It's very easy to believe that all you need to do to relieve your menstrual cramps is take your favorite pain killer. Trust me, I know. That's what I used to do.
But all those pills started to take a toll on my stomach. So, I started to explore my options. How can I relieve the pain of menstrual cramps using herbs? Here's the best of what I found.
Instructions
My Favorite Herbs to Relieve Menstrual Cramps
1. Choose one of the herbs listed above to try when you have menstrual cramps.
2. If the herb calls for a tea, use one tea bag for one cup boiling water. You can substitute 1 teaspoon of the dried herb and 1 tablespoon of the fresh herb if you don't have a tea bag.
3. Drink one cup of tea several times a day or as needed until your cramps subside.
4. Cramp bark is an herb that seems to work better as a tincture. You can find cramp bark tincture online or at your local health food store.
5. To take the tincture, add 30 to 40 drops into a small cup of warm water and drink quickly. Do this three times a day.
A skilled nursing facility or nursing home offers help for those who require 24-hour skilled nursing attention. Facilities require registered nurses on-site 24 hours a day and also utilize other professionals such as licensed practical nurses and certified nurse's assistants.
Instructions
1. Expect to pay between $3,500 and $8,000 per month for a stand-alone skilled nursing facility.
2. Know that when seniors enter a continuing care retirement community at the skilled nursing or assisted living level, they will be required to pay a monthly maintenance fee ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per month.
3. Note that seniors who enter a continuing care retirement community at an independent level may later make a transition to the skilled nursing or assisted living units as their needs change. The monthly maintenance fee covers this and can be looked at as a form of long-term care insurance.
4. Talk to your senior family member's physician or social worker for referrals when choosing a skilled nursing facility.
5. Get in touch with a geriatric care manager for information about skilled nursing facilities in a senior family member's community. Geriatric care managers are often nurses, social workers and psychologists by training, with an expertise in geriatrics. They charge privately for their services.
6. Check out online directories of senior care facilities such as Senior Care Review, Care Guide(415-474-1278) and Senior Alternatives (800-350-0770) for skilled nursing facility listings.
7. Look through your local yellow pages for a list of skilled nursing facilities.
8. Take the marketing tour of prospective skilled nursing facilities. Talk to staff and residents alike, asking about staffing levels, staff credentials and qualifications, meals, employee drug screening and employee background checks.
Bloody stool is not a pleasant topic, but it absolutely must be addressed when someone experiences this condition. There are several causes to treat bloody stools. The treatments vary significantly with the causes. Here are methods to treat bloody stools.
Instructions
1. See a doctor. Bloody stool could mean anything from hemorrhoids to GI infections to cancerous tumors. Only a physician can determine the appropriate tests for tool specimens as well as any aftercare that is needed.
2. Try home remedies for hemorrhoids including over-the-counter ointments and creams. At least 50 percent of all Americans suffer from hemorrhoids according to the National Institute of Health. Hemorrhoids are the main cause of blood in stool since it occurs when veins in the anal and rectum area are inflamed and sometimes rupture.
3. Incorporate more fiber into the diet. A good determination as to whether the diet is appropriate is to determine whether stool floats or sinks. Good stool should float. If it doesn’t, this probably one of the reason for bloody stool. Avoid processed food products. Also refrain from over eating. All of these things affect the GI tract as well as bloody stool episodes.
4. Stop using anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs that treat inflammation as well as drugs with ibuprofen in them affect the lining of the GI tract and cause bleeding and ulcers. That bleeding will lead to bloody stool. Use alternative methods to treat swelling and pain that don’t involve these types of medications.
5. Exercise regularly. Regular rest and exercise will keep the body running like a well-oiled machine. Specifically, conditions like hemorrhoids occur when there is inactivity.
Tags: bloody stools, from hemorrhoids, methods treat, treat bloody
A broken wrist is a fairly common injury, especially in children who participate in contact sports or the elderly with osteoporosis. A broken wrist is defined by a fracture in one of the many bones within the wrist and usually happens after extreme pressure or impact is placed upon the hand. If not treated properly, the wrist may not heal well and can be more susceptible to later fractures and complications.
Facts
A broken wrist is more common in children and the elderly simply because their bones are soft or brittle. The most common way to incur a broken wrist is by falling forward and using the hands as a barrier to the ground. The extreme force and weight the wrist is subjected to can cause the bones to buckle and break. However, many fractures are believed to be sprains and go undiagnosed and untreated. An improperly treated fracture can result in an increased likelihood the fracture will happen a second time and can impair the motor skills of the hand.
Signs and Symptoms
The common signs and symptoms of a broken wrist are stiffness in the joints, fingers or thumbs, tenderness, bruising, swelling, severe pain while gripping or squeezing hand, numbness or coldness in fingers and severe deformity. A wrist can be broken without deformity and severe pain. These fractures are most often mistaken for sprains or nothing at all and tend to go untreated.
Complications
According to the Mayo Clinic, a wrist fracture can result in later stiffness or aching of the joints. This pain tends to go away after two or three months but if the fracture was severe enough, the pain may be permanent. A severe fracture can also damage surrounding blood vessels and nerves and can cause numbness or circulation problems. After a wrist fracture, you are also at a higher risk for osteoarthritis.
Treatments
Your doctor will immobilize the broken wrist using a splint or cast. He will then prescribe medication for the pain and swelling. Usually an over-the-counter medication is sufficient, but he may prescribe an opiate if the pain is severe. Once the cast is removed, you may need certain exercises or therapy to rehabilitate the muscles in your wrist. This helps ensure a lower risk or stiffness and pain, and can restore full movement to the hand. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to correct a fracture.
When to See the Doctor
If you are unsure as to whether or not you have broken the wrist or bruised it, try waiting 24 hours to see if the bruising and swelling disappears. Manage the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever. If the symptoms are still around the next day, call your doctor and set up an appointment.
Head lice can be a frustrating and difficult parasitic insects to eliminate. According to the Mayo Clinic, lice are the second most communicable diseases amongst school children. Lice can easily spread by personal contact and are highly contagious. There are many ways to treat head lice, including the employment of insecticides to kill the insects. However, there are nontoxic ways to rid yourself of these insects.
Laundering
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should wash, soak, or dry items that may contain lice in temperatures greater than 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have children, wash their bedding, clothes and stuffed animals in hot soapy water. When drying items, be sure to do so for more than 20 minutes to kill any lice or nits (hatchlings). You can also dry-clean items, if doing the laundering yourself seems daunting.
Combing
When you have young children (younger than 3 years), the application of medicated shampoos can be potentially harmful for your child. You may consider delousing your child with a fine-tooth comb. Pediatrician Dr. Greene recommends using a product called LiceMeister, which can be bought online. The comb has small teeth that are placed closely together and remove lice effectively, without pulling your child's hair out. Prior to combing your child's hair, wet the hair and liberally apply conditioner throughout the hair. Then pull the comb through the hair, removing any lice that you see.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
This treatment can be messy, so if using on your child, make sure to place a towel over your child's pillow before bedtime. Liberally apply Vaseline throughout the hair, and cover your child's head with a shower cap overnight. The next morning, wash the Vaseline out of your child's hair. Don't use regular shampoo, as regular shampoo isn't effective enough to wash out the vaseline. Using dish soaps such as Palmolive or Seventh Generation works better since they have a degreasing product contained in the soap. Once you have shampooed the vaseline out of your child's hair, begin the delousing process with a fine-toothed comb.
Home-made Shampoo
A good shampoo that works just as well as medicated products is this recipe for home-made delousing. The oils can be bought at health food markets, such as Whole Foods. For the shampoo, you mix three tablespoons of olive oil, one teaspoon of tea tree oil and one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil. Once you mix these ingredients, combine them with a small amount of shampoo (about a teaspoon). Apply this mixture to your hair, and cover with a shower cap for up to 30 minutes. This shampoo can hurt the eyes if it gets into them. If using on a child, be sure to watch your little one. It may take two full shampoos to wash the mixture out of your hair. Once your hair is washed, use a fine-tooth comb to delouse your head.
Cleaning Methods
Once you have become infested with lice, it can become a difficult process to rid yourself of these parasites. Prevention is beneficial to avoiding an infestation. Floors should be vacuumed every day to clear out any possible live lice and nits. Bedding and unwashable items can be placed in air-tight bags for up to four days to kill lice. Soak combs or brushes, barrettes, hair ties and headbands in rubbing alcohol for at least an hour. Children are more susceptible to getting head lice, so advise them on prevent an infestation. According to Kids Health, warn your children to not use other children's hair products, such as brushes or towels. Warn your children to avoid head-to-head contact when playing. Do not lie on products that have been used by someone who is infected with head lice. Simple methods such as these can help you avoid a potential head lice annoyance.
Tags: your child, child hair, your child hair, head lice, your hair, fine-tooth comb
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some steps a person can take to reduce wrinkles and smile lines. However, there is no magic cure since some of it is just a natural part of aging. The skin gets looser, natural oils dry up, and the skin will get saggy and wrinkle. While that can't be changed, a person can start some prevention steps long before any wrinkles show up.
Instructions
1. Avoid long sessions of sun exposure. People who limit their sun time have far fewer wrinkles than those that bake in the sun. Use sunscreen whenever possible if you must be out in the sun.
2. Don't Smoke. Smoking enhances the aging process of skin since it breaks down the collagen and reduces the blood supply. It makes it look older and making you look older and have more wrinkles.
3. Alter your diet to include more fish, raw fruits and vegetables. The protein in fish is beneficial to the skin, as are the antioxidant compounds in fruits and vegetables.
4. Avoid repeated facial expressions. This relates to the saying some mother's use about not making faces because it may stick. Squinting, frowning, and even smiling in some cases will cause grooves to form beneath the surface of the skin. The grooves don't show up while you're young. However, in later years, the sagging skin settles in to create deep, permanent wrinkles.
5. Get regular sleep, and try to sleep on your back with one puffy pillow with a non-lined case. The lines on the pillow case can create some lines in the face. Dee Anna Glaser, a dermatologist at St. Louis University, told CNN back-sleeping does not encourage wrinkles since nothing is pushing against the sleeper's face all night.
Tags: fruits vegetables, look older, person take, some steps
Chiropractors as a whole focus more on relieving patients' musculoskeletal pain rather than marketing. They help their patients prevent pain, find the source of their pain and relieve their pain. Chiropractors don't always want to be bothered with marketing strategies. But chiropractic marketing strategies are essential in getting new clients and keeping current clients coming back. Every chiropractor or chiropractic business should know the four marketing Ps they should follow. These include product, pricing, promotion and placement.
Product Strategy
To be the market leader in chiropractic services, put simply, you need to offer the best service available. It should also be well rounded. If you treat neck pain, back pain, headaches, numbness, leg pain and other pain related to the musculoskeletal system, you want to make sure that you are providing those services in a relaxing environment with trained professionals. You should also be providing a complete comprehensive exam and x-rays if needed to determine the problem before you treat it. In addition to your basic services, you can also offer services that will help patients prevent pain or heal faster from their pain. Services such as massage therapy to speed up recovery or nutrition and exercise services to help prevent injuries can add a lot to your chiropractic practice.
Pricing Strategy
For pricing, you want to be competitive. You should research other chiropractic services in your local area and determine a price point for your basic services that are in line with your competitors. A way to get more clients through the door with your pricing strategy is to offer specials, such as a discount when patients schedule three or more massage therapy appointments at a time. You can also offer new client specials or referral specials such as 10 percent off of a first visit or 10 percent off a service fee for a current client referring a new client to you.
Promotion Strategy
According to NetMBA, promotion refers to communicating the information about your chiropractic services to your audience and generating a positive response. You could do this with things like advertisements in the local paper about yourmassage therapy specials or a press release announcing your new nutritional and exercise services.
Placement Strategy
Placement refers to whom you are targeting to your communications. For chiropractic services, you probably want to be placing your promotions, pricing and products in front of the elderly as they have more musculoskeletal issues. Also, you could get your information to social workers in hospitals that deal with treatment plans for accident victims or sport injury victims, as these are the type of patients that will benefit from chiropractic services.
Tags: chiropractic services, massage therapy, their pain, about your, also offer
Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture has been practiced in the West for several centuries, yet many Americans have never visited a doctor who practices this discipline. You can find a physician down who practices Chinese medicine by pursuing several avenues.
Instructions
1. Ask your friends, family and coworkers for a recommendation.
2. Contact a local accredited school that offers a degree in Chinese medicine and ask for a list of doctors they would recommend.
3. Look on the Internet, particularly on the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine website at http://www.acaom.org/accdtd_cndtdschls.htm. Once you locate an institution in your area, search their site or give them a call. Inquire if they have a list of graduates who practice in your area.
4. Search the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine website at http://www.nccaom.org/. Just like in Western medicine, a reputable practitioner of Chinese medicine will be nationally certified.
5. Search a Chinese medical doctor's state certification by entering your state's name and the words "acupuncture" and "licensing" into a Web search.
The use of snuff, or nasal tobacco, was first observed by monks during Christopher Columbus's second journey to the Americas. Since then, nasal snuff has been enjoyed by both the peasantry and aristocracy as a less risky alternative to smoking or chewing tobacco. The use of nasal stuff, however, requires a bit of practice.
Instructions
1. Use a brand of nasal snuff that appeals to you. As a beginner, you may want to choose a milder blend or one that has been cut into a finer powder until you get the hang of using snuff. In addition, you can choose from a variety of flavored nasal snuffs, such as spearmint, cinnamon, raspberry, strawberry, rose, orange, menthol and even snuff that has been dipped in whiskey or bourbon.
2. Take the tin of nasal snuff and tap on the lid before you open it, which will cause the contents to settle evenly at the bottom.
3. Carefully remove the top of the tin. Ensure that you are not in a windy area, or the snuff might blow right out of the container.
4. Pinch the nasal snuff between your thumb and forefinger and gently lift it toward your nostrils.
5. Gently inhale the snuff into your nose, taking care not to snort suddenly so that it will lodge deep into your sinuses. The trick to using snuff is to allow it to coat the inside of your nostrils so that you can smell it.
6. Sneeze if you feel the urge, keeping a tissue or handkerchief handy right after you use the nasal snuff. By resisting the sneeze, you will only irritate your sinuses and decrease the enjoyment of the snuff. Blow your nose, and try to use the nasal snuff again until you get the hang of it.
7. Breathe in and out after you use the nasal snuff. Allow the aroma of the snuff to fill your nostrils.
8. Enhance your use of nasal stuff by varying the method of inhaling. For instance, some snuff users tap a little tobacco onto the back of their hands and then sniff. Others use bullets, or small metal vials, to deliver a precise amount of nasal snuff into their nostrils.
Tags: nasal snuff, your nostrils, after nasal, after nasal snuff, into your, nasal stuff, snuff into
Many people get rashes when their body reacts to a food, medicine or perhaps a topical lotion, cream or cleanser. Rashes are caused by an allergic reaction that your body experiences. A rash is bad as it is but what do you do if the skin also becomes swollen? These steps will guide you on treat a swollen facial rash.
Instructions
Treat a Swollen Red Rash on the Face
1. Try to figure out what the culprit is. Some individuals are very sensitive to foods or medicines. Try to figure if the rash was caused by a medicine you took or something you ate. If you are using a new skin product, decide if that is the culprit. Once you’ve figured out what the culprit is, discontinue use immediately.
2. Call your doctor. Once you’ve figure out what has caused the rash, call your family doctor immediately. Make an appointment to see your doctor about the rash.
3. Take some Benadryl. While you’re waiting for your doctor’s appointment, take some Benadryl. The Benadryl will subdue the itchiness that the rash may be causing. Be cautious though because it will make you drowsy.
4. Take Tylenol for pain as needed. If the pain is severe and the Benadryl isn’t helping, take Tylenol as it is needed to relive the pain. If you have a fever, Tylenol is necessary to bring the fever down.
5. Apply hydrocortisone to the rash. Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone topical product to your rash. This will help with itchiness and it will also soothe the rash.
6. Use ice to bring the swelling down. If the swelling is really bothering you, use ice to bring it down. If the swelling doesn’t go down and you continue to feel worse, go straight to the next step.
7. Go to the emergency room if necessary. If your symptoms still don’t improve, make a decision about whether or not you want to go the emergency room. If you are experiencing any troubling side effects such as nausea or vomiting, go straight to the emergency room.
Tags: emergency room, your doctor, down swelling, figure what, Rash Face, some Benadryl
Anxiety disorders can be debilitating conditions that keep you from living a normal life. While the causes of anxiety vary, traditional medicine treats panic and anxiety disorders with expensive prescription medications that can have unwanted side effects. Herbal remedies can be an effective way to calm the mind and body, helping you to learn deal with your anxiety and lead a normal life.
Instructions
1. Alleviate anxiety by taking daily supplements of bacopin. Bacopin has been used in herbal remedies in tropical areas for centuries to treat stress disorders and has been clinically proven to help relieve anxiety and nervousness.
2. Drink one cup of chamomile tea at night before bed, particularly if your anxiety affects your sleep. Chamomile has natural tranquilizing effects and reduces the stress chemicals released in the brain. Chamomile tea is readily available in most grocery stores, or you can make your own tea from fresh flowers. Boil 1 cup of water and remove from heat, adding the flowers and allowing to steep for 5 minutes before straining and drinking.
3. Take Ginkgo Biloba supplements daily, one of the world's oldest herbal remedies. Ginkgo increases the oxygen levels in the brain, helping to promote feelings of well being, while reducing anxiety, stress and nervousness.
Tags: Herbal Remedies Anxiety, normal life, Remedies Anxiety, your anxiety
Suntan lotion is designed to protect our skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. However, many people don't realize the dangers associated with this common household skin product. Risks include everything from minor skin irritations to potential cancer-causing reactions, though many of these claims lack conclusive evidence and are still under investigation by scientists.
History
Suntan lotion was first developed in the early 1970s using an active ingredient called para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA. Like all active ingredients in suntan lotions, PABA acts to absorb and redirect the sun's rays. Today, we know that PABA causes skin irritations and genetic mutations in skin cells, as it redirects UV light towards the skin cells rather than away from them. The chemical is now illegal in the United States and many other western nations. This is just one example in which suntan lotion opinions and regulations have changed according to scientific evidence.
Skin Irritations
Allergies to suntan lotion are relatively common and can be aggravated by fragrances, preservatives or active ingredients in the lotion. Reactions are commonly split into two categories: "contact" reactions caused by the lotion's direct contact with the skin and "photoallergic" reactions caused by the combination of sun exposure and the lotion itself. The most common reaction is a localized rash which can be remedied by discontinuing the use of the lotion and applying topical ointment. Many hypoallergenic lotions are now available which do not use the offending agents.
UVA vs UVB
There are two main spectrums of sunlight: UVA and UVB. Most suntan lotions only block surburn-inducing UVB rays. However UVA spectrum rays really penetrate deeper into the skin and cause potential long-term damage. Recent evidence has shown that skin cancer rates are higher than ever, despite increased public awareness. Statistics show that people using UVB-only suntan lotion are subjecting themselves to prolonged UVA exposure and potential skin damage.
Nanoparticles
Recent evidence suggests that the use of active ingredients such as zinc oxide in nanoparticle form may pose a health risk. Zinc oxide is usually visible on the skin in white blotches. However, in order to achieve a more transparent product, many suntan lotions now contain nanoparticles which are one million times smaller than a grain of sand. There is a concern that these tiny particles are small enough to enter skin cells and cause genetic mutations. It remains a subject of debate; however, a review published in early 2009 by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration concluded that these particles remain on the outside of the skin and pose no health threat.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Through sun exposure, the human body produces vitamin D, a nutrient essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones. Most government health guidelines recommend a small amount of unprotected sun exposure in order to produce the vitamin. However, scientists are now finding that people aren't getting enough sun. Endocrinologist Professor Peter Ebeling, head of Osteoporosis Australia has demonstrated a link between osteoporosis patients suffering broken bones and Vitamin D deficiencies in their bodies.
1. Walk. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do and is totally safe - if you do it correctly.
Walk at a comfortable pace for 15 minutes a day for one week. Then start walking for 30 minutes. Make sure you're not covered in layers - even if it's a dull rainy day you will still get hot. I'd say wear a comfortable shirt or tee then some comfortable trousers and some deodrant. And remember to stand tall while you're walking - NEVER lean forward as this will strain your back & could lead to back problems.
2. Ditch them burgers!: Look in your cupboards in your kitchen and throw away any fatty foods such as crisps, carbonated (fizzy) drinks, burgers, biscuits, cakes - anything that will make you fat. It will be hard and you may have spent a lot of money on it - but it has to go!
3. Look in your fridge and replace all the yoghurts with low fat yoghurts. Replace the milk with low fat or soya milk, and butter with low-fat spread. Throw away any trifles and fatty foods.
4. Buy a fruit bowl and fill it with fruit such as ; apples, pears, bananas, grapes, kiwi - as many different fruits as you can of big quantity.
The field of chiropractic medicine is expected to grow 20 percent between the years 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS estimates average annual salaries stood at $66,490 in May 2008. For those wishing to enter the field, a thorough education is necessary, as chiropractors are regulated and licensed in all 50 states and the nation's capitol. Exploring your options before applying will help you find the college that best suits your interests and needs.
Northwestern Health Sciences University
The Northwestern Health Sciences University offers small class sizes for aspiring chiropractors, boasting a student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to one. Students at the university will begin practical training during their first academic trimester. Since 1941, over 5,000 students have graduated from the university, with over 90 percent of all graduates passing all four national board certification exams on the first try. The university balances training in patient relations with intense study based on the scientific method.
Northwestern Health Sciences University
2501 W. 84th St.
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-888-4777
nwhealth.edu
Cleveland Chiropractic College
Cleveland Chiropractic College provides chiropractic training at two locations, Overland Park, Kansas and Los Angeles, California. The chiropractic doctor program requires four years to complete, broken down into 12 academic trimesters. Students without a prior background in health sciences can earn their Bachelor of Science in human biology concurrently with their doctorate in chiropractic medicine. Courses in the program include neuroanatomy, digestive physiology, clinical and laboratory research, toxicology and various hands-on chiropractic techniques.
Cleveland Chiropractic College
590 North Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90004
323-906-2095
clevelandchiropractic.edu
Life University
Life University offers a chiropractic medicine program with participants from every state in the union and over 30 foreign countries. Class sizes are small; usually there are no more than 20 students per class. In addition to clinical training in the art of chiropractic medicine, students at Life receive an education in the business of running a clinic. Courses take place both in classrooms and in the university's clinic. Students begin as observers and patients before working up to assisting licensed professionals and then directing clinical treatment.
Life University
1269 Barclay Cir.
Marietta, GA 30060
770-426-2600
life.edu
Palmer College of Chiropractic
The Palmer College of Chiropractic is a non-profit, private college with chiropractic medicine programs San Jose, California, Davenport, Iowa, and Port Orange, Florida. Students are closely supervised during their clinical training, with an emphasis on collaborative learning and patient needs. The Clinic Abroad Program offers students the opportunity to study at clinics around the world including Vietnam, India, Brazil and Morocco providing much-needed medical assistance to some of the world's most impoverished people.
You have decided to have Lap-Band surgery, now what . . . There will be things that your doctor tells can do to prepare for the surgery.
Instructions
1. Mental Preparation
Let's face it, if you are having this surgery, you have always been big and most likely have tried diet after diet that has not worked. You are about to enter into a whole new world - permanent weight loss. This is hard to get your mind around.
If you will follow your doctor's instructions, the weight WILL come off, but you can sabotage it. Try your best to erase all of the frustrations that you have had with food, dieting, body image, etc. that have plagued you for your whole life and believe that this is going to work and you are going to loose weight. See yourself in smaller clothes, fitting into seats at ball games better and all of the things that you want to do, but have not been able to because of your weight.
2. Physical Preparation
Again, your doctor will tell you what to eat before the surgery to insure success, but there are other things you can do to prepare.
1 - Start doing some light exercising (walking, stretching)
2 - Get a haircut/get your hair done. Just another step to the new you!
3 - If you eat out a bunch, try to scale back and eat at home more.
4 - Do what your doctor says!
3. Family/Friend Preparation
Here is where it gets a little tricky. Chances are food is a big part of your relationships now. That is going to have to stop if your surgery is going to be successful. If your family and friends know that you are having the surgery, be frank with them and tell them that food has to stop being the center of all of the things that you do. My biggest problem with this was with my family. As a family, since my mom was such a good cook, we comforted with food. Again, this must stop.
If your family and friends do not know that you are having the surgery, you can just say that you are dieting and will not be able to eat like you used to. Funny that it is easier to tell people that you are going on a diet (usually a temporary solution) than telling them that you are having weight loss surgery (usually a permanent solution).
Having gone through the surgery, I definitely believe that is best to tell family and friends. It might be a little awkward to tell them, but in the end, it will make things much easier.
4. Wardrobe Preparation
Here is the fun part! Before your surgery, buy a pair of pants or dress in a size or two less than you are wearing now. Just a little carrot to dangle in front of yourself.
If you have any clothes that fit, but are a little too big - put them aside so that you will be "forced" to wear clothes that fit.
As crazy as it sounds, one of my goals with my surgery, was that I wanted to be able to go into Walmart and actually buy a pair of pants and a shirt that fit. Go to a store that you generally can't buy clothes in and just look around an say to yourself "I will be back for you very soon".
Tags: your doctor, family friends, that having, things that, believe that, clothes that
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that causes mental chaos and can affect every aspect of a person's life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood and carries over into adulthood. Dealing with ADHD can be challenging as there are many feelings and emotions associated with this disorder.
Insecurity
People who suffer from ADHD feel insecure because their "weird" behaviors, such as constant fidgeting, forgetfulness, mood swings, interrupting others, and not being able to follow instructions, are not always understood by others.
Anxiety
ADHD can have underlying anxiety disorders that can cause sufferers to constantly worry, panic, and have obsessive thoughts.
Depression
People who suffer from ADHD have trouble functioning in social situations, which makes maintaining relationships hard. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.
Inadequacy
ADHD causes disorganized thoughts, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, and an inability to complete simple tasks. This can cause the sufferer to feel inadequate around others in the school or workplace.
Treatments
There is no cure for ADHD, but the condition can be managed with a combination of behavior therapy and medication.
Tags: ADHD have, from ADHD, People suffer, People suffer from, suffer from, suffer from ADHD
LAP-BAND surgery is approved for individuals who are severely obese.
Laparoscopic gastric banding is a surgical procedure developed by Allergan to assist with weight loss. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the agency approved the LAP-BAND procedure in 2001 as the first adjustable, surgically implanted device used to help people lose weight. The silicone band fits around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch that holds a small amount of food. The smaller pouch fills up faster than a normal stomach, resulting in a feeling of fullness and decreased appetite. You can find resources to help finance your operation if you are considering LAP-BAND surgery.
Instructions
1. Schedule an appointment with a certified gastric surgeon approved to perform LAP-BAND surgery. Give the gastric specialist a copy of your medical file, a list of your current medications and a thorough family medical history. Request a Letter of Medical Necessity to provide documentation that supports your need for weight-loss surgery to improve your health.
2. Obtain a written list of the expenses for LAP-BAND surgery from the facility where you plan to have the procedure. Many gastric surgery centers have a financial adviser available to help with this step. Ask the adviser for a list of LAP-BAND financing companies the center has an agreement with that may be available to you.
3. Check your health insurance policy to see if it covers weight-loss or bariatric surgery. Look carefully under each section for key words such as weight control, bariatric surgery or obesity reduction. If you do not have a copy of your medical insurance benefits, contact the human resources department where you are employed to request a copy.
4. Contact your local Medicare or Medicaid office if you have this kind of federal insurance. According to the LAP-BAND AP System website, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a National Coverage Determination to include bariatric surgery and the LAP-BAND procedure when performed by approved surgeons at a bariatric "Center of Excellence" facility. You can visit the CMS website for a list of physicians and facilities awarded with "Center of Excellence" status and approved to perform LAP-BAND surgeries.
5. Provide your insurance company with any pre-authorization information they may require for LAP-BAND surgery coverage. Most insurance companies require pre-authorization forms for weight-loss procedures, such as a Letter of Medical Necessity, copies of your medical folder and a list of any weight-related medical conditions for which you are being treated. If you are approved for LAP-BAND surgery, contact the gastric surgeon you have chosen and request an appointment to begin preparation for the surgery.
6. Contact your bank to see if they offer flexible spending accounts for medical services. Many banks offer high-interest savings accounts to provide funds for medical expenses. Deposit money into this account until you have a sizable contribution toward your surgery then contact your LAP-BAND surgeon to negotiate a decrease in cost due to self-payment status or payment in cash.
Lymphocytic colitis is a condition of the colon that involves inflammation and can cause a number of unpleasant side effects. Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and can sometimes involve doing nothing at all as lymphoncytic colitis can sometimes clear up on its own.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications such as mesalamine or sulfasalazine are often used to reduce swelling and are often the first step in treatment.
Steroids
Steroids can also be used to help with the swelling, but they are often only used to treat a sudden onset of severe diarrhea. There are also side effects associated with long-term steroid use that include bone loss and increased blood pressure.
Anti-Diarrheal Medication
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications such as Pepto Bismol are often effective at offering short-term relief.
Immunosuppressive Agents
Immunosuppressive agents have been shown to reduce inflammation, but these are rarely used.
Surgery
In cases that have not responded to medication, surgery to remove the colon may be an option. However, surgery is not often recommended as having the condition does not increase the risk of colon cancer.
Hernias refer to a condition in which a section of your outer abdominal wall tears slightly and a sac in your inner intestines forms and sticks out through the tear. Since a hernia will not heal on its own, hernia repair surgery is essential. During hernia surgery, your doctor will re-insert the protruding sac and sew the abdominal tear or patch over the injury site. Proper recovery is essential to your overall hernia repair process.
Immediately After Surgery
Modern hernia techniques (including laparoscopic surgery that relies on small incisions instead of a larger abdominal opening) have lessened the time and severity of hernia repair recovery. Nonetheless, in the days and weeks after surgery you can expect to have a difficult time with certain everyday activities. For many patients, walking is tough immediately after surgery, and climbing stairs may cause pain or discomfort for a few days. Many seemingly simple tasks like driving a car may exacerbate your surgery pain. While immediate pain may not occur, you must take extra precautions during the first few days because the repair is still in formation. However, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons recommends that you don't simply lie around in bed after surgery. Try to remain as mobile as your doctor allows.
The Weeks After Surgery
According to the American College of Surgeons, you must bathe carefully during your first few post-surgery weeks so that you do not soak your wound dressing. Other activities that you may find uncomfortable or painful in the weeks after surgery include sex, jogging and heavy lifting. After surgery, your doctor will consider factors such as your age, your health history, the severity of the hernia, the surgery method and your occupation to give you an overall recovery timetable and let you know what activities or exercises to avoid initially.
The Importance of Proper Recovery
While you may want to get right back to work and to your regular routine after hernia surgery, you must follow your doctor's recovery recommendations. Hernia repair usually fixes the tear for good, but on occasion the abdominal wall tears again. The likelihood of a relapse increases greatly if you do not let the hernia site heal. According to the American College of Surgeons, 1 to 5 percent of hernia patients may experience another hernia at the original hernia site at some point in their lives.
Complications of Hernia Repair
Although hernia surgery is common and relatively risk-free, complications still may occur. Infections, bleeding and urinary problems are all potentially possible complications. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a high fever, (above 101 degrees Fahrenheit), abdominal pain that won't cease or that worsens, urinary problems, nausea, chills or pus forming around your surgery site. These symptoms may indicate that an infection has developed. To prevent a widespread infection, take any abnormal symptoms seriously.
Tags: your doctor, hernia surgery, after surgery, hernia repair, abdominal wall, abdominal wall tears, According American
Unless you move to a macrobiotic commune in Oregon, kicking the
junk-food habit can be tough. Junk food is convenient, marketed
aggressively, cheap to buy and hard to resist. Most Americans fail to
lose weight because they're programmed to consume far too much
and to choose foods that are saturated with fat and salt ("Supersize
those fries?"). See 24 Choose a Weight Loss Plan and take steps to
reform that junk-food junkie within you.
Instructions
1. Eliminate temptation at home. Clear out all the junk from your cupboards, and get the whole family on board for the effort.
2. Lay a healthful foundation by stocking up on ingredients for nutritious meals, desserts and snacks. If you eat healthy food at home, you won't feel so bad when you splurge on an infrequent fast-food meal or candy bar.
3. Set realistic expectations for yourself by remembering to practice moderation. Total deprivation will only make your cravings more intense, so allow yourself a weekly treat for cutting back.
4. Identify those times of the day when you're most vulnerable to a junk-food attack. Is it that relentless 3 p.m. cookie craving? The phone call from your client-from-hell that spurs a run to McDonald's? Prepare ahead of time by having healthy, flavorful alternatives on hand--and if you still need to indulge, just have a bite or two and toss the rest. Better yet, schedule alternate activities for those times when you're most likely to face temptation.
5. Choose grilled or broiled versions of foods that are typically fried. Grilled chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken and rice bowls, sandwiches with no cheese and a small amount of mayonnaise, fatfree or baked chips, water, and salads with light dressing are available at most fast-food restaurants.
6. Focus on eating healthy foods. Be sure the snack foods you keep in plain sight and hidden away are all good choices. Keep a fruit basket on your kitchen counter, table or desk. If you stock the refrigerator with exclusively healthy foods, you'll eventually overcome the urge for fat and sugar-laden treats.
7. Avoid situations that may encourage a junk attack, like sitting in front of the television all evening. Resist those evil vending machines at work by bringing your own healthful snacks and leaving your pocket change at home.
8. Cook large quantities and put extra meals in the freezer. That way you won't be tempted to make a junk-food run on your way home from work. See 297 Plan a Week of Menus.
Tags: foods that, from your, healthy foods, those times, those times when, times when
Administering insulin at home is easy. Store your insulin vials in the refrigerator and replace there after the procedure is complete. Be sure to have many syringes and do not reuse any. The doctor should have given you a box to dispose of the used syringes properly.
Instructions
administer an insulin shot
1. Mix insulin vial before using. Do not shake it since this isn't necessary and could cause a problem with its predictability. Simply role the vial between the palms of your hands.
2. Insert the syringe into the top of the vial. You will need to stick the needle into the rubber topping of the vial and pull back on the syringe in order to get the insulin into it.
3. Take the syringe out of the vial once it is filled to the required amount of insulin.
4. Check the syringe for any bubbles. Sometimes bubbles accumulate when pulling out the insulin into the syringe. Either tap out the bubbles or replace the insulin in the vial and try again.
5. Inject the syringe into the upper arm of the person. Be gentle when doing this.
Acupuncture has existed for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a method of healing and treating various illnesses and pains. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists acupuncture as a form of treatment for more than 40 medical conditions. WHO also recommends education and training requirements, and in the United States, each state has its own legal requirements for becoming a licensed acupuncturist. However, similar to a doctor, a good acupuncturist requires more than a certification and license.
Education
Experience and training are keys to becoming a professional acupuncturist. Furthermore, continuing education is also important to improve and refine skills.
Sterile Environment
An acupuncturist's office should be clean and sterile. All needles should be disposable needles or, at the very least, sterilized to prevent contamination and spread of infection.
Relate to Patients
As a healer, an acupuncturist should be able to connect with his patients and answer questions in an effective manner that will ease any concerns. Satisfied patients will give their recommendations when an acupuncturist goes a step beyond simply treating ailments.
Code of Ethics
As medical practitioners follow a code of ethics, acupuncturists should also apply a similar code.
Heal
A good acupuncturist heals and should be able to efficiently determine the specific pressure points to effectively treat the patient.
Alopecia areata is a non-lethal autoimmune disorder that causes partial or total hair loss on the scalp, face and body. It affects almost 2 percent of the U.S. population, and strikes males and females in equal numbers. People of all ages and ethnic origins are affected. There is no cure for alopecia areata, and no medications have been specifically approved for its treatment. Still, there are solid resources available to help you deal with its physical and mental effects.
Symptoms and Potential Causes
Alopecia areata is not painful. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks the cells that are most actively involved in hair growth. The resulting hair loss typically occurs in quarter-sized patches on the scalp. In some cases, the loss is limited in scope, but in many instances the involvement is extensive. In rare situations, hair loss is total. Outbreaks also occur in face and body hair. Total hair loss on the scalp is called alopecia areata totalis. Total simultaneous hair loss on the head, body and face is called alopecia areata universalis.
Scientists believe that alopecia areata is partially genetic. Having a close family member with the disorder somewhat increases your chances of getting it yourself. If that family member first showed symptoms before his 30th birthday, your chances are increased even further. Having family members with certain other autoimmune syndromes---including Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, thyroid disease and systemic lupus---also increases your risks of developing alopecia areata. It is also possible that certain infections or viruses act as trigger events for genetically predisposed individuals.
Still, if you have alopecia areata it is not likely you directly inherited the disorder, and it is equally unlikely you will pass it on to your children. Apparently, it is controlled by a number of different genes, and the chances of passing all of them along in one generation are exceedingly small.
Diagnosis and Support
If you are diagnosed with alopecia, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, the disorder is highly erratic. You may experience varying periods of increasing or diminishing hair loss. You may grow your hair back, only to lose it again. You may lose your hair completely and regrow only part of it. The frustrations from this unpredictable cycling can be intense, and actually may be alopecia's main effect on your long-term health. The National Areata Alopecia Foundation has established a pen pal program to facilitate communication between sufferers of the disorder. The foundation also runs many other programs, including a message board and support group. Additional help and information are available from the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Institutes of Health.
Limited Treatments
No known ways to cure or prevent alopecia areata exist. Still, doctors have used various medications approved for other purposes to promote new hair growth in alopecia patients. They include minoxidil, oral cyclosporine, sulfasalazine, anthralin and corticosteroids. Each of these therapies poses its own set of risks, and you should ask your doctor about the problems associated with any treatment he might prescribe. It's is also critical to remember that none of these therapies can provide permanent relief, or stop the occurrence of new outbreaks of the disorder.
Tags: hair loss, alopecia areata, alopecia areata, called alopecia, called alopecia areata
Drug addiction can be extremely difficult to overcome. Not only do illegal drugs ruin vital parts of your body's inner workings, but they often result in physical cravings, in which your system requires the very poison that's destroying it in order to function. Solutions to drug addiction exist, but they require dedication and willpower, and many addicts turn to them only when they have no choice. The good news is that with perseverance and hard work, you can overcome your addiction.
Personal Commitment
Many drug addicts live in deep denial about their problem. They refuse to admit they have an addiction even as it costs them friends, family and employment. Only when the addict can look himself in the mirror and confront the extent of his drug use can he get help. Acknowledging the addiction and vowing to fight it are only part of the equation, however. Because drug addiction can result in physical cravings, it becomes more than simply a matter of willpower to stop. The commitment to recovery thus constitutes a vital first step, but only a first step.
Detox
Once the addict is ready to confront his problem, he then needs to get the drugs out of his body as quickly and safely as possible. Detox should always take place under the care of a physician, who can monitor the addict and make sure his vital signs stay healthy. The exact method of detox depends on the addict and the extent of his condition. In many cases, he should detox in a qualified facility where he can be watched by professionals. In some cases, he may be able to detox at home under the care of friends or family members. Doctors may also prescribe certain medication, such as methodone, to address the symptoms of withdrawal, or may advocate a slow, gradual withdrawal from the drug over time. Because there are so many variables, it's vital to consult a doctor before beginning detox.
One Day at a Time
Once the drugs are out of the addict's system, the next step comes in controlling the cravings and working to repair the damage drugs have done. Counseling and self-help groups are available to talk about the addict's issues and teach new ways of coping. Many experts recommend staying away from high risk situations--people or locations which may tempt the addict into relapsing--and to find healthy pastimes to fill the hole left by drugs. Former addicts refer to themselves as "recovering" for a reason. The process never ends, but with time and a committed effort, it can get better.
Tags: drug addiction, first step, friends family, physical cravings, result physical
Hearing aids are wonderful devices. They protect people that are hard of hearing from the social awkwardness and dangerous situations that occur when you cannot hear everything that goes on around you. From large tubing and battery packs worn around the waist to small wires that are nearly invisible, hearing aids have come a long way. Unfortunately, however, there are still problems that occur when people wear hearing aids. Most of these problems stem from the hearing aid being improperly fitted or adjusted.
Discomfort
If a hearing aid doesn't fit right, it can be very uncomfortable. It will slide around in your ear and cause soreness. Or it will be too tight and pinch the skin in your ear.
Whistling and Wind Noise
Some hearing aids tend to give a lot of feedback noise. This happens when putting them in. It may also happen when using electronic devices, such as a telephone.
Improper Sound Quality
Hearing aids need to be adjusted for each person. If the sound coming through is amplified too much or too little, the hearing aid will not work for you.
Headaches
If the sound coming through the amplifier is set too loud, headaches will occur. Even though you may not notice because it is a good volume for you, your ears are still as sensitive as everyone else's.
Tinnitus
Hearing aids, especially when adjusted improperly, can cause ringing in the ears. If this occurs, return to your audiologist for advice and adjustment.
Tags: coming through, Hearing aids, occur when, sound coming, sound coming through, that occur, that occur when
Cooking oil is derived from various natural products including nuts, seeds and beans. After numerous years of research and trials of various oil extraction methods,
the solvent extraction method has been found to be most useful and believed to give the highest yield. However, solvents are dangerously volatile (more flammable than
gasoline) and therefore should be used with extreme care and high safety standards. Solvent extraction methods are best used on seeds containing less than 20 percent oil, such as soybean.
Instructions
1. Put the oil cakes or flaked soybeans in the perforated baskets of the oil-extracting
machines. Add hexane in the bottom container and let it percolate through the cakes. The solvent extracts maximum amount of oil possible from the seeds, which gets collected in the extraction section. Over 90 percent of the solvent material evaporates, then condenses and gets collected in the same container.
2. Heat the cooking oil by passing steam through it. This will help retrieve remaining
traces of the solvent. Being lighter in weight, hexane floats upwards, condenses and gets collected.
3. Heat the oil to 107 to 188 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate at the rate of one gram per liter of extracted oil. The undesired fatty acids mix with it to form soap. The soap is removed by centrifugal method in the oil extracting machine. The extracted oil will now be free of color, odor and taste (bitterness) imparted by the solvent.
4. Heat water to a temperature of 188 to 206 degrees Fahrenheit and pass the steam through the oil. The steam combines with the phosphatides (a class of lipids present in all oil-producing seeds) and precipitates; these phosphatides are also removed by centrifugal method by the oil extracting machine. Then pass the oil through fuller's earth or activated carbon. The pigments present in the oil are absorbed. This process is called de-gumming.
5. Heat the oil to 440 to 485 degrees Fahrenheit in a vacuum. Pass steam over the oil through the pipes provided for this purpose in the oil extracting machine, the steam attracts the odor components and volatile taste. Distill the oil and add citric acid (one percent of the total amount of oil extracted) to inactivate any remaining trace metals. Trace metals encourage oxidation of oil,
which decreases the shelf life of the cooking oil. Pour into containers and store.
Ulcerative colitis is a condition that affects the large intestine and rectum. It is believed to be caused by dietary choices, genetics or other autoimmune diseases, though no one is certain of the cause. It is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but in severe cases, ulcerated sections of the colon are removed. Though the main symptom is bloody diarrhea, symptoms vary depending on the location of the ulcers.
Ulcerative Proctitis
When the ulcers are limited to the rectum, symptoms include bleeding and constipation, though the feeling of needing the bathroom is present.
Left-sided Colitis
When the ulcers are located in the left side of the colon, symptoms include cramps and bloody diarrhea. Dramatic weight loss is also a common symptom.
Pancolitis
When the entire colon is affected, symptoms include bloody diarrhea, extreme cramping and flu-like symptoms such as exhaustion and night sweats.
Fulminant Colitis
This rare and often fatal variation of colitis involves all the traditional symptoms as well as dehydration and shock. The colon becomes toxic, frequently leading to death.
Other Symptoms
It is common for people with ulcerative colitis to have symptoms in other parts of their body. They can range from problems in the eyes, skin and musculoskeletal system.
Tags: bloody diarrhea, symptoms include, When ulcers
Ants are creative and wonderful creatures--until you get bitten by one of them. Though these insects are small, they pack a powerful bite. Depending upon the type of ant, they may even swarm and act aggressively, quickly covering their victim. Millions of people are bitten every year by ants, and knowing treat the bite is important. In most cases, there is just a little swelling, redness, and an itchy feeling around the bite. In extreme cases, anaphylactic shock can occur, which means the person's entire body over-reacts to the bite, causing swelling to occur in the mouth, throat, trachea, and lungs. Without prompt medical treatment, the person can die.
Instructions
1. Wash the bitten area with warm water and soap. Dry the bite gently.
2. Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Apply the baking soda paste to the bite. This homemade treatment helps with itching and swelling.
3. If you do not have adverse reactions to Benedryl, take a Benadryl tablet. One 25 milligram dose of Benadryl helps in the event of an allergic reaction.
4. Avoid scratching, picking, or draining the bite. In many cases, a pustule will form within a day or two. Do not break this open as it can cause infection.
5. Call your doctor if you think your bite is infected. Signs of infection include foul odor, drainage and pus from the wound, fever, and swelling.
Goju-Ryu is a traditional Okinawan form of karate that employs "hard" and "soft" fighting techniques. Hard techniques are closed-fist linear attacks, and soft techniques are open-palm circular movements. These techniques are practiced in movements called kata. These kata must be practiced under the guidance of a Goju-Ryu practitioner.
Saifa
Saifa is the first of the Goju-Ryu combative techniques and means "to smash and tear to pieces." This technique is used as a grappling training kata that focuses on grappling and tearing.
Sanchin
Sanchin translates as "three battles or conflicts." This technique focuses on overcoming physical exhaustion with the power of the mind, and the point of the Sanchin kata is to develop perseverance and self-discipline.
Seiyunchin
Seiyunchin means "control, suppress and pull." This kata teaches students to grapple and throw an opponent off balance. It contains close-quarter fighting techniques such as sweeps, kicks and takedowns.
Shisochin
Shisochin means "four gates" or "four directions of conflict." The idea behind this kata is to develop 360 defense techniques in order to defend from all four directions: left, right, in front and behind.
Sanseru
Sanseru means "36 hands" and is a kata technique that focuses on hitting pressure points. The technique is reminiscent of kung fu styles such as the crane and the tiger.
Sepai
Sepai means "18 hands" and is seen simply as a variation of "36 hands." Sepai employs a different set of attacks and defenses, yet is executed in a similar fashion to "36 hands."
Kururunfa
Kururunfa means "holding ground." This technique focuses on grappling and throws rather than punches and blocks. The movements and transitions are quick and explosive.
Seisan
Seisan or "13 hands" is understood to be the oldest of all the Goju-Ryu kata. It is predominantly a defensive technique and is also practiced in Chinese boxing.
Suparinpei
Suparinpei means "108 hands" and is one of the most complex of all Goju-Ryu techniques. It contains the most movements of all the kata. The name is associated with the Buddhist philosophy regarding the 108 sins of man.
Tensho
Tensho or "turning palms" is the only completely unique Okinawan kata in Goju-Ryu. Unlike the other styles, Tensho teaches you to contract the muscles and keep the body rigid during the kata.
Tags: means hands, This technique, fighting techniques, focuses grappling, four directions
One type of bitters, orange, is used to flavor martinis.
Bitters have a long and interesting history. The use of bitters began as early as the 19th century, then progressed to being used in drinks in the early 20th century. Still used today in a variety of ways, bitters may not be on every person's radar, but a dash here and there can provide flavor to foods and drinks and, according to some, offer health benefits as well.
Definition
Bitters is a liquid that is made of any number of herbs and citrus extracts. This liquid was very popular before Prohibition in the U.S. and was used in the very first cocktails to provide a complex flavor. Before its use in alcoholic drinks, it was sold in drug stores as an herbal remedy, although science has yet to prove its beneficial effects. There are essentially three basic kinds of bitters, aromatic, orange and herbal. Beyond that, there are dozens, if not hundreds of sub-varieties. The name "bitters" derives from the bitter taste the liquid has on its own. The bitters bottle usually has a very small slit or hole at the top to let out only a drop at a time. In recipes, a "dash" of bitters is one drop from the bottle.
Food and Aromatic Bitters
Before Prohibition, bitters were sold in drug stores everywhere and were commonly used products. After Prohibition, only a few producers remained. Aromatic bitters can be used in a variety of ways. A few dashes on vanilla ice cream, in coffee or your grapefruit juice adds flavor. Bitters are also included in recipes to add a flavor element to common dishes such as beef goulash, braised pork, chocolate brownies and tacos.
Drinks and bitters
The most likely place you will see bitters today is on the drink menu of a restaurant serving cocktails from past decades. While there are thousands of cocktail recipes that include bitters, there are a couple of drinks that have traditionally had bitters in their essential makeup. One such drink is an old fashioned, which is whiskey, sugar, bitters and water. Another classic is the Manhattan, a combination of vermouth, rye whiskey and bitters.
Herbal Remedies
While there is little to no scientific evidence to back up health claims, some herbalists recommend bitters as a tonic to improve health, especially relating to digestion. According to the Even Star website, bitters can reduce stress, increase and stabilize the appetite and stabilize blood sugar. While bitters will not likely have negative side effects, you should consult your doctor before you begin any health regimen.
Tags: drug stores, sold drug, sold drug stores, variety ways, While there
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that occurs in the intestines. It most often develops in adults over 20 years of age, occurring more often in women than in men. The symptoms of IBS can be painful and embarrassing. If one or a combination of these symptoms has been persisting over time, it's time to talk to a physician about the possibilities of IBS.
Gas & Bloating
Excessive gas and feeling bloated are a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Constipation
Pain during a bowel movement or being unable to have a bowel movement can be very uncomfortable and causes a buildup of toxic waste in the body.
Diarrhea
A regular occurrence of diarrhea is a sign of IBS, especially if it occurs immediately after eating or waking up in the morning.
Pain & Cramping
Abdominal pain and cramping could be a sign of IBS. During a women's menstrual cycle cramping may feel worse than usual if they are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
Feeling A Strong Urge To Have A Bowel Movement
Feeling like you need to have a bowel movement, especially right after having had a bowel movement.
Tags: bowel movement, bowel movement, bowel syndrome, have bowel, have bowel movement, irritable bowel
A variety of herbs and spices can help to restore your circulation to a healthy state.Used in teas, massage and tinctures, cayenne, ginger, gingko and cleavers offer restorative properties to a sluggish circulatory system.
Instructions
1. Invigorate circulation with spicy cayenne. Cayenne's capsacin promotes blood circulation and reduces clotting. Simply spice up your meals with cayenne powder.
2. Experience a sense of well-being and stimulate circulation with ginger's warming and relaxing properties. As ginger eases surface capillaries, it warms hands and feet. Ginger is delicious in many foods such as curries, oriental dishes or as a syrup for desserts.
3. Stimulate cerebral circulation with gingko from the leaves of Chinese evergreen trees. Gingko is known to improve memory, a consequence of increased circulation in the brain.
4. Purify your blood with cleavers, an herb that is found along the sides of roads and in hedgerows. Use young cleavers shoots to make a juice or use dried cleavers in an infusion. Cleavers can aid lymphatic drainage and my lower blood pressure.
5. Try garlic or yarrow to invigorate poor circulation and to reduce blood pressure.
Tags: circulation with, blood pressure, Circulation With, Circulation With Herbs, With Herbs
The average age a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor is between 3 and 8 years old. This is mostly due to the fact that a tumor may be delaying their physical or mental development. These are a variety of symptoms found in a toddler with a brain tumor, which should alert a parent to seek treatment.
Headaches
It may be surprising that not every toddler experiences headaches that are often associated with a brain tumor. Some feel no pain in their head, which may make a diagnosis that much more surprising to a parent. Others will experience mild to serious headaches, but they're unable to explain it or the pain is so minimal that they continue her normal activities.
Blurred Vision
Depending on the size and location of the brain tumor, a toddler may experience blurred vision. Parents may notice this if their child is not walking straight or reaches farther to the left or right . Again, this does not present itself in all cases of toddler's with a brain tumor.
Coordination
Toddlers are notoriously clumsy, but if yours was not previously or has had a radical change in coordination, it may be due to a brain tumor. As previously mentioned, a brain tumor can blur the vision and cause a toddler to become dizzy and unbalanced. However, the tumor may also be pressing on the part of the brain that controls the toddler's coordination and balance and that is why he suddenly has more trouble just walking or running.
Vomiting
Vomiting is common when something is wrong with the brain, whether it is a simple headache or something serious like a brain tumor. The vomiting may be caused by the brain tumor itself or it may be brought on by the headaches or blurred vision that is caused by the brain tumor.
Mood
Mood swings are fairly common in toddlers for various reasons, but mood swings related to brain tumors are often more severe and happen quickly. One moment the toddler may be happy and the next moment she is yelling for no reason and then quickly returns to being happy. This may sound "normal" for a toddler, but a parent should be able to recognize the difference in mood swings that are normal for their child and those that are not.
Seizures
Many people think of seizures in terms of a person's body experiencing violent spasms. This can be true, but seizures can also be almost silent if nobody is watching the toddler carefully. The motions may be barely noticeable, but the toddler may begin to drool and his eyes may appear to be unresponsive. Either type of seizure may present itself when a toddler has a brain tumor.
Tags: brain tumor, brain tumor, with brain, with brain tumor, Brain Tumor
Chi is the universal energy present in all living things. This ancient Chinese belief is also called qi, prana, God and life-force energy. The practice of enhancing and raising awareness of Chi is thought to bring you serenity and good health. While Chi energy is able to find and treat areas of your body that need healing, it can also be directed by you. Through daily meditation, you become more aware of Chi energy. Once awareness is achieved, you are able to direct Chi energy through visualization.
Instructions
1. Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Sit in a comfortable position, with your spine straight. You can sit on the floor or in a chair. Rest your hands gently on your lap.
2. Breathe slowly. Take calming breaths in through your nose. Each breath brings Chi deeper into your body. Exhale slowly through your mouth. You will feel the tension leaving your body with each exhalation. Block out distracting thoughts while you focus on your breathing.
3. Be aware of how your body feels. Let all your muscles become limp and relaxed. Feel the calmness of Chi in your body.
4. Visualize the white light of Chi filling your body. What you visualize is not important. Your vision of Chi energy can be anything you choose it to be. It is your intuition and your intention that is most important.
5. Feel the divine warmth of Chi in your body. Focus all of your attention toward it. Your intuition lets you feel the energy. Continue your slow, relaxed breathing.
6. Concentrate on the area of your body where Chi feels the most intense. With your mind as your guide, direct your Chi to another part of your body. Feel the warmth move to where your inner force asked it to go.
7. Practice this exercise daily. You will raise awareness of Chi energy with time and practice. Allow yourself time before you rise from this mediation.
Everyone knows that highblood cholesterol leads to blocked arteries and heart disease. But many people aren't aware that their blood cholesterol levels have shot up, since there are often no obvious symptoms. Unpleasantly surprised by your most recent blood-test results? Better take these steps to heart.
Instructions
Eat more healthfully
1. Decrease your fat intake to 30 percent of daily calories. (A lower fat level would best be recommended by a physician.)
2. Lower the amount of saturated fat you consume. Saturated fats will drive up your cholesterol more than any other food. They're found in foods derived from animal sources and certain tropical plants--for example, marbling and untrimmed fat in meat, chicken skin, butter, dairy products and coconut oil.
3. In place of saturated fats and trans fats (see Tips), substitute small amounts of polyunsaturated fats and, in particular, monounsaturated fats such as olive, canola and nut oils.
4. Lower the amount of cholesterol in your diet to less than 300 mg per day. Cholesterol is found in foods with animal origins, such as meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, egg yolks, cheese, ice cream and whole milk. When eating meat, decrease your serving size. Switch to skim milk and avoid processed meat products.
5. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, foods that tend to be low in fat and dense in nutrients.
Exercise regularly
6. Exercise for 30 minutes at least four times a week. Even two 15-minute or three 10-minute exercise breaks are beneficial.
7. Incorporate physical activity into your daily life. Take the stairs. Get off the bus early or park farther from entrances than usual.
8. Establish a program of regular, vigorous exercise. Finding an exercise buddy will inspire you to reach your goals.
Lose weight
9. Shedding even a small amount of weight helps lower your cholesterol level. Lose the weight through slow, long-term diet changes and regular exercise, not by a crash diet.
10. Avoid prepared low-fat and nonfat foods that are high in sugar. You need to lower your overall calorie intake as well as your fat calories, and many of those products are high in calories.
11. You may want to look for a structured program that offers support and professional expertise, one that will help you understand and change behavioral patterns.
Tags: blood cholesterol, foods that, found foods, Lose weight, Lower amount, lower your, that high
In Kentucky, the state medical assistance program Medicaid is called KYHealth. People receiving medical assistance from the state of Kentucky are given a medical health card, which is only distributed to eligible Medicaid recipients to use when receiving covered services such as routine care, hospitalization, preventative screenings, immunizations, maternity care and prescription drugs, among others. The card serves as proof of coverage, although the medical provider confirms Medicaid eligibility before services are rendered.
You Must Be Medicaid Eligible
You must be eligible for Medicaid to receive a KYHealth card. Medicaid is a federal-state medical assistance program for very low income individuals and families who otherwise lack health coverage. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or meet non-resident citizen requirements, a Kentucky resident and meet income and asset requirements. As of 2010, the state sets income limits of $217 per month for an individual and $383 per month for a family of four. Pregnant women, dependent children under 19, disabled parents and/or unemployed or underemployed parents who meet the income eligibility requirements for Medicaid should apply. The state sets income eligibility for pregnant women at 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level---the equivalent of $1,670 for a household of one for 2010. The state automatically enrolls senior, blind and disabled Kentuckians receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. If you think you may qualify, go to your local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office to file an application. DCBS issues KYHealth cards to eligible Medicaid recipients within 7 to 10 days of the application being approved. Each household member receives his own card.
Present KYHealth Card Before Receiving Services
The KYHealth card serves as your Medicaid identification card, and your name and identification number is printed on the front. Bring the card with you any time you receive medical services. A magnetic stripe is located on the back of the card and confirms your identify and Medicaid eligibility when swiped. A medical provider swipes the card before services are rendered.
Never Throw the Card Away
The plastic KYHealth card, which replaced paper cards in 2005, is permanent. Do not throw the card away even if you no longer qualify for Medicaid. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services recommends keeping the card in a safe place when you no longer qualify for medical assistance. Take the card when you meet with your caseworker or visit your local Family Support Office to review your benefit eligibility. Contact your local DCBS office for another card when your card is lost.
Tags: medical assistance, eligible Medicaid, your local, 2010 state, assistance program