You are currently browsing Jan's articles.
Occasionally for most, distractingly often for others, unidentified floating objects (UFO) appear in the line of sight. Officially they are known as vitreous opacities.
Ophthalmologists reassure patients that these floaters are harmless. The debris floating in the clear, gelatin-like fluid that fills the eyeball is bits of membrane that have been dislodged.
Approximately 5% of the people, who have this problem, choose to do something about it. For severe cases, where the floaters are distracting and interfere with the functions of daily life, there is a technique of using lasers to eliminate the floaters to replace the common procedure of emptying the fluid from the eye.
Tags: Eyes, laser treatment, vitreous opacities
Much is still unknown about why stutters stutter. Stutters have non-verbal communicating skills like writing, typing, and reading abilities that are within normal ranges when tested. Verbal communication is impaired though.
Stuttering is a condition that affects a person’s speech. A stutterer will become “stuck” on some sounds. The more serious the stuttering the longer the list of sounds that cause problems and/or the frequency that the stutterer becomes stuck. It is known that stuttering can be hereditary.
A device called the SpeechEasy is helping many stutterers speak normally and reducing the severity of stuttering. It aids speech in the same way that glasses aid sight. The device fits easily in the ear, similar to a hearing aid. It is known that stutters who speak in unison with an individual or in a chorus, they don’t stutter. This is referred to as the “choral effect”. The SpeechEasy device replicates the choral effect by delaying playback of their stutter’s own voice and changing the pitch.
Famous people who have overcome stuttering problems:
- Bruce Willis
- Julia Roberts
- Jimmy Stewart
- Johnny Damon
- Tiger Woods
- John Updike
- Kenyon Martin
- Carly Simon
- Marilyn Monroe
The mystery of why stuttering occurs hasn’t been solved yet, but there is relief available.
Tags: No Tags
Seniors should take special precautions to remain healthy and safe throughout the winter.
Avoid bone fracturing falls-fractures can lead to more serious complications and nursing home admitance.
- Be sure walkways are shoveled
- Hire someone to do shoveling
- Use salt on commonly used areas
- Put fresh lightbulbs outdoors avoid burnt out lights and diminished visibility
Prevent hypothermia-seniors’ blood is thinner due to age and medications increasing hypothermia risk
- Wear an extra layer of clothing
- Store an extra jacket and a blanket in car (use if stranded)
- Avoid tiring activity if outside in the cold
There is an overwhelming amount of choices and information available to anyone with a computer. With that, there is an increase in anxiety as people try to pick the right product, service, etc.
Anxiety starts with an imbalance of brain chemicals. It can be mild or so severe it interferes with daily life. When it interferes with functioning, professional medical help can provide relief.
Types of anxiety disorders:
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
Symptoms include heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, and extremity numbness.
Tags: Anxiety, brain, mental health
Women, who were participating in a trial to test if a topical microbicide used during sex would prevent HIV infection, were found to be at an increased risk of getting HIV when using the microbicide gel than the women who used a placebo gel.
Two full-scale trials were stopped yesterday after this huge setback. For the safety of the women involved, the tests could not be continued when and independent scientific committee found there was an increased risk using cellulose sulfate. The tests were done in Africa and India.
The motivation to find a product that a woman can use to protect herself from infection is a high priority. In some countries where HIV/AIDS is rapidly increasing, the men still refuse to wear condoms. There is a push to provide the women in these countries affordable protection the form of an insertable gel, cream, film, tablet, or sponge.
Until a vaccine is found, it is hoped that a safe microbicide can be discovered. The ideal one would kill the virus in the vagina and cervix, prevent viruses from attaching to a woman’s cells, and keep the enzyme that HIV needs to replicate, from being available to do so.
Tags: HIV/AIDS, medical trials, STD
Testicular cancer has a survival rate of 99% when detected early. So why is it estimated that nearly 400 men going to die of testicular cancer this year?
It’s about denial. No man wants to believe that anything could be wrong with “the twins”. Once denial is overcome (because of the pain or prompting from a partner), men tend to be shy about making an appointment to get checked, let alone showing up for the appointment!
Facts:
- When there is lymph node involvement, there is a 70% survival rate.
- When detected early (repeat early) testicular cancer has a 99% survival rate.
- Of all diagnosed cases, there is a 96% survival rate.
- Age group risk is 16-39 year old men.
Symptoms:
- Added weight in your scrotum
- Weird lump on your testicle
- A strange swelling of your testicle
- A change of the hardness of your testicle
- An ache in your lower abdomen, testicle or scrotum
Some risk factors that contribute getting testicular cancer include age, family history, having an undescended testicle, race (whites have a higher incident of testicular cancer), and having gonadal dysgenesis or Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Early detection is easy with a regular self-exam.
Source: American Cancer Society
Tags: cancer, cancer facts, Testicular
Stress affects fat storage on a body. Both the person who looses their appetite when experiencing stress and the person who over-eats when stressed, will still store fat around the middle.
The hormone cortisol is responsible for this happening. When cortisol is released by stress, the body responds by protecting vital organs. In times of food scarcity, the body will respond in the same why.
What happens when fat is stored in the middle:
- Energy is stored
- Vital organs are protected
- Fat is readily available to burn
Stress can trigger over-eating and then there is more fat to store. When a person under stress releases adrenaline, which is a strong appetite suppressant, the body becomes deficient and to protect itself will start to store fat around the vital organs.
Exercise is a more valuable component in weight loss for people who lead stressful lives. Exercise will provide the duel benefit of burning calories and reducing stress. During exercise, a hormone is released that relaxes and gives a feeling of wellbeing. Simply having an effective way to deal with stress in a healthy way may be the boost you need on the road to reach optimal weight.
Tags: cortisol, exercise, fat storage, Weight loss
One of the oldest known birth defects is achondroplasia syndrome. It is known to be around since the Egyptian times because people with the physical traits of this form of dwarfism are found in Egyptian art.
Physical traits
- Normal size torso
- Proportionately short legs and arms
- Large head for body size
- Forehead is very prominent
- The bridge on the nose is flattened
- Fingers are short and stubby
- Index and ring finger point away from middle finger (trident hand)
- Average height between 4’ 4” and 4’ 1”
- Hump in back
- Bowed legs
- Broad flat feet
About 1 in 25,000 births will be diagnosed with syndrome.
To stop the burning sensation and the bad taste that follows, use remedies for immediate relief. To avoid the heartburn from returning there are some changes that can be made immediately or over a period of time.
Options for immediate symptom relief:
- Over the counter medications
- A couple tablespoons of aloe vera juice
- One tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- Eat a carrot, potato, or an apple
- Peppermint tea or candy
- Club soda or baking soda mixed in water
Quick changes:
- Eat smaller meals
- Loosen pants or belt to relieve pressure on the stomach
- Avoid foods that are known triggers
- Don’t bend over too soon after eating
- Remain upright and don’t lie down immediately after a meal
Long-term relief of heartburn:
- Stop smoking-it increases stomach acid production
- Reduce weight-to relieve pressure on the stomach
The types of foods most likely to trigger heartburn include fatty fried foods, alcoholic beverages, caffeine, spicy foods, and chocolate. Keeping a journal of what you eat and when heartburn strikes will help to identify personal triggers. Stress can cause heartburn because the hormones that are released trigger acid production.
Untreated heartburn can damage the esophagus, causing burns and sores.
Tags: esophagus, Heartburn, Natural remedies
It’s all about wording.
- Immunizations do not increase the risk of autism according to some studies.
- Some studies suggest that high levels of toxic metals are common in those diagnosed with Autism.
- Immunizations are made with toxic metals.
- Babies are not tested to see if they have defective functioning of metallothionein protein (MT).
- Defective functioning of metallothionein protein (MT) interferes with excretion of heavy metals.
Each of the above statements are worded to state a true fact. Isolated the above statements can effect a decision regarding immunizations in different way than when all the statements are brought together to make a choice regarding immunizations.
Source: Metal-Metabolism and Autism
Tags: autism, babies, children, Immizations
Sponges are often preferred over a cloth when cleaning. They are absorbent and can tackle tougher jobs with the built in scouring pad. The downside is the germs and bacteria they can collect and store, then cross contaminates areas.
A home remedy is available that does not include destroying the sponge with a bleach bath. Two minutes in the microwave will sanitize sponges. It is very important to make sure the sponge is WET! Fires and smoke in microwave ovens have been reported by people trying this with a dry sponge.
This simple method of disinfecting will reduce the use of disinfecting chemicals.
Tags: Disinfectants, microwave use, sanitize
Even though diabetic men are the largest group to suffer from ED (erectile dysfunction), having a 3x greater chance of having ED, they have not been able to enjoy the effective medications available on the market.
Diabetic men have continued to suffer, with their partners, due to the lack of drugs approved for use for men diagnosed with diabetes. Though there may be an increased risk of having mild side effects, the current information is that the ED drugs like Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are not only effective for diabetics, they are safe to use. The study was done on men with type I and type II diabetes.
Most men will choose to tolerate the side effects in exchange to be able to treat ED problems.
Tags: No Tags
With frequent hand washing, health-care workers’ hands will often become dry and cracked. This can increase their risk of infection when exposed to infectious material. Health-care workers can’t just grab any moisturizer to provide relief from the effects of frequent hand washing and exposure to disinfectants.
The following conditions can be managed with proper moisturizers
- Dry, flaky skin
- Crusty bumps
- Redness
- Pain
- Itching
- Localized inflammation
Health care workers need special moisturizers that are approved by the Infection Control Department. Some moisturizers may not be compatible with latex glove use. Using the wrong moisturizer can put a health-care worker at risk if the moisturizer could compromise the integrity of the gloves used for protection from bodily fluids.
For severely irritated hands, glove liners may help to protect damaged hands from further irritation from the gloves until healing is finished. It will also provide a barrier if the gloves are the source of irritation.
Using disinfecting hand gels when possible will reduce damage from frequent hand washing. When using moisturizers in the workplace healthcare workers should choose water based moisturizers that are approved by Infection Control Department. Other moisturizers are best used at the end of a shift.
Acupuncture can be used to manage pain and avoid the use of prescription and over the counter drugs. Acupuncture may be fairly new to the Western World, but it has been around for over 2,000 years in China, it has survived the test of time. As pain medications are being taken off the market and the safety of the medications still on the market questionable, alternative pain relief should be sought.
For chronic pain when there is the possibility of long-term use of pain medication and increase risk of side effects, it’s even more important to check into options such as acupuncture.
Tags: acupuncture, pain medication, Pain relief
Gonorrhea is a common sexually treated disease. Before HIV/AIDS, it was among the most feared to contract.
One of the symptoms of gonorrhea is local inflammation. This can affect the complete emptying of the bladder in men. It is not known if it’s the symptoms of gonorrhea or the disease itself, that increases the risk of bladder cancer in men. Being infected with gonorrhea can double a man’s risk of getting bladder cancer. Smoking also increases the risks, 65% of men who have bladder cancer, also have a history of smoking.
Tags: bladder cancer, Gonorrhea, smoking, STD
We had about a year free of the bird flu, there were no cases of the H5N1 virus in humans or birds.
South Korea hasn’t had a case of the bird flu in three years, but since November 2006, they have slaughtered a million birds in an attempt to control the spread of the virus that has returned to their country. December 2006, in Viet Nam, the virus reared its ugly head again. The return of the bird flu was anticipated.
These outbreaks are infecting less poultry and fewer humans. With the return of the bird flu during the past few months, it’s clear that this is still a serious issue.The World Health Organization states that combating this flu will be a long-term challenge.
Having children living in the home will influence what the adults in the home will consume. Adults who have children living with them will have a diet higher in fat. Adults will provide children with convenience foods, which tend to be higher in fat. Even though these foods may be originally purchased for the children, the adults will also consume them because of the availability.
Keeping the high fat foods out of the home and replacing them with low fat alternatives will help both the adults and the children in the home stay healthier. Even children who are not over-weight will benefit from the change.
Tags: children, diet, high fat foods
Prostrate cancer treatment has a high success rate. An alternative to one of the treatment options, surgery, is a radioactive “seed” (the size of a grain of rice) implanted into the prostate. This treatment is combined with radiotherapy for aggressive tumors and used alone as treatment for patients with a good prognosis. The study followed the survivors for 15 years and found that no other treatment surpassed the success rate of the radioactive seed treatments.
Due to variables with individuals and specific types of prostate cancer tumors all treatment options should be explored.
Tags: prostate cancer, radiotherapy, tumor
Is it partly cloudy or partly sunny? If you live on the sunny side of life, you can increase the chances of having a healthy heart.
Even people, who are temporarily pessimistic, can increase their risks of dying of heart disease and other health problems. It has been common knowledge that depression will bring on all kinds of health problems. Now we know attitude plays a part in this as well. With a positive person when there is stress they look to the remedy, so the hormones that are released during stress that can negatively effect health are limited.
Source: New York Times
Tags: Heart disease, optimism, pessimism, stress
With so many women following a fine tuned schedule of juggling family, work, and recreation, it’s not surprising to see the rise in planned caesarean births. This choice may be convenient for mom, dad, and doctor, but what about the bab?
Yes, a natural birth is stressful for the baby, but studies show it is healthy for the baby. A little over 5% of planned vaginal delivered babies will be transferred to the neonatal ICU with nearly 10% of planned caesarean delivered babies born ending up there. Lung complications also increase with the planned caesarean delivered babies.
Babies have fewer risks with planned vaginal deliveries.
Tags: Birth, caesarean delivery, neonatal ICU, vaginal delivery
Many creams claim to remedy dark circles under eyes. Before you open up the wallet to buy them, there are a few things to try first and can be used in addition to under eye treatments.
Look at the causes of dark circles under the eyes:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Alcohol
- Caffeine (ingested)
- Sugar
- Allergies
- Food sensitivities
- Lack of circulation
If you have black tea in your cabinet, you have a natural remedy to treat dark circles. Put briefly boiled, cool teabags on the eyes for about five minutes. Caffeine applied topically will reduce the swelling and will improve the eye’s appearance.
Tags: No Tags
Women, and even men stay with abusive partners. It happens with or without the commitment of marriage.
To those in a healthy relationship, it’s often difficult to understand why they don’t just leave the abusive partner. One factor is denial. As painful as the abuse is, its more painful to look at themselves. The first step is to accept that the choices they made led up to the abusive relationship they are in. The second and most difficult step is to forgive themselves. Once forgiveness happens, an abused person can then begin taking steps to protect themselves and any children involved.
Tags: Abuse, Forgiveness, Relationships
Gas, bloating, and vomiting is a common occurrence for some, for others an occasional occurrence. It becomes more common for everyone around the holidays with a change in diet and amount of food consumed. There’s something around the house for various stomach ailments.
- Cinnamon-take 1 ½ teaspoons and let it sit in a cup of water and drink like tea. This will take care of a stomachache and diarrhea.
- Ginger-use to make a tea that can ward off nausea and vomiting.
- Ice-sucking on it may control vomiting.
- Cider vinegar-taking two teaspoons will relieve gas.
- Peppermint-tea or candy will help with bloating and gas.
Tags: Bloating, Gas, Natural remedies, Stomach Ache
You may suffer personally from it or suffer when a family member takes off their shoes. There are natural remedies for this and simple changes you can make to combat stinky feet.
- Soak feet in a strong tea for 20 minutes a day till odor is no longer a problem.
- Wipe feet with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
- Change socks more than once a day.
- Check for athlete’s feet signs.
- Make sure shoes are odor free, use inserts when needed.
- Wear shoes made of natural material that allows “breathing”
If nothing is effective, seeing your primary physician may provide relief.
Tags: feet, Natural remedies, odor
With increased healthy lifestyles and medication to assist with the natural decline in the ability perform sexually, people are still sexually active into their 80’s and beyond. With the fear of pregnancy passed and not growing up with rampant sexually transmitted desiase, safe sex is not being practiced as often as it should be among the active seniors. While young adults fear pregnancy and getting HIV which could turn into AIDS down the road, the retirees know other health issues associated with advance will end their life before AIDS. Some of the symptoms like dementia and wasting syndrom are the same for HIV as well as other illnesses relating to advanced aging. Often an retiree will not be open about their sexual activity with their doctor, so the doctor won’t test for STD. The older sexually active adult grew up in a time when those things were kept very private.
Studies show that Asian-American teens make use of the health information available more often than white and Latino teens in America.
Each generation of American born citizens with Asian ancestry will improve their health habits. Preventive habits may start out behind with the first generation, but they quickly surpass the white teens in this study done by the University of Minnesota. Asian teens will have a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle. Second-generation Asian teens increased healthy habits, the Latino teens declined, and the white teens maintain poor health habits.
All races and ethnic background would benefit from a varied approach to health information.
Tags: Ethnics, Health habits, Race, Teens
Nurses are on the front line treating the symptoms of self inflicted illnesses of the millions of smokers. It would make sense that they would be the ones who could have an impact to help smokers stop smoking. Their impact is weak due to so many of them being smokers themselves. Of all the health care professionals, they have the most direct contact with patients and they have the highest percentage of smokers (18% of nurses are smokers) of the health care professionals. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provided a 1.8 million grant to help nurses quit.
Tags: Grant, Healt Care Professionals, Nurses, smoking
Everyone with acne has a friend who eats the same and yet has perfect skin. It’s hard to accept that diet has an influence on acne outbreaks. Everyone’s body is different. One person can’t tolerate dairy, and the next person can. The skin is part of our excretory system. When the toxins in the body build up, they will escape, sometimes it’s through the skin. Your body may handle toxins different from your clear faced friend. The fewer toxins in your body, the less work your skin has to do. Clean up your diet and it will benefit your face.
Tags: No Tags
Maintaining optimal weight means more than a balance between exercise and calories. Hormonal balance also is necessary. The influence of testosterone in initial studies, show the effect different in males and females. Obese men (20% or more over maximum optimal weight) tend to have declined testosterone levels. Testosterone levels can be equel to a man 10 years their senior. Low testosterone levels affect sex drive and energy levels. In obese girls (25% or more over maximum optimal weight) going through puberty, they have testosterone levels 2-9 times higher than their thinner peers do. The high testosterone can impair their reproduction health and cause unwanted hair growth.
Tags: hormones, Testosterone, Weight loss
As the sales of drugs like Viagra and Cialis grows, a new gene therapy is currently being tested as an alternative. The gene changes a protein that will cause the smooth muscle to relax and increase circulation to the non-erect penis, increasing its function. The current tests are to prove the safety of the therapy. So far, the tests have not revealed any adverse effects. Once proven safe, tests to find out exactly how effective it is in improving erectile function will then be able to begin.
Tags: ED, Erectile disfunction, erections, gene therapy, sex
The American Council on Exercising (ACE), announced its fitness trend predictions for 2007. One of the predictions was that small group training would increase. In groups of 5 or less not only will it be a social option for friends who are looking for alternatives to meeting at the local bar for happy hour, families will also be attracted to small group training. There are specialized training for a variety of ages in one small group. As families have less time together with busy schedules and children’s average weight continues to climb it will be a healthy alternative to the common board game for family night.
Giving a child a few magnets to play with on the refrigerator while dinner finishes up seems safe enough with a large magnet that can’t be swallowed. Consider the magnet itself, and be sure its secure. Magnets pose a unique hazard. One magnet in itself is not a problem; it’s when more than one magnet is ingested. Magnets may connect through intestinal walls causing obstruction and/or perforation. X-rays don’t show if an object is a magnet. To find out if an object is a magnet, there is a simple test. A health care professional can run compass over the area where the object was detected to test if the object is a magnet.
Tags: children, Intestinal obstruction, Magnets
Poor teens in rural areas aren’t getting the help to quit that they need to be successful. Half of the teens that want to quit fail due to attempting quitting on their own. Urban areas have most of the programs even though there are a growing number of teens in rural areas taking up smoking. Is it the rural schools that aren’t using the information out there or is it the American Lung Association turning their back on the low income population? I honestly don’t know the answer, but I do know, those kids deserve the help that their urban neighbors receive.
Tags: Quiting smoking, Rural, smoking, Teens, Urban
Restricted activity, pain pills, and dependency aren’t appealing to a majority of the millions who suffer from back pain. Doctors, therapists, and medication manufacturers are earning excellent income treating those who are in pain. There is a movement to teach back pain sufferers how to help themselves with therapy, minimal medication, and plans tailored to individual lifestyles. One method that has proven effective is the McKenzie Method whose goal is to return back pain sufferers to normal activity as soon as possible with decreased pain, expense, and visits to health care professionals.
Tags: Back pain, McKenzie Method, pain
Male adult managers and teenage girls are a potentially dangerous combination. A fast food restaurant is often a first job. Feeling “grown up” earning money may give a teen a false sense of maturity. Inappropriate advances may be received as a compliment and having a sexual relationship affirmation of being an adult.
Wendy’s has found out recently, as they face another sexual harassment suit, its not enough for fast food places to post a phone number to call to report sexual harassment. Places with young inexperienced workers should not only train managers to behave appropriately, there should be a class for the teens (both sexes) to what is and is not acceptable behavior.
Source: Newsday
Tags: Relationship, sex, Sexual Harassment, Teens
If you have limited time to exercise or you are unable to do vigorous exercise, try walking! Walking is an exercise almost everyone can do and it has health benefits after you stop walking.
During a brisk walk, calories are burned and muscles are toned. The benefits don’t stop when you finish walking and sit down on the couch. For up to twelve hours after walking the physical changes in your body continue. Metabolic changes and increased enzyme activity will continue the calorie use. The increase in metabolism means increased nutrients being absorbed. Elimination of toxins becomes more efficient, also.
Tags: Calories, exercise, Metabolism, Walking
Today MSN-NBC reported the public dispute regarding where Billy Graham and his wife will be buried, even though they are still alive!
You can read all the health blogs and sites and implement the perfect healthy lifestyle, but at some point, life as you know it ends. Be prepared. Be sure your partner and you come upon an agreement if you wish to be buried together. Make sure your family, has a copy of your wishes. Most important, keep the document updated. Do not rely on just mentioning changes to a partner, let everyone know and put it in writing.
Tags: Billy Graham, Burial plans, Death
An overlooked reason for bed wetting is food allergies or even food sensitivities. A big player is cow’s milk. Dairy can irritate a bladder, causing it to swell and not hold as much. During the day a child (or even adult) may do fine going to the restroom, but while in deep sleep, the bladder can’t hold it through the night.
Other signs of dairy sensitivity
- Allergic “shiners”-dark circles under the eyes.
- Bowl problems-constipation, diarrhea, gas, colic
- Ear infections
- Respiratory problems
- Eczema
Milk alternatives include soy milk, goats milk, and low lactose milk. Some may tolerate dairy in the morning, but not in the afternoon or evening.
Tags: allergies, bedwetting, constipation, ear infections, eczema, milk, respiratory
Some suggest that growing pains don’t exist, but many children will describe pain that has no cause and may keep them up at night. Between the ages of 3 t o5 years old and then again between the ages of 8 years old and 12 years old children will have unexplained discomfort. During growing spurts around that time new muscles may become over extended with normal activity. The pain usually occurs at night. Heating pads or over the counter pain medication (don’t take aspirin because of the link with Reye’s syndrome) will help ease the discomfort.
Tags: children, Growing pains, muscles
As of December 6, 2006, John Hopkins began offering a Master of Science in Nurse Midwifery program. Not only does a nurse midwife do the obvious-deliver babies, a nurse midwife can also provide well woman care.
Nearly 25 years ago I had the first of 5 home births. I liked that my nurse midwife could prescribe medication and accompany me to a hospital if necessary. Back then nurse midwives were pretty uncommon and didn’t even have a listing in the phone book! Midwifery has been around for a long time and it looks like they just got a firm foot in the future.
Tags: education, homebirth, John Hopkins, Midwives
Holiday seasons aren’t always filled with the hugs and laughter we see on commercials. Issues that are easy to avoid all year by avoiding family are more difficult during the holiday seasons. If you got out of Thanksgiving, you already know there is increased pressure to make Christmas!
There are a few things to do to diffuse possible trouble. You can face the problem head on ahead of time or agree to disagree. Be an adult, attend the gathering and create a good time. We know older relatives may not be around much longer, but tragedy can hit at any age. Do you want to miss out on your nephew’s first Christmas or your grandmother’s last because you can’t stand your brother-in-law?
Flavonoids are known to fight off heart disease. Not only is this antioxidant found in red wine and tea, it is in chocolate! Many chocolates have the “good” stuff processed right out of it. To get the benefits of chocolate choose dark chocolate and avoid mild chocolate.
The benefits of flavonoids:
- Lower platelets production
- Balance eicosanoids
- Relax blood vessels
This delicious addition to a heart healthy diet has its side effects due to the high calories and fats that are in many chocolate products. Add marshmallow, caramel, etc. to the chocolates and the benefits are reduced.
Tags: chocolate, flavonoids, heart health
Honey and a clean pillowcase are two simple ways to fight off an acne outbreak. A honey mask is effective in the fight against blemishes because it works as a natural disinfectant and can destroy bacteria on the skin.
Acne breakouts can be reduced by simply having a clean pillow case. A pillow case has 5-9 hours (depending on how long you sleep) to absorb not only the oils from your skin during the night, but also to collect whatever your hair has transported to bed and released on your pillow. Whatever is on that pillow will eventually be rubbed back onto you face.
Tags: acne, disinfectant, face, honey, skin
Cosmetic surgery is common place. Yet not everyone wants to go under the knife. For those people, there is BOTOX, which attracted an estimated 100,000 people in 2005. It gives a more rested look and turns back time temporarily. As there is increased demand and money to be made, there are is also a rise in untrained administrators of BOTOX and unlicensed products being used. The BOTOX toxin can cause neurotransmitters to become inhibited. 23% of those who seek out this treatment have body dismorphic disorder and should be receiving counseling. Side effect education is lacking with unethical practitioners.
Tags: BOTOX, cosmetic surgery, side effects
There are 23 studies to prove that babies who cry it out to fall asleep independently will eventually learn to fall asleep on their own. Is the only goal is to allow parents uninterrupted sleep?
Where are the studies of the emotional affects of such methods? Many adults who are use to sleeping with a partner often they can’t sleep well alone, but we expect an infant with undeveloped reasoning skills to accomplish this. To be helpless, dependent, alone, possibly in discomfort, and to have the only form of communication be ignored…can’t be healthy emotionally. If someone stops yelling out during a beating, does that mean they are OK?
Once the cough and aches begin, it’s too late to worry about building your immune system. The herbs that stimulate your immune system can lesson the severity of the symptoms but can’t stop a cold once it begins.
There are some herbs that will help you ease the symptoms
- Congestion-Hyssop, elderberry, peppermint, borage
- Cough-hyssop, fenugreek
- Hoarseness-hyssop, licorice, sage
- Sleeplessness-chamomile, elderberry, catnip
- Sore throat-licorice, elderberry, goldenseal, ginger
No matter what you do once you get the common cold, it will need to just run its course. A cold’s duration is usually seven to ten days.
Tags: cold, cold symptoms, herbal medicine, herbs
Recently there were clusters of e-coli cases that were linked to Taco Bell. The outbreak affected six states. The source was identified, and it wasn’t the health dept that figured it out first. It was Taco Bell.
Along side the county health dept investigators; the Taco Bell team collected their own samples. Using an independent lab, Taco Bell took the samples they collected and they got a quick test done. By the time the test results finally got back from the state lab, Taco Bell not only found the source, green onions, they had already recalled them from all stores.
Tags: e coli, food poisoning, health dept, Taco Bell
Take any test for mental illness or a brain chemical imbalance and you will have some of the symptoms. From being easily distracted (ADD-attention deficient disorder), to spending too much time cleaning (OCD-obsessive compulsive disorder), to manic days (bipolar disorder), we all have varying levels of symptoms.
When do you seek help?
- When the symptoms interfere with maintaining a job
- Attempts to self medicate (substance abuse) increase and become a problem
- It interferes with basic daily responsibilities
- Severe depression occurs
- There are suicidal thoughts
If you’ve answered yes to any of the questions, it’s time to seek professional help.
Tags: ADD, bipolar, depression, mental illness, OCD
There’s more to sex than satisfying primitive urges and populating the earth. Various tests have proven there are other benefits as well. Of course these benefits occur in healthy, mutually satisfying, consensual, sexual activity. Sexual abuse, control, and aggression will not only destroy any benefits that could be reaped, it can cause deep emotional damage and physical harm.
Health benefits:
- Blood pressure reduction
- Stress reducing
- Hormonal balance
- Calorie burning
- Prostrate health
- PMS relief
- Extended life
Mental benefits
- Increased self confidence
- Calmness
- Improved self image
- Feelings of relationship security
Always practice safe sex, a healthy body after its infected with HIV/AIDS, is no longer healthy.
Tags: mental health, physical health, safe sex, sex
Reyes syndrome is a rare condition that affects the brain, liver, and blood. It can be responsible for convulsions, seizures, and occasionally comas.
Though there is still a lot unknown about Reye’s syndrome, these are some common factors:
- Respiratory infections or viral illness’ symptoms were treated with aspirin
- Age group 4-12 years old
- Occurs about a week after a viral illness
- Occurs during respiratory infection
There has been a big drop in cases since the 1980’s. It is still advised to not give anyone under 19 years of age aspirin or any medication that contains aspirin to treat the symptoms of influenza.
Tags: aspirin, children, Influenza, Reyes syndrom
Many people experienced this long before it was officially recognized and labeled as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is most common in the winter and can occur in the summer as well. Its symptoms are similar to that of depression. Of those who suffer with SAD, most are young adults in their late teens to early 30’s and of the SAD sufferers, ¾ are women. It is believed that it is caused by lack of exposure to sunlight and sunlight exposure triggers internal biological changes. Before you decide to start popping anti-depressants or getting counseling, go outdoors more and change the lighting in your home.
Tags: biological changes, depression, outdoors, SAD