Any patient diagnosed with high blood pressure faces the challenge of keeping the blood pressure numbers within normal range. Hypertension has no cure but recent breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical area have produced antihypertensive medications that help people keep their blood pressure under control while living a normal life. One of these medications is Capoten. Capoten has a proven track record for helping people control their hypertension. What is Capoten?
Capoten is known as an ACE inhibitor. It works by converting angiotensin enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for many heart problems. Besides treating hypertension, Capoten is also prescribed for the treatment of congestive heart failure, kidney problems, and diabetes problems. When using it long term, there is evidence of it helping in the prevention of heart failure and reducing the risk of heart attacks.
Important Information
If you drink alcohol you should seek an alternative medication to Capoten. When mixing this medication with alcohol it can lead to blood pressure that is way too low which endangers your health. If your physician has prescribed potassium supplements for you, you should also avoid Capoten. You should always take it with a full glass of water and continue to drink a lot of water throughout the day to help prevent dehydration. Most doctors recommend you drink at least 1-2 liters a day.
Side Effects
There have been some reports of side effects in patients taking Capoten. Most go away after being on drug therapy for a while, but it is important to let your doctor know if anything out of the ordinary occurs. These can include inability to sleep, dizziness, fatigue, and appetite loss. The most serious side effects that require immediate medical attention are breathing difficulty, swelling of the tongue and face, rash, and hives. If you experience any of these side effects it is imperative to go immediately to a doctor.
Where to Purchase Capoten
Capoten can be purchased from your local pharmacy or online. If purchased online be sure to purchase Capoten from an authentic site. Never purchase this medication without a prescription from your doctor.
About the Author
Maryann is an avid researcher of hypertension (high blood pressure) treatments and medications such as Capoten and runs a successful website dedicated to providing consumers with answers to their hypertension medication questions. For more information on the different types of hypertension medications please visit Maryann's site at hypertensionmedsreview.com
Thursday, December 20, 2007
What To Look For In A Good Brain Supplement
Aside from wrinkles and fine lines, people think about forgetfulness and memory lapses as indications that they are starting to age. However, due to stress, sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating habits, smoking and some other harmful vice, a lot of people who are in their late 20s and 30s already experience episodes of memory loss and other cognitive problems.
If you are one of the people whose brain seems to age faster than the rest of the body, then you need to start doing something to rejuvenate and enhance your brainpower. Start by taking adequate sleep and rest. You should also ensure that you eat foods that are known to help boost your mind. Furthermore, you need to take supplements that contain ingredients that are known to help counter the effects of aging of both your body and mind.
Below are mind-enhancing ingredients that you should look for in your supplement for a stronger and healthier brain:
Ginkgo Biloba
Since time immemorial, Asians have been using Ginkgo Biloba to help enhance their brainpower. The leaves of Ginkgo Biloba, which is considered as a Tree of Life in some ancient civilizations, are effective in helping improve flow of blood to the brain.
You can eat a couple of raw leaves of Ginkgo to reap its wonderful brain-boosting and stroke-preventing benefits. However, if there are no Ginkgo trees in your neighborhood, you can always look for supplements that contain a substantial amount of this plant.
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl L-carnitine is a type of amino acid that is needed to produce acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that is in charge of learning and memory functions. This ingredient is also popular nowadays because it helps improve a person's metabolism. Many scientific studies have confirmed that L-carnitine is very helpful in repairing brain cells and preventing the development of dementia, Alzheimer's, and other brain-related problems. In fact, some say that this amino acid can greatly help in reversing the damage in the brain brought about by stress, aging, and other factors. Good sources of acetyl l-carnitine include avocado, red meat and dairy products.
Vinpocetine
Many supplements for brain health make use of vinpocetine as one of the main ingredients because of its ability to help open up cerebral blood vessels. You see, your brain needs oxygen from the blood. If the blood vessels in your brain are constricted or blocked, your brain will not function at its peak because of the lack of oxygen. Thus, vinpocetine is very helpful in ensuring that the blood vessels that bring oxygenated blood to your brain is wide open and not constricted. Based on research, vinpocetine is the most effective memory booster so far.
Phosphotidyl Serine
The primary role of phosphotidyl serine is to develop the communication of brain cells with each other. Furthermore this ingredient is also known to assist cell growth regulation, to get cells ready for activity and to help special receptors to function properly and efficiently. In short, phospotidyl serine is a very effective brainpower booster. In fact, this supplement, which has no known side effects to date, also counteract memory loss.
Vitamin C Everybody knows that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is helpful in fighting infection-causing microorganisms and improving immune system. However, not many are aware that this antioxidant is also an important brain aid because of its role in cell regeneration. Actually, a study conducted by Texas Women's University found that vitamin C helps raise IQ scores of school children.
Since there are so many supplements and products that claim to help make your mind and memory sharper and more acute, you need to be very careful in choosing what you will take to deal with your forgetfulness, memory lapses, and other cognitive difficulties. It is advisable that you choose a brain-boosting supplement that contains majority of the ingredients enumerated above. Neurovar is one of the mind-enhancing supplements that contain all of the helpful ingredients mentioned above. Know more about this product by visiting www.Neurovar.com.
About the Author
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.
If you are one of the people whose brain seems to age faster than the rest of the body, then you need to start doing something to rejuvenate and enhance your brainpower. Start by taking adequate sleep and rest. You should also ensure that you eat foods that are known to help boost your mind. Furthermore, you need to take supplements that contain ingredients that are known to help counter the effects of aging of both your body and mind.
Below are mind-enhancing ingredients that you should look for in your supplement for a stronger and healthier brain:
Ginkgo Biloba
Since time immemorial, Asians have been using Ginkgo Biloba to help enhance their brainpower. The leaves of Ginkgo Biloba, which is considered as a Tree of Life in some ancient civilizations, are effective in helping improve flow of blood to the brain.
You can eat a couple of raw leaves of Ginkgo to reap its wonderful brain-boosting and stroke-preventing benefits. However, if there are no Ginkgo trees in your neighborhood, you can always look for supplements that contain a substantial amount of this plant.
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl L-carnitine is a type of amino acid that is needed to produce acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that is in charge of learning and memory functions. This ingredient is also popular nowadays because it helps improve a person's metabolism. Many scientific studies have confirmed that L-carnitine is very helpful in repairing brain cells and preventing the development of dementia, Alzheimer's, and other brain-related problems. In fact, some say that this amino acid can greatly help in reversing the damage in the brain brought about by stress, aging, and other factors. Good sources of acetyl l-carnitine include avocado, red meat and dairy products.
Vinpocetine
Many supplements for brain health make use of vinpocetine as one of the main ingredients because of its ability to help open up cerebral blood vessels. You see, your brain needs oxygen from the blood. If the blood vessels in your brain are constricted or blocked, your brain will not function at its peak because of the lack of oxygen. Thus, vinpocetine is very helpful in ensuring that the blood vessels that bring oxygenated blood to your brain is wide open and not constricted. Based on research, vinpocetine is the most effective memory booster so far.
Phosphotidyl Serine
The primary role of phosphotidyl serine is to develop the communication of brain cells with each other. Furthermore this ingredient is also known to assist cell growth regulation, to get cells ready for activity and to help special receptors to function properly and efficiently. In short, phospotidyl serine is a very effective brainpower booster. In fact, this supplement, which has no known side effects to date, also counteract memory loss.
Vitamin C Everybody knows that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is helpful in fighting infection-causing microorganisms and improving immune system. However, not many are aware that this antioxidant is also an important brain aid because of its role in cell regeneration. Actually, a study conducted by Texas Women's University found that vitamin C helps raise IQ scores of school children.
Since there are so many supplements and products that claim to help make your mind and memory sharper and more acute, you need to be very careful in choosing what you will take to deal with your forgetfulness, memory lapses, and other cognitive difficulties. It is advisable that you choose a brain-boosting supplement that contains majority of the ingredients enumerated above. Neurovar is one of the mind-enhancing supplements that contain all of the helpful ingredients mentioned above. Know more about this product by visiting www.Neurovar.com.
About the Author
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.
Deal With Your Snoring, For Your Sake And The One Beside You
No matter how much vegetables and fruits you eat or how much you try to stay away from smoking, if you are in perpetual state of sleep depravity, there is a high probability that your health will suffer in the long run. Most of people, if not all, are aware that right amount of sleep is required by the body, especially the brain, for it to function at its peak.
One common sleep problem that plagues a lot of households in the US is snoring. According to recent figures from the American Academy of Otolaryngology, over 45% of adults in the country snore every so often and around 25% snore almost every time they sleep. The problem with snoring is that it does not only affect the sufferer's sleep, but also that of those who can hear the sound of the snores.
An anatomical narrowness of the nasal or throat passageway, which greatly limits airways, is one of the most common causes of snoring. Both men and women can be habitual snorers; however, snoring is more common in men. Experts also believe that people who are overweight are at risk of developing this annoying sleeping problem. Moreover, as you get older, your snoring problems get even louder and more annoying.
Ways To Treat Snoring Naturally
There are many ways in which you can treat your snoring problems. If your snoring leads to apnea, which is a condition where a person momentarily stops breathing during sleep due to narrow nasal or throat passageway, then you probably need to consider surgery or medical treatments.
If you are not comfortable with invasive snoring treatments, then you can always make minor changes to your habits and sleep positions to minimize your snoring.
Lose That Flab
As mentioned earlier, people who are overweight tend to snore. The fat around your neck hinders proper breathing, especially when you are asleep. If you want to get rid of your snoring problems, you ought to start losing weight. You can do this by maintaining a healthy diet coupled with regular exercise.
Sleep On Your Side
If you have restricted respiratory passageways, you will find it more difficult to breathe if you sleep on your back; hence, you tend to snore more loudly in this position. However, just by sleeping on your side, you will greatly reduce snoring incidence. You can put a pillow on your back to ensure that you sleep on your side the whole night.
Elevate Your Head
Have you noticed that when you have colds, it is easier to sleep when your head is higher than the rest of your body? The same is true for snorers. You need to elevate the head of your bed or use two or more pillows so that your head will be higher than the rest of your body; this will ensure the prevention of breathing difficulties caused by collapsed airways.
Do Not Eat Big Meals Right Before You Sleep
If you really need to eat before you hit the bed, then opt for light snacks. Eating gigantic meals at night can impair your breathing because your bulging stomach can push your diaphragm up. Anyway, if you are serious in eliminating your snoring problems, you should not eat big meals at night because it will not help in making you lose weight, which is crucial in your quest for a snore-free night.
Once you have learned that you are snoring and causing other people to lose some sleep because of your nightly serenades, then you have to do something to help your roommate or partner get the good night's rest they deserve. You can probably give them a good pair of earplugs plus some natural sleeping aids to help lull them to sleep while you are still on your quest to snore-free nights. One product that can help them get to sleep better is Sedamine. Visit www.Sedamine.com for more information.
About the Author
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.
One common sleep problem that plagues a lot of households in the US is snoring. According to recent figures from the American Academy of Otolaryngology, over 45% of adults in the country snore every so often and around 25% snore almost every time they sleep. The problem with snoring is that it does not only affect the sufferer's sleep, but also that of those who can hear the sound of the snores.
An anatomical narrowness of the nasal or throat passageway, which greatly limits airways, is one of the most common causes of snoring. Both men and women can be habitual snorers; however, snoring is more common in men. Experts also believe that people who are overweight are at risk of developing this annoying sleeping problem. Moreover, as you get older, your snoring problems get even louder and more annoying.
Ways To Treat Snoring Naturally
There are many ways in which you can treat your snoring problems. If your snoring leads to apnea, which is a condition where a person momentarily stops breathing during sleep due to narrow nasal or throat passageway, then you probably need to consider surgery or medical treatments.
If you are not comfortable with invasive snoring treatments, then you can always make minor changes to your habits and sleep positions to minimize your snoring.
Lose That Flab
As mentioned earlier, people who are overweight tend to snore. The fat around your neck hinders proper breathing, especially when you are asleep. If you want to get rid of your snoring problems, you ought to start losing weight. You can do this by maintaining a healthy diet coupled with regular exercise.
Sleep On Your Side
If you have restricted respiratory passageways, you will find it more difficult to breathe if you sleep on your back; hence, you tend to snore more loudly in this position. However, just by sleeping on your side, you will greatly reduce snoring incidence. You can put a pillow on your back to ensure that you sleep on your side the whole night.
Elevate Your Head
Have you noticed that when you have colds, it is easier to sleep when your head is higher than the rest of your body? The same is true for snorers. You need to elevate the head of your bed or use two or more pillows so that your head will be higher than the rest of your body; this will ensure the prevention of breathing difficulties caused by collapsed airways.
Do Not Eat Big Meals Right Before You Sleep
If you really need to eat before you hit the bed, then opt for light snacks. Eating gigantic meals at night can impair your breathing because your bulging stomach can push your diaphragm up. Anyway, if you are serious in eliminating your snoring problems, you should not eat big meals at night because it will not help in making you lose weight, which is crucial in your quest for a snore-free night.
Once you have learned that you are snoring and causing other people to lose some sleep because of your nightly serenades, then you have to do something to help your roommate or partner get the good night's rest they deserve. You can probably give them a good pair of earplugs plus some natural sleeping aids to help lull them to sleep while you are still on your quest to snore-free nights. One product that can help them get to sleep better is Sedamine. Visit www.Sedamine.com for more information.
About the Author
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.
Plantar Fasciitis: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
A foot injury such as plantar fasciitis generally occurs in one foot. Bilateral plantar fasciitis is unusual and tends to be the result of a systemic arthritic condition that is exceptionally rare among athletes. Males suffer from a somewhat greater incidence of plantar fasciitis than females, perhaps as a result of greater weight coupled with greater speed and ground impact, as well as less flexibility in the foot.
Typically, the sufferer of plantar fasciitis experiences pain upon rising after sleep, particularly the first step out of bed. Such pain is tightly localized at the bony landmark on the anterior medial tubercle of the calcaneus. In some cases, pain may prevent the athlete from walking in a normal heel-toe gait, causing an irregular walk as means of compensation. Less common areas of pain include the forefoot, Achilles tendon, or subtalar joint.
After a brief period of walking with this type of foot injury, the pain usually subsides, but returns again either with vigorous activity or prolonged standing or walking. On the field, an altered gait or abnormal stride pattern, along with pain during running or jumping activities are tell-tale signs of plantar fasciitis and should be given prompt attention. Further indications of the injury include poor dorsiflexion (lifting the forefoot off the ground) due to a shortened gastroc complex, (muscles of the calf). Crouching in a full squat position with the sole of the foot flat on the ground can be used as a test, as pain will preclude it for the athlete suffering from plantar fasciitis, causing an elevation of the heel due to tension in the gastroc complex.
Treatment
Treatment of plantar fasciitis is sometimes a drawn out and frustrating process. A program of rehabilitation should be undertaken with the help of someone qualified and knowledgeable about the affliction. Typically, plantar fasciitis will require at least six weeks and up to six months of conservative care to be fully remedied. Should such efforts not provide relief to the athlete, more aggressive measures including surgery may be considered.
The initial goals of physical therapy should be to increase the passive flexion of the foot and improve flexibility in the foot and ankle, eventually leading to a full return to normal function. Prolonged inactivity in vigorous sports is often the price to be paid for thorough recovery. Half measures can lead to a chronic condition, in some cases severely limiting athletic ability.
As a large amount of time is spent in bed during sleeping hours, it is important to ensure that the sheets at the foot of the bed do not constrict the foot, leading to plantar flexion in which the foot is bent straight out with the toes pointing. This constricts and thereby shortens the gastroc complex, worsening the condition. A heating pad placed under the muscles of the calf for a few minutes prior to rising may help loosen tension, increase circulation in the lower leg and reduce pain. Also during sleep, a night splint may be used in order to hold the ankle joint in a neutral position. This will aid in the healing of the plantar fascia and ensure that the foot will not become flexed during the night.
Careful attention to footwear is critical in avoiding foot injuries. Every effort should be made to wear comfortable shoes with proper arch support, fostering proper foot posture. Should arch supports prove insufficient, an orthotic shoe should be considered. Fortunately, most cases of plantar fasciitis respond well to non-operative treatment.
Recovery times however vary enormously from one athlete to another, depending on age, overall health and physical condition as well as severity of injury. A broad period between 6 weeks and 6 months is usually sufficient for proper healing. Additionally, the mode of treatment must be flexible depending on the details of a particular athlete's injury. Methods that prove successful in one patient, may not improve the injury in another.
Early treatment of foot injuries typically includes the use of anti-inflammatory medication, icing, stretching activities, and heel inserts and splints. Cortisone injections may be necessary to achieve satisfactory healing and retard inflammation. In later stages of the rehabilitation process, typically after the first week, ice should be discontinued and replaced with heat and massage.
It is imperative that any activity known to produce irritation or trauma to the plantar fascia be immediately discontinued, including any activity involving repeated impact of the heel on a hard surface, particularly, running. Should pain associated with the injury persist, additional diagnostic studies should be undertaken to rule out other, more exotic causes of heel pain including stress fractures, nerve compression injuries, or collagen disorders of the skin.
In unusual cases, surgical intervention is necessary for relief of pain from foot injuries. These should only be employed after non-surgical efforts have been used without relief. Generally, such surgical procedures may be completed on an outpatient basis in less than one hour, using local anesthesia or minimal sedation administrated by a trained anesthesiologist. In such cases, the surgeon may remove or release the injured and inflamed fascia, after a small incision is made in the heel. A surgical procedure may also be undertaken to remove bone spurs, sometimes as part of the same surgery addressing the damaged tissue. A cast may be used to immobilize the foot following surgery and crutches provided in order to allow greater mobility while keeping weight off the recovering foot during healing. After removal of the cast, several weeks of physical therapy can be used to speed recovery, reduce swelling and restore flexibility.
Prevention
Warm up properly: This means not only stretching prior to a given athletic event, but a gradual rather than sudden increase in volume and intensity over the course of the training season. A frequent cause of plantar fasciitis is a sudden increase of activity without suitable preparation.
Avoid activities that cause pain: Running on steep terrain, excessively hard or soft ground, etc can cause unnatural biomechanical strain to the foot, resulting in pain. This is generally a sign of stress leading to injury and should be curtailed or discontinued.
Shoes, arch support: Athletic demands placed on the feet, particularly during running events, are extreme. Injury results when supportive structures in the foot have been taxed beyond their recovery capacity. Full support of the feet in well-fitting footwear reduces the likelihood of injury.
Rest and rehabilitation: Probably the most important curative therapy for cases of plantar fasciitis is thorough rest. The injured athlete must be prepared to wait out the necessary healing phase, avoiding temptation to return prematurely to athletic activity.
Strengthening exercises: Below are two simple strength exercises to help condition the muscles, tendons and joints around the foot and ankle.
Plantar Rolling: Place a small tin can or tennis ball under the arch of the affected foot. Slowly move the foot back and forth allowing the tin can or tennis ball to roll around under the arch. This activity will help to stretch, strengthen and massage the affected area.
Toe Walking: Stand upright in bare feet and rise up onto the toes and front of the foot. Balance in this position and walk forward in slow, small steps. Maintain an upright, balanced posture, staying as high as possible with each step. Complete three sets of the exercise, with a short break in between sets, for a total of 20 meters.
The stretches above are just a small sample of the many stretches in The Stretching Handbook. In fact, if you suffer from plantar fasciitis or other foot and ankle problems, there are over 22 different stretches that will help you. Remember...
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports related foot injuries and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.
**********************
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on blogs and forums for others to read. All we ask is that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury management, visit The Stretching Institute.
About the Author
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. Brad is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has worked with elite level and world champion athletes and lectures for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
Typically, the sufferer of plantar fasciitis experiences pain upon rising after sleep, particularly the first step out of bed. Such pain is tightly localized at the bony landmark on the anterior medial tubercle of the calcaneus. In some cases, pain may prevent the athlete from walking in a normal heel-toe gait, causing an irregular walk as means of compensation. Less common areas of pain include the forefoot, Achilles tendon, or subtalar joint.
After a brief period of walking with this type of foot injury, the pain usually subsides, but returns again either with vigorous activity or prolonged standing or walking. On the field, an altered gait or abnormal stride pattern, along with pain during running or jumping activities are tell-tale signs of plantar fasciitis and should be given prompt attention. Further indications of the injury include poor dorsiflexion (lifting the forefoot off the ground) due to a shortened gastroc complex, (muscles of the calf). Crouching in a full squat position with the sole of the foot flat on the ground can be used as a test, as pain will preclude it for the athlete suffering from plantar fasciitis, causing an elevation of the heel due to tension in the gastroc complex.
Treatment
Treatment of plantar fasciitis is sometimes a drawn out and frustrating process. A program of rehabilitation should be undertaken with the help of someone qualified and knowledgeable about the affliction. Typically, plantar fasciitis will require at least six weeks and up to six months of conservative care to be fully remedied. Should such efforts not provide relief to the athlete, more aggressive measures including surgery may be considered.
The initial goals of physical therapy should be to increase the passive flexion of the foot and improve flexibility in the foot and ankle, eventually leading to a full return to normal function. Prolonged inactivity in vigorous sports is often the price to be paid for thorough recovery. Half measures can lead to a chronic condition, in some cases severely limiting athletic ability.
As a large amount of time is spent in bed during sleeping hours, it is important to ensure that the sheets at the foot of the bed do not constrict the foot, leading to plantar flexion in which the foot is bent straight out with the toes pointing. This constricts and thereby shortens the gastroc complex, worsening the condition. A heating pad placed under the muscles of the calf for a few minutes prior to rising may help loosen tension, increase circulation in the lower leg and reduce pain. Also during sleep, a night splint may be used in order to hold the ankle joint in a neutral position. This will aid in the healing of the plantar fascia and ensure that the foot will not become flexed during the night.
Careful attention to footwear is critical in avoiding foot injuries. Every effort should be made to wear comfortable shoes with proper arch support, fostering proper foot posture. Should arch supports prove insufficient, an orthotic shoe should be considered. Fortunately, most cases of plantar fasciitis respond well to non-operative treatment.
Recovery times however vary enormously from one athlete to another, depending on age, overall health and physical condition as well as severity of injury. A broad period between 6 weeks and 6 months is usually sufficient for proper healing. Additionally, the mode of treatment must be flexible depending on the details of a particular athlete's injury. Methods that prove successful in one patient, may not improve the injury in another.
Early treatment of foot injuries typically includes the use of anti-inflammatory medication, icing, stretching activities, and heel inserts and splints. Cortisone injections may be necessary to achieve satisfactory healing and retard inflammation. In later stages of the rehabilitation process, typically after the first week, ice should be discontinued and replaced with heat and massage.
It is imperative that any activity known to produce irritation or trauma to the plantar fascia be immediately discontinued, including any activity involving repeated impact of the heel on a hard surface, particularly, running. Should pain associated with the injury persist, additional diagnostic studies should be undertaken to rule out other, more exotic causes of heel pain including stress fractures, nerve compression injuries, or collagen disorders of the skin.
In unusual cases, surgical intervention is necessary for relief of pain from foot injuries. These should only be employed after non-surgical efforts have been used without relief. Generally, such surgical procedures may be completed on an outpatient basis in less than one hour, using local anesthesia or minimal sedation administrated by a trained anesthesiologist. In such cases, the surgeon may remove or release the injured and inflamed fascia, after a small incision is made in the heel. A surgical procedure may also be undertaken to remove bone spurs, sometimes as part of the same surgery addressing the damaged tissue. A cast may be used to immobilize the foot following surgery and crutches provided in order to allow greater mobility while keeping weight off the recovering foot during healing. After removal of the cast, several weeks of physical therapy can be used to speed recovery, reduce swelling and restore flexibility.
Prevention
Warm up properly: This means not only stretching prior to a given athletic event, but a gradual rather than sudden increase in volume and intensity over the course of the training season. A frequent cause of plantar fasciitis is a sudden increase of activity without suitable preparation.
Avoid activities that cause pain: Running on steep terrain, excessively hard or soft ground, etc can cause unnatural biomechanical strain to the foot, resulting in pain. This is generally a sign of stress leading to injury and should be curtailed or discontinued.
Shoes, arch support: Athletic demands placed on the feet, particularly during running events, are extreme. Injury results when supportive structures in the foot have been taxed beyond their recovery capacity. Full support of the feet in well-fitting footwear reduces the likelihood of injury.
Rest and rehabilitation: Probably the most important curative therapy for cases of plantar fasciitis is thorough rest. The injured athlete must be prepared to wait out the necessary healing phase, avoiding temptation to return prematurely to athletic activity.
Strengthening exercises: Below are two simple strength exercises to help condition the muscles, tendons and joints around the foot and ankle.
Plantar Rolling: Place a small tin can or tennis ball under the arch of the affected foot. Slowly move the foot back and forth allowing the tin can or tennis ball to roll around under the arch. This activity will help to stretch, strengthen and massage the affected area.
Toe Walking: Stand upright in bare feet and rise up onto the toes and front of the foot. Balance in this position and walk forward in slow, small steps. Maintain an upright, balanced posture, staying as high as possible with each step. Complete three sets of the exercise, with a short break in between sets, for a total of 20 meters.
The stretches above are just a small sample of the many stretches in The Stretching Handbook. In fact, if you suffer from plantar fasciitis or other foot and ankle problems, there are over 22 different stretches that will help you. Remember...
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports related foot injuries and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.
**********************
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on blogs and forums for others to read. All we ask is that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury management, visit The Stretching Institute.
About the Author
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. Brad is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has worked with elite level and world champion athletes and lectures for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
How To Beat The Agony And Anguish Of Frozen Shoulder!
Frozen shoulder - the medical term is "adhesive capsulitis"- is a common ailment, estimated to affect between 2 percent and 3 percent of the population.
Diabetics are at higher risk; up to 20 percent get it. For this reason, frozen shoulder may have an autoimmune component responsible for its development. Trauma sometimes precedes a frozen shoulder. People with other health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease and hyperthyroidism, also may have an increased risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Seventy percent of patients are middle-aged women and some specialists feel there may be hormonal factors involved.
The condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. At the beginning there can be pain and some limitation of range of motion in the shoulder. With worsening, the shoulder's range of motion becomes markedly reduced.
Frozen shoulder usually affects one shoulder at a time, although some people can develop frozen shoulder in the opposite shoulder.
Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly, and in three stages. Each of these stages can last several weeks to months:
* Painful stage. During this stage, pain occurs with any movement of the shoulder and the range of motion starts to become limited.
* Frozen stage. Pain may begin to diminish during this stage. However, the shoulder becomes stiffer and the range of motion becomes dramatically reduced.
* Thawing stage. During the thawing stage, the range of motion in the shoulder begins to improve.
The pain is often worse at night and disrupts sleep.
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. As mentioned earlier, It can occur after an injury to the shoulder or after prolonged immobilization of the shoulder, such as after surgery or an arm fracture.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The end of the humerus (upper arm bone) is shaped like a ball and fits into a shallow cup in the scapula (shoulder blade). Tough connective tissue forms a shoulder capsule that surrounds the joint.
As frozen shoulder develops, the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed. The inflammation causes adhesions (bands of stringy tissue) to develop within the shoulder joint. Synovial fluid, the normal lubricating fluid within the joint , decreases in volume.
As a result, pain and loss of range of motion occur. Mobility can decrease so much that performing simple activities of daily living such as dressing and undressing, brushing hair, and reaching up to shelves are difficult.
What are known risk factors for frozen shoulder? A few are:
* Age. People over the age of 40 are more likely to experience frozen shoulder.
* Diabetes and other systemic diseases. Frozen shoulder is more common in people with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cardiovascular disease and Parkinson's disease.
* Immobility. People who have experienced prolonged immobility of their shoulder as a result of trauma, overuse injuries or surgery.
The primary method for making the diagnosis of frozen shoulder is history and physical examination. The physician will assess both active range of motion (movement without assistance) and also passive range of motion (movement with assistance). The loss of both active and passive movement and the presence of generalized shoulder tightness and pain are strong indicators of frozen shoulder.
Imaging procedures such as X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the shoulder should be done to exclude other structural shoulder problems.
Treatment of frozen shoulder treatment consists of controlling shoulder pain and preserving as well as improving the range of motion in the shoulder as much as possible to allow performance of activities of daily living.
Physical therapy is helpful in showing patients how to maintain as much mobility as possible. Stretching exercises, while painful, are important in establishing normal range of motion.
Patients should continue to use the involved shoulder in as many daily life activities as possible within the limits of pain.
A home program of range of motion exercises won't alleviate the symptoms of frozen shoulder. However, it can help restore enough shoulder motion to help a person resume their everyday activities.
Other therapies that may be useful include:
* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications can help to relieve pain and inflammation.
* Heat or cold. Application of heat or cold to the shoulder also can relieve pain. Topical agents may also be useful.
* Glucocorticoids ("steroids"). Injecting these anti-inflammatory compounds into the shoulder can decrease pain and shorten symptoms duration during the initial painful phase. Glucocorticoids need to be injected into both the glenohumeral joint (joint between the humerus and scapula) as well as the subacromial bursa, the area that sits at the top of the humerus where it interacts with the clavicle (collarbone). The reason is that the adhesions in a frozen shoulder prevent the spread of the steroid medicine around the joint so the steroid needs to be injected into the two major areas where the adhesions seem to cause the biggest problem. However too many repeated steroid injections aren't recommended.
* Surgery. In a small number of cases, especially if symptoms don't improve despite other measures, surgery may be an option to remove adhesions and other scar tissue that has accumulated inside the shoulder joint. Doctors usually perform this surgery with an arthroscope (a small telescope) that is inserted through a small incision.
* Shoulder manipulation. In a few people, if severe stiffness persists, manipulation of the shoulder while the patient is under general anesthesia can mobilize the shoulder. The danger is that occasionally the arm can break during manipulation.
There are still some physicians who tell a patient to let the shoulder alone and bear with it since the majority of patients with adhesive capsulitis recover spontaneously over a two year period of time. I personally believe that is not the correct approach since the pain during the acute phase can be so intense and the reduced mobility during the "frozen" stage can be so debilitating. Aggressive treatment is, in my opinion, the better approach.
About the Author
Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For more info: Arthritis Treatment
Diabetics are at higher risk; up to 20 percent get it. For this reason, frozen shoulder may have an autoimmune component responsible for its development. Trauma sometimes precedes a frozen shoulder. People with other health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease and hyperthyroidism, also may have an increased risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Seventy percent of patients are middle-aged women and some specialists feel there may be hormonal factors involved.
The condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. At the beginning there can be pain and some limitation of range of motion in the shoulder. With worsening, the shoulder's range of motion becomes markedly reduced.
Frozen shoulder usually affects one shoulder at a time, although some people can develop frozen shoulder in the opposite shoulder.
Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly, and in three stages. Each of these stages can last several weeks to months:
* Painful stage. During this stage, pain occurs with any movement of the shoulder and the range of motion starts to become limited.
* Frozen stage. Pain may begin to diminish during this stage. However, the shoulder becomes stiffer and the range of motion becomes dramatically reduced.
* Thawing stage. During the thawing stage, the range of motion in the shoulder begins to improve.
The pain is often worse at night and disrupts sleep.
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. As mentioned earlier, It can occur after an injury to the shoulder or after prolonged immobilization of the shoulder, such as after surgery or an arm fracture.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The end of the humerus (upper arm bone) is shaped like a ball and fits into a shallow cup in the scapula (shoulder blade). Tough connective tissue forms a shoulder capsule that surrounds the joint.
As frozen shoulder develops, the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed. The inflammation causes adhesions (bands of stringy tissue) to develop within the shoulder joint. Synovial fluid, the normal lubricating fluid within the joint , decreases in volume.
As a result, pain and loss of range of motion occur. Mobility can decrease so much that performing simple activities of daily living such as dressing and undressing, brushing hair, and reaching up to shelves are difficult.
What are known risk factors for frozen shoulder? A few are:
* Age. People over the age of 40 are more likely to experience frozen shoulder.
* Diabetes and other systemic diseases. Frozen shoulder is more common in people with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cardiovascular disease and Parkinson's disease.
* Immobility. People who have experienced prolonged immobility of their shoulder as a result of trauma, overuse injuries or surgery.
The primary method for making the diagnosis of frozen shoulder is history and physical examination. The physician will assess both active range of motion (movement without assistance) and also passive range of motion (movement with assistance). The loss of both active and passive movement and the presence of generalized shoulder tightness and pain are strong indicators of frozen shoulder.
Imaging procedures such as X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the shoulder should be done to exclude other structural shoulder problems.
Treatment of frozen shoulder treatment consists of controlling shoulder pain and preserving as well as improving the range of motion in the shoulder as much as possible to allow performance of activities of daily living.
Physical therapy is helpful in showing patients how to maintain as much mobility as possible. Stretching exercises, while painful, are important in establishing normal range of motion.
Patients should continue to use the involved shoulder in as many daily life activities as possible within the limits of pain.
A home program of range of motion exercises won't alleviate the symptoms of frozen shoulder. However, it can help restore enough shoulder motion to help a person resume their everyday activities.
Other therapies that may be useful include:
* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications can help to relieve pain and inflammation.
* Heat or cold. Application of heat or cold to the shoulder also can relieve pain. Topical agents may also be useful.
* Glucocorticoids ("steroids"). Injecting these anti-inflammatory compounds into the shoulder can decrease pain and shorten symptoms duration during the initial painful phase. Glucocorticoids need to be injected into both the glenohumeral joint (joint between the humerus and scapula) as well as the subacromial bursa, the area that sits at the top of the humerus where it interacts with the clavicle (collarbone). The reason is that the adhesions in a frozen shoulder prevent the spread of the steroid medicine around the joint so the steroid needs to be injected into the two major areas where the adhesions seem to cause the biggest problem. However too many repeated steroid injections aren't recommended.
* Surgery. In a small number of cases, especially if symptoms don't improve despite other measures, surgery may be an option to remove adhesions and other scar tissue that has accumulated inside the shoulder joint. Doctors usually perform this surgery with an arthroscope (a small telescope) that is inserted through a small incision.
* Shoulder manipulation. In a few people, if severe stiffness persists, manipulation of the shoulder while the patient is under general anesthesia can mobilize the shoulder. The danger is that occasionally the arm can break during manipulation.
There are still some physicians who tell a patient to let the shoulder alone and bear with it since the majority of patients with adhesive capsulitis recover spontaneously over a two year period of time. I personally believe that is not the correct approach since the pain during the acute phase can be so intense and the reduced mobility during the "frozen" stage can be so debilitating. Aggressive treatment is, in my opinion, the better approach.
About the Author
Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For more info: Arthritis Treatment
Warm Up Activities Part 2
As promised in "Warm Up Activities Part 1", we'll discuss the individual elements that go into a good warm up routine. Lets have a look at each part of the warm up now:
1.) General warm up
The general warm up should consist of a light physical activity. Both the intensity and duration of the general warm up (or how hard and how long), should be governed by the fitness level of the participating athlete. Although a correct general warm up for the average person should take about five to ten minutes and result in a light sweat.
The aim of the general warm up is simply to elevate the heart rate and respiratory rate. This in turn increases the blood flow and helps with the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. This also helps to increase the muscle temperature, allowing for a more effective static stretch. Which bring us to part two.
2.) Static stretching
Static stretching is a very safe and effective form of basic stretching. There is a limited threat of injury and it is extremely beneficial for overall flexibility. During this part of the warm up, static stretching should include all the major muscle groups, and this entire part should last for about five to ten minutes.
Static stretching is performed by placing the body into a position whereby the muscle, or group of muscles to be stretched is under tension. Both the opposing muscle group (the muscles behind or in front of the stretched muscle), and the muscles to be stretched are relaxed. Then slowly and cautiously the body is moved to increase the tension of the muscle, or group of muscles to be stretched. At this point the position is held or maintained to allow the muscles and tendons to lengthen.
This second part of an effective warm up is extremely important, as it helps to lengthen both the muscles and tendons, which in turn allows your limbs a greater range of movement. This is very important in the prevention of muscle and tendon injuries.
The above two elements form the basis, or foundation for a complete and effective warm up. It is extremely important that these two elements be completed properly before moving onto the next two elements. The proper completion of elements one and two, will now allow for the more specific and vigorous activities necessary for elements three and four.
3.) Sport specific warm up
With the first two parts of the warm up carried out thoroughly and correctly, it is now safe to move onto the third part of an effective warm up. In this part, the athlete is specifically preparing their body for the demands of their particular sport. During this part of the warm up, more vigorous activity should be employed. Activities should reflect the type of movements and actions which will be required during the sporting event.
4.) Dynamic stretching
Finally, a correct warm up should finish with a series of dynamic stretches. However, this form of stretching carries with it a high risk of injury if used incorrectly. It should really only be used under the supervision of a professional sports coach or trainer. Dynamic stretching is more for muscular conditioning than flexibility and is really only suited for professional, well trained, highly conditioned athletes. Dynamic stretching should only be used after a high level of general flexibility has been established.
Dynamic stretching involves a controlled, soft bounce or swinging motion to force a particular body part past its usual range of movement. The force of the bounce or swing is gradually increased but should never become radical or uncontrolled.
During this last part of an effective warm up it is also important to keep the dynamic stretches specific to the athletes particular sport. This is the final part of the warm up and should result in the athlete reaching a physical and mental peak. At this point the athlete is most prepared for the rigors of their sport or activity.
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.
The above information forms the basis of a complete and effective warm up. However, I am well aware that this entire process is somewhat of an 'ideal' or 'perfect' warm up. I am also well aware that this is not always possible or convenient in the real world. Therefore, the individual athlete must become responsible for assessing their own goals and adjusting their warm up accordingly.
For instance, the time you commit to your warm up should be relative to your level of involvement in your particular sport. So, for people just looking to increase their general level of health and fitness, a minimum of five to ten minutes would be enough. However, if you are involved in high-level competitive sport you need to dedicate adequate time and effort to a complete warm up.
**********************
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on blogs and forums for others to read. All we ask is that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury management, visit The Stretching Institute.
About the Author
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. Brad is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has worked with elite level and world champion athletes and lectures for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
1.) General warm up
The general warm up should consist of a light physical activity. Both the intensity and duration of the general warm up (or how hard and how long), should be governed by the fitness level of the participating athlete. Although a correct general warm up for the average person should take about five to ten minutes and result in a light sweat.
The aim of the general warm up is simply to elevate the heart rate and respiratory rate. This in turn increases the blood flow and helps with the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. This also helps to increase the muscle temperature, allowing for a more effective static stretch. Which bring us to part two.
2.) Static stretching
Static stretching is a very safe and effective form of basic stretching. There is a limited threat of injury and it is extremely beneficial for overall flexibility. During this part of the warm up, static stretching should include all the major muscle groups, and this entire part should last for about five to ten minutes.
Static stretching is performed by placing the body into a position whereby the muscle, or group of muscles to be stretched is under tension. Both the opposing muscle group (the muscles behind or in front of the stretched muscle), and the muscles to be stretched are relaxed. Then slowly and cautiously the body is moved to increase the tension of the muscle, or group of muscles to be stretched. At this point the position is held or maintained to allow the muscles and tendons to lengthen.
This second part of an effective warm up is extremely important, as it helps to lengthen both the muscles and tendons, which in turn allows your limbs a greater range of movement. This is very important in the prevention of muscle and tendon injuries.
The above two elements form the basis, or foundation for a complete and effective warm up. It is extremely important that these two elements be completed properly before moving onto the next two elements. The proper completion of elements one and two, will now allow for the more specific and vigorous activities necessary for elements three and four.
3.) Sport specific warm up
With the first two parts of the warm up carried out thoroughly and correctly, it is now safe to move onto the third part of an effective warm up. In this part, the athlete is specifically preparing their body for the demands of their particular sport. During this part of the warm up, more vigorous activity should be employed. Activities should reflect the type of movements and actions which will be required during the sporting event.
4.) Dynamic stretching
Finally, a correct warm up should finish with a series of dynamic stretches. However, this form of stretching carries with it a high risk of injury if used incorrectly. It should really only be used under the supervision of a professional sports coach or trainer. Dynamic stretching is more for muscular conditioning than flexibility and is really only suited for professional, well trained, highly conditioned athletes. Dynamic stretching should only be used after a high level of general flexibility has been established.
Dynamic stretching involves a controlled, soft bounce or swinging motion to force a particular body part past its usual range of movement. The force of the bounce or swing is gradually increased but should never become radical or uncontrolled.
During this last part of an effective warm up it is also important to keep the dynamic stretches specific to the athletes particular sport. This is the final part of the warm up and should result in the athlete reaching a physical and mental peak. At this point the athlete is most prepared for the rigors of their sport or activity.
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.
The above information forms the basis of a complete and effective warm up. However, I am well aware that this entire process is somewhat of an 'ideal' or 'perfect' warm up. I am also well aware that this is not always possible or convenient in the real world. Therefore, the individual athlete must become responsible for assessing their own goals and adjusting their warm up accordingly.
For instance, the time you commit to your warm up should be relative to your level of involvement in your particular sport. So, for people just looking to increase their general level of health and fitness, a minimum of five to ten minutes would be enough. However, if you are involved in high-level competitive sport you need to dedicate adequate time and effort to a complete warm up.
**********************
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on blogs and forums for others to read. All we ask is that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury management, visit The Stretching Institute.
About the Author
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. Brad is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has worked with elite level and world champion athletes and lectures for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
A Complete Treatment and Management Plan for Groin Strain
The following is a very thorough and detailed management plan for the full recovery and rehabilitation of a groin strain.
Considering this management plan was written over ten years ago, my only addition would be the reduction of ice therapy and the addition of massage and heat therapy during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th phase. Regardless of my suggestions, the following will be extremely useful for anyone who is, or has suffered from a groin strain.
Injury Situation:
A women varsity basketball player had a history of tightness in her groin. During a game she suddenly rotated her trunk while also stretching to the right side. There was a sudden sharp pain and a sense of "giving way" in the left side of the groin that caused the athlete to immediately stop play and limp to the sidelines.
Symptoms & Signs:
As the athlete described it to the athletic trainer, there was severe pain when rotating her trunk to the right and flexing her left hip. Inspection revealed the following:
- There was major point tenderness in the groin, especially in the region of the adductor magnus muscle.
- There was no pain during passive movement of the hip, but severe pain did occur during both active and resistive motion.
- When the groin and hip were tested for injury, the hip joint, illiopsoas, and rectus femoris muscles were ruled out as having been injured; however, when the athlete adducted the hip from a stretch position, it caused here extreme discomfort.
Management Plan:
This detailed management plan comes from one of my old university text books, called Modern Principles of Athletic Training by Daniel D. Arnheim. It's one of those 900 page door-stoppers, but it's the book I refer to most for information on sports injury prevention and rehabilitation. It's extremely detailed and a valuable resource for anyone who works in the health and fitness industry. So...
Based on the athletic trainer's inspection, with findings confirmed by the physician, it was determined that the athlete had sustained a second-degree strain of the groin, particularly to the adductor magnus muscle.
Phase 1
Management Phase: Goals: To control haemorrhage, pain and spasms. Estimated Length of Time (ELT): 2 to 3 days.
Therapy: Immediate Care: ICE-R (20 min) intermittently, six to eight times daily. The athlete wears a 6-inch elastic hip spica.
Exercise Rehabilitation: No Exercise - as complete rest as possible.
Phase 2
Management Phase: Goals: To reduce pain, spasm and restore full ability to contract without stretching the muscle. ELT: 4 to 6 days.
Therapy: Follow up care: Ice massage (1 min) three to four times daily. Bipolar muscle stimulation above and below pain site (7 min).
Exercise Rehabilitation: PNF for hip rehabilitation three to four times daily (beginning approx. 6 days after injury)
Optional: Jogging in chest level water (10 to 20 min) one or two times daily. Must be done within pain free limits. General body maintenance exercises are conducted three times a week as long as they do not aggravate the injury.
Phase 3
Management Phase: Goals: To reduce inflammation and return strength and flexibility.
Therapy: Muscle stimulation using the surge current at 7 or 8, depending on athlete's tolerance, together with ultrasound once daily and cold therapy in the form of ice massage or ice packs (7 min) followed by light exercise, two to three times daily.
Exercise Rehabilitation: PNF hip patterns two to three times daily following cold applications, progressing to progressive-resistance exercise using pulley, isokinetic, or free weight (10 reps, 3 sets) once daily.
Optional: Flutter kick swimming once daily.
General body maintenance exercises are conducted three times a week as long as they do not aggravate the injury.
Phase 4
Management Phase: Goals: To restore full power, endurance, speed and extensibility.
Therapy: If symptom free, precede exercise with ice massage (7 min) or ice pack.
Exercise Rehabilitation: Added to phase 3 program, jogging on flat course slowly progressing to a 3-mile run once daily and then progressing to figure-8s, starting with obstacles 10 feet apart and gradually shortening distance to 5 feet, at full speed.
Phase 5
Management Phase: Goals: To return to sport competition.
Exercise Rehabilitation: Athlete gradually returns to pre-competition exercise and a gradual return to competition while wearing a figure-8 elastic hip spica bandage for protection.
Criteria for Returning to Competitive Basketball:
As measured by an isokinetic dynamometer, the athlete's injured hip and groin should have equal strength to that of the uninjured hip.
Hip and groin has full range of motion.
The athlete is able to run figure-8s around obstacles set 5 feet apart at full speed.
**********************
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on blogs and forums for others to read. All we ask is that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury management, visit The Stretching Institute.
About the Author
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. Brad is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has worked with elite level and world champion athletes and lectures for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
Considering this management plan was written over ten years ago, my only addition would be the reduction of ice therapy and the addition of massage and heat therapy during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th phase. Regardless of my suggestions, the following will be extremely useful for anyone who is, or has suffered from a groin strain.
Injury Situation:
A women varsity basketball player had a history of tightness in her groin. During a game she suddenly rotated her trunk while also stretching to the right side. There was a sudden sharp pain and a sense of "giving way" in the left side of the groin that caused the athlete to immediately stop play and limp to the sidelines.
Symptoms & Signs:
As the athlete described it to the athletic trainer, there was severe pain when rotating her trunk to the right and flexing her left hip. Inspection revealed the following:
- There was major point tenderness in the groin, especially in the region of the adductor magnus muscle.
- There was no pain during passive movement of the hip, but severe pain did occur during both active and resistive motion.
- When the groin and hip were tested for injury, the hip joint, illiopsoas, and rectus femoris muscles were ruled out as having been injured; however, when the athlete adducted the hip from a stretch position, it caused here extreme discomfort.
Management Plan:
This detailed management plan comes from one of my old university text books, called Modern Principles of Athletic Training by Daniel D. Arnheim. It's one of those 900 page door-stoppers, but it's the book I refer to most for information on sports injury prevention and rehabilitation. It's extremely detailed and a valuable resource for anyone who works in the health and fitness industry. So...
Based on the athletic trainer's inspection, with findings confirmed by the physician, it was determined that the athlete had sustained a second-degree strain of the groin, particularly to the adductor magnus muscle.
Phase 1
Management Phase: Goals: To control haemorrhage, pain and spasms. Estimated Length of Time (ELT): 2 to 3 days.
Therapy: Immediate Care: ICE-R (20 min) intermittently, six to eight times daily. The athlete wears a 6-inch elastic hip spica.
Exercise Rehabilitation: No Exercise - as complete rest as possible.
Phase 2
Management Phase: Goals: To reduce pain, spasm and restore full ability to contract without stretching the muscle. ELT: 4 to 6 days.
Therapy: Follow up care: Ice massage (1 min) three to four times daily. Bipolar muscle stimulation above and below pain site (7 min).
Exercise Rehabilitation: PNF for hip rehabilitation three to four times daily (beginning approx. 6 days after injury)
Optional: Jogging in chest level water (10 to 20 min) one or two times daily. Must be done within pain free limits. General body maintenance exercises are conducted three times a week as long as they do not aggravate the injury.
Phase 3
Management Phase: Goals: To reduce inflammation and return strength and flexibility.
Therapy: Muscle stimulation using the surge current at 7 or 8, depending on athlete's tolerance, together with ultrasound once daily and cold therapy in the form of ice massage or ice packs (7 min) followed by light exercise, two to three times daily.
Exercise Rehabilitation: PNF hip patterns two to three times daily following cold applications, progressing to progressive-resistance exercise using pulley, isokinetic, or free weight (10 reps, 3 sets) once daily.
Optional: Flutter kick swimming once daily.
General body maintenance exercises are conducted three times a week as long as they do not aggravate the injury.
Phase 4
Management Phase: Goals: To restore full power, endurance, speed and extensibility.
Therapy: If symptom free, precede exercise with ice massage (7 min) or ice pack.
Exercise Rehabilitation: Added to phase 3 program, jogging on flat course slowly progressing to a 3-mile run once daily and then progressing to figure-8s, starting with obstacles 10 feet apart and gradually shortening distance to 5 feet, at full speed.
Phase 5
Management Phase: Goals: To return to sport competition.
Exercise Rehabilitation: Athlete gradually returns to pre-competition exercise and a gradual return to competition while wearing a figure-8 elastic hip spica bandage for protection.
Criteria for Returning to Competitive Basketball:
As measured by an isokinetic dynamometer, the athlete's injured hip and groin should have equal strength to that of the uninjured hip.
Hip and groin has full range of motion.
The athlete is able to run figure-8s around obstacles set 5 feet apart at full speed.
**********************
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on blogs and forums for others to read. All we ask is that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury management, visit The Stretching Institute.
About the Author
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. Brad is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has worked with elite level and world champion athletes and lectures for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Fitness And Exercise: How To Stop Battling Frustration To Lose Weight
Women who battle frustration and silently scream from failed weight loss attempts, poor health, and lack of will power are not alone. It's not all about exercise and diet. If your spirit isn't with the program, even the best discipline might just lead to injury or worse yet feeling you failed even when you gave it your “all.â€
Statistics show “dieting has a 95% failure rate and just by switching from a bad lifestyle to a healthier one, one can expect to add as much as 14 years to their life." But what do you do when you think you have done everything and the results don’t last?
Over the years, I have discovered that teaching women how to exercise in order to help them become well again was the easy part. Teaching women to motivate themselves to exercise beyond the initial stages of accomplishing a goal was quite challenging.
Most women don’t look at the whole picture when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape. For ultimate health you must balance obligations, desires, job, family and self-care. Women must pause long enough to look within to see if exercising is going to be an added task to their list for the day or a more nurturing practice that elevates them to a higher well being.
To look at this, I believe women must take a holistic approach to their exercise. The good news is there are three major components in making ultimate health a living reality, giving you a balanced, healthy, joyful lifestyle.
I realize we have heard a lot about body mind and spirit; however, this is part of our infrastructure that makes us unique. All three are part of who we are. If we forget about one or the other we set ourselves up for failure every time. Taking a holistic approach to your exercise program allows for effortless integration into your lifestyle and have results stick.
It would be simple if a cookie cutter quick fix approach worked for most people. This hope is the constant lure of new diet books and programs. If I take steps 1-10, the same as my neighbor, we should get the same results, right? But that science class approach does not ring true for diet and fitness programs.
Each of us is unique. We have unique needs and causes, often time’s emotional ones, for why we need to improve our physical fitness. When we honor that, it allows us to exercise with enjoyment and safety.
To be successful, you must focus on building an inner foundation to support your physical fitness program, before you add on the exercise component. This may seem backwards to many women, but without this foundation, most women fall off the exercise program once life distractions occur. By looking at your life balance, examining your self talk (mind), uncovering the things that drain your energy (spirit) and learning how to nurture yourself (body) ones fitness program becomes an easy part of your world. It draws you toward the health, vitality, and toned body that you strive for, instead of pushing and exhausting yourself and getting nowhere.
To examine your self-talk, look at what you want to be. If you want to be a toned, fit, healthy person - pay attention to what you tell yourself when that image or thought comes to mind. If you’re inner self-talk is negative, take notice and replace your thoughts with positive thoughts. If you tell yourself “no matter what I do I will always have fat thighs†reject the thought �" you do not know that is of truth - and replace it with something that is of truth. “I have strong thighs that help me enjoy my favorite activities.†“I am exercising and my thighs are firmer and stronger.â€
The self-talk you express give instruction to your spirit of how you want to be. Start expressing positive thinking and beliefs instead of berating yourself continually about being fat, flabby, and out of shape. Rather, express how full of energy and strong you are and how you are taking inspired action to living a life of being fit and healthy.
To listen to your spirit, practice taking the time for silence, or meditation. Here is where you can listen to what your body needs and take action from there. If under chronic stress, mediation, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, or easy gentle walks may be more appropriate exercise to start out with. If feeling good, having little stress and pressures from the world, your spirit and your inner need may lead you to a more focused workout that elevates your heart rate, and challenges your body to a moderate or vigorous level.
Taking an inside out approach towards your fitness goals will help give increased clarity, inspire you towards actions that honor and value you, leading you to a more joyful experience.
About the Author
Amy Lundberg owner of Aim For It �" Fitness Coaching helps women build an inner foundation, healthier fit body, and lifestyle. Helping women take the failure and frustration out of fitness and exercise. Go to www.aimfor
Statistics show “dieting has a 95% failure rate and just by switching from a bad lifestyle to a healthier one, one can expect to add as much as 14 years to their life." But what do you do when you think you have done everything and the results don’t last?
Over the years, I have discovered that teaching women how to exercise in order to help them become well again was the easy part. Teaching women to motivate themselves to exercise beyond the initial stages of accomplishing a goal was quite challenging.
Most women don’t look at the whole picture when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape. For ultimate health you must balance obligations, desires, job, family and self-care. Women must pause long enough to look within to see if exercising is going to be an added task to their list for the day or a more nurturing practice that elevates them to a higher well being.
To look at this, I believe women must take a holistic approach to their exercise. The good news is there are three major components in making ultimate health a living reality, giving you a balanced, healthy, joyful lifestyle.
I realize we have heard a lot about body mind and spirit; however, this is part of our infrastructure that makes us unique. All three are part of who we are. If we forget about one or the other we set ourselves up for failure every time. Taking a holistic approach to your exercise program allows for effortless integration into your lifestyle and have results stick.
It would be simple if a cookie cutter quick fix approach worked for most people. This hope is the constant lure of new diet books and programs. If I take steps 1-10, the same as my neighbor, we should get the same results, right? But that science class approach does not ring true for diet and fitness programs.
Each of us is unique. We have unique needs and causes, often time’s emotional ones, for why we need to improve our physical fitness. When we honor that, it allows us to exercise with enjoyment and safety.
To be successful, you must focus on building an inner foundation to support your physical fitness program, before you add on the exercise component. This may seem backwards to many women, but without this foundation, most women fall off the exercise program once life distractions occur. By looking at your life balance, examining your self talk (mind), uncovering the things that drain your energy (spirit) and learning how to nurture yourself (body) ones fitness program becomes an easy part of your world. It draws you toward the health, vitality, and toned body that you strive for, instead of pushing and exhausting yourself and getting nowhere.
To examine your self-talk, look at what you want to be. If you want to be a toned, fit, healthy person - pay attention to what you tell yourself when that image or thought comes to mind. If you’re inner self-talk is negative, take notice and replace your thoughts with positive thoughts. If you tell yourself “no matter what I do I will always have fat thighs†reject the thought �" you do not know that is of truth - and replace it with something that is of truth. “I have strong thighs that help me enjoy my favorite activities.†“I am exercising and my thighs are firmer and stronger.â€
The self-talk you express give instruction to your spirit of how you want to be. Start expressing positive thinking and beliefs instead of berating yourself continually about being fat, flabby, and out of shape. Rather, express how full of energy and strong you are and how you are taking inspired action to living a life of being fit and healthy.
To listen to your spirit, practice taking the time for silence, or meditation. Here is where you can listen to what your body needs and take action from there. If under chronic stress, mediation, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, or easy gentle walks may be more appropriate exercise to start out with. If feeling good, having little stress and pressures from the world, your spirit and your inner need may lead you to a more focused workout that elevates your heart rate, and challenges your body to a moderate or vigorous level.
Taking an inside out approach towards your fitness goals will help give increased clarity, inspire you towards actions that honor and value you, leading you to a more joyful experience.
About the Author
Amy Lundberg owner of Aim For It �" Fitness Coaching helps women build an inner foundation, healthier fit body, and lifestyle. Helping women take the failure and frustration out of fitness and exercise. Go to www.aimfor
Detox Diet What Is It
Herbal Detoxification: your body can then restore a healthy balance. Live healthily through proper exercise enough rest and a healhty diet. Of course a good detox program will also work wonders. Some people prefer their tea hot and some cold and some like sun tea once again it doesn't matter. Use the process allow the body to come into balance start to assimilate the nutrients it requires and watch your health improve. Another body detox method which you can use when you wish to detox your body is detox recipes which are available in detox cookbooks. Detox Diets aims to cleanse and revitalize the body by combining natural organic foods herbs and simple exercises to purge the body of accumulated toxins.
Ionic Detox Nashville: The basic idea behind any detoxification program is; first. You can't expect to lose twenty or thirty pounds by detox dieting for weight loss. Who should detoxify? Although everyone can benefit from a detox cleanse those of us who are overweight have unhealthy diets take medications drink alcohol have health problems or are exposed to chemicals in the workplace need it more than others. The bloodstream is probably the most heavily-laden system in the body when it comes to toxins.
Diverticulum And Poor Colonic Prep: Since it has become virtually impossible to eliminate these dangerous chemicals from our environment the only option we are left with. This theme of fasting for mental and spiritual clarity is quite pronounced throughout the bible but in more recent times the principle has been adapted and refined. In fact many now argue that due to the environmental conditions that humans now exist in the old ways simply aren't enough. The main idea of a detox diet is to eliminate processed foods meat fish alcohol cigarette tea and coffee from your diet for a few days. More at home colan cleanse What is the difference between a healing crisis and illness? You know when you are having a healing crisis because: The crisis usually lasts only one to three days.
Xenadrine Detox: It is best when it has calcium and magnesium added in with it. One common detox diet is the combination of nothing but fruits and water for a given period. The promotion of chemicals being matabilized by our bodies can be helped with certain vitamins. When your body is sick in any way the pH is disrupted. Your body does whatever it can to keep up with the extra acid produced. Plant fats would include nuts avocados and olives. Oils such as olive oil canola oil and peanut oil are better choices than fats that come from animal sources such as butter lard or bacon grease. See more at master cleanse ingrediants
Diet Home Treatment Detox: Detoxification is thus the key to health in the modern day. Since overload of toxins in the body is the underlying cause of several diseases ridding the system of these dangerous chemicals is bound to be the most effective route towards long lasting health. If you combine these detox plans you will be able to jumpstart your bodily functions and restore your health to its maximum level. See http://www.coloncleanses.cn/colon-cleanse/what-to-expect-while-on-the-master-cleanse.php This method involves the use of radiant energy at a lower temperature to generate heat within the body. The radiant energy has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and the underlying subcutaneous layers.
About the Author
Jennifer is an expert in g tech body cleanse for over 10 years. More sources at http://www.coloncleanses.cn/colon-cleanse/dangers-in-dual-action-cleanse.php
Ionic Detox Nashville: The basic idea behind any detoxification program is; first. You can't expect to lose twenty or thirty pounds by detox dieting for weight loss. Who should detoxify? Although everyone can benefit from a detox cleanse those of us who are overweight have unhealthy diets take medications drink alcohol have health problems or are exposed to chemicals in the workplace need it more than others. The bloodstream is probably the most heavily-laden system in the body when it comes to toxins.
Diverticulum And Poor Colonic Prep: Since it has become virtually impossible to eliminate these dangerous chemicals from our environment the only option we are left with. This theme of fasting for mental and spiritual clarity is quite pronounced throughout the bible but in more recent times the principle has been adapted and refined. In fact many now argue that due to the environmental conditions that humans now exist in the old ways simply aren't enough. The main idea of a detox diet is to eliminate processed foods meat fish alcohol cigarette tea and coffee from your diet for a few days. More at home colan cleanse What is the difference between a healing crisis and illness? You know when you are having a healing crisis because: The crisis usually lasts only one to three days.
Xenadrine Detox: It is best when it has calcium and magnesium added in with it. One common detox diet is the combination of nothing but fruits and water for a given period. The promotion of chemicals being matabilized by our bodies can be helped with certain vitamins. When your body is sick in any way the pH is disrupted. Your body does whatever it can to keep up with the extra acid produced. Plant fats would include nuts avocados and olives. Oils such as olive oil canola oil and peanut oil are better choices than fats that come from animal sources such as butter lard or bacon grease. See more at master cleanse ingrediants
Diet Home Treatment Detox: Detoxification is thus the key to health in the modern day. Since overload of toxins in the body is the underlying cause of several diseases ridding the system of these dangerous chemicals is bound to be the most effective route towards long lasting health. If you combine these detox plans you will be able to jumpstart your bodily functions and restore your health to its maximum level. See http://www.coloncleanses.cn/colon-cleanse/what-to-expect-while-on-the-master-cleanse.php This method involves the use of radiant energy at a lower temperature to generate heat within the body. The radiant energy has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and the underlying subcutaneous layers.
About the Author
Jennifer is an expert in g tech body cleanse for over 10 years. More sources at http://www.coloncleanses.cn/colon-cleanse/dangers-in-dual-action-cleanse.php
Asthma And Smoking - A Dangerous Combination
Asthma and smoking is a topic that has been discussed much. This is because smoking is dangerous (even if you do not have asthma) especially when you suffer from asthma. When people suffer from asthma their airways become narrow constricted due to inflammation and mucus clogging. Smoking can be a trigger that brings on an asthma attack and it can also increase the frequency of the attacks. It can also cause extensive damage to the airways that can have lasting undesirable effects on the health of the person. This is why asthma and smoking is an undesirable combination.
Why Smoking Is Injurious To Health
Its amazing that despite the awareness that has been created and the many cautions that appear on the cigarette packets themselves, many people continue to smoke. Cigarette smoke is very harmful and has a very detrimental effect on the health of those who smoke as well as those around them. Lung damage is caused by the smoke as it can destroy the cilia present in the airway. The cilia are tiny hair-like structures that sweep the lungs clean of the dust and pollens each time a person coughs. When the cilia are destroyed, the lung are unable to clean out the irritants such as the pollen and the dust. That is why asthma and smoking can be a lethal combination.
People with asthma are advised not to smoke as smoking can impair their lung function and make them susceptible to lung infections. Asthma and smoking can make the patient seek a higher dose of medication and the patients may react to other irritants more readily than if they were non-smokers or were not exposed to secondhand smoke.
Parents of children who suffer from allergies should be extra careful around their children. The children must not be exposed to cigarette smoke as it can cause asthma in the children. The parents must not smoke when the children are around and they must keep their children away from public places where smoking is not prohibited. This is because second hand smoke can also easily trigger asthma attacks in adult and in children. If you have to spend some time in a public place where people may smoke be sure to take your reliever along with you. If you are a parent who smokes do so if you wish to increase the chances of respiratory illness and other chest infections in your children.
Keep your home and car smoke free and make sure you opt to enjoy a day out with your children in a place where smoking is prohibited. Asthma and smoking is dangerous as smoking can negate the effect of your medications to a certain extent as well as making you use your reliever more often than if you stop smoking.
It is recommended that you stop smoking unless you desire to make life-threatening trips to the emergency room. It is always better to have worked out an asthma management plan with your physician and make sure you do not smoke if you suffer from asthma. Asthma and smoking can get you into more trouble than is desirable and is definitely not worth the risk you put yourself or your loved ones in.
About the Author
To discover many unusual and fascinating secrets about exactly what causes asthma and how to reduce your symptoms effectively, please go to: Online Asthma Help
Why Smoking Is Injurious To Health
Its amazing that despite the awareness that has been created and the many cautions that appear on the cigarette packets themselves, many people continue to smoke. Cigarette smoke is very harmful and has a very detrimental effect on the health of those who smoke as well as those around them. Lung damage is caused by the smoke as it can destroy the cilia present in the airway. The cilia are tiny hair-like structures that sweep the lungs clean of the dust and pollens each time a person coughs. When the cilia are destroyed, the lung are unable to clean out the irritants such as the pollen and the dust. That is why asthma and smoking can be a lethal combination.
People with asthma are advised not to smoke as smoking can impair their lung function and make them susceptible to lung infections. Asthma and smoking can make the patient seek a higher dose of medication and the patients may react to other irritants more readily than if they were non-smokers or were not exposed to secondhand smoke.
Parents of children who suffer from allergies should be extra careful around their children. The children must not be exposed to cigarette smoke as it can cause asthma in the children. The parents must not smoke when the children are around and they must keep their children away from public places where smoking is not prohibited. This is because second hand smoke can also easily trigger asthma attacks in adult and in children. If you have to spend some time in a public place where people may smoke be sure to take your reliever along with you. If you are a parent who smokes do so if you wish to increase the chances of respiratory illness and other chest infections in your children.
Keep your home and car smoke free and make sure you opt to enjoy a day out with your children in a place where smoking is prohibited. Asthma and smoking is dangerous as smoking can negate the effect of your medications to a certain extent as well as making you use your reliever more often than if you stop smoking.
It is recommended that you stop smoking unless you desire to make life-threatening trips to the emergency room. It is always better to have worked out an asthma management plan with your physician and make sure you do not smoke if you suffer from asthma. Asthma and smoking can get you into more trouble than is desirable and is definitely not worth the risk you put yourself or your loved ones in.
About the Author
To discover many unusual and fascinating secrets about exactly what causes asthma and how to reduce your symptoms effectively, please go to: Online Asthma Help
Thirteen Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that involves rapid change of mood conditions. As the name implies, "bi" means two or dual and "polar" connotes polarity. By application, this means that a person with symptoms of bipolar disorder tends to abruptly change polarities from extreme happiness down to severe sadness within a short time interval.
It Can Be Hard To Detect
Bipolar disorder is a serious problem. If a child has this illness at a young age and is left unattended, drastic symptoms of bipolar disorder may start to emerge at adolescence. Research indicates that the illness will not manifest immediately. It can take several years before signs of manic depression become obvious.
The life of a patient who is suffering from this mental disorder is often disrupted. He doesn't live a normal life. The list below shows the different signs as categorized by both mania or hypomania and depression.
When a bipolar patient experiences his or her highest manic state, any of these symptoms of bipolar disorder can be expected:
* The person will have a tendency to be overly optimistic and confident. This is the "nothing-can-stop-me-now" attitude.
* There is so much hyperactive energy and because of this, the person becomes restless. Sometimes the patient may seem to look very passionate about certain tasks.
* The person may not find the need to sleep. At this manic high state, the body may also prevent the patient from feeling tired.
* There is the tendency of the person to feel very important - the delusion of grandeur.
* The bipolar patient can be unreasonably annoying and aggressive to other people.
* The person tends to make impulsive judgments without rationalization.
* The patient becomes overly talkative as if he or she is racing against his or her thoughts.
In severe cases of manic disorder, patients may hallucinate. This in effect can become more difficult to determine the accuracy of a doctor's diagnosis.
The symptoms of the depressive state are the opposite of those for the manic phase:
* The patient becomes very pessimistic.
* When depression sets in, all the energy is lost.
* The bipolar patient may experience erratic sleep schedules and abnormal appetite.
* The confidence is lost and excessively low self-esteem takes over.
* The patient will tend to self-pity and induce guilt on self.
* The patient tends to develop suicidal tendencies.
Serious Consequences If Left Untreated
Many reported teenage suicides have traces of untreated bipolar disorder during childhood. As these mood swings pile up through the years, it eventually manifests. Adolescence is usually the age that symptoms of bipolar disorder take over.
Available Medications
There are many available medications for bipolar treatment. The treatment depends on the severity of the patient's disorder. For children who have tendencies of bipolar disorder, it is best to pay attention to their needs while they're still young.
Talk To Your Doctor
As a parent, the best thing you can do is give them love and attention. Otherwise, these bipolar symptoms can very well become destructive if parents are negligent. Always consult your health care professional if you have any concerns about this condition.
About the Author
Visit Bipolar-Disorder-Today.com to learn more about symptoms of bipolar disorder and information about bipolar disorder.
It Can Be Hard To Detect
Bipolar disorder is a serious problem. If a child has this illness at a young age and is left unattended, drastic symptoms of bipolar disorder may start to emerge at adolescence. Research indicates that the illness will not manifest immediately. It can take several years before signs of manic depression become obvious.
The life of a patient who is suffering from this mental disorder is often disrupted. He doesn't live a normal life. The list below shows the different signs as categorized by both mania or hypomania and depression.
When a bipolar patient experiences his or her highest manic state, any of these symptoms of bipolar disorder can be expected:
* The person will have a tendency to be overly optimistic and confident. This is the "nothing-can-stop-me-now" attitude.
* There is so much hyperactive energy and because of this, the person becomes restless. Sometimes the patient may seem to look very passionate about certain tasks.
* The person may not find the need to sleep. At this manic high state, the body may also prevent the patient from feeling tired.
* There is the tendency of the person to feel very important - the delusion of grandeur.
* The bipolar patient can be unreasonably annoying and aggressive to other people.
* The person tends to make impulsive judgments without rationalization.
* The patient becomes overly talkative as if he or she is racing against his or her thoughts.
In severe cases of manic disorder, patients may hallucinate. This in effect can become more difficult to determine the accuracy of a doctor's diagnosis.
The symptoms of the depressive state are the opposite of those for the manic phase:
* The patient becomes very pessimistic.
* When depression sets in, all the energy is lost.
* The bipolar patient may experience erratic sleep schedules and abnormal appetite.
* The confidence is lost and excessively low self-esteem takes over.
* The patient will tend to self-pity and induce guilt on self.
* The patient tends to develop suicidal tendencies.
Serious Consequences If Left Untreated
Many reported teenage suicides have traces of untreated bipolar disorder during childhood. As these mood swings pile up through the years, it eventually manifests. Adolescence is usually the age that symptoms of bipolar disorder take over.
Available Medications
There are many available medications for bipolar treatment. The treatment depends on the severity of the patient's disorder. For children who have tendencies of bipolar disorder, it is best to pay attention to their needs while they're still young.
Talk To Your Doctor
As a parent, the best thing you can do is give them love and attention. Otherwise, these bipolar symptoms can very well become destructive if parents are negligent. Always consult your health care professional if you have any concerns about this condition.
About the Author
Visit Bipolar-Disorder-Today.com to learn more about symptoms of bipolar disorder and information about bipolar disorder.
The Problem With Purity
This may be a strange topic for someone who runs a natural health-oriented web site to be writing, but I want to discuss the possibility of being overzealous about "purity" in one's diet, and life in general. I recall watching the comedian George Carlin, whose seemingly absurd outbursts often have a ring of truth, telling the audience why you are better off eating junk. He also reminisced about swimming in the filthy Hudson River as a child (as an aside, the Hudson is one rare case where it's actually cleaner now than the 50 or so years ago when Carlin was a child). Carlin's argument, keeping in mind that he is doing a comedy act, is that he developed resistance to pollution and impurities compared to people who avoid such things. While I would not take this argument to an extreme, I do think there is some truth to it.
I am all for eating a natural diet consisting, as much as possible, organic ingredients and practicing healthy habits in general. When I speak of being overzealous, I mean having the mindset that any of a usually long, often ever-increasing list of "bad" things will make you ill, even in small or moderate doses. There are some rigid diets, for example, that forbid consuming any sugar, animal products, white flour and most commonly consumed carbohydrates, caffeine or alcohol. Some raw foods advocates will tell you that you should only eat, predictably enough, foods that have not been cooked.
Add to these dietary restrictions notions about electromagnetic pollution coming from cell phones and power lines, second hand smoke, environmental pollution coming from cars and industry, the uncertain quality of much drinking water (including bottled) and what can we do? Many of these factors are virtually impossible to avoid much of the time. Others that we can avoid, such as the dietary ones I just listed, can result in a quite rigid way of life where one has to live a fairly isolated and insulated existence in relation to most of society.
To compound this rigid attitude, many people who aim for a very "pure" way of life also avoid television, the media and other potentially corrupting influences. Now I am not trying to advocate any of the products or behaviors that such people are trying to avoid. For the most part, you are better off without them. What I am questioning is the wisdom, practicality and even ultimate health benefits of trying to be completely pure or perfect. I don't have the statistics on this, but I have observed that many proponents of very strict dietary regimes, such as macrobiotic, vegan and "100% all natural, no exceptions, ever" diets often live average, sometimes below average life-spans. Could it be that having a basically relaxed and unstressful attitude towards life is even more important than what you eat? This is my suspicion. I mean this within reason, of course. You still have to pay some attention to what you eat, how much exercise you get and other common sense lifestyle choices. If you study the eating habits and lifestyles of traditional people who tended to live long lives, such as the Hunzas, you find that, in addition to living very active lives physically, they ate a fairly omniverous (as well as natural) diet. You really cannot find any traditional diets that are as strict as those advocated in many modern books on the subject.
This topic reminds me of a very good but not that popular film by the name of Safe, directed by Todd Haynes. In this movie, Julianne Moore plays a troubled Los Angeles housewife who develops an extreme sensitivity to various environmental contaminants. As the film progresses, she becomes more and more sensitive until, by the end, she literally has to live in an isolated bubble. Now this movie is somewhat ambiguous about whether the problem is a toxic world or an oversensitive person, but I think the answer is both.
We have to come to terms with the fact that world is simply not completely safe or pure. It never was, and probably never will be. If we cannot avoid all impurities, perhaps it makes sense to, on the one hand, consume high quality foods and supplements, live as healthy a lifestyle as possible in terms of exercise and other beneficial practices, but on the other hand to have a kind of relaxed and perhaps even fatalistic attitude about the impurities that will inevitably intrude on us. This, rather than an unrealistic policy of strict avoidance, may give us more resistance to them or even allow us to live in harmony with them.
About the Author
Larry Christopher is a writer and researcher on many topics, including cultural issues, metaphysics and alternative health. You can find more information and resources on natural health and wellness at http://www.naturalhealthchoices.info
I am all for eating a natural diet consisting, as much as possible, organic ingredients and practicing healthy habits in general. When I speak of being overzealous, I mean having the mindset that any of a usually long, often ever-increasing list of "bad" things will make you ill, even in small or moderate doses. There are some rigid diets, for example, that forbid consuming any sugar, animal products, white flour and most commonly consumed carbohydrates, caffeine or alcohol. Some raw foods advocates will tell you that you should only eat, predictably enough, foods that have not been cooked.
Add to these dietary restrictions notions about electromagnetic pollution coming from cell phones and power lines, second hand smoke, environmental pollution coming from cars and industry, the uncertain quality of much drinking water (including bottled) and what can we do? Many of these factors are virtually impossible to avoid much of the time. Others that we can avoid, such as the dietary ones I just listed, can result in a quite rigid way of life where one has to live a fairly isolated and insulated existence in relation to most of society.
To compound this rigid attitude, many people who aim for a very "pure" way of life also avoid television, the media and other potentially corrupting influences. Now I am not trying to advocate any of the products or behaviors that such people are trying to avoid. For the most part, you are better off without them. What I am questioning is the wisdom, practicality and even ultimate health benefits of trying to be completely pure or perfect. I don't have the statistics on this, but I have observed that many proponents of very strict dietary regimes, such as macrobiotic, vegan and "100% all natural, no exceptions, ever" diets often live average, sometimes below average life-spans. Could it be that having a basically relaxed and unstressful attitude towards life is even more important than what you eat? This is my suspicion. I mean this within reason, of course. You still have to pay some attention to what you eat, how much exercise you get and other common sense lifestyle choices. If you study the eating habits and lifestyles of traditional people who tended to live long lives, such as the Hunzas, you find that, in addition to living very active lives physically, they ate a fairly omniverous (as well as natural) diet. You really cannot find any traditional diets that are as strict as those advocated in many modern books on the subject.
This topic reminds me of a very good but not that popular film by the name of Safe, directed by Todd Haynes. In this movie, Julianne Moore plays a troubled Los Angeles housewife who develops an extreme sensitivity to various environmental contaminants. As the film progresses, she becomes more and more sensitive until, by the end, she literally has to live in an isolated bubble. Now this movie is somewhat ambiguous about whether the problem is a toxic world or an oversensitive person, but I think the answer is both.
We have to come to terms with the fact that world is simply not completely safe or pure. It never was, and probably never will be. If we cannot avoid all impurities, perhaps it makes sense to, on the one hand, consume high quality foods and supplements, live as healthy a lifestyle as possible in terms of exercise and other beneficial practices, but on the other hand to have a kind of relaxed and perhaps even fatalistic attitude about the impurities that will inevitably intrude on us. This, rather than an unrealistic policy of strict avoidance, may give us more resistance to them or even allow us to live in harmony with them.
About the Author
Larry Christopher is a writer and researcher on many topics, including cultural issues, metaphysics and alternative health. You can find more information and resources on natural health and wellness at http://www.naturalhealthchoices.info
Probiotics Popular With Plenty of People
When you receive the Seal you begin to nurse your body back to health. One of the best ways to do it is by eating some probiotic foods every day. You will soon be familiar with them, since they are gaining fast in popularity.
Some probiotic foods you already are familiar with, like yogurt and sauerkraut. Those are already popular foods in the United States. A few more you may have heard of are kimchi and kefir.
Yogurt and kefir are milk cultures. They are living foods. That means there is bacteria growing in them. But it is friendly bacteria, similar to what is found inside your digestive system.
That is why the probiotics are beneficial to your health. They make the job of your digestive system easier since they add to its flora. If you drink milk that is not cultured it will bring you down. Cultured milk will not "bring you down."
In addition to probiotics another category -- prebiotics -- is growing in popularity. Prebiotics are foods like whole grains and also fruits and vegetables that provide food for the flora of the probiotics.
Companies have started packaging prebiotics as snack bars and cereals, making them a quick and convenient way to keep yourself healthy when you do not have a lot of time but you do have the desire for health.
In 2007 more than 150 prebiotic and probiotic foods have been introduced on the market in the United States. In 2006 around 100 were introduced, up from only around 40 in 2005.
Probiotics have kept their popularity in Europe, Asia, and South America. Kept their popularity? They used to be popular in America too. Before refrigeration and the compromised Western diet it was one of the main ways food was preserved.
There are also probiotic baby formulas and now probiotic chocolates on the market. But the cheapest way to get probiotics is to make some milk culture yourself, and the easiest way is to make kefir.
It is easy. All you need to do is get some kefir "grains" or which are little living organisms which produce friendly bacteria when placed in milk. Then get some regular milk and simply soak the kefir grains in them for 24 hours.
I use a tea ball with the kefir grains in it. I just soak the kefir grains in the milk, letting it warm to room temperature, and the next morning it has become curds and whey.
"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider, and sat down beside her..." That may be where you have heard of curds and whey. Little Miss Muffet was eating kefir!
The tea ball routine is very clean and convenient. Just simply take out the tea ball and pour some fresh milk into a jar and hang the tea ball on it. You can put some dried fruit in the kefir and let it ferment for a few days.
You just put the kefir in a cool place like the fridge to store it. It really is a hands-free and easy way of turning milk from a compromise on your health into a health benefit for you.
When you are sealed you will begin to take notice of your health. And when you eat foods like probiotics and even prebiotics you will feel better. That is what God wants for you--to feel good when you receive the Seal.
About the Author
And now Jason would like to invite you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian? and donate to get the ebook Seal of the Soul Jason Witt
Some probiotic foods you already are familiar with, like yogurt and sauerkraut. Those are already popular foods in the United States. A few more you may have heard of are kimchi and kefir.
Yogurt and kefir are milk cultures. They are living foods. That means there is bacteria growing in them. But it is friendly bacteria, similar to what is found inside your digestive system.
That is why the probiotics are beneficial to your health. They make the job of your digestive system easier since they add to its flora. If you drink milk that is not cultured it will bring you down. Cultured milk will not "bring you down."
In addition to probiotics another category -- prebiotics -- is growing in popularity. Prebiotics are foods like whole grains and also fruits and vegetables that provide food for the flora of the probiotics.
Companies have started packaging prebiotics as snack bars and cereals, making them a quick and convenient way to keep yourself healthy when you do not have a lot of time but you do have the desire for health.
In 2007 more than 150 prebiotic and probiotic foods have been introduced on the market in the United States. In 2006 around 100 were introduced, up from only around 40 in 2005.
Probiotics have kept their popularity in Europe, Asia, and South America. Kept their popularity? They used to be popular in America too. Before refrigeration and the compromised Western diet it was one of the main ways food was preserved.
There are also probiotic baby formulas and now probiotic chocolates on the market. But the cheapest way to get probiotics is to make some milk culture yourself, and the easiest way is to make kefir.
It is easy. All you need to do is get some kefir "grains" or which are little living organisms which produce friendly bacteria when placed in milk. Then get some regular milk and simply soak the kefir grains in them for 24 hours.
I use a tea ball with the kefir grains in it. I just soak the kefir grains in the milk, letting it warm to room temperature, and the next morning it has become curds and whey.
"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider, and sat down beside her..." That may be where you have heard of curds and whey. Little Miss Muffet was eating kefir!
The tea ball routine is very clean and convenient. Just simply take out the tea ball and pour some fresh milk into a jar and hang the tea ball on it. You can put some dried fruit in the kefir and let it ferment for a few days.
You just put the kefir in a cool place like the fridge to store it. It really is a hands-free and easy way of turning milk from a compromise on your health into a health benefit for you.
When you are sealed you will begin to take notice of your health. And when you eat foods like probiotics and even prebiotics you will feel better. That is what God wants for you--to feel good when you receive the Seal.
About the Author
And now Jason would like to invite you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian? and donate to get the ebook Seal of the Soul Jason Witt
Green Tea Great For Fighting Colon Cancer
When you receive the Seal you begin to take care of your body, and nurse it back to health. One of the little things you can do for your health is switch from coffee to green tea, which recent studies show has even more health benefits.
The new research was unveiled at the Sixth Annual Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention which was held by the American Association for Cancer Research.
The research shows that a polyphenol preparation made from green tea (called Polyphenon E) inhibits the growth of colorectal tumors in rats when they are also being treated with something that causes the tumors.
Colorectal tumors happen when colon cancer is growing. So when Polyphenon E stops the growth of the tumors, it is stopping the spread of colon cancer. It has not been done in humans yet, but it reveal yet another health benefit of green tea.
The researchers say that rats eating a diet containing Polyphenon E are "less than half as likely" to suffer the spread of colon cancer. These results confirm those from a study done in China showing that green tea caused lower rates of cancer.
A number of other studies have also concluded successfully that green tea suppresses cancer growth. How does it do it? By the powerful effects of its main antioxidant, epigallocatechin 3-gallate, also known as EGCg.
Free radicals are molecules which can roam free in the body and damage healthy cells. They can damage your DNA so you no longer produce the same healthy cells, but you now produce only damaged cells.
If you drink large amounts of alcohol or smoke tobacco your body will suffer a greater number of free radicals roaming about inside it. Your natural defense against free radicals is antioxidants like those found in green tea.
The EGCg found in green tea is a particularly powerful antioxidant when it comes to fighting free radicals. It is 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C, 25 times more powerful than Vitamin E, and twice as powerful as resveratrol, the antioxidant found in red wine.
Green tea is considered effective in preventing and curing from other types of disease too. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common one that green tea fights while it is trying to develop.
Another couple of big killers green tea can help put to rest are high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease. Green tea is also helpful in weight loss, although for weight loss oolong tea is more effective.
Diabetes is another disease becoming much more common. Green tea can help stifle the development of diabetes. And Alzheimer's disease is becoming more popular with many people in the West aging. Green tea fights Alzheimer's.
And there is yet another health benefit of green tea that does not involve one of the well-known and deadly diseases but it yet a quite important measure of prevention. Green tea helps fight tooth decay, killing the plaque which is always trying to grow on your teeth.
Just like it kills plaque, green tea kills the bacteria which could lead to food poisoning, protecting you from yet another threat to your health. And green tea is good for the skin, preventing acne as well as improving the appearance of the skin.
When you are sealed you begin to notice the wonders of God's Creation. He gave you green tea to help your body fight against a multitude of diseases. You will begin to notice this and other wonders of His creation when you receive the Seal.
About the Author
And now Jason would like to invite you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian? and donate to get the ebook Seal of the Soul Jason Witt
The new research was unveiled at the Sixth Annual Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention which was held by the American Association for Cancer Research.
The research shows that a polyphenol preparation made from green tea (called Polyphenon E) inhibits the growth of colorectal tumors in rats when they are also being treated with something that causes the tumors.
Colorectal tumors happen when colon cancer is growing. So when Polyphenon E stops the growth of the tumors, it is stopping the spread of colon cancer. It has not been done in humans yet, but it reveal yet another health benefit of green tea.
The researchers say that rats eating a diet containing Polyphenon E are "less than half as likely" to suffer the spread of colon cancer. These results confirm those from a study done in China showing that green tea caused lower rates of cancer.
A number of other studies have also concluded successfully that green tea suppresses cancer growth. How does it do it? By the powerful effects of its main antioxidant, epigallocatechin 3-gallate, also known as EGCg.
Free radicals are molecules which can roam free in the body and damage healthy cells. They can damage your DNA so you no longer produce the same healthy cells, but you now produce only damaged cells.
If you drink large amounts of alcohol or smoke tobacco your body will suffer a greater number of free radicals roaming about inside it. Your natural defense against free radicals is antioxidants like those found in green tea.
The EGCg found in green tea is a particularly powerful antioxidant when it comes to fighting free radicals. It is 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C, 25 times more powerful than Vitamin E, and twice as powerful as resveratrol, the antioxidant found in red wine.
Green tea is considered effective in preventing and curing from other types of disease too. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common one that green tea fights while it is trying to develop.
Another couple of big killers green tea can help put to rest are high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease. Green tea is also helpful in weight loss, although for weight loss oolong tea is more effective.
Diabetes is another disease becoming much more common. Green tea can help stifle the development of diabetes. And Alzheimer's disease is becoming more popular with many people in the West aging. Green tea fights Alzheimer's.
And there is yet another health benefit of green tea that does not involve one of the well-known and deadly diseases but it yet a quite important measure of prevention. Green tea helps fight tooth decay, killing the plaque which is always trying to grow on your teeth.
Just like it kills plaque, green tea kills the bacteria which could lead to food poisoning, protecting you from yet another threat to your health. And green tea is good for the skin, preventing acne as well as improving the appearance of the skin.
When you are sealed you begin to notice the wonders of God's Creation. He gave you green tea to help your body fight against a multitude of diseases. You will begin to notice this and other wonders of His creation when you receive the Seal.
About the Author
And now Jason would like to invite you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian? and donate to get the ebook Seal of the Soul Jason Witt
How Does Meditation Work?
There is so much talk about meditation and its benefits - but how does meditation work? A lot of study has gone into how exactly meditation brings about the benefits felt by people who practice it regularly. Research studies reveal that meditation induces a healthy relaxed state resulting in a lower heart rate, lower respiratory rate, and lower pulse rate. In fact, it is a wonderfully easy way to rest the body. Meditation increases alertness, creativity and cultivates clarity of thought. There is proof that the benefits of meditation are both psychological and physiological.
Specific Changes That Occur From Meditation:
Meditation works by lowering the metabolic rate of the person, providing them deep relaxation. There is lower consumption of oxygen soon after the person begins to meditate. According to studies, the individual who meditates consumes lesser air and takes lesser number of breaths each minute. The blood pressure falls to normal even with those suffering from hypertension. In the nervous system, there is a reduced amount of activity, making us calmer. In fact, meditation also controls several organs and muscles including activities like sweating, the breathing process, our digestion etc. automatically while we practice it.
Those who begin the process of meditation feeling tense and anxious, experience a lowering of blood lactate levels, thereby calming them since there is an increased blood flow. Because of this, more oxygen goes to the muscles bringing down the production of lactate.
Meditation techniques basically work with the mind. In very simple terms we can even look at meditation as a form of rest. After a hard day, every one needs to relax. Just like the body the mind also needs to relax. Even though sleep helps to an extent, there is still a residue of all the stress we go through in our subconscious mind. These carry over as stress and anxiety. Here is where meditation works. It accesses the subconscious mind when you are conscious and helps you change your entire attitude towards these negative feelings. Meditation gives you a better understanding of your own mind, teaches you how to reach a relaxed and calm state and gives you the ability to assess everything objectively.
The Effects Of Meditation:
So how does meditation work? The first thing you become aware of after you meditate for some time is a sense of stability. Since it deals with breathing, you will find it easy to concentrate on whatever you do without getting distracted. Meditation also brings about a great clarity of mind, letting you arrange your thoughts properly allowing you to think clearly. It brings about an end to stress, through intense relaxation and therefore improves health.
However, those who suffer from serious mental disorders would do well to consult their health care providers before they take up meditation to relieve their symptoms, so that the process of healing is not delayed, since there are cases where meditation without proper guidance can make some symptoms worse.
Certain meditation methods involve exercises in focus while others involve an analysis of the mind, resulting in alertness and giving direction. It quells the wandering mind, urging it to focus on the matters at hand. The mind then connects with the body and through regular practice, meditation can yield great benefits.
About the Author
To discover many unusual and fascinating secrets about meditation retreats, please go to:Online Meditation Guru.
Specific Changes That Occur From Meditation:
Meditation works by lowering the metabolic rate of the person, providing them deep relaxation. There is lower consumption of oxygen soon after the person begins to meditate. According to studies, the individual who meditates consumes lesser air and takes lesser number of breaths each minute. The blood pressure falls to normal even with those suffering from hypertension. In the nervous system, there is a reduced amount of activity, making us calmer. In fact, meditation also controls several organs and muscles including activities like sweating, the breathing process, our digestion etc. automatically while we practice it.
Those who begin the process of meditation feeling tense and anxious, experience a lowering of blood lactate levels, thereby calming them since there is an increased blood flow. Because of this, more oxygen goes to the muscles bringing down the production of lactate.
Meditation techniques basically work with the mind. In very simple terms we can even look at meditation as a form of rest. After a hard day, every one needs to relax. Just like the body the mind also needs to relax. Even though sleep helps to an extent, there is still a residue of all the stress we go through in our subconscious mind. These carry over as stress and anxiety. Here is where meditation works. It accesses the subconscious mind when you are conscious and helps you change your entire attitude towards these negative feelings. Meditation gives you a better understanding of your own mind, teaches you how to reach a relaxed and calm state and gives you the ability to assess everything objectively.
The Effects Of Meditation:
So how does meditation work? The first thing you become aware of after you meditate for some time is a sense of stability. Since it deals with breathing, you will find it easy to concentrate on whatever you do without getting distracted. Meditation also brings about a great clarity of mind, letting you arrange your thoughts properly allowing you to think clearly. It brings about an end to stress, through intense relaxation and therefore improves health.
However, those who suffer from serious mental disorders would do well to consult their health care providers before they take up meditation to relieve their symptoms, so that the process of healing is not delayed, since there are cases where meditation without proper guidance can make some symptoms worse.
Certain meditation methods involve exercises in focus while others involve an analysis of the mind, resulting in alertness and giving direction. It quells the wandering mind, urging it to focus on the matters at hand. The mind then connects with the body and through regular practice, meditation can yield great benefits.
About the Author
To discover many unusual and fascinating secrets about meditation retreats, please go to:Online Meditation Guru.
102 Year Old Health Secrets for Today's Fast Paced Society
102 Year Old Health Secrets for Today's Fast Paced Society
Its just about that time of year, you know where we all make our New Year's Resolutions. Maybe you will stick to yours for 3 even 4 weeks and then go about your normal life as if you never had a resolution to begin with.
Will one of those resolutions be to finally get in great shape? To look and feel better then you have in 10 or 20 years. If you are like most Americans the answer to this question is most likely a yes.
Christmas time for gym's across America is not December 25, it is Jan 1, the day a whole new group of clientele sign contracts for yearly access to a gym they will most likely use for 1 month.
The truth is you don't need a gym if you are motivated enough to exercise on your. I have discovered a 102-year-old book that will provide you with not just an exercise routine but also a way to live a healthy lifestyle. Ok let's try this out. Here is an exercise you can do right now regardless of where you are. Ready, set...
Sit on a chair, letting the left arm hang quite limp by the side. Now take hold of the left wrist and lift your left arm up to shoulder height. Suddenly release your grip, and let the arm fall. It should then dangle to and fro before coming to a rest in a vertical position. Repeat the same exercise with relaxed right arm. Try this before you go to sleep to attain the best results.
The great thing about these secrets is that you can do them anywhere, anytime regardless of what kind of shape you are in right now. You won't need any equipment. I hope that 2008 is your year for good health and I guarantee that you can get there with the right information.
Look if you want to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger this book may not be for you but if you want to truly attain great health and continuously lead that healthy lifestyle then I strongly encourage you to see what this book has to offer. It may just be your ultimate key to success in a life of good health and well being.
About the Author
Justin Lehrer is a certified Fitness trainer through ISSA. If you good health and well being is something you want for yourself you can visit http://www.mysystembymuller.com for additional information
Its just about that time of year, you know where we all make our New Year's Resolutions. Maybe you will stick to yours for 3 even 4 weeks and then go about your normal life as if you never had a resolution to begin with.
Will one of those resolutions be to finally get in great shape? To look and feel better then you have in 10 or 20 years. If you are like most Americans the answer to this question is most likely a yes.
Christmas time for gym's across America is not December 25, it is Jan 1, the day a whole new group of clientele sign contracts for yearly access to a gym they will most likely use for 1 month.
The truth is you don't need a gym if you are motivated enough to exercise on your. I have discovered a 102-year-old book that will provide you with not just an exercise routine but also a way to live a healthy lifestyle. Ok let's try this out. Here is an exercise you can do right now regardless of where you are. Ready, set...
Sit on a chair, letting the left arm hang quite limp by the side. Now take hold of the left wrist and lift your left arm up to shoulder height. Suddenly release your grip, and let the arm fall. It should then dangle to and fro before coming to a rest in a vertical position. Repeat the same exercise with relaxed right arm. Try this before you go to sleep to attain the best results.
The great thing about these secrets is that you can do them anywhere, anytime regardless of what kind of shape you are in right now. You won't need any equipment. I hope that 2008 is your year for good health and I guarantee that you can get there with the right information.
Look if you want to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger this book may not be for you but if you want to truly attain great health and continuously lead that healthy lifestyle then I strongly encourage you to see what this book has to offer. It may just be your ultimate key to success in a life of good health and well being.
About the Author
Justin Lehrer is a certified Fitness trainer through ISSA. If you good health and well being is something you want for yourself you can visit http://www.mysystembymuller.com for additional information
PDF EBooks
What is PDF ebook? Ebooks are virtual books on any subject that is readable online. These ebooks come in the standard format called PDF. Such ebooks are called PDF ebooks. Using this PDF documents can be formatted in such a way that it can be viewed even on multiple platforms without making any major changes. It is a portable document which can be used in different systems as an adobe post script format.
PDF is word processing software generally used for business applications. Anyone who wants to read PDF ebook must have adobe acrobat reader. It is recognized as a universal electronic file format. It can also be considered as a low resolution method to do proofing using adobe acrobat. The file extension used for this type of document is *.pdf and it can use multiple operating systems. The full form for PDF is Portable Document Format. This platform independent format helps the reader to view the files as created on various computers. Adobe acrobat software is essential and therefore anyone who cannot open PDF files should have installed an adobe acrobat reader.
PDF ebook making software is also available online through which anyone who is new to PDF formatted files can easily create an ebook based on this standard PDF file format. Many such ebook writers are available as free downloads and anyone who is interested in making an ebook can easily download it for free and use it to create an ebook. Today almost every site provides its customers with free ebooks on the subjects related to their business.
Therefore if the site is about investments then the web site might promote best ebooks on how to start investing safely and how to invest etc. if the web site is about medicines or health related then it might contain ebooks on topics related to good health. Therefore the market for best ebooks is very huge today and anyone who is very good in writing can easily start writing and selling ebooks online. It is the best online business opportunity available today.
Many people just but the copyright of such ebooks and sell them on their sites. Like all other businesses this ebook marketing also needs a good business strategy for running successfully. One great advantage with pdf file format is that it can be secured so that no one can copy them. The document can also be protected using password. PDF ebooks are the safest way to promote a book online. Whatever the subject, the ebook should be in a very simple language and easy to understand and very interesting to read. A small sample can be posted for people to get the feel of what the ebook is all about. The topic, the title and the introduction should be set in such a way the reader is tempted to buy it for sure.
About the Author
Article written by Robert Riles III, owner of skyfireproducts.com a sports store for all sports Fans.
PDF is word processing software generally used for business applications. Anyone who wants to read PDF ebook must have adobe acrobat reader. It is recognized as a universal electronic file format. It can also be considered as a low resolution method to do proofing using adobe acrobat. The file extension used for this type of document is *.pdf and it can use multiple operating systems. The full form for PDF is Portable Document Format. This platform independent format helps the reader to view the files as created on various computers. Adobe acrobat software is essential and therefore anyone who cannot open PDF files should have installed an adobe acrobat reader.
PDF ebook making software is also available online through which anyone who is new to PDF formatted files can easily create an ebook based on this standard PDF file format. Many such ebook writers are available as free downloads and anyone who is interested in making an ebook can easily download it for free and use it to create an ebook. Today almost every site provides its customers with free ebooks on the subjects related to their business.
Therefore if the site is about investments then the web site might promote best ebooks on how to start investing safely and how to invest etc. if the web site is about medicines or health related then it might contain ebooks on topics related to good health. Therefore the market for best ebooks is very huge today and anyone who is very good in writing can easily start writing and selling ebooks online. It is the best online business opportunity available today.
Many people just but the copyright of such ebooks and sell them on their sites. Like all other businesses this ebook marketing also needs a good business strategy for running successfully. One great advantage with pdf file format is that it can be secured so that no one can copy them. The document can also be protected using password. PDF ebooks are the safest way to promote a book online. Whatever the subject, the ebook should be in a very simple language and easy to understand and very interesting to read. A small sample can be posted for people to get the feel of what the ebook is all about. The topic, the title and the introduction should be set in such a way the reader is tempted to buy it for sure.
About the Author
Article written by Robert Riles III, owner of skyfireproducts.com a sports store for all sports Fans.
Cure Arthritis Naturally- Are Painkillers Causing More Pain than Relief
Your arthritis is flaring up again and you immediately go to the medicine cabinet and pop a painkiller. After an hour you might not feel a thing but did you cause more future pain than relief?
The answer to that question is complicated but more often than not; the answer is Yes, you did cause more harm than good! But, you are part of the almost 40 million arthritic victims who might be using painkillers to treat their arthritis. So let me ask you?
Have you used a painkiller in the last week to treat the pain from a hurting joint?
Has your doctor ever prescribed a painkiller for your arthritic pain?
Are you wondering if taking these synthetic medications might become a lifetime pattern?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you should know that you can cure arthritis naturally and throw away the painkillers that might be causing more future pain than relief. And you could do that in less than three weeks.
The Problem with Painkillers
Personally, I believe painkillers do have their place in society. As a natural health guru, I have even taken my fair share of pain killers to remedy a headache or a sore back. But, the problem begins when people mix arthritis and pain killers. Let me explain.
First off, it is important to know that curing arthritis can only occur if you begin to rebuild your cartilage or rebuild your muscles around the afflicted joint. Typically, arthritis sufferers take some form of medication to reduce the inflammation and eliminate the pain. However, the problem occurs when the joint is aching and the brain is not registering it. You might go the whole day thinking you felt great but in the process, take 6 months off the life of the stressed joint without even knowing it. With that said, the unaware arthritic patient severely hurts the joint and the existing cartilage.
Think about that time when you were driving and the 'check engine' light comes on. By putting black tape over the light, you might forget about the problem; but you will eventually have to deal with a bigger problem. This is very similar to taking painkillers to treat your arthritis pain.
Finally, painkillers could also cause bleeding or other intestinal problems which could be fatal. In fact, last year it was reported that over 2,000 arthritic sufferers died because of intestinal problems due to conventional treatments.
Allow Your Body to Help
If you have done any studying on the human body, you will know that it is a pretty miraculous organism. Even Einstein said that studying the human body gives him his belief in an intelligent creator. But whatever, your beliefs; the human body was no accident.
Even the most respected scientists are dumbfounded at how intricate and amazing the human body is. And arthritic doctors and researchers are just as dumbfounded. Because the human body can actually cure arthritis naturally with fitness, proper dieting, and proper vitamins and minerals.
And most of this research wasn't discovered until this past decade when scientists began looking at diets and lifestyles of primitive tribes.
But the mysterious thing was that not one arthritis case could be discovered?
Curing Arthritis Naturally and Permanently
I don't blame you for being skeptical. Most of our thousands of customers were skeptical at first but tried our report's recommendations because of our guaranteed-results promise. But, if you are a little curious about the natural treatment; here are some recommendations that will allow you to begin to feel some results in the next couple weeks.
5 Tips for Treatment
1. What are you drinking? Begin a can fast immediately and that begins with your beverages. If something is canned or processed, it has preservatives and many synthetic ingredients that you can barely pronounce. Begin this week with a water flush which could be difficult but is doable. For the caffeine kick in the morning eat your favorite choice of apple. Again, difficult but doable. 2. Your sugar intake! Arthritis has been associated with high levels of sugar. Begin to wean yourself off of sweets and replace it with your favorite fruit or smoothie.
3. Workout! I bet you never thought you would hear those words. But you must begin a weight training program to build up muscle mass to support your body and joints. Though you might gain some weight (muscle weighs more than fat); you will look a lot slimmer and feel a ton better. Our report has some great suggestions for beginners or novices.
4. You Diet! This is one of the biggest problems leading to the pain. A good rule of thumb is always go fresh and healthy. If it is processed or canned; it is usually bad for your body. For pages of information about your nutrition and dieting; see our website today.
5. Breathe! Most people's bodies are starving for oxygen. To discover how you can give your joints more oxygen and less pain; learn about 3 breathing exercises that you can do at work and the proper posture rule.
6. Finally, deer velvet. Here is your free-be. Deer velvet is the secret agent that will help re-build your cartilage. To discover more about this Russian discovery, please check out our site.
What supplements will save me from pain? What vitamins does my body lack? What breathing exercises (you can do at work) will blast oxygen to my joints. Why does your body need a toxin flush? What foods should you eat and NOT eat? What herbs have helped millions of sufferers? And what can we learn from a deer about arthritis and rebuilding joint cartilage?
If you want to cure arthritis naturally, that will save you from the medication and the surgery, please check out our Arthritis Natural Treatment Report that gives a step-by-step remedy and is guaranteed to show results. You can start your treatment today by visiting our safe and secure website.
Cure Arthritis Naturally
Joe Barton writes for Barton Publishing which is a leading natural health company specializing in treating arthritis naturally. To learn more about our 100% arthritis-free guarantee, please click below. Cure Arthritis Naturally
About the Author
Joe Barton is the founder of Barton Publishing Inc., a leading natural health company specializing in publishing cutting edge reports that show people how to cure and treat themselves using safe, natural, and proven remedies. Joe has helped thousands of people enjoy healthier lives through curing arthritis and much more. For more natural health tips please check out our blog. http://bartonpublishing.wordpress.com
The answer to that question is complicated but more often than not; the answer is Yes, you did cause more harm than good! But, you are part of the almost 40 million arthritic victims who might be using painkillers to treat their arthritis. So let me ask you?
Have you used a painkiller in the last week to treat the pain from a hurting joint?
Has your doctor ever prescribed a painkiller for your arthritic pain?
Are you wondering if taking these synthetic medications might become a lifetime pattern?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you should know that you can cure arthritis naturally and throw away the painkillers that might be causing more future pain than relief. And you could do that in less than three weeks.
The Problem with Painkillers
Personally, I believe painkillers do have their place in society. As a natural health guru, I have even taken my fair share of pain killers to remedy a headache or a sore back. But, the problem begins when people mix arthritis and pain killers. Let me explain.
First off, it is important to know that curing arthritis can only occur if you begin to rebuild your cartilage or rebuild your muscles around the afflicted joint. Typically, arthritis sufferers take some form of medication to reduce the inflammation and eliminate the pain. However, the problem occurs when the joint is aching and the brain is not registering it. You might go the whole day thinking you felt great but in the process, take 6 months off the life of the stressed joint without even knowing it. With that said, the unaware arthritic patient severely hurts the joint and the existing cartilage.
Think about that time when you were driving and the 'check engine' light comes on. By putting black tape over the light, you might forget about the problem; but you will eventually have to deal with a bigger problem. This is very similar to taking painkillers to treat your arthritis pain.
Finally, painkillers could also cause bleeding or other intestinal problems which could be fatal. In fact, last year it was reported that over 2,000 arthritic sufferers died because of intestinal problems due to conventional treatments.
Allow Your Body to Help
If you have done any studying on the human body, you will know that it is a pretty miraculous organism. Even Einstein said that studying the human body gives him his belief in an intelligent creator. But whatever, your beliefs; the human body was no accident.
Even the most respected scientists are dumbfounded at how intricate and amazing the human body is. And arthritic doctors and researchers are just as dumbfounded. Because the human body can actually cure arthritis naturally with fitness, proper dieting, and proper vitamins and minerals.
And most of this research wasn't discovered until this past decade when scientists began looking at diets and lifestyles of primitive tribes.
But the mysterious thing was that not one arthritis case could be discovered?
Curing Arthritis Naturally and Permanently
I don't blame you for being skeptical. Most of our thousands of customers were skeptical at first but tried our report's recommendations because of our guaranteed-results promise. But, if you are a little curious about the natural treatment; here are some recommendations that will allow you to begin to feel some results in the next couple weeks.
5 Tips for Treatment
1. What are you drinking? Begin a can fast immediately and that begins with your beverages. If something is canned or processed, it has preservatives and many synthetic ingredients that you can barely pronounce. Begin this week with a water flush which could be difficult but is doable. For the caffeine kick in the morning eat your favorite choice of apple. Again, difficult but doable. 2. Your sugar intake! Arthritis has been associated with high levels of sugar. Begin to wean yourself off of sweets and replace it with your favorite fruit or smoothie.
3. Workout! I bet you never thought you would hear those words. But you must begin a weight training program to build up muscle mass to support your body and joints. Though you might gain some weight (muscle weighs more than fat); you will look a lot slimmer and feel a ton better. Our report has some great suggestions for beginners or novices.
4. You Diet! This is one of the biggest problems leading to the pain. A good rule of thumb is always go fresh and healthy. If it is processed or canned; it is usually bad for your body. For pages of information about your nutrition and dieting; see our website today.
5. Breathe! Most people's bodies are starving for oxygen. To discover how you can give your joints more oxygen and less pain; learn about 3 breathing exercises that you can do at work and the proper posture rule.
6. Finally, deer velvet. Here is your free-be. Deer velvet is the secret agent that will help re-build your cartilage. To discover more about this Russian discovery, please check out our site.
What supplements will save me from pain? What vitamins does my body lack? What breathing exercises (you can do at work) will blast oxygen to my joints. Why does your body need a toxin flush? What foods should you eat and NOT eat? What herbs have helped millions of sufferers? And what can we learn from a deer about arthritis and rebuilding joint cartilage?
If you want to cure arthritis naturally, that will save you from the medication and the surgery, please check out our Arthritis Natural Treatment Report that gives a step-by-step remedy and is guaranteed to show results. You can start your treatment today by visiting our safe and secure website.
Cure Arthritis Naturally
Joe Barton writes for Barton Publishing which is a leading natural health company specializing in treating arthritis naturally. To learn more about our 100% arthritis-free guarantee, please click below. Cure Arthritis Naturally
About the Author
Joe Barton is the founder of Barton Publishing Inc., a leading natural health company specializing in publishing cutting edge reports that show people how to cure and treat themselves using safe, natural, and proven remedies. Joe has helped thousands of people enjoy healthier lives through curing arthritis and much more. For more natural health tips please check out our blog. http://bartonpublishing.wordpress.com
Anti Aging Digestion Enzymes Are Essential For Life
Digestive enzymes are the most essential nutritional requirements that our bodies need to stay alive. Enzymes break down the nutrients that we eat and reduces them to a size and condition that make them able to be carried, absorbed and used by our bodies. Enzymes are necessary for breathing, swallowing, muscles movement, cell and tissue production, and energy conversion. Enzymes are responsible for metabolism, which is our cells directing each nutrient to combine and interact with other nutrients to crate other chemicals and compounds to build and repair our cells, bones, tissues and organs. Enzymes are responsible for constructing, synthesizing, delivering, distributing and eliminating the substances and chemicals our body requires to live. Without enzymes, metabolism does not happen.
Our very lives depend on enzymes and digestion. Many, health issues begin with lack of proper enzymes and digestion. Without the proper amount of digestion enzymes in our bodies, we are vulnerable to ill health conditions such as respiratory infection, colds, flu, high blood pressure, liver disease, indigestion, heartburn, diabetes, fibromyalgia, candida, migraines, PMS, hyperactivity, anxiety, lack of concentration, depression, weakened immune system, acid reflux, constipation, gas and many other health concerns. It was once thought that illness and aging depleted the amount of enzymes found in our body. We now know that illness and aging are caused by a depletion of enzymes in our body. Many researchers now know that the aging process and even death is a result of our enzyme levels being decreased to the point where the very living environment of our bodies can no longer be maintained.
We now know that we lose digestive enzymes through sweat and body waste. As we go age, the organs that are responsible for producing digestive enzymes are not able to efficiently produce the amount we need in the time we need them. We know that cooking and microwaves destroy the enzymes that our food contain when they are raw. Factors such as environmental pollution, overly processed and fast foods, genetically modified foods and other factors deplete the amount of enzymes that we need to live. These factors deplete our enzyme levels stresses our digestive system and our immune system, leave us feeling tired, depressed, without energy or interest, and, very possibly, shorten our lives.
Given these factors of aging, processed foods, and cooking, our bodies are not able to produce the enzymes that we need. Therefore it would be wise for us to supplement our diets with enzymes from outside sources such as plants. If we add an enzyme supplement from external sources to our diet when we eat a meal we will greatly increase the quality and longevity of our lives. Enzyme supplements increase the amount of nutrients we absorb from our diet and improves our overall nutrition, decreases or eliminates indigestion and acid reflux, reduces fatigue and increases our energy, strengthens our immune system and enhances the regeneration of our cells and tissues.
We can take advantage of enzyme supplements that are blends of enzymes that each have a specific function. Amylase changes complex sugars and carbohydrates into usable glycogen and dextrin. Bromelain breaks down proteins making them available for our bodies energy supply. Cellulase is an enzyme complex that breaks down cellulose into usable beta-glucose. Lactase converts lactose into galactose and glucose. Lipase is an enzyme that is vital for the absorption and digestion of nutrients in the intestines and catalyzes triglycerides into fatty acids. Pancreatin hydolyses fats, converts protein into protesoses and changes starches into dextrins and usable sugars. Papain from the papaya fruit converts proteins to form oligopeptides and amino acids and can digest dead tissue without affecting live tissue. Pepsin breaks down protein into peptides. Chymotrypsin works in our small intestine to hydrolyze the peptide bond of amino acids. Trypsin breaks down the peptide bond of the amino acids arginine and lysine and is important in protein digestion.
With our current concerns about health care for issues such as those caused by obesity, excess weight, high blood pressure, heart health, etc, it would be well for us to remember the extreme importance of nutrition and good digestion and metabolism and that a very significant number of illnesses and diseases start in the intestine and colon. Our realizing the vital importance of digestion enzymes and the role they have in maintaining our very lives as well as preventing some of the serious, sometimes life threatening, health issues we face and will greatly improve the quality and longevity of our lives.
About the Author
Jenny has more than twenty years experience with all natural health care products. More information about Natural Digestion Enzymes is available at => http://www.sweetmedicineessentials.com/digestion-probiotics-c-6.html
Our very lives depend on enzymes and digestion. Many, health issues begin with lack of proper enzymes and digestion. Without the proper amount of digestion enzymes in our bodies, we are vulnerable to ill health conditions such as respiratory infection, colds, flu, high blood pressure, liver disease, indigestion, heartburn, diabetes, fibromyalgia, candida, migraines, PMS, hyperactivity, anxiety, lack of concentration, depression, weakened immune system, acid reflux, constipation, gas and many other health concerns. It was once thought that illness and aging depleted the amount of enzymes found in our body. We now know that illness and aging are caused by a depletion of enzymes in our body. Many researchers now know that the aging process and even death is a result of our enzyme levels being decreased to the point where the very living environment of our bodies can no longer be maintained.
We now know that we lose digestive enzymes through sweat and body waste. As we go age, the organs that are responsible for producing digestive enzymes are not able to efficiently produce the amount we need in the time we need them. We know that cooking and microwaves destroy the enzymes that our food contain when they are raw. Factors such as environmental pollution, overly processed and fast foods, genetically modified foods and other factors deplete the amount of enzymes that we need to live. These factors deplete our enzyme levels stresses our digestive system and our immune system, leave us feeling tired, depressed, without energy or interest, and, very possibly, shorten our lives.
Given these factors of aging, processed foods, and cooking, our bodies are not able to produce the enzymes that we need. Therefore it would be wise for us to supplement our diets with enzymes from outside sources such as plants. If we add an enzyme supplement from external sources to our diet when we eat a meal we will greatly increase the quality and longevity of our lives. Enzyme supplements increase the amount of nutrients we absorb from our diet and improves our overall nutrition, decreases or eliminates indigestion and acid reflux, reduces fatigue and increases our energy, strengthens our immune system and enhances the regeneration of our cells and tissues.
We can take advantage of enzyme supplements that are blends of enzymes that each have a specific function. Amylase changes complex sugars and carbohydrates into usable glycogen and dextrin. Bromelain breaks down proteins making them available for our bodies energy supply. Cellulase is an enzyme complex that breaks down cellulose into usable beta-glucose. Lactase converts lactose into galactose and glucose. Lipase is an enzyme that is vital for the absorption and digestion of nutrients in the intestines and catalyzes triglycerides into fatty acids. Pancreatin hydolyses fats, converts protein into protesoses and changes starches into dextrins and usable sugars. Papain from the papaya fruit converts proteins to form oligopeptides and amino acids and can digest dead tissue without affecting live tissue. Pepsin breaks down protein into peptides. Chymotrypsin works in our small intestine to hydrolyze the peptide bond of amino acids. Trypsin breaks down the peptide bond of the amino acids arginine and lysine and is important in protein digestion.
With our current concerns about health care for issues such as those caused by obesity, excess weight, high blood pressure, heart health, etc, it would be well for us to remember the extreme importance of nutrition and good digestion and metabolism and that a very significant number of illnesses and diseases start in the intestine and colon. Our realizing the vital importance of digestion enzymes and the role they have in maintaining our very lives as well as preventing some of the serious, sometimes life threatening, health issues we face and will greatly improve the quality and longevity of our lives.
About the Author
Jenny has more than twenty years experience with all natural health care products. More information about Natural Digestion Enzymes is available at => http://www.sweetmedicineessentials.com/digestion-probiotics-c-6.html
In Order To Aid Sleep, Treatments Are Available
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This may sound like a cliché but it is true. There's no better way to keep ourselves free of certain ailments than to use total prevention. We all face the fear of diseases everyday. There are also accidents, social problems, stress and the numerous challenges of life to contend with. Sleep plays a part in all of this and finding the right treatments to aid us in that sleep can be extremely important.
Sleep has something to do with just about everything in life. Since it is a vital component of our lives, we need it to sustain that life and keep it free of problems and disease. Whether you're active or not, the need to sleep at least 8 hours a day is crucial. With many unwanted troubles in our way, a lack of sleep makes us feel tired, restless and sore. This also leads us to feel less productive and less competent in our daily routine.
There are many ways to overcome the problems of sleep and thereby enjoy a healthier lifestyle. If you are irritated by sound and you want silence, you can buy earplugs, which are made of silicone, or soft foam. There are also some CD's that play soothing sounds that will also lull you to sleep. Some disks play sounds in a way that makes your brain tell your body to go to sleep. Another sleep aid is simply to know what you like and what you don't like. If you get bored when you hear music or do not get stimulated with sound, you can buy those compact disks that help to lull a person to sleep. If you want total silence, earplugs may be the right thing for you.
If you have a problem with your aching back or you are not getting enough sleep because you do not have a good sleeping position, there are other treatments. Try buying a specially designed bed or pillow for your sleeping position. It can be expensive but, if it works for you, it is worth it. Some beds are specially designed as a sleep treatment and more advanced in their technology. One of them is the Sleep Number bed. It has a numbering system that lets you choose how soft or how hard your bed should be. The head of the bed can tilt up and down too. There are also other beds that are made of special foam like material that hug your body and would not let you bother your partner as you get in or out of bed.
It has been proven that sleep reinforces both learning and memory. It helps our brain to function at higher speed and with greater processing. It also replenishes our lost energy and aids the body in both energy consumption and chemical breakdown. When a person is awake, they are constantly using up the energy that is given them at the start of each day. While sleeping, most of our organs are able to rest and thereby restore their natural energy. Our tired muscles get a re-deposit of energy and they use that energy to repair any damage that has been done during the day. Sleep is indeed required for general health and ongoing survival. That is why sleep treatments can be so important.
Sleep is not just something that we do when we are bored or out of interesting things to keep us awake. Sleep is a responsibility that we owe to our bodies in order to stay healthy. It is a requirement and not an option. Sleep is a behavioral state that is a natural part of any individual's ability to stay alive.
The old fashion treatments are still in effect today and still help thousands of people to sleep each night. Sometimes it takes counting a million and one sheep like my Grandma said for people with persistent difficulty, you can try doing some meditation in a comfortable place in your house. Slowly give yourself a light massage and light some incense as you close your eyes and clear your mind. Try also playing some light soothing music in the background to help you feel relaxed. You can choose from all different types of music, whichever and whatever you want. There are also instructional tapes which help to show you the techniques of how to get a full nights sleep. Face sprays, masks and moisturizers are also options to use when you feel an irritation that is causing you interruption in your sleep.
Keeping all these treatments in mind will help you to develop a more worthwhile method of sleep. Sleeping shouldn't be a struggle. We should enjoy it in the best possible way and take extra steps to maintain it. Having a healthy and active lifestyle will always be the best way to assure a good night of restful sleep!
About the Author
Over 70 Million people in the USA suffer from some kind of Sleep Disorder! There are actually hundreds of ways to improve your sleep but the first thing that is needed is to raise more awareness! If you want to sleep better tonight , you can visit this information Sleep Aid Web Site that is packed with FREE information: http://www.Sleep-Aid-Solutions.com
Sleep has something to do with just about everything in life. Since it is a vital component of our lives, we need it to sustain that life and keep it free of problems and disease. Whether you're active or not, the need to sleep at least 8 hours a day is crucial. With many unwanted troubles in our way, a lack of sleep makes us feel tired, restless and sore. This also leads us to feel less productive and less competent in our daily routine.
There are many ways to overcome the problems of sleep and thereby enjoy a healthier lifestyle. If you are irritated by sound and you want silence, you can buy earplugs, which are made of silicone, or soft foam. There are also some CD's that play soothing sounds that will also lull you to sleep. Some disks play sounds in a way that makes your brain tell your body to go to sleep. Another sleep aid is simply to know what you like and what you don't like. If you get bored when you hear music or do not get stimulated with sound, you can buy those compact disks that help to lull a person to sleep. If you want total silence, earplugs may be the right thing for you.
If you have a problem with your aching back or you are not getting enough sleep because you do not have a good sleeping position, there are other treatments. Try buying a specially designed bed or pillow for your sleeping position. It can be expensive but, if it works for you, it is worth it. Some beds are specially designed as a sleep treatment and more advanced in their technology. One of them is the Sleep Number bed. It has a numbering system that lets you choose how soft or how hard your bed should be. The head of the bed can tilt up and down too. There are also other beds that are made of special foam like material that hug your body and would not let you bother your partner as you get in or out of bed.
It has been proven that sleep reinforces both learning and memory. It helps our brain to function at higher speed and with greater processing. It also replenishes our lost energy and aids the body in both energy consumption and chemical breakdown. When a person is awake, they are constantly using up the energy that is given them at the start of each day. While sleeping, most of our organs are able to rest and thereby restore their natural energy. Our tired muscles get a re-deposit of energy and they use that energy to repair any damage that has been done during the day. Sleep is indeed required for general health and ongoing survival. That is why sleep treatments can be so important.
Sleep is not just something that we do when we are bored or out of interesting things to keep us awake. Sleep is a responsibility that we owe to our bodies in order to stay healthy. It is a requirement and not an option. Sleep is a behavioral state that is a natural part of any individual's ability to stay alive.
The old fashion treatments are still in effect today and still help thousands of people to sleep each night. Sometimes it takes counting a million and one sheep like my Grandma said for people with persistent difficulty, you can try doing some meditation in a comfortable place in your house. Slowly give yourself a light massage and light some incense as you close your eyes and clear your mind. Try also playing some light soothing music in the background to help you feel relaxed. You can choose from all different types of music, whichever and whatever you want. There are also instructional tapes which help to show you the techniques of how to get a full nights sleep. Face sprays, masks and moisturizers are also options to use when you feel an irritation that is causing you interruption in your sleep.
Keeping all these treatments in mind will help you to develop a more worthwhile method of sleep. Sleeping shouldn't be a struggle. We should enjoy it in the best possible way and take extra steps to maintain it. Having a healthy and active lifestyle will always be the best way to assure a good night of restful sleep!
About the Author
Over 70 Million people in the USA suffer from some kind of Sleep Disorder! There are actually hundreds of ways to improve your sleep but the first thing that is needed is to raise more awareness! If you want to sleep better tonight , you can visit this information Sleep Aid Web Site that is packed with FREE information: http://www.Sleep-Aid-Solutions.com
How to Start Labor Naturally When Anything Doesn't Work?
When you have reached 40+ weeks of pregnancy, you may feel like you can no longer take the discomfort of being pregnant and wait for labor to start on its own. Many expectant mothers look into how to start labor naturally. Your midwife may even send you to an obstetrician when you reach this past due stage. It is a fact that most obstetricians will suggest some form of medical labor induction to start labor. Any mother that has been through this could explain the harsh side effects involved. The risks of medical induction may be the reason many expectant mothers are searching for ways to naturally start labor.
You might have already come across various methods on how to start labor naturally. You might even have tried sex, EPO, walking, spine adjustments by chiropractic, bouncing on the birth ball, and spicy foods, in order to start your labor naturally.
Acupuncture in another commonly suggested way to naturally start labor. Some people are skeptical about acupuncture for labor. It has been shown in several studies, however, that by stimulating specific acupuncture points, the body is gently urged to begin the process of childbirth. You may experience a small amount of bruising where the needles were inserted; this is the only side effect. Needles used in acupuncture to naturally start labor and the fear of the pain they may cause stress and anxiety in the mother. The acupuncture needles used are solid, yet extremely thin. That's why there is very little or no pain during the treatment.
Most acupuncture specialists will not make house calls to perform the treatment; this could be a problem for an expectant mother who is past her due date.
Acupressure is another method shown to be very effective in bringing on labor. A simple and comfortable way to naturally encourage labor is acupressure. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture because the same points of the body are used, but without the needles. However, acupressure utilizes thumbs and fingertips rather than needles. In order to stimulate the acupressure points to start labor, the points are first located according to some simple measurements. Using just your fingertips or thumbs, pressure is given to points on the body. The pressure could be applied as a small rotating movement, static pressure, or in a pressure-release manner.
Sometimes, only one acupressure treatment is enough to "kick-start" labor but usually the treatment is repeated in a few hours time. Acupressure for labor is beneficial not only in inducing labor naturally, but is also extremely helpful in relieving labor contraction pains, back pains, and nausea, that are often associated with pregnancy.
What is wonderful in acupressure for labor is that it could be used at home. Because acupressure is simple, a person with no previous experience could use this method with great success, just by following basic instructions. Hence, more and more pregnant women and their partners are using acupressure for conditions related to pregnancy, including the induction of labor. Midwives and natural health care doctors agree that acupressure is a safe and effective way to naturally start labor.
About the Author
Discover ways to start labor naturally at home by using Maternity Acupressure. This proven technique can help progress your labor while easing the pain associated with labor and delivery. Acupressure is a safe way to start labor naturally without harm to the mother or baby unlike other natural methods or chemical labor induction. Learn more by visiting http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com .
You might have already come across various methods on how to start labor naturally. You might even have tried sex, EPO, walking, spine adjustments by chiropractic, bouncing on the birth ball, and spicy foods, in order to start your labor naturally.
Acupuncture in another commonly suggested way to naturally start labor. Some people are skeptical about acupuncture for labor. It has been shown in several studies, however, that by stimulating specific acupuncture points, the body is gently urged to begin the process of childbirth. You may experience a small amount of bruising where the needles were inserted; this is the only side effect. Needles used in acupuncture to naturally start labor and the fear of the pain they may cause stress and anxiety in the mother. The acupuncture needles used are solid, yet extremely thin. That's why there is very little or no pain during the treatment.
Most acupuncture specialists will not make house calls to perform the treatment; this could be a problem for an expectant mother who is past her due date.
Acupressure is another method shown to be very effective in bringing on labor. A simple and comfortable way to naturally encourage labor is acupressure. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture because the same points of the body are used, but without the needles. However, acupressure utilizes thumbs and fingertips rather than needles. In order to stimulate the acupressure points to start labor, the points are first located according to some simple measurements. Using just your fingertips or thumbs, pressure is given to points on the body. The pressure could be applied as a small rotating movement, static pressure, or in a pressure-release manner.
Sometimes, only one acupressure treatment is enough to "kick-start" labor but usually the treatment is repeated in a few hours time. Acupressure for labor is beneficial not only in inducing labor naturally, but is also extremely helpful in relieving labor contraction pains, back pains, and nausea, that are often associated with pregnancy.
What is wonderful in acupressure for labor is that it could be used at home. Because acupressure is simple, a person with no previous experience could use this method with great success, just by following basic instructions. Hence, more and more pregnant women and their partners are using acupressure for conditions related to pregnancy, including the induction of labor. Midwives and natural health care doctors agree that acupressure is a safe and effective way to naturally start labor.
About the Author
Discover ways to start labor naturally at home by using Maternity Acupressure. This proven technique can help progress your labor while easing the pain associated with labor and delivery. Acupressure is a safe way to start labor naturally without harm to the mother or baby unlike other natural methods or chemical labor induction. Learn more by visiting http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com .
The Medications For Restless Leg Syndrome
If you simply can't stop your legs from shaking back and forth, there is great news for you. Medications for restless leg syndrome (RLS) are now amongst the most sought after treatments for this disorder. It will be better to first familiarize yourself with the symptoms and characteristic descriptions associated with RLS. In this way, you can find the best treatment for you. Consulting a specialist is helpful but it will also serve you to acquaint yourself with the nature of RLS so as to better understand the drug treatments.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder associated with unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them whether lying or sitting down. RLS sensations are described by RLS patients as a burning feeling, creeping, tugging, or "like insects crawling inside the legs" and they begin to feel better when they shake their legs back and forth. These sensations vary in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. The most distinctive aspect of this condition happens especially when a patient is lying down or trying to relax. This is why most people with RLS find it difficult to get regular sleep.
According to clinical studies, patients complain about the significant consequences of RLS when it is left untreated. This is because it eventually becomes associated with the feeling of exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Some report that suffering from RLS disables them to the point that they cannot function well at school or at work. They feel exhausted all the time and tend to develop an impaired sense of memory that leads to a poor level of concentration. They also tend to develop poor personal relations. In addition to this, researchers estimate that there are over 12 million Americans who suffer from RLS symptoms. There are others who estimate an even higher occurrence because RLS is thought to be commonly misdiagnosed.
Another problem with estimating the incidence of RLS is that there are many people who are scared and hesitant to seek medical attention. They tend to think that their case is too mild and will not be taken seriously. This is a common mistake. RLS is very common but will not always go away without seeking help. Being unaware of the treatments may eventually cause the worsening of the condition which may lead to complications such as insomnia, nervousness, stress, muscle cramps or arthritis.
Considering the medical point of view, the FDA takes part in the regulation of drugs for those who suffer from RLS. They provide for the safety of sufferers and assure that the drugs they approve will not hurt the user if taken properly. On May 5, 2005, the FDA approved Ropinirole as the first drug treatment for RLS. In 2006, the FDA also approved Pramipexole. Four other major classes of drugs were clinically proven to be helpful in treating RLS symptoms and include the Dopaminergic agents, sedatives, anticonvulsants and pain relievers. One must consult a physician prior to usage of these drugs as there are other things your doctor might want to consider while trying to help you with your treatment.
When dealing with RLS, don't forget to take into consideration your own personal solution to the problem. Many people find that a little exercise or yoga works just fine for them and these possibilities should not be discounted. A self-help approach is sometimes the best means to a cure. Doctors often suggest that patients be responsible in checking their own state of health and seek some simple solutions first. A simple change in your lifestyle such as eliminating coffee, cigarettes or alcohol can all be a great help. With these simple changes, you may find the need for RLS drugs disappears and you may soon be back on the road to a well balanced and healthy life.
About the Author
Over 70 Million people in the USA suffer from some kind of Sleep Disorder! There are actually hundreds of ways to improve your sleep but the first thing that is needed is to raise more awareness! If you want to sleep better tonight , you can visit this information Sleep Aid Web Site that is packed with FREE information: http://www.Sleep-Aid-Solutions.com
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder associated with unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them whether lying or sitting down. RLS sensations are described by RLS patients as a burning feeling, creeping, tugging, or "like insects crawling inside the legs" and they begin to feel better when they shake their legs back and forth. These sensations vary in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. The most distinctive aspect of this condition happens especially when a patient is lying down or trying to relax. This is why most people with RLS find it difficult to get regular sleep.
According to clinical studies, patients complain about the significant consequences of RLS when it is left untreated. This is because it eventually becomes associated with the feeling of exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Some report that suffering from RLS disables them to the point that they cannot function well at school or at work. They feel exhausted all the time and tend to develop an impaired sense of memory that leads to a poor level of concentration. They also tend to develop poor personal relations. In addition to this, researchers estimate that there are over 12 million Americans who suffer from RLS symptoms. There are others who estimate an even higher occurrence because RLS is thought to be commonly misdiagnosed.
Another problem with estimating the incidence of RLS is that there are many people who are scared and hesitant to seek medical attention. They tend to think that their case is too mild and will not be taken seriously. This is a common mistake. RLS is very common but will not always go away without seeking help. Being unaware of the treatments may eventually cause the worsening of the condition which may lead to complications such as insomnia, nervousness, stress, muscle cramps or arthritis.
Considering the medical point of view, the FDA takes part in the regulation of drugs for those who suffer from RLS. They provide for the safety of sufferers and assure that the drugs they approve will not hurt the user if taken properly. On May 5, 2005, the FDA approved Ropinirole as the first drug treatment for RLS. In 2006, the FDA also approved Pramipexole. Four other major classes of drugs were clinically proven to be helpful in treating RLS symptoms and include the Dopaminergic agents, sedatives, anticonvulsants and pain relievers. One must consult a physician prior to usage of these drugs as there are other things your doctor might want to consider while trying to help you with your treatment.
When dealing with RLS, don't forget to take into consideration your own personal solution to the problem. Many people find that a little exercise or yoga works just fine for them and these possibilities should not be discounted. A self-help approach is sometimes the best means to a cure. Doctors often suggest that patients be responsible in checking their own state of health and seek some simple solutions first. A simple change in your lifestyle such as eliminating coffee, cigarettes or alcohol can all be a great help. With these simple changes, you may find the need for RLS drugs disappears and you may soon be back on the road to a well balanced and healthy life.
About the Author
Over 70 Million people in the USA suffer from some kind of Sleep Disorder! There are actually hundreds of ways to improve your sleep but the first thing that is needed is to raise more awareness! If you want to sleep better tonight , you can visit this information Sleep Aid Web Site that is packed with FREE information: http://www.Sleep-Aid-Solutions.com
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