Showing posts with label health and care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health and care. Show all posts

Sunday, February 6, 2011

You usually take drugs and other substances with therapeutic effects in order to make you feel better. However, these drugs vary on how long they stay in your system. Some could last only for a few hours while others could even take as long as several months. Knowing how long these substances stay in your system is very important. This does not only give you additional knowledge, but it also helps you become aware of its side effects and the proper ways in dealing with it. One of the most common substances that are used by people nowadays is none other than marijuana. Marijuana, which is also known as weed or cannabis, is a very strong psychoactive substance. This is one of the many reasons why you should always know how long does weed stay in your system.
 Before knowing the answer to this question, you should first know some helpful information with regards to this substance. Marijuana or weed is a mixture of shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the hemp plant. This mixture is considered as fat soluble and is stored in the cells of the major organs of your body such as the brain, kidney and the liver. However, what makes the weed different from other plants is that it contains a psychoactive substance, which is known as TCH or tetrahydrocannabinol. Aside from this, marijuana also contains several other chemicals, mostly cannabinoids that can emphasize the effects of the TCH. Because of these components, the effects of the weed could last very long in our system. But the question is, how long?
Weed usually last depending on several factors. These factors include the weight or the size of the person taking the substances as well as the age, diet, fluid intake, metabolism, current health, degree of exposure to toxin, method used in taking the substance as well as the amount of weed utilized. Nevertheless, you can still conclude that weed can stay inside your body for as short as 3 days to as long as 90 days or approximately 3 months. This also depends on the half life of the said drug or substance. Half life would mean the rate of the drug as it is gradually eliminated out of the body. Usually the half life of the drug would take about 1 to 10 days. This would likewise suggest that traceable amounts could still be detected via urine drug testing even after 1 month. If you smoke occasionally only, then the drug could stay only for 10 days. If this is done frequently, it could last as long as 45 days. But, if it is already a habit to smoke regularly, then we could expect it to last for at least 3 months.
The speed of it entering your system also varies on the way it is taken in. if it is done through smoking, then the substance could enter the bloodstream in a few minutes, but if it is done orally, it could take at least 20 minutes to as long as 1 and half hours. These are just some of the things that you need to know about weeds. It is indeed important for you to know not just the effects and the indications of these drugs or substances, but as well as the length it stays in your system.

Posted on 6:46 PM by farooq

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Our eyes are one of the most delicate parts of our body. However, they are also considered one of the most important. Without our eyes, we are not able to visualize and witness all the beautiful things that surround us. This is because our eyes are the ones that enable us to see. Unfortunately, various problems such as diseases and disorders can hinder us from using or utilizing the benefits of our eyes. Some of these include cataract formation, glaucoma, blurring of vision and so much more. Another problem that could also affect our eyes is none other than eye twitching. Most of us would usually just ignore it if we experience this kind of problem. However, taking this for granted can actually result to more problems in the future. This is the reason why we should always be aware of the different details of this eye condition. So what does it mean when our eye twitches?
 First of all, what is eye twitching? Eye twitching is a type of condition that refers primarily to the involuntary twitching or movement of the muscles near the eye or of the eyelid. This is otherwise another type of eye spasm. There are times when the eyelid twitches repetitively or constantly that it becomes very rhythmic thus causing the eyelid to completely close. This condition or eye spasm can be caused by various factors that are medically related. However, some may also relate the meaning of eye twitches to many myths and superstitions. One of these superstitions says that when the right eye is blinking, it means that it’s good luck; however, if the left eye is the one having twitches, then it is supposed to be bad luck. Nevertheless, despite all these beliefs, medical intervention is the only thing that could be used in order to treat this problem.
Eye twitching is also called blepharospasm in medical terms. The degree of this problem usually varies on a case to case basis. Some experience severe spasms while others can also experience minor twitching only. These twitches are mostly related to facial nerve problems; however, specific causes as to why these nerves are not functioning properly are still unknown. Nonetheless, some factors such as stress, fatigue and lack of sleep are seen as triggering factors for this condition. In addition to these, drinking of (too much) alcohol, allergies, nutritional deficiencies and excessive intake of caffeine are also considered related to this problem. So what are the treatments for eye twitches?
Commonly, eye twitches only disappears or resolves on its own despite not having any medical management. Nevertheless, we could still do some intervention in order to hasten its symptoms. One of these is by applying warm compress on the affected eye while massaging the area gently. This can help soothe the eye muscles thus hindering it from any spasms. In case if it is caused by allergies, we can always try to wash our eyes or even take antihistamines or anti-allergy medications in order to remove the allergic reaction. These are just some of the ways we could treat this kind of eye problem. Now that we are already aware of the different information about eye twitching, we can definitely combat this problem a lot easier.

Posted on 6:43 PM by farooq

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Our hair is considered by many as our best asset. This does not only protect our scalp from foreign particles such as dust, but it also adds aesthetic benefits into our faces. No matter how long, short, straight or curly our hair is, this can still make us look a lot more attractive as long as it is managed or taken care properly. However, a lot of us also experience problems when it comes to fixing our hair. Some of these include problems in making our hair grow faster. Usually our hair grows half an inch every month, but there are some people who experience slower growth. Nevertheless, this problem could still be fixed as long as we know that different ways in doing it. Here are some of the steps that we could use in order for us to learn how to make your hair grow faster.
 First of all, just like any other procedures, we will need several items. These items include vitamins, shampoo and conditioner. Doing these steps is actually quite simple. As soon as we have acquired the needed materials, we will first need to warm our hair. This will actually allow faster hair growth since during hot seasons, hair grows faster compared to cold weathers. The warm temperature approximately doubles the speed of our hair growth. We should also show proper care for our hair by shampooing it every other day and apply hair moisturizers in order to prevent it from getting dry, brittle and easy to fall off. It is also recommended to give our hair enough air to breathe in. This means that we should not frequently wear hats in order for the hair to have bigger room to grow. In addition to these, it is also important to give our hair the needed vitamins and minerals. This could be done by having the right intake of foods like vegetables and fruits. If not, we could also try drinking supplements, like multivitamins, in order to nourish our hair. Exposing hair under the sun likewise help hasten the growth of our hair. It is, however, important not to keep it under the sun for so long since this could also do some damages. If we like, we could also purchase specialized shampoos and hair treatments that could specifically boost the speed of hair growth. In summary, the secret in letting our hair grow faster is simply by nourishing it and providing it with its requirements.
These are just some of the ways that we could use in order for us to have faster hair growth. As we can see, all of these steps are easy, simple and very cheap to do. As long as we know the right steps, we can definitely achieve our targeted goal or outcome as soon as possible.

Posted on 6:42 PM by farooq

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The developments made in the field of science and technology contributed a lot to human well-being. Years ago, surgical operations impose a lot of risks to its clients. Volumes and volumes of blood loss are being noted after an operation and risk of infection is inevitable. Current knowledge and advancements in surgical technique greatly reduced the volume of blood loss, the discomfort or surgery, the risk of infection, and also the length of recovery. One proof of this advancement is the laser sinus surgery. What is a sinus? And what is laser sinus surgery?
 Human beings have four sinuses. First is the maxillary sinus which is the largest among other sinuses and is located underneath the eyes, lying above the maxillary bone. Second is the frontal sinus which lies above the frontal bone or above the eyes. Third is the ethmoid sinus which lies between the eyes and the nose and lastly, the sphenoid sinus which is located at the base of the skull underneath the pituitary gland. Like any other body organ, these sinuses are also at risk for alteration which may need medical or worst, surgical interventions. Some sinus problems that may need surgical intervention are as follows: sinus pain or congestion, loss of smell, deviated septum, nasal polyps, severe allergic reactions, post nasal drip, nasal obstruction, and long term sinus headaches.
One common sinus surgery that is on top of the talk right now is the laser sinus surgery. It is a type of surgical procedure that produces lesser trauma and bleeding than the conventional surgical sinus surgery. It uses an endoscope and a laser in treating sinus problems. An endoscope is a thin instrument that has a camera and light on its tip. It is inserted on the nose to see the integrity of the sinuses. The doctor can either look directly on the endoscope through its external lens or through a monitor. With endoscope, there is no need to create an opening just to see the sinuses. After detecting the sinus problem, the next thing that the physician or surgeon would do is to insert the laser tool and correct the problem. Laser sinus surgery is perfectly engineered and backed-up with the latest science principles to a point that it does not injure the surrounding tissues of the nose and cause discomfort.
Recovery from laser sinus surgery would take less than a week and best thing is that it can be done in the clinic of a doctor or as out-patient procedure. There is no need for hospital admission and lie down on the operation table. Lesser risks and lesser cost are the two things that truly defines laser sinus surgery.

Posted on 6:39 PM by farooq

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Sleeping should be a time where one experiences total relaxation and comfort. It should not be a time for struggle to look for the best position on bed and should not be a predisposing factor to wake up with a sore neck or a back pain. There are many factors that can be attributed to body injuries brought about by sleeping and the number one on the list is the sleeping position. What are the types of sleeping positions? And what are the best pillows for side sleepers?
 Generally, there are three types of sleeping position. One is when one sleeps on their back or lying supine. Second is when one lies down on their stomach or prone position and the third is when one lies towards their side or side lying position. Some researches reveal that majority of people are side sleepers. The problem with side lying position is the possibility of waking up with back pain, shoulder pain and sore ear. These are mainly because of the pressure created on the side of the body and the misalignment of the spine. In order to get away with these side sleeping problems, one should look for the best pillow that can alleviate the pressure created on the side of the body and maintain the alignment of the spine.
PILLOW. The best pillow for side sleepers are actually those that are firm and can provide optimal comfort when sleeping. Since the level of comfort differs from person to person, it should be made known that looking for the best pillow is a personal choice. When shopping, it is not enough to touch the pillow and check its firmness, it is best to try lying on it. There are pillows that have a depression in the middle while there are some that have fillings that supports the neck in order to level the neck with the head and body. There are also pillows that have a cave like hole underneath in order to accommodate side sleepers who loves to raise their bottom arm when sleeping (there is no need to place the bottom arm underneath the pillow which can cut off the circulation on the arm especially when the sleeper is very heavy).
FILLING. Latex and memory foam are known for their great supporting capabilities. They are both malleable and can accommodate any shape and size of head. Grain pillows can also be an option for side sleepers. Grain pillows can be adjusted manually in order to accommodate the position of the head when sleeping.
Aside from supporting the top part of the body, it is also important to support the lower half of the body. A pillow can actually be placed between the knees in order to align the whole body and prevent the spine from curving. These are some things that need to be considered in order to attain optimum sleep and to wake up fresh and fully energized.

Posted on 6:38 PM by farooq

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Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that is known to affect the person’s mood and anxiety level. It is the main reason why some experiences seasonal affective disorder. For those who live in cold places, their serotonin level are low which contributes to feelings of depression and tiredness while for those who live in warm areas where the sun is always on top of their head, their serotonin level is high which contributes to feelings of well being and happiness. Serotonin is derived from tryptophan and is commonly found on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and platelets. Due to the mood-affecting capability of serotonin, a lot of people are asking this question: should I take serotonin vitamins? Read on to know the answer.

There are a lot of medications out there that can be purchased in order to elevate the level of serotonin and get away with depression. Some needs a physician’s prescription while some can be purchased over-the-counter. Some medications are made from different chemicals (SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) while some are made naturally (St. John’s Wort). Whatever the nature of medication is, it will always have side effects. The best answer that can be generated for the above question would be to consult a physician first before taking up anything because some medications that can elevate the serotonin level in the body could cause addiction (like L-theanine and valerian root). On the other hand, there are ways that can be done in order to elevate the level of serotonin in the body. They are all natural and does not need a prescription. Below are some of those.
DIET. Try to note your diet. List all the foods you are consuming for about a week or two and note if you eat foods that can contribute to low serotonin level. Studies have shown that poor diet can actually be attributed to low serotonin level. Processed foods, whole wheat and rye bread are known to decrease level of serotonin while fruits such as banana, dates, and papaya can alleviate the level of serotonin. Eliminate junk foods in your diet and limit the intake of carbohydrates. A diet high in carbohydrates increases insulin level in the body which, at the same time, lowers the level of serotonin. It is also better to avoid caffeine like soft drinks and tea.
EXERCISE. Exercise produces endorphins which allow one to fight off stress and feel good with oneself. It also prevents obesity. Obese people will in time need insulin therapy and insulin is known to oppose serotonin.
GET ENOUGH SUNLIGHT. Do not be afraid to go out of the sun (just do not forget to wear sunscreen). Sunlight increases the level of serotonin in the body. During winter, sunlight alternatives can be chosen in order to feel the warmth that the natural sunlight provides.
These are some ways that can be done to increase the serotonin level in the body. They are simple, inexpensive, healthy, and for sure NO SIDE EFFECTS.

Posted on 6:37 PM by farooq

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Thursday, November 4, 2010

SimpleCare International and Hospital Santa Elena Renew Network Agreement

COSTA DEL SOL, Malaga., March 31 /Newswire/ SimpleCare International and Hospital Santa Elena in Torremolinos announced today they have reached agreement on their contract renewal. As a result, Hospital Santa Elena will continue as a participating hospital in SimpleCares networks without interruption.

We are pleased to have reached a multi-year agreement with Hospital Santa Elena that allows SimpleCare and the hospital to continue our valuable relationship, said Raymond B. Prats, president, SimpleCare Health Plan. This arrangement will continue to provide our members with access to quality health care at the Hospital Santa Elena at fair and competitive rates.

We believe the new contract is fair, and recognizes and reflects each organizations commitment to this community, the patients we are both privileged to serve, and our collective commitment to quality-driven, efficient and cost-effective care, The agreement we have forged strengthens our mission to provide the advanced technology, top-level staff and comprehensive services that patients and physicians have come to expect when choosing Santa Elena

About SimpleCare Health Plan International

SimpleCare Health Plan names and symbols are registered marks of SimpleCare Health Plan. Additional information about SimpleCare is available at www.simplecarehealthplan.com.

About Hospital Santa Elena

Hospital Santa Elena is a state of the art community hospital. A leader in orthopedic, spine, cardiac and lung cancer surgery. For more information, visit http://www.csantaelena.com/


SIMPLECARE
Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 72; Edf. Golden, Portal B, 1 Planta;
Marbella, Malaga 29601 Spain
simplecare@mac.com
www.simplecarehealthplan.com
www.simplecareworldhealth.com
952 768 315

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Posted on 6:17 PM by farooq

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Llevamos toda una vida con el cabello largo y no nos podemos imaginar nuestra imagen de otra maneraNos hace sentirnos ms seguras, casi arropadas, pero todo el mundo nos dice que es demasiado larga o demasiado normal...

Bien, si no queremos realizar un cambio de imagen drstico, no hay porqu hacerlo, lo que si debemos es saber sacarle todo el partido que sea posible.
En cualquier caso, cuesta tanto que crezca que vale la pena tomarse algunas pequeas molestias para que luzca en todo su esplendor.

Cmo debemos cuidarlo?

Es muy importante desenredarlo todas las noches para evitar en la medida de lo posible que se enmarae ms y que al da siguiente cueste mucho quitar los nudos.

Hay que cepillarse con cepillos de cerdas naturales, ya que las que no lo son, electrizan mucho el cabello y provocan roturas en la estructura del cabello. La forma de cepillarse es decisiva para conseguir que las puntas se mantengan perfectas, la manera correcta es eliminar los nudos cepillando de la mitad de la melena hacia las puntas y despus pasar a cepillar de raz a puntas.

Siempre hacerlo antes de lavar el cabello y despus, con el cabello hmedo, proceder con mucho cuidado, ya que corre ms riesgo de romperse.

El mantener una cabellera con una buena longitud, trae consigo que las puntas no sean cortadas muy a menudo lo que conlleva sequedad y prdida de brillo en la mayora de los casos.

Esto nos llevara a elegir un champ muy nutritivo e hidratante pero tambin es muy frecuente que la raz sea grasa.

En estos casos lo aconsejable es escoger un champ de los llamados divalentes, para cuero cabelludo graso y puntas secas, la saponaria es un compuesto natural que se puede encontrar en muchos productos y es muy efectiva.

Qu requiere el cabello?

Lo ideal es no lavarlo ms de dos veces por semana para no resecarlo mucho a no ser que nos encontremos con un problema de grasa en la raz que sea muy importante.

Al menos una vez por semana hay que aplicar una mascarilla y el resto, aplicar despus del champ un blsamo para las puntas secas.

Hay melenas que a pesar de ser de capas muy enteras, poseen por si mismas volumen, stas son ideales para darles un nuevo aire, ondulndolo ligeramente, con rulos (los elctricos, en caliente, son fciles de poner) da un efecto muy glamuroso.

Tambin podemos hacer rizos ms pequeos con tenacillas rizadoras, en caliente. Las encontraremos de diferentes tamaos. Quedan ideales!

Qu opciones tenemos para dar otro look al cabello?

Para este tipo de melenas, el corte es fundamental, debido a la longitud, el pelo pesa, dando una sensacin de rigidez que no siempre favorece.

El cabello no tiene mucho cuerpo, es aconsejable elegir cortes que aporten un poco de dinamismo, capendolo y texturizando las puntas.

Un flequillo corto, muy definido, si favorece al ovalo de cara, dar un giro radical a nuestra imagen sin sacrificar ni un centmetro de cabello.

Algn toque de color tambin ayudar a realzar o suavizar nuestras facciones.

Otras opciones, muy de moda, son la utilizacin de complementos, diademas, coleteros y horquillas.

Las coletas estn rompiendo en pasarela, sobre todo muy bajas y con grandes flequillos.

En definitiva, un cabello largo no tiene porqu ser aburrido, con mimo y un poco de imaginacin podremos lucir nuestra melena sana, brillante y a la ltima.

No olvidemos que la mayora de las mujeres hoy en da, paga por llevar unas largas extensiones y vosotras las tenis gratis y naturales.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Posted on 6:16 PM by farooq

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Viral gastroenteritis, also known as "the stomach flu", is a very common infection of the stomach and intestines. It is the second most common illness encountered in American families and causes approximately 50,000 hospitalizations per year. Viruses that are transferred from infected food to person and passed from person to person via contaminated silverware, food and water cause it. These viruses can be very contagious and "outbreaks" may occur if appropriate hand washing and sterilization does not occur in public facilities. Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis are common in schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, jails, dormitories, and cruise ships.

The viruses which cause gastroenteritis are rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, saporvirus and astrovirus. Rotavirus is the most common virus implicated in this illness. It causes endemic gastroenteritis in infants and children. Norovirus (Norwalk virus) causes ninety percent of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the U.S. Although "the stomach flu" implies the influenza virus is associated with this infection, it is not.

Viral gastroenteritis is characterized by intense muscle aches, cramps and chills which precede nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea usually temporarily relieve the nausea and pain. The vomit and diarrhea are usually non-bloody and the stool may lighten in color. People often feel fatigued and dehydrated because of the energy involved with clearing the infection from the body and losing fluid via vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms begin 1-2 days after becoming infected with the virus and last 1-10 days, depending on which virus is involved.

The treatment of viral gastroenteritis includes rest, analgesics and re-hydration. Tylenol may be used to treat fever and muscle cramps. The replenishment of fluids with water, electrolyte drinks or oral rehydration solutions (sugar and electrolytes) is essential to prevent dehydration. When replacing fluids, it is important to replace volume and electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, hydrogen and potassium. Water as hydration helps replace volume, but if too much is given without replacement of electrolytes, the relative concentration of these important ions decreases and metabolic/electrolyte imbalances occur in the body. Re-hydration should occur with electrolyte drinks to protect against hyponatremia. Most quality sports drinks will fill this requirement.

One should drink enough fluid to keep their mouth moist and their urine light yellow to clear. As the diarrhea and/or vomiting subsides, one may slowly introduce soft foods into the diet. Soft foods are jello, saltine crackers, pudding, rice, bread and soups without meats. It is important to watch for abdominal cramping, retching or liquid stools while trying to resume a normal diet, these symptoms could indicate the intestines are still inflamed from the infection and need more time to heal.

Adequate hydration is especially important in people who are young (infants), elderly, frail and immunocompromised their bodies are already stressed and gastroenteritis can take a huge toll on the body. These people are usually either dependent on others for fluid and food or have difficulty maintaining healthy nutrition. Vomiting and diarrhea may further deplete their bodies of already limited water and energy stores.

If dehydration occurs, the body's normal fluid balance is disturbed and potentially serious electrolyte (sodium, potassium, hydrogen, bicarbonate, and chloride) abnormalities can occur. When electrolyte abnormalities are severe and prolonged, the function of the nervous, cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal systems is compromised. Dehydration is characterized by fatigue, dry mouth, decreased urination, loose skin and lightheadedness (especially when changing from the laying to standing positions).

Although one may be tempted to use anti-diarrheal (Imodium) and anti-vomiting (Phenergan) medications, these types of medications are not recommended during this illness. Vomiting and diarrhea are the body's way of getting rid of the virus, and even though these symptoms are distressing and uncomfortable, it is important to allow the body's natural defense mechanism to function. The exception to this rule occurs when someone cannot hold down fluids and is dehydrated; the use of an anti-diarrheal medication can help the body restore its fluid balance.

Viral gastroenteritis can be prevented by thorough hand washing after eating and using the bathroom and wiping surfaces that have come in contact with infected food with disinfectant cleaners. Eating a balanced diet and taking supplements which boost the immune system can also prevent one from getting viral gastroenteritis.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Posted on 6:12 PM by farooq

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I remember as a kid when my Great Aunt Grace would put some Epsom Salts in a dish pan, add really warm water and soak her feet because they hurt.

So, to me, that's what Epsom Salts was all about - a remedy for painful joints in old folks. Little did I know!

Times have changed - or have they?

All the talk about 'Natural Remedies' and 'getting back to basics' always floors me because my great aunt and my grandmothers were all doing this stuff when I was a little girl. So did my mom...and so have I. So, for me, there's been no 'getting back to' anything.

However, I'm not too old to learn and since learning is one thing I LOVE to do, I decided to learn more about Epsom Salts after reading a snippet on detoxification. Here's what I've found.

Studies show these benefits from the major components of Epsom Salt may:

Magnesium:

* Ease stress and improves sleep and Concentration

* Help muscles and nerves function properly

* Regulate activity of 325%2B enzymes

* Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots

* Make Insulin more effective

* Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps

* Improve oxygen use

Sulfates:

* Flush Toxins

* Improve absorption of nutrients

* Help form joint Proteins, brain tissue and mucin Proteins

* Help prevent or ease Migraine Headaches

The Many Uses of Epsom Salts...

1) Wash your face before going to bed

According to recent studies in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, deposits of nicotine and carbon monoxide (from secondhand smoke and pollution) can wreck havoc on the skin..

To cleanse your face - Mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

2) Troubleshoot with the right homemade mask

Apply this mask in the shower, to your damp face, to lock in the moisture. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of nonfat dry milk, the juice of 1 Lemon, and a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt. For normal to dry skin mix 1/4 cup of grated Carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt.

3) Smoother Softer Skin

Pour two cups into a bath of warm water. Lean back and relax. As you soak, the natural action of Epsom Salt helps soften the rough, dry patches of your skin. You can also rub Epsom salts all over the body, while wet, then rinse and towel off. Rubbing Epsom salts directly on the body exfoliates skin and leaves it smooth and silky. They make a great gift to give someone when you put them in a nice glass jar with lid and tie on a pretty ribbon. You can add scent to them by sprinkling them with essential oil. Or mix Epsom salts with baby oil and keep by the sink if you wash your hands a lot.

4) Add Body to Your Hair

Combine 3 tablespoons of deep conditioner with 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salt. Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds. Work the warm mixture through your hair from scalp to ends and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Promotes body and life in your hair and restores curl to permed hair.

5) Remove Hairspray and Gel Buildup

Combine a gallon of distilled water, a cup of Lemon juice (fresh or bottled), and 1 cup of Epsom Salt. Cap the mixture and let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

5) Soak tired, aching feet (this one sounds familiar!)

Soak aching, tired feet in a pan of water with half a cup of Epsom salts and not only will your feet feel better, but they'll smell better too. Epsom salts work to neutralize odor and soften skin. Soak feet until they feel better then rinse and dry well. A full bath should contain 2 cups of Epsom salts for relief of tired feet, back muscles, legs or just as a way to have softer skin.

6) Combat oily hair

The salts do wonders for the hair, absorbing oil from problem hair by adding 8 tablespoons of Epsom salts to a half a cup of shampoo that's formulated for oily hair. Put a tablespoon of the shampoo mixture on dry hair and work it in and around the scalp area, rinsing it out with cold water. To rinse it well, and further treat oily hair, pour a cup of apple cider vinegar over the hair, leave on for 5 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.

7) Soak out splinters

Did you know, for instance, that soaking a splinter in Epsom salts can release the splinter and help the area to heal?

8) Make a poultice pack for strains or sprains

If you have any strained muscles or sprains, you can take 1/2 to 1 cup of Epsom salts and make a "pack" with it to place on the affected area, wrap with hot towel and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. TIP: This can be a lot less messy and more relaxing if done in the bath.

9) Helps prevent hardening of arteries and blood clots

Epsom Salt is also believed to help prevent Heart Disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden Heart Attack deaths.

10) Makes Insulin more effective

This salt also increases the effectiveness of Insulin, helping to lower the risk or severity of Diabetes.

11) Essential to plant health

Most plants to survive good health need nutrients like magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium Sulfate Crystals when added to the soil, provides vital nutrients to help prevent loss of green color (magnesium is an essential element in the chlorophyll molecule), yellowing leaves. Epsom Salt makes the primary nutrients in most plant foods (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) more effective.

12) Get rid of raccoons

Are the masked night marauders poking around your trash can, creating a mess and raising a din? A few tablespoons of Epsom salt spread around your garbage cans will deter the raccoons, who don't like the taste of the stuff. Don't forget to reapply after it rains.

13) Deter slugs

Are you tired of visiting your yard at night only to find the place crawling with slimy slugs? Sprinkle Epsom salt where they glide and say good-bye to the slugs.

14) Fertilize tomatoes and other plants

Want those Big Boys to be big? Add Epsom salt as a foolproof fertilizer. Every week, for every foot of height of your tomato plant, add one tablespoon. Your tomatoes will be the envy of the neighbor-hood. Epsom salt is also a good fertilizer for houseplants, roses and other flowers, and trees.

15) Make your grass greener

How green is your valley? Not green enough, you say? Epsom salt, which adds needed magnesium and iron to your soil, may be the answer. Add 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of water. Spread on your lawn and then water it with plain water to make sure it soaks into the grass.

16) Clean bathroom tiles

Is the tile in your bathroom getting that grungy look? Time to bring in the Epsom salt. Mix it in equal parts with liquid dish detergent, then dab it onto the offending area and start scrubbing. The Epsom salt works with the detergent to scrub and dissolve the grime.

17) Regenerate a car battery

Is your car battery starting to sound as if it won't turn over? Worried that you'll be stuck the next time you try to start your car? Give your battery a little more life with this potion. Dissolve about an ounce of Epsom salt in warm water and add it to each battery cell.

18) Get rid of blackheads

Here's a surefire way to dislodge blackheads: Mix 1 teaspoon Epsom salt and 3 drops iodine in 1/2 cup boiling water. When the mixture cools enough to stick your finger in it, apply it to the blackhead with a cotton ball. Repeat this three or four times, reheating the solution if necessary. Gently remove the blackhead and then dab the area with an alcohol-based astringent.

19) Frost your windows for Christmas

If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, but the weather won't cooperate, at least you can make your windows look frosty. Mix Epsom salt with stale beer until the salt stops dissolving. Apply the mixture to your windows with a sponge -- for a realistic look, sweep the sponge in an arc at the bottom corners. When the mixture dries, the windows will look frosted.

20) Relieves Constipation

Numerous studies have revealed that Epsom Salt can also be used to treat Constipation. The salt acts like a Laxative. It increases the water in the intestines and can bring about temporary relief from Constipation. However, it is strictly warned that Epsom Salts should not be used to relieve Constipation without the consultation of a physician as it may prove to be harmful in some cases. For occasional Constipation or irregularity, adults can mix 2 to 4 teaspoons into water until dissolved and drink. Kids 6 to 12 take half of that. This can be used twice a day by taking the first treatment, waiting 4 hours and taking the second dosage if necessary.




Sources: epsomsaltcouncil.org

Posted on 6:04 PM by farooq

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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Muscles are one of those things that most of us take completely for granted, but they are incredibly important for two key reasons:
  • Muscles are the "engine" that your body uses to propel itself. Although they work differently than a car engine or an electric motor, muscles do the same thing -- they turn energy into motion.
  • It would be impossible for you to do anything without your muscles. Absolutely everything that you conceive of with your brain is expressed as muscular motion. The only ways for you to express an idea are with the muscles of your larynx, mouth and tongue (spoken words), with the muscles of your fingers (written words or "talking with your hands") or with the skeletal muscles (body language, dancing, running, building or fighting, to name a few).
Because muscles are so crucial to any animal, they are incredibly sophisticated. They are efficient at turning fuel into motion, they are long-lasting, they are self-healing and they are able to grow stronger with practice. They do everything from allowing you to walk to keeping your blood flowing!
When most people think of "muscles," they think about the muscles that we can see. For example, most of us know about the biceps muscles in our arms. But there are three unique kinds of muscle in any mammal's body:
  • Skeletal muscle is the type of muscle that we can see and feel. When a body builder works out to increase muscle mass, skeletal muscle is what is being exercised. Skeletal muscles attach to the skeleton and come in pairs -- one muscle to move the bone in one direction and another to move it back the other way. These muscles usually contract voluntarily, meaning that you think about contracting them and your nervous system tells them to do so. They can do a short, single contraction (twitch) or a long, sustained contraction (tetanus).
  • Smooth muscle is found in your digestive system, blood vessels, bladder, airways and, in a female, the uterus. Smooth muscle has the ability to stretch and maintain tension for long periods of time. It contracts involuntarily, meaning that you do not have to think about contracting it because your nervous system controls it automatically. For example, your stomach and intestines do their muscular thing all day long, and, for the most part, you never know what's going on in there.
  • Cardiac muscle is found only in your heart, and its big features areendurance and consistency. It can stretch in a limited way, like smooth muscle, and contract with the force of a skeletal muscle. It is a twitch muscle only and contracts involuntarily.
In this article, we will look at the different types of muscles in your body and the amazing technology that allows them to work so well.  From here on, we will focus on skeletal muscle. The basic molecular processes are the same in all three types.

Posted on 9:30 PM by farooq

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Friday, October 29, 2010

All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, and type 2 diabetes can be controlled with tablets, but it is a chronic condition that usually cannot be cured.
“It is extremely important that as soon as you notice some of the classical symptoms of diabetes, you consult a doctor and find out what type of diabetes do you have in order to receive the proper treatment”
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 1 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy).
Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 2 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy). Learn more about these complications and how to cope with them.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
“…Because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, you need to start treatment quickly. Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don’t have gestational diabetes. Treatment for gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections. You will need help from your doctor, nurse educator, and other members of your health care team so that your treatment for gestational diabetes can be changed as needed…” R. Nyleve added.
For the mother-to-be, treatment for gestational diabetes helps lower the risk of a cesarean section birth that very large babies may require. Sticking with your treatment for gestational diabetes will give you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and may help your baby avoid future poor health. (see Diabetes Symptoms)
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 41 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes.

Posted on 6:37 PM by farooq

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The list of fat burning foods that I am going to present to you below is very powerful. You combine this list with a regular exercise program and your metabolic rate will go thought the roof. You will feel much more energetic and lose weight all through the day.
I hear you asking, “List of fat burning foods? How do foods help burn fat?” Well read on and I will show you! You see, there are some foods out there, which burn up more calories when you consume them, than the calories that they give you. Now this is fantastic. Because, you can safely have these foods, not starve your self, and actually lose weight!
What are of these fat burning foods? How do they work? Fat Burning Foods
Fruits Rich In “Vitamin C” (basically all citrus fruits!) Limes, lemons, oranges, guava, grapefruit, papaya, sweet lime, tangerines & tomatoes. The fat burning properties of these foods come from the fact that, Vitamin C helps the body process fat faster & also dilutes the fat and makes it easy to release it from the body.
Apples Pectin in apples, prevent the bodies cells from absorbing fats. An apple a day, truly keeps the doctor away, in many different ways!

Dairy Products that are RICH in calcium This one is a very powerful fat burning food type! A study done by Professor Michael Zemel at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, found that people who had 3 servings of calcium rich dairy, burned much more belly fat if all other factors were maintained a constant. The foods, that you should eat in this category include milk, cheese, yogurt etc. This one is surprising, but true!
Chilies Chilies contain something called “capsaicin”. And this capsaicin boosts the bodies metabolic rate. Studies have also shown that consuming chilies, gets the body in fat burning mode for the next 20 minutes or so! Fat Burning Foods
Proteins Protein rich foods are best for burning tummy fat! For the body to break-down proteins, it takes a good amount of calories. So consuming beans, whole grain, oatmeal, eggs etc. is a great idea from the fat burning point of view! In fact, a study proved that “Lentils” are a great tummy flattener! They are high in proteins and soluble fiber, and have a very good side effect of stabilizing blood sugar!
Stick to the above list of fat burning foods religiously and don’t starve your self, and you should see great results!

Posted on 6:36 PM by farooq

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This article is written for those of you who may have heard it said thousands of times before that a healthy diet and nutrition is important but may not truly understand why. In this article I want to explain to you the importance of good nutrition. I want to explain to you why good nutrition is great for your health. There are three great reasons that I have outlined below:
Good Nutrition Provides Energy- People who do not eat a healthy diet generally find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. They have no energy. This lack of energy means that people may suffer from a lack of concentration. They may not get as many tasks done as possible throughout the day. You need to improve your diet to increase your energy so that you get more done with your day.

Good Nutrition Provides Raw Materials to keep your body working- A great diet is also important to make sure that your body is working properly. Good nutrition provides you the raw materials that you need to grow your body. Protein is important for muscle growth and regeneration. Carbohydrates are important for energy so you can improve your fitness and mental alertness.
Vitamins and minerals to help raw materials- You need to make sure that you also have a diet that is high in vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals help keep you healthy and boost your immune system so that the raw materials can do their job properly.
As you have seen from the above, good nutrition is important for your health in so many ways. Nutrition is important because it helps with increasing energy, it can help build your muscles and improve your fitness and a great diet keeps you healthy and boosts your immune system. Nutrition is a key to healthy aging.

Posted on 6:36 PM by farooq

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Diabetes is an excess of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce the hormone insulin or does so insufficiently Without enough insulin, or with little of it, the blood sugar rises causing frequent urination, constant thirst, weakness, fatigue, and cardiovascular and renal damage.
There are two main types of diabetes. The more serious but less common is the type I, which affects children and sometimes young adults. In these cases, affected people must inject insulin because their pancreas does not produce it.

Type II diabetes is almost always manifiesa after forty years. The persoans affected by this form of enferemedad usually have too much insulin, but it fails in its function because the cells are resistant to it. It is known also as non-insulin dependent diabetes and accounts for 90% of cases If a person wants to determine their levels of blood glucose should realia two exams: one in fasting and another two hours after a meal. In fasting normal sugar content should be of 80-120 mg per 100 ml of blood. Two hours after the meal, should be 160 mg per 100 ml of blood Any result greater than this requires immediate medical examination.
Because nutrition plays an important role on the amount of sugar circulating in the blood, home remedies and natural food just used that help blood sugar levels remain controlled and which are described below:

Cure Diabetes # 1: The most famous traditional remedy in relation to this disease is the pulp of aloe vera as is known in some countries.
Cure Diabetes # 2: Other beneficial foods are regarded as artichokes and sage. In this sense, the sage wine is excellent to lower blood sugar. In preparing it, should be boiled100 grams leaves sage in a liter of wine for two minutes. Allow to cool and strain. It is necessary to drink a cup after each meal.
Cure Diabetes # 3 For diabetics, following infusion nettle is good, because it reduces blood glucose. It consists of 25 g of nettle root and ½ liter of water. Is boiled nettle root in water, to simmer for a few minutes and then remove from heat and slips.
Cure Diabetes # 4 Other foods that help control sugar are theonion, garlic, Alimena fiber-rich, heavy, barley, Broccoli, curry, cinnamon, Oats, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
Cure Diabetes # 5 Eating fresh parsley fasting.
Cure Diabetes # 6 Take some sprigs of parsley and marinate in white wine overnight. Then take one cup during the next day.
Cure Diabetes # 7 Make a decoction of walnut leaves and a cup a day
Causes of Diabetes
There are many reasons why people develop diabetes they can be infection of the pancreas, weight, stress, in activeness, age, family history, race, high blood pressure, poor nutrition, and gender. Some people can develop diabetes but their blood sugar level may not be high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This is a condition that if it is not caught it could turn into type 2 diabetes.

Sometimes diabetes can be caused by an infection in the pancreas. When this happens the pancreas will not produce enough insulin and sugar can build up in the blood stream. The sugar then will not move to the cell.
Health professionals have stated that if your waist is bigger then thirty five inches, you have some risk of developing diabetes. Inactive people are at a high risk more so the in people that exercise two to three times a week. You do not need to go to the gym just a brisk walk for thirty minutes can help.
The risk of developing diabetes get higher as you get older. There have been studies done that prove that eighty percent of people who develop diabetes are over the age of forty five.

Another factor for diabetes is your family history has a lot to do with if you are going to get it or not. If you have a parent or a relative that is close that has diabetes then that means that you are at risk for developing diabetes. You share the same genes and it could be reversed if there is some sort of preventive measure.
Recommendations
Eating foods with fiber According to studies, natural fiber from foods such as whole wheat, barley, oats, legumes, vegetables and fruit is especially beneficial to diabetics by reducing blood cholesterol, control weight and also help you feel less hungry.
Eating less and more often. Because the diabetic’s body can more easily digest smaller amounts of food, as this requires less insulin to control the amount of glucose that comes from each food, it is suggested that instead of eating three large meals were divided into six small meals.
Beware of hidden sugar There are foods that raise blood sugar and therefore is better than a diabetic do not consume such as:
· Corn flakes, honey
· Carrot potatoes and beets, biscuits, choclatina
· Bread includes white flour
· White and brown rice raisin apple banana, grapes
· Ice cream, whole milk and skim yogurt

Baby Teeth Due or that diabetics are more susceptible to infections, it is necessary to keep your gums and teeth healthy. This requires you to do everything that usually makes a person without diabetes, but in a more meticulous which includes brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist to control plaque and tartar.
Care and protect your feet Because of the damage that diabetes causes nerve lowers the pain sensation (the diabetic does not realize when they have a wound), requires the constant review of the feet (you can use a mirror if required) to make sure you do not have blisters, small cuts or injuries that may become a big problem. If you experience any irregularities, it should act as follows.
· Wash the affected area and put a tape type paper or cloth (not plastic because it weakens the skin to remove).
· Visit a doctor if the injury does not heal or show signs of infection such as redness, red streaks, warmth or swelling.
Prevention recommendations related to the diabetic foot are:
· Wash, rinse and dry your feet, because a clean up is less prone to infections.
· Apply moisturizing lotion or cream on the feet, but avoid applying it between her fingers.
· Cut toenails straight across, taking care not to produce any cut.
· Do not use a pumice stone or callus grubbers, which can irritate the foot and cause possible injury. If you have calluses, see a podiatrist
· Choose shoes carefully, because, when buying a new one very close can cause blisters and may even hinder the circulation of blood
· Change socks or stockings for clean ones every day
· Avoid walking barefoot (both inside and outside the house
· Examine your shoes daily for any item (such as a nail or glass) that can damage the skin of the feet.
Do not use heating pads to warm your feet.
Stop smoking, since it impedes the risk of blood in the feet which can lead to amputation.
Caring for the weight Excess weight is the most serious problem in type II diabetics. So, keep a healthy weight. If not, you should not start a diet without medical supervision.
Exercise Should be developed in conjunction with the physician, an exercise program, because if you do one of great effort, can be dangerous (it can produce up to a neuropathy or dehydration).
A highly recommended exercise is walking. This should be
· Acquiring the right shoes and when they begin to show signs of wear, must be replaced by new ones.
· Leave your car parked where available,
· Try to walk more steps each week and keep a record about it.
· Seek an exercise buddy as they walk together is more fun.
· Up and down stairs instead of taking the elevator
· If you feel pain when walking, stop the exercises and consult your doctor
Keeping a diary In a diary, the diabetic can note certain factors in order to keep them under control as:
Body weight.
The presence of glucose and ketones in the urine.
The level of glucose in the blood.

Posted on 6:35 PM by farooq

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