Tuesday, July 15, 2008

"Don't Worry,Be Happy", Another Great Method To Manage You Stress

Almost everyone have heard the hit single ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferiin’s simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.


Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.


One of the better things ever said is - ‘The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change’, and in our life we have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that it too would change.


Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness. People are different, accept people for who or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand the situation and you might just get along with well with


Happiness is actually found in everyone, increasing it is a way to make a life more wonderful and also more healthy.


To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The choice is simple really, choose to be happy.


There are several ways by which you can do this.


Being grateful is a great attitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also thank the mailman for bringing you your mails, thank the policeman for making your place safe and thank God for being alive.


News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can’t start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do.


A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations foster inner peace.


Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste. Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.


Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell your friends or family about it. As they also say -’Laughter is the best medicine’.


Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, this is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone.


Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time.


Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new everyday. Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons. And could also give us more opportunities in the future.


Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive.


Avoid exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.


These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.


And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln, he says that, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

What Comes First "Healthy Profits" or "Healthy People"?

Today, many people believe, there exists a shameful practice throughout modern medicine of prioritizing “healthy profits” over “healthy people”. Many medical procedures and synthetic drugs are prescribed for the purpose of making money first and helping the patient second. Another belief is that information on inexpensive “alternative” medical treatment is deliberately withheld from patients because natural products do not create profits for doctors, hospitals or pharmaceutical companies.


This hideous practice is especially apparent in the diagnostic, preventative and follow-up treatments of degenerate diseases such as cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and so on. It’s illogical to treat degenerate diseases with chemicals, radiation or surgery which make the body more degenerated by weakening its immune system. You cannot poison the body back to health. It’s very probable that a majority of persons reading this article have witnessed a family member or friend suffer more from the so-called “cure” than from the disease, itself. This is just crazy!


Here’s a study that illustrates this craziness. One of the most prestigious cancer treatment centers in the world, The McGill Cancer Center in Canada, did a study of oncologists to determine how they would respond to a “personal” diagnosis of cancer. On a confidential questionnaire, 58 out of 64 doctors said that all chemotherapy was unacceptable to them and their family members because they believe the drugs are ineffective and too toxic. Yet, these same doctors were recommending chemotherapy to their patients to remain in “good standing” with the hospital’s elite by creating more profit resources.


This criticism is not against every aspect of modern medicine. Many people would not be alive today if it were not for dedicated doctors, state-of-art medical equipment and the know-how of modern medicine. What is deplorable is all of the misinformation or with-held information as to preventative and maintenance “alternative” treatments. This deliberate apathy, in order to retain profits, costs the general public lives, suffering and lots of money. Author Upton Sinclair once wrote; “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” It’s this type of mindset that has overtaken most of the factions of modern medicine and is so dangerous to public health that it must be challenged.


But how can the medical establishment, which consists of MDs and PhDs, be challenged? Most people are intimidated by these degrees and just accept whatever treatment or medicine is prescribed for them; no questions asked. Another problem is that most healthy people don’t care about medical procedures until it effects them directly.


The origin of this “profits first” mindset is the large drug companies. They have the money and power to intimidate the various factions of modern medicine to remain “silent” as to alternative treatments. More amazingly, they also have intimidated the manufacturers of nutritional supplements from making any claims as to medicinal benefits of the vitamins, minerals and herbs that they sell. Just read the legally required disclaimer statement on the label of any nutrient. It will read as follows; “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Imagine marketing products that you could only make general statements as to their benefits or else risk being sued out of business. What has happened to “freedom of speech” and “free enterprise”?


One way to challenge this practice is to use your power of “freedom of choice”. When you need medical help, you have the freedom to choose your doctors, hospitals, medicines, therapies and so on. Become an informed patient. Don’t be intimidated. Ask questions. Remember, it’s your body. It’s your life and health on the line. Nobody cares more for your body than you. Make your own informed decisions.


Another way to challenge this despicable practice is to use the power of the “freedom of speech” against the very factions that are trying to suppress it. The big drug companies may silence orthodox medicine, but they cannot control or stop the “freedom of expression” of the general public. People, who have experienced a natural cure, must tell other people. Then those people will tell others, who tell others and so on and so on. This system of people helping people will grow exponentially very quickly. The number of people aware that natural alternative therapies are available to them will be staggering in a very short period of time.

The Back Pain of Scoliosis

Back pain can come from many sources. If it occurs from early childhood, sometimes this pain can be caused by a condition of the spine called scoliosis a condition which occurs when the spine is not straight. Depending on where the curve starts, scoliosis can also deform the ribs, causing them to push the chest out in front and in back. The back pain that accompanies this condition depends on where the curve begins and how severe it is plus the age of onset.


Scoliosis usually begins at birth. Genetics plays a key role in the onset of scoliosis, although the exact source is unknown. Eighty percent of all patients diagnosed with scoliosis are considered to have inherited the condition. Eighty-eight percent of patients with scoliosis are female. The onset of scoliosis can be broken down into infantile, juvenile, adolescent and adult. Adult onset is almost always scoliosis that was not discovered or treated at an earlier time.


Whatever the reason or when it was diagnosed, the onset of scoliosis can cause extremely agonizing back pain. The amount of pain is directly related to the degree of the curve. The worse the curve the more it will tire the sufferer doing their daily routines, and the worse the pain. Often, because of the angle of the curve, there can be pressure put on the nerves and the vertebrae are compacted. This can cause very serious back pain. In extreme cases this curving can even cause paralysis or heart and lung problems.


The deciding factor on how to treat scoliosis back pain is what to do about the curve. If the curve is forty degrees or less it is harder to treat since braces do not work. Larger curves do not always benefit from braces, however, since the curve can realign itself once the braces are removed. If the curve is serious enough, surgery may be suggested. Scoliosis surgery uses pins, screws and rods to straighten the spine. These devices eliminate the back pain. For those concerned about surgery, braces and exercise are the only options left to try to correct the curve.


A scoliosis sufferer’s healthcare provider will tell their patient that the key to prevent serious back pain is to ensure that the curve does not exceed fifty degrees. If the curve does exceed that limit, by the time the child reaches adulthood, they can count on a one percent increase in the curve yearly. This worsening of the curve increases the long-term pain and other issues associated with severe scoliosis curves.


Scoliosis will affect children worse if they have a large curve than if they have a smaller one. Proper diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis is not only an issue of treating pain, but of improving the quality of life for the patient throughout their lives. It is wise to investigate early and become active in treatments that can correct, even to some degree, the curve. This is the only hope to lessen the pain of scoliosis.

Monday, July 14, 2008

3 Tips To Preserve Your Complexion Through Healthy Aging

If there is one part of our body that we always want to look young and fresh, it is our skin. Regardless of whether you are interested in healthy aging, you probably have spent thousands of dollars on skin care just to give your skin an extra day or two of longevity and youth. This is normal, after all, a wrinkled, lined complexion is one of the most noticeable signs of aging.


Luckily, there are certain healthy aging steps you can take to delay the most dramatic changes that occur to complexion as you age. This article will show you the three best ways to take care of your skin to help you stay young and beautiful long into your golden years.


Without healthy aging, the onset of old age hits complexion the hardest. Firstly, expect to see more and more lines and wrinkles as you grow older. Healthy aging can delay the process, but it is important to be prepared to deal with it sooner or later.


Your skin will start becoming less elastic, which in the long run will lead to it looking saggy and droopy in places. Your oil glands will grow less efficient with time, leading to much drier, thinner complexion. In short, without healthy aging, the fate that awaits your skin in the future is not pretty.


Luckily, there are ways to delay or even alleviate some of these problems. Using a good moisturizer is essential for healthy aging as your complexion will not be as dry and inelastic. A good moisturizer will also help you shed dead skin much faster and more systematically, resulting in complexion that looks much smoother. Of course, no moisturizer will help you delay skin aging forever, however, it is one of the key components of ensuring healthy aging of your skin.


Second, although you may like to spend time lounging on your favorite beach under the scorching glare of the sun, it is important to remember that sun exposure will also lead to drier skin.


Therefore, if you are serious about healthy aging, it is recommended not to spend too much time in the sun. If you absolutely have to go out on a sunny day, wear a good sunscreen as well as sun-reflective clothing. This might take some fun out of walking down the street and looking your absolute best when you were 20, but you will not regret doing that when you are 50.


Third, no matter how relaxing and alluring the prospect of having a long, hot bath may sound, studies show that spending too much time soaking in hot water can also lead to a drier complexion. Sadly, healthy aging for your skin and hour-long baths are not compatible.


It is important to moderate the amount of time you spend bathing and when you are relaxing in a tub, it is recommended that you avoid burning hot water and soak in warm water instead. It may not feel as good, but your skin will not suffer as much.


Furthermore, when you get out of the bath, try not to scrub yourself to death with a towel instead, gently rub or pat your skin and apply moisturizer. You will bask in the glow of freshly scrubbed moisturized skin, while your peers may start to look a bit like the towels they are using to dry themselves.


As you can see, there are many steps you can take to ensure healthy aging of your skin. It is important to keep in mind that time and age will catch up with you whether you like it or not as such, it is important to accept the fact, that one day, your skin will start showing signs of age. At one point, it is important to be able to accept your senior age and embrace it as a new, equally exciting part of your life.

Nocturnal Eating Disorder: A Rare Kind of Eating Disorder?

Sleep eating syndrome (called Nocturnal Eating Disorder, or NED) is a type of sleeping disorder in which the patient eats while clinically asleep. As a result of unconscious sleep eating, the patient often consumes extra calories and gains weight. In many cases, the type of food consumed during night eating is junk food, exacerbating the health problems associated with this sleeping disorder. This article will discuss nocturnal eating disorder: how to diagnose it, and what to do about it.


Because of a lack of judgment on the part of someone suffering from NED, the person may eat too much of what tends to be fat or sugar-rich junk food. This can lead to obesity. Another prominent risk of nocturnal eating disorder is the possibility of the patient cooking while asleep. The patient is not aware of cooking with fire, heat or sharp utensils.


Is nocturnal eating disorder considered to be an eating disorder? Technically, this eating disorder is not an eating disorder, but rather it is classified as a sleep disorder.


What can you do if you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from nocturnal eating disorder? The most important thing is to get an accurate diagnosis. Visit your doctor so that they will conduct a physical examination and take note of all your symptoms. Your doctor may order you to spend a night in a sleep lab.


Once the doctor diagnoses NED, there are many treatment options available for this problem. Physicians recommend that patients follow several preventative measures in order to keep nocturnal eating sessions at bay. Here are some of the most helpful tips for anyone who might be suffering from NED; Exercise has been proven to be beneficial for victims of nocturnal eating disorder. Even just a few minutes of movement and exercise each day can make a significant difference. Easy exercises that you can try include walking, bicycling, and dancing. Making just a few simple changes in your everyday routine can help you become more active. Try parking further away from the store when you go shopping, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Try to get in all your exercise in the morning. If you exercise in the evening, it might interfere with your ability to fall asleep.


Avoid caffeine and other stimulating substances. Don’t drink coffee; consume chocolate, soda, or other caffeinated or sugar-rich drinks near bedtime. Also, avoid any medications that you know interfere with your normal sleeping pattern. Many over the counter and prescription medications can interrupt with your sleeping pattern. Also, alcohol and nicotine can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Instead of consuming anything that may be stimulating, drink warm milk instead.


Take a warm bath before bedtime. A warm bath can be relaxing and signals the body that it’s time to wind down for the day. However, showers should be avoided right before bedtime, as these can be stimulating.


Consult your health professional for medications that can help. Nocturnal eating disorder can be helped through the use of specific medications. These include medications such as anti-depressants, including the drug Wellbutrin. Certain anti-seizure medications have also proven beneficial for counteracting the symptoms of NED. However, sedatives should be avoided; these can worsen the condition.

Social Anxiety Disorder: Dropping Out of the Mainstream

Victims of social anxiety disorder live in constant fear. Can you imagine how humiliated and terrified you would be if every single time you were in a social situation you felt like everyone in the room was watching you, laughing at you and judging you?


Everyone is capable of getting a little nervous when giving a formal presentation or meeting people for the first time. But for the 10 million Americans with social anxiety disorder, certain situations are completely intolerable. Social anxiety disorder is the third most common mental health disorder, after major depression and substance abuse.


People with social anxiety disorder syndrome are excessively fearful that others will criticize their public behavior. They worry that they will appear inarticulate or unintelligent, or that they will show embarrassing signs that indicate they are anxious or weak.


In his amazing ebook titled “Prisoners Of Our Thoughts”, Gary Miller points out that social anxiety occurs in varying degrees. Miller, who pulled himself out of the depths of social anxiety disorder, said: “As irrational as it may seem to other people as well as to the person who is affected, the fear ultimately takes over, causing many problems in family, work and social relationships.”


Miller notes that social anxiety can cause low self-esteem, depression, self-consciousness, avoidance, job limitations and lack of assertiveness, along with a myriad of other problems.


“I have seen these fears limit some of the brightest people I know”, said Miller


Many socially anxious people find it difficult, if not impossible to eat, drink and /or write in public. They fear they are being watched. This causes fears to emerge, and the person experiences trembling, nausea, sweating and other symptoms.


Dating is a major issue for sufferers of social anxiety. Dating requires one-on-one social situations that affected people will find difficult, if not impossible to handle. Fear of social situations isn’t the only problem in these situations. Socially anxious people often fear interacting with the opposite sex.


Physical symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder are similar to panic disorder and may include rapid heart rate, profuse sweating, trembling voice and shaky hands. These symptoms are doubly distressing because they further diminish the self esteem of the affected person.


In some cases sufferers will take extreme measures (drop out of school, refuse to go to college, turn down promotions at work or even avoid going to the bank). Rather than risk humiliating themselves, they drop out of the mainstream of life.


If you or someone you care about suffers from social anxiety syndrome you can reclaim your life, just as Gary Miller did.


Both social anxiety medication and behavioral therapy have proven successful in treating the disorder. Most treatment plans include a combination of both. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Knowing More About Goitre

This disease affects the thyroid gland, which happens to grow in size due to lack or excess of some key ingredients. The thyroid gland resides at the front of the throat, below the larynx also known as the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland plays a very important function in our system. It makes thyroid hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which spreads in the body through the bloodstream. Thyroxin helps to keep your body functions in proper condition.


Some of the signs and symptoms which would help you detect goitre are the enlargement of the throat which can differ in size from a lump to a huge mass of flesh. You will face problems while swallowing your food due to enlargement as well as breathing problems. As the enlarged tissue presses on to the windpipe and oesophagus it becomes difficult to breathe and swallow.


Some of the very common causes for goitre are:

*Insufficiency of iodine in your diet

*Consuming foods which negate the iodine factor of your diet also creates pathways for goiter

*Intake of drugs such as lithium and phenylbutazone is also a one of the cause is also a one of the cause

*The effects of thryoid cancer

*Growth of nodules on the thyroid gland

*Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)

*Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)


There are two types of goitre which can be classified as Endemic Goitre and Sporadic Goitre.


Endemic Goitre- It can said that this type of goitre is similar to an epidemic where in not an individual is affected but the whole area or community residing in a specific place gets affected. The lack of iodine is the major cause and in far-fetched places it becomes even more difficult to provide the proper care.


Sporadic Goitre- Here an individual is affected and the reasons could be as common as family history, lack of iodine in diet, and women succumb to goitre more than men.


Some of the treatment options you can try for the patients are


*Intake of iodine-rich diet

*By using drugs as mentioned by your doctor, you would see a change in your health

* Removal of the nodules present in the system either by medication or surgery