Wednesday, November 30, 2011

What Are The Functions Of The Middle Ear







The ear has three main sections--the outer ear which captures sound waves, the middle ear which begins the process of transmitting these vibrations to the inner ear, which is the final step in the process of capturing sound before it is passed along via the auditory nerves to the brain. Each section plays a vital role in determining how we perceive and interpret the sounds emanating from our immediate environment and the learning process involved in the development of speech.


Anatomy


On their webpage, the Partners in Assistive Technology Training and Services (PATTS), provides a comprehensive look at the anatomy of the ear. The middle ear is composed of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) which separates it from the outer ear, three bones (ossicles), the smallest bones in the body, that are named for their shapes---the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil) and the stapes (stirrup), and the Eustachian tube which connects the throat to the ear.


Function


Part of the function of the middle ear, also described by PATTS, involves the process of chewing and swallowing. This causes the Eustachian tube to open and close, moving air in and out of the middle ear to maintain stable pressure on the both sides of the eardrum. When sounds enter the outer ear (auditory canal), the eardrum begins to vibrate. The vibration passes through the malleus, which rests against the eardrum, causing all three ossicles to begin vibrating. The vibrations then travel through another membrane, the oval window, via the end of the stapes (called the footplate) and they enter the inner ear. When these vibrations encounter the fluid contained within the inner ear, they are transformed into chemical impulses. Moving along the nerves, located in the inner ear, their journey ends when the chemical impulses reach the portion of the brain that interprets sound.


Speech Impairment


The California Ear Institute informs us that normal middle ear function during the first 12 years of a child's life is necessary for the proper development of speech. Childhood infections or allergies can cause fluid to develop in the middle ear, which is normally an air-filled chamber. Left untreated, fluid remaining in the middle ear can cause sound distortion. The development of normal speech patterns depends upon unimpaired sound reception within the ears. One of the treatments used to correct this problem is the insertion of a tympanostomy tube into the ear to drain the fluid.


Ruptured Eardrum


According to University of Wisconsin Department of Neurophysiology, any injury to the eardrum can cause a rupture of this membrane and result in conductive hearing loss, an interruption in normal hearing as the result of the inability to maintain normal air pressure on the outer ear side and middle ear side of the eardrum. When this function is interfered with, it alters each successive step in the normal hearing process. The energy from the sound vibrations filtered through the air-filled chamber of the middle ear to the fluid-filled chamber of the inner ear is diminished in intensity and results in a hearing disorder proportional to the degree of the injury sustained. The hearing loss is compounded if the injury involves the ossicles as well.


Types of Hearing Loss


On their website, the University of Alabama describes the four different types of hearing loss as conductive, sensorineural, central deafness and mixed hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss results from problems in the functioning of the outer and/or middle ear involving the way sound vibrations are processed and interpreted. Sensorineural hearing impairment involves problems within the inner ear and the auditory nerve leading to the brain. One of the reasons for central deafness is an injury to the area of the brain involved in the auditory process. Mixed hearing problems stem from a combination of the three previous types described.

Tags: hearing loss, air-filled chamber, central deafness, chemical impulses, development speech, eardrum When
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Talk To A Doctor Male Breast Reduction

Talk to a Doctor About Male Breast Reduction


While the majority of breast reduction procedures are performed on women, a significant number of men also consider breast reduction, primarily for cosmetic reasons. Talk to a doctor about getting male breast reduction surgery if you suffer from gynecomastia, or pseudo-gynecomastia, a medical condition which causes extra fat and glandular material to collect in the breasts. Read on to learn talk to a doctor about male breast reduction.


Instructions


1. Learn all you can about the conditions that cause enlarged breasts in men and non-surgical treatments before you consider undergoing surgery. Your doctor may determine that you are not a good candidate for surgery if you have unexplored non-surgical means at your disposal--typically diet and exercise--to reduce the size of your breasts.


2. Talk to your regular physician before you go to the trouble of seeking out a qualified and reputable plastic surgeon to consult about male breast reduction surgery. She may perform a physical examination and ask you questions about your medical history and lifestyle to see whether there are any controllable variables that may be causing your enlarged breasts.








3. Trust your physician's initial assessment as to whether or not you would make a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery. Not every man is a good candidate for this invasive procedure. Of course, you are free to seek a second opinion, but surgery should be avoided unless there are no other treatment options available to you.


4. Get a referral to a trustworthy plastic surgeon if your physician agrees you might make a good surgery candidate. If your physician cannot locate a specialist, or if you want to expand your options, the Cosmetic Surgery website is a good place to start looking. See the Resources link below.


5. Meet with a specialist on a consultation basis, which is always the first step you should take when considering plastic surgery. Talk to the specialist about your reasons for considering male breast reduction surgery. Be honest about answering any questions the specialist may ask. Certain lifestyle choices, such as excessive marijuana or alcohol consumption, cause enlarged breasts to recur in men, even after surgery.


6. Prepare to face costs that could soar into the thousands of dollars range if you are deemed a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.

Tags: breast reduction surgery, reduction surgery, good candidate, male breast, breast reduction, breast reduction
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Cancerous Tumor On The Thyroid

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 20 tumors on the thyroid gland turns out to be malignant, or cancerous (Reference 2: Malignant Thyroid Tumors). There are four types of thyroid cancerous tumors: anaplastic, follicular, medullary and papillary (Reference 1). However, most tumors that grow on the thyroid are not cancerous, but they may pose discomfort and other health problems.








Benign and Malignant Tumors


Most tumors that form on the thyroid gland are benign, or non-cancerous (Reference 1: What are thyroid tumors). They are referred to as thyroid adenomas, and they leak out excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, which often leads to hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). The only way to treat thyroid adenomas is by surgically removing a portion of the thyroid, or the whole gland, depending on how many tumors there are (Reference 1: What are thyroid adenomas?). Malignant, or cancerous, tumors are not as common, and afflict more women than they do men (Reference 1: What are thyroid tumors). They are diagnosed by an ultrasound, biopsy or a thyroid scan (Reference 1: Diagnosis).


Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Tumors


The American Cancer Society states that anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare, making up about 2 percent of cancers of the thyroid gland (Reference 2: Anaplastic Carcinoma). Elderly women are the most susceptible to this form of thyroid cancer. It is also one of the most deadly, spreading rapidly throughout the body before a patient has a chance to receive treatment. Treatment of tumors resulting from anaplastic thryoid cancer includes anti-cancer medications, radiation therapy and a thyroidectomy, or removal of the entire thyroid (Reference 1: Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer).


Follicular Thyroid Cancer Tumors


According to the University of Virginia Health System, follicular thyroid cancer tumors are most common among the elderly and make up 10 percent of all types of malignant thyroid tumors. Follicular thyroid cancer tumors also spread rapidly through the body, and even through the bloodstream. Treatment options include a thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine to get rid of any tissue that is left behind after surgery (Reference 1: Follicuar Thyroid Cancer).


Medullary Thyroid Cancer Tumors


There are two types of medullary thyroid cancer: sporadic and familial, which is genetic (Reference 2: Medullary thyroid carcinoma). Individuals with a family history of this type of cancer should receive regular screenings for it as a preventative measure (Reference 1: Medullary thyroid cancer). According to the American Cancer Society, 5 percent of thyroid cancer cases are medullary thyroid cancer (Reference 2: Medullary thyroid carcinoma). The only treatment recommended is a thyroidectomy. These types of cancer tumors can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels that connect lymph nodes to other parts of the body (Reference 1: Medullary Thyroid Cancer).


Papillary Thyroid Cancer


This is the most common type of cancer of the thyroid gland, according to the University of Virginia Health System, and it makes up for 80 percent of thyroid cancer cases (Reference 1: Papillary thyroid cancer). Papillary thyroid cancer tumors also grow very slow, making them the most treatable of all types of malignant tumors. Not many patients die as a result (Reference 2: Papillary Carcinoma). Treatment includes a thyroidectomy combined with radioactive iodine treatments, or prescription thyroid hormone-replacement drugs (Reference 1).

Tags: Reference Medullary, thyroid gland, American Cancer, American Cancer Society, Cancer Society
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Increase Metabolism With A Vegetarian Diet

Metabolism is the key to weight control. And exercise and diet are essential to maintaining and increasing your metabolism. If you gain weight even though you consume less calories than your co-worker, it's most likely because you have a low Basal Metabolism, which is the rate your body burns calories to maintain normal bodily function. Metabolism rates depend on genetics, physical make-up and diet. To improve your metabolism to burn more calories, you must find the right balance of diet and exercise. An appropriate vegetarian diet consists of proteins, fruits, vegetables and some whole grains, eaten in smaller portions. Exercise should consist of muscle-building work-outs.


Instructions


1. Eat more, smaller portioned, well balanced meals. Don't eat 3 large meals in one day; rather eat at least 5 or 6 times. Eating the right foods regularly keeps your body working, continually breaking down food, digesting and metabolizing. Though eating often appears to be the cause of weight gain, this actually works when paired with the right diet. Eating less actually slows your metabolism.


2. Consume foods that require more work to digest in order to boost metabolism. This is known as the high thermic effect. Proteins typically have a higher thermic effect than other foods. But you're trying to do this without meat, which is the most protein-rich food group. Fats have about a 3% thermic effect. Proteins have 30% thermic effect. Fibrous vegetables have a 20% thermic effect. So vegetables are not that far off from meats. Plus many vegetables are high in protein (see Resources below for a chart of high-protein vegetables).


3. Experiment with soy products for protein, such as tofu, a great alternative to meat. Tofu comes in many textures and flavors. Other protein-rich foods include legumes--beans, lentils, chickpeas, bean sprouts, and peas--as well as whole grains. Nuts are also rich in protein, but are full of fats as well.








4. Exercise. You increase your basal metabolism by increasing muscle, which burns more calories than fat. The key to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume. But the key to increasing your metabolism is increasing your muscle. Along with your regular exercises, aerobics, yoga or jogging, add muscle-building workouts such as push-ups or weightlifting. Building up body muscle will help increase basal metabolism, which means you will burn more calories a day just by being awake.

Tags: thermic effect, more calories, your metabolism, calories than, increasing your
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Take Vitamins To Improve Nutrition

It's tough to get the best nutrition for your body in light of busy schedules, processed convenience foods and drive-through eateries. We know we need to eat well-balanced meals, but it is often impossible to find the time or the energy to prepare them. Luckily, we can take vitamins to help supplement our less-than-perfect diets.


Instructions


Identify What Vitamins to Take


1. Take 30 IU (international units) of vitamin E per day to protect red blood cells and improve the health of your skin.


2. Try a supplement of 5,000 IU of vitamin A daily to improve sight, strengthen your bones, hair and teeth, and to clear up skin blemishes.


3. Incorporate vitamin D in the amount of 400 IU a day. It works to metabolize calcium and phosphorus, which help build strong bones and teeth.


4. Get your vitamin C in a dosage of 60 mg per day. Vitamin C works to bolster the immune system to guard against viruses. It also destroys or decreases the effects of free radicals and nitrosamines, which can lead to certain cancers.


5. Find a supplement containing approximately .10 mg of vitamin K to take on a daily basis. This vitamin is beneficial in the clotting of blood.


6. Take 1.5 mg of vitamin B-1 to aid the functioning of the nervous system and improve appetite and energy levels.


7. Take .06 mg of vitamin B-12 a day to prevent pernicious anemia and improve the nervous system.








8. Add biotin to your daily diet in the amount .30 mg. It helps metabolize amino acids and is essential for hair growth.


9. Take .4 mg of folic acid daily to aid red blood cell formation and metabolize fats.


Take Vitamins Correctly


10. Take vitamins with your meals to improve your nutrition. Many supplements are best absorbed by the body if consumed along with food.


11. Check a vitamin guide, such as the one put together by the American Dietetic Association, if you are considering taking a new vitamin. Information on "The Health Professional's Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements" can be found at the American Dietetic Association's website (see Resources below).


12. Take certain vitamins in conjunction with other supplements to improve your nutrition. For instance, vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium supplements, while vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron.


13. Make sure the vitamins you take do not work against each other. Calcium, for example, should not be taken with iron, as it will hinder its absorption.


14. Spread out your regimen of vitamin supplements throughout the day, unless you are taking a multivitamins.


15. Start your morning with the B vitamins or B complexes and vitamin E to improve your overall nutrition. They should be taken early, because they boost energy and alertness.


16. Take calcium supplements in the evening. Calcium is believed to build bones better during one's sleep than during an active state.








17.Take vitamin E along with some fat for maximum absorption by the body. You can put a smear of cream cheese on a piece of toast or bagel to provide enough fat to take with your supplement.

Tags: improve your, Take vitamin, along with, American Dietetic, American Dietetic Association, calcium supplements, Dietetic Association
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What Are The Allergy Symptoms To Eucalyptus Pollen







What Are the Allergy Symptoms to Eucalyptus Pollen?


More than 50 million Americans suffer from one allergy or another. Eucalyptus oil is used to soothe allergic reactions in some allergy sufferers. However, many who experience allergies have the same symptoms that eucalyptus oil relieves, due to eucalyptus pollen.


Eucalyptus pollen comes from the eucalyptus tree. It is an allergen that creates respiratory, skin and eye problems for the sufferers. It sometimes even causes vocal cord dysfunction.


Conjunctivitis


Conjunctivitis is the technical term for pink eye. Some who are allergic to eucalyptus pollen experience this uncomfortable eye condition upon exposure to this allergen.


Hay fever


Sleeping difficulty, postnasal drip, plugged-feeling ears; nasal congestion and runny nose are all hay fever symptoms that the eucalyptus pollen allergy creates.


Asthma








Those who have asthma may have the symptoms of their disease exacerbated by exposure to eucalyptus pollen.


Hives


Raised red welts on the skin that are often itchy, called hives, is another symptom that you may be experiencing an allergy attack from eucalyptus pollen.


Rash


A general rash of reddened skin and sometimes itchiness also occur in some who have the eucalyptus pollen allergy.

Tags: eucalyptus pollen, What Allergy Symptoms, Allergy Symptoms, Allergy Symptoms Eucalyptus, eucalyptus pollen allergy
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Monday, November 28, 2011

Do Heart To Heart Meditation

Do Heart to Heart Meditation








The Heart to Heart Meditation is an exercise popularized by Dr. Brugh Joy. The purpose of this meditation is to open the heart center through the giving and receiving of unconditional love. Learn perform this powerful technique by following the steps below.


Instructions


1. Sit facing your partner in a chair or on the floor. This exercise takes ten to twenty minutes, therefore be sure you are in a comfortable position prior to beginning.


2. Place your hands palm to palm with your right hand holding the left hand of your partner. You may rest your hands on a pillow or in the lap for support.


3. Close your eyes while keeping your back straight and feet on the floor. Ground yourself by focusing on your breathing for several minutes. Imagine your spine being connected to the earth.


4. Visualize energy being pulled up from the earth through your spine and spreading throughout your body. You may feel a pulling or heavy sensation during this grounding phase. When you feel the calm flow of energy, proceed to the next step.


5. Picture a warm white light surrounding your body and protecting it from any intrusions or distractions. See the light as a force field that shields you from any negative energy. Once this image has become clear in your mind, shift your attention to your heart.


6. Imagine unconditional love radiating from your heart to your partner's. The emphasis of this meditation is on giving. Therefore, you should not attempt to feel anything from your partner.


7. Complete the meditation by withdrawing your energy back into the heart. Open your eyes and embrace your partner.

Tags: your partner, Heart Heart, Heart Heart Meditation, Heart Meditation, from your, this meditation, unconditional love
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Natural Ways To Purify Lake Water For Drinking

Hiking and camping in the wilderness is a great way to enjoy a vacation in the outdoors, and many people pack everything from sleeping bags to mosquito spray as they head out to enjoy a weekend or so at the river, bass fishing at a lake deep in the mountains or when hunting. Unfortunately, many people forget to bring water-purification tablets or bottled water to drink, and must rely on natural methods to decontaminate lake water for cooking or drinking.








Boiling


Boil lake water in a metal pot or container to sterilize and purify. Never drink any water from lakes, streams or rivers, no matter how remote. Today, pollutants and other organisms and chemicals have managed to find their way into even the most secluded areas, leaving water unsafe for drinking and cooking without risk of bacteria. Bring water to a full boil, and let it boil for at least 10 to 15 minutes. If water is especially cloudy or muddy, increase boiling time to about 30 minutes. Strain or allow sediment to settle to the bottom of the pan or pot before pouring.


Filtering


Filter water as well as boiling it to purify. To filter water, pour the liquid through an article of clothing such as a backpack or thickly woven shirt to help remove mud and particles of silt from the water. One woodsman trick is to create a makeshift filtering bag by using a pair of jeans or other heavyweight material. Tie the bottom end of a pant leg with a leather cord, string or shoelace. Place a few inches of clean, white sand from the lake shore into the bottom of the pant leg. This will act like a filter through which the lake water will flow, filtering out silt, pebbles and small bits of sand. Place a pot or metal container beneath the pant leg to catch the filtered water to be purified.


Build a Solar Still


Create a solar still with a few handy items found at most campsites. All you need is a container and a small sheet of plastic. A shovel or digging tool and a plastic piece of tubing, such as a large straw, will complete the tools necessary. A piece of plastic can be brought with you or torn from a sleeping bag or tent or the drop cloth beneath your tent. Try to make the piece of plastic at least a 12 x 12 inch square, larger if possible. Your container can be anything clean.


Dig a small hole, preferably in sandy soil, which isn't hard to find around a lake. Dig a smaller hole for your water-catching container inside the larger hole and place the container in the hole. Put the tubing or straw in the container, reaching to the outside of the hole if possible. A piece of tubing can also be fastened from hooking straws together, using a small tube from your car engine or even from food wrappers rolled into tubes and placed one inside the other.


Place the plastic sheet inside the larger hole over the water container and place a small rock over the plastic over the water container to keep it from blowing away. Place rocks around the edge of plastic. No moisture should be able to escape from the water container. Place a kink or knot at the end of the tubing. Depending on the weather, humidity and climate, moisture will begin to accumulate under the sheet of plastic within a few hours. Check the container after several hours for a source of naturally purified water in any environment.

Tags: water container, bottom pant, from sleeping, from water, inside larger
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Friday, November 25, 2011

Signs & Symptoms Of Job Stress

Having, holding and being happy in a job is a job in itself. The daily pressures of a job can certainly cause myriad symptoms and have a truly adverse effect on one's health. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of job stress are important for overall health. Job stress can take its toll on one's mental, physical and even spiritual well-being.


Causes


If you are suffering from job stress, it is imperative to figure out what is causing the stress and then finding a way to cure or cope with it. Working late, working long hours, bringing work home and forgoing vacations all lead to job stress. A difficult boss, an ornery co-worker, the threat of layoffs or working in the wrong job all cause job stress.


Physical and Emotional Signs


The most obvious sign of job stress is job dissatisfaction. This can lead to sleep disturbances, mood swings, upset stomach, headaches, teeth grinding, low self-esteem, depression and relationship problems.


Chemical and Other Dependency


Some people who battle with job stress try to mask it by abusing drugs or alcohol. They may turn to nicotine, caffeine, sugar, food or other addictions.


Absenteeism


When you find your self calling in sick, missing work, coming in late, leaving early and genuinely not caring about your job, the stresses at work are quite often to blame. When a weekend break, a vacation, or a holiday do not alleviate that dreading feeling of coming into work, it is time to reevaluate your position.


Long-Term Problems


Knowing when to pack it in at a stressful job can have an immediate positive result. Long-term effects of staying in a stressful job include psychological disorders and musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases.


Words to Live By


Consider the words of Confucius: Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

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Surgical Relief Of Sciatica

Sciatica can be a very painful condition that has the ability to affect your entire lower body. There are several ways to combat the pain of sciatica, and one of those options is surgery.








Identification


The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the human body. It runs down the spine, and then branches off down each leg. Sciatica is a condition that develops when pressure is placed on that nerve, and pain radiates throughout the lower back and down one or both legs.


Pressure can be applied by a disc in the spine protruding out and pressing on the sciatic nerve, or the nerve can be pinched between two bones either in the spine or in the hip.


In most cases of sciatica, the pain is found to go beyond the knee and toward the ankle.


Types


One surgical procedure that is used to help relieve the pain of sciatica is called a laminectomy. This is a procedure that is used when a bone from the spine is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve and causing pain. In this surgery, the portion of the bone that is causing the pressure is removed. The surgeon may choose to fuse skeletal regions of the spine together to complete the operation, or he may choose to remove a part of the disc. The purpose is to make room for the nerve to be able to function normally.


A similar procedure is performed if it is determined that spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the nerve ducts in the spine, is causing the pain on the sciatic nerve. In this case, the portion of the skeletal region of the spine that has narrowed is removed.


Potential


In some cases the portion of the disc in the spine that is causing the pressure and the pain can be dealt with by using a less invasive form of surgery known as a microdiscectomy.


In this procedure, the surgeon uses small incisions in the back to reach and treat the affected area. This procedure is only recommended to be used on very small disc protrusions. Larger disc issues are treated with more invasive surgical means.








For larger disc issues that require more disc to be removed, a surgeon may choose to do a procedure called a discectomy. This is a more invasive procedure that removes a much larger portion of the damaged disc.


History


According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, surgical procedures to help relieve sciatica used to be much more involved and risky.


The differences in surgical procedures, and the advances in medical science over the past three decades, have allowed back surgery to advance from a condition that required a large incision and a great deal of recovery time to a procedure that can be done using small incisions and requiring significantly less in-hospital convalescence.


Considerations


Surgery is not used as a primary means of relieving the pain caused by sciatica. Doctors will attempt methods such as physical therapy and bed rest before they will consider using surgery.


When surgery is performed on patients suffering from sciatica, it has been found to be successful at reducing or eliminating the pain.

Tags: procedure that, sciatic nerve, condition that, causing pain, causing pressure
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Know If Color Therapy Is The Right Healing Remedy For You

Know if Color Therapy is the Right Healing Remedy for You


Also known as chromotherapy, using colors to help heal your body, mind, and spirit is an ancient technique. Throughout history, healers have used tools such as colored light, gemstones, crystals, candles, colored fabric, and even lasers to stimulate or soothe various chakras (energy centers) where there may be energy blockages or weaknesses.


Physically, we are more immediately affected by color than by any other healing medium. This is because light travels many, many times faster than sound, and we feel on a cellular level the effects of light and color many millions of times faster than physical movement or touch. The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second; the speed of sound is a relative snail's pace at 736 miles per hour.








When a color - or rather, our brain's interpretation of a color - reaches our conscious level, our emotions are duly affected, because our cells have already responded. Before we can even name the color that is affecting us, we have already been affected.


With this in mind, it's easy to see how we can be profoundly influenced by the colors with which we surround ourselves.


Here are some beginning tips and self-searching questions for working with color therapy in your life.


Instructions


1. Take note of the colors in your surroundings. What colors dominate your surroundings?


2. Take note of the colors you use to define your body. What shades dominate your clothing?


3. Across the spectrum of the rainbow, do your colors tend to fall into "warm" - reds, oranges, yellows - "cool" - blues and greens - or "neutral" - black and white?


4. Note the presence of complementary colors, if there is one - those colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as purple and orange, or yellow and blue.


5. Determine whether there are any colors that you feel strongly toward or against.


6. If you feel strongly using color imagery in this way, you may be very receptive to using color therapy in your healing process!

Tags: color therapy, Color Therapy Right, color therapy your, colors that, dominate your
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Survive A Blizzard

During the winter months in the northeast and in the upper mountain regions of the northwest, a blizzard is as common as hot dogs, Chevrolet and apple pie. Here's prepare for this weather this very dangerous storm.


Instructions


1. Check and stay tuned to local weather broadcasts and forecasts. This should be a daily occurrence during the winter months, October through May.


2. Prepare your home. Shut all of your windows and exterior doors. Insulate all interior water pipes with a heavy foam wrap or insulation to stop the potential of freezing. Ensure flashlights have batteries, cellular phones are completely charged, and candles are available and ready.


3. Ensure the food storage area is completely stocked and ready. Items you should have include milk, basic fruits and veggies, bread with essentials for quick sandwiches, water (preferably bottled for the consumption of 1 gallon per person per day), and some extras like instant coffee.


4. Monitor and evaluate the storm circumstances. This will alert you to when it is safe to venture outside and or check the status of your home and belongings.


5. Remain calm in the face of adversity. This is the key element to successfully surviving a blizzard.

Tags: winter months, your home
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What Can Cause An Asthma Attack







Asthma attacks may occur unexpectedly and cause you to develop symptoms such as difficulty breathing, which can be life threatening without urgent medical treatment. The causes of asthma attacks differ for each person, and include exposure to indoor and outdoor environmental triggers, acute illnesses and chronic medical conditions that irritate or inflame your lungs. Consider a few important facts from the Mayo Clinic about what causes an asthma attack.


Allergens


Substances that trigger your allergies, such as pollen, dust, mold or pet dander, may also trigger an asthma attack.


Tobacco Smoke


Secondhand smoke from tobacco, or "third-hand" smoke, which is the residue left on chairs, clothes and fabrics can irritate your breathing passages and cause an asthma attack.


Air Pollution


Outdoor air pollution such as ozone and particulates from automotive exhaust can cause you to have an asthma attack, especially during hot summer weather.


Respiratory Infections


Respiratory infections such as the common cold, influenza and bronchitis may cause asthma attacks throughout the duration of the illness.


Chronic Sinusitis


Chronic sinus infections (sinusitis) may cause swelling and inflammation of your breathing passages, which can lead to asthma attacks.


Acid Reflux


Acid reflux that occurs frequently or is chronic can cause asthma attacks as a result of irritations to your throat and lungs.








Exercise


Strenuous exercise or physical activity may cause asthma attacks both during the activity as well as for a period of several hours after stopping the activity.

Tags: asthma attacks, cause asthma, cause asthma attacks, asthma attack, asthma attack, breathing passages, causes asthma
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

How Is Embryonic Stem Cell Research Done

What is an Embryonic Stem Cell?


Stem cells have the unique ability to become another kind of cell. They can be coaxed into becoming a muscle or brain cell, a blood cell or organ cell. This gives rise to the question, can stem cells be used to cure disease and correct birth defects?


Stem cells are either mature or early stem cells. Early stem cells, or embryonic stem cells, are those extracted from a blastocyst, an embryo within four days of inception.








Development of a Stem Cell Line


These cells have the potential to become pluripotent; that is, they can be turned into function specific cells. The stem cells are extracted from the blastocyst. They are then placed in laboratory culture dishes along with a culture medium. These cells then divide. Over the course of several days, the cells cover the bottom of the culture dish.








These cells are then carefully removed and put into new dishes, a process called replating. This continues until scientists have developed a stem cell line. Those cells that have not become function-specific are potentially pluripotent cells. A stem cell line has the potential to produce several thousand pluripotent stem cells.


What Happens Next


Stem cell lines are then made available for research. One organization through which stem cell lines can be obtained is the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Registry. A strict criterion is in place to allow funding for and access to existing stem cell lines.


The research performed is myriad, ranging from regenerative properties of cells to curing diseases to gene repair. Methodologies are consistently being renewed and refined to ensure results are accurate and progressive.

Tags: cell lines, stem cell, stem cells, These cells, cell line, cells have
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Signs & Symptoms Of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis is commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or a major subset of that disorder. People with this condition may experience a wide variety of symptoms. Some myalgic encephalomyelitis patients recover completely, while others become progressively worse. Other people with this disorder have symptoms that come and go in no apparent pattern.


Primary Symptom


The primary symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis is debilitating fatigue that does not improve with bed rest. It causes most people with the disorder to be much less active than they were before. The chronic fatigue must last at least 6 months for a diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis.








Additional Fatigue Characteristics


Myalgic encephalomyelitis has eight other official symptoms, some which address specifics of the fatigue. The person experiences exhaustion and increased symptoms after physical or mental exercise, and the exhaustion lasts over 24 hours. Additionally, sleep no longer feels refreshing.


Other Symptoms


The other official signs include enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, impaired memory and concentration, headache of a new type or severity, joint pain without redness or swelling, persistent muscle pain and sore throat.


Gastrointestinal Problems


People with myalgic encephalomyelitis report many other symptoms. Gastrointestinal problems include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea and weight loss or weight gain.


Psychological Symptoms


Psychological issues also are associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis, although they can be expected reactions to a debilitating disorder. These include depression, irritability, anxiety and panic attacks.


Additional Symptoms


Additional symptoms reported include balance problems, chest pain, coughing, dizziness, dry mouth, earache, fainting, irregular heartbeat, jaw pain, night sweats, shortness of breath, tingling sensations and visual disturbances.

Tags: myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue, other official, People with, with myalgic, with myalgic encephalomyelitis
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Use A Sports Bottle Instead Of A Neti Pot

Use a sports bottle to help clear up clogged sinuses.








Sinuses can become stopped up due to allergies or the common cold. A neti pot clears up your sinuses with a saline solution. Rather than spend the money to buy a neti pot or leave home to get one when you're not feeling well, you can make a neti pot at home from a water bottle. Within minutes, the nasal congestion will usually clear up.


Instructions


1. Wash the sports bottle and dry it completely before use. Pour the crushed sea salt and baking soda into the bottle.


2. Add warm or room-temperature water to the bottle, close it and shake it to blend the salt, baking soda and water together.


3. Lean over a sink with your head tilted to the side. Place the spout of the sports bottle in the nostril that is higher up and squeeze the bottle gently. The solution will drain out from the other nostril.








4. Switch sides and repeat the previous step. After draining is complete, blow your nose in a tissue to remove leftover mucus. Sterilize the neti pot thoroughly after use.

Tags: sports bottle, baking soda, salt baking, salt baking soda, water bottle
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Use Pennsylvania'S Clean And Green Program

If you own land that is used for agriculture or preserved as natural land, you may want to look into using Pennsylvania's Clean and Green program, also known as Act 319. The Clean and Green program gives a tax incentive for land owners to preserve plots of land, offering taxation on the "use value" of land instead of its market value. This can apply to land plots on which farmhouses and other outbuildings are built.


Instructions


1. Research the incentives to see if the Pennsylvania Clean and Green program is right for you. Look into how much you stand to gain by participating in preservation and do the calculations regarding your particular land plot.








2. Meet criteria. According to the state's information, land owners need to own more than 10 acres or be able to prove they earn at least $2000 annually from a piece of farmland. Other restrictions may apply.


3. Get all of the forms for applying to the program. Act 319 requires land owners to actively petition the state for application forms.


4. Fill out the forms and send in your complete application. Keep a copy of all documents for yourself so that you can track your application and remember what you proposed.


5. Keep in contact with the state of Pennsylvania offices. Those involved in petitioning the state of Pennsylvania for similar programs know that some lag time may occur. Use the contact information on your application to keep in touch with state officials so you're informed about the status of your application.

Tags: Clean Green, Green program, land owners, Pennsylvania Clean, Pennsylvania Clean Green
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Monday, November 21, 2011

Store Leftovers Properly To Prevent Food Poisoning

With rising food prices, no one likes to waste food, so it's economical to make good use of leftovers. It's also an economical use of time and energy to cook large quantities of food at one time for use throughout the week. A few simple precautions will help you store leftovers properly to prevent food poisoning.


Instructions








Store Leftovers Properly to Prevent Food Poisoning


1. Remove hot food from pot or pan and place into refrigerator containers. Use small pint containers or sturdy sealable plastic bags for liquid or bulky foods. Use a double layer of aluminum foil for wrapping items like fish and meat. Keep containers small so that air circulation can chill them quickly. If there is only a small amount to be refrigerated (2 pints or less, or one pound or less of meat or fish) seal tightly, note contents and date on container or refrigerator log and put in 40 F refrigerator or 0 F freezer. Place so the cold air circulates around the containers.


2. If storing more than 2 pints of liquid or bulky food or more than a pound of meat or fish, bring hot food to room temperature first by surrounding it, tightly wrapped, with ice. Rotate food and ice until it is room temperature throughout before putting it back in the refrigerator.


3. Use your leftovers within a few days. If storing leftover fish, use within one day.


4. For food that is served chilled or at room temperature, such as cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, pudding, salsa, salad and other foods, remove the amount needed for one meal and put the rest immediately back in the refrigerator, tightly sealed.

Tags: room temperature, back refrigerator, containers small, Leftovers Properly, Leftovers Properly Prevent, liquid bulky, meat fish
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Treat Low Estrogen Naturally

As women age, their estrogen levels decrease naturally, but in young women estrogen levels can be low because of other conditions. If you are a pre-menopausal woman with low estrogen, you can find natural estrogen sources to restore the correct hormone balance.


Instructions


1. Meat, dairy, eggs and most animal products are rich in hormones including estrogen. Eating more protein from animal sources is one way to increase estrogen levels naturally with our resorting to expensive creams and supplements.








2. Vegetarians can also take advantage of plant foods rich in natural estrogens, progestins. Try eating more apples, cherries, flax seed, garlic, eggplants, olives, and potatoes. Many grain staples such as oats, wheat, and soy are also naturally rich in estrogens.


3. Certain foods inhibit estrogen, so if you have low estrogen levels, you may want to cut back on or eliminate broccoli, cabbage, corn, onions, grapes, and pineapple.


4. Women with more severe cases of low estrogen, (particularly women who've had hysterectomies, PCOS, or high testosterone) may need more concentrated hormone replacement therapy. If you are worried about the effects of synthetic hormones, you can still get estrogen therapy from natural sources.


Some of these include estrogen derived from the urine of pregnant mares, or estrogen creams and pills from soy. Although the though of taking medicine made from horse pee is gross, this is one of the safest and most commonly used natural estrogen source








5. Before beginning a regimen of estrogen replacement, talk to your doctor about the risks of hormone therapy.

Tags: estrogen levels, natural estrogen
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Compare Adhd Medications

If your child is suffering from ADHD, one option for treatment is medication. At one time, Ritalin was the only drug used to treat this condition effectively, but today there are many other choices as well. The good news is that because there are so many options, over 80% of children can be effectively treated using drugs. On the other hand, though, it can be frustrating for parents to figure out which medication is best. The most common choices other than Ritalin are as follows: Focalin, Ritalin SR, Adderall, Dexedrine, Metadate, Concerta, and Strattera.


Instructions


1. Take your child to the doctor to have the ADHD officially diagnosed. Your doctor will make a medication recommendation, but should also give you information about all of the other drug options as well.


2. Review the information and eliminate any that will interact with other medications your child is taking or any that could cause allergy concerns. Some of the most dangerous interactions come when you mix ADHD drugs with MAO inhibitors, amphetamines, and antihistamines, but even some foods, like those high in acid, can cause the drugs to not work as well, so review interaction information carefully with your doctor.


3. Compare the side effects of the remaining medications. Keep in mind that not every person will experience every side effect, but if, for example, your child already has trouble sleeping, you should eliminate any medications that may cause sleep problems.


4. Consider the dosing requirements for each medication. Some medications are given just once twice a day, while others need to be given every few hours, which may not work well with a busy schedule.


5. Compare the type of drug. If your child has trouble swallowing pills, for example, you may want to choose a medication that comes in chewable or liquid form.


6. Ask questions about cost and your insurance coverage. While price shouldn't make you choose a less effective type of ADHD medication for your child, if there are generic brands available, you may want to pick them over pricey brand-name drugs, when they are chemically the same.

Tags: your child, there many, work well
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Friday, November 18, 2011

Stop Someone From Choking







A meal can turn into a sudden emergency when a food particle becomes trapped in a person's airway, making it impossible for him to breathe or speak. Sometimes the individual will put his hand on his throat as a signal to others. Here's perform the Heimlich maneuver on an adult or child over one year of age.


Instructions


1. Stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around him.


2. Place your fist with the thumb against the victim's upper abdomen, above the navel but below the ribs and breastbone. Clasp the other hand over the fist.


3. Push your fist forcefully into the abdomen with a quick upward and inward thrust (see A). This pushes air from the lungs up into the windpipe to dislodge the foreign object.


4. Repeat several times if necessary.


5. If the victim passes out, hold his tongue with one hand while you reach two fingers from the other hand into the back of the throat. Remove the foreign object if possible. Make sure not to push it farther down into the throat.


6. If you can't remove the object, lay the person on his back and straddle him. Place the heel of your hand on the abdomen with your other hand on top of it. With your elbows locked straight, push forcefully with a quick downward and forward thrust (see B). Attempt to clear the airway with several thrusts.


7. Seek medical attention for the victim after performing the Heimlich maneuver to ensure that it didn't cause any internal damage.

Tags: other hand, abdomen with, foreign object, Heimlich maneuver, with quick, your fist
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Side Effects Of Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are essentially the same hormones a woman's body makes during her childbearing years, like estrogen, progesterone and androgen. Much like their natural counterparts, they are used as a form of hormone replacement therapy to treat the symptoms that often accompany menopause.


Dependency


These hormones can cause a physical dependency. It doesn't elicit addiction or habit-forming behavior; it simply means that the bioidentical hormones can create a state in which the body begins to need them.


Fatigue


Some women using of bioidentical hormones as a form of hormone replacement therapy may begin to experience fatigue. It may be mild to moderate, sometimes even severe.


Weight Gain


Another potential side effect of bioidentical hormones is some gain in weight, typically in the abdominal region, the thighs and buttocks.








Hair Loss


On occasion, a woman taking a bioidentical hormone may suffer from some hair loss, though she will usually regain any hair lost after her treatment is complete.








Depression


Depending on her predisposition to this condition, a woman may also suffer from some level of depression due to the use of bioidentical hormones.


Facial Hair


One of the more troubling side effects of bioidentical hormones is the growth of hair on the face. Much like hair loss, this growth will frequently subside once the treatment has ceased.

Tags: bioidentical hormones, bioidentical hormones, form hormone, form hormone replacement, from some, hormone replacement, hormone replacement therapy
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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Stop Sleep Apnea

Stop Sleep Apnea


Getting a good night's sleep is important for overall health. However, if you suffer from sleep apnea, sleep may be dangerous to your health. Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing for 10 to 15 seconds while one slumbers. In extreme cases, this can happen up to 50 times every hour. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help stop this affliction.


Instructions








1. Sleep on your side instead of your back. Sleeping on your back blocks airways more than sleeping on your side. Doctors have determined that blocked airways leads to sleep apnea.


2. Raise the head of the bed. Elevation also helps to keep airways unobstructed.








3. Lose weight, if you're overweight and suffer from sleep apnea. Less weight results in less strain on your body. Excess weight is a major factor in sleep apnea.


4. Use a breathing device to keep your airways from becoming blocked. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is worn while you sleep, feeding air through a mask to keep airways clear.


5. Undergo surgery to open up air passages. A common surgery is an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, where tissue is removed from the back of the mouth and throat. It's successful in stopping sleep apnea in nearly half of those who undergo the surgery.

Tags: sleep apnea, from sleep, from sleep apnea, keep airways, Sleep Apnea
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Stop Rubbing The Tongue Against Dentures

Getting dentures is a big step, and it can take awhile for your mouth to get used to them. You may find yourself exploring the new teeth with your tongue, eventually forming a painful habit called tongue thrusting that could result in blisters or lead to other oral illnesses like frictional hyperkeratosis. Breaking the habit of rubbing your tongue against your dentures won't be easy, but there are things you can put into practice to help you stop rubbing.








Instructions








1. Practice speaking and eating with your new dentures so they become a familiar part of your mouth. One of the reasons you rub your tongue is because you want to explore the changes in your mouth. Getting used to your dentures by learning live with them will help you break the habit of rubbing.


2. Tire out your tongue with exercises. Push your tongue against the roof of your mouth, pressing the entire length of it. While doing this, open your mouth, still holding the tongue in place. Hold it there until it becomes tired. Repeat this exercise when you catch yourself rubbing your dentures with your tongue.


3. Chew non-stick, sugarless gum or suck on a piece of sugarless candy. If you are chewing gum or sucking candy, this will keep your mouth busy and prevent you from rubbing your tongue against your dentures.


4. Form a new habit by setting up a demerit system for each time you catch yourself rubbing your tongue. Every time you catch yourself, put a quarter in a safe jar, and watch how quickly it accumulates.


5. Visit your dentist and ask him to look at your dentures to make sure there are no loose pieces or bumpy ridges sticking out that might be drawing your tongue's attention to the spot. If he does discover something, they should be able to file down the area and repair the dentures, giving you nothing to rub against.

Tags: your tongue, your dentures, your mouth, rubbing your, catch yourself
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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Stop Mozzie Bites

Stop mosquito bites by covering up.


Mosquito bites, also known as "mozzie" bites, can cause the affected skin to become itchy, red and sometimes swollen. Mosquitoes in certain parts of the world, such as Africa and the Amazon rain forest, may also transmit dangerous diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue. Only female mosquitoes bite because they need the protein in the drawn blood to produce their eggs. Mosquito bites can be avoided if you take precautions and you are thorough in carrying out your methods of prevention.


Instructions


1. Cover exposed skin when you are outside and in a mosquito-prone area. Wear long-sleeved tops, trousers and shoes that cover all parts of your feet. Tuck in your clothes in so you don't leave any gaps or holes for the mozzies to sneak in. Wear lighter-colored clothes; mosquitoes are attracted to heat-absorbing darker clothes, according to the Travel Doctor. Also wear a hat.


2. Apply an insect repellent to your skin, particularly on any areas that are exposed. You can also apply a repellent to your clothing and areas in your home such as bedding. The Travel Doctor website recommends using a repellent containing DEET --- a substance proven to be effective in repelling mosquitoes. If you don't want to use DEET, try an insect repellent containing lemon or eucalyptus


3. Turn on the air conditioning in your bedroom and close the windows. Mosquitoes are attracted to warmer temperatures, so the cooler air will deter them. If you don't have air conditioning, hang a mosquito bed net from the ceiling to cover your bed.


4. Light citronella candles if you are sitting outdoors. However, you do need to sit relatively close to the candles for them to be effective.

Tags: insect repellent, repellent containing, repellent your, Travel Doctor
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Stop Menopause Sweat







Menopause is a change in life that brings with it troublesome symptoms that include irregular periods, dryness of the vagina, sleep disorders, mood swings, osteoporosis, heart disease, urinary tract infections, urinary leakage, hot flashes and night sweats. A hot flash can be very annoying as this sudden rush of heat through your body can occur at any time of the day, leaving you drenched in sweat. Night sweats can wake you up from a sound sleep. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to stop menopause sweating.


Instructions








1. Sleep in a room that's not too warm. Keep a pitcher of ice water and a glass next to your bed so you can cool yourself down by drinking a glass of cold water should menopause sweat hit you during the night. If the weather is cold, wear layers of clothes so you can remove a few articles of clothing when you have a hot flash. Stop smoking if you do, lose weight and exercise to lessen or stop the occurrence of menopause sweat.


2. Talk to your doctor about going on menopausal hormone therapy. MHT is given in the form of estrogen if a woman has had her uterus removed. Women who still have their uterus are given estrogen along with progesterone or a medication called progestin. These hormones are administered in pill, cream, or skin patch form. Although menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may not stop menopause sweating altogether, it can lessen hot flashes and combat the effects of other menopausal symptoms.


3. Consult with your doctor to find out if bioidentical hormone therapy is an option for you. Bioidentical hormone therapy consists of a mix of hormones that are put together to treat menopausal symptoms such as menopausal sweating. Some bioidentical hormones are FDA approved, while others are not.


4. Find out from your doctor if you should take a soy supplementation. According to The National Institute of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, results from studies done on soy have not been conclusive, but these studies have implied soy isoflavone supplements may be able to minimize hot flashes women experience after menopause. Soy can be purchased in pill form, and foods that contain soy are soybeans, tofu and soymilk.

Tags: hormone therapy, your doctor, menopausal hormone, menopausal hormone therapy, menopausal symptoms
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Identify Penis Pain

A variety of different afflictions and ailments can cause substantial penis pain–and more often than not a visit to the doctors office (or emergency room). Commonly, penis pain can occur after sexual intercourse, either due to some form of sexually transmitted disease (or S.T.D.) or a broken penis. Inflammation of the skin around the penis is another common cause of penis pain and should be given immediate medical attention.


Instructions








Identify Penis Pain


1. Locate the origin of your penis pain. Penis pain can emanate from a variety of different places on your penis, so learning to pinpoint its origin will help you to determine the cause of the pain. For instance, balanitis causes pain at the head of the penis, while certain penile skin conditions will cause pain centered around the shaft of the penis.


2. Match the origin of your penis pain with a corresponding affliction. Once you have localized the origin of your penis pain, search the Internet or medical literature at your local library for possible causes. The library will carry an extensive collection of medical literature, some of which will be focused entirely on penis ailments. If you suffer from fluid discharge or skin discoloration, consult the literature's pictures for a match.


3. Learn to differentiate penis pain that is caused by breakage from penis pain that is caused by a sexually transmitted disease. While both stem from sexual activity, a penis break will, often, be felt immediately after the organ is ruptured. However, a sexually transmitted disease will take weeks before any ill affects are felt or seen. A broken penis results in a sharp, debilitating pain that will cause an immediate end to your sexual activity.


4. Seek medical attention for almost any form of penis pain. Penis pain denotes a more serious ailment and should be treated with expert medical attention immediately after detection. Failure to do so could result in furthered spread of infection or a decrease in ability to treat the ailment.


5. Follow the doctor's recommendations and use medication accordingly. A broken penis is, in many cases, repairable as long as treatment is administered immediately after the break occurs. Other ailments, such as sexually transmitted diseases, should be monitored closely after their first outbreak, and should be treated with medication on a consistent basis.

Tags: penis pain, sexually transmitted, your penis, broken penis, immediately after, medical attention, origin your
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Recognize Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Recognize Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms


Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder effecting the central nervous system. For reasons as yet unexplained, certain immune cells attack the protective coating around the nerves called myelin. The nerves then become inflamed producing a number of different symptoms, depending on the location in the brain or spinal column of the demyelinated nerves.


Instructions


Recognize Primary Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis


1. Understand that the primary symptoms of multiple sclerosis are caused by the demyelination of nerves, resulting in the inflammation and potential loss of functioning in those nerves.


2. Know that optic neuritis (ON) is by far the most common form of exacerbation for patients presenting with multiple sclerosis. In ON, the optic nerve becomes inflamed from demyelination and can cause radical changes in vision including the loss of sight in the affected eye as well as eye pain and large patches of vision loss. ON is generally unilateral, effecting only one optic nerve at a time.


3. Recognize difficulty walking or frequent tripping as potential symptom of MS. Patients with MS may experience numbness and even paralysis in one side of their body or their legs or arms, depending on whether the spinal cord or the nerves in the brain are effected by demyelination.


4. Notice if the patient has balance issues or experiences vertigo. These, as well as loss of muscle coordination, may indicate the presence of MS.


5. Find that the most commonly felt symptom of MS is fatigue. Unlike common exhaustion from physical activity, MS fatigue is a deep physical and even mental exhaustion that is not alleviated by sleep or rest.


Recognize Secondary Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis








6. Realize that the demyelination of the nerves may lead to additional symptoms not directly related to the inflammation.


7. Find that frequent urinary tract or bladder infections may indicate an area of demyelination effected the muscles which control bladder function.

Tags: Multiple Sclerosis, Symptoms Multiple, demyelination nerves, Find that, Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, optic nerve, Recognize Multiple
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Recover From A Heart Transplant

Recover From a Heart Transplant


A heart transplant is a major surgery that requires the recipient to follow strict doctor's orders to recover. A heart transplant patient's recovery can be delayed if she doesn't listen to her doctor and care for herself properly; therefore, it's important to do what is asked of you once you are discharged from the hospital.








Instructions


1. Take your prescribed medications at the proper time every day. Missing even one day or taking one pill late can impact your health as you recover from your heart transplant. Educating yourself on what each medication is for and why you must take it can help you to remember the importance of getting each medication into your body at the right time. Knowing the side effects of each medication can help you prepare yourself for feeling sick or having mood swings because of the medication you are taking.


2. Eat a proper diet daily along with regular exercise. Your diet should be low in fat and low in sodium to help combat high blood pressure that can be a negative side effect of some medications. Remember to stay away from raw foods that can easily cause food poisoning, buffets and potlucks, because this type of food presentation often have foods that are not warm enough or chilled enough and can promote germ spreading easily.


3. Stay safe from infections that can be spread when in contact with other people. If you're in a large group setting or with someone who has a cold, wear a mask to cover your mouth for the first year following your heart transplant. Because your immune system is compromised after a heart transplant, something as minor as a cold can turn into something much more serious.


4. Surround yourself with a good support system. Attend transplant groups to discuss problems or concerns you have, share stories about your recovery or go just to be around people who know what you are going through. Having a good support system can often help people recover more quickly.

Tags: heart transplant, each medication, foods that, From Heart, From Heart Transplant
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Monday, November 14, 2011

The Cause Of Stress

The Cause of Stress


The cause of stress differs depending on how prone you are to anxiety, depression and tension. Stressful situations can be unhappy or unfortunate events or happy events such as a new baby, new house or wedding. Stress can have an impact on your mental and physical health.


Types


The top causes of stress are the death of a spouse, divorce, marriage, pregnancy, buying a house and Christmas. Positive and negative events can be stressful because they cause worry and tension.


Considerations


Job-related stress is very common. This is especially true in careers with extreme deadline pressure.


Expert Insight


If you are impatient and drive yourself hard to succeed or have a history of mental illness, you are more prone to stress-related problems.


Identification








Stress is evident if you experience a change in emotions, behaviors, feelings, physical health and body functions. You may experience backache, a nervous stomach, be irritable or sad, eat too much or too little, have trouble concentrating or feel hopeless.


Effects


Long-term stress can lead to serious health problems such as effects to your immune system, higher blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, advanced aging and infertility.

Tags: physical health
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Definition Of Tektite

The word tektite comes from the Greek "tektos," meaning "molten" or "melted." This word is the name for a type of rock made mostly of glass, found only in a few places in the world.


Mineral Makeup


Tektites are made up of 65 percent to 90 percent glass, and may contain impurities such as iron and magnesium.


Origins


Two theories on how tektites formed are that they are meteors, or that they are terrestrial rocks that were vaporized by a meteor and then cooled quickly.The second theory is more commonly accepted.


Features


Tektites are often pitted on the outside, brown to green, and have little water content. Their size ranges from a few millimeters up to 8 inches in length.


The most common tektite shapes are balls, disks, raindrops and dumbbells.


Considerations








There are less common tektite shapes, which include ablated shapes and Muong Nong shapes.


Ablated tektites were sent into the atmosphere when a meteor hit the earth. Upon re-entry, their outer coating melted, and in this process the tektite formed a flange.


Muon Nong tektites are layers of tektite glass that can reach large sizes.


Location








The places tektites have been found have no geological relationship. They can be found in Georgia, Texas, Martha's Vineyard (Massachusetts), the Czech Republic, Mauritania, Cuba, Ivory Coast, Irgiz, Australia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Tasmania and the Libyan Desert.

Tags: common tektite, common tektite shapes, tektite shapes, that they
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Signs Of Autism In A 16 Month Old

In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 150 children is diagnosed with autism every year. Autism is a developmental disability that affects children on various levels. Although most children are not diagnosed until they are between the ages of three or four, symptoms may occur at a much younger age. Be aware of the symptoms and pursue treatment as soon as possible.


Response


The most common indication of autism is when toddlers don't respond to their name. This may indicate that the child has no comprehension of their name.


Games


Healthy 16-month-olds love to play the game, "Where is mommy/daddy?" The child will eagerly look around for their beloved parent. Children with autism generally do not engage in this game, failing to seek out the "lost" parent.


Physical Signs








Autistic 16-month-olds may show signs of being unusually clumsy when they walk, or may walk on their toes. They may also sit and rock back and forth for long periods of time.


Fixation


Autistic 16-month-olds often become fixated on one toy or type of toy. They may spend hours taking all of their cars and lining them up in a perfect, meticulous row. If someone accidentally disturbs their perfect line, they have a tendency to become extremely agitated or upset.








Emotions


Autistic 16-month-olds often stiffen or pull away when they are hugged or cuddled. Autistic children not understand receive or show emotion.


Communication


Rather than speaking, an autistic child may make a humming sound for long periods of time. In addition, autistic children often don't make hand gestures, such as waving goodbye or pointing to an item they want.

Tags: Autistic 16-month-olds, 16-month-olds often, Autistic 16-month-olds often, children diagnosed, long periods
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Friday, November 11, 2011

Llysine & Anxiety

Taking an L-Lysine supplement or eating foods rich in L-Lysine, an essential amino acid, may help reduce anxiety. L-Lysine may help improve moods by facilitating the flow of neurotransmitters in the brain.


L-Lysine


L-Lysine, which may also be referred to as Lysine, is an amino acid necessary to maintain health. L-Lysine is not produced by the body and must be obtained from food or dietary supplements.


Source








Foods that are high in protein, such as meat, cheese, eggs, nuts and beans, are sources of L-Lysine. L-Lysine is also available as a dietary supplement in tablet, capsule and liquid forms.


Anxiety


According to research published in 2003 in the journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" (PNAS), increased intake of L-Lysine may help reduce "stress-induced anxiety." Research published in a 2007 issue of the journal "Biomedical Research" finds that L-Lysine as a dietary supplement may reduce chronic anxiety in people who are deficient in L-Lysine.


Serotonin


According to research published in 2002 in the "Journal of Nutrition," a deficiency of L-Lysine inhibited the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin in rats. According to MayoClinic.com, elevated levels of serotonin are associated with good moods.


Considerations








A deficiency of L-Lysine may also cause fatigue, agitation and nausea.

Tags: According research, According research published, amino acid, deficiency L-Lysine, dietary supplement, help reduce
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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Stop Bleeding With Acupressure







Stop Bleeding With Acupressure


You may not think to press on your kneecap to slow the bleeding of a bloody nose or small wound, but it can actually help. There is an acupressure point on your knee that can help slow minor bleeding, you just need to know access it properly.


Instructions


1. Bend either of your knees at a 90-degree angle to help you find the correct pressure point. At the top of the knee, there is an hemorrhagic point which will be tender to the touch if you're bleeding.


2. Tap the area lightly in a quick motion. With your index, middle and ring fingers, lightly tap the pressure repeatedly. Do this quickly and for the minimum of 60 seconds.


3. Massage the pressure point. If the bleeding doesn't begin to slow down after 30 seconds, take your two thumbs and firmly massage the pressure point in a circular motion.


4. Apply pressure to either knee. With acupressure it doesn't matter which knee you use, so choose whichever one is most comfortable to you when doing self-acupressure. If it's possible to massage both points, this can help speed up the process however, it's not necessary.

Tags: pressure point, Bleeding With, Bleeding With Acupressure, Stop Bleeding, Stop Bleeding With
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Treat Sciatica With Massage

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. Sciatica is pain that spreads from the lower back, throughout the buttocks and down the sciatic nerve and along the back of the leg through the knee to the big toe. It often feels worse on one side of the hip. Sciatica may be caused when the nerve is pinched from sitting on a hard surface, or wearing a tight belt; anything which can put pressure on the nerve. Often the pain is quite debilitating.


Instructions


Treat Sciatica With Massage


1. Sit comfortably on a bed, chair or on the floor, whichever is most comfortable for you.


2. Support your lower back with cushions or pillows.


3. Rub massage oil into your open palms.


4. Use your palms and your fingertips to lightly stroke the area from behind your knee to your hip. Use long, gliding strokes and keep stroking towards your heart. Keep massaging for 2 or 3 minutes.


5. Massage from the hip and down the back of the knee, following the course of the sciatic nerve. Do this for 2 or 3 minutes.

Tags: sciatic nerve, lower back, palms your, Sciatica With, Sciatica With Massage
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Recipe For Making Perfume Oils

Creating a recipe for making perfume oils is moderately easy but it may take some trial and error. The perfect scent may not come right away so don't give up. Perfume oils can be used as aromatherapy. Aromatherapy use essential oils extracted from plants, flowers and herbs to help the body heal from common ailments.


Instructions


Recipe for Making Perfume Oils


1. Place the plastic covering for your table or work area down first. Set up all your supplies on the plastic covering. This can get to be a messy project.


Use your funnel to pour the olive oil or almond oil into the air tight dark container. This will be the base for your recipe to make perfume oil.


Olive oil is a cheaper alternative to sweet almond oil which is commonly used when dealing with essential oils but works just as well for a lot less money.


2. Once you have added your base olive oil add one drop of your essential oil scent of choice using the eyedropper. Sniff the container to see if the scent is to your liking. You may add more if desired.


Essential oils are made from plant and flower extracts. These oils make a concentrated scent that can be very overpowering. This is why only one drop of essential oil should be used at a time.


3. Place cap onto the airtight container and store in a dark place such as a closet overnight. This will give the essential oils a chance to infuse with the olive oil.


For stronger perfume oil leave in the dark place for a couple of days. You can create a variety of scents by mixing different essential oils such as lavender and rose or you can make your perfume oils with just one essential oil.


4. When you are ready to take your perfume oil out of the dark area you left it in, open and smell it. If the scent is right you can now place this in your perfume bottle. If the scent is not right you can repeat this process. You can also change the scent by adding more than one essential oil scent of choice. Combinations can make wonderful scented perfume oils.


5. Use your perfume oil sparingly by placing a small amount on your finger and dabbing behind the ears, just above the collar bone and on the inside of your wrist. You can use a larger amount for massage.

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Stop A Jellyfish Sting

These moon jellyfish are mildly venomous.


Jellyfish stings vary widely in degrees of discomfort, pain and seriousness. For example, the moon jellyfish may produce only a prickling sensation or mild burning, while the Portuguese Man-of-War can cause shock, fainting, fever, and even hysteria, accompanied by shooting, intense pain. If your jellyfish sting is mild, home treatment may resolve it. More severe stings that cause intense pain and other symptoms, like nausea and vomiting, require medical attention. When in doubt about whether your sting is serious, see your doctor.


Instructions


1. Go back to the beach if you were swimming, but stay close to the water.


2. Scoop seawater in your hand and drip it over the stung area. This can help disengage the stingers. Do not use fresh water, because this can worsen the stings.


3. Use a towel or similar item to grasp the tentacles and pull them off your body. The sting will worsen the longer the tentacles stay on your skin, because they will continue to distribute venom.


4. Pour vinegar over the area to help neutralize the stinging.


5. Apply a paste of baking soda, and just enough seawater to moisten it, to the stung area. Allow it to dry before scraping it off.


6. Apply an antibiotic ointment and a bandage to the skin. Remove the bandage three times a day to clean the area. Apply more ointment and a fresh bandage.


7. Apply a cream with one percent hydrocortisone to the area if you experience itchiness.

Tags: intense pain, moon jellyfish, stung area
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Eat Dessert On A Diet

There's no doubt about it. Dessert had something to do with why you are on a diet now. The good news is that you don't have to give up this coveted delight simply because you are cutting calories to shed those pounds. There are ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without sabotaging all that hard work that went into creating the abs and flat belly you are now getting. Regardless of what stage of your diet you are at, you can start incorporating a dessert after one meal each day.


Instructions


1. Try smaller portions of your favorite dessert if you don't like the idea of trying substitutions. A miniature piece of pumpkin pie may beat a full serving of aspartame-laden sweets. Judge it for yourself. While dieting, remember that you can have larger portions of anything you desire in only a matter of weeks or months. Keep things in smaller moderation on a temporary scale. Looking at the big picture can help eating a tiny dessert much more bearable.


2. Look in the freezer section of your favorite grocer. In nearly all major chain grocery stores--and most smaller stores--there are several options for ice cream for those on a diet. Weight Watchers, Skinny Cow and Tofutti all offer yummy treats without the tax of high calorie guilt.


3. Look for "100 Calorie" solutions. These are ever popular in grocery stores today. You'll find packs of cupcakes for only 100 calories. You'll find your favorite brand of cookies in these packages as well. They are individually packed to preserve freshness...and to help you clearly divide and see what a healthy portion can be. Although the 100 calories aren't exactly sized for a big treat, you'll get plenty of bites to feel like you are eating a whole dessert...and then some, with some of the items!


4. Try going on commercial weight loss programs. Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem both have desserts as a part of their daily eating routine. Knowing dieters need that extra joy and motivation, they've created amazing desserts. On the Jenny Craig program, the chocolate brownie and chocolate cake are both extremely appetizing...better than many non-diet desserts. The brownie on the Nutrisystem diet is also a good one.








5. Stick craft sticks in your ice cube tray when you put it in the freezer. When frozen, a "water pop" can be a refreshing break in your day without adding any calories to your diet. While this will not satisfy your sweet tooth, it can feel like a treat until you can make time for a delicious low calorie dessert.


6. Eat your favorite dessert once a week. On programs like "Body for Life," you are allowed to eat whatever you want for one day per week. This is a great solution, and it gets the craving out of the way for most of the rest of the week. Save the dessert until that one day of the week where you can have what you truly want.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

When Do Hiv Symptoms Appear







HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a lentivirus, which means that it is slow-acting. HIV symptoms appear at two distinct stages, and understanding these times, as well as HIV's long latency period, are key to understanding the virus.


Primary Infection


Some people experience mild, flu-like symptoms one to two weeks after becoming infected, while others experience no symptoms at all. Even people who do develop a flu-like condition will experience no further symptoms for a long time.


Latency


HIV is a lentivirus, so named for the long stretch of time after acute (primary) infection in which there is an absence of symptoms. This does not mean that the virus is inactive or that it is not possible to spread it to others during this time. On the contrary, during latency the virus is slowly attacking the body's immune defenses by targeting T cells.


Because HIV targets immune cells, the body becomes increasingly unable to fight off HIV and other infections. Most people with HIV became infected through contact (unprotected sex, sharing needles) with a person who was in the latent phase of infection.








AIDS


AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is said to develop when an infected person's CD4 (a type of T cell) count is below 200. At this point, the immune system is no longer able to cope with the virus, and a series of opportunistic infections (so named because they do not affect people with healthy immune systems) develop. These include pneumocystis pneumonia, thrush and Kaposi's sarcoma. AIDS normally develops within 10 to 15 years after primary infection, although it can take 20 years or more. AIDS also develops much more rapidly in some individuals, though the use of antiretroviral therapies can help delay its onset.


Identification


The first cases of HIV infection were found among people who had already developed AIDS because the initial symptoms of HIV are very mild or absent, and there was, at the time, no test for HIV. However, once HIV was isolated as the root cause of AIDS, it became possible to test for the virus. Today, some tests, which search for HIV RNA (the genetic code of the virus) can detect the virus within two weeks of infection. Other tests are used to screen for antibodies to the virus. Developing a detectable level of antibodies to HIV (seroconversion) often happens within about one month after infection, though the process can take as long as six months.


Considerations


Because early HIV infection is often principally asymptomatic, regular screening for it is one of the most important ways to control the spread of the virus and ensure that infected individuals receive appropriate treatment. The use of antiretroviral drugs has improved the life expectancy and quality of life of those infected.

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