Low-carbohydrate diets are a popular way to lose excess weight. There are low-carb versions of just about every manufactured food, but for natural choices there are almost as many choices. Living your life on a low-carb diet is not a short-term choice; it's more of a whole change in eating habits. This means you give up some things that you enjoy, adapt recipes to include the things you can't live without and learn to shop smart.
Meats
All meats are allowed on a low-carb diet, including beef, chicken, pork and seafood. The only thing to avoid in the meat category is artificial crab meat. Meats provide a great deal of vitamins and proteins that your body needs. A low-carb diet is ideal for natural meat eaters.
Veggies
Fresh green vegetables including green beans and spinach provide iron and vitamins while being low-carb foods. Cauliflower, broccoli and zucchini are also popular low-carb, fresh veggie choices. Veggies bought for a low-carb diet must be fresh.
Fruits
The selection isn't quite as large for low-carb fresh fruits. Due to the amount of natural sugar in fruit, most of them aren't designated as low-carb. The main choices with the lowest carbohydrates and sugar are cantaloupe, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Lemons and limes are occasionally a good choice.
Dairy
Cheeses and milks, whipping cream, yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs are all low-carb choices. This food group gives a great deal of variety to the low-carb diet, as well as providing calcium and vitamins that are good for your body.
Desserts
Sugar-free gelatin, sugar-free pudding, low-carb cake recipes and low-carb cinnamon rolls are all good desserts. Many low-carb dieters substitute Splenda brand sweetener for sugar in their recipes.
Breads
Breads are generally frowned upon as a low-carb food choice. However, there are many low-carb products and recipes that provide you with at least a small amount of bread so you don't feel deprived. The Atkins diet bread makes for a good low-carb sandwich.
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Those who suffer from back or neck pain might visit chiropractors, who are specially trained to work the areas of the spine to bring relief from pain and tension. Chiropractors do relieve pain for many of their patients, but some downsides still exist.
Discomfort
Although the majority of patients claim the adjustments made during treatment are quite comfortable, some report pain and discomfort. This does not mean the chiropractor had made a mistake. It is most likely because bones and joints are being manipulated in a different way.
Limits
Chiropractic care extends far beyond back pain. However, it is quite limited in the types of conditions that it can cure. Chiropractic care works to restore the flow of the nervous system, which promotes the body's ability to heal. The process can take time and doesn't work for everything.
Return Visits
Chiropractic care involves several visits for most patients. Although these sessions usually result in the patient feeling much better, it also amounts to more time and money.
Insurance
Chiropractors were seen as alternatives to traditional medicine for a long time. Although they have gained enormous amounts of credibility over the years, some insurance companies are still reluctant to cover the costs. There has been a great deal of change in this area; however, patients are still advised to check their insurance companies policies before undergoing chiropractic treatment. The cost of treatment can add up quickly if it isn't covered by insurance.
Better Alternatives
The Mayo clinic states that Chiropractic care is safe. However, they go on to say that in some cases, rest and relaxation will benefit the body just as much. In cases of lower back pain in which patients simply rest and reduce strain, the majority of discomfort heals on its own.
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Aloe Vera is a succulent plant with waxy leaves which look like thick stalks. These leaves contain gel, commonly used for various beneficial effects on the skin and also as a diet supplement. Aloe Vera oil does not occur naturally, but it is made from Aloe Vera plant substances mixed with an oil.
Function
Aloe Vera gel is typically used for treating sunburn. People also use it for wound healing, scar prevention, burn healing, and reducing skin inflammation and itching.
Identification
Aloe Vera oil is made by infusing it with an oil like soybean, safflower or almond.
Massage
This oil is beneficial for using in massage, because it can be included as a carrier oil with other massage oil or in aromatherapy massage. A carrier oil helps essential oils penetrate the skin.
Baths
Aloe Vera oil can be mixed withessential oils or fragrance oils to make a relaxing and skin-softening bath oil.
Soap
Aloe Vera oil also can be included in ingredients for hand-made soaps by replacing some of the water with this oil.
Nurses use many different types of tools for their jobs. A nurse's tools will depend on his duties, which are usually lighter compared to those of the doctor.
Some tools have changed as technology has advanced, while other tools such as scissors and gauze have stayed much the same as they were during the Civil War era. Other tools such as thermometers serve the same purpose, but thermometers during the Civil War era were much different than thermometers used by medical professionals today.
History
Nurses have been around for as long as anyone can remember. They have cared for soldiers wounded in the Civil War, helped sick children in the emergency room, nursed surgery patients back to health, helped deliver babies and performed numerous other medically related activities throughout the years.
Through technology, nurses' jobs have become much easier over the years. Back in the Civil War days, nurses did not have anesthesia available for their patients, so they used whiskey to try and sedate the patient before the doctor had to perform an amputation. Today, tasks such as amputation are much easier through the use of anesthesia and pain medication.
Types
Today, there are many different types of nurses in the medical field. Some nurses help with neonatal duties, meaning they help care for sick infants. Some nurses are surgical nurses, meaning they help doctors during surgery. Some nurses work in the emergency room, which means they take vital signs and help prepare basic paperwork on the patient before the doctor arrives to examine the patient. Others are OB/GYN nurses. These types of nurses help gynecologists during their visits with patients. These nurses will help prepare the room for the patient and help the doctor during the examination. The obstetric nurse helps the doctor during the actual delivery of the baby by handing him any necessary tools in the delivery room. There are also trauma nurses who deal with emergency situations in which the patient is in dire need of medical care. Hospice nurses help patients with their end-of-life care. Nurses also work in nursing homes, helping the elderly with day-to-day tasks, such as feeding and bathing, in addition to taking their vital signs and performing other routine nursing duties. These are just some examples of how many different types of nurses exist.
Significance
If not for the nursing field, doctors would be overwhelmed with work. Nurses not only help doctors during surgery, they also help prepare patients to be examined by the doctor. Oftentimes, the nurse is the second person a patient will see. They must first visit with the registrar, then they will be seen by a nurse who will usually take their vital signs and weight and seat them in a room to await the doctor. In an effort to assess the situation, the nurse will ask the patient basic questions about what is ailing them, all the while recording the information on the intake paperwork so that the doctor can quickly review it before visiting with the patient.
Function
Nurses use many different tools, depending on what type of role they play in their work environment. Some of the common tools a nurse uses include tongue depressors and thermometers for taking a patient's temperature; stethoscopes for listening to a patient's heart; masks and gloves to protect the nurse from communicable diseases while examining a patient; bandages to cover wounds; cotton balls to apply alcohol to affected areas; gauze to wrap sprained ankles or wrists and scissors to cut the gauze; a scale to weigh a patient; a watch to record the time on a patient's intake record; prescription pads to write prescriptions, if authorized; clipboards to keep patients' medical paperwork in order; medication to give to the patient, if authorized; surgical drains to insert into the patient if the nurse is a surgical nurse; identification bracelets for patients who have been admitted to the hospital; nursing shoes, scrubs and caps are also used universally by nurses as their work attire.
Benefits
As with other technological benefits medicine has seen, tools that nurses use have also benefited from technology. As recently as 30 years ago, thermometers contained harmful mercury. Today, thermometers are not necessarily used under the tongue. Thermometers have been designed to be inserted into the ear and are able to read a temperature that way. Other thermometers are even more advanced and simply have to be "rolled" across the forehead to get a temperature reading. Even gauze has benefited from technology. Today, there are antibacterial and antimicrobial types of gauze available to hospitals to cut the risk of infection. Needles are no longer huge, thick, six-inch monstrosities that they once were. They are now thinner, smaller and much less painful.
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Pink eye causes the eye to flare up, water, and become red or pink in color. There are many different kinds of pink eye, which can be caused by anything from a virus, which makes it highly contagious, to a Vitamin A deficiency. You can treat a mild case of pink eye fairly easily and completely naturally. If you have a bad case, though, it may be best to consult your eye doctor.
Instructions
1. Wash your hands before you begin to treat pink eye. Use soap and water to get rid of any bacteria on your hands that may find their way into the infected eye.
2. Start taking zinc supplements when you get pink eye. Dissolve them under your tongue in order to take advantage of the anti-viral capabilities of this element, which can help treat viral pink eye.
3. Know that eating raw garlic while you have pink eye will help it clear up much quicker. It has a compound known as allicin, which is a very strong antibacterial and antiviral that will get to work on your pink eye in no time.
4. Drink echinacea tea to treat pink eye. It also provides an amazing boost to your immune system. This herb has been used for thousands of years as a cure for many different ailments, including the common cold and the flu. It can help to clear up pink eye very quickly.
5. Consult with your eye doctor if your pink eye gets worse or does not go away in a week or so. Pink eye needs to run its course and these natural remedies will help it clear up faster, but sometimes stronger treatments may be necessary.
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Sexually transmitted diseases are real. If you are involved in sexual activities, you are not exempt from catching one. STDs are harmful and can lead to other medical problems such as HIV and AIDS. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself and your future against STDs.
Instructions
Protect Yourself Against A Sexually Transmitted Disease
1. The best way to protect yourself against a sexually transmitted disease is abstinence. By not having sex, your chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease are slim.
2. If you choose to engage in sexual activities, do it safely and protect yourself. Use contraceptives such as birth control and condoms. Even if you are engaging in oral sex or any other type of sex, it is important to use contraceptives.
3. Communicate with your partner about sexually transmitted diseases. By talking with your partner and sharing past and present experiences and information about your sex life, it could help you better understand each other's history and knowledge of STDs. It's OK to ask your partner about STDs. It is your right to know, especially if you intend on having sex with your partner.
4. Go for a doctor's visit. If you've engaged in any sexual activities, it is important to get tested. Even if you totally trust your partner, get tested. Some STDs have no symptoms (such as chlamydia), so you would never know if you have it unless you get tested. You can even make it fun by making a date to get tested together.
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In short, asbestos is terrible for the human body. The resilient material, used for insulation, building material and fireproofing is capable of breaking down into extremely small fragments that can wreak havoc if inhaled.
Significance
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is porous and fire-resistant, which is why it is used construction. It can break down into an extremely fine dust, invisible to the human eye, yet extremely dangerous, even deadly, if inhaled into the lungs.
Effects
The extremely small particles get stuck in the lungs and cause a host of problems, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestos that is swallowed or ingested can also cause cancer in other places, such as the esophagus or stomach.
Details
Asbestosis occurs when healthy tissue in the lungs is replaced by damaged scar tissue, due to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma happens when the asbestos causes a tumor on the mesothelium, a thin membrane lining many of our major organs. And, because asbestos particles can cause healthy cells to regenerate, they can cause cancerous tumors, most often in the lungs.
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Falls, accidents and osteoporosis can contribute to a wrist fracture, which is a break or crack in one of the bones in the wrist. Wrist fractures may affect one of the two bones in the forearm, the ulna or radius, or one or more of the 8 small bones at the base of the hand. Treatment for wrist fractures usually involves casting the injured area.
Diagnosis
X-rays are used to determine if there is a fracture in one or more bones of the wrist. X-rays are helpful in locating many fractures, but may not be as effective in revealing cracks in bones. If your doctor suspects you may have broken or cracked a bone in your wrist, but an X-ray does not support this suspicion, you may be asked to undergo another test, such as magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) or computed tomography (CAT) scan. These tests produce much more detailed images of bones than an X-ray can. They can also provide detailed images of muscles and nerves, allowing your doctor to diagnose other related injuries, such as torn ligaments or nerve damage.
Splinting and Casting
A splint, a rigid device that supports the wrist and keeps it from moving, may be used if your bones are in proper alignment after the fracture. You may need to wear the splint and keep your arm in a sling for up to a week until swelling from your injury subsides. Once swelling has subsided, a plaster or fiberglass cast will be applied to the wrist and worn for up to six weeks. The cast is very hard and protects your wrist from further injury while it heals. The cast also helps hold your wrist in alignment, allowing your bones to heal correctly. If there is a significant amount of swelling initially, your cast may be replaced with a tighter-fitting cast one or two weeks after your fracture.
Closed Reduction
A reduction may be needed if your bone is not in the proper position after your fall or accident. During a closed reduction, your doctor manipulates your bone without surgery and maneuvers it back into the proper position before a splint or cast is applied. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, if the bones are not aligned before healing takes place, motion may be limited in the joint when it heals and the risk of pain and arthritis may be increased.
Surgery
If your bone cannot be moved back into place using a closed reduction, an open reduction will be needed. During an open reduction, an incision is made in your wrist, allowing your doctor to reach the bones and place them into alignment. If the fracture is particularly severe or if there are several bones involved, metal plates, pins and screws may be attached to the bones to allow them to heal in the correct position. In some cases, an external fixator, a device that is attached to the bones and protrudes through the skin, is used to maintain alignment while the bones heal. If bone is crushed or missing, a bone graft may be needed to restore use of the joint. During a bone graft, a small amount of bone is taken from another area of the body, such as the hip, and used to build up existing bone in the wrist.
Recovery
Pain medications and ice may be helpful in relieving pain while the fracture heals. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen is more effective in reducing pain than using one of these medications alone. The wrist may feel stiff for one or two months after your cast is removed, but the stiffness should gradually diminish with time. Physical therapy and special exercises may be helpful in maximizing the strength and function of the healed fracture.
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Roaccutane is a brand name for isotretinoin, a drug developed by Roche Laboratories for the control of severe nodular acne. While this drug is well-known for causing birth defects, other long-term effects are not so well-publicized. All potential side effects are fully disclosed in the package insert. As with any medication, the consumer should read all potential side effects before choosing the right medication for their condition.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Isotretinoin has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The condition may not resolve after discontinuing treatment with isotretinoin. Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, fever, abdominal cramps and pain. If symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease occur while taking isotretinoin, discontinue use and consult your physician immediately.
Psychiatric Disorders
Isotretinoin may cause depression, psychosis, increase the risk of suicide, aggressive behavior and violent behaviors. This condition may continue after discontinued use of isotretinoin and may require long-term psychiatric care. Family members are often interviewed for any signs of genetic predisposition to psychiatric conditions prior to a patient being prescribed isotretinoin. Information regarding potential psychiatric side effects is available in a patient hand-out available from your doctor.
Hearing Impairment
Hearing impairment has been reported as an adverse effect of Accutane therapy. There have been reports that hearing was not restored after discontinuing the medication. Isotretinoin therapy should be discontinued if there is tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, reduced hearing or other symptoms of hearing impairment. Additional medical care should be sought to reduce long-term hearing impairment.
Pancreatitis
In patients with normal or elevated triglyceride levels, acute pancreatitis has developed. Elevated serum triglyceride levels have been reported in 25% of patients treated with isotretinoin. Fatal pancreatic hemorrhagic pancreatitis has been associated with use of isotretinoin. Symptoms of pancreatitis include swelling the abdomen, acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever and a rapid pulse. If symptoms of pancreatitis develop, seek medical attention immediately.
Warning
There have been numerous lawsuits regarding the list of long-term side effects of Accutane. On June 29, 2009, Hoffman LaRoche informed the Food and Drug Administration of intent to discontinue the manufacture and sale of Accutane in the United States immediately.
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Lyme disease is a multisystem inflammatory disease caused by organism Borrelia, which is spread by the bite of infected tick called Ixodes scapularis. Lyme disease is mostly seen in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and along the Pacific coast. Prompt diagnosis should be followed by treatment with various antibiotics that can be used to take care of this disease. The treatment of Lyme disease is dependent on the clinical manifestations of the disease.
Instructions
1. Treat early localized Lyme disease with one of the following antibiotics for 10 to 21 days: doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil.
2. Treat early disseminated and late Lyme disease (especially late Lyme neurological disease) with Intravenous antibiotic therapy with third generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone or cefotaxime or penicillin G in for two to four weeks.
3. Give doxycycline to adults and children who are intolerant of above antibiotics
4. Prescribe oral therapy with doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil for 28 day in late Lyme disease with arthritis.
Bronchitis is essentially the irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This sort of condition will usually arise after a bout with some sort of respiratory infection. More often than not, someone suffering from bronchitis will get over the condition within a few days, yet will experience a few fairly uncomfortable symptoms before complete recovery.
Productive Cough
The main symptom of bronchitis will involve something often referred to as a productive cough. This type of cough will have the distinct characteristic of producing some sort of mucus green or yellow in color.
Sore Throat
A person with bronchitis will usually suffer from a sore throat. This is due to the cough that has irritated and inflamed the bronchial tubes.
Fever
Many people will continue to experience the mild fever they had during their respiratory infection during bronchitis. A person will generally run about the same temperature throughout both conditions.
Shortness of Breath
Another common symptom of bronchitis in an adult is shortness of breath. This may be accompanied by wheezing or just a winded feeling.
Fatigue
Most people who are suffering from bronchitis will also begin or continue to feel somewhat fatigued. This is due to the body trying to fight off the illness, making a person feel rundown and tired.
Congestion
Someone suffering from bronchitis will also experience the symptom of congestion. This will usually be isolated to the chest and may bring with it a burning sensation.
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Rasberry ants are named for the man who discovered them, Tom Rasberry. They are also known as crazy ants and are suspected to be related to the Caribbean crazy ants. The "crazy" part about the crazy ants is the erratic way in which they move. They were first discovered in Texas and seem to be mysteriously attracted to electronic equipment. Being attracted to electronic equipment can put them in frequent contact with humans.
Instructions
1. Weaken the colony at first by eliminating and limiting food and water sources. Rasberry ants feed on sweets, honeydew produced by other bugs and dead ants. Eliminate any sources of sweetness, i.e. hummingbird feeders, honey, sugar or any sweet substance. Remove dead ants if you see them as the Rasberry ants are known to feed on the dead. Close off any water sources including bird baths, leaky faucets and plant pots that leak water.
2. Prepare ant traps with boric acid, sugar, water and peanut butter. Mix sugar and boric acid in a 1 to 3 ratio. Add water until the mixture becomes slightly soupy. Add 1 tsp. of peanut butter to the mixture and stir.
3. Use the spoon to spread small globs of the sticky mixture onto the plastic pieces. Make several traps to be placed around the area where you are combating the ants.
4. Leave the traps in place until they are empty. Watch as the Rasberry ants take the mixture back to their home to feed the colony and slowly perish.
There's nothing natural about the pain of a migraine. It can, in fact, put you out of commission until the siege passes. If you're hesitant to try prescription remedies, but want better solutions than sleep, darkness and silence, there are a number of alternative therapies to try.
Bachelor's Button
Bachelor's Button, also known as feverfew, is an age-old remedy for migraines. A 1997 study showed the herb works better to prevent headaches than to relieve them, so a daily supplement is the best approach. Be sure to check with your doctor, as feverfew can interact with some prescription medicines.
Butterbur
Butterbur is another herb that can remedy migraines. Because it's part of the ragweed family, it's not recommended if you have seasonal allergies, but others can benefit from 75mg of butterbur extract twice a day.
Magnesium
Increase your magnesium intake, either by eating more salad, soy or nuts or by taking an oral supplement of no more than 600mg daily. Some studies indicate that combining magnesium with an Omega-3 fish oil supplement can decrease monthly migraines by nearly 40 percent.
Massage
Massage is a great way to relieve muscle spasms that contribute to migraine pain. Even if you don't have someone to knead your neck for you, massaging your own scalp and instep with your thumbs can help.
Acupressure
Acupressure can reduce headache pain. You can try it yourself when your next migraine strikes, by placing steady pressure on the webbed area between your thumb and index finger--you'll be surprised by the relief it gives you.
Many of us have had that "ringing in your ears" after a loud concert. However, some people suffer with this ringing sound in their ears or "tinnitus" on a daily basis. When other treatments have failed, some people turn to acupuncture to help manage their tinnitus. Use the following to understand what to expect if you choose to manage your tinnitus with acupuncture.
Instructions
1. Determine first that you actually have tinnitus. Sometimes, tinnitus can be mistaken for more treatable ear problems such as a build up or blockage of wax in the ears.
2. Listen to your doctor regarding the type of tinnitus that you have as the type depends on what type treatments and managements may or may not help you. If you have had perfectly fine hearing and then have a sudden loud noise onset that will not go away, your tinnitus is considered to be an "excess." A "deficiency" tinnitus is described as developing very slowly or gradual with a more low ringing sound. The age of the patient and how long they have suffered with tinnitus can also be a factor in how they will respond to various treatments.
3. Visit a facility that practices acupuncture for treatment and management of your tinnitus if you feel your other more traditional methods of treating the problem are not working. Understand that this will be a process and may take many sessions before a significant difference is noticed. The tinnitus that has been determined to be an "excess" will respond better to acupuncture treatments than tinnitus described as "deficiency."
4. Be ready to be open minded and not rushed when you come for your acupuncture session. Acupuncture sessions given in connection with massage therapy have been shown to be beneficial. Be prepared to know that during the sessions that the acupuncture needles will be placed into the ears in various locations.
5. Know that acupuncture treatments do not always totally cure the tinnitus problem. Sometimes there is complete relief from the tinnitus, sometimes there is "some" relief and other times the patients do not respond to the treatments. Relief of the tinnitus will vary with each patient and their level of discomfort.
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There are a wealth of strategies and skills for alleviating problem anger. Some of the most successful anger management skills are derived from the cognitive-behavioral school of psychology, which argues that rehearsing for specific situations can fundamentally change the person's behavior. Among the effective strategies are using relaxation techniques, employing coping skills, training in social skills and engaging in problem-solving activities.
Types
In the book "Anger Management for the 21st Century", authors Dr. Fiore and Dr. Novick identify 10 types of anger management skills and strategies. The first step is recognizing stressful triggers before they develop into anger. Then the person must learn to develop empathy, respond rather than react, change negative patterns of "self-talk" into positive messages, practice communicating effectively without hostility, adjust expectations and employ forgiveness and acceptance. Practicing these skills allows people to observe their behavioral patterns, identify solutions and recognize when it is best to retreat from a trigger situation and take time to reflect and relax.
Effects
The effects of anger management skills go beyond stopping yourself from reacting with hostility. Developing these skills can get to the heart of what triggers the problem and teach a person to lower his level of anger arousal. When perception is less clouded by anger, it is easier to identify the distorted thinking and paranoia that can lead to chronic extreme anger. Some key areas in which to build anger management skills are in interpersonal communication, compromise, negotiation and response to criticism. Some people benefit from learning coping skills for a specific situation, such as parent effectively, budget and speak with co-workers.
Theories/Speculation
There are several variables that influence the efficacy of anger management skills. In general, people benefit from repeated, long-term practice of a particular strategy. They build their skills best when applying them to relevant situations and contexts in which they find themselves on a daily basis. Ultimately, developing short-term achievable goals can improve anger management outcomes.
Considerations
One of the key considerations in regard to anger management skills is transfer learned skills to the setting in which they are most required, because the realm of counseling allows more room for failure than a place of employment, classroom or home. The transfer of skills is most successful if the patient feels safe in his environment, if he has a support system in place for making the change, if the environment feels relevant to the patient and if the patient feels he has some control and stake in the situation.
Misconceptions
Contrary to the stereotype presented by popular media like the film "Anger Management," it is nearly impossible to force a patient to adopt anger management techniques. Thus part of the initial process in developing skills is creating an environment of readiness. For some people, anger has brought them the attention, status and rewards they want in life, and it can be difficult to see the downside of perpetual anger. They may prefer the short-term benefits of anger over the long-term benefit of mental health. In these cases, counselors must work with patients to uncover the costs of chronic anger, be it an issue of health, mental health, self-image or the ability to form productive relationships.
Stomach surgery to lose weight, also called weight-loss or bariatric surgery, permanently changes your digestive system in order to limit the amount of food you can eat, according to the Mayo Clinic. Gastric bypass surgery is the most commonly performed type of weight-loss surgery in America. Gastric bypass isn't considered a cure-all for obesity, but along with diet and exercise it can be an important tool in weight loss and lifelong weight management. It comes with serious risks and side effects that should be considered prior to having the surgery.
Types
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery works to assist patients with weight loss by decreasing food intake and absorption, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In Roux-en-Y surgery, the stomach is stapled to create a small pouch and is then connected to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing another section of the small intestine. Another type of gastric bypass surgery is biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, in which about 80 percent of the stomach is removed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Risks
Gastric bypass surgery comes with general surgery risks of bleeding and infection. In addition, gastric bypass patients can experience vitamin and mineral deficiency, dehydration, gallstones, kidney stones, low blood sugar and hernia at the incision site. More severe complications include blood clots, leaking at the staple lines, pneumonia, dumping syndrome and even death.
Requirements
To qualify for gastric bypass surgery, you should have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher for at least five years, or a BMI of 35 with accompanying medical issues related to your weight. You also must show evidence of prior attempts to lose weight, either self-directed, through a commercial weight loss program or with a doctor's supervision. Many insurance companies will require proof of attempted weight loss that is medically supervised. Conditions that can disqualify you from having gastric bypass surgery are psychosis, Crohn's disease or other intestinal disease, and cancer or other serious conditions.
After the Surgery
Patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery aren't able to eat for one or two days after. Then, you are restricted to a liquid diet of water, broth, juice, milk and certain soups for another one or two days. A diet of pureed foods similar to thick liquids follows for up to four weeks before you can eat soft foods. You must eat several small meals daily at first before resuming regular eating patterns. You must also eat slowly and carefully chew your food, and take vitamins and supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Considerations
Gastric bypass surgery can cost up to $25,000, according to the NIDDK, so prospective candidates for surgery should weigh the costs and benefits carefully. The Mayo Clinic estimates that gastric bypass patients can lose up to 60 percent of their excess weight within the first two years following surgery, and many patients lose much more. However, for successful gastric bypass surgery, patients need to commit to a healthy diet and exercise, and follow the strict guidelines to prevent complications and minimize risk.
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Although copper is commonly used, the negative effects and health risks it possesses are little known. A naturally occurring mineral, copper is extremely prevalent today due to its electrical and mechanical properties. With its exceptional conduction, cheap prices, ductility, and malleability, coppers use is on the rise, along with its possible health risks.
Environmental Exposure
Copper is constantly being mined due to the increase in demand that industries have placed upon it. This places a significant amount of copper in environmental areas. Rivers and bodies of water are prime areas where copper can end up. Wastewater containing copper must be disposed of during the process of turning natural copper into usable copper; therefore, much of this waste ends up in naturally-occurring bodies of water. Over time, the copper washes up on the banks, resulting sludges contaminated with copper. This copper eventually permeates into the ground.
Creating usable copper also requires the combustion of fossil fuels, which results in copper being released into the atmosphere. The copper returns to earth after it rains and once again ends up in the ground.
Soil
Copper is dangerous in soil due to its tendency to attach to minerals and organic matter. Its lack of ability to breakdown means that over time it can become prevalent in plants and animals. Far fewer plants can grow in copper-rich soil, creating a change in eco-diversity. Copper has been shown to influence microorganisms found within soil, which results in a much slower decomposition of organic matter.
Farmland suffers significantly due to the copper that is present in fertilizers. Animals that absorb the added concentrations of copper suffer health damage. The negative effects on humans are, as of yet, merely projected, but significant research has not been completed.
Short-Term Exposure
The absorption of copper in extremely small amounts is perfectly normal and humans are even shown to be able to handle larger-sized quantities; however, overexposure to large amounts of copper is shown to result in side effects. Very few people receive overexposure to copper; however, metal fever, a sickness with flu-like symptoms, is caused by copper overexposure.
Long-Term Exposure
Solid studies about long-term copper exposure are rare in number. However, what is known is that continuous copper exposure can result in many conditions. These include constant irritation to the eyes, stomach, nose, and mouth---much like allergies. Exposure to copper-fumes has been shown to alter nasal mucous membranes. Copper poisoning can turn into Wilson's Disease, which causes a number of problems, including brain damage, cornea problems, renal disease, and cirrhosis. Copper has been linked to changes in the brain as well. It has been suggested that overexposure to copper can result in lower intelligence in developing youth.
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon. Younger to middle-aged people are more affected by this disease. There is not one exact cause, but there are common factors in people who contract this disease, which include genetics, infection in the body, allergies and even a glitch in the immune system. The bad thing about this disease is that parts of the colon that are between inflammation are not healthy, and these areas can become very weak, leading to more severe health problems.
Ulcerative Proctitis
Ulcerative colitis usually starts in the rectum; if it stays only in the rectum, you probably have ulcerative proctitis. You may have several symptoms, including diarrhea and pain, and you may even feel like you might not make it to the bathroom on time. You might also notice blood in the toilet when you go.
Proctosigmoiditis
The next section of your colon beyond the rectum is the sigmoid colon, and if the disease is in both the rectum and the sigmoid, you have proctosigmoiditis. Again, you might have diarrhea and notice blood in the toilet when you go, but you will also experience cramps, especially in your left side.
Left-Sided Colitis
Beyond the sigmoid colon is the descending colon, which goes up the left side of the abdomen. When the disease spreads up to this part of your colon, it is appropriately called left-sided colitis. Symptoms are the same only more severe. Also, you may not feel like eating and even lose weight. The pain will definitely be more severe, and you will feel it more in your left side.
Pancolitis
Beyond the descending colon is the transverse colon, which runs across the abdomen and leads to the ascending colon down the right side. If all of your colon is affected, you have what is called pancolitis. You experience the same symptoms, except your pain is more widespread throughout your abdomen.
Fulminant Colitis
The last type of ulcerative colitis is the most severe and is called fulminant colitis. A patient with this type is hospitalized and given IV medicines to try to treat the disease; surgery is usually warranted with this type, as the colon is very weak and likely to breach or burst. The patient also will not be able to keep food or drink down and may even go into shock or become septic. Toxic megacolon may also develop where the colon swells and stops movement.
Treatment
Remission of symptoms is possible with ulcerative colitis. You might be asked to make certain dietary changes, or at least to stop eating foods that cause pain or flare-ups. You may be given medication, including corticosteroids, to help reduce the inflammation. If the disease has caused you to become anemic, you may have to take iron supplements or even have a transfusion. Vitamins will also be necessary, as well as fluids, since your body may not be able to absorb either normally. If you have a severe case, you will likely have to undergo surgery to remove parts of the colon.
Tags: left side, more severe, this disease, your colon, blood toilet, blood toilet when
There are many illnesses and conditions that are debilitating and difficult to control. Diabetes is one of those chronic illnesses that require constant attention to your insulin levels and the foods you eat. Among the many medications and other alternative medicines, several herbs have been known to cure and help control diabetes, and additionally, have no side effects.
Please note that there is no known medical cure for Type 1 diabetes, and insulin should never be discontinued without the advice of a physician.
Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia happens when the body's blood glucose levels drop below normal and there is an excess of insulin the body. Hyperglycemia, on the other hand, is when the body's blood sugar levels rise above normal and natural insulin may not be used properly. That would call for insulin shot to help your body process the excess glucose.
Your body needs glucose to produce energy. People with diabetes have an internal issue with their pancreas not signaling the body to release more glucose. With that, several herbs that contain hypoglycemic agents can be used to treat diabetes.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Also known as gurmar, gymnema sylvestre grows in the tropical forests of India and is the most common herbal remedy for maintaining and controlling insulin levels in the body. Gymnemic acid is the element responsible for balancing and lowering blood sugar levels in the body. It is most common and most recommended because it reduces a diabetic's blood sugar level whether they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. To get the strongest dose of gymnema extract that brings out the herb's maximum healing potential, you should take vegetable capsules made with gymnema in its purest form.
Bitter Melon and Fenugreek
Momordica charantia, or bitter melon, grows in tropical climates such as the Caribbean and East Africa. The herb is taken from the unripe fruit of the balsam pear plant and turned into pure bitter melon extract. Because the extract is packed with iron and vitamins A and C, blood sugar levels are easily lowered, which balances your body's insulin and prevents serious complications from occurring due to diabetes.
Trigonella foenum greacum, also known as fenugreek, contain large amounts of fiber and alkaloids that aid in hypoglycemic activity. The fenugreek seeds not only increase the amount of insulin in red blood cells, but it improves the body's use of glucose. With that, the pancreas is stimulated to produce insulin in a sufficient amount so Type 2 diabetes slowly becomes an issue no longer. Along with regulating how much insulin is secreted into the body, the amino acid hydroxyisoleucine is a big part of that.
If you suffer from tired achy muscles, make a tennis ball massager for quick relief. Tennis balls are great for massaging hard to reach areas, such as your back, hips, shoulders and feet. Don't limit your massage to those areas; use your tennis ball massager anywhere your muscles hurt.
Instructions
1. Stuff two or three tennis balls into an extra long clean sock and push them together so they touch each other.
2. Tie off the open end of the sock using a piece of string or cord. You can also use an elastic band or hair tie to close the open end of the sock.
3. Swing the sock over your back like a towel after a shower. Pull the sock back and forth, as if you are drying your back.
4. Place the massager on your hips, or any aching muscle, and roll the balls on the sore area. Maintain a level of constant pressure on the area you are massaging.
5. Stand close to a wall, place the tennis ball against your shoulders, upper back, lower back or hips and press against the ball. Movegently to massage sore muscles.
6. Lie down on top of a tennis ball and move your body to work the soreness out of the trigger point. You'll know your trigger point, because it will hurt, but massaging that area will relax the muscles and you'll feel much better.
7. Use your massager at home or take it with you for mini-massages at work or at the gym.
Tags: tennis ball, your back, back hips, ball massager, open sock
Cyclobenzaprine is used, usually with therapy, to relieve pain associated with muscle spasms. As with any medication, there are side effects and risks. The information below will tell you about the medication and some of its side effects. Keep in mind there are different brands; your doctor will decide what is best for you.
Types
The different name brands of this medicine are Amrix, Fexmid, and Flexeril.
Function
This medicine is for pain associated with muscle spasms; it also works with certain muscle injuries.
Warning
Patients are not supposed to take this medicine if they take an MAO inhibitor, have had congestive heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, overactive thyroid or heart block.
Side Effects
Vomiting, diarrhea, gas pain, drowsiness, heart palpitations, jaundice, facial edema, rash, weakness, seizure, insomnia, sweating, tinnitus, weight gain or loss, impaired urination and breast swelling. There is also a risk of addiction to the medicine.
Interactions With Other Medicines
Interactions with other medicines include MAO inhibitors, alcohol, barbiturates, some heart medications and some antidepressants.
Tags: associated with, associated with muscle, muscle spasms, pain associated, pain associated with
A volcano can best be described as a fissure in the earth's crust. This fissure is filled with gases and molten lava (rock). The volcano is the opening through which these gases and lava erupt. Three main factors cause the eruption of a volcano.
First Factor
The first factor in an eruption is the buoyancy of the lava. When the rocks melt into lava form, the mass of the molten rock stays the same, but the volume increases by a great deal. This is lava, which is more buoyant than the rock and rises toward the top of the volcano.
Second Factor
Gases within the magma is the second factor. The lava gives off high pressure gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. As these gases expand, the lava is pushed toward the top. Increased pressure from the gases pushes the magma even higher, causing and eruption.
Third Factor
An eruption can also be caused by the flow of new magma into an already magma filled volcano. As the new magma enters, pressure is increased, causing the volcano to erupt. Naturally, all these forces happen rapidly with explosive pressures, causing the gases and magma to be thrown for miles around.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) allows you to save money tax-free to use for qualified medical expenses, if you have a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The amount you can contribute annually is limited by law.
Personal Contributions
The contribution limit for an individual in 2009 is $3,000. For a family HSA, the contribution limit is $5,950. People 55 and older may add $1,000 to that amount annually as a "catch-up" contribution.
Employer Contributions
Your employer can make contributions on your behalf, as long as the total amount contributed does not exceed the annual limit.
Partial-Year Rules
If you are not covered by an HDHP for an entire tax year, the rules change. If you are covered by an HDHP on the first day of the last month of the tax year, you are allowed to contribute the full annual amount. If you were covered by an HDHP for part of the tax year, but not on the first day of the last month, then the amount you can contribute in that year is pro-rated by the number of months in which you were covered by an HDHP.
Tax Benefits
Personal contributions to an HSA may be deducted from your gross income before taxes are paid.
Warning
If you are on a tight budget, calculate how much you need to contribute to your HSA carefully. If you need to access your money for anything other than qualified medical expenses, you will have to pay taxes and a 10 percent penalty, too.
Tags: covered HDHP, amount contribute, contribution limit, first last, first last month, Health Savings, Health Savings Account
Ovarian cancer develops in the cells and tissues of the ovaries, a pair of reproductive glands that produce eggs in women. According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 22,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States in 2008, and more than 15,000 women died of the disease. Prognosis for ovarian cancer is considerably better if the disease is caught early. Therefore, women who experience any possible symptoms of ovarian cancer should speak with their doctors as soon as possible.
Identification
Early stages of ovarian cancer are often asymptomatic, but advanced stages may cause pain or pressure in the pelvis, abdomen, back or legs; a swollen abdomen; gastrointestinal symptoms; shortness of breath; fatigue; frequent urination; or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Risk Factors
Some women are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than others, including those with family histories of ovarian, colon or breast cancer; those over age 55; women who have never been pregnant and women being treated with estrogen therapy.
Types
There are two main types of ovarian cancers: ovarian epithelial carcinomas, which begin on the surface of the ovaries, and malignant germ cell tumors, which begin in the cells of the eggs.
Prevention/Solution
Treatment of ovarian cancer typically involves surgery, radiation, systemic chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, a type of therapy that involves administration of chemotherapy medications through a tube directly into the abdomen.
Warning
If not caught and treated early enough, ovarian cancer can invade nearby organs, spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to distant areas of the body or shed tumor cells that deposit on the surface of nearby tissues and develop into new tumors.
Stair climbers, one of the most popular fitness machines at gyms, can be purchased for home use. Stair climbing became popular from athletes who began running stadium steps to increase their heart rate capacities and needed a low-impact exercise. Inventors soon realized they could capture the benefits of stadium stair climbing in a machine. Today, stair climbers for home use can cost from $50 to $4,000.
Instructions
1. Determine how often you will be using your new stair machine and how much you want to spend. This will help you discuss with the salesperson which machine you will be purchasing.
2. Purchase used stair climbers from your local classified section in your newspaper or local weekly or Craigslist. Many people advertise their used and unused stair climbers in the classifieds. Check the paper right after the holidays. Sometimes people receive climbers as gifts but don't want them, so they sell them for cash in the papers.
3. Visit a used sports equipment store like Play it Again Sam for used stair climbers. They sell everything from used footballs to hockey equipment to cardio machines.
4. Visit your local gym to see if the owner plans to replace older stair climber machines with newer ones. You may be able to get a deal on a used climber.
5. Purchase a new stair climber from one of the home shopping networks like QVC or the Home Shopping Network.
6. Visit the Fitness Blowout website to find brand-name stair climbers like Stairmaster, Cybex and LifeFitness. The site offers brand-new gym-quality machines for a discount.
7. Visit Treadclimber to purchase a Bowflex treadclimber. Bowflex offers monthly payments so you don't have to pay for the climber up front. It also offers free shipping on certain models.
8. Go to the Dick's Sporting Goods website to purchase a new stair climber.
Tags: stair climbers, stair climber, used stair, used stair climbers, your local
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder that results in chronic abdominal discomfort and pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly 20 percent of American adults have irritable bowel symptoms. The symptoms and causes of irritable bowel may be treated with medications and behavioral changes such as diet modification and stress management.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain and cramps are symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome that may be severe and limit a person's ability to perform daily activities.
Impaired Bowel Functions
Severe diarrhea that alternates with constipation is a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome and may not respond well to typical home remedies and medical treatments.
Gas
Gas (flatulence) and abdominal bloating are symptoms of irritable bowel that may be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Food triggers
According to the Mayo Clinic, certain types of foods such as dairy, caffeinated beverages and alcohol may trigger or cause irritable bowel syndrome.
Stress
Stressful life events or unusual daily stress due to work, family or finances may aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel.
Infections
Irritable bowel may be caused by illnesses and infections of the digestive system such as gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
Hormones
Hormonal fluctuations in women may cause or worsen the symptoms of irritable bowel, especially in the few days before menstruation.
Tags: symptoms irritable, symptoms irritable bowel, irritable bowel, According Mayo, According Mayo Clinic
Yellow jackets can cause intense pain when they sting. Their stings result in a red bump that can continue to swell for up to 48 hours, according to the University of Michigan Health System. While the pain may subside in about two hours, the swelling may last for a week. Using some home remedies can help reduce the swelling and alleviate your pain.
Instructions
1. Avoid making the sting and the swelling worse. If the stinger is still present, remove the stinger by scraping it off. The stinger will appear to be a black dot. Do not squeeze it or try to pull it out directly; this may cause it to release even more venom into the sting.
2. Soak a cotton ball in a paste of meat tenderizer and water. Rub the cotton ball on the sting area for about 20 minutes. This helps break down the protein in a yellow jacket sting, which will reduce the swelling. If you do not have meat tenderizer, use a paste of baking soda and water.
3. Reduce the swelling further by rubbing an ice cube on the area for about 10 minutes. This can also help relieve persistent pain.
4. Use an over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream. Apply it to the sting three times a day to help reduce the swelling and relieve the pain. If you do not have hydrocortisone cream, try wetting an aspirin and rubbing it on the area. (Do not use an aspirin if you are allergic to it.)
Tags: about minutes, about minutes This, area about, area about minutes, cotton ball, From Yellow
The term trigger point was coined by Dr. Janet Travell. She used injections to treat trigger points. Now less invasive methods can be used to treat trigger points. A trigger point occurs when a muscle is injured. To protect itself from further injury an area in the muscle will contract. This area will remain contracted preventing normal blood flow. This causes the muscle to be starved and causes pain in the muscle. Trigger points are commonly known as knots in your muscle. They are painful areas where you can feel a lump or band of hard tissue in the muscle. Trigger points cause both local and referred pain. Referred pain is pain that is away from the site of the trigger point. Referred pain from trigger points occurs in a predictable pattern.
Instructions
1. With feedback from your partner, choose the area you will work.
2. Palpate the muscle you're working on with the pad of your finger looking for knots.
3. Once you find a knot make sure you press down in the center of it.
4. Find out from your partner what the pain level is for the area you are pressing. Use a scale from one to ten--one being the least painful and ten being the most painful. Remember that they might be feeling the pain in another area besides the one you're pressing. Back off until they're pain level is about a two or three.
5. Keep pressing that trigger point for ten seconds. Now release the pressure, but don't remove your finger for two seconds. Press on the trigger point again for ten seconds. Make sure you press the same spot at the same angle you did before.
6. Repeat this process until the pain in the area stops. Be sure to do it no longer than two minutes.
Tags: trigger point, area will, from your, from your partner, muscle Trigger
You sit anxiously in class, watching as the teacher moves slowly around the room handing back the latest test. As you reach for yours when your name is called, you see on the top of the page that you failed it. This is not the first time this has happened. You are crushed, and, worse, not sure if you will ever be able to get out this grade slump. Take heart; a light does exist at the end of the tunnel. With some work and ingenuity, you can improve your grades over time.
Instructions
1. Write a plan to improve. Include specific, achievable goals in your plan, such as studying chemistry every day for 20 minutes, or going over lecture notes for algebra before each class. Have short- and long-term goals to work toward on your plan, such as turning in all your homework this week or improving your grade in American History by one letter grade by the end of the semester. Putting your goals and how you plan to achieve them on paper is a vital step to actually achieving them.
2. Make an appointment to talk your teacher. This demonstrates to your teacher that you are serious about improving your grades and getting help. Most teachers will go out of their way to help a student who is actively trying to do better in class. Ask your teacher why he thinks you are not doing so well, and what his advice is for you to improve.
3. Attend tutoring sessions and study groups. Find out if your teacher offers tutoring before or after school, or both. Join a group of classmates in a regular study session to ace your next test and get a better understanding of class material.
4. Ask your teacher for extra-credit assignments. Not all teachers are willing to offer them, but it is worth asking, even if it is only to show you want to make a better grade.
5. Prepare for class. Go over your notes, and actually do your homework. Develop an organization system for your books and papers to help you keep track of what to study. Participate in class by paying attention, answering questions and asking questions of your own if you do not understand a topic.
6. Celebrate small victories you make. Every time you make a better grade on an assignment or quiz, remember that you have taken another step toward achieving one or more of your goals you set out for yourself.
Tags: your teacher, better grade, improving your, make better, make better grade, plan such, your goals
Eucalyptus trees can grow on almost every continent.
The eucalyptus tree is one of the world's most popular trees. The scent of its leaves reportedly improves mental alertness, refreshes people's moods and clears the sinuses, according to the University of Colorado. Its popularity, however, has grown from its humble origins on a single continent.
Origins
Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia. American travelers brought the eucalyptus to the United States, according to archivist Robert L. Santos at California State University. Australians who flocked to California during the Gold Rush in 1849 also brought it with them.
Modern Locations
Today, the eucalyptus tree grows on almost every continent, according to Santos. It is especially popular in Australia and California, though it graces home gardens around the world.
Growing Eucalyptus
The hardy eucalyptus tree survives in dry climates, according to the PBS website--which is part of what makes it popular across the planet. It is also one of the world's fastest growing trees, growing 6 to 8 feet per year.
Tags: eucalyptus tree, almost every, almost every continent, Eucalyptus trees, every continent
Proper breathing has an amazing effect on one's stress levels. This notion seems counterintuitive because breathing is good for you. But improper breathing can actually make stress worse by keeping much-needed oxygen from the brain. Compare these breathing techniques with your habitual breathing style and see how close you are to a very natural and simple method of reducing stress.
Instructions
1. When time and space allow it, be conscious of your breath. Mindfulness while breathing gives you an opportunity to focus on the natural, automatic effects of your breath. Simply breathing intentionally can have a calming effect on a nervous psyche.
2. Breathe slowly and deeply whenever possible. Allow your stomach to feel like it is filling with air.
3. Vary your breathing techniques by holding it for a few seconds at a time and exhaling for a slightly longer period than inhaling.
4. Practice rapid, shallow breaths for 10 seconds at a time a few times a day to give your brain an oxygen boost.
5. Don't forget to breathe when in a stressful situation. Holding one's breath unknowingly can have potentially damaging effects and cause tension.
6. Learn about breathing techniques while practicing relaxation with yoga or tai chi. Practice them daily, even when you're not exercising.
7. Count your breaths, 10 at a time, for a brief period of meditation everyday. If you lose count, you know you are distracted and can make a conscious effort to relax.
Tags: breathing techniques, seconds time, your breath
Finding the strength to leave an abusive relationship is only the first step of the healing process. Women tend to attract the same type of partner time and time again, unless they take steps to ensure that doesn't happen. Before getting involved in another relationship you must first learn to love yourself.
Instructions
1. Understand that you were a victim of an abusive relationship. Despite the fact that the abuser has probably told you for many years that you deserved the abuse, and are not worthy of love, none of that is true. No one deserves to be a victim of abuse.
2. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a best friend that was going through the same experience. Often our "self talk" is harsh and hurtful, even when we would never talk to a friend the same way. Tell yourself all the things that you would tell your friend to reassure her of her self worth.
3. Remain patient with yourself. Understand that it took years of abuse to do the damage that was done to you and it takes time for you to repair that damage, and learn to love yourself again. Do not expect your healing to happen over night. Give yourself the time that you need to recover.
4. Surround yourself with positive people. Find some close friends that provide a good support network, or join a formal support group for victims of abuse.
5. Seek professional counseling to help you process the abuse and help you on the road to recovering. Look in the yellow pages of your local phone book for an abuse hotline that can put you in touch with a good abuse therapist. They might also know of abuse counseling available in your area for little or no charge.
Tags: learn love, learn love yourself, love yourself, Understand that
Yoga has many different breathing techniques to help bring about specific changes in the body. To reduce stress, nose-breathing is an easy way to reestablish an evenness breathing and in the mind.
Instructions
Use Yoga Breathing To Reduce Stress
1. Sit in a comfortable way so that your spine is elongated. Sit in a chair, or cross-legged or against a wall, where your lower back is supported.
2. Close your eyes. With your thumb, close off the right nostril as you inhale through the left nostril. Switch nostrils.
3. Inhale through the right nostril, hold the breath as you close off the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril. Repeat. Start with 10 easy rounds without any strain. If you experience any dizziness, light headedness, or feel any strain, rest, as you may be trying to hard or forcing your breath.
4. This breath work can be done daily as a way to reduce stress. In yoga, it is a way to balance lunar (ida) and solar (pingala) energies that are constantly circulating through the body.
Tags: right nostril, Breathing Reduce, Breathing Reduce Stress, close right, close right nostril, left nostril, reduce stress
Homeopathic medicine is a form of complementary medicine that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann 1796.
Background
The basic principle of homeopathic medicine is that "like cures like." Practitioners believe that natural ingredients, usually plant and mineral extracts, that create a set of symptoms in a healthy person will also cure the same symptoms in a sick person.
Preparation
The preparer uses alcohol or distilled water to dilute the natural remedy, and then lets it cure for several weeks. Afterward, the mixture is strained to create a "mother tincture," or full-strength remedy.
Dosing
The mother tincture is diluted with alcohol and distilled water to create different doses, which are taken as liquids or small pills. Two scales are used to measure homeopathic doses, the decimal scale (measured in Xs; 1X= low potency and 400X = highest potency) and the centesimal scale (measured in Cs; 1C=lowest potency and 200C = highest potency).
Safety
The Federal Drug Administration has regulated homeopathic medicines since 1938, so they are considered safe.
Availability
Homeopathic medicines are widely available at health food stores and markets. You don't need a prescription to purchase them. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are using an homeopathic medicines, as they could interact with other medicines.
Tags: alcohol distilled, alcohol distilled water, distilled water, highest potency, homeopathic medicines, medicine that
Once upon a time, the terms HIV and life insurance did not go together in a sentence. HIV positive people found it next to impossible to obtain life insurance after their diagnosis. In 1997, Guaranteed Life and Trust made a difference by using risk specialists to determine life expectancies and more, making life insurance an option once more for HIV positive patients.
History
Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV can lead to AIDS, but does not always do so. HIV is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids and prior to screening at blood banks, this included donated blood. Reported cases of HIV began making mainstream media news in the early 1980s. Panic and disinformation about the disease led to many insurance companies denying coverage to patients diagnosed with HIV if they were not already covered by a policy. Mortality rates associated with HIV were high in the early days of research, due to the patient's compromised immune system. In 1995, mortality was estimated that 485 out of every 1,000 patients while in 2001, mortality rates declined to 101 out of every 1,000. Improved medications, better treatment and diagnostic programs and a growing school of medicine that focuses on HIV and AIDs patients makes obtaining life insurance an option for HIV patients.
Function
Life insurance is designed to meet two primary needs. The first, burial insurance will cover the cost of a funeral and burial. This relieves survivors of the financial burden to pay for these two services. The second provides a financial legacy for survivors which can also defray any medical debts incurred prior to death. The difficulty of obtaining life insurance often meant that families of HIV and AIDS patients were left with huge financial costs to cope with in the wake of their grief.
Considerations
Not many insurance companies offer life insurance for HIV positive patients; however, of those that do such as Impaired Risk Specialists, there are some considerations to keep in mind. First, the patient must be between the ages of 21 and 49 years old. The HIV positive individual must be able to work, have a limited amount of the virus and be able to maintain an active lifestyle. The potential policy holder must also have contracted the virus through sexual contact or accidental needle stick. Intravenous drug users are considered a much higher risk. Once an individual develops full blown AIDS, the company will not offer them life insurance.
Benefits
Life insurance provides HIV patients and their families with a safety net in the event of death whether due to the disease or not. Many variables will affect the premiums, but advances in medicine, slow progression of the disease and relevant research can reduce premiums over time. Only one or two insurance companies offer life insurance to HIV patients, a person diagnosed with HIV should obtain life insurance as soon as possible if they do not already have a policy in place. Many terminal illnesses will render a person ineligible for a new policy at many major life insurance companies, including New York Life and MetLife.
Expert Insight
HIV patients should speak to their case workers and social workers to identify their best options for life insurance and other programs that may be available. As AIDS medications become more effective, more insurance companies are willing to take the risk. Guarantee Trust Life insurance, one of the first companies to offer life insurance to HIV patients, is available in all states except New York. It is also not available in Puerto Rico.
Tags: life insurance, insurance companies, companies offer, companies offer life, life insurance
Snoring is not a problem that should be brushed aside casually. It can do more harm than simply frustrating your partner or earning you sharp pokes in your back when you are asleep. Unfortunately, it can also cause sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Upper Respiratory Resistance Syndrome, which are serious problems. Therefore, it is best to nip the problem in the bud before your snoring gets out of hand.
Practice Pranayam Everyday
Pranayam is a yoga exercise which regulates the flow of air in and out if your body. It comes from two words 'prana' meaning vital energy and 'ayam' meaning exercises. Translated, "Pranayam" literally means exercises for the vital energy of the body. Pranayam is a set of breathing exercises and techniques, which can clean the channels of your body and thus cure the snoring. Ujjayi pranayam, or the hissing breath, is especially effective at removing the blockages in your throat and increasing your lung capacity.
Yoga to the Rescue
According to Ayurvedic Talk.com, a leading online resource for ayurvedic remedies and research, there is also a possibility to cure snoring with the help of yoga. This low-impact workout is great for people of all ages, as there are some postures that can remove obstructions in your nasal passage, and help you get rid of snoring naturally.
The Simha Garjana asana, also known as the Roaring Lion Pose, is one such remedy for snoring. A qualified yoga instructor can offer guidance and prevent injury. Begin by sitting in the diamond pose. Spread your legs, bringing your thighs almost parallel to the shoulders. Now, place the palms on the floor, between the knees. The wrist should point out and the fingers inwards, towards your body. Lean forward and tilt your head back, and concentrate on the center of your eyebrows. Inhale deeply through the nostrils, stick your tongue out, and as you exhale, make a growling sound. Repeat this pose a couple of times.
Herbal Remedies
There are certain herbal remedies you can make to help you stop snoring. For instance, a tea brewed with basil leaves, Gotukola, Valerian, and green tea is a great herbal remedy. Be sure to have a cup of this tea just before you retire for the day. Those who use it also refer to it as the 'Sleep Well' tea.
Olive oil also has certain properties that can reduce snoring. Have a few drops of olive oil before going to bed. When sleeping, try to lie on your sides, rather than your back. Doing so can reduce the intensity of your snores.
You should also try gargling before going to sleep. Steep a handful of sage in boiling water and once it is cool, use the liquid to gargle. This is a great remedy for reducing snoring. Aromatherapy is also known to be beneficial in this matter, especially using marjoram oil.
Finally, a few changes in your lifestyle can also help you reduce, if not cure, your snoring altogether. Avoid having heavy meals right before sleeping, and foods that are oily and spicy, as they tend to aggravate the problem. Finally, smoking or drinking excessively can also contribute to the problem, so if you can reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke and the amount of alcohol you drink, you may reduce your snoring.
Tags: your body, your snoring, also known, before going, cure snoring, vital energy
If you are following the weight watchers diet, it can be difficult to calculate weight watchers points in a recipe. However, it is actually very simple to calculate weight watchers points in a recipe so you know exactly how many points are in your favorite recipe. Learn quickly and easily calculate how many weight watchers points are in a recipe so you can make your favorite recipes and stay on the weight watchers plan to lose weight.
Instructions
1. Understand Ingredients to Calculate Weight Watchers Points in a Recipe
The first step to calculate weight watchers points in a recipe is to examine your list of ingredients. You need to know exactly how many points are in each ingredient. You can find this out by using your weight watchers materials if you have them or any weight watchers point value website. Determine how many points are in each ingredient based on their quantity and then add together all of those point values. This will give you the weight watchers point value of the entire recipe.
2. Serving Size to Calculate Weight Watchers Points in a Recipe
Next, you will need to determine how many weight watchers points are in each serving. It is very easy to do this - just divide the weight watchers points value for the entire recipe by the number of servings. For example, if the entire recipe was 42 points and it makes 10 servings, each serving has 4.2 weight watchers points.
3. Use an Online Weight Watchers Recipe Calculator
If you do not want to do the math yourself, you can use an online weight watchers point recipe calculator. There is one on the online weight watchers website if you are a member or you can use an online version available on many websites. However, you will get the most accurate version by calculating the weight watchers points yourself.
4. Adjust the recipe to Calculate Weight Watchers Points in a Recipe
Lastly, if you find that your recipe has a higher points value than you want, consider adjusting the ingredients or cooking method. Use no calorie cooking spray instead of oil or low fat versions of your favorite ingredients like cheese, meat, milk, or sour cream. Adjusting small things in your recipe will lower the weight watchers point value of your recipe.
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