Your Body PH Levels Are Important - If You Want to Stay Healthy and Minimise Disease

The term pH simply means potential for hydrogen in your body systems.

The pH scale goes from 0 to 14 and 7 is considered neutral. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that the values separating each unit increase in proportion to their distance from the neutral point of 7.
For example; a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than 7 and a pH of 5 is one hundred times more acidic than 7; conversely on the alkaline side where a pH of 8 is ten times more alkaline than 7 and 9 is one hundred times more alkaline than 7 and so on.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ACIDITY
The body will always strive to keep your organs, blood, fluids and tissues operating properly. But in order to do that effectively each part must operate in its optimal pH range. When your body is overly burdened with body toxins and trying to compensate for pH imbalances it suffers immensely This excess stress eventually leads to toxicity, illness and disease.

Left unchecked acidification may contribute or directly lead to arthritis, blood pressure abnormalities, blood sugar challenges, digestive problems, fungal problems (Candida and Yeast), headaches, heartburn and acid reflux, hot flushes, inflammation of joints, insomnia, lack of energy, premature aging, skin problems, stiffness, stress and tension weight issues and other disorders.

Acidity leads to toxicity, which leads to microform overgrowth, which can eventually lead to illness and disease. Your body cannot detoxify properly when it becomes overly acidic and as a result of this toxins build up causing stress as well as the activation of body emergency mechanisms that compensate for the toxicity.

A good example of this is weight gain and because fat is an excellent binding agent your body will use fat when necessary to bind and store toxins in your body. Your weight problem is far more complex than simply a metabolic problem it's really an acidic problem.

NO DOUBT YOU'VE HEARD OF BATTERY ACID
And you've been told that you must wear protective clothing when you're handling battery acid so it won't burn your body. When you have high acidity levels it's the same as having that hydrochloric battery acid in your body and it will burn your body.

Balanced body pH is really important and should not be overlooked.

SUMMARY
• Consider it a warning if you discover that you have high acidic levels (Low pH) in your body before you're struck down with illness or disease.
• Consider yourself lucky because you've just received an early warning of future illness or disease.
• Do something quickly and get your body back in balance if you want to enjoy a healthy life.

The Isagenix program we use reduces acidity and balances the body. We certainly recommend it.

Living Lightly: Doses that Help Manage and Reduce Stress

"Stress" has become a word so common in everyday life, particularly among working adults in San Jose, California. Each day, schedules are jam-packed with activities, endless phone calls are made, sleep is neglected, and coffee mugs are filled to the brim to keep one awake. Stress itself is not negative; it just needs to be effectively managed. Listed below are few doses of things that can help you maintain balance in your daily life.

Doses of Inspiration

A daily dose of inspiration is what each person needs, and this varies according to your preferences and interests. For instance, if you are a lover of music, pump up the volume in your portable music player and listen to songs that will no doubt inspire you. If you love the visual arts, why not keep a handy sketchpad in your bag, which you can doodle on during break times at work? Getting a daily dose of inspiration is simple yet very effective way to help you get by the day.

Doses of Wisdom

Stress, or most of it, is all in the mind. There is physical stress, as well as emotional or psychological stress. If you are experiencing the latter, one way to gradually reduce it, or at least keep yourself from wallowing in distress, is to fill yourself with doses of wisdom, whether it be getting advice from your well-meaning parents, a boost from friends, or reading a self-help book. Wisdom is something attained through experience, and your stressful life can help you become a wiser person each day.

Influenza Season Well Under Way

With the 2011-2012 flu season well under way, physicians agree that the flu virus is nothing to sneeze at. Getting a flu vaccine is the number one way to stop the spread of the flu. For FFF Enterprises, the nation's largest and most trusted distributor of flu vaccine, spreading the message about the safety and effectiveness of flu vaccine is a chief concern. FFF has made a mission out of "helping healthcare care," which includes protecting people from the fatal complications associated with the flu virus.

FFF Enterprises has made it their aim to transform the way people think about the flu and flu vaccine. For example, some believe that if they are not an infant or elderly, they don't need a flu vaccine. According to the CDC, this isn't true since "everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year." This has been the recommendation since February 2010, when the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) "voted for the universal flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people." Others are under the misconception that their flu vaccine will give them the flu. The CDC comments that "no, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection."

Signs and symptoms of the flu can range anywhere from a cough and runny nose to a high fever and fatigue. Some people may experience diarrhea and vomiting. Those who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications, such as children, adults 65 years of age and older and pregnant women are strongly encouraged to schedule their flu vaccine. A new high-dose flu vaccine formulated for those aged 65 and older is also available for the current flu season. Individuals who suffer from serious medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, neurological problems, chronic lung disease, and compromised immune systems are also advised to get their annual flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Influenza is a deadly virus that kills more people each year than all vaccine-preventable diseases combined. According to the CDC, "most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick." This means that "you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick." Therefore, getting your annual flu vaccine will protect you, your loved ones and your work mates. For more information on seasonal flu and flu vaccine contact your healthcare provider today.

No Ordinary Diagnosis - Recovery From Toxic Mold Exposure

Her name is Tammy and she's a Certified Medical Assistant as well as a college instructor. Her stature is petite but the amount of knowledge in her mind is as vast as the ocean.

As a medical professional, Tammy wants to educate everyone about this covert and potentially deadly disease: toxic mold exposure, which is no ordinary diagnosis. "It morphs in the absence of knowledgeable, prompt medical intervention." She wants you to avoid the grim lesson she learned firsthand.

In the interview, Tammy spoke with authority. "If chronic illnesses are ignored, it can be deadly..." Her voice softened but her focus strengthened. "It seemed like I was a magnet for viruses and bacteria."

"A few of the warning signs include illnesses such as sinus infections, migraine headaches, eye irritations, sore throats, and extreme fatigue. Medical treatments are available but it's a slow process. The treatments aren't generally covered by insurance companies but how can you place a monetary value on human life?"

She paused to moisten her throat with a sip of water. "Recovery isn't for the faint of heart. It feels like you're climbing out of a deep, dark hole. But, it's possible."

When she spoke, the smile on her face waned as she recounted how her son almost died from it. "I had to sell one of our cars to pay for his medical treatments. His lungs were collapsing... The doctor who tested and treated us said, "You have to walk away from your home, from everything."

Tears welled in her eyes. "All we had were the clothes on our back. Everything in our home was contaminated... with mold."

I asked her, "How did you know what to do?"

A few years ago she'd attended a medical conference and learned about the toxicity of mold disease. "They shared documented information about toxic mold exposure. I'd heard of it before but I didn't know how it affected people. When the speaker worked through the slide presentation about symptoms of toxic mold exposure, the thought occurred to me that both my son and I had every one of those symptoms!"

That evening Tammy recorded her thoughts in a journal. "Could this be the root cause of our ongoing illnesses? I have to find out. I decided to dig deeply into those handouts."

She took a deep breath. "I did a lot of research. I even ordered a book called Mold Warriors and then purchased another book about toxic mold. I read everything. I found blogs about toxic mold and subscribed for updates. Collectively, it looked like Mt. Everest but I wanted to learn.

Tammy leaned forward in her chair. "I wanted to understand why we'd been so sick. All of our symptoms fit perfectly together. It was like finding the missing puzzle piece for a jigsaw puzzle, but our lives were in dire jeopardy. I was compelled to learn about the damaging effects of mold on the human body. There had to be an answer for those unrelenting illnesses. I'm certain there was a reason and a purpose for me to attend that specific conference."

She sat back in her chair. "I knew one day there would be others exposed to toxic mold and by being well-informed, it could forever change many lives."

Alcoholism and its Negative Effects

Men's health magazines are getting popular, especially in the virtual or online form. This is because men are becoming prone to various adverse physical conditions and are looking for ways to prevent them. Most people also search for alcoholism symptoms or cure for alcoholism, to educate their selves about adversities of alcoholism.  Men are more alcohol dependant as compared to women, and the number of deaths due to alcoholism is increasing rapidly.

 Effects of Alcoholism on Nervous system and Brain:

Alcohol has many adverse effects on the consumer's body; however, one of the notable effects is on brain and nervous system of the human body. It is scientifically studied that parts of brain are more influenced by alcohol than any other body organ. The toxicants present in alcohol negatively influence the transmission of nervous impulses occurring in nerves present in the brain. It also significantly degrades the performance of nervous system which leads to physical malfunctions.

Consumption of alcohol can lead to organic damages as well as psychological disturbance. Its effects are also manifested through behavior of associated and affected family members or other individuals.  It should be understood that alcohol may also be responsible for Erectile Dysfunction or Impotency to certain extent. One of the major loses that a victim faces is reduced cerebral performance. Symptoms that can be seen in case of alcoholism are numbness or lack of sensation, tremor or uncontrollable shivering, ocular difficulties, impaired ability etc. Apart from intellectual disability, there are other adverse consequences of alcoholism such as afflicted competency to learn, inappropriate mental condition, emotional disturbance, distress etc. To your information, researches have revealed that habitual intake of alcohol and sudden withdrawal can also sometimes lead to delirium tremens.       

A Prostate Test Could Save Your Life

Many people consider prostate cancer to be a disease which only afflicts elderly men, but cases in which young men in their 30's and 40's contracting the disease are becoming ever more common, something which is worrying healthcare professionals worldwide.

The thing about prostate cancer is that it is a disease which affects men and men are notoriously bad at looking after their health. They are often embarrassed to visit the doctor with their problems, especially when it is for something they may deem embarrassing such as a prostate check. This lack of will to visit a doctor means that many cases of prostate cancer are not discovered until they are in later stages and this makes the prognosis bad, whereas, if the cancer was found earlier, there would be a much better chance of survival.

Varicose Veins Feel Heaviness and Excessive Heat in Legs

The veins are conduits for the circulation of blood in one direction: toward the heart. To fulfill this function, those that are located in the legs have valves that open inside stop allowing fluid flow upward, and close to prevent it from returning.

Varicose veins form when the valves do not close properly, allowing blood stasis and increased pressure within affected veins, so that its walls stretch to such an extent that protrude from the skin.

This condition occurs when the veins of the legs are weak or thin, due to poor blood circulation. As the problem progresses, the veins bulging appearance acquire. The specialists called peripheral vascular disease.

At this point, recall that the arteries carry blood from the heart to the legs and veins are long tubes that return the fluid to that organ. For many reasons, these cavities may obstruct progressively, causing hindrance to the bloodstream and move very slowly toward its goal (heart), which, in turn, can eventually lead to thrombosis (obstruction), color change skin, pulmonary infarction (tissue death from lack of nutrients) and ulcers (infected cells).

Also, symptoms such as pain, heaviness or excessive heat in the legs, fatigue, cramping, swelling and bruising only put pressure on the skin are signs of venous disease in question.

Croton Animal Hospital Evolved to Suit the Needs of its Patients

Part of what defines a successful business is its approach to evolution, especially with regards to its clients needs and expectations. The world around a brand, business or service is continually changing, with society, the economy and each individual citizen constantly evolving and developing different circumstances. It is how organizations react to this changes that determines whether they are set up to succeed or doomed to ultimate failure, and Westchester animal clinic Croton Animal Hospital provides an excellent example of how to deliver an evolutionary and relevant service to clients.

The Yorktown animal hospital is constantly evaluating its service and assessing its value, with a view to adapting it to suit changeable client needs. For example, the founders of Croton Animal Hospital have realized that it is not always practical for individuals to bring their pet into the clinic for treatment, whether this is because they are without transportation or their pet is simply unable to travel. This was identified as a critical area where Croton Animal Hospital could improve its service, and so the concept of a mobile veterinary unit was proposed to meet a growing concern.

Croton Animal Hospital now provides full mobile veterinary services to all clients and patients within the Westchester and Putnam areas, meaning that they need not make an unnecessary and potentially troublesome trip to the Westchester animal clinic. Not only is this a convenient and time saving service, but it could also be critical to a pet's well being if its owners spared a long journey from their home to the Croton surgery. In addition to this, virtually every test, examination and procedure that is undertaken in the Croton clinic can be replicated within your own 4 walls, so calling in the mobile veterinary unit will not compromise a pet's health.

This Yorktown animal hospital not only recognized an opportunity to improve its service and patients lives, but also took the steps to effect a positive change. Their staff understand that a beloved pet is as much a family member as anyone else, and they deserve the very highest quality in prompt, efficient and ultimately effective medical attention. For more information of the mobile veterinary service and other facilities available at Croton Animal Hospital, visit their website at -  http://www.crotonanimalhospital.com/ today and read more. In an age of change and constant evolution, Croton Animal Hospital is setting the benchmark for delivering focused customer care.

How to Stop Arthritis Pain Naturally

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints and it is accompanied by swelling and pain. It is a degenerative disease that can cause disability to millions of people because in severe cases sufferers find it hard to move around and perform basic tasks like walking and using their hands. Of course it is best to consult your doctor to know the best treatment for you to relieve the pain and swelling. Medications and therapy are the common treatments and in severe cases, surgery maybe recommended by your doctor. Although doctors and therapists may recommend treatments for you to cope with arthritis, you also play an important role in improving the quality of your life despite the presence of arthritis. While you are under treatments, there are also natural remedies and home care that you can do to stop arthritis pain naturally.

Use of splints and arthritis devices. Living with arthritis can be very difficult and there are limitations with your movements and the things that you can do. With the use of proper arthritis devices, the joints will be protected, the pain will be reduced and your everyday life will be easier. The use of splints on the aching and swollen joints can offer relief and can help the joints to relax. Ask your doctor and therapist about the proper splint and arthritis device suitable for your condition.

Best Tips and Tricks for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Surgery and Weight Loss facts

Successful weight loss and health management comes in time. However, you can make your goals if you set realistic expectations and stay committed to this pursuit.

 If you want to shed unwanted pounds maintain a healthy weight it just requires regular exercise and eating foods that are as low in grease as possible. Setting sensible goals that you can meet is the fastest way to obtaining and keeping a healthy, trim body.Read more on Herbal Weight Loss Pills and Cellulite Treatment and also visit on Natural Weight Loss
Taking care of your body in turn can help you keep serious health complications at bay. That is, if you are your ideal weight you may be less likely to have a heart attack, stroke, and so on later in life.

Eczema Natural Remedies for Treating Eczema

If eczema is not treated properly it may cause permanent scaring. From a holistic point eczema is caused by the imbalances in our bodies, in treating eczema the holistic practitioner will not only treat the physical aspect of a person but also the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.

The redness, burning and itch of eczema are never something you get used to. If you've suffered with eczema for some time you know that any relief you can find from the symptoms of this common skin condition are very welcomed. Eczema is difficult to live with and pursuing a standard course of treatment with your doctor typically results in you having to spend a considerable amount of money for medicated creams and lotions. There are several eczema natural treatment ideas that you can do, on your own and very inexpensively.

Oatmeal is widely used in the treatment of eczema, but using these steps you will harness its full healing properties. You want to treat your skin and if you do it correctly you will get better results. Plus, this recipe will help you with a couple of things not usually mentioned in other treatments.

What Are The Benefits of Chiropractic Care in a Company

By concentrating on avoidance, the chiropractor Seattle Wa can definitely aid you to cut lot time at work and take on in an instructive procedure to work with both employers and workers to shorten the process of recovery and to cut expenses. According to studies, people who look for chiropractic care and medication after accidents at work will return to their job much faster and at a very less expenses to their employer.

In addition, chiropractors cure a lot of various kinds of work damages. Problems like shoulder injuries, back pains, stress headaches and carpal tunnel are can be treated through chiropractic treatment. By concentrating on causes, warning indications and structures, the chiropractor Seattle Wa is capable to help in avoiding work related damages that were stated above. Also, not all mishaps can be avoided and not all disease can be avoided, but engaging the utilization of a physician of chiropractic care in an industry, the dangers can be cut down largely.

Some of the vicinities that are covered under the proficiency of chiropractors are individualized flexibility and examinations with exercise teaching particularly for the workers. By doing an ergonomic evaluation, the work may be suited to the employees rather than they are suited to their work. Adjustments can be made to avoid damages by making minor alterations to enhance their posture while doing a job to other inequities before injuries take place and can be employed to help to correctly align any sort of misalignment.

Moreover, by evaluating the circumstances in your workplace and picking the appropriate learning topics together with guidelines in right ergonomics, the chiropractor is a valuable and a true advantage to any kind of workplace. Offices where small physical labor is done can profit by having workers who have desk work, learn steps to aid prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. This is one area where ergonomics will surely benefit all difficulties.

For the employees who work on a loading harbor or other part where heavy lifting is accomplished, education in right body mechanics or possible finding techniques to make their less dangerous. Programs on ergonomics as well as the avoidance of damages, the quantities of work-related injuries can be lessened. If an employee does not get damaged, care will not have to be measured at all. The expenses of employing a certified chiropractors is far less than paying increased salaries of each worker or medical expenses for a worker that had had a severe work-related injury.

Total Knee Replacement Surgery Restore Your Knee Function

It is well known that our knees bear a lot of stress and weight, which leads to the development of arthritis in the knee. Arthritis is a common problem that mostly people who are in old age face. Knee being an important part of our body is bound to face much tension as we use it while walking and doing outdoor activities. Arthritis is a disease of knee joints and this disease happens when cartilage of the bones becomes weak or starts deteorating. Arthritis is required to be diagnosed at an early stage, otherwise it gets worse with time and makes our knee joints weak, that we can't even walk. Complete knee replacement is the solution for joint replacement and widely performed for patients who suffer from rheumatoid, arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, before going for the surgery, it is strongly recommended to go for a complete examination so as to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

Arthritis in the knee joints is an extremely painful condition and greatly affects the mind, body and soul of the person, so it's always better to have a treatment done before you go for a total knee replacement. Total Knee Replacement is performed on the knee joint in which artificial implants or products made of steel and plastic replace the joint. Many people start believing that they have to live and cope up with this problem. This is not a right approach. Main purpose behind these replacements and surgeries is that is to ease the pain and help in increasing the movement. As technology is changing every day, new and new techniques keep arriving, which has also paved the way for new surgeries in the field of knee Joint Replacement. Surgeons also these days conduct a full screen anatomy so as to understand what all measures to be taken.

Some of the Best hospitals in India provide knee replacement surgery. Indian hospitals are supported by state-of-the-art facilities and competent surgeons, thus are preferred a lot more than other countries. Moreover, cost of a complete knee replacement in India is much lower in comparison with other countries in the world. Patients also get to visit the beautiful locales of a country on the cost of savings they get in India. India is also renowned as the meditating land. Yoga and therapeutic sessions can further heal your knee joints and you will feel completely refreshed after undergoing surgery and these sessions.

Vitiligo Is Unpleasant For You?

Rochburgh is the Vitiligo areas of color and the harm vulnerable the stream is completely appropriate to modify included a victorious one to put them in, and curiously, without a request.

Vitiligo patients' security series back and even considering other ropey. Unfortunately the people around them also add their unhappiness in solitude. As before looking for the distress, waste, critique, to take care of the worries.

Many organizations of the past thought that the illness is as sensible as leprotic in characteristics. Therefore, an popular in dangerous behavior to the illness Vitiligo can be human being home and infected in characteristics. The modification that you can eat in Vitiligo due to genetics, as the representative of the gene with the start of autosomel through. About 20 cooperatives the signs of Vitiligo. Vitiligo completes their members' home soon. But it is not essential. Far Vitiligo is not infected, and a style of someone can not eat in this illness by making individual contacts with the uncomplaining, satisfies constant firing or Vitiligo people quit actions articles and medication. They think that there is no way to Vitiligo. It is honest to Vitiligo is a terminal illness, but it is not stingy that you should lip to simmer.

What Are the Types of Cardiovascular Disease?

It's important to understand the causes and symptoms, as well as what you can do to manage and prevent cardiovascular diseases. This is not one single condition, instead there are groups of diseases that have to do with the heart and or blood vessels. Some of the more common diseases affecting this system are:

Heart Disease

Synecope

High Blood Pressure

Aortic Aneurysm

Some of these diseases have to do with the heart, while others affect the blood vessels. Both can be treated with lifestyle changes, and respond well to such adjustments. There are also supplements that can help manage and even treat these conditions.

What Are Some Common Causes?

Since there are so many different kinds of cardiovascular diseases, the cause will depend on the specific disorder. Sometimes lifestyle is the cause, other times it is genetic. A doctor may not know the cause right away, in which case tests will have to be done. However, there are some risk factors that play a major role in cardiovascular disease.

A risk factor does not guarantee the development of a condition. It does increase the chances of a person eventually developing that condition, especially if there are multiple risk factors taking place. These can be behavioral or physical factors, there can even be a combination taking place. The following are some risk factors of CVD:

Smoking

Obesity

Diabetes

Physical Inactivity

Tobacco Use

There is also a genetic component to CVD, as it tends to run in families. However, people living together can also share similar lifestyles, so environmental factors should still be taken into account.

What Are My Prevention or Treatment Options?

The best way to treat and prevent CVD is to make healthy choices, and to manage any conditions you do have. There are many dietary changes you can make, such as eating fresh fruits and veggies while avoiding fats and sodium. Incorporating exercise into your daily life is another way to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

There are also things you should avoid, like smoking and alcohol use. Both of these take a serious toll on your heart and blood vessels. If you do not smoke or drink, then make a conscious choice to never start. If you do, then consider quitting.

While there are many forms of cardiovascular disease, most of them can be managed. Be aware of what specific condition or conditions you have. Understand the causes as well as how to treat and prevent CVD.

Legislators Seek to Streamline Product Clearances

Three U.S. senators have proposed a bill calling for stricter medical device regulations. This was published last December 14, 2011 on the New York Times. The three senators were Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Herb Kohl (D-WI). These lawmakers are throwing bipartisan support for a "wave of medical device industry-friendly" bills that would further streamline Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, allowing more stringent product clearances.

Apart from proposing the bill, they also gave out letters to five major manufacturers of medical devices, asking about how they determine product safety and recall devices. The manufacturers were Johnson & Johnson, an artificial joint maker; Zimmer Holdings, another producer of artificial joints; Medtronic, a heart and spinal implant producer; Boston Scientific, a heart device maker, and C. R. Bard, a surgical implant maker.

Particularly in the case of Johnson& Johnson, with approximately 93,000 recipients worldwide, the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System were recalled after data revealed that the devices had failed prematurely in one out of eight people who have them. Factory production and sale of the two prosthetic items started in 2003. In August 2010, DePuy carried out a worldwide recall.

The Advantages of Visiting a Good Seattle Chiropractor

If you think you want to improve your overall health in order to perform your daily activities correctly, be sure to visit a good Seattle chiropractor. You can experience numerous benefits from visiting a good chiropractic expert that aids you to live healthy. Below are some important pointers regarding the benefits you get when you decide to consult to a chiropractor.

Chiropractic experts help those who experience severe neck and back pain, as this is their primary goal as part of their expertise. In most cases, neck and back pain easily affect the performance of the body and this is the reason why you need to seek attention from a good chiropractor. This professional individual simply manipulates your spine to correct the alignment. He will also help you improve your tendons, ligaments and overall muscles in case sudden pain manifest. This is how beneficial consulting to this type of medical expert.

A dependable Seattle chiropractor likewise sustains the correct functionality of the body. This person completed his certification in this particular field and works using his hands like what most therapists are doing. The main advantage of chiropractic experts compared to these therapists is they have the expertise to perform spine and joints adjustment, as these people have the approval to do so. In addition, these professionals can diagnose health conditions medically. Still, therapists can help you eliminate the pain to make you feel comfortable through massaging the entire body.

Visiting a good chiropractor helps you prevent the symptoms and treat the pain. Sad to say, there are individuals who only visit this expert when they experience intense pain already. That is why you must not wait to experience serious pain before you go to the clinic of your chiropractor. If you can follow this step, it is possible to continue to live healthy because of constant visit to this expert. The main concept is to sustain the overall wellness of the body instead of attempting to treat the symptoms. With this, you will be able to prevent potential ailments if you are always making precise and healthy decisions.

There are several reasons and benefits whenever you visit a good chiropractor. You will instantly feel better right after undergoing holistic treatment through adjusting your spine and joints correctly. It is definitely important not to ignore if you feel something usual to your body, specifically it is affects your spine. Regarding your overall wellness, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent health issues that can ruin your body.

Information On HIV Rash Issues

A rash from HIV is caused by medications as well as the disease itself. Sometimes it is a clue for diagnosis. In other cases, it may be something that is due to allergic responses.  An HIV rash may be as an outcome of a contrary drug reaction or allergy.  Patients who notice rashes on their skin should contact their physician. It is approximated that over seventy percent of people infected with the virus will have one skin problem or the other during the period of the infection.

It is important to note that a skin rash can be caused by several other things apart from medications.  Many people panic when they have a skin rash because they assume they have HIV or aids. First of all, there are many types of rashes, so this should not be assumed. There are rashes such as scabies, herpes and warts that may be due to intimacy.

The primary symptoms of HIV infection grow within a few weeks to about two months after the infection with the virus.  The symptoms are fever, swollen glands, loss of appetite, fever, muscle aches and pains, etc. A rash may also develop on he skin. This may not be seen initially when an individual is infected with the virus. The infection increases as time advances and the symptoms also changes.  It can be up to nine solid years for some people.  The symptoms may advance to severe fatigue, fevers, weight loss, lymph nodes enlargement, constant diarrhea, visions problems and additional forms of discomfort.

HIV rash can be reduced to some manageable level.  The first thing to do is to get away from direct sunlight as much as possible and also stop taking hot baths and showers. This is because heat will make the condition grow worse. Secondly, benadryl cream can also be applied to shrink raised rashes and stop the itching.  Any foods, drugs or soaps that are likely to aggravate the rash should be recognised and discontinued.  If HIV patients stop their medications after the rash shows up, it is not advisable to start again without the recommendation of the doctor.The right thing is to inform the doctor before discontinuing the medications.

Do not feel that your life is over if you have a diagnosis. Many people today are able to live long and productive lives with an HIV diagnosis. There are medications as well as natural care that enables individuals to function at a very high level today.

Foot Treatment At Home for Healthy Feet

When it comes to body care, the most neglected part is feet. Feet bear the whole weight of your body. This is the main reason that your foot problems can quickly lead to discomfort and affect your walk. If it continues, it can turn to knee, hip and back pain. Your feet are the mirror of your overall health. People prefer to use various foot products for the health of feet; however, it is not enough.

For the health of your foot, you just have to invest a bit time and thought into caring for your feet now can prevent them causing you pain later. A proper foot care treatment can help you to be healthy. Here are some tips to keep your feet healthy. Take a look here!

Soak in lukewarm water:

After finishing your work take your tired feet to the tub of lukewarm water. Soak them for at least ten minutes. If you use Dead Sea salts or scented bath crystals, it will be helpful to soothe sore joints and relax the muscles. From ancient times Dead Sea salts are used to relax and beautify the skin. Its use will cleanse your foot wounds and help to relieve pain.

The Kissing Disease - Learn More

The kissing disease – Most of us are in relationships, and we do kiss a lot with our partners. The people who are not in relationships also do a fair amount of kissing with potential partners, and of course there are benefits to the health and feeling happier. The point is, a high percentage of people are engaging in kissing every single day and in any instance the kissing disease is being passed from one person to another.

The virus that causes the kissing disease is Epstein Barr virus and it belongs in the herpes family of viruses. For the most part kissing is responsible for transmitting it, but do not rule out mucus.

When you get Epstein Barr disease as others call it, you need to take into consideration about the foods that you eat, as the immune system is dependent on it to be strong. Healthy eating is encouraged for every single one of us, but when you have mono or any other condition, it becomes crucial.

Spinal surgery relieve your spine pain

Spinal problems are faced by most of working people who has to work for long time sitting work. Spinal surgery can be the solution to the spinal pain.

Long time working on computers create the problem of back pain. Sitting in the same position for longer period creates gap between spinal bones. Spinal surgery helps to relief your spinal pain. Spinal problems are mostly faced by those working people who have sitting work. Surgery of their spine can be the solution to this problem. Spine surgery has become common amongst those people who have back pain problem. This back pain problem results in many disadvantages. Spine surgery can be a best solution for your back pain.

Manual back pain surgery

Manual back pain surgery was the traditional way of surgery. In that surgery, doctors have to cut the skin and the surgery is done. That was risky way of surgery which is still followed at some places. Even the procedure of cutting and stitching is painful which requires a patient long time rest to heal the stitches.

Chiropractic Care For Lower Muscle Stiffness Relief

The most known form of pain relief is through taking a pain relief medicine. However, with the numerous harmful side effects of medication, people are beginning to look for other methods without using medication or any type of surgical procedure for lower muscle stiffness relief. This makes chiropractic care popular since it does not make use of any type of drugs or surgical incisions to relive various physical ailments and pains. Muscle stiffness may result to pain, limited movements and mobility, bone deformity, and inability to perform daily activities.

Chiropractics believe that the cause of body aches is due to the pressure on the nerves between two joints or muscles, which causes irritation. When the nerves are irritated, the pain sensory is increased. Therefore, in able to achieve lower muscle stiffness relief, these nerves should be released from any compression or pressure. In addition, chiropractors believe that if every system in the body is functioning well, then the body has the capacity to heal on its own without any aid of pharmaceutical drug or surgical procedure.

Low Force Techniques: Another Chiropractic Approach To Healing

Chiropractic techniques of healing the body, especially the neck and back areas, are a known alternative. These do not involve the intake of drugs and certain medicines and do not require the patients to undergo surgery. These only involve realigning the spine in order to restore fluid movement. The most that patients feel when undergoing this procedure is the natural cracking of the discs. These are the perfect alternatives to achieving relief from discomforts associated with spinal and disc conditions. However, for those who do not feel comfortable with the cracking sound, low force techniques are the answer.

Low force techniques do not involve cracking and twisting the spine. There are also two techniques under thesethe Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) and the Activator Method. Dr. DeJarnette created the SOT as a low force technique. Under this technique, the patient is examined for any one of the three distortions. When this has been done, adjustments are applied either in the prone or supine position by putting blocks under the two sides of the pelvis.

When the adjustments are to be done on the neck area, the strokes should be gentle and more focused on the proper function of the vertebrae in units. The reward here is felt when the motion of the neck is returned to normal. This type of low force technique does not work against the body but rather works with it and gravity is used to create a balanced foundation. Since many lower back pains originate in the pelvis, this type of back pain responds pretty well with this chiropractic technique.

Children greatly benefit from this technique, as they do not usually like to be applied with forceful adjustments.The activator method, on the other hand, is another technique, which makes use of a spring load tool. The evaluation is also done in the prone position or face down position. This is to enable the chiropractic to identify the misaligned vertebrae, which cause the pain and malfunction. While the patient relaxingly stays in this position, adjustments using small movements provide the relief. This technique combines and applies the different developments in orthopedic, chiropractic, and neurological examinations.

Aside from providing relief to back pains, the activator method can also be used to identify inequalities in the length of legs as well as other issues in the bodys mechanism. Low force techniques are another means of providing natural cure to ones health.

Kids' Sugary Drink Intake Drops When Calorie Data Is Displayed

When calorie data on sugary drinks is displayed in convenience stores, teenagers buy fewer of them, especially African-Americans and children from lower-income neighborhoods, researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reported in the American Journal of Public Health (11.15.2011).

Sara Bleich, PhD. and team set out to determine how three ways of providing teenagers with calorie data might impact on their purchasing and consumption of sugary drinks. They placed three kinds of different posters:

Calorie poster - one said that a fruit drink has 250 calories

Percentage of daily intake poster - it said that the fruit drink had 10% of their daily recommended calorie need

Physical activity poster - this one informed that they would need to run for 50 minutes in order to use up the calories contained in a fruit drink or soda

The authors found that purchases of sugary drinks dropped by approximately 40% if posters were displayed compared to providing no information at all.

The physical activity poster had the greatest impact - this reduced sugar-sweetened drink purchases by 50%.

The authors informed that their study is unique in comparing how different types of posters influence teenagers' purchasing habits.

A Holistic Approach To Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the ways the body responds to stress. Stress to the body can come in different forms such as an illness or a physical injury. While inflammation can be helpful initially, too much of it is not good for the body. For example when you have a cold, your body may respond initially with inflammation in the form of a fever. This can help to kill the virus, but then the inflammation should go away. If the body is constantly stressed and there is continuous inflammation, this can take a toll on the body over time.

After a period of time, the body may develop chronic inflammation. This is commonly associated with numerous health problems. Chronic low grade inflammation is known to be linked to disease and premature aging. There are several diseases with inflammation including arthritis, asthma, infection, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and cancer to name a few of them.

If you have any one of these diseases, you are likely to have accompanied inflammation. Inflammation can cause free radicals which cause cell destruction and other problems in the body. If you want to have better health, a good strategy is to minimize inflammation. Decreasing inflammation has been shown to help lower the effects of disease and improve function in the body.

There are several different methods to reduce inflammation in the body. Some methods are more invasive including medication or even surgery. These methods often carry side effects that can lead to other health problems. It is wise to seek natural and holistic methods to deal with inflammation that support the body's ability to heal itself. Simple methods to improve inflammation include getting proper rest and plenty of exercise.

There are certain foods that we can consume that effectively reduce inflammation in the body. It is also important to control our caloric intake to avoid weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight can help avoid inflammation. Eating processed foods, red meat and junk food are likely to cause more inflammation and should be avoided. It is also good to avoid refined flours and eat whole grains instead which help reduce inflammation. They also are better to maintain a healthy weight instead of refined flours which are easily converted into fat in the body. You should also avoid sugar, candy and desserts.

It may seem easier to eat processed foods and junk food in the beginning, but continuing this lifestyle can lead to disaster in the end. Developing a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables will help to minimize inflammation and keep your body healthier.

How Ayurveda can Help by Reducing Constant Stress?

In the very recent times it has been noted that people at every corner of the globe are falling victims to stress. Stress is now the global disease that beckons several other deadly ailments. In both developed and under developed countries more and more people fall victim to stress related problems. Recent researches have proved that most of the common ailments of the modern period are related with constant stress. Ayurveda, the age old medical system can throw light on this aspect and widen the avenue to better health without stress.

Stress causes the secretion of some hormones especially adrenaline and nor epinephrine which associated with different stress hormones like the cortisol and cortisone raise blood pressure, heart rate, sluggish metabolism rate and trigger blood glucose level. Stress is the root cause of constriction of the vessels of blood and lowers the blood clotting time. Stress is also responsible for premature ageing. If a man is a victim of constant stress his life span is sure to be shortened. There are genetic factors that cause the stress related problems too.

There are so many medicines in psychiatry to combat stress, but if taken regularly they can be habit forming and it is very hard to come out of the grip of these drugs. But to some extent counseling, bio-feedback techniques, hypnosis are worthy of mention. But it has been assessed that so long an inflicted person can not come out from the deep cavern of stress and strains he can never be relieved totally. Ayurveda has come forward with the aid. The system of holistic medicine refers to some yogic exercises and deep breathings along with some herbal medicines that can bring drastic change to the life of the stress-victim.

It has been observed that the breathing pattern of the stress inflicted person is very shallow and fast. Deep breathings can offer him immediate relief. Meditation takes the vital role by alleviating the stress related problems. The yogic asana, pranayama and meditation bring a tranquil effect on the mind and help the inflicted person to combat stress. There are different massages in Ayurveda along with the herbs to cool down the nervous system and the mixture of Ayurvedic medicines with the massage brings miraculous results. There are herbal hip baths that help in rapid improvement of metabolism.

Ayurvedic herbs such as Aswagandha, Brahmi, Gelsemium, Aconite, Tulasi and Arjuna can bring instant relief if prescribed properly. But the best method is to use herbal oils on the scalp and offer regular massage.

Diabetes Causes Erectile Dysfunction!

A whole array of factors is responsible for causing erectile dysfunction in men and some of these are particularly, depression, smoking, thyroid diseases, Multiple Sclerosis, Peyronie`s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's disease and estosterone
deficiency. Among all these factors, ED facilitated by diabetes is especially significant as it can lead to severe erectile dysfunction in men. Hence, as soon as you fall prey to ED due to diabetes, you should opt for an appropriate treatment without any delay.   

Clinical experiments conducted to evaluate the relationship between diabetes and erectile dysfunction have made it apparent that enhanced levels of a particular type of sugar available in diabetic men prevents them from facilitating a chain of erections essential for
triggering off rock hard solid erections. This particular type of sugar consistently obstructs the erectile mechanism of the body and leads to erectile dysfunction.   

The Best Seattle Chiropractor: What to Look For?

The greater part of individuals in the United States has already heard about the best Seattle chiropractor and the skills they possessed. Chiropractic career has been in this world for more than a century. Still, a lot of individuals do not understand exactly what is this all about or what it can do with one's health. This work is a form of healthcare that aids your body to re-establish the functionality of your nervous systems. Moreover, this can also aids the correction of your posture, biochemical structure and to correctly align your spinal column.

The important feature of this profession is to correct the misalignment of your spinal column, which is also called as the vertebral subluxation complex.  Chiropractors align these subluxations to bring back nerve contact between the peripheral nerves, spinal cord and brain in order to aid ease indications and remove the root that cause dysfunction. The most vital perception that chiropractic care delivers to the table is the reinstatement of your health in natural ways from your own mechanisms through its adjustment.

In addition, these adjustments have been verified to offer therapeutic assistance for those who are suffering from nervous system and musculo-skeletal difficulties. Thus, a doctor of the best Seattle chiropractor is one who aids bring back the functionality of the nervous system by delivering adjustments with their hands. Knowing this perception is important to know the role of each chiropractor, as numerous do their greatest to avoid any sort of surgery and other invasive practices.

Chiropractors can also aid you with your neck pain and low back pain. These pains are gradually turning something so frequent today among adults and even children. One of the main causes for these pains is due to your bad body posture. It will normally disappear in less than one week for most individuals. While you may think that drooping down on your seats will aid you to feel comfortable, it can really lead you to more usage of your energy to sustain the weight of your body.

That is why it is essential for you to know and apply good body posture, as well as to keep it that way to prevent having neck or low back pains in the future. With the knowledge with regard to the side effects of medicines and other sorts of chemicals to ease your pain, it is best to look for the help of chiropractors.

Get best shoulder braces at affordable rates

Shoulder Braces For Perfect Shoulder Support

Shoulder Brace Unique rear attachment creates a downward pull and backward pressure on the shoulder to help reduce subluxation of the A.C. joint.Shoulder Braces We have the perfect shoulder brace for you to relieve your pain.Our shoulder braces are made from neoprene or fabric, and have many levels of support for pain relief,it also gently treats and corrects your poor posture.Interruption of the shoulders occurs when the clump of the speed arm is not allied with the socket of the edge leaf. This causes extraordinary hurting and deformation of the muscles around the joints. There are circumstances when it can easily be reversed reactionist after an hurt with a bound motion. Notwithstanding, a examination organisation should be wanted if there hours soul passed and executable complications may hit arisen from the break.

Treatment for Shoulder Braces

If you are into extreme sports or another strenuous activities that order pressing from your shoulders, a shoulder strengthen should serve you desist fractures and injuries. Divagation from hindrance, it should also ply in the alterative transmute of the shoulder castanets and book it in better spatiality.You can also desist such hassles by preventing a shoulder hurt erst and for all by wearing a shoulder stock. If you are an acrobatic somebody and enjoys sports as a rejuvenation or is a paid on a theater that requires margin strain, warming up is always required. This should avoid acerate injuries suchlike sprains to the author real ones similar a hurt. Treatment for Shoulder Braces.After a playoff of exams and tests, the far therapy or treatment should be superfine advisable by the adulterate. Treatments array from viva medications and extraneous support apparatus similar a edge brace. Fleshly therapies may also be required to minify the condition on the ruffian and the bones and encourage the ontogenesis of bone cells. There may flatbottom be topical solutions suggested to simplicity the painfulness. Depending on the penury and required management, the adulterate faculty offer foreordained requirements and may even ask you to determine of weeks or days to retard on the melioration of your hurt.

Diet Pharmacy Offers Health Benefits

Floozy belly! Fat body! Only the person going through this problem knows how difficult it is to get out of it. It is very embarrassing to have a fatty body, it spoils your looks. When it comes to lose weight, people are ready to do anything that is helpful to lose even few pounds. They go on for meditation, yoga, diet control and other things. However, it becomes very difficult to follow the diet and control your tongue, by the tempting food items. Isn't it? It is seen that many of the people fail to follow the diet plan; these people prefer to try appetite suppressant like bontril diet pills.

Although bontril is available only when prescribed by a doctor, so for people who have no enough time to go for a doctor and consult for a weight loss medication, diet pills pharmacy offers beneficial weight loss pills online and without doctor's prescription. Apart from diet pills they are also make you available various health improving guidelines and advices that you can use to keep your body healthy.

Uses And Health Benefits Of Bacopa Monnieri Herb

Bacopa monnieri, well known as brahmi is a commonly prescribed herbal supplement for enhancing memory functions of person. Micro compounds enriched in this herbal supplement enhance memory focus of person without inducing any side effect on person. At present, this herbal supplement is one among the main herbal medicines used for preventing nervous disorders among patients. Prolonged result with zero side effects is an important advantage of using bacopa monnieri herb extract. Today you can easily get this herb from market in the form of capsules and extracts. For attain best result, it is recommended to intake best capsules twice per day after meals.

Presence of anti-oxidants in bacopa monnieri extract decreases the inhibitory activities of acetylcholinesterase. This health benefit of bacopa monnieri herb reduces neuronal oxidative stress and improves memory functions of person. As per research made on patients, extract of bacopa herb is found to be very beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

Active compounds present in bacopa monnieri herb are notable for its multiple health benefits. Some among the key ingredients included in this herbal supplement include bacoside A, bacopasaponin E and jujubogenin glycosides. Improving memory power is an important health benefit of using bacopa herb. Due to its cognitive effects on user, this herbal medicine has been used for centuries for the treatment of memory loss problems.You can intake this memory boosting supplement with any other drug or medication. There is no diet restriction recommended while consuming bacopa extract. Today, this herbal tonic is a perfect supplement recommended for those people who wish to improve their learning skills.

Reducing stress level is an effective health benefit of this herb. As per studies, high stress condition is reported as a main cause for low memory troubles. Use of this herb extract reduces stress level and enhances memory power of person. Presence of active compounds in bacopa monnieri like bacosides protects synaptic functions of nerves in hippocampus and helps in improving the memory functions of brain. Intake of bacopa monnieri extract in conjunction with healthy lifestyle delivers good mental clarity, alertness and focus. Delaying aging impact on person is another health benefit of using bacopa extract. Use of bacopa monnieri extract reduces the action of free radicals and minimizes the effects of aging. This protective effect on DNA cleavage reduces the damage of cells and delays aging impact.

Curing inflammation is one among the important health benefits of bacopa herb. Anti-inflammatory property enriched in bacopa monnieri herb reduces wear and tear of joints and helps in providing easier movement of joints. So also, this extract is a widely suggested cure for arthritis troubles. This extract is famous for its broncho-vasodilatory activity. This property enriched in bacopa extract safely cures respiratory health disorders like asthma and bronchitis. Depression is a commonly reported psychological health disorder in today's busy lifestyle. Intake of bacopa extract improves mood stability and serves as a perfect natural anti-depressant. Due to relaxation properties, bacopa extract is a widely used herbaltonic for preventing nervous disorders like anxiety, aggressive behavior and other emotional disturbances.

Review your vaporizers on the web and get the first hand info

Today there are plenty of people who are ready to give you a good review on their favorite product, the vaporizer. There are plenty of different types of these devices that are sure to fit the need of every single person out there. This is why it is important to make sure that you do your study on these products and only then you purchase them.

Finding the right reviews on the product

Everyone's needs are different therefore only certain types of vaporizers will be preferred by one, and there is also a chance that it won't be preferred by others. In order to get an honest and genuine opinion on these products, it is important to make sure that you are unbiased. There are several methods to get a review; today the most effective is to get one by making sure that you log on to the internet and get the best reviews. You will find reviews about all products and all services there. No matter what type of a vaporizer you want to buy, be it a digital vaporizer, portable vaporizer, herbal vaporizer, etc. The trendiest of gadgets are sure to have a review online; this is by far the best and most reliable type of review. Today you will find that along with other products, vaporizers too have their own place on the web. Finding the best one and reviewing them are usually done by experts, which mean you actually have an expert's opinion on this.

Not only reviews, no matter what, with the help of such forums, discussion threads, and other types of blogs, clearing any doubts you have on how to buy, use, maintain, clean, the vaporizer can all be done. The benefits that such a device provides are indeed numerous, as they are a heavy investment. Since the money you spend on them initially is quite a big sum, it is important to know that there are actually many ways you can study them before you buy them. Reviews ought to be a very important part of your schedule when you want to buy such a pricy yet useful item. If you want more info on these amazing products also, the net can help you out with them, there are plenty of people who have blogs, websites and write ups dedicated to their first hand experience with them.

Important Information On Lyme Disease Treatment

Herbal antimicrobial is being used by a lot of doctors for Lyme disease treatment. This infection is caused by a kind of bacteria called spirochete borrelia burgdorferi. Some cases of antibiotics treatment leads to relapsing of the ailment, but rare cases happen with the herbal antimicrobial. Since patients are advised to embark more on natural prevention and cure, such treatment may be stopped.

Headaches, stress, fevers and mood swings are some of the symptoms one has when ailing from this sickness. The common sign is a rash that appears around the area that was bitten by a deer tick. Those who like having adventures in the forest suffer most from this bad sickness. It is believed that if a deer tick bites someone then she or he gets a red rash. Feeling pain all over the body is another symptom.

Physical exercise is highly recommended for Lyme patients. It helps in nerves and muscle relaxing. Exercises must be moderate and not exceeded. This is because over exercising could lead to sleepless nights with one feeling excessively tired. Excess tiredness may result to a lot of discomfort. Gentle exercising moves the bacteria from the brain or heart where it hides to places in the body, where it's acted upon by immune elements.

Physical therapies are also used for treating this ailment. A lot of pain is relieved by performing massages ob the victim's body. Massages help the body muscles to relax driving away severe pains. Stretching done in natural activities like yoga help ease aches in body joints and tendons. It is said that gentle exercising during the day are perfect for those patients with sleepless nights.

Doctors advice victims to either change diet or stick to a good diet. Good diet keeps the body strong and quick acting to drugs. Normally a diet with greens or veggies is very well tolerated by drugs. There is no experienced reaction and cases of nausea and vomiting are reduced. Bread that is gluten free is also good diet.

Lyme treatment is not possible with intoxicated blood. Metals found in the blood must be removed for drugs to work well. Detoxification is thus carried out to purify blood so that the objective of curing will be achieved. It's totally impossible to treat if a microbe of the sickness keeps on relapsing. Toxins are responsible for relapsing of symptoms.

In the past years; antibiotics have been used greatly for treating this sickness. But as continued usage of them makes the body resistant, doctors have resulted to above mentioned therapies. Though some doctors argue that antibiotics are still effective in the late stages of the disease, others say that during these stages they don't cope so well. Continual use of antibiotics may cause fungi overgrowth in the victim's gut.

Information about Lyme disease treatment is very important. Such details about prevention and cure may be found on the internet with deep explanations on physical therapies. Visiting your therapist will also help much because you get one on one advice on what should be done. Quick recovering will come as a result of adhering exactly to precautions and therapies.

Is Aging a Disease?

You bet it is, at least when we speak about the physiological aspects of the aging process. If you are over the age of thirty-five, you may feel that your body, and especially your energy level are not the same as when you were in your teens and twenties. You are still young, but the aging process is well underway since you passed your mid twenties. Shocking? Yes and no.

When we are young we are oblivious to aging; aging is for old people. Depending on your age, 'old' is anywhere from the thirties to the eighties, meaning that a teenager finds you 'old' in your thirties, just like fifty years old people see old age more in eighty years old people and beyond. It is all perception, but there are actual physiological changes triggering the aging process as early as 20 years into your life.

Dr. Eric Braverman, a highly respected physician and director of the "PATH medical services and research foundation in New York, has brought a deeper understanding into the actual processes of what he calls the "pause model" of aging and disease.

The onset of aging is according to the decline in hormones in our bodies. When we think of hormones, we often just remember the sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, but did you know that there are 24 'pauses' that are related to a decline in hormones way beyond estrogen and testosterone? I will not go through all of them, but would like to encourage you to educate yourself so you do understand the changes in your body and moods better, and also have a choice whether you want to do something about it or not.

Here are some of the conditions that are related to a decline in hormones:

Lower sex drive, fatigue, weight gain, irritability, depression, arthritis, dryness, hair loss, smell, touch and hearing decline, memory decline, sleeping problems, joint pain, low overall energy... and so on. Do you recognize yourself in some of these conditions?

You may think that this is just a natural process of aging; that the aging process is responsible for the decline in hormones that we had in our youth, but it is actually the other way around: We age because our hormones decline. The onset of the declines vary between the age of 20 to 50 according to which hormones are involved, your inherited genes, your stress level, your eating habits and brain activity.

We cannot do much about our inherited genes, but they do not play as much of a dominant role as we often think, or use as an excuse for not taking responsibility for our conditions. There is much we can do to postpone the aging process, and later, age without disease and mental decline. When it comes to hormone replacement, many people immediately discard the idea. But why? There is often a misunderstanding about what hormone replacement does and how to do it safely.

First of all let me remind you that my intention is to educate you and make you aware of the choices you have. Since I am not a medical doctor, you always have to consult with a qualified physician. This may be your doctor if he is knowledgeable in this field, or you may have to look for a specialist in anti aging and bio identical hormone replacement therapy. What is important is that you go about this in the most beneficial way without harming your body in any way, which means to stay away as much as possible from pharmaceutical preparations when it comes to hormones. The reason for this is clear: you cannot improve on Nature. Everything we need to stay healthy into our 'golden years' is provided in the mineral, plant and animal kingdom on our planet. When we ingest a synthetic substance, our body does not recognize it; it may relieve symptoms of a disease, but mostly at a price of unpleasant side effects at best, and cellular damage at worst.

Most of us have heard about pharmaceutical hormone replacement for the symptoms of menopause in women. For decades women got prescriptions from their physicians to eliminate the typical symptoms of hot-flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings etc. The most prescribed medication for hormone replacement was, and still is, 'Premarin' which actually comes from the hormone of a pregnant horse, a mare. Why in the world would a woman's body agree with a horse's hormone is a mystery to me. Of course, although the unpleasant symptoms of menopause were often eased, this kind of hormone replacement showed severe side effects in an increased danger for breast cancer and others. After this study was released, many women refusedany hormone replacement out of fear. Today we have much better research and approach regarding beneficial and no risk hormone replacement through "bio-identical" hormones, which come from natural sources such as the plant kingdom, which our bodies recognize, accept and work in synergy with.

First of all we have to find out what our natural baseline of youth hormones is. This test can be done through a blood, urine, or saliva sample. Most health insurances will pay for the blood test, but unless you specifically ask, it is not part of your annual checkup. It is also important that, if you are over the age of 50 years, you listen carefully to the wording in the report. You do not want to know what is a 'normal' level according to your age, but how your hormones can be brought back to a level of your biological age of thirty years old. Yes, you read it correctly: thirty years of age can be achieved naturally through bio-identical hormone replacement and healthy life style which will not only give you the vigor, but also prevent many or all of the typical age related diseases I mentioned earlier.

Can Psoriasis Be Treated Through Homeopathy?

Psoriasis is a common skin condition characterized by skin redness and irritation. It is an autoimmune disease that can occur in an individual in any age group. It is not a contagious disease but may have roots in family history of psoriasis. It is one such disease which is termed as incurable by the traditional branch of medicine. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which can affect any part of the body and can return after a long period of time. So, it is natural for psoriasis sufferers to have this question in their mind - whether psoriasis can be treated through homeopathy.

Can it be treated?

First of all, it is important to understand that homeopathic treatments or medicines work by optimizing the defense mechanism of a human body. Since, psoriasis occurs when the immune system overreacts and misidentifies healthy cells for unsafe substances, the psoriasis homeopathic treatment works by strengthening the patient's internal systems or defense mechanisms. Homeopathy medicines do not suppress the action of immune system but optimizes the body's natural healing system. Therefore, psoriasis homeopathic treatment is termed as curative and non-restrictive.

It is also important to understand that the traditional branch of medicine terms psoriasis as incurable based on the results observed in the patients. The conventional system of medicine may also trigger some unwanted side effects. Homeopathic treatments for psoriasis are safe and devoid of any side effects. When you are on a homeopathy treatment, you are not open to toxic substances as homeopathy medicines are usually diluted to ward off any uncommon side-effects.

Conclusion

If not cured, at least psoriasis homeopathic treatments can control the condition and stop it from spreading elsewhere in your body. Before prescribing you any medicine, your homeopath will carry out a detail study on the history of this disease in your family, your mental and physical characteristics, your likes and dislikes and also your medication history. Homeopathy believes in treating the patient and not disease. So, consult an expert in homeopathy and start your treatment. Typically, treating any disease with homeopathy requires a lot of time before any visible difference can be noted. So, be patient and consistent with your treatment. Psoriasis homeopathic treatment is the best remedy for this condition and hence, you should consult a homeopathic expert for treatment. A number of patients have got relief from homeopathy treatment devoid of any side-effects. The results are long-lasting and safe.

Can I Cure Cold Sores Once and for All?

The quick and easy answer is NO! But please read on, you might find some good tips on how to be asymptomatic.

Some Science

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. The Herpes Simplex Virus type-1, generally associated with labial herpes is widely spread. Approximately 70% of the population carries the virus!

The HSV-1 virus hides in the trigeminal nerve (nerve system) out of reach of your immune system. Everybody who is infected carries the anti-bodies to fight the virus, but they can only attack when the virus gets out of its hideout.

When the virus successfully replicates in the cells at the end of a nerve (you can generally feel a tingling during this phase), a cold sore outbreak occurs. Your immune system fights the virus for a couple of days and wins the battle, but not the war. The rest of the viruses stay or return to their favorite hideout, your trigeminal ganglion and go dormant for a while, until the next outbreak.

But why I'm the only one with returning cold sores?

You're not alone! 30% of the infected population suffers from recurrent outbreaks.

Why?

It has been stated by a team of researchers from the University of Utah and the University of Massachusetts that people with recurrent cold sores may have a subtle genetic deficiency. They discovered that a gene called C21orf91 (part of the Chromosome 21) was associated with susceptibility to oral herpes. They identified five major variations of C21orf91, two of which seemed to protect against HSV-1 reactivation and two of which seemed to increase the likelihood of having frequent cold sore outbreaks. People affected by this mild deficiency still carry the anti-bodies to fight the virus but their cells are more vulnerable to the HSV virus.

The good news is that with some efforts, you can be asymptomatic (no outbreaks). Suppression of the symptoms is the closest you'll ever be to a 'cure'.

Those efforts can consist of:

· Trying lysine therapy along with other dietary supplements (like zinc, vitamin c etc...).

· Maintaining a balanced diet to keep your immune system in good shape

· Antiviral medication like Acyclovir or Valacyclovir (Be aware of the side-effects)

· Manage your stress! Too much stress can a negative impact on your immune system

Beware of miracle 'cures'

Many products out there preach miracle herpes cures without any medical proof. Please be careful and inform yourself before buying!

Renal Failure Symptoms: What Exactly Are They And How Do They Occur?

The kidneys are vital organs. So humans seem to be surviving after sacrificing one kidney, but nobody can live with neither of these. The kidneys help support the stability of electrolytes in the blood, eliminate toxins from the body and can trigger either the removal or preservation of water, among a few more functions. When kidney failure develops without having medical treatment, death is highly expected due to organ failure and toxicity. As a result, renal failure symptoms appear as the body executes several last-ditch efforts to reduce the wastes accumulating in the bloodstream. In the earliest levels of kidney disease, there are usually no symptoms therefore kidney disease becomes difficult to detect initially. The human body is actually fairly tolerant, and is able to manage the blood very efficiently. For example, while normal blood quantities of waste product generally known as creatinine are between 0.5-1.2 mg/dl for a healthy person, and approximately 1.9 for a person with only one kidney, they can go up to 10.0 mg/dl before a person demands kidney dialysis. Since renal failure symptoms are really produced by the body as a reaction to this buildup of toxins in the blood, it takes some time for toxins to build up enough to result in symptoms. This is why treatment is significant once renal failure symptoms become visible as by this time renal damage can be so advanced that that the kidneys may not be capable to function effectively independently.

Meanwhile, the body works very hard to maintain the right balance of many necessary factors in the blood vessels. The kidneys are responsible for managing fluid levels within the body therefore among the first renal failure symptoms will probably be swelling, as the body retains water. This is most frequently observed in the limbs such as feet and ankles, but even puffiness around the eyes in the morning. As this progresses, fluid can end up diffusing into the lungs, triggering shortness of breath and potentially eventual congestive heart failure. Another crucial task for the kidneys is balancing of electrolytes. Many people know these are needed for appropriate hydration, but the fact is that minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium are needed for regular muscle and nerve function too. As levels of potassium increase, as noticed in renal failure, heart arrhythmias is common renal failure symptom. These include dangerous arrhythmias, like ventricular fibrillation. This can probably cause death from cardiac arrest. Calcium levels drop during kidney failure, which can lead to mental renal failure symptoms including confusion due to hypocalcaemia.

When the kidneys can't purify the blood effectively, metabolic acidosis increases. This happens when the body's capability to buffer itself is thrown off kilter, causing the bloodstream to become more acidic than it should be. There are many widespread symptoms of acidosis, and those that relate to the kidneys and can be seen as urinary problems, high blood pressure, gout, immune problems and low energy.

For most kidney disease patients, over time anemia can develop. It is because the kidneys are necessary to make up the hormone EPO, which helps produce red blood cells. When poor quantities of red blood cells are made, the body's capability to utilize oxygen decreases. This can lead to weakness, lethargy, and shortness of breath, which are standard symptoms. As kidney failure continues, the body might even try to reduce waste by excreting it from the skin. In this case skin rashes and itching are common. Uremic frost can develop on the skin as urea compounds and other metabolic wastes are pushed out through the capillaries in the skin, especially on the face. This normally happens to be severe as well.

As you can see there are a wide array of symptoms that can manifest. This is not a complete list of potential problems, as they can vary between individuals. Nevertheless, it may offer you relief to know that there is a way. Natural therapies can help protect your kidneys from further damage and relieve these. In some cases they can even enhance kidney function at this late point - herb nutrients and dietary changes will be of value at any period of kidney damage.

Keeping Your Liver Healthy

We are bombarded with many stressors and toxins on a daily basis. Whether in the food we eat, the air that we breathe or the products we use, these factors place stress on the liver. The liver controls over 500 internal functions. It is the largest internal organ of the body. Everything that we ingest and digest is processed through the liver. If your liver is unhealthy and filled with toxins, you may experience some of these symptoms: fatigue, jaundice, headaches, food allergies, mental confusion and depression.

Liver Functions: There are many functions performed by the liver. The liver cleans the blood, produces and stores important substances such as vitamins, hormones and enzymes and keeps the digestive system clean by converting amino acids to urea which is then filtered through the kidneys. The detoxification role of the liver is extremely important to the overall health of the body. If the liver becomes damaged it can scar which results in a condition known as cirrhosis.

Tests for Liver Damage: There are many ways that liver damage can be medically tested. A liver enzyme test checks for elevated enzymes. In more serious cases, a liver biopsy could be performed. A heightened enzyme level does not necessarily indicate liver problems or damage. Therefore working closely with your medical doctor is crucial in determining if there are problems with your liver.

Methods to keep the liver healthy: There are key things you should do for liver health. Limit alcohol usage, drugs and avoid as many toxic substances as possible. If you drink too many alcoholic beverages it would be wise to limit your intake. Try switching to drinking more water which will help flush toxins from your body. Use cleaning products that do not contain harsh chemicals. If you have to work with chemicals such as a painting project, always be in a well ventilated area and wear gloves and a face mask to limit your exposure. Hair and skin care products should be free of toxic chemicals that your body will absorb on contact. There are numerous affordable products now available that are organic and chemical free that you can switch too.

Prescriptions and Supplements: If there is liver damage it is harder for the liver to process substances such as medications and supplements. It is extremely important to inform your medical provider with all information regarding anything that you are taking so as to avoid toxicity or potential drug interactions that can harm you and your liver.

Good Food Choices: Eat a well balanced, nutritious diet to help keep your liver healthy. Avoid raw seafood and highly processed foods. Limit caffeine consumption. If you have cirrhosis you may have to limit the amount of protein you consume. Small healthy meals are best with limits on fatty and spicy foods. Chemically laden foods will stress your digestion system and slow down your ability to detoxify. Good food choices could include fresh steamed vegetables with olive oil and lean proteins such as chicken, turkey and eggs. Meals that are salad based with a little added protein are an ideal choice as well as complex carbs such as brown rice. Foods that are considered natural detoxifiers include cabbage, broccoli and kale. Substitute salt with fresh herbs to flavor your meals and limit your sugar intake.

Exercise: Incorporate regular exercise into your life. Avoid strenuous exercise but focus instead on activities such as walking, bike riding or swimming. Exercise will help to remove toxins and waste from your bloodstream and increase your oxygen levels, both of which will help to keep your liver healthy.

Positive Outlook: One of the staples of good health is a healthy attitude. Research has shown that a positive mental outlook can benefit your immune system. Be sure to also get adequate rest. Create a life that focuses on balance in all areas. These simple guidelines will help to keep your liver healthy and if damaged may also help to heal it. Remember to always consult with your medical provider if you are currently taking any prescription medication or supplements and to help you make the best choices for your liver health.

Syncope (Fainting) Syndrome

Syncope does not always appear to be a complete loss of consciousness, but may be just an altered state of consciousness. The individual, although they have fallen, will usually recover spontaneously within a brief time period. In some instances, the individual may not lose consciousness, but have an impending sensation that they are going to faint. Syncope can be caused by both cardiovascular or noncardiovascular diseases or conditions. cardiovascular conditions such as, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, etc. are generally related to syncope. Fright or extreme stress that is not due to cardiovascular conditions, may cause a condition known as a vasovagal attack, due to a vasovagal depression of the vagal nerve.

Another causative factor may be, Orthosatic hypotension, whereby the individual has sudden drop in blood pressure when getting up suddenly from a sitting or lying down position. This is more likely to occur in the older individual. In these individuals, syncope can occur due to many other causes. An inconsequential cause such as a tight collar may act as a trigger to cause a caotid sinus episode that can cause syncope, or the feeling of syncope. In the older male who may have prostatic hypertrophy and is straining to urinate can also lose consciousness.

There are many other conditions that can be causative factors. Congenital factors, such as epilepsy, may be trigger in these episodes. In some individuals, the cause may never be determined, even after going through every test known at this time. Some individuals have gone through CT scans, MRI's, Tilttable test, etc. and still have not had a definitive diagnosis. These individuals go through their everyday lives with a variety of symptoms. They can feel a sudden giddiness, the room seems as if spinning around them. They can break out in sweats. They may have a sudden dimming of vision, and become nauseous, and in some instances will vomit.

In some individuals, the condition may be caused by "Vertigo", a condition usually caused by the balance mechanism in the middle ear. In this case, the individual needs to see a specialist to determine if there might be a viral infection or other defect of the inner ear. If a viral infection is found the they will probably be treated with an antibiotic. In many instances the condition may be due to some irregularity of the inner ear mechanism. At times certain movements of the head by the doctor will correct or improve the condition.

When an individual undergoes a state of syncope, and they are on the ground, good Samaritans, should not attempt to sit or stand these individuals up. They should instead, raise their legs in order to help restore their blood circulation to the head and brain.

Start Your Day A Great Way With A Gluten Free Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It aids in weight loss and helps keep blood sugar and hormone levels elevated inside the body. When you are on a restricted diet for conditions such as Celiac Disease, a gluten free breakfast can be the best part of your day. As your system is already adjusting to the lack of nutrients from everyday foods, you need to ensure you have a great breakfast to keep you fueled and healthy.

A gluten free breakfast can be any number of things. You want to select foods that are most appealing to you. The advancements in the food industry have made it so those on a special diet can find nearly every food they want in a safe form. Some delicious options for breakfast include Rice Chex with fresh blueberries and honey drizzled on top, Udi's Cinnamon Raisin Bread with a smudge of cream cheese or Van's Gluten Free Waffles with pure maple syrup.

If you are adventurous you can make your own breakfast items using flour made without gluten. King Arthur's Flour Mix is one of the most preferred by consumers because it can be used cup for cup as a substitute for regular flour. You can use this flour mix in cupcakes, muffins, pancakes and waffles for great breakfast food. Gluten free breakfast casserole is another popular item. Simply layer your favorite gluten-less bread in the bottom of a glass baking dish. Top with blueberries, strawberries, diced hash browns, browned ground sausage and onions and peppers. Finally, mix up a batch of scrambled eggs and pour it over the entire dish. Allow to sit over night so the egg soaks into the mixture. Then bake in the oven at 325 degrees for one hour or until the egg is completely cooked. This recipe is great for when you have guests over or during the holidays.

Quinoa flakes can be used in place of oatmeal as well. Use them in cookies, muffins or as a hot cereal. This item is packed with protein and other nutrients that are important for those on a diet sans gluten. The sky is the limit when you are looking for gluten free breakfast ideas. There are dozens of different things to try. If you need inspiration, simply alter some of your favorite regular recipes or checkout the variety of cookbooks and recipe forums on the internet.

Asbestos Risk

Asbestos risk is something that needs to be seriously considered. The first factor that you should consider is how much asbestos was in the air you breathed. The next factor to be considered is how long a time were you exposed. The more asbestos you breathe in the greater your risk of getting an asbestos- related disease such as Asbestosis or Mesothelioma. Some people are not very susceptible to asbestos. It is highly believed that cigarette smoking gives increased susceptibility to persons exposed to asbestos.

Family members living with exposed workers are also at risk due to asbestos fibers being brought home on clothing, skin and hair. The collapse and clean-up of the North Tower of the World Trade Center released hundreds of tons of asbestos into the air, as asbestos was heavily used in its construction. Thousands of people including clean-up workers and first responders were exposed.

Asbestos fibers can cause normal cells to turn malignant and these malignant cells spread. Asbestosis is a lung disease which causes pleural plaque (membranes surrounding the lungs) and also causes thickening of the Pleural. This causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing and eventually scars the lungs.

Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water and soil; but most people do not get the disease from this small amount of exposure, although no asbestos exposure is safe. Asbestos risk is much higher in workers who are exposed to it regularly in their occupations, some of which include workers in mines, chemical plants, shipyards, oil refineries, power plants, automotive workers and construction sites. Exposure is not limited to the home or work place. There is also risk of exposure in schools and public buildings that are in need of repair.

Usually symptoms of asbestos exposure take many years to appear such as 10-40 years. However, no matter how soon after exposure, you should check with your doctor when any of the symptoms first appear.

Another asbestos risk is that of developing Mesothelioma, which is used to describe cancerous tumors involving the lining of the lungs, heart or stomach. This is a very serious disease. Therefore, you need to be aware of the symptoms and talk to your doctor about your concerns.

If your family member is the one with the asbestos risk, then you need to learn all the factors. You need to be the one to take action now, the sooner the better my friend.

Knowing More About Ethmoid Sinus Disease

The function of the ethmoid sinuses is the same as the paranasal sinuses. With the cilia and mucus that are being secreted by the mucosal lining, this can help filter the air that goes through the nasal passages. Since the ethmoid sinuses are directly exposed to incoming air, they are the ones that are most susceptible to various pathogens and other problems. Ethmoid sinus disease is often common to most people with poor hygiene.

Inflammation of the ethmoid sinuses can be due to constant irritation in the mucus lining. Some of the symptoms include inflammation and swelling in the sinus wall thus causing blockage in the nasal cavities. Due to this, the normal draining of the mucus becomes disturbed and this causes mucus buildup within the sinus cavities. If left untreated, this can be a breeding ground for virus, bacteria and fungi.

Ethmoid sinus disease is a common incident that can be triggered by various factors like foreign particles, environmental allergens, trauma, microbial infection, tumors and nasal polyps. This condition is also known as ethmoiditis and is considered as an acute problem with duration of 8 to 10 days. Other notable signs include pain in the lower part of the forehead, headache in the temple area, sore throat, nasal congestion and fever. Ethmoid sinus disease is often accompanied with pain in the corner of the eyes and behind the nose bridge.

Most of the time, ethmoid sinus infection also refers to sinusitis cases. This condition is not very serious and can be easily treated. If the infection is not treated, this may spread into the adjoining areas and infect other sinuses. In severe cases, this may cause an infection in the eye socket which may cause the eyelids to droop and become swollen, along with fever. If such condition occurs, immediate medical attention should be given to prevent meningitis, blindness and any other complications.

Some people are more susceptible to ethmoid sinus disease compared to others. For them, precautionary measures and personal hygiene are crucial and should be taken into consideration to reduce the risk. People with compromised immune systems and those with chronic conditions should opt for annual flu vaccination in order to prevent the occurrence of ethmoid sinusitis. For existing ethmoid sinus disease that cannot be treated with regular medical therapy, surgery might be recommended. Maintaining a well balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the occurrence of sinusitis and other related conditions.

Diminish Your Risk Of Getting The Flu

It's the holiday season and along with all the merrymaking we also have to be on guard against a bug that can not only put a monkey wrench in all our fun but make us extremely ill. That bug would be influenza. However, there are people who never get the flu, or get it so mildly it brings only a few sniffles and tiredness. Why? Their immune system has been primed to fight the flu. Here's what you need to know about the flu and how to pump up your immune system to beat it!

Prevent The Flu from Gripping You

Not so much today, but for years in the past, influenza was referred to commonly as "the grip". It comes from the French word for the illness "grippe" and that's really what it feels like too - something that has you in its "grip" for several days from which you struggle to free yourself. It is a highly contagious viral upper respiratory infection that makes your entire body ache with fever, cough, and nausea. Not pleasant, I know.

The flu virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth in several ways - touching contaminated objects like doorknobs, countertops, or anything, really, that someone with the virus has touched, sneezed or coughed on. If you don't wash your hands after touching things, you will transmit the bug to yourself whenever you touch your face. Did you know that adults, on average, touch their face over 18 times a day and children much more? Lots of opportunities to give yourself the flu virus if you don't wash your hands enough! In addition, someone who has the virus and is coughing, or sneezing near you can transmit germs into the air you breathe. Once inside, it settles into your lungs and the illness sets in.

The elderly, very young children, and people with certain other health conditions are at the highest risk from serious consequences of the flu, mainly because their immune systems are not as strong as others. School age children are generally the largest carrier group of the flu virus as they come in contact with a great number of people in school and other activities. Every year in the U.S., between 5% and 20% of the population gets the flu, about 200,000 suffer complications from it, and another 23,600 actually succumb to it.

Boost Your Immune System to Beat The Flu

Like my patients, you may already know the "you should" of generally staying healthy - getting the most nutritious foods/supplements, exercising regularly, drinking enough fluids, getting enough sleep and trying to minimize stress. During flu season, though, it's crucial to arm yourself against getting sick by ramping up these measures. Here's why:

Nutrition: Therapeutic amounts of antioxidants, Vitamin C, A, E, zinc and Vitamin D3 really help boost the immune system. Supplementation of at least 500-1,000 mg a day of Vitamin C, 3,000 of A as beta carotene, 400 mg of E, and 100 mg of zinc. Studies show that people do not get enough Vitamin D3. In winter months, when the sun is not as strong, it is even more important to supplement D3. People who take D3, 1-2,000 IU a day (although can safely go to 5,000 IU a day), have very low-to-no incidents of flu or colds, or they get much milder forms. One study revealed D3 to prevent flu better than vaccines or antivirals. A Japanese study found it to ward off flu and asthma attacks.

Exercise: During the winter months, we all tend to slack off with regular exercise. However, the flu season is the most important time to keep exercising. Raising your heart rate and sweating on a regular basis helps keep your immune system healthy. Doing rebounding on a mini-trampoline also helps flush out your lymph system and keep viruses from gaining a stronghold.

Rest: Sleeping at least 6-8 hours a night is one of the best hedges against getting sick. When you're tired, your immune system gets weak and cannot repair itself properly.

Fluids: It's always important to drink enough water, but even more so during flu season. Dehydration weakens your immune system and makes your kidneys and liver fight harder to get rid of toxins, viruses and bacteria you come in contact with.

Hygiene: Hand washing is the most simple and effective way to keep from getting the flu. This is especially true if you are out in public using restrooms, shopping or mingling in crowds, frequenting restaurants, attending holiday parties, etc. Also carry a small bottle of nasal saline spray that you can squirt in your nostrils and blow out after being in public. This flushes out any flu viruses you may breathe in while in public.

Vaccine: Flu vaccines are readily available in almost every big drugstore chain nationwide as well as your private doctor's office. Statistics show they do prevent the flu from occurring, or a much milder form of it, but some people may not tolerate them.

Flu Symptom Relievers: If you do get the flu, you can go to your doctor, or an urgent care walk-in clinic, and get a dose of Tamiflu. Over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen, or more natural white willow bark, can be used for muscle aches. OTC preparations like Thera-Flu can relieve symptoms and help you sleep. Antihistamines, like Benadryl, dry up runny noses and eyes. Cough syrups with a mucus-thinning agent helps break up lung congestion. Taken at the early onset of symptoms, homeopathic "Os" or "Oscillo" (short for oscillicoccinum) helps shorten and weaken symptoms.

No one wants to get the flu, especially during the holidays. It's no fun, makes you feel lousy and, worse, can be very dangerous. If you follow the immune system boosting advice offered above, it will go a long way in arming you against getting the flu, or any other viral or bacterial infection, this flu season. Happy, Healthy Holidays!

Four Secrets On How To Control Your Crohn's Disease During The Holidays

The holidays can be hard on a person with Crohn's Disease like me. I've found over the years that the best way to prevent flare-ups is to maintain (the best I can), some sense of normalcy and moderation in my life during this period. How you do this you may ask? What has worked best for me is, closely monitoring four different things in my life...watching how I eat, making sure to get enough sleep, keeping up on my medication and controlling my stress the best I know how.

First, it is absolutely necessary that you control not only the kinds of foods you eat, as well as the quantities of food you take in. Naturally, it is important to stay away from the main foods or drinks guaranteed to cause problems in Crohn's sufferers, big holiday favorites like nuts, popcorn, beer/alcohol, etc. But just as important as steering clear of the wrong kinds of foods, is to remember to avoid eating too much food. I've found that overeating causes a host of problems in me (just like eating the wrong foods does), with symptoms like nausea, bloating, gas, cramps and diarrhea. None of these things are very pleasant to deal with when you are trying to have fun with friends and relatives during this very joyous time of the year. Need I mention the importance of moderation again?

I'm sure that many of you have experienced a set back or relapse in your Crohn's as I have, if you miss a lot of sleep. If you do the best you can to maintain a steady routine of sleep, you'll have a lot less grief with your Crohn's condition.

The third point I made in controlling your Crohn's during the holidays is making sure you maintain a steady routine in taking my medication. Forgetting, or refusing to bother to take your medicines will obviously have detrimental results for you over the holidays. So be sure not to skip the medications.

Lastly, but absolutely not the least important of the four ways to control your Crohn's Disease over the holidays, is how effective you are at controlling your stress. In many ways, this is the hardest of the four to control. With the holidays comes stress, which is an absolute certainty, for sure. This stress can be derived from a multitude of things.

Issues like worry over money, or fear and dread over having to associate with friends and relatives that you really don't like that much. Whenever you have to be out at the malls fighting the crowds it usually is stressful. You can even become stressful over having to watch what you eat or drink at parties. I have felt self-conscious having to admit to people that I have Crohn's Disease and felt guilty about having to turn down the food and drink that everybody else is enjoying and this causes me stress.

The only thing I can advise that has helped me defeat stress is by planning ahead, trying not to put myself in stressful situations in the first place. First off, I avoid going out to the malls altogether (if I can) by doing most of my shopping online. More often than not you can get bettor deals online in the first place and you avoid lots of traffic. If you are going to a party where you know there will be foods you can't eat, eat in advance or bring foods you can eat to the party. Thirdly, to control stress, I make sure to maintain regular visits to the gym. Exercise I've found is singularly the most effective way to control my stress. By the way, while you are exercising and alleviating stress, you can burn up some of those holiday calories in the process. If you aren't already on a regular exercise program, I would seriously consider doing it. Even if you're Crohn's symptoms are more severe and are limited in what you can do, try and do what you can. You will be amazed at the effects just a little exercise will have on your Crohn's condition. In regards to dealing with stress over difficult relatives and friends... well good luck, do the best you can.