Information Contraceptives

There are so many different kinds of contraception options available to today's woman, she can basically pick the one that works best for her and her partner---whether she wants a temporary form of birth control or a more lasting form. She also can pick between types that use hormones and those that don't. Of course, if she doesn't want to introduce anything new to her body, she can choose a more natural route, such as natural family planning or calendar planning, but to do either of these, it is crucial she knows her own body and that she time her periods and ovulation to help prevent pregnancy.

Birth Control Pills

These are probably the most common form of contraceptive used because the patient can stop taking them at anytime. The doctor prescribes these; depending on the patient's choice, she can choose to have a pill with different types of hormones that prevent her body from ovulating or she can take one that has progestin, which helps prevent the egg from implanting in the uterus. Pills are usually taken on a daily basis for a certain number of days per month, and then the patient has a week off to menstruate. There are options available, such as Lybrel, which allows the patient to have no period at all, or Seasonale, which allows the patient less periods, as in four per year.

Implants

Implants that contain hormones, such as Norplant, are injected into the arm---they are slow releasers of progestin. They work much like the progestin-only birth control pills by not allowing the egg to implant and even by stopping the woman from ovulating. It's economical because it lasts for five years. This type has a 100 percent success rate. This type of contraceptive is also able to be taken out whenever the woman is ready to do so.

Injections

The Depo-Provera shot is fairly popular. It, too, uses progestin to inhibit pregnancy from occurring. This type lasts for up to three months. One drawback to this form is that if the patient wants to get pregnant, she will have to possibly wait a year before the Depo is completely out of her system.

IUDs

IUDs are an easy method of birth control, especially for the patient who has trouble forgetting to take a pill every day or a woman who just doesn't want to have to think about birth control. IUD stands for intrauterine device; they have a 98 percent or more success rate. As soon as the IUD is taken out, the woman can start trying to get pregnant, so it offers a fast turnaround. One type of IUD releases levonorgestrel or progesterone. Levonorgestrel types only have to be changed after five years, while the others once a year. One type of levonorgestrel IUD is Mirena. Yet another type of IUD is ParaGard, which has copper in it and lasts for 10 years.

The Patch

For a woman who doesn't want to have anything inserted or injected, but doesn't want to take a pill every day, either, the patch may be an answer. This patch is called Ortho Evra and only has to be changed once a week. The patient wears the patch for three weeks, then has one week for her period.

NuvaRing

This type of contraceptive is a ring that contains estrogen and progestin; the difference is that they are both discharged within the vagina to prevent pregnancy. The woman wears it for three weeks and takes it out for her period in the fourth week.

Other Forms of Contraception

Other forms of contraception exist, such as condoms a man wears during sex. If the couple decides they want no more children, they can take a more permanent route, including the woman having her fallopian tubes tied in a surgical procedure; the man also can have what is called a vasectomy to cut the travel route, the vas deferens, for the sperm.

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Ways To Relieve Chest Pressure From Anxiety

Having an anxiety attack is extremely stressful, causing muscles to quickly become tense, sometimes to the point of spasm. When this happens to muscles in the chest, the pressure and pain can move down your arm and up your neck so you think you're having a heart attack. Learning relaxation and breathing techniques can be valuable in helping you calm the anxiety and relax.

Anxiety-Related Chest Pains

The body reacts to stress by tightening muscles. Extremely stressful events, such as an anxiety attack, can cause severe muscle tension. Some sufferers experience intense tightness and pain or pressure in the chest, neck and down the arm similar to those of a heart attack. The most common response is panic.

Fight or Flight

The fight-or-flight response is the body's most basic instinctual reaction when the mind perceives danger or threat. The fight-or-flight response is literally your body's way of preparing to fight or flee the stressful situation to defend your life. The fight-or-flight response triggers a series of biological events. Your body begins releasing adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol through the bloodstream. Usually, you are too busy responding to consider how your body feels. However, if you are sitting quietly watching television and your heart suddenly starts pounding and you feel hyper, you shake, your chest tightens with pain, and your heart flutters irregularly, it can be terrifying.

Internal Dialogue

What you say to yourself during an anxiety attack determines whether you begin to calm down or panic more. It can be challenging to control your internal dialogue, but telling yourself that you are having a heart attack, need to get to the emergency room, and are going to die actually intensifies your symptoms. Rather, by making a conscious effort to tell yourself that you are okay, not having a heart attack, and just experiencing anxiety, you can begin to calm down. Soon, the muscle tension and pressure in your chest, arm and neck will begin to dissipate.

Breathing Techniques

The first line of defense during an anxiety attack is to breathe. This requires that you focus. One breathing technique that will aid you in calming down is simple to use even if you are struggling with panic. Begin by inhaling to the count of 2. Exhale to the count of 2. Inhale to the count of 2. Exhale to the count of 4. Inhale to the count of 2. Exhale to the count of 6. Inhale to the count of 2. Exhale to the count of 8. Inhale to the count of 2. Exhale to the count of 10. This is also a useful technique to use when you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming on.

Muscle Relaxation

It is essential to relax tense muscles during an anxiety or panic attack. Continue controlled and deliberate breathing. Sit or lay in a neutral position that is comfortable. Focus your concentration on the sensation of each muscle group. Add imagery, such as resting in the sun on the beach or ice cream melting in the sun. For each muscle group, tense the muscles, hold and then relax. Start from your toes and work up. If you are seated, start by dropping your chin to your chest and lifting slowly (do not make circles with your head). Continue through your entire body to your toes. By the time you reach the last muscle group, your muscles should be relaxed and the chest pains gone.

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What Is Formulary Medicine

Historically, the compounding of medicine was done by both physicians and the apothecary. There were no committees to design drug policies nor were there lists of approved medications or manufactured drugs. Most doctors kept ingredients in their cabinets or traveled with boxes of ingredients and mixed a prescription in the presence of the patient. In the 1930s, formulary medicine began to take shape.

Identification

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a formulary as "a book listing medicinal substances and formulas." A formulary also can be a collection of recipes, formulas or prescriptions.

In the field of medicine--in health plans, in particular--a formulary is a list of prescriptions a drug plan accepts under its coverage. A formulary also can be a patient's list of prescribed medications.

Origins

Agreement on the formulas and production of medication through a formulary committee is believed to have begun at New York City's Bellevue Hospital in the 1930s. Until that time, a list of acceptable drugs and the oversight into their production, efficacy or safety did not exist.

Through this first formulary committee, and the many that followed, the quality, regulation and appropriateness of medications morphed into the formulary medicine that is practiced today.

Health And Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services provides a Medicare formulary finder for prescription drugs, which searches for prescription drug plans by state. The tool is extensive--for each drug listed, it provides the plan name, the company that manages the plan, its customer service numbers and website address. Most website addresses are linked directly to the plan's Medicare formulary information.

Unapproved Drugs

The drugs not listed on a prescription drug plan's formulary are called non-formulary, or non-preferred, drugs. When a drug falls into this category, it indicates that the plan will not pay for it, so if you want or need to take the drug, you will have to pay out of pocket to do so.

Drug plans often list an alternative formulary drug the plan will pay for alongside the non-formulary drug. These choices are made based on a cost-benefit ratio that typically favors the drug plan.

Natural and Formulary Medicine

Formulary medicine would include the pharmaceutical industry (the inventors of drugs), the compounding pharmacist (who uses formulas to mix prescriptions) and many alternative health practitioners who create herbal or natural medicinal prescriptions for their patients.

Naturopathic doctors have recently had their formulary extended in Oregon under Senate Bill 327; they are now allowed to prescribe from an allopathic and a naturopathic formulary. Vivakor is one example of a biomedical providing research and development into the uses of both naturopathic and allopathic substances.

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Natural Naltrexone Substitutes

Alcoholism can be a debilitating addiction, but many different treatment are available.

Naltrexone (also known as hydrochloride sale or naltexone hydrochloride and under the trade names Revia and Depade) is a medication used to treat and reduce alcohol addiction by antagonizing opioid receptors in the brain. By preventing the release of endorphins associated with alcohol consumption, it reduces the pleasure experienced from consuming alcohol. While it is a relatively safe and effective treatment, there are a number of alternatives to naltrexone that may be used in its place. These depend on a variety of factors, notably the severity of the subject's addiction and their potential reaction to other medications.

Treatment and Abstinence

The most natural alternative to any medical treatment for alcoholism is a treatment program such as Alcoholics Anonymous (or AA) and abstinence from any alcohol intake. During detoxification, withdrawal and post-withdrawal periods, an alcoholic will need both the supervision and support that a peer or peer group can provide, making support groups the ideal social environment in which to overcome an addiction. The presence and guidance of an experienced role model (or sponsor, as they are known in AA) can be an invaluable source of moral support for individuals intent on overcoming their addiction.

Rationing and Moderation

In some cases of alcoholism it may be possible to combat the addiction through rationing and moderation. The outcome of this alternative will be highly dependent on a number of individual characteristics of both the addiction and the subject of treatment. Those suffering from an addiction in its early stages, or those who have exhibited especially strong willpower, will more likely to benefit from a regiment of moderation, leading to a gradual reduction of intake until no further alcohol is consumed.

Medical Alternatives

There are a number of commercially available medical alternatives to Naltrexone. Disulfiram (also known by the trade name Antabuse) inhibits the body's ability to break down ethanol, resulting in severe discomfort when alcohol is ingested that feels remarkably like an instantaneous and long-lasting hangover. While disulfram is effective, it can pose a slight risk of hepatotoxicity and drowsiness in some subjects. It is created in the lab as a combination of an organic sulfur compound and iodine. Citrate salt produces the same reaction to alcohol as disulfram, but without the risk of its side effects.

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Baking Soda Uses

Use baking soda to clean and deodorize the refrigerator.

Baking soda, a non-toxic compound, is also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda. An open box of baking soda placed in the refrigerator helps neutralize odors. As a drying agent, an open box placed in the closet removes excess moisture. Used both indoors and outdoors, or for health and personal care, baking soda has a wide range of uses.

Safety

Baking soda has fire-retardant properties. Use it to extinguish grease and electrical fires by scattering the powder over the fire. As the powder burns, it creates carbon dioxide, which will starve the fire of oxygen. Use baking soda to put out fires in wood, clothing, rugs and upholstery. Sprinkled in an ashtray, baking soda will prevent smoldering.

Personal Care

Clean brushes and combs with a baking soda solution. Use it to brush your teeth or dentures, or use it as a mouthwash. Baking soda is also used as an underarm deodorant. Deodorize your shoes by sprinkling the powder in the toe section and leaving overnight. Remove odors from your hands by mixing baking soda with water, massaging gently, then rinsing. Product buildup in the hair can be removed by adding baking soda to your shampoo.

Kitchen Uses

For cleaning purposes, use baking soda to clean the refrigerator, microwave and counter tops without scratching them. While cleaning, baking soda also has the added benefit of deodorizing the surfaces. Clean and deodorize the dishwasher by running it through a cycle with baking soda rather than detergent. Use baking soda to make a wash to clean pesticides from vegetables and fruits.

General Home Uses

To reduce musty odors in carpets, sprinkle baking soda into your vacuum bag when vacuuming. Clean clogged drains with a cup of baking soda followed by boiling water. In the laundry, a baking soda paste will help remove stains. Add baking soda to a full load to remove odors and brighten colors. Use baking soda to clean hard bathroom surfaces without scratching them.

Outdoor Uses

Clean an outdoor grill by sprinkling with baking soda, leaving it overnight, then scrub with a wire brush and warm water. Sprinkle the powder on oil patches or grease on cement floors, add hot water, scrub and rinse. Baking soda can also be used to scour rusty surfaces. In the garden, baking soda is used to deter ants.

Health

Reduce itching caused by poison ivy by making a baking soda paste and applying it to the affected area. Kill canker sores by applying baking soda to the sores each day in order to reduce bacteria in the mouth. Soothe burns with a thick paste applied immediately. This can reduce pain and prevent blisters.

Unusual Uses

Eliminate musty book odors and mildew by sealing books in a bag sprinkled with baking soda and leaving for a few weeks. Remove tape residue with a thick paste of baking soda and water. Sprinkled in a vegetable crisper, baking soda helps produce stay fresh longer.

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Cure Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary arteries have an important job, a lifelong career that lasts as long as your heart does. Their job is to supply the heart with the blood, oxygen, and nutrients it needs to do its job properly. Once they become damaged or diseased however, you are diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Many believe this disease can be cured or reversed, and offer programs stating this; they are only misleading you with their statements. It is a disease, however, that with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, can be turned into a benign disease, offering a normal life span with few or no symptoms for most patients.

Instructions

Cure Coronary Artery Disease

1. Quit smoking. The leading cause of coronary artery disease is smoking or the use of tobacco. There are a variety of smoking cessation programs available for those who wish to quit.

2. Change your diet. Another way to improve the condition of your arteries is by changing your diet. Base it on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, and cut out the saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. These changes, over time, will make a difference in your arteries and your heart.

3. Take cholesterol medications. One of the most common reasons people develop coronary artery disease is because of plaque buildup due to fatty deposits along the walls of the arteries. Medications that lower the LDL, or bad cholesterol, help reduce your risk of plaque building up and resulting in, or speeding the process of, coronary artery disease.

4. Add an aspirin each day. Aspirin has two benefits; first it is used as an anti-platlet, meaning it thins the blood. Second, it is an anti-coagulant, meaning it reduces the risk of blood clots forming that could block an artery and cause a heart attack.

5. Use a blocker. A calcium channel blocker that is. Increasing the blood flow to the heart helps reduce your blood pressure because the heart doesn't have to work so hard to produce the volume of blood itself. The calcium blockers open the coronary arteries so this process can take place.

6. Get an atherectemy. During this procedure, a catheter (a thin tube) is inserted into the blocked artery along with several smaller devices. Together they clean the arteries and remove the buildup of harmful, sometimes deadly, plaque.

7. Undergo bypass surgery. This is also known as artery grafting because an artery from another area of the body is removed and surgically implanted into the heart muscle, bypassing the damaged artery. This allows another route for the blood to take when traveling through the heart.

Tags: artery disease, Artery Disease, coronary artery, coronary artery disease, coronary artery disease, Cure Coronary, Cure Coronary Artery

What Is The Meaning Of Dynamic Therapy

Dynamic therapists study developmental psychology and psychoanalytic method.

Dynamic therapy, also called psychodynamic psychotherapy or dynamic psychotherapy, is a form of psychoanalysis developed in the late 1970s to early 1980s. This therapy model is based on Freud's psychoanalytic theory; however, practitioners do not subscribe to Freud's belief that all internal conflict is based on sexual development, according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders.

Confrontational

Dynamic therapy is a much quicker process than traditional psychotherapy.

In dynamic therapy, the therapist confronts the client, unlike traditional psychotherapists, who are passive participants in the process. Dr. Habib Davanloo of McGill University states that this approach shortens the length of therapy by years, because the therapist is more active and helps the client find the root of his problem, rather than forcing him to uncover it himself.

Types

Expressive therapy assumes the adult's problems stem from a childhood experience or trauma. Supportive therapy examines the immediate past and present to find the cause of a client's disturbance. Both work to put the client in a position to function normally within society, according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders.

Sessions

Dynamic therapy sessions are scheduled one to three times a week.

Sessions are held one to three times a week for 45 to 50 minutes. Initial sessions are spent discussing the reasons for treatment. The therapist can then make a treatment plan for future sessions. These future sessions will pursue the goal of identifying and eliminating the source of the client's distress. The therapist asks questions, and leads conversation until the client can identify key factors to her problems. The duration of treatment varies greatly from client to client.

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Deal With A Femur Injury

As the strongest bone in the body, a femur is not easy to fracture. In order for the femur to break, you need a very large force. Femur injuries often occur in skiing, football, soccer, hockey, and car accidents. Femur fractures range from stress fractures to severe injuries that require amputation. The rate of femur fractures is highest for men under 30.

Instructions

1. Identify femur fracture based on the following symptoms: severe pain at the time of injury, swelling and bruising at the fracture location, visible deformity, and tenderness to touch.

2. Stabilize the victim. Keep the victim warm with blankets to prevent him from going into shock. Avoid moving the victim until emergency medical assistance arrives.

3. Examine the victim to ensure there is no damage to blood vessels and nerves. X-ray can be used to locate the injury.

4. Restore alignment of the bones in the leg by applying traction and placing the limb in a splint. This will help to maintain the bone in the correct place during transport in the hospital.

5. The most effective treatment of femur fracture is surgery. The surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon to restore length, rotation, and alignment of the limb using a plate or a rod and screws. Surgery should occur as soon as possible after injury.

6. Following surgery, use pain medication to relieve pain. Doctors may also prescribe stool softeners to prevent constipation due to inactivity and antibiotics to prevent infection.

7. Rehabilitation includes learning to walk with crutches, then a cane. Follow doctor's instructions on exercise to regain range of motions and muscle strength. Use ice to relieve pain, particularly after exercise.

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Become A Neurofeedback Therapist

Neurofeedback therapy is an alternative therapy technique that involves training a patient to become more responsive to his brainwave patterns, as measured using electroencephalography (EEG). The goal of neurofeedback therapy is to help the patient become more aware of, and able to exert control over, the state of her central nervous system. Neurofeedback therapy is used to treat many conditions, including ADHD and affective disorders.

Becoming a neurofeedback therapist requires a significant deal of training, time, and expense.

Instructions

Becoming a Neurofeedback Therapist

1. Acquire a degree in a health-related field. Acceptable fields include medicine, psychology, nursing (including all licensed RNs), counseling, and therapy.

Some certifying institutions recommended that you hold an M.D., D.O., Ph.D. or Master's degree in a health-related field. If you have a Bachelor's degree in a health-related field you'll should contact the certifying organization to ensure eligibility before signing up for a certification program.

2. Become a licensed health-care practitioner in your state. Requirements for licensing vary from place to place.

If you are not a licensed health-care practitioner, you will need to form a partnership with a licensed health-care practitioner or work for a licensed health-care practitioner in order to practice neurofeedback therapy.

3. Attend a neurofeedback training certification course. Certification costs vary, depending on the level of training desired and the institution that you choose to attend. As of 11/20/2009 certification through the Biofeedback Association of America costs $400 ($300 for current students in an approved field). Certification through private organizations typically costs $1095 for a 4-day course.

4. Purchase EEG equipment and sensors. You can purchase required equipment from specialized internet vendors. These machines aren't cheap; expect to spend $4000 or more for the necessary equipment.

Tags: health-care practitioner, licensed health-care, licensed health-care practitioner, degree health-related, degree health-related field, health-related field, become more

Chart Your Menstrual Cycle To Achieve Pregnancy

Use your body temperature to determine when you ovulate each cycle.

Though doctors often rely on the conventional wisdom that a woman's menstrual cycle lasts, on average, 28 days, there are variations from woman to woman. According to Toni Weschler, MPH, a woman's cycle can last anywhere from 24 days to 36 days, with ovulation possibly occurring as late as cycle day 22. That's quite a difference for women who assume they ovulate around day 14 of their cycle. If you are trying to get pregnant but you aren't charting, you may be missing your fertile period entirely.

Instructions

1. Purchase a basal body thermometer. Avoid using a regular thermometer. These don't measure your body temperature to 100th of a degree like a basal thermometer does. You will get a more accurate reading with a basal thermometer. Buy one at your local drugstore, Target or Walmart.

2. Check your basal body temperature (the temperature of your body at rest) first thing every morning, starting from the first day of your cycle (the first day your period starts). Keep the thermometer by your bed so you can take your temperature before you even sit up. Set an alarm so you can remember to check your temperature at the same time each day, since your basal temperature can change throughout the morning.

3. Record your basal temperature on a chart each day. A paper chart may have come with your thermometer, or you can print one online. You can also set up a chart through websites such as FertilityFriend.com, which provide digital charts. Write your temperature down and record it when you get out of bed. If you use a paper chart, simply circle the correct temperature on that cycle day.

4. Connect your temperatures with a straight line (like connect the dots) if you are using a paper chart. A digital chart will do this for you. This is where you can look for patterns in your cycle.

5. Watch for a dip in body temperatures a week or two after your period has ended. This can signal that ovulation is going to occur soon, but be aware that not all women have this dip in temperature.

6. Look for a spike in your body temperature. This occurs the day after ovulation. Your temperature should stay elevated for the remainder of your cycle. Wait for three days of elevated temperatures and then record ovulation on the day before the spike occurred.

7. Monitor other fertility signs, such as cervical mucus, and record them on your chart as well. The closer you get to your fertile window (usually about three days prior to ovulation to about 12 hours after), the thinner your cervical mucus will become. Check for mucus that resembles egg whites. This is the most fertile, and you'll know ovulation is approaching.

8. Take a pregnancy test if your temperature stays elevated for 12 days after ovulation. Basal temperature will drop just before a new cycle begins. If the test is negative, test once a week until you get a positive or a new cycle begins. When a new cycle begins, start a new chart. If your period doesn't arrive for 60 days and you have only negative pregnancy tests, see your doctor.

Tags: body temperature, your body, cycle begins, paper chart, your basal, your body temperature, your cycle

What Is A Medicare Carve Out Plan

Typically, when you become Medicare-eligible, one of three things will happen to your retirement health care plan. It will end, it will turn into Medicare supplemental insurance, or it will turn into Medicare "carve out" insurance.

Medicare supplemental insurance fills the gaps in Medicare coverage (deductibles and co-insurance), and can result in your paying less for health care. Medicare carve out plans don't do that. Instead, they fill the gap, if any, between what Medicare paid and what they would have paid if you weren't on Medicare.

Why Carve Out?

Employers use Medicare carve out plans to preserve the equity between the benefits they provide to pre- and post-Medicare retirees, as well as to save money. Typically, but not always, carve out plans reduce the amount your company would spend on your health care benefit if they didn't use carve out.

Coordination Ends

Prior to the year 2000, employers routinely coordinated retirement health care benefits with Medicare. That routine coordination stopped in 2000 when the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, ruled (Erie County Retirees Association vs. Erie County) that offering different health care benefits based on Medicare eligibility was in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

EEOC Responds

Responding to the court's ruling, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission changed its enforcement policy, requiring that companies treat all retirees equally, without regard to Medicare eligibility. Companies, the Commission said, must provide the same benefits to both, or invest equal amounts in each group.

The rule of unintended consequences stepped in when employers complied by reducing pre-Medicare retiree benefits to post-Medicare levels. It took seven years, but the employers made their point.

ADEA Exception

In 2007, the EEOC decided that employers had a legitimate interest in providing greater benefits to early retirees in order to cover the gap between retirement and Medicare. They created a narrow (health care insurance only) exemption to the Age Discrimination Act. Employers now could modify, change or even eliminate benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees.

The AARP challenged the exemption and the case reached the Supreme Court in 2008. The Court declined to hear it, upholding an appellate court's earlier decision in support of the EEOC exception. The exception stands and so does Medicare carve out.

Computing Carve Out

With carve out, your company computes what it would have paid for your treatment as your primary insurer (including any unpaid deductible and co-pay). It subtracts from that the amount Medicare paid. If the results are positive (that is, Medicare paid less than your company would have), the company pays the difference. If the result is equal to or greater than the amount your company would have paid, they don't pay at all.

If you are in a Medicare carve out program, the net result is that you won't pay more once you're on Medicare, but you won't pay less either.

Tags: health care, would have, your company, carve plans, company would, have paid, Medicare carve

Natural Cures For Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches are often the result of sinusitis, which may come from allergies or infections. Sinus headache can be treated naturally, including using steam, aromatherapy or heat, and drinking liquids.

Using Steam

Steam helps to open up your sinuses, which allows congestion and blockages to drain. Once your sinuses have drained, the pain of your sinus headache will diminish. Several ways are available to use steam to help your sinus headache, including using your shower. Shut your bathroom door, and turn your shower on, using no cold water. Sit or stand outside of the shower, breathing in the steam. Alternatively, you can fill your sink with 2 or 3 inches of hot water. Lean over the sink, and cover your head with a towel, draping the sides to create a tent over the sink to keep the steam in.

Aromatherapy

Using essential oils in your steam treatments will help to relieve your sinus pressure even more. Several different essential oils can be added to the water, when you create steam for a sinus treatment. Eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary oils all will add aromatherapy benefits to the steam you are breathing.

Applying Moist Heat

Moist heat can also be applied directly to your face to help ease the symptoms of a sinus headache. You can wet a washcloth with very warm water, and hold it against the areas of your face where you feel sinus pressure. Typically, sinus pain is felt behind your eyes, or in the teeth, but you can also feel pain all over your face.

Drinking Liquids

Drinking lots of liquids will help to keep you hydrated, so that your body has the fluids it needs to be able to create the thin mucus that flows and drains easily in your sinuses. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages because the caffeine is a diuretic and can cause you to lose more fluids than you drink.

Tags: your face, your sinus, your sinuses, essential oils, including using, over sink

Become A Craniosacral Therapist

Craniosacral therapists use massage-like movements of the head and skull.

Craniosacral therapy is a holistic practice that falls under alternative medicine. Therapists practicing this technique believe that everyone has a cranial rhythm. When this rhythm is smooth and uninterrupted, the body's energy is in alignment, and it functions properly. Craniosacral therapists adjust this rhythm and bring it into balance through observation, listening to the body and manipulating the scalp, head and neck. These therapists undergo education and practical training before they can practice craniosacral therapy.

Instructions

1. Graduate from high school or receive a GED. Most states require craniosacral therapists to hold a massage therapy license, and a high school education or GED is a qualification for a massage therapy license.

2. Attend a massage therapy school that features a program that meets your state's massage therapy licensing requirements, preferably one that offers instruction in craniosacral therapy. These programs last an average of 600 hours, though some states require considerably more hours. Coursework should include classes on anatomy, physiology and practical technique.

3. Take your state's massage therapy license exam and achieve a passing score. State licensing exams are typically two-part tests that include written and hands-on practical sections.

4. Apply for and receive a license to practice message therapy in your state. Many states have licensing guidelines that exclude applicants with certain criminal histories, including solicitation.

5. Complete coursework and hands-on training that focuses on craniosacral therapy and techniques, particularly if you are entering into this form of therapy from another field, such as osteopathy or chiropractics, or if you did not receive craniosacral therapy training in massage school. This should be a program approved by the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and could take between 150 hours and 700 hours.

6. Perform 600 apprenticeship hours in craniosacral therapy under an experienced therapist. Some of these hours can be from massage therapy school or carniosacral therapy training.

7. Apply for and receive Registered Craniosacral Therapist, or RCST, certification by the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America. You can apply online at the association's website.

Tags: massage therapy, massage therapy license, therapy license, your state, your state massage, Apply receive, Association North

Find Alternative And Holistic Practitioners

Government and medical research institutions have poured millions of dollars into studies on promising complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). You'll still need to check with your doctor, but here's find legitimate CAM professionals.

Instructions

1. Ask your doctor for a referral. You may face possibly well-warranted skepticism. Also ask friends, family, nutritionists or physical therapists for recommendations. Some alternative-medicine professional organizations have CAM referral services.

2. Find out what your health plan covers; many costly CAM treatments are not. While more insurers include chiropractic treatments in their plan, far fewer cover acupuncture, let alone Ayurvedic medicine or homeopathy.

3. Do some detective work at state and local departments of health and consumer affairs, which increasingly have licensing and accreditation requirements for alternative practitioners. Ask about practitioners' educational background and training, and if any formal complaints have ever been filed against them. Inquire if any scientific research supports specific treatments you may be considering. Search for existing study results at the National Institutes of Health Web site (clinicaltrials.gov).

4. Check qualifications if possible, despite the patchy regulations on CAM. For example, acupuncturists must be licensed in more than 35 states, but might also be called registered or certified, or doctors of acupuncture or Oriental medicine.

5. Consider applying to be part of a clinical trial or study if money is an issue. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the federal government's lead agency devoted to supporting research; learn about trial participation at www.nccam.nih.gov/clinicaltrials.

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Ants With Stingers

Red fire ants can deliver a painful sting to their victims.

Ants are social insects that depend on the creation and protection of a colony, which is headed by a queen and maintained by thousands of workers. They are part of the formicidae family of insects, which they share with bees and wasps. Similar to their cousins, certain species of ants are capable of delivering a painful sting to their prey or victim. Their sting is used to subdue prey or ward off predators threatening the colony.

Bull Dog Ant

Bull dog ants have a wasp-like appearance, possess a venomous stinger, which they use to track and kill their prey. Located in Australia, bull dog ants are believed to be one of the oldest species of ant, appearing around 100 million years ago, states National Geographic. They are only around 1 in. long, but are extremely agile and are capable of running and leaping as they sting their prey. Preferring to nest in sandy ground, they feed on bees, carpenter ants and other small insects.

Red Fire Ant

As their name suggests, fire ants are capable of leaving a painful burning mark with their rear stinger. Fire ants originated in South America, but were accidentally imported into the U.S. and are considered a serious pest because of their aggressive nature. They are up to 1/4 in. long and reddish in color. Favoring soft soil, red fire ants live in dry areas, burrowing under the ground and creating a network of passageways for the colony. As omnivores, fire ants feed on both vegetation, other insects, fruit and small newborn animals, such as newly hatched poultry.

Bullet Ant

The bullet ant is well known for its sting, which can cause pain for up 24 hours. It can get up to 1 in. in length and is red or brown in color. According to Ask the Exterminator, it is one of the most painful stings of all invertebrates. Preferring to nest near the bottom of trees, bullet ants are found in Central and South America countries like Nicaragua and Peru. They are omnivores that consume small plants, plant nectar and small insects.

Harvester Ant

Located in North America, harvester ants live in dry environments and build their colonies in exposed areas. Harvester ants are black or reddish brown in color and are 0.38 in. The harvester ant is capable of stinging its victim, which causes a painful, burning welt on the skin. This species forages for different desert grass seeds, which are stored in different chambers within the colony. Harvester ants also prey on small insects, such as termites.

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Find Funding For Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Substance abuse treatment programs are expensive to operate. Grants and fundraisers are two good ways for treatment facilities to get the money they need to stay in operation. The best way to raise the money is to get the help of professionals who have experience writing grants and running fundraisers. Experienced professionals know represent a treatment facility in the best possible light to get the money needed for the facility's daily operation.

Instructions

1. Enlist the services of an experienced grant writer. There are many organizations looking for a limited amount of grant money. A well-written grant proposal will greatly increase your chances of getting money. Grant writers can be found on job boards and by referrals. Ask lawyers and other organizations if they can refer you to a good grant writer. Before hiring a grant writer, check the person's references.

2. Apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA issues one-time and continuing grants for substance abuse programs. SAMHSA has specific formatting requirements for grant requests, and these might change each year. Before applying for a grant from SAMHSA, go online and read the current application requirements.

3. Search for available grants at Grants.gov. Grants.gov is an online service that lists grants that are available from various agencies. This list changes regularly, so check often. The application requirements vary according to the grant. Application requirements are on the Grants.gov website.

4. Talk to local churches about funding the substance abuse treatment facility. Some churches will give a one-time grant or offer continuing support to a facility.

5. Set up a fundraiser. Hire a fundraising event coordinator with the experience necessary to run a successful fundraiser. Check your local Yellow Pages for a fundraising event coordinator or ask other organizations for a referral. Check the event coordinator's references.

Tags: event coordinator, grant writer, application requirements, fundraising event, fundraising event coordinator, grant from, other organizations

Lipitor Side Effects

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a statin drug prescribed to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides. It is also sometimes prescribed to prevent heart problems in people who have a high risk of developing heart disease, regardless of their cholesterol level. Most people who take statin drugs, including Lipitor, do not experience noticeable side effects, although adverse reactions occasionally occur.

Function

Lipitor works by blocking the production of an enzyme the body uses to produce cholesterol in the liver. As a result, most side effects associated with Lipitor are related to changes in liver function and reduced production of cholesterol. Lipitor, like all statins, should not be taken during pregnancy because of the risk of fetal harm; a developing fetus requires cholesterol, and if sufficient cholesterol is not produced by the mother's body, serious birth defects can result.

Effects

The most common side effects associated with Lipitor are abnormal liver function, muscle pain, weakness, headache, pain in the side or back, difficulty urinating and hoarseness. Side effects associated with Lipitor and other statins, with the exception of abnormal liver test results, tend to become less severe as the body adjusts to the drug. Because of the risk of damage to the liver when taking Lipitor, regular monitoring of liver function is required.

Significance

Most muscle pain and weakness associated with the use of Lipitor is harmless, although it can be uncomfortable. Very rarely, statins may cause the muscles to break down rapidly. When this occurs, damaged cells from the muscles can enter the bloodstream and become trapped in the kidney. This can cause life-threatening kidney problems. Although the risk of this problem, called rhabdomyolysis, has received a great deal of publicity, the chance of it occurring in a person who takes a statin drug is very low. Approximately 1 in 15 million patients who take statins will experience rhabdomyolysis.

Considerations

Lipitor is very effective in lowering cholesterol levels, but it is not appropriate for everyone who has high cholesterol. Whenever possible, attempts should be made to lower cholesterol through diet and exercise. Lipitor should be used with caution in patients who have pre-existing liver or kidney problems, who must take drugs that are known to interact with Lipitor, and those who have a history of alcohol abuse or who drink heavily.

Prevention/Solution

Most people who experience bothersome side effects from Lipitor find that they are most pronounced a few hours after taking the medication. For this reason, most doctors recommend that Lipitor be taken at night, immediately before going to sleep. Side effects, especially muscle aches and pain, are unlikely to be severe enough to cause a person to wake up.

Tags: with Lipitor, associated with, associated with Lipitor, effects associated, effects associated with, liver function, side effects

Ways To Fight A Tooth Ache

Ways to Fight a Tooth Ache

The onset of a toothache can be one of the more miserable experiences a person can find themselves going through. The near-constant pain makes it almost impossible to eat or drink anything, sleep is difficult and even breathing can cause agony if the air is chilly. Because the toothache can sometimes be a symptom of a larger problem, it is always advised that you consult your dentist to ensure the problem is treated correctly.

Go to the Dentist

If it sounds obvious, it's because it is. Most over-the-counter medicines and home remedies for toothache will effectively dull the pain, but will not treat the underlying problem that may be the cause of the toothache. Also, because there are several different possible causes, going to the dentist is the only 'remedy' that is guaranteed to find the true problem and treat it effectively.

Over-the-Counter

Sometimes, however, going to the dentist just isn't an option. Perhaps you are on a business trip or vacation, or somewhere else where you do not have access to proper dental care. In that case, there are several over-the-counter medications that will alleviate the pain, and in rare cases, cure the underlying problem. One of the most recommended products is Oragel, a pain-relieving gel that when applied directly to the tooth, acts to soothe the pain. More powerful drugs are available for the toothache, but they are generally prescription-only, and must be acquired with a prescription from your dentist. Again, it should be noted that whatever medicines you buy over the counter will most likely not treat the underlying problem.

Home Remedies

There are a variety of home-brewed remedies readily available to battle a toothache as well. Some, obviously, are more effective than others.

Placing a clove of garlic on the infected tooth, with a little rock salt, is said to help alleviate the pain. Chewing garlic is also recommended along with this cure.

Peeling an onion and placing a slice on the tooth also might help, as the onion has anti-bacterial properties and might kill the germs that are causing the infection.

One of the oldest techniques involves whiskey-or a similar distilled liquor-being soaked into a cotton ball and rubbed on the gum beneath the infected tooth. This will numb the nerves and lessen the pain. Another option is to take a mouthful of liquor and hold it around the infected tooth, which achieves the same end.

Preventative Measures

Fibromyalgia Drug Treatment

About Fibromyalgia Drug Treatment

Fibromyalgia, a condition for which no cure exists, is characterized by pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling and areas of tenderness in the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the body. Other symptoms include restless extremities, headaches and gastrointestinal problems. Emotional distress and sleep disturbances often develop in response to these physical symptoms. Both conventional and alternative drug therapies may be utilized to relieve the many symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Treatment of Symptoms

According to Dr. Robert M. Bennett, professor of Medicine and chairman of the Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and the leading fibromyalgia researcher in the United States, fibromyalgia is not always understood to a degree that allows for a definitive diagnosis. Even so, most patients do learn ways to control the symptoms that appear, even though the condition is poorly understood. Drug therapy is one of many ways with which this troubling syndrome can be managed.

SSRIs, SNRIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants

Cymbalta and Savella are both antidepressants in a class of drugs known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Both drugs increase the amounts of the brain chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine, helping to re-establish normal sleep patterns and improve mood.

Amitriptyline (Elavil), a tricyclic antidepressant, is often prescribed in low doses to relieve pain and to help with sleep.

Fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sometimes given along with tricyclic antidepressants to restore healthy sleep and to improve moods in fibromyalgia patients.

SNRIs, SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants are usually given in small doses when sleep or pain control is the primary therapeutic objective; however, when a person is suffering from depression in addition to fibromyalgia symptoms, dosages are calculated accordingly.

Muscle Relaxants and Non-Narcotic Pain Relief

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is a muscle relaxant that may be given to fibromyalgia sufferers in order to ease muscle spasms in specific areas of the body. Cyclobenzaprine is similar in composition to the tricyclic drug, amitriptyline, resulting in some of the same therapeutic benefits for fibromyalgia patients.

Procaine and Lidocaine, anesthetics that are injected into areas referred to as "tender points," are capable of providing pain relief for several months' duration. Lidocaine is also available in a patch.

Tramadol (Ultram) is a non-narcotic drug used to ease the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia. Tramadol, however, should not be used in conjunction with tricyclic antidepressants. Tramadol may be used with acetaminophen (Tylenol) for relief of mild pain.

Acetaminophen is sometimes used alone or with other medications to treat mild pain.

Sleep Aids and Drugs to Calm Restless Extremities

(Ambien) is a hypnotic drug given to promote sleep, but should be taken with caution to avoid dependency. Eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zaleplon (Sonata) are also prescribed for sleep problems.

L-dopa and Carbidopa (Sinemet), a medication usually prescribed for Parkinson's disease, may be given in very low doses to calm restless leg syndrome, a common complaint of fibromyalgia sufferers.

Anti-Seizure Drugs

Pregabalin (Lyrica), an anti-seizure drug that works on the nerve signals in the body, is beneficial to fibromyalgia sufferers for reasons that are not yet clear; however, it appears that the drug reduces and calms sensitive nerve signals which, in turn, alleviate pain.

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anti-seizure medication which may alleviate pain and fatigue and improve the quality of sleep in those affected with fibromyalgia. Although it is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia, some doctors prescribe it off-label for the condition.

Narcotic Drugs

Controversy exists over the use of narcotic drugs to treat fibromyalgia pain. Because narcotics or opiates have the potential to cause dependence, doctors are wary of prescribing them for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia. The threat of DEA interference is another reason medical practitioners often hesitate to prescribe opiates. However, for the patient who has tried the traditional methods of pain control for fibromyalgia and continues to suffer from pain, he might try presenting his case to the practitioner in a well thought-out, logical format, emphasizing his intention to use the medications only as prescribed and signing a contract agreeing to adhere to those conditions, if necessary. It might also help to specify to the doctor how inadequate pain control is preventing or hindering his participation in particular activities.

Aspirin and NSAIDs

Since fibromyalgia pain is not due to inflammation, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Naprosyn and others are not very effective in alleviating pain. Also, aspirin and other NSAIDs tend to cause stomach distress, diarrhea and ulceration of the stomach and duodenum in 15 percent of long-term users.

Tags: fibromyalgia sufferers, pain control, alleviate pain, Drug Treatment, Fibromyalgia Drug, Fibromyalgia Drug Treatment, fibromyalgia pain

Identify Signs Of Depression

Everyone experiences good and bad times in life. If you find yourself feeling down for a few weeks or more and you’re having a hard time functioning in your daily life, you might be suffering from depression. There are signs that you can look for to help determine if you might be depressed. Depression is a mental illnesses. Illnesses can be treated!

Instructions

1. Pay attention to any changes in your weight or appetite. Some people with depression lose their appetite and also lose weight while others may have an increased appetite and put on weight. If you notice any changes in your body weight or appetite accompanied by your persistent sad mood, this can be a sign of depression.

2. Take notice if you’re losing interest in activities you once enjoyed. Many people suffering from depression find that they lose interest in hobbies, friends, family, and other things that liked to do. Maybe you feel as if you no longer have the strength to do these things or you just don’t care about them anymore.

3. Identify any feelings of hopelessness, sadness, being tired all the time, restlessness, guilt, worthlessness, any body aches or pains, feeling worried, or crying without a clear reason. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for a couple of weeks or more and they seem to be getting worse, you should see a professional to seek treatment.

4. Record any changes in sleep patterns such as sleeping too much or not being able to sleep at all. Depression may be the reason for these changes in your sleep pattern.

5. Tell someone if you’re having thoughts of suicide. Depression can lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, you need to seek help immediately.

6. Get a reality check on indulgences. Abusing drugs or alcohol or engaging in promiscuous sexual behavior can be a sign of depression. Some people turn to drugs, alcohol, or sex to try to numb the pain they are feeling. These behaviors can make the problem worse by leading to addiction or even death. If you’re depending on any of these things in an attempt to cope with your depression, recognize that this behavior will not help you and seek professional help immediately.

Tags: changes your, drugs alcohol, from depression, having thoughts, having thoughts suicide, help immediately, sign depression

Homemade Colloidal Silver Generator

Colloidal silver is nature's antibiotic. Many call it a hospital in a bottle. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, praised silver for its "beneficial healing and anti-disease properties." According to the "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," it has been shown to be effective against more than 650 disease-causing organisms, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria and the fungus candida albicans. With a little skill and effort you create your own supply of colloidal silver and tap into its remarkable benefits.

What CS Is and How It Works

In 1975, homemade colloidal silver became a reality when physicist Bob Beck built the first silver generator. Colloidal silver is generated through electrolysis when an electric current travels between silver rods immersed in water. This process suspends clusters of silver atoms in the water. The suspended silver is able to suffocate harmful organisms by blocking their access to oxygen.

The "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" describes colloidal silver as "a Natural Antibiotic and Disinfectant that Destroys bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites." Silver has been used for this purpose since the Greek and Roman empires, who stored liquids in silver containers and ate with silver utensils. In early America, pioneer women put silver dollars in milk, to retard spoilage, and cowboys put them in water barrels, to make the water safe for drinking.

Building a CS Generator

You can make a colloidal silver generator with parts from your local Radio Shack. Connect four nine-volt batteries in series by snapping the negative terminals to the positive ones. You'll end up with one free positive and one free negative terminal.

Bridge the probes of a multimeter with a 33k ohm resister, by looping each end around one of the probes. Bend one end of two silver wires into a u shape, and use an alligator clip lead to connect the free negative battery terminal to the bent end of one of these wires. Use two more alligator clip leads to connect the free positive battery terminal to the positive probe of the multimeter, and the negative probe of the multimeter to the bent end of the remaining silver wire.

Adjust the multimeter display sensitivity to 200 volts DC. When the silver wires are separated, the multimeter should display zero volts. When the wires are crossed, the display should read about 36 volts. If your readings are similar, your generator is ready for use.

Making the CS Solution

Fill a clean glass with distilled water, and put the silver wires on opposite sides of the glass, by hooking the u shaped ends over the rim. If your multimeter reads more than four volts, the distilled water has too many impurities, and you should try another brand.

When the multimeter reading climbs to 30 volts, periodically shine your a red laser through the water to see if the beam is visible. If it isn't, let the process continue. When the beam is visible in a well lit room, your colloid's potency is ideal, and you can remove the electrodes and turn off the multimeter.

If the water turns yellow, and a gray film appears on the bottom of the glass, you didn't stop soon enough. You can still pour this solution through a coffee filter, and use it without any harmful effects.

Using the CS Solution

In his book, "Use of Colloids in Health," Dr Henry Crooks discussed his experiments with colloidal silver and his discovery that "No known microbe lasts more than 6 minutes in a dilution of as little as 5 parts per million." According to Mark Etherton at www.DreamWeaver.Ltd.uk, you can verify this by leaving two bowls of muesli with milk, on a window sill. Spray one of the bowls in the morning and evening with a colloidal silver solution. Leave the other one alone. After several weeks, the untreated bowl will be spoiled rotten, but the treated bowl will have no bacterial growth.

Now that you know what CS can do, you'll want to use it regularly. You can take four teaspoons a day to maintain good health, or as much as three glasses a day, if you're suffering from an acute viral, parasitic, or bacterial condition. Apply the CS topically to cuts, sores, rashes, and other skin ailments, to get quick relief. Colloidal silver can also be used in a nebulizer, to treat lung ailments. Don't forget to spray it on countertops, produce and anywhere else that germs congregate. The sky's the limit!

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Alternatives To An Hsa

A health savings account, or HSA, provides a way for consumers to put money aside to for medical bills not covered by insurance,co-pays or other certain health care costs. The money invested in the HSA is tax deductible, so consumers can lower their overall costs and reduce their tax bills at the same time. But, if you are not eligible for an HSA or simply prefer not to use one, you do have a number of alternatives.

Flexible Spending Account

You can set up a flexible spending account through your employer during the annual open enrollment period. The money in the flexible spending account can be used to pay for medical expenses for yourself and any dependents, just like the money in an HSA. One major downside of the FSA, however, is that the money must be used by the end of the year. With an HSA account, on the other hand, you can roll the remaining funds over from year to year, and even use the money for non-medical expenses after you reach age 65.

Health Reimbursement Account

Some companies will set up HRAs, or health reimbursement accounts, for employees who choose a high deductible health plan over traditional coverage. The premiums for high deductible plans are generally much lower, both for the employer and the employee, but many workers balk at the high deductible. Employers can fund an HRA that covers part of the deductible and therefore encourage workers to accept the cheaper plan. The money remaining in an HRA at the end of the year can be rolled over, providing the employee opts to remain in the high deductible plan for the coming year.

Personal Savings

Consumers are free to save for medical costs on their own by setting up a bank account solely for this purpose. This is similar to the process of building an emergency fund. If no large medical expenses are encountered during the year, the money can continue to grow until it is needed. The downside of this approach is that the money invested in the savings account is post-tax money. There is no up front tax benefit like there is with a health savings account.

Tags: high deductible, savings account, flexible spending, flexible spending account, health savings, health savings account

Throat Ulcer Form

Herpes Simplex Virus

Throat ulcers are painful irritations, or lesions, of the throat lining and have a multitude of causes. One of the most common causes is the Herpes Simplex virus, which normally affects the mouth and lips area and can often travel inside the oral cavity and invade the throat.

Chicken Pox Virus

A person suffering from the chicken pox virus may develop a throat ulcer, a less-common manifestation of the virus. Although the chicken pox virus is most often associated with dermal, or skin, disruptions and sores, the soft mucous membrane lining the throat is not immune.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Heavy abusers of alcoholic beverages, especially drinks such as whiskey, are prone to throat ulcers. The mucous membrane lining the throat is very sensitive to outside influences, and the regular consumption of alcoholic beverages can inflame the lining of the throat.

Bacterial Infections

A variety of bacterial infections can cause throat ulcers to form. Strep throat, which is a common bacterial infection, can often lead to a painful throat ulcer. The bacteria inflames and irritates the mucous membrane of the throat and, in severe cases, an ulcer can form

Tags: lining throat, mucous membrane, alcoholic beverages, Herpes Simplex, membrane lining

Dark Circles Under Eyes

In a time when beauty is easy to buy, one concern many men and women have is dark circles under their eyes. Dark circles under eyes can contribute to an older, tired appearance and often are difficult to conceal with cosmetics. These dark circles under the eyes are usually attributed to lack of sleep or seen as remnants of too much to drink the night before. However, there are multiple causes for the dark circles and several things you can do to combat them.

Squelch the Sun

Excessive exposure to the sun can contribute to dark circles, which are usually an excessive amount of pigmentation in the area. Blacks, Italians and Asians are more prone to dark circles.

Snuff the Sneezing

Just under the eyes are tiny blood vessels, and during allergy season, they can dilate. This can make the dark circles under eyes more visible. A simple solution for this is taking an antihistamine.

Angst of Aging

Cover your dark circles with concealer and use plenty of specialized eye cream. As we age, our skin gets thinner. The blood vessels just under that thin skin below your eyes might appear as dark circles. Also, certain medications, such as hormones or birth control pills, can cause the vessels to dilate.

Question Their Existence

Often, people never know the cause of their visible dark circles. Products that contain alphahydroxy acids or other plumping agents can be applied to thicken the thin skin under your eyes. Also, some doctors say vitamins C and K might also plump up the skin.

Blast Circles Away

Laser surgery will resurface the skin and get rid of the pigmented cells under the eyes. This procedure can be painful and expensive, and it will need time to heal, but it is effective.

Alternative to Surgery

Inject the area with filler to plump up the eye area and cause the dark circles to be less visible. There is not much down time after this treatment. This temporary solution lasts up to six months and usually costs around $1,000.

Hand Me Downs

Many doctors say dark circles under the eyes are genetic. So, if your parents have them, more than likely you will too. Staying hydrated and eating a healthful diet might contribute to healthier, plumper skin and reduce the appearance of those blood vessels under the eyes.

Tags: dark circles, under eyes, circles under, blood vessels, circles under eyes, dark circles

What Are Common Uses Of Oxygen In Our Everyday Lives

Oxygen is used in everything from medical treatments to rocketry.

During the early 1770s, the work of two scientists -- one from England and one from Sweden -- led to the discovery of oxygen, an element on the periodic table. Through heating several compounds, the scientists found a released gas which aided in combustion. England's Joseph Priestley also noted the element's effect on animal biology when a mouse's life was extended during exposure to oxygen. Oxygen has many functions in our world, not the least of which is sustaining life.

Respiration

Plants and animals rely on oxygen for respiration. Humans and animals inhale oxygen into the lungs or, in the case of amphibians, through gills or the skin. Oxygen powers blood cells before being released as carbon dioxide.

Oxygen therapy is prescribed for patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its related ailments. Though it is a common practice, the American Cancer Society maintains that oxygen therapy has not been proven to fight cancer and can be detrimental to the body.

Metallurgy

The production of steel is reliant upon oxygen. It is used in a blast furnace to turn carbon into carbon dioxide, which reduces the iron oxides to pure iron. Oxygen is also used in torches for cutting and welding. Oxygen reacts with hydrogen or acetylene in torches which can heat to over 5,000 degrees. Such torches can cut through or weld together most metallics.

Rocketry

In its liquid form, oxygen is used as an oxidizing agent in missiles and rockets. The external fuel tank used to lift a space shuttle out of our atmosphere holds about 145,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and about 390,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen. The two elements react in the main engines to generate a maximum thrust of some 512,000 pounds.

Chemical Synthesis

Hydrocarbons are "cracked," or broken apart, by heating them with oxygen. While this method can induce combustion and produce water and carbon dioxide, if the mixture is controlled it can break apart the hydrocarbons to produce acetylene, propylene and ethylene.

Oxygen is also used at plants that treat sewage or purify water. Oxygen is pumped through water, which increases the production of natural bacteria which break down waste products.

Tags: carbon dioxide, about gallons, about gallons liquid, also used, gallons liquid, Oxygen also

Resume Normal Breathing After Exercise

Walk and breathe deeply for a few minutes after exercise.

During exercise, your cardiovascular system and respiratory system work together to ensure an adequate supply of oxygenated blood for the muscles in motion. Since blood is circulating through the body at a quicker pace, the lungs must also work faster to release carbon dioxide and take new oxygen into the body. But once your sweat session comes to an end, your heart and lungs can slowly return to a normal rate. Taking a few minutes to focus on your breathing can help your body return to its baseline level of effort.

Instructions

1. Slow your pace gradually, rather than transitioning from full-intensity exercise to a complete stop. Walking around for five to 10 minutes allows your heart rate and respirations to gradually return to normal.

2. Take deep, even breaths as you walk. If possible, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This technique may be difficult if you have allergies or asthma. In that case, breathe in and out through your mouth if it's more comfortable.

3. Lie down on your back after a few minutes of walking. If desired, position a pillow under your head and knees. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your abdomen.

4. Exhale through your mouth for a count of six to eight seconds.

5. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of three to four seconds. When you inhale, the hand on your abdomen should lift higher than the hand on your chest. This type of breathing is referred to as abdominal breathing or diaphragmatic breathing.

6. Hold your breath for about five to six seconds. Then, slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of six to eight seconds.

7. Repeat the inhale-exhale cycle for four more breaths.

Tags: through your, hand your, through your mouth, your mouth, count eight, count eight seconds

Get Started Losing Weight With The Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid

The Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid-not to be confused with the Mayo Clinic Diet, a grapefruit-intensive fad diet not endorsed by the Mayo Clinic-is an online tool offered by The Mayo Clinic to help people build healthy diets, whether their goal is to lose or maintain weight. Getting started with the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid is easy, and because of the flexibility it offers, the program is easy to stick with.

Instructions

1. Go to the website for the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Tool (see the link below). Enter your weight goal (maintain or lose), age, current weight, height and gender to get your daily calorie goal and serving recommendations.

2. Print your recommendations, along with the sample list of serving sizes for each food group. It may help to post them prominently in the kitchen, such as on the refrigerator door.

3. Plan meals around the recommendations. Sample menus are available on the Mayo Clinic website, and you can create menus to suit your own tastes, the availability of seasonal produce, or what is on special at the supermarket. As long as you stay within the recommended servings for each group, menus can be as flexible as you want or need them to be.

4. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low fat dairy, and whatever carbohydrates you prefer. Fruits and vegetables form the base of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid, and these can be fresh, frozen or canned. When using canned fruit, look for fruit canned in water, and when using canned vegetables, use low-sodium vegetables when available or rinse the vegetables to reduce the salt content. Each calorie goal level in the Pyramid has a small allocation for sweets and fats, so be sure to include those in your shopping, too.

5. Keep track of what you eat. Weigh and measure your servings to make sure you are not going over or under the serving sizes. For at least the first few weeks, it may help to keep a pen and paper tally of your servings eaten from each group, to make sure you get enough of each without going over.

Tags: Mayo Clinic, Clinic Healthy, Clinic Healthy Weight, Healthy Weight, Mayo Clinic Healthy, Healthy Weight Pyramid, Weight Pyramid

Natural Cures For Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is caused when over-stressed adrenal glands do not regulate the hormones they produce. Symptoms of it include fatigue, non-specific pain, weight fluctuations, sleeping problems and digestive disorders. According to Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Todd B. Nippoldt, all of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue can also be categorized as Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency. Rather than put up with numerous medical treatments for an incurable disease, you can try some natural cures for adrenal fatigue.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea is used to help stimulate the nerves, decrease depression and eliminate fatigue. The benefits of this herb work to reverse the common symptoms of adrenal fatigue. It has also been shown to enhance mental function.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an Indian herb that is commonly used to relieve stress, and to combat depression and anxiety. According to Life Extension Magazine (LEM), "Scientific studies support ashwagandha's ability not only to relieve stress, but also to protect brain cells against the deleterious effects of our modern lifestyles."

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng has been shown in studies to help improve the immune system and help the body deal with mental and physical stress. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says eleuthero root, or Siberian ginseng, is "Prized for its ability to restore vigor, increase longevity, enhance overall health and stimulate both a healthy appetite and a good memory. It is widely used in Russia to help the body adapt to stressful conditions and to enhance productivity."

Cordyceps

There is little scientific evidence of what this Chinese fungus actually does. It is used to sustain the adrenal gland and regulate immune function. Use of the many species of cordyceps can help improve sexual function as well as fortify primary body functions.

Dietary Supplements

Adding sodium and potassium to the diet can help remedy some of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Sufferers commonly crave salt because their adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone deficiency causes the body not to preserve enough salt. A natural diet with lean meats and complex carbohydrates can also help to alleviate the symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

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Take The Excess Fat Under Your Chin

Got something hanging in your neck? Not your necklace but the excess fat around it or wrinkles. Do not worry about it because we all have those saggy jowls when we reach our age. Some of us will not get wrinkles right away most especially if we know where to find a cosmetic surgeon to treat our wrinkles and then undergo the plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is not that expensive and besides you can finance it if needed. Consult your health insurance provider, you might get some deductions with your plastic surgery expenses. But majority of health insurance companies will not cover the expenses of cosmetic surgery so you might want to look for the financing instead before planning for your next hospital visit. But you can just ask your surgeon on finance your surgery.

Instructions

1. To take out that excess fat in your neck or chin, you cannot just cut it yourself but you need to contact a board certified cosmetic surgeon at your local hospital or clinic. Plastic surgeon will tell you that you need a neck lift surgery to rejuvenate your skin. Check out the website "your plastic surgery guide" dot com. You can read in this website everything you need to start with your cosmetic surgery.

2. When you have your Plastic Surgeon, get ready for the liposuction and Cervicoplasty. This is the process that the surgeon will do the incision in your neck or chin to shape that extra skin hanging down in your way. Check out also "Plastic Surgery" dot org for more detailed explanation with your medical conditions in time of your surgery.

3. Of course before you will schedule your neck lift surgery, you already have an idea on how much the expenses or costs that you will be expecting after your surgery. It's not that expensive if you can save right now for at least $6000 or less, and if you cannot afford then ask for the financing first. Your surgeon has knowledge or information on where to get an affordable financing for your surgery. Consult your health insurance also, who knows if you will get covered with that cosmetic surgery.

4. Do not hire your neighbor to do the neck lift surgery for you. Visit a qualified plastic surgeon and ask everything that you want to know. To give you more hints in your cosmetic surgery, read everything at your plastic surgery guide website. And also check out the name of the surgeon to make it sure that he/she is listed or a member of The American Board of Plastic Surgery. You can Google the name of that surgeon or you can contact directly to the American Board in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of course it's in the United States of America. And when you are done with your cosmetic, always follow what your surgeon tells you in terms of healing that bruises from the surgery.

5. There's also an injection without much pain and bruises to rejuvenate your skin but your surgeon is the one who is qualified to tell you the right information. So ask your licensed Plastic surgeon about your plan to have a liposuction or other surgeries. If the surgery is too heavy or not fit with your medical health issues then you might try for the mild surgery only. Always know the risks involved in any cosmetic surgeries or operations.

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Avoid Foods That Weaken The Les Muscle

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle located at the end of the esophagus, which allows food and liquids to pass into the stomach. It operates something like a valve by keeping the end of the esophagus closed, preventing stomach acid and digested food from moving back into the esophagus. Unfortunately, the LES muscle does not always function properly, thereby, letting acid from stomach juices to reflux into the esophagus, causing heartburn, acid indigestion and sometimes more serious inflammation. If you suffer any of these symptoms, you should avoid foods known to weaken this muscle.

Instructions

1. Limit consumption of chocolate, coffee, and other caffeines, as well as alcoholic beverages. Completely eliminate spicy and fatty foods, greasy fried foods, tomatoes and tomato sauce, and citrus juices. These foods and drinks are notorious for irritating the lining of the esophagus. Fats also take longer to digest, increasing the risk for acid reflux.

2. Eat smaller and more frequent meals rather than one large meal. This helps to decrease the amount of stomach content, keeping food and acid from backing up into the esophagus. When the stomach is too full, it becomes overstretched. Snacking or eating smaller meals takes food less time to digest. That's why you should try to time meals at least three hours apart.

3. Include adequate fiber in your diet and be sure to drink plenty of water. Whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables aid digestion. The body also needs water for proper digestion, as it triggers movement in the esophagus, helping to clear out its contents.

4. Adding more fish to your weekly diet may be a healthier choice. Select a lean fish like cod. Oily fish like salmon that are low in saturated fat, but rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offer many nutritional benefits as well.

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Prevention Of Subluxation

It's the chiropractor's job to fix subluxation, and your job to prevent it from happening again.

Most chiropractors refer to a misalignment of the spinal column as a subluxation. Subluxations put stress on the body's nervous system, and therefore cause a variety of symptoms, including poor health, pain and fatigue. The chiropractor's job is to fix subluxations. Once the spine has been aligned properly, you must take measures to keep it that way.

Exercise

Exercise strengthens the muscles of the body, which helps prevent subluxation. When the body's muscles are toned and strong, the joints are better protected when faced with accidents like blows or falls. According to Palmer Chiropractic College, improved muscle tone from regular exercise helps the spine stay aligned properly. The type of activity does not matter, provided it is not a high-impact activity. Choose something you enjoy doing and get active.

In addition, exercise keeps the joints, including the joints in the spine, flexible. This means they are less prone to "locking up," or becoming stiff, which causes subluxation. Finally, exercise helps individuals cope with emotional stressors that could lead to subuluxation from stress-induced muscular tension.

Posture

Poor posture, particularly postures that are habitual, can be a major cause of subluxation. For instance, if you regularly slouch in your chair, sit on a leg or cross your legs or ankles when sitting, you are going to gradually pull your spine out of alignment. Learn to sit straight and keep your feet flat on the floor. Changing your posture will take time, as you have developed your habits over many years, but it will improve your spinal alignment.

Talk to your chiropractor about your sleeping position. If you regularly sleep on your stomach with your head turned or on your side with a hip thrown over slightly so your knees both touch the mattress, your sleeping posture could be throwing your spine out of alignment.

If necessary, buy equipment that will help you improve your posture. A back support pillow on your office chair and a body pillow in bed to help you sleep properly are excellent choices.

Repetitive Motion

If you repeat the same motion over and over throughout the day, such as if you are working on an assembly line or are constantly typing, you are more prone to subluxation of the various joints of the body. Try to eliminate repetitive motion, and if this is not possible, take regular breaks to perform a different motion with that body part. Also, adjust your posture while performing the repetitive task so that you put less stress on your back.

Natural Living

Dr. Vick Strang from Palmer Chiropractic College indicates that living naturally can help the spine stay properly aligned. This refers to eating natural foods and eliminating processed sugars, fat and alcohol consumption. Water also aids in preventing subluxation, as being properly hydrated helps reduce problems with chronic inflammation, which can eventually lead to spinal subluxation. Natural living also uses medications only when absolutely necessary, rather than resorting to them at the first sign of a cold or pain. Managing stress, becoming more active and taking time to enjoy life are also a part of a natural lifestyle.

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