burning ache that occurs when this acid goes backwards, or "refluxes," all the way to the esophagus. Prevacid is a type of PPI that works to stop the production of the acid by stopping a large amount of the pumps that help to make it. By doing this, Prevacid lowers the total amount of acid that goes back into the esophagus.

Main Uses

The main uses of Prevacid are to treat and soothe heartburn and various symptoms that are associated with acid reflux disease. Prevacid is supposed to treat these conditions for up to an entire day. Not only does it relax painful symptoms, but it works to heal some of the destruction the acid might have left behind on the esophagus. This damage is referred to as erosive esophagitis. If a person takes Prevacid for an extended period of time, the healing process continues gradually.

Severe Cases

Many people who have hard-to-treat, severe cases of heartburn and acid reflux disease use Prevacid because of its capabilities of turning around damage that has been done to the esophagus. The manufacturers of Prevacid state that approximately 95 percent of people who had taken Prevacid had healed by the second month.

Children

There is a type of Prevacid that is also used to treat children. Kids as young as 1 year old can take Prevacid. Many children need to take Prevacid if they have GERD, and GERD has a lot of symptoms that are connected to other medical ailments, including bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infection and asthma. Prevacid can help soothe the pain for children and also reduce the damage and sores on the esophagus.

Other Uses

Prevacid is also known to treat ulcers in both the stomach and duodenum. It is also often used to treat a condition called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, which is a rare condition that comes about from a tumor known as a gastrinoma, which generally happens within the pancreas.

Tags: reflux disease, used treat, acid reflux, acid reflux disease, acid that, associated with

Substitution For Tonic Water

Gin and tonic is a popular cocktail using tonic water.

Tonic water is a popular mixer in alcoholic drinks. It is carbonated water sweetened with fruit extract and flavored with quinine, which has a bitter taste. Although tonic water might seem to be an essential ingredient in some drinks, you can make a drink that is just as delicious using something else. If you find yourself out of tonic water, use creativity and flavor a drink to taste to make a cocktail that only a connoisseur will know is not the real thing.

Soda Water

Tonic water offers a clear, carbonated mix to any alcohol with a touch of sweetness and bitterness. Soda water can act as a substitute in a pinch. While soda water is simply carbonated water with some sodium bicarbonate added, it can give a cocktail that clean and clear addition. If your drink lacks flavor with soda water, add a squeeze of lemon or lime. Experiment with different amounts of citrus to get the flavor just right.

Lemon-Lime Soda

You can replace tonic water with other flavored clear and carbonated beverages. Store-bought lemon-lime soda can act as an appropriate substitute for tonic water. Lemon-lime soda looks like tonic water, but is sweeter. If you find that it is too sweet for what you are making, try using a diet or sugar-free variety of lemon-lime soda. You can also dilute it with soda water to reduce sugar content.

Ginger Ale

You won't be fooling anyone with ginger ale, but you can use it to make a delicious drink if you are running low on tonic water. Add ginger ale to gin, vodka or to any other drink where you would normally have used tonic water. Ginger ale is sweet, but the ginger provides enough unique flavor to make a drink that is at least similar to a tonic drink.

Homemade Tonic Water

It is difficult to do, but you can make your own tonic water as a substitute for the store-bought variety. There are recipes available online (see Resources). You will need quinine bark powder, citrus fruits and berries. The process involves cooking ingredients in a saucepan and filtering out the liquid. You can vary ingredients to make a tonic water substitute that is just to your taste.

Tags: tonic water, water substitute, carbonated water, clear carbonated, cocktail that, drink that, make drink

Biofeedback Machine Work

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a form of alternative medicine where a patient uses various machines to monitor certain aspects of their body's function to become more aware of their bodies, and therefore increase their ability to control their own bodies. In theory, when a person is shown a tangible measure of internal processes of which they normally cannot sense, they are able to regulate the process willfully. The applications for biofeedback are extremely diverse, and is often used to treat attention deficit disorder, urinary incontinence, headaches, and chronic pain.

Types of Biofeedback Machines

Since the applications of biofeedback vary greatly, so must the machines required to monitor the appropriate bodily functions; there is no single machine that is used for every type of biofeedback. An electromyograph, or EMG, is a commonly used machine in biofeedback which uses electrodes to measure muscle tension and is used to help patients relax to ease chronic pain and headaches. A galvanic skin response machine is a device that measures sweat gland activity by measuring electrical resistance across the skin, which is used to treat anxiety and excessive perspiration.

Another popular biofeedback device is the electroencephalogram, which measures brain wave activity, and is used to treat attention deficit disorder.

Advantages and Criticism of Biofeedback

Since biofeedback does not induce any direct chemical or physical change as a traditional treatment would, its effectiveness is a subject of debate. Critics argue that if biofeedback works at all, it amounts to a sort of placebo effect. Though the monitoring of bodily functions itself does not help a patient, it gives patients the belief that they can control their bodies, and the change in outlook enables them to control their bodily functions better. For certain problems, like ADHD and urinary incontinence, biofeedback has been found to be very effective in assisting patients, while for other problems, it is less useful. The value of biofeedback is derived from the brain's ability to control an ailment through discipline, training or relaxation. Problems which are not directly connected to the function of the brain, such as an immune disease or bodily damage, like a broken bone, are not likely to benefit from biofeedback.

Tags: bodily functions, control their, their bodies, used treat, ability control, applications biofeedback

Diy Ear Candles

Alternative medical practitioners praise ear candling as a safer and more effective method for removing ear wax than cotton swabs or ear canal irrigation systems. An ear candle is a narrow hollow tube that is usually made of muslin coated with paraffin or beeswax and soy. The ear candle is placed gently into the ear canal, and the other end is lit. As the candle burns, it has been assumed that the fire creates gentle suction within the hollow part of the candle, and the warmth softens the wax inside the ear.

History

Ear candling has been practiced since 2500 B.C., according to Cheryl Ashby, C.C.T. The ancient Egyptians used beeswax-based tubes for ear candling, and evidence indicates that ear candling was also practiced in parts of Asia.

Precautions

According to EarCandling.com, using an ear candle is a safe procedure when performed by a certified ear hygienist or specialist. Because the procedure should be performed by another person, if you're going to ear candle at home, you should ask someone to assist you. Also keep in mind that if you have any severe ear problems, you should first consult with a medical professional as to whether ear candling is safe for you. Ear candling involves an open flame; take care to ensure that the ear candles you use do not flake or ash, as this could start a fire.

You should be aware that many medical practitioners are skeptical of ear candling, and argue that the procedure does not work and in some cases can cause ear damage. According to Lisa Roazen, M.D., the pressure required to remove wax from the ear canal would have to be so strong that it would damage the ear drum. Roazen also cites a number of tests for the ear candling procedure, all of which showed that the only wax present inside the candle was from the candle itself, not the ear. However, many claim that the practice reduces sinus pressure, encourages a calm, meditative state of mind, and can heal ringing of the ears. Another explanation of the way is works is that the smoke and warmth from the candle loosen and dry ear wax, allowing it to later fall out naturally.

Selecting a Candle

Because there are a number of ear candle types to choose from, you should start by investigating and testing the ear candles you have access to. Craft fairs, alternative healing stores and craft stores often carry ear candles. You can also purchase ear candles online (see Resources). Make sure that you select candles that you feel will safely meet your needs. According to EarCandles.net, paraffin candles leave a residue inside the ear and can do more harm than good.

Placement

According to EarCandling.com, you should first have your ears examined by a health professional, to ensure that you have no infections or other health issues that could be worsened by ear candling. When you are ready to proceed, you should lie down on your side, preferably with a firm pillow beneath your head. Have your assistant place the ear candle in your ear. The narrow end should go far enough into the ear canal that the candle stands stiffly straight, but not so far that you experience any discomfort. Other advice is to sit upright with the candle in the ear at an angle. Once the candle has been firmly seated, light the other end, or the candle may be lighted first to make sure it is burning properly. The flame should remain calm and consistent as the candle burns. You may hear some slight crackling or popping sounds. Once the candle has burned half of its length, remove the candle, extinguish it, and repeat the process. Each ear candling session should use two to three candles per ear and last thirty minutes to an hour.

Tags: According EarCandling, candle burns, ensure that, from candle, into canal, medical practitioners

Lymphoma Diagnosis

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more than five times as common as Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was previously referred to as Hodgkin's disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, the number of cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been on the rise in the U.S. over the past 30 years but so have the number of survivors.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer that originates in your lymphatic system but there are many different subtypes of the disease. These malignant tumors develop from a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. The National Cancer Institute says non-Hodgkin lymphomas can strike at any age. Its telltale signs are often very swollen lymph nodes, fever and weight loss.

What Causes Lymphoma?

The Mayo Clinic says the exact cause of both non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma remains a mystery. However, the stimulation of certain abnormal genes that may be involved in the development and growth of all cancers could also be the culprit in lymphoma.

Treatment Options

Your doctor will take into account the type and stage of your lymphoma and your age when developing a treatment plan. If you seem to have a slow growing lymphoma your doctor may delay any specific treatment and merely observe the cancer for a period of time. Slow growing lymphomas may not require treatment for at least one year.

Chemotherapy & Radiation

If the cancer cells are aggressive, your doctor may prescribe a combination of chemotherapy drugs to be administered orally or by injection. This treatment method is used for later stages of low grade lymphomas as well as moderate and high-grade lymphomas.

Radiation treatment is used in conjunction with chemotherapy on intermediate-grade tumors or to treat specific sites. It can also be the primary course of treatment for early stages of low-grade lymphomas.

Biotherapy & Radioimmunotherapy

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Rituximab (Rituxan) to treat B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. B cells are a type of lymph cell that's a vital part of your immune system's response to unfamiliar intruders. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that assists the immune system in killing cancer cells. Rituximab is often used in combination with chemotherapy.

Since radioimmunoptherapy has potentially serious side effects, the FDA has approved the drugs (ibritumomab (Zevalin) and tositumomab (Bexxar) for use only when other treatment choices have been unsuccessful.

Radioimmunotherapy essentially entails monoclonal antibodies attaching themselves to the cancer cells, while the radiation helps wipe them out. Side effects can include hemorrhaging and potentially fatal infections.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. When lymphoma is present, cells within the system grow abnormally and may travel to other parts of the body. Hodgkin's lymphoma is much less common than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is also treatment with a combination of chemotherapy drugs and radiation.

Lymphoma Statistics

The National Cancer Institute says there will be nearly 66,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009 and more than 19,000 deaths. That compares to 8,500 new cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma and approximately 1,300 deaths.

Tags: Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer cells, Cancer Institute, Cancer Institute says, cases non-Hodgkin

Make Natural Oils

Make Natural Oils

Natural oils have been in use since before recorded history. Their applications vary widely from tools for alternative healing to use in massage and aromatherapy. Today it's common practice to purchase candles or oil-based air fresheners to enhance the environments in which we live and work. Making your own natural oils can be done at home using enfleurage. These oils are ideal for aromatherapy or massage. No complex equipment is necessary, and you may use flowers and herbs from your own garden. This process will take about one week and will produce a natural oil that will last for about 12 months if stored away from heat and light.

Instructions

1. Place about a cup of the flowers into the resealable bag. Gently press out the air and seal the flowers inside. Take a rolling pin and crush the flowers by rolling over the bag several times. It's not necessary to press hard. You want to only bruise them.

2. Combine the crushed flowers and the oil in the plastic bag and pour the contents of the bag into a mason jar. Close the jar and place it in a sunny window for two days.

3. Open the mason jar and pour the flower-oil blend into a second container or jar that has been covered with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to strain out the flowers. Secure the filter with a rubber band. Throw away the old flower petals.Pour the oil back into the first mason jar.

4. Gather another cup of fresh flower petals and put them in the plastic bag. Bruise them again with the rolling pin. Place these flowers into the same oil made from the first batch of flower petals in step 1. Once again leave the floral oil in the mason jar in a warm and sunny place for two days. Strain out the flower petals. Discard them. Return the oil to the first mason jar or container. Repeat this process at least two or three times more, each time using fresh flower petals. By now you should definitely begin to detect the fragrance.

5. Use a funnel to pour the final concentrated natural fragrance oil from the mason jar to a storage bottle. Keep the resulting natural oil in a dark and cool location. Your oil will stay fragrant for up to one year.

Tags: flower petals, first mason, flowers into, fresh flower, fresh flower petals, Make Natural, Make Natural Oils

Make Natural Massage Gel

Because they don't flow, massage gels are easier to work with and less messy than oils. Unfortunately, while there are plenty of natural oils available, natural massage gels are harder to find. Most use artificial gelling agents and other synthetic products. Avoid these additives by making your own natural massage gel at home.

Instructions

1. Cut a thick, healthy leaf off of a full-grown aloe plant.

2. Slice the top of the leaf open to expose the gel inside. The leaf will ooze a bit of yellow liquid where you cut it, and have clear gel inside. The gel is what you want.

3. Spoon the gel into a container with a teaspoon, taking care to get as little of the yellow liquid on the gel as you can. Count how many spoons of gel you get.

4. Carefully rinse off any of the yellow fluid with water, then dump the water out. The yellow fluid is called aloin and it is irritating to the skin, so you don't want to leave any in the gel.

5. Mix in 4 drops of essential oil or another natural for every 4 teaspoons you get. Almond oil, flower fragrances and aroma therapy oils all work well.

6. Keep the gel in an airtight container in your refrigerator until you need it. Warm it with your hands or a massage oil warmer before you use it.

7. Experiment with the consistency of the gel. Add more water to make it thinner or more oil to make it oilier.

Tags: massage gels, natural massage, yellow fluid, yellow liquid

Recovering From A Supracervical Hysterectomy

Any surgical procedure brings a certain amount of risk and requires some recovery time. Hysterectomies are major surgeries. Following the guidelines your doctor gives you can make recovering from a supracervical hysterectomy easier and safer.

The Facts

There are several different kinds of hysterectomies. Some involve the complete removal of the uterus, cervix and part of the vagina. During a supracervical hysterectomy, a surgeon removes only the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix and other tissues in place. Your experience recovering from a supracervical hysterectomy will depend on how the surgery is performed. Aftercare guidelines for patients are fairly uniform, but each woman's experience is unique.

Abdominal

If your surgeon performs an abdominal supracervical hysterectomy, then she will make a 5 to 7 inch incision on your abdomen in order to access and remove your uterus. This older form of surgery usually requires a hospital stay of three days. While in the hospital, you might require a bladder catheter. It will take about 6 weeks for you to feel completely recovered from the surgery. You can experience more pain while recovering and the incision will leave a scar.

Laparoscopic/Vaginal

Vaginal and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomies are newer innovations that your doctor can perform. In a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon makes a cut in your vagina to reach your uterus. In a laparoscopic procedure, he will make a few small incisions in your belly, using a tiny camera to guide him through removing your uterus. These surgeries require a shorter time spent in the hospital, about 2 days. There will be less scarring because the incisions are smaller. Recovering from them also takes less time: 3 weeks as opposed to 6.

Aftercare

Whether your surgery is abdominal or vaginal, there are some guidelines to follow while recovering from your supracervical hysterectomy. You should walk as soon as you are able to do so. Even mild amounts of exercise will reduce the chance of you developing blood clots after surgery. It may take a little while for your bowels to recover. Your doctor will give you diet suggestions to follow in the meantime.

Considerations

Each woman's experience recovering from her supracervical hysterectomy surgery is different. One person might take longer to feel ready to go back to work and take up normal activities than another. If you are having the surgery to treat cancer, your hospital stay will be longer than the average. Long-term, some women do experience a change in sexual drive and function.

Tags: supracervical hysterectomy, from supracervical, from supracervical hysterectomy, recovering from supracervical, your uterus, experience recovering

Aldara Alternative

Aldara is the brand name for imiquimod, a topical medication used to treat various skin disorders such as the human papilloma virus (HPV), other warts, sores and lesions, and even some kinds of skin cancers. Dermatologists favor it because it allows for treatment of those disorders without surgery or other procedures, but certain drawbacks with the product have caused researchers to develop superior alternatives.

Resiquimod

Aldara has a skin-cancer cure rate of 80 to 85 percent, as opposed to 90 to 98 percent for excision or surgery. For this reason, it is often considered a backup treatment. But dermatologists are hoping that resiquimod, which is under development by 3M Pharmaceuticals, will prove a more powerful and effective means of treatment.

PEP005 gel

This gel is under development by the pharmaceutical company Peplin. It comes from the plant euphorbia peplus, which has been used for ages to treat skin lesions. It kills cells quickly, causing tumor cells to split apart, then causes an immune response that targets the tumor cells specifically.

Peplin is preparing to file for a new drug application by mid-2010.

Voltaren

Voltaren is the brand name for diclofenac, a pain reliever generally used for arthritis patients. But it may have some previously untapped uses for sufferers of actinic keratoses, scaly bumps on the skin.

More about Aldara and surgery/freezing

These pharmaceutical possiblities have dermatologists excited about new treatments. But in the mean time, Aldara remains a prescription of choice, despite having a few drawbacks. In addition to its imperfect cure rate, the drug has also been shown to produce "false negatives"; in short, the lesions or warts go away but have not been totally eliminated.

For warts and other skin disorders, minor outpatient surgery or freezing remains a common option.

Tags: brand name, cure rate, skin disorders, surgery freezing, tumor cells, under development

Day Spa Training

The current trend in spa treatments is focused on wellness.

Day spas are extremely popular for a variety of reasons, convenience being near the top of the list. A trip to the spa is no longer something that has to be planned for a weekend getaway. Day spas are opening in cities all around the country. Some are brick and mortar stand-alone places while others can be found in malls, gyms, hotels and medical facilities. If you are thinking of opening a spa or purchasing a franchise, management training is advisable.

Consultants

Hiring a consulting firm is one way to get started in the spa industry. Potential spa owners can contract with experienced professionals who will create business plans, perform feasibility studies and train you on get the operation up and running. Consultants can advise on floor-plan design and marketing strategies. Recruiting staff and product line selections are other areas relevant to the consultant's guidance and training.

Classroom and Online Courses

Live start-up courses for owners and spa directors range anywhere from eight hours to five days or more. Typical modules include finance, marketing, staffing management, operations and customer service. Online learning and traditional textbook training is available through independent firms and spa associations. Owners and spa supervisors may also wish to gain a spa certification through the International Spa Association.

Spa Specialist Training

Almost all day spas employ aestheticians who perform facials and other spa treatments. These skin specialists are trained in beauty schools and colleges on skin care regimens. Coursework includes anatomy, sanitation, makeup application, waxing and business practices. States regulate the number of clinical hours an aesthetician must have in order to apply for a license. The majority of states have a 600-hour requirement. Connecticut is the only state that does not mandate clinical hours.

Advanced Training

Licensed aestheticians can train in more complex procedures, such as laser and pulsed light treatment. Master programs are available that add another 600 hours of clinical work and training. Advanced modules offer in-depth hands-on training in pre- and post-surgery care, rosacea treatments, manual microdermabrasion and specialty masks. Also included may be courses on cellulite, stone therapy treatments and chemical acid peelings.

Considerations

Joining the spa industry as an owner is a popular form of entrepreneurship. Keeping up with and training on what is in vogue in the beauty business is important to the profitability of the spa. According to Spa Finder, Inc., the new trends in spa treatments are aligned with prevention as opposed to the traditional pampering theme of the past. Hybrid spas-those incorporating more fitness and wellness elements-are on the upswing. Due to the still recovering economy, offering special deals and memberships are highly recommended.

Tags: clinical hours

Make Lavender Peppermint And Tea Tree Oil Foot Powder

Make Lavender, Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil Foot Powder

Foot powder made of lavender, peppermint and tea-tree oil is a simple, natural remedy that will help diffuse foot odor and treat athlete's foot. The concoction is especially useful when normal bathing is impossible, such as during a long camping or hiking trip, making it a perfect gift for the outdoor-lover in your life. Consider packaging the foot powder with a dry shampoo and natural powder deodorant.

Instructions

1. Pour the cornstarch into a small mixing bowl and add the tea-tree and vitamin-E oils.

2. Mix the contents together with a wooden spoon or disposable stirrer.

3. Add the lavender and peppermint essential oil and stir thoroughly.

4. Transfer the lavender, peppermint and tea-tree oil foot powder to a wide-mouthed glass jar with tight-fitting lid. Store the foot powder in a cool, dry place for 24 hours before first use to infuse.

5. Affix a label reminding to shake gently before each use.

Tags: foot powder, Foot Powder, lavender peppermint, lavender peppermint tea-tree, Lavender Peppermint Tree, Make Lavender

Debate Pros And Cons Of A Hysterectomy

Hysterectomies are the most common surgery performed in the United States, far more than in any other country. In the past, few options were available or offered to women considering hysterectomy, and it has become a political issue. Any woman considering a hysterectomy should carefully weigh its pros and cons.

Instructions

Pros

1. Experience the peace of mind that results from never having to worry about becoming pregnant again.

2. Reduce greatly your risks of getting uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer. For women who have a family predisposition to these cancers, a hysterectomy can end constant worry about this disease.

3. Get relief from medical problems that, while not life-threatening, can be miserable to endure such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and exceptionally heavy periods. A hysterectomy can save you from years of trying less radical, but also less effective treatments.

4. Improve your sex life by being free of the pain often associated with the medical problems cured through hysterectomy.

Cons

5. Consider that you will never be able to have children again. For women who haven't yet reached menopause, the loss of the ability to have children may make them feel as if they're no longer a "real" woman.

6. Allow that you may experience a loss of sexual desire or difficulty reaching orgasm. Although hormone treatments may help with desire, uterine contractions play a role in orgasm, and its absence cannot be compensated for.

7. Worry about urinary incontinence, which may happen when nerves serving the bladder are accidentally damaged during a hysterectomy. You may regain some control by doing Kegel exercises or by having a subtotal hysterectomy, which leaves the cervix in place.

8. Weigh the risks of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), which will be needed to prevent osteoporosis or heart disease, but which may contribute to other health problems as well as a feeling of not being "quite right." Women who refuse ERT will enter menopause.

Tags: considering hysterectomy, have children, medical problems, worry about

Make Knots Go Away

Muscle spasms can result from too much exercise.

Muscle spasms cause a "knot" to form in the muscle belly. This knot feels like a hard ball and is painful when pressed on. It can also limit range of motion in nearby areas of the body. Muscle spasms are caused by overuse or over-stretching a muscle, or can be part of an underlying medical condition like poor circulation. The risk of developing a muscle spasm increases with a dietary deficiency of magnesium, calcium or potassium. Several things can be done to treat a muscle spasm.

Instructions

1. Limit physical activity as much as possible to rest the injured muscle.

2. Apply heat to the knotted muscle for 20 minutes at a time several times per day. Make a hot pack by pouring two pounds of dry rice into a long cotton sock and knot the end of it. Place the sock in the microwave for 30 seconds on high. Add time in 15 second intervals until the sock is hot. Lay it on the injured body part. Use additional layers of towel to prevent burns.

3. Gently stretch the area with the knotted muscle. Hold it in a stretched position for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times. Do this several times throughout the day.

4. Massage the knotted muscle to relieve tension. Use your fingertips to gently apply downward pressure and move in circles over the tight area. This will increase blood flow to the area and decrease pain. Do this for several minutes at a time until the muscle feels better.

Tags: knotted muscle, Muscle spasms, minutes time, muscle spasm, several times, this several

Climb Stairs After Hip Surgery

After you've recovered sufficiently from hip replacement surgery to move about on your own, you may still find the thought of negotiating stairs a daunting one. An easy-to-remember saying will help you navigate stairs correctly. Your "good leg" must lead when going up the stairs and your "bad leg" must lead on the way back down. So, just remember: "up with the good, down with the bad."

Instructions

1. Keep your crutches on the ground as you start to ascend the stairs. Face the stairway and make sure that you lean forward slightly while the crutches are still on the floor. If you have advanced to the point that you use a cane rather than crutches, then keep the cane on the floor.

2. Lift your good leg, which is the leg the surgeons did not operate on, and place your foot on the first step. Your crutches or cane should still maintain their position on the floor below this step, as should the leg that had the hip replacement.

3. Raise your bad leg and bring it up to first step next to the good leg. Never attempt to take steps in a normal manner immediately after a hip replacement. Do not climb using the method of putting one foot on a step and the other foot on the step above.

4. Bring the pair of crutches or the cane up to the step upon which you are now standing so that they can support your weight. Repeat this process to negotiate each separate step until you reach the top. Stop and rest, if you feel the need to, as you climb the stairs.

5. Go down the stairs using the opposite approach. Lead with your crutches or cane, placing these supports on the first step before you move either leg. This will give you full support as you make your way down.

6. After properly placing your crutches or cane, lead with your bad leg to descend. Once you have placed the leg that had the operation on the step, bring your good leg down so that both legs and the crutches or cane are all on the same step. Repeat this procedure for every step until you have reached the floor. You may find that going down stairs is more arduous than climbing them.

Tags: crutches cane, first step, your crutches, down stairs, foot step