Back-Pain Acupuncture ‘Effective In Bristol Pain Clinic
Back pain is the largest single reported cause of absence from work and leading cause of disability. Sickness absence due to back and neck pain alone accounts for a loss of 5 million working days, at a cost of ? 5bn a year in UK.
Acupuncture for low back pain is cost-effective and works, according to medical researchers. Two studies on bmj.com suggest a short course of acupuncture would benefit patients and healthcare providersThe cost is well below the threshold used by officials to decide whether the NHS can afford to fund a set treatment, they said. Up to 80% of UK residents experience back pain at some point in their lives, costing the NHS ?480m a year.The annual economic cost of low back pain in lost productivity and disability or sickness benefits is estimated to be more than ?10bn. Evidence of acupuncture’s benefits is largely inconclusive, yet 2% of the UK population uses it in any one year. Dr Hugh MacPherson, from the University of York, along with colleagues at Sheffield University, reached their conclusions by studying 241 adults with low back pain. Patients were randomly assigned to either usual NHS care or up to 10 acupuncture treatment sessions. All of the patients remained under GP care. During the two-year study period, the average total cost of back pain treatment that included acupuncture was ?460, compared with ?345 for usual care. Although acupuncture was more expensive, when the investigators took into account the health benefits gained from the treatment in terms of quality and quantity of life, they found it was more than worthwhile for the extra cost. The cost per quality-adjusted-life-years – or “QALY” – gained was ?4,241. —-BBC News 14/09/2006
The highly qualified (BM, MMed, MATCM) and experienced acupuncturist( 20 years worked in army hospital). Dr Zhentong Han is available for private consultations at Clinic in Bristol and Bradford. Specialities in Chronic Low Back, Thoracic (mid and upper back), and Neck Pain ;Sciatica and other Spinal Nerve Problems ;Muscle Pain :Neuralgia (nerve pain problems like Shingles, trapped or injured peripheral nerves) :Osteoarthritis affecting larger joints (hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist. ?natural health clinic,39 cotham hill,Bristol,BS6 6JY.Tel:0117 9741199. http://www.backachetherapy.co.uk
Five Reasons to choose my practice
1 My experience sets me apart. Worked in China army hospital for 20 years. Through the years I have developed a comfortable treatment experience that fuses a practical, unique style of acupuncture with a contemporary Western approach.
2 My training. I was trained in China and has been in practice since 1985, attended one of the premier acupuncture university in Beijing and has extensive hospital and clinical experience. I am dedicated to staying current with the latest advances in the profession and are major contributors to acupuncture research, education and professional development in the United Kingdom.
3 My specialty is the treatment of pain and functional disorders. I provide acupuncture; acupressure and Tuina massage therapies that complement the medical care you are currently receiving.
4 The way I treat you is how I should like to be treated myself. Consultations are free, and I will always tell you whether I feel I could be of help.
5 My safe, gentle and effective treatments. I incorporate the latest advances in the profession, state-of-the-art equipment and, of course, disposable needles to ensure your safety. The art of experienced practice combined with the effectiveness of treatments provide my patients with a pleasant and beneficial experience.
If you?ve ever met Dr Zhentong Han, you would not be surprised to know that the beginnings of his education toward becoming a healthcare practitioner started at an early age, and that he continues his educational pathways currently. It is also not surprising to learn that Dr. Zhentong Han believes that good health is a life long journey, and that education is our best weapon toward creating and maintaining a healthy society.
Dr. Han?s journey in healthcare began as a medical student at the Fourth Military Medical University,in 1980 when he was 16 years older at Xi?an(hometown of Terra Catta Warriors) After earning a MB, He worked in an Army hospital as surgeon for 8 years, His interest in deep healing arose out of his own experience of chronic pain, which began with a bicycle accident while he was a medical student. The pain, unresponsive to all that conventional medicine could offer, forced him to face the limits of his own medical job in Army. His search for an answer led him on a fascinating journey to a new understanding of health and illness, stress and deep inner tensions, and how they affect our lives. Dr Han?s explorations into alternative approaches led him to study Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Bon medicine and Mongolian medicine. In order to sdudy, then He went on to continue his studies at The University of Beijing Chinese Medicine in Acupressure & Herbal medicine Education, completing his Traditional Chinese medicne degree in 1994.After that, he initiated a research study into the use of acupuncture for chronic pain. That research gradually evolved into the highly successful residential program at army hospital.As a west medicine doctor, Combining West medicine and Chinese medicine for treated pain ,He got lot of experience for pain relief and in particular: back pain, neck and shoulder tension,stress, headache, migraine and arthritis, before moving to attend one of Complementary medicine clinic, the West Yorkshire,UK .
Since working in army hospital,Doctor Han has also received his certification in Sports medicine(China)and attained his Tibetan Bon medicine and Mongolian medicine Certification ,He has carried his own professional indemnity insurance in UK and always look for the underlying cause of any health complaint and so each person is treated as a unique individual.
While his 20 years?s medical practice,the health care education has spanned more than a decade, and continues today and beyond, Dr. Han has also had the opportunity to put his training to good use, volunteering with the Xi?an Army Football Team of the Chinese Army in 1994, and working as an vice ?president of Zhuque army hospital from 1999 to 2004. Throughout he also worked as a Back pain relief researcher in Xi?an during his worked in Army hospital. The years in UK also presented excellent opportunities to meet lot of back pain patients. Dr. Han passion for Back pain relief and a great desire to be at the leading edge of rehabilitative care has lead him to an incredible degree of involvement in the realm of Chinese medicine and West medicine rehabilitative care.
Since entering into British private back pain practice, Dr. Han has continued his involvement in Chinese rehabilitative Medicine and registered with ATCM(UK), knowing that this is where the leading edge back care will occur-and where he is able to gain the further knowledge that he can bring to his own patients in his daily practice. This level of knowledge has been gained at the highest levels of Chinese medicine fo Backcare.and he has continued to grow to include all of the essential services of a well-rounded active based rehabilitation and wellness centre, including electro-acupuncture, including Massage therapy, Tuina, Most recently the Doctor Han has been very busy practiced in the Kangda clinic.Bradford.
In the end, all of Dr. Han?s activities have not only enriched his life; it has also given him the practical experience, knowledge to help enrich the lives of his patients as well. As a Doctor and health care professional, Dr. Han believes that good health is for life, and for him to be able to help his patients on an ongoing basis, he must always continue to learn and grow, and find new fields of practical experience, and perhaps, even more importantly, Dr. Han is proud to not only help other to be healthy, but to also live according to what he teaches- and be able to use his knowledge to help the lives of those closest to him.
In his time outside of his practice, Dr. Han enjoys spending time with his wife Min(working in medical school of BristolUniversity) and his daughter qiangwei and interesting in Photography. It is this balance of family and professional life that has been the great source of his joy and well-being. There is a simple philosophy that the Zhentong family lives by; enjoy each day as if it could be your last, and enjoy all that life has to offer. They would thus like to extend their sincerest wishes to everyone for great health and happiness.
Bristol Chinese Pain relief Acupuncture
http://www.backachetherapy.co.uk
Overcome the Threats of Stress
Today, we lead an increasingly stressful life. Some experts are of the opinion that a little stress can be good for you. A small dose of stress pushes the limits of an individual both physically and mentally and is sometimes crucial for achieving optimum performance. Stress induces a ?fight or flight? response in our body, which leads to the release of adrenaline into our blood stream.
For example, students sitting for an exam are often in the grip of a stress response and this helps them to focus and giving their best performance. However, as we all know, prolonged stress is very bad for the body. While a little stress enables us to meet deadlines, longer exposure to it might induce a heart attack or other major health crisis.
Stress is both a physical and psychological response. When the physical and mental demands on our body are more than what it can cope with, the body starts to show the symptoms of stress. The usual characteristics of this kind of a reaction are fatigue, insomnia, developing an irritable disposition, constant and nagging worrying and in some cases, depression.
The reasons for stress are many. They can be brought on by both work and personal situations. It has been observed that the increasing demands on today?s workforce have actually led to a loss of productivity over the past decade or so.
The 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) noted that as compared to other industrialized countries, workers in America spend the most time at their place of work, which can lead to a host of family and job related conflicts.
Also, the threat of downsizing is everywhere; constantly worrying about job security has become a part of modern life. Work related stress impairs both work and family life.
On a more personal level, the loss of a loved one or a divorce can send people into depression. If you feel overwhelmed by the very task of leading your daily life, you are heading towards anxiety-induced disorders. Financial concerns related to your family, constantly worrying about your loved ones – all this leads to a very stressful life.
Stress is very harmful for our bodies. Some of the primary manifestations of this are fatigue and the impairment of our immune system. This makes us vulnerable to diseases like the flu and the common cold. This may be accompanied by insomnia and digestive disorders (like stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation).
People who usually suffer from stress are prone to an increase blood pressure and related problems. Long term and chronic stress is especially harmful for your heart. It can also contribute to the premature aging of your brain cells, leading to neurological damage.
There are supplements available that can help your body cope with a stressful state. Chief among them is Anxietol 7?, an all natural anti stress product from www.bodestore.com.
Anxietol 7 helps strengthen the body?s immune system and brings with it a healthy dose of anti-oxidants. It can be taken daily with a glass of water or juice. Always check with appropriate health professionals if you feel over come with stress. Adapt a multi-tiered approach of mediation, diet, supplements, counseling with professionals, and relaxing exercises like Yoga and Tai’ chi and you can beat the threats of stress.
Understanding The Symptoms Of Vertigo
Have you been a little lightheaded lately? If you happen to set your eyes on an object and you see it spinning, then your dizziness may lead to something serious. If your wooziness is coupled with a whirling sensation, chances are you may be experiencing vertigo. Vertigo is a medical term for dizziness that can lead to a balance disorder.
Vertigo is also known as ?hallucination of motion?. Individuals having this ailment begin to see blurred motions of stationary objects. It has almost the exact feeling of being in an unstoppable merry-go-round.
It may be left untreated many times, but vertigo is actually one of the most widespread medical problems among adults. In United States alone, around 40% of individuals experience the symptoms of vertigo at least once. This fact is so reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Studies show that vertigo is more common in women than in men and as a person grows older, he or she may experience more frequent attacks of vertigo.
Vertigo is usually associated inner ear infection, which is also referred to as labyrinthitis. Fluid-filled canals or labyrinths have very small hair cells that are responsible for sending impulses to the human brain. The brain then identifies the individual?s correct body orientation. Once the small organs in the labyrinths gets irritated, then these cells may send incorrect messages to your brain. When this happens, you would feel a sudden drowsiness. Since the ear is responsible for the body?s balance, once your ears are malfunctioning you may often observe yourself getting dizzy and out of balance.
Vertigo can also be caused by balance disorders and inflamed vestibular nerves. If you are physically injured in a part of your ear, chances are you would suffer from vertigo as well. It is important to take not that vertigo is not a disease in itself. It may be a symptom to a more complicated illness like tumor and stroke.
At the first signs of vertigo, immediately consult your doctor for proper advice. The common treatment for vertigo is meclizine. The symptoms of vertigo usually go away on its own but comes back after a few weeks or so. If you experience any signs of vertigo, never tell yourself that?s it?s just a simple headache and would soon go away. As pass? as it may sound, prevention is always better than cure.
7 Surefire Ways To Shed 7 Pounds In 14 Days
The search for ways to speed up your weight loss is over. With these seven tips, you can be seven pounds lighter in the next two weeks. Be ready to make some changes, but your thinner self will thank you.
Make water your best friend
While it should come as no surprise that water is your best weapon in weight loss, some still haven?t caught on. By increasing your water consumption to six to eight glasses a day, you will help you body flush out toxins that are impeding the weight that you want to lose.
Water helps to speed digestion as well as many other processes in your body. And if your body is running more smoothly, then you can burn more calories along the way.
A new appetizer
If you?re looking to cut back on the foods that you?re eating, here?s a trick that works for anyone. Start your lunches and dinners off with a small cup of soup. Of course, the soup shouldn?t be cream based; a broth will work very well.
The warm soup will help to make your stomach feel fuller so that you eat less at the meal that follows. This is also a good trick if you are going out to eat. Have that bowl of soup before you go to curb your temptation for larger portions.
Take away the salt
A lot of the extra weight people carry is due to a large intake of salt. Salt can be found in many of the things that we consider healthy?frozen lunches, canned soups, and condiments.
Take some time over the next two weeks to look at the labels of the things that you eat to see how much salt (as sodium) are in the foods that you have been eating. Avoiding prepackaged foods is the best way to remove the salt from your diet.
Take away the sugars
While we don?t want to admit it, sugar is keeping us overweight and unhappy. And sugar isn?t just a candy bar or a milkshake, it?s also in the white breads and pastas that we love.
But if you want to lose weight, it?s time to find better ways of eating. This can include switching to brown rice and whole wheat bread. And of course, limiting your sugary snacks to once in a great while.
Get moving
When you?re trying to lose weight, you need to start exercising. If you haven?t exercised before, you?re in luck. Studies have shown that you can walk just a few times a week and burn the calories that you want to burn.
Thirty minutes a day is the best way to lose seven pounds in two weeks, but if you don?t have that much time, try to split it up over the course of the day?say ten minutes three times a day, or just try to fit in three good thirty minute walks a week.
Slow down
One of the main things that trigger overeating is not taking time for your self. When you?re trying to lose weight, it?s essential that you set aside a little time each day for you and you alone. By giving yourself some quiet time, you?ll be able to slow down and remember that you?re worth the extra effort that you?re putting in to lose weight.
Just like mom said
And don?t forget about your fruits and veggies. Though fruits do contain sugar, they also contain fewer calories than your traditional sugary snacks.
If you really want to jumpstart some weight loss, eat steamed vegetables at every meal. Not only do they have a slightly diuretic effect (makes you lose water weight), but they also energize your body to keep making great choices.
When you want to lose weight, you need help, but with these tips, you have everything you need.
Ostomy Supplies and Products
Finding the right ostomy system is crucial for your health, confidence and product wear-time. You can spend months in research and still remain uncertain about the choices you made. Ostomy Software offers a trusted solution you can rely on. It helps you find the most suitable ostomy products by taking into consideration your stoma size and shape, type of ostomy, personal needs, preferences and body features.
Ostomy Software by JDBS brings years of experience and knowledge and fills an existing gap in the ostomy care world. Its powerful engine searches thousands of ostomy products to find the system that best suits your needs. Ostomy Software shows comparable products between different manufacturers! It gives product numbers and pictures to help the users place their orders or request samples.
Ostomy Software performs 5 major tasks:
- Finds One or Two-piece Ostomy Systems
- Finds comparable products between different manufacturers
- Finds different types of pouches to fit a particular flange
- Searches for products by product numbers/codes
- Provides exhaustive product and feature knowledge
1. Ostomy Software will help you make an intelligent choice.
? It is often the case that, after surgery, new ostomates are given only a few products from the hospital to keep them going until they find a supplier. These are usually products from only one particular manufacturer and from only one product line. They are ?general products?, designed to fit vast majority of patients and not suited to patient?s type of ostomy, body shape, skin sensitivity and preference. Many new ostomates are left with the impression that, this is the only choice they have. The products hospitals give away are often products given to them by sales representatives and usually represent one single brand.
? There are literally thousands of ostomy products on the market. Most of the retailers selling ostomy supplies do not specialize in ostomy and often have little or no information on various manufacturers, product lines, features etc.
Ostomy Software is here to fill this gap! In an easy and accurate manner it provides the user with profound product knowledge and opportunity to test a large variety of products from various manufacturers and product lines. Ostomy products can vary in brand, type, shape, size, colour, material, opening, filtering and body attachment system. Ostomy Software explores all of these options and lets you choose the unique products to best suit your personal preferences.
2. Ostomy Software lets you choose your appliances from the convenience of your own home.
If you feel uneasy discussing your personal needs or problems with a pharmacist, home health care professional or a customer service representative, Ostomy Software is the perfect tool for you. It will save you time, money, energy and potentially embarrassing moments.
3. Ostomy Software has a powerful engine designed to do the entire research and matching work for you. It is extremely easy to use.
Ostomy software will ask you questions before determining the correct product(s). It will then give you the manufacturer?s product code(s) and show a picture of the product(s). This way you can simply call your retailer, give the product number and either ask for samples or place an order. Ostomy Software can be easily used even by people with little computer skills.
4. Ostomy Software gives you the option to choose from among the many product lines offered by Hollister, ConvaTec and Coloplast.
Every manufacturer has different product lines designed to better respond to differences in body shape, age, skin sensitivity, individual taste, etc. In many cases patients are familiar with only one of the manufacturer’s product lines and are unaware of the choices they have.
5. Ostomy Software has a built-in ?smart matching system? which finds for you comparable products from among different manufacturers.
If you currently use or intend to use the products of one manufacturer, the software will suggest and give you the product numbers for comparable products from other manufacturers, which you might want to try as well. This way you can call your retailer and ask for samples.
6. Ostomy Software will keep you up to date with the latest on the market.
We offer to all our customers regular software updates and upgrades. This way we keep you current with the latest products, product trends and developments.
A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin
For the ultimate natural all round healing potion, try Honey. Thanks to Cleopatra?s milk and honey baths, Honey has become a favourite with one and all to be used in beauty regime. Beside Cleopatra, there were other beauties from the past, who swear by honey being an indispensable ingredient in beauty treatments.
Pollution, dirt, and other chemical agents in the air make the skin lose its ability to retain water, making it look dry, wrinkled and aging the person bit earlier. The natural hydrating and antioxidant properties of honey trap and seal the moisture, rejuvenate the skin, cleanse the complexion leaving it soft and supple.
Honey in its purest form is suitable for all skin types? even sensitive skin. Beauticians suggest using honey abundantly for radiant complexion. Skin care products like baths, shower gels, face creams, skin lotions, moisturizers, body scrubs and even newborns products contain pure honey.
Treat your self to some simple natural skin care remedies with honey at your home ?
- ? cup of honey to your bath keeps your skin soft and supple.
- Dry skin = 1 tsp honey, vegetable oil each and ? tsp of lemon juice. Pat it on dry areas of your skin, leave for 10 mins and rinse with water.
- Make a moisturizing mask with 1 tsp of honey, 1 egg yolk, ? tsp almond oil and 1 tsp yoghurt. Apply on your face, neck and other parts of your body. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse off with water. You skin will feel moisturized and polished with tightened pores.
- For the silky-smooth skin, mix ? cup of honey and 3 tsp of rosewater. Apply to face, neck avoiding sensitive areas around the eye. Massage well and rinse with lukewarm water and enjoy the sensation of an all different skin.
- Open the pores on your face by place a cloth dipped in warm water. Smear honey on your face for 20-30 minutes. Rinse first with warm water and then cold water to close the pores.
- Indulge your skin with the paste of 1 tsp of honey, 1 egg white, 1 tsp glycerin and flour. Smooth it over your face, throat, leaving it on for 10 minutes and then washing it off with warm water. Your skin will feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
- 4 tbsp of whole milk powder and 2 tbsp of honey make an excellent baby bath.
Tips to Cure Insomnia – A List of Effective Insomnia-busting Tips
Have you been relying on tips to cure insomnia that left you even more agitated than before you started counting sheep? Why would you fall asleep to the sight of bleating woolly creatures jumping over a fence anyway? But before you go reaching for that sleeping pill, read on for these proven tips to cure insomnia so you may finally be able to sleep.
Tip to Cure Insomnia # 1: See a medical professional.
If you have difficulty either falling asleep or staying asleep, then you may be afflicted with insomnia. Worry not, you are in good company. Insomnia is fairly a rampant sleep disorder and most of the world’s population go through sleepless nights at some point in their lives.
One in every three people, actually, are full-fledged insomniacs. Whether the cause is stress, anxiety, fatigue, or depression–refer to your medical professional for a more accurate diagnosis. It may well be a symptom of some unseen health problem.
Tip to Cure Insomnia # 2: Have your bed companion checked too.
Chances are, the person lying next to you is the factor for your situation. If his or her snoring affects your sleep adversely, tell your partner to see a doctor and have his or her snoring problem addressed. It may be caused by an allergy, an effect of hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, or a deviated septum. Whatever the case, seek medical assistance. Address the snores so you’ll dream comfortably.
Tip to Cure Insomnia # 3: Relax.
Employ relaxation exercises just like yoga, meditation, and tai chi. Rest in bed and breathe deeply for five minutes or until you fall asleep. Visualize yourself in a peace-filled place, your own personal paradise. The idea is to be rid of stress, even if it’s just in your mind. Try to deal with any conflicts or concerns before you go to bed so you may have peace of mind and freed to come to bed unperturbed.
Tip to Cure Insomnia # 4: For Pete’s sake, get a plumber.
Say the faucet leaks and the sound of the water drips are keeping you away from sleep, a temporary solution would be to tie a piece of string around the tap, going all the way down to the sink, so the water will just run down the length of the string noiselessly instead of making that annoying “drip, drip, drip” sound. Then when you wake up, seek a lasting solution and finally call that plumber.
Tip to Cure Insomnia # 5: Throw away the clock.
When you hear the clock making those annoying tick-tock sounds, you get anxious; and in that agitated condition, it will be all the more difficult for you to get some slumber. So hide the clock. Face it the other way if you must. If it’s the kind that ticks and tocks annoyingly, get rid of it. Use a silent one instead, so you won’t be tormented every night with the sound of each passing second of precious sleep you lose.
Tip to Cure Insomnia # 6: Sing yourself a lullaby.
There’s a reason lullabies were invented, and if they are effective on babies, then it will no doubt work for you too. Don’t be shy, sing in bed. I have tried this myself and found that it does wonders. Do try to limit your playlist to mellow stuff, however, as noisier numbers might keep even the neighbors wide awake.
You don’t need to count sheep anymore. All you need to do is heed these tips to cure insomnia. Now go snuggle next to your partner and go off to dreamland.
Gastric Bypass Surgery – What Are The Risks?
Although all of the risks involved in gastric bypass surgery aren’t fully known, there are many that are. These include possible infection, clotting of the blood, and the development of gallstones, a bleeding ulcer and even pneumonia. It certainly isn’t a simple procedure and complications may occur as with all invasive medical procedures.
Before the surgery is performed your doctor or physician will inform you of all the risks, but ensure that you ask all the questions to put your own mind at ease. He/She will also carry various examinations to ensure you’re ok for the gastric bypass surgery.
The main risks associated with the gastric bypass are as follows. As the food will be moving from your stomach to the intestines quickly you may get what’s called dumping syndrome – symptoms of this include sweating, fainting and diarrhoea. You may also experience vomiting after drinking or eating as if you search the Internet you will find many stories of this which is called stomal stenosis, when there’s a tightening of the opening between the stomach and the intestines.
You can reduce the symptoms of dumping syndrome by sticking to the strict diet guidelines given to you by your surgeon. Osteoporosis and bone disease can also occur, but is very rare.
As with all medical procedures there are many risks associated with it, and you should talk to your doctor about any concerns about the gastric bypass surgery. The information here isn’t to replace professional advice.
Losing Weight Without Being Hungry
Many people associate weight loss with being hungry all the time. They’re afraid to start a weight loss plan because they want to avoid the frustrations of hunger.
And yes, a lot of times for many people it’s better to be overweight than to starve. I’m no exception. I really like to eat, so there’s no way I would be constantly hungry for the sake being thin. What kind of life is it if you’re always feeling hungry?
Our natural instinct tells us to eat when we are hungry. Hunger is a signal telling the body that it needs to eat. It is also a signal to the body that it is in danger, that it needs food now. Our self-preservation instinct makes us scarf down everything in sight in response to feelings of starvation.
Our body doesn’t care that we live in the modern world where food is plentiful. It acts the same as it would if we were living in a wild, having to hunt for our food. And it is not wise to go against the instinct that is designed to protect us from starvation death.
So, get ready for a surprise: you do not have to be hungry in order to lose weight. On the contrary, eating regular meals and keeping yourself full is what will actually help you stick to your healthy eating plan and reach your goals. Keeping your hunger in check will help you avoid overeating. It will also prevent you from feeling miserable, frustrated and out of control.
Try eating 5-6 small frequent meals as opposed to three large ones. If you wait too long for a meal, by the time the food comes, you will be starving and will not be able to control yourself. Eating smaller meals more often helps keep you full, and lets you be in control.
Never skip meals. Some people think that by skipping breakfast or lunch they will save total calories, but the opposite happens. Because they go for too long without food, they end up compensating for it and then some later in the day. In addition, skipping meals slows down your metabolism, because your body feels like it’s not getting enough food. So it activates its survival instinct and burns fewer calories.
Another trick is to eat slower. It takes our body around 20 minutes to realize that it’s full. If you eat too fast, you will eat unnecessary calories while your body is determining whether it is still hungry. By the time it realizes that it’s full, it is too late, since you’ve already eaten more than you needed. If you eat slowly, your brain will start sending signals to stop eating just in time.
So don’t starve yourself in pursuit of weight loss. There’s absolutely no need for it. Get used to the idea that losing weight does not require being hungry.
Losing weight in a healthy way does not involve starving or deprivation. That’s why it is permanent — if you lose weight in a healthy way, you’re likely to keep it off for good.
Melanie Mendelson is one of those select few people who succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off. She lost 23 lbs and got down to her ideal weight, and she reveals all her weight loss secrets in her special guide. Visit Melanie’s site at http://www.practical-weight-loss.com
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Adult ADD: Are You A “Fire” Fighter?
In business, we refer to the word “fires,” a lot of times. These are ?fires that happen,? not literal fires, but things that need to be taken care of. A fire could anything that someone else thinks is really important and they come to you, and try to throw it on you as your problem because when you have ADD, you’re probably good at putting fires out.
You may say, ?Oh, let me go take care of that? because when you have ADD, you have a tendency to want to control things. But you can find people that will work for you to put out fires, to take care of interruptions. Stop your ADD brain from the fear of losing control. There are wonderful people out there that specialize in taking care of certain types of problems. Though your ADD may tell you that you need to be on top of everything, you don’t.
Here’s an example: If you regularly run into unexpected technological problems in your business, perhaps you have found a few people that are very good at responding, at lightning speed, and fixing any problems that you might run into with any of your websites. But maybe they?re not particularly good at keeping ahead of those problems on their own, given their own devices. If you just say, ?Here, monitor this and make sure it stays okay,? they may not be good at that. If a problem goes unnoticed, it just causes a bigger problem. You still have to manage your delegates, so you can put your ADD mind at ease. Even when you delegate tasks, you are still in control.
Putting out fires is a symptom of systems–or a lack of them–and it’s that ADD fear of losing control. Even if you have people working for you, that doesn?t mean you don?t have to manage whatever the task is, stuff still happens. Some of the people that are best at putting out fires actually are ADD types. People with ADD are good at switching gears. People with ADD are good at changing directions. And though some would call it “being distracted,” people with ADD are good at allowing their minds to switch from one thing to another and taking care of something when it needs to be taken care of.
Most ADD people try to go one way or the other. Some have extremely strict policies about when they?re going to make appointments, how they?re going to do it, and are very strict, which allows for zero flexibility. Their ADD has them terrified of losing control. Yet, if something comes up, they?re in trouble. Rigidity can cause a lot of anxiety.
Or, it flips to the other side of, ?Oh I guess I?ll just look at this open calendar for the week, and whatever comes up, comes up.? While that?s not what people say consciously, that?s generally what they tend to do. It’s one end of the pendulum to the other.
But you don’t have to be that rigid to control your ADD. You can have a flexible calendar. You can get all these things in. You can have the fires as they come up, if you need to, and you can deal with some of these things and manage your ADD.
It?s all about expectation–what other people are expecting of you. If you are always available to put out fires and your ADD has you always wanting to be in control, then people will expect you to always be available to put out fires. ?Oh my gosh, We?ve got to pay this bill right away! Oh my gosh, we?re running out of money! Oh my gosh, a customer?s calling and they?re upset. Oh my gosh, we have to do this refund.?
You may have to put up a sign that says, ?Use your own brain, mine?s busy.? If you don?t have people that are coming in, you still have phone interruptions, and fires, and so on. It?s about NOT setting the expectation. If you don’t set people up to expect things from you, they won’t.
How To BOOST Your Energy
How to BOOST your energy
Do you constantly feel lethargic? Are you dependent on a strong cup of coffee to get you going in the morning? If this sounds like you, It is very likely that your energy is low and low energy is often an indication that your general health is suffering.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to boost your energy simply by changing a few things in your daily routine.
Get Juicing
Raw juices cleanse the body by help shifting unwanted toxins. This in turn will give your more energy. Drinking a raw vegetable smoothie everyday will soon help increase those energy levels.
Protein Booster
Proteins such as fish and chicken are full of iron (which increases the production of red blood cells) as well as containing Vitamin B which is required for the production of energy.
Eat Little and Often
Experts recommend eating small meals often rather then eating large meals in one sitting as this can leave you feeling drained and tired.
Get Exercising
You don’t need to spend hours sweating away in the gym to increase your energy levels, even a daily walk will increase your energy. Exercise triggers the release of natural chemicals in the brain known as endorphins which produce a “natural high” feeling felt threw physical activity.
Banana’s
Throw out the chocolate and grab a banana they are a far better source of energy then chocolate. Bananas release natural sugar slow and gives you a long lasting energy boost whereas chocolate gives you a fast instant high followed by a dramatic drop in energy.
Weight Loss and How To Snack Cleverly
Copyright 2006 Eva Moffat
Weight Loss and Snacking – can they go together?
Snacking in itself is not bad for you, but it?s your choice of what food you eat to tide you over until your next meal that can be the baddie.
If you snack on junk food, that is usually full of unhealthy fat, you will be more likely to have a weight gain rather than a weight loss.
Here are 7 ways you can snack and not mess up your weight loss programme:
? Healthy Snacks, give them a fair try
? Keep away from Trans Fats
? Read the small print on the labels
? Energy Bars are not all they are cracked up to be
? You don?t have to have a snack just because the clock says it?s time
? High fat snacks ?.. run a mile
? Ignore the TV ads that tempt you to eat unwisely
Healthy Snacks, Give Them A Try
If you must snack, go for the healthy alternatives. In the fridge or your lunch box have some ready prepared fruit and vegetables. You could peel a carrot, slice it up into bite size pieces and chew on it slowly. You will be amazed at how quickly this will satisfy you. And as mother used to tell you, ?Eating carrots will help you see in the dark.?
Or have a nice crispy apple. Wash it but don?t peel it. Most of the goodness is in the skin.
Low fat biscuits can also help to keep you on track.
Have foods that are baked or grilled rather than fried.
Keep Away From Trans Fats
Trans Fats (bad fats) are the fats that raise your Cholesterol.
Cholesterol is the fat that clogs up your arteries, and as the blood is unable to flow smoothly, it can have the effect of giving you high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause heart problems or strokes.
Foods containing Trans Fats could be found in Microwave Snack foods. If you see ?partially hydrogenated oils? listed on the label, alarm bells should be ringing in your head.
Read The Small Print On The Labels
Get out your magnifying glass, be like Sherlock Holmes and play detective.
Study the labels on the food you buy. Forget about the adverts telling you how wonderful they are, rather check for yourself what?s in it.
What you are looking for is the Nutritional Value. The label should tell you:
? How many calories are in each portion?
? Grams of fat per portion
? Saturated Fat
? Trans Fat
? How much calcium is in each portion
? Protein
? Sugar
? Salt
Work out for yourself, how much salt you are eating each day. It has been found that we should not be eating more than 6 grams of salt each day. You may be shocked to find that you are having more than your daily recommended amount of salt in one meal, so you could be over your limit if you eat more than one meal a day.
Also if the label says it contains Trans Fat. Do yourself a big favour and put the packet/tin back on the shelf and your heart will thank you for it.
Be sure to check how the manufacturers work out what they consider a portion. Often their portions are for birds and I mean the feathered type.
Energy Bars Are Not All They Are Cracked Up To Be
Those bars that are said to be packed with energy and power, should be scrutinised for what?s in it.
It?s a common belief that sugar gives you energy. But too much sugar can mean you end up with higher blood sugar levels than your body can cope with.
Maybe the label tells you that the bar is low in Carbohydrates, that?s fine, but what it doesn?t tell you, is that it is also low in fibre and probably higher in fat.
Be afraid; be very afraid, if it tastes good ? it?s likely to be loaded with sugar.
So ideally, the perfect energy bar for you should contain the following.
? At least 3 grams of Fibre
? At least 5 grams of Protein
? Lower amounts of fat
? No saturated fat
? And fewer than 20 grams of sugar.
? Low in salt
You Don?t Have To Have A Snack Just Because The Clock Says It Is Time
If you have got into the habit of having a snack at 11.00 in the morning and again at 3.00 pm, do you really need it?
Say you had a high protein breakfast or lunch you should manage to get through to your next meal without the need to snack.
Yet if you had a high carbohydrate meal (either breakfast or lunch) you probably will be peckish, so a snack will prevent you from going into starvation mode.
Why is a High Protein meal better than a High Carbohydrate one?
The High Protein meal will be digested more slowly, so filling you up gradually over several hours.
While the High Carbohydrate meal fills you up instantly, but you will be feeling hungry much sooner. As High Carbohydrates are normally full of Calories, then having a High Carbohydrate snack as well, thus taking in even more calories, that weight loss plan you have been following is now about to fly out the window.
So if the clock tells you it?s snack time, only have a snack if you are really hungry. Then have a High Protein snack, it?s much less Calories in it.
High Fat Snacks ? Run A Mile
High Fat snacks can encourage you to overeat.
Pennsylvania State University Researchers did a test on some rats, they fed the rats a High Fat diet; this resulted in the rats overeating. The researchers compared these results with rats fed a Low Fat diet.
The conclusion the Researchers came to was that there is a Hormone that is secreted then sends a message to the brain saying, ?Stop eating now, you?re full up?. But on a High Fat diet, this Hormone was suppressed, and so the rats just went on eating. .
Ignore The TV Ads That Tempt You To Eat Unwisely
While you are watching TV, especially during Prime Time, have you noticed the number of adverts for snack foods? And of course these snacks are made up of junk foods; high in fat and salt.
As we know, these advertisers are paying thousands of pounds to get their adverts put in these prime spots. So the TV viewer is suddenly convinced that they are in need of a snack. Sure enough, when next at the Supermarket, he/she will deliberately seek out that advertised product. The mentality is ?? if it?s advertised on the TV it must be good.
The advertiser has won again. And you lose your weight loss goals.
Adjustable Beds – Not Just For the Elderly!
In an ever increasing market for the ultimate Sleep System, most people still believe that the Adjustable Bed which was originally used in Hospitals and Homes for the Elderly are still that. A bed that can help the elderly in and out of bed! Although they are extremely helpful in these situations, they can also be very important for anybody in today?s lifestyle.
Now any sincere knowledgeable mattress salesman won?t push the watching TV or reading in bed, it?s not something that we should recommend. But with today?s lifestyles, this has become a normal way of life for some people. Sitting in bed watching TV, working to make the big deadline is OK, if that?s your choice. But propping up two pillows every 3 minutes is probably not doing any good to your back or any other part of your body for that matter. If this sounds like you, maybe your next mattress purchase should have an adjustable base as well.
There are many ?side affects? from poor sleep and sleep habits that might also be a clue for you to check out the benefits of the adjustable bed. Some of the health issues are back problems, neck and shoulder pain, arthritis, circulatory problems, gastric reflux at night, snoring, breathing problems. Not only does an adjustable bed provide serious convenience with regards to helping people in and out of bed but there are many health benefits that can be taken advantage of for anyone.
Tossing and turning at night on their mattress is the most common reason that people don’t sleep well at night. The main reason people toss and turn at night is pressure points; traditional coil and spring mattresses put pressure on different areas of your body causing restricted circulation to those areas, when your body becomes uncomfortable you turn to a new position. Another reason for tossing and turning is improper spinal alignment. All traditional mattresses are flat but our bodies are curved, the traditional mattress fails to offer the lumbar region enough support often allowing your lower back and hips to sink below the rest of your body. This causes pressure and discomfort in that area which causes your body to turn to a new position.
Adjustable sleep systems offer you several great benefits. Obviously, the adjustable base is only that, an adjustable base. To get all the benefits out of your adjustable base you need the proper mattress to work with it. Together they can create a totally pressure free environment while you sleep. Many studies have been done with the space program; the best known is the creation of memory foam. But there is more that was learned from the way astronauts sleep in space. Well our astronauts sleep in a totally pressure free environment experience all the time, floating in space. In studying the way astronauts sleep in space we have discovered a few interesting things. First off, their heads stay slightly elevated allowing for easier breathing. Secondly and probably more importantly, we see that their knees naturally bend and elevate slightly above the heart. This position takes pressure off the spine and allows for increased blood flow to the heart.
Only an adjustable bed can mimic this extremely comfortable and healthy position. Keeping your body in our natural sleep position reduces the pressure on your skeletal frame more than 85% ensuring you will get the deepest most restful sleep possible.
What to Look For
An adjustable sleep system consists of two parts, the base and the mattress.
The Base: There are really two types of adjustable beds, the commercial model used in Hospitals and regular consumer models. The commercial product is very heavy duty and usually has rails on the sides to help someone pull themselves up. These models are extremely expensive and are not very esthetically pleasing for home use, unless your health requires it.
- Concentrate on the frame construction; you want the heavy duty construction with the look of an elegant piece of furniture. Preferably, a regular box spring appearance giving you the ability to dress it how you like it.
- Look for quality motors at the ?head and foot.? Make sure they are UL Listed and CSA approved. Preferably a Freefall Design so the head and foot sections lower by gravity only, this will ensure the motor gets extended life. Also ensure that it?s equipped with insulated rubber wheels for smooth, quiet operation.
- A Polarized ?Modular? electrical system is the way to go as it ensures you won?t have any stray wires and with the plug-in feature makes service a snap.
- Look for at least a 50 degree incline at ?both head and foot?, 60 degrees is optimal.
- Make sure the legs have threaded glides allowing you to adjust the height of the bed to your liking.
- Now depending on your preference, make sure there?s the availability of a massager. I don?t know about you but I like the massager, it provides that little bit extra pampering you need at the end of some days. Some brands you have no choice, either you get it and pay for it or you can?t get it. Having a choice is always nice.
- Same goes for the remote, it?s nice to have the choice between wired or wireless.
The Mattress: Your mattress is the single most important component of any bed, adjustable or not, even if your foundation was the corner of 4th and Main. The proper mattress should provide the proper support, pressure relief and spinal alignment even in this situation.
- Many companies only offer coil and spring mattresses with their adjustable bases. This is not exactly the best case scenario. The coil and spring mattresses are not very pliable and don’t really work well with an adjustable base and often need replacing every five years.
- There are other very luxurious choices ?at a fraction of the price? that you would benefit from with use of your adjustable base. All are designed to offer you pressure relief, proper spinal alignment and a more breathable sleep surface. Air Mattress Beds work well with the adjustable base when they are equipped with horizontal chambers, the chambers follow the contour of the bed nicely. Although this works well, it?s still not the optimal choice.
- Try looking at a Memory Foam or Latex mattress, these mattresses are made from highly specialized foams and are more durable and pliable than coils and springs, as a result they will work in unison with the adjustable base to provide you with the ultimate adjustable sleep experience. Not to mention your mattress will most probably last for its intended life and these foam mattresses can go for twenty years.
- The final tip is to stay away from the deal that promises, ?Mattress Included? rarely does this mean your getting any quality in the mattress they?re giving you. Just ?FOAM? doesn?t mean Memory or Latex foam; check it out to make sure.
So depending on your lifestyle or if your health dictates (I hope this isn?t the case) check out all the health and convenience benefits of a quality adjustable bed, but don?t forget the ?quality? mattress!!
Effective Asthma Treatments
Despite the fact that asthma treatment has progressed significantly over the last few decades, according to the resources online more than half a million people are year and about 4000 others die because of asthma. In fact asthma can be quite debilitating for people who are not properly managed medically, and especially for children. Asthma treatment is strictly individual for every patient and depends on the age and the severity of the symptoms.
Usually asthma is either hereditary or due to the environment and all the allergens and chemical triggers that enter our respiratory system from there and cause constrictions of the bronchiole airways along with excessive production of mucous.
Other triggers of asthma attacks can be stress, anxiety, strong excitement, excessive laughing. In addition symptoms are becoming much worse during physical exercise or respiratory infections. The cardinal symptoms that alarm for an imminent asthma attack are such as being out of breath, wheezing, coughing and waking up from coughing during the night and chest tightness. If those symptoms appear they should be treated immediately or the asthma attack will progress.
Prescription and non-prescription medication is available for asthma treatment. With the milder and the intermittent cases of asthma over-the-counter bronchodilators are usually more than enough efficient. Moderate to severe cases on their hand do require more profound asthma treatment consisting of inhaled corticosteroids for a long-term treatment and for prevention of the symptoms as well. With the help of those medications both lung inflammation and sensitivity to irritants are being decreased.
For immediate relief of the symptoms in case asthma attack occurs, physicians usually prescribe a short or a long acting bronchodilator. Many of the asthma treatments include a combination of therapies. Immunotherapy for example is a very effective asthma treatment that consists of exposing the patient to increasing amounts of different specific allergens over a certain period of time, usually a few years, and thus reducing and/or eliminating asthma symptoms. The same immunotherapy can be a good option for the patients whose asthma is primarily caused by allergens.
In case the medication does not control the symptoms of asthma sufferers, they should consult a physician. An easy to spot sign for that is the frequent use of rescue inhalers no matter if they are of the prescription or non-prescription type. In such cases a change in the asthma treatment is in order. People with asthma should also be encouraged to exercise on a regular basis in order to strengthen their heart and lungs, instead of having to limit their activity. With asthma well under control the symptoms don?t appear even during a physical exercise and rescue inhalers are not needed at all. Information regarding the variety of asthma treatments is available online, as well as from your physician and from all the asthma and allergy centers across the country. Breathe easily!
Understanding Preeclampsia
What is preeclampsia?
Once known as toxemia, it is caused by a defect in the placenta which causes a pregnant woman’s blood pressure to rise, endangering mother and baby. Affecting about 7% all pregnancies, it is the most common of the serious complications of pregnancy. About one in 50 women are afflicted by severe preeclampsia.
In severe cases, preeclampsia can be very dangerous to both mother and baby. The mother could develop seizures and, due to the possibility of a low platelet count caused by the disease, could hemorrhage. In the meantime the baby would be living in a hostile environment due to the elevated blood pressure. There would be a reduced level of blood flow to the baby, which would result in a reduced flow of oxygen and nourishment.
Am I at risk of preeclampsia?
Those most at risk are women with family histories of preeclampsia, long-standing high blood pressure or kidney disease, pregnancy-induced diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus, and those over 40 years old.
When in pregnancy does preeclampsia occur?
Preeclampsia is a disease that usually afflicts the second half of pregnancy, usually within the last weeks of a woman’s term. In certain cases, such as those with risk factors, it can occur much earlier.
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
Some symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, upper-right abdominal pain, swelling in the hands or face, infrequent urination, and rapid weight gain. Unfortunately, many of these symptoms are not specific only to preeclampsia; many of them are also associated with a normal pregnancy. Because of this, it is important to talk to your doctor about preeclampsia to be sure.
The most common indicator of preeclampsia is an elevation in blood pressure. For some women, a blood pressure of 130/80 can signal the condition, while others may not be diagnosed until their blood pressure is much higher. It all depends on the base blood pressure. If the upper number goes up by 30 or if the bottom number goes up by 15, preeclampsia is suspected.
How will my doctor be sure?
Blood tests can be done, and preeclampsia can be indicated by a low platelet count or abnormal liver or kidney test results. Protein in the woman’s urine can also lead to diagnosis of the situation.
Is there a cure?
Preeclampsia is curable only by delivery. In severe cases, the doctor may insist on a caesarian section. Delivery of babies early due to preeclampsia includes an added risk of death due to prematurity.
Will preeclampsia reoccur?
About ten percent of women will have preeclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy. The chances of reoccurrence increase in women with high risk factors.
Are there any permanent side effects?
There are no long term effects associated with preeclampsia. About ten percent of women with preeclampsia may have high blood pressure for a few weeks after delivery. Although it may cause very high blood pressure during pregnancy, preeclampsia is not a predictor of high blood pressure later in life.
NotOneOunce — The Run-up To Thanksgiving
Not One Ounce. The 8-Week Campaign to Survive the Holidays
– by Will Clower, Ph.D., www.fatfallacy.com
November 12th
Eating preparations in the run up to Thanksgiving.
The turkey tsunami hits on the 3rd Thursday in November. It comes complete and replete with piles of potatoes, pies, sauces, stuffing, and all the rest. When you survey that mound of food, you realize that everything in there is healthy.
If you’re eating all healthy foods, what?s the problem?
The problem is volume, pure and simple. Eating a trough full of anything will make you overweight and unhealthy; and the typical Thanksgiving meal is normally served with a forklift. Name one thing on this planet that you cannot overconsume, to make it become bad for you.
Short term problem
After Thanksgiving, most people have to be rolled away from the table to recover on the couch for a solid hour of college football. Obviously, if the stretch receptors in the wall of your stomach are screaming at you stop, Stop, STOP, you have added far too many calories at that meal. In addition to the terrible feeling of being completely stuffed, you have simply added to your expanding horizons.
Long term problem
You stomach is completely adaptable, and responds to what you put in it. If you put it too much food, you are simply training your stomach to receive more and more food at the next sitting. This long term problem comes back at you down the road by increasing your tendency to overeat in the future. Just as you can train yourself to eat smaller over time, you can train yourself to eat and overeat gigantic portions.
Now what do we do?
Begin preparing for T-day now. Put away your large plates and replace them with the medium sized ones. When you do this, you will put less on your plate than you normally do, and you can begin to train your body to expect less food in the long term. Make that amount last through the entire meal (about 20 – 30 minutes).
When T-day does arrive, you will eat on your smaller plate, consume less food, and be the only groan-free member of your family on the post-dinner couch!
Dandelions! This Common Weed is a Wonderful Spring Tonic
Those Glorious Dandelions!
Dandelions Taraxacum officinale (composite family)
Spring is coming! Starting about this time every year I find myself craving bitter flavors. My body is longing to cleanse itself of toxins accumulated over a long winter of holiday indulgence, rich foods and various colds & flus. I am aware of an overall stagnation of energy in the digestion, kidneys and liver.
I am always so amazed at how much better I feel when I start using dandelion in the spring! All that stagnated liver/kidney/stomach energy lifts and I feel renewed!
This craving for bitter flavors always has me out searching for those young green dandelion leaves popping up everywhere about now. I eat them fresh in salads or just munch on them throughout the day. I also strain and bottle the dandelion root tincture that I put up in the late fall.
This common “weed” of the composite family is a powerful restorative to the liver. It’s also rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium and zinc, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3,and C. Ounce for ounce, dandelion contains more carotene than carrots.
Dandelion leaves act as a diuretic to help cleanse the bladder and urinary tract. They help relieve water retention associated with PMS.
Dandelion also cleanses the blood and liver, and increases bile production. It reduces serum cholesterol and uric acid levels and improves the functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and stomach.
Toning the kidneys and liver is one of the best things we can do for our overall health. Especially women! A strong, healthy liver will allow us to process and excrete hormones. It’s also vital for a healthy immune system.
All parts of the dandelion plants are usable, but they have different properties and should be harvested at the appropriate times.
Young Leaves have tonic properties and are picked in the spring and eaten raw in salads. If you find the taste too bitter try chopping them as fine as possible and mixing them with other raw greens.
Mature Leaves have powerful diuretiv properties. They are picked in early summer before the plant blooms. These are the leaves I harvest and dry for tea. They can also be made into tinctures. These gorgeous, dark green leaves are loaded with minerals and vitamins!
When picking dandelion leaves, look for dark green, smoothe leaves (dandelion leaves are not fuzzy.) Try to avoid picking under powerlines or close to roads.
Here’s my favorite thing to do with the summer dandelion leaves:
Dandelion Juice!
Pick a colander full of dandelion leaves and rinse them really well under cool water. Run them through the juicer with 1/2 an apple. This will make a nice shot glass full of delicious, nutritious juice. You will feel a nice little zing with this lovely tonic!
Dandelion Roots Dandelion roots act as a blood purifier that helps the kidneys and liver to remove toxins and poisons from the blood. They act as a mild laxative and help improve digestion. The roots are also beneficial for skin conditions such as boils, abscesses and eczema. They have been used for centuries to improve jaundice. Ideally, you want to use the roots of 2 year old plants. In the late fall the roots will contain the highest concentration of inulin. Dig the whole plant up and hang upside down to dry in a cool, dark place. The roots grow quite long, so dig deep! The dried or fresh roots can be used to make tinctures. Dried roots can be powdered for capsules or used in infusions.
Dandelion Flowers
For a tasty, easy-to-make tonic wine try this:
Pick dandelion flowers on a warm, dry day.
Macerate 1 cup (60 g) flowers and steep in 4 cups (1 liter) white wine for 1 month in an airtight container. Strain out the flowers and sweeten to taste with a little bit of honey if desired.
This a nice tonic for the gallbladder.
Coping With Stress, Its Effects On Your Skin And Health, And Turning Back The Clock
Stress comes in many forms, workplace stress, family stress, grief over loss of a loved one, etc… Some can be avoided, but as we know, many cannot. Some people handle stress better than others, and some even thrive onit.Regardless, stress takes its toll.
Stress has been proven to rid your body of many essential vitamins and minerals. Particularly vitamins C, E, and B. This leads to lethargy, lower focussed mental activities (clinically stress causes more erratic brain activity and a reduction in short term and long term memory), drying out and aging of the skin (in some), and in others a increase in the sebaceous gland activity – which usually brings postules, acne, and rosacea – which all bring more stress as we then become more entangled in how others view our physical appearance.
We cannot stop all stress, but we can take steps to stop or limit its toll on our skin and body. Take a full vitamin suplament every day. Eat a well balanced diet – especially fish meat like salmon (high in omega 3’s which is proven to increase brain function and cellular activity, but it also is proven to reduce the aging process of the skin and make cuts and bruises heal faster). Eat more raw fruits and vegetables – atleast 5 servings per day – you will see a notable difference in 4-6 weeks and you will feel better (along with better colon health.
Exercise more often. Aerobic exercise has been proven to release powerful hormones that actually counteract the harmful chemicals and results of stress as it will also improve your bodys abilities to cope with oxidants.
I can’t say enough about meditation and prayer. Study after study have proven a reduction in every skin and body malody even cancer symptoms from people that pray and meditate daily. Take 20 minutes every day and do this you will also live longer.
The latest rage is skin peels for a quick fix. Skin peels will slough off the top layers of skin and reveal fresher, cleaner skin. The most effective are TCA peels and phenol peels (phenol peels are dangerous and should only be performed by a licensed plastic surgeon). TCA, trichloroacetic acid, is a medium depth skin peel that works on the most skin ailments – aging skin, sun damage, even has been proven to treat and cure acne. No other skin peel can safely do all that a TCA peel can.
So there you have it – clear, younger skin in 500 words. Great advice to follow and don’t forget to always run anything new by your doctor. They are licensed for a reason and know whats best for you. by your doctor. They are licensed for a reason and know whats best for you.
Your ADHD Child May Just Be Tired
Children who have symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) actually may be sleep-deprived, according to researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Sleep Laboratory.
Doctors should consider that possibility before prescribing Ritalin and other ADHD drugs, they suggest.
An estimated 8 percent of US children suffer from ADHD, according to the US Centers for Disease Control, and more than half of them are being treated with drugs.
ADHD is characterized by overalertness and nervousness, with affected children being fidgety and overstimulated. Paradoxically, the use of stimulant medications like Ritalin seems to be the most effective method for treating ADHD symptoms in the majority of children.
Fighting to Stay Awake?
Dr. Giora Pillar wondered whether some children diagnosed with ADHD might simply be sleepy. Their excessive motor activity could be a tool to stay alert, he conjectured, which might explain the effectiveness of stimulants that increase activity in the central nervous system.
“Sleepy children, unlike sleepy adults, may demonstrate hyperactivity and attention-deficit behavior rather than excessive daytime sleepiness,” Pillar explained.
“This theory is supported by parental reports that children, when extremely tired, tend to be cranky, overactive, angry and aggressive,” he pointed out.
Sleep Apnea
Pillar and colleagues studied 66 children with an average age of 12. Of these, 34 already had been diagnosed with ADHD, and the rest served as a control group. The ADHD-diagnosed children had significantly higher levels of sleepiness during the day than those in the control group, the researchers found.
Half of the test subjects with ADHD (vs. 22 percent of the control group) suffered from some degree of sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea, which is characterized by interruptions in breathing that last 10 seconds or more, occurring at least five times per hour during sleep.
Limb Movement Disorder
Fifteen percent (vs. none in the control group) had Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), which is relatively uncommon among children.
Studies have shown that treatment of these sleep disorders in children often leads to substantial improvements in behavior and cognitive achievements, Pillar said, as well as a significant reduction in irritability, bad moods, anger and fear.
For example, school performance, which is low in children with sleep apnea, has been found to improve markedly following the removal of adenoids and tonsils to correct the disorder.
Enforce Good Sleeping Habits
The researchers urge parents of hyperactive and attention-deficit children diagnosed with sleep disorders to have breathing irregularities and limb movements treated, to enforce good sleeping habits, and to avoid giving them caffeinated drinks at night.
Only if these steps do not work, they say, should parents consider medication for ADHD.
The researchers’ findings originally were published in the February 2004 issue of the journal Sleep.
Copyright 2005 Daily News Central
Stop Acne Now!
Acne is a terrible scurge, afflicting people in every age group. Acne primarily affects teens and adolescents and can cause long lasting physical and emotional scars. For years we have either learned to deal with our acne, or spent thousands of dollars with dermatologists or on useless as seen on tv products we have seen (like Proactive). Currently there are two treatments that do work and one is actually cost effective. It is now a fact that acne can be treated, controlled and even cured.
We must become more educated on what acne is and whqat does and does not cause it. Acne is an inflammation of the skin that is caused by overproduction of sebum (oil) from our sbaceous glands and a low skin pH (acidity) that make ideal conditions for bacteria. This bacteria clogs the pores and causes pimples and deeper inflammed bumps and postules (acne). Acne is genetic as it is first started by the overproduction of oil and acidity levels. Chocolate and sugary items don’t cause it.
Accutane (can only be prescribed) works by greatly reducing the production of sebum. This reduction in sebum will make the skin very dry and does have some bad side effects like possible liver damage and such so it is available only through your dermatologist and is used as a drastic or last measure. Basically it brings out all the acne you will have in the next 2-3 years all at once over the first 2 months and then it is all gone. The first 2 months are rough, however – I had this treatment.
TCA peels are a more affordable and less drastic alternative. TCA peels work by cleansing the skin, increasing the pH or acidity of the skin making it unfavorable for bacteris, and increasing the rate of skin regeneration thus hastening the healing process. TCA Peels work 1,000 times better than any overrated peroxide wash or cleansing system and have similar results to Accutane without any of the harsh side effects. They have been rated as one of the best at home products / treatments available. This has been proven on millions of patients – why else would every dermatologist and plastic surgeon offer TCA peels?
So, basically, you can either live with the scurge of acne or treat it. TCA peels are the most cost effective and least harmful solution to acne and can now be purchased directly instead of through your doctor for tremendous savings.