Chinese red ginseng (Panax ginseng) is also known as Korean ginseng or Asian ginseng and is used as an herbal remedy to promote overall physical and mental health.
Form
Chinese red ginseng is available in tablet, capsule, liquid concentrated extract or tea form for internal use. Chinese red ginseng for topical use is commonly sold in cream form.
Aphrodisiac
Chinese red ginseng is used to treat sexual disorders such as impotence, low sex drive and premature ejaculation by increasing blood flow to the genitals.
Increased Energy
Chinese red ginseng increases physical and mental energy levels and is used to help patients recover quickly from illnesses that deplete energy.
Increased Fertility
Chinese red ginseng is also used to treat people with infertility issues. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Chinese red ginseng should increase sperm count in men.
Increased Immunity
Chinese red ginseng increases immune system functionality and also increases the body's tolerance to physical and mental stress.
Diabetic Treatment
Chinese red ginseng may lower blood glucose levels and increases carbohydrate tolerance in diabetics according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Tags: Chinese ginseng, Chinese ginseng, physical mental, Alternative Medicine, Center Complementary
You must have a discharge from active military service under honorable conditions only in order to receive VA military benefits. Active service means you were full-time other than active duty for training. You must have been a member of the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard. You may also have been a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Facts
Dishonorable discharges issued by a general court martial may prevent a veteran from getting VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees must contact a VA regional office to determine whether they are eligible for VA benefits. Certain VA benefits require service during wartime.
Gepgraphy
Under the law, VA recognizes these war periods:
Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917. Benefits are available for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.
World War 1: April 6, 1917, through Nov 11, 1918. Benefits are available for veterans who served in Russia from April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920. Benefits are extended through July 1, 1921 for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and Nov. 11, 1918.
World War 11: Dec. 7, 1941 through Dec. 31, 1946.
Korean War: June 27, 1950 through Jan. 31, 1955.
Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1961 for veterans who served in country before Aug. 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975.
Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation. As of the writing of this article, this date has not been set.
Considerations
Bring a copy of your DD214 or DD215 when you register for VA benefits. If you served in World War II or earlier, bring in a document that states when and where you served and type of discharge you were given. You may also give your full name, military service number, and branch and dates of service. Always keep these records in a safe place so they are accessible to the next of kin or your designated representative.
Additional Documentation
Make sure you have these documents available to family or a representative in the event of your death: Marriage certificate for your spouse, death certificate if you die in other than a VA hospital and children's birth certificates or adoption papers for children's benefits. Have a birth certificate of yours on hand to determine parents' benefits.
Other Benefits
Veterans who have been diagnosed with a service connected health issue are eligible for disability benefits from the VA. All veterans, except those dishonorably discharged are also eligible for VA Housing Guarantees for home loans. Certain veterans are also eligible for government-sponsored college education.
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Not being able to fall asleep is both irritating and bad for your health.
When you struggle with falling asleep, you could probably write a book on all the sleep-inducing solutions you've tried. There's the relaxing music technique, then the graduation to drinking sleep teas before eventually walking down the sleep medication aisle at your local grocer. It's no wonder all of these attempts have led you to long for the night when you can just fall asleep naturally. The old-fashioned way of enjoying drowsiness before a full night's rest presents a modern-day solution -- it's addressing the core problem to your restlessness.
Poor Bedtime Routine
While it's true that your body will grow tired, not everyone turns this tiredness into a routine that prepares them for bed. Successful sleepers don't just fall asleep, they have a bedtime routine. Every night, at a specific time, a successful sleeper starts the process of winding down. This can begin by taking a hot bath or shower, sitting in a comfy chair or enjoying some light reading.
When your inability to fall asleep is a result of your bedtime routine, mimic what sound sleepers do. Avoid holding any exciting conversation about an arousing subject right before bed. Keep lights dim and lower your home's temperature to prepare your body for a comfortable night of sleep.
Stress
Stress is an instinctive human reaction that produces hormones designed to keep you alert, prepared and awake. When stress is your bedtime problem, you may find yourself worrying about things instead of falling asleep. An effective way to rid yourself of this stress is to create a list before you begin your bedtime routine. Write down five major things that are bothering you, then write a possible solution for each one. Even if a solution is to wait and see or to ask for help from someone, write it down as an answer. Do this every night to help you gain a sense of control over what could be an overwhelming compilation of life situations.
Your Diet
Food naturally influences the way both your brain and body function. This is why you have to be careful what you eat before going to bed. In times when people didn't have a cabinet full of sleep medications, they had knowledge of what foods they could eat to help them fall asleep. Some of these food items are milk (which should be served warm), chicken, bananas and yogurt. For small bedtime meals, enjoy a bowl of cereal or bread and cheese. The secret to these snacks is that they all contain tryptophan, which is a sleep promoting substance.
Loneliness
Sometimes the best remedy to help you fall asleep is to simply have a good old-fashioned, heart-to-heart talk. With modern technology providing Americans with the Internet, social media networks and television, it can be hard to accept that you could still be lonely. A person who is feeling lonely may have a hard time falling asleep or have poor quality sleep while resting. To cure this ailment, reach out to a loved one or friend. Let her know you just want to talk. The act of listening and being heard is enough to ward off feelings of isolation and detachment.
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In England, primary care trusts, or PCTs, are divisions of the National Health Service, which provides various health and dental services to the public. PCTs often have procurement policies that govern how they obtain goods and services. Procurement policies help ensure that quality goods and services are obtained fairly and cost-effectively.
Service Specification
The most important part of a procurement policy is the service specification. It defines the objectives of the procurement and identifies the business requirements attached to it. It should be as clear and concise as possible.
Key Features
Key features of any PCT procurement policy are the bidding process and the structure and terms of any resultant contract. The policy includes a Memorandum of Information to provide bidders with information they need to make competitive bids. Outlining the contract's structure and terms is undertaken after a bid has been made and evaluated.
Additional Features
Further common features of PCT procurement policies include ensuring that the goals of the PCT as a whole are met through a transparent process, and promoting evidence-based decision-making, non-discrimination, accountability and consistency. Above all, clear and concise communication among all parties is the hallmark of a good procurement process.
The esophagus is a tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. Esophageal cancer is a cancerous growth or tumor within the esophagus. According to the Mayo Clinic, esophageal cancer is more common in men than women and is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70 years. Treatment options vary according to the type and extent of the cancer.
Surgery
The most common treatment for esophageal cancer is surgery in which the tumor is removed.
Esophagectomy
An esophagectomy is a surgical treatment in which part of the esophagus is removed, and the healthy, remaining part is attached to the stomach.
Esophageal Stent
If part of the esophagus is blocked by a tumor, a tube or a stent may be inserted into the esophagus to keep it open to allow liquids and food to travel to the stomach.
Radiation Therapy
The extent of the esophageal cancer determines whether internal or external radiation treatment will be utilized. External involves a machine outside the body focusing X-rays on the cancer. Internal radiation involves the radioactive substances to be placed directly into the tumor or near the cancer for treatment.
Chemotherapy
Regional or systemic chemotherapy may be used depending on the type and extent of the esophageal cancer. Regional chemotherapy involves injecting the medicine directly into the area affected by cancer. Systemic chemotherapy is given by mouth or injection, and the medication reaches the cancer via bloodstream.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is laser beams focused directly on the cancer as treatment for esophageal cancer.
Percocet is the brand name for an oral narcotic analgesic drug. Oxycodone, its principal ingredient, is a narcotic alkaloid obtained from morphine and belonging to the class of synthetic opioid pain-relieving drugs. Its other ingredient is acetaminophen, a non-opiate, antipyretic analgesic. Percocet is the least potent of all narcotic pain medicines. Oxycodone being codeine-related is addictive. It is hence termed "poor man's heroin." Percocet can also have adverse habit-forming effects, so doctors should always supervise its administration.
Pain Relief
Percocet is effective in relieving a patient from moderate to severe pain by disassociating the patient from pain. Its oxycodone content depresses the central nervous system (CNS) and occludes the brain and the CNS's responses to pain. This action is similar to that of morphine and reduces pain. Its pill form is widely prescribed for two-week periods for patients suffering from acute short duration lower back pain such as postoperative backaches. Narcotic drugs such as Percocet are unsuited for treating long-term chronic back pains as the body develops tolerance to the medicine with time, rendering it ineffective. Cancer pain is treated with oral dosages of Percocet opioid.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spine at the neck or back region because of aging degeneration, birth defects, malignant spinal tumors or spinal accidents. Spinal stenosis exerts undue pressure on the nerves causing radiating pain in the arms, legs, back, shoulders and neck followed by numbness, weakness, poor co-ordination, and inefficient bladder and or bowel function. Doctors prescribe Percocet when over-the-counter painkillers are not effective for spinal stenosis pain alleviation.
Cervical Spondylosis Pain Palliation
Cervical spondylosis is the loss of pliability or herniation of the neck discs or stiffening of neck ligaments because of age-related wear and tear. It leads to bony outgrowths, spurs and nerve irritation. This condition aggravates with time causing osteoarthritis in the neck joints. Symptoms include neck and shoulder stiffness and pain and muscle spasms all of which hinder normal life activities. Percocet is a conventional painkiller prescribed as a non-surgical treatment for more serious cervical spondylosis.
Post Surgery
Post surgery, the patient experiences pain continuously or on and off in and around the incision area and possibly in the throat, the back, legs and arms. Pain control is vital for fast recuperation after surgery and for preventing complications of blood clots and pneumonia. Doctors prescribe narcotic opioids such as Percocet as post-surgery analgesic medication for ingestion after discharge from the hospital. Patients take such drugs every four to six hours especially before activities and at bedtime. Patients should take the medication with food or milk to avoid stomach upsets. Since they have a sedative effect, patients should not to drive and operate machines after consuming them.
Tooth Pain
Dentists often prescribe Percocet as a narcotic analgesic to suppress acute toothaches and pains resulting from a tooth extraction -- especially wisdom tooth removal, root canal filling or after a third molar surgery. Statistics provided by IMS Health -- a company that provides pharmaceutical industry sales reports -- say that dentists prescribed almost 12 percent of the total U.S. opioid drug prescription in the year 2002. Since Percocet has drug-dependence inducing properties, dentists are focusing on prescribing minimal opioids to reduce patient pain safely.
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Alcohol poisoning is a very serious and sometimes even fatal reaction of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol within a short time frame. Drinking too much alcohol within a short period of time can have dangerous consequences such as affecting an individual's heart rate, breathing, gag reflex and can even, in certain causes, trigger a person entering into a coma or dying. There are various different treatment options for alcohol poisoning.
Drugs and Treatment Options
Alcohol poisoning treatment requires support as the person's body eliminates all of the alcohol. This type of treatment generally entails oxygen therapy, intravenous administration of fluids to stop dehydration from occurring, close monitoring and vigilance and airway protection to stop choking or breathing issues.
Kidney Dialysis
Individuals who have ingested non-drinkable alcohol such as isopropyl or methanol alcohol might require kidney dialysis. Kidney dialysis is a mechanical technique for eliminating waste and toxins from the body. Kidney dialysis speeds up the removal of the alcohol poisoning from a person's bloodstream.
Considerations
Most home remedies for taking care of alcohol poisoning are rather ineffective. Some of them can even be dangerous. Cold showers, drinking black coffee, sleeping it off and walking it off are all believed to be home remedies for getting sober, but they have no proven effectiveness.
Prevention/Solution
If you are around someone who you think might be experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 to get emergency medical attention. You must remain with the individual at all times and try to keep them lying down (also make sure they do not sit upright). Try to tilt the person's head over to the side to keep them from choking. Also, to make sure they do not lose consciousness, try to keep them awake the entire time. A good way to do this is by asking them questions and constantly speaking to them.
Symptoms
To get someone treatment for alcohol poisoning, be able to recognize the possible signs and symptoms that someone is, in fact, experiencing this condition. Some common alcohol poisoning symptoms include semi-consciousness or complete unconsciousness, clammy, cold, bluish or pale skin tone, slow breathing or long lapses in between breaths.
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Horny goat weed is scientifically known as the epimedium plant. Native to the Asian and Mediterranean regions of the world, this plant has a variety of uses---most notably its libido-enhancing effects. Epimedium plants have naturalized in the northeastern hemisphere, and identifying them is easy.
Instructions
Use Caution When Identifying Plants In Wild
1. Become familiar with the several different varieties of goat weed, although most of them share the same basic characteristics, according to Top Tropicals, an online catalog of exotic plants: They grow as ground cover with heart- or lance-shaped leaves and delicate, star-shaped flowers that typically hang downward. The plants are cultivated for their medicinal benefits, which are many, and also found in the wild. When identifying plants in the wild for medicinal or culinary use, it is always important to cross-check several different sources to positively identify the plant before use. Additionally, if you are ever in doubt about use, it is always wise to consult with an expert in plant identification before ingestion. Some plants are seriously poisonous, and if you are unfamiliar with the way a plant looks in every stage of growth it can be easy to mistake one for another. Using extreme caution is always advisable.
2. Attempt to identify goat weed. The first characteristic to look at is leaf shape. Epimedium will have unique lance-shaped leaves that grow off of wiry stems, according to Top Tropicals. These leaves can be found on the plant at any time of year, though in early spring and late fall the usually pale green color becomes tinged in bronze. Leaf size is usually about three inches wide, but can vary some. Overall plant size varies as well, ranging from six to twenty inches in height according toThe Garden Helper, an Internet resource for gardeners.
The flower shape is unique, featuring four pointed petals and appearing in a variety of colors, including white, cream, rose, pink, yellow and lavender. These vary along with leaf and plant size, depending on the particular cultivar at hand. The flowers tend to grow from lateral, wiry shoots creating a distinctive downward facing blooming pattern that is easily recognizable. In addition, multiple flowers appear on each stem, making the plant a beautiful landscaping plant over and above its medicinal uses.
3. Understand what the real and purported uses of the plant are. Although epimedium is most widely known for increasing libido in men and women, it is thought to have quite a few other benefits as well. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, epimedium has been used to treat, "fatigue, arthritic and nerve pain, and sexual dysfunction." Additionally, it is possible that the herb has anti-HIV and anti-cancer properties, though these have not been verified yet. One study has even found epimedium to be effective at reducing bone loss in post-menopausal women. Most of the chemical compounds with medicinal value are found in the leaves of the plant, and they include various flavonoids, sterols, lignans, and others. Perhaps the most significant element is the presence of Icariin, which is commonly said to have libido-enhancing effects, thus giving the herb its not-so-subtle common name, horny goat weed.
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HMOs used to add gag clauses to physician contracts to prevent discussion of uncovered treatment options with patients.
Before backlash forced them to change their contract wording, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) used gag clauses to prevent physicians from discussing diagnoses and treatment options with patients if the treatment was not covered in the physician contract.
Backlash From Physicians
Physicians fought hard against the HMO gag clause, saying it could destroy the trust between them and their patients. They also said the clause could significantly reduce the chances of recovery for a seriously ill patient requiring innovative treatment and full information about his illness.
Law Barring Gag Clauses
In December 1996, President Bill Clinton's administration prohibited the use of the gag clause by HMOs and other health plans that treat Medicaid patients.
Position of Associations
In a 1997 article, the "Wall Street Journal" reported that the American Medical Association had complained about doctors facing disciplinary actions from HMOs for discussing uncovered options. The American Association of Health Plans, which represents the HMO industry, responded by issuing statements against the use of gag clauses.
Gag Clauses Today
HMOs say they no longer use gag clauses. However, contract wording still warns physicians against making disparaging comments against HMOs.
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There has been much discussion and controversy in the medical community about the symptoms of heart attack in women versus the symptoms of heart attacks in men. Numerous media reports suggests that the symptoms of a heart attack in women is often misdiagnosed as a panic attack.
Heart Attack Symptoms
The Women's Heart Foundation website describes women's heart attack symptoms as respiratory problems, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, tingling or burning in the chest region, extreme indigestion, increased heart rate and sweating.
Panic Attack Symptoms
Women's Heart Foundation also reports that the same symptoms of a panic attack are similar to those of a heart attack, excluding one important difference: women experiencing a heart attack will feel a sudden and severe sense of fatigue that lasts for two to three minutes that will subside and then often return.
Proper Testing
A number of tests should be performed to determine if a woman is having a heart attack or panic attack. The Women's Heart Foundation website suggests clinicians use an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography.
Accurate Diagnosis
Although claims have been made that some of the aforementioned symptoms and tests give inaccurate results in women, a recent study reported on ScienceDaily.com suggests that the results and symptoms may be accurate after all.
Risk
Women with a history of cardiovascular conditions or high blood pressure are at a greater risk of having a heart attack than women who don't suffer the condition.
Choosing a chiropractor is almost as important as choosing a primary care physician. While there is a definite science to chiropractic care, there is also an art in the practice. For the most part, chiropractic care is based on the philosophy that the entire body can only function at it's optimal level if the spine is correctly aligned. Of course other areas of the body are worked on as well, but the spine is imperative. Different chiropractors have different methods of accomplishing similar tasks. If you choose a chiropractor that has a method you don't like, you could be scared away from spinal care for the rest of your life.
Instructions
1. Get recommendations. Unless you have a chronic condition, a good chiropractor will fix your aches and pains in about 6 weeks. Ask your friends, neighbors, and coworkers if they see a chiropractor and if they would recommend him to anyone else. Ask them how long their treatment plans take. If they are still visiting the chiropractor for simple upper back pain after 3 months of treatment, choose another doctor.
2. Call potential chiropractors to get a feel for her personality and to ask some preliminary questions. When you call chiropractic offices, many times the chiropractor will speak directly to you. This is the time to ask if she accepts emergency calls and how quickly you can get an appointment for a non-emergent issue.
3. Ask what methods and machines they use to align the spine. Some chiropractors have a table that you lie down on and they push on your back. Other doctors place their arms around your body and squeeze to get your spine to align. There are also different types of diagnostic machinery they could use. Some chiropractors have digital temperature guns while others have hand held temperature gauges.
4. Ask specifically how they adjust the neck. This answer could make or break your chiropractic experience. For some people, the neck is an area of vulnerability. They would rather have surgery than have their neck twisted and cracked by another person. Some chiropractors do just that, twist the neck forcefully. Other chiropractors use a precision machine that resembles a gun. The gun applies tiny explosive pressure to the individual vertebrae in the neck that needs adjusting.
5. Visit the clinic you have chosen to look at the equipment and meet the chiropractor in person. Once you have heard everything your chiropractor has to offer over the phone, visit for yourself. Schedule an initial consultation and interview. During this first visit you will see the equipment used before your care begins.
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The condition known as "trigger finger" affects the movement of the tendons when they bend the fingers toward the palm, called flexion. It can be caused by repeatedly grasping pistol-gripped power tools, driving for long hours, rheumatoid arthritis or tendon lacerations. A nodule is formed on the tendon, and when it gets too big, it can get caught behind the ligament when the finger is bent, causing the finger to lock in that position. There are homeopathic remedies for locked trigger finger.
Arnica
Take Arnica at the first sign of muscle or joint pain, especially if the trigger finger has been caused by an injury. Arnica is the first and best medicine for all joint, muscle and tendon pains. It can be followed by Ruta graveolens 6 to reduce any inflammation. Arnica relieves the pain so you can focus on permanent homeopathic remedies for locked trigger finger such as Nux vomica, which is indicated for constriction of the fingers and pain when expanding the fingers, especially the tendons. Rhus toxicodendron is indicated for ligaments and limbs when movement is restricted.
Arthritis
Some of the same symptoms for arthritis are also seen in trigger finger; therefore some of the same homeopathic remedies are used for both. Cuprum metallicum is part of most homeopathic remedies for locked trigger finger and flexor cramps. It is a generic homeopathic single remedy. Use Bryonia for any limb pain that is worse when the limb is moved, mainly in the hands and knees. Try Calcarea fluorica when the pain is improved with heat and if nodes have developed. Use Aurum metallicum when the pain is worse at night and the locking fingers wake you up.
Further Suggestions
When the trigger finger is hot and swollen with sharp pain, Apis 30 can help. If the finger becomes swollen while at rest or in damp weather, and feels better when warm and/or moved, try Rhus tox to help alleviate swelling and inflammation.
Preparation
You can buy homeopathic remedies for locked trigger finger from several sites online, as well as at many health food stores. Put several pellets from any one of the above homeopathic remedies in a dropper bottle and fill it with water. Shake the bottle so the pellets dissolve. Take one dropperful of the solution under your tongue several times a day. Shake the bottle each time you take the solution. Use these solutions for two or three days, then make a fresh batch if the symptoms continue.
Dosage
Choose a homeopathic medicine that best correlates with your specific symptoms. If you decide to try healing yourself, carefully follow the instructions on the package and start out with lower potencies like 6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C, unless otherwise directed by a physician. For higher potencies, see your medical doctor or a homeopathic practitioner.
Sand fleas, or sand flies, are scientifically known as Ceratopogonidaes, but are also often called no-see-ums or biting midges. Ceratopogonidaes are found in almost every area with lakes, oceans or ponds. However, the species that causes the most trouble, the hematophagic species, is usually found at the beach. Hematophagic Ceratopogonidaes are blood-sucking flies that are small enough to fit through the holes in a window screen. Sand flea bites affect not only humans, but also horses. When sand fleas bite horses, it is called "sweet itch." Sand flea bites can be avoided by wearing long clothing, bug spray, or placing very thin mesh over the windows in your home or tent.
How Does a Sand Flea Bite?
Female sand fleas are usually the gender that tend to bite. They do this by by sucking blood from a narrow, long biting apparatus projecting from the head. The saliva of the sand flea is what causes the bite to become infected. Sand flea saliva, similar to mosquito saliva, has an inflammatory and anti-blood clotting agent in it that causes skin afflicted with it to swell and itch. The more you scratch a sand flea bite, the more irritated and red the bite will become. Sand fleas find subjects to bite by detecting their body heat. Sand fleas will bite any warm-blooded mammal that their heat sensors are attracted to.
Treating Sand Flea Bites
Sand flea bites can be treated by using calamine lotion or an antihistamine, like Benadryl. Like mosquito bites, a sand flea bite can enlarge to the size of a quarter or larger if agitated. Do not scratch sand flea bites, or they will swell. The bites last slightly longer than mosquito bites, up to two weeks. If you are staying in a beach area with a large population of sand fleas, stay covered and indoors as much as possible. If a sand flea bite swells and becomes larger than the size of a quarter, go to the emergency room or see a doctor immediately. He will give you prescription medication or an injection to reduce the swelling.
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A low-fat diet is ideal for weight loss because it prevents the consumption of excess dietary fat that is later stored as fat on the body. On a low-fat diet, less than 30 percent of total caloric intake should come from fat with the remaining 70 percent coming from fruits, vegetables, legumes, lean meats, low-fat dairy products and whole grains.
Eat Fruits, Vegetables and Legumes Without Limitation
On a low-fat diet, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and legumes including all beans and lentils that are naturally low in fat. Fruits, vegetables and legumes are also high in fiber that provides satiety, the feeling of fullness, on fewer calories.
Choose Grains, Meats, Eggs and Dairy Wisely and Eat Sparingly
Whole grains are naturally low in fat, but high in calories, so be sure to balance meals appropriately with vegetables, fruits and legumes. Also choose skim and low-fat dairy products and avoid full-fat dairy. Use egg whites instead of a whole egg, and choose lean meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish over beef, pork and processed meats. Additionally, when preparing meat, remove all visible fat and skin before baking or alternatively, before eating. Bake or broil meat instead of pan-frying.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid high-fat foods such as nuts, mayonnaise, dressings, butter, margarine, shortening, avocados, seeds and other fats on a low-fat diet. However, sparing use of fish oil and olive oil can be beneficial to your health, since fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats.
Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is known as a main pillar in Ayervedic medicine and has been used for a variety of ailments for hundreds of years. Although it is similar to cooking basil, Tulsi has distinct phytochemicals that make it medicinally active. It has been used for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and inflammation modulating properties. However, it is especially known for its powerful adaptogenic actions that help regulate hormonal functions in the body.
Tulsi helps to relieve the negative impact of daily stress by balancing hormones.
Tulsi is an Adaptogen
According to Linda Rector Page in her book Healthy Healing, adaptogens help the body regulate stress and maintain health and energy. They do not provide immediate boosts of energy, rather they increase prolonged revitalization. By regulating stress levels, adaptogens boost immune system functions and normalize hormone production. Currently, hormonal imbalances are highly prevalent and negatively impact a wide range of bodily functions that can cause fatigue, inflammation and menstrual problems.
Hormone Imbalance
Imbalances in hormone production can be triggered by trauma, removal of reproductive organs and serious illness. All of these triggers result in stress on the body, which is the main cause of hormone imbalance. The stress may be physical, emotional or environmental. Recently, environmental stresses have become more prevalent as exposure to chemicals from pollution and other sources have increased. Symptoms of hormone imbalance include unexplained weight changes, hair loss, fatigue, low libido and abnormal menstrual cycles.
Cortisol: A Stress Hormone
The National Institute of Health has stated that 90% of illnesses are worsened or caused by stress. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands in order to aid the body in stressful situations. Improper cortisol levels can cause a sluggish thyroid and infrequent ovulation. Although stress is sometimes unavoidable, adaptogens like Tulsi help the body deal with stress while helping to return cortisol levels to normal. Tulsi also helps to regulate mood levels during times of stress by normalizing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Serotonin and Dopamine
Stress leads to an imbalance in the production of serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Tulsi helps to regulate the production of these hormones as well as the secondary stress coping hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. By increasing dopamine levels, Tulsi allows epinephrine and norepinephrine to be replenished. Serotonin and dopamine levels significantly impact mood levels and mental well being.
Blood Sugar
Due to Tulsi's positive influence on regulating cortisol levels, it is also beneficial in regulating blood sugar levels. Blood sugar imbalances can lead to serious illnesses like diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and obesity. Through its adaptogenic properties, Tulsi helps to normalize glucose levels in the circulatory system, lower sugar cravings and create a more balanced metabolism. This also prevent blood sugar imbalance symptoms like confusion, anxiety, headaches and slurred speech.
Hopefully someone else will be around to help during a swarming bee attack. Remember these instructions when anyone is working around bees, especially if there is a risk of a run-in with Africanized killer bees that are more aggressive and swarm and attack with less provocation.
Instructions
1. Run as fast as you can and as far away as possible from the spot where the bee swarm attack begins. If you can, cover your head and face as you run to reduce the number of bee stings on this part of the body. Aggressive bees might also get inside your mouth, ears and nostrils if they are not covered.
2. Get inside a building or vehicle as soon as possible. A few bees trapped in the car with you won't be as bad as the thousands waiting outside to attack. The fewer bees that can actually attack you the better. Bees in attack mode are attracted to pheromone scents that are left on you and your clothing when bees sense danger to their nests.
3. Jumping into water may not help because the bee swarm will still be in the area waiting for you to resurface. Cartoons and movies depict this as an effective response, but if you have alternative places to go, then do that first. Agitated bees will roam the area for hours.
4. As soon as you are safe from continued attacks, start to remove the stingers as quickly as possible. Any method of removal is OK, just be fast; the sooner they are out the less venom can be pumped into your body.
5. Try to stay calm. This is an almost impossible task, but it will keep the heart rate down and you may be able to think more clearly about act when swarming bees are attacking.
6. Call or have someone call 911 as soon as possible. If a person has been stung many times, this is critical to reducing the effects of lots of venom. It is possible to survive extreme cases of Africanized killer bee attacks when the victim is treated properly and promptly at a hospital.
Amethyst is known as "Nature's Tranquilizer" because of its healing and calming properties. It also used for deepening awareness and raising consciousness and is associated with the third eye. Amethyst can enhance mental strength, stability and vigor. Physically, it works on the central nervous system and any type of chronic pain. It reportedly brings body systems into balance, from digestion to blood sugar.
Instructions
1. Use amethyst alone or combine it with other minerals in bracelets or necklaces that you can wear continually. Combine pieces in a pouch and wear them, or just tuck them in your pocket.
2. Use amethyst to enhance spiritual energy. Combine it with clear quartz or black onyx.
3. Take advantage of the stone's physical healing energies. Add amethyst with amber, clear quartz, smoky quartz or tourmaline.
4. To use amethyst for its emotional healing qualities, combine it with rose quartz, labradorite, turquoise or tiger eye.
A typical HIV test looks for antibodies in the blood. After becoming infected with HIV, people develop antibodies within 6 to 12 weeks. For a most accurate result, testing three months after suspected infection is recommended.
Location
Though there are various places to get a HIV test, it is recommended that you go to a doctor's office.
The Test
Typically HIV is tested from a sample of blood collected from the arm. Results are not immediate as the blood is sent away to be examined at a laboratory.
Other Methods
In countries such as the United States, Africa, the Middle East and Russia, there is an oral test that checks saliva for antibodies. This test can produce results in 20 minutes.
Urine Test
It is possible to test for HIV via a urine sample, but the accuracy of this method is lower than the traditional blood or saliva test.
Positive Results
Any positive result on an HIV test is followed-up by another test to confirm the diagnosis.
Essential oils like lavender oil can be use for many purposes. The oil can be used to treat acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, hives, insect bites and inflammation. Simply rub a small amount of oil across the affected area, and it will help to heal the irritation. If you have ever grown your own lavender, you have probably wondered how essential oils are made. You can make your own essential oils from materials that you already have in your kitchen without a lot of work. Once you set up your distiller, it will just take a few hours to start producing essential oils. You can make lavender oil, peppermint oil or oil from any other herbs. Never use essential oils internally without your doctor's permission. Some of the oils can cause health problems. If rubbed on your skin without being diluted, some essential oils can cause chemical burns. Always consult your physician before use.
Instructions
1. Place the pot on top of the stove. The pot needs to be narrow enough to hold the pie pan on the top. A small stock pot works very well for this purpose. Make sure that the pot is tall enough to hold the steamer and a small canning jar.
2. Place a vegetable steamer in the bottom of the pan, and open it up. Make sure the steamer has a flat center for the canning jar to sit on.
3. Place the canning jar in the center of the vegetable steamer.
4. Fill the bottom of the pan with water. Do not go over the top of the steamer. You will need to check the water in the pan regularly to make sure it hasn’t boiled out.
5. Place the lavender flowers or herbs around the canning jar on top of the steamer.
6. Push a dent into the center of the inside of the pie pan. The dent should push out towards the outside of the pan. The dented spot in the pan should have a 1/4 inch point, so the essential oil will condense and drip from the point into the jar. Make sure you do not poke a hole into the aluminum pie pan.
7. Place the pie pan on top of the pot with the dent pointing towards the canning jar.
The bottom of the pie pan is the side inside the pot.
8. Heat the pot, and allow it to come to a boil. The steam will lift the essential oils to the bottom of the pie pan. Place the ice in a second pie pan, and place the pan on top of the pie pan with the dented center. The steam will condense from the ice cooling it at the top, and will slowly drip from the dented center into the canning jar. If the scent of the oil is not strong enough, replace the lavender flowers with a new batch and repeat the procedure.
Tags: essential oils, Make sure, canning Place, dented center, drip from, enough hold
People have been using magnetic jewelry for years for healing. Some believe that the magnet corrects the body's natural functioning and heals many diseases and conditions. Magnetic therapy is centered on the use of magnetic fields in the body which regulate how the body works. Basically, the magnets regulate these processes and keep the wearer healthy.
Claims
Magnetic jewelry dealers make some huge healing claims. The magnets in the jewelry is claimed to heal such ailments as backache, wrist pain, knee pain, leg pain, elbow pain, arm pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, foot pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, headaches, blood circulation, hip pain, heel pain, depression, sports injuries, bronchitis, insomnia, tendonitis, pinched nerve, sciatica, rheumatism, bed sores, low energy, autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis and vascular disease. Additionally the magnets allegedly heal asthma, fibromyalgia, infections, ruptured disks, tennis elbow, chronic back pain and shoulder pain. This is not a complete list of ailments that the magnets claim to heal. Some believe in the healing powers of the magnets, but many remain skeptical and search for proof that magnetic therapy is a valid practice.
How it Helps
Magnet therapy is claimed to work by the magnet creating a small electrical current. The current is created by the joining of the dissimilar poles in the magnet, which would be positive and negative poles. This is called the "Polarity Agent Effect." The Polarity Effect increases blood flow and general tissue healing by stimulating cellular activity in the tissue. This also creates heating in the tissue. Increased blood flow means increased oxygen carried by the blood stream, helping the body to heal itself. A report at the Techion-Isreal Institute of Technology featured in the 1999 April edition of "Archives of General Psychiatry" found that magnetic therapy applied to the brain helps severe depression. A Mar. 1, 1999 article by Daniel Trecroci on the Diabetes Health website also found that sewing magnets into clothing relieved diabetic pain. The body is stimulated in different ways by the poles used. For example, the north (positive) part of the magnet has a calming and relaxing effect, while the south (negative) pole of a magnet has a stimulating and activating result. The more magnet jewels that are set into the jewelry, the more healing effects are experienced.
Healthy Earth Magnetic Fields
Magnets work through the iron in human blood and they emit a constant electromotive force which is compatible with the body's own magnetic field. The relevance of this information is important because it is not the magnets that heal, but the compatible magnetic energy which stimulates the body to heal itself and allows cells to function at optimum capacity. These magnetic fields exist also in the earth and the magnet's stimulation of the body's magnetic energy connects the body to the earth and all of its natural and pure healing properties. Despite the fact that magnetic healing is beneficial, healing magnets should be kept away from pregnant women and battery-operated machines such as pacemakers, computers, insulin pumps or automatic defibrillators.
Unhealthy Magnetic Fields
The body is exposed daily to man-made fields such as electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic pollution or smog. Smog is cumulative, and creates malaise, neck stiffness, chest pain, loss of memory, headaches, heart rate and blood chemistry irregularities, digestive and circulatory problems. Electromagnetic smog also blocks the brain's electromagnetic signals to cells and changing the body's autoimmune systems. Electrical appliances, radar, X-rays and power lines also give off unhealthy magnetic fields that battle with natural magnetic fields found in our bodies and in the earth. This is where the magnetic jewelry comes into play and helps the body ward off dangerous magnetic fields that disorient and work to destroy the natural processes of the body.
Conclusion
Magnetic jewelry claims to heal a number of bodily illnesses and conditions. They may have many known and unknown health benefits. Certainly, some magnetic jewelry is cheaper than a visit to the doctor's office and the benefits of using the jewelry is long-lasting as long as it is worn. Magnetic jewelry is also fashionable, making it discrete and just as elegant as a real piece of jewelry. The only difference between regular jewelry and magnetic jewelry is the healing properties.
Tags: magnetic fields, that magnetic, Benefits Magnetic, Benefits Magnetic Jewelry, blood flow, body heal, body heal itself
Finding free health care for mental illnesses is more difficult in challenging economic times. The services are available, however, and each state provides care for those with mental illness. Free medication is available through clinics, as is support for family members.
Significance
If you live at or below the poverty level, health care for mental illness is available on a fee-to-free basis. County-funded programs offer health care for mental illnesses whether you can pay or not.
Geography
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides links to every facility across the nation at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) site, along with a list of hotlines for those in immediate need of assistance. You can find links to county mental health care facilities in the "Resources" section.
Publications
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides publications to help family members of those who have mental illnesses. The NIMH also provides information about local and national programs that are available to help with mental illnesses.
Facilities
Hospitals, county mental health facilities, clinics and other organizations offer support groups for those with mental illnesses and their family members. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a listing of groups throughout the country (see "Resources").
Medication
Several manufacturers of medications for mental illnesses provide free services to those who cannot pay. The facilities that offer fee-to-free mental health services for the mentally ill can provide the forms to apply. The link is in the "Resources" section.
Tags: health care, mental illnesses, care mental, family members, mental health, with mental
Heat stroke is a severe medical problem that arises when your body overheats. Your body loses its ability to sweat and control temperature. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, change in blood pressure, shallow breathing, headache, dizzy feeling and irritability. It is not to be ignored and can be fatal. Your diet can help prevent heat stroke.
Instructions
1. Drink water or juice, not caffeinated beverages. Caffeine causes you to urinate more and sweat less. Fluids are flushed from your system and you are more likely to suffer from heat stroke.
2. Eat a diet rich in complex carbs. People who eat simple carbs, like white bread and processed foods, are more likely to have a dip in their blood sugar levels. This dip can lead to headaches and tiredness, which may contribute to heat stroke.
3. Get in plenty of protein and healthy fats daily. Eggs, meat, cheese, olive oil and nuts will keep your blood sugar steady.
4. Drink buttermilk to cool down your body. Choose one that's made with fresh curds. It's one of the best solutions to decreasing body temperature.
5. Add onion to your food during hot summer days. Onions have a cooling effect and can help you prevent heat stroke. Throw raw onions in chutney and salads.
6. Eat water rich fruits like pineapple and watermelon. They have a cooling effect on your body and keep you hydrated.
People with excessive food cravings will quickly tell you that their eating habits are born out of physical necessity. Food cravings that go unfulfilled can be difficult to overcome for the average person. You need to develop a healthy way to stop your cravings to help lose weight and gain a better understanding of how food affects your life.
Instructions
Control Your Cravings in a Healthy Way
1. Track the time of day and the duration of your food cravings before you proceed with a new diet. You should use this chart to help you anticipate cravings with a glass of water or a healthy snack.
2. Ease yourself off unhealthy food cravings with portion control. Dieters often stop eating cookies, candy and red meat without a transition period. You can cut down your portions over 7 to 14 days, depending on the food you consume, to establish healthier food habits.
3. Deal with your food cravings by consuming healthy foods and liquids. You should keep water or green tea as well as rice cakes and raw vegetables around as a way to trick your mind during your cravings.
4. Maintain a high level of hydration throughout your day to stop habits involving soft drinks. You should drink at least 1 oz. of water for every 2 lbs of body weight with additional water if you exceed your ideal weight. This simple step allows you to avoid the temptation to drink high-calorie sodas when you are thirsty.
5. Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of eating three large meals to avoid the temptation to snack on bad foods. You should eat at least six smaller meals or larger snacks of healthy food to keep your insulin level regulated while you are awake.
6. Avoid working out on an empty stomach by consuming high-protein snacks a half hour before you head to the gym. You should keep a steady supply of unsalted peanuts, walnuts and low-calorie protein bars in your home to avoid cravings after you get back from working out.
7. Speak with your family, friends and roommates about your desire to stop food cravings. Your support system can help enforce your dietary restrictions and support you when you are doubting your new diet.
Tags: food cravings, avoid temptation, cravings with, should keep, Stop Food Cravings, with your, your food
Raccoons infected with rabies may show symptoms of the disease in behavioral changes. Once the lethal virus enters the animal's body through exposure to the saliva of an infected animal, it attacks the nervous system, moving to the brain, salivary glands and other areas, and eventually affects cognitive, motor, and other functions. Several weeks or months after exposure, all but 10 percent of raccoons infected with the rabies virus exhibit behavioral signs associated with the disease.
Signs of Rabies
Signs of rabies last for about a week in raccoons before the animals die, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An early sign of rabies in raccoons may be simply acting in a way that is contrary to normal behavior. These abnormal behaviors may include being especially unguarded or "dumb" (far more friendly or tame than is normal), or acting especially aggressive with dogs, cats, humans and even livestock or other large animals. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health Rabies website, another early sign of rabies in raccoons is appearing ill or acting disoriented, which can include coming much closer to a campsite, house, humans, or other animals than is normal and walking unsteadily or circling, moving very slowly, or without apparent purpose.
Rabies Progression
According to a 2006 study on raccoons and rabies appearing in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, as the rabies infection progresses, raccoons may make unusual noises and vocalizations, which can include high-pitched peeping, screeching, chattering, and other sounds they do not normally make. They may also hiss or growl more than normal, acting hostile, aggressive or defensive even if unprovoked. This rabies-induced raging behavior may extend to attacking inanimate objects and other animals. While the animal is in an active stage of the illness, they may bite and spread rabies to other mammals.
Final Stages
When raccoons with rabies are close to death, their hind legs may become paralyzed, and the animals may have trouble moving or walk with an exaggerated, jerky gait. Producing an excess of saliva and possibly experiencing paralysis in their throats, raccoons may also appear to drool and froth at the mouth. Because the virus is transmitted through saliva, it may pass from a sick animal to a healthy one through exposure via a bite or simply through mucous membranes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At this time, it is especially important to avoid raccoons in this condition, and to prevent pets from coming into contact with them.
Tags: Signs Rabies, than normal, with rabies, according Centers, according Centers Disease, Behavioral Signs, Behavioral Signs Rabies
Hysteria refers to a host of disorders, including depression.
Hysteria was once thought to be a woman's disease, a result of the uterus moving around in the body. Today, hysteria is understood as a neurological disorder under the aegis of dissociative and personality disorders that can accompany a host of other psychiatric conditions, including depression.
History
Hysteria was once a common diagnosis for women suffering from any emotional or psychiatric disturbance. Galen, a second-century physician, thought hysteria was a product of sexual deprivation and treatments often involved intimate massage, questionable by today's medical standards. According to "People and Discoveries" on PBS, hysteria found mass popularity during the Victorian era with Jean-Martin Charcot, a neurologist and mentor of Sigmund Freud. Charcot spent many years working with women suffering from hysteria at Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris.
Causes
Depression with hysteria (or the range of dissociative and personality disorders that it describes) has the same risk factors as depression alone. According to WebMD, risk factors include abuse, conflict, death or loss, genetics, certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, major life events, serious illness and substance abuse.
Symptoms
Symptoms of depression with hysteria or hysterical neurosis are difficult to pinpoint, but according to the website Depression-guide.com, they include hysterical convulsions, sensory disturbances, hypoesthesis (partial loss of sensitivity), hyperesthesis (extreme loss of sensitivity), analgesia (loss of sensitivity to pain) and parasthenia (excessive sensation).
Psychosomatic Illness
According to a study in the journal "Psychosomatic Medicine," Hysteria, also called Briquet's syndrome, is a "polysymptomatic disorder that begins early in life, chiefly affects women, and is characterized by recurrent, multiple somatic complaints often described dramatically." The study found that sufferers experience psychological and emotional symptoms that are difficult or impossible to distinguish from other psychiatric disorders, like depression.
Research
The definition of hysteria has been broad, and this has made it difficult to identify and study the interaction between hysteria and depression, according to a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry. One study used the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression along with a newly devised measure for hysterical personality to examine the relationship between the two disorders in hospitalized women. They found a positive correlation. Further study is needed to understand the complex relationship between the two disorders.
Tags: loss sensitivity, between disorders, disorders that, dissociative personality, dissociative personality disorders
Bipolar disorder is a condition associated with extremes; patients suffering from bipolar disorder swing from high moods to low ones at intervals. This condition is often combined with depression, and truly effective treatment requires the assistance of a medical professional. There are some natural remedies you can try at home, however, to relieve your bipolar depression symptoms.
A Word of Caution
Natural remedies can be very beneficial, particularly as a supplement to proven medical treatment. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition, however, and should not be treated without the direct supervision of a medical professional. Your doctor will probably prescribe a combination of medication and therapy for your bipolar disorder, and you should follow this treatment path. Then, you may also benefit from the addition of natural remedies on top of your traditional treatment. However, you should always discuss any natural remedy with your physician before you begin to use it to treat your bipolar disorder.
Vitamins and Supplements
According to "Prevention" magazine's web site, people with depression may have lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in their blood than other people have. People with bipolar disorder may benefit from taking omega-3 supplements in addition to their regular medications. These fatty acids are also good for heart health, so taking them cannot really hurt, even if they do not improve bipolar symptoms.
According to Dr. Gary Sachs at abc.com, taking folate supplements may also be beneficial for bipolar patients.
Other supplements that may be beneficial for bipolar include L-tryptophan, folic acid, and vitamin B12. These substances produce serotonin in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that can reduce depression symptoms. Deficiencies in these substances have been linked to depression, so adding them as supplements to your diet might improve depressive tendencies.
Lifestyle Changes
One thing you can do to change your symptoms is to improve the quality of your life. Exercise and regular social interaction can improve your overall mental health and provide you with needed physical health improvements as well.
In addition, you should learn to recognize the warning signs of your condition; certain events or emotions may trigger a manic or depressive episode, and if you can recognize the signs you can manage the episode more effectively. Call your doctor and let him know that an episode is approaching, and take steps to manage that episode with him.
You should also avoid drugs and alcohol, as these may intensify your manic or depressive feelings. They can also interfere with any prescription medication you may be taking.
Excess uric acid that develops into sharp-edged crystals around joints causes gout. The rush of fluid and white blood cells to the affected area leads to inflammation and pain. The pain of gout can be managed, as there are several ways to dissolve gout crystals and prevent future attacks.
Instructions
Dissolving Gout Crystals
1. Get immediate relief during a gout attack by using contrast hydrotherapy to dissolve the crystals. Hold a hot compress on the affected area for three minutes; then apply a cold compress for 30 seconds. Alternate the hot and cold compresses until you begin to feel relief.
2. See a doctor, who can give you a prescription for a medication that will dissolve the crystals while preventing new ones. Uricosuric drugs such as sulfinpyrazone and probenecid lower the levels of uric acid in the blood by causing more of it to be passed. Allopurinol is a drug that blocks the production of uric acid.
3. Start a low-purine diet. Purine is a substance found in food, mostly animal-based, that the body turns into uric acid. Lowering the amount of purine you consume lowers the amount of uric acid in your body. This minimizes the excess uric acid that turns into gout crystals.
4. Increase your fluid intake, especially water. This will help flush uric acid out of your body.
One of the hazards of obtaining a tattoo is the possibility for serious infection. Because tattoos involve having a needle pierce your skin, it is possible for contaminated blood or serum to enter your bloodstream. One serious risk is the possibility of being infected by HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. These three viruses are all transmitted from blood-blood contact. This can happen if needles that are used on an infected person are then used on an uninfected person. This blood or serum may not be visible, even when present in quantities sufficient to cause infection. To prevent against this, all tattoo artists and parlors should sterilize all equipment after each use.
Skin Infections
Another common source of infection from getting a tattoo is due to improper hygiene or care of the tattoo site. Skin infections can happen due to equipment that hasn't been sterilized or from poor sterilization conditions in the tattoo parlor. Skin infections can also come from poor personal hygiene on the part of the tattoo artist. Symptoms of a skin infection include inflammation and swelling, as well as pain, itchiness, or redness at the infection site, or pus.
Prevent Infections
Most tattoo infections can be prevented by carefully researching and choosing a good parlor and artist. First, you should get a basic idea of what are proper sterilization procedures that all tattoo artists must use. Then, look around the store for a machine called an autoclave, which is a type of oven used for sterilization. Also check to make sure that your artist properly sterilizes before putting on the rubber gloves to protect you during the process. Its also best if you insist that your artist use a new needle rather than one that has been sterilized. Finally, follow all instructions given to you and care for and maintain your new tattoo.
Tags: been sterilized, blood serum, from poor, Skin infections, tattoo artists
Over 22,000 Americans die of brain cancer every year. Unfortunately, brain cancer is among the most deadly of cancers, even with early discovery. The prognosis of patients depends on the size and location of the tumor(s) in the brain.
Clarification
When other cancers spread to the brain, those tumors are referred to as metastatic brain tumors. The treatment for metastatic brain cancer is different than for tumors that originate in the brain.
Prognosis
According to the National Cancer Institute, 34.8% of brain cancer patients survive after five years.
Considerations
Those with tumors confined to the brain have a 37.2% chance of survival after five years. The survival rate for brain cancer is low whether it is metastatic or not.
Treatment
Oncologists normally recommend surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging brain function. After surgery, most patients undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both.
Alternative Treatment
If standard brain cancer treatment has a low probability of success, doctors sometimes recommend palliative care, where chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgery are performed to manage symptoms rather than to fight the cancer.
Tags: brain cancer, after five, after five years, chemotherapy radiation, five years
People get or give themselves body wraps to detoxify the toxins that can prevent weight loss. After a brushing or salt scrub, a seaweed or algae product is applied to your midsection. Most of the wrap products are designed to cleanse the fluid in between the adipose cells. You then wrap up in plastic or mylar. Massaging the stomach afterward can be done by you at home.
Instructions
1. Seek out a massage therapist who specializes in body wraps if you aren't doing it yourself. If an esthetician is used, she will simply be rubbing on the lotion rather than using a massage technique.
2. Shower after the wrap to rinse off the exfoliant first. Use warm water. Don't use soap. A warm, damp towel can also be used. The skin should already be moist for the massage.
3. Stand with your feet parallel and bend your knees slightly. Keep your back straight up and down. Breathe normally. Look straight ahead.
4. Rub your hands briskly together to make them warm. Place your hands on top of each other and then on your belly button. Rub in small counter clockwise circles following the course of your colon which goes from left to right. Use comfortable but firm pressure.
5. Circle in a bigger motion gradually for several minutes or about 50 circles. Close your eyes and mentally concentrate that heat is penetrating your stomach. Keep the area warm afterward to gain the most benefit.
Tags: After Body, After Body Wrap, Body Wrap, Body Wrap Removal, body wraps
A contusion is another word for a bruise. When a blunt object hits the body it can crush the muscle fibers and connective tissues beneath the skin. Blood pools, causing a bruise. If enough blood collects between the tissues it can form a lump called a hematoma. If the hematoma does not reduce after several days, a doctor may need to drain it surgically.
Features
Muscles suffering from contusions often feel weak. Range of motion may be limited due to damaged tissue or because of pain. Normal activity should not be resumed until healing is complete and full range of motion has returned.
Effects
For the first day or two minor contusions that do not require hospitalization can be treated with RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation. When resting the affected area, protective devices such as a sling or crutches may be needed. Ice wrapped in a cloth and applied for 20 minutes will help reduce pain and swelling. A bandage can be used to lightly wrap the area to help support the structures and prevent swelling. Raising the injury above the heart is another way to reduce swelling.
Potential
After the swelling has gone and the pain is lessened, rehabilitation can begin. Gentle stretching will help to restore range of motion. Gradually add weights to strengthen muscle tissue.
Types
Severe contusions can develop complications. Extreme bleeding and swelling inside a muscle group can build up pressure. The resulting lack of blood flow to the muscle group can cause a compartment syndrome, where the muscle tissue can begin to die. Immediate surgery is required to drain the collected fluid.
Significance
Because there are fewer muscles and no bones in the abdomen, contusions to this region can result in serious organ damage. Severe contusions to any part of the body should be examined by a doctor. An MRI, ultrasound or CT scan may be needed to check for nerve damage.
Warning
Cerebral contusions can occur in the case of head trauma. Where the brain bumps against the inside of the skull minor bleeding can cause a bruise to form on the brain, and swelling inside the brain may result from a brain contusion. Individuals taking blood thinners, such as aspirin or Coumadin, are at risk of severe bleeding even in cases of minor injury. Signs of a brain contusion include drowsiness, memory loss, dizziness, vomiting, sudden weakness and increase in pupil size on one side.
Tags: brain contusion, muscle group, muscle tissue, range motion, Severe contusions, swelling inside, will help
Quickly Adjust at a High Altitude to Avoid Altitude Sickness
If you have ever lived in a high altitude city, when you have guests they sometimes get high altitude sickness. It's actually pretty easy to spot as the altitude gives the victim a headache, shortness of breath and they become tired. Keeping oxygen in the blood is an important issue to adjust to the high altitude. Here's the steps to quickly adjust to a high altitude.
Instructions
1. When you arrive at the high altitude location, begin to be proactive so you don't get high altitude sickness. Start by drinking more water to help your body adjust to the air.
2. Consider meditating at least once a day so you can focus on deep breathing. Part of what causes so much issue for the sickness is not enough oxygen in your blood. Intentionally, take time to breath deeply.
3. Steer clear of those strenuous hikes the first couple of days when you get to town. This will give your body time to adjust.
4. Consider what you eat and make it healthy. Since you are taxing your body by being in a high altitude it is only natural to give it plenty of energy to work properly.
Tags: high altitude, your body, adjust Consider, Adjust High, adjust high, Adjust High Altitude, Altitude Avoid
The flame of the candle helps to burn away negative energy and emotions.
Aura cleansing can help you release the negativity that you pick up as you progress through your day. Negative energy may accumulate as you interact with people, go about your work routine or find yourself in locations where negative energy abounds. These negative vibrations and emotions drain your body of precious energy you need to stay healthy and whole. Chromotherapy can assist you to choose candle colors that reinforce your health and cleansing efforts.
White
White combines all colors together. Rose Ariadne, author of "'Cleanser Yourself' of Negative Energy," recommends a white candle for aura cleansing. White is the opposite of black, the color most associated with negative energy, which makes white a positive balance for cleansing. According to Brian Greenfield on the Holistic Online website, white is strengthening, cleansing and purifying. It nurtures the whole person and brings purity, vitality and creativity. Nefer Khepri Hemet, Ph.D., R. M-T., recommends white as a representation of the feminine aspects of God, although silver may also be used for this purpose.
Blue
Trinity C. McKenzie at Arcane Mystique recommends blue or white candles for use in aura cleansing. Blue connects us to holistic thinking, according to the Therapy Color website. Blue brings mental clarity, peace and clear communication. Health, vitality, knowledge and communication are associated with the color blue.
Shades of Yellow
Nefer Khepri Hemet, Ph.D., R. M-T., recommends yellow, orange and gold as representations of the masculine aspects of God. Yellow connects us to our mind and provides mental clarity, optimism, wisdom and inspiration. Yellow brings confidence, empowerment, energy, discernment and courage, according to the Therapy Color website.
Orange connects us to our emotional self and brings joy, optimism, resourcefulness, success and inspiration. It may help expand interests and activities, and encourage happiness and joy in our relationships.
Gold strengthens and amplifies, according to Greenfield. It benefits the immune system and assists the body to self-heal.
Other Colors
Khakani's Mystic World website recommends that you choose candle colors that mean something to you when cleansing your aura. Chromotherapy can provide some assistance with choices by pointing out the benefits and purposes of other colors, according to the Therapy Color website.
Red connects us to our physical body and our survival instincts. Red brings a feeling of safety and security, and may help overcome negative thoughts. It supplies vigor, strength, vitality, ambition and willpower. Green is associated with the heart and connects us to unconditional love. It brings relaxation, stress relief and a return to our center. It supplies harmony, balance, love, hope, peace and new life. Turquoise assists with expression and brings sensitivity, calmness, openness and the ability to express love. Indigo connects us to our unconscious and brings intuition, awareness and imagination. It supplies understanding and serenity. Purple connects us to our spiritual nature and brings generosity, selflessness, inspiration, creativity and a sense of calm. Pink calms aggression and bring relaxation.
Tags: according Therapy, according Therapy Color, associated with, Color website, Therapy Color
Since deaf children cannot absorb spoken language naturally through their surroundings, an active approach to language acquisition is imperative for the development of successful communication skills.
Considerations
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the first six months of life are the most important for language development in both deaf and hearing children. Therefore, it is essential to expose a deaf child to as much language as possible, as early as possible.
Auditory/Oral Approach
In the oral approach, deaf children are taught to speak and lip-read using amplification devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems, and visual aids like cued speech. With practice, deaf children can learn to speak and read lips; however, less than 50 percent of speech is intelligible through purely visual means.
Signing Approach
In the United States, signing deaf people communicate through American Sign Language (ASL). ASL is a complete language, but its grammar and vocabulary are entirely visual, so a deaf person has full access to the language. Deaf children born to deaf parents learn ASL naturally just as hearing children learn spoken language from their parents. Deaf children born to hearing parents may learn ASL along with their parents, or from peers at school.
Misconceptions
Some people believe that teaching a child to sign will prevent them her learning to speak. This is untrue. Early access to ASL can broaden deaf children's grasp on linguistics and enable them to successfully learn written or spoken language as they grow.
Combined Approaches
Schools for the deaf often employ a method of Total Communication, or using whatever means necessary to effectively communicate. This usually includes a combination of speech therapy, ASL and other visual means. With hard work and familial support, many deaf children go on to read, write and speak English and sign ASL.
Tags: deaf children, spoken language, children born, children learn, Deaf children, Deaf children born
The treatment of cervical cancer depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Treatment for Stage 0 cervical cancer, which is highly treatable, might include simple laser surgery. If a patient is diagnosed at Stage 4, however, the cancer is considered incurable. Radiation therapy may give the patient more comfort, and chemotherapy may be recommended.
Complementary naturopathic treatment during any stage of cervical cancer may also be included in the patient's treatment plan at her discretion. However, naturopathic remedies are not a substitute for a conventional medical treatment plan and should not be considered a cure. The scope of naturopathic treatment may include dietary changes, physical treatment, Eastern remedies, psychological counseling and botanical supplements.
Dietary Needs
Naturopathic treatment places emphasis on the food the patient consumes. In addition to prescribing a healthy diet, a naturopathic healer may recommend natural supplements, or in some cases, fasting.
Physical Treatment
Naturopathic treatment can include deep tissue massage, exercise, hydrotherapy and deep heating of the muscles to provide physical relaxation to patients with cervical cancer.
Eastern Remedies
Naturopathic treatment embraces Chinese medicine and particularly acupuncture, which holistic healers claim helps the patient's body to heal more quickly.
Psychological Treatment
Naturopathic treatment places great emphasis on counseling and hypnotherapy to help patients cope with the anxiety and depression caused by cancer.
Botanical Supplements
Proponents of naturopathic treatments claim that organic treatments derived from plants have fewer side effects than traditional medication. Additionally, botanical treatments purportedly treat the effects the cancer has on the entire body in a generalized rather than localized fashion.