Dangers diet pills….

Let’s face it, as a nation, the United States has a weight problem. You can’t escape hearing about it ad nauseum in the media or confronting the stark truth when you look in the mirror or step on the scales.

We all know by now that obesity can contribute to a host of serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. We all now know that being excessively overweight can shorten our lifespans.

But just as important to most people is the fact that we aren’t very happy being fat.

Even if obesity didn’t come with health problems, it can leave emotional and psychological scars as overweight people are discriminated against, suffer from lower self-esteem, less energy, less confidence, poorer sex lives, and simply don’t tend to enjoy life as much as those people who are in shape with trim bodies.

That explains why weight loss and diet pills are a huge multi-billion dollar industry.

Although many of these diet pills can indeed work, they come with their downside too: the dangers of diet pills.

We can’t possible cover in this short article all of the potential dangers diet pills, but we’ll go over some of the ones that stand out the most to us so you can make a more informed choice if this is the route you want to go.

And in the event you do decide to use diet pills, it’s a really good idea to let your doctor know.

Some of the most prominent dangers of diet pills include:

• possible addiction
• racing heart beats, heart palpitations
• elevated blood pressure
• dizziness
• nausea
• nervousness
• jitters
• insomnia
• depression
• impotence

Again, there are many more potential dangers diet pills than what we’ve just listed.

Also, it’s important to note that there are both prescription diet pills and over the counter diet pills, and each of them will have different side effects and dangers.

The aforementioned list is just a very general guideline.

In addition, keep in mind that just because something is over the counter doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safer.

For example, herbal diet pills that contained ephedra were sold without a prescription and were then implicated in the deaths of several people before ephedra was banned.

The problem was that powerful stimulants like ephedra could be abused in the wrong hands or be deadly to people with a history of certain medical conditions.

Is there an Alternative Diet Pill?

One substance that is garnering a lot of media attention recently is called hoodia gordonii. Perhaps you’ve seen some of the coverage on the Today Show with Katie Couric or on CBS’s 60 minutes. Or maybe you even read about it in Oprah’s magazine or the BBC. Hoodia seems to be a very safe plant used without the typical dangers of diet pills.

In fact, CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl reported that: “It’s very different from diet stimulants like Ephedra and Phenfen that are now banned because of dangerous side effects. Hoodia doesn’t stimulate at all. Scientists say it fools the brain by making you think you’re full, even if you’ve eaten just a morsel.”

In one clinical study done to date, the active ingredient in hoodia gordonii — called P57 — caused the participants using it to lose weight, reduce their bodyfat to a statistically significant degree, and they experienced no negative side effects.

Although hoodia does not seem to have any of the typical dangers of diet pills do not assume this means its perfectly safe. Its safety profile has yet to be established with further larger scale and longer term studies.

visit for more information @ medical & health

Finally the pregnancy test kit showed that you are positively pregnant! You double-check by going to an ob-gyne and after undergoing a battery of tests the doctor confirmed that you really are pregnant.

Pregnancy can bring so much joy to a family. However, it can also pose innumerable health risks to the woman and to the baby, as well. Pregnancy is oftentimes one of the most awaited events in a woman’s life, especially if the woman has had a hard time trying to conceive. This means that when a woman is pregnant taking some precautions for health maintenance is downright required.

Here are some ways that a pregnant woman can employ to ensure the health of her baby and her self, too.

Eat well, conceive well.

It’s not true that you have to eat for two when pregnant. Eating more than the amount of food that is enough for one person will only cause the unwanted bloat. According to research, a pregnant woman will only need an extra 200 to 300 calories per day. And who knows, you might be already eating those extra calories. Eating healthy food will do the mother and the young life inside the mother just right. Of course, those extra calories should not come from junk food.

Supplement your wellness.

A pregnant mom should take a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid, better even before conception and during early pregnancy. Why folic acid? Because this micro-mineral, which is found mostly on green leafy vegies, when taken 400 mcg daily before and during early pregnancy, can reduce the risk of having babies born with neural tube defects.

Away with your vices.

It could have been awefully hard for you to quit on your smoking and frequent alcohol intake. Now is high time for you to rethink your actions. The nicotine from cigarettes and alcohol from the alcoholic beverages you consume can harm your growing baby. Usually, babies from mothers that have been smoking are born with low average birth weight, are prone to being born prematurely and may die from sudden infant death syndrome compared to babies of non-smoking moms. Caffeine is one substance that should be avoided, too. So, say ta-ta to your espressos and brewed fraps for your baby’s sake.

Precautions schmasions.

Even before pregnancy, it won’t hurt to get prenatal care. Making sure that you are immune to certain diseases that might affect your pregnancy counts a lot. An example of these diseases that a pregnant woman should be cautious of is rubella or German measles. Knowing your blood type will also help you prepare for any medical condition that you might encounter during pregnancy.

Exercise properly for you and your baby.

Exercising is one good way to help keep a pregnant woman fit, as well as her baby. However, there are certain conditions that ob-gyne’s need to approve before a pregnant woman can do any exercise. One of the important forms of exercise that can be done during pregnancy include those that help improve the muscles’ endurance. Stretching can help a lot, too. But all of these activities should be done with ample amount of precaution, of course.

It all boils down to the fact that if a woman would like to have a healthy pregnancy, she has to simply have a healthy lifestyle.

visit for more information @ medical & health

“Obesity” is a condition of excess body fat, which puts a child at increased risk for developing heart disease, Type II diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and asthma.

Facts:

Did you know that more than 60% of American youth eat too many fatty foods, and less than 20% eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. From 25-40 percent of children inherit the tendency towards overweight. While children’s fat consumption has decreased over the past several decades from 40 percent to 34 percent, their rate of obesity has risen from 12 percent in 1991 to as much as 30.5 percent today. One reason: children have increased the amount of calories they eat each day by as many as 300.

Causes:

Family genetics and history plays a significant part in whether your child will develop a serious weight problem. If you come from a family of heavy people, and high-calorie food is readily available yet exercise is not, your children are likely to become overweight. Highly processed, high-calorie meals and fast foods have become staples of the typical Western diet. Poor nutrition spells weight gain.

Eating habits have also changed drastically: family meals have often been replaced by munching continuously throughout the day. Cookies, chips and other high-calorie snack foods are readily available for children to fill up on.

As a result of Obesity:

Many obese children have behavior and learning problems. Overweight children tend to have more anxiety and poorer social skills than normal weight children. At one extreme, these problems may lead to acting out and disrupting the classroom. At the other, they may cause social withdrawal. Stress and anxiety also interfere with learning. School-related anxiety can create a vicious cycle in which ever-growing worry fuels ever-declining academic performance. Obesity is associated with increased risk for a number of dangerous medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer, gallstones, high blood pressure, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders.

What to do?

Exercises like brisk walking, jogging, and playing out door games help to reduce weight. Focusing on good health and nutrition, not a certain weight goal. Try to teach and model healthy and positive attitudes toward food and physical activity without emphasizing body weight.

Take a good look at what is consumed in your children’s day and see how you can encourage healthier eating. It is important to discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV because eating in front of the TV will make it difficult for a child to pay attention to feelings of fullness and may lead to overeating.

Provide opportunities to help your child develop positive attitudes about healthy foods and learn appropriate eating patterns, mealtime behavior, and communication skills. If you encourage children to eat slowly they will fell full sooner.

Do not use food as punishment or reward, instead be a role model by setting a good example for children to follow by demonstrating healthy eating behaviors and an active lifestyle. Determine the type of physical activity that suits your child’s life style and continuously encourage physical activity. Limit high sugar and fat foods without being overly restrictive.

In conclusion:

If you have a child that is considered obese or is getting there please take steps now to reverse or stop it. Getting involved early will have a lasting impression on your child’s well being. Also, this will give you a good opportunity to examine your own health condition.

Before making any changes to your child’s diet please consult a professional.

visit for more information @ medical & health

Bulletin on Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Bill Gates announced that he would add an additional $250 million to the $4 billion he has already given to tackle the world’s most deadly diseases. What are these deadly diseases and how might they affect you? One that is on the rise and has infections disease experts concerned and fearing a worldwide pandemic with potentially disastrous results is the “bird flu.” Unlike an epidemic—which is localized and affects a defined geographic area—pandemics are worldwide epidemics and as such, are far more serious and difficult to contain, especially in today’s modern age, with literally millions of individuals traveling internationally each year.

What is the Bird Flu?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “bird flu” is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. While wild birds usually do not get sick from them, it is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds—including chickens, ducks, and turkeys—very sick and kill them.

History of similar flu strains
The bird flu is related to the Spanish flu, which broke out as a worldwide pandemic in 1918. While estimates of the death toll and number of individuals stricken vary, most experts estimate that more than 20 million Americans became sick and of these, about 500,000 died—about ten times more than were killed in battle during World War I. Experts place the worldwide death toll from the Spanish flu at between 30 and 50 million. Many people died within the first few days after infection, and others died later of other complications. Nearly half of those who died were young, healthy adults—something that is a-typical for most common virus strains today, which tend to affect the most vulnerable among us—the young, the old, and the infirmed.

Potential to infect humans
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997. As of July 5, 2005, there have been 116 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, resulting in 54 deaths, and at least two have died in the Netherlands. Most cases occurred among poultry workers and are believed to have been transmitted through human contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, there is at least one documented human-to-human transmission, and there may be others.

Risks to humans today
The potential risk of a pandemic breaking out today could be significant for the following reasons:
 Potential for mutation. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and while person-to-person transmission of the bird flu is rare, experts fear that strains will adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.
 No vaccines. There is no vaccine and while efforts are underway, developing one will be difficult and take many years, since this modern strain has been so rare among humans.
 No immunity. There is little preexisting natural immunity to infection in the human population.
 Mortality (death) rate. While the Spanish flu had an estimated 5% mortality rate, the early outbreaks of the bird flu had an estimated 70% mortality rate. However, according to recent information from officials, mortality rates have declined to about 30%. This should be good news but it is not, because if that trend continues, it is more likely that greater longevity of infected humans will make them more difficult to identify early on. This lack of early detection could result in more people contracting the bird flu as it silently spreads—thus increasing the chances it will become a global pandemic.

Symptoms of bird flu
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases and distress, and other serious and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which strain of the virus caused the infection.

Medications for combating symptoms if you become infected
Several medications have been in common use for combating viral symptoms for a number of years, and while it is unknown just how effective they will be to help with bird flu, it seems appropriate to have something to do if it gets started in you or your family. As with all medications, be sure to read the package inserts for possible warnings regarding contraindications, drug interactions, and possible side effects prior to taking them.
 Singular. This medication was developed years ago as an anti-cytokine agent for asthma, sinusitis, inflammatory lung disease or allergies. Cytokines are released when viruses enter cells to call for white blood cells and immunologic proteins to come to fight off the virus. Sometimes cytokines become present in excess and cause a “cytokine storm” that kills its victims within hours.
 Tamiflu. This antiviral agent has been on the market for several years and has been singled out by the World Health Organization as the drug of choice against the bird flu, due to is proven effectiveness in treating those infected with H5N1, the strain most likely to be involved in the event of a worldwide outbreak. Tamiflu must be used as soon as possible (within1 – 3 days within the onset of symptoms) to be useful. All major governments are currently stockpiling it, to protect their employees in the case of a pandemic and allow them to continue to provide necessary services to their citizens.

Physicians and other prescribers should be aware that patients with severe influenza-like illness—especially those with chronic medical conditions or complicated manifestations of acute illness—might have significant bacterial infections instead of, or in addition to, viral illness and should be evaluated accordingly.

What to do if you decide to buy the prescriptions We suggest the following as a reasonable approach, given all available information to date:
 Don’t take the medications until the flu has spread to humans in your town.
 Realize that Tamiflu may be on backorder at some pharmacies. In this case, put your name on the list at your local pharmacy and ask them to notify you when it comes in.
 Store them both in the refrigerator or freezer. Doing so will make them last years after the expiration date. Be sure to remember where you put them, as you may not be able to remember if you are feeling sick. Also inform family members.

Suggested regimen
When the media alerts you to the presence of bird flu in your community consider beginning the regimen shown below:

 Start taking Singulair once a day to ward off the first of the cytokine problems.
 When you think you may have contracted the flu, increase the Singulair to twice a day and begin taking the Tamiflu twice a day.
 Begin all the usual supportive measures you have found useful for the flu in the past, and be sure to stay well hydrated by drinking lots of liquid.
 Call your physician to alert them and consider making an appointment for an evaluation to prevent unnecessary and potentially serious complications from secondary infections.

Current predictions
Experts believe that the bird flu pandemic will hit the human population and that it is only a matter of time. No one knows for sure, but most agree it will be in the next 50 years, and many expect that the outbreak will occur in next few months. An estimated 350 million or more people could die in the bird flu pandemic. For now, the medications noted above are not scheduled to go into increased production and thus severe shortages could result—with a large gap between those who need them and those who are able to get them.

If you would like to be prepared, get your prescriptions soon.

visit for more information @ medical & health

Hypertension is the term doctors use for high blood pressure. It’s often referred to as a Silent Killer since many people may have no noticeable symptoms. Over 50 million people suffer from high blood pressure, but nearly one third aren’t even aware of it. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, the nations’ number one killer.

Those who do experience the symptoms of high blood pressure feel dizzy, headaches and sometimes nosebleeds. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms are felt, blood pressure is dangerously high. But many people with uncontrolled high blood pressure never have any of these symptoms.

Blood pressure is the force of the blood through your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your circulatory system. Blood pressure is reported as a fraction, with one number over the other. The top number, called the systolic pressure, is the force when your heart contracts, the bottom number, called the diastolic pressure, is the pressure when you hear relaxes between beats.

To measure your blood pressure, an inflatable cuff is wrapped around your arm, and air is pumped in. The doctor or nurse, while watching the pressure gauge, listens with a stethoscope for your pulse to disappear. The pressure at which your pulse can no longer be heard corresponds to the systolic pressure. The cuff is released and the pressure at which your pulse can be heard again is the diastolic pressure.

Like the pressure in your car tires, pressure is measure in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. Typically, healthy people have a blood pressure at or below 120/80mmHg. Your risk of heart or CV disease has recently been found to begin increase at a much lower level, blood pressure of 115/75. Blood pressure above 120/80 is considered by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to be pre-hypertenson. A BP of 140/90 mmHg is considered too high, and represents a significantly increased risk of heart disease.

Unfortunately, high blood pressure is more common in certain racial and ethnic minority groups, including blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives.

Factors controlling your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can result from several factors. The heart itself can impact blood pressure. The heart muscles itself can enlarge, causing higher pressure of blood exiting the heart. Cardiomyopathy or enlargement of the heart muscle also increases blood pressure. Excess weight makes your heart work harder to pump blood through the body.

Extra fluid in your circulatory system as a result of lots of salt intake, kidney problems or other medical conditions also puts a higher demand on the heart. Increased blood volume also causes more constriction within the blood vessels, translating into higher blood pressure.

The blood vessels play an important role in your blood pressure. Usually, the arteries are elastic and can expand and contract in rhythm with the hearts pumping action. High cholesterol and the plaques that form cause the arteries to lose their elasticity. Each time the heart pumps, the vessel can no longer stretch, and a higher pressure is created. Just think about what happens if you step on a garden hose.

Smoking cigarettes constricts, or tightens your blood vessels, pushing the blood pressure even higher. Some medications you take such as steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nasal decongestants and other cold remedies, diet pills, cyclosporine, erythropoetin, tricyclic antidepressants and a type of anti-depressant called monoamine oxidase inhibitors can also contribute to increased BP. Oral contraceptive, which are hormones, can raise blood pressure and should be used cautiously and carefully monitored in patients with HTN.

Treatment for Hypertension

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will most likely order additional test to determine the cause of your elevated blood pressure. He or she will also recommend more frequent visits to monitor you. For moderate hypertension, lifestyle changes may be enough to normalize blood pressure.

One of the first things you can do is change your diet to avoid sodium or salt, and lower your fat intake. The National Institutes of Health’s DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods, and low in total and saturated fat. The DASH diet also reduces red meat, sweets, and sugary drinks, and it’s rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and protein.

Increasing physical activity can help to lower your blood pressure. By doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, your risk of complications can be reduced. If you are overweight, starting a weigh loss plan can also help bring your blood pressure into the normal range.

If dietary and lifestyle changes alone don’t normalize your blood pressure, the next step is medication. If your doctor recommend medication, it is vital that you take it exactly as directed. Because most people don’t notice any symptoms of hypertension, even if you are feeling well, it is crucial to stick to your medication regimen. Never stop taking medication without discussing it with your healthcare team, even if you feel fine.

visit for more information @ medical & health

A great many battles continue to be fought around the world today, and one that demands more attention is the war deadly toxins incessantly wage against our bodies. It is a very quiet conflict, but one with an escalating casualties count.

Some of the human body’s better known enemies are the heavy metals aluminum, lead and mercury, but, presented in its entirety, the complete list of toxins silently sickening the human population would be truly overwhelming. Many experts agree, however, that one name that would surely be near the top of the list and therefore warrants aggressive retaliation is cadmium.

Cadmium contaminates our air, water and food. Like so many other heavy metals, it is a pollutant that cannot be avoided by any person hoping to live a normal life on Earth.

That’s the first bit of bad news, and here’s the second: According to Dr. Sherry A. Rogers, author of the book Detoxify or Die, “As a carcinogen, cadmium can trigger, for example, cancer of the lung, prostate, testicles and more. And once you have any cancer, cadmium acts like fertilizer for cancers, making them grow more rapidly and spread or metastasize.”

Cadmium toxicity has also been linked to angina, hypertension, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, migraines and depression, as well as other medical conditions and disorders.

Another toxin on the long list of inescapable health hazards is toluene. A chemical found in cosmetics, nail polish, shoe polish, inks, cleansers, paints, glues and many other everyday household items, toluene has been linked to liver damage, heart attack, depression, cancer, and more. Rogers notes in her book that toluene has an addictive potential equal to that of alcohol and opiates. “So instead of finding it disagreeable,” she says, “people actually seek it out.”

Once cadmium, toluene, mercury and the many other toxins we constantly expose ourselves to end up in our bodies, our health is unquestionably at high risk. However, there are ways to work to get these pollutants out of our systems. One such way is with a sauna.

Sauna heat raises our skin’s temperature and, through perspiration, the toxins that are dissolved in our sweat and body oil are flushed out to the surface of our skin where they can be easily washed off. That may be an oversimplified explanation of the process, but the key points to remember are these: Sweating helps detoxify the body, and one of the best places to work up an intensely powerful sweat is inside a sauna.

A comprehensive detoxification or detox program can include other elements such as dietary changes, supplements, and even enemas, but the importance of sauna therapy as a detox program component should not be underestimated.

As for the specific type of sauna, Rogers is among a group of experts who recommend the far infrared sauna over the traditional Finnish variety. The author counts the lower, more tolerable temperatures and deeper, more direct heat penetration offered by a far infrared sauna among the reasons for her personal preference.

Today, high-quality home saunas of all types can be found at affordable prices. If the extra expense is of particular concern to you, however, consider the educated opinion of Dr. Rogers. “When you realize the lifelong incapacity and expense of diseases such as chronic pain syndromes, heart disease, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraines, Alzheimer’s, cancer or any others caused by chemical toxicity,” she says, “a sauna is cheap.”

Pertti Olavi Jalasjaa is the Finnish-born author of “The Art of Sauna Building,” an acclaimed reference book on sauna construction. He is also the general manager of Great Saunas, which has been manufacturing and selling high-quality saunas and sauna kits to sauna enthusiasts around the world since 1974.

visit for more information @ medical & health

The Sunday Times Newspaper on 26th February 2006, revealed that the NHS has for the very first time allowed magnetic therapy treatment devices to be prescribed by G.P’s. At this moment in time, the devices they are able to prescribe are limited to the treatment of chronic leg ulcers. The magnets, that will be used, will speed up the ulcer’s healing rate and encourage new cell and skin growth.

A UK based clinical study completed in 2003 provided strong evidence that magnetic leg straps were more effective than traditional compression bandaging techniques and have been deemed buy the prescribing authority to be more cost effective.

As yet the NHS has not revealed any plans to widen the prescribing powers of GP’s to allow them to incorporate other magnetic therapy devices into their mainstream treatments, but surely it will not be very long before we see magnetic therapy being used alongside conventional drugs therapies. Magnets have for many years now demonstrated to be equally and in many cases more effective than conventional pain killing drug therapies.

It is blatantly obvious that there are numerous advantages to introducing chemical and drug free options along side existing treatments. Magnetic therapy does not aim to replace existing methods of treatment but simply aims to complement and assist in the reduction of painful symptoms and help speed up the healing process. Due to the fact that magnetic therapy is a non toxic treatment which has no known side effects, magnets seem an attractive alternative to taking potentially harmful medications which have countless side effects. The one big plus side for the NHS is that when compared with the cost of prescription medications magnets have a relatively low cost. Potentially the NHS could save over 100 million pounds a year on prescription painkillers if magnetic therapy was made available to treat a full range of diseases. What will most likely happen is that the Department of Health will watch the new prescription of magnetic therapy for leg ulcers with interest. I expect a further review of magnetic therapy devices by GPs to be made within the next couple of years

Until then the public will have to continue to fork out the bill for magnetic therapy treatments. This may seem unfair, as proven treatments should be widely available. Still pain sufferers can take some solace from that fact that if they use magnetic therapy they could drastically reduce the need for prescription pain killers which will not only improve their health but also take the strain of their pocket, as magnets cost significantly less than a years worth of prescription costs.

The public can also rest assured that magnetic therapy has at long last gained the medical professions approval; something that has been a long time coming. So many clinical studies have previously been rejected and slammed by the British Medical Association, now it seems they are ready to eat their words and admit that they were wrong, it isn’t the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

Magnets can help with the scores of medical conditions such as: Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Spodylosis, Fibromyalgia, Back pain, sciatica, diabetes, insomnia, migraine, M.S, stroke, high blood pressure, poor circulation and many more.

visit for more information @ medical & health

Though the importance of good nutrition has been elevated in recent years, a vast number of people continue to neglect the basic principles of a sound and healthy diet. What we eat and how much plays a great role in determining our longetivity and likelihood of developing life threatening illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. More importantly, this is one facet of the health equation that we are in control of and have the power to change for the better. Just being conscious of important facets of good nutrition are the first step toward a healthier and happier life.

Good nutrition can be broken down into several simple guidelines that most people neglect:

1. Eat a well balanced meal
2. Only eat during the normal times and avoid snacking
3. Take Vitamins and Minerals on a regular basis
4. Drink Water
5. Know what you are eating and make sure it is healthy
6. Monitor your weight and overall health and know that when these two are out of line you need to adjust things

WELL BALANCED MEAL

As we all know by now a well balanced meal consists of the four basic food groups consisting of: dairy products, meat/protein, fruits/vegetables and breads/cereals. Because of individual taste and propensities we often find that one of these is not to our liking. However, they are all essential and if one of the groups does not appeal to you because of taste or a medical condition (lactose intolerance etc.) then you must find another way to get the essential proteins and nutrients contained in that food group. Often it is simply a matter of doing a bit of researching and finding something that you like.

EAT AT THE PROPER TIMES

The first of these has been well known for some time now. Eating meals at the normal times of breakfast, lunch and dinner and avoiding snacks is by far the healthiest approach and leads to a much less likelihood of excess weight gain or unwanted calories. Eating when you are hungry easily turns into a habit and when this happens it is much harder to break than simply being disciplined in the first place. A caveat to this rule is that in some instances snacks are necessary and recommended. This is often found in glucose tolerance/intolerance illnesses such as hyper and hypoglycemia and diabetes mellitus. Check with your Doctor if you feel you may have one of these illnesses.

TAKE VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Vitamins and minerals play an important role in health care because even when following the guidelines of a balanced meal important minerals and vitamins are often left out. Therefore almost all of us will need dietary supplements of some kind. If you want to know exactly what you are deficient in then you should schedule a consultation with a dietician or Physician.

DRINK WATER

Just drinking several glasses of water daily can do wonders for our health and digestive system. Though many like to think other beverages are equivalent to water, this has been proven to be false. There are many views of how much water is recommended for the average person. Simple research and self-monitoring can help you find the right amount.

KNOW WHAT YOU EAT

Most people have acquired the habit of reading the ingredients of the foods they eat. If you have not then it is time to start. You need to know what additives are in your food and how it has been processed and grown if at all possible. Many additives are unhealthy and detrimental to good health. Inquire, ask questions and find out what is in the food you eat and how it affects your overall health. You owe it to yourself.

MONITOR HEALTH AND WEIGHT AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY

The last step to healthy nutrition is to simply monitor yourself and determine if what you are doing is giving you the results that you want or not. If not then it is likely something needs adjusting. Be aware, that good nutrition is not enough by itself for a healthy life. We also need exercise and other facets of general healthcare that cannot be neglected. Nutrition is a very important part of the picture but don’t neglect other aspects of healthcare.

visit for more information @ medical & health

Among all allergic and respiratory-related diseases, asthma allergy makes up the majority. Asthma allergy is perhaps one of the leading causes of respiratory illness among children and young adults although this condition may progress a lifetime.

While it is considered an allergy, asthma is so prevalent (especially among children) that it deserves to be addressed in its own chapter.

Proper care and health maintenance is essential to warding off the debilitating repercussions of exposure to irritants which could trigger all the symptoms underlying such disease.

What exactly is Asthma allergy?

Asthma allergy is a chronic lung disease characterized by difficulty of breathing, wheezing, coughing, and increased mucus production during recurrent attacks. These same symptoms can cause death in some cases depending on the severity of the amount of allergens involved and antihistamine molecules produced by the body enough to block the airways for the transportation of air to the lungs.

Around 7 to 10% of children experience the condition and current statistics shows an increasing number of sufferers. Asthma allergy does not seem to be an inherited disease since a family member, who apparently do not have relatives exhibiting the symptoms of the disease, can be infected anytime should he or she is exposed to environmental factors triggering the onset of the disease.

People with this medical condition have a very sensitive bronchial pathway. Presence of molecules or particles recognized by the body as foreign can set a huge allergic attack characteristic of the condition described above.

From a medical point of view, asthma is a type of allergy. Allergy is defined as a change in the body’s biological activity due to the presence of one or more types of allergens (substance promoting the symptoms of allergy.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million people in America are suffering from allergy and currently 20 million individuals, comprising the wide-range of America’s population experiences the symptoms of asthma.

Causes of Asthma allergies

The causes of asthma allergies are the same as for other allergies we have discussed. Causes can be in the form of dust, certain chemicals, scents, and various odors. Other trigger factors may be in the form of temperature. Cold or hot air can provoke allergic reactions to patients sensitive to them. In any case, allergic reactions are specific to individuals and not all individuals suffering from allergy responds universally to all types allergens.

Particularly interesting clients are the ones allergic to some forms of physical activity like exercise. In the same manner, emotional state is one factor for some individuals in order for the characteristic asthma symptoms to set in.

Among all these influential agents, smoke has been found to occupy the universally recognized trigger attacks for patients with asthma allergy especially for children. At least 8 out of 10 children are more prone to developing asthmatic conditions once exposed to these agents.

Perhaps, as society becomes industrialized and increased fume emissions accelerates, more and more people will develop symptoms characteristic of this disease.

Who Are at Risk?

Statistical data shows that asthma allergy is not a discriminating disease. It affects people of all ages, race, culture, color and gender.

Especially predisposed to developing such illness are people who are exposed to heavy car or industrial emissions and filthy surroundings. 10 to 12% of children averaging 18 years of age are the common target.

Additionally, individuals whose relatives have a history of such illness are more at risk in manifesting such condition in the future.

Latest Diagnostic Device and Treatments

Gone are the days when people die of symptoms and complications involved in asthmatic attacks. Due to the development of studies and research in asthma allergies and other forms of allergies, treatment and varying levels of diagnosis were introduced to properly treat the symptoms typical of asthma allergy.

But basically, one first hand “cure” or initial activity to be done in the management of asthma allergy is to avoid the source of the allergens to which the individual is allergic to.

For example, if the individual is allergic to dust, staying indoors may help reduce the probability of allergic occurrence. In any case, consulting a family doctor or an immunologist will provide you the most practical and wise information regarding dealing with individuals experiencing such condition and recommendations which will keep you from attacks you would rather stay away from.

visit for more information @ medical & health

Before the development of lasers for hair removal, both women and men have fruitlessly tried to rid themselves permanently of unwanted hair. They have done so essentially since the discovery that fire provided warmth. Through the ages, to preserve their femininity, women have battled hair on the chin or dark hairs on their upper lip. Unwanted facial hair for woman is not merely a matter of vanity. For a significant number of women, this hair growth is a symptom of a medical condition needing treatment.

Causes of unwanted facial hair:

For most women with dark or course facial hair, the cause is simply of hereditary origin. However, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of American women – several million – suffer from hirsutism, a hormonal imbalance and symptom of elevated blood levels of male androgens. Produced by the adrenal glands or the ovaries, this elevated level of androgens causes male pattern hair growth on women. In the U.S., hirsutism is common and is estimated to occur in 1 in 20 women of reproductive age.

Darkly-pigmented white individuals of either sex tend to be more hirsute than blond or fair-skinned people. Hirsutism is difficult to evaluate in women who have blond hair or who already have undergone cosmetic treatments.

The onset of hirsutism can begin at any age and is progressive. Most often, symptoms develop during a woman’s childbearing years. Regardless of the cause and age of the woman, the condition needs to be addressed. In addition to treating the cause, the unwanted facial hair can be cleared by use of the appropriate laser, even if the hormonal imbalance is resistant to correction.

The most widespread hormonal problem in women with excessive facial hair is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder, which affects approximately 6 percent of women of reproductive age throughout the country. A woman diagnosed with PCOS does not ovulate regularly and, therefore, has irregular periods. These women tend to be obese but not always. The woman may also be considered “infertile,” be insulin resistant, and often is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, she may suffer with adult facial acne.

For most women with PCOS, hair on the upper lip, chin hair and neck hair becomes heavier and darker. Masculine hair on the arms or legs, and more hair growing in the pubic region, abdomen, chest or back are also possible.

The specific cause or causes of PCOS are still unknown. Treatment is difficult and, as yet, there is no known cure. In spite of the problems associated with the syndrome, facial laser hair removal has been very effective in the long-term facial hair reduction for women with PCOS. Ideal Image has successfully achieved long-term hair reduction for more than 300 women with this condition in the Tampa Bay area alone.

Another common cause for women developing unwanted facial hair is the inevitable process of aging. As women age, production of the female hormone estrogen lessens, and their male hormone production develops a relative predominance. It’s a perfectly normal condition of womens’ bodies. However, it does often result in darker hair growth on the face. As women age, facial hairs convert from the essentially invisible vellus hairs, which generally covers their faces most of their lives, to the larger, more obtrusive, thick and pigmented terminal hairs.

Dark hair does not discriminate by age. “Mustache” hair and long facial sideburns are usually hereditary and present on the faces of many pre-teen and teenage girls. While laser hair removal is not generally performed on females under the age of 14, special circumstances can sometimes be made after a full consultation with a physician.

No gray hair, no peach fuzz:

Women interested in facial laser hair removal must seek treatment while their hair is still naturally dark. Once the hair turns gray, it cannot be treated by laser, even if it is dyed. The laser works by targeting the melanin in the hair, which gives hair its dark color. The absence of melanin in gray hair prevents the laser from “seeing” that hair. If one dyes the gray hair, the laser may temporarily destroy the hair on only the skin’s surface. Dye does not penetrate the skin and thus the laser energy cannot reach the hair root for permanent destruction.

Light, fine “peach-fuzz” hair is common on the faces of many women. This hair is normal and generally cannot be removed by any laser. Today’s most sophisticated lasers use light that targets the pigment in a hair and its follicle. Consequently gray, white, blonde and some red hairs do not respond to this treatment.

visit for more information @ medical & health