TOTAL HEALTHCARE SOLUTION

Lose Weight With Proper Nutrition

2010-07-09T18:50:00.001+06:00

Losing weight is not an easy work for a fat person but it is not impossible. It depends how serious he or she to lose weight. If you want to lose weight you have to be serious about that and maintain a steady regime. Here we discuss today about how a person can lose weight with the help of proper diet, nutrition and exercise.

Use healthy recipes, well-formulated meal replacements, snack bars, smaller portions and enjoyable exercise times to ensure your best chance of great health, renewed vitality and lots of wellness. Feeling good and looking great are the best enhancers of vitality. It's wonderful to look in the mirror each morning and think 'hey, is that really me'? These feelings however don't come automatically, and they require constant fine-tuning. Family circumstances, financial state, work stress levels and a vast array of other distractions can easily alter our perception.

The nutritional effect on wellness is extensively documented. Our weight levels maintain our vitality, keep us well or alternatively, keep us from becoming unwell. Each of us has an ideal weight (measured by simple things like waist circumference) whereby our levels of vitality are maintained or restored. Energy we put in must be balanced by energy expended. It sounds a rather simple equation but it is one of the biggest challenges we face every day.

Watching our weight gradually increase can be disconcerting. We need to re-balance that energy in/energy out equation. Meal replacements are a gentle and effective way of restoring the energy balance, along with better food options and smaller portions. The size of our meal is probably the most overlooked part of our eating habits. Even a smaller plate, and using smaller utensils, has been shown to help weight adjustment.

Often though we reach a plateau, a time where nothing we do makes a difference. If that happens, your pharmacist can help you make adjustments to your meal replacement strategies and vary your exercise schedule to continue energy expenditure. Exercise helps speed up your metabolism, and is the most effective support your body can use to maximize your great efforts. We allow ourselves to be time challenged - a walk takes us away from our comfort zone, but what it actually does is use energy, help us lift 'feel good' hormones and revitalize our mental capacity.

Nutritional support during weight management is focused on maintaining a balanced supply of the vitamins and minerals needed to ensure your immune system remains strong, and your energy levels remain high. The mineral chromium is an important consideration here because it helps balance our body's use of insulin, thereby balancing our blood sugar levels and reducing our craving of carbohydrates.

Changes in eating behavior are never easy. Simple measures such as 'detoxing' allow your four major digestive organs to function at their most efficient. Your gut, liver, kidneys and bowel need gentle cleansing, so that eating can allow the best absorption of nutrients, and minimize indigestion and bloating.

Health care advice such as well-formulated meal replacements, snack bars, smaller portions and enjoyable exercise ensure your best chance of great health, renewed vitality and optimal body weight.

Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements Dosing Differences Has Opened

2010-07-07T18:07:00.003+06:00

If you want to discover the dosing differences in omega 3 fish oil supplements then you need to pay a close attention to the label or website and know what you are looking for. Some oils will offer almost no benefits at all while others can help to keep you healthy. The truth is that many fish oils are poor quality can be partly blamed on their huge popularity, with many companies wanting to cash in on this growing trend.

The whole point of taking fish oils is to get the valuable omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These help to provide you with the many, many health rewards including heart and brain health.

Studies have shown beyond doubt that it is the DHA fatty acids that provide most of these benefits and it is this dosage you want to watch for. Unfortunately, many products still contain more EPA. Here is an example and very typical of the supplements available today.

Higher Nature Omega 3 capsules contain 165mg of EPA and 110mg of DHA per 1000mg capsule.

Boots Fish Oils contain 180mg of EPA and 120mg of DHA per 1000mg capsule.

With these products above and with a daily serving of two capsules, you only get between 220-240mg of DHA per day.

It is best for your health to receive at least 500mg of DHA every day to help prevent heart disease, promote proper functioning of the brain and to provide many other benefits as well.

A quality 1000mg supplement should contain at least 250mg of DHA with some of the best ones having 280mg. The EPA content can be half of this and it is this ratio of 2:1 DHA to EPA that you want to look for.

The main reason for the larger proportion of EPA is that this fatty acid is cheaper to manufacture and much easier to source, making the manufacturers more profit. Many companies are also not up to date on the latest research. It is not only the dosing differences in omega 3 fish oil supplements that are important but the purity too. The oil should be molecularly distilled to remove all the toxins which if present can cancel out any benefits.

The oils I mentioned above were not distilled and traces of lead, PCB's, mercury and arsenic could be present which poses a long-term risk to your health and well-being. As you can see from the dosing differences in omega 3 fish oil supplements, there is a wide variation and now you are aware of them, you know exactly what to look for to get the maximum health benefits available.

Then you can be confident that you are getting all the many health rewards with none of the risks.

Staying Healthy While Injured

2010-06-25T17:21:00.004+06:00

It is a common idea that exercise is one of the standard ways of keeping a person physically fit and physiologically efficient. It is also an avenue of gaining muscles or losing weight. A person who is involved in the exercise is exposed to normal stressors, which activate a response from within the body to cope up and meet the demands of such activities. This raises the level of output of a person to some extent and that is a good and beneficial thing because the body is then able to level off with the present. However, there are times when we are injured due to an inappropriate method, or because of an accident, or some other reason. Staying healthy while injured is still possible while exercising without risking the injured body part of further damages or complications.

There is a simple mnemonic called RICE which could aid us how to treat any injury that we have and stay healthy without complicating our injuries further. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate.

REST

With a body injury that we are conscious about, it may be accompanied with pain and discomfort especially with ambulation. Because of this, we may actually not want to move it about and put any pressure on it with activities or such. The only ways to stop these feelings of discomfort and pain would be to take painkillers or rest the injured part. Having to let the injured body part rest is essential for that specific part to efficiently speed up its healing process. Staying healthy while injured may still be accomplished by having the other body parts continue with the exercise routines.

ICE

Right after an injury like a sprain or strain, the affected joint or body part begins to swell as body fluids starts to rush to the injury site. This would prove a very uncomfortable feeling and a sensation of numbness if the swelling would cause the impingement of surrounding nerves as well. This usually happens from several minutes to a few hours after the injury. Healing also becomes a little slower after a swell because the affected area if already full with non-healing fluid.

What is needed after an injury that would probably cause a swelling is to apply ice packs on the affected body part and immediate area surrounding it. This is to prevent any vascular vessel to openly allow the flow of fluid towards it. Since the body is designed to normally shut constrict vessels when cold stimuli is applied, it would help in the slowdown and prevention of unwanted swelling. However, proper care should be observed as not to totally numb the senses with the cold ice. Maintaining a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius for not more than 15 minutes should be safe. Any longer, and the vascular vessels begin to take a Rebound Effect and actually does the reverse effect for the intended purpose.

COMPRESS

Compression is simply the act of wrapping the injured body part with a bandage and covering them securely and snugly to add pressure to the injury. This is done with a couple of hand towels or a bandage wrap. The ice that is supposed to be applied previously could be applied with a compressive method. Furthermore, compression allows for the effect of the ice to be in constant contact with the injured body part.

ELEVATE

Elevating the body part after securely fastening and stabilizing the injured body part increases the level of comfort for the person and also speeds up the uninterrupted healing process.

Staying healthy when injured may impede a certain level of maximum body activity efficiency, but still allows continued exercise routine for other unaffected body parts. Just make sure that priority on this would be to securely prevent any other movements or unnecessary pressure to be placed on the injury.

Risks of Surgery

2010-05-19T19:04:00.003+06:00

Surgery has always been a vital part of modern medicine, able to treat certain conditions that other interventional means cannot. However, because of this medical miracle, it may be easy to forget the risks. If you are planning to have surgery your biggest concern should be the final outcome. Will your life be improved by the procedure or do the risks outweigh the rewards? No surgery is risk free, but understanding the possible complications can help you make a better decision.

Anesthesia Risks and Complication:

Minor surgical procedures require only local anesthetic to the target area. It is not so for major surgery for which general anesthesia is used instead. All types of anesthesia involve some risk, major side effects and complications from anesthesia are uncommon. Most problems associated with anesthesia are related to the process of intubation, or inserting the breathing tube. Anesthesia complications and mistakes occur on a regular basis, a horrifying truth that most people do not realize until it affects them or someone close to them.

Bleeding:

There is no doubt that cutting through the skin results in bleeding. As this happens, the surgeon stops the bleeding with hemostatic clamps or cauterization instruments to burn the vessels closed. Patients with a previous DVT are at greater risk for additional clots and should make their surgeon aware of this condition.

Problems With Wound Healing:

After the surgery, all internal and external wounds need to heal. Most surgical wounds heal without causing any problems. Wound infections are one of the most common complications after surgery. This means that bacteria have started to grow in your wound. If you develop an infection, you will usually be treated with a course of antibiotics but occasionally further surgery is needed. Pain management is also at issue when wounds are in their early stage of healing.

Pulmonary Complications:

Sometimes, pulmonary complications arise due to lack of deep breathing within 48 hours of surgery. This may also result from inhaling food, water, or blood, or pneumonia. Symptoms may include wheezing, chest pain, fever, and cough (among others).

Surgery

2010-05-14T17:57:00.003+06:00

Surgery is the special branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of injury, deformity, and disease by manual and instrumental means. There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries are done to find a problem. For example, a surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of tissue to examine under a microscope. Some surgeries, like heart surgery can save your life.

Surgery can be classified as major or minor, depending on the seriousness of the illness, the parts of the body affected, the complexity of the operation, and the expected recovery time.

Major Surgery: Surgeries of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. The recovery time can be lengthy and may involve a stay in intensive care or several days in the hospital. There is a higher risk of complications after major surgeries. Types of major surgery may include, removal of brain tumors, correction of bone malformations of the skull and face, repair of congenital heart disease, transplantation of organs, and repair of intestinal malformations.

Minor Surgery: Some surgeries considered minor. The recovery time is short and people return to their usual activities rapidly. These surgeries are most often done as an outpatient. Types of minor surgery include, placement of ear tubes, hernia repairs, correction of bone fractures, removal of skin lesions, etc.

Required Surgery: These are procedures that need to be done to ensure the quality of your future. An example might be having a spinal fusion to correct severe curvature of the spine. Required surgery, unlike emergency surgery, does not necessarily have to be done immediately.

Elective surgery: Surgery that is subject to choice. The choice may be made by the patient. For example, the time when a surgical procedure is performed may be elective. The procedure is beneficial to the patient but does not need be done at a particular time. As opposed to urgent or emergency surgery.

Urgent/Emergency Surgery: This type of surgery is done in response to an urgent medical need, such as the correction of a life-threatening congenital heart malformation or the repair of injured internal organs after an automobile accident.

Skin Treatment (Acne)

2010-04-28T15:50:00.001+06:00

The acne pimple is a teenager's most feared skin complaint. As we all know, these unsightly bumps can appear sporadically throughout one's adult years as well. The cause of pimples is unknown. The process by which a pimple develops is highly intricate. Acne is not purely a teenage predicament, 20 to 40% of the adults do encounter problems with acne.

A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area the T-zone is where a person is most prone to pimples

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:

Ø Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions.

Ø Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated.

Ø Don’t pop pimples. It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring.

Ø If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.

Ø If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too. Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.

Acne treatments consist of reducing sebum production, removing dead skin cells, and killing bacteria with topical drugs and oral medications. Treatment choice depends upon whether the acne is mild, moderate, or severe. Alternative treatments for acne focus on self care: proper cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; eating a well-balanced diet high in fiber, zinc, and raw foods; and avoiding alcohol, dairy products, tobacco, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, and foods high in iodine, such as salt.

If you're concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments that help to prevent and clear up acne and acne scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type.

Shoulder Pain

2010-03-20T16:01:00.000+06:00

Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it.

Shoulder pain can be a result of injury or disease of the shoulder joint. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci, and bones of the joint. The design of the shoulder joint is such that it sacrifices stability for mobility. As an extremely mobile joint that plays a central role in the action of a major extremity, the shoulder is at risk for injury.

Shoulders and neck contain muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, and veins, as well as many ligaments and other supporting structures. Many conditions can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area.

The most common cause of shoulder joint pain is rotator cuff tendonitis injury and inflammation of the tendons (rotator cuff tendons) that envelope the shoulder joint. Another common cause of shoulder pain and neck pain is injury to the soft tissues including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments within these structures. This can occur from whiplash or other injury to these areas. Degenerative arthritis of the spine in the neck (cervical spine) can pinch nerves that can cause both neck pain and shoulder pain. Degenerative disc disease in the neck (cervical spondylosis) can cause local neck pain.

The treatment of shoulder pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment program. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, or the severity of your condition, you should seek medical advice before beginning any treatment.

It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. The good news is that many people respond well to conservative treatment. Many problems can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, heat or cold therapy, and other conservative approaches.

In most instances, non-surgical treatment is the first approach, and many people can avoid surgery altogether. Persistent pain after conservative treatment may respond to corticosteroid injections but may eventually require surgery.

Chronic Back Pain

2010-02-19T18:14:00.000+06:00

Back Pain, especially in the lower back, is a problem that most people experience at some time in their lives. The muscles that support the spine are in constant use; even while simply sitting, the muscles are in use to keep one from falling over. The spine also bends, straightens and twists. This constant stress on the back can result in back strain and pain.

Chronic back pain can become a lifelong burden for the patient. Some patients suffer for months, years, decades or even an entire lifetime, with unresolved back pain. Unfortunately, many of these people never find a cure for their chronic pain.

Back pain is a symptom. Common causes of back pain involve disease or injury to the muscles, bones, and/or nerves of the spine. Pain arising from abnormalities of organs within the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back. This is called referred pain. Many intra-abdominal disorders, such as appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney diseases, bladder infections, pelvic infections, and ovarian disorders, among others, can cause pain referred to the back. Normal pregnancy can cause back pain in many ways, including stretching ligaments within the pelvis, irritating nerves, and straining the low back.

Any patient suffering from back pain or radiating leg pain should be examined by a doctor. The history of the pain and any activities that may have triggered your symptoms are important factors in diagnosis and treatment. General recommendations are to resume normal, or near normal, activity as soon as possible. However, stretching or activities that place additional strain on the back are discouraged.

Most people are able to eliminate the pain in their back without surgical treatments. Physical therapy and exercise is the number one way to ease the pain. It is really important to do strengthening, stretching and posture modification exercises. They are the most effective, simplest and safest treatments. Muscle imbalancement is one of the main causes of lower back pain. Doing the correct stretching and strengthening exercises greatly improves the flexibility and strength of the back muscles. This in turn reduces the pressure from the spine and joints and the pain eases.

Advantages of Organic Food

2010-02-10T16:57:00.004+06:00

Organic food has become very popular in many parts of the world. As the demand for organic food increases so does the production, but currently the demand still exceeds the supply. What makes organic food so popular? According to the USDA organic foods are described as: Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation.

Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. This brings up the questions: What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is “organic” always best? What about locally grown foods?

HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING ORGANIC FOODS

The first and foremost benefit is that the organic food developed in organic hydroponic greenhouses, for example, is healthier than the products harvested from the usual and conventional forms of farming. This is because the average farmer often uses toxic anti-pest fertilizers to enhance production. The toxic elements end up as part of our food and the implications of their effect in the long run are still not completely understood. This toxic burden also harms the natural supplies of drinking water and deactivates the usefulness of soil.

Often, the flavor is just so much better. Good organic fruits and vegetables are juicy and full-flavored, milk tastes richer, cheeses are ripe and mouthwatering. Once you've experienced the sweet intensity of a fresh organic carrot, bought with the sandy soil still clinging to it, other carrots will seem insipid and bland. Of course, there are no guarantees. Not every organic item will give you a burst of flavor pleasure, but if you shop carefully, buy only the freshest, and seek out quality, you won't be disappointed. Eating organic makes it easier to follow the seasons too.

One of the huge advantages of organic foods is that they haven't been doused in pesticides. Organic farms ban artificial pesticides. In the UK, 31,000 tones of pesticides are blasted on to farmland every year, and 25% of food carries residues of these chemicals, created to kill pests and weeds. Non-organic fruit and veg is covered in the stuff and it won't all wash off. Pesticide residues turn up, not just on fruit and vegetables, but in bread, baby food and other products. Governments claim that there's no need risk to health from these pesticide traces, but wouldn't you rather feed yourself and your kids on food that's pesticide free?

Organic hydroponics naturally support bio diversity since the absence of pesticides and herbicides encourages wildlife. These are some of the major advantages of organic food. More growers are becoming conscious of growing organics as the public awareness grows and demands healthier foods.

Toothache Causes and Treatments

2010-02-04T12:29:00.002+06:00

Toothache is a very common problem and can occur without a warning. Toothache is one ailment that can make your life miserable. The intense and unbearable pain won’t let you sleep, eat, drink or even draw in cold air through the mouth because of your tender tooth!

The most common cause of a toothache is a dental cavity. Dental cavities (caries) are holes in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath the enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Certain bacteria in the mouth convert simple sugars into acid. The acid softens and (along with saliva) dissolves the enamel and dentin, creating cavities. Small shallow cavities may not cause pain and may be unnoticed by the patient. The larger deeper cavities can collect food debris. The inner living pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins or by foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet-causing toothache. Toothache from these larger cavities is the most common reason for visits to dentists.

Pain may also occur after an extraction (tooth is pulled out). Pain sometimes originates from other areas and radiates to the jaw, thus appearing to be tooth pain. The most common areas include the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ), ear pain, and even occasional heart problems.

Bacteria growing inside your mouth can contribute to gum disease, plaque, and dental decay. These problems can become painful. The cause and prevention of dental disease has been well investigated.

TOOTHACHE TREATMENT

There are many remedies that can be used to provide temporary relief to an achy tooth. Here are a few, to help you out. Wrapping ice in a towel and place on the outside of the mouth. The cold from the ice will help ease the pain of a toothache, by numbing the nerves around it. Salt and warm water also work great. Get a glass of warm water and mix two or three teaspoons of salt, and swish around your mouth, then spit it out. Do this a few times a day. Cut off a small piece of an onion and place in on the bad tooth. This often helps to relieve pain. If you have a clove of garlic and rock salt, you can place the two on the tooth in pain and it will relieve the pain. It may even help to cure the infection.

Most people can avoid severe dental problems with regular dental care. Maintain a healthy diet. Bacteria thrive on refined sugar and starch and need this in order to burrow through the enamel on your teeth. Watch what you eat and be careful about food that sticks to and between your teeth. Brush your teeth after eating or add foods in your diet with some roughage that may act as a natural toothbrush. End your meal with a salad or apple.

You can prevent the majority of dental problems through flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The dentist may apply sealants and fluoride, which are especially important in children. Establish a good program of cleaning your teeth to remove the food particles. Brush your teeth after eating. Have your dentist's telephone number easily available in case of an emergency.

Heart Disease - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

2010-02-02T16:10:00.002+06:00

The term "heart diseases" refers to diseases of the heart and the blood vessel system within it. The heart is the center of the cardiovascular system. Through the body's blood vessels, the heart pumps blood to all of the body's cells. The blood carries oxygen, which the cells need. Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, mainly affects older people and means that there are problems with the heart and blood vessels.

The heart is a muscular pump in the chest. Throughout life it beats continuously and rhythmically to send blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The normal heart weighs approximately 10 1/2 ounces and is about the size of your fist. It beats 60 to 120 times a minute, depending on whether you are excited or resting.

There are many types of heart disease. The major types of heart disease are atherosclerosis, coronary, rheumatic, congenital, myocarditis, angina and arrhythmia. Heart disease can arise from congenital defects, infection, narrowing of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure, or disturbances.

The prime cause of heart disease is a build up of fatty materials, called low-density lipoproteins or LDL cholesterol, in the arteries. LDL cholesterol is a thick porridge-like substance that sticks to the artery lining. Where it does stick, blood flow through the artery becomes restricted, so putting a strain on the heart muscle.

The primary risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic heart disease are smoking, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Symptoms of heart disease varies according to the type of heart disease. Unfortunately, some heart diseases cause no symptoms early in its course. When symptoms occur, they vary from person to person. In its early stages there are no symptoms. The first symptom is usually angina pectoris (chest pain) or heart attack.

Angina pectoris is discomfort or pain in the chest, typically, brought on by exertion and relieved by rest. The pain may be a dull ache in the middle of the chest or a feeling of pressure that may spread up to the neck or down the arms. The major symptoms of a heart attack are intense chest pain, suddenly cold, sweating, weakness and nausea.

Drug treatments for people with heart disease can help lower blood pressure or cholesterol, prevent or dissolve blood clots, relieve and prevent angina symptoms or improve the strength or rhythm of the heart's contractions.

Medical procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease include coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafts, coronary angioplasty, coronary stenting, heart transplants, operations for congenital defects, surgery for heart valve defects, electrophysiological treatments and implanting of cardiac defibrillator.

Begin or sustain some regular physical activity. Even a modest amount of activity each day will lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol. Exercise also improves your heart's pumping efficiency, benefits your circulation and increases your overall strength and endurance.

Increase your consumption of vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat milk and other dairy products, grains, fish and poultry. The main objective here is to replace foods high in saturated fat with healthier foods. Multiple sources of information exist that will help you create a heart-healthy diet.

Know your cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels. The level of cholesterol in your blood is a good indicator of the health of your heart and blood vessels. Generally, the higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk of heart disease.

Medifast Diet Plan

2010-01-28T17:56:00.004+06:00

Medifast Diet Plan
The Medifast diet is not a flash in the pan--it has been around since 1980 and has proven results. In fact, Medifast has been recommended by over 20,000 doctors and is suitable for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Medifast is a portion-controlled diet that provides all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients while helping individuals lose weight and maintain lean muscle.

The Medifast program is a very low-calorie, no-brainer approach to weight loss. There's no counting calories, fat grams, or carbs; you just eat or drink six times a day. The primary Medifast weight loss program, "5 plus 1," calls for five daily Medifast meal-replacement drinks or foods (all available only through the company) plus one "lean and green" meal, consisting of lean meat or fish plus salad or green vegetables.

The high- protein, low-carb Medifast plans allow dieters approximately 800-1,000 calories a day, designed to yield a loss of 2 to 5 pounds per week while preserving muscle mass.

" Weight loss varies according to stage of the program, how much you have to lose and physical activity," explains Lisa Davis, PhD, Medifast vice president of research and development. "Initial weight loss is usually much greater than amount lost in later weeks."

Special Medifast plans are available for vegetarians, teens, new moms, seniors, people who have recently had weight loss surgery, and gout sufferers.

The beauty of the Medifast program is the limited decision making. You choose five daily meal replacements from an assortment of portion-controlled shakes, puddings, eggs, oatmeal, chili, bars, or soups, plus prepare one "lean and green meal." Soy or whey proteins are the basis for the meal replacements, which are designed to help dieters feel satisfied on the very low-calorie plan.

Dieters are allowed 5-7 daily ounces of lean meat or fish. The meal options are broken down into "lean," "leaner" and "leanest." If you choose leaner options, additional healthy fats are allowed. The lean meats and fish may be grilled, baked, boiled, broiled, or poached.

Add three servings of raw, steamed, grilled, baked, or boiled vegetables to the lean meat or fish to complete the meal. Vegetables are listed from lowest to higher carbohydrate content, and the ones highest in carbs -- carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, onions, and Brussels sprouts - are excluded.

Any diet plan should benefit from exercise. You can lose weight faster while helping your body maintain lean muscle. If you are not accustomed to exercising when you begin the Medifast diet, it is recommended to wait for a few weeks before you hit that treadmill to give your body time to adjust to its new calorie intake. Then you can add in reasonable exercise. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

2010-01-28T17:38:00.002+06:00

Weight Losing Diet

In our fast-food, eat-on-the-run culture, maintaining a healthy body weight can be a major challenge; for many of us, trying to lose those extra pounds is an enormous struggle. The diet industry (a billion-dollar concern in the U.S. alone) is a big part of the problem – fad diets, rapid weight loss supplements, and innumerable other programs that guarantee instant results only serve to contradict each other and confuse dieters, ultimately doing nothing to help us lose weight and keep it off.

Being overweight significantly increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer ... the list seems almost endless. Plus, if you do get sick or need surgery, being overweight can make any treatments riskier. While it is normal to want to lose unwanted weight as quickly as possible, rapid weight loss is rarely a good idea. To begin with, most of the weight lost in this fashion comes from water and muscle tissue, and the weight is quickly regained once the diet is over.

Dieters make the mistake of embarking on some type of fad diet which dramatically restricts the number of calories they consume. Weight loss programs such as the lemon juice diet, the cabbage soup diet, and the various low-carb diets can cause you to lose weight quickly at first, but again, the majority of the weight lost in this fashion comes from muscle and water. Follow these simple tips to lose weight –

1. Eat small meals at frequent intervals. Avoiding both starving and binging. Eat slowly, that gives our body time to tell us that it is full before we've eaten more than we need.

2. Avoid simple sugars and processed carbohydrates. Choose whole cereals or whole wheat products and avoid white flour and its products as far as possible. Eat healthy, mostly unprocessed foods, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and limited amounts of lean animal protein. This also includes fiber in your diet which makes you feel full soon and also moves fat through our digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed.

3. Consume at least 8-9 servings of fruits and vegetables including 1 green leafy vegetable daily.

4. Eating salads is a healthy option, but don’t replace your meals only with salads, and be careful with salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other condiments that are high in fat content. They greatly increase the calorie count and can negate the healthy aspects of a meal.

5. Avoid too much of deep fried, oily or fried foods. Include good proteins in the form of pulses, sprouts, milk, eggs, fish, and lean meats or de skinned chicken.

6. The most important nutrient that is always forgotten is water. Drink sufficient water daily to keep yourself well hydrated.

7. Keep in mind ‘fat free’ or ‘sugar free’ products do not mean calorie free. Make sure to read the food labels before any food item you consume. Be an aware customer.

8. Physical activity or exercise is a very important criterion to remain fit and lose weight. Just a simple brisk walk for 40-45 minutes or stretching exercises for lower body will help. Exercise makes it possible to create a calorie deficit and lose weight without starving your body and slowing your metabolism.

Losing Weight Mindset

2010-01-28T17:07:00.003+06:00

Losing Weight Mindset
Loosing weight is often a struggle but it is even more of a struggle without the right psychology. You can have all the information in the world about how to lose weight but without the right psychology to apply it, it is useless.

Ever wondered why so many people fail to lose weight? It is all in the mindset. Far too many people believe that losing weight is too hard and they need to be educated a lot in order to know how to lose weight effectively.

Then there are others who don’t want to put in the amount of effort required to lose weight because they believe that they don’t need to! These people believe that there are miracles pills out there that would help them lose weight quicker than the conventional formula of dieting and exercise. All of these are obviously great misconceptions and unless you are able to rid yourself of these misconceptions, you will never be able to lose weight.

An excellent way to improve your weight loss mind-set is to begin to create realistic goals. When you meet the goals you set, you will feel better about yourself. The key to losing weight lies in identifying the cause of your obesity and then taking the appropriate measures needed to counteract against this cause. This is as simple as it can get! In this article I will tell you about the three main causes behind obesity and how to counteract each one of them easily!

People become overweight usually because of three reasons: either they lead a sedentary or inactive life, or they are predisposed to obesity by virtue of hereditary traits, or that they indulge in emotional eating. Each of these problems can be solved in one way or the other.

To begin with, if you are overweight because of leading a sedentary life, it is time to get up and running. Become active. Leave that couch and start walking. Instead of going to your local market in your car, use your legs to reach the destination. Incorporate exercise into your daily life. The more active you become, the faster you will be able to lose weight.

If everyone in your family, including parents, grandparents and siblings are more or less overweight, then it means that the cause behind your obesity is hereditary. You are predisposed to being overweight but that doesn’t mean there is no way out! Start off by identifying your ideal weight and then work hard to lose enough fat so that your body weight becomes or less normal. Remember though that because of your genes you would need to work a bit harder than others.

If you are eating for emotional reasons, then there is a way out for that as well! What is the reason behind your continuous munching on fast foods? Do you eat to get over pain and misery? Or do you eat to curb the boredom that is eating you? In both cases, you can find a hobby or activity that would preoccupy your mind so that you won’t think about eating for emotional reasons.

As you can see, virtually every problem relating to weight has a simple solution. Now go back and write down the cause of your obesity on paper. Then use the tips above to fight against it!

Planning is key to meeting goals. Setting goals without planning how to meet them is like getting in your car to make a trip to a new destination without ever glancing at a map. You can't get to your goal unless you know what you need to do. Knowing you want to lose weight isn't the same as having a clear idea of how you're going to make it happen.

Skin Rashes Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

2010-01-27T15:46:00.004+06:00

A skin rash is a change in the color and/or texture of the skin on any part of the body. It can have many causes, including allergic reactions, friction, exposure to heat and moisture, infections, fungus, parasites, medications and contact with chemicals or other irritants. A basic skin rash is known as dermatitis. This term simply means inflammation of the skin. Rashes can be caused by many different factors. In some cases, a patient will come into contact with an irritant or allergen that causes the skin to react. This is known as contact dermatitis, and it can be sparked by substances such as detergents, soaps, fabrics, clothing, rubber, solvents and jewelry

Skin rashes can often be identified through a visual examination by a dermatologist or other healthcare professional. In some cases, a skin biopsy or other test (e.g., blood test, urine test) may be necessary to determine the exact nature of a rash. Details from a medical history can also aid diagnosis.

There are many types of skin rashes, and volumes of books would be needed to thoroughly cover them all in some depth.

Eczemas which causes scaly, itchy red rashes may show up at any time during your life. Eczema can occur in anybody at any age and for many different reasons. Eczema is not one thing, but consists of several types of skin rashes including atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is to some degree hereditary. Generally, atopic dermatitis is the most frequently seen of the eczemas. It usually begins in early childhood with red, dry cheeks, sensitive skin, and small rashes on various parts of the body, especially in the bends of the elbows and knees, and is associated with strong itch and dry, scaling skin.

One of the most challenging types of allergies and skin rashes to diagnose are those caused by something ingested or common in the environment. Generally these attacks that are brought on by the unfortunate intersection of allergies and skin rashes fall into one of two categories: dermal allergies and systemic allergies that present as skin rashes.

Treatment options vary significantly depending on the type of rash. Some rashes clear on their own over time. Patients can take several steps to relieve symptoms associated with the rash until it clears. These include:

Avoid scrubbing skin. This causes further irritation. Do not apply cosmetic lotions or ointments to a rash. Use minimal amounts of soap. Gentle cleansers are better. Use warm (not hot) water for cleaning. Pat dry. Rubbing with a towel will further irritate the skin. If possible, expose the affected area to the air. This will help speed healing. Use calamine lotion for rashes caused by poison ivy, oak or sumac. Use oatmeal baths to soothe itchiness.

Applying olive oil to the affected skin is one of the most powerful natural remedies for reducing rash. Olive oil contains skin-healing substances that are useful for treatment of rashes. One can even get immediate relief after application of olive oil.

Aloe vera is another potent succulent plant that is mostly used for skin care. One can use good aloe vera gels that are available in the market. If possible use fresh pulp. You can cut an aloe vera leaf lengthwise and extract the colorless pulp from inside the leaf (avoid yellow fluid near the surface of leaf). Apply gel 3 to 4 times a day for effective cure of skin rash.

Persistent rashes should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist or other healthcare professional. Some skin rashes may require special creams, medications or shampoos before the rash clears.

Aging Changes in Skin Part II

2010-01-26T16:52:00.005+06:00

It is impossible to prevent all of the changes that occur to the skin as a person ages. However, older individuals can take steps to slow the pace of these changes, or to treat symptoms that result from these changes. These steps include avoiding sun exposure, using moisturizers and emollients, maintaining a healthy diet and taking advantage of medications and procedures that make the skin appear younger.

Aging has many effects on a person’s skin, from wrinkles and sags to increased risk of certain skin conditions, such as skin cancer. As people age, their skin begins to change due to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition and other factors.

Covering the entire outside of the body, the skin is the body’s largest organ and consists of three layers: the epidermis (composed of skin cells, pigment and protein), the dermis (composed of blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles and oil glands) and the subcutaneous tissue (composed of sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels and fat). Each layer also contains connective tissue, collagen fibers for support and elastin fibers to provide flexibility.

For Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin

Prevention: While you cannot stop or even slow down the intrinsic aging process, you can prevent signs of premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun, quitting smoking, and eliminating facial exercises.

Dermatologists recommend comprehensive sun protection to prevent premature aging caused by the sun. Comprehensive sun protection includes:

Avoiding deliberate tanning, including use of indoor tanning devices.

Staying out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

Wearing protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves, when outdoors during the day.

Applying sunscreen year round. Sunscreen should be broad spectrum (offers UVA and UVB protection) and have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors to all skin that will be exposed. It should be reapplied after sweating or being in water.

Treatment: If you are bothered by visible signs of aging, a number of treatments are available. Injectable fillers and botulinum toxin are suitable for people with busy lifestyles who do not want the inconvenience of a long recovery. Radiofrequency is a procedure that offers an alternative to the traditional facelift. Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, and some topical treatments can restore skin, giving it a smoother and refreshed appearance.

Scientific research in the field of anti-aging continues to give rise to new and promising treatment options. A dermatologist can help you sort through the numerous options, including the myriad of over-the-counter products. During a consultation, the dermatologist will examine your skin, discuss your expectations, and recommend suitable treatment options.

Aging Changes in Skin Part I

2010-01-26T16:41:00.003+06:00

Throughout a person’s lifetime, the skin is constantly changing. As people age, the skin begins to lose underlying fat (subcutaneous tissue) and the top two skin layers (dermis and epidermis) become thinner. Fine wrinkles increasingly appear, and the skin dries out and begins to lose elasticity.

Aging causes many changes in a person’s skin, ranging from wrinkles and sags to increased risk of developing noncancerous or cancerous growths and lesions. Environmental factors (e.g., sun exposure), genetic makeup and poor nutrition are among the agents that cause changes to the skin as a person ages.

The skin often appears thinner, paler and more translucent over time. “Laugh lines” may appear around the mouth, and crow’s feet may appear around the eyes. As gravity takes its toll, the eyelids begin to fall, jowls form and ears grow longer. Areas that are exposed to sun may develop brown patches known as age spots.

Intrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. The signs of intrinsic aging are:

1. Fine wrinkles

2. Thin and transparent skin

3. Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck

4. Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin

5. Dry skin that may itch

6. Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin

7. Graying hair that eventually turns white

8. Hair loss

9. Unwanted hair

10. Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develops

Extrinsic Aging

A number of extrinsic, or external, factors often act together with the normal aging process to prematurely age our skin. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking.

The Sun: Without protection from the sun’s rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), and skin cancer can all be traced to sun exposure.

“Photoaging” is the term dermatologists use to describe this type of aging caused by exposure to the sun’s rays. The amount of photoaging that develops depends on: 1) a person’s skin color and 2) their history of long-term or intense sun exposure. People with fair skin who have a history of sun exposure develop more signs of photoaging than those with dark skin. In the darkest skin, the signs of photoaging are usually limited to fine wrinkles and a mottled complexion.

Photoaging occurs over a period of years. With repeated exposure to the sun, the skin loses the ability to repair itself, and the damage accumulates. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down collagen and impairs the synthesis of new collagen. The sun also attacks our elastin. Sun-weakened skin ceases to spring back much earlier than skin protected from UV rays. Skin also becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery much earlier with unprotected exposure to sunlight.

While it may seem that the signs of photoaging appear overnight, they actually lie invisible beneath the surface of the skin for years. UV photography enables us to see the damage accumulating beneath the surface of the skin years before the signs of photoaging appear. Most people are surprised by the amount of photoaging that the UV camera shows.

Effective Back Pain Exercise

2010-01-26T12:12:00.003+06:00

Back pain has a number of causes, but one of the most common happens to be what I'm doing right now and, most likely, what you're doing as you read this article: Sitting. If you spend a lot of your time sitting, you probably have the same problem I do - frequent back pain. Since sitting isn't something we're going to stop doing (at least not completely), we have to look for other ways to manage this kind of chronic back pain and exercise is just one of them. Carrying extra weight is another common cause of back pain and it can also affect your other joints, ligaments and tendons.

Weak muscles are often at the root of back pain, especially lower back pain. The muscles of the back, the abdomen, and the buttocks all support the spine - these muscles are called the core muscles. Muscles are the spine's main defense against gravity. Strengthening the muscles that support the spine with exercises, can prevent, reduce and even eliminate back pain.

Strong abdominal muscles (especially the deep abs) are as crucial as strong back muscles for supporting the lower back and preventing lower back pain. Strong quadriceps (front of thigh muscles) is important to prevent back injuries when lifting. Proper lifting techniques involve using your legs and if your legs are weak, you may end up using your back.

Shortened muscles can throw the spine out of alignment and cause back pain. Stretching exercises lengthen shortened muscles and relieve back pain. Tight back muscles, tight buttocks muscles, and even tight hamstrings (back of thigh muscles) or quadriceps (front of thigh muscles), can affect the alignment of the spine. Stretching the back with stretching exercises also increases mobility of the joints of the spine.

Managing and preventing back pain isn't easy, but it can be done as long as you're willing to make some changes in how you live. Your first step is to determine what's causing your back pain and if you have a condition that needs special treatment.

How do you feel after you've been sitting for a long time? Do you feel stiff or sore? Does your back feel tight? What about that tension in your neck and shoulders? I'm a firm believer that sitting for long periods of time is one reason so many of us are in pain. You don't have to stop sitting completely, but there are ways to minimize the damage.

Take short breaks. Set an alarm on your computer, PDA, etc. to go off every 30 minutes. Take at least one minute to stand, stretch, walk or change positions.

Stand while you work. What tasks could you do while standing? Some ideas: talking on the phone, reading your mail, working on the computer (if you can raise your monitor) goofing off, etc. Choose just one on your list and make a new rule that you'll only do it while standing.

Sit on an exercise ball or cushion. If you can get away with it, try sitting on an exercise ball for a few minutes several times throughout the day (all day may be a bit much on your lower back). You can roll around on it while sitting to help stretch the back and you'll be forced to avoid slumping to stay on the ball. If that's not an option, try a cushion like the one offered at Sissel, which promotes good posture.

Bad posture is another big contributor to back pain. If you're like me, you start your day with good posture but gradually end up slumping, sprawling or hunching when your body gets tired. Monitoring posture can turn into a full-time job, but there are some simple ways to make small changes in your body position.

Swinging back legs could strengthen the muscles of hip and back. Stand in the back of a chair and raise a leg up and down without bending the knee. Repeat this for each leg.

Always warm up before stretching exercises. Five minutes of walking, or exercise bike, elliptical trainer, or even marching on the spot is enough. Not warming up before stretching leaves your back susceptible to injuries causing back pain. Warm muscles are more flexible than cold muscles and are less likely to tear.

There are different forms of physical therapy viz. Passive Physical therapy and Active Physical therapy. Passive physical therapy includes Heat/Ice packs, TENS units and iontophoresis. Active Physical therapy is the exercises like Stretching for back pain exercise, Low-impact aerobic conditioning and strengthening for back pain exercise.

How to Get Rid of Migraine Headaches

2010-01-23T16:41:00.003+06:00

Headache is defined as pain in the head or upper neck. It is one of the most common locations of pain in the body and has many causes. All kinds of pains are bad. But there is nothing as mentally exhausting as a headache. It affects our well-being, our productivity and even our social existence. After a headache we feel mentally drained and physically exhausted.

The possible causes of a headache range from a relatively harmless common headache or common cold to life-threatening emergencies like meningitis or even the unlikely occurrence of a brain tumor. Various types of headache are possible: common headache, migraine, cluster headache, sexual headache, or other types of headache.

Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache; as many as 90% of adults have had or will have tension headaches. Tension headaches are more common among women than men.

Migraines give you a throbbing headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea as well. The pain is so severe that it can render you incapacitated till the time you treat it by swallowing a painkiller. Though over the counter medications, such as Aspirin, or other painkillers can prove to be of help, once you have a migraine attack, they are not completely safe. In fact, natural migraine remedies are what you should use, to treat the pain and avoid the side effects of drugs as well.

It is important to identify your migraine at the initial stages, to treat it at the earliest. Migraine pain can intensify very quickly, when left untreated. If your head aches on one side only, you feel nauseated, your face becomes hot and light or sound bothers you, your headache may be a migraine. You may also suffer from vomiting, visual disturbance and dizziness. Once you are sure it’s a migraine, treat it in the right way.

Tension headaches are sometimes helped by measures to relax the tight muscles. These include massage, hot showers and heating pads on the back of the neck or cold packs. Biofeedback and muscle-relaxation training may be helpful.

Some people find relief with other non-traditional techniques, such as acupuncture, hypnosis or meditation. Non-prescription pain relievers often help occasional tension headaches. If not, prescription analgesics may do the trick. These include Aspirin with Codeine (Empirin with Codeine); Acetaminophen with Codeine (Tylenol with Codeine); Aspirin, caffeine, and Butalbital (Fiorinal); or Aspirin and Oxycodone (Percodan).

For chronic tension headaches, prescription analgesics aren't always useful. They tend to lose their effectiveness, encourage dependency, and cause "rebound" headaches when they wear off. A less addictive and often more effective alternative is a tricyclic antidepressant, such as Amitriptyline (Elavil) or Imipramine (Tofranil), which can affect the pain pathways in the brain. Tricyclics must be used for several weeks before they take effect. Since much lower doses of the antidepressant are needed for pain than for depression, there are generally few or no side effects.

Drugs that constrict blood vessels, notably ergotamine (Ergostat), may relieve migraines if taken at the first sign of the headache. Once a migraine is established, the only recourse is to take a narcotic, such as Meperedine (Demoral) or Codeine, head for a darkened room and try to sleep it off. Recent studies show that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as Ibuprofen (Motrin), Indomethacin (Indameth), and others can alleviate migraines, sometimes as effectively as Ergotamine. A new drug, Sumatriptan (Imitrex), appears to ease migraines about as well as Ergotamine, with much milder side effects.

Your other option is to talk to your doctor about preventive medicines for migraine headaches. Studies have found that certain cardiovascular drugs and certain antidepressant medications have been highly effective in the prevention of migraines. New studies are being done all the time. Who knows, maybe eventually they will find a cure for your migraine headaches. But for now all you can do is try to prevent them or if you feel one coming on, try to treat it as quickly as possible.

Constipation Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

2010-01-23T16:35:00.003+06:00

Constipation is not having a bowel movement (pooping) as often as you usually do or having a tough time going because the poop is hard and dry. Normal poop is sort of soft and easy to pass, so it shouldn't be too hard to have a bowel movement. The term constipation is used for severe constipation that prevents passage of both stools and gas. Causes of constipation may be dietary, hormonal, anatomical, a side effect of medications or an illness or disorder.

Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent stools. For others, however, constipation means hard stools, difficulty passing stools (straining), or a sense of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement. The cause of each of these "types" of constipation probably is different, and the approach to each should be tailored to the specific type of constipation.

By constipation hard stool assembles in the lower colon or rectum without coming out in due time. This causes the stomach region to engorge, causes diffuse discomfort and sometimes sharp pain. When the hard stool eventually pass out it can over stretch the tissue in the anal region and tear up the mucosa and skin in this area.

Constipation also can alternate with diarrhea. This pattern commonly occurs as part of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). At the extreme end of the constipation spectrum is fecal impaction, a condition in which stool hardens in the rectum and prevents the passage of any stool.

It is important to distinguish acute (recent onset) constipation from chronic (long duration) constipation. Acute constipation requires urgent assessment because a serious medical illness may be the underlying cause (for example, tumors of the colon). Constipation also requires an immediate assessment if it is accompanied by worrisome symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea and vomiting, and involuntary loss of weight. In contrast, the evaluation of chronic constipation may not be urgent, particularly if simple measures bring relief.

Bowel movements are under voluntary control. This means that the normal urge people feel when they need to have a bowel movement can be suppressed. Although occasionally it is appropriate to suppress an urge to defecate (for example, when a bathroom is not available), doing this too frequently can lead to a disappearance of urges and result in constipation.

Here are some home remedies that may be used for the treatment of constipation.

Drink a glass of warm water early in the morning, walk around for a while, and then visit the toilet. Simply drinking more water will not provide a complete cure for constipation. However, additional fluids in the digestive system will help to keep stools soft and facilitate digestive processes such as bowel movements.

Eat a lot of raw salads and green vegetables. Drink plenty of water, but not immediately before or after a meal. Regular exercise is also important in establishing regular bowel movements. If you are confined to a wheelchair or bed, change position frequently and perform abdominal contraction exercises and leg raises. A physical therapist can recommend exercises appropriate for your physical abilities.

Drink a glassful of warm water with a spoonful of honey every night before going to sleep. However, be aware that you might go to the bathroom often!

Children and adults should get enough fiber in their diet. Vegetables, fresh fruits, dried fruits, and whole wheat, bran, or oatmeal cereals are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, drink plenty of fluids to help pass the stool.

Diabetes Diet and Nutrition

2010-01-23T16:28:00.006+06:00

Eating right is a key step to preventing and controlling diabetes. Fortunately, whether you’re trying to reduce your risk of diabetes or manage a pre-existing problem, you can still enjoy your favorite foods and take pleasure from your meals. Your nutritional needs are the same as everyone else no special foods or complicated diets are necessary. But if the way you eat has been less than healthy, you may need to learn some better eating habits. The key to a diabetes diet is eating in moderation, sticking to regular mealtimes, and eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Diabetes is on the rise, yet most cases of diabetes are preventable with healthy lifestyle changes. Some can even be reversed. The bottom line is that you have more control over your health than you think. If you’re concerned about diabetes, you can make a difference by eating a healthy diet, keeping your weight in check, and getting exercise.

Healthful eating helps keep your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, in your target range. Physical activity and, if needed, diabetes medicines also help. The diabetes target range is the blood glucose level suggested by diabetes experts for good health. You can help prevent health problems by keeping your blood glucose levels on target.

If you have diabetes, you need to learn about the benefits of adding soluble fibers to your diet. These can be found in many different vegetables and fruits. The reason why they work so well for diabetics is that they slow down glucose absorption in the intestine. This decreased absorption can help keep your blood glucose level from getting too elevated, which can cause a hyperglycemic reaction.

Eating for diabetes doesn’t mean eliminating sugar. But in order to get the most enjoyment out of sweets, it is best to save them for special occasions. After all, they are called treats for a reason. If you have diabetes, you can still enjoy a small serving of your favorite dessert now and then. The key is moderation.

Carbohydrates have a big impact on your blood sugar levels, but you don’t have to avoid them. You just need to be smart about what types of carbs you eat and how you balance them in the rest of your diet. Carbohydrates include simple sugars and complex starches and fibers. Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar), which is the fuel for your cells.

Recommendations of diabetic diet differ for person to person, based on their nutritional needs, lifestyle, and the action and timing of medications. For example, diet for Type 1 diabetic, focus mostly on matching food intake to insulin whereby one needs to know when insulin peaks and how fast the body metabolize different type of foods. In Type 2 diabetic the concern may be more oriented to weight loss in order to improve the body's ability to utilize the insulin it does produce. Thus, learning about the basic of food nutrition will be able to help in adjusting diet to suite the particular condition.

Eating right for diabetes comes down to three things:

What you eat. Your diet makes a huge difference!! Basically all you should eat mostly plant foods, cut back on refined carbs and sugary drinks, and choose healthy fats over unhealthy fats.

When you eat. Diet is part of it, but keeping regular meal and snack times also affects your blood sugar levels and will help to keep them more constant.

How much you eat. Portion sizes matter. Even if you eat very healthy meals, if you eat too much you will gain weight, which is a factor in diabetes.

You do not need to eat special foods, but instead simply emphasize vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A diabetes diet is simply a healthy eating plan that is high in nutrients, low in fat, and moderate in calories. It is a healthy diet for anyone!

Water; The Essential Element of Life

2010-01-22T16:52:00.002+06:00

Are you drinking enough water? If you're not, you could end up with excess body fat, poor muscle tone, digestive complications, muscle soreness even water-retention problems. As you know, up to 75% of your body weight is water. Water plays a role in every process occurring in your body, right down to the cell level. We can go without eating for a month or more and still survive, but death is almost certain within a matter of days without water.

Next to air, water is the element most necessary for survival. A normal adult is 60 to 70 percent water. We can go without food for almost two months, but without water only a few days. Yet most people have no idea how much water they should drink. In fact, many live in a dehydrated state.

When a person stops drinking water or doesn't drink enough, they can become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include dry and sticky mouth, sunken eyes, not producing enough tears, little to no urine output and lethargy, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who don't drink enough water may also develop low blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.

The body cannot survive without water. Water consumption helps the body breathe, because it moistens the lungs. Lung functions can use up to a pint of water every day, decreasing the body's moisture through exhalation. When that liquid isn't replaced, it makes it difficult to breathe. People who don't drink enough fluids can also gain excess body fat, have poor muscle tone and a decreased ability to digest food.

Drinking water is important if you're trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and one may eat when the body is actually craving fluid. As most food contains some water, if one doesn't drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply however, you also gain the undesired effects of increased calorie consumption. Drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss.

While water is very important for your health, there are some times when drinking too much water can be a problem:

If you have any kidney or adrenal problems, or your doctor has you taking diuretics, you need to consult with your doctor about how much water to drink each day

Don't drink all of the water you need per day all at once. Divide the amount you need and drink several glasses of water throughout the day. This is especially important if you engage in lots of heavy exercise.

For the average person experts suggest getting at least 64 ounces of water daily or eight 8-ounce glasses. If you are on a diet to lose weight it is more important to consume more and keep drinking water throughout the day, unless you have any medical condition that doesn't allow much water intake. A good guide for daily intake is to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight. A 200 pound person should be drinking around 100 ounces (12.5 cups) of water in order the gain the benefits of increased energy and metabolism.

Your intake should be spread throughout the day and evening. You may wonder if I drink this much, won't I constantly be running to the bathroom? Yes. But after a few weeks, your bladder tends to adjust and you urinate less frequently but in larger amounts. And by consuming those eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day, you could be on your way to a healthier, leaner body.

Acne Causes and Treatment

2010-01-22T16:20:00.004+06:00

Acne is a disease that involves the oil glands of the skin. It is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Your skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles small canals. Sebum, an oily liquid, is produced by these glands. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of your skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked.

Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is not just a problem for teenagers; it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). On the positive side, those few individuals who have acne into their 40s may well grow out of it. Acne can appear on the skin as any of the following:

1. Congested pores ("comedones")

2. Whiteheads

3. Blackheads

4. Pimples ("zits")

5. Pustules, or

6. Cysts (deep pimples, boils). The pus in pustules and cysts is sterile and does not actually contain infectious bacteria.

No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria (which live on everyone's skin and generally cause no problems) to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.

Since everyone gets acne at some time, the right time to treat it is when it bothers you. This can be when severe acne flares suddenly, mild acne that just won't go away, or even when a single pimple decides to show up the week before your prom or wedding. The decision is yours.

The majority of people who get acne will develop mild acne. This can usually be treated with OTC (over-the-counter) medications. OTC medications can be bought at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. They are usually applied to the skin - topical medicines.

You can buy acne medications in the forms of gels, soaps, pads, creams and lotions. If your skin is sensitive you may prefer a cream or lotion. Gels, which are usually alcohol based and tend to dry the skin, are better for people with oily skin. OTC medications will have these ingredients in different concentrations. It is advisable to start with the lowest strengths. You may experience skin irritation, redness, and/or burning when you first try them. These side effects usually go away after continued use. If they don't you should see your doctor.

Easy Weight Losing Exercises

2010-01-20T14:37:00.004+06:00

Our weight is determined by the amount of energy that we take in as food and the amount of energy we expend in the activities of our day. Energy is measured in calories. Everyone is in control of the amount of food he or she consumes each day, so our intake of calories is something we can control. To a major degree, we can also control our output of energy, or the number of calories we burn each day by regular exercise.

Losing weight can be a challenge, especially if you have many pounds to shed. It can be difficult to sift through all the fad diets, and downright dangerous supplements and pills on the market today.

There are no easy weight loss exercises. Exercising is work. If you're not in shape it's hard work. But there's a way to minimize the pain and still get in shape and lose weight. On a relative scale of 1-10, with 10 the hardest, jogging rates around 7-8. That's tough work. Diet Basics technique rates around 3-4 and often produces better results in shorter time. That's great news!

Whether you are trying to lose 5 pounds or more than 50, the same simple laws of physics determine whether or not you will lose weight and how fast your weight loss will occur. Remembering these simple guidelines and putting them into practice can lead to weight loss without the aid of any special diet plans, books, or medications.

Losing weight is not difficult when you have the right information, at the right time, and the right tools to put it to use. I am going to give you the right information, you have to decide the right time, and the tools, in this case, are adjustable to your needs. If you will do these exercises on a consistent basis, week in and week out, then combined with a good diet, you will lose weight fast.

The easiest form of weight loss exercise is walking. Walking is one of the most effective and easy forms of exercise. It can be done almost anywhere and it is free! Walking helps to improve your overall health and fitness and is a great way to lose weight, tone your muscles, strengthen your heart and instill a general feeling of well-being and positive self-esteem. Turning walking into a regular activity and focusing on the pace and distance covered will greatly increase your fitness level.

There is no doubt that swimming is good exercise. But is it a good exercise choice if your primary goal is to lose body weight? Like any other exercise, swimming will suit some people while others may benefit more from a different exercise. The reason for this is our energy system works a little like the gears in a car. When beginning any movement, the cells are in a gear that does not favor fat burning. The muscle cells go through a process of using up minor stores of ATP and then move to carbs before any real fat is burned. Only after a low effort exercise becomes constant will the cells switch into the last fat burning gear.

Effective Herbs For Anti Aging

2010-01-20T11:39:00.004+06:00

Aging involves our whole being, it’s a biological, physical, psychological, and cultural process. According to some inherent genetic code, our cellular processes have started to decline. Our immune system has become less efficient. The connective tissue in our skin produces more collagen than elastin, so the tissue is less pliable. Free radicals are taking their toll on various cell and organ systems. Whatever is happening, it happens to the best of us.

The herbal treatments have proved to be very effective for many reasons. The main thing that is attractive about the herbal treatments are they have less side effects and economical. But it will take time to get the intended results.

Herbs have been used for many years to treat many health problems. Recently, they are gaining great revival as an alternative to drug therapy for a wide variety of illnesses, including alleviating the symptoms of aging. These are three anti aging herbs that show genuine promise in helping you feel younger and protect you from age-related illness

Herbs are plants with wide variety of nutrients in them effectively used for ages. The healing properties present in plants have acted as an active source of curing diseases. People are trying out herbal remedies from common cold to psoriasis and cancer.

There are many herbs, which are used in anti aging treatments. The most commonly used herbs are listed below….

1. Ginseng

2. Rhodiola Rosea

3. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan)

4. Ashwagandha

5. MACA

6. Grapes Seed Extract

7. Reishi Mushroom

8. Jujube Fruit

9. Lycii Berry

10. Hu Zhang (Polygonum cuspidatum)

We are discussing here some of them…

Ginseng: Reduced aging process will slow down to certain extent. Ginseng is a perennial herb and the root of ginseng is utilized for medicinal and other purposes. Ginseng relaxes and reduces the effect of stress. Ginseng stimulates us in both physical and mental activity. Ginseng strengthens and protects us during any severe physical strain.

Rhodiola Rosea: Rhodiola Rosea is also one of the widely adapted herbs belonging to the “Adaptogen” community of herbs. Rhodiola has anti aging phyto supplement. The main active properties of the extract are rosavins and cinnamol alcohol glycosides. Rhodiola Rosea has anti stress properties and it increases the energy level. Rhodiola Rosea stimulates our immune system.

Gynostemma Pentaphyllum (Jiao gu lan): Gynostemma pentaphyllum has properties similar to Ginseng herb. Jiao gu lan contains substances called gypenosides. The plant contains ingredients very similar to those found in ginseng but three times the properties than Ginseng herb. Research shows that Jiao gu lan has a wide range of actions in the body. Jiao gu lan has overall effect in helping to balance and regulate body systems. Jiao gu lan normalize cardiovascular and hormonal systems. Jiao gu lan is softer on females than ginseng.

Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is a traditional Indian Medicine that has been used for long time against infectious diseases. Uperoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase are some of the natural antioxidants present in it. Ashwagandha strengthens immune system. Ashwagandha is used for relieving stress, amnesia, fever, viral infections and acts as a natural antioxidant. Ashwagandha has anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects. These properties make it overall an effective Herb for slowing down the aging process

Herbs should not be taken during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Consult your practitioner if you want to take them during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Herbs at times mixed with other herbs may lead to allergies and reactions. People with high blood sugar level should avoid herbs mixed with sugar syrup. At times alcohol is also mixed with herbs, which may lead to allergy, irritation or discomfort.