money can fill

People String

Get Paid to Read Articles

would get $ 2,000

Trek Pay

Prizegod

Prizegod.com

get $ 1000 dollars from paypal

Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Types of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are devastating injuries that occur every 15 seconds in the United States. Brain injuries are the leading cause of death in persons under the age of 45. There are approximately 5 to 6 million people living in the U.S. with brain injuries. Leading causes of brain injuries are motor vehicle accidents, falls, violence and sports injuries.

The brain can be damaged in multiple ways. In order to understand head injuries, it is useful to understand the different types of brain injuries that can occur:

Concussions - A concussion can be defined as a sudden alteration of the conscious state induced by trauma. The person affected may lose consciousness briefly and may be confused following. The brain can recover from a concussion but in certain circumstances, there may be residual damage. Concussions often occur in sports-related injuries.

Contusions - When the head strikes a hard, immovable object the brain may be bruised. Contusions are essentially bruises that result in damage to, or destruction of, brain tissue. They often occur in the frontal and temporal lobes. These are the lobes where behavior and memory centers are located, so damage to these areas can cause changes in behavior, changes in vision (including loss of vision), impairment of memory and occasional weakness or loss of coordination.

Diffuse axonal brain injuries (DAI) - In this type of injury, a shearing force damages nerve fibers or stretches blood vessels in the brain. The result may be hemorrhage (bleeding) and can also cause a cascade of chemicals that are toxic to the brain to be released. The temporal and frontal lobes are often affected. Symptoms of DAI include inattentiveness, problems with memory and disorganization.

Hypoxic-Ischemic brain injuries (HII) - Stroke is a common cause of this type of injury, in which the amount of oxygen is reduced to the brain (for example, from a blood clot). The injury causes brain swelling that restricts oxygen, glucose and other necessary nutrients from reaching the brain. A poor prognosis is associated with both HII and DAI in terms of cognitive function and memory impairment, if the patient survives the initial injury.

Hemorrhage - A cerebral or intracranial bleed occurs when blood vessels within the brain bleed as a result of trauma or inherent weakness of a blood vessel (e.g. aneurysm). Hemorrhages may be tiny or large and symptoms correspond to the severity and location of the bleed. Hemorrhage does not always occur immediately after an injury, but may be delayed for hours or even days.

Infarction- "Infarction" is the medical term for stroke. Strokes occur when an artery supplying the brain is blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Speech, language and visual problems often occur after a stroke.

Hematomas - Hematomas develop outside the brain. Subdural hematomas occur over the surface of the parietal or frontal lobes. A subdural hematoma is slow bleeding outside the brain caused by a vessel carrying venous (unoxygenated) blood. Epidural hematomas are usually caused by damaged arteries, which carry blood under pressure, which can cause severe pressure which must be released immediately or death will occur. Subarachnoid hemorrhages occur when bleeding spreads slowly over the brain surface. Subarachnoid hemorrhages rarely cause death and may even be symptomatic.

There are numerous types of injuries which may be caused by trauma or physical conditions. Understanding the type of injury sustained can provide clues as to what to expect in terms of symptoms and outcome. Any time a brain injury is suspected, medical attention must be sought. Brain injuries can cause permanent and severe damage when not treated. With proper treatment, many patients recover.

Why Do You Have to Join a Fitness Camp?

There are lots of reasons why one should reduce their weight in case they are overweight or obese. They should right away join some quick weight loss centre which will help them to shed their extra flab as soon as possible. The main reason why one should not be obese is that, if you are so, you have higher risk of getting diabetes, cancer and cardio vascular diseases. And especially if its women who are obese, they are more prone to risks than men, they have high chances of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

As it is being huge is unhealthy, which will make you feel lethargic and get tired without exerting yourself much. Another important reason for not to be obese is that, it will bring down your confidence level, which will ultimately lead you to severe depression and anxiety.

When it becomes a psychological issue, then you definitely need a professional to help you come out of it. If you consult a knowledgeable professional, he will be able to guide you in getting yourself enrolled in a good weight loss centre. This is where the weight loss camp comes into picture. To reduce your weight within a short span of time you need a real expert to guide you, together with a perfect work out with apt equipments which is right for you.

You need to put a lot of effort from your side as well and follow whatever your guide says along with a proper diet which they have prescribed you to follow. Only when you stick on to the diet and the work out they have planned out for you, you will be able to see a good result, what you have been expecting for, a complete change in you.

Before enrolling yourself in any fitness camp, you need to enquire and know each and everything about the weight loss centre, what exactly they do and many more. Even if it is the center which your doctor has referred, make sure you enquire everything about the centre and then enroll yourself. It is essential to know in and out about it because each and every centre will have different fitness regimen. So check out their kind of routine and see whether it will suit you and your preferences and if its ok with you go ahead get yourself registered, if not try another one which is more apt and comfortable for you.

All these factors has to be considered because in these kind of centers some have programs on daily basis, and some have it twice a week, several others have it once every week and few others have it once in each fortnight. Some centers even have their own work out equipments, health care consultants, dietitians and many more means and tools to help you reduce your extra flab the fastest way possible.

Growing Taller Tips - Nutritional Elements That Impact Development

Nourishing your body is the most crucial element to growing taller. When you supply your body with all of the vitamins and minerals it needs, you provide yourself with the tools your body requires to continue growing taller. Consuming food that is nutritious, supplementing a healthy diet with the correct exercises and a good night's sleep, will permit you to achieve the height gain that you've always dreamed of.

The most important tips of all is to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine exercise program. There is no doubt that the kinds of foods we consume can absolutely impact our height, growth and entire well-being. When you are not mindful of what types of foods can assist you with maintaining good health, and also promote growth in your body, you can jump-start your growing taller regimen by changing your diet alone..

The following are some helpful tips and tricks to eat healthier, and grow taller:

Number 1. Keep a journal of your eating schedule. Write down everything you eat throughout the day, and when you eat. Analyze where you can make changes and substitute healthy foods, and also try and develop a schedule and stick to it.

Number 2. Try to avoid skipping meals. Skipping meals is not advantageous to your well-being.

Number 3. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you must remember to eat breakfast every morning. Try to eat approximately two hours prior to starting your daily exercise regimen. Make certain that you eat a healthy breakfast and watch your portions.

Number 4. It is also recommended that you abstain from candy, soda, and sugars. In lieu of gaining height, these foods only make your waistline grow.

Number 5. Mom was right, of course - the best way to grow taller is to eat enough fruits and green vegetables. Consuming whole wheat bread and whole grain cereals are also advised.

Number 6. Also realize that your body requires protein to function and grow properly. Proteins are comprised of amino acids which are the building blocks of the cells in your body. These proteins are vital factors in the development of elements, hormones, and substances within your system.

Number 7. Your body requires plenty of restful sleep to recover your strength and renew the vigor you lose throughout your day.

Number 8. Finally, avoid habits that are unhealthy, such as drinking and smoking that may also create other ramifications besides impeding your efforts to grow taller.

These growing taller tips are a great start if your are considering adopting a height increase program. By implementing these nutritional guidelines into your day-to-day routine, you will gradually see yourself growing taller every day.

Find Out The Ways To Look Taller Than You Really Are

Do you feel as though people treat you differently because of your height? If you cannot find ways to improve your diet or perform routine exercise, then there are ways to make yourself look taller than you really are.

Good posture is the key to how to look taller. Having excellent posture allows you to take advantage of both the physical and the psychological gains that it provides. Poor posture is one of the major explanations for why people look shorter than they really are. By not maintaining proper posture, you are not taking advantage the height you do have. Posture can refer to your position when lying down, sitting, and standing.

You may want to stand with one of your legs held higher that the other. This will help you practice maintaining your equilibrium. When you are in a seated position, you should sit in a chair that has a high back support where your feet can rest comfortably on the floor. When seated you should do some stretching exercises to keep the blood flowing through your body. When lying down to rest or sleep, the superior sleeping position is lying flat on your back with your neck somewhat raised. This resting position helps you to decompress your back and relinquishes the tension in the spine and muscles.

When you follow these easy grow taller tips, you will be able to strengthen your spine and improve your posture. These steps will make you appear taller and improve your outward appearance.

The clothes you wear also affect how tall you look to others. One of the characteristics of a tall person is broad shoulders, and clothes that have shoulder pads can help you achieve this look. Stay away from overly bulky clothes and pants with a low-waist that make you appear heavier than you are. These types of clothes make you appear much shorter that you are actually. You can also wear shoes that make you appear taller, such as shoes with lifts for men, as well as shoes with heels for women.

While there are many ways for you to appear taller, you must keep in mind, if you would like to actually grow taller naturally and add inches to your height you must make the necessary changes to your diet and exercise program. By implementing a diet that is high in nutrition, and sticking with an exercise program, you won't just look taller, you will actually be taller.

Growth Hormones And Gaining Height

People all around the world are not happy with how tall they are and they always look for way to look taller, but they don't know that there is a way to just grow taller once and for all. The perception of height is often highly personal and can vary from person to person like everything else in this world. You can take one look at someone and decide that it is a tall person, while someone else can see a short person and even that changes from country to country as you must know by now...

Normally, gaining height is based on the growth hormones existing within our bodies but also many other aspects such as diet. These growth hormones are made by the endocrine glands in your body. These growth hormones travel through your bloodstream, being apportioned in other areas of the body to promote development and growth.

One of these hormones' functions is encouraging development and controlling that development according to the bodies requires and can handle. Another function of these growth hormones is to stimulate other hormones in the body to produce more rapidly, and execute their purpose for different organs.

There are some people who seek ways to grow taller by using unnatural procedures like shots and growth hormone-supplying wares. The particular amino acids being utilized to make these products to enhance growth are in reality being produced in large amounts even without a doctor's prescription. These products claiming to release growth hormones that are available in stores today are commonly used by bodybuilders.

These amino acid products are not recommended for a person to take as they are a form of self medication. Take note of the recommended dosage before taking any of these supplements. Improper use of these amino acid products could have possible side effects that could be harmful to your health. For example, you may experience nervousness, hair loss, high blood pressure drowsiness, and headache.

In lieu of using these self-medications, success in gaining height can be achieved by performing routine height gaining exercises on a regular basis, you can find this exercises in detail in the grow taller 4 idiots manual, and by eating healthy foods and getting plenty of sleep. By doing these simple things, more growth hormone will be released into your system. Also important, is that you stay away from habits that are bad for you, like smoking and drinking, which also block you from growing taller naturally.

Grow Taller Fast With 10 Guaranteed Tips

Have you always wanted to grow taller fast, and not have to ingest pills and supplements that are not effective? The fact is that you can have the height you've always wanted, but you are going to have to work for it.

The following are the 10 best tips for you to grow taller fast:

No.1. You should try and exercise first thing in the morning, starting with stretching exercises and working into more strenuous exercises. These stretching exercises can be done while you are still laying in your bed and are a great way to start your day. Raise your arms up, stretching upwards, while stretching your legs downward.

No.2. Deep breathing exercises are also best done in the morning. Take a deep breath, inhaling through the nose, hold for a few seconds, then exhale through the mouth. Do this exercise repeatedly in order to provide your body with the oxygen it needs.

No. 3. Get out into the morning sunshine for your daily dose of Vitamin D, an essential vitamin that is needed by your body.

No. 4. After you have done your stretching and breathing exercises, you can begin your exercise program. You can start by going for a walk, an excellent exercise that can be done at anytime throughout the day.

No. 5. When you have completes your exercises for the day, you may finish up with massaging specific points within your body. These massages stimulate the growth hormones in the body and relax you at the same time.

No. 6. Keep in mind that you should always have the correct posture, even when you are asleep. Hold in your stomach with your chest pushed out and your chin in an erect position. This helps you keep your correct posture as well as become taller instantly.

No. 7. Also remember to rest up if you feel tired when you are finished exercising. Take brief naps (about 30 minutes) to give your body the chance to recover from exercise and lengthen and strengthen your bones.

No. 8. Maintain a straight spine when sleeping by laying flat on your back as much as possible.

No. 9. Your body needs at least eight glasses of water a day to renew moisture lost in your body and to prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Always remember to give your body the hydration it needs to grow properly.

No. 10. Perhaps one of the most important tips to remember is to avoid alcohol and tobacco. Due to the toxins in alcohol and tobacco, you will not only not grow taller, but actually potentially hinder your efforts to grow taller.

What Is The Spine's Role In Gaining Height?

When looking into gaining height, finding a number of ways you can utilize man-made and natural products to achieve the increase in height you want. It is recommended that before trying the unnatural medications or drugs which may lead to side effects if you do not take them properly. First, research the ways to grow taller naturally, which is accomplished by centering on the key areas where the capacity to obtain growth of a couple of inches is possible.

Typically from our experience, the focus is on the growth in the leg bones, but did you realize that your spine may contribute in raising your odds of gaining height? Your spine is a key area in the body, and you should treat it right due to the fact that it holds the brain receptors that assist us in performing bodily functions. If the spine is healthy, it becomes easier to carry out the duties that you must execute every day.

A careful investigation of the spine reveals that the inter vertebra discs are the agents for successfully gaining height. The inter vertebra discs are located in between the vertebrae in the spine, and they are comprised of tissues that operate as shock absorbers. As the most pliable and flexible area of your spine, and are the key points in elongating your spinal column.

In order to keep your discs healthy, you must execute challenging exercises for your spinal column. You must do exercises focused on stretching and full-range of motion movements allowing the passage or movement of fluid and blood through the vertebrae. By not maintaining the balance required for a healthy spine there is a good chance that the discs are less resilient and sooner or later cause a drop-off in stature.

Besides doing exercises focused on stretching, you can try holding your posture straight for as long as you can. With good posture you can relieve the pressure on your spinal column when you are seated or standing throughout your day.

You can also keep a healthy spinal column by maintaining a steady sleep schedule and sleeping restfully for the correct amount of time. Your entire body requires sleep from your daily activities, and by sleeping flat on your back, you are relieving the stress that gravity puts on your spine, then you'll be capable of allowing your spinal column to elongate and you can grow taller naturally.

The Health Secret Your Jaw Can Tell

More and more our society is looking for the "silver bullet" of health. Every second TV ad suggests a drug to "fix" any health condition imaginable. Wouldn't it be great if your body could indicate its level of health and function? It can! This article explains the significance of your jaw, how a simple self-test can indicate your functional status and what you can do to achieve "true health".

Move your jaw side to side in a sawing action. Did it pop or click on one side? Can you move it more to one side than the other? Are you unable to fit your four fingers stacked vertically (no overlapping!) in your mouth? When you bite down does one side contact before the other? Chances are you tested positive in one or more of these tests for jaw imbalance and if you did, you need to read on!

The jaw joint or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be a source of discomfort for many people. TMJ Disorder (TMJD) or TMJ Syndrome and has been associated with a wide variety of other symptoms, some far removed from the jaw itself, for example chronic headaches, sinus problems, visual disturbances, ringing and pain in the ears, facial pain, tingling and numbness in the fingers and even low back pain.

Even more interestingly, TMJD has been associated with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression. Scientists and medical studies have been unable to explain the connection of TMJD to such a wide variety of dysfunctional conditions affecting both body and mind.

This may be because "scientists" overlook two indisputable facts when they look at human health.

First, the body and mind are one - a single unit linked together from head to toe via joints, muscle and connective tissue called fascia (remember the song, "The leg bone connected to the knee bone..."?).

Second, form follows function. So any "weak links" that cause structural imbalance in one part of the body will transfer throughout the body, decreasing its form and therefore its entire function also. For example, compensating for a broken toe may eventually work its way up to the neck and yes, even the jaw.

To be truly healthy is to have good function, which dictates that your form or posture must be good also. The pain, the symptoms associated with TMJD and even the TMJD itself are simply manifestations of dyfunction resulting from postural imbalance.

So why is the jaw a good example to demonstrate your level of health and function? Because it is highest joint in the body and the last area your body can compensate for postural imbalances transferring up from lower down. Also since the jaw is linked to the skull, we can easily discern dysfunction like muscle tightness, pain, popping or clicking.

Another reason to test the jaw is because the alignment of the mandible (jaw bone) can affect the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland is considered "the master gland" and is chiefly responsible for maintaining your body in a healthy, internally balanced state called homeostasis.

Lets trace the links to the pituitary. Keep reading and you'll learn the secret to "true health".

The mandible is connected to a bone in your skull called the sphenoid with muscles called the medial and lateral pterygoids. The sphenoid houses the pituitary gland in a small depression called the sella turcica. So any structural imbalance in the TMJ from strength differences in the pterygoids will transfer structural imbalance to the sphenoid, which will then compromise the function of the pituitary and homeostasis.

Now it might be easy to think that if you can correct the imbalance in the jaw with a bite plate or some surgical procedure you would fix the TMJD and be as healthy as a horse right? Wrong! This approach is doomed to fail because the jaw is also linked to the shoulders and sternum.

The mandible is connected to the shoulders and sternum via a bone just above the level of the Adam's apple called the hyoid bone. The hyoid is a "floating bone" and unlike any other bone in the body in that it does not contact other bones; rather it is suspended above and below by muscles. Its main function is to act as an anchor for the muscles that connect the mandible to the hyoid. These muscles are called suprahyoid muscles and act to open or pull the mandible down.

But wait! Muscles called the infrahyoid muscles connect the hyoid to both shoulder blades and the sternum. Their function is to anchor the hyoid in a level, "neutral" position, which is difficult because any unevenness in shoulders height or slouching will unbalance the hyoid and therefore the jaw and pituitary.

The shoulders and upper back are you guessed it, connected to the lower back and pelvis, which will only be as balanced as the "core" muscles allows them to be. The core is a system of muscles in the trunk and hip region like the glutes (butt) and abdominals that act as the body's foundation by stabilizing the pelvis and low back.

The jaw tests you tried earlier can now be looked at as indicators of the status of your core since all posture and function originates here.

So now the jaw reveals it's secret: "True health can only be achieved when the strength of the muscles of the core is balanced and the posture realigned.

Is it possible that to thrive both physically and mentally could be this simple?

Yes! We like complicated things and to make things complicated. We have been conditioned to think that complicated drugs and surgery are the answer to our health problems. They're not.

That being said restoring balance to the core is not easy. Here's why.

Your brain like all animals is hardwired for survival so it favors using mobilizing muscles that cause gross movement to move your body out of danger. Stabilizing muscles like the core muscles are less likely to be favored and more likely to become weaker since they oppose movement.

The mobilizing muscles now have to work overtime. They compensate by tightening since they have to perform their own function plus that of the weak stabilizing muscles too. Compensating muscles cannot perform both jobs effectively so muscle strength and length imbalances develop causing postural imbalances. A classic example is the hamstring muscles tightening in response to gluteus maximus weakness.

Compensation is a great technique to help you run away from a hungry lion but complicates things when you try to access the root problem of core weakness. So it doesn't matter how much "core training" you do, you will most likely just strengthen the tight mobilizing muscles and engrain the imbalances even more - like driving your car with bad wheel alignment.

So what is the solution to accessing the weak core muscles and reestablishing the body's function? Wouldn't it be great if there were some technique that could "activate" and strengthen the weak core muscles?

The good news is there is a technique called Myotonix that does exactly that. It is a form of manual therapy based on the principles and techniques of acupressure, osteopathy and trigger point therapy and to improve posture. The results are instantaneous and astounding.

This article has highlighted the significance of jaw function as an indicator of whole body function and how dysfunction in any one part of the body affects the whole. Total body health will only be realized when we recognize the connection of our form to our function. So with this knowledge, the next time you go to your dentist you can tell him the health secret of his jaw!

David Petersen is an exercise physiologist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the owner of Body Tuneup Shop in Clearwater, Florida. He specializes in improving human function through postural restoration and functional exercise. He achieves dramatic improvements in muscle strength and flexibility using a unique form of manual therapy called Myotonix. More articles, information and testimonial video clips can be found at http://bodytuneupshop.com.

NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this note, author information and all LIVE website links as above.

Feeling Stressed Out? Read This

Are you suffering from stress? Probably as a result of spending too much time in the office and less with your family to have fun and relax? While working is good as it contributes to your income, you must also take into much consideration your health. It just makes sense because what good is work if you are down with sickness because of stress.

There have been countless research studies that claim stress is a major contributor to a lot of dreadful health conditions. Among these are cancer and heart diseases. Before, doctors thought that stress only causes fatigue and loss of concentration, now there are even grimmer effects that doctors now advice everyone to regularly go for a check up to see if their stress levels are still manageable or if it is time to do some medical treatments already.

And so to help you fight off stress, here are some suggestions you may want to follow.

Go to a spa and get yourself a good massage. Even if it's just an hour long massage, it would still be very effective in helping you beat stress. But if you can, go on a spa retreat wherein you will be staying at a spa resort for at least an overnight of complete relaxation. That way when you go back to the real world, you will be feeling most relaxed and serene.

Get yourself some stress relief toys. There are stress balls and games specifically designed to relieve stress. There are many of these types of products that you can store in your office drawer. Just take one out, play with it for a minute or two, and you will feel that most of the stress in your body have disappeared.

A vacation is a very good treatment for your stress. If you can, take a week's vacation from work or if that is just not possible, even a weekend would do. You will find that all you need to battle stress is to stop thinking about your office work for just a couple of days and merely do something you enjoy doing like swimming, mountain climbing, or just relaxing some place that you really love.

These are just some of the ways that you can effectively manage your stress. Of course these are just temporary solutions and should you feel that these are not enough, perhaps it is time that you visit your doctor for professional help. Your doctor would still be the best person to help you with your stress management.

The Meaning of Bone Health, Bone Density and Fracture Risk

Bone's Major Functions

Bone has three major functions. The first involves providing a structural support for your heart, lungs, marrow and other organs and the attachment sites for muscles so that you can move your arms, legs and head. Think of what a blob you would be without your bones to give you structure. The second function involves providing protection for your brain and other internal organs. Finally, bone acts as a mineral storage bank for calcium and phosphorus helping to maintain a proper acid/base balance in your body called pH. So you can see that your bones have more than just one function.

The Importance of Bone Quality

The term bone quality may be new to you but it is an important one to understand. Bone quality then describes all the components that keep it strong and fracture free. So by weight, bone is composed of about 10% collagen matrix, 65% minerals and 25% water. It is not just the minerals but all three components working together that keep your bones strong and fracture free.

Bone Density Numbers

Bone quality however is very different from the term bone density. You may have had a DEXA test and been told they found a change in your bone density. Your bone density was either normal or you received a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia. Take heart because all is not lost. The DEXA score you received only tells you about the mineral density and content of the bone. It cannot tell you the amount or the health of your matrix or water content. The mineral density is considered one risk of many. It is used, along with other risk factors, when calculating fracture risk. It is important to remember that no one risk factor by itself can predict fracture risk.

Bone Density; Just One Risk Factor

Sometimes in the rush to osteoporosis treatment, it is lost in the shuffle that your DEXA scores is just one risk factor of many to consider when it comes to predicating fractures. It is also important to remember that you want to prevent fractures, nothing more nothing less. It also bears repeating that only one risk factor by itself can predict fracture risk, not even DEXA. According to Dr. Susan Ott, MD at the University of Washington, "In an individual, the quality of the bone, the shape of the bone, the presence of a fracture or other risk factors, weight, muscle strength, and the tendency to fall (balance) are all important to predicting the risk of fracture."

Fracture Risk... Using the FRAX® Index

The FRAX® tool is a better predictor of fracture because it uses 12 independent risk factors, including bone density, to determine your course of treatment. The FRAX® tool was developed by WHO to evaluate fracture risk of patients. The FRAX® models have been developed from studying population-based cohorts from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. The FRAX® tool gives the 10-year probability of a hip fracture and/or a major osteoporotic fracture (clinical spine, forearm, hip or shoulder fracture).

The Limitations of FRAX®

The International Osteoporosis Foundation says that the FRAX® tool has the following limitations: Does not accommodate all known risk factors.

Lacks detail on some risk factors
Depends on adequacy of epidemiological information
Limited country models available
Model relevant only for untreated patients
Does not replace clinical judgment
Improving Bone Health

So now you know that keeping your bones healthy is more complicated than just trying to increase bone density. Your bones and the rest of your body work together and are dependent upon each other. So your general health will, to a great degree, determine your bone health. Lifestyle factors like drinking enough water, eating a balanced diet, safe and effective exercise, drinking and smoking habits and how well you manage your stress are all important in keeping your bones healthy. Just focusing on one lifestyle change, like eating healthier foods, is rarely enough to improve your bone health. It takes multiple changes, in the right proportions, to really make a significant difference in your bone and body health.

Copyright (c) 2006- 2011 by Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc

Woody McMahon has been working as a healthy lifestyle professional for over 25 years. Before starting his career as a healthy lifestyle coach, Woody earned his Bachelor of Science degree in human biology from the University of Maryland, his Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine from Palmer College of Chiropractic and is certified as a personal trainer through the National Strength Professionals Association. He is also trained in The Meeks Method of Postural Correction.

Symptoms Of The Common Cold - How To Tell If It Is More Than A Cold

Symptoms of the common cold typically include a runny nose, and nasal congestion but there are additional symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of the common cold such as sneezing, sore throat, cough and headache.

A cold is a viral infection of the respiratory tract with over 200 viruses potentially responsible for causing this annoying but generally harmless condition. This article takes a closer look at the medical symptoms associated with a cold so you can determine if indeed this is a cold or something worse.

Common Cold Symptoms And Causes

After coming in contact with the virus, symptoms will typically begin to show within 2 or 3 days, but may take up to one week to be apparent. The earliest symptoms may be an irritated nose or "scratchy throat". Other symptoms present in most cases of the common colds include:

Runny or stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
Watery eyes
Sneezing
Young children may run a fever of approximately 100-102 degrees F. However, adults and older children with cold symptoms generally have a very low fever or no fever at all.

Nasal secretions tend to thicken and may be yellow or green in color within a few days of the cold onset. This is a normal expectation and is not necessarily an indication of cold complications.

Additional symptoms may be present depending on which virus is causing the cold. These symptoms may include:

Cough (unproductive, meaning no mucus is coughed up)
Sore throat
Loss of appetite
Headache
Muscle or joint ache
Post nasal drip
Fatigue
The common cold is one of the most prevalent health conditions with an estimated one billion colds experienced each year in the United States alone. Children are the most susceptible, with the average child experiencing eight colds each year. Colds can occur at any time of the year but they tend to occur more often during the winter months (in areas that do not have winters, colds are more common during the rainy season).

The common cold can be caused by a variety of viruses including, rhinovirus, coxsackievirus, coronavirus, etc. The virus is spread through nasal secretions via sneezing, nose-blowing, or nose-wiping. You can catch a cold by coming in contact with the virus and then touching your nose, eyes or mouth. You can also catch a cold by inhaling the virus if you are too close to an infected person when they sneeze.

Colds are most contagious for the first two or 3 days and not contagious at all after approximately one week.

Common Cold Diagnosis And Treatment

Diagnosis is typically based on observation of the aforementioned symptoms. You should contact your doctor if you develop difficulty breathing, if a fever is present or if symptoms persist and do not improve after 7 to 10 days.

With treatment, emphasis is placed on preventing the spread of the virus. Care should be taken to wash hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose. Instant hand sanitizers use alcohol to kill germs and may be an effective alternative if soap and water are not available.

The common cold usually runs its course in 10-14 days as symptoms disappear. Medications (including antibiotics) do nothing to cure the infection, although over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, decongestants, cough medicines, or analgesics may be used to relieve symptoms. Aspirin should not be used for this or any other viral infection.

Medical experts recommend against the use of cough and cold medications for children under the age of 6. Talk with your doctor before giving a young child over-the-counter cold medication.

There are new antiviral medications available, which may shorten the duration of cold symptoms. However, it is unclear whether the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks. Speak with your doctor if you are considering using an antiviral medication for treatment of a common cold.

Self-care may be the best treatment option for alleviating the uncomfortable symptoms associated with a cold. These home care remedies include:

Getting plenty of rest
Maintaining adequate fluid intake
Inhaling steam to relieve nasal congestion
Sucking on lozenges for sore throat relief
Alternate treatments (Echinacea, Vitamin C, Zinc)

Using a Fitness Buddy - Everything You Need to Know

Do you remember the time when you and your friends planned to jog the long stretch at the beach at the break of dawn the following day? Didn't you take special care to sleep early the night before, set your alarm clock an hour early so you can prepare beforehand? Can you remember the excitement and anticipation you felt of that prospective get together? You didn't really think of it as an exercise regimen although you and your buddies seriously jogged that stretch, enjoying great conversation as you burned your calories. It was more of a gathering of friends than a workout session. Such is the power of pairing or grouping up.

In our desire to lose those extra pounds, we are initially so gung-ho into the program that everything must stop the moment the workout begins. We are so eager until the time comes when the routines become boring and obligatory. When we have no one but ourselves to be accountable to, our commitment eventually wanes. Sooner or later, we find ourselves stopping our exercise sessions for days at a time until we abandon it completely. It is in these occasions when having a weight loss buddy is important. A partner who can support you in your weight loss regimen, preferably someone who is also on the same journey as you, who seeks the kind of emotional support and accountability that you are also looking for would make a good weight loss buddy. Getting a partner who will make you stick to your goals, who can be brutally frank and honest about the effort you are putting into the regimen can be the missing link behind your weight loss success. This person, whether a family member, friend or even an online buddy, is your support system who makes you accountable for every action you take that pertains to your weight loss regimen.

The right weight loss buddy for you is someone who is able to give you "tough love." He or she points out what you are doing wrong and tell that to you straight. You need someone who will tell to get moving during those days when you just feel too lazy to get out of bed. Yet, this form of tough love also extends to understanding why you weren't able to make it to an exercise session (e.g. the baby sitter did not arrive and you had to babysit your child) and work with you to find a solution the next time it happens. Your diet partner must also be available anytime you need him or her. If you have an online weight loss partner, then you've got to set upon an agreed time to chat and keep abreast with each other's progress in your goals everyday. If you have a real-life buddy and you plan to set aside time every morning for your workouts, then make sure that you are both available at the times set. Finally, your partner must be willing to listen to your concerns and give that much needed encouragement to boost your morale when losing weight becomes a challenge.

Pair up to win the war against excess weight! Buddy up!

A List of MRSA Symptoms

Aside from the usual signs of a staph infection like a reddish abrasion that refuses to heal, and is causing you pain, a MRSA has other symptoms that sets it apart. MRSA symptoms are from an infection that will not heal because of an immunity or resistance to the drug treatment. Thus, even if surgical intervention is done to remove the pus, it is possible that the wound does not heal properly. It is also possible that the pus just keeps coming back or starts to travel along your veins towards major organs of your body. The MRSA symptoms are listed below, however this is not in any way a reason to avoid seeing a doctor. You cannot self-diagnose, and more so, self-medicate because this is like playing games with your life and health. There are documented cases of persons with MRSA symptoms who have lost their limbs because of inappropriate MRSA treatment.

Tiny, red bumps like bites or pimples just starting
If these marks start to grow into a boil with water or pus
Carbuncles, which are large infections with openings on the skin causing pus, water, or blood to ooze out
Pus under your skin which is a yellowish, thick substance, oftentimes with a malodorous smell, also known as impetigo
An eyelid infection, commonly known as a sty
Cellulitis which are skin infections with fatty tissues under your skin
Swelling and tenderness in the affected area
Pain that gets worse every time you move the area
Edema or water retention
Sepsis which is toxins in the blood
Pneumonia
Periostitis, which happens when the tissue around the bones starts to get infected
Appendicitis, meningitis, peritonitis, pyoderma, eczema
Influenza
Skin lesion
Respiratory diseases
Clotting of an enzyme known as coagulase which is produces by MRSA
Difficulty in breathing
Loss of appetite
Fever or chills
Muscle, chest, bone, and joint pains
Fatigue or lethargy
Headaches
Low blood pressure
Technically, since MRSA symptoms can be widespread and numerous, the patient must understand that it happens mainly because the immune system is not working properly. The body cannot fight the bacteria, and the drugs are not doing much good either. The doctor must find an antibiotic that the patient is not immune to for the infection to stop spreading and causing damage to major organs like the lungs, heart, and kidney. Some of these MRSA symptoms are also symptoms of other diseases, which means that a culture of the infection must be tested in a lab to determine cause. At any rate, the urgency to seek medical attention, regardless of whether or not the patient is in pain, is imperative. Do not wait for it to get worst because this will result in prolonged treatment and possible confinement in the hospital. If you disregard a growing boil or pain in the affected area, you risk the following major medical problems:

Blood poisoning
Internal abscesses which could affect heart valves, joints, or any artificial element in your body
Lung infection
Edema
Septic shock
Endocarditis or heart lining infection
Bone marrow infection
High risk groups for MRSA symptoms and infections are those with HIV/AIDS, those who have undergone surgery, cancer patients, those undergoing dialysis, and those who take antibiotics often.

Everything You Need To Know About DOT Physicals

Every commercial driver operating in the United States today, no matter what distances they drive, need to carry with them, at all times, a valid medical certificate that indicates that they have passed the standard battery of DOT physicals. If you are going to drive commercial, you need to carry this important document, along with your license, whenever you are in the vehicle, period. There are no exceptions, so if you have not gotten it done as yet, you need to get it done before they suspend your license.

Why it is Important

The Department of Transportation, the federal agency that oversees interstate commerce, wants the assurance that all commercial drivers are actually fit enough to handle the rigors of short, long and interstate distance trucking. They have the right to insure public safety, and an unfit driver would definitely constitute a considerable threat to the public. Could you imagine the chaos that would be caused by a driver having a stroke, a diabetic episode or an epileptic fit, while pilot a several ton vehicle on any state motorway?

This is why it is required for all commercial drivers, no matter what state or region, to pass a battery of DOT physicals, and maintain a good health certificate. If they cannot pass cleanly, and there are no extenuating circumstances, they cannot obtain or keep a CDL license in any state. To keep cheating to a minimum, most states have adopted the policy of showing the health certificate when obtaining the license, as well as when the driver comes back for their vehicle license plate, and again when they renew their CDL license. If there are extenuating circumstances, like the addition of a hearing aid, or prosthetic that could affect their driving, there is a waiver committee in action that can allow drivers to obtain their licenses with a limited certification.

DOT Certification Explained

If you pass all aspects of the DOT physical, and obtain the standard health certification, that certificate will be valid for at least two years. If there is a medical condition that will require a follow-up exam, like diabetes or high blood pressure, you may still be awarded a certificate, but it will be only good for a limited amount of time, usually for only three months to six months, maximum.

If there is a physical limitation found, like chronic back pain, arthritis, hearing aids, or prosthetics, a review committee will decide whether or not your current condition will prevent you from being able to do everything that a commercial driver would be required to do during the operation of the vehicle. The same will hold true if you are injured in any way, from a sprained ankle to a broken arm. In this type of situation, the worst that will happen is that your license will be suspended temporarily, pending another review within three months, or, at best, you will be issued a short-term restricted certification.

What Happens During the Testing?

The first phase of the examination is the recording of your medical history. This will cover the past five years, and the needed information reflects the number of illnesses, injuries or surgeries that you have had during that time. Falsifying any of this information can get you banned from ever having another CDL license during your lifetime, they take it that seriously. Also included on that document to be filled out is a list of any medications that you take regularly, on doctor's orders or on your own, and your habits concerning recreational drugs and alcohol.

Next up is a battery of small exams that will test your vision, hearing, blood pressure, pulse and urine. The urinalysis will check for abnormalities in proteins, white cells, red cells, nitrates, blood, and glucose levels. There is no drug testing unless the authorities believe it is warranted, and you will be notified if so. After this, all that remains is a true physical exam and a neurological reflex test. The doctor will record everything, and then make his or her recommendation as to whether you have passed your DOT physicals, and what certificate you should be issued, if any.

Being Disease Free Does Not Mean That You Are Healthy

It takes more than just being without a disease or illness to actually be healthy. If you want health then you need to get it started from within. That means putting only good things into your body, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains. It also means that you want to keep bad things such as toxins of different types out of your system. When we have toxins and other bad things coming into our bodies regularly, it makes our bodies work harder to fight them as well as all of the other things that it deals with.

Genetically speaking some people got a better deal for good health than others. No matter what you do, you have a better chance for good health if you have genes that have given you good health. It all depends on your family history. If you look at your immediate family and closely related relatives you will be able to see if it is more likely that you will have heart disease and cancer or if it possible that you will live to be 90.

Many people feel well and healthy right before they are diagnosed with a serious illness. They are walking around fine when all of a sudden they find out that there are problems with their heart or that they have organs that have cancerous tumors on them. Sure they felt good but unfortunately they weren't healthy on the inside where it really mattered.

People that walk around thinking they are healthy because they have not been diagnosed with anything serious and that is a mistake. It is important to always do what you can to help yourself feel strong and healthy. When you keep yourself active and eat right it works in your favor no matter what. People that do take care of themselves usually live longer and actually live better.

If you want to be a healthy person then do everything you can to enjoy life to its fullest. No matter how long it is that you live the key to healthy life is living well and enjoying the time you have to spend with your family and all your friends. Health is not guaranteed but you should enjoy it for as long as you have it. Health may not be the absence of disease, however the absence of illness allows you a better quality of life.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Repetitive Stress Injuries - Important Things You Might Not Be Aware of

You were doing great for a month or two but now you find it hard to get yourself to the gym. You know all the reasons you should workout but somehow those fitness benefits just aren't enough.

Now you feel like a fitness failure!

Take heart - you are not lacking in willpower or desire. You are not a fitness failure.

What you are suffering from is boredom. Do you find that surprising? Most fitness failures are the result of good old fashioned boredom.

If your thinking - "I don't feel bored. I just don't want to workout," ask yourself this - are you having fun when you workout?

If the answer is "no" then you are most likely bored with your workout. After all, how long can walking or jogging on a treadmill be interesting?

The key to avoiding fitness failure is variety.

Change your Idea of Exercise

Take some time to explore different activities, especially those that don't strike you as exercise. Do you like to play a sport like tennis? Do you like to dance? If you don't play a sport or dance, would you like to learn?

Any physical activity is a form of exercise so take the opportunity to learn something new.

Change your Venue

Workout plans do not have to revolve around a gym. Take your workout outdoors - try rollerblading

Do yoga in your backyard

Change your Type of Workout

There are as many types of workout out as there are days of the year. Pop in a DVD at home

DVR a free workout from your cable or satellite provider

Surf YouTube for all kinds of great free workouts

Try out the Latest Craze

There are all kinds of fitness trends that are hot right now. You are sure to find them in your area. Outdoor bootcamps are plentiful in the warmer seasons

Zumba has exploded on to the scene and can be found in churches, school cafeterias and all kinds of unusual open rooms

The more variety you can build into your workout plan the less chance you have of becoming a fitness failure. Choose a few different styles and venues to keep your interest level up.

Most importantly, choose activities that are FUN. If you dread running, how long do you really expect to stick to it!

Comment below and let me know what you do to avoid being a fitness failure.

Parabens: What They Are And Why You Should Avoid Them

When people decide that they want to start going "green" they often begin recycling, eating organic, or perhaps investing in hybrid cars. These are a few great ways to go green but there are also many other ways both large and small. On way that many people do not think of is simply by buying organic bath, beauty, and personal care products. And, as you will read below, this is not only beneficial for the environment. It may also be beneficial for your personal health.

There are many reasons to make the switch to organic bath, beauty, and personal care products. The ingredients in--or rather, the ingredients that are not in organic beauty products is a key reason. Some of the most common ingredients found in commercial products that you will not find in their organic counterparts are compounds known as parabens.

On the ingredients label you will see them listed as:

- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
- IIsoparaben

Parabens are found in many products that you use often and even on a daily basis including moisturizers, shaving gel, toothpaste, shampoo, and so on. Parabens are also occasionally used as food additives. You may have heard of these compounds and wondered if they are really that bad to come in contact with. While this is still under debate, there are many studies which have linked parabens to causing certain ailments and degenerative diseases. So, why take the chance on using products that contain them, when you can invest in organic products that are better for your health.

What Are Parabens?
They are low-cost chemicals used for their antimicrobial and preservative capabilities. These synthetics are very commonly used to increase the shelf life of products.

What Are Their Possible Negative Health Benefits?
There are a number of possible negative health benefits associated with these compounds. Reports have shown a connection between butylparaben and abnormal changes in testosterone secretion. These same reports also showed that the chemical has an adverse affect on how the male reproductive system functions.

And not only males are affected. Studies have found that these chemicals can mimic the effect of estrogen. In other words, they are believed to have an estrogenic effect, an effect that can lead to the development of breast cancer. They are also believed to impair fertility.

In general, the chemicals are believed to be possibly carcinogenic, which makes them worth avoiding entirely.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Staying Well Informed on Birth Injuries

Cerebral palsy happens from brain damage. That being the case, this damage never ever truly mitigates and that signifies that the individuals who suffer from it usually require a lifetime of proper care. The most average warning sign of this condition is having trouble walking. Quite a few of the individuals you have noticed with this ailment are most likely in wheelchairs or use additional assistance devices to help them get around.

Essentially everybody is aware, whenever the brain is stripped of oxygen for an extensive time; it's unavoidable that damage will arise. This is conclusively what comes about in kids with cerebral palsy. In a number of instances, the damage comes about in the womb and there's absolutely nothing that can be done and there is nobody to blame. In other scenarios, the harm comes about from negligent health care methods in the course of the birth. In these cases, a lawsuit generally comes about due to the fact that the parents need to find compensation to help them pay for the costs of ongoing treatment for their kid. For a lot of individuals, looking for the help of an attorney is the only rational way that they will actually be in a position to pay for the fees of these treatments.

If your little one has cerebral palsy it is critical to discover about how this ailment comes about. There are some circumstances were cerebral palsy occurs sometime after the child has already been born. In these instances, the injury may or may not be the outcome of medical negligence and the actual causes fluctuate quite a bit. Medical negligence is habitually a problem when the birth injury happens during labor. In some instances, the little one may be in a position for the duration of the birth where they are deprived of oxygen. In other scenarios, it may merely be that an additional situation led to the baby being stripped of oxygen and to that deprivation of air bringing about their injury.

Cerebral palsy causes a variety of problems with muscle control. If your baby has cerebral palsy, and if you believe that health-related negligence was an element in their having this ailment, speaking to an attorney is a very good way to find out whether or not you have the choice of a lawsuit. You can locate plenty of excellent attorneys that will provide you complimentary consultations. These same lawyers usually work on contingency, so you do not have to worry about having to pay them if they don't truly secure your case. This is a no-risk choice that makes it possible for you to explore how you may possibly get compensation.

Remedies for Candida

You might have heard the word Candida but haven't looked at what it is or worse you might already have been infected but haven't really paid attention to it. Candida or Candida albicans is yeast that normally lives harmlessly in small numbers in the body and controlled by beneficial bacteria and the immune system. It is regarded as friendly yeast until certain conditions compromise it that causes its overgrowth leading to infection. One is when a person takes oral contraceptives because steroids cause Candida overgrowth. Antibiotics are also one of the causes because it kills not just the bad but good bacteria in the body. Weak immune system and prolonged illness or stressful life events can also trigger Candida growth. Chronic Candidasis may also happen which is often caused by adrenaline insufficiency and diabetic condition. It is very important to find Candida remedies before it results to numerous adverse effects to the health of the individuals.

Research shows that symptoms of Candida include: feeling of being drained or exhausted, poor memory, numbness, burning or tingling, stomach pain, joint pain or swelling, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or belching. Other symptoms include menstrual irregularity or cramping, anxiety attacks or crying, persistent vaginal itching, burning or discharge, erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual desire or even infertility. An individual may experience one of the so many symptoms of Candida. Candida remedies recommended by alternative practitioners usually involves individualized programs that combine the supplements for an effective Candida Remedies. A healthy and balance diet is very important for a person that is suffering from this condition. The overgrowth of infection can be controlled through a balanced diet and through elimination of foods that create internal environment where yeast likely survives.

Alternative therapy for Candida remedies can also be a very good option. Studies show that Wormwood is effective against Candida fungal infection that helps strengthen the immune system. Today, wormwood capsules are already introduced. It should be taken with water, three capsules twice a day for the first month, and three capsules daily for subsequent months. Olive Leaf Extract is proven to be very useful to treat recurrent viral infections and compromised immune systems. Colloidal Silver is a non-toxic, non-addictive and free of side effects medicine. It is thought to be more effective than antibiotic, killing an average of 650 different organisms than antibiotic can. It is regarded safe even for children, pregnant and nursing women and can be applied topically or internally and has no reaction with other medications.

Susan Jones is dedicated to finding treatments and remedies to bacterial vaginosis and other infections related to yeast infection.

7 Things You Sure Want To Know About Medical Alert Systems

You probably are researching about getting a medical alert system. Below is a list of things about this product that you will find useful in getting one.

Medical Alert System: It Pays To Know More

1. Although seniors make up the majority of people that use medical alarms, other individuals such as pregnant women and recovering surgery patients can take advantage of this system too.

2. These systems come with a mobile device that you can use to call for help from anywhere in the home. They usually come in the shape of a bracelet or necklace and are waterproof so you can still use in the tub or shower.

3. Even though a medical alert system is classified as a health and safety product, it is not usually covered by insurance plans. However, a lot of medical alert system companies do offer affordable rates that won't hurt your wallet.

4. Almost all systems have backup battery packs that are activated in case of a power outage. They usually last up 24 hours and are very reliable.

5. If there will be two users in the same house, most service providers offer an additional mobile device for a little extra cost. It sure beats having to pay for two subscriptions.

6. With the push of a button, the system will connect you to trained service personnel that will assist you through an incident. The representative will call for medical assistance and notify family members as well.

7. If the user will be spending significant time away from home, the user can arrange for a temporary transfer of services to the place he or she will be going to.

Ready To Get Yours?

Keep these things in mind and you will eventually find the best medical alert system for you. A little research goes a long way.

The Link Between Fitness and Happiness - Important Facts You Need to Know

Our perception of happiness is usually based on worldly standards. Having a car, being able to go on a trip around the world using your own plane, buying anything that your heart desires-- all these are the outward measures of happiness that print, TV, broadcast and online media habitually show to us. The glamorous life of Hollywood celebrities and the world's richest men and women are showcased as the epitome of the life we should strive for. This is where happiness can be found, they seem to say.

If that were true, we wouldn't be seeing a lot of celebrities placed in rehabilitation institutions for all forms of addiction, would we? If happiness were truly found in fame and fortune, we wouldn't be hearing the whole lot of them going under the knife just to get rid of their excess fats. In fact, we wouldn't be hearing them battling with obesity in the first place.

The link between happiness and fitness is unmistakably clear. Obesity has been linked to overeating brought about by unhappy moments in one's life. Problems at work, issues with family or personal conflicts that have not been fully resolved all lead to chronic stress that an individual tries to cope with through many unhealthy habits: Overeating, smoking, alcoholism and drug addiction. All these are unsuccessful attempts to mask the emptiness a person feels inside.

Unfortunately, stuffing the body with food, drink or chemicals is hardly the answer. It only compounds the problem even more. When a person succumbs to the stress, then an unhealthy lifestyle ensues that often leads to self-destruction.

Happiness and fitness are inextricably linked with each other. People who choose to be happy (yes, happiness is a choice) cultivate relationships, especially with those of family and friends. They appreciate what they have, no matter how small and maintain an optimistic and positive outlook amidst all situations. They feel a sense of purpose in their lives and strive to know what it is and having found it, they direct their energies towards its fulfillment. They don't worry too much about the future or spend unnecessary energy living in the past because they live in the here and now. They don't base their self-worth on what others have or what media suggests they have.

Thus, when faced with immense pressures from work or overwhelming personal issues, they don't go to food or other vices for comfort. Instead, they have friends to go to and family to support them. Their behavior remains the same-- there is always tomorrow and whatever problems they are facing now will simply pass. And because they know themselves from within, they don't succumb too easily to depression that leads them to all sorts of addictions.

You can strive to be happy. Your thoughts, your behavior and your actions all matter towards your quest for true joy in your life. Once you choose to be happy, you'll soon realize that a healthy and fit lifestyle follows. Happiness and fitness go together, no matter what your personal circumstance or stature is in life.

Presently Exposed! 5 Sure-Fire Hints On The Way To Maintain Your Nagging Arthritis Joint Swelling

Arthritis Remedies - The numbers can certainly rattle you down to your bones if you let them. Millions upon millions of North American adults are afflicted with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and that's not including people around the globe in other nations. The fact is, rheumatoid arthritis tops the list as one of the most widespread chronic conditions in the states and most other developed nations.

The statistics are considerably worse considering that joint disease pain and other arthritis signs and symptoms are so tough to live with in many occasions. arthritis signs can normally include devastating agony in your joints along with your bone fragments. It can lead to the inability to move some specific limbs, or perhaps drastic hardness in others.

Joint disease ache could possibly steal your ability to feed yourself with utensils, to be able to pick-up your grand kids, or even leave your bed every morning. Other rheumatoid arthritis conditions may include inflammation, burning sensations in your joints, aches and pains in indiscriminate elements of the entire body, and redness.

Arthritis is truly a category of lots of diverse dysfunctions. And then to source the most appropriate arthritis pain relief and remedy for you, you must understand your particular form of arthritis. The two very important types of arthritis are arthritis rheumatoid and osteoarthritis (OA). Another highlight is gout, and a few often contemplate fibromyalgia a form of arthritis.

Every type has its own arthritis treatment solution. For osteoarthritis, sometimes known as degenerative joint disease, here is an example: to get joint disease pain remedies various health specialists tend to recommend alternative homeopathic solutions, or even your standard health supplement medical treatments like vitamin C, vitamin D, along with calcium supplement.

The very best sure-fire arthritis treatment recommendations involve a little of such therapies, along with some physical things you can do to easier guard your joints.

1. Often be gentle towards your joint capsules. Osteoarthritis (OA) starts as abnormal corrosion inside your joints. Hence one of the best ways to reduce the risk of this is by averting repetitive workouts, which unfortunately could include swinging a tennis racket, golf club, picking up packages at work, and other activities you do similarly time and time again.

2. Trim off fat. Another way to be the kindest to your joint capsules is to lose the load they have to carry. Quite simply, lose weight. Talk to your physician about exactly what a sensible body weight is for you if you're plump.

3. Eat right. Several consultants believe that calcium-filled dairy meals, and vitamin packed veggies and fruits, can go quite a distance as a possible arthritis cure and prevention strategy.

4. Know much more about your prescribed drugs. NSAIDs work well against some kinds of arthritis pain, unfortunately they also come with concerns. Recall Vioxx? Acetaminophen, the drug in Tylenol, performs very well, too, nonetheless it can also produce kidney and liver organ problems in substantial doses. So don't take these medicines without your physician's professional guidance.

5. Become familiar with your herbal treatments as well. Chondroitin and glucosamine have finally been recognized as beneficial remedies for arthritis soreness. Nonetheless talk with your health practitioner prior to taking them.

There is absolutely no guarantee that any of these types of arthritis treatment options will let you not end up part of that daunting arthritis statistic, however the beauty is, irrespective of how much they appeal to your arthritis agony, they will without a doubt benefit your entire wellbeing. So it is a win-win scenario does not matter how you look at it.

Friday, March 11, 2011

How to Enhance Your Health With Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is not something that most people hear about on a daily basis, but it is something that most people are curious about once it is brought to their attention. Whether this is your first time thinking about this form of medicine or you have been learning about it for some time, you are probably wondering how you can incorporate it into your life to promote your own health.

The great thing about TCM is you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure a lot of it out. A simple search online will explain the basic principles behind it, though you are probably already familiar with much of it. Have you heard of the chi? If so, then you have already been exposed to just a bit of the philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine.

Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine

While many people are just now starting to hear about TCM, it is definitely something that has been around for quite awhile. There are some practices of modern Chinese medicine just like the western modern medicine practiced throughout most of the civilized world, but traditional Chinese medicine refers to older practices and beliefs held by people in Asia many generations ago.

In this case, older doesn't mean outdated. Much of the practice of TCM is still widely practiced and in fact it is catching on more and more with people from all around the world.

One of the main differences between traditional Chinese medicine and modern western medicine is how illness and disease is combated. While most people go to the doctor today when they are really sick or after they start noticing symptoms that could mean there is something wrong inside their body, followers of traditional Chinese medicine believe in protecting the body ahead of time so it is less likely to become ill to begin with.

TCM takes a preventative approach. Much of the thought behind this form of medicine is oriented to protecting the body, boosting the immune system, nourishing all the organs, and making sure all systems function properly on a daily basis. This in turn leads to fewer illness and reduced risk of disease.

Nutrition & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Since traditional Chinese methods of medicine are focused on preventing disease and illness, it only makes sense that a lot of its strategy is based on nutrition. There is a lot you can do to protect your body from getting sick just by taking herbal pills with unique natural ingredients and eating foods that nourish your body in a very effective manner.

If you want something simple and very safe that will enhance your overall health and help you feel better every single day, this is where you should start. Learn about the use of nutrition in traditional Chinese medicine and you will find a very affordable way to protect your body from disease and ward off illness.

Chinese Medicine Supplements

There is also a huge market out there for supplements unique to TCM. You can use these supplements just as you would daily multivitamins. Many are herbal and some have all natural ingredients. You can select the supplements that fit your lifestyle and answer health concerns that you may have for your own body.

Healthy Weight Loss Websites Can Tell You a Lot on How to Achieve That Perfect Figure!

How to lose weight healthily? Most people are trying to find out the answer to it. Should they hit the gym or stop eating? Or do both? How many times have you asked yourself this question? The problem with weight loss today is that most people want to lose as much weight as they can in an extremely short time.

This leads to unhealthy eating (or, non-eating) habits and over exercising. But what most of us forget is that this only deteriorates our health which only increases complications. So if you are looking to lose weight, do it the right way.

A balanced diet comprising of fresh fruits and vegetables is the way to go. Combine this with exercise three times a week and you are on the roll! While doing exercises, remember that you should only do as much as your body allows. Picking up the heaviest dumbbell on your first day at gym will not necessarily help you to lose instant weight. Your health instructor will be able to guide you best at gym.

However even before you decide to join the gym; browsing through some healthy weight loss websites will help you to get a better view of where you stand. The Body Mass Index is the best way to tell whether a person is overweight or not. If you are above the recommended BMI for your age, then you need to lose weight.

Most of us do not find enough time to hit the gym in our hectic schedule. So these websites can really help with some easy exercises and diet charts to lose weight healthily.

Some of these exercises can be easily done in your home with no special equipment and take little time. So you can do them in the morning before going to office or in the evening. In fact, a healthy diet chart is also important to lose weight.

You cannot keep on stuffing yourself with heavy oily food all day and do some exercises in the hopes that you will lose weight. These websites will give you a better idea of the things you can eat and those you should not eat.

Food

Fresh green leafy vegetables are the most highly recommended if you want to lose weight. These vegetables are mostly foliage; they help to keep you full and have little fat or carbohydrates. So while keeping you full, they do not add to your weight. Vegetables that contain beta carotene (example, carrots, and beets, anything that is red or orange) are good for your health as they fight off cancerous cells.

In fruits, grapes and strawberries are really good choices for healthy loss of weight. They are not only tasty; they also reduce your fat content. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday. This not only keeps you full; it also keeps you healthy.

Exercise

As mentioned before, simple exercises can help you lose weight. A bit of yoga along with cardiac training is essentially good for health. Cardiac training involves any sport or exercise that increases your heart beat. You can go for jogging, cycling, football or any other sport.

If you want more information on how to lose weight healthily, visit a weight loss website today.

The Only Way To Prevent Syndrome X - Weight Loss and Exercise

Syndrome X, also known as the metabolic syndrome, is a growing problem throughout the Western world. Largely a function of our sedentary life and poor eating habits. So if you're honest, it could be considered as a self-inflicted lifestyle condition.

This syndrome consists of a group of critical risk factors which includes:

- High blood pressure or hypertension.
- High glucose and insulin levels or insulin resistance.
- Raised cholesterol levels.
- Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more which classifies the patient as obese.

A patient is considered to be suffering from the metabolic syndrome if they have three or more of these factors. Metabolic syndrome is also linked to factors such as ageing and menopause.

A recent study in the US found that about 23% of all subjects, both men and women, were classified as having the metabolic syndrome. To develop the syndrome there are other risk factors like:

- Smoking,
- A diet consisting of highly refined carbohydrates.
- Physical inactivity.
- A genetic disposition to the syndrome (one of the few factors beyond your control!).
- Abdominal fat or central adiposity. A characteristic of men with a large beer gut, and older (also can't do much about that) men, and menopausal (not much control over that as well) woman.

The risk factors connected to the metabolic syndrome make adults more likely to contract heart diseases, strokes and type 2 diabetes.

So how can you counteract the metabolic syndrome?

Start with a complete medical assessment carried out by a medical practitioner and thereafter straight into an immediate and complete overhaul of lifestyle and dietary choices together with any prescribed medicinal requirements.

After being diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome people should, immediately set out to do 2 things:

1. Start a physical exercise program for at least half an hour on 5 to 7 days a week.
2. Reduce at least 5% of weight but ideally 10%.

A balanced low fat diet will be the core of the new eating plan. Replacing refined carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as fish (preferably high in omega's oil). Simply changing from a "junk food" diet which is high in fat and sugar to a "healthy" balanced diet.

Together with any prescribed medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes and an exercise and diet program these risk factors will be significantly reduced. However if these are not improved the chance of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes or having a stroke is significantly increased.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Getting in Better Shape - 5 Things You Can Do to Start Feeling Much Better

There are so many fad diets on TV and also being advertised online that have complicated menus and strategies. Also so many exercise programs that cost a bundle and require a huge time commitment. If you want to start losing some weight and getting in better shape, here are 5 things you can to start feeling much better.

Portioning

I know this is a touchy subject to people who love to eat as much as I do. Have you really ever considered when you have actually satisfied your hunger, or do you cross the line and end up feeling stuffed and lethargic like I have so many times? Eating smaller quantities more often over the course of a day is actually better for your metabolism. Also, portioning out home-made meals ahead of time is a huge money saver.

Cut Out the Soda

Many of the meals we eat are easily pushed past the "sensible" desired calorie level by those delicious sodas we all love. A 12 oz can will easily tack on an extra 100-140 calories. The 32 oz large size offered by many fast food chains can get as high as 400 calories! Juices may have just as much sugar, but they are much better for you than what is in sodas. Replace your soda with a tasty beverage with fewer calories. Don't forget the all-time champion of thirst quenching and low calories, water.

Bananas

Bananas are an excellent source of vitamins and they are also made up of a kind of starch that boosts your metabolism. This makes it an excellent snack for in-between meals. Not only that, but they are super cheap too. Yes they have sugar, but once again, natural sugar is much better for you that the kind that we are used to ingesting. If bananas aren't for you, any other fruit will do.

Walk More

Park farther away from your destinations. Load up your MP3 player with your favorite songs and take a long walk around the neighborhood or park. Find as many ways as you can to keep moving those legs, and you will start to notice that you have more energy and some of those pounds will be coming off.

Stairs

If you can find a set of stairs near a park, in your apartment complex, or anywhere the public is welcome, you have a powerful way of dropping weight, improving the health of your heart, and gaining strength. Just a few trips up and down the stairs will give you quite the work out. It takes a little bit of a commitment to do this but nothing like forking over $40 a month to wait for someone to get off the treadmill or stair climber so you can use it.

Lets be clear, I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. These are just common sense ideas that have proven helpful in my own weight loss. I have recently gone from 220 lb to 190 lb in less than five months with these minor adjustments to my eating and activity. I will also say to check with your doctor before making epic trips up and down stairs. Overall, I think you will find these suggestions reasonable and easily adapted into your own daily life. I know pretty soon you will start to feel much better.

Chiropractors Responsible For Removing Neuromuscular Pain

Residents can rely upon the qualifications of a professional chiropractor to reduce the pain associated with musculoskeletal ailments. This holistically oriented medical discipline affects positive changes in the balance of the musculoskeletal system without having to resort to drastic measures like surgery. It remains a popular choice due to the fact that it does not require patients to use possibly harmful medications.

It is a gentle method that is used to realign the joints and vertebrae, reducing tension and spasms in the affected muscles. The support structure within the body is flexible and resilient and is able to take a great deal of stress and strain before injury occurs. However, should a misalignment affect a joint, the mobility of that joint becomes compromised.

While the body is out of balance it cannot function normally and the resulting swelling further compromises the flexibility of the injured joints. Inflammation also affects your circulatory system and the normal functioning of your nervous system. The result is a reduced rate of healing and symptoms of numbness, tingling and pain in the joints and extremities.

Simple tasks may become impossible to perform as the balance of your compromised musculoskeletal system does not allow for full mobility. Sciatica, dizziness, migraines, jaw pain, muscle tension, insomnia, blurred vision and pain in the ankles, knees and hips can all result due to misaligned vertebrae and joints.

To correct these symptoms, chiropractic adjustments and other techniques are utilized. They include direct physical manipulation using applied physical pressure to gently restore balance to the affected joints. Your chiropractor can assist patients with exercise routines and nutritional programs to enhance your overall health and fitness levels. This is a very useful option for people wanting to follow a health eating plan or who wish to improve their physical fitness.

Your chiropractor can assess your athletic performance and can provide reliable advice on methods for improving not only your sporting performance, but also on ways to reduce your injuries. Sports enthusiasts and professional sportsmen and women can seek chiropractic assistance with a view to reducing the risks of future injuries. Posture corrective therapy and strengthening exercises are wonderful preventive measures to ensure that you enjoy long term health and fitness. Nutritional advice and exercise routines designed to improve health and fitness are also within the domain of your chiropractor. They have the necessary qualifications to advise patients who wish to lose excess weight.

The Secret to a Long and Healthy Life - Revealed!

What do you do to keep your body healthy? Two things that most of us do is to exercise and eat healthy foods. However, the painful truth about it is that we cannot commit ourselves to eat nutritious foods and stay in this habit for a long time. Since our body is used to junky foods, which some of us considered tastier than the green leafy things, others prefer to eat them. Obviously, we knew the reason why doctors in scrub uniforms always remind us to eat fruits and veggies every day. But despite of the great benefits they bring, most of us still indulge to junk foods.

Junk foods may give us delicious tastes; however, they are destroying our immune system which leads to various diseases and even death unlike the green clan of foods. Doctors, nutritionists, dietitians and the likes are recommending foods that act as antioxidants. Many people would probably have no time to know about it unless eager to change their lifestyle and tired of making a frequent visit to the hospital.

Antioxidants are simply the food nutrients that helps prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. This is because our body cell uses oxygen that produces free radicals or by products that causes damage. Hence, this is where antioxidants come into play. Some of the most well known oxidative damage made by free radicals includes heart disease, diabetes, muscular degeneration, cancer and many more.

In fact, London researchers found out that 5 servings of vegetables and fruits can lessen the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Plus, antioxidants are also known to strengthen our immune defense and reduce the risk of cancer and infection.

Here are some of the most common Antioxidants

Vitamin C - This is a nutrient found in citrus foods such as lime, oranges, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, strawberries broccoli and more.

Selenium - A substance found on sea foods like fish and shellfish, some sort of foods like garlic, grains, red meat, chicken and eggs.

Vitamin A- These are antioxidants found on squash, collards, cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, sweet potatoes, broccoli and more.

Vitamin E - an antioxidant good for the skin can be found on nuts and seeds, whole grains, green vegetables, liver and vegetable oil.

Polyphenols - these are substance found on soy, red wine, cranberries, tea and more.

Lycopene - these are antioxidants found on pink grapefruit, watermelon and tomato foods.

The abovementioned antioxidants are just the common examples that most of us eat. It will be better if we can add them to our daily menu just to keep our health strong and free from any forms of diseases. These nutritious foods can help prolong our life and can definitely provide permanent benefits unlike junkies. Thus, antioxidants are considered the long time secret to have a healthy and long life.

Ten Easy Tips For A Healthier Lifestyle

Here are ten small ways in which you can change your lifestyle to live a better and healthier life tomorrow. It is usually the small things that count and I bet you don't even think about doing some of these things, but you should aim to make them become automatic.

1. When you wake up in the morning, open your curtains and expose yourself to as much light as you can. This will reset your body clock and make you feel more alive, as the level of the sleep hormone melatonin in your body will be decreased.

2. Don't work out hard in the mornings. The reason for this is that you have higher levels of cortisol in your body at this time and this makes you more prone to infections and stress induced heart attacks. The immune system is at its weakest early in the morning.

3. Do the most difficult tasks early in the day, as the first two hours of work each day are the ones where you will be the most productive.

4. Take a walk each day. Studies have shown that people who walked each day got 25% fewer colds.

5. Exercise your eye muscles by looking away from your computer every twenty minutes. Focus on something far away from you for about thirty seconds.

6. While working switch the lights on. People who work in bright environments are more productive and not so easily distracted. Try moving your desk closer to a window.

7. Go to the gym in the evenings if you can, as it has been proven that exercising after work will make you more fit.

8. Chew sugar free gum, as this stimulates the flow of saliva, which in turn protects your tooth enamel. Chewing gum also help to suppress the appetite.

9. Switch off your TV well before bed time. TV close to bed time causes over stimulation and this leads to disrupted sleep patterns. Try not to watch TV in bed if possible.

10. Before bed try and have a warm and relaxing bath. In order to sleep well, your body temperature needs to drop, and stepping out of the bath will cool your body and signal that your body needs to wind down.

The best way to break bad habits is to take small steps for the better each day. Eventually you won't even remember what your old bad habits were.

How Fish Oils Contribute to General Health

A common question I often hear from people who are starting to supplement their diet is, "what does fish oil do?"

It actually does a number of things. What you will most commonly hear about is it's beneficial effects on heart disease and cholesterol. This is true, scientists have found that omega three fatty acids from fish oils when consumed regularly by those over the age of forty have up to a 30% reduction in cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been linked to improvements in vision, attention span and learning ability in children. Imagine the implications of a find like this. There are enormous amounts of children who are being prescribed strong stimulants in order to attempt to remedy attention and behavioral issues in schools. While there is no guarantee that these oils will remedy these issues they may prove in the future to be safe natural alternative remedies.

In the elderly they have been shown to improve memory. This is not surprising as the majority of the brain is made up of fats. In the most basic sense these oils are providing high quality materials with which the body and brain can sustain itself. There are a number of other benefits. Reduction of arthritis pain, psoriasis and other skin ailments commonly occur after the consumption of omega 3 acids. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the oils.

So, what does fish oil do? Generally they improve physical health. However, not all types of fish contain omega three fatty acids. Fatty salt water fish such as salmon or tuna tend to have high amounts. Fresh water fish tend to have lower amounts. It is also important that the fish are wild caught as they will contain less pollutants such as mercury.

Defining Sinus Infection In Children

Childhood can be a time filled with fun and the miracle of learning and discovering the world around all of us. It is also a time of sickness and accidents, and nothing frightens a parent more than when their child has a cold. A cold can be the starting place for so many different illnesses, especially when you are a child. From pneumonia to bronchitis, the slightest sniffle can invoke panic in a parent. A little education can help to ease some of that unease, and today we will focus on the most common childhood illness that often gets mistaken for the common cold: sinusitis, or a sinus infection.

Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis can be difficult to deal with in an adult, but sinus infections in children can be quite confusing, especially in younger children. A lot of times, their symptoms will be nearly identical to that of the common cold, and the only telling factor that what you are really dealing with will not appear until nearly the third day of their illness. On the third day, when most colds have run that gamut and are ending, if your child develops a fever, this is a sign that they may have a more serious condition, like sinusitis, pneumonia or bronchitis. If this happens, it is time for a visit to the doctor as soon as you can.

In older children, they will, at first, show only signs that they have a cold. If those symptoms persist for a week, it may be a case of sinusitis or something worse. The symptoms that will tell you that it is definitely sinusitis are a dry cough during the day that will not go away, dental pain, ear pain, and tenderness in the face, especially in the sinus area. All of these symptoms indicate that their sinuses are swollen and inflamed, and may also lead to occasional nausea, especially after eating or drinking. Take them to their doctor as soon as you can for treatment.

Common Sinusitis Treatments

Once you have taken your child to their pediatrician, he will probably do some tests to confirm that it is indeed sinusitis that they are suffering from. Allergy symptoms can also mimic the symptoms of sinusitis, as can asthma, so your pediatrician may do some tests to eliminate these possibilities as well.

The type of infection will also determine the treatment for your child's condition. If it is determined to be bacterial in nature, then your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics to be taken to alleviate the symptoms. Viral sinusitis is normally treated with nasal decongestants, as well as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the pain associated with a sinus infection. Antihistamines will only be administered if your child's condition is thought to be an allergy of some kind. Rest, fluids and the use of a humidifier in the home will also lend to your child's recovery.

Children and Weight Loss - What You Probably Don't Know

Parental love cuts both ways. It can make you discipline your child or spoil him or her. It's difficult to tow the line in between, as any parent will attest. Showing them all the love in the world can usually take the form of giving in to all they want even if we know that in the long run, spoiling them is bad. This is especially true where food and the promotion of sedentary living are concerned.

We use chocolates to reward our children for good behavior, for example. A trip to their favorite fast food joint is enough to let them clean their room or do their homework. When we have to do overtime and know that we will arrive home late, we try to compensate by bringing them a box of donuts. While there's nothing wrong with these treats, they do set some unhealthy eating patterns that our kids bring with them all throughout their lives. This is one of the reasons why obesity is fast-affecting the younger population. Children as young as four years old are getting to be overweight and it's a dangerous situation to be in.

The second half of the equation that has led to massive weight gains among our children is our propensity to use modern conveniences as part of our rewards system. Processed junk is bad enough, but when used together with extended TV privileges or computer game time, it's a sure way towards leading our children to a very sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle.

The good news is, weight loss for kids isn't as complicated as counting calories or adhering to an exercise regimen or putting your little one on a strict dieting program. That would not only be unnecessary but extremely detrimental to his or her overall health and development. What it does involve is serving them with healthier alternatives to processed food. Instead of using treats of chocolates, cakes or donuts, to get them to finish their homework or clean their rooms, it is much better to introduce to them healthier alternatives like fruit and vegetables at the dinner table and inculcate in them the value of work without rewards. Parents must also correct the habit of extending television or computer use every time a kid exhibits good behavior. TV and computer hours must be limited to no more than an hour on weekdays and two hours and weekends, with the rest of the time allocated to more active pursuits like playing badminton or engaging in family walks together. Encouraging them to join the school's soccer time also instills in them the desire to sweat it out and stay healthy. Weight loss for kids is only possible when the proper diet and physical activity are combined.

Finally, parents must set a good example of healthy living. This is a crucial component of weight loss for kids. Young children are very impressionistic and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that they do not preach one thing to their children while practicing another.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

What Causes Upper Stomach Pain and Bloating?

Bloating or pain in the upper stomach can cause severe discomfort and is indicative of problems in digestion. This occurs when gas gets trapped under the abdominal cavity resulting in tightness and cramps. It may occur occasionally due to food habits or irregular meal times. However, if it occurs often, then it requires medical attention.

Common causes of bloating are mentioned below:

Obstruction in the intestine: There are high chances of a total or partial obstruction in the intestine due to tumor growth, scar tissues or gall stones formation. This results in cramping, vomiting, bloating and digestion problems.

Gastritis: If there is swelling in the stomach lining, then the individual experiences pain in the upper part of the stomach which comes along with bloating, nausea or a sensation of burning in the chest. Alcohol intake, mental stress and medicinal side effects can lead to this condition.

Lactose Intolerance: If the digestive system of a person is unable to break down lactose, then it remains undigested and then becomes fermented over time leading to pain.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): This is a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. The large intestine becomes sensitive to gas formation and leads to disruption in the bowel movements. As a result, the patient suffers from constant constipation and diarrhea due to which he suffers cramps or bloating of the intestine.

Celiac Disease: This disease causes problems with the inner lining of the small intestine due to which food containing gluten, like rye, barley or wheat, cannot be digested. This leads to constant vomiting, nausea and bloating.

About Author:
Kum Martin is an online leading expert in health industry. He also offers top quality articles like:
High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol Food