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Are you a Facebook addict?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:47:00 +0000

There is no need to convince you that Facebook addiction is reality in today's world. So many people suffer from it and so many of them don't even realize they are addicted. Day after day people spend countless (and priceless) hours in internet social networks. If we think about this phenomenon reasonably, we will undoubtedly reveal the fact that this is costing more to individuals than it is giving to them.

When someone doesn't even recognize he's addicted, curing and liberation is almost impossible. This holds true for Facebook addiction too, despite the fact that it's a psychological and not a physical addiction. This article is intended for everyone who wishes to recognize whether or not they are addicted to Facebook (or any other social network). It will also be useful for those who want to analyze the compulsive behaviors of their friends and relatives.

So how exactly could we define "Facebook addiction"? As I already said, it is a psychological condition. Those who suffer from it frequently feel the urge to use Facebook, and this urge goes beyond the normal and natural necessity. While 30 mins or an hour a day are more than enough for most people to check their Facebook pages and accomplish a ton of stuff, those who are addicted exceed this time significantly. More often than not their time spent in Facebook has no other purpose than the stay itself. They feel a need to satisfy their emotional needs through the use of Facebook and this has become a daily compulsion.

From an outsider's perspective the behavior of a Facebook addict might seem completely irrational and odd. But a quick analysis of the traits of Facebook as a stimulation providing service reveals that addiction is a quite natural consequence. Facebook simulates a community, it lacks pain and risk of rejection (in contrast to real world) and it stimulates various human emotions. These are all traits that turn Facebook into an irresistible temptation.

I want to give you some of the best ways to recognize Facebook addiction. Still, let me warn you that they all require you to be honest with yourself. Really look at how you (or anyone else) spend your days and how you feel about Facebook.

Here are some of the basic signs of Facebook addiction:

1. You check your Facebook first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to sleep.
2. You spend more than 2 hours a day in Facebook.
3. You feel an urge to login whenever you feel bored.
4. You prefer more to communicate through Facebook with your friends than going out with them.
5. Spending 2 days without Facebook seems impossible to you.
6. Most of your friends on Facebook are people you don't even know.

Watch out for other signs in your daily behaviors that may not be included in this list.

Why do we yawn?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:11:00 +0000

Yawns are fascinating. The fact that it is triggered by a lot of specific emotions varying from tiredness, boredom, to being sleepy is just interesting. What is more fascinating is that yawns are somewhat contagious as you can yawn just after you see someone else do it. So what are these exactly and why do we do it? In this article, we will explore the truth about yawns.

Yawning is an involuntary behavior in which your mouth opens up wide and you inhale deeply followed by exhaling. When you say involuntary, this means that you have no control over this action so much like other reflexes such as blinking or sneezing so you cannot do anything to suppress it nor consciously control it. Yawns are not only exclusive to human beings as all other animals do this. When we yawn, there are various neurochemical changes that happen in our brain.

Although there is no concrete proof as to why we yawn, there are several explanations as to why we yawn. Some researchers have a theory that yawning is a processed used to cool our brains off.

Your brain is like a CPU of a computer. It functions as a machine where all the actions and movements of all your other body parts originate from this part. That is why it is called as the central part of your body or central nervous system because just like a CPU to a computer, you cannot function well if your brain is not functioning well. Because your brain works 24/7, it might 'overheat' just like a CPU will if it does not get the rest it needs or even just some cooling off. So, what the brain does is to inhale cool air, through yawning to cool off the brain.

When you yawn, air comes in and it cools down the brain. When your brain is cool, it tends to function better than when your brain is tired or is nearing 'overheating.' This theory is called the brain-cooling hypothesis or the radiator hypothesis.

Another explanation as to why you yawn is because it is the brain's way of telling you to get more air into your lungs. At a normal rate, you do not get to use majority of your lungs' capacity, hence, the low oxygen levels when you are breathing normally. Therefore, for the lungs to not get stiff due to low levels of oxygen, your brain urges you to sigh or yawn.

Which sleep position is healthiest?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:01:00 +0000

Typically people sleep in the position that feels most comfortable in that moment. You probably have one or two frequented positions you rely on to get to sleep fast. It might surprise you to learn that your sleep position matters at all. What difference could it possibly make what position my body lies in while it's asleep, as long as I'm asleep, right? Wrong.

We spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping. comparable to frequently repeated movements triggering injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, constantly staying in one posture too much time has been known to lead to injuries, as well, especially if said position is not in accordance with natural posture. Sleeping while in an improper pose may inflict injury to the body in just one night. Ever wake up with a stiff neck or back? Keep that up for days and weeks and you can incur persistent neck and back injuries.

Sleep Positions

Although there is some variety, there are primarily three main sleeping positions. Any sleeping pose must be rated based upon the support and good alignment of the lower back, hips and neck.

Back Position

A person lies on their back, head pointing straight up. The back position is a great sleep posture. It is natural to keep the spine and neck in proper alignment. The only problem is where to position the feet. If there is enough room beneath your covers the toes should aim towards the ceiling, but sometimes your feet need to point at an angle outwards a bit. As long as you keep it minimized there shouldn't be an issue.

Side Position

Lying on either side with both legs straight, your head on its side resting on your pillow, arms in front of your body. The side pose is another healthy posture for sleep. Again, the spine and head are kept in alignment easily. The legs can be slightly bent at your knees and hips, if you wish. Be careful to not bend so far as to go into a fetal pose where your back ends up arched. This can put way too much stress on the back and neck.

Front Position

Lying on their stomach|, or mostly on their stomach, with the head turned to one side setting on the pillow. Arms may be pointed downwards along the sides or place up around and hugging the pillow. Although one of the most favored positions for its coziness. Unfortunately, this is an awful pose for the lower back as well as the neck. In order to to breathe you have to angle your head sideways at a right angle from front which places a great deal of tension on the neck. You may also find it extra pressure on the abdominal muscles.

Adjusting your Sleeping Position

If you are usually a front-sleeper you're going to have to work towards changing the habit. Another posture may be a little unpleasant in the beginning but it normally on takes a few nights to acquire the new habit. Besides, the profits of changing to a healthier sleeping posture can make a huge positive difference for the rest of your life!

You may need to establish a new position slowly. Make sure to get yourself drowsy and on the verge of falling asleep before you shut out your light. Start with one of the good positions, either side or back, whichever you decide is more comfortable. If you've prepared yourself properly you'll go right to sleep. On the other hand, if you have trouble getting to sleep, try only switching back and forth between these two for a while. If you are unable to get comfortable you may go back to the front pose again, briefly. You may need a few days to adjust to the side and back, but in due course you will accomplish it.

What are the symptoms of floating rib?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:47:00 +0000

The term “floating rib” is used to refer to a specific anatomical structure and to a disorder which could better be termed a “slipped rib.” Both, as one might imagine from the name, involve the ribs, curved bones found in vertebrates. The ribs are attached to the spine and a structure called the sternum, creating the rib cage, a protective casing for vital organs such as the heart and lungs.

In the case of an anatomical structure, a floating rib is a rib which is attached to the spine, but not the sternum. Most people have floating ribs, with the 11th and 12th pairs of ribs being floating ribs. In some people, there are three pairs instead of two, and other individuals only develop one set of floating ribs. Floating ribs are entirely normal and nothing to be concerned about, and although they are not attached to the sternum, they aren't exactly floating around in the body cavity; numerous attachments usually keep the floating ribs more or less in place.

The function of the floating ribs is not fully understood. A floating rib could theoretically provide some protection to the contents of the abdominal cavity, but it isn't as necessary as the ribs which are attached to the sternum. There “false ribs,” as they are known, may be vestigial leavings of an earlier stage in human evolution. Evidence suggests that people have also been able to train their floating ribs into new positions, as seen in women who wear corsets for a prolonged period of time.

In some cases, a floating rib can cause problems for its owner. These ribs can slip out of position, putting pressure on internal organs, and they can also be broken as a result of trauma, causing considerable pain and putting the patient at risk for infection.

The disorder sometimes referred to as floating rib syndrome and better known as slipped rib syndrome occurs when a rib becomes dislocated, slipping out of its socket. Patients tend to experience considerable pain with this condition, which is usually a result of trauma, and it can be readily identified with a physical examination or medical imaging study of the area of interest. As with other rib injuries, the best treatment is usually partial immobilization, achieved by wrapping the ribcage tightly so that the rib cannot drift while it heals, but not so tightly that it cannot expand as the patient breathes.

What are the causes, types and treatment modalities of anemia

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Anemia is a blood condition that affects approximately 3.5 million Americans. Women are at higher risk of developing anemia than men. People who have other diseases such as cancer have a higher tendency to develop anemia. Anemia can become a very serious condition which can be dangerous. Anemia can also be acute or chronic in nature. Definition: You body requires a certain amount of oxygen to function properly. Red blood cells contain a substance known as hemoglobin which acts as a binder to oxygen. The red blood cells take the oxygen from your lungs and bring it to the rest of your body. Anemia occurs when you do not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to produce sufficient oxygen. As a result, your organs are affected because they don't get enough oxygen to function. There is a relationship between anemia and the kidneys, bone marrow and nutritional deficiencies in the body. When the kidneys are not working well or you are malnourished, this will affect your red blood cell count. Since red blood cells are made in the bone marrow the health of bone marrow is very important.

Types of Anemia: There are actually over 400 different types of anemia placed into three groups. Anemia caused by blood loss: This is anemia that is directly attributed to blood loss. This can be unnoticed for a long period of time. It could be due to ulcers, gastritis or cancer. Anemia caused by deficient red blood cell production: Sometimes the body does not produce enough red blood cells. This can create anemia. There are many causes for this such as a vitamin/mineral deficiency, an underlying disease such as cancer, problems with the bone marrow or sickle cell anemia. Anemia caused by iron deficiency: This is due to insufficient iron levels in the body. When there is not enough iron, the bone marrow cannot produce enough hemoglobin for the red blood cells and this can result in anemia. Some causes of this type of anemia include not having enough iron in your diet, menstruation, pregnancy and breast feeding as well as digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease. If the anemia is from deficient production of red blood cells in the bone marrow is can take on several forms. Thalassemia: This is when the red blood cells cannot mature on their own. Thalassemia: This is a genetic condition affecting mostly people of Mediterrean and African descent. Aplastic anemia: This is deficient red blood cells in bone marrow from injury from medications,infection or chemotherapy. Anemia can also result from conditions such as kidney disease and cancer.

Common Symptoms: There are various symptoms associated with anemia. Some common symptoms of anemia include fatigue, being short of breath and feeling lightheaded. Additional symptoms include difficulty sleeping, rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure. You can also appear jaundiced and have brittle nails. Dietary Considerations: There are numerous dietary changes that may help you with your anemia. If you are a vegetarian you may not getting adequate levels of B12. You may want to consider supplementing. Red meat has higher iron levels than fish or chicken so be sure to include some in your diet. Being well hydrated is also important. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach have higher iron levels as well as beans. You should limit your intake of sugars which will ultimately deplete your energy levels. There are certain foods such as eggs and whole grain bread can block the full absorption of iron in your body. Tea and coffee also can have this effect due to the polyphenols that they contain. If you take iron supplements try to drink or eat fruits such as orange juice. Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron.

Diagnosis: To find out if you have anemia you need to see your doctor who will perform various tests on you. These will include a physical exam and well as extensive blood work. A medical history will also be performed. You will be asked questions about your family history, if you have been diagnosed with anemia before and any medical conditions you have. They will observe your physical appearance and look for the tell tale signs of anemia. This diagnosis will help the doctor to see what type of anemia you have. The blood tests will assess what your red blood cell count is and the actual hemoglobin content in the red cells. There are also specialized blood tests to see how fragile your red blood cells may be or if there is an immune attack happening on them. Some of the common blood tests include a Complete Blood Count and Blood Smear tests. They will also check for iron levels, folate and b12 levels. These nutrients are critical to the production of red blood cells. Additionally the doctor may perform liver and kidney function testing to see if there is an underlying disease that is causing the anemia.

Treatments: Once the doctor determines the cause he or she will initiate a treatment program for you. Here are some causes along with their treatment protocol. Blood Loss: the source of the bleeding will be determined and stopped. For example you may be given a blood transfusion and iron to build up your red blood cell count. Iron Deficiency: If you have inadequate iron levels you most likely will be prescribed iron supplements. Do not do this on your own but under the care of a physician because consuming too much iron can be dangerous. Red blood cell destruction: Known as hemolytic anemia, there are various causes for it. So the treatment would of course depend on the cause. Follow up care: You need to stay under your doctor's care and have repeated blood work done to determine if the anemia has gone away. Your response to the treatments prescribed will determine what the next steps are to take. The hopeful outcome is that you have overcome your anemia. If not, with continued care over time you should be able to do so. Before doing any dietary or lifestyle changes always consult with your health care provider, particularly if you have been diagnosed with a disease or are taking any prescription medication.

The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California is a world renowned alternative cancer treatment center. The Issels Treatment is an Integrative Immunotherapy program with a 50 year history. Founded in 1951 by a pioneer in integrative cancer medicine, Dr. Josef Issels, MD., a German oncologist, The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California treats patients with all natural non toxic therapies for a variety of health conditions including cancer.

iPhone Can Detect Ear Infection

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:55:00 +0000

Researchers have developed an iPhone accessory they call the Remotoscope to turn an iPhone into an otoscope -- that thing doctors usually put into your ear to peer inside.

The Remotoscope puts a scope over the lens and flash on an iPhone making it easy to take pictures of a child's ear canal, while an app magnifies the image and sends it to a pediatrician. The idea is that parents could take images daily so that the pediatrician could monitor the infection, hopefully reducing the need to prescribe antibiotics.

Remotoscope is undergoing clinical trials at this time, with the university researchers hoping to publish their results by year-end. Unfortunately for parents everywhere, there's no hint at when the handy accessory may hit the market.

Social Media fueling Anxiety, Stress, Internet Addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:41:00 +0000

There's been a massive amount of hype recently about how having a social media presence is essential for a successful business. The perceived wisdom says that your business will fail to flourish without a Facebook Fan page and frequent Tweets. I've been confused for quite a while about whether I needed or wanted to indulge in Social media. I'll admit to being quite stressed about the conflict between privacy and publicity. I'm hearing the same things from people I meet at networking events. So here are seven tips for deciding when and if social media are right for you.

How to get rid of Exam Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:28:00 +0000

Exam stress is an exaggerated feeling of anxiety over one's performance in exams. We can take exams stress free, no matter what kind of exam it is. Its only when you know what is causing you stress and accordingly using the following tricks to make yourself feel more organized, mentally relaxed & alert, physically active and in control of the situation.

1. If the cause of your stress is 'So much to do and not enough time'

a. Make a proper time schedule allocating enough time to each subject.

b. Every day, evaluate your learning and make changes in time schedule if necessary.

c. If only a week is left for exams and your syllabus is not finished, stop wasting time in worrying about what you have NOT done. Utilize your time in properly revising what you have already done.

2. If the cause of your stress is, that you don't know what to study, from where and what all is in the prescribed syllabus

a. The first thing you should do, before starting your study is, to collect all necessary reading material (including the syllabus & model test papers)

b. Organize it subject wise, in separate folders

c. Keep it at a safe place and tell your family not to play around with it!

d. Keep a written track of what all you have studied every day and what has to be done, so that you don't keep worrying as to how much more is left, to be done.

3. If you feel stress by the thought that your preparation is not up to the mark

a. To feel confident about your preparation, you MUST solve previous years' or model test papers exactly as per exam conditions, without break

b. Do this only AFTER you have finished learning.

c. Have them checked by teachers/ tutors and take their help to understand important concepts and clear your doubts.

Remember this should be done well ahead of exams, not a day before as that might build up more stress and leave you exhausted for the real exam the next day!

4. If the cause of your stress is Parent's expectations

a. Just remember that in their hearts they want you to excel for your own good. Politely tell parents to stop using negative and stress building remarks and instead support you with love, practical help, positive inspiring remarks and their prayers!

b. If they see you doing your best, probably they will not feel as worried and will stop bothering you. They comment only when they see you wasting time.

c. But if you are doing your best, still they keep nagging you without giving any positive support, please tell them to seek guidance from counselors.

5. If the cause of your stress is Peer pressure

a. Don't have unnecessary conversations with your 'friends' or classmates

b. Avoid taking calls of those who give you tension of any sorts.

c. Stay calm even if you feel others have finished doing everything and you haven't. Instead of worrying about it, start studying more regularly and with full focus.

d. Set your own standards, that you have to score max or whatever. And prepare well to achieve that. Don't waste energies thinking -'can I or can I not score more than so and so'

6. If the cause of your stress is High Self standards

a. Even if you are a topper of the class or you have set a goal of getting 100% score, allow yourself time for relaxation, recreation or rejuvenation to keep your mind active and alert.

b. Every day in the morning, plan your study schedule. As per your capacity & stamina, after a block of 1-2 hours' study, give yourself a break of 10-20 minutes. But do return to your study with full focus after the break.

c. Prepare well to give your best, and stop worrying about the results.

7. If you keep having extreme anxiety about doing well in exam conditions

a. Avoid thoughts of worry, doubt and negative imagination

b. Substitute every negative thought with positive ones e.g.'I WILL be able to do it well', 'I am preparing well and my alert mind will remember everything', 'I have practised solving model test papers and I can manage well in the given time'

c. Any time you feel worried- Sit down, take deep breaths and think positive. After 5 minutes' of this exercise go back to studying.

d. A calm mind is a must to study with focus. Don't let worrying thoughts disturb your mind's peace.

8. If you think you cannot waste time in physical activity

a. Remember, continuous and adequate blood supply is absolutely essential for the brain to do sustained mental activity.

b. Every break that you take in between study time, should involve vigorous physical activity like running, jumping, climbing up and down the stairs.

c. You can try this relaxing exercise as well- stand up on your feet, stretch your arms towards the roof/sky, stay like this for a while. Then lower down your arms & head towards your feet. Stay in this posture for as long as you can. Take deep, relaxing breaths.

d. Do yoga or brisk walk for 10-20 minutes, outside or any other physical activity

e. Consciously imagine your mind feeling relaxed and active.

9. If you are not taking proper or adequate nutrition
a. Every day, eat green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, milk, grains, pulses in small amounts - avoid heavy meals

b. A burger/bread/noodles or pasta can be made nutritious by adding vegetables etc.

c. Avoid too much of a particular food or coke, coffee and tea, even packed juices. Drink lot of water- at least 6-10 glasses to keep a normal blood flow.

d. Avoid smoking/drinking; you may feel relaxed momentarily but this is because these chemicals cloud your brain and make it dull. Remember these things are actually poisons for your body system otherwise why would there be a 'statutory warning:cigarette smoking is injurious to your health'

10. If you can't live without talking/chatting/playing mobile games or other distractions

a. 15-20 minutes' of socializing or TV etc are not bad as long as they inspire you, relax you or take your tiredness away. But don't overdo any of these.

b. Avoid friends, family, neighbors; TV, computer, other gadgets or even news paper/magazines if they take away your mental peace and cause stress!

REMEMBER: an alert, calm and positive mind is absolutely essential to prepare for and fare well in exams. Think of ways to have that and you will be stress freeee!!

Red Light Therapy | Look Years Younger, Reduce Wrinkles, Ease Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:01:00 +0000

Red light therapy for anti aging purposes is a form of LED light therapy, also called photo rejuvenation. This procedure uses Light Emitting Diodes directly pointed to the skin to promote a younger and healthier skin. Red light therapy is completely natural and actually triggers a response from your body to get your skin improved from the inside.

This skin care treatment has been researched and developed by NASA, and was first used to evaluate the reaction of plants under LEDs. The process showed it accelerated growing, and later confirmed that it was effective on humans cells. Though plants and human cells are different, light at the ideal wavelength has been proven to improve skin condition, completely naturally.

Indeed, red is the color to heal, and it is used for a number of other conditions, such as pain management (back pain, tendinitis, tennis elbow...). Combined with infrared lights, the procedure is even more effective, since infrared penetrates deeper. As for skin care, what happens is that your skin absorbs the light, stimulating the production of elastin and collagen. These two proteins are of course extremely important for your skin firmness and elasticity.

Elastin and collagen production are decreasing while we age, plus the little veins that bring the nutrients in the blood to the surface of the skin become even smaller. Red light renew cells and will help those veins to carry more blood to your skin, more nutrients.

The effect of red light therapy is cumulative. So the more you use it the softer and smoother your skin will be. Generally, treatments for the whole face last about 15 to 30 minutes, but of course you can focus your efforts on certain areas of your face: crow's feet, corner of the lips, neck, etc. Wrinkles and fine lines will start to get filled with collagen again and you will be happy to get that great tone and radiance on your face back. Another form of LED light therapy uses blue light, and is dedicated to fight acne. Green light is for hyper pigmentation.

The beauty of it is it's no surgical intervention, and you don't need much creams and lotions after all. Though it was first only available from skin clinics, dermatologists and spas, red light therapy devices are now publicly on the market and you can thus get your treatment from your own home. The cost of such devices vary ($100 - $400) but is totally worth it considering the money saved on other skin care products, and much more affordable than sessions at professionals offices.

Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:51:00 +0000

Performance enhancing drugs, as the name suggests, are typical drugs that can be taken for increasing one's performance. These drugs are basically steroids taken by athletes and sportsperson who are genuine professionals. Also, certain other hormonal drugs, including human growth hormone stimulants might also be regarded as performance enhancing drugs.

These enhancers were first used by the Greeks in the ancient past and were ingested by participants of sporting events. But these drugs have however been recognized as a threat and since the 20th century, certain technologies have been developed for testing and screening athletes on a regular basis to find the presence of such drugs in their blood stream. These enhancers have been banned since then.

Performance enhancing drugs- the phrase, is just used to refer to certain anabolic steroids or their relevant precursors in general, but the world of anti-doping organizations have a broader description for these drugs. These typical enhancers have distinct classes as well-

Stimulants: These drugs are used by athletes to enhance their performance in their particular fields and also stimulate the bodies to give their best performance. Stimulants can also help in increasing awareness, alertness and aggressiveness and decreasing fatigue. Some of the commonly used stimulants are Amphetamines and Caffeine.

Lean Mass Builders: These typical performance enhancers are used to amplify or as well drive the growth and development of lean body mass and muscle. These can also help in reducing body fat. These belong to the category of anabolic steroids and the commonly used ones are beta-2 agonists and several other human hormones, such as human growth hormones.

Sedatives: These enhancers are also used by athletes engaged in sports such as archery that demands a steady hand and also a precise aim. Sedatives help in coping up with nervousness and distress. Marijuana, Beta Blockers and alcohol are some of the common examples.

Painkillers: These drugs are very common and are used on a regular basis by the common mass as well. Athletes prefer using these drugs to mask their pain in order to maintain their performance and ability to compete in unfavorable conditions. These drugs allow the blood pressure levels to soar up, thus supplying the body with ample quantity of vital oxygen to relief pain. Painkillers can be purchased over-the-counter and includes medicines such as NSAIDS (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) and also certain prescribed narcotics.

Masking Drugs: These are rare drugs and are taken in order to prevent other classes of drugs from being detected. These drugs can evolve really quickly almost similar to the methods of testing. Epitestosterone is the most commonly recognized making drug.

Diuretics: These drugs are used for expelling water out of athlete's bodies. Wrestlers have been using these drugs for long in order to meet the weight restrictions. Some of the stimulants are believed to have secondary diuretic effects.

Performance enhancers are usually taken as oral pills, though some injections are also available to be intravenously injected.

With the improved technologies and development skills, the detection of performance enhancing drugs in an athlete's blood stream has become almost impossible. But preventive measures are still being taken and hopefully someday the World Anti-Doping Agency will be able to bring this issue to an end.

Engineering vs Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Students across the world find themselves at the crossroads after completing their high school. For toppers, the decision to opt between engineering and medicine is the most difficult task. Of course, the choice is never entirely yours and is influenced by several external factors. These include your parents, the success of your elder siblings in a particular academic area, your teachers and, for some, even friends. Not to say that you should ignore them but the best bet is to listen to your inner-self and do some search on both these fields before deciding on one. Following are some considerations you should take into account:

Ease of finding a job
How many doctors or nurses have you come across who said they were unemployed? The answer would be less than ten. Yes! If you are the one who wants to land up in a job immediately after completion of your course, medicine is the right specialty for you. There is little doubt that engineering profession has too many opportunities; however, finding a desired job can be a tad difficult.

Leisure time
Are you a kind of a person who prefers to work five days a week and wants to try lots of other things during the weekend? In that case, you may opt for engineering. There are several doctors and nurses who say they have little time for themselves and they have to be ready to work during any time of the day and week.

Income
Engineers can be found at many levels in the organization. You can see some of them running companies as CEOs and you may even see some engineers providing low paying technical support services. Hence, there is no certainty on income levels. On the other hand, people in medicine profession invariably earn decent income.

Sensitivity
Many medicine students leave this field after first three months of study. The probable rationale: I am allergic to smell in operation theater; I couldn't dissect the frog; the sight of dead bodies haunts me in my dreams. If you can set aside all these issues and look at the larger picture of treating the ill, you can take up medical profession.

Creativity
There is no limit to creativity in engineering profession. Some engineering specializations such as automobile and architecture are perfect example of these. Who knows you could be the next Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, and end up constructing the ninth wonder of the world! But medicine is a much strict discipline.

Social Purpose
There is no better way to save human lives than through medicine. There are hundreds of ailments that are yet to be overcome. If you empathize with living beings and want to make a change to lives then go for medicine.

Social status
The doctors are at the top of the social hierarchy in terms of respect and recognition. People treat them gently and always want to make friends with them. If you crave for such attention then becoming a doctor can fulfill your desires; however, there is a caveat to it: You can never take your personal conduct for granted.

The above mentioned considerations are general in nature and are highly debatable. You may find exceptions in both engineering and medicine. Nevertheless, these guidelines may serve you a great deal in knowing some of the basic characteristics in both these professions. The important thing is that you should not decide on a career just because you think it's cool. Your grades in high school, your priorities in life, your finances and several other things will dictate your decision. But doing basic research on both these specializations is utmost important before choosing. Once chosen, the next step will be to secure admission in a good academic institution that will add real value to your knowledge and career. Remember, getting a seat in a reputed college is half the work done. Other rewards will come due to your perseverance, hard work, and passion for the job.

All the best!

Laughter is medicine for the soul But ...

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Laughter is medicine for the soul and has many health benefits. It decreases stress and releases the endorphins that make you feel good. In other words laughter helps you lighten up, enjoy your life and enjoy your relationships.

But it is not true with all laughter. There is a mean spirited humor that has gone viral in our culture which poisons the soul. It is rampant on cartoons, TV shows, movies, and in our school and it finds a way into our homes.

It is sarcastic and mocking
Belittles and makes fun of someone else
It is mean spirited and is a form of bullying

How Teenage Girls Use Mean Spirited Humor

1. Internet, Facebook, Texting

Laughing at ugly pictures of 'friends'.
Pretending to be someone else on Facebook (like a boy) with the intention of humiliating someone.
Saying mean things to people over text and Facebook.
Watching videos on YouTube to mock others.

2. School

A group of girls/boys making fun of one girl/boy.
Being a target of mean spirited humor and fighting back with mean spirited humor.

3. Home

'funny' stories that belittle and mock others at school

10 Guidelines for Positive Humor

1. Humor should be enjoyable for both of you

You only get the good benefits of laughter when both of you are laughing and enjoying it.

2. Never use humor that belittles another person

This is true even if you think you are being playful especially with your friend.

3. Make light of yourself

You can make light of yourself

4. Laugh at your pets

5. Avoid the sensitive issues

6. Teenagers love absurdity

You can get away with a lot when you use absurdity in your humor. Absurdity exaggerates something so far out of reality that it is absurd and it's not personal

7. Laugh at the simple things

Many great laughs come from the simple things of life.

Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games on Health

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Concerned about the effects of video games on your kids health? Or perhaps you're just curious about this stuff or need to research it for a paper. Below you'll find the information you'll need on this topic with links at the bottom for further reading.
This whole article is about how video games affect people's health in general. The general positive and negative effects on health are the main topic of discussion.

Positives of Video Games Effects on Health
Let's start with how video games have positive effects on your health.
The strangest of the positive effects of video games can be seen in the healthcare sector. People (especially youngsters) who are undergoing painful treatment for ailments like cancer can use video games to distract themselves from the pain for extended periods.
Video games have positive psychological effects as well. Certain games that are used as part of a comprehensive program can further help autistic children and other children with developmental disorders.
Studies have also shown that playing video games can improve mental faculties, such as hand-eye coordination. More intelligent games such as strategy and puzzle games can also improve problem solving, and provide intellectual stimulation as well.

Negatives of Video Games Effects on Health
There is a wide range of reported negative effects of video games on health; however the actual evidence of games directly causing certain negative effects is very weak. Other negative effects are usually due to prolonged excessive play of video games. Parents concerned with the amount of time their children spend on video games should encourage them to balance the time out with other activities. Extremely adverse effects such as hallucinations are very rare and could be caused by other unknown factors.
People who are susceptible to epileptic seizures and photosensitive individuals could experience seizures when they see rapid flickering or rapid screen changes happening in the game. The amount of play doesn't matter much, as people who are prone to seizures could experience one after even a few minutes of play.
People who live a sedentary lifestyle (poor exercise, rather inactive) and do mostly sitting activities such as playing video games usually suffer from some sort of ailment later on in life, such as heart and muscle problems and obesity. This is usually combined with a poor diet, such as genetically-modified foods and junk food.
There is also research that suggests that there is a link between violent games and increased aggression, however the research is rather limited and usually does not take other variables into account such as upbringing and environmental conditions.
Conclusion
Video games have both positive and negative effects on health. The effects however vary immensely depending on the types of games played and the frequency of play. Certain adverse effects can be caused by other factors in conjunction with excessive play of games, but can usually be corrected by living a healthier lifestyle. The positives of the effects of video games on health also vary depending on the type of game played and its frequency.

Diabetes & Women

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:14:00 +0000

There are a few signs connected with diabetes which you'll find are commonplace both in men and in women. With diabetes type 1 and type 2, these consist of extreme thirst, urinating very often, exhaustion and also continual cravings for food. There are symptoms which show up in diabetes type 2 when it advances, like eyesight troubles as well as continued infections in the bladder, skin as well as the gums.

What Is Sleep Apnea? Causes, Risk Factors, and Effects

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder that can affect both adults and children. It causes you to stop breathing or experience low breathing at certain points during sleep. Each period of not breathing is known as an apnea and can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes. This can occur any number of times from 5 to 30 or more every hour. The condition can be diagnosed by spending a night in a sleep lab and suffers have problems with daytime fatigue, slowed reactions and vision problems. There are three different types of this condition which we will detail below.

Smoking, Alcohol and Contraceptives may case Migraine Headaches

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:04:00 +0000

Over time, a few theories have been explored as being the cause of migraine headaches. However, people today can attest to the fact that specific things cause migraines in their case.

What Causes Migraine Headaches - The Theories Explored

Back in the 1940s, scientists believed that migraine-headaches were triggered by an initial spasm that partially closed the arteries leading to the cerebrum. This, they believed, caused a decrease in the blood flow to part of the brain, hence the sudden headache and severe pain.

Why Do Your Eyes Twitch and How to Stop it?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:31:00 +0000

The answer to your question 'why does my eye twitch?' can be for many different reasons. The technical name for eye twitching is Blepharospasm and it is caused by muscle spasms in the eye lid and around the eye. It is believed to be related to the nervous system. It tends to start suddenly and can last for anything from a few hours up to a few days. In some cases it can be triggered by smoking or bright light. In very rare cases eye twitches can be a symptom of a more serious problem known as nystagmus, although this is not a muscle twitch, it is the movement of the eye itself and needs medical treatment.

5 Yoga Poses for Depression and Anxiety

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:57:00 +0000

A person, suffering with depression, might feel hopeless, sad, anxious, and irritated on a regular basis. There are many forms of therapy for depression, and seeking professional counseling (psychotherapy) is a wise step forward. Support groups, social support, lifestyle changes, and many prescription medications are available to help people cope with depression. Sadly, there are cases when the side effects of prescriptions can be difficult to bear. Medication can be a viable solution or it can become a short-term answer for symptoms.

What is Musicotherapia (Music Therapy)?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:12:00 +0000

Music therapy is based on the interpersonal therapeutic relationship between a professional music therapist and the patient. The objectives and methods of treatment are personalized and tailored to the needs and characteristics of the patient. The idea that the effect of music can be therapeutic is definitely not new.

Migraine Headache Overview, Types of Migraines

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 06 May 2012 06:57:00 +0000

There are only a couple of basic classifications of headache, primary and secondary. Migraine headaches and tension-type headaches are the two most widespread sort of headache and each of them are in the primary classification. For primary headaches the headache is the primary condition. Conversely, secondary headaches are brought on by underlying primary medical issues such as infections, allergic reactions, medication-induced, or additional health factors. Knowing how to distinguish between headache types will usually lead to a more successful natural treatment option.

How Yoga protects the Brain from Depression and Anxiety

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:49:00 +0000

It's well-known that yoga has numerous health benefits and is often recommended for physical ailments such as back pain, but it's interesting to delve into the use of the ancient technique to improve mental well-being and provide a healthy outlook on life.Recent research in the United States found that three sessions of gentle yoga a week can help combat depression as it boosts levels of a chemical in the brain which is essential for a relaxed mind.

Positive and Negative Effects of Music on Health

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:06:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed when singing a song that the words seem to just pop right out with very little effort to remember the lyrics? If so, you are not alone. Studies have been done trying to answer the question of how people remember songs; by lyrics, melody, or title. The answer has a similar result that learning styles do with determining the best way people learn.

What is a Bulging Disc and How to Treat it?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Bulging disc help may be as simple as finding out the causes, treatments, and what is best for you. In many cases, back pain sufferers have found ways to fix the problem themselves. What has caused your bulging disc and can you really fix it at home yourself?

What Is It?
Since the discs in your spine are used to absorb the stress of physical activity which many doctors refer to as 'absorbing the shock', the disc itself is made to not feel pain. Sounds crazy, right? Think about it. If the disc in your spine could feel pain, each step you took would be painful. Instead, they help keep us from having pain. That is, until one gets moved the wrong way causing it to bulge.

This bulge tends to always happen where the nerve is and causes pressure. The pressure on the nerve causes the pain. Of course, when a disc bulges, you won't just feel pain in that one area. The nerve that the disc is putting pressure on is in charge of other areas of the body. That is why when you have a bulging disc in your neck, you may have headaches, problems with your arms and hands, vision trouble, chest pain, and so on.

Middle back bulging discs can cause chest pain, pain in the ribs, digestive problems, and according to the 'Heal Your Bulging Disc' website, it can even lead to liver and gall bladder problems.

When the disc is bulging in the lower back, it is common to have weak legs, pain shooting down legs and into feet, and it can also cause bowel and bladder problems.

So, as you can see, it is very important to fix the bulging disc as soon as possible and not let the problem persist.

Common Causes
Believe it or not, smoking can be a major factor of back trouble. The toxins from cigarette smoke break down the disc walls which leaves the disc more vulnerable. Other common causes: lack of exercise, poor diet, age, severe trauma, improper heavy lifting, and often a person who works where a lot of bending and driving are involved find themselves with back trouble.

What Will Doctors Do?
As with most back trouble, your doctor will probably prescribe pain killers and muscle relaxers. You may also be advised to have physical therapy, see a Chiropractor, and, as a last resort, opt for surgery. For the most part, these treatments for bulging discs are only temporary and the pain will normally come back leaving you feeling miserable and wonder if there is any place else to turn.

Is There More?
According to 'Home Remedies Central', an herbal mixture of Mugwort, Horsetail, Yarrow, Comfrey, Parsley, and Rosehips could do the trick. Of course, there are many exercises that could be beneficial.

The most important thing to remember is that the bulging back disc needs time to heal. It took time for it to weaken and cause you pain, so it will take time for it to heal. Removing pressure from this part of your back will help it to heal more quickly.

Treatments of a bulging disc needs to include exercises. Not aerobic or weight training exercises, but exercises that target the problem. Targeted back exercises are designed to restore circulation, relax cramped muscles, and ease the pain.

One exercise that has helped many is called the 'crawling baby'. To do the exercise, get down on your hands and knees in the floor. Try to keep your head and spine in line while you slowly kick one leg back toward the opposite wall behind you. Bring the knee back to the starting position. Now, do the other leg. Do 10 to 20 reps alternating legs.

Targeted exercises have been the best solution for many people who find that they have gotten rid of the pain and back to their regular lives. After a doctor has ruled out any serious problems, begin your targeted exercise program to start feeling better.

What is Head Rush and How to Prevent it?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:08:00 +0000

Depending on your own physical situation, your medication maybe giving you problems with head rushes. Head rushes are caused by a sudden change in blood pressure, they can make you feel dizzy and disoriented. While the head rush may only last a few seconds the actual feeling seems to feel much longer.

Head rushes normally do not inflict any pain on individuals. The problem with becoming dizzy or faint is it can cause you to become disoriented if you experience one in a local that is not familiar to you. Having to grab for a chair, table or anything to hold yourself up is an embarrassing moment that will have people wondering about your over all health.

Falling down from a head rush can cause severe damage and pain to your body. The fall itself can cause you to hit an object such as a table, chair, or any other nearby piece of furniture as you collapse uncontrollably to the floor. Hitting furniture as you fall can cause severe bruising and may possibly tear the skin and cause bleeding. While bruising and bleeding sound terrible the floor can cause the biggest injury. Many people have fallen and broken a bone in their arm or leg, hitting the floor from a head rush greatly increases the chance of breaking a hip.

Here are a couple tips to help you avoid having a head rush.

Getting out of bed
In the morning should take some time. Start by waking up and simply lying in bed for at least one minute. After the minute sit up in bed and slowly move your legs to the floor. Sit on the edge of your bed for half a minute to allow the changes in blood flow. When you stand up do not walk, just stand up. If you experience dizziness or feel faint simply sit back down, if not after standing for 10 - 30 seconds you should be good for walking.

Getting up from a chair
Most people tend to push a chair away from the table by shifting their weight forward. The shift in weight tends to make the head move forward and lower towards the knees. This action increases the blood pressure from bending over followed by a sudden release or drop in blood pressure when you stand up. This can be solved by not bending over and keeping your back upright when moving you chair away from the table. If that is not possible pause after moving the chair away from the table while sitting upright. This will allow your blood pressure to return to normal. When you do stand up, stand straight up and do not lean forward.

Regardless of your body position, break up your movements with a slight rest before getting to your feet. These rest stops will help you from having a dizziness or fainting spells.

Health tip: Home Remedies for Nausea

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:16:00 +0000

Nausea is an unpleasant sensation that arises usually due to ones upset stomach conditions with an urge to vomit and most probably you already have experienced it several times. Simply, you can call it as the state which precedes vomiting. It is not a disease itself, but actually a symptom related to other disorders of our body.

Causes and symptoms:
Being a symptom itself, nausea can be caused by a number of varying factors. The most common among them are

1. Digestion problem: If your digestion system does not work properly due to reasons like food poisoning, then the result will be definitely nausea.

2. Motion sickness: The attack of nausea often can be seen with people traveling in car or bus prone to motion sickness - a state of disagreement between visually perceived movement and the vestibular sense.

3. Pregnancy: When a woman gets pregnant, she often feels the urge to vomit, and it is common to almost 80% women. Therefore, nausea can be caused in case of women by pregnancy at their early stages.

4. Alcoholic beverage: Use of excessive alcoholic beverage can also make a person nauseated.

Likewise, nausea can also be felt due to overeating, mental stress, chemotherapy, vertigo or any such illness. Our body is naturally trained to react under different circumstances differently and therefore, nausea is just a bodily reaction to force discharge of undesirable substances through vomiting.

The urge of one to vomit is the most common symptom of nausea. Besides, feeling of dizziness; sweating and stomach pain, etc are among other symptoms.

Useful home remedies you can try:
As mentioned earlier nausea is not a disease, and you can treat it with various home remedies available.

Empty stomach: In case of nausea the best way to deal it is with an empty stomach. Avoid foods for sometime if the cause is indigestion. Moreover, an empty stomach in nausea often results in vomiting and thus eliminates the whole sensation.

Ginger: In nausea, try to eat a small fresh piece of ginger with tea. This will help you find relief. If you wish, you can add half a teaspoon of honey to the tea at the same time.

Lemon: A cup of lemon juice with a little salt is also very effective in order to subside the nausea. You can as well smell simply a fresh lemon or its leaves.

Baking soda: Take half a teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of warm water and drink it slowly.

Apple cider vinegar: This is another effective home remedy for nausea. Just take one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey in a cup of water and drink at regular intervals.

Rice water: You can also try drinking rice water (that you used to cast aside) whenever you feel being nauseous.

However, taking proper healthy diet is very essential along with any remedy. In conditions like food poisoning, it is vital to avoid the poisonous eatables. Likewise, you can also use peppermint and other non-carbonated syrup as home remedies for nausea.