ow strong your immune system is can make a difference on whether you get sick or not. The immune system is a network of cells and organs that work together to protect your body. It helps to block foreign molecules from getting in the body. You body has a search and destroy force that hunts down all these unwanted molecules and it destroys them, so it is important to keep these helpers healthy and strong. There are things you can do to keep your immune system healthy.
The most important thing you can do to keep your immune system healthy is to maintain and achieve a healthy lifestyle balance. Negativity can impact your ability to remain healthy. Stress, negativity, and the substances created by the body during these times can cause your immune system to lower. Reducing stress and staying positive can help you stay healthy.
Getting vaccinated can help protect from some diseases. Some vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetnus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and polio. It is recommended that all kids between the ages 11 and 18 and travelers get vaccinated for meningitis.
Not getting enough sleep can weaken the immune system as well. Lack of sleep can prevent the body from repairing itself. To give your body an extra immune boost during the flu season by making sure you 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Having sex can boost the immunity as well. It doesn’t even need to be the sex that boosts the immune system, loving touches like cuddling and kissing can boost the immunity as well.
Certain foods can contain good bacteria known as probiotics. They can help the body resist respiratory infections like the flu and common cold. Lemon is good for restoring acid-alkali balance in the body. Adding freshly squeezed lemon juice to tea or water can help the body maintain the body’s internal temperature. Protein is essential for building a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Drinking plenty of water 8 glasses a day can flush the system of toxins. Tea is rich in plant antioxidants that can help protect the body against cold or flu.
Drinking coffee and eating chocolate are the worst things you can do for your immune system. Caffeine strips the body of minerals and vitamins and it can dehydrate you. Eliminating sugar from the diet will help as well. Energy levels will rise, weight will distribute evenly through the body, and the immune system will pick up. Garlic is very effective against viruses, bacteria, fungal and parasitic infections.
Raw fruits and vegetables are good for antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and enzymes. Produce that is dark in color has the most nutrients in it. Seaweed is the best source of minerals you can get. You can get these in a supplement. Exercising can make a major difference in your health and happiness as well. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend time with friends, and pamper yourself. Take a hot bath, get a massage, our bodies respond to emotions. When you’re happy you’re far less likely to get sick.
Another thing that is good for your immunity is taking a supplement. Alternative Health Supplements offers a number of products that are great for boosting your immunity. Immunocare by Himalaya will help maintain your immunity. It contains amalaki a great source of vitamin C which is good for boosting immunity. There is also Guggul, Indian Tinospora, Indian Madder, and Amla that are all great herbs for boosting immunity. Its an all natural product so it is safe to use.
About The Author
Steven Johnson is interested in maintaining a vital, active, and healthy lifestyle. For more information or to obtain antioxidant related products, as well as other life-enhancing nutrients, please visit his website http://www.alternative-health-supplements.com/immunocare.htm.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Arthritis of the Big Toe Joint
Stiffness of the big toe joint is termed Hallux Limitus. Hallux is the medical term for the big toe. When the big toe possesses no motion, it is termed Hallux Rigidus. To confuse the topic, the big toe joint may appear to have normal motion, but this motion can be limited when weight is on the foot and during the normal standing and walking. This is termed functional Hallux limitus, because it occurs during the normal functioning of the foot while walking. As with many conditions that affect the foot, functional conditions progress to structural deformities. As the condition progresses, a degenerative type of arthritis develops in the big toe joint.
Diagnosis
The most common cause of Hallux limitus is an abnormal alignment of the long bone behind the big toe joint called the first metatarsal bone. In this condition, the first metatarsal bone is elevated relative to the other metatarsal bones that lie behind the other toes. When this is the case, the big toe joint cannot move smoothly and jamming occurs at the joint. A variety of symptoms can begin to occur. One common problem that occurs is pain in the bottom of the big toe where a central callus can develop. The pain and callus develop because the big toe does not bend upward enough as the bottom of the toe is jammed into the ground. People who have diabetes must watch this area carefully because the pressure can cause the development of an ulceration that can become infected.
Another consequence of the jamming of the big toe joint is the development of bone spurs on the top of the joint. This bump on the top of the big toe joint can become painful as a result of shoe pressure. Pain within the joint is a common result of the limitation of movement of the big toe joint. With time, the big toe joint becomes stiff and painful to move. As the joint continues to degenerate more bone spurring occurs. If the condition is left untreated complete destruction of the joint can occur.
Diagnosis is made by performing a physical exam of the foot and the use of x-rays. In early stages of the condition x-rays may be normal. In later stages of the condition, narrowing of the joint and/or bone spurs may be evident.
Treatment
Initial treatment consists of using oral anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and/or functional orthotics. Oral medications and cortisone injections are useful in treating the pain associated with the condition, but will not stop the process because they do not address the underlying cause of the condition. Functional orthotics, however, are designed to treat the cause of the condition. These devices will generally fit into normal shoes and correct the underlying functional problem with the joint. Orthotics will not reverse what damage may have occurred, but can slow or halt the on-going damage to the joint.
If the condition progresses to the point of spurring around the joint, surgery may be indicated. Depending upon the degree of degeneration of the joint, surgery may consist of simply removing the bone spurs around the joint, a decompresion osteotomy or may require a total joint replacement or joint fusion (See surgery of Hallux limitus). Following surgery, the use of a functional orthotic is useful to improve the joint function.
If a painful callous exits on the bottom of the big toe it will frequently resolve and the pain subside with the use of functional orthotics and/or surgery to improve the motion of the joint.
http://www.archerfootandankle.com
About The Author
Thomas Buividas, DPM
Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery
http://archerfootandankel.com
Diagnosis
The most common cause of Hallux limitus is an abnormal alignment of the long bone behind the big toe joint called the first metatarsal bone. In this condition, the first metatarsal bone is elevated relative to the other metatarsal bones that lie behind the other toes. When this is the case, the big toe joint cannot move smoothly and jamming occurs at the joint. A variety of symptoms can begin to occur. One common problem that occurs is pain in the bottom of the big toe where a central callus can develop. The pain and callus develop because the big toe does not bend upward enough as the bottom of the toe is jammed into the ground. People who have diabetes must watch this area carefully because the pressure can cause the development of an ulceration that can become infected.
Another consequence of the jamming of the big toe joint is the development of bone spurs on the top of the joint. This bump on the top of the big toe joint can become painful as a result of shoe pressure. Pain within the joint is a common result of the limitation of movement of the big toe joint. With time, the big toe joint becomes stiff and painful to move. As the joint continues to degenerate more bone spurring occurs. If the condition is left untreated complete destruction of the joint can occur.
Diagnosis is made by performing a physical exam of the foot and the use of x-rays. In early stages of the condition x-rays may be normal. In later stages of the condition, narrowing of the joint and/or bone spurs may be evident.
Treatment
Initial treatment consists of using oral anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and/or functional orthotics. Oral medications and cortisone injections are useful in treating the pain associated with the condition, but will not stop the process because they do not address the underlying cause of the condition. Functional orthotics, however, are designed to treat the cause of the condition. These devices will generally fit into normal shoes and correct the underlying functional problem with the joint. Orthotics will not reverse what damage may have occurred, but can slow or halt the on-going damage to the joint.
If the condition progresses to the point of spurring around the joint, surgery may be indicated. Depending upon the degree of degeneration of the joint, surgery may consist of simply removing the bone spurs around the joint, a decompresion osteotomy or may require a total joint replacement or joint fusion (See surgery of Hallux limitus). Following surgery, the use of a functional orthotic is useful to improve the joint function.
If a painful callous exits on the bottom of the big toe it will frequently resolve and the pain subside with the use of functional orthotics and/or surgery to improve the motion of the joint.
http://www.archerfootandankle.com
About The Author
Thomas Buividas, DPM
Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery
http://archerfootandankel.com
Dental Cowards: Discover Help From an Unexpected Source
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you delay trips to the dentist, even when in pain?
2. Do simple dental check-ups worry you?
3. Are annual cleanings a source of nervousness?
4. Has avoiding dental care resulted in bigger problems?
5. Does the sound of the dental drill make you cringe, even when imagined?
6. Do you wish going to the dentist were easier for you?
If you’ve answered YES to three or more questions, dental fears may be restricting you.
What to do?
Ask yourself: What is creating the fear?
Likely culprits are the influence of a dental-phobic relative; what you create mentally when hearing sounds of the dental office, smelling the smells, envisioning the drill, imagining pain, blood, and more.
If you dwell on these whenever dental work is advised, you probably perceived a negative experience with a dentist at some time in your life, or were influenced by a fearful relative.
Those most afraid of pain may neglect checkups, setting themselves up for more difficult procedures when they finally visit a dentist. It’s a vicious cycle.
But you can instead shut off scary mind pictures or dim them. Even shrinking in your mind helps.
If you frighten yourself with imaginary drill sounds, imagine them fainter, farther away, or turn them into another tune. (Yes, you really can do this!)
Do dental smells bother you? Replace them mentally with something that makes you smile, like kids’ fruit punch or peppermint.
Strangely enough, all of this is do-able. Find what’s easiest for you.
Surprising Truths that can also help:
- More-frequent visits are usually gentler visits. When teeth are cared for regularly,
fewer invasive procedures are needed.
- What you create in your mind is probably scarier anything you will experience in the dental chair – especially with today’s anesthesia.
- By intentionally altering your overall feeling about dentistry little by little, and increasing oral care at home, you can benefit from the rewards of less pain, fewer procedures, and even fewer appointments (with your dentist’s approval).
The question is how to achieve this when you fear the dentist?
One very good answer: Hypnosis.
Why?
- Hypnosis quells fears
- Hypnosis creates relaxation you can trigger at the dental office
- Hypnosis helps you alter scary mind pictures
- Hypnosis helps make dental sounds mean something different and better—or disappear altogether
- Hypnosis becomes a process you can do any time you’re in the dental zone, or anywhere else, when you sense fear or nervousness coming on
- Hypnosis can help you create positive, useful habits (like more frequent flossing, brushing, and hygiene, as prescribed by your dentist)
- Hypnosis can provide “mental rehearsal” to make the dental visit more palatable, including appointment setting, entering the office, noticing scents, seeing dental tools and feeling them in your mouth, hearing drill sounds, being given the diagnosis, getting an injection—and anywhere else your mind drifts
- Hypnosis can help you get comfortable with dental appliances more easily and quickly, including braces, retainers, bite guards and others
(Did you feel jittery reading the list? Then you’re among the Most Likely To Benefit From Dental Hypnosis.)
The irony is that the less you fear the dentist, the less scary your appointments are, the more comfortable you feel at the office, the less often you’ll need to come. The reverse is also true.
How to find a hypnotist who deals with dental anxiety or odontophobia? One solution is to ask your dentist prior to your appointment if he knows someone.
Otherwise, locate a local, certified hypnotist, ask about dental hypnosis, and make an appointment or two before your scheduled dental visit.
Many hypnotists who do this work now had their own dental fears in the past. If you saw all the crowns in my mouth, you’d know just how well qualified I am! ©2009 by Wendy Lapidus-Saltz. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Wendy Lapidus-Saltz has been a dental patient since age two. She has 10+ years as a hypnotist certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists. Recommended by physicians and dentists to help quell fears and increase compliance with medical instructions, Wendy is also a strong advocate of pain-free smoking cessation for smokers who worry about their health. Visit her at http://www.nonsmoker4life.com. Or call 312-640-1584 to schedule a free phone consult.
1. Do you delay trips to the dentist, even when in pain?
2. Do simple dental check-ups worry you?
3. Are annual cleanings a source of nervousness?
4. Has avoiding dental care resulted in bigger problems?
5. Does the sound of the dental drill make you cringe, even when imagined?
6. Do you wish going to the dentist were easier for you?
If you’ve answered YES to three or more questions, dental fears may be restricting you.
What to do?
Ask yourself: What is creating the fear?
Likely culprits are the influence of a dental-phobic relative; what you create mentally when hearing sounds of the dental office, smelling the smells, envisioning the drill, imagining pain, blood, and more.
If you dwell on these whenever dental work is advised, you probably perceived a negative experience with a dentist at some time in your life, or were influenced by a fearful relative.
Those most afraid of pain may neglect checkups, setting themselves up for more difficult procedures when they finally visit a dentist. It’s a vicious cycle.
But you can instead shut off scary mind pictures or dim them. Even shrinking in your mind helps.
If you frighten yourself with imaginary drill sounds, imagine them fainter, farther away, or turn them into another tune. (Yes, you really can do this!)
Do dental smells bother you? Replace them mentally with something that makes you smile, like kids’ fruit punch or peppermint.
Strangely enough, all of this is do-able. Find what’s easiest for you.
Surprising Truths that can also help:
- More-frequent visits are usually gentler visits. When teeth are cared for regularly,
fewer invasive procedures are needed.
- What you create in your mind is probably scarier anything you will experience in the dental chair – especially with today’s anesthesia.
- By intentionally altering your overall feeling about dentistry little by little, and increasing oral care at home, you can benefit from the rewards of less pain, fewer procedures, and even fewer appointments (with your dentist’s approval).
The question is how to achieve this when you fear the dentist?
One very good answer: Hypnosis.
Why?
- Hypnosis quells fears
- Hypnosis creates relaxation you can trigger at the dental office
- Hypnosis helps you alter scary mind pictures
- Hypnosis helps make dental sounds mean something different and better—or disappear altogether
- Hypnosis becomes a process you can do any time you’re in the dental zone, or anywhere else, when you sense fear or nervousness coming on
- Hypnosis can help you create positive, useful habits (like more frequent flossing, brushing, and hygiene, as prescribed by your dentist)
- Hypnosis can provide “mental rehearsal” to make the dental visit more palatable, including appointment setting, entering the office, noticing scents, seeing dental tools and feeling them in your mouth, hearing drill sounds, being given the diagnosis, getting an injection—and anywhere else your mind drifts
- Hypnosis can help you get comfortable with dental appliances more easily and quickly, including braces, retainers, bite guards and others
(Did you feel jittery reading the list? Then you’re among the Most Likely To Benefit From Dental Hypnosis.)
The irony is that the less you fear the dentist, the less scary your appointments are, the more comfortable you feel at the office, the less often you’ll need to come. The reverse is also true.
How to find a hypnotist who deals with dental anxiety or odontophobia? One solution is to ask your dentist prior to your appointment if he knows someone.
Otherwise, locate a local, certified hypnotist, ask about dental hypnosis, and make an appointment or two before your scheduled dental visit.
Many hypnotists who do this work now had their own dental fears in the past. If you saw all the crowns in my mouth, you’d know just how well qualified I am! ©2009 by Wendy Lapidus-Saltz. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Wendy Lapidus-Saltz has been a dental patient since age two. She has 10+ years as a hypnotist certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists. Recommended by physicians and dentists to help quell fears and increase compliance with medical instructions, Wendy is also a strong advocate of pain-free smoking cessation for smokers who worry about their health. Visit her at http://www.nonsmoker4life.com. Or call 312-640-1584 to schedule a free phone consult.
Lose Weight and Flush Out Fat With The 100 Calorie Diet's Fat Flush Recipes!
I have taken flushing the fat out of your system to a whole new level! I dug in and did some extensive research to find the ingredients that are proven to flush fat from your cells, detoxify your liver, eliminate toxins from your cells and basically cleanse your entire system. While doing this, I discovered that fruits and vegetables are loaded with phytonutrients (like beta & alpha carotene, lycopene and lutein) which, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (from their website):
1. Serve as antioxidants
2. Enhance immune response
3. Alter estrogen metabolism
4. Covert vitamin A
5. Cause cancer cells to die
6. Repair DNA damage caused by smoking and other toxins
7. Detoxify carcinogens
Wow! We always heard that you should eat your fruits and vegetables, but we never really hear exactly why. I found out why! For example, carrots have Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B 1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B 3 (Niacin), Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxine), Folate, Manganese, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Potassium, Phosphorus, beta-carotene, falcarinol AND Dietary Fiber. Okay, so what does all that mean? Well, it means carrots are great for your body and mind.
Studies show that carrots:
1. Are great for your skin
2. Boost your immune system
3. Protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer
4. Promote good vision, especially night vision
5. May be beneficial to blood sugar regulation
6. Promote colon and lung health
And THAT’S just carrots! I discovered that lemons can clean out your liver, tomatoes cut the risk of cancer, cranberries prevent plaque formation on your teeth, blueberries can slow aging, celery lowers cholesterol, cucumber regulates blood pressure, spinach helps protect against heart disease and cabbage lowers your cancer risk. The list goes on and on as to the health benefits of fruits and vegetables! So THAT’S why The US Department of Agriculture recommends nine servings of fruits and vegetables every single day. They’re really, really good for you!
So, you know what I did? I took my research information and created recipes that are not only fat flushing, but full of life-giving nutrients and super healthy phytonutrients! THEN, I adapted my recipes to fit easily into The 100 Calorie Diet for those of you whose goal is to live a healthy lifestyle. You can change your life with my fat flush recipes. I guarantee you’ll love ‘em!
Fat Flush Morning Drink
8 oz. Pure Spring Water – FREE
Juice of 1 Fresh Lemon - FREE
12 oz. 100% Cranberry Juice – 100 Calories
Upon rising, combine all ingredients and drink on an empty stomach.
Makes One 100 Calorie Serving
Fat Flush Citrus Spritzer
4 oz. Pure Spring Water - FREE
4 oz. Fresh Orange – 50 Calories
4 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice – 50 Calories
1. Combine all ingredients and drink before meals.
Makes One 100 Calorie Serving
Fat Flush Berry Delight
2 Cup Fresh Strawberries – 100 Calories
1 ½ Cups Fresh Raspberries – 100 Calories
1 Cup Fresh Blueberries – 100 Calories
¼ Cup Orange Juice Concentrate, Thawed – 100 Calories
1. Gently toss all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Makes Two 200 Calorie Servings.
Fat Flush Vegetable Cocktail
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt - FREE
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar - FREE
2 Organic Carrots - FREE
2 Organic Celery Stalks - FREE
½ Organic Cucumber - FREE
1 Organic Tomato – FREE
½ Fresh Beet – FREE, but optional
1. Make a cleansing bath for the vegetables by mixing salt and vinegar in a large bowl of water.
2. Soak vegetables in their bath for 5 minutes.
3. Extract juice from vegetables using a juice extractor.
4. Garnish with a leafy celery stalk. Enjoy!
Makes One Really Healthy FREE Cocktail
Note: Fresh juiced beets are known to be great cleansers of the blood, liver and kidneys; but some people simply do not like the taste. That’s why I’ve made it optional. Also, beets can turn your urine and stool pink, so don’t be surprised if it happens to you.
Enjoy the healthy 100 calorie lifestyle! Find out more at http://www.The100CalorieDiet.com
About The Author
Susie Trimble and her sister, Tammy Trimble, developed and co-wrote The 100 Calorie Diet and Food Counter for people who love to eat. It's easy! Eat anything you want in 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500+ and still lose weight. Start living the 100 calorie lifestyle at http://www.The100CalorieDiet.com
1. Serve as antioxidants
2. Enhance immune response
3. Alter estrogen metabolism
4. Covert vitamin A
5. Cause cancer cells to die
6. Repair DNA damage caused by smoking and other toxins
7. Detoxify carcinogens
Wow! We always heard that you should eat your fruits and vegetables, but we never really hear exactly why. I found out why! For example, carrots have Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B 1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B 3 (Niacin), Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxine), Folate, Manganese, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Potassium, Phosphorus, beta-carotene, falcarinol AND Dietary Fiber. Okay, so what does all that mean? Well, it means carrots are great for your body and mind.
Studies show that carrots:
1. Are great for your skin
2. Boost your immune system
3. Protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer
4. Promote good vision, especially night vision
5. May be beneficial to blood sugar regulation
6. Promote colon and lung health
And THAT’S just carrots! I discovered that lemons can clean out your liver, tomatoes cut the risk of cancer, cranberries prevent plaque formation on your teeth, blueberries can slow aging, celery lowers cholesterol, cucumber regulates blood pressure, spinach helps protect against heart disease and cabbage lowers your cancer risk. The list goes on and on as to the health benefits of fruits and vegetables! So THAT’S why The US Department of Agriculture recommends nine servings of fruits and vegetables every single day. They’re really, really good for you!
So, you know what I did? I took my research information and created recipes that are not only fat flushing, but full of life-giving nutrients and super healthy phytonutrients! THEN, I adapted my recipes to fit easily into The 100 Calorie Diet for those of you whose goal is to live a healthy lifestyle. You can change your life with my fat flush recipes. I guarantee you’ll love ‘em!
Fat Flush Morning Drink
8 oz. Pure Spring Water – FREE
Juice of 1 Fresh Lemon - FREE
12 oz. 100% Cranberry Juice – 100 Calories
Upon rising, combine all ingredients and drink on an empty stomach.
Makes One 100 Calorie Serving
Fat Flush Citrus Spritzer
4 oz. Pure Spring Water - FREE
4 oz. Fresh Orange – 50 Calories
4 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice – 50 Calories
1. Combine all ingredients and drink before meals.
Makes One 100 Calorie Serving
Fat Flush Berry Delight
2 Cup Fresh Strawberries – 100 Calories
1 ½ Cups Fresh Raspberries – 100 Calories
1 Cup Fresh Blueberries – 100 Calories
¼ Cup Orange Juice Concentrate, Thawed – 100 Calories
1. Gently toss all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Makes Two 200 Calorie Servings.
Fat Flush Vegetable Cocktail
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt - FREE
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar - FREE
2 Organic Carrots - FREE
2 Organic Celery Stalks - FREE
½ Organic Cucumber - FREE
1 Organic Tomato – FREE
½ Fresh Beet – FREE, but optional
1. Make a cleansing bath for the vegetables by mixing salt and vinegar in a large bowl of water.
2. Soak vegetables in their bath for 5 minutes.
3. Extract juice from vegetables using a juice extractor.
4. Garnish with a leafy celery stalk. Enjoy!
Makes One Really Healthy FREE Cocktail
Note: Fresh juiced beets are known to be great cleansers of the blood, liver and kidneys; but some people simply do not like the taste. That’s why I’ve made it optional. Also, beets can turn your urine and stool pink, so don’t be surprised if it happens to you.
Enjoy the healthy 100 calorie lifestyle! Find out more at http://www.The100CalorieDiet.com
About The Author
Susie Trimble and her sister, Tammy Trimble, developed and co-wrote The 100 Calorie Diet and Food Counter for people who love to eat. It's easy! Eat anything you want in 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500+ and still lose weight. Start living the 100 calorie lifestyle at http://www.The100CalorieDiet.com
How to Heal Anxiety and Panic Attacks
It is a fact that anxiety and panic attacks can strike at any time or any place. For those of us who are prone to them, they can take over their lives. For people who have had more than one panic attack, the fear that another will occur can be debilitating.
So, that it is clear what a panic or anxiety attack is, here is a list of the sorts of feelings which are commonly reported during these periods:
–A feeling that the world is closing in on you
–Strangely dizzy sensations
–A heartbeat that is pounding, much, much faster than usual
–Possibly a tingling in your chest
–Sweating
–An inability to concentrate.
Also, very commonly people suffer an acute fear of dying during the panic attack. Don't worry – you won't die though, nobody does.
A number of studies are ongoing to research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders and other similar psychological disorders. Medical experts are particularly keen to understand how genetic factors and family background combine with life experiences to put a person at risk for these disorders. New drugs are being tested by these Health Institutions in clinical trials, as well as therapy approaches.
Some say that our children are more likely to suffer from panic attacks than the kids of non-panic-ers. They say that there does seem to be a genetic basis. In this area like so many others it is useful to study genetic twins. Some web articles say that in almost half of the cases of identical twins with panic both twins are affected. But, we should not dismiss the fact that behavioral learning may also play a role. That means, if I put it in a more simple way, that our children are likely to follow in our steps if we show anxiety to the extent of panic.
Now let me at this point just say, that if you do think you are starting an episode of anxiety which might develop into a panic attack, take care to remove yourself from dangerous situations. Do this especially if you might become, for a while, a danger to others. The obvious example here is that if you are driving, then stop and only start again once you are feeling better less stressed. If that means asking for help – so be it. Your friends and family will help you.
I am not a medic but I, like very many people, see self help as the starting point in finding a way to heal anxiety and panic attacks, as long as there is no biological cause (and you should consult your medical advisor in the first instance of course about this).
Instead of looking for exotic cures, try the simple things first. If something drug free and low cost, requiring only your time and participation works, then you will not need to look further.
One of the first and simplest things of all to do is to begin to keep a diary of all the situations that trigger panic attacks. That will mean that later you will know how often, when and where, they happened.
We listed common experiences during an attack earlier so write down each type of feeling that you experienced. What were you doing when is started and thinking, feeling at that time? Again, later you will know what the symptoms were.
Why do this you say? Well, a psychologist would I think say that the act of recording and describing each attack will help to put you in charge of the situation. You will also in later review of the information be able deduce how modifying your environment might help prevent future anxiety attacks.
We recommend that you check out the following self-help mini e-learning series: Panic Away, by Joe Barry. He suffered from Panic and Anxiety himself for years, until he managed to hit on one technique that is an almost fail-safe guarantee to rid you of your panic and anxiety.
2: What Causes Panic Attacks and Choosing Panic Attack Treatment
First let us be sure we know what a panic attack is. In physiological terms panic attacks almost always involve the body producing an excess of adrenaline. It is the effect of this suddenly entering into your system, in combination with several other related emotional factors going on within your psyche.
The underlying cause of panic attacks varies for everyone that suffers, and is still open to debate, but the precise cause quite naturally does seem to vary from person to person. Some panic attacks seem to come on unexpectedly, and this is certainly the case for everyone's our first attack. Other anxieties may build up over time for some people and certainly many are most likely triggered later, after a traumatic event. The type of traumatic event varies widely but a good example would be a car accident. Others anxiety/panic attacks turn out to be situation-specific and an attack is frequently triggered if a certain pattern of circumstances recurs for the individual.
Medications such as Klonopin and Zoloft have been prescribed for the alleviation of these attacks. A lady said that she has taken these drugs for her anxiety, and at one time she was free from symptoms for more than 10 years, but the problem came back. She took no medication and it went away again.
Those who study panic attacks find that the attacks commonly occur in clusters. That is, plural episodes for several weeks or months followed by several months to years of joyful absence of the problem. Attacks do tend to be more prevalent in some families and we have been told that attacks are often reduced with SRI drugs like Zoloft.
Attacks of this sort can also be distressing problem for children, although mercifully only rarely. I'm not a pediatrician so I can't tell you the incidence of panic attacks in kids, but according to web information seen, it seems pretty small. Usually, panic attacks do not start until in the late teens, but it can start earlier.
Counseling can be available for confronting the problem and reducing the anxiety that can produce a panic attack. It is also, of course, suitable for a wide range of conditions such as bereavement or marital problems. Counseling is an excellent approach and it is well proven that it helps many people every day live through difficult stages of their life.
However, when dealing with this particular problem counseling may not be needed if simple web based and trained techniques are applied to remove the suffering. One e-course we would like to recommend is seeing fabulous results as a leader in Stress Relief products. You have nothing to lose by applying. Do this and you will go one stage further before using drugs, and don't forget that you can combine hypnosis with counseling and then it becomes possible to work at a considerably deeper level and overcome even the most entrenched panic attacks.
About The Author
We recommend that you check out the following self-help guide to Control Panic Attacks: Panic Away, by Joe Barry. He has suffered from Panic and Anxiety himself for years, until he managed to hit on one technique that is an almost fail-safe guarantee to rid you of your panic and anxiety. Panic Away treats the panic attacks (anxiety attacks) and then shows you how to deal with general anxiety or GAD as it is called.
So, that it is clear what a panic or anxiety attack is, here is a list of the sorts of feelings which are commonly reported during these periods:
–A feeling that the world is closing in on you
–Strangely dizzy sensations
–A heartbeat that is pounding, much, much faster than usual
–Possibly a tingling in your chest
–Sweating
–An inability to concentrate.
Also, very commonly people suffer an acute fear of dying during the panic attack. Don't worry – you won't die though, nobody does.
A number of studies are ongoing to research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders and other similar psychological disorders. Medical experts are particularly keen to understand how genetic factors and family background combine with life experiences to put a person at risk for these disorders. New drugs are being tested by these Health Institutions in clinical trials, as well as therapy approaches.
Some say that our children are more likely to suffer from panic attacks than the kids of non-panic-ers. They say that there does seem to be a genetic basis. In this area like so many others it is useful to study genetic twins. Some web articles say that in almost half of the cases of identical twins with panic both twins are affected. But, we should not dismiss the fact that behavioral learning may also play a role. That means, if I put it in a more simple way, that our children are likely to follow in our steps if we show anxiety to the extent of panic.
Now let me at this point just say, that if you do think you are starting an episode of anxiety which might develop into a panic attack, take care to remove yourself from dangerous situations. Do this especially if you might become, for a while, a danger to others. The obvious example here is that if you are driving, then stop and only start again once you are feeling better less stressed. If that means asking for help – so be it. Your friends and family will help you.
I am not a medic but I, like very many people, see self help as the starting point in finding a way to heal anxiety and panic attacks, as long as there is no biological cause (and you should consult your medical advisor in the first instance of course about this).
Instead of looking for exotic cures, try the simple things first. If something drug free and low cost, requiring only your time and participation works, then you will not need to look further.
One of the first and simplest things of all to do is to begin to keep a diary of all the situations that trigger panic attacks. That will mean that later you will know how often, when and where, they happened.
We listed common experiences during an attack earlier so write down each type of feeling that you experienced. What were you doing when is started and thinking, feeling at that time? Again, later you will know what the symptoms were.
Why do this you say? Well, a psychologist would I think say that the act of recording and describing each attack will help to put you in charge of the situation. You will also in later review of the information be able deduce how modifying your environment might help prevent future anxiety attacks.
We recommend that you check out the following self-help mini e-learning series: Panic Away, by Joe Barry. He suffered from Panic and Anxiety himself for years, until he managed to hit on one technique that is an almost fail-safe guarantee to rid you of your panic and anxiety.
2: What Causes Panic Attacks and Choosing Panic Attack Treatment
First let us be sure we know what a panic attack is. In physiological terms panic attacks almost always involve the body producing an excess of adrenaline. It is the effect of this suddenly entering into your system, in combination with several other related emotional factors going on within your psyche.
The underlying cause of panic attacks varies for everyone that suffers, and is still open to debate, but the precise cause quite naturally does seem to vary from person to person. Some panic attacks seem to come on unexpectedly, and this is certainly the case for everyone's our first attack. Other anxieties may build up over time for some people and certainly many are most likely triggered later, after a traumatic event. The type of traumatic event varies widely but a good example would be a car accident. Others anxiety/panic attacks turn out to be situation-specific and an attack is frequently triggered if a certain pattern of circumstances recurs for the individual.
Medications such as Klonopin and Zoloft have been prescribed for the alleviation of these attacks. A lady said that she has taken these drugs for her anxiety, and at one time she was free from symptoms for more than 10 years, but the problem came back. She took no medication and it went away again.
Those who study panic attacks find that the attacks commonly occur in clusters. That is, plural episodes for several weeks or months followed by several months to years of joyful absence of the problem. Attacks do tend to be more prevalent in some families and we have been told that attacks are often reduced with SRI drugs like Zoloft.
Attacks of this sort can also be distressing problem for children, although mercifully only rarely. I'm not a pediatrician so I can't tell you the incidence of panic attacks in kids, but according to web information seen, it seems pretty small. Usually, panic attacks do not start until in the late teens, but it can start earlier.
Counseling can be available for confronting the problem and reducing the anxiety that can produce a panic attack. It is also, of course, suitable for a wide range of conditions such as bereavement or marital problems. Counseling is an excellent approach and it is well proven that it helps many people every day live through difficult stages of their life.
However, when dealing with this particular problem counseling may not be needed if simple web based and trained techniques are applied to remove the suffering. One e-course we would like to recommend is seeing fabulous results as a leader in Stress Relief products. You have nothing to lose by applying. Do this and you will go one stage further before using drugs, and don't forget that you can combine hypnosis with counseling and then it becomes possible to work at a considerably deeper level and overcome even the most entrenched panic attacks.
About The Author
We recommend that you check out the following self-help guide to Control Panic Attacks: Panic Away, by Joe Barry. He has suffered from Panic and Anxiety himself for years, until he managed to hit on one technique that is an almost fail-safe guarantee to rid you of your panic and anxiety. Panic Away treats the panic attacks (anxiety attacks) and then shows you how to deal with general anxiety or GAD as it is called.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Can Migraines Be Controlled?
Can migraines be controlled? In most cases, YES! The pain of migraines is so horrible that, to many, it seems almost impossible to believe that they are controllable. How could something so painful be controlled simply by bringing the nervous system back into balance... back to “homeostasis”?
To understand how it is possible to control your headaches, let me explain a bit about the physiology of migraine headaches and muscle tension headaches. In working with hundreds of sufferers over the years, I have found that all migraineurs have high muscle tension and, therefore, both issues must be addressed. Migraines have often been called “vascular” headaches. In other words, they have to do with the blood flow through the arteries. When the arteries over-dilate (open up too much), after having been constricted, the blood goes throbbing to the eyes and brain, causing these debilitating headaches. Muscle tension headaches, on the other hand, are caused by the muscles in the shoulders, neck, head, and face, tightening up, thereby causing the pain of these headaches.
Both types of headaches can be brought under control by controlling one's autonomic (or “automatic”) nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system that is usually not consciously controlled. For example, you do not usually consciously control your heart rate, but it you had a fast heart rate, or an irregular heart rate, I could teach you how to control that. I simply attach instruments to your body to measure certain body functions, and, with the feedback on the computer, I would coach you to control the readings. You are getting biological feedback, or “biofeedback” for short, on the screen.
Other things that normally are not consciously controlled include respiration, circulation, blood pressure, brain waves, muscle tension, digestion, sweat gland activity, and much more. Learning how to control the inner functionings of the body, and mind, is enormously empowering to people. People learn how to create health and well-being in their bodies, and these are skills they use, and benefit from, for the rest of their lives. It is so much fun to do!
You have likely heard of the “fight or flight” response. This is when the body goes into high gear after confronted with a real, or perceived, threat or danger. The body has this mechanism to protect itself. All animals have this. Centuries ago our dangers were more physical. We had to protect ourselves from lions, bears and other tribes. Adrenaline would go into the blood stream and give us super strength. This is a great thing in times of emergencies. The problem, nowadays, is that most people run on adrenaline way too much. Stress has become a global epidemic. And, most of our stressors now are psychological stressors so the tension does not get released from the body by running or fleeing. It is often held in.
Back to migraines! There are two things that happen in the body during the fight or flight response that contribute to migraines. First, all animals (including human animals) have an unconscious instinct to protect the throat when they perceive danger or stress. This is because animals are usually attacked at the throat. So, human animals tighten in the neck and shoulders first when they experience stress. This excess muscle tension can create muscle tension headaches and, additionally, contributes to the migraines by crimping the arteries.
Another thing that happens, to people who get migraines, is that their arteries constrict when they experience stress. The body unconsciously does this because if you were to be attacked, or cut, you would bleed less if the arteries were constricted. It is, again, the fight or flight response kicking in. Interestingly, the migraine does not occur when the person is under stress. It happens after the stress is over (usually). This is why the migraine may come on in the middle of the night, the first day of the weekend, or at the beginning of vacation. So, the muscle tension headaches occur when the person is under stress and the migraines occur when the person begins to relax.
People with migraines tend to have cold hands and feet. I teach them how to consciously warm their hands and feet; thereby opening, or dilating, their arteries. They need to keep their arteries dilated in order to prevent the migraines from occurring. I simply get a temperature reading on the surface of their skin. If their arteries are dilated I will see a reading of 93 degrees, or higher, on the surface. I train them how to keep their arteries dilated in order to prevent the migraines from occurring. Often when I start sessions with someone, their surface skin temperature will be in the low 80's. That is a lot of constriction!
Most of the people I work with are on a lot of medications when they first come. The triptans, such as Imitrex or Maxalt, cause the arteries to constrict. These medications are taken as the migraine is coming on to slow it down. Sometimes people crave caffeine when they feel a migraine coming on, for the same reason. The problem, then, is that rebound headaches can occur. In other words, the medications will constrict the arteries, giving temporary relief, but then when the arteries open up as the medication wears off, another migraine often occurs. Then the headaches get worse and worse as time goes on. Sometimes people get to the point where they have chronic daily headaches from medication overuse. The best thing is to learn how to control your nervous system as soon as possible so you don't get into this trap. Think of the medications as being a temporary solution while you take control.
When working with migraine sufferers, I first teach them some general skills for bringing their nervous system into balance (such as proper breathing, deep relaxation of the body and mind, imagery). The Wild Divine is, of course, a wonderful way for patients to practice general biofeedback skills at home. Then, I teach them to bring certain muscles to “normal tension”. Every muscle has a normal level of tension that it should be at and it is measured in microvolts. I teach my patients how to bring their shoulder, neck, forehead, and sometimes the jaw muscles, to normal tension. Then, I teach them how to use their mind to help eliminate stress from their nervous system. Since every thought creates both a chemical change in the body and an electrical change in the nervous system, working with the mind is critical. Finally, I end the training with teaching them to dilate their arteries.
About The Author
Kelsie Kenefick
To understand how it is possible to control your headaches, let me explain a bit about the physiology of migraine headaches and muscle tension headaches. In working with hundreds of sufferers over the years, I have found that all migraineurs have high muscle tension and, therefore, both issues must be addressed. Migraines have often been called “vascular” headaches. In other words, they have to do with the blood flow through the arteries. When the arteries over-dilate (open up too much), after having been constricted, the blood goes throbbing to the eyes and brain, causing these debilitating headaches. Muscle tension headaches, on the other hand, are caused by the muscles in the shoulders, neck, head, and face, tightening up, thereby causing the pain of these headaches.
Both types of headaches can be brought under control by controlling one's autonomic (or “automatic”) nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system that is usually not consciously controlled. For example, you do not usually consciously control your heart rate, but it you had a fast heart rate, or an irregular heart rate, I could teach you how to control that. I simply attach instruments to your body to measure certain body functions, and, with the feedback on the computer, I would coach you to control the readings. You are getting biological feedback, or “biofeedback” for short, on the screen.
Other things that normally are not consciously controlled include respiration, circulation, blood pressure, brain waves, muscle tension, digestion, sweat gland activity, and much more. Learning how to control the inner functionings of the body, and mind, is enormously empowering to people. People learn how to create health and well-being in their bodies, and these are skills they use, and benefit from, for the rest of their lives. It is so much fun to do!
You have likely heard of the “fight or flight” response. This is when the body goes into high gear after confronted with a real, or perceived, threat or danger. The body has this mechanism to protect itself. All animals have this. Centuries ago our dangers were more physical. We had to protect ourselves from lions, bears and other tribes. Adrenaline would go into the blood stream and give us super strength. This is a great thing in times of emergencies. The problem, nowadays, is that most people run on adrenaline way too much. Stress has become a global epidemic. And, most of our stressors now are psychological stressors so the tension does not get released from the body by running or fleeing. It is often held in.
Back to migraines! There are two things that happen in the body during the fight or flight response that contribute to migraines. First, all animals (including human animals) have an unconscious instinct to protect the throat when they perceive danger or stress. This is because animals are usually attacked at the throat. So, human animals tighten in the neck and shoulders first when they experience stress. This excess muscle tension can create muscle tension headaches and, additionally, contributes to the migraines by crimping the arteries.
Another thing that happens, to people who get migraines, is that their arteries constrict when they experience stress. The body unconsciously does this because if you were to be attacked, or cut, you would bleed less if the arteries were constricted. It is, again, the fight or flight response kicking in. Interestingly, the migraine does not occur when the person is under stress. It happens after the stress is over (usually). This is why the migraine may come on in the middle of the night, the first day of the weekend, or at the beginning of vacation. So, the muscle tension headaches occur when the person is under stress and the migraines occur when the person begins to relax.
People with migraines tend to have cold hands and feet. I teach them how to consciously warm their hands and feet; thereby opening, or dilating, their arteries. They need to keep their arteries dilated in order to prevent the migraines from occurring. I simply get a temperature reading on the surface of their skin. If their arteries are dilated I will see a reading of 93 degrees, or higher, on the surface. I train them how to keep their arteries dilated in order to prevent the migraines from occurring. Often when I start sessions with someone, their surface skin temperature will be in the low 80's. That is a lot of constriction!
Most of the people I work with are on a lot of medications when they first come. The triptans, such as Imitrex or Maxalt, cause the arteries to constrict. These medications are taken as the migraine is coming on to slow it down. Sometimes people crave caffeine when they feel a migraine coming on, for the same reason. The problem, then, is that rebound headaches can occur. In other words, the medications will constrict the arteries, giving temporary relief, but then when the arteries open up as the medication wears off, another migraine often occurs. Then the headaches get worse and worse as time goes on. Sometimes people get to the point where they have chronic daily headaches from medication overuse. The best thing is to learn how to control your nervous system as soon as possible so you don't get into this trap. Think of the medications as being a temporary solution while you take control.
When working with migraine sufferers, I first teach them some general skills for bringing their nervous system into balance (such as proper breathing, deep relaxation of the body and mind, imagery). The Wild Divine is, of course, a wonderful way for patients to practice general biofeedback skills at home. Then, I teach them to bring certain muscles to “normal tension”. Every muscle has a normal level of tension that it should be at and it is measured in microvolts. I teach my patients how to bring their shoulder, neck, forehead, and sometimes the jaw muscles, to normal tension. Then, I teach them how to use their mind to help eliminate stress from their nervous system. Since every thought creates both a chemical change in the body and an electrical change in the nervous system, working with the mind is critical. Finally, I end the training with teaching them to dilate their arteries.
About The Author
Kelsie Kenefick
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Cholesterol Buzz
The health field is really humming and, if you listen closely, everyone seems to be talking about cholesterol. Nowadays, everyone seems to be declaring all-out war on the substance. The rally to lower cholesterol levels and eliminate it from our diets has taken on the fire and brimstone, reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century religious debate.
Practically every medical, government, and health organization in the country has jumped on the band wagon. And, if you’ll notice, all of this always seems to coincide with the release and the FDA’s approval of some miraculous new anticholesterol drugs. The timing is almost uncanny.
Normally, an outpouring concern of this magnitude would come on the heels of some new breath-taking research. Has medical research finally discovered that cholesterol is the cause of heart disease? Hardly. It appears instead that the breakthrough concerning cholesterol has more to do with the development of new drugs to get rid of it than it does with it being the primary cause of our number-one killer—heart disease.
Make no mistake, I’m all for stopping heart attacks, which kill more than 500,000 people in this country every year, but let’s attack the causes of the problem instead of training the public to treat symptoms. It was established years and years ago that one of the constituents of artery-clogging plaque is most definitely cholesterol. What has never been established is that cholesterol causes plaquing or clogging of the arteries. Let me say it another way. Before cholesterol, calcium and other substances in your blood attach to the walls of arteries and lead to plaque formation, something has happened to that portion of the artery wall. Damage to the wall can come from rancid oxidized fats (which also may cause blood cells to become sticky, slowing blood flow and promoting clotting), pounding or friction from blood moving through blood vessels under high pressure, loss of blood vessel elasticity from aging, hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, improperly digested nutrients traveling in the bloodstream, chemical toxins, and probably a hundred other factors.
This may sound like a contradiction to what I’ve been saying, but I am in favor of lowering cholesterol levels. Not because anyone has determined cholesterol is the cause of heart and artery problems, but because eating and lifestyle habits that increase blood cholesterol levels also have direct links to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Saturated animal fats, fried foods, insufficient dietary fiber, certain mineral and vitamin deficiencies and low intake of unsaturated fatty acids have all been shown to impair overall cardiovascular health, regardless of the cholesterol levels.
We’re approaching the problem from the wrong direction. Trying to eliminate cholesterol only is side-stepping the real problem of improper diets and lifestyle. Abnormally high cholesterol levels are symptoms of bigger problems, and when you treat the symptoms instead of the causes, it becomes a never-ending exercise in futility.
Don’t think the drug companies are ignorant of the fact that the majority of the American public wants the easy way out when it comes to their health either. The public spends billions of dollars on antacids, headache remedies, laxatives, and appetite suppressants to treat problems directly linked to improper diet and lifestyle. It’s much easier (and more profitable) to market an after-the-fact "cure" than it is to convince everyone that they are ultimately responsible for their own health.
For more information, visit http://www.searchhearthealth.com
Practically every medical, government, and health organization in the country has jumped on the band wagon. And, if you’ll notice, all of this always seems to coincide with the release and the FDA’s approval of some miraculous new anticholesterol drugs. The timing is almost uncanny.
Normally, an outpouring concern of this magnitude would come on the heels of some new breath-taking research. Has medical research finally discovered that cholesterol is the cause of heart disease? Hardly. It appears instead that the breakthrough concerning cholesterol has more to do with the development of new drugs to get rid of it than it does with it being the primary cause of our number-one killer—heart disease.
Make no mistake, I’m all for stopping heart attacks, which kill more than 500,000 people in this country every year, but let’s attack the causes of the problem instead of training the public to treat symptoms. It was established years and years ago that one of the constituents of artery-clogging plaque is most definitely cholesterol. What has never been established is that cholesterol causes plaquing or clogging of the arteries. Let me say it another way. Before cholesterol, calcium and other substances in your blood attach to the walls of arteries and lead to plaque formation, something has happened to that portion of the artery wall. Damage to the wall can come from rancid oxidized fats (which also may cause blood cells to become sticky, slowing blood flow and promoting clotting), pounding or friction from blood moving through blood vessels under high pressure, loss of blood vessel elasticity from aging, hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, improperly digested nutrients traveling in the bloodstream, chemical toxins, and probably a hundred other factors.
This may sound like a contradiction to what I’ve been saying, but I am in favor of lowering cholesterol levels. Not because anyone has determined cholesterol is the cause of heart and artery problems, but because eating and lifestyle habits that increase blood cholesterol levels also have direct links to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Saturated animal fats, fried foods, insufficient dietary fiber, certain mineral and vitamin deficiencies and low intake of unsaturated fatty acids have all been shown to impair overall cardiovascular health, regardless of the cholesterol levels.
We’re approaching the problem from the wrong direction. Trying to eliminate cholesterol only is side-stepping the real problem of improper diets and lifestyle. Abnormally high cholesterol levels are symptoms of bigger problems, and when you treat the symptoms instead of the causes, it becomes a never-ending exercise in futility.
Don’t think the drug companies are ignorant of the fact that the majority of the American public wants the easy way out when it comes to their health either. The public spends billions of dollars on antacids, headache remedies, laxatives, and appetite suppressants to treat problems directly linked to improper diet and lifestyle. It’s much easier (and more profitable) to market an after-the-fact "cure" than it is to convince everyone that they are ultimately responsible for their own health.
For more information, visit http://www.searchhearthealth.com
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