Archive for the 'Health' Category

Is Rapid Weight Loss Possible?

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
by Gary Andrews

Whether you are following a rapid weight loss diet plan or trying to lose weight slowly, you are facing a life style change that is based totally on how your working week goes. Weight loss plans should be successful for whoever tries them but it is often the determination level of people that lets them down; below are a few things to think about when you start your weight loss plan. Just how quickly an individual loses weigh will depend on many issues; a number of these are highlighted below:

*Obesity or weight problems that may run in the family

*Past or present psychological issues

*Determination

Being overweight affects each person in many different ways! It is not just a feeling of value but physical aspects including general exercise, clothing and health issues are all challenged by this condition which can be changed with weight loss. It must be said that most rapid weight loss programs will require some form of emotional support from close friends or relatives; in addition to exercise, a healthy diet plan and probably diet supplements will be required as well. Start by learning a diet food plan that can easily be customized and incorporate an exercise plan that allows at least fifteen minutes a day of exercise such as brisk walking, running, swimming or dancing.

Do not worry if your rapid weight loss plan is not producing results as quickly as you would like; everyone has a different metabolism and some will see results faster than others; this is perfectly natural so do not become despondent. If you are finding that the weight is not being lost as quickly as it should be then perhaps you will need to adapt your exercise routine to something that is more arduous and change part of your diet plan to increase energy levels. Your body should tell you whether your program is working so you need to listen to it and if you find that the diet you have chosen is not the right one then change it.

Exercise programs must be suit each person so if walking is all that can be done, then walk; this is proven to be the best exercise and as muscles burn more calories than fat it’s also best to put on a little muscle which will make you look good too. Many people who are dieting forget the importance of staying hydrated; someone on a rapid weight loss program should be drinking at least 6 glasses of water each day which will replace lost fluids and help get rid of bad toxins at the same time. Avoid fat drenched deep fried foods which can also mean fish and chicken if you are eating the wrong part of the animal.

Food that is grilled is generally better for your health so when presented with this option, take this over fried food. Make sure that you aren’t avoiding carbohydrates altogether though as they provide your body with the energy it needs to function properly. Using a weight loss plan like this will mean that if followed correctly then around a pound a day will be lost, depending on the individual but it must be said that failure to maintain this level of 1,000 to 1,500 calories per day will ensure the weight will be put back on.

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Aggravating Factors that cause Acne

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Real Salon Products

Certain things can aggravate, or worsen your acne. You’ll of coarse want to avoid these things while treating your acne, to ensure that you get the best results possible. Read below to catch up on the most common things that make acne worse.

Food: Some individuals feel that certain foods make their acne worse. If you feel this is true for you, then avoid those foods. However, there is no clear scientific evidence that food plays any role in aggravating acne.

Cosmetics: Some cosmetics can trigger acne by causing acne to flare without causing blackheads. They do this by irritating the pores which then swell and become blocked. Not everyone reacts the same to a cosmetic. Oil-free cosmetics are recommended, but some people react even to these. Non-comedogenic, or non-acnegenic cosmetics are also available for use.

Over Washing: Avoid over washing, acne is not caused by the lack of washing or by dirty skin and Blackheads are not black because of dirt, they are black because the air oxidizes the protein called keratin. Do not scrub or rub your skin excessively.

Sweating: Sweating appears to worsen acne in 15% of acne sufferers Humidity tends to also worsen the condition, avoid tight clothing as well Stress: Many students have reported that their acne gets worse during times of stress, such as when taking exams. However, it has been hard for doctors to prove or disprove this in clinical studies.

Contraceptive Pills: Estrogen is usually helpful for acne control Progesterone may make your acne worse It’s very common for all women to have acne flare-up days before their periods Squeezing: Avoid doing this if possible, it could aggravate your acne and increase the risk of acne scarring.

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Learn to Look After Your Skin

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Real Salon Products

Although there are different kinds of treatments, procedures and surgery that can assist in improving the look of your skin, it is important that you look after your skin to start with. If you are unhappy with how gravity, the sun and everything else seems to be changing your skin’s appearance, here are some tips and facts from Real Salon Products that will asist you:

EXERCISE: Although exercise is vital for your health and great skin, it won’t change the structure of your skin as it gets older. The look of your skin is determined mostly by genetics and sun exposure.

COSMETICS: As you age you need to use both lighter colored cosmetics and lighter hair colors. These are more flattering to your skin tone and can keep you looking and feeling younger.

MENOPAUSE: As you go through menopause, it’s very common to find that the skincare products you once relied on are no longer as effective. For example, the hormonal changes associated with menopause often leave skin feeling drier than before. Try a richer moisturizer to see if it makes any difference.

SUNBEDS: Contrary to popular belief, sunbeds are not a safer way to tan. Sunbeds emit UVA rays causing tanning and aging of the skin .They may also be important in the development of melanoma. If you’re using a sunbed, you’re accelerating the aging of your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer.

LIPSTICK: Did you know that your lipstick helps your lips look younger and protects them? It’s true. Using lipstick, helps protect your lips from harmful rays. It’s one of the reasons men are more apt to get lip cancer - so men slap on the lip protection!

YOUR EYES: Don’t forget your eyes! Long-term sun exposure can lead to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. So remember as you head out the door, be sure to grab your sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, or both!

WATER: Drinking water is not enough! While many people believe that drinking a lot of water will help keep their skin smooth and supple, in truth, water consumption has only a small effect. A better approach to keeping your skin at its best is to drink plenty of water and use a daily moisturizer, daily.

SLEEP: Get your beauty rest! It’s actually true - a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking its best. For a healthy and glowing complexion, get plenty of sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.

CELLULITTE: Hate your cellulite? You are not alone. Drinking water and exercising unfortunately doesn’t make it go away although having less body fat does help. There are creams and procedures available that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Talk to your dermatologist if it really bugs you.

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Glucosamine, the joint pain cure?

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Jamaal Harrison

Glucosamine is a compound found naturally in the body, prepared from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is required to create a molecule which is used in the development and restoration of cartilage and other body tissues. Production of Glucosamine slows with age.

It is an amino sugar and a well known precursor in the biochemical combination of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine makes up a very significant part of the exoskeletons of crustaceans as well as other arthropods. It is present in fungi and various higher organisms, and it is one of the most bountiful monosaccharides. Glucosamine is made commercially by the hydrolysis of crustacean exoskeletons.

Glucosamine is a popular and effective treatment for arthritis, or inflammation and deterioration of the joints. It is sold as a supplement in liquid or capsules, but is also used in some cosmetics and some sports drinks.

Glucosamine is frequently pooled with Chondroitin Sulfate, a molecule naturally found in cartilage. Chondroitin gives cartilage elasticity and is thought to stop the destruction of cartilage by enzymes. Glucosamine is occasionally combined with Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, in dietary supplements. Glucosamine supplements are widely used for osteoarthritis, chiefly knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, cartilage becomes rigid and loses its elasticity. This makes the joint prone to damage and may lead to ache, puffiness, loss of movement and further worsening.

Since this is a disease associated with aging, the natural glucosamine needed for repairs is decreasing so supplements may be needed. Generally, glucosamine is believed to reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis and also to reduce further damage to the knee joints. Most doctors suggest a trial period of three months to determine effectiveness. If there is no relief after this time, it is discontinued as ineffective. The most standard dose of glucosamine is 1500 mg per day of this supplement.

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Major causes of Stretch Marks

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Bonnie Bell

Insecurity can set in for women who have stretch marks. Buttocks,hips,breasts,thighs are also places on the body where they can show up. The abdomen is the most prominent place for devolving stretch marks though. Pregnant women are most likely to get stretch marks in one of these areas.

So what causes stretch marks. Well to understand this lets look at what happens. The tissue under the outer layer of skin grows much faster than the outer layer,this causes scars in the under layer also know as the epidermal surface. the scars them selfs are the stretch marks.

Stretch marks usually first appear during pregnancy as the abdominal wall increases in size. Most lighter skinned women develop pinkish stretch marks, whereas darker skinned women tend to have stretch marks that are lighter than the surrounding skin.

There are other reasons that a person can get stretch marks to, like gaining a lot of weight. As if the extra weight is not enough to devastate you,then you have stretch marks on top of it. This is a double whammy.

Every persons skin grows at a different rate. This causes some people to have more stretch marks than others. This can happen in men too. Also teenagers can get stretch marks.

Some say that there is products on the market that can make stretch marks disappear. forgive me for being a little skeptical,stretch marks are scars. There is how ever products that can build up your collagen and elastin,that will help you from getting as many stretch marks.

Prevention is the key here,using products to help grow your body’s collagen. This will help to make your skin stronger and in turn aid in the elasticity of your skin. You will also find by using these products that if you have old scars they will seem less noticeable.

Avoiding stretch marks is the most important thing. Also dealing with the ones you already have is important to. For more information on living and coping with stretch marks and other health related topics visit the resources listed below.

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Achieving At BodyBuilding

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Dan {The Bodybuilding Man}

Achieve Bodybuilding Gains.

Last week I talked to a client of mine who had been very busy working over the Holidays, as this is the peak season for his business. And he had not been able to do as much as he wanted to in the gym and also he has not been able to get in all the meals that he needs to on time either.He was very frustrated and thinking of just dropping the whole program for a couple of months when things would get a bit quieter for him.I advised against doing so for the following reasons:

1. Stopping his bodybuilding regime would lower his metabolism which in turn would lower his energy levels and thus make him less productive at work.

2. Though he couldn’t get to the gym as often, getting his workout in and following the diet as much as possible will prevent him from losing valuable muscle gains while making undesirable fat gains.This in turn prevents him from getting further depressed as he sees his body deteriorate.

3. As it starts to get a bit quieter at work he can start visiting the gym more often and follow the meal schedule again, he would be in good shape and his body would respond more quickly to the more aggressive schedule. This would be a different story to the one he would have had if he had stopped training and dieting altogether. He would have needed to use at least a week to get his body back in condition for the weights again and it would have taken him another few weeks on top of that to get rid of all the extra body fat that he would have gained depending on how bad the diet was.

But, having said that, in order to be successful in bodybuilding you need to have the right mindset. Bodybuilding is both a physical and extremely psychological exercise. We all get frustrated at times when our schedules are affected by work, or any other life circumstance that may be thrown our way. Therefore, we have to fight aggressively and plan ahead if we want to get our workouts and meals in.

As bodybuilders we must keep our eyes on the ultimate goal, which is always more muscle mass with less body fat. In order to accomplish that one must be consistent with the training and diet. If for whatever reason the program that the bodybuilder has mapped out is too much of a time commitment at a certain period in life, then the solution is to modify the bodybuilding program to one that does fit the time schedulebe flexible. For instance, back in my earlier career there were periods when I had to work 60-70 hours a week, I modified my training to where I would hit the gym 5 days a week for 40-45 minutes of weight training. Since I had no time to do cardiovascular exercise, I would superset antagonistic muscles in order to get some sort of cardiovascular effect. That is all I could afford to do at the time. I always tried to get my training in before work, but if for some reason I would miss it in the morning, then I always had lunchtime to make it up or later in the evening after work. Worst case, there was always the weekend for makeup sessions. Regarding meals, I always brought in all of my meals with me pre-prepared and also enough Meal Replacement Powders for those times that I was really on the run.

Some of you for whatever reason may not even be able to do more than a couple sessions a week. If this is the case, then simply try and make the most of the time that you do have. The key to making lasting bodybuilding gains is that you have a realistic goal that can be executed consistently, not trying to follow one that looks really good on paper but cannot be followed. You will get to where you want to go, it may just take a little bit longer depending on how much time you can dedicate to reaching your goals.

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Understanding Adolescent Depression:

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by The Alternate Medic

Our children will one day be the leaders, it is therefore imperative that we take a good look at the current realities of modern adolescent depression and make massive efforts to prevent its growth and proliferation amongst our youth.

The hectic nature of modern life is placing inordinate pressures on our adolescent youth. Take a look at the following statistics and be amazed.

Figures never lie and they are perhaps the best means to highlight certain facts and when they are brought to the notice of the general public leave a lasting impression. It is important to gain the attention of all who want to learn about what the statistics are saying. There are no doubts that statistics are nothing more and nothing less than concrete concepts that have the power to sway even the most skeptical of minds, and it will even show the young generation the true picture with respect to adolescent depression.

Fact: Twenty Percent Of Teenagers Are Sufferers

That is nearly 1 in 5 of the teenage population of the United States has experienced one form or another of clinical depression before they have even reach adulthood. This statistic should have made you jump as likely or not it will affect your family too.

Not only that, but there are about ten to fifteen percents of teenagers that have shown symptoms of adolescent depression and another five percent of the teenage population will have suffered from significant depression.

Shockingly, another alarming aspect to adolescent depression is the fact that there is little or no social acceptance when it concerns teenagers with such a condition, it is as if we consider it to be only the pains of growing up. What’s worse is the fact that as many as eight percent of teenagers will have experienced the re-occurrence of depression. This is alarming because when considering that only a mere five percent of the total national population suffer from depression.

A bout of adolescent depression is likely to last for a period of up to 8 months and teenagers are also at risk that the subsequent attack of adolescent depression will strike them again within a two year period and the chances of this happening are about twenty to forty percent. There is also a seventy percent probability that they will experience another attack of adolescent depression before they have reached full adulthood.

Another form of adolescent depression will affect quite a few teenagers from attacks. Known as Seasonal depression it is most likely to strike during the winter, it is also found in places of high altitude. The weather can play a significant part in the onset of seasonal depression, Both teenagers and their parents need to be aware of the affects of weather on the adolescent’s state of mind.

Fourthly, other figures related to adolescent depression reveal that dysthymia or a mild form of depression that lasts for a long time will affect about two percent of teenagers and a like percentage of teenagers are also likely to suffer from bipolar depression when they grow older. In fact, it is thought that as many as fifteen percent of teenagers that have suffered from major depression will later on be at risk of developing bipolar depression.

As you can see adolescent depression will affect teenagers no matter their social background, income level, gender, race or even their achievements. Adolescent depression is a very common mental health problem affecting teenagers through out the US.

Home Remedy for Head Louse: What You Can Use

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Rashel Dan

There is nothing wrong with trying to limit your child’s exposure to chemicals. This is why a lot of parents now want to know about any home remedy for head louse problems. Before you use one though, you need to take note of a couple of things.

What Remedies are There?

There are actually numerous home remedy for head louse solutions out there. You can opt for manual lice combing or nit picking. You can also go for various recipes that have been traditionally used and mixed to get rid of lice. Your home remedy for head louse problems can be made of such ingredients as vinegar, mayonnaise, garlic, almonds, limejuice and olive oil. Each of these ingredients can be used alone or mixed with other substances depending on the home remedy for head louse recipe that you have. The basic idea behind these remedies is that they are able to smother live lice.

Where to Get Remedies

It is doubtful that you can get a good home remedy for head louse solution from your local pharmacy or store. These recipes usually come form older people who have had to deal with lice in kids before chemical solutions were made. Of course, you can always check the internet for a great variety of home remedy for head louse recipes.

Find a reliable site and preferably know some people who have used the specific remedy that you would like to try. Home made remedies do not follow a mixing standard and anyone can just mix something up and claim that it is a home remedy for head louse solution.

Effectiveness

Because home remedies are clinically untested and come in a wide variety of mixes and applications, there is also no clear evidence of their effectiveness. We do know though that certain substances have been used effectively by people in the past but there has been no clear standard on how much should be applied, how often a substance should be used and what else the substance should be mixed with. Again, it would make perfect sense to look for some people who have successfully tried a home remedy for head louse solution before using one.

Being Careful

Using Natural Substances - Most people think that natural substances are safer. It may be true that natural solutions cause fewer complications and present lesser risks. It doesn’t mean though that they are completely safe. You could ask a doctor first about a natural substance before using it on your child. This is especially important if your child is very sensitive or has allergies of some other medical condition.

What to Do if It Doesn’t Work

Combination of Methods - Most of the time, you would have to combine a home remedy for head louse solution with manual combing and nit picking to make it even more effective. You also need to carefully and regularly monitor your child’s hair for renewed infestations.

Last Alternative - When every natural method fails, you may have to turn to other possible solutions probably even including chemical treatment. You could ask your doctor about details on product treatment. You should also always use any product only as indicated to prevent adverse reactions.

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What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Bob Atkins

Female hair loss is more common than people tend to be aware of and is a major cause of concern in women. Men are almost expected to lose hair as they get older but women don’t consider the possibility or are easily horrified by the idea. Thinning hair or hair loss on a woman can cause depression and stress because the hair is a large factor in a woman’s looks. Nobody gives a second glance to a balding male but people do stare at females with sparse or patchy hair, as rude as this is, because it is considered very unusual. The truth is many more women suffer from female hair loss than you might imagine. Female hair loss can be linked to various factors, either natural causes or exposure to certain things that are responsible for female hair loss.

The outside factors that may be the cause of female hair loss can be an illness, medications, childbirth, trauma of surgery and some other diseases. Exposure to some chemicals and elements may also contribute as a cause of female hair loss but these are rare cases and can almost always be diagnosed immediately.

People naturally shed hair everyday of our lives. Our hair has a growth cycle of around two to six years wherein a strand may grow continuously and eventually fall out at the end of the cycle after a short resting period. The natural cause of female hair loss is this ending of the cycle where the strands fall out. The follicles will then grow another strand of hair and the cycle continues. The growth cycle for each strand is different which is why we always have falling hair everyday of our lives.

Another cause of female hair loss may be the hairstyle that some women use daily. These who tie their hair in tight pony tails can aggravate hair follicles with the constant pressure of pulling the hair and cause these to die out. This cause of female hair loss can be easily remedied by giving your hair a break and just wearing it loose.

Childbirth can affect female hair loss. Being pregnant releases hormones which improve a woman’s hair and skin. After childbirth, these hormones are no longer produced, which can cause female hair loss. Some women will lose only a small amount of hair and hardly notice it whereas others lose enough to make them nervous.

As you can see, any one of the above can be blamed to the cause of female hair loss. They are easy to spot as they are noticeable factors. Other causes not mentioned here are often the result of outside factors or diseases.

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Acid Reflux Surgery: Is It Effective?

Monday, April 28th, 2008
by Richal Peyton

If you want to stop acid reflux, stop acid secretion. This is one of the most effect ways to treat reflux symptoms is to actually stop acid secretion in the stomach. Constant irritation such as pain in the abdomen and inner lining of the esophagus is often the main symptom of acid reflux, and this is why some people resort to surgery. In many cases, drugs are able to eliminate symptoms, but in other cases a doctor may recommend surgery. Let’s take a look at the suitability, benefits, methods, and preparations of acid reflux surgery.

When Am I A Candidate For Surgery?

When Necessary - Your doctor may recommend acid reflux surgery if initial treatments for acid reflux surgery has not worked and symptoms have continued to persist. Furthermore, you might want to consider surgery if you don’t want to be on medication for life (when that option is recommended).

Ineffective Medication - Doctors will also sometimes find that their patients are unable to keep up with their medication and so may suggest a permanent solution such as surgery. Finally, severe damage in the esophagus will often require surgery.

Medical Tests - Of course, your doctor will always perform tests before pushing through with surgery. Surgery is often aimed at repairing the stomach valve so that acid is blocked from leaking into the esophagus. Your current condition will often be considered and if you are deemed fit enough for surgery, then a procedure can be performed.

What Are The Benefits Of Surgery?

Lessen Discomfort and Side Effects from Medications - Almost all patients that undergo surgery for acid reflux end up free of heartburn. More than half of all patients who undergo surgery also end up being cured from respiratory symptoms like asthma caused by acid reflux. And if you developed Barrett’s esophagus due to the condition, surgery is considered the only treatment that blocks both acid reflux and bile. And because bile reflux is an acid reflux complication that can cause cancer, surgery is definitely advantageous. Furthermore, surgery is performed on children who have severe acid reflux complications, experienced severe side effects from medication, and had no improvement from medication.

What Are The Methods Of Acid Reflux Surgery?

Two Approaches - The common methods used include fundoplication and Intraluminal endoscopic acid reflux surgery. When a surgeon performs fundoplication, the walls of your esophagus will be tightened to increase pressure by the lower esophageal sphincter. This means that acid from the stomach will have a harder time regurgitating upwards. On the other hand, Intraluminal endoscopic acid reflux surgery apply the same method but this time with the use of an endoscope.

These methods are known to be the most effective and the safest to use. Recovery time after surgery is often quick and patients are able to go home right away with optimum results.

After Surgery - Coping after having acid reflux surgery is not a daunting task. You will simply be required to do some light exercises at home and gradually add solid foods to your diet over the course of a few days. Medication is often no longer needed and pain is usually very mild within the first few days after surgery. If there is some discomfort or pain after surgery that’s concerning, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.

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