Health tips

Frostbite

2012-01-02T04:04:00.000-08:00

The parts of the body most affected by frostbite are exposed areas of the face (cheeks, nose, chin, forehead), the ears, wrists, hands and feet. Frostbitten skin is whitish and stiff and feels numb rather than painful. When spending time outdoors during cold weather, be alert for signs of frostbite and, if you notice any, take immediate action.

To treat frostbite, warm the affected part of the body gradually. Wrap the area in blankets, sweaters, coats, etc. If no warm wrappings are available, place frostbitten hands under the armpits or use your body to cover the affected area. Seek medical attention immediately.

Do not rub frostbitten areas; the friction can damage the tissue. Do not apply snow to frostbitten areas. Because its temperature is below freezing, snow will aggravate the condition.

Hypothermia

2012-01-02T04:02:00.000-08:00

Hypothermia a drop in body temperature to 95 degrees or less can be fatal if not detected promptly and treated properly. In the United States, about 700 deaths occur each year from hypothermia.

While hypothermia can happen to anyone, the elderly run the highest risk because their bodies often do not adjust to changes in temperature quickly and they may be unaware that they are gradually getting colder. The condition usually develops over a period of time, anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and even mildly cool indoor temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees can trigger it. If you have elderly relatives or friends who live alone, encourage them to set their thermostats above 65 degrees to avoid hypothermia.

When the body temperature drops, the blood vessels near the surface of the body narrow to reduce heat loss. Muscles begin to tighten to make heat. If the body temperature continues to drop, the person will begin to shiver. The shivering continues until the temperature drops to about 90 degrees. Temperatures below 90 degrees create a life-threatening situation.

Signs of hypothermia include forgetfulness, drowsiness, slurred speech, change in appearance (e.g., puffy face), weak pulse, slow heartbeat, and very slow and shallow breathing. If the body temperature drops to or below 86 degrees, a person may slip into a coma or have a death-like appearance.

If you notice these symptoms in a person, take his or her temperature. If it is 95 degrees or below, call a doctor or ambulance or take the victim directly to a hospital. To prevent further heat loss, wrap the patient in a warm blanket. A hot water bottle or electric heating pad (set on low) can by applied to the person's stomach. If the victim is alert, give small quantities of warm food or drink.

There are several things you should not do to a hypothermia victim. Do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not give a hot shower or bath, since it could cause shock. Generally, do not try to treat hypothermia at home. The condition should be treated in a hospital.

Influenza

2012-01-02T03:58:00.000-08:00

A contagious respiratory infection, influenza is not a serious health threat for most people. However, for the elderly or those who have a chronic health problem, influenza can result in serious complications, such as pneumonia.

Symptoms of the flu usually develop suddenly, about three days after being exposed to the virus. They include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and soreness and aching in the back, arms and legs. Although these are similar to those caused by cold viruses, flu symptoms tend to be more severe and to last longer. Abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea symptoms of what is commonly called stomach or intestinal flu do not accompany influenza.

The flu is highly contagious and, if it occurs in your family or community, there is no practical way to avoid exposure to the virus. Bed rest, a mild pain reliever and lots of fluids are the best treatment. (Caution: Unless advised by a physician, a child or teenager with a flu-like illness should not take aspirin. Its use in the presence of a flu infection is linked with an increased risk of Reye syndrome. Instead use another mild pain reliever that does not contain aspirin.) Antibiotics are not effective against flu viruses.

Flu vaccines, while not always effective in preventing the illness, do reduce the severity of the symptoms and protect against complications that could develop. The shots are strongly recommended for persons 65 years of age and older and those who suffer from such chronic health problems as heart disease, respiratory problems, renal disease, diabetes, anemia or any disease that weakens the body's immune system. Infants, children and young people up to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term treatment with aspirin should also get a flu shot. Persons allergic to eggs or who have a high fever, however, should avoid or postpone getting a flu shot.

Because influenza vaccine is only effective for one year and viruses vary from year to year, it is necessary to get a flu shot every year. In Illinois, the flu season usually begins in November and lasts until around the middle of April. If you plan to get a flu shot do so early since it takes about two weeks to develop full immunity. However, even a shot in January may protect against a late winter outbreak.

Colds

2012-01-02T03:53:00.000-08:00

More than 100 viruses can cause colds, the world's most common illness, so few people escape being exposed to at least one of them. In the United States, most people average about three colds every year.

Once it enters the body through the nose or throat, the cold virus begins to multiply, causing any of a number of symptoms: sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, aches and pains, mild fever, nasal congestion and coughing. A cold usually lasts a week or two.

The best way to treat a cold is to take a mild pain reliever, avoid unnecessary activity, get as much bed rest as possible and drink plenty of fluids, especially fruit juices. Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies may relieve some of the symptoms, but they will not prevent, cure or even shorten the course of the illness.

While there is no vaccine to protect you from catching a cold, there are ways to lessen your chances of coming down with the illness. Keep up your natural resistance through good nutrition and getting enough sleep and exercise. Turn your thermostat down and keep the humidity up in your home. Dry air dries out the mucous membranes in your nose and throat and causes them to crack, creating a place where cold viruses can enter your body. Avoid direct contact with those who have colds and wash your hands frequently.

tips for menstruation pains

2011-02-16T04:38:00.000-08:00

There exist two types of dismenoree:
1. dismenoreea which dissapears after giving birth
Symptoms: painful cramps, pains in the inferior abdomen region, headaches, nausea, breast sensibility, overweight;
Treatment: different types of medicines such as ibuprofen, aspirin.
2. dismenoreea caused by an infection.
Symptoms: pains in the inferior abdomen region, backaches, bleedings between menstruation periods, pains meanwhile and after a sexual contact, abnormal vaginal secretions, fever and agues;
Treatment: strong medicines or even surgical interventions which can be established after a medical consult
What can worsen the pains and menstrual cramps?
Coffee and alcohol, smoking, stress, lack of sleep, rich grease alimentation, salty food.
Tips to treat the menstruation pains

Doing moderate physical activity (20 minutes, 3 times/week of swimming or jogging) will ease the menstruation pain and cramps intensity. Also, the Calcium supplements will help you in this period.

Changing the menu: experts recommend a reduced eggs consume, red meat and a lot of lacteous products.

Eating grease acids found in linseed oil, salmon cans.

Taking magnesium and multivitamins supplements.

Taking E vitamin during menstruation.

Trying to control stress.

Doing yoga, acupuncture and massage.

some food for health, strength and fitness.

2011-02-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

Barley:
Good in fever, while use in a soup form.
Dates: The Prophet (SAW) said that a house without dates has no food. It should also be eaten at the time of childbirth.
Figs: It is a fruit from paradise and a cure for piles.
Grapes: The Prophet (SAW) was very fond of grapes - it purifies the blood, provides vigour and health, strengthens the kidneys and clears the bowels.
Honey:

Considered the best remedy for diarrhoea when mixed in hot water. It is the food of foods, drink of drinks and drug of drugs. It is used for creating appetite, strengthening the stomach, eliminating phlegm; as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye soother and mouthwash. It is extremely beneficial in the morning in warm water.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "None of your women who are pregnant and eat of water melon will fail to produce off spring that is good in countenance and good in character."
Milk:
The Prophet (SAW) said that milk wipes away heat from the heart just as the finger wipes away sweat from the brow. It strengthens the back, improved the brain, renews vision and drives away forgetfulness.
Mushroom:
The Prophet (SAW) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes; it also serves as a form of birth control and arrests paralysis.
Olive Oil:
Excellent treatment for skin and hair, delays old age, and treats inflammation of the stomach.
Pomegranate: The Prophet (SAW) said it cleanses you of Satan and evil aspirations for 40 days.
Vinegar:A food Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to eat with olive oil. [That's now a fashion in elite Italian Restaurants]
Water:The Prophet (SAW) said the best drink in this world is water, when you are thirsty drink it by sips and not gulps, gulping produces sickness of the liver.

Melon:

benifits of water

2010-10-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

Some tips for heart patients

2010-10-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

In fact, several people also feel depressed, because they have to follow a special diet, very carefully. The good news is that following a healthy “heart patient diet” neither has to be depressing, nor confusing, as there are several options and food items that are a part of such a diet.
• Foods that are rich in Vitamin C are good for heart patients, as it can help boost the immune system in a person and can reduce the risks of any complications. However, oranges and lemons should not be the only source of Vitamin C in a heart patient diet. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce and cabbage are very high in Vitamin C too.
• Skipping meals, especially breakfast, is strongly discouraged by any healthy diet. It is better to eat six small meals each day, instead of two or three large meals. The meals that should be a part of a heart patient diet are breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and a snack.
• Eating foods that contain over 6 grams of soy protein in each serving, is excellent for reducing cholesterol by up to 10%. For people who don’t eat soybean or tofu, there are other options, like cereals that have been fortified with soy.
It is important to consult a doctor, for information on calorie intake as well as cooking suggestions. People suffering from any medical condition should never start a diet without asking a doctor first, be it a chronic renal failure diet or a heart patient diet.

Move More

2010-05-09T11:25:00.001-07:00

Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that’s great when you’re up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

sleeping

2010-05-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

As most of us lead extremely busy lives, it is often sleep that gets sacrificed so we can cram more in to our day. Reduced quantity and quality of sleep can lead to a suppressed immune system and make you more prone to grogginess, illness and increased stress. Most adults need between 6-8 hours of quality sleep per night. You judge which amount leaves you feeling alert and vibrant the next morning. Make sleep a priority by allowing yourself time to unwind at the end of each night in a way that suits you.

Eat right

2010-05-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

it is important to fuel your body with the right nutrients. Aim to have a big hearty breakfast of protein, a small serve of carbohydrates and some fat. Example; 2 eggs, wholegrain toast and 2 small scoops of avocado. This type of breakfast will sustain you through the morning. Eat every 3-4 hours or as suits your body. Some people prefer high protein diets as this helps make them feel more energetic and some desire lighter meals. Talk to a professional for extra help.

Keep Your Brain Active

2010-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Keeping your mind in "good shape" is just as vital as taking care of your physical health, so be sure to indulge your brain on a daily basis. An idle mind is not only the devil's workshop, often the feeling of "aimlessness" or "nothingness" can cause boredom and can lead to depression and anxiety-related disorders.

One way to keep your brain engaged and busy is to constantly challenge yourself with new ideas and by learning new skills. Studies have shown than an active brain makes new connections between nerve cells that help cells communicate with one another. This allows our brain to store and access information easily, regardless of our age. Try some of these activities to keep your mind active and free from boredom:
Learn to play a new musical instrument
Learn a new language
Indulge in crossword puzzles
Play scrabble with a friend
Participate in discussions and forums
Maintain a blog and update it daily
Switch careers or make a new beginning
Read books on unfamiliar topics
Pursue a new hobby
Stay aware about what's going on in the world

Exercise Regularly

2010-05-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

Who does not dream of getting those six-pack abs? Besides making you look sexy and popular, regular exercising is also the best natural "anti-aging" recipe because it helps you stay and feel young by raising your energy levels, stabilizing your body weight, and enhancing flexibility, which reduces the wear and tear in your body.

You don't need to exercise for hours everyday, just take 15-20 minutes off your busy schedule everyday to sweat out that pot-belly or burn those extra-pounds that have been making it difficult for you to get into your favorite outfit! If you can't, make one of these a part of your routine: take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators to climb; Make it a habit to walk about 15 minutes everyday. If holistic healing is your thing, enroll yourself for yoga classes. If not, go swimming, take aerobics lessons or start shaking a leg or two at the local dance academy-whatever keeps you going, juts do it! If you're into sports, you can make it part of your fitness routine.

Remember, your external fitness is only a reflection of your inner fitness and a beautiful, healthy body reflects a fit, healthy mind.

Follow A Healthy, Balanced Diet

2010-05-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

A balanced diet is the first step towards a beautiful, healthy body. Follow a healthy balanced diet that complements your lifestyle. An ideal diet should be high on fiber, low on fat, and must be supplemented with adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides knowing what to eat, it is equally important to know the right proportions, meaning how much or how little to eat. Talk to a fitness expert and find out what's your daily calorie intake. Make food choices that have high nutritional value but are low in calories.

Hairstyles for Round Face Shapes

2009-09-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

If you are like many women out there and have been gifted a round face, there are specific hairstyles for round face shapes that will make you look more beautiful.

But before we proceed to give you hairstyle ideas, here's an important question...

Are you sure you have a round face?

To make sure that you are going to get your best look with these hairstyle tips, it's important that you first make sure you have a round face.

One simple way is to put your hair into a ponytail and go in front of the mirror. Then draw the outline of your face on the mirror with a lip stick around your face. Then step back and see what shape it is more similar to.

Here is a list of face shapes to help you see which one your face drawing is more similar to...

* Oval

* Round

* Long

* Heart

* Square

* Diamond

Another great technique to see if your face is really round is to ask other people like your friends or family members to guess your face shape. Since they will have an outsider's look, they can say more accurately.

OK, so now that you are sure you have a round face, let's see what kind of hair style will look best on you...

The best hairstyles that will look good on you are those that add length to your face.

A long straight hair is a good idea because long hair will make your face look longer, and since it's straight it will make your head width show less.

So what if your hair is not straight and it's curly?

Then a long hairstyle will still look good on you. You may want to use a hair straightener like the popular Sedu flat iron to make your hair straight sometimes.

Here you can see some beautiful Sedu hairstyles for straight hair.

Another good hairstyle idea that will look perfect on round faces is a long hairstyle with curly ends because it will add width to the bottom of your face and make the width disappear.

Also an easy way to find beautiful hairstyles for round face is to see which celebrity has a round face and then search for that celebrity's hairstyles pictures.

Since celebrities frequently try different hairstyles, you can easily find a collection of good round face hairstyles this way. You can see which hair styles fits her face most and then try it on yourself.

But at the end, remember it's YOU and only you who decides which hairstyle you feel most comfortable in, and that it the hairstyle that will also look most beautiful on you.

If you like a hairstyle that doesn't fit the rules outlined here, it doesn't matter. Because when you like your hairstyle and feel good in it, all the rest goes away because this confidence and inner beauty will shine through your face and you will look more beautiful than ever.

Wish you the best of luck in choosing your hair style!

Water

2009-09-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

Water is excellent for the body and good health. Water helps flush out toxins and other unwanted things lingering in the body. Water also replenishes fluids that help lubricate the internal body, keeps you hydrated, reduces hunger, which helps with weight loss, and helps to make skin look smooth and young. If you are not used to drinking water, it may seem hard at first, but very quickly, you will enjoy the clean, refreshed way it makes you feel. At a minimum, you should drink 64-ounces a day and more if you can.

Read the Label

2009-09-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Get into a habit of reading the labels on food. While they may have messages such as “Low Fat” or “Reduced Calorie” written all over the front of the package or can, when you read the label and understand what you are looking for, you will probably be surprised. Regardless of what the claim may be, the label may tell another story. The FDA provides these important guidelines, therefore, should be what you look for. If the message and label do not jive, move on to a different product.

Fat-Free Less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving, with no added fat or oil
Low fat 3 grams or less of fat per serving
Less fat 25% or less fat than the comparison food
Saturated Fat Free Less than 0.5 grams of saturated fat and 0.5 grams of trans-fatty acids per serving
Cholesterol-Free Less than 2 mg cholesterol per serving, and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving
Low Cholesterol 20 mg or less cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving
Reduced Calorie At least 25% fewer calories per serving than the comparison food
Low Calorie 40 calories or less per serving
Extra Lean Less than 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, and 95 mg of cholesterol per (100 gram) serving of meat, poultry or seafood
Lean Less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 g of saturated fat, and 95 mg of cholesterol per (100 gram) serving of meat, poultry or seafood
Light (fat) 50% or less of the fat than in the comparison food (ex: 50% less fat than our regular cheese)
Light (calories) 1/3 fewer calories than the comparison food
High-Fiber 5 grams or more fiber per serving
Sugar-Free Less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving
Sodium-Free or Salt-Free Less than 5 mg of sodium per serving
Low Sodium 140 mg or less per serving
Very Low Sodium 35 mg or less per serving

pregnant girl

2009-09-08T04:29:00.000-07:00

Taking care of your health is essential to the well being of your growing baby. Prenatal care means finding the right care giver for you as well as attending regular prenatal medical checkups. Here you'll also find information on finding a doula and midwife, as well as questions to be sure to ask your health care provider.

Learn about the stages of pregnancy and follow your baby's development with our very own pregnancy calendar. Discover how to calculate your baby's due date and find fun ideas on how to announce your pregnancy.

Teen pregnancy brings with it its own unique set of challenges. Learn about pregnancy myths and facts as well as teen pregnancy statistics. Here you'll also find advice on how to tell your parents.

Experiencing discomfort during pregnancy is something all moms-to-be go through. Learn about how to alleviate common pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, cramps and swelling, as well as how to minimize the appearance of stretch marks and varicose veins.

Eating for more than two? Being pregnant with twins or multiples is an exciting time for moms-to-be that can also bring with it special concerns. Learn about staying healthy during a multiple pregnancy as well as information on how to reduce the risk of complications.

If you're a mom-to-be, working during pregnancy can be a challenge. Find out about how to stay safe from workplace hazards for pregnant moms as well as how to talk to your boss about going on maternity leave.

Don't forget the importance of a healthy diet and exercise to your growing baby. Discover easy tips on eating right and staying fit during your pregnancy so that both you and baby stay healthy!

One common concern moms-to-be have is about sex during pregnancy. Learn about when sex during pregnancy can be unsafe and about comfortable sex positions, as well as changes in your libido during pregnancy.

Finally, find out about plus size pregnancy, including the best birth options for plus size women as well as advice on how to find fashionable but affordable plus size maternity wear.

depression

2009-09-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Have you had days where you didn't want to get out of bed? Days where you felt that you had nothing else left to give? You're not alone. USA Statistics reports that depression and manic depression strike one woman in every five and one man in 10 at least once in their lives, while an estimated six to seven percent of adolescents in the United States suffer from some depressive illness.

Depression is classified as a physical illness of both body and brain. At the present time, depression is conventionally treated with medications – commonly known as antidepressants – and psychotherapy. Acupuncture, behavioral therapy, changes in diet and lifestyle, and counseling are also accepted treatments.

There is a real difference between someone who feels constantly tired, lethargic, unable to function, gains or loses weight, cannot sleep or concentrate, experiences memory loss and may also feel stuck or even suicidal and the person who is sensitive to the trials and tribulations of life and has the blues.

In my experience as a therapist, I have found that depressed persons battling depression for long or short term have similarities. These similarities include sensitivity, creativity and intelligence. They often display personalities that have not truly found their niche. A deep sense of unexpressed anger and resentment at feeling unable to express oneself creatively and take real control of one's life is often present. This may be accompanied by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness as depressed persons feel that their idealism, individuality and dreams are not reflected in society or in their own lives.

breast cancer

2009-09-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

After the urgency of getting a diagnosis and figuring out a treatment plan, there can still be many things to manage in your daily life. If you are being or have been treated for breast cancer, certain everyday realities may make themselves known: staying organized, paying for treatment, maintaining a job, making lifestyle changes, and managing symptoms and side effects. The Breastcancer.org Day-to-Day Matters section can help you navigate these issues so you can focus on the rest of your life.

In the following pages, you can learn about:

Paying for Your Care
How to manage treatment costs and find assistance programs.
Breast Cancer and Your Job
Ways to manage the emotional, physical, and legal aspects of balancing your job and your treatment.
Managing Your Medical Records
Suggestions about the detailed information you should collect about your treatment and how to organize it.
Staying on Track with Treatment
Why it's so important to stick to your treatment plan, take the full course of medications, and continue with regular tests and doctors' visits to keep yourself healthy into the future.
Talking to Your Family and Friends about Breast Cancer
Tips for talking about your breast cancer diagnosis with your partner, children, and friends.
Nutrition
How foods and dietary supplements affect your risk factors, recovery, and treatments.
Pain
Types of pain, what causes it, and what you can do about it.
Managing Fatigue
What causes fatigue and what you can do about it.
Bone Health
Measuring bone density, dealing with osteoporosis, effects of breast cancer treatment on your bones, and what you can do to help keep them strong.
Arm Lymphedema
Who gets Lymphedema, how to avoid it, and how to treat it.
Managing Menopausal Symptoms
How to manage hot flashes, depression, memory problems, weight gain, vaginal dryness, and more.
Sex and Intimacy
Changes in your intimate relationships during and after breast cancer, and how to deal with them.
Hair, Skin, and Nails
Learn tips and tricks for managing treatment side effects, including a helpful list of resources.
Fertility, Pregnancy, Adoption
Information about how breast cancer treatment can affect your ability to have children, and what you can do to increase your chances.
Understanding Your Immune System
How your immune system works and how you can strengthen it.
Summertime Tips
Ways to manage seasonal issues during breast cancer treatment, including information on taking care of your skin in the summer, and finding the right bathing suit.
Ways to Prepare for a Natural Disaster
Tips on what to do if a natural disaster occurs during your breast cancer treatment.

yoga for healthy life

2009-09-08T03:56:00.000-07:00

Increasing Flexibility – yoga has positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that are never really on the ‘radar screen’ let alone exercised.

Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons – likewise, the well-researched yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body.

Surprisingly it has been found that the body which may have been quite rigid starts experiencing a remarkable flexibility in even those parts which have not been consciously work upon. Why? It is here that the remarkable research behind yoga positions proves its mettle. Seemingly unrelated “non strenuous” yoga positions act upon certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner. When done together, they work in harmony to create a situation where flexibility is attained relatively easily.

Massaging of ALL Organs of the Body – Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those – such as the prostate - that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime. Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.

Complete Detoxification – By gently stretching muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny as well as providing nourishment up to the last point. This leads to benefits such as delayed ageing, energy and a remarkable zest for life.

Excellent toning of the muscles – Muscles that have become flaccid, weak or slothy are stimulated repeatedly to shed excess flab and flaccidity

no smoking

2009-09-08T03:53:00.000-07:00

Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.

· When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.

· Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.

· Plan something enjoyable to do every day.

· Drink a lot of water and other fluids

Body Fat

2009-09-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

When you think about losing weight, more importantly than weight is the amount of fat you are carrying around. This fat is measured with what is called Body Mass Index, or BMI. For women, if you are fit, your percent of body fat should range from 21% to 31%. If you are in incredible shape, that could be as low as 10%. For men, fit should be between 14% and 25%, and excellent shape, as low as 2%.

To calculate your body fat, write down how much you weigh (be honest – no one will see this but you). Multiply your weight by 703. Next, write down your height, in inches. Multiply by that same number. Then you will divide your weight number by your height number. That is your BMI. For example, if your weight were 150 pounds x 703, your weight answer would be 105,450. If your height is 5’4”, that would be 64 inches x 64 for a total of 4,096. Taking the 105,450 divided by 4,096, you come out with a BMI of 25.7

Meditate

2009-09-07T04:21:00.002-07:00

Find some time away from noise and distractions for you. Meditation can come in many forms. Whatever way you meditate, ensure that you are in a quiet place with soft lighting, sit with good posture and in a comfortable position, practice slow, rhythmic breathing, and concentrate on something calm and relaxing. Meditation is a great stress reducer, which is vital for good health.

Cholesterol Levels

2009-09-07T04:21:00.001-07:00

High cholesterol leads to hardening of arteries, which in turn, leads to heart disease or attack. Keep your intake of food healthy, limit the amount of sugar you eat, and have your cholesterol checked. If it is higher than 200, ask your doctor for ways to reduce it.

Regular Checkups

2009-09-07T04:20:00.000-07:00

It is crucial that you have regular checkups, which could include mammograms, pap smears, checks for colon cancer, EKGs, etc. Many times, a regular checkup could have caught something earlier on, actually saving a life. If you do not feel good, have your doctor check things out. If you are due for your annual mammogram, have it done. You could possibly be saving your own life.

Young at Heart

2009-09-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

Regardless of your age, if you start acting too old, you will actually not benefit yourself at all. Studies have shown that people who act old, feel old, and can actually suffer from problems before their time. Do not be afraid to be youthful, within reason. The next time you see a man in his seventies running a marathon or a woman keeping up in aerobic class, you can see that by refusing to give into age, they are healthier and live much longer lives.

Drink Wisely

2009-09-07T04:18:00.000-07:00

There is nothing wrong with a couple of social drinks or a glass of wine or beer with dinner, but if you drink, you need to be wise. First, if you drink to the point of being drunk, keep in mind that you are causing damage to your liver. Second, if you drink, NEVER drink and drive.

Mixing Medications

2009-09-07T04:17:00.000-07:00

Many people do not realize how dangerous mixing medications can be. In fact, some combinations are lethal. If you are on medication, make sure your physician knows everything you take, including herbs and supplements. To take it one-step further, when you have a new prescription filled, ask the pharmacist if there are any bad interactions with your other current medication.

Stop Smoking

2009-09-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

You have probably heard this more times, than you can count but facts are facts! There is no other way to say it – smoking is not only bad for your health, it is deadly! One woman in her late thirties had smoked for 10 years. She had tried everything from watering down her cigarettes, throwing them away, wearing a patch, chewing gum, you name it, she tried it. She really wanted to quit but the addiction was so strong she was finding it impossible.

The mother of an 11-year old daughter and a 13-year old son, she was taken by surprise when something happened that made her quit smoking in one day. Her son told her that he had something very important to tell her. With a quick response of, “Okay, what is it?” he said, “No, I really need to talk to you.” She knew by the look on his face and the tone of his voice that this was something important. Her son looked her square in the face and without wavering said, “I want you to quit smoking because I don’t want you to die. I want a mother in my life.” With that, she walked over to an ashtray, put out her cigarette, and now almost seven years later, she still does not smoke. While this will not work for everyone, the next time you pick up a cigarette; take a minute to consider how your child or family would feel if you were no longer around.

Yoga

2009-09-07T03:32:00.000-07:00

The practice of Yoga is actually a spiritual practice. However, with the many benefits received it has quickly become a popular choice to thousands of people strictly for health. Yoga helps stretch out muscles and ligaments, tone the body, and the greatest benefit is that it helps to clear the mind. Having a clear mind works toward a healthy body.

Nutrition tips

2009-09-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

People often confuse “dieting” with nutrition. Your body needs to have nutrients replaced, whether through foods being eaten or supplements. Do you remember what you learned in elementary school about the four major food groups? As adult, eating balanced meals from these groups still applies. It is important to remove the “junk food” from your diet and stick with healthy foods. If you do not like certain things such as fruits or vegetables, be sure you are taking a supplement to get the nutrients needed. Another consideration is if you are a vegetarian. There are certain benefits taken from meat such as iron and B-12 that you should consider taking a supplement for in exchange for the meat.

Laugh it Off

2009-09-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

The medical field has proven that laughter actually works with your body toward good health. Have you ever heard the expression, “Laughter is the best medicine”? The truth is, when you laugh, several positive things happen. Your muscles relax; stress hormone product is reduced; you forget about pain; your body’s immune system is improved; high-blood pressure is lowered; the heart and lungs are strengthened; and overall, you feel better!

Therapeutic Massage tips

2009-09-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

You might be thinking what does getting a massage do for my health other than to make me feel good. Actually, therapeutic massage has many benefits. For example, it can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and promote good health. When a person gets a therapeutic massage, they are actually getting the benefit of function improvement with circulatory, muscular, skeletal, nervous systems, lymphatic, and can even help the body heal after an illness or injury. Depending on what the specific health issue, there is a Swedish Massage, which is a more relaxing massage good for headaches, back stress, and muscle cramps, Pressure Point Therapy, helpful for some injuries as well as circulation problems, headache and muscle tension, insomnia, anxiety, and more. Finally, Sports Massage focuses on muscle groups used for different sports. Licensed masseuse can help with the issues mentioned as well as allergies, arthritis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, digestive disorders, myofascial pain, limited range of motion, sinusitis, and TMJ. The next time you tell someone you are going to get a massage, you can simply explain that it is for the benefit of your health.

Biofeedback tips

2009-09-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

Biofeedback is a method used to help blood pressure, muscle tension, heart rates, brain activity, and other bodily functions. Basically, biofeedback is a painless system that is hooked up to your body and then through electrical signals received from tightening of your muscles, you would be able to receive those signals by a light telling you that you are tightening your muscles. This in turn trains you to be aware of when you are bringing on stress and to help you identify when you need to relax your body. Biofeedback is very successful and can be used for migraine headaches, chronic pain, high blood pressure, epilepsy, and much more, which can occur when you tense up.

Acupuncture tips

2009-09-01T03:40:00.000-07:00

The use of acupuncture dates back more than 2,000 years. This is a traditional medicine of Japan, China, and other Eastern countries. The use of acupuncture is beneficial in that it stimulates areas of the body that have a direct correlation to internal organs. By placing fine needles into specific points, the body is encouraged to promote natural healing, improve function, and provide an overall boost to your system. When these needles are inserted, they go into Meridians, which are channels somewhat like streams within the body. Just as there might be a boulder sitting in a stream blocking the flow of water, it can be the same for the channels of blood in your system. Acupuncture helps to remove these obstacles by providing stimulation, thus improving health.

Yoga’s Healing Power

2009-08-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

Researchers have learned recently that, besides relieving problem backs, yoga can provide help for people suffering from serious medical conditions—asthma and multiple sclerosis among them. If you have an acute injury such as a herniated disk, you still need to see a doctor, of course. But if you have a chronic condition, especially one that’s not responding to conventional care, read on.

Soothing an Aching Back
In research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Medicine, 21 people 60 or older started doing yoga twice weekly. The volunteers all had rounded upper backs, which can limit normal movement. A yoga regimen was sufficient to reduce their curvatures by 6 percent, increase their walking speeds by 8 percent, and improve their reaches by 18 percent. And many reported that yoga helped their balance. The UCLA study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, suggests that yoga produced an increase in overall strength and flexibility.

The most useful poses for students with back trouble are those that build strength and lengthen the back muscles as well as anchor the feet, such as standing mountain, triangle, and warrior I.

Relieving Wrist Pain
Approximately one in 10 Americans suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a painful condition in which swollen tendons pressure nerves in the wrist. Conventional remedies include immobilizing joints with splints or even surgery. But according to a review published last summer in the Annals of Family Medicine, yoga may be among the safest first-line treatments for people with mild symptoms.

The study that first got the attention of physicians, though, appeared in 1998 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Researchers found that CTS sufferers who did Iyengar yoga (which stresses proper alignment) twice a week for 8 weeks boasted a fourfold improvement in grip strength and a twofold decrease in pain.

Helping You Breathe Easier
Traditional yogic practices, such as slow, steady breathing and relaxation, could prove a useful adjunct to standard treatment for asthmatics, according to research published in the British medical journal Thorax. In that 2002 study, some asthmatics took up meditation based on the Sahaja style of yoga, while control-group members were given relaxation and stress-management training. Findings suggest that practicing Sahaja yoga can yield small but discernible improvements in the “twitchiness” (hypersensitivity) of airways in asthmatics and may also reduce their anxiety.

Asthmatics should not use yoga as a substitute for conventional care, says Norman Edelman, MD, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association, but they can benefit from yoga’s relaxation techniques.

Fending Off MS Fatigue
A chronic, autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) ravages the central nervous system. Yoga may be a key to easing one of its most frustrating symptoms: fatigue. Last June, the journal Neurology reported a study in which 6 months of weekly yoga classes significantly increased the stamina of people with MS.

Reducing Stress on the Heart
Yoga may help reduce your odds of heart disease. In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, researchers in Timarpur, India, had 15 Army soldiers adopt a twice-daily yoga routine. The control group did other exercises, including stretches and slow running. After 3 months, the yoga group showed a significant drop in blood pressure; the control group didn’t.

These findings add to the work of pioneering researcher Dean Ornish, MD, who has demonstrated that yoga can help reduce stress-induced fight-or-flight hormones that contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risks.

some Common Birth Control Side Effects

2009-08-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Headache, dizziness, breast tenderness
Be patient. "These side effects seem to go away after you've been taking the Pill for a while," says Hilda Hutcherson, MD, an ob-gyn professor at Columbia University. If they don't, switching brands may help.

Nausea
It will probably go away in a couple of months. If not, and you're taking oral contraceptives, try taking it with food. If you're taking the ring or the patch, you might need to switch methods.

Breakthrough bleeding
"I think this is the side effect that drives women crazier than any other side effect," says Dr. Hutcherson, mostly because it's so unpredictable. Taking the Pill at precisely the same time every day may help. Especially with shots, the mini-Pill, and the implant—the progestin-only methods—the lining of the uterus is so thin that it sometimes sloughs off a little bit. (On the upside, this also makes your periods lighter and sometimes makes them disappear entirely.)
Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about spotting, because there may be a solution. "You can sometimes add an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, or occasionally you can add a little estrogen," says Anne Foster-Rosales, MD, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Golden Gate and a professor at the University of California, San Francisco.

Decreased libido
Try another formulation. "Some women, if you change the Pill to one that's more androgenic [testosterone-like], the libido comes back," says Dr. Hutcherson. Otherwise, find another method completely.

Mood swings
If it's really the birth control and not some other factor that's bringing you down, you may need to find a nonhormonal method. "In my experience, if a woman has depression with one pill, switching [formulations] usually doesn't help," says Dr. Hutcherson. All hormonal methods are likely to cause the same problem. For some patients who really want to stay on the Pill, Dr. Hutcherson sonetimes prescribes an antidepressant as well, with good success.

some tips for anxiety patient

2009-08-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Anxiety in various forms and degrees seems to be a wide spread problem, affecting people of all ages and in every country.

If you are prone to anxiety you have two options:
A) Give in to it.
B) Learn to overcome it.

By giving in you will continue to suffer and feel unhappy, stressed and anxious. It is far better to learn to overcome anxiety or at least reduce its power.

Anxiety just wastes your time and energy and weakens you mentally and physically. You help no one and don't solve any problem by being anxious. Our planet will go on revolving, even if you stop worrying and being anxious.

Always know you have a choice - to give in to anxiety, or try to overcome anxiety, at least partially.

Here are 12 tips for alleviating and overcoming anxiety:

1. Lack of control over your thoughts strengthens your anxiety. As negative thoughts get stronger and stronger, your anxiety gets stronger. You need to learn to control your thoughts.

2. Feelings and emotions fuel and strengthen anxiety. You need to learn some self discipline and control over your feelings, and you also need to develop emotional and mental detachment.

3.When you go to bed at night, and first thing when you wake up in the morning, think about the good things that are happening to you. There are always some good things happening, even if small and insignificant.

4. Start the day with several minutes of positive affirmations. Tell yourself how would like your day to be. Use positive, cheering and motivating words.

5. Be busy, do something. By doing something you keep your mind off your anxiety. When you wake up in the morning start doing something right away, and keep busy all day. Cleaning the house, washing the dishes or working in your garden, reading, studying, meditating or exercising your body can help you keep your mind away from anxiety. Just sitting around and thinking about your problems and worries won't make them go away.

6. Set a goal and work everyday to achieve it. This action will direct your thoughts and feelings away from worries and anxieties, toward something more positive.

7. Talk about your anxieties to someone you trust. Talking about your anxieties and feelings often alleviate them and put them in the right proportions, provided you talk objectively, and with a real desire to reduce or get rid of your anxiety.

8. Exercising is a good way to keep from letting your fears overwhelm you. You can walk, do yoga or aerobics or any other sport.

9. Find reasons to laugh. This will bring light and happiness into your life and drive anxiety away. Watch comedies, be with happy and amusing friends or read something that makes you laugh.

10. Use positive words in your conversation and in your inner talk.

11. Affirm and visualize positive situations and events. Visualize a happy and positive solution to your problems.

12. If watching the news fills you with anxiety - turn off the TV! Limit the time you watch the news, and don't watch anything that may upset you before you go to bed.

The information in this article does not replace professional advice.

10 easy tips for flu patients.

2009-08-26T02:54:00.000-07:00

With no cure in sight for the cold or the flu, current treatments can at best bring symptom relief or shorten the duration of those symptoms. You can take one of a variety of medications that may help relieve your symptoms. Or you can take the natural approach. WebMD went to Charles B. Inlander, president of The People's Medical Society, for some home remedies that may help you feel better along the way.

No. 1: Blow Your Nose Often -- and the Right Way
It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.

No. 2: Stay Rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket.

No. 3: Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey, popular in folk medicine. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix with one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling. Honey should never be given to children less than 1 year old.

No. 4: Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and can soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

No. 5: Take a Steamy Shower
Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.

No. 6: Use a Salve Under Your Nose
A small dab of mentholated salve under your nose can open breathing passages and help soothe the irritated skin at the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients that may help relieve the pain of a nose rubbed raw.

No. 7: Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around Your Congested Sinuses
Either temperature may help you feel more comfortable. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's right for you.) Or take a small bag of frozen peas to use as a cold pack.

No. 8: Sleep With an Extra Pillow Under Your Head
This will help with the drainage of nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.

No. 9: Don't Fly Unless Necessary
There's no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that's what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can hurt your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.

No. 10: Remember, serious conditions can masquerade as the common cold and a mild infection can evolve into something more serious. If you have severe symptoms or are feeling sicker with each passing day, see a doctor.

WHO warns of swine flu pandemic's second wave

2009-08-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

GENEVA — The World Health Organisation is urging the planet to brace for a second wave of the swine flu pandemic as the heavily populated northern hemisphere edges towards the cooler season when flu thrives.

"The WHO is still mobilised and worried," spokesman Gregory Hartl said as the global health watchdog kept an anxious eye on some "mysterious" patterns of illness associated with the new A (H1N1) virus that appeared in April.

Influenza traditionally surges to its peak during the northern autumn and winter.

WHO Director General Margaret Chan warned on Friday that there had been second and third waves in previous pandemics.

"We cannot say for certain whether the worst is over or the worst is yet to come," Chan said in a videotaped address to a symposium on flu in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We need to be prepared for whatever surprises this capricious new virus delivers next," she added.

Some 1,799 people have died since the A(H1N1) was uncovered in Mexico and the United States nearly six months ago, according to the UN health agency.

By comparison, an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people die around the world every year from seasonal flu, and overall the symptoms of the new pandemic virus have proved to be mild in the great majority of known cases.

However, it has spread swiftly into 177 countries, proving to be more infectious than seasonal flu and more durable through warmer months.

Through a full season in the southern hemisphere, the pandemic strain gradually became dominant.

WHO monitoring showed that it was now on the decline there, except in South Africa, and in some later affected areas of Argentina, Australia and Chile.

Some 182,000 people worldwide are known to have caught swine flu based on laboratory confirmed cases, but the WHO has long advised countries to give up counting; the true number may in the millions, according to some experts.

It is also striking those in a more physically fragile phase of life, such as pregnant women or the chronically ill, as well as those who are obese and younger age groups than usual.

Many of the most severe cases are among 30 to 50 year-olds.

WHO officials are also mystified at the "most worrying" characteristic of this flu virus, Hartl explained.

About 40 percent of the most severe or fatal cases occur in people who are in perfect health, he told AFP.

However, he was unable to say how many severe cases had occurred, although they are generally regarded as a small proportion of the outbreak so far.

With autumn approaching, northern countries have set emergency flu plans into motion, in some instances before the WHO's long heralded formal declaration of a pandemic on June 11 that marked global spread of the virus.

While that includes many of the wealthiest nations -- with the most medicines, access to key antiviral drugs and vaccine development, as well as the best health care -- Hartl pointed out that the hemisphere also includes five-sixths of the world's population.

More than one billion doses of preventive vaccine have been ordered by those countries.

But the vaccine is not expected to be ready for use until October and will only be available gradually, for the most vulnerable groups and health workers first.

The WHO has cut its estimate of maximum annual production capacity of 4.9 billion vaccines, currently focusing on about half or even one quarter of that amount. It is still unclear whether one or two doses will be necessary.

In the meantime, plans to mobilise stockpiles of antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu, reinforce health care capacity and close down schools temporarily to limit the spread of infection have already been tested in the first wave.

Hartl said it was impossible to rule out the resurgence of A (H1N1) before October to November, the more usual period for the growth in seasonal influenza.

"Everyone must be ready," said the WHO spokesman.

"It is already amongst us, as we saw this summer."

from google news

Fasting and health

2009-08-22T03:18:00.000-07:00

With the sighting of the crescent moon, the holy month of Ramadan has begun this year, marking the start of a spiritual boot camp in which Muslims fast without any food or water from sunup to sundown. To many, the rigor may seem too tasking, but, as a veteran scientist of clinical nutrition and as a 76-year-old Muslim man who has fasted since I was a boy, growing up in India, I can say that fasting can be a healthy practice not just for God but for you.
Fasting can be healthy for people of all faiths from Christians to Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others who fast as a part of their spiritual practice. But it's got to be done right.
Twenty-five years ago in the early 1980s, I started studying the biochemical and physiological impact of "restricted energy intake," as we call fasting in the business, on the human body, using Ramadan fasting as a model for clinical trials that I ran in the United States and Pakistan. In my hometown of Morgantown, W.V., young Muslim students volunteered to be my guinea pigs, logging their daily meals. In the Middle East and in Lahore, Pakistan, volunteers let me study the effect of fasting on their bodies, analyzing the nutritional component of their diets using food composition tables and computer software.
What I and other researchers have discovered is that fasting has clear spiritual, physical, psychological and social benefits.
There is no doubt, on one level, we are fasting for God. Just like fasting during Lent for Christians and during Yom Kippur for Jews, fasting during Ramadan has a divinely ordained inspiration. The Qur'an (2: 183) tells Muslims, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you (that is Jews and Christian and other faiths) so that you may become self-restrained."
It's considered "fard," or required, for healthy Muslim adults to fast. It's called "sawm" in Arabic, which means "refrain," and Muslims are expected to refrain from not only food and water but also from sex, smoking, foul talk and harm to others. We are supposed to control our anger, behave kindly, participate in community service, give to charity and generally help others.
The restrictions--both caloric and behaviorally--can be good for us holistically because they serve as a means for disciplining ourselves all-year-around in a world in which we are too often self-absorbed and overindulgent. Fasting serves as a spiritual check, reminding us about issues of poverty and clean water supplies in the world and encouraging us to avoid overeating and wasting food. After all, way too much food ends up in garbage cans.
Restraint from food, water and undesirable behavior makes a person more mentally disciplined and less prone to unhealthy behavior. Researchers in Jordan found a significant reduction of parasuicidal cases during the month of Ramadan. In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health agencies to reduce cigarette smoking, especially among Africans and Asians.
However, there are choices we can make to be healthier about fasting.
First of all, too many people, ironically, eat too much when they're not fasting. Scientific studies reveal that some people overeat during Ramadan, a phenomenon that contradicts the essential spirit of Ramadan. Studies indicate that health problems can emerge as a result of eating too much or eating a diet that isn't balanced. The body has regulatory mechanisms that activate during fasting, and we don't need to overeat to get our body the nutrients it needs. Scientific studies have shown that there our bodies efficiently utilize the body fat typically available in most of our bodies.
During Ramadan, research has shown that the basal metabolism of fasting subjects slows down. A person can stay healthy and active during Ramadan consuming a diet that is less than the normal amount of calories or food intake but balanced in nutrients.
There is no universal healthy diet for fasting because of global differences in the fasting period, the weather, daily temperature, food availability, lifestyle, cultural habits and other details. But to get the best health and spiritual benefits when fasting, it's critical to have a diet balanced in protein, essential minerals, vitamins and physiological and protective factors such as dietary fiber and antioxidant compounds.
To start with, it's important in any faith not to miss the meal you eat before the fast begins. In Islam, it's said the Prophet Muhammad used to have a light "sahur," the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat before the fast. For me, a bowl of Raisin Bran has always served the purpose. A cereal high in wheat bran or oatmeal is a great source of dietary fibers including cellulose, hemicelluloses and other non-digestable complex carbohydrates and lignin, which provides bulk and facilitates motality in the digestive tract. As a result, many harmful and toxic compounds are expunged from the body.
Alas, milk, a protein, is a kind of dehydrant. It's critical to have extra glasses of water to avoid dehydration. Extra water is also needed to flush out urea, protein's catabolic product, from the body. That's true of all protein rich foods.
When breaking the fast in any faith, it's important to consume an easily available energy source in the form of simple sugars such as glucose and fructose that nourishes every living cell, particularly the brain and nerve cells. Dates and juices are good sources of these sugars. Indeed, breaking of fast with several dates is considered "sunnah" in Islam, or a practice of the Prophet Muhammad. Another good choice: a cup of juice without sugar added to bring low blood glucose levels to normal levels. It's also good advice to have a bowl of vegetable soup. Both juice and soup help maintain water and mineral balance in the body. They also help quenching the thirst quickly.
Too often, at least in Muslim homes, folks break the fast with sherbets and sweets. That's the worst way to break a fast, according to many scientific studies, because they represent a high intake of sugar in form of sucrose.
For the later dinner meal, it's essential to consume variety of foods with balance and moderation. Just because we haven't eaten all day, we shouldn't forget the "food pyramid" that represents the A, B, C's of a healthy diet. That means including a vegetable salad with dinner.
Cultural preferences aside, it's best to avoid spicy foods because it promotes acidity in the stomach and digestive tract problems.
It's wise to eat fruit at the end of meals, such as apples, oranges, peaches, pears or whatever fruit might be in season. Fruits provide dietary fiber that facilitates the prevention of constipation, stomach acidity and other digestive health issues. What's more, fruits and vegetables are good sources of certain nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin A. They also provide antioxidants, flavonoids and protective phytochemicals. Fresh fruits and vegetable are good sources of water, too. They contain between 92 per cent to 97 per cent water. Between breaking fast and starting a new day's fast, it's critical that we consume plenty of water.
To follow the spirit of Ramadan and other fasting traditions, discipline, control and behavioral change are critical. One of the things that should go: smoking. Smoking isn't allowed during the Muslim fast, and that's a good thing. Smoking negatively affects the utilization of various vitamins, metabolites and enzyme systems in the body and promotes the production of free radicals (atoms, molecules and ions with unpaired electrons), a major factor in cancer. Smoking is also a risk factor for many other health problems.
Further, it's best to avoid caffeine drinks such as Coke, coffee or tea. Caffeine is a diuretic. But it's best to be gradual with the reduction. A sudden decrease in caffeine and nicotine, coupled with hunger and dehydration, can prompt headaches, mood swings, irritability and, even sometimes, road rage. The American Psychosomatic Society indicated that caffeine and nicotine use increases the occurrence of irritability during fasting, but the end of Ramadan the irritability drops.
It's important to remember to brush your teeth--a habit that can fall by the wayside with the new eating and sleeping schedule.
Typically, people who are normal weight or overweight people shouldn't gain weight. For overweight people, Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to lose weight. Underweight or marginally normal weight people shouldn't use this time to lose weight, but a couple of pounds of body weight loss isn't harmful. That may be due to dehydration or the somewhat reduced calorie intake.. This small body weight loss is easily regained after Ramadan.
If we eat properly a balanced diet when we fast, we will maintain our body weight, maintain our energy level and perform our daily work normally. Just like during the rest of the year, it's critical to eat a good balanced diet while fasting.
Fasting isn't the time to ditch exercise. It's important that everyone engage in some kind of light exercise, such as stretching or walking. "Taraweeha," a special Ramadan prayer that lasts for up to an hour, can have the benefit of "ibada," or prayer, as well as light exercise. It's important to follow good time management practices for prayer and other religious activities, as well as sleep, studies, job and exercise, to maintain a balanced life even when fasting.
Finally, it's important to remember that fasting doesn't mean being a martyr to good health. In Islam, Muslims don't have to fast if they're pregnant, traveling, breast feeding, elderly or ill. In those cases, they can feed the poor instead, perhaps making up the fasts later. People with diabetes, peptic ulcers, kidney stones, hypertension and other health problems must consult their physician on the question of whether to fast; and then if they do fast, what is the best diet for them.
Increasingly, scientists are starting to recognize the benefits of reduced energy intake on weight. A study released earlier this year at the European Congress on Obesity concluded that increased energy intake was the most significant cause of the rise in obesity in the United States since the 1970s. The issue of restricted energy intake continues to have wide consequences in the United States, where the Centers for Disease Control is reporting an alarming increase in obesity rates. Appropriately, the office of the U.S. Surgeon General is developing public education campaigns about the health risks of being overweight.
In a way, Ramadan is like an annual continuing education workshop on how becoming a better citizen of the world. It's said that the Prophet Muhammad told his followers,
"He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink."
Another time, it's said the Prophet declared, "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say (to them), 'I am fasting; I am fasting.'"

some tips to avoid cancer

2009-08-19T03:10:00.000-07:00

Here are my top 10 tips for avoiding cancer:

1, 2 and 3) Do NOT smoke. If you're one of the more than 50 million smokers, you need to stop. Smoking is linked to at least three in 10 cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. That's more than 165,000 deaths a year.

4) Stay active. Inactivity and obesity are linked to cancer. Half an hour of exercise a day will significantly help your odds.

5) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends at least five servings each day. In general, the most colorful fruits and vegetables have the most nutrients.

6) Limit the amount of red meat and processed meats in your diet, and make sure the meat you do eat is lean.

7) Avoid deep-fat frying. Instead, use low-fat cooking methods like roasting, baking, broiling, steaming or poaching. Also, choose low-fat or non-fat milk and yogurt.

8) Protect yourself in the sun. Wear sunscreen to limit your exposure to damaging ultraviolet rays.

9) Girls should get the HPV vaccine before they are sexually active to help prevent cervical cancer.

By Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Chief Medical Correspondent

some tips for pregnant girls

2009-08-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy Tips

Eating well can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy newborn. Being physically active may help you have a more comfortable 9 months and an easier delivery. Use the ideas and tips to improve your eating plan and become more physically active before, during, and after your pregnancy. Make changes now, and be a healthy example for your family for a lifetime.

Tips for pregnancy

•Talk to your health care provider about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
•Eat foods rich in folate, iron, calcium, and protein, or get these nutrients through a prenatal supplement.
•Talk to your health care provider before taking any supplements.
•Eat breakfast every day.
•Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation.
•Avoid alcohol, raw fish, fish high in mercury, soft cheeses, and anything that is not food.
•Aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Talk to your health care provider before you begin.
•After you deliver your baby, continue eating well. Return to a healthy weight gradually.
•Slowly get back to your routine of regular, moderate physical activity.
•Take pleasure in the miracles of pregnancy and birth.
HEALTHY EATING
What is a healthy eating plan for pregnancy?

A healthy eating plan contains a wide variety of foods from the five basic food groups.* Every day, you should try to eat:
•6 or more servings of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta.
◦One serving equals one slice of bread, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup of most cereals), or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.
◦If you are physically active, you can eat more servings (up to 11 servings if you are very active).
•3 to 5 servings of vegetables.
◦One serving equals 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables such as spinach or lettuce, or 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables, cooked or raw.
•2 to 4 servings of fruit.
◦One serving equals one medium piece of fruit like an apple, banana, or orange; 1/2 cup of chopped fresh, cooked, or canned fruit; 1/4 cup dried fruit; or 3/4 cup of 100-percent fruit juice.
•2 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese
◦One serving equals 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, or 2 ounces of processed cheese like American.
◦If you are 18 years or younger and pregnant, you need at least 3 servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese.
◦Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products most often.
•2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts.
◦One serving equals 2 to 3 ounces of cooked meat, poultry, or fish-about the size of a deck of cards. Choose lean cuts and eat no more than 5 to 7 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish a day. One cup of cooked beans such as kidney beans or 2 eggs count as a serving.
◦Four tablespoons of peanut butter or 2/3 cup of nuts also equals a serving.
•At least 8 glasses of water.
◦Drinking milk, 100-percent juice, seltzer or other non-alcoholic beverages counts toward your amount of daily water.
* Adapted from the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Department of Health and Human Services Food Guide Pyramid.

NIH Publication No. 02-5130
September 2002

HOW TO REMAIN EVER HAPPY

2009-08-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

HOW TO REMAIN EVER HAPPY

·

Happiness is in mind, not in objects

Nobody can make you happy except yourself

Money can give you every thing except happiness

Happiness can't be purchased. It can only be experienced

Fountain of happiness is inside you. Don't make futile attempts to search it outside.

Even if you are made the king of the whole world and are handed over all the possessions and objects of pleasures, there is no guarantee that you will be happy.

Happiness is your intrinsic nature. It is only to be discovered and not to be acquired from outside.

The origin of stress is in your mind. Without understanding and controlling mind, it is impossible to eliminate stress.

Nobody can make you unhappy unless you allow others to do so.

Happiness is your valuable treasure. Don't allow it to be snatched by varying circumstances and petty matters of life.

Happiness is not an element. It is a state of mind.

The spirit in which you meet the problem of life measures happiness.

To seek happiness outside is like trying to lasso a cloud.

Happiness does not come from doing what we like to do but from liking what we have to do.

Happiness is found in little things: a baby's smile, a letter from a friend, the song of a bird, the sunlight in the window.

Happiness is like perfume, you can't spray it on others without getting some on yourself.

Happiness grows out of harmonious relationships with others, based on attitudes of good will, tolerance, understanding and love.

We are as happy as we make ourselves so.

Happiness comes upon you unaware while you are helping others. Help thy brother's boat across, and lo! Thine own has reached the shore.

The best way to keep yourself happy is to ensure that others are happy.

Tension is not an object or a thing or a situation. It is our reaction towards a thing or a situation, which generates it.

Mental attitude is every thing in life.

Concentration: At that time, except the activity the whole world should be dead for us.

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Tips to ensure happiness

1. Detachment and forgetfulness.

2. Planned thinking

3. Positive thinking

4. Reduce emotional involvement, take things easy: we should realise that no difficulties or problems are permanent. They all will pass. Such is the law. Everything is in a state of constant motion and change. Nothing is permanent and static here.

5. Welcome difficulties and problems of life, they are for our good.

· We can derive some benefit and learning from every problem or difficulty of life and exploit it to our advantage. This is a wonderful law of life.

· Everything, which happens to us in life, is for our good only. In the apparently looking cruel and adverse circumstances is hidden the infinite mercy of God.

· God has placed you exactly where you deserve.

· Once you play your present role successfully, you will be automatically shifted to the next higher place.

6. There is a reason for everything, nothing happens by chance or accident.

· Universe has a certain order and everything is bound by a relationship of cause and effect. For every effect there is a cause.

· World is neither good nor bad. It depends upon how we look at it.

· Whatever is within us, it appears to us outside.

7. Silence, solitude and self-introspection

8. Avoid fears.

9. Don't have inferiority complex, what others can do, you also can do. Hence never compare with others and neither feel inferior nor superior to any body.

10. Don't waste time.

11. Control over impulses. Observe self-restraint and patience.

12. Don't react immediately when disturbed. Under provocation, the reasoning power of the mind gets destroyed.

13. Brooding over past and worrying for future. What matters most to you and to the world right now is what you are at present and not what you were or what you will be.

14. You are master of your destiny. You are hundred percent responsible for what you are in your life.

15. Self-satisfaction before satisfaction of other. Many people live a life style, which is primarily aimed at impressing and satisfying others. It is more important for you as to what you think about yourselves than what others think.

16. Accept and recognize your weaknesses.

17. Don't fill your subconscious mind with all sorts of garbage.

18. Avoid making remarks/comments/advice to others unless asked.

· Any preaching which you want to give for the benefit of others, it is better to impart that from your behaviour rather than in the form of words.

19. Eliminate ego.

20. Always remain optimistic.

21. Learn to say `No'.

· If you want to become great and unique, you will have to be different from the rest of the crowd.

22. Don't linger things.

· Successful people are those who get up from their seat and take immediate appropriate action. The right time for starting or doing an appropriate thing is just now and not tomorrow.

23. Always remain near to God.

· So long as you keep your hands in His hands, you are safe from all miseries of the world.

· A stage will come when you will be so intensely connected with God that you will be knowing God and God only and you will be thinking, talking and doing everything in terms of God.

24. There is nothing urgent or indispensable in this world.

25. There is nothing free of cost in this world.

26. Enjoy the work, not the fruits.

· As fruits are not in your hand and only in the hands of Almighty, you should never depend upon the fruits for your pleasure.

· You have done your duty and your part is over, you now go on to your next work.

27. Be flexible for adopting new changes and improvements. Every minute changes are taking place. What we were one hour before, we are not now. Hence, learn to respect changes and apply to cultivate them to your benefit instead of getting upset.

28. Be also open to new ideas and suggestions.

29. Avoid greediness, everything belongs to God. You should be able to leave any worldly possession at a moment's notice. Such should be your detachment towards worldly things.

30. Small things are as important as big things. Your greatness is judged by how you perform each and every small thing in your life and not by big things alone.

31. Don't show fickle mindedness and madness in choosing or deciding some thing.

32. The more you give, the more you get.

33. Avoid selfishness, expand your consciousness to include the whole world as your family.

· You should be able to look upon other's problem as your own by placing yourself mentally in their position.

34. Reduce unnecessary worldly involvement.

35. Have a good company.

36. Always keep a smile on your face.

37. Reduce your expectations from others. Never expect anything from anybody.

38. Reduce collection of worldly things.

39. Problems are an integral part of life. They will never end. One problem will go another will come.

· We are never given to bear more than our capacity and resources.

· Take it for granted that there will always be ups and downs and unexpected things in life. You have to be prepared for anything.

40. Give to the world more than what you take from it. Your life on earth would be considered worth only when you can give to the world more than what you have got from it.

41. Be above limitations of life.

42. Regulate your diet for your mental well being.

· One of the secrets for good health is to always remain slightly hungry.

43. Do regular exercises.

· Physical relaxation in turn leads to mental relaxation because body and mind are closely interlinked.

44. Include rest and relaxation phases in your routine.

45. Improve quality of your sleep.

46. Remain above diseases of the body.

47. Avoid fear of death.

48. Take initiative in setting things right.

· As an enlightened citizen, you must raise your voice against various disorders and injustice. It is your duty as well as right.

49. Change your self to change the world.

· Each person contributes to making the society or world as it is.

50. Don't take revenge for the ills done by others to you

51. Avoid suspicion/doubts, have faith

52. Be honest, truthful and righteous in your dealings.

53. There are pros and cons in everything of the world, world is dual in its nature.

54. Depend only on God for help. To make yourself eligible for this help, the only requirement is that you have to mentally feel yourself connected to God and have total faith in His benevolence and protection.

55. Consider your children and children of God.

56. Choose appropriate colors.

57. Maintain good postures

58. Listen good soothing music.

59. Go close to nature whenever you find opportunity.

60. Maintain cleanliness and neatness in your surroundings.

61. Temperature, humidity and noise have an effect on your mind.

62. Install good photos and pictures.

63. Go on disposing off rubbish regularly.

64. Add humor and laughter in your routine.

65. Don't be too anxious to know your future.

66. Check your desires and craving for sensual enjoyment.

67. Don't indulge in mad race for money.

68. Never give the excuse that you don't have time. We all have plenty of time if only we wish to do a thing.

69. Live and work in this world with the sole aim of your constant development.

70. Don't waste anything.

71. Don't be fussy over trifles.

72. Anger is a sign of weakness.

73. You are not indispensable for the world.

74. Don't advertise your problems/difficulties to others except when you really need help from someone.

75. Develop tolerance.

· Be strict for yourself but tolerant for the shortcomings and defect of others.

76. Don't fight over religions, all religions are good.

77. Don't try to be master of everything, be expert in one thing.

78. Take and give help freely.

79. Enjoy each moment of life.

80. You can learn from every body in the world.

81. Don't do or accept anything that is less than the best.

82. Observe courtesy and good mannerism.

83. Don't think or speak ill about anybody. We are all connected to each other.

· Each mind is connected with every other mind and all the minds in turn are connected with cosmic mind.

84. We can learn from every situation.

85. Don't compare.

86. Be independent take your decisions.

87. Learn to appreciate others.

88. Be humble as you rise more and more.

89. Be grateful to God for every luxury and comfort of your life.

90. Don't always misunderstand others.

91. Let power come to you on its own.

92. External circumstances, on their own, can't create stress.

93. Don't make catastrophe out of unpleasant events of life.

94. Learn to give up and let go.

95. Don't get upset over rejection and disapproval.

96. Eliminate self-centeredness in your talking and dealings.

97. Don't lower down your level to the level of the person who is misbehaving you.

98. Avoid strain and perfectionism and idealism.

99. Learn to adjust and compromise.

100. Avoid the strain of impressing others.

101. Learn to change your thoughts quickly and consciously.

102. Continue to progress even in tragedies and misfortunes.

103. Don't have super normal expectations from your spouse.

104. Live one day at a time don't rush.

105. Reduce the velocity of your mind.

106. Does your conversation often end in irritation and heart burning?

107. Cope with one problem at a time.

108. Don't leave your mind idle. Keep always some goals before it.

109. Don't imagine problems and mishappenings in life, just face them as they come.

110. Don't stop your works when your mood is upset.

111. Avoid constant bickering and complaining.

112. Don't waste your energy in satisfying others.

113. Think less and do more.

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some tips for knee pain

2009-08-17T03:16:00.000-07:00

Knee pain is one of the most common ailments people report when exercising. Everyone is putting their knee joint under stress regularly, especially those participating in exercise and lifting. The good news is, there are so many things you can, and should be doing to prevent it. Read on for some tips on how to keep your knees healthy and pain free (in no particular order).

1. Warm Up Correctly

Warming Up is one of the simplest things you can do to prevent your knees from deteriorating. A good dynamic warm up gets the synovial fluid going in your joints. Meaning a lot less friction during your workout. Just because you have no pain now, or think you are young and can jump on the squat rack straight away, be careful. Your knees absorb a lot of force during a workout, make sure they are ready.

2. Posterior Chain Function: It Ain’t Pretty But You Need It

I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but your posterior chain is so important. Lose hip function, and you lose your powerhouse, your core stabilizer and your ability to perform most movements correctly. Proper hip function goes a long way to easing knee pain. You can take more of the force from the knee during many exercises and movements. Weak hips also means you are unable to control the femur as well as you should, and can lead to stability issues at the knee, and as above, bad biomechanics leading to extra force through the knee.

Most people are very quad dominant; however for example, your butt should lift very large percentage of the weight when you squat. Problem is, a lot of us have trouble activating it. Start working on your hip function. Get into some activation exercises such as:
There are many out there to choose from, just start adding some into your warm-up, this will get them fired up for the hard glute session I know you have planned. Once you have learnt to activate them a bit better, and have more strength, you will find during most exercises (such as lunges and squats) you will be using a lot more glute.

Two more important points on glute activation

■Remember when you squat to think of drifting your hips back first. It’s the absolute first movement you want to do. This will automatically engage your glutes.
■Make sure you are regularly stretching your hip flexors; these babies can get very tight and will affect your glutes ability to fire.
Don’t forget about your hamstrings. These fellas also need some work…balance your training…they aren’t the most glamorous muscle, but getting them as strong is necessary and should not be neglected. It is very common to see people doing 3 quad dominant exercises to one hamstring/glute one. A properly functioning posterior chain isn’t going to scare the pants off people like some big massive quads will, but what is the point in having those quads if by 35 you are unable to half squat anymore?

3. Get Some Ankle Mobility

Yes, your ankle function has a lot to do with your knee health. A lot of people have very poor ankle mobility, and as a result have some pretty crappy biomechanics during their workouts and heavy lifts. If you find your ankles are limiting your ability to perform certain movements, then they are probably limiting your knees ability to absorb and transfer force correctly. Scrap that, they are definitely transferring unwanted force through the knee joint. You may have flexibility issues from tight calves, or mobility issues from an existing ankle injury. Either way, ankle mobility is easy to fix.

■Start standing with your feet a few cm away from the wall.
■Keep your heels on the ground and try to touch your knee to the wall.
■Repeat a few times, each time you touch the wall, step back a little.
■Stretch your calves regularly if you are tight.
You will find you get great increases in your flexibility and mobility quite quickly.

4. Hip Mobility: Is Yours Good Enough?

This is a similar deal to ankle mobility. Poor hip mobility leads to some bad biomechanics during movements. You only have to look at someone with bad hip mobility squat. Straight away they want to bend more at the knees, and end up with their weight forward. This causes a lot of stress through the knee joint. The best way to squat is with your hips first; lack of hip mobility hinders this. I use the squat as an example because it is a very functional movement that most of us have to perform (and will do so with a fair bit of weight on your back if you do any sort of good strengthening program). However these principles apply to everyday life and other activities. Get into some hip mobility work, couple this with glute strengthening and you will have some fully functional hips. This is going to greatly decrease your chance of getting knee pain. Check out this post from Volleyball Base for some hip mobility work.

5. Lateral Vs Medial Knee Structures…The Truth

VMO is a term that is thrown around willy nilly these days in regards to knee pain. It is very true that a lot of knee pain is caused by imbalances between the lateral and medial structures of the knee. Your lateral structures (vastus lateralis/ ITB) are generally stronger and tighter than your medial structures (VMO), and will exert a force on your knee cap, pulling it laterally. Isolating your VMO is hard. You can activate it more in some exercises, but in a relatively healthy knee it’s generally being used during movements you are doing anyway i.e the Squat. End range knee extensions will hit the VMO, but it won’t isolate it. (Serious knee injuries and rehabilitation are a different story…more of this work is needed but still, you cannot isolate the VMO completely. As soon as you have an injured knee, the VMO is one of the first things to shut off. Often in these cases you will require some VMO activation work. In a healthy knee however, you will tend to activate it well in most quad exercises).
So if we can’t isolate the VMO and you have a healthy knee and a normally functioning VMO, then you should probably focus on the other side of things. Loosening our lateral structures. How? Foam rolling. The easiest and simplest thing you can do for yourself regarding soft tissue work. ITB and lateral quad are general very tight in people. Roll on the foam roller often, loosen these structures, and reduce the amount of pull these structures exert on your kneecap. Prevent pain…start rolling.

6. Supplement Your Diet

If you are an athlete, a weight lifter, a body builder or a gym goer, chances are you are putting your knees under some stress that simply can’t be avoided. There are some supplements out there that can help. These are yet to be 100% proven to prevent joint pain, but the research so far looks very very good, and there are little to no side effects. These basically risk free, joint protecting supplements are looking good, and if you are lifting heavy loads, it is definitely worth taking them.

7. Get Better Technique

Most of the time it’s not the exercise that’s hurting your knees, it’s the way you are doing it. I mentioned it before, but if you aren’t drifting your hips back in the squat initially, you probably aren’t getting the hip activation you need, and thus more stress through your knees. Technique is important, but it is hard to know whether you are spot on or not.
You may have bad technique because you have bad ankle or hip mobility, or it may be as simple as you haven’t been taught the right way. From the start, learn how to lift correctly. You will take a big load off your knees and will go a long way to preventing knee pain in the future. If you are unsure about your technique, check with a trainer, or get someone in the know to give you some feedback

8. Maintain A Healthy Weight

This one may seem like a simple concept, but it really does hamper your ability to be pain free in the knee. The heavier you are, the more stress you are going to put through the knee joint. It’s simple. Maintain a healthy weight, and you will keep your joints from carrying too much throughout everyday activities, and thus, lower your chances of getting knee pain.

9. If It Hurts…Stop

If you have knee pain, and something is hurting it, stop it. There’s always a better way to do it or something else to do instead of it. Most likely whatever it is, could be causing you more pain, damage and degeneration. Don’t stop forever though, figure out the problem, and slowly integrate it back into your training. When you are injured, you simply aren’t doing your body any good, and you really aren’t going to get the benefits you wanted anyway.

10. Recover and Stretch, Just Do It

Tight structures surrounding the knee can be a cause of knee pain. Different muscles pulling at different angles can wreak havoc on your knee. Stretch your Quads, Calves, Glutes, ITB’s and Hamstrings after ever every session. You need them to relax after a session, stretching is the simplest thing you can do for that.
Pay attention to your recovery. These muscles need to recover to work optimally. Fatigued muscles aren’t going to be much help stabilizing your knee and transferring force correctly. Optimally functioning muscles will give you much more chance at fighting and preventing knee pain. It’s simple, so just do it.

Conclusion

Knee pain is an unnecessary hiccup that does affect many lifters, athletes and everyday gym goers. Take some of these tips and put them into practice even if you aren’t suffering from knee pain yet. Chances are, by not doing these things you are setting yourself up for some pain in the future. This is definitely not all you can do to prevent knee pain, but they are some of the more important ones…do you have any more tips?

some tips for insomnia patient

2009-08-16T04:19:00.000-07:00

Do you feel as if you're getting as much sleep as anybody else, but you're still waking up tired? Do you struggle with insomnia or can't stay asleep once you do fall asleep? You're not alone. Many people in our modern society struggle with insomnia and sleep deprivation. We are continuously stressed and running short on time. To further complicate matters, we tend to depend upon caffeine, cigarettes and sugar as substitutes for what only a good night's sleep can provide.

Sleep patterns and mood are intimately related. Sleep deprivation makes us irritable and depressed. Many of us become so desperate to get a good night's sleep that we resort to medications. But is
that really necessary? Perhaps the best medicine of all is to really start listening to your body instead of working against its needs.

How to Establish Good Sleep Patterns:

•Determine the number of hours you need to feel rested. Don't worry if you don't fit into the "norm" of eight hours. A good guideline to start with is how many hours you sleep when you "sleep in" on the weekends.

•Calculate a bedtime that will allow you to get this many hours and wake up at a reasonable hour (for example, when you need to get ready for work).

•The first day, wake yourself at the time you would like to be your usual waking time -- whether you are rested or not. You may need help from a friend, relative or alarm clock the first few days.

•Throughout the day, resist the urge for a nap.

•Limit your intake of caffeine. Do not consume any caffeine after mid-afternoon. Its effects can take hours to wear off. You will eventually find that you are getting enough rest and don't need an extra boost in the morning to wake up.

•A couple of hours before bedtime, begin to allow yourself to wind down. A regular evening ritual, like taking a bath, can help you relax and will signal your body that it's time to rest.

•If you feel tense, try chamomile tea, soft music, scented candles, a hot bath or a massage. You can also try Kava , Valerian, or melatonin, but be sure to consult with your doctor before trying these, or any, supplements. (Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone associated with the sleep cycle.)

•Avoid over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications and alcohol. Although you may fall asleep, your rest will not be gentle and natural. You will feel groggy in the morning.

•If you are troubled by racing thoughts that just won't stop, get up and do something to keep yourself occupied until the thoughts subside. They'll pass much more quickly this way.

•Get up at your predetermined time, no matter how tired you may feel.

•Repeat the above steps until you are able to fall asleep on time and wake up rested. This will generally take 2 to 3 days.
Tips:

1.Don't despair if you have to be sleepy for a couple of days to get back on track. For most people, these steps will work if followed faithfully.

2.Keep a regular schedule, even on weekends. If you do, every day will feel as glorious as "sleeping in" on the weekends.

3.If keeping a regular sleep schedule is not working for you, consult an expert for further assistance. Certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been associated with depression.

some tips for headache

2009-08-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

When a migraine headache takes hold, resistance, as the evil rulers say, is futile—at least, for all but the most heroic among us. But before a headache springs full blown, you may be able to avoid or dial down the pain by taking evasive action. Not every tip listed here works for everyone, and change doesn't come overnight. But experimenting with these suggestions may help you avoid getting a headache, or better manage one if it does arrive.

No. 1: Keep a headache diary.

Writing down the details of your headaches—how long they last, how severe they are, what was happening before the pain started and how you sought relief—can help you and your doctor identify your headache "triggers." For example, certain foods may bring on headaches, as can stress, menstrual cycles, bright light, perfumes and even changes in the weather. Once you have an idea of what could be fueling your headaches, you can try to avoid at least some of the triggers. "If you don't write things down and look at it over the course of time, you may not see relationships when it comes to trigger factors," says Dr. Fred Freitag, associate director of the Chicago-based Diamond Headache Clinic and a board member of the National Headache Foundation. "It may not be just one thing by itself that affects you. It may be several factors."

No. 2: Watch what you eat.

Food often gets the blame for triggering migraine headaches. In fact, so many foods have been implicated, says Dr. Lisa Mannix, a neurologist with Headache Associates in Cincinnati, that axing them all would mean giving up a healthy diet. Besides, she adds, only 20 percent to 30 percent of people can consistently identify the foods that trigger their headaches. Still, it won't hurt to experiment by dropping a couple of the most frequent troublemakers to see if it makes a difference. Start with what Mannix calls "the big three": red wine; processed meats and other foods that contain sodium nitrite; and foods that contain the seasoning monosodium glutamate, or MSG.

No. 3: Get enough magnesium.

Magnesium relaxes blood vessels and reduces the likelihood that migraine-inducing electric signals in the brain will be generated, both of which can cut your chances of getting a headache. Supplements are OK, says Freitag, but try making changes in your diet first to see if you notice any improvement. For example, replace white-flour breads and pastas with whole-wheat versions. Other magnesium-rich foods include leafy green vegetables and nuts (although for some, nuts are a headache trigger).

No. 4: Eat regular meals.

Just as important as avoiding foods that may trigger headaches is making sure you eat a healthy diet and don't skip meals. As Freitag explains, your brain runs on two things: oxygen and sugar converted from the food you eat. Once that sugar is gone, you need to feed your brain. In fact, if you tend to wake up with morning headaches, Freitag suggests eating a piece of fruit just before you go to bed to see if that helps stave off the early morning pain.

No. 5: Be careful with caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

For some sufferers, caffeine's a major culprit. “When it's ingested daily or nearly daily it tends to make migraines worse," says Freitag. Alcohol, especially red wine and dark liquors, can be headache triggers. So can tobacco and second-hand smoke, which you shouldn't be messing around with anyway, headaches or not.

No. 6: Stick to a sleep schedule.

Keeping regular hours—even on the weekends—may help you avoid pain. Mannix advises her patients to make a concentrated effort to go to bed and get up at the same time each and every day. "Remember," she says, "we're talking about your very sensitive nervous system. Any change—external or internal—can change how you feel."

No. 7: Exercise regularly.

The idea is to improve the production of endorphins, the brain's natural painkillers. To do that, Freitag advises a minimum of 20 minutes to a half-hour of concentrated aerobic exercise, such as walking at a brisk, 4-miles-per-hour pace at least three times a week. Mannix says go for more if you can: 30 to 60 minutes per session, five days a week.

No. 8: Manage stress.

You can try all kinds of techniques, from massage to yoga to biofeedback. The important thing, says Mannix, is to find something you can do fairly quickly and easily. "Dealing with stress successfully sometimes means just giving yourself some time," she says. Read a book, go for a walk, even go shopping if that works for you.

No. 9: Try acupressure.

Acupressure, a form of traditional Chinese medicine that's based on the same ideas as acupuncture, involves putting gentle pressure on different points of your body and is a technique you can do yourself. Finding out if it works for you, Freitag says, may take a bit of trial and error. "But you can do all these things together," he says. "When you feel a headache coming on, you can take some Ibuprofen and do your acupressure. They're not mutually exclusive."

No. 10: Apply a cold pack.

Cold, says Freitag, "has a bit of a local anesthetic effect." So, go ahead: Place a cold pack on your forehead. "You don't need a fancy ice pack," says Freitag. "All you need is a package of frozen peas wrapped in a towel."

Kathleen Donnelly is a Seattle freelance writer who specializes in health, medicine, home and lifestyle topics.

Have Your Eyes Examined
Various eye problems from glaucoma to eyestrain can cause headaches and it's important to rule out any serious eye disorders. General eye exams should be performed every 1-2 years depending on your age. If you are experiencing specific symptoms that your doctor believes are related to your eyes, you may be referred to an eye specialist. Don't put off an eye test because the sooner you can address any potential problems, the sooner you can obtain headache relief.

Be Prepared for Sudden Attacks
Headaches and migraines can strike anytime and anywhere. Try to ensure you have access to a quiet, dark room to lie down. A cold, wet cloth on your head may also soothe headache pain. Over-the-counter preparations such as ibuprofen and acetominophen may help; try to keep a small container of medication handy in your bag whenever possible.

some tips to cope with breast cancer

2009-08-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is by turns frightening, overwhelming, and exhausting—but a few deceptively simple tips can help women cope with the emotional and physical challenges they face. Collected here are some coping techniques from survivor Lorraine Murray, author of Grace Notes, a book about her spiritual journey. You'll also find help with wigs, conquering fear, dealing with finances, and moving on with life.

Let some things go. At least once a day, say, “Who cares?” and let go of old rigid ways of living. If the house isn’t in tip-top shape, say, “Who cares?” If you forgot to floss your teeth, just let it go. This technique helps reduce stress.

Let your hair down. Right after the diagnosis, it helps to confide in someone who can handle whatever emotions you may express. Find someone you feel completely safe with – a sweetheart, a friend, a sister, a minister or rabbi, a counselor – and really let it all out.

Find people to hug. Initiate a hug whenever you feel the need for comfort. People will respond warmly -- and you’ll feel better.

Tap into your faith. Every religion offers comfort to help endure life’s trials. You may want to join a prayer group at your synagogue or church if you belong to one. It can also help to read inspirational books and/or scripture. Find favorite prayers and say them often.

Be patient with yourself. There will come a day when your diagnosis is not the first thing on your mind when you wake up in the morning. For the first few months, though, you may find yourself dwelling on the diagnosis and reliving the events of surgery and other treatments. This is perfectly normal.

Give yourself time to cry. You may find yourself grieving as if you’d lost your best friend. This is the result of shock and is also perfectly normal. You may cry often for a few months, and it may help with emotional healing. But if crying is not your way of handling stress, that’s fine too. Everyone is different.

Take naps. Naps are immensely therapeutic, especially if you’re undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. Even 20 minutes can make a big difference in your mood and overall sense of well-being. Even long after your diagnosis and treatment, naps can help.

Set limits. If you are feeling overwhelmed – by work duties, household tasks, social commitments – it’s time to make some changes. Make a list of what you have to do each day and figure out what can be postponed – or what can be delegated to someone else. It’s okay to say “no.” It is also okay to pare back on volunteer activities and social commitments.

Ask for help. If you have small children and many commitments, enlist a friend or relative to help you. You’ll find that people are eager to help. When they ask you what they can do, have some specifics in mind, like “Could you watch Johnny on Friday afternoon when I go to the doctor’s office?” or “Could you pick up some groceries for me?”

Get the support you need. A nearby support group for women with breast cancer can help considerably. Or you may draw emotional support from family and friends. One-on-one support is available from breast cancer survivors through the Reach to Recovery program.

Do nice things for yourself. So often we equate being nice to ourselves with buying things. But you can treat yourself without running up your credit card debt. Check out books from the library, rent a funny video, feed the ducks at the lake, ask your sweetie for a foot massage, take a hot bath. And if you need to sleep 10 hours a night, give yourself permission to do it.

Forgive yourself. You may forget a dentist’s appointment or neglect to send Aunt Martha a birthday card. You may not feel like returning phone calls. It’s okay. People will understand.

Don’t blame yourself. No one knows what causes breast cancer. Don’t try to figure out what you did to bring on this illness. There are no answers.

Finding a wig. Check mail order suppliers such as the American Cancer Society's “tlc”, which has an online catalogue. They also feature breast forms, “pocketed” nightgowns and other products for women going through cancer treatment. Or call your local American Cancer Society office for stores nearby.

Handling financial issues. Your local hospital or clinic will have a social worker, who can help you manage financial issues and deal with private insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid. You can also find the ACS I Can Cope program in your area, which offers free educational classes for people with cancer, their families, and friends. Sessions include, “Taking Charge of Money Matters.”

Specifics on your disease. Bring your questions to the health professionals who lead the I Can Cope courses mentioned above. The program covers cancer development, treatment, side effects, new research, relieving cancer pain, nutritional well-being and more.

Sex after breast cancer treatment. The physical changes made by surgery and/or breast reconstruction don’t have to cause problems in a woman’s sex life, and ACS offers practical advice practical advice on how to continue a fulfilling sexual relationship. Research shows most women with early stage breast cancer have good emotional adjustment and sexual satisfaction by a year after surgery. They report a quality of life similar to women who never had cancer.

Remember that you are not alone. There are millions of women who are making this journey with you. And millions of women have survived breast cancer for many years. You are a survivor too.

_________________________________________

Lorraine Murray is a freelance writer living in Decatur, Ga. She was a contributor to A Breast Cancer Journey: Your Personal Guidebook, published by the American Cancer Society.

some tips to cure Arthritis Pain

2009-08-15T00:59:00.000-07:00

As each day brings new challenges, coping with the pain and discomfort of arthritis can be overwhelming. The following are 10 suggestions to help you persevere when dealing with the difficult aspects of arthritis pain.

1. Wellness & pain

One way to reduce your pain is to build your life around wellness, not pain or sickness. This means thinking positive thoughts, having a sense of humor, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, surrounding yourself with positive people and enjoying activities with friends and family.

2. Good posture = less stress

Good posture is key to minimizing the stress on your joints as well as the spine. To stand with good posture keep your feet 12 inches apart, with the outside of your feet forming two parallel lines. As you stand keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet and keep your shoulders drawn back and down to lift and broaden your chest. Your chin should be parallel with the ground. To help keep good posture imagine a string attached to the top of your head gently lifting you up.

3. Your weight and your knees

Losing weight can take pressure off of you knees. Every time you take a step the force, or pressure, across your knees and hips is two to three times your body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, when you walk your knees and hips are shouldering the burden of closer to 450 pounds – a particular handicap for someone whose joints have deteriorated. To put it another way, if you gain 20 excess pounds your knees carry a burden of up to 120 extra pounds. The more weight you carry the more pressure there is on your joint. The more pressure on the joint the more pain you may have, and the faster the joint deteriorates. Losing just 10 pounds can take about 30 pounds of pressure off the knees when you walk.

4. High heels hurt

Women with arthritis may want to reconsider wearing high heels. Researchers at Boston’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital found that the movements of women who frequently wear high heels of at least two inches high (including thick heels) increases torque (twisting force) at the knee, straining the joint near the back of the kneecap. This stress can increase wear and tear and lead to or worsen osteoarthritis.

5. Functional footwear

When exercising wear sturdy supportive shoes that are not worn out, preferably athletic shoes. To check if your shoes are too worn, place your shoes on a table or counter at eye level and determine if the soles are worn on the outside or inside edges. You may see wear in the soles on either side and/or in the heel of the shoe, leaning in or out. Exercising with shoes that are worn out can overstress the joints. As a rule of thumb: if you have been using one pair of athletic shoes for a year, it is time to replace them.

6. House cleaning

When cleaning around the house, it’s a good idea not to take on more than one major cleaning job a day, try to allow a lot of time to get the job done. Take frequent breaks, listen to music – whatever will help make the job as easy and pleasant as possible. Try making cleanups a family responsibility. Decide at the beginning of each week which chores need to be accomplished and divide them up.

7. Measured improvement

Arthritis professionals recommend that people with rheumatoid arthritis use a scale from 1 to 10 to measure their pain before and after they begin a new practice or make changes in their daily life. By tracking changes in this way, you’ll be able to clearly see what improves your pain, and what doesn’t.

8. Daily diary

Keep a pain diary. Write about your level of pain at different times, how you're feeling, and what activities you can and can not do. Keep a record of medications you're taking or any non-drug treatments. Bring the diary to your doctor visits.

9. Get your Zs

Sleep restores your energy so that you can better manage pain. It also rests your joints to reduce pain and swelling. Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. If you feel tired and achy after lunch every day, taking a brief nap (15 to 20 minutes) can help restore your energy and spirits. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try relaxing quietly in the afternoon rather than taking a nap.

10. What pain?

One way to take your mind off pain is to focus on something else. The amount of time you spend thinking about pain has a lot to do with how much discomfort you feel. People who dwell on their pain usually say their pain is worse than those who don’t dwell on it.

Sources:

1. Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org
2. Nelson, M., Baker, K., Roubenof, R., Lindner, L. Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis. G.P. Putman’s Sons: New York. 2002
3. Koehn, D., Palmer, T., Esdaile. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan to Win. Oxford University Press: Oxford. 2002

Helpful Hints for Controlling Diarrhea

2009-08-13T23:05:00.000-07:00

Nutritional Tips for Controlling Diarrhea

There are several reasons why diarrhea may occur. It may be due to infections, medications or treatments. The degree to which dietary changes help will depend upon the cause and severity of the problem.

Helpful Hints for Controlling Diarrhea

•Individuals vary in their tolerance to foods. Avoid foods that cause cramping, gas or diarrhea.

•If you have cramps, avoid foods that may produce gas such as carbonated drinks, beer, beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, highly spiced foods and chewing gum.

•Foods at room temperature may be better tolerated than hot or cold foods.

•Diarrhea can lead to dehydration associated with loss of minerals. Replace fluid and minerals with liquids such as water, broth, fruit juices, sports beverages and popsicles.

•Potassium is an important element for your body. It may be lost in large quantities through diarrhea. If you don't have enough potassium, you may feel weak. When you have diarrhea, eat some foods high in potassium, such as ripe bananas, apricot or peach nectar, potatoes, fish and meat.

•Drink fluids between meals.

•Eat small amounts of food frequently.

•Fatty foods such as fried foods, sauces, gravies and salad dressings and highly spiced foods may not be well tolerated. Cutting down on these foods may help control diarrhea.

•Avoid foods or juices that have a laxative effect such as prunes and prune juice.

•If you don't drink milk regularly, avoid milk when you have diarrhea.

•Use well-cooked, tender meats such as tender cuts of baked, broiled, creamed or roasted beef, lamb, liver and pork as well as chicken, fish, crisp bacon and smooth peanut butter.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. I encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

depression cure tips

2009-08-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

When you're depressed it can feel like you are barely existing. By obtaining the correct medical intervention and learning better coping skills, however, you can not only live with depression, but live well. The following are some tips that can help improve your quality of life.

1. Join a Support Group
Having a caring group of people who can be there to listen to you and support you is perhaps the most important thing you can do outside of medical treatment to help you with your depression. There are numerous groups, both online and in your community, dedicated to supporting those with depression and other mental illnesses. One of the best online resources is our own forum here at About.com.

2. Reduce Your Stress
When the body is under stress, the adrenal gland increases secretion of cortisol. Short-term, this hormone can help aid in survival. Long-term elevation of cortisol, however, can have detrimental effects. Although the exact mechanism that causes depression is uncertain, clinical studies suggest that chronically elevated cortisol may induce clinical depression by somehow affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin. Learning stress reduction techniques may be helpful in reducing depression.

3. Improve Your Sleep Hygiene
Sleep and mood are intimately related. In fact, some studies seem to show that rather than being only a symptom of depression, insomnia may in fact be a cause of depression. Learning how to get a good night's sleep could improve your mood.

4. Improve Your Eating Habits
A poor diet can affect both your physical and mental well-being. Eat better to feel better.

5. Learn How to Stop Negative Thoughts
Did you know that habitual negative thinking can lead to depression? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy which works to alter common patterns of negative thinking called cognitive distortions in order to eliminate depression. Numerous studies have shown that CBT is an effective treatment for both depression and anxiety. The best results are obtained by using CBT in conjunction with medication.

6. Beat Procrastination
The symptoms that we experience when depressed, such as fatigue and hopelessness, make it easy to fall into a habit of putting things off until we feel better. When important deadlines draw near, however, procrastination creates anxiety and guilt that further feeds our depression. It's a vicious cycle, but it can be stopped by learning how to break through the habit of procrastination.

7. Get a Handle on Your Household Chores
Depression destroys so much of our motivation and energy that if can become difficult to keep up with day-to-day chores, yet a dirty living environment only serves to make us feel more worthless and discouraged. The following tips can help you get a handle on your house work.

8. Learn How to Forgive
Holding on to anger about past events can contribute to depression. Forgiving these wrongs can help you heal and move forward with your life, but the Biblical definition of forgiveness is very hard for most of us to swallow. How can you forget the unforgettable? How can you forgive the unforgivable? To enjoy the benefits of forgiveness, however, we don't need to go that far.

Sources:
Perlis, Michael L., et. al. "Insomnia as a Risk Factor for Onset of Depression in the Elderly." Behavioral Sleep Medicine 4.2 (2006): 104-113.

Rupke, Stuart J., David Blecke and Marjorie Renfrow. "Cognitive Therapy for Depression." American Family Physician 73 (2006): 83-6,93.

Tafet, G.E., et. al. "Correlation between cortisol level and serotonin uptake in patients with chronic stress and depression." Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience 1.4 (2001) :388-393(6).

some tips for dental health

2009-07-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

1. Brush your teeth twice a day to avoid majority of the dental problems.
Brushing incorrectly may reduce its effectiveness. It’s important to know HOW TO CORRECTLY BRUSH YOUR TEETH.

2. Use a Dental Floss: Flossing cleans the areas which are harder for a toothbrush to reach. It removes the food debris and plaque accumulated between the teeth. Flossing twice daily is preferable. Do also read the importance of flossing

3. Use of Mouth Washes: Mouthwashes such as Listerine or Chlorohexidine possess effective antiseptic properties. They kill the bacterial plaque known to cause bad breath, tooth decay and gingivitis. Use a mouthwash AFTER BRUSHING as per its directions.

4. Eating right: Maintain a balanced diet but reduce the consumption of foods containing sugars or starch. Sugary Foods( Candies, gums) and Starchy foods(potato chips, snacks) play an important role in causing tooth decay.

5. Avoid in between eating habits: Snacking between meals makes the teeth prone to tooth decay. The bacterial action is greatest at acidic Ph. The Ph is most acidic immediately after meals and gradually reduces and comes to a normal level. Eating in between meals does not allow the acidic level to come down increasing bacterial action leading to caries.

6. Avoid Cola and Energy Drinks: Cola drinks contain acids such as phosphoric acid and citric acid which have damaging effect on teeth. Energy drinks contain organic acids in addition to the above which directly damage the tooth calcium. ENERGY DRINKS AND COMMERCIAL LEMONADE ARE 11 TIMES MORE HARMFUL TO TEETH THAN COLA DRINKS. If you must drink, don’t sip on them for a long time and do rinse your mouth after drinking

7. Quit Smoking: Smoking not only stains your teeth but also damages your gums by reducing the blood supply. It also causes smokers breath
8. Chewing Sugar free Gum: Chewing Sugar free gum prevents bad breath and fights tooth decay by washing away the plaque acid resulting in healthier teeth.

9. Regular visits to your Dentist: It is essential to visit your dentist once in 3-6 months to diagnose any oral concerns early. Most oral health problems do not produce any symptoms till they have progressed to a later stage.

10. Oral Piercings: Oral Piercings such as tongue or lip are a no-no for good oral health. Tongue piercings can lead to allergic reactions, infections, nervous damage to tongue and gum disease.

from dental health site.

some tips to prevent back pain

2009-07-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

#1 - Get up and get moving
The most important thing you can do to keep your spine healthy, and the rest of your body, is to exercise. The best way to start is to think of an activity that you enjoy, and do it!! Your goal should be to exercise at least 30 minutes each day (or on most days of the week). Whatever activity you choose, make sure it gets you breathing a little harder than usual. This is good for your circulation. Also, include some strength training to keep muscles healthy and strong. Some examples are walking, jogging, biking, swimming, even gardening can be considered exercise if done vigorously!

#2 - See your doctor
Regular checkups with your doctor are really important, no matter what your age. Make a plan to see your physician at least once a year to make sure all your systems are working smoothly. If you are experiencing back pain, and can't seem to find any relief, it's definitely time to see your doctor. Today there are many treatment options available so you don't have to live with back pain.

#3 - Lose weight
It's estimated that over half of all Americans are overweight. It's important to know that obesity contributes to the development of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and back pain. While the spine is designed to carry and distribute the body's weight, excessive weight can strain the spine. Eventually, the spine will begin to wear out.

Give your spine a break by shedding those unwanted and unnecessary pounds. Don't know how to start? Talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find a weight loss and exercise plan that best suits your needs.

#4 - Good posture
You may think that slouching when sitting or standing is relaxing your muscles. But actually, it makes your muscles work harder. Good posture, which involves standing and sitting in a balanced and neutral position, is the best way to avoid straining your spine.

#5 - Rest easy and properly
Sleep is an essential nutrient for our bodies and where we sleep can make all the difference. If you are having trouble sleeping or find that you wake in the morning more tired than when you went to bed, you may need to take a good look at where and how you sleep. A good mattress allows you to maintain the same natural spinal alignment that you have when standing. When your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles are relaxed and sleep is more refreshing.

by Mark R. McLaughlin, MD
Neurosurgeon
Princeton Brain and Spine
Langhorne, PA

some tips for asthma patient

2009-07-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Knowing what medicines to take and when to take them is an important step towards keeping your asthma symptoms under control.
Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Drink plenty of water and avoid getting dehydrated.
Review your symptoms and medicine with your doctor or asthma nurse at least once a year (more frequently if you have severe asthma symptoms or in the case of your children, every six to 12 months).
Tell your doctor or asthma nurse how asthma symptoms affect your lifestyle so that they can help you to identify ways to overcome these to make your life better.
Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about the medicines that you are taking, how to identify and avoid triggers, and how to cope with a long-term condition.
Use your preventer inhaler regularly as prescribed. This will reduce your risk of having an asthma attack if you come into contact with a trigger.

some tips for anxiety patient

2009-07-13T04:01:00.000-07:00

1.Splash face with cold water - this produces the dive reflex and causes your brain to send messages to your body to slow down
2.Distraction - Count down from 100 as fast as you can, repeat over and over. Do maths problems or anything else that occupies your mind
3.Listen to your favorite music loudly and sing along to it
4.Say to yourself - this has never hurt me, it has never hurt anyone else and it never will. I know what it is and it means nothing - disempower the attack
5.Tell yourself that what you are feeling are sensations; nothing more and that sensations never hurt anyone
6.Watch a funny video on TV, laugh out loud
7.Don't look at yourself in the mirror
8.Keep some apples in the fridge. Eat one, then another if you wish
9.Gently slap your cheeks and dance around - confuse your thoughts to distract them
10.In the night, get out of bed, turn on the TV, get a drink, eat an apple and keep moving
11.Talk to someone or phone someone - don't discuss your anxiety
12.Do something physical if you can
13.Do not sit down! Keep moving

tps to care from allergy

2009-07-12T23:50:00.000-07:00

Watch out when eating out
When dining out, alert your waiter about your food allergies before you order. Harmful ingredients not mentioned on the menu have a way of slipping into sauces, garnishes or side orders. Also, when you're at home or shopping, make a habit of reading food labels and learn to understand the ingredients listed.

Keep an eye on the count
Those with allergies might want to avoid going outdoors on high pollen-count days. Peak time is early morning from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Police your pollen exposure
Help create a pollen-free atmosphere by keeping your home and car windows closed to minimize the chance of pollen getting inside. Leave your air conditioning on to recirculate the air and keep it clean and dry. After spending time outdoors, take a shower, wash your clothes and wipe your glasses. Pollen sticks easily to clothes and hair and can irritate you long after going inside.

Can't bee too careful
To avoid bee stings and potential allergic reactions from bug and insect bites, wear long sleeves, pants, and shoes with socks. Do not wear perfumes or sweet-scented products that would invite over insects.

Know your surroundings
If you suffer from allergies, it's important to choose the right environment. During high pollen season in the spring, spend time at low pollen areas such as the beach or ocean. Avoid areas that are historically known for having high pollen counts.

Don't let it all hang out
Do not hang your clothes or sheets to dry outdoors because pollen can easily deposit and accumulate. Wash sheets in a temperature greater than 130 degrees to reduce dust mites, which are insects invisible to the naked eye but the most common cause of allergy symptoms.

Reduce mites to dust
To reduce dust mites, remove carpets or area rugs from your home or office. To protect your mattress and pillows, purchase dust mite-zippered encasings from your local department store. Install a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrester) filter to remove dust that's freely floating in the air.

Don't sleep with your dog
Allergy sufferers should keep pets outdoors if possible or, at least, out of your bedroom. Bathing your cat or dog on a weekly basis will reduce dander accumulation and can reduce allergen exposure.

Your home is not a roach motel
Keep those pesky cockroaches out of the house. Food should be in tight containers. Take out the trash regularly. Wash dishes immediately after use, and wipe countertops to avoid cockroach allergy and infestation.

Avoid the same mold song
Inhaling mold spores can produce various irritating and uncomfortable allergic symptoms. To reduce indoor exposure, use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in your home below 50 percent. Visible mold growth on ceilings, walls, showers and windows can be cleaned with a mild bleach solution.

acne cure tips

2009-07-11T10:39:00.000-07:00

Acne is a disease of the skin, which is caused by changes in the structure of a persons skin. Acne is common amongst people in puberty and is widely considered to be a reaction to the hormone known as testosterone. Acne tends to reduce or even disappear in individuals once they reach their twenties. Although this is common knowledge to some, here are some top tips to help you if you are suffering with this condition: -

1) Reduce Your Coffee Intake - Coffee may encourage acne and zits to pop up; so it's a good idea to limit how much you drink as a precautionary measure.

2) Improve Your Diet - Your skin, like anything in the human body, benefits from a good diet. Make sure you get a good intake of micronutrients from fruit and vegetables.
3) Cleanse Your Skin - Especially during stressful times as this makes your acne condition flare up. Try to clean your pores at least twice a day with an anti-bacterial face wash.

4)Cut Down Or Stop Smoking - Smoking is statistically proven in studies to worsen the effects of acne.

5) Introduce Acne Products Gradually - When you first choose an acne product, only use the cleanser initially or your body may 'react' to the sudden use of more than one product all at once. If you don't do this, you may aggravate your acne condition for a number of days.

6) Shampoo More Regularly - If you have acne along your hairline or on your forehead. This type of acne is due to a build up of fatty acids.

7) Exercise Regularly - Exercise reduces stress and increases oxygen to the skin, which may help reduce acne.

8) Shower After Workouts - Take a shower after you have exercised, as sweat in conjunction with the oils in your skin can trap dirt and bacteria.

9) Remove Makeup Before Sleeping - Don't go to bed with makeup on. This also clogs your skin pores and can make your acne worse.

10) Drink Water - Drink several glasses of water a day to flush out the toxins in your body and skin.

some tips to reduce belly fat

2009-07-11T04:18:00.000-07:00

1. Short of surgery, there is no simple process to quickly remove the fat. Reducing it requires time, patience and work.

2. When you exercise, make sure your movements are smooth and controlled.

3. Do your best to not arch your back during your abdominal workout. Arching your back can strain the muscles in your lower back and increase the length of time it will take to lose the fat.

4. Lots of people think that, in order for exercise to be effective, exercise must be done until the person feels out of breath and physically tapped. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Exercise until it feels uncomfortable and then cool down. As time goes on, you'll find that the time it takes to feel winded or uncomfortable gets longer and longer.

5. Sit ups, when not paired with a full body workout do not actually flatten your stomach. In fact, unless you are working your entire abdominal region (and the rest of your body), sit ups will tone your abdominal muscles, making them more pronounced behind the layer of fat - making your stomach fat even more obvious!

6. Do some crunches when you would normally be lying around and doing something passive (like watching television or listening to music). Crunches are one of the best exercises you can do to work your abdominal muscle area.

7. Keep your workout routine varied. The more you do an exercise, the more your muscles will become used to it and the less effect it will have on your muscle tone and it will make it harder for you to get into shape.

8. Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet. All of the exercise in the world won't do you any good if you aren't eating healthy as well. Healthy foods have fewer calories and are easier for your body to digest.

9. Stay away from saturated fats and foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Saturated fat and high fructose corn syrup are two of the leading reasons why people have problems with belly fat in the first place.

10. Maintain proper posture. By sitting up straight you will be able to reduce the appearance of your stomach fat. Proper posture will also help you when you work out and you'll find that you have less muscle aches!

These are just ten short tips to help you reduce stomach fat on your body. Remember that you need to work at all of your body's fat to truly lose any weight or fat inches. If you only work on your stomach, your fat will simply relocate to some other area of your body!

eyes care tips for computer users

2009-07-11T03:12:00.000-07:00

Not only adults, but even small children are seen with thick spectacles, and the major reason for this is the long hours they spend playing games, working, or watching stuff on computer
Given below are some tips that can help you out.

First of all, as the popular proverb says ‘Prevention is better than cure’, it is usually advisable to prevent spending long hours in front of the computer, unless of course it’s unavoidable. But with a majority of jobs being computer based, it is imperative to take some essential eye care tips.

Always remember never to keep your eyes glued to the computer screen for a long time. Take frequent breaks and give your eyes some rest. Also, you should look here and there instead of gluing your eyes in one particular direction.

Blink your eyes several times. After all, taking ‘visual breaks’ as it is popularly called is a must not only for keeping your eyes healthy but it also helps in improving focus.

You can also undertake the healthy habit of taking a walk outside your office to grasp some fresh air along with providing your eyes with visual breaks.
There are certain eye exercises which should be followed by all people who sit in front of computers. Moving your eyes in clockwise and anticlockwise direction is one such exercise.

Washing your eyes with cold water is also helpful as it helps in refreshing your tired eyes. Additionally, applying a slice of cucumber to your tired eyes helps in refreshing them.

Thus, follow the above given eye care tips to keep your eyes healthy and safe, especially if you are a computer user.

tips to reduce belly fat

2009-07-11T01:26:00.000-07:00

There are a few steps or procedures to reduce the belly fat. As a part of the preemptive measures, it will be an urgent task for a person to opt for a diet control. Proper selection of food items is much better and more convenient way to minimize the chance of the possibility of the reduction of the belly fat.

Energy is garnered in the fatty region of the belly, therefore it is most urgent matter to burn the calories to reduce the belly fat. Therefore one must make the proper utilization of abdominal exercises to get positive results. Secondly one should avoid taking fried food items which are harmful and not necessary at all in a balanced and healthy die. In the contrary of it being any help to your body it will instead increase the percentage of calories in the body. Furthermore one should steer clear of taking snacks at night. As during night most people retire to bed for sleeping therefore there is the least chance of the physical activity. For this particular reason, snack food gets directly deposited in the belly overnight and the metabolism process runs slow. Therefore it is better to avoid late night snacking.

Last but not the least, it is the best option to reduce the percentage of fat is to walk in the morning or in the evenings. In actuality unused energy gets stored in the belly region in the form of fat. Therefore it is very essential to burn that unused calories to check higher possibility of the occurrence of the belly fat in the body. One can even climb up and down the stairs. This type of exercise is also beneficial to the accumulation of fat in the belly region.

benifits of green tea

2009-07-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Green tea can enthusiastically be equivalent with spinach, broccoli, carrots, or strawberries due to its anti-oxidant property. The major igredients include theanine, polyphenols, antioxidants, Tannin, catechin, minerals and vitamins. Green tea provides sweet stories for diabetic patient since it decreases the blood sugar, if it’s been taken 4-5 cups daily but without sugar.

The presence of Fluorine in the green tea is highly employed in stopping cavities in the teeth particularly in the faculty going kids. The antiviral property of the green tea is employed to govern helps among the human population also ( School of Tokyo, Book of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2003 ).

It’s also confirmed through a study that flavanoids present in this drink has a property of controlling the blood platelets in clotting process and thus it stops the frequency of coronary among the protracted tea drinkers. Not just the health benefits but also the green tea may be employed in chiller to driven out the bad smell spotted in the fridge. This can be accomplished by placing 2 or 3 used tea bags in the fridge overnite. The bad smell isn’t spotted in the chiller.

Green tea helps a lot for weight reduction by skyrocketing the level of fat oxidation and thermogenesis ( burning of fat to form heat ). Catechins in the green tea help to halt the movement of glucose into fat cells. This stops high insulin spikes and the successive fat storage.

As bottom line, green tea helps you with weight loss by suppressing your appetite, controlling your blood sugar, turbo-charging your metabolic rate and giving you something else besides that high calorie. It isn’t magic- Green tea definitely beef up your health and cut back your weight! Wishing you the best of health!!!

boost your sexual life

2009-07-05T03:03:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to have the sexual stamina at the best. Due to the various disorders, stress, and tensions the sexual stamina of the individual is greatly degraded. Without sexual stamina no one can last longer during the sexual activity. It is only because of the sexual stamina that you enjoy the sex to its fullest. Stamina is of great importance in sex, specifically to men as they need to hold up for the long time during the sex to match with the female orgasm. The loss of sexual stamina results in the unsatisfactory sex life, which creates the problem on man-woman relationship. So, here are some health tips to upgrade the sexual stamina—

1. Start doing daily workout. This is first health tip to upgrade the sexual stamina. By the daily workout session you will see a tremendous improvement in your overall health status. Your immune system would be boosted by this and you no longer would be prone to abnormal health conditions. This will surely improve your stamina. It has been noted during the studies that daily workout helps the person to last longer during the sexual activity.

2. Eat healthy diet. By taking the healthy diet you would be getting the adequate amount of the
proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates. This altogether will improve your health and induce your sexual stamina. The blood circulation to all the body parts would be increased. As a result, the sexual stamina of the person would be upgraded.

3. Walk daily for about 20 minutes. Walking is the easiest way to upgrade sexual stamina. Walking increases the metabolism rate in the body and as a result you eat more amount of the food material, which directly or indirectly affects the sexual stamina. The blood flow in the body is improved which considerably improves the sexual stamina.

4. Kegels exercise is helpful to upgrade the sexual stamina. Kegels exercise is performed firstly by learning to control the flow of urine. Men can try this by holding the ejaculation during the masturbation. Women can use this method by inserting the finger in the vagina and then squeezing the surrounding muscles. This way both the partners can delay there orgasm that ultimately leads to the increase in the sexual stamina.

5. Eat more fruits including Vitamin C. Yes, vitamin C works efficiently to improve the sexual stamina. Vitamin C improves the blood circulation throughout the body and helps you to stay strong for the longer time during the sexual activity. Vitamin C helps the nerves in the penis to hold on for the long time, which ultimately helps the person to revitalize the energy levels. As a result, the sexual stamina is amplified.

8. Breathing control is also of use to improve the sexual stamina. Once you learn this technique you can last double the times longer than the normal stamina. But, one thing you need to remember is that breathing control can’t be learned in one day. You need to do a lot of practice to learn the breathing control technique. So, don’t waste any more time and start learning the breathing control exercise today to upgrade the sexual stamina.

These are the health tips to upgrade the sexual stamina, which ultimately allows both the partner to enjoy sex life to its fullest.

some good health tips to live healthier life

2009-07-05T02:35:00.000-07:00

Health Tips #1: Diet & Nutrition
You already know the main reason you gained weight. Too many trips through the McDonalds drive-thru, late night snacking on junk food and poor dinner choices. You do not have to eat a diet of bland salads and yogurt, but you do need to limit the amount of trigger foods that you caused your weight gain. Replace your current American diet of high sugar, high-fat processed foods with those found in the produce and lean meat department as often as you can.

Health Tips #2: Nutritional Supplements
Now that our soils are more depleted of minerals than ever, and our farm animals are not fed properly, living a healthy lifestyle requires nutritional supplementation.

Health Tips #3: Fun & Recreation
What makes you happy? Going to the movies? Ice Skating? Playing the guitar? Whatever it is, you must find time for it on a weekly basis (if not daily) in order to maintain good mental stability. Your activities and hobbies should not include junk food or alcohol. Going to the movies is watching the movie, not eating a tub of fatty buttered popcorn. Be happy with what you are doing without the unnecessary evils.

Health Tips #4: Hydration
Drinking enough water throughout the day is the part of the equation that gets overlooked. People do not consider drinking as important as eating and it is! You should not be drinking soda or processed juices every day. Why? Because they deplete your body of vitamins and minerals while loading you up on sugar. Alcohol is even worse. Do yourself a favor and keep a water bottle with you at all times. Drink, drink, drink. I cannot stress this enough.

Health Tips #5: Stress
And speaking of stress, this is what happens when you do not allow yourself to have any fun in your life. This is just as important to living a healthy lifestyle as eating and drinking properly. Too much stress can cause major problems for your body. You only live once, so do not allow other people and events to get you so bothered and worried that you cannot live the lifestyle you deserve for yourself.

Health Tips #6: Unhealthy Habits
Not eating the wrong foods is just as important as eating the right foods. But unhealthy habits are not just about food, are they? Smoking and the use of other drugs, prescription or not, is probably the worst thing a person can do to their body. This is the only one you have! Take care of it.

Health Tips #7: Weight Management
Have you ever noticed that weight loss really is not the issue that people struggle with? Most everyone has lost weight at one point in their life. Keeping that weight off is the obstacle that most people can not overcome. Think about it logically. If you gained weight by eating twinkies, then lost weight when you stopped eating twinkies, do not go back to eating twinkies. The person who eats twinkies on occasion (not every day) does not struggle with weight fluctuation.

Health Tips #8: Exercise
do any exercise regularly

Girls Who Want Attractive Breasts Must Read

2009-07-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

Breasts are most adorable organs in the female body. They are the ones that not only women but men too admire and give importance to! Unfortunately, all the women are not blessed with attractive breasts and many of them have very tiny or little breasts.

Though small breasts may not harm anybody's physique, as a glamour point of view, they are very bothering. Fortunately, there are many ways to increase breast size. Let us look at some important techniques:-

Application of Sesame Oil: The oil of sesame is very beneficial for the female body and if she applies sesame oil onto the breasts then they are likely to increase in volume, size and also come up in shape. The breasts are supported by the chest muscles called as pectoralis muscles. If these muscles are well toned and in shape, the breasts are also likely to remain healthy and in proper shape. Sesame oil is said to penetrate easily into the skin and can offer great results. The oil is reported to nourish the breast cells and to reshape them.

Regular Exercising: In order to increase breast size, it is also important to have a regular exercise. Regular exercises keep the pectoralis muscles in a proper shape and toned. When a woman performances regular exercising, the pectoralis muscles are strengthened and they support breasts in a much better way. It also increases the overall circulation in the breasts. Therefore, one can remain in good shape and the breasts may increase in volume and also in size. Many reports say that women who practice yoga are also able to increase breast size. Yogasanas also help in calming the stressful brain and hence help in toning the body and so the breasts.

Surgery: Surgery is one of the most essential options that can offer woman increase breast size. However, more and more women are now resorting towards the natural option to increase breast size since there are many side effects and adverse reactions due to surgery. Also, if surgery is poorly performed, it may also damage the entire breast structure. Breast increase is possible with breast implant but then, they do not appear like the natural breasts and they also require comparatively much attention and care.

Breast increasing therapies and supplements: Increase breast size is quite possible using some breast enhancing therapies, supplements and local applications. Generally, the supplements contain a blend of natural herbal extracts that possess estrogenic properties. In this way, they help in nourishing the breasts and hence as a result of that, there is increase in breast size.
The market is also full of breast supplements in the form of local application. Such application is available as cream, gel, spray and oil. They all are easy to apply but to be massaged in a proper way to get good results. The woman who seeks increase in breast size must also continue the therapy for about 3-4 months to see satisfactory results.

japanease health tips

2009-07-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Eat More Fish
Getting the protein you need from fish rather than red meat and other high-fat sources reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies show consuming the omega-3 fatty acids found in most fish decreases triglycerides in the blood and inhibits the arterial plaque build-up that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Walk More, Drive Less
Exercise, even in small amounts, has been shown to slow weight gain, decrease bad cholesterol levels, control blood pressure, and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Eat Smaller Portions
People tend to eat as much as they're given, regardless of hunger. In Japan, meals are usually served in courses with small bowls or plates. Consuming smaller meals decreases overall caloric intake and allows the body to more thoroughly digest food. Studies have found this leads to lower fat storage and lower cholesterol levels, among other benefits.

Eat Slowly and Stop Eating Before You Are Full
Eat like a crane, as the Japanese say. Eating slowly gives your body a chance to digest properly and signal fullness before you've overeaten. And follow the Japanese saying Hara hachi bunme—eat only until you are 80 percent full. This reduces overall calorie intake and avoids obesity, which leads to many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Try Yoga and Other Meditative Exercises
Yoga, tai chi, and other meditative exercise techniques have been shown to improve flexibility, balance, heart and lung capacity, and overall well-being.

some good health tips

2009-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Refuse stress! Miss the bus rather than run!
Learn a relaxation technique and use it once a week at least.
Go for a walk every day.
Drink lots of water all the time.
Eat and drink healthily every day. Take special treats only on weekends. If you easily gain weight: eat SMALL portions.
Choose an exercise technique that suits you, and practice it once a week at least.
Go to a professional masseur once a month at the very very least. Or exchange services with your partner or friend, read a book about massage and practice it.
Stop smoking.
Sleep enough and well. (The most common reason to sleeping problems is lack of exercise.)
Get to know yourself, and realize you are worth a good life.
Look around you - what can be changed in your life and your environment to make you feel better?
Keep developing - learn new things, try different paths in life.
Be good to yourself. Let ambition rest sometimes.
Think positive thoughts about other people and wish them well!
Do things that you love. Enjoy life!

how to stay happy ,tension free.

2009-06-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Stress has become the cause of many illness in modern times. Both physical health and mental health are interconnected .So to remain healthy, one has to be both physically and mentally fit. Happiness is an outstanding characteristics of mental well being. Here are a few tips to remain happy and stress free .

Take a nutritious diet which is very important for both physical and mental health. Include lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses, sprouts in your diet. Go for organic ones.

Take up a hobby (anything you like) besides your profession. It is a great way to relax and be happy. It relieves you of stress. Gardening is a wonderful hobby to be close with nature.

Go for an early morning walk and enjoy the fresh air, the birds chirping ,the greenery, the beautiful sunrise ... It is a sure way to de-stress yourself .You will forget yourself in nature's wonders.

Listen to any music of your choice. It is a great way of relaxing .
Practice deep abdominal breathing as it reduces stress .When you inhale your stomach should bulge out, when you exhale it should go in. You can practice for a few minutes daily .

Yoga: Savasana or the corpse pose relaxes the body thoroughly. You can practice for 15 minutes daily.

Meditation: Practice meditation .You can learn from a person who is experienced in it. It is a surest way to reduce stress.

Go for a vacation: Take an occasional break from the routine and enjoy a lovely holiday.
Massage is a great way to de-stress yourself. Have a massage with essential oil or a warm scented bath.

Sleep is very essential for the body as it is rejuvenating and helps us to relax .

Laughter is the best medicine. Watch a humorous movie which is a wonderful way to relax.

Don't bottle up your emotions, share it with a trusted friend or write it in a piece of paper and tear it .

Plan your day well and practice time management techniques.

Always remember it is easy to change ourselves rather than trying to change someone else.

Be optimistic as it helps to lower stress.

Learn to accept realities.

Love yourself and be happy

how you can become slim and smart

2009-06-30T07:17:00.000-07:00

First of all we must be determined to remain slim and work towards it. Develop a mind set towards it.

Set realistic goals.

Make lifestyle changes like giving up alcohol, smoking, avoiding fatty food, refined food,...

Include fresh foods as far as possible as processed foods tend to contain high level of salt and sugar
Do not expect immediate results.

Never go for crash diets instead reduce weight gradually and slowly.

Never skip meals as you tend to eat more, the next meal. Do not skip breakfast in particular.

Include lot of fiber in your diet as it gives a feeling of fullness, thereby preventing you from gorging spicy and fatty food.Nuts contain lot of fiber .They are satisfying and cause people to eat less at meal time.

Take warm lime juice mixed with honey the first thing in the morning.

Go for skimmed milk.

As far as possible avoid weight loss supplements.

When you have cravings for sweets, take a fruit instead.
When you have cravings for certain type of food like chocolates or ice cream, once in a while, you can take in small quantities .

Take fruits and vegetables which has lot of water content like watermelons, cucumbers and white pumpkin.

Keep yourself engaged as boredom leads to overeating.

Drink lot of water, at least 8 glasses per day.
Use the stairs instead of lift. Park the car a little far away and walk to your office. Use every opportunity to be physically active.

Walk, Walk and Walk as much as possible .Even if you are busy, go for walk at least 5 days a week.Aerobic exercise like jogging, swimming, cycling, running accelerates weight loss. Consult a physician before starting any weight loss program. Aerobic exercise combined with healthy eating will certainly help in weight reduction.

Make your exercise session enjoyable.

Keep yourself free of stress

Finally, weight loss is a slow process, so do not get disappointed and give up.

tips for nail care

2009-06-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Massage nails with lemon rind or lemon juice and wash it off after sometime.

Include food rich in calcium and protein in your diet. Milk, eggs, sesame seeds, figs,
peanuts, almonds, chick peas, greens, sprouts are all rich in calcium.

Take 1 tsp of gelatin and dissolve in a little boiling water, cool it and use it in your fruit juice. You can take this for a week.

Massage nails with olive oil or pure almond oil. These are some of the natural home remedies for healthy nails.

how to Get Rid of Unwanted Facial Hair(for girls)

2009-06-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Mix gram pulse flour (besan), wheat flour, milk cream, a few drops of lime juice, mustard oil and water together and rub it in circular movements and wash it off. Do it regularly. Start this treatment from an early age as hair is soft and fine at that time.

Mix sugar, water and lemon juice to a thick paste. Apply it and wash it off when it dries. Do this once a week to prevent hair growth.

Unwanted facial hair was pinched off using ashes in olden times, but it is very painful.

yoga for better life

2009-06-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

The age old tradition of yoga is said to have emerged in India some 5000 yrs ago. It is one of the

surest ways to age gracefully, if practiced regularly. It gives flexibility to the body, prevents age related

diseases, improves immunity and slows aging of the skin, thereby helping us to remain young. In yoga,

it is said that the more flexible the spine is, the more youthful the person is. Yoga improves the flexibility

of the spine and increases the elasticity of our body. It gives a good figure, improves blood circulation,

energizes you and helps you to remain young and fit. Not only does yoga has physical benefits but also

psychological benefits. It improves our self confidence. Learn yoga only from a good, qualified yoga

teacher. Pranayama (breathing techniques) is very beneficial to the body and the mind and it oxygenates

our cells and helps us to remain young.

eyes care tips

2009-06-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

Eyes are one of the most wonderful gift given to us, so one has to take care of the eyes.
Here are some tips to take care of your eyes.

Have a good night sleep and give enough rest to your eyes.

Since the skin around the eyes are very sensitive, one has to take good care and handle it delicately. You can massage your eyes with almond oil using your ring finger without giving much pressure.

Refresh your eyes by splashing cold water on it .

Since eyes are very sensitive, buy good quality cosmetics. Never lend or use others eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, mascara or eye shadow.

Wear sunglasses while going out in the sun.

Have a good diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. Red, orange, yellow and dark green vegetables, fruits and greens are very good for the eyes.

Apply castor oil for the eyebrows before going to bed for good growth.

Wear plain glasses while doing work that generates dust.

Soak cotton wool in chilled water to which a few drops of rose water has been added and keep it on your eyes for 5 minutes. This will refresh your eyes.

For wrinkles or fine lines around the eyes, apply egg white, leave it till it dries and wash it off with cold water. Do this regularly or on alternate days. This natural remedy for wrinkles around the eyes is very effective.

Apply apricot kernel oil to prevent wrinkles around the eyes.

Read in good light and keep a good distance while watching television

some ways for healthy life

2009-06-30T04:37:00.000-07:00

1.Eat the right food : Do not take fried foods instead have baked or steamed food. Include lot of salads and fruits in your diet. Take only one type of fruit at a time.

2.Water : Drink lot of water. Drink clean and boiled water.

3.Walk : Whenever you are going somewhere near, make it a point to walk. Go for a walk every morning.

4.Learn something new : Develop a new hobby. It keeps your mind engaged.

5.Yoga and meditation : Yoga is one of the best ways to keep yourself fit and healthy. Meditation calms and relaxes your mind.

6.Clean Habits : Do not take alcohol and do not smoke

Protect Yourself from Pollution

2009-06-30T04:25:00.000-07:00

If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

Reduce Stress

2009-06-30T04:21:00.000-07:00

Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

Quit Smoking

2009-06-30T04:10:00.000-07:00

The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

Cut Fat for healthy body

2009-06-30T04:04:00.000-07:00

Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

Move More live longer

2009-06-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

privacy policy

2009-06-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

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about me

2009-06-29T02:54:00.000-07:00

knowing me, is just like "Measuring the depth of the Sea........ Charming is my face , Character is my great , Sweet is my smile , Best is my style ;) i can say is that my attitude is quite friendly.. my friends say that i am probably the only one whom they consider to be their best friend and with whom they share their problems and worries and can say their heart out...i can keep a secret... The most important thing about me........ Hardly any 1 can understand me its because even i cant understand myself...............for more fatimak203@gmail.com
00923464643296

low or high blood pressure- Am I A Victim?

2009-06-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

There are millions of people around the globe taking treatment for bad circulation, and there are many others who suffer from bad circulation, but not aware of that. Most people ignore the symptoms or take it lightly and hence fail to diagnose it in time. When the person dies all of a sudden, then only others realize that he/she was suffering from bad circulation. This is why bad circulation is sometimes referred as a silent killer.

Bad circulation, in medical terminology Peripheral Vascular Disease PVD, is a medical condition which is
somewhat similar to carotid artery disease and coronary artery disease. Bad circulation is caused when fatty deposits are accumulated in the inner linings of the artery wall. This accumulation results in the blockage of blood circulation. Bad circulation in arteries leads to the kidneys, arms, hand, legs, and feet. Most people who suffer from bad circulation may have fatty deposits in the arteries of brain and heart. This can cause the death of the patient from heart attack and stroke.

Bad circulation is considered as a serious condition and can result in heart attacks, loss of limbs, stroke, and in many cases even death. However if found in the early stages, bad circulation may be prevented or treated in the early stages with meditation, drug treatment, surgery, life style changes, or mostly a combination of all these treatments.

Some of the main symptoms of bad circulation are legs and or feet falling to sleep, cramping of the buttocks, legs, or feet, pain in the legs, swelling of the legs, tired aching feet; and very low temperature in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. If you feel that you have some or most of the symptoms then you may have been suffering from bad circulation. It is better to visit your family doctor and take a complete check up. Bad circulation can be diagnosed by a physical examination, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging angiography MRA, and X-ray angiography.

Some lifestyle changes which can help you to lower your risk include controlling diabetes, quit smoking, controlling blood pressure, and consuming low cholesterol diet. Bad circulation can be prevented to some extend by taking healthy fat free diet and regular exercises.

All we have to do is take a good look at the lifestyle we are living and it should be quite obvious to everyone why this is happening. First of all most people do not get enough exercise which is a crucial factor in allowing our blood to circulate properly. Bad circulation can lead to heart attack and strokes and if that is not enough all the fast food and fatty foods most people eat, only add to the problem.