Natural Remedies For Allergy

Allergies, especially the seasonal ones, affect over twenty-two million people in the US alone! The symptoms can be as diverse as runny nose, itching, red patches, and so on. There are many over-the-counter prescriptions available, but all have some side effect or the other. However, if you opt for natural remedies, you’ll not only keep your allergies at bay, but would also save yourself from side effects.

How does allergy occur?

We continuously breathe in pollen, dust particles, molds, spores, animal hairs and insects that float in the air. When such foreign bodies, called allergens, enter the body, the body's immune system fights them by producing antibodies and by releasing certain chemicals called histamines. Most of the time this fight goes unnoticed, but in certain cases, it may cause an inflammatory reaction. This is called an allergy. You may get allergic even through certain foods, like wheat, corn, yeast, eggs, milk, coffee and chocolate. Even food additives, pesticides, chemical sprays, hydrocarbons, and so on can bring on this condition. Tobacco is also known to contain many allergens.


What are the symptoms of allergy?

The inflammatory reaction to allergens mainly affects the skin, mucous membranes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. This may result in itching, skin reactions, headache, runny and congested nose and sinuses, watery eyes, sneezing, respiratory symptoms and rapid heart beat. You may even suffer fatigue, intestinal gas or pain, abdominal bloating and mood changes.

Allergies can be severe and may even force you to change your lifestyle. And in their case, prevention is far better than the cure. So, if you can identify beforehand what’s causing the allergy, you can take precautionary measures, by avoiding the cause altogether.


How to prevent allergies?

There're things you can do to prevent allergies. The allergens, especially consumed through food and drinks, need to be kept out. So, drink lots of water and fruit juices, except citrus. Include brown or white rice in your diet. For non-vegetarians, turkey and white fish, like sole, halibut, are recommended. All green vegetables, except corn and tomatoes, also prove beneficial. And so do almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds. However, if you do fall victim to an allergy, go in for natural allergy home relief remedy.


Natural remedy for allergy

Herbal remedy for allergy is an effective way to counter allergies. Let's see some of them:

a. Garlic: Garlic or Allium sativum, used for centuries, is a potent treatment against allergy causing bacteria and yeasts. Garlic owes its efficacy to allicin. Garlic and other alliums can raise or lower blood sugar levels. However, diabetic or hypoglycemic should be cautious in its use.

b. Green Tea: Green tea is rich in phytonutrients that help ward off allergens. It’s also effective against many types of bacteria.

c.Licorice Root: Licorice, according to the Chinese medicine, is said to replenish vital energy, moisten the lungs and strengthen digestion to keep away the allergens.

d. Ephedra: Ephedra or Ephedra sinicia is also known as mahuang. This herb figures prominently in Chinese medicine for treating bronchial and inflammatory disorders. However, its use can raise both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and may even cause excitability in some.

e. Nettle: Nettle or Urtica dioica has enjoyed a long history as a treatment for seasonal allergies. It's effective, but be sure not to confuse it with Urtica urens, which contains high levels of leukotrienes and histamine.

f. Echinacea: Echinacea or Echinacea purpurea is a Native American herb and is also known as purple coneflower. It fights allergies by increasing the production of T-cells in the blood.

Allergies are here to stay and they can affect you at any time in your life. So, it’s best to take preventive measures to keep them at bay. But if you do get afflicted, opt for natural remedies, as they are safe and effective. However, take your physician into confidence before taking any medicine.

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Natural Herbal Remedies For Tootheache Pain Relief

My tooth is killing me!!!
Almost everyone at some point in his or her life will experience the agony of a toothache. Holding your face, taking an aspirin, and applying ice cannot fully combat the bacteria causing damage inside your mouth. While tooth decay is the main reason that toothaches develop in adults and children, there are plenty of other reasons why you may suffer from this unmistakable pain and discomfort of the tooth.

What is a Toothache?

A toothache occurs when some sort of decay or injury has occurred to a particular tooth that has reached the nerves. The number one reason that toothaches occur is through the decay caused by bacteria thriving inside the mouth. The more sugars and starches you consume, the stronger and stickier the bacteria will be, as it attaches itself to the surface of your teeth.

When a high level of bacteria is present, acids are produced, which eat away at tooth enamel [1]. A cavity is the result. The first sign that a toothache may erupt is the sensation of pain that is felt when you eat or drink something that is too sweet, cold or hot. Usually, this is a clear sign to meet with your dentist.

Symptoms

While pain is one of the main symptoms associated with a toothache, additional symptoms might be present. They include:

a) A Painful Bite: When biting down or eating food, you may notice extra pain during a toothache.

b) Swollen Gums: Your gums may become swollen, red or sore. This is also a sign that you may suffer from an impacted tooth.

c) A Bump: When a toothache is more than a cavity, a bump may appear. Located close to or on the side of a sore tooth, a red bump that is swollen and painful may develop. This bump is a sign that infection has set in the tooth, which is also known as an abscess.

Causes of Toothache

While the main cause of a toothache tends to be tooth decay, an unhealthy or improper diet might be the root of this problem. If you consume a great amount of soda, candy, pastries, cookies, cakes, and other sugar-filled foods, you will increase your chances of developing a toothache. This is because the sugar from these foods is broken down into acids by the bacteria inside your mouth. All of this leads to an erosion of tooth enamel, which is supposed to be pretty strong. Additional causes of toothache include:

a) Cavities

b) Tooth Rot

c) Disease: When the gums or jaw shows signs of disease, this might be the cause of your tooth pain.

d) Wisdom Teeth: Sometimes wisdom teeth take their time falling into line with the rest of your teeth. When this occurs, you may experience pain and aching gums [2].

e) Tooth Injury: When a tooth becomes cracked or affected by injury, a toothache is a likely outcome.

Toothaches may also develop because you are suffering from a different type of medical problem. Vitamin deficiencies have been known to make teeth ache, such as a lack of vitamin B12. Sinus infections, cluster headaches, facial shingles, nerve damage, diabetes, alcoholism, and drug abuse are all known causes of tooth pain. A toothache may even serve as an early sign for a heart attack [3].

Natural Remedies for Toothache

When looking for a homeopathic or herbal toothache remedy, there are many choices to consider. Sometimes natural toothache relief is the best for some who favor home remedies beyond ingesting over-the-counter products or man-made chemical prescriptions.

a) Lime: Lime contains a high amount of vitamin C, which is great when it comes to maintaining tooth health. This effective fruit also has a knack for preventing tooth decay and bleeding gums. Use this remedy to effectively soothe toothaches.

b) Echinacea: Although primarily seen as a cold and flu treatment, this herb has been known to naturally treat toothaches. It is believed that freshly dug echinacea root straight from the ground is the best remedy to select, meaning this is a great plant choice to have in a garden.

c) Tea Tree Essential Oil: Using a few drops of tea tree essential oil infused in water can be used to cleanse the mouth as well as provide relief for inflamed gums. This is quite a strong antibacterial to turn to.

d) Herbal Toothpastes: A toothpaste made from either calendula or myrrh have been known to effectively treat gums and teeth.

e) Clove: Clove is known to reduce the pain associated with toothache, as well as decrease the presence of infection through its antiseptic powers. When applying the 1-2 drops of essential oil to an already decayed tooth, it is known to relieve the symptoms of toothache. You may also chew a clove for results. There is even an oil of clove toothpaste on the market for you to consider.

Toothache Prevention

One of the best ways to avoid a toothache is to follow proper oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth; flossing; using antibacterial mouthwash; and making regular dentist appointments. As far as a diet goes, selecting healthy choices will result in healthy teeth. Unfortunately, this means passing on the candy bars and soda, and increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Natural Remedies For Arthritis & Joint Pain

Natural Arthritis Remedies

Chronic joint pains or arthritis can not only immobilize, but make life a living hell. Imagine experiencing pain while sleeping, getting out of bed, arising from a toilet seat, dressing, walking, preparing meals, writing and attending to personal matters that involve bodily movements. You’d be surprised to know as many as one in three adults in the US get affected by one of the more than hundred types of arthritis.

Knowing arthritis

According to doctors, the common pains usually go away after a few days, but pains due to arthritis persist over weeks. For most people arthritis sets in as the body ages, as joints naturally degenerate over time. In fact, people over the age of fifty begin to get susceptible to it. So, what exactly is this condition?

Arthritis may include joint pains and inflammation, resulting in the limited movement of the joints. This happens due to decreased lubrication provided by cartilage, a slippery smooth substance that covers most joints. If this cartilage degenerates or gets damaged or narrowed, it can give rise to over a hundred types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

An inflamed joint may appear reddish, swollen, tender and warm to the touch. So, if you experience pain, stiffness or swelling, around a joint for more than two weeks, it’s time to visit your physician. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. However, the best course is to prevent the condition or take natural remedies for arthritis.

Preventing arthritis

You can prevent arthritis by following the tips given as under:

a. Avoid excess stress: Protect your joints by avoiding excess stress. This can be done by using devices that assist you around the house. You should also aim at preserving and improving your daily tasks to help treat the condition.

b. Maintain ideal weight: There’s a relation between arthritis and body weight. If you’re overweight, your joints would’ve to bear that much extra weight. By staying within your ideal weight, you help relieve pressure on your hips and knees.

c. Avoid animal foods: Meat contains arachidonic acid that provokes joint inflammation and aggravates arthritis.

d. Find out your food allergies: They’ve been linked to many types of arthritis. So, find out if you’re allergic to food stuffs, like wheat, corn, dairy products, tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, peppers, citrus, salt, caffeine, and the like.

Natural remedies for arthritis

Now with so many drugs for arthritis available in the market, why would you go in for natural remedies? The reasons can be many, like you may not have responded well to an over-the-counter medication or may have experienced side effects. You may even be a staunch non-believer in healing your body chemically. So, natural remedy seems the most sensible course. Whether you’re seeking natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis natural pain remedy, there are a few excellent and safe options to be tried. Let’s have a look at them:

a. Natural oils: Consuming fish oils controls inflammation in the body. Even oils of flax, borage, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin prove as effective.

b. Ginger: Being an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, it is effective in reliving the arthritic condition with no major side effects.

c. Nettle leaf: It improves the condition and reduces the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

d. Acupuncture: This Chinese needle therapy is known to relive pain even in the most severe cases.

e. Aroma therapy: Certain natural fragrances help in reducing the pain and discomfiture of arthritic condition.

f. Magnet therapy: Magnets worn as wrist bands or in clothing or bed linens are known to relive this condition.

g. Other therapies: Yoga, meditation, creative visualization and imagery are other natural therapies for arthritis, which have been successfully practiced.

Natural remedies for arthritis seem inviting, especially when compared to the side effects associated with prescription drugs. But, always consult your physician before you try them out.

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The Good and The Bad Laxatives For Weight Loss

One popular weight loss supplements available in the market today take the form of tea. Stores all over sell slimming tea, dieter's tea and others but all of them are actually the same. They may appear to be effective, but what is not seen may actually harm you.

One of the effects of drinking dieter's tea is frequent bowel movement. This gives people the feeling of body cleansing. These people may get toxins out of their body but it isn't exactly the only thing that slimming tea actually does to the body. Slimming tea contains herbs which are natural laxatives. These include aloe, senna, rhubarb root, cascara, buckthorn and castor oil.

These are products which are derived from plants and are used since the ancient times because of their potency in treating constipation and to inducing bowel movement.
Cascara, castor oil and senna are substances which are recognized as laxatives available over the counter and are also regulated as drugs.

Scientific studies show that diarrhea induced by laxatives does not absorb significant amounts of calories taken in the body. The reason for this is that laxatives do not act on the small intestines where most of the calories are absorbed. Instead, they work on the large intestines. If taken in large amounts for prolonged periods, it can affect fat absorption of the body. This may lead to Steatorrhea (greasy diarrhea) and loss of weight. Abuse of laxatives is common practice among people who suffer from bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

While weight loss can be guaranteed by overdosing on laxatives, it may also cause permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract and the weakening and softening of the bones, a condition known as osteomalacia. Drinkers of slimming teas may actually patronize the product because they are less expensive and taste better than other laxatives sold in the market. Other people, such as those with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa drink dieter's tea because they work fast and produce watery stool and having loose consistency.

Women may even be more susceptible to the effects of slimming teas. Although they may are not known to interfere directly with the woman's menstrual cycle and fertility, they should watch out if drinking them causes them to rapidly shed off weight. It is also not safe for pregnant women to be taking in laxatives of any kind. Wise and responsible herbalists also discourage the use of senna and other herbal products with laxative properties for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive, and the doctors do that as well.

One should be wary about these findings because the labeling of slimming teas in the market today can be absolutely misleading. For instance, they commonly refer to the laxative qualities as "natural bowel cleansing properties" and not specifically use the word "laxative", and in all cases it does not relate to weight loss.Some even use the term "low-calorie" on their labelling, when you are not going to use them for nutrition. These products in fact, contain essentially no calories nor nutrients whatsoever; unless of course, if they are sweetened.

Taking laxatives in the form of slimming tea in more than or longer than recommended may lead to the following adverse effects :
* Nausea
* Stomach cramps
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Fainting
* Rectal bleeding
* Electrolyte disorder
* Dehydration
* Death caused by cardiac arrest
* Excess use of stimulant laxatives cause severe constipation and pain for long periods due to the colon losing its function. It eventually led to surgery removing the colon altogether.

This highlights the charm of negative calorie foods ! they bear all of the claimed benefits of -laxative containing- slimming teas, like regulating bowl movement, softening the stools, and actual Calorie loss, they have the following wonderful advantages :

* They never produce side effects
* They act through the whole digestive tract and not on special part of it
* They have actual calorie consuming effect that is spent in their transport (they are the exercise tools of your gut)
* They add essential vitamins to the body rather than taking them away
* They have safety record of thousands of years
* They have indispensable taste
* they are a part of the new recommended healthy lifestyle
* They are the resource of natural health tools like antioxidants, bioflavonoids ...etc
* Their regular use induces normal bowl movement so that you never need to use laxatives
* They are already included in your nutrition, yet you are required to reconsider their portion size to make them frequent large ones

Instead of swallowing large amounts of harmful products, go shop your preferences of negative calorie foods, fruits and vegetables.

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Acid Reflux and Your Life Style

What is acid reflux and how it is formed, and what factors that participate to form or relieve it is what we will discuss now.

The first organ with storing capacity in the digestive tract is the stomach. The stomach secretes plenty of acid to partially digest proteins, the food in the stomach is ground and admixed with its acid content. The 2 ports of the stomach are attached to 2 tubes, the upper one is the esophagus that carries food from the throat to the stomach, and the lower one is the jejunum that represents the first part of the small intestine.

Food is allowed only to pass up-down thanks to 2 valve like muscles that are located at the end of the upper tube (esophagus) and the beginning of the lower tube (jejunum), they both stay tightly closed and only open to allow food in or out of the stomach in the up-down direction.

If the muscle of the esophageal sphincter weakens and allows stomach acid to splash up into the esophagus, one feels heartburn, chest discomfort, and bitter fluid flowing up into the mouth, if the stomach juice trickles into the breathing canals, hoarseness, cough, and even shortening of breath can occur, which are the symptoms of GERD (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease).

These symptoms may be even aggravated by the weakening of the lower sphincter which allows reflux of the jejunum contents including bile acids into the stomach thus increasing its acidity, and this may be seen with people with gall bladder disorders.

Weakening of the muscle sphincters can be induced by factors other than food including some habits and way of living:
* Tobacco in all forms : Nicotine weaken the sphincter muscle
* Swallowing air through Chewing gum and hard candy leads to belching and reflux.
* Obesity
* Postural : lying down or bending over after eating, and sleeping position ( head of the bed should be elevated 6-8 inches)
* Late evening snacks
* Large portion size

The following foods aggravate acid reflux and should be avoided :
* Fatty/Oils : Fries - Creamy foods or soups - Salad dressing ; oil & vinegar
* Fruits : Orange juice - Lemon - Lemonade - Grapefruit juice - Cranberry juice - Tomato
* Vegetables : Mashed potatoes - French fries - Onion, raw
* Peppermint and spearmint
* Dairy : whole milk - milk shake - ice cream - cottage cheese;regular
* Grains : Macaroni and cheese - Spaghetti with sauce
* Sweets&Desserts : Butter cookie;high fat - Brownie - Doughnuts - Chocolate - Corn ships
* Beverage : Liquor - Wine - Coffee - Tea
* Most fast foods

Some foods irritate an inflamed lower esophagus and may need to be limited and consumed with discretion, they include :
* Fruits : Orange juice, low-acid - Apple Cider - Peach - Blueberries - Strawberries - Grapes - Cranberries, dried
* Vegetables : Garlic - Onion, cooked - Leeks - Sauerkraut - Scallion
* Meat : Hot dog - Ham - Fish, fried - Eggs, fried - Scrambled Eggs, in butter - Tuna salad - Chicken salad
* Dairy : Yogurt - Milk, 2% or skim - Cheddar Cheese - Mozzarella cheese
* Grains : Garlic bread - Muffin - Granola cereal
* Beverages : Beer (alcoholic&non-alcoholic)-Non-alcoholic wine - Cola

The safe foods for acid reflux people includes :
* Fruits : Apple ( fresh, dried, and juice) - Banana
* Vegetables : Baked potato - Broccoli - Cabbage - Carrots - Green beans - Peas
* Meat : Ground beef, extra-lean - Steak, London Broil - Chicken breast, skinless - Egg whites - Egg substitute - Fish, no added fat
* Dairy : Cheese, feta or goat - Cream cheese, fat-free - Sour cream, fat-free - Soy cheese, low- fat
* Grains : Bread, milt-grain or white - Cereal, bran or oatmeal - Corn bread - Graham crackers - Pretzels - Rice, brown or white - Rice cakes
* Beverages : Mineral water
* Fats / Oils : Salad dressing, low-fat
* Sweets / Desserts : Cookie, fat-free - Jelly beans - Red licorice - Potato chips, baked

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Coffee keeps eye tremors at bay

Italian researchers have found that having one or two cups of coffee a day could protect you from eye tremors, a condition in which there is sustained, forced, involuntary closing of the eyelids.

The disorder known as blepharospasm usually affects people aged between 50 and 70. People with blepharospasm may be unable to prevent their eyes from clamping shut so at times they are effectively blind. The first symptoms of the disorder may include eye irritation and discomfort, sensitivity to light and increased blinking. Researchers from the Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences of the University of Bari studied 166 people who have uncontrollable twitching of the eyelid that in extreme cases stops them from being able to see. The age of the onset of the spasm was also found to be greater in patients who drank more coffee, 1.7 years for each additional cup per day, reported the online edition of the BBC News.

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Eat Healthy This Monsoon

The high humidity in the atmosphere during the onset of monsoon, promotes the growth of disease causing bacteria. Food poisoning and gastroenteritis are always on the rise during that “in-between” season when we move from summer to the monsoons. Here are some pointers to keep in mind to avoid falling ill this rainy season.
While eating out

• Food, like dal, soup, pasta, that is supposed to be served hot must be served piping hot. When placing your order, specify that you want it very hot.
Similarly, frozen foods like ice-cream must be served completely frozen. At home, make sure you do not refreeze melted ice-cream as it becomes a good environment for bacterial growth, which could lead to food poisoning.

• Avoid eating raw food in the form of salads; you never know if they have been washed, cleaned and stored well at the right temperature before being served to you. Opt for stir-fried vegetables.

• Chutneys and sauces are usually allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours in restaurants and are loaded with harmful microorganisms, avoid if possible.

• Avoid milk products, especially mithai, if the restaurant or outlet you are buying from does not store/display them at controlled temperatures. This is because the high sugar content and the milk together provide a suitable environment for bacterial growth.

• Avoid eating at roadside eateries especially those serving pani puri or bhel puri as the chutneys may lack hygiene and could be the cause of an upset stomach.
Another common ailment is a stomach upset

Drinking an adequate amount of water is necessary throughout the year. Even in the monsoons when you rarely feel thirsty. Drink plenty of liquids in the form of water or coconut water.
Always keep oral rehydration salts sachets handy to prevent dehydration. You get ready made ones at any chemist.

Even if it is a minor illness, try as far as possible not to self medicate; take the opinion of your doctor.

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Just Stay Away From All Inclusive Holidays

This is the time that everybody expected for the entire year. Take a few days off, forget about work, about the city and problems and just go and relax in a heavenly location for entertainment along with eating and drinking.

You should be careful though and avoid all inclusive holidays if you don’t want to gain back in just 1 week every pound you worked at the gym to get it off.

It’s impossible to stay away of the delicious dishes and services the hotels lure you with:

* unlimited meals and snacks including breakfast, lunch and dinner
* unlimited beverages including premium alcohol, juices and soft drinks
* full 24 hour room service.

It’s a fact the people who come back from this kind of a holiday also bring back an extra of 5-10 pounds, no matter if you regularly tend to overeat or not.

To avoid this situation you should choose the services only with breakfast included and don’t forget to do plenty of exercises. 30 minutes of walking after each meal should be enough to maintain your weight.

What should you eat in your holiday?

The meals should not be very different from your usual meals, but if you want to try something new, focus on:

* seafood
* salads
* everything else grilled, steamed or boiled.

If this is not helping you and you still cannot stay away of the “bad” food, you should at least visit the hotel’s pool or gym as much as you can to balance your calorie intake.

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Steps For Losing Weight

Usually people don’t just wake up and say “Starting with today I’m going to eat healthier and I’m going to exercise more”. No! This is happening most of the time without even realizing it.

You just feel better eating a grilled chicken breast than a portion of French friezes and then you feel like taking a walk to the grocery store or like getting down from the bus 2 stations earlier and walk home.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services have a list with the steps you can do to lose weight. I haven’t realized how many things I am already doing without any effort.

I wrote in bold the steps I took until now and I’m a little bit over 50 % with 61. :) This is good, I would say, taking into consideration that I live in a apartment and I don’t have kids (to play with) or a dog (to walk).

So what’s your “score” on the small steps to lose weight list?

1. Walk to work.
2. Use fat free milk over whole milk.
3. Do sit-ups in front of the TV.
4. Walk during lunch hour.
5. Drink water before a meal.
6. Eat leaner red meat & poultry.
7. Eat half your dessert.
8. Walk instead of driving whenever you can.
9. Take family walk after dinner.
10. Skate to work instead of driving.

11. Avoid food portions larger than your fist.
12. Mow lawn with push mower.
13. Increase the fiber in your diet.
14. Walk to your place of worship instead of driving.
15. Walk kids to school.
16. Get a dog and walk it.
17. Join an exercise group.
18. Drink diet soda.
19. Replace Sunday drive with Sunday walk.
20. Do yard work.
21. Eat off smaller plates.
22. Get off a stop early & walk.
23. Don’t eat late at night.
24. Skip seconds.
25. Work around the house.
26. Skip buffets.
27. Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.
28. Bicycle to the store instead of driving.
29. Take dog to the park.
30. Ask your doctor about taking a multi-vitamin.
31. Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.
32. Use vegetable oils over solid fats.
33. More carrots, less cake.
34. Fetch the newspaper yourself.
35. Sit up straight at work.
36. Wash the car by hand.
37. Don’t skip meals.
38. Eat more celery sticks.
39. Run when running errands.
40. Pace the sidelines at kids’ athletic games.
41. Take wheels off luggage.
42. Choose an activity that fits into your daily life.
43. Try your burger with just lettuce, tomato, and onion.
44. Ask a friend to exercise with you.
45. Make time in your day for physical activity.
46. Exercise with a video if the weather is bad.
47. Bike to the barbershop or beauty salon instead of driving.
48. Keep to a regular eating schedule.
49. If you find it difficult to be active after work, try it before work.
50. Take a walk or do desk exercises instead of a cigarette or coffee break.
51. Perform gardening or home repair activities.
52. Avoid laborsaving devices.
53. Take small trips on foot to get your body moving.
54. Play with your kids 30 minutes a day.
55. Dance to music.
56. Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office.
57. Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.
58. Walk briskly in the mall.
59. Choose activities you enjoy & you’ll be more likely to stick with them.
60. Stretch before bed to give you more energy when you wake.
61. Take the long way to the water cooler.
62. Explore new physical activities.
63. Vary your activities, for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.
64. Reward and acknowledge your efforts.
65. Choose fruit for dessert.
66. Consume alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at all.
67. Take stairs instead of the escalator.
68. Conduct an inventory of your meal/snack and physical activity patterns.
69. Share an entree with a friend.
70. Grill fruits or vegetables.
71. Eat before grocery shopping.
72. Choose a checkout line without a candy display.
73. Make a grocery list before you shop.
74. Buy 100% fruit juices over soda and sugary drinks.
75. Stay active in winter.
76. Play with your kids.
77. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and other low fat seasonings.
78. Remove skin from poultry before cooking to lower fat content.
79. Eat before you get too hungry.
80. Don’t skip breakfast.
81. Stop eating when you are full.
82. Snack on fruits and vegetables.
83. Top your favorite cereal with apples or bananas.
84. Try brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.
85. Include several servings of whole grain food daily.
86. When eating out, choose a small or medium portion.
87. If main dishes are too big, choose an appetizer or a side dish instead.
88. Ask for salad dressing “on the side”.
89. Don’t take seconds.
90. Park farther from destination and walk.
91. Try a green salad instead of fries.
92. Bake or broil fish.
93. Walk instead of sitting around.
94. Eat sweet foods in small amounts.
95. Take your dog on longer walks.
96. Drink lots of water.
97. Cut back on added fats or oils in cooking or spreads.
98. Walk the beach instead of sunbathing.
99. Walk to a co-worker’s desk instead of emailing or calling them.
100. Carry your groceries instead of pushing a cart.
101. Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower.
102. Cut high-calorie foods like cheese and chocolate into smaller pieces and only eat a few pieces.
103. Use nonfat or low-fat sour cream, mayo, sauces, dressings, and other condiments.
104. Replace sugar sweetened beverages with water and add a twist of lemon or lime.
105. Replace high-saturated fat/high calorie seasonings with herbs grown in a small herb garden in your kitchen window.
106. Refrigerate prepared soups before you eat them. As the soup cools, the fat will rise to the top. Skim it off the surface for reduced fat content.
107. When eating out, ask your server to put half your entrée in a to-go bag.
108. Substitute vegetables for other ingredients in your sandwich.
109. Every time you eat a meal, sit down, chew slowly, and pay attention to flavors and textures.
110. Try a new fruit or vegetable (ever had jicama, plantain, bok choy, starfruit or papaya?)
111. Make up a batch of brownies with applesauce instead of oil or shortening.
112. Instead of eating out, bring a healthy, low calorie lunch to work.
113. Ask your sweetie to bring you fruit or flowers instead of chocolate.
114. Speak up for the salad bar when your coworkers are picking a restaurant for lunch, and remember calories count, so pay attention to how much and what you eat.
115. When walking, go up the hills instead of around them.
116. Walk briskly through the mall and shop till you drop … pounds.
117. Clean your closet and donate clothes that are too big.
118. Take your body measurements to gauge progress.
119. Buy a set of hand weights and play a round of Simon Says with your kids - you do it with the weights, they do without.
120. Swim with your kids.

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Faster Heart Attack Care Saving Lives

After an Indiana hospital introduced a new protocol to get heart attack patients into the cardiac catheterization lab more quickly for artery-opening procedures, patients received lifesaving care up to an hour sooner than before and suffered less heart damage, researchers report.

They also had shorter hospital stays, according to a study published in the June 11 issue of Circulation.

The study included patients with a type of heart attack called ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which is caused by a completely blocked artery. The sooner the artery can be opened, the lower the risk of death or permanent heart damage.

Emergency angioplasty -- also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -- is the preferred treatment for this kind of heart attack, according to background information in the study.

"The benefit of emergency PCI depends on how quickly a patient receives treatment. However, only about a third of patients in the United States receive treatment within the recommended 90 minutes," study lead author Dr. Umesh N. Khot, a cardiologist at Indiana Heart Physicians/St. Francis Heart Center in Indianapolis, said in a prepared statement.

He and his colleagues made two major changes to the hospital's STEMI treatment protocol. First, the emergency department doctor who first sees the heart attack patient now immediately activates the cath lab. Next, an Emergency Heart Attack Response Team -- which includes an emergency department nurse, a critical care unit nurse, and a chest pain unit nurse -- moves the patient to the cath lab and prepares the patient for emergency PCI.

"Traditionally, most hospitals require the emergency department physician to contact a cardiologist who comes to see the patient. Only after the cardiologist sees the patient is the cath lab activated. Waiting for the cardiologist before activating the cath lab delays care without any clear benefit," Khot said.

Then, "patients have to wait in the emergency department for the catheterization team members to prepare the cath lab or arrive from home during nights and weekends."

Khot and his colleagues compared 60 STEMI patients who had emergency PCI before the new protocol was implemented and 86 STEMI patients treated after the new protocol was in place.

The median time it took for a patient to be treated after arriving at the hospital decreased by a third -- from 83.5 minutes to 64.5 minutes during regular hours and from 123.5 minutes to 77.5 minutes in off-hours. The proportion of patients who received emergency PCI within 90 minutes increased from 28 percent to 71 percent, the research team say.
Source: Healthday

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Fighting the skin menace

Skin diseases are often neglected until advanced stages. This may be justified given the fact that we hardly hear of skin ailments accounting for deaths or life threatening consequences in its patients. However, the diseases may be very dangerous if not treated for long. And often with the lack of pure water and proper sanitation, raising awareness regarding this has become necessary– all the more so in case of children who are quick to catch it and spread it to their friends due to the lack of knowledge.

Living in unhygienic conditions and lack of proper water sanitation are the two main causes of skin diseases. Due to their contagious nature, these diseases are most rampant in crowded rooms, and more so in rooms lacking proper ventilation. Thus children living in hostels are most liable to catch it and spread it.

According to doctors, childrens are more susceptible to parasitical scabies, fungal ringworm, and viral warts, apart from the bacterial diseases that comprise the major portion of the problem. The common ones among the bacterial infections include Impetigo or school sores (mostly in children), boils, Ecthyma, Folliculitis, Pitted Keratolysis, and Cellulitis. The ordinary Nepalis refer to most of them as pilow.
Initially, these diseases may not seem weighty problem. But if they happen to lead to the proliferation of bacteria inside the body, the problem gets very serious. Even the viral, parasitical and fungal infections get lethal after they attract bacterial infection. The condition may be life threatening if the bacteria manage to infect the lungs, heart, kidney, stomach and other internal organs. Although there is no need to panic, we should treat these diseases quickly to obliterate its chances.

“Cleaning the body, clothes and the surroundings should be addressed in the first case to rein in the problem,” suggests Dr Anil Kumar Jha, a skin specialist at Om Hospital. Putting on others’ cloths makes us susceptible to the disease. So children, who mostly lack required knowledge on these matters, should be discouraged by their parents, guardians or hostel superintendents, to wear their friends’ cloths. At home, putting on clean clothes should be given priority. “While cleaning the body or clothes, the available water can also be sanitised by adding disinfectant, like a tinge of potash till the water turns pink. This will help in getting rid of bacteria. But one should be careful here too, as adding too much of potash will render the liquid corrosive.”

Furthermore, at home and at hostel, children should be regularly checked for any possible diseases even if the child doesn’t complain of any discomfort, and given due medication without much delay. Those affected with the disease should be kept away from others at hostel to prevent its spread. Cleaning the surface of the affected part with clean water and antiseptics or taking oral antibiotics can be a good treatment following directions from doctors.

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Eating Eggs Helps Adults Lose More Weight

Skip the bagel this morning. Eggs, which are full of protein, will help you feel fuller longer --a lot longer. A multi center study of 30 overweight or obese women found that those who ate two scrambled eggs (with two slices of toast and a reduced-calorie fruit spread) consumed less for the next 36 hours than women who had a bagel breakfast of equal calories. Other research has shown that protein may also prevent spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to food cravings.
"While it's been well-established that foods such as eggs that contain the highest quality protein help people feel full longer, we were surprised at how definite these findings were."
said Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, Ph.D., lead researcher and associate professor in the department of infection and obesity at Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

"The women who consumed eggs as part of their diet plan lost significantly more weight, had greater reductions in waist circumference and reported significantly higher energy levels."
The study found that overweight women who ate 2 eggs for breakfast at least 5 days a week for 8 weeks (as part of a low-fat diet with a 1,000 calorie reduction):

* lost 65 % more weight
* had 83 % greater reductions in waist circumference
* reported greater improvements in energy levels than their dieting counterparts who consumed a bagel breakfast of the same calories

In the study, the egg and bagel breakfasts not only provided the same amount of calories, but also the same weight mass, an important control factor in satiety and weight loss studies.

Eggs help healthy people stay healthy
Additional research presented at Experimental Biology 2007 this week further highlighted the benefits of eggs, including their role in providing choline, an essential nutrient, which has been shown to help prevent birth defects and promote brain and memory development.Eggs are easy to include in everyday diets

"It's especially good news because eggs, which contain one of the highest quality proteins naturally found in food, are an easy, inexpensive and, importantly, versatile food to incorporate into our diets."



So easy, in fact, that Zelman offers these tips to help dieters keep their energy levels up throughout the day:

* Jump Start. Start your day off right with a complete breakfast by pairing high-quality protein foods like eggs or low-fat dairy with other healthful foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A vegetable-filled Garden Omelet is a great way to get your protein and vegetables all at once.
* The Morning Rush. Make an on-the-go breakfast sandwich by topping a whole wheat English muffin with microwave scrambled eggs, low-fat cheese and tomato. To make the eggs, beat an egg (and milk, if desired) in a small bowl or mug and pop it into the microwave on HIGH for 60 seconds.
* Stay Energized. Avoid an afternoon slump by eating high-quality protein throughout the day. Try a Tangy Raspberry Salad topped with hard-cooked eggs for lunch or Dilly Veggie Dunk for a satisfying but healthful afternoon snack.
Source: aeb

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Facts About Stroke: The Top 3 Killer

Do you know ?Stroke killed 150,147 people in 2004 alone. It is the third largest cause of death worldwide, behind heart diseases and cancer. Around 700,000 people suffer from stroke each year, with 500,000 being new cases.

So how do stroke occurs? When a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to our brain bursts or gets clogged by a blood clot or fatty deposits (plague), part of the brain cells dies within minutes. This is because all body cells requires oxygen, and our brain cells are no different. This condition is called stroke.

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic strokes are the most common (80%) and are caused by clogged blood vessels. Hemorrhagic stokes are caused by bleeding from a burst blood vessel. There are different types of strokes, but are generally classified under these 2.

Stroke can cause disability
Although stroke is a form of brain disease, underestimating its effects is dangerous. Stroke victims may suffer damages to their entire body, and this can include:

* Hemiplegia - a common effect caused by stroke, complete paralysis on one side of the body
* Hemiparesis - similar to hemiplegia but less severe, suffers from one-sided weakness of the body
* Emotional breakdown - having difficulty controlling your emotions or expressing your self; suffers from depression
* Poor judgment, thinking, awareness, attention, learning and memory
* Difficulty in speaking
* Pain in hands and feet, especially when the temperature changes

People who had stroke usually takes months or even years to recover through medical treatment and rehabilitation therapy. Brain cells damaged or dead can never heal by itself nor can it be replaced. Even through treatment, patients may not be able to gain back their full bodily functions. They had to suffer long term disabilities.

Act F-A-S-T, Prevent Stroke
This is a small self-test for stroke. It is recommended to read Stroke Symptom & Warning Sign in addition to this article for better understanding. This should never replace a doctor's diagnose, and if in doubt, go for a medical checkup.


FACIAL
Smile, and check if one side of the face droops. Stroke can cause numbness in one side of your face.

ARMS
Raise both arms, and check if one arm is drifting downwards. This is due to numbness or weakness in one side of your body.

SLURRED SPEECH
Repeat a sentence from a friend, if your speech is slurred and you have difficulties understanding, this might be caused by stroke.

TIME
If you or a friend have the above symptoms, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. Your brain cells might be dying as you hesitate!

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Top 15 Healthiest Fruits For Human

This is the top 15 fruits that i found to be very important and fruitful for Human Body:

1. Apples - 1 medium apple (80 calories, 0 g fat): An apple's 3 g of fiber help you meet your fiber goal of 20 g to 30 g daily. High-fiber diets can lower heart disease risk;
2. Apricots - 3 apricots (51 calories, 0 g fat): A good source of beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A by the body), providing the equivalent of 35% of the RDA for vitamin A;
3. Bananas - 1 medium (105 calories, 0 g fat): Bananas are a great source of potassium, which plays a key role in heart health and muscle function. Plus each one has 2 g of fiber;
4. Blackberries - 1 cup (74 calories, 0 g fat): This fruit boasts a whopping 10 g of fiber in a single cup;
5. Blueberries - 1 cup (81 calories, 0 g fat): Blueberries help prevent and treat bladder infections by making it hard for bacteria to stick to urinary tract walls;
6. Cherries - 1 cup (84 calories, 1 g fat): A good source of perillyl alcohol, which helps prevent cancer in animals. Heart-protective anthocyanins give cherries their color;
7. Grapefruits - 1/2 fruit (39 calories, 0 g fat): A good source of vitamin C and a compound called naringenin, which helps suppress tumors in animals;
8. Kiwi - 1 medium (46 calories, 0 g fat): Just one little fruit packs a mean vitamin-C punch (74 mg) and an impressive 2.8 g fiber;
9. Mangoes - 1 mango (135 calories, 1 g fat): A single mango has enough beta-carotene to cover your RDA for vitamin A while racking up 57 mg of vitamin C;
10. Oranges fruits- 1 orange (61 calories, 0 g fat): One orange provides an impressive 50 mg to 70 mg of vitamin C, 40 mcg of folic acid and 52 mg of calcium;

11. Papayas - 1 cup, cubed (55 calories, 0 g fat): Loaded with vitamin C (86 mg per cup), a healthy dose of fiber (2.5 g) and a sprinkling of beta-carotene and calcium;
12. Purple grapes - 1 small (113 calories, 9 g fat):Offer three heart-guarding compounds: flavonoids, anthocyanins and resveratrol (green grapes are not rich in them);
13. Prunes - 1/3 cup, stewed (87 calories, 0 g fat): Prunes' famed laxative effect is no mystery: There are 5 g of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) in just 1/3 cup;
14. Raspberries - 1 cup (60 calories, 0 g fat): Teeming with 8 g of fiber per cup, they also boast vitamin C, ellagic acid and anthocyanins;
15. Strawberries - 1 cup, sliced (50 calories, 0 g fat): Strawberries have high levels of ellagic acid and anthocyanins, and are rich in vitamin C (95 mg per cup) and fiber (3.8 g per cup).

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Effects Of Blood Circulation In Human Body

Our Circulatory System
Our body circulatory system have 3 parts: pulmonary circulation (lungs), coronary circulation (heart), and systemic circulation (the rest). This system mainly involves the heart, the lungs and the blood vessels. The lungs provide oxygen for the heart to pump to the rest of our body. This is done through blood circulation, the blood carries the oxygen from the lungs to the heart.

The heart then pumps the blood full of oxygen to all of our body cells. Nutrients are also carried in the blood to these cells. Our body cells and tissues will die if they do not receive blood.
The blood always circulates throughout our body, in arteries, capillaries and veins. It moves in the arteries away from the heart, to other parts of the body. As the arteries gets smaller as the blood travels away from the heart, they become capillaries. It is from here that oxygen is supplied to the tissues and in turn, takes away the waste and carbon dioxide.

The returning blood circulation then enters the right side of the heart and moves on to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is deposited. It then picks up more oxygen and returns to the left side of the heart. The whole process is repeated as the heart pumps the blood again.

So, how do blood circulation affects our health? In many ways, in fact, the circulation affects the whole body and its functions, and is a basic precondition to maintain good health. Below are some cases of the effects of blood circulation.

Brain
In this circulatory system, about 20% of the blood pumped from our heart goes to the brain, which only represents 2% of our body's weight.
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good memory and concentration
* Good coordination of body parts
* Quick response to stimulation

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Headache
* Feeling faint and dizziness
* Reduced or poor mental clarity - forget names easily
* Poor comprehension of figures

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
* Dementia
o Short term memory loss, inability to think through problems, confusion, paranoia, bizarre behaviour
* Stroke
o Long term build up of cholesterol in the brain's blood vessels may narrow the blood vessels and hence, disrupt blood flow.
o When the blood vessels in the brain are blocked or rupture due to increased pressure, a person is said to suffer from stroke.
o Stroke victims may suffer paralysis, impaired speech, or even death.


Heart Muscles
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good energy and stamina
* Regular and normal heart rate

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Shortness of breath
o Breathing difficulty is a common symptom of inadequate blood flow to the heart
* Feeling faint and dizziness
* Fatigue
o Easily feels tired when performing physical activities such as jogging

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Angina
o Chest pains due to poor circulation to the heart
* Heart attack
o Fatty materials build up gradually in the heart's blood vessels, narrowing the path and obstructs blood flow. Eventually, this triggers a heart attack.
o Heart failure have a high risk of death, while a mild or moderate heart attack may gradually cause heart failure months or years after the heart attack.

Liver
Our liver performs many vital functions, which includes:

* Metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein
* Removal of worn-out cells, drugs and toxins
* Storage for glycogen, vitamins and minerals
* Activating Vitamin D

Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good energy and stamina
* Few or no allergies
* Smooth and healthy skin
* Normal glucose level

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Poor appetite and weight loss
* Itchy skin

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Lethargy
* Jaundice

Kidneys
Our kidneys

* Eliminate excess water, urea, uric acid and other waste materials
* Regulate the blood pressure, blood pH and blood volume
* Help synthesize and secrete hormones

Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good energy and stamina
* Little or no incidence of water retention
* Normal blood pressure and heart rate

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Build-up of waste and water in your body
o Symptoms: Swelling of face, hands, ankles or feet
* Fatigue
* Rapid heart rate and light-headedness

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Kidney failure

Legs/Hands
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Warm feet and hands
* Low incidence of foot ulcer
* Quick healing of all wounds

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Cold hands and feet, may feel numb

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Varicose veins
* Poor healing of wounds
* Cyanosis
o Skin looks blue due to lack of oxygen supply to body parts

Reproductive Organs
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Normal sex drive
* Hormonal balance
* Enhanced vitality

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Low libido

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Impotency

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Heart Disease Symptoms

There are several types of heart diseases, and the major ones includes coronary, heart attack, rheumatic, atherosclerosis, congenital and arrhythmia. The symptoms of heart disease varies from type to type, and unfortunately, not all heart disease symptoms show up in the early stage. These warning signs also varies from people to people. Below are some of the common symptoms for several types of heart diseases.

Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease can happen when our coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle hardened and narrowed. This is due to the buildup of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. Symptoms include:

* Angina
Feeling discomfort, heaviness, pain, fullness in your chest. This is commonly felt in the chest although it can happen in one or both arms, left shoulder, neck, jaw or back.
* Shortness of breath
* Weakness or dizziness
* Sweating
* Palpitations (irregular heart beats)
* Rapid heart beats
* Feeling nausea

Heart Failure
Symptoms include:

* Shortness of breath
* Experiencing chest pain
* Cough, producing white mucus
* Quick weight gain (1 to 1.5kg a day)
* Swelling in ankles, legs and abdomen
* Dizziness
* Fatigue
* Palpitations (irregular heart beats)
* Rapid heart beats
* Feeling nausea


Heart Attack
Symptoms include:

* Chest discomfort, usually last more than a few minutes. Feels like pressure, squeezing, pain or fullness
* Discomfort in the arm, jaw, throat, back or below the breastbone
* Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
* Sweating (cold sweat, nausea, vomiting or lightheadedness
* Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of breath
* Palpitations (irregular heart beats)
* Rapid heart beats


Most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort, but there are some which are sudden and intense. The symptoms can last 30 minutes or more, and if not relieved soon enough, damage will be caused to your heart. If you experience chest discomfort, don't wait for more than 5 minutes before calling for help. Call 911 and it might just save your life.

Most people do not know what is going on and waited too long before seeking help. Always go to the hospital through an ambulance if possible, you can receive treatment faster than by car.

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Higher Leverage Against Lung Cancer

The fight against cancer has been progressively advancing through the years. Combined efforts from the government, civil society, and health advocacy groups have gained dramatic results. Cancer awareness is on the rise, alternative less cancer-prone lifestyles are arising, while medical researches and technological advancement have tremendously leveled up the fight against one of the world's leading killer. The classic chemotherapy has been modernized and combined with other treatments like radiation, laser, and even organic medicines.

In America alone, the National Health Institute of the US Department of Health and Human Services through its anti-cancer arm National Cancer Institute reported that the death rate due to cancer is still on the decline. In it's annual report to the nation, the NCI claimed that the cancer death rates are progressively declining and progress in cancer treatments are continuously on the rise. In men, study from 1993 to 2002 recorded a decline of 1.5 percent death rate from all cases of cancer. This is higher compared to women's 0.08 percent decline rate.

This report has put the US Department of Health and Human Services at a better position in achieving the goals of its Health People 2010 campaign. The statistics revealed that lung cancer is still consistently leading the nation's cancer death rates. Although a decrease in tobacco-related cancer cases is being achieved, the challenge to drastically reduce its death toll is still as hard as it has always been before. With more and more people puffing cigarettes, lung or bronco cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women.


Dubbed as "the most common cancer", lung cancer is now the subject of numerous studies and experimentations in many countries with advance cancer research programs and facilities like the United Kingdom and Australia. A wider knowledge on lung cancer is now available. A classification has been made between Small Cell Lung Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Small cell lung cancer is the case where in malignant cancer cells grow in the tissues of the lungs. Three types of Small Cell Lung Cancer are known: small cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and combined small cell carcinoma. Smoking, second hand smoking, and exposure to asbestos and radon are the known causes of Small Cell Lung Cancer. Current treatments do not successfully cure cases of Small Cell Lung Cancer. However, studies in Germany revealed that surgery (removal of cancer cells or tumor), systematic post-surgery chemotherapy, and sustained local treatments (e.g. *radiation therapy*) have a higher probability of curing this type of lung cancer.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, on the other hand, is the most common type of lung cancer. It accounts for four of every five deaths from lung cancer. There are several known types of Non-Small Lung Cancer, the three most common are the Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Large Cell Carcinoma, and Adenocarcinoma. The others are pleomorphic, carcinoid tumor, and salivary gland carcinoma. Like the other lung cancer type, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is mostly caused by smoking (first and second hand), high exposure to air pollution, and exposure to chemicals like asbestos, chromium, and arsenic.

In 2005, the New England Journal of Medicine reported a breakthrough in treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. It reported that current studies reveal that chemotherapy, after the traditional Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer treatment of surgery, can increase the survival rate among patients. In a study, an overwhelming 15 percent increase of survival rate was recorded among patients who had chemotherapy after surgery. Sixty-nine percent of those who had post-surgery chemotherapy's were reported to be still alive five years after the surgery compared to the 54 percent who did not.

Furthermore, a study in Switzerland suggested an even greater breakthrough for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer treatment. The study proposed that in addition to chemotherapy, a combination of the innovative cancer drugs Tarceva and Avastin can lead to higher survival rate for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients. Tarceva is approved in the US and across the European Union for patients with unsuccessful cancer treatments through chemotherapy. Also in US and Europe, Avastin is a popular effective medicine for collorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer. The proposed combination is seen to serve as a stronger combat against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, especially for the recurring cases.

In the US, the Health and Human Services Department clearly targets the habit of smoking as the main antagonist in the fight against lung cancer. A propaganda campaign is almost everywhere to make Americans, if not totally quit, slowdown on smoking.

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Honey Recipe To Lower Cholesterol

Research on the benefits of honey for health is proceeding in all directions. Today we discuss its effect on lowering cholesterol, as well as the effect of another ingredient in the recipe -Almond- on LDL-Cholesterol or (bad cholesterol).

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that drinking four tablespoons of honey mixed into a 16-ounce glass of water improved the antioxidant levels in the blood of 25 men aged 18-68.The trial was over 5 weeks. Dr Nicki Engeseth, who led the study which was presented to the American Chemical Society, said: "It looks like honey is having a mild protective effect."

It was already known that honey contained varying levels of antioxidants, with dark honey having more than light. But this is the first study to examine honey's effect on human blood.


In a second study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, Canadian researchers showed eating almonds lowered cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. They found that eating 74 grams daily for 1 month lowered the low-density lipoproteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) of Twenty-seven men and women with an average age of 64 and high cholesterol, by 9.4%.

Alice Lichtenstein, vice-chair of the American Heart Association's nutrition committee, said: "This study suggests that replacing carbohydrates with monounsaturated fat - within the context of a diet that is low in saturated, trans fat and cholesterol - favourably affects cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk."

I found this recipe which fulfill the requirements of a healthy eating aimed at lowering cholesterol through its content of honey and almond and their effect on the cardiovascular system, cinnamon and its blood glucose lowering effect, together with fibers in orange. I hope you enjoy this recipe taste as well as its health benefits.

Honey Glazed Nuts recipe
Posted by Olga at recipe goldmine.com 2/16/2002 8:02 pm

4 cups whole blanched almonds
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Grated zest of 1 orange

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Toss all the ingredients together.
Transfer almonds to a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until lightly toasted, stirring occasionally.
Cool.
Store in an airtight container.

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Dealing With Attention Disorder

Tom is a nine-year-old studying in class four. His parents are very worried about the way he behaves. Almost everyday they hear complaints from school on his abysmal performance. Tom's teachers are also equally worried.

Tom lacks attention, and cannot concentrate on anything even for few moments. He does not seem to listen even when spoken directly, and time and again fails to complete his home works and other duties. Besides, he often moves his hands or feet, squirms in seat, runs about or climbs excessively, has difficulty in waiting for his turn, and blurts out answers before questions have been completed.

His parents have been noticing such behaviours ever since he was three years of age. And they report that the problem has only been increasing with time.
There are so many other parents suffering from similar problems with their children. What Tom has is not a simple behavioural disorder, but an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a type of mental disorder usually first diagnosed in childhood. The disorder causes three major impairments in children: they are inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive. They are often reckless, and prone to accidents. They have learning difficulties due to poor attention and lack of persistence. Symptoms like restlessness and overactivity can also show up before school age.
American Psychiatric Association (1994) says that ADHD is prevalent in about three to four percent of children. The chances are three to four times higher in boys than in girls.

The causes of ADHD have not yet been clearly established. However, it seems that the disorder has heterogeneous aetiology, both biological and psychological. Many reports also suggest that there is neurodevelopment impairment in children with ADHD, which may be caused due to birth complication. Social factors, over stimulation by caregivers during early development can also result in ADHD. It has been mostly noticed that hyperactivity gradually lessens with age. However, when overactivity is severe and accompanied by a learning failure, or low intelligence, the condition may persist in adult life.

Although there is no full treatment of ADHD, it can be effectively controlled through stimulant drugs and behavioural modification methods. Parents and teachers also need good advice on how to take care of the child to reduce chances of inadvertently reinforcing overactivity.
So if your child is inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive, s/he may be suffering from ADHD. It would do much good to consult the school counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professionals and start giving proper treatment. It would reduce the chances of having impairment in his or her emotional, academic and social life later on.

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Laughing For Health

Popular wisdom has it that laughter is the best medicine. A growing number of scientific studies are now providing proof.
The effect of laughter on physical and mental well-being is the purview of gelotology, the study of humour and laughter. This new field of study has found that the longer and more often you laugh, the greater the health benefits.
Various kinds of stimuli cause laughter, explained Michaela Schaeffner, head of the Munich-based Association of German Laughter Therapists. They include emotional stimuli such as a good mood while on holiday, mental stimuli like a funny joke and physical stimuli such as tickling.

"When it comes to mental and physical stimuli, the key is an element of surprise, a sense of contrast,"Schaeffer said. When the brain receives an appropriate stimulus, it sets laughter in motion."More than a hundred muscles are involved, from facial to respiratory,"noted Carsten Niemitz, director of the Institute of Human Biology and Anthropology at the Free University of Berlin.

Breathing during laughter is deeper than usual, which affects the whole body. "More oxygen flows to the body's cells" the bronchia are ventilated, catabolic processes are advanced, muscles relax, the heart and circulation are stimulated,"said Michael Titze, lecturer at the March Institute of Psychotherapy in the Brandenburg town of Baruth. In addition, laughter boosts healing. A laughing person's brain blocks production of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisone. "When someone laughs, more serotonin or "the happiness hormone,"is secreted. So if you laugh a lot, you'll feel better,"Niemitz said.

Good laughter-training methods include regional laughter club meetings, laughter seminars and laughter yoga."Laughter yoga begins by activating the laughter muscles via various playful exercises,"Schaeffner said. The exercises have to do with making sounds, facial expressions and body movements as well as breathing techniques and stimulating the diaphragm.

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Foods That Can Cure Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids don't last long and can be relieved with care at home, and people with them have excellent prognosis. We give you some food-made home treatments to make prognosis even better, so that you get rid of flare-ups of bleeding or discomfort from time to time.

To be aware of hemorrhoids earlier, we give you a brief discussion about the whole problem.

What are hemorrhoids :Hemorrhoids are dilated, blood-filled, painful veins in the rectum. According to the anatomical distribution of veins, hemorrhoids can be classified into:

1-Internal hemorrhoids which is formed of swollen internal veins which unless they are severe, they cannot be seen or felt.
2-External hemorrhoids which are formed of swollen external veins which can be seen around the outside of the anus and, in many times can be felt.

The 3 main ailments that can be associated with hemorrhoids are; Constipation, Liver diseases, and Pregnancy, where there is increased pressure that leads blood to pile-up in the hemorrhoid veins causing them to swell.Hemorrhoids are very common and have been estimated to occur in up to half the population by age 50.

Use These Food Remedies:

l- Eat 1 teaspoonful fenugreek seeds daily. Boil the seeds to soften it and if you do not like its taste , boil it repeatedly. Also you can mince the softened seeds in your mixer with your preferred flavor whether sweet or spicy. It will soften your stool normally without any need to other laxatives.

ll- The following foods are made into cream like preparation using plants and oils. Should you feel more satisfied about its consistency, mix it with your OTC cream:

1- Roasted Caraway seeds are ground and powdered on the hemorrhoids.

2- Eggplant + Bitter Almond + Green Almond + Olive oil. Boil all ingredients and paste them into a cream like base. Mince if you need.Apply locally.

3- Grilled Onion is pasted with Olive Oil. Apply locally.

4- Chamomile flowers+ Olive oil. Boil until charring the Chamomile,then filter and apply the remaining oil after washing and drying the anus.

5- Kale juice + Aloe gel. Mix and apply locally every day. You can add Olive oil to this mixture.
6- Unripe green walnut shell + Olive Oil. Boil until the shell is completely rut, mince, paste and apply it locally.

Use 1 oz of each of the recommended ingredients. If you need to increase the amount of an ingredient for a better consistency, increase the oil amount.

How do you feel hemorrhoids ;Unless the internal hemorrhoids are severe, you can only know that you have external hemorrhoids, when you see bright red blood topside the stools, or dripping into toilet. It is not long lasting bleeding. External hemorrhoids can be classified into 2 types :
1- Prolapsed hemorrhoids :
It is formed when the internal hemorrhoids swell and then extend through the anus, from outside. Itching in the anus may develop from prolapsed hemorrhoids.Many times you can solve the problem by rubbing them with Castor oil and pushing them back through the anus. If the hemorrhoids cannot be pushed back, then they may swell even more , and you need to see a doctor.
2- Thrombosed hemorrhoids :
The stagnant blood in hemorrhoids may form a clot leading to more swollen hemorrhoids and causing an increased pain, which is worsened by bowl movement or sometimes with sitting. This also may require a doctor's examination and treatment

In general, if there is bleeding, prolapsed hemorrhoids that does not go back through the anus, or if you feel a significant pain from hemorrhoids, you should see your doctor. A special care should be considered, if you are over 40 and have a family history of Colon Cancer.


Self-Care at home is recommended by doctors :
Procedure of treatment of hemorrhoids, most of the time is conservative and performed at home.There are certain measures to be considered for a hemorrhoids patient including:

1- Sanitary control :
Hemorrhoids occurring in an extremely difficult place, should receive a special hygienic care, this include :
# Hot sitz baths: A sitz bath is recommended 3 times a day and after each bowl movement for at least 15 minutes (sitting in a few inches of warm or luke water).
# Be sure to thoroughly dry the skin and the anus after each bath so that it does not rub and becomes torn
# If these antiseptic solutions are sold OTC in your country,they are helpful for thoroughly cleansing:
* Potassium Permangnate solution 1:8000.
* Povidone-Iodine 10% solution (Betadine) .

Dietary :
1- Drink more water and eat more leafy green vegetables.2- Increase the amount of bran and fibers in your diet.

Stool Softener :
Laxatives of different sorts have been used to ease excretion of stools. Laxatives that produce watery stools that may cause infection in the anus should be avoided.

Sitting Restrictions :
Some doctors recommend their patients not to sit for a long period of time, and some people feel more comfortable sitting on an air doughnut.

Over-The-Counter medications :
Many creams, ointments, and suppositories are sold as medicines and pain relievers for hemorrhoids in many countries. Some of them contain corticosteroids and might cause the hemorrhoids to take longer to heal, so consult your doctor first.

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DCA Cancer Cure Truth And Hot Debate

What is this hot debate of DiChlororAcetate (DCA) all about? and where is the truth? This article deals with the debate and the truth.

The story begins from Canada where Dr Evangelos Michelakis, a professor at the University of Alberta, published an article about his findings about DCA , and that he found it causes regression in several cancers including lung, breast, and brain tumors, here:
http://www.depmed.ualberta.ca/dca/


Dr Len Lechtenfeld, a deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society said that he does not know the researcher but the University is a recognized , established university. He explained the possible side effects of DCA and its parent compound, telling his experience about false hopes given to cancer patients, and advising people to be prudent and patient about any new claim, here
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/Story?id=2848454&page=1

Watching the storm the Internet is taken by, we may consider the following aspects:

1- Dr. Michelakis's article was seemingly directed to the public, giving the scholars (and non-scholars sometimes) the opportunity to find conventional hints from the scientific point of view.

2- The whole situation is critical, since it deals with a miracle for desperate people who are not concerned with the scientific debate, yet some of them may have been painfully suffered fake claims.

3- When we set DCA aside from the debate about its direct implementation as a cancer cure, and verify the claimed effect of deactivating the glycolytic and activating the mitochondrial energy production pathways, it would represent the clue to cure all cancers, since we would deal with cancer as a metabolic disease, instead of the massive destruction weapons we are using now with or without incomplete success.

4- DCA being non patent drug, has created a buzz about the concern of the pharma co's, while if the Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) is validated, we shouldn't worry about the concern of pharma co's, and see these names for different patented drugs that treat erectile dysfunction; Sildenafil, Tadalfil, and Verdenafil.

Would we reject the slightest hope of conquering a devil enemy like cancer?

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Healthy Foods List For Arthritis And Back Pain Relief

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints. There are two theories for the cause:
1. Infection
2. Body's own defenses go out of line and attack its own tissues components as if they were invading pathogens.

This illness affects about 60 million people worldwide who are helpless to do anything about it. Arthritis is a part of the genetic code one was born with, like green eyes and birthmarks.
The most severe case of this crippling disease is RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Although one inherits arthritis, yet there are factors relating to it like fatigue, shock, injury, and exposure to cold and dampness.

I have begun to explore the possibilities of food medicine which had improved the quality of life and markedly decreased the the daily arthritic pain of many people. I am not saying I have found a cure for arthritis, because there is no cure. I want to share them with you here, in the hopes that they can benefit someone else who may be fighting the same battle.

* Parsley :
A poultice of bruised leaves gives relief in cases of neuralgia and rheumatism.

* Cayenne Pepper :
In herbal treatment today, Capsicum is used for rheumatism, and arthritis. Capsicum and its active ingredients are used extensively in many pharmaceutical preparations.The capsaicin in cayenne blocks a chemical involved in the nerve transmission of pain. Cayenne is also rich in salicylates, natural aspirin like compounds. Massage a balm containing cayenne into your temples for headaches, or take encapsulated cayenne. Capsaicin, an extract from cayenne and other peppers, can dramatically reduce chronic nerve pain. Studies have proven its usefulness for arthritis, shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy. It appears to act by decreasing the concentration of substance P, the primary chemical used by nerve cells to transmit pain signals. This effect can require several weeks of regular use.

* Fennel :
An infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried leaves to 1 pint of boiling water is taken in wine glassful doses, frequently repeated. It has also been recommended as an external application for dissolving glandular swellings. Oil of fennel relieves muscular or rheumatic pains.

* Hops :
As an external remedy, an infusion of Hops is much in demand in combination with chamomile flowers or poppy heads as a fomentation for swelling of a painful nature, inflammation, neuralgic and rheumatic pains, bruises, boils and gatherings. It removes pain and allays inflammation in a very short time.

* Ginseng , Siberian :
For treating rheumatoid arthritis and making muscles and bones strong.

* Lavender :
A fomentation of lavender as external application relieves stiffness of the joints. Oil of lavender is sometimes effective in bringing back circulation to feet that have lost feeling.

* Pineapple :
Research demonstrates bromelin helps the body eliminate substances related to arthritis and triggers the release of a prostaglandin that tamps down inflammation. Some question remains about bromelin's absorption from the gut, and to many herbal authorities the value may be over hyped. Nature gave us many similar proteolytic enzymes, (like Ginger), that are more highly concentrated in the edible parts of the plants.

* Barberry, Common :
Both Chinese gold thread (native to the mountains of Szechwan province in China) and the barberry known in Europe and North America are rich natural sources of berberine. Berberine is bright yellow and somewhat bitter, and has long been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects.Compounds in these plants inhibit the COX-2 enzyme. Berberine-containing herbs thus offer significant medical benefits across the spectrum of diseases.

* Celery :
It is recommended to eat the cultivated fresh root as well as taking the oil or fluid extract. Celery is said to be very good for rheumatism, when it is often combined with Coca, Damiana, etc. Dose: fluid extract, 3 to 7 drops every four hours.

* Black Pepper :
Black pepper has been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders.

* Ginger :
Ginger root has traditionally been used in India to treat arthritis. Components of ginger such as gingerol can inhibit the production of prostaglandins possibly more effectively that the arthritis drug Indomethacin.To ease arthritis pain, drink a cup of ginger tea daily, brewed with one half to one teaspoon of fresh ground root. Available at most grocery stores, choose roots that have smooth skins, and freeze sliced ginger to keep fresh.

* Licorice :
It acts much like your body's own natural corticosteroids, the most potent anti-inflammatory substance. Licorice decreases generation of damaging molecules called free radicals at the site of inflammation and it inhibits an enzyme that's involved in the inflammatory process.

* Evening Primrose :
The seed from this plant contains the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid ( GLA), which as an effect on inflammation. For this reason, the seed oil may significantly help arthritis pain, especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

* Borage :
Like evening primrose and black current seeds, borage seeds are another source of gammalinolenic acid (GLA), the omega-6 fatty acid that the body uses to make an inflammation fighting, autoimmune-boosting prostaglandin. * Flax The linoleic acid found in flax seed oil may also be beneficial for arthritis because it alters how the body breaks down prostaglandins, chemicals involved in inflammation.

* Turmeric :
The curcumin and curcuminoids in turmeric are first-rate arthritis-alleviating anti-inflammatory agents,These phytochemicals fight inflammation much like COX-2 inhibitors. They inhibits the production of prostaglandins. Turmeric can be taken in food, or applied topically to the joint as a poultice to relieve pain.

* Rosemary :
Apply a compress of Rosemary to relieve sore muscles, stiff joints, and rheumatic pains.

* Peach :
Leaves are boiled in water and the extract is applied locally.

* Olives :
Bruised leaves are put on the inside leg a little over the ankle.

* cress
Its juice is mixed with water and taken orally 1-3 times daily.

* Ivy :
Leaves are boiled with water and the resultant extract is taken orally,1-2 cups daily. 1-2 g of leaves for 1 cup water.

* Wheat Grass :
15 g of completely dried roots are boiled with 1/2 Liter of water for 10minutes. The extract is cooled, filtered and taken up to 4 cups daily.

* Colocynth :
If it is rubbed on the FEET, it relieves pain in the back, in the legs and in joint. It is one of the most effective remedies.

Some compounded foods :
There are also some tried blends of different foods that have been found to produce good results in relieving arthritis pain. If you find it greasy or of unpalatable appearance, you can mix it with any regular cream so that it is better dispensed. Unless directed to make a paste , you can use water extract of the plant.

# Crushed Linseed or Linseed oil + Vinegar:
To be applied locally.

# Lupin beans + Vinegar + Honey :
They are heated together and the resultant mixture is applied locally,it is helpful in relieving articular pain, Sciatica and Gout pain.

# Blackberries leaves + Figs :
To be heated together in water and the resultant extract is taken orally.

# Sugar apple + Barley extract :
Sugar apple is heated with Barley extract ( the water left after boiling Barley in it), and the resultant extract is applied locally.

# Thyme + Honey :
If powdered Thyme leaves or Thyme oil or extract is mixed with Honey it relieves arthritis pain almost immediately.

# Nigella + Honey :
Nigella oil is mixed with Honey and taken orally. The amounts are approximated to your convenience.

# Coriander oil + Almond oil + oil of Violet :
Mixed together and applied locally.

# Olive oil + Bran + Vinegar :
All are heated together and applied to the joints, then cover with wool cloth.

# Cabbage leaves + Barley mill (flower) :
Cabbage leaves are pasted with Barley mill, applied to the joints, then cover with wool cloth.

# Cabbage leaves + Garlic :
They are pasted together and applied to the affected joints. You can correct the odor using some aromatic oils of those mentioned above.

# Cucumber + Fenugreek + Vinegar + Garlic + Olive oil :
Fenugreek is boiled in water to be softened, Cucumber is peeled, and equal amounts of Cucumber, Fenugreek, and Vinegar are put in some Olive oil and heated after adding some garlic clove or oil and table salt, stirr until you get an ointment that is locally applied to the affected joints and covered with wool cloth ( you may leave it for the whole night).

# Figs + Pine nut + Safflower oil :
Mix using heat and apply locally.

# Caraway oil + Olive oil :
Caraway oil or the water extract of the seeds is added to double its amount of Olive oil and applied to the affected joint.

# Coriander + Henna + Barley mill + Vinegar :
The oil of Coriander or its water extract is mixed with the other ingredients and made into paste that is applied locally.

# Cartilage of Lamb + Saffron :
Cartilage of Lamb legs is mixed with Saffron and applied into the affected joints ( Glucosamine?).

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