Heal Fibroids

Fibroids are the formation of tumors in the uterus that are benign, but not without side effects. Fibroids sometimes form in the uterus and can wreak havoc on a woman's natural menstrual cycle as they cause breakthrough bleeding, the need to urinate frequently, and heavy menstrual bleeding as well as pain in the lower region of the back. Fibroids can also be associated with extensive cramping during your period. There are several methods for healing fibroids effectively.

Instructions

The Process

1. Schedule an appointment with your gynecologist to make sure it is actually fibroids that you are dealing with. Other conditions can have similar symptoms that may require invasive treatment or prescribed medications to remedy the condition. Get a pap smear to rule out cervical cancer, and follow your doctor's recommendations.

2. Take medications as directed. If you are prescribed Lupron or another Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, use the full course of treatment as prescribed; ask your doctor manage any side effects associated with the use of this medication. Side effects can mimic symptoms associated with menopause and can include hot flashes as well as considerable bone loss.

3. Use synthetic androgens, like Danazol, if and when they are prescribed by your physician. Androgens can cease fibroid growth, stop your menstrual flow when excessive, and avoid the development of low iron issues and anemia. Discuss potential side effects and manage them with your doctor.

4. Head to the local gym and start working out on a regular basis. Get a cardiovascular workout or work out with free weights three times a week so that you can reduce fibroid complications by losing any extra weight.

5. Have an intra-uterine device placed in your uterus by a physician to slow your menstrual bleeding and shrink fibroid growth.

6. Set up a session for a high-intensity ultrasound so that the fibroids can be located via an MRI and destroyed via ultrasonic energy, if this process is recommended by your physician.

7. Order tripterygium glyscoside tablets and take the product as directed to help reduce fibroid growth as an alternative remedy for fibroid healing; the herb contains the components tripdioline and triptolide, which work to suppress the immune system and to diminish swelling and inflammation naturally.

8. Reduce your red meat intake and your milk intake to lower the amount of xenoestrogens that you consume; the latter pesticide is associated with fibroid growth and perpetuation. Also, make changes in your diet to lose weight if you are overweight, since women who are overweight are more likely to develop fibroid issues due to increases in estrogen levels maintained and stored in body fat.

9. Reduce your carbohydrate intake. A large intake of carbohydrates can aggravate fibroid conditions. Minimize your carbohydrate intake to 15 grams or fewer each meal.

10. Consume more soy products in your diet, like soy milk, to help reduce the amount of estrogen in your system and shrink fibroid growth. Get at least 80 milligrams of isoflavones every day.

11. Relax and spend some time enjoying life. Engage in your hobbies and minimize your stress levels. Enjoying life will help in naturally restoring hormone production to optimal levels.

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Side Effects Of Armour Thyroid Tablets

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive or has been removed. Because of this, the thyroid hormones necessary for metabolism and proper body function are not produced sufficiently. Armour Thyroid tablets are a natural combination thyroid replacement medication to treat hypothyroidism. They replace both T3 and T4 hormones.

Composition

Armour Thyroid medication is made from pigs' thyroid glands. It is not a synthetic product.

Dosage

Your doctor will determine your dosage of Armour Thyroid; it is highly individualized. You will typically take Armour once per day, most often in the morning.

Side Effects

The most common side effect of treatment with Armour Thyroid is the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. If you experience heart palpitations, chest pain, nervousness, intolerance of heat, increased pulse rate or excessive perspiration, you should contact your doctor right away; your dose may need adjustment.

Drug Interactions

Armour Thyroid interacts with the following drugs: cholestyramine or colestipol, insulin, oral hypoglycemics, oral anticoagulants, estrogen and oral contraceptives. Your doctor should be informed of all medications you are taking, including any herbal supplements.

Lifelong Treatment

Hypothyroidism requires lifelong treatment. Your Armour Thyroid medication dose may need to be adjusted throughout your lifetime.

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Side Effects Leptoprin

Leptoprin diet pills are targeted towards people who are significantly overweight. The Leptoprin mixture is composed of three herbs which are Paulinia cupana, Turnera diffusa and Ilex paraguensis. The manufactures of Leptroprin (AG Waterhouse) state that Leptoprin triggers extensive weight loss without its users having to make any real changes in their exercise regimen or diet. There are two versions of Leptoprin, one with stimulants and one without (called Leptoprin-SF). As with any diet pills, however, they are some side effects to consider.

Considerations

Those who are considering taking Leptoprin should consider some of the possible side effects of the pill, including fatigue, weight gain (surprisingly enough, considering it's a diet pill) and headaches. As far as the weight gain side effect, one user even noted gaining up to five pounds in a week after starting on Leptoprin.

Warning

One the Leptoprin packaging, there is a warning for side effects such as dry mouth, insomnia and sleeplessness and anxiety. It is stated that these side effects are not uncommon during the first week of Leptoprin use. However, not all Leptoprin users will experience these effects.

Theories/Speculation

Many Leptoprin users report no negative side effects at all. However, on the other end of the spectrum, there are also some Leptoprin users who have reported much more serious negative side effects such as pain in the kidneys and excessive urination. If you experience either of these side effects, you should consult your doctor immediately, and most likely stop using Leptoprin (especially in the case of kidney pain).

Benefits

Though when most people hear the term "side effects" (especially with regards to a diet pill), they think of negative side effects. However, a lot of Leptoprin users have reported experiencing a lot of very positive side effects, including increased energy, significant weight loss, improved cognition, mood and performance.

Prevention/Solution

Women who are pregnant, nursing, or intending to get pregnant soon should not take Leptoprin. Also, people who have thyroid problems, diabetes or a history of heart disease should consult their doctor before determining whether to take Leptoprin or not. Leptoprin consists of some very potent appetite suppressants that could potentially interfere with blood sugar levels in healthy individuals.

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Homemade Natural Anti Anxiety Drug

Often, people struggling with anxiety can reduce their symptoms using homemade natural anti anxiety drug opposed to a prescription drug. The fact is, people have been using natural remedies for anxiety for thousands of years. Best of all, many of these natural anxiety treatments are safer than their prescription counterparts.

Natural Sedatives

Many people use habit-forming prescription sedatives, such as Ativan, Valium or Xanax for their sedating property. Sedatives can be useful when you are having anxiety or panic, but many natural sedatives work just as well as these prescription sedatives. The bonus is that natural sedatives are not habit-forming. Try hops, valerian, scullcap or passionflower supplement to achieve a relaxed state during times of anxiety, panic or stress.

Natural Anti Anxiety Treatments

Anti-depressants are often prescribed for people who have anxiety disorders because depression and anxiety are believed to be caused by the same chemical imbalances. Just as you a doctor might prescribe Prozac or Zoloft for anxiety, there are a number of natural anxiety treatments that you can daily to prevent anxiety. Natural anxiety remedies work because like prescription drugs they help balance the imbalanced chemicals in the brain. Try licorice root or St Johns Wort to reduce your anxiety.

Nutritional Treatment for Anxiety

It is not uncommon for those with a vitamin or mineral deficiency to develop chronic anxiety. Taking a multivitamin may yield a significant improvement in a person's anxiety symptoms. That said, a number of specific nutritional supplements can also improve anxiety, including B vitamins and an amino acid called 5-HTP. B vitamins help regulate the nervous system and boost energy levels, and 5-HTP helps your body produce more serotonin. the neurotransmitter responsible for calm and sleep.

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Get Certified In Rolfing

Get Certified in Rolfing

Rolfing is a non-invasive form of body work that helps people create more balance in their movements. More than 1 million people have received rolfing work from one of the 1,360 certified Rolfers throughout the United States and 26 countries. To get certified in rolfing, follow these steps.

Instructions

1. Understand that the Rolf Institute is the only rolfing certifying body. While other organizations may offer "Structural Integration" courses, only Rolf graduates will be permitted to refer to themselves as Certified Rolfers or Rolf Movement Practitioners. There are no online programs of study or certification; this is a hands-on discipline. Rolfing students can expect the basic certification program to last 18 months to 2 years.

2. Have at least a basic knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology and an understanding of the value of therapeutic touch before starting Rolf training. You'll be required to provide transcripts of prior education and an essay detailing your desire and ability to complete the course.

3. Start with a six-week intensive course called "Foundations of Rolfing Structural Integration," also known as "Unit I," if you have no prior bodywork experience or training. There is a separate Unit 1 option of 87 hours advanced training for those with some experience in body work.

4. Complete either version of Unit I. Accumulate 50 hours of "Skillful Touch Massage" practice on clients and get a passing grade on the Rolfing Institute of Structural Integration (RISI) Life Sciences Exam. You also must experience 10 sessions of Rolfing work and 5 Rolf Movement Integration sessions from a certified Rolfing practitioner. Students may not enroll in Unit II until at least 3 months after completing Unit I. Their bodies need a chance to integrate after their own rolfing sessions.

5. Continue to Unit II, which entails 8 weeks of extensive training called "Embodiment of Rolfing and Rolf Movement Integration."

6. Pursue Unit III, another 8-week period of training, called "Clinical Applications of Rolfing Theory." During this training, students work on clients while under the supervision of instructors. Training includes general skills necessary for the student to develop their own Rolfing practice. Once this unit is completed, students graduate as Certified Rolfers.

7. Tie it all up after the basic certification program with an additional 144 hours of training called "Rolf Movement Integration Certification."

Once a graduate has 3 years experience in Rolfing practice, he may enroll in the 168-hour training called, "Advanced Rolfing Training Certification." Throughout the practitioner's career, there will be continuing education requirements to maintain association with the Rolfing Institute.

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Symptoms Of Juvenile Hypothyroidism

Juvenile hypothyroidism is a condition that your child may be born with if the thyroid gland is dysfunctional or missing, or it can develop later during childhood. The symptoms of juvenile hypothyroidism may develop slowly or suddenly, depending on the cause of underactivity in the thyroid, and may worsen over time. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, symptoms of juvenile hypothyroidism include delayed growth and poor muscle function.

Dental Problems

Children with juvenile hypothyroidism may have missing baby or permanent teeth or a delay in the eruption of their teeth.

Shortness

Juvenile hypothyroidism may cause your child to be abnormally short when compared to what is expected on childhood growth charts.

Skin Disorders

Skin problems such as paleness, itching or dryness, and unusual thickenings of areas of skin are symptoms of juvenile hypothyroidism.

Stiffness

Stiffness of the muscles and joints is a symptom of juvenile hypothyroidism that may make it difficult for children to participate in play and physical activity.

Thin Hair

Thin or fine hair is a symptom of juvenile hypothyroidism, and the hair that does grow on the scalp and body may be dry and easily broken.

Tiredness

Tiredness, even with adequate amounts of sleep, is a symptom of juvenile hypothyroidism that can result in academic difficulties.

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Prevent Yeast Infections In Dogs

Bridey the beagle shows off her droopy ears.

If a dog is going to have a yeast infection, it is most likely going to be in her ears. Dogs with "droopy-ears" like beagles or spaniels are particularly susceptible because their long, thick ears trap moisture inside the inner ear and ear canal and keep air out. However, dogs with upright ears like collies or German shepherds are much less likely to develop yeast infection in their ears, but they are not completely immune.

Whatever your dog's ears look like, regular ear cleaning should clear up any yeast infection and prevent another one from occurring.

Instructions

1. Check for existing yeast infection. Look at your dog's ears. Are they dirty or greasy? Is there a yeasty or otherwise unpleasant smell? If so, your dog probably already has a yeast infection in his ears. You will need to get rid of the infection before starting on a yeast-prevention grooming regimen for your dog. Fortunately, the same stuff that can clean up a yeast infection in your dog's ears can also prevent one from growing in the first place.

2. Create a slightly acidic environment. Yeast cannot grow in an acidic environment. Fill a spray bottle with three parts water and one part vinegar; apple cider vinegar works best. Gently squirt some of your water/vinegar mix into your dogs ear *but not down the ear canal.* Massage into the ear for sixty seconds, then wipe inside the ear with a cotton ball, again *not down in the ear canal.* Squirt some more of your water/vinegar mixture into the ear, massage for another minute, and leave in.

If your dog already has yeasty ears, do this daily for two weeks. For yeast infection prevention, do this once a week.

3. Make an alternative mixture. If your dog has particularly sensitive ears, or the yeast infection has made his ears sore, try this alternative mixture. Mix two ounces of witch hazel, five drops of tea tree oil, and five drops of clove oil in your squirt bottle, and use as above.

4. Fight yeast from within. Yogurt contains lactobacillus, which is also sometimes referred to as a "pro-biotic." To keep a healthy flora and fauna balance throughout your dog's body--ears *and* digestive track--add a spoonful of plain yogurt to her food once a day.

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Types Of Lens Replacement

Shielding your eyes from UVB rays can delay cataracts, but once they've begun the only cure is surgical lens replacement.

Removing a cataract-clouded lens from an eye and replacing it with an intraocular implant, or IOL, is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States. There were 1.8 million procedures for Medicare recipients alone in 2004. IOLs are also occasionally used to treat extreme refraction errors -- nearsightedness or farsightedness -- or to correct the vision of someone who for a medical or other reason is unable to wear contact lenses or glasses. An IOL permanently replaces the natural lens. Several types are available to suit each patient's vision needs.

Monofocal Intraocular Lens

The basic IOL has been available for decades. It can be calibrated to correct your vision ideally for either close work such as reading or distance vision such as driving, but you might find you still need glasses for the other kind of vision. Another option is to have one eye corrected for distance and one for closer vision, In this arrangement, called "monovision," your brain will quickly learn which eye signal to rely on for the sharpest details of a particular situation, and without losing any of the benefits of binocular (two-eyed) vision, such as depth perception.

Multifocal Lenses

These IOLs are more like bifocals or trifocals, or multifocal contact lenses. They usually have concentric rings with the lens for closest vision in the center and one or more surrounding rings for progressively distant vision. The effect is similar to the way your natural lens gives you precise focus on a word at a single spot on the page you're reading at close range, but allows you to glance up and still see the other side of the room in consistent clarity, although not as precisely as you saw the word on the page.

Accommodative Lenses

Some IOLs actually make use of the muscles in your eye to move the implant closer to or farther from the retina --- just as they did a natural lens --- to adjust the focus more accurately on that signal-gathering surface at the back of your eye.

Toric Lenses for Astigmatism

Because astigmatism is an error in the shape of the cornea, it is not corrected by an intraocular implant unless the implant, like an eyeglass or contact lens, is shaped asymmetrically to compensate. (A torus is a donut shape, though that somewhat overstates the shape of a toric lens.) A toric lens works only if its asymmetry is aligned precisely with that of the cornea, so everything becomes a bit more delicate.

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How Does Dialysis Work

Dialysis is the process of cleaning waste products from the blood when the kidneys fail. Without dialysis, all patients with kidney failure would die from the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream. Presently there are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is the most common form of dialysis. It involves being connected to a dialysis machine, sometimes called an artificial kidney, where the patient's blood is extracted from their body, passed through the machine, cleaned and returned. The process uses a fluid called dialysate to remove the waste from the blood. Both the blood and the dialysate are pumped through the machine. The blood never touches the dialysate. Waste is passed from the blood to the dialysate through a series of membranes within the machine. The dialysate removes the waste and the clean blood returns to the body.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis uses a silicon tube inserted into the abdominal cavity. A liquid called dialysis solution is passed through the tube into the abdominal cavity where it remains for a period of time, usually 30 to 40 minutes. Waste from the blood is passed through the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum. The waste is collected by the fluid and drained from the peritoneal cavity through the same tube and discarded.

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Carb Counting Guide

If you have chosen to go on a low-carb diet or reduce your carbohydrate intake, chances are you will need to count carbs in all your meals. Reading labels and weighing carbohydrate-inclusive foods are a good start. However, you will also need to know how carbohydrates work, which ones are better for you than others and include the good carbs in your meal plan.

How Carbs Work

Before you begin counting carbohydrates, you should understand how they work. Carbohydrates provide fuel for the body. The liver breaks them down to form glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. The body then uses the glucose for energy. Carbohydrates can be found in natural and synthetic sugars, starches, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and even meats. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range of carbohydrates in your body is 45 to 65 percent of your calories. For example, if you eat a 2,000 calorie per day diet, 900 to 1,300 calories should be made up of carbohydrates.

Good vs. Bad

Although carbohydrates are necessary, some carbohydrates are better for your health than others. Simple carbohydrates are mostly limited to sugars such as fructose, maltose and lactose. They provide energy for your body almost instantly because they don't take long for your liver to break down into glucose. But the energy levels from these carbs crash as fast as they spike. That's why it is suggested to eat complex carbohydrates from grains, fruits and starches. Complex carbohydrates provide sustained energy because they also often contain dietary fibers that slow the breakdown process. These complex carbs should make up the vast majority of your carbohydrate intake.

Developing the Plan

By understanding how carbs work and the good versus bad carbs, you can create a daily meal plan to spread out your carb intake. By reading the food labels, you can calculate how many calories come from carbohydrates. It is best to eat more carbs during the beginning of the day to provide energy when you need it the most. Take into account that the amounts of grams do not necessarily equal the amount of carbohydrates in an item. One gram of grains may be 50 percent complex carbohydrates, but one gram of refined sugar is 100 percent simple carbs.

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Clear Sinuses And Relieve Sinus Pressure

Building sinus pressure can lead to a bad headache.

The sinuses are located in four air-filled pockets near the nose area of the face and skull bones. The main purpose of the sinuses is to moisturize and protect the inside of the nose with the mucus it produces. When problems occur within the sinuses, uncomfortable and often painful pressure follows as one of the symptoms. You can clear your sinuses, relieve pressure and reduce its recurrence with a combination of at-home techniques and medicine.

Causes of Sinus Pressure

Several channels within the sinuses help them drain properly through an opening called the ostium. The ostium serves to connect the sinuses and the nose, helping to move mucus through and out of the nose, where it naturally drains down the throat. Occasionally one or more of the sinus channels becomes blocked, resulting in a condition known as sinusitis, which is experienced at least once a year by more than 20 million people in the United States.

Conditions Leading to Sinusitis

Many factors and conditions can lead you to suffer from sinus pressure and other sinusitis symptoms. Allergies cause the nasal tissues to swell and production of mucus to increase, leading to sinus problems. If you have an upper respiratory infection, the nasal passages can become inflamed, leading to obstruction and potential infection. Other factors also contribute toward the development of sinus pressure, such as diving and swimming, tooth infection and breathing secondhand smoke.

Clearing the Sinuses

When your sinuses are blocked, you can relieve pressure by clearing them. Antibiotics are not always necessary unless an infection is present, and some at-home remedies can be very effective. Boil water and pour it into a large bowl or sink. Lean over the hot water without touching it, and place a large towel over your head and the bowl to keep the steam in. Breathe in the steam for five to 10 minutes to help loosen mucus. A saline nasal solution or spray can also effectively help open the sinuses by relieving inflammation. If the sinus pressure is causing you to have pain across the cheekbones or forehead, lay a warm compress over the area to relieve the pain.

Tips for Avoiding Sinusitis

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, there are certain things you can do to reduce the recurrence of sinus pain and pressure. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and your mucus loose. Keep your head elevated when you sleep, and get adequate rest. Take allergy medicine as prescribed by your doctor and over-the-counter cold medicine when needed to prevent a stuffy nose from turning into a full-blown sinus infection.

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Manage Arterial Embolism

An arterial embolism is when a blood clot in the heart travels and becomes stuck in an artery or an arteriole downstream from where the clot originated in the heart. The symptoms of an arterial embolism when occurring in the extremity, include pain, numbness, coldness, oversensitivity to pain, tingling, muscle spasm or decreased sensitivity to pain. If it occurs in the brain, there are symptoms of sudden weakness in the right or left side of the body and loss of speech. Fortunately, there are ways to manage arterial embolism.

Instructions

1. Promptly go to the hospital if you observe any of the symptoms of arterial embolism. The symptoms of an arterial embolism when occurring in the extremity, include pain, numbness, coldness, oversensitivity to pain, tingling, muscle spasm or decreased sensitivity to pain. If it occurs in the brain, there are symptoms of sudden weakness in the right or left side of the body and loss of speech. The goals of the treatment and management in the hospital are to control symptoms and to improve the interrupted blood flow to any of the affected areas of the body.

2. Ask your physician about medication used to dissolve the blood clot. This medication is usually given through a catheter directly into the artery that's affected. Furthermore, medication that helps thin the blood will also reduce the risk of another embolism. Medications that improve blood flow include streptokinase. Medications that prevent the formation of new clots include warfarin, heparin or antiplatelet medications like aspirin, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel.

3. Undergo surgery to remove the embolism (blood clot). The surgery is usually performed by making an incision in the artery above the blockage and using a catheter inserted past the embolus only to drag it out through the incision. Usually heparin, a blood thinner, is given while you are awaiting surgery. This is standard procedure so do not be alarmed. Surgery is performed if the extent and the location of the blockage is extremely severe.

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Testicular Cancer Cures

Testicular Cancer Cures

According to the National Institutes of Health, testicular cancer is the most common cancer type for men between the ages of 20 and 35. This disease can be deadly if it spreads, but it is very curable if diagnosed early. The American Cancer Society says it has an overall cure rate of 95 percent, with a rate of 99 percent for those whose cancer has not yet spread. All men should know the warning signs of testicular cancer so they can be alert for any problems and consult a doctor as quickly as possible to boost their chances for a cure.

Symptoms

The NIH says that symptoms of testicular cancer include a painless lump or swelling in one of the testicles, aches in the groin or stomach, pain in a testicle or the scrotal area or fluid suddenly building up in the scrotum. The NIH says that all men should be alert for these symptoms, but those who have an an undescended testicle or abnormal testicular development should be especially cautious. Those two factors put them at a greater risk for this condition, as does being Caucasian or having family members who have had testicular cancer.

Diagnosis

A doctor must diagnose the testicular cancer and determine the scope of the problem before treatment can begin. Diagnosis usually starts with a physical examination of the testicles to look for any abnormalities. If there are any, further tests will be done to see if the patient has cancer or if there might be another cause. The NIH says the most common tests include blood tests and an ultrasound. Sometimes surgery is used. The procedure removes the entire testicle, and its tissues are examined for the presence of cancer.

Types

The NIH has identified two main types of testicular tumors. They are called seminomas and nonseminomas, and each grows and spreads in a different way. Nonseminomas usually grow and spread faster than seminomas and may be more difficult to treat. Seminomas tend to be less aggressive and respond to radiation. Some testicular tumors contains both nonseminoma and seminoma cells.

Factors

The NIH says there are many factors that affect whether testicular cancer cures will work. These include the stage of the testicular cancer, whether it has invaded other body areas, the exact type of cancer, tumor size and number and size of involved lymph nodes. If the tumor is large or the cancer is aggressive and had migrated throughout the man's body, a cure may not be possible.

Treatments

According to the Mayo Clinic, most cases of testicular cancer are treated by removal of the affected testicle. Additional treatment is added as appropriate. In some cases, surgery may be all that is required. In others, the patient may need chemotherapy or radiation to ensure that all the cancer cells have been killed. Radiation is typically used for seminoma cancers, while chemotherapy is used for cancer that has spread to other body parts. These treatments can often cure the cancer completely.

For advanced-stage testicular cancer or cancer that returns, a stem cell transplant may help. The Mayo Clinic states that stem cells are harvested from the patient's body and then frozen. He then undergoes high-dose chemotherapy to wipe out the cancer. The chemotherapy may also kill his bone marrow, but after the treatment his stored cells are used to replenish it.

Warning

According to the NIH, testicular cancer cures often cause infertility. Even though the cancer is eliminated, the man may not be able to father children after he is cured. The NIH says that men who may want to become fathers in the future should consider banking some of their sperm before their cancer treatment begins. The sperm is frozen and stored. It can be thawed for later use to impregnate a woman.

Tags: testicular cancer, says that, testicular cancer, cancer cures, cancer that

Cataract Surgery & Infections

The major risk of any surgery is infection. A cataract, if left untreated, will eventually impair vision until the patient is unable to perform normal activities. Eyeglasses and stronger lens prescriptions are sometimes helpful for patients with cataracts, making surgery unnecessary. But when surgery is the only option left, the risk of infection is an important consideration.

Care After Surgery

After cataract surgery, the patient will be able to see clearly almost immediately. In the past, patients were advised to wait until the cataract had affected their vision to the point of blindness. Today, patients can decide on their own when they prefer to have the cataract removed. The doctor will give instructions on avoid complications after the surgery such as limiting activity and the amount of weight that you should lift.

Eyedrops are used to help relieve the pressure around your eye. The eyedrops will help to prevent infection after surgery. The eyes will have to be protected immediately after surgery with glasses or eye shields.

Eyes will heal from cataract surgery within eight weeks.

Preventing Infection

Infection after cataract surgery is rare, but it is important that treatment begin immediately to avoid vision loss and complications. Keep your hands away from your eyes after surgery to prevent damage and infection. When bathing after cataract surgery, keep your eyes closed and protected to avoid splashing water into your eyes.

Dust and dirt should be avoided as well after cataract surgery. Keep away from activities that could expose your eyes to dirt and dust or keep your eyes protected.

Symptoms

Symptoms of infection after cataract surgery include redness, pain and increased sensitivity to light. These symptoms may be present in the first few days after surgery. Sensitivity to light is a common experience after cataract surgery, but when it continues for a prolonged period, it should be evaluated by a doctor.

Treatment

Eye infection is treated with antibiotics, which may be placed directly into the eye. This will keep the infection from spreading and causing a vision loss. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to eliminate the infection. The surgery will remove the vitreous from the eye to manage the eye infection.

Reoccurrence

Once a cataract has been removed through surgery, it will not return. There are rare instances that cause the membrane behind the pupil to cloud, but this is not a cataract. This condition can occur years after a cataract surgery and is easily treated with laser surgery. The surgery is an outpatient procedure.

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Natural Remedies For Depression

Depression is a catch all term applied to a set of mood disorders ranging from major depressive disorder (also called clinical depression) to seasonal affective disorder. In popular usage, the term generally is applied to any low or down mindset. Its symptoms include hopelessness, decreased libido and insomnia. It can lead to problems with memory, concentration and, if left untreated, even suicidal thoughts. Depressive conditions are normally treated with antidepressant prescription drugs. In the event that an alternative to prescription medication is desired, there are a variety of natural remedies that can help to manage depression.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort is one of the most widely used natural remedies for depression. It is thought to help raise the levels of the serotonin in the brain, which helps to elevate mood. It is usually taken in capsule form.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is an herb that has been reported to increase blood flow to the brain and is thought to help alleviate symptoms of depression. It is available in capsule form.

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng is a root that is thought to balance mood regulating neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. It is normally taken in capsule form.

5-HTP

5-HTP or 5-Hydroxytryptophan is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is thought that 5-HTP may elevate serotonin levels in the brain. It is available in capsule form.

B Vitamins

B vitamin deficiencies can play a contributory role in depressive states. Supplementation with a B vitamin complex, usually in capsule or tablet forms, can correct the imbalance and help to alleviate the symptoms of depression.

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History Of Rabies Vaccination

Wild animals can be infected with rabies.

Rabies is an infection that killed almost every one of its victims before a vaccination was developed. Rabies is speculated to have existed in the United States before colonization by European settlers. The first documented incident of terrestrial rabies occurred in 1703 on the land that later became California. Dogs and foxes were the most common carriers of rabies outbreaks in the 1700s. The problem was exacerbated by the importation of dogs and red foxes from England to the United States for the sport of fox hunting.

Original Subject

Dogs and foxes were known to be carriers of rabies.

On July 6, 1885, the very first rabies vaccination for postexposure treatment was given to a 9-year-old boy by the name of Joseph Meister. Joseph Meister had been mauled by a dog infected by rabies. Two French scientists, Emile Roux and Louis Pasteur, developed the first vaccine and administered it to the boy. Joseph Meister recovered and lived until the age of 54.

Original Development

The original vaccine was created from dead infected rabbits.

The original rabies vaccine developed by Louis Pasteur and Emile Roux was created by harvesting the virus from a dead infected rabbit. The virus was then put out to dry for 5 to 10 days, weakening it significantly. The weakened virus was then injected into the patient, effectively infecting him with a mild form of the virus. This allowed the human to build up an immunity to the virus, with a small risk of succumbing to the vaccine. Other countries still use a form of tissue-derived vaccines because they are a great deal cheaper than modern vaccines. However, they are not as efficient as modern vaccines and carry a risk of neurological complications.

Modern Development

In 1967 the human diploid cell rabies vaccine, H.D.C.V., was created. The H.D.C.V. is widely used; it had been administered to more than 1.5 million people as of 2006. The vaccine was one of the first freeze-dried, sterile and stable vaccinations and claims 100 percent efficiency when used correctly.

Modern Use

The Phillippines project developed a vaccine for dogs.

The Van Houweling Research Laboratory, a part of the Silliman University Medical Center located in the Philippines, created a version of the vaccine for dogs. In 1979 Dr. George Beran headed the project that gave dogs a 3-year immunity from rabies. The program was successful, eliminating rabies from multiple parts of the Mindanao and Visayas islands. Since the program succeeded so well it has been used as a model for other rabies vaccination programs in countries such as Ecuador and the Yucatan State of Mexico. Another modern form of the rabies vaccination is the Vero cell rabies vaccine developed inexpensively by using purified chicken embryo cells.

Recombinant Rabies Vaccine

The V-RG is proven to be safe for hawks and other wildlife.

The V-RG vaccine was created in 1984 by people at the Wistar Institute. They created it by taking the glycoprotein gene from rabies and inserting it into the vaccinia virus. It was turned into a commercial product with the trademark Raboral. It has been proven to be harmless to humans and safe for a large variety of wildlife that might accidentally get it from prey. The V-RG vaccine has been used in the United States, Belgium, Germany and France to prevent rabies outbreaks in wildlife. It is orally administered, so is given to wildlife through bait. Through this method, Germany had been completely free of new rabies cases for 2 years as of 2008, and is believed to be rabies-free altogether. Vaccinating wildlife results in a drastic reduction in the number of human cases.

Tags: Joseph Meister, rabies vaccine, United States, vaccine created, been used, carriers rabies, cell rabies

Fenphen Side Effects

Fen-Phen, banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997, is a mixture of two obesity drugs, fenfluramine and phentermine, used to promote dramatic weight loss in obese people. In the late 1990s, the Mayo Clinic reported severe complications resulting in permanent heart and valvular damage, reported in 30 percent of Fen-Phen users. Fen-Phen also has other side effects that affect the nervous system, stomach and eyes.

Side Effects

Fen-Phen's severe side effects include valvular heart disease and primary pulmonary hypertension. Fen-Phen damages the valves that keep blood flowing into and out of the heart, disrupting blood flow. According to the American Heart Association, valvular heart disease causes around 20,000 deaths per year.

Other side effects associated with Fen-Phen are dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, abnormal blood pressure, mood instability and tremor. Vision-related side effects include blurred vision, pain around the eye and eye irritation. Stomach-related side effects include abdominal pain, nausea and cramping. Fen-Phen is also very addictive.

Significance

One hundred people reported significant valvular issues to the FDA in 1997 after taking Fen-Phen. Fen-Phen was officially removed from public sale by the FDA in the same year. People began filing lawsuits in 1997, citing long-term irreparable damage. In 2005, "The New York Times" reported Wyeth, the manufacturer of Fen-Phen, paid over $21 million to victims. Wyeth is still settling lawsuits today.

Features

According to the FDA, Fen-Phen's most reported side effect, heart valvular disease, has very little or no noticeable side effects. Since heart valvular disease usually develops slowly, the symptoms are not immediately noticeable. If heart valvular disease develops quickly, symptoms that develop include heart palpitations, edema and dizziness.

Treatment

Fen-Phen's most severe side effect, heart valvular disease, is managed through various medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and anti-arrhythmics. If the damage is severe, surgery is used to correct the heart valve. In rare instances, the heart valve is replaced in open heart surgery.

Misconceptions

Many people believe Fen-Phen's side effects are only present in women--most of the reported cases of heart valve damage came from women. The FDA says this is because Fen-Phen was mostly used by women, not because the side effects only affected women. Men are also at risk for developing serious complications.

Tags: side effects, heart valvular, heart valvular disease, valvular disease, effects include, heart valve, side effects include

Detox Your Body From Birth Control

Women may choose to discontinue the use of birth control when planning to conceive. Detoxification helps rid the body of synthetic hormones and restores the body to functioning the way it was before the use of birth control. While it may take up to three months to cleanse the body of birth control, it is possible to conceive as early as the first pill-free month. Thus, if detoxing the body only for health reasons, consider using an alternative contraceptive method.

Instructions

Detoxing after birth control

1. Drink eight cups or 64 oz. of water a day. Add 1 to 2 tbs. of raw apple cider vinegar in each cup or 8 oz. glass.

2. Juice the following in a juicer: 1 cup cranberries, half a beet, two celery stalks, 1/2 cup raw cabbage and two carrots. Drink every morning.

3. Sit in a sauna or steam room for 20 minutes. Allow body to sweat and shower immediately to prevent reabsorption of toxins.

4. Take a detox bath. Mix 1 cup Epsom salts, 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup ginger juice in a hot tub. Sit in for 20 to 25 minutes. The body will induce perspiration. Come out of tub and dry yourself. Wrap yourself in a big towel or long robe. The body will continue to perspire for the next 30 minutes to hour.

5. Take a 20 minute brisk walk every day in fresh air. Breathe in deeply to allow and exhale deep to rid the body of toxins. Exercise will restore the body to normal hormone balance.

Tags: birth control, body will

Beeswax Toxicity

Beeswax is an additive in food and cosmetics.

Beeswax is found in many household items, such as cosmetics, foods, furniture waxes and polishes, and candles. You may see the label "non-toxic" on any beeswax product and think it is safe because it is natural. While the FDA considers beeswax to be a safe food additive in limited amounts, it can cause health problems when eaten in large amounts or burned for long periods of time.

Causes

Beeswax toxicity can be caused in two ways: By ingesting large amounts or by burning it. Ingesting large amounts of beeswax can result in a serious intestinal blockage. Burning beeswax can expose you to low levels of carbon monoxide.

Intestinal Blockage Symptoms

The amount of ingested beeswax that will cause intestinal blockages may be different for each person, but the symptoms are the same. The stomach area hurts and swells. Bowel movements may stop. You may feel nauseated and need to vomit.

Intestinal Blockage Treatment

Intestinal blockages may be treated through using purgatives to eliminate the beeswax from the intestine. Supportive measures, such as staying hydrated and continuing to eat foods that do not worsen your nausea, may also cause you to eliminate the beeswax blockage through a bowel movement.

Low Level Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide can be poisonous even in low levels, and burning beeswax candles in a closed room may bring on symptoms of low level carbon monoxide poisoning. These symptoms can include difficulty in breathing, nausea or headaches.

Low Level Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treatment

Treat low level carbon monoxide poisoning by getting into fresh air immediately by leaving the house or opening doors and windows if you cannot leave on your own. Go to an emergency room and get a blood test to check your carbon monoxide levels. Stay out of the area in which the poisoning occurred. The symptoms should go away once you are out of the contaminated area.

Tags: large amounts, carbon monoxide, eliminate beeswax, Intestinal Blockage, level carbon

Elbow Pain Rehabilitation Therapy

One of the most common causes of pain in the arm is elbow pain. Elbow pain makes life difficult due to how often we use our elbow every day. Recovering from elbow pain requires a combination of many different activities. Combining these activities can help you live through elbow pain. These activities should only be performed when you are suffering from little to no pain.

Early Rehab Activities

These activities should be undertaken after your elbow has healed to the point where you can move it with minimal pain. Never, ever undertake these activities while your elbow is feeling pain. The pain in your elbow means your elbow hasn't healed enough to work in a basic manner, let alone perform rehabilitation.

Start by stretching. Hold your injured elbow with the opposite hand to restrict its lateral movement. Push your arm straight out and hold for five to ten seconds. Hold only as long as you feel comfortable. As your arm heals, you can stretch for longer periods of time. After stretching, use your hand to carefully massage the area around your elbow along the muscles. Use your finger tips and keep the pressure moderate.

Later Rehab Activities

After performing the early rehab activities for two to three weeks, you should be healed enough to start more-rigorous rehab exercises. Ask your doctor before starting just to be safe. Begin introducing resistance exercises into your routine, alongside the already mentioned exercises.

Begin doing curls with very light weights. Hold the weights in your hand and use your elbows to lift the weight from a straight position to your chest. Five to ten curls should be done per day. If you overdo it, you can cause further damage. Stop if you feel pain.

Resistance bands are safe and efficient resistance exercise tools. Tie a band to a firm point on your wall and gently pull the band towards you, using your elbow. Five to ten pulls should be enough. Any more risks further damage. Stop if you feel pain.

Also start doing range-of-motion exercises to help keep the elbow from stiffening. Start with your arm at your side, with your elbow bent and your arm in an "L" position. Straighten your arm and hold for five seconds. Bend it back to the "L" position and rotate your arm forward. Hold for five seconds and go back to the "L" position. Rotate your arm backwards as far as you can without strain. Hold for five seconds. Do this routine twice a day.

Tags: your elbow, five seconds, elbow pain, activities should, back position, damage Stop, damage Stop feel

Saw Palmetto Hair Loss Treatment

The two main causes of hair loss are androgenic alopecia and cicatricial alopecia. The first is caused by the growth time of hair being shortened, thus more hair is falling out than the rate of hair re-growth. The second is caused by scalp inflammation that scars hair follicles, which prevent new hair from forming. Saw palmetto has been used to treat hair loss in both men and women for its properties that promote healthy hair follicles by reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which blocks hair follicles from growing.

Saw Palmetto Pills

Saw palmetto is created from the berries of the saw palmetto fan palm plant. The properties that are found within saw palmetto fight against the formation of DHT, which is the chemical that attaches to hair follicles and constricts hair growth. For androgenic alopecia, saw palmetto is an effective treatment.

Saw palmetto treats hair loss in the same manner as the popular prescription medication, Propecia. Not only does it lower the amount of DHT in the system it also contains properties that prohibit cell membranes to absorb DHT. Research for saw palmetto and hair loss is limited; however, saw palmetto has been widely researched for its use to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, which is also caused by DHT.

An effective saw palmetto treatment requires at least 200 milligrams to be ingested every day. Positive results are not immediate; however, after several weeks of continued use, the positive effects of saw palmetto will begin to show. Consume this herb every morning, or night, for six weeks before hair re-growth becomes apparent. While side effects are limited, some may experience nausea or headaches when first taking saw palmetto.

Saw Palmetto Oil

To effectively treat hair loss, topical application of saw palmetto oil directly on the scalp has shown positive effects on balding or thinning hair. Due to the lipophilic properties of saw palmetto, the active ingredients are able to be easily absorbed into the skin. Saw palmetto oil is available in its raw form or in an ointment formant. Both are equally as effective for scalp treatments.

Every night pour two tablespoons of saw palmetto oil directly onto the scalp. Massage for fifteen minutes, ensuring to focus on areas that hair loss is evident. Allow the oil to soak into the scalp for at least an hour, however, best results are experienced when the oils can rest on the scalp overnight. Place a towel on the pillow to prevent unwanted stains or soil marks from the oil. Wash clean in the morning with standard shampoo and conditioner.

Tags: hair loss, hair follicles, properties that, androgenic alopecia, hair re-growth

Help A Friend With Anorexia Athletica Eating Disorder

Helping a friend, family member or loved one with an eating disorder is challenging. In every case, that person must be in treatment, and care of a physician and/or psychiatrist for recovery.

Anorexia Athletica is a kind of eating disorder that female athletes are twice at risk for than their male counterparts. In a study of nearly 700 men and women athletes, 12 percent of women feared losing control when they ate.

Almost one percent of females ages 10 to 20 have some kind of eating disorder in the US, according to the Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders, Inc. This group estimates eight million or three percent of Americans have some kind of eating disorder.

Learn how you can support a friend or family member who is working to overcome a potentially fatal mental illness.

Instructions

1. Be a non-judgmental friend. Females with Anorexia Athletica have a condition known as dysmorphia, the distortion of how one sees her image. Rail-thin or very close to it, female athletes are coached and rewarded for reducing body fat to such low levels that they stop menstruating.

Amennorhea is common among female athletes and is one of the signs of an eating disorder. Females need at least 17 percent body fat to menstruate. Many of these athletes fall between 10 and 14 percent.

2. Observe her patterns of eating and exercise if she has not sought medical treatment. If you know someone who exercises obsessively and is clearly below a healthy body weight, try to talk to her. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, ask someone who is more likely to be effective to do it.

3. Do not make comments about her appearance. While men can have eating disorders, females are three times more at risk. Given society's emphasis on very slender females at every age, there is a great deal of social reward for being very thin.

Instead, ask her how she feels. Anorexic people can become desensitized: they ignore pangs of hunger and part of their recovery is acknowledging how they feel emotionally and physically.

4. Help her by inviting her to low-key social gatherings. Athletes with Anorexia Athletica often find it difficult to eat in the presence of others. They may not eat very much or only a little.

Do not watch your friend eat obsessively, as this will make her feel more self-conscious. Instead, plan social events around non-competitive activities such as bowling or watching a movie.

5. Be sensitive. You must determine if you can handle the responsibility of helping your friend. It is common for women to be competitive with each other regarding appearance and body weight: do not contribute to your friend's struggle to recover by telling her about your new diet to lose 10 pounds by the New Year.

6. Females with Anorexia Athletica can easily disguise their eating disorder as they train heavily and follow a training table for meals to not overeat. Excessive training and dieting, however, can lead to Female Athlete Triad.

This includes developing an eating disorder and experiencing low energy; missed menstrual cycles or other menstrual disorders and over time, risk for osteoporosis.

to work with people with eating disorders. What this means is if she is struggling in a certain situation or is at home, post-binge, she can call you.

If she clearly needs medical intervention, get medical help immediately.

Tags: eating disorder, Anorexia Athletica, female athletes, kind eating, kind eating disorder

What Are The Effects Of Bovine Growth Hormones

Bovine somatotropin (BST) is a bovine growth hormone that affects milk production in dairy cows. It is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the cow's pituitary gland. Scientists have established methods by which the hormone can be reproduced in laboratory settings, and dairy cattle can be injected with it in order to increase milk production. There is some controversy and concern surrounding the use of BST, but much of it is largely unfounded.

Production

Originally, the only source of bovine growth hormone was the pituitary gland of dead cattle. This method, however, produced very little of the hormone. Since those days, a process was developed to mass-produce bovine growth hormone in amounts previously impossible.

Scientists, after determining which gene controls production of bovine growth hormone, were able to insert the gene into the escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). This method allowed for larger scale production of bovine growth hormone in a laboratory setting.

Function

Bovine somatotropin, once it's injected into a cow's bloodstream, can vastly increase milk production in the animal. According to Office of Biotechnology at Iowa State University, bovine somatotropin is believed to increase blood flow to the cow's mammary gland, which increases milk production. Cows injected with BST generally see an increase in daily milk production anywhere from 4.8 to 11.2 lbs. per day. In order for their bodies to keep up with the increase in production, cows treated with BST will eat more. According to Office of Biotechnology, treated cows will increase their intake of grain and forage by anywhere from 10 to 20 percent.

Effects on Cattle

According to the Office of Biotechnology at Iowa State University, high doses of BST cause increased calf deaths in the embryonic stage. This means that BST during a cow's early stages of pregnancy should be avoided. Such high doses, however, exceed the recommended dosage and should be avoided.

Other effects include a lengthening of calving intervals and do not, contrary to some early concerns, include infection of the cow's mammary gland. BST does not affect how long the cows gestate, the size and weight of calves, the calf survival rate, or the calves' growth.

Effects on People

According to the Office of Biotechnology at Iowa State University, the "biological activity of commercial BST is identical to natural BST." Bovine somatotropin ingested via a human's digestive system has no effect on the human. The digestive system breaks the BST down into amino acids and peptides, which remain inactive. Human growth hormone (or human somatotropin) has different amino acids than BST, which prevents BST from having any effect on humans. Milk produced by BST injected cattle is perfectly safe for human consumption.

Controversies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates BST. The FDA has found no evidence that milk from BST treated cows causes any diverse side effects through human consumption. Gastric enzymes in the human stomach effectively destroy any BST from the milk.

Still, some controversy remains. According to food safety specialist Charlotte P. Brennand, Ph.D., most of this controversy comes from fears within the dairy industry. Farmers who don't give BST to their herds fear competition from farmers who do. Processors and milk producers fear BST may adversely affect their business if consumers, despite studies that prove otherwise, feel BST may be harmful to them.

Tags: growth hormone, bovine growth hormone, milk production, According Office, According Office Biotechnology

Resolve Serious Medical Problems With Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine used to be looked upon with suspicion by most people in the Western world, but it has gained wider acceptance over the years by individuals who have used it, either as an accompaniment to or alternative to conventional Western medicine. Several chronic and acute medical conditions have benefited from holistic medicine, which deals with the whole person, rather than with a set of physical symptoms. It also examines areas, such as nutrition, emotional states and spiritual issues, all of which holistic practitioners believe affect the health of an individual.

Instructions

Holistic Approaches to Improve Your Health

1. Find relief with homeopathy, which works on the principle that physical symptoms actually work to fight disease and believe that they ought not to be suppressed. This holistic approach believes that "like cures like" and, so, tiny doses of homeopathic remedies are prescribed by a practitioner that, in larger doses, would mirror symptoms of a specific condition. In the smaller dose, however, healing is stimulated. Remedies are not uniform, but are tailored to the individual. It's best to work with a licensed, certified homeopathic practitioner to determine the remedy and potency that works best. Homeopathy has been used to treat such conditions as respiratory problems, immunity issues, reproductive difficulties, hormonal imbalances, colitis, circulatory concerns and depression.

2. Consider acupuncture. It has been in regular use in China since ancient times. It involves having thin needles, made from stainless steel, inserted into specific pressure points to balance one's energy, also know as chi. Acupuncture has been implemented to treat such serious illnesses as rheumatoid arthritis, strokes, hypertension, acute gastritis, back pain and chemotherapy side-effects. Should you decide to seek out an acupuncturist, make sure he is board certified and licensed.

3. Think about using Ayurvedic medicine, another ancient medical discipline. It has been used in India for millennia and is now making its way into the Western world. Like acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the goal of Ayurveda is to bring your body into balance. According to its philosophy, everyone's body encompasses five elements--water, fire, air, earth and space--each of which affect specific areas of the human body. Ayurvedans believe also that we each have a specific dosha, or bodily humor--pitta, kapha or vata--which also affects our physical and emotional health. Ayurvedic medicine has been used to treat asthma, cataracts, diabetes, high cholesterol, hepatitis, migraines, female complaints, high blood pressure and several more mild to acute conditions.

4. Call a chiropractor. Ten percent of Americans do, and it is one of the few holistic treatments that has gained almost universal acceptance by the traditional health care community. Chiropractors manipulate and adjust musculoskeletal areas of your body to regulate the motion of your vertebrae. Chiropractic has been used to treat headaches, neuromusculoskeletal problems, joint pain, back pain and neck pain.

5. Try aromatherapy. Just as it suggests, aromatherapy involves using scents to address certain health concerns. Highly-fragrant essential oils are used to help treat conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, depression, hemorrhoids, stress and skin disorders.

6. Try naturopathy, which is sort of a "smorgasbord" of holistic therapies, combining treatments such as homeopathy, herbal remedies, acupuncture and supplementation. A naturopath works to impress upon his or her patient that the human body has an amazing capacity for healing itself. Naturopathy is used to treat conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, menopausal concerns, allergies, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, migraines, immune disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic skin problems.

7. Change what you eat. Nutrition plays an important role in health, and making changes in what you eat can assist you in improving your health. A bad diet can result in a host of serious physical conditions, such as heart problems, obesity, cancer and diabetes. Changing your diet can minimize your risk for certain illnesses and, in some cases, even help reverse some conditions. Consulting with a certified nutritionist can help get you on the road to wiser eating and better health.

Tags: been used, used treat, been used treat, conditions such, Ayurvedic medicine, back pain, blood pressure

What Happens Between Sleeping And Waking

Sleep is a complex but interesting process.

Though there is still a lot that is not understood about sleep, we do know that it is essential to a healthy functioning body and mind. Though scientists and doctors don't yet know every detail about sleep, it is known that there are measurable differences in the type and level of brain activity that occurs in the waking and sleeping states. These differences account for the changes we feel between our waking and sleeping states.

Awake

When you are awake and alert, your brain produces beta wave patterns. With a frequency between 14 and 32 Hz, beta waves are the fastest waves that your brain produces. During this state, you are conscious and aware of your surroundings. Your eyes are open, you are alert and thinking and your memory should be functioning normally. This is the state of your normal, everyday consciousness.

Alpha Waves

Once you close your eyes and begin to relax, your brain enters an alpha wave state. Alpha waves have a lower frequency than do beta waves. During this state, you are still awake but your mental state is relaxed as opposed to the alertness that you feel during a beta wave state. Your anxiety and stress levels should be low, but you can still be easily aroused at this point.

Theta Waves

Your brain truly begins to fall asleep when your brain transitions from alpha waves to theta waves, which are even slower than alpha waves. This light or drowsy sleep occurs during Stage 1 of the sleep cycle, which is a state somewhere in between awake and asleep. Your awareness of your surroundings decreases, breathing slows down and your muscles become relaxed but paralyzed as your brain prepares for deeper stages of sleep.

Sleep

Your brain is officially asleep once it leaves the first stage and enters the second stage of sleep. At this point, you are effectively unconscious and have no awareness of your surroundings. From this point forward, if you are not awakened you will enter into the dreamless deep sleep stages 3 and 4 before continuing to the dream-producing REM, random eye movement, sleep state and then back through initial stages until you complete one cycle. As you transition back into the lighter stages of sleep, you can once again be easily awakened.

Tags: this point, your brain, your surroundings, about sleep, alpha waves, awareness your, awareness your surroundings

Safe Activities For A Bulging Disc

A bulging (or herniated) disc usually happens in the lower part of the spine. The disc acts as a cushion between bones, and when it bulges out and presses against a nerve it can cause sudden and serious pain. The natural response to this pain is to get into any position that makes the pain subside and stay there, but there are activities that are safe for people with a bulging disc--as well as others that actually help the condition.

Extension Exercises

While a day or two of bed rest following the initial injury is a good idea, remaining inactive for long periods of time will be more likely to cause the condition to worsen rather than make it better. According to spinal health website Spine-Inc.com, exercising and stretching the muscles around the injury will improve blood flow to the nerves in the area and strengthen the muscles that help support the back.

The University of Michigan Health System recommends regular stretching exercises done every day to help relieve pain and to strengthen muscles. Lie flat on your stomach for five minutes and then raise your torso by putting your elbows on the floor for support. Hold this position for five more minutes and then lie flat again for one minute. Next press your palms against the floor and raise your torso again, extending your arms to stretch as far as you can without serious discomfort. Hold for one second and lower your body flat again. Repeat this exercise 10 times per set for four sets. If you feel comfortable doing this several times per day, it will only increase the effectiveness of the exercise.

Walking

In order to keep from losing strength in your back muscles, Spine-Inc.com recommends walking for at least 30 minutes per day. Since walking can sometimes cause pain for people with a bulging disc, it can be divided up into three sessions of 10 minutes each. Eventually the discomfort associated with walking should improve, allowing you to walk for longer durations. If pain gets worse as a result, there may be another problem. See a doctor for further examination.

Driving Short Distances

There is no need to feel like you are trapped at home with a bulging disc. Driving a car is perfectly safe, although the trip should remain a short one. The driving itself isn't the problem, but the sitting position adds unnecessary pressure to the lower back and could aggravate the condition. The University of Michigan Health System recommends limiting sitting or driving to no more than a half hour. If you need to drive further than a half hour, remember to take regular breaks where some relaxed walking is involved before venturing further.

Tags: with bulging, bulging disc, flat again, half hour, Health System

Get Over An Intestinal Virus Quicker

An intestinal virus can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and overwhelming fatigue. If you contract a virus, it will have to run it's course, but you can reduce the time you will have to endure its effects.

Instructions

1. Hydrate, Your body will be expelling fluids, and you must replace them.

Drink plenty of fresh water. Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine, which can dehydrate you further.

2. Rest. Take naps when you need to and go to bed early. Ask someone to help around the house with chores. When you feel fatigued, listen to your body and get the rest you need.

3. Eat even if you do not feel like it. Stick to light foods, such as soup or broth with lightly buttered toast. Don't eat heavy or rich meals, but eat something to maintain your strength.

4. Supplement. You probably won't be eating enough to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs, so take a potent multivitamin. Take the vitamin with food to avoid stomach upset.

5. Apply warm compresses or a heating pad to your stomach to ease the pain and relax you.

6. Seek medical assistance if you are not better in a day or two.

You may be suffering from something worse than a common virus.

Tags: will have, your body

Definition Of A Crash Cart

Definition of a Crash Cart

A crash cart is a wheeled cart with drawers stocked with medical supplies used for emergencies outside of an emergency room. They are most commonly used to help medical personnel quickly respond to people who have gone into cardiac arrest, which is often referred to as the patient having "crashed," according to the Free Dictionary website.

Locations

Crash carts are used in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes as well as in ambulances and other emergency vehicles. Crash carts can be used anywhere that medical personnel work.

Devices

Medical devices on crash carts can include cardiac defibrillators, cardiac monitors, oxygen masks, oxygen tanks, blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes.

Drugs

Many drugs are kept in the drawers of a crash cart, including, insulin, epinephrine, Benadryl, nitroglycerin, and various anesthetics and painkillers.

Miscellaneous Items

Other items needed on crash carts include gloves, syringes, bandages, medical tape, alcohol swabs, sponges and tourniquets.

Organization

Making sure crash carts are fully stocked and neatly organized is essential to saving minutes or even seconds that are critical to saving lives in an emergency. Medical personnel use checklists to make sure that each item is in its proper place after each time it is used.

Tags: crash carts, carts include, carts used, crash cart, crash carts include

Ethanol Allergies

Alcohol consumption can trigger ethanol allergies in some people.

Ethanol is a chemical present in alcoholic beverages. Ethanol allergies are indicative of an intolerance to alcohol. This occurs when an important enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase or ALDH does not effectively oxidize alcohol in the liver.

Symptoms

According to Food Allergies, symptoms of ethanol intolerance include heart palpitations, nasal congestion, headache, low blood pressure and stomach pain. These side effects usually occur shortly after alcohol has been ingested.

The ALDH gene

The ALDH gene or aldehyde dehydroxide is found in the liver. ALDH oxidizes alcohol and then turns some into the usable energy of acetic acid. Some people have an altered form of ALDH gene and this prevents alcohol oxidation.

Considerations

Antibiotics such as Mitronidazole may also bring about allergy symptoms. And since many wines contain histamine, this could also increase the effect of the allergic reaction to ethanol.

Prevention/Solution

Most people can enjoy the taste of alcohol without the side effects by switching to non-alcoholic beverages. For example, non-alcoholic red wine contains antioxidants without ethanol.

Warning

Wrong Diagnosis states that ethanol is a teratogen and these agents are known to cause birth defects. Whatever your condition, if you think you are allergic to ethanol, seek the advice of a medical professional.

Tags: ALDH gene, side effects

Scurl Activator Tips

Having natural curls is a gift, but it can be difficult to maintain. Using the S-Curl Activator is a handy hairstyling tool to use to keep the curls soft and healthy. The main purpose of the S-Curl Activator is to relax the curls so that they do not look wound up tight as a wad, and become very hard to style and manage.

Build Positive Attitudes

Building a positive attitude is mostly a mental game, but there are physical components, as well. Positive thinking isn't something that happens overnight, and takes time to really settle into the mind and body. However, the process is fascinating, and little glimpses of improvement happen almost instantly, once someone decides to become more positive. By starting on the positivity path and staying focused, you'll evolve into a more accepting, optimistic person.

Instructions

1. Cultivate gratitude in daily life. Gratitude brings great joy for what you have, as well as excitement for what's coming. In return, you become more receptive toward happy, uplifting things. Start your day with gratitude by taking five minutes in the morning to write down things that you're grateful for. Fill up as many pages as you'd like with whatever comes to mind; there are no limits. After a while, there will be the realization that you are grateful for practically everything.

2. Accept life and reality in all of its randomness. Life isn't something that can be planned or lived in a linear fashion. An acceptance of chaos is necessary in order to bounce back and accept mistakes for the small speed bumps they are. Life is very random; don't expect all-around perfection from yourself or others.

3. Clean out clutter from your living space. Keeping remnants of old, unhappy or awkward times may seem loyal, but it's not healthy or positive in some instances. There has to be a place for all of the joyous new stuff to enter, and it will have no place to sit if baggage takes up emotional and physical space. Make a weekend of cleaning out old things by inviting over trusted friends to help, and treat the passing of past mementos as a ritual that may be painful but necessary.

4. Volunteer and find a way to contribute to society at large. By giving of yourself, whether it be a couple of hours or several months, it becomes apparent that your good actions make a difference. Volunteering pulls a person out of the morass of their own problems into the realm of helping someone else, with little or no expectation of recompense. It's especially wonderful to know that your labor can keep a family warm in a new house, fill a child's stomach, or earn a struggling student a much-needed scholarship.

5. Believe in a power higher than yourself, whether it be the power of science, God, or another being. An overreaching belief system serves as a comfort to many, and can also bring the benefit of community in the form of a group of like-minded followers. A higher power doesn't necessary have to be religious in nature; however, it will serve to keep a sense of wonder and uncertainty in daily living that is conducive to creativity.

6. Get enough sleep. It's hard to overcome challenges if you're yawning every five minutes. Lack of sleep can lead to poor health, reduced sexual drive and irritability, which won't do much to help a pessimistic outlook. According to Purica, a holistic healing product producer, "Sleep is absolutely essential to improve and maintain energy levels, immune system effectiveness, mental and emotional clarity and overall quality of life. When you feel good, you function better."

7. Give up the need to be attached. People become attached, or fixated on, outcomes to situations and people that they have no control over, and become disappointed on a deep level if things don't work out. Instead, accept that things might not work out at all, and be accepting of that fact. Be OK with releasing upsets, acknowledging the pain and moving on. Non-attachment doesn't mean a lack of meaningful bonds; rather, it's the allowance that others are autonomous, and that their choices are their own to make and live with. Appreciate them for the value they offer, and know the limits of that.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Delayed Stress Syndrome

Delayed Stress Syndrome is a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that shows up more than six months after experiencing a traumatic event. Although most people think of war as the event that triggers Delayed Stress Syndrome, events of abuse, violence, natural catastrophe and acts of terrorism can also set off symptoms.

Intrusive Symptoms of Delayed Stress Syndrome

Nightmares, intrusive memories and emotions, flashbacks of the traumatic event, and dissociative states are considered intrusive symptoms.

Avoidant Symptoms of Delayed Stress Syndrome

Persons suffering Delayed Stress Syndrome may avoid responsibility for others and relationships. They also avoid situations that may remind them of the previous traumatic event.

Hyperarousal Symptoms of Delayed Stress Syndrome

Explosive outbursts, exaggerated reactions to being startled, irritability and sleep disturbance are classified as hyperarousal symptoms. People might show signs of extreme vigilance and panic.

Dissociative Symptoms of Delayed Stress Syndrome

Amnesia and psychic numbing can appear as the person tries to depersonalize the trauma responsible for Delayed Stress Syndrome.

Causes of Delayed Stress Syndrome by Gender

A physical attack or threat of attack is most often identified as the traumatic event at the base of Delayed Stress Syndrome in women, while men trace the cause to combat or witnessing violence to others.

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