Archive for September, 2006
September 30th, 2006 at 05:46am
Under Bones and Joints+ General Health+ Womens Health
This article talks about the benefits of [tag]calcium[/tag] supplements, especially for women entering middle age.
How do you feel these days? It’s certainly true that our bodies tend to change as we age. Oh, and I’m not talking about for the better.
One way to look at our bodies is as if they are machines. You know, like your car. Well, does your car run better and better the more miles you put on it? Probably not. This is why you take good care of your vehicle, which in turn helps it to run smooth and keep up.
We humans are similar in this fashion. We too need to maintenance ourselves in order to stay fit. This involves a number of factors. First and foremost, we all have to adopt a proper diet. This is crucial to living long and well. Secondly, we have to stay active if we want to stay in shape. And finally, we always want to be sure to receive the right nutrients. Our body and mind depend on this. That’s why you see so many multi-vitamins, iron, zinc, and calcium supplements now days. People are trying to live well, longer.
What vitamins are in your medicine cabinet? Do you have a bottle of calcium supplements? My wife acts like they are mandatory. In all honesty, I was rather surprised the first time I spotted a bottle of calcium supplements in our cupboard. Sure, we’ve both always taken a daily multi-vitamin, but what is the point of taking calcium supplements as well? When I approached her with this query, she explained the advice her doctor passed along. Apparently women especially are susceptible to bone loss and calcium deficiency. Therefore women may seriously want to consider taking calcium supplements once they hit a particular age. My wife began taking them at the age of 35. It’s always good to get a head start. The last thing you want to be deficient of is calcium. This vitamin concerns your body’s frame. You need a strong bone structure to physically function and do those things you love.
Are you taking calcium supplements in order to maintain decent bone mass, and prevent bone loss? Well, you may want to consult your physician regarding this particular issue. It may be time for you to provide your body with that extra something. It’s imperative that we all prepare for our future health, and not simply live in the now. The truth is if you don’t take care of your body, you’ll likely regret it down the road. Get online now and browse through the various multi-vitamins and calcium supplements available.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 30th, 2006 at 05:10am
Under General Health
You may have had a [tag]canker sore[/tag] at some point in your life and not realized it. You would have noticed it though, since canker sores are painful.
They are found within the mouth and can last anywhere from seven to twenty-one days. This article discusses some possible cures for a canker sore.
If you’ve had one you’ll know how you wished you could have done something to help it to heal quicker. A cure for a canker sore can range from something as simple as eating healthier to changing the brand of toothpaste that you are using.
Canker sores are caused by several different things. One of these is an injury to the mouth. If you’ve had dental work done or if you were hit in the mouth, you may have developed an open sore. Open sores within the mouth take longer to heal than other places on the body simply because of the moisture.
If this open sore becomes infected it will become a canker sore. Canker sores are painful and one way to treat them is to use a topical solution to dull the pain. There are several brands available at most pharmacies and if you follow the directions, you’ll find the pain must easier to bear.
Changing your diet might be the best cure for a canker sore. If you have a canker sore there are foods that you will want to avoid eating in order to speed the healing process. Citrus fruits are difficult to eat when you have a canker sore. The acid they contain when it comes in contact with the sore not only irritates it but it causes a good deal of pain for you. Therefore try and avoid anything that contains a high level of acidity as well as things like chewing gum or hard candy.
Some foods that work as a cure for a canker sore are yogurt, buttermilk and cottage cheese. These foods contain a substance that fights bacteria. Ingesting it will help heal the canker sore. If you are prone to getting canker sores it’s wise to incorporate them into your regular diet.
Another cure for a canker sore that isn’t obvious is changing your toothpaste. Some toothpaste on the market contains SLS. SLS is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This substance is hard on the delicate mucous membranes within the mouth. If you have a canker sore it will only irritate it more and cause it to heal at a much slower pace.
Although canker sores are a pain you can effectively treat them so that they heal quicker and are much less painless. It’s just a matter of making a few small changes.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 11:00am
Under Cancer
The National Cancer Institute states that: “Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium).”
Sadly, [tag]mesothelioma[/tag] is an environmentally cause diseased. That is most cases have occurred in people who have been exposed to asbestos one their jobs. They have breathed the asbestos fibers into their lungs. Other cases of mesothelioma have occurred in people exposed to asbestos I a household environment.
Exposure to asbestos can be deadly, as we have discovered. As little as one or two months of exposure can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. The National Cancer Institute has noted that “People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos disease”.
There are common early symptoms of mesothelioma, but usually they are too general for a common person to make a proper evaluation. Sometimes a person thinks they have pneumonia. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, and/or persistent cough. However, and this is important, some patients show no symptoms at all. It is always good to have regular medical check-ups including a chest x-ray.
However, diagnosis of mesothelioma requires taking a sample of fluid or tissue for expert examination to determine if the cancer is present diagnosis is very important, as the treatment is dependent upon an accurate diagnosis. Talk to your doctor or contact a cancer health care clinic for a list of expert pathologists to make the diagnosis. Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease often depends on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.
People diagnosed with this disease are often told the expected survival rate is only eight to twelve months. However, specialists in treating malignant mesothelioma at the leading cancer centers often have better statistics. On expert in this particular cancer is Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and Women’s Center in Boston. His patients have achieved a five-year survival rate in almost 40% for selected patients. Nevertheless, here again, time is of the essence for even a partially successful treatment.
There are three traditional kinds of treatment for patients with malignant mesothelioma: surgery for taking out the cancer, chemotherapy in using drugs to kill the cancer, and radiation therapy using high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells.
There are many fine websites to help you and your family through the stages of dealing with the disease of mesothelioma.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:42am
Under Womens Health
For every woman, there comes a time when our bodies seem to hate us. Even if you have irregular cycles, you still get hit with cramps, though some get them worse than others.
If you have endometriosis, or PCOS, you may get these worse that other women.
Some sail through the day with minor discomfort, while others are doubled over in pain, and don’t feel like getting out of bed that morning for anything.
This is when you need some menstrual cramp relief you can count on time and time again. One of the most common forms of menstrual cramp relief comes in the form of a pill. Some brands like Pamprin are made just for this reason, but other pain relievers should work just as well. Even if you don’t like taking pain medication, this may be a time to reconsider. Nothing can take the wind out of your sails or put a damper on your day like painful cramps. Even worse, these cramps are probably combined with bloating and sometimes, queasiness.
Because I know how painful bad cramps can be, I have had to find other forms of menstrual cramp relief. Sometimes I am ok, but at other times, I truly feel like someone has squeezed my midsection with a large vice, and I just can’t get free. Sometimes, my menstrual cramp relief comes in the form of a heating pad. Sometimes I must use this on my stomach, and other times it works best when placed on my back. If pain pills don’t seem to touch the pain, this may be something you want to try for menstrual cramp relief.
When you have painful and long lasting cramps each month, you may have to take more action. This is especially true if you find that you sometimes have to miss work because they are so bad. If this has happened to you, you should talk to your doctor about menstrual cramp relief. They may have options you have not considered. If you aren’t currently on the Pill, this may be something you want to try. For many women, being on the Pill reduces or even eliminates their cramps. Just remember to talk about your health matters with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to be on the Pill, and remember, this isn’t an option if you are trying to get pregnant. In that case, you may just have to grin and bear it.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:40am
Under Alternative Medicine+ General Health+ Treatment
My mother has suffered from migraine headaches for many years now, and has never found a successful cure for them.
She used to use a product called Wigraine for migraine headache relief, but at this point, no one makes it and she is unable to find it.
They make a variation of it, but since it is time release medicine, it gets absorbed very slowly, and so she does not get any real migraine headache relief from it. I have heard similar complaints from many other migraine sufferers. It appears that the company stopped making the drug, even though it provided migraine headache relief for thousands upon thousands of customers. The reason for this was that it was a generic medication, and cheap to make and to sell. There were new and more expensive medications for relief from migraine headaches, and even though they did not work as well, there was more profit to be made by selling them than by selling the cheap older standbys. It seems a shame that none of these companies really care at all about people’s health, but only care about making as much money as possible. You would really hope for a lot more from the companies which make drugs to treat illness. Unfortunately, that is just how it is.
Aside from medicine, though, there are more and more treatments that promise migraine headache relief. Some chiropractors swear that they can provide great migraine headache relief just by curing chronic tension, or readjusting the position of bones and muscles. Other people think that the key to migraine headache relief is letting go of psychological tension and problems. They claim that meditation, or even simple deep breathing and stretches, can provide all the migraine headache relief that anyone could possibly need.
It is hard for me to decide if these kinds of migraine headache relief are just snake oil, or if there is actually something to them. The problem is that most of the experts on migraine headache relief are medical doctors, and come from a medical establishment that is pretty distrustful of innovation. They like drugs, surgery, and occasionally therapy, but that is about it. They do not put much stock in the mind body connection, or in any work done by chiropractors or alternative healers at all. They know that drugs can provide migraine headache relief, but they tend not to investigate what else can.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:38am
Under General Health+ Heart
There has been a lot of talk lately about blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the force of movement of blood throughout the arterial and vascular circulatory systems.
Oxygenated blood sent rushing into the arteries after the left ventricle in the heart contracts. The blood vessels accommodate blood flow to maintain normal blood pressure values. When the vessels become narrow, the amount of blood flow is restricted causing a rise in blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings are measured by two different values, the systolic and diastolic pressures. After the heart contracts, it has forced blood into the arteries at its greatest strength. This is the systolic pressure. As the pressure in the arteries relaxes, the pressure decreases. This is called the resting, or diastolic pressure. When represented in written form, such as 120/80, the top number is the systolic reading, and the lower number is the diastolic. This blood pressure reading, 120/80, is the average measurement of a wide range of readings, representing normal blood pressure values. The value that concerns most is the diastolic reading. When it is consistently higher than 80, hypertension is present. Pressure fluctuates naturally throughout the day with activity, rest, excitement, emotions, stress, etc., this is normal and does not necessarily indicate that anything is wrong.
For more about naturally lowering your blood pressure, visit here.
When blood pressure readings are consistently 140/90 or higher, even at periods of rest, hypertension is present. Readings over 160/95 are of concern, because this is considered the danger zone. Hypertension is called the silent killer because it has no symptoms until the pressure is extremely high. According to the American Heart Association, 68 million Americans have one or more forms of heart or blood vessel disease. There is no cure for hypertension; it must be medically managed with prescribed antihypertensive agents, combined with diet and exercise.
There are quite a few factors that contribute to altering normal blood pressure values creating hypertension. As we age, the arteries are not as elastic and restrict blood flow, also known as “hardening of the arteries” or arteriosclerosis. Other factors are family history of hypertension and heart disease, use of oral contraceptives, alcohol, illegal substances, weight gain, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, stress-related issues, and a high fat, high sodium diet. This list of course, is not all inclusive.
Have no fear; it is possible to maintain normal blood pressure values if you have hypertension. Regular visits with your physician are of great importance, as well as complying with prescribed medication regimens, regular aerobic exercise, and maintaining a healthier diet. By engaging in regular physical activity, we feel better, because our bodies are more efficient. Aerobic activities such as walking, running, swimming, and dancing, will not only allow you to be more fit physically, mentally, and spiritually, but your blood pressure will be lower as well. Diets low in sodium and high amounts of fat also work to lower blood pressure. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are very plentiful and have a variety of uses, providing you with a smorgasbord of healthy food choices-so enjoy!
For more about naturally lowering your blood pressure, visit here.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:36am
Under Healthy Lifestyle+ Skin Conditions
When I was thirteen years old, I had what could be described as “acne problems.”
That’s the understatement of the year! I was a “pizza face”, I looked like the surface of the moon. I felt insecure all the time about my appearance. I was practically afraid to leave the house.
Of course, feelings of insecurity are a common part of adolescence. It’s a difficult period of one’s life. The body is changing, different hormones are racing through the blood stream. Suddenly, the adult world, the real world, doesn’t seem so far away. And of course, for the first time I was noticing the ladies.
It was that which made the [tag]Acne[/tag] problems so embarassing. My friends, most of whom were also guys, didn’t really care if I had acne or not. To them, all that mattered was that I still hung out to ride bikes and play video games and pickup football. But with the girls, it was another matter. It’s just hard to feel confident at that age as it is, and even harder when you’re not confident about your appearance.
At first, I used cleansers and exfoliants, but these only seemed to make the problem worse. I’d put on the cleanser and the skin would turn red and dry, and begin to peel. Now even the parts of my skin without acne looked puffy and irritated!
I begged my mom to take me to the doctor, but she insisted I was fine just the way I was. I sure didn’t feel fine. Finally, she took me into the dermatologist. She barely looked at me, and handed me a prescription for my acne problem – a cream which I was supposed to put on my face. I took this to mean that it was a miracle cure-all, so effective in treating acne that it was obviously the right choice for everybody. And it did start working, almost immediately, but after a couple days, my skin problems were back, as bad as ever. I began to despair of ever finding a cure for my acne problem.
The strange thing is that, in all this time, no one had ever told me about the roll of nutrition in both causing and preventing acne. Fortunately, I had a friend who’s mother was a nutritionist. Almost overnight when she was thirteen, she developed terrible acne – even worse than mine. Then, a week later, as if by magic, it was almost completely gone. I asked her what was her secret, and she told me – it was as simple as avoiding greasy foods, and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I was skeptical at first, but I figured it was workth trying.
I eliminated all unhealthy foods from my diet. It took longer than I would have thought, but I stuck with it. Within a month, my acne problems were mere acne inconveniences. And a few weeks after that, they were gone. I don’t know if this solution will work for everyone. Probably, for some people, even with a healthy diet the cleansers and medications are necessary. But if acne is making your life miserable, eating balanced, nutricious meals is certainly worth a try!
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:32am
Under General Health+ Heart+ Treatment
Having a high blood pressure is kind of scary.
There are so many conditions and diseases you are at a higher risk of developing with a high blood pressure, and they’re all serious.
Looking into some blood pressure remedies is a good idea even if you only have a moderately high blood pressure.
Fortunately, there are a lot of effective blood pressure remedies out there, so you don’t have to look far. There are a lot of things you can do with very little physical effort.
Click here to see the best guide I have found on natural blood pressure remedies
Cutting down your sodium intake could help lower your blood pressure considerably. Quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol and caffeine intake will help even more. Smoking is especially horrible for blood pressure, and if you do in fact smoke kicking your habit will probably be the best blood pressure remedy you’ll ever try. Moderate to heavy drinking can also lead to an overall higher blood pressure, and caffeine and other stimulants are definite culprits as well.
Another good blood pressure remedy is to look into the stress and pressure you have in your life. You may not be able to avoid stressful situations, but you can change the way you react to them. Getting worked up, worried, and anxious is not good for you, and furthermore it doesn’t do any good either. Anxiety is a major cause for high blood pressure for people. Just the knowledge of having a high blood pressure can produce a lot of anxiety for people, which then in turn makes your blood pressure worse! Some effective, safe, and healthy blood pressure remedies are therefore focused on reducing anxiety; meditation, prayer, relaxation techniques, cutting out stimulant use, music, therapy, and frequent exercise are all examples of ways to reduce anxiety.
That last example, exercise, is probably the single best thing you can do for yourself. Not only does frequent exercise reduce anxiety, but it strengthens your heart which in turn will work wonders in lowering blood pressure. Some of the best blood pressure remedies are therefore different exercises you can do to stay active. Play a sport, go for a walk everyday, anything at all!
Keeping a healthy weight is also a good blood pressure remedy. Obesity in itself can cause a high blood pressure, even if you are doing everything else right, because your heart has to work harder to get your blood where it needs to go. Healthy diets therefore may also be good blood pressure remedies.
Of course, your doctor knows the best blood pressure remedies as well, and it’s never a bad idea to talk to him or her about it. If you have especially high blood pressure you may need a medication in addition to everything else.
Click here to see the best guide I have found on natural blood pressure remedies
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:25am
Under Alternative Medicine+ Drugs and Medication+ General Health+ Treatment
This article discusses my experiences with alternative herbal medicine.
I’ve had a pretty weak immune system ever since I was a kid, so I’ve had more than my fair share of illnesses over the years.
I’ve never gone through a single year without getting several bad colds, the flu, or even worse. As a result of my poor health, I’ve become very familiar with both over-the-counter and prescription medications. I never gave my medications a second thought until I read a published report that said these drugs might be doing more harm than good in some cases. That’s when I decided to look into alternative herbal medicine.
One advantage of alternative herbal medicine is that it’s all natural and chemical-free. This means that there’s zero chance of becoming addicted to the medication, which is definitely not the case with prescription drugs. Another advantage is that alternative herbal medicine is often much cheaper than the products put out by major pharmaceutical companies. With prescription costs rising all over the country (prompting thousands of people to cross the border to Canada to buy their medications), this low cost makes alternative herbal medicine even more attractive. A third reason that someone might choose alternative herbal medicine is because of allergies. For example, I am allergic to acetaminophen, which is a common pain reliever and fever reducer in over-the-counter medications, so I need to find a different way to treat those problems.
When I tell people that I prefer alternative herbal medicine, I am often met with puzzled looks. The most common question I get is if I’m taking alternative herbal medicine because of religious reasons. While it’s true that some people might be doing so, that’s not the case for me. I would just rather treat my illnesses as naturally as possible rather than infusing my body with all kinds of chemicals that may turn out to be harmful in some way.
The second most common question I get is whether or not alternative herbal medicine actually works. I was genuinely surprised by the number of people that apparently think alternative herbal medicine is just a sham. Of course I haven’t tried all the products out there, but the ones I’ve used have worked wonderfully well for me. I have used alternative herbal medicine to successfully treat colds, the flu, headaches, digestive disorders, and even a mild case of arthritis.
I’m by no means saying that alternative [tag]herbal[/tag] medicine will work equally well for everyone and for every type of health problem out there. But there’s no harm in at least giving these products a chance. So if you’re looking for a different way to treat common ailments, then I suggest checking out alternative herbal medicine right now.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:23am
Under Treatment
Aloe is a genus of plants belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, and is related to onions and asparagus.
The Aloe genus appears naturally in Africa, although many members of the genus are popular houseplants and can be found around the world. The most famous member of the genus is Aloe Vera, known for its medicinal uses and applications.
Though there are several common medical uses for Aloe Vera, the most frequent use of the plant is in the form of a topical gel. Gels made from Aloe Vera are used to treat burns and minor scrapes. Aloe Vera benefits range from soothing inflammation, pain relief, and a reduction in the likelihood of infection. Studies have also shown that regular use of an Aloe Vera based gel will actually speed the healing process in minor wounds, and even severe burns. It has been used in this capacity for hundreds of years. The thick leaves can be snapped open, and the moist open ends of the leave can be rubbed onto a burn or scrape directly.
In industrialized areas, the moisture form the Aloe leaves are extracted and made into the popular gel most people are familiar with. In more recent years, it has become more popular than ever and has found its way into skin lotions, cosmetic products, shampoos, lip balms, soaps and sunscreens. Some Aloe Vera benefits include a strong moisturizing capacity, and its extract contains a number of vitamins and minerals that are believed to promote healthy skin. It is a very gentle substance in itself, so one of the benefits of Aloe Vera is that it can be used in sensitive areas, such as around the eyes.
Aloe plants, including Aloe Vera, have also found medicinal uses internally. Used in this way primarily as a laxative, the juice from aloe can be dried into a dark powder composed of yellowish granules that are quite bitter to taste. Internal use of Aloe is marketed as a treatment for coughs, ulcers, muscle pain, headaches, and even cancer and HIV. The only proven Aloe Vera benefit in internal use is the relief of constipation. Additionally, even in this use, internal use of the plant has a number of side effects, can cause nausea, and should not be taken by women who may be pregnant.
There is a lot of hype and mystery surrounding the Aloe genus, especially its most popular member Aloe Vera. Clearly, many Aloe Vera benefits are proven, especially the ones involved in external use and in skin care. Its benefits for internal use are somewhat dubious, however.
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By YourHealthIssues Admin
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