Natural Homemade Topical Antifungal

A topical anti-fungal is a medication applied to the skin to treat certain fungal infections, such as ringworm and athlete's foot. Anti-fungal drugs are typically prescribed by a doctor, but may also be purchased over-the-counter or made at home using natural ingredients commonly found in drug stores, grocery stores, or perhaps already in your home. Natural topical anti-fungal medications are only recommended for superficial fungus infections that can affect the skin, fingernails and toenails, or hair.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the most commonly used topical anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatments. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, essential oils have anti-microbial properties that fight bacteria and fungi. There are more than a dozen essential oils. Essential oils most effective in treating fungal infections include lavender oil, glove oil, coconut oil, orange oil, jojoba oil, rosemary oil, oil of oregano, and the most widely used--tea tree oil. Tea tree oil, according to Drug Information Online, can be used for fungal infections, scalp infections, cuts, acne, burns, stings, yeast infections, and even respiratory disorders.

Mix essential oils together or use them on their own. You can apply essential oils straight to the skin, hair and nails, or dilute them with warm water. Mix 1 tbsp. of essential oil with about 2 cups of water. Use a clean cloth or cotton balls to apply the mixture to the skin. Several drops of essential oils may also be added to bath water to fight fungus and body odors. To treat fungus on the scalp, mix a few drops of essential oils into your favorite shampoo and conditioner.

Other Natural Anti-fungals

Vinegar is another helpful topical antibacterial and anti-fungal remedy. White distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar both inhibit fungus growth. Both can also be used on the skin, hair and nails. Mix 2 oz. of vinegar with about 8 oz. of warm water. Apply the mixture to the skin with a clean cloth or cotton balls several times per day.

Epsom salt also makes a great natural topical anti-fungal treatment, especially for fungus of the feet. Fill a basin with hot water and pour about 4 oz. of Epsom salt into the water. Once the water is cool enough, soak your feet in the water for about 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat this treatment two or three times per day.

Baking soda, fresh garlic, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, and lemon grass are other natural products you can use to treat fungus infections. Finally, eat more homemade foods that are great sources of zinc and selenium. Zinc and selenium are dietary supplements that act as antibacterial and anti-fungal agents.

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Natural Herb Treatment For Shingles

Lemon Balm is an effective natural herbal treatment for shingles.

When shingles, the remaining chicken pox virus that stays dormant in the nerves along the spine, comes back out to haunt, the pain, rash and blisters are usually more than most people can bear on their own. While you should strictly follow your doctor's treatment advice, there are some natural herb treatments for shingles that you can do on your own.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm, an herb belonging to the mint family, is a proven shingles enemy. You can purchase lemon balm leaves online or at your local health food store. Place two teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaf into one cup of boiling water. Allow the tea to slightly cool and use a cotton pad to apply it directly to your shingles rash several times per day.

You can also make a mixed mint tea with lemon balm leaves, peppermint, sage, thyme, spearmint, hyssop or oregano and a small amount of licorice. Although there isn't an exact recipe for this tea, you can use equal parts of whatever mint member you have and add the herbs to about two cups of boiling water. After the tea slightly cools, you can either drink the tea or directly apply it to your shingles rash.

Red Pepper

Red pepper, a member of the capsaicin herb family, can alleviate shingles pain by intercepting the pain signals from the nerves directly under your skin. Capsaicin ingredients are natural irritants so proceed with caution. Powder any red pepper you have on hand with a mortal and pestle or with the back of a spoon. Mix the red pepper powder into white skin lotion until the mixture turns pink. Dab the mixture onto a small area of your skin. If you do not feel any discomfort, then apply the mixture directly to your shingles rash, then thoroughly wash your hands. Note that with all these remedies, it's wise to test a small amount of mixture on some unaffected skin to make sure your body does not have a bad reaction. Be careful not to get the mixture into your eyes, mouth or nose.

Aloe and Herb Gel

This topical shingles gel recipe calls for the combination of several different herbs along with aloe vera gel. Check with your local herb supplier to obtain either bergamot oil, lavender, tea tree oil or lemon oil, dried licorice root, St.-John's-wort flowering tops, a good-quality aloe vera gel, lemon balm leaves and turmeric.

Combine two tablespoons of dried licorice root, four tablespoons of lemon balm leaves, four tablespoons of St.-John's-wort flowering tops, two tablespoons of turmeric and two cups of aloe vera gel.

Blend the mixture and pour into an airtight container. Set aside for at least 24 hours at room temperature. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a clean jar. Add the essential oil that you have chosen, stir, cap tightly and put the gel into the refrigerator. Allow the gel to cool for a few hours and then apply it to a small area of uninfected skin. If you do not experience a reaction to the gel, then apply it directly to your shingles rash three to five times per day. Thoroughly wash your hands after each application.

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Safest Antidepressant To Be On When Pregnant

Depression is a disease that affects the mental well being of millions of individuals daily. Depression does not go away when you become pregnant, and should still be treated. If left untreated, the potential risks to the well being of you and your baby increases. Although there is always risks involved with medications, many antidepressant medications bear minimal risks and are considered safer than others.

Bupropin

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bupropion, also known as Wellbutrin, has not been found to have any risks during pregnancy. Wellbutrin can be considered a viable option during pregnancy.

Celexa

Although sometimes associated with a rare lung disease in newborns, persistent pulmonary hypertension, or PPHN, the Mayo Clinic suggests that Celexa is an option during pregnancy. The risk for PPHN is extremely low.

Prozac

Prozac may also be considered during pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Prozac has also been associated with PPHN during the third trimester, but the risk is nominal.

Pamelor

Pamelor is considered a safe option during pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although some studies have connect limb malformation with Pamelor use, the studies are inconclusive and outdated.

Zoloft

Zoloft is another option during pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Studies suggest Zoloft may cause PPHN when taken during the third trimester, but the risks are minimal.

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Natural Detox Solutions

Natural detox solutions include using herbs, certain foods and making changes in lifestyle to allow normal detoxification to occur daily. Given that many people eat hurried meals sprung from cardboard boxes or fast food restaurants, constipation and irregularity is common. Eating highly refined, processed foods with low fiber content contributes to the problem as the body needs fiber to move waste of out the colon. Eating more home-cooked meals that include whole vegetables, fruits, whole grains and avoiding junk food will help. Using lemons, triphala (an Ayurveda food supplement) and senna to clear the colon are all ways to help reestablish a normal daily bowel movement. See your doctor if making these changes do not relieve minor irregularity.

Identification

Natural detox solutions are lifestyle modifications as well as eating certain foods and herbs to help alleviate minor constipation. Eating a high-fiber diet that includes a wide variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains such as oats and brown rice, can help you remain regular. Squeezing the juice of half a lemon into hot water and consuming this simple tea first thing in the morning has been an effective remedy for many people with constipation. Triphala is an Indian Ayurveda supplement that can be consumed daily to help tone the colon and is not a habit-forming laxative. Triphala is made from three types of dried berries, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). It has been used for centuries in India and is safe enough to use daily to ensure a daily detox.

Significance

Using natural detox solutions are holistic and do not rely on drug therapy or extreme invasive measures. Using laxatives or chemical enemas, for example, are not natural detox solutions. Using those methods are known to be habit-forming and can weaken the colon. People who seek out natural detox solutions are usually looking for something that is low-cost and effective. By eating a high-fiber, whole-food diet and using supplements such as triphala has been successful for most people who experience occasional irregularity.

Considerations

These natural detox solutions are designed to support your body's normal ability to have a daily bowel movement. People who have only one or two bowel movements per week may place themselves at risk for developing irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis and, over the long term, colon cancer.

Misconceptions

The greatest misconception is to believe that natural detox solutions are a matter of swallowing a pill. Natural detox solutions are not "quick fixes" and they do require effort and commitment to making serious changes to your diet and lifestyle. By changing your diet to a high-fiber, whole-foods diet and eating less refined foods, you are making lasting changes that will allow you to reduce the likelihood that you will experience constipation. Also, you also reduce your risk for developing gastrointestinal disorders or colon cancer.

Warning

If you are severely constipated or have obvious pain when you try to detox, do not take laxatives. Instead, see your doctor. You may have diverticulosis or another GI disorder that requires hospitalization.

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Advanced Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer usually doesn't produce any significant symptoms until it has progressed to an advanced stage. When symptoms do occur, they depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far it has spread. Although there is no cure for advanced prostate cancer, there are treatments that can help control symptoms.

The Facts

Prostate cancer is very common, affecting approximately one out of six men in the United States. Most types of prostate cancer progress slowly and remain confined to the prostate gland for an extended period of time. These types require very little, if any, treatment. Other types of prostate cancer are very aggressive and spread quickly. What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown.

Early-Stage Symptoms

Most men do not experience symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer. When symptoms are present, they usually involve urinary problems. Difficulty urinating, trouble starting and stopping the stream, and diminished force in the stream are symptoms experienced by some during the early stages of prostate cancer. However, these same urinary symptoms are much more likely to be caused by benign prostate conditions, such as an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection.

Advanced-Stage Symptoms

Symptoms that indicate cancer in the prostate or in the area around the prostate include blood in the semen or urine, difficulty having an erection and painful ejaculation. Symptoms of prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the pelvis include swelling in the legs and pain or discomfort in the pelvic region.

Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones include bone pain that doesn't subside, bone fractures and spinal compression. Fatigue and weight loss are other common symptoms of advanced prostate cancer.

Significance

As with most cancers, the key to survival of prostate cancer is early detection and treatment. Because symptoms aren't usually present until it reaches an advanced stage, it is imperative that men undergo routine screening for prostate cancer. The two most common screening tests are the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).

Considerations

Treatments for prostate cancer have greatly improved in recent years. The cancer has over a 90 percent cure rate if detected and treated early. It is very important that men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer take a proactive role in its treatment and management.

Tags: prostate cancer, advanced prostate cancer, advanced prostate, advanced stage, cancer that

Instructions For An Epipen Jr

Children are more likely to be stung by a bee than adults. For the majority of children who do get stung by a bee, the infection site will be sore for a while but will diminish over time. Unfortunately, a small percentage of children are not so lucky. These children develop an allergy to bees that can be fatal if not treated quickly. Children who have severe reactions to bee stings can carry an EpiPen Jr., a syringe pre-filled with 0.15 mg of epinephrine, to treat severe reactions in an emergency. Knowing use the EpiPen Jr. can help save a life.

Instructions

1. Remove the EpiPen Jr. from its protective case by unscrewing the green cap.

2. Hold the EpiPen Jr. tightly in the palm of your hand. Make sure the black or orange tip of the EpiPen Jr. is facing downward.

3. Remove the gray or blue safety release from the top of the EpiPen Jr. Point the black or orange tip of the pen toward the outer thigh of the person receiving the injection.

4. Inject the needle by firmly jabbing the EpiPen Jr. into the outer thigh until the pen clicks. Hold the pen in position for 10 seconds. After the dosage is administered, the window on the EpiPen Jr. will turn red.

5. Remove the EpiPen Jr. from the thigh and massage the injection site for 10 seconds. Call 911 to get medical help as soon as possible.

6. Place the used EpiPen Jr. back into the protective case and screw the cap back on. Take the EpiPen Jr. to the medical facility where further treatment will be given.

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Herbs For Cleansing The Lungs

Herbs for Cleansing the Lungs

You don't have to be a smoker anymore to have lungs that are full of toxins. Urban environments, second-hand smoke, and a host of chemicals have led to many of us having toxic chemicals in our lungs. One of the best ways to deal with this problem is through the use of herbal remedies.

Disclaimer

Herbal remedies may cause a negative reaction with other herbs or with any medications you might be taking. Consult your physician or an integrated medical practitioner to ensure that the herbs you wish to take will not conflict with anything else you are taking. Most if not all of these methods will not work if you are still smoking or inhaling large amounts of chemicals during the process.

Herbal Cleansing Tea

Here are recipes for two herbal cleansing teas that are connected with the cleansing of the lungs. Mix one part lance-leaf plantain, with one part lungwort, one part mullein flowers, and two parts speedwell. Take one teaspoon of the mixture and steep it in one-half cup of boiling water. You can sweeten it with honey and sip 1 to 1 ½ cups throughout the day. This tea is so effective because all of the ingredients tend to help the body relieve itself of phlegm and toxins. Another tea consists of hemp nettle, shave grass, and witch hazel in equal parts. Put one heaping teaspoons into one-half cup of cold water, bring it to a boil, steep it for one minute, strain, and sip 1 to 1 ½ cups per day. Most of these ingredients here and in further sections can be found in your local natural foods store or over the Internet.

Essential Oils

One treatment you can do at the same time as the teas is the application of essential oils. Create a chest rub using fifteen drops of any combination of oregano, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils in one ounce of olive oil. Rub this oil on the chest at morning and at night to help clear up lung passageways and to detoxify. Another herbal oil called myrtol can be taken in capsule form. It is absorbed into the body through the intestines and then shortly after it begins to expel accumulated mucus and toxins from the mucous membranes and the pulmonary alveoli in the lungs.

Other Cleansing Herbs

Balsam fir is a cone-shaped tree that is often used as a Christmas tree, though it has great lung cleansing properties as well. Take it as a capsule (marketed as balsam gum) to help clean the lungs and help you give up smoking. An infusion of elder flowers can also clear some of the toxins and mucus from your lungs. Add four grams of the dried flowers to a cup of boiling water, steep for ten minutes and then strain out the flowers to create the tea. Lobelia is also known to remedy the lungs when combined with mullein and coltsfoot. Use one part of each and a teaspoon of the herb mixture as you did for the earlier teas.

Further Help

There are many things you can do to complement your lung cleansing. Try including nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, selenium, cysteine, and CoQ10 in your diet. Avoid tobacco smoke of all kinds along with avoiding dust mites, molds, pollens, and chemicals. Going on long walks during which you breathe in deeply can be helpful as well.

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Exercise Without A Gym Membership

Exercise is just one of those things we always have excuses NOT to do. Gym memberships are understandable expensive, especially in this economy! Here is exercise even if you can't afford that pricey gym membership.

Instructions

1. The easiest, and most time-efficient way to exercise at home is to purchase a few exercise DVDs and a mat. You will be less likely to hurt yourself if you are being led by a professional. Also, using a DVD cuts out travel time to and from a gym, leaving you more time for the other things in your busy schedule.

2. If you live near a park, or in a residential neighborhood, then running is an option for exercise. Running is great for both the mind and body and tones up your body while helping you burn calories.

3. There are three basic exercises that can be done virtually everywhere that really tone and build muscle: sit-ups, push-ups and squats. Take time to do these every day and you'll see results quicker than you'd expect.

4. Many personal trainers will come to your home for a reasonable price. Or even better, find someone training to become a trainer and be one of their "guinea pigs." You'll be surprised at how many exercises you can do with simple hand weights and the right instructor.

5. Lastly, good old-fashioned jump-roping will get you in amazing shape. This exercise is especially good for those in cramped apartments...as long as your ceilings are high.

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Use Hypnotherapy For Anxiety

Hypnotherapy can alleviate anxiety

If you suffer from panic attacks or any anxiety disorder, you are probably desperate for some relief. While many doctors will prescribe medication to help you overcome anxiety, you might be looking for a natural way to treat your anxiety. If that is the case, you might want to use hypnotherapy.

Instructions

1. Start by lying or sitting in a comfortable position in a quiet room with your legs stretched out and your hands out at your sides with your palms facing upward.

2. Close your eyes and begin breathing in deeply and slowly through your nose. Once you have inhaled, hold your breath for five to ten seconds. Exhale deeply and loudly through your mouth. Repeat three times.

3. Starting at the top of your head, contemplate each muscle group and feel that area relaxing. One by one, relax every group of muscles from your head to your toes. Imagine yourself in a comforting, wonderful place. Focus on this place in your mind; look around and take it all in.

4. Once you are deeply relaxed, think about a situation or incident that caused you anxiety. Picture the situation vividly, feeling the anxiety building. Take a deep breath and "look around" once more at the wonderful, comforting place you have taken yourself to. Tell yourself that any time you feel anxiety, you will be reminded of this time and place, and the calm peace you are feeling will come back to you, washing away all your anxiety.

5. When you are ready, count backwards from ten, becoming more and more alert, aware and awake with each number. When you get to one, you will be completely awake and feel very rested and peaceful, without a hint of anxiety.

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Help Teenagers Stop Drinking

Talk to your children about drinking.

Teenagers start drinking for any number of reasons. They may be imitating adults and parental figures in their lives, trying to fit in with friends who drink or trying to draw attention to themselves. Teenagers who drink, especially those who drink to excess, may be seeking to drown out depression, frustration or pain in their everyday lives. Teen drinking is real and very present in almost every community. There are steps you can take to help teenagers stop drinking.

Instructions

1. Uncover stress factors driving teenagers to drink. How you help teenagers stop drinking depends on the reason they started drinking in the first place. Maybe there are stress factors in their lives that are so overwhelming that the teenager seeks escape from depression, pain or abuse with an alcoholic haze. In this case, you need to intervene in some way to protect the teenager or remove him from the source of the stress. You also need to provide tools to help him deal with the stress and problems of life in positive rather than negative ways. Helping might be anything from being a listening friend to helping the teen and the family get into counseling. If the drinking stems from very real abuse, seek assistance from the police and social services.

2. Assist teenagers in changing peer group dynamics. Maybe the teenagers drink because they feel left out or are ridiculed by other teens in their peer group if they don't drink. Friends make a big difference in how a person approaches life and makes choices. This is especially true during teen years when friendships seem absolutely critical. A sneer, a comment or a turned back devastates a teen. On the other hand, a smile, a pat on the back and a listening ear draws in a teen. Teenagers gravitate to where they feel accepted. If this means they have to do something to enhance this acceptance, such as drink, they often will.

When the peer group is one of the reasons the teenagers drink, getting the teens to stop means either changing the dynamics of the peer group or changing friends. A parent, youth group leader or counselor can offer times of fun with the peer group, gaining acceptance and respect. With time, an adult leader may be able to help the teenagers shift the focus of the group into a more positive vein by encouraging them to help out at homeless centers, tutor students with homework and become involved in other community activities. Another method to help teenagers stop drinking is to assist them in changing their friends. Get them involved in new and different activities, sports or social groups. At times, it may take changing schools.

3. Involve the teenagers in an alcohol awareness program such as Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, a group where alcoholics admit their addiction and help each other recover and deal with the addiction. Keith Scheidies, who has worked with at-risk, delinquent and addicted teenagers for 36 years as a Youth Counselor at the state of Nebraska's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, said, "The best way to help teenagers stop drinking is the old fashion way, by taking them through Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA. To motivate the teens to become involved in AA, Scheidies said help them to consider what their lives would be like without drinking and how their drinking stands in the way of their goals.

Tags: help teenagers, peer group, teenagers stop, help teenagers stop, stop drinking

Techniques In Organizing Behavior Modification

Whether you're an employer, a parent, or an educator, you are responsible for managing the behavior of others. You may be seeking to manage your own behavior. Done well, behavior modification can be one of the gentlest, most positive ways to encourage good behaviors and reduce problem ones. Done badly, it can be ineffective or even harmful. Doing it well starts with planning.

Identify Rewards and Punishments

Food treats, money, praise---these are the old standbys that are used as rewards. Privileges work best if you individually tailor them. Give the person free time with a lot of options for pleasant things to do. Observe. What he does most is what he finds most rewarding.

If you're an employer, ask your people what they like, but also pay attention to what they do. Give your people an occasional break and watch what they do with it. You can't afford to give an employee everything she wants, so find the privileges that will give you the most bang for your buck.

If you use punishment, make it finite and apply it as soon after the behavior as possible. The more time between a behavior and a reward or punishment, the less effective it will be. Punishments can change a bad behavior quickly, but don't over-use them.

Identify and Define Behaviors

Define the behaviors you're seeing that you like, first. Include the ones unrelated to problem areas. It's critical to establish a positive environment. As often as you can, catch him doing something good and reward it.

Identify problem behaviors. Define them as specifically as possible, and when and where they occur. Ensure each behavior is within her ability to control. If it isn't, either find a way to give her control of it or don't target it.

Identify the payoff. If someone's doing something you don't like, he's getting something out of it. A tardy employee gets to sleep a few more minutes. An ADHD child who gets out of his seat gets space to move around---a need he may experience as uncontrollable.

Design and Implement a Response Plan

Decide how you will reward positive behaviors. Which reinforcers are most appropriate to the situation? Set generous, concrete minimums for seeking out and rewarding good behaviors. Track how often you reward to make sure you're meeting your minimum goal. Reward a target positive behavior every time you see it, until it's a solid habit. Taper rewards so you're no longer rewarding a mastered behavior every time, but never quit rewarding it entirely.

Find a neutral behavior she can't do at the same time as the bad behavior. Reward it as a positive. If your child wanders off in the grocery store, reward or praise her for keeping one hand on the shopping cart.

Eliminate or replace the payoff, if possible. Letting an ADHD child run a couple of laps around the gym a couple of times a day is a common accommodation.

If you punish, punish immediately, every time you see the behavior. Eliminate the behavior quickly so you can quit punishing. Track how often you punish. Never let the overall ratio of reward to punishment drop below 3-to-1.

Track improvement, including increases in positive behaviors. Give him regular, specific feedback about how he is doing.

Tags: every time, what they, ADHD child, behavior every, behavior every time

Weight Loss Using Adderal

Adderall is a stimulant often prescribed for treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but it is commonly abused as a recreational drug and used as a means to increase the body's metabolism and lose weight. Using Adderall without a prescription or for purposes other than those identified by your doctor is illegal and potentially dangerous.

An Ineffective Weight Loss Drug

Adderall was originally marketed as a diet pill in the 1960s and 1970s, under the generic name amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. It increases the body's metabolism and suppresses the appetite, and many who take it under prescription lose weight. But like any other drug, the body develops a tolerance to Adderall, and soon the user requires greater amounts of the drug for a stimulant effect. Sudden interruption of use causes the body's metabolism to slow, which causes the body to gain weight. This is the same reason many cocaine addicts are thin throughout their drug use and gain weight when they stop using the drug.

Celebrity Concerns

Published reports have indicated that celebrities have used the drug in snortable form, much like cocaine, to stay trim or lose weight quickly. Because people young and old emulate celebrity behavior, medical professionals worry that Hollywood's use of the drug will spread. This is of particular concern for young populations, because many young people take Adderall for ADHD and therefore they and their friends have access to the drug.

Ethical Concerns and Medical Hazards

Doctors have prescribed Adderall as a means of weight loss for obese patients, drawing an outcry from colleagues who say it is ethically questionable to prescribe a drug for something other than its approved purpose. The drug has been known to cause serious and potentially fatal problems in patients with existing heart conditions, and has been known to cause hallucinations and other psychiatric episodes.

Tags: body metabolism, lose weight, been known, been known cause, causes body, gain weight, known cause

Instructions For Self Acupressure For Weight Loss

Weight loss is more important than ever, not only for the last 10 vanity pounds, but for people who need to lose weight to save their lives. However, many don't have time to work out or go for an hour-long walk each day. In fact, it may be hard to fit in any time at all to take care of your body. Self-acupressure is simple and can be done anywhere, at any time.

Acupressure Defined

As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure uses specific points in the body to restore balance. The theory is that three points on the extremities are connected to the brain, which in turn are connected to another part of the body. For example, the area between the thumb and forefinger connects to the brain, and then on to the large intestine. By massaging these points, the area connected to it will be affected.

Acupressure and Weight Loss

Weight loss is usually derailed due to consuming too many calories. Many diets focus on cutting so many calories in order to burn stored fat that it makes you feel hungry and you crave foods that aren't healthy. Using pressure points that stimulate appetite helps you control your food intake. A healthy digestive system is also crucial in keeping your appetite in control. By stimulating pressure points that enable the organs used in digestion, you will feel full faster, and it will help control the amount of food you eat. These are just two of the many areas that play a part in weight loss.

Reflexology Maps

Self-acupressure needs no appointments with a practitioner. This not only saves you time but money as well. First, find reflexology maps of the foot, hand, ear and body. With these four maps, you are ready for self-acupressure. Study them and make sure you are familiar and comfortable reading them.

Pressure Points

For weight loss, you will need to focus on several areas. On the ear map, locate the appetite suppression point. On your body map, find the points for your kidneys, stomach, large intestine, adrenal glands and water retention. The hand map will show you where the great elimination point is. Make sure you can find these areas on your body.

Massaging Pressure Points

Begin your session by giving yourself a slow full massage of both your hands and your feet. Don't rush through this. If you find an area that is tender, look on your map, and determine what part of the body is associated with that area. Hold the area for 30 seconds and then let go. Move on to the specific areas for retaining water, adrenal glands, kidneys, stomach and then large intestine. From there, move on to appetite suppression. Finish the session with the great elimination point. This releases toxins, so be aware of how much pressure you use. Too much pressure might make you feel nauseated.

Tags: large intestine, your body, Acupressure Weight, Acupressure Weight Loss, adrenal glands

Causes And Symptoms Of Depression

Forms and Symptoms of Depression

The most common forms of depression are major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. Major depressive disorder is the more severe of the two. Symptoms include an inability to work, sleep, eat, study, and enjoy hobbies and interests. The disease is not a form of laziness, but rather a serious disorder in which brain function disables an individual. Episodes occur throughout life. Dysthymic disorder doesn't disable a person, but it interferes with normal functioning and well-being. It is diagnosed when depression symptoms linger for over two years, and deteriorates into major depression at times within a sufferer's life. Other types of depression include psychotic depression, which is accompanied by delusions or hallucinations; postpartum depression, which is seen in mothers after giving birth; and seasonal affective disorder, which causes depression when there is less sunlight during the winter months. Persistent symptoms of all depression include a constant sad or empty feeling, guilt, worthlessness, loss of hope for the future and extreme pessimism over months at a time.

Causes of Depression

Depression is caused by a variety of factors affecting an individual's life. Genetics play a role in the development of the disease. If there is a family history of mental illness, it is more likely that an individual born into that family will suffer from depression. Neurotransmitters in the brain also have an impact on depression. These chemicals help different parts of the brain communicate, and when the levels are incorrect, depression can result. Brain-activity scans of depressed individuals actually look different than those of people who do not suffer from depression. Certain environmental and psychological factors also influence the development of the illness. Among a variety of individual factors, the loss of a loved one, unemployment, and having an abusive mate or parent (while growing up) can lead to depression.

Depression's Impact on Daily Life

Other ailments often accompany depression. Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, or alcohol or drug abuse are common. Sometimes, these illnesses cause depression, or the depression can lead to one of them. The National Institute of Mental Health says that depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the world. Because the brain is the body's power center, chemical imbalances can cause a trickle-down effect that that can strike any of the body's systems. Depression increases a person's chance of death, worsens the symptoms of other afflictions that have nothing directly to do with the mind and, in the elderly, increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

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Design A Healthy Lifestyle

Everyone knows that eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly and

coping with stress are beneficial to the body and mind. But how do

you balance work and family, friendships and hobbies without spreading

yourself too thin? The solution is to incorporate these elements

into a healthy lifestyle plan. Investing in professional assistance is a

huge motivator and a small price to pay for a healthier, happier you.

Instructions

1. Consult your doctor as you begin to map out your new lifestyle. He or she will help ensure a safe and beneficial regimen based on your age and physical condition.

2. Hire a personal weight loss and nutritional adviser to get you started. His or her guidance and expertise will help you formulate a plan that's right for you and, more important, help you stay on track when you stray. See 24 Choose a Weight Loss Plan.

3. Seek out a professional trainer that you can relate to and develop a fitness program that you'll enjoy and maintain for the long haul. Moderate exercise can improve your quality of life by firming muscles, controlling weight, strengthening the heart and lungs, improving circulation and digestion, burning calories, and building strength, endurance and flexibility. See 25 Design Your Workout Schedule.

4. Reduce your stress level by finding a mental or physical outlet that works for you. Exercise, yoga and meditation are proven to reduce stress and increase a feeling of well-being. Walking regularly has huge health benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels--and it's free.

5. Get enough sleep. Lack of rest weakens your immune system and makes you susceptible to illness and disease. Also, drink plenty of water. It eliminates toxins, increases energy, aids in weight loss, and promotes better brain function.

6. Plan your meals in advance to avoid unhealthy choices such as fast or prepackaged foods. A weekly menu will help you stick to a more balanced diet and choose healthier options at the grocery store. See 298 Organize Grocery Store Trips and 297 Plan a Week of Menus.

7. Make time for your family, your friends and yourself. Cultivating new relationships, enjoying a hobby and sharing time with your family will allow you to stay focused on what's truly important in life. See 14 Balance Home and Work and 15 Live With Less.

Tags: will help, weight loss, your family

What Happens When You Are Startled Awake

People are often startled awake at night for no apparent reason.

Have you ever found that right at the beginning of what is promising to be some good shut eye you are startled awake for no apparent reason? This is not unusual. Sleep has five stages. During the first stage, which is very light sleep, you can be easily awakened.

First Phase of Sleep

In the first phase of sleep, people sometimes experience the sensation of starting to fall and hypnic myoclonia, which is an abrupt muscle contraction. Consequently, you may jump and awaken. This is comparable to being startled while awake and jumping in response.

Response

When you are startled, especially while sleeping, you will experience the fight or flight response, which makes you breathe faster and your heart beat more quickly. You have this reaction for a reason: to prepare you either to fight or flee. Your body's response is to increase the rate of blood that is pumped to both your brain and your muscles. Your lungs take in big gulps of oxygen, and your pupils enlarge so that you can see better. When this happens, both your urinary and digestive systems slow down, so that you can concentrate. Of course, when you are startled awake at night, it generally isn't due to a prowler in your room or a wild animal trying to attack you, but your brain and body don't know that and automatically go into survival mode.

Lucid Dreaming

You may also be startled awake when you realize you are dreaming, that is, when you experience a lucid dream. Lucid dreams tend to be intense and realistic.

Deep Sleep

If you are startled awake during stage four sleep, which is deep sleep, you will feel disoriented and groggy. Becoming fully awake will take a few minutes, perhaps more.

Tags: startled awake, apparent reason, awake night, both your, startled awake night, your brain

Types Of Warts In The Mouth

Warts in the mouth (oral warts) are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They can be contracted by participation in oral sex, kissing and poor hygiene. They are more common in individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

Appearance

Oral warts have a variety of appearances. There is usually a small number of warts present at once. They can be flat or raised, rough or smooth, large or small.

Typical Size

Warts in the mouth are usually very small. A typical person talking to someone with oral warts probably wouldn't notice them.

Effects

Oral warts are usually painless, but should be treated immediately. They are highly contagious, so prolonging an outbreak can cause infection in others.

Quick Fact

In the past decade, the number of people infected with HPV has skyrocketed. Experts have also noticed that due to promiscuity, there are more prostitutes contracting the virus.

Medical Treatment

Physicians can treat specific types of warts found in the mouth. But because HPV has no cure, the virus stays in the body and recurring outbreaks are possible.

Prevention/Solution

Prevent oral warts by practicing safe sex and good hygiene.

Tags: oral warts, Warts mouth

Remedy For Loose Skin

Palm Clinic, Liposculpture For Arms

You have just lost a bunch of weight and are extremely proud of yourself. However, you didn't count on the loose, saggy skin that is hanging from your underarms and inner thighs. There are surgical procedures available that will eliminate saggy skin. In addition, there are measures that you can take on your own that will, in time, help firm up the loose skin.

Lift Weights

Loose skin can crop up even if you haven't lost weight. It is, unfortunately, one of the hazards of aging. Busywomensfitness.com recommends lifting free weights to tone your arms. You don't have to lift huge weights; a three-pound or five-pound weight, if used consistently, will do the trick. Of course, the results aren't going to be as rapid as undergoing a medical procedure in your quest to tone up loose skin, but you will eventually see results. If you start out lifting three-pound weights and soon discover that lifting them is no longer a challenge, transition to a heavier weight. Lift the weights while you are sitting at your desk at work or while you are watching television.

Arm Liposculpture

If you are not leery about undergoing a medical procedure, there is the option of arm liposculpture, which will do away with those annoying and unsightly underarm bat wings, according to Palmclinic.com. Two incisions are made in the elbow area through which the excess fat is removed. Subsequent to the surgery, the arm is fully functional and has maintained its shape of origin, minus the loose skin, according to Palm Clinic. Sometimes, subsequent to undergoing arm liposuction, fatty tissue will bunch up where the arms meets the chest in the front. If this occurs, it can be removed.

Dermolipectomy

According to Dr. Otto J. Placik, some women who undergo liposuction on their buttocks may end up with loose skin and that's because liposuction, according to Dr. Placik, only removes fat and doesn't remove excess skin that may result from weight loss or simply from age. He recommends a procedure called dermolipectomy, which removes both fat and loose skin. Before agreeing to any type of medical procedure, do your homework and make sure that this is the right and safest option for you.

Change Your Lifestyle

Saggyskin.com (See Additional Resources) notes that you can take preventive measures to try to reduce the incidence of loose skin, including keeping yourself hydrated, don't over do it in regard to sun exposure, don't smoke and go to bed each night with a clean, make-up free, moisturized face and body. Saggyskin.com points out that there are products on the market that should be avoided, because they don't work when it comes to repairing or minimizing the appearance of loose skin; however, the site does recommend a product called Athena 7 Minute Lift, which reportedly has resulted in an average reduction in saggy skin, wrinkles and lines by 83.7 percent. Check it out and see if this is a product that you might be interested in using but, as a consumer, you should always be aware and be realistic in your expectations.

Body Wraps

Another option that you may want to explore is using skin firming wraps, according to Wrapyourselfslim.com (See Additional Resources). There wraps contain such elements as seaweed and herbs that reportedly help detoxify the body and reduce cellulite and loose skin. Once again, a word of caution, buyer beware. Ask around and find out how effective this type of treatment is and if there are any attendant dangers associated with body wraps.

Tags: loose skin, loose skin, medical procedure, saggy skin, skin that, Additional Resources, medical procedure your

Alternatives To Magnetic Bracelets

Magnet therapy has been around since Ancient Egypt and Greece, where lodestone was believed to offer natural healing properties. Today magnet therapy is viewed as an alternative remedy by Western medicine, though studies are ongoing. Magnet bracelets are one of the common ways that people wear magnets for health. But there are alternative forms of magnet therapy.

Magnetic Soles

For those who don't want to wear magnetic bracelets, but who still like the idea of magnetic healing, you can wear magnetic soles. These are just like regular shoe inserts that you'd wear for comfort, but inside the soft cushion there are magnets. These magnets don't take up space on your wrist where you might wear a watch and they are supposed to help relieve foot pain, numbness and cramping if you wear them on a regular basis. While not practical for those who want to wear a magnet all the time, the soles are good for the work day.

Electromagnet Therapy

Another alternative to magnetic bracelets is electromagnetic therapy. This therapy is different from magnetic bracelets because it requires electricity and it's not a mobile therapy. Electromagnetic fields can be created that engulf your entire body and exposure to these fields under controlled circumstances can be therapeutic. Often you'll have to go to a clinic where the fields will be generated in a controlled environment so that the electromagnetism doesn't run wild like radiation. Alternatively, home generation units can be purchased for those who would like the benefits of magnet therapy after a long day.

Magnetic Hair Bands

Magnetic hair bands or magnetic head bands are more common among women, but they can be made for both genders. These head bands are used to hold back the hair, but they also sit near the temples and along the head, where a lot of the blood flow goes. Since magnets need to affect the blood as it flows, headbands would seem to be a primary solution. These bands can interfere with using cell phones or other electronics, though they do keep the wrist free and open for a watch.

Tags: magnet therapy, magnetic bracelets, head bands, those want, those want wear, want wear

What Are The Benefits Of Jujube Tea

The natural sweetness of the jujube fruit makes it ideal for a healthy snack or as a candied treat.

Jujube tea is made from the sweet, olive-shaped fruit of the jujube tree--a small, deciduous shrub native to southern Asia. Though quite tasty, the tea is most prized for its reputed medicinal qualities, ranging from sore throat treatment to alleviating stress, depending on whom you ask. Like many "ancient remedies," scientific evidence for some of these claims is limited. However, the specific vitamin and mineral content of the jujube fruit does lend itself to some plausible health correlations.

Cold and Flu Relief

High in vitamins A, C, protein, and potassium, all known to support the immune system, it makes sense that jujube is used to treat colds. Herbalists prescribe the tea, often combined with other herbs, such as ginger, licorice, and mint, as a lozenge to coat the throat and sooth a cough, as well as help ease achy muscles and speed the recovery of these illnesses.

Detoxifying Cleanse

According to the "Indian Materia Medica," by Dr. K.M. Nadkarni, Jujube tea has mild laxative qualities that make it a valuable detoxifier. Adherents use it to help strengthen and prevent further damage to the liver, kidneys and other cleansing organs. Traditional Chinese medicine also advocates using the tea to remove obstructions in the energy flow, or qi, and create emotional balance.

Natural Sedative

The most common use for jujube tea is for anxiety and stress. Jujubes contain saponins, which, according to a study published in Natural Product Research, have a soothing effect on the nervous system and create sedative and even hypnotic effects in humans. Drink this tea whenever you're feeling restless, emotional or irritable to help create a sense of well being, or have some before bed to promote a more restful sleep.

Supplemental Cancer Treatment

In addition to soothing nerves, saponins may also have an anti-carcinogenic effect. As shown in an article published in "The Journal of Nutrition," saponins seem to react with the membranes of cancer cells to help cause cell death. Further studies are still needed to determine ideal dosages and it is unclear if the amount of saponins found in jujube tea is substantial enough for effectiveness.

Energy Booster

Perhaps in part because of its reputed ability to clean out the body's obstructions, in addition to its high vitamin and anti-oxidant content, jujube tea is acclaimed by herbalists for it's ability to increase the drinker's energy and stamina, as well as help build stronger muscles. Ready-made energy drinks containing jujube are available for purchase, though the tea is just as easy to make.

Healthy Sweetener

Jujube's sweet, fruity flavor is often used in herbal tinctures to cover up the bitter taste of other plants. In fact, tea drinkers often savor the tincture just because it's a guilt-free sweet treat, no sugar added.

Tags: content jujube, jujube fruit, well help

Candida Zand Quick Cleanse

Candida Quick Cleanse is a supplement produced by the Zand Co. Quick Cleanse is available in capsule form and supplied online and through vitamin retailers. Claims of the product include maintenance of your body's bacteria production.

Usage

Zand Candida Quick Cleanse was formulated to control bacterial flora in the intestines. It is intended to detoxify the digestive system, prevent fungi growth in the digestive tract and promote the growth of good bacteria, according to the manufacturer.None of the claims has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in Quick Cleanse are oregano, turmeric, parsley, garlic, ginger, thyme, caprillic acid and oats. All of these ingredients are garnered from high potency extracts.

Directions

Zand recommends that for the first week, you take two capsules three times a day after you eat. After the first week, take two capsules daily after dinner.

Considerations

Candida overgrowth is related to the development of yeast infections. Candida is found naturally in your digestive tract, and in high amounts can cause upset stomach and thick saliva.

Warning

You should not take more than six capsules in a single 24 hour period. You should stop taking the product after a month or if you develop any side effects, such as headache, stomach upset or dizziness. Pregnant women and people with a medical condition should avoid the product.

Tags: Quick Cleanse, Candida Quick, Candida Quick Cleanse, digestive tract, first week

Tests For Interstitial Cystitis

Tests for Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis causes discomfort and pain within your pelvic region. The condition can also cause you to feel as if you need to urinate frequently. Interstitial cystitis is also known as painful bladder syndrome. The pain you experience can increase when your bladder becomes full. According to the Mayo Clinic, interstitial cystitis affects about 1 million Americans, with women being the most affected. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis can mimic other medical conditions, such as a urinary tract infection. Your physician may perform multiple tests to know the exact cause of your symptoms.

Preliminary Exam

Your physician will inquire about your symptoms, such as the type of pain you're experiencing, how often you're in pain, and how often you're urinating. Your doctor will try to rule out whether you're experiencing a urinary tract infection by asking if your urine is cloudy or bloody, if it burns when you urinate, if you've had a fever, if you've had nausea and vomiting, or if you are experiencing pain within your upper back or on your sides.

Pelvic Exam

For women who may suffer from interstitial cystitis, a pelvic exam will be conducted to rule out other medical conditions, such as vaginitis (an inflammation of the vagina). During a pelvic exam, your physician will feel your internal organs, as well as check your external genitals. Your anus and rectum may also be examined. According to the American Family Physician, a pelvic exam can also detect if you are experiencing any tenderness at the base of your bladder.

Urinalysis

You will be asked to give a urine sample to check for any abnormality within your urine. With a urine sample, your physician is checking for any possible bacteria, or white and red blood cells. If bacteria, or white and red blood cells, appear, you're likely suffering from an infection of your urinary tract system. If you continue to have symptoms of frequent urination and pain within your pelvic region, yet urine samples remain negative, your physician will determine that the cause of your symptoms point toward a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.

Potassium Sensitivity Test

A potassium sensitivity test requires a solution of potassium chloride and water to be placed into your bladder. Each solution will be placed into your bladder one at a time. You then rate the urgency for needing to urinate and rate any symptoms of pain experienced. If you notice you have more pain with the potassium chloride, a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis is likely. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have a normal bladder, you will not feel any pain or the strong need to urinate with a potassium sensitivity test.

Cystoscopy and Cystodistension

A cystoscopy is conducted to discern the exact cause of your symptoms. A small, thin tube known as a cystoscope is placed into your urethra. On the end of the cystoscope is a camera, which can examine your bladder lining. Your physician may also fill your bladder with fluid in another procedure known as cystodistension. Cystodistension will determine your bladder capacity.

Biopsy

A biopsy removes a small amount of tissue from your bladder and urethra. A biopsy is usually performed during a cystoscopy procedure. The tissue sample taken from your bladder and urethra is placed on a slide an examined under a microscope for any abnormalities. In many circumstances, your physician is checking for signs of bladder cancer, or any other serious medical conditions that may be causing your pain.

Tags: your bladder, within your, your symptoms, cause your, cause your symptoms

Herbal Remedies For Skin Tags

A skin tag is a flesh-colored skin growth that looks like a small piece of hanging skin. Skin tags are benign, but they are not a desired beauty feature. Early skin tags may be as small as a flattened pinpoint-sized bump, and they can be removed at home using herbal remedies. Larger skin tags can be as big as a grape and may require removal by a doctor.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is essential oil that is used in a variety of skin treatments. Wash the area where you have skin tags with soap and water, and dry it with a clean washcloth. Dampen a small cotton ball in water and place two drops of tea tree oil on the cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball on your skin tags three times a day, or until the skin tags have fallen off.

Bloodroot

Bloodroot paste can be used to remove skin tags, however the juice of bloodroot is poisonous if taken internally. Bloodroot is a plant that grows the eastern U.S. and Canada, and the paste for skin tag treatment can be purchased on websites such as bloodrootproducts.com.

Apply the bloodroot paste to the skin tag and cover it with a band aid. Check intermittently to see if the skin tag has fallen off, which it should in a couple of days.

Garlic

Mash a garlic clove so it is pulpy and moist. Cover the skin tag with this pulp and secure it overnight with a band-aid.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the skin tag. Place a band aid over the cotton ball and leave overnight.

Tags: cotton ball, paste skin, skin tags, skin tags, skin tags

Treatment For Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer, or renal cell cancer, is normally found as a large mass in one kidney. Sometimes it spreads to both kidneys, or it may present as small tumors scattered throughout both kidneys. Usually, your doctor will find this type of cancer before it spreads to other organs. There are several options for treatment.

Surgery

Many times surgery is the best option to treat kidney cancer. Your surgeon may decide to remove an entire kidney, just the cancer and surrounding tissue, or the kidney and the adrenal gland.

Radiation Therapy

Your doctor may use radiation therapy to treat kidney cancer. Internal radiation sends radiation through wires or needles into the body, while external radiation uses machines outside the body to kill the cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill the cancer cells or to stop them from dividing. Depending on the stage of cancer, your doctor may inject drugs directly into the affected organ, or he may administer them to you orally or intravenously.

Biologic Therapy

Another type of treatment uses your own immune system to fight the cancer. Laboratories use substances your body makes to revive its natural protection against cancer.

Stem Cell Transplant

As of July 2009, stem cell transplants are done mainly in clinical trials. Doctors take stem cells from a donor's bone marrow and give them to the patient, where they develop into healthy blood cells.

Tags: both kidneys, kidney cancer, treat kidney, treat kidney cancer, your doctor

Dogs That Are Naturally Calm

Mastiffs are among the calmest dog breeds.

Many pet owners love having a companion that they can run and play with, but others may prefer a more laid-back dog. Calm dogs are ideal for pet owners with busy schedules, older people and families with small children who could be hurt by hyperactive animals. Whether or not you want a small or large breed of dog, you can find one calm enough to meet your needs.

Black Russian Terrier

Black Russian terriers are black, fluffy dogs that typically weigh between 80 lb. and 140 lb. These terriers are loyal to their owners and like to be near them, but they are usually laid back and restful. Black Russian terriers always keep an eye out ,so they can offer protection.

Mastiffs

Mastiffs are naturally calm dogs with expressive, wrinkled faces. They love to simply lie around and relax, though they are loving and happy in temperament. Mastiffs sometimes reach 170 lb. and stand as tall as 30 inches. While they look muscular and intimidating, mastiffs are quiet and docile.

Newfoundlands

Newfoundlands are furry dogs with dark brown or black coats and saggy mouths. They are large and can weigh as much as 180 lb. Newfoundlands do not react in a hyper manner around anyone, even people they have just met. They like to rest frequently and enjoy the company of their families.

Basset Hounds

Basset hounds are known for their humorous appearance, as they have short legs and extremely long ears. Basset hounds usually weigh somewhere around 50 lb. and love to rest most of the time. They rarely react negatively to people and they are patient with those who don't understand how they like to play.

Pugs

Pugs have expressive black faces and usually weigh around 15-20 lb. Small and somewhat energetic as puppies, pugs get continually calmer as they age. Pugs are loving toward their owners and come with light and dark coats. They are always in good moods and fail to let anything going on around them bother them.

Biewer Yorkie

Biewers weigh around 7 or 8 lb. and have long hair. While they like their owners to pay a lot of attention to them, they stay calm and relaxed most of the time. The only time they are not calm is if they sense someone is a threat to their family.

Tags: Black Russian, their owners, Black Russian terriers, dogs with, most time, people they

Spine Alignment For Pain Relief

Spinal alignment is performed by chiropractors to achieve back pain relief. Spinal alignment and manipulation helps to relieve acute back pain caused by injury from a fall, sports injury or repetitive stress injury. Spinal alignment is sometimes used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment.

Benefits

Spinal alignment is a safe and effective treatment for acute back pain when you've suffered an injury. Spinal manipulation has been proven to provide mild to moderate relief from low-back pain. Studies by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health have shown that spinal manipulation provides short-term relief from low-back pain, and that this relief may continue for up to one year. Spinal manipulation can be as effective as conventional treatments. It is now included in guidelines for health care practitioners to consider as a treatment option for pain that does not improve with self-care.

What to Expect

The chiropractor will perform a physical examination; do some lab or imaging tests and take a medical history from you. Based on this information he will devise a treatment plan. Your treatment is based on an accurate diagnosis of your back pain, so make sure that your chiropractor is well informed regarding your condition and medical history. The ultimate goal of treatment is to relieve your back pain and restore your ability to function.

Treatment may involve one or more manual adjustments to improve alignment of your spine, which should relieve pain and improve your range of motion. Your practitioner will perform spinal manipulation by using his hands or a device. He will apply force to your spine and move it beyond its range of motion.

Risks

Although rare, there have been cases in which spinal alignment and manipulation worsened a condition like a herniated or slipped disk. Another rare but potential complication from low-back manipulation is cauda equina syndrome. This is a condition in which the nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord compress, causing pain, weakness and loss of feeling in one or both legs. Bowel or bladder control may also be affected. Always consult your primary care provider before seeking therapy from a chiropractor for your back pain to ensure this is the proper treatment for your condition. Side effects are usually minor and include discomfort in the treated area, headache or tiredness, which should resolve in one to two days.

Tags: back pain, from low-back, your back, your back pain, acute back

What Causes Warts On The Face

This article discusses the different types and causes of facial warts. Additionally, it covers skin growths that, while appearing in early stages to be warts, could actually be malignant tumors.

What Causes Warts On The Face?

Warts are small clusters of abnormal skin cell growth surrounded by dead cells. Several types of warts exist but each is caused by a specific strain of the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are roughly over 100 different strains of HPV, from the kind that causes genital warts (primarily types 6 and 11) to those that cause common warts (types 1, 2 and 3). All HPV strains (and thus warts) spread mainly through person-to-person contact, although it is possible to spread via floors, towels and other shared objects. While warts are not very contagious, the delicate skin of infants or adult skin damaged by razor nicks, dry weather or scrapes is susceptible to transmission.

Most facial warts go away on their own in a matter of weeks. However, persistent or serious cases can be treated with salicylic acid, freezing, laser and infrared treatments, topical creams (featuring anti-viral compounds like formalin, bleomycin, interferon-α2b and imiquimod) and, in rare occasions, surgical excision.

Flat Wart

Known in medical jargon as "Verruca plana," the flat wart is usually only one to two millimeters in diameter but likely to occur in relatively large numbers within the afflicted area.

Caused by HPV 3,10, 28 and 49, flat warts tend to be painless and skin colored, although pink, yellow and brown are possible.

However, due to their tendency to appear in clusters (in the most extreme cases, upwards of 100), flat warts can become conspicuous and a source of painful embarrassment for patients. Luckily, flat warts respond well to salicylic acid and laser treatments. Unfortunately, they also spread easily, which can frustrate treatment.

Filiform Wart

Especially prominent on the eyelids and lips, filiform warts are long, narrow, thread-like growths. Despite their distinctive shape, filiform warts are actually caused by the same strains of HPV that cause the common wart (1, 2 and 3). Unlike flat warts, filiform warts tend to occur one at a time and, due to their shape, treatment is often as simple as paring (i.e. cutting the wart off at its base). If the wart is on or near the eyelid, the treatment will stop there. If not, electrocauterizing the underlying tissue or applying a topical anti-viral cream may follow.

Dangerous Non-Wart: Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Although caused by HPV 38, 41 and 48, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is not a wart but a malignant tumor. Accounting for 20 percent of all skin cancer cases, SCC is commonly found on the skin of persons in middle age or older who had extensive UV exposure during their younger years. While it does not metastasize as quickly as skin cancers like melanoma, a suspected SCC should be treated as soon as possible

Dangerous Non-Wart: Keratoacanthoma

Thought by dermatologists to be a less-aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma is associated with HPV 77 and marked by large, volanco-like lesions.

Warning On SCC and Other Non-Wart Growths

This article is intended to raise consciousness, not as a definitive guide. Only a dermatologist can properly diagnose and treat any facial growth, wart or otherwise!

Tags: flat warts, filiform warts, cause common, Causes Warts, Causes Warts Face, Dangerous Non-Wart, facial warts

What Are The Benefits Of Algae For Humans

Algae can be found throughout nature.

For centuries algae has been a delicacy throughout Asia. In the West, algae has slowly gained popularity for its health benefits, such as increased immunity and high amounts of nutrients. Algae is also used as a coloring agent and for a variety of other purposes throughout the world. Understanding the numerous benefits available from this part of Mother Nature can prove advantageous to our everyday life.

Food Stabilizer and Gelling Agent

Carrageenan, extracted from a red species of algae, is used throughout the United States as a stabilizer and gelling ingredient in foods, such as chocolate, instant pudding mix, milk, cream soups and pre-made frostings. Agar, derived from a red algae species as well, is also used as a gelling agent in gelatin, processed cheeses, pudding, mayonnaise and jelly.

Preventing Ice Crystals in Food

Alginates, derived from a species of brown algae, help to thicken water-based products and add a creamy texture to them. They can also stabilize the pH in food products over a range of different temperatures and time. Products such as ice cream will typically use alginates to thicken and prevent ice crystals.

Food Colorant

The pigment from green algae contains beta-carotene, which is used as a natural form of food colorant. Spirulina, a form of blue-green algae, produces phycocyanin, another natural food colorant.

Boosting Immunity and Health

The blue-green species of algae contains essential nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, that help improve the immune system. These species have also been shown to boost energy levels and improve overall health when used in a dietary regimen. This natural source of chlorophyll and phytochemicals can help promote cell regrowth and detoxify the body of impurities that can cause illness. It is also thought that beta-carotene can help fight particular forms of cancer and strengthen the immune system as well.

Increased Stem Cells

Studies have shown that chlorella, found in freshwater green algae, contains a nucleotide-peptide complex proven to promote stem cell growth quickly. Hematopoietic stem cells that grow in muscle, blood vessels and bone are important for your body's overall health and the quickness in which your body repairs from illness and injury.

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Herbal Hormonal Acne Treatment

There is a strong tie between hormones and acne. Teens suffer acne partially because the hormones that trigger the changes in their bodies also lead the oil glands to produce more oil. Hormone issues are also why women who are prescribed birth control often have the side benefit of clearer skin. With this in mind, here are a few herbs that can give a similar effect.

Herbal Cleansing and Teas

Cleansing is considered by many naturopathic and alternative health doctors to be a great way to control hormonal imbalances and acne. This is partially because, according to naturopathic doctors, hormonal imbalances and acne are caused by a buildup of toxins in the body that come from undigested refined sugars and starches. Drinking infusions of herbs such as the kind found in green tea, golden seal, burdock and dandelion will help to detoxify the liver, kidneys, colon and blood to regulate hormones and help to clear up acne. Typically, two cups of tea a day is enough to help naturally cleanse the body. Additionally, drinking water can help to dilute the effects of hormones and help you to regulate them. Raspberry leaf tea is another popular tonic given for women who suffer from acne, even during pregnancy, to help regulate hormones. Ginseng, a popular tea used in Chinese medicine has the same effect.

Symptoms Of A Hyperactive Child

Symptoms of a Hyperactive Child

People with active children sometimes wonder whether they are parenting a hyperactive child. With young children (particularly boys), it can be difficult to tell the difference between normal behavior for an active child versus hyperactive behavior. If you have this concern, here are some symptoms to look for to help you determine if you have a hyperactive child. If you do, you might want to consider having the child screened for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Excessive Talking

Hyperactive children tend to talk a lot (usually loudly). They have a difficult time staying quiet in situations where other children are silent without much effort.

Fidgeting

Hyperactive children often fidget in situations in which other children are able to sit still. A part of the body is always moving, even when most children would be relaxed, such as when reading a bedtime story.

Movement

A hyperactive child is always moving and needs lots of exercise in a day. The child is likely to avoid any activity that involves sitting still, such as watching a movie or assembling Legos.

Noise

While all children can be loud at times, hyperactive children are noisy most of the time. Friends might joke that they can hear your child coming from a mile away.

Poor Impulse Control

Hyperactive children have trouble controlling their impulses. They appear to lack an internal filter telling them that doing something physical might be a bad idea.

Reactions of Others

If other adults frequently give you unsolicited parenting advice, such as say no to your child, then your child might be hyperactive. Hyperactive children are often mistaken for "spoiled brats."

Short Attention Span

Hyperactive children have a difficult time staying focused on one activity. For example, they might lose interest in a television show during the commercials.

Tags: Hyperactive children, hyperactive child, your child, always moving, child might

Mole Removal

About Mole Removal

A mole is a raised area of the skin that is often discolored and in some cases--unsightly. Often referred to as Nevi, a mole to some is considered to be a beauty mark. Famous figures are also known for a mole on their face, such as Cindy Crawford and Marilyn Monroe. For many, a mole is not always accentuated--it takes away from natural beauty--especially if it is on the nose or near the eyes. Having the mole removed will improve appearance and test for skin disorders and cancer.

Melanoma

One of the most deadly forms of skin cancer is melanoma. This type of cancer can strike any one at any age, but is more prevalent in those with increased sun exposure, fair skinned individuals and those who have a family history of skin cancer. Melanoma often takes its shape as a mole or Nevi in disguise. The mole slowly begins to change shape, color and size. Easily recognized by its dark color and irregular appearance--melanoma can also create a bloody discharge. Any sore that doesn't heal on the skin could also be a sign of skin cancer. Although melanoma is a dangerous form of cancer, it can easily be treated if caught early. A questionable mole or skin discoloration should always be removed or biopsied to rule out skin cancer. Melanoma that is left untreated can result in the cancer spreading from the skin to other vital organs--often quite quickly if it is not caught in time.

Function

A mole should never be removed at home or by someone who is not a licensed professional. A family practitioner should be the first contact to examine a questionable mole. Even if the mole does not meet the visible criteria for melanoma, it should still be examined by a physician who can then make a referral to cosmetic surgeon if needed. While some physicians will easily remove a mole in a doctor's office, others will send patients to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. Many insurances will not pay for mole removal based on cosmetic reasons--the physician's referral will assist in having a claim successfully processed as opposed to denied.

Types of Moles

Many moles are actually abnormal blood vessels that show up through the skin. Hemangiomas show up as bright red raised skin bumps on the body of fair skinned people. Although a harmless condition, many wish to remove these bumps as they are unsightly. Keratoses are benign spots on the skin that are commonly called age spots. Keratoses appears as people age and is usually first recognized on the hands. Freckles are often mistaken for moles and are typically found in clusters on the skin. Some freckles can actually turn into moles and develop a raised bump appearance. Some dysplastic moles can grow hairs in the center making them very unsightly and as the skin ages the mole may double in size.

How a Mole Is Removed

A mole can be removed in the safe and sterile environment of a physician's office. Whether the physician is a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon or general practitioner, he should be board certified and knowledgeable in skin care. First, the physician will examine the mole and determine if it needs to be shaved off or cut out. A mild anesthetic is used for the shaving method. A shot of lidocaine or another topical anesthetic is administered and the mole is shaved right at skin level. For a skin mole or questionable skin area, a scalpel is used to dig and cut out the area. In both cases, the mole and surrounding tissue will be sent to the lab for biopsy and further testing. A band-aid is placed over the shaved area or stitches are used to close the skin after scalpel mole removal.

Recovery Process

The recovery process for mole removal is fairly short. For a shaved method, three to five days should be enough time for the skin to heal. A band-aid may have to be worn for the first 24 hours as bleeding can occur. A scab will eventually form and should not be picked at--this will assure a smooth skin surface. For a scalpel method, following up with the physician as to when to have the stitches removed will assure in a successful recovery. Generally, one to two weeks is a typical recover time frame for scalpel mole removal recovery.

Tags: skin cancer, cosmetic surgeon, mole removal, cancer Melanoma, dermatologist cosmetic, dermatologist cosmetic surgeon