Ideal life

reverse the signs of aging on your face

2011-11-21T15:16:00.000+00:00

You can now easily zap away the signs of aging in your face with laser treatments.
Watch as Dr. Kenneth Rothaus discusses three laser treatments to remove signs of aging with Dr. Oz in this video.

http://www.sharecare.com/question/how-reverse-signs-aging-face

Some beauty tips are timeless.
Get adequate sleep. Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic). Don't smoke. Wear plenty of sunscreen, the higher the SPF, the better.
But, just as youth fades, so too do some beauty tips.
Skin, face and body change with age. So, too then, should your beauty regimen. Now you have wrinkles to contend with. Age spots. And dark circles under your eyes, that, back in your salad days may have been a badge of honor for the all-nighter you just pulled. Only now, sweetie, they just mean you are, well, older.
And as such, those cosmetic products you used back in the day may not be cutting it anymore.
Take the dark circles under your eyes.
As you get older, the aging process thins your already thin skin under your eyes. This makes the blood vessels underneath even more visible, hence your under-eye circles.
Caking on concealer with a trowel is not the answer, honey. Do this and you will look like a cross between Tammy Faye Baker and Rocky Raccoon. Use a light foundation instead. Make it even lighter than the shade of the rest of that pretty face. Then add some powder to let it blend in and set.

What are the symptoms of diabetic foot problems?

2011-11-21T15:09:00.000+00:00

The loss of nerve function - neuropathy - among diabetic patients in their feet and legs typically develops over time. Because patients cannot feel foot injuries as acutely as those without diabetes, they may inadvertently ignore foot problems. Therefore, pain is not an early indicator of problems in diabetic patients. Poor circulation and decreased immunity to infection can also lead to serious diabetic foot problems.
Symptoms of diabetic foot problems include pain or a tingling foot sensation in the feet at night. Ulcers, infections, and other problems may be painless. As a result, routine self-inspection of each foot is of utmost importance. Additionally, the patient may experience unsteadiness in standing and walking due to a loss of sensation. Finally, the foot may have swelling, redness, ulcers, and bleeding, all of which should alert the patient to call a physician.

What are the symptoms of diabetes? Great Answer

2011-11-21T15:07:00.000+00:00

Just as there are many different types of diabetes, there are many different types of diabetes symptoms. In certain types of diabetes, such as pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes, there may be no symptoms at all. In Types 1 and 2 diabetes, symptoms usually include tiredness, excessive thirst and hunger, more frequent urination, weight loss, and blurred vision. In Type 1 diabetes, these symptoms typically develop quickly, but symptoms can develop slowly over several years in Type 2. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms related to diabetes.

The onset of diabetes mellitus causes many symptoms that range from the subtle to the more severe:
Excessive and frequent urination (as often as every hour or so). Nighttime awakening to urinate is also common.
Increased thirst.
Increased appetite.
Unintentional weight loss.
Blurred vision.
Fatigue and weakness.
Recurring or persistent infections of the bladder, skin, or gums.
Numbness and tingling in feet and hands.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Emergency symptoms of hyperosmolar nonketotic states: extreme thirst, lethargy, weakness, mental confusion, coma.
Emergency symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis: nausea and vomiting, labored breathing, mental confusion, coma.

Some people who have type 2 diabetes exhibit no symptoms. Symptoms may be mild and almost unnoticeable, or easy to confuse with signs of aging. Half of all Americans who have diabetes do not know it.

The following are signs and symptoms of diabetes:

increased thirst
increased hunger
increased urination (peeing)
weakness and fatigue
weight loss
blurry vision
fast, deep breathing
slow or confused thinking

The symptoms of diabetes include the following:
Type 1
Frequent urination
Increased thirst
Excessive Thirst
Extreme Hunger
Dramatic Weight Loss
Weakness and Fatigue
Nausea and Vomiting
Type 2
Any of the type 1 symptoms
Recurring or hard-to-heal skin, gum, or bladder infections
Drowsiness
Blurred vision
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Itching

The classic symptoms of diabetes are: being hungry all the time or thirsty all the time, having frequent urination, having an unexplained sudden weight loss or developing fatigue. Many people have no obvious symptoms.

If you are overweight, especially if you have a family history of diabetes, go and see your doctor and get tested for diabetes. A simple fasting blood test will tell the doctor whether or not your blood sugar is elevated.

All types of diabetes have the same general symptoms, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, weakness, and weight loss. Other symptoms include tingling of the extremities, increased number of infections, blurred vision, sometimes impotence (in men) or amenorrhea (in women). The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop rapidly. Symptoms of type 2 come on more slowly and may not appear until months or years after the disease has begun.

There are several warning signs of diabetes. They are particularly common in Type 1 diabetes. Many people with Type 2 diabetes have few or no symptoms, so damage to the blood vessels can go undetected for years. Regular checkups with your physician are the best way to identify diabetes.
When present, the typical symptoms of diabetes include:

Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Increased hunger
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Unexplained weight loss
Numbness of the hands or feet
Erectile dysfunction

Diabetes is often called a silent disease because the symptoms are sometimes so subtle they are easily ignored. But if you have any of the following symptoms of diabetes you should definitely see your health care professional for a blood glucose check.
Symptoms of diabetes include:

Increased thirst
Extreme hunger
Frequent urination
Feeling tired
Itchy or dry skin
Slow-healing cuts or sores
More infections than usual
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Unexplained weight loss
Sudden vision changes

Be well...

What are the symptoms of diabetes mellitus?

2011-11-21T15:03:00.002+00:00

The classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes are frequent urination, excessive thirst, and excessive appetite. In type 2 diabetes, these symptoms may also be present, but are usually much milder than in type 1. As a result, since these symptoms are not very serious, many people who have symptoms of diabetes do not seek medical care. In fact, of the more than 10 million Americans with diabetes, fewer than half know that they have diabetes or ever have consulted a physician.

Lifestyle vs. Drugs & Education for Overweight with Diabetes

2011-11-21T15:02:00.003+00:00

Healthcare costs are the United States' largest drag on competitiveness for jobs with Europe and Asia, costing companies 2 to 3 times more in good ol’ USA. And that hurts our job market mightily. So along comes a big cost reducer, but is it covered by insurance or the government in USA's system? You guessed it, nope!

Here's what we're talking about Obama, Boener, Pelosi, and Reid: (and it will save the USA dollars it now spends) Three prior studies and our own Lifestyle180 data have shown that for 1 year Lifestyle changes (exercise, food choices, and stress control) trump drugs and education as cheaper and more beneficial for diabetics. Today we know that's true for longer – lifestyle interventions can make a huge difference for 3 years. How many years do we have to study it and how many papers published before the insurance companies and HHS decide to get off their duffs and save money and jobs?

Maybe it’s the Docs fault. Lifestyle interventions are a simple and extremely logical (not to mention cost-effective) approach to disease management that teach, coach and guide patients to learn how to do the appropriate exercise, how to shop and cook appropriately and even manage stress, yet it is least common prescription doctors write or patients follow for obesity and diabetes.

Nope, if not paid for and the patient isn't one of those rich folks, we can't prescribe it, but can only tell patients about it – go and learn on your own doesn't work, and doesn't save money. Maybe the politicians and government regulators would rather spend your money. In the study just published (for the wonks: Arch Intern Med. 2010;170:1470-1479), lifestyle interventions involved diet modification and physical activity. The results? This group lost a significantly larger percentage of their weight, experienced greater improvements in fitness, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and levels of good cholesterol, HDL. Good markers for living younger, longer, not to mention fewer absentee days and more productivity.

We’re hoping these results will grab attention and even supplement the pic of Drew Carey for the politicians to see (they do look at more than polls don't they) on the cover of this week’s Parade Magazine. After only 10 weeks of diet modification and physical activity, he reversed his Type 2 Diabetes symptoms and no longer needs to take medication for it. Think about where he will be 3 to 4 years from now! No, not what show, but how vigorous he'll be if he keeps these Lifestyle changes that anyone can do.

The data are available, and there are more to come. Researchers are excited (just like us) by the health benefits and cost effectiveness of these types of lifestyle interventions. A Swedish study examining lifestyle interventions found that after three years, patients saved almost $500 just by reducing doctors’ visits, and another $2500 on drug costs per year, not to mention test costs and time missed from work. And institutions like the Cleveland Clinic have developed inexpensive lifestyle intervention programs to teach these behaviors. Stress management and behavioral health are crucial in ensuring that these lifestyle changes stick like gum to the bottom of your shoe.

Believe it or not, even a few self insured companies are jumping on the bandwagon. They’re sponsoring their employees to participate in programs to decrease health care costs. Our hope is that lifestyle interventions like the Ornish program for heart disease will be extended to obesity and diabetes by the insurance and Medicare gate keepers to help others the way Drew Carey got help. We know it works, so why wait? Choose lifestyle and the country will win, Obama, Boener, Pelosi, and Reid. Yes, that way the USA will save money and get healthier, and be more competitive for jobs. Can you break away from campaigning long enough to vote for something that saves dollars and helps create jobs for the USA?

By Mike Roizen, MD

What Is Listeria and How Do You Protect Yourself?

2011-11-21T14:27:00.002+00:00

Last month experts confirmed nine case of Listeria in the state of Colorado. First indications point the outbreaks to have occurred from infected cantaloupe, although one family member of an infected person claims it had to be the salmon she ate. Officials are still gathering information as to its cause, but as of right now, cantaloupe seems to be the culprit. With its long gestation period, according to one source, it makes detecting listeria very difficult.
With that said, what is listeria and how do we improve our chances of not being infected by it? According to one expert there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of being infected.
"Listeria is a bacterium that causes listeriosis, a disease that usually causes flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, fever etc.", says Biomedical Sciences Editor Dr. Kara Rogers. "It can also affect the heart and produce symptoms of meningitis, including headache, confusion, and stiff neck."
In the recent cases that have occurred in Colorado it has been the cause of individuals lapsing into a coma up through two reported deaths. According to Dr. Rogers an outbreak in Canada a few years ago caused a mortality rate of 40% of those infected.

The transmission of this bacterium usually occurs through contaminated foods such as meat and unpasteurized dairy products. Dr. Rogers says it is rarely found on produce which makes the recent outbreak in Colorado involving cantaloupe so unusual.
You can take steps to reduce your chances of infection. Make sure you wash your produce thoroughly and just as important, dry your produce. Any and all meats should be cooked thoroughly as well and the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products should be completely avoided.
"As far as cantaloupe is concerned, it should be washed and dried and either eaten right away or stored in a refrigerator. Proper refrigeration, with temperatures 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, is important for preventing the growth of Listeria," says Dr. Rogers.
Doing your own vegetable gardening will go a long way in helping to avoid these and other issues. The main reason is, you know what you are planting, you know what you are putting into your soil and you know who is handling the food you grow. Even with that said, you should still follow the advice of making sure all of your home grown vegetables are thoroughly cleaned, washed and dried before consumption as well as storing them properly.

About the Author
Mike Podlesny is the owner of Mike the Gardener Enterprises, LLC, the exclusive home for the Seeds of the Month Club, which has appeared on NBC, ABC and MSN Money as a great way for consumers to save money. A special thank you to Orly Telisman, the Director of Media relations for the Encyclopedia Britanica, for the contributions to this article.

What You Need to Know About Listeria

2011-11-21T14:26:00.002+00:00

FOOD - LISTERIA - AND YOU
During the Fall of 2011 an outbreak of Listeria-tainted cantaloupe was reported in the News every few weeks. At last count there were reported 139 sickened, 29 dead and 1 miscarriage. This may be the deadliest outbreak in US history according to Health Officials.
Back in 1985, there was a listeria outbreak in California that caused 52 deaths according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These however were linked to contaminated Mexican-style fresh cheese. Of these deaths, the report shows 28 were adults and newborns and 20 were stillbirths or miscarriages.
The cantaloupe outbreak has been traced back to the fresh cantaloupes from Jasen Farms of Holly, Colo. So far, reports of illness have been logged in 28 states. According to the Federal Food and Drug Administration, the outbreak at the Packing site operated by Jasen Farms was caused by Dirty equipment, an unsanitary environment, and poor storage practices. According to the CID "A cold, moist environment is what listeria needs to thrive." Washing, scrubbing, bleaching and peeling would not have cleaned these cantaloupe. The bacteria could then cling to the cantaloupes porous, bumpy rind. People could spread the contamination through the fruit by slicing it with a knife.

The final toll of the cantaloupe outbreak is not available at this time. Listeria infections have a long incubation period, which means that people that ate tainted cantaloupe two months ago may only nw be reporting illness, according to health officials.
What are Listeriosis Symptoms?
Fever, muscle aches, occasionally diarrhea and/or nausea are the usual systems. These will usually last about a week to ten days. However in an outbreak or if the symptoms last more than a few days, you want to get medical attention.
How Can Listeriosis be Prevented?
The majority of people get listeriosis from eating contaminated foods. The bacteria are often found in cultivated foods like vegetables, many types of raw foods, meats and cheeses.
General recommendations from the CDC are:
Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as pork, beef and poultry.
Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and cooked foods and ready to eat foods.
Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
Wash hands, knives and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.
There are also additional recommendations for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and the elderly.
Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
Avoid getting fluid from Hot dog packages on other foods, utensils and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats and deli meats.
Do not eat refrigerated pates or meat spreads.
Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is contained in a cooked dish such as a casserole
Do not eat soft cheese, such as feta, brie and camembert, blue-veined cheese, or Mexican-style cheeses unless they have labels that clearly state they were made with pasteurized milk.
Final Note:
there is no commercially available vaccine to protect against infection by listeria. It is treated with antibiotics.
your best prevention is to practice food safety in your kitchen
wash hands, utensils and surfaces often.
wash fruits and vegetables before slicing.
you can do a lot to protect you and your family when you know and practice safe food handling procedures.

Born and raised in the Wine Country of Northern California, William Chaney is a Retired Chef and Wine Connoisseur. He splits his time between his home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and his home in Wisconsin. He writes about Healthy Foods and your diet. Please visit his website http://HealthyFoodandDiet.com and sign up to get a copy of Healthy Food choices at Fast Food Restaurants.

Who is at risk for a Listeria infection?

2011-11-21T14:25:00.000+00:00

Healthy adults and children occasionally get infected with the Listeria bacterium, but they rarely become seriously ill. Those at increased risk for developing listeriosis include the following:

Pregnant women — Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely
     than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one third of l
     isteriosis cases happen during pregnancy. Newborns suffer the
     serious effects of listeriosis infection when their mothers are
     infected during pregnancy.
People with weakened immune systems
People with cancer, diabetes or kidney disease
People with AIDS — These individuals are almost 300 times more likely
to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.
People who take glucocorticosteroid medications.

Doctors Bust Medical Myths and Lies

2011-11-21T14:23:00.000+00:00

The information has been passed on through the generations – but is it accurate? A panel of experts and MDs speak up on the common myths that affect your health.

A panel of doctors and health experts blow the lid off the information and beliefs you swear by. While the truth may surprise you, you'll be more fully equipped to take better care of yourself.

Get the verdict on the following health myths:

5 Nutrition Tips for Staying Strong and Healthy After 50

2011-11-21T14:18:00.003+00:00

As the years pass by, many women find that the lifestyle that worked out in their 20s and 30s fails to achieve the same results in their 40s and 50s. As women reach their 50s (the average age of onset for menopause), they have to compensate for hormonal, cardiovascular and muscle changes that may have not been prevalent in their younger years.

Weight gain in the aging woman is common due to decreases in muscle mass, the accumulation of excess fat and a lower resting metabolic rate. Hormonal shifts can cause a range of symptoms and increase your overall risk for heart disease and stroke. Finally, absorption of certain nutrients may decrease due to a loss of stomach acid. Clearly, your diet at 50 should look a bit different from the previous years. The goal of the “50 and over” diet is to maintain your weight, keep your heart healthy, and above all, stay strong! The following 5 tips may help you live your 50s fabulously.

1. Consider B12 Supplements
B12 is a vitamin needed to help support healthy nerve and blood cells. It is also needed to make DNA. B12 is bound to a protein in food and must be released from its protein host by pepsin during digestion in the stomach. As we age, however, our stomach acid decreases and makes it more difficult to absorb certain nutrients, including B12.

B12 is primarily found in fish and meat, and individuals that follow a strictly vegan diet are encouraged to take a supplemental form. Older adults are also at a greater risk for B12 deficiency. Although symptoms of a B12 deficiency may take years to develop (including abnormal neurological and psychiatric symptoms), that can be avoided by simply adding the vitamin in a supplemental form to your diet (either by pill or shot).

2. Really Cut Back on Salt
The older we get, the more likely we are to develop hypertension (high blood pressure) as our blood vessels become less elastic as we age. Having high blood pressure puts us at risk for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and early death. About 72% of salt in the American diet comes from processed foods. Now more than ever, you’ll need to significantly decrease and, ideally, forgo your consumption of processed foods (think chips, frozen dinners, canned soup, etc.). Aim for 1500 mg of sodium per day or less, which is about ½ teaspoon. In addition to this, you can start adding flavorful herbs in place of salt when you cook at home. They’ll provide some great anti-cancer benefits as well!

Ditching processed foods also means consuming more whole foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. This will help to increase your fiber consumption. Fiber helps you stay fuller longer, meaning you’ll eat less throughout the day and be more likely to maintain your weight (rather than increase it).

3. Check Your Multi-Vitamin for Iron – and Toss It If It Has It
The average woman experiences menopause around the age of 50. Due to the cessation of menstruation, the need for iron decreases after menopause to about 8 mg of iron a day. While the body can't live without iron, an overabundance can be dangerous as well. Iron toxicity can occur because the body doesn't have a natural way to excrete iron; too much can cause liver or heart damage and even death. Therefore, when it comes to supplements, post-menopausal women should only take iron supplements when prescribed by a physician. Check your vitamin today, and if it has iron in it, make sure to replace it soon.

4. Up Your Calcium and Vitamin D
Due to gastric acid and hormone changes, vitamin D levels and calcium absorption tank around age 40. Furthermore, evidence shows that post-menopausal women have an increased risk of osteoporosis due to their lack of estrogen. To make matters worse, after 50, the body will break down more bone than it will build. This subsequently puts women over 50 at risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures.

While it’s most ideal to consume adequate calcium before the age of 30, it’s never too late to add rich calcium sources in your diet, including sardines (here you can get a double dose of omega-3 through the fish and calcium through the bones), spinach, broccoli, kale, and low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt. In addition to this, your physician should test your vitamin D levels and provide additional supplementation as needed (vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium).

5. Make Your Plate a Mediterranean Delight
As we age, our blood vessels become less elastic and our total peripheral resistance increases. This puts women in menopause at an increased risk of heart disease. But there is a diet to help decrease our risk – and it’s delicious!

When researchers looked at the populations in the world that had the most centenarians (individuals over the age of 100), they noticed that these individuals shared a few common themes in their lives. The most prevalent commonality amongst these populations was their consumption of a Mediterranean diet.

A 2000 study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a diet that adheres to the principles of the traditional Mediterranean diet (which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, moderate wine consumption and olive oil) was associated with longer survival. Further, a 2004 study in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that a Mediterranean diet was associated with lower risks of cancer and heart disease. While a great stress reliever would be to take a Mediterranean cruise when you retire, adapting your diet to match those regional tastes is an even better idea!
By Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD

What are the symptoms of a Listeria infection?

2011-11-21T14:17:00.002+00:00

The symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu like illness; however, infection during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth. There is no routine screening test to find out if you are likely to contract Listeria infection during pregnancy, as there is for rubella and other congenital infections. If you have symptoms such as fever or stiff neck, consult your doctor. A blood or spinal fluid test (to cultivate the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.

During pregnancy, a blood test is the most reliable way to find out if you are infected.

Follow these four ayurvedic beauty secrets for at least three months and you will see signs of younger, radiant skin.

2011-11-21T14:16:00.000+00:00

Ayurveda for Fabulous Skin After 50

By Kulreet Chaudhary, M.D.

Who doesn’t want to look young and vibrant? The earliest signs of aging are typically in your skin. One of the easiest ways to shed 10 years from your appearance is by improving the quality of your skin. Ayurveda offers some of the most powerful tools for creating radiant skin and reversing the common signs of aging.

Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India and the oldest surviving healing system in the world (about 5,000 years old). “Ayu” means life and “veda” means knowledge, so ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda is based on 3 fundamental principles:

1. Food is medicine.
2. Disease can be prevented and eradicated through your daily habits.
3. Lifestyle recommendations are based on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional makeup, known as one’s dosha.

I want to share four of my favorite ayurvedic beauty secrets that I employ on a regular basis. They are simple, effective and inexpensive.

1. Sandalwood Facemask
A sandalwood facemask will give your face an instant lift, the natural way. Sandalwood detoxifies the skin by removing impurities directly as it dries on the skin. It also removes toxins by increasing circulation in the skin, leaving it glowing and feeling tighter. Sandalwood also has an alluring fragrance.

To make your own sandalwood facemask, use about 5 teaspoons of sandalwood powder and slowly mix in water until you have a thick paste. If you have a tendency toward acne or rashes, add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder. If you tend to have dry skin, you can add some castor or almond oil to the paste. You can apply the mask for 1 hour on a weekly basis for regular skin care or leave it on overnight every few months for a deep skin cleaning.

2. Daily Oil Massage (Abhyanga)
This daily oil massage has several benefits by reducing stress and removing the accumulation of toxins (digestive and environmental) from your skin. The accumulation of toxins causes premature aging. Doing this simple massage on a daily basis or a few times a week will markedly improve the texture and elasticity of your skin.

For the majority of people, the best oil to use is organic, cured sesame oil. But if you tend to produce a lot of body heat, get rashes easily, or are susceptible to inflammatory conditions, then organic coconut oil is a better choice. Coconut oil does not need to be cured for the massage.

The massage can take anywhere between 5 minutes and 30 minutes depending on the time you have available. Place ¼ cup of oil in a small plastic bottle. Heat up the oil by running it under hot water in the sink. Once the oil is warm, begin massaging your scalp and face. Afterwards, move to the arms – use long strokes on your long bones and circular strokes over your joints. Massage the chest and abdomen. Use clockwise, circular motions over the abdomen and heart. Next, reach around and rub oil up and down your back. Then, massage your hips and legs using the same long strokes on your long bones and circular strokes over your joints. Finally, massage your feet. Your feet and scalp are the two most important areas to massage to help reduce stress, so spend a little extra time on both of these areas.

To cure the sesame oil, simply place a drop of water in the oil. When the drop of water pops, it is cured and ready to use.

3. Nasya
Nasya is the administration of oil through the nostril. Nasya removes the toxins from the head resulting in more clarity of the mind, reduced stress and prevention of wrinkles in the face. It is regularly used in ayurveda to treat stress, headaches, anxiety, sleep disorders, sinusitis, colds, allergies and depression. It has gained popularity in America for its wrinkle-fighting abilities.

The two most common oils used for nasya are sesame oil and ghee (clarified butter). Apply a small amount in the nostrils and then breathe in while intermittently pinching the nose so that the oil goes up into the nasal passages. The ideal times for doing nasya are first thing in the morning and a few hours before bedtime.

4. Youthful Skin Tea
Premature aging of the skin can be caused by the accumulation of toxins in the body, which ultimately deposit in the skin. This is a result of undigested food that accumulates in the stomach overnight due to poor digestion or excessive stress. The key to maintaining a youthful complexion is the regular removal of these digestive impurities before they damage the DNA in the skin cells. There is a simple tea that removes digestive toxins. The recipe is below:

Boil 4-5 cups of water in the morning. Add the following ingredients to the water and continue to let it boil for about 5 minutes longer with the lid on.

½ teaspoon of whole cumin seeds
½ teaspoon of whole coriander seeds
½ teaspoon of whole fennel seeds

Strain out the seeds and pour the tea into a thermos. Drink small sips of the tea throughout the day. If the tea is too strong, reduce the amount of seeds to a quarter teaspoon for two weeks and then increase it back to a half teaspoon.

Follow these four ayurvedic beauty secrets for at least three months and you will see signs of younger, radiant skin.

5 Key Health Stats Every Guy Over 50 Should Know

2011-11-21T14:14:00.002+00:00

I know a lot of guys may not want to hear this, but men, in general, are less healthy than women by practically any measure. Life expectancy for men is currently about 75 years. For women: 80 years. About twice as many men as women die each year from heart attacks. And the rates of other major diseases such as stroke, diabetes and chronic lung disease are all higher for men.

Unfortunately, men themselves are part of the reason for this state of affairs. Not only do many men not take care of themselves the way they should, they don’t have the same attitudes about disease prevention that women tend to have. Consider this: Compared to women, men make half as many visits to their doctors for preventive care.

These differences become more acute as men pass the 50-year mark. This is the time, in other words, that men can really make a difference in their future health. The first step, of course, is to get yourself in for a check-up. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, a lot of guys take better care of their cars than they do their own bodies.

How come? First of all, many men are in denial about their prospects for becoming ill. For many men, getting sick or having a disease is viewed as a sign of weakness or failure. If you think like this, you don’t have much motivation to go to a doctor for an annual check up, or to have some seemingly minor bump, rash or pain properly evaluated. Easier to just suck it up and drive on, so to speak. But, with this attitude, health problems, such as cancer or heart disease can get steadily worse. By the time a man finally seeks help, the problem is much more difficult to treat.

If you’re a guy 50 years or older and haven’t seen a doctor for at least a year, make the appointment! Once you’re there, make sure you get 5 key tests:

Blood pressure
Cholesterol level
Blood sugar level
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Testosterone level

Your doctor is almost sure to check the first two, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, because these are key factors in heart disease, which is the leading killer of men. But doctors may not routinely do the others; in my opinion, they should for all guys 50 or older.

Men should have their blood sugar levels checked because diabetes – a disease of high blood sugar – can lead to all sorts of insidious health problems. Guys should know their PSA level because above-normal levels are a sign of some problem with the prostate – an infection, enlargement or cancer, all of which can be treated.

Testosterone rounds out the list because it’s central to a man’s sex drive, overall energy level, muscle strength and bone density. I want to spend a moment on this number because it’s only in recent years that we’ve learned how important this testosterone can be. Let’s start with the basics: testosterone peaks around age 20. After that, levels decline by about 1 percent a year. The decline is barely noticeable at first, but over the course of decades, it can add up, especially if a guy had relatively low levels of testosterone to begin with.

Below-normal testosterone levels affect at least 10 million men in the US alone. This can lead to decreased muscle mass and bone mineral density, decreased sex drive and energy, increased fat mass (especially belly fat) and depressed mood. It may also shorten your life.

The point is that even though testosterone levels do normally decline with age, they shouldn’t decline below what is considered the normal level. I don’t believe men should go through life with the disadvantage of having abnormal hormones. The situation is analogous to thyroid hormone levels. If I find that a patient has below-normal thyroid hormone levels, I prescribe a medication to bring them back to normal. Otherwise, the patient is at risk for a host of health problems. The same is true, I feel, for testosterone. This isn’t like hormone replacement therapy – it’s testosterone maintenance therapy, because we want to maintain the appropriate levels.

Fortunately, we have a variety of effective ways to raise testosterone levels safely to average levels (in the past, some treatments led to spikes in testosterone levels that were associated with undesirable side effects). The bottom line is that we have a treatment for one of the most common male problems, which can not only improve a guy’s sexual functioning but have other positive health benefits as well.

I’ll end with a note to any women who might be reading this: Most guys don’t know much about their own health, and, as I said earlier, many put off seeing a doctor. Women partners can play a key role in this situation. You can learn to recognize the symptoms of such things as prostate swelling and low testosterone. You can then explain to your partner that these are medical conditions affecting millions of other guys, and suggest that they see a doctor. By doing so, you may be making a real difference in your partner’s health and sexual functioning.
By Harry Fisch, MD

We have lost a total of more than 60 pounds between us

2011-11-21T14:12:00.000+00:00

Deborah Mattern from West Suffield, CT writes:

“My closest friend and I started a healthy lifestyle eight weeks ago. We both exercise daily and monitor everything that we put into our bodies. I started out at 200 pounds and I am 5'6”. My friend is 5'1” and she started out at 172 pounds. We have lost a total of more than 60 pounds between us, and we both have about 20 pounds left to go before we get to our goal. We are middle-aged and not only are we losing the weight and getting healthier, but we are strength-training and we are looking great. … Doing this on our own, with each other’s [help], has given us the motivation to keep it going. Middle-aged women can do it and it’s all about getting focused and knowing you have to do it for yourself. We look great now and we are only half-way there. Thank you for all of your inspirational shows. My husband and I watch the show every day. Thank you, Dr. Oz.”

top three [warning] signs’ list about postmenopausal women

2011-11-21T14:08:00.000+00:00

Janet Crouch from Wilsonville, OR writes:

“It was late last year [2010] when I was hanging out at my mom's house with my kids, and while using the bathroom, noticed that my mom had feminine pads on her bathroom counter. Knowing that my mom, Connie, now 58, was postmenopausal, I asked her what she had them for. She casually told me that she was having some vaginal spotting and needed them for that. I didn't think much of it. ... Well, a few days later, I … turned on The Dr. Oz Show. … And it was the most amazing timing. Dr. Oz was doing a ‘top three [warning] signs’ list about postmenopausal women. … One [of the warning signs] was about bleeding after menopause, and how you needed to see your doctor right away. Well, I, of course, shared that with my mom. … To make a long story short, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. The good news was that it had not spread and was completely removed with a full hysterectomy. My mom is cancer-free and doing fabulous all because of Dr. Oz's show. Of course, I do think there was a bit of divine intervention going on, but I just wanted to [give] my deepest thank you to Dr. Oz and the show for doing what you do every day!”

about women's heart attack symptoms

2011-11-21T14:06:00.000+00:00

Luanne Quie from Greenfield, MN writes:

“After watching the show … about women's heart attack symptoms, I realized the symptoms I was experiencing at the same time may [have been] heart attack symptoms. I was trying to explain it as being the flu and being out of shape. I went to see the doctor and he confirmed I was indeed having a heart attack. Two hours later, I was in the cath lab with a 99% blockage and received a heart stent. I was told later that I had the 'widow-maker heart attack.' I told all the doctors and staff that took care of me that I was there because of The Dr. Oz Show. Thank you for being a very large part of my being alive.”

Dr. Oz Success Stories : Fact: 32,000 people die from colon cancer every year because they were never screened.

2011-11-21T14:04:00.000+00:00

Dr. Oz Success Stories

The Dr. Oz Show has helped viewers just like you lose weight, discover the benefits of a healthier diet, and stop diseases before they strike. Here are just a few of the inspiring messages we’ve received.

Are you a Dr. Oz Success Story?

Click here to share your story!

Sha Hair from Arlington, TX writes:

“After Dr. Oz did his colonoscopy on the air, my husband decided to have one done. He is 57. We were so glad that he had the procedure done. He had 19 precancerous polyps. No symptoms, no problems. Needless to say, we are thrilled that the doctor was able to find them and remove them. … [Now] we are trying to eat better, lose weight and, of course, go in for his [follow-up] colonoscopies. Neither he nor I would ever have thought to have the procedure done without this show. Probably saved his life. Thanks, Dr. Oz!”

Fact: 32,000 people die from colon cancer every year because they were never screened.

Dr. Oz Success Stories

2011-11-21T14:02:00.000+00:00

Every day, DoctorOz.com gets hundreds of emails from viewers whose lives have changed for the better since watching the show. In many cases, the show has not only improved their lives, but saved them. We hope that the following Dr. Oz Success Stories inspire you to take charge of your health today.

Holly from Scottsdale, AZ writes:

“Dr. Oz saved my mom's life. My mother saw a show about abdominal ultrasounds for aneurysms, and, since her sister died of one, she decided to get one done. They discovered masses in her abdomen and started her on chemo almost immediately (they had to operate and do a biopsy first). She has finished her first round of chemo, had a PET scan, and they see no active tumors. God bless Dr. Oz!”

Nurses' Health Secrets

2011-11-21T14:01:00.000+00:00

Nurses' Health Secrets

Nurses are the backbone of the medical system. Not only are they on the frontlines of administering and evaluating your treatment, but they are essential to each and every process and procedure that occurs behind the scenes, whether it’s in a hospital or your primary-care provider’s office. Get the inside scoop on getting the best care possible with these tips.

Nurses can provide a wealth of information to patients and their families. Here, a panel of expert nurses give you insider information on receiving the best care from your doctor, getting the most out of every medical visit, and being and smart and effective patient.

“If you cannot afford to pay for your prescriptions, please tell someone (MD, RN or pharmacist). They will help explore your options – there are options.” - Marianne Spurgeon, RN

Importance of Choosing Halloween Costumes

2011-11-20T20:16:00.002+00:00

Halloween is the season where people like to dress up in different colors and costumes. This is time of the year where you get many thrilling ideas for Halloween clothing. Now almost all the adults celebrates Halloween holiday and brings out many variations in adult Halloween costumes.
These costumes helps adult to dress up in their favorite character. Now you have various different styles of outfits which can either give a sexy look or scary look. The look depends upon the outfit you choose for the Halloween night. Each year you will find new designs on Halloween costumes which is mainly for amusing or scaring your friends and partner.
Halloween clothing generally never go out of fashion and can be used every year by making some variation. Generally kids start planning for Halloween costumes before one month from Halloween night. They are really very excited because they get to dress up in their favorite character.
There are many varieties and options for kid Halloween costumes. Generally the costumes for kids are an inspiration from cartoons and movies. Halloween is the time for kids wear dress up and go asking for "treat or trick". So they either want to be prince charming from cartoons or pirate from the movies.
You can find these costumes now on online and save your time in finding these costumes from store to store in the market. Sometimes choosing kids Halloween clothing can be hectic because there are lots of options when it comes to kid costumes.
But now even adults look forward for celebrating Halloween by wearing adult Halloween clothing.
Well most of the adults prefer wearing spooky outfits for giving a scary look on Halloween night. But there are various choices for selecting costumes apart from horror costumes. Though there are various styles of costumes one of the famous costumes for women among them is the sexy Halloween costumes. Sexy adult Halloween clothing are worn by 50 % of adults because it gives new element and twist to the character.
These also add seductiveness to the character and are more popular than traditional costumes. Some costumes can change your personality and you will be someone else for the one night. These costumes also reflect the beauty and feminine side of women. Sexy Halloween costumes add spice in couple's life and they often enjoy wearing these costumes. Generally these costumes are worn by women but now even men prefer to wear these costumes for giving a sexy appearance.
Well apart from sexy costumes women and men have many choices for selecting Halloween clothing. They can dress up in either their childhood favorite character or can inspire from celebrities. You also need accessories and make up for enhancing costumes and yourself. There are many accessories like hats, shoes, wigs, mask etc which will help you in completing your Halloween costumes.

Steve Berman is an expert author, who is presently working on the site Halloween Costumes. He has written many articles in various topics. For more information about Michael Jackson Halloween costumes. Contact him at steveberman24@gmail.com

The Best Halloween Costume Ideas Ever!

2011-11-20T20:11:00.000+00:00

The best Halloween costume ideas ever are different to each person. That's because which Halloween costume you like best is a matter of personal taste. You may like the Gothic Vampire best, while I like the Fairy. There are some costume themes that are popular every year, and some styles come and go depending on the blockbuster movies or cartoon characters that happen to be popular right now. Let's take a look at some of the classic costume styles that are popular year after year.
Superhero and Villain Halloween Costume Ideas
Superheroes and their worst Villains are always a popular costume idea for Halloween parties and trick or treating. This year Batman is popular again, and so are some of his most famous villains...The Joker, The Scarecrow, Cat Woman and Poison Ivy. Logan, of the X-Men is also pretty hot this season...we know him as Wolverine. Transformers have been a popular kids costume theme for years, but thanks to the release of their new movie, Revenge of the Fallen, they are super hot this year. Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Megatron are the three most popular Autobot costumes for boys.
For girls and women there is Supergirl and Wonder Women to turn each of us into crime fighters with special powers that make us Super! Spider Girl costumes are also pretty popular with the ladies year after year. The really super thing about these superhero costumes is that they work for both male and female costume ideas. It's just fun to have these extra special powers and crime fighting abilities, even if it is only for one day. And it's fun to be one of those very bad guys...just for a day too.

Celebrity Halloween Costume Ideas
If your not going to be a Superhero, you might want to dress up like a Celebrity. A celebrity like Hannah Montana are all fun dress up costumes to wear. Movie and TV stars are as close as you can get to Superheroes without actually being one. For boys there are beloved characters like Ben 10 or Dan Kuso of Bakugan are a close relative to superheroes.
For teens and adults there are some real oldies, but goodies costume ideas out there. Be nostalgic and get dressed up as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis from any of his hit movies...or from his music. There's Michael Jackson costumes with his outfits from Thriller, Bad...and the beautiful sparkling Billie Jean outfit. For the ladies, how about that beautiful and funny lady from I Love Lucy...Lucille Ball, that famous comedian from old time TV.
Then there are some adult funny costumes based on characters like the Flintstones...yep, Fred and Wilma, Barney and Betty and even Bam Bam and Pebbles are popular adult and teen costumes.
Gothic Halloween Costume Ideas
Sometimes, it's the make up possibilities that attract us to a particular character we can dress up as. The Gothic theme is always a popular one, but this year the gothic costumes for teenagers and adults are really moving out of the stores quickly. The Renaissance goth costumes, and the cooler punkier ones, like the Gothic Fairy, the Corpse Bride and Groom or the Gothic Mummy are fun, not only to wear, but to get made up for. Very light foundation and very dark, smokey eyes are part of the gothic make up charm. Add some black nail polish, a little gray blush and some dark blood red lipstick and you've achieved the gothic Halloween look.
Sexy Halloween Costume Ideas
Of course, if you happen to be an adult, sexy is always a hit. You can take one of those Marilyn outfits or get a Greek Goddess Venus or Aphrodite. There's a really cute lady Cop uniform and some naughty, but nice Angel and Fairy costumes. For the men, there are the classics, the Vampire and the Roman Guard and of course, the Cop if you like a man in uniform.
Fantasy and Fairy Tale Halloween Costume Ideas
The Disney Princesses, Tinkerbell, Fairy and Mermaid costumes are always big crowd pleaser for the girls and the boys, well, they have Prince Caspian, a Knight, Peter Pan and the Dragon Slayer to choose from.
The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland open up lots of costume ideas too.
Easy Costumes For Halloween
Easy costumes are always big hits with all age groups. Togas, Scrubs or a White Lab Coat are very popular because of the ease of making them. You don't have to buy or sew to turn yourself into a Toga wearing Greek, or a Doctor or Nurse costume. Just get a sheet or a large rectangular piece of material to make your own toga or borrow some scrubs and a stethoscope from someone in the medical field.
What ever Halloween costume ideas you decide on, whether its a toga or Marilyn, or The Gothic Fairy for the ladies, and a Transformer or Indiana Jones costume for the guys, enjoy the chance to dress up and go out and have some fun.

Ms. Party Ideas is Jillian Gallo and she writes about fun party stuff! Right now all that fun party stuff is about Halloween. Find some scary food recipes and Halloween party supplies at http://www.partyideasparade.com/halloween-party-supplies.html
Then go and pick out costumes for everyone in the family...babies, kids, teen, adults...even the dog at http://www.partyideasparade.com/halloween-costumes.html Get party planning ideas, recipes and cupcake decorating ideas while your getting ready for some spooky fun on October 31st.

4 Best Halloween Costumes Themes to Dazzle Your Looks

2011-11-20T20:10:00.000+00:00

Halloween is back again! Are you ready to take to the floor with awe struck gazes? You can look dazzlingly bizarre, funny, scary, and sexy if you have decked yourself with the hottest and trendiest of Halloween costumes. Almost all of the online an offline stores are flooded with amazing Halloween costumes and accessories. What are you waiting for? Go and grab your pick and get ready for the grand celebrations. Are you waiting for some tips on Halloween costumes? Here you go! You can get your theme from some of the latest and popular Halloween costume ideas enlisted below:
Historical figure Halloween costumes: This is one of the popular themes. In every one of us there is a craze for some historical personality and we try to emulate ourselves into the figure so much so that at times we become oblivious to our present surrounding. Still, such desires of becoming a French revolutionist or some other historical figure gets restrained. Halloween is the right time to unleash that desire to put on the garb of Queen Elizabeth or the robe of Henry VIII of England.

Hip culture Halloween costumes: These Halloween costumes are taken right from movies of 70s, and 80s era, cartoons, Classic TV series, Charlie Chaplin comic flicks, pop and rock stars. Elvis Presley costumes had been a rage once. Similarly, in contemporary times Hanna Montana is the latest hip teen rage for Halloween costumes trend. Scooby Doo, Barbie, Cinderella, Genie, or space ghost characters costumes are too in for kids. Not to forget the latest movie character Jack Sparrow who has revolutionized the pirate figure and has become one of the most sought after in Halloween costumes.
Scary & bizarre Halloween costumes: Of course Halloween is meant to celebrate the peace for dead and bygone memories, why not dress up like a pumpkin with a candle in hand. You can also don a black robe with terrible looking mask that will scare the wits of a normal being and add eerie charm to the Halloween night. Get your self a pair of long vampire teeth stained with blood to add on to that devilish charm and a hooded robe just like Dracula. Lots more are available in the stock of Halloween costumes and accessories including witches robes, ghosts, airy spirits, ugly monsters, demonic eyes, wigs, long claws, studded rings and neck pieces.
Medieval romance Halloween costumes: Young couples and teenagers just love to dress up in Halloween costumes that are fashioned after the medieval period of knights, princesses, young damsels, fairies, jesters, elves, kings, queens and pages.
Just keep juggling various ideas and themes to come up with some unique Halloween costumes and become the center of attraction at this years Halloween party.

Now, you have decided on the theme of your Halloween costume this year, next on the ladder is to add accessories to lend your attire the perfect Halloween look. You can read several articles on the Halloween costumes accessories from our collection. Click here to guarantee your best Halloween costume of the season. [http://halloween-costumes.powerful-reviews.com]

Ideas For an Infant Halloween Costume

2011-11-20T20:09:00.000+00:00

Halloween is a great time to dress up and get going with the candy. Babies and infants are often dressed by their parents in adorable costumes and paraded up and down the neighborhood. An infant Halloween costume needs to be comfortable and safe for the infant. The comfort and safety of the infant is a priority because parents will not buy unsafe costume that may put their child in danger of choking, suffocating or any other danger.
Choosing An Infant Halloween Costume
Ideally, an infant Halloween costume must have no strings or ties that the child might be choked with or eat up and choke on. Remember that older infants can hold on to something and just put it in their mouths without any thought for the consequences. An infant Halloween costume needs to be comfortable in such a way that the infant is not restricted or else you will have a bawling child in your hands while trick or treating. The infant Halloween costume that you pick for your infant needs to be suited for the weather during the season. In most states of the United States of America, November is a cool or chilly month. Dress your child in an infant Halloween costume that can keep him or her warm and less susceptible to the autumn chill.
Costumes For Halloween Suited For Infants

Infants might also appreciate infant Halloween costumes that are less restrictive like those that rely most on accessories than clothing itself to express what they represent. Angel costumes with soft pliable wings that can bend when the infant lays on them are great as well as the devil costume that need only a soft fabric headband with fabric horns. For the angel costumes, you can dress your child in an all white ensemble while the devil costume will need a black or a red ensemble. The wings for the angle infant Halloween costume are essential, the same with the red fabric horns.
A flower costume can be brought to life with a green shirt and a large flower headband made of fabric. While a fairy costume needs only a shimmery short skirt with some soft fabric wings. Other ideas for great infant Halloween costumes include action heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman. If interested in superheroes as the infant Halloween costume for your child, you might like to choose those who have no masks because these can be cumbersome for your infant.
The comfort and safety of your child is the priority in choosing an infant Halloween costume. This is a necessity to a successful Halloween celebration or for a longer period of trick or treating.

Bob Taylor is a successful webmaster and publisher of HalloweenGos [http://www.halloweengos.com] He provides lots of handy advice and reviews about the festive holiday of Halloween, including some great ideas for an infant Halloween costume [http://www.halloweengos.com/baby-halloween-costume/infant-halloween-costume.php] on his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1249406

Halloween Costumes Aren't Complete Without Halloween Masks

2011-11-20T20:06:00.000+00:00

Halloween masks can be made from many different things - latex, foam rubber prosthetics, paper, plastic - and can represent whatever you want for your Halloween costumes - animals, clowns, characters, or anything else!
One of the biggest benefits to using Halloween masks as a part of your overall Halloween costumes is that you can hide your identity more effectively than with makeup or accessories. Though this may not be the point to your Halloween costumes, it is lots of fun to make someone guess who you are!
There are Halloween masks that provide different levels of coverage. Some Halloween costumes only need your mask to cover your eyes. Others just cover the top half of your face; some cover your whole face; some cover your entire head!

The more of your face you cover with your Halloween masks, the more difficult it will be to guess who you are. Of course, if your Halloween costumes only require half masks or smaller, you can always add makeup and prosthetics to create more mystery and authenticity to your look. Even if you do have Halloween masks that covers your whole face, makeup can still help with the realism of the look. Many people choose to better their Halloween costumes by matching their Halloween masks to some eye makeup, so that it gives the impression that your face is the same through the eye holes.
By combining Halloween masks with a bit of makeup, you are also providing yourself with a great look that is easy to use. You do not need great skill to apply a bit of colored makeup to your eye areas, and the mask just pops right on - you're ready to go.
Halloween masks are also a terrific last-minute solution if you don't know what to do for your Halloween costumes. Frequently, all you need is great Halloween masks, and an all-black outfit, and you're ready to go.
As you can see, Halloween masks are very versatile. They can compliment your current Halloween costumes, or they can be the focal point.
Just make sure that your Halloween masks are safe. Find ones that cover the eyes, but have eye holes big enough to see through. You'll want to make sure that they are secure. If you are finding that your Halloween masks are slipping a bit, then you might want to adjust it or add extra fastenings to hold it tight. This will help to prevent you from tripping or falling into a dip that you didn't see. Safety - especially in the case of children or if you're walking outside - is one of the main things to be considered when considering Halloween masks.
Once you've made your choice of Halloween masks, you're all set for believable, fun Halloween costumes.

It can be difficult to come up with an original idea for a Halloween costume every year. Bruce Brown from Dreamascream wants to make Halloween shopping fun and enjoyable. Each year Dream A Scream adds a whole new assortment of Halloween costumes, masks, accessories and decorations for the entire family. Kids costumes - characters from your favorite movies.
This year Spiderman costumes, Harry Potter costumes, Shrek costumes and even The Simpsons Halloween masks are all the rage. Read the writings of Bruce Brown and get as excited as he is about Halloween each and every year.

Cool Halloween Costumes For 2011

2011-11-20T20:04:00.002+00:00

The Best Halloween Costumes for 2011 predictions
Wahhaaaaa!!!! The Phantom here. So, you want to know what is going to be the best and coolest Halloween costume?
Coming in at
10. Transformers Costumes
First up on the list are Transformers costumes. On the back of the successful Transformers movies franchise are the Transformers costumes. Boys (small and big, as in grown-up!) will love these, and if you're really handy with a pair of scissors and have some paint and lots of cardboard boxes, you might be able to knock up a homemade costume.
9. Disney Costumes
Always popular, and a classic in their own right are Disney costumes. And each year the Walt Disney Corporation are kind enough to provide new characters for us to use as inspiration. Big this year I predict are Rapunzel (from Tangled) for the girls, and the Toy Story characters for the boys.

8. Katy Perry Costumes
Katy Perry will prove to be very popular this year. She's been in the media a lot during the last 12 months with her marriage to Russell Brand, and her winning loads of awards. The only problem is that there are very few with the figure to carry off her costumes (but men, if you are looking for a funny Halloween costume, a Katy Perry outfit is surely one you have to consider!).
7. Star Wars Costumes
The Star Wars Halloween Costume is entering the classic category (a bit like the films themselves) and offer so many alternatives for the whole family, from a baby R2D2, to the children dressed as ewoks, Mom as Princess Leia and Dad as Han Solo (or maybe a wookie?). For groups of friends there are so many additional characters, have someone dress as Darth Vader, and you could have as many stormtroppers as there are people available. Great theme for a Halloween party too.
6. Lady Gaga Costumes
With her outrageous costumes it's not suprising that she's inspiration for people trying to come up with a bang up to date idea for Halloween. There are loads of Lady Gaga Halloween costumes available to buy, but the most searched on one is not available anywhere...the Lady Gaga meat costume! Although you aren't able to buy a pre-made one, and I wouldn't suggest trying to make one out of your next barbeque fodder...you can make quite a good home-made one with some red fabric cut into strips and white paint.
5. Pirate Costumes
Coming in suprizingly high this year, though probably boosted by the success of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films are pirate costumes. Again, there's something for everyone in this category, with both male and female costumes looking popular, and what better way to go trick or treating that with the threat of making people walk the plank?
4. Fairy Costumes
A Halloween costume list wouldn't be complete without the classic fairy costume. Little girls probably already have a mountain of these in their dress up boxes, and you can always use them for birthday parties for the year to come. For ladies, you can go from demure to sexy within the Fairy category, so there's something for everyone.
3. Funny Costumes
Always a favorite, especially with men are the funny costumes. Take your pick from whoopee cushions, chick magnets, bananas, beer kegs (a good double up if you're celebrating Oktoberfest) and many more. A funny costume is a good category if you're thinking of making your own costume rather than buying....the limit really is just your imagination.
2. Witch Costumes
Almost at the top are witch costumes. Popular with girls and women alike, and possibly aided to this lofty position by the success of the musical 'Wicked' (based on the book 'Wizard of Oz' by Frank Baum).
There is also a huge selection of Witch Costumes, from cutesy ones for small girls, right through to sexy costumes for women, and the ogre-ish costumes that can be worn by women or even men! There's also the advantage that because they fall into the 'Classic Halloween Costume' category, you could use it year after year, and maybe just update it with some Halloween accessories.
And the top halloween costume for 2011???
The prize goes to...
1. Smurf Costumes
The fab thing about Smurf costumes is that there is a suitable costume for every member of the family, even the family pet so everyone can join in the fun (I mean, what could be better than trick or treating with your dog dressed up as Clumsy Smurf?!).
Well, there's the round-up for 2011...check back after Halloween and see how close I was, and look forward to what is going to be hot for Halloween 2012.

Where can I goto find the best Halloween costume?
For costumes, party supplies, halloween party themes and decorations go to http://www.halloween-costume-sale.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6614821