Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dietary Treatment For Severe Burns

Healing from severe burns requires consuming higher amounts of foods in order to provide vitamins and nutrients to the affected areas. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, burn patients will need to go on a high-protein recovery diet that also contains plenty of carbohydrates and no more than 30 percent of fat from your total daily calorie consumption. Speak to your dietitian to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your diet.


Protein


Protein is essential for rebuilding muscle and repairing tissue after exercise, and it works just as well if you have severe burns. According to Dr. Andrew M. Munster, author of "Severe Burns," your body requires more than the recommended dietary allowance of 63g of protein for males ages 25 to 50, and 50g for females 25 to 50. Red meat, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs all provide protein, with the highest amounts found in fish. Salmon, sardines, anchovies and tuna have 20 to 26g of protein. Dairy is also an excellent source of protein. But whole milk also contains high amounts of saturated fat, so drink low-fat or nonfat milk instead.


Carbohydrates








According to "Severe Burns," carbohydrates are used as energy during the burn-healing process. Consuming carbs allows your body to use protein for muscle-building rather than energy for wound-healing. Carbohydrates can be broken down into two categories: simple and complex. Although simple carbohydrates---found in refined sugar and foods that contain white flour---provide energy, they are converted into sugar quickly and have little nutritional value. Because of the speedy breakdown rate, you will need to consume more of it. So eat complex carbohydrates found in whole grain wheat, oat bran, cereal and oatmeal. Complex carbohydrates break down slower and provide more nutrients.


Multivitamins


Zinc and iron are essential vitamins that help you recover from burn wounds, according to "Total Burn Care." Zinc operates similarly to protein as it assists in tissue repair and heals wounds. The recommended daily allowance for zinc is 11mg for males older than 19, and 8mg for females older than 19, according to the National Institutes of Health. Iron carries oxygen to your cells, which is important for cell regeneration, according to "Total Burn Care." Men between the ages of 19 and 50 need 8mg of iron daily, and women in that age range need 18mg.

Tags: Severe Burns, according Total, according Total Burn, also contains, Burn Care
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Monday, August 30, 2010

Reverse Psa Levels

Elevated PSA levels do not have to mean prostate cancer, but they do need to be reversed.


Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are no reason to conclude that you definitely have prostate cancer. If the reading is between 4.0 ng/mL to 10.0 ng/mL, prostate cancer may not exist at all. These levels could indicate any of a number of problems, including a noncancerous swelling of the prostate gland called benign prostatic hyperplasia. Other tests may be prescribed or your doctor make take a "watch and wait" approach. If you have received a report of elevated PSA levels, you will still want to do what you can to reverse them.


Instructions








Medical Treatments


1. Discuss all the medical options with your doctor before trying to take care of managing your PSA levels on your own. Many therapies exist to treat prostate cancers. If your cancer cells are less active, your PSA levels will be lower. The most common treatments your doctor might suggest are some form of radiation therapy, proton beam therapy or hormone therapy.


2. Discuss radiation therapy. In this method, high doses of radiation are aimed at the cancerous growth to kill it. Another form of radiation therapy you might want to explore is proton beam therapy, where protons are aimed at the cancer, instead of X-rays.


3. Explore hormone therapy. In this treatment method, the amount of testosterone that your body manufactures is controlled or reduced. According to the National Cancer Institute, male sex hormones like testosterone can help prostate cancer grow.


4. Use cryosurgical ablation to freeze the cancerous cells. This is a surgical procedure in which the doctor inserts the liquid nitrogen into the affected area with a probe.


5. Consider chemotherapy, if your prostate cancer is advanced. This is a serious form of therapy that is usually used when surgeries have failed to stop the spread. Since early prostate cancer is slow growing, chemotherapy is not as effective in the early stages because it acts on the cells that divide soon after the treatment. However, in later stages that are more aggressive, it can reverse PSA levels to the point that other therapies could become viable.


6. Have your prostate surgically removed. If this is done before the cancer spreads, PSA may be eliminated altogether.


Complementary and Alternative Treatments


7. Reduce stress through mind-body practices like meditation, biofeedback and yoga. Stress has been found to correlate with increases in cancer activity because the mind can have a direct effect on the body. Stress reduces the body's immunity and weakens it to disease.


8. Eat well and take vitamins and herbs to reduce the activity of cancerous cells that produce PSA. Do this by taking aspirin, which promotes heart health. Eat cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Some nutritionists say that eating broccoli and tomatoes in the same meal enhances the benefits of both foods for slowing cancer growth. Watch your cholesterol levels and keep your diet cholesterol friendly. Antioxidants have also shown themselves to have some cancer-fighting properties. Pomegranates, blueberries and other fruits high in antioxidants are an excellent choice of food for those trying to reduce their PSA levels. Green tea and red wine are also fine choices.


9. Open your mind to alternative therapies like acupuncture and homeopathy. Investigate the healing benefits of nonconventional medical systems, as well. Reiki and therapeutic touch deal with the energy fields of the body to promote wellness.

Tags: prostate cancer, radiation therapy, your doctor, beam therapy, cancerous cells
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Open A Chakra #2 The Sacral Chakra

Use your hands to open your sacral chakra.


Chakras are energy centers located throughout the body that affect your mood, emotions and mental well-being. Chakras originated many years ago and mean "circular motion" in the Sanskrit language. The sacral chakra is located in the body's core and controls emotions including anger, fear, sexuality and creativity. Stones and crystals are often used in conjunction with the chakras, and the sacral chakra is related to opal, fire agate and carnelian. A healthy sacral chakra is an orange color.


Instructions


1. Sit with your legs crossed on the floor or a comfortable surface.


2. Place your hands in your lap with your palms facing up. Your hands should be on top of each other with your left hand underneath your right. The left palm should touch the fingers on your right hand.








3. Touch the tips of your thumbs together.


4. Chant the sound "VAM" three times per breath. Focus your energy on your sacral chakra, which is located on your lower back. Take seven to 10 long, deep slow breaths during this meditation.

Tags: sacral chakra, with your, sacral chakra, your right, your sacral
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Friday, August 27, 2010

Diet Advice For People With Hypoglycemia

Many people suffer from hypoglycemia and are unaware they have this low blood sugar condition. Diabetics are the most likely candidates for having fluctuating blood sugar levels. Symptoms include shakiness, hunger, dizziness, fatigue and headaches. It is essential to control these symptoms with a proper diet. Take charge of your life by eating the right foods at the right times to control your hypoglycemia.


Small Meals


Those with hypoglycemia begin to have dipping blood sugar levels 2 to 4 hours after their last meal. When the pancreas over-secretes insulin, metabolizing carbohydrates is impossible. As the blood sugar drops, cortisol and adrenaline get produced at high levels, which causes a state of panic in the body. This is why many people feel anxious or have heart palpitations. Avoid dropping blood sugar levels by eating smaller meals throughout the day. Incorporate fiber into many of your meals. Fiber slows down the hypoglycemic reaction. It is also beneficial to eat fiber 30 minutes before your next meal. Great sources of fiber include popcorn, rice crackers, and whole grains. Eat breakfast and then have another small meal before lunch. Follow with a mid-afternoon meal and dinner. Prior to going to bed, enjoy a small snack. Few people want to have a large meal before bed, so have a slice of fruit or nuts.


Foods to Eat








Fill your diet with nutrient-rich foods devoid of chemicals and preservatives. Refrain from drinking alcohol, carbonated beverages or caffeine. Eliminate canned goods, processed foods, dried fruits and foods with artificial flavoring. Foods that are packed with energy and fuel are legumes, soy products, fish, whole grains, bananas, grapefruits, carrots, spinach and broccoli. Try a food elimination diet to be sure you don't have an allergy. Allergens exacerbate hypoglycemia symptoms. The best approach is to keep a food journal and record any hypoglycemic reactions after eating. When you find recipes and foods you enjoy eating, create a meal plan for yourself. Always have certain foods on hand in case you experience low blood sugar. Always keep a package of nuts in your car for emergencies. Pack your own lunches so you will not be tempted by takeout meals or vending machine items that will spike your blood sugar.


Eating Out


Dining in restaurants can be stressful for anyone whose diet is so essential to their well-being. If fast food is the only option for breakfast, go for the healthiest options like fruit parfaits, egg sandwiches or whole-grain toast. For lunch, eat salads without fatty dressings, croutons or bacon bits. Refrain from eating refined flour products like breads or white rice. These foods will send you on a roller-coaster ride with your blood sugar. Dinners are usually easier. If you are eating Mexican, order a salad with beans and chicken. Do not eat the taco shell. Italian restaurants are little trickier. Ask them to make vegetables topped with a marinara sauce. If they have fish that is not fried, have them serve it on top. Make the best decisions for you, but don't skip meals. Hypoglycemia can be controlled through diet and choosing what is best for your health.

Tags: blood sugar, blood sugar levels, sugar levels, meal before, Refrain from
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Get Rid Of Post Nasal Drip

Get Rid of Post Nasal Drip


Post Nasal Drip is the uncomfortable feeling you get in the back of your throat when your sinuses drain and drip rather than draining out of your nostrils. Postnasal drip can be caused by sinus problems, nasal allergy and colds. This is common is during allergy season and cold a flu season. The symptoms of post nasal drip are coughing, bad taste in the mouth, feeling of something stuck in the back of your throat, constantly trying to clear your throat and a tickle in your throat. There are many post nasal drip remedies available by prescription and over the counter, but not all are effective and many have unwanted side effects. Try one or all of these ways to get rid of post nasal drip.


Instructions


1. Keep humidity in your environment. Do not allow the air in your home to become too dry. Dry air will cause the mucous to become thicker and worsen the post nasal drip.


2. Drink plenty of fluids to thin out the mucous, but avoid milk products. Milk products thicken the mucous.


3. Use a salt water nasal spray. Salt water nasal spray is a great post nasal drip cure because it works in 2 ways first the salt will dry out the mucous that drips into your throat. Secondly, the salt creates a hostile environment for bacteria and will help to prevent a sinus infection. Salt water nasal sprays or saline nasal sprays are available over the counter at pharmacies.


4. Stay away from spicy foods. Spicy foods tend to make your nasal passages drain and if your suffer from post nasal drip the mucous will drain down the back of your throat and worsen your symptoms.


5. Use a Neti Pot to flush out thick mucous from your nose.








6. Gargle with salt water to clear the dry mucous from the back of your throat. Mix approximately 1/2 of a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle. Avoid this post nasal drip remedy if you suffer from high blood pressure.


7. Blow your nose often to clear nasal passages.

Tags: your throat, post nasal, back your, back your throat, nasal drip
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Prognosis Of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the body. It can grow large over the course of many years, often producing no symptoms until it bursts. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can happen quickly, cause severe pain and be life-threatening.








Symptoms


Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include sudden, severe pain in the stomach or lower back and a pulsing feeling in the abdomen. If the aneurysm bursts, symptoms may include dizziness and loss of consciousness.








Causes


The causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm are unknown, but certain factors increase its risk, including atherosclerosis, being male and over the age of 60, high blood pressure, smoking and a family history of the disease.


Treatment


Once diagnosed, small abdominal aortic aneurysms are monitored every six to 12 months. For aneurysms larger than 2 inches, treatment includes surgery to repair damaged blood vessels.


Procedures


In open aneurysm repair surgery, the weakened part of the aorta is replaced with a plastic aortic graft. An endovascular stent graft is another surgical option in which the stent graft replaces the damaged area.


Prognosis


Recovery from open aneurysm repair is typically three months, with more than 90 percent of patients recovering fully. Endovascular stent grafts have a shorter recovery but may not work for some aneurysm patients.

Tags: abdominal aortic, aortic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, aneurysm repair
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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Cleanse Uric Acid From Your Blood

High levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to a variety of conditions. One of the most common is gout, in which uric acid crystals accumulate in the connective tissue of the joints. Gout is an extremely painful condition in which movement of the joints is severely restricted and the affected area is very painful to the touch. One of the ways to avoid or eliminate uric acid crystals is to lower the amount of uric acid in the blood, which will then help dissolve existing uric acid crystals as well as prevent the formation of new ones.


Instructions


cleanse uric acid from the blood


1. Eat vegetarian. Uric acid is often made as a byproduct of the metabolism of certain amino acids that are abundant in animal proteins. Adopting a vegetarian diet will help lower the amount of uric acid in the blood.


2. Avoid caffeine. Not only does caffeine stimulate the production of uric acid, but it also dehydrates the body, leading to additional accumulation of uric acid in the blood. People looking to cleanse uric acid from their blood should minimize their intake of coffee, tea and caffeinated sodas.








3. Eliminate alcohol. The metabolism of alcohol creates uric acid as a byproduct. It also dehydrates the body.


4. Drink large quantities of water. Uric acid is processed and eliminated by the kidneys. Drinking lots of water will keep the kidneys active, which will then cleanse uric acid out of the blood.








5. Take medication. If the above steps are unable to lower your uric acid, there are some medications, such as allopurinol, which will reduce the production of uric acid.

Tags: uric acid, acid blood, uric acid blood, uric acid, acid crystals, cleanse uric
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Learn To Walk On A Prosthetic Leg







Learning to walk on a prosthetic leg is somewhat complicated and requires more than reading about it. But there are basic functionalities of a prosthetic that the amputee needs to understand to operate it properly. There are two types of prosthetic legs: above the knee and below the knee. The type with the mechanical knee is the most difficult to learn to walk with. Following is a general overview of walking with one of these units, a Mauch S-N-S, as described by Bernice Kegel, a registered physical therapist with the Digital Resource Foundation for the Orthotics and Prosthetics Community.


Instructions


Steps for Swing and Stance of the Leg for Walking


1. Position the lever at the top of the piston rod control to the down position, or for the swing and stance phase control functionality. This is used for normal walking and or for swinging the leg and standing. Swing the thigh forward and decelerate it. The shank should swing forward easily and be fully extended at heel strike.


2. At the end of the stance phase, place the hip ahead of the knee and weight on the ball of the foot. This step helps disengage the stance phase operation and lets the knee swing freely. This is important on soft ground.


3. Use a step-over-step method for going down stairs and ramps. Place the prosthetic heel on the lower step with the front of the foot extending over the edge of the step, Kegel recommends. Flex the hip forward while bearing weight on the prosthetic leg.

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Learn From Your Past Mistakes

Regret








There will be times in our lives, when we will make some sort of mistakes. The only way that we can avoid making the same mistakes again, is to learn from them. All mistakes that are made, have a lesson in them. It is up to us to find that lesson and apply it. Here are some tips to help you avoid making the same mistakes again.


Instructions








1. First and foremost, in order for you to learn from your mistakes, you have to first accept the fact that you made a mistake. Blaming others for your mistakes will not do you any good. You will just be stuck in the same frame of mind, which will cause you to keep repeating the same mistakes.


2. Take time to look into the mistakes that you made. If there are things that needs to be improved, take some time to work on them. You may have to make some necessary changes, to see the positive results.


3. Don't beat yourself up over the mistakes that you made. You cannot change the mistakes that are made in the past but you can take the lesson learnt and apply it to weaker areas.


4. It is normal for us to make mistakes. Without making mistakes we wouldn't be able to learn from that bad experience. Most times if someone keeps telling a child not to do something, without explaining the consequences. He may get curious and want to see for himself. If he make a mistake, he can learn and grow from it.


5. Apologizing for a mistake that you made, which affected someone, can make a big difference. By apologizing, you are showing courage and that you are a sincere person. It takes courage to stand in front of someone and admit that you did something wrong.


6. Making mistakes and learning from them, can help us to learn valuable lessons and is good for self-improvement. We can take those same mistakes that we made and turn them into positive reinforcements. Keep your mind open to new ideas.

Tags: that made, mistakes that, mistakes that made, same mistakes, avoid making, avoid making same, from them
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Cisapride Side Effects







Cisapride, frequently sold under the brand name Propulsid, is a drug used to treat gastric reflux. As a prescription drug, Cisapride may cause a number of mild to severe side effects dependent on the dosage, individual, and other factors.


Identification


Cisapride is a prescription drug that treats what is commonly known as heartburn. According to Drugs.com, Cisapride "increases the rate at which your esophagus, stomach, and intestines move during digestion." In doing so, Cisapride causes the stomach to empty more quickly into the intestines. The chance for the regurgitation of acid-causing heartburn is effectively decreased.


Common Side Effects


The use of Cisapride can cause the following less serious side effects: diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, constipation, stomach pain, tremors, unusual weakness, dry mouth, headache, and indigestion. Though less serious than other side effects, contact your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen as it may be a sign of a more serious problem.


Serious Side Effects


Drugs.com reports that users of Cisapride may experience a number of rare side effects including blurred vision, severe dizziness, seizures, unusual weight gain, fainting, irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the extremities. Cisapride use may also cause severe allergic reaction in certain individuals. Seek immediate medical attention at the occurrence of any of these side effects.


Appropriate Use


Take Cisapride exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never alter the dose or duration of your prescription. Each dose should be taken with a full glass(8 oz) of water. Cisapride is generally taken four times per day and at least 15 minutes before a meal. Store it at room temperature away from heat and moisture.


Warning


Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as the consumption of either can lead to intense side effects. Be sure to use caution when attempting to drive or operate heavy machinery since the medication can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Alcohol consumption while taking Cisapride can cause the increased risk of side effects.

Tags: side effects, Cisapride cause, less serious, prescription drug, these side
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Choose Lower Carb Pastas

The low-carb diet has become very popular. In an effort to lose weight, people are finding ways to lower their intake of carbohydrates or eliminating them all together. Pasta is a food known for having lots of carbohydrates, but you don’t have to eliminate it from your diet. You can eat lower carb pastas and still experience the same great flavors.


Instructions


1. Read nutrition labels in the store before you purchase your pasta. While lower carb pastas may contain some of the same ingredients as regular pastas, they have less of certain ingredients or substitutions of ingredients. Look for pastas that contain less flour or which substitute soy flour for regular flour. Also look for pastas that contain more egg and vegetable protein as well as increased dietary fiber.


2. Look at the pasta boxes on the store shelves. Pastas with lower carbs usually have it written across the front of the box in plain view for those who don’t want to read the nutrition labels. Note that lower carb pastas tend to cost a little more than regular pastas.


3. Pay attention to the different kinds of carbs in the pastas. Some carbs are digestible carbs and others are net carbs. Digestible carbs are carbs that can be broken down by the gastrointestinal tract before enzymes from digestion reach them, which results in fewer carbs being absorbed into your bloodstream. Net carbs have to do with the glycemic load in foods which measures the amount of digestible carbs in foods. In order to differentiate between digestible and net carbs, you need to find the food’s glycemic load and have your glucose levels tested by your doctor. Glucose levels can also be tested at home with a glucose monitor. You can find glycemic values of pastas at Glycemic Index (see Resources below).








4. Shop at an organic or health food store which sells healthier food options. These stores contain pastas made from ingredients such as durum wheat semolina. Durum wheat semolina is actually a high quality wheat ingredient used in making carbs. In addition to offering a lower amount of carbs in pastas made with durum wheat semolina, it has a great taste.

Tags: lower carb, lower carb pastas, wheat semolina, carb pastas, carbs pastas, digestible carbs
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Store Shitake Mushrooms







Shitake mushrooms are a type of fungus that has become more common in grocery stores recently. When you purchase any type of mushrooms, it is important that you store them properly in order to get the most usage out of them. This is especially important with more exotic mushrooms such as shitake since they are often more expensive. Here is save your mushrooms and save your money.


Instructions


Fresh Shitakes


1. Pick through fresh mushrooms to discard slimy or wrinkled shitakes.


2. Place dry shitakes in a paper bag. Gently fold the top over but do not seal the bag.


3. Write the date of purchase for the fresh shitakes on a label and place the label onto the outside of the paper bag.








4. Store the mushrooms in the paper bag for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.


Dried Shitakes


5. Place dried shitakes into an airtight container.


6. Write the date that you packed your dried shitake mushrooms into the airtight container on a label and attach it to the outside.


7. Place the container into the freezer. The mushrooms will keep in the freezer for 6 to 12 months.

Tags: airtight container, into airtight, into airtight container, save your, Write date
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Mohs Micrographic Technique

Mohs micrographic surgery is a technique for removing skin cancers. It involves taking horizontal sections of skin and examining them under a microscope. Using the technique, surgeons can achieve a high cure rate for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Mohs surgery has been refined since it was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs, but the basic process of examining horizontal sections, color-coding skin specimens and then formulating a map to indicate where malignant cells remain has continued.


Benefits


With the Mohs micrographic technique, dermatologists or dermatologic surgeons can cure more than 95 percent of patients who present with basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers. That's because using a microscopic to look at the removed tissue lets the doctor keep track of removed cells and get rid of the cancer at its roots. The visible portion of a tumor is often only the beginning, as roots can grow beyond what's visible even to a trained physician or surgeon's eye. Additionally, Mohs minimizes removal of normal tissue, allowing for the best cosmetic results.


When It's Used


Mohs is commonly used to cut away cancers in the skin of the head and neck. Patients and their doctors are most concerned about retaining as much of the normal tissue as possible in those areas. Not only are areas such as the eyelids, nose, lips and ears highly visible, they also have important functions.








Procedure








A doctor locates a visible tumor and, after the area is anesthetized, removes the visible portion. Another thin layer of tissue is then cut from around the cancer. The doctor makes a map that serves as a guide to any additional malignant cells and also examines the tissue slice for remaining cancer. If more cancerous cells are found, another slice is cut and the procedure repeated. This continues until there's no more evidence of malignancy.


Reconstruction


Following the Mohs micrographic technique, the remaining wound may be -- depending on its size -- be left to heal itself, sutured or reconstructed using skin grafting. In many cases the reconstruction is done at the same time the tumor is removed. Quite often, the doctor cannot at the beginning of surgery say exactly how much scarring or how much reconstruction will be necessary. If it's something beyond the scope of the doctor performing the surgery, you may be referred to another specialist, such as a plastic surgeon, an ophthalmologist or an otolaryngologist.


Complications


Any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. With the Mohs micrographic technique, there is a chance of bleeding during surgery; nerve damage, which can cause numbness; infection; and post-surgical problems such as graft failure or bloods clots under the affected tissue.

Tags: Mohs micrographic technique, basal cell, basal cell squamous, cell squamous, cell squamous cell
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Monday, August 23, 2010

Heal From Reiki

Reiki allows you to unlock the inner flow of energy that we all carry in our bodies. You learn to control the flow of this energy in order to restore wholeness to the body, mind and spirit, to increase intuition, and to improve physical, mental and emotional wellness, according to LifePositive.com. In order to learn Reiki, you must allow the healing techniques to be transferred to you by a Reiki Master during an attunement process, according to Reiki.org. After the attunement process, you will have Reiki for life, and you can perform Reiki on yourself and others.


Instructions








1. Search for a Reiki Master in your area. Search online at Reiki.org, or ask local park districts, spas and yoga centers for assistance on locating a Reiki Master or a Reiki class.


2. Learn the history of Reiki during the attunement process. Reiki originated in Japan as a natural way to relieve stress and improve health. Learning the history will help you understand how the process works and the success it has achieved in others.


3. Learn the different areas of the body that represent points on your energy field. The Reiki Master will point out each point for you to focus on, such as your head, your chest and abdomen, your back, your legs and so on.


4. Practice the specific hand positions that the Reiki Master teaches you, which include placing your palms open and face downward over the head, the front of the body and the back of the body. Sometimes you will touch these areas with your hand, and other times, you will place the palms directly over the area, hovering in the air.


5. Practice on yourself. To prepare, wash your hands, turn on some soft music and remain as silent as possible during the process. Sit up straight in a chair in order to reach the front and back of your body.


6. Complete each of the 12 hand position for at least five minutes or until your hands become warm and tingly, and you know it is time to move on. After each hand position, push the air away with your hands, to remove the bad energy from the area.


7. Wash your hands in cold water afterward, to remove the bad energy from your hands.

Tags: Reiki Master, your hands, attunement process, back your, during attunement, during attunement process
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Side Effects Of Different Types Of Birth Control

Today there are many options for contraception, and each has its own risk for side effects. Options include the pill, hormonal patches, rings that are inserted into the vagina, implants placed under the skin in the arm and barrier methods such as condoms.The most common side effects are from contraception that uses the hormones progestin, a synthetic version of progesterone and estrogen. Side effects may include depression, mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, nausea or bleeding between periods.


Some people are allergic to the latex used to manufacture male and female condoms, resulting in skin irritation. Others may be allergic to the spermicides used on their own or with condoms: Skin irritation is the most common complaint.


See your doctor to help you determine which type of contraception is best for you.


Identification


The pill taken by women comes in several formulations. Some contain progestin and estrogen, others only one of these two hormones.


Reported side effects are depression, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and breakthrough bleeding that occurs between menstrual cycles.








The uterus has a thin lining, and it can shed layers easily. Changing to a different type of pill may reduce this. Some women have a very light or nonexistent period depending on what type of pill they use.


Hormone patches, implants and rings also release hormones, and their side effects are similar to those produced by the pill.


Implants may also cause skin irritation and may need to be removed if an infection develops.


Effects


Depression and breakthrough bleeding are the side effects that many women find the most disruptive. Doctors recommend using a different type of contraceptive pill to reduce or eliminate the depression: using one that has more androgens (synthetic testosterone components) may solve the problem.


Some doctors may even prescribe an antidepressant to a patient who prefers the pill but has depression as a result.


Breakthrough bleeding may be reduced if women take their pills at the same time each day.


Significance


For contraception to be effective, it must be used consistently. Women who use the pill must take it every day in most formulations. (Generally women take a pill for three weeks that contain estrogen or progestin, and one week is a placebo pill so that the habit of always taking a pill daily is imprinted.)


For women who use another form of birth control, if the side effects become too unpleasant and interfere with their ability to work and function, it is clear that another option for contraception must be explored.


For example, arm implants are used three months at a time and replaced. If a woman develops a severe reaction to it and the implants become infected, this is no longer a viable option for her.


Considerations


Each woman must determine what is the most practical form of contraception for her.


Women in a committed, monogamous relationship who have been tested with their partners for sexually transmitted diseases may be able to rely on nonbarrier methods of contraception, such as the pill or hormonal rings or patches.


Women who have more than one sexual partner may want to consider always using a barrier method such as a male or female condom to prevent the transmission of HIV, AIDS and other STDs.


Condoms are the only form of contraception that will provide this protection.


Warning


According to Planned Parenthood, the combination pill may produce some serious side effects. These include stroke, heart attack and blood clotting in the heart, brain, lungs or legs. In some cases, women may develop high blood pressure, gallstones, liver tumors or jaundice.


See your doctor at the first sign of any unusual side effects.

Tags: side effects, breast tenderness, contraception that, different type, form contraception, male female, most common
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Friday, August 20, 2010

Reduce Your Drinking

If you feel that you are drinking more than you ought to, here are some simple strategies to reduce your drinking to levels that you will feel okay with. Lots of people change their drinking for the better--odds are that you can, too.


Instructions








1. Learn what a standard drink is: One standard drink is 0.6 oz of pure ethanol. This is the same as one 12 oz beer at 5% alcohol or one 5 oz glass of wine at 12 % alcohol or one and one half oz of whiskey at 80 proof.








2. Set drinking targets each week: We suggest that you sit down on Monday or Sunday of each week and make your drinking plan for the coming week. Get out your calendar and write down how many drinks you plan to drink each day and how many for the week.


3. Measure your drinks: Always measure your drinks to make sure that you are drinking standard drinks. Remember, if you are drinking out at a bar some mixed drinks can contain three standard drinks or even more--do your best to estimate correctly.


4. Eat before drinking: Make it a habit to eat before you drink in order to keep your blood alcohol levels low.


5. Drink water before drinking alcohol: If you are not thirsty you will drink less alcohol.


6. Avoid predrinking: When you go to a party you don't have to load up on alcohol before you get there. Wait until you actually arrive at the party to have the first drink.


7. Record your drinks: On your calendar record the number of drinks that you consume each day. At the end of the week compare your actual numbers with your target numbers.


8. Use baby steps to cut down: Try one or more of the following options:. Do an alcohol-free day or week or month. Gradually add more alcohol-free days in every week. Start drinking later in the day. Stop sooner. Only buy what you plan to drink. Limit the cash you take with you to the bar. Alternate alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic drinks. Pace yourself with your watch. Change your drink of choice to something weaker.


9. Evaluate your progress: If your drinking is improving then great!! Pat yourself on the back and keep getting better!! But if alcohol is still giving you more problems than it is worth then consider quitting.


10. Don't get drunk on the rebound: if you fail to stick to your plan don't start telling yourself that it is hopeless and go on a big drunk on the rebound. Forgive yourself and keep on trucking.

Tags: each week, your drinking, your drinks, before drinking, drunk rebound, party have, plan drink
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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ginkgo Plants

Ginkgo plant leaves make colorful fall displays.


A single plant, the Ginkgo biloba -- or maidenhair -- tree, is the last member of the Ginkgo plant family dating to the Lower Jurassic period 190 million years ago. Gingko biloba owes its survival to northern Chinese Buddhist monks who planted the trees in their monastery gardens. They valued the trees for their edible nuts and medicinal properties, notes the University of California Museum of Paleontology. The highly pest-and pollution-resistant ginkgo plant now graces urban landscapes around the world.








Appearance


Gingko biloba is an up to 75-foot tree with drooping, gray-barked branches and 2- to 4-inch, fan-like green leaves. The foliage's golden yellow fall color adds to the tree's ornamental interest. Yellow- or green-husked autumn nuts follow inconspicuous spring flowers on pollinated female trees. Ginkgo trees, however take as long as 20 years to produce their first crops of the up-to-3-inch nuts.


Growing Ginkgo








Sun-loving ginkgoes require full sun and good drainage. While they perform best in averagely moist, sandy, deep soil, they'll adapt to most soils, including heavy, alkaline ones. Growth may be exceptionally slow for several years after planting. Keeping grass several feet away from their trunks and fertilizing them occasionally after the first few years may increase the growth rate. Trees growing in ideal conditions may live more than 1,000 years.


Herbal Uses


Ginkgo leaves contain glycosides and terpenoids, two chemicals with medicinal properties, Glycosides act as antioxidants. Terpenoids improve blood circulation. In the March, 2000, American Journal of Medicine, Dr. M. H. Pitler and Dr. Edzard Ernst reported the results of eight randomized trials on people suffering intermittent claudication -- reduced blood flow -- in their legs. People receiving Ginkgo extract walked between 85 and 141 feet further without pain than those receiving a placebo did. Standardized extract of dried ginkgo leaf has greater concentrations of these chemicals than unprocessed leaves. Clinical research is ongoing to learn more about ginkgo's potential for treating other conditions, including Alzheimer's and macular degeneration.


Gingko Drawbacks


Ginkgo's major drawback -- other than its slow growth -- is its fruit. While many Asians eat almond-flavored ginkgo nuts, the female trees present a problem where their fruit drops to the ground and spoils. The husks contain butyric acid, a substance responsible for the odor of rancid butter. Uncollected, rotting ginkgo fruit can smell so unpleasant that some areas of the United States have banned female trees.


Male Ginkgo Cultivars


Using male ginkgo trees eliminates the problem of malodorous fruit. 'Magyar' is a 60-foot tall, 30-foot wide cultivar suitable for narrow spaces. Dwarf 'Jade Butterfly's' full-grown stature is half that of a standard tree. 'Autumn Gold' has a symmetrical, round crown and rich yellow autumn color.

Tags: female trees, Gingko biloba, Ginkgo plant, medicinal properties, trees their
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Alleviate Flu Symptoms For Less Than Five Dollars

The flu is an illness that can hit at anytime during the winter. The person affected could be stuck with the flu for several days to a month. There are several inexpensive ways to alleviate flu symptoms and get you back on your feet in no time. Read on to learn alleviate flu symptoms for less than five dollars.


Instructions


1. Unwind in a steam-filled room or a hot bath each day. The lungs will be filled with steam and warmth, which can help heal the body. Viruses are attracted to the cold, so being in warm, moist air will help get rid of the virus.


2. Take in as much Vitamin C as possible. For example, drink several glasses of juice each day, such as orange juice. Vitamin C will help the body get rid of toxins naturally, making the virus go away faster.


3. Eat fresh foods rather than canned or boxed foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain vitamins which are effective at killing the flu virus and alleviating symptoms of the flu. Antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables will help the body fight off infection.


4. Dampen a towel with warm water that is slightly above room temperature and wrap it around the forehead. This will take away excess heat due to a fever.


5. Rest often throughout the illness. Getting the appropriate amount of rest and not overdoing it is essential to getting well.








6. Drink plenty of fluids each day, especially water. Drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day will help flush the system of toxins and get rid of the virus faster.








7. Sip a glass of lemon juice with a spoonful of honey added to it. This will help alleviate a cough.

Tags: will help, alleviate symptoms, fruits vegetables, help body, This will, will help body
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Side Effects Of A Colonoscopy

Side Effects of a Colonoscopy


A colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large and small intestines. A fiber-optic camera is attached to a flexible tube and is inserted in the anus. This provides a more accurate, visual diagnosis and allows for biopsy or removal of lesions. A colonoscopy can remove colon polyps as miniscule as 1 millimeter. A colonoscopy is utilized to identify gastro-intestinal hemorrhages, Crohn's Disease, unusual changes in bowels, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. The effects of a colonoscopy are usually mild.


Preparation


In order for the colonoscopy to be performed most accurately, the intestines must be free of all waste. Depending on the circumstances, the patient will be put on a clear liquid diet for up to three days. The only liquids allowed during that time are apple juice, broth, lemon-lime sodas, and water. No juices containing fiber are allowable. In some cases, black coffee and soda are permitted. The evening prior to the colonoscopy, the patient is provided a laxative or enema to further clear the colon of waste. A soothing balm, such as Petroleum Jelly, applied to the anus will offer relief during the cleansing process.








Procedure


Because of the invasive quality of the procedure, the patient is sedated intravenously. The initial step in any colonoscopy is a digital rectal examination to learn the tone of the sphincter. The endoscope is then inserted in the anus and passed to the rectum, then the colon, and finally the terminal ileum, or the final section of the small intestine. Recovery time is usually required to let the sedation effects dissipate. This will usually take less than an hour, and patients are allowed to go home. Most endocoscopists require the patient to have a guardian to take him home, allowing for less recovery time.


Side Effects


The most common effects of a colonoscopy are bloating and flatulence. Often, the flatulence is painful. If the patient already suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, or chronic constipation, a colonoscopy may cause these symptoms to appear erratically and cause severe diarrhea. If a polyp is removed, excess blood may be discharged, but it should not continue more than a few hours after the surgery. If it does continue for an extended period of time, even as long as a day after the procedure, return immediately to your doctor.


Rare Side Effects


The procedure has a minimal threat for serious difficulties. Although it is rare, the most serious risk for complication is a small tear in the colon lining, or a gastro-intestinal perforation. This is life-threatening and necessitates immediate surgery. The risk of delayed bleeding, infection and ulceration are higher than that of gastrointestinal perforation, but it is still rare.


Anesthesia


As with any procedure, some patients who undergo a colonoscopy are at risk of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Discussing health-related problems with the doctor and anesthesiologist before the procedure should prevent any anesthesia-related difficulties.

Tags: Side Effects, inserted anus, Side Effects Colonoscopy
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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Person Clean A Bowels

How Does a Person Clean a Bowels?


How Does a Person Clean a Bowels?


One thing that is for sure is that everyone in the world has to make a bowel movement, and it doesn't matter if you're the President of the United States, the governor, the Queen of England or a movie star. Everyone has to eliminate regardless of who they are, yet for some reason so many of us want to pretend like we don't or it's a dirty little subject. However, proper elimination is essential for a healthy body and colon. A clean colon is important to prevent many diseases from developing in the body. It has been said that death begins in the colon when it is backed. Our society insists on treatments to combat diseases such cancer, heart disease, skin cancer, lupus and diabetes and the answer to combat these diseases has been treatment through pills and other chemical concoctions to get cured. However, the answer is not pills and other chemical concoctions that result in terrible side effects causing more problems, but to submit to a healthier diet and making sure that our colons are clean and healthy.


What Can You Do to Promote Healthier Bowel Movements?


There are some things that a person can do to obtain a healthier and cleaner colon. Some of these things include drinking at least six to eight glasses of water and stay away from bland colored food that are lacking in nutrition and fiber or high in sugar content. These would include foods such as cookies, white flour, white rice, white pasta, potatoes, white sugary items, crackers, white bread, crackers and potato chips.


It is also very important to eat a diet high in fiber, but you will need to know the differences in fiber and what type of fiber to eat to promote bowel elimination. Insoluble fiber pulls waste through the body and is useful in promoting elimination and alleviating constipation. Foods such as fruits and vegetables (especially raw vegetables), seeds, whole grains and wheat are great sources. Soluble fiber breaks down as is passes through the body and it creates a gel that works like a sponge attracting and ridding the human body of toxic substances. Fibers that work well in this function are psyllium, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, brown rice and quinoa.








Limit Your Tea and Coffee Intake








When you are in the process of cleaning your colon, it is important to stay away from drinks like coffee and tea, which function as diuretics. Diuretics exhaust excess water from your body, and when this happens, constipation is the result. You will also want to stay away from alcohol, soda and juices. They are all high in sugar. A high sugar intake is also unhealthy for the body.


It is also very important not to neglect the urge when it comes to empty your bowels. It is nature's way of letting you know it is time. Bowel elimination is essential to healthy body inside and out. Skin health and appearance can also be affected by poor bowel elimination.


Extra Help in Bowel Elimination


Some people's bowels have become so sluggish over the years, due to a poor diet and ignoring their peristaltic urges, that they may need the assistance of a natural colon cleanse product to help clean their colons. However, one should first try eating natural foods like fruits and vegetables and leaning toward a better diet before succumbing to colon cleanse products. Making these few changes in your diet and life can help you to clean your bowels. It is important to stick with eating right and to make it a lifestyle change because it will take a while to clean your colon after eating poorly for so many years and not having regular healthy bowel movements.

Tags: away from, Clean Bowels, high sugar, Person Clean, Person Clean Bowels, stay away, stay away from
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Food Menu For The Dosha Diet







In Ayurvedic medicine, the five elements are thought to be converted by the digestive fire, or agni, into three different temperaments, or doshas. These include vata, which is air and ether; kapha, or earth and water; and pitta, which is fire. Different foods may be used to help calm and pacify the doshas, or to increase and aggravate them. Some feel it is important to follow a diet specific for an individual's dosha, so that he can be balanced and harmonious.


Vata Diet


According to herbalist and author Michael Tierra, the vata, or air, personality tends to be oversensitive, nervous, impatient and changeable. She is prone to coldness, dryness and neurological disorder. Cool, dry or rough foods that are bitter and astringent, such as leafy vegetables, aggravate vata. Warm, moist and nourishing foods are calming. Sweet, salty and sour flavors are best.


The majority of the diet should be sweet foods, including cooked vegetables, sweet fruit, meat, warm dairy, and grains such as rice, wheat and oats. Raw vegetables, dry fruits and apples should be avoided. All beans except for kidney and aduki beans should also be avoided.


Pitta Diet








Pitta, or fire-predominant, individuals are quick to anger and can be aggressive or overbearing. According to Tierra, they have a tendency towards inflammatory diseases, heat intolerance and infections. Warming, spicy, salty or sour foods should be avoided in a pitta diet.


Cooling, sweet, bitter and astringent foods are helpful for calming the fire. Good foods for pitta include sweet and bitter vegetables, sweet fruits, cool water and fruit drinks, wheat, oats, rice and barley, and white meat such as chicken or turkey.


Kapha Diet


Kapha, or water-predominant, types are predisposed to colds, asthma, coldness, arthritis, edema and digestive problems. They are often slow to react. Foods that aggravate kapha include dairy, fats, cold foods, or substances that are very sweet or salty. White rice, wheat products, seafood, beef, salt, and sweet fruits or vegetables should be avoided.


Spicy, bitter and astringent foods should be included in a kapha diet. Good choices are beans, leafy vegetables, chicken, turkey, eggs, hot tea, and grains such as rye, corn, millet, barley or buckwheat.

Tags: bitter astringent, should avoided, astringent foods, bitter astringent foods, chicken turkey, foods should, grains such
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Change The Height On Weight Watchers Scales

Weight Watchers scales do more than calculate your current weight. They display useful indicators for weight management, including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, water weight and bone mass. Each time you weigh in, your weight analysis is calculated based on the information you provided when you set up your scale, including your height, age and gender. In order to get the most accurate results from your scale, you should make sure your settings are correct and up to date. Changing the height is simple.


Instructions


1. Select the appropriate user number by pressing the "Set" button and waiting for "User 1" or "P-01" to flash on the screen. Use the "Up" and "Down" arrows to select your user number. Press "Set" again to confirm.


2. Adjust your height setting using the "Up" and "Down" arrows to set your correct height. Press "Set" again to confirm new height entry.








3. Continue to view and save subsequent settings or your new height will not be saved. After confirming your height, the scale will flash your original age entry. Use the "Up" and "Down" arrows to adjust your age, if needed, and press "Set" again to confirm.


4. Confirm your gender. After setting your age, the screen will flash an icon for the current gender setting. To keep your current setting, simply press "Set." To adjust gender setting, use the "Up" and "Down" arrows before pressing the "Set" button to confirm.


5. Wait for the screen to go blank before attempting to weigh in. To get your full weight analysis, tap the scale and wait for "0.0" to appear on the screen. Press the "User" button multiple times until your user number appears. Wait for the screen to display "0.0" again before stepping on the scale.

Tags: Down arrows, your height, again confirm, user number, gender setting
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Beat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common medical conditions, and people who suffer from it continually search for relief. Here are some ways you can stop your anxiety before it starts.


Instructions


1. Take a warm bath. Sometimes with all the hustle and bustle of work and life, we forget to take time for ourselves. If you find your pulse starting to rise, immediately slow down your pace and take a warm bath with soothing salts.


2. Talk to a friend or family member and get any stress you may have off your chest. Stress leads to anxiety and pulsating heart beats. Let things go that are bothering you and you will feel less anxious.








3. Exercise your body and mind. Whether it is a 5K run or a yoga session, do some form of exercise. Exercise keeps the anxiety away and allows people to exert all there frustrations in a physical way.








4. Go to a therapist for some help. Discuss with them your triggers and moments when you feel most anxious. By identifying your triggers and stressful situations, you can learn to work on them and overcome the fears.


5. Identify your own triggers. Whenever you begin to feel anxious or know when an anxiety attack is coming on, stop and recognize what you are doing. Identifying the situation you are in might be the key to understanding where your anxiety stems from.


6. Eat healthy. You can reduce stress and anxiety in your life by eating healthy foods that keep you balanced and going throughout the day. Breakfast is the most important meal, so don't miss it.

Tags: your triggers, warm bath, your anxiety
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Exercises For Better Posture







Proper posture allows the human body to function through movement and weight-bearing activities properly while the least amount of strain is put on supporting muscles and ligaments. To attain proper posture, exercising the core muscles of the body, namely the lower back and abdominal muscles, is of key importance. There are many exercises that can help posture, with varying levels of intensity to fit all levels of physical fitness capabilities.


Cat and Cow


The cat and cow stretch--a typical yoga pose--increases the strength of core muscles, takes only a few moments, and is not physically intensive.


1) Kneel on the ground with the hands flat on the ground, aligned with the elbows, and elbows aligned with the shoulders. The knees should be aligned with the hips and the shins should be flat on the ground.


2) Straighten the spine so that it is in line with your head, stretching down in line with your pelvis and hips. Relax your neck and keep it as part of this extended line.


3) On the inhale, drop your stomach and raise your head to look up at the ceiling. Feel the movement through each spinal vertebrae, starting with the lower vertebrae at the tailbone and working up the spine to the neck.


4) On the exhale, suck in your stomach and arch your back upward, almost like a cat. Bend your neck to the chest. Again, do this slowly, from tailbone to neck.


5) Repeat several times, making sure breathing is in sync with movement.








Sit-ups


Another good exercise is the good old-fashioned sit-up.


1) Lie on your back and move your feet up until they are about 8 inches from your glutes.


2) Cross your arms over your chest or put your hands behind your head so that your elbows are perpendicular to your body.


3) Raise your upper and lower spine from the ground until only your glutes are touching the ground.


4) Repeat as many times as possible.


Sit-to-Stands


This exercise is difficult, but great to build strength in the core.


1) Sit on the edge of a stable chair (preferably not a cushioned one, or one with wheels) with feet flat on the floor, slightly behind your knees.


2) Stand up slowly while keeping your neck and spine straight, and eyes straight ahead. Your back should not move.


3) Return to a sitting position and repeat several times, slowly.

Tags: aligned with, your head, your neck, behind your, core muscles
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Monday, August 16, 2010

Prepare Bee Pollen

Bees collect pollen from the male part of flowers.








Bee pollen has been touted as having the ability to alleviate the effects of allergies in some people. Making bee pollen is a complex process and requires an exceptional amount of training to create a usable pollen product. The pollen also contains minerals, such as iron, zinc, manganese and copper, which are important for proper body functioning. Bee pollen is taken from the male part of flowers that is coated with pollen.








Instructions


1. Bee flowering a plant.


Release a colony of bees into a flowering patch to gather the bee pollen.


2. Harvest the pollen from the bees as they return to the hive. Bees are selective in choosing the flowers they seek out. This improves the quality of the pollen, especially when there is an abundance of potential flowers from which to draw pollen.


3. Treat the pollen to remove any contaminants. Spread the pollen out over a large area and use tweezers to pick out particles in the pollen, and then keep it covered.


4. Dehydrate the pollen by using very low heat, around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, to remove the moisture. Pollen also can be stored in the freezer instead of drying it.


5. Encapsulate the pollen in a digestible soft gel capsule and bottle for future use.

Tags: from male, from male part, male part, male part flowers, part flowers, pollen from
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Meningitis Symptoms & Treatment







Meningitis, also called meningococcal disease, is caused by either a bacterial or a viral infection within spinal fluid and fluid surrounding the brain. This causes infection and inflammation of the meninges (the membranes covering the spinal core and the brain).


This inflammation causes headache, which may be severe, fever and other symptoms and complications.


Features


Meningitis is usually either bacterial or viral, with viral being the most common form and bacterial being the most dangerous form. The bacterial form, called meningococcal meningitis, is contagious and is the kind responsible for multiple cases in universities and other situations where people live in close quarters. It is spread person to person through contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person, either directly, or indirectly--from eating off the same plate at the same time, for example.


Bacterial meningitis can occur after or during other types of infections, such as ear infections, if the bacteria spread to the meninges.


The viral form can be caused by a number of common viruses.


Symptoms


According to the World Health Organization, the most common symptoms are headache, stiffness in the neck, photosensitivity (pain or discomfort when in bright rooms or in sunlight), vomiting, fever and mental fog (confusion). Skin rashes and convulsions are other possible symptoms.


Sometimes viral meningitis symptoms include nasal congestion and may be mistaken for the flu.


Effects


Untreated, bacterial meningitis can be fatal. The sooner antibiotics are started, however, the better the chance a person has for a full recovery. Even if a person survives despite delayed treatment, he or she may suffer brain damage from the illness.


Viral meningitis causes pain and discomfort but is usually much less serious than bacterial meningitis and usually runs its course in under two weeks.


Treatment


Vaccinations offer some protection against certain bacterial forms of meningitis. When bacterial meningitis does occur, antibiotics should be started as soon as possible. Persons with this form of meningitis are usually hospitalized and given antibiotics intravenously.


In otherwise healthy patients, viral meningitis is treated simply with rest and treatment for the pain and fever.


Prevention/Solution


Meningococcal vaccines protect against some of the most common bacterial forms. There are no vaccines for the viral form, but good sanitary techniques--such as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces--help prevent both bacterial and viral forms.


As an additional preventative measure, doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics to those exposed to anyone with bacterial meningitis.


Warning


Always treat meningitis symptoms seriously as the bacterial form does damage the brain and can be fatal if it is not treated early enough or if it is severe. Babies with symptoms such as high fever, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea should always be checked out by a doctor.

Tags: bacterial meningitis, bacterial viral, most common, bacterial form, bacterial forms, being most
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Dilute Essential Oils

Essential oils have a broad range of therapeutic benefits. To reap the most from these benefits, it's important to understand the process of diluting essential oils into carrier oils. Most essential oils require dilution to make them safe for application to the skin. The exceptions to this rule are lavender and tea tree oil. A standard dilution amount is 2.5 percent or 15 drops of essential oils, or a synergistic blend of essential oils, in one ounce of a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil. One fluid ounce is generally about 600 drops. It doesn't take a lot of essential oil to have a powerful impact on healing.








Instructions


Process


1. For a 2.5 percent concentration of essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil, add 15 drops of essential oil to carrier oil in a glass bottle. Seal and shake to mix the oils.


2. For a one percent concentration of essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil, add six drops of essential oil to one ounce of the carrier oil, seal and shake to distribute.


3. For a five percent dilution of essential oils in a carrier oil, use 30 drops of essential oils in one ounce of carrier oil in a dark amber or cobalt blue glass bottle. Seal and shake well to mix.

Tags: ounce carrier, drops essential, essential oils, carrier drops, carrier drops essential, essential ounce
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Friday, August 13, 2010

Healing Tips For A Body Lift

A body lift is a major surgery that will require a time for recovery. It is imperative that instructions from the doctor be followed to the letter to ensure a healthy recovery. Most patients will remain in the hospital for at least three days after a body lift, but the recovery and treatment at home could last for weeks.


Prepare Before Surgery


After a body lift, rest is one of the main components of a good recovery. Prepare in advance by stocking your cabinets with healthy foods for after the surgery. It is also a good idea to prepare some healthy meals in advance and put them in the freezer for quick meal preparation.


Get all of your laundry done in advance and have some comfortable loose fitting clothing ready for you to wear around the house while you are recovering.


There should be someone available to help during a recovery from a body lift, as well. In the days immediately after the surgery when you return home, you should not be alone. Pain medication will be prescribed after surgery. The drainage tubes that will remain when you return from the hospital must be monitored for at least two weeks.


First Two Weeks


The first two weeks after your body lift are the most difficult part of the recovery. The doctor will leave in drain tubes, sutures will still be in place and there is likely to be significant pain in these locations. Take the medications that are prescribed for pain.


The doctor may recommend you take short walks to help your body return to normal. In the first few days after the surgery, it will be difficult to stand without pain. Take it easy and only walk for a few minutes at a time until you have increased your range of motion.


Use the compression garment at all times until the doctor tells you that it no longer has to be worn. The compression garment will reduce the amount of swelling.


A healthy diet is vital to your recovery. Make sure that you are following any special diet that is given to you by the doctor.


Normal Activities


It will be four to six weeks before you are able to return to normal activities. It may be six to eight weeks before you are able to return to a normal workout routine. Most people are able to return to work after three weeks as long as restrictions are followed while at work.








During the recovery process, the swelling will go down and the scars will begin to shrink and fade. Scars from a body lift will never completely go away, but you should care for your skin so that they heal as well as possible with lotions and vitamin E oil.

Tags: after surgery, able return, body lift, body lift, return normal, able return normal, before able
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Kill Kudzu

Kudzu plants grow quickly, with large green leaves sprouting along a central vine. The vines prefer areas without a lot of water or light, although they may invade those areas, depending on the surrounding conditions. Once you have kudzu in your yard, the plant quickly overtakes the space, even killing grass and other plants in the lawn. Eliminating kudzu is a long process that requires killing all parts of the kudzu vine and repeating the treatments in the future.








Instructions


1. Burn the kudzu vines with a hand-held flamer, designed for use around the house, and use it on the vines during the spring months. Flaming kills the younger kudzu plants and also removes the leaves of the plant, making it easier to reach the roots.








2. Chop away any remaining vegetation from the kudzu with a weed eater or sharp instrument. Wait at least a week, and then check for any new growth of the kudzu. Remove this new growth with the weed eater, removing the top layer of the plant to expose the roots.


3. Spray the roots, vines and any remaining leaves with a picloram herbicide, such as Tordon 101 Mixture or Tordon K, recommends the Missouri Department of Conservation. Cover your hands and face with rubber gloves and a face mask, as the chemicals are fairly harsh. It may take multiple applications before the kudzu dies.


4. Watch for the kudzu to begin withering from the chemicals. Once that happens, use the flamer on the vines again. When you burn away the vines, it encourages other plants to take over the space and begin growing in the area.


5. Plant new grass in the area where you first identified the kudzu, beginning in the fall. Once the new grass sprouts, it prevents the kudzu from returning. Trees, such as pine or hardwood, will also keep the kudzu from growing back.

Tags: kudzu from, other plants, weed eater, with weed, with weed eater
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Cat Allergy Medication

If you are allergic to cats, you may experience mild symptoms such as sneezing or congestion, or you may have more severe symptoms such as a rash, tightness in your chest and throat and difficulty breathing. All of these symptoms occur due to your immune system overreacting to substances it perceives as dangerous. Certain medications for those with allergies to cats can relieve these symptoms.


Types


Prescription medicines for people allergic to cats include Singulair, which contains montelukast sodium, which treats asthma, and prednisone, a steroid. More and more prescription allergy medicines are becoming available as nonprescription. Nonprescription medicines that work for these types of allergies include the standard, familiar antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl), and newer formulas that are now available over the counter, such as cetirizine hydrochloride (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin).


You can also find many allergy medications that have been combined with decongestants to further ease some symptoms.


Features


Allergic reactions occur when your body views a substance as an enemy invader. This causes the immune system to overreact and release extra histamines, leukotrienes and other substances that causes swelling, hives, excessive mucus production, itching and wheezing. Anti-allergy medicines work by blocking histamines or, in the case of montelukast sodium, by blocking leukotrienes.


Time Frame


Allergy pills usually take at least half an hour to begin working. Newer medicines, such as Claritin, Singulair and Zyrtec, should be taken only once daily and should keep symptoms at bay all day. Other antihistamines, such as Benadryl, may need to be taken more frequently.








Warning


Some allergic reactions require immediate assistance. Find help at once if you or another allergy sufferer has trouble breathing.


Diphenydramine and some other antihistamines cause drowsiness and therefore should not be used if you plan on driving or doing other activities that require alertness.


If you have other medical conditions, or are on other medications, make sure you ask your physician what allergy medicine is safest for you to use.


Considerations


If you are allergic to cats but don't want to get rid of your cats, there are extra methods you can take besides allergy medications to alleviate problems. Frequently vacuuming floors and furniture, wiping your cat with anti-allergy wipes (approved for use on cats) and using an air purifier are additional ways to cut down on substances that can cause allergic reactions.

Tags: allergic cats, allergic reactions, allergy medications, antihistamines such, immune system
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Rights Of Elderly People In Retirement Homes

Elderly people do not surrender their rights when they enter a retirement home. No matter if it's a nursing home, an assisted living center, a senior citizen apartment or a hospice, it's important for the elderly (and their families) to know their rights and what to do if those rights are violated.


The Right to Courtesy and Dignity


As impersonal as a retirement facility may seem, caregivers should remember that it is the resident's home. All residents have the right to be treated as individuals. They should be called by their proper names or the nicknames they choose. Food should be served in a timely manner and activities must not offend resident dignity.


Residents may complain about care they receive or not receive without fear of reprisal. Those complaints should be handled in a timely manner and the resident should be notified when that complaint is addressed by the proper officials.


Freedom from Abuse


Residents should be assured that their needs are being met. They also have the right to be free of mental and/or physical abuse, including the use of unnecessary physical restraints. Call lights should be within easy reach and should be answered promptly. Residents should have enough time to eat and take care of physical needs and receive help with those needs in a timely manner. If restraints are needed for patient safety, they should be checked regularly and removed according to agency and local guidelines.








The Right to Privacy


Caregivers may not share resident information unless necessary to provide proper care. When giving personal care, doors and curtains must be closed to avoid exposure and visitors must be asked to leave. Resident records must be stored securely and disposed of properly. Residents have the right to personal belongings and married couples have the right to privacy.








The Right to Make Decisions


Residents have the right to take part in the decision-making process for their care. They may see their medical and financial records. They may refuse care---including food, medicine and medical procedures---if they choose. They may choose and change caregivers as they see fit. They may (or may not) attend worship services and other events as they choose.


Rights Violations


If a resident or her family feels any of these rights have been violated, they should take the proper steps. If serious physical, mental, emotional or financial abuse is suspected, call the police or local social service agencies. Charges and/or lawsuits may be filed. For less serious concerns, consult the retirement home staff and administration. Staff members may be reprimanded or fired and friends and/or family members may be prohibited from contact with the resident.

Tags: have right, timely manner, Residents have right, Residents should, retirement home, their rights, they choose
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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Natural Way To Relieve Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints and is often accompanied by pain, swelling, stiffness and redness. Symptoms can be as mild as a minor aching or as severe as an extreme deformity. In addition to medication and exercise, there are natural ways to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation.


Bodywork


Massage therapy can be used to treat the pain and stiffness of arthritis, stimulate production of pain-killing endorphins in the body, decrease stress hormones, and improve sleep and immune function. Look for a massage therapist who has experience helping people who suffer from arthritis. Some elements of massage may not be helpful for arthritis sufferers.


Acupuncture and acupressure are both ancient Chinese practices used to relieve pain. Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate certain points on the body called meridians or channels. In acupressure, the practitioner uses fingers in place of needles. Benefits include the release of endorphins and anti-inflammatory properties. Find a practitioner that is licensed and certified.


Diet


Proper nutrition can help your body handle the symptoms of arthritis. Saturated fats increase the body's inflammatory response, causing more joint and tissue inflammation. Healthy diet guidelines from The University of Washington say that a person should eat a variety of foods, maintain an ideal weight, avoid too much sugar, sodium, fat and cholesterol, eat foods high in starch and fiber and moderate alcohol intake. A good variety of food should include bread and cereals, fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, lean meats, dried beans and low-fat dairy.


Food sensitivities can also worsen symptoms. There is a rare form of arthritis that is actually caused by wheat products (sprue). Gout can be negatively affected by excessive amounts of alcohol, broth, gravies, sardines, anchovies, kidneys, liver and sweetbreads.


Supplements


S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. SAMe is prescribed in Europe for depression and arthritis pain and inflammation. When SAMe is taken by mouth, it is not efficiently absorbed into the body. There are no large, well-controlled studies for the medication. Side effects include gastrointestinal distress or incidents of extreme agitation. This is an expensive supplement that should be taken under the guidance of a medical professional.


Glucosamine sulfate is a nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties that has significantly less toxicity that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Glucosamine sulfate can also help prevent further loss of cartilage, especially in osteoarthritis. Glucosamine sulfate can delay or prevent the need for joint placement when taken on a long-term basis.


Fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids and can help alleviate pain and joint tenderness in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Benefits may take several months to be noticeable. Possible side effects of taking fish oils include gastrointestinal distress.


Vitamins A, B1, B3, B6 and E can lead to increased flexibility and may help prevent arthritis. Boron is a mineral that aids in the body's absorption of calcium. Take 6 mg of boron a day.

Tags: Glucosamine sulfate, anti-inflammatory properties, arthritis pain, arthritis pain inflammation, gastrointestinal distress
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What Is Ghee Oil

Ghee is devoid of milk particles or water.


Ghee oil, made from clarified butter, originates from India. It is commonly used as a cooking oil in South Asian, North African and Horn African cuisine. It adds aroma, flavor and taste to dishes.


Preparation


Ghee oil is prepared in a similar fashion to clarified butter but with different cream and slower. It is simmered slowly and the moisture, which causes spoilage, evaporates, leaving only the solid milk particles behind. This extra step means you do not have to refrigerate ghee. Furthermore, it has a longer shelf life and a higher burning temperature.


Function


The higher burning point means it is ideal for saut ing and stir-frying. In Ayurvedic medicine, practitioners believe ghee has conductive healing properties that help the body rejuvenate.


Considerations


The American Dietetic Association advises that ghee is high in saturated fats and because of how it is prepared, is slightly more concentrated and contains more calories and fat per teaspoon than regular butter.

Tags: clarified butter, higher burning, milk particles
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Diagnose Lyme Disease

Diagnose Lyme Disease








Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is known to be spread by deer ticks as they inject the bacterium when they penetrate the skin. Medical conditions, such as joint pain, rash and abnormalities of the heart and nervous system that arise following a tick bite, can alert your physician to diagnose Lyme disease. Read on to learn diagnose Lyme disease.


Instructions


1. Understand the presence of an expanding rash in conjunction with flu-like symptoms is an indication of Lyme disease. These symptoms mimic a long list of other diseases and conditions, so a blood test to identify the Lyme disease antibody will likely be performed.


2. Report any signs of abnormal heart rhythm to your doctor. If you have a history of no cardiac dysfunction, and you have been exposed to the possibility of a tick bite, you should be evaluated by a doctor. He will use your medical history and current symptoms to diagnose Lyme disease.


3. Recognize meningitis as a potential result of Lyme disease. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid will be taken to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.


4. Expect a complete battery of tests to diagnose the cause of joint abnormalities. Symptoms may include swelling, stiffness and pain as a result of inflammation of the joints. This symptom usually doesn't appear until the later stages of Lyme disease. Other possible causes will have to be ruled out, especially if there is no recollection of a tick bite.


5. Plan to be evaluated for a diagnosis of Lyme disease if you have nervous system abnormalities such a Bell's palsy (facial muscle paralysis) or peripheral neuropathy (disease of the peripheral nerves). While there are other causes for these conditions, your doctor may diagnose Lyme disease, if you have experienced a tick bite that was not treated with antibiotics.


6. Understand conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and many multi-system illnesses may be the result of Lyme disease. If no other causes are definable, your doctor may consider the possibility of Lyme disease and follow the treatment protocol.

Tags: Lyme disease, diagnose Lyme, diagnose Lyme disease, tick bite, Lyme disease, your doctor
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