Healthy Living Article Blog


November 23, 2005

Filed under: General Health — @ 11:21 pm

Early Home Pregnancy Test - The Pregnancy Proclaimer!

It took me some to get pregnant. I didn’t expect that it
would. I even kept an early home pregnancy test secretly
in my drawer that first month of marriage - sure that I
would need it almost immediately. Everything I’d been
taught and told growing up had led me to believe that once
you did certain things, pregnancy was inevitable. In my
case, it just wasn’t true.

Each month I would anxiously count the days and then be
disappointed. The early home pregnancy test remained in the
drawer, the hope of the future laying alongside mementoes
of the past, all jumbled up with some silk and lace
belonging to the present.

The months passed. Every morning I put my hand in the
drawer to find something, I would touch the test kit box
and be reminded that I hadn’t yet had occasion to use it.
One day I couldn’t stand it anymore. I picked up the early
home pregnancy test kit and threw it out in the trash.

Two more months passed and then checking the calendar again
just before going to bed one night I realized that my
period was late - only a day - but late nevertheless. My
husband and I drove out to the drug store only to find that
it was closed. If only I hadn’t been so impatient and
thrown out the original one I berated myself!

Next morning we purchased a new early home pregnancy test
and took it home. I was now two days late. Eagerly I
followed the instructions on the pregnancy test box,
terrified that I’d do it wrong and get the wrong result for
the wrong reason and still not know.

The minutes I waited felt endless but they were worth it
when my husband and I were rewarded with a positive result.
The early home pregnancy test proclaimed in pink ink that
we were at last pregnant.

I carried the test stick around all day - terrified that it
had been a mistake and that it wasn’t positive at all - but
each time I looked at it, the pregnancy was affirmed. A
date was set with the maternity clinic, and the pregnancy
began its natural development. It’s been a few years now,
and that pregnancy has changed from a growing bump, to a
growing baby and now a growing boy.

That early home pregnancy test however remains as it did
that morning it announced our coming child - showing a pink
positive result - and it lives, alongside the one that
proclaimed my pregnancy with his brother, in the drawer of
lace and silk with all my other treasured mementos of the
past.
We review and present only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us and claim your FREE E-Book, 101 Romantic Ideas or 1,000 Low Carb Recipes as a welcome gift. Weight Loss and Diet

Back Pain Management Techniques

Filed under: General Health — @ 3:42 am

Back Pain Management Techniques
Well now, I’ve done a lot of research on back pain management and I’m as confused as you are. As if it’s not enough that one has to endure back pain, one must also, all the experts agree, manage it. Odd. They never talk about managing toothache.

So, why back pain management? Although it’s never said in so many words, I suspect that back pain is one of those rather nasty disorders that, while not socially unacceptably nasty, doesn’t ever really go away. We’re not talking here about your wife’s pregnancy back pains or back pain caused by a tumour; we’re talking your average Joe’s back pain that just … won’t go away.

The bad news is that this sort of general back pain is usually caused by bad posture and incorrect back health. The good news is that essentially general back pain is a consequence of bad back pain management and can be managed by good back pain management. Make sense?

When back pain treatment doesn’t work, it’s time to start managing the pain. Back pain management, like back pain, varies for different individuals. For some, back pain management means learning to put up with it and maybe taking a pain killer when it becomes really unbearable. But that’s not good back pain management.

Good back pain management starts with changing your lifestyle and your attitude towards your body, particularly your back and spine.

–Your spine supports you; without it, you’d be a a floppy toy. Your spine is supported by the muscles of your back. When they’re weak and / or inflexible, your spine strains to perform even the most simple movements, including bending and carrying. So, the first step in managing back pain is to develope a gentle exercise program to keep your muscles fit, supple and healthy.

–There are many types of exercise that are good for your back muscles, including yoga, walking and swimming. Water aerobics, for instance, is fun, inexpensive and recommended by most doctors and experts in the field of back pain management.

–Adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating correctly, exercising and substituting cigarettes and punishing exercise routines with homeopathic herbal and vitamin supplements.

–Learn about good posture, particularly if you have a job that has you always sitting at a desk or if you are on your feet all day. Always bend the knees when bending or lifting; always hollow the back when kneeling; when carrying, distribute weight evenly; when standing for long periods stand with your feet slightly apart; when pushing or pulling try to keep your back straight and take the strain on your arms.

Back pain management should be seen as a long-term investment in good health.
Healthy Living Article Directory For Free Health Website content and Article submission

November 18, 2005

Chronic Asthma

Filed under: General Health — @ 6:10 am

Asthma is a chronic condition which affects more than 20
million Americans. Yet, despite the widespread prevalence of
asthma, there are a number of myths surrounding this disease.
For instance, asthma is not necessarily a life sentence;
children have been known to outgrow its symptoms. Also, asthma
can affect an individual at any age.

Asthma is an illness which blocks or narrows an
individual’s airways. The symptoms of asthma tend to be
temporary in other words, they come and go. Tell-tale signs of
asthma include shortness of breath, breathing trouble, and a
chronic cough. If the symptoms of asthma become severe, an
individual may require emergency treatment.

Asthma is a serious public health concern. It is
estimated that asthma is the cause for nearly a half-million
hospital stays annually. The treatment of asthma can be
costly some estimates put it as high as billions of dollars each
year. It is important to point out that asthma can afflict
people of any race, sex, or ethnic group. While treatment of asthma has become routine in the U.S., there remaina great many questions about its causes and the best methods ofprevention. While asthma is a potentially life-threateningillness, in the majority of cases, treatment can control itssymptoms and permit an individual to live a productive life.

Allergic or extrinsic asthma refers to a type of asthma
in which the symptoms are triggered by an allergic reaction of
some kind. This is the most common type of asthma. Allergens
such as dust mites, pet dander, pollens, and mold can cause the
passages in the airways of the lungs to experience inflammation
and swelling, leading to an episode of asthma.

Non-allergic asthma refers to an asthmatic condition that
is triggered by factors not related to allergies. Factors such
as cold air, dry air, exercise, hyperventilation, stress, or
anxiety can lead to this type of asthma. However, many of the
symptoms of non-allergic asthma are the same as those associated
with allergy-related asthma.

While it may be difficult to prevent asthma, there are
steps a person can take in order to manage his or her treatment.
One important thing to do is to minimize contact with asthma
triggers. After an asthma episode, ask yourself what kinds of
things you’ve been exposed to that might have triggered an
asthma episode.

Another important action to take is to take asthma
medications as prescribed. It has been estimated that more than
half of people who use asthma inhalers do not use them properly.
As a result, it’s a good idea to check with a doctor or nurse
to make sure that you are using your inhaler correctly to
control asthma.

lasik eye surgery

November 13, 2005

Treatment Options For Eczema Sufferers

Filed under: General Health — @ 6:10 am

If you suffer from eczema you are not alone. Eczema is a skin condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. The intensity of eczema cases is varied form the mild and inobvious, to the extreme and dibilitating. Therefore, eczema treatment options cover a wide range of intensities and variations also.They range from simply modifying hygiene practices to the last resort use of ultraviolet light treatment. Eczema treatment options are available for all types of sufferers.

It is vital to learn the different eczema treatment options on the market today in order to make an appropriate selection. Medical research regarding eczema treatment is an ongoing process with advancements in research and technology coming forward every day. Currently eczema is not curable, but can be controlled through eczema treatment techniques, and often held in a state of remission.

A first line of defense against eczema is to modify and step up your hygiene routine. People with eczema are highly susceptible to harsh, drying soaps. Pay special care to the use of ‘bargain’ laundry detergents, as your clothing being saturated with irratants can aggrevate the condition. Soaps can reduce the amount of moisture in your skin, moisturizers can help replace it. Skin moisture is crucial and with dry skin comes an eczema flare-up. Hot water can also dry out your skin, so opt for a cool bath. In short, the less exposure to hot water the better.

Make heavy moisturizers a part of your daily routine. Apply moisture cream or
ointments immediately and liberally after taking your shower or bath. This is the best time to retain moisture in your skin. You can also apply hydrocortisone cream to eczema areas. This home eczema treatment routine will benefit and help keep mild cases of eczema under control.

If you have tried home eczema treatment, but your eczema flare-ups continue to be
bothersome, head to your Dermatologist. They can prescribe more potent moisturizers, creams, and ointments to apply to your skin. They can ascertain the cause of your eczema and prescribe anti-inflammatory and allergy medicines as well.

Check to see if a food allergy could be the cause of your eczema. You can then modify your intake and eliminate that food from your diet. If skin irritants are to blame for your eczema then you can remove the irritants from your environment or wear protective clothing. Sometimes experimentation is the only way to identify them. Allergy shots are also a possible eczema treatment option. It is critical to remove the source of your eczema for effective eczema treatment.

The previous eczema treatment options do not work for a minority of eczema cases.
These chronic, extreme eczema sufferers can turn to ultraviolet light eczema treatment. This type of eczema treatment is a last resort and should be discussed with a physician.

Eczema treatment options are available and will help any eczema sufferer manage their condition. Consult with your family doctor or Dermatologist for more information. They can make a diagnosis and recommend an eczema treatment plan specifically geared towards your case.

lask surgery

November 12, 2005

Eye Laser Surgery

Filed under: General Health — @ 7:14 am

Eye laser surgery has in the recent past become more and more dependable, a fact you can vouch for by the three million odd successful surgeries done the world over and a little over a million in USA alone. If you are curious to know, there are almost as many eye laser surgery types as there are eye ailments. The most performed ones in this family are for vision correction and prevention.
First things first. The acronym ‘laser’ stands for Light Amplification Stimulated by Emition of Radiation. You can take it as the artificially highly intensified light emitting out of radiations from non material matter called as photons (photons are energy particles of electromagnetic type found in light). It is possible to control the various aspects of laser, like the intensity, dispersion and the color with necessity being the only guiding factor. So, eye laser surgery uses a low intensity, monochromatic laser for better control and desired results.
Eye Laser Surgery techniques and procedures are developed in various ways to suit different needs. These are LASIK, PRK, LASEK, EPI-LASIK, CK, P-IOL, and RLE.
The technique LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This technique uses a high speed blade to cut open a flap on cornea that can be hinged over at the end. The blade here is called as microkeratome and it moves over a guide (suction ring) pre-located on the eye ball. This guide is located after admission of an anesthesia in to the eye for your comfort. The exposed middle tissue by the open flap is then vaporized to the desired level by controlled excimer laser in pulses and the flap is replaced.
PRK is another technique used in vision correction eye laser surgery. It is short for Photorefractive Keratectomy. This technique is pretty much similar to that of LASIK in the way it is performed. Then you would ask me as to why there are two different names. Here the absence of cutting off of a corneal flap signifies all the difference. The excimer laser (of ultra violet rays) is directly used on the cornea to remove a pre calculated amount of the tissue to flatten its curvature. So a change in the cornea brings the focal point of the eye lens to the retina reducing near sightedness. LASEK, Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomileusis, was conceived as a technique that caused less discomfort, low occurrences of corneal haze and faster recovery. As you might not know, LASEK uses a technique to fool the wound response by going deeper for corneal ablation. This is the major difference LASEK has with PRK where the ablation is superficial.
Another major application of laser in eye surgery is in Glaucoma. Briefly, glaucoma is a condition of the eye where the anterior pressure has shot up (beyond 20 mm of Hg) due to higher build up of vitrious humour. The laser is used to make a hole in the iris to relieve the IOL, intra ocular pressure. Another technique increasingly coming to center stage these days is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. These eye laser surgery are pain less.
Permanence and Safety Aspects in Eye laser Surgery
The excimer laser assisted eye surgery is unlikely to regress to its original pre surgical position though it is not completely ruled out. Eye laser surgery being a super specialty is not entirely technology specific as regards to safety. This being an art is more dependant on the performer than the facilitator that is technology. FDA has approved LASIK and PRK devices and the procedures have passed the scrutiny of various agencies should comfort all of us.

November 8, 2005

Bladder cancer – The deadly growth

Filed under: General Health — @ 1:52 pm

Before talking about bladder cancer it is important to know what exactly a bladder is and how it is related to the other vital organs of the body. The bladder is basically a balloon like organ where the urine gets collected, which comes from the kidney and via the tubes called urethras and urethra. So basically bladder is connected to the kidney which is a very important organ of the human body. Each year roughly nine thousand Americans are affected by bladder cancer and it is known to be more common in men than in women.

Symptoms of bladder cancer
Following are some of the obvious symptoms that you can see in bladder cancer. These symptoms are some hints for the disease –
· Blood in the urine which is also known as Haematuria is a common symptom in bladder cancer. There is unlikely to be any pain and can occur suddenly. The color of the urine changes and it can be rust in color.
· Formation of blood clots that can obstruct the flow of urine.
It must be noted that Haematuria is not a one hundred percent indication of bladder cancer and it should be confirmed with the doctor, so as to start the necessary treatment.

Diagnosis of bladder cancer
The diagnosis will depend on the type and the extent of your bladder cancer and it is necessary that you refer to your urologist who will do the necessary tests and examinations that are necessary to start treatment. Initially there will be an internal examination of the rectum in men and the vagina in women. But these are some of the common tests that you may have to go through if you have been detected with blood cancer.

· Blood tests
· Chest x-rays
· Intravenous urogram
· Cystoscopy
· The IVU
· CT or CAT scans
· Radio active bone scans
· Ultrasound scans
·
Not all people with a possibility of bladder cancer will have to go through all these tests. It totally depends on case to case.

Different types of bladder cancer
Most bladder cancers are called superficial bladder cancers and they look like tiny dots growing on the inside of the bladder. There can be single and multiple types.

Treatment of bladder cancer
Various types of treatments can be used to treat bladder cancers, and that also ultimately depends upon the type and specifications of the case. But in general these are the common treatments used –
1. Cystoscope
2. Intravesical chemotherapy
3. Surgery – cystectomy
4. Replacement of the bladder
5. Radio therepy

Thus although there are many cure measures available these days, why not take preventive measures in the beginning itself? The first and foremost thing do be done is quit cigarette smoking, which apparently is the basic cause for this disease.

Are you interested in the truth about healthy lifestyles? Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles. Are you using these proven strategies for health and peace of mind? Click: Weight Loss and Healthy Living

November 4, 2005

Acne Diet – Lets Get Rid Of Acne!

Filed under: General Health — @ 3:51 pm

Acne Diet – Lets Get Rid Of Acne!

Are you a teenager suffering from acne? Or have you got past your teens but the problem doesn’t seem to get solved? Are you tired of trying out different medicines in the form of antibiotics and ointments, tried of various acne products and home remedies? Whatever is you case, it is important for you to know- acne can be cured! Acne is difficult to treat or care but an acne diet can really help you.

Basically, acne is an inflammatory process, and the types of food you eat can certainly influence inflammation. An acne diet is nothing too complicated. It is simple and within you reach! It will put a few restrictions on your diet and you can have acne cleared! Cleared or at least reduced! Here are a few suggestions to prevent, treat, or control acne:

What should you cut down from your diet and why
To start with, you must reduce your intake of sugar, sweets, processed flour, baked goods and trans or hydrogenated fats. Examples would include donuts, cookies, pastry, ice cream, pies, etc. If you are a regular at eating breads, cakes, chips and other staples of Western culture, avoid it. Try to cut down on your intake of nuts, including Brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, and filberts. Even Peanuts and peanut butter may provoke acne in some individuals.

Sodas are also a significant source of sugar. Switch to herbal teas, water, and vegetable juices. You could use a no calorie natural sweetener rather than sugar in your tea. Restrict the intake of milk products, including ice cream and cheese. This because there is a high amount of hormones produced in the milk of cows, particularly in the milk of pregnant cows.

Studies have shown that there is an association between milk consumption and acne, and it didn’t matter whether the milk was whole, low fat, or skim. For those who eliminate or reduce milk products from their diet, calcium supplements could be helpful.

What should be included in the diet?
You should increase the intake of foods that may improve acne such as fish (halibut, salmon, tuna) as these contain important omega 3 oils such as EPA and DHA. They will also help improve the texture of your skin. Also include fresh green vegetables in your diet. The blend of fish and vegetables is likely to be the healthiest meal for those with acne. If it is not possible to consume fish more than twice a week then go for fish oil capsules.

The amount of water you intake is very important. You must drink a glass or two of cold water first thing in the morning to remove the bowels. Drink 4 to 8 glasses of water per day and make it more in hot weather. If you are keen on getting rid of your acne, do follow an acne diet. To your surprise, the problem will be solved quiet easily!

Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us by clicking: Healthy Lifestyles and Weight Loss and claim your FREE E-Cookbook, as a welcome gift.

October 31, 2005

Alternative cancer treatment: find better ways for cancer cure

Filed under: General Health — @ 5:24 pm

Alternative cancer treatment: find better ways for cancer cure

Cancer has been a disease that is considered as one of the most difficult to cure. But there are new advancements of a lot of therapies that have proven to be the best ones for the treatment of the disease. Chemotherapy is the basic treatment that has been on for many long years. But it is a major problem with many people that they are not able to take the chemotherapy as a treatment as they are not able to maintain a balanced treatment.

Cancer is a disease that has been growing with time and there are a lot of people who have been suffering this problem at various stages. There are alternative treatments that are designed specially by the doctors according to the health of the patients.

Types of therapies:
There are various types of therapies that are biological, pharmacological, immune herbal, nutritional, metabolic, and adjunctive and energy medicine therapies. Some of the therapies are known for the extension of life and they are efficient in a way that they cure the cancer and uproot it completely so that there is no chance of re occurrence.

Surgery is the important measure that is useful for the patients who suffer from problems like breast cancer. It is considered to be one of the best and the most effective options for the treatment of the disease. There is a hormone therapy that is used to have a control on the spreading and growing of the cancerous cells. Radiation is another form of treatment that curbs the excessive division of the cells. There are various cycles of these radioactive treatments that help in the damaging of the cells.

Some of the treatments follow a system that prevents in the treatment of the new blood vessels. The immune system is made more resistant and stronger for the prevention of the cell multiplication. There is a therapy known as the insulin protenation therapy that is useful for the killing of the cancer.

How does the treatment help?
The treatment has the main function of the destruction of the pathological cells. Making the immune system more efficient and better does this. Restoration of the immune system is basically done so that the body is able to fight with the cancer cells naturally. By doing so a natural balance of the body is maintained.

The healing process does not need any help externally. The main advantage of this therapy is that it does not have any side effects and there is a substantial rise that is brought about in the diet, energy level and an improvement in the immune system of the body.

Are you interested in the truth about healthy lifestyles? Bill Urell reviews only the best lifestyle and fitness plans, tips, and articles. Are you using these proven strategies for health and peace of mind? http://www.weight-loss-diet-resources.com

October 30, 2005

Low Carb Diet- It’s Not What Its Being Made Out To Be!

Filed under: General Health — @ 12:41 pm

To begin with, each one of you low carb dieters should be made aware of the fact that a healthy adult diet should contain 45 percent to 65 percent of carbohydrates as compared to 20 percent to 35 percent of fat, and 10 to 35 percent of protein.

How does a low carb diet help?
· Proper nutrition
A healthy diet is one which is properly balanced and not low on any count. Since time immemorial, carbohydrates have been known to provide balanced nutrition and there is no reason what so ever why it shouldn’t do the same now.

· Cures Insomnia
Are you having any trouble falling asleep? The glycemic index of white bread and white pasta is so high that many people get sleepy after eating meals of these - because their blood sugar spikes for a short period of time and then drops. Just eat a big plate of pasta, and watch your eyelids drooping down!

· Taste and Satiety
A carbohydrate diet is definitely yummier than low carb diets with refined starches and artificial sugars. Moreover, whole, fiber-filled starches (oatmeal, vegetables, beans) are digested more slowly, so you feel satiated longer.

What are the drawbacks of low-carb diets?
With thousands of new low-carb products — everything from muffins to pasta, the question to be asked is ‘Will cutting carbs produce results — or could these products damage your diet?
Until the Food and Drug Administration defines the term low carb, it can be quiet deceiving as to what is actually being supplied to you in the name of low- carb. Companies are lowering carb counts by substituting sugar and wheat flour with artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols and soy flour. With thousands of new low-carb products — everything from muffins to pasta, the question to be asked is ‘Will cutting carbs produce results — or could these products damage your diet?

A comparison of several new low-carb foods with their classic versions shows that many of the new ones contain more calories than traditional varieties. And in the end, it is found that the number of calories that pack on pounds.

Also, the cost per serving for low carb diet, on average, is three times that of the high-carb food.
If you started on with your low-carb diet to loose weight then you read this – A recent study says that by eating lots of carbohydrates and little fat, you are likely to lose weight without actually cutting calories - and without exercising, either.

Which foods contain carbohydrates?
High carbohydrate diets would include foods which are high in fiber and water content and low in fat, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and reduced-fat dairy products. High-fiber (high-cellulose) vegetable food is the healthiest choice for human nutrition, and intake of these foods is associated with lowered incidences of hyper-tension, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, etc. Examples are lettuce and broccoli. Examples of low-fiber, complex carbs will be banana, tomato, squash and all cereals and grains (therefore bread and pasta), potatoes and rice

Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us and claim your FREE E-Cookbook, as a welcome gift. http://www.online-weight-loss-resources.com

October 27, 2005

Yeast Free Diet

Filed under: General Health — @ 6:42 pm

Yeast free diet can be called the anti-candida diet combined with low carbohydrate diet. It has to be followed for a month with careful substitutes permitted for forbidden foods, proper quantities of food.

The diet should be avoided if you are on drugs without consulting nutritionally trained physician. Yeasts and fungi are used in many food preparation processes. Yeast is certainly found in the Bakery products, all bread, buns, cakes, biscuits, rolls and any food dressed in breadcrumbs, pizzas and bread pudding. All alcoholic drinks depend on yeasts to produce the alcohol thus are all risky. Other beverages

The yeast free diet suggests that

· Food labels should be checked carefully for sugar and yeast and MSG i.e. monosodium glutamate should be also is avoided.
· Avoid restaurant beef or hamburgers as they may contain added sugar.
· Avoid fruits in the first few weeks as it has high content of natural sugars called fructose. Very sweet melons should probably be avoided altogether.
· Milk is also avoided initially but live natural yogurt is allowed because of its lactobacilli content, which re-balances the gut flora.
· Intake of fiber content foods should be as high as possible to increase the absorptive surface of food in the gut and hasten the elimination of toxic waste. Thus eating of fresh vegetables, raw and cooked, or using cereals and pulses mixtures is more favorable.

Eating a Yeast Free Diet is the best treatment for yeast sensitivity. Yeasts exist everywhere in the atmosphere, inside our bodies and on our skin. To overcome yeast infections we have to reduce exposure to yeast. The major concern about Yeast sensitivity is to avoid serious long-term health risks by eliminating the symptoms. It is important to first positively identify the problem food.

Eating Yeast-free diet means not only avoiding yeast in our diet but also starving the yeast organism of the medium it enjoys best, which are sugars and simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates as whole grains and foods with low sugar content should be included in the diet.

It is essential to completely eliminate yeast from the diet. In yeast free diet foods, which allow yeasts to multiply freely in the body are to be avoided at least for a few weeks. This lets the body’s immune system to recover and tackle new yeast or mould infections. People suffer from yeast infections require a yeast-free diet.

Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us by clicking: Healthy Lifestyles and Weight Loss and claim your FREE E-Cookbook, as a welcome gift.