Healthy Living - Better Life

Stay on your feet: Run SAFE!

2010-04-02T13:00:00.001-07:00

It is important for a runner to be seen when running at night. Choosing the right gear can make a nighttime running experience a safe one.

Running near traffic in dark conditions can be a dangerous undertaking. Visibility drops for motorists and for the runner when the sun is down. Wearing the right clothing and using the appropriate gear for night running will keep a jogger visible to traffic. Here are the essential gear items for any nocturnal runner.

Reflective Clothing for Night Running
Almost any type of clothing can be found with reflective strips or logos. Visit a store that sells runner-specific gear to ensure the highest visibility and the right fit. Reflective jackets, vests, and belts can be worn to make sure drivers notice the runner. If a vest seems too cumbersome there are options. Everything from socks to hats can be found in reflective orange and yellow colors.

Lights for Night Running
Cars are not the only thing on the road that need lights; runners do as well. Headlamps are a great way to increase the visibility of the road to the jogger while adding additional protection from moving traffic. Some headlamps include a strobe feature which has a blinking light on the forehead and a blinking red light on the back of the head. Strobe lights can also be purchased as armbands and in clip-on styles as well.

Reflective Bands for Night Running
One quick way to increase the visibility of a jogger at night is by wearing a reflective arm band. These small strips offer an easy way to add a reflective safety feature without adding the bulk that often comes along with a jacket or vest. Bands are also an inexpensive method of altering a running wardrobe to fit the needs of night running. Reflective bands can be purchased at running specialty stores such as Night-Gear.

Reflective running gear and lights will help keep a runner visible to nighttime traffic. Runners should never depend solely on the drivers however. Always be mindful of the traffic conditions on any road. Although many runners love to listen to music while jogging, night running is a time to be completely aware. That awareness not only includes the visual but the aural as well. Listen for oncoming vehicles and watch for their lights in the trees and on buildings as they approach. Get off the road and leave plenty of room for the driver to pass. Following these basic safety rules and wearing the appropriate reflective gear can greatly increase a runners chance of staying safe when running during the dark. (JWeb)

30/1440 = More than enough time.

2010-04-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

There are 1,440 minutes in every day. Schedule 30 of them for physical activity!

Regular exercise is a critical part of staying healthy. People who are active live longer and feel better. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can delay or prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart problems.

Most adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days per week. Examples include walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming for recreation or bicycling. Stretching and weight training can also strengthen your body and improve your fitness level.

The key is to find the right exercise for you. If it is fun, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may want to walk with a friend, join a class or plan a group bike ride. If you've been inactive for awhile, use a sensible approach and start out slowly. (JWeb)

Finding Fitness: 10 Ways to Fit in Exercise

2010-03-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

The benefits of regular exercise are unrivaled: Physical activity can help you lose weight and prevent a host of ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Being fit also can help you stay mentally sharp.

While most people know they should exercise, you may not know where to start or how to fit it into a busy schedule. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity spread out over five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on each of three days a week.

“This is something we recommend to all Americans,” says Gerald Fletcher, MD, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and a spokesman for the AHA.

An ideal fitness routine also includes resistance or weight training to improve muscle strength and endurance. The ACSM and the AHA recommend that most adults engage in resistance training at least twice a week.

Finding Fitness: 10 Ways to Get in Exercise
Sometimes the problem isn’t motivation — it’s simply finding the time. But scheduling exercise isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are 10 ways to get you moving more often:

Be less efficient. People typically try to think of ways to make daily tasks easier. But if we make them harder, we can get more exercise, says Sabrena Merrill, MS, of Lawrence, Kan., a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). “Bring in the groceries from your car one bag at a time so you have to make several trips,” Merrill says. “Put the laundry away a few items at a time, rather than carrying it up in a basket.”
Shun labor-saving devices. Wash the car by hand rather than taking it to the car wash. “It takes about an hour and a half to do a good job, and in the meantime you’ve gotten great exercise,” Merrill says. Use a push mower rather than a riding mower to groom your lawn.
Going somewhere? Take the long way. Walking up or down a few flights of stairs each day can be good for your heart. Avoid elevators and escalators whenever possible. If you ride the bus or subway to work, get off a stop before your office and walk the extra distance. When you go to the mall or the grocery store, park furthest from the entrance, not as close to it as you can, and you'll get a few extra minutes of walking — one of the best exercises there is, Dr. Fletcher says. “Walking is great because anyone can do it and you don’t need any special equipment other than a properly fitting pair of sneakers.”
Be a morning person. Studies show that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick with it. As Merrill explains, “Are you going to feel like exercising at the end of a hard day? Probably not. If you do your workout in the morning, you’re not only more likely to do it, but you'll also set a positive tone for the day.”
Ink the deal. Whether morning, afternoon, or evening, pick the time that is most convenient for you to exercise and write it down in your daily planner. Keep your exercise routine as you would keep any appointment.
Watch your step. Investing in a good pedometer can help you stay motivated. “If you have a pedometer attached to your waist and you can see how many steps you’ve taken, you’ll see it doesn’t take long to walk 5,000 steps and you will be inspired,” Merrill says. And building up to 10,000 steps a day won’t seem like such a daunting a task.
Hire the right help. While weight training is important, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you run the risk of injuring yourself or not being effective, Merrill says. It’s best to get instructions from a personal trainer at the gym. You also can buy a weight-training DVD and follow along in your living room.
Keep records. Grab a diary or logbook, and every day that you exercise, write down what you did and for how long. Your records will make it easy for you to see what you’ve accomplished and make you more accountable. Blank pages? You’d be ashamed.
Phone a friend. Find someone who likes the same activity that you do — walking in the neighborhood, riding bikes, playing tennis — and make a date to do it together. “Exercising with a friend or in a group can be very motivating,” Fletcher says. “You are likely to walk longer or bike greater distances if you’re talking to a friend along the way. The time will go by faster.” Don’t have a buddy who is available? Grab an MP3 player and listen to your favorite music or an audio book while exercising.
Do what you like. Whatever exercise you choose, be sure it’s one that you enjoy. You’re more likely to stick with it if it’s something you have fun doing rather than something you see as a chore, Fletcher says.

Learning CPR must become part of our civic responsibility...

2010-02-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

Civic Responsibility is defined as the "responsibility of a citizen" (Dictionary.com). It is comprised of actions and attitudes associated with democratic governance and social participation. Considering the 325,000 deaths to sudden cardiac arrest each year nationally, we must, as citizens take pause, and be reminded of our civic responsibility to help our fellow man in their time of need.

The fight against Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a fight we can win, together. We can, and are developing cardiac resuscitation systems here in Lancaster County that match and exceed many of the world’s best.

Unfortunately, without the help of our county citizens, our work may prove to be futile.

Learn CPR. You never can be sure the life you may save.

James Weber, EMT
Community Outreach Coordinator
Manheim Township Ambulance Association

Healthy eating during the cold and flu season

2010-01-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

HEALTHY EATING DURING COLD AND FLU SEASON
As the weather becomes colder and we stay indoors more, people often catch colds or other viruses. The cold and flu season can begin as early as October and usually ends sometime in April. While there is no way to cure the common cold or the flu, healthy eating during cold and flu season can help you avoid getting sick.
Foods that may boost immune system
Researchers are finding positive links between immune function and components in food. If you or your kids seem to get one cold after another, you'll want to make sure they eat plenty of immune-building foods.
Garlic may boost your immune system, increasing resistance to infection and stress. To get the immune power from garlic, crush the cloves with the flat side of a knife before adding them to your food. This releases the garlic juice, which has great immune properties.
Cheese and other dairy products contain conjugated linoleic acid, a natural component of dairy fat which has boosted immune response in animal studies.
Yogurt and other cultured milk products contain probiotics, beneficial bacterial with immune-boosting benefits. Look for the “live active culture” seal, which indicates that probiotics have been added. Also check milk product labels for vitamin D. Early research suggests low levels of vitamin D may be linked to a seasonal increase in colds and flu and a higher incidence of respiratory infections.
Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and juices, may also help the body's immune system.
Zinc, found in meat, chicken, peanuts and peanut butter, plays an important role in the proper functioning of the immune system in the body
Foods that heal
Fresh ginger root can help you when you are sick by inducing sweating and decreasing nausea and diarrhea. Make ginger tea by grating one ounce of fresh ginger in a pint of water. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon and honey to taste.
Chicken soup and warm beverages increase the flow of nasal secretions, helping alleviate cold symptoms. Of course, the taste and wonderful aroma of chicken soup may be an important part of the beneficial effects.
Healthy eating during cold and flu season means getting the daily requirement of essential vitamins and minerals by eating a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from all food groups.
Keeping the germs away
The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands. A common way to catch a cold is by rubbing your nose or eyes, so to protect against infection wash your hands frequently.
Your hands pick up germs from other people or from contaminated surfaces and hand washing prevents you from infecting yourself with the germs. Use warm water, soap and wash for several minutes for best results.
Other good health practices are not sharing cups, or silverware and cleaning high-contact items, such as doorknobs, faucets and telephones, with soap and water.
Boost your immune system
Even when your hands are clean, staying healthy means more than simply avoiding germs. Healthy bodies have an easier time fighting off infection. To stay healthy and boost your immune system:
Get plenty of rest
Eat a well-balanced diet
Exercise regularly
Decrease stress
Cut back on unhealthy habits, such as smoking and over consuming alcohol
Studies have shown that a session of moderate physical activity produces positive effects on the immune system. Over time, this means catching fewer colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Feeling better
For most of us getting sick is a part of life. If you do catch a cold or the flu, the following advice still holds true
To feel better while you are sick:
Drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest
Use a humidifier - to moisten mucus membranes
Add immune-boosting foods to your Shopping List this flu season.
When you are sick, stay home so you don’t infect others. If you do go out and need to sneeze or cough, use a tissue or sneeze or cough into your sleeve or upper arm. Don’t do it into your hand, since you can spread the virus to others by touching people or handling objects that others may use.
This information is not a substitute for a physician's advice or your own good judgment. If you are feeling truly awful, your symptoms worsen or last a long time it is always wise to contact a physician.

Improving your sleep...

2010-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Waking up "on the wrong side of the bed" is a nice way to say a person didn't sleep very well. Have your sleep habits hit the wall? Sure, poor sleep affects your mood negatively. But it also hampers your overall well-being, including how well you fare in your weight loss endeavors.
That’s right... research shows there is a correlation between gaining enough snooze time and losing a few pounds.
From premature aging to a compromised immune system, the side-effects of sleepless nights can add up, according to Barbara Harris, editor-in-chief of Shape magazine and author of Shape Your Life: 4 Weeks To A Better Body -- And A Better Life! (Hay House).
During her more than 15 years at the helm of Shape magazine, Harris compiled the secrets to what makes or breaks an effective fitness regimen. She says getting in the best shape of your life requires more than just a good workout. In fact, Harris maintains that in order to improve your overall well-being, you need to take a holistic approach that focuses on seven main areas: workout, diet, spirituality, sleep, emotions, body image and work. The smaller pieces add up to a healthier big picture, she says.
Shape Your Life is a hands-on guide to achieve those seven elements," Harris tells eDiets in this exclusive. "There are step-by-step programs for each element.
“For the first time in their lives, readers might experience short-term and long-term success. This not only leads to a healthier, better- developed body, but most importantly, a more satisfying and enjoyable life they’ll absolutely love.”
Getting a good night’s sleep is high on the list of things you can do to boost your health and fitness levels. Sleep is crucial for optimum immunity, Harris says. When you don’t get enough shuteye, your workouts may be less effective and you’re more likely to store fat.
But that’s not all. Your ability to manage stress throughout the day is also compromised.
Studies reveal women frequently turn to food to soothe themselves in times of stress. It's also a fact that many women also eat more to raise their energy level. The root of these problems can be traced to the stress-associated hormone cortisol.
Sleep experts know the less you snooze, the more you produce this cortisol.
Harris says the hormone depletes muscle via cellular breakdown. As your cortisol levels increase, your muscles weaken and the strengthening exercises you do become less effective.
Barbara Harris' 10 Tips for a Good Nights Sleep.
1. Get regular exposure to daylight, especially in the afternoon. (Research shows that night-shift workers can improve daytime sleep by working under bright lights.)
2. Prior to bedtime, use dimmer switches or turn off a few lamps to lower the lighting in your home or apartment.
3. Don’t allow yourself to nod off on the sofa. When you start feeling drowsy, get up and go to bed.
4. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. Don’t make it a satellite office, study hall or entertainment center.
5. When you can’t sleep, try using imagery and thoughts to relax. Deep-breathing techniques also work.
6. If you haven’t dropped off within about 20 minutes, get out of bed and read or engage in some other quiet activity. Go back to bed when you get sleepy.
7. Put the alarm clock out of sight. Clock watching doesn’t help you sleep -- it may even keep you awake!
8. Sleep specialists recommend lying on your back or on your side, not your stomach.
9. Get Fido and Fluffy their own comfy beds. In a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, half the people surveyed had their sleep disturbed by pets.
10. Only take over-the-counter sleep aids as an occasional emergency measure. You can build up a tolerance to them very quickly. If you can find yourself relying on them, see your doctor.

Using phone while walking perilous for seniors

2009-12-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

By Rachael Rettner @ MSNBC

For older people, gabbing on a cell phone while walking across the street may increase the chances of being run over, according to a new study, although earlier research did not find the same connection among younger people.
Just listening to music on an iPod or other portable device doesn't pack the same risks as talking on a cell phone, the researchers found.
The results are based on two lab-based studies in which participants had to maneuver on a treadmill to cross a virtual street, and so further research is needed to firm up the results in the real world. One possible shortcoming: People may find it more difficult to walk on a manual treadmill than they would on actual concrete. But the simulation allowed researchers to make sure all subjects experienced the exact same conditions.
"Many people assume that walking is so automatic that really nothing will get in the way," Art Kramer, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois who conducted the research, said in a statement. "But actually walking in environments that have lots of obstacles is perhaps not as automatic as one might think."
Previous research in a natural setting found walking and talking on a cell phone so distracting that subjects failed to spot an obvious clown riding a unicycle.
Participants in Kramer's study took their virtual stroll on a manual treadmill that only moves when the person walks. Images of an intersection were projected on three screens placed in front of, to the right and left of the subject. The treadmill was synced up with the virtual environment. Each participant had to complete a jaunt that included crossing a street, with cars, three times: once with no distractions, having a cell-phone conversation, and listening to music on an iPod.
The research involved two studies.
The first, with 36 college students, showed that students trying to hold a phone conversation took 25 percent longer to cross the street compared with those without phones and those listening to iPods. Cell-phone users were also less likely to finish crossing the street in the 30 seconds allotted for the task.
However, the young adults were not more likely to get hit by a virtual car even if they were talking on a cell phone. The study was published online Nov. 5 in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.
The researchers note that cell-phone users who didn't finish crossing spent most of their time waiting at the curbside, suggesting they failed to spot safe opportunities to cross the road. In real life, pedestrians do not always have the option to wait — they might be in a hurry to get to work, or running late for an appointment. In such rushed instances, failing to recognize a safe time to cross could have harmful consequences, such as a vehicle collision, the authors write.
The second study, yet to be published, focused on people 60 and older.
"Older adults on the phone got run over about 15 percent more often [than those not on the phone]," Kramer said. Subjects who had a history of falling fared even worse.
"Walking and talking on the phone while old, especially, appears to be dangerous," Kramer said.
But why was music-listening less of a hazard than talking on the phone? The researchers point out that a conversation requires a person to comprehend and respond, while listening to tunes is a more passive activity. They speculate it may be easier for an individual to tune out music to concentrate on the task at hand, while the same cannot be said for chatting on the phone.
© 2009 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34131615/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

© 2009 MSNBC.com

Just say no to Sugar!

2009-11-30T05:34:00.001-08:00

A research team out of Princeton headed by psychology professor Bart Hoebel tested heavy doses of sugar on rats and found that the sugar had many addictive traits, similar to those seen with such highly addictive drugs as cocaine. These initial studies revealed that sugar has the same type of impact on the brain as some of these other drugs.
Hmm, sugar is as addicting as heroin or cocaine. Now, before you all join together in a carb-craving rallying cry, “I told you so!” “I’m hooked on sugar.” It’s like crack!” “SEE! It really IS like crack!” I want to say, I have my little doubts.
Now, I’m the first to admit that at times I’ve felt like I ‘can’t do sugar’. I usually joke to my friends that apparently I’m not mature enough to enjoy a piece of cake now and then, because once I indulge, its cake all the time.
But, if I’m being fair to myself and really look at those situations when I finally decide to partake in sweet treats, it is often when I haven’t been feeding myself, or taking care to manage my stress.
Something else to consider is that women are more attracted to carbohydrates because of the neurotransmitters in our brains. If we eat sugar when we’re hungry, we’re much more likely to return to sugar in an effort to get satisfied. Hence…more cake!
In the interest of science, what I want to know is, when they shoved those little rats full of sugar, were they happy and full of cheese beforehand? Were they asked nicely if they cared for an after dinner mint, or just force fed M&M’s within an inch of their lives?

Via Cindy @ www.aweightlifted.com

Dieting & Canned Tuna: Confessions of a Food Safety Worrier

2009-11-30T05:29:00.000-08:00

I seem to be on a food safety jag these days. I don’t think I’m looking for things to worry about, but I do keep running into a lot of articles about the subject in the professional journals I read. The one that grabbed my attention this week is about fish and mercury content. I posted a note about fish and mercury on this blog several months ago, but I totally forgot about it. So assuming many of you did, too, I thought I write again on the subject.
The dieters and ex-dieters among us surely remember (and may still partake of) those endless lunches of canned tuna sans mayo over lettuce. Canned tuna was a simple lunch and fairly satisfying, if you liked it. Plus, tuna and other fish seemed to be just the food to help us reach healthy weights – rich in protein with the right kind of dietary fat that made the American Heart Association recommend eating fatty fish twice a week for heart health.
But in recent years, we’ve been warned away from eating too much tuna and other high-fat fish because of its mercury content. Which, of course, made me worry how much mercury my body had accumulated from those years of tuna lunches (and dinners). I don’t have any answer for that except to think that I should probably get tested to put my mind at ease, or to find I need to take some steps to detoxify – whatever those steps are. I have no idea.
Aside from airing my neuroses, I thought readers might appreciate a look at how different fish rank in mercury content, as listed in an article in Nutrition Reviews titled “Too Much of a Good Thing? Update on Fish Consumption and Mercury Exposure.” It was written by two seemingly credible folks – a professor with the Program in Neuroscience and the Department of Nutrition, Food & Exercise Sciences at Florida State University, and another PhD with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
It appears you can’t access the journal online without a subscription so I’ll just repeat the bottom line here. It lists tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico (also known as golden snapper), mackerel from the Gulf (also known as gulf king mackerel), shark and swordfish as fish that should not be eaten by men or women (based on a 154-pound man and 110-pound woman. Women weighing 100 pounds or less also apparently should avoid grouper, orange roughy and marlin. If your weight is higher, you can probably feel safe eating those latter fish, but I wouldn’t recommend anyone eating the others, even if you do weigh more than 154 pounds.
Other fish – including tuna – appear to be okay to eat especially if fish is eaten in 3-ounce portions not more than twice a week. If fish is eaten daily, fresh and canned albacore tuna falls off the list of okay to eat, as well as bluefish, Pacific croaker, saltwater bass, halibut, sable, snapper, monkfish, Spanish and south Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic tilefish. Fish that are low in mercury (listed from lowest to highest) include whiting, ocean perch, fresh salmon, tilapia, sardines, freshwater haddock, freshwater trout, herring, mullet, catfish, Atlantic croaker, flounder/sole, North Atlantic mackerel, Pollack, squick, shad, whitefish, Pacific mackerel, cod, canned light tuna. Lobster ranks up with bluefish in its mercury content, so it shouldn’t be eaten daily by women (as if). Crab, crawfish, oysters, shrimp, clams and scallops are all fairly low in mercury.
Hope this post gives you some good info and doesn’t warn you off fish altogether! The authors of the journal article did conclude that the AHA recommendation to eat at least two 3-ounce servings of fish a week was supported by their review. They conclude with this recent advisory from the Environmental Protection Agency:
1) Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
2) Eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury; and
3) Check state advisories about the safety of fish caught by individuals in local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but do not consume any other fish during that week.

Via Marsha @ www.aweightlifted.com

Beat bad circulation.

2009-10-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

Are you one of the millions of people in the world suffering from bad blood circulation? With out even knowing it, you might be! You might not necessarily have a lot of symptoms if you are suffering with bad circulation (Peripheral Vascular Disease or PVD.) but you should be aware that it can be treated.

It can also be a signal your body is sending, letting you know something more serious is going on. Like clogged arteries or blood clots. For me the symptoms started very slowly and were minor. I just took it as part of my body falling asleep or that I had slept wrong on my arms or my legs. You don’t have to be old to have bad circulation. For me it started in my teens. I was what most people considered over active in sports. Practicing soccer, handball and speed skating about 6 hours a day 7 days a week put a great strain on my body.

After getting injured I was forced to quit all sports which did not go over to well with my body. Veins blew out all over my legs and I noticed that my feet kept going numb quite often. I figured they just went to “sleep” because I was not used to being still so much. Over the years the numbness spread from my feet up my legs. Still I kept ignoring it. Four children later the numbness had spread to my hands and I could no longer ignore it. This was when my husband came across a book online called “Beat Bad Circulation.” After him being on me for a long time to read the book I had to. Believe it or not it has helped me a lot.

This book explains bad circulation and things that can help you beat bad circulation. My hands no longer go numb and my legs and feet are better than they have been in years.

“Beat Bad Circulation” might not be the solution for everybody but if you are suffering from bad blood circulation it is worth reading and it just might help you to. Like I said the name of the book is “Beat Bad Circulation.” Maybe its all you need to get that blood flowing again and feel well again.

Please go to www.BeatBadCirculation.com or visit www.HealthCrow.com Theses sites are members of the www.CrowSites.com network.

Here are a few statistics on bad circulation:

• The body of an adult contains over 60,000 miles of blood vessels!

• An adult's heart pumps nearly 4000 gallons of blood each day!

• Your heart beats some 30 million times a year!

• The average three-year-old has two pints of blood in their body; the average adult at least five times more!

A beginner's guide to fitness

2009-10-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

What to do when you are ready to get into shape!

So you are finally ready to turn from your couch potato ways, and trade your T.V. remote in for a dumbbell! Congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of fitness! I commend you on your resolve to lose weight and get into shape! Now where do you begin? These days there sure is a lot of talk about diet and fitness, whether it is a new diet pill or piece of exercise equipment. It is enough to make your head spin, and certainly enough to confuse the beginner. Take a deep breath, and follow these simple tips to go from being a fitness beginner to a pro!

TIP #1: GET MOVING

The first thing you need to do, as a fitness beginner, is to start moving! I mean this literally. Get up, and walk out your front door. Now walk down the street. Now turn the corner. Keep going! Do you get the picture? Start introducing your body to fitness by going on walks. These walks will probably start out slow and short, but before you know it they will be brisk and long. Try to work up a sweat as you tour the neighborhood. Make it a habit to wake up early to go on your walk, or consistently go on a walk before you go to bed. These walks will get you to start burning calories each day, and will also begin to build your cardiovascular endurance.

TIP #2: STRETCH

Once you become a pro at walking, you will need to add something new to your routine. Stretch before and after your walks. Start by reaching down to touch your toes and holding it for 30 seconds. You will feel tightness on the backs of your legs, in your hamstrings. Now place your palm against a wall at chest level and turn your body away from it. As you hold this for 30 seconds you will feel a stretch in your chest. Most inactive people have tight hamstring and chest muscles due to prolonged sitting, so it should be your priority to stretch these muscles out. You will be pleasantly surprised at what this will do for your posture!

TIP #3: CLEAN YOUR DIET

Fitness professionals like to claim that 80% of what your body looks like is directly related to what you eat. In other words, if you are eating burgers and fries and visiting the gym everyday, you are still going to look like you are eating burgers and fries! It is time to clean up your diet, so you can continue on your fast track to fitness.

Rule #1: No more fast food. Fast food is cheap, available, and quick, but it is far from healthy. You are better off avoiding it completely.
Rule #2: Eat 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables everyday. Your body needs the nutrients found in these foods, and they will fill you up without empty calories.
Rule #3: Eat 4-5 small meals a day, rather than 2 large ones. This will keep your metabolism high all day, and turn you into a calorie-burning machine!

TIP#4: JOIN A GYM

After you have mastered walking, stretching, and have started to clean up your diet, you are ready to join a gym. Don’t be intimidated or scared of this concept, the gym is a friendly place where people go to burn calories and build muscle! Find a local gym that has a convenient location near your home or work place. The key to making your gym membership worth its monthly dues is to use it consistently. Go to the gym no less than three times a week. While you are there begin a resistance training program as well as a cardiovascular program.

TIP #5: FIND A BUDDY

There is no better motivator to get you to the gym than knowing that someone is there waiting for you. If you find yourself slacking off in your workouts, or skipping the gym, a workout buddy might be just what you need. Find a friend with whom you share similar fitness goals, and become workout buddies. Agree to meet three times a week at the gym, and encourage each other throughout your workout. You will find that this makes workouts motivating and fun.

There you have it, all you need to know to get yourself up off the coach and into a healthy, fit lifestyle! Making the decision to get into shape will be the best one you make in your life, and I wish you all the best. To your health!

Medical Alert Alarms: Making the decision on who to buy from...

2009-06-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

oday, when there is a lot of need for Medical Alarms for the elderly people, our research resulted in this brief article, which aims to summarize what major companies are out there, and what kind of medical alarms products they offer.

Medical Alarm, or they are also referred as Medical Alert, is an small personal emergency alarm device that is monitored 24/7.

The good thing about Medical Alarms devices is that they allow independence, security and fast response at the press of a panic button.

Medical Alerts devices give the individuals instant access to help 24 hours a day, throughout the year.

In order to use Medical Alarms products one needs to subscribe to the company services that an individual chooses to go with. The prices vary from company to company.

Before one decides to subscribe any of Medical Alerts services vendors, it’s good to check the company’s customer services. Make sure you are rendered a caring and compassionate customer service. This is very important because when you hit that panic button (when you need it) the customer service agent will be your first contact point.

It is also good to check if the company’s monitoring center is in the house or out of the company headquarters. This is important for the following reason. Some of the Medical Alerts companies subcontract for monitoring services because they are not large enough to operate their own. However, if you use an Medical Alerts provider that has an in house monitoring system you will be speaking to the same people each time you contact them. This also develops relationship with your customer care agent.

Due to the fact that this is an important decision, on which Medical Alerts company will you be using, it may also be a good idea to check the company with Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org .

Build Health - Prevent Diabetes

2009-06-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

To prevent diabetes you will get a real jolt when you follow the prescription offered up in the “Journal of the American Medical Association.”

This ‘prestigious’ organization reported on separate studies of coffee drinkers in Sweden and Finland.

Whiz-bang medical researchers discovered that women could decrease their risk of diabetes by 29 percent when they followed a regimen of drinking three to four cups of coffee a day.

The ladies who had the fortitude to drink 10 or more cups of coffee a day fared even better. They reduced their risk of diabetes by 79 percent.

The men participating in the studies also reduced their risk, but not to the extent as did the women.

When men drank three to four cups a day, they reduced their risk of diabetes by 27 percent. The men who drank 10 or more cups of java per day reduced their risk by 55 percent.

These results confirm a January report by the equally ‘prestigious’ Harvard School of Public Health. That report concluded that drinking six 8-ounce cups of coffee a day could reduce diabetes risk in men by about 50 percent and in women by 30 percent.

If the numbers have any connection to reality, the more coffee you drink, the better off you are. And that is the rub.

The numbers have nothing to do with reality, nothing to do with the truth.

Here in America the rate of adult-onset diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes, is growing incrementally. Nowadays it typically shows up in middle-age populations, but the disease is on the rise among ever-younger age groups.

Do not step up your coffee consumption in the belief it will help you prevent diabetes. This disease has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of coffee drinking.

Science and truth are not synonymous. Medical scientists do not deal with truth. The medical scientists who monkey around with coffee drinking merely play with limited and approximate descriptions of reality. In this case, extremely limited and hardly approximate.

If you are serious about preventing diabetes, you have to look at the differences between the people of the past who did not get diabetes, and the people of today who get diabetes. This entails more than merely harping on the fact the younger generation is becoming more overweight and less active.

We have plenty of newly discovered diabetics who are active and on the thin side—and they drink lots of coffee.

The primary difference between the people of the past who did not get sick and die like we do, and the present lot who become diabetics, is poor nutritional status.

The diabetic-in-process has an inadequate intake of nutrients and/or excessive intake of nutrient-poor foods. Conversely, his/her healthy ancestors had a nutrient-dense diet.

The nutrient-dense diet of the past contained, minimally, four times the amount of minerals, and ten times the amount of fat-soluble vitamins found in the American diet of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.

Folks who learn where health comes from and practice prevention won’t become diabetic, and will not need the medical community dosing them with coffee, or any other magic bullet.

8 Tips for Managing Stress

2009-06-17T17:30:00.000-07:00

When you're stressed, your head may start to hurt, or you may feel nauseous, dizzy, or just plain overwhelmed. Stresscan have a huge impact on every aspect of your life, so stress reduction is necessary for maintaining both your physical and emotional health. Since you can't simply wish stress away, managing stress is a vital skill to develop.

Managing Stress: When You Experience a Sudden Spike

Certain situations create stress instantly, such as a major issue at work or a crisis at home that needs to be addressed right away. When there's an urgent problem that requires your immediate attention, managing stress is important so that you can think clearly. Try these stress reduction tips to help you deal with anxiety-provoking experiences:

Put it in perspective. Maybe you're disappointed that you didn't get a promotion you were up for or concerned that money is a little tight this month because of an unexpected medical bill. Feeling stressed is a natural reaction. But try to take a step back and ask yourself: will this issue still matter in a year? In five years? If the answer is no, take a deep breath and try to move forward. Keeping things in perspective is crucial to managing stress.
Come up with a plan. If there's a specific problem you need to fix, make a list of all possible solutions and pick the best one for your situation. Realizing that you have options and coming up with a concrete plan will have a direct effect on stress reduction.
Accept what you can't control. Some circumstances are simply beyond our control, and we have to learn to cope with and accept them. Fortunately, you do have control over how you react to stressful situations. Staying calm and being willing to accept emotional support from others can help in managing stress.

Managing Stress: When It’s at a Slow, Steady Boil

Sometimes it’s not one specific problem, but rather nagging concerns about your job, health, finances, or family members that create a steady build-up of stress. Try these tips to help you with stress reduction:

Give yourself a break. Daily stressors can creep up on you before you realize it, so treat yourself to at least one relaxing activity every day. Listening to music, meditating, writing in a journal, or enjoying a soothing bubble bath are all great ways to relax and relieve stress. Taking time for yourself is important for both preventing and managing stress.
Get regular exercise. Exercise is one of the best methods for managing stress because it can relieve both the physical and emotional effects of stress. Consider fitness choices that also deliver specific stress-reducing effects like yoga, tai chi, Pilates, or one of the martial arts, all great ways to get rid of pent-up stress and negativity.
Express your feelings. If something's bothering you, don't keep it to yourself. Talk to people you trust, like friends, family, or co-workers, about what's on your mind. Even if you're not looking for specific advice, it usually feels good just to get your feelings out into the open.

Managing Stress: Keeping Stressful Situations to a Minimum

Being prepared for difficult situations, managing your time well, and solving problems quickly can help you avoid unnecessary stress:

Set reasonable expectations. Being busy is sometimes inevitable, but regularly taking on more than you can manage can cause unwanted and unwelcome stress. Tell yourself that it's okay to say no to activities at your child's school or to extra projects at work — you are not obligated to accept every request made of you. Additionally, don't take on more financial responsibilities — such as a new car or a bigger house — if you think they'll be a stretch. Being realistic about your finances is an important strategy for managing stress.
Resolve issues before they become crises. It’s human nature to avoid unpleasant topics and circumstances, but if you're concerned about a brewing situation, whether it's at work or at home, address it early to keep it from becoming more serious, harder to solve, and more stressful for you. Problems are always easier to handle before they develop into full-blown calamities.

Everyone feels stress — it's impossible to avoid it all the time. But it is possible to keep stress under control by setting realistic expectations of yourself, learning how to keep problems in perspective, and enjoying relaxing breaks from the daily demands of life.

Learn more about balance.

Seat Belts: How They Save Lives

2009-06-17T17:29:00.001-07:00

It's been proven time and again, on back roads and superhighways: A seat belt can save a life in a car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States because drivers and their passengers were wearing seat belts when they were in accidents.

Seat Belt Safety: 5-Way Protection
“Seat belts prevent occupants of the vehicle from serious injury in five ways,” says Angela Osterhuber, director of the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project in Media, Pa. A seat belt:

Keeps the occupants of the vehicle inside. “It’s clearly a myth that people are better off being thrown clear from the crash,” Osterhuber says. “People thrown from a vehicle are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside.”
Restrains the strongest parts of the body. “Restraints are designed to contact your body at its strongest parts. For an older child and adult, these parts are the hips and shoulders, which is where the seat belt should be strapped,” Osterhuber says.
Spreads out any force from the collision. “Lap-and-shoulder belts spread the force of the crash over a wide area of the body. By putting less stress on any one area, they can help you avoid serious injury,” Osterhuber says. A shoulder strap also helps keep your head and upper body away from the dashboard, steering wheel, and other hard interior parts of the automobile should you stop suddenly or be hit by another vehicle.
Helps the body to slow down. “What is it that causes injury? A quick change in speed,” Osterhuber says. “Seat belts help extend the time it takes for you to slow down in a crash.”
Protects your brain and spinal cord. A seat belt is designed to protect these two critical areas. “Head injuries may be hard to see immediately, but they can be deadly,” Osterhuber says. Likewise, spinal cord injuries can have serious consequences.

Seat Belt Safety: Buckle Up Correctly
Adjusting your seat belt properly is a must: Getting the right fit is as important as wearing it. The strap that goes across your lap should fit snugly over your hips and upper thigh area. “If the belt rides up on the stomach, it could cause serious injuries in a crash,” Osterhuber says.

Shoulder belts should rest securely across your chest and shoulders between your breasts. Don’t ever let the strap fall across your neck or face and never place the strap under your arms or behind your back. “Any one of these positions can cause serious injury,” Osterhuber says.

Seat Belt Safety: Rules for Infants and Children
Children are not small adults — they need specialized protection in a moving vehicle. “Their skeletal structure is different,” Osterhuber says. Age, height, and weight determine the safest way for a child to travel.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, here’s how to select the right option for your child:

Rear-facing child safety seat. Children under age 1 and those who weigh less than 20 pounds should sit in rear-facing, child safety seats approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The seats should be placed in the backseat of the car.
Forward-facing child safety seat. Children older than 1 who weigh more than 20 pounds should ride in forward-facing child safety seats. The seat should be placed in the rear of the vehicle until the child reaches the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat. Typically, a child will outgrow a safety seat around age 4 and once she reaches about 40 pounds.
Booster seat. Children age 4 and older who weigh more than 40 pounds should ride in booster seats. A child can safely progress to a seat belt when the belt fits properly across the upper thighs and chest. “This is usually at age 8 or when they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall,” Osterhuber says.
Seat belt. When children outgrow their booster seats, they can use seat belts, but they still should sit in the back of the vehicle. “Really, all children should be riding in the backseat of the car until they are at least 13 years old,” Osterhuber says.

Seat Belt Safety: A Clear Message
The National Safety Council recently reported a drop in traffic fatalities for 2008, indicating a record low since the 1920s when it began publishing statistical reports. One reason given for the decline is the increased use of seat belts.

It takes only a few seconds to buckle up once you get in the car. Why wouldn’t you?

Last Updated: 05/20/2009

7 Ways to Cut Cancer Risk

2009-06-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Because of medical advances and new treatment options, many forms of cancer have become manageable chronic illnesses, like diabetes.

And other discoveries have shown that it's possible to cut your cancer risk. From diet and lifestyle changes to avoiding toxic chemicals and too much sun exposure, simple changes can make a big difference.

Cancer Risk #1: Tobacco
Tobacco kills. Smoking can damage almost every organ in your body and is a known cause of at least 15 different types of cancer.

The risks for cancer aren't limited to cigarettes. Cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and the smokelesss tobacco called snuff are all linked to cancer.

Want another reason to quit? Secondhand smoke is a cancer cause, too. Tens of thousands of people — including children — have diseases ranging from asthma and pneumonia to sudden infant death syndrome and even ear infections as a result of secondhand smoke.

Cancer Risk #2: Obesity
Being overweight or obese is a known cancer cause. In fact, excess weight is linked to an increased risk for developing more than a dozen types of cancer, including breast and pancreatic cancers. The American Cancer Society stresses the need to keep your weight in check by, first, eating right:

Eat a diet limited in processed and red meats and including five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Eat whole grains instead of processed grains.
Limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day for women or two for men.

Cancer Risk #3: No Exercise
Diet alone usually isn't enough to maintain a healthy body and cut your cancer risk. So, pick an activity that suits your level of fitness and get moving.

Adults should be physically active for at least 30 minutes on five or more days a week.
Children should engage in physical play for at least 60 minutes five days per week.

Cancer Risk #4: Sun Exposure
About one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States and most are sun related. Melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, can be fatal. You can lower your risk for skin cancer by limiting the time that you spend in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take these additional steps:

Seek out shade, especially during the middle of the day.
Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing, specifically the kind you can't see through when held up to a light.
Wear a hat and protect your eyes with sunglasses that have 99 percent UV absorption.
Follow these rules even on cloudy days.
Avoid sun lamps and tanning beds because they can cause the same type of skin damage as the sun.

Cancer Risk #5: Infection
Infections from viruses, bacteria, and parasites are a known cancer risk in up to 20 percent of all cancers. Several of those viruses are sexually transmitted, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

You can reduce your risk for getting these types of viruses by using condoms during sex. Women can reduce their risk of cancer from HPV by getting a vaccine. In fact, the American Cancer Society now recommends the HPV vaccine for girls who are nine and older.

Cancer Risk #6: Chemical Exposure
A variety of substances found in common products are known to be a cancer cause. Two of particular interest:

Asbestos, a fibrous substance, is found in many older buildings where it was used as insulation and as a fire-retardant; inhaling it can cause cancer. So be sure to have your home checked for asbestos before beginning any sort of renovation. Carpenters and other skilled workers who deal with remodeling older homes should investigate proper safety precautions before working in buildings that contain asbestos.
Tetrachloroethylene is a solvent used in dry cleaning. While wearing dry-cleaned clothes isn't considered dangerous, those who work in a dry cleaning business should change clothes after work, wash work clothes regularly, and keep their food out of the work area.

Cancer Risk #7: Consumer Products
Antiperspirants, talcum powder, hair dye, aspartame, and some cosmetics have all been reported as possible cancer causes, often incorrectly. The truth is that there is no conclusive evidence that any of these products cause cancer. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to monitor various studies and issues periodic updates.

Learn more about disease prevention.

Last Updated: 05/20/2009

Cause Of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

2009-05-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

It is strange but true that the exact Cause of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is yet to be ascertained. However, researchers in this regard suggest that certain diet drugs (appetite suppressants) can make a person more prone to developing this fatal condition.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is basically a disorder of the blood vessels wherein the pressure in the pulmonary artery rises above normal levels, thereby posing a life-threatening risk. Several diseases or causative factors, largely unknown, may lead to the malfunctioning denoted by the term Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.

Research done in recent times point out that A mutation in the gene denoted BMPR2 Causes Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. Researchers have sensed that other genes may also possibly lead to causing Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. It is also probable that other genes can contribute to the development of the disease in people, together with the known mutation of the BMPR2 gene. The disease is thereby inheritable via genes.

Most cases of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension are, however, found to be not inherited as a result of traits in genes. Cirrhosis of THE liver, stimulant abuse and H.I.V. infection are often closely associated with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, though no cause of the disease has been specifically delineated. Conclusive evidence has, however, been found regarding a direct correlation between the usage of appetite suppressants (diet drugs) and the risk of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. The names of Pondimin and Redux, commonly known as Fen Phen, are important in this regard. These drugs were recommended by hospitals and health centers from the 1970s to late 1990s. The manufacturers and the people prescribing it (doctors and the like) did not have the necessary diligence to discover the severe risk involved in using the drugs. Their ignorance has, thus, been the cause of thousands of people either suffering from the disease or potentially at risk to fall prey to the deadly condition.

The Meaning of Abnormal EKG Results

2009-05-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Many physicians recommend EKGs as a preventative-screening tool for those with a family history of heart disease. While a healthy person does not need an EKG as a part of an annual exam, many physicians will recommend an EKG if they have concerns. If a patient complains of chest pain, palpitations or other indicators of heart problems, the physician will likely recommend an immediate EKG test. Depending on the severity of the situation, your doctor may refer you to a local testing center immediately or ask you to schedule the next available appointment.

An abnormal EKG is determined by comparing the results of your EKG graph with a standard or normal heart graph. Spikes and dips within the graph are referred to as P, QR and PR and other similar acronyms. Normal EKG readings show a slight flat-dip in between contractions and relaxations. If these flat-dips are not present, it may be an indication of a more serious problem. Normal EKG readings will have spikes and dips too.

Myocardial defects, heart valve disease, enlargement of the heart, inflammation of the heart, coronary artery disease, and past, pending or impending heart attacks are only a few of the problems that EKGï¿½s can help to detect. The conditions in which the EKG is performed can also have an impact on the accuracy of the results. Some heart problems are not present all of the time and therefore may not appear in EKG results. In cases where heart problems are suspected but not detected on the EKG, a Holter monitor may be recommended. This monitor is worn, usually for a period of 24 to 48 hours and serves as a type of mini-EKG test. The patient wears the monitor at home and it continuously records heart activity. Doctors also recommend that the patient be relaxed during the exam because any muscle trembling or contractions can alter the results and produce an inaccurate reading.

Many people are surprised to learn that they have had an abnormal EKG reading. What is even more surprising is that when presented with abnormal EKG results, some doctors do not seem concerned. It doe not necessarily mean they are inadequate or uncaring physicians, it is more likely they believe something else has caused the abnormal reading. Most will want to pursue further testing or another EKG. Sometimes an event as simple as low blood sugar can have an altering affect and produce false EKG readings. Other times, abnormal EKGs require further testing to determine what, if any, problems actually exist.

EKG Reading provides detailed information on EKG, EKG Reading, EKG Interpretation, EKG Machine and more. EKG Reading is affiliated with ECG Cross Reference.

Swine Flu / H1N1 Flu - What to do.....

2009-05-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

The cases of swine flu in the United States have been milder than those in Mexico. The CDC is recommending the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment of swine influenza infections, so you will need to see your physician. Clinicians are encouraged to consider swine flu infection in patients with febrile respiratory illness and who 1) live in San Diego or Imperial counties, California, or Guadalupe County, Texas, or traveled to these counties or 2) who traveled recently to Mexico or were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness and were in one of the three U.S. counties or Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset.

Persons with febrile respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections (including influenza and other respiratory illnesses) to others in their communities. In addition, frequent hand washing can lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

Tips to help prevent the spread of swine flu influenza

* Wash your hands often with soap and water.

* Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.

* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Try to cough or sneeze into your elbow / upper sleeve rather than your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it in a wastebasket and then wash your hands.

* Follow all local health recommendations. For example, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.

Seek medical care if you feel sick

* If you are ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu like cough and sore throat, see a doctor, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness in the past 7 days before becoming ill.

* Antiviral Medications: Persons traveling within the US that are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.

* Antiviral chemoprophylaxis can be considered for the following:

1. Any health care worker who is at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly) who is working in an area with confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases, and who is caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness.

2. Non-high risk persons who are travelers to Mexico, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

After you return from your trip

* Closely monitor your health for 7 days

* If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu like cough and sore throat and possibly vomiting and diarrhea during this period, call your doctor or clinic for an appointment right away. Your doctor may test you for influenza and decide whether influenza antiviral treatment is indicated.

* When you make the appointment, tell the doctor the following:
o Your symptoms,
o Where you traveled, and
o If you have had close contact with a person infected with swine flu.

* Avoid leaving your home while sick except to get local medical care, or as instructed by your doctor. Do not go to work or school while ill. If you must leave your home (for example, to seek medical care) wear a surgical mask to keep from spreading your illness to others.

* Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues in a trash can.

* Wash your hands with soap and water often and especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol.

* Avoid close contact with other people as much as possible.

* Wear a surgical mask if you are in contact with other people.

Source
CDC Health Advisory 000281
For more information about swine flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Additional information is also available by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

Swine Flu / H1N1 Flu "the basics.."

2009-05-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

An infectious disease expert at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine advises the public to take basic precautions around a swine flu outbreak but not to panic or flood emergency rooms with mild symptoms.

"The story in Mexico sounds very different than the story here so far," said John Flaherty, M.D., associate chief of infectious diseases and professor of medicine at the Feinberg School, and a physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "We are in the early phase of something that may turn out to be a false alarm or may turn out to be bad. All we can do is monitor things. We don't know yet if the strains of H1N1 we are seeing here are the same ones in Mexico."

"The cases in the U.S. have been mild and self-limited so far," Flaherty said.

Flaherty said people who are sick with mild symptoms of a fever, headache and body aches should stay home, wear masks and sneeze or cough into tissues, then wash their hands. He advised the public to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth and "wash your hands a lot."

Flaherty advised against going to emergency rooms for mild flu symptoms. "We don't want people running to the ER or doctors office with mild respiratory symptoms and asking for influenza tests. We want these to be available where the disease is identified and not start someone on Tamiflu or Relenza and get a lot of expensive tests that may not be necessary."

"If we start seeing cases of swine flu in Chicago and if those cases, in particular, are severe, that would be a trigger that we should be more aggressive about our testing and early treatment," Flaherty said.

The good news, Flaherty said, is the strains that have been identified so fare are susceptible to the antiviral medications Tamiflu and Relenza.

"We haven't had an influenza pandemic in a long time," Flaherty noted. "This requires careful monitoring. There is always potential for a new strain to emerge that could cause severe disease."

H1N1 Continues to spread.

2009-05-04T13:24:00.001-07:00

As of 11 am, May 3rd, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 226 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in 30 states with only one death. The states include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports the H1N1 influenza virus has spread from Mexico (506 confirmed cases with 19 deaths) to not only the U.S. but to 15 other countries. None of them have any deaths at this time. The countries with confirmed cases include Austria, Canada, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The current phase of response remains at level 5. Both the CDC and WHO continue to give daily updates and guidance to clinicians and the public.

The public is asked to continue to use the following precautions:

* If you do need to travel, whenever possible avoid crowded enclosed spaces and close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

* There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.

* Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.

* Ill persons are encouraged to practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, wash hands).

Why Most of Your Diets Always Fail

2009-05-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

During years, there was million and million people who tested innumerable numbers of various modes to test and lose the weight. Also thus, there was million and million people who failed these modes. If all these modes are supposed being conceived to encourage you to lose the weight, then why the majority of them does not do that? Why is it it it does not import what the mode test you, it never seems to work? Perhaps the mode itself was not any good. Perhaps it was too expensive to stick with. It could be that there was no support. Probably, it just seemed to take too long to lose the weight.

The fact is, not one of these reasons is why the majority of the modes do not function. Astonishing? Not to be. Actually, it any end to the bottom with a simple reason however complexes. Yes, there is really only one thing which is held between you and your loss of weight and which a thing is; your desire to eat was stronger than your desire to lose the weight.

It can seem too simple and can be little difficult to swallow, the truth is often, but this, my friend, is the truth punt and simple. Only truth to fail of modes of reason is because people decide let themselves go again to their old practices to eat rather than to make the changes necessary to lose the weight and it to keep with far and maintenance of these changes.

To follow a mode is a length and often difficult voyage which must be made point by point, little by little. There can be and is often all kinds of retreats and traps which can imprison you, in particular during an effort which takes so much time and the effort. Just a slip, a temptation given inside to, and your whole fight for the loss of weight can be sabotaged.

So any mode is succeeded, it must have a strong base. With a strong base, it will be a little easier to hold your ground when these small traps come length to try you. There must is a full plan also. Without good, plan full, you just will seize with the straws and will go in all the various directions. You need a plan to help to constantly guide you in the good direction. A thing which helped many people who were successful with their modes had the support of the members and the friends of family. This can be important capital which can help you to remain with him.

Probably the thing most important to remember is, is never deprived of food, is ensured to make you place eat foods which you like from time to time and does a little time for a certain moderate exercise. Your mode should not fail, and with a little of assistance of you, it can succeed and this of the means, you can succeed.

CPR

2009-04-19T11:02:00.001-07:00

by: Alison Cole

The emergency first aid protocol for an unconscious person on whom both breathing and pulse cannot be detected is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. This kind of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was first described in the Bible, but it fell out of practice. Drs. James Elam and Peter Safar rediscovered it in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, the advantages of chest compression to help artificial circulation was discovered by Drs. Kouwenhoven, Knickerbocker and Jude. Both mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compression were then combined to form modern CPR.

CPR is usually taught to people who may be the only ones present in the crucial few minutes before emergency personnel arrive. Lack of oxygen can cause permanent damage to the brain or lead to death in less than eight minutes. Effective CPR helps enough oxygen reach the brain and delay brain death. It allows the heart to remain responsive to defibrillation attempts.

CPR has three basic rules: (a) the victim's airway must be open for breathing to be restored. (b) Rescue breathing -- when the rescuer forces air into the lungs of the victim by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and (c) when rescue breathing alone is not enough and chest compressions are needed to start circulation.

CPR acts as a substitute pumping to circulate blood when the heart cannot. All it does is provide some amount of air and circulation to a victim, allowing more time for help to arrive. The goal is only to maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain until more advanced medical help arrives to provide advanced cardiac life support . It is not the way restart the heart, a myth inaccurately portrayed by the media. Nor is it the definitive treatment of cardiac arrest, as only 5% of victims regain regular heatbeat solely by CPR . CPR is never guaranteed to save someone's life and should only be performed when a person isn't breathing or circulating blood adequately. Whenever CPR is needed, remember to first call for emergency medical assistance.

AEDs - Automated External Defibrillators saving lives in USA

2009-04-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

By: Michael Rad

Statistics give us more and more information related to sudden cardiac arrests and other heart failures. More and more people and in earlier and earlier stages of their life die of a heart disease. Statistics, in the US alone, are extremely alarming:
- Every 30 seconds someone dies because of a heart disease;
- More than 2.500 Americans die daily because of heart diseases;
- Every 20 seconds there is a person suffering a heart attack;
- Each year 6 million people are hospitalized because of a heart disease;
- The number 1 cause of death in the US is a heart disease.
Although the AED is not an universal panacea for all heart diseases, nothing else can compete with its major feature â€“ effectively re-starting the heart after it has been stopped by a sudden cardiac arrest. Because of their ease-of-use and portability, automated external defibrillators are being introduced in more and more public places, and chances are that AEDs will be as common as fire extinguishers in gyms, schools and airports.

From a technical point of view, an AED is used for ventricular fibrillation. In other words, an AED is used at the lower electrical level of the heart, when the two chambers called ventricles are no longer beating in a normal rhythm. The technical term describes that the ventricles are fibrillating, meaning that the muscle fibres of the heart contract spontaneously, rapidly, and irregularly. The heart is no longer capable to pump blood into the body, thus causing a sudden cardiac arrest. Here is where the contribution of an AED device is of great help â€“ it has the capacity to re-start the heart. This is one good reason for a patient with a known history of heart diseases to have such a device at home.
Not long ago, the AED device was used strictly by medical professionals or by the crews of ambulances. Before the 1980s it was a large and heavy device and way too complicated to be used by a person without medical background, but things have changed.
Today, the AED is a portable and automated machine, slim and light and easy to be used by anyone in case of emergency. This device monitors the activity of the heart and determines if defibrillation is necessary. In case the Automated External Defibrillator detects a problem the AED will help you proceed to the defibrillation process by using audiovisual prompts and instructions.

So there are plenty of reasons why an AED device should be kept in all homes around the world. We all have relatives who died because of heart problems, so why ignore the crucial help such a device could offer?
Letâ€™s return to the statistics concerning the Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) incidence in US, because they give more and more reasons to have this machine at home:
- each year 325,000 Americans die because of SCA;
- 95% of those who suffer an SCA die before arriving to a hospital;
- every day, on average, 1000 people die of SCA;
- SCA brings death in a matter of minutes;
- The victims of SCA can be saved by using an AED.
Itâ€™s easy to hesitate and have second thoughts when a heart attack occurs, unfortunately SCA can not wait and the AED is a viable solution for emergency cases. And because AEDs are so easy to use (they require little or no training), more and more families will consider them to be a life-saving investment. With people spending money on home security systems, it also makes sense to purchase an AED that you can use at home in case a member of your family suffers a heart attack.

Influenza

2009-04-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

by: devika
Influenza, also known as flu, is the clinical condition that results from infection with influenza viruses. The main effects of the influenza viruses are on the upper respiratory tract, the nose and throat, with possible spread and involvement of the lungs and bronchi. The disease is highly contagious and it has the potential to cause a widespread epidemic, affecting a sizeable portion of a population at any time.

Causes:

The flu usually begins abruptly, with a fever between 102 and 106 °F. (An adult typically has a lower fever than a child.) Other common symptoms include a flushed face, body aches, chills, headache, nausea, and lack of energy. Some people have dizziness or vomiting. The fever usually lasts for a day or two, but can last 5 days.

Somewhere between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the whole body symptoms begin to subside, and respiratory symptoms begin to increase.

Symptoms:

The most prominent of the respiratory symptoms is usually a dry, hacking cough. Most people also develop a sore throat and headache. Nasal discharge (runny nose) and sneezing are common. These symptoms (except the cough) usually disappear within 4 - 7 days. Sometimes, the fever returns. Cough and tiredness usually last for weeks after the rest of the illness is over.

Dry cough
Fever - may be high
Headache
Muscle aches and stiffness
Sore throat
Stuffy, congested nose
Tiredness

Other symptoms may include:

Chills
Croupy cough
Dizziness
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Malaise
Nasal discharge
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Vomiting
Worsening of underlying illness, such as asthma or heart failure
Wheezing

Home Remedies:

Influenza treatment using Long Pepper:

The use of long pepper is one of the most effective remedies in the treatment of influenza. Half a teaspoon of the powder of long pepper, mixed with two teaspoons of honey and half a teaspoon of juice of ginger, should be taken thrice a day. This willhelp greatly if taken in the initial stages of the disease. It is especially useful in avoiding complications which follow the onset of the disease, namely, the involvement of the larynx and the bronchial tube.

Influenza treatment using Garlic:

Garlic is an excellent remedy for influenza. It is useful as a general antiseptic and the patient should take as much as he can bear.

Influenza treatment using Turmeric:

Turmeric is valuable in curing influenza. A teaspoon of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken three times a day. It will prevent complications arising from influenza, and also activate the liver which becomes sluggish during the attack.

Influenza treatment using Onion:

Onion is also an effective remedy for influenza. Equal amounts of onion juice and honey should be mixed, and three or four teaspoons of this mixture should be taken daily in the treatment of this disease.

Influenza treatment using Ginger:

Ginger is an excellent remedy for influenza. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic mixture which increases sweating and reduces fever in this disease. The fenugreek decoction may be prepared by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in half a litre of water, till it is reduced by one third.

Influenza treatment using Grapefruit:

The juice of grapefruit has proved useful in this disease as it tones up the body and the digestive tract.

Tea Remedy Combine equal parts of elder, peppermint, and yarrow. Then, steep 1-2 teaspoons of the tea mixture into a cup of hot water. It is best to drink this hot before bedtime. The not liquid induces sweat which helps stop the growth of influenza. Cayenne, cinnamon, and ginger can also be added to help either induce even more sweat, or to stimulate the bodys circulation.

Ayurvedic Medicines for the Treatment of Influenza:

1.Eucalyptus oil is used in many forms to stop the symptoms of fever, and can be used as part of the treatment for influenza.
2.Flucon tablets are available for combating the symptoms of influenza, including the cleaning of upper respiratory tracts, and the discontinuation of coughing and sneezing. These tablets have no side effects, and include a mixture of ingredients such as tinospora cordifolia, uraria picta, and a form of cinnamon. It is preferred with honey or lukewarm water. Also, there is no side effects at all.
3.Anand Bhairav Rasa is another herb that can be made into various forms to treat influenza.

Health Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

2009-04-13T16:45:00.001-07:00

Fish and other seafood are excellent sources of protein while being relatively low in saturated fats and calories compared to other sources of protein such as fatty meats. This fact alone makes fish a worthwhile addition to one’s diet. However, there is an even greater benefit. Fish is one of the richest natural sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Fatty fish such as salmon and trout in particular have high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Many studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids provide protection against cardiovascular disease by lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and blood pressure. Other studies have also shown many health benefits ranging from prevention of asthma in children to reduced risk of prostate cancer. Omega 3 also prevents the onset of diseases such as macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of blindness associated with aging. It also helps diabetics maintain better control of blood sugar levels and has been shown to delay the onset of dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease. More recent studies which have focused on its impact on the nervous system have proven benefits in brain function and even in combating depression.

Omega 3 fatty acids do not occur naturally in cells of the body and must therefore be obtained through one’s diet. Clearly Omega 3 fatty acids have many health benefits but do they have to come from fish and seafood?

omega-3-fatty-acids20
There are 3 main types of omega 3 fatty acids.
ALA - alpha-linolenic acid
EPA - eicosapentaenoic acid and
DHA - docosahexaenoic acid

ALA is found in tofu, soybeans, canola walnuts and flaxseed and oils derived from these products. However, alpha-linolenic acid needs to be converted in the body before it can be absorbed. The body is not very efficient at making this conversion and evidence that this conversion actually takes place is rather tenuous. As a result EPA and DHA become the most significant dietary sources of Omega 3 fatty acids and this is where fish comes into its own. They are one of the most abundant sources of DHA and EPA.

Naturally, too much of anything can have negative effects and eating fish is no exception. One major negative of eating too much fish is the incidental and unintended consumption of contaminants which the fish have picked up in the waterways. While there are a variety of industrial contaminants that are of concern the primary problem is mercury. Due to differences in food sources mercury levels in fish vary depending on whether the fish are farmed or caught in the wild. However, in general larger fish, higher up in the food chain have a greater accumulation of contaminants including mercury. In normal circumstances the levels of mercury in most fish are not likely to cause serious concern to a healthy adult unless consumed to excess. However, infants, children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to harm at lower levels of mercury. It is therefore important to limit the intake of fish by persons in these categories. Mercury could damage the growing nervous systems of y!
oung children or the developing fetus and may increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.

The preponderance of evidence however falls squarely in favor of eating fish. The health benefits derived from Omega 3 fatty acids far outweigh the possible risks from contaminants. If consumed in moderation there is little doubt that fish can be extremely beneficial.

Eating for a Healthy Heart

2009-04-13T16:41:00.002-07:00

The key to healthy and enjoyable meal is having a basic understanding of nutrition. The knowledge of food gives you control and allow you to make good choices about how you eat, as opposed to what the food manufacturers would like you to eat.

The availability of wide variety of foods now in the market, has given us a good range of choices than before. The question is: are you making the best of it?

The science of nutrition has grown progressively over the last two decades and now provides us with a firm foundation on how to make recommendations for a healthy eating.

It is now very clear to us that a poor nutrition will increase the risk of heart and other various diseases, while good nutrition can substantially reduce these risks.

Because different food contains many different types of nutrient in various proportions, no single food can provide you with the entire nutrient you need for a balanced diet. This why variety in your diet is very important because it allows you to obtain different nutrient from a wide range of sources. This can be best achieved by choosing food from these five main food groups daily.

Group 1 - Carbohydrates: Is a dietary source of glucose that is very important to our body and they come in two main forms: simple and complex sugar.

The simple sugar are the simplest form of carbohydrate and comes as one or two molecule combination, i.e.:

Monosaccharides (one molecule sugar) - glucose, galactose and fructose.

Disaccharides (two molecule sugar) - lactose, maltose and sucrose.

Glucose, the one we call blood sugar is found mainly in all fruits and vegetables. Fructose been the sweetest known natural sugar, is found in honey and some sweet fruits.

The diasaccharides which are monosaccharides linked together always contain at least one molecule of glucose. Lactose which is made up of glucose and galactose is mainly found in milk sugar. Maltose is found in malted milk drinks and it is made up of two glucose molecules. While sucrose, our familiar white packet sugar is made up of glucose and fructose.

Simple sugar stimulates the release of insulin and, since insulin is related to hunger, you will tend to feel hungry again in less time than with a complex sugar

Although the consumption of white sugar may have fallen dramatically in the U.S. and U.K, still other source of sugar such as candies, chocolates and confectioneries continues to make a large contribution to our daily diet. In fact, it is quite difficult to find any processed food that does not contain at least some amount of sugar.

The complex sugar, on the other hand, is made up of glucose but unlike the simple sugar, they do not dissolve in water and need cooking before it could be digested. Examples are flour, pastas, beans, bread and potatoes.

Believe this, sugar is not as evil as we are meant to believe, in fact it is very essential for a balance diet and for a healthy meal, but caution and moderation is required.

Group 2 - Dietary fiber: or roughage is a form of carbohydrate. It forms the cell wall of plant foods. It is the part of our food that is not digested by our body. Fiber comes in two forms, the soluble and the insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber is are found in oatmeal, lentil, peas, beans, citrus fruits, apples, bananas and some vegetables. They dissolve in water and form gel in the stomach and helps lower level of blood cholesterol, especially the bad cholesterol.

The insoluble fiber helps to promoted soft bulky stool. You get this type of dietary fiber from whole grain meal, nuts, breakfast cereals, bran products and brown rice. Eat more of whole meal bread which contains twice as much fiber as which bread.

Generally increase your consumption of fiber, particularly soluble fiber. And if you must drink alcoholic beverage, consume in moderation. Lower or if necessary avoid foods high in cholesterol e.g. eggs, liver, kidney, red meat. Choose complex sugar over simple sugar. Reduce salt intake because salt is linked to development of blood pressure and drink plenty of water. Eat to live and live to eat. Enjoy!

To learn more about heart health visit http://www.heartcares.blogspot.com

Boost Your Body's Defenses

2009-04-13T16:41:00.001-07:00

How strong your immune system is can make a difference on whether you get sick or not. The immune system is a network of cells and organs that work together to protect your body. It helps to block foreign molecules from getting in the body. You body has a search and destroy force that hunts down all these unwanted molecules and it destroys them, so it is important to keep these helpers healthy and strong. There are things you can do to keep your immune system healthy.

The most important thing you can do to keep your immune system healthy is to maintain and achieve a healthy lifestyle balance. Negativity can impact your ability to remain healthy. Stress, negativity, and the substances created by the body during these times can cause your immune system to lower. Reducing stress and staying positive can help you stay healthy.

Getting vaccinated can help protect from some diseases. Some vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetnus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and polio. It is recommended that all kids between the ages 11 and 18 and travelers get vaccinated for meningitis.

Not getting enough sleep can weaken the immune system as well. Lack of sleep can prevent the body from repairing itself. To give your body an extra immune boost during the flu season by making sure you 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Having sex can boost the immunity as well. It doesn’t even need to be the sex that boosts the immune system, loving touches like cuddling and kissing can boost the immunity as well.

Certain foods can contain good bacteria known as probiotics. They can help the body resist respiratory infections like the flu and common cold. Lemon is good for restoring acid-alkali balance in the body. Adding freshly squeezed lemon juice to tea or water can help the body maintain the body’s internal temperature. Protein is essential for building a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Drinking plenty of water 8 glasses a day can flush the system of toxins. Tea is rich in plant antioxidants that can help protect the body against cold or flu.

Drinking coffee and eating chocolate are the worst things you can do for your immune system. Caffeine strips the body of minerals and vitamins and it can dehydrate you. Eliminating sugar from the diet will help as well. Energy levels will rise, weight will distribute evenly through the body, and the immune system will pick up. Garlic is very effective against viruses, bacteria, fungal and parasitic infections.

Raw fruits and vegetables are good for antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and enzymes. Produce that is dark in color has the most nutrients in it. Seaweed is the best source of minerals you can get. You can get these in a supplement. Exercising can make a major difference in your health and happiness as well. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend time with friends, and pamper yourself. Take a hot bath, get a massage, our bodies respond to emotions. When you’re happy you’re far less likely to get sick.

Another thing that is good for your immunity is taking a supplement. Alternative Health Supplements offers a number of products that are great for boosting your immunity. Immunocare by Himalaya will help maintain your immunity. It contains amalaki a great source of vitamin C which is good for boosting immunity. There is also Guggul, Indian Tinospora, Indian Madder, and Amla that are all great herbs for boosting immunity. Its an all natural product so it is safe to use.

COPD Treatment

2009-04-06T13:01:00.001-07:00

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not a curable disease. But timely treatment can slow the progress of the disease and make life easier for the patient. Based on the condition of the patient and the response of the body to the medicine, physicians suggest different kinds of treatments to different patients.

Often, the most important treatment a patient can receive is smoking cessation. Since in the majority of cases, the cause of COPD is smoking, stopping tobacco consumption will considerably slow the progress of the disease. Smoking can be difficult to quit, as it is highly addictive. There are many nicotine replacement systems and self help guides to aid in this endeavor.

Apart from this, many types of medicines are available to keep COPD in check. The use of bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents are often suggested to patients who experience severe breathlessness. Similarly, antibiotics are prescribed to patients suffering from acute exacerbations. Oxygen therapy is suggested for those who have low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Psychological treatment can also help patients dealing with the emotional aspects of COPD. Many COPD support centers offer pulmonary rehabilitation programs that offer counseling and useful tips on combating the disease. These centers also provide information on exercises that can slow the progress of COPD.

In severe cases of COPD, ordinary medicines may not work and surgery may be the only option. In these cases, a lung transplantation or lung volume reduction surgery is performed. In lung volume reduction surgery, the upper portions of the diseased lungs are removed. In some other cases, treatments like immunization or nocturnal noninvasive ventilation may also be suggested. In nocturnal noninvasive ventilation, a mask hooked to a ventilator is attached to the patient's nose (or over the nose) at night. However, the effectiveness of this treatment is still not clear.

Whatever is the form of treatment, a patient has to stop smoking to halt the progress of the disease. All other forms of treatment are only supplementary. If you suffer from COPD, treatment and control are the key ingredients to feeling well.

COPD provides detailed information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD and life expectancy, COPD medication, COPD stages and more. COPD is affliated with Causes Of Cystic Fibrosis.

Asthma and Its Symptoms

2009-04-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

In his book, Essential Allergy, Niels Mygind defines asthma as,

"A lung disease characterised by: 1, variable and reversible airway obstruction; 2, airway inflammation; and 3, bronchial hyper-responsiveness."

Asthma is a disease where bronchial tubes are sensitive to irritants, which cause them to inflame and produce difficult breathing. The inflammation can cause,

* contraction of muscles around the air passages,
* swelling of the airway lining due to airway inflammation, and,
* excessive mucus in the airways.

Asthma occurs in most western countries and is the leading chronic illness of children.

Asthma, in some cases, cannot be cured, but for most patients it can be controlled so that they have only minimal and infrequent symptoms and they can live an active life.

If you have asthma, managing it is an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines or natural remedies as directed by your doctor.

When a person experiences a worsening of their asthma symptoms, it is called an asthma episode or, in severe cases, an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes contract, making the airway openings narrower so less air can flow through. Inflammation increases and the airways become more swollen and narrow. Cells in the airways also make more mucus than usual, which narrows the airways further. The changes to the airways cause the symptoms of asthma.

Asthma attacks are not all the same-some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks. A person suffering from an asthma attack has a sensation similar to drowning.

Learning the warning signs or asthma symptoms can often alert a sufferer in time to take preventive action, such as medication or natural remedies.

Asthma attacks can occur over a long period of time. Although there are times when acute episodes strike asthmatics, most asthma sufferers say that there are long periods during which they suffer few, if any, asthma symptoms.

Here are some asthma symptoms:

* Coughing. Coughing in people with asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard for them to sleep. This may be the only symptom a child with asthma has.
* Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe.
* A tight feeling in the chest. This can feel like someone is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
* Shortness of breath. Asthma sufferers often say they can't catch their breath, or they feel breathless or out of breath.
* Narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and hence increased resistance to airflow.
* Significant reversibility with steroid drugs
* Symptom-free periods
* Frequent occurrence of allergy
* Inflammation of the air passages
* Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to non-specific stimuli such as cold air, air pollution, pollen, dust, or other irritants
* Asthma symptoms brought on by exercises
* Coughing or wheezing brought on by prolonged crying or laughing

Not all people have these symptoms, and symptoms may vary from one asthma attack to another. Some symptoms are mild and some are life threatening.

Symptoms also differ in how often they occur. Some people with asthma only have symptoms once every few months, others have symptoms every week, and still other people have symptoms every day.

Identification is key to being able to properly fix asthma. Keep on the lookout for signs.

About the author:

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To learn more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/asthma1

Adult Diabetes - A Disease Of Choices!

2009-03-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

We don't tend to think that when we munch a juicy burger, supplemented by crisp fries and an icy cold drink that we are munching diabetes, in fact that very idea is rather revolting isn't it?

Yet, there is more truth in it than we may like to acknowledge. Diabetes is a disease of lifestyle ' more specifically, it is the result of lifestyle choices. Lifestyle choices include what we choose to put in our mouths and how much exercise we give our bodies. If we choose poorly, we will get poor results. If we choose to do those things that are risk factors for Adult Diabetes (Diabetes Type 2), then we are choosing diabetes. Ignorance is no excuse under the law of the human body. Certain causes equal certain effects no matter how we might think otherwise.

Experts have linked diabetes to diets high in processed foods and low in raw foods, high in sugar and fat and low in fiber, and poor water drinking habits (instead preferring other fluid intake). They also link diabetes to inactivity and obesity.

These factors can be controlled. They are not genetic and they are not 'caught'. This is actually good news because it means that diabetes can be avoided along with all the risks attached to it, such as blindness, amputation of limbs, chronic kidney disease and others.

Even if a person has abused their body over a prolonged period of time and is a likely candidate for diabetes, they can turn it around and change their future by changing their lifestyle now. If they start walking every day, make sure they drink plenty of pure water, eat plenty of raw foods and avoid processed, sugary and fatty foods, their body will begin to recover.

Even if a person already has diabetes, these changes can alleviate the symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications that are possible with diabetes. Blood sugar levels can be kept at a normal level and general health and well being will improve.

Yes, diabetes is a disease of choice. It may not be conscious, but it is the outcome of lifestyle choices that can be changed. Diabetes can be defeated, not with drugs but with decisions. We all need to wake up and pay attention to the consequences of living a normal western lifestyle. Just because it is accepted, doesn't make it right. We are all entitled to live a healthy and stable life, but to do this, we must begin swimming against the current and say 'no' to western lifestyle pressures and 'yes' to natural, healthy choices.

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Diabetes

2009-03-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Diabetes becomes more prevalent with age. About half of all the cases are diagnosed over age 60. There are two types of diabetes that can affect seniors. Type I diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system, for some yet undiscovered reason, mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for making insulin. However, 90 percent of the time when an older person gets the disease, it is diabetes II. If you have Type II, your pancreas is still doing its job. The catch is that it either isn’t producing enough insulin or it is making plenty of insulin but your body has developed what is known as insulin resistance. Although diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure, here are a few suggestions that can help you.

1. Pay Attention To Your Feet

Inspect your feet and between your toes every day. Diabetes can damage nerve endings in your feet and toes, making it difficult for you to feel sores, blisters, and other injuries. Look for cuts, breaks in the skin, or swollen, red areas. Keep your feet clean and dry. Bathe your feet with warm water and mild soap every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes. Apply a thin coat of moisturizing lotion if the skin on your feet feels unusually dry. Wear clean socks and comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Never go barefoot. You are more likely to get injured if you do.

2. Avoid Large Meals

Spread your calories, especially those that come from carbohydrates, throughout the day in order to keep your blood sugar levels at optimal levels. So instead of two large meals, you may want to eat five or six smaller meals like half a sandwich and an orange.

3. Step Lively

Regular exercise is a vital part of any diabetes management plan. Just taking a 15-minute walk every day can help lower blood sugar and can help your body use insulin more efficiently. Some activities such as weight-lifting may not be safe for you, particularly if you have high blood pressure or diabetic eye disease.

4. Consume Fiber

Food high in water-soluble fiber like beans, oat bran, fruits, and nuts can help people with diabetes control their blood sugar. Soluble fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates, so your blood sugar level may not rise as quickly. Try eating at least 20 grams of fiber a day. You will be well on your way to reaching your goal.

5. Follow The Pyramid

Even if you have a dietary plan specifically designed to control your diabetes, certain basics apply to everyone. It is recommended to take reference to the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food Guide Pyramid for people who are 50-plus as an excellent starting point for any senior who has diabetes. These guidelines give you a general eating program that balances your consumption of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in a way that should provide good nutrition.

6. Treat Yourself

In the past, people with diabetes were told that they could not eat certain foods, namely refined carbohydrates like sugar, cookies, or sweets. However, all carbohydrates have similar effects on blood sugar. That means a cookie elevates blood sugar about as much as a slice of bread or piece of fruit. Moderation is the key. Try to keep your simple-sugar intake down to 10 percent of your total calories each day.

7. Know Your Enemy

Learn as much as you can about diabetes. The better you understand the disease, the more likely you are to be able to control it. Ninety-nine percent of the care and management of diabetes is in the patient’s hands. You have to prepare your meals, and monitor your blood sugars. You have to know what to do and when to do it. And you can do it if you don’t have the knowledge and skills.

About the Author

Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.

Salt is not a food...

2009-03-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

Salt is a rock. It is not a food. Some websites say that you need salt, but they are trying to sell you salt. They will say that other salt is bad, but you should buy their salt since it is good for you. It has lots of sodium in it and can still make you fat and sick.

The fossils of man that are over 10,000 years old have no salt in them. They figure that that is when man started using salt. People have been around millions of years.The refrigerator is only a recent invention. You can leave fruit and vegetables out of the refrigerater but animal products need refrigeration.

Salt kills bacteria so that would help keep animal products to stay good a little longer. Salt can be used to keep foods from becoming bad, until they could ferment. It kills life. Salt can be rubbed into cuts to torture people.

When people consume salt, the body is constantly trying to get rid of it but can only get rid of so much per day with you consuming more everyday. So it stores the excess under the skin. Salt needs to absorb lots of water to prevent it from being toxic. So salt causes a lot of water weight.

If you put 4 ounces of salt in water and drink it, it will kill you. It is simple chemistry. That much salt has about 50,000 mg of sodium. Salt is 50% sodium. No food has anywhere near that amount of a mineral.

LATEST NEWS: In an effort to reduce high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, the American Medical Association is urging "the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke the 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) status of salt and to develop regulatory measures to limit sodium in processed and restaurant foods."

Vitamins and minerals have a minimum RDA (recommended daily allowance). All of them have this, except sodium. Instead it has a maximum RDA.

If you look in the foods made by nature they have around 15 milligrams of sodium. When it comes to man-made foods, a large pizza has 3,000+ mg of sodium and a can of chicken noodle soup has 2,000+ mg of sodium. An avocado has 21 mg of sodium but 1,400 mg of potassium making it a very healthy food for you.

The body determines how much water you need by the concentration of sodium in it. That is the reason that if you are on a raft in the ocean with water all around you, you can still die of dehydration. You will only get more dehydrated drinking the ocean water or your salty urine. This is the reason that I call it anti-water. It makes it so water will not work.

There is a book called The Rice Diet Solution (©2006) by Kitty Gurkin Rosati R.D. and Robert Rosati M.D. says that in addition to salt causing water retention, it also stimulates the appetite causing people to eat more.

During the first 5 days of a fast the body dumps huge amounts (up to 80,000 mg per day) of salt so it gets rid of all the excess salt. So this is why someone can lose up to 15 pounds of weight during the first 5 days of a fast. They lose 15 pounds of water.

If the body continued to lose sodium after this excess is removed then the person would die after a few more days of fasting due to lack of sodium instead of being able to fast a month. But the body no longer needs to get rid of it so the sweat and urine are no longer salty.

But due to ignorance, some people think they need to replace this salt since the body is getting rid of it. Sweating helps you lose retained water since you are sweating out excess salt. Reducing your salt intake is not a Cancer Cure but can greatly improve your health and help you lose weight if you need to.About the AuthorThe author, Chuck Bluestein, worked for the federal government as a chemist. He is an herbalist, nutritionist and an expert on fasting and losing weight. His website has free information on Natural Cures, losing weight, the lemonade diet, cure for colds and flus, curing depression and Health Related Articles.

Reference: Articlestreet

Diet: How A Healthy Diet Keeps You Looking Younger

2009-03-20T07:11:00.002-07:00

Diet plays a huge role in our rate of aging. We all know that drinking excessively and smoking creates premature aging, however diet is rarely given much attention in regards to aging. A healthy diet gives you the nutrients to create healthy new cells and repair damaged ones.

How can my diet stop me from premature aging?

Your skin is the largest organ in the body. The right nutrients and hydration will dramatically affect the elasticity of your skin.

Some diet tips to improve the health of your skin
1. Boost you vitamin c intake. Vitamin c isn’t only great for your immune system, it is also great for your skin and should be part of a healthy diet. Vitamin c is critical for wound repair. Oranges, tomatoes and kiwi’s are high in vitamin c
2. Vitamin A. This vitamin is very powerful in reversing the aging effect. It is contained in a variety of sources i.e. spinach, broccoli, apricots, sweet potato to name a few.
3. Vitamin D. Your skin naturally converts the sun into vitamin D. However it is also contained in foods such as orange and milk.
4. Vitamin E. Eat avocados for vitamin E. In fact avocados have over 20 powerful nutrients.
5. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Keeping hydrated keeps the elasticity in your skin and makes it supple.

Habits to help prevent anti aging
1. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is vital as it gives the skin time to rest and rapair. The skin cells need to replenish and rebuild.
2. Avoid the sun. Excessive amounts of sun damages your skin. Get only light amounts of sun. It takes the moisture out of the skin.

Genetics do play some role in aging. However diet and lifestyle play a bigger part. You cannot conrol your chronological age, however you can control your biological clock. I have seen mum and daughters where you can hardly see the difference.

Maintain a healthy diet, exercise and avoid smoking, drinking and make sure you consume all the healthy nutrients above.

About the Author

Australian Lifestyle & Fitness is an online weight loss and diet company that creates online weight loss programs to help you lose weight. Your weight loss and diet program will be based on a unique diet profile to ensure that you diet is tailored specifically to you. We believe that you will lose weight and keep it off.

A Healthy Diet is essential for Good Health

2009-03-20T07:11:00.001-07:00

In order for you to start and maintain a healthy diet you first need to understand the effect that food has on your body so that you can learn how to eat the right balance of healthy and unhealthy foods. You need to achieve this in a way that you are still able to enjoy what you are eating while knowing you are giving your body everything it needs. Remember your food choices can have long-term impacts on your health.

The effect that food should have on your body is it should provide you with all of the nutrients and fibers that you need. If you aren’t getting enough then you are putting your health at risk. There is no single food or food group however that contains all of these nutrients and fibers, which is why it is important that we eat a wide range of foods.

There are five main food groups, which are as follows:

• Starchy foods
• Fruit and vegetables
• Dairy foods
• Meat, fish and other non-dairy sources of protein (such as beans)
• Fats and sugar

You need to include a good mix of the above in order to maintain healthy eating. Also the type of food that you consume contains different types of nutrients and your body will use these in a variety of different ways. For example carbohydrates are your bodies preferred source of energy, which is needed for aspects such as the growth and repair of all tissues within your body. They also power your muscles for movement. Another example of how your body uses a nutrient is through the use of protein; this represents another source of energy and the use of fiber ensures that your digestive system remains healthy and that your cholesterol and blood sugar levels are maintained.

The choices you make when it comes to food can have long term impacts when it comes to your general heath. By eating and sticking to a healthy diet you are dramatically reducing your risk of developing serious disease and illness such as diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer, particularly bowel cancer.

It should be noted that a healthy diet doesn’t mean you should be starving yourself; take a look at the tips below for a more clear definition of what constitutes a healthy diet:

• Eat enough calories
• Drink more water
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Cut back on salty and sugary foods
• Eat regular meals
• Reduce, don’t eliminate certain foods
• Make sure you have moderate portions

A lot of us are jeopardizing our healthy eating by eating portions of food that are far too big. You should use moderation as your guide for everything you eat. The reason why this is so important is down to the fact you can still eat what you want to eat if the portion sizes are in moderation.

The most important thing that you need to remember is when you are introducing a healthy eating regime is to make changes to your diet gradually. By doing this you are more likely to stick to your diet as the changes won’t be so dramatic.

So start making these little changes today and start noticing big differences straight away. Not only will you feel better but you will be protecting yourself against major diseases.

About the Author

Michael Jenkins is the owner of Australian Lifestyle & Fitness, which is an online diet company. The company provides tailored weight loss and diet solutions to help people lose weight and keep it off.

Memory - Brain Activities & Function

2009-03-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

A complex set of brain activities and functions, constitutes to the process of storing and retrieving information, from ones brain. The place where this information is often stored to and retrieved from is called the memory. There are two distinct methods, through which our brains deal with the concept of memory management and memory development; the first one being the mechanism of the brain to store one's life experiences, often referred to as
'autobiographical memory' and the other one being the mechanism used by the brain to store information about the world around us, this is refereed to as 'semantic memory'. Both these memory mechanisms of the brains work in different ways and need some memory development and management. For example one may remember all their experiences as a child, but may not be able to grasp information read or learnt as a student, in which case it is the semantic memory that may need more development and management.

There are many ways in which you can practice memory development and management. Memory plays a very crucial role, while archiving and understanding new information, for example when you are reading an intriguing novel, or maybe preparing for your final exams, and trying to remember information previously stored in your semantic memory, during your classes. Thus memory development should be a crucial and integral part of a child growing process. In order to practice the mechanism of memory development, it is very vital to recognize the type of memory a person may have, this is again dependent on the two hemispheres, dependent on which are the two memory development techniques.

The left hemisphere of your brain controls the logical memory and the right hemisphere of your brain controls and manages the symbolic memory. According to neuropsychology, it is very easy to identify, what kind of memory one has. If you can easily remember something while reading something or solving math equations comes easily to you, than you memory is a logical one, and if it is easier for you to remember, by looking at pictures or signs, your memory may be a symbolic based one.

Most people who have a logical memory can employ memory development techniques, like reading as much as possible, parents of children who have shown a logical memory, should encourage their children to read, giving further impetus to memory development, from the child hood itself. In this case techniques like bed reading, would be very useful in developing their reading interests, which will help in logical memory development. Usually, according to some neuro science research, it is recommended that children having a logical memory, should read at least for thirty minutes every day. The more they read, the better the memory development.

People, who do have symbolic memory, do associate symbols, sights, smells, etc. with particular information while storing it in their memory. Today, Neuro science research suggests, that deliberate association, while filing away memory, for people having symbolic memory storage representation, is a good idea for further memory development. Usually, associations are of three kinds; pictures, sounds and trials or movements.

All these three associations can be used for memory development, in your children from their child hood itself. Associating events, sights and smells, appeals to children. Various studies carried out in neuropsychology, suggest that people, with associative memory, are able to retrieve information faster, the memory storage might be disheveled, as compared to people with logical memory, who tend to store most of their memories in large chunks. Associative memory development techniques can be combined with one another, for e.g. a sound can be combined with a picture, maybe an infomercial of sorts, to develop memory in children and adults alike.

Whether a person has a logical memory or a symbolic memory, memory development can be practiced throughout ones life time, with various memory development aides and exercises available in the market or on the internet today. There are scores of memory strategies and plans, which help in memory development, that are available freely on the internet, when searched for in your favorite search engine. Memory development does involve a lot of practicing, organization, and understanding, of how ones memory works and how one can improve memory.

About the Author

Stephen C Campbell (Master NLP Practitioner) has published more information on Developing Memory and mastering your life at http://www.memorydevelopmentmastery.com