Practicing yoga relieves stress, but might not regrow hair.
There are several forms of yoga and all of them emphasize postures, or asanas and breath, or prana. Practicing yoga improves blood circulation, decreases anxiety and relieves stress. Hair loss is believed to partially caused by hereditary factors, poor nutrition, stress, poor scalp and hair care and poor circulation.
Scientific Evidence
There is no known scientific evidence to suggest that practicing yoga will result in the re-growth of hair, but some yoga experts suggest that because practicing yoga regularly is known to improve blood circulation and relieve stress, it might result in slowed, delayed or decreased hair loss.
Alternative Treatment
Ayurvedic hair and scalp treatments are derived from the ancient text for yogis (practitioners of yoga), the "Bhagavad Gita." There is a traditional association between healthy hair and overall well-being, and an herb called "Eclipta alba" is believed to promote hair growth. Other methods of treating hair loss include medicinal remedies and scalp massage.
Considerations
While yoga might be helpful in some cases, there are some conditions that respond to topical or oral treatments prescribed by a physician. Also, there are some medical conditions, such as alopecia or scalp ringworm that warrant a visit to the dermatologist.
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Holistic treatments for nerve issues involve incorporating diet and acupuncture treatments to improve damaged nerves. Many health conditions, such as diabetes, spinal issues and trauma, can lead to nerve neuropathy, which is a loss of motor or sensory function of extremities. There are holistic ways to help modest damage heal and regain full functionality of peripheral nerves. Note that holistic remedies should not replace medical therapies prescribed by your doctor. Always discuss new therapy programs with your medical provider prior to beginning them.
Diet Supplements
There are several dietary supplements that can help improve nerve conduction. One of the primary vitamins used by the body in nerve function is thiamine, otherwise known as vitamin B1. While taking a B1 supplement sounds easy enough, the problem is having the body absorb enough of the supplement to make a difference. According to MCVitamins.com, the reason is that B1 is a water-soluble vitamin. Getting the thiamine through a fat-soluble version called Benfotiamine is a good alternative to help the body improve the absorption, thus helping improve nerve function.
Another supplement that helps nerve function and regeneration is St. John's Wort. According to Linda Diane Feldt, NCTMB, Holistic Health Practitioner is a particularly good nerve pain reducer because it contains the compound Hypercium Perforatum. Additionally, a study reported by Kathleen A. Head in 2006 showed that Omega-3 fatty acids increased nerve conduction velocity, where olive oil did not. You can obtain these fatty acids by consuming cold water fish such as tuna, mackerel, salmon and herring. It is also in walnuts and flax seeds. Another study conducted by the Wayne State University School of Medicine suggests that acetyl-l-carnitine is able to improve nerve regeneration and pain reduction when given twice daily doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/day.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Eastern medical practice that uses what are called energy meridians throughout the body to increase circulation and improve health. The energy within the body is referred to as "chi" and connects organs and body parts. Acupuncture works to treat the symptoms, the pain and health of the damage peripheral nerve region. A study conducted at the Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine showed that acupuncture can improve nerve conduction. If there is a blockage, this prevents energy flow from getting to the afflicted region. A trained acupuncturist will diagnose your problem and select points on your body to implement acupuncture needles to stimulate the chi. Many people experience a warm sensation around the needles and even an electrical flow between needle points when having an acupuncture treatment, though the treatment should not be painful.
Kyanite is a long, jagged stone that primarily appears in various shades of blue, but can also be found as black, gray or green. In crystal healing lore and practice, kyanite is known for its powerful healing energies, as each color has specific attributes that make it an effective healer for particular aspects of the physical, mental and spiritual self.
Blue Kyanite
The most available form of kyanite is blue kyanite. According to HealingCrystals.com, blue kyanite is primarily used to help with meditation and communication. It is associated with the fifth chakra, which is located in the throat. To use blue kyanite for healing, first cleanse the stone with a solution of sea salt and spring water. Once cleansed, find a quiet and safe space where you can focus your energies on the kyanite while holding it in your hands. Because blue kyanite helps with meditation and communication, you should not find it difficult to infuse the stone with your intentions. Focus on your breathing and relax, but also concentrate on the areas of your life you wish to be improved by the blue kyanite.
Black Kyanite
According to CharmsofLight.com, black kyanite is associated with the base chakra, or first chakra. This energy center is situated at the lowest part of the spine and is connected to physicality and bodily well being. For this reason, spiritual healers use black kyanite to lessen the severity of general physical ailments. The method for using black kyanite is similar to that for blue kyanite. However, you can also lie down in a calm and safe place and place the stone (or stones) on the part of your body that is ailing. While breathing steadily with your eyes closed, visualize healing energy flowing from the stone into your body. Imagine the freedom and sense of wholeness you will feel once your ailment is healed. Practice this daily for fifteen to twenty minutes. If you're using black kyanite jewelry, try to wear it near the place where you need healing.
Green Kyanite
According to CharmsofLight.com, green kyanite is associated with the heart chakra. This chakra is located in the chest and is associated with feelings of self-worth and the ability to love. For this reason, if you're feeling heartbroken or downtrodden, it is helpful to meditate with green kyanite. Also, because green kyanite can be worn as a pendant on a necklace, it can be used as a gentle healer throughout your day.
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Many people are interested in holistic health careers with a focus on overall wellness and healing. Holistic healing typically refers to finding the root cause of ailments before overall diagnosis of the issues. There are many career paths in this industry, and they have become increasingly more popular partly because of aging baby boomers looking for alternative health treatments. Most holistic careers require extensive training and education, as well as completion of certification programs.
Massage
Many massage therapy careers involve the study of pressure points, reflexology, acupressure, healing touch and different massage techniques, such as reiki and shiatsu. These jobs are typically found in hotels, physical therapy centers, sports centers, rehabilitation clinics, spas and alternative healing centers. Most massage therapists must take classes in anatomy and physiology, as well as complete a minimum amount of required hands-on training.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine encompasses a wide variety of treatments, including acupuncture, herbal therapy and aromatherapy. The typical philosophy behind this type of medicine is that the body, mind and spirit are connected, and the human body has connecting energy fields that can cause illness when unbalanced. Practitioners of this type of holistic health career also must study specific herb properties and the principles of yin and yang. These jobs can be found in Southeast Asian medicine clinics and private practices.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors usually diagnosis and treat spinal, nervous, muscular and skeletal problems with a variety of treatments, including massage, physical therapy and realignment techniques. Many people go to chiropractors to find alternatives to surgery or prescription pain medications. This holistic health career is in high demand and needed in several areas, including pediatrics, orthopedics and sports injuries. The majority of practitioners have private, solo practices.
Energy Healing
Energy healers usually work with the patient's life force and energy fields to rebalance and invigorate poor health conditions. They typically study aromatherapy, bioenergetics, biofeedback, and sound healing methods. The philosophy behind thisholistic health method is that there is a universal energy that may be tapped into to heal the physical body. There is usually extensive knowledge of the chakras and meridians needed to embark on this career path.
Nutrition
With the global focus on organic foods and ayurvedic health, holistic careers in nutrition are becoming more mainstream. The principles behind ayurveda are that each person has different body compositions, or doshas, and requires different daily diets. Practitioners of this type typically diagnosis the patient's dosha type and then create meal plans incorporating necessary foods, and eliminating harmful foods. Other types of nutrition careers focus on the patient's overall health issues to create meal plans incorporating fruits, vegetables, herbs and whole grains that specifically target problem areas.
Personal Training
Personal training is another type of holistic health career, and usually work to improve a client's personal health, nutrition and exercise regimen. Classes in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, as well as specific workouts, such as yoga or Pilates, are often necessary to be a certified personal trainer. Jobs at health clubs, rehabilitation clinics, gyms and sports centers are often available for personal trainers.
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Asenlix was a popular diet pill in the 1970s for both men and women. It quickly transitioned into athlete prescriptions for its positive effects on mood, alertness and reflexes. Asenlix is marketed by Aventis in Mexico but is no longer available in the United States. There is little information available on the drug and should not be taken without a doctor's evaluation and a valid prescription. As any drug, improper use can lead to dangerous side effects and drug interactions.
Definition
Asenlix is the brand name for Clorbenzorex which also is marketed under Dinintel, Finedal or Rexigen. This drug is used as an appetite suppressant. Asenlix is a class of anorectics (weight loss drugs) stimulant to the nervous system consisting of an nitrogen-substituted amphetamine analog that is converted through digestive enzymes into a true amphetamine.
"Greenies"
Asenlix has become popular in the United States among athletes. As a stimulant it increases awareness and reaction times while reducing fatigue. Baseball players gave them the nickname of "greenies" because of their light green color. While the slang began with this specific amphetamine drug, it now also refers to the generic brand as well as any amphetamine-class stimulants. Stimulants burn lean body mass and may not be a smart choice for athletes seeking to improve performance.
Benefits
Of course as a weight loss pill, Asenlix can be very attractive. The person taking the pill feels more energetic and alert while not finding themselves as hungry. By stimulating the metabolism, many people lose weight while feeling very active on Asenlix. It is easy to take in tablet form with a glass of water. Those who still have a prescription can have it filled in Mexico or through an online pharmacy.
Risks
Stimulants increase metabolism and burn cellular metabolism literally. There are many down sides to taking a stimulant such as Asenlix. The most common problem is the crash when the drug wears off, leaving the person in a depressed state and more fatigued than if they hadn't taken the drug. Serotonin reserves can be depleted with the body assuming that the stimulant will replace the need for serotonin. Major risks of stimulants are their effect on the heart, causing it to pump more vigorously, which can be a danger for those with heart issues. There is little research available on Asenlix, which makes using this drug all the more risky.
Border Patrol
Asenlix was originally prescribed in the 1970s as a diet pill and to athletes to improve performance. It is no longer sold in the United States but is legally marketed in Mexico and available in Canada. As a result, many within the United States seek the stimulant through online pharmacies and other means. Packages that cross the border may have Asenlix confiscated as a contraband substance.
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Allergies can be a burden not only during the spring and fall seasons, but all year long, and they're an annoyance to those who suffer from them. An itchy nose, watering eyes and sneezing can interfere with everyday life and relief can be hard to find. Luckily, advancements in medicine are making allergies easier to cope with for those who deal with them on a regular basis. Some natural remedies can even be used, sparing you from having to constantly rely on medication.
The Neti Pot
The neti pot has been endorsed by doctors across the country because of its effectiveness against seasonal allergies and sinus infections. This little pot, similar in appearance to a small, porcelain tea kettle, is designed to pour salt water into your nostrils and through your sinus passages. It has been proven to clear the airways of pollen and other airborne allergies that may be provoke sneezing. Although it was once unheard of, the neti pot can now be easily found at pharmacies as a result of its growing popularity.
Vitamin C
An overlooked home remedy for sneezing and most allergy problems is vitamin C. Found in everything from vegetables to orange juice, vitamin C is a classic remedy for allergy symptoms, including sneezing. It will reduce the histamine level in your system quickly and effectively if taken at the onset of an allergic reaction. If you don't have a bottle of vitamin C pills in your medicine cabinet, a glass of juice rich in vitamin C (such as orange or grapefruit) will do the trick. It's also a tasty way to boost your immune system.
Aromatherapy
Another way to calm down your sinuses is by exposing yourself to herbal scents. If you have allergies, you should invest in incense or essential oils to help you get a break from sneezing. Chamomile and lavender are popular home remedies for sneezing because their scents get rid of that little itch in the nose. However, if you want to help yourself in the long run, try to get rid of the source of the problem. Dust frequently, wash your pets to get rid of any dander and consider buying a good dehumidifier.
Treating bipolar disorder holistically provides a whole-person approach to becoming well as opposed to a medication-based attempt to cure or control symptoms. A holistic practitioner sees the individual first and offers the least harmful treatments before the ones that may potentially cause side effects. Treatment addresses the beliefs, lifestyle and environment of the patient; the focus is on correcting imbalances. Be careful, though; many interventions commonly used for bipolar disorder work well with holistic treatment, but some types of alternative treatment that may seem effective and harmless can actually be unproven and potentially dangerous.
Instructions
1. Decide whether you want to continue with your current practitioner or look for a holistic psychiatrist or therapist. If you decide to remain with your current practitioner, inform him of your desire to use a holistic approach. If you want to change to a holistic practitioner, begin your search by searching for a holistic psychotherapist or psychiatrist on the "Find a holistic practitioner" page of the website of the American Holistic Medicine Association (see Resources).
2. Talk to your practitioner about your illness: how and where it was diagnosed, what your symptoms have been, and what treatments you've tried. Let your practitioner know about your social supports and stressors as well.
3. Consider which aspects of treatment you feel comfortable doing. Getting enough exercise and eating right, while possibly hard to follow, are healthy and do no harm If your practitioner recommends alternative treatment, such as as supplements or acupuncture, you may want to consider whether they have been shown in scientific studies to be effective and safe.
4. Be cautious with the use of supplements, herbal remedies and interventions such as sleep deprivation and light therapy. Scientists are not yet sure of their value, and while some supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, show promise, others, such as SAM-e, might have potential dangers such as worsening mania, according to work by David Mischoulon and Maurizio Fava as reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
5. Consider psychotherapy and peer support. If you have never been psychotic and have been diagnosed with bipolar II, psychotherapy alone may be sufficient to treat your illness. Peer support groups and education programs such as those run by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will help with isolation.
6. Maintain a close relationship with your practitioner. If your symptoms worsen, let her know immediately. Don't feel like you've failed if you need traditional medications; just keep working on getting better.
7. Create a Wellness Recovery Action Plan to assist you in maintaining your mental health. This is an easy-to-use resource you develop for yourself to help you manage your feelings and function better.
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Lice are bloodsucking parasites that can infest humans and animals. Humans are susceptible to infestations involving several different types of lice, including head lice, body lice and pubic lice. In addition to killing the lice and nits (louse eggs) that are present on the human body, you must also kill the lice and nits that are present on bedding, clothing, hats, and carpeting. Heat can be used to kill lice and nits in the laundry, but some items like hair brushes and helmets cannot be placed in the washer and dryer. For these items, you can use extreme cold in the freezer or outdoors to kill lice and nits.
Instructions
1. Place small items (objects that will fit inside the freezer) inside Ziploc bags.
2. Place the bags inside your freezer for a period of 24 hours. The freezing temperatures will kill the lice and nits.
3. Place larger items like stuffed animals inside a trash bag. Twist the top of the bag closed and wrap tape around the twisted plastic.
4. Watch/listen to the weather forecast to find a 24-hour period of time when the temperatures will be at or below the freezing mark. Ideally, this period should be precipitation-free.
5. Place the plastic bags outdoors in freezing temperatures for a period of 24 hours.
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Hair loss is a troublesome symptom experienced by many patients suffering with the autoimmune disease lupus. Although it may be alarming to experience, lupus hair loss may be temporary.
First Sign
Hair loss is often one of the first symptoms of lupus that patients notice, usually in the form of finding hair on the pillow after sleeping. Many patients diagnosed with lupus first visited their doctors out of concern for their hair loss.
Prevalence
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 54 percent of lupus patients deal with hair loss at some point.
Pattern
Overall shedding of hair is the most common hair loss pattern in lupus patients, but patchy hair loss may also occur.
Causes
Discoid rash on the scalp associated with lupus can cause hair loss, as can lupus treatments, such as steroids and immunosuppressant drugs. Hair loss may also occur as part of a flare-up of symptoms for reasons doctors do not understand
Recovery
Hair loss associated with lupus treatments is temporary and hair will grow back. Further, hair loss will stop when the disease is controlled. Hair loss as the result of discoid rash is usually permanent as discoid rash causes scarring of the hair follicles.
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Horses can be allergic to one or more elements in their environment. Your horse may have never experienced allergic symptoms to a particular element before, but now the same trigger is causing an allergic reaction. Treatment may not permanently cure allergy symptoms, but your horse will feel better and have a better disposition.
Treatment of Respiratory Allergies
Coughing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge can result from pollen, dust, or mold in your horse stable.
Letting the horse breathe fresh air by running in the pasture can temporarily relieve symptoms.
If your horse has been sleeping on a straw bed, try shavings or shredded paper to eliminate any allergy triggers. If symptoms don't improve, use a rubber mat for the horse's bedding.
If eating hay seems to produce allergic symptoms in your horse, try soaking the hay in cold water to remove allergy spores. If symptoms remain, use a pellet feed, which contains less dust than grain.
Body Grooming
The lung meridian or channel controls respiration. When the horse breathes, oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled, while dust and debris are filtered out.
Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that this respiration is also vital to energy flow, and if there's an imbalance in the energy flow, the horse may experience coughing, asthma, or have difficulty breathing.
Beginning with the horse's abdomen, and rising to the chest area, the lung meridian continues down the front part of the foreleg, and ends just above the coronary band.
Body grooming stimulates the lung meridian, helping the horse achieve normal energy levels, and improvement of respiratory symptoms.
Start behind the ears, and work your way down to the base of the neck, and the shoulder area. Groom the rib cage area, the diaphragm and the hips.
Pay special attention to the lower legs and coronary band, because these areas are where many acupuncture points are located.
Skin Allergies
Raised red bumps typically appear around the neck and shoulder area about 12 hours after being exposed to allergy triggers, and some horses may have a fever.
Medication
Horses with severe itching can be given cortisone treatments, but discuss benefits and possible side effects with your veterinarian.
Based on allergy testing results, your horse will be given small quantities of these same allergens through an injection. Allergen amounts will increase gradually until your horse builds up a tolerance, and allergy symptoms are reduced or eliminated
Burdock Infusion
Burdock root helps improve itchy skin, and an infusion works quicker than mixing dried burdock with the horse's feed. The usual dosage is 10 to 20 grams a day.
Fill a cooking pot with a pint of boiling water, and add to burdock root. When cooled completely, take the infusion including the herbs, and moisten the horse's feed.
If you don't have a cooking pot, soak the burdock overnight in cold water to release healing properties.
Acupuncture
According to Joyce Harmon, DVM, regular acupuncture treatments can help relieve mild cases of itchy skin in horses during warmer weather.
Injections of vitamin B-12 along the major acupuncture points on the side of the horse's spine can increase the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment.
The acupuncturist may ask you to describe the horse's symptoms, daily routine and any behavioral changes you've noticed.
Fine needles are inserted at various acupuncture points along the muscles of the back and neck, and if the horse doesn't like the needles, a cold laser treatment can be effective for acupuncture points on the lower legs.
Most horses tolerate acupuncture treatments well, and the release of endorphins puts them in a deeply relaxed state during the half hour that the needles are left in.
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Understanding Medicare is not an easy process. There are many variables that come into play when determining if a person is eligible for Medicare and exactly when Medicare will be available to a person who is eligible. To help people determine their Medicare eligibility dates, the Department of Health and Human Services has created an interactive survey that allows you to find out more about your eligibility.
Instructions
1. Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Medicare website. The link to this site is located in the Resources section below.
2. Scan the menu on the left side of the page. The third link down reads, "Am I Eligible?" Click on this link and wait for the next page to load.
3. Click on the tab on the top of the page that reads "General Enrollment and Eligibility." When this tab opens, click on the "Who Is Eligible for Medicare" link. Read the information provided. If you determine that you are likely eligible for Medicare, click on the tab at the top of the page that says "My Medicare Enrollment."
4. Fill out the information requested on this page. The first page will ask what your date of birth is and what your marital status is. Fill out this information and click on "Continue."
5. Answer the questions on subsequent pages. The questions asked will depend on the answers you gave to previous questions. In all, there will likely be around 10 questions asked before the system can determine what your medicare eligibility date is.
6. View the information provided after the survey is completed. There will likely be three sections on the "Results" page. The "General Enrollment" section will likely include information about eligibility based on age. In most cases, this section will tell you that you are eligible to apply immediately for Medicare benefits as long as you are at least 65 years old.
7. Check the "Part A Specific" section. It will likely say something like as long as you are 65 and you or your spouse has worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you can immediately apply for Medicaid Part A.
8. Determine your eligibility if the time of employment is less than 10 years. Determine how many years less than 10 you or your spouse has worked in Medicare-covered employment, and subtract that number from 10. The number of years left will be how much longer you need to work before you become eligible.
9. Check the "Part B Specific" section. It will likely say something like you can sign up between January 1 and March 31 of each year. Part B Medicare requires payment, whereas Part A does not.
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Enemas may be used to resolve fecal impaction and stimulate movement of the bowels. They may help to relieve constipation, overcome the need to strain and temporarily relieve related pain.
Remember that each of us is different and we will have varying bowel habits depending upon diet, exercise and other factors. Adding fiber to the diet can help the bowels to move more regularly.
It is important that equipment is reserved only for the use of one person to prevent the transmission of disease.
Enema Bags
Enema bags generally hold two to six quarts, have a hole for hanging the bag and an end that attaches to a threaded fitting for tubing or small diameter hose.
There are several types of enema bags. The hot water bottle style closed rubber bag is probably the most well known. These are a beneficial choice because they tend to last longer. A homemade version can be made from an actual hot water bottle. The bags used for douching may serve the same purpose.
Disposable bags are transparent; a clear bag allows you to see the solution level during the enema. Disposable bags are convenient because they are made to be thrown out after use, although they can be reused.
The bag style or fountain style is made of plastic and can be folded to travel, but the open form may spill more easily. Finally, steel can types offer ease of clean up.
Enema Process
Enemas may be given two times per day for three days, if needed. If you are assisting someone in need of an enema, the preferred position is to have the person lie on his or her stomach with knees pulled up toward the chest.
Drink 8 to 16 oz. of water prior to starting the enema. Gather the materials and mix the solution if you are making it at home.
Lubricate (use mineral oil, petroleum jelly or other lubricating product) the nozzle end of the tube. Gently insert the nozzle 1-1/2 to 2 inches into rectum.
Squeeze the bag gently or allow gravity flow to move the bag's contents. Hold the bag a maximum of two feet high and lower the bag height if cramping becomes a problem. The full enema should take about five to 10 minutes.
Follow the urge to evacuate your bowels. This should appear within 10 minutes, but try to wait for five minutes, if possible, to allow the enema more time to work.
Afterward
Rinse the enema bag with water if you plan to reuse it. Clean the tube with antibacterial soap and water and follow that with a 10-minute sterilization in boiling water.
Enema Solutions
There are several styles of enema solutions, including mineral oil, phosphate and saline varieties. These solutions can be purchased in a drug store or you can make a version at home.
Make a saline enema solution by using 2 tbsp. salt added to a quart of warm distilled water. For teens and adults, make a batch of 16 oz. or less; use 6 to 8 oz. per enema.
One of the most effective combinations involves whole milk and molasses mixed 1 to 1. Never use plain water or soap as an enema.
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High testosterone levels in men may be caused by genetics, pituitary gland problems or from taking testosterone supplements or anabolic steroids. Some side effects of high testosterone levels are temporary and resolve when testosterone levels return to normal, but other effects may be permanent and require medical treatment. Men with high testosterone levels should have regular medical exams, including screenings for prostate cancer.
Baldness
High testosterone levels in men may speed up the progression of male pattern baldness, which is permanent and non-reversible.
Acne
The sebaceous glands in the face that produce oil can be overstimulated by high testosterone levels in men, causing facial acne.
Aggression
High levels of testosterone in men may cause aggressive behaviors, feelings of uncontrollable anger and rage, and violence against partners, pets and strangers.
Liver Disease
Long-term side effects of high testosterone levels include liver damage, especially when the testosterone is taken in the form of oral anabolic steroids.
Infertility
Infertility is a temporary side effect of high testosterone levels in men, due to reduced production of sperm and shrinking of the testicles.
Enlarged Prostate
High testosterone may cause the prostate to enlarge, which can result in pain and difficulty with urination.
Prostate Cancer
According to the Mayo Clinic, high testosterone may cause faster growth of existing prostate cancer or cause a new prostate cancer to develop.
Tags: testosterone levels, high testosterone, prostate cancer, testosterone cause, anabolic steroids, cause prostate, effects high
Use Saw Palmetto to Treat Enlarged Prostate Glands
Saw palmetto is believed to be an effective supplementary treatment for enlarged prostate glands. This dwarf palm, native to the southern Atlantic coast in the United States, is thought to affect the hormones which cause enlarged prostate glands.
Instructions
Understand How Saw Palmetto Treats Enlarged Prostate Glands
1. Use saw palmetto in the hopes of avoiding the surgery that is often required to unblock your urethra. Patients suffering from enlarged prostate glands often develop urinary tract disorders due to blockage.
2. Treat the enlarging effect that testosterone has on your prostate with saw palmetto. The extract is thought to inhibit testosterone's interaction with your prostate gland, thereby blocking its enlargement.
3. Expect improved flow of urine and a decrease in the frequency with which you must urinate when you use saw palmetto. Taking saw palmetto to treat enlarged prostate glands is also may soothe the sensation of urination urgency.
Use Saw Palmetto Safely
4. Make sure you have a proper diagnosis of your condition. Enlarged prostate glands, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, must be diagnosed by your regular physician.
5. Keep your expectations realistic. While many men suffering from BPH have reported positive effects after using saw palmetto to treat their conditions, the scientific jury is still out. Relatively few studies have been conducted in regards to saw palmetto's actual effects on the body.
6. Watch for side effects. While most patients report no side effects at all, some people who take it complain of stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, erectile dysfunction and enlarged breasts.
7. Be aware that while there is no evidence linking saw palmetto with serious side effects, there have been cases which seem to correlate its use with a variety of unpleasant conditions. These include insomnia, inflammation of the liver or pancreas, breathing issues, depression, irregular heartbeat, heightened blood pressure and chest pain.
8. Stop taking saw palmetto at once if you experience any of the serious side effects. Report any side effects to your doctor if these do not go away within a few days of starting your saw palmetto treatment.
The human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is a viral infection that is transmitted sexually via skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner. HPV is not only one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, but also one of the most dangerous. Most HPV cases are asymptomatic and lie dormant or unnoticed for years, causing irreparable harm to the body's reproductive system.
Facts
There are more than 100 strains of HPV, however only 30 strains cause infection. According to the American Social Health Association, HPV is so prevalent that three out of four sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives. Most of these cases will go away on their own.
Effects
The 30 strains of HPV that cause infection can be classified as either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk infections are caused by 10 strains of HPV and result in abnormal Pap smears and genital warts. Genital warts can be removed by cryosurgery (freezing) or electrocautery (burning) or by taking medication. In some cases, they may go away on their own; however, the virus will remain in the body and therefore can be transmitted or may return. The high-risk strains can lead to cervical cancer in women, and anal or penile cancer in men.
Significance
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, and 4,000 of these women succumb to it. In men, HPV accounts for 20 percent of penile and anal-related cancers.
Warning
Although HPV itself does not cause infertility in women or men, it can lead to conditions, such as cancer, that can cause infertility.
Prevention/Solution
Women can be screened for HPV during their annual Pap tests. It is important for women to have a Pap test conducted yearly to discover any changes in the cervical cells. If cervical cancer is caught early, it can be treated. Additionally, a new immunization, Gardasil, has been approved as the first HPV vaccine for women. According to the CDC, Gardasil has been effective in preventing 70 percent of the HPV strains that cause cancer and 90 percent of the HPV strains that cause genital warts. Gardasil is a series of three doses and is recommended for women under the age of 26. Currently, there are no HPV screening methods or vaccines for men. Practicing safe sex and using condoms can reduce the risk of contracting HPV by 70 percent. There is no cure for HPV.
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According to eMedicineHealth.com, as many as 60 million Americans have high blood pressure, defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. It's important for people with high blood pressure to know what over-the-counter medicines can raise blood pressure or affect the drugs prescribed to treat high blood pressure.
Pain Relievers
A study published in the February 26, 2007 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine showed that men who took ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin had a moderately increased risk of developing high blood pressure. The risk was 38 percent higher for ibuprofen, 34 percent high for acetaminophen and 26 percent higher for aspirin.
Antihistamines
According to FamilyDoctor.org, antihistamines can interact with several drugs, including those for high blood pressure. Antihistamines can change the body's reaction to blood pressure medication, and may cause side effects.
Nasal Decongestants
Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels in the nose. According to the American Heart Association, decongestants can raise blood pressure and even interfere with some blood pressure medications. The association recommends that people with high blood pressure take cold and flu medicines that don't contain decongestants.
Bronchodilators
These inhaled drugs, which are used to treat asthma and bronchitis, can cause an increase in blood pressure. Most of these drugs are by prescription only, but a few can be purchased over the counter.
Diet Pills
Diet pills usually contain stimulants, which have been known to raise blood pressure.
Tags: blood pressure, high blood pressure, high blood, blood pressure, raise blood
Understanding the various ways in which pancreatic cancer is classified can help you better understand the treatment options available. Cancer is normally divided into four or five main stages, with stages III and IV being considered late- stage cancer. As pancreatic cancer is rarely discovered early, many patients will have to cope with an initial diagnosis in these stages.
Pancreatic Cancer
According to Medline Plus, pancreatic cancer is one of the more lethal types of cancer, as roughly 80 percent of patients are diagnosed only after the disease has begun to spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include localized abdominal pain, jaundice, fatigue, discolored stool and weight loss.
Cancer Stages Generally
Pancreatic cancer is divided into seven stages--five main stages and two subdivisions (of stages I and II). The stages are broken up depending on how large the tumor has grown, and whether it is still confined to the pancreas or has traveled to other sites throughout the body. Generally speaking, late-stage pancreatic cancer involves stages from IIB onwards, where the tumor has either moved beyond or is at a high risk of moving beyond the pancreas.
Stage IIB
According to the American Cancer Society, in stage IIB the tumor has spread beyond the pancreas, but only to nearby lymph nodes and not to any major nerves or blood vessels. Although the tumor has yet to fully metastasize, the five-year survival rate for patients with stage IIB pancreatic cancer is a disappointing 6 percent.
Stage III
In stage III, the tumor has grown beyond the pancreas into regional nerves and major blood vessels. The five-year survival rate drops to a paltry 2 percent, which means that out of all patients diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer, only 2 percent will still be living five years from the date of the original diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society.
Stage IV
Stage IV is the most advanced stage of pancreatic cancer. Here, the cancer has fully metastasized, which means that it has spread throughout the body to locations far removed from the original site. The cancer may have invaded other organs or the bones of the body. Stage IV pancreatic cancer is one of the least treatable forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of only 1 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
Tags: pancreatic cancer, American Cancer, American Cancer Society, beyond pancreas, Cancer Society, five-year survival, five-year survival rate
Every winter, several families have near-death experiences with carbon monoxide. Sometimes people don't survive exposure to this poisonous gas in their home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is difficult to detect, but proper precautions and education can help you avoid tragedy.
Instructions
1. Know where in your home carbon monoxide is produced. This gas is produced whenever a carbon fuel is burned. Carbon fuels include kerosene, oil, coal and wood. Improper use of carbon-burning appliances or inadequate ventilation most often causes poisoning.
2. Prevent accidental poisoning. Have appliances that use carbon fuels serviced regularly; don't allow cars to idle in a garage with the garage door closed and don't use items to heat your home that were not intended for heating. Install carbon monoxide detectors in the house near bedrooms.
3. Recognize signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms caused by low to moderate levels of carbon monoxide include nausea, headaches, vomiting, confusion and fatigue. These symptoms mimic the flu, but if more than one family member has these symptoms or if the family pet shows some of these signs, carbon monoxide may have reached an unsafe level in your home.
4. Open doors and windows, and get medical attention immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Take victims to a hospital and contact the fire department. The fire department will find the source of the leak or leaks.
5. Replace or repair the source of the leak. Once the source of the leak is replaced or repaired and the home has been thoroughly aired out, it is safe.
Tags: carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide, source leak, your home, fire department, monoxide poisoning, signs carbon
Acupuncture has its roots from the Stone Age in China, when people used pointy-edged rocks and knives made from stone to press into areas of the body to relieve pain. These primitive acupuncture tools were called bain.
Today, acupuncture is largely identified with the placement of tiny needles in a shallow manner into a person's skin, so the needles protrude. This is thought to distribute chi, or life force, more evenly throughout the body to heal from illness or disease.
One theory of how it works is that acupuncture releases endorphins, pain killer-like substances the body can produce on its own. These endorphins create feeling of calm and relaxation, reducing stress.
History
Historians estimate acupuncture to be between 2,000 to 3,000 years old and to have originated in China. By the Han Dynasty, (206 BC to 220 AD), stone tools were replaced by thin slivers of animal bone and also needles made from bamboo.
Later, during the Shang Dynasty (DATES), the invention of bronze casting made needles made from different kinds of metal possible.
The "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine" ("Huang di Nei Jing") was recorded in 475 to 221 BC and provides details of how acupuncture is used. It also describes the use of moxibustion, where small glass cups are heated and placed on a person's back, forming a way to distribute chi, vital energy, more evenly throughout the body.
Today, acupuncture is commonly used to reduce stress, help people lose weight or stop smoking. It is continuing to gain ground in many U.S. cities, and more clinical research is being conducted on the effects acupuncture has on our health.
Time Frame
By 400 AD, the book, "A Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion" was produced in China and it detailed the exact number and names of acupuncture points for each meridian (energy pathway).
Today's modern acupuncture and acupressure still uses the same "grid" of points established in this text.
Geography
The word acupuncture is from the Latin, acus, meaning needle, and punctura, meaning puncture. There are reports from Jesuit missionaries from the 16th and17th centuries about acupuncture.
While it is generally acknowledged that acupuncture began in China as many recorded works about it were found there, dating back to 475 BC, relatively recent discoveries suggest acupuncture may have been practice outside of China, too.
In 1991, the remains of the "Austrian Iceman" was discovered in the Italian Alps, and it is said to be more than 5,000 year old. The mummified body has tattoos that correspond to classical acupuncture points, so scholars suggest acupuncture may have been practiced in this part of Europe.
Significance
While there are reports in the medical literature in the United States from the 1800s, it was really the 1971 report from James Reston, a New York Times reporter, who had gone to China and had a sudden case of appendicitis and he had surgery there as well as acupuncture. His positive experience with pain relief from acupuncture was noted. Several months later, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a positive assessment of acupuncture, giving it further credence.
That resulted in an explosion of interest by Americans in acupuncture.
By 1991, 8,000 non-physicians and 1, 500 physicians were practicing acupuncture in the United States and a 1993 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Americans were spending $14 billion on "alternative therapies" that included acupuncture.
Benefits
As more Americans select alternative medical treatments in addition to or even in place of Western medical treatment, acupuncture is getting more attention and affirmation from the U.S. medical establishment.
This provides consumers a benefit in terms of health care options. Acupuncture treatments are inexpensive as compared to surgery and conventional drug therapy.
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture was established in 1987. The Office of Alternative Medicine was created as part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health in 1992. This office published a Consensus Statement verifying health benefits people could get from acupuncture. It listed treatment for addiction, asthma, headaches, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, stroke recovery, dental pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and menstrual cramps.
Tags: made from, acupuncture have, acupuncture have been, acupuncture points, evenly throughout, evenly throughout body, from acupuncture
Although nutritionists assumed, for many years, that the simplistic idea of "calories in versus calories out" was adequate to teach people, we now know that it is not. The timing and balance of nutrients is just as important, if not more so, than the sheer quantity of nutrients.
Today, nutritionists and dietitians know that the insulin release caused by the intake of simple carbohydrates is largely responsible for fat gains.
A popular current diet program for the reduction of carbohydrate intake is the four-phase Atkins Diet developed by the late Robert C. Atkins, M.D.
The Induction Phase
The first phase of the Atkins Diet is referred to as the "Induction" phase. During this phase, the dieter's body is conditioned to the drastic reduction in the amount of simple carbohydrates like starches and potatoes. Total carbohydrate consumption is limited to fewer than 20 grams of complex carbs.
According to Dr. Atkins' research, this equals about three cups of green salad, or two cups of salad and 2/3 of a cup of vegetables like asparagus or broccoli.
While it is the hardest phase to endure, the Induction phase is the most important. After a day or two on the carb-restriction plan, most dieters discover that they have more energy than ever before. The phase should last for two weeks.
The Ongoing Weight Loss Phase
The second phase of the diet is called the "Ongoing Weight Loss" phase. Carbohydrate intake can be increased by 5 grams per day. Examples of this amount include half of an avocado or tomato, 2-4 ounces of plain, unflavored yogurt or 2/3 cups of broccoli. This phase should last until you are within five to six pounds of your target-weight goal.
The Pre-Maintenance Phase
Third, the dieter enters the "Pre-Maintenance" phase of the program. When you are getting close to your goal, you need to slow down the weight loss. Rushing to your goal is detrimental. Add 10 grams of carbs a day, or treat yourself two to three times per week to a 20-gram carb snack like a bagel, baked potato or a piece of pizza. As long as you don't start gaining weight and continue to lose weight, you are doing it right.
The Maintenance Phase
The final step of the program is the lifetime "Maintenance" phase. This phase can be maintained indefinitely with little real sacrifice on your part. Simply put, maintain carb intake at 100 grams per day or less. Avoid simple carbs like regular sugar, corn syrup, white flour and corn starch.
If, during the maintenance phase, you regain more than 5 pounds of body fat, go back onto the Induction phase program to get back to your target weight.
Conclusions
According to Troy West, C.S.C.S., C.P.T., owner of Empower Fitness Company in Portland, Ore., the low-carb, high-protein diet concept works because it reduces the level of glycogen stored in the bloodstream. This forces the body to use stored fat for energy. West insists that while the program has been pilloried in the past by the medical community, his experience shows that the Atkins Diet is a legitimate, short-term method for healthy weight loss.
Tags: Atkins Diet, Induction phase, know that, more than, Ongoing Weight, Ongoing Weight Loss
Of all the gemstones in the world today, beryl crystals are among the most brilliantly colored and sought after gems. From the deep green of emeralds, the sea blues of aquamarine, the pale pink of morganite and the brilliant yellow of golden beryl, these crystals are what make up the beryl family.
Characteristics
Beryl crystals, formed millions of years ago beneath the earth's crust, consist of beryllium aluminum silicate. The addition of other trace minerals, such as iron, chrome and manganese are what turn colorless beryl into aquamarine, emerald or morganite. Beryls are found in Madagascar, Russia, Brazil and the United States.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine forms when trace elements of iron occur in beryl crystals, causing the magnificent blue color range of aquamarine. They are the "stones of the sea" and are often used in healing practices to increase the effectiveness of the immune system and to enhance communication.
Emerald
Emeralds are formed when beryl crystals contain trace elements of chrome, which yields its stunning green color. Emeralds have small cracks or fissures that are part of the gem's makeup. If there are no such inclusions, then the stone is not a real emerald. They are used to gain wisdom, enhance luck and love and, in healing, promote proper liver and heart function.
Morganite
This form of beryl is brought about by the addition of manganese, which gives this crystal its lovely pale pink coloring. Morganite was originally known as "pink beryl" but its name was changed in 1911. Morganite is a stone used for facilitating "gentle" love and communication. It is also good for detoxifying the body and easing inflammation in the lungs. It is said morganite is helpful when communicating with angels.
Golden Beryl
From pale yellow to deep gold, the coloring of golden beryl is attributed to the addition of iron and uranium. Unlike the emerald, however, golden beryl rarely contains fissures or cracks.
Tags: beryl crystals, golden beryl, pale pink, trace elements
One of the most obvious symptoms of the painful viral disease shingles is fluid-filled blisters (although it's possible to develop shingles without blisters appearing). If you have shingles, it's important to treat these blisters with care, as they can not only damage your skin, but fluid from them can actually spread disease.
Causes
Shingles occurs when the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster) reactivates in the body. The virus reactivation causes the symptoms of shingles to appear.
Symptom
Fluid-filled blisters form after a painful rash appears on the body. This event usually happens a few days after the first symptoms of shingles--pain and tingling--occur.
Duration
The blisters usually occur for 7 to 10 days, after which they crust and fall off. The skin underneath the blisters might change color, sometimes permanently.
Treatment
Scratching the blisters may give you an infection and/or spread infection. Medicated anti-itching lotion or astringents can help ease itching.
Contagion
While you can't give shingles to anyone, the fluid from shingles blisters can spread chickenpox to people who haven't had the disease. Stay away from infants or pregnant women until the blisters are completely healed.
Occipital neuralgia is a medical condition which causes chronic pain in the upper neck, the back of the head and behind the ears. These are the areas which correspond to the locations of the occipital nerves, and occipital neuralgia is caused by damage to these nerves. The damage can be from trauma, physical stress to the nerves, or a result of a medical complication such as a tumor of the bone. Symptoms include chronic headaches and are often misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines.
Physical Therapy for Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia is most often treated with a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation, injections of steroids combined with Lidocaine around the nerve root to relieve pain and numb the area, and physical therapy.
Physical therapy for occipital neuralgia involves different techniques such as heat, manual therapy and electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve with TENS units.
Manual physical therapy involves using just the hands instead of any devices. In manual therapy, physical therapists use their hands to put pressure on muscles and manipulate joints to decrease pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, also known as TENS, is a non-invasive method of pain management. A TENS device relieves pain by sending small electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin to the nerves, which then block pain signals to the brain.
Heat works in a similar way. It stimulates the sensory receptors that respond to heat and cold, which help block transmissions of pain signals to the brain. Heat therapy also increases the blood flow, which reduces stiffness and relaxes sore muscles.
In some cases of occipital neuralgia, chiropractic manipulation of the upper spine is recommended and, in very rare severe cases, a surgical decompression of the nerve root can be performed to relieve pressure on the nerve.
All these types of treatment should be discussed with your physician to find out which works best for you.
In recent years, apricot kernels have received a great deal of attention for their properties as a health food item. Yet apricot kernels have also drawn disagreement as to how healthy they actually are. Apricot kernels contain traces of cyanide, and they can be poisonous if eaten in large quantities. Here is what you should know about apricot kernels before adding them to your diet.
What Are They?
Apricot kernels are the pits, or seeds, that occur naturally in an apricot. The kernels are extracted from the large wooden pit in the center of an apricot, then their hulls are removed and the kernels are dried to prevent them from growing mold. The dried kernels are then sold as health food items.
Benefits
Apricot kernels contain high levels of vitamin B17, also known as laetrile or amygdalin. In the 1950s, chemist Dr. Ernest Krebs Jr. recommended eating approximately seven apricot kernels per day to prevent cancer, as well as to help fight cancers that have already been diagnosed. In the 1960s and '70s, however, numerous studies overturned this claim. Yet many health food providers continue to claim that apricot kernels are effective in preventing and treating cancer. Apricot kernels also contain protein, polyunsaturated fats and other nutrients.
Uses
Apricot kernels can be consumed whole as a snack or added to trail mix and eaten with other fruits and nuts. Whole apricot kernels have a bitter taste that some find unpleasant, however. Many people prefer to grind their apricot kernels in a blender and then sprinkle the ground kernels over meals. When ground like this, the kernels have a tasty, almond-like flavor that works well on dishes like baked potatoes, soup, cold cereal and cooked vegetables. The kernels can also be coated in honey and melted carob chips to create a sweet, candy-like snack.
Dangers
In addition to their healthful properties, apricot kernels also contain cyanide, which is what gives them their bitter taste. As a result, they should not be consumed in high quantities, as this can lead to cyanide poisoning. Tests performed by the Department of Agriculture's food safety and inspection division determined that one 8 oz. package of apricot kernels contained 568 mg of cyanide, while another 8 oz. package contained 604 mg. The lethal cyanide dose for an adult is between 140 mg and 280 mg. Therefore, apricot kernels should be consumed only in very small quantities. If you begin to feel dizziness, blurred vision or nausea after eating apricot kernels, stop consuming them immediately and contact your physician.
Where to Find Them
Apricot kernels can be purchased online through health food sites and sites devoted specifically to apricot kernels and other apricot products. They can also be found at some health food stores.
Tags: apricot kernels, health food, apricot kernels, kernels have, Apricot kernels, apricot kernels have, kernels also
Nerve damage can be extremely debilitating because it involves pain and inflammation throughout the extremely important nervous system of the body. When a nerve is irritated, it can lead to repetitive pain that occurs at a moment's notice. While there are no herbs that can directly, completely heal your nerve damage on the spot, there are herbal remedies that can help to control your symptoms.
Autumn Crocus
Autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale, pictured above) is a perennial plant with a fleshy, bulblike base, dark green tulip-like leaves and light purple flowers. The base (or corm), seeds, and flowers of the herb are used for joint pain, prostate enlargement and nerve damage. Take a dried herb of the autumn crocus, mix it with water and apply it as a paste to areas of your body experiencing nerve pain. Do not take the herb orally as it has multiple negative side effects when ingested.
Camphor
Camphor (cinamomum camphora) is an evergreen tree that now grows throughout the world after originating in East Asia. Camphor's stems, roots, wood, leaves, twigs and volatile oils have been used in deodorants and disinfectants and against bronchitis, bruises and inflammation. Rub camphor oil on your painful nerve areas to reduce swelling and relieve nerve pain. It can also help to relieve the spasms of the nervous system that can lead to heightened pain. This is another herb that should not be taken orally as it is poisonous when ingested.
Feverfew
Feverfew (tanacetum parthenium) is an herb that can be found growing in Europe, Australia and North America, and it has been used as an herbal remedy for nearly 2,000 years. The aerial parts of the herb have been used to treat physical symptoms of PMS, a sluggish liver and nerve pain. Feverfew acts as a nerve tonic, relieving tension in the nervous system and reducing pain in conditions like trigeminal nerve neuralgia and sciatica. You can take it in tablet form in doses of 250 milligrams a few times a day or as a tincture with a dose of five to 10 drops every half hour during your nerve pain. In pill form, the herb may take four to six weeks to take effect.
Other Herbs
Here are a few more herbs that may be able to control your nerve damage. A tea made from St. John's wort may help with inflammation by drinking two cups a day. The herb may also help to heal the damage itself by keeping the nervous system in shape. Create another tea that mixes black cohosh, lobelia, lady's slipper and valerian herbs to soothe and relieve your pain. Lastly, a massage with an oil or cream made from the arnica herb can relieve your nerve pain and decrease your inflammation.
Where to Buy
You can purchase all of these remedies at most local natural foods stores or on the Internet. As with most products, if possible you should go to the store in person to ensure you are getting the product you desire. Also, you can talk to the salespeople there who may be more knowledgeable than the Internet seller you are buying from.
Tags: nerve pain, nervous system, your nerve, been used, nerve damage, also help
Many people dread going to the dentist, but when a toothache occurs it causes unbearable pain, and something must be done. There are several ways to ease a toothache until you can see a dentist. There is usually a reason for getting a toothache. Your dentist can make this diagnosis.
Instructions
Steps
1. Get clove oil at the drugstore and apply the oil to the tooth. This will temporarily numb the tooth. Be sure not to put it on the gums or apply too much as it can be poisonous when too much is ingested.
2. Ice or cool the area on the cheek outside the tooth using an ice pack to reduce swelling around the tooth. If the tooth is sensitive to extreme temperatures, it is probably best not to do this step.
3. Keep your head up as much as possible. Laying it back applies more pressure in the head, which can make the pain worse or make it feel like your head is throbbing.
4. Take a garlic clove and hold it against the tooth for about five minutes. Wash your mouth out with warm salt water, being sure to gargle it around your mouth before spitting it out. Garlic is a natural antibiotic and will help to ease the pain of the tooth as well as heal it, and salt water will wash and disinfect your mouth.
A variety of symptoms can be signs of cancer, though they tend to vary by type. This article will provide some of the symptoms of the most common types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer and leukemia.
Breast Cancer
Possible signs of breast cancer include discharge from the nipple, a lump or thickening of the breast and enlarged lymph nodes under the arm.
Lung Cancer
Wheezing, a consistent aching feeling in the chest, congestion in the lungs and persistent coughing are symptoms of lung cancer.
Bone Cancer
Symptoms of bone cancer include bone fractures, weakness, fatigue, weight loss and nausea. Swelling around the affected area is also commonly seen.
Brain Cancer
Dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, loss of feeling in the extremities, changes in personality or speech patterns and abnormal changes in vision are symptoms often associated with brain cancer.
Leukemia
Leukemia symptoms include bruising, weakness, weight loss, night sweats and enlarged lymph nodes. Frequent infections are seen in most patients suffering from leukemia.
Tags: bone cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, cancer include, enlarged lymph, enlarged lymph nodes
Organin hair loss treatment is a natural hair loss remedy, that instantly eliminates the appearance of thinning hair and baldness. Organin works equally well for men and women, and is very easy to use. Here's thicken hair with Organin hair loss treatment.
Instructions
1. First you need to wash and dry your hair to get the optimal thickening results. Organin Hair loss treatment works best in hair that is clean because excess oil and residue can prevent it from adhering to the hair properly.
2. Next, fix your hair the way that you would normally do it. If you use any hair thickening gels or creams, now is a great time to put them in, but don't overdo it.
3. Sprinkle the Organin over the balding or thinning areas very lightly and slowly. Do this until you can't see your scalp anymore.
4. After this, use your fingers and the bottom of your hand to carefully pat the Organin further down into your scalp. This helps it attach to your existing hair and create a natural look.
5. Top it off with something to hold your hair in place. This could be a firm hair spray or hair mist. Now you're done using the Organin hair loss treatment, and on your way to thicker, fuller hair.
Tags: loss treatment, your hair, hair loss, hair loss, hair loss treatment
Once a rarity, bedbugs are making a comeback. Dealing with the pests can be a scary experience, and it's probably best to call an exterminator if you find them in your house. There are steps you can take to partially remove bedbugs from affected areas before the exterminator comes. By making sure the room is clean and neat and that some items have been removed, you can help the exterminator get rid of as many bugs as possible.
Instructions
1. Clean out the clutter. Bedbugs love to hide in dark places, so the less junk in the room, the better.
2. Buy plastic bags and other wrapping materials. Remember that everything that you take out of the infested area will need to be secured in plastic to prevent further infestation.
3. Remove any clothes and linen from your room and wash them in hot water (over 120 degrees F).
4. Dry non-washable clothes and other items for 20 minutes at a medium or high setting. The heat of the dryer should kill off the infestation.
5. If you need to move any other items out of the room to vacuum, wrap them securely.
6. Move wrapped items outside of the house, where they can't spread any further infestation. Areas that experience freezing weather or heat over 120 degrees for constant periods of time may kill off infestations. You may want to put wrapped items into a freezer if you don't live in such an area.
7. Vacuum. Target baseboards and cracks in the walls and floors and vacuum the crevices of sofas and beds. If your vacuum uses a bag, remove the bag after vacuuming, seal it inside a plastic trash bag and throw it out.
Tags: further infestation, other items, over degrees, wrapped items
It is possible to give someone with a tracheostomy albuterol breathing treatments. Usually a medical professional should give these, but a lay person can be instructed on give these in a nonhospital setting. The person who will be doing the albuterol breathing treatments for a person with a tracheostomy will need to become familiar with the way nebulizer medicines are administered, the mechanics and techniques involved, troubleshooting and effectiveness of the treatment.
Small Volume Nebulizer
An albuterol breathing treatment can be easily administered with a device that is specifically designed for the tracheostomy. This is called a small volume nebulizer (SVN). The usual dose is 3 cc's of normal saline combined with 0.5 cc's of albuterol. Of course a different dose may be ordered by the doctor. It is important to follow his orders as accurately as possible. The svn can be attached simply and directly to the tracheostomy tube.
Oxygen Tubing
Next, oxygen tubing will be connected to the small volume nebulizer and turned on to at least 5 liters of oxygen a minute. This will result in a misting of the medication and normal saline which will then be breathed in by the patient. Anything less than 5 liters a minute will result in poor misting of the albuterol treatment.
Checking the Equipment
Check the small volume nebulizer frequently and instruct the person getting the treatment to breath the mist in and out slowly. After approximately 10 to 15 minutes the treatment should be done. This will be evident when there is no fluid left in the SVN and there is no more mist exuding from the open end of this apparatus.
End of Treatment
Disconnect the small volume nebulizer and oxygen. Now cleanse the nebulizer equipment by rinsing it in warm water and drying it with a clean paper towel. Sometimes the orders call for repeat treatments at specific intervals. It is not neccessary to clean the svn in-between treatments.
Other Treatments
It is possible to give other aerosol treatments via the tracheostomy tube. There are medications that can be administered this way. Check with your doctor and a qualified respiratory therapist. It is also possible for a person to self administer an SVN treatment if capable of doing so.
Tags: albuterol breathing, small volume nebulizer, albuterol breathing treatments, breathing treatments, give these
There are difficulties involved in learning to cope with any disability, but there are many in learning to cope with going blind. When you can't see, you not only have to learn to deal with lifestyle changes and your own feelings, you have to deal with public attitudes. Here are some ways of coping.
Instructions
Cope With Going Blind
1. You have to know emotionally, not just physically, that you can be independent and self-sufficient even without your sight. My friend and co-worker who lost her sight to diabetes has always taken pride in doing everything for herself and was happy doing things for others. To have to ask others to drive her places was difficult, but an agency for the blind helped her to realize that though there would be changes in the lifestyle she was used to, she could adjust. She can still do the things that interest her; she just has to do them differently.
2. You have to sharpen your other senses. We rely on our sight for more things than we realize. As the song says, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. People who are born blind begin relying on hearing, touch, smell, taste and intuition from birth. Those who have lost the sight they've relied on can learn to pick up on clues other than visual ones.
3. It takes practice, but you can learn to be mobile by using a long white cane or a guide dog. You can learn to dress, eat, stay safe, and function independently. You can learn to tell what coins you're holding by feeling the size of them and the texture of the sides (the sides of nickels and pennies are smooth, the sides of quarters and dimes are ridged). Although you can't do the same with paper money, you can learn to fold different denominations in different ways so you can tell what bills you're handing to someone.
4. If you liked to read and use the computer, there are many resources for you. You can learn to read Braille or use talking books. Talking software is available for computer use, and some is free. With the technology that we have today, many things you enjoyed with sight can be done without it.
5. One of the more difficult things to cope with is public attitude. Potential employers might think you can't do a job. Other people may associate your loss of vision with loss of intelligence. Even if you're the type of person who didn't care what anyone thought, it can be in your best interest to blend in by being neat, reliable, punctual, to dress appropriately, use good table manners, and to make an effort to be acceptable to others. If you're applying for a job, you have to promote yourself by addressing potential employer's concerns about your ability to do the job by answering questions they are unable to ask. It's not fair, but in the world we live in today, many things are not fair, and we just have to do the best we can with what we have.
6. If you need help from relatives, friends, or agencies, don't hesitate to ask. That's what the agencies are there for, and your friends and relatives are aching for the chance to do something for you without offending you. After all, you did plenty for them when you had your sight, and when you've adjusted to living without it, you'll find ways to help them again.
Tags: cope with, Cope With, Cope With Going, deal with, learning cope, learning cope with, lost sight
Caffeine occurs naturally in both green and black teas. According to Mayo Clinic.com, home-brewed tea contains 40 to 120 mg caffeine in every 8 oz. Thus, reducing the amount of caffeine in the tea is highly recommended for people with medical conditions or those that wish to minimize the amount of stimulants they ingest.
Instructions
Choose Color
1. Choose your tea leaves carefully. The caffeine content in a tea leaf varies based on a few characteristics such as hue and age. Shaded leaves and younger leaves contain more caffeine. Thus, it is advisable to pick older and lighter leaves when preparing your tea.
2. Steep your tea in a smaller teapot. Larger teapots hold more water, so they are able to steep more caffeine from the tea leaves. Thus, by using a smaller pot less caffeine is steeped into the water. The taste may be stronger if you use the same amount of tea leaves for a larger pot, but the caffeine content will be reduced since the water will be more saturated.
3. Lower the maximum temperature of the water to around 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit while steeping the leaves. Completely boiling water helps release more caffeine thereby increasing the caffeine level. Thus, using hot water at a temperature slightly less than boiling will help reduce the caffeine content. Cooking thermometers are available at most local supermarkets and grocery stores.
4. Brew tea at half strength. Use half the amount of leaves you would normally use. This will result in half the caffeine content. If the resulting batch of tea is not strong enough in taste, slowly increase the amount of leaves. Experimenting with different tea leaves and brewing temperatures will help you find your desired caffeine level. Take the time to try different leaves in small doses.
5. Shorten the brew time. Rather than steep the tea for 3 minutes, let it steep for 1 minute to cut the caffeine in half.
Tags: caffeine content, amount leaves, more caffeine, caffeine level, contains caffeine, different leaves
The Amish use traditional home remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation because of their effectiveness. The Amish like to be self-sufficient in all things in their efforts to be independent from traditional medicines and cleaning supplies. From arthritis to sore throats, intestinal parasites to migraines, an Amish home remedy is there for you.
Migraines
Migraine headaches are agony when they strike and any relief from the pain is comforting. Try this Amish home remedy that is proven to work and has been used for generations. Take two teaspoons of honey with each meal. Alternatively boil equal parts of honey and apple cider vinegar and pour into a bowl, place a towel over your head and the bowl and inhale the resulting steam.
Fungus
Fungus, like any other parasitic infection, should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent its spread. An old Amish home remedy to treat fungal infections is to brew black walnut hulls in water and apply the cooled tea onto the ringworm twice a day for two weeks. This remedy also works on athlete's foot and other fungal infections of the skin.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are bad for health and may interfere with breathing in asthma sufferers. To stop mold and mildew in its tracks, mix 1 cup of lemon juice with 1/2 cup of bleach and 2 quarts of water. Place the mix in a spray bottle and spray down the basement walls or any other moldy areas, leaving the concoction to penetrate overnight. Rinse away with water in the morning. Repeat the process for any stubborn mildew or mold that you didn't kill in the first application.
Amish Wisdom
Molasses on a cotton bud and applied to the ear (do not stick cotton bud into ear canal) relieves earache. Brew sage leaf tea for flu symptoms and sore throat. Sage is also said to improve the memory.
Make your own foot powder to keep your feet dry. Use one part baking soda to one part corn starch, mix together and place in a sprinkler container to sprinkle on your feet every morning before you put on your socks.
Amish Remedies
Handed down from parents to children, these old Amish remedies are continuing to work from generation to generation. For sore throats and to help coughs, take a teaspoon of honey every hour until the sore throat or cough is relieved. For arthritis take 10 teaspoons apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink with every meal. To cure internal parasites boil up ginger root in a quart of water for half an hour. Drink the resulting ginger tea daily for four days.
Yeast Infections
Instead of using antibiotics to cure a yeast infection, often resulting in yet another yeast infection, use plain yogurt to cure a vaginal yeast infection effectively. Simply use a cough medicine syringe full of plain yogurt and squeeze it into the vagina every night for two weeks. There are no side effects whatsoever.
Tags: Amish home, Amish home remedy, home remedy, yeast infection, apple cider, apple cider vinegar