Triglycerides Blood Tests

Most people know that cholesterol levels affect overall health. But not everybody knows that different types of fats have different effects on the body. Triglycerides are one of these fats, and the less you have of them, the better. It's important to have your triglyceride levels tested and to know what the results mean. Lowering your triglyceride levels can, in some cases, literally mean the difference between life and death.

Significance

Triglycerides are a type of fat that is in the food you eat. They are also produced by the body. If you eat too many calories for your body to use, the extra calories turn into triglycerides. The body stores the triglycerides and uses them for energy later on. Everyone has triglycerides, but if you have too many of them, it can be a sign of developing or existing health problems. That's why it's important to have your triglyceride levels tested.

Considerations

Certain medical conditions can raise your triglyceride levels, including kidney disease, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and diabetes, if it's not well controlled. Obesity also can lead to high triglyceride levels. Even if you don't have any of these conditions and are at a good weight level, smoking, physical inactivity, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and eating too much can bump up your triglyceride levels. People who eat a diet high in carbohydrates (over 60 percent of calories) are especially at risk.

Some medications can also cause high triglyceride levels, including beta-blockers, diuretics and tamoxifen. Women on birth control pills or estrogen can experience high triglyceride levels.

Warning

While they usually don't directly cause symptoms, high triglyceride levels are linked to a number of serious conditions. People with metabolic syndrome have high levels of triglycerides and also high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. They also have large amounts of fat around the stomach. Metabolic syndrome puts you at risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Very high triglyceride levels can trigger pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, but this is uncommon.

Function

Triglyceride tests are usually done when your doctor does a lipid profile. A lipid profile measures the amount of fats in your blood, such as triglycerides and HDL ("good") and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. When you get your lipid profile results, you can tell whether your triglyceride levels are normal or high by using this set of standards from the National Cholesterol Education Program:

Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL

Borderline-high: 150 to 199 mg/dL

High: 200 to 499 mg/dL

Very high: 500 mg/dL or higher

Prevention/Solution

Some people are genetically predisposed to high triglyceride levels. However, most of the time you can do something to change your triglyceride levels. The best way to do this is to change your habits. Quit smoking and limit the amount of fat and sugar you eat and the amount of alcohol you drink. For more information on a heart-healthy diet, visit the American Heart Association website (see Resources below). Losing weight helps lower triglyceride levels, and getting more exercise is a good way to lose weight: Even if you don't shed pounds, your triglyceride levels should drop.

If lifestyle changes don't work well enough, your doctor may prescribe medication. Niacin and fibrates are used to treat high triglyceride levels.

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The Life Cycle Of Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a disease carried by mosquitoes. When people who have low levels of immunity are bitten by mosquitoes carrying this disease, they can experience fever, headaches and body contortions. Although Dengue Fever is not fatal, sufferers can experience symptoms of the disease for nearly two weeks, leaving their bodies extremely weak. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 50 to 100 million cases of Dengue Fever occur each year.

Geography

People are typically infected with Dengue Fever during the rainy seasons of tropical and subtropical areas in India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Australia, the South Pacific and Central Pacific, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). However, cases have been found in the United States of America, specifically in Hawaii.

Time Frame

People are infected with the Dengue Virus when they are bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito. Two types of that mosquito, the Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti have been the transmitters for nearly all of the Dengue Fever cases, according to the NIAID. After a person is bitten by these types of mosquitoes, they may experience symptoms within a few days.

Effects

According to Medicine Net, once a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, the disease can incubate from 3 to 15 days before they start to experience symptoms. After this time, the person will first start to experience headache, chills, low backache and pain when they move their eyes. In addition, during the first hours that the fever starts to set in, the person will experience painful aching in the joints and legs as well.

Significance

Also during the initial onset of Dengue Fever, those infected will also experience a rise in temperature to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as low blood pressure and heart rate, according to Medicine Net. People also tend to have red eyes, a pink rash on their face, and swollen glands in the beginning. After about two to four days, the temperature drops rapidly and sufferers sweat rapidly. After a couple of days the temperature normalizes, then increases rapidly again. A rash also tends to cover the entire body during this stage.

Prevention/Solution

According to the NIAID, one of the best ways to avoid getting Dengue Fever is to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes since they carry the disease. The NIAID advises people to wear mosquito repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes, as well as keeping screen windows and doors closed. There is no treatment for Dengue Fever, so sufferers tend to focus on relieving symptoms as they arise and letting the fever run its course. Rest and drinking plenty of fluids are important, as well as taking acetaminophen, such as Tylenol for headache and joint pain.

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Globus & Vertigo

It is normal to experience vertigo on amusement park rides.

Globus--a chronic lump in the throat, and vertigo--the feeling of being off balance, can be caused separately by specific medical disorders or can occur simultaneously because of psychological factors, especially panic-related disorders. Treatment for physical causes of vertigo vary from surgery on the inner ear to antibiotic therapy. Globus has no known medical cure, but techniques that relieve tension--like bio feedback--often reduce the symptoms so it clears up on its own.

Physical Causes of Globus

Constantly clearing your throat is a sign of globus.

Commonly referred to as a "lump in the throat," globus is usually not painful, but makes it difficult to swallow and speak clearly. Globus can be physically caused by throat diseases like reflux laryngitis or spasms of the cricopharyngeal muscle in the esophagus. It is rarely a cancerous growth because such lumps do not create the same symptoms.

Psychological Causes of Globus

Nervous sitations can cause temporary globus.

When no physical cause can be diagnosed, as is often the case, psychological conditions are explored since they often can create such symptoms, but usually only for short periods of time. Psychologist have found that globus--especially when combined with vertigo--can be an indication of hysterical neurosis brought on by stress and panic attacks. Often the symptoms clear up when a persistent stress is identified and removed so that a normal heart rate can be achieved.

Treatment of Globus

There are no specific drugs that treat globus.

If globus is cause by physical problems in the throat, treatments that relate to gastronomical issues can sometimes bring relief. If there is an obstruction in the throat, surgery is used to correct the situation. Also warm liquids and muscle relaxants are recommended to reduce the symptoms. Relaxation techniques like bio-feedback and meditation can ease psychological globus.

Physical Causes of Vertigo

Ear infections can cause vertigo.

Chronic vertigo is most often associated with inner ear issues like bacterial infections or Meniere's disease. Another common cause is restricted blood circulation to the brain. Severe vertigo is often accompanied by ringing in the ears and headaches or migraines. The motion involved in travel on airplanes or boats also cause attacks of vertigo, but usually clears up within hours of completing the journey.

Psychological Causes of Vertigo

Relaxing activites reduce stress-related vertigo attacks.

Since persistent vertigo often disappears when a sufferer relaxes or goes on vacation, psychologists have been able to link it to stress-related disorders like panic attacks and hysteria. Chronic psychological conditions like acrophobia (fear of heights) and agoraphobia (fear of public places) can also cause severe vertigo attacks.

Vertigo Treatment

There are many "off the shelf" remedies for vertigo.

Over-the-counter antihistamine medication like Dramamine or Benadryl can help relieve vertigo symptoms, especially if they are associated with nausea, as well as herbal remedies like ginger tea. Acupressure wrist bands seem to help travelers deal with vertigo but have not been scientifically proven to be effective. Surgical procedures can correct inner ear imbalances or deaden nerves that send vertigo signals to the brain.

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Prepare For A Complete Hysterectomy

Prepare for a Complete Hysterectomy

A misnomer, a "complete" hysterectomy removes only the uterus and the cervix, leaving the fallopian tubes and ovaries in place. The surgery can be accomplished through the vagina or through an abdominal incision or a laparoscopic hysterectomy can be done through the abdomen. A complete hysterectomy is major surgery no matter which option you and your health team decide to pursue, so you must prepare for it physically, mentally and emotionally.

Instructions

Prepare for a Complete Hysterectomy with Confidence

1. Be aware that menopause can occur after a complete hysterectomy, despite the fact that the ovaries and fallopian tubes are left intact. Decreased blood flow to the ovaries can push a pre-menopausal woman into menopause.

2. Acknowledge that a complete hysterectomy eliminates the ability to carry a child. Prepare to go through a period of sadness, depression and grief over this loss.

3. Discuss the surgical options with your doctor. Most complete hysterectomies are performed to remove fibroid tumors. Depending upon the size of the tumors, a less invasive laparoscopic procedure may be an option.

4. Understand that even after one of the less invasive forms of complete hysterectomy, there will be a 4 to 6 week period of recovery. Sexual activity can generally resume after 8 weeks.

5. Plan for your recovery by creating a safe and convenient environment at home. Make your recovery area post surgery friendly by eliminating the need to walk up multiple steps or to stretch to reach needed items.

Tags: complete hysterectomy, Prepare Complete, Prepare Complete Hysterectomy, fallopian tubes, less invasive, your recovery

Hypnotize People To Do Stupid Things

When you hypnotize people, you make them forget about their surroundings and focus on you and your directions. Getting people to do simple yet stupid things, like flap their arms like a chicken, is easy when hypnotizing them. Making people do more elaborate things, such as impersonating another, is a little harder.

Instructions

1. Find a method of hypnotizing you're comfortable with. Free-eBooks.net has a downloadable book that includes several methods for hypnotizing.

2. Ask someone to be hypnotized. It's much more difficult to hypnotize someone who doesn't wish to be hypnotized than someone who's willing.

3. Choose a comfortable environment with dim lighting in which to proceed. The person you're hypnotizing must be able to relax and be comfortable.

4. Follow your method of hypnotism and hypnotize the person. Don't rush this process; it only makes it more difficult. Use a calm and relaxing voice and make sure the person you're hypnotizing is ready to proceed.

5. Once the person is completely hypnotized, have them do something. Start with a simple command like "Touch your nose with your finger."

6. Suggest more difficult and goofy tasks. Make sure that you're not asking her to do something that she could not do in a normal conscious state. You don't have superpowers or unnatural abilities when you're hypnotized.

Tags: more difficult, person hypnotizing

Dna Mutations

DNA mutations are changes or errors in the nucleic materials of organisms. There are a variety of ways these can occur, and they can be as dramatic as the effects of radiation to as simple as a mistake in copying cells during reproduction. However they occur, though, the organism that has them will turn out different from others of its species. Depending on the type of mutation, it may actually be beneficial to the creature, and if this happens, the mutation has a likelier chance of spreading through the species, which is one way scientists look at evolution.

The Facts

DNA mutations affect the genetic material of an organism in many different ways. When you look at a string of DNA, you can divide it up into nucleotides, each one connecting to another, and all of them seeming a bit different. The DNA is the same for most organisms, obviously with slight changes. A mutation is a major change, though that duplicates, replaces, or cuts out important nucleotides from a DNA string. The cause of this could be some kind of radiation, or a genetic mutation passed on from family, or even certain viruses. Depending on exactly how the DNA is changed and whether or not the change is beneficial or harmful, there are a number of different types of mutations as well.

Type

There are eight major types of DNA mutations. An adaptive mutation is a beneficial mutation, and scientific research has shown that when a mutation is beneficial to a species, it is more likely to occur. A frameshift mutation involves the deletion or insertion of a nucleotide in a DNA string, while a back mutation is a change in a nucleotide pair (the connecting end of two DNA strands). Further still, there are missense mutations, which are caused when one nucleotide changes into another, and nonsense mutations, which make the protein created by the DNA unusable. Neutral and silent mutations change the DNA makeup, but do not have any real effect on the organism. Finally, there are point mutations, which substitute the base nucleotide for another.

Effects

The results of a DNA mutation vary wide and far, but they all affect an organism physically. Mutations that can be seen easily could be an extra limb or change in skin or fur pigmentation. Mutations can affects organs, including the brain, which in turn causes mental problems, and can lead to an enhanced or impaired sense. The majority of the effects are harmful, but there are a select few that benefit those who have them.

Benefits

There is a small number of DNA mutations that are actually beneficial to the organism. These usually help with the survival of the organism, whether it makes them harder to detect by predators or resistant to a particular disease. Whatever the case, though, beneficial mutations usually give the organism that has those more of a chance to survive, thus giving it more of a chance to pass on the beneficial trait. After this occurs over many generations, the mutation may occur in the majority of the population of a species. This is called evolution.

Risk Factors

Cells depend on a string of proteins to be correctly placed in order to function properly. However, some DNA mutations can affect these protein strings, and when they do, the mutation usually causes problems. When a particular strand of DNA is unable to produce the correct types of proteins, a genetic disorder occurs. These can affect the health of an organism in many ways, and depending on which type of cell is affected, the genetic order could be passed down from generation to generation.

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Use Alternatives To Alcohol Abuse

Alternatives to alcohol abuse help people engage in more healthy life pursuits.

Alcohol abuse remains a major societal problem today. So much attention has been on the proliferation of narcotics abuse that alcoholism has almost taken a back seat. Yet, sheer numbers suggest that alcohol abuse is greatly impacting society. Reports have shown that tens of millions of Americans are suffering from some sort of alcohol dependence or abuse. However, there are alternatives to combat the prolific abuse of alcohol. These alternatives include drinking less powerful alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, resisting social pressure, developing yourself, enjoying life without drinking, and adapting and reacting more responsibly to life's changes.

Instructions

Alternatives to Alcohol Abuse

1. Drink low-alcoholic drinks when out dining or out with friends and family having fun. Drinking alcohol-free beer will give you the sense of being relaxed without the negative effects of alcohol. Consuming non-alcoholic drinks will also keep you from the negative effects of alcohol yet give you the liquid refreshment you may desire.

2. Resist the social pressure to drink. Develop a strict mental resolve to resist family and friends who pressure you to drink. Abstain from certain individuals who will continually pressure you to involve yourself in counter-productive pursuits. Develop healthy relationships with those who don't influence you to drink.

3. Build yourself up mentally, physically, emotionally as well as spiritually to maintain a more healthy and productive lifestyle. Read mentally stimulating books, exercise daily, eat more balanced meals, and find value in your life by connecting with your spiritual side.

4. Enjoy your life by engaging in more satisfying personal endeavors like bike riding, mountain climbing, taking college classes, or visiting fun and exciting places.

5. Adapt better to the unpredictability of life by striving for progress not perfection as a healthy life goal. Experience all ranges of your emotions when a change happens in your life. Don't deny the existence of negative emotions tied to the changes in life and be open and honest with yourself about how you feel about any change in your life.

Tags: your life, Alcohol Abuse, Alternatives Alcohol, effects alcohol, healthy life, more healthy

Use Air Purifiers

If you have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can greatly improve your quality of life. Air filters remove dust, pollen, mold and many other environmental pollutants which can trigger both asthma and allergies and exasperate colds and other upper respiratory infections. Keep in mind that an air purifier is not a magical wellness box. It needs to be used properly to be effective.

Instructions

1. Get a big enough air filter. There are some small filters that work great in cozy rooms but aren't going to do the trick in a big living room. Air filters usually come with recommendations which tell you how big a room they should be used in.

2. Clean and maintain your air purifier regularly. HEPA air filters need to have their filters replaced, whereas electrostatic filters need to be taken out and cleaned. Many air filters have automatic warning lights that tell you when they need to be cleaned.

3. Keep doors and windows closed. Air purifiers are not very effective when air is continually moving in and out of the room. If you like a breeze during the day, turn the air purifier off to save energy. Then, close the windows at night and run the filter.

4. Put the air purifier near to any known source of dirty air. Air ducts can circulate a lot of dust along with heated air, so you might want to keep your air purifier near the duct.

5. Keep your room clean. An air purifier can only do so much. You need to regularly remove dust from the air and discourage the growth of mold through good housekeeping.

6. Don't block the filter. Make sure the intake vents and the air output are at least a few feet away from any nearby objects.

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Clean Braces

Clean braces give you an excellent reason to smile.

Braces are a common part of many teens' and adults' lives. To avoid trips to the orthodontist, you must clean your braces often and thoroughly. Although cleaning around your braces may seem like a burden, the long-term benefit of healthy and straight teeth is worth the 10 to 15 minutes per day spent cleaning. Braces that are not maintained can result in tooth decay, gum disease or white spots on the teeth, according to worlddental.org.

Instructions

1. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste using a soft bristle toothbrush twice a day. Do not apply too much pressure to your teeth or gums, as this may cause damage in the braces. According to worlddental.org, an interdental toothbrush is beneficial for braces. These brushes are shaped like tiny Christmas trees and fit between braces.

2. Floss your teeth using waxed floss. Do not use unwaxed floss as it will get caught in the brackets. Harmful bacteria gather around the braces; therefore, flossing is often the only way to remove it. Orthodonics.org recommends using the Platypus Flosser---a fork-shaped flossing device available at most supermarkets and pharmacies.

3. Rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds. The mouthwash destroys germs that brushing and flossing missed. If you are under the age of 12, you may require a child brand of mouthwash. Consult your orthodontist for suggestions.

4. Open your mouth wide and check the appearance of your teeth in the mirror. According to orthodonics.org, metal braces should be shiny after cleaning.

Tags: your teeth, your braces, your mouth

Home Remedies For Reducing Wrinkles

If you have wrinkles, there are things you can do to reduce their appearance. If you don't want to spend too much money on creams and facial treatments, you could try out some at-home remedies instead.

Facial Massage

Massaging your skin can tighten your muscles and rejuvenate your skin cells while eliminating or reducing your wrinkles. Start by cleansing your face and removing your makeup. Then use any moisturizer or skin cream and rub it into your skin, using the fingers of both hands to massage your face all over in a circular motion. Move quickly and press firmly to provide the proper stimulation. Do this daily.

Fruity Fixes

Pineapple is rich in collagen, which your skin has probably lost if you have begun to notice wrinkles. Rub your face with a slice of fresh pineapple, or make a face pack out of pineapple pulp. Leave this pineapple treatment on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes to see marked improvements.

You can also try mixing apple juice and green pineapple juice together and apply this to your face in the same manner. Some people also find benefits from using lemon juice on their skin, as it improves the look of blemishes in addition to easing wrinkles.

When applying any fruit juice product, leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes and then wash with regular water.

Make a Paste

Make a paste out of turmeric powder and sugarcane juice and rub it onto your skin. Leave it there for about 10 to 20 minutes and then wash off with water. This can help remove the wrinkles you have and prevent future skin aging.

You can also try combining rose water with sandalwood powder to make a thick paste; apply it as you would any facial mask and rinse off. This can help you eliminate the fine lines around your face.

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Dry Maitake

One of the nicknames of the maitake mushroom is "King of Mushrooms." This is because of its status as a highly flavorful, gourmet food as well as an alternative medicine for different diseases and conditions. The majority of uses for maitake mushrooms require they be dried. Many gourmet food chains and health food stores sell dried mushrooms, but you can dry them on your own using a variety of methods. Through a little trial and error, you can find a method and a technique which works for you.

Instructions

Drying Maitake in the Oven

1. Clean your mushrooms thoroughly, while keeping them dry. You can use a vegetable brush or dry napkins to remove dirt.

2. Slice the mushrooms as thin as you can. The thinner the strips, the faster they will dry out.

3. Spread the slices around a baking sheet, being sure not to stack them on top of one another.

4. Bake at 150 degrees, for 60 minutes, and then remove from the oven.

5. Flip the pieces over and use paper towels to soak up the water, which was excreted from the mushrooms during cooking.

6. Press the mushrooms gently with dry paper towels to remove water and return to the oven for another 60 minutes.

7. Remove from the oven, and test that the mushrooms are dried. If there is still moisture or sponginess, continue to cook and flip until all moisture has been removed.

8. Allow mushroom slices to completely cool.

9. Keep dried maitake in an airtight bowl, keeping it in a dark cabinet or cupboard when not in use.

Drying Maitake Using the Air Method

10. Clean your mushrooms thoroughly, as in oven method.

11. Cut and slice mushrooms into thin pieces.

12. Lay out on paper towels or place inside of a mesh bag with holes to allow air in. Place mushrooms in a dry, dark cupboard or cabinet, monitoring for possible spoilage or molding.

Dry Maitake Using a Food Dehydrator.

13. Clean your mushrooms thoroughly as in other methods.

14. Slice the mushrooms as thin as possible.

15. Follow the directions of your food dehydrator.

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Medicaid Rules For A Lookback Period

Medicaid is a needs-based program that takes into account income and assets. When applying for Medicaid, if an individual exceeds the income, asset or resource limit, he is ineligible. Especially when anticipating the need for long-term care, which Medicare does not pay for, some choose to reduce assets in order to quality for Medicaid. When transferring assets, it is essential to have an understanding of the look-back period.

Look-Back Period

The time period during which Medicaid can investigate assets transferred is termed the look-back period. During this time, Medicaid will examine any transferred assets to ensure that services or assets of equal value were received in return. If not, a penalty will be applied in the form of denial of benefits for a certain length of time. As of 2010, the look-back period is five years prior to the date of application.

Ineligibility Period

The ineligibility period is the penalty given for assets transferred without reciprocation during the look-back period. It is the length of time an applicant must wait in order to become eligible for Medicaid. The length of the ineligibility period is based on value of assets transferred. The monetary amount of the transfer is divided by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in the individual's state, resulting in the number of months the ineligibility period will last.

Deficit Reduction Act

The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA), which took effect February 8, 2006, was designed to cut the federal budget deficit and made several changes to the Medicaid asset-transfer rules. Most important, the look-back period was extended from three to five years. In addition, the start of the ineligibility period for transferred assets was changed from date of transfer of assets to date of the applicant entered the nursing home and would have otherwise been eligible for Medicaid.

Effective Date

The DRA effects asset transfers made after February 8, 2006. However, some states must have changes made to Medicaid programs approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before receiving federal reimbursement for Medicaid service coverage. For these states, a grace period was granted. The date the state legislature authorizes the modifications will become the effective date of the new transfer rules.

Planning Strategies

Long-term planning strategies are essential to ensure the ability to pay for nursing home care. Several options exist for either transfer of assets or payment of services. Money could be gifted to children over time, money can be set aside by the children in the event that their parents need financial assistance, assets can be held in a trust for the benefit of the entire family, or the individual could purchase long-term care insurance. Premiums for the insurance could be paid either by the individual until funds run out, or by the family to ensure inheritance of preserved assets.

Tags: ineligibility period, assets transferred, look-back period, nursing home, date transfer

Cures For A Toothache

A cracked tooth, a loose filling, an infection or tooth rot can cause toothaches. No matter what causes it, finding relief from the pain is usually a top priority until you can get to a dentist. Although nothing short of pulling or otherwise fixing the tooth can cure the problem, there are a number of things that can be done until the problem can be solved.

History

Before modern dentistry techniques, the best hope for curing a toothache was to pull the offending tooth. It wasn't until the 17th century that a French physician named Pierre Fauchard introduced fillings as a way of stopping decay in a tooth. Today both of these methods are still used, along with root canals and crowns.

Significance

There are a number of over-the-counter remedies for a toothache, as well as a variety of home remedies using common household ingredients. They all serve the same purpose: to take the pain away. What works for some toothaches may not work for all; it all depends on what is causing the pain.

Effects

Over-the-counter and home remedies for toothache pain both work in the same way: to dull or eliminate the pain associated with the toothache. Often, the pain may be caused from something as simple as a food particle lodged between the tooth and gum and may be remedied by nothing more than a mouthwash of warm water. Loose fillings or cavities may need an over-the-counter medicine such as Oragel or the home remedy of oil of cloves to deaden the nerves surrounding the source of pain. Taking a painkiller such as aspirin may be all that is needed until a dentist can be seen.

Misconceptions

Toothaches do not go away on their own or even with the use of a store-bought or homemade remedy. Cloves, salt water washes, mouthwashes and gels only postpone the needed visit to a dentist. Allowing a toothache, and its underlying problems, to persist only makes matters worse by possibly letting infection set in, which can lead to other health problems.

Prevention/Solution

The best solution to toothache pain is to not allow it to happen in the first place. Proper brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to the dentist, will remove most risks of toothache pain. Carbonated drinks and excess sugar lead to unwelcome bacteria that can destroy the enamel of the tooth, which can lead to decay. Should a toothache happen, schedule a visit to the dentist as soon as possible. This alone can often save the tooth and yourself more pain in the future.

Warning

Although some old folk tales recommend putting an aspirin directly on the afflicted tooth, this may lead to more problems. As the aspirin dissolves it may cause a burning sensation or other irritation of the cheeks and gums surrounding the tooth.

Theories/Speculation

Home remedies said to work on toothache pain include a drop or two of oil of cloves directly on the tooth, saltwater or wheat grass rinses, garlic or oil of garlic rubbed on the gums around the tooth and a pinch of pepper placed on the tooth. In any event, these are only temporary measures for relieving toothache pain.

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How Do Teeth Implants Work

Purpose

Teeth implants or, more commonly, dental implants are typically used for the purpose of replacing a missing tooth or missing teeth. Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons including injury or accident. Gum disease, such as periodontitis, can lead to tooth loss. Decay from age or poor oral hygiene can also play a role in tooth loss. The replacement of a missing tooth can be simply cosmetic in nature, with appearance as the primary concern. There are also functional reasons for receiving an implant. Tooth loss and dentures can lead to the loss of bone at the site of the lost tooth or teeth. Bridges can affect the health of the surrounding teeth to which they are attached. In addition, dentures and bridges often need to be replaced. Dental implants, when cared for correctly, can be a long-term or even permanent solution to tooth loss and can prevent bone loss.

The Implant

The implant itself is typically a screw that is made of titanium or a titanium alloy. The use of these titanium screws allows for a process called osseointegration to take place. Osseointegration is the process of the bone bonding to surface of the titanium screw. This bonding helps to hold the implanted screw into place. It also helps to keep the bone active in that area of the jaw and decreases the likelihood of bone loss. The implant is typically completed with a crown to cover the metal screw. Crowns come in a variety of materials. They can be formed from metals, such as gold or palladium. They are also made out of resin, porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain and ceramic are the materials that most closely mimic the natural color of teeth.

The Procedure

The dental implant procedure is a multi-step process that occurs over the course of several months. As with most surgeries, X-rays are standard prior to the procedure. It is possible to have insufficient bone height in the jaw, which can require that the bone be built up to allow for the implant. The actual titanium screw implantation is usually performed by a periodontist. At the site of the tooth loss, a hole will be drilled into the bone and then widened. This hole will be where the implant is then, literally, screwed into place. This procedure requires some time after the surgery for the implant site to heal and osseointegration to occur. It is standard for a protective cover to be attached to the screw during this healing process. Once the healing process is over, a dentist typically takes over and will handle placing the prosthetic crown. This process typically involves a temporary crown being left in place for a time to accommodate gum growth and then being replaced by a permanent crown.

Tags: tooth loss, bone loss, healing process, hole will, into place

What Are The Benefits Of Salt Lamps

With all of the stresses and problems of day to day life people are always looking for the next big stress reliever. Massage chairs, aroma therapy and even meditation have all been tried by many people with a variety of success. One of the newer ideas, which has shown effectiveness, are salt lamps.

Definition

A salt lamp is nothing more than a large, heated crystal of salt kept on a base.

Ionization

When a salt lamp is heated, the crystal ionizes the air. This makes the air cleaner, and it assists in controlling allergies and respiratory infections.

Relaxation

A crystal salt lamp can be a great aid to relaxation. Being inside the ionized field of air enhances relaxation, and it can aid in creating the proper atmosphere for massage or meditation.

Concentration

Keeping a salt crystal lamp at one's desk can enhance that person's ability to concentrate effectively for longer periods of time.

Feng Shui

For those who practice the art of Feng Shui, salt crystal lamps can be placed at strategic locations to help enhance the chi of a room.

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Risk Facts For Heart Cancer

Heart cancer is a rare condition. Cancer typically occurs in parts of the body made of cells that divide regularly, and the heart is mainly made up of non-dividing muscle. Heart cancer does exist, though and it has a number of risk factors.

Family History

If members of your family have had heart cancer, then you have a higher risk of developing heart cancer at some point. You can get periodic testing, such as echocardiograms, to check for abnormal masses.

Tobacco

Smoking greatly increases the risk of all forms of cancer, not just lung cancer. The carcinogens in cigarette smoke are toxic to the entire body and can put your heart at risk.

Chemicals

Certain chemical compounds can increase the risk of heart cancer. Your risk generally doesn't go up unless you ingest these chemicals regularly; you are at risk if you work every day with asbestos, benzene or nickel.

Hormones

Some women who use hormone replacement therapies as treatment for menopause, thyroid issues or other conditions may be at a higher risk of heart cancer.

Unhealthy Habits

If you don't eat right, don't get enough physical activity each day and don't watch your stress levels or sleep habits, you are at a higher risk of heart cancer. Diets high in fat and cholesterol may contribute to heart cancer (as well as other cancers), and people who are overweight because of poor eating habits are also at a higher risk.

Tags: higher risk, heart cancer, risk heart, risk heart cancer, heart cancer, higher risk heart

Passiveaggressiveness

Passive-aggressiveness is a destructive pathological behavior that can hurt both the person with the disorder and those around him. Passive-aggressiveness is also a way of subtly manipulating others. This behavior hinders relationships, lowers productivity and prevents others from reaching their goals. It also brings about much negativity and depression.

Identification

Instead of being physically aggressive, many people use various types of seemingly non-aggressive measures to prevent others from succeeding. Examples of these methods are stubbornness, negativity and procrastination. People who exhibit these behaviors can make others miserable and thwart their plans. One example of this might be if a customer intended to trade an SUV for a pickup truck at a used-car dealership. The car salesman asks to have the keys to the SUV so he can examine the SUV while the customer is test-driving the pickup. The customer is not pleased with the pickup upon returning to the car lot and asks for his keys back. The car salesman pretends to have lost the keys and then asks one of the other salesmen to search for them while continuing to try to sell the customer the pickup. Therefore, the salesman conceals his hostile intentions (keeping the customer at the car lot to pitch him the car) behind an innocent mistake.

Identification

There is a long list of traits that identify someone who is exhibiting passive-aggressiveness. Such people blame others for their own mistakes, are very unreliable, frequently complain, avoid responsibility and binding agreements, and are often very sarcastic. Everything a passive-aggressive person does seems to prevent others from succeeding.

Function

People who are passive-aggressive use these methods to earn sympathy from others. By subtly sabotaging everything that is going on around him, the passive-aggressive person creates a climate of failure in which she can avoid blame. Passive-aggressiveness is also a technique that can be used to subtly sabotage a competitor.

Expert Insight

Passive-aggressive personality disorder is a condition in which an individual is persistently negative and resistant of the efforts of others. This personality disorder is more than just a behavior. Someone with this disorder must be habitually negative, and the negativity must be crippling.

Prevention/Solution

People who are passive-aggressive are difficult to treat, since they are often unaware of their behaviors. Also, many individuals have a hard time grasping what passive-aggressiveness is. Psychologists are unsure of treat passive-aggressive personality disorder. Some recommend that passive-aggressive people be shown how they are angering and disappointing others. But since people with passive-aggressive disorder are defeatists by nature, they will often give up on the treatment.

Tags: others from, personality disorder, from succeeding, others from succeeding, others This

Ways To Remove Warts

Warts, caused by the human papillomavirus entering through cracks in the skin, are growths that appear on the hands, fingers, and feet (plantar warts). Warts are non-cancerous, do not require treatment and often disappear on their own but can cause embarrassment. You might prefer treatment to remove them, especially if they are recurrent. Home treatments are usually sufficient but you might prefer or need stronger medical intervention.

Home Treatments

Home treatments like Compound W contain salicylic acid, which breaks down the wart. You can use them in liquid or patch form and take several weeks to work. For optimal effectiveness, soak the wart in warm water for 20 minutes before applying treatment and remove dead skin with a file or pumice between treatments.

Another cheap home remedy involves applying duct tape to the wart for six days, soaking the wart in water and filing it down with a nail file or pumice stone. It will take about two months for the wart to disappear.

Topical Treatments

If at-home treatment does not work, many wart sufferers will likely move to in-office medical procedures.

Cryotherapy or liquid nitrogen therapy freezes the wart, causing a blister to form underneath; dead tissue falls off within a week or so. This procedure is relatively painless and effective though several treatments might be necessary.

Cantharidin, a substance obtained from the blister beetle, is applied to your skin and covered with a bandage. The procedure itself will not cause you any pain but the blister it forms can cause discomfort. The blister helps separate the wart from the skin, causing the tissue to die.

Immunotherapy strengthens the immune system's ability to fight off the virus causing the warts. Common topical medications include squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) or Aldara.

Bleomycin (Blexonane) is an injected medication that kills HPV. Retionoids, which are made from vitamin A, interrupt the growth cycle of the skin cells present in the wart.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures are normally used for warts that have not responded to other treatments. Your doctor can cut the wart tissue away or destroy it with a process called electrodesiccation and curettage, which involves the use of electric needles. Laser surgery is also an option but can be costly.

Tags: file pumice, Home treatments, might prefer, treatment remove

Treat A Cut In Glass

Depending on the severity of a crack in your windshield or other types of glass, it can be repaired. Generally, if the crack has not touched the outside edge or the frame that holds it and it is not longer than 24 inches, you should be able to fix it yourself. Because this is most often an issue with car windshields, we will use a windshield as the cut glass in the example.

Instructions

1. Stop the crack from spreading. With your diamond drill bit and battery-powered drill, drill a tiny hole at each end of the crack, making sure the bit does not go deeper than the cut itself.

2. Cut out the crack with a razor blade. Windshield glass is relatively "soft," so this is fairly easy.This does not have to be precise, but you'll need to cut the glass out from hole to hole, removing all chips and glass shards along the way.

3. Use acetone on an old rag and completely wipe off the crack and the slits that you have made. Allow this to dry before moving on.

4. Place the flat seal over the crack, making sure the entire crack has been covered. Push the suction cups over the ends of the flat seal. This locks it in place over the crack.

5. Connect the hose to the resin container and hand pump. You will notice that one of your suction cups has a tiny hose sticking out from the top. This hose will be connected to the resin container and the hand pump.

6. Fill the crack with resin. When the suction cups are firmly in place, slowly squeeze the hand pump. As you will notice, resin from the container will begin to flow into the hose. Squeeze firmly and allow the resin to flow into the crack of your windshield. It must completely fill in the crack.

7. Let the resin set. Once the crack has filled in, allow it to set for about 10 minutes. The resin dries quick and hard, so after 10 minutes, remove both the suction cups and the seal. The seal will not be perfectly indetectable, but it should look very good and will hardly be noticeable to anyone who doesn't know what to look for.

Tags: suction cups, hand pump, container hand, container hand pump, crack making, crack making sure

Pulse Oximeters Troubleshooting

Pulse oximeters are used to check on patients suffering from a variety of circulatory or respiratory diseases. Commonly, pulse oximeters clip onto a finger and emit infrared light through the capillaries to measure the concentration of oxygen in the blood. Pulse oximeters are minimally invasive and offer accurate oxygenation readings. Most common problems exhibited by malfunctioning pulse oximeters can be fixed by repositioning a patient's finger or by replacing improperly installed sensory equipment.

Error Messages

Reference your pulse oximeter's user manual to improve your understanding of any error messages that will display on your pulse oximeter's sensor readout. Many pulse oximeters contain LED or other lighted readout displays that display a variety of operational messages, including error messages. Familiarize yourself with the error messages for your model of oximeter to increase your ability to properly troubleshoot any issues with the pulse oximeter.

Blinking Display

Recover From Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Recover From Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Endoscopic surgery is one of several types of surgeries that are used to treat people with carpal tunnel syndrome when all other treatments have been unsuccessful. This surgery involves inserting a small tube with a camera into incisions in the wrist and hand. While this type of surgery is less invasive than others, it is still important to take care of yourself afterwards. Read on to learn recover from endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery.

Instructions

1. Ask a friend or family member to set aside some time to help you recover. Endoscopic surgery generally has a very short recovery time, but be prepared to have someone help out for up to two weeks.

2. Establish an understanding with your friend about how he will help you recover from your surgery. It is important to let him know that you will need some help, but you don't want him to have to shirk his own responsibilities.

3. Stay away from driving. Have a friend help you with driving because it involves both of your hands. You need to rest the hand that was operated on. Try to schedule your physical therapy appointments for the evening so your friends and family members won't have to leave work early to give you a ride.

4. Get help with heavy lifting. If your friend goes grocery shopping, ask if you can come along. You can push the cart while she picks out the items you need.

5. Make sure you're taking your medicine as directed. Know what side effects to look for and when to call a doctor if you have a bad reaction.

6. Know your friends' limits. You might need lots of help in the first couple of weeks after surgery, so spread the duties among friends and family members. Get different people to drive you to your physical therapy appointments on different days.

Tags: Carpal Tunnel Surgery, Endoscopic Carpal, Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel, Endoscopic surgery, family members, friends family, friends family members

What Are Drings On A Helmet

D-rings are D-shaped loops used on safety straps for motorcycle helmets. D-rings can also be found on aviation helmets and some high-end bicycle helmets, as well as various other strap mechanisms, such as adjustable bag straps. The simple design of a D-ring strap system offers ease of use and reliability while allowing for fully customized adjustment of the strap length.

Design

D-rings get their name for their shape, which resembles that of a capital letter D. The flat portion of the D-ring is secured into the strapping system, allowing the D-ring to hang flush with the strap. The curved portion of the D-ring allows the strap to be pulled through for adjustment with minor resistance.

Function

There are two D-rings used in a strap system. The dual-ring design allows the strap to be secured with a simple knotting procedure. When the D-ring system is secured, the rings supply opposing tensions to the strap. This keeps the strap from loosening.

Use

To secure a D-ring strap system, pull the strap through the center of both D-rings until it is at the desired tension. Loop the end of the strap back on itself and route it back through the first D-ring, folding the strap over the top of the second D-ring in the process. Grip the first D-ring and pull the strap taut, securing it in place.

Benefits

When compared to other strap-securing mechanisms, D-rings are the simplest and most reliable. Mechanisms, such as buckles and clips, require heavier, more complicated hardware to secure the strap. Since D-rings are solid metal clips with no moving parts or springs, they are likely to last for the entire life of the device on which they are used.

Tags: strap system, allows strap, D-ring strap, D-ring strap system, first D-ring, portion D-ring, pull strap

Eliminate Alcohol To Ease Acid Reflux

Many studies suggest that alcohol aggravates acid reflux. This happens because alcohol is known to increase the production of stomach acid. Here are a few tips to help you eliminate alcohol to ease acid reflux.

Instructions

1. Many people enjoy having an occasional drink to unwind, but if you have acid reflux, you should abstain from drinking alcohol entirely.

2. Remove all alcoholic beverages from your household so you won’t give in to the urge.

3. Changing your lifestyle, including your drinking and eating habits will help you fight acid reflux and ease acid reflux symptoms.

4. Replace alcohol and acidic beverages, which will irritate the esophagus and stomach lining, with non-acidic beverages

5. Don't succumb to temptation. Until you're prepared to be around social drinkers, avoid social settings where alcohol will be present.

6. Reward your body with healthy beverages and foods and congratulate yourself. You’ll enjoy the benefits of healthy living once you eliminate alcohol to ease acid reflux.

Tags: acid reflux, acid reflux, ease acid, ease acid reflux, alcohol ease, eliminate alcohol, eliminate alcohol ease

Treat Third Degree Burns

Getting a slight burn from the stove or other hot appliances can be a common occurrence and easily treated. However, getting third degree burns are much more serious and can be harder to treat if you don’t know the proper way to do so.

Instructions

Treat Third Degree Burns

1. Call 911. Third degree burns are the most serious of burns and require immediate treatment. The best help in treating a third degree burn is by contacting emergency services immediately.

2. Immerse the burned area in cold water. Although you don’t want to use ice, apply cold water or cold cloths briefly to the burn to cool the tissues. But remove the cold water before the rest of the body cools too much.

3. Wrap the burn. Loosely wrap the burned area in a in a clean sheet if the burned area is extensive. If the burned area is smaller, apply dry, loose bandages such as a pillowcase or gauze.

4. Keep the burn raised. If the burn victim feels no pain, elevate the burned area above the heart to keep blood from rushing to the area. If the burn is on the face or neck, keep the head and shoulders raised.

5. Provide fluids. If the person is awake and alert, give small sips of water or a clear to juice to the victim.

6. Get a skin graft. After the burn has been treated, a scar will be left in the burned area. Getting a skin graft will treat the third degree burn by covering the scar on the victim.

Tags: burned area, cold water, degree burn, skin graft, third degree, Third Degree

Treatment For A Bone Spur In The Neck

Treatment for a Bone Spur in the Neck

A bone spur in the neck is also called an osteophyte. A bone spur is a growth of additional bone on top of already existing bone. This creates a thickening of the bone. It sometimes creates closure in areas and pressure on other body parts.

Bone spurs are caused by age and stress on the bone. Injuries often lead to bone spurs. Bone spurs develop when the body is attempting to heal itself.

Bone spurs often remain untreated and undetected while they are causing no apparent symptoms. Until an X-ray is performed to diagnose other issues, the bone spurs are usually not found.

When inflammation and pain develops, there are a few different treatment plans available.

Oral Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxers are the main types of oral medications prescribed to treat bone spurs in the neck.

Ibuprofen helps to relieve the pain and the inflammation simultaneously. Prescription pain medications are also used to treat the symptoms of bone spurs.

Shots

Cortisone injections provide temporary relief from the pain caused by bone spurs in the neck. These shots also work to reduce any inflammation that may be occurring. There are a few unpleasant side effects that may be experienced from cortisone shots. Therefore, these are only given on a limited basis. If a continuing problem exists, further treatment will be necessary.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is sometimes recommended to better an individual's posture and aid in the prevention of future bone spurs in the neck. This may also help strengthen the body and align the neck so that there is not as much pressure being placed on the affected areas. The physical therapist will be able to monitor whether this is improving or worsening the condition.

Rest

Activity will sometimes have a negative effect on an individual with bone spurs in the neck. To treat the symptoms of neck bone spurs, rest is recommended. This can help reduce any inflammation that is being caused. This, in turn, will reduce the pain experienced. Rest may even reduce the need for as much medication ingestion.

Surgery

Surgery is the only method for actually removing the bone spurs. Once major surgery is performed, physical therapy may be necessary to train the recovering patient in body postures less likely to enable bone spur growth in the future.

Bone spurs can grow back after a surgical removal, but this is the longest-term option available to treat those with symptoms from neck bone spurs.

Tags: bone spurs neck, spurs neck, bone spur, bone spurs, bone spurs, bone spurs, bone spur growth

Treat Symptoms Of Nighttime Gerd

Are you tired of waking up at night with heartburn and taking chalky antacids to calm it down? You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for which there are several long-acting medications to treat nighttime symptoms.

Instructions

1. Try using one of the two main types of long-acting stomach acid-reducing drugs. The less expensive drug is called a histamine-2 blocker, which is sold as ageneric and under name brands such as Tagamet, Pepcid, and Axid.

2. Try a more expensive drug if the histamine-2 blocker doesn’t eliminate your nighttime 'GERD' symptoms with regular use. Called a proton pump inhibitor, only one of these drugs is sold over-the-counter, under the brand name Prilosec. The generic form, omeprazole, recently became available at major pharmacy retailers.

3. Change some of your eating habits in the evening. Eat lighter dinners and avoid eating anything within three hours of bedtime.

4. Try eliminating milk and dairy products from your diet for two to four weeks to see if you have a lactose intolerance problem that’s helping trigger 'GERD' symptoms.

Tags: expensive drug, GERD symptoms, histamine-2 blocker

Atlanta Diet Food Delivery

In the Atlanta metro area, dieters have two choices for freshly made, low-calorie food delivery. Good Measures Meals and Fresh 'n Fit Cuisine both provide diet food delivery in the Atlanta area. Both companies have dietitians on staff, who plan each meal.

History

Good Measure Meals was started by Tom Murphy, a restaurant owner. In 2005, the company was bought by an Atlanta nonprofit organization called Open Hand, but is run as an independent business entity. Some of the proceeds go toward the nonprofit's goals.

Sarah Burmeister and Chris Gyoury are the co-owners of Fresh 'n Fit. Previously, they worked on three TV cooking shows, "Good Eats," "Mario Eats Italy" and "Rick Bayless' Mexico: One Plate at a Time."

Size

To start food delivery from Good Measure Meals, you can order online at the goodmeasuremeals.com website or you can call (404)815-7695.

To order meal delivery from Fresh 'n Fit, you must first register on the website. Then you order your specific plan by calling your closest distributor or placing an order on the website at freshnfitcuisine.com. You can also call (678) 208-0341 for any additional questions.

Features

A sample meal plan on Good Measures would be: a waffle with ricotta and peaches for breakfast; a turkey sandwich and side salad for lunch; and chicken parmesan, pasta, red sauce and side vegetables for dinner. Meals are developed on a five-week cycle for variety. Some plans also include snacks like Baked Cheetos, pudding or other items.

A sample meal plan on Fresh 'n Fit includes: a chicken sausage biscuit with a side of fruit for breakfast; a smoked turkey sandwich with grapes for lunch; and New Orleans spiced chicken, red beans and rice, and wilted greens for dinner.

Types

Good Measures offers fresh meals for about $19 to $24 a day for three meals, for either five or seven days per week. You can choose from a 1,200, 1,400, 1,700 or 2,100 calorie plan. You can also opt for the dinner-only plan, which starts at about $10 daily.

Fresh 'n Fit offers two meal plans with either 1,200 or 2,000 calories daily, with either five or seven days per week. The prices range from $108 to $154 weekly, depending on the plan you choose.

Benefits

At Good Measures, you pay about $27.50 a week for twice-a-week delivery by refrigerated truck. If you are not available to let in the delivery man, then you need to provide a cooler outside the door. Delivery days are Monday and Thursday. Home deliveries are from 2 to 8 p.m., and office deliveries are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also pick up your meals from more than 40 locations on Mondays and Thursdays. You will save on the delivery fee, but you will still pay a processing fee of about $2.50 per week.

On the Fresh 'n Fit plan, the distributors decide on the fees and the areas they will deliver to. You can also pick up your meals from 30 area distributors. Delivery or pick-up days are Mondays and Thursday.

Tags: Good Measures, food delivery, about week, also pick, also pick your

Acupressure Points In The Hand

There many important acupressure points in the hand. They are simple to find and manipulate by yourself. Some acupressure points in the hand just feel good to press. Others are believed to alleviate everything from back pain to headaches to cold symptoms. While many skeptics dispute these claims, it certainly won't hurt you to try them.

Effects

One of the most commonly used acupressure points in the hand is located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger. Use your other hand to pinch the meaty part of the webbing. You should feel the effects with a minimum of pressure. This acupressure point is said to help relieve pain, especially in the head and back.

Identification

To improve circulation and health in the head, arms and torso, press your thumb to the side of your index finger. Find the acupressure point in the middle of the mound of flesh that bunches up on the hand. Press carefully in a downward, circular motion.

Function

Another acupressure point in the hand is located on the thumb. Look at your left thumb. The acupressure point is located in the lower right corner of the thumbnail. On your right thumb the acupressure point is in the lower left corner.

Features

Two acupressure points are located at the base of the hand. They are both found right where the wrist meets the base of the palm. One is directly under the little finger while the other is directly under the thumb. If you have trouble finding these, move the pressure around until you feel a tingling sensation in your fingers.

Considerations

Other acupressure points are found just below the hand on the forearm. Turn your hand over and place the thumb from your other hand across your wrist where the hand bends backwards. Slide your thumb down your arm two thumb widths and press the acupressure point in the middle of your forearm. It should be directly below your middle finger. You will feel a sensation in the back of your hand as you press it.

Benefits

An acupressure point just below the hand on the inner forearm is said to provide relief from cold symptoms, joint issues and hiccups. To find it, turn your hand palm up. Place the thumb of your other hand across the wrist where the hand bends. Move your thumb down toward your elbow by two thumb widths. Press the acupressure point in the middle of your forearm. When you apply pressure to this acupressure point your fingers will close.

Tags: acupressure point, your thumb, acupressure point middle, acupressure points, acupressure points hand, other hand

Autism Symptoms In The First Year

Because the causes of autism are not known for sure, it can generate concern for many parents. First-time parents especially, who are new to experiencing the developmental stages of a baby, may be inclined to either worry that their child has autistic-like tendencies, or miss the warning signs all together. Because early intervention is of great importance when it comes to dealing with autism, being able to detect early signs of the condition is critical. The good news is that there are certain signs that may be evident in a baby even as young as 1 year old.

Developmental Delays

One early indicator of autism or another delay involves your baby not meeting his developmental milestones. While babies grow and mature at different rates, you should expect your young child to be on range for at least some of his age-appropriate milestones. Milestones encompass social, physical and verbal behavior in a child. Not meeting many milestones could indicate a problem in development such as autism. Review the milestones with your doctor if you are concerned that your child is falling behind.

Social Skills

While some babies are more social than others, you should expect basic social skills in all small children. Such social skills include interest in others, especially other children and the child's own parents. A baby should respond to his mother's voice and respond to the mood or behavior of others. For instance, if a baby's mother comes home from work and excitedly greets her child, he will likely be excited in response. If he shows no emotion, this could indicate a lack in social skills, which can be a sign of autism.

Verbal Skills

A child should be able to babble before his first birthday and even say a few words by the time he turns 1. If a baby makes no babbling sounds or communicative gestures such as waving "hi," or "bye," or indicating his wants or needs through simple gestures such as pointing, this could mean he has a delay in his verbal skills. A delay in verbal skills can be an early sign of autism, especially if other developmental markers are not being reached as well.

Repetivite Behavior

Self-stimulatory behavior is often associated with autism. This could mean simple arm movements such as flapping or rubbing hands or fingers together. It could also involve obsessions with a certain page of a story or section of a movie that he wants to see again and again.

Inappropriate Play

Inappropriate use of toys can be an early sign of autism or a similar delay. This may mean lining up toys and organizing them based on size color or other similarity. A strong interest in watching objects spin or fall is also an early indicator. For instance, if your baby prefers to flip a toy car over and spin the tires again and again, rather than roll the car on the ground, this may be a sign of a problem.

Unexplained Emotions

Since children with autism are often in their own world, you may notice certain emotional outbursts that you do not understand. For instance, unexplained laughter when he is by himself or extreme outbursts when an activity ends

Tags: sign autism, with autism, again again, could indicate, could mean

Produce A Sound On A Gong

Gongs come in all different sizes and produce a variety of different sounds. Depending on the size, quality and style of gong, you can get anything from a light, shimmering tone to an all-consuming roar. Use a soft mallet and start off with soft strikes. Experiment with the minimum possible force before hauling off and whacking it. A gong can be a surprisingly complex and nuanced instrument once you understand the different tones it can produce.

Instructions

1. Get a gong mallet. You want a soft, padded striking surface. Using a normal drumstick will not allow the gong to build up the full, deep resonance it is known for. More importantly, a drumstick can damage a gong!

2. Strike the gong lightly in the middle, letting the mallet bounce off the surface of the gong. Listen to the tone until the ringing dies away.

3. Repeat Step 2, using a little more force. See if the sound changes. Try again, hitting it a little harder.

4. Strike the drum softly, slightly out from the center. Observe how different the tone is from when you hit it in the middle. Strike it in different places and note the different tones. For now, wait for the tone to die before striking again.

5. Practice building the tone. First, strike the drum softly but repeatedly in the same spot, waiting about 1/2 second between each strike. Observe how the ringing builds. Next, strike the gong by moving the mallet around in a circle, about the same distance from the center. Do the two styles yield different results?

6. Repeat the above steps while muting the gong. Lightly strike the gong while you touch it with one hand to dampen the resonance. Observe how this affects the sound.

Tags: different tones, drum softly, from center, strike gong

What Is A Lifeline Chart

A lifeline chart opens you to your past.

A lifeline chart is a self-therapeutic technique used by people to gain a perspective on their past. It is an adaptation of a psychiatric methodology for charting the cycles of bipolar disorders. That methodology is codified and trademarked as the National Institute of Mental Health Life Chart Methodology, or NIMH-LCM™. The adapted technique known as lifeline charting is much simpler than NIMH-LCM™ because it makes no attempt to correlate life events with therapy.

The Line

A lifeline chart is done by the subject, not a second party. It begins with a straight line. The start of the line to the left is the subject's date of birth; the termination point to the right is the current date. This lifeline serves as both dateline and baseline for the chart. The line is divided into intervals. To begin, intervals can be as infrequent as every ten years for a middle-aged subject or every five years for a young adult.

The Chart

According to a lifeline chart from EOS Life-Work, the subject uses the lifeline as the normal line. Recalling his past, the subject notes times of marked deviations from the baseline at the appropriate time points. Lines perpendicular to the baseline are drawn at these points. Lines extended from points of positive deviation extend up, while lines extended from points of negative deviation extend down. The more extreme the deviation from normal, the longer the perpendicular line.

Graphing Your Emotional History

When the subject is satisfied, a line can be drawn connecting the tips of the perpendicular lines. The result is a crude graph of the subject's perspective of their emotional history. Lifeline charts can be expanded over time. As the subject gains greater insight into his past, a more granular view emerges with new points surfacing to be added to the lifeline chart.

Tags: lifeline chart, deviation extend, extended from, extended from points, from points, perspective their

Pay For Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure that involves making your stomach smaller, allowing food to bypass part of your small intestine. This restricts the amount of food needed to be consumed in order to feel satisfied and full, resulting in weight loss over time. This surgery is employed on individuals who are morbidly obese and are not able to lose weigh with exercise and diet alone. Gastric bypass surgery, however can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $45,000 depending on the medical facility and location. While this can be very costly, there are several options to pay for this type of surgery.

Instructions

1. Contact your health insurance provider and ask if they cover gastric bypass surgery. If you are morbidly obese or if your weight is causing other health problems, your health insurance might be able to shoulder the expenses.

2. Pay for gastric surgery by utilizing your credit card. You might have to use many credit cards to cover the expensive costs of gastric bypass surgery. Contact the banks that issued you the credit cards and ask for an increase in your credit limit. They may be able to increase your limits if are in good standing with them and have been making payments on schedule.

3. Contact financial institutions that offer financing for gastric bypass surgery. There are numerous such companies, such as Reliance Medical Finance, Care Credit and SurgeryLoans.com and others. You can also ask your doctor to refer you to a financing company, since your doctor may know of a certain company that offers financing specifically for gastric bypass surgery.

4. Contact your banking institution. Your bank might be able to give you a medical loan for gastric bypass or a personal loan especially if your credit is excellent. Make certain you let them know that you will need the money to pay for gastric bypass surgery and offer collateral such an automobile or real estate property. Many banks require some form of collateral.

Tags: bypass surgery, gastric bypass, gastric bypass surgery, your credit, bypass surgery Contact

Get Rid Of Estrogen

Estrogen is an important hormone to maintain a healthy body. Of course women need more estrogen than men, but it is necessary for men as well. While estrogen keeps women looking healthy, it can also be the cause of certain diseases and prohibit weight loss. The more estrogen you have in your body, the harder it is to lose weight. If you want to get rid of excess estrogen in your body, there are some things you can do. This guide will show you the best ways to eliminate unwanted estrogen.

Instructions

1. Drink grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice has a certain quality that eliminates estrogen in the body. It actually works by blocking something called estradiol from being broken down by the liver. This means the estrogen from environmental sources is not allowed to fully soak into your organs.

2. Avoid soy products. Soy may be a healthy alternative when you are referring to a low fat diet, but it is detrimental to your estrogen levels. Environmental estrogen is everywhere now a days. Soy meat, soy milk and soy almonds are all products to avoid when reducing estrogen levels.

3. Reheat your food in non plastic containers. Plastic emits a chemical, when it is heated, into it's contained food. This chemical is another environmental estrogen. Instead, use a porcelain or glass bowl to heat your food. If you don't have one of those handy, just use a paper plate.

4. Eat organic foods to eliminate environmental estrogens in pesticides. Pesticides and chemicals are in virtually everything we eat. In fact, recently non organic baby food was tested and 15 pesticides were found in one single container.

5. Take anti-estrogen prescription drugs like androgens, clomiphene or Tamoxifen. Medication should be your last resort unless your estrogen levels are extremely dangerous. This is because medication is the cause of an excess of estrogen to begin with, so fighting problems naturally is easier on you body.

Tags: estrogen levels, excess estrogen, more estrogen, your body, your estrogen, your estrogen levels, your food

Chinese Stress Ball Exercises

Chinese stress balls are no larger than cue balls for billiards and stimulate blood flow, improving circulation and sharpening the mental and physical health of the user.

According to Vitality Magazine, Chinese stress balls are effective at helping a person achieve mental, physical and spiritual wholeness. Created during the Han Dynasty in first century China, soldiers would rotate walnuts with the fingertips to strengthen the muscles of the hands, fingers and wrist. During the Sung Dynasty, balls were made of stone and metal, increasing the strength one gained from the exercise.

Tips On Warming Up

Begin your practice with only two balls in the right hand. This will help you ease into it and not put too much strain on the muscles in your hand. Rotate the balls clockwise for two or three minutes within your palm and then switch to a counter-clockwise movement.

After you have sufficiently mastered the above warm-up, try rotating the balls without the two coming apart and clashing together again. As a tip, start to focus on how your fingers are being used in the exercise. By accentuating the fingers you are working muscles that are rarely used and you'll have greater control over the balls.

Once you can rotate the balls smoothly with your palm up, turn your palm to face the ground and attempt to rotate them for 10 to 15 minutes at a time both clockwise and counter-clockwise. You'll drop the balls, so practice in a quiet place with carpeting or some other soft flooring. This will keep you from having to buy too many sets of Chinese stress balls.

Intermediate Level Chinese Stress Ball Exercises

Once you have mastered the art of two Chinese stress balls at once, you will notice that it's not only the muscles in your hand that are getting a workout. Surprisingly, this exercise is just as beneficial to the forearm, elbow, biceps and triceps as it is to the hand. Once you've built up some stamina in both hands, try to rotate three in your hand at the same time.

Again, attempt to rotate all three without the balls clashing or coming out of a smooth, circular motion. Once you can rotate three without the balls coming apart, try a fourth ball on the top of the three you're rotating. It should look like a rudimentary pyramid. If you're doing it correctly, the ball on top should rotate in the reverse direction as the way you're rotating the three.

Don't feel frustrated if you can't get to this step for the first few months of starting your exercises. Chinese stress ball masters say these exercises take years to master.

Tags: Chinese stress, Chinese stress balls, stress balls, rotate three, your hand, your palm, attempt rotate