Self growth your way

How to get self healing from acupressure

2010-03-10T22:31:00.000+06:00

I have completed a short acupressure course from a local expert of this therapy and after some practice I can diagnose myself or use the self healing process for the purpose. Acupressure points of your palm become tender or painful relating to the part of body which is an indication that there is some pain or abnormality at that body system or part.

After diagnose, self healing is a very easy process. You just need to put pressure with the help of your finger tips, thumb or with wooden tool(specially made to apply pressure).

How to Start?

Look for sore areas. If a point is sore, it needs work. You should feel sour or numb, but not knife-cut like pain when pressing. The acupoints are usually between or beside the bones and tendons orligaments, on in a depression, never on the bones or blood vessels. If a point is not sore, leave it alone. Fingerpressure will work but most people get a better Healing Response using acupressure tools. They allow morepressure to be applied with less work, stress and potential damage to the massager.

If a point is very sore,press only as hard as you can tolerate do not overdo it this is not a contest. You must be the judge on this.Light pressure for a longer period will give you the same results. Some people who are larger or less sensitivethan others, may need more pressure to activate the healing response.Treatments have a cumulative effect. Sometimes lasting results are immediate, but most often it takes a while.

Each time you activate the healing response it brings the system closer to normal. If you do not get aresponse quickly you can increase the frequency of treatment. Increasing frequency is more effective thenincreasing the duration of treatment. Three or four times a day or even once an hour is OK. It does not mean that the treatments are not working if the pain comes back. This is normal. Eventually you will reach a point where the pain does not retur

* How to apply acupressure

How long you should apply pressure on effected points?

Firm pressure is the most fundamental technique. Use thumbs, fingers, palms, the side of the hand, orknuckles to apply stead; stationary pressure. To relax an area or relieve pain, apply pressure gradually andhold without any movement for several minutes at a time.

One minute of steady pressure (when appliedgradually) calms and relaxes the nervous system, promoting greater healing. To stimulate the area, applypressure for only four or five seconds. Slow motion kneading uses the thumbs and fingers along with theheels of the hands to squeeze large muscle groups firmly. The motion is similar to that of kneading a large mass of dough. Simply lean the weight of your upper bodyinto the muscle as you press to make it soft and pliable. This relieves general stiffness, shoulder and necktension, constipation, and spasms in the calf muscles.

Brisk rubbing uses friction to stimulate the blood andlymph. Rub the skin lightly to relieve chilling, swelling, and numbness by increasing circulation, as well as tobenefit the nerves and tone of the skin. Quick tapping with fingertips stimulates muscles on unprotected,tender areas of the body such as the face. For larger areas of the body, such as the back or buttocks, use aloose fist. This can improve the functioning of nerves and sluggish muscles in the area. Obviously this type ofmassage would be difficult to apply to yourself. But with the proper tools you can treat most of your body'slocations effectively.

* Use acupressure charts

Tips:
- Pressing too hard and too quickly can damage tissues and create more problems.
- Pressing too soft will do little to relieve the problem.
- Use gentle steady pressure and gradually increase it until the body responds back with a significant pain response.
- The point with pain is telling you something is wrong but not to the point where your body tenses more from the pain.

More at: The right amount of pressure

Manage your health by getting best health care

2010-02-27T10:42:00.000+06:00

Internet has made our lives more faster as with the click of our finger we can discover a whole world of information. In health sector there are millions of sites offering useful information about diseases or symptoms so that we can stay informed about our health related issues.
How we can get best health care?
A way of getting best health care is to be informed about diseases, conditions and symptoms and it can be easily done by browsing through online health related sites. One of those helpful site is 'Wrong Diagnosis'.
'Wrong diagnosis' provides online medical health information.

The objective of the site is to encourage consumers to be informed and interested in managing their health, and to know what questions to ask their doctors to help ensure they are getting the best health care possible.

The site provides a free health-information service to help people understand their health better, offering crucial and factual health information that is otherwise difficult to find.

At their diagnosis menu you can find these tools:

* Diagnosis Checklist
* Symptom Checker
* Home Diagnostic Testing
* Top 100 Misdiagnosed

Home Diagnostic Testing Center is a very useful tool for the peoples who want to save their time for consultation. We can easily get the home diagnosis kits and check the health conditions at the

Site itself explains why you need to browse online for medical diagnosis!

Reasons for Using Online Medical Diagnosis:

In some instances, online services can be useful to people, because of:

* Expense: Medical consultations can be expensive and alternative methods of interacting with medical experts can be useful.
* Embarrassment: Some people may find it easier to discuss the details of embarrassing physical medical conditions, or to discuss their own personal issues in counseling, when doing so online.
* Convenience: The practical difficulty of traveling to the doctor's office can be an issue for some.
* Time: Some patients feel that they do not get enough time with their doctors, and may have numerous questions left unanswered after a consultation.

If you want to discuss your own health related problems or ask it from other members then join their forum. Their 'forum' has 85,888 members so far with 160,796 posts so it is possible that you may get the answer of your question right there.

Note: As like other online health resource sites they say:
Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs.

Cure and healing through acupressure

2010-02-25T07:11:00.001+06:00

The healing art of acupressure is at least 5000 years old and remains the 3rd most popular method for pain and illness relief in the world.

Benefits:

Through clinical trials, Accupressure has been proven effective in treating various medical conditions and its use has been expanded into conventional medicine practices. Although best known for the control of pain, Accupressure benefits a wide variety of disorders. Respiratory disorders such as sinusitis, common cold, bronchitis and asthma can be effectively treated with Accupressure. Conjunctivitis, (pink eye), near sightedness and cataracts are a few of the eye disorders Accupressure benefits. Toothache can be reduced through Accupressure. Neurological and musculoskeletal disorders including paralysis following stroke, frozen shoulder or tennis elbow, sciatica and osteoarthritis are also treatable with Accupressure.

With certain health conditions, Accupressure can be effective enough to reduce or eliminate the need to take drugs to control pain or symptoms. Additional benefits of Accupressure are faster recovery from injuries, decreased symptoms of stress and improved circulation. Accupressure benefits the strengthening of the immune system function, which through treatment is better able to withstand colds, minor infections, and flu. Post-surgical nausea and vomiting can also be reduced through Accupressure. Many post-surgical patients find that Accupressure treatment is effective in increasing energy, and brings a sense of vitality. It also benefits the individual through a sense of restoring a sense of "normal self" after surgery or illness.

Multiple emotional or psychological disorders can be treated by Accupressure, which benefits addictions, phobias, obsessive behavior, eating disorders, and anxiety. Accupressure can also be beneficial when used alongside conventional medicine treatments for both acute and chronic disease. Often used as a form of preventative medicine, acupuncture is beneficial in preventing illness from occurring.

Ref: 'Cure through acupressure'

More useful links:

- Get information and simple tools to relieve pain and illnesses with acupressure. 'Acupressure- User friendly self healing'

- How to Self Treat Using Acupressure

- Acupressure Points for Healing

- 'Accupressure Self Treatment For Better Health'

Free and easy diagnosis through acupressure

2010-02-24T22:21:00.004+06:00

Shiatsu, or 'acupressure' which means "finger pressure" has been used for centuries to diagnose and treat illness. Acupressure enables us to diagnose and cure diseases like Common Cold, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Migraine, Heart Attack, Paralysis and even Cancer. I was first introduced an amazing book 'Health in Your Hands' written by "Devendra Vora, M.D." and told to read it carefully. I found this whole system very useful and effective for diagnosis and healing purposes. I have tried it myself and would like to share my experiences with blog readers.

How it can be used for diagnose purposes?

Acupressure is based on the theory that the body has fourteen meridians travel through it. Each of these meridians is attached to a specific body organ. When a meridian develops a blockage the body is adversely affected and diagnosing and removing the blockage through acupressure is the best way to cure the patient.

The points on the palms and feet reflect the condition of their related organs. This makes acupressure a good diagnostic tool. By feeling the palms and feet with gentle pressure it is possible to get a fair idea about the diseased parts. If pain is observed on any point, the body part related to that point needs immediate attention. I have applied these techniques for self diagnose and found it very effective. Usually you feel pain in specific points of your hands whenever there is an abnormality around your body (in other words it is a symptom of some body or system disorder/pain or disease)

The healing process is next step after diagnosis as you have to apply pressure for continues intervals at the effected or related painful points of your both hands.

Application of pressure on palms and feet has the effect of charging various body parts. When specific points are pressed the nerves leading to the related parts are actuated which in turn stimulates those parts. As a result flow of blood and other body fluids improve providing nourishment to those parts and cleaning away the waste material more efficiently. Any undesirable deposits start dissolving. Functions of the glands improve. There is overall rejuvenation in the body.

To use this free and no cost diagnosis technique just browse through online resources or buy the books with pressure points picture. The self diagnosis system can be learned very easily at home.

Useful links:

* 'Shiatsu'

* 'What is Acupressure Shiatsu'

*Another story about the revolutionary book 'Health in your hands'

* Acupressure Pressure Points

Useful links for shiatsu or message therapy

2010-02-07T22:15:00.007+06:00

If you want to adopt 'Shiatsu' a wonderful system for healing and wellness then there are many online sites which offer useful information about applying the techniques for self help.

The first thing you need to know is ' how to apply pressure to points when doing shiatsu?

'eHow' answers this question by providing helpful articles, pictures and videos.

* Apply Pressure to Points When Doing Shiatsu

- How to Use Shiatsu for a Migraine Headache

- How to Use Shiatsu for a Sinus Headache

- How to Use Shiatsu for a Tension Headache

# How to Use Shiatsu for Menstrual Cramps How to Use Shiatsu for Menstrual Cramps

Health and wellness through 'Shiatsu'

2010-02-06T20:27:00.004+06:00

Reflexology, shiatsu, acupressure or pressure therapy are the same as these systems work in the same lines. Learn about 'Shiatsu' which is a form of reflexology. A slight difference might be that reflexology talks about feet whereas shiatsu is concerned with hands, feet and other pressure points of the body.

'shiatsu' is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") through the body.

According to a definition by 'wikipedia': 'Shiatsu' is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. Shiatsu is regulated as a licensed medical therapy by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and elsewhere by various governing bodies set up by Shiatsu practitioners.

Shiatsu therapists use finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways, called meridians to improve the flow of qi.

What conditions is shiatsu used for?

* Relaxation
* Back pain
* Headache
* Premenstrual syndrome
* Anxiety
* Insomnia
* Neck and shoulder pain
* Tiredness
* Recovery from injuries
* Stress
* Arthritis pain
* Poor digestion
* Constipation
* Depression

Shiatsu is also called acupressure.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

Useful links:

* 'Shiatsu Society'

* 'Shiatsu Massage Guide'

* 'What is reflexology?'

* 'Hand Reflexology Chart'

* 'Reflexology'

* 'Acupressure'

Health and wellness through reflexology

2010-02-04T21:11:00.005+06:00

I have plan to write a series of articles by providing essential and useful links, resources about pressure therapy which is called 'reflexology or shiatsu. As I have personally used this therapy to heal minor health problems, I would like to share this experience with all. The first post of this series is how this reflexology or shiatsu system can bring health and wellness for humans?

'Reflexology' is based on the principle that certain points on the feet and hands, called reflex points, correspond to various parts of the body and that by applying pressure to these points in a systematic way, a practitioner can help to release tensions and encourage the body’s natural healing processes.

'International Academy of Medical Reflexology' explains: What reflexology does?

Reflexology allows the body to self-correct, and to do for itself. Every time a person has his/her feet worked on, it is an examination, an evaluation, or a re-evaluation. This is accomplished through first doing a visual observation, and then by applying an exercise pressure upon relax areas to achieve a specific, highly specialized relaxation in that area of the body. This improves the nerve, blood, and lymphatic supply. The entire foot is assessed; and throughout the session, whenever a trouble (sore) spot shows up, more time is spent on that area of the foot reflex. By working on that area, the corresponding part of the body receives improved nerve, blood and lymphatic supply, in addition to working all 12 systems of the body: cardio-vascular, central nervous, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, sensory, skeletal, and urinary.

The purpose of the nerves is to carry messages and instruct the body. When the nerves improve that instruct the body, the instruction has to improve, the body has to improve. Every nerve in the body begins and ends in the hands and feet. By applying this specialized exercise pressure on the foot, the outcome is improved instruction to each and every part of the body, resulting in a re-educating, a re-patterning, and a re-conditioning of the nerves& instruction through the reflex/neutral electrical system of the body.

The purpose of the blood is to transport nutrition, glucose, and oxygen to all parts of the body. The blood travels approximately 168,000 miles per day to supply about 60 trillion cells in the body. The heart pumps about 103,000 times per day.

It is in the hands and feet that blood transfers from arteries to veins to return back to the heart. This is the reason why the feet must be flexible and dexterous. Stress, which can be responsible for 80 percent to 90 percent of ailments, can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes an impediment of blood flow which results in an ischemic condition. Since the capillaries feed the functioning part of the body, we are only as healthy as our capillaries.

Again, by using this specific, relaxation technique, reflexology is able to relax a specific area of the body enough to improve the blood supply to that area. This will then allow improved transportation of the nutrition, glucose and oxygen which that area of the body desperately needs to function or to regulate. It is essential to remember that we are not only what we eat, we are what we supply to our cells, and then assimilate.

The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the body and lubricate the muscles. A healthy system is a cleansed system; congestion is disease. The absence of balance in the body is disease. The lymphatic system cannot cleanse or purify very well if it is weak, sick or congested. A healthy person's body will rid itself of at least eight pounds or toxic waste per day through the four channels of elimination: kidneys, bowels, skin and the breath. The lymph flows in one direction only, toward the heart; also every lymphatic vessel begins and ends in the hands and feet. By using this specific, highly specialized relaxation technique (reflexology) we are persuading the body to correct, strengthen, and reinforce itself.

Reflexology, which is not invasive but persuasive, can enable the body to obtain and maintain this healthy condition. In essence, healthy, strong feet are attached to a healthy, strong body.

* 'Reflexology hand charts'

* 'Reflexology of the hands'

Related posts:

* "Finger Tips" - A blog about Message Therapy

* When a journalist devoted his life for a volunteer purpose!

Get a free handwriting analysis

2010-02-03T22:28:00.000+06:00

Your handwriting can reveal your character and in other words it can help you knowing yourself or others to achieve personal growth. Self awareness is the way to judge your own self as well as others which can guide you to make balanced decisions during life time.

Graphology is the study of handwriting and by highlighting your character traits graphology may provide you with a new direction in life.

If you can face up to your strengths and weaknesses, honestly and objectively, you can lay the foundations for more understanding relationships with others, both in your personal life, and at work.

Many aspects of your personality will be known to you but responses to people and situations are complex, often made below the level of conscious awareness. If you can appreciate why you feel and react as you do it is possible to reach a level of inner harmony.

'Online handwriting analysis'

Confucius, who wrote: "Beware of the man whose writing sways like a reed in the wind." The first extensive work on handwriting analysis dates to 1622, when an Italian physician named Camillo Baldi published A Method to Recognize the Nature and Quality of a Writer from His Letters. In this book, Baldi stated the fundamental premise that continues to guide handwriting analysis today: "It is obvious that all persons write in their own peculiar way 'Characteristic forms' cannot be truly imitated by anybody else." In other words, like snowflakes, every person's writing is unique.

Useful links: 'British Institute of Graphologists'

Get online support for your diet plan

2010-01-30T17:54:00.005+06:00

It is always better to get advice and suggestion about your health concerns and diet plan. If you are worried about your weight gain and don't know where to start checking your calorie intake or plan to start exercise to make you fit, then internet provides lots of helpful information regarding weight loss or diet. 'Calorie Connect' is one of those sites which offers free information about supporting you with your diet plan.

'Calorie Connect' is an online utility based site which helps you to maintain your diet while providing you nutrient and calorie information from your foods.

It offers interactive personal nutrition and exercise information health conscious people need to make positive choices about their physical health and well being.

Mission: 'People can achieve and maintain a healthy physical lifestyle by accurately recording their diet and exercise information, and then acting positively to improve their numbers until they reach their wellness goals. To assist people in their quest to achieve their goals we have created a service that is statistically detailed while also being user-friendly. By regularly accessing their personalized pages on the Calorie Connect website our members can see at a glance if they are hitting their nutrition and exercise targets.'

How the site helps you?

You get detailed food consumption information, exercise data, and personalized charts and tables

You get detailed personal analysis on the calories you consume and burn. Their nutrition and profile pages help our you keep track of fourteen essential nutrients. Their xercise page allows you to record exercise activities and to assess progress towards weekly and monthly goals. At last you get the report containing detailed nutrient and exercise information.

The best thing about the site:
Calorie Connect membership is free. There are no fees or hidden costs for accessing any part of the Calorie connect website.

To become a member you need to provide some information like your height, weight, sex, and age data to create a personal profile.

Start from here: Calorie Connect

Health benefits of fish oil

2010-01-29T09:36:00.003+06:00

I remember my childhood getting a daily dose of a golden color capsule during winter. It was tasteless so we didn't argue in swallowing that stuff. After getting maturity I knew that it was cod liver oil capsule.

What is the fish oil?
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the main components of fish oil.

If we talk about 'fish oil benefits' there is a good list of diseases which can be prevented by regular use of fish oil.

Health benefits of fish oil include decreased risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, improvement in rheumatoid arthritis, prevention of macular degeneration, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

There is also evidence that fish oil consumption is beneficial for patients with depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. Finally, several studies have confirmed that fish oils, especially DHA, are essential for optimum development of an infant's brain and visual acuity.

What dose is sufficient to get the health benefits?

Minimum daily intake of about 500 mg of EPA + DHA is required to achieve meaningful benefits.

A recent study involving Canadian children between the ages of 4 and 8 years found that 78% of them did not meet the recommended intake for children. Researchers from the University of Waterloo report that residents of retirement homes are also likely to be deficient in EPA + DHA. Their study involved 15 residents (7 male and 8 female) aged between 79 and 98 years. The EPA and DHA content of their meals, snacks, and supplements was determined by actual measurement in duplicate food and supplement samples. Their blood level of fatty acids was determined from fingertip prick blood samples. The average (mean) daily intake of EPA + DHA was only 121 mg (median of 53 mg/day).

But are there any fish oil side effects?

Yes there are some side effects which may be:

- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Thinning of blood
- Allergic reaction
- Low blood pressure
- Fish oil supplement may be toxic

For details: 'fish oil'

So it is advised to consult your doctor or health concerning person to ask for suggestion about daily intake of fish oil.

Useful links:

* 'Health benefits of fish oil'

* 'Latest research and health benefits of fish oil'

Bring a change in your life for better health

2010-01-28T18:19:00.007+06:00

'Change 4 Life' helps you bring change in your life for better health. You would be able to get helpful information, tools and tips at the site.

How it helps us change our life to better?

The movement will help to make behaviors around diet and physical activity more high profile and will provide accessible, friendly and encouraging support to implement changes.

There are 8 healthy behaviors that can help you live a better life:

The site suggests:

1. Swapping food and drink with added sugar for options that are lower in sugar or sugar-free. We're calling this ‘sugar swaps’.
2. Making sure kids eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. We're using the name that parents are already familiar with: 5 A DAY.
3. 2.3 Making time for regular meals to help avoid unhealthy eating habits. We're calling this ‘meal time’.
4. Setting a limit on the number of snacks and treats kids have each day. We're calling this ‘snack check’.
5. Making sure kids eat the right sized portions for their age and size. We're calling this ‘me size meals’.
6. Taking simple steps to eat less fat by comparing food labels, swapping certain foods for others and changing the way food is cooked and prepared. We're calling this ‘cut back fat’.
7. Making sure kids do at least 60 minutes of physical activity - like playing outside, walking or swimming - every day. We're calling this ‘60 active minutes’.
8. Limiting ‘sitting down’ activities, like watching TV or playing computer games, and encouraging kids to do something more active. We're calling this ‘up and about’.

These all behavior changes are sure ways to bring change in our lifestyle and

The site provides all the stuff for free and registration is also free for all so let's make our life more meaningful and healthier by bringing change in our lives.

Have an online family doctor for your health needs

2010-01-26T15:55:00.000+06:00

If you search the net for health related information, there are many health related sites where you can look for all the related terms or information.

Do you think that still you are more comfortable having chat with your family doctor about any kind of health problem or information?

But 'Organized Wisdom' claims to fulfill this need of 'having a doctor in the family' where you can find all online information which your family doctor can provide you or suggest you.

'Organized Wisdom' provides search results for the most popular health search terms and phrases without the clutter, redundant links or index spam typically found in search engines. Site is user friendly and getting the specific information about any topic is easy.

- OrganizedWisdom.com is the first expert-guided search service for health.

- WisdomCards feature the Top 10 online resources on more than 100,000 health topics and are updated regularly by physicians and search guides.

- OrganizedWisdom was named to PC Magazine's list of Top Websites of 2008.

It is an organized effort of physicians to collect the world’s best health wisdom from across the Web and provide it via 'Organized Wisdom'

They say:

'Our innovative publishing platform has become the most authoritative way to help people find the best online health information. The site's expert-curated content, called WisdomCards, organizes "The Top 10" online health resources on more than 100,000 health topics. WisdomCards are updated regularly by physicians and expert guides. Click here to visit our most popular health centers and learn more.'

Home remedies for kidney stones

2010-01-24T16:30:00.000+06:00

Few years back I realized that I am getting symptoms which clearly show that I may get kidney stones. From few months I was suffering from lower back pain and felt that the pain was very noticeable whenever I was dehydrated. Severe hot and cold weather makes this condition worse as I feel a continues discomfort feeling at right side of my lower back. During my visit to doctor and taking my antibiotic course I searched the net for more information. I believe that prevention is the best medicine and home remedies are best ways to keep ourselves safe from health risks.

The site "Kidney stone symptoms" is one of those sites which is specially for only this topic and gives very detailed information about the topic.

I was really amazed to see the 'home remedy' portion of the site as I didn't get good stuff at top health sites.

Effective home remedies for kidney stones:

* 'For preventing the kidney stone from formations, the first home treatment of kidney stone is to develop a habit of taking lots and lots of fluid in the form of water and fruit juices. It is one of the effective home treatments for kidney stones. This type of consumption of water in extreme level assists to crack the stones and make them ready to melt gradually with urine. The regular habit of drinking water makes these kidney stones absolutely eliminated.

* Avoidance of the calcium supplements is also a part of the home treatment of kidney stones. It is seen that kidney stone formation is due to intake of calcium and calcium products. Instead of calcium, there should be use of magnesium supplement.

* If you are suffering from the calcium stones, then the first thing you have to do is to cut down as much as salt. It is beneficial for you to prevent intake of salt or else you have to take 2 to 3 grams of salt every day.

* Another preferred option at home is eating of watermelon, which is an effective fruit for people who are suffering from kidney stones. The main advantage of this fruit is that it consists of plenty of water and so it assists to dissolve the kidney stones very speedily.

* Tomato juice is also an effective supplement for the kidney stones. So drinking of one glass fresh tomato juice at morning is one of the effective home treatments of kidney stones.

* Likewise, tomato juice, fruit like grapes have an outstanding diuretic worth only because of high consumption of water and potassium salt in it. The low albumin and sodium chloride in this fruit lessen the pain of kidney stones. Therefore, the main objective of this home treatment of kidney stones is to make aware sufferers to eat grapes as much as possible.'

- Read the full post here: Home Treatment For Kidney Stones

Free health information on the world wide net

2009-06-09T21:33:00.003+06:00

There are lots of free resources around the world wide net where you can easily search for any health related information. Most of the health related sites offer useful information for free. Health professionals or medical students need to search the net for specific information but usually searching via a search engine can take too much time and it is better to search through a health related search engine or just go to the link which offer free literature without ads.

Amedeo is a site which offers medical literature for free to health professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, other members of the health professions, and patients and their friends.

You can get weekly emails with bibliographic lists about new scientific publications, personal Web pages for one-time download of available abstracts and an overview of the medical literature published in relevant journals. All these new information resources are free of charge.

How to access information from the site?

1. Select a medical area, select your favourite medical journals and submit the request form to receive the weekly emails.
2. Consult the weekly literature overviews for additional medical areas, i.e. HIV Infection, Ischemic Heart Disease, Breast Cancer etc.
3. Consult the medical literature of the previous 12 to 24 months grouped by journals and topics.

There are 1000 Journals, sorted by Topics: General Journals
Biology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Genetics, Microbiology, Neurology, Oncology, Physiology and more---
*
'Get free medical journals'

Food poisoning and how to protect from it?

2009-06-07T21:26:00.005+06:00

Food poisoning can effect any body, anytime but we can protect ourselves by learning the causes, and symptoms to fight it. You can search for the topic and get details about 'food poising' from any health related site, but this post would help you learn some basics of it, while providing some useful links to read more about the topic.

"Food poisoning is an acute gastroenteritis caused by the consumption of a food material or a drink which contains the pathogenic micro organism or their toxins or poisonous chemicals.:

A group of persons will be affected with same type of symptoms ,and they give a history of consumption of a common food before few hours.

Types of food poisoning

1) Bacterial food poisoning:

Here the micro organisms called bacteria are responsible.The food material may contain the pathogenic bacteria or their toxin and will be ingested along with the food.

2) Non bacterial food poisoning:

Due to the presence of toxic chemicals like fertilizers,insecticides,heavy metals and etc.

Bacterial food poisoning:

All bacteria are not harmful.There are some pathogenic bacteria which secrete toxins and cause clinical manifestations.These organisms enter the human body through food articles or drinks.

How food poisoning occurs:

1) Presence of bacteria in the water.

2) The raw materials for the food may contain toxins.

3) Premises where the food is prepared may contain micro organisms or toxins.

4) Food handlers may have some infectious diseases.

5) Some animals like dogs,rats may contaminate the food.

6) If prepared food is kept in the room temperature for a long time and heated again can make a chance for food poisoning.

7) Purposely some body mixing toxins in the food.

How to investigate food poisoning?

1) Examine each and every person affected.

2) Water sample should be tested.

3) Kitchen, store room and food samples should be examined.

4) The cook and food handlers should be questioned and examined.

5) Samples of vomitus and stool of all victims should be tested to identify the bacteria.

How to prevent food poisoning:-
1) Only purified water should be used.

2) Hygiene should be maintained by all persons keeping contact with food.

3) Workers should use masks, cap and gloves during cooking and serving.

4) Sick individuals should not come in contact with food materials.

5) Kitchen and premises should be neat and clean.

5) Vessels should be washed with soap and hot water.

6) Should not keep the prepared food for a long time in room temperature.

7) All food materials should be kept in closed containers.

8) Animals like dog, cat, rat etc should not come in contact with food materials.

9) Vegetables should be washed before cooking.

10) Meat should be fresh and should be purchased from recognized slaughter house.

Useful and related sites and articles:

* 'Food poisoning,causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment' from "E Medicine Health"

* Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling

Online availablity of eco-friendly medical scrubs

2009-06-06T21:07:00.004+06:00

One of my cousins who is in medical profession was talking about their uniform and she said that sometimes she is bored wearing same medical 'scrubs' daily. As the term 'scrubs' was new to me, I asked her the details about it and she handed over some information links to me.

According to a definition by 'Wikipedia': Scrubs are the shirts and trousers or gowns worn by nurses, surgeons, and other operating room personnel when "scrubbing in" for surgery. They are designed to be simple with minimal places for dirt to hide, easy to launder, and cheap to replace if damaged or stained irreparably. The wearing of scrubs has been extended outside of surgery in many hospitals. Originally issued as replacement clothing if street clothing was contaminated, scrubs are now worn by any hospital personnel in any clean environment.

Any medical uniform consisting of a short-sleeve shirt and pants are known as "scrubs". Scrubs may also include a waist-length long-sleeved jacket with no lapels and stockinette cuffs, known as a "warm-up jacket". Nearly all patient care personnel in Canada and the United States wear some form of scrubs while on duty, as do some staffers in doctor, dental and veterinary offices. Support staff such as custodians and unit clerks also wear scrubs in some facilities.

Scrubs worn in surgery are almost always colored solid light green, light blue or a light green-blue shade, although some medical centers have switched to pink as a theft deterrent. Surgical scrubs are rarely owned by the wearer; due to concerns about home laundering and sterility issues, these scrubs are hospital-owned or hospital-leased through a commercial linen service.

Non-surgical scrubs come in a wider variety of colors and patterns, ranging from official issue garments to custom made, whether by commercial uniform companies or by home-sewing using commercially available printed patterns.

Where to buy scrubs? 'Scrubs & Beyond' is a great online source for medical scrubs, shoes and more. Specialty of this online store is that it offers variety of scrubs from which 'Eco friendly scrubs' are really nice as these scrubs are made with breathable and comfortable fabrics.

The collection of nursing scrubs include mens scrubs, nursing shoes, clogs, and nursing accessories.

Develop your skills with learning about 'Wisdom' and 'Wise Living'

2009-06-06T07:08:00.008+06:00

If we talk about 'wisdom' it is being wise or intelligent in very simple words. We call 'wise' to an intelligent or matured person. Let's see what famous people or scholars have said about 'wisdom':

- David Starr Jordan: Wisdom is knowing what to do next; Skill is knowing how ot do it, and Virtue is doing it.

- Elbert Hubbard: To know when to be generous and when firm—that is wisdom.

- Immanuel Kant: Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

It is a fact that like other skills, wisdom can be acquired or learned. Skill development is a process which enhances human capabilities and this process results in self growth, self satisfaction.

'The Wisdom Page' is a compilation of wisdom-related resources — various on-line texts concerning wisdom, references to books about wisdom, information about organizations that promote wisdom, wise activities, and listener groups concerned with aspects of wisdom.

There are many 'FREE CONTEMPORARY BOOKS ABOUT WISDOM AND WISE LIVING' for download and online reading.

They also offer'WISDOM 101' a free online course in practical wisdom. It is the outgrowth of a classroom course given at Rollins College by Professor Alan Nordstrom, and uses short chapters from Cop Macdonald's book GETTING A LIFE to stir thinking about many common life situations.

What is this course about?

'This free online course is about crafting full, rich, creative, and enjoyable lives for ourselves — lives that are significant, lives that contribute in some way to the world around us. The course is rooted in the idea that some steps toward wisdom require nothing more than a fresh look at common life situations, nothing more than an appreciation of the difference between skillful and unskillful ways of dealing with those situations.'

Start learning the course 'here'

Stay healthy by identifying your genetic health risks

2009-06-02T15:42:00.006+06:00

Everyone wants to stay healthy to enjoy life for long but as many diseases are hereditary it is difficult to stay away from in a fit form always.

Now scientific research has changed the scenario of hereditary diseases as it is now possible to look inside the DNA to uncover personal, family and historical records. By identifying your genetic risks and discover your ancestry you can be more conscious about the future risks to your health.

DNA: DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA.

Why we should think about having a DNA test?

'A Gene SNP DNA Screening Analysis examines your DNA to help make the dietary and lifestyle changes best suited for your particular needs, based upon individualized gene screening.'

Your health is a result of interactions between your genes and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, smoking and alcohol. It is your genetic make-up that determines which nutrients are used and how they are used; the way toxins are removed, what happens to any waste products and how efficient and effective these key processes are within the body. However, by adjusting your lifestyle, you can have a great impact on how your genes work and compensate for areas in which your genes are not functioning at an optimal level.

The Link between Genes and Disease

Many diseases have roots in our genes. Genes-through the proteins they encode-determine how efficiently we process foods, how effectively we detoxify poisons and how vigorously we respond to infections. More than 4,000 diseases are thought to stem from mutated genes inherited from one’s mother and/or father. When a gene contains a mutation, the protein encoded by the gene will be abnormal. Some protein changes are insignificant, while others are disabling. Common disorders such as heart disease, cancer, and asthma arise from a complex interplay among multiple genes and exposure to factors in the environment.

* Pathway Genomics launches Personal DNA Test for $249.

* DNA Ancestry Test

To know more: How It Works

These genetics test will reveal your predisposition to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and hundreds of other health conditions.

Learn about genetics at 'Genetic Home Reference'

2009-05-25T16:11:00.000+06:00

I can still remember my college years when we science students has to to the library for further studies. But now internet has made this search and research work so easy that a child can easily discover the whole world with the touch of finger. There are lots of online resources and sites which offer useful information helping us know more about the world around us.

Biology students and teachers can equally get useful information about conditions, genes, chromosomes and further bookmark the useful resources by going to 'Genetic Home Reference'

Genetic Home Reference is the National Library of Medicine's web site for consumer information about genetic conditions and the genes or chromosomes related to those conditions.

'Help Me Understand Genetics' presents basic information about genetics in clear language and provides links to online resources. Popular topics discussed in the book are:
1. What is DNA?
2. What is a gene mutation and how do mutations occur?
3. What is a chromosome?
4. What is gene therapy?
5. What is mitochondrial DNA?

You can also download the free ebook in 'PDF format'

Health benefits for the unemployed

2009-05-21T23:13:00.003+06:00

With the increase in unemployment rate and economic crises world over, people are worried about their future. In this critical situation it is obvious that health becomes second priority and if you are unemployed then health issues really matter to you.

Supplement Insurance is a package for unemployed by providing low cost health benefits.
What more you can expect from this plan?

This plan provides discounts at certain health care providers for medical services.

This plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services.

The plan member is obligated to pay for all health care services but will receive a discount from those health care providers who have contracted with the discount plan organization.

One of the main benefits is a company called TelaDoc. This program allows a member to call a doctor 24/7, and be diagnosed for all non-emergency ailments OVER THE PHONE, and they even call in the prescription for you!

A prescription discount card ( (10-60 percent off of prescriptions);
A discount vision program; a discount dental program; an extremely applicable 24/7 financial helpline; and a telephonic counseling service for the emotional and family issues that are compounding in the current economic crisis.

A community site where you can build your universe

2009-05-12T21:43:00.005+06:00

'You niverse' is a new social networking place where you can find the people having same interests by taking some visual tests. These tests help you learn more about you and then you can search the network having same interest level which is shown by percentage matching with your profile.

More about the site:

Youniverse:It is the home of Visual DNA – your personality in pictures. You may click on any category and choose the image among

You can compare your personality with others to find people who match your aspirations and share your emotions.

There are many kind of tests which you can take online like as:

* Personality Test
* Art quiz
* Dating & Love
* Movies
* Party
* Mind
* Well being
* Personality Quiz

Their blog is a good place to know more about this community site.

You need to sign up free for the registration after taking free quiz and the whole process is really fun as you enjoy clicking on images to take the test and know more about yourself.

Free online personality and intelligence tests

2009-05-12T19:23:00.000+06:00

It is fun to know about our own personality but it can also be a very creative process as we can go for a self improvement process after knowing our strength and weaknesses.

Test desk is an online free resource which offers personality and intelligence tests for everyone. The best thing about this site is that it is free of ads. Many of the tests are free and don't require registration. A few tests may require a fee which you can decide yourself to go for payment option or not.

There are four sections of the site:

- At 'Persoanlity tests' page you can find many personality related test like, big five tests, right left brain tests, jung tests, etc.

- 'Intelligence tests' page is about many IQ and intelligence tests.

- 'Amusing tests' offers 2 fun tests which are 'famous leader test' and 'classic movie test'

- 'Compatibility tests'

Few pages of the site are linked to the sister site 'similar minds'

Useful links and sites:

* 'Personality page' A website about Psychological Type, based primarily upon the works of Carl G. Jung, pioneer psychologist, and of Isabel Briggs Myers, creator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

* Fun personality quizzes and self help tests at 'Help self' site.

Worried about 'Swine flu'?

2009-04-29T21:43:00.007+06:00

'Swine flu' is only spread in few countries but in the whole world people are worried about this new disease. Many of us are searching the world wide web to get information about this epidemic. I have compiled few basic information about swine flu in this article along with few useful resources to learn more about this disease.

We know that in humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines.

Definition of Wikipedia says: Swine influenza (also swine flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV)

Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans.

Good news is that the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. If a person gets sick, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster

For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

Related and useful posts:

* 'Swine flu'

* Strengthen Your Immune System with Natural Immune Boosters
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Swine Flu
* World Health Organization (WHO): Swine influenza
* Medical Encyclopedia Medline Plus: Swine Flu

* Swine Flu: 14 things you need to know to keep your family safe

Latest from 'reuters': The World Health Organization said on Wednesday it was moving closer to declaring a pandemic alert phase 5 for swine flu.

"It appears we are moving closer to that, but we are not there yet," Keiji Fukuda, WHO acting assistant director-general, said, adding that moving to phase 5 from the current phase 4 would be a significant step.

The WHO has said it might raise its pandemic alert level to phase five -- the second highest -- if it were confirmed that infected people in at least two countries were spreading the disease to other people in a sustained way.

Self growth with 'gratitude'

2009-04-13T22:53:00.006+06:00

People who want to live a better life with the best of their skill level are enthusiastic about self development/self growth. 'Gratitude' or being grateful is a self improvement term which we are going to learn today. There is a review of an online community where you can

Wikipedia explains the word 'Gratitude' in these words: Gratitude, thankfulness, or appreciation is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

Gratitude is an emotion that occurs after people receive help, depending on how they interpret the situation. Specifically, gratitude is experienced if people perceive the help they receive as valuable to them, costly to their benefactor, and given by the benefactor with benevolent intentions (rather than ulterior motives).

Gratitude may also serve to reinforce future pro social behavior in benefactors. For example, one experiment found that customers of a jewelry store who were called and thanked showed a subsequent 70% increase in purchases. In comparison, customers who were thanked and told about a sale showed only a 30% increase in purchases, and customers who were not called at all did not show an increase

Five daily gratitude is an online community gratitude journal to help you increase your hope, optimism and happiness.

It is a positive psychology tool that helps you integrate the power of gratitude into your life by providing a quick and easy way to list five things you are thankful for each day.. It also helps you consistently take advantage of this powerful positive psychology technique by providing a subscription service that sends you a morning email reminder so you can stick to your commitment of increasing your happiness through writing Five Daily Gratitudes.

Latest Psychological research shows that integrating the power of gratitude significantly increases your optimism, health, and self-esteem as well as improves your sleep, motivation, relationships, and even your career..

Start spending a few minutes each morning to focus your mind on the positive things in your life and join this positive psychology movement of bringing happiness and gratitude to as many people as possible by listing your own Five Daily Gratitudes! Start cultivating the power of thankfulness today.

The research shows that in order to receive the psychological benefits of this powerful positive psychology technique you need to be consistent in writing out Five Daily Gratitudes.

What are the benefits of using Five Daily Gratitudes?
As UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons has demonstrated in his research, “The evidence that cultivating gratefulness is good for you is overwhelming. Gratitude is quality that we should aspire to as a part and parcel of personal growth…Specifically, we have shown that gratitude is positively related to such critical outcomes as life satisfaction, vitality, happiness, self-esteem, optimism, hope, empathy, and willingness to provide emotional and tangible support for other people, whereas being ungrateful is related to anxiety, depression, envy, materialism, and loneliness.

Benefits of being grateful:

"Collectively, such studies present credible evidence that feeling grateful generates a ripple effect through every area of our lives, potentially satisfying our deepest yearnings – our desire for happiness, our pursuit of better relationships, and our ceaseless quest for inner peace, wholeness, and contentment. Gratitude is more, through than a tool for self-improvement.

Gratitude is a way of life."

A large body of recent work has suggested that people who are more grateful have higher levels of well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.

Grateful people also have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance.

Grateful people have more positive ways of coping with the difficulties they experience in life, being more likely to seek support from other people, reinterpreted and grow from the experience, and spend more time planning how to deal with the problem.

Grateful people also have less negative coping strategies, being less likely to try and avoid the problem, deny there is a problem, blame themselves, or cope through substance use.

Grateful people sleep better, and this seems to be because they think less negative and more positive thoughts just before going to sleep.

'The sycologist'

2009-04-11T22:50:00.000+06:00

The sycologist is from Martin Jenkins but there are not any iformation about blog or blog author. But blog layout and design is simple without any ads and it attracts the attention of serious readers who want quality content.

I am quoting top posts which describe what we can expect at the blog:

Can a Dog Recognize itself?
Sangiran 17 and intelligent design
Running Around Wembley Stadium the Wrong Way
Urinal Psychology
Armageddon: you'll have time
Should US Muslims vote Republican?
All dogs are Buddhist
The Chicken or the egg?
Russian Roulette
Eddie Adams’ lasting legacy
Nokulunga Buthelezi: Snake or Woman?
Child on a leash
The Flaming Lips and the two-slit experiment
The World’s Greatest Conspiracy
The Fastest Man on Earth
The Black Swan

There are many interesting posts at the blog which kept me busy reading for hours