The American Heart Association reports that hundreds of thousands of deaths are due to coronary heart disease each year, with a good many of them sudden cardiac arrests. Time is of the essence when recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, and every second that ticks by determines whether the victim lives or dies. Quick thinking and fast action is needed to give the victim hope of survival and recovery. You could be the person responsible for saving the victim's life.
Instructions
1. Stay calm and do not panic. Look at the patient's chest for the rise and fall of breaths. If the chest is still, the victim has stopped breathing. Oxygen deprivation is imminent.
2. Look for unresponsiveness in the victim, as cardiac arrest usually happens without warning. The heart stops, usually due to ventricular fibrillation. Lack of a heartbeat leads to oxygen deprivation and eventually death if measures are not taken to jump-start the heart. Call 9-1-1 or yell for somebody else to call for an ambulance and immediately start cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the rate of 100 compressions per minute.
3. Ask if an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available. Some public places have them for a cardiac arrest incident. Attach the AED machine to the victim and follow the instructions until the ambulance arrives.
The health triangle describes the combination of physical, mental and social aspects of one's life and their well-being. When all three aspects are healthy and equally present, the health triangle is described as balanced. One weakened aspect of the triangle affects the other two, and if the health triangle of an individual is not balanced, the individual cannot be healthy. Learning balance the health triangle is critical to living a full and healthy life.
Instructions
Balance a Health Triangle
1. Get plenty of exercise. It's good to go for a jog or visit the gym each day, but you should also exercise your mental and social areas of the triangle. Doing trivia and puzzles, and frequently interacting with others in a positive way are also forms of exercising.
2. Get plenty of rest. Just as your body needs to rest, you should let the other areas of your health triangle rest as well. Meditating, dealing with stress and spending time alone when necessary are vital for healthy living.
3. Avoid negative influences. Refrain from alcohol, tobacco or drugs that can damage your body. Stay away from situations that cause undue anxiety or unease, and don't associate with people you find to be overly negative or toxic.
4. Try new experiences. A great way to expand upon an aspect of your health triangle that is falling behind is to try new experiences. If you're social aspect is weak, try going out to a club. If you're in need of improvement on the mental side, pick up a crossword puzzle and test yourself. If your workout routine is lagging, sign up for a new class or enlist a friend as a walking buddy.
Tags: health triangle, Balance Health, Balance Health Triangle, mental social, your body
Although high blood pressure, or hypertension, is considered to be a dangerous heart risk, people do not usually consider hypotension, or low blood pressure, to carry the same risks. Hypotension can cause dizziness, as well as heart and endocrine problems down the line. It is possible to raise your blood pressure without a prescription or the help of a doctor, although you should consult a doctor if you are feeling specifically dizzy, having heart palpitations or are feeling weak overall. A blood pressure lower than 90/60 mm hG is considered low blood pressure and you are at risk for hypotension.
Instructions
1. Add more salt to your diet. Although most people think that salt is something to avoid, if you have hypotension, adding more salt to your diet can raise blood pressure quickly. If you are older, you should consult your doctor before adding more salt to your diet as it may put you at a risk for heart failure.
2. Drink more water every day. Adding more water to your diet will increase your blood volume, therefore increasing blood pressure. Do not consume more than one gallon of water in a day, or you risk losing nutrients due to water overdose.
3. Wear compression stockings, especially while standing up. Individuals with low blood pressure can experience pooling in the lower legs and ankles due to blood not being able to flow correctly. Wear compression stockings to prevent the blood from collecting in your lower extremities.
4. Monitor your blood pressure regularly. Take your blood pressure at your local drugstore, or have it taken at your doctor's office. If your blood pressure is under 90/60 mm hG, see a doctor as soon as possible.
5. See a doctor for a prescription if necessary. If you are still feeling dizzy when standing up or feeling generally tired, your doctor may prescribe you a medication like Fludrocortisone, which will raise your blood pressure.
Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure, your blood pressure, your diet, more salt
Shoulder surgery, also known as arthroscopic or rotator cuff surgery, repairs torn ligaments in the shoulder, replaces the shoulder joint, or stabilizes the shoulder joint. Recovery from shoulder surgery can take many months, however following post-op instructions after the surgery may help you heal properly and feel more comfortable.
Recovery Room
Immediately after surgery, you will feel groggy and sedated as you probably have been given strong pain medications. You will be resting in a recovery room while the pain medications wear off. Your doctor may allow you to go home after you leave the recovery room; or if your surgery was particularly difficult, long, or there were complications, you may need to recover in the hospital overnight.
Medications
When you go home from the hospital, you may have some pain and discomfort. Take any prescribed pain medications as needed. Your doctor should have also given you a prescription antibiotic to ward off an infection. Be sure to take these prescriptions exactly as instructed by your doctor.
Keep Incision Wound Dry
Keep the incision wound dry until your doctor says its okay to get it wet. Either bathe in a tub, keeping your shoulder dry, or cover your shoulder with a plastic bag while showering.
Infection
If you notice your incision wound becoming more painful, swelling excessively, or draining pus, you may have an infection, so call your doctor. The first day you are home from your surgery, a slightly higher temperature of approximately 100° F may be normal. If you continue to have a fever for several days and/or have flu-like symptoms, call your doctor.
Sleep Position
You may feel more comfortable and get more sleep, if you sleep sitting upright in a reclining chair. This will enable you to keep your shoulder elevated, reducing swelling. Stabilize your arm with pillows propped up underneath it and do not put any pressure on your shoulder. If you do sleep in your bed, do not sleep on your side or stomach.
Swelling
Some swelling is to be expected in the first couple weeks after surgery. The swelling will go down gradually. You can help it along by using ice packs on your shoulder for 20-minute increments once every other hour.
Arm Sling
Your doctor should have sent you home with an arm sling. For most shoulder surgeries, you will be required to wear the sling all the time except when doing prescribed exercises. For the first few weeks after surgery, try not to use your arm. Your sling is meant to keep your shoulder immobile so you will heal properly.
Your doctor may also advise you not to drive a car for as long as six weeks after surgery. Physical therapy will start several weeks after your surgery.
Tags: your shoulder, after surgery, weeks after, pain medications, weeks after surgery
The most common types of allergic skin rashes are caused by perfume, soap, detergent and cosmetics reactions, chemicals from latex, elastic or rubber products and chemicals and dyes that are present in clothing.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. This allergic skin rash is extremely common in young children, but can also happen to young adults and continue on later in life. Atopic dermatitis rashes occur in locations where a person scratches frequently. For infants, this eczema is common on the cheeks, scalp and chest (all places where babies can reach to scratch). For older children and young adults, atopic dermatitis is commonly located in the elbow skin folds and also behind the knees (though the rashes can show up on the hands, feet back and neck as well). This rash is usually red, flaky and oozing, and often manifests itself as bumps or blisters.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a type of allergic skin rash that is triggered by skin exposure to a substance that is capable of inducing a rash-like reaction. Some of these substances include hair dye, metals, cosmetics, dental materials and topical medication treatments. Poison ivy is a common contact dermatitis rash. Contact dermatitis allergic skin rashes are usually only located on the area of the skin that had direct contact with the offending substance that caused it.
Swelling and Hives
Angioedema (swelling) and urticaria (hives) are other types of allergic rashes. Angioedema often involves the lips, eyes, hands and feet, and is generally neither itchy nor red, but stings, burns and tingles. Urticaria can occur to individuals of any age and shows up as raised red bumps of various different sizes and shapes. Urticaria hives can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
Rash-less Itching
Itching without the presence of a rash is fairly common and known as pruritus. Pruritus generally signifies a skin problem (but sometimes can even be a symptom for an internal disease). Some possible causes of pruritus include medications that cause itching and allergic reaction, and also metabolic issues like iron deficiency and thyroid disease.
Medications
There are several medications and drugs that are common causes of allergic skin rashes, such as Urabeth, Myotonachol, Urecholine, Duvoid, Disipal and Calcitare.
Massage therapy has become increasingly popular over the past few years, as many people turn to more holistic approaches to health and well-being. If you are a massage therapist, you know that there is a lot of competition out there from your peers in the industry. You may want to consider taking certain steps to help promote your massage therapy services.
Instructions
1. Get business cards printed up promoting your massage therapy services. They need to be professionally designed, so resist the urge to "save money" by creating business cards on your own, because the quality will not be the same. Make sure that your information includes such things as your name, title, offered services and phone number.
2. Create a website to promote your massage therapy business. Websites are relatively simple to build, since there are a number of hosting sites that provide tools to make designing a website easy. Your site gives you the opportunity to elaborate on what it is you do, present proof of your expertise, inform visitors about the benefits of massage therapy, offer a means of direct contact with you if they have questions and want to schedule sessions, etc. The Internet gives you a wider audience. Your website address should be printed on your business cards, if you use them.
3. Utilize promotional materials, such as T-shirts, pencils, pens, bumper stickers, coffee mugs and the like that have the name of your massage therapy business on them. If you don't already have a logo, create one and then have a company like Promopeddler.com make promotional products for you, with your logo and business name. It's going to cost you a little, but the plus is that these promotional materials are bound to draw curious questions from observers. Not only can you use these products yourself, but you should consider giving things, like pencils and pens with your info on them to customers.
4. See if beauty salons will allow you to set up a massage chair for interested customers. You might find a shop that may be willing to let you do this regularly, since it will definitely add a perk to their own business. Customers can receive a chair massage while they wait for their hair appointments. You may only want to do this for a brief period of time, however, so that the salon won't try to cut into your profits. Once you've gotten sufficient positive feedback from those you give massages to, move on, but hand your satisfied clients your business card before you leave.
5. Word-of-mouth is still a very useful way of getting the word out about your massage therapy services. When customers are happy with your work, the likelihood is that they are going to go out and tell other people about it. Make sure that you establish a positive relationship with your clients from the beginning and that you are courteous, professional and willing to do all you can to accommodate them. You can even offer discounts to clients who consistently use your services or who refer a certain number of new clients. The better you treat customers, the better they will talk about you to friends, family members and acquaintances, which can result in more business for you.
Tags: massage therapy, your massage, your massage therapy, with your, business cards, massage therapy services
ThermaCare heat wraps apply heat to sore and strained muscles. Since they have an adhesive to keep them attached to the skin or wrapped around it, the heat goes with you if you must move around. Patients with sensitive skin, circulatory problems or diabetes should discuss using ThermaCare with their doctors before applying them for pain.
Instructions
1. Keep the ThermaCare heat wrap in the individual, airtight package until ready for use since the iron, salt, charcoal and water disks react to the air to create heat.
2. Open the package and remove the tabs to expose the adhesives - if present. Apply the ThermaCare wrap to the affected area, following step 3 or 4 depending on your product.
3. Wrap a ThermaCare for the lower back, elbow, knee or hand around the affected area.
4. Use the adhesive tabs on ThermaCare models for the neck and menstrual cramps which stick to the skin to hold the wrap against the affected area.
5. Wait for 30 minutes for the ThermaCare to reach its full temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Wear the ThermaCare for 8 to 12 hours or until you feel it cool off. If the wrap does not heat after 30 minutes, it might have been previously exposed to air and deactivated. Discard it and use a new, unopened ThermaCare.
Vein surgery is performed to treat varicose and "spider" veins. These vein conditions rarely pose a serious health risk, but they may cause discomfort: aches and pains or a throbbing sensation. Many people also consider the blue or dark-purple veins to be unsightly and have them removed for cosmetic reasons. While other treatments are available, surgical removal of veins is the best option for some patients. Although the surgery corrects the problem, patients should be aware of potential side effects.
Significance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that serious side effects of vein surgery are uncommon. Patients undergoing any type of vein surgery might experience swelling and redness of the treated area. Follow your doctor's home care instructions to minimize possible side effects. Such instructions might include changing the wound's dressing to avoid infection and wearing compression bandages or stockings if needed.
Types
Four types of surgery are used to treat varicose and spider veins: surgical ligation and stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy, laser surgery and endoscopic vein surgery. Surgical ligation and stripping poses the highest number of possible side effects; still, serious medical complications are rare.
Surgical Ligation and Stripping
This treatment involves surgery. A doctor ties the varicose vein shut, then completely removes it from the leg. Patients receive local or general anesthesia prior to surgery. Side effects can include infection, inflammation, redness and swelling of the wound, permanent scars, nerve tissue damage around the treated vein, and bleeding. A patient might develop a blood clot or significant pain in the treated area during recovery. There is also a risk of heart or breathing problems during surgery because of general anesthesia.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This surgery is less invasive than surgical ligation. Tiny incisions are made in the skin and surgical hooks are used to remove the vein through the incisions. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area beforehand. Possible side effects include slight bruising, small scars and a temporary numbness that can last several hours.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery is performed by inserting a thin laser fiber into the vein. The fiber is then slowly removed as the laser energy flows through the fiber, causing the walls of the vein to collapse. After the procedure, skin may appear dark or discolored, but this should fade within a few months. Patients should take care to protect the skin from the sun during the first two weeks of recovery, because sun exposure can worsen discoloration and cause dark spots. Laser surgery can cause burns and scarring in some cases, but this is usually the result of an improperly performed procedure.
Tags: side effects, effects include, general anesthesia, ligation stripping, possible side, spider veins, surgery performed
There are several forms of myositis, but they all display similar symptoms and have similar treatments. Diagnosing for myositis can be complicated and is normally performed by an autoimmune specialist. Some of the tests used to diagnose myositis include blood tests and a muscle test known as an electromyogram or an EMG.
Identification
Myositis is a condition that causes the muscles to become inflamed. Over time the muscles become weakened and create a great deal of pain. According to Caring Medical and Rehabilitation Services, myositis is extremely rare with an occurrence of less than 10 cases for every 1 million people in the United States. It is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to begin attacking the muscles and causing inflammation and pain.
Effects
The initial symptoms of myositis are weakness in the muscles, muscle cramps and muscle pain. Over time other symptoms may start to occur including a series of red rashes in random parts of the body, a series of fevers that are not high in temperature but occur frequently, a general feeling of fatigue, an unexplained weight loss and a persistent heartburn or feeling of indigestion.
Potential
As myositis develops the symptoms can become much more painful and noticeable. These advanced symptoms include the onset of arthritis in the joints, an increased sensitivity to cold especially in the hands and feet commonly known as Raynaud's phenomenon, a labored or shallow breathing, a difficulty swallowing or an increase in pain when trying to speak or swallow and chronic cough that begins subtle but slowly becomes more noticeable and difficult to get rid of.
Prevention/Solution
Treatment for myositis centers around relieving the symptoms and regulating the body's immune system. There is no single medication that can cure myositis, but through a series of medications a doctor may be able to reduce the effects of the condition and allow the person to enjoy a good quality of life. Myositis is considered to be a chronic disease which means that once a person has it they have it for the rest of their life. The sooner a regiment of medications can begin, the sooner the symptoms can be brought under control.
Considerations
The medical experts at National Jewish Health warn that people with myositis are at a higher risk for developing many different types of cancer. While having myositis does not mean that a person will automatically contract cancer, it is important for people with the condition to receive regular screenings to help monitor the person's health and keep an watch out for other serious conditions.
Tags: condition that, condition that causes, immune system, muscles become, Over time, people with, that causes
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia, which means loss of mental capacities, including memory and reasoning. Alzheimer's is progressive and there is no current cure. There is, however, treatment that can slow down the development of the disease. It is a difficult disease, and often the care of the individual falls upon loved ones. It is important to know there is support, information, and understanding for those who help individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.
Types
There are two basic types of support groups available for people who take care of someone suffering from Alzheimer's. The first is online groups. These are listed on any search engine under alzheimer's support groups or elder care support. Some specific examples of websites include MDJunction.com and www.zarcrom.com. The second type is the actual group setting. These groups can be found in the phone book under "Alzheimer's." They are often listed in the community pages of local directories. In addition, you can call the number for your local Aging and Adult Services and they can refer you to the services in your area. OurAlzheimers.com is another excellent source that can assist you in finding a local group to attend.
Features
The online support groups and chat rooms are helpful because you can access them at any time without having to leave your home. There is a wider group of support and information, as many more people can respond. These groups can be used as a way to be vulnerable and honest without giving up confidentiality. The in person support groups are helpful because you can actually get to know the people who struggle with the same issues as you. You can cry, laugh, or listen to and with real people who will encourage and affirm your story.
Benefits
Both of these types of groups are able to give something that friends and others may not be able to give. That is the sharing of experiences and understanding of the frustration, guilt, anger, humor, and day to day living with someone who has Alzheimer's. Coping with this disease is incredibly difficult and support groups can help lighten that load. Some groups even offer adult day care so that attendees can bring their family members.
Misconceptions
The belief that you should take care of your family member has been around as long as humans have been. It is expected in many cultures, and to admit that it is a struggle can cause feelings of inadequacy or guilt. The picture of the extended family living in peace and contentment may cause those who take care of individual's with Alzheimer's to isolate and hide their struggles. The truth is that Alzheimers affects 1 in 20 of those over the age of 65. It is a vicious disease, robbing families of memories, personalities, and traditions. It is not necessary to fight this alone.
Significance
Support groups can be the very thing that allows the caregiver to be the caregiver. They are beneficial in giving input on everything from respite care to veteran's benefits to medical information. They can become the team that together researches new techniques, medications, and resources. They can become an advocacy group. Most of all, they can become supportive friends, and offer encouragement in what sometimes feels like a very lonely battle.
Tags: support groups, take care, able give, Alzheimer Disease, care individual, helpful because, support information
Unfortunately, there are many side effects that can occur when someone with cancer is going through chemotherapy. Chemotherapy symptoms and side effects will vary depending on the type of therapy being received. Most symptoms of the chemotherapy, however, will go away soon after the treatments are discontinued.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of chemotherapy. A person who is on chemotherapy and is vomiting should stop eating food immediately. He should consume clear liquids until the vomiting has stopped. Light foods such as rice, toast or bananas can be slowly added to the diet. Anti-nausea medication may be prescribed that can help stave off vomiting.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is another common symptom of chemotherapy. Cancer patients who are experiencing diarrhea due to chemotherapy should avoid fried, greasy foods that are high in fat, raw fruits and vegetables and spices. Whole grain cereals and breads should be avoided as well as popcorn and nuts. Anti-diarrhea medication may be prescribed. Medical providers should be notified at once if blood is seen in the stools or in the toilet.
Dehydration
A person who is undergoing chemotherapy may become dehydrated. This is a serious symptom of chemotherapy. It must be treated in a medical setting with intravenous fluids being administered. A person who is dehydrated will have little urine output. They will also have a dry mouth and their skin may remain crinkled after being pinched.
Infections
A person undergoing chemotherapy will have a drop in their immune system. This increases the risk of infection setting in anywhere in the body. Because a person undergoing chemotherapy is already dealing with many different types of symptoms, it may be hard to detect when an infection develops. It's important that people stay alert to any changes in their bodies and that they report these changes to their doctors.
Pain
Chemotherapy can cause pain. This symptom of chemotherapy is a form of nerve pain. It often produces painful numbness and/or tingling in the body, particularly in the extremities. Any pain experienced while undergoing chemotherapy treatments should be reported promptly to a physician.
Tags: undergoing chemotherapy, person undergoing, person undergoing chemotherapy, symptom chemotherapy, changes their, medication prescribed
A bee sting is a painful experience that usually results in swelling, as well as a constant burning and itching sensation. There are a number of over-the-counter treatments for insect stings, but when you get a bee sting, you want instant relief. Using a few simple products that are around your home can treat the pain just as effectively as the store-bought remedies.
Baking Soda Paste
To reduce itching and swelling from a bee sting, mix baking soda with vinegar to make the consistency of a thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the bee sting. As soon as it's applied, you should feel a relief from the burning. As the mixture dries, it will form a protective barrier over the sting to help it heal. Because it will begin to flake off as it dries, wrap the area in gauze and secure with medical tape to prevent the dry paste from falling off.
Toothpaste & Tenderizer
Apply toothpaste directly over the site of the sting. The ingredients in the toothpaste react with the acid in the sting to neutralize it, which help relieve the itching and dry out the venom. Meat tenderizer mixed with a little water to make a paste will neutralize the acid and relieve the itching. An enzyme in the tenderizer, known as papain, breaks down toxins in the venom to relieve the pain.
Plantain
The leaves of a common weed, known as a plantain plant, can help relieve pain from a bee sting. Pick a few of the leaves, place them in your mouth, and chew them until the saliva begins to penetrate the leaves. Spit out the mixture onto the site of the sting. As the plant draws out the poison of the sting, relief will follow. Repeat the process as needed.
Onion
A slice of onion applied to a sting is a popular folklore remedy for a sting. For some, though, the odor of the cure is worse than the pain of the sting. Rinsing the onion slice under a stream of cold water or popping it in the freezer can help lessen the scent and provide an additional soothing, cooling sensation.
Ice
Applying ice to the sting area will provide temporary relief to a bee sting. The ice will not neutralize the acid or reduce swelling, but it does numb the site where the poison is concentrated. Reapply the ice as it melts.
Warning
Those who experience an allergic reaction to bee stings should seek medical help immediately. A home remedy is not sufficient to address the issues that can accompany an allergy. Signs of an allergy include a rash, severe swelling, inability to breathe and nausea.
Tags: from sting, help relieve, neutralize acid, relieve itching, relieve pain
Thinning hair is not just a concern for men as they grow older, studies show that 40 percent of women over the age of 40 also experience thinning hair. While the causes can be as vastly different as heredity and menopause, there are a great number of people seeking the solution. If you are experiencing less hair than you remember, there are some steps you can take to restore your hair.
Instructions
1. Try a topical treatment to fight the signs of baldness as a first resort. Find an over-the-counter product that claims to treat thinning hair. Only purchase a product containing minoxidil. This is the key element that soaks into the scalp and promotes hair regrowth.
2. Use a hair growth shampoo as another option to prevent your hair from thinning further. There are several options available ranging from over the counter shampoos to prescription. Either one can be used just as you would a regular shampoo during bathing.
3. Begin using natural vitamins that will encourage your hair to begin growing. Visit a vitamin and supplement store and purchase vitamin B6, biotin, magnesium, saw palmetto and folic acid. These natural elements come in pill form and can be taken with medication in order to promote hair growth.
4. Consult your physician about the possibility of having a treatment known as Finasteride performed. This should be seen as an extreme measure after the over the counter measures mentioned above have not helped regrow your scalp’s hair. Only a doctor can recommend this treatment.
5. Have a hair plug treatment if you see that nothing is working. A hair plug treatment is a medical procedure in which a doctor removes fertile, hair-growing skin usually from your lower scalp and places these cells on your thinning areas. If done properly, these skin cells sprout new hair.
Tags: your hair, hair growth, hair Only, hair plug, hair plug treatment, over counter, plug treatment
Brain cancer can originate in the brain or be the result of cancer from elsewhere in the body that moves (or metastasizes) into the brain. While there are many treatment options, unfortunately there are some brain cancers that are simply non-treatable. Many factors are looked at when arriving at the conclusion that a brain cancer is inoperable: the size and location of the cancer, the health and age of the patient, as well as risks to the patient.
Tumor Size
The size of a particular malignant tumor (brain cancer) may cause it to be inoperable. For example, if the tumor is very small and is embedded within the brain in an area that is not able to be reached surgically (and would hurt the patient's ability to continue to function normally), than doctors sometimes have no other choice but to not operate. Likewise, if the cancer growth is all-consuming in the brain--making it virtually impossible to remove all of it successfully, without complications or eliminate the cancer's continued effects--it is considered non-treatable.
Loss in Standard of Living
Some brain cancers are growing in areas that make it impossible to perform the surgery to remove the tumor without also doing permanent damage to the affected area. For example, if the tumor is too near (or growing on) the visual cortex area, the loss of sight could be the result of surgery. If the cancer is near auditory nerves, the sufferer could be at risk of loss of hearing if surgery is performed. Fear of losing a certain standard of living, with no guarantee of successfully removing all of the cancer, can motivate individuals and their doctors to not treat the cancer.
Health
Doctors are sometimes unable to treat brain cancers in individuals who are in very poor health physically or who suffer from diseases and conditions that would necessitate that surgery or radiation not be used to fight brain cancer. Some examples would be the elderly or others with very poor heart health, as well as those who already suffer from some type of brain complications due to seizures or Alzheimer's.
Age
Age is a factor in cancer of the brain potentially being non-treatable. A small child's brain cancer could be inoperable due to the impact treatment would have if the tumor's size and location suggests great complications. Likewise, this is also true of the elderly.
Potential
New advances in the medical field are happening every day. Therefore, there is always the hope that someday in the future there will be a treatable solution for all brain cancers.
Tags: brain cancers, brain cancer, example tumor, size location, suffer from, very poor
Aaachoo! Whether you suffer from sneezing, itchy eyes or a runny nose, pollen allergies can make your days and nights a tissue-loaded misery. Histamines are the most common cause of allergies, and reducing this histamine level is needed in order to minimize these symptoms. There are several types of airborne pollen - tree, grass, flower - and you may be allergic to one or more of these. Add to this that different plants pollinate throughout the year, and your chances of sniffing and sneezing for every season but winter are dramatically increased. Here are six ways you can reduce your risk of exposure to pollen.
Instructions
Protect Yourself From Pollen Allergies
1. Evaluate your yard. Trees, grasses, flowers and plants each have a different pollen production pattern. Some emit very little. Others, such as Bermuda Grass or Fruitless Mulberry, emit a lot. Ask your local nursery about which plants in your garden may be a problem for you, and consider replacing them. At the very least, stay away from these plants during pollination, and keep your windows closed.
2. Reduce exposure to pollen. Many regional weather stations and newspapers provide a daily pollen count report to help allergy sufferers. If the report calls for high levels of whatever your allergic to, stay indoors as much as possible. Avoid outdoor activities. If you must be outside, consider wearing a dust or surgical mask.
3. Clean yourself off. All that pollen gets on your hair and clothes (think pollen-covered car windshields). Change you clothes when you get home and take a shower.
4. Use indoor air filters. When choosing an air filter, make sure it is capable of filtering out pollen and that it is powerful enough for that room's size. Too small an air filter won't do the job. Likewise, change your furnace and air conditioning filters regularly so that they are performing optimally.
5. Get your air ducts cleaned. Air ducts trap dust, mold and pollen - the worst recipe for allergy sufferers. Get your air ducts professionally cleaned at least once a year.
6. Use local bee pollen and honey. Because they're made from local plants and flowers, you can use bee pollen and honey to gradually develop a resistance to your regional pollens. Farm stands and farmers markets are a great place to find these items - and ask to make sure it's really local.
Tags: allergy sufferers, exposure pollen, From Pollen, From Pollen Allergies, make sure, Pollen Allergies
Weight Watchers is a popular diet program that has been successful all over the world in helping people lose weight and maintain their weight loss. The program focuses on healthy eating and lifestyle changes as opposed to dietary restrictions or prepackaged foods. Most groups will allow you to come and observe a meeting to see if the plan seems right for you. However, there are some general facts that it is good to know before attending.
Fees
Weight Watchers fees vary depending on location. Generally there is a one-time joining fee plus weekly meeting fees. Occasionally special offers waive the joining fee and/or offer a discounted weekly fee.
Weigh-In
Weigh-in is completely confidential; your weight will never be announced. You must weigh with your shoes on, however the staff member weighing you in will subtract 2 pounds for clothes and shoes.
The Meeting
Meetings typically last about 30 minutes and are conducted by a Leader. The Leader is someone who has successfully completed the Weight Watchers program. Meetings generally focus on one of the core Weight Watchers components, such as getting enough exercise or portion control.
10% Goal
Your 10 percent goal is the amount of weight you must lose to have lost 10 percent of your starting weight. For example, if you began the program at 200 pounds, you would have to lose 20 pounds to reach your 10 percent goal. This is usually not your final goal weight; however, it is a significant Weight Watchers milestone.
The Plan
On the Weight Watchers plan, you can eat anything you want as long as you follow portion control guidelines and do not exceed your daily "Points" target. Every food has a Points value that is calculated using a formula that balances fat, fiber and calories. Your Leader will be able to help you determine your personal Points target.
Tags: Weight Watchers, percent goal, Points target, portion control
Controlling glucose is one effective way to trigger weight loss. Fortunately for dieters, glucose control is quite possible through a consistent diet. More specifically, glucose can be kept low by limiting carbohydrates in the diet. There are a number of low-carb diets on the market that one can use to control glucose, but not all diets are created equal. The best low-carb diets provide your body with sufficient vitamins and nutrients to function properly while also achieving weight-loss aims. Two diets that accomplish these goals are the paleo diet and the "7 Rules" diet.
About the '7 Rules' Diet
The "7 Rules" diet is the brainchild of biochemist Dr. John Berardi, a Canadian nutritionist who works with a wide range of clients from athletes to stay-at-home mothers in achieving their nutritional goals in the quickest, most basic manner possible. The diet can help you lower glucose levels and stabilize blood sugar for real weight loss results.
The '7 Rules'
In no particular order, the "7 Rules" are as follows:
1. Consume small meals every two to three hours.
2. Consume lean protein with every meal--meat, fish, chicken or eggs.
3. Consume fruits and vegetables with every meal.
4. Consume carbs from only fruits and vegetables--by limiting carbs to these natural sources, blood sugar will be kept perpetually low.
5. Consume at least 25 percent of your daily calories from fat--animal fats, natural fats (e.g. avocados and coconuts) and oils (fish, flax and olive).
6. Drink only zero-calorie beverages -- limited to green tea and water if possible.
7. Consume only solid meals -- no liquid nutrition.
Paleo Diet
If the "7 Rules" diet is not enough to keep your glucose levels under control, try the paleo diet designed by a physician, Dr. Ben Balzer. According to Balzer's research, grain consumption is responsible for a number of diet-related health concerns such as diabetes, obesity and other illnesses. By remodeling your diet after the diets of our prehistoric ancestors, you can improve your health while keeping glucose under control.
Following the Paleo Diet
Adhering to the Paleo Diet is simple, if not altogether easy. Practitioners must abstain from grains, beans, potatoes, dairy, sugar and added salt. They are only permitted to eat the following: meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, berries, fruit and vegetables. In short, all of the items to which a caveman would have had access. Doing this will keep blood sugar stable and glucose low.
Considerations
Of course, understand that these are both long-term nutritional solutions. They certainly do not fall into the category of miracle diets. While these methods of eating might require complete reprogramming of all of your dietary habits, your dedication will be rewarded in the long term with consistent control over your glucose levels and weight.
Every time the television is turned on, someone has reinvented the toothbrush. When you think that every shape, style, texture, and size has already been thought of; someone invents another. Why not get creative and design a toothbrush of your own? With a small amount of time, money and material, you could be on your way to becoming a new toothbrush inventor.
Instructions
Make Toothbrushes
1. Use cellulose plastic to make a toothbrush handle. There are two types of cellulose which have a lightweight oil-based material that allows the handle to slightly bend.
2. Make a kid's toothbrush handle from a stronger and lighter material; oil based polypropylene. Children need a toothbrush they can use without the burden of weight or damage.
3. Adhere or fix small nylon segments in the head of your toothbrush through the many tiny holes already made in the toothbrush. The nylon material absorbs little moisture, and bounces back to its original position after use.
4. Gather your nylon bristles together. Each hole should have about 6 bristles. Insert the bristles through the holes using a non-toxic adhesive. This should hold down your bristles nice and tight.
5. Fabricate your plastic injection mold in a shape and size that best fits your need. If you make a new toothbrush after your own desire, chances are it will suit others as well.
The March of Dimes is a well-known charity in the United States that today leads the way in genetic research funding and helping educate the public about birth defects and premature births. However, it had another purpose when it was founded many years ago. This is the story of the early years of the March of Dimes, including who founded it.
Function
The March of Dimes funds research in biochemistry, microbiology, developmental biology, pediatric medicine, genetic science, and other health-related fields. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, along with premature births and infant deaths. Originally founded to find a cure for the disease called polio, it stayed intact once this was accomplished and morphed into what it currently is today, a charity based on helping babies and children.
History
President Franklin D. Roosevelt was an invalid, stricken with what was believed to be polio. He founded a charity to raise money for medical research that became known as the March of Dimes. A very popular newsreel feature of the late 1930s was called the "March of Time." Comedian Eddie Cantor, knowing that the charity had appealed to the American public to donate their dimes to the charity, used a play on words and began calling the fundraising activites the "March of Dimes." The name stuck, and it became the official name of the charity in 1979.
Time Frame
Roosevelt came down with his malady in 1921 and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. In 1938 he established what was called the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to battle polio. It brought scientists together with funding from the charity to find a cure for the disease. 11 years earlier, in 1927, Roosevelt had established a non-profit foundation called the Warm Springs Foundation to find a cure. As polio instances in the U.S. kept rising, he brought the cause to the national stage. Its first big medical breakthrough came when it funded research that developed the iron lung in 1941 to aid polio patients. In 1949, the March of Dimes chose Dr. Jonas Salk to lead the fight against polio; by 1953, he had come up with a vaccine, and by 1955 it was declared to be both safe and effective. In 1962 an oral vaccine developed with March of Dimes dollars was developed by Dr. Albert Sabin. The charity has been funding cutting-edge research to help babies ever since, with many breakthroughs to its credit.
Considerations
When President Roosevelt died from a stroke in 1945, while still in office, he was honored by having his likeness placed onto the dime. It was symbolic of what he had meant to the country and to the cause of raising money to stop polio in its tracks. Previously, the dime had held the likeness of the Greek god Mercury.
Misconceptions
In August of 1921 Roosevelt came down with what was believed to be polio, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. His doctors came up with polio as the culprit, and they were experts in the disease, which was running rampant at the time. However, today's medical experts believe that Roosevelt had what is called Guillain-Barré syndrome, as his symptoms much more closely matched that paralyzing disease than polio. Roosevelt was 39 when he became paralyzed; almost all polio victims of that era were children and perhaps a few young adults around 30 years old.
Tags: March Dimes, find cure, believed polio, birth defects, came down, came down with, cure disease
If you feel pain behind one of your breasts, you may automatically think it's a tumor. Fortunately, this assumption is mostly groundless, because breast cancer does not cause pain in its early stages. However, the likelihood that it is not breast cancer doesn't make your breast pain any less serious, as it could be a digestive or cardiovascular problem. Read on to learn about two common causes of chest pain, one of which is fairly minor while another is life-threatening.
Acid-Reflux Disease
A common cause of breast or chest pain is acid-reflux disease. When you have this condition, your stomach acid trickles into your esophagus (which is why it often happens when you lie down), which causes heartburn. You experience heartburn as a burning sensation behind your breast, rather than a stabbing pain, though the burning can become severe if you don't take an over-the-counter medication or, at least, sit up.
Sore Chest Muscles
Your chest pain may be nothing more than sore muscles. This should come as no surprise if you've been doing pectoral exercises (such as push-ups), but you may have also pulled a muscle and not know it. This would cause pain in your pectoral muscles, which span the chest area, because they are filled with lactic acid and sore. The pain of sore chest muscles, fortunately, subsides within a week.
Costochondritis
Costochondritis causes a sharp, raw pain in the rib area, because it occurs when the cartilage connecting a rib to the sternum (breast bone) becomes inflamed. Because of the sometimes severe pain, costochondritis can imitate the pain of a heart attack. You'll know you may have costochondritis because you'll experience the pain when breathing deeply, or when coughing. Either way, it is wise to see a doctor to rule out any other causes.
Heart Attack
You can also experience pain behind the breast in the moments before you have a heart attack, a condition in which a part of your heart dies since it is not getting enough oxygen. That is why it is a good idea to visit your doctor or an emergency room if you experience any kind of chest pain. However, you can often tell whether chest pain is a symptom of a heart attack because it is a stabbing pain, often so much it will make you double over. Naturally, you should dial 911 or go to the emergency room upon feeling this severe chest pain.
Tags: chest pain, area because, behind your, breast cancer, cause pain
Fosamax is a prescription medicine that is used for the treatment of the bone loss disease known as osteoporosis. The medication is classified as being a biphosphonate. It works by lowering cell activities that result in the destruction of the bones. There are several different kinds of side effects that could occur as a result of taking Fosamax.
Common Side Effects
There are a few common side effects of Fosamax that its users frequently experience. These side effects tend to be minor and short-lived, and include influenza signs (toward the beginning part of treatment), headache, feelings of fullness or bloating, gas, joint, bone or muscle ache, mild stomachache, changes in taste, nausea, throwing up, dizziness, constipation and diarrhea. If you have problems with any of these side effects, or if they do not subside quickly, you should speak with your doctor.
Serious Side Effects
Some people might also experience serious side effects of this osteoporosis medication. If you should have any potentially severe Fosamax side effects, you need to get emergency medical help. These side effects are: pain or swelling of the jaw; extreme muscle, joint or bone pain; lingering or extreme sore throat or stomachache; the joints, hands, or legs swelling up; bloody, tarry, or dark stools; throwing up or coughing up blood; having a hard time swallowing; mouth sores; extreme heartburn; blistered, red, peeling or swollen skin; and chest ache.
Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions are also a possibility, although not very common, with taking Fosamax. If you should have any signs of allergic reaction, you need to seek immediate medical assistance. Some signs of allergic reaction to the medicine are chest tightness, swelling, itching, skin rash, hives and having trouble with breathing.
Caution
It is vital to be cautious when considering taking Fosamax. You should discuss all of your medical conditions with your physician (as well as your full medical history), particularly ailments such as kidney disease, deficiency of vitamin D, hypocalcemia and esophageal or stomach ulcer. These conditions might require specialized testing or dosage changes to ensure safe use of Fosamax.
Overdose
If you think that you have taken excessive amounts of Fosamax, you likely have overdosed and must immediately get medical attention. Some symptoms of Fosamax overdose are muscle cramps, tingling or numbness of the muscles, stomachache, heartburn, nausea, convulsions, abnormal behaviors or thoughts, tight facial muscles, diarrhea and irritability.
Tags: side effects, side effects, taking Fosamax, allergic reaction, Fosamax should, joint bone
Losing a tooth for a child can be an exciting time in their life. While as their parent, you may hesitate to pull their tooth for fear of hurting them, there are several ways to pull a tooth that minimizes the pain.
Instructions
1. Wait until the tooth is loose enough to pull. Pulling a tooth before it's ready will take several tries and will involve lots of screaming and crying from your child. Have your child wiggle the tooth with their tongue several times over the course of two or three days to loosen it up.
2. Numb the area before you pull the tooth. You can have your child suck on an ice cube or a popsicle to help numb their mouth. You can also give them some infant numbing gel, for teething infants to numb their gum area around the loose tooth.
3. Hold the loose tooth withyour thumb and index finger. Place your index finger on the inside of the tooth and your thumb on the outside. Quickly twist and pull the tooth until the last root is loosened and it pops out.
4. Stop the bleeding quickly by placing a cold washcloth on the open gum area. Once the bleeding has slowed down, give your child another popsicle or small cup of ice cream to help soothe any pain.
5. Place the tooth in a small plastic bag and put it under their pillow for the Tooth Fairy to come take it away while they sleep at night.
Tags: your child, pull tooth, index finger, loose tooth, numb their, tooth with, your thumb
Chinese Baoding balls, also known as Ben Wah or Chinese exercise balls, are a therapeutic tool for strengthening and creating agility in the hands, forearms and fingers--and for relaxing other areas of the body. Baoding balls, dating back to the Chinese Ming Dynasty, stimulate the pressure points in the hands, thereby providing organs with the health benefits of acupressure, according to traditional Chinese medical philosophy.
Novice Exercise
Begin with two small Baoding balls. Practice rotating the balls clockwise around your inner palm. Increase the size of the balls once you are used to rotating the small ones about your palms without clanking them together. When you are good at rotating them clockwise, change to a counterclockwise rotation. Rotating the balls with your fingers flexes the muscles in the forearms, fingers and hands, increasing the strength of those muscles. You can also practice pinching a ball between the thumb, ring and pointer fingers, and then tossing it into the palm of the other hand.
Placement Exercises
Placement exercises involve placing and rotating the balls over pressure points on the body to relieve tension, pain and stimulate the lymph nodes. For example, placement of the balls under the arch of the foot can stimulate pressure points there and aid in treating pain related to plantar fasciitis. To relieve neck pain, a Baoding ball can be rolled over the point on the back of the neck where it meets the skull. The massaging motion involved in these placement exercises relaxes the muscles and tendons. Small Baoding balls can also be placed between the fingers to strengthen and massage them.
Multiple Ball Exercises
Advanced exercises improve the dexterity of your fingers and hands and require more skill because you add additional balls. Work up to rotating as many Baoding balls as you can in each hand, both clockwise and counterclockwise. More challenging is combining the use of both hands to rotate multiple balls. Like any other Baoding ball exercise, this one requires starting with a small number of balls and working up to as many as you can hold in both hands.
Jammed finger is an injury of a finger joint due to excessive pressure on the joint. This joint is often referred to as the proximal interphalangeal joint. Jammed finger is fairly common in ball-handling sports such as basketball and volleyball. If left untreated, jammed finger may lead to permanent damage.
Instructions
1. Recall how the injury occurred to identify correctly the type of injury. The symptoms of a jammed finger includes severe pain at the joint, visible deformity, tenderness and swelling at the injury site. X-rays may be needed to check for fractures or dislocations.
2. Try to reset a dislocated finger by pulling it. However, it is recommended that you immobilize the injured finger and get help from a trained professional to manipulate the dislocation to avoid future complications.
3. Rest the finger at least 1 to 2 weeks. If necessary, tape the injured finger to a neighboring figure for added support.
4. Take pain medication to relieve pain. Apply sports creams that contain analgesics to reduce swelling and to relieve pain.
5. Be patient. Most injuries of this type will heal in a short time. If the joint is fractured or the ligaments are also damaged, surgery may be needed, and the healing process may take up to 6 months or more.Possible long-term complications include chronic boutonniere deformity, instability, weakness and stiffness.
Alcohol can make good people do bad things but it doesn't necessarily make the alcoholic a bad person. They are sick. Although this defense is controversial, the medical community has finally recognized alcoholism as a primary, chronic, progressive and sometimes fatal disease. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence offers a detailed and complete definition of alcoholism and describes it is "a mental obsession that causes a physical compulsion to drink." Read on to learn more.
Instructions
Help Your Kids Say No To Alcohol and Drugs
1. It has been established that heredity plays a key role in who becomes
addicted and who does not. And if you have alcoholism or addiction on
both sides of the family you have to be extra aware that you run a high
chance of carrying the addiction gene.
2. How can you teach your children the dark truth about addiction and
alcohol when they see it as only "getting high" or "partying"? By
telling them and showing them the harsh realities of the disease and
teaching them the heredity factor. Then they are free to choose whether
to wake up the monster or not. As long as they don't pick up that first
drug or drink they are safe.
3. Teach your children the medical aspect of drinking and using drugs. It
takes the focus off of you being the buzz kill parent who is just
preaching the expected do's and don't's of the teen years. Describe
detox and withdraw symptoms too. Don't just say, "Don't use drugs or
drink." Give them details about the reality of addiction and
alcoholism. Use friends or relatives as examples if you need to.
4. Do not be a hypocrite. You can not tell your teen to not drink while
you have your wine glass in hand. Walk the talk and live by example.
Even if you experimented as a youth be honest with your kids. And if
you had your own trouble with booze and drugs, don't be ashamed or
think it will give your teen a chance to say, "you did it so can I."
They may say that but be sure they know what kind of trouble it caused
you. Your own mistakes can be the best learning tool to pass on that
you've got.
5. Have strong household rules for coming home intoxicated and be prepared
to live up to the consequences you set as punishment. If you falter
once and let it go, you will loose much ground in credibility.
Tags: Alcohol Drugs, Help Your, Help Your Kids, Kids Alcohol, Kids Alcohol Drugs, your children, Your Kids
Gliomas are a type of brain tumor that have started in the brain as opposed to spreading to the brain from other areas of the body. There are several types of gliomas depending on what area of the brain the tumor originated in. According to UCLA Health System, astrocytoma is the most common type of glioma. Exact treatment plans will vary according to the type of glioma, its location and the age of the patient. However, there are various treatment options which are commonly recommended. Many people have more than one type of treatment for gliomas.
Instructions
1. Get surgery. There are times a glioma may be located in an area of the brain that controls vital functions and surgery is considered too risky. However, if surgery is deemed safe, a portion or all of the tumor may be removed. After removal a biopsy will usually be done to determine the type of glioma and whether is it cancerous.
2. Undergo radiation therapy. If the glioma is cancerous, radiation treatment helps destroy the cancer cells. There are a few different types of radiation therapy which may be given depending on the size and location of the glioma. For example, fractionated radiation is given in daily doses, five times a week usually over six weeks.
3. Have chemotherapy. Different combinations of medications are given to kill the tumor. Although chemotherapy is not considered effective in treatment of all brain tumors, according to the Mayo Clinic, in most types of gliomas it can increase life span.
4. Take steroids. Corticosteroids are given to decrease pressure in the brain that may be caused by the glioma. Other medications given may include anti-seizure and pain medications.
5. Enter a clinical trial. In certain situations standard treatment for a glioma may not be effective. Clinical trials are forms of treatment that are in various stages of research to determine their effectiveness. You can locate a clinical trial with the help of your doctor or by visiting the clinical trial government website listed in the Resource section below.
6. Manage side effects of treatment. Side effects can occur will all types of glioma treatment. Chemotherapy can cause nausea and fatigue. Antiemetic medication can be given to reduce vomiting before, during and after chemo. Radiation therapy may cause hair loss. Use a gentle shampoo and limit products that may damage the hair, such as curling irons and harsh dyes. Steroids may cause an increase in appetite and weight gain. Selecting healthy foods, such as fruits and lean meats, may reduce weight gain.
Tags: clinical trial, type glioma, area brain, brain that, brain tumor, medications given, radiation therapy
It's funny to think that something as simple as a sandwich could be made to be anything but healthy. With so many options out there today, it is easy to get confused by what is good and what is good for you. If you are a serious sandwich lover and frequent Schlotzsky's, here are some helpful tips for eating healthy at your next visit.
Instructions
1. Look over the menu to see if anything is called out as light or low calorie. Those are key indicators that they are for the healthy eater.
2. Avoid cheese or mayonnaise on your sandwich. This will just add extra calories and fat to your meal.
3. Order a small version of any sandwich. The Original sandwich is 563 calories for a small and 27 grams of fat, and 770 calories and 34 grams of fat for the full size.
4. Put down the chips. You'll save yourself 220 calories and 12 grams of fat.
5. Consider ordering a wrap version of a sandwich. For instance, a Homestyle Tuna wrap is 364 calories and 13 grams of fat, whereas the sandwich is 410 calories and 14 grams of fat.
Tags: calories grams, sandwich calories, version sandwich, what good
Getting lice in dreadlocks usually means cutting them off to end the infestation. Because of how difficult it is to get lice out of dreadlocks, it's important to prevent them whenever possible. There are several ways to prevent lice and hold onto the dreadlocks.
Instructions
1. Avoid anyone who has head lice. Not everyone who has lice will tell you about it, so it's best to be careful about whose head, brush or comb touches your head. Avoid hugging school-age kids, if possible, since they are the people most likely to have them.
2. Use only your own hair products, never products that may have touched someone else's head. This includes towels which are notorious for spreading lice.
3. Look at movie theater seats and other seats with headrests before sitting on them. Seats with fabric on them, like the seats in most theaters, are the worst offenders for spreading lice. If you see small white specks on the top part of the seat, don't sit there. Even brushing them off may not get the lice eggs off the fabric.
4. Spray products that contain rosemary oil onto the dreads. Rosemary can repel lice, and dreadlocks will hold onto scent for long periods of time. Spraying the rosemary close to the scalp can keep them from getting close enough to attach themselves onto the skin.
5. Dab a small amount of tea tree oil around the hairline and on the scalp to prevent lice from venturing onto the hair. If you are exposed to lice, they will be less likely to attach to your hair if it smells like tea tree oil.
Tags: lice dreadlocks, hold onto, Lice With, Lice With Dreadlocks, Prevent Lice
Although bed bugs carry pathogens such as plague and hepatitis B, no evidence exists suggesting they transfer such diseases to people. Though health concerns are unlikely with bed bugs, they do cause infestations that are irritating to homeowners.
Pungent Odor
Bed bugs release a liquid that has a pungent odor.
When bed bugs cause infestations, they release a liquid that has a pungent odor. With major infestations, such an odor can be unlivable to the homeowner.
Red Welts
Bed bugs give itchy welts to sleeping homeowners.
Welts from bed bugs provoke itching in locations of the body such as the arms and legs. Such welts are frequently seen on visible body parts, giving the appendages an unattractive appearance.
Delusional Parasitis
People may experience delusional parasitosis after a bed bug infestation.
This response makes people feel they are suffering another bed bug infestation, even after their home has been rid of bed bugs. People may also experience post-traumatic stress after surviving an infestation.
Cost
Bed bug exterminations can be costly.
Most bed bug infestations require a trained exterminator. Extermination costs increase based on the severity of the infestation. Such exterminations range between $200 and $400.
Tags: cause infestations, liquid that, liquid that pungent, pungent odor, release liquid, release liquid that
Amla has long been a staple of the ayurvedic or the ancient Hindu art of life-knowledge healing movement. The vaidya, or the one who knows, is the one who uses diet, ancient remedies and lifestyle changes to bring about mental, physical and spiritual balance in a person. Amla is one of the many ingredients used in ayurvedic cures and preventatives. Amla oil is filled with Vitamin C, complex carbohydrates, protein and gallic acid, and can be used as a facial mask and hair treatment.
Instructions
Facial Mask
1. Make a facial mask using amla powder. Mix 1 tbsp. of honey and 1 tbsp. of amla powder. Add 2 drops of essential oil to the mixture if you want. Stir until the mixture has a paste-like consistency.
2. Apply the paste on your face, except your eyes. Leave the mask on your face half an hour.
3. Rinse your face well with lukewarm water. This treatment can be done twice weekly and you will feel a pleasant glow immediately.
Hair Treatment
4. Soak ½ cup of dry amla in 3 cups of warm water overnight.
5. Strain the mixture into a container. Set the water aside.
6. Grind the strained amla with a mortar and pestle. Add ¼ cup of henna to the amla.
7. Combine 4 tbsp. of ground coffee, 4 tbsp. of lemon juice and two raw eggs.
8. Mix the coffee mixture with the henna and ground amla. Add enough of the amla water to make a thick paste.
9. Massage the mixture into your hair and leave on for two to three hours. Rinse off the mixture with warm water. Do this treatment twice a week to promote shinier, thicker and healthier hair.
Tags: your face, amla powder, mixture into, mixture with, warm water
Helium is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas typically used to fill balloons. Inhaling a small amount of helium makes your voice high-pitched and squeaky; this may seem entertaining, but inhaling helium is actually extremely dangerous. Inhaling helium displaces the oxygen in your lungs, which may cause serious injury or death.
Minor to Moderate Oxygen Deficiency
Symptoms of minor to moderate oxygen deficiency caused by helium inhalation include an altered voice, increased pulse rate, increased breathing rate, muscular coordination problems, fatigue, breathing problems and emotional upset. Individuals may also experience headaches, wheezing, ear ringing, shortness of breath, dizziness and indigestion. These symptoms occur at oxygen levels of 10-16%; in general, 19.5% oxygen is considered the lowest acceptable level.
Acute Oxygen Deficiency
At oxygen levels below 10%, individuals experience nausea, vomiting, collapse and loss of consciousness from helium inhalation. At oxygen levels below 6%, individuals may experience respiratory collapse, convulsive movements and death. Individuals who have inhaled helium gas may have blue-tinged skin.
First Aid
Seek emergency medical attention if an individual is suffering from oxygen displacement caused by helium inhalation. If an area may have a helium leak, do not enter the area without a breathing apparatus. Move the inhalation victim to fresh air and give CPR if he has stopped breathing. Medical personnel should also administer oxygen.
Considerations
Inhaling helium from a pressurized tank or canister is much more dangerous than inhaling it from a balloon because the pressurized air could also cause an air embolism or a ruptured lung. However, helium inhalation of any form is never safe. Fatalities have occurred from inhaling helium from balloons.
Warning
Inhaling helium is especially unsafe for pregnant women. Oxygen deficiency during pregnancy, such as the deficiency caused by inhaling helium, has been linked with developmental abnormalities in infants.
Very few food products actually contain testosterone, which is an anabolic steroid hormone produced by the male reproductive glands. Little is known about the long-term effects of externally ingested testosterone, and as a steroid, it is considered a form of doping by most athletic organizations. However, many foods exist which facilitate the natural increase of testosterone in the body, and those looking to increase their testosterone levels can seek them out fairly easily (or, conversely, avoid them if they seek to decrease their testosterone).
Effects
The effects of testosterone are similar to those experienced by boys in the throes of adolescence. It can include increased libido, a deepening of the voice, hair growth and improved muscle mass. People take artificial testosterone as a means of improving their sexual performance, or to increase their strength and body size for athletic purposes. In addition, a lack of testosterone may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in some patients.
Considerations
The drawbacks of testosterone are also similar to those of adolescence: most notably increased acne and irritation of the skin. Men have also complained of increased breast size and inexplicable types of weight gain. Difficulty urinating, yellowing of the skin, irritated gums, and fluctuations in the sex drive are common symptoms as well. The FDA has approved testosterone use for treating certain conditions--usually those in which the body's own testosterone production is inadequate, such as male hypogonadism--but direct use of testosterone beyond that is not recommended. It goes without saying that athletes found to have excessive amounts of testosterone in their system run the risk of being banned from their sport for doping.
Types
The good news is that there are ways to increase testosterone levels in your body through healthy means--notably different forms of food. The mineral zinc has been shown to stimulate testosterone production in healthy people, as do reasonable amounts of Vitamin A. Accordingly, you want to look for foods with a lot of zinc in them. Not surprisingly, many of them are considered aphrodisiacs and have been used for centuries as romantic stimulants. Chief among them are raw oysters, asparagus and broccoli: all high in zinc and all shown to improve testosterone levels. Other types of vegetables such as cabbage, beans, and brussels sprouts perform much the same function (though without the sexy reputation).
Types
Other foods which increase testosterone are those frequently associated with physical health. Lean meats such as fish and poultry are high in zinc content, as are game meats and lean cuts of beef. Lamb chops and pork chops improve testosterone levels as well, especially when they don't have a lot of fat content. Dairy products work well too, particularly milk, cottage cheese and yogurt. Many of these foods are already associated with a healthy diet, which shouldn't make it too difficult to switch to them if you want to increase testosterone levels.
Warning
Foods which reduce testosterone levels are those which you generally want to avoid anyway if you're pursuing a healthy diet. Fatty foods, deep-fried food, or foods high in sugar or caffeine all over-stimulate the adrenal glands, leaving them unable to produce testosterone. Alcohol and cigarettes also decrease energy levels and are not conducive to testosterone stimulation. A good doctor or nutritionist can set up a good personal plan for you to eat right and enjoy the kinds of foods to help your testosterone levels.
Oreganol, also called oil of oregano, is an essential oil that is extracted from remote, wild, pollution-free mountain Mediterranean oregano plants, and steam-distilled, cold-pressed and blended with extra-virgin olive oil as a carrier oil. It was introduced and marketed as Oreganol P73 by North American Herb and Spice, and its extensive medicinal properties and uses are extolled in two books by Dr. Cass Ingram, D.O.
History
Oregano has been used for seasoning food and for its health benefits since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used it extensively for treating infections. Its name comes from the Greek words "oros" meaning "mountain" and "ganos" meaning "joy."
Properties
Oreganol's main active component is carvacrol, a powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and germicidal compound known to kill candida, parasites,staphylococcus, hepatitis and cold and flu viruses. It is also a natural antihistamine.
Medicinal Benefits
The first edition of the Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines states that oil of oregano is used for respiratory and digestive ailments, menstrual pain, urinary tract infections and rheumatoid arthritis, with no health risks or side effects when the proper dosage is administered.
Research
Oreganol P73 has been extensively researched and its medicinal properties are very impressive. Dr. Henry Preuss, Dr. Cass Ingram and a team of scientists at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., tested Oreganol P73 on drug-resistant stapholococcus aureus, which is responsible for many hospital-contracted infections, and on candida albicans. Their findings, presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting (October 2001) of the American College of Nutrition, concluded that Oreganol P73 inhibited the growth of these bacteria more effectively than streptomycin and penicillin. In addition, Jennifer Billing and Paul W. Sherman of Cornell University also tested it on 30 bacteria species in vitro and verified that it killed 100 percent of them, including lethal pseudomonas aeruginosa, listeria and bacillus anthracis (anthrax).
Home Uses
Place 1 drop of Oreganol P73 under your tongue or in a glass of juice to relieve sneezing and congestion resulting from hay fever and other allergies. This treatment also relieves a sore throat and boosts your immune system to ward off cold and flu viruses. Use 1 to 2 drops under your tongue immediately if you experience food poisoning symptoms or feel sick after eating anything.
Dilute 1 to 2 drops Oreganol in 1 tbsp. water and work it into ground beef before cooking it as a precaution. E. coli has been found far more often in ground meat than in steaks. Oreganol will kill any E. coli bacteria that may be in the meat.
Tips and Warnings
If you've never used oil of oregano, test it on your skin first. Place a drop of diluted essential oil on the inside of your arm and place a bandage over it. Wait 24 hours. If any redness or skin irritation develops, do not use it.
Oil of oregano has a very strong, unpleasant medicine taste.
Pregnant women and children under two years old should avoid oil of oregano.
Be sure to read the label of any oil of oregano product other than Oreganol P73. The primary component must be carvacrol. Other products may substitute thymol, which can be toxic when ingested in high doses, or marjoram oil, which is not as effective, in place of carvacrol. Don't buy them.
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A loss of information on the fifth chromosome leads to impaired blood functioning.
Myelodysplastic syndrome is a group of related disorders of the bone marrow, resulting in the production of insufficient numbers of blood cells. One cause of the condition is missing genetic material on the long arm (the "q" arm) of chromosome five in certain bone marrow cells. This is often called chromosome 5q syndrome, or simply 5q syndrome.
MDS
Myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS results from damage to the DNA of the bone marrow, where blood cells are manufactured. The fifth chromosome contains instructions vital to the production of normal red and white blood cells. When those instructions are lost, the body cannot produce new blood cells at a rate necessary to normal functioning. Because red and white blood cells perform very different jobs, their lack will lead to different problems.
Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the bloodstream, delivering it to the various organs and tissues of the body. A deficiency of red blood cells is called anemia and causes fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and learning difficulties. In the case of MDS, where anemia is chronic, doctors may treat it with blood transfusions. Since the body cannot produce enough red blood cells, they must be brought in from the outside.
Leukopenia
A low white blood cell count is called leukopenia. White blood cells perform many crucial functions in the body's immune system, and an insufficent amount of them can be a serious problem. Leukopenia can affect patients in different ways, depending on which specific type of white blood cell is deficient. In the case of MDS, disease-fighting cells are not present in sufficient numbers, and an increased risk of infection results.
Other Dangers
MDS can also lead to thrombocytopenia, an insufficiency of platelets, the structures in the blood responsible for clotting. This can cause even minor cuts to endanger the sufferer and require immediate medical care. About 40 percent of patients with MDS will also develop acute myeloid leukemia, a malignant condition of the bone marrow. In AML, the blood cells the body produces never mature to perform their functions, so a buildup occurs, choking the blood with useless cells.
Causes
The exact causes of the chromosomal damage leading to MDS is not definitely known, but several contributing factors have been identified. Chemicals such as benzene, insecticides and other plant poisons, possibly even a virus, may be responsible. There may be a genetic predisposition to MDS as well. Patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer may develop MDS due to the damaging effects of radiation used in the process.
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