Alternative Medicine Review

Benefits of Animal Chiropractic Care

2013-04-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

It takes a spine to benefit from chiropractic care
Animal chiropractors say their drugless, non-surgical adjustments are cheaper than vet care
By Sue Manning, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Thirty years ago, Dr. Gene Giggleman was a veterinarian who thought chiropractors were quacks. Since then, he says he's straightened out thousands of dogs and cats, not to mention the occasional snake, hamster, gerbil and guinea pig.

"And I know people who have adjusted pigs, goats and rodeo bulls," said Giggleman, a professor at Parker University in Dallas, which specializes in chiropractic care.

In Southern California, Dr. Rod Block has tended to an elephant, a paralyzed iguana, a turkey, pigs, llamas and countless dogs and horses.

"You have to be very much in tune with the being of the animal you are working with," said Block, who limits his work these days to house calls throughout Southern California, where he works with several veterinarians.

"A chiropractor promotes the flow of energy within the body. Anywhere there is an obstruction or blockage of energy due to subluxation or a dysfunctional group of muscles, what the chiropractor does is normalize that function," Block said.

Giggleman spends most of his time teaching but still sees patients one day a week. Ninety percent of his patients need chiropractic care and 10 percent need traditional care, he said.

"I'm not an extremist either way. I am for whatever fixes your dog," he said.

The vets say any human or animal with a spine-related problem can benefit from an "adjustment."

Unlike Giggleman, who started as a veterinarian, Block spent 30 years as a human chiropractor before he switched gears 20 years ago and became certified by the Bluejacket, Okla.-based American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Classes take about a year of extra study, Block said.

The AVCA has certified over 1,000 veterinarians or chiropractors since 1989, said Leslie Means executive director of the group. There are 560 active members today and they have to be recertified every three years.

However, the certificates are not licenses to practice medicine. In states like Nevada and Oklahoma, getting a certificate is the only way you can set up shop. But states like California and Texas require those with certificates to work under the supervision of a veterinarian.

As a result, in many states, veterinarians and animal chiropractors work out of the same offices. They can make referrals to one another and even merge their telephone and online listings.

"We are more concerned about the quality than the quantity of life," Block said. One of his patients is a 38-year-old horse, owned by a veterinary professor. "He's not rideable, but he's mobile. He's off steroids and free to roam around and enjoy the remainder of his life relatively pain-free," Block said.

The horse doesn't get top billing in his new book though. "Like Chiropractic for Elephants" describes how he treated a gimpy elephant at a private sanctuary, how her herd accepted him and how she used body language to help him find her pain.

Through the book, Block said he hopes "to demystify chiropractic. People think that it's dangerous and that it's quackery. I really want to illuminate the differences between what allopathic (mainstream) veterinary medical care does and what chiropractic does and how the two integrate well even though they are at opposite ends of the pole.

"Above all, I want people to become more aware of the relationships they have with their animals, which I think is evolving," he said.

The story of Giggleman's first chiropractic success is included in "Chicken Soup for the Chiropractic Soul."

Sparky, a cocker spaniel, appeared to be having seizures, was on three drugs from three different vets and was going to be euthanized if Giggleman couldn't help him.

"I examined the dog. Although I was a fledgling, I could tell the dog's neck was out of whack or subluxated," he said. "When I reached down and petted the dog, it hurt him so bad, he flipped over and started shaking."

Giggleman adjusted Sparky and the dog lived another six years without seizures, he said.

On the spot, that made a convert out of Giggleman. He went on to co-found the Parker University animal chiropractic program.

"Chiropractic care is a drugless, non-surgical approach to treating animals," Giggleman said. And, he added, much cheaper than traditional medicine with its surgeries and drugs.

Leslie Means, the AVCA director, had a show dog, an 85-pound Siberian husky who was trained in hand signals. "She misread a signal and jumped off the front porch. There was a 10-foot drop," she said. X-rays were negative for broken bones but the dog cried constantly.

After seeing six vets and finding no relief for the dog, Means found the nearest animal chiropractor and made an appointment.

Means drove eight hours to get there, but after the appointment, the dog walked out of the office and jumped into the back seat of the car without so much as a whimper.

When Giggleman started teaching a course on how to adjust animals over a decade ago, the bulk of his students were chiropractors. "Now, for the first time, we are seeing more veterinarians than chiropractors," he said.

"There is no cure-all discipline," he said. "Chiropractic is complimentary care. There are times when pets need surgery."

Animals often get more out of chiropractic care than humans, he said.

"Animals don't lie. They are either better or not. They are very demonstrative with their adjustments. They don't have all the mental trash we deal with on a daily basis. They hold their adjustments better because they don't have all the stress we have."

Pet owners know when their animals need an adjustment, Giggleman said. "If you pay attention, you can tell something is wrong. There is a slang term we use in Texas — somebody will come in and say, 'He's ADR.' That means, 'Ain't doin' right, Doc,'" he said.

Giggleman teaches full-time and is semi-retired after 31 years of practice, but he sees patients one afternoon a week.

About once a month, a pet owner will come in and tell him: "If you can't do anything, I will have to put my pet to sleep."

He said he's able to save 80 percent of those animals. For the others "we get the animals out of some of the pain they are in and help the owners work through the whole issue as they prepare to part with their beloved pets."

There is a double blessing for those he saves, Giggleman said, "because not only are you making the pet better, but saving a life."

Natural Remedies for Headaches

2013-04-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Author: Maria Kuzmiak, Wellness Writer
Article courtesy of Native Remedies

Headaches are one of the most common complaints presented to doctors. Headaches, of which there are several types, can be caused by anything from stress and eyestrain to sinus infections and problems with blood vessels. No matter what kind of headache you experience, if it is a chronic problem, your quality of life is probably suffering needlessly. The good news is that several natural remedies offer very effective headache relief.

If you suffer mostly from tension headaches, the best remedies are those that promote muscle relaxation, while migraine sufferers may do better with remedies that have anti-inflammatory properties. Other underlying causes of headaches, such as infections or dehydration, can also be treated naturally. Here are six effective ways to reduce headache pain without drugs:

Magnesium

Magnesium, an essential mineral that acts as a muscle relaxer, may be deficient in chronic headache sufferers, particularly those who typically get migraines. Taking a magnesium supplement or eating more magnesium-rich foods may help to reduce the occurrence of these headaches. Nuts and seeds, particularly pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sunflowers seeds, Brazil nuts and almonds, are rich sources of magnesium. Other sources include cocoa powder and dark chocolate.

Proper Diet

Since headaches can be caused by food allergies and sensitivities, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your diet to see if your headaches are triggered by the foods you eat. Some of the more common headache-causing foods are caffeinated beverages, certain cheeses, food additives, alcohol and very cold foods like ice cream.

Essential Oils

Applying essential oils to the forehead or neck can help alleviate headaches. Peppermint and lavender oils, for example, are said to be effective in reducing headache pain. Oils like lemon balm and rose have a calming effect that can also help if you are prone to stress-related tension headaches.

Water

Many headaches are actually caused by dehydration. Drinking a large glass of water every few hours can help to prevent headaches and even alleviate them if you drink the water as soon as you feel a headache coming on.

White Willow Bark

White willow bark is an herbal remedy whose active ingredient, salicin, is related to the active ingredient in aspirin. In fact, willow bark is often called “natural aspirin”. Aspirin is salicylic acid, a synthetic form of salicin. Unlike aspirin, however, white willow bark will not upset the stomach.

Feverfew

An aromatic herb native to southeastern Europe, feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful as a remedy for migraine sufferers. The herb has been used to treat headaches for nearly two thousand years. A study in England showed that people who took feverfew for four months had fewer and less severe migraines than those who did not take it.

If you’re not sure what kind of headaches you suffer from, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and get a full evaluation. Once you know more about the type and cause of your headaches, you will be able to choose the best approach to treating and preventing them.

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Natural Remedies for Dry Skin

2013-04-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

Author: Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG
Article courtesy of Native Remedies

Our skin is our largest organ. It provides our first line of defense from toxins, injury, and solar radiation. It also provides a barrier to infection. The skin is not a solid barrier, but a permeable one. What we put on our skin is as important as the food we eat. The products that we use on our skin need to nourish the skin’s layers in order to keep this valuable organ in tip top condition. Healthy, glowing skin can make a person look young and vibrant.

Many people suffer from dry skin. Dry skin is fragile and is prone to wrinkling. It may also be itchy and tight feeling.

Here are seven tips and ingredients that prevent and heal dry skin.

Drink lots of water. Skin needs hydration to plump up cells and look vibrant. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks are dehydrating so avoid or minimize your consumption of them.

Protect your skin from the elements. Use a broad spectrum sun block. Exposure to the radiation of the sun dries skin out quickly. Remember that wind and cold air also dry the skin. Keep your skin covered if the weather is harsh.

Consume foods that are rich in omega -3 and omega- 7 fatty acids. Nuts, whole grains, flax seed, and vegetable oils are excellent sources of omega rich nutrients. They are needed for skin repair and promote a smooth, supple complexion. Consider using an internal supplement such as flax, borage, evening primrose or sea buck thorn oil for additional benefits.

Use skin care products that contain antioxidants. They prevent skin damage from the elements and aging. Green tea, resveratrol, and red tea are natural ingredients that are rich in antioxidants.

Be sure that your skin care products contain natural, nourishing oils. Apricot kernel oil is luxurious and rich in vitamins A and B. It is great for people with sensitive, dry skin. Jojoba oil is actually a wax. Jojoba is a fine ingredient as it absorbs easily and benefits mature skin. An outstanding oil for dry skin is squalene oil, which is found naturally in human skin. The squalene used in cosmetics is derived from olive oil. Squalene provides a moisture barrier for skin to help retain moisture.

Give yourself an avocado facial as a special skin treat. Simply mash a peeled, seeded avocado and apply to freshly washed skin. Lie down, with your feet up, and eyes closed for at least twenty minutes. Rinse off and moisturize with your usual moisturizing product.

If your environment is dry, try misting your skin with rose water. It feels refreshing and provides moisture. Rose water balances pH which helps prevent skin injury and further dryness.

The above remedies will make your skin moist and radiant. Using ingredients that are nourishing to your skin will make you look and feel vibrant and youthful.

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Five Tips to Avoid Leg Cramps During Yoga

2013-04-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Author: Bethany Pinto, Certified Yoga Instructor, RYT 200®
Article courtesy of Native Remedies

Practicing yoga on a daily basis can be very beneficial to your overall health and well-being. Studies show a link between regular yoga practice and a significantly lowered risk of heart disease and diabetes. Many people in the West have adopted yoga as a way to construct long, lean muscles because the asanas (poses performed during practice) require you to hold your body in position for several breaths, creating an isometric contraction for some muscles while stretching and lengthening others.

If you've ever gone to a yoga class at a gym or studio and found yourself sitting out halfway through because you've developed a leg or arm cramp from holding a pose for so long, you are not alone. This happens to both newbies and experienced yogis alike. If you take a class that is not suited toward your experience level or is a style that does not fit your needs, or if you let your ego bully your body (i.e. you push yourself), you may be setting yourself up for pain or injury.

Here are 5 tips to avoid muscle cramps in your practice:

1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your practice. It's very important to be well hydrated since our bodies are comprised of at least 60% water. Our muscles alone are made up of 75% water. In yoga, you are placing your spine and limbs in positions that were designed thousands of years ago by yogis to help naturally rid the body of toxins. By keeping the water supply plentiful, you'll allow the muscles to remain supple as well as help flush out the toxins that are released during practice.

2. Warm up first! Whether you are practicing at home or taking a class, begin with some poses that will create warmth (i.e., get the blood moving) in the large muscles of your body.

While standing in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), inhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and up above your head, then exhale them back down. Repeat this exercise 2 or 3 times, moving with your breath.

Take a wide step to the side so your legs are more than hip width apart, place your hands on your hips and inhale, lifting your chest up as you bend your back slightly. Then, exhale hinging at your hips with your legs straight as you lower your chest toward the floor. Breathe for a couple of breaths, then bend your knees as you exhale into a squat, inhale and straighten them again. Repeat the squats for 2 or 3 more breaths. Straighten your legs and flatten your back, inhale and raise your torso back up to standing.

These are just two suggestions for warm ups before your practice. You can also do a series of poses called Sun Salutations that are an excellent way to prepare your muscles for a safe, cramp-free practice.

3. Listen to your body. Yes, it is beneficial to hold poses for several breaths (sometimes as long as 5 minutes). But remember, this is like holding a barbell up for an extended period of time instead of just doing a set of curls. There is definitely a chance of cramping here. While it is good to breathe and challenge yourself to stay in the moment, if you need to come out of a pose, certainly do so! If you do feel a cramp, stop and relax the muscle and breathe deeply, gently rubbing the spot until it subsides.

4. Increase your intake of electrolytes. A deficiency of such minerals as potassium and magnesium significantly contributes to muscle cramping and spasms. When taken on a consistent basis (rather than as a drug you'd take for immediate results), these nutritional supplements may help prevent their occurrence. Magnesium is often used in recovery after strength training. It is very important for skeletal muscle health, and not getting enough can lead to severe muscle spasms and tension. Good food sources of magnesium are black beans, raw broccoli, halibut, pumpkin seeds and cooked spinach. Also consider drinking a low sugar sports drink or coconut water before, during and after your practice to replenish this and other important electrolytes like sodium and potassium.

5. If you were not able to avoid a muscle cramp, there are some natural herbs you can take that are known to relax muscles and may relieve the pain. The root of the cramp bark plant has powerful muscle relaxant effects, and in large doses (30-60 drops every 2 or 3 hours) can ease acute muscle pain or spasms due to a cramp. Be careful not to take it with aspirin or to exceed the recommended dosage, as side effects such as mild nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may occur. Cramp bark is also known to ease menstrual cramps.

Kava kava is another very good muscle relaxant. It is extracted from a root found in the islands of the South Pacific and it is traditionally used as a ceremonial drink in that region. Kava is an effective herbal muscle relaxant and anesthetic. It can be chewed or taken in drop or pill form. It is used most often as a treatment for anxiety.

If you take the precautions outlined here, you are sure to enjoy a safe and rewarding yoga practice that will allow you to return to the mat each day cramp-free.

Herbal Remedies Symptoms Treatments

2013-04-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

Safe natural remedies for a variety of health conditions with a wide selection of
- Homeopathic remedies treat the acute symptoms of a condition and stimulate the body to begin the healing process.
- Herbal remedies work on the cause of the problem by improving systemic functioning and supporting the organ, body system or individual as a whole.
- Tissue salts, which are also homeopathic, bring about harmony in the body as a whole by restoring balance.
- Flower essences address both emotional and mental aspects of wellness and work to re-balance energy to return order to chaos.

Are Natural Remedies Safe for Children?

2012-10-17T17:33:00.001-07:00

Are Natural Remedies Safe for Children?
From Health Articles Unlimited

Are you a parent? If you are, there may come a point in time where your child may be faced with a minor medical issue. This minor medical issue can include something such as head lice, the chicken pox, a severe headache, or a toothache. While many parents wouldn’t think twice about taking their child to a professional in the medical field, you may want to do so. Did you know that there are a large number of natural remedies for children that can be used to treat a wide range of minor medical problems, such as headaches, toothaches, head lice, or the chicken pox?

As nice as it is to hear that there are a number of natural remedies that may be perfect for children suffering from minor medical problems, many parents are still unsure. After all, parents want what is best for their children. That is why many parents, especially those who are unfamiliar with home remedies and natural remedies, are a little bit leery. Of course, natural remedies have their advantages and disadvantages, but so does just about everything else in the world. With that being said, you may still be wondering if natural remedies are right for your child. To help you come up with the conclusive answer that is best for your own family, please continue reading on.

As previously stated, natural remedies have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. For the advantages, you will find that there are a large number of them. For example, natural remedies are safe. In fact, they are much safer than most over-the-counter products, as these products are often stocked full of chemicals that many of us cannot even pronounce.

The ease of use and implementation is another advantage or plus side to using natural remedies as a way to treat minor medical problems in a child. One of the reasons why natural remedies for children are also commonly referred to as homeopathic remedies is because the ingredients can be found outdoors in gardens. This makes treating a child with home remedies easy and convenient. It is also important to mention the saved time and money. Home remedies eliminate travel and costly trips to the doctor’s office or drug store.

Although most home and natural remedies are regarded as being safe, there are still a number of steps that you will want to take when using a home remedy on your child. For starters, be sure to follow all directions. Next, never give your child a home remedy that has an ingredient that they may be allergic to or have a reaction with, such as dairy foods. It is also important to discuss the process with your child. For example, if you are using mayonnaise to kill head lice, be sure to tell your child not to touch the mayonnaise, let alone eat it. Generally speaking, using your best judgment as a parent is one of the easiest ways for you and your child to see success with a home remedy.

If you are interested in examining what all of your options are, in terms of natural remedies, you can perform a standard internet search online. When doing so, it may be best to search for the specific home remedy that you are looking for. For example, if you are interested in getting rid of your child’s head lice, search with the phrase “natural head lice remedy.” In addition to using the internet to your advantage, you can also purchase your own printed natural remedy manual, many of which are available for sale both on and offline.

As you can see, there are number of advantages to using natural remedies for children as a way to treat your child when they are dealing with a minor medical problem, such as head lice, the chicken pox, a headache, or a toothache. Whether your family is uninsured or if your child just has a fear of the doctors office, consider giving a natural remedy a try first. Both you and your child may be pleased with the results.

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Tips for Using Natural Remedies

2012-10-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Tips for Using Natural Remedies
From Health Articles Unlimited

Are you interested in using a natural remedy to seek relief from a minor medical problem, such as a headache, migraine, or a toothache? If you are, you are not alone. A large number of individuals use natural remedies or natural herbal remedies, also commonly referred to as home remedies. With that being said, if this is the first time that you will be trying a natural remedy, you may be looking for some guidance. If that is the case, please continue reading on, as a few helpful and important natural remedy tips are touched on below.

Although natural remedies do work in most cases, it is important to know that you may see a variance. For example, there are some individuals who claim that drinking grape juice, namely the juice directly from ripe grapes, is a great way to relieve the pain associated with a headache or a migraine. Yes, this approach may work for others, but that does not necessarily mean that that same natural remedy will work for you. The good news though is that there are multiple home remedies for different medical problems. For example, a fresh apple each morning, a cabbage compress, and a cold compress are other natural ways that can provide relief from a headache or a migraine. This means that even if you can’t find relief right away, there should be another remedy out there that can provide you with relief.

Since there should be a number of natural remedies for you to choose from, you will want to examine each of the available remedies. What you will then want to do to is choose the remedy that is most convenient for you. For example, natural remedies that are effective at removing warts include castor oil, ripe pineapples, onions, and potatoes. What you will want to do is choose the item that you already have in your home. For example, if you have a bag of potatoes in your cupboard slice up a potato and rub it on your wart. Doing so each night for a couple of weeks will help to remove your wart. This method will also prevent you from having to make a trip to the grocery store, as you chose a natural remedy that involved an item in which you already had in your home.

Safety should also be touched on when looking to use a natural remedy to cure a minor medical issue, such as a headache, migraine, or a toothache. If you rely on herbal remedies or vitamins to provide you with relief are you also taking prescribed medication? If so, you may want to place a quick telephone call to your doctor or pharmacist. Most times, you will be okay, but there are a small number of prescribed medications that should not be taken with herbal supplements or vitamins. Even though the chance of a dangerous combination happening is very small, there is still no harm in checking first.

In keeping with safety, it is important to know what you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to an ingredient that may be listed in a natural remedy, you are advised against using that remedy. Even if the ingredient that you may have a bad reaction to is only a small component, it is still best if you avoid that particular remedy. With that being said, it was stated above how most minor medical issues can be treated with a number of different natural remedies. That is why you should never put yourself at risk for an allergic reaction, especially when you should have a number of other natural and safe remedies to choose from.

Last, natural remedies and natural herbal remedies are a safe and effective way to seek relief or treat a large number of minor medical issues, but you are still advised to proceed with caution. Seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you take prescribed medication and never use a natural remedy that contains an ingredient which you are allergic to or known to have a reaction with.

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Natural Remedies for Hangovers

2012-10-17T17:18:00.001-07:00

Natural Remedies for Hangovers
From Health Articles Unlimited

So, you had a fun night out on the town last night with your romantic partner or a few close friends. Although you may have had a great time the night before, you may be feeling a little bit “weird,” the next day, especially if you consumed alcohol. If alcohol was consumed, you may be experiencing the ever so dreaded hangover.

Anyone who has every experienced a hangover before knows the feeling of just wanting it all to go away. Unfortunately, many individuals believe that there is no “cure,” for a hangover. Although cure may not be the best word used to describe seeking treatment, there are a number of natural remedies for hangovers which many claim do provide hangover relief. You are looking to relieve yourself from a hangover, please continue reading on as a few of these natural remedies, as well as tips for your next alcohol drinking outing are highlighted below.

Water is a natural remedy for hangovers. Before heading to sleep, after a night of drinking, drinking a lot of water can assist with your hangover the next morning. Alcohol, especially when consumed in large amounts, can impact a body’s hydration, which can result in unpleasant feelings the next morning. That is why a glass or two of water before bed is a great idea. The next morning, as soon as you wake, start drinking even more water. In addition to helping to treat a hangover, drinking water before you starting consuming alcohol also has a number of benefits.

Eating can also help with a hangover from too much alcohol consumption. Eating should be done before, during, and after alcohol consumption. Most importantly, it is important not to consume large amounts of alcohol on an empty stomach. This increase a drinker’s likelihood of becoming intoxicated or drunk, and it also increases the chances of a hangover the next morning. Eating before, during, or after alcohol consumption can slow down the rate in which alcohol is absorbed into the body and bloodstream.

As for vitamins, which many individuals turn to when looking for a natural remedy, vitamin C and B is recommended for hangover relief. It has been claimed that vitamin B helps to shorten the length of a hangover. As for vitamin C, it can help to breakdown the alcohol in your body, also assisting with a hangover, namely by preventing one, shortening its length, or reducing symptoms.

When it comes to a headache associated with a hangover, there are many individuals who take pain relievers. Of course, this approach will work for many, but it is not natural. If you are concerned with that you are putting in your body, you may be looking for a more natural way to relieve the headaches often associated with hangovers. A natural way to relieve a headache associated with a hangover is to place a cold pack on the head; however, a ziplock bag filled with ice will also do. Depending on the activities that you have planned for the day, consider getting extra rest, preferably with an ice pack on your head or neck.

An extra tip to help reduce the likelihood of a hangover involves limiting alcohol consumption. Many professionals recommend pacing yourself with one alcoholic drink an hour, as anything else increases the chances of a hangover. As previously stated, eating before, during, and after alcohol consumption can help with hangovers, as you aren’t drinking on an empty stomach. Eating, even just snacking, while drinking will reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, as you are doing something other than just drinking. Also, some mixed drinks, especially those that are tasty, fruity, or sugary, should be avoided, as it is hard for some drinkers to gauge the amount of alcohol they are actually consuming.

The above mentioned natural remedies are just a few of the many that you can use to relieve the symptoms of a hangover. Also, the tips mentioned above can also reduce your chances of having a hangover following the consumption of alcohol.

natural remedies for hangovers

Common Cold Children Natural Remedies

2012-10-15T12:08:00.002-07:00

Common Cold Children Natural Remedies
From Health Articles Unlimited

Common Cold is caused because of upper respiratory system infection due to cold virus. This infection affects parts such as ears, nose and throat. Common cold children natural remedies may help relieve symptoms.

There are about two hundred known viruses which are responsible for common cold, out of which rhinovirus is the most common. Because of this great number of viruses, there isn’t any shot or vaccination available which helps in preventing cold. The best solution to the cold is human body immune system. Majority of a child’s visit to the doctor will be because of cold. According to an estimate, a child catches cold nearly eight times in a year and each time it last up to a week or so.

Diagnosing a Cold

The first cold symptoms normally manifest themselves as feeling tired, sneezing, coughing and having a runny nose. A fever is not often present and if it is, it usually remains a low fever of just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual.

While colds and flu can cause many of the same symptoms and are often confused, a cold is generally milder, while flu symptoms tends to be more severe and longer lasting. Nevertheless, both illnesses can cause children and adults alike to become miserable and grouchy.

Cold viruses usually spread by sneeze or cough from the infected person. The wet and slimy substance inside the nose, called mucus, is the carrier of the virus. When a person cough or sneeze, the mucus drops come out of the mouth and when other persons breaths in these droplets they catch cold. Cold can also spread by handling of contaminated stuffs like towel, door knobs, school desk, etc. If a person touches a contaminated towel and then touches his nose or eyes, there is a great chance of getting an infection. Therefore, it is a good habit to wash the hands regularly and keep them germ-free.

The cold viruses have docking points which helps it to stick to the interior of the nose. It then controls the nose’s cell lining and begins to multiply into more viruses. White cells are responsible to fight these viruses inside the nose. They even kill them and finally get victory after seven days. Sneeze and runny nose actually prevent the viruses to affect the rest of the body parts. A person sneezes when the nerves inside the nose detect irritation and take the help of the lungs to push them out by letting out a blast of air through the mouth and the nose. The air, while sneezing, comes out at the speed of hundred miles per hour faster than cars on the road.

Once the child contracts cold viruses, they take two to three days to develop and show symptoms. There are many symptoms of cold. The child becomes cranky. He will complain of headache, blocked nose, cough, sneeze, sore throat, muscle ache, nasal cavity congestion and will become exhausted. Low fever can also accompany, along with body chills. Medicines do not speed up the process of healing as the viruses complete their cycle irrespective of the intake. But they do suppress further growth and make the child feel better.

Children shouldn’t take any medicines on their own, thinking that it’s just a cold. Parents should supervise the dosage and medicine being taken. And in turn, the parents should follow a doctor’s prescription. Decongestants help to decrease the wise of the swollen nose lining, which makes breathing easier. Antihistamines help to dry the mucus and stops sneezes and runny noses. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be given if the child is experiencing headache and muscle ache.

At home, parents should give hot food and drink to the child as they help to soothe soar throats and coughs. The heat also clears up the mucus. Chicken soup is an age old remedy for common cold. Steamy showers are another good option as they help with stuffy nose. Itchy eyes, scratchy throat and stuffy throats can also be treated with humidifiers which spray cool and fine mist. They also loosen the mucus. The nose should be blown regularly to let the mucus out of the body. It is a good idea to use disposable tissues instead of regular handkerchiefs. Complete bed rest for a day or two is greatly suggested.

The best precaution that can be taken is eating healthy food and balanced diet so as to strengthen the immune system. The child must exercise regularly in order to stay fir and sleep adequately. Children who are stressed out more frequently are more prone to have cold. Therefore, it is good if the kid takes extra rest and goes to bed early on some days. And when the child is suffering from cold, he should relax and take bed rest as much as possible.

Common cold children natural remedies

Acupuncture Can Help You Quit Smoking

2012-10-15T10:30:00.001-07:00

Acupuncture Can Help You Quit Smoking
From Health Articles Unlimited

Smoking is one hard habit to break. If nicotine patches and gum doesn’t work, you can try natural remedies to quit smoking or an alternative healthcare acupuncture.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice involving the use of needles. This instrument is inserted into the skin to allow you energy or Qi to start flowing freely around your body and thus help you quit smoking.

When you go find acupuncturist for the first time and tell him or her that you want to quit smoking, after answering some questions, the specialist will carry out an examination of your ears and search for areas where the energy is low.

Once these spots are identified, these sharp needles are then inserted. Usually 5 needles are placed in various acupoints.

The treatment is finished after an hour and when the needles are removed, you are advised to wear ear magnets so your session continues even when you leave the clinic. While acupuncture itself is a painless procedure, some smokers have claimed that they felt a prick or get sleepy.

Most smokers will have to come to the clinic 4 to 6 times before seeing any significant results. Just to give you an idea, one study shows that the respondents reported a decrease in the number of cravings to smoke just after one or two sessions. Seven out of 10 of the respondents were able to kick the habit after 5 or 6 sessions.

Because the number of test subjects is small, there are some who doubt the effectiveness of acupuncture. This is because although there are positive signs with regards to the short term effects of this technique, its effects were not sustained. This is why some medical journals have stated that it is unclear what acupuncture can do in smoking cessation.

But you have to remember that acupuncture is not permanent. It merely starts something that you have to finish on your own. Some smokers who go 2 or 3 times a week to the clinic will need to come back for follow up sessions in the future.

At the same time, you have to find ways to prevent yourself from picking up a cigarette. You can do this by staying away from people who smoke since you will be tempted to ask for a stick. You can create your own personal mantra which you repeat to yourself every time you have an urge.

Remember that this craving is only short term and will last only for a few minutes. You have worked so hard to leave this behind so stick to the path and stay smoke free.

Acupuncture treatment for smokers should only be done by a license professional. You can do some research online to find out if they are accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, ask how long they have been in the profession, find out how many smokers they have helped and how much will they charge.

Once you have found one, you have to commit yourself to the program because both you and the acupuncturist have to work together to give up this habit.

Acupuncture can help smokers in the same way that it has helped addicts and alcoholics quit their addictions. You just have to try it even if you may not believe in it.

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Body Detox the Natural Way

2012-10-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

Body Detox the Natural Way
From Health Articles Unlimited

You may wonder sometimes why your body seems to be heavy and you feel lazy to move, yet you are not sick. To feel more energetic you resort to eating a lot, gulp up cups of coffee and smoke, thinking that you will be lively after. For a while, you feel good and going. Unknowingly though, you are accumulating toxins in your body. A simple body detox the natural way may be the answer.

With our ever-dynamic world today, we want our bodies to be constantly active so we can move along with the fast paced lifestyles. Hence, we resort to body stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes, diet pills, drugs and a lot more thinking that they will help the body to stay up all the time, but they do otherwise. These stimulants cause immediate loss of energy and emotional symptoms such as headaches, sickness and depression. They are also considered as toxins in the body.

What are toxins? Toxins are agents that are able to cause body harm. There are two kinds of toxins, the Exogenous or external toxins and Endogenous or internal toxins. The Exogenous toxins come from external sources such as car fumes, tobacco smoke, drugs, factory pollution, etc. On the other hand, the Enogenous toxins come from viral or bacterial infection. Due to metabolism, the body creates its own toxin called Autogenous toxins.

These harmful substances are eliminated in the body in a process called detoxification. Detoxification is the removal of stored toxic products from the bowel, the blood, liver, and kidneys including the great amount of toxic substances stored in body fat to cure chronic diseases such as cancer. The easiest way to detoxify the body is the body detox through a natural diet. To detoxify the body naturally is a change in the diet from a poor to a healthy one. A healthy diet includes raw food diet, specifically, fruits and vegetables.

Naturally, the body detoxifies itself all day. The peak of detoxification occurs when the body is rested during sleep until noon. This is a way for the body to eliminate the toxins acquired from pollution, stimulants and nutrients.

For the ever busy people, you can substitute your stimulants with natural diet to acquire a healthy and active body. Detoxification can often begin in the mind. A decision to start fresh and with a clean slate is the first step towards full body detox.

Sometimes we need a little help from nature to replace the vitality that we seem to lose in day-to-day modern living. There are many herbal ingredients that may aid in a natural detoxification of the body. Dandelion and Fennel are just two herbs that have been used throughout history to cleanse and aid body detoxification, rejuvenate liver functioning, and kick-start the body back to life!

Natural detoxification

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Simple Diet for ADD ADHD Hyperactive Children

2012-04-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that in many cases ADD has been linked to diet, which includes food allergies and nutritional deficiencies. The first step in a diet for ADHD is modifying your child's eating habits.
ADD ADHD Children - Click HERE for Details
Hyperactive Children - Click HERE for Details

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What is Hyperthyroidism overactive Thyroid

2012-04-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hyperthyroidism is often referred to as an overactive thyroid and is a disorder of the thyroid, a small gland located just below the Adam’s Apple. This gland influences many of your bodily functions, such as physical growth and development, puberty, metabolism, organ function, fertility and body temperature. Just how well the thyroid regulates these functions depends on the production of two specific hormones, called T3 and T4. Hyperthyroidism Information - Click HERE for Details
Overactive Thyroid Symptoms Treatments - Click HERE for Details

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2012-04-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

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Easy to Grow Home Remedies

2012-04-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

5 Easy to Grow Remedies
By Dorothy Foltz-Gray, Natural Solutions

Luckily, you don’t have to head to landscaping school to create a medicinal garden. You don’t even need a backyard, since many healing plants do well in containers. Growing herbs is so simple that even people who routinely kill houseplants will find they can do it. Many herbs, in fact, thrive on benign neglect; the less water they get, the stronger their medicinal compounds. And in most cases, there’s no need to fertilize them. Turning the herbs into soothing teas and tinctures is easy, too.

Below, we’ve picked five of our favorites and asked experts to help us understand just how to grow and harvest them—and how to transform them into aromatic, and often tasty, healers.

Rosemary
What it’s good for: Sharpening memory
When British herbalist Anne McIntyre was a student, she kept rosemary sprigs on her desk during classes, squeezing the oils onto her hands. “The scent stimulates blood flow to the brain and aids concentration,” says McIntyre, author of The Medicinal Garden and ten other herb-related books. Years later, science came to the same conclusion. In a 1998 study, University of Miami researchers exposed 40 adults to three minutes of rosemary scent. The group showed increased alertness and worked math problems faster—and no less accurately—than they had before the aromatherapy session.

How To Grow It: Rosemary is a Mediterranean plant, thriving in sun and well-drained soil. If your winters are very cold, grow it in a pot and take the pot inside for the winter. It’s hard to grow from seed, so start with a plant. Or cut a spike from a friend’s plant at the woody end. Add rooting hormone (available at plant centers) to light soil, insert the cutting, and chances are it will root.

How To Use It: Ancient scholars used to wear wreaths of rosemary around their heads, but you don’t have to go that far. Nurse Dorie Byers, author of Herbal Remedy Gardens, simmers a cup of rosemary needles in two quarts of uncovered water, letting the smell waft through the house whenever she’s doing brain work. Or you can brew rosemary tea, adding one to two teaspoons of rosemary needles to one cup boiling water. Steep it for five minutes, strain the herbs, add a squirt of lime juice, and enjoy. Of course, if you’re feeling both forgetful and hungry, rubbing chopped rosemary over chicken or fish creates a dish you’re bound to remember.

Fennel
What it’s good for: Calming digestion
It’s no coincidence that Indian restaurants set out tiny bowls of fennel seeds to chew on after dinner. Anethole, the active ingredient inside the seed, relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach, easing digestion. Even the ancient Romans praised its healing properties, including scientist Pliny the Elder, who listed 22 medical uses for it.

How To Grow It: Fennel’s easy to propagate from seed, shooting up to as high as 6 or 7 feet, and returning each year if you let it go to seed. It loves sun and dry, rich soil. Plant the seeds in early April, covering lightly with soil. Thin the seedlings to about 15 inches apart.

How To Use It: Gather the seeds from the end of the feathery stalks. With a mortar and pestle, crush one to two teaspoons—fresh or dry—and add those to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for ten minutes, strain, and sip. “If you have digestive problems, drink a cup after every meal until your digestion is better,” suggests McIntyre. Or try eating the seeds straight, or brewing a tea with a teaspoon each of fennel seeds and peppermint. You can also sprinkle fennel seeds into bread or biscotti dough. And of course the fennel bulb, which also contains the antispasmodic oils, is delicious added to stews and soups.

Aloe Vera
What it’s good for: Soothing cuts and burns
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all praised aloe vera for its ability to heal sores and soothe itchy skin—and modern science has followed their lead. Researchers have touted aloe vera for treating herpes blisters, burns, wounds, and frostbite. It works its magic through substances that block the production of inflammation-promoting prostaglandins. In lab studies, the plant has been shown to inhibit histamines (one source of itchiness). It also contains bradykininase, which relieves pain and reduces redness and swelling.

How To Grow It: Although you have to buy your first plant, by the end of its first year it will have five or six baby “pups,” tiny plantlets that will grow into another plant, says gardener John Beirne, developer and manager of the horticultural therapy programs at NewBridge Services, a behavioral health agency in Pompton Plains, New Jersey: “Give it a good tug, and a pup will separate from the mother plant.” A succulent, aloe vera doesn’t need much water or care. But it likes warm weather, so bring it inside before the temperature falls below 40 degrees.

How To Use It: Inside each plump aloe spear is the clear gel that doubles as a salve. Keep a pot in your kitchen window, and each time you get a burn or cut, pluck a leaf, cut it open, and spread the gel on the tender spot. Sharleen Andrews-Miller, a botanical medical faculty member at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, likes to mix about a tablespoon of gel from the plant with a couple of drops of lavender oil for an especially aromatic remedy.

Spearment
What it’s good for: Boosting energy
It turns out that “minty fresh” is more than just an advertising slogan. Spearmint’s probably best known as a stomach soother, aiding digestion while easing stomach spasms. But anyone who’s sipped a steamy cup of spearmint tea also knows the lift it can bring. It contains a number of central nervous system stimulants, including menthol, that boost energy more gently than caffeine does. And several may sharpen mental energy by preserving acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital to memory and learning. The mint also stimulates blood flow, which may account for its reputed ability to boost another kind of energy: lust. According to McIntyre, ancient Romans refused their warriors mint, fearful they’d focus only on the women they’d left behind.

How To Grow It: You can grow spearmint from seed, but it’s easier to divide a root from a friend’s plant. “Once you plant it,” says Beirne, “it will grow forever, so it’s a great plant to be generous with.” If you want something other than mint in your garden, plant it in a pot, or it will take over. It thrives in almost any condition, even partial shade, although it does best in damp, cool soil.

How To Use It: James A. Duke, a world-renowned herbal expert and author of The Green Pharmacy and Anti-Aging Prescriptions, simply chews on spearmint straight from his garden. Sharleen Andrews-Miller likes to brew a fresh handful in a cup of boiling water, letting it steep for five to ten minutes. Or you can hang bunches upside down in a dry spot out of direct sunlight, crumble a few leaves, and add two teaspoons to a cup of boiling water. “But don’t let it steep more than five or ten minutes, or your mouth will pucker from the tannins,” she says. It’s also great cut up and tossed into salads, tabbouleh, and cold pasta dishes.

Lavender
What it’s good for: Easing insomnia
For those who toss and turn, the scent of lavender may well beat counting sheep—or even popping sleeping pills. In one small 1995 study, British researchers found that infusing the scent of lavender into the rooms of nursing home patients worked just as well as sleep medication. Not only did the patients get to sleep faster, they slept more peacefully. The 1998 study that examined rosemary also found that a brief dose of lavender aromatherapy increased drowsiness. “Lavender has a sedative effect on the central nervous system and releases muscle tension,” says British herbalist McIntyre, author of The Medicinal Garden and ten other herb-related books. In fact, when new patients arrive at McIntyre’s office, nervous about what might be brewing in a back-room cauldron, she pulls out the lavender. “I can see its calming effect,” she says.

How To Grow It: Like rosemary, lavender is a Mediterranean plant. It likes sun and dry, rocky soil that will force it to struggle a bit. It’s slow to germinate, so rather than grow it from seed, it’s best to buy your first plant or pull a side shoot off a friend’s plant and stick it in sandy or light soil to root. It should be planted outdoors and can be happy either in a pot or in the ground. Water it well until it’s established—and during hot summers—but don’t overdo it; lavender doesn’t like soggy roots. In temperate climates, it will come back each spring, sending up its tall stems adorned with tiny purple flowers.

How To Use It: When the flowers open, cut the lavender stalks, tie them in small bunches, and hang them upside down in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Depending on the temperature and humidity, the flowers should dry in two to four weeks. Herbalist and nurse Dorie Byers suggests filling small muslin bags (sold in health food stores for tea) with dried flowers and placing one between your pillow and pillowcase.

You can also make a tea by adding one teaspoon of dried or two teaspoons of fresh blossoms to a cup of boiling water, and letting them steep covered for ten minutes. Strain and drink just before going to sleep. To make a tincture, add approximately 7 ounces of dried lavender flowers to four-fifths of a quart of glycerol (a syrupy alcohol also called “glycerine” and available in health food stores) and one-fifth of a quart of water. Or use one cup brandy or vodka and three cups of water. Cover for two weeks. For sleep, take one teaspoon after dinner and 2 to 3 teaspoons at bedtime.

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2012-04-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

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Symptoms of OCD in Adults

2012-04-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of OCD in Adults

OCD is characterized by chronic obsessions and compulsions. Depending on the nature of the disorder, the symptoms of OCD vary and are often personal and unique to the person with the disorder. Symptoms include:

Obsessions

A person with OCD suffers from recurring and persistent intrusive thoughts, images, ideas or impulses over which they have little or no control and which cause considerable distress. The most common obsessions relate to the following themes:

Aggressive impulses, or the fear that you’re going to harm someone
Contamination; fear of germs or disease
Sexual content
The need for symmetry and order – often as a way of warding off bad luck or disaster

We all get the odd thought or idea that pops into our head from time to time. While most of us can easily dismiss it and carry on, for a person with OCD, there seems to be no escaping these thoughts or impulses. Imagine if the thing you feared the most was a thought! The more you try not thinking about the forbidden thought, the stronger it becomes. For example, if you’re trying not to think of stabbing someone with a knife, this image is the first thing that comes to mind. Teen OCD is especially isolating since the youngster may suffer from symptoms during class and extracurricular activities and may feel ostracized.

Compulsions

One way to relieve the anxiety associated with these obsessions is to act on compulsions. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors, often intended to produce or prevent some future event or situation. An obsessive concern of contamination would usually result in hand-washing compulsions, while obsessions with symmetry would result in re-arranging and ordering of objects.

In many cases the compulsion is totally unrelated to the obsessive thought, but the action becomes a ritualistic distraction. The individual may realize that these actions are senseless, but feel unable to resist them.

For example, where some of us may superstitiously avoid stepping on cracks in the sidewalk, people with OCD may feel extreme anxiety if they don’t give in to this compulsive behavior and often only feel relief when they have done so.

Common compulsions include:

Washing hands over and over again
Repetitive checking that appliances are turned off or windows are closed
Frequently wiping objects before touching them
Collecting and hoarding specific items
Counting items over and over
Repeating specific words and phrases in a particular order in ‘your head’
Rearranging things endlessly to create ‘balance’
Excessive list making
Repeating actions in sets of three
Having a strict ritual before going to bed that has to be followed exactly

Many of us have learnt about OCD by watching movies or plays about people who are ruled by compulsions such as hand washing, counting and other forms of compulsive behavior. Some examples are ‘Macbeth’, ‘Rain Man’ and Jack Nicholson’s ‘As Good As It Gets’.

Although compulsions are the most well known symptoms of OCD, many people with this condition suffer only from obsessive thoughts. In fact, compulsive behavior is not a prerequisite to the diagnosis of OCD.

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Men's Health

2012-04-11T20:52:00.006-07:00

Men’s health is not just about toughing it out when they’re sick; it’s about illness prevention and living well. For men, staying healthy means taking care of the mind as well as the body, so it is important to pay attention to exercise, diet and overall stress maintenance.

Also, learning more about the top health concerns for men – heart disease, cholesterol, stroke, prostate cancer, and lung cancer – will help with disease prevention; staying informed on other areas such as fertility and sexual dysfunction is also important.

Cinnamon Health Benefits

2012-04-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

What are the Benefits of Cinnamon?

Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity, and the oil of cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Cinnamon is an effective home remedy for:

* Reducing blood sugar levels and treating Type 2 Diabetes.
* Lowering cholesterol.
* Aiding digestion.
* Treating diarrhea.
* Curing the common cold.
* Reducing arthritis pain.
* Boosting memory and cognitive function.
* Treating toothaches.
* Eliminating bad breath.
* Curing headaches and migraine pain.

Uses of Cinnamon

* Arthritis-Cinnamon has recently been shown to act as a natural remedy for Arthritis pain.
* Diabetes-Research suggests that cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.
* Cholesterol-Recent studies have shown that consuming small amounts of cinnamon can help reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad one). Simply eat half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily. The cinnamon can be added as a mild sweetener to coffee or tea.
* Headaches and Migraine Pain-Cinnamon has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.
* Common Cold-Chinese medicine has long used cinnamon as a natural remedy for coughs and the common cold.

Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits

2012-04-10T11:21:00.002-07:00

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects.

Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:

* Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
* Balance high cholesterol
* Cure skin conditions such as acne
* Protect against food poisoning
* Fight allergies in both humans and animals
* Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
* Strengthen the immune system
* Increase stamina
* Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
* Improve digestion and cure constipation
* Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
* Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

* Weight Loss-While it is not known why, many people claim that Apple Cider Vinegar promotes weight loss.
* Bad Breath-Due to its acidic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 1/2 tablespoon of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty.
* Body Odor-Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
* Age Spots-Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots.
* Yeast Infection-Apple Cider Vinegar has been found to be an effective treatment for yeast infections.