Health And Longevity Guide Blog.

Ten tips for anger management.

2009-03-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

Most people suffer from uncontrollable anger due to many reasons such as sexual frustration, irritation, fatigue, hunger and pain, which have a part that leads to anger. In short anger can be cause by both external and internal events.

10 basic tips for manage your anger:

Eat right and try to detoxify your body: Have a balanced diet with the right amount of nutrients and find a good way to detoxify your body.

Exercise and meditate: Take sometimes to relax and don,t think about work.

Care less anything personally: Be immune to opinions, projections, behaviour from others.

Sharing your problems: Share your problems with close friends and families and interact socially more.

Integrated medication approach: Get professional help or maybe you must take the medication.

Avoid drugs: Will make your anger worse.

Decision: Ask opinion if you want to make a big decision. Wrong decision will make your anger uncontrollable.

Eliminate negative thinking: Be active in feel good activities.

Pace yourself: Set a realistic schedule, as you may not able to do everything you normally can.

Take a deep breath: If your anger is really out of control. Sit down or lay down and take a deep breath. You will feel more relax as more oxygen pump into your brain.

What is omega 3 good for?

2009-03-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

What is omega 3 good for?...The importance of Omega 3 (EPA & DHA) were first discovered when scientist observed the Eskimos of northern Canada and Greenland consume a traditional diet of fish and seal blubber, yet hardly suffer from coronary heart disease despite their high fat diet. Today, there over 5,000 scientific papers have been publishing on the benefit of omega 3 in reputable international medical journals. Omega 3 can be obtained mainly from important coldwater deep-sea fishes like salmon, sprat, herring and tuna. However, the rising levels of heavy metals, mercury, dioxins, PCB and other contaminations in such fishes are worrying as these contaminations are toxins to the body and may have affect the nervous system. Supplementing with a safe and reliable source of deep sea Omega 3 that has been purified using molecular distillation eliminates that risk of poisoning, while ensuring sufficient supplies of Omega 3.

Omega 3 is good for..

Promotes cardiovascular health.

Omega 3 remarkable reduces serum LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, while rising HDL “good” cholesterol. It also reduces the build up of cholesterol laden plaque in arteries and promotes smoother, healthier and more elastic blood vessels. Clinical studies have proven that Omega 3 helps to lessen the risk of blood clots forming within a blood vessel or artery, which can result in a fatal heart attack or stroke. Studies shown that survival of first heart attack can avoid having a second one and improve their chance of long term survival by supplementing with fish oils. Omega 3 also reduces the risk of sudden cardiac arrest by lowering the pulse rate.

Relieves Aching Joints.

Omega 3’s anti-inflammatory actions help to reduce pain and swelling and relieve discomfort in arthritic joints hence allowing greater freedom of movement. Clinical studies reported decreased morning stiffness, fewer tender and swollen joints, less fatigue, and less use of painkillers following regular intake of Omega 3. But at least 12 weeks of supplementing were needed before the benefits were felt. Researches have also found that supplementing with omega 3 helps the heeling of ligament injuries by speeding up collagen synthesis and enhancing the entry of new cells into the wound area.

Elevates Mood, Improve memory.

DHA is the building block of human brain tissue. It is crucial for the fluidity of the cell membranes and improving their “gate-keeping” abilities which allow the efficient flow of information in and out of the brain cells. Studies have shown that the brain activity actually increases within 2 hours upon consuming a DHA supplement. Hence DHA is essential for students and adults who use a lot of their brain. DHA also been shown to slow down mental decline in adults. Scientist has shown that pregnant woman who take DHA supplements during pregnancy give birth to smarter babies. Not only does DHA boost learning abilities, memory and concentration, it also greatly enhances the mood, promotes calmness and improves one’s response to cope with stress. Low DHA intake has also been linked to attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and low IQ’s, while deficiency causes brain degeneration, and also is a major factor in Alzheimer’s disease. (Characterized by severe premature memory loss).

Relieves Asthma & Allergies.

Omega 3 has been found to protect against symptoms of asthma, hay fever, sinus infections, food allergies and allergic skin conditions such as hives and eczema. Studies shown that mother who takes Omega 3 during pregnancy may protect their babies against the development of allergies. Numerous other studies have also reduced airway inflammation and responsiveness. This prevents an asthmas attack or reduces its severity and children who regularly ate fresh, oily fish containing Omega 3 were four times less likely to develop asthmas.

Alleviates Migraine Headaches.

Clinical studies indicate that Omega 3 helps to inhibit the production of bad
prostaglandins that promote pain and inflammation. It also improves blood flow to the brain by making the blood less sticky. This reduces the frequency severity and duration of migraine headaches.

Improves Vision.

Reading and working on the computer put a tremendous strain on our eyes. DHA is found in high concentration (50-60%) in the retina and is important for proper retinal function and healthy optic nerves. Studies now have confirmed that DHA improves the vision and protects against failing eyesight and degenerative eye diseases (retinitis pigmentosa, AMD or age related macular degeneration) in the elderly. Other problem that may be alleviated with DHA includes dry eyes, sensitive eyes, tired eyes and night blindness.

Reduce The risk Of Cancer.

Omega 3 has shown a protective role a reducing the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Studies also revealed that Omega 3 also protects against colorectal cancer.

Aids Weight loss & reduces water retention.

Contrary to popular belief that oils are fattening, studies shown Omega 3 oils help to reduce body weight and fat bulges by increasing the metabolic rate, accelerating the burning fat and reducing water retention.

Side effects fish oil.

2009-03-16T23:14:00.000-07:00

There has been two medical report related to the effects of fish oil. The researchers speculate the presence of methyl mercury could have caused the problems. The fish oil should undergo advance molecular distillation to remove the presence of ocean contaminants.

There are three grades of fish oils
1) Cod Liver Oil
2)Health Food Grade Fish Oil.
3)Pharmaceutical grade fish oil.

What distinguishes one from another is the purity of the oil.

Liver Fish Oil.
- Contain PCB's, dioxin or mercury
- Cause gastric upset including nausea
- High saturated in fat content.
-Strong taste of dead fish because of impurities.
-High in dosage can cause the high level in Vitamin A.

Health Food Grade fish Oil.
-May contain man made pollutants such as PCB's, dioxin and mercury. Limited molecular distillation.
-Cause gastric.
-High content in saturates d fat.
-Contain oxidized free-radical generating lipids that can't be tasted.

So choose your fish oil (omega 3) with pharmaceutical grade fish oil and approved by FDA.

How beneficial bacteria were selected.

2008-08-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

Beneficial bacteria formula is uniquely derived from locally cultured human species. The common species that inhabit specific areas of our gut are then selected and cultured. As they were cultured, the selected species are stronger and sturdier. By unique gene technology, the bacteria will be resistant to acids and other elements in our diet like chilly and spices. The live bacteria are freeze dried.

Then they are formulated with a non diary creamer that will dilute the stomach acid and protect the bacteria as they become viable. We further add lactose as thus is the food of bacteria ( they are called lactobacillus).

Our germs are unique to us. They have adapted to our diet, water and weather. All these are unique. Our diet is high in chilly and spice. Our water contains both chlorine and fluorine. That is why you would get diarrhoea if you drank the water while in 3^rd world country. We are not talking about computers, cars or pens. These are live bacteria that are going to reside in our guts and serve us. They are unique to us.

The bad bacteria inside your stomach.

2008-08-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

These harmful bacteria are know as pathogenic bacteria. They compete with the good bacteria for living space and food. They generally win if their numbers are large. They may also release toxic substance. This may cause many of the friendly bacteria to die off. They cause problems of digestion, bloating and constipation. They also cause gas formation and flatulence. They come mostly from your food and drinks, especially when these are stale and contaminated. That is why eating stale and contaminated food can give you a bad case of diarrhoea. Over time if your intake of the good bacteria drops and coupled with the fact that you have been exposed to antibiotics, toxins and stress, this tips the balanced strongly in favour of the bad bacteria.

There are several things that makes bad bacteria be more function in your stomach rather than beneficial bacteria:

The level of local acidity is one major influence and this is affected by your diet and digestive function and most importantly by increase in stress factors.
Another important influence is the wave, like contraction of the intestines. If it is too rapid (as in diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome or colitis) this several reduces the efficiency of the flora. If it is too slow ( as in atonics or spastic constipation) this too cause changes in their function.
The type of diet you eat is a major influence on bacterial health. They are healthier on a diet rich in complex carbohydrates (vegetables, whole grains, pulses) and low in animal fats, fatty meats and sugars. They also love cultured dairy products (especially “live” yogurts and cottage cheese). So not surprisingly the diet that is good for you is also ideal for them.
They are also influenced to a major extent by the degree of infection by yeast and bacteria to which “their” territory (bowels) is subjected.
They are severely upset by certain drugs especially antibiotics (antibiotics will kill all bacteria, friendly and disease causing bacteria)
Steroids (hormonal drugs as cortisone, ACTH, prednisolone or oral contraceptives) also cause great damage to the bowel flora.

Advance in microbial biotechnology have made it possible for us to selective culture life promoting beneficial bacteria. Years of research and development effort have made it possible for us to come up with stronger and studier strains that can better survive the gut. You can now take beneficial bacteria supplements.

The role of beneficial bacteria.

2008-08-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

Among the most important of their proven roles are some functions which help maintain our good health, while others have a definite value in helping us regain health once this has been upset. These dual roles (protective and therapeutic) help explain why the word “probiotics” was coined since it means “for life”

- They manufacture some of the B vitamins including niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid and biotin.

- They manufacture the milk digesting enzyme lactase, which helps you digest calcium rich diary products.

- They actively produce anti bacterial substances that kill or deactivate hostile disease causing bacteria. They do this by changing the local levels of acidity or by depriving pathogenic bacteria of their nutrients or by actually their own antibiotics substances which can kill invading bacteria, viruses and yeast. Naturally enough they are doing this to preserve “their” territory.

- Some (such as the bifidobacteria and acidophilus) have been shown to have powerful
anticarcinogenic features which are active against certain tumors.

- They improve the efficiency of the digestive tract and when they are weakened, bowel function is poor.

- They effectively help to reduce cholesterol levels when this is high.

- They play an important part of the development of a baby's digestive function and immune system.

- They help protect against radiation damage as well as deactivating many toxic pollutants.

- They help to recycle estrogen which reduce the likelihood of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.

- Therapeautically they have been shown to be useful in treatment of acne, eczema, allergies, migraine, gout, rheumatic and arthritic conditions, cystitis, candidasis, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome and some forms of cancer.

What are probiotics?.

2008-08-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

Probiotics is a term derived from two Greek words “pro” and “biotic”which means “for life”. The term was popularized by two British scientist, Fuller and Parker in 1974. Probiotics are supplements that contain living beneficial bacteria. When taken, they help restore the balance of the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria are not parasites. They live in your gut on the food that you take and do many good things for you. Examples of probiotics foods are yogurt, lassi and certain types of cheese. All fermented food will have some amounts of probiotics.

This probiotics concept is still rather new. Probiotics is certainly the buzz of the late 1990's but is going to be even bigger in the new millenium. However, as a practice, it is thousand of years old. Eating sourced milk and derivative products is an integral part of Ayurveda (the 4,000 years old Indian science of traditional healing). Interest in probiotics was sparked at the turn of this century when a European scientist noted that Bulgarians who consume lots of yogurt lived longer. Nobel prize winner, Elie Metchnikoff of the Pasteur Institute, propounded the theory that lactic acid bacteria are beneficial to human health in 1907.

Your gut contains more than one hundred thousand billion bacteria. There are some 400 different species living there. In fact, they would be between 3 to 5 pounds in terms of weight terms. They actually make up to 30 percent of your stools in dry weight terms. These bacteria can be good, bad or neutral.

The beneficial bacteria entered your system in a unique way, you swallowed them as you made your way through your mother's birth canal. She gave you even more of these beneficial bacteria as she breast fed you in the months that followed. In fact, first milk called colostrum, which tends to be thicker and curd like, is rich source of these beneficial bacteria.

The six common toxins that effects your body.

2008-08-05T01:12:00.000-07:00

British medical Journal estimated that perhaps 75 percent of most cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, including exposure to chemicals. Others report estimated that 95 percent of cancer is caused by diet and environmental toxicity.

The following toxins are among the most prevalent in our air, water and food supply.

-PESTICIDES.
Major source: Food (fruits,vegetables and commercially raised meats), bug spray.
Risk: Cancer, Parkinson's disease, nerve damage, birth defects, blocking the absorption of food nutrients.

-PHTHALATES.
Major source: Plastic wrap, plastic bottles, and plastic food storage containers. All these can leach phthalates into our food.
Risk: Endocrine system damage (phthalates chemically mimic hormones and are particularly dangerous to children.

-VOCs. (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Major source: Drinking water, carpet, paints, deodorants, cleaning fluids, varnishes, cosmetics, dry cleaned clothing, moth repellants, air fresheners.
Risk: Cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorder and memory impairment.

-DIOXINS.
Major source: Animal fats, over 95% of exposure comes from eating commercial animal fats.
Risks: Cancer, reproductive and development disorder, skin rashes, skin discoloration, excessive body hair and mild liver damage.

-HEAVY METALS. (arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminium and cadmium).
Major source: Drinking water, fish, vaccines, pesticides preserved wood, antiperspirant, building materials, dental amalgams and chlorine plants.
Risk: Cancer, neurological disorder, Alzheimer's disease, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm and damage the blood vessels.

-CHLORINE.
Major source: Household cleaners, drinking water (in small amount), air when living near an industry (such as a paper plant) that uses chlorine in industrial processes.
Risk: Sore throat, coughing, eye and skin irritation, rapid breathing, narrowing of the bronchi, severe eye and skin burns and lung collapse.

Getting old and maintaining healthy bones and joints.

2008-08-04T01:33:00.000-07:00

These days, when someone wishes us happy birthday, “and many more”, there's a good chances that will happen. By 2025, there will be more than 800 million people over 65 years of age in the world, two third of them in developing countries.

What kind of old age.

A longer life is much more attractive prospect if it is free of pain and disability. If it isn't, there's a danger you may live to a ripe old age and not really have much of a life. Happily, many of the conditions that can interfere with our enjoyment at later life are preventable.

There are many conditions once though to be a natural part of aging that we now know can be prevented or minimized. Many of the diseases associated with aging appear to be caused by free radicals, chemically activated forms of oxygen, which are generated in the body daily. The thing that naturally keeps free radicals in check is antioxidants, which we get from nutrients in food, particularly fresh foods and vegetables.

Osteoporosis symptoms:
Osteoporosis is a crippling disease which weakens the bones. It is most commonly associated with older people. Women especially are effected as oestrogen levels, which drop at menopouse, can cause bones to weaken, often lending to hip fracture.

Seven out of ten women and a significant number of men, aren't getting the calcium they need to avoid the risk of osteoporosis. By 2050, nearly half of the world's hip fractures will occur in Asia. Studies have identified Asians as the ethnic group with the lowest calcium intake.

Getting enough calcium to avoid the risk of osteoporosis through your diet can be difficult, a calcium supplement is often recommended for those who are on a low calcium food diet.

Get more on low fat diary foods (with extra calcium), soya bean products, whole grain bread and cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables. Regular weight bearing exercise. Avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, animal fats and eggs.

Arthritis:
Arthritis literally means “fire in the joints”, a description that almost adults who are believed to suffer from the condition understand only too well. The most common form of artritis is osteoarthritis and mostly affects older people. It develops as the cartilage that protects a joint wears away. The result is a painful, sometimes debilitating combination of stiffness and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis and an auto immune disorder. It occurs when the body replaces damaged tissue with scar tissue. This force within the joints to become narrow, so the bones actually fuse together.

Get more on deep sea fish, avocado, olive oil, linseed oil, leafy vegetables, yellow vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, ginger, wholemeal bread and cereals, brown rice, water, sulphur containing foods such as asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions. Exercise which doesn't put stress on your joints, swimming is great. Unused joints tend to stiffen. Celery supplements, traditionally used to relieve joint pains. Glucosamine, a supplements that contains the natural component of human cartilage. It enhances the structural integrity of connective tissue.

Take less nightshade vegetables ( tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, capsicum), they contain compounds which can inflame arthritis. Animal, fats, tea, coffee and processed food.

Maintaining a Healthy Heart.

2008-07-30T23:55:00.001-07:00

The human heart is about the size of a clenched fist. It is located under the breastbone between the lungs (just left of centre) and is made up of four chambers. Blood flows through these chambers in a pattern that supplies all parts of the body with oxygenated blood and returns blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation.

There are two types of blood vessels, arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart and are elastic, which enables them to withstand the pressure of blood being pumped with force.

Veins carry back to the heart. By the time blood reaches the veins, blood pressure has dropped. Veins are not elastic, but have small valves that keep the de-oxygenated blood from flowing backwards.

When kept healthy and strong, the body's network of veins and arteries should work as efficiently in an older body as a younger one.

Take care of your heart.

The body's ingenious design means skin, muscle and a sturdy ribcage protects the heart from injury. The real risk to the health of our heart comes not from injury, but from failing to take proper care of this vital organ.

Happily, maintaining a healthy heart is relatively simple, and it's never too late to start. Do you smoke? If you do, the first step is to quit. Even occasional smoking has been proven to be detrimental to the health of your heart. Regular exercise is essential to help maintain weight and keep the heart strong. It is also important to limit fats in the diet particularly animal fats derived from meat and full fat dairy foods.

Enjoying health to a ripe old age is common in many Mediterranean communities where diet is based on olive oil, vegetables, fish, nuts, fruits, grains and pulses. Many doctors and naturopaths believe that it's the low levels of cholesterol that make the Mediterranean diet an excellent model for those wishing to maintain their cardiovascular health.

Include in your healthy heart diet:

Seasonal fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, onions, red and white cabbage, cucumber, potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
Fresh fruit, rich in antioxidants.
Fish, particularly oily varieties such as sardines, mackerel and salmon.
Fresh herbs, especially parsley, mint, basil, thyme, coriander, oregano and dill.
Whole grains cereals, brown rice, oats, wholemeal bread and pasta, millet, buckwheat and barley.
Lean meat, chicken and eggs.
Nuts and seeds, small amounts of almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
Sea vegetables, nori, arame and wakame.
Soy foods and tofu.

Keep to a minimum:

Full fat dairy foods.
Refined white flour products, white bread, pasta, biscuits and cakes.
Salt.
Saturated fats, butter, matured cheeses, fatty meats and fried foods.

Exercise:

Exercise is extremely important for the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. In addition to keeping the heart itself strong, exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduce pressure on the heart. You don't need to become gym junkie. A brisk 30 minute walk at least three times a week can make a huge difference to your health.

Supplement with CoQ10:

CoQ10 occurs naturally in the body and levels decline with age. A CoQ10 supplement assists in maintaining a healthy heart, in particularly the function of the heart muscle. CoQ10 has been shown to reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Maintaining a sharp mind.

2008-07-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

In previous centuries, people didn't worry so much age related brain conditions. Forgetfulness, speech problems and confusion were simply considered part of getting old. Now that our bodies are remaining fit and strong for much longer, it's increasingly important that our minds also remain active, as much for our families sake as our own. Caring for a person suffering the effects of degenerative brain disease can be extremely draining both physically and emotionally.

Think about our brains.

The brain is the centre of our nervous system and the most metabolically active organ in the body. It is made up of some 100 billion neurons and weight about 1.3 kilograms.

The brain utilises about 20% of the total oxygen used by the body, so a good blood supply to the brains is crucial. Under normal circumstances, the brain uses a continuous supply of glucose as its source of energy. Without constant replenishment, the glucose reserve of the brain will be used in approximately ten minutes.

Food for the brain.

A healthy brain needs a healthy diet. Start the day with breakfast, there is increasing evidence that eating breakfast is associated with better memory function later in the day. A diet high in foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is important for brain health. Additionally, DHA, an essential fatty acid found in deep sea fish (exp. Tuna) aids the proper function and development of the brain.

Take Ginko.

Herbs such as Gingko Biloba have long been used to help improve memory and learning ability, and may help slow progression of age related memory loss.

Ginko appears to improve cognition in a number of ways including its ability to affect blood flow to the brain and free radical scavenging. It is recommended as a long term solution for improving cognitive function.

Exercise for your brain.

Exercise increases blood flow and nutrition to the brain. Research indicated that regular exercise is associated with significant reduction of risk of several forms of cognitive decline. Even low intensity exercise such as walking can be helpful. A study found that you only walk 10,000 steps to enjoy the benefits.

Maintaining your body's energy.

2008-07-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

When we're feeling tired and stressed, it's easy to reach for a “quick fix”, strong coffee in the morning, chocolate in the middle of the afternoon, a caffeine-based energy drink to keep us powering through the night. There's no doubt these provide the immediate perception of a lift, but they don't help the body deal with the underlying cause of energy deprivation. The key to proper management of stress related fatigue is about providing the nervous and adrenal system support that enables the body to deal with fatigue.

Eating for energy.

When you consider the rapidly expanding of special “energy” foods and drinks in our supermarkets, you would think we should be bursting with energy. Yet the reverse is true. That's because most “energy” foods and drinks rely on sugar or caffeine to give our bodies a quick boost. Real, long lasting energy comes from simpler (less enticingly packaged) foods.

Try to eat regular meals comprised of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals, brown rice, beans, fish, lean meat and eggs. B complex vitamins are necessary to metabolise food into energy and to help the adrenal system to function properly. A multivitamin and mineral supplements is also useful in delivering the many essential vitamins and minerals we require daily.

A good night's sleep.

There's nothing like deep, restful sleep to help your body recover from one day and prepare for the next. However, that's easier said than done when your mind is racing at a million miles an hour. There are number of herbs that act as natural sedatives. They include skullcap, valerian, passion flower and hops.

Exercise for stamina.

“Don't stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing”

It might seem strange, but exercise can actually give you more energy and consequently relieve stress. Even if you're not the athletic type, try to walk for 30 minutes a day at least three to four times a week . You'll notice a big difference in the way you feel after just a few week.

Dry eyes diagnosed.

2008-07-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

If you suspect you have dry eyes on wearing contact lens, you should make an appointment to see your eye doctor. Your historical information often gives the most reliable clues to diagnosis of dry eyes. A careful examinations of all the eye tissues usually provide more documentation for making a diagnosis.

While assessing for CLIDE (Contact Lens Induced Dry Eyes) your doctor will document your comprehensive contact lens history. He will evaluate whether the lens has been worn daily or extended overnight. Your doctor may need to ensure that you are not sleeping in lenses appreved for daily wear wear, as this can lead to CLIDE. Environment factor such as humidity, closed to heating or air conditioning duct may aggravate CLIDE.

Your eyes may be examined using a special microscope called slit lamp. The condition of the tear film (the layer of liquid) on your eyes is looked at, and the cornea (front of the eyes) is checked to see if it has dried out, or has been damaged. Your doctor may also use different dyes to see if skin cells on the eye have worn away. The dye is put in your eye as an eye drop, and the dye will temporarily stain the eye where cells have worn away.

A test called the Schirmer test may also be carried out. A thin strip of filter paper is placed just inside the lower eyelid. After a few minutes, the paper is then removed to see how much liquid it has soaked up. Your doctor can then measure how dry your eyes are.

Treatments for dry eyes symptoms.

For those patients with mild to moderate dry eyes the first course of treatment may be to use unpreserved artificial tears or re wetting drops as prescribed by he doctor. Depending on the nature of your tear fil deficiency, the doctor may have you use a specific type of artificial tear that has different characteristic in terms of salt content and viscosity. In addition to artificial tears, your doctor may suggest the need to switch to a less irritating or preservative free lens care system. These are specially formulated lens lubricating and re wetting drops specifically designed for contact lens wearers because other types of drops may contain ingredients that can damage the lens. Rewetting drops for contact lens wearers are usually not as thick as gels and are designed to provide relief and long lasting lubrication to help retain moisture. Most doctors recommend preservative free tears because they are the most soothing and have fewer additives that could potentially irritate the eye. Avoid products that are irritating to the eyes, they don't have adequate lubricating qualities and often make problem worse.

Protein removal is also an important issue, especially for patients with CLIDE. In heavily depositing persons with less frequently replaced lenses, regular enzyme treatments are advised. Daily wear lenses and daily disposables will be a good option. In severe cases, a reduced wearing schedule of daily replaced lenses would be ideal. If optically viable, your doctor may consider changing your lens to a high water content lens that retains water in the lens matrix or an RGP lens with a low amount of silicone content.

In addition, your doctor may counsel you on environmental factors and modifying the diet. Most likely you will be asked to drink plenty of water.

How to reduce eye discomfort from dry eyes.
- Good hydration, drink plenty of water, reduce caffeine intake.
- Protect the eyes from harsh weather conditions like wind and dust.
- Environmental control, minimize impact of heat and air conditioning by turning down, redirecting vents.
- Avoid smoky environments or quitting smoking if you smoke.
- Identify and replace, which are causing or exacerbating dry eye.
- When watching TV, using the computer or other eye straining activities, take breaks.
- Make a conscious effort to blink frequently, especially when reading.
Eat healthy food containing eye nutrients especially with vitamin A, C, and E.

Why do we get dry eyes?

2008-07-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

The name “dry eye” can be a little confusing since one of the most common symptoms is excessive watering of the eyes. It make more sense, though, when you learn that the eye makes two different types of tears. The first type, called lubricating tears, is produced slowly and steadily throughout the day. Lubricating tears contain a precise balance of mucous,water, oil, nutrient peoteins and antibodies that nourish and protect the front surface of the eye.

The second type of tear, called a reflex tear, does not have much lubricating value. Reflex tears serve a s a kind of emergency response to flood the eye when it is suddenly irritated or injured. Reflex tears might occur when you get something in your eye, when you're cutting onions, when you're around smoke, or when you accidentally scratch your eye. Another cause of reflex tearing is irritation of the eye from lack of lubricating tears. If your eye is not producing enough lubricating tears, you may have dry eye.

Hormonal changes due to aging and menopause, thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies can contribute to increasing dy eyes. Some disease and conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, lupus and Sjogren Syndrome also cause dry eyes in many patients.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

If you wear contact lense, you may find they become uncomfortable. Both eyes are usually affected. Symptoms include:

Irritation in the eyes
The eyes may feel sandy or gritty.
Foreign body sensation, burning or itching
Slight blurring of vision from time to time
light sensitivity or even
Excessing tearing.

Symptoms tend to increase from morning to evening. Example the longer a person wears the lenses throughout the day, the more likely he or she is to have dry eyes complaints. Dry eyes can also be made worse by windy weather, which dries out the eyes further, tobacco smoke, low humidity, air conditioning or when you blink less often. Medications such as anti histamines, anti depressants, sleeping bills, diuretics or beta blockers decrease tear production and may aggravate symptoms.

Understanding common stomach pain.

2008-07-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

Stomach discomfort is caused by many factors, mainly by something that you,ve consumed, which may not agree with you. Unknown to many, stress too plays an important role in causing stomach discomfort.

Your stomach and stress.

The intestinal tract's function is to make food supplies available to the body. Whatever is not absorbed by the body is excreted at the end of the tract. The intestinal system is a long tube. Food passing through the alimentary tract isn't “in” the body until it has been absorbed through the intestinal wall at some point.

It's common fact that when you are busy, anxious habits take a dive for the worst. It is during these times that you:

- Over eating or lose your appetite
- Eat to quickly.
- Binge on spicy and greasy food and “sinful” foods such as chocolates and cakes.
- Eat irregularly.
- Consume too much caffeine and alcohol.

When all these happen, your stomach takes the brunt of the overload. However, the stomach is smart. In no uncertain terms, it tells us by several ways that it is not feeling good. Some of these ways are:

- Indigestion
- Stomach ache
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite.

How you stomach functions depends mainly on the type of food you consume and how often you consume it. Its only function is to prepare food for digestion and if there is too little or too much of the wrong sort of food, then your stomach is bound to show some sighs that all is not well.

Researches are still not absolutely certain what other problems can cause damage to the stomach. There is considerable evidence, however, to suggest that drinking too much alcohol, smoking too many cigarettes and taking too many of the wrong sort of drugs will all damage the digestive part of the intestinal tract. These behaviors affect the rate at which acid is produced and the speed and nature of the movements of the stomach's muscle walls.

Individuals who are under stress are very often also the same sort of people who drinks too much alcohol, smoke too much and eat irregularly or too quickly. These types of activities can also cause stomach disorder. Therefore, establishing a strict and formal relationship between stress and stomach problems is difficult.

Cool facts about the digestive system

2008-07-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

The intestinal tract in an average adults is about nine metres (30) feeet long and is divided into a number of different parts. Each parts of the intestinal tract has its own job to do.

Semi digested food passes from the stomach into the small intestine where another set of enzymes completes the digestive process. The resultant tiny particles are absorbed into the wall of the intestine.

By the time food reaches the end of the small intestine and is about to enter the part of the intestinal tract known as the large bowel, it is little more than waste residue. Water is removed in the colon and mucus is secreted to help the stools pass easily along to the exit point, but the actual digestive process has finished much earlier on.

How the stomach works.

Your stomach helps digest food in two ways. First, the cells of the stomach lining produce something like three liters of gastric juice every day. Of the different substances which make up these juices, the most important one is probably hydrochloric acid which is produced by the parietal cells. These exist in the stomach wall in a total population of something approaching a billion.

The power and effects of these juices is enhanced by the stomach's muscular wall which churns the food and the juices together before squirting the resultant soup like misture through a valve into the next part of the intestinal tract, the duodenum.

It is these properties of the stomach which give power as a digestive force and there are a number of different factors which can influence both the production of acid and the activity of the stomach's muscular wall. Of these factors, the two most important in a normal stomach are the presence and absence of food.

Calcium TABLET or LIQUID: Which is better absorbed?.

2008-06-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

Does your daily diet provide sufficient Calcium?.

Consuming enough of calcium is important because it helps to prevent bones from getting weaker and “brittle” later in life. Unless you are consciously consuming enough milk (3 glasses or more) or other dairy products daily, you can never be certain that you have fulfilled your daily calcium requirement. As a matter of fact, a study has pointed out that there is generally a lack of calcium intake among modern persons diet, indicating a low intake of between 300 – 400mg.

How well does your body absorb Calcium from supplement?

Calcium supplements are alternatives you can look at to fulfill your daily calcium requirements.

“A considerable mount of calcium ingested is not absorbed from intestine and simply leaves the body along with faeces”

Indeed, the human body needs to absorb and utilize the calcium that is ingested from food or supplementary sources. Liquid calcium supplements dissolve well because hey are broken down before they enter the stomach, thus the calcium is more readily available when it reaches small intestine for absorption. In contrast, a hard solid tablet that does not disintegrate properly might possibly pass the absorption site of the small intestine, therefore limiting its absorption.

What is the right dosage for Calcium Supplements?.

The Medical experts also recommends that “Calcium, whether from the diet or supplements, is absorbed best by the body when it is taken several times a day in amounts of 500 mg.” This is because absorption from supplements is best in doses 500 mg or less because the perent of calcium absorbed decreases as the amount of calcium in the supplements increases.

Get Prepared For a Pregnancy.

2008-06-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

If you are trying to get pregnant, you should see your doctor to discuss any regular medications you are taking, and whether or not they are safe to take throughout your pregnancy. You should also ask your doctor if you might need additional nutritional supplements to help keep your healthy while you are trying to get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

Nutrition during pregnancy.

A well balanced diet can provide a pregnant woman with most of the nutrients needed during pregnancy, but some supplements may be necessary. You should take extra folic acid for at least a month before getting pregnant and for the first 3 months of pregnancy to help with the baby's development and to help prevent conditions such as spina bifida. You can buy folic acid supplements from your local pharmacy, but it's advisable to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any supplements. Some women may need supplements of calcium, iron and zinc to keep both mother and baby in good health during the pregnancy. Eating calcium rich foods such as dairy products helps increase calcium intake.

Rubella.

Some women who wish to start a family may need a rubella (German measles) vaccination prior to becoming pregnant. If a mother is not protected from German measles and comes into contact with the virus while pregnant, the baby's healthy development may be at risk.

Harmful substances.

Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive should abstain from drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes or marijuana, and minimise caffeine intake from coffee, tea and cola drinks. All these substances could affect the healthy development of the baby.

When should you seek medical advice?

You should seek medical advice if:

You have missed a period but have had a negative pregnancy test.
You have had a positive pregnancy test.
You have been having abdominal pain or period problems such as heavy bleeding, period pain or no period.

Increase Your Chances of Being Pregnant.

2008-06-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

To increase chances of becoming pregnant, women should monitor their body's fertile time period. There are several methods a women can use to determine when she is most likely to conceive: using calendar to chart the menstrual cycle, charting basal body temperature, examining cervical mucus and combining these few methods. The above charting methods require women to record the secondary signs of fertility caused by changes in hormones. Because these conditions can be affected by factors such as infections or medications, they require careful monitoring and analysis, and they are never 100% reliable. An alternative to these method is measuring changes in hormone levels. An increase in the level of estrogen marks the beginning of most women's fertile phase, while an increase in the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels signals that ovulation will occur soon – usually within approximately 24 to 36 hours. The fertility monitor is a relatively new approach designed to provide daily information about a woman's fertile time period. The monitor records a woman's daily fertility level (low,high, peak) based on results from urine tests. This detects increases in levels of estrogen and LH and help women identify the days they have the optimal chances of conceiving.

What if you still don't get pregnant? It is prudent to be mindful about infertility as well. Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of normal sexual intercourse without contraception. Infertility may affect either the man or woman or both.

There are also other factors that may affect fertility including:

general health concerns such as obesity, thyroid disease or uncontrolled diabetes.
Psychological factors such as stress, tension and anxiety.
Excessive smoking and alcohol intake, and
Some types of medications.

Causes of female infertility:

Failure to produce eggs.
Failure for the ovaries to develop, as seen in conditions such as Turner's syndrome.
Endomentriosis, a condition that causes abnormal growth of endomentrium tissue, often causing scarring and inflammation in the reproductive organs.
Blocked Fallopian tubes (the tubes that take eggs from the ovaries to the womb). This is often caused by scarring following infections such as pelvic inflammatory diseases (PIDs) or sexually transmitted disease (STDs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Womb tumour or scarring that prevents fertilised eggs from implanting.
Certain hormonal imbalances.
“Hostile” mucus at the cervix (neck of the womb) which does not allow sperm to enter.
In rare cases, some women may have a reaction to their,s partner's perm

However, there are excellent screening methods as well as treatments available for both male and female infertility. Speak to your doctor.

Exercise Can Overcome Men Problems.

2008-05-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

In general, men suffer from more chronic conditions and have lower life expectancy than women. This can attributed to differences in health related beliefs and social behaviors where men are less likely to engage in behaviors linked to health and longevity. It is not uncommon to find that many men smoke, drink alcohol in excess, have poor diets, suffer from work related stress, depression and drug addiction that is detrimental to their wellbeing. Men rarely discuss their concerns with their health concerns can range from insomnia, diabetes, heart disease to sexual problems.

Sports is an expression of masculinity and an important form of physical exercise. Regular sporting improves:

strength
muscle growth
blood circulation
endurance
stamina
reduces weight gain
reduces stress
improves the physical appearances.

Remember that your heart is also a muscle and regular workouts can strengthen your heart. However, due to the physical and mental demands of the present work culture, most men do not find time for sports or even physical exercise despite consuming regular rich diets. The lack of engaging in sporting activities or physical exercise can dampen masculinity and in the long term contribute to obesity.

Men often suffer from work related stress, sleeping disorder and poor memory. They are unmotivated to exercise, lack sexual desire and suffer from various illnesses as a result of fatigue and energy deficiency. Healthy men have improved brain and physical function, and better work related performance in their routine daily activities compared with those who lack vitality and suffer from fatigue.

Engaging in regular intimate activities with your partner is also a part of healthy living and keeps your relationship happy. Relationship can be strained when there is loss of sexual desire or when the male partner has “sexual dysfunction”. Lack of energy and fatigue as a result of poor blood circulation can contributed to the loss on sexual desire. The present working environment consists of many men who complained of the lack of sexual interest due to fatigue and lack of energy. By committing yourself to regular physical exercise at least 2-3 times a week, your work stress can be relieved.

Am i overweight for my age.

2008-05-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

Your ideal weight depends on your how tall you are, your build, and whether your are a man or a woman. One of the best ways of calculating a healthy weight is to work out your body mass index (BMI) by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. The ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Your risk of number of health problems rises significantly from a BMI of 27 while anything over 29.9 is a serious health concern.

Another good check for healthy weight is to measure your waist. Women with a waist circumferences of over 88 cm (35 inches) and men with waists of more than 102 cm (40 inches) are much greater risk for disease. If you are overweight you have a greater chance of shortening your life. You will be the perfect candidates for developing high blood pressure, high colesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, joint problems, gallbaladder disease, sleep and lung problems and a host of other terminal diseases. Abdominal body fat, the “apple shape”, is a higher rosk than the “pear shape”

Decide what is a healthy, achievable and sustainable weight for you and give yourself a time frame to achieve it. Take it very slowly (about a kilogram a month) as weight lost quickly comes back quickly. Set a number of short term goals so you have a sense of achievement, and reward yourself with non-food treats when you achieve them.

Know what you eat:

Eat a balanced diet consisting of plenty of vegetables, fruit, legumes and cereals. Include low fat milk and diary products, lean meat and poultry.
Prepare meals with little or no added fat, salt and sugar.
Drink plenty of water each day. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation (1 – 2 drinks a day for woman, 2 -3 for men). However, if you're trying to lose weight you should bear in mind that alcohol is low in nutrients and high in kilojoules.
Look at your food portions, if you are in the habit of piling up your plate, try gradually easing back. Bulking up with fruit and vegetables gives essential fibre and helps stave off hunger.
Don't be hungry and don,t skip meals.
Cut the fat. Learn how to cook tasty, balanced low fat meals. You don't have to live on cottage cheese and carrot sticks.
Choose foods with a low glycemic index (GI) such as fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals (no sugars) and milk. They can help you lose weight while keeping you feeling fuller for longer.

Strength training increases your metabolism. Muscle burns more fuels (kilojoules or calories) at rest than does fat. Each day, a pound of muscle burns over 10 times as much as energy as a pound of fat just to maintain itself. So couple of extra pounds or kilos of muscle will automatically mean you burn off more food. Also, the stronger you are, the more likely you are to exercise, and you'll look trimmer because you are toned.

Antibiotics cannot help in fighting colds.

2008-05-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

It is very important to remember that antibiotics only help in infections caused by bacteria. They have no effects on viruses. Hence antibiotics do not help with colds. You have to allow your immune system to fight the viruses. Beside that, antibiotics do not help with any of the cold and cough symptoms either. They do not stop your condition from getting worse and also do not stop you from spreading the viruses to other people. Very importantly, the use of antibiotics when you do not need them makes them less effective when you eventually do need antibiotics for a bacterial infection. This also increases resistance to antibiotics in the community. Use of antibiotics can also cause unwanted side effects such as stomach discomfort, diarrhea, fungal infections such as thrush and all allergic reactions. It usually suffices to get adequate rest and use symptomatic treatments. Make sure you know what type antibiotics that you take. Please refer to the antibiotics alphabetical list or go see your doctor. My advice please don't take over the counter antibiotics without your doctor prescription.

Treat yourself:

- Rest, resting helps your immune system build up to fight the virus off.
- Drink at least eight glass of water a day, helps lossen mucus hence easier to cough or blow out. - Avoid drink that dehydrate further like coffee or tea.
- Take symptomatic medications to give you some comfort.
- Inhale, use a few drops of menthol or eucalyptus oil in a bowl of steaming water. Put a towel over your head, close your eyes and breathe in the vapor.
- Decongestant rubs help
- Gargle with warm, salty water to ease throat irritations.

Nothing cures colds but at the very least there are good symptom relievers on the market.

Decongestants:
- Topical decongestants such as nasal sprays must not be used longer than five days at a time.
- They should be kept refrigerated and be discarded after a month. Oral decongestant can cause insomnia, restlessness and should be avoided in patients with hypertension and heart problems.

Antihistamines:
- Help with runny noses, watery eyes and dry cough.

Combination products. (Seek Doctors Advice first!)
- Decongestant and paracetamol, a useful combination if you have a mild fever and do not take excessive doses.
- Decongestant, paracetamol and cough suppressant, good when you also have a dry cough.
- Decongestant, paracetamol and antihistamines, useful if you are suffering from a runny nose.

What causes coughs and colds.

2008-05-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

An infection mainly occurring in nose and throat. Common cough and colds are caused by viruses and generally take 2 to 5 days to recover. The viruses that cause common cough and colds are very dangerous and are spread by simple fine spray from sneezes and coughs. Coughing is a reflex action that can be caused by many irritants. Although it can be an indication of more illness such as pneumonia, usually is due to upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) infection.

Often people talk of “having a flu” when they are actually suffering from a cold. They are both caused by viruses. However, the flu, influenza is a serious illness that can result in death. The flu starts suddenly with a higher fever and you would feel so unwell. The onset of a cold, however, is more gradually and symptoms are normally restricted to just your throat and nose.

Usually, you will have a runny nose and weepy eyes. Some peoples also cough, sneeze and suffer from sore throats. More commonly, you would feel generally unwell and in slightly more severe cases, you may a headache, fever o even lose your voice. Coughs that are associated with colds are harmless and you should be mindful to see whether it progresses to be longer than a week and if feel unwell it's time to see your doctor.

Avoid:

Take preventive measures – always wash your hands with soap and water
Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with your hand.
Always cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
Use tissues rather than handkerchiefs and throw them away after use
Avoid sharing utensil such as cups, cutlery and other personal items.
Avoid contact with other cold sufferers.

When your symptoms get worse. If you suffer from other health conditions such as asthma or diabetes that worsen during a cold. It is also advised that you consult your doctor if the symptoms come on suddenly, are severe or last longer than usual.

See doctor if:

Temperature exceed 38.5 degree celsius (38 for children)
Chills.
Severe headaches
Hurting eyes.
Chest pain
Shortness of breath, noisy or fast breathing
Skin rash
Pale or mottled skin.
Vomiting
Difficulty waking up or drowsiness.
Persistent cough.
Aching muscles.

Immediately (seriously) see your doctor if your baby develops:

Bulging of the fontanel (soft spot on the top of a baby's head)
High temperature
Strange high pitched cry
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite
Earache.

Don't skip breakfast because it's important.

2008-05-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Are you often too busy for breakfast?. Many of us would trade breakfast for a few extra minutes of sleep, or we skip breakfast in the rush to get to work or send the kids to school. Or we simply grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich, and call it a meal. But do you realise that you my be missing more than just breakfast when you do that.

Many studies have concluded the importance of breakfast, and health experts unanimously agree that breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day, and a good nutritious breakfast is the foundation of long, healthy and vibrant life. Eating breakfast is the secret to healthy living. Those who eat nutritious breakfast daily generally have lower cholesterol levels, which are associated with reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Studies have proven that those who skip breakfast are less efficient, both mentally and physically, when compared to those who had adequate breakfasts. Eating a nutritionist breakfast gives you the competitive edge both at work and at home. It improves your thinking ability and memory, and keeps you at top mental performances and gives you improved strength and endurance. Breakfast skippers, on the other hand, are generally more irritable, moody and tire easily.

While a good breakfast is vital, eating a heavy breakfast, one which is high in carbohydrates and fat, may actually do you more harm than good. Heavy, non nutritionist breakfast are often linked to that mid morning slump, and the inability to focus and concentrate at work. Hence, it is imperative to ensure that you are getting a nutritionist breakfast without overeating.
Scientific evidence found that children who eat nutritionist breakfast tend to have higher grades in school. They have better concentration, alertness and more energy, and can retain knowledge faster and think more clearly to outperform non breakfast eaters. Children who do not eat nutritionist breakfast become tired and do not pay as much attention in school, especially in the late morning. A nuritionist breakfast also prevents children from overeating later in the day, hence they are less likely to become overweight.

If you are struggling with weight problems, skipping breakfast may appear like a smart way o cut caloric intake and prevent overeating, bu do you realise that the very opposite is true?. Research actually shows that people who eat a healthy breakfast are less likely to become overweight.

The ideal breakfast should be exceptional in quality, with all the nutrients that the body needs for the day, including vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, essential fats, enzymes, antioxidants, essential amino acids, probiotics and prebiotics, brain foods, fibre, phyto nutrients, cardiovascular protectors, immune boosters and bone builders.

When you do not eat breakfast, you metabolism plummets. If you're trying o lose weight, this is the last thing you want. Eating a healthy breakfast helps you control your impulse to eat when you are stressed out, prevents you from snacking between meals and overeating at lunch ime, and jump starts your metabolism for the day, and revving up your fat burning ability for enhanced weight loss.

Cervical cancer early symptoms.

2008-05-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

When cells in an area of body grow abnormally, cancer can develop. Cervical cancer is abnormal cell growth in the cervix. The cervix is the part of the uterus that connects the upper part of the uterus (the womb). Cervical cancer is a serious condition that can be life threatening. It begins when women becomes infected with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If the immune system does not clear the infection, normal cells can begin to grow abnormally and turn into precancerous lesions. If not discovered early and treated, this abnormal cell growth can become cancer. Most often this can take a number of years, although in rare cases it can happen within a year.

Women who have been infected with certain types of HPV and have not been to clear the virus can get cervical cancer and pre-cancer. About half of all females diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years old. Many of these women were most likely exposed to cancer causing HPV type during their teens and 20's. Most of the women who get cervical cancer may have never had a Pap test.

HPV is a common virus that affects both females and males. There are more than 100 types of the virus. Most types of HPV do not cause any symptoms, are harmless and are cleared. About 30 types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area. Some types can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts and benign (noncancerous) changes in the cervix. HPV has also been linked to other rare disease including vaginal and vulvar cancer, as well as RRP (recurrent respiratory papillomatosis), a disease of the throat that makes breathing difficult. Because people who have HPV may not show any sign or symptoms, they can transmit the virus without even knowing it. Anyone who has sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV, even if there is no sexual intercourse.

Because HPV usually has no sign or symptoms, most people infected with HPV don't know they have it. Most HPV infections are first discovered as a resul of abnormal Pap test. A Pap test is part of a gynecological exam and helps detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become pre-cancer or cervical cancer. Many cervical pre-cancers (changes that could lead to cancer) are related to HPV and can be treated successfully if detected early. That's why early detection is so important.