Symptoms Of Gastric Ulcers

Gastric ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach. They are also called peptic ulcers, which can also develop in the small intestine and esophagus. The ulcers develop as a result of digestive acids released by the stomach. For years, doctors thought stress and a diet of spicy and acidic foods were the cause of gastric ulcers, but in most cases they are actually caused by bacteria. Ulcers are a common medical condition, affecting about 10 percent of all Americans at some point or another, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Symptoms

Burning abdominal pain is the most common symptom of a gastric ulcer. The pain can be felt in a large area, anywhere from the navel to the breastbone. The pain may also be worse at night or when the stomach is empty. Some people may experience pain for a few days that then disappears for a few weeks before returning again. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, vomiting blood, dark stools and unexplained weight loss.

Cause

The most common cause of gastric ulcers is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. It lives in the stomach's mucous layer, most often not causing any problems. However, in some cases it can lead to inflammation that causes an ulcer. Regularly using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause a gastric ulcer, as can smoking.

Diagnosis

To determine if a patient has a gastric ulcer, doctors will often try to determine if the H. pylori bacteria is present, through a blood test or a breath test. In some cases, more invasive tests may be ordered, including an upper gastrointestinal X-ray and an endoscopy, a procedure in which a tube with a camera attached is sent down the throat to allow the doctor to see if ulcers are present in the stomach. If an ulcer is present, your doctor may biopsy a sample of tissue from near the ulcer to see if cancer is present.

Treatment

Several medications can be used to treat gastric ulcers, and patients will typically need to take multiple drugs to help treat the condition. Among the options for doctors are antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection, acid blockers to decrease acid production in the stomach, cytoprotective agents and proton pump inhibitors. Antibiotics will only be an effective treatment for people whose ulcers were caused by H. pylori. When ulcers don't respond to treatment, surgery is sometimes necessary.

Home Treatment

In addition to taking the prescribed medications, people with gastric ulcers can also make some simple changes to help heal the ulcer and alleviate the discomfort. Avoiding spicy and acidic foods is an easy change to make, and it's also a good idea to limit alcohol intake. People with gastric ulcers should also stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and stop smoking, which can increase the production of stomach acid.

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How Does Diarrhea Medicine Work

Diarrhea is defined as an increase in the frequency or looseness of bowel movements. Whether it's caused by bacteria, a virus or some type of inflammation, diarrhea is a symptom of many health conditions and strikes all of us at some point in time. Luckily, several types of medications exist that can help combat diarrhea. Understanding how these medications work can help you be more successful in battling diarrhea in the future.

There are four main types of anti-diarrheal medications. The first are anti-motility drugs, which includes both loperamide and diphenoxylate. These drugs delay the flow of waste through the digestive system by relaxing the muscles surrounding the small and large intestines. Therefore, the stools are not as watery, since more water has time to be absorbed while in the intestine. These types of medications have the added benefit of reducing the abdominal cramps associated with some types of diarrhea.

The second commonly used drugs in the treatment of diarrhea are absorbents. Just as the name implies, drugs in this category absorb or bind with the excess water and toxins in the intestines, thus making the stools more firm. Since these types of drugs stay localized in the intestines, they are generally considered to be very safe. Attapulgite and polycarbophil are the two most widely used types of absorbent medications.

Bismuth medications are a third type of anti-diarrheal compound and are probably the most widely used. These are typically only successful in treating very mild forms of diarrhea. The highly recognizable brands of bismuth medications include Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, which are actually both forms of bismuth subsalicylate, a combination of bismuth and aspirin. Bismuth may work by binding with toxins in the body, although it hasn't been proven clinically to be effective, while the aspirin component may reduce associated inflammation within the intestines.

One final category of medication occasionally utilized in the treatment of diarrhea is antibiotics. Certain forms of diarrhea caused by bacteria may require antibiotics to help rid the body of the bacteria, such as dysentery or other severe forms of traveler's diarrhea. The type of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria present upon fecal culture. Antibiotics work by killing off the diarrhea-causing bacteria in the intestines.

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Ergonomics Nursing Homes Lifting Policy & Procedures

At any given time, patients in nursing homes require lifting and repositioning for the comfort and needs of the patient. In an effort to protect patients and health care workers, policies and procedures are available. Lifting can strain the back and cause serious injury. Losing grip on a patient can cause bodily harm resulting in civil suit, suspension of license and job loss. Fortunately, there are a lot of tools designed for the comfort and safety of workers and patients. Knowing what they are and use them are invaluable.

Gait Belt

The gait belt is a necessary tool when guiding residents a short distance. It is a safety device designed to assist the health care worker when transferring residents from bed to seat, or seat to wheel chair. It is called a gait belt because of its design. The gait belt is fastened around the waist, just like a belt. The back of the belt covers the better part of the spine, offering the patient good, solid back support. In addition to the support strap, there are two handles on the back of the belt for the health care worker to grip. This will prevent the patient from falling forward, or, down and helps the health care worker to assist in guiding the patient during his gait, or, walk.

Slip Sheets

Slip sheets are another simple device designed for the transfer of patients from bed to gurney, or, any table-to-table transport. Patients going from a bed to a gurney to an MRI would benefit greatly from slip sheets. These sheets are used on patient beds and have a series of straps on the sheets ends. The straps can be used to slide a patient comfortably on the sheet to another position, rather than lifting and risking injury to the attendee or the patient.

Lifts

There are also lift machines designed to safely move patients. These machines only require thorough working knowledge on the part of the health care provider. Regardless of the devices used, the safety of the patient is of the utmost importance and the realization that a health care worker is part of a team is equally important. Identifying problems and seeking solutions of the sort that prevent injuries is every health workers priority. Knowing your limits is not a fault nor is the utilization of help. After all, the safe transfer and comfort of a patient is the success of you.

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German Folk Remedies

Prior to the development of modern medicine, folk remedies or home remedies were used to bring relief to the sick. The use of teas, tonics, ointments and poultices was common, as people made use of substances that could be found nearby. When these early healers immigrated to the United States, they brought their knowledge with them, passing knowledge of the remedies from family member to family member as a cultural heritage. German folk remedies still flourish in the homeland and abroad, making use of flowers, seeds and barks to cure everything from headaches to fever.

Chamomile

A large mug of German chamomile tea is aromatic and soothing to the senses. It has been traditionally used to treat disorders of the nervous, reproductive and digestive systems such as insomnia, nervousness, stomach ache, gas pains, PMS and cramping due to menstruation. According to the American Chemical Society, it is also an effective treatment for the common cold as compounds in the tea increase the availability of antibacterial elements within the body. Chamomile tea can also be used to lighten the hair and to alleviate the discomfort associated with itchy, red skin rashes.

Pumpkin

According to German folk legend, pumpkins are almost a magic cure-all for the digestive system. This native North American standard is so popular it can now be found growing all over the world. Pumpkin is a high-fiber vegetable, so it stands to reason that ingesting it will help relieve constipation. Though German citizens also treat this particular affliction with a mug of dandelion tea, you may find pumpkin a bit easier to come by, depending on the time of year. To use, take two large spoonfuls of fresh or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and cover them in honey. Sprinkle with cinnamon or spices, if desired, and eat. Repeat as often as necessary to achieve the desired results. Additionally, studies published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology suggest that the seeds of the pumpkin can be eaten to offset periodic bouts of anxiety. Pumpkin seeds can also be eaten to control incidents of irritable bowel syndrome, to rid the body of parasites such as tapeworms, and to help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. The oil in the seeds contains several compounds which have been found to have medicinal benefit, including some which may help to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis.

Corn

This particular remedy may have been developed by German farmers after relocation to the United States, as corn is more abundantly grown in the U.S. than it is in Europe. According to Jack Ritchason in "The Little Herb Encyclopedia," rural populations of German immigrants in Pennsylvania commonly used this remedy to treat prostate problems in men over the age of 40. Six ears of corn were harvested from the field and the silks were removed from the very tip of the cob. These fresh silks were then placed into a pot of boiling water and allowed to steep for 15 minutes. The tea was strained, removing the silks, and sweetened. The affected individual was then instructed to drink the tea at least three times each day. The chemicals in the silk stimulate the production of male sexual hormones which can help to improve the overall condition of the prostate.

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Best Preventative Migraine Treatment

Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine knows that the best way to treat one is to prevent it from happening. Most people can feel the onset of a migraine and should take prescribed medications or treatments immediately to try to alleviate the symptoms before they get out of control. But a person can also use this as a valuable tool to understand prevent them by paying attention to when they occur.

Preventative Medicines

There are many prescriptions available that can help reduce the frequency of migraines a person experiences. These medications include Botox, cyproheptadine and anti-seizure medications. Other more commonly used medications are beta blockers and anti-depressants. If you don't want to be taking medications regularly you may be able to use other methods to control migraine occurrences. Always consult with your doctor for the course of action that is best for you.

Triggers

Triggers are things that frequently set of fa migraine. By closely examining when you feel a migraine coming on and note food, drink or stress levels consumed or experienced at the time of onset, you can start to compile a trigger list. Common foods are chocolate, dried fruits, food containing MSG or other preservatives, chili peppers, olives and avocados. Alcohol such as beer and wine also trigger migraines in many people. Some people are set off by intense fragrances such as colon or perfume or the smells of soaps, cigars or cigarettes. Your triggers may include some, none or all of these. Start to keep track of and avoid the things that cause you the most problems.

Exercise

Migraines are also associated with tension and circulation. Exercise will help reduce tension and improve circulation. Do aerobic activities that you enjoy but be sure to warm up slowly. By starting too quickly, you may actually trigger a migraine with the sudden increase in blood flow. Keeping weight down and lowering body fat has also shown to help reduce the frequency of migraines.

Women

Women are more likely to experience migraines right before they begin their menstrual period. You may want to discuss your birth control options or estrogen treatments with your doctor if you experience frequent and intense migraines during your menstrual cycle. The doctor may may need to reduce the amount of estrogen. It is also important to exercise through the cramping and bloating of your period.

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Liver Spots On Skin

Liver Spots on Skin

Liver spots or "age spots" are dark patches that most commonly appear on the skin of people 55 years old and older. They are harmless spots of increased pigmentation that can be caused by the sun or for unknown reasons. Liver spots tend to appear on your hands or forehead. They are not associated with liver cancer or damage, despite the traditional thinking that they were a sign of a malfunctioning liver. Rather, it's simply a matter of age.

Diagnosis

Liver spots most commonly show up in areas that are exposed to sunlight, such as the face or forearms. They can, however, be found on less exposed areas.

Description

Liver spots are usually flat to the touch, light brown or tan in color, have sharply defined borders and are oval or irregular in shape. They can be up to an inch in diameter.

Considerations

Liver spots don't darken when exposed to sunlight. They will also not become cancerous. However, if the spots change at all in size, color or shape, have it checked out by your doctor.

Treatment

Most people don't receive treatment for age spots. You can, however, lighten them by using a skin-bleaching product. They can also be removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen, a technique called cryotherapy.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of new liver spots, use a sunscreen with a high SPF factor when outside. SPF 15 or greater is your best choice.

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Hipaa Rules & Regulations

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, was put into federal law in 1996 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The act is often referred to as a privacy rule that provides federal protections for personal health information. The act allows certain disclosures of information by medical personnel when it is imperative to the care of the patient.

Medical Records

HIPAA entities must comply with the request of an individual to view his own health information file, or medical record, and obtain copies of those records.

Notification

Patients should receive a notice explaining how their health information and records could be used. Reports should be distributed if your health information was shared for lawful purposes.

Protection

Safeguards and procedures protecting health information, and limiting access to those records, must be put in place and acted upon by any entity covered under HIPAA.

Violations

Violations of HIPAA can be reported three ways. You could file a complaint with your health insurance, care provider, or with the U.S. government.

Misconceptions

Not all entities are required to follow the act. Many schools, state agencies, law enforcement agencies, municipal offices, employers, life insurers, and workers compensation carriers are not mandated by HIPAA.

Tags: health information, those records, your health

Tinnitus And Neck Pain

A neck injury can cause an unusual symptom: ringing ears.

An injury to the neck, whether resulting in whiplash, muscle strain or damage to the upper spine, can also cause a persistent ringing in the ears. This ringing is called tinnitus, and it can become a life-disrupting disorder, especially when it is combined with pain in the neck. In the instance of persistent neck pain and tinnitus, the culprit is usually an injury to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Neck Pain

Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears.

The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) stretches from the back of your ear down to the collarbone. It helps move your head, and it aids in breathing. Injuries to this muscle are quite common, as having tinnitus that relates to an SCM injury. Because of the muscle's closeness to the ear, injuries to it frequently include disruptions in hearing that are the symptoms of tinnitus.

Definition

Ear ringing can come from either one ear or both.

Tinnitus is classified as any ringing, buzzing or hissing sound that does not come from outside the head. This means that only the sufferer hears it. Although tinnitus is a medical condition, it is not categorized as a disease, but as a disorder. Tinnitus can be experienced either as sounds that can be heard in concert to the rhythm of the heartbeat or pulse, or as a continuous sound heard in either one or both ears.

Neck Injuries and Tinnitus

Neck muscles and the ears are related by their closeness.

To determine if an injury to the neck and tinnitus are related, a doctor must be consulted. The most typical way for a physician to know if the two are related is to prescribe a soft neck brace, which is worn for a few days. Once a relationship between the neck pain and tinnitus is established, treatment can begin.

Treatment

Soothing neck massges are a good nonmedical treatment.

Both medical doctors and chiropractors are qualified to treat this condition. A firm diagnosis is frequently made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a CT scan. A hearing test performed by an audiologist may also be recommended. Treatment can vary from simple massages to surgery to repair the neck muscle damage. Medications may also be prescribed.

Prevention and Consultation

Prevention is the key to avoiding neck pain and related tinnitus. Although most causes have an organic or physiological nature, stress and anxiety can also be contributors, as can arthritis. The Mayo Clinic recommends that those with neck pain consult a physician if the pain "shoots" into the shoulder or down the arm; if there is numbness in either the arms or hands; or if they cannot tuck their chin down to the point where it can rest on their chest.

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Feta Cheese

Cheese is the best source of dietary calcium

Traditionally produced in Greece from goat's milk, feta cheese has gained considerable popularity in the United States, partially due to its abundant tangy flavor, but also because of the potential health benefits it offers. Today, many varieties of feta-like cheeses are made outside of Greece, some made from cow's milk or a mixture of cow and goat's milk. True feta is a product of Greece and should contain at least 70 percent goat's milk.

Fewer Calories Than Most Cheeses

Feta cheese contains about 33 percent fewer calories than most cheeses, but has a much stronger flavor than many other low-calorie cheeses, such as mozzarella.

Less Fat

The fat content of feta cheese is about a third less than that of most cheeses, particularly soft or "ripened" cheeses. Furthermore, low-fat feta is available in many stores, though at the sacrifice of some flavor and the cheese's natural texture.

High in Calcium

A single ounce of feta cheese contains nearly 140 mg. of calcium, making it one of the best dietary sources of calcium, essential to the development and health of bones and tooth enamel.

May Aid in Abdominal Fat Loss

Studies indicate that five servings of cheese in general per day can aid in the loss of abdominal fat and that a high calcium diet may contribute to the breakdown of fat cells. In addition, feta cheese specifically is rich in conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid and antioxidant that may aid in abdominal fat loss. The resultant loss of body fat lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

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Mesothelioma In Children

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer as a result of asbestos exposure. However, children who have not been exposed to asbestos and have not been alive long enough for asbestos exposure to be the underlying cause have been diagnosed with mesothelioma .

Time Frame

Cases of mesothelioma in which asbestos exposure was not the cause are rare. Development of mesothelioma takes years after the exposure to asbestos, so when it is diagnosed in children, the likelihood of it being due to asbestos is slim as they generally have not lived long enough for asbestos to be the factor.

Types

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which is cancer of the lining of the lungs. In children, most cases if not all, are peritoneal mesothelioma which is cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Research

Little is known about mesothelioma other than in almost all instances it can be linked to asbestos, but can occur without asbestos exposure, so researchers are looking for hereditary links as well as other possible causes.

Mortality

Malignent mesothelioma is generally fatal and once the symptoms present; death is within 18 months.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common form found in children and the symptoms include abdominal distention, ascites, weight loss and abdominal mass.

Tags: asbestos exposure, have been, mesothelioma which, cancer lining, common form

Side Effects Of Ibuprofen Use

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs work by blocking an enzyme that is responsible for the creation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins promote the sensation of pain, inflammation, fever and blood clotting. They also promote mucus secretion in the stomach. This mucus protects the stomach from the acids used in digestion. Since ibuprofen prevents the formation of prostaglandins, it is beneficial for treating pain, inflammation and fever, but it may also have side effects.

Stomach

Ibuprofen's ability to block prostaglandin production puts the stomach at a greater risk for ulcers since mucus production is reduced. An ulcer is a sore that can bleed. The internal bleeding caused by an ulcer can lead to dizziness when standing. Stomach pain may or may not be present. Nausea and vomiting may also present. Heartburn and indigestion may also occur.

Digestion

Ibuprofen use can lead to other digestive difficulties. Bloating may be accompanied by belching and flatulence. Constipation may occur, although it is considered to be a less common side effect. Diarrhea is more common with ibuprofen use. Abdominal cramps may also occur, and may likely be caused by diarrhea or constipation.

Cardiovascular

NSAIDs are often used to prevent blood clots due to their ability to thin the blood. Ironically, ibuprofen may induce blood clots in some. Blood clots in the heart can cause a heart attack. Hypertension may also result. Some have suffered heart failure while using ibuprofen. Heart failure is often associated with edema, especially in the extremities. Ibuprofen may contribute to decreased liver and renal function, which will also contribute to leg edema.

Urinary

Ibuprofen may reduce the amount of blood flow to the kidneys. This can result in decreased urine production. Since the kidneys are responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, this decreased blood flow may possibly contribute to swelling in the extremities and face.

Other

Ibuprofen use may lead to other symptoms, as well. Abnormal breathing such as shortness of breath or difficult, irregular or troubled breathing may occur. Bruising or unusual bleeding may occur, including nosebleeds and bleeding gums. Fatigue is a more common symptom as is weight gain. Irritability, vision changes, chills, confusion and skin irritations are less common side effects.

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Get Exercise Points With Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers Flex Plan is a creative way to lose weight when you are looking for a diet plan, giving you the freedom to eat what you like and still loose weight. The Weight Watchers program has an Activity Points option where you can swap your activity points for daily points as a reward for exercising. Using exercise points will help you to get the foods you like and stay on track.

Instructions

1. Plan an exercise routine. There are unlimited resources for planning your exercise program. Choose an activity that best suits your physical ability. Low impact water aerobics are good for people who have trouble with joint pain or can’t get around very well. You can also walk which is a great way to get fresh air and exercise at the same time. During the winter months it is best to find an indoor activity such as a gym to keep you active. Weight Watchers advises their members to exercise at least 30 minutes three times a week. Once you choose the routine to best fit your schedule, get going and try to be consistent with it.

2. Calculate how many minutes you were active. Not only do you need the recommended exercise but Weight Watchers does not limit how many exercise points you can receive each day. The more time you spend working out the more activity points you will have to use. The exercise points accumulate throughout the day so keeping track of time spent doing activities like walking, scrubbing the floors, raking the leaves or weeding the garden can really add up.

3. Rate the intensity level of your activity. Every activity you participate in will be of a different intensity level. Low intensity consists of activities you can perform without breaking a sweat. When you are exercising at a moderate intensity level, you will start sweating after about 10 minutes. High intensity workouts will cause you to sweat in three to five minutes. The higher the intensity level the more points you will receive so make sure to pay attention to your body while you are active so you can rate what intensity level your exercise is at.

4. Calculate your exercise points. The Points Booster is a slider provided by Weight Watchers to help you figure your activity points. To calculate your points align the intensity level with the minutes of activity you have performed. Without moving the slide, locate your body weight and determine the points by looking in the Points Value window next to where your body weight is listed. Make sure to calculate the points of your activities throughout the day separately since they will most likely have different intensity levels.

5. Use your points as you choose. Once you have figured the total of your activity points write them down in your daily register as a deposit. You can then use them during the rest of your day towards food or beverages. The points do not roll over to the next day so make sure to use whatever points you would like before the day is over. When you start using activity points you need to realize that the exercise programs are there to help you lose weight faster. If you use all of the points you accumulate during the day you will loose weight at a much slower pace. People who are close to or have already met their weight goal often use activity to increase their daily points so they can continue to eat the foods they like.

Tags: intensity level, Weight Watchers, your activity, activity points, exercise points, points will

Recognize The Symptoms Of Candida

Recognize the Symptoms of Candida

Candida is an infection that is caused by a sudden and excessive growth of Candida Albicans, which is normally a harmless resident of our body. Its causes include consumption of too many antibiotics, antacids, steroids or oral contraceptives. Diabetes, a diet that is rich in sugar, chemotherapy, pregnancy, infections and wounds are also causes. The symptoms of Candida can be varied and grossly unconnected, which makes diagnosing it difficult. Moreover, it may harm different organs in different ways. Here is look out for some of the symptoms of Candida.

Instructions

1. Check for all sorts of abdominal problems, such as flatulence, bloatedness, pain, severe heartburn, painful or uncomfortable bowel movements such as diarrhea or constipation.

2. Look for complains of pain while urinating, frequent urges to urinate, distention in the belly or cramps.

3. See if the patient is prone to bacterial, viral and vaginal infections time and again. Check for thrush and a white layer on the tongue in children.

4. Look for symptoms such as dry skin and scalp, psoriasis, increased reactions to chemicals or pollution in the form of rashes, hives, itching sensation on the body, inflammation of the eyes and difficult or clouded vision. There can be puffiness on the face and the lips as well.

5. Find out if the patient has regular bouts of sinusitis, congestion of chest and nose, itching or burning in the throat, coughing, earaches, chest pains or severe headaches.

6. Check if the patient has complaints of rigidity and pains in the joints, muscle pulls, heaviness of the head or fever. See if there is an infection around nails with the cuticles becoming red, swollen or filled with pus.

7. Check if the patient has a compulsion to eat or cannont stand the sight of food. Look for signs of obesity or anemia. Patients sometimes feel a total lack of appetite.

8. Check out if the patient experiences impotency and a lack of sexual desire.

9. See if the patient shows psychological symptoms such as depression, mood swings, hypersensitivity to sound and light, sleepiness or hyperactivity, difficulty in concentrating or remembering things, panic stokes, or fear of imaginary things and situations.

Tags: Check patient, Recognize Symptoms, Recognize Symptoms Candida, symptoms Candida, symptoms such

Stop Tooth Pain

Stop Tooth Pain

You can completely stop or extremely reduce severe tooth pain quickly at home with a variety of natural and over the counter remedies. You can also be prepared in the future to stop toothache troubles when guests visit, when traveling or anytime it will be difficult to get to a dentist quickly. This eHow article shows you both stop tooth pain now at home, and be prepared for travel.

Instructions

1. Use the salt water remedy. Mix about two teaspoons of salt in warm water, stirring until dissolved. Swish, or just hold, this solution over the painful tooth area. In some cases, pain stops instantly, in others, it may take up to two minutes. For travel, pack an unopened portable picnic salt shaker inside a couple of strong ziplock plastic food bags. If pain strikes, you just need to find a drinkable source of warm water, then add it and salt into one of the bags, shake to dissolve, and swish solution in the mouth to stop the toothache. When you don't have time to measure, just estimate, making sure the brine tastes very salty.

2. Use the clove remedy with flossing. Cloves contain eugenol, a natural, powerful numbing and anti-inflammatory. Apply food grade oil of cloves with a cotton swab to the painful area. The remedy will last about an hour and a half. While the painful area is numb, try flossing the area, as you can sometimes stop tooth pain when it's caused by food lodged between teeth. For travel, either pack an unopened new bottle of oil of cloves still inside its box along with cotton swabs and floss, or if added liquids are difficult for you when traveling by air, pack a handful of dried cloves to rub against the pain, or chew on if pain isn't too severe for chewing.

3. Use the acupressure method. Acupuncturists stop toothache by inserting needles into the web of skin and flesh between the thumb and pointing finger. If you're at home, try applying ice to this area, holding it for a moment on one hand, then on the other. At home or when traveling, pinch the area instead, holding the pressure for a moment or two on each hand.

4. Optional: For home or travel, there are also over the counter products to stop tooth pain, and even products to temporarily fill in broken fillings until you can reach a dentist, which may prevent cutting a vacation short because of a toothache. They're relatively inexpensive, small, and come with simple instructions. It can be difficult to follow instructions when all you want to do is immediately stop toothache pain, so especially for travel, consider sacrificing one over the counter remedy dosage as a practice. Leave any extra dosages from the opened one at home for possible future needs for yourself or visitors, then pack an unopened new one for travel.

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B Cell Lymphoma Treatment

B-cell lymphoma is the general term for several forms of cancer affecting the cells of the lymph system, which fights off infections in the body. Taken together, these cancers account for most cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatment for B-cell lymphoma varies according to its severity and the specific type of cancer present.

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBC) is curable in a large number of cases. Basic treatment for the disease centers on the simultaneous use of four chemotherapy drugs: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. Doctors refer to this combination of drugs as CHOP. CHOP treatment is typically combined with rituximab (Rituxan), one of many monoclonal antibodies, which are special antibodies designed in a laboratory to fight specific diseases. This five-drug formula is referred to as R-CHOP.

The length of R-CHOP treatment varies according to the stage of cancer. If your DLBC is in stage one or stage two, you may be treated with a combination of R-CHOP and radiation. In these cases, R-CHOP is usually given for three months. If your cancer is in stage three or stage four, you will likely receive R-CHOP by itself for a six-month period. Your oncologist (cancer doctor) may also prefer other chemotherapy compounds.

All medications used in B-cell lymphoma treatment come with significant risks. Consult your oncologist for a full discussion of any treatments he may prescribe.

Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is both slow-growing and hard to cure. If you have this form of cancer, your oncologist may choose to delay treatment until you begin to suffer symptoms. If this is true for you, this period of "watchful waiting" may extend for several years. Once you need active treatment, your doctor may choose between several combinations of chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies. In addition to the R-CHOP regimen, a separate combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (CVP) is sometimes used. Newer types of radioactive monoclonal antibodies such as tositumomab (Bexxar) or ibritumomab (Zevalin) may also be used, either by themselves or in combination with chemotherapy drugs.

Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) also are slow-growing and hard to cure. Watchful waiting is frequently employed in their early stages. If you need active treatment for these cancers, chemotherapy will be used, sometimes in combination with rituximab or a second monoclonal antibody called alemtuzumab (Campath).

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma is slow-growing, but also can be fatal in just a few years. For this reason, it is treated aggressively. Most of these cancers are discovered at stage three or later, and are treated with some combination of rituximab and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is also used if stages one or two are found. Mantle cell cannot typically be cured, and your doctor may suggest you enter an experimental clinical trial if this lymphoma is present.

Additional Lymphomas

Additional forms of B-cell lymphoma include nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; Burkitt lymphoma; primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma; and hairy cell leukemia. Consult your oncologist for more information on the treatments used for these illnesses.

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Dormant Spray For Peach Trees

The peach tree's sweet sap attracts pests.

Gardeners use oils on dormant peach trees to control overwintering pests and to prevent fungal infection. Dormant oils go by many names, including superior oil, mineral oil and horticultural oil, but all prevent pests through physically smothering the egg or insect and by creating a protective film on the tree. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension, dormant oil treatment is the single best preventive against peach tree disease and death.

Ingredients

Different brands use different oils.

Manufacturers create dormant oil from petroleum oils, vegetable oils or fish oils. Lime, copper or other pesticides may be added. Neem oil, an extract from the neem tree, is a common ingredient and is very effective against pests; however, some products only add a minuscule amount of neem oil for marketing purposes. Read the directions before applying any oil spray.

Control

Severe aphid infestations damage buds and new growth.

Dormant oils are not general insecticides. They control specific pests that overwinter on vulnerable plants and trees and cause problems, such as aphids, mites, whitefly and fungal diseases. The best protection against peach twig borers is a thorough spray of dormant oil before the flower buds open, and small insects have not developed a resistance against it.

Timing

Apply dormant oil before buds open.

Apply dormant oils in the fall, after the trees are hardened for the winter, and before buds open in early spring, to control scale and aphids. Do not use dormant oils when temperatures are below freezing, but they may be used on warm winter days when temperatures will remain above freezing for 10 to 12 hours after the application. Highly refined oils are lighter and do not harm actively growing trees, according to the Texas A&M Extension.

Application

Use one gallon of spray for every five feet of growth, suggests the Colorado State University Extension. A 10-foot-tall peach tree with a 10-foot spread would need two gallons of dormant oil for complete coverage. Mix dormant oil with water according to the label instructions and agitate the sprayer often. Coat the tree completely, including trunks, and add an extra application to any cracks in the bark. Timing is important; dormant oil harms plants in very cold or very hot temperatures.

Safety

Because dormant oils are physical controls, the chemicals are not harmful to humans or animals. The oils break down quickly and do not harm beneficial insects unless gardeners spray the insects directly. However, many products have added pesticides; read the label carefully, take precautions when spraying and wear eye protection.

Tags: buds open, peach tree, against peach, Apply dormant, before buds

Does Baking Soda Work Well As A Teeth Whitener

Using baking soda to whiten teeth is inexpensive and easy to do at home. Most dentists will recommend patients to not use baking soda on the teeth as it can remove the outer layer of dental enamel.

A review of teeth-whitening products indicated some improvements, but the study did not evaluate baking soda.

Identification

Baking soda has been used as a cheap dental powder since the 1930s. Many commercial toothpastes include baking soda as an ingredient.

Brushing with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide may also improve the whiteness of teeth, but it will take significantly longer than using dental strips or dental trays with stronger whitening solutions.

Significance

Baking soda is a frugal way to slowly and gradually whiten teeth.

Another way to whiten teeth is to use more expensive commercial dental strips or trays worn overnight. They are filled with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and other ingredients to more quickly and powerfully whiten teeth.

Some people with sensitive teeth are not able to use these stronger commercial products and may be able to use baking soda in their place.

Benefits

Baking soda can be kept on hand for long periods of time, and it is easily purchased nearly everywhere.

Applying baking soda to the teeth once a week is likely to be useful in whitening teeth if you consume a lot of tea, coffee or other drinks or foods that stain the teeth.

Warning

Baking soda can wear away the outer tooth enamel and should not be used daily. Many commercial toothpastes may include baking soda as an ingredient, with other elements to reduce its abrasive quality.

Misconceptions

While brushing your teeth with baking soda may make your mouth feel "squeaky clean," baking soda is not designed to prevent cavities.

Most dentists will recommend using a commercial toothpaste to brush your teeth after every meal at least, flossing regularly and seeing a dentist for professional care.

Do not rely solely on baking soda for dental care.

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Herbal Remedies For Hoarseness & Acid Reflux

If you have a hoarse throat, stomach acid in the throat, wheezing, coughing, asthma, pain when swallowing, black stools, chest pain, or chronic sinusitis, you may have acid reflux. Although changes in diet and conventional medication are often used to end acid reflux, sometimes herbal remedies can take care of minor or less frequent cases of acid reflux.

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, also known as heartburn or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), occurs when naturally-occurring stomach acids come back up the esophagus or throat. About 10 to 20 percent of Americans suffer from acid reflux. If left untreated, the condition can lead to esophageal cancer, from which an estimated 15,000 Americans will die in a single year.

Conventional treatment for acid reflux includes dietary changes, weight loss, prescription medication, and occasionally surgery.

Caution

Acid reflux can be a serious disease; therefore, before self-treating, consult with your physician. If your acid reflux persists despite following doctor's orders and trying herbal remedies, seek the advice of a specialist.

Ginger and Fennel

Ginger root absorbs stomach acid and is often sold in capsule form in health food stores. Typically, one capsule is taken daily, after eating. You can even eat a piece of candied ginger when you feel acid reflux beginning.

Fennel seed has long been used for digestive problems. Anethole, which is found in fennel, can temporarily end the spasms that send acid back up the throat. To medicate with fennel, thoroughly chew and swallow a half teaspoon of fennel seeds after a meal. You may also benefit from drinking fennel tea.

Cinnamon

Long considered an antacid, cinnamon can help relieve stomach acids. Help the cinnamon along by putting it on a little toast, which can also help absorb stomach acids.

Herbal Tea

The right herbal tea can reduce acid in the stomach, thereby reducing symptoms of acid reflux. To make a tea, mix together equal amounts of lavender and aniseed and place 1 teaspoon of the mixture in a cup. Boil 2 ½ cups of water and pour the boiling water in the cup. Allow to sit for at least three and up to five minutes. Strain the tea; add honey for flavoring and sweetening, if desired. Up to 8 ounces of this tea may be consumed morning and evening.

Another popular remedy for acid reflux is chicory tea. To make the tea, boil 1 ½ cups of chicory root for at least five and up to 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, then drink.

Tags: acid reflux, acid reflux, acid reflux, stomach acids, five minutes

Buy Crystals

Buy Crystals

Since prehistoric times human beings have been drawn to the beauty and power of crystals. Crystals are thought by many to have the ability to balance our mental, spiritual, emotional and physical well being. If you are interested in these healing properties and would like to buy a crystal for yourself, there are a few things that you should know.

Instructions

1. Find a crystal dealer. New Age bookstores, museum gift shops and rock and fossil stores are all common carriers of crystals. Keep an eye out for gem and mineral shows, which are great places to buy and learn about crystals. It is also possible to buy crystals over the Internet from a wide variety of specialists.

Improve A Cabbage Soup Diet

Improve a Cabbage Soup Diet

The cabbage soup diet is a quick way to lose weight. It has strict rules though, so it's easy to go off track. The best way to stay on the cabbage soup diet is to change it around in order to suit you. Follow these tips to improve a cabbage soup diet.

Instructions

1. Drink at least 12-16 glasses of water every day. This will help to flush out the fat from your system and can even clear up your skin while keeping your body hydrated. Add lemon to your water to give it flavor.

2. Buy a good multivitamin to take during your diet. A diet like this lacks the daily vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

3. Vary the cabbage soup recipe according to your taste. Adding spices or herbs may help it taste better.

4. Take along plastic containers or a thermos for when you are away from home. You will be less likely to cheat if you have the cabbage soup around you at all times.

5. Exercise at least 30-40 minutes at least 3 times a week. This will help to keep up your metabolism. Vary your workout so you stay focused and motivated.

6. Make a big pot of cabbage soup and store it in containers so that you can grab and go. Making multiple servings and storing them in the refrigerator or freezer is less time consuming than making it daily.

Tags: cabbage soup, cabbage soup diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Improve Cabbage, Improve Cabbage Soup

Treat People With A Heat Stroke

Treat People With a Heat Stroke

Heat stroke takes place when a person's body temperature climbs to an abnormally elevated level. This occurs when the body is exposed to extreme heat or humidity during physical activity usually in the hot sun. Treat heat stroke quickly, since the body is unable to normally disperse the heat and sometimes becomes dehydrated. This can cause physical and sometimes neurological damage to the body.

Instructions

Treat Heat Stroke

1. Administer immediate treatment. Victims of heat stroke must receive help as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage to their internal organs or the brain.

2. Cool down the person by finding a shaded area. Take the person under a tree or to a rest area. You want to enable air to hit the person's skin. Remove as much of the patient's clothing as you can.

3. Apply cool or lukewarm water to the skin. Find water wherever you can. It can be from a drinking bottle or other source.

4. The main reason a person gets heat stroke is the body cannot effectively get rid of heat fast enough through sweating. You want to fan the body to cool it. The body normally cools itself but under abnormally hot conditions, it cannot.

5. Place bags of ice or cooler packs under a victim's armpits and groin area. If you do not have these items, use towels (or another fabric item) soaked in cool water.

6. Monitor the victim's body temperature. While still helping the person keep cool, you need to establish what his body temperature is. Take the temperature with a thermometer. It should drop to a range of 101 to 102 degrees F.

Tags: body temperature, heat stroke, Heat Stroke, People With, People With Heat

Radioactive Iodine Treatments For Thyroid Cancer

With certain forms of cancer, such as cancer of the thyroid, one of the treatment options is radioactive iodine. Often referred to as simply RAI, this is essentially a form of radiation therapy. But instead of using external beams of ionized energy or the internal placement of radioactive pellets, radiation is delivered through an iodine solution to kill cancerous cells.

Radioactive Iodine

You're given a fairly large dose of radioactive iodine to be taken by mouth. Once ingested, the solution enters your bloodstream, where it actually targets any tissue containing thyroid cells, including those that are cancerous. No other cells in your body are harmed or killed in the process.

The reason this radioactive iodine treatment is so effective in treating this form of the disease is that thyroid cells are the only cells within your body that respond to iodine. And since the cancer consists of abnormal thyroid cells, including those that may have metastasized into other areas of the body, they, too, respond to this halogen. As soon as either healthy or cancerous thyroid cells come into contact with the iodine, they absorb the substance. If the material is radioactive, the radiation is absorbed into the cells as well. This can damage and alter the genetic structure of the cell, hindering its rapid division and killing the cancerous tissue.

But not everyone suffering from thyroid cancer is eligible for this form of treatment. Most people go through what is essentially a trial run to see if the malignant tumor actually absorbs the iodine. After the cancerous tissue responds appropriately to the solution, a higher dose is given to treat the disease.

Other Treatments

While radioactive iodine is considered an effective form of treatment, it is rarely the sole approach to care. Most of the time, the surgical removal of the malignant tumor and other cancerous tissue is performed in the form of a thyroidectomy or lobectomy before the ingestion of the radioactive iodine solution. RAI is typically used to rid the body of any remaining cancerous thyroid cells that may have been missed during the operation or may have spread to other areas of the body.

However, in later stages of the disease, as would be seen in stage IV thyroid cancer, radioactive iodine can be ingested as a form of palliative care. This is done to improve the quality of your life through the reduction of uncomfortable symptoms of the disease. It is not used to cure the cancer.

Prognosis

Fortunately, it seems that, regardless of the mode of treatment, the five-year relative survival rate for thyroid cancer is fairly high, upwards of 90% to almost 95% in men and 95% to 98% in women. Of course, early detection is by far the most effective way of increasing the prognosis of the disease. When caught in its earliest stage, meaning it is still contained within the thyroid, the five-year relative survival rate is almost 100%. As it breaks away from the thyroid and into the lymph nodes, the five-year relative survival rate dips to 97 percent. If it metastasize further into your body, the five-year relative survival rate drops to 59 percent. However, almost 70 percent of diagnoses are within the earlier stages of the disease.

Tags: thyroid cells, five-year relative, five-year relative survival, relative survival, relative survival rate, survival rate, cancerous tissue

Ibs Alternative Treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that causes the intestines to move food through the digestive system too fast or slow. This results in bouts of diarrhea or constipation, abdominal cramps and gas. Stress is a major trigger of IBS flares, and alternative treatments can calm or prevent flares by changes in diet, exercise, herbs and psychological therapy to learn to deal with stress.

Psychological Therapies

Managing stress is a key component to limiting painful bouts of IBS. Therapies, such as relaxation techniques, meditation and biofeedback, can help keep stress levels low. This is one of the best alternative treatments for IBS to manage symptoms. Using these techniques to reduce pain and cramping also relieves the anxiety felt by people with IBS, allowing them to have fewer episodes.

Nutrition

Food, along with stress, being physically active and changes in hormone levels on certain days, can result in an IBS flare. Foods that stimulate the digestive system, cause gas, and are high in fat should be avoided by people with IBS. Stimulants, Sorbitol and fructose sugars can cause cramping and diarrhea. Stay away from gas producing foods, such as cabbage, beans and broccoli. Choose foods, such as oatmeal, rice, potatoes, white meat and soy products. They contain soluble fiber, which is easier on the digestive system. Avoid eating insoluble fiber foods, which include bran whole wheat and whole grains, on an empty stomach. Eat small, regular meals throughout the day for easier digestion and drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

Herbs

Certain herbs are helpful in calming the symptoms of IBS. Using herbs as an IBS alternative treatment together with conventional treatments, can be effective in easing the symptoms of IBS. Peppermint oil is good for the pain and bloating because it gets rid of excess gas and calms spasms in the intestines. Meadowsweet is helpful if diarrhea is a symptom. For constipation, try Yellowdock.

Exercise

Exercise is important to maintain health, reduce the severity of IBS symptoms and stimulate bowel movements for people who are constipated. Walking is the best form of exercise for relieving constipation, while yoga will help relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, including pain, cramping and gas. Stress and depression can be reduced by the increase of serotonin levels that exercise produces.

Heat

Heat is comforting to someone experiencing pain, gas, spasms and cramping of IBS. A heating pad or hot water bottle placed on the abdomen can relieve the symptoms, as well as a hot bath. Buy a bottle of castor oil, apply to the abdominal area and cover with plastic or a cloth. Put a heating pad or hot water bottle on top for 30 to 60 minutes for pain and cramping.

Tags: digestive system, pain cramping, alternative treatments, foods such, heating water, heating water bottle

Pituitary Tumors And Cushing'S Syndrome

Cushing's Syndrome is caused by an overproduction of cortisol in the body. This condition can be caused by tumors growing on the pituitary gland.

Significance

Cushing's Syndrome is caused by pituitary tumors. Roughly 70 percent of Cushing's Syndrome cases are eventually diagnosed as Cushing's Disease.

Identification

People suffering from Cushing's Syndrome often have a bloated abdomen with thin arms and legs. They may suffer from headaches, depression, acne, unexplained weight gain, and excessive facial hair in females among other symptoms.

Effects

The symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome are not directly caused by the pituitary tumors. Rather the symptoms are an effect of too much cortisol in the body, which can damage tissue over time.

Treatment

Cushing's Disease is treated by surgical removal of the pituitary tumors. This surgery has a success rate of 80 percent and can be repeated if the initial attempt is unsuccessful.

Warning

Cushing's Disease can cause death, if left untreated. Those suffering with symptoms of this disease should see their doctor to determine the cause and begin proper treatment.

Tags: Cushing Syndrome, Cushing Disease, caused pituitary, caused pituitary tumors, cortisol body, Cushing Syndrome caused, pituitary tumors

Causes Of Degenerative Disc Disease In Young Men

What Is It?

Degenerative disc disease is actually a form of arthritis in the back. It causes low back pain, which is the reason for about 23 percent of school absenteeism. While other things cause low back pain, like emotional stress, degenerative disc disease as the cause of low back and leg pain is more frequent in children than once believed. It occurs when the water and protein content of the disc changes and the disc gets thinner and therefore more fragile. Another name for degenerative disc disease is spondylosis. On an MRI, it shows up as a narrowing of the space between the discs. It normally begins earlier in men than women.

Genetics

A tendency toward degenerative disc disease is genetic. A study done by Yoshiharu Kawaguchi, MD, PhD, Masahiko Kanamori, MD, PhD, Hirokazu Ishihara, MD, PhD, Kazuo Ohmori, MD, PhD, Hisao Matsui, MD, PhD and Tomoatsu Kimura, MD, PhD called "The Association of Lumbar Disc Disease with Vitamin-D Receptor Gene Polymorphism" found that those with a vitamin D receptor gene of a specific form had more frequency in disc degeneration.

Smoking

If you smoke, it slows your circulation and causes the delivery of building materials to the spine to slow. There is a correlation between smoking and those with chronic low back pain. Because smoking interrupts the flow of blood to keep the discs healthy, most doctors recommend that people with low back pain or disc degeneration cease smoking.

Posture

Poor posture is one cause of degenerative disc disease in young men. Improper posture puts pressure on some of the discs unequally and causes undo stress, which results in fracture and degeneration. Both standing and sitting posture is important because each type affects different areas of discs.

Small But Frequent Trauma

One thing doctors believe causes degenerative disc disease and frequent small repeated injuries to a specific area. The injuries might not cause a large amount of pain, but after a while, creates bone spurs on the bone, which causes pain. One particular example is weightlifters. Small traumas to the spine and neck that often go unnoticed cause changes in the spine and the onset of the arthritic condition. The minor tears and abuse went unnoticed at the time, but their repeated pattern created the problem.

Fluorosis

Excess fluoride in the body causes a condition known as fluorosis. This condition causes changes in the spine and discs, which so closely resembles degenerative disc disease. Most doctors don't diagnose it as skeletal fluorosis but degenerative disc disease. The condition's cause is from the excess intake of fluoride. Usually, this condition has accompanying dental fluorosis, which causes brown mottled teeth.

Tags: degenerative disc disease, back pain, degenerative disc, disc disease, degenerative disc

Lose Weight In The Right Places

Learn get the body you want.

Whether it's after the holidays, before a wedding or in the midst of swimwear shopping, there's a point where everyone takes a long, hard look at problem areas and worries banish them from whence they came. However, it take a bit more than wishing to make it happen. The bad news is, without surgery, it's just not possible to lose weight in one area alone. Still, there is hope. It's going to take some work, but if it's important to you, you can absolutely do it.

Instructions

1. Take a daily walk or jog somewhere you enjoy.

Get some exercise. The best way to get rid of difficult areas is to decrease overall body fat and increase muscle. A drop in body fat actually decreases the size of the fat cells, rather than eliminating them, according to JohnsHopkinsHealthAlerts.com. How we show that extra weight depends on where our individual bodies tend to carry our fat cells. The extra muscle helps tone the area, making it appear less flabby, while a drop in overall body fat will also make it less flabby. Experts at the American Heart Association recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise four to seven times a week for heart health. The key here is repetition. You need to develop a habit, not run a one-time marathon.

2. Don't feel you have to go all out with crash diets or extreme exercise.

Start slow, and have fun. You want this time to be enjoyable so you'll be more likely to stick with it. Go for a walk. Rest. Head home. Work up to a light jog in between. Get an audio book and head to the gym. If you're in pretty good shape already, work from where you're at. You shouldn't expect your entire workout to be done at a high intensity; that's how people burn out. You will see quicker results the harder you work, but try pushing yourself rather than straining yourself.

3. Incorporate weight resistance into your program.

Pick up some weight. Weight resistance exercises are an important element of any exercise plan, and you shouldn't forget to include them in your plan--especially focusing on your trouble spots. As any trained athlete will tell you, muscles help prevent injury during aerobic exercise. Of course, well-toned muscles don't look bad either.

4. Junk food not only hurts your health and figure, it also causes cravings for more.

Beware of junk food. Here's where the plan gets tricky. No one wants to give up their favorite foods, especially when that German chocolate cake is calling to you, practically begging for you to eat it. According to some studies, that's not all in your head--or rather, it is all in your head as part of a biochemical response to intake of fats and sugars. Research by Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Scripps Research Institute, found fatty foods may imitate pleasurable effects of drugs. A 2008 study published by Nicole Avena, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at the University of Florida, showed sugar can also mimic drug addictions in rats, causing reactions in the brain similar to drug reactions. And as with drugs, when we haven't had a fix in awhile, we start craving another one.

Still, there's good news. The more you pass up junk food, the easier it gets. Add some vegetables, fruits, low-fat protein and whole grains to your diet. As with exercise, start small and build on your success.

5. Use the mirror, not your scale, as a guide to how well you're doing.

Ignore the scale. If all you cared about is the figure on the scale, there are plenty of unsafe, unhealthy ways to drop that number. But you are interested in a different kind of figure--one that looks healthy. You want to look good, and you want it to last longer than you can sustain a ridiculous all-cabbage diet or whatever else is in fashion. And you absolutely can. If your goal is to lose weight, feel free to step on the scale to make sure you're staying on track, but don't let it be your only measure of success. If you're gaining muscle while losing fat, you may not see the same change on the scale as you do in the mirror.

6. Stay committed to your goals and you'll eventually get to where you're going.

Don't give up. Everyone has bad days when all they want is to quit, but keep your goal in mind. Even when you have a setback or days when the cheesecake's call is too difficult to ignore, remember it's the overall effort that counts. Focusing on even small improvements over time will make a difference. Get back on track and keep working out those problem areas.

Tags: aerobic exercise, days when, junk food, less flabby, overall body, problem areas

Look Like You Have An Hourglass Figure And Not Look Fat

It is easy to understand why an hourglass figure is most desirable. It is feminine, womanly, and sexy. Unfortunately for women, not all of them have it. In fact, many of them don't. This does not mean she is undesirable, it just means she is unique and an individual. Thankfully, clothing gives a woman many opportunities to make it look like she has an hourglass figure. The right clothing will help her accentuate the curves she wants, and minimize the ones she doesn't.

Instructions

1. Buy tops that cinch at the smallest part of your waistline. Make sure you try them on, because not all of them gather at the same part. Many shirts have an empire waistline that is very flattering and makes you like you have an hourglass shape without looking heavy.

2. Look for bottoms that balance out your hips if you have large ones, or give you hips if you have none. Pants that balance out your hips have are flared out and have a darker wash. They fit right under your belly-button, which means no ultra low-rise jeans. Ultra low-rise jeans are reserved for those that have no hips. Straight leg jeans would also work best on those that would like to emphasize smaller hips.

3. Find dresses that have an empire waistline. This style of dress gives the illusion that any body is an hourglass shape because of where it fits on your body.

4. Purchase a trench coat or jacket that either has a belt that ties around the waist to give the impression of a smaller waist or is cinched at the waist.

5. Make sure the clothing fits properly. Sometimes women think that they are certain size in all clothing, but this is not true. Clothing can very in sizes dramatically. A woman may be a size 8 in one pair of jeans, be a size 10 in another pair, and be a size 6 in yet another. It is important that no matter what the number says, it fits your body well, not too snug and not too loose.

Tags: hips have, balance your, balance your hips, empire waistline, fits your

Myths The Immune System

The study of the immune system is still quite young, and much is yet unknown about its function and development. Many theories about immunity have been disproven by scientists in recent years.

Facts About the Immune System

The immune system is a protective network of cells that defends the body from foreign agents, or antibodies. As noted at the Antigenics website, the immune system has the ability to remember previous exposure to harmful bacteria. It also is capable of distinguishing foreign bacteria, fungi or viruses, thereby preventing cellular damage.

Myths About Function

The immune system is commonly thought to be damaged by exposure to the cold. Scientific studies have shown that cold temperatures have minimal effect of immune functioning, as noted at Springerlink. The cold virus, for example, is spread by nasal excretions. The immune system's function and response is most affected by diet and lifestyle, as well as any detrimental pre-existing conditions.

Theories/Speculation

Many theories about the immune system have been disproved. For example, it is not true that vaccines overwhelm a baby's immune system. The National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases maintains that vaccines are effective, even in multiple doses.

Benefits of Myths

Many of the myths generated about the immune system have stimulated beneficial research. For example, proponents of marijuana often cite its health benefits. However, studies have shown that marijuana is in fact an immunosupressant, as noted at Harvard University's article, "The Medical Dangers of Marijuana." Marijuana could actually weaken the immune system and increase the risk of bacterial infection.

Causes

The immune system in particular is quite susceptible to myths. Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick proposes that this is due to the simultaneous ambiguity and applicability of the term. He notes that the term "immune system" has had a remarkable growth in usage since its first use in the 1970s. The vulnerability of the human body, as well as the unpredictability of nature and outside forces, give the term a sort of "mystique" that often encourages and generates myths and questionable theories. "Though the term was borrowed from the science of immunology," says Dr. Fitzpatrick, "its new meaning was filled out with ideas derived from influential contemporary trends, notably environmentalism, alternative health and New Age mysticism."

Regardless of its ambiguity, the concept of the immune system has also provided many opportunities for further scientific research. Even the colorful myths surrounding immunology have often been helpful platforms for understanding disease prevention.

Tags: immune system, about immune, have been, have shown, have shown that

Breast Lift Work

Defined

As part of the natural aging process, skin in the breasts loses elasticity and breasts begin to sag. Pregnancy, breast feeding and excessive weight loss can also cause breasts to lose elasticity. Some women become unhappy with how this loss of elasticity affects the look of their breasts and want to return to a more youthful look. In these cases a breast lift, or mastopexy, can take care of sagging. For women wanting breast enhancement, the two procedures can be performed at the same time.

Breast lifts take between 1 and 3 hours and are performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, usually where less skin has to be removed, they can be performed under local anesthesia. In these cases, the procedure is usually an outpatient procedure. In cases where more extensive skin removal and surgery is necessary, such as for women with larger breasts, a hospital stay may be required.

Concentric Mastopexy

Concentric mastopexy is sometimes called "doughnut" mastopexy. It is the least invasive of the breast lifts and is often used to lift smaller breasts or breasts with less severe dropping. This procedure requires fewer incisions and can sometimes be performed under local anesthesia.

Side Effects Of Radiation For Prostate Cancer

There are two forms of radiation used to treat prostate cancer: external radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. External radiation therapy is normally given five days a week for about eight weeks. During this therapy, the skin is marked for accuracy. A machine that resembles an x-ray shoots high beams of radiation through the skin. External radiation last only a few minutes and isn't painful.

Internal radiation therapy is also called brachytherapy. During this procedure radioactive seeds are put into the prostate. The procedure lasts for about an hour and is more convenient than external radiation because weekly treatments aren't needed.

Both of these therapies have side effects such as tissue damage, problems with the bladder, incontinence, impotence and fertility, and fatigue. Some of the side effects go away once treatment is completed.

Tissue Damage

According to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, severe tissue damage can occur in less than 1 percent of men who are being treated with external radiation. Damage is very rare but a possibility. External radiation therapy can cause tissue damage to the bladder and rectum. Sometimes this damage has to be fixed with surgery.

Effects On The Bowel

Bowel problems can often occur during radiation therapy. Diarrhea, bowel urgency and flare-up of hemorrhoids are side effects. These conditions become worse if bowel problems occurred before treatment. Often, medications can be given to control these side effects. Statistically, 20 percent of men may experience long-term bowel problems even when therapy has ended.

Incontinence

The urinary sphincter can be damaged during radiation therapy. Leakage and the urge to urinate can happen, causing incontinence. This occurs in about 8 to 10 percent of men who undergo radiation therapy. Sometimes, this condition will require a man to permanently wear a pad to prevent wetting his clothes. If incontinence becomes severe enough, surgery will be required to fix the problem.

Imptence/Infertility

Radiation therapy can affect a man's ability to become erect or stay erect. This leads to impotency. Impotency can affect about 50 percent of men undergoing radiation therapy. Normally, medications can be given to help rectify this problem.

Along with impotence, infertility can occur. This happens because radiation therapy kills the sperm located in the testicles. For younger men, this can be a concern. Before treatment, sperm can be withdrawn from the testicles and frozen for later use.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common side effect to radiation therapy. Naps are often taken during this period of fatigue. Fatigue normally goes away within a month or two after treatment has ended. Talk with a nutritionist about the kind of diet that will help lessen fatigue.

Tags: radiation therapy, side effects, External radiation, about percent, during radiation, during radiation therapy

Treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder With Cognitive Therapy

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) used to be considered a purely psychological problem, likely caused by unresolved childhood issues or the result of too much stress. Because of this, cognitive therapy, also known as talk therapy, was the primary means to treat it for decades. (It was considered a spiritual problem in the Middle Ages, however, and was treated by exorcism!) Today, obsessive compulsive disorder is typically thought of as a neurological disorder that is caused by a chemical imbalance and can be treated with medication. However, cognitive therapy still produces good results in most cases of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Instructions

1. Find a psychologist who practices cognitive therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder. All psychologists practice some form of cognitive therapy, as any sort of talking therapy is considered cognitive. However, cognitive therapy for OCD is a very specific technique that only some psychologists practice.

2. Wear a rubber band around your wrist. Every time you experience an obsessive thought, snap the rubber band hard enough that it stings. This will serve as a reminder to you to be aware of your obsessive thoughts. Once you're aware of them, you are empowered to control them.

3. Practice conscious avoidance of your compulsions. The less you perform them, the less of a hold they will have on you. Start slowly by refusing to perform one to two compulsions a day, no matter how much anxiety you experience afterward. Once you can avoid those compulsions with no anxiety, start avoiding a few more, until they are all gone.

4. Keep a friend or your therapist nearby the first few times you avoid performing a compulsive action. The urge to perform the action to alleviate anxiety can be overwhelming, especially if you're afraid something bad will happen to you or someone you love if you don't perform the compulsion. Having a partner on hand to ease you through the worst part until the anxiety subsides is invaluable.

5. Talk to your therapist about the anxieties your obsessions cause. Tell her what you are afraid will happen if you don't perform the compulsions associated with the obsessions. When you get it all out in the open like that, it helps you see how your actions have no foundation in reality and can be controlled.

Tags: cognitive therapy, compulsive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, However cognitive, However cognitive therapy

Tub Soak Detox

Soaking in a tub full of water can be relaxing, but it can also detox your body. It is similar to a sauna if you do it right, because it will pull excess water and toxins out of your body. The key to a successful tub detox is to do it with the right ratios of ingredients. This detox is not safe for pregnant women or children.

Water

Fill the tub with water as hot as you can stand it. Fill the tub as high as you wish, but make sure the water is hot enough to make you sweat.

Epsom & Dead Sea Salts

Normally Epsom salts are used to soak injured body parts to relieve pain and swelling, but in this detox they are used to pull the toxins out of the body through the pores. Dead Sea salts are added, because they have a different mineral content than Epsom salt. Add a cup and a half of each for each 5 gallons of water in the tub, and let them dissolve.

Essential Oils

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish with this detox, you should add essential oils to the water, for an aromatherapy benefit. Chamomile, vanilla, eucalyptus, mint, lavender and tea tree oils can be relaxing. Only a few drops of the oil is necessary to create a wonderful effect.

Finishing the Detox

Stay in the tub until the water grows cold, or until you can't stand the heat anymore. This detox is rejuvenating if done properly. After getting out of the tub, using a body brush, start at the legs and work up to the neck, to remove any salt remaining on the body.

Tags: this detox, This detox, your body

Use Peroxide To Clean A Kitchen

Make your kitchen sparkling clean with peroxide.

When your kitchen looks especially dirty, grimy or stained, it might be tempting to bring out the chlorine bleach to tackle the cleaning job. Bleach, however, can be harmful to you and your family because it's such a strong chemical. It is also harmful to the environment. Instead of using chlorine bleach, try using hydrogen peroxide to clean your kitchen instead. It can work to remove most stains, and it's Earth-friendly and safe for your family.

Instructions

1. Check the label of your hydrogen peroxide carefully. Only clean with peroxide diluted to 3 percent. Anything above 3 percent can be corrosive and toxic.

2. Pour the 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly onto surfaces in your kitchen that need disinfecting, such as countertops or a cutting board. Spread the peroxide around the surface with a sponge. Then, allow it to soak in for several minutes and rinse with water.

3. Fill a plastic container with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and place any scrubbing brushes you use in your kitchen inside the container to soak. This will kill bacteria and keep the brushes clean. You can store the brushes in this mixture.

4. Pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into the bottom of your kitchen garbage can, and let it sit for several hours. Rinse out the garbage can with water and dry. The bacteria that accumulates in the bottom of the garbage can will be gone.

5. Create a cleaning solution inside a spray bottle of four parts 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and one part water. Spray down the rest of your kitchen surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth. This can include your sink, strainer, cupboards, refrigerator, freezer, oven, dishwasher and even floor.

Tags: your kitchen, hydrogen peroxide, percent hydrogen, percent hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleach, clean with, clean with peroxide