Is Your Child Vitamin D Deficient?

New studies are proving that vitamin D is an important nutrient that can help prevent many diseases such as cancer, depression, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular disease.

There are a few different ways to get vitamin D. Vitamin D may come from foods or vitamin supplements; vitamin D can also be made by the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet rays (UV light).

Vitamin D deficiency is often missed because there are no real symptoms associated with it. Rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones) are the most common signs of vitamin D deficiency but there is no way for parents to tell if their child is suffering from these illnesses. The only way to prove that your child is vitamin D deficient is by completing a blood test which screens for a particular form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).

Think that name sounds complicated? Unfortunately, many doctors do too. In fact, doctors often order the wrong blood test when assessing vitamin D levels. Be sure to ask for 25(OH) D blood test not 1, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (aka calcitriol). With such complicated names, it is no wonder that such mistakes are made!

Vitamin D deficiency exists when 25(OH) D levels fall below 25 ng/mL. Levels may vary depending on time of year, direct sunlight exposure, skin color and vitamin D consumption. Levels should be between 50 - 80 ng/mL year-round for both children and adults.

As a doctor, I am finding more and more children with low levels of vitamin D, mainly because kids are spending less time in the sun. These days, toddlers are more often inside watching TV than playing outside. And if they are in the sun, they are lathered with sun block, which reflects the sun's rays and decreases vitamin D formation. Obviously, sunscreen is important and should not be avoided! But it does lead to lower levels of vitamin D. Also, many toddlers do not get enough vitamin D to meet their needs since there are limited food sources of high vitamin D content.

The current recommendation is 400 IU per day in the form on of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). New studies are showing that higher levels may be needed to prevent the diseases discussed above. Many are now recommending 1,000 IU per day in the form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). If your child doesn't get this amount of vitamin D in his diet, you may want to consider a multivitamin that contains vitamin D.

What Should I do?

1. Get at least 10 minutes, 3 times per week of sun exposure.

Although this may sound easy to do, certain location like colder regions may not provided enough UV light and in warmer climate this may increase the risk of skin cancer.

2. Consume foods that contain vitamin D.

Foods that contain Vitamin D include fortified milk, fortified yogurt, fortified breakfast cereals, wild salmon, canned tuna, cod liver oil, sun-dried shitake mushrooms and egg yolks.

3. Take a supplement.

Taking a daily vitamin supplement is the most effective means of meeting vitamin D needs. Take one multi-vitamin that contains at least 1000 IU of vitamin D daily OR supplement with a calcium pill that contains at least 1000 IU of vitamin D per day.

Joanna Dolgoff MD is a Pediatrician, Creator of Dr. Dolgoff's Weigh: Online Child & Teen Weight Management and Mommy of two.

Dr. Dolgoff's Weigh has been featured on NBC, ABC, Fox 5, WPIX & My9 News & boasts a 96% success rate!

Help your child lose weight today at http://www.DrWeigh.com

Are Plantar warts Restricting Your Activities?

By Willis Green

In the United States, 7% - 10% of the population has warts. In fact, warts are the most common of all skin infections. Plantar warts are non-cancerous growths that appear on the plantar surface of the foot -- typically on the sole, the heel, or the ball of the foot. You will typically see small black dots in the wart which are actually blood vessel capillaries. These nourish the wart. As for size, plantar warts can start very small but occasionally grow to cover most of the sole of the foot.

Plantar warts often cause pain, especially when located over bony areas of the foot. They don't always present as raised bumps because they have been forced to grow downward, into your foot, due to the pressure of walking. Most sufferers will agree that these warts are notoriously hard to treat.

What is the cause? . . The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) invades the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin on the bottom of the feet. This common virus can be found in public showers, pools, locker rooms and even on city sidewalks. It can incubate for up to 20 months before warts actually appear on your foot. This makes it almost impossible to determine when or where the initial infection actually took place. In some cases, the HPV virus dies within 1 or 2 years, and the warts will just gradually disappear.

Unfortunately no conclusive evidence exists that any treatment eliminates HPV infection -- or even decreases its ability to spread. So don't be too surprised that warts may recur even after successful treatment. This is because of (re)activation of latent virus present in healthy skin adjacent to the lesion. If precautions are not taken, then re-infection from the above-mentioned sources is also very possible. Although the warts are usually self-limiting, healthcare professionals usually recommend that they be removed. This is to lessen symptoms (which often include pain), to decrease their duration, and to reduce transmission and spreading. Keep in mind that the HPV virus is very contagious. It can spread quickly to other parts of the foot, or even to other people.

Natural, effective remedies abound. Most take time, attention, and patience. Traditional medical remedies include topical applications (usually acid), surgery, or freezing of the lesions by a doctor. One recent study actually found that duct tape was more effective than many of the medical treatments. [However the adhesive in duct tape may be toxic to humans?.]

Because contact with moist walking surfaces can spread HPV, these lesions can be prevented by not walking barefoot in public showers, around pools nor in gymnasium locker rooms. Also, do not share shoes or socks, and avoid direct contact with warts appearing elsewhere on your body and warts on other people. Keeping your shoes and socks dry and clean is essential to limiting recurrance and spread.

Any Cautions? Just a few. If left untreated, these warts may develop into pre-cancerous lesions -- however, this is very rare. If your warts are really painful, if they get bigger, if they refuse to go away over time, then see a healthcare professional. Also, if you have diabetes or circulation problems, consult your doctor. He or she will help you determine the safest treatment option.

Conclusion : It's extremely difficult to avoid contracting the virus that causes plantar warts. Treatment or removal is very important. A plantar wart can be extremely painful if left untreated. Though self-limiting (2 years), you should probably still treat your plantar warts in order to lessen your symptoms, decrease their duration, and reduce their spread and transmission to other people.

About the Author:

For natural, powerful methods that work effectively and painlessly, leaving you wart, mole, and skin tag free without scarring or risk of infection, visit: Natural Wart Removal Click this link for additional information about Plantar Wart Causes, Cures, Cautions

Sleep Apnea Linked to Higher Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death

By Cara Miller

Sleep apnea increases a patients risk of death by heart attack according to medical research from the Mayo Clinic. CPAP therapy is the prescribed treatment to avoid the risks associated with sleep apnea.

In a study of over 10,000 patients, researchers found that sleep apnea was a serious risk factors for sudden death among patients with heart disease. (It was second only to being over 60 years of age.)

When not treated by CPAP therapy, sleep apnea causes nighttime oxygen levels in the blood to drop. Because the blood has less oxygen, the heart is over-stressed in its attempt to get sufficient oxygen to the brain and other vital body organs.

The Mayo research shows the link between sleep apnea and heart attacks: due to the decreased oxygen, the patient's blood vessels alter in a way that promotes heart disease. (Other cardiovascular diseases that apnea exacerbates include hypertension and stroke " along with Alzheimers.)

Simply stated, when the air passage doesnt let enough oxygen into the lungs, the body and brain begin to experience problem due to oxygen-depletion.

This is one of many reasons that the National Apnea Association (NAA) recommends that apnea patients utilize the most widely prescribed form of sleep apnea treatment: CPAP (continuous positive air pressure). Other reasons include increasing energy levels, decreasing depression and even assisting patients in losing weight.

To avoid apneas health risks, nightly use of CPAP equipment is required. Of course, wearing a sleep mask while sleeping is not easy for most people. In some ways it is not surprising that the national average for compliance with CPAP therapy is only 50%.

Patients can do three things to increase their chances of successful CPAP therapy:

1. Only buy CPAP equipment from the manufacturers recommended by your doctor. ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and Respironics invest millions each year in research and development for patient safety. Do not buy equipment from websites that push low-quality CPAP machines on unsuspecting patients.

2. Only buy your CPAP equipment from an authorized dealer of one of the above leading manufacturers. According to the National Apnea Association, there are a lot of websites that sell questionable, grey-market CPAP equipment. Often they claim that they are selling new CPAP equipment, the reality is that they simply dont know because they bought it on the grey-market instead of directly from the manufacturer to make a bigger profit off your illness. Buying from anything other than an authorized dealer means you might get refurbished equipment that just looks like new. But it wont have full warranty coverage and it might not even be sanitary. (Many used machines on the grey market come from deceased patients in hospitals and nursing homes.) Your best bet is finding a CPAP vendor certified as a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider and recognized by the National Apnea Association as a Partner in Care.

3. Get the help and support that you deserve to make CPAP easier. The research shows that patients who get CPAP coaching basically double their chances of success: from under 50% to over 90%. An example of a CPAP supplier who provides free coaching is MySleepMask.com, the NAAs 2008 award winner of Online CPAP Supplier of the Year.

About the Author:

Cara Miller is Director of Patient Education for the National Association of Apnea, which recently awarded ResMed for best manufacturer and MySleepMask.com for best supplier of CPAP equipment.

The Connection between Asthma and Thrush

Whatever most of us think about yeast infections, we typically consider vaginal yeast infections that many women get on a regular basis. Although this is a common area where yeast tends to grow, it may happen in any number of areas in our body, including on the skin and in the mouth. Thrush is a common type of yeast infection which occurs inside of the oral cavity but what is it that causes us to have a problem in this area when other people don't? It might actually be because you are also suffering from another problem, asthma.

One of the main reasons why people get thrush is because they do have asthma and they use an oral inhaler on a regular basis. These inhalers contain a lot of different chemicals, including steroids and whenever they are taken regularly, they promote the overgrowth of yeast. This yeast is typically present in our mouth and in other areas of our body but it is usually kept under control by healthy bacteria that also exists there. Because of the steroids that are in the inhaler, the healthy bacteria is reduced and we typically get an overgrowth of yeast which is difficult to control.

Unfortunately, those of us that use inhalers regularly may not have an option of not using them as a result of our asthma. We may be able to reduce the amount that we are using them, however, by avoiding things that typically cause us to use them in the first place. There is also something else that you may be able to do that can reduce your asthma to almost nothing within a week. This same cure has also how many people to overcome yeast infections in various areas of their body.

Believe it or not, it is as simple as drinking water regularly. Many of us are dehydrated and because of the dehydration that we have been experiencing, perhaps for years, our body is sending us signals to do something about it. These signals include asthma, yeast infections and a number of other maladies that we may be experiencing. By simply increasing our water intake and drinking eight to 10 glasses of water every day, we may be able to help ourselves immensely with these problems. Give it a try and see if your condition doesn't improve within a week's time.

Find out all about Yeast Infection No More. Bai Zijian's website talks more about Natural Cure For Yeast Infection in detail and has tips on how to handle with it at http://www.curesforyeastinfection.com

The Wonders Of Aromatherapy Massage Treatment

Aromatherapy massage treatment is a combination of two kinds of alternative medicine beliefs that have a solid basis regarding how effective they are. On their own, both aromatherapy and massage are quite effective as relief and treatment for various kinds of maladies and afflictions. As a whole, massage treatment, is doubly effective and can target not only specific conditions that can be treated but also alter the mood and atmosphere of a person.

The Concept Of Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy massage treatment, the masseuse usually uses aromatherapy oil in the massage treatment for effective massage therapy. In itself, aromatherapy is a belief that there are certain aromas, scents and smells that can alter the mood and state of a person. Some aromatherapy oils can even give relief or treat maladies and conditions that are quite difficult to cure with modern medicine.

Specific herbs, spices and other plant parts are used in making aromatherapy oil. As they are integrated into the oil, the elements that can give relief or treat maladies are also brought which is why aromatherapy massage treatment works best.

The Concept Of Massage

Massage in itself can give relief and treat many conditions and also alter the mood of a person. Some people say that massage is better at giving relief or broader at it than aromatherapy. In aromatherapy massage treatment, the oils work their cure or relief with the massage's own brand of relief and treatment.

Aromatherapy treatment helps to relieve physical and mental stress and conditions. Sore and over expended muscles can get relief from massage itself but the acting agent of relief to be found in botanicals and their extracts are a great help in relieving the tiredness as well. Mental stress and anxiety can be soothed by the scents and aromas that are inherent in aromatherapy massage treatments. Even in pressure point aromatherapy massage, where pressing the right pressure points count, there can be relief in using aromatherapy oils and scents.

Even when used in ordinary candle burners or aromatherapy diffusers, scents can still work to alter the mood. Aromatherapy massage treatment could also mean just burning aromatics in candle burners instead of using aromatherapy massage oils.

Overall, massage and aromatherapy enhance each other and work well together. A word of caution when one is sensitive to certain botanical and oils since allergic reactions may occur. Some oil bases of the aromatherapy oils can be from nuts which can be the cause of the allergic reaction.

For more information about aromatherapy please visit my Aromatherapy website at http://www.violetaromatherapy.com

A Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

By by Anju Mathur, MD

What is Bioidentical?

Understanding the word bioidentical is important. The word Bio is defined as life; living organism. Identical is defined as being the same. Put the two words together and it means any thing that consists of the same substance that is found in the living organism. The reference of bioidentical is used especially for any natural hormone with the same cell structure as that found in a human body.

Synthetic hormones have been created and are used in this modern day. It is the popular thinking of this day and age that synthetics are used because a human body is incapable of using natural substances to create the hormones it needs - but look at how long mankind has survived with natural substances from mother earth compared to the problems that synthetics cause.

Why replace hormones?

We are what we eat has been a common saying, there is some truth to that because hormones are chemical substances that are produced in the body from the sustenance that we give our bodies. Once manufactured, the hormones are delivered via the blood to different organs to get the functional activity to occur.

After turning 35 years old, the production of hormones lessens each year. There are nearly 40 different hormones that are produced and utilized for different functions in the human body.

For women, during the menopause years, including the time prior to menopause when irregular periods and other symptoms occur is when the first hormone Prosgesterone starts to decline. Indications of the decline can start 15 years before menopause occurs with symptoms that can include being irritable,anxious, etc. The next hormone to dwindle is estrogen which causes hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can last 2 or 3 years and sometimes longer. Following those two hormones, testosterone starts diminishing and with that goes physical stamina, sex drive and tissue degeneration.

Should we just let nature take its course and suffer through? NO!!

What does an imbalance of hormones have to do with cancer?

Estogen hormones come in three different forms: Estrone, Estriol, and Estradiol. One of the forms, Estrone, causes clots and is the one that stimulates the breasts, causing cancer. Estriol is the most beneficial of the three as it has anti-cancer characteristics. The synthetic hormones used in this day and age are derived from horse urine, have no Estriol and has nearly forty percent of equine estrogens which are not compatible with human female hormones.

The natural female cycle in which progesterone is created occurs only 15 days of every month. The usual synthetic progesterone prescription that is given is for each day of the month. A long list of female body problems occur from the synthetic hormones while on the other hand, the natural bioidentical hormones are created from natural sources such as soy or yam and modified to match the human hormones exactly.

Bioidentical progesterone gives improved mood, less irritability, less bloating, a relief from hot flashes, plus a decrease of other symptoms such as digestive problems, flatulence, and loss of memory. Bioidentical progesterone also reduces breast tenderness and reduces vaginal bleeding.

To conclude, synthetic progesterone has adverse affects on the female body creating other problems. The bioidentical hormone replacement therapy naturally brings a balance once again to the hormonal production which creates a higher quality life with happiness with improved cancer, brain and bone protection.

Why is cancer a concern in menopause?

During menopause, the cancer protective hormone, progesterone, drops while the cancer causing hormone estrone rises. Replacing hormones naturally with bioidentical hormones in women brings about the balance once again. Doing so creates a better quality of life that can be enjoyed, one that a women is happy, strong and vibrant.

About the Author:

You can live healthier, longer - find out how by going to Angel Longevity Medical Center

How Spicy Foods Can Help Those With Ulcers

For years spicy foods have taken the blame for causing and aggravating ulcers in those who suffer from this issue. Ulcer suffers would go to great lengths to avoid foods that contained chili peppers and anything with capsaicin out of fear that they would upset their stomachs and cause themselves stomach pain. But science is helping to debunk this myth and prove that capsaicin does not cause ulcers and actually may help them.

Just what is an ulcer though? An ulcer is an open wound or sore in the lining of the stomach or in the upper part of the small intestine. For decades doctors thought these sores resulted from excess stress, spicy foods such as chili peppers, or even alcohol. But in 1982 two doctors discovered a bacterium that can thrive in the stomach and create these sores or ulcers.

Those who have an ulcer usually experience sharp pains in their stomach between the breastbone and the belly button. This can also be accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, burping, weight loss, and more. Of course this is a condition that should be seen and treated by a physician. Self-diagnosis and treatment is never a good idea with any condition.

Though if you do have an ulcer, the myth that has spread for years that spicy foods will only aggravate your condition and cause you discomfort will make many avoid spicy food and capsaicin in their diet. But recent research is showing that capsaicin can reduce pain and help protect the lining of the stomach for those who are coping with ulcers.

There have been many studies on chilies and how the properties within capsaicin can actually reduce pain in the human body. The heat within the peppers signals the body to release endorphins, which relieves pain and promotes an overall feeling of well being. For those that suffer from ulcers this means that peppers with capsaicin will not induce pain in their stomach but will actually help them avoid the pain from the condition in a natural way.

Spicy food is also shown to help digestion and can actually rebuild the lining of the stomach making it easier for an existing ulcer to actually heal. Capsaicin increases blood flow to the area as well as encourages the stomach to secrete more digestive fluids all which help promote healing and will help prevent future ulcers from forming.

Studies are continually finding more and more health benefits of chili peppers. From helping those with ulcers to help losing weight and even reducing blood pressure the benefits are great while there are no side effects to worry about. So whether you prefer your chili peppers raw, in the form of salsa, or even as part of the seasoning to spice up your menu you can get all the benefits of capsaicin even if you have ulcers.

If you would love to spice up your food and get the excellent health benefits that come from eating spicy hot sauce, salsa, and more made from hot chili peppers than come to our hot sauce blog for more information. http://www.thesaucycontessa.com/

How To Use Natural Herbs For Healing

With cold and flu season coming up, many of us would benefit from using a vapor bath to help open the sinuses and facial pores. To start, place the herbal mixture you have chosen into a pot of boiling water and let it steep (covered) for about 10 minutes.

Make a tent with a towel over your face and neck and put your face down over the uncovered pot. Be careful; you certainly don't want to get scalded! If the steam is too hot, you can wait a short time and try again or add some cold water. Breathe deeply and enjoy!

Adding herbs to your bath water can be therapeutic. Make sure the bath is warm enough to be comfortable (somewhere around 90 degrees is recommended). You can choose sea salt, herbs, or a combination of the two. If you would like to add herbs, one way to introduce them to the water is to hang tea bags under the spout as the water fills up the tub. Herbs can also be added to water for a refreshing foot bath.

When using herbs, it is important to educate yourself about the different properties associated with different kinds, to ensure that you will get the benefit you are seeking from whatever herb or combination you choose. Check that the herbs you choose are pesticide free. Be sure that you are using natural products in a safe manner; some of them are safe to be used on the skin but will cause illness (or worse) if ingested. In the beginning, it would be prudent to experiment with just one herb at a time. If you have an adverse reaction, you will at least know which type of herb you are allergic to.

When starting out, a good choice is to work with the Aloe Vera plant. Known as the "healing plant", the juice from the leaves of the Aloe Vera can be applied to any kind of skin condition. It is especially useful to take the sting out of burns including sunburns.

These hardy plants can be grown at home by even the brownest thumb. They are very easy to use: simply peel off one of the leaves from the base of the plant and tear or cut it open. It's the "juice" inside that you will want to apply to your skin. The most convenient way to accomplish this is to simply squeeze it directly onto the skin irritation. No special preparation is required and the stinging will stop very quickly. The properties contained in Aloe Vera also help the skin heal quickly.

As you get to know more about herbs, you will be able to add to your repertoire of applications for them. Perhaps you will start your own herb garden!

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as natural health products at http://www.health-nature-wellness.com

What Is Reiki And How Does It Work?

Reiki is a system that was re-discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian Minister Japan. One day a student hit him with the question "do you believe in miracles" and he said, "Yes I believe in miracles," and the student said, "Well show us a miracle." This threw his life in a tailspin for awhile and he went out on a quest. This quest led him to various monasteries and he went to Tibet and Nepal and this is where Reiki started out, in Tibet and Nepal and Burma and what most people don't understand is that this a shamanism practice.

It stills has its symbols thanks to Usui. He wound up fasting and not even drinking any water for like 22 days up on a mountain in Japan and on the last day when he was about dead he finally went into a shamanistic ecstasy and these symbols came to him. He felt he was lifted off the ground and these symbols were burned through his body, and when the whole thing is over he felt like he could take on the world.

When he turned around and started to walk off he kicked a rock and busted up his toe. It started bleeding profusely and something came to him to take his hands and put them on his feet and the bleeding stopped.

The pain went away so he walked down the mountain and he got to an inn and decided to get something to eat. The inn keeper came out to wait on him and he noticed that her face was bandaged up because she had a bad tooth. He ate his meal and to repay the innkeeper he put his hands on her jaw and they got so warm they almost burned her, but when she took off the bandage her jaw was fine.

He went on and that is how Reiki was re-discovered. Now the thing about Reiki they channel energy in a particular pattern because of the symbols to heal someone and restore harmony. Now, Reiki works on restoring harmony to the body. That is energy that has become imbalanced. It can be used to get rid of energy blocks; it can detoxify your system. It can bring about deep relaxation so a person can sleep. It does this by introducing universal life energy and that meets with the vibrational energy of each person and helps to bring that into balance.

So it falls under the same auspices of any hands on healing modality. Now I know people aren't going to want to hear this but some people will get a Reiki treatment and they walk away feeling worse or feel like they have something attached to them.

Mainly, this is because the person treating you had "stuff" and they weren't being a clear and open channel and their "stuff" got on you. Now I say this in all sincerity I pull no punches I've seen the best these things can do and I have seen the worse. Ignorance gets us into trouble and it's our ego that keeps us there. If you can't get yourself out of the way it is a disservice to anyone that you are working on and I have seen this. You have to get yourself out of the way and truly be that open clear channel for spirit to move through.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get more information on Reiki at http://www.emerald-energies.com

How Does Acupuncture Work And Can It Help Me?

Let's start off with the fact that it is one of the ancient methodologies for over 5,000 years; it is a primary health care function in China. It is used extensively and I mean that anything can be addressed with acupuncture.

A variety of medical purposes start with prevention and treating to relieving pain or getting patients ready for surgery. Its main thing is on prevention but once something does happen to you, like a broken bone, things in combination with it can help you heal better. Muscles that has atrophied and that have started to exercise again there are various layouts that they use to gain their potency back.

How is it that they do this?

They use the chakra system that exists in each human being. There are seven main ones. It starts at the top of the head and goes to the groin area. Then if you look at the arms and the hands and the elbows and the shoulders that is a nerve juncture, look at the body, hips, knees and feet, the hands and the feet have pressure points on them for every organ in the body, every function in the body can be found there. The needles would then go in there.

Throughout the body are lines called meridians, let's say that you were an electrician and you ran a line and made a join an then you made two or three off of that junction that would be called a meridian. Where those meridians are, and in various combinations, is where you would stick the needle. And it will be painless. The only time when you may feel something is when there is an imbalance in the body in the specific meridian. The pain and the pressure that you are feeling is the pressure being released and normalcy being replaced. No pain, no gain and when the needle goes in and you feel the pressure the pain is being released.

You can use it for diet or weight control, either gaining or losing weight, repairing vision or hearing, stopping smoking, getting off drugs, it can be used to treat alcoholism and your body is a map and you can take an addicted person and there is something that is missing in their makeup that makes them need this and you can take this and override their own flight or fight mode even to overeat.

This is just a brief overview of some of the ways acupuncture works and some of the maladies that can be treated with it. Acupuncture is one of the most under used of all the holistic health methods.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida.Get more information on acupuncture at http://www.emerald-energies.com

Health Secrets From Five Thousand Years Ago

When you get sick, you go to the doctor. And the doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well.

This is how the health profession goes on nowadays - a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that that person was a quack.

But nowadays, studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine.

Usually, natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.

This includes herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurvedic(or Indian), and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.

Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before we continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes, and its ilk are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine - among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.

As their studies compile, more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However, many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate.

There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes, a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine - may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This, surprisingly, leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Shop for homeopathic remedies at http://www.homeopathicremediesplus.com

What is Spondylolisthesis and Do You Have It?

The spine has many vertabrae and spondylolisthesis is a degeneration of a articulating (exterior) part of the vertabrae that reduces its integrity, strength, support and flexibility. The articulating part that is affected is in the rear of the vertabrae and tends to be located in L5 or L4 of the lumbar (lower back). It can range from a rating of 1-5, 5 being the most severe and 1 the least.

Spondylolisthesis affects athletes in sports that require a wide range of movement and flexability. Adolescents may have this condition and not exhibit any symptoms. Whether the condition is a rating of 1 or 5, the patient may exhibit extreme discomfort, lack of mobility, even loss of sensation in an extremity (usually the left leg).

In cases of high levels of discomfort spinal fusion is the best course of treatment. Usually the lower vertebrae is fused to the affected vertabrae and held in place with titanium screws and either rods or a plate. The spinal fusion can take 6-12 months for recovery. The pain associated with the 1st month of recovery is quite extreme and will require mobility assistance, physical therapy and the use of a walker. It is important to note that no surgical procedure is 100% successful in relieving all of the patients symptoms. This fusion procedure is documented to have an 80% success rate in alleviating all of the patients complaints and symptoms.

Spondylolisthesis can cause great discomfort and tends to be brought on by physical accidents - falls, automotive accidents, etc... It can be a preexisting condition but is usually worsened due to the physical accident. Spinal fusion, therapy, and special exercises along with changes in routine can help to alleviate this condition.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clinical analysis. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com, http://www.bestdomainsyahoo.com and http://www.mdwholesale.com.

Herbal Medicine - Ancient Chinese Secret

For many centuries, Eastern Medicine has employed the use of natural herbs and the techniques of ancient herbalists. Eastern Medicine, most widely defined by the cultures of China and India, is based primarily on the concept of natural healing and the use of plant herbs for the cure, prevention and symptom relief of disease, injury and common illness. Herbalists use a variety of techniques and utilize a multitude of natural plant herbs in their endeavors. Single natural herbs or a mixture of herbs and other ingredients are used to create tonics, salves and aromatherapy mixtures used with vaporizers.

One such natural plant material that has gained widespread popularity with Western Society for use as a preventive measure is ginseng root. Used for at least two millennia in Chinese medicine, ginseng is a common active ingredient that is found in most energy drinks on the market today. Known for its stimulating qualities, ginseng acts as a stress reducer and provides a boost of energy along with increased endurance. Ginseng as a symptom relief is often brewed as a tea and used by some to alleviate fevers, coughs and night sweats associated with menopause. The natural plant material does not have the side effects of many over the counter drugs.

In addition to natural herbal remedies that can be taken internally, herbalists use many parts of a plant to create salves and ointments. Using modern digital equipment, herbalists have the ability to extract the most beneficial active ingredients from organic herbs and use these ingredients to prepare herbal remedies for a number of ailments. Among the most popular of these are pain relief ointments used in sports medicine to treat sprains, joints and sore muscles. Natural plant ingredients are extracted from aloe, St. John's Wort and chamomile to make liniment used to aid in the healing process.

A popular technique widely used in the field of massage therapy makes use of ancient Eastern medicine combined with modern technology. Massage therapists utilize a variety of natural herbs to create healing vapor as part of an aromatherapy process. Therapists use known aromatherapy healing herbs like eucalyptus, sage, lavender and spearmint in an herbal vaporizer to give clients a true aromatherapy experience. By using a digital vaporizer, many therapists are able to provide precise dosing. The most benefit from active ingredients is attained by using an easy valve set. This technique provides the maximum benefit of Eastern medicine through the use of Western technology.

Fay Porinsky is a retail saleswoman who has 20 years of experience buying and selling technologically advanced health products. She specializes in helping her customers find the right herbal Vaporizer to the Volcano Vaporizer for your needs. Additional information at http://www.vapeworld.com/

Back Pain Relief Made Simple

Medicated back pain relief has its side effects. Sure it still has a role, but if you want to know some simple and quick natural ways to relieve back pain, then read on. Easing back pain can be achieved at home, saving you time and money.

Hopefully you also understand the pain relief is only ever a symptomatic fix. You still need to address the causes of your back pain; otherwise you will need to use these techniques again and again. The problem with that is eventually they won't help you.

Why?

The truth is this; the longer you have your back pain the harder it is to remove it. If you only ever deal with the symptoms, the underlying causes will slowly but surely get worse. This means in time your muscles and joints will deteriorate and then you are left with very few options to help.

Surgery and long term pain are the most common options if you wait too long.

However, if you are like most people, the first step in eliminating your back pain is eliminating the symptoms. The following techniques will help you to achieve this. Then as your back pain eases, start looking at the causes and removing those also.

Use Ice First

One of the easiest and quickest ways to ease back pain is to use ice in the first 48 hours. Ice will act as a pain reliever and help to reduce inflammation. Place ice on the area for 10 minutes and then rest for 10 minutes. Repeat this 3 times and do this often during the day in those first 48 hours.

Ease Muscle Tension

The next method is the obvious one. You need to stretch. Stretching will help to ease muscle tension which is one of the more common causes of pain. Stretching should be gentle in those first days as overdoing it can actually aggravate your backache.

If your back pain is severe, then use the ice in those first 48 hours and then after that start stretching. In lesser cases, stretching can be used almost immediately.

Garlic Oil

Finally, the last technique was shown to me by another practitioner. Garlic oil will actually help to reduce the inflammation and pain of backache. All you need to do is grab some garlic, take about 10 small garlic pieces and then slowly fry them in little oil. You can use sesame oil, coconut oil or mustard oil. You must fry till the garlic cloves turn a light brown color. Let the garlic cool completely then rub it into your backache area. Having someone massage it into your back may be easiest at times.

These 3 methods will help to relieve back pain. Back pain relief is the first step in eliminating your back pain. You should still remove the causes of your back pain, otherwise it will return. Use these techniques above as part of an overall goal to remove your back pain completely.

Dr Graeme Teague is a back pain expert of almost 20 years experience. With his free eBook, he has helped thousands of sufferers relieve back pain quickly. Head over to his site http://www.backpainreliefnews.com/441/i%E2%80%99m-sorry-lower-back-pain-relief-doesn%E2%80%99t-work/ to read more.

Where Do Knots Come From?

Being in the massage field for the last ten years I have come across several different theories on this problem that plagues many of us. On some level all of them are in part true. Knots or, as massage therapists refer to them, trigger points can be very painful and debilitating to some individuals. Not only do they reflect pain to many parts of the body, they can also trap nerves which causes numbness and tingling in the limbs and hips.

The best way I've heard it explained was by my trainer, G. Simpson at 24 hour fitness. Your muscle fibers, much like a grain of wood, run in one direction. Knots or trigger points form when those fibers begin to crisscross. Muscle fibers can twist and get crisscrossed for many different reasons. Some say knots are a part of the muscle in continual spasm and that spasm leads to a small patch being constricted. I believe a muscle spasm is one of the causes in muscle fibers crisscrossing.

Another theory I've heard is it's a part of the muscle that has been calcified. I don't believe the muscle itself becomes calcified but where the muscle is bunching up into trigger points happens to form a dam that traps calcium deposis, as well as, other toxins. Surgery research has revealed these knots contain a higher than normal quantity of protein as well. The muscle is where protein gets stored but just as the dam effect traps calcium and other deposits it also traps more protein.

So the million dollar question is, what starts the chain of events? Can we have a spot light and a drum roll please? The answer is poor body mechanics. I wish I could tell you it's a more exotic cause but it's just plain and simple the way we carry ourselves everyday. (Sometimes it can be injuries.) But almost all of us are leaning over something all day at work, or looking down at a computer screen, holding a phone to our ear all the time, sleeping in awkward positions. Furthermore, when some people get stressed, frustrated, mad, whatever you want to call it, they tend to bunch up their shoulders and hold them up around their ears.

Which leads to the next million dollar question, what can be done to fix the problem? The number one best thing would be to focus on prevention. Adjust your equipment so it's easier on the body, raise the computer screen or lower the office chair so you can look more straight on. Get a head set for your phone and a body pillow to sleep with at night. Concentrate on holding your head back over your shoulders when you walk and sit so your neck muscles don't get strained from the weight of your head pulling on them.

After the problem exist what should you do? The best thing I recommend is to get massages. As massage therapist there are two main ways we treat this problem. We first go in and do cross fiber fiction on the knots to start breaking up the deposits and then second, we do long Swedish strokes. The long strokes have two functions as well. One is to lengthen the muscle again. With all it's twisting and bunching, the muscle itself has become shorter, pulling at it's attachments and causing pain where the muscle attaches to the bone. Two, the long strokes help to get the muscle fibers running in the same direction again.

Another thing that can be done in between massages or for people who can't get massages is foam rolling. You can get a foam roll at any back, massage or fitness store. I just use the ones at my gym. It works best on calve and hamstrings but if you're creative enough you can find a way to foam roll anything. Just make sure to use your body weight for pressure and to hold the point until the muscle tension feels to be letting up. A tennis ball can also be used for around the shoulder blade. Just hold the ball in between your back and the wall or floor and then roll it over the knots. There are also many trigger point tools out there so individuals can do cross fiber friction on there own knots. So far I have not found a tool I like because it's just not the same as a hand or knuckle. These tools are also very hard to use without cramping up your hands and forearms.

This problem is as frustrating for me as it is for my clients. I can help for that week but if the cause of the situation is not changed and we don't become aware of how we hold our bodies throughout the day then week after week the problem will be back. But I and many other therapists like me, will continue to struggle against the problem of trigger points.

Allison Mitchell has been a massage therapist in Salt Lake City for ten years and owns a business called Magic Massage. She has managed to build a busy practice in that time and just recently decided to share her knowledge in the area of massage.
http://www.allisonsmagicmassage.com

Homeopathy:Proven Alternative Medicine Or A Placebo Part II

By Sanjib Sarkar

Homeopathy when looking at the best trials, Homeopathy performed better than a placebo on a 2 to 1 scale before 1991. This article will look at more modern trials.

New set of trials done by the Swiss-UK review team showed homeopathy medicines to give the exact same effect as a placebo remedy. This study did have some trial issues and was considered by many not to be a properly conducted trial.

We are going to examine the better done trials since 1991. We will not examine all of them but look at a fair amount of promising and not so promising evidence of properly conducted homeopathic trials.

Homeopathic Trials Below:

Trials when comparing Homeopathy to A Placebo

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 242 participants aged 18 to 55 years. Trial compared an oral homeopathic treatment to placebo in asthmatic people allergic to house dust. Authors found the homeopathic treatment "no better than placebo." They noted "some differences between the homeopathic immunotherapy and placebo for which we have no explanation."

This study was an attempt to duplicate a successful trial with allergies and asthma. The authors are uncertain why the duplication did not work. This study was bigger than the initial study.

A homeopathic study with 126 children examined homeopathic effect on acute childhood diarrhea. The study was completed by 116 children. This trial was double blind and placebo controlled. The study showed homeopathic individualized homeopathic medicines improved children with diarrhea as compared to the placebo. This trial matches a previous trial done with diarrhea.

Another study which is random, double blinded and placebo control was with the popular homeopathic remedy arnica montana. This trail examined whether the homeopathic remedy arnica can ease muscle soreness for runners after running a long distance.. 519 people were in the trial with 400 people finishing the trial. The authors concluded arnica was no more effective than a placebo in this study.

Homeopathic medicines seem to indicate a positive effect compared to a placebo during a rheumatic syndrome study. There were six controlled clinical trials done. However, there was an inadequate amount of trials to draw a conclusion and some trial outcomes were mixed.

Homeopathy's most popular drug Oscillococcinum seems to show the most promise out all the other homeopathic remedies. Many large trials using this remedy seem to indicated a positive outcome for reducing the duration of the flu as compared to a placebo. Oscillococcinum results on flu prevention proved false. This remedy showed no signs of being able to prevent the flu.

Research on some homeopathic remedies have show positive outcomes. However, more research must be completed. Several studies after 1991 show that 50% of homeopathic trials show a positive outcome.

Studies of great quality before 1991 suggest that homeopathic is more effective than a placebo in 2 out of 3 trials. Several of these trials have been duplicated including Oscillococcinum. This drug was used in several trials. Every trial showed this remedy was more effective than a placebo in reducing the duration of the flu.

Better quality studies before 1991 showed approximately a 2 to 1 ratio of sucessful trials. A couple of the trials have been reproduced in several studies. Oscillococcinum was the only study that we found that was reproduced successfully several times by different researches with a large study group.

About the Author:

Sanjib Sarkar is a content writer for Hmedicine.com. Hmedicine.com, a homeopathic remedies store offers a vast selection of homeopathy remedies for sale including Arnica Montana and Oscillococcinum

Andropause What It Does To A Man's Self Worth And Can It Be Reversed

For too many years to count, men have been accused of going through mid life crises; and it is true, many of them do. However, quite a few of the hormonal changes men go through when they reach middle age are much more serious. You may have heard of male menopause, although that phrase is an oxymoron. Men cannot go through menopause because they do not menstruate; there are no periods for them to stop. But they can go through andropause, which is the correct term used to describe what some of us recognize as male menopause.

As both names suggest, the symptoms are very similar to those experienced by women who are going through menopause and pre menopause. A man going through andropause may not experience these symptoms as severely as a woman will, but for him, they are just as serious. For instance, during this stage in his life, a man will begin to go through inexplicable mood swings. His moods will change on a dime, taking him from depressed to happy to frustrated to sad and back again. He may also begin to put on weight and lose muscle strength and definition. His libido may decrease significantly, leaving him disinterested in sex, or even unable to perform the way he did before. Depression is also a risk during andropause. Insomnia, a lack of energy, and even a less functional immune system are all symptoms as well.

For quite some time, as mentioned, most of these symptoms have been discounted. Understandably, the problems women go through during menopause. You see, despite the fact that it has been happening to women for millennium, not a lot is understood about menopause. We do not know why some women go through it earlier than others or why it does not happen to other women until very late in life. All we really know is that it is relegated by hormones. It is thus easy to see why no one know a lot about andropause.

However, we do know that it, too, is relegated by hormones. Where women's bodies are ruled by estrogen, men's are ruled by testosterone. Andropause occurs when the levels of testosterone produced by a man's body begin to decrease. In its way, this wreaks just as much havoc as fluctuating estrogen levels do in women.

Despite this lack of understanding, the effects of andropause can be devastating. However, also in spite of how little is known about it, there are things which can help men deal with their own version of menopause: human growth hormone supplements. Human growth hormone is responsible for aging. It is a naturally occurring protein. When its production begins to decrease, we start to look and feel older due to the symptoms above: weight gain, loss of muscle, fatigue, loss of libido, loss of energy, et cetera.

Human growth hormone supplement are designed to stimulate the pituitary gland. By taking it, you are not pumping your body full of synthetic HGH. On the contrary, your body is simply encouraged to produce more of a hormone that it naturally produces. When you take HGH, your metabolic rate increases and you have more energy, which makes it much easier to lose weight and rebuild muscle. You can sleep better, your memory functions better, and, quite simply, you feel better.

I enjoy writing about Anti-aging issues, fitness and natural health Supplements. http://www.hghhelp.info

Omega 3 Fish Oil vs. Top Three Drugs

By Michael Byrd

Are you aware omega 3 fish oil is just as effective, a lot safer and certainly a lot less expensive than antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs and anti-inflammatory arthritis and headache pain relievers?

Yet these three top selling classes of drugs outsell fish oil by more than 100 to one?

And, that's despite the fact that, like all pharmaceuticals, these three types of drugs have never cured a single person of depression, hypertension, arthritis or headaches. At best, they only suppress symptoms in a small percentage of people who take them.

Not only are they not really particularly effective, they may have serious side effects that may do more harm than good. Often patients are required to take another controversial drug to counteract the harmful effect of the first. Some of them, such as Vioxx, have even been taken off the market because they cause heart attacks and strokes.

And they have serious side effects that may do more harm than good. They often require patients to take yet another questionable drug to counteract the damaging effect of the first. Some of these drugs, such as Vioxx, were even taken off the market because they were found to cause heart attacks and strokes.

When you get right down to it, almost all bad health is caused by poor lifestyle choices. Lousy diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise and excess weight gain. It has nothing to do with a deficiency of drugs.

Are you aware there are other safer, more natural ways to both prevent and relieve depression, high blood pressure and inflammatory pain without resorting to prescription drugs? And one of the best alternatives is to eat fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, herring or tuna at least two or three times a week and take a good quality daily fish oil supplement.

Let's take a look at the evidence.

People with depression have significantly lower total omega 3 levels (Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 26, No. 38, 35-46). Omega 3 supplements showed significant benefits in just three weeks of treatment (American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 159:477-479). Omega 3 fatty acids were also found to be effective treatments for both bipolar disorder (Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 56 No. 5) and borderline personality disorder patients (American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 160:167-169).

Fish oil has also been shown to be highly effective at lowering blood pressure. That's one major reason why the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend everyone eat cold water, fatty fish at least a couple of times a week.

The AHA and NIH also recommend people with heart disease symptoms (for example, high blood pressure) take daily fish oil supplements providing at least one gram of combined omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids.

And as far as arthritis and headache inflammatory pain relief is concerned, fish oil omega 3 has been shown to be nature's safest, most potent and effective alternative to over the counter NSAIDs such as Advil, Motrin, Nuprin and Aleve (Arthritis and Rheumatism, Vol. 38: 1107-14.) As a matter of fact, in many scientific studies, patients were able to significantly reduce and even completely eliminate prescribed pain medications after starting a fish oil omega 3 treatment program.

In fact, in many of the scientific studies reviewed, patients were able to greatly reduce and even totally eliminate prescribed pain medications after starting an omega 3 fish oil treatment program.

And, if you're concerned about toxins in fish oil, the Harvard University School of Public Health says you can sit back, relax and enjoy your broiled salmon dinner. After reviewing all the relative studies, they recently confirmed fish oil benefits far outweigh the threat of mercury or other toxins in fish by as much as 500 to one. (Journal of the American Medical Association 2006, Vol. 296: 1885-99)

You don't need to look to hard to find high quality fish oil supplements that are safe and fully guaranteed to be 100% pure and toxic free. (www.omega-3.us).

Therefore, prior to starting a drug program or even if you are already on one consider eating more dish and taking omega 3 fish oil supplements instead. Who knows? You just may get better or equal results without the dangerous side effects and save a bundle of money at the same time. Now that sounds like a winning combination to me, don't you think?

About the Author:

For the most up to date information about fish oil, This is the only resource you will ever need - fish oil.

Save your life - How to Cut Sugar from Your Diet

By Micheal Parkes

Sugar is ever prevalent in our diets - ranging from high sugar content in processed food to fast foods. It can be a challenge to cut sugar from your diet, but the health benefits itself is worth the effort. When blood sugar levels are constantly high, the chance of getting diabetes is increased. Diabetes has its own complications which in turn affects our general health. Hence, this article will explore the age old question of how to cut sugar from your diet?

It is important to take note of the various healthy food groups. Being aware of the healthy food groups help to make better food choices, even helping to draw up your own healthy snack menu. It is far better to snack on low-sugar, low-fat foods such as fruits or vegetables.

Sugar substitutes can present as an excellent alternative to using sugar. Viable substitutes include using naturally available spices to sweeten your food. There are various spices that can be used for this function; they include ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and so on. In addition to being able to sweeten up food, they also give it a unique flavor. For a more refreshing taste, you may even consider using a combination of those spices.

A tried and tested method of cutting down on sugar is to use artificial sweeteners. The use of artificial sweeteners has helped in the food and beverage industries, as they are marketed as no-sugar drinks. An interesting fact is that artificial sweeteners can even be used for relishes and pickles, but this is provided you have the right recipe to make it.

Furthermore, snacking is a habit that unknowingly increases your daily sugar intake as well. Substituting regular chips and dips with toast and sugar-free jam can help to lower sugar intake. Fresh fruits are also good methods of snacking as they are refreshing and healthy too.

The caloric content in sugar is very high. It may even exceed the amount of sugar one needs in a day. Long term effects from high sugar consumption is inevitably, weight gain. Being overweight increase the chance of getting various medical conditions. In order to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle, cutting sugar from your diet is a wise move.

Sugar reduction in our diets is a necessity as it helps us to maintain our health and emotional well-being. A little bit of sugar is needed in our diets, as the brain relies on glucose as its main source of energy, but too much is a health risk. The risks of getting diabetes, blood pressure problems or health diseases are greatly increased if long term sugar intake is high.

If you do choose to indulge in sugary foods e.g. brownies, cakes or ice cream, try to ensure that the portion size is appropriate. Some brands of these products come in single serves, which are good choices to help limit your consumptions of these foods.

About the Author:

Micheal Parkes is a health conscious food lover. He runs an informational website that provides tips on how to cut sugar from your diet as well as promotes interest in healthy international cuisines. As a bonus to his valued readers, his site provides free low sugar diet information, please visit Micheal's site at http://www.online-food-guide.com.

What Does Isolated Systolic High Blood Pressure Mean?

By Christian Goodman

Blood pressure concerns are completely understandable. I suffered from high blood pressure myself and now spend my time researching this problem as well as many other health conditions.

In general, a reading of 140 over 90 is considered "high." 120 over 80 up to 139 over 89 is usually considered "pre-hypertension." The top number is called the systolic pressure.

Why are these numbers that important? As we age, hypertension tends to be more prevalent. In fact, it is estimated that up to two thirds of the population over age 65 have high blood pressure. Some even believe the increase begins around age 50.

If not treated, hypertension can continue to put strain on the heart which can then increase the chances of heart attacks or strokes.

Other organs can be affected as well such as the kidneys.

Isolated systolic high blood pressure typically describes a situation in which the systolic reading is measuring high where the diastolic may not be. The systolic reading measures the force of blood through the arteries while the heart beats.

Since the diastolic pressure actually decreases as we age, the systolic pressure has particular importance. Note however, that both measurements are important to properly diagnose the presence of high blood pressure.

To confirm whether or not you fall into the high blood pressure arena, you should have it checked (and probably re-checked by your doctor.)

Bear in mind that you may not necessarily feel "bad" yet still have high blood pressure. That is how it gets its nickname, the "silent killer." If left unchecked, some people are unaware that blood pressure was even an issue until they are faced with serious health problems including stroke or heart attack.

The possibility of medication being prescribed does deter some people from having their blood pressure professionally checked. Actually, it is the side effects of the medication that can be a deterrent. This is important to discuss with your physician.

Of course, sharing this concern may not change the course of action recommended by Western medical professionals.

In fairness though, many doctors worry that certain dietary and physical changes will not be followed through on by the patient. Therefore, medication becomes the first line of defense.

My all natural High Blood Pressure Program has been tremendously successful in treating and curing high blood pressure (be is Isolated Systolic or otherwise high.) It is very relaxing and requires a small fraction of your time.

EL331002

About the Author:

Christian Goodman is a very popular health researcher and creator of several revolutionary alternative healthmethods. One of his best known breakthroughs is his natural method for high blood pressure. You can learn more about Christian on his Natural Health Blog.

Your Circadian Rhythm -Friend Or Foe?

By Harold Ulvaeus

Your circadian rhythm and it's level of function is closely connected to insomnia. While it is commonly believed that the circadian rhythm has to do with the time of day, it has a lot to do with the amount of light or darkness. We all have a clock inside that gives us a nudge when it is time to go to sleep for the night and when it is time to get up.

It is this internal clock that is known as the circadian rhythm. Hormones secreted through out the day are governed by this internal clock, and so are body temperature and our level of mental alertness.

Since the circadian rhythm influences alertness and our energy level, for those with have a sleep disorder related to their circadian rhythm, their internal clock is "off" and they tend to feel alert when they should be tired or sleepy, and tired when they should have much energy. This is very common for those working the grave yard shift.

Light, as in bright natural sun light, is one of the largest factors of regulating your circadian rhythm. Not getting enough light for extended periods of time can cause low energy and fatigue. Those in northern climates can readily see this towards the end of the winter.

Light therapy, using special types of light with specific wavelengths simulating natural light can be used to slowly reset the internal clock. The light therapy is easy and pleasant and requires 30-60 minutes of exposure in conjunction with a strict sleeping schedule. The light is usually delivered using specifically designed lights.

The time of day you use your light box is the most important thing to consider. The schedule would depend on your schedule and the type of insomnia you have.

About the Author:

Curing Insomnia, tips, information about Insomnia Pills along with a plethora of safe and useful options are all explored on our site,www.insomniacure.healing-mind-and-body.com

Melatonin Helps Your Rest

By Mark Sanderlix

For as long as I can remember, Ive had a difficult time falling asleep anytime before 12 midnight. Even when I was a kid it was a struggle to get to bed at a decent time. This always left my tired and not at my peak when I should be trying to learn as much as I can. This bad habit, or condition, has followed me through my adult life. If I have an important meeting in the morning I know it is going to be critical to get good sleep the night before, but I just cant talk my body into falling asleep at a reasonable time. So, at the meeting, instead of being refreshed and ready to go, I have to fake it. Ive tried many different options for getting to sleep; over the counter drugs, drinks, mixes, and a change in the surroundings, but nothing worked as well for me overall as melatonin.

Many people who have sleeping issues turn to Nyquil or Theraflu to help them fall asleep quickly and easily. While both of these solutions are effective, they just werent for me because I didnt feel that they were good long term solutions. Neither were made for just falling asleep, so I felt like I was taking a bunch of extra drugs that I didnt need. There are some over the counter drugs that are made specifically for falling asleep, such as Tylenol PM, but that did not feel natural to me either. As effective as these options are, none of them seemed like effective solutions to me for the long-term.

Some experts advise that where you sleep should be designed solely for the purpose of sleeping, nothing else. That meant you had to remove TV from your bedroom and all other forms of entertainment and to buy a comfy bed and center the room around sleeping. After trying this (it was hard to give up the TV), I found that it just didn't help me fall asleep. I found myself just laying there, staring at the ceiling or thinking about work instead of falling asleep.

Then, one night at a party, I overheard something that changed everything. Two ladies were talking and one of them mentioned that they are taking a prescription drug to fall asleep early. The other said, Oh, really? Have you tried Melatonin? and they went on to talk about the supplement for a little while. I admit, I was eavesdropping on them, but that little bit of information really appealed to me. I didn't know that there was a supplement that you could buy, that already existing in your body anyway, that could help you fall asleep. I immediately thought that I had to try it.

I went to the drug store to find this Melatonin product. I walked up and down the aisle looking for it with the other OTC sleep drugs but I couldn't find it anywhere. I asked a store employee and she pointed me to the herbal supplements section, and there I found the Melatonin. I purchased a bottle with the intent of trying it out that night. That evening, about an hour before I wanted to fall asleep, I took a pill. As if my magic, 60 minutes later I was ready to go to bed. I wasnt knocked out tired, but I was sleepy, and sleepy enough to fall asleep. I considered Melatonin a success. Ever since that night, Ive had exactly the same experience. The melatonin has been very effective in getting me to sleep, and I have no problems with waking up in the middle of the night. Also, in the morning, I don't wake up groggy or tired. As long as Ive gotten at least 7 hours of sleep, I wake up rested and ready to start the day.

Since melatonin was working so well for me, I decided to do a little digging online to make sure it was safe. The first tip I have is to take a small dosage, the smallest you can find. In my case, that is 3mg. Many experts believe even 3mg is too much at once, so be very careful before ever using a dosage larger than that. Next, ensure that the melatonin you take is 'created in a lab' and not 'harvested naturally'. The natural stuff may actual contain bacteria or toxins that you shouldn't put in your body. Finally, it is very important that you consult your doctor first before taking melatonin.

As you can see, I am have great results from taking Melatonin. I think that Melatonin can be very helpful for people with mild sleeping problems such as falling asleep. Its important not to rely to heavily on it as you don't want to become dependent or addicted, but for the occasional use, I reach for it every time now!

About the Author:

To learn more about using Melatonin, visit my website where I detail how it has worked for me an others, as well as some of the negative aspects of it.

Joint Pain: Details and Realities

By Stewart Anderson

Joint pain is a very serious and, unfortunately, common phenomenon, which affects one or more joints of our bodies. An old injury, or inflammations and several types of arthritis are responsible for joint pain that torture millions of people all over the world.

Joint pain causes are not related only to aging or arthritis, although these are two of the basic causes. Joint pain comes as a result of some kind of chronic inflammation, while in some cases they are associated with several other issues, such as hormonal imbalances and auto immune diseases.

Once this cushion is damaged, the pain starts to get worse and worse. Many people who suffer from joint pain associate them with their age - as most of the people suffering are over forty. However, this is not a problem related to age, at least not exclusively. Some types of arthritis are caused by the advanced age, but this is not the primary cause of joint pain, as there are more than hundred forms of arthritis that are identified so far.

Joint pain is caused by inflammations that are related to a poor immune system. Most people tend to ignore or underestimate the importance of their immune system, until it's already too late. Most patients cannot describe the source of pain either; doctors say that patients cannot tell them exactly if the pain is related to a tendon, a joint or is located at a particular spot, making the diagnosis hard.

As we can tell by this short list, defining the real cause of the joint pains, could be a daunting task even for the most experienced and well educated doctor. The importance, though, of the right diagnosis is crucial, because it is the first step towards treatment and healing. Patients usually tend to try to resolve the case on their own, taking drugs or doing some exercises indicated by their chiropractors or even friends.

The problem is that the joint pain cannot be treated and cured this way; at least not without knowing what is causing them. Some exercises for instance are good for arthritis but not appropriate for some other disease, such as bursitis, or inflammation. Tendinitis, rheumatic disorders or hormonal imbalances require a different treatment and different approach. Doctors need to know what the real problem is so as to provide the proper help.

Patients with joint pains are highly recommended to take some omega 3 supplements and increase the doses of fish, like salmon, that contain this type of fatty acid, as it can prove very effective in fighting inflammation. Glucosamine is a supplement that had impressive results. The modern lifestyle is something that adds to the problem as well. People who want to find some kind of joint pain relief should try to reduce stress, so as to regulate the levels of cortisol in their body, and take some good and regular exercises.

Needless to say, maintaining some steady and low weight can help the body reduce the burden and the joint pains. The ideal weight is not panacea but it can certainly help the body overcome some serious conditions, especially when related to hormonal fluctuations and other types of imbalances.

About the Author:

We all deal with joint pain one way or another. As we get older we are more susceptible to joint problems, and certain levels of debilitating arthritis. We cover arthritis as it applies to joint pain at the site.

How To Get Rid of Acne Scars

By Phil Conner

If you suffer from acne on a regular basis and want to find a solution to your acne scars, it's important that you have the right information. In the skincare sector, there is much misinformation out there. In fact, a good amount of the information is merely a sales pitch to try to get you to buy some acne scar cure solution that doesn't work. Unfortunately, there is no quick acne scar fix; yes, there are treatments, but these are usually very expensive. Any cheap-off-the-shelf "scar" treatment will probably disappoint.

Type of Acne Scarring

While there are many types of acne scars, there is pretty much only two "major" acne scarring types: pigmentation scars and ice-pick scars. Most people have one or the other. Yes, there are other variations, but to cater to the majority, I'll cover these two types of scars here. The same treatment/s can be used for the other types of acne scarring.

Why Acne Scars Form

In general, acne scars may result from improper facial hygiene or if blemishes are not properly removed (i.e. squeezing blackheads). The root cause behind acne scars is of course the actual acne breakouts. Acne scars are formed when blackheads are not removed correctly, or are not treated properly. If not cleaned properly, blackheads can become inflamed and then cause acne scarring when they don't heal properly. Even if removed, blackheads can still leave a trace scar behind on the skin. But what causes the acne? Excess production of facial oil, known as sebum, is released into the pores which then mix with bacteria and foreign matter. This forms into blackheads which are prone to irritate the skin and cause infection, due to the microbes living inside of them. The infection of the pore is known as "acne."

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

Without a doubt, getting rid of your acne is the best way to prevent scars from forming. You can help to eliminate your acne through proper diet, facial care, and use of acne medications. Doing all these things will usually drastically reduce or even eliminate your acne outbreaks, given time. If you do happen to have scars, there are some surgical and non surgical treatments available. The most popular treatment (and the most expensive) are laser treatments. These are usually pretty effective and involve the use of a laser to smooth out the appearance of scars. Besides the surgical treatments, you can apply topical Vitamin E oil/creams to your scars which help to reduce the appearance of the scars. You may also want to eat foods rich in Vitamin C, A, and E (carrot juice, lean meats, etc)-- all these are used by the body to aid in the healing of scar tissue. You also want to make sure you are performing proper facial hygiene such as using mild soaps to wash your face twice a day, exfoliating once a week, etc.

These are some tips to help get rid of those pesky acne scars. Note that there are many other methods of getting rid of acne scars (acne scar creams, other surgical treatments, acne home remedies, etc) that were not discussed. The main thing to realize is that you can in fact treat the acne scars through a combination of surgical procedures and lifestyle choices.

About the Author:

It's vitally important to learn how to properly get rid of acne so you get that clear, scar-free face Preventing acne from forming is the easiest and most economical method of curing acne scars.

What Can I Do To Get Rid Of Back Pain?

By Celestine Nell

Statistics show that over 85% of the people in our society suffer from some type of back pain. In fact many people realize that their pain can be caused by lifting too much weight improperly to dealing with the everyday stress of life.

This article was written to help you discover some ways on how to get rid of back pain. We want to share some valuable information that can be used to begin doing your daily activities that you are used to doing.

1. Bed Rest: This is the most important thing that you can give your body. Statistics show that just by giving your body a day or two of bed rest will greatly improve your body.

2. Sleeping: If you are one of the thousands of people who complain about a sore back in the morning; then it is time to begin switching sleeping positions. Research shows that people who sleep on their side tend to experience less back pain. People call this the fetal position and is less painful on the back because it relieves the pressure during the night.

3. Ice: If you are trying to learn how to get rid of a back pain; then you will want to have something cold in your freezer. Ice can be your best friend when you are suffering from aches and pains. Try icing your back for at least 2 days; this alone should bring about some relief and help you feel better.

4. Stretching Exercises: If you are experiencing back pain then one of the best things that you can do is begin stretching the muscles in your back. Try joining a yoga class or do it in the comfort of your home to begin getting some relief to your back.

Do not forget to visit our site below as it is filled with valuable information that will help you get back to your daily activities without being in constant pain.

About the Author:

Are You Tired Of Living With Lower Back Pain? Discover How To Get Rid Of Back Pain And How To Get Your Movement Back Without Surgery!