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Hypertension Causes and Treatments

2008-09-05T18:58:00.000+01:00

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a dangerous and deadly disease. Many people each year die from this disease because they never knew they were affected by it. Hypertension is considered to be present when a patient's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater. This is also known as 140/90 when the nurse or doctor tells you what your blood pressure is during a checkup. Hypertension can be difficult to control but it can be corrected by non-drug therapies especially in children. The non-drug therapy includes weight loss, reduction in salt intake and physical activity.

Hypertension can be diagnosed after one reading, if this reveals extreme hypertension. In most cases, an extensive work-up is not needed to diagnose it. High blood pressure can be a major factor in cardiac failure. In fact, many patients who suffer from hypertension wind up either suffering a stroke or heart attack , and it is mainly to prevent these complications that we treat hypertension. The good new is that hypertension can be prevented, blood pressure can be reduced and other cardiovascular risks are favorably impacted by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, moderation in alcohol, reductions in dietary sodium and in some, stress reduction.

Hypertension can be caused by risk factors that you can change in some people and cannot change in others. Age is a factor (45 and over for men and 55 and over for women) and a family history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease are risk factors that you cannot control.

Treatment of hypertension can include a continuous intravenous infusion of prostacyclin. This improves exercise capacity, quality of life, hemodynamics and long-term survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Management of secondary pulmonary hypertension includes correction of the underlying cause and reversal of hypoxemia. Treatment with a non-selective beta blocker is often commenced once portal hypertension has been diagnosed, and almost always if there has already been bleeding from esophageal varices. Typically, this is done with either propranolol or nadolol . Common beta blockers include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), and timolol (Blocadren), nebivolol (Bystolic). Treatment may involve angioplasty and stenting of the renal arteries.

Dean Novosat writes and reports on health issues at Hypertension

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Dean Novosat - EzineArticles Expert Author

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

2008-08-25T09:49:00.001+01:00

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are diseases in which the body's immune system misinterprets a normal structure or function of a person's body as an alien object and begins to attack it, causing the disease. Other autoimmune disorders include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the fatty tissue that surrounds the neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This tissue, called myelin, protects each neuron and allows each neuron to conduct its signals correctly through the brain or spinal cord. When the myelin is damaged, scar tissue, called scleroses, plaques or lesions, are formed. The lesions interfere with the neurons ability to conduct signals, impairing the brain's ability to send signals to the body and impairing the body's ability to function.

What initially triggers this autoimmune reaction that leads to MS remains unknown. Research has focused on the relationship of the immune system to the disease and the fact that it is more prevalent in countries further from the equator where less sunlight is available. This fact points to vitamin D deficiency as a possible factor in the development of MS, as vitamin D is an important regulator of the immune system. Genetic and viral factors are also current areas of research as possible causes of this disease.

MS usually occurs in young adulthood and is more common in women. It occurs more often in people who are Caucasian and live in countries further from the equator.

The primary symptoms of MS include nerve pain and impaired sensation in the extremities. A person may feel a pins and needles sensation in the affected extremity. Muscle strength and coordination may also be affected, resulting in impairments in a person's ability to move. The "drunk walk" may be an early symptom of muscular impairment in a person's legs. Visual impairments, sleep disorders, cognitive changes, emotional labiality or mood swings, and fatigue are also common symptoms. A person with MS may have difficulty regulating his or her body temperature and may be especially sensitive to heat, making the warm summer months difficult to tolerate.

Diagnosing MS is usually done through MRI of the brain to check for the lesions that indicate demylinated areas. These may not always show up in the early stages of the disease, and a person with MS may not always receive this diagnosis right away. MS symptoms are also similar to some other chronic diseases and a physician may choose to rule out other diagnoses first before pursuing an MS course of treatment.

There is no cure for MS, but several medications are known to slow the course of the disease and allow a person to maintain a functional life for years. All of these medications are injectible and a couple must be administered by intravenously by health professionals. Some have flu like side effects. Research is currently working on an effective oral medication, but this is not yet approved for general use.

People with MS are usually able to live a normal life span, but must learn to adapt to the disease and the changes it makes in their bodies as it progresses. Some people may be able to live most of their lives without becoming significantly disabled, while others may lose mobility, sensation, or vision. The course the disease will take is difficult to predict and varies greatly from person to person.

The amount of information available on multiple sclerosis is extensive and support is readily available in most areas. For more information on MS, please visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org.

About the Author

Janet Meydam is an Occupational Therapist with 20 years of experience in the field. View her blog, Online OTR, for useful information on a variety of health related topics. http://onlineotr.blogspot.com

Can Activities Ward Off Depression?

2008-08-14T07:23:00.000+01:00

There are many different causes of depression, including poor physical health, the environment in which a person lives, lack of a social life, low confidence, and the list continues. Everyone is unique, as are the different types of depression. In fact, there are some people who suffer depression because of genes they have inherited from one or both of their parents, some who suffer it because of a chemical imbalance and others who have depression because they focus too much on the negative. There are treatments for most kinds of depression and studies are still being done to find more, but for some the best treatment would be prevention.

It is quite possible that many people who live with depression could deal with it simply by being more active, and people who are prone to depression could help to ward off depression by being more active as well. Part of it could be due to the fact that when people are bothered by something, they tend to dwell on it and put more focus on it instead of putting focus on other activities. People, who manage to re-direct their attention onto other things, are able to take their mind off of issues that are bothering them and allow them some time to put their mind onto something else, like a sport they are playing or a project they are working on. People who already suffer depression can find this difficult to do, because they feel they have lost interest in things that used to interest them and many feel too withdrawn to bother going out and doing something with friends; however, making the effort to go out and do something can help in pulling someone out of some of their depression. Once they start having some fun, what was bothering them before leaves their current focus and allows them to chance to relax and improve their mood. This is not to say that problems should be avoided, but it is something that can help someone to ward off depression, keep their mind clear and give them a break from the issues, which bring down their mood, that they are working on. People who feel they are depressed should take steps to get themselves out of the depression they may be in, and this includes seeing a counselor who can help.

Thanks to the internet, online counseling is available to help those who are depressed, or who feel they might be falling into depression, who wish to get out of their depression. An online therapist is easily found on the internet by doing a quick search on a search engine. Once a person has contacted an online counselor and told them about their depression, the online therapist will work with the patient to find out what might be causing their depression. Once some possible causes have been found, the online counselor will work with the patient through online therapy to deal with those causes, and while dealing with these issues, the counselor will most likely help the patient find ways to relax and improve their mood by becoming more mentally and physically active.

Jennifer Baxt is the owner of CompleteCounselingSolutions.com which offers a variety of online counseling services. If you would like to know more about Jennifer or any of our online therapists, visit our website.

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How to Treat Your Hair If it is Oily

2008-08-05T07:49:00.000+01:00

If you find that you hair is oily then you need to treat this as quickly as possible, because oily hair can sometimes be a little difficult to manage and it does lack volume.

There are some advantages however when it comes to having oily hair, but these very rarely outweigh the disadvantages such as a itchy scalp which ultimately leads to dandruff.

It is often the case that people who have acne generally have oily hair also, why this is the case is still not answered. But the probable answer is that because acne is caused by excess sebum, then there must be excess sebum production on the scalp too and therefore this is what causes the hair to also become oily and very greasy.

So why does the hair become greasy?

Well just like the skin produces excess oils well so to does the scalp, and some people produce more oils than others. There is not much that you can do about it other than to care for the hair on a regular basis with a good shampoo that is suitable for oily hair. You might also want to leave washing your hair until the morning only, because this way, your hair will look much cleaner and fresher as opposed to washing your hair the night before.

Another problem with hair that is oily is that it can have a foul smell and people who have oily hair are often not aware of this. You can often tell that hair is oily by running clean hands through your hair, and then smelling your hand afterwards. There is not a strong smell but it can be noticeable if you are not caring for your hair on a regular basis or just not using the right products.

How you treat hair that is oily depends very much on the condition of your hair for instance if your hair is short, long, black, curly and also if your hair is fine and blonde in colour. One of the reasons that oily hair is very difficult to manage is because the hairs generally stick together, and this can make hair that is curly even more curlier, and it can also make the hair also clump together and it is therefore possible to view the scalp.

The main key to controlling hair that is oily is to essentially remove the oil from the scalp. It is important that you are washing and massaging the scalp and not just the hair.

There are some practical tips that you can and should adopt in order to take care of your oily hair and one of them is not too wash your hair on a daily basis. Washing everyday will strip the scalp of essential oils and therefore the oil glands will need to compensate by producing more oils and therefore there is actually more oils on the scalp.

You should also avoid chemical based skin care products that can cause irritation and even cause itching of the scalp, which in turn can lead to dandruff.

About the Author

Get more information about dandruff hair treatments. Spend time learning about various beauty products and get some information on general dry skin care also.

Nicotine - Addictive Substance Or Just a Habit?

2008-07-30T11:57:00.000+01:00

Non smokers don't understand why smokers don't simply throw away their cigarettes and be done with it. Smokers do not do this because smoking tobacco isn't simply a bad habit. It is incredibly addictive. Health professionals believe that it is just as addictive as any street drug, and because it is legal, people tend to believe that it is less harmful then it really is.

When the chemicals in cigarettes are inhaled, they reach the smoker's bloodstream, lungs and brain, which has long lasting effects that are very addictive. One of the primary chemicals in cigarettes is nicotine. Nicotine is extremely habit forming, both physically and psychologically. It isn't just nicotine, but arsenic, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, all dangerous chemicals, can also be found in cigarettes.

Nicotine affects the central nervous system by stimulating it. The chemicals in the cigarettes cause the blood pressure to rise and the heart rate to speed up. It also restricts the blood vessels, which puts smokers at a greater risk of heart problems. Smoking also leads to premature aging, wrinkles, a lower ability to taste and smell. With all of these negative affects, it's a wonder why people continue to smoke. However, they do. In fact, millions of individuals want to stop smoking but can not. This is because it is more then a simple bad habit, but is a very real addiction.

When individuals smoke, their brains begin to associate it with pleasure and release the brain chemical, dopamine. Dopamine helps you feel relaxed and good. When individuals stop smoking, this chemical is not as released as often. This can cause the individual to want to start smoking again because they miss these good feelings. It usually takes at least three weeks for the brain to re-train itself. Besides, the issue of brain chemistry, nicotine is also very addicting.

It generally takes about 100 hours or about 4-5 days for nicotine to leave your system, however, if you have smoked cigarettes for a long period of time, then it will take longer for your body to get over the effects and you still may be physically and psychologically addicted. Generally the first 3-4 months are crucial to one quitting smoking. If an individual can stop smoking for this amount of time, they should be able to outlast both the physical and mental addictive factors.

George Key is the owner of an QuitSmokingAid.net, a website which aims to provide information about the effects of smoking, the benefits of Quit Smoking and the most effective Quit Smoking Tips to help you stop smoking and change your life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Key

Hair Loss- A Cause of Concern

2008-07-26T10:24:00.000+01:00

Beautiful hair has always been a cause of envy. Not only does it enhances our personality but at the same time has drawn the attention of others. We use various hair products to keep our hair healthy as well as beautiful. Hair loss which refers to the thinning of hair especially from the scalp area has become a matter of concern. Millions of people are affected by hair loss; men specially are prone to hair loss than women. Hair loss may also be termed as androgenetic alopecia and may be localized or diffused. This is a hereditary problem.

Loss of about fifty to hundred strands a day is normal .Excessive hair loss results in baldness. Severe hair loss results in loss of self esteem, confidence & self identity. Numerous reasons could be quoted for excessive hair loss for e.g. long term of an illness or hormonal problems like over and under secretions of hormone thyroxine from the thyroid gland or an imbalance in male and female hormones like androgen & estrogen. Women might experience hair loss post pregnancy due to loss of certain hormones which are retained during pregnancy. At times, medication for serious ailments like cancer, depression etc might result in hair loss because of presence of blood thinners called anticoagulants. Fungal infection may also be a cause for hair loss. Improper hair care & styling like making use of tight hair rollers, coloring, bleaching, perming or wearing tight pigtails for a long time creates a tension on the scalp of the hair which further might cause hair loss.

Poor nutrition can also lead to hair loss as the body remains devoid of essential nutrients like vitamins, proteins, minerals to promote hair growth. For temporary hair loss which may be due to poor nutrition or stress, various treatments are available but there is almost no cure for permanent hair loss .On consultation a doctor might query you regarding your health as well as your family's medical history . He/she will also check your scalp and may take some samples for biopsy. On ascertaining the particular reason for hair loss, may it be due to medication, hormonal imbalance etc; the doctor would go for the requisite treatment. Certain extracts like memoxidil are also recommended to both men as well as women for early hair growth.

To prevent hair loss, proper hair care should be taken. Proper treatment for hormonal imbalance, proper medication along with a balanced diet could prevent hair loss. Hair transplantation technique which proved to be a ray of hope for those facing baldness, has also improved manifold from past several years.

About the Author

Sainiherb.com offers hair loss treatment and solution for hair loss victims. Hair Loss problems have become common problems for male and female. Women Hair Loss problem has become common concern nowadays.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

2008-07-20T08:30:00.000+01:00

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease. It is not caused by old age, years of hard work, or injury. In fact, the true cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown. In this disease, a person's immune system attacks the synovial membranes that cover the joints, causing pain, swelling, heat, and eventual deterioration of the joints.

This disease can onset at any age. When it occurs in children, it is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This form is rarer than adult onset rheumatoid arthritis. When the disease occurs in adults, it occurs more often in women than in men. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that progresses over a person's lifetime. Currently there is no cure. Although the cause is unknown, the disease is known to have a strong hereditary component. Prior infections are also suspected to play a roll in the development of this disease.

Symptoms of this disease include pain, swelling, and stiffness in multiple joints. Usually the smaller joints of the body are affected, including the finger and wrist joints, the foot and ankle joints, and the joints in the cervical spine (the neck). Larger joints can also be affected, especially as the disease progresses. Joints on both sides of the body are usually affected, and multiple joints are affected, not just one or two.

When joint swelling occurs in rheumatoid arthritis, the joints become enlarged and warm to the touch. They may appear red in color. Stiffness is present in the affected joints, especially in the morning. A person may feel stiffness in the joints for an hour or more after getting out of bed in the morning. This makes movement difficult until the stiffness wears off. Other common symptoms a person may experience include fatigue, dry eyes, and skin lesions.

As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, joint deformities may occur. The knuckles of the fingers may deteriorate, causing the tendons of the finger muscles to pull the fingers toward the little finger side of the hands. This deformity is called ulnar drift. Another deformity that can occur is Boutonniere deformity, in which the small joints of the finger deform in a way to appear that the finger is permanently pushing down on a flat surface. The middle joint is flexed and the far joint is extended. A third deformity that can occur is swan neck deformity, where the joints deform in a way that causes the finger to take the shape of a swan's neck. The middle joint is extended and the far joint is flexed.

Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests. A positive indicator for rheumatoid arthritis is the presence of the rheumatoid factor in the blood. However, the absence of this factor does not mean that a person does not have rheumatoid arthritis. Other substances in the blood and physical symptoms are also used to diagnose this disease. It can take several months and several rounds of tests before the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is determined, as the early symptoms are similar to several other conditions.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis includes medications, regular exercise and weight loss, rest, adaptations to protect deteriorating joints, and other interventions such as physical and occupational therapies. Numerous diets and supplements exist to treat rheumatoid arthritis as well.

When treating rheumatoid arthritis, a person should work with a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of arthritis. If a rheumatologist is not available in a person's area or insurance plan, a person should seek a doctor who has experience in arthritis treatment. A person should always discuss new medications and nutritional supplements with this doctor before trying them, as medication reactions are quite common and treatment setbacks might occur if medications and supplements interact. One example involves nutritional supplements that are designed to remove excess fluid from a person's system. These supplements work well in reducing swelling, but may also remove medications that are designed to build up in a person's system over time. The therapeutic effects of the medication may be reduced or eliminated entirely by the supplement. Therefore, while supplements may be effective and valuable in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a person should always check with his or her doctor before trying a new one.

The progressive joint changes that occur in rheumatoid arthritis may force a person to make lifestyle changes to compensate for activities they can no longer do the same way. Energy conservation, joint protection, and work simplification techniques can help a person adapt activities so that he or she can still do what needs to be done in a day. Please refer to additional articles in this series for descriptions of these techniques.

Janet Meydam is an Occupational Therapist with 20 years of experience in the field. View her blog, Online OTR, for useful information on a variety of health related topics. http://onlineotr.blogspot.com

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Preventing Heart Disease

2008-07-18T16:54:00.000+01:00

Heart disease causes half of all deaths within the United States each year and is the leading cause of death worldwide. While there are some factors that are uncontrollable, many contributing factors are easily preventable by creating lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease, and high cholesterol greatly increases your chance of high blood pressure. To prevent high cholesterol, you need to avoid saturated fats found in red meats and dairy products such as cheese and butter. You'll also need to avoid other foods containing high amounts of oils and fats. Fish and chicken are much healthier alternatives. Also, choose baked rather than fried food and add more heart healthy fruits and vegetables into your daily food intake. Caffeine and salt should also be avoided as much as possible.

A heart healthy diet has been shown to be one of the best controllable ways to promote longevity. Talk with your doctor and check with the American Heart Association for the creation of the best possible heart healthy diet.

Another major contributor is smoking. It cannot be stressed enough that in order to prevent heart disease you should not smoke. Smoking is a major lifestyle contributor to deaths. Smoking makes your heart have to work harder and also contributes to high blood pressure. Even if you've been smoking for years, you can reap substantial heart healthy benefits by quitting now. This greatly reduces the chances of developing heart disease, and the longer you stay quit, the healthier you and heart will become.

Obesity is also a major preventable contributor. It is an increasingly common health problem in the United States and is responsible for much of the rising rates of heart disease related deaths in the country. To combat obesity, you need to develop a plan combining the reduction of caloric intake along with an exercise program developed to target weight loss. You need to incorporate new healthier eating habits not just in the short term for weight loss, but as a long-term lifestyle change to keep the weight off and to remain healthy.

Even if you are not obese, your chances of developing heart disease are much higher if you live a sedentary lifestyle. You should exercise at levels that increase your heart rate for at least 30 minutes three times a week. Your exercise does not necessarily have to be intense, as you will experience heart healthy results even with moderate levels of exercise. Exercise can be an enjoyable experience if you choose healthy activities that you enjoy.

Besides the major contributors, alcohol can also increase the chances of developing the disease. Moderate drinking (one to two drinks per day) can actually reduce the chances of developing heart disease. However, binge drinking or drinking excessively contributes to heart related problems and will also raise the level of fats within the blood and body.

Stress contributes to the development of heart disease, so learn to properly identify and deal with the causes of stress in your life. Learn stress reduction techniques to avoid negative affects on your heart's health.

While there are contributing factors out of our control such as heredity and age, you can make lifestyle changes to greatly reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Create a lifestyle of heart healthy living, and you will greatly decrease your chances of suffering. Promote your health and longevity by creating a heart healthy lifestyle.

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Vitamins for treating hair loss

2008-07-16T19:53:00.000+01:00

Vitamins always have a main role to play in the treatment of hair loss. These are micronutrients that are to be provided through diet or by supplements.

They are not synthesized in the body except for little amounts of vitamin K and vitamin D. They are a group of micronutrients divided in to two categories- the fat soluble and the water soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins comprise of vitamin A, D, E and K and water soluble vitamins comprise of Vitamin B complex and vitamin C. These are required in minute quantities for various functions in our body.

The minute quantities of vitamins really do a great job in preventing hair loss. Though androgen tic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss, vitamins supplements are helpful in the prevention of other types of hair loss as well.

Hair follicles grow actively and they require vitamins and minerals. Hair follicles are buried deep inside the skin and the hair shaft emerges out from the surface of the skin.

Vitamins along with minerals like iron and zinc prevent hair loss and they are included in almost all the preparations meant for treating hair loss.

The following are some of the essential vitamins that are useful in the treatment of hair loss.

* Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin. It is one of the most potent antioxidants. Any substance with antioxidant properties helps in preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth. Vitamin E also improves the blood circulation in the scalp. It is required in the dose of 400 IU per day. The source of vitamin E includes cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables.

* Vitamin C is another well known antioxidant. Unlike vitamin E, it is a water soluble vitamin and it is found in good quantities in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. It has to be provided in the dose of 50 mg per day.

* Vitamin B12 also called as cyanocobalamin is found only in animal sources like chicken, fish, eggs and milk. The recommended daily intake is 1 microgram.

* Pantothenic acid which is a B complex vitamin helps in preventing hair loss and graying of hair. It has to be supplied in the dose of 4-7 mg per day. Whole grain cereals, yeast, organ meats and egg yolks are rich in pantothenic acid.

* Niacin which is a B complex vitamin when provided in the dose of 15 mg per day promotes hair growth by improving the scalp blood circulation. Yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat are rich in niacin.

* Pyridoxine which is also called as vitamin B 6 prevents hair loss and graying of hair. The sources include yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk. The recommended dose is 1.5 mg per day.

About the Author

Brad chase owns and operates ProgressiveHealth.com which provides information on topics such as: Supplements and Vitamins for Hair Loss . He focuses on research articles that illustrate how nutrition, exercise, and diet affect well being.

Lung Cancer - Symptoms You Should Look Out For!

2008-07-14T16:02:00.001+01:00

The implications of lung cancer are fatal and hence its seriousness cannot be undermined. Though steps cannot always be taken to prevent the disease, its symptoms can be understood and the paranoia reduced. A basic awareness of lung cancer symptoms can help us combat the disease.

The following are the frequently reported symptoms of lung cancer:

* The shortness of breath, which is more commonly known as dyspnea, is a symptom. Though excessive physical activity warrants dyspnea, it is also a lung cancer symptom.
* The coughing up of blood, which is medically known as hemoptysis, is an indication. It should not be confused with hematemesis, which denotes blood vomiting.
* An ache while coughing could be a warning. When there is an uncommon change in the pattern of coughing, lung cancer should be suspected.
* Weight loss, extreme exhaustion and a lack of desire for food, also called cachexia, can also be considered a symptom.
* Chest pain, which again is associated with heart disease and other medial causes, is a sign of lung cancer.

The following are the less common symptoms of lung cancer:

* Hoarseness in voice, medically termed as cachexia, is an indication the disease.
* A complication in swallowing, also known as dysphagia, is yet another sign. Though painful swallowing could also be classified under odynophagia, dysphagia should not be ruled out.
* Swelling of the face and the neck could be a sign of lung cancer. Where swelling in the neck arises due to bloated lymph nodes, the main blood vessel blockage from the head is the reason for facial swelling.
* Deformity in fingers and fingernails, also known as finger clubbing could be an uncommon lung cancer symptom.
* Apart from dyspnea, the shortness of breath could also be caused by pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is uncommon and denotes fluid around the lungs.
* Cancer that spreads itself at the upper lung is called pancoast tumor. This tumor could lead to a shoulder pain, pain in the bones, muscle weakness, weakening eyelids and a decrease in the sweating on a side of the face.

There are certain lung cancer symptoms, which are considered odd. These odd symptoms occur due to the unwelcome hormones brought about by lung cancer. These are:

* Protrusion of the eyes
* Numbness in the fingers, hands or legs
* Manifestation of lumps in the skin
* Changing sugar levels and an excruciating pain in the abdomen
* Swelling of breasts in men
* Manifestation of a lump in the tonsil or a salivary gland

It is important to look out for the common, uncommon as well as the rare symptoms of lung cancer. The doctors should be notified immediately so that they perform a diagnosis and clarify the underlying cause. Establishment of the cause, whether lung cancer or not, could hasten the treatment and lead to the betterment of the patients.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mini_K

What is Arthritis? An Overview

2008-07-12T08:18:00.000+01:00

The general term "arthritis" refers to a group of diseases that, in one way or another, attack the joints of the body. These attacks cause the joints to swell up and break down, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, and loss of movement. There are over 100 diseases that fall into this group, but here are some of the more common ones:

Osteoarthritis - this is the most common form of arthritis. It is caused by wear and tear on a joint, due to either normal aging or by excessive strain from sports or heavy work. This condition is often seen in farmers, football players, people who have worked in manual labor jobs, and people of advancing age. Excess weight can increase the severity of this condition. Often only one joint is involved, although people who are elderly may have problems in several joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis - this disease causes a person's immune system to attack the joints, causing pain and swelling. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects multiple joints in the body and is known as a "systemic autoimmune" disease, as it attacks a person's system. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are more noticeable in the smaller joints of the body, such as the finger, wrist, and ankle joints. This disease can onset at any age. When it occurs in a person under the age of 18, it is labeled "juvenile rheumatoid arthritis". Severe deformities in the joints can occur as this disease advances with disability resulting.

Gout - this form of arthritis causes uric acid to build up in the affected joint, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. The big toe is the joint most often affected, but other joints may also be affected by gout. Men are affected by gout more than women and onset is most often between the ages of 50 and 60.

Lupus - Systemic lupus erythematosus, or "lupus", is another systemic autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks all the parts of the body. Arthritis symptoms such as joint pain and swelling are only one component of this disorder. Although lupus is a severe disease and is historically considered fatal, recent advances in medication and treatment have increased the survival rate of people who have this disease. Lupus occurs at any age, but onset is seen most often in women.

Psoriatic arthritis - this form of arthritis occurs in people who have the skin condition psoriasis. Its symptoms are similar to rheumatoid arthritis, described above.

For more information about these and other forms of arthritis, please visit The Arthritis Foundation website at http://www.arthritis.org

Janet Meydam is an Occupational Therapist with 20 years of experience in the field. View her blog, Online OTR, for useful information on a variety of health related topics. http://onlineotr.blogspot.com

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From High Blood Pressure to Heart Attack and Kidney Problems

2008-07-10T09:00:00.000+01:00

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. The pumping action of the heart must create enough force to push blood through the major arteries, into the smaller arteries, and finally into the tiny capillaries, where the porous walls permit fluid exchange between the blood and body tissue. The actual mechanisms which explain why the blood pressure is high has to do mainly with the constriction of the small arterioles which are in all of the tissues of the body. The body is usually successful at providing enough blood around the obstruction, but the pressure is low, including the pressure to the kidneys. In this way, that kidney may produce enough blood pressure to satisfy itself, while the rest of the body sees very high pressures as a result.

With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater. It can enlarge the heart, create small bulges (aneurysms) in blood vessels, damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, harden arteries, produce bleeding in the eyes. In this situation, the kidney which is blocked doesn't "see" enough blood pressure, and releases chemicals causing the blood pressure to go up. If left unchecked, it can cause blood vessels in the kidneys to become thickened and narrowed, possibly leading to reduced blood supply and reduced kidney function. It is a major cause of kidney failure (renal failure) which may require dialysis Heart Failure is a frequent occurrence in long standing hypertension. Treating and controlling your hypertension can help prevent damage to your heart, brain, kidneys, blood vessels, and eyes.

Experts recommend investigation of patients who seem to be at above average risk on such epidemiological grounds as age and sex or on the presence of symptoms or signs of specific disorders. Many patients eventually require two or more drugs to effectively control their blood pressure. However, in some patients-- especially those who have made lifestyle modifications such as losing weight-- may be able to modify their anti-hypertensive medication regimen after hypertension has been controlled for at least one year. In patients with high blood pressure, side effects and costs of medications are also factors which weigh heavily on which agent if any is prescribed. For any number of reasons, patients may not take their drugs as prescribed or may not take them at all.

High blood pressure is a problem that won't go away without treatment and changes to your diet and lifestyle. The goal of treatment is to reduce your pressure to normal levels with medicine that's easy to take and has few, if any, side effects. Your physician will use both the systolic and the diastolic to determine your blood pressure category and appropriate prevention and treatment activities. For the physician, it is a difficult area due to the fact that patients don't feel bad, yet must be prescribed medicines which can be costly and have side effects which make the patient feel worse than they did prior to treatment. If your blood pressure has remained stubbornly high despite taking at least three medications, including a diuretic, you may have resistant hypertension - blood pressure that is resistant to treatment. If these causes of resistant hypertension aren't to blame or treatment doesn't work, talk to your doctor about joining a clinical trial for high blood pressure.

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Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural health and beauty products

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Rodgers

5 Different Steps to Quit Smoking

2008-07-07T08:37:00.000+01:00

Smoking cigarettes is an extremely hard habit to kick. Most people, myself included used smoking in my everyday life and at times simply thought they couldn't live without it. When you are a smoker sometimes all you can think of is lighting up, kind of like a heroin anticipating his or her next fix. In fact, it has been medically proved that smoking cigarettes or nicotine dependency is just as addictive as heroin.

Now here are 5 ways you can get started down the path to a smoke free life.

Stop Smoking Cold Turkey

I know, sounds impossible, but believe me it is very possible. You just have to replace your smoking habit with something for the time being. I started chewing on straws from fast food restaurants and it worked like a charm. No nicotine patches, no nicotine gum promising the world, just throw away your current pack and never look back.

Don't Surround Yourself with Smokers

Even though I make this sound easy, it really isn't, but watch, once you are officially done with smoking cigarettes others will inevitably follow because that is exactly what happen in my case. I quit smoking and a month later two of my closest friends followed in my foot steps.

Make Sure Everyone Knows you are Quitting

There is nothing worse than being the only person not smoking in a room or family function when you are trying to quit. Let it be known, take let people light up in front of you or convince you that you can't quit. Tell them you are not smoking anymore and not to smoke around you. It is easier than you think when you learn to do it every time.

Get Rid of Anything that Reminds you of Smoking Cigarettes

Throw out cigarette packs and ashtrays. Get your car detailed and emphasize getting rid of the smell of smoke in your car. Trash all your lighters, matches or whatever you use to light up a cigarette. Get rid of it all!

Tell Yourself you Will Never Smoke a Cigarette Again!

If you are a goal oriented person, a constant competitor or you know you have to quit smoking because of your decline health then make the goal to NEVER smoke a cigarette ever again. It might sound silly, but once you start using these tips and get your mind set on quitting smoking, you will never look back.

Do you want to learn how to quit smoking? Start living a healthier life today without cigarettes! Quit Smoking Now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Ward

Hair Falling Out - The Top 6 Myths

2008-07-03T07:48:00.000+01:00

If you have recently noticed your hair falling out you're probably trying to figure out exactly why it's happening to you.

Thinning hair and baldness have been a problem for hundreds of years and at this point there are an absolute ocean of rumors that try to explain why hair loss occurs.

Even the father of modern medicine himself, Hippocrates, believed that he could cure hair loss by using a mixture of horseradish and pigeon droppings.

Our desire to stop balding is natural and understandable but before you get too far off in the rumor mill, let's look at six (6) of the most often heard myths about hair loss.

The Top 6 Myths about Hair Falling Out

#6. It's My Mom's Father's Fault

While it is true that genetic disposition to hair loss from the mother's side can be stronger, baldness can be passed down from either side of the family.

#5. Too Much Testosterone

Many people believe that hair loss in men is due to an overdose of testosterone. Hair loss comes from hair follicle damage via dihydrotestosterone (DHT) rather than testosterone. If testosterone alone caused hair loss, you would experience it all over your body.

#4. Wearing Hats Causes Hair Loss

This is believed by some because they think that hats can keep the scalp from breathing. In fact, hair follicles get their oxygen from the blood in your body and not from the air.

#3. Shampooing Too Much Can Make Your Hair Fall Out

People associate hair loss with shampooing because most of the time the shower is the first place where they notice fallen hair while inspecting clogged shower drains.

In an attempt to stop hair loss they stop shampooing as often. By doing this the hair that normally comes out during a shampoo is allowed to remain on the head and when shampoo is finally used, all of that hair comes out, causing a seemingly greater amount of hair loss.

The trick is to shampoo every day and the excess hair found in your drain will disappear.

#2. Hair Loss Only Affects Men

Big-time myth. Although baldness was initially only associated with men, it has been proven that over 30% of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives.

#1. Hair Loss Is Not Treatable

Too many of us have fallen victim to the belief that pattern baldness and thinning hair cannot be treated. Millions of dollars a year are made by surgical hair restoration services and wig companies as a results of this feeling of powerlessness over hair loss.

The fact is that using treatment, men and women can stop hair falling out and reverse the effects of thinning hair.

By taking a few simple steps you can stop hair falling out and begin the process of growing new hair. To learn more about hair loss in men and women and get details on the only FDA approved hair loss treatment that has proven to be effective in almost every case, click here {hair falling out}.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Seggern

Hair Loss Treatment - 5 Essential Hair Loss Vitamins

2008-06-28T11:29:00.000+01:00

Most of us know that each part of our body is nourished by vitamins. In fact, we are often dependent on vitamin supplements to maintain our health. This is because our food choices do not always provide our body with all the vitamins and minerals needed in order to keep it strong and healthy.

What about our hair? There is one problem: it is very difficult to provide our hair with vitamins especially if those vitamins are needed elsewhere. Our body will start pulling away the vitamins and minerals from our hair if we are not providing our body with enough nutrients through our food intake. Thus, what we need in order to provide more vitamins for our hair is a balanced diet. We must be aware of the exact vitamins that our hair needs so that we would know what food we need to eat more of. Here is a list of vitamins that will help combat hair loss:

1. Vitamin A (Retinol)
It is an antioxidant that encourages the production of needed sebum in our scalp. The recommended daily dose is 5,000 IU. Vitamin A is found in apricots, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, peaches, eggs, milk, cheese, meat, and fish liver oil. Note that more than 25,000 IU of Vitamin A per day can be toxic. It can cause serious health problems as well as hair loss.

2. Vitamin B Complex
The B vitamins such as Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), and Cobalt (B12) aid in fighting hair loss. Recommended daily doses are 15 mg, 4-7 mg, 1.6 mg, and 2 mg, respectively. Niacin promotes the circulation of blood in the scalp area. It is found in fish, chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and wheat germ. Note that large intake of niacin may have harmful side effects; this is called niacin flush, which is heat sensation brought about by blood cell dilation. Pantothenic acid helps in reducing hair loss and premature graying of the hair. Examples of food that are rich in this vitamin are meat, whole grain cereals, and egg yolks. Pyridoxine aids in the creation of melanin, which gives our hair its color. It also helps prevent hair loss. It is found liver, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and egg yolk. Cobalt also helps prevent hair loss. Cobalt-rich foods are fish, eggs, chicken, and milk.

3. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
It is an antioxidant that maintains the health of our skin and hair. Citrus, kiwi, melons, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, and green vegetables are rich in this vitamin C. The recommended daily dose is 500 mg.

4. Vitamin E
Like vitamin B3, this vitamin promotes scalp circulation. Soybeans, dried beans, green leafy vegetables, and raw seeds and nuts are rich in this vitamin. The recommended daily dose is not more than 400 IU. Note that this vitamin can heighten blood pressure and decrease blood clotting. Thus, those who are on high blood pressure medication or on anticoagulants should not take vitamin E supplements without consulting their doctor.

5. Vitamin H (Biotin)
This actually belongs to the vitamin B complex group. It is considered as one of the most important hair loss vitamins. Inadequate supply of vitamin H may cause hair thinning and loss. Vitamin H aids in the metabolism of fats, which are essential in hair growth. It also aids in keratin production and helps prevent premature graying. Examples of vitamin H-rich foods are milk, eggs, liver, kidney, and yeast. The recommended daily dose is 300 mcg. It should be taken side-by-side with other B vitamins so that it would be more efficiently absorbed in the body.

Related topics: Women Hair Loss and 5 Herbal Hair Loss Treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wong_Darren

Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure-Hypertension

2008-06-24T11:57:00.001+01:00

High Blood pressure usually causes no symptoms until complications develop, this is why it is known as the "silent killer." Warning signs associated with advanced hypertension may include:

* Headaches

* Sweating

* Rapid pulse

* Shortness of breath

* Dizziness

* Visual disturbances

Blood pressure is usually divided into two categories, designated primary and secondary.

Primary hypertension is high blood pressure that is not due to another underlying disease. The precise cause is unknown, but a number of definite risk factors have been identified. These include:

* Cigarette smoking

* Stress

* Obesity

* Excessive use of stimulants such as coffee or tea

* Drug abuse

* High sodium intake

* Use of oral contraceptives

* Family history

Because too much water retention can exert pressure on the blood vessels, those who consume foods high in sodium may be at a greater risk for high blood pressure.

When persistently elevated blood pressure arises as a result of another underlying health problem, such as a hormonal abnormality or an inherited narrowing of the aorta, it is called secondary hypertension. A person may also have secondary hypertension because the blood vessels are chronically constricted or have lost elasticity from a buildup of fatty plaque on the inside walls of the vessel, a condition known as atherosclerosis. The narrowing and or hardening of the arteries makes circulation of blood through the vessels difficult. The result is high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension can also be caused by poor kidney function, which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body. This increase in blood volume within the vessels causes elevated blood pressure levels.

When the heart pumps the blood through the arteries, the blood presses against the walls of the blood vessels. In people who suffer from hypertension, this pressure is abnormally high.

Whether blood pressure is high, low, or normal depends on several factors:

* The output from the heart

* The resistance to blood flow of the blood vessels

* The volume of blood

* Blood distribution to the various organs

If blood pressure is elevated, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body. Men tend to develop hypertension more often than women, but the risk for women rises after menopause and soon approaches that of men. A woman's risk of high blood pressure also increases if she takes oral contraceptives or is pregnant.

Eat a high-fiber diet and take supplemental fiber. Oat bran is a good source of fiber.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, green leafy vegetables, melons, peas, prunes, raisins, squash, and sweet potatoes.

Eat grains like brown rice, buckwheat, millet, and oats,

Take 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil daily.

Keep you weight down.

Be sure to get sufficient sleep.

It is important to support the solid health of the heart and circulatory system.

It's our gift to ourselves, how we take care of it. We can float through days, months, years, not paying any attention to our health. Yes, we are busy, things to do, children to raise, careers to contend with, but all these areas need us to be healthy. We need clean water & exercise, and nutrition to keep our bodies in good working vibrant condition.http://supplimentpros.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geneda_Gilbert

Six Major Causes of Hair Loss in Men and Women

2008-06-21T07:27:00.000+01:00

1. Hair loss cause: Your dental fillings
No dermatologist or trichologist will ever ask you about this, and yet it is one of the most common causes for hair loss in men and women: your dental fillings. And even if you have had most of your toxic fillings taken out, you will still have the heavy metals in your body. Your hair will not be able to regrow unless you do a very specific detox for these metals.

2. Hair loss cause: Toxicity, not heredity
You may have been told that your hair loss problems are hereditary because other people in your family have this problem. However, there are only very few cases where this is true, and chances are you are not one of them. You do not have inherited faulty genes; you have inherited toxicity from your parents. If a woman has toxic dental fillings in her teeth while she is pregnant, she detoxes via the fetus. So even if you don't have any fillings, you still may have toxins in your body from your mother.

3. Hair loss cause: Drugs and vaccinations
If you 'do drugs' even on a casual basis and even if they are not hard drugs, you are giving yourself a small dose of chemotherapy every time, and you know what happens when someone gets chemotherapy treatment in hospital - they lose their hair. But even vaccinations and medically prescribed drugs can upset the immune system so much that hair falls out.

4. Hair loss cause: Foods
Is your diet causing your hair to fall out? There are certain foods that have been found to be detrimental to hair growth because they cause an underfunctioning of the thyroid. Then there is one specific food group that you must cut down on if you are a man with hair loss problems. Another type of food can lead to you losing the hair on your head and your entire body if you are sensitive to this food but keep on eating it.

5. Hair loss cause: Parasites
Parasites are not confined to third world countries; they are all around us. You can easily get them from your pets, from the grass in your garden or from eating food which someone prepared without washing their hands. Parasites live in your body and eat your food so that your hair does not get the necessary nutrients to thrive.

6. Hair loss cause: Stress
If you are having problems with your hair, you may notice that more hair is shed when you get stressed. Stress changes your blood chemistry and can make hair loss worse. If you want your hair back, you will have to do something about your stress. Self-hypnosis is a proven tool and an excellent way to help you become calmer again.

This article was written by Mandy Wallace following an interview with a renowned health kinesiologist with many years experience of treating hair loss in men and women, helping many clients to regrow their own hair naturally. Read her book "Regrowing Hair Naturally" at http://www.happyhealthyhair.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mandy_Wallace

Sciatica

2008-06-17T07:36:00.000+01:00

The pain known as sciatica (sometimes misspelled as "syatica" or "psyatica") is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve (one on each side). The symptoms of sciatica usually start in the buttock and may extend partially or all the way down the leg. The sciatic nerves are each formed by nerve roots from the lower lumbar and sacral parts of the spinal cord. The individual nerve roots come together in the lower pelvis to form the sciatic nerves. Each sciatic nerve then runs from the pelvis down the back of each leg. The sciatic nerve splits into two parts below the knee and the two halves run down the back of the lower leg to the foot.

While there are several possible causes of sciatica, by far the most common source of sciatic nerve irritation is a bulging or herniated disc in the lower lumbar spine. A damaged disc may bulge into the opening where one of the nerve roots exits the spine on it's way to join other nerve roots as part of the sciatic nerve. The bulging disc may create direct nerve pressure, and/or may trigger inflammation and swelling, which can also cause pressure on the nerve. When this occurs, pain and other symptoms may be felt part along the course of the sciatic nerve, starting in the buttock area and possibly running down the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.

Besides disc bulges, spinal openings for nerves may be narrowed by bone spurs or other bone formations related to spinal degeneration. In some cases, sciatica may result from direct trauma to the nerve after it exits the pelvis, such as what can happen if there is a direct impact or hard pressure applied in the lower buttock region. Rare sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, which can compress sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine. Another rare cause of sciatica is a cyst or tumor that compresses the sciatic nerve in the hip or knee area.

Not every buttock or leg pain that people think is sciatica is acutually sciatica. True sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation) is usually felt mostly in the back of the leg (not the front or side of the leg). Symptoms of true sciatica are described by various people as stabbing, burning, tingling, numbness/heaviness, or like an electric shock. But even if symptoms seem like sciatica, they are not always due to actual irritation of the sciatic nerve.

One common condition that closely mimics sciatica is caused by knots of contraction called trigger points in a muscle called the piriformis. The piriformis muscles are located on either side of the lower buttock area, running from the upper thigh bone to the edge of the sacrum (the triangular pelvic bone that is at the base of the spine). In addition to causing symptoms that mimic sciatica, tightness in the piriformis muscle may also cause true sciatic irritation, because the sciatic nerve actually runs through the center of the piriformis muscle in some people, and can be compressed by excessive muscle contraction.

Trigger points in other muscles in the buttocks and upper thigh can cause referred pain in the side of the leg that may be mistaken for sciatica as well. It should be kept in mind that true sciatica and piriformis syndrome are associated with symptoms that are primarily felt in the back of the leg. If symptoms are in the front or side of the leg, there's a good chance that the problem is not sciatica.

Treatment of sciatica is usually associated with treating a bulging disc. The first line of treatment is usually an attempt to reduce inflammation to reduce pressure on the nerve bymeans of oral medications. If oral medications fail, steroids may be injected in the area of the disc bulge in order to provide more potent anti-inflammatory effects. A variety of other types of treatment may also be used, such as physical therapy, massage, chiropractic or osteopathic spinal manipulation, acupuncture, or one of the newest forms of treatment, spinal decompression. In some situations, surgery may be recommended as a last resort.

Most episodes of sciatica will resolve within a period of several weeks with or without treatment, but due to the severity of the pain typically involved, most people with sciatica will seek out treatment. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions by doctors and patients alike regarding the nature of sciatica, the necessary steps to prevent a return of sciatica are usually not taken. So, even though most people do recover from a bout of sciatica, nearly all will eventually have problems again at some point. Even sciatica sufferers initially treated successfully with surgery will often have future problems with sciatica.

The good news is that with awareness of how to manage sciatica and a little bit of effort dedicated to prevention, most people can avoid ongoing long-term sciatica problems. The challenge is simply to making people aware of the necessity of a "management" versus "cure" approach to sciatica and getting them to follow-through with preventive exercises and other self-care techniques.

About The Author
Dr. George Best has been treating patients with sciatica and piriformis syndrome in his San Antonio practice for over 15 years. To educate people on the importance of properly managing sciatica long-term. Dr. Best has produced a free ebook and online video program on Sciatica and Sciatica, which you can access at http://www.SciaticaSelfCare.com.

8 Tips to Prevent Worsening of Acne

2008-06-14T08:41:00.000+01:00

Medicines are not the sole healers. Self-care and precautions go hand-in-hand with drugs to improve healing. If you suffer from acne, it is essential that you exercise caution to avoid worsening of symptoms.

Here are some easy home-care tips for acne:

(1) Wash your skin gently: Take care of your skin every day. As a general rule, wash it gently with water and a mild soap or an acne cleanser at least two but not more than three times a day.

However, do not scrub yourself too hard, as it can worsen the acne.

(2) Avoid sweating: If you find that excessive sweating worsens your acne, try to avoid activities that would cause you to sweat. Also, wash yourself after taking part in any strenuous activity.

(3) Dress comfortably: Wear soft, cotton clothing as far as possible. Other materials rub against the skin, causing irritation and worsening the acne. Acne can be made worse by tight chinstraps and bra straps rubbing against the skin.

(4) Choose cosmetics carefully: Certain cosmetics such as gels and hair mousses, which contain a large quantity of oil, can cause the acne to flare up. Use only non-comedogenic products, which are designed to not cause or worsen acne.

(5) Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight: Long hours under the sun can spell trouble for your skin. Always try to go out in the sun for a short time, if at all, and use a sunscreen with a high PPF when you do so.

(6) Wash your hair: Hair often falls onto the face and rubs against the skin. If it is oily or dirty, it can worsen the acne. Cleanse your hair with a good shampoo at least twice a week, and tie your hair up properly to prevent it from falling onto your face.

(7) Avoid exposure to chemicals: Avoid environments that would expose you to harsh chemicals like petroleum and coal dust.

(8) Reduce stress: Stress plays an important role in causing, as well as worsening, acne. Learn stress-management techniques and do some form of aerobic activity to help you manage stress.

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About the Author

Mark Dulisse is website owner of www.all-in-one-health, a leading health and wellness website.

Vitamin ABCs: Bioflavonoids -- Do I Really Need Them, or Can I Just Take Vitamin C?

2008-06-11T09:22:00.000+01:00

Roses are red, violets are blue, oranges are orange, and lemons are yellow. Is this a rhyme gone wrong? No, it's the beginning of a recipe for good health. Each of these and, in fact, almost every plant whether fruit, vegetable or flower contains an ingredient that gives the plant its color and helps ward off natural predators. That ingredient is bioflavonoids and, in the human, their function is much the same. Find out why you need bioflavonoids, and how you can get them.

Bioflavonoids, also known as flavonoids, are sometimes called 'nature's biological modifiers.' Their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties boost the immune system to protect us from viruses, carcinogens and allergens, and help fight the free radical damage that can make us ill and old before our time both inside and out.

What can bioflavonoids do for you?

Studies have shown that bioflavonoids help strengthen the walls of capillaries the blood vessels that enable hormones, nutrients, antibodies and oxygen to travel to our cells and help prevent bruising, bleeding gums and hemorrhaging in the brain and retina.

Bioflavonoids also help blood clots, protect us from carcinogens that invade the heart and blood cells, stop or slow the growth of malignant cells, and act as natural antibiotics.

But that's not all. Bioflavonoids are vital elements in over three hundred different bodily functions. Here's the rundown on just a few of the most widely known:

- Quercetin provides the quick response to an allergic reaction or inflammation. It's also a powerful free radical fighter, can inhibit the spread of viruses, treat varicose veins and bruises, and may be helpful in the fight against many diseases including Alzheimer's and cancer. Your best source of quercetin is apples -- yes, an apple a day may keep the doctor away -- but it can also be found in onions, blueberries and cranberries.

- Epicatechin is largely used for heart health as it maintains the integrity of the blood vessels. A study published in the January 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found epicatechin to be directly linked to improved circulation and other elements of cardiovascular health. Epicatechin is plentiful in blueberries and grapes, as well as some teas and cocoas. (That's right, chocoloate!!)

- Polyphenols are more powerful antioxidants than both vitamins C and E and are the ingredients that give green tea its reputation as a health drink. In addition to fighting free radicals, studies have also shown polyphenols may boost the immune system, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and inhibit the development of cancer. Polyphenols are found in many foods, including grapes, green tea, soybeans and wine -- some are even derived from tree bark.

- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins do just about everything -- strengthen blood vessels, fight free radicals, and inhibit the destruction of collagen, the protein that supports many tissues throughout the body, gives us strong bones, hair and teeth, and provides the structure that keeps our skin firm. Where can you get them? The black chokeberry has the highest content found so far, but they are also found in pine bark, grape seeds, grape skin, certain red wines, bilberries, cranberries, chokeberries, black currants, and green and black teas.

Bioflavonoids work in tandem with vitamin C: they are somewhat interdependant. In fact, researchers have found that many of the functions attributed to vitamin C are actually performed by bioflavonoids.

If you're looking for an overall boost, bioflavonoids are one of the best choices you can make. They're available as supplements with vitamin C, or by themselves. Many people currently taking vitamin C alone really notice the difference when they add bioflavonoids to the mix. Give them a try. With so much to offer there's really nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.

About the Author

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, contributes articles on vitamin ABCs for Feelgoodforlife.com. More information on these and other topics can be found at http://www.feelgoodforlife.com.

Five Steps to a Healthy Heart

2008-06-08T07:41:00.001+01:00

The heart is an extraordinary organ in our body. Our life and death depend on our heart. Our live begins when we have our first heartbeat and our life ends when the beating of our heart stops. People may argue the level of importance our heart in our body as compared with other organs of the body, but none can argue the fact that we need our heart to live. That is why we need to take extra good care of our heart.

The first step to a healthier heart is to exercise regularly. Even the littlest amount of exercise can help us to maintain the health of our heart. This is because regular exercises play an important role in preventing heart or coronary diseases. Exercises give our heart the stamina it needed to pump blood into our veins.

If you have a poor heart, do some simple exercises but do take care to not over-strain your heart. Simple exercises like a long and leisurely walk at the beach or the park can really help you to be in a better physique that will ultimately influences the health of your heart.

The second step that you can take to take care of your heart is to stop smoking or to not start the bad habit of smoking. Smoking is bad for your heart because smoking can increase the risks of hypertension, heart and coronary diseases and even strokes. Not many people realize that smoking is also the key cause to cardiovascular diseases. This is because smoking can actually cause the fatty substances to build up in our arteries. These built up fats will eventually block our arteries and cause us to have a heart attack or a stroke.

To prevent yourself from getting a heart disease, you must also limit your alcohol intake to the minimum level. This is because, just the same as smoking, alcohol consumption will have harmful effects on your arteries that will one day lead to heart attack and stroke.

Alcohol consumption will also lead to increased risks of hypertension. Alcohol when consume in moderation will have a good effect on our body. The alcohol raises the level of the HDL, which is the good cholesterol and thus will help to protect us from heart diseases. But only when consumed in moderation.

The fourth step to preventing heart diseases is to have a good and healthy diet routine. Eating healthily can not only maintain the health of our heart, it can also lower our cholesterol level and also our blood pressure. To have a good and healthy diet plan, do make sure to include a lot of greens or vegetables into your diet. Do not forget to consume the minimum portion of fruits for your daily intake to ensure that your body have the right level or vitamins and minerals.

The last step that we can follow to make sure we have got a good and healthy heart is to keep and maintain a healthy weight. People suffering from obesity have more chances of contracting heart diseases than the people who have normal body mass indexes.

There were studies that showed cases where heart diseases were linked directly to heart failures. So obese people should really try their best to lose some weight and those on the edge to obesity should take care of their weight as to not have heart problems in the future.

Heart diseases are scary but they are treatable. And if we take enough prevention measures, there might not even be any need for treatments. Do the right thing, and start your prevention steps now.

About the Author

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Mesothelioma Variants

2008-06-04T12:45:00.002+01:00

Mesothelioma is a rare yet deadly cancer that almost always surfaces in a malignant form and results in tumors on significant organs of the body. Most people believe mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. So what exactly is the mesothelium? The mesothelium is a film or sac that surrounds vital organs in an attempt to protect them (such organs can include the lungs and heart). Mesothelioma can almost always be attributed to asbestos. While we might think there exists only one form of mesothelioma, there actually several. We will be talking about pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. As unfortunate as it may be, mesothelioma's symptoms don't surface until the disease has progressed, which at times can be several years following exposure to asbestos. As one might guess, this can make diagnosis a pain and treatment a near impracticality.

Pleural mesothelioma is the widely known variant of mesothelioma. In this form of mesothelioma, tumors develop on the lining of the lungs. Most people with the disease have a difficult time swallowing, breathing, and getting around without coughing. They may also experience other symptoms such as weight loss.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a more uncommon form of mesothelioma. This variant of the disease sheds ill will on the lower parts of the body, particularly the abdomen and stomach. This cancer can start in either of the two locations and metastize (grow into other parts of the body). This variant of the disease tends to bring about more severe symptoms such as nausea and blood clots. Since these tumors can put pressure on surrounding organs, they can make for an unpleasant sensation.

Finally, its time we talk of a very rare type of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma. That variant focuses on the heart and can bring palpitations and breathing problems.

If you are or have ever experienced these types of symptoms, its best to speak to a doctor.

About the Author

Javier Jimenez is a seasoned individual with interests spanning several subject areas. He is knowledgeable in {a href=â€http://www.meso-resource.infoâ€}mesothelioma litigation and has a site on Mesothelioma Attorneys California. This site will prove to be useful to those looking for mesothelioma lawyers california.

Eczema Cure

2008-05-31T09:02:00.000+01:00

There are two ways to treat eczema. Either natural remedies or going to a skin specialist. Medical science has various remedies for eczema cures. They both qualify as an eczema cure. The difference between the two methods is the time it takes to alleviate the condition. In a large majority of cases, the eczema cure prescribed by a skin specialist will work faster.

When people go to a skin specialist, the specialist will determine the treatment essentially by elimination. They start out with basic aetioligical (causes of diseases and the factors underlying their spread) causes. They involve various types of allergens, responsible for allergic dermatitis. When the cause is determined, it is a simple matter of eliminating it from the sufferer's life.

The second treatment is Symptomatic treatment that looks at topical and systemic course of therapy. The localization of the eczema helps in determining the type of eczema and therefore the potential treatment. Basic guidelines for avoiding substances and situations follow:

Water can be a major contributor to eczema. Bathing too frequently in hot water will dry out the skin and that is what we are trying to get rid of. Just sit in a tub for more than 20 minutes and check your pruny fingers. That pruning effect happens because the skin is releasing moisture. If you have eczema, then avoid irritants to the skin like the plague. Materials like alkali, detergents, and soaps and topical solutions or creams that contain alcohol. There are gentle and non-alkali soaps available everywhere.

If you are seeing a skin specialist, then bathing is an important consideration in your treatment. The patient should take short baths of 10 to 15 minutes in warm, not hot, water. Some of the substances they should avoid or at least lessen up on are permanganate tar, colloid (salts) and bath oil. Also when you are drying after a bath or a shower, use a patting motion instead of rubbing. It will irritate the eczema area if you rub it. To help the eczema cure along you should apply moisturizers after taking a bath. Moisturizers with non distracted emollient are the only ones you should consider. If your eczema is on the scalp, then you can protect it with the use of tar or mild shampoos.

Eczema cures can by hastened by wearing relevant clothing. Eliminate all woolen and synthetic fabrics. Instead use cotton wears. In addition the patient should avoid heat, both air temperature and hot foods or liquids. Using these heightens circulation of the blood which leads to increased itch. Another cause that most people don't consider is their lifestyle. Too much stress and anxiety isn't good for anyone but it really affects people with eczema.

The selection of emollients relies upon the skin condition of the patient. The doctor will check frequently with the patient to make sure that the treatment is progressing at it should. A typical eczema cure involves rich emollients to be applied in the night time and creams to be applied during the day. The emollients used will not stain clothing and makes sleep more comfortable by eliminating some of the itch of eczema.

Emollients are a substitute for the natural oils and act to closing or wrapping small fractures in the skin. It also renovates the protecting film over the skin. Rigorous pruritus (intense itching) can be reduced with tolerable, recognizable methods. Stopping the itching and scratching spans is the most important function of these emollients. The patient can help the emollients by applying a cold cloth with gentle pressure. For patients that suffer from atopic dermatitis, the goal should be to avoid the allergens such as house dust and dust mites.

About the Author

Dry and scaly skin must go. Ken

Survival Rates Of Breast Cancer At Different Stages

2008-05-27T16:23:00.000+01:00

Survival Rates Of Breast Cancer At Different Stages

Where the disease has not metastasized, the five-year survival rate for women suffering from breast cancer is about 86%. That percentage means that 86% of women who develop breast cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The good news is that depending on the stage it is discovered, the survival rate can be even higher than the overall average.

As with most cancers, breast cancer, develops in stages. A standard classification of letters and numbers is used to describe the stages - T, N and M and 0-IV. The alphabet T denotes the size of the tumor while alphabet N denotes that it has spread to the lymph nodes and the alphabet M means distant metastasis. When a primary tumor spreads to another area/s and forms more tumors, it has metastasized.

When a tumor cannot be assessed, it is designated the classification of TX. Where there is no indication of cancer, T0 is used. If one of the following forms is suspected - DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) or Paget's disease (where the nipple and/or areola is cancerous) - Tis is used.

Stage 0 indicates that the cancer is in its earliest stage. Stage I indicates that tumors have not spread and are less than 2cm in size. A tumor that is 2-5cm in diameter is classified as Stage II, and a tumor larger than 5cm is considered Stage III. When a tumor has attached to the chest wall and spread to the lymph nodes it is considered to be Stage IV.

Today, due to medical advances, many breast cancers are diagnosed and treated during the early stages.

When treatment is given to patients who are at Stage 0 or 1, the survival rates are almost 100%. And yes, men can develop breast cancer, though at a far lower rate of 1/133 when compared to women. For those with cancer in Stage II, the survival rate is at 81% to 92%. At Stage III the rate lowers to 67%, and then drops substantially to 20% at Stage IV.

Although it is a very serious illness, breast cancer is seldom life threatening. Women who have advanced stages of cancer have been known to live for more than seven years. As technology and medicine advance, survival rates increase. Even later stage cancer survival rates are rising as medical and treatment methods improve.

A fairly new method of diagnosing cancer is the QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR) method. It was invented in 2001 and it involves tests done on fluids taken from the breast area. The chemical analysis undertaken during this test allows cancer to be detected with 86% reliability, and cancer clumps with as little as 50 cells can found. Treatment given in the early stages is highly effective, and new methods like this allow cancer to be diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.

Treatments are also improving, with hormone therapy, targeted radiation and molecule specific drugs now readily available.

Breast cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Although the disease is still a matter of serious concern, the chances of survival are high and treatments are now less invasive.

Read more at - http://www.breastcancer01.info/

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Natural Remedy For Acid Reflux

2008-05-24T15:45:00.000+01:00

The term acid reflux is where the contents of the stomach flow in the wrong direction back up the tube from the stomach to the throat. This is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system) and even though this condition is often known by different names, they have similar symptoms. The stomach uses hydrochloric acid to digest the food and when this tries to escape the stomach up the esophagus, With this condition, acid in the stomach tries to escape up the food pathways and this is the reason for the burning pain.

When we eat and swallow our food it is allowed into the stomach area to be digested by the esophageal sphincter valve which should then close back up in order to stop the hydrochloric acid from escaping. The esophageal sphincter should close and trap the acid but when this doesn't happen and the acid escapes back up the digestive tract the condition of acid reflux or heartburn is the result. Doctors abbreviate the condition to GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Though the root causes are often unclear, perhaps the most prevalent acid reflux cause is a poor diet; factors that include overeating, can also put a strain on the stomach and contribute to the disorder.

Many people that overeat find they have this condition because their eating habits affect the stomach walls and place pressure on the muscles surrounding them. The release of this 'pressure' results in the stomach acids trying to flow back up the digestive tract. The aim is to lessen the stress on your stomach and stop any damage the stomach acid will cause to your esophagus. To prevent this from happening you should eat small meals throughout the day. To maintain health your digestive system needs to be healthy so requires looking after if you want to remain in good health as well. The stomach carries out not only the breaking down of food but processing it into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body.

A short term solution may appear to be the drugs that are easily purchased over the counter but guidance is needed. Unfortunately they can have side effects when used as the only method to reduce the incidences of heartburn. A more permanent and Natural Remedy For Acid Reflux requires you to change the way you eat and what you eat. Follow the directions in "Stop Acid Reflux Now" and within a short time you should find your stomach has had a chance build up its resistance considerably. If you can reduce the heartburn occurrences, in time you may well be able to slowly start eating those dishes that have needed to be cut out.

Of course acid reflux can also be aggravated by a number of other situations; for instance:

* Regular smoking
* Having allergies to particular foods e.g. peanuts
* Medication
* Too much alcohol
* After meal napping

As you can tell, most of these factors can be overcome by practicing some behavioral modifications and a change in lifestyle, The number of heartburn episodes that occur should diminish. This is how you may be able to clear your acid reflux disorder completely. Ultimately the choice is yours to make!

About the Author

C.M. researches and writes about emerging natural yet scientifically proven remedies for today's health issues. Finally! Straight Forward, Simple-To-Follow Methods To Effectively And Naturally Overcome Painful Acid Reflux, Heartburn & GERD: Click Here!

Boys and Puberty: 7 Tips On How To Deal With Acne

2008-05-20T11:32:00.000+01:00

Many people think that boy's puberty and acne are not a cause for concern but boys might disagree. Acne can have an affect on the self esteem of the young man and makes this transitional time harder to deal with.

Boys, puberty and acne can be managed if you know what to do. When the boy starts showing signs of acne you can try a change in his diet. Some folks agree that eating greasy foods or foods that contain chocolate may add to the problem of boys, puberty and acne. Although most experts disagree with this acne myth.

It is important for the boy to keep his face clean. There are many products on the market that can be used for cleansing if acne is a problem. Boys during puberty may find these products to be helpful.

Sometimes puberty and stress can combine to make acne even worse. Find the causes of stress and work on reducing or eliminating it. The acne itself can lead to stress and then you have a vicious cycle. A boy during puberty does not need the added stress of acne.

When you are dealing with boys during puberty it is helpful to know some things about acne. Here are some tips about boys during puberty who are experiencing acne.

Acne tip #1: Take the condition seriously. Acne outbreaks may not seem like a big deal to you but they may be a big deal to a boy during puberty.

Acne tip #2: Suggest a gentle skin cleaning regimen rather than severe scrubbing with harsh cleaners. A mild cleanser that can be used twice a day is all that is needed.

Acne tip #3: Ask a doctor or dermatologist for skin car advice. A health care professional will be able to guide you as far as a good cleaning program.

Acne tip #4: It is not a good idea to squeeze or pick at blemishes. This practice only makes the acne worse, and makes the scars last longer.

Acne tip #5: Try using acne skin care products that do not promote blemishes. There are skin care products that are labeled as non-comedogenic that should not clog pores.

Acne tip #6: If the boy is shaving try using different types of razors. Sometimes an electric razor is the best but for other boys a safety razor will be more comfortable.

Acne tip #7: If the acne is severe you may need a dermatologist to prescribe a medication for the boy during puberty. Sometimes a prescription is necessary to lessen the affects of the acne.

Boys during puberty need a lot of support and understanding. Learning the best way to combat an acne condition will help a boy during puberty so that he can cope with all the other changes that he is going through.

Acne is one of the most common skin problems in people across the world. Go here http://acnope.com/?rodolf to see how you can treat your scin problems.

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I am a new author and just starting with articles

How to treat Dry Scalp problems?

2008-05-17T10:29:00.000+01:00

Dry scalp is one common issue that people face, especially in winter where you are moving in and out of heated areas frequently. The skin of the scalp becomes tight and itchy and tiny flakes of dead skin are showered by combing and brushing. Dry scalp conditions are often misidentified as dandruff, and are treated as such, which can worsen the condition depending on the treatments used. Dry scalp occurs when the hair strand exiting the scalp is not being lubricated by the sebaceous gland.

Good hair days start with a healthy scalp. Its job, after all, is to grow strong shiny strands. But dry indoor air can zap moisture and dissolve protective oils from the skin on your head, leaving it itchy and flaky and your mane dull and unmanageable. Gently massage conditioner into your scalp after every shampoo to hydrate it and lift away some of the flakes.

Tips for getting rid of Dry Scalp Gently massage conditioner into your scalp after every shampoo to hydrate it and lift away some of the flakes. Lather up with clarifying shampoo weekly. These deep-cleaning formulas rid hair of product buildup and help loosen dead skin cells on the scalp. Turn down the heat. Hot water can zap natural oils from your scalp, making it ultra dry and sensitive; also choose the lowest heat setting on your blowdryer. Try a final rinse of one cup warm water mixed with two to three tablespoons of white vinegar. This will also bring out the highlights in your hair and make it shiny. Massage table salt into your dry scalp before shampooing with an acid-based shampoo. Try an oil treatment in which you massage olive oil into your hair and scalp, cover your hair with plastic wrap and with two wet towels. Keep the towels on your head for twenty minutes, then remove oil with two washings. Supplement your diet with foods rich in Vitamins C and B, which promote a healthy scalp, and healthy hair. Using Essential Oils for Dry Scalp Zinc Pyrithione: It is the most widely used active ingredient from a natural source. It's used to treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitus, psoriasis, eczema and numerous other skin and scalp disorders. Jojoba - Is excellent as a scalp moisturiser and helps to rebalance sebum. Tea Tree Oil - Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands. Basil: Oily hair promotes growth Chamomile Clary sage Lavender - Scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and even lice Lemon - Gives golden highlights; treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands Myrrh Dry Scalp Home remedy Home remedy for dry itchy scalp Take ¼ c oatmeal and soak in water for 20 mins. Mix well and then strain the liquid adding it to a cup. Add 5 drops lavender oil (or lavender stalks steeped in ¼ cup hot water. Add 5 drops rosemary (or rosemary stalks steeped in ¼ cup hot water. Allow to cool until tepid. Mix the liquids together and dab on your scalp...leave in for 10 mins to soothe the itch. This a good temporary soother for itching. Chamomile tea is also soothing! Garlic and oil of oregano are also excellent for fighting dandruff. You can take it internally or externally depending on what seems to work best for your situation. Both are sold in health food stores as capsules or tablets.

About the Author

Sander Bel writes articles for Dry Scalp Home Remedies. He also writes for Alternative Medicines and Home Remedy

Anxiety Depression: What it is and How to Deal With it

2008-05-15T16:42:00.000+01:00

Anxiety depression is very common, and this is a condition that results when one suffers from an anxiety condition of some sort. If you think you are suffering from anxiety depression, it is important that you have a proper assessment and diagnosis performed, but first you should learn a bit more about the condition and about what is involved with it.

What it is

Anxiety depression is caused by anxiety disorders, which are a group of conditions with exaggerated anxiousness and worry about a number of concerns, which persists for an extended period of time.

A certain amount of anxiety is normal, but when it becomes persistent and starts to interfere with your day to day living, you most likely have a disorder and will have to be treated appropriately. Anxiety disorders are actually the most common of all mental disorders, and the worst part is that people suffering from anxiety usually know that their thoughts and fears are not rational but can do nothing about it.

Dealing With it

If you do have an anxiety depression problem, there are a few things that you may want to try. Treatment for anxiety disorders is just as varied as the people themselves, so you should never assume that just because a certain treatment worked well for one person's condition that it will do the same for you.

One person may find relief from a medication or therapy while for another the only relief may be found through self-help or alternative medicine.

The most important thing is to remember that even though it may be extreme, anxiety depression is treatable, and you can get back to feeling like your regular old self once again. You need to have a qualified and experienced doctor working with you, one that you trust and one you can depend on.

You are really going to have to work together with them as a team in order to ensure that you have the best chances of success and that you are not going to be putting yourself in any danger by using the wrong mediation or too high a dosage of medication, for instance.

Just make sure that you stay positive because this will be a very important part of your treatment. It is important to not let yourself get too depressed, and that you keep in mind that there are treatments available that will help you to get better.

Discover On More information on how you can overcome panic attacks here at Curepanicattack

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Rachel is an internet marketer who loves to write in various topics including health matters like anxiety and panic attacks , Find out More on Information about Panic Attacks

Information on Strep Throat

2008-05-13T15:08:00.000+01:00

Sore throat is a painful inflammation of the pharynx. The pharynx (pronounced FAAR-ingks) is the part of the throat that lies between the mouth and the larynx (pronounced LAAR-ingks), or voice box. It is associated most commonly with the common cold (see common cold entry) or influenza (the flu; see influenza entry). While most sore throats heal without complications, in some cases, they develop into a serious illness.

How is Strep Throat Transmitted? Strep Throat is transmitted directly from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Very occasionally strep throat is passed through food, when a food handler infected with strep throat accidentally contaminates food by coughing or sneezing.

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat The signs and symptoms of strep throat are red, sore throat with white patches on tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in neck, fever, and headache. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are more common in children. The patient will usually not have a cough, unlike in a viral infection.

More often than not, a sore throat is usually caused by allergies or a viral infection that will usually go away on its own. But some sore throats are the result of the bacteria streptococcus and are more serious.

Strep throat is highly contagious: you and your child may catch it at school, kinder garden, work, from your family members or any group of people. It usually affects people in early spring, winter or the last days of the fall, but it may also occur in other months of the year. You can have this bacterial infection at any age, but most at risk are teenagers and kids.

In addition, allergies (allergic rhinitis) can cause a sore throat. Usually, treatment will be delayed until the culture results are known. Doctors will often begin treatment of a sore throat immediately if there is a family history of rheumatic fever, if the patient has scarlet fever, or if rheumatic fever is commonly occurring in the community at the time. Otherwise, antibiotics should NOT be given without a positive strep test (culture or rapid strep test).

Strep throat is a contagious disease caused by infection with streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat symptoms include fever, pain, redness, and swelling of the throat and tonsils. Strep throat may produce mild or severe symptoms. Sore throat (pharyngitis) is a painful inflammation of the pharynx, which is the part of the throat that lies between the mouth and the larynx (voice box). Sore throat is often a symptom of various illnesses such as colds and flu, glandular fever, respiratory tract infections, tonsillitis, and chickenpox. While most sore throats heal without complications, in some cases, they develop into a serious illness. Although strep throat is most common in school-aged children and teens, adults may also get this disease. Strep throat is more widespread during the school year when a large number of students are present in an enclosed space, laughing, yelling, sneezing, and coughing.The bacteria are present in the nose and throat, so normal activities such as sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can spread the infection to other people. The infection can also be acquired by touching objects such as books, tables, or other hard surfaces that were handled by an infected person.

About the Author

Read about Premature Ejaculation Treatment, Erectile Dysfunction Treatment . Also read about Herbal Remedies, Herbal Treatment, Natural Remedies and Male Sexual Enhancement and Increase Penis Size

Six Common Skin Problems

2008-05-10T13:03:00.001+01:00

Our skin is the largest organ in the body and can reflect our general health. In addition, our skin is probably the most abused organ on the body from environmental factors, stress, dehydration, sun exposure, etc. Our skin needs to be protected and nourished.

Problem #1: Fine Lines and Wrinkles

The major factors responsible for lines and wrinkles are mostly due to over-exposed skin to the sun. In addition, stress, hormones, heredity, and environmental factors also play a significant part. In order to reduce more fine lines and wrinkles from forming and deminishing the ones you have, exfoliation is recommended as well as a rich moisturizing cream. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and stimulates new skin cell growth.

In addition, to eliminate additional fine lines and wrinkles from forming, you should wear a sun screen of SPF 15 or higher everyday. Most people believe that because they are not baking in the sun, a sun screen is not needed; however, most people do not realize just how much sun they are exposed to on a daily basis

Problem #2: Enlarged or Distended Pores

Enlarged or distended pores (blackheads) are due to trapped debris in the pores. The debris is a combination of dead skin cells and sebum (oil). The debris causes the pore to stretch or buildup and produce blackheads. Facial cleansers with an exfoliate are recommended for enlarged or distended pores. The exfoliating ingredient will open the pore and the cleanser will clean out the pore(s). In addition, after cleansing a skin toner should be applied to tighten the skin and close the pores. A moisturizer should only be applied after toning and closing the pores on your skin. If you do not have a toner, apply cold water to close the pores before applying any moisturizer.

Problem #3: Brown Spots aka Age Spots

Brown spots are caused from over exposure to the sun. The sun causes the cells that produce melanin to react and protect the inner layers of the skin. Melanin is the product that the body produces to get a tan. It is a protective reaction for the skins inner layers.

There are remedies on the market to remove brown spots such as laser surgery or use of retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) combined with bleaching agents such as hydroquinone and kojic acid. In addition, natural ingredients such as lemon or other fruit juices will lighten brown spots and at a fraction of the cost of the above therapies.

Again, as indicated above, sun screen is imperative to avoid brown spots on the skin.

Problem #4: Blemishes

Blemishes are usually due in part to the over production of sebum (oil) which can be attributed to stress and hormonal changes.

Mild to moderate breakouts, characterized by less than seven pimples a month, can be treated with over the counter products. This may include those treatments containing glycolic acid or retinol, which is potent for unclogging skin pores. Also, benzoyl peroxide, which is an antibacterial agent, can be applied. There is one specific ingredient that is particularly effective in treating blemishes ï¿½ï¿½" salicylic acid. This is actually an efficient exfoliate that dissolves skin oil.

In addition to over the counter remedies for blemishes there are a number of natural make at home products that are quite beneficial and not as harsh. A mild home remedy is listed below:

Mask with Baking Soda (not baking powder) Wash face thoroughly with a mid cleanser. Mix baking soda and water together to form a paste. Apply the paste to you face and leave on about 10 minutes. Rinse face and feel the difference.

Problem #5: Redness on the Skin

Rosacea is a condition that first appears as a flushing or subtle redness on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. It then progresses from intermittent mild redness to persistent ruddiness as well as permanent, dilated blood vessels and acne-like bumps.

Rosacea is not curable, but it responds well to treatment. Dermatologists usually recommend prescription topical and oral antibiotics. In addition, treatments such as Vbeam are available. Vbeam is a technique that repairs the broken capillaries and reduces the need for topical applications. Furthermore, there are over-the-counter treatments available and natural home remedies that reduce redness.

Problem #6: Dullness of the Skin

Dullness of the skin typically occurs around age 30. During this stage, the natural ability of your skin to slough off dead cells from the surface slows down. When the dry and dead cells build up, the skin becomes dull. To freshen your skin and bring back a natural glow, consider regular exfoliation to slough off dead skin cells and improve circulation. In addition, set-up and follow a good skin care regime and your skin will thank you for it by its natural glow.

For more skin care articles, natural cosmetics and homemade skin care recipes visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

About the Author

Blemishes, blotchiness, larges pores, etc. can me easily treated with homemade skin care products or natural organic and botanical skin care products. Don't be mislead when purchasing your next skin care products, read the labels and look for natural ingredients.

8 Ways To Help Prevent Hemorrhoids

2008-05-08T19:22:00.000+01:00

Since hemorrhoids is such a common condition for many Americans these days, it is important to know what the steps are to prevent them. While even with the best prevention techniques, there is still a chance that a person may get the condition, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind which will help reduce that chance.

1. Be sure that you are getting enough bulk in your diet in the form of fiber. While some may choose to use fiber supplements to achieve this, getting the fiber from fresh foods like fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy whole grains is going to give the best results.

2. Avoid certain types of drinks that are not beneficial to your overall health, as well as causing hemorrhoid conditions. Those types of drinks include excessive alcohol, too much caffeine containing drinks, and various types of soda pops. Diet colas can be especially harsh to your system.

3. Getting the recommended amount of water every day is key. It is very important to many of the body's functions that there is enough water drunk daily. The usual amount is eight 8 oz. glasses per day. Those who are obese will need to drink more in order to get the most benefits.

4. Keeping up with daily activity can go a long way to help prevent hemorrhoids. Thirty minutes of some type of physical exercise can really help to tone and strengthen the body, including the anus and rectal areas. Regular exercise also helps your digestive system to work better, helping the body to eliminate wastes more efficiently.

5. Do not attempt to lift very heavy objects on your own. Not only do you risk injuring your back or other parts of the body, you can also be inviting hemorrhoids. When the body is under the pressure of trying to lift a heavy object, that pressure can make the veins in the rectal area bulge and become swollen.

6. Keeping the anal area clean is key to preventing hemorrhoids. If proper hygiene by consistent washing of the anal area is not maintained, it can lead to the tissue becoming irritated. This can also occur by wiping to harshly with dry tissue. Another factor to this is to change undergarments frequently, and also wearing clean and loose cotton garments.

7. Maintaining a proper weight can help to stop one from getting hemorrhoids since being obese can be a major factor. Not only will being obese make it difficult for a person to make sure that their anal area is clean, but the extra weight will put pressure on the veins and tissues causing the condition.

8. Let nature take its course when going to the bathroom. If a person is straining to push the movement, then it can cause a great amount of pressure on all of the tissues and veins in the area. This can directly relate to the swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids.

Related Articles:

Top Rated Hemorrhoids Treatment Products

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Visit Hemorrhoids Talk website to learn more

5 Strategies for Natural Hair Restoration

2008-05-06T19:44:00.000+01:00

If you are suffering from hair loss or thinning hair and have been looking for a suitable treatment, you will know that there are a confusing number of products designed to deal with it. Hair loss treatment is now a big industry, but hair loss has been a problem for centuries and there are many long standing solutions based on naturally occurring plants and herbs. Here are five strategies using some of the many natural solutions available that, when used in combination, can be very effective.

Improve your diet.

It is common knowledge that the western diet is somewhat lacking. With so much time pressure on everyone, many opt for fast food solutions. As a result there are many deficiencies in our diets.

For strong and healthy hair growth, certain essential vitamins and minerals are required. Some of these include vitamin B6, iron, silica, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids etc..

Try to ensure that your diet includes lots of strong colored vegetables and high quality protein as well as fish nuts and seeds. It is also a good idea to take a multivitamin supplement just to make sure.

Sort Out Your Hormones

One of the causes of hair loss in men is the effect of high levels of the hormone DHT. This hormone attacks the hair follicle making it weak and so eventually stopping the growth of the hair. One of the most effective methods of reducing the level of this hormone is to take the herb Saw Palmetto. This herb is routinely used to treat an enlarged prostrate, but it was noticed that when used, it also encouraged hair growth. Stinging nettle root is also an effective herb to reduce DHT. Both of these can be obtained in capsule form.

Change Your Shampoo

Many shampoos contain a cocktail of chemicals to clean and add shine to your hair. One chemical, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS is reputed to be harmful to the scalp and health of the hair. It is thought that, although an effective cleaning agent, when rinsed out of the hair it can leave a residue that may be harmful to the hair follicle. To support this idea, many people who have given up conventional shampoos have reported an improvement in the growth and quality of their hair. Check the ingredients in your shampoo and if necessary, change to a more naturally based formula or research a home made shampoo recipe.

Improve The condition of Your Scalp

The condition of your scalp will have an effect on the quality and strength of your hair. To improve your scalp try making a lotion for massaging into the scalp. You can create a lotion for application to the scalp by mixing together the essential oils from Rosemary and Lavender, which can be obtained from most aromatherapy stores. This lotion is known for encouraging hair growth and improving the condition of the hair. Aloe Vera is also good for massaging into the scalp and can be used to make a natural shampoo by mixing with coconut milk.

Improve The Blood Circulation to Your Scalp

Poor blood circulation at the top of your scalp is one of the reasons for hair loss. The weak blood supply starves the follicle and so the hair weakens and eventually stops growing. The herb Ginkgo Biloba is believed to improve the circulation of the blood. The hot pepper Capsicum is also thought to improve blood flow to the scalp. If you are taking any kind of medication, you should check with your physician before taking any natural supplements that can effect your circulation. Taking these could effect the action of your medication.

In todays hair restoration market there are numerous products to choose from. All of these will take time to show results and they can be quite expensive. Natural hair loss treatments have existed for many years and some have been around for centuries. As they are natural they do not have any side effects and most can be obtained at low cost. By incorporating these natural strategies into your lifestyle, you can save money and improve the quality of your hair at the same time.

About the Author

Want to quickly find out about all the options for hair loss treatments? Want to know the costs involved? Visit Kens new site Hair Restoration Methods now. Ken has been researching hair restoration to deal with his own hair issues and created this site with his findings

What is Proactive Acne Skin Care?

2008-05-04T10:02:00.000+01:00

Taking care of your acne prone skin is not something that you should take lightly. Constant care is needed to maintain a healthy skin, and proactive acne skin care is exactly what you need. Proactive acne skin care is basically a way of taking care of your acne prone skin that requires a constant care approach. Taking care of acne for a while and then carelessly leaving the skin unattended is not what you might call proactive acne skin care. Proactive means that a treatment is constantly ongoing, which means that the person engaged in such an acne treatment is constantly taking care of his skin to help keep acne at bay as well as maintain a healthy looking skin.

There are a lot of proactive acne skin care products available in the market that have treatment and maintenance programs that provide acne sufferers the kind of solution that will not only get rid of stubborn acne but also help keep it away for good. Since acne can easily recur, using a proactive acne skin care regimen is ideal, and it should be the kind of treatment used by acne prone individuals. Proactive acne skin care usually consists of products that are formulated to treat acne problems that a person already has on his skin. This may include treatments for scars brought about by acne. The next step in this kind of program is the use of cleansing agents to fight the possibility of the acne's comeback. These may include cleansers, soaps, creams and other such products that have formulations that are specifically geared towards the prevention of acne recurrence.

There are proactive acne skin care lines that are actually being endorsed by celebrities, and they give acne sufferers hope of making their skin young looking and vibrant, the way it was before they began having acne problems. These brand name products are presented as treatments and maintenance programs that get rid of the most stubborn acne problems and keep them away for good, with a beauty regimen that users have to follow religiously. However, such products carry hefty price tags and the maintenance products that you have to use will definitely be a regular part of your monthly budget.

Whether or not a particular skin care program works depends on how your skin responds to the treatment. Some people may be more ideally suited to one kind of program as opposed to another, and this varies with different kinds of skin, lifestyles and environments. Before you decide to choose any particular skin care program, you should first seek the advice of a skin doctor to ensure that it is indeed the right one for you.

About the Author

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Skin Care and has helped thousands of acne sufferers cure their condition. He runs a highly popular and comprehensive Acne Treatment web site. For more articles on Skin Care related topics visit his site at:

http://skin-care.need-to-know.net/

Nutritional Supplements for Acne - Get Acne Free Skin

2008-04-30T08:44:00.001+01:00

The androgenic hormones, particularly testosterone, that increase at puberty, and the surge of premenstrual hormones, trigger increased production of sebum in the sweat glands. The pores become clogged with both sebum and dead skin cells creating a prime breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria and the breakdown products of sebum cause irritation and inflammation in the pores. The result is acne - blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, and cysts in the skin.

Teenagers are not the only ones who can get acne. Adults, at least 50%, suffer from blemishes and acne also. Sometimes adult acne is a result of pregnancy, diet, menopause or emotional upset. For some people acne is due to genetics or hormones that create excessive oil production and this clogs the pores of the skin. Some cosmetics can block pores which will create pimples.

Severe acne can affect many facets of a person's life, causing a great deal of embarrassment and stress. Some severe forms of acne like acne cysts may rupture and cause scars that can result in psychological effects on the sufferer. Having skin full of pimples and zits may significantly limit one's social life and even diminish career prospects. Although acne is not considered to be a life threatening disorder, the psychological impact of acne can be quite profound as it affects the most visible parts of your body. If your acne condition is severe it can be disfiguring and require years of treatment.

Use a good toner. Spray onto face or wipe on with a cotton ball and wipe off with a clean, dry cotton ball. This gets rid of excess cleanser and tightens pores. Good, inexpensive choices include plain witch hazel for normal to dry skin, or 3% hydrogen peroxide for oily skin. 70% ethyl rubbing alcohol can also be used for severe oiliness, but it can really dry out your skin and irritate it more. Some toners are medicated, too, and this stage is the best for using a medicated product if you're only going to use one medication. Lemon juice is a good option, too.

Nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplements for acne will decrease inflammation and infection and nourish the skin. If consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is low, take a multi-vitamin supplement. Buy supplements at a health food store rather than a discount store or supermarket. The vitamin and mineral sources will be higher quality. Remember that foods provide a more balanced and absorbable form of nutrients than pills. Reliance on supplements as the only source of vitamins will not produce adequate results.

Vitamins B5 and B6 and B3 have been shown to have an amazing effect on acne outbreaks. Vitamin B5 was studied with people taking 10mg per day plus a 20% topical lotion of B5. Those with minor acne cleared up quickly and those with severe acne cleared up within 6 months. The safety of such high doses has not been determined, though.

Greens They're available at health stores and are basically vegetables that are powdered. If you want to get rid of acne quick you should try to eat around 5 tablespoons a day or more. This will greatly help with clearing up acne if you are eating right as well.

About the Author

Trikatu - Natural Appetite Supressant. Also Read about Garcinia Cambogia Weight Loss Supplement and Hair and Skin Care Supplement Bhringraja

What Causes Acne

2008-04-28T07:43:00.000+01:00

There are some factors that often contribute to its appearance. Some of them are easy to control, while others are difficult or impossible to do anything about.

Bacteria and Sebum

Bacteria and Sebum are the root causes of acne. The bacteria P. acnes is found naturally in the skin, and so is Se-bum, which is produced by the sebaceous glands to moisturize the skin. Clogged pores, excess Sebum, and the P. acnes bacteria can combine to cause damage to the pores, which shows itself as blackheads, whiteheads or pimples.

While it's fairly straightforward how acne forms, the harder question is why it forms. Studies have shown some factors that contribute to the process:

Hormones

One of the most recognized factors that causes acne is hormones. This is why acne is so prevalent in the teens. With the onset of puberty comes an increase in hormones - including androgen, the male sex hormone. A number of studies have linked excess androgen to acne.

Other hormonal changes can also cause acne. For example, many women experience breakouts right before their menstrual periods or when using (or ceasing to use) hormonal birth control methods. Some women even find that pregnancy triggers acne for them.

Diet

Claims that eating chocolate and greasy foods causes acne have been around for many decades. But these have been found to be questionable at best. Studies have found, however, that dairy products seem to contribute to acne.

The reason that dairy products are a factor in acne is unclear. But some scientists believe that it is due to the hormones present in cow's milk. Even milk from cows that do not receive hormone treatments contains some natural hormones.

Other Factors

There are many other things that are said to contribute to acne. One is that women often experience using the wrong cosmetics. Some makeup is greasy and can block pores, facilitating the formation of pimples. This problem can be avoided by using cosmetics that are marked as non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic.

Skin irritation is also known to be a factor in acne. This can occur as a result of scrubbing, chafing, or squeezing existing pimples. As with the cosmetics, these things can make it easier for pores to become clogged.

There is much that is not known about acne, but there are many natural acne treatment options available today. Those chronic acne sufferers who are predisposed to acne may not have the benefit of a cure, but these home remedy for pimples treatments can often greatly reduce or even eliminate breakouts altogether. Some of this remedies can even free you of acne without using drugs within 3 days.

About the Author

To read more about how to get rid of acne please read my blogs at:

http://www.whatcausesacne.findtipshere.com

http://www.whatisacne.findtipshere.com

http://findtipshere.com/

Natural Way to Reduce Stress

2008-04-26T18:33:00.000+01:00

Experts say that stress is normal thing, and we can agree: daily life is sometimes filled by things you dislike. Stress is something natural. Though, we would feel better if we can deal with those sources of stress, so that we can make our days feel better. Moreover, we can handle our stressing situations without relying too much to pills. Coping with those sources, we have greater opportunity to deal with stress in natural ways, reduce usage of chemical substances; in short, live a healthy lifestyle (LOHAS, lifestyle of health and sustainability).

Get rid of the sources as many as possible. If your desk is messed with scattered papers, rearrange them. If something disheartens on the way to your daily workplace, try to take another way to the same place. Sort out disordered things in your home by selecting the useful ones and throwing away the things that bother you. Make your life simple by eliminating those complicated things.

Be a realistic one. It's a good idea what are your more-and-less habits. You don't have to make a too-high goals for yourself, you too are able to cut down the laziness or too-slow habit that eventually will make you feel guilty. Make a list and try to set a happy daily targets.

Predict some stressing situations, and evade them. If you are asked by friend to play chess and you feel it would be uneasy for you, decline the invitation. If you know that chess is something stressing for you, you have no reason to play it.

Rivalry with others, whether in achievement, look or wealth is often disturbing. Try to avoid provocation on such issues and build your own setting or condition where you are in power of yourself. You don't have to do things you actually don't need to, even do it driven by envy. So, stay secure with yourself.

Do one thing in one time. When you are having your breakfast, you don't have to watch television or reading your morning newspaper. It really helpful if you feel good in doing one thing totally, in a full enjoyment.

If you feel that you are stressed until you are physically disturbed (headaches, stomachaches or feeling restless), see the physician or therapist. There are experts to help you accurately

About the Author

Ozie Klein is health and natural consultant. He is enthusiast for environmental issues and tips. Get cool infos at his site, http://lohasian.blogspot.com

How to Diagnose Yeast Infection in Males before Time Runs Out

2008-04-25T10:19:00.001+01:00

What are the possibilities for a diagnosis of yeast infection (male candidiasis)? This question is of critical importance because a diagnosis of male yeast infection done in time is a necessary requirement for treating this ailment and preventing further damage to your body.

Doctors and other medical staff identify different types of candidiasis either by microscopic scrutiny or using cultures. These methods must be done in the laboratory and therefore cannot be done in a patient's home. Nevertheless, a patient can still do an initial diagnosis using a simple questionnaire concerning candidiasis symptoms and then afterwards check with a certified doctor.

The local appearance of yeast infection in males belies a more complicated underlying problem that is caused by the microbes that we call candida. In nature about 150 candida species exist, but there are only a dozen of these that can be considered to cause yeast infections in your body. These yeast bacteria are present in many areas of your body such as the genitals, the gut, the mouth and the throat. For healthy people, these bacteria are controlled by the beneficial flora in your gut.

However, under certain conditions, the yeast can multiply extremely fast and changed into a fungal form. Many factors contribute to this process. They include things like a compromised immune system (the immune system must function correctly in order to combat Candida microorganism), diet habits that are unhealthy (refined carbohydrates and sweets all feed the candida species, and therefore consumption of these food components can contribute to the overgrowth of Candida), excessive acidity in the gut (this provides an ideal context for Candida speeches as well as other parasites). It is used in the fungal form that causes candida infections, which can also become systemic by installing themselves all over the body, or can remain local.

One of the most common subtypes of candidiasis is yeast infection in males. It is the identification of certain local and systemic symptoms that allows for a self-diagnosis of male candidiasis to be made. There are several common local symptoms. They may be burning sensations during sex, prostate problems, jock itch, urination that hurts, the head of the penis itches or even more severe problems. Then may also be visual signs such as a red rash on the penis head with a discharge that is thick and white or dry, itchy, flaky skin. Symptoms which are systemic may include problems related to digestion, such as very loose stools, chronic constipation, or recurring diarrhea. There may also be a lack of get up and go, incessant tiredness and lethargy, sexual problems, and strange desires for sweets or refined carbohydrates.

The classical approach of medication includes over the counter creams and pills to try to treat male candidiasis. But, as male candidiasis is only the manifestation of these symptoms, there is a much more serious inner problem to be solved. Candida infection is really brought on by a large number of these inner aspects. Medication only has a temporary alleviation effect and may also cause significant side effects.

Did anyone tell you that yeast infection in males could be cured by first dealing with the underlying reasons that are behind it? It is a holistic all-natural program which will work the best for this and which is often the only approach to combat the internal conditions provoking candida infection. The holistic approach brings back healthy inner balance by using the right lifestyle and dietary habits, cleansing, and detox, and the consumption of herbal supplements against yeast. This holistic agenda is the only way that has been proven to treat male yeast infection in safety and with the effectiveness to make sure all that it does not come back.

About the Author

Linda Allen is a health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book Yeast Infection No More . To Learn More About How to Diagnose Male Yeast Infection Visit: How to Diagnose Male Yeast Infection

What are Common Causes of Female Hair Loss?

2008-04-23T15:19:00.000+01:00

As a woman, losing ones hair can be devastating. A woman's hair is more important to her than it is to a man. She also does not expect her hair to become thin, or fall out, in the same way that a man might. When this happens, she can become upset or depressed. Why would a woman's hair fall out? There are many reasons, both natural and triggered by other factors that lead to hair loss in women.

What could cause female hair loss? There are several different factors that can lead to this unfortunate condition. They include childbirth, taking medications with hair loss as a side effect, diseases which cause hair loss, and several other factors. There are also causes of hair loss linked to exposure, but they are very rare, and are usually caught quickly.

You might ask why this has happened to you, and why it has struck now. Hair loss in women is not a standard or set occurrence. It can happen at any time, for any of the reasons above. No, it doesn't only happen it men, but don't worry; there are several cosmetic or corrective procedures that can save your appearance and confidence.

What are the causes of natural female hair loss? They are: - The normal hair loss which happens everyday - Hair loss which occurs because of some hair styles - Childbirth

Each day, every person loses some hair, which is natural. Hair has a growth cycle of two to six years, followed by a brief rest period. Eventually, it falls out. Some of your hair will be at the end of this cycle each day, and will fall out. New hair will then begin to grow from its place, which means that no permanent loss or thinning takes place.

Your hairstyle can also be a cause of hair loss in some women. A tight style, such as a severe ponytail, tugs on and irritates the follicle, which then causes that follicle to die. To solve this type of hair loss issue, you can simple wear your hair down or more loosely.

Another reason for female hair loss is the birth of a child. During pregnancy, some of the hormones released lead to healthier hair. After the child is born, these hormones cease production, leading to hair loss. In most women, the loss of hair isn't noticeable, but it can be very noticeable for others.

Why are you experiencing female hair loss? The cause could be any of the reasons mentioned above. These are the easiest to notice, and to deal with. However, if none of these reasons applies to you, you may need to consider other factors, such as disease, which could be contributing to your hair loss.

About the Author

Rex Magnum, trained in the general knowledge and treatment of hair loss disorders and is dedicated in disseminating information about hair loss, which may be a help if you are looking for a hair loss expert.

Sleep Pills: Pros and Cons to Consider

2008-04-22T12:47:00.000+01:00

At some point in time, you would find yourself asking if you have to take sleeping pills in order to help you cope with the symptoms and effects of insomnia. You are not alone. A lot of people out there are also asking this type of question to themselves.

Before going out to buy any type of over the counter sleep medicine or taking out that prescription of sleeping pill that your doctor have given you, make sure that you list down all the significant point of consideration in taking the plunge, or in this case, popping the pill.

Remember that many kind of conditions cause insomnia. Old age, depression, anxiety, stress, pregnancy and menopause in women, jet lag, shift work, are conditions that usually cause you to feel various symptoms of insomnia, at diverse levels and periods. Aside from such conditions, insomnia can also be due to another type of sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea being one of the foremost sleep disorders that can also trigger insomnia sleep disorder.

Furthermore, some things in your lifestyle and habits can also lead to sleep deprivation or sleeplessness. Situations like excessive intake of caffeine, substance abuse, and alcohol addiction can lead to insomnia, among other health troubles. Meanwhile, you may be affected with a health or medical condition, which you are not aware of yet, but is manifesting itself through insomnia symptoms.

After having a clear diagnosis of your condition and rooting out the particular causes of your insomnia, your doctor would start giving you recommendations for its treatment.

One of the options he would likely give you is providing a prescription for several types of sleeping pills. This is so, unless you have an underlying medical condition. In this case, what is important is treating that other medical condition, instead of focusing on treating the insomnia, itself. Most probably, your doctor would be sending you off to see another specialist in this case.

Now, it would entirely depend on you if you would take your doctor's word of recommendation on which sleeping pill to take. You need to think about several factors carefully before making a final decision.

First, remember that these sleep pills would only offer you a quick or instant relief from the symptoms of insomnia, like the inability to fall asleep. Oftentimes, you would be able to fall asleep, but somehow, you will still not be able to continue staying so. Because the chemical properties of the sleep pills interfere differently with the sleep controls of your brain, it is not surprising if you become wakeful in the nighttime even with taking a sleeping pill.

In addition, if your insomnia is largely because of the way, your lifestyle is and the various unhealthy sleep habits that you keep, then it is much better to concentrate on changing these habits and consider making lifestyle adjustments in order to improve your sleep. Gradually, you would also be totally healed of your insomnia.

However, if you cannot cope well on the effects of having to change your lifestyle, behaviors and habits, you can probably consider taking sleeping pills for only a short while.

Keep in mind that most sleeping pills have addictive properties, after prolonged use, or after a certain period of using them, you might find yourself being able to sleep without taking such and needing higher doses of it. Your body can develop tolerance for it and later, you will find that the usual dose do not work anymore on you. Moreover, if you stop taking them, you start to feel withdrawal symptoms.

Make sure that you have covered all these factors and are adequately prepared for unpleasant effects when taking sleeping pills.

About the Author

Gerrard Mackenzie is the author of the eBook Supercharge Your Sleep and has taught thousands of the stressed-out, tired and overworked how to overcome their sleeping difficulties and get a better night's rest. He is also a great promoter of the power nap.

The Hair Loss Culprit: Meet DHT

2008-04-21T15:40:00.001+01:00

An estimated 85 million men and women in the United States are suffering from hereditary hair thinning. That's nearly 1 out of every 3 people. Yet the cause is no longer a mystery. Science has at last singled out the culprit.

Meet DHT, or dihydrotestostrone. DHT is a hormonal byproduct. It is produced from testosterone, a male hormone present in both men and women in different amounts, with the help of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT causes hair loss by binding itself to the hair follicles, retarding their growth and cutting them off from the blood supply. DHT literally shrinks the hair follicles, thinning hair more and more until baldness results.

Scientists have determined, presumably through long and laborious hours of counting, that we all have, on average, 100,000 hairs on our heads. Normal hair growth follows a three phase cycle. Ninety percent of the hairs on your head at this moment, or about 90,000, are in the growth phase. This phase lasts from two to six years. During the second phase, which lasts for a few weeks, the hairs that are ready to end their life cycle stop growing and instead starts getting thinner. The follicle shrinks. The final phase, lasting from two to four months, is when the thinned hair falls out to make room for a new hair to begin the growth cycle all over again. You shed about 100 hairs a day in this natural process. But DHT has been found to shorten the natural length of the growth phase, causing untimely hair loss and shrinkage of the hair follicles and ultimately leading to thinning hair.

The key to preventing hair loss then is to block the chemical conversion of testosterone to DHT. Remember that pesky 5-alpha reductase enzyme is responsible for this conversion.

In shopping for a product to prevent and reverse hair loss there are a number of key ingredients that you should look for: * The first is nettle root. Nettle root does just what you want; it blocks 5-alpha reductase which helps transform testosterone into DHT. * Saw Palmetto extract has also been shown to reduce both 5-alpha reductase and DHT. It actually blocks the receptor sites that are required for the absorption of DHT rendering it harmless. * You also want to be sure you are getting a good spectrum of the all important B vitamins. Deficiency in certain B vitamins such as biotin and vitamin B6 has been shown to cause hair loss. * Zinc is another important mineral. Zinc can actually increase hair density and reverse hair loss. * And extracts of pumpkin and Siberian ginseng can cut DHT off at the pass by acting directly against testosterone and other stress hormones that are converted to DHT.

Thanks to advances in science, the cause of hair loss is no longer a mystery. And the cure is now within your grasp.

For more information on remedies for hair loss containing the ingredients discussed in this article, please visit the totalhealthanswers.com website.

Please click here to find out more about preventing and reversing hair loss.

About the Author

Annette Rogers is a writer based out of northern California. She has worked as a researcher and ghost writer on a number of health related books and has authored numerous articles on the topic of health and fitness. She specializes in keeping abreast of the latest trends and breakthroughs in her area of expertise.

Smokeless Tobacco Continues To Cause Tooth Decay And Mouth Cancer

2008-04-20T07:53:00.000+01:00

Many articles have been published detailing the danger of smokeless tobacco. Yet there are those people that still hold to the false belief that tooth decay and mouth cancer can be stopped by good dental hygiene.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a government agency dealing with oral health, "there is no evidence that brushing and flossing will undo the harm that dip and chew are doing to your teeth and gums."

Spit tobacco can be many different forms. It may be in powder form such as snuff. It could be "chew" tobacco in a leaf form, loose or twisted, dry or moist. But whatever the name, it is still tobacco.

The tobacco industry prefers to call it smokeless tobacco. The name gives lulls you into the feeling that this type of tobacco consumption is not as bad as cigarettes or other types of tobacco smoking materials. Do not be fooled. This type of tobacco can be devastating to not only your dental hygiene, but also your health in general.

Consider some of the things that spit tobacco can cause.

Cancer of the mouth tops the list as the most dangerous of the effects. It is no respecter of age. This self-induced disease attacks the young as well as the old.

The U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, M.D., in 1986 declared that "smokeless tobacco represents a significant health risk. It is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. It can cause cancer..."

Since those that chew or dip leave the tobacco in their mouth for extended periods of time, usually in the same place, this can cause the gums to pull away from the tooth in that area. When the gums pull away from the tooth, sensitive tooth roots are exposed providing an access to the root for any number of problems; sensitivity, decay and infection just to name a few.

Another of those problems is the side effect of the sugar contained in spit tobacco. The longer sugar remains in the mouth the more damage it will do. The extended periods that spit tobacco remains in the mouth provide a perfect opportunity for the sugars to work on the tooth root, causing massive tooth decay.

Many sports figures, as positive influences to youth, are speaking out against spit tobacco. Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins American League winner of the Gold Glove award, six years in a row has come out strong against spit tobacco. Olympic gold medal winners, Picabo Street (alpine skiing) and Dominique Dawes (gymnastics) have lent the weight of their names to the campaign against spit tobacco along with the mega-star Jackie Chan.

Spit tobacco does cause harm, sometimes deadly, to whoever may use it. No matter how much we brush or floss; the effects cannot be overcome unless the habit is stopped.

If you are currently using spit tobacco and want to quit, there are some excellent guidelines given by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Click on this link for a step-by-step guide: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/SpitTobacco/SpitTobaccoAGuideforQuitting.htm Follow the guidelines, quit or help someone quit. This is a dental health problem that we have the power to end.

About the Author

Don Robertson is co-founder of Benefit Discount Services. Through his company he provides significant Dental discounts to his customers. You can learn more by going to http://www.webenefityou.com.

What Can Cause a Panic Attack?

2008-04-19T10:09:00.000+01:00

No one knows for certain what causes panic attacks to occur, however a number of factors have been identified by researchers. These factors include genetics, physical illness and/or taking medications that affect the part of the brain that handles fear, major life stresses, and psychological disorders.

Panic attacks are the body's biological alarm that allows people to appropriately and quickly respond to an immediate threat to their health or their life. It's a survival mechanism that is deeply programmed into our psyche. Unfortunately some people are susceptible to this mechanism being triggered unnecessarily when there's no imminent danger.

** Genetics **

Panic attacks are the most common psychiatric illness in the U.S. Panic attacks are twice as common in women as in men. Research has found that panic disorder appears to run in families, indicating that genetics may play a very strong part in a person's risk of developing panic disorder.

** Stress **

The most common precursor to a panic attack is when life stress levels have risen dramatically in a person's life. This may be an illness in the family, a job change or job loss, or any other major change that creates an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty and anxiety in a person's life. It is known that people who have tendencies to take on excessive responsibility tend to suffer most often from panic attacks.

Another cause of panic disorder is also an underlying psychological condition called PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Studies have shown that people who suffer from PTSD exhibit a far higher rate of panic disorder than the rest of the population. While the causes of panic disorder are unknown, this correlation seems to indicate that stress plays a tremendous part in the triggering of a panic attack.

** Physical Illness and Medication **

Many times, the initial panic attack a person experiences may not be related to stress at all. Sometimes the attack is purely biological. Anyone who suffers from an illness that induces symptoms similar to panic or anxiety can trigger a panic attack. This is even more likely when medications are being taken that has side effects that might affect body or brain chemistry which might induce feelings of fear, anxiety or panic. Once those feelings are triggered, if they can not be managed properly, and the feelings and thoughts can very easily snowball into a full-blown panic attack.

One example is hypoglycemia - a condition where insulin receptors in the brain malfunction, which alters the production of glucose into energy for the brain. This lack of energy causes the brain to signal the adrenal glands for more adrenaline for energy. While the adrenaline is a survival tool that the body uses to prevent brain starvation, an unfortunate side-effect is that adrenaline will also likely trigger a panic attack.

** Hyperventilation **

While hyperventilation is a panic attack symptom, it can also be a cause. It stems from the body having too much oxygen. In order to use oxygen absorbed into your blood, your body needs a certain level of carbon dioxide. When people don't breathe properly, or they breathe shallower due to nervousness or highly stressful situations, they do not allow the body to retain enough carbon dioxide, and as result, their body can not extract needed oxygen from the bloodstream.

Improper breathing, especially during difficult or stressful times, can contribute greatly to the onset of a panic attack unless breathing is slowed and relaxation techniques are practiced.

About the Author

George Goodman is an ex panic attack sufferer who now operates the website stopmypanicattack.com

Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell, Basal Cell Carcinoma

2008-04-18T16:41:00.000+01:00

Skin cancer is generally separated into two main categories, melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. The nonmelanoma group encompasses all other skin cancers. The two most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma, are named for the squamous or basal cells which become cancerous.

The top layer of skin, the epidermis, is made up of basal and squamous cells. The surface of the skin is made of round, flat squamous cells, and below these are the basal cells. Hair follicles and sweat glands are in the dermis below the epidermis.

Treatment of basal or squamous cell carcinoma is usually very successful with no side effects if caught early enough. Since symptoms first appear on the skin, detection of skin cancer in its earliest stage of development is possible if you recognize it. These common cancers can be surgically removed if they have not advanced, making aggressive therapy unnecessary. The danger is in not recognizing the symptoms and not going to a doctor, or in contracting skin cancer in a place you wouldnâ€™t normally see it and failing to find it before it metastasizes. To avoid this, you should do regular skin self-examinations, checking for any possible skin cancer symptoms. If you find a small lump, rash, or sore which does not heal, you should ask your doctor if it may be skin cancer.

Melanoma is named for the melanocyte cells which give pigment to the skin and can become cancerous. These cells are located between the dermis and epidermis, and can form benign growths known as nevi, or moles. This occurs when the melanocyte cells reproduce too fast or fail to die, and accumulate into harmless growths which do not spread like cancer does. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles throughout their skin, but having a significantly higher number of nevi is a risk factor for melanoma, as is having dysplastic, or irregularly shaped, nevi. If new moles form, or if changes occur in existing moles, especially dysplastic nevi, you should see a doctor because this may be a symptom of melanoma. Watch for any changes in the skin surrounding a mole, or in the size, shape, or color of the mole.

Generally, if you have a skin anomaly which may be skin cancer, your doctor will perform a biopsy. If the possible tumor can be conveniently removed, the doctor will remove it completely and test it for cancer. No further treatment may be necessary; if the cancer has progressed, you may need topical radiation or chemotherapy, the surgical removal of local lymph nodes, or more aggressive treatment if the cancer has metastasized. If it is not treated, wandering cancerous skin cells can travel through the body and create additional tumors in other organs or systems.

Any kind of skin cancer, squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma, should be treated as soon as it is discovered in order to prevent metastasis.

About the Author

To learn much more on Melanoma,Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell, Basal Cell Carcinoma types of skin cancer , visit http://www.SkinCancer-101.com where you'll find this and much more, including important information

Hair Loss and Hormones - It's No Big Secret

2008-04-17T13:01:00.000+01:00

Hair loss has constantly been prevalent among people who live in urban areas, both for men as well as women. Because this is an old problem, new treatments are being explored every day. Hair loss has been linked to numerous elements, one of which is hormones. The connection between hormones and hair loss has perpetually been something in debate, particularly among older men and women.

But to what extent hormones can induce hair loss, in reality, is not actually known. It is still hard to say whether the hormonal problems are one of the principal suspects of hair loss, though experts say it is probably a very minor cause of the problem.

In numerous cases, hormones are suspected to be the only reason for hair loss. And hormones and hair loss in this context would be quite naturally refer to baldness in men, which is in fact the most prevalent type of hair loss.

Men and Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones and hair loss in men is frequently genetic. For men, hair loss occurs when there is a correlation among the main hormones which deviates from the normal levels contained within the body. This means that hormones and hair loss here refers to the imbalance of hormones, instead of the lack of it.

Men typically begin to develop baldness when their scalp becomes excessively sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This DHT is in reality a product of testosterone that makes the hair follicles everywhere around the body to shrink and, eventually this has the effect of preventing hair from growing again. This problem occurs in women as well.

Women and Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones and hair loss in women are also linked. In women, hormonal imbalance is a major cause of hair loss in the period of menopause as well as pregnancy. During the period of menopause, as we are aware, the ovaries stop working and the level of the male hormone testosterone climbs significantly.

It is then followed by lower estrogen levels, and because of all these factors, hair loss occurs. Estrogen is known to block in a natural way the adverse effects of androgens on your hair, and a deficiency of it would promote the effects of androgen more.

Hormones and hair loss is also linked to another effect in addition to the two above, and in this instance, it is common among both men and women. Thyroxin, which is made by the thyroid glands, when in excess levels in the body will also lead to hair loss as well.

About the Author

Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of health. If you would like to learn more go to Stress and Hair Loss advice and at Hair Loss Treatment for Women tips.

Tips For Stress Management

2008-04-16T17:15:00.000+01:00

Not all stress is negative. Stress can start and catalyze a positive change, help you in focusing the task at hand, and in some cases can even save your life. Although a build up of stress can result in major risks. Do not let stress accumulate otherwise the result can be fatal.

There are tips and steps in managing your stress. The first thing you need to do is determine and understand the cause of your stress or the stressors. By recognizing the stressors, you can nail them on the wall and deal with them one by one.

Learn How To Breathe And Relax

Oxygen is very important to the body. Taking a deep breath adds oxygen to the system, which can help you relax. Learning how to breathe can help you maintain your self-control in a stressful situation.

Just start by taking a deep breath. Stand up and stretch. Always remember that the opposite of stress is relaxation. Take a short walk, get a cup of coffee and do something that can change your focus. Try smiling and take a short moment focusing on something else other than your problem. By the time you get back to your problem, it would become manageable.

Be Positive And Enjoy The Good Things In Life

When you let stressful events build up, you can forget to enjoy the good things of life. Remember that life offers more things other than work. Reserve some time to actually recognize the good things in your life. Every situation has both pros and cons. List them both, put them away and take a second look tomorrow. Sleeping on a situation can sometimes changes disadvantages to advantages.

Everything in this world exists in a balance. Negative can never occur without the positive. Learn to find good in your stressful situation and try to change every negative events into positive.

Understand Yourself And Know Your Limitations

To manage stress effectively, it is very important to know yourself and your limitations. Sometimes, learning to say "No" can spare you from stress build up. If you are in a working environment, do not just accept work loads if you think you don't have enough time to manage them. By recognizing your limitations, you can avoid situations that can can lead to backlogs and piling of works.

Most situations have the potential to get out of control. Always be positive and refrain from blaming yourself. If you continuously beat yourself with guilt, not only will you not be able to manage your stress but worsen the situation.

People who use and resort to drugs and alcohol to avoid facing their problems usually find themselves end up in a rehabilitation program. One major stress management tip is asking help from friends, family or colleagues. Always remember that you are not alone and there are always people around you willing to lend a helping hand. There are professionals and self-help books that can help you in beating stress.

There are many other ways to help you manage your stress. For example, reading your favorite book can help you putting the problem away from your mind. Taking a warm bath and watching your favorite movie can also help you to beat stress. Managing and planning your time by prioritizing the most important things first is a very effective way to prevent stress from building up in the first place.

For more article on stress management, visit: Ease Your Stress Now.

About the Author

This article is the property of Ease Stress Now. It may only be distributed if everything stays attached and all hyperlinks are active. Copyright © 2008 Leon Lioe.

Top 10 Ways to Manage Anxiety

2008-04-15T10:49:00.000+01:00

Anxiety is a normal reaction to fear when changes and uncertainty occur. When anxiety occurs, it is often marked by physical symptoms, such as sweating, tension and increased heart rate. This can happen when you are having financial, health, family or work-related problems.

Anxiety disorders, which affect about 6.8 million adults, are serious problems but the good news is you can overcome anxiety. If you happen to be one of the many adults with this disorder, here are ten ways that will hopefully help you to manage your anxiety.

1. Control Your Anxiety With Breathing Exercises

You may not realize it, but when you are having an anxiety attack, your breathing speeds up and sometimes gets very irregular.Once you are calm again, your breathing slows down.

Learn some breathing methods and take time out everyday and practice them regularly. Come on and take a deep breath and count to 10. Controlling your breathing may be a major step in your overcoming anxiety.

2. Overcome Your Anxiety by Taking Action

A healthy response to overcoming anxiety is to take action. First, try to pinpoint exactly what the cause of your anxiety is and then write it down. If you think the problem is under your control, compile a list of ways you can solve the problem and then "Take Action."

Taking the responsibility of solving your own problem will help you tremendously in dealing with future anxiety.

3. Let Your Fear Anxiety Go

You thought your problem was solved, but not completely. You did all you felt like you could do, so just "Let It Go" and look to the future.

Focus on things that will give you a peaceful feeling such as listening to music, praying, exercising or just sitting back and reading a good book. 4. Overcome Anxiety by Improving Your Self-Esteem

If you don't think highly of yourself, it will be even harder for others to think highly of you. Don't try to be perfect, just do your best and l be proud of your accomplishments.

Always think positive and make that negative thought go away by replacing it with a positive one. Don't criticize yourself, instead think of all the good things you can say about yourself and what you accomplished when faced with past anxiety fears.

5.. Join an Anxiety Support Group

When you are faced with any kind of problem, share your feelings with someone who is facing the same dilemma.

Join an anxiety support group and get encouragement from others who are dealing with anxiety. You will also feel better about opening up with them about your fears, because you know they will understand what you are going through.

6. Avoid Anxiety by Taking Care of Yourself

When dealing with anxiety, it is very important that you continue taking care of both your body and mind. You should always eat a well-balanced diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains.

Keep a journal of the foods you eat, because anxiety attacks can be triggered by food allergies Stay away from sugar, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. All of these can bring on anxiety and panic attacks.

To help overcome your anxiety, exercise daily, get plenty of rest and most all, " RELAX."

7. Don't Worry About Tomorrow

Focus on what is going on in your life today instead of worrying about next week or next month. Many support groups have even made "One Day At a Time" their motto.

Always remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount "Tomorrow Will Worry About its Own Things." So take one day at a time and each day learn a new way to deal with your anxiety.

8. Stay Active While Experiencing Anxiety

Stick to your normal routine when dealing with anxiety. Continue going to school, going to work, daily walks,grocery shopping and any other activities you do on a daily basis. Spend more time with that special friend who you can talk to openly about your fear anxiety. If you are not too far away, walk to work or school everyday to help release some of that tension building up.

9. Overcome Your Anxiety By Breaking Your Daily Routine

Doing the same thing day after day only adds to your anxiety problem. Surprise everyone, even yourself, and break your daily routine one day and do something totally out of the ordinary.

Take that ski trip to the mountains you have always dreamed of or for even more excitement, experience the thrill of an airplane ride. If these are too melodramatic for you, just choose an activity that is totally not you and feel your anxiety gradually disappear.

10. Seek Medical Help for Your Anxiety Disorder

If you have tried all of the above, and still have not overcome your anxiety fears, visit your local doctor and ask him for some advice on dealing with your anxiety.

Your doctor may recommend talking to a therapist or prescribe anxiety medication.

Most important is for you to take action and deal with your problem. Don't be afraid to face your fears and most of all "Don't Give Up."

And don't forget about your children, because they also experience fear anxiety frequently.

About the Author

Bob Pardue is owner of the High Anxiety stress info site. Learn more about treating anxiety by visiting http://www.high-anxiety.net now ...

Bad Food for Diabetics: Are You Eating Them Unaware?

2008-04-14T11:33:00.001+01:00

There's no one diet for diabetes. General guidelines exist, such as "eat less fat and saturated fat" and "eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.".Your diabetes meal plan must be based on your individual needs. When it comes to what to eat and what not to eat for diabetics, advice is abundance. With so much well meaning advice from various sources, it can be difficult to determine what food you should be including as part of your diabetic diet. Instead of what we should eat, why don't we start with the types bad food for diabetics?

Basically, a diet low in saturated fat with well controlled blood glucose levels that incorporates weight control, exercise and fewer refined sugars is recommended. Controlling blood glucose levels with diet, and in some cases medication, is the key. To keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic diet strikes a balance among the carbohydrates, fats, and protein you take in. In addition, a 1,500-calorie diabetic diet restricts calories and fat. These fruits helps to control blood sugar, levels. Due to their low glycaemic index, they promote a gradual increase in the blood sugar level which is highly beneficial to diabetics.

Carbohydrates encompass a broad range of foods, including table sugar, fruits and vegetables, and grains such as rice and wheat. Carbohydrates (be it potato or table sugar) typically take from five minutes to three hours to digest, whereas protein takes three to six hours and fat can take eight or more hours. That's why different foods have different effects on blood sugar, such as why ice cream (higher in fat) raises blood sugar levels more slowly than potatoes. Carbohydrate choices should come from whole grains breads or cereals, pasta, brown rice, beans, fruits and vegetables. Increasing dietary fiber is a general guideline for the entire population rather than specifically for people with diabetes. Avoid simple, processed, and concentrated carbohydrates. Highly processed carbohydrates in packaged food such as, fast food, white bread, and white flour products, have a high glycemic index that causes spikes in sugar levels. Sugar and refined carbohydrates are undeniably linked to diabetes.

Beware of sugar-free cookies and other products made for diabetics. Even though they're sugar-free, they may contain trans fats or have more fats than their sugary counterparts. Sugary foods are fattening. Many foods that have a lot of table sugar are very high in calories and fat. Sugar-free candy as well as as other products using the term "sugar-free" should be evaluated for total carbohydrate content. Sugar alcohols, though listed by their weight content within the food as listed in the Nutrition Facts panel, are not metabolized (broken down and used for energy) the way true sugars are.

If you have alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach, they can make your blood glucose level go too low. Alcoholic drinks also can raise your blood fats. Many people do not realize that milk can raise the blood sugar, because it doesn't taste sweet?, but it does contain lactose, which will turn to glucose. One container of sugar free, fat free yogurt is also equal to one carb choice.

Eating good quality foods that are high in nutrients and fiber can help normalize blood sugars. Working with a doctor and being vigilant about diet can make a difference in the long-term health of a person living with diabetes. Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables may satisfy sugar cravings without jeopardizing sugar levels; the fiber in fruits, vegetables, and grains can regulate how quickly sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.

The ideal diet for people with diabetes aims to maintain a balance between sugars, fibers, fats and salt. No foods are completely forbidden but some foods, especially sugars, fats and salt need to be consumed in restricted quantities. Learning about Diabetes and making the right lifestyle changes, can help you maintain blood glucose and blood fat levels as close to normal as possible, as well as maintaining a reasonable body weight. All of these factors will help you to reduce the risk of developing the serious complications of Diabetes. Fat should be removed before cooking.

About the Author

Following diabetic restrictions does not mean boring and mundane diet. Knowing what to eat and how much is the key to a healthy diabetic diet. Visit FreeRecipesForDiabetics.com to get free recipes for diabetic diet, meal plans, diabetic food grocery list as well as diabetic diet tips.

Vitamins E And C - Effective Against The Common Cold?

2008-04-13T07:51:00.000+01:00

Most people are now familiar with the idea that vitamin C may help protect against and mitigate the symptoms of the common cold, although this theory is by no means universally accepted by orthodox medical opinion. But there's now evidence that supplements of vitamin E may also play a role in reducing the incidence of infection; leading some commentators to propose that combined supplements of vitamins C and E may be highly effective both as prevention and treatment.

Various recent research studies have suggested that supplementation with 200 UI of vitamin E, or 1,000 mg of vitamin C may reduce the incidence of colds by between 20 and 25%, although double-blind/placebo experiments have not always been able to confirm these results. But even if one remains sceptical about the value of vitamins E and C as weapons for combatting the common cold specifically, there's no doubt that both are highly important in ensuring the optimal health of the immune system in general, and can therefore only be of value in warding off the worst effects of this annoying, albeit usually minor illness.

And there's particularly good evidence that vitamin E functions as a general immune system booster, preserving vital red blood cells and stimulating the body's production of natural antibodies, effects which have been shown to be particularly pronounced and important in the over 60s, whose immune systems are commonly beginning to function less effectively than those of younger people. Moreover, vitamins C and E are probably the body's two most important anti-oxidants, liquid and fat-soluble respectively, and crucial in protecting against the free radical damage to cells and tissue which left unchecked can lead to premature signs of ageing, and even the degenerative diseases which cause much of the misery associated with advancing years. So for their anti-oxidant functions alone it would be more than worthwhile to ensure an abundant supply of both of these vitamins.

When considering supplementation with vitamin E it is important to look for the tocopherol form, usually d-alpha tocopherol, which most closely replicates the naturally occurring form of the vitamin in foods such as wheatgerm, dairy produce oily fish and certain nuts and seeds.

As is well known, by far the best food sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and juices. But to obtain the kind of intakes generally recommended for optimal health and the prevention of colds and other infections, which most nutritional therapists set at least 1,000 mg (1gram) per day, it is probably necessary to supplement. Fortunately, ascorbate, the manufactured form of vitamin C, is highly effective, particularly when combined with the plant bioflavonoids with which vitamin C is commonly found in nature. Such supplements are readily available.

Vitamin C appears to be non-toxic in almost any quantity which could plausibly be ingested, the only reported side effect being diarrhea, and even this has been observed only in cases where tens of grams have been consumed on a daily basis. Somewhat more caution needs to be exercised in the case of vitamin E because of its fat solubility. But even here, however, supplementary doses of several thousand IU per day - far in excess of the normally recommended therapeutic dose of around 400 IU, appear to be very safe. The only likely contra-indication arises because of vitamin E's action as an anti-coagulant, meaning that it should not be taken before surgey or when taking any prescribed blood thinning medication. As always in matters of nutrition, however, it is crucial to adopt a holistic approach. And both vitamins E and C will require the presence of an abundant supply of all the vitamins and minerals required by the body if they are to do their work effectively. Even orthodox opinion, therefore, whilst ordinarily inclined to cast doubt upon the therapeutic claims of nutritional therapists, commonly recommends a comprehensive multi-vitamin and multi-mineral suppplement as a valuable element in a daily regime for optimal health.

About the Author

Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in direct marketing and with a particular interest in health products. Find out more about vitamins, minerals and liquid nutrition at Sisyphus Publications Online

Should You Give Your Child A Multi-Vitamin?

2008-04-13T07:47:00.001+01:00

Many people wonder if children should take a daily multivitamin. Experts from the Mayo Clinic disagree on whether it's necessary for all children, but why skip a multivitamin and take the chance of children not getting the proper nutrition? Children need their multiple vitamins as much as adults do, or even more. Government surveys have found that 90% of American adults do not get the recommended amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, so one can only image how much worse our children are eating.

Foods that are fortified are often pale imitations of the original whole foods, as nutrients have been stripped away by the processing that occurs. These foods rarely add nutrition similar to anything whole foods would have contained. The medical journal JAMA, recommends that most Americans take a daily vitamin. Unless your children have access to balanced meals at every mealtime, supplementing with multivitamin can be looked at as a cheap health insurance for your children. It is difficult for parents to make sure that children get the nutrition that they need, as event he most vigilant parents cannot be 100% sure that their children are getting all the nutrients that they need each and every day.

Actually, according to the USDA, 80% of children and adolescents eat less than the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, while about half of all children aren't getting enough calcium in their diets. A recent survey found that children between ages two and eighteen receive only about 40% of the daily value for vitamin A, 30% of the daily value for vitamin E, and 60% of the daily value for magnesium. The average American child also consumes insufficient quantities of other essential nutrients including iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. Although these deficiencies are not pronounced, if they are not corrected, over time they can rob a child of reaching his or her full potential as they impair growth, hinder immune defenses, and produce a wide range of shortcomings that are associated with marginal deficiencies.

Parents know that taste is extremely important to kids. Thankfully, the days of bad tasting vitamin tablets are over as there are now great tasting supplements on the market for kids. Parents should look for reputable manufactures by reviewing the packaging, checking online, and evaluating third party reviews or recommendations when choosing a multivitamin for their children. Most parents are primarily concerned with the cost, flavor, potency, and ingredients of multivitamins. One thing that is important to mention is that teenagers can use adult potency vitamins, although some may prefer children's formulations due to better taste and easy administered forms.

When choosing a multivitamin, parents need to be aware that all vitamins are not equal. Therefore, it is important to look for quality and always be aware that natural vitamins and minerals are absorbed and assimilated better. Although they are not new to the market, omega-3 fatty acids for children are exciting right now, as research has found that they are helpful in proper brain development and mental acuity in children.

Parents are looking for organic ingredients, not necessarily new ingredients, for their children. However, parents need to be aware that vitamins and minerals cannot be certified as organically grown; just because they may be prepared in an organic media does not mean that they can change into something that can be organically certified. A whole food based vitamin and mineral supplement has a synergistic bonus to boost health and wellness in children as well as reduce medical bills on the parents by keeping their children healthier.

About the Author

More information on Animal Parade Children's Vitamins is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Herbal Acne Treatments - Effectively Treat Acne With Herbs

2008-04-12T18:17:00.000+01:00

Some people may consider herbal acne treatment only as a secondary measure in eliminating unwanted zits and skin blemishes. What they may not know is that so many commercial products available in the market today contain at least one herbal ingredient. Herbal acne treatment has proven through the years to be a very effective and cheap approach in keeping your skin looking radiant, fresh and beautiful.

A lot of citrus fruits contain antioxidants which help prevent skin damage and pimples. Great examples of these would be lemons and oranges. You may choose to dilute the juice of the products in warm water then directly dab the mixture on affected areas. Allow the concoction to treat the skin pores for 3 to 5 minutes then rinse with clean water afterwards.

Garlic is a proven antibacterial that you can directly rub raw on your face. A lot of hard-to-remove skin problems have successfully been treated with garlic such as boils, pimples and spots. Ingestion of citrus fruits and garlic will help cleanse the blood to prevent acne.

Another effective herbal acne treatment includes fenugreek. You can make paste out of fenugreek leaves, which you can apply on your face every night. Leave the paste on overnight then wash off with warm water the next day. Grated cucumber placed over the face and neck for 15 to 20 minutes can prevent blackheads and pimples. Other notable useful herbs for your skin are green tea, tea tree oil, lavender and golden seal. These contain anti-microbial properties that help stop and prevent infection.

Aside from herbal acne treatments, make sure you take enough vitamins and minerals to keep your skin healthy. Vitamin A and niacin have been found to effectively treat acne as well as zinc. You may take vitamin supplements of about 100 mg 2 to 3 times daily.

About the Author

Want permanent acne solutions? Grab your FREE course that reveals highly effective herbal acne treatment and prevention tips at: http://www.20daypersuasion.com/acne-secret.htm

Facts about Insomnia: Information To Help You Rest

2008-04-12T07:15:00.000+01:00

Sources of information and advice about insomnia are seemingly everywhere: magazines, websites, and TV health shows. Some of the information is valid, but individual cases are characterized by particular elements that are a vital part of the general picture and must be considered. Following are some of the most important facts about insomnia that may help you improve night sleep.

First and foremost, if you've been prescribed sleeping pills, do not take them for more than three weeks. Such drugs are only a temporary solution for the problem; they treat only the symptom of sleeplessness through a chemical reaction. The root cause of the problem needs to be addressed in order to make a lasting change. Sleeping pills are highly addictive and in some cases will worsen insomnia.

Certain chemicals in the body are responsible for good or bad sleep. Normally, a human growth hormone is secreted during the night that ensures high quality sleep. As we age, there is a decrease in the levels of this particular hormone; thus insomnia cases are more frequent with elderly people. Chronic insomnia has also been associated with low levels of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Various stress hormones may also play a significant role in sleep patterns, although there are all sorts of contradictory studies on how sleep is influenced by excessive secretion of these hormones.

Sleep is absolutely necessary for the recovery of the organs and the proper functioning of the body. Medical research about insomnia proves that sleeping disorders prevent the proper function of the immune system. Without enough sleep, fatigue and a compromised ability to fight diseases are the results. People who suffer from chronic insomnia are more prone to infections than those who have a normal sleep-wake cycle. The existent facts about sleeping disorders prove that there is a connection between high stress levels and immune system dysfunctions. Solving one problem would definitely imply improvement of the other.

There are certain foods and beverages that may cause insomnia. Those containing caffeine are the first ones to blame for sleepless nights. Facts about insomnia indicate that many people who develop sleeping disorders overuse products that contain caffeine: tea, coffee, soda or energy drinks. Furthermore, the combination of such beverages with alcohol is even more detrimental to the system, inducing a state of hyper-agitation and anxiety that is incompatible with tranquil sleep. In order to improve your night's sleep, it is of vital importance to actually identify and eliminate the behavioral patterns that are triggering the difficulties.

About the Author

Get honest and useful information about the causes and treatments for insomnia by visiting www.insomniaputtorest.com

Spring is back and so are allergies.

2008-04-11T15:06:00.001+01:00

Spring is back and so are allergies.

Spring is a difficult season for people who suffer from allergies as well as for the ones who have asthma, as it is the beginning of respiratory difficulties. In fact the temperatures getting warmer triggers the multiplication of viruses and bacteria and as we tend to open windows this circulates dusts and allergens that are in our houses. The colds, the sinusitis and earaches develop more easily and with a higher risk of infection that could bring on the necessity to have a prescription for antibiotics. The multiplication of pollens and dusts in the air increases the number of episodes for persons with asthma, forcing them to increase the frequency of their medication. The spring is therefore a period for these people and especially the children, where they see a large share of their energy being used to implement the necessary immune system response in order to protect them from these dangers present in the air. This will induce a greater fatigue and difficulties to recuperate. Furthermore the various symptoms appearing at night will disturb their rhythm of sleep and thus affect even more their general health condition. Before getting to these extremes, an effective solution is Prevention, by simply filtering the air that these sensitive persons will breathe. To a filtration targeting various pollutants (dusts, pollens, odours, smoke and dust mites) it is good to add the production of negative ions (the air's antioxidants) while ensuring that there is no secondary formation of ozone. This is precisely with this goal in mind that a Japanese company developed a powerful filter for the inside air coupled with the production of negative ions without ozone creation (respiratory irritant).

The effectiveness of their creation is confirmed by the recognition from several associations for allergies in different countries. Put on the market at the beginning of March 2008, this new device, Air wellness Pro, is available on my site and you can find information about it in the Environment section.

About the Author

I am Building an international network of wellness homes and I am looking for partners who want multiple residual income of many thousands $ per month . If you wish financial freedom , invest in your home ans share the concept with friends .

Simple Natural Steps To Cure Acne

2008-04-10T17:51:00.000+01:00

Acne is a most common problem to millions of people across the world. Suffering from acne has many disadvantages for example your spots will feel sore, you will try to pick or touch them, then after then you realize oh my I have a blemish now, people wouldn't even care to look at you nor you wish to look at yourself in the mirror.

Acne is best described in a category of spots, white-heads, pimples etc caused by bacteria on face and to eating disorder. Mostly 12- 25 yrs old suffer from acne.

Main problem is that your skin is producing very much sebum an 'oily lubricant' and the excess of it is blocking your pores. Acne can occur nearly everywhere on your body, face to arms to legs even the backside. So if you have oily skin its a higher chance of you gaining a spot, it's best to keep the skin condition balanced.

Tip: Raw potato can heal those nasty white-heads, slice a potato just a lilttle and rub it on the white-head, leave on for 15 mins for it to work and then rinse off with warm water.

Tip: Almond Oil and Tea Tree Oil plays an important role in rehydrate the skin and to help clear any sign of blemishes, apply at night just before bed.

Tip: Aloe vera, the best gift for mankind. aloe vera is the most amazing product for clear skin, it is best known as clearing away and redness, spots, bacteria, blemishes, dry skin conditions and much more. You can get aloe vera gel from good health shops or chemists.

Tip: Lemon juice helps alot when coming to blemishes and pimples just apply with a cotton wool on the deserted area, leave on 15 mins and then rinse.

Tip: Toothpaste, yes thats right toothpaste, it has an active ingredient inside that helps to reduce the swelling of spots and redness, whenever we use to get a spot, burn, redness, bruise we always applied toothpaste it helped a lot.

Make sure you keep your skin clear, try not to touch your face with dirty hands. Prevent from touching, picking or squeezing any sort of spot because you would not like it after as it forms a blemish.

There are many products out there from the high street markets and the internet selling many product to cure acne, do they work? which one works? we'll that's for you to decide after doing a good research on the product. It's best to give it a shot on the natural side of curing your acne than going for expensive products.

Drink plenty of water, eat fruit and veg daily to help you maintain good clear skin, stay away from oily foods as it can generate oil in your skin.

Hope you are up and ready to try the simple natural steps to acne free.

For a full selection of all your natural homemade beauty tips, free guide and much much more please visit: http://www.epictureperfect.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zafran_Rashid

Hair Loss - Causes and Cures

2008-04-10T08:38:00.000+01:00

Shine and volume, the indications of healthy hair, enhances beauty and appearance of a person. Hence everyone treasure to posses a shining and dense hair.

Just like the hair texture, these factors are also dependent largely on genes that an offspring obtains from his or her parents.

Passing a comb through the rich and healthy hair can boost your pride. However, if you start losing your hair at an early age, it is equally depressing and alarming. Hair loss is an indication that a person is aging since, with oldness we start losing hairs as the hair follicles weaken and the scalp tissues dehydrate.

Hair loss can, however, unexpectedly occur to young people due to various biological and pathological impacts on hair that can even drive them towards baldness. Hair loss during adolescence or at puberty is seriously alarming and calls for immediate medical attention and treatment.

Nowadays, due to changes in environment and lifestyles, persons belonging to every age group are prone to different types of hair loss.

For proper treatment and cure of hair loss it is necessary to diagnose and determine the particular type of loss that a person is suffering from. Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss where the hair first starts thinning and then falls in large amount.

Androgenic alopecia resulting in extreme loss is termed as alopecia universalis.

Other prevalent causes of hair loss include stress, excessive depression, trauma, and medical treatment like chemotherapy. Traction alopecis and trichotillomania are types of hair loss that occurs due to excessive pulling of hair or may result due to some psychological reasons. Special treatments, both medical and cosmetic, are available for hair loss.

People suffering from complete baldness can also opt for synthetic plantation of hair.

Women have always been more conscious about their hairs than their male counterparts. However, men have also started concerning about their hair increasingly than before.

Many pharmaceutical companies have ventured into this area and working towards innovating hair loss medicines exclusively for men to counter hair loss problems. Generic Propecia is the first pill that has been formulated to treat male patterned hair loss on the vertex or at the top of the head.

Case studies have proven the worth of Generic Propecia, which has so far been able to cure 80% of such cases of hair loss.

The drug is approved by the FDA and it is available in leading pharmaceutical stores and online generic pharmacy i.e. http://www.bestgenericpharmacy.com. Generic Propecia, medically termed as finasteride, prevents the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is one of the root causes of hair loss in men. It is advisable to consult your physician and also undergo allergy test before consuming Generic Propecia.

Taking proper care of your hair is the first essential step to prevent hair loss. Excessive use of chemicals, colors, dryer and experimentation in hairstyle often causes serious damage to the hair and thus should be avoided.

A healthy diet, proportionate intake of water and cleaning of the scalp needs to be included in your daily routine to ensure a vibrant and bouncing hair.

About the Author

This article has been provided courtesy of Best Generic Pharmacy (http://www.bestgenericpharmacy.com), dedicated to bringing you the highest quality generic medications such as Generic Viagra, Generic Cialis, and Generic Levitra at the most competitive prices.

Cold Sores Explained

2008-04-09T13:39:00.001+01:00

Cold sores are common and although some may claim them to be trivial, I would argue that for the sufferer they are far from trivial. Cold sores are actually caused by a viral infection that attacks the skin and nervous system, hence why I do not believe it is a trivial condition, and although they are only small, they are in fact very painful fluid-filled blisters that appear around the mouth or nose. One of the big things to be aware of is that cold sores are highly contagious, so if you have a cold sore, please be very careful as it is very easy to infect another person. To avoid contaminating someone else you need to avoid certain things such as kissing and sharing cups, towels or other things. Also you must wash your hands after touching the sores as they be spread to another person via your hands too.

HSV-1, which is the most common type, usually causes cold sores (oral herpes). HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes. HSV1 can also be transferred to the genitals through oral pleasure. In the same way, HSV2 can be transferred to the mouth. However, it is possible to have a HSV-1 infection below the waist and vice versa. HSV-1 oral infections are more likely to repetitively re-occur as cold sores than HSV-2 caused infections.

Medications from a doctor can help cold sores clear up faster, but they will not prevent new outbreaks from occurring, as unfortunately once you have contracted the virus you have it for life. Medicines are sometimes prescribed but they are mainly for pain relief more than anything else.

Of course there are many different kinds of treatments available over the counter these days, which may include skin creams, ointments, or sometimes pills. Treatment may get rid of the cold sores, but it will only be 1 to 2 days faster than without using any kind of treatment, but as mentioned previously, it can also help ease painful blisters or other uncomfortable symptoms. But on the whole your cold sore is going to last for the duration.

About the Author

However, there are pressing claims now for natural treatments, some of which claim to be able to get rid of cold sores in 3 days or so, and although you will always have the condition, these natural treatments claim to be able to help you control the virus so that you no longer have to suffer outbreaks. You can find out more about these treatments at http://naturalgoodhealth.info/coldsorereview.php where these claims are reviewed in more detail.

Top Ten Tips To Prevent Hair Loss

2008-04-08T19:23:00.001+01:00

Though people with an overdose of philosophy say it not what is outside, but inside the skull that counts, people suffering from hair loss wish it is the other way round. People of 'almost' all cultures are obsessed with thickly growing hair.

Ayurveda has identified this obsession a few centuries ago and has given the directions to minimize hair loss and better hair growth in its scheme of beauty care, which is commonly called lavanya sutra or the sutra for lavanyam or beauty.

Though lavanyam is referred to feminine beauty, hair loss tips are beneficial for the tougher sex too.

Here are top ten tips to prevent hair loss and ensure healthy hair growth.

1. Gently massage your scalpel with fingertips after applying a hair oil like coconut oil or sesame oil.

2. Eat Indian gooseberry in any form early in the day. Don't take gooseberry based products later in the night as it can affect your beautiful dental line.

3. Boil fresh or dried and powdered Indian gooseberry (also called amla) in coconut oil. Apply this for nourishing hair growth.

4. Eat all types of vegetables and fruits. This will ensure supply of vitamins and minerals essential for the healthy growth of hair. Vitamins and minerals are good for your health too.

5. Also eat protein rich food items – tuna, lean meat, whole milk are beneficial.

6. While bathing, wash your head with cold water only. It is winter and water is ice-cold, you can make it luke-warm. It is ok to wash your body with cold water.

7. Apply brahmi oil on your scalpel before going to bed. Good for hair growth and brain.

8. Dandruff is a cause of hair loss. Squeeze half a lemon to half a liter of water and rinse your hair and scalpel with this water as a cure to dandruff. Do this no more than three times a week and for up to a month.

9. Rosemary oil is an aromatherapy oil, which can be applied to your hair once in a week to reduce hair fall.

10. Crush a few leaves and flowers of hibiscus (shoe flower) with two or three glasses of water. The water becomes thick with the juice and use this water to wash your hair. Thoroughly cleanses your hair and gives dark bright color to your hair.

Never apply soap or high power shampoo on your head, as it can affect healthy growth of hair.

About The Author
Dev Sri provides insider information about Kerala Ayurvedic practices at http://keralaayurvedics.com/

Depression And How To Get Yourself Out Of It

2008-04-08T08:06:00.001+01:00

Some people call it the 'pits' and some people call it the 'blues' and some just call it 'feeling down in the dumps'. But whatever you may call it, being depressed is a horrible feeling.

The most common types of depression are:

Major Depression, which is characterized by sadness, Insomnia and sleep disorders, and a decreased or absent appetite. Often when an individual is in a state of major depression, the person feels a complete lack of drive and motivation and the sufferer does not want to do anything in life. Some people are completely disabled by depression, and some individuals even contemplate suicide.

Dysthymia: This is a less severe type of long-term depression that generally does not completely disable the individual. But it keeps the person from feeling motivated and functioning at optimum levels. Sometimes people who are struggling with Dysthymia are also afflicted with Major Depression, and when this occurs it is called double depression.

Manic Depression is also known as Bipolar Disorder. This type of depression is less common than the first two. It involves cycles of a manic state, alternated with a depressed state. This is often a long-term recurring disorder. Sometimes the mood swings occur suddenly. But more often the onset tends to be gradual. There are many variations of depression; the aforementioned are only the three most common.

Some symptoms of depression include:

Sadness; pessimism; anxiety; insomnia and sleep disorders; guilt; feelings of worthlessness; restlessness; weight loss; fatigue; pain; headaches; and thoughts of suicide.

Sources of Depression:

As previously stated, there are several types of depression: Major Depression; Manic Depression; and Dysthymia being three of the more common forms.

Some types of depression are hereditary. Living in a stressful environment can precipitate a depression. A traumatic experience such as a serious loss, financial trouble, or problems in a relationship can also lead to depression.

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men are, but scientists do not know why.

If you suffer from depression, you will want to consult with your physician. Your healthcare provider may prescribe drugs for you. But keep in mind that every medication has side effects.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could control and eliminate your depression just by having certain thoughts? I know that this sounds too good to be true, but quite frequently, various types of depression are simply caused by thinking negative thoughts.

Don't believe me? Then try it out! It's really quite simple and basic. Just use your imagination to think about something that you feel is very troubling or sad. Go ahead, think about it right now! Then come back to this article.

What happened? If you truly focused and visualized the sad situation, you started to feel sad and a little depressed. And the more you allow yourself to remain in that pattern of thought, the sadder you will feel. As you keep having negative thoughts and keep feeling sadder, you lead yourself into a gradually intensifying depression.

The good news is that if you focus on a happy thought, then you will supplant that sadness and depression and have happy feelings instead. Listen closely now, because here are the solutions to ending your depression: Our persistent thoughts emerge from the unconscious. These are the thoughts that we find ourselves naturally thinking about during the day.

If the persistent thoughts that are continually recurring in your mind are about your sad experiences or problems, then you increase your levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

But here is the 'Light at the end of the tunnel': Since hypnosis is a tool that we can use to alter our unconscious thoughts, NLP and self hypnosis stress management programs can quickly change the way that you feel, think, and behave. The beauty here is that the exact same techniques that are effective for stress management also work equally well for eliminating depression!

Listen to me now, because I will tell you exactly how and why it is going to happen. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind. Specifically, it is the Alpha state of consciousness. We pass through the Alpha state as we fall asleep at night. And we pass through it once more as we wake up from sleeping. We also enter the Alpha state when we are daydreaming and imagining.

The unconscious is the seat of our emotions, and it is like a computer; the input controls the output! Hypnosis therapy is a wonderful tool for reaching directly into the unconscious and reprogramming it to automatically divert you away from negative thoughts, and promote positive thinking. It's a tool that allows you to bypass the consciousness to create positive expectations, which will in turn create positive feelings. You can beat your depression through hypnotherapy.

About the Author

Alan B. Densky, CH has helped thousands of clients since 1978. He offers CDs for hypnosis therapy for depression. Visit his Neuro-VISION hypnotherapy website for the hypnosis article library, or watch his free videos on hypnosis. http://www.neuro-vision.us/

Food Allergies in Infants and Babies

2008-04-07T16:22:00.003+01:00

Is your baby susceptible to bouts of unexplained itchiness that you thought were merely a phase or skin sensitivity? Is her nose sometimes stuffy or runny? Is she cranky for no apparent reason and is she trying to tell you something?

Is emitting large quantities of intestinal gas a regular affair for your infant? Is his tummy a little more bloated than other kids' and does he struggle to pass even soft stool or diarrhea?

If the answer is '"yes" to most of these questions, read on. Your baby might be dealing with a food allergy.

First of all, don't panic. It's not as serious as it sounds. Food allergies are a common problem amongst babies and adults alike.

There are many possible reasons for food allergies. Your infant could be allergic to cow's milk or your child could be having some problems dealing with solids when you're trying to wean him/her. Here are some possible causes for food allergies:

· Introduction of allergenic solids in baby's diet before four months of age

· Allergy towards cow's milk

· Allergy towards other foods like dairy products, fish, nuts, or wheat

· Heredity

· Enzyme deficiency which causes lactose intolerance

· In rare cases, a serious undetected illness or condition

Although food allergies in most cases are merely a nuisance and not life-threatening, parents still need to know the type of food or food group to eliminate from their baby's diet. By avoiding, rotating the diet and playing food detective, we can minimize the discomfort and symptoms of food allergies as much as possible. First, try to eliminate the following products from your infant's diet.

· Dairy products

· Soy

· Egg (or at least white of egg)

· Wheat

· Peanuts

· Tree nuts

· Citrus fruits

· All types of food additives (reduce introduction of canned, packaged or ready-to-eat food)

· Shellfish

If you're not sure whether your baby is indeed suffering from a food allergy, observe your baby very closely and monitor his/her diet to see if she is experiencing any of the following allergic reactions:

· Rashes on face or other body parts that are red and scaly

· Hives

· Swollen hands and feet, puffy eyes

· Dark circles under the eyes

· Throat soreness and tongue

· Sneezing, running or stuffy nose

· Wheezing

· Persistent cough

· Ear infection

· Red and scaly rashes around the anus

· Abdominal discomfort

· Diarrhea or soft stool

· Poor weight gain

· Bloating of the stomach

· Gassiness

· Fatigue, headaches

· Irritability, moodiness, hyperactivity

· Sore muscles and joints

If you've determined that your infant is, indeed, suffering from a food allergy, try substituting some of the allergenic foods with non-allergenic foods like apples, apricots, barley, beets, grapes, cranberries, mangoes and oats.

Other non-allergenic foods include asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, chicken, broccoli, lettuce, rice, safflower oil, salmon, sweet potatoes, rye and honey.

Food allergies, as mentioned earlier, are quite common among infants and can be dealt with easily. The most important thing is for us to detect them, minimize reaction and symptoms, get advice from a professional and eliminate the allergies' immediate causes.

About the Author

Be up-to-date on baby care issues: read Magnificent Babies Magazine at http://magnificentbabies.com. Lucky Balaraman is the editor.

Flu Prevention - Natural Flu Prevention - Immune System Boosters - Vitamin C

2008-04-07T08:07:00.001+01:00

Natural Flu Prevention vs the Flu Vaccine

With cold weather knocking on the door for many of our customers around the country, many are concerned about falling victim to colds and flu this season. While many tout that the Flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that remains a controversial subject.

First, most flu vaccines still contain thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative, which has some connections with toxicity and should be avoided.

Second, because there is no way to predict upcoming flu strains, the vaccine your Dr. will offer you often doesn't match the strain of flu that actually is causing the ailment this season. It is kind of like the computer industry, always running about a leg behind the virus creators in inventing virus protection.

Obviously, the BEST cure is an ounce of prevention and protection.

Some believe that the best protection from flu is flu itself. Recent research shows that the theory may actually have validity. In the past 20 years, deaths from flu in the elderly--the group most vulnerable to flu consequences--have decreased. At the same time, flu vaccination has increased by 45 to 50%. Researchers concluded, however, that flu vaccine didn't help decrease deaths from flu--people simply acquired natural immunity to the emerging strain of flu, which resulted in fewer flu-related deaths.

With flu vaccine effectiveness unclear, many are looking into natural ammunition against winter viruses.

The Role of Vitamin C and Flu Prevention

While the idea that Vitamin C, or any vitamin for that matter, can cure the common cold has remained an unproved and controversial topic, there have been recent studies that looked at the whole subject a different way: the immune system cells' response to vitamin C.

At the 60th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) recently, Susan Ritter and colleagues reported that 12 healthy subjects who took one gram of vitamin C a day for two weeks showed a boosted immune system response during that time.

Stephen Tilles, MD, with the Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center in Seattle, called the study "impressive" because it measures what's going on at the level of the cell. "This study legitimizes some of the popular assumptions about vitamin C and helps validate the effect of vitamin C on the immune system," he told WebMD. See complete article here at WebMD.

Immune Booster for Kids: Strawberry Jr. for Kids Emer'gen-C is a multivitamin formula that fizzes in water to furnish 500 mg of Vitamin C and 32 different mineral complexes, plus Vitamins A, B's, D, E, and K. Sweetened with Fructose for Quick Energy with Staying Power.

Immune Booster for Adults:

Chewable Vitamin C

Soothing Relief for the Whole Family:

Kiss My Face Cold and Flu Bath and Shower Gel is the perfect day-starter or antidote for those under-the-weather blues. Created with time-tested botanicals like Eucalyptus, Fennel, Horehound and other aromatics. To soothe the skin they added Olive Oil, Aloe Vera, and Allantoin.

Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States, on average:

*5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
*more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
*about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Good Health Habits for Flu Prevention and Cold Prevention

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is boosting your immune system with Vitamin C and good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often.

Help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu before they get started:

--Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
--If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
--Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
--Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
--Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
--Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

About the Author

Holly Nelson writes for 2 Computer Chicks

Multivitamins - Tips and Advice For You

2008-04-06T19:51:00.001+01:00

Most of us are able to obtain our nutritional needs through our diet, but there are times throughout our lives that we might have to take multivitamins. Pregnancy is a good example; during pregnancy, a woman's body goes through certain tremendous changes; to be sure the mother and developing foetus get all the required nutrients health care, providers prescribe prenatal multivitamins. Multivitamins can also be recommended during childhood. Most kid's diets are less than optimal, picky finicky eaters in particular. Children's multivitamins are made so that kids will be able to eat them, like candy. Though it's not too good to let your kids eat at will. One a day will do!

For people who can't get enough of the required nutrients through their regular dietary intake, multivitamins are essential. We all need extra supplement in time of illness also, as the body is trying to heal and the nutritional needs are superior. Older people have greater dietary needs as well, and through diet alone, they are usually not capable of fulfilling them, requiring multivitamins, in addition to vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and magnesium. Multivitamins are vital to any individual who has a chronic disease, a genetic condition, or who is going through some kind of medical crisis.

The utilization of multivitamins in these kinds of situations should be overseen by a physician or other qualified health care professional, and suggested doses should not be exceeded. Some vitamins can be interactive with prescription drugs, such as Coumadin or Warfarin and vitamin K. It is important to let your doctor know of all medications and supplements you are taking and how much you take.

Multivitamins are reasonably priced and readily available; most can be bought without a prescription, and are offered in different forms as well, such as capsules, powders, liquids, and tablets, some of which like vitamin C are chewable. Don't forget to read the labels, and take only as suggested; most multivitamins should be taken with food, or they can cause stomach upset. If you notice any type of reaction, stop taking the multivitamins immediately and tell your health care provider. Don't rule out taking any kind of vitamin because it could be that you just can't take that particular brand of multivitamins. Multivitamins without extra additives and ingredients are usually best because they are better digested and are more effortlessly absorbed by your system. If you're not sure what type of multivitamins you need, you can also consult the pharmacist or nutritionist at the place of purchase. They will be glad to answer any of your questions. To your health my friend!

About the Author

This well known author is an Internet lover and truly enjoys sharing his information with readers like you. Discover more now about Vitamins and about MultiVitamins review at his web site vitamins-infohealth.com

Causes and Cures of Imbalanced Brain Chemistry with Anxiety Disorders and Depression

2008-04-06T15:59:00.001+01:00

Anxiety and Depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry. Symptoms are normally dealt with by drugs, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) like Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft) and Fluoxetine (Prozac).

Little do doctors tell you that imbalances in brain chemistry are actually due to poor diet, an unsatisfactory sex life, lack of exercise and lack of support in relationships. Most if not all of these issues are ignored by the average doctor before they administer antidepressant drugs.

There is a lack of general mainstream holistic health information and knowledge. People are just unaware of what factors are causing all the problems in their lives. The medical establishment is like a veil of illusion masking real knowledge about how to live a healthy and happy life. Doctors are not trained in health, they are only trained in sickness. This means that you can not depend on doctors for your health, but only when you have become sick. The people of the future will be their own doctors, taking complete responsibility over their own health and holistic well being. The basic core causes of anxiety and depression are are completely ignored by the mainstream medical establishment. Mainly because doctors do not have the time to do deal with these type of issues, because they are so complex. Therefore doctors may not be doing anyone with anxiety and depression any favors when it comes to prescribing antidepressant drugs.

Love and support in relationships helps produce serotonin (brain chemical of satisfaction, comfort and relaxation). Exercise also balances brain chemistry through the production of endorphins, and this together with correct diet the healthy production of dopamine (brain chemical of clarity, attention, interest and motivation).

There is no evasive short cut to living a healthy and fully functional life. There is no immediate miracle cure to anxiety and depression. It is up to the responsible person to learn about healthy diet, which in itself has the power to remove anxiety and depression by it's roots. It is up to healthy person to exercise in a healthy way. It is up to the loving person to create a healthy loving fully functional life in all ways to facilitate his or her needs for love and support in relationships in order to create healthy brain chemistry.

There are two ways of dealing with anxiety and depression

1.) The most popular but unhealthy way is to suppress the symptoms, by taking antidepressants, eating junk food, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes or drugs. This may work temporarily for some people, but for those who are sensitive or for those who's soul is longing for love and freedom it only leads to more pain and suffering. This method may also include refusing to take responsibility for your problems by depending on others such as the medical establishment. With this method you may find yourself anxious and depressed for many years to come, until you decide to take responsibility for your life.

2.) The second method normally occurs after a lot of suffering in life and with many years of experiencing anxiety and depression. After a lot of soul searching you may stumble across yoga, healthy living, correct diet, healthy relationships and spirituality. You may research natural holistic cures for anxiety and depression and be well on your way to recovery and creating a glorious future. The power to create a healthy and happy life is in your hands. It is lost when you refuse to take responsibility by depending on others such as the medical establishment.

About the Author

James O'Neill is a spiritual healer and psychologist who runs a website called AnxietyMadeWell.Com.

Sleeping Problems and Mental Health

2008-04-06T07:57:00.001+01:00

People who are suffering from depression or anxiety often have trouble sleeping. Indeed, one of the first signs of depression is insomnia, although lack of sleep by itself is not thought to cause depression.

Regardless of the cause, sleeping problems of any kind are not pleasant and can significantly lower quality of life whether or not depression is present. Some of the more common types of sleep problems include insomnia, sleep apnoea and snoring.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition whereby a person has difficulty in getting to sleep, or has no problem in getting to sleep but awakens often during the night, or who wakes up too early in the morning. Another type of insomnia is sleep state misperception where a person has managed to sleep during the night but believes that they didn't.

It's important to note that not everyone requires the same amount of sleep but a standard 8 hours a night give or take an hour or so, is probably the ideal for most people to feel alert and energetic throughout the day.

There are different types of insomnia too. Sleeplessness that occurs for only a few nights is known as transient insomnia, or if it goes on for a couple of weeks, short term insomnia, or when it persists for over a month with difficulties experienced most nights it is classed as chronic insomnia. Some factors which could influence an individual's ability to get a good night's sleep include:

- Too much caffeine during the day - Some types of medication - Anxiety, stress and worry - Depression - Physical pain - Noise - Changes in temperature - Jet lag - Underlying physical or mental illness - Too much alcohol before bed

Obviously, any treatment for insomnia will ultimately depend upon its underlying cause. For example, if the insomnia is caused by medication, the problems may cease if the medication is stopped or changed. Similarly, dealing with any underlying anxiety, stress or worry may resolve the problem. Sometimes it's not possible to identify the cause of insomnia and in some severe cases sleeping pills on a temporary basis may help, however, these should only be taken under medical supervision as there are potential side effects and contraindications to be considered.

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea can be a potentially serious sleeping disorder which is characterised by short periods during the night where breathing stops. Symptoms associated with sleep apnoea include loud snoring, morning headaches, night sweats, insomnia, jerking or twitching during the night, waking up gasping for breath and getting up to go to the toilet frequently during the night. These symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Sleep apnoea is caused by some sort of obstruction in the airways, the throat or nasal passages which could be a blocked nose and too much tissue being present, the tongue slipping back into the throat, enlarged tonsils, or even the angle of the jaw. One of the most significant factors though is being overweight.

If you suspect that you or your partner suffers from sleep apnoea it's important to speak to a doctor for a proper diagnosis and advice. If the problem is mild then it might just be a case of losing weight, sleeping on your side, and not drinking alcohol in the evening, however, if it is severe then there are other options available including the wearing of a special mask. People who suffer from sleep apnoea have a shortage of oxygen reaching the brain and may also have an increased risk of strokes and heart disease as well as other health problems.

Snoring

Snoring is extremely common and is caused by vibration of the palate and the uvula whilst breathing during sleep. If the snoring is regular, rhythmic and not very loud and you wake up feeling alert and refreshed, then there is probably very little to worry about other than possibly disturbing others who are trying to get to sleep.

If on the other hand the snoring is loud, accompanied by snorts and gasps and periods of interrupted breathing, then you should speak to your doctor as it would indicate sleep apnoea.

Ways to improve sleep

- Talking therapies can be useful in highlighting ways to cope with any anxiety and/or depression, which in turn will improve sleep

- Learn some relaxation and breathing techniques, take up yoga or meditation, These may help you to relax and unwind and make falling asleep and staying asleep much easier

- Increasing the amount of physical exercise not only improves health in general it helps the blood flow to the brain, relieves stress and anxiety, makes you feel good, and facilitates a better night's sleep

- Avoid the temptation to lie in bed watching television and if you do awake during the night and can't get back to sleep, try getting up for a while

- Avoid drinking too much tea and coffee in the evening or drinking alcohol just before going to bed

- Remove any computers or television sets from the bedroom and make your bed a place that is only used for sleeping and for sex

About the Author

Depression and anxiety are serious mental health conditions that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information about depression and selp help come and visit http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk

Arthritis Pain Relief - Nurse's Simple Home Remedies To Relieve Arthritis Pain

2008-04-06T07:52:00.001+01:00

These are just a few of the arthritis home remedies and treatments that arthritis sufferers have sworn worked for them. Most have an anti-inflammatory effect. There are many ways to achieve arthritis pain relief. Before you take any supplements, you may want to check with your doctor. I found that the best arthritis pain relief is a permanent radical change in the diet to all living foods. Eating a raw food diet will eliminate all osteoarthritis pain. This is the best and fastest short-term and long term approach to get rid of arthritis pain.

Remember that supplements contain isolated chemicals that are not working in conjunction with other chemicals and nutrients as they are in their natural state. So the degree of absorption, if any is questionable and different supplements from different manufacturers may have varying degrees of absorbability.

But here are the tips that others have reported working for them with my comments.

1. MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane), take 1,000 mg. twice a day to reduce the inflammation which causes the pain some report.

2. Fish oil or cod liver oil which contains the omega 3's. Use a good brand that contains no mercury - 1,000 mg. one to three times per day is supposed to help lubricate the joints and thus relieve the pain.

3. Many people report that glucosamine sulfate is good for supporting the joints, 500 mg. twice a day. However there are many different brands with many different absorbability reports. And many people have reported it not working for them. There also may be an elevation of blood pressure some reports say.

4. Drink one quarter cup of black cherry juice a day or take one tablespoon of concentrate in water have had excellent report say many. The best juice would be raw not pasteurized but that is difficult to get. This may take awhile to work but good for the health. Some report that it irritates their stomachs so take with plenty of water and perhaps with food. Make sure the cherry juice is unsweetened. Some people eat dried unsweetened tart Montmorency cherries and achieve the same effect.

5. To reduce arthritis pain, make sure to get plenty of minerals in the diet naturally. Eat plenty of fruits and raw veggies, several servings of day. Make huge green salads, with good greens, not iceberg lettuce.

6. Eat coconut anything. Of course, opening a fresh raw coconut you can get from the Asian groceries is the best. Put the coconut meat in a smoothie and drink the coconut water. Second best is eating coconut anything. Coconut in any form when heated will not destroy the good nutrients. It is from a tropical climate and made to endure hot temperatures.

7. Some say to drink radish juice.

8. Helpful foods that have been reported include avocados, bananas, cherries, greens, and raw nuts soaked overnight to remove the enzyme inhibitors, such as walnuts and pecans, however all living foods, not cooked foods will help. All cooked foods are acidic and inflammatory and can aggravate the joints. Most all, living or raw foods are alkaline and anti-inflammatory.

9. Some swear by apple cider vinegar. The vinegar should only be a RAW apple cider vinegar like Bragg's. And be careful using apple cider vinegar as it is an irritant to some stomachs.

10. A fad arthritis home remedy is the gin-soaked raisins method. Soak the raisins in gin for a week. Eat six raisins at bed time. Maybe the alcohol is absorbed into the air by then. Alcohol is a neurotoxin and is inflammatory and should not be ingested.

11. Some say the old remedy of Edgar Cayce's works for them - rubbing the affected joint with castor oil each morning and at bedtime. Make take a few days to work.

12. Keep moving. Moderate exercise will reduce stiffness.

13. Some report they take burdock and yucca for inflammation and swelling.

14. Some report lobelia extract, halibut oil, or cayenne extract (cayenne cream) can help alleviate pain and speed healing when applied to the affected area. Be careful about any supplement or cream you don't fully understand.

15. For severe pains in joints some have reported they have used garlic externally - warm up the affected area with a hot towel and then rub the juice of the garlic very slowly on the area. The juice of the garlic can be extracted in a clean coffee grinder or other kitchen appliance.

These are just a few of the many osteoarthritis and arthritis home remedies and arthritis treatments and arthritis diet suggestions floating around the Internet. Use your best judgment before trying any, that may be harmful, for arthritis pain relief, and get the advice of your doctor or naturopathic doctor.

About the Author

For more information on arthritis pain relief and arthritis treatments go to http://www.FastArthritisPainRelief.com a nurse's website specializing in arthritis pain relief with tips, advice and resources, including information on arthritis diets and natural arthritis treatments

Information on Lung Cancer

2008-04-05T16:04:00.001+01:00

When you breathe in, air passes from your nose or mouth through the windpipe (trachea), which divides into two tubes (airways), one going to each lung. These are known as the right and left bronchus and they divide to form smaller tubes called bronchioles, which carry air through the lungs. At the end of the bronchioles are millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. In the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed from air breathed in and passes into the bloodstream to be circulated around the body.

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs situated inside the chest, they bring oxygen into the body and take out waste carbon dioxide. There is a strong link between smoking and lung cancer. There are two main categories of lung cancer; Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) , and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). World-wide over 1 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

Sometimes the instructions to a cell go haywire and that cell and its offspring reproduce wildly, without regard for the shape and function of a lung. That wild reproduction can form tumors that clog up the lung and make it stop functioning as it should. Because of the large size of the lungs, cancer may grow for many years, undetected, without causing suspicion. Lung cancer can spread outside the lungs without causing any symptoms.Adding to the confusion, the most common symptom of lung cancer, a persistent cough, can often be mistaken for a cold or bronchitis.

The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. This distinction is important because the treatment varies; non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is sometimes treated with surgery, while small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiation.The most common cause of lung cancer is long term exposure to tobacco smoke. The occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers, who account for fewer than 10% of cases, appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution, including second-hand smoke.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.

Cancer of the lung, like all cancers, results from an abnormality in the body's basic unit of life, the cell. Normally, the body maintains a system of checks and balances on cell growth so that cells divide to produce new cells only when needed. Disruption of this system of checks and balances on cell growth results in an uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells that eventually forms a mass known as a tumor.

Yet most lung cancer deaths could be prevented. That's because smoking accounts for nearly 90 percent of lung cancer cases. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time and number of cigarettes you smoke. If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer. Protecting yourself from other risk factors for lung cancer, such as exposure to asbestos, radon and secondhand smoke, also decreases your risk.

Read about Breast Enlargement Products. Also read about Home Remedies and Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips, Hair Care Tips

About the Author

Peter hutch

Clear and Present Dangers of Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

2008-04-05T07:26:00.001+01:00

You probably know by now that top cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia have been proven to have no benefits, doctors and patients have to rely on older lowering cholesterol drugs such as statins. Regardless of which drugs you take to lower cholesterol, there may be some potential side effects that need your attention. There are definitely other more effective and safer ways available for you to lower cholesterol levels without the use of such drugs.

When your medical practitioner tells you that you have high cholesterol levels, it means that your ratio of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) to High Density Liporprotein (HDL) is high. High cholesterol level is linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke. However, before you consider taking any cholesterol lowering drugs you should also take into account the following:

a. Lifestyle - are you on high fat diet, drinks, smoke and stay up late at night

b. Blood pressure - you have family history of hypertension

c. Diabetes - are you diabetic or have family history of diabetes

d. Weight - are you over weight

e. Age - which age group do you belong?

f. Cholesterol - do you have family history of high cholesterol levels?

g. Vascular disease - are you suffering from any form of vascular disease like the narrowing of arteries

If your only problem is high cholesterol levels, then you should evaluate the need for cholesterol lowering drugs because this condition can be managed and controlled by changing your lifestyle ï¿½ï¿½" most importantly taking lower cholesterol diets and exercise routine.

Although the drug that you are prescribed with may help you lower cholesterol, however, it does not mean that you can stop taking it once your cholesterol level has lowered. This happens because such cholesterol lowering drug blocks an enzyme that is responsible for making cholesterol in the liver. (The name of this enzyme is hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase or HMG-CoA reductase in short).

Taking cholesterol lowering drugs has 3 potentially serious side effects:

1. Liver damage

Cholesterol lowering drugs like statins can cause an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase in enzymes production is severe, and when left uncheck, can leave to permanent liver damage.

The other popular prescription drug, Zetia is also in the limelight lately; its effectiveness and the long term impact on the health of the consumer are now in question. Zetia, together with Vytorin, have been found to have no benefits to lower cholesterol. The New England Journal of Medicine now recommends to forgo taking Vytorin and Zetia unless older cholesterol lowering drugs cannot lower cholesterol levels.

In fact, as far back as in 2005 regulators in Australia and Canada have issued warning about the potential danger of Zetia. It can cause hepatitis, pancreatitis and depression.

Liver problem can develop without symptoms, thus if you are on statins it is advisable to go a liver function test periodically.

2. Muscle problems

The most common cholesterol lowering drugs statins can cause muscle pain, muscle weakness and in severe cases causes muscle cells to breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). When this happen a protein called myoglobin is released and this protein can damage your kidneys.

The risk of rhabdomyolysis also increases when statins is taken with certain drugs like antifungal medications, nefazodone (Serzone), gemfibrozil, erythromycin (Erythrocin), cyclosporine and niacin.

While most people who experience muscle pain will return to normal after discontinuing statin use, some susceptible individuals suffer permanent muscle damage from statin use. If you have a new muscle ache or tenderness after taking statins it is advisable to check with your doctor.

3. Memory Loss

Some people who want to lower cholesterol and took the statin drugs experience memory loss and an inability to concentrate. They feel that they are developing Alzheimerâ€™s disease when taking statin drugs. In extreme cases, the memory loss seems to be amnesia that lasts for 6 to 12 hours. These types of problems are known as cognitive defects.

Fortunately most people return to normal after they stopped taking the statin drugs. The time to recovery appears to be related to the amount of time before the cognitive symptoms appeared. In other words, the longer it took for the symptoms to appear, the longer it took for the person to recover. However, a small group may continue to suffer with cognitive problems, perhaps indefinitely.

About the Author

Now that you know the dangers posed by cholesterol lowering drugs can cause, are you interested to learn how to lower cholesterol naturally without the use of harmful prescription drugs? Visit http://www.cholesterol-tips.com now.

Ethan Curoso is the creator and founder of Cholesterol-Tips where he provides valuable tips and resources on how to lower cholesterol naturally. Visit http://www.cholesterol-tips.com for your free cholestero

Managing Your Gout Hypertension Risk

2008-04-04T20:41:00.000+01:00

A gout friendly diet can be very beneficial when treating and preventing recurrent gout attacks, but can a special diet do anything for related gout hypertension? It certainly can. Diet and lifestyle change are the two best treatment methods for a person who suffers from both gout and high blood pressure.

Despite the fact that it is possible to mange both gout and hypertension, have you ever wondered how these two conditions are related? Despite the fact that medical researchers are aware of a connection between the two conditions, it is not yet entirely understood how they are related.

Gout has often been associated with cardiac problems because elevated uric acid levels are strongly linked with cardiovascular disease. This has prompted the undertaking of a number of studies to determine if hypertension, as well as other health issues including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, kidney disease and obesity, are merely associated with raised uric acid levels, or if elevated uric acid level problems play a direct role in these conditions.

It is interesting to note that studies have found hypertension occurs in approximately a third of all individuals with gout, and high blood urate levels can be found in about a quarter of individuals with hypertension.

Although the link between hypertension and gout is unclear, enough evidence has been found to determine that a connection does exist. Therefore, if you suffer from gout, it would be worthwhile asking your doctor about having your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, especially if you have a family history of hypertension.

If you know you suffer from both gout and hypertension, the following are different ways you can manage both conditions effectively:

- Control your diet. Eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is essential to your overall wellbeing. According to the American Medical Association, a balanced diet is one that includes: * Significant complex carbohydrates (I.E. fruits, vegetables, whole grains) * Limited protein (skinless, white poultry and lean meats should be the source of protein and make up only 15% of calories). * A maximum of 30% of calories from fat (10% should be animal fat)

However, you should also remember that to prevent gout attacks, you need to avoid eating foods high in purines, which increase uric acid levels. Examples of these foods include: organ and red meats, meat extract, shellfish, anchovies, fish roes, herring, sardines in oil, legumes, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach and asparagus. In addition, as part of your hypertension diet, you need to make sure you reduce your sodium intake.

- Limit alcohol intake - Alcohol constricts the blood vessels and increases the production of uric acid. Therefore, alcohol should ideally be avoided. However, if you want to have a drink, men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should have no more than one. One drink is equivalent to one glass of wine, a regular bottle/can of beer or one shot (measure) of spirits.

- Lose weight - If you are overweight or obese, you are putting your body under stress and increasing your risk of suffering from both gout and hypertension. However, it is important that you lose weight at a slow and balanced pace by adopting a lifestyle change that eases you into exercise and a beneficial diet plan. Do not attempt to lose weight quickly through crash diets, as this can actually lead to an acute attack of gout. Talk to your doctor before making any significant lifestyle changes. - Quit smoking - Smoking affects blood circulation, damages arteries, and slows the healing process. These are all important functions needed to prevent gout and maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

- Reduce stress - Stress is hard on both your physical and mental state. Stress can repeatedly elevate blood pressure by encouraging the nervous system to produce large quantities of vasoconstricting hormones. Find ways to relax such as taking a bath, reading, listening to music, getting a massage, etc.

Finally, you need to talk to your doctor if you suffer from either gout or hypertension before taking any medications to treat either condition. The reason is certain drugs may benefit one condition, but make the other worse. For instance, diuretics ("water pills") are a common medication prescribed for hypertension treatment, but can cause gout attacks in some people, or make gout worse in individuals who already have the condition. Thus, make sure you consult with your doctor and seek advice prior to beginning any treatment.

About the Author

Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell's brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about your gout hypertension risk.

What Happens to your Body When you Quit Smoking?

2008-04-04T13:31:00.001+01:00

While you want to stop, you might not know what happens to your body when you quit smoking. In addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain many chemicals that affect your health in very damaging ways. It might be difficult to believe, but healing begins within 20 minutes when you quit smoking.

Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, your healing process begins. Your blood pressure decreases, your pulse rate drops, and the body temperature of your hands and feet increases. These benefits will continue to improve your health for years.

After eight hours of quitting smoking, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and the oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.

At 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack decreases.

At 48 hours, your nerve endings begin regrowth and your ability to smell and taste improves.

And the benefits of quitting smoking are just beginning.

Between two weeks and thee months of stopping, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and your lung function increases.

Your worst nicotine withdrawal symptoms subside within the first month. After that, you learn how to decipher and reprogram the psychological urges to smoke that you've all built up over the years.

Starting as early as a month after you quit smoking, and continuing for the next several months, you may notice significant improvements in coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

At one year smoke-free, your excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker.

Once you put a year between you and the last cigarette you smoke, congratulate yourself! Be grateful for the freedom you have created for yourself. The benefits of the positive choices you've made will continue to grow as you move forward from here.

For all of the work it takes to shed your addiction to nicotine, the incredible feelings of freedom and control you'll be rewarded with when you quit smoking are just the beginning of the benefits headed your way.

At two years smoke-free, your chance of achieving long-term success with quitting tobacco increases significantly. Smoking relapse rates drop off sharply after two years.

About the Author

Cedrick is the creator of Healthoogle.com and online Health News and Information blog. If you are looking for a way to stop smoking visit http://healthoogle.com/Nicocure-Stop-Smoking-Aid/ for more information.

The Dreaded Insomnia

2008-04-04T07:25:00.000+01:00

Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep.

While insomnia can be a sign of a physical disorder for most people it is an effect of bad habits, stress, tension and anxiety.

Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family. Insomnia can be mild to severe depending on how often it occurs and for how long. Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short-term or acute insomnia. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time. This is where Hypnotherapy and Self-Hypnosis can really help the insomniac as it allows you to quiet your mind and relax your body. An anxious mind suddenly relaxed is a great feeling and allows for increased quality sleep.

Insomnia can be caused by problems like fear, stress, anxiety, emotional or mental tension, work problems, financial stress, unsatisfactory sex life, mental disorders such as clinical depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder. Also disturbances of the circadian rhythm brought about by jet lag or perhaps shift work can cause an inability to sleep at some times of the day and excessive sleepiness at other times of the day. Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and large meals eaten just before bedtime can also cause insomnia.

Long-term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable, have trouble paying attention, learning, remembering; and not do your best at school or at work.. Better sleep habits and lifestyle changes often help relieve insomnia.

Here are some suggestions to immediately help you with your insomnia.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine 3 hours before bed. Go to bed at roughly the same time every night, and get up at the same time. This creates a powerful habit pattern in your subconscious. If you can't fall asleep after 20 minutes get up and only go back to bed when you are tired. Use the bed for sleep and love-making only! Reading and watching telly can stimulate your mind and keep you awake. Practise self-hypnosis to help you relax and drift off into sleep. Listen to a relaxing Hypnosis tape as you gently fall asleep.

Follow these tips and soon you will be sleeping like a baby once again!

Mark Boardman

http://www.happyandwell.com

About the Author

Mark Boardman BSc dip.hyp is an experienced Hypnotherapist and highly qualified EFT and TAT practitioner.

http://www.happyandwell.com

Never too late to stop smoking

2008-04-04T07:20:00.000+01:00

Smoking can make some women look sexy but it brings a lot of problems as well.

Experts say tobacco can damage a woman's reproductive health. It has been linked to reduced fertility, a higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and infant death.

Other health problems caused by smoking are gum disease, cataracts, hip fractures, peptic ulcers and macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause blindness.

Aside from this, smoking also affects non-smokers. Cigarette smoke can irritate the eyes, cause headaches and coughs in other people. Those who are surrounded by smokers are exposed to the same health hazards mentioned above although in a reduced way.

"But not all of the health problems related to smoking result in deaths. Smoking generally affects a smoker's health, harming nearly every organ of the body, and causing many diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2000, about 8.6 million people had at least one chronic disease because they smoked or had smoked. Many of these people were suffering from more than one smoking-related condition," revealed the American Cancer Society (ACS).

"The diseases that occurred most often were chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. These diseases can steal away a person's quality of life long before death. Smoking-related illness can limit a person's activities by making it harder to breathe, get around, work, or play," added the ACS.

In spite of these hazards, many people find it difficult to stop smoking simply because they are addicted to nicotine and are likely to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. If you stop smoking suddenly, you may experience intense craving, depression, anxiety, restlessness, disturbed sleep, altered time perception, difficulty concentrating, sweating, low blood pres¬sure and heart rate as well as gastrointestinal problems.

The trick, therefore, is to remind yourself that you are slowly but surely killing yourself with every cigarette you smoke. This will help you cut down on cigarettes.

Change your favorite brand to one you don't like. Avoid friends who smoke and go to "no smoking" areas. Find new interests or attend to your hobbies. Stay away from smokers and clear your surroundings of ashtrays, matches, and other smoking paraphernalia.

Eat fruits, sweets or chew gum to curb your desire to smoke. Try talking to those who have stopped smoking to get help. Sometimes, all you need is a little discipline to avoid cigarettes. Once you have this, nothing is impossible.

"People who stop smoking when they are young get the greatest health benefits from quitting. Those who quit in their 30s may avoid most of the risk due to tobacco use. However, even smokers who quit after age 50 largely reduce their risk of dying early. The argument that it is too late to quit smoking because the damage is already done is not true. It is never too late to quit smoking!" the ACS concluded.

To strengthen your body, take Immunitril - your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.

About the Author

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.

Skin Self-Examination: What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?

2008-04-03T15:59:00.003+01:00

Skin cancer is a common form of cancer which can usually be
successfully treated if caught in an early stage of development.
It’s important to detect skin cancer early, because even
melanoma, the most difficult form of skin cancer to treat, has a
high recovery rate if treated before metastasis. What does skin
cancer look like? Only a doctor can tell you if you have skin
cancer, but there are some warning signs you can look for to let
you know when you need to ask for a doctor’s opinion.

The first symptom of skin cancer is a tumor on the skin. Since
these tumors appear on the skin, they are easily detected at an
early stage, making rapid treatment a possibility. While it is
less known than a breast exam, people can do their part to
detect skin cancer early by doing a skin self-examination.
Instructions are available on how to do a thorough examination,
but the basic idea is that you check your entire skin area for
anything unusual. This includes your scalp, between your toes,
and every part of your skin.

It is important to be familiar with your body so that you notice
any differences. Nevi or moles are extremely common, and the
average person has 10 to 40 of them. Even having some dysplastic
nevi, irregularly-shaped moles, is common. These are benign
growths and they are nothing to worry about. However, you should
be familiar with your moles and their appearance. New moles and
changes in the appearance, texture, or color of old moles could
be a sign of a cancerous tumor developing, and you should
consult your doctor if something like this occurs.

Basal cell and squamous skin cancer can appear as a new,
strange-looking mole, or as an area resembling a rash or a sore
which does not heal normally. The key to detecting these cancers
early is to do skin self-examinations, and consult a doctor if
there are any such irregularities.

Melanoma has an appearance which may be more striking and
obvious. This is a deadlier form of skin cancer, affecting the
melanocytes which lay beneath the epidermis. These cells give
pigment to your skin, and these are the types of cells which
form nevi. If you discover a new dysplastic nevus that was not
previously on your body, you should see a doctor. Early
detection and early treatment are necessary to prevent the
cancer from spreading. A discolored mole, a mole which has
increased in size or is surrounded by discolored or broken skin,
or an asymmetrical mole may be a cancerous tumor and should be
examined by a doctor.

Regular skin self-examinations can help you detect
irregularities which should be evaluated by a medical
professional. What does skin cancer look like? Looks can be
deceiving, and only your doctor can tell you for sure, but there
are some warning signs which can help you detect and eliminate
skin cancer in its early stages.

About the author:
To learn much more about the different types http://skincancer-101.com
Author: Adam Hefner

Understanding Emotional Eating to Lose Weight

2008-04-03T15:57:00.000+01:00

Only within the last decade has the idea of emotional eating
being a contributing factor to obesity been considered.

And this is largely because emotions in general have been
ignored for centuries. We've had far more training in how to
ignore emotions or pretend that we don't feel them than we have
in how to deal with emotions. Yet, it's emotions that end
marriages and start wars.

Several decades ago, Theodore Isaac Rubin MD, psychiatrist,
wrote the Angry Book. Although it is primarily about anger, the
mechanisms revealed in the book can be applied to any emotion.

In the book he highlights how we have each learned to "seal
ourselves off" from anger. Fact is, we've learned to "seal
ourselves off" from many emotions. Case in point: Have you ever
had anyone tell you how to feel anger? Have you ever had anyone
tell you how to feel frustration?

The same question could be asked for boredom, depression,
confusion, uncertainty... Let's not ignore emotions such as
happiness, joy, and excitement--no one has taught us how to feel
these feelings either.

In fact we've been more often coached in avoiding these feelings
because: Our blood pressure will go up. They are useless
feelings. No one will want to be around us. We'll be setting
ourselves up for the big let down. You should know what you
want...

Where does food enter in this challenge to feel emotion?
Avoidance mechanisms of emotions include habits such as smoking,
drugs, alcohol, and food. However, food is very easy, relatively
inexpensive, and acceptable to the general population and has
had a learned association from an early age.

When you cried as a baby, you weren't given a cigarette to smoke
or a beer to drink; you were given food to calm you down.

When you can home from an embarrassing problem at school you
weren't given drugs to shoot up with; you were given cookies and
milk to calm down.

The association with food and emotions has been ingrained in
each of us since we were infants. Since we were never given a
training in how to deal with emotions, it's little wonder that
we eat in response to many emotions. The end result is that we
use food to dilute feelings. Food is the drug of choice for
millions of Americans. Food is readily available with hundreds
of thousands of purveyors providing us a multitude of tastes to
please our palates.

And the irony is that rather than focusing on how to embrace
feelings--getting at the root of the problem--the focus is on
diets and techniques to lose weight. Emotional eating is rarely
entertained as the root cause.

An effective approach to eliminate emotional eating involves
asking important questions "What is missing here? Why are you
not getting the results you've been promised?" It is clearly
insane to keep dieting when the results are so poor. It's more
important to gain a grasp on how to stop emotional
eating--eating emotional stress than it is to read the scale.
Besides focusing on the scale doesn't empower you to be a better
more enlightened person, whereas learning how to overcome
emotional eating empowers you in all aspects of your life. If
you're a sales person, you'll be a better sales person. If
you're an assembly line worker, you'll be a better assembly line
worker; a mother, a better mother... Overall, you'll build self
worth and find that what you really want to eat is far more
nutritious and less in quantity than you ever before imagined
possible.

About the author:
Richard Kuhns B.S.Ch.E., NGH certified, a prominent figure in
the field of hypnosis with his best selling hypnosis and stress
management cds at http://www.DStressDoc.com and
http://www.PanicBusters.com. His aim is to make it possible for
anyone to manage emotional binge eating. For more information
please visit http://www.dstressdoc.com/BingeEatingEbook.htm
Author: Richard Kuhns

What Is Skin Cancer? Risk Factors and Detection

2008-04-03T13:58:00.001+01:00

Our bodies are made up of individual cells which are designed to reproduce, allowing for growth and an extended, healthy life. By serving their purpose, reproducing, and dying, they leave new, fresh, and fully functional cells to continue to perform bodily functions. After many cycles of reproduction, due to natural cellular degeneration over time or outside influences causing mutations, some cells fail to reproduce and die at the normal rate, and can start reproducing too much and form growths. These growths may be benign, or they may be malignant, in which case they are referred to as cancerous tumors. Ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cells to mutate and create growths, some benign and some malignant. What is a benign growth and what is skin cancer is a question you should ask your doctor.

If you have a rash, lump, or wound that doesn't seem to heal, this could be a cancerous tumor. Rather than ignoring these symptoms, you should see a doctor and find out what they are, although something like this should be an obvious reason to talk to a doctor regardless of the cancer risk.

The symptoms mentioned above may indicate squamous or basal cell carcinoma, which are the two most common nonmelanoma skin cancers. Squamous cells are the top layer of the skin. They are round and flat and protect against the environment. Beneath this layer of cells are the basal cells, which can also form tumors.

Most people have an average of 10 to 40 moles or nevi, which are benign, noncancerous growths. They often appear in the face, back, and arms, places which are frequently exposed to sunlight. Nevi are growths formed from mutated melanocytes, the cells which pigment the skin. These are located between the dermis, where sweat glands and hair follicles are located, and the epidermis, made up of basal and squamous cells. Melanocyte growths which turn cancerous are called melanoma.

Check your skin regularly for any abnormalities, especially if you have dysplastic nevi, which are irregularly shaped moles. If these nevi change in any way, including in size, shape, color or texture, or if the surrounding tissue becomes irritated, you should consult a doctor. If a new dysplastic nevi forms on your body, a doctor may want to do a biopsy to see if it is cancerous. This is generally done by removing the entire mole, and this may be all the treatment you need to get rid of the cancer. If the cancer is allowed to metastasize, additional tumors may form in other parts of the body by wandering cancerous cells which reproduce elsewhere, so early detection is extremely important.

You should not expose yourself to UV radiation if you can avoid it. When you go out in the sun, you should use sunscreen or protective clothing. Do not tan yourself too much and avoid sunburns, and do not use tanning beds. New research shows that tanning beds are an important risk factor for melanoma, which is the most serious form of skin cancer.

Ask a doctor if you have any suspicious irregularities in your skin, and familiarize yourself with your skin and moles so you can do self-examinations. Any irregularity should be examined by a doctor, who can tell you what is skin cancer and what may be a normal growth or another condition.

About the Author

To learn much more about what is skin cancer, visit http://www.SkinCancer-101.com where you'll find this and much more, including possible skin cancer treatments.

What Are A Few Of The Usual Causes Of A Headache?

2008-03-31T13:29:00.001+01:00

Thinking about the the various types of headaches and headache sufferers it should not be surprising that the causes are equally diverse. There are countless possible causes for headaches including medical problems like the fortunately rare instances of brain tumors or cerebral aneurysms. But the most commonly experienced headaches also have generally common causes.

In a lot of instances simple eyestrain such as that seen when working too long at the computer can lead to a headache. In other cases, ordinary a sinus infection resulting from a head cold or allergy can be the cause. Taking certain medications can also produce a headache.

Although the exact cause is not known in every instance, constriction of the blood vessels is also believed to be the culprit in many cases. Pain sensitive nerve fibers in the head line the walls of the blood vessels and when the blood vessels contract the nerves send signals to the brain. paradoxically, the brain itself cannot feel pain because it does not contain any pain sensitive nerve cells and tension-type or cluster headaches result.

But your blood vessels are able to dilate as well as contract and when they do so one theory at least holds that migraines and cluster headaches can be the result. Present research proposes that there are also several other far more important factors at play when it comes to migraines.

Tension or more accurately tension-type headaches can arise from other sources like tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulder and even the jaw. Those who have suffered from TMJ disorder which is a condition caused by tension of the temporomandibular joint causing the jaw to tighten against the skull are all too familiar with this.

In serious cases headaches may be produced by some underlying disease and these are usually called 'secondary headaches'. The list of conditions this can cause headaches is lengthy and will include everything from scarlet fever to irritable bowel syndrome.

Often environmental factors also play a significant part. Carbon monoxide poisoning such as that resulting from the gas produced by an automobile exhaust or many water heaters can produce severe headaches and indeed headaches are one of the prime symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Other causes include allergies, lead poisoning and food poisoning.

Even when food is not actually toxic as would be the case where food is contaminated with a bacterial infection certain people may be sensitive to compounds which will not affect the general population. Such common foods as cheese and chocolate can cause headaches in some people as will certain preservatives, caffeine and red wine.

But position, posture and a variety of other controllable factors can also be amongst the most common causes. As an increasing number of people are working with computers on a daily basis so we are seeing more eyestrain, jaw stress and neck tension.

Almost nine out of ten headaches are common tension headaches that are usually the result of one or more of the factors detailed above. In other words in the vast majority of cases the cure for your headache is simple and within your control.

About the Author

TheMigraineHeadacheCenter.com provides a wide range of information about headaches including cluster headaches and migraine headaches

End Glaucoma Suffering!

2008-03-31T13:26:00.001+01:00

Eye diseases are becoming more prevalent and statistics indicate that the percentage of sufferers is still on the rise. The only proven method for treatment of glaucoma is reduction of pressure in the eyes. Therefore, all treatments are designed to reduce the level of intraocular pressure. This goal can be achieved by a variety of means including eye drops, tablets, laser treatments and surgery. In order to protect your vision, it is necessary to seek treatment if you have any symptoms of glaucoma, in case the loss of vision gets worse.

Symptoms of glaucoma

Even if you display no symptoms of glaucoma, there is still a possibility that you have it. There have been numerous such cases, where people are suffering from the condition without showing any signs of it. Glaucoma is a result of high pressure in eyes, but how does this come about? The condition occurs when the draining and producing of fluid in the eye is out of balance. When the eye produces too much fluid, or fluid cannot drain out, eye pressure will rise and glaucoma will strike. The tougher the pressure is, the severer the glaucoma would become. Even if you only experience low pressure, if you don't seek glaucoma treatment, the pressure may become uncontrollable and you may would gradually lose your vision if not treated in a timely way.

Types of glaucoma treatments

Even for some who do not have vision problems, it may necessary to be tested for glaucoma as the condition can become worse without being noticed. Take precautions to prevent it, especially as you age or if glaucoma is in your family. A certain kind of diet matched with glaucoma prevention might be what you need.

Most glaucoma treatments aim to reduce the pressure in the eyes. You can choose your proper treatment by consulting with your doctor. Usually eye drops are the first choice over other treatments, and they have been proven effective in reducing eye pressure. Actually you may be prescribed more than one kind of eye drop, and using multiple types can enhance the treatment, according to research.. Eye drops act two ways: one way is to reduce the amount of fluid produced in the eyes; the other is to open the drainage channels to let the excess liquid drain away. The two ways are different in approach but equally satisfactory in result. These kind of treatments would work for those with slight glaucoma, but if they don't, you would probably be advised to undergo laser treatment or surgery. In terms of laser treatment, different technologies are used according to individual needs. And don't forget about natural eye healthy practices. Diest containing lots of fruits and vegetables may be effective in easing glaucoma. Likewise, food abundant in vitamin C is a helpful for the natural treatment of glaucoma.

About the Author

Author Bio:

Mitamins team

bd@mitamins.net

Glaucoma - Find Authoritative Natural Treatment Information, Plus Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements for Supporting Glaucoma Treatment, Symptoms, Causes.

Some Truths About Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma

2008-03-30T17:33:00.001+01:00

There are various types of mesothelioma but asbestos lung mesothelioma is an asbestos-induced cancer of the mesothelium of the lung, more familiarly known as the pleura, which is the external lining of the lung.

Many of the major organs of the body have a mesothelium, that of the heart being called the pericardium and of the heart the peritoneum. However, it is with the pleura that we are concerned here, and the symptoms of asbestos lung mesothelioma are what you would expect: coughing, discomfort in the chest cavity and eventual pain.

Before we come to possible treatments and palliative care, lets have a look at what causes it and why we are still seeing new cases today after asbestos was banned for construction use in the 1970s.

Asbestos comes in several forms, the most dangerous thought to be crocidolite, commonly known as blue asbestos. This form of asbestos is in a highly fibrous form, and it is the inhalation and ingestion of these fibers that cause the problem. They tend to remain in the body for a considerable period of time and it can take up to 40 - 45 years before the symptoms of mesothelioma begin to appear, though some people contract it in their 30s.

To complicate the situation, it is not only asbestos that causes the symptoms, but any fibrous silicate, which it is why some compensation cases are not as cut and dry as they could be. To add to this complication, smoking adds to the possibility of cancer and it is argued that many patients would not have contracted mesothelioma had they not smoked.

This is not only an argument made by solicitors in court, but has been established by statistics. It is pretty certain that smokers have a greater tendency of contracting asbestos lung mesothelioma than non-smokers, since attorneys for the employers have used this as a reason for having the otherwise high compensation significantly reduced.

There is a popular misconception that mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, but it is just a misconception. Lung cancer is mesothelioma, and in the USA 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by smoking. That is an indisputable fact. In order to prove the intervention of asbestos in a case, therefore, not only would the patients have to prove that they had worked with asbestos, but also not to have smoked. Had they smoked, then the award could be greatly reduced.

The term asbestos lung mesothelioma is therefore a correct one because that form of the disease to which we are referring is caused by asbestos, and not smoking, is of the pleura of the lung and not of the pericardium or peritoneum, and is mesothelioma.

Its treatment is largely palliative, or intended to ease suffering, because the prognosis is fairly grim. Only about 20% of cases live to 5 years after diagnosis, with most surviving only one year, though much depends on how far the condition had developed by the time it was diagnosed. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are used, but not successfully, and various degrees of surgery are also used. Removal of the affected lung, pericardium and half the diaphragm is the most major of these, and even that only extends life to a maximum of around five years from diagnosis.

There are new treatments being tested, but all treatment is expensive, and a good attorney is likely necessary to secure the compensation to pay for these. Ultimately hospice care will be required and again compensation money should be kept back for this. Ultimately, in spite of all the treatment given, it is palliative care that will make the last days of the patient bearable, as will the help and support of the family, and this is what compensation can fund.

About the Author

More information on this disease can be obtained from Peter's webpage Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma where more detail is given of possible treatment.

Acne Treats And Its Main 3 Categories

2008-03-30T17:30:00.001+01:00

For most of us that take pride in the way we look, the thought of suffering with acne or Zits may at first seem awful. But there are now many treatments available which can help to make it more bearable. Scientific research into this area is intense. The acne skin care products available fall into these categories: - Internet or drugstore: Over the counter treatments - Internet or drugstore: Treatments that do not require a prescription - Specialized, on-prescription acne products

General acne products are used as a preventative measure and include cleansers, make-up removers and other similar products that can help prevent acne. Whilst many sufferers use these products there are even more people who just want to keep their skin clean and conditioned.

There are acne skin care products that are more specialized in their approach and are formulated to reduce and limit the amount of oil in the pores of our skin. These products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and can hamper the growth of bacteria.

One particular skin care treatment is an exfoliation skin peel which cleans the skin and helps control the spread of the condition. The peels clean the skin by removing all surface pollution and dead skin cells which can block the pores.

There is a huge market for these types of acne skin care products as they do not require a consultation with a dermatologist. Skin care products have been formulated to extract the excess oil that bacteria need to develop acne. These products have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as ingredients which the bacterium reacts badly too.

You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as a skin care regime. It might just be a case of trial and error. If nothing seems to work speak to your dermatologist for any advice or try a different acne skin care product.

Products that your dermatologist or doctor will recommend will only be available on prescription, they may include antibiotics or topical ointments. In some case your doctor may suggest the pustules are drained of harmful contents under local anesthetic. This is a minor procedure which if carried out by yourself could result in skin damage.

An alternative that has been shown to work well is hormone therapy. Studies have shown that acne and skin care treatments that are hormone based have proven to be effective in many cases. There is no longer any reason to despair if you have this skin complaint. Science has produced many effective treatments.

About the Author

Find more free info on acne home remedy treats at http://www.cystic-acne-natural-treatment.com

A Peek at the Damage Insomnia Causes

2008-03-30T17:26:00.001+01:00

Insomnia affects a large percentage of the population throughout the world. It leads to a number of health problems as well as psychological problems. Lack of adequate sleep often results in weight gain, stress, slurred speech, impaired thinking, depression and many other health issues. This article deals with the various types of Insomnia causes along with how they affect the general population.

One of the types of insomnia is sleep state misconception. In this type of problem, people who doze adequately feel that they do not have enough. Another type of this problem is psycho physiological insomnia. This type of insomnia encourages one to lie on the bed for a long time but find it difficult to fall asleep. This problem happens when the person is too distressed psychologically. He is unable to overcome his stress inducing issues and thinks about it to such an extent that he fails to get enough rest.

Yet another type of insomnia is obstructive sleep apnea in which the airway collapses while the patient is sound asleep. This causes people to wake up early in the morning and find it difficult to fall asleep again. It also leads to daytime sleepiness. Some people suffer from insomnia on staying in places that are at high altitude. The lack of adequate oxygen can aggravate the issue. Pilots and flight crews often suffer from this issue. A new and stressful situation like a new job or exams may lead to temporary sleeplessness. Once the person gets used to the new environment, he is usually able to sleep properly again. Then there is certain medication that could lead to this problem as an undesirable side effect. Therefore, you must consult your doctor before purchasing any over the counter medicines with stimulants. People who need alcohol to fall asleep may suffer from insomnia when they do not take it. Certain toxins can cause wakefulness too.

Children may also suffer from restlessness if parents do not enforce a fixed bedtime schedule for them. Other insomnia causes among children are food allergies and lack of the usual cues like a song, story or pacifier to enable them to fall asleep. Disruption in sleeping and waking cycle like in a jet lag could lead to transient insomnia. People who work alternate shifts may also suffer from this condition due to fluctuations in sleep wake schedule. Some people are able to fall asleep after midnight, usually after 2 AM. Thus, they miss the daily 8 hours of sleep and feel tired. Leg cramps while sleeping troubles a number of people who wake up due to the pain in leg and are unable to fall asleep again.

About the Author

We provide information on the facts about insomnia along with information on sleep deprivation effects and other sleeping disorders. by D. Karlson