Copper has a beautiful color and makes an economical alternative to sterling silver when making custom jewelry. This tutorial will explain take a piece of copper sheet metal and turn it into a stunning stamped copper cuff bracelet to add to your fashion jewelry collection.
Instructions
1. Gather your tools and materials. Measure the wrist of the person for whom you are making the unique jewelry.
2. Purchase (or cut) a piece of 18 gauge copper sheet metal 1 inch wide by seven (7) inches long (or the length needed to make the bracelet for the wrist you measured). If you do not know cut sheet metal, see our eHow Use a Jewelry Saw at http://www.ehow.com/how_4772007_use-jewelry-saw.html or click the link in the resource section of this article.
3. Sand the copper sheet metal until there are no scratches on the surface of the metal and it is ready to be formed, stamped and used as fashion jewelry. If you do not know sand metal, see our eHow Use Sand Paper at http://www.ehow.com/how_4805483_use-sand-paper.html or click the link in the resource section of this article.
4. File the sheet metal you cut until it is quite smooth and comfortable.
5. Place the copper sheet metal on the steel block and stamp the copper with the phrase or design you desire. For example, this copper cuff bracelet is stamped "Nocere Vivere Est," the school motto of a Washington,DC private school.
6. Form the copper sheet metal into the shape of a bracelet using a raw hide hammer or plastic mallet and a bracelet mandrel.
7. Hammer the edge of the formed copper with a forming hammer to harden, thicken and add a decorative look to the .
A number of symptoms go along with migraines, or migraine disease, and are triggered by certain foods and additives. Once the foods that cause your migraine symptoms are identified, you can eliminate them from your diet.
Identification
Several foods have long been linked to causing migraines: chocolate, eggs, caffeine, wheat, cheese and alcohol.
Types
Certain food additives are known to cause migraine symptoms: monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrates found in processed meats, aspartame or Nutrasweet and sulfites from canned vegetables, fruits or tuna.
Potential
Some fruits and vegetables also have potential to cause migraines: avocado, apple, banana, cabbage, eggplant, grapes, onion, orange, pineapple, plum, potato and tomato.
Expert Insight
Histamines found in cheese, beer and wine cause dilated blood vessels, a condition that causes migraines. Diamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down histamines, making them less harmful. Because women have a deficiency of the enzyme, they are more susceptible than men to migraines from these foods.
Prevention/Solution
Vitamin B6 increases the amount of diamine oxidase in the body and thus can be used by women to prevent migraines caused by foods containing histamines.
Considerations
Foods containing tyramine cause dilation of blood vessels and can trigger migraines. Soy sauce, sauerkraut and salami are considered to have dangerously high levels of the compound. Tyramine is also found in any other foods that have been aged or fermented: cheese, meats, pickles, nuts and olives.
When treating depression, anti-depressant medications are often prescribed. However, there is a risk attached to certain ones that can actually induce mania in adults. Teenagers run the risk of an increase in suicidal thoughts when taking certain anti-depressants. Fortunately there are natural minerals that can help overcome negative moods associated with depression: zinc, magnesium and selenium.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient that the body cannot store. Yet it affects bodily functions such as the immune system, reproductive system and mental balance. A lack of zinc can cause mental lethargy. Increasing zinc amounts in deficient patients could alleviate symptom-related physical pain as well as improveme alertness. Supplements may be needed for depressed patient groups who are at risk of zinc deficiency, namely vegetarians and pregnant women. Zinc amounts should not exceed 40 milligrams per day for adults 19 and older. Natural sources of zinc include oysters, beef shanks, Swiss cheese and pork shoulder.
Magnesium
Magnesium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Magnesium is used in more than 300 bodily biochemical reactions. Most magnesium is found in the bones. Magnesium can help with depression because it is involved with producing the necessary proteins to create special mood-related neurotransmitters. Magnesium is essential in producing serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for elevating moods. A study led by Dr. Richard H. Cox tested 100 for magnesium deficiency by applying high levels of magnesium to their systems for absorption. More than 50 of those patients demonstrated low levels of magnesium. Nearly 90 percent of depressed patients with chronic pain syndromes were found to be deficient. Beets, carrots, leafy vegetables and legumes are all natural sources of magnesium.
Selenium
Selenium deficiency also has been linked to depressed and anxiety moods. Although your body only needs trace amounts, it helps make antioxidants that prevent cell damage from free radicals that can target the brain's functions. A 1991 study published in the Biological Psychiatry Journal was among the first to demonstrate selenium's effects on the mood. Fifty subjects were given a placebo or a small amount of selenium daily for five weeks and asked to monitor their moods as well as what they've eaten. High levels of selenium can result in irritability and mild nerve damage. It is recommended that adults have no more than 400 micrograms of selenium per day.
Tags: depressed patients, levels magnesium, more than, with depression
Red marine algae is one of the largest species of algae. It can be used as a natural method for boosting the immune system. Red marine algae ointment is a dual-purpose remedy for skin conditions as it has treats both viral and bacterial infections and conditions.
The Facts
Red marine algae is a type of algae that has anti-viral properties and has been used in Chinese medicine since ancient times as a treatment for suppressed immune systems and as a standard treatment for illness. In addition, red marine algae is filled with antioxidants that help to fight off free radicals and maintain skin elasticity.
Red marine algae ointment can be used to treat several skin-related conditions and is effective because it also boasts anti-bacterial properties. Thus, it can be a powerful and natural way to treat skin conditions as well as variations of herpes simplex infections.
Acne
Red marine algae is a multipurpose ingredient that is beneficial in treating acne. It dries up the blemishes while adding minerals and moisture into the skin. The bacterial properties of red marine algae heal acne blemishes. Often, skin dried out from acne medications and treatments produces more oil to compensate, which can result in more breakouts. As red marine algae prevents the skin from drying out, recurrent breakouts are less common.
Cold Sores
Red marine algae ointment is best known for use in treating cold sores, applied topically to promote rapid healing. When red marine algae is taken orally, it has been shown to prevent recurrent herpes simplex infections. While it does not have that same effect when applied directly to the skin, it can provide much needed relief from a painful cold sore.
Diaper Rash
Red marine algae ointment can also be used as a soothing and effective treatment for diaper rash. This ointment contains the antibacterial boost of red marine algae as well as the soothing benefits of emu oil, Shea butter and aloe extract. If used at least once daily, this ointment will treat diaper rash while preventing it from recurring.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which the skin is irritated and scaly. Red marine algae ointment is a natural remedy to soothe psoriasis symptoms. As it contains ingredients that add moisture to the skin, such as vitamin E and soy oil, it may provide much needed relief from itching and irritation.
The prostate gland is an important part of a man's reproductive system. It provides nourishing and protective fluid to support sperm survival and increase the chances of fertilization of the egg in a women's uterus. Several conditions can affect the prostate as a man ages, including cancer and benign .
Function
During ejaculation, the prostate contracts around the upper portion of the urethra, preventing urine from being released into the semen. The prostate produces seminal plasma, which is a component of semen. Seminal plasma contains alkaline compounds like bicarbonate to protect sperm after ejaculation into the vagina, and supplies proteins, enzymes, and minerals such as zinc and calcium to nourish sperm. The prostate gland also secretes prostaglandins, natural compounds that are important to the movement of sperm.
Significance
The secretions of the prostate gland produce nutrients sperm need for survival. In addition, prostate fluids help to neutralize the acidic environment of the vaginal canal, helping sperm to survive and move through the vaginal canal and cervix into the uterus. Prostaglandins stimulate contraction of the uterus, to help sperm move towards the egg and increase the chance of fertilization. Without prostate gland secretions, sperm would not be able to survive in the female reproductive tract.
Considerations
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition of the prostate in which prostate tissue grows. It affects almost half of men over the age of 50 and more than 70 percent of men in their 70's. When the prostate enlarges, it presses against the urethra, impairing the flow of urine out of the bladder. The eventual result is frequent urination since the bladder cannot fully empty. Other symptoms can include bloody or painful urination and a weak urine flow. If untreated, BPH may in rare cases lead to kidney failure.
Warning
New cases of prostate cancer affect over 750,000 men a year. Symptoms are often unnoticeable in early stages but fortunately, prostate cancer develops slowly and if caught early enough, your chances of effective treatment are high. Once prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body however, survival rates decrease. See your doctor every year for an annual physical and prostate exam if you are over the age of 45, especially if you have a strong family history of prostate cancer.
Prevention/Solution
The Western diet and lifestyle play a significant role in the development of BPH and prostate cancer. Prostate cancer rates are increasing in underdeveloped nations as they take on the characteristics of such a lifestyle. A diet composed mainly of high fat, high calorie, nutrient-poor, processed foods and increased consumption of animal products contribute to the increasing incidence of prostate cancer around the world. Smoking and lack of adequate exercise further increase your risk.
Saw palmetto and pygeum are herbal remedies that can be useful in the treatment of BPH. To reduce symptoms of mild BPH, including nighttime urination, take 320 mg of saw palmetto "standardized to 85 to 95 percent fatty acids" or 100 mg of pygeum daily.
Cloisonne is a method of enameling metal, in which patterns or areas of color are outlined by using a copper or bronze wire that is bent into shapes and attached to the body of the piece. Beads made this way are extremely popular. They vary in size and quality, from tiny 1/4-inch beads to large ones the size of a shooter marble, and from inexpensive beads made of copper to finely-crafted pieces of pure silver.
Body
The technique of cloisonne has been around for thousands of years. Though China leads the world in this style of enameling, it was not invented there. The earliest evidence of cloisonne was found in Cyprus, and dates to the 13th Century B.C.
Steps
Making cloisonne beads is a painstaking process involving several steps. First, a base must be made. It's the body on which the be painted. The body can be made of many kinds of metal, but copper is the most common--because of its malleable nature. For a bead, you need a body a bit smaller than the size bead you want.
Next, using a wire, form the shapes of the design you wish to put on the surface of the bead. Again, this wire can be made of any soft metal. Copper, silver and gold are the most common, are easy to work with and look the best. The thinner the wire, the smaller your bead will be when finished.
Rather than soldering, which can cause a discoloration of the enamel, the body is fired in a crucible with a thin layer of clear enamel. The wire is then attached to the body with gum Tragacanth. When the body is fired again, the wire fuses to the clear enamel and the gum Tragacanth burns off.
Next, fill the areas inside the wire shapes with colored enamel. After firing, the enamel will sink some, so the process must be repeated until the enamel is no longer below the wire. However, leaving some areas depressed can sometimes be an interesting effect.
Next, polish the piece. First polish it with emery, to make the piece smooth and the enamel perfectly level with the wire. After another firing, polish it again with a whet-stone. Then with hard carbon.
Finally, gild the piece to give the wire shapes a shine. Pieces made of fine silver may not need gilding.
Tags: , body fired, clear enamel, enamel will, wire shapes
Asthma is a lung disorder. Asthma attacks are can be caused by a variety of dust and allergens, including sawdust, pet dander and pollen. When the body responds to the irritant which caused the attack, the affected person's airways can become inflamed and swollen, causing difficulty breathing.
It is possible to prevent some asthma attacks by identifying the cause of the attack before the attack starts. Once the cause of the attack has been identified, asthma sufferers can take measures to avoid items that trigger their asthma by replacing the items with non-irritant substitutes or wearing surgical masks to avoid breathing in the irritant.
Instructions
Prevent Asthma Triggered by Sawdust
1. Avoid the irritant. If your asthma is triggered by breathing in sawdust, avoiding places where sawdust is commonly present or used is a good way to significantly reduce your chances of suffering an asthma attack.
If you have to enter an area where sawdust is used, try to limit your exposure by staying in areas with good airflow and keeping your distance from the irritant.
2. Use a substitute. If you have asthma that is triggered by exposure to sawdust and you commonly need sawdust for something, you should look for possible alternatives to use. Sawdust can sometimes be replaced by small chopped-up rubber pieces or pellets.
3. Wear a mask. Asthma attacks are commonly triggered by breathing in the allergen. If you have to come into contact with the allergen, wear a surgical mask or bandanna over your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling the trigger.
This is not a foolproof method of preventing asthma attacks, but it may help reduce exposure to the sawdust which could cause the attack.
4. Always be sure to take all doctor-prescribed medicine for your condition. Missing doses of preventative medication could increase your chances of suffering an asthma attack when exposed to irritants.
5. As with any health condition, the better physical shape you are in, the less affected you will be by an asthma attack. If your lungs are healthy and you can breathe deeply without becoming winded while performing regular tasks and activities, you are better equipped to handle asthma attacks and exposure to the irritants which can cause asthma attacks.
Unlike the private health care system used in the United States, Canadian health care is a single payer system. Physicians and hospitals are private entities, but their services are paid for by the government. The government covers these costs through taxes paid by citizens. The system has advantages over the U.S. approach, but there are drawbacks too.
History of Health Care in Canada
The move toward the country's current approach to health care started in 1946. The province of Saskatchewan (in the center of the country between Alberta and Manitoba) suffered from doctor shortages, so the towns began to help doctors start their practices in the province. Eventually, Alberta started a similar program and was able to offer coverage to 90 percent of the province's population. By 1957, the Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act had passed, and in just four years all 10 provinces agreed to participate. The act required all provinces to pay half of the medical costs for their citizens. That was increased in 1966 under the Medical Care Act, which set up the current system, called Medicare (not to be confused with the U.S. program for the elderly).
The Organization of the System
Under the system, each province can establish its own universal health care policies. Coverage varies depending on where you live, but most procedures deemed medically necessary are paid by the government. Each resident receives a health card issued by the province. This card is shown when medical services are provided, as Americans might show their insurance cards. No co-payments are required, however. As in many American health insurance plans, the family doctor is the primary point of care but can refer patients to specialists. Patients can choose to see specialists without a referral, but those costs usually have to be paid by the patient.
The Public and Private Mix
Although most people assume the Canadian Medicare system is completely public, that's not the case. Doctors are not paid a salary by the government but instead receive a pre-negotiated fee each time they see a patient. That fee is determined by physician organizations and the provincial governments. Doctors are not permitted to charge more than that fee unless they want to be removed from the Medicare system, which most do not. Additionally, private insurance is available to supplement what is provided by the government. About 65 percent of Canadians have some type of private insurance that helps with costs not fully covered by the system, such as prescriptions. Employers often provide this supplemental insurance as a benefit to workers. Other types of medical services, including optometry services, are wholly private.
Advantages of the Canadian System
The biggest advantage of the Canadian health care system is widespread coverage for all citizens regardless of income. Although not all medical needs are completely covered by the government, price controls on prescriptions allow patients to afford the treatments they need. Although health care spending is high in Canada, accounting for more than 10 percent of the gross domestic product, it is less than is spent in the United States.
Disadvantages of the Canadian System
A major disadvantage of the system is wait times. Because some services are limited, patients may wait considerably longer to have elective surgeries, to be seen in an emergency room or to have some types of diagnostic tests. For example, in 2004 the average wait to have an MRI was 22 months. A survey conducted in 2006 found that 40 percent of Canadians who had elective surgery had to wait up to three months for it. Other disadvantages include a shortage of physicians and limitations on private delivery of health care.
Tags: health care, Medicare system, Canadian health, Canadian health care, Canadian Medicare, Canadian Medicare system
While the majority of spider bites will cause nothing more than a mild irritation, there are some people who may have allergic reactions to such bites that could lead to more adverse reactions. Light-headedness, vomiting, and even anaphylaxis could all be caused by an allergic reaction to a spider bite.
Significance
While a normal spider bite may be painful and cause some skin irritation, if you are actually allergic to spider venom, being bitten can lead to a much more serious situation.
Types
While there is a possibility of having an allergic reaction to any type of spider bite, there are certain spiders that are known to cause allergic reactions more often. The bite of a black widow spider is often followed by cramps, muscle spasms, tingling in the limbs, headache, dizziness and even vomiting. The bite of a brown recluse leaves a large, misshapen blister behind, surrounded by a red ring. When the blister pops, it leaves an area of lesions behind that will continue to enlarge unless treated properly.
Effects
There are several effects associated with an allergic reaction to a spider bite. They can range from flu-like symptoms with fever and sweating to serious health risks, such as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a condition where a person's throat swells shut, which makes breathing difficult, and may also include swelling of the lips and tongue or an itchy feeling in the throat. Other signs of an allergic reaction to a spider bit include swelling of the bite location and of the eyelids and hands, as well as an outbreak of hives. These are raised, red lumps in the skin that may occur in one localized area or may spread over the entire body, and can be itchy.
Considerations
Many people don't know they are allergic to spider bites until they are actually bitten by one. Then it could turn into a life-threatening situation. If a person is allergic to other insect bites or allergic to a multitude of different things, he should be especially aware of what could happen if it turns out he is also allergic to spider bites and be prepared just in case.
Misconceptions
Almost all spiders are venomous to a degree, but usually they are too small and their venom is too weak to hurt something as large as a human being. The only time a spider bite can become life-threatening is if the person bitten is allergic or if they receive multiple bites.
Warning
Someone suffering from anaphylaxis that does not seek treatment as soon as possible could go into shock. If the victim does not seek emergency care as soon as possible once shock has set in, the situation could become life-threatening.
Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is a type of laser vision correction surgery. PRK is still performed by eye surgeons but not as often since the development of LASIK eye surgery. PRK can be used to correct moderate nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism.
Before the Procedure
Before a PRK procedure, the patient needs to have a complete eye examination by an ophthalmologist to determine what type of correction is needed, measure the cornea to map out the surgery and to make sure there are no medical reasons not to perform the surgery; remember to ask the surgeon any questions about the procedure at this time.
The Day of the Procedure
On the day of the surgery, the patient is taken into the laser surgery suite where a numbing drop is placed into the eye being operated on; the patient then lies down under the laser and an instrument is placed in the eye to hold it open during the procedure.
The Laser Procedure
Using the measurements obtained at the office visit, the surgeon sets the computer in the laser to correct the refractive error; the patient looks at a light to keep the eye in position.
The Laser Procedure Part 2
The laser uses cool light to remove the tissue of the cornea to reshape it appropriately; the more correction needed, the longer the procedure may take although the procedure should take around a minute.
After the Procedure
After the procedure, the patient can generally go home after a short while; the eye surgeon may prescribe medications to relieve the eye pain or discomfort, but many patients may not need any.
The Days After the Procedure
The patient should follow any instructions that the surgeon gives for the period after the surgery; often the doctor will suggest no work, no exercise, a bandage contact lens and antibiotic eye drops for a few days after the procedure.
Lupron is an injectable hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer. When the drug is administered regularly, it acts with the pituitary gland to stop the production of the leutinizing hormone that stimulates testicles to continue to release testosterone. It dramatically drops the levels of testosterone in men to castration levels. While the lack of testosterone can have a positive effect on stopping prostate cancer, Lupron injections can have some unpleasant side effects.
Initial Symptoms
After Lupron injection, patients will often experience redness, swelling, burning or itching at the injection site. This should not last more than a few days. As Lupron works by altering hormone levels in the body, it can produce a number of immediate symptoms. The most common of these is hot flashes, similar to those experienced by menopausal women. Bone pain and difficulty urinating are also often experienced at the beginning of Lupron treatment. Breast pain and swelling is also possible.
Sexual Side Effects
Since Lupron is a hormonal therapy that decreases testosterone, it can have a dramatic effect on a man's sexuality. The testes can decrease in size. Many men will also experience a decreased libido, or lack of sexual desire. Without proper levels of testosterone within the body, impotence is a possible side effect of Lupron treatment.
Other Problems
Side effects from Lupron injections that are not as common include gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, nausea or vomiting. Headaches and insomnia have also been reported. Urinary frequency and infections as well as swelling of the hands and feet are possible but not common. In some patients changes in mood and even depression has followed Lupron injections. These symptoms should be reported to a physician.
Life-Threatening Reactions
While rare, certain life-threatening reactions have been experienced during Lupron therapy for prostate cancer. They include changes in blood pressure and heart rhythms. Congestive heart failure and blood clots have been reported by a small number of Lupron patients and may or may not be directly linked to the drug. Allergic reactions are also possible with any medication. Anyone taking Lupron and experiencing any severe reactions should seek immediate medical help.
Prevention
It is possible to ease some of the side effects of Lupron injections for prostate cancer. Be sure the prescribing physician is aware of any other medications (over-the-counter and prescription) taken. Aspirin products can increase the risk of side effects. It is also a good idea to avoid exposure to the sun and wear sunblock when taking Lupron. Avoiding alcohol and eating properly can help with some of the side effects, as can getting adequate rest.
Considerations
Not everyone undergoing Lupron injections for prostate cancer will have side effects. Many of the symptoms produced by the drug will lessen over time and may disappear completely when therapy has stopped. It is also possible to adjust the dose and frequency of injections to help ease problems. Lupron has been proven to be effective in treating the cancer. The benefits and risks of Lupron injections should be weighed by doctor and patient.
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Blood pressure is the force of the blood as it pumps through blood vessels, circulating throughout our bodies. Those with narrow arteries will have high blood pressure, since blood has to be pumped harder through the smaller passageways. Usually high blood pressure is caused by exercise or stress, but some people have chronic high blood pressure and this can be dangerous to their health.
Identification
High blood pressure symptoms can include dizziness, headaches and even nosebleeds. Sometimes there are no symptoms and you don't know you have a problem until you have a stroke or a heart attack, which is why it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
Effects and Benefits
Patients diagnosed with high blood pressure will most likely be prescribed some form of medication. However, there are healthful, natural medications available that can help battle high blood pressure.
The benefits of taking an alternative therapy approach to treating high blood pressure, as well as any other ailment, is the lowered risk of side effects that most prescribed medications come with. Prescription medications for high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, can cause excess fatigue, dizziness and even stomach problems. Natural remedies, when taken correctly, generally do not have these side effects and are thus healthier for individuals to take. Always check with a doctor before starting any form of alternative therapy and before getting off any medication they have prescribed you.
Prevention/Solution
A 250 to 500 mg of magnesium twice a day helps to relax the blood vessel walls, which will lower blood pressure.
CoQ10, a coenzyme, is a very popular super-nutrient supplement that is highly recommended for lowering high blood pressure. It is also one of the safest forms. The suggested does is 100 mg three times a day.
A 2,400 mg dose of potassium is key to lowering blood pressure, it helps to reduce the fat the body absorbs. But potassium must be taken in conjunction with sodium to work, because the sodium helps the body to absorb the potassium. Some people can have negative reactions to too much sodium intake, like swelling or shortness of breath.
Even fish oil helps the cardiovascular system and can be taken up to 4 grams a day to help reduce pressure in the artery walls, by thinning the blood.
Potential
Blood pressure levels can be maintained with the herb Hawthorn, which is an herb. It improves circulation and this is why it can help lower blood pressure. Hawthorn should not be taken by anyone on cardiac medications or blood-thinning medications because it too is a blood thinner.
Warning
Caffeine containing foods like coffee, tea and soda can elevate blood pressure in some people. It is also know that smoking can raise blood pressure, as it acts like a vasoconstrictor, constricting and narrowing the arteries.
Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure, high blood, high blood, high blood pressure, high blood pressure, alternative therapy
Pregnant mothers have a lot of questions about childbirth: How do I know when labor starts? How long do labor and delivery last? How will I manage the pain? Can my partner help me? What happens after the baby is born? Birthing classes, including the popular Lamaze method, have been a staple of first-time mothers' pregnancies since the 1960s. There are several other approaches to childbirth preparation, such as the Bradley method and HypnoBirthing, but they all teach women strategies to cope with the normal process of childbirth and help them adjust to becoming a parent.
Significance
Since the 1960s, expectant mothers and their partners have participated in classes to learn more about pregnancy and to prepare themselves for childbirth. The most common type of birthing class is called Lamaze, named after French doctor Fernand Lamaze who believed that women should be empowered to give birth with as little restriction and medical intervention as possible. The Bradley method, or "husband-coached childbirth," is another popular birthing education model with an emphasis on intervention-free childbirth. Popularity of childbirth classes peaked in the 1980s and has been dropping quickly in recent years as more women are opting for Caesarean sections and analgesics. The nonprofit organization Childbirth Connection reports that in 2000, 70 percent of first-time mothers attended a childbirth class, compared to 56 percent of first-time mothers in 2005.
Types
Pregnant women can choose from a variety of childbirth classes, including classes taught by hospital or medical center staff that incorporate several philosophies. The Lamaze philosophy of care encourages birthing women to allow labor to progress naturally, to have freedom of movement, to have support from a partner or coach throughout labor and delivery, and to have unlimited opportunity to breastfeed the baby after birth. Lamaze teaches relaxation and breathing techniques and also provides information about medical pain management. The Bradley method focuses on natural, drug-free childbirth with an emphasis on relaxation exercises, nutrition and the active participation of a coach. Other types of birthing classes, like HypnoBirthing, use yoga and self-hypnosis techniques for relaxation.
Features
There are many types of birthing classes, so how do you choose? Ask your health care provider or the place where you plan to give birth, as well as friends who have recently had babies. Check out the course curriculum to make sure it covers a range of topics, including warning signs of medical problems, necessary medical intervention, C-sections, pain-relief options and adjust to post-partum life. Find out what philosophy the course is based on and make sure you're comfortable with it. Does the class encourage participants to create a birth plan? Are partners or coaches welcome? How often does the class meet and is it convenient and affordable?
Benefits
Knowing what to expect during labor and delivery can reduce anxiety and make the pain more manageable. Prepared childbirth classes teach you what is normal and help you identify when something might be wrong. Involving a husband or partner in the birth can help the whole family cope with the birth experience. Giving birth is a life-changing experience and can help prepare you for your new role as mother. People often develop lasting friendships with other parents-to-be in their childbirth classes.
Considerations
can provide confidence and techniques to make a normal birth go as smoothly and positively as possible. But unexpected outcomes can happen to anyone. One in 200 births is stillborn (death of a fetus older than 20 weeks) and 12 percent of births require admission to a neonatal intensive care unit. Whether or not you have a written birth plan, be prepared to change course if medical emergencies arise.
Warts are a common skin condition caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Warts commonly appear on the body's extremities such as hands and feet, however it's possible to be infected in other parts of your body. Doctors can freeze, burn or surgically remove the wart depending upon type and location. Your doctor may send you home with instructions on care for your wound, which should heal within a few weeks. Keep the area clean and free from dirt or bacterial agents which could cause an infection.
The First 24 Hours
The area will be tender, sore and covered with a sterile bandage. Keep the bandage in place for at least the first day to protect it from germs, dirt and other offenders that could infect this open wound.
Bleeding is a possibility if you had your wart surgically removed. If bleeding occurs, apply light pressure to the a clean tissue or cotton cloth for 10 minutes to allow the blood to coagulate. Take acetaminophen if you experience pain or minor swelling.
The First Few Days
Continue bandaging the wound for the first few days. Wash the area with unscented soap and water and re-bandage using fresh gauze and tape. If your bandage gets wet, change the bandage immediately so you don't trap unwanted moisture around your wound which could cause infection.
Use an antibacterial cream on warts that were burned off. However, if your wart was frozen, do not use anything on it other than soap and water.
The area may itch as it heals but avoid scratching so you don't infect the wound. Lightly slap the area to relieve the itch or discomfort.
Two Weeks of Healing
Your wound will change and heal over a two-week period. If the wart was burned off, will form a small scab and will fall off.
A blister forms on warts that were burned off. Avoid picking or popping the blister as it will break open on its own, leaving a small scab which takes the remainder of the wart with it.
You will still have a small tender area once the blister breaks or scab falls off so continue using antibacterial cream on the area. Cover with a Band-Aid or sterile bandage until the area is completely healed.
Call the doctor if you experience discharge, redness, swelling or fever while your wart is healing. Any of these symptoms could be a sign of infection.
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It is said that quitting smoking is about as difficult as trying to quit a heroin addiction. People who were never addicted to smoking themselves have no idea of the hold a smoking addiction takes on the mind and body. It is not just a physical addiction, but a psychological one as well. However, meditation techniques that enable you to train your mind and reverse the thought patterns that lead to cravings may help you stop smoking.
You Are Not Your Addiction
Realize that you are not your addiction. A lot of people believe they are smokers because that is what the ego constantly tells them. Lie down and begin your meditation by taking in deep breaths. As you become more and more relaxed, envision a new you without an addiction. Imagine yourself running through a forest with no boundaries. You are free. Picture yourself living a healthy and active lifestyle. Whenever the urge to go smoke or cravings arise in your mind, simply set them aside. Do not become attached to these cravings. They are simply your thoughts and just like a smoking addiction, you are not them. Your thoughts do not make yourself who you are.
Cleansing Your Body With Breath
Breathe and feel the abdomen slowly rise and fall. With every inhalation visualize white light entering your body. This light is divine and healing. Feel it come in and purge your lungs from all of your lethargy and negativity. As it fills your lungs it permeates through every cell in your entire body. Exhale and visualize the addiction as a thick black cloud. Shrouded in this cloud is all the guilt, pain or suffering that smoking has caused you and your family. Imagine it leaving and dissolving into nothing. Inhale once more and continue imagining the divine light cleansing your body. Do this for at least 15 minutes.
Break the Chain of Addiction
Visualize your addiction as a chain that you are attached to. Picture how it has affected your life and what it has kept you from accomplishing. Imagine how it has negatively impacted your life and those around you. Feel the pain. If cravings to smoke arise during this exercise, feel their power, but do not become attached. Analyze why these cravings arise and why you even started smoking. Continue to imagine the addiction as a chain. You are trapped and cannot move; you are at the mercy of the addiction that is your life you live everyday. As you inhale, imagine a giant mallet as big as the universe rising above a link of the chain. As you exhale, smash the mallet down with your mind, shattering the link into pieces. Do this for at least 15 minutes or as long as you feel like. Feel freedom and liberty from the addiction with every blow of the mallet. You are no longer bound by the smoke and are no longer a prisoner of your addiction.
Tags: your addiction, your life, , addiction chain, become attached
If you have ever awaken in the middle of the night and been unable to move your body, you've likely experienced sleep paralysis. This condition, which is more common after periods of sleep deprivation, generally occurs as you fall into sleep or awaken from sleep. Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize episodes.
Instructions
1. Maintain healthy sleeping and eating habits. Get ample sleep and stick to a routine schedule. Limit intake of sugary foods, alcohol and caffeine.
2. Minimize stress and participate in exercise frequently. Stress seems to be a contributing factor to a rise in sleep paralysis incidents. Exercise alleviates stress and improves sleep quality.
3. Maintain a journal of your daily activities, diet and sleep schedule. Look for patterns, such as increased incidents of sleep paralysis on days you went to sleep late.
4. Sit up and look at a bright light for a few minutes if you find yourself experiencing sleep paralysis upon going to sleep.
5. Attempt to end sleep paralysis by moving smaller muscle groups, such as those in your face, fingers, toes or tongue.
6. Wake yourself up from sleep paralysis episodes by taking increasingly bigger breaths.
7. Consult with your doctor to determine if your sleep paralysis can be attributed to another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy. Participate in a sleep study if necessary.
8. Review side effects of current medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Some medications increase sleep paralysis incidents.
Tags: sleep paralysis, from sleep, paralysis incidents, sleep paralysis incidents, with your, with your doctor, your doctor
Treat rose bushes with natural products that are better for the environment and safer for you.
Like most plants and bushes, rose bushes can succumb to insects and diseases. While many chemical products treat these rose bush problems, you also have natural alternatives that are usually safer for the environment and pose less risk to you. When using natural ingredients, it's important to follow certain application rules regarding time and outdoor temperature; even natural products can harm plants if used inappropriately.
Instructions
1. Rake up all debris around the roses after snow or frost has melted in early spring, but while roses are still dormant and have not yet begun sprouting new growth.
2. Water the roses well, then wait for 24 hours.
3. Spray all rose foliage, and the soil surrounding the roses, with horticultural oil on a morning when the temperature exceeds 40 and is below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover all plant surfaces completely with the oil to smother any aphids and spider mites, along with other insects that may have survived the winter.
4. Check rose bushes daily for insects. Remove any spider mites and aphids by squirting the plant with water from your garden hose. Remove larger insects by plucking them off and squashing them. In case of severe infestation, spray the bush with insecticidal soap in the morning when the chance of scalding the leaves is less likely.
Tags: degrees Fahrenheit, , natural products, rose bushes, spider mites
Take a minute for yourself to relieve stress during the day.
Stress is caused by external influences, such as your job, relationships or physical environment. These external influences cause a stress response within your mind in an attempt to cope with the situation. While many will tell you to eliminate the cause of the stress, this is rarely the easiest solution. According to Allen Elkin, author of "Stress Management for Dummies," the easiest way to deal with stress is to find a stress-relieving activity that you enjoy performing on a regular basis.
Exercise
According to the American Council on Exercise, one of the most effective methods of stress relief is working out. In addition, , author of "Stress Management for Dummies," recommends exercising thrice weekly as a way to reduce stress and strengthen the heart. Exercise allows for a constructive outlet of negative emotions like anger and irritability. It also improves your mood and outlook by reducing the amount of stress hormones in your body and brain. Exercise will cause your body to release endorphins. Endorphins are powerful mood-elevating chemicals in your brain. While each form of exercise has its own benefits, the best stress-relieving exercise is one that you enjoy most. Experiment with different forms of exercise and find one that keeps your interest. Examples to consider include jogging, swimming, weight lifting, dancing, cycling, playing tennis or hiking.
Art
Creating art is an expressive anti-stress activity that can lead to deeper self-understanding. By taking the time to focus and create a work of art, you allow your mind to explore itself and forget about the world around you. No matter the medium of art you choose, creating art can help you find internal problems you might be facing and deal with them in a creative manner. According to Martha Davis, Ph.D., Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, MSW and Matthew McKay, Ph.D., authors of "The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook," you do not have to be a wonderful artist for it to be therapeutic and help you reduce your levels of stress. It might take time to find the medium that works best for you, so experiment until you find the one that speaks to your inner artist. Forms of art to try include painting, drawing, collage making, woodworking, sculpting, macram and photography.
Meditation
Meditation is an effective stress-relieving activity because it restores the body and mind to a calm state. Meditation is not a difficult process; in fact, it does not take much to meditate at all. Simply find a quiet room, sit in a comfortable position and breathe. As you focus on your breathing, clear your mind of any thoughts and distractions. Continue this process as long as needed to calm your mind. Once meditation comes easier for you, you can focus on a single thought and explore it thoroughly. According to Jack Kornfield, author of "Meditation for Beginners," you can meditate as often as necessary for stress relief. If you have trouble meditating without aid, guided-meditation CDs are available for purchase to aid in stress relief.
Tags: your mind, stress relief, activity that, Allen Elkin, , author Stress
When you feel bad about yourself, it seems like nothing will ever go right again. Finding hope feels like a Herculean effort. But building your self-esteem isn't really that difficult. Try the following steps to feel . Concentrate on one thing at a time and give yourself room to experiment.
Instructions
1. Learn from your mistakes. Realize that mistakes are a means to an end. They signal to you you're doing something wrong, not that you're bad or inferior to other people. When the pain of the mistake has passed, take note of what you've learned from it and move on.
2. Set goals and believe you have the right to achieve them. A classic book on building self-esteem through goal-setting is "Psycho-Cybernetics" by Maxwell Maltz. Published in 1960, it's been a best-seller for over 45 years. Maltz tells us human beings were meant to work towards achieving something and there's no better feeling than to see the fruits of your labor.
3. Identify what creative interests you have and indulge them. Try new ways of expressing yourself. Writing, drawing or painting, dancing, learning to play an instrument or singing, doing crafts can all bring on a steady stream of achievements to make you feel better about yourself. For those willing to invest time and effort in developing their creativity, work through a book called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.
4. Learn meditation. Hope comes with relaxation. Studies show meditation improves physical and mental health. It changes the chemical activity in your brain to make you calmer and happier.
5. Get out of the house at least on a weekly basis. Call your friends up and go to a movie. Volunteer for a cause that moves you. Attend lectures and events on topics of interest to you. Interacting with those around you shows you what you have to give to the world.
Tags: about yourself, better about yourself, feel better about
Have you ever woken up with pain in your back? Have you ever bent over just to find that you can no longer get up? Back pain happens in varying degrees to everyone at some point in their lives. Some back pain is minor and only requires pain medicine or daily exercising to get the back in shape. Other people are not so lucky and require back surgery to ease their suffering. However, most back pain can be avoided with good posture. Poor posture causes everyday back pain for many.
The Importance of Proper Posture
includes keeping your spine, neck and head aligned properly while standing, sitting and even lying down in bed, as well as when lifting or picking things up. When things get out of whack with our posture, the body responds with pain, which usually occurs in the back though the neck can suffer as well. This pain can require rest, medication or even surgery.
When you use proper posture the muscles are all working together to keep the body aligned. This use of proper posture keeps those muscles toned, making them less susceptible to injury. When you slouch you are blocking those muscles from working properly, but also using other muscles in a way that puts a strain on the back. When thinking about back pain and proper posture it is really a give and take relationship.
Joint and Ligament Pain
The strain you feel comes from pain in the joints and ligaments as well as the muscles. When you slouch you put extra strain on these parts of the back; the strain then causes pain. Worse than that type of pain, however, is the pain you get when the discs in the back are irritated and overworked.
Discs -- Human Shock Absorbers
The discs are there to cushion bones in your back and to prevent them from rubbing together and cartilage from wearing down. They are the human equivalent of shock absorbers. If you slouch, you are causing those discs to work in ways they weren't meant to. They can wear down or slip, causing massive back pain that usually requires serious pain medication or even surgery.
The Problems of Slouching
Lower back pain is usually the result of poor posture because that area of the back is responsible for carrying the majority of your body weight, but upper back and neck pain can occur as well. Those who slouch with shoulders leaning forward risk upper back pain, especially between the shoulder blades. Walking with your head down constantly can make it difficult to move your neck without pain.
Benefits of Proper Posture
While poor posture can cause back pain, it is also important to know that when the muscles of the back are toned and strengthened they can assist is keeping your posture proper all day long. Stretching and exercising the back is vital in maintaining good posture and, in return, good posture helps keep back pain away. Visiting a chiropractor may be appropriate for some people in helping keep their spine aligned.
Tags: back pain, back pain, good posture, proper posture, even surgery, exercising back
Colonoscopy--the word can send shudders down the spine. It conjures up images of forcing down a gallon's worth of nasty-tasting liquid, a cup at a time, and running for the bathroom in between. Many people can't make it through the ingestion of the requisite bowel cleanse solution, whether because of the volume, the horrible flavor or the nausea the solution causes. But, fear not; alternatives to the traditional colonoscopy preparation do exist and may be much easier for you to handle.
Pill Prep for Colonoscopy
Many doctors prescribe pills to clear the bowel before colonoscopy. These can include Visicol, OsmoPrep or other sodium biphosphate/sodium phosphate pills (the active laxative ingredient). Usually, you will take four tablets with 8 ounces of every 15 minutes, until 20 tablets have been taken over the course of about an hour. Later, you will repeat this regimen with 12 pills over 30 minutes.
You may also be asked to take an over-the-counter laxative, such as Dulcolax, later in the evening before the day of your test. While you will still be running for the bathroom, and the volume of liquid remains at a gallon, you will have your choice of good-tasting liquids, including water, tea, apple juice, and ginger ale.
Liquid Prep for Colonoscopy
Fleet's Phospho-Soda is a liquid mix-in medicine, available over the counter, that works by moving water from your body to your bowel. You will take two doses (each 1.5 ounces or 1.5 tablespoons), mixed in 8 ounces of water or root beer, three hours apart. You must also drink at least three 8-ounce glasses of clear liquid after each dose, and more if possible. This is also at least a gallon of liquid (your choice of clear), but only two doses of medicine, which some might find preferable to popping 32 pills, as above. Of course, you must still have a bathroom nearby.
Colonic hydrotherapy is yet another alternative to the traditional bowel prep, and does not require you to alter your diet, drink huge amounts of liquid or suffer a day of diarrhea. This procedure is done in the hospital or surgery center before the colonoscopy. It involves infusing warm purified water into the colon with a colonic hydrotherapy instrument, eliciting the urge to evacuate your bowels. When this happens, an outflow valve on the instrument is opened and the colon empties spontaneously. This is done several times, until the water leaving the colon is clear. The procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Though it is faster and more convenient for the patient, it is currently only offered at a few hospitals nationwide.
Cautions
As always, discuss with your doctor the colonoscopy prep that is best for you. There could be medical reasons why you must be prepped one way or another. No matter which prep is chosen (except in the case of hydrotherapy), you must be certain to drink sufficient amounts of liquid to avoid the dehydration that comes with diarrhea. If you purchase the Fleet's Phospho-Soda prep (which is taken orally), be sure not to confuse it with Fleet's enema (which is taken rectally).
Tags: Prep Colonoscopy, Alternative Prep, Alternative , amounts liquid, before colonoscopy, clear liquid, Fleet Phospho-Soda
Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting the skin, joints, lungs, heart, kidneys, blood and brain. With this disease, the body confuses its own tissues and cells with foreign materials such as viruses and bacteria. A normal working body produces antibodies that fight against these foreign substances. When lupus affects a person, their auto-antibodies. These auto-antibodies attack the body rather than the virus or bacteria. The disease severity and symptoms differ from person to person.
Instructions
1. Watch for swollen or painful joints, skin rash, unexplained fever, swollen glands, fatigue, loss of hair, sun sensitivity, dizziness, depression and confusion.
2. Be aware of the possibility of inflamed kidneys. This symptom implies the kidneys are not ridding themselves of waste. If there are other symptoms present, a healthcare professional will test for kidney disease.
3. Notice memory disturbances or impaired vision. Lupus may affect the central nervous system.
4. Check for lung inflammation. Lupus patients may develop Pleuritis, which is chest lining inflammation. Pneumonia, or lung inflammation due to infection, may also develop.
5. Note any chest pain. Lupus can cause myocarditis, heart muscle inflammation. This disease increases the possibility of atherosclerpsis, or artery hardening.
Deer ticks carry at least five diseases, including Lyme disease. Ticks tend to bite around the upper part of the body. They are parasites that require the blood of animals to reproduce and eat. Deer ticks measure about an eighth of an inch and are black and green in color. They tend to wait on high grass strands for an animal to come by. Ticks jump or crawl onto animals; they don't fly. Here are some ways you can get rid of deer ticks.
Instructions
1. Spray your arms, legs, shoes and clothing with tick spray anytime you are entering woods or areas with tall grass. The spray should kill any ticks that land on it.
2. Mow the grass in the tick-infested area. Burn or haul away brush piles or dead tree limbs.
3. Spray your lawn with an outdoor tick spray. Focus on areas with higher grass or trees. Keep pets and children out of the areas sprayed for a few hours.
4. Give your pets monthly flea and tick treatments. Some products, like Frontline Plus, last a month.
5. Inside your home, spray the baseboards and any other infected areas indoors with a home tick spray. Stay out of the area until it dries. Sweep up any dead ticks and eggs.
Tags: tick spray, areas with, Deer ticks, Spray your
Knee replacement surgery is an extensive and risky procedure that is commonly avoided as much as possible. However, there are certain conditions that cause knee replacement surgery to be necessary, in order to relieve pain and immobility.
Doctors Performing Knee Surgery
Identification
Knee replacement involves a surgical procedure to replace parts of the knee joint with artificial parts. A knee replacement may be needed to relieve the symptoms of stiffness, pain or immobility of the knee.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for knee replacement surgery. This condition results from the normal wear and tear on a knee, although it may worsen with an injury or injection of the knee joint. Over time, the cartilage inside the joint wears away and the knee bones rub against each other, causing immense pain and inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the knee joint. When this tissue becomes inflamed, it causes the cartilage to deteriorate, which results in pain, swelling and unusual stiffness in the knee. The condition often results in the need for knee replacement surgery.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that commonly develops after an injury to the cartilage or ligaments of the knee. As with any arthritis, this condition leads to deterioration of the knee joint, incessant pain and loss of function.
Considerations
Knee replacement surgery is considered a last resort in many cases, as it involves various risks. However, knee replacement is commonly suggested for people who have constant pain in the knee joint that is severe enough to affect their daily life. Anyone experiencing significant stiffness, instability or deformity of the knee joint is also considered a candidate for knee replacement surgery.
The plantar fascia is the long runs along the sole of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this muscle that can make walking painful. Treatment plans include physical therapy, stretching, using , acupuncture and also lifestyle changes. One study published in 2006 in "Medical Acupuncture" showed an improvement in pain reduction in 9 of 11 people who had painful .
Instructions
1. Determine if you are a good candidate to receive to reduce the discomfort from plantar fasciitis, also called "heel pain syndrome." If you are not pregnant and are able to receive at least seven acupuncture treatments, you are a good candidate. If you are afraid of needles, you might try a stretching program or using shoe inserts that a physical therapist or chiropractor can suggest.
2. Locate a licensed acupuncturist who is comfortable treating you for plantar fasciitis. Most acupuncturists will provide a brief phone consultation and can tell you how many treatments will be needed to reduce the pain level.
3. Receive at least 7 to 10 weekly acupuncture treatment sessions of at least 20 to 30 minutes each. Most acupuncture treatments are effective for reducing physical pain by stimulating the body's ability to produce endorphins, the body's natural pain killers.
4. Begin and sustain a regular stretching program. Every day, take 10 minutes to stretch your feet. Sit with one foot crossed over the opposite leg and point and flex the heel and rotate the ankle in each direction. Repeat to the second side. Doing so will keep the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia flexible---and less painful.
5. Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes, high-heeled shoes or flat flip-flop sandals. These shoes do not provide a proper amount of space for your arches to expand and contract, as needed for a healthy and pain-free gait.
Tags: acupuncture treatments, plantar fasciitis, good candidate, muscle that, plantar fascia, shoe inserts, stretching program
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to get without including vegetables in their diet. In fact, vegetables give you fiber, which bulks you up calories to your body. Vegetables give you vitamins and minerals that help you absorb nutrients from the other foods you’re eating, and antioxidants for boosting your immune system to stay strong before and after tough workouts.
Instructions
1. Include at least 2 cups of vegetables in your diet each day. Though you want to spread these vegetables over at least three meals, you should be eating four to six meals a day, one every 3 hours.
2. Eat a wide variety to get stronger muscles with vegetables. Mix in asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, onions, peppers (green, yellow, orange and red), spinach, squash and zucchini.
3. Find creative ways of flavoring your vegetables without adding fat. Instead of sautéing them in oil, try steaming them on top of the stove or roasting them in the oven. Sprinkle with a salt-free seasoning blend. Other flavorings to experiment with include garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, basil, rosemary and dill.
4. Eat raw vegetables as snacks. Try sprinkling them with a dressing of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar flavored with garlic powder, pepper and dill, or your own creative concoction.
Tags: garlic powder, powder pepper, stronger muscles, without adding
Colors are believed to have the ability to influence our emotions, our actions and the way we deal with people, things and ideas. Because every color has its own individual meaning and can create different feelings and emotions, the color you choose to wear when you have to take a test depends on what you personally need. Picking blue, green or yellow or a combination of all three will give you the effect you need to succeed in the test-taking situation.
Blue
Blue reminds us of the sky and the ocean and when asked, most people pick blue as their favorite color. In addition, blue brings out the feelings of trustworthiness, dependability and commitment when worn or seen. In a test-taking situation, wearing something blue can bring out the feeling of restfulness and therefore cause your body to produce chemicals that calm you down. This is important and useful if you feel nervous in test situations or if you are nervous about doing well. Wearing something blue can also aid intuition that can help you to pick the correct multiple choice answer.
Green
After blue, people pick green most often as their favorite color. Green is often used as part of interior design because human eyes are so used to seeing it around them as the color of trees, grass and other things in nature.
Because green is a mix of blue and yellow, it shares many of the meanings of both blue and yellow. Like the color blue, wearing something green for a test has a soothing effect and can create the feeling of relaxation both mentally and physically. This can alleviate your nervousness and help you to concentrate better. In addition, wearing green helps to minimize anxiety and increases your ability to attain self-control and harmony.
Yellow
Yellow is the color of happiness, optimism and enlightenment. Wearing something yellow for a test-taking situation does not only make you feel happier, more optimistic and filled with positive energy, but also makes your fellow test-takers experience these positive feelings.
In addition to stimulating you mentally, the color yellow also stimulates your nervous system. Wearing something yellow can therefore help you to stay alert. The also activates your memory, so wear when you are studying to help you better remember the material, then continue to wear yellow during the test to have an easier time remembering what you've studied.
In addition, wearing yellow can help you to think creatively, which will be helpful if your test will require some out-of-the-box thinking from you.
Tags: something yellow, test-taking situation, addition wearing, blue yellow, color yellow, color yellow also,
Most toothpastes on the market contain ingredients such as fluoride, xylitol, enzymes and other components. These compounds clean and protect your teeth. However, you can achieve these same results naturally with your own homemade toothpaste. Natural toothpaste can be made very easily, with only a few ingredients.
Ingredients
For this gentle toothpaste, you will need:
6 tsp.
1/3 tsp. salt
4 tsp. glycerin
15 drops of peppermint extract
The baking soda works to whiten and cleanse your teeth. The salt has the same effect as an antiseptic, cleaning the teeth. Glycerin is a base to help with flavoring and make the mixture thick and creamy. The peppermint is used for flavoring and to provide fresh breath.
Process
Combine the ingredients in a small storage container. Stir the mixture until it forms a thick consistency. This natural toothpaste can be used daily, just like other toothpastes. Store at room temperature in a plastic storage container or jar.
Use
Put a small amount of the toothpaste on your toothbrush. Begin at the back of your mouth and go forward. Brush for at least two minutes.
Music therapy helps clients break through emotional and physical issues.
A degree in music therapy empowers you to transform your passion for music into a method for helping and healing others. Through singing, playing and composing music with clients, you nudge them to express emotions, heal from illness, overcome injuries and develop skills. You can use your degree to work in a private practice or as part of a medical, corrections, rehabilitation, education or psychiatric team collaborating to treat clients.
Function
Music therapy counts as a subset of recreational therapy. While the music activities you design might amuse and entertain clients, they focus primarily on specific physical, emotional and social objectives, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To this end, you will tailor treatment plans to individual patients and clients by preparing, conducting, evaluating and documenting sessions with clients, according to Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance. Throughout the process, expect to "draw on knowledge from different disciplines, including psychology, sociology and biology," according to the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire Career Services.
Considerations
Music therapists often use the piano in a clinical setting.
A music therapy career can take you into hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, schools and rehabilitation centers---meaning you need to possess a heartfelt passion for helping people from all walks of life, advises the Berklee College of Music. You may work as part of a team of physicians, counselors, psychiatrists, teachers and families, so consider your comfort level with diverse points of view. You may also need to know a variety of musical styles and feel comfortable with piano, guitar and voice, as these media are used most frequently in the clinical setting, according to Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance.
Rehabilitation
You can work as a music therapist in a clinical setting to help rehabilitate clients from a wide variety of illnesses or injuries. For example, you might use singing to help stroke victims speak again, according to a 2007 article by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs. You can also use music therapy in hospitals to promote movement for physical therapy, according to the American Music Therapy Association.
Education
As a music therapist, you can help children with numbers and math.
In a school setting, you can use music to help children with disabilities gain motor skills, as well as "learn and memorize colors, numbers, vocabulary, behavior sequences and a host of other academic subjects," according to Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance. Of course, you might also consider teaching others in the field of music therapy--perhaps in a college program.
Correctional Facilities
Your music therapy degree can qualify you to participate as part of the rehabilitation team in a correctional context. For example, Michigan's Center for Forensic Psychiatry includes music therapy services as part of a comprehensive array of rehabilitation services, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health website.
Psychological and Psychiatric Care
Using improvisation, you can help nudge clients into a creative mindset and give them courage to act spontaneously outside of the client-therapist relationship, according to Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance. Likewise, you can help clients articulate and understand their feelings through the composition of "sound portraits of feelings" or by listening to music and free-associating or drawing, according to Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance.
Nursing Home
As a music therapist in a nursing home setting, you can provide sensory and intellectual stimulation, according to the American Music Therapy Association. You can also help bring peace of mind to those with terminal conditions through songwriting, which gives them "a container for expressing their feelings--about life and death--while also serving as a parting gift to loved ones," according to Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance.
Tags: College Music, according Temple, according Temple University, Boyer College, Boyer College Music, College Music Dance, Music Dance
When someone is suffering from peripheral artery disease, it means that there is currently a narrowing of the arteries taking place within the body. For most people, this will signify that the outer extremities of the body will begin to experience a reduction in blood flow, which results in some sort of pain, most commonly within the legs, upon physical exertion. Normally, a treatment plan will be established by a medical professional, but there are other methods and techniques that a person can use to naturally treat peripheral artery disease as a way to augment the plan. Most will involve a change in lifestyle and can be easily implemented into daily life. Follow these steps.
Instructions
1. Consult your family physician. The most important part of treating peripheral artery disease, even if you plan to do so naturally, is to talk to a medical professional. Your particular condition may dictate additional treatment that may include medications or even surgery.
2. Quit smoking. If you smoke and have peripheral artery disease, it is very important that you quit, as this habit can contribute to and worsen the damage currently affecting your arteries. By quitting smoking, the progression of this disease can lessen exponentially.
3. Change your diet. Modifying your diet to include more "heart-healthy" fare can help lower both your cholesterol and your blood pressure. These two facets of your health can greatly affect peripheral artery disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, foods containing Omega-3 fatty acid can treat (and prevent) some disease of the arteries, including peripheral artery disease.
4. Start taking a supplement containing Omega-3 fatty acids. If you are unable to implement enough foods containing this heart-healthy substance, start taking it in a supplement form.
5. Get some exercise. Another great approach to treating peripheral artery disease is to get some exercise each day. You may want to consider talking to your doctor about what type of exercise would be best for you and your conditions, as some people with this disease need supervised exercise plans.
6. Try taking gingko, an herbal supplement that has shown natural blood thinning properties. This may help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort that you may be experiencing due to the condition.
Without proper sleep our minds and bodies cannot achieve maximum potential. We can't get out of bed in the morning, the bags under our eyes are visible, and we consume dangerous amounts of caffeine just to make it through the day. The first remedy that comes to mind is to get more sleep. But that is not always the case. We need quality sleep. By working with natural sleep rhythms the mind and body gets the maximum rest and rejuvenation it needs. We sleep in 90-minute cycles that consist of different phases. This article shows you maximize those cycles.
Instructions
1. Understand the sleep cycle. The first stage of the 90-minute cycle lasts about 65 minutes. This is normal, non-REM is followed by 20 minutes of REM sleep. REM, or rapid eye movement, is the deepest stage of sleep and the period when we dream. The cycle is completed by 5 more minutes of non REM sleep before another cycle begins. There is a brief period between the end of one cycle and the beginning of another where we are hanging in limbo, gearing up for the next cycle. The slightest disturbance, too much light, full bladder, house sound, etc. can cause you to wake. Waking up in this "limbo" period ensures a completed sleep cycle and provides maximum rest and benefit to the body.
2. Determine what time you need to get up in the morning. We will use 7 am for this instruction.
3. Count backward in 90-minute increments to arrive at potential times to go to bed. For 7 am wake-up the choices would be 5:30 am, 4:00 am, 2:30 am, 1:00 am, 11:30 pm, 10:00 pm, 8:30 pm.
4. Review your list of potential bedtimes to determine which one fits your needs. Since you must have at least 8 hours of sleep you can rule out 1 am, 2:30 am, 4 am, and 5:30 am. As a routine, 8:30 would probably be too early, providing too much sleep and shortening your day too much. So you have narrowed your choices down to 10 pm or 11:30. Either will provide your mind and body with just what they need.
5. Set your alarm clock for your desired wake-up time, 7 am in this example.
6. Climb into bed 15 minutes before your scheduled bedtime. Take deep breaths, clear your mind and drift into sleep.
7. Wake up with your alarm clock and enjoy your high-energy day.
Tags: alarm clock, maximum rest, , , sleep cycle, sleep that
Juniper is a leafy tree-like shrub that produces the widely used seed of the same name.
Juniper berries are the fleshy seeds of the juniper tree and are believed to have originated in northern Europe and Asia. Juniper berry flavor is bittersweet, piny and floral and is the responsible flavoring agent of gin. The herb is used as a culinary spice throughout northern Europe and has been used for medicinal purposes by cultures throughout Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean for centuries.
Gin Liquor
The most renowned use of juniper is its presence in gin liquor. Gin was created in the 17th century in Holland by a doctor intending a remedy for stomach, kidney and digestion ailments. Juniper was commonly used by doctors as a diuretic and alcohol was generally considered a tonic to ward off colds. The combination of grain spirits and juniper resulted in the unique refreshing herbal liquor known as gin. English distillers perfected the combination creating London Dry Gin, the most commonly consumed gin in the world. One of the most classic ways to drink gin is in a gin and tonic, a combination of tonic water, gin and lime.
Culinary
Juniper does not have a wide culinary use in the United States; however, it is commonly used as a culinary herb in Scandinavia and Switzerland. Juniper is a powerful herb and therefore must be paired with strong flavored items such as game, pickled vegetables and meat, heavy sauces and alcohol. Common dishes to season with juniper include tough game birds, pork, roasted lamb, rabbit, venison, wild boar, sauerkraut and goulash. Juniper blends well with other spices and herbs including bay, sage, oregano, onion, garlic and thyme. Aside from savory, the crisp herbal flavor also pairs well with fruits and desserts such as apple pie and can virtually be used anywhere in place of mint.
Air Freshener
Boiled juniper can be used as an air freshener to perfume a stale room. Historically, the herb was used to sanitize household air during the stale winter months. The foliage and berries were either stewed in water over the hearth or the berries were added to oil lamps or heating fuel to burn into the air. To freshen the air using juniper, fill a stove top pot with juniper foliage and berries and cover with water. Let simmer uncovered to perfume the house. Placing a hearth-safe pot full of juniper berries and leaves over the household fire is another way to spread the scent rapidly.
Medicinal
Juniper is a highly versatile herb when used in alternative medicine. Ancient Greeks, Romans and Arabs used the herb for its medicinal properties. It is cited in the Bible as a medicinal herb and has been use throughout the centuries as cures for snake bites, plague and infection. Only unripe juniper berries are used for for medicinal purposes as they are more potent. Due to the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the herb, ingestion of the berry is purported to cure or relieve symptoms of gout, kidney inflammation, neuralgia, rheumatism, arthritis, menstrual cramping, skin infections and inflammations, asthma, congestion, prostate infection and digestive problems. Always talk to your doctor or medical provider before beginning any form of self-medicating regime.