Constipation Cures And Prevention

This cure for constipation will work on anyone, from babies to the elderly.

Constipation is when you have to go but "it" won't come out. If you are willing to wait long enough, your own body may soften things up or you could wait for a laxative to work. There is a harmless procedure that is very quick. We'll use the baby as an example. Dip a Q-tip into a bottle of mineral oil (this can be found in any drug store). Insert the oily Q-tip very gently into the baby's rectum just a little - he has a very little rectum. (Older folks can probably go the entire length of the Q-tip just fine and may want to do this two or three times.) Keep the baby lying down for about a half hour. This allows the oil to soften the stool. Older folks should lie down and wait as long as possible. Older kids will probably prefer to do this themselves.

Constipation can be caused by a poor diet or low fluid intake. But, even a good diet can be quickly ruined by a few items. Cheese, peanut butter, bananas, and tootsie rolls will stop you up, but eating any of these alone might be okay for you. Eating a combination of these can be too much for most people. If you simply love peanut butter and cheese sandwiches and want to have a banana or tootsie rolls for a snack, have a nice bowl of beans with dinner.

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Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina is a single-celled, spiral-shaped blue green microalgae grown in tropical salt lakes. This microalgae is discovered by Dr. Clement of France in 1962. Dr. Clement found that the Ganimou people living around Lake Chades in Africa had stronger bodies than other civilized people at that time, despite poor living conditions and few resources. Upon further studies, he observed that the Ganimou eats a particular blue green algae found floating on the lake's surface. This algae is spirulina.

Such simple one-celled organism already exist when life first appeared on earth. They are the earliest forms of life and is the source of all life in the oceans.

After many years of research, Dr. Clement got the attention of the worldwide medical field on his discovery. Medical researchers in Japan and Mexico were interested with the many benefits that spirulina can bring to the human body. It is being used as part of other treatments due to its nutritional benefits. However, researchers have observed that spirulina also appears to exhibit properties which promote self-healing.

Nutrition Value of Spirulina
So how nutritious is spirulina to the human body? The algae is a highly digestible food, containing 60 to 70% of protein, and provides all the essential amino acids, which is a rarity among plant foods. It is so nutritionally balanced that it is 5 times easier to digest than meat.

Besides protein, spirulina is a rich natural source of Vitamin E and B12, iron, calcium, anti-oxidants, minerals, carbohydrates and enzymes. Its rich phytochemical composition are carotenoids, chlorophyll (known as a blood purifier), and phycocyanin. Phycocyanin is a blue pigment found only in blue green algae. Experiments have shown that this particular protein can increase the survival rate of mice with liver cancer. That means it can inhbits cancerous cells growth. It can also inhibit viral replication, and strengthen the humoral and cellular arms of the immune system.

Anemia, a deficiency in red blood cells and/or hemoglobin, responds well to vitamin B12, folic acid and chlorophyll found in spirulina. In fact, spirulina is the richest natural source of vitamin B12, once thought to be available only in animal products. Not only that, a test have shown that stomach ulcers can be cured with 2 grams of spirulina intake per day, by coating chlorophyll onto the stomach lining. Other diseases known to improve with the help of spirulina include liver disorders, such as chronic hepatitis, and diabetes.

Another important compound in this superfood is the Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). This essential fatty acid cannot be produced by our body, yet is important for healthy bones, normal brain function, growth and development, stimulation of skin and hair growth and regulation of metabolism such as lipid.

Furthermore, GLA in vivo changes easily to arachidonic acid, and then to prostaglandin E2. The end product can be developed as a blood pressure regulating agent in our body.

An article written by Christopher Hills, Ph.D, D.Sc., titled "Spirulina as nutrition for the brain" says that "the interesting part... is the remarkable effects of this vegetable plankton on our state of consciousness particularly while fasting on nothing else... most people feel increased energy and clarity of mind after taking the Spirulina as a vitamin supplement."

According to Professor Keiun Kodo on the this topic, "Spirulina's rich and balanced nutrients are perfect for the development of brain cells. It is a well-known source of nutrient for children and adults for the development and maintenance of brain cells."

Other effects and uses of spirulina includes rejuvenation, increase of energy level, reduction of cholesterol, reducing body acidity, cardiovascular support and detoxification. The soft cell walls of spirulina allows it to be digested easily and assimilated, making it ideal for detoxifying.

Quick Facts

1. Spirulina is a vegetable that exists 3.5 billion years ago, and is a natural food source, not man-made in laboratories.
2. 100% alkaline food
3. 14 times more nutritional than milk
4. Richest natural source of Vitamin B12
5. Low in fats
6. Key composition:
* Protein
* 8 types of amino acid
* 18 types of vitamins
* 20 types of minerals
* Carbohydrates
* Anti-oxidants
* Gamma Linolenic Acid

7. There are 4 types of natural pigments:
* ChorophyII
* Beta Carotene
* XanophyII
* Phycocynin

8. 35 types of spirulina, only larger ones with stronger replicative capabilities and higher protein content can be consumed
9. This includes Arthropira, Arthropira Maxima and Arthropira Platensis.


Safe Health Supplement
Spirulina is very safe for human consumption, and it is not a new health supplement. In fact, the Africans have consumed it decades ago and Mexicans now uses it to replenish inadequate nutrients in a mother's milk. More than 70 countries have approved the superfood as safe for consumption by their respecitve health agencies. In an evaluation of spirulina by WHO in 1992, the organisation states that:
Spirulina is a high quality food product. It is rich in iron and protein. It is safe to consume and is an excellent nutrient supplement for children.

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Heart Treatments

High cholesterol levels can greatly increase the risk of heart disease including potentially fatal heart attacks. Heart disease can be caused by a number of factors but lowering cholesterol can have many positive effects and reduce risk. High cholesterol causes hardening of the arteries. Blood flow is then reduced to the heart which may result in chest pains or a heart attack. Lowering the possible causes of hardening or blocking the arteries will help maintain a healthy heart.

For severely high cholesterol it is recommended to seek consultation with a physician for the best course of treatment. Traditionally, this is treated with prescription medication. However, the majority of people can lower cholesterol naturally without the use of prescription drugs. Natural remedies are abundantly available. With a few changes in eating habits and lifestyle, one can easily lower cholesterol.

Eating foods that are low in fat will help as well as avoiding those with high fat content, especially foods containing trans-fat. Spreads such as butter and margarine have high levels of trans-fat. Packaged foods and frozen foods generally contain high levels also. Potato chips, crackers, baked goods and fast foods are all types to avoid. Instead concentrate on foods that are low in fat and high in fiber. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and garlic are great to use in your daily diet.

Lifestyle changes are important if you are not leading a fairly healthy life. Smoking can increase the chances of having high cholesterol. Quitting not only will help this but will also reduce several other medical risks. Regular exercise will help promote a healthy heart. Partake in some form of aerobic exercise several times each week.

Vitamin E may help reduce fatty formations on arteries. Artichoke leaf extract helps produce bile while assisting in eliminating cholesterol from the body. Chromium is a proven method of maintaining correct blood sugar levels, which will help control cholesterol. Niacin in high doses has shown benefits for reducing cholesterol. However, if taking other medications, consult a physician as niacin can react adversely to other medications.

High cholesterol is a condition that affects many people throughout the world. It can increase chances of heart disease and potentially shorten life. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthy and exercising can reduce these risks significantly. Adding supplements can also help reduce cholesterol levels. Although the risks of high cholesterol are serious, it is easily controlled.

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High Blood Pressure in Children

Hypertension is not only a condition for adults but it can also affect children, kids and even infants. When you see high blood pressure in children, the basic cause is either heart or Kidney. But it has been seen that children do have high blood pressure even though they have no heart or kidney problem but there's a family history of high blood pressure and an unhealthy lifestyle - a bad diet, excess weight, stress, and insufficient physical activity.

Though it is estimated that 4.5% of kids have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is very common among adults but it is also increasing in children these days, a trend that researchers link to the increase in childhood obesity.

The only way to know whether your kid has hypertension is to get it checked regularly. Doctors usually start measuring blood pressure during routine check-ups when a child is about 3 years old.If it remains untreated, high blood pressure can eventually lead to damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. But if it's caught early, monitored, and treated, a child with high blood pressure can have an active, normal life.

Long-Term Complications of High Blood Pressure
When a kid has high blood pressure, the heart and arteries have a much heavier workload. Heart has to work against great force, The heart must pump harder and the arteries are under greater strain as they carry blood. If high blood pressure continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may no longer work as well as they should. Having high blood pressure puts a child at a higher risk for stroke TIA, CVA, heart attack, kidney failure, loss of vision, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Though child may not show symptoms of high blood pressure, it still affects the body and puts the child at risk for those long-term health problems. In rare cases, severe hypertension can cause headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, heart palpitations, visual changes and nausea. If your child has severe high blood pressure and experiences any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

When you go to a doctor with your children, It's not unusual for a first blood pressure reading to be high because the child is nervous, so the doctor will likely take three or four readings - and use an average to determine whether your child has high blood pressure or is at risk for developing hypertension.

Causes of High Blood Pressure
The causes of high blood pressure differ, depending on the age of the child. The younger the child, the more likely the high blood pressure is due to some other condition. High blood pressure among infants most commonly occurs in premature babies. Some newborns have high blood pressure because of problems with the heart, or vascular system, kidneys and lungs. Often, these problems are due to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, an immaturity of the lungs in premature babies, or problems of vessels like coarctation of the aorta, a narrowing of part of the major blood vessel that transports blood away from the heart to the body parts. Among school-age kids and teens, hypertension is usually linked to obesity. Over weight is very common among school age children these days. In some cases it's due to a problem with the kidneys, although other conditions - like abnormalities in the blood vessels and hormonal disorders - can also be responsible. Some medications (such as steroids or oral contraceptives) can lead to high blood pressure, as can over consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs.

Diagnosing Hypertension in Children
As high blood pressure usually doesn't produce any symptoms, diagnosing the condition in children can be difficult. The only reliable way to find out if your kid has high blood pressure is to have it regularly measured at routine check ups. So it's important not to miss those appointments, particularly if your child is obese or if there's a family history of hypertension. There is also a new test called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in which a child wears a blood pressure cuff all day. Some consider it more accurate than blood pressure tests in the doctor's office because the child is less likely to be affected by any stress from visiting the doctor and blood pressure is monitored over a considerable period.

Treating High Blood Pressure
If an underlying illness is causing hypertension, treating that illness may be enough to get the blood pressure back to normal levels. For example treating coarctation of aorta can significantly improve blood pressure. If there's no underlying illness, your child's doctor will try to control Blood pressure with natural measures and he may recommend weight loss, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, decreased salt intake, increased exercise, and even relaxation techniques. Kids with hypertension should also quit or never start smoking, which can worsen the long-term associated heart problems as smoking is one of major risk factor for heart attack. Most doctors prefer not to prescribe medication for children with mild hypertension. However, in cases in which lifestyle changes do not improve the condition, then doctor may give medication .

Doing Exercise and participation in organized sports is encouraged for all children whose hypertension is not severe or is well-controlled. In fact, staying fit is the key to both weight and blood pressure control. If your kid is overweight, an ongoing weight-loss program monitored by your child's doctor and a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day may play very important role in controlling blood pressure. Kids who have severe hypertension should not, however, participate in weight- and power-lifting, bodybuilding, or strength training until their blood pressure is under control and a doctor OKs it.

Remember, earlier you get high blood pressure, earlier you will face its complications. So try to control your blood pressure with in normal limits to stay healthy and enjoy normal life.

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High Blood Pressure Symptoms Signs Causes

High Blood Pressure Symptoms, High Blood pressure is the force of blood against arteries.

Do you have high blood pressure?

This article will give you detail about 10 common
sypmtoms and sings of hypertension or High Blood Pressure may have many of these symptoms, they occur just as frequently in those with normal blood
pressure. Why these symptoms occur, If a person has high blood pressure that
is severe or longstanding and left untreated, symptoms such as
headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, restlessness, and
blurred vision can occur as a result of damage to the brain, eyes, heart
and kidneys. In rare cases, high blood pressure may cause brain
swelling, which can lead to drowsiness and coma.

Briefly Hypertension has following 10 common symptoms.
headache
Nosebleed (Epistaxis)
Breathlessness
tinnitus(Ringing in Ears)
sleepiness, Ansomnia
confusion
Fatigue
profuse sweating
vomiting
low libido or lack of sexual desire
Blurred vision

If you have not above symptoms, it does not mean that you have no high
blood pressure. Remember most common symptom of high Blood pressure is
that " It Has No Symptom". Best way to keep you healthy is to have your
blood pressure checked at regular intervals.
Wish you all the good health.

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How To Choose Home Blood Pressure Monitor

There are many varieties and types of home blood pressure monitors (HBPM). Purchasing a blood pressure monitor is a great way to keep track of your blood pressure; however, choosing one can be confusing. The choice is personal and usually based on::Accuracy, Ease of use, Cost, Type of cuff, Memory and printing options. It is important to choose one you are comfortable with. This article will give you some tips and information to choose best BP monitor for you.

Home blood pressure monitors are basically of 3 types, Mercury column, aneroid and Digital Blood pressure monitors.

Mercury HBPMs:
Seen in Doctor's Office. They are the most accurate, yet most difficult to use. They use a stethoscope to detect the sounds in the arteries.

Aneroid HPBMs-
are the second most reliable. Aneroid monitors range in price from about $20 to $30.These also require using a stethoscope – which is included in this particular model. They are lightweight, portable, and affordable. Experts from the American Society of Hypertension recommend this type and say that these are the most inexpensive monitors and little can go wrong with them. Aneroid models can be difficult to use, and may require training by a doctor or health worker. Moreover, using these requires good hearing and eyesight and may not be the best choice for elderly or disabled persons. For these reasons, aneroid HBPMs are generally less popular than digital monitors.

Digital HBPMs:
These machines are less accurate, yet they are the easiest to use. They are a good option for people who are hard of hearing or have poor eyesight. If you use it properly, it is best choice for anyone.

Also it is important to consider cuff while purchasing HBPMs.Cuffs are of three types. Arm, wrist and finger cuffs. Arm cuffs are the most accurate. Finger and wrist cuffs are only recommended for those who cannot wear them on the arm. An improperly fitted arm cuff will give a false reading. This is the most frequent reason for incorrect blood pressure readings. To determine your cuff size, measure around the midpoint of your upper arm. If it is
Less than 31 cm (12.2 in), buy a regular-size cuff
Between 31 and 40 cm (15.7 in), buy a large-size cuff

Cuffs must be inflated to measure blood pressure- they include those that must be inflated manually, semi-automatic devices, or auto inflate devices.

Following are some tips when you purchase blood pressure monitor.

Display Size - Is a standard or an oversized LCD read-out needed. Try to take that with normal size.
Power Supply - Battery powered or AC adapter. If you travel the battery powered unit is your best choice.
Memory Features - Some models remember the last reading or multiple readings. There are also models that have a PC link. Better to choose that has a memory of atleast one month BP monitoring.
Printing options- Some monitors also have printing options to keep your record safe
Cuff Sizes - Large and small arm cuffs are available for some units. The size of the cuff on a blood pressure monitor may be the most important to get an accurate reading. So always use cuff which is not too small and not too large.
Cost - Cost may be the most important factor. Remember to do as much research as possible. The more expensive models may not always be as good as the cheaper ones
Accuracy - Readings on some wrist and finger units may not be as accurate as an arm unit depending on the individual.
Ease of Use - Depends on personal preference. People with certain disabilities may find one unit easier to use than another.
Length of Warranty - Warranties vary from one to three years. Check your unit regularly to make sure everything runs smoothly and accurately.

Author: Dr. Armughan

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Way to Control High Blood Pressure Naturally

Stop smoking. Not only will this help keep your blood pressure in line, you'll also diminish your risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is main risk factor for atherosclerosis.Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. So even though it does not cause high blood pressure, smoking is bad for anyone, especially those with high blood pressure. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. Once you quit, your risk of having a heart attack is reduced after the first year. So you have a lot to gain by quitting.

Weight Reduction. Obese patients should lose weight.There's a direct link between being overweight and having high blood pressure. The more overweight you are, the greater the risk. Start by making small changes. Cut 200 to 300 calories from your diet each day — about the equivalent of saying "no" to two chocolate chip cookies.

Decrease salt intake. High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure. You should consume no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day (about one teaspoon of salt). The average American consumes twice that, often through canned soups, frozen dinners, soy sauce, pickles, olives and processed cheeses, which are loaded with sodium. Read food labels and select reduced-sodium products. Try to select food with low salt.

Add more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products to your plate. Eat one additional fruit or vegetable with every meal. Shrink the size of your daily meat intake to six ounces, and designate at least two dinners a week as meat-free. Fatty diets do not directly affect blood pressure. However, saturated fats and cholesterol in foods raise blood cholesterol, which increases the risk for heart disease. Foods high in fats also are high in calories, which must be reduced if you need to lose weight. Like smoking high cholestrol is also a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Limit alcohol consumption. Drink no more than one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine or one swallow (1.5 ounces) of 80-proof whiskey if you’re a woman. Men can double these amounts. Anything more elevates blood pressure. You can reduce your blood pressure by 5-10 mmHg by just restricting Alcohol intake.

Exercise. First, get the green light from your physician. Then, slowly introduce aerobic exercise into your life, increasing the time and intensity at a pace that feels right, aiming for at least a 30-minute workout most days of the week. Young people should jog for 30 minutes three times per week and elderly patients should walk longer distances than usual.

Decrease Stress and Anxiety: Yes stress and anxiety also play role in high blood presure.If You want your blood pressure with in normal limits, try your self to get happy all times. Try extra curricular activities to make your mind stress free. Stress can make blood pressure go up for a while, and it has been thought to contribute to high blood pressure. But the long-term effects of stress are as yet unclear. Stress management techniques do not seem to prevent high blood pressure. However, such techniques may have other benefits, such as making you feel better or helping you to control over-eating.

Caffeine and Blood Pressure: Caffeine in coffee as well as in other drinks, such as tea and sodas, only raises blood pressure temporarily. So you should be able to continue to have drinks that contain caffeine, unless you are sensitive to it or have heart disease and your doctor tells you not to have any.

Eat adequate amounts of potassium-rich foods. Potassium, another mineral essential to good health, works in concert with sodium to regulate blood pressure. Studies have shown that people who consume more potassium have lower blood pressures than those who consume less. Rich sources of potassium include many fruits, such as cantaloupe, bananas, watermelon, oranges and orange juice, as well as potatoes, spinach, and zucchini. (Important note: if taking medication for high blood pressure, such as diuretics, consult a doctor before using salt substitutes that contain high amounts of potassium.

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