Archive for June, 2009

Homemade Acne Treatments

Posted by Health articles on June 23rd, 2009

Finding the best acne treatments for sensitive skin is a real challenge! Those of us with sensitive skin often break out into a rash in reaction to the ingredients in many acne skin care products.

Some of the common ingredients that are in most acne treatments such a salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation even for people who don’t normally have sensitive skin.

In addition, researchers have discovered that these ingredients can other health effects on the immune system, and in the organ systems of our bodies.

Human immune system

Salicylic acid in particular is of concern because it is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and where it is transported to many other parts of our bodies. It is linked to neurological and developmental problems, and so it is not the best ingredient to use for acne treatment for sensitive skin.

What Acne Remedies Can You Use?

Well, those of us who have sensitive skin might not be able to use a lot of the acne remedies that you find at the drugstore, but we DO have a lot of other options.

The key is to learn how clear acne by creating a more holistic, natural acne treatment program that helps to balance the whole body.

You will find as a result that not only is your complexion clearer, but that you feel better and have more energy!

Natural Acne Cures

One of the absolute best acne treatments for sensitive skin is to modify your diet. I know, it’s not the quickest or easiest method, but it DOES really work and there are even scientific studies that show a 50% decrease in acne simply by eating a healthier diet.

Focus on eating lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and foods that are organic and as close to their natural state as possible. Drink plenty of pure water, and gradually let go of refined and processed foods. Sugar and caffeine often contribute to acne breakouts, so gradually wean yourself off of these foods and give yourself healthy substitutes.

Another one of the best acne treatments for sensitive skin is to take a look at the ingredients in your skin care products. Even hypoallergenic skin care products sometimes contain ingredients which cause irritation, allergies or toxic reactions in the body. Many hypoallergenic products and also natural skin care contain ingredients which can cause rashes, irritation and even acne breakouts.

Using a safe hypoallergenic product line that does not contain toxic ingredients can help to clear acne breakouts. These are not easy to find yet in stores but as more people are becoming educated about the ingredients in our cosmetics and skin care products, more companies will begin to clean up their product ingredients.

While you are in the process of your natural acne treatment, you will find yourself at times with eruptions and breakouts. Sometimes when you start eating healthier, drinking more water and using less toxic ingredients, your body goes through a period of cleansing and detoxification. You might feel headachy, or tired, or you might get a fresh batch of pimples.

During this time when your body is cleansing itself, it may be helpful to use a natural acne medicine. There are herbal acne remedies and Chinese herbal remedies that can help to clear an acne eruption. Because you have sensitive skin, you’ll need to test it first on the inside of your arm. If you get a rash on your arm, you will know to NOT use that one!

Homemade Acne Treatments

Some of the best acne treatments for sensitive skin can be made at home! Some people with sensitive skin find relief using a simple baking soda facial mask. Others find an oatmeal facial mask soothing and also nourishing for the skin. There are many other homemade acne treatments you can use such as rosewater and lemon, ginger, or applying a fresh grated potato to the acne outbreaks.

There are many homemade acne treatments that you can choose from. Once you find a natural acne remedy that doesn’t irritate your skin, use it consistently for at least a few weeks. It takes time to see results, so do your treatments each day, and at the end of a month you will find yourself with clearer and radiant skin!

Tips to Overcome Depression

Posted by Canadian health care on June 22nd, 2009

An event can create doubt, feelings of loneliness, and a lack of self worth. Many of the thoughts we have are self defeating. To no fault of our own, we have been conditioned to assume the worst, imagine something bad will happen, and create fearful thoughts that appear real. It took me a long while to get over my depression and self doubt.
Causes of Depression
So what caused my depression? Well, one day at football practice, I was playing corner back defending against my little brother. The pass was thrown in my direction. While in the process of running towards the ball, I stepped in a pot hole with my right leg and continued to jump up to knock the ball down. Subsequently, I came down on my right leg and heard a snap, crackle, and pop, and my football career was over. I had several surgeries on my knee, and it was never the same again.

I was 17 when I threw out my knee. It took a lot out of me. I was going into my freshman year in college. My entire life, I considered football as a way to a better lifestyle. I remember telling my coach that “I wanted to die.” My self esteem was crushed. I did not believe in myself anymore. The least little bit of pressure or challenge was too much for me. My support system was gone. Everyone, across the board, stopped encouraging me. I had no purpose, no drive, no mission, no goals.

However, you can overcome depression. I finally decided to rebuild my confidence ten years later. I started having self talks. I made the mirror my very best friend. While standing in front of the mirror, I stated affirmation after affirmation. “I am a winner or something better.” “I am abundant or something better.” “I am smart or something better.” “I am kind or something better.” I remembered in Jack Canfield’s best selling book, The Success Principles, he stated that you should end affirmations with the phrase “or something or someone better.” In the total scheme of things, the universe may have something or someone better in store for you, and this is a way of keeping all the good coming into your life.

Whatever characteristics I wanted to have, I said it to myself in the mirror. I would visualize what success looks like to me. I would visualize what being healthy, confident, handsome, brave, abundantly wealthy, prosperous, and a best selling author looked like to me. I would imagine what my perfect weight and my perfect body looked like to me.

Instead of spending my time mulling over all the bad, I made a choice to spend my time giving thanks for what I have and all the good I have in my life, so I would receive more of it. I gave thanks in advance for things that I didn’t have yet. Giving thanks in advance super charges the receiving of what you want because you are emitting the thoughts and actions of having it already. I began to give thanks for items, trips, constant checks, intimacy, wealth, love, prosperity, relationships, friends, partnerships, and corporations not yet in my possession, but on faith would come to me. I began to act as if what I wanted was already in my possession.

My smile reflected all the wonderful things of and about my life. My thoughts took on a different tone, a symbol of joy and appreciation. I began reading books about the law of attraction, about asking for what you want and getting it, and about the power of gratitude. I studied books about discovering one’s purpose, and how to make a living doing what you are passionate about.
Movement Disorders
My entire life changed. I learned that I like to teach, empower, and inspire others to follow their dreams and goals. I began to see the world through different eyes. I began to see all the possibilities as opposed to all the negatives. My focus was on receiving all the good in my life. That’s it.

I continue to spend time thinking about what I want. I made writing and reciting positive affirmations apart of my daily life. I decided to bombard my subconscious mind with positive thought provoking books and affirmations. I set aside time to create the best me. Ultimately, we all want to be happy. So take the time to think about being happy in every aspect. Find a mentor, read a book, ask a question of someone who can help you attain your goals. Follow the steps to success provided by someone that’s already doing what you want to do.

What You Should Know about asthma

Posted by admin on June 20th, 2009

Asthma information

Asthma is a chronic disease in the airways that can make breathing very difficult. When a person has asthma, there is an inflammation in the air passages that can result in a temporary narrowing in the airways that carry the oxygen to the lungs. When this occurs, asthma symptoms begin to appear. Some of the first signs of asthma include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Although there are a lot of treatments for asthma symptoms, it is still a potentially dangerous disease that affects more then 22 million people. Most people who have some kind of treatment are able to live well with asthma, but those who don’t receive treatment can find it difficult to be active and perform exercises.
Unusual asthma symptoms
Those who suffer from asthma experience airway obstruction. When normal breathing occurs, the bands of muscles that surround the airways are able to relax and allow the air to move freely. When people have asthma, the allergy triggers make the bands of muscles that surround the airways tighten up and the air is not able to move freely. Cialis professional. When there is less air, this causes the person to feel short of breath. People who suffer from asthma also experience inflammation in the bronchial tubes, which causes them to be red and swollen. The inflammation that occurs in the bronchial tubes is thought to contribute to long term damage in the lungs.

People with asthma have airways that are very sensitive and the airways can overreact and become narrow from small triggers like animal dander, dust, fumes or pollen. Some of the causes and triggers for asthma include certain infections like sinusitis, flu and colds. Allergens are also a big trigger and can be from pollens, pet dander, dust mites and mold spore. Even irritants from strong smelling aromas like perfume or cleaning solutions can trigger asthma. Sometimes, other external causes can be exercise, changes in the weather, having strong emotions, medications and other allergens.

People who have asthma attacks generally have similar symptoms that they can recognize. When an asthma attack is occurring, the airways tighten up, swell or even fill up with mucus. Coughing is a common symptom, along with wheezing, shortness of breath and tightening of the chest, pain of the chest or pressure. People who are treated for asthma can learn to manage the disease, but those who are not can be causing damage to their airways and body by not taking care of the disease. Asthma can be diagnosed by a doctor, so if you feel like you may have asthma, you should consider being evaluated for it and follow the proper treatments that are given.
James Conrad

Depression and Memory

Posted by admin on June 17th, 2009

The subject of depression and memory is an interesting one covered a vast range of information. In this informational article titled “Depression and Memory” we will be exploring the basic definition of memory and briefly examining the effects depression may have on both short and long term memory.

According to the American Medical Association “memory is the process by which information, knowledge, and past events are recovered, reproduced, or recalled”. Most research suggests that your memory stores information through associative mechanisms. One hypothesis advances the idea that memories are retained by changes made in nerve tissue in the brain, where they form memory traces with memories being divided into long and short term.

Now let’s move on to how depression can have a devastating affect on ones ability to remember effectively.

When you are down in the dumps it becomes increasing difficult to think clearly. You may be saddled with low self esteem, hopelessness, helplessness, or guilt. Besides feeling less than your best the biologically based condition of depression can wreak havoc on both long and short term memory.

Let’s explore four components of memory and briefly examine how depression and memory are linked:

*Immediate memory: You are feeling depressed while watching TV and that infomercial comes on for that handy dandy apparatus. You frantically dial the number failing to notice that you need to 15 payments of only $19.99 rather than one.

This is a symptom of depression and memory in as much as depression reduces your ability to pay attention to important information. Things you normally wouldn’t miss slip right by faster than a race car fan runs to the hot dog stand after number 24 crosses the finish line.

*Working memory: Just before leaving home you have organized a number of work tasks to accomplish once reaching the office. Once getting to the office you couldn’t remember a single one.

Depression gets in the way of your ability to concentrate and hold on to information thus reducing your productivity exponentially.

*Long term memory: Sara is a talented college student who never struggled with grades until her long term boyfriend Gary dumped her for her best friend. Now her grades have plummeted.

Depression makes learning new material much harder. Such mundane tasks as studying for a final can become very challenging and information that used to be memorized in one reading now take three.

*Retrieval: Bob noticed that he needed a few things from the grocery store. He figured that it would be simpler to pick up these 3 items on the way home. After work he stopped at his favorite super store only to have a total memory meltdown, where he couldn’t remember one item little alone three.

Depression makes recalling mental shopping list and dates extremely difficult. It renders previously learned names, faces, and facts inaccessible. Depressive negative thoughts may overrun the brain thus making happy times in your life difficult to recall.

In summary, depression and memory can have a devastating effect both from a person and professional perspective. For this reason many people are considering natural supplements for depression as an affordable way to reduce the symptoms and support both emotional and mental health.

Anti-Aging Remedies

Posted by admin on June 17th, 2009

Anti-aging remedies are remedies that promise the user that they will retard the skin deterioration rate. Many anti-aging remedies are costly while the ones unknown to many people are absolutely free.

You might have read about our ancestors who lived up to 900 years plus. I mean the likes of Methuselah who lived up to 969 years and Noah lived 930 years. These accounts are in the book of Genesis. However, most people question the credibility of these accounts. I researched and found that they had an anti-aging remedy that retarded their rate of growth.

The Quickening Spirit

Our ancestors had what is called a Quickening Spirit. To quicken is to make alive that which is dying or is dead. Therefore, what was happening to them is that as the body under goes that natural process of aging the Spirit would make it alive and strong again. Nevertheless, God retrieved the Spirit because sin increased in those days and consequently the maximum years of man reduced to 120 years (Genesis 6:3)

How to receive the Quickening Spirit

Today, the good news is that you can ask for and receive that anti-aging Spirit from God. He is so willing to give it to you and actually, it is free. It is the same Spirit that made Christ live again after being crucified and buried (Romans 8:11).

Instead of applying the remedy on the skin, this anti-aging remedy is rather applied on the heart. Therefore, you need to involve your heart to receive it. I mean that your heart should sincerely desire to receive this free gift. That is step number one. Step number two involves your mouth. You ask for it with enthusiasm that God should give you the promise of the Holy Spirit. Once you have done step one and two, start thanking God for this free gift. You will notice in no time that you will begin to speak in a language that you have not learnt. The unknown language is the evidence that you have also received this gift.

I did what I have just explained several years ago. Look at my photo at the bottom of this article. Try to guess my age. My age is your guess plus 10 years. This anti-aging remedy can be yours if you have just understood what you have just read.

Be Blessed.
Matthew Chomba

The diagnosis of food allergy

Posted by admin on June 16th, 2009

The diagnosis of food allergy requires a careful history, physical examination, selective skin or serum IgE antibody tests in cases of suspected IgE-mediated disorders, appropriate exclusion diets, and sometimes blinded provocation challenges. At present, there is no evidence of the diagnostic utility for the following assays: quantitation of food-specific serum IgG or IgG4 antibodies, serum food antigen-antibody complex assays, cytotoxic food testing, tests of lymphocyte activation (proliferation, interleukin-2, or leukocyte inhibitory factor studies), or sublingual or intracutaneous neutralization or provocation.
Once food allergy or hypersensitivity has been diagnosed definitively, the only proven form of therapy is strict elimination of the offending food. This requires considerable time (and ideally a dietitian) to educate the patient on spotting all forms of “hidden foods” and assuring a nutritionally sound diet. Teaching patients to read food labels is necessary to ensure good compliance with an elimination diet. About Affective Disorders.
Patients who have IgE-mediated food allergies also must be prepared to treat accidental ingestions; this includes using injectable epinephrine and oral liquid antihistamines. In addition, patients must be prepared to go to the nearest emergency facility for further treatment when indicated.
The role of breastfeeding and food allergen avoidance in the prevention of atopy and food allergy remains controversial. However, it appears that breastfeeding (especially when the mother avoids major allergens – milk, egg, peanut, fish – during lactation) and/or the use of hydrolyzed infant formulas can prevent some atopic dermatitis and food allergy in high-risk infants, but whether it actually prevents respiratory allergy is not yet clear.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted by Health articles on June 16th, 2009

Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Signs of rheumatoid arthritis may vary from patient to patient. Common manifestations of this degenerative disease are joint pain and stiffness which are felt first in the small joints of the fingers, wrist, hands and feet.
News results for rheumatoid arthritis:
Arthritis delayed for women who give birth – “Rheumatoid factor – an autoantibody sometimes found in the immune systems of people with rheumatoid arthritis – was also present in 37.1 percent of the nulliparous women compared with 41.1 percent of the parous women”

It is in the period of inactivity and while waking in the morning that joint pain and stiffness are more severe. The common joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis includes cervical spine, shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. The joint involvement usually is symmetrical, which means that if signs of rheumatoid arthritis develop on one side of the body, it may also occur on the other side of the body in a similar location. As the disease progresses, it may cause deformity and joint instability due to the damage to cartilage, tendons, ligaments and bones.

Loss of joint function may result to damage and can lead to difficulty in performing daily tasks. The following are also signs for rheumatoid arthritis:

* Anemia
* Depression
* Fatigue
* Flu-like signs
* Loss of appetite leading to weight loss
* Muscle pains
* Weakness

Usually signs of arthritis depend on the degree of the tissues inflammation and the extent of the involved joint. Also, if the body tissues are inflamed, it means that the disease is active and when the inflammation subsides, the disease is inactive.

Because arthritis is a systemic disease, its inflammation can affect the organs and the areas of the body other than the joints. If the disease is active, signs are then felt like fatigue, loss of energy, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, muscle and joint aches, and stiffness. Another sign that you can have is the decreased number of red blood cells and even white blood cells.

Signs of rheumatoid arthritis such as any of the above mentioned symptoms should not be taken lightly and must be addressed with your health care provider as soon as possible. Early and aggressive treatment immediately following any signs of rheumatoid arthritis will lead to the best overall management of this challenging condition.

Allergic reactions to food

Posted by admin on June 15th, 2009

In the practice setting, an open or single-blind oral food challenge may be used to screen for allergic reactions to food. However, in cases in which multiple food allergies are diagnosed, positive responses should be confirmed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs). DBPCFCs are the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies and have been used successfully in both children and adults for examining a variety of food-related complaints. The choice of foods used in DBPCFCs is based on history, skin test (or serum IgE antibody) results, or foods suspected on the basis of elimination diets. DBPCFC testing should be performed by a specialist or an experienced clinician; it is not a procedure suited for most primary care practices. (For details see Bock 1988 in Suggested Readings.)
Diagnosis of nonIgE-mediated food hypersensitivity such as malabsorption syndromes and eosinophilic gastroenteritis is facilitated by endoscopy and intestinal biopsy prior to and after the child is placed on an elimination diet. In the malabsorption syndromes, villous atrophy may be partial or complete and often is patchy. Consequently, multiple biopsies may be required to exclude this diagnosis, especially in young children. IgA antigliadin and IgA antiendomysial antibodies can be measured to screen for celiac disease.
However, this diagnosis depends on demonstrating biopsy evidence of villous atrophy and inflammatory infiltrate while the patient is ingesting gluten, resolution of biopsy findings after 6 to 12 weeks of gluten elimination, and recurrence of biopsy changes following reinstitution of gluten.
Food-induced enterocolitis and colitis syndromes may require an oral food challenge in the office or hospital. A positive challenge will provoke occult or grossly apparent blood in the stools, an increase in stool neutrophils and eosinophils over baseline, and an increase in the total peripheral blood neutrophil count of 3500 cells/mm³ over baseline at 6 to 8 hours after the challenge.

I only Smoke when I Drink

Posted by admin on June 15th, 2009

Smoking is considered to be a social habit.

These drinking and smoking events seems to have affected a lot of people who normally do not smoke, or who have recently cut the bad habit. Even non-smokers usually declare, “I only smoke when I drink”.
Not particularly helping the quitting situation, several bars in Columbus offer outside covered patios for smokers. Patios and smoking areas are convenient for smokers, but they do offer extra incentive to go outside, relax and light up.

For example, Dan Abramson, 23 years old, quit smoking a couple of years ago. He ended his habit “cold turkey,” with no outside help, a surprising deed. Quitting cold turkey doesn’t work for everyone. However, if a smoker chooses to use that method to quit, they should pick a date and stick to it, even if their friends aren’t quite as strong.
Cancer information
Quitting for good is not easy, especially when you are a frequent bar-goer. Simply smelling cigarette smoke and seeing people with cigarettes in their hands can be a trigger to smoke, let alone the cravings ex-smokers get after a few drinks of their beers.

Dan quitted smoking only because when he usually woke up with trouble breathing, feeling as if someone had piled 50 clinkers on his chest. He added that his apartment smelled cigarette smoke, and so did his clothes.

“I felt horrible, especially in the mornings, and I always had a bad taste in my mouth,” Abramson explained.

Abramson was a smoker more than four years. After trying to quit in the past, and failing, he said he knew he had to really motivate himself to quit smoking.

He said: “I tried to quit before, but it would only last a week at most because I had no real motivation to quit. Once the weekend came, and I was out and around my friends who smoked, I would go right back to it.”

Before quitting, Abramson and his friends used to joke that, “quitting smoking is easy, and I’ve done it a thousand times.” Abramson was a smoker dependent on smoking in social settings, such as at bars or with friends.

According to the American Lung Association, smokers who are addicted to smoking may be addicted for many different reasons. Smokers may have a physical addiction to nicotine. Another reason could be a psychical addiction to having something in their hands or mouth, or an addiction to a routine that includes smoking cigarettes at different times over the day.

If the negative health effects are not reason enough to quit, then the cost for the addiction should be.
L.Barbu

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Posted by Health articles on June 15th, 2009

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that affects the pancreas. It is a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. This type of cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages because the patient does not normally show any symptoms in the early stages. When the patient eventually shows the signs, the symptoms are usually varied and non-specific.

Some of the symptoms of this type of this disease include pain in the upper abdomen that is usually relieved when the patient leans forward. The other signs include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Other indicators of the disease include, weight loss and jaundice which is usually accompanied by dark urine.

Some of the risk factors of pancreatic cancer include, age especially those aged above 60. Smoking, diets low in vegetables and fruits and consuming of red meat are other factors that increase the risk of cancer of the pancreas. It is also said that the male gender is at a higher risk when it comes to this type of cancer.

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer but normally the Whipple procedure involving the head of the pancreas is the most common treatment. This surgical procedure is only performed when the cancer is localized and the patient is likely to survive major surgery. Pancreatectomy is another surgical procedure that treats pancreatic cancer. After the surgery, chemotherapy removes any remaining cancerous tissue. It has been suggested that cancer of the pancreas may occasionally lead to diabetes. This occurs in the case where the cancer hampers the production of insulin.