Calories and Hormones

Body shapes and systems are determined by age and genetic disposition, and not everyone responds to the same regime.  Weight and body fat are linked to both calories and hormones. This combination is why most people cannot just diet and get slim.  Hormones control metabolism, so when food intake goes down, those pesky hormones adjust.  This change, of course, is nature’s way to guarantee the survival of the species.  Most animals in nature do not overeat. They may eat more in one season to store fat for a season when there is less food, but they do not continually overeat – only humans do that.  So when taking in fewer calories, the body automatically thinks “famine” and adjusts accordingly making it harder to lose any fat. This slowing of the metabolism is why most dieters plateau or even start gaining weight on the same low-calorie intake.

First On, Last Off

The body stores fat first in areas where it can easily access the fat for energy when needed.  Fat around the stomach, hips, and thighs are where the body can grab energy readily.  This ability to get energy quickly is essential for the body, and so fat is stored here first.  As more weight is gained fat is then stored in other parts of the body – the calves, the arms, the face, etc. – these are places harder to access for the body and less essential for quick energy.  So when the body drops weight, it loses the weight first from the less important and harder to access areas.  Once again, necessary for survival, but annoying when losing weight is the goal.  Most people are not happy when they have been very vigilant in their dieting and only see their arms getting thinner.

Goal Setting

It is just human nature to set a goal and work towards it.  Weight loss is a big one for this.  The goal is usually a certain number on the scale, clothing size or set of body measurements.  A strict program of exercising and eating is set up to achieve this aim.  The plan is working fine, but the goal nears and the progress slows.  At this point most people get frustrated, but the explanation is simple: the less fat on the body, the more the body wants to hang on to it.   Once again this is the human body reacting to what it thinks is dire times ahead.  As the goal is approached, increasing calories and decreasing exercise can do the trick.  (Yes, this does seem counterintuitive.)  Now this does not mean empty calories from sodas, chips and sweets it means nutrient-rich foods like lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. Reducing exercise allows the hormones to readjust the metabolism. The body now thinks the “famine” is over, and it will once again allow fat to be released.

The post Why is Some Body Fat So Hard to Lose? first appeared on Health & Beauty.

One of the most important things to note about these treatments is the fact that they can be incredibly long-lasting. Some procedures are designed to produce permanent results, due to the efficiency of the lasers being used and the fine, fair nature of the hairs being treated. Others are meant to produce semi-permanent results. In these cases, they are capable of significantly reducing the appearance of unwanted strands across the targeted area, for an extended amount of time.

These are not improvements that you can get with shaving or depilatory creams. Moreover, given that your treatment will be performed by a seasoned and licensed professional, you won’t have to worry about the irritation, abrasions and even infections that are sustained by rudely ripping hairs out at home. In fact, there is almost no recovery time with these treatments.

While you might be concerned about the upfront costs of these procedures, you should consider the amount of money that they will invariably save you over time. You will spend far less to create permanent or semi-permanent changes, than you will to engage in removal methods that only last just several days or weeks. This will eliminate the need to spend a fortune on new razor blades, shaving creams, waxing kits or strips or costly bottles of depilatory products.

If you get started now, you can have the results you want just several months down the road. Each treatment will produce a considerable lessening of unwanted hairs across all targeted areas. After several visits, however, you’ll soon have smooth, beautiful skin.

The post Why You Should Start Laser Hair Removal Now first appeared on Health & Beauty.

How do you know which orthopedic surgeon to choose when you finally succumb to the fact you need help?

Why not ask the potential orthopedic surgeon these questions before “going under the knife”?

::  Is surgery really necessary? Is there alternative options the doctor is aware of that you have not considered?  The best way to avoid surgical errors is to avoid surgery entirely, so ask about the effectiveness and safety of alternatives. Compare those with the risks of surgery and the chance that it will help you.

::  Is your board certification up to date? Check the surgeon’s credentials to see if they have undergone the necessary training, even after being in clinical practice, to maintain board certification in his or her specialty.

::  What’s your experience? Ask how many operations has the surgeon performed in the past year and how does that compares with his or her peers.  Choosing a surgeon who consistently performs total hip replacements means they have kept their skills fresh compared to a surgeon who only does one every 3 months.

::  What are your success, failure, and complication rates? Not all will be able or willing to tell you, but the good ones should be.  Don’t forget to read the doctor’s testimonials section on their website.

Looking for an Orthopedic Surgeon? Call Carolina Regional Orthopaedics at 252-443-0400.

The post Got Hip Pain? first appeared on Health & Beauty.

Botox (BOtulinum TOXin) comes from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, and is administered via injection directly to the areas where wrinkles are found.  It relaxes the muscles themselves, which smooths out the wrinkle lines.  Typically it is used on the upper face, to reduce crows-feet, forehead lines and frown lines.  Botox can take from 3-7 days to take full effect, and treatments last from four to six months.  The most common side effect is bruising (so doctors recommend avoiding aspirin and other anti inflammatory drugs before treatment).

Dermal fillers are also simple injections, but they don’t work on the muscles. Injectable dermal fillers, such as Radiesse, Restylane, and Juvederm, add a new dimension to the field of anti-aging. Instead, as the name implies, they fill in the wrinkles directly, plumping the thinned out areas.  They are most often used in the lower face.  Dermal fillers work immediately,  and treatments are longer lasting than Botox injections.  Injectable skin and wrinkle fillers are used to increase tissue volume (as with lip augmentation), reduce wrinkles, and improve skin’s overall contour.

Collagen is the main protein which makes up structural tissue.  Collagen filler is the shortest acting of the dermal fillers, but some feel that it produces the most natural appearance.   Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most commonly used dermal fillers, and each treatment lasts longer than the collagen fillers do. There are a wide range of them, and a single treatment can last for times ranging from a few months to over a year. There is some evidence that they may help the body to produce its own collagen,  so less filler is required for the later treatments.  Synthetic fillers are very long lasting.

For the best results always seek out a professional who is certified and has experience with Botox and dermal fillers.

The post How is Botox Different From Dermal Fillers? first appeared on Health & Beauty.

There are two common ways to lose weight in general – healthy diet plans and increased exercise. These two are especially important when losing weight after back surgery. Let’s start with a proper diet.

During recovery, you will want to eat a well-balanced diet including adequate protein to promote healing along with fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains for vitamins, minerals and fiber.

A healthy calorie intake count is about 2,000 calories a day, but the reduction in activity may cause you to gain some weight.  Once your activity level is back to normal (and approved by your doctor), reduce your calorie count by 300-500 calories a day until you return to your normal weight.  Don’t try to lose weight too quickly – slow and steady gives the best long-lasting results.  Once you reach your normal weight, return to 2,000 per day to maintain the weight.

The second half of the equation is exercise.  First, exercise should include non-impact exercises such as walking and stretching – nothing that will jar the spine.  Some strength training may be added, but only with a doctor’s approval.  Swimming and biking are also good exercises but should be stopped immediately if discomfort or stiffness occurs in the back.  Exercises that involve repetitive bending, stretching, or twisting should be avoided for the first three months.  Be patient with yourself, especially if you were very active before surgery.  Do not push too quickly because another injury will only set you back.  With a doctor’s or physical therapist’s guidance, you will be back to your activities in no time.

It’s good to think of diet and exercise as simple math. Every time you eat you add calories. Every time you exercise, you subtract calories. Your net goal, on average, should be under 2,000 calories a day.

The post How to Lose Weight After Having Back Surgery first appeared on Health & Beauty.

Interest in this therapy began around 2002 when a large research project studying synthetic hormone replace therapies was stopped after the researchers discovered that these therapies were causing serious side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. After this, researchers began looking into various alternatives for hormone replacement therapy.

One such alternative that surfaced was bioidentical hormone replacement. Bioidentical hormone replacement uses medications that include molecules that are an exact chemical match to those made naturally by humans.  This is different from using synthetic or animal-based hormones used previously.

The three major hormones made by the ovaries happen to be, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.  Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy intends to provide a mixture involving these hormones to replace the woman’s reproductive hormones. Bio-identical hormones are distributed in two categories, the ones that are custom-made by compounding pharmacies (non-FDA approved due to the one-of-a-kind nature of the product) and ones produced by pharmaceutical companies (FDA approved). Both variations are available in different forms such as pills, gels, creams, patches, creams and even vaginal rings.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is mostly used to decrease the symptoms of menopause. Many practitioners promote this therapy for anti-aging purposes and also to improve the quality of life. There are claims that bio-identical hormone therapy can protect the eyes and skin from drying and aging, regulate the menstrual cycle, improve mental function, lower blood cholesterol and reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

If you are interested in exploring bioidentical hormone therapy, consult with your doctor or medical provider to see if it is right for you.

The post What Is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy? first appeared on Health & Beauty.

When chiropractors treat patients with non-specific chronic low back pain, the long-term outcome is enhanced by obtaining maintenance spinal manipulation after the initial intensive manipulative therapy.

The core of chiropractic usually involves treatment of common lower back pain conditions through manual therapy.

Chiropractic Adjustment is a manual manipulation. A high-velocity, short lever arm thrust is applied to abnormal vertebra with the goal of improving functionality, reducing nerve irritability and restoring range of motion in the back.

When joints are manipulated it can cause a popping or cracking sound as the gas caused by oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide is released from the joint to relieve pressure.

There are many different manipulative techniques that can be utilized in chiropractic, and there is a certain skill level and “art” involved with high velocity, low amplitude adjustment or manipulation.

The most common reaction to a chiropractic adjustment is aching or soreness in the spinal joints or muscles. Application of an ice pack often reduces the symptoms relatively quickly.

The post Chiropractic Treatment for Lower Back Pain first appeared on Health & Beauty.

First off, you need to understand what activities while gardening may be detrimental to your back. Lifting weighty objects, bending, using a variety of tools all while in an awkward position can contribute to back pain.

Bending from the waist and curving the back reverses the natural curvature of your spine and puts a lot of pressure on your lumbar discs. This pressure is compounded if you’re using strength at the same time such as pulling a weed directly from the ground. Making this motion once or twice is fine, but repeating this motion for a lengthy amount of time causes a lot of strain to your back muscles and vertebrae.

There’s a simple solution to this postural problem. Sitting on the ground can help, but in that position, your hips can’t move, and your spine performs all the motion. Instead, try a quadruped position. Support yourself on your knees and one hand while leaving the other for gardening. This position will keep the range of motion in your hip, give you more stability, and it will be easier on your spine.

Warm up your muscles before you start gardening. Warmed muscles are less likely to strain or pull. For example, you can start by lying on your back, pulling both knees to your chest and lower them both to one side and the other while keeping your ankles together. Performing this low-impact exercise before gardening will increase the mobility of your lower back while preparing your muscles for action.

Finally, always remember to lift heavy objects correctly. Do not bend your back but squat instead, keeping your back straight. This technique means your spine will be aligned and your legs are used to lower your body to grab the object. If you follow these tips and take short breaks every 30 minutes, you will slowly improve your back pain after a few days or weeks. So, don’t stop gardening if that’s what you enjoy. Adopt these simple measures and keep your garden and spinal health in good shape.

The post How to Protect My Back When Gardening first appeared on Health & Beauty.

So what symptoms should a women pay attention to and seek help immediately?  The top five symptoms are:  Heat (feeling hot), Exhaustion (not having the energy to walk across a room), Pain, Paleness (looking colorless), and Vomiting.  Other symptoms can include:  jaw pain, toothache, headache, nausea, heartburn (that won’t go away), sweating, and arm pain.  Also remember any chest pain will be a dull, squeezing pain rather than sharp or stabbing pain.

If you experience any combination of these symptoms (especially the top five) seek medical attention immediately.  Treating a heart attack as early as possible is the best way to prevent serious heart damage and even death.

These symptoms are especially important for women who have risk factors for a heart attack.

Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that can lead to a heart attack:  high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history of early heart disease, smoking, being overweight, poor diet, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle.  The good news is that most of these factors can be changed to decrease your risk of heart attack.

Reduce Your Risk

Here are eight things you can start doing to decrease your risk of a heart attack and improve your overall health.

1. Get Active.  The number one thing is to move.  That means walk, run, dance, or any activity that has you up and out of a chair for at least 30 minutes per day.  Get a fitness tracker to track the number of steps you take to nudge you to keep moving.
2. Improve Your Diet. Reduce the junk food and increase the fresh fruits and vegetables.  Add more beans and low-fat proteins.  Reduce red meat.  Increase fish in your diet to get the  omega-3 fats.  Also increase plant-based fats such as avocados, olive oil and nuts.  Cut out trans-fats.  Start keeping a food journal to check yourself on what you are actually eating.
3. Stop Smoking.  If you smoke, seek help to stop.  This one thing will improve your health tenfold.  It’s never too late.
4. Alcohol.  Limit alcohol intake to one drink per day.
5. Be a Healthy Weight.  If you are overweight, work on losing.  Even a small reduction in weight can reduce your heart attack risks dramatically and help control cholesterol and blood pressure.
6. Get Enough Sleep.  Not getting enough sleep adds stress to your systems.  Your body needs time to repair and restore.  Try for 7-9 hours per night.
7. Reduce stress.  Sometimes this means reducing frustration which often leads to anger.  Keeping your body in stress mode stains the heart.  Give your heart a break.  Try calming activities such as meditation or prayer.
8. See Your Doctor.  Go to your doctor for an annual screening.  Have your blood pressure, cholesterol, and hgbA1c (if diabetic) checked.  Work with your doctor to change habits or medications.

The post Women & Heart Attacks first appeared on Health & Beauty.

As we get older, decreasing hormone levels are inevitable.  The production of hormones tend to decline and contribute to the effects associated with what we consider “normal aging.”  These symptoms often include hair loss and lack of energy.  Hormonal replacement is needed as we age to counteract the impact of unflattering and sometimes, debilitating symptoms.

Hormonal replacement is quite controversial and not a “one size fits all” form of therapy.  There are many aspects to consider before a physician contemplates using this type of treatment, even for something as simple as hair loss and fatigue.  Extensive knowledge of how all hormones interrelate, the patient’s genetic makeup, health condition, nutritional habits, medical history, along with their current stress levels, should all be taken into consideration.  Hormone Replacement Therapy may be controversial, as with all advanced medical treatments, but HRT has its advantages as well as its disadvantages.  All things considered, the use of HRT for hair growth and an increase in energy can be of great benefit when used within safe parameters.

When it comes to hair growth, HRT, is not only a common form of treatment, it has proven to be extremely successful.  Keep in mind, it does carry with it a vast array of side effects.  These can span the gamut from uncomfortable to life threatening.  For women who are menopausal or post-menopausal, there is a lower risk of harmful side effects.  Those who have thinning hair, baldness or suffer from alopecia, may greatly benefit from HRT.   With this type of therapy, hair seems to grow back healthier and with a greater degree of thickness.  Women who experience excessive hair growth in unwanted areas can have the hormones adjusted accordingly.

As for an increase in energy, Hormone Replacement Therapy does this by increasing the metabolic rate.  This reduces fatigue and increases the energy level.  The advantage of increased energy is that it can invigorate you.  In turn, your ability to exercise improves which will help decrease body fat and increase muscle mass. When you have more energy, look great and feel good about yourself, you are more likely to have a greater sense of wellbeing.  Studies have shown that when this happens, some individuals have experienced an increase of self-confidence, an enhanced sex drive and feel more vibrant.

Growing your hair and increasing your energy are great benefits to any treatment.  However, if you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance, Hormone Replacement Therapy may prove a viable option.

The post Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Hair Grow and Increase Energy? first appeared on Health & Beauty.