Identify Symptoms Of Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is a condition of the heart that is the result of a change in the regular beat, or contraction, of the heart muscle. While many forms of arrhythmia are common, and many people don't even realize they have one until a doctor mentions it, others do experience complications and increased risks when suffering from other medical conditions. Mild forms of arrhythmia require no treatment, but diagnosis is best left to a physician or heart specialist. The irregular heartbeat is generally caused a glitch in the electrical stimulus or connections that determine heart rate and contractions. The exact cause of the electrical glitch is not easy to identify and different types of arrhythmia will affect different areas of the heart. Understanding arrhythmia and learning to identify the symptoms of arrhythmia will help to reduce stress and encourage a visit to a physican. Doing so allows adequate treatment if necessary, in addition to reducing potential complications.

Instructions

1. Sensations of fluttering in the chest are a major symptom of an arrhythmia. This fluttering is felt by many as a sensation of skipping a beat, a sudden acceleration or deceleration of the heartbeat, and a noticeably irregular heartbeat. In mild cases, this sensation is sporadic and does not include other symptoms or sensations.

2. Many forms of arrhythmia, in addition to the above mentioned symptoms, may also cause a person to feel mild chest pains or even shortness of breath that may cause dizziness. Such symptoms should always be discussed with your doctor.

3. Feelings of weakness or faintness are also associated with an arrhythmia and should be taken seriously. Dizziness that occurs in change of position, such as when making a transition from sitting to standing or from lying down to rising, may indicate a more serious interruption in electrical impulses reaching the heart muscle.

4. Sensations of worry or anxiousness often accompany arrhythmia. Increased levels of stress or worry may cause symptoms to occur more frequently, and for longer duration.

5. Lack of symptoms of any kind make suspicion of an arrhythmia extremely difficult to diagnose. Individuals who notice anything 'off' of their normal feelings should always schedule a visit with a physician just to be on the safe side.

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Reasons For Pain In Lower Left Side

Abdominal pain can cause awful pain as anyone who suffers from it knows, and while we may not always know for sure the cause or the source of our pain, it does help to be aware of some of the more well-known causes of pain in the lower left side.

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy begins like a normal pregnancy with a missed period, and extra fullness of the breasts, but things soon go wrong. The ectopic pregnancy almost always happens in the fallopian tubes and the fertilized egg cannot survive, causing the woman to experience vaginal bleeding, cramping in the pelvic region, and pain in the lower left side of her abdomen.

Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernias occur when soft tissue, often part of the intestine, breaks through a tear of the lower abdomen wall, which can result in a rather painful bulge, especially when you bend or cough. Your doctor will mostly likely recommend surgery to prevent complications.

Kidney Infection

Kidney infections start as urinary tract infections (UTIs) through the urethra, though if not treated can progress into a kidney infection. A kidney infection must be treated promptly because the infection could become life-threatening.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract and causes people to suffer from diarrhea and abdominal pain. Unlike Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis only affects the innermost lining of your large intestine.

Appendicitis

If your appendix gets inflamed and filled with pus, you may be suffering from appendicitis. The pain begins by your navel then works its way to your lower abdomen. The pain intensifies over a 6 to 12 hour time period, often becoming severe.

Tags: ectopic pregnancy, kidney infection, left side, lower abdomen, lower left, pain lower

Natural Remedies For Lowering Blood Pressure

Natural remedies may lower high blood pressure without as many side effects as prescription drugs, and may improve other health conditions such as diabetes. Many of these remedies include personal behavior changes that must be maintained to be effective at keeping blood pressure at a healthy level. People considering using natural remedies for high blood pressure should talk to their doctors first, as some remedies may be contraindicated with medical treatments.

Function

The function of natural remedies for lowering high blood pressure is to avoid prescription drugs that may have significant side effects, to decrease the cost of prescription blood pressure medication, and to improve overall health.

Healthful Diet

Nutrition is a simple and effective natural remedy for lowering high blood pressure and can include a low-salt and low-fat diet, eliminating alcohol and caffeine, and drinking plenty of water.

Stress Relief

Practicing daily breathing techniques and stress management, including acupuncture, can lower blood pressure.

Exercise

Physical activities like yoga, tai chi, qigong, resistance exercise and moderate aerobic exercise can lower high blood pressure as effectively as some prescription blood pressure medications, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Herbs

Herbs and supplements taken for lowering high blood pressure may include coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, L-arginine and L-taurine. Herbs and supplements may be available in health stores and do not require a doctor's prescription.

Warning

Natural remedies for lowering high blood pressure should not be used against a doctor's advice or in place of prescription medication for blood pressure. Some herbs such as snakeroot, licorice, ephedra and yohimbine can counteract prescription medications or even raise blood pressure.

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What Is Adenocarcinoma Of The Stomach

An adenocarcinoma is cancer of your stomach. While there are many types of stomach cancer, adenocarcinoma is the most common. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is believed that more than 90 percent of stomach cancers are caused by an adenocarcinoma. Diagnosing the disease early can be problematic as it may be many years before you become symptomatic. There are several risk factors that can contribute to the disease, such as infection with the bacterium Helicobactor pylori. Treatments of the disease can very depending on how far advanced your cancer is.

Helicobacter Pylori

According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, it is believed that the occurrence of a H. pylori infection has contributed to many cases of stomach cancer. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can be spread through saliva, water contamination and fecal matter. Because H. pylori is a hearty and well-adapted bacteria, the eradication of H. pylori can be difficult. As a result of an H. pylori infection, your stomach will suffer from chronic inflammation, polyps and ulcers. Over time, the development of adenocarcinoma will result.

Diet

Bad dietary habits can contribute to the development of andenocarcinoma. A diet low in fruits and vegetables, or high in salt and fatty processed foods, can lead to health problems. Other contributing factors include smoking, heredity and anemia. Sodium nitrates, which can be found in processed meats, also have been linked to the development of adenocarcinoma.

Symptoms

In the early stage of adenocarinoma, your symptoms may mimic the symptoms of a peptic ulcer. You may feel a painful burning sensation within your abdomen that transfers to your upper chest. It is also common to feel severe abdominal cramping that may not dissipate. You also may feel full before finishing a meal, even if the meal is small. Anemia may result from bleeding within your stomach or due to your body's inability to properly absorb the vitamin B12. The vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of your red blood cells.

Seeing a Doctor

If you begin to experience severe nausea and vomiting, weight loss, chronic heartburn or indigestion, it is important to see a specialist. Suffering from these symptoms for a persistent amount of time is abnormal. Other warning signs can include vomiting blood, developing jaundice or having stools that appear tarry or black.

Diagnosis

Many tests will be performed to detect stomach cancer. According to Merck, if the disease has progressed far enough, your physician will be able to detect a large mass within your abdomen when pressing on your stomach. CT scans, X-rays, biopsies and barium X-rays are used to confirm the disease. When you have been diagnosed, the stage of your cancer will be evaluated and a course of treatment will be given.

Treatments

Treatment depends on how advanced your adenocarinoma is. Your physician may choose to remove tumors if they are small enough. A gastrectomy can be performed if there is a substantial amount of cancer located within your stomach. Only the portion of stomach afflicted with the disease will be removed. A total gastrectomy will be performed if your entire stomach is affected. Other treatments will include radiation and chemotherapy, which kill cancer cells.

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Lean Cuisine Diet Plan

Lean Cuisine is a line of frozen TV dinners that consists of low-calorie, low-fat meals and snacks. While a long-term diet of only Lean Cuisine food is not recommended, a short-term plan could be beneficial to dieters looking to lose weight while on the go.

Staying Lean

Lean Cuisine offers six different types of meals: One-Dish Favorites; Café Classics; Comfort Classics; Spa Cuisine Classics; Casual Eating; and Dinnertime Selects. Each category offers quick, easy entrées or servings that typically consist of no more than 10g fat and 300 calories per serving. Some are as low as 6 g fat and just more than 150 calories. The bottom line is that Lean Cuisine has plenty to choose from when it comes to lunch and dinner.

Breakfast Deficiency

One drawback to the Lean Cuisine line is that the company does not offer a breakfast entrée. So anyone who wishes to follow a Lean Cuisine Diet plan will have to come up with her own food to start the day. Healthy breakfast choices include low-fat yogurt coupled with an apple or orange, a cup of oatmeal with low-fat sweetener or a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal (such as Total) with skim milk and strawberries.

Lots of Lunch

Lean Cuisine has much to offer when it comes to relatively healthy, low-fat lunches. You will find meals from Chicken with Almonds (250 calories, 4g fat) to Beef Portobello (220 calories, 6g fat) to Deluxe French Bread Pizza (340 calories, 10g fat).

Dinner Delights

The Dinner Selects category of the Lean Cuisine line is made for your last big meal of the day, with items like Orange Peel Chicken (280 calories, 9g fat) or Steak Tips Dijon (280 calories, 7g fat) among them. Most choices on the Dinner Selects, Café Classics and Spa Cuisine Classics come with a main course, a side of vegetables and rice or potatoes (meaning Lean Cuisine is not ideal for some on a low-carb diet).

Drawbacks and Supplements

While there are benefits to following a plan consisting mostly of Lean Cuisine items, there are a few negative aspects. Lean Cuisine meals, like most frozen foods, tend to be high in sodium. Therefore, it would probably be good to supplement a Lean Cuisine-based diet with fresh fruits and vegetables between meals--as well as six to eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Also, most nutritionists recommend eating five or six smaller meals each day, so a diet consisting solely of Lean Cuisine would not necessarily be healthy and would likely defeat the purpose of losing weight. The wiser thing to do would be to make sensible choices throughout the day and have a Lean Cuisine entrée for dinner or lunch.

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Neurofeedback Games

Neurofeedback games stimulate the brain in many ways.

Electronic games are increasingly popular, estimated to be a $49 billion dollar global industry. A small but growing segment of the industry incorporates neurofeedback technology with the intent to enhance brain function in various ways. The potential applications are fascinating and exciting.

How Neurofeedback Works

Neurofeedback is basically biofeeedback for the brain. It involves monitoring brainwave patterns through the use of sensors applied to targeted points on the 'scalp. This technology is similar to that used in electroencephalograms, or EEG's. Usually, an initial "quantitative EEG," or QEEG, is done to provide a baseline map of a person's brainwaves. This is then run against a software database of statistically "normal" brainwave patterns to assess how a person's brain is functioning. Brainwaves found to be sub-optimal are targeted with sensors in subsequent neurofeedback sessions, thereby strengthening that area of the brain and often enabling it to operate more efficiently.

Electronic Gaming Applications

The gaming industry has taken elements of neurofeedback technology and incorporated it into electronic games. These electronic games are different from standard games because they seek to achieve a balanced, optimally performing brain in addition to providing fun and challenges for the gamer. Most neurofeedback games use strategically placed sensors to activate and track brain activity.

Neurofeedback Gaming Hardware

Manufacturers have come up with various means of placing brainwave sensors on the scalp, ranging from visors to headsets. Typically these units cost around $50 and up. Neurofeedback devices are also being developed for use with mobile phones. Many of these devices are made to interface with off-the-shelf video games and DVD's. If focus begins to wander, the video game is set to slow down and the controls do not work as efficiently. With DVD's, the screen image will start to shrink and the audio will begin to fade. Other devices are set to work exclusively with accompanying neurofeedback software.

Beneficial Uses

Many neurofeedback games exist primarily for entertainment purposes, but increasingly they are being designed to achieve very specific outcomes. For example, neurofeedback games targeted to help people with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder have had successful results. New developments are emerging to help those with other mental health diagnoses, including depression.

Another focus of many neurofeedback games is helping people achieve optimal performance in a number of areas. From improving your golf game, to seeking greater relaxation, to achieving heightened spiritual awareness, the potential applications seem limitless.

Conclusion

While the future of neurofeedback games is very promising, a word of caution is in order. Neurofeedback was originally developed to be used in a clinical setting with trained, certified professionals. A QEEG is a diagnostic tool, and without it as a baseline guide, an accurate assessment of a person's brainwave function cannot be made. According to a 2006 report in "USA Today," Henry Owens, a clinical psychologist who recommends neurofeedback games to his patients, noted that without a QEEG, "how would you know what's being treated?" He recommends seeking the opinion of a trained neurofeedback professional before proceeding on your own.

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Aloe Vera Detoxification Symptoms

The aloe vera plant has been used to aid detoxification for many years. The inner lining of the leaves is used as a laxative while the gelatinous gel between the leaves are used externally on skin.

Aloe vera is available as a tablet, capsule or could literally be harvested from a plant at home, dried and carefully chopped to a fine powder. Be certain your aloe vera has not been grown with pesticides, however.

Detoxification symptoms are designed to cleanse the colon. As with any detoxification program, some people who are "toxic," or have not undergone a directed cleansing program before, may experience headaches, flu-like symptoms or other minor discomfort for a few to several days.

Consult your physician or health care professional before using aloe vera for a directed detoxification program.

Identification

Aloe vera is easily grown in gardens or even indoors and is handy to keep in the kitchen.

Aloe vera used for a directed detox can be purchased at health food stores or online.

Its Latin names include Aloe Africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe spicata and bitter aloe. These refer to different types of aloe vera plants.

Capsules used for colon cleansing may be made from one or several different types of aloe vera.

Significance

Regular, directed detoxification programs are a hallmark of alternative medicine. Not everyone should do it as it can create great abdominal cramping or pain for some people. Very overweight people or people with a history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), for example, should consult their doctors first.

Using aloe vera as a mild laxative can easily clear up minor constipation. This is significant, as it is a convenient way to manage an occasional but important health issue.

People may overeat or travel and eat unfamiliar food that is hard to digest. If you skip more than a day without having a regular bowel movement, you probably will not feel well: using aloe vera in these cases should do the trick.

Adapting your eating and exercise habits long-term can help you avoid constipation without relying on aloe vera or other laxatives.

benefits

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dried aloe vera leaves are a type of "dried latex... that has traditionally been used as an oral laxative."

NIH also states that "there is strong scientific evidence in support of the laxative properties of aloe latex, based on the well-established cathartic properties of anthroquinone glycosides (found in aloe latex)."

In general, a healthy individual can consume aloe vera for colon cleansing if she closely follows the labels on the aloe vera product.

People seek out detoxification programs to lose weight, to alleviate occasional minor constipation or as a regular practice done two or three times a year. For example, it is common for some people to undergo a direct detox program between the seasons.

Misconceptions

The primary misconception is to believe that one can reverse a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits that result in severe constipation and weight gain from using aloe vera as a laxative and starving.

This is clearly an extreme example, however, if you are using laxatives to lose weight, be forewarned. See your doctor instead for an assessment and advice.

Laxatives of any type can be habit-forming and weaken the colon and reduce peristaltic action, or one's normal ability to have a bowel movement daily.

Prevention/Solution

If you are severely constipated or have regular bouts of indigestion, flatulence or have a history of irritable bowel syndrome, see your physician.

These health issues should not be "solved" by taking laxatives, which can result in a painful detoxification or incomplete cleansing that will leave you feeling worse.

You might have to go to a colon hydrotherapist to gently clear the gastrointestinal tract or be in a hospital to relieve severe impacted constipation.

If you are taking aloe vera for a directed detoxification program, follow the label directions. If you find you have a loose stool or are miserable, reduce your dosage and do not use for more than one day.

If your symptoms continue, see your doctor. Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (not soda or coffee).

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How Do Teeth Whiteners Work Chemically

What Do Tooth Whiteners Do?

Tooth whiteners remove stains and improve overall brightness of teeth using some concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is stronger than carbamide peroxide, although carbamide peroxide is a derivative of hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is simply hydrogen peroxide dissolved in urea crystals and thus a more diffused form. In general, hydrogen peroxide products are used for short-time use and carbamide peroxide is used for longer or overnight periods.

How Do Tooth Whiteners Work?

The bleaching agents--hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide--cause an oxidation reaction to remove food stains so they are less visible. The level of tooth whitening depends on the product--from a dentist's office or over-the-counter--and on the condition of your teeth. Teeth heavily stained from smoking might have a less satisfactory level of whitening.

What Should I Know Before Whitening My Teeth?

Tooth whiteners can be harsh to people's teeth, gums and mouth. While hydrogen peroxide is effective, it can penetrate teeth and cause sensitivity. In addition, you must have sufficient tooth enamel in order to whiten your teeth. Some people wear down tooth enamel by brushing too hard, using toothpaste that is too abrasive and/or consuming foods with a high acid content. Before taking any measures to whiten your teeth, talk with your dentist to see what's best for you.

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Cure Sciatic Nerve Pain

The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and branches out through the buttocks and legs. When the nerve is irritated is can cause pain, tingling and numbness from the lower back down to the feet. Often, the symptoms will go away on their own, but during an episode, you will want to control or eliminate the pain.

Instructions

Move

1. Recent research indicates that total bed rest does not speed healing. Short walks improve circulation and may speed healing.

2. Do not sit for prolonged periods.

3. If possible, stretch lightly. Do not move any further than is comfortable.

Reduce Pain

4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen.

5. Use a heating pad at a medium setting for 20 minutes at a time.

6. Try a cold pack for 15 minutes at a time.

Prevention

7. Keep active. Prolonged sitting can cause an episode.

8. Lift carefully. When lifting heavy loads, use your legs, not your back.

9. Watch your posture. Correct spinal position can reduce backache and sciatic pressure.

10. Avoid severe twisting movements, particularly when lifting or carrying heavy loads.

11. When driving, take your wallet out of your back pocket. It can cause poor posture alignment.

Tags: heavy loads, lower back, minutes time, speed healing, your back

Homemade Essential Oil For The Face

Women have been using natural herbs and oils on their faces since the beginning of time. Companies like Aveda and Origins led the charge for mainstream cosmetics and skincare firms to reinvestigate all-natural ingredients in skin care. However, your great-grandmother and her ancestors did not need major corporations to provide them the benefits of nature's bounty---they made skin treatments for themselves. Making your own essential oils that are good for your face is not hard; it just takes some time and patience.

Making and Storing Essential Oils

To make essential oils, take about 10 oz. of a carrier oil and place it in a 20 oz. wide-mouthed jar with a tight fitting lid---a Mason jar works well. Carrier oils include sweet almond, avocado, olive, macadamia nut, grapeseed, jojoba, evening primrose and wheat germ oil. For the face, use a refined oil, like those available at a natural health food store. You can even use a blend of these oils. Place either eight tablespoons of flower petals, six tablespoons of citrus zest, six tablespoons of chopped herbs, four tablespoons of crushed herbs or a combination of them into the jar. Close the lid tightly and leave it in a warm sunny place for about 48 hours. Be sure to shake it every 12 hours or so. If you do not have a warm sunny place to steep the oil, you can place the jar into a pan with cold water in it and slowly warm the water until it is almost hot to the touch. Keep it at this temperature for about 10 minutes and remove the jar. Do this once a day, until the oil is the right potency.

Finishing the Essential Oil

Strain the oil through a piece of muslin into a bowl. Squeeze the muslin to release as much of the oil and essence from the plant material as you can. Repeat the steeping process with fresh plant material until your oil is the strength you want. After the oil is the right potency and has been strained, place it in a dark bottle with a tight lid and store in a cool, dark place. The oil should keep for six to 12 months.

Carrier Oil Properties

Different carrier oils have different properties. Olive, avocado, evening primrose and wheat germ oils are excellent moisturizers for dry skin and have antioxidant properties. Grapeseed, macadamia nut and jojoba oils are perfect for normal to oily skin, and tighten and tone.

Plants for Skin Types

Basil and ylang ylang are great treatments for oily skin. Lavender is an anti-inflammatory that also regulates oil production, which makes it useful for acne-prone skin. Rosemary clarifies normal skin and encourages oil production in dry skin. Geranium, rose, neroli, clary sage and fennel benefit mature skin. Try lavender and chamomile on sensitive or irritated skin.

Tags: evening primrose, evening primrose wheat, oily skin, plant material, primrose wheat, primrose wheat germ, right potency

Allergies To Mosquitoes

Although rare, mosquito bite allergies to exist.

An allergy is the body's response to a usually harmless trigger that the immune system deems a threat. Almost anything can be the source of an allergy, from food to inhalants to insect stings. Although not as well known as a bee allergy, mosquito bites may also cause an allergic reaction for some people. It is possible to have a mosquito bite allergy and not know it, as the symptoms usually are not as severe as those associated with other allergies.

Cause

Contrary to popular belief, the female is the only bloodsucker in the mosquito species, and she uses the protein in your blood to nourish her eggs. When she punctures your skin to steal your blood, she deposits saliva into the wound to prevent clotting. It's this saliva that triggers an allergic reaction.

Symptoms

Some people are more sensitive to the mosquito's saliva, causing a pronounced reaction to a bite. A typical mosquito bite produces a red, itchy bump on your skin. An allergic reaction can produce more intense symptoms, such as a slower healing bite area or abnormal swelling. In some cases, the skin may blister or bruise, or break out in hives.

Treatment

For most reactions, over-the-counter medications and ointments are effective to reduce the itching and inflammation of the bite. Topical treatments such as calamine lotion or a hydrocortisone cream help relieve itching, while an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine may help with symptoms from a stronger reaction, such as hives.

Prevention/Solution

Use an insect repellent while outdoors, especially in warmer weather. Wear protective clothing, including long sleeves, long pants and socks to minimize the amount of skin available. Lower the local mosquito population by eliminating all stagnant, standing water in your yard, as this makes an excellent breeding pool.

Dangers

Severe mosquito bite allergies are rare, but they can still be life threatening if they develop, such as anaphylaxis. This causes extensive hives, wheezing and difficulty breathing, and may result in death if not attended to immediately. If you show signs of an extreme reaction, go to the emergency room right away for proper care.

Tags: mosquito bite, allergic reaction, bite allergies, mosquito bite allergies, your blood, your skin

Diet After Whipple Surgery

If you have battled pancreatic cancer and are considering or have had Whipple surgery to remove the head of your pancreas and part of your bile duct, gallbladder and duodenum (and possibly part of your stomach), you may wonder about the content of your post-operative diet. While no specific foods are off-limits following your surgery, you should adhere to a liquid-heavy, low-fat diet that you monitor with your doctor and/or dietitian.

Liquids

During your surgery, your doctor may have inserted a temporary feeding tube into your digestive tract to help maintain and restore an optimal amount of nutrition. Following your surgery, your doctor will have you follow a liquid diet. You want to drink at least eight cups of fluids daily. If you do not drink enough fluids, you could experience fatigue, lightheadedness and nausea. To avoid feeling full, you should drink liquids one hour before or after eating.

When you work your way back to solid-food meals, you can take small sips of calorie- and nutrient-containing beverages during meals, which could help prevent abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea and high gas production. You want to avoid alcoholic beverages. If you drink a lot of liquids while you eat, you may feel full quickly and therefore limit your food intake. You need to leave yourself room for calorie- and nutrient-rich solid foods.

Foods

Following the start of a liquid diet, you should consult your doctor about the proper time when you can return to a diet of solid foods. You should maintain a low-fat diet of 40 to 60 grams of fat daily, which you may need to adhere to on a long-term basis. Make sure to avoid high-fat, fried or greasy foods, and large meals.

Protein-rich foods that you can consume include chicken, cheese, eggs, fish and meat, You also should consume energy-providing foods like bread, cereals, pasta, potatoes and rice. To get a good intake of vitamins and minerals, you should eat fruits and vegetables daily.

You should have five to six small daily meals, with two to three hours separating them. If you have nutritious snacks in between smaller meals, you will absorb the food easier and not feel bloated or full. Furthermore, you will receive a decent level of energy and protein without overloading your digestive system.

After surgery, some of your favorite foods may not taste the same. It could take weeks for your normal sense of taste to return to normal, but you can help stimulate your taste buds by eating citrus-flavored fruit like grapefruit and pineapple, or strong-flavored crisps or snacks.

Keep in mind that the partial removal of your pancreas will impact your ability to digest and absorb food and nutrients, as the pancreas now provides fewer enzymes to aid the process. With all meals and snacks, you should take the proper amount of pancreatic enzyme replacement medication, which your doctor should prescribe.

Supplements

You will want to regain any weight that you lost as a result of Whipple surgery (if you were at a healthy weight prior to the procedure). You can look into using protein- and energy-dense oral supplement drinks containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fructooligosaccharides (FOS) fiber and medium chain triglyceride (MCT oil).

While the aforementioned supplements might promote weight gain, they also could help increase your physical activity, quality of life and strength.

Tags: your doctor, your surgery, absorb food, could help, drink liquids, liquid diet, low-fat diet

Varicose Vein Remedies

The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines varicose veins as swollen, enlarged veins appearing on the surface of the skin in twisted bundles. These blue or dark purple veins develop because the heart stops functioning properly and blood pools in affected veins. Varicose veins often appear on the backs of the calves and on the inside of the legs. Most cases of varicose veins appear in women over the age of 50. Varicose vein remedies range from lifestyle changes to surgery.

Diet and Weight Loss

The National Women's Health Information Center says that one of the risk factors for varicose veins is excess weight. Overweight people place a lot of pressure on the legs, reducing circulation and leaving them susceptible to varicose vein development. So, one of the first varicose vein remedies includes lifestyle changes leading to weight loss, which can decrease the veins' visibility on the limbs. A healthy diet composed primarily of fruits and vegetables helps overweight people lose weight in conjunction with an exercise routine. As little as 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week, can improve varicose veins.

Clothing and Shoes

"The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," published by the editors of Prevention magazine, says that varicose vein remedies include choosing clothes and shoes that don't exacerbate this condition. Medical supply stores and drug stores sell support hose particularly made for people with varicose veins. People should avoid wearing high heels or cowboy boots on a daily basis because of the pressure these shoes place on the legs. Tight-fitting clothes, like girdles and tight jeans, also cause blood to pool in the legs. At the end of the day, people should also elevate their legs above the heart to promote circulation, especially on days when they wear heels or boots. "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies" suggests using pillows, ottomans or a tilted bed to elevate the legs.

Laser Surgery

Varicose veins cause aching pain in the limbs that sometimes requires medical intervention. For severe cases of varicose veins, the National Women's Health Information Center says that laser surgery is a medical remedy. The Health Information Center says that laser surgical treatments take 15 to 20 minutes to complete by sending bursts of lights to the veins. Many patients need two to five treatments to remedy this condition, depending on how severe their varicose veins are. People can resume regular activity right after their laser surgery session.

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Hip Replacement Infections

Hip replacement surgery is common. In the 1960s, Sir John Charnley, a British surgeon, perfected the hip replacement that is still in use today. Medical technology makes hip replacements fairly safe, but there is still the potential for infection. Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, an affiliate of Harvard Medical Center, estimates that 234,000 hip replacements are performed annually.

Bacteria

Bacteria is ordinarily destroyed immediately by our immune system, but a surgery such as a hip replacement complicates the body's normal response because our immune system cannot fight against bacteria that live on implants. Typically, these implants are made from titanium, cobalt chrome, plastic or ceramic. Left unchecked, infection resulting from a hip replacement can wreak havoc on the body.

Late Infections

On rare occasions, an infection in the hip area can occur one or more years after surgery. Generally, the infection is attributed to something other than the hip replacement, such as throat infection or cavities in teeth. Nonetheless it could lead to removal of the joint. Dr. E. Malcolm Downes, who has written about the issue in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, suggests that any potential infection be thoroughly treated before hip replacement to prevent a long-term problem.

Chronic Illness

There is evidence that chronic illnesses may affect the number and severity of complications an individual experiences following hip replacement surgery. If a patient is suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis there is a higher potential for an infection to develop.

Blood Clots

Although not an infection, blood clots are a serious, yet common, complication related to hip replacement. Typically a physician will prescribe various blood thinning or clot-destroying drugs, and the patient may be required to wear support hosiery for a period of time.

Rate

Less than 2 percent of patients develop an infection after hip replacement, and in the worst case scenario the first implant would have to be removed and replaced with a new one. Because the materials used are not native to the human body, treatments such as antibiotics are not always 100 percent effective.

Prevention/Solution

Preventing infections from surgery begins beforehand in the form of ingesting preoperative antibiotics. Patients are strongly encouraged to take antibiotics before dental work or any other operation in an effort to minimize the possibility of suffering from an infection during or after surgery. Once a hip replacement patient is diagnosed with an infection, a rigorous form of treatment should be prescribed.

Tags: potential infection, after surgery, immune system, replacement surgery, suffering from

Purpose Of Cpr

A person's heart and ability to breath regularly can stop during a medical emergency, such as when a person has a heart attack or when he has been under water too long. Performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on him can prevent his death.

Purpose

CPR combines breathing and chest compressions to circulate a small amount blood and oxygen in victims whose heart has stopped. This buys them some time until medical personnel can manage the emergency.

Learning

Training for this technique takes less than a day and is available from such organizations as the American Red Cross. For better effectiveness, you can learn CPR with First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) courses.

AED

Often used as part of CPR, the AED is an automated device that puts pads on a victim's chest to shock the heart into a regular rhythm.

History

In 1740, the Paris Academy of Sciences recommended mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for drowning victims. In 1891, Dr. Friedrich Maass performed the first documented chest compression in humans. In 1960, CPR was developed with the American Heart Association (AHA) organizing efforts to teach the technique to physicians.

Effectiveness

According to the AHA, effective CPR can double a victim's chance of survival. Otherwise, a sudden cardiac arrest victim's survival falls by 7 to 10 percent for every minute before their heart rhythm is restored. See Resources for more statistics.

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Help For Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the lumbar and cervical spine. This causes pressure on the spinal cord or the spinal nerves. Many people with this condition suffer from numbness and cramping in the back, buttocks, thighs, calves, neck, shoulders or arms, in addition to feeling generalized weakness in the leg or arms. In some cases you may be unable to balance or even walk properly. However, there are both non-invasive and surgical options that can help correct this problem.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Your physician will offer a non-surgical choice to correct your spinal stenosis before doing any invasive procedures. The first option is usually physical therapy, which works to build up your strength and endurance as well as maintain the spine's flexibility. Physical therapy for spinal stenosis normally consists of a set of exercises that you do for up to three months. In addition to this, your physician may advise or prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation. Other pain medications such as acetaminophen and Tylenol will help control the pain, but not the inflammation. In cases of severe pain, you can opt to have an epidural injection of corticosteroids to suppress the inflammation that causes pain.

You will also be ordered to rest plentifully to reduce pain and swelling, while making sure you have some mild exercise in between resting. Wearing a back brace may help tremendously in controlling pain that occurs upon movement. A back brace or corset helps support the spine, and it works especially well for people with weak abdominal muscles or a degeneration of any portion of the spine.

Decompressive Laminectomy

The main goals of surgical procedures for correcting spinal stenosis are to maintain the integrity and strength of the spine, while also relieving pressure on the spinal cord. The initial operation is usually a decompressive laminectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes lamina---the back part of the bone in your spinal canal. The laminae are removed to open up space for the nerves, and also to remove any bone spurs or ruptured discs.

The laminectomy is guided through a incision in your back and is considered an open surgery, although in some cases the surgeon can perform the procedure via keyhold surgery (laparoscopy). The latter requires great skill and precision on behalf of the surgeon.

Tags: back brace, pain inflammation, people with, pressure spinal, pressure spinal cord, some cases

Increase Metabolism For Women

Metabolism slows down as we age and become more sedentary. A woman's metabolism is naturally slower than a man's, as a man typically has more muscle mass. There are many strategies available for women who want to increase their metabolism and burn unwanted fat, no matter what their age.

Instructions

1. Get moving. Your metabolism slows down when you slow down. Create an exercise plan that includes aerobic exercise as well as walking.

2. Drink at least sixty-four ounces of water every day. Your body retains water when it does not get enough. It stores up the water, thinking it will not get more. When you drink more water, your body processes it more efficiently.

3. Start a weight-training program to build up your muscles. Muscles burn more energy than fat, increasing your metabolism.

4. Reduce your calorie intake. Focus on reducing fats and sugars. Eat several small meals during the day rather than three large meals and always eat breakfast.

5. Change your routine and your diet every few days. Even during an exercise routine, alternately speed up and slow down the pace, so that your metabolism has to keep up. When you reduce your calorie intake or continue on a consistent pace in your exercise, your metabolism will adjust to the new intake and calorie-burning rate.

Tags: calorie intake, slow down, slows down, your calorie, your calorie intake, your metabolism

Ba Gua Zhang Techniques

Ba Gua Zhang is an older form of martial arts.

Ba Gua Zhang is a form of martial arts originating in nineteenth century China. The creation of this form is attributed to Dong Haichuan. There are at least 10 different styles of Ba Gua Zhang, each varying in techniques and slightly modified by its original teacher. The martial art as a whole encompasses a wide range of techniques, including proper stances, use of weapons and variations of hand strikes. People who practice Ba Gua Zhang are largely known for their ability to have a smooth flow in their footwork as well as when using different kinds of weapons and strikes.

Turning the Circle

Note that the "Turning the Circle" is one of Ba Gua Zhang's most identifiable trademarks. It is a unique method of movement and proper stance. In this technique, a fighter will slowly walk in a circle while in different stances. A common stance is one that is low, has the knees bent, and has the arms stuck out with the palms flat and ready to strike (as pictured). A fighter will practice various moves, including hand strikes, low kicks and weapon tactics while in this stance and motion. Ba Gua Zhang has similarities to other forms of martial arts such as Tai Chi.

Weapons

Keep in mind that fighters using Ba Gua Zhang are taught to use multiple types of weapons in combat. Weapons used include swords, knives, spears and staffs. They are known for using very large weapons, most commonly the Bagua Sword or Bagua Broadsword. Other common weapons used are hook swords, straight swords and the "scholars pen." The scholars pen is a pair of small knives and are usually concealed for a surprise attack.

Hand Strikes

Understand that aside from the use of weapons, hand strikes is the other main component of Ba Gua Zhang. There are generally eight different forms of hand striking taught when learning the martial art:

Chuan Zhang (the piercing palm) is thrown in an upward motion with palm pointed and facing upward as well.

Tui Zhang (the pushing palm) is thrown straight at an opponent usually at his chest with palm flat and facing outward.

Ye Zhang (the downward palm) is similar to the pushing palm but the palm is turned to the side while still facing outward.

Ta Zhang (the collapsing palm) is a similar motion to the pushing palm but you lead with the heel of your palm.

Pi Zhang (the splitting palm) is comparable to a chopping method where the arm remains straight, the palm is flat and facing upward, and the main focus point of the strike is on the inside of the forearm.

Hui Zhang (the wielding palm) is a similar motion to the splitting palm but the main focus point of the strike is now the outside of the forearm.

Shuang Cheng Zhang (the double support palm) is similar to the downward palm but uses both hands simultaneously as both palms should be faced outward and fingertips pointed inward.

Shuang Zhuang Zhang (the double strike palm) requires that both arms be held below the chest and palms faced inward with fingertips pointed out to be thrown at an opponent's chest area.

Other Techniques

Keep in mind that although the use of weapons and hand striking are the two main components of Ba Gua Zhang, there are other techniques practiced as well. Some techniques seen in practice are a series of low kicks to the legs and ankles, joint locks of the shoulders and throws. Many of the throws used involve a combination of locking the shoulder of an opponent and grabbing the head or neck to throw them out of position. In addition, along with the popular open palm strikes, other striking techniques include the use of closed fists, fingers and elbows.

Tags: palm similar, martial arts, pushing palm, downward palm, facing outward, facing outward Zhang

Make Homemade Perfume

Making homemade perfume is a simple process that only requires a few ingredients. Once you learn make homemade perfume, you can save money on buying commercial perfume. You can use homemade perfume for yourself, give it away as gifts or try to market your own perfume brand.

Instructions

1. Acquire the needed ingredients for the homemade perfume. You'll need four tablespoons of ethyl alcohol, two cups of distilled water, ten drops of bergamot essential oil and ten drops of lavender essential oil.

2. Find a dark, airtight bottle. For the purpose of making homemade perfume, a glass bottle will work best. Contact Ebottles.com (See below), a bottle seller, by phone at (888) 215-0023 or (203) 508-1200.

3. Fill your bottle with the distilled water. Then add in the ethyl alcohol, the bergamot essential oil and the lavender essential oil. Shake the bottle gently until all the contents fully mix. The order in which you mix in the contents doesn't matter.

4. Store the bottle in a cool, dry place for 48 hours. Avoid letting sunlight get in contact with the bottle. Once the 48 hours are up, again gently shake the bottle. Use a small dab to test out your new perfume. If you are satisfied, use it as you would any other type of perfume. If you are not satisfied, you can make another batch and adjust the level of lavender oil.

Tags: homemade perfume, bergamot essential, distilled water, ethyl alcohol, lavender essential, perfume satisfied, your perfume

Adverse Side Effects Of Neurontin

Neurontin is a medication designed to treat seizures or convulsions. It has another use, which is for treatment of burning pain of the nerves that people sometimes experience for long periods after they experience shingles. Neurontin should be taken three times a day, every single day, in order to effectively control seizures. As with any kind of medication, there are negative side effects and risks associated with Neurontin.

Common Side Effects

Some side effects associated with Neurontin are relatively common and generally not cause for alarm. These side effects include infections, vomiting, nausea, coordination issues, drowsiness, dizziness, feelings of being lightheaded, fluid retention or swelling in the legs, hands, arms or feet, and bizarre, unexplained movements of the eyes. These side effects occur in between 8.3% and 28% of Neurontin users.

Less Common Side Effects

There are several somewhat less common side effects that occur from some Neurontin users (these side effects happen to between 1% and 7% of people who use the medication). These less common side effects are tremors, blurred vision, speech issues, memory loss, heartburn, indigestion, back pain, sore throat, bronchitis, accidental injury, dry mouth, digestive issues, anxiety, having trouble walking, twitching, pink eye, high blood sugar, difficult with concentration, fatigue, weakness, ear infection, hot flashes and flushing. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Potentially Serious Side Effects

There are also some side effects of Neurontin that are rare and potentially very serious. These severe side effects include feelings of hostility, depression, aggression, severe confusion, severe dizziness, suicidal thoughts or behavior and allergic reaction signs (hives, rashes or itching). If you notice any of these symptoms, you seek medical help immediately.

Extremely Rare Side Effects

Other side effects are potentially linked to Neurontin, however, since less than 1% of people taking Neurontin experience them, it is unsure if they are direct results of the medication. These side effects include ulcers, high cholesterol, hemorrhoids, weight loss, "hangover" feelings, arthritis, sexual dysfunction, sun sensitivity, snoring, psoriasis, kidney stones, thyroid issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hiatal hernia and various others. If you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor about whether they are related to the use of Neurontin.

Warning

One side effect of Neurontin is feeling very drowsy and much less alert than usual, especially in the beginning stages of using the medication. If you combine Neurontin with morphine, you increase the odds of experiencing the "drowsy" side effects. You should avoid driving or operating machinery or any task that requires mental alertness when you notice these symptoms.

Tags: side effects, notice these, notice these symptoms, these symptoms, effects include, side effects include

Make A Flax Seed Pillow

Make a Flax Seed Pillow

Flax seed provides great filler for pillows. Flax seeds are completely smooth, which means there are no brittle bits that can break off and pierce through the fabric of your pillow. They are also very lightweight, and can rest easily across any part of your body without feeling cumbersome. As they are small, they provide malleable filling that follow the contours of your body, making for excellent support. Flax-seed pillows are most commonly used as eye pillows that lay gently across your eyes while you rest, blocking out light and relaxing the body. You can make your own flax-seed pillow and save a bundle. Material costs are relatively cheap, and you can make the pillow any size you wish.

Instructions

1. Choose the type of fabric you would like to use for your flax-seed pillow. Lighter fabrics like satin and silk will have a cooling effect. Thicker fabrics like velvet and flannel will bring warmth.

2. Cut two equal lengths of fabric. The pieces should be about 10" long and 4" wide.

3. Line up the two pieces of fabric together, with the exterior or right sides facing inward. It should look as if the fabric is inside out.

4. Use straight pins to keep the fabric lined up perfectly.

5. Sew the edges of the fabric together, along three sides. Leave one widthwise side of the pillow open. You can either use a sewing machine to sew the fabric together, or a simple hand stitch.

6. Reverse the fabric, essentially turning the pillow right-side out. You may need to push out the corners with your fingers.

7. Fill the pillow with flax seed, pouring it through the top (open side). Only fill the pillow about halfway to 3/4 full with the flax seed. You want the seeds to have move to room around and mold to your face when you use the completed pillow. You can add more or less flax seed according to your personal preference.

8. Sew the fourth side of the fabric together, closing the opening. Make sure your stitches are close enough together to prevent seeds from escaping from the pillow.

Tags: fabric together, fabrics like, Flax Seed, flax seed, Flax Seed Pillow, flax-seed pillow, Make Flax

Improve Balance In Sports

Superior balance skills.

When it comes to sports, there are many skills that carry over to almost every one. Some of these include agility, speed, endurance and mental strength. But perhaps one of the most overlooked yet important skills is balance. There are several steps that need to be taken to improve balance, which involve some fitness tools and a good sense of focus and concentration. Improving your balance in sports will also improve your balance in normal daily activities.

Instructions

1. Sit on a Swiss ball. Sitting on a Swiss ball can help create full-body stabilization, which is as important as standing balance. Start off by sitting on it while you are watching television, eating dinner or reading a book. After this has become easy, try lifting one foot off the floor and eventually get to the point where you are lifting both feet off the floor.

2. Stand on one foot. One of the easiest and quickest ways to improve your balance is to simply stand on one foot. When you put your shoes on in the morning, stand on one foot and when you are standing in line at the grocery store or movies, alternate standing on each foot.

3. Balance while working out. Every time you do a standing weight lifting exercise such as bicep curls, military presses, lateral raises or overhead triceps extensions, stand on one foot. In order to do this, you will have to cut back on the poundage. Never sacrifice proper form for weight.

4. Stand on a BOSU. A BOSU is a functional training tool that looks like a Swiss ball that has been cut in half. It has an inflated dome side and a flat side. After you have stood on one foot on the ground for a couple weeks, progress to standing on the BOSU. This is going to be a whole new feeling so start out on two feet, then progress to one.

5. Use the Swiss ball in your workouts. Once you are able to comfortably sit and lie down on the Swiss ball, incorporate it into your workouts. Use it for all seated and lying down exercises such as front presses, curls, chest presses, pullovers and lateral raises.

6. Stand on the BOSU in your workouts. Once you are able to comfortably stand on the BOSU, incorporate it into your weight lifting routines. Do your standing exercises on the flat side of the BOSU.

Tags: Swiss ball, your balance, your workouts, able comfortably, flat side, improve your

Advanced Lung Cancer Signs

While there are basically two classifications of lung cancer--small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)--the signs of the disease will be fairly similar in both. Yet, these symptoms will vary from person to person due in large part to whether the tumor is still confined (as in Stage III) or metastasized (as in Stage IV), and whether any other systems of the body have been disrupted. Surprisingly, most of the signs or symptoms related to this disease do not present themselves until the cancer has advanced. Early detection usually comes about during a routine checkup or screening. If you're concerned that you have lung cancer in an advanced stage, there are a number of signs you can look for.

Respiratory Problems

Most people with lung cancer will have a persistent cough that generally worsens as time goes on. This will often be accompanied by the presence of a small or large amount of blood, usually during a coughing spell. Many people will also experience a shortness of breath, giving the feeling that something is blocking a portion of your lungs. Additionally, about 25 percent of lung cancer patients will suffer chest pains. This dull, almost aching pain is usually isolated to the area surrounding the lungs, so you'll essentially feel the sensation behind the rib cage.

Respiratory Infections

Another relatively common sign of lung cancer is frequent respiratory infections. This would be chronic bronchitis, which is generally defined as an inflammation of the bronchial tubes due to a viral infection that lasts over three weeks, yet comes and goes with some regularity. Pneumonia can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Both chronic bronchitis and pneumonia have a series of symptoms that an individual with lung cancer may also experience during his time of infection, including a fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, fatigue and a shortness of breath. These particular symptoms are not related specifically to lung cancer, and should only be used as an indication of these infections, not the disease.

Weight Loss

Many times people with advanced lung cancer will experience unexplained weight loss. This is due in part to the metabolic alteration caused by the cancer cells, making the body process food at a faster rate than normal. This, coupled with the fact that most people with cancer suffer loss of appetite, exacerbates the dropping in weight. You're essentially taking in less food, yet burning more calories.

Skeletal Problems

When lung cancer metastasizes as seen in Stage IV, it will often spread to the bones. Once the cancer has spread to your skeletal system, you will often experience pain in the bone at particular points of the body. Ordinarily, this pain will be isolated to the ribs, the vertebrae of the spine and the bones of the thighs. These areas are of a closer proximity to the origin of the cancer. This pain doesn't necessarily mean you'll be much more susceptible to breaks. It's just an indication that the lung cancer has metastasized.

Brain Function

Besides spreading to the bones, Stage IV lung cancer can frequently metastasize to the brain. When this happens, you will experience very precise signs and symptoms. In these cases, people will suffer difficulties in vision, like blurred and distorted sight. They will also face a weakness that is isolated to one side of their body. Furthermore, this can be accompanied by seizures or even brain degeneration.

Other Signs

Advanced-stage lung cancer can also elicit a few other signs that the disease is present in your system. You may feel fatigued or become anemic. Symptoms of anemia include jaundice, brownish urine, bruising and kidney problems.

Tags: lung cancer, lung cancer, people with, will often, also experience

Breast Reduction Surgery To Alleviate Back Pain

Breast reduction surgery, known as reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, glandular tissue and fat from the breasts. A common medical reason women choose this procedure is to alleviate chronic back pain associated with large breast size, and there is evidence that breast reduction surgery does help alleviate chronic back pain. Women considering a breast reduction should consult a plastic surgeon to set realistic expectations, and to make sure they understand what the procedure entails, including possible risks and complications.

Consult a Plastic Surgeon

When considering breast reduction surgery, consult a qualified plastic surgeon. Bring your medical records regarding your back pain issues, and be prepared to describe chronic neck, back and shoulder pain as well as poor posture and restricted activity.

Check Your Insurance

Check your insurance policy and get details on what aspects of a breast reduction surgery will be covered. In some cases, more conservative interventions, such as weight loss, supportive bras, medications and physical therapy, may be have to be prescribed prior to getting approval for a surgical procedure. However, studies done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have shown that breast reduction surgery has significantly more impact on back pain associated with large breasts than less invasive methods. If you have documented history chronic back pain, it is valid to consider and get advice on breast reduction surgery at any point.

Expectations and Considerations

There are a number of different procedures that are done for breast reduction surgery, so be prepared to discuss with your doctor what is best for your circumstances, and be aware that there are also some risks to consider. The Mayo Clinic notes that loss of sensation in the nipple, scarring and asymmetry in size, shape, position and contour of the nipples or breasts can occur. Also, if you are planning to start a family, it is recommend that you wait until after pregnancy is no longer an issue to get breast reduction surgery, as breast feeding can be effected and pregnancy can also alter the results of the surgery. Successful breast reduction surgery can relieve pain in your upper back, neck and shoulders, but if you're not happy with your results, talk to your surgeon to consider if another procedure may be needed to achieve the best results.

Tags: reduction surgery, breast reduction, breast reduction, back pain, breast reduction surgery, breast reduction surgery, chronic back

Photo Light Therapy

Photo light therapy, also called "Phototherapy" or "light therapy," involves using light (usually ultraviolet light) to treat a number of conditions. The NASA researchers who developed it looked into its therapeutic use on humans after they discovered that the light increased the energy in the mitochondria of plant cells.

Treating Skin Disorders

Use photo light therapy to treat many skin disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema.

Psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder appears to result from T-cells that start acting abnormally. Photo light therapy exposes those T-cells, resulting in their death. Phototherapy also slows the production rate of skin cells and reduces inflammation caused by psoriasis. In a study published in The Australasian Journal Of Dermatology, the "quality of life in psoriasis improves after standardized administration of narrowband UVB phototherapy." According to expert Opin Pharmacother, utraviolet photo light therapy constitutes the best method to control moderate to severe cases of psoriasis.

Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease in which the body destroys its own pigment, occurs in patches. Use phototherapy to re-create pigmentation the patient has lost over a slow process, starting at the edges of the patches and working inward. A study published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology stated that this method of therapy worked safely and effectively on children with vitiligo.

Eczema consists of scaly, red patches of dry skin that often cause uncomfortable itching. It usually results from an overreactive response to an irritating substance, an allergy or even stress. A study published in "The Lancet" deemed phototherapy an effective, well-tolerated treatment for eczema.

Treatment of SAD

SAD, also known as seasonal affective disorder, is a mental disorder where depression occurs cyclically as the days shorten, with the worst of it occurring between December and February. Photo light therapy works most effectively in the morning hours and has the most therapeutic results when the light comes through the eyes of someone with SAD, versus through the skin.

Purchase a photo light therapy box online pr at a drug store for at-home use in treating SAD without a prescription. Before buying, make sure the light box has an SAD-specific label and filters out the harmful UV rays and emits 10,000 lux a comfortable distance from the lamp.

Treating Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin caused by excess amounts of the pigment bilirubin. In babies, photo light therapy can eliminate the amount of bilirubin in the blood. As the baby's skin absorbs the light, it transforms the bilirubin to a form that the baby can pass out of her system.

Tags: light therapy, photo light therapy, study published, photo light, Photo light therapy

What Kind Of Salary Do Chiropractors Make

Chiropractors complete three to four years of specialized training and education before being licensed.

Chiropractic is an alternative-medicine profession that treats problems of the human musculoskeletal system. These problems usually manifest themselves in symptoms such as back and neck pain, nerve problems, numbness and general health maladies. Popularized in the 1890s by grocer and self-professed magnetic healer Daniel David Palmer, chiropractic generally treats "subluxations," or misalignment of spinal vertebrae, although among current practitioners there are two schools of thought and practice - "straights" and "mixers," who disagree about the roles that factors other than misaligned bones, such as hormones and germs, play in health problems.

Education/Training

Nearly a century of animosity between chiropractors and traditional medical doctors has largely been put to rest, with MDs and DOs generally adhering to an opinion issued by the American Medical Association in a 1992 report that stated, "It is ethical for a physician to associate professionally with chiropractors provided that the physician believes that such association is in the best interests of his or her patient." Aspiring chiropractors must complete an undergraduate degree before applying to one of 18 U.S. chiropractic schools (April 2011 figures). Some schools allow simultaneous undergraduate/chiropractic educations. A total of four years of chiropractic training is required to be recognized as a DC, or doctor of chiropractic, by the American Chiropractic Association. State licensing also is required.

National Average Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for chiropractors in 2009 was $67,650, with the top 10th percentile salary being $150,570. The mean, or average, salary was $80,390. Salary.com's survey lists a median chiropractor salary nearly double that of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' survey - $129,119.

Experience

According to PayScale, chiropractors with more than 20 years' experience earn $50,629 to $118,783 a year, based on salaries in the 25th to 75th percentiles. Those with 10 to 19 years in practice made $49,007 to $100,004 annually, while chiropractors with five to nine years on the job made $44,276 to $76,629 a year. Chiropractors with one to four years experience earned $39,165 to $61,220 per year and those with less than a year experience earned a salary in the range of $37,348 to $59,322.

Geography

The Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, South Carolina, area is the highest-paying metropolitan area in the United States for chiropractors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an average salary of $138,320. Charlotte is about 40 miles, and Gastonia less than 30 miles, from Spartanburg, where the Sherman College of Chiropractic is located. The Cincinnati area pays an average salary of $129,670 and Indianapolis has an average salary of $128,150 for chiropractors. Chattanooga, Tennessee, provides a mean pay rate of $122,630 per year. Salary.com figures are somewhat in conflict with the Bureau of Labor Statistics salaries, placing the New York City's median wage for chiropractors at $153,256 a year. The median salary for Dallas is $128,731, with a top 10th percentile salary of $221,836. Los Angeles, home to the Cleveland Chiropractic College and the Southern California University of Health Sciences chiropractic school in Whittier, California, pays a median salary of $141,772.

Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were 49,100 chiropractors in the United States in 2008 and projects 58,700 practitioners by 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also forecasts job growth of 20 percent for chiropractors through 2018, which is much more rapid than the job-growth rate for all occupations. The use of chiropractors by children, seniors and adults is increasing, although lack of full health coverage for chiropractic treatment impacts the alternative-method option for some people. Multidiscipline practices, in which chiropractors share patients with medical doctors, physical therapists and other health professionals, are expected to grow at a fast clip.

Tags: Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics, average salary, four years, median salary, 10th percentile

Herbal Treatment For Acne Rosacea

Acne rosacea, also known as adult acne and rosacea, is a disorder that targets the skin of the face and sometimes the eyes, according to MedlinePlus. More common in women and people with fair skin, the condition most often begins sometime between the ages of 30 and 60, causing facial redness and pimples, a thickening of the skin, a swollen nose and dry, itchy eyes. Several herbal remedies can help you to control acne rosacea's symptoms.

Natural Remedies Catching On

In an article from the Nov. 1, 2006, issue of "Dermatology Times," staff writer Jane Schwanke reports on the increasing popularity of herbal remedies in the treatment of rosacea. She points out, however, that there is a downside to the swing toward natural remedies. This can occur if you use herbal remedies without consulting or at least advising your doctor and end up unwittingly using a substance that may be more irritating than curative.

Despite the occasional misstep, it appears that most rosacea patients going the herbal remedy route are getting it right, according to Schwanke. Although she cites no source for her data, Schwanke reports that the use of herbal products soared a phenomenal 380 percent from 1990 to 1997. The herbs most likely to help you control symptoms of rosacea, according to Schwanke, are feverfew, chamomile, lavender, green tea, oatmeal, licorice, camphor and tea tree oil.

Evaluating Remedies

While acknowledging the effectiveness of certain herbs in relieving the symptoms of rosacea, dermatologist Jessica Wu, who is also the founder and president of Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals, urges that you exercise caution in using herbal remedies. In an article in the January 2006 issue of the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology," Wu offers brief profiles of some of the more popular herbs used to treat rosacea.

The glycyrrhizinic acid in licorice, says Wu, seems to have potent anti-inflammatory properties when used to treat skin disorders, while the immunomodulating properties of feverfew could be the key to that herb's usefulness in treating rosacea. If your rosacea seems to be triggered by sun sensitivity, Wu suggests that green tea extract may be helpful. Depending on your symptoms, you should know that oatmeal is a powerful anti-itch substance, while both lavender and chamomile are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Wu urges caution in the use of camphor and tea tree oils, as both can cause irritation in higher concentrations.

Chamomile

Use chamomile to soothe the discomfort and itching of rosacea and to help reduce inflammation generally. This, according to MotherNature.com, is the advice of Dr. Mary P. Lupo, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University. To get the most from this herb, Dr. Lupo suggests that you steep a few chamomile teabags or, better yet, a handful of pure chamomile in three cups of boiling water for 10 minutes. The resultant brew should be strained and then put in the refrigerator to cool. Once it's thoroughly cooled, you can dip a cotton cloth in the chamomile mixture and apply it to areas ravaged by rosacea.

Tags: herbal remedies, 2006 issue, according Schwanke, camphor tree, help control

Acupressure Vs Acupuncture

Both acupressure and acupuncture are based on the same Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of meridians. Meridians are lines of energy that flow through the body; they are thought to be closer to the surface of the skin at certain points. These points are then treated by the administration of needles, known as acupuncture, or through manipulation by the fingertips, known as acupressure. These treatments are believed to be able to remedy a wide range of ailments.

History

According to the American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, the use of acupoints and the meridian system in TCM is over 5,000 years old. The belief that many diseases are caused or affected by the flow of an energy through the body called "chi" is central to the theory of both acupressure and acupuncture. When chi stagnates, disease occurs, and stimulating the points at which energy is blocked allows the energy to return to normal and reverse disease. Over the course of its development, the meridian system has charted thousands of these acupoints on the human body.

Acupressure

Most acupressure is administered in the United States by practitioners who have completed a 3- to 4-year degree in TCM, which usually also includes an in-depth study of Chinese herbology. Practitioners of acupressure come from variety of backgrounds but are usually massage therapists who have studied acupoints as one of many massage modalities in massage school.

Acupuncture Research

Acupuncture is one of the few methods of alternative health in the United States that does indeed have some support by the mainstream medical establishment. Many health insurance companies cover acupuncture treatments for various conditions, especially pain. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in September 2007, German researchers did a rigorous randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group trial with three groups on acupuncture for low-back pain. They concluded that low-back pain did indeed improve after acupuncture for at least 6 months and was twice as effective as conventional therapy.

Acupressure Research

Accupressure has not been studied as much as its more well known counterpart, but it may be just as effective, at least in emergency situations like nausea and vomiting. In a study published in Anesthesia Analgesia in 2002, Austrian researchers found that by pressing acu-point K-K9, they were able to alleviate the nausea and vomiting in women after gynecological surgery by up to 40 percent.

Considerations

Acupuncture is really just a specialized and more precise form of the technique of manipulating acupoints to achieve desired results. It may be more effective in treating some illnesses, but may not be necessary when simple acupressure will do.

Tags: acupressure acupuncture, low-back pain, meridian system, nausea vomiting, study published

Overcome Panic Attacks

Do you have Panic Attacks? Feel out of control? You're not alone, and there are ways to overcome them, without medication. Panic attacks can be a horrible experience, but with some practice, you can learn to defeat them.

Instructions

1. Identify your fears. Panic attacks are all about Fear. The first step is to identify what is triggering your panic attacks. Identifying the fear is the most important step.

2. Monitor your thoughts during a panic attack. Most people who experience panic attacks have triggers, thoughts that cause their body to go into panic. A panic attack triggers the fight or flight response in a human being causing all sorts of uncomfortable sensations. Rapid Heart beat, light-headedness, changes in vision, etc. These are all perfectly normal, and they have no harmful effects on your health. You cannot, and will not die. You must identify the thoughts. Pay attention to your thought process, most people have a fearful thought, then it triggers a 'sensation' in the body, you then pay attention to that sensation, and more fearful thoughts arise, it is a big cycle, and goes in a circle until you are into a full blown panic attack.

3. Once these thoughts are identified, use cognitive feedback. Face your fears, tell yourself positive things, what is the worst that could happen? One of the major contributers to panic attacks is blowing things out of proportion. Tell yourself that you are in control of your own mind and body, understand the sensations are normal that you are feeling, and don't fear them. If you don't fear them, they will not continue to exist. Stop these thoughts before they trigger these sensations and lead into a panic attack. It takes much practice, but you can prevent Panic Attacks. You must face all your fears until they become mundane, and do not bother you any more. Fear is based upon some illogical thoughts and usually highly unfounded. Of course there are many things to fear, but not the extent that you do. Also, do not try to suppress your scary thoughts, that will not help. Instead, let them come into your mind, don't deny them, then deal with them appropriately. Use reasoning techniques to battle these thoughts and take control back.

4. And last, do not fear panic attacks themselves. They are harmless, no matter how terrible you feel, they will not harm you in any form. You are still in control even when you are having them. Do your best to keep this in your mind, no matter how uncomfortable you feel during one, there is absolutely no harm coming your way. You will be okay, and it will pass. Practice the above techniques until you have regained control of your own mind's peace. It takes practice, but you will overcome them.

Tags: panic attack, panic attacks, your mind, these thoughts, your fears, control your

Activity For Expressive Language Delay

Activity for Expressive Language Delay

A child with expressive language delay fails to develop the use of speech that is typical for their age group. The primary issue seems to be a brain dysfunction that results in an inability to translate ideas into speech. They often use gestures to accompany their limited verbal expression.

Possible Signs

Children with expressive language delay may exhibit some of the following characteristics: language skills that lag behind other children of the same age by at least one year, the inability to follow simple directions and/or failure to reach typical milestones for language development. They may have slow or hard to understand speech after three years of age.

Interventions

As a first step, consult a pediatrician if there is a concern about a language delay. They will perform a hearing test and developmental assessment. If there are concerns regarding the results, a referral will be made to an early childhood intervention program, for children birth to three years old or the school district, for children over three years old. An evaluation will be done and if necessary, treatment can be done by a speech therapist. The speech therapist will give parents ideas for things they can do at home to help the child.

Activity For Expressive Language Delay

A simple yet effective activity to promote language skills is to show a child everyday objects (or pictures of objects) such as a spoon, a comb, a toothbrush, a telephone or a cup. Have the child name the object. If he has difficulty, tell him the word and repeat that word as many as 12 to 18 times over the course of several minutes. Next ask the child use it. If he has difficulty, tell him, in simple language, how the object is used. To reinforce learning, use the word or words often in conversation and ask use it several times. Continue this with one to three objects until the child can name them and explain how it is used on a consistent basis.

Tags: Activity Expressive, Activity Expressive Language, Expressive Language Delay, language delay, three years